The Ship of Fools

Venerandissimo in Christo Patri ... et reuerentia.

TAmetsi crebris ... Idus Decembris.

¶This present Boke named the Shyp of folys of the worlde was translated in the College of saynt_mary_Otery in the counte of Deuonshyre: out of Laten / Frenche / and Doche into Englysshe tonge by Alexander_Barclay Preste: and at that tyme Chaplen in the sayde College. tra[n]slatedtranslated] traslated 1509 the yere of our Lorde god .M.CCCCC.viii. Inprentyd in the Cyte of London in Fletestre[te] at the signe of Saynt George. By Rycharde_Pynson to hys Coste and charge: Ended the yere of our Sauiour .M.d.ix. The .xiiii. day of December.

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¶The regyster or Table of this present Boke in Englysshe.

¶ Alexander_Barclay excusynge the rudenes of his translacion / the first lefe Barclay the translatour to the Folys. Folio .v.

A prologe in prose shewynge to what intent this Boke was firste made / and who were the first Auctours of it. fo. vij.

Another Prologe: in Balade concernyng the same. fo. x.

In what place this Boke was translate and to what purpose it was translatyd. Folio. xij.

¶Here begynneth the Folys and firste of inprofytable bokys. fo. xiij.

¶Of euyll Counsellours Iuges and men of lawe. fo. xv.

Of couetyse and prodigalyte. fo. xvij.

Of newe disgysynges in apparayle. f. xviij

¶A lawde of the nobles and grauyte of Kynge Henry the eyght. fo. xxi

Of olde Folys encresynge foly with age Folio. xxij.

Of negligent Fathers ayenst their Children. fo. xxiij.

Of taleberers: and mouers of debate. xxvj

Of nat folowers of good counsel. fo. xxix.

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Of vngoodly maners / and dysordred. Folio. xxx.

Of the hurtynge of frendshyp. fo. xxxij.

Of dispysers of holy scripture. fo. xxxiiij.

Of folys inprouydent. fo. xxxvij.

Of disordred and venerious loue. fo. xxxix.

Of them that synne trustynge vpon the mercy of almyghty god. fo. xli.

Of folys that begyn great byldynge without sufficient prouysion. fo. xliij.

Of glotons / and droncardes. fo. xlv.

Of ryches vnprofytable. fo. xlvij.

Of folys that wyl serue two lordes both togyther. fo. xlix.

Of superflue speche. fo. li.

Of them that correct other / them-self culpable in the same faut. fo. liij.

Of folys that fynde others good / nat restorynge the same to the owner. fo. lv.

¶The sermon or doctryne of wysdom. Folio lvi.

Of Folys bostyng them in fortune. f. lviij

Of the superflue curyosyte of men. fo. lx.

Of great borowers / and slacke payers. lvij

Of vnprofitable vowers and peticions. lvij.

Of negligent stodyers.fo. lx.

Of them that folysshly speke ayenst the workes of god. fo. lxiij.

Of lewde Iuges of others dedes. fo. lxv.

Of pluralytees of benefyces. fo. lxvij.

Of synners that prolonge from daye to day to amende theyr myslyuyng. f. lxvij

Of men that ar Ielous. fo. lxviij.

Of auoutry / and specially of suche as ar bawdes to theyr wyues. fo. lxx.

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Of suche as nedys wyll contynue in theyr foly nat withstandynge holsom erudicion. folio. lxxij.

An addicion of the secundaries of Otery_saynt_Mary / in Deuynshyre. fo. lxxiiij.

Of wrathfull folys. fo. lxxv.

Of the mutabylyte of fortune. fo. lxxvij.

Of seke men inobedient. fo. lxxix.

Of to open councellers. fo. lxxxi.

Of folys that can nat be ware by the mysfortune nor take example of others damage. folio lxxxiij.

Of folys that force or care for the bacbytynge of lewde people. fo. lxxxv.

Of mockers and fals accusers. fo. lxxxiij.

Of them that despyse euerlastynge blys for worldly thynges and transitory. fo. lxxxiiij

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Of talkers and makers of noyse in the Chirche of god. Folio. lxxxxi.

Of folys that put them-self in wylful ieopardy and peryll. fo. lxxxxiij.

Of the way of felycyte / and godnes and the payne to come to synners. fo. lxxxxv.

Of olde folys that gyue example of vyce to youth negligent and vnexpert. fo. lxxxxvij.

Of bodely lust or corporall voluptuosyte. folio. lxxxxix.

Of folys that can nat kepe secrete theyr owne counsell. fo. Ci.

Of yonge folys that take olde wymen to theyr wyues nat for loue but for ryches. Folio. C.iij.

Of enuyous Folys. fo. C.v.

Of impacient folys disdaynynge to abyde and suffer correccion / for theyr profyte. Folio. C.vij.

Of folysshe Fesicians vsynge theyr practyke without speculacyon. C.ix.

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Of the ende of worldly honour and power and of folys that trust in them. fo C.xi.

An addicion of Alexander_barclay. f. C.xij

Of predestinacyon. fo. C.xiij.

Of folys that aply other mennys besynes leuynge theyr owne vndone. fo. C.xv.

Of the vyce of ingratytude or vnkyndnes and folys that vse it. fo. C.xvij.

Of Folys that stande to moche in theyr owne conceyte. fo. C.xix.

Of folys that delyte them in daunsynge Folio. C.xxij.

Of nyght-watchers. fo. C.xxiiij.

Of the vanyte of beggers. C.xxvi.

Of wymens malyce and wrath. fo. C.xxix.

Of the great myght and powerr of Folys. Folio. C.xxxiiij.

An addicion of Alexander_barclay in the lawde of kynge Henry the viij. fo. C.xxxv

Of the vayne cure of Astronomy. f. c.xxxvj

Of the folysshe descripcion or inquysycion of dyuers countres or regyons. f. C.xl.

Of folys that stryue agaynst theyr betters nat wyllynge to se theyr foly. fo. C.xli.

Of folys that can nat vnderstande sport and yet wyll haue to do with folys. f. C.xlij

Of folys that hurte euery man nat wyllynge to be hurt agayne. fo. C.xliiij.

Of folys improuyndent. fo. C.xlvij.

Of folys that stryue in the lawe for thynges of small valour. fo. C.xlix.

Of dyshonest folys in wordes of rybawdry / or vyle langage. fo. C.li.

Of the abusion of the spiritualte. fo. C.lij.

Of carde players / and dysers. fo. C.lvij.

Of proude / vayne and superflue bostys of Folys. fo. C.lv.

A rehersinge of dyuers sortes of Folys oppressyd with theyr owne foly. fo. C.lix.

Of the extorcion of men of warre / scrybes and other offycers. fo. C.lxi.

Of folysshe messangers. fo. C.lxiiij.

Of the foly of Cokes / butlers / and other offycers of housholde. fo. C.lxv.

Of the pryde of Churles and rude men of the countrey. fo. C.lxvij.

Of folys that despise and abhorre pouertye. folio. C.lxx.

Of suche Folys as begyn to do well and contynue nat. fo. C.lxxiij.

Of folys that despyse deth and make no prouysyon therfore. fo. C.lxxiiij.

Of folys that despyse god. fo. C.lxxx.

Of blasphemers of god. fo. C.lxxxiii.

Of the plage and indignacyon of god. Folio. C.lxxxvi.

Of folysshe exchaunges. fo. C.lxxxviij.

Of children that dysdayne to honoure and worshyp theyr parentis. fo. C.lxxxx.

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Of claterynge and vayne langage vsyd of prestes and clerkes in the Quere. fo. C.lxxxxj

¶Of the elacion or bostynge of pryde. Folio. C.lxxxv.

Of vsures and okerers. fo. C.lxxxxvij.

Of the vayne hope that folys haue to succede to herytage of men yet lyuynge. fo. cc.

Of the vyce of slouthe. fo. cc.vi

Of Folys that gyue and that after repent of that they haue gyuen. fo. cc.iiij

Of Folys that kepe nat the holy daye. Folio. cc.ij.

Of mysbeleuynge folys as Sarrazyns / Paynems / turkes and other suche lyke. Folio. cc.vij.

Of the ruyne / inclynacyon and decay of the fayth of Christ by slouthe of estatis. Folio. cc.xij.

A specyall exhortacion and lawde of the kynge Henry the .viij.. fo. cc.xvi.

Of flaterers and glosers. fo. cc.xviij.

Of taleberers and Folys of lyght credence vnto the same. fo. cc.xx.

Of marchauntis and other occupyers that vse falshode and gyle. fo. cc.xxij.

Of the falshode of Antichrist. cc.xxv.

Of hym that dare nat vtter the trouthe for fere of displeasour. etc. fo. cc.xxvij.

Of suche as withdrawe and let other from good dedes. fo. cc.xxxi.

Of leuyng gode warkes vndone. f. cc.xxxi.

Of the rewarde of wysdom. fo. cc.xxxiij.

Of folys that wyl nat beware of mysfortune. fo. cc.xxxv.

Of bacbyters of good workes and ayenst suche as shall dysprayse this boke. Folio. cc.xxxvij.

Of the immoderate vylenes in maners vsed at the table. fo. [c]c.xli.

Of folys disgysed with visers and other counterfayt apparayle. fo. cc.xliiij.

The discripcion of a wyse man. f. cc.xlvij

¶ Alexander_barclay to his welbeloued frende syr Iohnn Bysshop of Excester. Folio. cc.xlix.

Of folys that despyse wysdome and Phylosophy and a commendacion of the same. Folio. cc.lx.

Of concertacyon or stryuyng bytwene vertue and voluptuosyte. fo. cc.lii.

The obieccion of lust blamynge vertue. Folio. cc.liij.

The answere of vertue agaynst the obieccion of voluptuosyte. fo. cc.lvij.

The vnyuersall and generall Shyp or Barge: wherin they rowe that erst hath had no charge. fo. cc.lxi.

The vnyuersall shyp of craftysmen or laborers. fo. cc.lxiiij.

Of folys that ar to worldly. cc.lxv.

A brefe addicion of the syngularyte of some newe Folys. fo. cc.lxix.

¶A conclusion of this Boke with a Balade of our La[d]y.Lady] Laly 1509 Folio. cc.lxxiij.

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Registrum stultifere nauis

Stultifera nauis Folio. primo. ... fieri conuenit. lxxxiii.

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Nil curare ... De antichristo. cc.xxiij.

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Veritatem obticere ... Folio. cc.lxxix.

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¶Stultifera Nauis.

NArragonice profectionis ... exorditur principio.

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Alexander_Barclay excusynge the rudenes of his translacion.

GO Boke: abasshe the thy rudenes to present.

To men auaunced to worshyp / and honour.

By byrthe or fortune: or to men eloquent.

By thy submyssion excuse thy Translatour.

But whan I remember the comon behauour.

Of men: I thynke thou ought to quake for fere

Of tunges enuyous whose venym may the dere

Tremble / fere / and quake / thou ought I say agayne.

For to the Redar thou shewest by euydence

Thy-selfe of Rethoryke pryuate and barayne

In speche superflue: and fruteles of sentence.

Thou playnly blamest without al difference

Bothe hye and lowe sparinge eche mannes name.

Therfore no maruayle thoughe many do the blame.

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But if thou fortune to lye before a State

As Kynge or Prince or Lordes great or smal.

Or doctour diuyne / or other Graduate

Be this thy Excuse to content theyr mynde withal

My speche is rude my termes comon and rural

And I for rude peple moche more conuenient.

Than for Estates / lerned men / or eloquent.

But of this one poynt thou nedest not to fere.

That any goode man: vertuous and Iust.

Wyth his yl speche shal the hurt or dere.

But the defende. As I suppose and trust.

But suche Unthriftes as sue theyr carnal lust

Whome thou for vyce dost sharply rebuke and blame

Shal the dysprayse: emperisshinge thy name.

An Exhortacion Of Alexander_Barclay.

¶But ye that shal rede this boke: I you exhorte.

And you that ar herars therof also I pray

Where-as ye knowe that ye be of this sorte:

Amende your lyfe and expelle that vyce away.

Slomber nat in syn: Amende you whyle ye may.

And yf ye so do and ensue Vertue and grace.

Wythin my Shyp ye get no rowme ne place.

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Narragonia latine facta a Iacobo_Locher Philomuso Suęuo Eiusdem Epigramma ad lectorem.

CArmina sint ... picta trahunt.

Epigramma.

Epistola Iocobi_Locher Philomusi ad eruditissimum virum Sebastianum_Brant Iurisconsultum et poetam argutissimum pręceptorem suum dilectissimum

SI fas effet ... inflammasti: Epistola ad S._Brant.

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lepidoque susurro ... ac argutioris

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muse dogmata ... Anno domini .M.CCCC.XCVII.

CARMEN eiusdem: ad Se._Brant .

SI michi nunc ... prata rigant:

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Gręcia clara ... scripta fidem.

Sapphicon eiusdem philomusi: excusatis ingenij sui paruitatem .

GRandibus possunt ... Numine sacro. Excusatio auctoris.

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Mentis hi ... Mentibus infert.

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Ergo supremam ... Crede placebunt.

Epigramma in Narragoniam Iacobi_Locher philomusi ad lectores.

NAuem stultorum ... nostra tenent.

Ad Iohannem_Bergmannum de Olpe. Iacobi_Locher decatostichon.

TEmpore foelici ... Olpe deas.

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Nostrates / claros ... notas. Vale.

Ad Iacobum Philomusum subeundę profectionis Narragonicę: e barbaria in latiale solum: Exhortatio Sebastiani_Brant

Exortatio S._Brant

NVper ego ... inde vale.

In Narragonicam profectionem: Celeusma Sebastiani_Brant .

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HOrtor adeste ... vana mouent.

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Barclay the Translatour to the Foles.

to] tho 1509

TO Shyp galantes the se is at the ful.

The wynde vs calleth our sayles ar displayed.

Where may we best aryue? at Lyn or els at Hulle?

To vs may no hauen in Englonde be denayd.

Why tary we? the Anker [i]s vp-wayed. Anker is] Ankers 1509

If any corde or Cabyl vs hurt / let outher hynder.

Let slyp the ende / or els hewe it in sonder.

Retourne your syght beholde vnto the shore.

There is great nomber that fayne wold be aborde.

They get no rowme our Shyp can holde no more.

Haws in the Cocke gyue them none other worde.

God gyde vs from Rockes / quicsonde tempest and forde

If any man of warre / wether / or wynde apere.

My-selfe shal trye the wynde and kepe the Stere.

But I pray you reders haue ye no dysdayne.

Thoughe Barclay haue presumed of audacite

This Shyp to rule as chefe mayster and Captayne.

Though some thynke them-selfe moche worthyer than he.

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It were great maruayle forsoth syth he hath be.

A scoler longe: and that in dyuers scoles

But he myght be Captayne of a Shyp of Foles.

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But if that any one be in suche maner case.

That he wyl chalange the maystershyp fro me

Yet in my Shyp can I nat want a place.

For in euery place my-selfe I oft may se.

But this I leue besechynge eche degre:

To pardon my youthe and to bolde interprise.

For harde is it duely to speke of euery vyce.

For yf I had tunges an hundreth: and wyt to fele

Al thinges natural and supernaturall

A thousand mouthes: and voyce as harde as stele.

And sene all the seuen Sciences lyberal.

Yet cowde I neuer touche the vyces all.

And syn of the worlde: ne theyr braunches comprehende:

Nat thoughe I lyued vnto the worldes ende. Non mihi si lingue centum sint oraque centum: ferrea vox: omnis scelerum comprehendere formas: Omnia stultorum percurrere nomina possem

But if these vyces whiche mankynde doth incomber.

Were clene expellyd and vertue in theyr place.

I cowde nat haue gathered of sowles so great a nomber.

Whose foly from them out chaseth goddys grace.

But euery man that knowes hym in that case

To this rude Boke let hym gladly intende.

And lerne the way his lewdnes to amende.

Prologus Iacobi_Locher Philomusi in Narragoniam incipit.

CVm mecum ... valeat ęuum.

