The complete works of John Lyly now for the first time collected and edited from the earliest quartos with life, bibliography, essays, notes and index by R. Warwick Bond |
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| I. | I. Early Autobiographical: 1575–1580? |
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I. Early Autobiographical: 1575–1580?
1.
[When I behoulde the trees in the earthes fayre lyuerye clothed]
When I behoulde the trees in the earthes fayre lyuerye clothedEase I do feele, suche ease as faulles to me wholy diseased
For that I fynde in them parte of my state represented
Lawrell showes what I seek, by ye Myrr is showde how I seek it
Olyue poyntes me the pryce that I muste aspyre to by conquest
Myrtle makes me requeste, my requeste is vnsealde by a Willowe
Cipruss promisethe healpe, but healp yt bringes me no comfort
Sweet Iuniper sayes thus, thoughe I burne, yet I burn in a sweet fyre
Ewe dothe make me thinke what kynd of bowe the boye houldethe,
Whiche shootes throughe wthout any noyse and deadlye wthout smarte.
Firr tree is great and greene fyxte one a hye hill but a barren.
Lyke to my noble thoughtes styll newe, well plaste, to me fruteless.
Figg that yealdes moste pleasaunt frute his shadow is hurtefull.
Thus be her guifts most sweet thus most dawnger to be neere her
But in Palme when I mark howe he dothe ryse vnder a burthen
And maye not I saye than get vp thoughe grefes be so wayghtye
Pyne is a maste to a shipp, to my shipp shall hope for a mast serue
Pyne is hyghe, hope is as hyghe, yet be my hopes budded.
Elme imbraste by a Vine, embracinge fancye reuiuethe.
Popler chaungethe his hewe, from a rysinge sun̄ to a settinge.
Thus to my sunn do I yealde, suche lookes her beames do afford me,
Ould aged oke cutt doune for new workes serues to the buildinge
So my desyrs by feare cut downe for ye frames of her honor
Palmes do reioyse to be ioynde wth ye matche of a male to a femall
And shall sensiue thinges be so sensless as to resist sense
Ashe makes speare wch sheilds do resiste, hir force no repuls takes
Thus be my thoughts disperst thus thinkinge nowrsest a thought still
But to the Cædar queen of woodes when I lyft my betrayde eys
Than do I shape my selfe that forme wch raygnes so within me
And thinke ther she dothe dwell and here wt pllaynts I do vtter
When that noble topp dothe nodd I beleiue she salutes me
Than kneelinge often thus I do speake to her image.
Onlye Iewell, all onlye Iewell, whiche onlye deserueste
449
O descend for a whill from this great hyghte to behoulde me
But nought else do behoulde or it is not worthe the behouldinge
Se what a thought is wrought by thy selfe! and since I am alltred
Thus by thy werck disdayne not[e] that wch is by thy selfe done.
In meane caues oft treasuer abydes, to an hostry a kinge comes
—And so behind black cloudes full oft fayer streams do ly hidden.
FINIS.
2.
[No place commendes the man vnworthie praise.]
No place commendes the man vnworthie praise.
No title of state doth stay vp vices fall:
No wicked wight to wo can make delayes,
No loftie lookes preserue the proude at all
No brags or boast, no stature high and tall,
No lusty yought, no swearing, stareing stout,
No brauerie, banding, cogging, cutting out.
No title of state doth stay vp vices fall:
No wicked wight to wo can make delayes,
No loftie lookes preserue the proude at all
No brags or boast, no stature high and tall,
No lusty yought, no swearing, stareing stout,
No brauerie, banding, cogging, cutting out.
Then what availes to haue a Princly place,
A name of honour or an high degree,
To come by kindred of a noble race?
Except wee Princely, worthie, noble be.
The fruites declare the goodnes of the tree.
Doe br[a]gge no more, of birth or linage than,
ffor vertue, grace, and manners make the man.
A name of honour or an high degree,
To come by kindred of a noble race?
Except wee Princely, worthie, noble be.
The fruites declare the goodnes of the tree.
Doe br[a]gge no more, of birth or linage than,
ffor vertue, grace, and manners make the man.
3.
