Satirycall dialogve or a sharplye-invectiue conference, betweene Allexander the great, and that truelye woman-hater Diogynes [by William Goddard] |
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[To the] bewteous: to the all-illustrious, and most puissaunt creatures of the Earth, VVOEMEN: Willyam Goddard, sole desirer of th'yncrease of your bewtyes, and chiefe adorer of your goddes-like vertues, (with al reuerence to your Angelicall sex,) commendes to your protection this harsh vnlearned DIALOGVE.
Starrs
of this earthlie heaun, you whose essence
Composd was of mans purest quyntessince,
To you (to virtuous you) J dedicate
This snaggy sprigg, hew'd from a crabby pate
Wherein (Celestiall bewties) you shall see,
Howe old Diogynes extolleth yee.
We men, doe loue to see our selues vp-raisd
And Jocond are, o heare our own selues praisd
But (oh you springes of Wisdome) J doe find
That is a thing most hatefull to your kind.
Yet old Diogynes did see your worth,
Such worth hee sawe, as needes heed paint it forth.
Accept his loue; for all the Cynnicks deedes
Out of true zeale vnto your sex proceedes
With rev'rent zeale, as high as th'azurd skyes
Your virtuous deedes, the old man magnifies.
Contrary wise, he with a bitter penn
Jnvectivelie, doth write against bad men
Comanunding them, that what soe e're they doe,
They alwaies should example take by you.
Composd was of mans purest quyntessince,
To you (to virtuous you) J dedicate
This snaggy sprigg, hew'd from a crabby pate
Wherein (Celestiall bewties) you shall see,
Howe old Diogynes extolleth yee.
We men, doe loue to see our selues vp-raisd
And Jocond are, o heare our own selues praisd
But (oh you springes of Wisdome) J doe find
That is a thing most hatefull to your kind.
Yet old Diogynes did see your worth,
Such worth hee sawe, as needes heed paint it forth.
Accept his loue; for all the Cynnicks deedes
Out of true zeale vnto your sex proceedes
With rev'rent zeale, as high as th'azurd skyes
Your virtuous deedes, the old man magnifies.
Contrary wise, he with a bitter penn
Jnvectivelie, doth write against bad men
Comanunding them, that what soe e're they doe,
They alwaies should example take by you.
Badd are these men, such is their perverse kind
They burne all bookes, wherein theire faults they find
And therefore (earthlie aungells) my desire
Js you'l protect this, from consuming fire.
They burne all bookes, wherein theire faults they find
And therefore (earthlie aungells) my desire
Js you'l protect this, from consuming fire.
The euer-faythfull honourer
of your celestyall Sex Willyam Goddard.
To the senceles Censurer.
Rash Reader, read my booke, and when tis readDisdaynefullie through't o're thy muddy head
Thy condemnations peale a both sides ringe:
Rash men are priviledgd t'saie anie thing
And therefore (hare-braine) reade, criemewe dislike:
My spleene swells not when fooles with bables strike.
Pack hence precision: cry'st it is obsceane?
Diue deeper shallowe pate: knowe what I meane
Knowe what I meane? alas! what hope haue I?
Since carpers mindes haue but a pore blynd eye
Yet to prevent thy censures thus much knowe
Whollye this booke was made, follie to showe
And he which laies ope tymes abuse, and vice
Are sildome blam'd of men Iudicious wise:
At which I ay'md; and therefore duncepate hence
Or looke for lashes for thy rude offence.
William G.
A SATIRYCALL DIALOGVE OR A SHARPLYE-INVECTVIE CONFERENCE
Betweene ALLEXANDER THE GREATE, and that Trulye Woman-hater Diogynes.
Alexander.Why howe nowe Cynnick, what dust doe a daies
That thou in tubb art coop't-vp thus alwaies?
Diogynes.
What doe I doe? not daunce from howse to howse
To bibb in wynes sweete Iuice, eache dambd corrowse
Nor doe I gallop it from place to place
To veiwe each faire bewitching painted face
Nor studdye howe, this populous world to wynn
My studdy's howe, to beate and conquer synn
I studdye not wherewith my gutts to cramm
On what soe ere I feede, well pleasd I am.
To mee's all one the fyn'st and grossest meate
So't wholesome be, I nere care what I eate.
With in my selfes a world, and it is true
I howrlie fight, all that world to subdue
And these fell-fighters bee the enymies,
That rebell-like, againste me dailie rise
Vaine Pryde (my cheifest foe) the leading hath
Of these feirce-foes: loathd, drunkenues and Wrath
With Averice, Sloathe, Gluttonie, and Lust,
To beate downe these, I daylie doe devise:
To this end, I vse strentgh and pollicies:
I studdy not, nor trouble I my witt
Howe I by flatt'ry should be fauouritt,
Vnto greate Allexander. I would refuse
To be that monarchs selfe, If I might chuse.
Allexander.
Thou wouldst not; woudst?
Diogynes.
I would by Ioue I vowe
Allexander.
Alas (poore sillie snake) why what art thou?
Diogynes.
What thou art not: I am an honest man
And then (I hope) the more vnlike thee than,
I am noe Courtyer I, for once by chaunce
I with an other mans faire wife did daunce
Yet Icie-vayned I (vnsett a fire)
Did freeze moste coldlie, in loues hott desire:
I did indeed: but doe you heare me hoe?
Was e're hott-blouded Courtyer frozen soe?
I am noe Lawyer I, for once there was
A poore man praide me vndertake his case
Quoth he, praie vndertakt and you shall haue your fee
Though you sitt dumb, and nothing speake for me.
But I refusd it I: yet harke you hoe
What Lawyer ere refusd, and tempted soe?
I am noe younger-brother, brauelie sprighted
For once a vsring golden Asse (be nighted)
Quite laden, with his full stuft treasure baggs;
By me that dreaming drudge, all feareles laggs
Yet honest I (vntempted with this sight)
Thou emptie mayd, at this baite would not bite
Hence capring Courtyer ask you who I am?
Goe, gett you hence, scudd quick from whence you came.
Cynnick you are to sharpe did you but knowe me
I am assurd more reu'rence you would showe me.
Diogynes.
Howe? I showe reverence? noe, vnderstand
That Allexander getts none at my hand.
Allexander.
In faithe Diogynes thou haste not beene,
In all thy life, where anie thing th'ast seene.
Yf thoudst but trauayle and some fashions see,
Thoudst aunswere none, as nowe thou aunswerst me.
Diogynes.
Haue I not trauayld? ha? yes yes I trowe,
(Spruce fellowe) thou haste neuer trauaild soe.
Where I haue bene, theres fewe hath euer beene
But yet men saie noe wonders I haue seene,
Why once I sawe, a ritch-left heire to weepe,
When's old dadd tooke his euerlasting sleepe.
Once did I see a bewteous maide (tis straunge!)
Liue twentie yeares, yet not that title chaunge
Once did I see a wife in mourninge weede
Shedd teares ouer hir husbands course indeed
I once did see a Cytizens faire wife
Liue at the Courte, he leading else wher'es life
And hee (ins witt) noe wiser then an asse
Yet was hee brow'd, more smothe then smothest glasse
Once did I see a King giues foes the foile
And gaue his souldyers leaue, to take the spoile
And lastlie once I was in such a Court
Where 'bout the King, noe flattrers did resort
Where I haue beene, oh surelie none haue beene,
Then why saie you, noe wonders I haue seene?
Why faith Diogynes me thinkes these are,
Nor things (as thou wouldst make em) wondrous rare
The like in eu'rie place and realme I see
Th'are comon, man, they ordynarie be.
Diogynes.
Those ordynarie thinges? I fayth sir noe;
These thinges, are th'ordynarie thinges, I trowe
To see faire bewtious ladies nowe a daies
Refuse to take at once both pricke, and praise
Of both the'ile not accept, for still those men
Which gives the one, shall tother haue agenn.
The other thinges? why! those are wondrous rare
These be the thinges that ordynarie are
To see howe Lords shake-of their serving men
And howe their ladies take them on agen
Holding em in (vnto their Lords vnknowne)
To ride in private, with them vp and downe
T'see mercers bookes fild-vp with courtyers names
To see your mincyng bewteous cyttie dames
Haue alwaies some one gallant of the court,
(As knisman to them) to theire howse resort.
To see, a plaine kind man loue none soe much
As he which giues his pate the cuckolds tutch
These; these are ordynarie man: also
This thing is as much ordynarie too
To see your ritch old country squires to wedd
Their chamber maides vnto theire servaunts bedd
But firste themselues to take the maydenhead
Then place them in some cottage nere at hand
To haue theire service, readie at comaund.
Thou saydst the first were ordynarie thinges:
Awaie awaie: why man to see on Kinges
Howe Daunger plaine, cloathd smoothly-smiling Daunger
Wayteth on them attending like noe straunger
But like some smyling, countenanced freind
Onelie to giue too's Prince, his fatall end:
But thoud'st vn say't againe wert thou a King
What thinges are common, and not common be,
Thy shallowe reatch, cannot conceaue I see.
Allexander.
Naie fie Diogynes infaith thou art,
In thy conclusions still a dram, to tart
I pray thee lett me soe prevaile with thee
As ride to Allexanders court with mee
Twill mend thee much, and I will vndertake,
The King shall byd thee welcome for my sake.
Diogynes.
Vnto my Tubb, lett Allexander come
I'me in a Pallace, when I'me in this home
Let those that list, vnto thy King resort,
T is not my list: what should I doe at's court?
Allexander.
As others doe; in spending of smale pelfe,
Thou maiste in tyme to honour raise thy selfe.
Diogynes.
I cannot fawne, my tongue too rustie is;
I bashfull am; I'm nothing boldlie rude
I rather chuse Court delecates to misse
Then with a brazen face my selfe ty'ntrude:
In tubb (coop't-vp) I will liue euer mude
And euer liue vppon sowre garden woortes
Er'e Ile' a flattr'er be, and followe cortes
I bashfull am; I'm nothing boldlie rude
I rather chuse Court delecates to misse
Then with a brazen face my selfe ty'ntrude:
In tubb (coop't-vp) I will liue euer mude
And euer liue vppon sowre garden woortes
Er'e Ile' a flattr'er be, and followe cortes
I cannot turne my tongue to praise and laude
A soone-lamb'd prick-eard proud-feerce firy steed
I cannot Fyndalls full deepe mouth applaude
Nor swaere the greate-mans grew hound hath best speed
When hee doth plaie the slowe-slugg curr indeed
Though some cann doo't, yet such is my sowre, kind
I neuer could, though't gall's his sweld pust mind
A soone-lamb'd prick-eard proud-feerce firy steed
I cannot Fyndalls full deepe mouth applaude
Nor swaere the greate-mans grew hound hath best speed
Though some cann doo't, yet such is my sowre, kind
I neuer could, though't gall's his sweld pust mind
I cannot tell the greate foole hee is wise,
Nor tell fowle ladies, they are wondrous faire
I ne're applaude aboue heauns-spangled skies
The curld-worne tresses, of dead-borrow'd haire
Like Northern blaste I breathe my crittick aire:
I am noe Mimyck ape, I loathe and hate,
Each light-braind, giddy-head to Imy rate
Nor tell fowle ladies, they are wondrous faire
I ne're applaude aboue heauns-spangled skies
The curld-worne tresses, of dead-borrow'd haire
Like Northern blaste I breathe my crittick aire:
I am noe Mimyck ape, I loathe and hate,
Each light-braind, giddy-head to Imy rate
I cannot brooke, to suck the livings bloud
Of these old Vsrer's ritch-left prodigalls
I nourish not with such sweete-bitter food:
I hate to rise by other mens downe falls
I knowe tis Ill though other think tis good
Though some doe think such papp all sweete to be
Yet I doe not; it poyson proues to mee.
