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 Prologue.
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 | The rewarde of Wickednesse |  |
The Prologue.
In December when daies be short and colde,
And irkesome nights amid the storms gan rore,
That flockes from feeldes forsake their folde,
And Birdes from swelling floodes do shrinke to shore,
The plowgh doth rest that cut the soyle of yore.
And toyling Oxe in cabin close doth stande,
That wonted was to trauayle painefull lande:
And irkesome nights amid the storms gan rore,
That flockes from feeldes forsake their folde,
And Birdes from swelling floodes do shrinke to shore,
The plowgh doth rest that cut the soyle of yore.
And toyling Oxe in cabin close doth stande,
That wonted was to trauayle painefull lande:
And when the hawtie hilles and ragged rockes,
In mantels white be clothed rounde aboute:
VVhen foules and beastes, as well by heardes as flockes,
Seekes smoking springes, hote thirst to dowte,
VVhose flames doth force the frosen banckes throughout,
To yeelde their flintish ribbes, to gushing floods of raine,
And locked streames at large to set againe:
In mantels white be clothed rounde aboute:
VVhen foules and beastes, as well by heardes as flockes,
Seekes smoking springes, hote thirst to dowte,
VVhose flames doth force the frosen banckes throughout,
To yeelde their flintish ribbes, to gushing floods of raine,
And locked streames at large to set againe:
VVhen euerie Tree the ardent coulors lost,
And braue depainted lookes of fragrant smelles,
VVhen bragging Boreas thus the soyle had tost,
That Hart and Hinde did quake in fieldes and felles,
VVith Bull and Beare for colde both cries and yelles.
And shrowling makes eche thing that life doth beare,
To stande with shaking limmes, the stormes to heare.
And braue depainted lookes of fragrant smelles,
VVhen bragging Boreas thus the soyle had tost,
That Hart and Hinde did quake in fieldes and felles,
VVith Bull and Beare for colde both cries and yelles.
And shrowling makes eche thing that life doth beare,
To stande with shaking limmes, the stormes to heare.
On eyther side the hilles when blastes doe rise,
As sharpe as thornes the naked skinne doth hit,
And Saturne to the earth doth shewe his frosen eyes,
VVhose wrath doth pinch eache creature to the quicke,
VVhich oft doth cause both young and olde fall sicke,
VVith cough, and colde, and stopping rheumes also,
Quotidians, feuers, diseases many mo:
As sharpe as thornes the naked skinne doth hit,
And Saturne to the earth doth shewe his frosen eyes,
VVhose wrath doth pinch eache creature to the quicke,
VVhich oft doth cause both young and olde fall sicke,
VVith cough, and colde, and stopping rheumes also,
Quotidians, feuers, diseases many mo:
And when Eolus his prison had vnlocken,
And all the retchlesse route let runne at large
VVhose russhing rage eache pleasant braūch hath broken
VVhereof before Dame Flora had the charge,
On Tiber stirreth neyther boate nor Barge.
Trytan soundes his trump, and Neptune gins to frowne,
The sayler strikes from mast the sayles a downe.
And all the retchlesse route let runne at large
VVhereof before Dame Flora had the charge,
On Tiber stirreth neyther boate nor Barge.
Trytan soundes his trump, and Neptune gins to frowne,
The sayler strikes from mast the sayles a downe.
VVhen young and olde their bones with cloth doe loade,
And hoodes vnto their heades doe buckle fast:
And when the Boye doth rest that bare the goade,
And keepes the chimneyes ende til Hyemps storms be past,
VVhen men doe doubt their winter stuffe to last,
And carefull cattell with open Iawe doth craue,
Their keepers meate their carkas for to saue.
And hoodes vnto their heades doe buckle fast:
And when the Boye doth rest that bare the goade,
And keepes the chimneyes ende til Hyemps storms be past,
VVhen men doe doubt their winter stuffe to last,
And carefull cattell with open Iawe doth craue,
Their keepers meate their carkas for to saue.
VVhen men delight to keepe the fire side.
And winter tales incline their cares to heare,
VVhen mery mates be met, that will abide,
Eache filles his pot of Nutbrowne Ale or Bere,
As is the trade of Ale knightes euery where,
To tosse the pottes and plye the flitting boules,
Then pay their pence, and packe with dronken noules.
And winter tales incline their cares to heare,
VVhen mery mates be met, that will abide,
Eache filles his pot of Nutbrowne Ale or Bere,
As is the trade of Ale knightes euery where,
To tosse the pottes and plye the flitting boules,
Then pay their pence, and packe with dronken noules.
