The vvorkes of a young wyt trust vp with a Fardell of pretie fancies, profitable to young Poetes, preiudicial to no man, and pleasaunt to euery man to passe away idle tyme withall. Whereunto is ioyned an odde kynde of wooing, with a Banquet of Comfettes, to make an ende withall. Done by N. B. Gentleman |
 |
[Faire maide well ouertane, what? whyther now so fast?] |
 | The vvorkes of a young wyt |  |
[Faire maide well ouertane, what? whyther now so fast?]
[_]
An odde gretinge, and as madde a wooing betweene a clowne of the country, and his sweete harte. Whose names were Simon and Susan. Simon ouertaking his foresaid sweete Susan, hauing some former acquaintance with her, and yet not all so frolyke, as to clappe her on the lippse in a cold morninge after the country fashion, wente cunningly as he durst to worke with her: saluting her with some friendely speeche, which shee as handsomly aunswered. The wordes betweene them were these that follow: I laught at them hartely when I hearde them, and I persuade my selfe, that some that reade this recorde of them, will smyle a litle at it, be they neuer so solemne. I pende them for myne owne pleasure. I hope they will displease none, who lykes not the reading of it, turne ouer the leafe, and you
33
Faire maide well ouertane, what? whyther now so fast?
Sus.
To market Sim. tis nyne a clocke, had not I need make hast?
Sim.
But softe fire makes sweet malte, tush you take to much payn.
Sus.
The world is hard, they must take pain that look for any gayn.
Sim.
Well saide, but what? me thinks you ginne to thriue to soone.
Sus.
Who lies in bedde till Dinner tyme, gaines litle after noone.
Sim.
Why then betymes is best eche matter to beginne.
Sus.
Who lettethe slippe conuenient tyme, is litle like to winne:
Sim.
Oh but how shoulde one finde that same conueniente tyme?
Sus.
Why tis no more, but taking May, while it is in the prime.
Sim.
May growes on euery bushe; and Tyme is common too.
Sus.
But that May is not wurth a rushe: that Tyme will litle doo.
Sim.
Why what, are there moe Mayes? and moe tymes to thē one?
Sus.
So I haue hearde, but for my self, sure I can tell of none.
Sim.
I pray thee, tell me Sus. what tymes and Mayes they be?
Sus.
I tolde thee once: I know them not, then aske no more of me.
Sim.
Yet one thing woulde I craue, if that with leaue I may:
Sus.
I am content too aunswere you, so that no harme you say.
Sim.
If that my woordes offende, think them against my will.
Sus.
Thē be aduisde before you speak, els kepe your words in stil.
Sim.
I may think to speake well, yet may be tane amisse,
Sus.
Speak plain, and I wil take you right, in dark speeche doubt there is.
Sim.
Yet plainenes now a dayes is counted patchery.
Sus.
Yet plainenes with plain folkes is best, as suche as you, & I.
Sim.
Then plainly let me know: what meanes that May in pryme.
Sus.
I tolde you once, it is no more, but taking tyme in tyme.
Sim.
Indeede tyme wysely tane, bringes many thinges to passe.
33
Then who doth loose conuenient time, may wel be thought an asse:
Sim.
How happy is that man whom time doth serue a right?
Sus.
And he whom no time fitly serues, vnhappy is that wight.
Sim.
Fortune is friend to fooles, and wise men haue ill happe.
Sus.
But wise men warily wil watch, to sit in fortunes lappe.
Sim.
Some men may watch and waite, yet nere a whit the nere.
Sus.
Who lies and sleepes in sowing time, shal reape smal gaine that yere.
Sim.
And yet who sowes too soone, at reaping will repent.
Sus.
Better too soone yet then too late, when all the yeere is spent.
Sim.
The grayne that first is sowne, I trow be called Rye.
Sus.
But knauish weedes so choke that corne, it prooues but trompery.
Sim.
What say you then of Otes? they must be latest sowne.
Sus.
But some will sowe them first of all, and mowe them scarce halfe growne.
Sim.
Wel, but Otes sowne in time, wil proue a prety graine.
Sus.
But who doth seeke to sowe wild Otes, shal reape but little gaine.
Sim.
In deede I thinke wilde Otes, are scarcely woorth the mowing.
Sus.
And yet I see young husbandmen, doo thinke them woorth the sowing.
Sim.
Among good Otes perhaps they sowe some now and then.
Sus.
But who doth sow the good with badde, is no good husbandman.
Sim.
Perhappes too vnawares, they sow some heere and there.
Sus.
How they are sowne I know not, but they come vp euery where.
Sim.
When they are sowne with Rye, they ranckest growe in deede.
Sus.
Well it is pity for to sowe such trashe, among good seede.
Sim.
Why? then is Rie good corne?
Sus.
Yea, if it be right graine.
Sim.
If otherwise what then?
Sus.
Why then, I eate my word agayne.
Sus.
But goe to Sim. in fayth me thinkes I smell a Rat.
