 | The Remedy of loue |  |
The Remedy of loue.
The prologue.
Seyng
the manyfolde inconuenyence
Fallyng by vnbridled prosperite
Whiche is not tempred with moral prudence
Nothyng more welthy than youthes frelte
Moued I am/bothe of right and equyte
To youthes wele/somwhat to write
Wherby he may him selfe safecondyte
Fallyng by vnbridled prosperite
Whiche is not tempred with moral prudence
Nothyng more welthy than youthes frelte
Moued I am/bothe of right and equyte
To youthes wele/somwhat to write
Wherby he may him selfe safecondyte
First I note/as thyng moste noyous
Unto youthe a greuous malady
Amonge vs called loue encombrous
Uexyng yonge people straungely
Ofte by force causeth hem to dye
Age is eke turmented by loue
Byneth the gyrdle/and not aboue
Unto youthe a greuous malady
Amonge vs called loue encombrous
Uexyng yonge people straungely
Ofte by force causeth hem to dye
Age is eke turmented by loue
Byneth the gyrdle/and not aboue
Wherfore this werke/which is right laborous
For age me nede nat in honde to take
To youthe me oweth to be obsequious
Nowe I begyn thus to worke for his sake
Whiche may the feruence of loue a slake
To the louer/as a mitigatyue
To him that is none a preseruatyue
For age me nede nat in honde to take
To youthe me oweth to be obsequious
Nowe I begyn thus to worke for his sake
Whiche may the feruence of loue a slake
To the louer/as a mitigatyue
To him that is none a preseruatyue
That mighty lorde whiche me gouerneth
Youthe I meane/measure if I pace
In euery mater whiche him concerneth
First as is behoueful/I wol aske grace
And forthwithal in this same place
Er I begyn/I wol knele and saye
These fewe wordes/and him of helpe pray
Youthe I meane/measure if I pace
In euery mater whiche him concerneth
First as is behoueful/I wol aske grace
And forthwithal in this same place
Er I begyn/I wol knele and saye
These fewe wordes/and him of helpe pray
Flouryng youth/whiche haste auauntage
In strength of body in luste and beaute
Also a precellyng haste aboue age
In many a synguler commodite
Howe be it one thyng he hath beyonde the
To thy most profyte and greatest auayle
Whiche shuld the cōduit/I mean sad coūsaile
In strength of body in luste and beaute
Also a precellyng haste aboue age
In many a synguler commodite
Howe be it one thyng he hath beyonde the
To thy most profyte and greatest auayle
Whiche shuld the cōduit/I mean sad coūsaile
And yet good lorde/of a presumption
I nyl depraue thy might and deite
I lyue but vnder thy protection
I am thy subiecte/I weare thy lyuerie
For thou arte grounde of my prosperite
And fresshest floure of al my garlonde
My synguler ayde/as I wel vnderstonde
I nyl depraue thy might and deite
I lyue but vnder thy protection
I am thy subiecte/I weare thy lyuerie
For thou arte grounde of my prosperite
And fresshest floure of al my garlonde
My synguler ayde/as I wel vnderstonde
But as he that oweth his lorde best seruyce
And entyre faythe/his honour to supporte
Right so I speke/and in none other wyse
I knowelege my selfe one of the leste sorte
Of thy seruauntes/to our elders comforte
Drawe sadde counsayle to the if thou lyste
The and thy power/who may than resyste
And entyre faythe/his honour to supporte
Right so I speke/and in none other wyse
I knowelege my selfe one of the leste sorte
Of thy seruauntes/to our elders comforte
Drawe sadde counsayle to the if thou lyste
The and thy power/who may than resyste
Fye on age/vnder wordes fewe
And his erronyous opinyon
What spekest of him/which saith most vntrue
Al youthe to be of yl disposycion
Dampneth vs al without exception
And for a colerable auauntage
He saythe in him resteth counsayle sage
And his erronyous opinyon
What spekest of him/which saith most vntrue
Al youthe to be of yl disposycion
Dampneth vs al without exception
And for a colerable auauntage
He saythe in him resteth counsayle sage
Wel may sadde counsayle in him rest
But yet his dedes ben ferre therfro
He may say with our parisshe preest
Do as I say/and not as I do
For I my selfe knowe one or two
Wel stryken in age/for neyghbourhedde
Wol to their neyghbours wyues bedde
But yet his dedes ben ferre therfro
He may say with our parisshe preest
Do as I say/and not as I do
For I my selfe knowe one or two
Wel stryken in age/for neyghbourhedde
Wol to their neyghbours wyues bedde
He wyl in presence of the yonge man
Her clyppe and kysse/ye and downe lay
To bleare his eye/thus he saithe than
O suffre yet olde Morel to play
Nowe haue I done that I can or may
Thus he saythe/her husbonde to queme
That he nor no man shulde not misdeme
Her clyppe and kysse/ye and downe lay
To bleare his eye/thus he saithe than
O suffre yet olde Morel to play
Nowe haue I done that I can or may
Thus he saythe/her husbonde to queme
That he nor no man shulde not misdeme
In worde nor dede/nedeth him not be coye
It is impossyble that he do amysse
If the yonge man speke/anon he saythe boye
To rebuke age/besemeth the not ywis
Thus his olde face aye his warante is
Al is in him/sleyght and subtilte
And ferre from reason I tel the
It is impossyble that he do amysse
If the yonge man speke/anon he saythe boye
To rebuke age/besemeth the not ywis