[How can he rule well in a common wealth]
How can he rule well in a common wealth,
Which knoweth not himselfe in rule to frame?
How should he rule himselfe in ghostly health
Which neuer learn'd one lesson for the same?
If such catch harme their parents are to blame:
ffor needes must they be blinde, and blindly led,
Where no good lesson can be taught or read.
Which knoweth not himselfe in rule to frame?
How should he rule himselfe in ghostly health
Which neuer learn'd one lesson for the same?
If such catch harme their parents are to blame:
ffor needes must they be blinde, and blindly led,
Where no good lesson can be taught or read.
Some thinke their youth discreete and wisely taught,
That brag, and boast, and weare their fether braue,
Can royst and rout, both lowre and looke aloft,
Can sweare and stare, and call their fellowes knaue,
Can pill and poll, and catch before they craue,
Can carde and dice, both cog and foyste at fare,
Play on vnthriftie, till their purse be bare.
That brag, and boast, and weare their fether braue,
Can royst and rout, both lowre and looke aloft,
Can sweare and stare, and call their fellowes knaue,
Can pill and poll, and catch before they craue,
Can carde and dice, both cog and foyste at fare,
Play on vnthriftie, till their purse be bare.
Some teach their youth to pipe, to sing and daunce,
To hauke, to hunt, to choose and kill their game.
To winde their horne, and with their horse to praunce,
To play at tennis, set the lute in frame,
Run at the ring, and vse such other game:
Which feats although they be not all vnfit,
Yet cannot they the marke of vertue hit.
To hauke, to hunt, to choose and kill their game.
450
To play at tennis, set the lute in frame,
Run at the ring, and vse such other game:
Which feats although they be not all vnfit,
Yet cannot they the marke of vertue hit.
ffor Noble yought there is nothing so meete
As learning is, to knowe the good from ill:
To know the tongues, and perfectly endyte,
And of the lawes to haue a perfect skill,
Thinges to reforme as right and iustice will:
ffor honnour is ordeyned for no cause
But to see right maintayned by the lawes.
As learning is, to knowe the good from ill:
To know the tongues, and perfectly endyte,
And of the lawes to haue a perfect skill,
Thinges to reforme as right and iustice will:
ffor honnour is ordeyned for no cause
But to see right maintayned by the lawes.
4.
[What liquor first the earthen pot doth take]
What liquor first the earthen pot doth take,
It keepeth still the sauour of the same.
ffull hard it is a Camocke straight to make,
Or wainscot fyne with crooked logges to frame.
Tis hard to make the cruell Tiger tame.
And so it fares with those haue vices caught:
Naught once (they say) and euer after naught.
It keepeth still the sauour of the same.
ffull hard it is a Camocke straight to make,
Or wainscot fyne with crooked logges to frame.
Tis hard to make the cruell Tiger tame.
And so it fares with those haue vices caught:
Naught once (they say) and euer after naught.
I speake no[t] this as though it past all cure
ffrom vices vile to vertue to retire:
But this I say, if vice be once in vre,
The more you shall to quite your selfe require,
The more you plunge yor selfe in fulsome mire,
As he that striues in soakte quicke sirts of sand,
Still sinkes, scarce euer comes againe to land.
ffrom vices vile to vertue to retire:
But this I say, if vice be once in vre,
The more you shall to quite your selfe require,
The more you plunge yor selfe in fulsome mire,
As he that striues in soakte quicke sirts of sand,
Still sinkes, scarce euer comes againe to land.
5.
[O loath that Loue whose fynall ayme is Lust]
O loath that Loue whose fynall ayme is Lust
Moth of the mynde, Eclipse of Reasons light
The graue of Grace, the mole of Natures Rust
The wracke of witt, the wronge of euery wight.
In Sum̄e an euill, whose harmes no tonge can tell
In wch to Liue is death, to dye is Hell.
Moth of the mynde, Eclipse of Reasons light
The graue of Grace, the mole of Natures Rust
The wracke of witt, the wronge of euery wight.
In Sum̄e an euill, whose harmes no tonge can tell
In wch to Liue is death, to dye is Hell.
6.
