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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Retourning from Plutos Kingdome, To
Noble Helicon: place of Infinite Ioye.
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 | The rewarde of Wickednesse |  |
Retourning from Plutos Kingdome, To Noble Helicon: place of Infinite Ioye.
When wee from Plutos Pallaice came, and vewed had this woe.(Quod Morpheus) yet I haue a walke, a litle waye to goe.
For sith I haue take al this paine, the doleful place to see,
My friendes shall knowe of my affayres, for that I am so nye.
This viage hight I long a goe, performde my promise is,
As thou thy selfe who eare demaunde, shal witnesse bee of this.
My Ladies lookte for mee long since, some vncouth newes to heare,
And howe in Stigion flames they sped, that liuing, wicked were.
Therefore it standes mee much vpon, my promise to performe,
For that vnto these worthy Dames, so firmely I haue sworne.
It nothing doth behoue (quoth hee) with them to bawke or blooke,
For why they doe from mighty Gods, descende of Sacred stocke.
Of Mercurie the onely sayde Mineruas dearlinges deere,
Whose mightie Muse, and learned skill, had neuer yet theyr peere.
In Helicon their dwelling is, with Cytheron full hye,
Pernassus for theyr pleasure haue, when they thereto agree.
And loe, where (Helicon) appeares of truth a princely place,
Where thou and I, these Ladies with, must commen face to face.
At which mine eyes I lifted vp: The fore sayde place I see,
Which was mee thought so passing fine, as neuer thing might bee.
The Redrose, and the Rosemarye, Inuironed this Hill,
In euerye nooke the Gilyflower, him selfe presented styll.
The comely Bancks with Daysies deckt, and Primrose out of crie,
The Uiolets and Cowleslops sweete, abought in sight I spye.
With other Hearbes that pleasaunt were, which did mee good to see.
Whose fragrant smels perfume the ayre, yt from this place doth flee,
The Thrustel and the Nightingale, with Musike sweete they Pipe,
So pleasauntlye the Gods them selues to heare would much delite.
Loe, here doe yeeld the Christal Springs, theyr trickling siluer floods,
And there Pomgarnet Tree with fruite, to earth doth veile his buds.
The Filbeard in another place, as browne as Beryes shoe,
Eftsones I spyed the Orrange hyng, with Quince and many moe.
But hee that lookte (in euery place) the same should present finde.
In triple wise the Arbours cast, I made of sweetest Briar,
Mixt with the Uine, that vp and downe the ripest grape doth beare.
Of Boxe are Turrets dubbed round, & stayres by arte wel wrought.
Tascende into the tops thereof, as fine as maye bee thought.
Wherein these Ladies ofte doe sit, this Ioyfull sight to vewe,
For there they maye afarre, beholde what strangers come a newe.
And when wee had perusde this place, of highe and mightye fame,
In hexte of al these Turret tops, wee spied a noble Dame,
Adornde and deckte, in comelye raye, and seemely to beholde,
Hir face was like an Angel bright, whose hayre that steinde the gold.
Not curld and fruzulde her browes about, but combde in order fayre,
And on her head of Laurell made, a garlande which shee ware.
No double Ruffes about her necke, no garded Gowne ware shee,
Nor on her handes that steinde the snow, no ringes there were to see.
Hir eyes stoode stedfast in her head, they whirlde not here and there.
Nor in her face you could espye, ought else but grace appeare.
A comely Gowne shee had vpon, of collour sad and sage,
As best became a worthy Dame, presenting midle age.
To whome wee drewe in al the haste, our reuerence for to vse,
Whom when shee saw, first word shee said, welcome (quoth she) what newes?
But further or I do proceede, her name I shal describe,
And in what order that I see, hir Sisters in that tide.
Melpomina, this Ladye hight, the eldest of the nine,
That there among hir Sisters sate, within that Turret greene.
And euerye Ladye with a Booke, in studie sate full fast,
And reading of the worthy actes, that had beene done and past.