Thus his olde face aye his warante is
Al is in him/sleyght and subtilte
And ferre from reason I tel the
And shortly age is not aboue me
Age is impotent/and of no resystence
Age vnweldy may not fyght nor flye
What were age without my defence
Sad counsayle sayst gyueth him assystence
Reason is fresshest where that I ame
Wherfore in thy sayeng thou arte to blame
Age is impotent/and of no resystence
Age vnweldy may not fyght nor flye
What were age without my defence
Sad counsayle sayst gyueth him assystence
Reason is fresshest where that I ame
Wherfore in thy sayeng thou arte to blame
Sythe reason to me is rather acompanyed
Than vnto age/whiche is the opinyon
Of euery wyse man not to be denyed
And sythe sadde counsayle procedeth of reson
Sad counsayle in me hath his chefe mancion
This is no naye/but what is the ende
Of this thy suasyon what doest entende
Than vnto age/whiche is the opinyon
Of euery wyse man not to be denyed
And sythe sadde counsayle procedeth of reson
Sad counsayle in me hath his chefe mancion
This is no naye/but what is the ende
Of this thy suasyon what doest entende
Age to compare vnto thyn excellence
I nyl presume him so to dignyfye
Ye be not egal/howe be it experyence
Him auauntageth/for she moste certaynly
Him teacheth what thyng to him is contrary
And ofte to fore se it/and warely eschewe
Whiche thou neuer assaydest yet nor knewe
I nyl presume him so to dignyfye
Ye be not egal/howe be it experyence
Him auauntageth/for she moste certaynly
Him teacheth what thyng to him is contrary
And ofte to fore se it/and warely eschewe
Whiche thou neuer assaydest yet nor knewe
Experyence maketh a man most certayne
Of any thyng erthly/and of necessyte
Sad counsayle requireth certaynte playne
So ferre to moue thus wherto nede we
But to my purpose/as thou cōmaundest me
Shortly myne entent is thus/and none other
Under thy lycence to counsayle my brother
Of any thyng erthly/and of necessyte
Sad counsayle requireth certaynte playne
So ferre to moue thus wherto nede we
But to my purpose/as thou cōmaundest me
Shortly myne entent is thus/and none other
Under thy lycence to counsayle my brother
Howe shuldest gyue any counsayle so yonge
Lackyng experyence vnto thyne owne speche
I reporte me/I wote wel as for thy tonge
Wyl serue the right wel/but than for to teche
I doute me leste that thy wytte wol not reche
Youthe & experience thou sayst be not conuert
Howe shuldest than teache wel vnexpert
Lackyng experyence vnto thyne owne speche
I reporte me/I wote wel as for thy tonge
Wyl serue the right wel/but than for to teche
I doute me leste that thy wytte wol not reche
Youthe & experience thou sayst be not conuert
Howe shuldest than teache wel vnexpert
Scripture wytnesseth that god wyl oft shytte
Fro the hye wytted man/& shewe it to ye childe
To him I meane that of his owne wytte
Presumeth not/but is debonayre and mylde
By counsayle I entende vertue for to bylde
Whiche of myne elders parte haue I borowed
And part of experiēce/which I haue sorowed
Fro the hye wytted man/& shewe it to ye childe
To him I meane that of his owne wytte
Presumeth not/but is debonayre and mylde
By counsayle I entende vertue for to bylde
Whiche of myne elders parte haue I borowed
And part of experiēce/which I haue sorowed
Wel than/if it be as thou lettest fare
Shewe forthe thy doctryne be not agaste
I wol the supporte/loke thou not spare
Maugre age/though he frete or gnaste
To aske age counsayle herin were but wast
Boldely begyn/go forthe to thy processe
Feare not sythe thou arte of suche surenesse
Shewe forthe thy doctryne be not agaste
I wol the supporte/loke thou not spare
Maugre age/though he frete or gnaste
To aske age counsayle herin were but wast
Boldely begyn/go forthe to thy processe
Feare not sythe thou arte of suche surenesse
Grant mercy lorde syth it the dothe lyke
To lycence me/nowe I wol and dare boldly
Assaile my purpose/with scriptures autētyke
My werke wol I groūde/vnderset/& fortefye
Aspire my begynnyng/o thou woode fury
Aliecto with thy susters/and in especial
To the mother of ielousye Iuno I cal.
To lycence me/nowe I wol and dare boldly
Assaile my purpose/with scriptures autētyke
My werke wol I groūde/vnderset/& fortefye
Aspire my begynnyng/o thou woode fury
Aliecto with thy susters/and in especial
To the mother of ielousye Iuno I cal.
Explicit prologue.
This
werke who so shal se or rede
Of any incōgruite do me not impeche
Ordynately behoueth me first to procede
In deduction therof/in maner as the leche
His pacientes sicknesse oweth first for to seche
The which knowen/medecyne he shuld aplye
And shortly as he can/than shape a remedye
Of any incōgruite do me not impeche
Ordynately behoueth me first to procede
In deduction therof/in maner as the leche
His pacientes sicknesse oweth first for to seche
The which knowen/medecyne he shuld aplye
And shortly as he can/than shape a remedye
Right so by counsayle/wyllyng the to exhorte
O yong man prosperous/which doth abounde
In thy floures of luste belongeth on the sorte
Me first to consyder what is roote & grounde
Of thy mischefe/whiche is playnly founde
Woman farced with fraude and disceyte
To thy confusyon moste allectyue bayte.
