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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Pope Ihoan rewarded for hir wickednesse.
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 | The rewarde of Wickednesse |  |
Pope Ihoan rewarded for hir wickednesse.
The
time that mortall men doe here abide,
Within this worlde that lasteth not an houre:
If fortune chaunce to smile vpon their side,
Then still they striue from har to higher power.
Content with present state not one there liues,
But such as shoulde liue best, the worst example giues.
Within this worlde that lasteth not an houre:
If fortune chaunce to smile vpon their side,
Then still they striue from har to higher power.
Content with present state not one there liues,
But such as shoulde liue best, the worst example giues.
Much woulde haue more, the proverbe olde doth say,
Tis true indeede, much no man doth content:
For more and more all men doe gape eche daye,
They thinke the worlde will last and not be spent.
Oh very fooles, deceyued foule ye bee:
If happe be on your sides example take by mee.
Tis true indeede, much no man doth content:
For more and more all men doe gape eche daye,
Oh very fooles, deceyued foule ye bee:
If happe be on your sides example take by mee.
To know my life, and what I was sometime,
Who liues and sees me lie amiddes this endelesse wo,
That woulde not doubt the like rewarde in fine,
That I deserued iustly long ago?
I must confesse my paine to little is,
Though twentie times it were much worse then this.
Who liues and sees me lie amiddes this endelesse wo,
That woulde not doubt the like rewarde in fine,
That I deserued iustly long ago?
I must confesse my paine to little is,
Though twentie times it were much worse then this.
Harke what I say the stoutst among you all,
Who sitteth hext that hath not cause to feare?
Some blast doth blow that giues the grieuous fall,
Its often seene euen once in twentie yere,
Though Fortune hoyse the seates of some aloft,
Yet shee delightes to cast them downe as ofte.
Who sitteth hext that hath not cause to feare?
Some blast doth blow that giues the grieuous fall,
Its often seene euen once in twentie yere,
Though Fortune hoyse the seates of some aloft,
Yet shee delightes to cast them downe as ofte.
Nothing more brittle is then state of man,
Both night and day experience doth appeere:
Yet notwithstanding, who doe not what they can,
To liue like Goddes as long as they be heere?
Though time do teache, al thinges begunne must ende
No mendement yet I see of such as doe offende.
Both night and day experience doth appeere:
Yet notwithstanding, who doe not what they can,
To liue like Goddes as long as they be heere?
Though time do teache, al thinges begunne must ende
No mendement yet I see of such as doe offende.
Except the Gods they thought for to displace,
From out their seates wherein they sitte on hie:
Or that from Ioue for to dispose the mace,
Wherewith hee rules the earth and all the skie:
Else wot I not what all this mischiefe meanes,
For Codrus lou'de of Gods, ritch men disdains.
From out their seates wherein they sitte on hie:
Or that from Ioue for to dispose the mace,
Wherewith hee rules the earth and all the skie:
Else wot I not what all this mischiefe meanes,
For Codrus lou'de of Gods, ritch men disdains.
On heapes to Pluto headlong here they runne,
Hell scarse is able the halfe part to holde:
The father is torment for wronging of his sonne,
And eke the sonne for like in triple folde.
The mother for the daughter sustaines wo:
The daughter for the mother, and many other mo.
Hell scarse is able the halfe part to holde:
The father is torment for wronging of his sonne,
And eke the sonne for like in triple folde.
The mother for the daughter sustaines wo:
The daughter for the mother, and many other mo.
But how happie be they that welth do not taste,
And that with pouertie yelde thankes to the Gods?
No doubt aboue the starres all such men are plaste,
They be not scourged nor whipped with our roddes.
Therefore by our harmes learne to be warned,
Else shall you be sure with vs to be charmed.
And that with pouertie yelde thankes to the Gods?
No doubt aboue the starres all such men are plaste,
They be not scourged nor whipped with our roddes.
Therefore by our harmes learne to be warned,
Else shall you be sure with vs to be charmed.
At the which wordes then Morpheus alofte did call,
What art thou (quod he) tell me thy name streight way?
(Shee aunswered) and sayde: euen so with speede I shall,
If it please thee here a while to bide and stay.
And if it be not long I am content (quoth he)
And so with woful plainte these wordes declared she.
What art thou (quod he) tell me thy name streight way?