To make short worke, I neuer loud'vaine sportes
And therefore I'me vnfitt for Prynces Courtes?
Of these old Vsrer's ritch-left prodigalls
I nourish not with such sweete-bitter food:
I hate to rise by other mens downe falls
I knowe tis Ill though other think tis good
Though some doe think such papp all sweete to be
Yet I doe not; it poyson proues to mee.
To make short worke, I neuer loud'vaine sportes
And therefore I'me vnfitt for Prynces Courtes?
Allexander.
Diogynes , thou art deceyued quite
In vanities Kinges take the least delight
Ile vndertake none shall respected bee
(Yf thou wilt followe him) better then thee
Come to the Court, and then in seeing him
Thou also maiste, take veiwe of ladies trymm
Mee thinkes, hee is too dull and sadd of spright
That in a bewteous dame takes noe delight.
Why hee that's mary'd is in heaun all night.
Diogynes.
There lett him bee, for I had rather dwell
A thousaud tymes, a single man in hell
I am assurd that ther'es noe Divell cann
(Like to a wife) torment a mary'd man.
When once I doe, a womans tongue but heare
It galls my gutts when I a woman see
Ile not once come, where such straunge creatures be
Come hold your tongue, and prate no more to me
Allexander.
Naie good Diogynes bee not soe quick
I hope yet 'ere I die, see thee loue sick
Diogynes.
Loue-sicke? why I doe loue these women soe
As I'me soe fonde, I knowe not what to doe
Such is my loue vnto the femall Kind
As were I Empr'our of thynfernall lake
But women, none with me should fauour synd
One man into my Kingdome Jd'e not take
Ide' send my servaunts out, to scarch and see
To bring all women in the world to mee.
Allexander.
Byth masse Diogynes thou loust em well
Wert thou the King and gouernour of hell
Thou wouldst I see advaunce the women kind
There is noe want of will hadst to thy mind
Wert thou (I see) the prince of that faire place
Women, (onelie) with thee should be in grace
I see thoudst very carles be of men
I see thoudst women haue, t'attend thee then.
Diogynes.
I that I would, and this they should be bold
Ide carefull be they should not freeze with cold
Allexander.
I fayth Diogynes I doubt th'ast euer
Beene privatelie a vild laciuious liuer
Where anie one faire vertuous creature weare.
Diogynes.
Nor nere will looke to be: I am too wise
To thinke that vertue cann remaine in vice
Allexander.
Wert thou at Court, thou'dst alter then thy mind
When women thou didst see, soe wondrous kind
Forsake this Tubb, t'is solliterie Ill
And howe to court faire ladies, learne the skyll.
Diogynes.
Nowe, by the lustfull fire hott boiling vaines
Of that same wanton greate god Iupiter
I am vnskild in these speech-pleasing straines
To courte a wenche when I come vnto hir
I'me then an all-mute dumb and surlie sir
I cannot lispe, nor cann I courtlike saie,
When I doe women woe, I runn my waie.
Of that same wanton greate god Iupiter
I am vnskild in these speech-pleasing straines
To courte a wenche when I come vnto hir
I'me then an all-mute dumb and surlie sir
I cannot lispe, nor cann I courtlike saie,
When I doe women woe, I runn my waie.
I cannot singe, nor cann I turne my tongue
To chaunte a Syren-charming quau'ring dittye
When I these bewties chaunce to come amonge
My lead-sade-sable lookes must moue their pittie
All what is in me then, is all vnwittie
I want these warbling noates to wynn their loues
Nor cann I pricksong sett, which better moues
To chaunte a Syren-charming quau'ring dittye
When I these bewties chaunce to come amonge
My lead-sade-sable lookes must moue their pittie
All what is in me then, is all vnwittie
I want these warbling noates to wynn their loues
Nor cann I pricksong sett, which better moues
I cannot musick it, nor finger fyne
A sweete-cleare-throated, eare-charme instrument
I'me not posseste with such sweet parts devyne
Whereby to cause, faire bewties merryment
T'ynchaunt theire eares nothing cann I invent
And well knowe I, that women take delight
In these same instruments, both daie and night
A sweete-cleare-throated, eare-charme instrument
I'me not posseste with such sweet parts devyne
Whereby to cause, faire bewties merryment
T'ynchaunt theire eares nothing cann I invent
And well knowe I, that women take delight
In these same instruments, both daie and night
I cannot daunce, nor with my sprawling heeles
Cann I the ny'mble cutt-heele caper kick
My sullen bloud an other humor feeles
To woe a wench, I want the wanton trick
I am a milksopp then, I then am sick
Againe, strenghes moysture in may vaines is skant,
Which women after dauncing must not want.
And therefore pry thee fellowe lett me reste
Of all these worldly Courts, my Tubb's the best.
Cann I the ny'mble cutt-heele caper kick
My sullen bloud an other humor feeles
To woe a wench, I want the wanton trick
I am a milksopp then, I then am sick
Againe, strenghes moysture in may vaines is skant,
Which women after dauncing must not want.
And therefore pry thee fellowe lett me reste
Of all these worldly Courts, my Tubb's the best.
Allexander.
Diogines , my meaning is mistooke
I would not, that your Tubb be quite forsooke
But for your recreation nowe and then
Youd' goe too th'Court, from court t'your tubb agen.
Mistake me not, it will for your good tend
A wiseman alwaies lysten will too's freind.
Diogynes.
Naie would you would these complementes forbeare
For Courtyers freindshipps, I did neuer care
Yet should I chuse a freind, a Courtyer than
I would make choise-of, fore another man:
By this example I will plainelie proue
That like to Courtyers, none doe truelie loue
Like to apparrell they doe loue theire freind
To what (like that) doe they theire loues extend:
Like cloathes they loue theire freindes: why that is true
Iust like em, cause they nere loue cloathes but newe:
Pack hence, for such loue should I find of you.
Allexander.
Naie fye Diogynes you cann (yf lift)
Forbeare to plaie this crabb-sowre satirist
I pry thee Cynnick broach thy milder braine
And let thy wordes runn in a sweeter vaine
In others natures too too much you markst,
I doe dislike it I, I pry thee cease
Thoud'st gaine more loue, yf thou didst hold thy peace:
Turne courtyer man, come, be thou pollitick wise
He best wynns loue, that best cann sooth-vp vice.
Diogynes.
Then Ile' wynn hate: nor King nor Clowne Ile' spare
Yf they with vices vennym poysned are
Yf with Prides swellinge tympany I fynd
Theire hartes are once puft-vp; Ile speake my mind.
Let's pate be crownd, with hundred thowsand crownes
Lett cruell deathe, succeed his wrathfull frownes
Yet (yf in him) loathd filthie synns I see
Hee shall not (in them) sooth'd-vp-be, by mee
I cannot soothe; I am not that waies wise:
Who liveth not in vertue, dies in vice.
Allexander.
Thou sayst well Cynnick, for I hold this race
Of oyld-tongu'd flattrers, to be dangerous base
The cankerd rust, doth not the Iron frett
Soe faste as these, doe in good natures eate
The statelie oake a longer tyme would liue
Yf to the Ivie, he noe truste did giue
But as the Ivie', 'boute the oake entwyndes
To worke his fall; so't fares with flattrers mindes.
But whether in discourse, shall our tongues walke?
I came not here, of court affaires to talke
I came to see, thy manner kind of life
And t'aske thee, why thou getst thee not a wife.
Faith gett thee one, I would not lie alone
Yf all the world could but afford mee one.
Diogynes.
A wife? why for my life I cannot see
Howe man, with woman, euer should agree
When men goe backward, and goe downe the wynd
It frettes, cuttes, galles, and greiveth sore the mind
When women backward growe, and downeward goe
Theire spleenes, with laughter tickles then I trowe:
Since their two natures, are soe contrarie
I muse howe tweene them, cann be sympathie
A wife? oh fellowe tha'rt a younge man yet
Ther'es much sowre sawce, belonges to that sweete bitt:
Who would be troubled with the yawling noyse
Of a harsh-whewling young childes whympring voice
Againe, to see em fligger, smile, and plaie
Doth make mee greiue as much an other waie
When they doe simper, I doe sighe; for then
I mynd the miseries, theyl see (ere men.)
Twould cutt my heart to heare a babe crye dadd
Oh giue me meate: when tis not to be hadd
He that doth wiue, for pleasures sole intent
Tis tenn to one, but soone he will repent.
Who would be bound to scrape, pinch, carke, and care
For brattes, (perhapps) that gott by others are?
Not I: Ile' none of this thing, cald a wife
Let him take one, that's wearie of his life
For hee that alwaies will supplies' wiues lack
Must vnto Nature goe, for a steele back.
A wife? Ile ha noe wife: such sprights will frowne
Vnles they (er'e a non) are coinurd' downe:
Againe my little Tubb is too too small
To hold my wife, my selfe, and whom shee'le call
It must not be a smale howse that cann hold
A silent man, ioynd with a shrill-tongud schold
Nowe will hir gossipps come; then praie nowe where
Is roome for them to chatt, and make good cheere?
And nowe hir old-acquainted freind will come
(Perhapps to see hir, when I'me from my home)
Then where's my galleree, for them to walk?
Or anie place for old freindes secrett talk?
Some what perhapps theyd' doe, I should not see:
Where haue I chambers then for them to bee?
Not in my Tubb my Tubb hath not the scope
For hir to gossip't, with hir mates I hope.
Yet though I haue noe wife (with hott desire)
My harte is flamd: burnt am I with loues fire
A loue I haue to whom I will be true
Obserue hir partes, I will discribe them you
My loues pure white hath ne're sustaind a spot
She's wise, good, rich, faire, chaste, what is shee not?
Howe man, with woman, euer should agree
It frettes, cuttes, galles, and greiveth sore the mind
When women backward growe, and downeward goe
Theire spleenes, with laughter tickles then I trowe:
Since their two natures, are soe contrarie
I muse howe tweene them, cann be sympathie
A wife? oh fellowe tha'rt a younge man yet
Ther'es much sowre sawce, belonges to that sweete bitt:
Who would be troubled with the yawling noyse
Of a harsh-whewling young childes whympring voice
Againe, to see em fligger, smile, and plaie
Doth make mee greiue as much an other waie
When they doe simper, I doe sighe; for then
I mynd the miseries, theyl see (ere men.)