The workes of Poets all they had, and scanning there they were,
Who was best worthy in his time, a Poets name to beare.
And Instruments in euery nowke, these noble Ladies had,
To recreate theyr Muses with, and for to make them glad.
And euerye one appareyld like, whose face like starres did shine,
Respondent to Melpomina, In gracious giftes diuine.
Among them were no wanton songs, nor Bacchus bancquets sought.
Nor newe deuice of prancking Pride, nor signe of euill thought.
There was no care to purchase lande, nor fleessing of the poore,
Nor renting Houses out of crye, nor hording for a store.
Tom Teltale could not there bee found, that worketh al the spite.
Nor Peter Pickthancke beare no swaye, for all his craftye fatche,
The Bailife Laurence Lurcher, there nothing for to catche.
There is no Tyrant there, that spoiles nor doth ye poore man wrong.
No taking in of Commons is, within that circuite long.
One seekes not there anothers blood, his liuinges to obtaine,
No priuie hate, nor open wrath, among them doth remaine.
Hipocrisie doth take no place, among these worthye Dames,
Of any Crime it is not heard, that one another blames.
The ruggie blast of Boreas mouth, at no time taketh place,
There Ver, and Flora, both do shewe theyr gorgious face.
Nor Zephirus doth shake no braunche, within that sacred Hill.
But euery thing in former state, alwayes continueth styll.
Nor Hiemps hath no power there, the flakye Snowe to cast,
There is nothing that taketh taste, of cruell Winters blast.
And as I sayde erewhile, howe that wee did these Ladies spie,
(So what wee sayd) and they to vs, Ile tell you by and by.
When wee in order found them thus: Haile Ladye Morpheus sayde,
With Cap in hande I vailde to earth: (They bad mee hele my heade)
(And welcom Morpheus) one and all, they sayde reioysinglie,
Why hast thou bene so long (quoth they) what newes hast brought with thee?
What newes (quoth Morphe) newes ynough, aread frō whence I came
I haue performde my promise made, as ought an honest man.
You did request and I agreede to vewe vile Stigion lakes,
And to peruse with wicked sorte, what order Pluto takes.
And how they are rewarded there, it was your willes to know,
That did delite in euill actes to worke poore people woe.
(Quoth they thats true) & were you there? I came from thence (quoth hee)
Then all at once they gaue him thankes, as glad as they might bee.
With modest words tell vs (quoth they) what sightes that you haue seene
For thankes is all you get of vs, to quite your toyled paine.
But what we can or may be boulde, that honest seemes to bee,
(To pleasure you) in any wise, we shall thereto agree.
But speake, tell on, lets lose no time (quoth one) we thinke it long,
Begin good Morpheus (quoth the rest) and we will holde our tongue.
So Morpheus streight began his tale, and toulde them how that hee.
Among a Masque of merye mates, by chaunce did light on mee.
And when wee came to Plutoes place, among them howe wee sped.
And whome we saw, and what they did, & what theyr sayinges was,
Correspondent to the trueth discribed, more and les.
But when hee tolde them of the Pope, that Alexander hight,
And of the Seruice that they sang, and vsed day and night:
And what resort of Shauelings hee, had with him euery howre,
The Ladyes all on Laughing fell, yea, rounde about the Tower.
Yet wofull for the rest they were, because they wanted grace,
For very zeale these worthy Dames, in teares did washe theyr face.
Where at when Morpheus did behold, these Ladies woful cheare,
(Quod hee) if I had thought on this, I would not haue come heare.
But cease your dolour yet a while, your listning eares lende mee,
And wipe away those plainting teares, which greeueth me to see.
For certs I haue, of woefulnesse and dyrefull destnye tolde,
Of pleasaunt Pageantes Ile rehearse, & Triumphs many folde.
In wandring vp and downe the vale, to see these vglye sightes,
About the place where Pluto laye, wee sawe great Lampes & lights.