O yong man prosperous/which doth abounde
In thy floures of luste belongeth on the sorte
Me first to consyder what is roote & grounde
Of thy mischefe/whiche is playnly founde
Woman farced with fraude and disceyte
To thy confusyon moste allectyue bayte.
Flye the miswoman/leste she the disceyue
Thus saith Salomon/which tauzt was fully
The falsheed of women ī his dayes to cōceyue
The lyppes of a strūpet ben sweter than hony
Her throte he sayth soupled wt oyle of flatery
Howe be it the ende and effecte of al
Byttrer is than any wormwode or gal
Thus saith Salomon/which tauzt was fully
The falsheed of women ī his dayes to cōceyue
The lyppes of a strūpet ben sweter than hony
Her throte he sayth soupled wt oyle of flatery
Howe be it the ende and effecte of al
Byttrer is than any wormwode or gal
Flye the miswoman/louyng thy lyfe
Ware the straungers blande eloquence
Straunge I cal her that is not thy wyfe
Of her beaute haue no concupiscence
Her countenaunce/pretendyng beneuolence
Beware her signes and eye so amyable
Holde it for ferme/they ben disceyuable
Ware the straungers blande eloquence
Straunge I cal her that is not thy wyfe
Of her beaute haue no concupiscence
Her countenaunce/pretendyng beneuolence
Beware her signes and eye so amyable
Holde it for ferme/they ben disceyuable
Lo an ensample what women be
In their signes and countenaunce shortly
I wol shewe the howe louers thre
Loued one woman right entierly
Eche of them knewe others malady
Wherfore was al their dayly labour
Who coude approche next in his fauour
In their signes and countenaunce shortly
I wol shewe the howe louers thre
Loued one woman right entierly
Eche of them knewe others malady
Wherfore was al their dayly labour
Who coude approche next in his fauour
At sondrie seasons/as fortune requyreth
Seuerally they came to se her welfare
But ones it hapened/loue them so fyreth
To se their lady they al wolde not spare
Of others comyng none of them were ware
Tyl al they mette/where as they in place
Of her lady sawe the desyred face
Seuerally they came to se her welfare
But ones it hapened/loue them so fyreth
To se their lady they al wolde not spare
Of others comyng none of them were ware
Tyl al they mette/where as they in place
Of her lady sawe the desyred face
To supper sette/ful smally they ete
Ful sobre and demure in countenaunce
For there taryed none of hem for any mete
But on his lady to gyue attendaunce
And in secrete wyse some signyfyaunce
Of loue to haue/whiche parseyuyng she
Fetely executed thus her properte
Ful sobre and demure in countenaunce
For there taryed none of hem for any mete
But on his lady to gyue attendaunce
And in secrete wyse some signyfyaunce
Of loue to haue/whiche parseyuyng she
Fetely executed thus her properte
In due season/as she alway aspyed
Euery thyng to execute conuenyently
Her one louer first frendly she eyed
The seconde she offred the cuppe curtesly
The thirde she gaue token secretly
Underneth the borde she trade on his fote
Through his entrayles tykled the herte rote
Euery thyng to execute conuenyently
Her one louer first frendly she eyed
The seconde she offred the cuppe curtesly
The thirde she gaue token secretly
Underneth the borde she trade on his fote
Through his entrayles tykled the herte rote
By your leue/might I here aske a questyon
Of you my maysters that sewe loues trace
To you lykely belongeth the solucion
Whiche of these thre stode nowe in grace
Clerely to answere ye wolde aske longe space
The mater is doutful and opynable
To acertayne you I wol my selfe enable
Of you my maysters that sewe loues trace
To you lykely belongeth the solucion
Whiche of these thre stode nowe in grace
Clerely to answere ye wolde aske longe space
The mater is doutful and opynable
To acertayne you I wol my selfe enable
Of the foresayd thre my selfe was one
No man can answere it better than I
Hertely of vs byloued was there none
But Wattes packe we bare al by and by
Whiche at laste I my selfe gan aspye
And tyme as me thought/than I left ye daūce
O thoughtful herte/great is thy greuaunce
No man can answere it better than I
Hertely of vs byloued was there none
But Wattes packe we bare al by and by
Whiche at laste I my selfe gan aspye
And tyme as me thought/than I left ye daūce
O thoughtful herte/great is thy greuaunce
Hence fro me hence/that me for to endyte
Halpe aye here afore/o ye muses nyne
Whylom ye were wont to be myn ayde & light
My penne to dyrecte/my brayne to enlumyne
No lenger alas may I sewe your doctryne
The fressh lusty meters/that I wont to make
Haue ben here afore/I vtterly forsake
Halpe aye here afore/o ye muses nyne
Whylom ye were wont to be myn ayde & light
My penne to dyrecte/my brayne to enlumyne
No lenger alas may I sewe your doctryne
The fressh lusty meters/that I wont to make
Haue ben here afore/I vtterly forsake
Come hyther thou Hermes/and ye furies al
Which fer ben vnder vs/nygh the nether pole
Where Pluto reigneth/o kyng infernal
Sende out thyn arpyes/sende anguissh & dole
Mysery and wo/leaue ye me not sole
Of right be present must payne & eke turmēt
The pale dethe besemeth not to be absent
