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 verdit.
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 | The rewarde of Wickednesse |  |
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 | |