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 wofull complaint of the monstrous
Emperour Heliogabalus for spending of his
dayes in abhominable whoredome. |
 | The rewarde of Wickednesse |  |
The wofull complaint of the monstrous Emperour Heliogabalus for spending of his dayes in abhominable whoredome.
Syth
Morpheus thou art come to take the vewe
of Plutos kingdome where the wicked guerdon haue:
Of all the rest thou euer see or knewe,
I am the marke to guide the rest from scath.
Loe howe I lye, that earst did florish braue,
and yet Turinus thinkes he hath much wrong,
I heare him hither, vpon the furies raue,
yet not such cause as I, Turinus holde thy tongue.
of Plutos kingdome where the wicked guerdon haue:
Of all the rest thou euer see or knewe,
I am the marke to guide the rest from scath.
Loe howe I lye, that earst did florish braue,
and yet Turinus thinkes he hath much wrong,
I heare him hither, vpon the furies raue,
yet not such cause as I, Turinus holde thy tongue.
Oh how tickle is the staye of honors hie?
what doth auaile a while to guide the earth?
Th' example plaine appeareth now by me,
an Emprour once descende of noble birth.
My triple crowne that was abundaunce worth.
my Scepture sette with Saphirs rich to see;
My sworde that helde in feare such murth,
as neuer yet was vewde by any eye.
what doth auaile a while to guide the earth?
Th' example plaine appeareth now by me,
an Emprour once descende of noble birth.
My triple crowne that was abundaunce worth.
my Scepture sette with Saphirs rich to see;
My sworde that helde in feare such murth,
as neuer yet was vewde by any eye.
Nor yet the sounde of great renoumed fame,
though all the worlde I helde in feare and awe,
That can excuse the least of blotted blame,
nor that the Gods at all regarde a strawe.
(No Morpheus no) who doth offende their lawe,
although he were ten times as high againe:
Upon the snap they catche him in a flawe,
their hautie maste flies ouer borde amaine.
though all the worlde I helde in feare and awe,
That can excuse the least of blotted blame,
nor that the Gods at all regarde a strawe.
(No Morpheus no) who doth offende their lawe,
although he were ten times as high againe:
Upon the snap they catche him in a flawe,
their hautie maste flies ouer borde amaine.
Upon the rocke the shaken Hull is cast,
that prowdely hoyst hir sayle before on hie:
And so vnwares they perish wyth a blast,
the which before mistrusted not to die.
Then from the stincking gayle the sprite doth flee:
and as the dunghill secke, hath spent his dayes,
The sillie soule, in bale or blisse shall bee,
thus vice or vertue hath rewarde alwayes.
that prowdely hoyst hir sayle before on hie:
And so vnwares they perish wyth a blast,
the which before mistrusted not to die.
Then from the stincking gayle the sprite doth flee:
and as the dunghill secke, hath spent his dayes,
thus vice or vertue hath rewarde alwayes.
Unhappie wretch I was of Rome elect.
and by consent of all the rulers there,
The noble Senate chose me to protect,
but when in hande the fearefull sworde I beare,
Not onely Rome, but through the whole Empire,
I quight forgot my selfe, and place they set me in:
Then did my filthie nature straight appeere,
the hidden smoke, to flashing flames begin.
and by consent of all the rulers there,
The noble Senate chose me to protect,
but when in hande the fearefull sworde I beare,
Not onely Rome, but through the whole Empire,
I quight forgot my selfe, and place they set me in:
Then did my filthie nature straight appeere,
the hidden smoke, to flashing flames begin.
For after that I had in hande to rule,
and that my worde to lose and binde had power,
I brought the Senate to another schoole,
exalting vice much hier then Pelops tower.
The Sages graue expulsing euery houre,
new Lordes, new lawes, it did appeare by me:
Thus Rome to ruyne I brought from honour,
from vertue to vice, great shame and infamie.
and that my worde to lose and binde had power,
I brought the Senate to another schoole,
exalting vice much hier then Pelops tower.
The Sages graue expulsing euery houre,
new Lordes, new lawes, it did appeare by me:
Thus Rome to ruyne I brought from honour,
from vertue to vice, great shame and infamie.
Thus first of all, when I from Syria came,
to Rome to rule, and royall scepture guide:
Heliogabalus the Romaine bloode may banne,
I was a meane to laye their fame aside.
Wisdome nor vertue I neuer might abide,
In brute and beastlie toyes alwayes I dwelde.