Sim.
A Rat my wench, I pray thee say, what doest thou meane by that.
Sus.
Nay softly Sim. a while, I leaue you that to gesse.
Sim.
I gesse thee an vnhappy Girle, and thou wilt proue no lesse.
Sus.
Why I thanke God, I had no great il happe of late.
Sim.
Goe to I say, I see iwis, thou hast a shrewishe pate.
Sus.
You gesse me by your selfe, I am contente to beare it.
Sim.
Beare it good Sus, yea and more to then this, I no whit feare it.
Sus.
How meane you bearing Sim. although I beare with you,
yet will I beare no more then needes, with none I tell you true.
Sim.
No reason, marry wench, you are my friend I see.
34
Sus.
Think not I am your foe, and though I be a shrow,
a shrow is better then a sheepe, you will confesse I trow.
Sim.
Suche gentill shrowes as you, are to be borne withal.
Sus.
You neuer tryde my shrowishnes,
Sim.
but yet I gesse it small.
Sus.
I hearde my father once say, sittinge at his Table,
a shrow profitable, might serue a man reasonable.
Sim.
Wel sayd Sus. for your self, but leauing of your iest,
will you a matter aunswere, that I woulde of you request?
Sus.
Yea Sim. that I will.
Sim.
then.
Susan
let me know
Si.
What thou doest meane, I pray thee now to say, that such a shrow
as profit brings, might any man of reason well content,
what ere your fathers words did meane, would I knew what you mente.
Sus.
I meane playn as I sayd, suche shrowes as profit bring,
may men of reason well content, I ment none other thing.
Sim.
Yes Sus. if I were sure, I mought no whit offende,
I could perhaps giue a shrowde gesse whereto your woords doo tende.
Sus.
Why Simon say thy minde, I freely giue thee leaue.
Sim.
Why then my wenche, I tel thee playn, I thus muche doo conceaue:
I am, as wel thou knowst, my fathers only sonne,
thou knowst agayne, how madly I my youthfull race haue ronne
and now I thinke thou seest, how I beginne to thryue,
and thryuing now you may suspecte, that I would seeke to wyue:
and seeking now to wyue, I better were to chuse,
a shrowish wench, then sheepish slut, which reason woulde refuse.
Sus.
In deede you misse not muche, for hee that well doth know
the differēce twixt shrowes & sheepe, will chuse the womā shrow.
Sim.
Yet I haue herde some say, that both in charge doo keepe,
they founde more ease, and profit to, by keepyng of theyr sheepe.
Sus.
But take my meaning right, and I can easely show,
how that a sheepe can not compare in goodnes with a shrow.
Sim.
I pray thee say thy minde, that reason woulde I see:
twixte shrowes & sheepe, to make plain proof, that shrows should better be.
Sus.
Then Simon marke my woordes, a shrowe may haue a face,
as faire as sheepe, and fairer too, and beare as good a grace.
Sim.
Yet some will say that shrowes, are long chinde, & sharp nosde,
34
Sus.
But frownes are quickly gon: when sulleine skouling sheepe
wil pout and swel, and in their mynds will malice longer keepe.
Sim.
No: sheepe are kinde of hart, who rather seeme to dye,
to haue vnkindnes offerd them, then skoule so sulleinly.
Sus.
Yea, some I thinke in deede, put finger in the eye,
to counterfeit good nature so, somtyme without cause why.
Sim.
Yea say you so, in deede, haue women such odde shiftes?
Sus.
Yea men and women both, sometyme doo vse deceitful drifts.
But as I sayd of shrowes, although they frowne a while,
yet by and by their anger past, they will as kindly smile.
Sim.
In deede Sus. sulleine sheepe are woorse then any shrowes,
but of the two if one must chuse, the choice is hard God knowes.
Yet wenche I pray thee, on some other reason showe,
to shewe the badnes of a sheepe, and goodnes of a shrowe.
Sus.
Why? Shrowes will saue a sheepe, and gayn perhaps a Hog,
when sheepe can scarcely saue themselues, without the shepherds Dog
Sim.
Sheepe doo nought but giue suck vnto the litle Lamme,
and if she be a lambe her selfe, then shee must after damme.
and if shee be well kept, perhaps shee will seeme fayre,
but if shee fall a litle sicke, her beautie soone will payre.
Besides, they subiect are to many sicknesses,
the cough, the rot, and many mo too tedious to expresse,
and if they fall once sicke, what cost with phisicke then?
such cost, as if they lye long sicke, vndooeth many men.
And yet when all is donne, the peeuish hielding dye,
and then must mourne, for loosyng of a foolish harlotrye.
Sus.