Twould cutt my heart to heare a babe crye dadd
Oh giue me meate: when tis not to be hadd
He that doth wiue, for pleasures sole intent
Tis tenn to one, but soone he will repent.
Who would be bound to scrape, pinch, carke, and care
For brattes, (perhapps) that gott by others are?
Not I: Ile' none of this thing, cald a wife
Let him take one, that's wearie of his life
For hee that alwaies will supplies' wiues lack
Must vnto Nature goe, for a steele back.
A wife? Ile ha noe wife: such sprights will frowne
Vnles they (er'e a non) are coinurd' downe:
Againe my little Tubb is too too small
To hold my wife, my selfe, and whom shee'le call
It must not be a smale howse that cann hold
A silent man, ioynd with a shrill-tongud schold
Nowe will hir gossipps come; then praie nowe where
Is roome for them to chatt, and make good cheere?
And nowe hir old-acquainted freind will come
(Perhapps to see hir, when I'me from my home)
Then where's my galleree, for them to walk?
Or anie place for old freindes secrett talk?
Some what perhapps theyd' doe, I should not see:
Where haue I chambers then for them to bee?
Not in my Tubb my Tubb hath not the scope
For hir to gossip't, with hir mates I hope.
My harte is flamd: burnt am I with loues fire
A loue I haue to whom I will be true
Obserue hir partes, I will discribe them you
My loues pure white hath ne're sustaind a spot
She's wise, good, rich, faire, chaste, what is shee not?
Hir
eyes, grace, speach; hath fir'd, amaz'd, rauisht,
My harte, sence, thoughts; with loue, wonder, delight,
But fyr'd, 'mazd, sence-rest; J sought, prayde, and wisht,
To quenche, cure, and heale; loue, sence, and eyes-dymd sight
Thus eyes, grace, speache; hath fyr'd, amazd, sence-charmd
My thoughts, sence, witts, with loue, with feare, vnarmd
My harte, sence, thoughts; with loue, wonder, delight,
But fyr'd, 'mazd, sence-rest; J sought, prayde, and wisht,
To quenche, cure, and heale; loue, sence, and eyes-dymd sight
Thus eyes, grace, speache; hath fyr'd, amazd, sence-charmd
My thoughts, sence, witts, with loue, with feare, vnarmd
Oh my loue's fairelie white without a spott
Such is hir hue noe staine hir hue can blott
Uirtue's that Dame in hir sweete grace I sitt
'Tis shee loues me, she'es womans oppositt,
Could I one headles lymb les corp les see
To such a one would I betrothed be
For had shee nere a head; noe tongue sheed haue:
Nor corps; then Ide not dread the lechrous knaue:
Nor lymb; then should I neuer quiv'ring stand
Fearing my eares remembraunce of hir hand
Of rope or hangman I was nere afrayde
At noe sight quake I but at wife or maide.
Such is hir hue noe staine hir hue can blott
Uirtue's that Dame in hir sweete grace I sitt
'Tis shee loues me, she'es womans oppositt,
Could I one headles lymb les corp les see
To such a one would I betrothed be
For had shee nere a head; noe tongue sheed haue:
Nor corps; then Ide not dread the lechrous knaue:
Nor lymb; then should I neuer quiv'ring stand
Fearing my eares remembraunce of hir hand
Of rope or hangman I was nere afrayde
At noe sight quake I but at wife or maide.
Allexander.
Oh harsh-sowre, crabby Cynnick, still I see
To gentle creatures thou wilt stubborne be
If with a girle thast neuer slept a night
Thy soule hath neuer tasted sweete delight,
Such is the femall sex, while wife or maide
As of them, too much good, cannot be saide
Me thinkes the skipping bloud (a Virgins grace)
When mens fowle tongues, o're-flowes with ribaldery
Should make thee loue maides, for theire modestie.
Diogynes.
Maydens modest? what is this modestie?
Yf t'is in them, it is a vice saie I
Vertue in women is as cold as Ice:
Nothinge is warme in them vnlest be vice.
Thou art a dunce, thou haste noe reatche I see
Why Maydes at all tymes cann faine modestee.
Theil' blush as oft while they liue single liues
As they will weepe, when they be mary'd wiues:
If twas my liste, I could a thowsand name
That would (yf men talke Ill) blush at the same
Yet by themselues, their tongues shall nimblie walke
Whole nights togeather, all in too-broad talk.
Allexander.
Thou wrongst em soore: I doe not think it I
That maydens tongues, will tripp Immodestlie.
Diogynes.
Thou doost not, doost? I prithee think soe still:
I think thy witt is like a womans will
But what thou dost not think, I trulie knowe:
What I haue saide of maydes men shall find soe
I fellowe, fellowe, till theire by themselues
Maydes in talke are modest bashfull elues
But beinge from the companie of men
The lawes of modestie is broken then.
Twas not longe since I stood to maydens neere
But Lord! thou't ne're beleeue what I did heare
For onelie that same wench esteemd' was well
Which could the ribauldst dreame, relate and tell:
I could relate all what they did relate
But that my tongues, disvs'd to such like prate
'Tis vild obscene; speake younge man wilt you hav't?
Come, out with't Cynnick, I knowe thy delight
Is, all in all to worke faire woomen spight.
DIOGINES RELATES the three wanton Sisters wanton dreames.
Diogynes.
Over the fyer, once three maydens satt
Vnknowne to them, I ouer heard theire chatt
Eache with hir tuckt-vp cloathes, in pleasing plight
(Pleasing I meane vnto fond younge mens sight)
Satt ore the fyer, soe, as one might see,
From slender foote, to round white nimble knee
As thus they satt, I'me sure thou doest thinke what
(When maydes with maydens bee) wilbe theire chatt
Girles (quoth the eldest sister) what shall's doe?
Smal'es my desire, vnto my bedd to goe
For yet, I never in my couche could fynd
A sportiue mate to please my mayden mind
Alas, alas, what pleasure and delight
Takes one mayde with an other in the night?
But smale god knowes it, for my owne part I
Ne're tooke anie with whom I e're did lie.
For loue, noe revells in that bedd doth keepe
Where one girle, by an others side doth sleepe.
For trulye (sisters) there is none that can
Giue maydes delight in bedd, but a young man
And but in dreame (the more vnhappie I)
I ne're with such a beddfellowe could lie
But yet in dreame (oh matchles sweete delightes!)
Iv'e lyne, and lyne, with one whole wynters nightes
The greater greife (you'l saie) 'twas to my mind
When I did wake, and my selfe single fynd.
Oh girles it was! but sisters I doe see,
It is with eu'rye mayde as 'tis with mee.
Such are our dreames, as wee doe laugh in sleepe
But when wee wake againe, oh then wee weepe.
But what shalls' doe? wee'l not soe soone to bedd
Letts rather tell, howe ne're wee haue beene spedd.
Our merry'st dreames come lett vs nowe relate
Girles gott with girles, their mindes maie freelie prate
What though w'are maides? here are noe men to heare vs
Freelie wee vse to chatt, when th'are not nere vs
W'are by our selues: what ere we talke, is well
Come letts drawe lotts, which first hir dreame shall tell.
Vnknowne to them, I ouer heard theire chatt
Eache with hir tuckt-vp cloathes, in pleasing plight
(Pleasing I meane vnto fond younge mens sight)
Satt ore the fyer, soe, as one might see,
From slender foote, to round white nimble knee
As thus they satt, I'me sure thou doest thinke what
(When maydes with maydens bee) wilbe theire chatt
Girles (quoth the eldest sister) what shall's doe?
Smal'es my desire, vnto my bedd to goe
For yet, I never in my couche could fynd
A sportiue mate to please my mayden mind
Alas, alas, what pleasure and delight
Takes one mayde with an other in the night?
But smale god knowes it, for my owne part I
Ne're tooke anie with whom I e're did lie.
For loue, noe revells in that bedd doth keepe
Where one girle, by an others side doth sleepe.
For trulye (sisters) there is none that can
Giue maydes delight in bedd, but a young man
And but in dreame (the more vnhappie I)
I ne're with such a beddfellowe could lie
But yet in dreame (oh matchles sweete delightes!)
Iv'e lyne, and lyne, with one whole wynters nightes
The greater greife (you'l saie) 'twas to my mind
When I did wake, and my selfe single fynd.
Oh girles it was! but sisters I doe see,
Such are our dreames, as wee doe laugh in sleepe
But when wee wake againe, oh then wee weepe.
But what shalls' doe? wee'l not soe soone to bedd
Letts rather tell, howe ne're wee haue beene spedd.
Our merry'st dreames come lett vs nowe relate
Girles gott with girles, their mindes maie freelie prate
What though w'are maides? here are noe men to heare vs
Freelie wee vse to chatt, when th'are not nere vs
W'are by our selues: what ere we talke, is well
Come letts drawe lotts, which first hir dreame shall tell.
At which the youngest, blushing like a rose
Being assignd by lott, firste to disclose
Begynns to tell howe to hir soules delight
Hir sences ravisht' were, the other night.
Being assignd by lott, firste to disclose
Begynns to tell howe to hir soules delight
Hir sences ravisht' were, the other night.
THE YOVNGEST Sisters dreame.
Qoth shee, on bedds softe downe downe did J lieAnd snugd doowne close, to haue sleepe close eache eye
But ere twould bee, I entred in a muse
(I such a muse as all wee maydens vse)
J mus'd (me thought) yf there were sweeter blisse
For maydes, then't lie with men, to clipp and kisse
Me thought, J thought (this thought fetcht out a groane)
It was a hell to lie, all night alone,
At which I sight, and turning me J wept
Desiring, what I knowe not, till J slept
Jn which my sleepe (oh fancies sweete delight?)
Appeard a youth (Pheobus was much lesse bright)
Gold were his lockes, firye sparkles were his eyne
His browes, cheekes, and chynn were as louelie fyne
J'ns shirte was hee, a shirt soe fyne I wynn
As one might see, what was tweene shirt and skynn
His snowe-white armes, in-laide with azurd vaine
(Mixed with crimson dye) one might see plaine
His full-broade manlie some-what downye cheste
Dale-like indented tweene two mounting brestes;
Not milkie sweete, sweete onelie for the veswe.
J saw's soft slender waste; and sisters well nie
I sawe what grewe beneathe his plump-round bellie:
All what I sawe (sweete wenches) J would tell ye
But that sweete loue coniures me (heres' the spight)
Not to discribe, mans sweetly-sportiue spright:
Oh sweet's the dreame, which yeeldeth such delight!
But come girles come; (fye whether doe I roame?)
Me thinkes but coldlie J tooth purpose come:
To me he came, and kiste me too; when J
Me thought did faine, I did a sleeping lie
Me thought, I lett him kisse and kisse agenn
And touche me too (maydes maie be toucht by men.)
I sisters, faythe (me thinkes) that maide's vnwise
That will in private, to hir loue be nice
Two faythfull lovers cannot synn I weene
Soe what they doe, by others is not seene.