[The brainsicke race that wanton youth ensues]
The brainsicke race that wanton youth ensues,
Without regard to grounded wisdomes lore,
As often as I thinke thereon, renues
The fresh remembrance of an ancient sore:
Reuoking to my pensiue thoughts at last,
The worlds of wickednes that I haue past.
Without regard to grounded wisdomes lore,
As often as I thinke thereon, renues
The fresh remembrance of an ancient sore:
451
The worlds of wickednes that I haue past.
And though experience bids me bite on bit,
And champe the bridle of a bitter smacke,
Yet costly is the price of after wit,
Which brings so cold repentance at hir backe:
And skill that's with so many losses bought,
Men say is little better worth than nought.
And champe the bridle of a bitter smacke,
Yet costly is the price of after wit,
Which brings so cold repentance at hir backe:
And skill that's with so many losses bought,
Men say is little better worth than nought.
And yet this fruit, I must confesse, doth growe
Of follies scourge: that though I now complaine
Of error past, yet henceforth I may knowe
To shun the whip that threats the like againe:
For wise men though they smart a while, had leuer
To learne experience at the last, than neuer.
Of follies scourge: that though I now complaine
Of error past, yet henceforth I may knowe
To shun the whip that threats the like againe:
For wise men though they smart a while, had leuer
To learne experience at the last, than neuer.
7.
[I feare not death, feare is more paine]
I feare not death, feare is more paine
then death it selfe to courage true:
In youth who dies or else is slaine
paies nature but a debt yts due.
Who yongest dies he doth [but] paye
a debt (he owes) before the daye
then death it selfe to courage true:
In youth who dies or else is slaine
paies nature but a debt yts due.
Who yongest dies he doth [but] paye
a debt (he owes) before the daye
And such a debte longer to haue
doth nothinge profite men at all
Death is a debt nature doth craue
and must be pay'd by great & small.
I loth not warres, nor longe for strife
I feare not death, nor hate not life.
doth nothinge profite men at all
Death is a debt nature doth craue
and must be pay'd by great & small.
I loth not warres, nor longe for strife
I feare not death, nor hate not life.
8.
[I will not soare aloft the skye]
I will not soare aloft the skye
With Icarus so farr frō ground
Least that ye Sunn my winges do [fry]
and fallinge downe wth him be dround
The middle Region will I keepe
when others wake secure to sleepe.
With Icarus so farr frō ground
Least that ye Sunn my winges do [fry]
and fallinge downe wth him be dround
The middle Region will I keepe
when others wake secure to sleepe.
And as high flights ile not attempt
So neither will I fly so lowe
to be a marke for base contempt
to shoote and hitt me with his Bowe.
If yt he striue to shoote so hie
his Bowe about his eares shall flie.
So neither will I fly so lowe
to be a marke for base contempt
to shoote and hitt me with his Bowe.
If yt he striue to shoote so hie
his Bowe about his eares shall flie.
452
Lowe shrubbs ye silly beastes do cropp:
high trees great tempests do thē crack
The meane growe[n] tree wth slend[er] topp
is free from beastes & tempests wrack
Neither base nor treble will I singe
the Meane is still ye sweetest stringe.
high trees great tempests do thē crack
The meane growe[n] tree wth slend[er] topp
is free from beastes & tempests wrack
Neither base nor treble will I singe
the Meane is still ye sweetest stringe.
9.
[Councell wch afterward is soughte]
Councell wch afterward is soughteis like vntimely showres
Distillinge from the duskie cloudes
when heate hath parcht ye flowres.
10.
[Soare I will not, in flighte the grounde ile see]
Soare I will not, in flighte the grounde ile see
The careless mind scornes fortunes angrie frowne,
Either life or death indifferent is to mee,
Preferr I do content before a crowne:
High thoughts I clipp, no stoutenes throwes me downe
Euen loftiest lookes in small regard I burie
Not feare their force, nor force not of yeir furie.
The careless mind scornes fortunes angrie frowne,
Either life or death indifferent is to mee,
Preferr I do content before a crowne:
High thoughts I clipp, no stoutenes throwes me downe
Euen loftiest lookes in small regard I burie
Not feare their force, nor force not of yeir furie.