All such as sinne correcte I did deride,
to filthie liuing a thousande I compelde.
to Rome to rule, and royall scepture guide:
Heliogabalus the Romaine bloode may banne,
I was a meane to laye their fame aside.
Wisdome nor vertue I neuer might abide,
In brute and beastlie toyes alwayes I dwelde.
All such as sinne correcte I did deride,
to filthie liuing a thousande I compelde.
And thus of Rome that was a mirrour cleare,
from whome at first all nations knowledge hadde,
Of honour, vertue and prowes the name did beare,
in myste of filthie slaunder by me was ladde
Whereat the prudent men wept teares full sadde,
to see the vile abuse that then I set aloft:
Uertuous Uirgins then to flie were gladde,
vnrauisht fewe scapt, that might be caught.
from whome at first all nations knowledge hadde,
Of honour, vertue and prowes the name did beare,
in myste of filthie slaunder by me was ladde
Whereat the prudent men wept teares full sadde,
to see the vile abuse that then I set aloft:
Uertuous Uirgins then to flie were gladde,
vnrauisht fewe scapt, that might be caught.
Insatiable was my swelling luste,
my pampered fleshe to whoredome was addicte:
I lookte on none but needes consent they must:
Loe thus (alas) with vice I was afflicte.
I woulde the mortal launce in tender youth had stickte
my wicked heart that wickednesse desired:
Then should not now no Plutos furye prickt
this soule of mine, that here in flames lyeth fyred.
my pampered fleshe to whoredome was addicte:
I lookte on none but needes consent they must:
Loe thus (alas) with vice I was afflicte.
I woulde the mortal launce in tender youth had stickte
my wicked heart that wickednesse desired:
Then should not now no Plutos furye prickt
this soule of mine, that here in flames lyeth fyred.
If Atis chaunce betime I had sustainde,
then had I squencht the sparke that bred vnrest:
My wretched sprite, that nowe in hell is painde,
among the Gods in blisse had been possest.
Whom nowe thou seest with torments styll opprest,
and also scapte on earth, reproche and shame:
Unhappy Rome, then had thou twise been blest,
that nowe for euermore bewayles the same.
then had I squencht the sparke that bred vnrest:
My wretched sprite, that nowe in hell is painde,
among the Gods in blisse had been possest.
Whom nowe thou seest with torments styll opprest,
and also scapte on earth, reproche and shame:
Unhappy Rome, then had thou twise been blest,
that nowe for euermore bewayles the same.
The last Assirian King in filthy life,
I did exceede a thousand kinde of wayes:
All Rome throughout, I rauisht Maide and Wife,
of Uirgins euer, I made them common prayes.
Thus spent I my wicked fleshly dayes,
I made a Senate, of harlottes and baudes:
In open sight I kept no better playes,
then filthilye to vse these common Iades.
I did exceede a thousand kinde of wayes:
All Rome throughout, I rauisht Maide and Wife,
of Uirgins euer, I made them common prayes.
Thus spent I my wicked fleshly dayes,
I made a Senate, of harlottes and baudes:
In open sight I kept no better playes,
then filthilye to vse these common Iades.
Thus houses builded I, for schooles of sin,
to ayde them with I gaue them largely treasure:
The vertuous Matrons, I pluckt them quickly in,
compelling them vnto this filthy pleasure:
(Alas, alas) I past al Godlye measure,
there was no ho, with mee: who durst denye?
But if they had, I spied such a leasure,
that from their shoulders, I made their heads to flye.
to ayde them with I gaue them largely treasure:
The vertuous Matrons, I pluckt them quickly in,
compelling them vnto this filthy pleasure:
(Alas, alas) I past al Godlye measure,
there was no ho, with mee: who durst denye?
But if they had, I spied such a leasure,
that from their shoulders, I made their heads to flye.
Into the handes of Bawdes, I did commit,
the greatest dignitye of the Publike weale:
To common Rybawdes, voyde of grace and witie,
I gaue aucthoritye, aswell to chose as deale.
Who had a sute to mee that did preuaile,
except in Lechery hee did exceede?
The vertuous sort were euer sure to fayle,
when as the wicked at euery turne did speede.
the greatest dignitye of the Publike weale:
I gaue aucthoritye, aswell to chose as deale.
Who had a sute to mee that did preuaile,
except in Lechery hee did exceede?
The vertuous sort were euer sure to fayle,
when as the wicked at euery turne did speede.