Which fer ben vnder vs/nygh the nether pole
Where Pluto reigneth/o kyng infernal
Sende out thyn arpyes/sende anguissh & dole
Mysery and wo/leaue ye me not sole
Of right be present must payne & eke turmēt
The pale dethe besemeth not to be absent
To me nowe I cal al this lothsome sorte
My paynes tencrease/my sorowes to augmēt
For worthy I am to be bare of al comforte
Thus sythe I haue consumed and mispent
Not onely my dayes/but my fyuefolde talent
That my lord cōmytted me/I can not recompēce
I may not to derely abye my neglygēce
My paynes tencrease/my sorowes to augmēt
For worthy I am to be bare of al comforte
Thus sythe I haue consumed and mispent
Not onely my dayes/but my fyuefolde talent
That my lord cōmytted me/I can not recompēce
I may not to derely abye my neglygēce
By the pathe of penaunce yet wol I reuerte
To the welle of grace/mercy there to fetche
Dispysest not god the meke contryte herte
Of the cocke crowe/alas ye I wolde not retche
And yet is it not late in the seconde wetche
Mercy shal I purchace by incessaunt cryeng
The mercyes of our lorde euer shal I synge
To the welle of grace/mercy there to fetche
Dispysest not god the meke contryte herte
Of the cocke crowe/alas ye I wolde not retche
And yet is it not late in the seconde wetche
Mercy shal I purchace by incessaunt cryeng
The mercyes of our lorde euer shal I synge
But wel mayste thou wayle wicked woman
That thou shuldest disceyue thus any innocēt
And in recompence of my synne/so as I can
To al men wol I make & leue this monumēt
In shewing parte of thy falsheed is myn entēt
For al were to moche/I can not wel I wote
The cause sheweth plainly he that thus wrote
That thou shuldest disceyue thus any innocēt
And in recompence of my synne/so as I can
To al men wol I make & leue this monumēt
In shewing parte of thy falsheed is myn entēt
For al were to moche/I can not wel I wote
The cause sheweth plainly he that thus wrote
If al the erthe were parchement scribable
Spedy for the hande/and al maner wode
Were hewed and proporcioned to pennes able
Al water ynke/in damme or in flode
Euery man beyng a parfyte scribe & good
The cursydnesse yet and disceyte of women
Coude not be shewed by the meane of penne
Spedy for the hande/and al maner wode
Were hewed and proporcioned to pennes able
Al water ynke/in damme or in flode
Euery man beyng a parfyte scribe & good
The cursydnesse yet and disceyte of women
Coude not be shewed by the meane of penne
I flye al odyous resemblaunces
The dyuels bronde cal women I might
Wherby man is encensed to mischaunce
Or a stynkyng rose that fayre is in sight
Or deedly empoyson/lyke the suger whyte
Whiche by his swetnesse causeth man to taste
And sodainly sleeth & bringeth him to his laste
The dyuels bronde cal women I might
Wherby man is encensed to mischaunce
Or a stynkyng rose that fayre is in sight
Or deedly empoyson/lyke the suger whyte
Whiche by his swetnesse causeth man to taste
And sodainly sleeth & bringeth him to his laste
It is not my maner to vse suche langage
But this my doctryne/as I may laufully
I wol holy grounde with auctorite sage
Wyllyng bothe wysdom/and vertue edefy
Wyne and women in to apostasy
Cause wyse men to fal/what is that to say
Of wysdome cause them to forget the way
But this my doctryne/as I may laufully
I wol holy grounde with auctorite sage
Wyllyng bothe wysdom/and vertue edefy
Wyne and women in to apostasy
Cause wyse men to fal/what is that to say
Of wysdome cause them to forget the way
Wherfore the wyse man dothe the aduyse
In whose wordes can be founde no leasyng
With the straunger to sytte in no wyse
Whiche is not thy wyfe/fal not in clyppyng
With her/but beware eke of her kyssyng
Kepe with her in wyne no altercacion
Lest that thyne herte fal by inclynacion
In whose wordes can be founde no leasyng
With the straunger to sytte in no wyse
Whiche is not thy wyfe/fal not in clyppyng
With her/but beware eke of her kyssyng
Kepe with her in wyne no altercacion
Lest that thyne herte fal by inclynacion
May a man thynkest hyde and safe lay
Fyre in his bosom/without enpayrement
And brēnyng of his clothes/or wheder he may
Walke on hotte coles/his fete not brente
As who saythe nay/and wherby is ment
This foresayd prouerbe and symylitude
But that thou rydde the plainly to denude
Fyre in his bosom/without enpayrement
And brēnyng of his clothes/or wheder he may
Walke on hotte coles/his fete not brente
As who saythe nay/and wherby is ment
This foresayd prouerbe and symylitude
But that thou rydde the plainly to denude
From the flatterers forgettyng her gyde
The gyde of her youth/I meane shamfastnes
Whiche shulde cause her maydenheed to abyde
Her goddes beheste eke she ful rechelesse
Not retchyng/cōmytteth it to forgetfulnesse
Neyther god ne shame in her hauyng place
Nedes muste suche a woman lacke grace
The gyde of her youth/I meane shamfastnes
Whiche shulde cause her maydenheed to abyde
Her goddes beheste eke she ful rechelesse
Not retchyng/cōmytteth it to forgetfulnesse
Neyther god ne shame in her hauyng place
Nedes muste suche a woman lacke grace
And al that neygh her in way of syn