Riche in content, my Wealth is health & ease
A conscience cleare my chiefe & sure defence,
Disdaine I do by flatt'ringe meanes to please
For by deserts I will not giue offence.
Only a wronge reuenge shall recompence:
Rest Muse, I feare no foe, nor frowne on frend
Dispise not life, nor yet I dreade not end.
A conscience cleare my chiefe & sure defence,
Disdaine I do by flatt'ringe meanes to please
For by deserts I will not giue offence.
Only a wronge reuenge shall recompence:
Rest Muse, I feare no foe, nor frowne on frend
Dispise not life, nor yet I dreade not end.
11.
[If all the Earthe were paper white]
If all the Earthe were paper whiteand all the sea were incke
Twere not inough for me to write
as my poore hart doth thinke.
12.
[The lofty trees whose braūches make sweete shades]
The lofty trees whose braūches make sweete shades
Whose armes in springe are richely dighte wth flowrs
Without ye roote their glory quickly fades
& all in vaine comes pleasant Aprill showrs.
No loue can be at all without ye hart
nor Musick made excep[t] the Base beares parte.
Whose armes in springe are richely dighte wth flowrs
Without ye roote their glory quickly fades
& all in vaine comes pleasant Aprill showrs.
No loue can be at all without ye hart
nor Musick made excep[t] the Base beares parte.
453
The princely towrs whose pride exceedes in show
if ther foundations be not stronge & sownde
Are subiect to ye smallest windes yt blowe
& highest toppes are brought to lowest ground.
No fielde is sweete whē all is scortchd wth drowte
nor musick good when so ye base is out.
if ther foundations be not stronge & sownde
Are subiect to ye smallest windes yt blowe
& highest toppes are brought to lowest ground.
No fielde is sweete whē all is scortchd wth drowte
nor musick good when so ye base is out.
13. A Dittie, wherein is contained divers good and necessary documents, which beeing embraced and followed earnestly, may cause a man to shunne manie evilles and mischaunces, that may otherwise fall upon him, ere he can beware.
[_]
This Ditty may be sung to the high ‘Allemaigne Measure’; singing every last straine twise with the musicque.
‘Softe fire makes sweete mault,’ they say;
Few words well plast the wise will way.
Time idle spent, in trifles vaine,
Returnes no guerdon for thy paine:
But time well spent, doth profite bring,
And of good works will honour spring.
Bestow thy time then in such sort,
That vertue may thy deedes support:
The greater profite thou shalt see,
And better fame will goe of thee.
Few words well plast the wise will way.
Time idle spent, in trifles vaine,
Returnes no guerdon for thy paine:
But time well spent, doth profite bring,
And of good works will honour spring.
Bestow thy time then in such sort,
That vertue may thy deedes support:
The greater profite thou shalt see,
And better fame will goe of thee.
In talke be sober, wise, and sadde,
Faire to thy freend, kind to the badde;
And let thy words so placed bee
As no man may finde fault with thee.
Nor meddle not in any case
With matters which thy witte surpasse:
With things that not to thee pertaines,
It folly were to beate thy braines;
For sudden blame may hap to thee,
In medling unadvisedly.
Faire to thy freend, kind to the badde;
And let thy words so placed bee
As no man may finde fault with thee.
Nor meddle not in any case
With matters which thy witte surpasse:
With things that not to thee pertaines,
It folly were to beate thy braines;
For sudden blame may hap to thee,
In medling unadvisedly.
Take heede, in any wise, I say,
What things thou goest about to-day,
That thou to-morrow not repent,
And with thy selfe be discontent.
Speake not such words to others' blame,
As afterward may turne thee shame.
To-day thou speakest, and doost not care,
But of tomorrow still beware:
For then thou canst not call againe,
What lavishly did passe thy braine.
What things thou goest about to-day,
That thou to-morrow not repent,
And with thy selfe be discontent.
Speake not such words to others' blame,
As afterward may turne thee shame.
454
But of tomorrow still beware:
For then thou canst not call againe,
What lavishly did passe thy braine.
Keepe secrete closely in thy minde
Things that thy state and credite binde;
Beware, if thou doo them disclose,
To whom and where, for feare of foes:
Especially of him take heede
Whose trueth thou doost not know in deede.