Luxurious meates and drinckes, I euer sought,
a thousand wayes I studyed for the same:
Upon the Publike weale the least I thought,
to labour after lust, that was my game.
If I should publishe halfe by proper name,
the life of late, I lewdlye led in sinne,
The finest head it would both tire and tame,
therfore to trouble thee, I will not nowe beginne.
a thousand wayes I studyed for the same:
Upon the Publike weale the least I thought,
to labour after lust, that was my game.
If I should publishe halfe by proper name,
the life of late, I lewdlye led in sinne,
The finest head it would both tire and tame,
therfore to trouble thee, I will not nowe beginne.
What should I speake of noble famous Dukes,
that from the Senate, by violence I put:
Or of the sage wise Maisters, that with rebukes,
I cruellye, out of the Senate shut?
I catcht the bitter huske, and lost the pleasaunt Nut,
twoo Carters I chose to bee my counsell chiefe:
I blindlye drewe to shote at blanked But:
which was the cause at leangth of all my griefe.
that from the Senate, by violence I put:
Or of the sage wise Maisters, that with rebukes,
I cruellye, out of the Senate shut?
I catcht the bitter huske, and lost the pleasaunt Nut,
twoo Carters I chose to bee my counsell chiefe:
I blindlye drewe to shote at blanked But:
which was the cause at leangth of all my griefe.
Protogenes the tone of these were calde
Cordius, thother had by proper name:
These twoo through Rome the common wealth forstald,
to the losse of my honour, and great increase of shame.
For vice florished, and vertue waxed lame:
Vitellus in gluttony, alwayes I did exceede:
Wanton meates for the nonce, then I gan frame,
to pamper the paunche, when nature list not feede.
Cordius, thother had by proper name:
These twoo through Rome the common wealth forstald,
to the losse of my honour, and great increase of shame.
For vice florished, and vertue waxed lame:
Vitellus in gluttony, alwayes I did exceede:
Wanton meates for the nonce, then I gan frame,
to pamper the paunche, when nature list not feede.
What should I tell of the straunge kinde of Fishes,
so rare vneth no man can knowe them well:
Which at one meale, ten thousand dishes,
with as many Fowles as doe the Fishe excell.
The like ere nowe, hath any man heard tell?
an Emperoure to leade (alas) like gluttons life?
Yong tender Maides, alwayes I did compell,
throughout Italie, with many a noble wife.
so rare vneth no man can knowe them well:
Which at one meale, ten thousand dishes,
with as many Fowles as doe the Fishe excell.
an Emperoure to leade (alas) like gluttons life?
Yong tender Maides, alwayes I did compell,
throughout Italie, with many a noble wife.
And when I had suffisde by violence,
my filthye fleshe, yet not contented so:
I ripte theyr wombes in open audience,
theyr tender bowelles, and secreates for to shoe.
In progresse, when I did delite to goe,
with mee sixe hundreth Chariots of harlots went:
In steede of Sage, and noble counsels loe,
thus I my time in wickednesse still spent.
my filthye fleshe, yet not contented so:
I ripte theyr wombes in open audience,
theyr tender bowelles, and secreates for to shoe.
In progresse, when I did delite to goe,
with mee sixe hundreth Chariots of harlots went:
In steede of Sage, and noble counsels loe,
thus I my time in wickednesse still spent.
And such as chiefe to mee I did appoint,
and ordaine greatest rule of all to beare:
The sentence of my fame, the villans ioynt,
I innocent, the suters not the neare.
They fed me with follye they whispered in mine eare,
Zoticus that varlette, a slaue and dunghill borne:
Whome of nought to noblenes, I did vp reare,
in thende rewarded mee with double scorne.
and ordaine greatest rule of all to beare:
The sentence of my fame, the villans ioynt,
I innocent, the suters not the neare.
They fed me with follye they whispered in mine eare,
Zoticus that varlette, a slaue and dunghill borne:
Whome of nought to noblenes, I did vp reare,
in thende rewarded mee with double scorne.
Hee playde by mee, as Turinus did before,
by noble Alexander, who guerdon gaue:
(So well) that fame, for euermore,
soundes vp his praise for quiting of that knaue.
What should I saye, it is but vaine to raue,
for in time I had no grace this to preuent:
But hee that will thus much exalt a slaue,
him selfe shalbe the first, that shall repent.
by noble Alexander, who guerdon gaue:
(So well) that fame, for euermore,
soundes vp his praise for quiting of that knaue.