With Pageands playd, and Tragedies, & noise of Trumpets sound,
Yea, Bonfires blasde, with thumping guns, that shooke the trembling groūd.
Which when we hard, & did behold, we hasted fast to know,
What was the cause, wherfore or why, those trumpets gan to blow.
And comming to the Pallaice Gates, wee neede not craue them why,
For Boner comes with open Iawe, both yong and olde gan crye.
So Morpheus set the Tale an ende, and as I sayde of late,
Ene so as Boner welcomde was, at large discride the state.
Where at the Ladies euery one, with comely smiling cheare,
Laide by their Bookes, & lawghtful fast, those newes of him to heare
A ha (quoth they) is Boner there? Thats Plutoes Butcher bolde.
It's Plutoes parte to welcome him, for seruice done of olde.
And reason good another saide, desertes must needes bee quit,
And so they are I doe perceyue, by you in Plutos pit.
Some scofte & sayd, hee went for Soules, that long in Stigion dwelde.
And other some to preache and teache, a great opinion helde.
But in the fine a thousand thankes, they yeelded Morpheus there:
(And sayde) they would deserue his paines, if able that they were,
And yong man (quoth Melpomina) sith thou hast taken paine,
Wee doe confesse for recompence, thy debtors to remaine.
Nay maruaile not (quoth Morpheus then) al while he was with mee.
But otherwyse in deede (not hee) nor any mortall man,
That could or might at any time, Phlegetons fiers scan.
Thats true, but whats his name (quoth one) hee lookes with musing moode:
He is (quoth Morpheus) towards you al, and sproong of Robins blood,
Whose painefull pen hath aye beene prest, for to aduance this place,
As at these dayes, his actes full well, shal witnesse to your grace.
And certainelye his chirping tongue, delites to bawke no truth,
But plaine song partes each where doth sing, as well to age as youth.
Therfore sith I had promise made, this vglye place to see,
Mee thought a fitter man to take, I could not finde then hee.
(Quoth Vranye) with seemely lookes, Good sir yee saye full true.
For bad you not some bodye take, no man had knowne but you.
And thē your labor had been lost, which now great thanks doth craue.
Nor the reward had beene knowen, that wicked people haue.
And sith you light vpon our friende, ten times the gladder wee.
To warning of the rest we trust, these newes in Print to see.
And with these words they tooke their bookes, frō Turret straight discend,
With one accord they chargde me al, to hast yt this were pend.
In verse (quoth Clio) pithilye according to your Dreame,
We charge you that to al the world, your pen doe straight proclaime,
And the Rewarde of wickednesse your Booke shall haue to name,
No better title can bee founde to gree vnto the same.
But when I hard these woordes in deede, so full of care I was,
That when I should haue aunswere made, no word from mee coulde pas.
My wits were wast, my sence was fled, and stil I stoode amasde,
Like Hart before the Hounde afright, or Birde in pitfall dasde.
And what to say I readles was, they gaue so straight a charge,
Yet at a venture by and by, these wordes I spake at large.
Madames (quoth I) my willing mind aye alwaies yours hath beene,
Although the grosenesse of my head, deseru'de no praise to winne.
And more then twentye times ashamde, assuredlye I am,
That any of my barren workes, your learned eyes shoulde scan,
Apollos prudent worthie skill, nor Pallas actiue feates,
(I neuer knew) to promise this, how shall I pay my debtes?
My sillie eares Mineruas voyce could neuer vnderstande,
Alas good Ladies woulde you I shoulde take this worke in hande?
Then shoulde you well and easie spie at all no fault in mee.
And sith as yet I neuer taste, your milke of sacred brest,
I doe beseeche you euerie one, forget your last request.
And place some other in my steede, this worke in hande to take,
And so you shall your little Birde a cheerefull Robin make.
And otherwyse when all is done, for to acquite my paines,
With losse of all my labour I shall purchas Cherils gaines.