To tourne of grace shal lacke the influence
The pathes of lyfe no more to come in
Wherfore first frende the with sapyence
Remembring god/and after with prudence
To thyne owne wele that they the kepe
Unto thyne herte/leste her wordes crepe
To tourne of grace shal lacke the influence
The pathes of lyfe no more to come in
Wherfore first frende the with sapyence
Remembring god/and after with prudence
To thyne owne wele that they the kepe
Unto thyne herte/leste her wordes crepe
In his boke where I take my moste grounde
And in his prouerbes sage Salomon
Telleth a tale/whiche is playnly founde
In the fyfth chapiter/wheder in dede don
Or mekely feyned to our instruction
Let clerkes determyne/but this am I sure
Moche lyke thyng I haue had in vre
And in his prouerbes sage Salomon
Telleth a tale/whiche is playnly founde
In the fyfth chapiter/wheder in dede don
Or mekely feyned to our instruction
Let clerkes determyne/but this am I sure
Moche lyke thyng I haue had in vre
At my wyndowe saythe he I loked out
Fayre yonge people/where I sawe many
Amonge hem al/as I loked aboute
To a yonge man fortuned I lent myn eye
Estraunged from his mynde it was lykely
By the strete at a corner/nyghe his own hous
He went aboute with eye right curyous
Fayre yonge people/where I sawe many
Amonge hem al/as I loked aboute
To a yonge man fortuned I lent myn eye
Estraunged from his mynde it was lykely
By the strete at a corner/nyghe his own hous
He went aboute with eye right curyous
Whan that the day his light gan withdrawe
And the nyght approched in the twynlyght
Howe a woman came and met him I sawe
Talkyng with him vnder shade of the nyght
Nowe blessed be god (quod she) of his myght
Whiche hath fulfylled myne hertes desyre
Aslaked my paynes/whiche were hote as fyre
And the nyght approched in the twynlyght
Howe a woman came and met him I sawe
Talkyng with him vnder shade of the nyght
Nowe blessed be god (quod she) of his myght
Whiche hath fulfylled myne hertes desyre
Aslaked my paynes/whiche were hote as fyre
And yet myne auctour/as it is skyl
To folowe/I muste tel her arayment
She was ful nyce/soules lyke to spyl
As nyce in countenaunce yet as in garment
For ianglyng she was of rest impacient
Wandringe styl in no place she stode
But restlesse nowe and nowe out she yode
To folowe/I muste tel her arayment
She was ful nyce/soules lyke to spyl
As nyce in countenaunce yet as in garment
For ianglyng she was of rest impacient
Wandringe styl in no place she stode
But restlesse nowe and nowe out she yode
Nowe in the house/nowe in the strete
Nowe at acorner she stondeth in a wayte
Incessauntly besy her praye for to gete
To bring to the sure whom she dothe sayte
Nowe where I lefte/vnto my mater strayte
I wol turne agayne/howe she him mette
Swetely kyssed/and frendely him grette
Nowe at acorner she stondeth in a wayte
Incessauntly besy her praye for to gete
To bring to the sure whom she dothe sayte
Nowe where I lefte/vnto my mater strayte
I wol turne agayne/howe she him mette
Swetely kyssed/and frendely him grette
With wordes of curtesye many and dyuerse
Right as in parte I haue before tolde
Nowe as I canne I purpose to reherse
Howe she flateryng sayd with vysage bolde
I haue made vowes & offrynges manyfolde
For thy sake/O myn herte/o my loue dere
This day I thanke god al perfourmed were
Right as in parte I haue before tolde
Nowe as I canne I purpose to reherse
Howe she flateryng sayd with vysage bolde
I haue made vowes & offrynges manyfolde
For thy sake/O myn herte/o my loue dere
This day I thanke god al perfourmed were
Therfore I came out/and made thus asterte
Uery disyrous your welfare to se
Nowe I haue sene you/plesed is myn herte
In faythe shal none haue my loue but ye
As trewe as I am to you be to me
I pray you hertely dere herte come home
No man shulde be to me so welcome
Uery disyrous your welfare to se
Nowe I haue sene you/plesed is myn herte
In faythe shal none haue my loue but ye
As trewe as I am to you be to me
I pray you hertely dere herte come home
No man shulde be to me so welcome
And in good faythe/the sothe for to say
Your comynge to me ranne in my thought
Harke in your eare/my bedde fresshe and gay
I haue behanged with tapettes newe bought
From Egypte/& from ferre coutrees brought
Steyned with many a lusty fresshe hue
Excedyng golde or iasper in value
Your comynge to me ranne in my thought
Harke in your eare/my bedde fresshe and gay
I haue behanged with tapettes newe bought
From Egypte/& from ferre coutrees brought
Steyned with many a lusty fresshe hue
Excedyng golde or iasper in value
My chambre is strowed with myrre & ensence
With sote sauoring aloes/& with synamome
Breathyng an aromatyke redolence
Surmountyng olybane/in any mans dome
Ye shal bytwene my brestes rest if ye come
Let vs haue our desyred halsyng
For we may safe be tyl in the mornyng
With sote sauoring aloes/& with synamome
Breathyng an aromatyke redolence
Surmountyng olybane/in any mans dome
Ye shal bytwene my brestes rest if ye come
Let vs haue our desyred halsyng
For we may safe be tyl in the mornyng
Myn husbonde is not at home/he is went