In this season it was my lotte to fall,
Among a masque chosen for the nonce,
Some reelde, some fell, some helde them by the wall,
Some sang, some chid, and sware gogs precious bones,
(Quoth one to me) friende camst thou from saint Jones?
what penaunce hast thou done, thou art so leane & pale?
No force (quoth another) he shall fyll his pot of Ale.
Among a masque chosen for the nonce,
Some reelde, some fell, some helde them by the wall,
Some sang, some chid, and sware gogs precious bones,
(Quoth one to me) friende camst thou from saint Jones?
what penaunce hast thou done, thou art so leane & pale?
No force (quoth another) he shall fyll his pot of Ale.
Content (quoth I) and thereto I agree,
Fyll pot Hostice of Pery, Ale, or Bere:
My heade it recreated after studie,
To shut foorth the time, though rusticall they were,
Thus walkt tho Kanikin both here and there,
Till the wife cryed to bed for sauing of hir fire,
Contented (quoth I) for that was my desire.
Fyll pot Hostice of Pery, Ale, or Bere:
My heade it recreated after studie,
To shut foorth the time, though rusticall they were,
Thus walkt tho Kanikin both here and there,
Till the wife cryed to bed for sauing of hir fire,
Contented (quoth I) for that was my desire.
The shot was gathered, and the fyre rakte vp,
Eache man to his lodging began for to draw:
Some stackering stumbled as mad as a Tup,
Some crept vnder the mattresse into the strawe.
Another sort began to pleade the common lawe.
I lookt about and sawe them so dight,
Put out the candle and bad them goodnight.
Eache man to his lodging began for to draw:
Some stackering stumbled as mad as a Tup,
Some crept vnder the mattresse into the strawe.
Another sort began to pleade the common lawe.
I lookt about and sawe them so dight,
Put out the candle and bad them goodnight.
My drowzie heart thus being at his rest,
Tooke no care for the colde, all sorrowes were past:
So late it had beene at the good Ale feast,
That the worlde for euer I thought woulde last.
In mine eare thunders no sounde of winters blast.
I thought none yll, my heade was layde full saft,
All carke and care my wandring sprite had laft.
Tooke no care for the colde, all sorrowes were past:
So late it had beene at the good Ale feast,
That the worlde for euer I thought woulde last.
In mine eare thunders no sounde of winters blast.
I thought none yll, my heade was layde full saft,
All carke and care my wandring sprite had laft.
Not lying thus one houre by the clocke,
Me thought the chamber shone with Torches bright,
And in the haste at doore I hearde one knocke,
(And sayde what) Slugge, why sleepest all the night?
I starting vp behelde one in my sight,
Dasht all in golden raies, before me did appeare,
(And sayde) I am a God, beholde that standeth here.
Me thought the chamber shone with Torches bright,
And in the haste at doore I hearde one knocke,
(And sayde what) Slugge, why sleepest all the night?
I starting vp behelde one in my sight,
Dasht all in golden raies, before me did appeare,
(And sayde) I am a God, beholde that standeth here.
Mine eares were filde, with noyse of Trumpets sounde,
And dazled were mine eies, my sence was almost gon,
But yet amazde my knee vaylde to the grounde,
And sayde heare Lorde, thy will and mine be one,
VVhat is thy minde, more redie there is none,
To ride to runne, to trauell here and there,
By lande and seas halfe worthie if I were.
And dazled were mine eies, my sence was almost gon,
But yet amazde my knee vaylde to the grounde,
And sayde heare Lorde, thy will and mine be one,
VVhat is thy minde, more redie there is none,
To ride to runne, to trauell here and there,
By lande and seas halfe worthie if I were.
But first to know thy name I humbly thee beseeche,
Forgiue my rudenesse this of thee to craue,
He aunswering sayd, with meeke and lowlie speeche,
Morpheus is my name, that alwaies power haue,
Dreames to shewe in Countrie, Courte, or Caue.
In the heauens aboue, or Plutoes kingdome loe,
Its I that haue the power each thing t'unfolde and shoe.
Forgiue my rudenesse this of thee to craue,
He aunswering sayd, with meeke and lowlie speeche,
Morpheus is my name, that alwaies power haue,
Dreames to shewe in Countrie, Courte, or Caue.
Its I that haue the power each thing t'unfolde and shoe.