What, will you so (quoth one indeede,) by this what doe you meane?
Who might for shame denie vs all to take so mickle paine?
What neede you to aleadge such doubts, you are to blame (quoth shee)
Who want you to assist you with, when we thus friendelie bee?
And are we not both some and all, for to erect the same?
Who euer yet tooke paine for vs, but wan immortall Fame?
And then shee helde me fast bith hand, come Sisters then (quoth shee)
Come bring your keyes vndoe your lockes, & let this younge man see
How we exalte the studious sorte, whose paynefull hande and quill,
Is apt at any time to yeelde their fruites vnto this hill,
I hearing this, vneth one worde, durst saye but helde me still,
And countnaunce made as if I woulde consent vnto their will.
And so they brought vs to the place, that all the rest exceedes,
Tentimes as much as in sweete May, the Cowslops stincking weede.
And meete vpon the mountaine toppe, bolt vp into the skies,
This noble place of endelesse fame, most curiously doth ryse,
Whose Turrets here & there doe showe the cūning workmans skill,
That first by art that statelie place began on sacred hill.
Epowdered were the Walles abroade, with stones of Onix kinde,
The rest was Chrystall, finely wrought, that like the Orient shinde.
Meete square it was on euerye side, as could bee thought in minde.
Set out with Phanes, that here and there, flew vp & downe the wind.
No doores but one, where on was set, nine lockes made for ye nones,
Of finest Golde, with curioust workes, outcht rounde with precious stones.
And euery Sister had a key, respondent to the same,
Which by the vse of Custome ould, did know theyr auntient name
To which eache Sister put her keye, abroade the Gates were cast,
They had mee come and there beholde, my Guerdon due at last.
And as wee passed through the Court, the pleasaunt house to vewe,
Amid the same I did espie, a Laurell where it grewe.
On euery spray the littleones sit, and gladsomelie reioyce.
Upon eche Laurell twigge there hange, the pennes of euerie one,
Whose painefull handes their learned Muse, declared long agone,
And grau'd in gold was eche mans name, & what their trauels were
For monumentes tacquite their paines, shall hang for euer there.
Thus when we had behelde at will the fashion of this tree,
These Ladies bid vs yet abide a greater sight to see.
And then they brought vs to a place, where all the Poetes bee,
In Pictures drawne by cunning arte, eache man in his degree.
And as their trauels did appeere, to challenge prayse or fame,
Euen so eache one exalted was according to the same.
Among a number some I knewe, whose workes full oft I reade,
That picturde were in liuelie forme, as they had not beene deade.
The first of all, olde Homer sate with visage sage and sad,
Upon his head of Laurell made, a triple garlande had.
Then Virgill as their order is, with wan and paled lookes,
Was placed in a comelie seate, of eyther side his Bookes.
Ouid next to Virgill sate, as leane as hee might bee,
Whose musing moode in all respectes, did with the same agree.
And Chawcer for his merie tales, was well esteemed there,
And on his head as well ought best, a Laurell garland were.
All these I knewe and many moe, that were to long to name,
That for their trauels were rewarde, for euermore with Fame.
And looking rounde about that house, to see and if I might
By chaunce of any countrey men of mine to haue a sight:
At length I was espide there of Skelton and Lydgat,
VVager, Heywood, and Barnabe Googe, all these togither sate.
With diuers other English men, whose names I will omit,
That in that place enioye the like, of whome I spake not yet.
And meete behinde the doore I sawe a place where Cherill sate,
Arte there thought I vnto my selfe? I am like to be thy mate.
By then we had behelde all this, the night was almost gone,
Therefore Ile take my leaue of you (quoth Morpheus) euery one,
Thers no remedie but depart, this youngman must away,
Beholde where Eos shewes hir face, and doth disclose the daye.
With al our harts these Ladies sayd: & thanks we thousands giue,
And what wee may good Morpheus doe, its yours euē while wee liue.