When shrowes can tend the sheepe, and looke vnto the lambe,
and now and then as duetie wils, they wil vnto the damme,
and when they finde them selues or sicke or yll at ease,
a pynte of Malmesey phisicke is, that cureth their disease.
a cuppe of ale and graynes, a posset of good sacke,
will make them mery at the hart, and strengthen wel the backe.
and more halfe dead to day, to morrow vp agayne,
about the house, as mery as if they had forgot the payne:
not puling like a peate, that if her finger ake,
35
And for a sennightes space, keepe her bedde euery day,
And so doo spend her husbandes thrift, and take no care which way.
And when shee comes abroade, goe puling vp and downe,
Husband in fayth I am not wel, when make you vp my Gowne?
Shall I goe like proude euery day, and Sondaies in the same?
Good Sim. if you serue me so you are too much too blame.
And thus gay geere is all, they set their mindes vppon:
But thinke not how the world will goe, when coyne is spent & gon.
Now many other things, I could as easely show,
To proue a sheepe may not compare in goodnes with a shrow.
Sim.
Berlady Sus. well sayd, thy reasons well approue
Commodious shrowes, far more then sheepe doe iustly merite loue:
And wert thou such a shrowe, as so wouldst saue a sheepe,
I soone would wishe my selfe the charge, so good a shrow to keepe.
Sus.
If, and, or, but, and such, are woordes for Lawyers fit:
Who will not venter at a marke, is neuer like to hit.
Of women sheepe from shrowes are hard to be espide:
What thing can perfectly be knowne, till it be throughly tride.
Sim.
Nought venter nothing haue, in deede so some wil say,
But some in ventring oft to farre, doo woorke their owne decay:
And he that takes in hand to venter on a wife,
Is like to gayne, by ventring so, a woe or ioyfull life:
Now then ere a man chuse, he had neede well to know
The disposition of his wife, if shee be sheepe or shrowe.
But to the purpose Su. that first I ment to say,
And that which was the only cause, that made me come this way:
For to be playne, is this, be thou or sheepe or shrow,
A sheepe thou art not out of doubt, nor greatly shrow I trowe.
This is my minde my wenche, now I would seeke to thriue,
And that I thinke no man can doo, vnlesse he seeke to wiue,
And hauing now desire to wedde, and take to wyse a wife,
With whom to liue vppon myne owne, and leade an honest life,
And yet not hauing set my loue on any one,
Mine owne good Susan, now that we be both here al alone,
I pray thee tell me now, coulde such a shrow as thou,
Content thy selfe with such a sheepe as I, how sayst thou now?
35
A sheepe, nay by the Roade, I rather would haue guest
you, more a Hog like, then a sheepe: But touching your request,
I thus doo answeare you: it lyes not in my hand:
What pleaseth God, I must of force with that contented stand.
And if you can content your selfe to match with me,
I doo not thinke a matter small should make vs disagree.
Sim.
Giue me thy hand of that.
Sus.
Nay soft, bar handes I pray,
Sim.
No hand? why then, I see we shall no bargayne make to day.
Sus.
Bargayne? why no. Sim. soft, what bargayne should we make?
I haue no ware for you, I must at market mony take.
Sim.
Yet would I cope with you for some ware that you haue,
that you will not at market sell. But pray thee let me craue,
thus much yet at thy handes, thou wilt not angry be,
what ere I say, for in good sooth, I doo but iest with thee.
Sus.
Then if you doo but iest, it may be as you say,
we are not like as I doo think, to bargayne sure to day.
Sim.
Tush Susan you take me wrong, I sweare vnfaignedly,
giue me thy hand, and we will make a bargayne by and by.
Sus.
Oh Sim. I say barre handes, lets heare the matter furst,
For some I know with wringing hands, their giuing hands haue curst.
But say your mynde, and then I will contented stand,
if that I lyke the bargaine well, to let thee haue my hand.
Sim.
Then bargayne we or not, the matter wench is this:
I fayne would haue the for my wyfe: what, shall I hit or misse?
If well thou canst content thy selfe to match with me,
giue me thy hand and heere is mine, and we wil soone agree.
Sus.
Sayst thou so Sim? Content. Here hold and haue my hand.
Sim.
A bargayne then. Sus. Ryght willingly I doo contented stand,
Sus.
Let vs to market then, there shall I meete my Neame.
about eleuen a clocke lets meete, and eate a messe of Creame.
At the old Sarsens head be there and stay for mee,
by then my market will be doone, and I wil come to thee.
Sim.
Contented wench, and bring thy brother to,
we will be mery, and wil haue a quart of wine or two.
A messe of Strwaberies, and Cheries, and good cheare,
and so farewel, tis forward daies, the clock strikes nine I heare.
36
to Tauerne goes my gentle Sim. who holdes him well apayd,
that he hath got Sus. hand, the bargayne now is made,
A coltish Iacke shall wedded be, vnto a skittish Iade.
in fielde the handes were giune, in Tauerne now shall be
the match made vp, now who were there, some prety sport should see.
So farewell to them both, the bargayne is begun,
God send such shrowes such sheepe as he, and so my tale is dun.
Finis.
| The vvorkes of a young wyt | |