Nowe would the wagg, be stroaking of my face
And nowe my pappes, anon another place
Delighting of himselfe, sisters you can
(Better then J) tell what best likes a man
But fayth-la girles, J cannot chuse but smile
I laie, as yf J soundlie slept the while
Permitting him to please the appetite
Of his too too-fond, youth-lust-burning sight
Fayning, J soundest slept, when hee did steale
To vnhill that which maides should cheifst conceale
But, when as hee'd haue come into my bedd
The feare I had to loose my maydenhead
Awaked me: Quoth thother sisters, what?
J hope we maydens least of all feare that
Beleeue me (quoth the elder girle) should J
With my sweete-hart, on my wedding-night lie
And find him drowsie dull, like heauie lead
Hunting but coldlie for a maydenhead:
Twould kill my tender hart: twould murder mee
The blushing morne I nere should liue to see
Oh J should fill the roome with groanes: in morne
With lookes deiected J should seeme forlorne.
Oh noe! in that case maides nere chafe with men
Though wee seeme angry, at there boldest partes
Yet seldome comes, our anger from out hartes
For in loues sporte (this is our sexes wyle)
We'el seeme to frowne when most of all we smile
Yet sisters faith (quoth shee) me thought J wept
When J did wake, cause J noe longer slept
For trath-la girles such pleasure in't tooke J
As in like dreame, twould nere greiue me to die
Had I a world, Jd'e giv't to learne the skyll
Howe J should sleepe and dreame soe at my will.
Had I that arte, that matchles pleasing slyght
Fewe daies Jd'e haue, eache daie Jd'e turne to night:
Lye downe J would, lulling my selfe a sleepe,
Bidding my soule delightfull revells keepe:
Sild would I wake, but alwaies by my will
Jde sleepe, and dreame, and he embracing still.
Nowe second sister wake, J praie (quoth shee)
And in your laste nightes dreame come second me.
THE SECOND SISTERS dreame.
The
second sister some what modest bold
Reply'd; my dreame partlie by you is told
Before you slept, me thought, J heard you saie
You in sweete musinge, did a longe tyme laie
You musing sigh'd, and sigh'd till sleepe did steale
Vppon your mayden eyes, their lidds to seale
At length you slept and dreamt you sawe your loue
(A dreame indeed, which much vs maydes doe moue)
You kiste with him but when he'ed with you lie
That made you wake, and out the bedd to flie
But soe (me thought) sweet sister did not I
For I (me thought) did think it was noe synn
To lett a youth betweene my sheetes leape in
But yet for fashions sake oft thus J de crye
Praye gett you hence, seeke some where els to lye
Yet this repulse should still soe faintlie come
As it should feircer whett him on for roome
For coldlie, to denie loues sweete delight
Spurrs to a gallop, the feirce appetite.
And sisters well you knowe, we maydes doe hold
Those youngmen weake which bunt loues chase but cold
What is it to crye, fye, or praye nowe hence?
Why to a resolute mynde, that kinde of fence
Too open lies: oh! men are desprate foes
Vppon advantadge, theile come in, and close,
Ide ne're crye, fye awaie, nor vtter this
But J would closly hugg to him and kisse.
Begone, surcease, y'are rude, forbeare I praie
Of tymes such wordes, J've gone aboute to saie
But er'e those cruell wordes, could haue their birth
Tha'ue smoth'erd bynn, and all has turnd to mirth
Wagges well knowe howe, to quench our angers flame
Sweete kisses, at first kindling, dampe the same
For (sisters) Loue, his schollers this doth teache
Wee ioyne should lippes, to seale our lipp's from speach
And soe it fard with vs; speachles we laie
Giving to pleasures sweetned streame free waie
Soe longe (me thought) we dally'd in the bedd
As allmost J had lost my maydenhead
But (girles) J curse Dreames false deluding guile
As I was loosing it, J wakt the while
Oh girles! oh girles! who knowes what J did misse,
For J awakt, in midst of sweetest blisse
Jf euer mayde, toucht Nectar with hir lipp
Then J (in dreame) of that sweete iuyce did sipp
But oh I wakt! oh then (awakt) my spight
For being wakt, a sleepe fell all delight
Reply'd; my dreame partlie by you is told
Before you slept, me thought, J heard you saie
You in sweete musinge, did a longe tyme laie
You musing sigh'd, and sigh'd till sleepe did steale
Vppon your mayden eyes, their lidds to seale
At length you slept and dreamt you sawe your loue
(A dreame indeed, which much vs maydes doe moue)
You kiste with him but when he'ed with you lie
That made you wake, and out the bedd to flie
But soe (me thought) sweet sister did not I
For I (me thought) did think it was noe synn
To lett a youth betweene my sheetes leape in
But yet for fashions sake oft thus J de crye
Yet this repulse should still soe faintlie come
As it should feircer whett him on for roome
For coldlie, to denie loues sweete delight
Spurrs to a gallop, the feirce appetite.
And sisters well you knowe, we maydes doe hold
Those youngmen weake which bunt loues chase but cold
What is it to crye, fye, or praye nowe hence?
Why to a resolute mynde, that kinde of fence
Too open lies: oh! men are desprate foes
Vppon advantadge, theile come in, and close,
Ide ne're crye, fye awaie, nor vtter this
But J would closly hugg to him and kisse.
Begone, surcease, y'are rude, forbeare I praie
Of tymes such wordes, J've gone aboute to saie
But er'e those cruell wordes, could haue their birth
Tha'ue smoth'erd bynn, and all has turnd to mirth
Wagges well knowe howe, to quench our angers flame
Sweete kisses, at first kindling, dampe the same
For (sisters) Loue, his schollers this doth teache
Wee ioyne should lippes, to seale our lipp's from speach
And soe it fard with vs; speachles we laie
Giving to pleasures sweetned streame free waie
Soe longe (me thought) we dally'd in the bedd
As allmost J had lost my maydenhead
But (girles) J curse Dreames false deluding guile
As I was loosing it, J wakt the while
Oh girles! oh girles! who knowes what J did misse,
For J awakt, in midst of sweetest blisse
Jf euer mayde, toucht Nectar with hir lipp
Then J (in dreame) of that sweete iuyce did sipp
But oh I wakt! oh then (awakt) my spight
For being wakt, a sleepe fell all delight
Nowe eldest sister you must wake (quoth shee)
Your turne's to tell, the next dreame after me
And reason to the eldest sister sayde
Else let on me, some for feyture be laide
But, J must tell the dreames you haue told twice
Unles J should, some fayned dreame devise
Were here more then five hundred maydes: yet each
Of vs, should in one text and lesson preache
For all we maydes doe dreame alike a nights
Then to our eyes appeareth pleasing sights
And then a smack we taste of loues delights,
Oh that Dame Nature, would but heare my sute
Then should our mayden bodies, beare noe fruite.
Or would it were noe scandall to our liues
To haue our pappes giue sucke, er'e marryed wiues:
Yf with that pleasing graunt, we maydes were blest
Then soner would we yeild to loues requeste
For a my fayth girles were it not for feare
To be with childe, Id'e ne're denie my Deare
Oh then these false dreames fond deluding sightes
Weed ne're care for: we'ed taste loues tr'ust delights
More then tenn thowsand tymes, Jve thought to pyne
This mallenchollie sullen corpes of myne
For sild (alas) we maydes can taste sweet loue
But our owne bellies, doe the tell-tales proue
With sullen puft-vp pride alowde they reade;
Proclayming publikelye our private deed
Happie are wiues, for they are nere afrayde
Of that which terrysyeth moste a maide,
They maie haue boyes and girles, and boies agen?
They maie with husbandes lie, and other men;
Yet nothing noted; but alas poore we
Sild dare doe ought, but what the world maie see,
Eache thinge, it selfe againste vs doth oppose
All thinges are blabbes, our secrets to disclose
For sild we reape loues pleasure in the night
But envious daie (to'ur shames) bringes it to light
Shewing too plaine, at what game we haue beene
Making our sweetlie stolen pleasures seene.
Oh were it not for dreames, I wonder J
Howe we in bedd a nights could brooke to lie
Your turne's to tell, the next dreame after me
And reason to the eldest sister sayde
Else let on me, some for feyture be laide
But, J must tell the dreames you haue told twice
Unles J should, some fayned dreame devise
Were here more then five hundred maydes: yet each
For all we maydes doe dreame alike a nights
Then to our eyes appeareth pleasing sights
And then a smack we taste of loues delights,
Oh that Dame Nature, would but heare my sute
Then should our mayden bodies, beare noe fruite.
Or would it were noe scandall to our liues
To haue our pappes giue sucke, er'e marryed wiues:
Yf with that pleasing graunt, we maydes were blest
Then soner would we yeild to loues requeste
For a my fayth girles were it not for feare
To be with childe, Id'e ne're denie my Deare
Oh then these false dreames fond deluding sightes
Weed ne're care for: we'ed taste loues tr'ust delights
More then tenn thowsand tymes, Jve thought to pyne
This mallenchollie sullen corpes of myne
For sild (alas) we maydes can taste sweet loue
But our owne bellies, doe the tell-tales proue
With sullen puft-vp pride alowde they reade;
Proclayming publikelye our private deed
Happie are wiues, for they are nere afrayde
Of that which terrysyeth moste a maide,
They maie haue boyes and girles, and boies agen?
They maie with husbandes lie, and other men;
Yet nothing noted; but alas poore we
Sild dare doe ought, but what the world maie see,
Eache thinge, it selfe againste vs doth oppose
All thinges are blabbes, our secrets to disclose
For sild we reape loues pleasure in the night
But envious daie (to'ur shames) bringes it to light
Shewing too plaine, at what game we haue beene
Making our sweetlie stolen pleasures seene.
Oh were it not for dreames, I wonder J
Howe we in bedd a nights could brooke to lie
But come, lett these things passe; eyther of you
Your dreames haue told: my dreame beginneth nowe
Your dreames haue told: my dreame beginneth nowe
THE ELDEST SISTERS dreame.
Oh
(sisters) knowe you, to my ravisht sight
My loue with's amber locks appeard laste night
Bold boie boldlie hee came as feard of naught,
Shewing in what schoole hee his skill was taught
Scarce speaking ought at all: yf ought twas this
Where's my Gerle? smothring that too with a kisse
Nor with this kissing spent hee all the night
Tutt (girles) our pastime yeelded more delight
I dreamt it did doe soe, for you must knowe
J did but onelie dreame, it did doe soe:
To loues embracementes, wee (me thought) fell then
But loues sweete game is coldlie chaste by men.
Yet our sex, workes loues labor, eu'rye daie
With mindes, as willing, as men goe to plaie
J girles J girles, J speakt in heate of bloude
Men too too soone are ty'rd, with doying good
But oh deare girlis (such is our sexes kind)
One man maie please vs all, except our mind
For yf one man content one woman cann
Then, why should it not be this youthfull man?
His vaines were full, soe stronge a backhee had
As Herculis to him was but a ladd
Yf youth and strength 'tis, quencheth womans fire
Then 'twas in him, as much as Jde desire
But 'tis not Oceans of that liquid stuff
Which lyes in youthfulst men that is enough
To quench the mindes outragious frying flame;
For that once ty'nd age onely dampes the same
Manie a woman' till shee hath tr'yd twoo
Distasteth all, hir firste sweetehart doth doe
From whence praie comss that Luste, that sowre-sweet smart?
