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 | Tales from the Decameron |  |
101
R. Coplande to the translatour.
Thynflammate desyre / of your good intent
Newes to compyle / eschewynge ydelnesse
Cometh of grace / & of wysdome excellent
To occupy suche / as haue no besynesse
Whiche vertu of doynge / moche harme doth oppresse
For surely ydelnesse / is portresse of all synne
Euery vyce / redy to lette in
Newes to compyle / eschewynge ydelnesse
Cometh of grace / & of wysdome excellent
To occupy suche / as haue no besynesse
Whiche vertu of doynge / moche harme doth oppresse
For surely ydelnesse / is portresse of all synne
Euery vyce / redy to lette in
The wretched lyfe / of osyosyte
Engendreth slouth / pouerte and payne
It is nouryce / of voluptuosyte
And setteth the mynde on all thynges vayne
It sleeth the body / and troubleth the brayne
Unstedyeth the wyt / and wasteth good dede
And letteth vertu / and goodnesse to procede
Engendreth slouth / pouerte and payne
It is nouryce / of voluptuosyte
And setteth the mynde on all thynges vayne
It sleeth the body / and troubleth the brayne
Unstedyeth the wyt / and wasteth good dede
And letteth vertu / and goodnesse to procede
Example playne / of ydle Sygysmonde
Fedde deyntely / no maner werke to vse
Whiche caused ydelnesse / for to habonde
And vnto pleasure / set onely for to muse
Daunce / songe / and play / she dyd not refuse
Whiche thynges assembled / engendred delyte
Of naturall lust / to do her appetyte
Fedde deyntely / no maner werke to vse
Whiche caused ydelnesse / for to habonde
And vnto pleasure / set onely for to muse
Daunce / songe / and play / she dyd not refuse
Whiche thynges assembled / engendred delyte
Of naturall lust / to do her appetyte
102
Here lacketh besynesse / and good pastyme
Grace of good doynge / was from her exyled
Caught as a byrde / tangled with lyme
Fyrst by one feder / and than with all begyled
Ryght so who with this vyce is fyled
Take with one synne / all other dothe ensue
Ergo / good besynesse / is gate of vertue
Grace of good doynge / was from her exyled
Caught as a byrde / tangled with lyme
Fyrst by one feder / and than with all begyled
Ryght so who with this vyce is fyled
Take with one synne / all other dothe ensue
Ergo / good besynesse / is gate of vertue
Thus endeth the prologue.
GUYSTARDE AND SYGYSMONDE
Guystarde and Sygysmonde, Here foloweth the amerous hystory of Guystarde and Sygysmonde / and of theyr dolorous deth by her father / newly trāslated out of laten in to eng[l]ysshe by Wyllym̄ Walter seruaunt to syr Henry Marney knyght chaunceler of ye duchy of Lancastre.
How Sygysmonde after ye deth of her husbande was enamored of one Guystarde a man of her faders hous.
Prynce of Salerne somtyme was one Tāc[re]de
A noble man gentyll lowly and sage
Greatly praysed for his manhode and ded
Yf he had not take vengeaunce in his age
Of two louers / done by his fell courage
For they loued eche other tenderly
By cruell meane he caused them to dy
A noble man gentyll lowly and sage
Greatly praysed for his manhode and ded
Yf he had not take vengeaunce in his age
Of two louers / done by his fell courage
For they loued eche other tenderly
By cruell meane he caused them to dy
This noble man had neuer other chylde
But a doughter of excellent beaute
Prudent in her youthe sage and nothynge wylde
Her father loued her ryght tenderly
So lothe he was to lese her company
That no man coude haue her in maryage
Tyll that she was aboue her lawfull age
But a doughter of excellent beaute
Prudent in her youthe sage and nothynge wylde
Her father loued her ryght tenderly
So lothe he was to lese her company
That no man coude haue her in maryage
Tyll that she was aboue her lawfull age
103
Sygysmonde was the name of this lady
Whiche was wedded with her faders counseyle
Unto the dukes sone of Campany
But in shorte tyme after theyr espousayle
Dethe with his darte her husbande dyd assayle
After whose dethe she dyd not longe soiourne
But to her father she dyd home retourne
Whiche was wedded with her faders counseyle
Unto the dukes sone of Campany
But in shorte tyme after theyr espousayle
Dethe with his darte her husbande dyd assayle
After whose dethe she dyd not longe soiourne
But to her father she dyd home retourne
Of shape and persone she was well fourmed
Her face and coloure fayre and amyable
Nature in beauty her so fornysshed
That none to her was equiperable
Her maner and wysdome commendable
In all her dedes she was excellent
More than to woman is expedyent
Her face and coloure fayre and amyable
Nature in beauty her so fornysshed
That none to her was equiperable
Her maner and wysdome commendable
In all her dedes she was excellent
More than to woman is expedyent
In her faders house she longe soiournynge
In welthe and ease and greate prosperyte
Her faders mynde whan she had perceyuynge
How he in her had suche felycyte
That to mary her he wolde not agre
And how it sholde be shame fro hym to requyre
To accomplysshe her pleasure and desyre
In welthe and ease and greate prosperyte
Her faders mynde whan she had perceyuynge
How he in her had suche felycyte
That to mary her he wolde not agre
And how it sholde be shame fro hym to requyre
To accomplysshe her pleasure and desyre
104
Wherfore she concluded in her mynde
Some gentyll man for her louer to chose
Whiche wolde vnto her be secret and kynde
With whome she myght her pleasure somtyme vse
The chaunce of loue she coude no wyse refuse
Cupyde so sore her herte had set on fyre
That nede she must accomplysshe her desyre
Some gentyll man for her louer to chose
Whiche wolde vnto her be secret and kynde
With whome she myght her pleasure somtyme vse
The chaunce of loue she coude no wyse refuse
Cupyde so sore her herte had set on fyre
That nede she must accomplysshe her desyre
Of nobles and other of meane degre
Her faders house was greatly fornysshed
As noble housholders are wont for to be
Sygysmonde theyr maners oft regarded
Amonge whome one out she had espyed
Uertuous / humble / stedfast / prew / and sage
How be it he was but of small lygnage
Her faders house was greatly fornysshed
As noble housholders are wont for to be
Sygysmonde theyr maners oft regarded
Amonge whome one out she had espyed
Uertuous / humble / stedfast / prew / and sage
How be it he was but of small lygnage
This noble yonge man Guystarde had ye name
Upon whome ofte Sygysmonde her loke dyd cast
His noblesse her herte dyd sore enflame
And for she had full oft founde hym stedfast
Hym for to loue she was nothynge agast
His sadde behauour wounded her sore
That loue in her encreased more and more
Upon whome ofte Sygysmonde her loke dyd cast
His noblesse her herte dyd sore enflame
And for she had full oft founde hym stedfast
Hym for to loue she was nothynge agast
His sadde behauour wounded her sore
That loue in her encreased more and more
This yonge man lykewyse of wyt excellent
Perceyuynge the noblesse of this lady
In her loue so feruently he brent
That nyght nor daye he coude rest quyetly
To loue his mynde so moche he dyd apply
That by desyre he was so sore opprest
His paynfull loue he coude in no wyse dygest
Perceyuynge the noblesse of this lady
In her loue so feruently he brent
That nyght nor daye he coude rest quyetly
To loue his mynde so moche he dyd apply
That by desyre he was so sore opprest
His paynfull loue he coude in no wyse dygest
105
Eche of other was sore enamoured
Yet none of them knewe the others mynde
Sygysmonde nothynge so moche desyred
As Guystarde in a secrete place to fynde
To whome she myght bewray her loue so kynde
To none other she durst shewe her purpose
Leest they to her father wolde it dysclose
Yet none of them knewe the others mynde
Sygysmonde nothynge so moche desyred
As Guystarde in a secrete place to fynde
To whome she myght bewray her loue so kynde
To none other she durst shewe her purpose
Leest they to her father wolde it dysclose
She coueytynge her mynde for to fulfyll
All her mynde she wrote in a lettere
And in an holowe rede she put the byll
And to hym she gaue it with smylynge chere
Byddynge hym to bere it to her chambere
And to delyuer it vnto her mayd
To kyndle the fyre / it was good she sayd
All her mynde she wrote in a lettere
And in an holowe rede she put the byll
And to hym she gaue it with smylynge chere
Byddynge hym to bere it to her chambere
And to delyuer it vnto her mayd
To kyndle the fyre / it was good she sayd
Guystarde than toke the foresayd rede
Sayenge he wolde soone do her commaundement
But in his thought he well ymagyned
It was not gyuen hym but for some entent
Wherfore vnto his chambre he forth went
And brake the rede / wherin he dyd espy
The letter enclosed ryght secretly
Sayenge he wolde soone do her commaundement
But in his thought he well ymagyned
It was not gyuen hym but for some entent
Wherfore vnto his chambre he forth went
And brake the rede / wherin he dyd espy
The letter enclosed ryght secretly
106
Whan that he had ouer red the byll well
Wherin her purpose he had perceyued
He was so mery that no tongue can tell
The ioye whiche his herte had supprysed
For it was the thynge he moost desyred
Wherfore he agreed her mynde to fulfyll
Accordynge to the tenoure of the byll
Wherin her purpose he had perceyued
He was so mery that no tongue can tell
The ioye whiche his herte had supprysed
For it was the thynge he moost desyred
Wherfore he agreed her mynde to fulfyll
Accordynge to the tenoure of the byll
R. Coplāde to these louers in theffect of theyr loue.
Se here in loue / the merueylous effect
Without foresyght / compassynge ye ende
Onely of lust / the doynge to coniect
As by this lady / whiche dyd condescende
Unto this knyght / her mynde so to haue pende
Not regardynge / her state of wydowheed
Honour and good fame / forgetynge as deed
Without foresyght / compassynge ye ende
Onely of lust / the doynge to coniect
As by this lady / whiche dyd condescende
Unto this knyght / her mynde so to haue pende
Not regardynge / her state of wydowheed
Honour and good fame / forgetynge as deed
O folysshe Guystarde / O vnwyse Sygysmonde /
O newe Pryamus / O yonge wanton Thysbe /
Was no reason / nor fere in you founde
To pondre of Tancrede / the inwarde cruelte
O blynde loue / suche is thy properte
Youthe to enclose with thy lubryke fyre
Nothynge regarded / but to do theyr desyre
O newe Pryamus / O yonge wanton Thysbe /
Was no reason / nor fere in you founde
To pondre of Tancrede / the inwarde cruelte
O blynde loue / suche is thy properte
Youthe to enclose with thy lubryke fyre
Nothynge regarded / but to do theyr desyre
107
Alas Guystarde where is thy memory
Thou doost not pondre thy maysters gentylnesse
Whiche from thy youthe hath fostred tenderly
His house & doughter thou wylt pollute rechelesse
Thou wylt dystayne / his honoure and noblenesse
His loue thou lesest / his good worde and his dede
Beware / suche seruyce / suche is the wage or mede
Thou doost not pondre thy maysters gentylnesse
Whiche from thy youthe hath fostred tenderly
His house & doughter thou wylt pollute rechelesse
Thou wylt dystayne / his honoure and noblenesse
His loue thou lesest / his good worde and his dede
Beware / suche seruyce / suche is the wage or mede
How after that Guystarde had receyued ye rede of Sygysmonde he founde the caue where thorowe he went to her chambre.