Forthe in his iourney/a feere way hence
A bagge with money he hath with him hent
As him thought nedeful for his expence
Unto my worde gyue faythe and credence
Nowe is the moone yonge/& of lyght dulle
Er he come home it wol be at the fulle
Forthe in his iourney/a feere way hence
A bagge with money he hath with him hent
As him thought nedeful for his expence
Unto my worde gyue faythe and credence
Nowe is the moone yonge/& of lyght dulle
Er he come home it wol be at the fulle
Thus craftely hath she him besette
With her lyme roddes/panter/and snare
The sely soule caught in her nette
Of her sugred mouthe/alas nothyng ware
Thus is he lefte gracelesse and bare
Of helpe/comforte/and goostly socour
And furthermore/as saythe myne auctour
With her lyme roddes/panter/and snare
The sely soule caught in her nette
Of her sugred mouthe/alas nothyng ware
Thus is he lefte gracelesse and bare
Of helpe/comforte/and goostly socour
And furthermore/as saythe myne auctour
As a beest ledde to his dethe dothe pante
This yonge man foloweth her in ye stounde
And as a wanton lambe ful ignorante
Howe he is pulled and drawen to be bounde
Unto the tyme he hath his dethes wounde
And lyke a byrde that hasteth to the grynne
Not knowyng the peryl of his lyfe therin
This yonge man foloweth her in ye stounde
And as a wanton lambe ful ignorante
Howe he is pulled and drawen to be bounde
Unto the tyme he hath his dethes wounde
And lyke a byrde that hasteth to the grynne
Not knowyng the peryl of his lyfe therin
Now gentle sonne sayth Salomon take hede
My wordes in thy breest kepe and make faste
Let her not thy mynde in her wayes mislede
Be not disceyued/lese not thy taste
Many hath she wounded/many downe caste
Many stronge by her hath loste their brethe
Her wayes/wayes of hel ledyng to dethe
My wordes in thy breest kepe and make faste
Let her not thy mynde in her wayes mislede
Be not disceyued/lese not thy taste
Many hath she wounded/many downe caste
Many stronge by her hath loste their brethe
Her wayes/wayes of hel ledyng to dethe
And in this lytel naration precident
The womans manyfolde gylt I attende
The yonge man alas howe she hath shent
Disceyued her husbāde/her owne next frende
In these bothe her god she dothe offende
To breke her spousayle/to her is of no weight
Furdermore to shewe womans craft & sleight
The womans manyfolde gylt I attende
The yonge man alas howe she hath shent
Disceyued her husbāde/her owne next frende
In these bothe her god she dothe offende
To breke her spousayle/to her is of no weight
Furdermore to shewe womans craft & sleight
A woman at her dore sate on a stal
To se folke passe by stretes of the cyte
With eye & countenaunce eke she gan cal
If there be any prety one/come nere to me
Come hyther ye pygges nye/ye lytel babe
At laste she sayd to a yonge man hertelesse
Of her disceyte vnware and defencelesse
To se folke passe by stretes of the cyte
With eye & countenaunce eke she gan cal
If there be any prety one/come nere to me
Come hyther ye pygges nye/ye lytel babe
At laste she sayd to a yonge man hertelesse
Of her disceyte vnware and defencelesse
Moche swetter she saythe/& more acceptable
Is drinke whan it is stolen priuely
Than whan it is taken in fourme auowable
Breed hyd and gotten ieoperdously
Muste nedes be swete/and semblably
Uenyson stolne is aye the swetter
The ferther the narower fette the better
Is drinke whan it is stolen priuely
Than whan it is taken in fourme auowable
Breed hyd and gotten ieoperdously
Muste nedes be swete/and semblably
Uenyson stolne is aye the swetter
The ferther the narower fette the better
And whom this womā saith Salomon festes
The yong mā woteth not whom she doth fede
Of the derke depenesse of hel ben her gestes
Beware yonge man therfore I the rede
And howe be it chefely for thy good spede
This werke to compyle/I haue take ī charge
I muste of pytemy charyte enlarge
The yong mā woteth not whom she doth fede
Of the derke depenesse of hel ben her gestes
Beware yonge man therfore I the rede
And howe be it chefely for thy good spede
This werke to compyle/I haue take ī charge
I muste of pytemy charyte enlarge
With the sely man whiche is thus begyled
Her husbande I meane/I wol wepe & wayle
His payneful infortune/wherby reuyled
Causelesse he is/neuer to conuayle
Euery man yonge and olde wol him assayle
With wordes of occasyon/with the loth name
And alas good soule/he nothyng to blame
Her husbande I meane/I wol wepe & wayle
His payneful infortune/wherby reuyled
Causelesse he is/neuer to conuayle
Euery man yonge and olde wol him assayle
With wordes of occasyon/with the loth name
And alas good soule/he nothyng to blame
But she that coude so yl do and wolde
Hers be the blame for her demeryte
And leaue that opprobrous name cokolde
To apropre to him as in dispyte
Ransake yet we wolde if we myght
Of this worde the trewe ortography
The very discent and ethymology
Hers be the blame for her demeryte
And leaue that opprobrous name cokolde
To apropre to him as in dispyte
Ransake yet we wolde if we myght
Of this worde the trewe ortography
The very discent and ethymology