Oh th' ead of that same springes, a divelish harte.
But whether from my text am J uowe fled
My dreame was this, J loste my maydenhead
To that let me retourne: oh tis delight
Unto vs maides, to think but on that night.
Him t'weene my armes one while J did infold
Another while, he me, 'tweene his would hold.
Entwindinge leggs (me thought) with me he laie
While J, withs curled locks, did sporte and plaie
Soe longe plaide we as sisters well J wisse
Our sportes extended further then to kisse
Soe longe J kiste, soe longe on's looks J fedd
As sure in dreame I loste my maydenhead.
But (sisters) was it in my pow're to choose
Then such a losse J d'e eu'ry mynute loose
For when we maydes doe lose our mayden treasure
Oh by that losse we wynn a world of pleasure
Fayth Girles, Maydes cannot think what sweet delight
Two louers take which warr in loues feirce fight:
To them loath som's the daie, ouer the night
But nowe I sighe, nowe doe I greiue to thinke
That, that night my eye-lides did euer wynke
For when J wakt (oh dreames! oh dreames y'are theeues
And mist my loue, Judge then (girles) of my greeues
Oh had J had tenn worldes J would haue than
Gev'n all those worldes (sweete girles) for halfs a man
Men stuffs their chestes as full as they can hold
With cramb'd-trust bagges of aungell-winged gold:
But what to doe? for sooth to by this land:
Oh would I had that dust of Tagus strand
Ide not buy land or howses with it: J
For other merchandize Jde make it flie:
Had J such laden truncks this Ide doe than
For enry night ith' yeare Ide buy a man
For, sisters, J maie speake to you my mind
When J awakt, and lookt my loue to find
Feeling for's neck to claspe that neck of his
For's ruddy lipp, hoping that lipp to kisse
For's wanton legg, for myne with that t'yntwind
And sisters for ------ oh girles you knowe my mind
When for these louelie thinges I searcht to see
But could not find, where those sweet things might be
With bitter passion, I burst out and cryd
Wishinge, with in my mothers wombe Jd'e dy'd
Oh sisters! oh sweete sisters, then did I
Wishe, fatall Death attache me instauntlie.
Nowe did J stare aboute; nowe did I call
But when noe aunswere J could heare at all
Up in my smock J rose and searcht each place
(Oh girles extreames our sex in loues sweete case)
Groping behind eache trunck, feeling vnder bedd
Me thought for him which had my maydenhead
And oft Ide crye sweete wagg, thy selfe disclose
For Jv'e another maydenhead to loose
But when noe answere J could heare, oh then
Weeping, I sigh'd and went to bedd agen
Wher'e one while tumbling that waie; other this:
Nowe should I sighe; nowe my poore pillowe kisse
Entwinding it betweene my armes embrace
Jde hugg't as yf my deare duck were in place
Fayning (in that my frying passions flame)
I hottlie chaste loues sweetst, delightfull game
But when J found my sence deluded soe
My passions heate, to coldnes then did growe
For myssing him J grewe more cold then stone;
Oh't paynes my heart to telt; come lett's be gone.
Soe vp they rose, but er'e they went I rusht
From where J stood, at which the wantons blusht.
My loue with's amber locks appeard laste night
Bold boie boldlie hee came as feard of naught,
Shewing in what schoole hee his skill was taught
Scarce speaking ought at all: yf ought twas this
Where's my Gerle? smothring that too with a kisse
Nor with this kissing spent hee all the night
Tutt (girles) our pastime yeelded more delight
I dreamt it did doe soe, for you must knowe
J did but onelie dreame, it did doe soe:
To loues embracementes, wee (me thought) fell then
But loues sweete game is coldlie chaste by men.
Yet our sex, workes loues labor, eu'rye daie
With mindes, as willing, as men goe to plaie
J girles J girles, J speakt in heate of bloude
Men too too soone are ty'rd, with doying good
But oh deare girlis (such is our sexes kind)
One man maie please vs all, except our mind
For yf one man content one woman cann
Then, why should it not be this youthfull man?
His vaines were full, soe stronge a backhee had
As Herculis to him was but a ladd
Yf youth and strength 'tis, quencheth womans fire
Then 'twas in him, as much as Jde desire
But 'tis not Oceans of that liquid stuff
Which lyes in youthfulst men that is enough
To quench the mindes outragious frying flame;
For that once ty'nd age onely dampes the same
Manie a woman' till shee hath tr'yd twoo
Distasteth all, hir firste sweetehart doth doe
From whence praie comss that Luste, that sowre-sweet smart?
Oh th' ead of that same springes, a divelish harte.
But whether from my text am J uowe fled
My dreame was this, J loste my maydenhead
Unto vs maides, to think but on that night.
Him t'weene my armes one while J did infold
Another while, he me, 'tweene his would hold.
Entwindinge leggs (me thought) with me he laie
While J, withs curled locks, did sporte and plaie
Soe longe plaide we as sisters well J wisse
Our sportes extended further then to kisse
Soe longe J kiste, soe longe on's looks J fedd
As sure in dreame I loste my maydenhead.
But (sisters) was it in my pow're to choose
Then such a losse J d'e eu'ry mynute loose
For when we maydes doe lose our mayden treasure
Oh by that losse we wynn a world of pleasure
Fayth Girles, Maydes cannot think what sweet delight
Two louers take which warr in loues feirce fight:
To them loath som's the daie, ouer the night
But nowe I sighe, nowe doe I greiue to thinke
That, that night my eye-lides did euer wynke
For when J wakt (oh dreames! oh dreames y'are theeues
And mist my loue, Judge then (girles) of my greeues
Oh had J had tenn worldes J would haue than
Gev'n all those worldes (sweete girles) for halfs a man
Men stuffs their chestes as full as they can hold
With cramb'd-trust bagges of aungell-winged gold:
But what to doe? for sooth to by this land:
Oh would I had that dust of Tagus strand
Ide not buy land or howses with it: J
For other merchandize Jde make it flie:
Had J such laden truncks this Ide doe than
For enry night ith' yeare Ide buy a man
For, sisters, J maie speake to you my mind
When J awakt, and lookt my loue to find
Feeling for's neck to claspe that neck of his
For's ruddy lipp, hoping that lipp to kisse
For's wanton legg, for myne with that t'yntwind
And sisters for ------ oh girles you knowe my mind
When for these louelie thinges I searcht to see
With bitter passion, I burst out and cryd
Wishinge, with in my mothers wombe Jd'e dy'd
Oh sisters! oh sweete sisters, then did I
Wishe, fatall Death attache me instauntlie.
Nowe did J stare aboute; nowe did I call
But when noe aunswere J could heare at all
Up in my smock J rose and searcht each place
(Oh girles extreames our sex in loues sweete case)
Groping behind eache trunck, feeling vnder bedd
Me thought for him which had my maydenhead
And oft Ide crye sweete wagg, thy selfe disclose
For Jv'e another maydenhead to loose
But when noe answere J could heare, oh then
Weeping, I sigh'd and went to bedd agen
Wher'e one while tumbling that waie; other this:
Nowe should I sighe; nowe my poore pillowe kisse
Entwinding it betweene my armes embrace
Jde hugg't as yf my deare duck were in place
Fayning (in that my frying passions flame)
I hottlie chaste loues sweetst, delightfull game
But when J found my sence deluded soe
My passions heate, to coldnes then did growe
For myssing him J grewe more cold then stone;
Oh't paynes my heart to telt; come lett's be gone.
Soe vp they rose, but er'e they went I rusht
From where J stood, at which the wantons blusht.
Nowe sir I hope you see what modest chatt
Young maydes will haue when by themselues theire gott.
Graues swallowe them: were all dead I'de be gladd
The best of wiues, or maides, are worse then badd.
Allexander.
Young maydes will haue when by themselues theire gott.
Graues swallowe them: were all dead I'de be gladd
The best of wiues, or maides, are worse then badd.
Come, come Diogenes, although those three
In private mirthe exceeded modestie
Yet you doe Ill t'accuse soe gennerall;
Cause one is badd therefore must they be all?
In soe concludinge, very Ill you doe
Noe man soe gen'rallie, concludes but you.
And by your leaue sir Il'e conclude soe still
Where one of them is good tenn thowsand's Ill
What I haue saide, I will re-saie agen
Wer't not for them, oh blessed were we men
Into vs men, they eate as rust and moathes
Eates into Iron, and the fynest cloathes
Thou seest this riv'led hollowe-eyd face of mine
Thoudst little thinke it has beene dect-vp fyne,
And tricklie trym'd-vp in a womans guise
Onelie to dive into their knaueries
But dust thou heare (I speake it to their praise)
I haue a mary'd wife beene in my daies
At least wise like one, for th'eile yet confesse
They once tooke old Diogines for noe lesse:
Noe burned dublett, on my back I bore
A gowne downe to my heeles (wif-like) I wore
And such attire, this head of myne did beare
As mary'd wiues in those daies vsd to weare
Then to my chynn, noe brislye haires were knowne
Nay't had not entertayned anie downe
But twas soe soft, soe sleek, as each man sayd
When I past by, there goes a wife or maide:
My curled looks, hang in a careles guize
With which the wynd did plaie in wanton wise
Like to a wanton, I was trymlie drest
But why I was soe, there consists the iest.
Allexander.
Why wast thou soe? I pry thee Cynnick tell:
Till thou haste told it, I shall nere be well.
Diogines.
Why then be Ill: in sooth 'tis not my liste
To make thee laughe: for I'me a Satyrist:
As I would haue thee gone, had I my will
Allexander.
Why tel't mee then, and instantlie shalt see
I will departe, and gett me hence from thee.
Diogynes.
On that condition I will telt: why knowe
This was the cause I went disguised soe
The Dames of Athens merrye wenches be
And vnto meetings giv'n-are much you see
To gossip't with them, I did long time longe
To heare the verdict of eache womans tongue
For well knewe I when wiues are gott with wiues
There's tryalls to be heard, of husbands liues
False accusations, cruell Iudgments then,
(Vnmercy fullie) passe vppon poore men
To heare all which (tooth hazard of my life)
I tooke on mee, the habitt of a wife:
And well I womand' it when I did walk
But when at table, I were sett to talk
Then did my tongue betraye me; for I trowe
It prou'd a Iade in pace; t'was dull and slowe:
I mumping satt: I could not for my life
Make my tongue gallopp, like a marry'd wife
Twas cause I lackt theire arte to spur it vp
Euer anan with a full sugerd' cupp.
Yet wind I it the best that I could doe
And nowe and then raild on my husband too:
But marke mee nowe; nowe to my tale I goe.
The Cynnycks discription of the manner of womens gossypping.
As at our meate we satt twas hard to knoweWhether our teeth or tongues, did fastest goe.