There was a caue ioynynge vnto the place
Whiche was out of mānes remembraūce past
For it was not vsed of longe space
On the toppe therof in lyght for to cast
There was an hole whiche wos so olde and wast
That thornes and breres dyd it ouer growe
So that the entre therof none myght knowe
Whiche was out of mānes remembraūce past
For it was not vsed of longe space
On the toppe therof in lyght for to cast
There was an hole whiche wos so olde and wast
That thornes and breres dyd it ouer growe
So that the entre therof none myght knowe
And from the caue there was a secrete way
Whiche of no creature was espyed
Unto the chambre where as Sygysmonde lay
The way therof so longe was dysused
The dore of the sayd caue was fast barred
Whiche passage was stopped so secretly
That harde it was the entrynge to espye
Whiche of no creature was espyed
Unto the chambre where as Sygysmonde lay
The way therof so longe was dysused
The dore of the sayd caue was fast barred
Whiche passage was stopped so secretly
That harde it was the entrynge to espye
Sygysmonde by the secrete introduccyon
Of loue from whose eyes nothynge can be hyd
Of the sayd caue she founde the entrynge soone
And in to it alone she descended
Bothe length and depnesse she well regarded
And to Guystarde she made therof reporte
By wrytynge how he myght to her resorte
Of loue from whose eyes nothynge can be hyd
Of the sayd caue she founde the entrynge soone
And in to it alone she descended
Bothe length and depnesse she well regarded
And to Guystarde she made therof reporte
By wrytynge how he myght to her resorte
108
Guystarde of this beynge aduertysed
Ordred all thynge mete to his besynesse
A ledder cote for hym he deuysed
From thornes and breres to kepe hym harmelesse
And in the nyght thyder he dyd hym dresse
And by a rope in to the caue dyd slyde
And there for her all nyght he dyd abyde
Ordred all thynge mete to his besynesse
A ledder cote for hym he deuysed
From thornes and breres to kepe hym harmelesse
And in the nyght thyder he dyd hym dresse
And by a rope in to the caue dyd slyde
And there for her all nyght he dyd abyde
In the mornynge whan the day gan to appere
Sygysmonde caused to auoyde by a trayne
The maydes whiche lay within her chambere
Sayenge that nyght she coude not slepe for payne
And quyetly than to rest she wolde fayne
And after them she locked fast the dore
Of her purpose she thought she wolde be sure
Sygysmonde caused to auoyde by a trayne
The maydes whiche lay within her chambere
Sayenge that nyght she coude not slepe for payne
And quyetly than to rest she wolde fayne
And after them she locked fast the dore
Of her purpose she thought she wolde be sure
In to the caue she gothe incontynent
Fyndynge Guystarde / she oft dyd hym embrace
In to her chambre they bothe after went
And vnto bedde they yede for theyr solace
Theyr pleasaunt lyfe they contynue a space
Enforsynge them selfe to please eche other
Tyll it was tyme for them to dysseuer
Fyndynge Guystarde / she oft dyd hym embrace
In to her chambre they bothe after went
And vnto bedde they yede for theyr solace
Theyr pleasaunt lyfe they contynue a space
Enforsynge them selfe to please eche other
Tyll it was tyme for them to dysseuer
109
Guystarde in to the caue went secretly
After whome she locked the dore full fast
And to her maydens she went hastely
But he durst not whyle the day dyd last
Go from the caue but whan mydnyght was past
He went out so that none hym espyed
And vnto his house fast he hym hyed
After whome she locked the dore full fast
And to her maydens she went hastely
But he durst not whyle the day dyd last
Go from the caue but whan mydnyght was past
He went out so that none hym espyed
And vnto his house fast he hym hyed
Often tymes this custome they vsed
Theyr lyfe amorous ledynge couertly
Of a longe tyme it was not perceyued
But fortune whiche is alway contrary
By his harde chaunce these louers dyd dyscry
So that with sorowe ended theyr pleasure
There is no ioye that alway may endure
Theyr lyfe amorous ledynge couertly
Of a longe tyme it was not perceyued
But fortune whiche is alway contrary
By his harde chaunce these louers dyd dyscry
So that with sorowe ended theyr pleasure
There is no ioye that alway may endure
Tancrede alone vsed customably
Unto his doughters chambre to resort
And on her bedde to slepe somtyme wolde ly
Or els with her to fynde some game and sporte
In her talkynge he had full greate confort
And whan he had ben there a certayne space
He wolde departe vnto some other place
Unto his doughters chambre to resort
And on her bedde to slepe somtyme wolde ly
Or els with her to fynde some game and sporte
In her talkynge he had full greate confort
And whan he had ben there a certayne space
He wolde departe vnto some other place
110
He came vnto her chambre on a day
Whyle she was with her maydens in the gardyne
He seynge that she was besy in play
Besyde her bedde he dyd hym selfe declyne
Afore his face he dyd drawe the curtyne
A soft pylowe vnder his heed he cast
His were body fell a slepe full fast
Whyle she was with her maydens in the gardyne
He seynge that she was besy in play
Besyde her bedde he dyd hym selfe declyne
Afore his face he dyd drawe the curtyne
A soft pylowe vnder his heed he cast
His were body fell a slepe full fast
Sygysmonde before her chambre wyndowes shyt
For with Guystarde she had made apoyntment
The same day to haue a mery fyt
And whan she thought her tyme conuenyent
Out of the gardyne secretly she went
And vnto her chambre she resorted
And after her the dore she fast locked
For with Guystarde she had made apoyntment
The same day to haue a mery fyt
And whan she thought her tyme conuenyent
Out of the gardyne secretly she went
And vnto her chambre she resorted
And after her the dore she fast locked
She not knowynge her father there a slepe
The caue dore she opened with her kay
And caused Guystarde out of it to crepe
And on the bedde as they were wont alway
Of Uenus they vsed the sporte and play
So that by noyse and wordes that they dyd make
Tancrede her father out of his slepe dyd wake
The caue dore she opened with her kay
And caused Guystarde out of it to crepe
And on the bedde as they were wont alway
Of Uenus they vsed the sporte and play
So that by noyse and wordes that they dyd make
Tancrede her father out of his slepe dyd wake
111
Tancrede from his slepe moued sodeynly
All theyr pastyme he well aduertysed
At the fyrst tyme he dyd thynke for to crye
But in hym selfe he well delybered
By sylence his mynde sholde be better sped
And that he myght with delyberacyon
Upon them bothe take iust correccyon
All theyr pastyme he well aduertysed
At the fyrst tyme he dyd thynke for to crye
But in hym selfe he well delybered
By sylence his mynde sholde be better sped
And that he myght with delyberacyon
Upon them bothe take iust correccyon
Where from noyse he kept hym selfe full close
These louers whan they had done theyr pleasure
With glad semblaunt they bothe from ye bedde rose
The dede they thought ryght secrete and sure
In to the caue whiche was depe and obscure
Guystarde went in as he was wont to do
And Sygysmonde dyd to her maydens go
These louers whan they had done theyr pleasure
With glad semblaunt they bothe from ye bedde rose
The dede they thought ryght secrete and sure
In to the caue whiche was depe and obscure
Guystarde went in as he was wont to do
And Sygysmonde dyd to her maydens go
R. Coplande by exclamacyon to fortune.
Unstable fortune / tomblynge as the see
Thā yse more slypper / frosen after rayne
Here is thy dede / here is thy properte
Neuer in one / but chaungeable sodayne
These two louers / by thy bryttle trayne
Thou hast assembled / and now wylt dysceuer
A worthy acte / this is thy guyse euer
Thā yse more slypper / frosen after rayne
Here is thy dede / here is thy properte
Neuer in one / but chaungeable sodayne
These two louers / by thy bryttle trayne
Thou hast assembled / and now wylt dysceuer
A worthy acte / this is thy guyse euer
Pryam and Thysbe / thou goodly behyght
Dydo to Ene / thou caused to combyne
Arcyte to Emely / in sturdy fyght
And Heleyn to Parys / holly to enclyne
Ypomyneus to Athelant of noble lyne
Troylus to Cresede / by reason of Pandare
At last vnwares / thou dydest them separe
Dydo to Ene / thou caused to combyne
Arcyte to Emely / in sturdy fyght
And Heleyn to Parys / holly to enclyne
Ypomyneus to Athelant of noble lyne
Troylus to Cresede / by reason of Pandare
At last vnwares / thou dydest them separe
112
O fortune harde / of chaunces moost extreme
To brynge her father / O wycked slacke traytresse
Was there none other person in all the reme
For to dyscouer / theyr secret besynesse
None? no / alas / here is greate heuynesse
Of ony other / it myght haue ben denayde
But nay for sothe / thou fortune hast them trayde
To brynge her father / O wycked slacke traytresse
Was there none other person in all the reme
For to dyscouer / theyr secret besynesse
None? no / alas / here is greate heuynesse
Of ony other / it myght haue ben denayde
But nay for sothe / thou fortune hast them trayde
How Guystarde was taken comynge out of the caue.
Tancrede for this chaunce beynge troubled
From the chambre secretly dyd yssue
And with watche men the caue he enclosed
Within the nyght Guystarde for to pursue
As he came oute they toke this louer true
In his ledder cote as he was clothed
Before Tancrede they haue hym presented
From the chambre secretly dyd yssue
And with watche men the caue he enclosed
Within the nyght Guystarde for to pursue
As he came oute they toke this louer true
In his ledder cote as he was clothed
Before Tancrede they haue hym presented
Tancrede vnto hym spake thus cruelly
Guystarde my kyndnesse hath not deserued
That thou sholde do to me this vylany
Whiche with myne eyen this day I espyed
I haue alwaye the greatly fauoured
Thou hast dyshonoured me by thyne offence
For kyndnesse shame thou doest me recompence
Guystarde my kyndnesse hath not deserued
That thou sholde do to me this vylany
Whiche with myne eyen this day I espyed
I haue alwaye the greatly fauoured
Thou hast dyshonoured me by thyne offence
For kyndnesse shame thou doest me recompence
113
The true louer answered pyteously
Unto Tancrede sayenge syr for certayne
The harde chaunce of loue no man can deny
It is greater than is the power humayne
From it I coude my selfe in no wyse refrayne
Your puyssaunce may not vnto loue compare
Loue is so greate that it wyll no man spare
Unto Tancrede sayenge syr for certayne
The harde chaunce of loue no man can deny
It is greater than is the power humayne
From it I coude my selfe in no wyse refrayne
Your puyssaunce may not vnto loue compare
Loue is so greate that it wyll no man spare
This prynce for this beynge full of sorowe
Commaunded hym to be kept in prysone
And after dyner on the nexte morowe
Unto his doughters chambre he went ryght soone
All were auoyded saue they two alone
With heuy chere thus vnto her he sayd
Whiche knewe nothynge her councell was bewrayd
Commaunded hym to be kept in prysone
And after dyner on the nexte morowe
Unto his doughters chambre he went ryght soone
All were auoyded saue they two alone
With heuy chere thus vnto her he sayd
Whiche knewe nothynge her councell was bewrayd
Sygysmonde I haue ben longe dysceyued
By your honest vertu and sadde prudence
Whiche vnto me so stedfast appered
That in you I had so greate confydence
Thynkynge ye wolde neuer do suche offence
No man coude haue made me it to byleue
Yf with myne eyes the dede I dyd not preue
By your honest vertu and sadde prudence
Whiche vnto me so stedfast appered
That in you I had so greate confydence
Thynkynge ye wolde neuer do suche offence
No man coude haue made me it to byleue
Yf with myne eyes the dede I dyd not preue
114
Thy heynous trespace doth my herte sore greue
Whiche contynually is in my thought
That the small tyme whiche I haue to leue
In sorowe to ende thou hast it now brought
At leest yf thou had mynded to be nought
Thou sholde haue taken one to thy degre
Conuenyent the lesse the faute had be
Whiche contynually is in my thought
That the small tyme whiche I haue to leue
In sorowe to ende thou hast it now brought
At leest yf thou had mynded to be nought
Thou sholde haue taken one to thy degre
Conuenyent the lesse the faute had be
But of the multytude that vse my hall
Thou hast chosen Guystarde thy loue to be
Whiche is moost symple and poorest of them all
Not gentyll borne but come of lowe degre
Whome we haue nourysshed for charyte
Wherfore I am so wrapped in sorowe
That what to do as yet I do not knowe
Thou hast chosen Guystarde thy loue to be
Whiche is moost symple and poorest of them all
Not gentyll borne but come of lowe degre
Whome we haue nourysshed for charyte
Wherfore I am so wrapped in sorowe
That what to do as yet I do not knowe
Of Guystarde whiche is in captyuyte
What I wyll do I am delybered
But what punysshement I shall take on the
As yet my mynde is not determyned
Loue wolde the offence to be pardoned
The trespace requyreth vengeaunce certayne
Iustyce wolde punysshe / nature wolde refrayne
What I wyll do I am delybered
But what punysshement I shall take on the
As yet my mynde is not determyned
Loue wolde the offence to be pardoned
The trespace requyreth vengeaunce certayne
Iustyce wolde punysshe / nature wolde refrayne
115
Therfore my mynde as yet is varyable
Not knowynge what to do ne what counceyll
Sholde to this mater be moost profytable
But I thought fyrst to knowe thy mynde and wyll
And vpon that my pleasure to fulfyll
These wordes sayd / he cast asyde his eye
And lyke a chylde he wept haboundauntly
Not knowynge what to do ne what counceyll
Sholde to this mater be moost profytable
But I thought fyrst to knowe thy mynde and wyll
And vpon that my pleasure to fulfyll
These wordes sayd / he cast asyde his eye
And lyke a chylde he wept haboundauntly
Sygysmonde herynge her father thus speke
And how Guystarde was put in pryson depe
For sorowe her herte in two dyd nyghe breke
Unneth from sownynge she coude her selfe kepe
But lamentably she full fast dyd wepe
Knowynge theyr loue to be dyscouered
Whiche of longe tyme had be full closely hyd
And how Guystarde was put in pryson depe
For sorowe her herte in two dyd nyghe breke
Unneth from sownynge she coude her selfe kepe
But lamentably she full fast dyd wepe
Knowynge theyr loue to be dyscouered
Whiche of longe tyme had be full closely hyd
She vaynquysshynge her femynyne courage
With constant mynde she dyd cease to lament
For angre she knyt the browes and vysage
And for to dye in herte she dyd assent
Yf Guystarde dyed by her faders Iudgement
Wherfore of dethe she beynge not dysmayd
Unto her father these wordes she sayd
With constant mynde she dyd cease to lament
For angre she knyt the browes and vysage