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AFter that I haue longe mused by my-self of the sore confounded and vncertayne cours of mannys lyfe / and thinges ther-to belonginge: at the last I haue by my vigilant meditacion found and noted many degrees of errours: wherby mankynd wandreth from the way of trouth I haue also noted that many wyse men and wel-lettred haue writen right fruteful doctrines: wherby they haue heled these dyseses and intollerable perturbacions of the mynde: and the goostly woundes therof / moche better than Esculapius which was fyrst Inuentour of Phesyke and amonge the Gentyles worshypped as a God.Philosophia Socratica. In the contrey of Grece were stodyes fyrst founded and ordeyned in the which began and sprange holsom medicyne which gaue vnto infect myndes frutful doctryne and norisshinge. Amonge whome Socrates that great begynner and honourer of wysdom began to dispute of the maners of men. Seneca ad lucillum. But for that he coude nat fynde certayne ende of goodnes and hyest felicite in naturall thinges: nor induce men to the same / he gaue the hye contemplacions of his mynde to moral vertues. And in so moche passed he al other in Philosophy moral that it was sayde that he called Philosophy down from the Imperial heuen. Tullius in tusculanis questionibus. whan this Socrates perceyued the mindes of men to be prone / and extremely inclyned to viciousnes he had gret affeccion to subdue suche maners. wherfore in comon places of the Cyte of Athenes he instruct and

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infourmed the peple in such doctrynes as compasith the clere and immaculate welles of the moste excellent and souerayne gode. After the disces of Socrates succeded th e godly Plato Platonica disciplina. whiche in moral Philosophy ouerpassed also a great part of his tyme And certaynly nat without a cause was he called godly. For by what stody myght he more holely or better socour mankynde than by suche doctrynes as he gaue. He wrote and ordeyned lawes moste egal and iust He edityed vnto the Grekes a comon-welthe stable / quyet and commendable. And ordeyned the societe and company of them most iocund and amyable. He prepared a brydel to refrayne the lust and sensualyte of the body. And fynally he changed the yl ignorance feblenes and negligence of youth vnto dylygence / strength and vertue. In tyme also of these Phylosophers sprange the florisshynge age of Poetes: Poetarum origo. whiche amonge lettred men had nat smal rowme and place. And that for theyr eloquent Retoryke and also for theyr mery ficcions and inuencions. Of the whiche Poetes some wrote in moste ornate termes in ditees heroycalPoete heroici wherin the noble actes and lyues both of dyuyne and humayne creatures ar wont to be noted and write[n].writen] writem 1509 Some wrote of tylling of the grounde. Some of the Planetes / of the courses of the sterres: and of the mouynge of the heuyn and fyrmament. Some of the Empyre and shameful subieccion of disordred loue.Elegiaci And many other of the myserable ruyne and fal of Kynges and princes for vice: as Tragedies. Tragici. And some other wrote Comedyes with great libertye of speche: which Comedies we cal Interludes. Comeci.

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Amonge whome Aristophanes Eupolis and Cratinus mooste laudable Poetes passed al other. For whan they sawe the youth of Athenes and of al the remanent of

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Grece inclyned to al ylles they toke occasion to note suche myslyuinge. And so in playne wordes they repreued without fauour the vyces of the sayd yl-disposyd peple of what condicion or order they were: Of this auncient wrytinge of Comedyes our laten Poetes deuysed a maner of wrytinge nat inelegant. And fyrst Lucilius Lucilius poeta primus latinorum composed one Satyre in the whiche he wrote by name the vices of certayne princes and Citezyns of Rome And that with many bourdes so that with his mery speche myxt with rebukes he correct al them of the cyte that disordredly lyued. But this mery speche vsed he nat in his writing to the intent to excercyse wanton wordes or vnrefrayned lascyuyte / or to put his pleasour in suche dissolute langage: but to the intent to quenche vyces and to prouoke the commons to wysdome and vertue / and to be asshamed of theyr foly and excessyfe lyuynge. of hym all the Latyn poetes haue takyn example / and begynnynge to wryte Satyrs whiche the grekes named Comedyes: As Fabius specifyeth in his .x. boke of institucions. Fabius. l. x. Institutionum . Horacius. After Lucilius succeded Horacius / moche more eloquent in wrytynge whiche in the same deseruyd great laude: Persius Persius. also left to vs onely one boke by the whiche he commyttyd his name and laude to perpetuall memory. The last and prynce of all was Iuuenall Iuuenalis whiche in his iocunde poemys comprehendyd al that was wryten most eloquent and pleasaunt of all the poetis of that sorte afore his tyme: O noble men / and diligent hertes and myndes / o laudable maners and tymes / these worthy men exyled ydelnes / wherby they haue obtayned nat small worshyp and great commodyte example and doctryne lefte to vs theyr posteryours why begyn we nat to vnderstonde and perceyue. Horatius in de ar[te] poetica. arte] ar 1509 Why worshyp nat the people of our tyme

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these poetis why do nat they reuerence to th e interpretours of them do they nat vnderstonde: that no poetes wryte / but outher theyr mynde is to do pleasure or els profyte to the reder / Aut prodesse volunt aut delectari poete. etc. or ellys they togyther wyll doo bothe profyte and pleasoure why are they dyspysed of many rude carters of nowe-a-dayes whiche vnderstonde nat them / And for lacke of them haue nat latyn to vtter and expresse the wyl of their mynde. Se whether poetes ar to be dispised. they laude vertue and hym that vseth it rebukyng vices with the vsers therof / They teche what is good and what is euyll: Iuuenalis / quicquid agunt homines votum timor ira voluptas. Gaudia discursus nostri est farrago libelli to what ende vyce / and what ende vertue bringeth vs / and do nat Poetis reuyle and sharply byte in their poemys all suche as ar vnmeke / Prowde / Couetous / Lecherous / Wanton / delycyous / Wrathfull glotons / wasters / Enuyours / Enchauntours faythe-brakers / rasshe / vnauysed / malapert / drunken / vntaught foles and suche-lyke. Shulde theyr writyng that suche thinges disprayse and reuyle be dyspised of many blynde Dotardes that nowe lyue whiche enuy that any man shulde haue or vnderstonde the thyng whiche they knowe nat. The Poetes also wyth great lawdes

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commende and exalt the noble folowers of vertue ascribyng to euery man rewardes after his merytes. And shortly to say. the intencion of al Poetes hath euer ben to repreue vyce: and to commende vertue. But syns it is so that nowe in our dayes ar so many neglygent and folysshe peple that they ar almost innumerable whiche despisynge the loue of vertue: folowe the blyndenes and vanyte of this worlde: it was expedient that of newe some lettred man / wyse / and subtil of wyt shulde awake and touche th e open vices of foles that nowe lyue: and blame theyr abhomynable lyfe. This fourme and lybertye of writinge / and charge hathe taken

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vpon hym the Right excellent and worthy Mayster Sebastian_Brant Doctour of both the Lawes and noble Oratour and Poete to the comon-welthe of al people in playne and comon speche of Doche in the contrey of Almayne: to the ymytacion of Dant Florentyne: and Francis_Petrarche Poetes heroycal which in their maternal langage haue composed maruelous Poemes and ficcions. But amonge diuers inuencions composed of the sayde Sebastian_brant I haue noted one named the Shyp of Foles moche expedient and necessary to the redar which the sayd Sebastian composed in doche langage. And after hym one called Iames_Locher his Disciple translated the same into Laten to the vnderstondinge of al Christen nacions where Laten is spoken. Than another (whose name to me is vnknowen) translated the same into Frenche. I haue ouersene the fyrst Inuencion in Doche and after that the two translations in Laten and Frenche whiche in blaminge the disordred lyfe of men of our tyme agreeth in sentence: threfolde in langage wherfore wylling to redres the errours and vyces of this oure Royalme of Englonde: as the foresayde composer and translatours hath done in theyr Contrees I haue taken vpon me: howbeit vnworthy to drawe into our Englysshe tunge the sayd boke named the shyp of folys as nere to the sayd thre Langages as the parcyte of my wyt wyll suffer me. But ye reders gyue ye pardon vnto Alexander_de_Barklay Nomen tra[n]slatores siue interpretis huius libelli.translatores] traslatores 1509 If ignoraunce negligence or lacke of wyt cause hym to erre in this translacion his purpose and synguler desyre is to content youre myndes. And sothely he hathe taken vpon hym the translacion of this present Boke neyther for hope of rewarde nor lawde of man: but onely for the holsome instruccion commodyte and Doctryne of wysdome / and to clense the

ref.ed: 10

vanyte and madnes of folysshe people of whom ouer-great nombre is in the Royalme of Englonde. Therfore let euery man beholde and ouerrede this boke: And than I doute nat but he shal se the errours of his lyfe of what condycyon that he be. in lyke wyse as he shal se in a Myrrour the fourme of his countenaunce and vysage: And if he amende suche fautes as he redeth here wherin he knoweth hymself gylty / and passe forth the resydue of his lyfe in the order of good maners than shall he haue the fruyte and auauntage wherto I haue translatyd this boke.

sig: b1

Hecatastichon in proludium auctoris / et Libelli Narrgonici.

PEr cunctas ... iste liber.

sig: [b1v]

De numero ... moderatus amor:

sig: b2

Stulticolas inter ... significemque notis.

ref.ed: [11]

¶Here begynneth the prologe.

Proludium.

AMonge the people of euery regyon

And ouer the worlde / south north eest and west

Soundeth godly doctryne in plenty and foyson

Wherin the grounde of vertue and wysdome doth rest

Rede gode and bad / and kepe the to the best

Was neuer more plenty of holsome doctryne

Nor fewer people that doth therto enclyne

We haue the Bybyll whiche godly doth expresse

Of the olde testament the lawes mysticall

And also of the newe our erour to redresse

Of phylosophy and other artes liberall

With other bokes of vertues morall

But thoughe suche bokes vs godly wayes shewe

We all ar blynde no man wyll them ensue

Banysshed is doctryne / we wander in derknes

Throughe all the worlde: our-selfe we wyll not knowe

Wysdome is exyled / alas blynde folysshenes

Mysgydeth the myndes of people hye and lowe

sig: [b2v]

Grace is decayed / yll-gouernaunce doth growe

Both prudent Pallas and Minerua are slayne

Or els to heuyn retourned are they agayne

ref.ed: 12

Knowlege of trouth / Prudence / and iust Symplicite

Hath vs clene left: For we set of them no store.

Our Fayth is defyled loue / goodnes / and Pyte:

Honest maners nowe ar reputed of: no more.

Lawyers ar lordes: but Iustice is rent and tore.

Or closed lyke a Monster within dores thre.

For without mede: or money no man can hyr se.

¶Al is disordred: Vertue hathe no rewarde.

Alas / Compassion: and Mercy bothe ar slayne.

Alas / the stony hartys of pepyl ar so harde

That nought can constrayne theyr folyes to refrayne

But styl they procede: and eche other meyntayne.

So wander these foles: incresinge without nomber.

That al the worlde they vtterly encomber.

Blasphemers of Chryst; Hostlers: and Tauerners: Horatius in sermonibus.

Crakars and bosters with Courters auenterous /

Bawdes and Pollers with comon extorcioners

Ar taken nowe-adayes in the worlde moste glorious.

But the gyftes of grace and al wayes gracious

We haue excluded. Thus lyue we carnally:

Utterly subdued to al lewdnes and Foly.

Thus is of Foles a sorte almost innumerable. Ecclesiastes. primo. Peruersi difficile corriguntur Et stultorum infinitus est numerus

Defilynge the worlde with syn and Vylany.

Some thynkinge them-self moche wyse and commendable

Thoughe al theyr dayes they lyue vnthryftely.

No goodnes they perceyue nor to no goode aplye. Prouer. xxvi.

But if he haue a great wombe / and his Cofers ful

Than is none holde wyser bytwene London and Hul.

ref.ed: 13

But to assemble these Foles in one bonde.

And theyr demerites worthely to note.

Fayne shal I Shyppes of euery maner londe.

None shalbe left: Barke / Galay / Shyp / nor Bote.

One vessel can nat brynge them al aflote.

For yf al these Foles were brought into one Barge

The bote shulde synke so sore shulde be the charge.

The sayles ar hawsed / a plesant cole dothe blowe. 'cole': see OED 'cool', sb.1, 2

The Foles assembleth as fast as they may dryue.

Some swymmeth after: other as thycke doth rowe

sig: b3

In theyr small botes / as Bees about a hyue

The nomber is great / and eche one doth stryue

For to be chefe as Purser and Capytayne

Quarter-mayster / Lodesman or els Boteswayne

They ron to our shyp / eche one doth greatly fere

Lyst his slacke paas / sholde cause hym byde behynde

The wynde ryseth / and is lyke the sayle to tere

Eche one enforseth the anker vp to wynde

The se swellyth by planettes well I fynde

These obscure clowdes threteneth vs tempest

All are nat in bed whiche shall haue yll rest

We are full lade and yet forsoth I thynke

A thousand are behynde / whom we may not receyue

For if we do / our nauy clene shall synke

He oft all lesys that coueytes all to haue

From London Rockes almyghty god vs saue

For if we there anker / outher bote or barge

There be so many that they vs wyll ouercharge

ref.ed: 14

Ye London Galantes / arere / ye shall nat enter

We kepe the streme / and touche nat the shore

In Cyte nor in Court we dare nat well auenter

Lyst perchaunce we sholde displeasure haue therfore

But if ye wyll nedes some shall haue an ore

And all the remenaunt shall stande afar at large

And rede theyr fautes paynted aboute our barge

Lyke as a myrrour doth represent agayne

The fourme and fygure of mannes countenaunce Speculum stultorum.

So in our shyp shall he se wrytyn playne

The fourme and fygure of his mysgouernaunce

What man is fautles / but outher ignoraunce

Or els wylfulnes causeth hym offende:

Than let hym nat disdayne this shyp / tyll he amende

And certaynly I thynke that no creature Seneca.

Lyuynge in this lyfe mortall in transytory Prouer.

Can hym-self kepe and stedfastly endure

Without all spot / as worthy eternall glory

But if he call to his mynde and memory

Fully the dedys both of his youthe and age

He wyll graunt in this shyp to kepe some stage Quis potest dicere mundum est cor meum purus sum a pectore.

But who-so-euer wyll knowlege his owne foly

100

And it repent / lyuynge after in sympylnesse

Shall haue no place nor rowme more in our nauy

sig: [b3v]

But become felawe to pallas the goddesse

But he that fyxed is in suche a blyndnesse

That thoughe he be nought he thynketh al is well

105

Suche shall in this Barge bere a babyll and a bell

ref.ed: 15

These with other lyke may eche man se and rede

Eche by themselfe in this small boke ouerall

The fautes shall he fynde if he take good hede

Of all estatis as degres temporall

110

With gyders of dignytees spirituall

Both pore and riche / Chorles and Cytezyns

For hast to lepe a_borde many bruse theyr shynnys

Here is berdles youth / and here is crokyd age Pedes enim eorum ad malum currunt et festinant ad effundendum sanguinem Prouer. i. Psal. xlviii.

Children with theyr faders that yll do them insygne

115

And doth nat intende theyr wantones to swage

Nouther by worde nor yet by discyplyne

Here be men of euery science and doctryne

Lerned and vnlerned man mayde chylde and wyfe

May here se and rede the lewdenes of theyr lyfe

Here ar vyle wymen: whome loue Immoderate

120

And lust Venereall bryngeth to hurt and shame.

Here ar prodigal Galantes: wyth mouers of debate.

And thousandes mo: whome I nat wel dare name.

Here ar Bacbyters whiche goode lyuers dyffame.

Brakers of wedlocke / men proude: and couetous:

125

Pollers / and pykers with folke delicious.

It is but foly to rehers the names here

Of al suche Foles: as in one Shelde or targe.

Syns that theyr foly dystynctly shal apere

On euery lefe: in Pyctures fayre and large.

130

To Barclays stody: and Pynsones cost and charge

Wherfore ye redars pray that they both may be saued

Before god / syns they your folyes haue thus graued.

ref.ed: 16

But to th'entent that euery man may knowe

The cause of my wrytynge: certes I intende

135

To profyte and to please both hye and lowe Scribendi causa.