Satt maddam, Will, in reeling drunken case
Light in atire shee was, shees womens god
They hir true subiects be: but she'es mans rodd
Nothing by Will, at anie tyme is saide
But is by wiues, and widdowes still obayd.
VVills Oration.
Svbiectes quoth maddam Will J here am settNot alltogeather, to se howe you eate
Nor came J whollie to participate,
With this your freelie-spoken merrye prate
But chieflie why amongst you nowe J come
Is to knowe howe eache wife, fares in hir home
Howe by hir husband shee is dailie vsd
Whether she'es well-entreated, or abusd,
Therefore yf anie of you suffer greife
Know't J am Will, and will yeild you releife
Be bold to speake, J am the wiues delight
And euer was, and wilbe th'usbandes spight
Jl'e sitt as Judge vppon these wicked men
Doe you accuse, and Jl'e guie sintence then.
The old vviues complaynt againste hir younge husband.
At which old Crona with hir redd-bleare eysFrom of the stoole she satt did straytewayes rise
And out aloude, to Will, for iustice cryes.
Quothe she, my sou'raygne Queene 'tis not with tongue
I able am t'expres my dayelie wronge.
Three husbandes haue J had; two old in truth
But they the cropping had, of my greene youth
In lewe of whith (to thin'k on't nowe J'me sadd)
They left me all the goodes and gold they had.
With Cattell sto'rd-was all my pasture growndes
Crambd' was my barnes, my cheste with in't did hold
Manie a Princes picture in puere gold
And while they liv'd, that thing was wondrous skant
That Crona euer did speake-for and want:
Then in wealthes pleasures J did swymm and floate
But out alas that e're old fooles should doate
For since theire deathes (oh Queene J speakt' with ruth?)
Fond-foolish J sett my loue on a youth
Making him maister and possessor quite
(In hope heed' doe to mee all true loues right)
Of all the golden goodes I were possest
And left-with by theire soules, which nowe doe reste
But (aye me Caytif) neuer wretched J
Untill this tyme knewe what was miserie
Oh nowe J fynd, this is the sweeter life
To be an old mans nurse, then a youths wife
For's loue J wedded him, but he aboue
Doth onelie knowe, who doth enioie his loue
My bedd hee loathes; hee neuer giues me kis
But hee cries, wife, reward my leue for this
For yf younge men old wiues one kis affordes
Tis for the loue th'aue, to theire golden hordes,
Without I buy his loue, heel lye all night
Jn sullen wise, and discontented plight
Not once soe much as turning vnto me
Unles a golden lure, his eyes doth see.
And nowe greate goddes Will, for loues intent
Soe longe I bribd him haue, as all is spent
And J am cast-of, wherefore lett me craue
That gainst him, publick sentence J maie haue
At which same periodd, all the wittles route
Jn hir behalfe vnto dame Will cryd' out.
Dame VVills Sentence.
Svbiect quoth Will, well has thy fluent tongueExprest with passion thy too greate a wronge
Js this; thou shalt torment him daie and night
With that same poysned instrument of thyne
I meane thy tongue: then shalt thou se, in fyne
Howe despratelye, to hang himselfe he'ele gadd
Or els, howe soone he will proue braine-sick madd
My sentence is at noe tyme thou shalt rest,
But with thy tongue torment him still thy beste.
In feilde, in bedd, at borde, in eache place still
Jde haue thee styng him with thy bitterst skill
Call him vp start, base scumm, the worst of worst;
Ask him who made him, and who raisd him firste?
Tell him, e're thou mettst with him hee did lacke
Shoes for's feete, hose for's leggs, and cloathes for's back
Such peales at all tymes ring thou in his eare
Jt is my sentence; doo't, and doe not feare
To doe that hest, awaie did Crona trudge
Praising dame Will, for a moste vpright Iudge.
The younge vvifes complaint against hir ieolous headed old husband.
That wrinckle-faced drudge, noe sooner goneBut in hir place straight flept-vp such a one
As matchles was in bewties pleasing grace;
One, who exceld, loues mother in the face
Men call hir Youtha: oh greate queene quoth shee
Since woemens wronges thou rightst', then right thou mee
My couetous parents (not to Natures kinde)
Unto an old man matcht me, 'gainste my minde
Fortie such men, vnable are to quenche
The firye flames tyn'd in a lustfull wenche.
When burning Luste with's violent scortching fire
Hath sing'd my harte with passions feirce desire
Then in Loues chase J hunt, for in Loues game
Remayneth that which quencheth Lusts hott flame.
Still flares the flames, ty'nd in a youthfull wench.
Yet yf that shiu'ring coldnes heate allaies;
Then that in old men, shall we find alwaies
As we are extreame hott, soe still are they
Extreame in that same cold extremytee
But loues feirce fire with fire must quenched be;
'Ells still the more it burnes: so't fares with me.
For 'las, when lust hath heate me, I cann find
His cold embrace, noe quencher of my mind
My parents might haue matcht me to one dead,
As well as to a sapples old mans bedd:
J cann smale diffrence make: for men one old
Like dead men laye: oh th'are corruptly cold.
Rug'd-wrinckled is his face: his head in showe
Seemes like a hillock, hild with milk white snowe
His humors heauier, then sadd massie lead
His leggs like Jsicles doe warme my bedd
Noe signe of heate, is in this aged sire
‘Les in his nose, but that resembles fire.
What shall J saie, ther'es none, that doth him see
But saies the picture of cold winte'rs he
Yet J (oh moste vnequall matche!) alas
Enforste to wedd, with this cold dotard was
With whom (greate Queene) I such a life doe leade
As J eache mynute, wishe my selfe were dead.
Soe hath his aged disabillitie
Possessed him, with this feende Ieolosie
As J cann noe waies, goe from sight ofs' eyes
But straite waies after me, he sendes his spies
Nor cann I talke with anie, but in's head
A riseth some conceipte, Il'e wrong his bedd.
Let but a trech'rous doore in night once creake
Then straight he doubtes, ther'es some with me would speake
Confrence with neerest knin, heel not allowe.
Fearing we plott, to breake our weddlock vowe
Which god he knowes (greate Queene) my spottles mind
That waies as yet, hath neuer beene inclynd
Of wha't soe e're J doe, will ieolous bee
Jf I doe smyle, then sayes he straight Iv'e had
Sport with my loue; tis that, makes me soe gladd
If J am sadd; then doth hee saie hee knowes
The spring from whence my mallanchollie flowes
Up braydinge me, J'me onelie sadd for this
Because my loue, of his sett how're did misse
Such is a grislie old mans, faire wiues 'state
As ieolous-headed he will deeme she'el hav't
Though ouer hir hee setts a thousand spies,
And eu'rye spie, an Argus is, for's eyes:
Therefore, since (causles) he doth wrong me soe
Teache me revenge against this loathed foe.
Giue sentence (Queene) what shall bee done by me
Againste him in reuenge ofs' ieolosee.
Dame VVills sentence in the young wifes behalf against hir old husband.
Youth a quoth maddam Will, with greate reguardHaue J, this thy sadd information heard
And doe bewaile the same; but Jle' haue thee
Plague thy old husband, for his Jeolosee.
Yet Ieolous-headed men noe plagues doe neede
For in themselues, sufficient plagues doe breede
For looke in what place, Jealosie doth dwell
There are the tormentes, of an earthlie hell.
Yet since for naught, he doubts soe faire a dame
Thus shalt thou sting and torture him, forth'same.
Jn secrett wise, Jle haue thee staine his bedd,
And graft faire guilded hornes, on's silverd head
Such glorious spriggs soe well in noe place growes
As in the riv'led furrowes of an old mans browes.
Thou art a woman, therefore canst not want
At all tymes skill, such setts and grafts, to plant
As make him thinke his father to that child
Which thou thy selfe knowst not who it begott
To gather goodes for whom, shall th'old drudg trott
Not sparing night nor daie, till's life be done
Howe to scrape wealth, to giue anothers sonn
And cause thy parents, forste thee to his bedd
Thus will J haue thy parents punnished.
Thou shalt, vnto theire skarlet blushing shame,
Besport them with the spotts, of thy staind name
Soyling thy wedding sheetes, faire J'vry white
With fowle black spotts, of salt lusts loathd delight
Bewteous youtha my sentence nowe is done
See that on them the'res execution.
The gossipping vviues complaint against hir riche churlishe husband.
This sentence giv'n, the whole route'gann to riseBut pert quicke-tongued Gossippa (whose eyes
Contaynd of beymishe teares a cristall fluude)
Starts-vpp, and praies Dame Will, to hir be good.
Of all thy louing subiectes J (quoth shee)
Haue euer yet beene found faythfulst to thee
And therefore my good Queene, let me acquainte
Thy gentle eares with one petition plainte.
Two thinges I loue; two vsuall thinges they are
The firste, newe-fashiond cloathes, J loue to weare
Newe tires, newe ruffes; J, and newe gesture too:
Jn all newe fashions, J doe loue to goe:
The second thing J loue, is this J weene
To ride aboute to haue those newe cloat hes seene
At eu'rye gossipping I am at still
And euer wilbe, maie J haue my will
For at ons owne howse, praie, who ist' cann see
Howe fyne in newe found, fash'ond tires wee bee?
And whoo'd goe gaie, to please a husbands veiwe?
Alas we wiues doe take but smale delight
Yf none (besides our husbandes) se'es that sight.
It ioyes our heartes, to heare an other man
Praise this or that attire, that wee weare on
Wee iocond are, and thinke our selues much graste
Yf we heare one saie, faire wenche, faithe in waste
This straight-girt gowne, becomes you passing well
From other Taylors, yours doe beare the bell:
Oh hee that well cann actt-out such sweete partes
Throwes-vp the lure which wynns our verye hartes
When we are stubborn'st, then let men with skill
Rubb'es well with th'oyle of praise and bend we will
That smoothe-fyne supple oyle doth soften vs soe
As what ist then we will not yeild vnto?
Meetinges and brauerye were my delight:
Those were the two: but (greate queene) he'res the spight
Without greate store of wealth, be dailie gainde
Of all delightes, those are the worste maintaind
And therefore I did alwaies plott in mind
Howe a wealthie, riche husband, out to find
And one J've gott: but such a churle is hee
As scarce a penny will bestowe on mee
And that shall neuer come, but (fore, J ha'te)
The miserable clowne, will scratch his pate
Alwayes demaundinge what with't, J will doe
And then comes out, her'es such a stir with you.
A man had better ridd-be of his life
Then clog'd with such a fydling foolish wife
Such are his tauntes, when J demaund him ought
As what I gett from him is dearelie bought.
I cannot grosslie feede, for J in sooth
Haue a tender mawe, and a daintie tooth
These beeues and muttons, are but homelie fare
My appetite doth thirste-for what's most rare:
Had J vnto my mind, then J would eate
Still of the fynest pallat-pleasing meate
Soe straunglie hatefull as these rich churles wives
For yf J cannot gnawe, a hard drye cruste
Manie a daie, faste-out the tyme I muste.
Juste like to Tantalus i fares with mee
For what J hunger-for J alwaies see.
All what against him Jd'e to saie, Ive saide
Nowe queene J doe ymplore thy counsells ayde.