And for to dye in herte she dyd assent
Yf Guystarde dyed by her faders Iudgement
Wherfore of dethe she beynge not dysmayd
Unto her father these wordes she sayd
116
Father your mercy I wyll not requyre
Syth your mynde is my louer for to kyll
I shall nothynge optayne of my desyre
And as for me it shall be at your wyll
Whyder that ye wyll my lyfe [t]o saue or spyll
The one I knowe well I shall neuer get
The other to haue I do not couet
Syth your mynde is my louer for to kyll
I shall nothynge optayne of my desyre
And as for me it shall be at your wyll
Whyder that ye wyll my lyfe [t]o saue or spyll
The one I knowe well I shall neuer get
The other to haue I do not couet
Wherfore your mercy I do now despyse
And with good reason for to purge my fame
Of this my dede lette it you now suffyse
That ye your selfe of it are moost to blame
For I had neuer come vnto this shame
Yf it had not ben by your neclygence
Syth I dyd yll / it is but your offence
And with good reason for to purge my fame
Of this my dede lette it you now suffyse
That ye your selfe of it are moost to blame
For I had neuer come vnto this shame
Yf it had not ben by your neclygence
Syth I dyd yll / it is but your offence
To loue Guystarde I knowlege and confesse
And euer shall whyle that my lyfe doth last
Whiche is but short the trewthe for to expresse
My herte and wyll shall euer be stedfast
Yf loue may be whan that the lyfe is past
Hym for to loue / my herte shall neuer sease
But and it may / it shall rather encrease
And euer shall whyle that my lyfe doth last
Whiche is but short the trewthe for to expresse
My herte and wyll shall euer be stedfast
Yf loue may be whan that the lyfe is past
Hym for to loue / my herte shall neuer sease
But and it may / it shall rather encrease
117
Father ye sholde haue well consydred
That I am not made of yron nor stone
But of your flesshe and nature engendred
And though that by age your courage is gone
Of youthe ye sholde haue consyderacyon
How they be brent with ryght feruent desyre
Of loue whiche doth theyr hertes sore set on fyre
That I am not made of yron nor stone
But of your flesshe and nature engendred
And though that by age your courage is gone
Of youthe ye sholde haue consyderacyon
How they be brent with ryght feruent desyre
Of loue whiche doth theyr hertes sore set on fyre
Forthermore ye myght ryght well consyder
That ydelnesse and delycate fedynge
In yonge people to lust is a breder
And how I am in yonge age florysshynge
And of my husbande hauynge knowledgynge
Of loue what the delycyousnes ment
Wherfore with desyre I sholde soone be brent
That ydelnesse and delycate fedynge
In yonge people to lust is a breder
And how I am in yonge age florysshynge
And of my husbande hauynge knowledgynge
Of loue what the delycyousnes ment
Wherfore with desyre I sholde soone be brent
I beynge in voluptuosyte
Bothe nyght and day my mynde I dyd apply
My flamynge hete how quenched it myght be
Without mannes helpe I kn[e]we no remedy
Wherfore my courage for to satysfy
In secrete wyse I thought to vse the game
So that no man therof me sholde dyffame
Bothe nyght and day my mynde I dyd apply
My flamynge hete how quenched it myght be
Without mannes helpe I kn[e]we no remedy
Wherfore my courage for to satysfy
In secrete wyse I thought to vse the game
So that no man therof me sholde dyffame
118
Loue and fortune my purpose forderynge
A secret caue they made me for to fynde
Wherof no man had ony knowledgynge
Whiche caue auaunced my desyre and mynde
Thynkynge I myght secretly vse my kynde
But of your knowlege I greatly meruell
The entrynge therof how that ye coude tell
A secret caue they made me for to fynde
Wherof no man had ony knowledgynge
Whiche caue auaunced my desyre and mynde
Thynkynge I myght secretly vse my kynde
But of your knowlege I greatly meruell
The entrynge therof how that ye coude tell
Guystarde I haue not loued faynedly
As moost women be wont of theyr vsage
But of longe tyme I dyd dylygently
Regarde his good maners and wysdome sage
His constaunt vertu / and manly courage
Or I wolde vnto hym ony loue cast
Whiche is so sure that it shall euer last
As moost women be wont of theyr vsage
But of longe tyme I dyd dylygently
Regarde his good maners and wysdome sage
His constaunt vertu / and manly courage
Or I wolde vnto hym ony loue cast
Whiche is so sure that it shall euer last
But for he is borne but of lowe degre
Ye say the dede to be to me more shame
By your sayenge as semeth vnto me
Fortune and not Guystarde ye do now blame
Unworthy men whiche bryngeth to greate fame
And they that be worthy of greate renome
She kepeth lowe vnder her fell thraldome
Ye say the dede to be to me more shame
By your sayenge as semeth vnto me
Fortune and not Guystarde ye do now blame
Unworthy men whiche bryngeth to greate fame
And they that be worthy of greate renome
She kepeth lowe vnder her fell thraldome
119
Of one man we toke our orygynall
Uertu maketh man to be excellent
Whose dede is good hym noble men may call
Though your sayenge therto do not assent
But ygnorant men thynke by theyr Iudgement
He is noble that is of greate estate
Though theyr maners be worthy for to hate
Uertu maketh man to be excellent
Whose dede is good hym noble men may call
Though your sayenge therto do not assent
But ygnorant men thynke by theyr Iudgement
He is noble that is of greate estate
Though theyr maners be worthy for to hate
The dedes of your nobles remembre
And the maners of Guystarde therwithall
Certes yf ye wyll iustely consydre
Of noblenesse he shall be specyall
Noble vnnoble [ra]yther ye may call
Theyr byrthe and maners are full contrary
From noblenesse they greately do vary
And the maners of Guystarde therwithall
Certes yf ye wyll iustely consydre
Of noblenesse he shall be specyall
Noble vnnoble [ra]yther ye may call
Theyr byrthe and maners are full contrary
From noblenesse they greately do vary
I take recorde therof of your reporte
Whome ye haue praysed so excellently
Of your affyrmynge I toke greate confort
His vertu ye so moche dyd magnyfy
And without I am dysceyued truely
There is no prayse to hym attrybuted
But that he hath it full well deserued
Whome ye haue praysed so excellently
Of your affyrmynge I toke greate confort
His vertu ye so moche dyd magnyfy
And without I am dysceyued truely
There is no prayse to hym attrybuted
But that he hath it full well deserued
120
Yf he be poore yet he is excellent
His noble vertu doth enhaunce his name
His youthe in your seruyce hath longe spent
Yf he be poore therof ye be to blame
With rychesse ye myght haue raysed his name
Promocyon he hath deserued full well
Pouerte dooth not gentylnesse expell
His noble vertu doth enhaunce his name
His youthe in your seruyce hath longe spent
Yf he be poore therof ye be to blame
With rychesse ye myght haue raysed his name
Promocyon he hath deserued full well
Pouerte dooth not gentylnesse expell
And where ye be in ambyguyte
How ye may do to punysshe myne offence
Of the sayd doute I wyll make your herte fre
To punysshe Guystarde yf ye do pretence
Upon me execute the same sentence
I was the cause that he dyd the trespace
Yf that he dye I coueyte not your grace
How ye may do to punysshe myne offence
Of the sayd doute I wyll make your herte fre
To punysshe Guystarde yf ye do pretence
Upon me execute the same sentence
I was the cause that he dyd the trespace
Yf that he dye I coueyte not your grace
Dethe I fere not nor lyfe I wolde optayne
But of Guystarde yf ye take not mercy
Though ye wolde me spare I shall not refrayne
But of my selfe take vengeaunce cruelly
And yf we haue deserued for to dye
Upon vs bothe accomplysshe your pleasure
For after hym my lyfe shall not longe dure
But of Guystarde yf ye take not mercy
Though ye wolde me spare I shall not refrayne
But of my selfe take vengeaunce cruelly
And yf we haue deserued for to dye
Upon vs bothe accomplysshe your pleasure
For after hym my lyfe shall not longe dure
Robert Coplande to the constauncy in loue of Sygysmonde.
O Constant lady / O lyght of louers shene
O turtle true / thy louer so absent
What myght thou more / thā wt courage clene
Offre thy selfe / to dethe moost vyolent
For thy Guystarde / whiche hath his Iudgement
Alas my pen / for ruthe sorowe doth quake
Onely for ruthe / that I haue for thy sake
O turtle true / thy louer so absent
What myght thou more / thā wt courage clene
Offre thy selfe / to dethe moost vyolent
For thy Guystarde / whiche hath his Iudgement
Alas my pen / for ruthe sorowe doth quake
Onely for ruthe / that I haue for thy sake
121
Alas swete woman / thou loued not for mede
Nor yet in comune / but stedfastly to one
Whiche secrete was in worde / thought and dede
And neuer loued but onely the alone
Alas what sorowe / now that he is gone
Doth the compasse / standynge all in drede
Herynge hym iudged / to deth by fyers Tancrede
Nor yet in comune / but stedfastly to one
Whiche secrete was in worde / thought and dede
And neuer loued but onely the alone
Alas what sorowe / now that he is gone
Doth the compasse / standynge all in drede
Herynge hym iudged / to deth by fyers Tancrede
Wyll none excuse / thy faders herte relent
And thou his chylde / O nature moost vntrewe
Alas me thynke I se the here present
Berayned with teres / and asshy deedly hewe
Thou doost not praye this fauoure to eschewe
But hardyed in loue / makynge thy Iudgement
Wenynge therby / his herte for to relent
And thou his chylde / O nature moost vntrewe
Alas me thynke I se the here present
Berayned with teres / and asshy deedly hewe
Thou doost not praye this fauoure to eschewe
But hardyed in loue / makynge thy Iudgement
Wenynge therby / his herte for to relent
Finis.
How Guystarde was taken out of pryson and his herte cut oute of his body / & sente in a cuppe of golde to Sygysmonde.
This prynce perceyuȳge his doughters courage
Thought not yt she wolde her sayenge fulfyll
But from her chambre he toke his passage
To sle his doughter it was not his wyll
But Guystarde he determyned to kyll
After whose dethe he thought she wolde ref[r]ayne
Forgettynge the loue that was with them twayne
Thought not yt she wolde her sayenge fulfyll
But from her chambre he toke his passage
To sle his doughter it was not his wyll
But Guystarde he determyned to kyll
After whose dethe he thought she wolde ref[r]ayne
Forgettynge the loue that was with them twayne
122
He commaunded them that dyd kepe the Iayle
To strangle Guystarde by his fell iudgement
Secretly in the nyght they sholde not fayle
And from his body his herte they sholde rent
And there withall they sholde do hym present
Whose commaundement they durst not dysobey
But executed it without delay
To strangle Guystarde by his fell iudgement
Secretly in the nyght they sholde not fayle
And from his body his herte they sholde rent
And there withall they sholde do hym present
Whose commaundement they durst not dysobey
But executed it without delay
Tancrede in a cuppe of golde put the herte
And by a secret seruaunt he it sent
Unto his doughter with this message smert
Sayenge your father sendeth you this present
That you sholde take conforte is his entent
Of that whiche ye loued best in your mynde
Whome ye haue founde so stedfast true and kynde
And by a secret seruaunt he it sent
Unto his doughter with this message smert
Sayenge your father sendeth you this present
That you sholde take conforte is his entent
Of that whiche ye loued best in your mynde
Whome ye haue founde so stedfast true and kynde
But Sygysmonde after her father was gone
Oute of her chambre her mynde to fulfyll
To the gardyne she went secret alone
And gadred venymous herbes to styll
Where with she myght her selfe sodeynly kyll
Yf Guystarde were slayne as she dyd suppose
Than by that venym her selfe she wolde lose
Oute of her chambre her mynde to fulfyll
To the gardyne she went secret alone
And gadred venymous herbes to styll
Where with she myght her selfe sodeynly kyll
Yf Guystarde were slayne as she dyd suppose
Than by that venym her selfe she wolde lose
123
But after this message was to her tolde
She toke the cuppe with a sadde countenaunce
The herte therin sadly she dyd beholde
She pondred within her remembraunce
That it was his herte she had no dowtaunce
Wherfore she sayd vnto the messangere
These wordes folowynge with heuy chere
She toke the cuppe with a sadde countenaunce
The herte therin sadly she dyd beholde
She pondred within her remembraunce
That it was his herte she had no dowtaunce
Wherfore she sayd vnto the messangere
These wordes folowynge with heuy chere
Certayne my father hath well consydred
This noble herte is not worthy to haue
Other sepulture to be entyred
For in a cuppe of golde sholde be his graue
So greate a gyft he neuer to me gaue
With greate thankes haue me recommended
For his kyndnesse can not be deserued
This noble herte is not worthy to haue
Other sepulture to be entyred
For in a cuppe of golde sholde be his graue
So greate a gyft he neuer to me gaue
With greate thankes haue me recommended
For his kyndnesse can not be deserued
R. Coplande by exclamacyon to Tancrede in executynge tyranny.
Oute on the tyraunt / O cruell Tancrede
What hast thou done / fury to commyt
Beholde Guystarde wtouten herte here blede
Wo worth thy dome / and hasty shyttle wyt
Outrage alas how is thy reason quyt
Onely but dethe / fye out alas for wo
No pryson / banysshment / nor punysshynge but so
What hast thou done / fury to commyt
Beholde Guystarde wtouten herte here blede
Wo worth thy dome / and hasty shyttle wyt
Outrage alas how is thy reason quyt
Onely but dethe / fye out alas for wo
No pryson / banysshment / nor punysshynge but so
124
Thou hast not regarded the wordes of thy chylde
Nor her answers / with promysse desperate
But in angre thou hast / thy selfe begylde
Now to repent / thou shalt it fynde to late
A se what cometh of domes abreuyate
But repentaunce / O fole insapyent
Of folysshe Iudge / an hasty iudgement
Nor her answers / with promysse desperate
But in angre thou hast / thy selfe begylde
Now to repent / thou shalt it fynde to late
A se what cometh of domes abreuyate
But repentaunce / O fole insapyent
Of folysshe Iudge / an hasty iudgement
With dethe of one / thou thought to haue the other
Thou lesest bothe / and all with hastynesse
True loue of deth is the very mother
Recorde of Dido / as Uyrgyll doth expresse
Dyanyra / Isyphyll / and Lucresse
With many other whiche at this tyme I spare
And now by the is come these louers share
Thou lesest bothe / and all with hastynesse
True loue of deth is the very mother
Recorde of Dido / as Uyrgyll doth expresse
Dyanyra / Isyphyll / and Lucresse
With many other whiche at this tyme I spare
And now by the is come these louers share
Finis.
How Sygysmonde dyed after the herte of Guystarde was sent to her.