The wel and grounde of the first enuencion
To knowe the ortography we must deryue
Whiche is coke and colde/in composycion
By reason/as nyghe as I can contryue
Than howe it is written we knowe belyue
But yet lo/by what reason and grounde
Was it of these to wordes compounde
To knowe the ortography we must deryue
Whiche is coke and colde/in composycion
By reason/as nyghe as I can contryue
Than howe it is written we knowe belyue
But yet lo/by what reason and grounde
Was it of these to wordes compounde
As of one cause to gyue very iugement
Themylogy let vs first beholde
Eche letter an hole worde dothe represent
As C/put for colde/and O/for olde
K/is for knaue/thus dyuers men holde
The first parte of this name we haue founde
Let vs ethymologyse the secounde
Themylogy let vs first beholde
Eche letter an hole worde dothe represent
As C/put for colde/and O/for olde
K/is for knaue/thus dyuers men holde
The first parte of this name we haue founde
Let vs ethymologyse the secounde
As the first fynder mente I am sure
C/for calot/for of/we haue O
L/for leude/D/for demeanure
The crafte of the enuentour ye may se lo
Howe one name signyfyeth persons two
A colde olde knaue/cokolde him selfe wenyng
And eke a calot of leude demeanyng
C/for calot/for of/we haue O
L/for leude/D/for demeanure
The crafte of the enuentour ye may se lo
Howe one name signyfyeth persons two
A colde olde knaue/cokolde him selfe wenyng
And eke a calot of leude demeanyng
The seconde cause of thymposycion
Of this foresayd name was ielousye
To be ielouse is greatest occasyon
To be cokolde/that men can aspye
And though the passyon be very fyrie
And of contynuel feruence and hete
The pacient aye suffreth colde on his fete
Of this foresayd name was ielousye
To be ielouse is greatest occasyon
To be cokolde/that men can aspye
And though the passyon be very fyrie
And of contynuel feruence and hete
The pacient aye suffreth colde on his fete
And who that is ielous/and aye in a drede
Is ful of melancoly and gally yre
His wyues nose if she mysse trede
He wol cutte of/ye and conspyre
His dethe who that wol her desyre
Whiche she perceyuyng brasteth his gal
And anon his great wodenesse dothe fal
Is ful of melancoly and gally yre
His wyues nose if she mysse trede
He wol cutte of/ye and conspyre
His dethe who that wol her desyre
Whiche she perceyuyng brasteth his gal
And anon his great wodenesse dothe fal
As sone as she hath knytte him that knotte
Nowe is he tame that was so ramagyous
Mekely sytteth he downe and taketh his lotte
Layde ben nowe his lokes so furyous
And he but late as a cocke bataylous
Hote in his quarel/to auenge him bolde
Nowe is he called bothe coke and colde
Nowe is he tame that was so ramagyous
Mekely sytteth he downe and taketh his lotte
Layde ben nowe his lokes so furyous
And he but late as a cocke bataylous
Hote in his quarel/to auenge him bolde
Nowe is he called bothe coke and colde
This sayeng/to al curtesy dissonante
Whiche semeth that it of malyce grewe
In this rude treatyse I wol not plante
As parcel therof/but onely to shewe
The opinyon of the talcatyfe shrewe
Whiche in yl sayeng is euer mery
No man as I therof so wery
Whiche semeth that it of malyce grewe
In this rude treatyse I wol not plante
As parcel therof/but onely to shewe
The opinyon of the talcatyfe shrewe
Whiche in yl sayeng is euer mery
No man as I therof so wery
But I as parcel of this my boke
Wol graffe in some sadde counsayle wherby
The wedded man/if he daigne to loke
In it/the better shal mowe him gye
And prouyde for his sayd infortunye
Whiche as I haue sayd/with him complayne
I wol/as partener of his great payne
Wol graffe in some sadde counsayle wherby
The wedded man/if he daigne to loke
In it/the better shal mowe him gye
And prouyde for his sayd infortunye
Whiche as I haue sayd/with him complayne
I wol/as partener of his great payne
As moste expedyent to his wele
I wolde al ielousy were abiecte
If he be ielous/that he it concele
And in his labour be circumspecte
To knowe her wayes/if they seme suspecte
And not for to breke/for one worde broken
She wol not mysse but she wol be wroken
I wolde al ielousy were abiecte
If he be ielous/that he it concele
And in his labour be circumspecte
To knowe her wayes/if they seme suspecte
And not for to breke/for one worde broken
She wol not mysse but she wol be wroken
Forbyd her not/that thou noldest haue done
For loke what thyng she is forbode
To that of al thynges she is moste prone
Namely if it be yl and no good
Tyl it be executed she is nygh woode
Suche is woman/and suche is her feate
Her crafte by crafte/labour to defete
For loke what thyng she is forbode
To that of al thynges she is moste prone
Namely if it be yl and no good
Tyl it be executed she is nygh woode
Suche is woman/and suche is her feate
Her crafte by crafte/labour to defete
If thou herafter/nowe a syngle man
Shuldest be ielous if thou haddest a wyfe
Wedde not but if thou can trust woman
For els shuldest lede a careful lyfe
That thou moste lothest shulde be ful ryfe
Yet I nyl gaynsay matrymony
But Melius est nubere quam vri
Shuldest be ielous if thou haddest a wyfe