J cannot gossipp it nor cann goe trymm
Cause J want arte, to worke coine out from him.
Tatling Gossippa here-at holdes hir tongue
With praying maddam Will to right hir wronge.
Silence beinge made, thus dame Will replies.
VVills sentence vppon the rich churle
Svbiect quoth shee I've heard thy JniuriesAnd yf they all bee true which J did beare
Then are they too too much for thee to beare
For to vs women these thinges are moste Jll
T'abate our prides, and to restraine our will
If hee bee riche; his barnes are full of graine
Where hee one bushell sells, sell thou still twaine
His swyne, sheepe, geese, henns, ducks, doe thou convaie
J, sell his very shirtes but goe thou gaie,
Of all men, hee vnworthy'st is of life
That will not laste of all mistruste his wife.
A nightes, faile not but pick the churles stuft purse
Yf hee doth sware, I hope thy tongue cann curse
But yf his barnes, purse, yarde, and all doe fayle
Then to th'old vse put thou thy nimble tayle
Lett that worke for thee; for by that same waie
Ther'es man e a woman makes hir selfe gaie
That waie thou maiste the supple sattins ware
That waie thou maiste feede on thee dainty'st fare
Yf noe waie else thou canste make thy selfe trymm
Then that waie, tis my will, thou punnish him.
When one maie gett it, with the sweetest pleasure
Thou knowst my minde; Gossippa, doe it then:
Faire wenches cannot want, while there are men.
Diogynes makes himself knowne.
At th'end of which fame sentence, all aroseWhere-at my selfe to them I did disclose
But er'e I did it, I did gett to'oth dore
For had they caught me, they'd haue vsd me sore:
To hold me, eu'rye woman out did crie
But bring out theire reache awaie rann I:
Gladd that Id'e seene and heard theire knauerye
Nowe sir, Ive iustlie told, for what intent
I like a woman amongst women went
Yf you on theire behalfes haue ought to saie
Sait'e some where else, or gett you hence awaie.
Allexander.
To what thast' saide, smale creditt I cann giue
For I shall neuer made-be to beleeue
That creatures halfe devine for glorious bewtie
Should soe respectles be to man in dutie.
Thinges eu'rye waie soe perfect faire in showe
In virtues fullie perfect, are I knowe
Diogynes.
Thou knowst it; doost? awaie, thou art an elfe
What canst thou knowe, that knowest not thy selfe
The golden-skaled snake's, a louelie thinge
Had not that glorious worme, a poysned stinge
Of maides and wiues noe barrell better bee
Would God made none, but what were'spoke of mee.
Why prithee speake; howe manie wouldst haue then?
Diogines.
For one halfe girle, tenn hundred thowsand men.
Allexander.
Nowe fie vppon thee Cynnick, why dost bite
And sett soe pure a thing, as woman light?
I am a shamd' of thee; doe what I can,
I cannot think, thou art a perfect man
I doe beleeue that thou at noe tyme haste
That manlie heate, which causeth man to waste
Thou art noe man; for we'rt a man. I'me sure
A womans companie thou couldst endure.
But saie, thou wert en forst vppon thy life
To take thee to some one to be thy wife
What kinde of woman-creature wouldst thou chuse
Yf it were soe thou mighst' it not refuse.
Diogynes.
By hanginge, Ide chuse rather end my life
Then Id'e a woman haue, to be my wife
But were it soe, that one I needes must haue
And that I had noe waie, my selfe to saue
Then all the world Ide' seeke, but I would fynd
A woman for my wife, dumb, deafe, and blinde
Besides; yf I could possiblie prevaile
Ide seeke the world for one, without a taile
Most men in bodie wasted are by wiues
But such I'me sure, would proue restoritiues.
Fie man; why what in women doost thou see
That they soe much, distastefull are to thee.
Diogynes.
Noe more then thou maiste see, yf th'art not blind
Why moste of them hudge gyantes are for minde
Pride keepes hir faire in eache faire wantons face
And Luste keepes in theire tayles, hir markett place
Revengefull Wrath theire furious tongues doth swaie.
From labor, drowsie Sloath their handes doth staie
In syns sweete-poysned Iuyce drunken theile be
And Envie others, drunken soe to see
What see I not in them? they are the Inns
Wherein doth lodge those monstrous murdring synns.
Allexander.
Fie Cynnick, thou doste blowe too bitter aire
On tender blossoms, which are sweetlie faire.
Diogynes.
Yf shee be faire, and a sharpe-witted one
And honeste too; a Phenix she'es alone.
Who hath tenn Herculesses strengths in's loines
And with a faire sharpe-witted wanton Ioyns
Shall be assurd the horne, on's browe to fynd:
Whoo'l quench a wantons luste must quench the mind;
Th'are proude; eache wench would bee an Allexander
And by hir will, ouer a world commaunder.
But yf not proude, nor lustfullie inclind
Then eyther foole, or scold, of hir shalt fynd.
Eyther of them, mans patience soe would alter
As they would make him straight make vse ath halter,
They are all naught, I cannot brooke em I
Naie fie Cynnick thou railst too gennerall
Thou muste not for some fewe condemn em all,
Thou talkst, as yf thou wert noe womans sonn
I would th'adst trauaild, but as I haue done:
Although th' Athenians givn are to theire will
And liue a life displeasinge (hatefull ill)
Yet since my travaile, (whereas I haue beene)
Aboundance vertuous women I haue seene.
Diogynes.
Oh ya'r a trauaylier; praie are you soe?
Where you haue beene, black swanns you haue seene too
Good trauayler the hearinge I will giue you
But you shall giue me leaue not to beleeue you
Women are naughte: Il'e talk noe more with thee
And therefore naught, because women they bee.
Allexander.
Oh straung! yf Allexander heard but thee
For womens sakes (I'me sure) thou'dst punnisht be.
Diogynes.
Goe telt' him goe; I doe as little care
For him as thee; let both doe what you dare.
Tell me of him? I feare him not a flie:
I dread not might: Diogynes am I:
Hees but a man; Il'e ne're fawne for mans grace
What I haue saide, Il'e boldlie saye too's face
And wer't, he were as badd as women bee
Id'e bite the monnark to his face, shouldst see.
He knowes thou wouldst in that I knowe the same
For I am hee: for this cause here I came
To heare thy wittie bluntnes, and to see
Whether thy sayings and thy deedes agree,
Come Cynnick burne this tubb and followe me
And vnto noble titles, Ile raise thee.
Diogynes.
Thou wilt: but I will not: none can raise me;
I'me in my tubb as greate a Kinge as thee.
Who holdes the world and it's vaine trash for slight
He truelie conquers it, giue him his right:
And soe doe I: therefore hudge Allexander
I hold my selfe (ath twaine) the greatst commaunder
I will not begg to rule and governe landes
Onelle thy absence, Ile begg at thy handes.
I prethee pack thee hence and gett thee gone
The companie still is best, where is but one.
Goe seeke thee out an other world to wynn
And putt the women of this world therein
But let that world be farr enough; and then
Learning and virtue will encrease with men
Naught else I haue to begg, graunt but this suite
Then henceforth euer, shall my tongue rest mute.
FINIS.
From-out mans selfmans comforter to make)
Discomfort not your selues nor be dismayd
At what a dogged Cynnick here hath sayde
What though sowre-churlishe-he (too currish blynde)
Hath barkt too broadlye gainste your gentle kind
Yet little doth such clouds keepe from our sights
Your shynninge virtues; this worldes splendanntst lights:
Happlye his gally vennym'd speech proceeds
As grounded by self-doyinge divelishe deedes.
Dead is the dogg, J hope and for your sex
The spirritts doth his spirritt hottlye vex.
Excuse my worke, it paintes the Cynnick forth
And to the wise it nothinge staines your worth.
FINIS.
A MORRALL SATIRE, Jntituled the Owles araygnement.
When
fowles could talke with reason like to men
This accydent amongst em happend then:
Before the Prince of fowles the Owle was brought
To aunswere why she did things lawles naught:
Her adversaries were the batt the thrush
With others moe: who night'lie in the bush
Shee ey her scard with skreeking fearefull cryes
Or sodeynlie (ere wake) did them surprize:
Wherefore they apprehending hir did craue
That they against hir migh: iuste Iustice haue.
Greate Prince quoth they to death put thou this Owle
She is a vildlie living wicked fowle:
Unfitt to liue: all daie shee sleepes; a nightes
Smale birds shee kills; the best and greatst she frights
Breaking our quiet sleepe with the fell noyse
Of manlike lure and yauling-whooping voice
And therefore sou'raigne Prince wee all doe craue
Since shee deserveth death, death she maie haue.
The Eagle sternlie mild putt them a side
Commaunding silens thus the Eagle cryd
Come forward Owle and free thy hart from feare
Speake freelie bird true iustice J doe here
Before my sword of iustice Death doth strike
Th'accuser, and th'accusd J heare alike
Bribes nor affection maks my cleare eys blind
And therefore freelie feareles speak thy mind
When th'owle did heare this mild speach of hir Lord
Couradg shee tooke in gesture and in word
Chēaring hir selfe, shee thus tooth Eagle cryes
Jmpartiall iustice comes from Maiesties
And since your highnes doth thus daint to heare:
My cause your selfe; my cause J little feare
For what need J quoth shee dread anie thing.
Being my cause is heard before my King.
Let murdrers quake when Iustice shakes hirradd
The Just nere feares the Judgment of Just god
Noe more will J since freelie plead J must
(Jn guileles cause) before a King soe iust
Two accusations are against me layde
To be a murdrer is the first J'me sayde
The second is that J in sylent night
With manlike voice smale birds and fowles afright
Greate Prince I both confes; but firste Jle showe
The cause and reason which makes meskreek soe
A nightes I hollowing whoop and wondring crye
But gratious Prince this is the reason why
This accydent amongst em happend then:
Before the Prince of fowles the Owle was brought
To aunswere why she did things lawles naught:
Her adversaries were the batt the thrush
With others moe: who night'lie in the bush
Shee ey her scard with skreeking fearefull cryes
Or sodeynlie (ere wake) did them surprize:
Wherefore they apprehending hir did craue
That they against hir migh: iuste Iustice haue.
Greate Prince quoth they to death put thou this Owle
She is a vildlie living wicked fowle:
Unfitt to liue: all daie shee sleepes; a nightes
Smale birds shee kills; the best and greatst she frights
Breaking our quiet sleepe with the fell noyse
Of manlike lure and yauling-whooping voice
And therefore sou'raigne Prince wee all doe craue
Since shee deserveth death, death she maie haue.
The Eagle sternlie mild putt them a side
Commaunding silens thus the Eagle cryd
Come forward Owle and free thy hart from feare
Speake freelie bird true iustice J doe here
Before my sword of iustice Death doth strike
Th'accuser, and th'accusd J heare alike
Bribes nor affection maks my cleare eys blind
And therefore freelie feareles speak thy mind
When th'owle did heare this mild speach of hir Lord
Couradg shee tooke in gesture and in word
Chēaring hir selfe, shee thus tooth Eagle cryes
Jmpartiall iustice comes from Maiesties
My cause your selfe; my cause J little feare
For what need J quoth shee dread anie thing.