The sayd messengere with this dyd departe
Sygysmonde holdynge the cuppe tenderly
With her lyppes often kyssed the herte
Replenysshed with teres aboundauntly
With face pale for wo and melancoly
Beholdynge it with deedly countenaunce
In this wyse she wayled the wofull chaunce
Sygysmonde holdynge the cuppe tenderly
With her lyppes often kyssed the herte
Replenysshed with teres aboundauntly
With face pale for wo and melancoly
Beholdynge it with deedly countenaunce
In this wyse she wayled the wofull chaunce
125
O noble herte the pleasaunt hospytall
Of my desyre whiche by greate cruelte
Hast fynysshed for me thy lyfe mortall
To knowe thy dethe it had suffysed me
Though with myne eyes I dyd it not se
But me thynke it is to me agreable
Thou hast thy graue to the conuenable
Of my desyre whiche by greate cruelte
Hast fynysshed for me thy lyfe mortall
To knowe thy dethe it had suffysed me
Though with myne eyes I dyd it not se
But me thynke it is to me agreable
Thou hast thy graue to the conuenable
At thy last departynge there lacked nought
But the teres of thy louer so fre
Yet god hath put within my fathers thought
Thy herte he hath sent hyder vnto me
To fornysshe them at this thyne obseque
He knewe it loued me specyally
But with dry eyes I dyd thynke for to dy
But the teres of thy louer so fre
Yet god hath put within my fathers thought
Thy herte he hath sent hyder vnto me
To fornysshe them at this thyne obseque
He knewe it loued me specyally
But with dry eyes I dyd thynke for to dy
I can desyre no better company
Than thy noble herte at my departynge
For to the it is ryght necessary
To haue knowlege of my lyfe the endynge
My soule with thyne to be is desyrynge
Ensemble that they may go theyr passage
Where pleaseth god to theyr last pylgrymage
Than thy noble herte at my departynge
For to the it is ryght necessary
To haue knowlege of my lyfe the endynge
My soule with thyne to be is desyrynge
Ensemble that they may go theyr passage
Where pleaseth god to theyr last pylgrymage
These wordes sayd she dyd declyne her eye
Upon the cuppe wherin the herte was layde
Lyke a ryuer she wept haboundauntly
But noyse or cry she dyd not outbrayde
As women be wont but with mynde dysmayde
Full oft she kyssed there the deed herte
Complaynynge on fortune false and peruert
Upon the cuppe wherin the herte was layde
Lyke a ryuer she wept haboundauntly
But noyse or cry she dyd not outbrayde
As women be wont but with mynde dysmayde
Full oft she kyssed there the deed herte
Complaynynge on fortune false and peruert
126
Her gentylwomen beynge there present
What the herte sygnyfyed they dyd meruayle
And wherfore she dyd so greatly lament
And for pyte they dyd wepe and wayle
Prayenge her to make to them rehersayle
The cause wherfore she made so moche sorowe
But in no wyse of her they myght it knowe
What the herte sygnyfyed they dyd meruayle
And wherfore she dyd so greatly lament
And for pyte they dyd wepe and wayle
Prayenge her to make to them rehersayle
The cause wherfore she made so moche sorowe
But in no wyse of her they myght it knowe
And whan she had wept suffycyently
She dryed her eyen and ceased her wepynge
And to the herte she sayd thus pyteously
O noble herte best beloued of all thynge
The offyce of loue I make now endynge
For tyme it is that I sholde folowe the
By cruell deth thy felowe for to be
She dryed her eyen and ceased her wepynge
And to the herte she sayd thus pyteously
O noble herte best beloued of all thynge
The offyce of loue I make now endynge
For tyme it is that I sholde folowe the
By cruell deth thy felowe for to be
This sayd she dranke the poyson without fere
And on her bedde downe her selfe she layde
The deed herte to hers she helde harde and nere
Abydynge her deth without noyse or brayd
The maydens of this beynge sore afrayd
Suspectynge the drynke and lamentacyon
To Tancrede therof they made relacyon
And on her bedde downe her selfe she layde
The deed herte to hers she helde harde and nere
Abydynge her deth without noyse or brayd
The maydens of this beynge sore afrayd
Suspectynge the drynke and lamentacyon
To Tancrede therof they made relacyon
127
Her father of this was greatly meued
For he fered his doughters fell courage
That her selfe with some thynge had greued
To her chambre he toke fast his passage
But the poyson no medycyne coude asswage
Wherfore he syghed and wept asperly
Complaynynge his doughters harde desteny
For he fered his doughters fell courage
That her selfe with some thynge had greued
To her chambre he toke fast his passage
But the poyson no medycyne coude asswage
Wherfore he syghed and wept asperly
Complaynynge his doughters harde desteny
She prayed hym to cease so for to raue
And that he of his extreme charyte
Wolde burye her and Guystarde in one graue
And for she lyuynge suffred myght not be
Secrete to vse famylyaryte
That after her dethe she vncouertlye
Myght be layd by hym where so he dyd lye
And that he of his extreme charyte
Wolde burye her and Guystarde in one graue
And for she lyuynge suffred myght not be
Secrete to vse famylyaryte
That after her dethe she vncouertlye
Myght be layd by hym where so he dyd lye
Tancrede for wo and sorowe coude not speke
Sygysmonde felynge deth to approche fast
And that her eye strynges began to breke
She badde them all farewell with mynde stedfast
With that her soule out of her body past
The herte full harde she helde vntyll her brest
Untyll that deth her lyfe had ouer prest
Sygysmonde felynge deth to approche fast
And that her eye strynges began to breke
She badde them all farewell with mynde stedfast
With that her soule out of her body past
The herte full harde she helde vntyll her brest
Untyll that deth her lyfe had ouer prest
128
Thus the loue of these louers fynysshed
Tancrede after his wofull heuynesse
In one sepulture them bothe entered
Within the cyte of Salerne doutlesse
Full lyke a prynce with greate pompe and rychesse
To these two louers Iesu of his grace
Graunt mercy & in heuen to haue a place.
Tancrede after his wofull heuynesse
In one sepulture them bothe entered
Within the cyte of Salerne doutlesse
Full lyke a prynce with greate pompe and rychesse
To these two louers Iesu of his grace
Graunt mercy & in heuen to haue a place.
Amen.
The lenuoy of R. Coplande.
Go tragedy vnto thy translatoure
Bewayle to hȳ thy chaunce vnfortunate
Yf ought be amys / thyne impressoure
In addycyon / or sence myslytterate
Pray hym of helpe / thy fautes to castygate
And where nede is / to adde or elles detray
Pardon of mysmakynge / gladly thou hym pray
Bewayle to hȳ thy chaunce vnfortunate
Yf ought be amys / thyne impressoure
In addycyon / or sence myslytterate
Pray hym of helpe / thy fautes to castygate
And where nede is / to adde or elles detray
Pardon of mysmakynge / gladly thou hym pray
And hym requyre / accordynge to promys
His boke to acheue / he knoweth myne intent
Whiche is of substaunce worthe many of this
And more worthy / of mater excellent
How be it with this I do ryght well assent
That he with Pamphletes many doth occupy
Whiche morall bokes / redeth not wyllyngly
His boke to acheue / he knoweth myne intent
Whiche is of substaunce worthe many of this
And more worthy / of mater excellent
How be it with this I do ryght well assent
That he with Pamphletes many doth occupy
Whiche morall bokes / redeth not wyllyngly
And yf thou happe to reimpressyon
Desyre them / the whiche shall be the cause
Though thou be yll / that no transgressyon
By them nor theyrs / be made in ony clause
Correccyon / I agre / but there a pause
Folowe your copy / and lette thamendynge alone
He may yll mende two tonges that can but one
Desyre them / the whiche shall be the cause
Though thou be yll / that no transgressyon
By them nor theyrs / be made in ony clause
Correccyon / I agre / but there a pause
Folowe your copy / and lette thamendynge alone
He may yll mende two tonges that can but one
129
None be the maysters / that with me wyll dele
Than beware / my lytell boke I pray
From boyes / and lerners / lest they thy trowthe stele
And holly thy fautes / vnto me lay
Shewe forthe thy mater / what euer that they say
Of loue / foly / fortune / hastynesse / and shame
Unto thyne auctour / and not to me the blame
Than beware / my lytell boke I pray
From boyes / and lerners / lest they thy trowthe stele
And holly thy fautes / vnto me lay
Shewe forthe thy mater / what euer that they say
Of loue / foly / fortune / hastynesse / and shame
Unto thyne auctour / and not to me the blame
And vnto them / whiche chayned be in loue
Shewe example / of wylfull appetyte
Ordre eche where / theyr courages to moue
Well cometh entent / taken of wyse respyte
Gyue councell / to leue sensuall delyte
Take the as myrrour / suche daunger to ensewe
By harme of other / they may the same eschewe.
Shewe example / of wylfull appetyte
Ordre eche where / theyr courages to moue
Well cometh entent / taken of wyse respyte
Gyue councell / to leue sensuall delyte
Take the as myrrour / suche daunger to ensewe
By harme of other / they may the same eschewe.
FINIS
Thus endeth the amorous hystory of Guystarde and Sygysmonde.
133
TYTUS AND GESYPPUS
Here begynneth ye hystory of Tytus & Gesyppus translated out of latyn in to englysshe by Wyllyam Walter / somtyme seruaunte to syr Henry Marney knyght / chaunceler of the duchy of Lancastre.
What tyme in Rome reygned Octauyan
There was a senatour called Fuluius
Whiche had a sone / a noble gentylman
Of wyt excellēt / whose name was Tytus
His noble vertues were harde to dyscus
Fuluius sent hym / forthe to his study
Unto Athenes / to lerne phylozophy
There was a senatour called Fuluius
Whiche had a sone / a noble gentylman
Of wyt excellēt / whose name was Tytus
His noble vertues were harde to dyscus
Fuluius sent hym / forthe to his study
Unto Athenes / to lerne phylozophy
This Tytus was put to be soiournynge
With one Cremes a noble man of fame
Whiche had a sone goynge to lyke lernynge
Gesyppus was this noble yonge mannes name
And for that Tytus sholde go to the same
He put his sone with hym in company
To arystip to lerne phylosop[h]y
With one Cremes a noble man of fame
Whiche had a sone goynge to lyke lernynge
Gesyppus was this noble yonge mannes name
And for that Tytus sholde go to the same
He put his sone with hym in company
To arystip to lerne phylosop[h]y
134
These .ij. yonge men led togyder theyr lyfe
Eche to other was so fauourable
That neuer bytwene them was ony stryfe
That one wolde the other was agreable
In lernynge they were equiperable
Thus they contynued by yeres thre
At theyr lernynge as bretherne they had be
Eche to other was so fauourable
That neuer bytwene them was ony stryfe
That one wolde the other was agreable
In lernynge they were equiperable
Thus they contynued by yeres thre
At theyr lernynge as bretherne they had be
At whiche tyme from this worlde dyd passe cremes
Whose dethe these yonge men toke ryght heuely
Tytus made lyke sorowe & heuynes
As if he were his Sone naturally
Cremes frendes yt were in company
Knewe not whiche of theym for to cōforte best
For with lyke sorowe they were bothe opprest
Whose dethe these yonge men toke ryght heuely
Tytus made lyke sorowe & heuynes
As if he were his Sone naturally
Cremes frendes yt were in company
Knewe not whiche of theym for to cōforte best
For with lyke sorowe they were bothe opprest
But shortly after Cremes obseque
Gesyppus kynnesmen came incontynent
Sayenge yf yt he maryed wolde be
They knewe a wyfe for hym expedyent
Of beauty & substaunce ryght excellent
Of athenes borne and come of noble blood
Whiche vnto hym sholde be propice & good
Gesyppus kynnesmen came incontynent
Sayenge yf yt he maryed wolde be
They knewe a wyfe for hym expedyent
Of beauty & substaunce ryght excellent
Of athenes borne and come of noble blood
Whiche vnto hym sholde be propice & good
135
Sophrone was the name of this damoysell
Which yf he wolde haue her in maryage
He sholde haue her yt dothe other excell
In beauty / wysdome / & eke personage
And yet she is but .xv. yeres of age
Gesyppus of this report set on fyre
With glad semblaunt graunted to theyr desyre
Which yf he wolde haue her in maryage
He sholde haue her yt dothe other excell
In beauty / wysdome / & eke personage
And yet she is but .xv. yeres of age
Gesyppus of this report set on fyre
With glad semblaunt graunted to theyr desyre
And on a daye this damoysell to se
He toke the way vnto her mancyon
Tytus kepte hym famyliaryte
And after they had take refeccyon
Gesyppus to haue cōmunycacyon
Toke her a parte his mynde for to disclose
Wherby he myght knowe her wyll & purpose
He toke the way vnto her mancyon
Tytus kepte hym famyliaryte
And after they had take refeccyon
Gesyppus to haue cōmunycacyon
Toke her a parte his mynde for to disclose
Wherby he myght knowe her wyll & purpose
As Tytus sate by & dyd contemplayre
Her noble beaute with the curius
Her goodly countenaunce & vysage fayre
Her membres and wysdome compendius
Of her he was so hote and amerous
His blood enchaufed so yt with grete payne
From chaungynge colour he coude hym refrayne
Her noble beaute with the curius
Her goodly countenaunce & vysage fayre
Her membres and wysdome compendius
Of her he was so hote and amerous
His blood enchaufed so yt with grete payne
From chaungynge colour he coude hym refrayne
136
After Gesyppus had ben there a space