Who gentlye bid mee all farewell, and chargde mee with the booke
And good yong man (quoth they) take paines these few newes to pen,
So shalt thou earne greate thankes of vs, and of all Englishe men.
And for our ayde bee sure of it, gainste Zoilus and his whelpes,
For to defend thy Booke and thee, wee promise heare our helpes.
Loe heare you see, howe wee acquite our seruauntes at the last,
Wee cause them liue, when cruell death hath take the vitall blast.
And here a place wee will prepare, for thee among these men,
That haue immortall glorye wonne, by painefulnesse of pen.
At which most courteously, I craude, and vailed with my knee,
And sayde good Ladies call againe, this charge if it maye bee.
Commit it to some other man, that hath much better skill,
And better knowth an hundreth times, to scale your learned Hill.
Your Honours haue in Th'innes of Court, a sort of Gentlemen,
That fine would fit your whole intentes, with stately stile to Pen.
Let Studley, Hake, or Fulwood take, that William hath to name.
This peece of worke in hande, that bee more fitter for the same.
But when they hard mee speake these words, they were offēded sore
Wee saye looke to thy charge (quoth they) and let vs heare no more.
And then they whyrled to the Gate, away they vanisht straight,
Which when wee sawe wee there withall descended downe the hight
So Morpheus brought mee home againe, frō whence I came before,
And bade mee laye mee downe and sleepe, for I had traueylde sore.
But looke (quoth he) vnto thy charge: as thou wilt aunswere make,
Forget nothing that thou hast seene, in flaming Stigion Lake.
And then hee tooke his leaue and went, no more I might him see,
But with this trauaile out of hande, full sore he charged mee.
And as a man whose sillie sprightes, had wandered all the night,
So in a slumber waked I, and vp I gat me right,
And called for the merie mates in th' euening that were there,
I meruell where they bee (quoth I) another aunswerd here.
Alas it was a death to see their lookes so deade and pale,
And how both purse, & heade of witte, were sacte and spoilde with ale
Some Gaged Daggers, some their Coats, when al was gone & spent
The Ale wife shee would needes bee paide, before that any went.
Some had surfette, some toke colde, and sowe for sleepe were lost,
(What tho) whē pēce were out of purse, be gon straight cride my host
They neede not doubt the theefe byth way, for Money had they none.
Yet ouernight hee that had seene, the carping of mine Host,
Howe welcome were his newcome Gestes, & how the Churle could bost
Of this and that, and fill the Pots, laye Apples in the fire,
And nowe Ile drinke vnto you all, thus cryed the Aple squire.
Come Kate, goe Wife, fill bowle againe: Ioane looke vnto the doore,
Pipe Minstrum, make vs Murth a while, God sendeth al men store:
That like the Cyrents song, my Host playde Synons parte,
And made them lende theyr listening eares vnto his guileful arte.
To euery Feast hee biddes a Gest, fetch drinke good Dame saith hee,
And make this Gentleman some Cheere, yare welcome sir saith shee.
And thus they bid you to the Rost, and hexte of all shall sit:
But or you part, I hold a crowne, theyle beate you with the spit.
I found theyr fetch, no force thought I, sith you such Cutthrotes bee,
No more then neede, or force compels, no groate you get of mee.
And there withall my Hostesse calde: I payde and got mee thence,
No fauour there was to bee had, but for the litle pence.
And then I calde my Dreame to mind, whereat straight way I went,
To put in vse the promise made, The time in studye spent.
Tyll I had made a finall ende, of this my little Booke,
To haste the same to Printers handes, al trauailes els forsooke.
What thankes therefore I shall deserue, God knowth so doe not I.
But as my meaning is herein, let Fame proclaime and crye.
(Bee as bee maye) yle take my chaunce, as hap shal cast the Dice,
Sith once I knowe yet hytherto, my trauaile paide the Price.
| The rewarde of Wickednesse | |