And knowe (quoth he) that euerie night and daye,
VVho shutteth vp his eyes, his heade to feede with sleepe,
His wandering spirite attendes on me alwaye,
To trudge and trauell, where I shall thinke it meete,
As well to mounte the skies, as in the secrets deepe,
As swifte as thought, what God hath greater poure,
Then all that is or was, to shewe thee in an houre?
VVho shutteth vp his eyes, his heade to feede with sleepe,
His wandering spirite attendes on me alwaye,
To trudge and trauell, where I shall thinke it meete,
As well to mounte the skies, as in the secrets deepe,
As swifte as thought, what God hath greater poure,
Then all that is or was, to shewe thee in an houre?
And whether wilt I goe, Lorde Morpheus (quoth I)
I here am prest thy will for to obey.
VVith an earnest lookes (quoth hee) I will that by and by,
To Plutoes kingdome with mee thou take thy waye.
Though frayde I were, I durst not well say naye.
VVith him I went that irkesome place to see,
VVhere wofull sprites full sore tormented bee.
I here am prest thy will for to obey.
VVith an earnest lookes (quoth hee) I will that by and by,
To Plutoes kingdome with mee thou take thy waye.
Though frayde I were, I durst not well say naye.
VVith him I went that irkesome place to see,
VVhere wofull sprites full sore tormented bee.
And going by the way these wordes he sayde,
Be of good cheare, me thinkes thou lookest pale,
Plucke vp thy hearte and be no deale afrayde,
Although thou goe into this ouglie vale.
And thus or he had fynisht halfe his tale,
Cerberus barckt that griselie hounde of hell,
The earth did quake to heare him houle and yell.
Be of good cheare, me thinkes thou lookest pale,
Plucke vp thy hearte and be no deale afrayde,
Although thou goe into this ouglie vale.
And thus or he had fynisht halfe his tale,
Cerberus barckt that griselie hounde of hell,
The earth did quake to heare him houle and yell.
VVhen Morpheus hearde this cruell barcking Curre.
For Mercuries rodde he sende with all the hast,
This wondering porter charmde he might not sturre,
Till hee and I throughout his offyce past,
So to the seconde warde wee came at last.
VVhere VVrath kept the walles, and Enuie the gates,
Associate with Pride and vvhoredome their mates.
For Mercuries rodde he sende with all the hast,
This wondering porter charmde he might not sturre,
Till hee and I throughout his offyce past,
So to the seconde warde wee came at last.
VVhere VVrath kept the walles, and Enuie the gates,
Associate with Pride and vvhoredome their mates.
VVith cruell countinaunce terrible to see,
These horrible officers fixed their eyes,
Filthie to beholde monstrous and ouglie,
They gathered to the gates like swarmes of Bees,
Gnashing their teeth, asking who were these,
That durst be so bolde Plutos kingdome to enter.
Or within their office so rudelie to venter.
These horrible officers fixed their eyes,
They gathered to the gates like swarmes of Bees,
Gnashing their teeth, asking who were these,
That durst be so bolde Plutos kingdome to enter.
Or within their office so rudelie to venter.
I am Morpheus (quoth hee) mine auctoritie you knowe,
As well in the heauens as also here,
My nature and qualitie is dreames for to showe,
Therefore giue place, and let me come neere.
These wordes scarce saide, but the gates opened were.
So to the thirde warde we came by and by,
Not far from that place where great Pluto did lye.
As well in the heauens as also here,
My nature and qualitie is dreames for to showe,
Therefore giue place, and let me come neere.
These wordes scarce saide, but the gates opened were.
So to the thirde warde we came by and by,
Not far from that place where great Pluto did lye.
The warde as I saide where Pluto then lay,
VVas fortefied with Tirauntes for the nonce,
Some crying, sware yea, and other some nay,
Renting eche others flesh from the bones,
Some flang fierbrandes, and other some flang stoanes.
VVith howling and crying terrible to heare,
VVhat plague could be thought that was not presēt there?
VVas fortefied with Tirauntes for the nonce,
Some crying, sware yea, and other some nay,
Renting eche others flesh from the bones,
Some flang fierbrandes, and other some flang stoanes.
VVith howling and crying terrible to heare,
VVhat plague could be thought that was not presēt there?
The chiefe Captaines of all this rablous route,
VVere Oppression of the poore and eake Priuate gaine,
VVith a sorte of their kinne that looked full stoute,
That in that vale for euer must remaine.
There was Peter Pickethanke and Priuie disdaine,
Tom Teltale was appointed in a Turret to watche,
Laurence Lurcher a Baylife to snatche and to catche.