They toke theyr leue of the damsell foresayd
And went togydre home vnto theyr place
Tytus whiche by loue was full sore dysmayd
Upon his bedde alone hymselfe he layd
With musynge he called to his remembraunce
Her noble beauty in eche circumstaunce
They toke theyr leue of the damsell foresayd
And went togydre home vnto theyr place
Tytus whiche by loue was full sore dysmayd
Upon his bedde alone hymselfe he layd
With musynge he called to his remembraunce
Her noble beauty in eche circumstaunce
The more he dyd thynke the more was his payne
After many syghes & besy thought
Unto hymselfe he gan thus to complayne
Alas pore wretche wherto am I now brought
Tytus this lyfe that þu hast chosen is nought
Where is thy mynde where is thy loue so set
Where is thy hope thou sholde no wyse forget
After many syghes & besy thought
Unto hymselfe he gan thus to complayne
Alas pore wretche wherto am I now brought
Tytus this lyfe that þu hast chosen is nought
Where is thy mynde where is thy loue so set
Where is thy hope thou sholde no wyse forget
Alas Tytus thou sholde well consyder
That she yt thou louest with herte so fre
Thou sholde her loue as she were thy syster
Cremes kyndnes deserued so to be
Thou arte also bounden by amyte
With Gesyppus thou arte confyderate
Wherfore nowe þu mayst not his honour hate
That she yt thou louest with herte so fre
Thou sholde her loue as she were thy syster
Cremes kyndnes deserued so to be
Thou arte also bounden by amyte
With Gesyppus thou arte confyderate
Wherfore nowe þu mayst not his honour hate
137
Reason wolde þu sholde thy corage abate
Refrayne thy selfe from loue so fraudulent
For thy desyre is full disordynate
Close thy syght & mynde from this ylle entent
Knowledge thy selfe thy foly eke repent
Let reason now thy mynde & herte excyte
To exchue thyne vnlaufull apetyte
Refrayne thy selfe from loue so fraudulent
For thy desyre is full disordynate
Close thy syght & mynde from this ylle entent
Knowledge thy selfe thy foly eke repent
Let reason now thy mynde & herte excyte
To exchue thyne vnlaufull apetyte
Upon some thynge els do now thy mynde set
Withstonde the loue yt doth the so assayle
Thou hast good cause this loue for to forget
The dede were shame thy purpose is but frayle
With honour thou mayst not therwith preuayle
Loue & kyndnes sholde cause the fle therfro
If thou consyder what thou ought to do
Withstonde the loue yt doth the so assayle
Thou hast good cause this loue for to forget
The dede were shame thy purpose is but frayle
With honour thou mayst not therwith preuayle
Loue & kyndnes sholde cause the fle therfro
If thou consyder what thou ought to do
Yf thou sholde breke thy loue and amyte
And to Gesyppus cōmyt so grete shame
What sholde happen of thyn ennormyte
Euery man of vntrouth wolde the blame
Therby thou sholde lese honoure & good name
And where thou were namyd a frende stedfast
As false & vntrue þu sholde be outcast
And to Gesyppus cōmyt so grete shame
What sholde happen of thyn ennormyte
Euery man of vntrouth wolde the blame
Therby thou sholde lese honoure & good name
And where thou were namyd a frende stedfast
As false & vntrue þu sholde be outcast
138
But whan her beauty he dyd remember
From his counsell he dyd this wyse replye
The lawe of loue of myght is more strenger
Than ony lawe the trouthe to verifye
To goddes & mannes it dothe replye
Amyte is ofte lost by vyolence
Amonge many to Erre is small offence
From his counsell he dyd this wyse replye
The lawe of loue of myght is more strenger
Than ony lawe the trouthe to verifye
To goddes & mannes it dothe replye
Amyte is ofte lost by vyolence
Amonge many to Erre is small offence
The father hathe by loue condiscended
And with his doughter done his fowle pleasure
Brother with syster eke haue offended
Whiche is grete[r] offence & displeasure
Than from his frende his wyfe for to procure
Wherfore none can one of this dede reproue
Syth I am compelled by veruent loue
And with his doughter done his fowle pleasure
Brother with syster eke haue offended
Whiche is grete[r] offence & displeasure
Than from his frende his wyfe for to procure
Wherfore none can one of this dede reproue
Syth I am compelled by veruent loue
My youthe & courage my dede shall excuse
Loue to this pourpose dothe me sore compell
This vyrgyn doth my herte suche wyse abuse
In bewty and wysdome whiche dothe excell
That loue and reason togyder rebell
So that to loue her I can not refrayne
Whome eche man desyreth for to optayne
Loue to this pourpose dothe me sore compell
This vyrgyn doth my herte suche wyse abuse
In bewty and wysdome whiche dothe excell
That loue and reason togyder rebell
So that to loue her I can not refrayne
Whome eche man desyreth for to optayne
139
But fortune here I haue cause for to ban
Whiche to my frende Gesyppus hathe her lent
Rather than vnto some other straunge man
From hym to take her I can not assent
From an other I myght conuenyent
Alas this chaunce dothe encomber me so
That I can not tell what is best to do
Whiche to my frende Gesyppus hathe her lent
Rather than vnto some other straunge man
From hym to take her I can not assent
From an other I myght conuenyent
Alas this chaunce dothe encomber me so
That I can not tell what is best to do
In this wyse Tytus wofully dyd playne
Of his purpose beynge varyable
That daye nor nyght he coude hymselfe refrayne
From syghes & wepynge lamentable
Mete nor slepe was to hym agreable
He was so lowe brought by this heuynesse
That from his bedde he coude not hym redresse
Of his purpose beynge varyable
That daye nor nyght he coude hymselfe refrayne
From syghes & wepynge lamentable
Mete nor slepe was to hym agreable
He was so lowe brought by this heuynesse
That from his bedde he coude not hym redresse
Gesyppus whiche sawe hym so impotent
The sodayn chaunce he gretely dyd bewayle
And from his frende Tytus he seldome went
But often asked of hym in counsayle
What thynge myght best for his sorowe preuayle
And where the sykenes dyd his body greue
Promysynge hym he wolde his payne releue
The sodayn chaunce he gretely dyd bewayle
And from his frende Tytus he seldome went
But often asked of hym in counsayle
What thynge myght best for his sorowe preuayle
And where the sykenes dyd his body greue
Promysynge hym he wolde his payne releue
140
Tytus made vnto hym fayned excuse
Not shewynge hym the cause of his greuaunce
But Gesyppus his sayenge dyd refuse
That nede he must declare his wofull chaunce
Wherfore to hym with deedly countenaunce
With grete syghes & teres distillynge
He shewed hym it in maner folowynge
Not shewynge hym the cause of his greuaunce
But Gesyppus his sayenge dyd refuse
That nede he must declare his wofull chaunce
Wherfore to hym with deedly countenaunce
With grete syghes & teres distillynge
He shewed hym it in maner folowynge
My frende yf it pleased god Immortall
Dethe more than lyfe to me were ferre better
For fortune hath made me so bonde & thrall
That I am lyke from vertue dysseuer
Wherfore an honest deth I had leuer
Than for to lyue & be in worldly shame
Wherby I myght empayre & lese my name
Dethe more than lyfe to me were ferre better
For fortune hath made me so bonde & thrall
That I am lyke from vertue dysseuer
Wherfore an honest deth I had leuer
Than for to lyue & be in worldly shame
Wherby I myght empayre & lese my name
To tell the chaunce I am ryght shamfast
But for I ought not dyssemble with the
To tell the trouthe I shall not be agast
The cause of my grefe & ennormyte
Loue beauty shame & also honeste
Contend & stryue whiche shall haue maystry
That I knowe not wherto I may apply
But for I ought not dyssemble with the
To tell the trouthe I shall not be agast
The cause of my grefe & ennormyte
Loue beauty shame & also honeste
Contend & stryue whiche shall haue maystry
That I knowe not wherto I may apply
141
Unto hym orderly he dyd declare
How of Sophrone the excellent noblesse
Was the chefe cause of his sorowe & care
And how her loue his herte dyd so oppresse
That of conforte he was remedylesse
And how by loue he entended to dye
For withoute shame he knewe no remedy
How of Sophrone the excellent noblesse
Was the chefe cause of his sorowe & care
And how her loue his herte dyd so oppresse
That of conforte he was remedylesse
And how by loue he entended to dye
For withoute shame he knewe no remedy
Gesyppus of this was astonyed
As he yt loued her with all his herte
And to hym selfe this wyse he replyed
Better it were from her for to departe
Rather than Tytus by the cruell darte
Of loue sholde thus fynysshe his wofull lyfe
A frende to fynde is harder than a wyfe
As he yt loued her with all his herte
And to hym selfe this wyse he replyed
Better it were from her for to departe
Rather than Tytus by the cruell darte
Of loue sholde thus fynysshe his wofull lyfe
A frende to fynde is harder than a wyfe
By Tytus teres to pyte meued
Was Gesyppus whiche wepte for company
And in this wyse Tytus he repreued
Me thynketh ye be not to me frendly
In kepynge your sorowe so secretly
Ye sholde to me soner your mynde dysclose
What had ben your desyre wyll & purpose
Was Gesyppus whiche wepte for company
And in this wyse Tytus he repreued
Me thynketh ye be not to me frendly
In kepynge your sorowe so secretly
Ye sholde to me soner your mynde dysclose
What had ben your desyre wyll & purpose
142
Though ye thought the dede to be vnhonest
Yet to your frende ye sholde it dyscouer
As well the yll as good he wyll degest
Yf he be a stedfast frende and louer
Your helthe & mynde he wyll gladly further
And yf you nede gyue you his best counsayle
What thynge therin myght to you moost auayle
Yet to your frende ye sholde it dyscouer
As well the yll as good he wyll degest
Yf he be a stedfast frende and louer
Your helthe & mynde he wyll gladly further
And yf you nede gyue you his best counsayle
What thynge therin myght to you moost auayle
Yf ye loue Sophrone I do not meruell
For knowynge her beauty and noblenes
Her vertue wysdome whiche dothe so excell
Wolde moue thy mynde of very gentylnes
To loue a mayde of so grete worthynes
For the greter a thynge is of valure
The more a noble herte it dothe procure
For knowynge her beauty and noblenes
Her vertue wysdome whiche dothe so excell
Wolde moue thy mynde of very gentylnes
To loue a mayde of so grete worthynes
For the greter a thynge is of valure
The more a noble herte it dothe procure
But where ye do nowe on fortune complayne
Whiche hath Sophrone put in my gouernaunce
Me thynke therof ye sholde be gladde & fayne
For what man wolde thy desyre more auaunce
Than his pleasure & namely in suche chaunce
But alwaye I haue coueyted thy helthe
More than myne owne or ony singuler welthe
Whiche hath Sophrone put in my gouernaunce
Me thynke therof ye sholde be gladde & fayne
For what man wolde thy desyre more auaunce
Than his pleasure & namely in suche chaunce
But alwaye I haue coueyted thy helthe
More than myne owne or ony singuler welthe
143
And yf the matter stode in suche a case
That I myght not refuse it honestly
Ye had I rather myn honour dyfface
Than by her cruell loue yt ye sholde dye
But she is yet in suche estate truely
That ye may haue her for to be your wyfe
Whiche I shall do for sauynge of your lyfe
That I myght not refuse it honestly
Ye had I rather myn honour dyfface
Than by her cruell loue yt ye sholde dye
But she is yet in suche estate truely
That ye may haue her for to be your wyfe
Whiche I shall do for sauynge of your lyfe
Ye had good cause dyspryse my frendshyp
Yf in this case I left you destitute
He is no frende yt kyndnes wyll let slyp
With honoure whan he may it execute
How sholde ye me for your frende now repute
Yf I wolde not in this extremyte
As a stedfast frende shewe you amyte
Yf in this case I left you destitute
He is no frende yt kyndnes wyll let slyp
With honoure whan he may it execute
How sholde ye me for your frende now repute
Yf I wolde not in this extremyte
As a stedfast frende shewe you amyte
Sophrone I haue loued with tender herte
Desyrynge the daye of our maryage
But my loue is not so veruent & smarte
But yt I shall my selfe therfro aswage
Ye loue her with a more better courage
Wherfore be glad of her ye shall not fayle
In my chambre shall be your espousayle
Desyrynge the daye of our maryage
But my loue is not so veruent & smarte
But yt I shall my selfe therfro aswage
Ye loue her with a more better courage
Wherfore be glad of her ye shall not fayle
In my chambre shall be your espousayle
144
Wherfore put from your mynd this thought & care
Leue of your heuynes lamentable
Restore your selfe to your former welfare
Ye haue good cause to be confortable
Apply your selfe to be stronge and able
That ye may the fruyte of your loue attayne
Whiche for to haue ye do so moche complayne
Leue of your heuynes lamentable
Restore your selfe to your former welfare
Ye haue good cause to be confortable
Apply your selfe to be stronge and able
That ye may the fruyte of your loue attayne
Whiche for to haue ye do so moche complayne
Tytus with this was gretely conforted
Yet of his profer he had grete meruayle
To se his kyndnes so soone exorted
To his desyre voluptuous & frayle
Gesyppus loue whiche so moche dyd preuayle
Made hym haue shame of his grete vsurpinge
Wherfore he spake thus with teeres wepynge
Yet of his profer he had grete meruayle
To se his kyndnes so soone exorted
To his desyre voluptuous & frayle