(Shee aunswered) and sayde: euen so with speede I shall,
If it please thee here a while to bide and stay.
And if it be not long I am content (quoth he)
And so with woful plainte these wordes declared she.
O Morpheus Morpheus I am that wofull wight,
That once did sitte in Peters seate and place:
A man I seemde to be alas in all mens sight,
And yet a wicked woman the lesse my grace.
I did take vpon me the Gospell for to guide,
Yet contrarie both I and mine did liue besyde.
That once did sitte in Peters seate and place:
A man I seemde to be alas in all mens sight,
And yet a wicked woman the lesse my grace.
I did take vpon me the Gospell for to guide,
Yet contrarie both I and mine did liue besyde.
And Iohan was I calde, and of my birth a Citie,
Named Maience tooke hir proper name:
Brought vp in learned scooles the more great pitie,
That grace had not beene lincked to the same.
Learning I loued of all ritchesse vnder heauen,
Till I conquered the knowledge of Sciences seauen.
Named Maience tooke hir proper name:
Brought vp in learned scooles the more great pitie,
That grace had not beene lincked to the same.
Learning I loued of all ritchesse vnder heauen,
Till I conquered the knowledge of Sciences seauen.
I refused my countrie and frindes euery one,
Many a Prouince I trauaylde to and fro,
Better learned then my selfe I met not with one,
Of what estate or degree he were, high or loe.
And in all these places where euer I came,
I was thought among the people to be a very man.
Many a Prouince I trauaylde to and fro,
Better learned then my selfe I met not with one,
Of what estate or degree he were, high or loe.
And in all these places where euer I came,
I was thought among the people to be a very man.
In Englande once I was the countrey to peruse,
From thence to Roome I did returne with speede,
Within the which I did no deale refuse,
Gramer, Sophistry, Logike, and Rethorike, for to reade.
My fellowe not founde, so ready was my braine,
Nothing wanted Morpheus, but grace I tel thee plaine.
From thence to Roome I did returne with speede,
Within the which I did no deale refuse,
My fellowe not founde, so ready was my braine,
Nothing wanted Morpheus, but grace I tel thee plaine.
In Lotaries time, that Emperour was then,
After the death of Leo by full election,
I was chosen for my wisedome aboue al men,
To haue the Papall dignitye in my protection.
And so was made Pope, and ruled as my lyst,
Tyll my abhomination accusde mee or I wist.
After the death of Leo by full election,
I was chosen for my wisedome aboue al men,
To haue the Papall dignitye in my protection.
And so was made Pope, and ruled as my lyst,
Tyll my abhomination accusde mee or I wist.
For hauing at my wyll what harte could best thinke,
And ruling as it were all men as pleased mee:
Then layde I away both Booke, Pen, and Inke,
The swelling fleshe with them could not agree.
I spared neyther Cardinal Bishop, Munke nor Frier,
To fulfil my desire, I past not who they were.
And ruling as it were all men as pleased mee:
Then layde I away both Booke, Pen, and Inke,
The swelling fleshe with them could not agree.
I spared neyther Cardinal Bishop, Munke nor Frier,
To fulfil my desire, I past not who they were.
Tyll at the last I chaunsed great with Childe,
At Saint Iohns Laterans deliuered was I:
And thus the Seate of Peter by mee was defilde,
Alas therefore full oft to late I crye.
Afterwarde deposed I was, and so put downe,
And begged my bread both in Countrey and Towne.
At Saint Iohns Laterans deliuered was I:
And thus the Seate of Peter by mee was defilde,
Alas therefore full oft to late I crye.
Afterwarde deposed I was, and so put downe,
And begged my bread both in Countrey and Towne.
At this filthye acte the Gods were offended,
And sente mee to Pluto, his Iudgement to trye:
Out of all the Heauens I was then suspended,
And heare am adlotted in paines still to lye,
Loe, nowe thou knowest both the cause and my name,
Therefore I pray thee warne thy friendes of the same.
And sente mee to Pluto, his Iudgement to trye:
Out of all the Heauens I was then suspended,
And heare am adlotted in paines still to lye,
Loe, nowe thou knowest both the cause and my name,
Therefore I pray thee warne thy friendes of the same.
Tell women, that haue fine pollytike wittes,
That except they dread the Gods with honour due:
Whome Fortune hexte of all, with Scepture hits,
The hurtfull fall be they sure doth ensue.