What should I saye, it is but vaine to raue,
for in time I had no grace this to preuent:
But hee that will thus much exalt a slaue,
him selfe shalbe the first, that shall repent.
Because this varlette, Zoticus did excell
in all wicked vices most abhominable:
I preferde him to the greatest liuing that fell,
both Realmes & Kingdomes, with countreys honorable:
To no man vertuous I seemed conformable,
but onely to such as abounded in sinne:
To these and such like, I was euer tractable.
when eache man lost, these knaues did winne.
in all wicked vices most abhominable:
I preferde him to the greatest liuing that fell,
both Realmes & Kingdomes, with countreys honorable:
To no man vertuous I seemed conformable,
but onely to such as abounded in sinne:
when eache man lost, these knaues did winne.
The Deuill so kindled his fire in my breast.
and fostered in mee such detestable vice:
Because Alexander was not slaine, I could not rest.
that was mine Awntes sonne both learned and wise.
To poyson him I offered, Iewelles of great price,
because my wickednesse so much hee hated:
One while treason, I conspired with spice,
in diuers drinkes and meates, his death I animated.
and fostered in mee such detestable vice:
Because Alexander was not slaine, I could not rest.
that was mine Awntes sonne both learned and wise.
To poyson him I offered, Iewelles of great price,
because my wickednesse so much hee hated:
One while treason, I conspired with spice,
in diuers drinkes and meates, his death I animated.
But nowe behold the guerdon and rewarde,
of filthy vile and detestable life:
And howe the Gods theyr seruauntes doe regarde,
defending them from murders bloody knife.
My ende ful wel, maye warne both man and wife,
for Alexander, whome I thought to kill:
Hee scapte the snare, when I began to drife,
the first I was my selfe, that in the same did spill.
of filthy vile and detestable life:
And howe the Gods theyr seruauntes doe regarde,
defending them from murders bloody knife.
My ende ful wel, maye warne both man and wife,
for Alexander, whome I thought to kill:
Hee scapte the snare, when I began to drife,
the first I was my selfe, that in the same did spill.
For hee through vertue, wanne the noble heartes,
of thancient Senate, and commons of the same:
In whose safegarde, not one from other startes,
but with consent, togeather ioyntly frame.
And thus beganne with mee, that tragicallike game:
Tyrantes can not raigne, experience long hath taught
The Gods that suffer long, at length doe blame,
the wicked imagination, they euer bring to nought.
of thancient Senate, and commons of the same:
In whose safegarde, not one from other startes,
but with consent, togeather ioyntly frame.
And thus beganne with mee, that tragicallike game:
Tyrantes can not raigne, experience long hath taught
The Gods that suffer long, at length doe blame,
the wicked imagination, they euer bring to nought.
For by procuring Alexanders death,
I hasted mine owne to my life agreeing:
My wicked seruauntes, like Traitours false of faith,
were thonely conspiratours, and causers of my dying.
They slewe my adherentes, and put mee to flying.
my familiers a thousand wayes they kilde
Before my face. I standing by and seeing,
for life durst not speake, but as a coward yeeld.
I hasted mine owne to my life agreeing:
My wicked seruauntes, like Traitours false of faith,
were thonely conspiratours, and causers of my dying.
They slewe my adherentes, and put mee to flying.
my familiers a thousand wayes they kilde
Before my face. I standing by and seeing,
for life durst not speake, but as a coward yeeld.
But how I yeelded, it's shame to make relation,
I fled into a priuie, and there was take,
My mother murdered on the same sorte and fashion,
Our funeralles togither, amidde that dounge we make.
Loe my rewarde for filthy whoredomes sake.
The Gods forget me not, they quitte me home:
They cast me headelong into this fiery lake,
vpon the earth for aye good fame is gone.
I fled into a priuie, and there was take,
My mother murdered on the same sorte and fashion,
Our funeralles togither, amidde that dounge we make.
Loe my rewarde for filthy whoredomes sake.
The Gods forget me not, they quitte me home:
They cast me headelong into this fiery lake,
vpon the earth for aye good fame is gone.
(Alas) Morpheus yet thou knowst not all,
I praye thee bide a while and heare the rest,
I am sure as yet, thou neuer hearde like fall,
of noble birth, hatcht in so high a nest.
But what preuailes where vice is so possest.
