A marvelous history intitulede, Beware the cat Conteynyng diuerse wounderfull and incredible matters. Very pleasant and mery to read [by WIlliam Baldwin] |
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 | A marvelous history intitulede, Beware the cat |  |
T. K. to the Reader.
This
little book Bevvare the Cat
moste pleasantly compil'd:
In time obscured was and so,
siince that hath been exilde.
moste pleasantly compil'd:
In time obscured was and so,
siince that hath been exilde.
Exilde, because perchaunce at first,
it shewed the toyes and drifts:
Of such as then by wiles and willes,
maintained Popish shifts.
it shewed the toyes and drifts:
Of such as then by wiles and willes,
maintained Popish shifts.
Shifts, such as those in such a time,
delighted for to vse:
Wherby ful many simple soules,
they did ful sore abuse.
delighted for to vse:
Wherby ful many simple soules,
they did ful sore abuse.
Abuse? yea sure and that with spight
when as the Cat gan tel:
Of many pranks of popish preests,
bothe foolish mad and fel.
when as the Cat gan tel:
Of many pranks of popish preests,
bothe foolish mad and fel.
Fel sure & vaine, if iudgement right
appeere to be in place:
And so as fel in pleasant wise,
this fixion shewes their grace.
appeere to be in place:
And so as fel in pleasant wise,
this fixion shewes their grace.
Grace? nay sure vngratiousnes,
of such and many mo:
which may be tolde in these our daies
to make vs laugh also.
of such and many mo:
to make vs laugh also.
Also to laugh? nay rather weep,
to see such shifts now vsed:
And that in euery sorte of men,
true vertue is abused.
to see such shifts now vsed:
And that in euery sorte of men,
true vertue is abused.
Abused? yea, and quite downe cast,
let vs be sure of that:
And therfore now as hath been said,
I say beware the Cat.
let vs be sure of that:
And therfore now as hath been said,
I say beware the Cat.
The Cat ful pleasantly wil shew,
some sleights that now are wrought
And make some laugh, which vnto mirth
to be constrainde are loght.
some sleights that now are wrought
And make some laugh, which vnto mirth
to be constrainde are loght.
Lothe? yea, for ouer passing greef,
that much bereues their minde:
For such disorder as in states,
of euery sorte they finde.
that much bereues their minde:
For such disorder as in states,
of euery sorte they finde.
Finde? yea, who can now boste but that
the Cat wil him disclose?
Therfore in midst of mirth (I say)
beware the Cat to those.
the Cat wil him disclose?
Therfore in midst of mirth (I say)
beware the Cat to those.
The Himne
Who
giuest wit to Whales, to Apes, to Owles:
And kindely speech, to fish, to flesh to fowles.
And spirit to men in soule and body clene:
To mark and knowe what other creatures mean
And kindely speech, to fish, to flesh to fowles.
And spirit to men in soule and body clene:
To mark and knowe what other creatures mean
Which hast giuen grace to Gregory no Pope:
No King, no Lord, whose treasures are their hope
But sily preest, which like a Streamer waues:
In ghostely good, despisde of foolish knaues.
No King, no Lord, whose treasures are their hope
But sily preest, which like a Streamer waues:
In ghostely good, despisde of foolish knaues.
Which hast (I say) giuen grace to him to knowe:
The course of things abooue and heer belowe.
With skil so great in languages and tunges:
As neuer brethde from Mithridates lunges.
The course of things abooue and heer belowe.
With skil so great in languages and tunges:
As neuer brethde from Mithridates lunges.
To whom the hunter of birds, of mise and rats:
Did speak as plain as Kate that thrūmeth hats.
By meane of whome is openly bewrayed:
Such things as closly were bothe doon and said.
Did speak as plain as Kate that thrūmeth hats.
By meane of whome is openly bewrayed:
Such things as closly were bothe doon and said.
To him graunt Lord with helthy welth and rest:
Long life to vnlode to vs his learned brest.
With fame so great to ouerliue his graue:
As none had erst, nor any after haue.
Long life to vnlode to vs his learned brest.
With fame so great to ouerliue his graue:
As none had erst, nor any after haue.
FINIS.
| A marvelous history intitulede, Beware the cat | |