Gesyppus loue whiche so moche dyd preuayle
Made hym haue shame of his grete vsurpinge
Wherfore he spake thus with teeres wepynge
Gesyppus thy grete liberalyte
Is openly to me now manyfest
Whiche on my parte sholde be shewed to the
But I shall not obey to thy request
To take thy wyfe the dede were vnhonest
Wherfore enioye yt fortune hath the lent
My hard chaunce to suffre I am content
Is openly to me now manyfest
Whiche on my parte sholde be shewed to the
But I shall not obey to thy request
To take thy wyfe the dede were vnhonest
Wherfore enioye yt fortune hath the lent
My hard chaunce to suffre I am content
145
Of thy good fortune vse the chaunce & lote
And suffre me in sorowe to abyde
And in salte teres my body to rote
For harde fortune for me doth so prouyde
And cruell loue to deth shall be my gyde
Whiche by desyre me dayly dothe so greue
That my wretched lyfe it shall me bereue
And suffre me in sorowe to abyde
And in salte teres my body to rote
For harde fortune for me doth so prouyde
And cruell loue to deth shall be my gyde
Whiche by desyre me dayly dothe so greue
That my wretched lyfe it shall me bereue
Tytus yf amyte may nowe purchase
That to my desyre ye wyll you assent
I shall fynde the meane within a shorte space
That ye shall haue your purpose & entent
For ye knowe well that loue is so veruent
That many haue lost theyr lyfe by yt payne
Of theyr purpose whan they myght not attayne
That to my desyre ye wyll you assent
I shall fynde the meane within a shorte space
That ye shall haue your purpose & entent
For ye knowe well that loue is so veruent
That many haue lost theyr lyfe by yt payne
Of theyr purpose whan they myght not attayne
The grefe ye suffre is importunate
That ye can not therwith longe contynue
And yf ye sholde [dye] by suche mortall fate
Than by lyke chaunce I sholde after ensue
Yf amyte my mynde coude not subdue
Yet do I couet your lyfe for to haue
Wherby I myght myn owne purchase & saue
That ye can not therwith longe contynue
And yf ye sholde [dye] by suche mortall fate
Than by lyke chaunce I sholde after ensue
Yf amyte my mynde coude not subdue
Yet do I couet your lyfe for to haue
Wherby I myght myn owne purchase & saue
146
Therfore Sophrone vnto you shall abyde
Whiche is so excellent a creature
That ye can not suche an other prouyde
That sholde be so moche vnto your pl[e]asure
My veruent loue I shall ryght well endure
To loue some other I shall me apply
Bothe our myndes I may so satysfye
Whiche is so excellent a creature
That ye can not suche an other prouyde
That sholde be so moche vnto your pl[e]asure
My veruent loue I shall ryght well endure
To loue some other I shall me apply
Bothe our myndes I may so satysfye
Tho suche a wyfe be harde for me to fynde
Yet a sure frende is harder to purchase
Wherfore to leue her reason doth me bynde
Than I sholde lese my frende by her trespace
A wyfe I may me get in lyke space
But harde it is to fynde a frende stedfast
A thousande yere yf yt my lyfe sholde last
Yet a sure frende is harder to purchase
Wherfore to leue her reason doth me bynde
Than I sholde lese my frende by her trespace
A wyfe I may me get in lyke space
But harde it is to fynde a frende stedfast
A thousande yere yf yt my lyfe sholde last
Yet do I not my wyfe in this case lese
Syth yt vnto my frende she shall remayne
But of .ij. ylles the lest I do chese
Wherfore yf my prayer may ought obteyne
From so grete sorowe do your selfe refrayne
Unto your former state your selfe restore
That ye may haue yt ye desyre so sore
Syth yt vnto my frende she shall remayne
But of .ij. ylles the lest I do chese
Wherfore yf my prayer may ought obteyne
From so grete sorowe do your selfe refrayne
Unto your former state your selfe restore
That ye may haue yt ye desyre so sore
147
Tytus of this was conforted gretely
And to Gesyppus in this wyse he spake
I am in doubt where I may apply
And yf I sholde your profre now forsake
Whome ye desyre so specyally to take
But for your kyndenes dothe my shame expel
I shall applye to your desyre and wyll
And to Gesyppus in this wyse he spake
I am in doubt where I may apply
And yf I sholde your profre now forsake
Whome ye desyre so specyally to take
But for your kyndenes dothe my shame expel
I shall applye to your desyre and wyll
God graunte yt I may be so fortunate
You to auaunce with honoure & ryches
Or to encrease your degre & estate
Wherby I myght my faythfulnes expresse
And deserue your benyuolent kyndnes
That ye may knowe how moche acceptable
Your mercy is to me agreable
You to auaunce with honoure & ryches
Or to encrease your degre & estate
Wherby I myght my faythfulnes expresse
And deserue your benyuolent kyndnes
That ye may knowe how moche acceptable
Your mercy is to me agreable
Gesyppus sayd I holde this counsayle best
For asmoche as I haue made a promyse
I must folowe and colour my behest
For yf yt I sholde Sophrone nowe dyspyse
Murmur amonge our frendes soone wolde ryse
That to an other they wolde her mary
And so we bothe sholde lese her wylfully
For asmoche as I haue made a promyse
I must folowe and colour my behest
For yf yt I sholde Sophrone nowe dyspyse
Murmur amonge our frendes soone wolde ryse
That to an other they wolde her mary
And so we bothe sholde lese her wylfully
148
Wherfore I thynke it best in my demynge
That Sophrone as my wyfe yt I shall wedde
And hyther to my house her for to brynge
And after that she is brought vnto [m]y bedde
To her in stede of me ye shall be ledde
Where as ye may accomplysshe your pleasure
As man & wyfe by lawe & eke nature
That Sophrone as my wyfe yt I shall wedde
And hyther to my house her for to brynge
And after that she is brought vnto [m]y bedde
To her in stede of me ye shall be ledde
Where as ye may accomplysshe your pleasure
As man & wyfe by lawe & eke nature
And whan this chaunce is playnly manyfest
If her frendes therwith wyll be content
Than is the mater in good case & rest
And yf they wyll not therunto assent
Yet at the lest ye shall haue your entent
The dede so done amended can not be
Wherfore nede shall cause them with you agre
If her frendes therwith wyll be content
Than is the mater in good case & rest
And yf they wyll not therunto assent
Yet at the lest ye shall haue your entent
The dede so done amended can not be
Wherfore nede shall cause them with you agre
How Gesyppus went out of his chambre to Tytus and how Tytus lay with Sophrone.
This mariage in that tyme was vsed
That after the tryumphe of the weddynge
The spouse & bryde sholde be brought vnto bedde
Where eche vnto other sholde gyue a rynge
And yf they made therat no refusynge
Than durynge lyfe they do eche other take
And els they may promyse than forsake
That after the tryumphe of the weddynge
The spouse & bryde sholde be brought vnto bedde
Where eche vnto other sholde gyue a rynge
And yf they made therat no refusynge
Than durynge lyfe they do eche other take
And els they may promyse than forsake
149
Tytus alowed the foresayd counsayle
Gesyppus Sophrone as his wyfe dyd wedde
And in his house was made theyr espousayle
Whan Tytus had his helth recouered
At nyght the wyues broug[h]t the bryde to bedde
And Gesyppus as custome was truely
Went to the chamber with her to lye
Gesyppus Sophrone as his wyfe dyd wedde
And in his house was made theyr espousayle
Whan Tytus had his helth recouered
At nyght the wyues broug[h]t the bryde to bedde
And Gesyppus as custome was truely
Went to the chamber with her to lye
Gesyppus chambre where as the bryde lay
Tytus chambre annexed was vnto
Whiche had a lytle dore & secret way
From the one to the other for to go
Gesyppus the candell lyght quenched tho
And to Tytus chambre fast he hastyd
And with his wyfe to ly he dyd hym bydde
Tytus chambre annexed was vnto
Whiche had a lytle dore & secret way
From the one to the other for to go
Gesyppus the candell lyght quenched tho
And to Tytus chambre fast he hastyd
And with his wyfe to ly he dyd hym bydde
Tytus for shame at the fyrst dyd deny
But Gesyppus of worde & dede stedfast
Unto his sayenge dyd suche wyse reply
That to lye with her he graunted at last
To Sophrons bed he ascended in hast
And asked in familiaryte
His wyfe for euer yf yt she wolde be
But Gesyppus of worde & dede stedfast
Unto his sayenge dyd suche wyse reply
That to lye with her he graunted at last
To Sophrons bed he ascended in hast
And asked in familiaryte
His wyfe for euer yf yt she wolde be
150
Sophrone w[h]iche knewe nothynge of this mater
Thought it was Gesyppus yt to her spake
Wherfore vnto hym she made this answer
For her husbonde she wolde hym not forsake
Tytus his wedynge rynge forthe than dyd take
And put it on the fynger of his wyfe
Grauntynge to be her husbonde terme of lyfe
Thought it was Gesyppus yt to her spake
Wherfore vnto hym she made this answer
For her husbonde she wolde hym not forsake
Tytus his wedynge rynge forthe than dyd take
And put it on the fynger of his wyfe
Grauntynge to be her husbonde terme of lyfe
Of venus they vsed the sporte & play
As pastyme is of louers amerus
This custome they vsed many a daye
Yet in yt tyme she coude neuer discus
That her husbonde she lay with was Tytus
But this coude not be hydde so pryuely
But at length it must be knowen openly
As pastyme is of louers amerus
This custome they vsed many a daye
Yet in yt tyme she coude neuer discus
That her husbonde she lay with was Tytus
But this coude not be hydde so pryuely
But at length it must be knowen openly
In the meane tyme from Rome were sent lettres
How his father his mortall lyfe had past
Wherfore he must his substaunce to possesse
Resorte thyder in all possyble hast
Whiche tydynges made Tytus full sore agast
He couetynge Sophrone with hym to go
With Gesyppus [toke] counseyle what to do
How his father his mortall lyfe had past
Wherfore he must his substaunce to possesse
Resorte thyder in all possyble hast
Whiche tydynges made Tytus full sore agast
He couetynge Sophrone with hym to go
With Gesyppus [toke] counseyle what to do
151
This thynge they coude not do cōuenyent
Without Sophrone had therof knowledgynge
Wherfore to shewe her bothe they dyd assent
And in a secrete chambre they her brynge
As ye haue herde tolde her of eche thynge
Whiche for sorowe wepte in grete aboundaunce
Reprouynge Gesyppus of this false chaunce
Without Sophrone had therof knowledgynge
Wherfore to shewe her bothe they dyd assent
And in a secrete chambre they her brynge
As ye haue herde tolde her of eche thynge
Whiche for sorowe wepte in grete aboundaunce
Reprouynge Gesyppus of this false chaunce
Without declarynge her mynde & purpose
Unto her fathers house she resorted
And vnto hym the chaunce she dyd disclose
How by Gesyppus she was deceyued
And yt she was not as they supposed
The wyfe of Gesyppus but contrary
By couert meane Tytus dyd her mary
Unto her fathers house she resorted
And vnto hym the chaunce she dyd disclose
How by Gesyppus she was deceyued
And yt she was not as they supposed
The wyfe of Gesyppus but contrary
By couert meane Tytus dyd her mary
This thynge her father and frendes dyd greue
And to Gesyppus kynne they dyd complayne
So yt they togyder dyd hym repreue
And for the dede they dyd hym yll dysdayne
Sayenge he deserued for his false trayne
In depe pryson to suffre punysshement
And that this dede he sholde ryght sore repent
And to Gesyppus kynne they dyd complayne
So yt they togyder dyd hym repreue
And for the dede they dyd hym yll dysdayne
Sayenge he deserued for his false trayne
In depe pryson to suffre punysshement
And that this dede he sholde ryght sore repent
152
Gesyppus to theyr sayenge dyd reply
Affyrmynge the dede to be cōmendable
And that he deserued to haue truely
Of them loue & thanke Inestymable
Whiche had her wedded to one more able
In ryches honour blood & dygnyte
Wherby she & hers auaunced sholde be
Affyrmynge the dede to be cōmendable
And that he deserued to haue truely
Of them loue & thanke Inestymable
Whiche had her wedded to one more able
In ryches honour blood & dygnyte
Wherby she & hers auaunced sholde be
Tytus hauynge knowlege of this barate
In his mynde he was gretly troublyd
Knowynge the grekes maner and estate
With wordes & thretenynges to fyght & chyde
Tyll they mete one that dare them well abyde
Than are they of theyr wordes pacyent
Theyr symple maner is so Innocent
In his mynde he was gretly troublyd
Knowynge the grekes maner and estate
With wordes & thretenynges to fyght & chyde
Tyll they mete one that dare them well abyde
Than are they of theyr wordes pacyent
Theyr symple maner is so Innocent
He knowynge theyr custome varyable
To cause theym to leue theyr malyce & hate
With a romayns herte he dyd hym able
In actuall sapyence decorate
Bothe theyr frendes he dyd there congregate
Gesyppus beynge with hym in presence
This wyse he rebuked theyr necligence
To cause theym to leue theyr malyce & hate
With a romayns herte he dyd hym able
In actuall sapyence decorate
Bothe theyr frendes he dyd there congregate
Gesyppus beynge with hym in presence
This wyse he rebuked theyr necligence
153
The phylozophers haue determyned
The actes of euery man mortall
By the goddes sholde be predestined
Afore theyr byrthe to be theyr chaunce fatall
Therfore what fortune vnto vs do fall
We can not thoughe we wolde therto reply
Syth yt it is gyuen vs by destyny
The actes of euery man mortall