And blame theyr fautes wherby they may amende

But if that any his quarell wyll defende

Excusynge his fautes to my derysyon

Knowe he that noble poetes thus haue done

140

Afore my dayes a thousande yere ago

Blamynge and reuylynge the inconuenyence

Of people / wyllynge them to withdrawe therfro

sig: [b4]

Them I ensue: nat lyke of intellygence

And though I am nat to them lyke in science

145

Yet this is my wyll mynde and intencion

To blame all vyce lykewyse as they haue done

To tender youth my mynde is to auayle Excusatio scribentis.

That they eschewe may all lewdenes and offence

Whiche doth theyr myndes often sore assayle

150

Closynge the iyen of theyr intellygence

But if I halt in meter or erre in eloquence

Or be to large in langage I praye you blame nat me

For my mater is so bad it wyll none other be

Argumentum in narragoniam.

AD humani ... velit: obsecramur.

ref.ed: [17]

HEre-after foloweth the Boke named the Shyp of Foles of the worlde: translated out of Laten / Frenche / and Doche into Englysse in the Colege of saynt Mary Otery By me Alexander_Barclay to the felicite and moste holsom instruccion of mankynde the whiche conteyneth al suche as wandre from the way of trouth and from the open Path of holsom vnderstondynge and

sig: [b4v]

wysdom: fallynge into dyuers blyndnesses of th e mynde / folysshe sensualytees / and vnlawfulvnlawful] vndlawful 1509Satyra interpretatur reprehentio. Speculum stultorum.'actour'='auctour'as] a 1509 delectacions of the body. This present Boke myght haue ben callyd nat inconuenyently the Satyr (that is to say) the reprehencion of foulysshnes.Satyra interpretatur reprehentio. Speculum stultorum.'actour'='auctour'as] a 1509 but the neweltye of the name was more plesant vnto the fyrst actour to call it the Shyp of foles: For in lyke wyse as olde Poetes Satyriens in dyuers Poesyes conioyned repreued the synnes and ylnes of the peple at that tyme lyuynge: so and in lyke wyse this our Boke representeth vnto the iyen of the redars the states and condicions of men: so that euery man may behold within the same the cours of his lyfe and his mysgouerned maners / as he sholde beholde the shadowe of the fygure of his visage within a bright Myrrour. Speculum stultorum.'actour'='auctour'as] a 1509 But concernynge the translacion of this Boke: I exhort the reders to take no displesour for that it is nat translated word by worde acordinge to the verses of my actour'actour'='auctour'as] a 1509. For I haue but only drawen into our moder tunge / in rude langage the sentences of the verses as nere as the parcyte of my wyt wyl suffer me / sometyme addynge / somtyme detractinge and takinge away suche thinges a[s]as] a 1509 semeth me necessary and superflue. wherfore I desyre of you reders pardon of my presumptuous audacite

ref.ed: 18

trustynge that ye shall holde me excused if ye consyder th e scarsnes of my wyt and my vnexpert youthe I haue in many places ouerpassed dyuers poetical digressions and obscurenes of Fables and haue concluded my worke in rude langage as shal apere in my translacion. But the speciyl cawse that mouethe me to this besynes is to auoyde the execrable inconuenyences of ydilnes whyche (as saint Bernard sayth) is moder of al vices: and to the vtter derision of obstynat men delitynge them in folyes and mysgouernance. But bycause the name of this boke semeth to the redar to procede of derysion: and by that mean that the substance therof shulde nat be profitable: I wyl aduertise you that this Boke is named the Shyp of foles of the worlde: For this worlde is nought els but a tempestous se in the whiche we dayly wander and are caste in dyuers tribulacions paynes and aduersitees: some by ignoraunce and some by wilfulnes: wherfore suche doers ar worthy to be called foles. syns they gyde them nat by reason as creatures resonable ought to do. Therfore the fyrst actoure willynge to deuyde suche foles from wysemen and gode lyuers: hathe ordeyned vpon the se of this worlde this present Shyp to contayne these folys of the worlde / whiche ar in great nomber. So that who redeth it perfytely consyderynge his secrete dedys / he shall not lyghtly excuse hym-selfe out of it / what-so-euer good name that he hath outwarde in the mouth of the comontye / And to the entent / that this my laboure may be the more pleasaunt vnto lettred men / I haue adioyned vnto the same the verses of my Actour with dyuerse concordaunces of the Bybyll to fortyfy my wrytynge by the same / and also to stop the enuyous mouthes (If any suche shal be) of them that by malyce shall barke ayenst this my besynes.

sig: [b5]

De inutilibus libris.

Inter precipuos ... nec sapio. PRimus in excelsa ... esse putabat:

sig: [b5v]

Non tamen ... magna caterua:

ref.ed: 19

¶Here begynneth the foles and first inprofytable bokes.

I Am the firste fole of all the hole nauy

To kepe the pompe / the helme and eke the sayle

For this is my mynde / this one pleasoure haue I

Of bokes to haue grete plenty and aparayle

I take no wysdome by them: nor yet auayle

Nor them perceyue nat: And then I them despyse

Thus am I a foole and all that sewe that guyse

ref.ed: 20

THat i[n] this shyp the chefe place I gouerne

By this wyde see with folys wanderynge Diodorus_Siculus li.i.

The cause is playne / and easy to dyscerne

Styll am I besy bokes assemblynge Ecclesi. xij.

For to haue plenty it is a plesaunt thynge

In my conceyt and to haue them ay in honde

But what they mene do I nat vnderstonde Dabitur liber nescientibus litteras esaie .xxix

But yet I haue them in great reuerence

And honoure sauynge them from fylth and ordure

By often brusshynge / and moche dylygence

Full goodly bounde in pleasaunt couerture

Of domas / satyn / or els of veluet pure

I kepe them sure ferynge lyst they sholde be lost

For in them is the connynge wherin I me bost

sig: [b6]

But if it fortune that any lernyd men

Within my house fall to disputacion

I drawe the curtyns to shewe my bokes then

That they of my cunnynge sholde make probacion

I kepe nat to fall in altercacion

And whyle they comon my bokes I turne and wynde

For all is in them / and no-thynge in my mynde.

Tholomeus the riche causyd longe agone

Ouer all the worlde good bokes to be sought Ptolomeus[_philadelphus cui]us meminit. Iosephus.Ptolomeus philadelphus cuius meminit. Iosephus] philadetemus meminit Io Sephus 1509 li. xij. Ptolomeus philadelphus cuius meminit. Iosephus] philadetemus meminit Io Sephus 1509

Done was his commaundement anone

These bokes he had and in his stody brought

Whiche passyd all erthly treasoure as he thought

But neuertheles he dyd hym nat aply

Unto theyr doctryne / but lyued vnhappely

ref.ed: 21

Lo in lyke wyse of bokys I haue store Qui parum studet parum proficit glo. L. vnicuique. C. de [pro]xde prox] dex 1509 sacr. scri.de prox] dex 1509

But fewe I rede / and fewer vnderstande

I folowe nat theyr doctryne nor theyr lore

It is ynoughe to bere a boke in hande

It were to moche to be it suche a bande

For to be bounde to loke within the boke

I am content on the fayre couerynge to loke

Why sholde I stody to hurt my wyt therby

Or trouble my mynde with stody excessyue

Sythe many ar whiche stody right besely

And yet therby shall they neuer thryue

The fruyt of wysdom can they nat contryue

And many to stody so moche are inclynde

That vtterly they fall out of theyr mynde

Eche is nat lettred that nowe is made a lorde

Nor eche a clerke that hath a benefyce

They are nat all lawyers that plees doth recorde

All that are promotyd are nat fully wyse

On suche chaunce nowe fortune throwys hir dyce

That thoughe one knowe but the yresshe game

Yet wolde he haue a gentyll-mannys name

So in lyke wyse I am in suche case

Thoughe I nought can I wolde be callyd wyse

Also I may set another in my place

Whiche may for me my bokes excercyse

Or els I shall ensue the comon gyse

And say concedo to euery argument

Lyst by moche speche my latyn sholde be spent

sig: [b6v]

ref.ed: 22

I am lyke other Clerkes whiche so frowardly them gyde.

That after they ar onys come vnto promocion

They gyue them to plesour theyr stody set asyde.

Theyr Auaryce couerynge with fayned deuocion.

Yet dayly they preche: and haue great derysyon

Agaynst the rude Laymen: and al for Couetyse.

Though theyr owne Conscience be blynded with that vyce.

But if I durst trouth playnely vtter and expresse.

This is the special cause of this Inconuenyence.

That greatest foles / and fullest of lewdnes

Hauynge least wyt: and symplest Science

Ar fyrst promoted: and haue greatest reuerence

For if one can flater / and bere a hawke on his Fyst

He shalbe made Person of Honyngton or of Clyst.

But he that is in Stody ay ferme and diligent.

And without al fauour prechyth Chrystys lore

Of al the Comontye nowe-adayes is sore shent.

And by Estates thretened to Pryson oft therfore.

Thus what auayle is it / to vs to Stody more:

To knowe outher scripture / trouth / wysedom / or vertue

Syns fewe / or none without fauour dare them shewe.

But O noble Doctours / that worthy ar of name:

Consyder our olde faders: note wel theyr diligence: Prouer. quinto

Ensue ye theyr steppes: obtayne ye such fame.

As they dyd lyuynge: and that by true Prudence.

Within theyr hartys they planted theyr scyence

And nat in plesaunt bokes. But nowe to fewe suche be.

Therefore in this Shyp let them come rowe with me. ff. de origine. iur. l. ii. post originem.

ref.ed: 23

¶The Enuoy of Alexander_Barclay Translatour exortynge the Foles accloyed with this vice to amende theyr foly.

SAy worthy doctours and Clerkes curious:

What moueth you of Bokes to haue such nomber.

Syns dyuers doctrines throughe way contrarious.

Doth mannys mynde distract and sore encomber.

Alas blynde men awake / out of your slomber Translatio a somniantibus.

And if ye wyl nedys your bokes multyplye

With diligence endeuer you some to occupye.

De malis consultoribus.

sig: c1

De malis consultoribus.

Ciuilis quicunque ... auertere possunt.

sig: [c1v]

ref.ed: 24

¶Of euyl Counsellours / Iuges and men of lawe.

¶He that Office hath and hyghe autorite.

To rule a Royalme: as Iuge or Counsellour

Which seynge Iustice / playne ryght and equyte

Them falsly blyndeth by fauour or rigour

Condemnynge wretches gyltles. And to a Transgressour

For mede shewinge fauour. Suche is as wyse a man

As he that wolde seeth a quycke Sowe in a Pan.

ref.ed: 25

RIght many labours nowe / with hyghe diligence

For to be Lawyers the Comons to counsayle.

Therby to be in honour had and in reuerence

But onely they labour for theyr pryuate auayle. xlv. dis. omnis qui iudicat.

The purs of the Clyent shal fynde hym apparayle.

And yet knowes he neyther lawe good counsel nor Iustice.

But speketh at auenture: as men throwe the dyce. Ecclesiasti. ij. ij. q. vij. Sicut xxx. q. v. iudicantem.

Suche in the Senate ar taken oft to counsayle

With Statis of this and many a[n]other region. another] a other 1509

Whiche of theyr maners vnstable ar and frayle.

Nought of Lawe Ciuyl knowinge nor Canon.

But wander in derknes clerenes they haue none.

O noble Rome thou gat nat thy honours

Nor general Empyre by suche Counsellours.

sig: c2

Whan noble Rome all the worlde dyd gouerne Salustius bel. catelinario. Dilecti quibus corpus annis infermum ingenium sapientia validum erat reip. consultabant hij. etc.

Theyr councellers were olde men iust and prudent

Whiche egally dyd euery-thynge descerne

Wherby theyr Empyre became so excellent

But nowe-a-dayes he shall haue his intent

That hath most golde / and so it is befall

That aungels worke wonders in westmynster hall.

There cursyd coyne makyth the wronge seme right

The cause of hym that lyueth in pouertye

Hath no defence / tuycion / strenght nor myght

Suche is the olde custome of this faculte

That colours oft cloke Iustyce and equyte

None can the mater fele nor vnderstonde

Without the aungell be weyghty in his honde Iudicandum legibus non exemplis. l. meum. C. desentem. et inter.

ref.ed: 26

Thus for the hunger of syluer and of golde

Iustyce and right is in captyuyte

And as we se nat gyuen fre / but solde

Nouther to estates / nor sympell comonte

And though that many lawyers rightwysnes be

Yet many other dysdayne to se the ryght

And they ar suche as blynde Iustycis syght

There is one and other alleged at the barre vidi sub sole loco iudicii impietatem: et in loco iusticie inquitatem ecclesiastes. iij.

And namely suche as chrafty were in glose

Upon the lawe: the clyentis stande afarre

Full lytell knowynge howe [the] mater goose the mater] mater 1509

And many other the lawes clene transpose

Folowynge the example / of lawyers dede and gone

Tyll the pore Clyentis be etyn to the bone

It is not ynough to conforme thy mynde xi. q[. iij.]q. iij.] qui 1509 et si ad tempus.q. iij.] qui 1509

Unto the others faynyd opynyon

Thou sholde say trouthe / so Iustyce doth the bynde

And also lawe gyueth the commyssyon

To knowe hir / and kepe hir without transgressyon

Lyst they whome thou hast Iuged wrongfully Virgilius. nec curare deum credis mortalia quemquam.

Unto the hye Iuge for vengeaunce on the crye.

Perchaunce thou thynkest that god taketh no hede

To mannes dedys / nor workes of offence

Yes certaynly he knowes thy thought and dede Salustius priusquam incipias consulto et vbi consulueris mature opus est facto.

No-thynge is secrete / nor hyd from his presence

Wherfore if thou wylt gyde the by prudence

Or thou gyue Iugement of mater lesse or more

Take wyse mennys reade and good counsayle before

sig: [c2v]

ref.ed: 27

Loke in what Balance / what weyght and what mesure

Thou seruest other. for thou shalt serued be De pe. et re E. cum ex eo.

With the same after this lyfe I the ensure.

If thou ryghtwysly Iuge by lawe and equyte

Thou shalt haue presence of goddes hyghe maiestye

But if thou Iuge amys: than shall Eacus

(As Poetis sayth) hell Iuge thy rewarde discusse

God is aboue and regneth sempiternally. C. de iudi. l. rem

Whiche shall vs deme at his last Iugement.

And gyue rewardes to echone egally

After suche fourme as he his lyfe hath spent

Than shall we them se whome we as violent

Traytours: haue put to wronge in worde or dede

And after our deserte euen suche shall be our mede

There shall be no Bayle nor treatynge of maynpryse De re. iudi. cum eterni li.vj. Sapientie. v.

Ne worldly wysdome there shall no-thynge preuayle

There shall be no delayes vntyll another Syse

But outher quyt / or to infernall Gayle.

Ill Iuges so iuged / Lo here theyr trauayle

Worthely rewarded in wo withouten ende.

Than shall no grace be graunted ne space to amende.

The Enuoy of Alexander_Barclay the translatour.

THerfore ye yonge Studentes of the Chauncery:

(I speke nat to the olde the Cure of them is past)

Remember that Iustyce longe hath in bondage be

ref.ed: 28

Reduce ye hir nowe vnto lybertye at the last.

Endeuer you hir bondes to louse or to brast

Hir raunsome is payde and more by a thousande pounde

And yet alas the lady Iustyce lyeth bounde.

Thoughe your fore-Faders haue take hir prysoner Luce xi. et vobis legis peritis ve quia oneratis homines oneribus que portare non possunt et ipsi vno digito non tangitis sarcinas. F.

And done hir in a Dongeon nat mete for hir degre

Lay to your handes and helpe hir from daungere

And hir restore vnto hir lybertye

That pore men and monyles may hir onys se

But certaynly I fere lyst she hath lost hir name

Or by longe prysonment shall after euer be lame

sig: c3

De auaritia et prodigalitate.

Peritnet ad ... ditique parentant.

sig: [c3v]

ref.ed: 29

¶Of Auaryce or Couetyse and prodygalyte.