Although her nature bee sometime to smile,
It's best yet take heede shee winke them not a wile.
That except they dread the Gods with honour due:
Whome Fortune hexte of all, with Scepture hits,
The hurtfull fall be they sure doth ensue.
Although her nature bee sometime to smile,
It's best yet take heede shee winke them not a wile.
From valley lowe, when Titan mounts the Hilles,
Hee doth dismount as fast as rise before:
The Phenix scaling skies with singed quilles,
Turnes to the Earth againe, what needeth more?
For fluddes that rise, when at the hexte they bee,
Doe fall as fast againe, the proofe we see.
Hee doth dismount as fast as rise before:
The Phenix scaling skies with singed quilles,
Turnes to the Earth againe, what needeth more?
For fluddes that rise, when at the hexte they bee,
Doe fall as fast againe, the proofe we see.
And finallye, will euerye kinde of wight,
As well as women them selues, to knowe and see:
And that in time of wealth, they set theyr sight
To vewe what such doe wante that simpler bee.
Their goodes and Landes with state of noble raine.
Bewty, Youth, and al thinges els, shall shrinke againe.
As well as women them selues, to knowe and see:
And that in time of wealth, they set theyr sight
To vewe what such doe wante that simpler bee.
Their goodes and Landes with state of noble raine.
Bewty, Youth, and al thinges els, shall shrinke againe.
You knowe the nine worthies lasted but a time,
The monstrous mountes do waste and weare awaye:
Then what is it that is made of sliche and slime,
That can vpon the earth long stand or staye?
All is but fleshe which wasteth like the snowe,
When life shall part, the wisest doth not knowe.
The monstrous mountes do waste and weare awaye:
Then what is it that is made of sliche and slime,
That can vpon the earth long stand or staye?
All is but fleshe which wasteth like the snowe,
When life shall part, the wisest doth not knowe.
Now alas, sith the world is thus vnsure,
And fleshe so fraile, what fooles bee mortall men:
That haue such hope in that for to endure,
That straight shall slip awaye they know not when?
What gaines get they that winne a litle pelfe,
For which the Gods at last condempne him selfe?
And fleshe so fraile, what fooles bee mortall men:
That haue such hope in that for to endure,
That straight shall slip awaye they know not when?
What gaines get they that winne a litle pelfe,
For which the Gods at last condempne him selfe?
These wordes thus sayde, the rage of furious hell,
With new inuented miseries gan then to increase:
That very woe and sorrowe did compell,
This newe founde Pope from further talke to cease.
Within my secreate hart, I pitied much her case,
Bicause shee was a woman, and had so litle grace.
With new inuented miseries gan then to increase:
That very woe and sorrowe did compell,
This newe founde Pope from further talke to cease.
Within my secreate hart, I pitied much her case,
Bicause shee was a woman, and had so litle grace.
But then to see the great Souseheaded Friars,
With Iommarnold Muncks, on heapes how fast they fel,
Beside platterfasde Abbots, & Priests with pricke eares:
Howe busie they were it passeth tongue to tell.
I thinke they sang for they gaped so wide,
That to heare theyr seruice I might not abide.
With Iommarnold Muncks, on heapes how fast they fel,
Beside platterfasde Abbots, & Priests with pricke eares:
I thinke they sang for they gaped so wide,
That to heare theyr seruice I might not abide.
Eache nowke was full of Nunnes, as busye as the best,
Properly apparelled like newe fashioned Players:
Prating Pardoners, were Cookes of the Feast,
Whose scullions were a number of beastly Southsaiers.
Euery one occupied, not one of them was idle,
But neyther with Testament nor with Sacred Bible.
Properly apparelled like newe fashioned Players:
Prating Pardoners, were Cookes of the Feast,
Whose scullions were a number of beastly Southsaiers.
Euery one occupied, not one of them was idle,
But neyther with Testament nor with Sacred Bible.
At length they fell out what so euer was the matter,
They fought with Sensars, and holy water Cans:
Great Beades about eache others face they clatter,
I litle thought they had beene such men of theyr hands.
We saw them so disquiet, we stoode from them afarre,
For feare of blowes before that wee were warre.
They fought with Sensars, and holy water Cans:
Great Beades about eache others face they clatter,
I litle thought they had beene such men of theyr hands.