For hard it is thy freend to know
From him that is a flattering foe:
And many men in showe are kind,
Yet worse then serpents in their mind.
Things that thy state and credite binde;
Beware, if thou doo them disclose,
To whom and where, for feare of foes:
Especially of him take heede
Whose trueth thou doost not know in deede.
For hard it is thy freend to know
From him that is a flattering foe:
And many men in showe are kind,
Yet worse then serpents in their mind.
Be not too hasty in thy deedes;
Of too much haste oft harme proceedes.
Be sober, mute; take good advise,
For things too much are full of vice.
With moderation rule thee so,
As thou aside no way maist go:
For ‘haste makes waste,’ as proofe dooth say,
And little said, soone mend ye may.
Forecast what after may befall;
So shalt thou not be rashe at all.
Of too much haste oft harme proceedes.
Be sober, mute; take good advise,
For things too much are full of vice.
With moderation rule thee so,
As thou aside no way maist go:
For ‘haste makes waste,’ as proofe dooth say,
And little said, soone mend ye may.
Forecast what after may befall;
So shalt thou not be rashe at all.
Have minde still of thine owne offence,
Regard thy faults with good pretence:
Seeke not a moate in one to spie,
First pull the beame out of thine eye.
And find no fault with any man,
Except amend thy selfe thou can:
And when thy faults amended be,
The good that others see in thee,
Will learne them so their deedes to frame,
As they may likewise scape from blame.
Regard thy faults with good pretence:
Seeke not a moate in one to spie,
First pull the beame out of thine eye.
And find no fault with any man,
Except amend thy selfe thou can:
And when thy faults amended be,
The good that others see in thee,
Will learne them so their deedes to frame,
As they may likewise scape from blame.
Of no man give thou bad report,
Backbite not any in thy sport:
For words doo wound as deepe as swords,
Which many use in jesting boordes;
And slaunder is a hainous hate,
Which dooth nought els but stirre debate;
And twixt good freendes makes deadly strife,
To hazard one another's life:
And all this may proceede of thee,
Except thou wilt advised bee.
Backbite not any in thy sport:
For words doo wound as deepe as swords,
Which many use in jesting boordes;
And slaunder is a hainous hate,
Which dooth nought els but stirre debate;
And twixt good freendes makes deadly strife,
To hazard one another's life:
455
Except thou wilt advised bee.
Beare freendly with thy neighbours fault,
Remember thou thy selfe maist halt.
If he hath ought offended thee,
Forgive, as thou the like wouldest be:
And thinke, if thou hast gone awrie,
Thou for forgivenesse must apply:
So with thy neighbour's faults doo beare,
And of thine owne stand still in feare.
Pardon as thou wouldest pardoned be,
So God will pardon him and thee.
Remember thou thy selfe maist halt.
If he hath ought offended thee,
Forgive, as thou the like wouldest be:
And thinke, if thou hast gone awrie,
Thou for forgivenesse must apply:
So with thy neighbour's faults doo beare,
And of thine owne stand still in feare.
Pardon as thou wouldest pardoned be,
So God will pardon him and thee.
Be gentle unto every wight,
Let courtesie be thy delight:
Familiar be with few, I say;
For sure it is the wisest waie.
Too much familiaritie
May bring thy sorrowes suddainly:
Therefore, keepe gentlenesse in mind;
To rich and poore be alwaies kind:
So pride shall never conquere thee,
Which is man's cheefest enemie.
Let courtesie be thy delight:
Familiar be with few, I say;
For sure it is the wisest waie.
Too much familiaritie
May bring thy sorrowes suddainly:
Therefore, keepe gentlenesse in mind;
To rich and poore be alwaies kind:
So pride shall never conquere thee,
Which is man's cheefest enemie.
14. A Dittie, wherein the brevitie of man's life is described, how soone his pompe vanisheth away, and he brought to his latest home.
The statelie pine whose braunches spreade so faire,
By winde or weather wasted is at length;
The sturdie oake that clymeth in the ayre,
In time dooth lose his beautie and his strength;
The fayrest flower that florisht as to daie,
To-morrow seemeth like the withered haie.