¶Ye that ar gyuen ouer-moche to Couetyse

Come nere / a place is here for you to dwel

Come nere ye wastfull people in lyke wyse

Youre rowme shall be hye in the Topcastell

Ye care for no shame / for heuen nor for hell

Golde is your god / ryches gotten wrongfully

Ye dame your soule / and yet lyue in penury.

ref.ed: 30

HE that is besy euery day and houre xlvij. dis. sicut.

Without mesure / maner / or moderacion

To gather riches and great store of treasoure

Therof no ioy takinge / confort nor consolacion.

He is a Fole: and of blynde and mad opynyon.

For that which he getteth and kepeth [w]rongfully wrongfully] frongfully 1509 P[sal]. Psal.] Primo. 1509 xlviij. P[sal]. Psal.] Primo. 1509 xlviij. Psal.] Primo. 1509

His heyre often wasteth moche more vnthryftely.

While he here lyueth in this lyfe caduke and mortal.

Ful sore he laboureth: and oft hungry gothe to bed

Sparinge from hymselfe: for hym that neuer shal

After do hym goode. thoughe he were harde bested.

Thus is this Couetous wretche so blyndly led

By the fende that here he lyueth wretchydly

And after his deth damned eternally.

sig: [c4]

There wandreth he in dolour and derknes Ecclesiasti. v.

Amonge infernall flodes tedyous and horryble psal. xlviij.

Let se what auayleth than all his ryches

Ungracyously gotyne / his paynes ar terryble

Than wolde a mende but it is inpossyble 'a'='he'?

In hell is no order nor hope of remedy

But sorowe vpon sorowe / and that euerlastyngly

Yet fynde I a nother vyce as bad as this Ca de cura furio. l. i.

Whiche is the vyce of prodygalyte

He spendyth all in ryot and amys

Without all order / pursuynge pouertye

He lyketh nat to lyue styll in prosperite

But all and more he wastyth out at large

(Beware the ende) is the leste poynt of his charge

ref.ed: 31

But of the couetous somwhat to say agayne Vendi animam lucro. etc. Persius.

Thou art a fole thy soule to sell for riches

Or put thy body to labour or to payne

Thy mynde to fere / thy herte to heuynesse

Thou fole thou fleest no maner cruelnesse

So thou may get money / to make thy heyr a knyght

Thou sleest thy soule where-as thou saue it myght

Thou hast no rest thy mynde is euer in fere Iuuenalis.

Of mysauenture / nor neuer art content

Deth is forgoten / thou carest nat a here

To saue thy soule from infernall punysshement Sophonia si ca sed et argentum. etc.

If thou be dampned / than art thou at thy stent

By thy ryches whiche thou here hast left behynde

To thy executours / thou shalt small comforte fynde Luce. xvi. [I]ob. Iob.] Tob. 1509 xxvij. Iob.] Tob. 1509

Theyr custome is to holde fast that they haue

Thy pore soule shall be farthest fro theyr thought

If that thy carkes be brought onys in the graue

And that they haue thy bagges in handes cought

What say they / than (by god the man had nought)

Whyle he here lyuyd he was to lyberall

Thus dampned is thy soule / thy ryches cause of all

Who wyll denay but it is necessary

Of riches for to haue plenty and store

To this opynyon I wyll nat say contrary

So it be ordred after holy lore

Whyle thy-selfe leuest departe some to the pore Thobi. iiij.

With thy owne hande trust nat thy executours Daniel. iiij.

Gyue for god / and god shall sende at all houres Luce. xi.

sig: [c4v]

ref.ed: 32

Rede Tullius warkes the worthy Oratour. Tullius in para.

And writen shalt thou fynde in right fruteful sentence

That neuer wyse man loued ouer-great honour.

Nor to haue great riches put ouer great diligence

But onely theyr mynde was set on Sapience

And quyetly to lyue in Iust symplycite.

For in greatest honour is greatest ieoperdye.

He that is symple / and on the grounde doth lye

And that can be content with ynoughe or suffisaunce

Is surer by moche than he that lyeth on hye.

Nowe vp nowe downe vnsure as a Balaunce.

But sothly he that set wyll his plesance

Onely on wysdom and styl therfore labour.

Shal haue more goode than all erthly tresour. Melior est sapientia negociatione auri et argenti.

Wysdom techeth to eschewe al offence.

Gydynge mankynde the ryght way to vertue.

But of couetyse Comys all Inconuenyence.

It cawseth man of worde to be vntrue.

Forswerynge and falshode doth it also ensue.

Brybery and Extorcion / murder and myschefe.

Shame is his ende: his lyuyinge is reprefe.

By couetyse Crassus brought was to his ende. Crassus i. q. i. c. que quidam vir crassus.

By it the worthy Romayns lost theyr name.

Of this one yl a thousand ylles doth descende.

Besyde enuy / Pryde / wretchydnes and shame.

Crates the Philosopher dyd Couetyse so blame: Crates thebanus xii. q. ij. gloria episcopi.

That to haue his mynde vnto his stody fre.

He threwe his Tresour all hole into the see.

ref.ed: 33

But shortly to conclude. Both bodely bondage.

And gostly also: procedeth of this couetyse.

The soule is damned the body hath damage

As hunger / thyrst / and colde with other preiudice.

Bereft [of] the ioyes of heuenly Paradyse. of] 1509 omits

For golde was theyr god and that is left behynde

Theyr bodyes beryed the soule clene out of mynde

The Enuoy of Alexander_Barclay translatour.

¶Therefore thou couetouse thou wretch I speke to the.

Amende thy-selfe ryse out of this blyndenes.

Content the wyth ynoughe for thy degre.

Dam nat thy soule by gatheringe frayle riches

Remembre this is a Uale of wretchednes.

Thou shalt no rest nor dwellynge-place here fynde.

Depart thou shalt and leue it al behynde.

sig: [c5]

De nouis ritibus.

Quisquis amat ... crimina vita.

sig: [c5v]

ref.ed: 34

¶Of newe fassions and disgised Garmentes.

¶Who that newe garmentes loues or deuyses.

Or weryth by his symple wyt / and vanyte

Gyuyth by his foly and vnthryfty gyses

Moche yl example to yonge Comontye.

Suche one is a Fole and skant shal euer thee

And comonly it is sene that nowe-a-dayes

One Fole gladly folowes anothers wayes.

ref.ed: 35

DRawe nere ye Courters and Galants disgised

Ye counterfayt Caytifs. that ar nat content

As god hath you made: his warke is despysed

Ye thynke you more crafty than God o[m]nipotent. omnipotent] onipotent 1509

Unstable is your mynde: that shewes by your garment

A fole is knowen by his toyes and his Cote.

But by theyr clothinge nowe may we many note. Math. xviii.

Aparayle is apayred. Al sadnes is decayde

The garmentes ar gone that longed to honestye.

And in newe sortes newe Foles ar arayede ij. Regum. x.

Despisynge the costom of good antiquyte. Nouitatibus indulgendum non est. xi. dis C. fide consue. cum consuetudinibus.

Mannys fourme is disfigured with euery degre

As Knyght Squyer yeman Ientilman and knaue

For al in theyr goynge vngoodely them behaue

sig: [c6]

The tyme hath ben / nat longe before our dayes

Whan men with honest ray coude holde them-self content.

Without these disgised: and counterfayted wayes.

Wherby theyr goodes ar wasted / loste / and spent.

Socrates with many mo in wysdom excellent.

Bycause they wolde nought change that cam of nature Socrates in exemplum vetustatis inducitur.

Let growe theyre here without cuttinge or scissure.

At that tyme was it reputed to lawde and great honour.

To haue longe here: the Beerde downe to the brest

For so they vsed that were of moste valour.

Stryuynge together who myht be godlyest

Saddest / most clenely / discretest / and moste honest.

But nowe-adayes together we contende and stryue.

Who may be gayest: and newest wayes contryue.

ref.ed: 36

Fewe kepeth mesure / but excesse and great outrage

In theyr aparayle. And so therin they procede

That theyr goode is spent: theyr Londe layde to morgage.

Or solde out-right: of Thryft they take no hede.

Hauinge no Peny them to socour at theyr nede.

So whan theyr goode by suche wastefulnes is loste.

They sel agayne theyr Clothes for half that they coste.

A fox-furred Ientelman: of the fyrst yere or hede.

If he be made a Bailyf a Clerke or a Constable.

And can kepe a Parke or Court and rede a Dede

Than is Ueluet to his state mete and agreable.

Howbeit he were more mete to bere a Babyl.

For his Foles Hode his iyen so sore doth blynde

That Pryde expelleth his lynage from his mynde.

Yet fynde I another sort almoste as bad as thay.

As yonge Ientyl-men descended of worthy Auncetry.

Whiche go ful wantonly in dissolute aray.

Counterfayt / disgised / and moche vnmanerly

Blasinge and garded: to lowe or else to hye.

And wyde without mesure: theyr stuffe to wast thus gothe

But other some they suffer to dye for lacke of clothe

Some theyr neckes charged with colers / and chaynes De vita et honestate clericorum ca. pe.

As golden withtthes: theyr fyngers ful of rynges:

Theyr neckes naked: almoste vnto the raynes

Theyr sleues blasinge lyke to a Cranys wynges

Thus by this deuysinge suche counterfayted thinges

They dysfourme that figure that god hymselfe hath made

On pryde and abusion thus ar theyr myndes layde Tullius

sig: [c6v]

ref.ed: 37

Than the Courters careles that on theyr mayster wayte

Seinge hym his Uesture in suche fourme abuse

Assayeth suche Fassion for them to counterfayte.

And so to sue Pryde contynually they muse.

Than stele they; or Rubbe they. Forsoth they can nat chuse.

For without Londe or Labour harde is it to mentayne.

But to thynke on the Galows that is a careful payne.

But be it payne or nat: there many suche ende.

At Newgate theyr garmentis ar offred to be solde.

Theyr bodyes to the Iebet solemly ascende.

Wauynge with the wether whyle theyr necke wyl holde.

But if I shulde wryte al the ylles manyfolde.

That procedeth of this counterfayt abusion

And mysshapen Fassions: I neuer shulde haue done.

¶For both States / comons / man / woman / and chylde

Ar vtterly incly[n]ed to this inconuenyence. inclyned] inclyed 1509

But namely therwith these Courters ar defyled.

Bytwen mayster and man I fynde no dyfference.

Therfore ye Courters knowlege your offence.

Do nat your errour mentayne / support nor excuse.

For Fowles ye ar your Rayment thus to abuse.

To Shyp Galauntes come nere I say agayne.

Wyth your set Busshes Curlynge as men of Inde. xx. q. i. ca. vltimo l. i. ca. de vestiolob. et aur. libro xi.

Ye counterfayted Courters come with your fleinge brayne

Expressed by these variable Garmentes that ye fynde.

To tempt chast Damsels and turne them to your mynde

Your breste ye discouer and necke. Thus your abusion

Is the Fendes bate. And your soules confusion.

ref.ed: 38

Come nere disgysed foles: receyue your Foles Hode.

And ye that in sondry colours ar arayde.

Ye garded galantes wastinge thus your goode

Come nere with your Shertes brodered and displayed. xxxi. dis. si. qua. et. xxv. si quis virorum.

In fourme of Surplys. Forsoth it may be sayde.

That of your Sort right fewe shal thryue this yere.

Or that your faders werith suche Habyte in the Quere.

And ye Ientyl-wymen whome this lewde vice doth blynde

100

Lased on the backe: your peakes set a_loft.

Come to my Shyp. forget ye nat behynde.

Your Sadel on the tayle: yf ye lyst to syt soft.

Do on your Decke Slut: yf ye purpos to come oft.

I mean your Copyntanke: And if it wyl do no goode.

105

To kepe you from the rayne. ye shall haue a foles hode.

sig: d1

By the ale-stake knowe we the ale-hous

And euery Inne is knowen by the sygne

So a lewde woman and a lecherous

Is knowen by hir clothes / be they cours or fyne

110

Folowynge newe fassyons / not graunted by doctryne

The bocher sheweth his flesshe it to sell

So doth these women dampnyng theyr soule to hell

What shall I more wryte of our enormyte

Both man and woman as I before haue sayde

115

Ar rayde and clothyd nat after theyr degre

As nat content with the shape that god hath made

The clenlynes of Clergye is nere also decayed.

Our olde apparale (alas) is nowe layde downe

And many prestes asshamed of theyr Crowne.

ref.ed: 39

120

Unto laymen we vs refourme agayne

As of chryste our mayster in maner halfe asshamed

My hert doth wepe: my tunge doth sore complayne

Seing howe our State is worthy to be blamed.

But if all the Foly of our Hole Royalme were named

125

Of mys_apparayle of Olde / young / lowe / and hye /

The tyme shulde fayle: and space to me denye.

Alas thus al states of Chrysten men declynes.

And of wymen also disfourmynge theyr fygure.

Wors than the Turkes / Iewes / or Sarazyns. Seneca in hercule etheo.

130

A Englonde Englonde amende or be thou sure

Thy noble name and fame can nat endure a[p]ostrophe ad angliam.apostrophe] anostrophe 1509 apostrophe] anostrophe 1509

Amende lyst god do greuously chastyce.

Bothe the begynners and folowe[r]s of this vyce folowers] folowes 1509

¶The enuoy of Alexander_barclay the translatour.

REduce courters clerly vnto your rembrance

From whens this disgysyng was brought wherin ye go

As I remember it was brought out of France

This is to your plesour. But payne ye had also.

As Frenche Pockes hote ylles with other paynes mo.

Take ye in good worth the swetnes with the Sour.

For often plesour endeth with sorowe and dolour.

But ye proude Galaundes that thus yourselfe disgise

Be ye asshamed. beholde vnto your Prynce. Laus summa de grauitate eximia henrici anglorum regis. viij.

Consyder his sadnes: His honestye deuyse

His clothynge expresseth his inwarde prudence

Ye se no Example of suche Inconuenyence

In his hyghnes: but godly wyt and grauyte

Ensue hym: and sorowe for your enormyte

sig: [d1v]

ref.ed: 40

Away with this pryde / this statelynes let be

Rede of the Prophetis clothynge or vesture

And of Adam firste of your ancestrye

Of Iohnn the Prophete / theyr clothynge was obscure

Uyle and homly / but nowe what creature

Wyll then ensue / sothly fewe by theyr wyll

Therfore suche folys my nauy shall fulfyll

De Antiquis fatuis.

Ad patulum ... triuerit annos.

sig: d2

Moribus in prauis ... depellere mores.

ref.ed: 41

¶Of old folys that is to say the longer they lyue the more they ar gyuen to foly.

¶Howe-beit I stoup / and fast declyne

Dayly to my graue / and sepulture

And though my lyfe fast do enclyne

To pay the trybute of nature

Yet styll remayne I and endure

In my olde synnes / and them nat hate

Nought yonge / wors olde / suche is my state

ref.ed: 42

THe madnes of my youthe rotyd in my age

And the blynde foly of my iniquite

Wyll me nat suffer to leue myne old vsage

sig: [d2v]

Nor my fore-lyuynge full of enormyte

Lame ar his lymmys / and also I can nat se Ouidius in fast.

I am a childe and yet lyuyd haue I Prouer. xxij. Esaie. xlvi.

[An] hundreth wynter / encresynge my foly An] And 1509

But though I myght lerne my wyll is nat therto

But besy I am and fully set my thought

To gyue example to children to mysdo

By my lewde doctryne bryngynge them to nought

And whan they ar onys into my daunce brought

I teche them my foly wysdome set asyde

My-selfe example / begynner / and theyr gyde

My lewde lyfe / my foly and my selfwyllyd mynde C. ex studiis et ca cum in iuuentute de presumpti.

Whiche I haue styll kept hytherto in this lyfe Whiche] Whhiche 1509

In my testament I leue wryten behynde

Bequethyng parte both to man childe and wyfe

I am the actour of myschefe and of stryfe

The foly of my youth and the inconuenyence

In age I practyse / techynge by experyence

I am a fole and glad am of that name Laudatur peccator in desideriis suis psal. xviij.