VVere Oppression of the poore and eake Priuate gaine,
VVith a sorte of their kinne that looked full stoute,
That in that vale for euer must remaine.
There was Peter Pickethanke and Priuie disdaine,
Tom Teltale was appointed in a Turret to watche,
Laurence Lurcher a Baylife to snatche and to catche.
There was Darckenesse and Ignoraunce linckt in a chaine,
VVith Errour and Freevvill, Arrogance, and Selfelooue,
Forgetfulnesse of God, and Transgression did remaine,
VVith Mistrust and Supersticion, which might not remoue
Hipocrisie the King in a turret aboue.
VVith Lucre, Cruelnesse, and Bludshed his brother,
Domination, and Fulnesse, Abundaunce, and other.
VVith Errour and Freevvill, Arrogance, and Selfelooue,
Forgetfulnesse of God, and Transgression did remaine,
VVith Mistrust and Supersticion, which might not remoue
Hipocrisie the King in a turret aboue.
VVith Lucre, Cruelnesse, and Bludshed his brother,
Domination, and Fulnesse, Abundaunce, and other.
Pompe he sat puffing as though he were madde,
Symony vnder hande began to conuaye,
Iniquitie and Sophistrie, with countenaunce full sadde,
Sat with Murther, and Tyranny cursing the daye,
Certainelie to see it was a tragicall playe,
To beholde abhomination, what torments she had,
(with the rest) whereat Confusion was glad.
Symony vnder hande began to conuaye,
Iniquitie and Sophistrie, with countenaunce full sadde,
Sat with Murther, and Tyranny cursing the daye,
Certainelie to see it was a tragicall playe,
To beholde abhomination, what torments she had,
(with the rest) whereat Confusion was glad.
Many thousandes there were that I omit,
For want of time fullie to describe,
To tell truth the number passeth skill and wit,
To be namde of mee, that howled there and cryde.
VVhen these lothsome leyds, had Morpheus espyde,
They flew on heapes to know from whence he came,
VVho aunswered thus I am a God no man.
For want of time fullie to describe,
To tell truth the number passeth skill and wit,
To be namde of mee, that howled there and cryde.
VVhen these lothsome leyds, had Morpheus espyde,
They flew on heapes to know from whence he came,
VVho aunswered thus I am a God no man.
And whats thy name (quoth they) Morpheus aunswered he
VVhome Pluto doth admire, and honor both I trowe,
And Proserpine your Queene, mightie though they bee,
And Mynos your Judge will doe the same I knowe.
I am the God that alwayes dreames doth show.
I am free this waye to guide and leade eache man,
without demaunde to knowe from whence I came.
VVhome Pluto doth admire, and honor both I trowe,
And Proserpine your Queene, mightie though they bee,
And Mynos your Judge will doe the same I knowe.
I am the God that alwayes dreames doth show.
I am free this waye to guide and leade eache man,
without demaunde to knowe from whence I came.
Then vp start Peter Picketbanke by and by,
These newes to Pluto in haste he ran to tell,
And almost madde, with open Iawes gan crye,
My Lorde (quoth hee) thers straungers come to hell,
VVhat else (quoth Pluto) is not all thinges well?
Yea Sir (quoth hee) its Morpheus that is here,
Then Pluto aunsvvered, why bidst him not come neere?
These newes to Pluto in haste he ran to tell,
And almost madde, with open Iawes gan crye,
My Lorde (quoth hee) thers straungers come to hell,
VVhat else (quoth Pluto) is not all thinges well?
Yea Sir (quoth hee) its Morpheus that is here,
Then Pluto aunsvvered, why bidst him not come neere?
The thirde warde opened then at large,
The Pallace then approching in our sight,
VVhere raging furies of wofull soules had charge,
To torment thousande wayes, both daye and night,
Miserable darckenesse there was without light,
Grasping and groping, greate discorde and strife,
VVeeping and wayling, and blasphemous life.
The Pallace then approching in our sight,
VVhere raging furies of wofull soules had charge,
To torment thousande wayes, both daye and night,
Miserable darckenesse there was without light,
VVeeping and wayling, and blasphemous life.
The stinking smoke that from that dongeon rose,
Corrupts the skies, and clowdeth all with shade,
The thundering blast that from that furnesse blose,
A dubble paine, the sillie sprites hath made.
VVith rufull plaintes to heare in euerie glade.
That if the sorrowes halfe were pende I see,
In teares there woulde be drowned manie an eye.