By the goddes sholde be predestined
Afore theyr byrthe to be theyr chaunce fatall
Therfore what fortune vnto vs do fall
We can not thoughe we wolde therto reply
Syth yt it is gyuen vs by destyny
We ought also faythfully to beleue
That the goddes haue suche preemynence
Our fortune at theyr pleasure for to geue
And yt is iuged by theyr sentence
Can not be broken by our violence
Wherfore he is a fole yt wyll dyspyse
The workes done by the goddes aduyse
That the goddes haue suche preemynence
Our fortune at theyr pleasure for to geue
And yt is iuged by theyr sentence
Can not be broken by our violence
Wherfore he is a fole yt wyll dyspyse
The workes done by the goddes aduyse
To my purpose I haue knowledge truely
That Gesyppus ye haue yll reproued
For that Sophrone to me he dyd mary
But yf reason your myndes had moued
The dede so done ye sholde haue approued
Sythe yt the goddes dyd it so ordayne
Not to hym but to me she sholde remayne
That Gesyppus ye haue yll reproued
For that Sophrone to me he dyd mary
But yf reason your myndes had moued
The dede so done ye sholde haue approued
Sythe yt the goddes dyd it so ordayne
Not to hym but to me she sholde remayne
154
But for yt some this reason do despyce
That fortune is by deuyne prouydence
Whiche thynge to man sholde be grete preiudyce
I wyll now treate of an other sentence
Two thynges I am bounde by vyolence
Whiche to my noblenes is contrary
But I am compelled for to vary
That fortune is by deuyne prouydence
Whiche thynge to man sholde be grete preiudyce
I wyll now treate of an other sentence
Two thynges I am bounde by vyolence
Whiche to my noblenes is contrary
But I am compelled for to vary
One is my selfe of honoure to auaunce
The other to dysprayse myne enymy
Whiche I shall do with good remembraunce
As the matter doth now requyre Iustly
From the trouth of it I wyll not reply
But with circumspect delyberacyon
Of my purpose I shall make relacyon
The other to dysprayse myne enymy
Whiche I shall do with good remembraunce
As the matter doth now requyre Iustly
From the trouth of it I wyll not reply
But with circumspect delyberacyon
Of my purpose I shall make relacyon
Your wordes are grounded more of malice
Than of ony Iust tytle or reason
Whiche do Gesyppus shamefully dyspyce
For yt he hath grete kyndnes to me done
Of two thynges hath the best choson
My lyfe to saue rather than to fulfyll
His owne pleasure or your purpose & wyll
Than of ony Iust tytle or reason
Whiche do Gesyppus shamefully dyspyce
For yt he hath grete kyndnes to me done
Of two thynges hath the best choson
My lyfe to saue rather than to fulfyll
His owne pleasure or your purpose & wyll
155
We are confederate in amyte
Wherfore the lawe of loue dothe hym thus bynde
To helpe his frende in his extremyte
Therfore to proue hymselfe stedfast & kynde
He shewed loue contrary to your mynde
Whiche thynge to hym is more cōmendable
Than to folowe your mynde vnreasonable
Wherfore the lawe of loue dothe hym thus bynde
To helpe his frende in his extremyte
Therfore to proue hymselfe stedfast & kynde
He shewed loue contrary to your mynde
Whiche thynge to hym is more cōmendable
Than to folowe your mynde vnreasonable
To one of athenes ye her maryed
And he hathe geuen her vnto a Romayne
Athenes to rome may not be compared
Of all the worlde whiche yt is souerayne
In whiche I was myn honour to sustayne
Borne as a cytezyn therin to dwell
In manhode & lernynge whiche dothe excell
And he hathe geuen her vnto a Romayne
Athenes to rome may not be compared
156
In whiche I was myn honour to sustayne
Borne as a cytezyn therin to dwell
In manhode & lernynge whiche dothe excell
Ye be bonde & thrall but I am borne fre
For vnto Rome ye be bonde & subiecte
Bycause I am scoler in this cyte
As come of vyle blood ye do me suspecte
I wyll ye knowe yt I am not abiecte
My places at rome declare my lynage
Portured with myn auncestours ymage
For vnto Rome ye be bonde & subiecte
Bycause I am scoler in this cyte
As come of vyle blood ye do me suspecte
I wyll ye knowe yt I am not abiecte
My places at rome declare my lynage
Portured with myn auncestours ymage
With tyles of Tryumphe the gate is set
Whiche myn auncestours by theyr worthynes
Within the capytoll longe tyme dyd get
Whiche at this daye doth more and more encr[e]se
I am ashamed to boost my ryches
And possessyon whiche are so importune
As I were the frendly chylde of fortune
Whiche myn auncestours by theyr worthynes
Within the capytoll longe tyme dyd get
Whiche at this daye doth more and more encr[e]se
I am ashamed to boost my ryches
And possessyon whiche are so importune
As I were the frendly chylde of fortune
157
What cause haue ye Gesyppus to reproue
That hath wedded Sophrone to suche estate
At Rome I maye do moche to your behoue
For the comon welth publyke & priuate
Yf ye be wyse ye be ryght fortunate
Gesyppus dothe your blod to honoure rayse
Wherfore ye haue cause hym to loue & prayse
That hath wedded Sophrone to suche estate
At Rome I maye do moche to your behoue
For the comon welth publyke & priuate
Yf ye be wyse ye be ryght fortunate
Gesyppus dothe your blod to honoure rayse
Wherfore ye haue cause hym to loue & prayse
Some my fortune do not so moche dysdayne
That Sophrone is gyuen me in espousynge
But for yt I dyd get her by a trayne
Her frendes therunto not consentynge
Tho yt I dyd couertly do this thynge
Lyke a lechour I haue not her forlayne
Wherby I sholde her & her blood dystayne
That Sophrone is gyuen me in espousynge
But for yt I dyd get her by a trayne
158
Tho yt I dyd couertly do this thynge
Lyke a lechour I haue not her forlayne
Wherby I sholde her & her blood dystayne
Her fayre beauty enflamed my courage
That in her loue my herte was set on fyre
I durst not atempte her in maryage
Nor of your consent therin to requyre
For I sholde not optayne of my desyre
Syth with me to rome yt I sholde her take
Whose company ye ar lothe to forsake
That in her loue my herte was set on fyre
I durst not atempte her in maryage
Nor of your consent therin to requyre
For I sholde not optayne of my desyre
Syth with me to rome yt I sholde her take
Whose company ye ar lothe to forsake
159
Therfore I haue done this thynge couertly
To you my mynde I durst not manyfest
Gesyppus in my name her to mary
To colour my purpose I thought it best
Whiche dyd it accordynge to my request
As a concubyne I dyd not her vse
But for my lawfull wyfe I dyd her chuse
To you my mynde I durst not manyfest
Gesyppus in my name her to mary
To colour my purpose I thought it best
Whiche dyd it accordynge to my request
As a concubyne I dyd not her vse
But for my lawfull wyfe I dyd her chuse
160
From Rome there is tydynges vnto me sent
That my father hath lefte his mortall lyfe
Wherfore as reason wolde I dyd assent
Her to lede with me as my lawfull wyfe
And for I must be from you fugetyue
Therfore the matter I do manyfest
Requyrynge you it frendely to dysgest
That my father hath lefte his mortall lyfe
Wherfore as reason wolde I dyd assent
Her to lede with me as my lawfull wyfe
And for I must be from you fugetyue
Therfore the matter I do manyfest
Requyrynge you it frendely to dysgest
If your affynyte I dyd dispyce
Sophrone with you yf I wolde I myght leue
And as deluded I may her remyse
Whiche sholde your hertes more angre & greue
But god dyffende yt ye sholde me repreue
Of suche a shame I beynge a Romayne
Or that my frendes by it sholde dystayne
Sophrone with you yf I wolde I myght leue
And as deluded I may her remyse
Whiche sholde your hertes more angre & greue
But god dyffende yt ye sholde me repreue
Of suche a shame I beynge a Romayne
Or that my frendes by it sholde dystayne
161
Wherfore as a frende I do you requyre
Your malyce yt ye remembre no more
But as frendes apply to my desyre
Sophrone my wyfe vnto me to restore
With kyndnes I wyll acquyte you therfore
For whether the dede done be good or yll
It to amende ye can not thoughe ye wyll
Your malyce yt ye remembre no more
But as frendes apply to my desyre
Sophrone my wyfe vnto me to restore
With kyndnes I wyll acquyte you therfore
For whether the dede done be good or yll
It to amende ye can not thoughe ye wyll
And yf my request ye do nowe dyspyse
Gesyppus with me vnto Rome shall go
With armed power I shall ageyn you ryse
Sophrone with stronge honde for to take you fro
By fell batayle I shall entreate you so
That ye shall knowe what Indignacyon
Romayns wyll take for your transgressyon
Gesyppus with me vnto Rome shall go
With armed power I shall ageyn you ryse
Sophrone with stronge honde for to take you fro
By fell batayle I shall entreate you so
That ye shall knowe what Indignacyon
Romayns wyll take for your transgressyon
These wordes sayd he arose frome his place
And Gesyppus by the honde he dyd take
Knyttynge his browes & frownynge with his face
His heed for angre at theym he dyd shake
Suche countenaunce vnto theym he dyd make
As he dyd dyspyse all theym vtterly
And as he wolde take vengeaunce cruelly
And Gesyppus by the honde he dyd take
Knyttynge his browes & frownynge with his face
His heed for angre at theym he dyd shake
Suche countenaunce vnto theym he dyd make
As he dyd dyspyse all theym vtterly
And as he wolde take vengeaunce cruelly
162
They by these wordes parte for loue dyd gre
And parte for fere of his grete manasynge
With hym to haue loue & affynyte
They thought it best for to be assentynge
Sith yt Gesyppus had made refusynge
Tytus affynyte not to forsake
Wherby they sholde theym both theyr enmys make
And parte for fere of his grete manasynge
With hym to haue loue & affynyte
They thought it best for to be assentynge
Sith yt Gesyppus had made refusynge
Tytus affynyte not to forsake
Wherby they sholde theym both theyr enmys make
Wherfore all they after Tytus tho went
Sayenge th[e]y wolde not his wyfe hym witholde
His frendeshyp to haue they were all content
Gesyppus theyr talent forgyue they wolde
And in theyr armes they hym claspe & folde
With louynge maner as frendes sholde do
Eche from other departed home to go
Sayenge th[e]y wolde not his wyfe hym witholde
His frendeshyp to haue they were all content
Gesyppus theyr talent forgyue they wolde
And in theyr armes they hym claspe & folde
With louynge maner as frendes sholde do
Eche from other departed home to go
Sophrone vnto Tytus they sent agayne
Whiche lyke a noble lady & prudent
From Gesyppus her loue she dyd refrayne
And to Tytus her herte she dyd assent
And with hym to Rome as his wyfe she went
Where of Tytus frendes & famyly
She was receyued ryght honorably
Whiche lyke a noble lady & prudent
From Gesyppus her loue she dyd refrayne
And to Tytus her herte she dyd assent
And with hym to Rome as his wyfe she went
Where of Tytus frendes & famyly
She was receyued ryght honorably
163
Gesyppus at athenes styll dyd remayne
Whiche for he shewed to Tytus amyte
Of all the people was in grete dysdayne
And by cruyle dyscorde & enmyte
He was brought in to suche calamyte
They hym exiled desolate & poore
Within athenes neuer to come more
Whiche for he shewed to Tytus amyte
Of all the people was in grete dysdayne
And by cruyle dyscorde & enmyte
He was brought in to suche calamyte
They hym exiled desolate & poore
Within athenes neuer to come more
He ledynge his lyfe in grete pouerte
Unto Rome he toke his passage & waye
To praye Tytus of his benygnyte
Hym for to helpe in his nedefull a[r]ray
Unto his place he came vpon a day
Before the gate Tytus he gan abyde
As he came in of hym to be espide
Unto Rome he toke his passage & waye
To praye Tytus of his benygnyte
Hym for to helpe in his nedefull a[r]ray
Unto his place he came vpon a day
Before the gate Tytus he gan abyde
As he came in of hym to be espide
Tytus from the market came at the last
In to his house he went incontynent
Gesyppus was so heuy & shamefast
That to Tytus he wolde hym not present
That he sholde fyrst knowe hym was his entent
Whiche knewe hym not he was so yll arayd
Wherfore he past by & to hym nought sayd
In to his house he went incontynent
Gesyppus was so heuy & shamefast
That to Tytus he wolde hym not present
That he sholde fyrst knowe hym was his entent
Whiche knewe hym not he was so yll arayd
Wherfore he past by & to hym nought sayd
164
Gesyppus whiche wrongfully supposed
That Tytus dyd forsake his acquayntaunce
Bycause yt he was so poorely clothed
His grete kyndenes callynge to remembraunce
To Tytus shewed in his moost nedefull cha[u]nce
Parte for sorowe & parte eke for dysdayne
He went from thens & wofully gan playne
That Tytus dyd forsake his acquayntaunce
Bycause yt he was so poorely clothed
His grete kyndenes callynge to remembraunce
To Tytus shewed in his moost nedefull cha[u]nce
Parte for sorowe & parte eke for dysdayne
He went from thens & wofully gan playne
Tyll it was nyght aboute he wandered
Mete he wolde ete but mony had he none
With thought & care he was so combered
That for his dethe he made rufully mone
And as he was thus walkynge all alone
Within the cyte he came at the last
Unto a place whiche was forgrowen and wast
Mete he wolde ete but mony had he none
With thought & care he was so combered
That for his dethe he made rufully mone
And as he was thus walkynge all alone
Within the cyte he came at the last
Unto a place whiche was forgrowen and wast
How Gesyppus lyenge a slepe / two theues came & the stronger slewe the weyker in deuydynge of theyr pray.