Desyrynge lawde for eche vngracious dede

And of my foly to spred abrode the fame

To showe my vyce and synne / as voyde of drede

Of heuen or hell. therfore I take no hede

But as some stryue disputynge of theyr cunnynge

Right so do I in lewdnes and myslyuynge.

ref.ed: 43

Somtyme I bost me of falshode and dysceyt

Somtyme of the sede that sawyn is by me

Of all myschefe / as murder flatery debate

Couetyse bacbytynge theft and lechery

My mynde is nat to mende my iniquyte

But rather I sorowe that my lyfe is wore

That I can nat do as I haue done before xvi. dis nec licuit.

But syns my lyfe so sodaynly dothe apeyre

That byde I can nat styll in this degre

I shall infourme and teche my sone and heyre

To folowe his fader / and lerne this way of me

The way is large / god wot glad shall he be De conse. dis. v. vl. in glo.

Lernynge my lore with affeccion and desyre

And folowe the steppys of his vnthryfty syre

I trust so crafty and wyse to make the lad Iuuenalis

That me his father he shall pas and excell

O that my herte shall than be wonder glad

sig: d3

If I here-of may knowe / se / or here tell

If he be false faynynge sotyll or cruell

And so styll endure I haue a speciall hope

To make hym scrybe to a Cardynall or Pope.

Or els if he can be a fals extorcyoner

Fasynge and bostynge to scratche and to kepe

He shall be made a comon costomer

As yche hope of Lyn Calays or of Depe

Than may he after to some great offyce crepe

So that if he can onys plede a case

He may be made Iuge of the comon-place.

ref.ed: 44

Thus shall he lyue as I haue all his dayes

And in his age increas his folysshenes

His fader came to worshyp by suche ways

So shall the sone / if he hym-selfe addres

To sue my steppes in falshode and lewdnes

And at leste if he can come to no degre

This shyp of folys shall he gouerne with me

¶ Barklay to the folys.

AWake age alas what thynkest thou be Tullius de senectute.

Awake I say out of thy blynde derkenes

Remembrest thou nat that shortly thou shalt dye

Aryse from synne amende thy folysshenes

Though thy youth reted were in vyciousnes

Aryse in age is full tyme to leue it

Thy graue is open thy one fote in the pyt

Leue thy bostynge of that thou hast done amys

Bewayle thy synnes / sayeng with rufull mone

Delicta iuuentutis mee deus ne memineris

Amende the or thy youth be fully gone

That sore is harde to hele that bredes in the bone

He that is nought yonge / procedynge so in age Danie. xiij.

Shall skant euer his vyciousnes asswage Prouer. xxvi. et. xviij.

What thinge is more abhomynable in goddes syght.

Than vicious age: certaynly no-thynge.

It is eke wordly shame / whan thy corage and myght

Is nere dekayed / to kepe thy lewde lyuynge.

And by example of the / thy yonge children to brynge.

Into a vicious lyfe: and all goodnes to hate.

Alas age thus thou art the Fendes bate.

sig: [d3v]

De doctrina filiorum.

Indulget quicunque ... luxumque pudendum:

sig: [d4]

ref.ed: 45

¶Of the erudicion of neglygent faders anenst theyr chyldren.

That fole that suffreth his Chylde for to offende

Wythout rebukynge / blame / and correccion.

And hym nat exhorteth / hymselfe to amende.

Of suche fawtes as by hym ar done.

Shal it sore repent: god wote howe sone

For oft the faders foly / fauour / and neglygence

Causeth the Chylde for to fall to great offence

ref.ed: 46

A Myserable Fole euermore shal he be.

A wretche vnauysed / and a Catyf blynde.

Whiche his chyldren fawtes forseth nat to see

Hauynge no care for to induce theyr mynde

To godly vertue: and vyce to leue behynde. Prouer. xiij.

For whyle they ar yonge fereful and tender of age. Eccle .xxx.

Theyre vyce and foly is easy to asswage. lxv. dis. cum bea.

Two dyuers sortes of these foles may we fynde.

By whome theyr chyldren ar brou[g]ht to confusion. brought] brouht 1509

The one is neglygent. the other is starke blynde.

Nat wyllynge to beholde his childes yl condicion.

Whyle he is in youthe: But for a conclusion

He is a Fole that wyl nat se theyr vyce.

And he that seyth: and wyl it nat chastyce.

sig: [d4v]

Alas thou art a cursed counselloure Prouer. xxij.

To wanton youth that tender is of age

To let them wander without gouernoure

Or wyse mayster / in youthes furious rage

Get them a mayster theyr foly to asswage

For as a herdles flocke strayth in Iepardy

So children without gyde wandreth in foly. Numer. xxvij. Esa. liij.

To moche lyberty pleasoure and lycence Therencius Nos omnes licencia deteriores sumus.

Gyuen vnto youth / whether it be or age

Right often causyth great inconuenyence

As ryot mysrule with other sore damage

Theyr londe and goodes solde or layde to gage

But thou folysshe father art redy to excuse

Thy yonge children of theyr synne and abuse

ref.ed: 47

Thou sayst they ar ouer-tender to eschewe

Theyr folysshe maners and they haue no skyll

To knowe the wayes of goodnes or vertue

Nor to discerne what is gode / what is yll

Thou blynde dodart these wordes holde thou styll Virtus adeo in teneris consuescere multum est

Theyr youth can nat excuse thy folysshenes

He that can yll as well myght lerne goodnes

A yonge hert is as apt to take wysdome Iuue[n]alis Ex studijs intelligetur puer si munda et recta sunt opera eius. prouer. xx.

As is an olde / and if it rotyd be

It sawyth sede of holy lyfe to come

Also in children we often-tymes se

Great aptnes outwarde and syne of grauyte

But fyll an erthen pot firste with yll lycoure

And euer after it shall smell somwhat soure Horatius in ar. poetica. Quo semel est imbuta recens seruabit odorem testa diu.

So youth brought vp in lewdnes and in syn

Shall skant it shrape so clene out of his mynde

But that styll after some spot wyll byde within

A lytell twygge plyant is by kynde

A bygger braunche is harde to bowe or wynde

But suffer the braunche to a byg tre to growe Ouidius de remedio amoris

And rather it shall brake than outher wynde or bowe

Correct thy childe whyle he is lyke a twygge

Soupyll and plyant / apt to correccion

It wyll be harde forsoth whan he is bygge

To brynge his stubron herte to subieccion

What hurtyth punysshement with moderacion

Unto yonge children / certaynely no-thynge Prouer. xxiiij.

It voydeth vyce / gettynge vertue and cunnynge

sig: [d5]

ref.ed: 48

Say folysshe fader haddest thou leuer se

Thy sonnes necke vnwrested wyth a rope.

Than with a rod his skyn shulde brokyn be.

And oft thou trustest: and hast a stedfast hope

To se thy son promoted nere as hye as is the Pope

But yet perchaunce mourne thou shalt ful sore.

For his shameful ende: fortuned for lacke of lore.

Some folowe theyr chyldrens wyl and lewde plesour

So grauntinge them theyr mynde: that after it doth fal

To theyr great shame: theyr sorowe and dolour

As dyd to Priamus a Kynge Imperial Fatum Priami.

Whiche suffred his men: his son chefe of them al

By force from Grece to robbe the fayre Helayne.

Wherby both Fader and son were after slayne.

With noble Hector and many thousandes mo.

The Cyte of Troy vnto the ground clene brent.

I rede in the Cronycles of the Romayns also

Howe Tarquyne the proude had shame and punysshment: Tarquinus filius tarquini superbi Romanorum regis de quo Valerius

For rauysshynge chaste Lucres agaynst hyr assent.

Wherfore hyr-selfe she slewe hyr seynge thus defiled. Lucrecia sese interemit.

For the which dede this Tarquyn was exiled.

From Rome: wandrynge in the Costes of Italy.

Dyd nat the traytour Catelyne also conspyre ¶ Catelina de quo Salustius

And many mo sworne to his cruel tyranny

Agaynst the Romans to oppresse theyr Impyre /

But he and all his were murdred for theyr hyre.

And nat vnworthely. Beholde wherto they come

Which ar nat enfourmed in youth to ensue wysdom.

ref.ed: 49

The son oft foloweth the faders behauour

And if the fader be discrete and vertuous.

The son shal suche wayes practyse both day and hour.

But if that the fader be lewde and vicious

By falshode lyuynge: and by wayes cautelous.

The son also the same wayes wyl ensue

And that moche rather than goodnes or vertue

Therfore it nedeth that better prouysion.

100

Were founde for youthe by sad and wyse counsayle

Far from theyr faders of this condicion.

And other lewde gydes which myght theyr myndes assayle

Greuously wyth syn. So were it theyr auayle

From theyr faders frawde and falshode to declyne

105

And them submyt to some lawdable mannys doctryne.

sig: [d5v]

Peleus / somtyme a noble and worthy kynge Peleus de quo Homerus.

Subdued Achylles vnto the doctryne

Of phenix whiche was both worthy and cunnynge

Wherfore Achyllys right gladly dyd enclyne

110

With his hert and mynde vnto his disciplyne

Wherby his name so noble was at the last

That all Asy in worthynes he past

¶Ryght so Philippus a kynge worthy of name Philippus

Ouer all Grece made great inqui[si]cion inquisicion] iniquicion 1509

115

To fynde one wyse / sad and laudable of fame

To Alexander his sonne for to gyue Instruccion.

Founde was great Aristotyl at the conclusion aristoteles magister Alexandri_magni et discipulus platonis.

Disciple of Plato. whiche in euery Science.

Infourmed this chylde with parfyte diligence.

ref.ed: 50

120

Whiche Alexander afterward had so great dignyte.

What by his strength / his cunnynge / and boldenes.

That he was lorde both of Londe and See.

And none durst rebel aganst his worthynes.

Lo here the lawde / the honour / and nobles.

125

Which dothe procede of vertue and doctryne

But few ar the faders that nowe hereto inclyne.

Fewe ar that forceth nowe-adayes to se

Theyr chyldren taught: or to do any cost

On som sad man / wyse / and of auctorite:

130

Al that is theron bestowed thynke they loste.

The folyssh Fader oft-tymes maketh great boste.

That he his son to habundant riches shal auance

But no-thynge he speketh of vertuous gouernance.

The feder made but smal shyft or prouysion.

135

To induce his Son by vertuous doctryne.

But whan he is dede and past: moche les shal the son

To stody of grace his mynde or hert inclyne. Prouerbiorum x.

But abuse his reason: and from al good declyne.

Alas folysshe faders gyue your aduertence

140

To Crates complaynt comprysed in this sentence. Crates thebanus.

If it were graunted to me to shewe my thought

Ye folysshe faders Caytifes I myght you cal

Whiche gather riches to brynge your chylde to nought.

Gyuynge him occasion forto be prodigal.

145

But goode nor cunnynge shewe ye hym none at all.

But whan ye drawe to age / ye than moste comonly. Prouer. xix.

Sorowe for your suffrance. But without remedy. Eccle. xxii.

sig: [d6]

ref.ed: 51

An olde sore to hele is oft halfe incurable

Ryght so ar these Chyldren roted in myschefe

150

Some after euer lyueth a lyfe abhomynable

To al theyr Kyn great sorowe and reprefe.

The one is a murderer the other a fereles thefe. Deutro. xxi.

The one of god nor goode man hath no fors ne care.

Another so out wasteth that his frendes ar ful bare.

155

Some theyr londe and lyuelode in riot out wasteth.

At cardes and / tenys / and other vnlawful gamys.

And some wyth the Dyce theyr thryft away casteth.

Some theyr soule damnes / and theyr body shames.

With flesshly lust: which many one dyffamys.

160

Spendynge the floures of youth moche vnthryftely.

On dyuers Braunches that longe to Lechery.

Another delyteth hymselfe in Glotony.

Etynge and drynkynge without maner / or mesure:

The more that some drynke: the more they wax drye.

165

He is moste Gala[n]t whyche lengest can endure.

Thus without mesure ouercharge they theyr nature.

So that theyr Soule is loste theyr body and goode is spent.

For lacke of doctryne / Norture and punysshment.

Se here playne prose / example and euydence xii. q. i. omnis. Geneseos viii.

170

Howe youthe which is nat norysshed in doctryne.

In age is gyuen vnto al Inconuenyence.

But nought shall make youthe soner forto inclyne.

To noble maners: nor Godly dysciplyne:

Than shal the doctryne of a mayster wyse and sad: Prouer. xix.

175

For the rote of vertue and wysdome therby is had. Eccle. Eccle.] Ecccle. 1509 vii. Eccle.] Ecccle. 1509

ref.ed: 52

Without dout Noblenes is moche excellent

Whiche oft causeth youth to be had in great honour.

To haue the name / and lawde they ar content. Seneca.

Thoughe it be nat gotten by theyr owne labour. Iuuenalis.

180

But what auayleth them this lewde obscure errour

Of suche hye byrthe them-self to magnyfy.

Sythe they defyle it with vice and Uilany.

Why art thou proude thou foul of that nobles

Whyche is nat gotten by thyne owne vertue.

185

By thy goode maners / wyt nor worthynes:

But this forsothe oft-tymes fynde I true

That of a goode beste / yl whelpes may we shewe.

In lyke wyse of a Moder that is bothe chast and goode.

Often is brought forth a ful vngracious Brode.

sig: [d6v]

190

But though the childe be of lewde condicion

And of his nature frowarde and varyable

If the fader be slacke in the correccion

Of his childe / he onely is culpable

Whiche wyll nat teche hym maners commendable Eccle. xxij.

195

Thus is the fader a fole for his suffraunce

And the sone also for his mysgouernaunce

¶Th'enuoy.

Auoyd faders your fauour and suffraunce

Anenst your children in theyr faute and offence

Reduce ye clerely vnto your remembraunce

That many a thousande inconuenyence

Haue children done by theyr faders negligence

But to say trouth brefely in one clause

The faders fauour onely is the cause

ref.ed: 53

¶Of tale-berers / fals reporters / and prom[o]ters

promoters] prometers 1509

of stryfes.

¶Of folys yet fynde I another maner sorte

Whiche ar cause of brawlynge stryfe and deuysion

Suche ar dowble tongyd that lesyngys reporte

Therby trustynge to come to great promosion

But suche lewde caytyfes at the conclusion

Bytwene two mylstons theyr legges puttes to grynde

And for rewarde / theyr confusion shall they fynde.

sig: e1

ref.ed: 54

SOme ar that thynke the pleasoure and ioy of theyr lyfe Prouer. xvi. et xix.

To brynge men in b[r]awlynge to discorde and debate brawlynge] blawlynge 1509

Enioynge to moue them to chydynge and to stryfe Eccle. xxvij.

And where loue before was to cause mortall hate

With the comonty / and many great estate

Suche is moche wors than outher murderer or thefe

For ofte of his talys procedeth grete myschefe

Within his mouth is venym Ieperdous and vyle Ecc. x.

His tonge styll laboryth lesynges to contryue

His mynde styll museth on falshode and on gyle

Therwith to trobyll suche as gladly wolde nat stryue

Somtyme his wordes as dartis he doth dryue Prauo corde machinatur malum cum tempore et iurgia seminat. prouer. sexto.

Agaynst good men: for onely his delyte.

Is set to sclaunder to diffame and bacbyte.

And namely them that fautles ar and innocent.

Of conscience clene / and maners commendable

These dryuyls sclaunder / beynge full dilygent. Sex sunt que odit dominus. etc. prouer. vi.

To deuyde / louers that ar moste agreable

His tonge Infect his mynde abhomynable

Infectyth loue and ouertourneth charyte

Of them that longe-tyme haue lyuyd in amyte

But he that accused is thus without all faute Prouer. xxix.

And so sclaundred of this caytyf vnthryfty

Knowyth nought of this ieoperdous assaute

For he nought dowteth that is no-thynge fauty

Thus whyle he nought feryth comyth sodaynly

This venemous doloure distaynynge his gode name

And so gyltles put to rebuke / and to shame

ref.ed: 55

Thus if one serche and seke the worlde ouerall Prouer. xxiiij.

Than a backbyter nought is more peryllous

His mynde myscheuous / his wordys or mortall

His damnable byt is foule and venemous

A thousande lyes of gyles odyous Prouer. primo pedes. n. eorum ad malum currunt et festinant vt effundant sanguinem.