Wedde not but if thou can trust woman
For els shuldest lede a careful lyfe
That thou moste lothest shulde be ful ryfe
Yet I nyl gaynsay matrymony
But Melius est nubere quam vri
That is to say/better is in wedlocke
A wyfe to take/as the churche dothe kenne
Than to be vnder the flesshes yoke
In flesshly lust alway for to brenne
But as I sayd/for al ielous men
So they lyue chaste/I holde it lasse yl
That they wedde not/than them selfe spyl
A wyfe to take/as the churche dothe kenne
Than to be vnder the flesshes yoke
In flesshly lust alway for to brenne
But as I sayd/for al ielous men
So they lyue chaste/I holde it lasse yl
That they wedde not/than them selfe spyl
The syngle man whiche is yet to wedde
And not the wedded man/thus I rede
To warne him nowe he is to farre spedde
It is to late him for to forbede
But let him take as for his owne nede
Suche counsayle as is him before tolde
These wordes folowyng eke she beholde
And not the wedded man/thus I rede
To warne him nowe he is to farre spedde
It is to late him for to forbede
But let him take as for his owne nede
Suche counsayle as is him before tolde
These wordes folowyng eke she beholde
Thy water to kepe the wyse man dothe teche
That thou in no wyse let it haue issue
At a narowe ryfte/way it wol seche
And semblably the woman vntrewe
To gyue her frewalke in al wyse eschewe
If she at large/not at thyn hande walke
She wol the shame/thou shalt it not balke
That thou in no wyse let it haue issue
At a narowe ryfte/way it wol seche
And semblably the woman vntrewe
To gyue her frewalke in al wyse eschewe
If she at large/not at thyn hande walke
She wol the shame/thou shalt it not balke
Wedded or syngle/thus saythe the wyse man
Her that bothe day and nyght euermore
Lythe in thy bosome/wyfe or yet lemman
Loue not to hote/leste thou repent sore
Leste she the bring in to some yl sore
Thy wyfe not to loue yet I nyl supporte
But that thou dote not/thus I the exhorte
Her that bothe day and nyght euermore
Lythe in thy bosome/wyfe or yet lemman
Loue not to hote/leste thou repent sore
Leste she the bring in to some yl sore
Thy wyfe not to loue yet I nyl supporte
But that thou dote not/thus I the exhorte
Lo if thou loue her/loue eke thyne honeste
Be she not ydel/for what wol betyde
If she sytte ydle/of very necessyte
Her mynde wol serche ferre and eke wyde
Namely if she be not accompanyde
Howe accompanyed/not with yonge men
But with maydens I meane or women
Be she not ydel/for what wol betyde
If she sytte ydle/of very necessyte
Her mynde wol serche ferre and eke wyde
Namely if she be not accompanyde
Howe accompanyed/not with yonge men
But with maydens I meane or women
Mayden seruauntes be right conuenyent
In house to helpe to do her seruyce
In whom she may vse her cōmaundement
In the season at her owne deuyce
To teache hem good/yeue her thyne aduyce
To make them huswyues/thus besynesse
May yet refrayne her from ydelnesse
In house to helpe to do her seruyce
In whom she may vse her cōmaundement
In the season at her owne deuyce
To teache hem good/yeue her thyne aduyce
To make them huswyues/thus besynesse
May yet refrayne her from ydelnesse
But bydde her not that thou wolte haue do
Of thyue entent that might be lettyng
But craftely encourage her therto
By other meanes/as by cōmendyng
And not to moche/but duely mengyng
Bothe prayse and blame/and se thy reason
First prayse wysely the place and season
Of thyue entent that might be lettyng
But craftely encourage her therto
By other meanes/as by cōmendyng
And not to moche/but duely mengyng
Bothe prayse and blame/and se thy reason
First prayse wysely the place and season
Of faythful wyl/and herte ful tendre
One thynge I cal in to remembraunce
Agayne/whiche though my wytte be slendre
After my power and suffysaunce
I purpose to make a purueyaunce
Sythe women of nature ben chaungeable
Freale not ware also disceyuable
One thynge I cal in to remembraunce
Agayne/whiche though my wytte be slendre
After my power and suffysaunce
I purpose to make a purueyaunce
Sythe women of nature ben chaungeable
Freale not ware also disceyuable
Be it that thy wyfe be excellently good
That none be better of disposycion
In processe of tyme she might turne her mode
By some mysse lyuers instygacion
Dyuers men to thilke occupacion
Applyen dayly/mynde and eke herte
From her goodnesse women to peruerte
That none be better of disposycion
In processe of tyme she might turne her mode
By some mysse lyuers instygacion
Dyuers men to thilke occupacion
Applyen dayly/mynde and eke herte
From her goodnesse women to peruerte
If thou aspye any suspecte person
Drawe to thy wyfe/beware in al wyse
To him nor her of thy suspection
Breke not one worde/though thyn hert agrise
Kyndel no fyre/no smoke wol aryse
Though he be of a corrupte entent
She perauenture is not of assent.
Drawe to thy wyfe/beware in al wyse
To him nor her of thy suspection
Breke not one worde/though thyn hert agrise
Kyndel no fyre/no smoke wol aryse
Though he be of a corrupte entent
She perauenture is not of assent.
Explicit.
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