A while I rulde, and tumbled in my sinne:
I wanted nothing, that mostrous life request,
of feare I frustrate was, I dred not God a pin.
I praye thee bide a while and heare the rest,
I am sure as yet, thou neuer hearde like fall,
of noble birth, hatcht in so high a nest.
But what preuailes where vice is so possest.
A while I rulde, and tumbled in my sinne:
I wanted nothing, that mostrous life request,
of feare I frustrate was, I dred not God a pin.
Therefore mine odious corps throughout the Citie,
with hookes they drewe, both vp and downe the streetes
With ordure fylde, no man of me had pitie,
haulters of hempe were both our winding sheetes,
Fie on him villaine, they skrickt & cryde like sprites,
with clapping handes eche one reioyst to see,
With wordes of great reproche the furies had delites,
my olde deserued deedes to wreake on mee.
with hookes they drewe, both vp and downe the streetes
With ordure fylde, no man of me had pitie,
haulters of hempe were both our winding sheetes,
Fie on him villaine, they skrickt & cryde like sprites,
with clapping handes eche one reioyst to see,
With wordes of great reproche the furies had delites,
my olde deserued deedes to wreake on mee.
Then to the common Iakes they dregged mee,
at the filthiest conduict downe they woulde me cast,
But that it was to narrow, at least by fingers three,
or else I had bene shrinde within that dongue at last.
But then tyed to a mightie mylstone full fast,
into the floode of Tiber was I throwne:
Where many a worthy shippe hath past,
the tumbling streams was made my tumbe and throne.
at the filthiest conduict downe they woulde me cast,
But that it was to narrow, at least by fingers three,
or else I had bene shrinde within that dongue at last.
But then tyed to a mightie mylstone full fast,
into the floode of Tiber was I throwne:
Where many a worthy shippe hath past,
the tumbling streams was made my tumbe and throne.
Loe Morpheus loe, thus was I seru'de of such,
that earst from naught to Princes mates I brought:
Beholde theyr actes, to whome I gaue so much,
aboue the rest, my misaduentures sought:
But alas, the ende of wickednesse is naught,
the Gods alwayes, take vengeaunce at the length:
I thought I should the fixed starres haue raught.
but yet abated was my hawtye heart and strength.
that earst from naught to Princes mates I brought:
aboue the rest, my misaduentures sought:
But alas, the ende of wickednesse is naught,
the Gods alwayes, take vengeaunce at the length:
I thought I should the fixed starres haue raught.
but yet abated was my hawtye heart and strength.
At the age of one and twentye yeeres I dyed,
and monstrous Heliogabalus they calde my name:
To my reproche, report the same hath cryed,
who heard therof, that made not sport and game?
And looke who leades my life, shal euer tast the same,
vtter confusion, hasteth for his praye:
Perdurable mischiefe, comes after fast with shame,
and makes theyr pasporte at the latter daye.
and monstrous Heliogabalus they calde my name:
To my reproche, report the same hath cryed,
who heard therof, that made not sport and game?
And looke who leades my life, shal euer tast the same,
vtter confusion, hasteth for his praye:
Perdurable mischiefe, comes after fast with shame,
and makes theyr pasporte at the latter daye.
But Morpheus, to tell thee all my beastly actes,
an hundreth Clarkes were not able to pen them:
And againe whosoeuer should heare of like factes,
so detestable they are, it would but offend them.
But I praye thee warne thy friendes to amend them,
my gilte thou hast hard, my paines thou dost see:
To repent betime, I praye God to send them,
for be sure wicked deedes, are rewarded wickedly.
an hundreth Clarkes were not able to pen them:
And againe whosoeuer should heare of like factes,
so detestable they are, it would but offend them.
But I praye thee warne thy friendes to amend them,
my gilte thou hast hard, my paines thou dost see:
To repent betime, I praye God to send them,
for be sure wicked deedes, are rewarded wickedly.
Bid them flye whoredome, and vile vicious deedes,
they are sure to loase Gods Kingdome for euer:
Honest men doe hate them, as nettles or weedes,
but shame and ill report leaueth them neuer.
At length theyr owne Minions doe seeke theyr decaye,
on whome pursues death, of life the bereuer:
Which makes an end of beggery, cōmitting hell the pray,
if they in wickednesse, vnto the ende perseuer.
they are sure to loase Gods Kingdome for euer:
Honest men doe hate them, as nettles or weedes,
but shame and ill report leaueth them neuer.