He castyth out where he wolde haue debate

Engendrynge murder whan he his tyme can wayt

Where-as any frendes lyueth in accorde

Faythfull and true: this cowarde and caytyf

With his fals talys them bryngeth to dyscorde Esai. xxxij.

And with his venym kepeth them in stryfe ipsi quoque contra sanguinem suum insidiantur: et moliuntur fraudes contra animas suas pro. primo.

But howe-beit that he thus pas forth his lyfe

Sawynge his sede of debate and myschefe

His darte oft retourneth to his own reprefe

sig: [e1v]

But nat withstandynge / suche boldely wyl excuse

His fals dyffamynge: as fautles and innocent.

If any hym for his dedes worthely accuse

He couereth his venym: as symple of intent.

Other ar whiche flater: and to euery-thynge assent.

Before face folowynge the way of adulacion /

Whiche afterwarde sore hurteth by detraccion.

The worlde is nowe alle set on dyffamacion. Therencius in eunucho olim isti fuit generi quondam questus apud seculum prius. etc.

Suche as ar moste cherisshed that best can forge a tale.

Whych shulde be moste had in abhomynacion.

And so they ar of wyse men without fayle.

But suche as ar voyde of wysdom and counsayle

Inclyneth theyr erys to sclander and detraccion.

Moche rather than they wolde to a noble sermon. Horatius.

ref.ed: 56

But euery Sclanderer / and begynner of stryfe. Sapientie. i.

Lousers of loue / and infecters of Charite. Prouer. xix.

Unworthy ar to lyue here at large in this lyfe.

But in derke Dongeon they worthy ar to be.

And there to remayne in pryson tyl they dye.

For with ther yl tunges they labour to destroy

Concorde: whiche cause is of loue and of ioy.

An olde quean that hath ben nought al hyr dayes.

Whiche oft hath for money hyr body let to hyre

Thynketh that al other doth folowe hyr olde wayes.

So she and hyr boul-felawes syttinge by the fyre.

The Boule about walkynge with theyr tunges they conspyre

Agaynst goode peple / to sclander them wyth shame.

Than shal the noughty doughter lerne of the bawdy dame.

By his warkes knowen is euery creature

For if one good / louynge / meke and charitable be.

He labours no debates amonge men to procure.

But coueyteth to norysshe true loue and charite.

Where-as the other ful of falshode and iniquyte

Theyr synguler plesour put to ingender variaunce.

But oft theyr folysshe stody retournes to theyr myschaunce

Therfore ye bacbyters that folke thus dyffame remoue a te os prauum et detrahencia labia sint procul a te prouerb. iiij.

Leue of your lewdnes and note wel this sentence.

Which Cryist hymself sayd: to great rebuke and shame

Unto them that sclandreth a man of Innocence.

Wo be to them whych by malyuolence

Slandreth or dyffameth any creature.

But wel is hym that wyth pacience can indure.

De delatoribus et litigiorum promotoribus.

sig: e2

Qui duplici ... luce perosus.

sig: [e2v]

Non sequi bona consilia.

Est: et non: ... telluris aratrum.

sig: e3

ref.ed: 57

¶Of hym that wyll nat folowe nor ensue good counsell / and necessary.

¶Of folys yet another sorte doth come

Vnto our shyp rowynge with great trauayle

Whiche nought perceyue of doctryne nor wysdome

And yet dysdayne they to aske wyse counseyll

Nor it to folowe for theyr owne auayle

Let suche folys therat haue no dysdayne

If they alone endure theyr losse and payne

ref.ed: 58

HE is a fole that dothe coueyt and desyre

To haue the name of wysdome and prudence

And yet of one sought thorugh a cyte or a shyre

None coude be founde of lesse wysdome nor science Ne sis sapiens aput temetipsum. prouer. iii.

But whyle he thynketh hym full of sapience

Crafty and wyse / doutles he is more blynde

Than is that fole wh[i]che is out of his mynde whiche] whche 1509 Prouer. xiiii. et xi. Prouer. xiiii. et xi.

But though he be wyse / and of myght meruaylous Abdie. ii.

Endued with retoryke and with eloquence

And of hym-selfe both ware and cautelous

If he be tachyd with this inconuenyence Prouer primo.

To dysdayne others counseyll and sentence Eccle. xix.

He is vnwyse / for oft a folys counsayle

Tourneth a wyse man to confort and auayle

sig: [e3v]

But specially the read and auysement Prouer primo audiens sapiens sapientior erit / et intelligens gubernacula possidebit.

Of wyse men / discrete / and full of grauyte

Helpeth thyne owne / be thou never so prudent

To thy purpose gyuynge strength and audacyte.

One man alone knowys nat all polycye

Thoughe thou haue wysdome cunnynge and scyence

Yet hath another moche more experience

Some cast out wordes in paynted eloquence

Thynkynge therby to be reputed wyse

Thoughe they haue neyther wysdome nor science

Suche maner folys them-self do exercyse C. ne inniteris de consti.

A plughe and teame craftely to deuyse

To ere the path that folys erst hath made

The trouth vnder glose of suche is hyd and layde

ref.ed: 59

For why / they trust alway to theyr owne mynde

And furour begon whether it be good or yll

As if any other / no wyser read coude fynde

Thus they ensue theyr pryuate folysshe wyll

Oft in suche maters wherin they haue no skyll

As dyd Pyrrus whiche began cruell Batayle

Agaynst Orestes refusynge wyse counsayle

But folowyd his owne rasshe mynde without auayle Pyrrhus Epirotarum rex. in boca. de ge. de. lxii. C. lii.

As blynde and obstynat of his intencion

Wherfore he was disconfyted in Batayle

Hymselfe slayne / his men put to confusyon

If that the Troyans in theyr abusyon

With false Parys / had confourmed theyr intent

To Helenns counsayle Troy had nat ben brent.

For that Priamus his mynde wolde nat aply

To the counseyll of Cassandra Prophetes

The grekys distroyed a great parte of Asy

Hector also by his selfwyllydnes

Was slayne with Peyn for all his doughtynes

Of Achylles in open and playne Batayle

For nat folowynge of his faders counsayle

If Hector that day had byddyn within Troy Hector primogenitus priam.

And vnto his fader bene obedient

Perchaunce he sholde haue lyuyd in welth and ioy

Longe-tyme after and come to his intent

Where-as his body was with a spere through rent

Of the sayd Achyllys cruell and vnkynde

Alas for suynge his owne selfwyllyd mynde

sig: [e4]

ref.ed: 60

I rede of Nero moche cursed and cruell Nero.

Whiche to wyse counsayle hymself wolde nat agre

But in all myschef all other dyd excell

Delytynge hym in synne and crueltye

But howe dyde he ende forsoth in myserye

And at the last as wery of his lyfe

Hymselfe he murdred with his owne hand and knyfe

The Bybyll wytnessyth howe the prophete Thoby Thobias.

Gaue his dere sone in chefe commaundement

That if he wolde lyue sure without ieoperdy

He sholde sue the counsayle of men wyse and prudent

The story of Roboam is also euydent Roboam iii. regum. xii.

Whiche for nat suynge of counseyll and wysdome Eccle. xlvii.

Lost his Empyre / his scepter and kyngdome

If that it were nat for cawse of breuyte

I coude shewe many of our predecessours

Whiche nat folowynge counceyll of men of grauyte

Soone haue decayed from theyr olde honours

I rede of Dukes / Kynges / and Emperours

Whiche dispysynge the counsayle of men of age

Haue after had great sorowe and damage

For he suerly whiche is so obstynate Sapienciam et prudenciam stulti despiciunt. prouer. primo.

That onely he trusteth to his owne blyndnes

Thynkynge all wysdome within his dotynge pate

He often endyth in sorowe and dystres

Wherfore let suche theyr cours swyftly addres

To drawe our Ploughe / and depe to ere the ground

That by theyr laboure all folys may be founde

ref.ed: 61

¶The Enuoy of Alexander_Barclay the translatour.

O man vnauysed / thy blynd[n]es set asyde blyndnes] blyndes 1509

Knowlege thy owne foly thy statelynes expel

Let nat for thy eleuate mynde nor folysshe pryde.

To order thy dedes by goode and wyse counsel

Howbeit thou thynke thy reason doth excel

Al other mennys wyt. yet oft it doth befall.

Anothers is moche surer: and thyn the worst of all.

sig: [e4v]

De incompositis mo[r]ibus.

moribus] motibus 1509

Qui tenet ... candida fata.

sig: [e5]

ref.ed: 62

¶Of disordred and vngoodly maners.

Drawe nere ye folys of lewde condicion

Of yll behauoure gest and countenaunce

Your proude lokys / disdayne and derysyon

Expresseth your inwarde folysshe ignoraunce

Nowe wyll I touche your mad mysgouernaunce

Whiche hast to foly / And folysshe company

Treylynge your Babyll in sygne of your foly.

ref.ed: 63

IN this our tyme small is the company Sapientie. xij.

That haue good maners worthy of reuerence Eccle. xx.

But many thousandes folowe vylany

Prone to all synne and inconuenyence

Stryuynge who sonest may come to all offence Math. vi.

Of lewde condicions and vnlefulnesse Math. vij.

Blyndnes of yll / and defylyd folysshenesse

All myserable men alas haue set theyr mynde

On lothsome maners clene destytute of grace Treno. iiij.

Theyr iyen dymmyd / theyr hertes are so blynde

That heuenly ioy none forceth to purchace

Both yonge and olde procedeth in one trace Esaie. lvi.

With ryche and pore without all dyfference Math. xv.

As bonde-men subdued to foly and offence

sig: [e5v]

Some ar busshed theyr bonetes set on syde. Esai. xiij.

Some waue theyr armys and hede to and fro ii. thimo. iij.

Some in no place can stedfastly abyde Sapientie. xij.

More wylde and wanton than outher buk or do

Some ar so proude that on fote they can nat go

But get they must with countenaunce vnstable

Shewynge them folys / frayle and varyable

Some chyde that all men do them hate

Some gygyll and lawgh without grauyte

Some thynkes / hym-selfe a gentylman o[f] state of] or 1509

Though he a knaue caytyf and bonde churle be

These folys ar so blynde them-self they can nat so

A yonge boy that is nat worthe an onyon

With gentry or presthode is felowe and companyon

ref.ed: 64

Brybours and Baylyes that lyue vpon towlynge

Are in the world moche set by nowe-a-dayes

Sergeauntis and Catchpollys that lyue upon powlynge

Courters and caytyfs begynners of frayes

Lyue styll encreasynge theyr vnhappy wayes

And a thousande mo of dyuers facultyes

Lyue auauntynge them of theyr enormytees

Within the chirche and euery other place

These folys vse theyr lewde condicions

Some starynge some cryeng some haue great solace

In rybawde wordes / some in deuysyons

Some them delyte in scornes and derysons

Some pryde ensueth and some glotony.

Without all norture gyuen to vylany

Theyr lyfe is folysshe lothsome and vnstable Iacobi. ij.

Lyght-brayned / theyr herte and mynde is inconstant

Theyr gate and loke proude and abhomynable

They haue nor order as folys ignorant

Chaungyng theyr myndes thryse in one instant

Alas this lewdnes and great enormyte

Wyll them nat suffer theyr wretchydnes to se

Thus ar these wretchyd caytyfes fully blynde

All men and wymen that good ar doth them hate

But he that with good maners endueth his mynde ff. de tu. et cu. l. scire.

Auoydeth this wrath hatered and debate

His dedes pleaseth both comonty and estate

And namely suche as ar good and laudable Sapientie. vi.

Thynketh his dedes right and commendable

sig: [e6]

ref.ed: 65

As wyse men sayth: both vertue and cunnynge

Honoure and worshyp grace and godlynes

Of worthy maners take theyr begynnynge

And fere also asswagyth wantones.

Subduynge the furour of youthes wylfulnes

But shamefastnes trouth constance and probyte

Both yonge and olde bryngeth to great dignyte.

These foresayde vertues with charite and peas.

Together assembled stedfast in mannys mynde.

Cawseth his honour and worthynes to encreas.

And his godly lyfe a godly ende shal fynde

But these lewde caytyfs which doth theyr myndes blynde

With corrupt maners lyuynge vnhappely:

In shame they lyue and wretchedly they dye.

De lesione amicicię.

Qui facit ... carmine lollo: ... deprauata benigno.

ref.ed: 66

¶Of brekynge and hurtynge of amyte and frendshyp.

sig: f1

¶He that iniustyce vseth and greuaunce

Agaynst all reason lawe and equyte

By vyolent force puttynge to vtteraunce

A symple man full of humylyte

Suche by his lewdnes and iniquyte.

Makyth a graue wherin hym-selfe shall lye

And lewdly he dyeth that lyueth cruellye.

ref.ed: 67

A Fole frowarde cruell and vntrewe Sapientie. v.

Is he whiche by his power wrongfully Prouer tercio.

His frendes and subiectes laboures to subdewe Eccle. xi.

Without all lawe / but clene by tyranny

Therfore thou Iuge thy erys se thou aply

To right Iustyce and set nat thyne intent

By wrath or malyce to be to vyolent.

It is nat lawfull to any excellent

Or myghty man / outher lawyer or estate

By cruelnes to oppresse an innocent

Ne by pryde and malyce Iustyce to violate

The lawe transposynge after a frowarde rate

With proude wordes defendynge his offence

God wot oft suche haue symple conscience

O that he cursed is and reprouable Prouer. xi. et. iii.

Whiche day and nyght stodyeth besely

To fynde some meanes false and detestable

To put his frende to losse or hurte therby

Our hertes ar fully set on vylany

There ar right fewe of hye or lowe degre

That luste to norysshe trewe loue and amyte

Alas exyled is godly charyte

Out of our Royalme we all ar so vnkynde

Our folys settyth gretter felycyte

On golde and goodes than on a faythfull frynde

Awake blynde folys and call vnto your mynde

That though honest ryches be moche commendable

Yet to a true frende it is nat comparable

ref.ed: 68

Of all thynges loue is moste profytable

For the right order of lowe and amyte Eccle. xxv.

Is of theyr maners to be agreable Luce. xi.

And one of other haue mercy and pyte

Eche doynge for other after theyr degre

And without falshode this frendeshyp to mayntayne

And nat departe for pleasour nor for payne

sig: [f1v]

But alas nowe all people haue dysdayne

On suche frendshyp for to set theyr delyte

Amyte we haue exyled out certayne

We lowe oppressyon to sclaunder and bacbyte

Extorcyon hath strength / pyte gone is quyte

Nowe in the worlde suche frendes ar there none

As were in Grece many yeres agone.

Who lyst th'ystory of Patroclus to rede Achilles Hectorem hasta trucidauit gratia Patrocli interempti. Actor est bo. in ge. de. liber xii. c. lii

There shall he se playne wryten without fayle

Howe whan Achyllys gaue no force nor hede

Agaynst the Troyans to execute batayle

The sayd Patroclus dyd on the aparayle

Of Achylles / and went forth in his steade

Agaynst Hector: but lyghtly he was dede.

But than Achylles seynge this myschaunce.

Befallen his frende whiche was to hym so true.

He hym addressyd shortly to take vengeaunce.

And so in Batayle the noble Hector slewe

And his dede cors after his charot drewe.

Upon the grounde traylynge ruthfully behynde

Se howe he auengyd Patroclus his frende.

ref.ed: 69

The hystory also of Orestes dothe expresse Pilades amicus Orestis. Actor est Theodocius vt refert Bo. de ge. deorum. li. xii. ca. xx.

Whiche whan agamenon his fader was slayne

By egystus whiche agaynst rightwysnes

The sayde Orestis moder dyd meyntayne

The childe was yonge wherfore it was but vayne

In youth to stryue / but whan he came to age

His naturall moder slewe he in a rage

And also Egystus whiche had his fader slayne

Thus toke he vengeaunce of both theyr cruelnes

But yet it grewe to his great care and payne

For sodaynly he fell in a madnesse

And euer thought that in his furiousnes

His moder hym sued flamynge full of fyre Va. li. iiii. c. vi.

And euer his deth was redy to conspyre

Orestes troubled with this fereful vysyon

As franatyke and mad wandred many a day

Ouer many a countrey londe and regyon

His frende Pylades folowynge hym alway

In payne nor wo he wolde hym nat denay

Tyll he restoryd agayne was to his mynde

Alas what frynde may we fynde nowe so kynde

sig: f2

Of dymades what shall I lawde or wryte. Valerius li. iiij. ca. vi.