We saw them so disquiet, we stoode from them afarre,
For feare of blowes before that wee were warre.
I sawe no man there that seemde to make peace,
The like maistries at Olimpus, were neuer so made:
Thicke and threefold on heapes they lye like Beastes,
Theyr nayles were so long no man calde for a blade.
Thus violently they disguised one of them the other,
In such fury, that the son tormented his owne Mother.
The like maistries at Olimpus, were neuer so made:
Thicke and threefold on heapes they lye like Beastes,
Theyr nayles were so long no man calde for a blade.
Thus violently they disguised one of them the other,
In such fury, that the son tormented his owne Mother.
It was a wonder to mee verye straunge,
To see what May games they made in that pitte:
Like Maisters of Fence (great stroakes they did chaunge
One with another) starke madde out of witte.
A maruailous Musicke, a prayer most painfull,
Among Christian people nothing more dainfull.
To see what May games they made in that pitte:
Like Maisters of Fence (great stroakes they did chaunge
One with another) starke madde out of witte.
A maruailous Musicke, a prayer most painfull,
Among Christian people nothing more dainfull.
Whereat (quod Morpheus) looking on mee,
Doest thou behold (quoth hee) what miserye is here,
And what presumption in some women may bee,
And howe to come by theyr purpose, full litle they feare?
But what mischiefe is this, heare for to finde,
These Popes & these prelates ye to preach were assinde?
Doest thou behold (quoth hee) what miserye is here,
And what presumption in some women may bee,
And howe to come by theyr purpose, full litle they feare?
But what mischiefe is this, heare for to finde,
These Popes & these prelates ye to preach were assinde?
These are they which beare the world in hand,
That in heauen and hell, they had euermore power:
(As they sayde) so it was, and with God did stande,
Out of hell to fetche thousandes of soules in one hower.
And no worde true all was fables and lyes.
With false Doctrine and Idolatry the blearid our eyes.
That in heauen and hell, they had euermore power:
(As they sayde) so it was, and with God did stande,
Out of hell to fetche thousandes of soules in one hower.
And no worde true all was fables and lyes.
With false Doctrine and Idolatry the blearid our eyes.
These are the Bellye Gods, that outward did appeare,
To bee most holye, and iust alway in theyr liuing:
Which before God very Ipocrites were,
And liu'de like brute Beasts, without any thanks geuing,
They pleade a Priuiledge, to doe what theyr lyst,
As if hell and Heauen were both in theyr fist.
To bee most holye, and iust alway in theyr liuing:
Which before God very Ipocrites were,
And liu'de like brute Beasts, without any thanks geuing,
They pleade a Priuiledge, to doe what theyr lyst,
As if hell and Heauen were both in theyr fist.
And thus wee departed and left the new found Pope,
With her Colledge of Cardinals, and other her mates:
At hext of theyr seruice without vestment or Cope,
With nailes large and long, they bispte each others pates.
So downe the dales, wee drewe to beholde,
The manifold mischiefe among yong and olde.
With her Colledge of Cardinals, and other her mates:
At hext of theyr seruice without vestment or Cope,
With nailes large and long, they bispte each others pates.
So downe the dales, wee drewe to beholde,
The manifold mischiefe among yong and olde.
Whome then to see through many a knaggy crust,
And brethles blast, with stormes as Rasor kene:
And scaping dartes all redde with cankred rust,
Wee passed through, of any one not seene.
Yet by the way a thousand sightes we see,
Of which to thinke, full ofte it greeueth mee.
And brethles blast, with stormes as Rasor kene:
And scaping dartes all redde with cankred rust,
Wee passed through, of any one not seene.
Yet by the way a thousand sightes we see,
Of which to thinke, full ofte it greeueth mee.
Tyll at the laste, wee drewe vnto the place,
And hurtfull hole in cruell Stigion lake:
Whereas wee heard a man bewaile his case.
No pained soule, might greater sorrow make.
These wordes me thought, the wofull wretch did crye,
Come see (alas alas) the tormentes where wee lye.
And hurtfull hole in cruell Stigion lake:
Whereas wee heard a man bewaile his case.
No pained soule, might greater sorrow make.
These wordes me thought, the wofull wretch did crye,
Come see (alas alas) the tormentes where wee lye.
FINIS.
| The rewarde of Wickednesse | |