At length theyr owne Minions doe seeke theyr decaye,
on whome pursues death, of life the bereuer:
Which makes an end of beggery, cōmitting hell the pray,
if they in wickednesse, vnto the ende perseuer.
And with these wordes this wicked wretche,
among his tormentes, was toyled so sore,
With a pitifull lookes, his hande forth did stretche,
as who saye a dewe, I can speake no more.
His mother in a flaming puddle began to roare,
eche Deuill put in vse his terrible trade:
With greater spite then accustomed before,
to terrible to heare the noyse that then they made.
among his tormentes, was toyled so sore,
With a pitifull lookes, his hande forth did stretche,
as who saye a dewe, I can speake no more.
eche Deuill put in vse his terrible trade:
With greater spite then accustomed before,
to terrible to heare the noyse that then they made.
This monstrous Emperour in hell thus stoode,
tyed fast by the members on a snakie wheele:
Which ran about as if it were woode,
Invironde with Bawdes as blacke as the De'yle
Hooked for the nonce with hote glowing steele,
which Butchered his bowels about his feete:
And for to rewarde his wickednesse weele,
Thinfernall fire, streight way they beyte.
tyed fast by the members on a snakie wheele:
Which ran about as if it were woode,
Invironde with Bawdes as blacke as the De'yle
Hooked for the nonce with hote glowing steele,
which Butchered his bowels about his feete:
And for to rewarde his wickednesse weele,
Thinfernall fire, streight way they beyte.
Whereat anone such smoke there doth arise,
with leade that boyles, in stormes like raging seas,
And with a twinche, a thousande Dragons flyes,
ten times as fast as snowe in windie dayes.
Grypes as greedie as Woolues that seeke their prayes,
and on him gnawe, that myser tyed full fast:
The cruell wheele doth bounse, and neuer stayes,
Loe, thus his paines for euer more doth last.
with leade that boyles, in stormes like raging seas,
And with a twinche, a thousande Dragons flyes,
ten times as fast as snowe in windie dayes.
Grypes as greedie as Woolues that seeke their prayes,
and on him gnawe, that myser tyed full fast:
The cruell wheele doth bounse, and neuer stayes,
Loe, thus his paines for euer more doth last.
And thus we left this wretch (that dwels in endlesse pain)
A number for to vewe, that crying did complaine.
A number for to vewe, that crying did complaine.
The Bookes verdit.
When filthie lust doth guide, and hath the helme in fist:Beware the winde and tyde, take heede of had I wist.
A wilfull mate is hee, for to direct the waye:
He doubtes no perill nie, in sayling on the sea.
But hoyse aloft he cries, it blowes a merie blast:
And so at randome flies, while youthfull life will last.
At Caphars lampe they runne, with hoysed sayle amaine:
VVhich seemeth like the Sunne, in sight of feeble braine.
A stale that leades the way, to Scyllas sandy cost:
VVhich drinketh euery day, their blood through folly lost
Caribdes greedie Iawes, lye gaping euerie houre:
And whom shee catcheth in hir clawes, shee spares not to deuoure.
But loe the prancke of pride, and race that rudenesse runnes:
The ende of wanton workes are spide, se how destruction comes,
Marke rushing youth, how vaine he spendes his retchelesse dayes:
Note well how pleasure breedeth paine, a thowsande kinde of wayes.
If puffing pompe with golde, might ease this Princes paine:
Or force of armed champions bolde, could helpe his griefe againe
Then all his scrikes and cryes, had quite bene husht and stilde:
So had his eares and eyes, with worldlie workes beene filde.
If I shoulde make rehearse, what his offences were:
Although in prose or verse, it woulde corrupt the eare.
The Gods abhorde his dayes, the worlde doth sounde his shame:
And vengaunce vengaunce manie wayes, agreeth to the same?
VVhat profites now his sporte, wherein he playde the beast,
VVith all his bawdes resorte, or eke his gluttons feast.
VVhat now auailes his crowne, with precious stones beset?
Or and he had as great renowne, as mortall man might get.
Sith mighties know not when, the Goddes will knocke and call,
No more then other poorest men, that simplest be of all,
Therefore looke well about, keepe filthie lust away:
Beware I say the hidden doubt, that lyes in secret sea.
Let vertue guide the helme, and wisdome hoyse the sayle:
So shal you voyde the daūgers great, that might your voyage quayle.
FINIS.
| The rewarde of Wickednesse | |