New Custome A new Enterlude No lesse wittie : then pleasant, entituled new Custome deuised of late, and for diuerse causes nowe set forthe, neuer before this tyme Imprinted |
The Prologue.
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The Prologue.
Al thinges be not soe as in sight they doe seeme,What so euer they resemble, or what euer men deeme.
For if our senses in their owne obiects vs doe fayle
Sometimes, then our iudgemente shall but little auaile
In some thinges as suche where doubt geueth deniall,
Of them in the best wise to make any triall.
Whiche sayinge is euident as well shall appeare,
In this little Enterlude whiche we present heare.
Whereby we may learne, how grosly wee erre
Taking one thinge for an other, whiche differ so farre
As good dothe from badde. Example therefore
You may take by these persons if you marke no more.
For the Primitiue constitution whiche was fyrst appointed
Euen by God him self, and by Christ his annoynted:
Confirmed by thappostles, and of great antiquitie:
See howe it is peruerted by mannes wicked iniquitie,
To be called newe Custome, or newe Constitucion,
Surely a name of to muche vngodly abusion.
Whiche our aucthor indifferently scanninge in his minde:
In his simple opinion this cause hee doeth finde,
That by reason of Ignorance, whiche beareth great swaie:
And also stubberne Doctrine whiche shutteth vp the waie
To all good Instruction, and knowledge of right:
No maruell it was though of the trueth we were ignoraunt quight.
For truely in suche a case, the matter was but small,
To make the ignorant sowle to credite them all,
What so euer they saide, were it trueth or a lye.
For no man was able then to proue them the contrarie.
Wherefore their owne fansies they sette in great prise,
Neglectinge the trewe way, lyke men farre vnwise.
Makinge semblant of antiquitie in all that they did,
To thintent that their subtiltie by suche meanes might be hid.
Newe Custome also hath he named this matter verilie,
In consideration that the people so speaketh commonlie,
Confuting the same by reasons most manifest
Whiche in consequent order of talke are exprest.
This sence hath our Author followed herein as we saide,
But diuerse may inuent muche distant from this,
whiche in no wise hee wil haue preiudiciall to his,
Nor his vnto theirs, what soeuer they bee,
For many heades, many wittes wee doe plainely see.
Onely hee desireth this of the worshipfull audience,
To take in good parte without al manner offence:
What soeuer shall be spoken, marking the intent,
Interpreting it no otherwise but as it was ment.
And for vs if of pacience you list to attende:
Wee are readie to declare you the matter to the ende.
Finis Prologi.
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