Being my cause is heard before my King.
Let murdrers quake when Iustice shakes hirradd
The Just nere feares the Judgment of Just god
Noe more will J since freelie plead J must
(Jn guileles cause) before a King soe iust
Two accusations are against me layde
To be a murdrer is the first J'me sayde
The second is that J in sylent night
With manlike voice smale birds and fowles afright
Greate Prince I both confes; but firste Jle showe
The cause and reason which makes meskreek soe
A nightes I hollowing whoop and wondring crye
But gratious Prince this is the reason why
In eache place I doe see proude Babells built
With cloude-braving turretts daubd-o're with gust
With in those Babells J doe peepe to spie
The princelie presence of your maiestie
But when in steed of you (on bedd of strawe)
I see that tatling bird, the Iack-adawe
With admiration then awaie I flie
Then lo ho ho then wo ho ho crye I.
With cloude-braving turretts daubd-o're with gust
With in those Babells J doe peepe to spie
The princelie presence of your maiestie
But when in steed of you (on bedd of strawe)
I see that tatling bird, the Iack-adawe
With admiration then awaie I flie
Then lo ho ho then wo ho ho crye I.
Sometimes J daringlie presume to peepe
With in your Court when all your courtyers sleepe
Where when I see the prating parratt grac'd
And birdes of better worth for him displac'd
Or when J see the plumy peacocks pride
To striue to lie by's sou'raigne Princes side
And se the valiant Cock with swaines to liue
That sight much wonder to my eyes doth giue
With admiration then awaie I flie
Then lo ho ho then wo ho ho crie I
With in your Court when all your courtyers sleepe
Where when I see the prating parratt grac'd
And birdes of better worth for him displac'd
Or when J see the plumy peacocks pride
To striue to lie by's sou'raigne Princes side
And se the valiant Cock with swaines to liue
That sight much wonder to my eyes doth giue
With admiration then awaie I flie
Then lo ho ho then wo ho ho crie I
Sometimes I flie ore Neptunes glassie soile
To veiwe the slipps of our sen-girtt-in Jle
But what J see howe nakedlie they bee
Howe like they are tooth winter-shaken tree
And howe from them all braue sea birds are fledd
Then like a malecontent J hang downe head
With admiration then awaie J flie
Then lo ho ho then wo ho ho crie I
To veiwe the slipps of our sen-girtt-in Jle
Howe like they are tooth winter-shaken tree
And howe from them all braue sea birds are fledd
Then like a malecontent J hang downe head
With admiration then awaie J flie
Then lo ho ho then wo ho ho crie I
Sometimes ore sto'nd-paud Citties J take flight
Where to my night-cleard eyes admired sight
I see the Cuccoe build in house his neaste
Which ere was Wont to be Silvanus gueste:
Baselie brooking each cock-sparrowes rivalrye
Suffrings mate for trash to bath in brothelry
A nights such sights presented to my eye
Makes me with wonder wo ho ho to cry.
Where to my night-cleard eyes admired sight
I see the Cuccoe build in house his neaste
Which ere was Wont to be Silvanus gueste:
Baselie brooking each cock-sparrowes rivalrye
Suffrings mate for trash to bath in brothelry
A nights such sights presented to my eye
Makes me with wonder wo ho ho to cry.
This is the cause greate Prince why in the night
I wonder soe: nowe where they doe indight
Me for a murtherer: your grace shall find
J'me leaste of all your nobles soe inclind;
Guitles J plead; or yf J guiltie be
With me must die your whole nobility
Your Hawkes (dread souraigne Prince) doe dailie kill
And dailie doe devoure eate-vp and spill
Your honest subiects, yet theres not a aint
Laies hold of them'gainst them the'res noe complaint
Greate-peares nere to Princes should not doe soe
By their stepps we track which waie Kings doe goe
As Phebes light from Phebus doth proceed
Soe doth a great Lords act frome Princes deed
Yf Kings encloud with vice their Uirtues sunn
That selfe thick-foggye course their peeres will runn
Jf I doe murther, they doe murther too
What waie J goe, that waie your banks must goe
Else gratious Prince your lawe giues waye and place
To such as are, or are not in your grace.
Else greate ones open maie your mercyes doore
Sucking the fatt from men but meanlie poore
Iniustly wronging poore-poore vnderlings
For pettie crymes: when vnder your owne wings
Far fowler ects within themselues they nurrish
And consciensles the vildest dambd things cherrish
But soe it should not be my souraigne King
For from a Kingdoms lawes cleere christ all spring
Alike all streames should runn: I eu'ry where
That should spoute water vncorruptlie cleare
Let it doe soe my Prince: let poore mans cryme
Be iudgd like theires: w' are made of self-like slime
All kings are earthlie gods; therefore should Kings
Jn an impartiall ballance weigh all thinges
The iustest iudge doth soe; and soe should you
Like that corruptles iudg in all pointes doe.
I freelie speake; the cause I speake soe free
Is' cause at first great Prince you licensd mee.
J haue accusd, but not excusd; for still
My faults not lessond for anothers ill.
Therefore my Prince to this my pleadings tend
You'l quitt my fault, and Jle my fault amend.
The Prince well listning to th'appeaching Owle
Turnes to the hawkes, on whom with wrathfull scowl
He fixt his eyes. Quoth he, speake is it true
My nobles which this owle reports of you?
Jn guiltles bloud haue you embrud your hands?
T'is monstrous vilde! why your the propps of lands
The steres-men to your Prince: by you hees lede
By whom but you should he be counselled?
Your heades should conduicts be: cleare cristall springs
From which should powre al wholsom virtuous things
From your braines fountaines such pure streames should flowe
As by that moysture things should florishing growe,
Wherefore enact J lawe: with your consent?
J thinke so punish vice was our intent:
Will you that are parte-makers of the lawe
Be breakers of it first? How then in awe
Shall J my subiects haue? why when they se
You drown'd in vice they 'le deeme the like of me
Disgracefullie then this they will report
Howe theirs an extreame famin grown at court;
Of virtuous men theres such a famin grown
As scarcelie one about the Court is knowne
By you shall I growe to loathd infamie
And iudgd the nurse of fowle-fell tyranny
And therfore nobles yf your free and cleare
From these dambd haynos crimes, makt now appeare.
Silence being made, the guiltie nobles
Seing themselues to growe to dangrous trobles
Thus (despratly) replies: oh King quoth they
J hope vnto our murthers youl giue waie
Yf we make spoile and other birds vndoe
We take the xsample souraign Prince from you
We nerest Princes Jmitate them still
We be the emblems of your good or Jll
Yf you slaie, we slaie; yf you saue, we saue
All Kings about them manie shadowes haue:
For this our fault we seeke not make excuse
Cause from your selfe sprang firste this faults abuse
And therefore King yf you'l haue subiects awe
You must not onelie make but keep your lawe.
This peremptorye aunswere so incenst
His maiestie as twene them wars comenst
But while as they were soe at Civill strife
The Owle that malefactour saues hir life
She being loose awaie from keeper scudds
Lusking from sight all daie in thickest woods
But eu'ry night about the outlawe flies
Joying hir escape; wo ho ho she cryes.
I wonder soe: nowe where they doe indight
Me for a murtherer: your grace shall find
J'me leaste of all your nobles soe inclind;
Guitles J plead; or yf J guiltie be
With me must die your whole nobility
Your Hawkes (dread souraigne Prince) doe dailie kill
And dailie doe devoure eate-vp and spill
Your honest subiects, yet theres not a aint
Laies hold of them'gainst them the'res noe complaint
Greate-peares nere to Princes should not doe soe
By their stepps we track which waie Kings doe goe
As Phebes light from Phebus doth proceed
Soe doth a great Lords act frome Princes deed
Yf Kings encloud with vice their Uirtues sunn
That selfe thick-foggye course their peeres will runn
Jf I doe murther, they doe murther too
What waie J goe, that waie your banks must goe
Else gratious Prince your lawe giues waye and place
To such as are, or are not in your grace.
Else greate ones open maie your mercyes doore
Sucking the fatt from men but meanlie poore
Iniustly wronging poore-poore vnderlings
Far fowler ects within themselues they nurrish
And consciensles the vildest dambd things cherrish
But soe it should not be my souraigne King
For from a Kingdoms lawes cleere christ all spring
Alike all streames should runn: I eu'ry where
That should spoute water vncorruptlie cleare
Let it doe soe my Prince: let poore mans cryme
Be iudgd like theires: w' are made of self-like slime
All kings are earthlie gods; therefore should Kings
Jn an impartiall ballance weigh all thinges
The iustest iudge doth soe; and soe should you
Like that corruptles iudg in all pointes doe.
I freelie speake; the cause I speake soe free
Is' cause at first great Prince you licensd mee.
J haue accusd, but not excusd; for still
My faults not lessond for anothers ill.
Therefore my Prince to this my pleadings tend
You'l quitt my fault, and Jle my fault amend.
The Prince well listning to th'appeaching Owle
Turnes to the hawkes, on whom with wrathfull scowl
He fixt his eyes. Quoth he, speake is it true
My nobles which this owle reports of you?
Jn guiltles bloud haue you embrud your hands?
T'is monstrous vilde! why your the propps of lands
The steres-men to your Prince: by you hees lede
By whom but you should he be counselled?
Your heades should conduicts be: cleare cristall springs
From which should powre al wholsom virtuous things
From your braines fountaines such pure streames should flowe
As by that moysture things should florishing growe,
Wherefore enact J lawe: with your consent?
J thinke so punish vice was our intent:
Will you that are parte-makers of the lawe
Be breakers of it first? How then in awe
Shall J my subiects haue? why when they se
You drown'd in vice they 'le deeme the like of me
Disgracefullie then this they will report
Of virtuous men theres such a famin grown
As scarcelie one about the Court is knowne
By you shall I growe to loathd infamie
And iudgd the nurse of fowle-fell tyranny
And therfore nobles yf your free and cleare
From these dambd haynos crimes, makt now appeare.
Silence being made, the guiltie nobles
Seing themselues to growe to dangrous trobles
Thus (despratly) replies: oh King quoth they
J hope vnto our murthers youl giue waie
Yf we make spoile and other birds vndoe
We take the xsample souraign Prince from you
We nerest Princes Jmitate them still
We be the emblems of your good or Jll
Yf you slaie, we slaie; yf you saue, we saue
All Kings about them manie shadowes haue:
For this our fault we seeke not make excuse
Cause from your selfe sprang firste this faults abuse
And therefore King yf you'l haue subiects awe
You must not onelie make but keep your lawe.
This peremptorye aunswere so incenst
His maiestie as twene them wars comenst
But while as they were soe at Civill strife
The Owle that malefactour saues hir life
She being loose awaie from keeper scudds
Lusking from sight all daie in thickest woods
But eu'ry night about the outlawe flies
Joying hir escape; wo ho ho she cryes.
FINIS.
W.G.
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