The rewarde of Wickednesse Discoursing the sundrye monstrous abuses of wicked and vngodlye worldelinges: in such sort set downe and written as the same haue beene dyuersely practised in the persones of Popes, Harlots, Proude Princes, Tyrauntes, Romish Byshoppes, and others. With a liuely description of their seuerall falles and finall destruction. Uerye profitable for all sorte of estates to reade and looke vpon. Nevvly compiled by Richard Robinson |
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The bookes verdite vpon Tantalus.
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 | The rewarde of Wickednesse |  |
The bookes verdite vpon Tantalus.
The monstrous Camel, that stāping beast, & eake the sluggish AsseAnd Bayarde bolde, I may compare to many men alas.
VVhich with the Camell beares awaye, the massie packe of pelfe,
Yet twise as slowe as sluggish Asse, but onely for themselfe.
That Iustice, friendship, pitie, and loue, away is from them twitcht.
VVith brags they bouldly leape & plunge, nothing they do mistrust:
As Baiard doeth, till at the length, to yeld to harme they must.
These Beastes mee thinke doe wel present, the qualities of such,
That with the Camel, drug and drawe, of worldlye wealth so much.
As Tantalus the Phrigion did, the Camels part that plaide.
VVhose mind frō Midas muck, in time, no counsel could haue staid.
His Beastly heart beare that away, that body nor bones could doe:
As some such Camels at these daies, are lately start vp newe.
VVithin the circuite of our soile, which members beare of men,
VVhose customes in their countrey is, to beastly now and then.
For oft their greedy paūche deuoures, their neighbors house & groūd,
Yea Pastures, Parks, whole fields, & Tounes, & al that may be found.
VVhich passeth beast, or beastly bones, of worldlinges for to beare:
Although their hearts do craue as much, as both they see and heare.
They hoke and holde, with tothe and naile, by slight of wily braine,
That which we see, each time and tide, doth waste like snow in raine.
Goodes are ill gotte, which causeth losse, of endlesse ioy and blisse,
To purchase paines, where lasting griefe, and tormente euer is.
Marke this wel you mighties whome, the Lord appointes to rule,
Lende not your eares in any wise, to Peter Pickthankes schole.
His flattering fetche doth robbe you al, of famous honour due,
VVhose painting pensels euermore, reprocheful colours hewe.
And causeth curses of the poore, whose plaints the Lord doeth heare,
Redressing streight their care & grief, throughout the earth echewhere
VThat Camell then more couetous, what Asse more dull of witte,
VVhat boulder Bayard can be found, to keepe the lothsome pitte,
Thē are these muckscrapers at these daies, that swalow vp the poore,
VVhich haue to much, yet not content, but proule for more & more?
VVhose gluttons eies are neuer filde, till gaping chappes bee full
Of suddie soile, and slimie slitche, where at this while you pulll:
And then your woeful soules bewaile, the daies your carkasse spende,
In wickednes, and neuer could finde any time to mende.
But wordes are wind, what will you more? No vertue is regarded:
Be as be maie, the daie will come, your workes will bee rewarded.
FINIS.
| The rewarde of Wickednesse | |