Corrupts the skies, and clowdeth all with shade,
The thundering blast that from that furnesse blose,
A dubble paine, the sillie sprites hath made.
VVith rufull plaintes to heare in euerie glade.
That if the sorrowes halfe were pende I see,
In teares there woulde be drowned manie an eye.
But when we came this ouglie God before,
Hayle (quoth Morpheus) thou God of darckenesse great,
Hayle Proserpina here Queene for euermore,
Long may thou holde thy place and seate,
I am come (quoth hee) my custome for to pleate,
Thou knowest of olde that woont I am to see,
As well thy kingdome, as mightie Ioues on hie.
Hayle (quoth Morpheus) thou God of darckenesse great,
Hayle Proserpina here Queene for euermore,
Long may thou holde thy place and seate,
I am come (quoth hee) my custome for to pleate,
Thou knowest of olde that woont I am to see,
As well thy kingdome, as mightie Ioues on hie.
By Styx (quoth hee) thy auncient custome olde,
I will not breake, but as thou hast before,
In all my regiment, I will thou shalt be bolde.
To doe all thinges as thou wast woont of yore,
But looke of mee thou seeme to craue no more.
Except you two, who is my gates within,
To pray for pardon it profytes not a pin.
I will not breake, but as thou hast before,
In all my regiment, I will thou shalt be bolde.
To doe all thinges as thou wast woont of yore,
But looke of mee thou seeme to craue no more.
Except you two, who is my gates within,
To pray for pardon it profytes not a pin.
Then aunswered Morpheus I neuer thought to craue,
The pardon of the prowdst that in thy soyle dōth rest,
Nor yet the greedie Tyraunt toombde in grieslie graue.
Nor any such that pooremen hath opprest.
For gylefull gluttons to speake I thought it least.
All these with other mo, I know must staye with thee,
Howe wickednesse rewarded is thats all I wish to see.
The pardon of the prowdst that in thy soyle dōth rest,
Nor yet the greedie Tyraunt toombde in grieslie graue.
Nor any such that pooremen hath opprest.
For gylefull gluttons to speake I thought it least.
All these with other mo, I know must staye with thee,
Howe wickednesse rewarded is thats all I wish to see.
Content (quoth Pluto) and commaundment he gaue,
To all his offycers his kingdome through,
That Morpheus and I shoulde licence then haue,
Eache place for to searche in Hill, Dale, and Clowgh,
In thicke or in thin, in smooth or in rough,
In hote or in colde where euer it bee,
The wickeds rewarde we shoulde both heare and see.
To all his offycers his kingdome through,
Eache place for to searche in Hill, Dale, and Clowgh,
In thicke or in thin, in smooth or in rough,
In hote or in colde where euer it bee,
The wickeds rewarde we shoulde both heare and see.
This saide, we departed from that filthie puddle,
And foorth wee past, the left side that caue,
VVhere wee founde a greater and crueller trouble,
Then all this while I knewe any to haue,
For one among manie we hearde raile and raue.
VVith a wofull voice: me thought it saide this,
Come see alas the rewarde of wickednesse.
And foorth wee past, the left side that caue,
VVhere wee founde a greater and crueller trouble,
Then all this while I knewe any to haue,
For one among manie we hearde raile and raue.
VVith a wofull voice: me thought it saide this,
Come see alas the rewarde of wickednesse.
At length to the place we chaunst for to hit,
VVhere Alecto had charge to rule and dispose,
There we behelde one lying in a pit,
Sodden in sorrowes from the toppe to the toes.
Their paines for to painte in meeter or prose,
Doth passe my skill, the least to describe,
Though Tessiphon hir selfe my pen now shoulde guide.
VVhere Alecto had charge to rule and dispose,
There we behelde one lying in a pit,
Sodden in sorrowes from the toppe to the toes.
Their paines for to painte in meeter or prose,
Doth passe my skill, the least to describe,
Though Tessiphon hir selfe my pen now shoulde guide.
But what I sawe in this my drowsie dreame;
And who they were as now to minde I call,
VVhy and wherefore to you I shall proclaime,
That thus they lost the ioyes supernall,
And haue possest the wofull place infernall.
Lende me your eares for now my tale beginnes,
How wicked wightes rewarded be for sinnes.
And who they were as now to minde I call,
VVhy and wherefore to you I shall proclaime,
That thus they lost the ioyes supernall,
And haue possest the wofull place infernall.
Lende me your eares for now my tale beginnes,
How wicked wightes rewarded be for sinnes.
FINIS.
| The rewarde of Wickednesse | |