A derke caue by chaunce he there soone had founde
In to the whiche he dyd dyscende and crepe
And layd hym prostrate there vpon ye grounde
Prouokynge hymselfe for to fall a slepe
His hard fortune he dyd complayne & wepe
With heuynesse he was so sore opprest
That at the last he fell vnto his rest
In to the whiche he dyd dyscende and crepe
And layd hym prostrate there vpon ye grounde
Prouokynge hymselfe for to fall a slepe
His hard fortune he dyd complayne & wepe
With heuynesse he was so sore opprest
That at the last he fell vnto his rest
165
The same tyme to the caue there came by chaunce
Two theues whiche had stolne a pray yt nyght
Bytwene them two there fell grete varyaunce
For theyr boty was not departed ryght
Fyrst they do chyde & after yt they fyght
The strenger thefe the weyker in ye stryfe
Ouercame & bereued hym his lyfe
Two theues whiche had stolne a pray yt nyght
Bytwene them two there fell grete varyaunce
For theyr boty was not departed ryght
Fyrst they do chyde & after yt they fyght
The strenger thefe the weyker in ye stryfe
Ouercame & bereued hym his lyfe
Gesyppus seynge this was glad & fayne
Knowynge this waye his dethe for to purchace
Sholde be better than he hymselfe certayne
His dispared lyfe by wepen difface
All nyght he taryed in the same place
Tyll the pretors men in the mornynge tyde
Toke hym as gylty of the homycyde
Knowynge this waye his dethe for to purchace
Sholde be better than he hymselfe certayne
His dispared lyfe by wepen difface
All nyght he taryed in the same place
Tyll the pretors men in the mornynge tyde
Toke hym as gylty of the homycyde
Bounden of theym lyke a thefe brought he was
Before the pretor Uarro by his name
Whiche asked hym yf he the sayd trespace
Had cōmytted by his importune blame
Gesyppus as gylty graunted the same
Wherfore the pretor as the lawe had set
Bad he sholde be hange on the gybet
Before the pretor Uarro by his name
Whiche asked hym yf he the sayd trespace
Had cōmytted by his importune blame
Gesyppus as gylty graunted the same
Wherfore the pretor as the lawe had set
Bad he sholde be hange on the gybet
166
By fortune at the tyme of this iugement
Tytus came in to the sayd pretory
Of Gesyppus face takynge aduysement
Merueyled gretely of his penury
To saue his lyfe knowynge no remedy
Before the pretor sorowfull dismayd
In this maner vnto hym thus he sayd
Tytus came in to the sayd pretory
Of Gesyppus face takynge aduysement
Merueyled gretely of his penury
To saue his lyfe knowynge no remedy
Before the pretor sorowfull dismayd
In this maner vnto hym thus he sayd
Uarro cōmaund this man Infortunate
To be cald agayne whome þu foriuged
He is gyltles / for I by cruell fate
This homycyde my selfe haue cōmytted
Whom thy men founde this mornynge strangled
By whiche offence the goddes Immortall
I haue offended and the lawe with all
To be cald agayne whome þu foriuged
He is gyltles / for I by cruell fate
This homycyde my selfe haue cōmytted
Whom thy men founde this mornynge strangled
By whiche offence the goddes Immortall
I haue offended and the lawe with all
Wherfore of ryght my herte can not assent
Unto the goddes [to] do suche Iniury
To suffre this man be[yng]e innocent
For my trespace thus wrongefully to dy
Uarro of this was merueylous sory
That Tytus in audience this wyse spake
Whiche confessyon he myght not forsake
Unto the goddes [to] do suche Iniury
To suffre this man be[yng]e innocent
For my trespace thus wrongefully to dy
Uarro of this was merueylous sory
That Tytus in audience this wyse spake
Whiche confessyon he myght not forsake
167
Wherfore to saue his honour & nobles
Accordynge as the lawe hym cōmaunded
Gesyppus was reuoked than doubtles
And in this wyse varro hym repreued
What folysshe madnes hath thy mynde meued
To graunte the dede without ony turment
Wherof thou arte gyltles & Innocent
Accordynge as the lawe hym cōmaunded
Gesyppus was reuoked than doubtles
And in this wyse varro hym repreued
What folysshe madnes hath thy mynde meued
To graunte the dede without ony turment
Wherof thou arte gyltles & Innocent
Syth yt the cause deserued deth certayne
Why dyd þu the sayd homycyde confesse
Thou beynge not compelled by no payne
Beholde Tytus whiche playnly dothe expresse
That of this homycyde þu arte gyltles
And yt he hymselfe the dede dyd commyt
Wherfore the lawe therof hathe the now quyt
Why dyd þu the sayd homycyde confesse
Thou beynge not compelled by no payne
Beholde Tytus whiche playnly dothe expresse
That of this homycyde þu arte gyltles
And yt he hymselfe the dede dyd commyt
Wherfore the lawe therof hathe the now quyt
Gesyppus behelde Tytus wofully
Knowynge he dyd it his lyfe to purchace
Unto the Iuge this wyse he dyd reply
For pyte teres rennynge downe his face
Uarro he sayd my selfe dyd the trespace
Tytus hath now shewed his pyte to late
To me that am a man Infortunate
Knowynge he dyd it his lyfe to purchace
Unto the Iuge this wyse he dyd reply
For pyte teres rennynge downe his face
Uarro he sayd my selfe dyd the trespace
Tytus hath now shewed his pyte to late
To me that am a man Infortunate
168
Tytus contrary sayd pretor take hede
This man Iuged is a straunger doubtles
Thou mayst perceyue yt he dyd not the dede
By the deed man he was take wepenles
He wolde fayne dye he is in suche dystresse
Wherfore as vngylty let hym now go
And me the trespassoure to dethe for to do
This man Iuged is a straunger doubtles
Thou mayst perceyue yt he dyd not the dede
By the deed man he was take wepenles
He wolde fayne dye he is in suche dystresse
Wherfore as vngylty let hym now go
And me the trespassoure to dethe for to do
The pretor meruayled of theyr constaunce
His mynde perceyued they were not gylty
Wherfore of them to make delyueraunce
To saue them bothe his mynde he dyd apply
And as he was castynge for remedy
There came a yonge man named publius
Of lyfe & dede whiche was susspecius
His mynde perceyued they were not gylty
Wherfore of them to make delyueraunce
To saue them bothe his mynde he dyd apply
And as he was castynge for remedy
There came a yonge man named publius
Of lyfe & dede whiche was susspecius
This publius whiche the murdre had done
Knowynge them bothe for to be Innocent
He was moued with suche contricyon
To dye for his trespace he dyd assent
Before the pretor he dyd hym present
And wylfully without ony askynge
He tolde the dede in maner folowynge
Knowynge them bothe for to be Innocent
He was moued with suche contricyon
To dye for his trespace he dyd assent
Before the pretor he dyd hym present
And wylfully without ony askynge
He tolde the dede in maner folowynge
169
Pretor my grete trespace dothe me compell
Playnly to discusse this altercacyon
What god doth moue my mynde I can not tell
Of myne offence to make the relacyon
My herte is taken with compunccyon
To se theym offre theym selfe for to dye
Of this trespace they beynge not gyltye
Playnly to discusse this altercacyon
What god doth moue my mynde I can not tell
Of myne offence to make the relacyon
My herte is taken with compunccyon
To se theym offre theym selfe for to dye
Of this trespace they beynge not gyltye
Truely my selfe before the mornynge tyde
Slewe this man whiche was my companyon
This infortunate slepynge there besyde
Of our boty makynge particyon
We fell togyder at discencyon
As moost strengest in ye debate & stryfe
From my felowe I toke the mortall lyfe
Slewe this man whiche was my companyon
This infortunate slepynge there besyde
Of our boty makynge particyon
We fell togyder at discencyon
As moost strengest in ye debate & stryfe
From my felowe I toke the mortall lyfe
For to excuse Tytus it shall not nede
For his noble fame & grete worthynes
Do shewe yt he wolde not do suche a dede
Wherfore pretor of this my wretchydnes
Do quyte theym bothe as men yt be gyltles
And to me whiche slewe this man my felawe
Do Iustyce accordynge vnto the lawe
For his noble fame & grete worthynes
Do shewe yt he wolde not do suche a dede
Wherfore pretor of this my wretchydnes
Do quyte theym bothe as men yt be gyltles
And to me whiche slewe this man my felawe
Do Iustyce accordynge vnto the lawe
170
Octauyan had knowledge of this chaunce
The parties before hym examyned
Knowynge the mater in eche circumstaunce
The two vngylty he there pardoned
And also the thefe whiche was foriuged
For the loue of Tytus he dyd forgyue
His trespace & in liberte to lyue
The parties before hym examyned
Knowynge the mater in eche circumstaunce
The two vngylty he there pardoned
And also the thefe whiche was foriuged
For the loue of Tytus he dyd forgyue
His trespace & in liberte to lyue
After Tytus had rebuked frendely
Gesyppus of mystrust & ferefulnes
He clasped hym in armes louyngly
Unto his house with hym he went doubtles
Sophrone Tytus wyfe wepte for heuynes
To se Gesyppus in suche pouerte
Complaynynge fortunes mutabylyte
Gesyppus of mystrust & ferefulnes
He clasped hym in armes louyngly
Unto his house with hym he went doubtles
Sophrone Tytus wyfe wepte for heuynes
To se Gesyppus in suche pouerte
Complaynynge fortunes mutabylyte
She receyued hym as her owne brother
Reteynynge hym well & honorably
Tytus lykewyse as a frendly louer
Apparelyd hym in clothynge rychely
With yt he was fedde ryght delycatly
That in short tyme he was brought in suche plyght
That he recouered bothe his helth & myght
Reteynynge hym well & honorably
Tytus lykewyse as a frendly louer
Apparelyd hym in clothynge rychely
With yt he was fedde ryght delycatly
That in short tyme he was brought in suche plyght
That he recouered bothe his helth & myght
Tytus his substaunce euenly deuyded
And to Gesyppus in matrymony
With his syster fuluia so named
A noble vyrgyn he gaue it frely
This kyndnes for kyndnes he dyd truely
And Gesyppus secrete Tytus gan take
And vnto hym in this wyse he tho spake
And to Gesyppus in matrymony
With his syster fuluia so named
A noble vyrgyn he gaue it frely
This kyndnes for kyndnes he dyd truely
And Gesyppus secrete Tytus gan take
And vnto hym in this wyse he tho spake
171
Frend & brother of two thynges now chuse
For they shall be at your arbytrement
Whiche for to take & whiche for to refuse
The one is whyther ye can be content
Here to abyde or yt ye wyll assent
Unto athenes to go with this substaunce
Whiche I haue gyuen to you in gouernaunce
For they shall be at your arbytrement
Whiche for to take & whiche for to refuse
The one is whyther ye can be content
Here to abyde or yt ye wyll assent
Unto athenes to go with this substaunce
Whiche I haue gyuen to you in gouernaunce
Gesyppus in his mynde consyderynge
His vnkynde exile & grete Indygence
Withdrewe his mynde from athenes retournynge
And perceyuynge Tytus benyuolence
Sayd vnto hym his mynde was & sentence
Yf his wyll were there to abyde certayne
Desyrynge to be made a free Romayne
His vnkynde exile & grete Indygence
Withdrewe his mynde from athenes retournynge
And perceyuynge Tytus benyuolence
Sayd vnto hym his mynde was & sentence
Yf his wyll were there to abyde certayne
Desyrynge to be made a free Romayne
In one house they ledde togyder theyr lyfe
Tytus & Sophrone in prosperyte
Gesyppus & fuluia eke his wyfe
Abydynge with theym in tranquylite
Dayly with them encreasynge amyte
Tyll cruell deth with his furyous darte
Theyr mortall lyfe from this worlde dyd departe
Tytus & Sophrone in prosperyte
Gesyppus & fuluia eke his wyfe
Abydynge with theym in tranquylite
Dayly with them encreasynge amyte
Tyll cruell deth with his furyous darte
Theyr mortall lyfe from this worlde dyd departe
172
Lenuoy du translateur.
Amyte is for to be cōmended
As the true mother to magnyfycence
Of whome all honeste is dyscended
Germayne to charyte & benificence
Enymy to auaryce & violence
Flaterynge & praysynge it doth also fle
Suche is the kynde of parfyte amyte
As the true mother to magnyfycence
Of whome all honeste is dyscended
Germayne to charyte & benificence
Enymy to auaryce & violence
Flaterynge & praysynge it doth also fle
Suche is the kynde of parfyte amyte
Redy to helpe in eche extremyte
Hir neyghboure by kyndnes fauourable
As yf she were in suche necessyte
They sholde to her be lyke agreable
To stedfastnes alwaye conformable
With eche man hauynge loue & vnyte
Suche is the kynde of parfyte amyte
Hir neyghboure by kyndnes fauourable
As yf she were in suche necessyte
They sholde to her be lyke agreable
To stedfastnes alwaye conformable
With eche man hauynge loue & vnyte
Suche is the kynde of parfyte amyte
What ryches frendshyp or affynyte
Myght do so moche as Tytus heuynes
To moue Gesyppus herte to suche pyte
To gyue his wyfe of so grete worthynes
Whome he loued more than ony ryches
Unto Tytus in his aduersyte
Hym to releue but onely amyte
Myght do so moche as Tytus heuynes
To moue Gesyppus herte to suche pyte
To gyue his wyfe of so grete worthynes
Whome he loued more than ony ryches
Unto Tytus in his aduersyte
Hym to releue but onely amyte
173
What thynge Gesyppus corage dyd thus moue
Sophrons / & his frendes grete manasynge
The peoples rumor whiche dyd hym reproue
Theyr scornynge & theyr vnkynde exilynge
To set at nought for to be maynteynynge
Tytus quarell in eche maner degre
But onely loue & parfyte amyte
Sophrons / & his frendes grete manasynge
The peoples rumor whiche dyd hym reproue
Theyr scornynge & theyr vnkynde exilynge
To set at nought for to be maynteynynge
Tytus quarell in eche maner degre
But onely loue & parfyte amyte
What thynge dyd thus moue Tytus consequent
To offre hym selfe redy for to dye
Affyrmynge Gesyppus as Innocent
Of the murdre & hymselfe as gylty
His acquayntaunce dissemblynge there frendly
As he knewe not what man yt he sholde be
But onely loue & parfyte amyte
To offre hym selfe redy for to dye
Affyrmynge Gesyppus as Innocent
Of the murdre & hymselfe as gylty
His acquayntaunce dissemblynge there frendly
As he knewe not what man yt he sholde be
But onely loue & parfyte amyte
What thynge dyd moue Tytus herte & corage
To gyue Gesyppus in his moost nedefull chaunce
His syster fuluia in mariage
With halfe his patrymony & substaunce
Hym in honour & ryches to auaunce
Whome fortune brought in extreme pouerte
But onely loue & parfyte amyte
To gyue Gesyppus in his moost nedefull chaunce
His syster fuluia in mariage
With halfe his patrymony & substaunce
Hym in honour & ryches to auaunce
Whome fortune brought in extreme pouerte
But onely loue & parfyte amyte
174
But now a dayes amyte dothe decay
Eche man couetyth his synguler profet
Upon perylles they do forecast alwaye
That by a frende they do but lytell set
All theyr delyte is ryches for to get
Ingratitude wo worthe vnto the
Whiche doost exclude bothe loue & amyte
Eche man couetyth his synguler profet
Upon perylles they do forecast alwaye
That by a frende they do but lytell set
All theyr delyte is ryches for to get
Ingratitude wo worthe vnto the
Whiche doost exclude bothe loue & amyte
Finis. Thus endeth the frendly hystory of Tytus & Gesyppus.
| Tales from the Decameron | |