By winde or weather wasted is at length;
The sturdie oake that clymeth in the ayre,
In time dooth lose his beautie and his strength;
The fayrest flower that florisht as to daie,
To-morrow seemeth like the withered haie.
So fares it with the present state of man,
Whose showe of healthe dooth argue manie yeeres:
But as his life is likened to a span,
So suddaine sicknes pulles him from his peeres;
And where he seemde for longer time to-daie,
To-morrow lies he as a lumpe of clay.
Whose showe of healthe dooth argue manie yeeres:
But as his life is likened to a span,
So suddaine sicknes pulles him from his peeres;
And where he seemde for longer time to-daie,
To-morrow lies he as a lumpe of clay.
456
The infant yong, the milk-white aged head,
The gallant youth that braveth with the best,
We see with earth are quickly over-spreade,
And both alike brought to their latest rest:
As soone to market commeth to be solde,
The tender lambe's skin, as the weather's old.
The gallant youth that braveth with the best,
We see with earth are quickly over-spreade,
And both alike brought to their latest rest:
As soone to market commeth to be solde,
The tender lambe's skin, as the weather's old.
Death is not partiall: as the proverbe saies,
The prince and peasant both with him are one;
The sweetest face that's painted now a daies,
And highest head, set forth with pearle and stone,
When he hath brought them to the earthly grave,
Beare no more reckoning then the poorest slave.
The prince and peasant both with him are one;
The sweetest face that's painted now a daies,
And highest head, set forth with pearle and stone,
When he hath brought them to the earthly grave,
Beare no more reckoning then the poorest slave.
The wealthy chuffe, that makes his gold his god,
And scrapes and scratches all the mucke he may;
And with the world dooth play at even and od;
When Death thinks good to take him hence away,
Hath no more ritches in his winding-sheete,
Then the poore soule that sterved in the streete.
And scrapes and scratches all the mucke he may;
And with the world dooth play at even and od;
When Death thinks good to take him hence away,
Hath no more ritches in his winding-sheete,
Then the poore soule that sterved in the streete.
Unhappie man! that runneth on thy race,
Not minding where thy crased bones must rest:
But woe to thee that doost forget thy place,
Purchast for thee, to live amongst the blest.
Spend then thy life in such a good regard,
That Christe's blessing may be thy reward!
Not minding where thy crased bones must rest:
But woe to thee that doost forget thy place,
Purchast for thee, to live amongst the blest.
Spend then thy life in such a good regard,
That Christe's blessing may be thy reward!
15. A Glasse for all Men to behold themselves in; especially such proude and prodigall-minded Men, and such delicate and daintie Women, ‘who building on the pride of their beautie and amiable complexion, thinke scorne to become aged; and that their sweete faces should be wrinckled, or their youthfulnes brought into subjection by age.
You youthfull heads, whose climing mindes
Doo seeke for worldly praise,
Whose yong desires doo seeme to scorne
Olde age's staied waies.
Beare with the plaine-song of my note,
Which is so plaine in deede,
As daintie mindes will scant endure
So harshe a tale to reade.
Doo seeke for worldly praise,
Whose yong desires doo seeme to scorne
Olde age's staied waies.
Beare with the plaine-song of my note,
Which is so plaine in deede,
As daintie mindes will scant endure
So harshe a tale to reade.
457
As nature hath endued your shapes
With exquisite perfection;
And gives you choyse of sweete delights,
Wherein you have affection:
When time hath runne his course in you,
The selfe-same nature saies—
That all these daintie toyes must die,
Whereof you made your praise.
With exquisite perfection;
And gives you choyse of sweete delights,
Wherein you have affection:
When time hath runne his course in you,
The selfe-same nature saies—
That all these daintie toyes must die,
Whereof you made your praise.
Marke how the yeere in course doth passe:
Note first the plesant spring;
The earth by nature then affoordes
Full many a precious thing:
Of fruits, of flowres, of wholsome hearbes
We gather as we please;
And all things els we lacke beside,
Our needfull wants to ease.
Note first the plesant spring;
The earth by nature then affoordes
Full many a precious thing:
Of fruits, of flowres, of wholsome hearbes
We gather as we please;
And all things els we lacke beside,
Our needfull wants to ease.