And Pythias his felawe amyable

Whiche in eche other suche loue had and delyte

That whan Denys a tyrant detestable

And of his men some to hym agreable

Wolde one of them haue mordred cruelly

Echone for other offred for to dye

ref.ed: 70

Ualerius wrytyth a story longe and ample

Of Lelius and of worthy Cipio. Cipio amicus Lelij. Val. li. et ca. supradictis

Whiche of trewe loue hath left vs great example

For they neuer left in doloure wele nor wo

I rede in th'ystory of Theseus also: De Theseo et Preithoo prolixius narrant Oui. et Lactancius vt refert bo. de. ge. de. li. xi. ca. xxxiii.

Howe he (as the Poetes fables doth tell)

Folowyd his felawe perothus into hell.

And serchynge hym dyd wander and compas

100

Those lothsome flodys and wayes tenebrous

Ferynge no paynes of that dysordred place

Nor obscure mystes or ayres odyous

Tyll at the laste by his wayes cautelous

And Hercules valyaunt dedes of boldnesse

105

He gat Perothus out of that wretchydnesse

Alas where ar suche frendes nowe-a-dayes

Suerly in the worlde none suche can be founde Prouer. xx. Multi homines misericordes vocantur: virum autem fidelem quis inueniet.

All folowe theyr owne profyte and lewde wayes Prouer. xiiii. et xxix.

None vnto other coueytys to be bounde

110

Brekers of frendshyp ynough ar on the grounde Ecclesi. xxxvii.

Whiche set nought by frendshyp so they may haue good

All suche in my shyp shall haue a folys hode

¶The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys.

¶Ye cruell folys full of ingratitude.

Aryse be asshamyd of your iniquyte

Mollyfy your hertes vnkynde stuberne and rude

Graffynge in them true loue and amyte

Consyder this prouerbe of antyquyte

And your vnkyndnes weray ban and curse

For whether thou be of hy or lowe degre

Better is a frende in courte than a peny in purse

sig: [f2v]

De contemptu scripturę.

Si quis ... luce carebunt.

sig: f3

ref.ed: 71

¶Of contempt or dispisynge of holy scripture.

¶He that gyueth his erys or credence

To euery folys talys or talkynge

Thynkynge more wysdome and fruytfull sentence

In theyr vayne talys / than is in the redynge

Of bokes whiche shewe vs the way of godly lyuynge

And soulys helth: forsoth suche one is blynde

And in this shyp the anker shall vp wynde.

ref.ed: 72

SUche as dispyseth auncyent scripture

Whiche prouyd is of great auctoryte i. ad. thim. iiii. Luce. xvi.

And hath no pleasoure felycyte or cure

Of godly Prophetis whiche wrote of veryte

A fole he is for his moste felycyte

Is to byleue the tales of an olde wyfe

Rather than the doctryne of eternall lyfe

The holy Bybyll grounde of trouth and of lawe Disciplinam domini fili mi / ne abijcias. pro. iij.

Is nowe of many abiect and nought set by

Nor godly scripture is nat worth an hawe

But talys ar louyd grounde of rybawdry

And many blynddyd ar so with theyr foly

That no scripture thynke they so true nor gode

As is a folysshe yest of Robyn_hode.

sig: [f3v]

He that to scripture wyll not gyue credence Eccle. iii.

Wherin ar the armys of our tuycion Marci. xvi.

And of our fayth foundacion and defence Iohannis. iii.

Suche one ensueth nat the condycion

Of man resonable / but by abusyon

Lyuyth as a best of conscyence cruell

As saue this worlde were neyther heuen nor hell

He thynketh that there is no god aboue

Nor nobler place than is this wretchyd grounde Psalmo. xii.

Nor goddes power suche neyther fere nor loue

With whom all grace and mercy doth abounde

Whiche whan hym lyst vs wretches may confounde

Alas what auayleth to gyue instruccion

To suche lewde folys of this condycion

ref.ed: 73

It nought auayleth vnto them to complayne xl. dis. c. fi.

Of theyr blyndnes / nor enfourme them with vertue

Theyr cursed lyfe wyll by no mean refrayne

Their viciousnes / nor their erroure eschewe

But rather stody theyr foly to renewe

Alas what profytis to suche to expresse. expresse] expresses 1509

The heuenly ioy / rewarde of holynesse

Alas what auayleth to suche to declare

The paynes of hell / wo dissolate and derke

No wo nor care can cause suche to beware

From their lewde lyfe corrupt and synfull warke

What profyteth sermons of any noble clarke Psalmo. xci.

Or godly lawes taught at any Scolys

For to reherse to these myscheuous folys.

What helpeth the Prophetis scripture or doctryne Prouer. xxiii.

Unto these folys obstynate and blynde

Their hertis ar harde / nat wyllynge to enclyne

To theyr preceptis nor rote them in theyr mynde

Nor them byleue as Cristen men vnkynde

For if that they consydred heuen or hell

They wolde nat be so cursed and cruell

And certaynly the trouth apereth playne

That these folys thynke in theyr intent

That within hell is neyther car nor payne Prouer. xii.

Hete nor colde / woo / nor other punysshement Iuuenalis.

Nor that for synners is ordeyned no turment

Thus these mad folys wandreth euery houre

Without amendement styll in theyr blynde erroure

sig: [f4]

ref.ed: 74

Before thy fete thou mayst beholde and se Luce. xvi.

Of our holy fayth the bokys euydent

The olde lawes and newe layde ar before the

Expressynge christes tryumphe right excellent

But for all this set is nat thyne intent

Theyr holy doctryne to plant within thy brest

Wherof shold procede ioy and eternall rest

Trowest thou that thy selfe-wyllyd ignoraunce De cog. spi. cum vir.

Of godly lawes and mystycall doctryne

May clense or excuse thy blynde mysgouernaunce

Or lewde erroure / whiche scorne hast to inclyne

To theyr preceptis: and from thy synne declyne

Nay nay thy cursed ignoraunce sothly shall

Drowne thy soule in the depe flodes infernall

Therfore let none his cursydnes defende

Nor holy doctryne / nor godly bokes dispyse

But rather stody his fawtes to amende

For god is aboue all our dedes to deuyse Eccle. iii.

Whiche shall rewarde them in a ferefull wyse Math. xxi

With mortall wo that euer shall endure Luce. xiii.

Whiche haue dyspysyd his doctryne and scripture

¶ Barclay to the Folys.

¶Out of your slomber folys I rede you ryse.

Scripture dyuyne / to folowe and inbrace

Be nat so bolde it to leue nor dispyse

But you enforce it to get and purchase

Remember mannys confort and solace.

Is holy closyd within the boke of lyfe

Who that it foloweth hath a speciall grace

But he that doth nat a wretche is and caytyfe

De improuidis fatuis.

Qui non prius ... erit stultus.

sig: [f4v]

SVnt fatui ... fata gerunt.

ref.ed: 75

¶Of Folys without prouysyon.

sig: [f5]

¶He is a fole forsoth and worse

That to his saddyll wolde lepe on hye

Before or he haue gyrt his horse

For downe he comys with an euyll thee

But as great a fole forsoth is he

And to be lawghed to derysyon.

That ought begynneth without prouysyon

ref.ed: 76

OF other folys yet is a moche nomber Prouer. xiiii.

Whom I wolde gladly brynge to intellygence Psalmo. cxviii.

To auoyde their blyndnes which sore doth incomber

Theyr mynde and herte for lackynge of science

Suche ar vnware and gyuen to neglygence

Mad and mysmyndyd pryuate of wysdome

Makynge no prouysyon for the tyme to come.

If any mysfortune aduersyte or wo

As often hapnyth / to suche a fole doth fall Seneca.

Than sayth he I thought it wolde nat haue be so

But than ouer-late is it agayne to call Eccle. xxxii.

It is nat ynough thou fole to say I shall Callidus videt malum et abscondit se. Pro. xx.

For this one daye prouyde me by wysdome

A wyse man seyth peryll longe before it come

sig: [f5v]

He is vnwyse and of prouysyon pore

That nought can se before he haue damage

Whan the stede is stolyn to shyt the stable dore

Comys small pleasoure profyte or vauntage

But he that can suche folysshenes asswage Salustius.

Begynnynge by counsayll / and fore prouydence

Is sure to escape all inconuenyence

Whan Adam tastyd the appyll in Paradyse Adam

To hym prohybyte by dyuyne commaundement

If he had noted the ende of his interpryse

To Eue he wolde nat haue ben obedyent

Thus he endured right bytter punysshement

For his blynde erroure and inprouydence

That all his lynage rue sore for his offence

ref.ed: 77

Hymselfe dryuyn out from Paradyce all bare

With Eue / into this vale of wretchydnes

To get theyr lyuynge with laboure payne and care

And also if Ionathas by errour and blyndnes

Had nat receyued the gyftis of falsnes Ionathas. i. machabe. xii.

Unto hym gyuen of Tryphon by abusyon

He sholde haue escapyd great confusyon

If that he before had notyd craftely

His ennemyes gyftis of frawde full and of t[re]ason treason] terason 1509

He myght haue sauyd hymselfe from ieoperdy

And all his people by prouydence and reason

Where-as he blynde was as at that season

And to a cyte brought in by a trayne

Where he was murdred and all his people slayne

Iulius Cesar the chefe of conquerours Iulius Cesar improuidentia interiit.

Was euer warre and prudent of counsayle

But whan he had obteyned great honours

And drewe to rest as wery of Batayle

Than his vnwarnes causyd hym to wayle

For if he had red with good aduysement

The letter whiche to the counselhous was sent

He had nat gyuen his owne iugement

As he dyd by his foly and neglygence

For whiche he murdred was incontynent

Without respect had vnto his excellence

Alas se here what inconuenyence

Came to this Emperour hye and excellent

For nat beyng[e] wyse dyscrete and prouydent beynge] beyngo 1509

sig: [f6]

ref.ed: 78

If Nichanor before had noted well Nichanor. primo macha. vii

The ende of his dedes he had nat be slayne

By Iudas and the children of Israell

His hande and tunge cut of to his great payne

And than his hede / as the bybyll sheweth playne

Thus may all knowe that wyll therto entende

Wherto they come that caryth nat the ende

But he that begynneth by counsayll and wysdome prouer. ii. et xiii

Alway procedynge with good prouysyon

Notynge what is past and what is for to come

Suche folowys godly scripture and monycion

In happy wayes without transgressyon

Of goddes lawes / and his commaundement

And often-tymes comys to his intent

Thus it appereth playne and euydent

That wyse prouysyon / profe and good counsayle

Are moche laudable / and also excellent

And to mankynde great profyte and auayle.

Where-as those folys haue often cause to wayle

For theyr mysfortune / in sorowe vexed sore

Whiche ought begyn nat prouydyd before

¶The Enuoy of Alexander_Barclay.

¶O man remember thou canste nat abyde

Styll in this lyfe therfore moste specially

For thy last ende thou oughtest to prouyde.

For that prouysion forsoth is most godly

And than next after thy mynde thou ought aply

To fle offence / and bewayle thyne olde synne

And in all workes and besynes worldly

What may be the ende marke well or thou begynne

De amore venereo..

Insanos trahimus ... medela iuuat.

sig: [f6v]

QVi tua ... imbre Gomorrę

ref.ed: 79

¶Of disordred loue and veneryous.

sig: g1

¶Here drawe we folys mad togyther bounde

Whom Uenus caught hath in hyr net a snare

Whose blynde hertes this forour doth confounde

Theyr lyfe consumynge in sorowe shame and care

Many one she blyndeth alas fewe can beware

Of hyr dartes hedyd with shame and vylany

But he that is wondyd can skant fynde remedy

ref.ed: 80

O Cruell Uenus forsoth who doth insue

Thy flaterynge gylys and proude commaundement Eccle. xi.

And hastyth nat the dartis to eschewe Prouer. v.

Of blynde Cupido but folowys his intent Ouidius de remedio amoris

Suche folys endure moche sorowe and turment

Wastynge theyr goodes dishonestynge their name

As past fere of god and sekynge after shame

Howe many yllys / what inconuenyence

Howe great vengeaunce / and howe bytter punysshement

Hath god oft takyn for this synne and offence

Howe many Cytees hye and excellent

Hath Uenus lost destroyed / and alto brent

What lordes and howe many a great estate

Hath loue lost / murdred / or els brought in debate

sig: [g1v]

The noble Troyans murdred ar and slayne Ob venerem troia crematur.

Theyr Cyte brent / decayde is theyr kyngdome

Theyr kynge pryant by pyrrus dede and slayne priamus trucidatur. tota pene Asia conculcatur.

And all this by Parys vnhappy loue is come

Whiche voyde of grace and blynde without wysdome

To fyll his lust / from Grece rubbyd Helayne 'rubbyd'='robbed'

But this one pleasour was grounde of moche payne

Also Marcus a Prynce of the Romayns Marcus_Antonius a Cesare obtruncatur et cleopatra amica sua.

Called Antonius by another name

After that he had ouercome the persyans

To Rome retournyd with tryumphe lawde and fame

And there (whiche after was to his great shame)

With cleopatrais loue was take so in blyndnes

That he promysyd to make hir empresse

ref.ed: 81

So this blynde louer to fyll his interpryse

Caused his men two hondred shyppes ordayne

And toke the see wenynge in suche fourme and wyse

His lewde desyre: to perfourme and obteyne

But shortly after was he ouercome and slayne

Of Cesar: and whan he this purpose vnderstode

He bathed his Corse within his lemmans blode

For two serpentis that venemus were and fell

Were set to the brestis of fayre Cleopatray

So this cruell purpose had punysshement cruell

For theyr intendynge theyr countrey to betray

And worthy they were / what man can it denay

Thus it apereth playne by euydence

That of false loue cometh great inconuenyence

For he that loueth is voyde of all reason Ouidius epistola. i. Res est soliciti plena timoris amor.

Wandrynge in the worlde without lawe or mesure

In thought and fere sore vexed eche season

And greuous dolours in loue he must endure

No creature hym-selfe may well assure

From loues soft dartis: I say none on the grounde Prouer. v.

But mad and folysshe bydes he whiche hath the wounde bydes he] he bydes he 1509

Aye rennynge as franatyke no reason in his mynde

He hath no constaunce nor ease within his herte

His iyen ar blynde / his wyll alwaye inclyned

To louys preceptes yet can nat he departe Ouidius secundo methamor.

The Net is stronge / the fole caught can nat starte

The darte is sharpe / who-euer is in the chayne

Can nat his sorowe in vysage hyde nor fayne

sig: g2

ref.ed: 82

Rede howe Phedra hir loue fixed so feruent Phedra calumniatrix ypoliti

On ypolitus in prohybyte auowtry.

That whan he wolde nat vnto hir consent

To hir husbonde she accused hym falsly

As if he wolde hir tane by force to vylany

Ipolitus was murdred for this accusement

But Phedra for wo hanged hyr-self incontynent

The lewde loue of Phasyphe abhomynable

As poetis sayth) brought hir to hir confusyon Phasiphae vide virgi. eg. vi et enei vi. in prin.

Nero the cruell Tyrant detestable.

His naturall mother knewe by abusyon

Uenus and Cupido with their collusyon.

Enflamyd Messalina in suche wyse Messalina. Et lassata viris numquam saciata remansit

That euery nyght hir-selfe she wolde disgyse

And secretly go to the brothelhous

For to fulfyll hir hote concupyssence

What shall I wryte the dedes vicious

Of Iulia or / hir cruell offence. Iulia.

What shall I wryte the inconuenyence

Whiche came by Danythys cursed auowtry

Syth that the bybyll it shewyth openly

What shall I wryte the greuous forfayture In autem. vt non luxu. contra. na. collosse. vi.

Of Sodom and Gomor syns the Bybyll doth tell

Of their synnes agaynst god and nature

For whiche they sanke a_lyue downe into hell.

Thus it aperith what punysshement cruell.