And likewise, in this pleasant time,
We take delight to walke,
To run and play at barley-breake,
And in our gardens talke;
One freend an other dooth invite,
They feast and make good cheere;
Both rich and poore doo make pastime,
At this time of the yeere.
We take delight to walke,
To run and play at barley-breake,
And in our gardens talke;
One freend an other dooth invite,
They feast and make good cheere;
Both rich and poore doo make pastime,
At this time of the yeere.
But wreakfull winter drawing on,
Withdraweth these delights,
And robbes us of them, one by one,
As toyes and trifling sights.
The scith cuttes downe the goodlie grasse,
That grew so greene to day;
And all the sweete and pleasant flowers
Are changed then to hay.
Withdraweth these delights,
And robbes us of them, one by one,
As toyes and trifling sights.
The scith cuttes downe the goodlie grasse,
That grew so greene to day;
And all the sweete and pleasant flowers
Are changed then to hay.
The trees, that bragged in their leaves,
The bitter blasts doo bight;
And chaunge them from their goodly state
To olde and withered plight:
And they that flocked to the feeldes,
When summer was so brave,
Nowe closelie creepe about the fire
For winter warmth will have.
The bitter blasts doo bight;
And chaunge them from their goodly state
To olde and withered plight:
And they that flocked to the feeldes,
When summer was so brave,
Nowe closelie creepe about the fire
For winter warmth will have.
Compare we now the yeerely chaunge,
With man's appointed race,
Who in the Aprill of his age
Greene humours dooth embrace:
And as Maie-flowers glad the eye,
So in his youthfull time,
Man compasseth a world of joyes,
Whereto his thoughts doo clime.
With man's appointed race,
458
Greene humours dooth embrace:
And as Maie-flowers glad the eye,
So in his youthfull time,
Man compasseth a world of joyes,
Whereto his thoughts doo clime.
Behold, likewise, dame Beautie's gyrles,
Whose daintie mindes are such,
As not the sun-shine, nor the wind,
Must their faire faces touch:
Theyr maskes, their fannes, and all the toyes,
That wanton heads can crave,
To maintaine beautie in her pride,
These prancking dames must have.
Whose daintie mindes are such,
As not the sun-shine, nor the wind,
Must their faire faces touch:
Theyr maskes, their fannes, and all the toyes,
That wanton heads can crave,
To maintaine beautie in her pride,
These prancking dames must have.
But elder yeeres approching on
A little every daie,
Their daintie beautie dooth decline,
And vanisheth away.
And as colde Winter chaseth hence
The pleasant Summer daies,
So withered age encountreth youth,
Amidst his wanton waies.
A little every daie,
Their daintie beautie dooth decline,
And vanisheth away.
And as colde Winter chaseth hence
The pleasant Summer daies,
So withered age encountreth youth,
Amidst his wanton waies.
You that thinke scorne of auncient age,
And hold him in contempt,
To make of beautie such a price,
And to vaine thoughts are bent.
Remember Nature yeelds to course,
And course his race will have,
From the first howre of your byrth
Untill you come to grave.
And hold him in contempt,
To make of beautie such a price,
And to vaine thoughts are bent.
Remember Nature yeelds to course,
And course his race will have,
From the first howre of your byrth
Untill you come to grave.
Age is an honour unto them
That live to see the same,
And none but vaine and foolish hands
Will blot olde age with blame;
Who oftentimes are soone cut off,
And not so happy blest,
To see the dayes their fathers did,
Before they went to rest.
That live to see the same,
And none but vaine and foolish hands
Will blot olde age with blame;
Who oftentimes are soone cut off,
And not so happy blest,
To see the dayes their fathers did,
Before they went to rest.
Thrise happy they that spend their youth
In good and vertuous wise.
Forsaking all such vaine desires
As wanton heads surmise,
And wholie doo direct themselves
Unto his will that made them,
Then Folly never can have power
From Vertue to disswade them.
In good and vertuous wise.
Forsaking all such vaine desires
As wanton heads surmise,
459
Unto his will that made them,
Then Folly never can have power
From Vertue to disswade them.
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