Our lorde hath taken both in the olde lawe and newe

For this synne: whiche sholde vs moue it to eschewe

ref.ed: 83

¶ Alexander_Barklay to the Folys.

¶Ye folys inflamyd with loue inordynate.

Note these examples / drawe from this vyce your mynde

Remember that there is none so great estate

But that false loue hym causeth to be blynde

Our folysshe wymen may nat be left behynde

For many of them so folowys in this way

That they sell theyr soules and bodyes to go gay

The graceles galantes / and the aprentyce pore

Though they nought haue / them-selfe they set nought by

Without they be acquaynted with some hore

Of westmynster or some other place of rybawdry

Than fall they to murder theft and robery.

For were nat proude clothynge / and also flesshely lust

All the feters and gyues of Englonde shulde rust.

sig: [g2v]

Therfore folys a_wake / and be no longer blynde Ut custodiat te a muliere mala etc. Non concupiscat pulchritudinem eius cor tuum prouer. vi.

Consyder that shame / sekenes / and pouertye

Of loue procedeth: and drawe from it your mynde

Suffre not your soules damned and lost to be

By vayne lust and carnall sensualyte

For thoughe the small pleasure do make the fayne

The ende oft is worldly wo and myserye

Or amonge the fendes eternall payne

De peccantibus super dei misericordiam.

Quisquis forte ... immensa: fauorque:

sig: g3

Gratia fit ... trudet auernum

ref.ed: 84

¶Of them that synne trustynge vpon the mercy of god.

¶Who that styll synneth without contricion

Trustynge goddes mercy and benygnyte

Bycause he sparyth our transgressyon

And he that thynketh iustice and equyte

Is nat in god as well as is petye

Suche is forsoth without discressyon

Syns he thus synneth vpon presumpcion

ref.ed: 85

THe wynde is vp our Nauy is a_flote

A bande of Folys a_borde is come yet more Danielis. iij.

Theyr cursed maners and mad I shall nowe note de. pe. quia diuinitatis.

Whose herte for synne is neyther contryte ne sore

Nat mornynge (as they ought to do) therfore xc.iij. dist. dia. de. pe. dis. vij. Nullus.

sig: [g3v]

Without fere styll lyuynge in theyr vyciousnes

No-thynge inclyned to godly holynes

They thynke no-thynge on goddes rightwysnes

But grounde them all / on his mercy and pyte

For that he redyer is vnto forgeuenesse Eccle. v. et. cxi.

Unto all people / than them punysshed to se Psal. lxxxv.

Trouth it is that the great enormyte

Of the worlde hathe nat aye worthy punysshement

Nor he nat damnyd that doth his synne repent

Put case he gyuyth nat aye lyke iugement

On mannys mysdede / nor yet mundayne offence

And though he be gode meke and pacyent

Nor shortly punyssheth our inconuenyence

Put case also he gyue nat aduertence

To all mundayne fawtes synne and fragylyte

Yet none sholde synne in hope of his mercy

But these folys assembled in a companye

Sayth eche to other that oft it is laufull

To perseuerant synners lyuynge in iniquyte

To trust in god syns he is mercyfull

What nedeth vs our wyttis for to dull Psal. C.v.

Labourynge our synne and foly to refrayne

Syns synne is a thynge naturall and humayne

ref.ed: 86

Than sayth another forsoth thou sayst playne

And also our fore-Faders and progenitours

Before our dayes offendyd haue certayne.

As well as we / in many blynde errours

But syns they haue escapyd all paynes and dolours

Of hell; and nowe in heuyn ar certayne

What nede haue we to fere infernall payne.

Than comys in an-other with his dotysshe brayne

By god sayth he I knowe it without fable

That heuyn was made neyther for gose nor crane

Nor yet for other bestes vnresonable

Than of the Scripture doth he Chat and bable

Alleggynge our fore-faders whiche haue mysdone

Saynge that no synne is newe in our season

A myserable men destytute of reason.

That thus on hope do synne vnhappely Eccle. i.

Remember the synne of our fore-faders done Exodi. xx.

Haue neuer ben left vnpunysshed fynally

sig: [g4]

And that / somtyme / full sharpe and bytterly

For-euer more all synne hath had a fall

With sorowe here / or els wo infernall

The synne of Sodom foule and nat natural Sodoma non euasit penam / non rome superbia non Pharaonis amencia.

The Pryde of rome / whiche was so excellent

The offence of Dauyd Prophete and kynge royal

The furour of Pharao fyers and violent

Haue nat escaped the rightwyse punysshment

Of god aboue / the celestial and [h]ighe Iustice highe] gighe 1509

Which fyrst / or last punyssheth euery vyce.

ref.ed: 87

Remember Richarde lately kynge of price Exemplum necis richardi tercii anglorum regis.

In Englonde raynynge vnrightwisely a whyle.

Howe he ambycion / and gyleful Couetyse

With innocent blode his handes dyd defyle

But howbeit that fortune on hym dyd smyle

Two yere or thre: yet god sende hym punysshment

By his true seruant the rede Rose redolent.

Therfore remember that god omnypotent Sapien vi.

Oft suffreth synners in theyr iniquyte Tob. xxi.

Grauntynge them space and tyme of amendement Eccle. ix.

And nat to procede in their enor[m]yte enormyte] enornyte 1509 Luce. x. Luce. x.

But those synners that byde in one degre

And in this lyfe their synne wyll nat refrayne

God after punyssheth with infernall payne

As I haue sayde (therfore) I say agayne

Though god be of infynyte pety and mercy Psal. xlvij.

His fauour and grace passynge all synne mundayne Sapientie. i.

Yet iustice is with hym eternally. Esaye. i.

Wherfore I aduyse the to note intentifly

Though pyte wolde spare / iustyce wyll nat so

But the here rewarde / els with infernal wo.

¶ Alexander_Barklay to the Folys.

Syghe synners / syghe / for your mysgouernance.

Lament / mourne / and sorowe for your enormyte. Deutro. xxiij.

Away with these Clowdes of mysty ignorance

Syn nat in hope of goddys hyghe petye Eccle. ii.

And remember howe ye daily punysshed be

With dyuers dyseases both vncouthe and cruel

And all for your synne / but suche as escapeth fre

And styl lyue in syn / may fere the peynes of helle

De fatuis edificandi incoeptibus.

sig: [g4v]

Qui vult ... insuper ęuo.

ref.ed: 88

¶Of the folisshe begynnynge of great bildynges without sufficient prouision.

sig: [g5]

¶Come nere folys and rede your ignorance

And great losse procedynge of your owne foly

Whiche without gode and discrete purueaunce

Any great werke wyll bylde or edefye.

All suche ar folys what man wyll it deny

For he that wyll bylde before he count his cost

Shall seldome well ende / so that is made is lost.

ref.ed: 89

WHo-euer begynneth any worke or dede 'W' of 'WHo' is guide letter in space set for large capital

Of byldynge or of other thynge chargeable xxij. q. ij. faciat

And to his costes before taketh no hede

Nor tyme nat countyth to his worke agreable

Suche is a fole and well worthy a babyll

For he that is wyse wyll no-thynge assay Eccle. xxi.

Without he knowe howe he well ende it may

The wyse man counteth his cost before alway Theren. xxij.

Or he begyn / and nought wyll take in honde

Wherto his myght or power myght denay

His costes confourmynge to the stynt of his londe

Where-as the fole that nought doth vnderstonde

Begynneth a byldynge without aduysement

But or halfe be done his money clene is spent.

sig: [g5v]

Many haue begon with purpose dilygent

To bylde great houses and pleasaunt mansyons

Them thynkynge to fynysshe after theyr intent

But nede disceyuyd hath theyr opynyons

Their purpose nat worth a cowpyll of onyons

But whan they se that they it ende nat can

They curse the tyme that euer they it began

Of Nabugodosor that worthy man. Nabugodonosor Babilonie rex.

What shall I wryte or the story to the tell

Syth that the Bybyll to the expresse it can

In the fourth chapter of the prophete Danyell Danielis. iii.

Was he nat punysshed in paynes cruell

For his great pryde and his presumpcion

Whiche he toke it in the byldynge of Babylon

ref.ed: 90

His golde and treasoure he spendyd hole theron

Enioynge hym in his Cyte excellent

Right so Nemroth by his inuencion Nemroth. g. x

The towre of Babylon began for this intent

To saue hym / if the worlde agayne were drent

But the hye god consyderynge his blynde rage

His purpose let by confusyon of langage

His towre vnperfyte to his losse and domage

His people punysshed / hym-selfe specyally

Thus it apereth what great disauauntage

On theyr hede falleth that byldeth in foly

Thus he is folysshe that wolde edefy

Any great worke without ryches in excesse Eccle. xxi.

For great byldynges requyreth great rychesse byldynges] byldyngees 1509 Ieremie. xxi. Ieremie. xxi.

But many folys ar in suche a blyndnesse

That hereon nought they set their mynde ne thought

Wherfore to them oft commyth great distresse

And to great pouerty often ar they brought

Laughed to scorne / their purpose cometh to nought

And truely I fynde in bokes wryten playne

That our olde faders haue neuer set theyr brayne

On great byldynge / ne yet of them ben fayne:

It longeth to a lorde a Prynce or a Kynge

That lacke no treasoure theyr werkes to mayntayne

To set th[e]yr myndes on excellent buyldynge theyr] thyr 1509 Salustius. Salustius.

Therfore who-so-euer wyll meddle with this thynge

Or any other / before let hym be wyse

That his myght and ryches therto may suffyse.

sig: [g6]

ref.ed: 91

Lyst all men do mocke and scorne his interpryse Seruius . i. eneidos. Satius est rem non incipere quam inceptam relinquere.

For if he ought begyn without prouysyon

And haue nat wherby his byldynge may vp ryse

All that is lost that is made and begon

And better it is sothly in myn intencion

Nought to begyn / and spare laboure and payne

Than to begyn / and than / leue of agayne

Who-euer he be that so doth certayne In aute[m].autem] auten 1509 de non alie. col. ii. autem] auten 1509

He shall haue mockis mengled with his damage

Therfore let suche folys sharpe theyr brayne

And better intende to theyr owne auauntage

Consyderynge that processe of tyme and age

Theyr curyous byldynges shall at the lest confounde Eccle. ii.

And Roufe and wallys make egall with the grounde.

¶ Barklay to the Folys.

¶Ye folys blyndyd with curyosyte

Whiche on great byldynge set so sore your mynde

Remember ye nat that doutles ye shall dye

And your gay byldynges and howses leue behynde

Thynke ye your conforte alway in them to fynde

Or whan ye dye / them hens with you to haue

Nay nay the laste hous gyuen to mankynde

Is the course grounde and walles of his graue.

De potatoribus et edacibus.

paupertatis onus ... dedecns ingens:

sig: [g6v]

Et parit ... experietur amaram

ref.ed: 92

¶Of glotons and dronkardes.

sig: h1

¶That gloton or dronkarde / vyle in goddes sight

Shall hardly escape the weyght of pouertye.

Whiche drynketh and deuoureth both day and nyght

Therin onely settynge all his felycyte

His lothsome lust and his bestyalyte

Shall brynge vnto destruccion fynally

His soule / his godes and his wretchyd body

ref.ed: 93

WIthin our nauy he nedes shall haue a place. 'W' of 'WIthin' is guide letter in space set for large capitalCa. crapula de vi. et hone. cle. horatius in epystolis.Ca. crapula de vi. et hone. cle. horatius in epystolis.

Whiche without mesure on lothsome glotony

Setteth his pleasure and singuler solace

His stomacke ouerchargynge / vyle and vngodely

And to none other thynge his mynde doth he aply xxxv. dist. sexto die.

Saue depest to drynke / suche force nat of theyr soules Esaye. v.

But laboure in rynsynge pecis cuppis and bowles Eccle. xxxi.

The madnes of dronkennes is so immoderate

That greuous sores it ingendreth and sykenes De con. dist. v. ne tales.

It causeth often great foly and debate

With soden deth and carefull heuynes

In thynges no difference putteth dronkennes. Iuuenalis.

It febleth the ioyntis and the body within Osee. iiij.

Wastynge the brayne makynge the wyt full thyn

It engendreth in the hede infirmyte

Blyndynge the herte wyt and discression Luce. xxi.

The mynde it demynyssheth / coloure and beaute. xxxv. dist. vi. nolent[i]um.nolentium] nolentum 1509 nolentium] nolentum 1509

Causynge all myschef / shame and abusyon

It maketh men mad / and in conclusyon

Causeth them lyue without lawe or measure Prouer. xxiiij.

Suynge after syn defylynge theyr nature xxxv. dist. vent.

The people that are acloyed with this synne.

On no-thynge els theyr myndes wyll aply:

Saue to the wyne and ale-stakes to renne

And there as bestes to stryue and drynke auy Prouer. v.

Than ar they outher gyuyn to rybawdry xxxv. dis. luxuriam.

Or els to brawle and fight at euery worde

Thus dronkennes is the chefe cause of discorde

ref.ed: 94

But namely dronkennes and wretchyd glotony Resume predictas allegationes.

By their excesse and superfluyte

Engendreth the rote of cursed Lechery

With murder / thefte and great enormyte

So bryngeth it many to great aduersyte Ad ephe. v.

And with his furour the worlde so doth it blynde

That many it bryngeth to a shamfull ende

sig: [h1v]

This vyce (alas) good maners doth confounde

And maketh man ouerbesy of langage Horatius in epistulis

And hym that in all ryches doth abounde

It ofte in pryson bryngeth and in bondage

It causeth man to his great sorowe and domage

Disclose his secrete and his preuey counsayle

Whiche causeth hym after sore to mourne and wayle

Nought is more lothsome / more vycyous nor vyle

Than he that is subdued to this vyce prouer. vltimo.

His lyfe shortynge his body he doth defyle xxx. dist. c. vltimo.

Bereuynge his soule the ioy of Paradyse

Howe many Cytees and lordes of great pryce

Hath ben destroyed by dronken glotony

And by his felawe / false loue / or lechery.

The sone of Thomyr had nat ben ouercome

Nor slayne by Cyrus for all his worthynes. Herodotus.

If he hym-selfe had gydyd by wysdome Iustinus li. primo.

And the vyce auoydyd of blynde dronkennes

The great Alexander taken with this madnes

With his swerde / whan he was dronken slewe Quintus_curtius Alexander_magnus.

Suche of his frendes as were to hym most trewe

ref.ed: 95

I rede also howe this conquerour myghty

Upon a season played at the Chesse Commentator boetij de disci. sco. vbi. infertur de ebrietate.

With one of his knyghtes which wan fynally

Of hym great golde treasoure and rychesse

And hym ouercame / but in a furyousnes

And lade with wyne / this conquerour vp brayde

And to his knyght in wrath these wordes sayde

I haue subdued by strength and by wysdome

All the hole worlde / whiche obeyeth to me

And howe hast thou alone me thus ouercome

And anone commaundyd his knyght hanged to be

Than sayde the knyght by right and equyte

I may apele. syns ye ar thus cruell

Quod Alexander to whome wylt thou apell

Knowest thou any that is gretter than I

Thou shalt be hanged thou spekest treason playne

The knyght sayd sauynge your honour certaynly

I am no traytoure / apele I woll certayne

From dronken Alexander tyll he be sober agayne

His lorde than herynge his desyre sounde to reason

Differryd the iustyce as for that tyme and season

sig: h2

And than after whan this furour was gone

His knyght he pardoned repentynge his blyndenes.

And well consydered that he shulde haue mysdone

If he to deth had hym done in that madnesse

Thus it apereth what great unhappynes

And blyndnes cometh to many a creature

By wyne or ale taken without measure.

ref.ed: 96

Se here the inconuenyence manyfolde Bissex cred[iti]crediti] credatis 1509 sunt species ebrietatis Est vilis primus. sapiens est alter / opimus. Ternus grande vorat / quartus sua crimina plorat. Quintus luxuriat sextus per omnia iurat. Septimus attendit / octauus singula vendit. Somnia denus amat vndenus turpia clamat. Et cum sit plenus vomit[u]m vomitum] vomitom 1509 facit duodenus. Vel sic. Ebrius atque satur / his ecce modis variatur Hic canit / hic plorat / hic est blasphemus / hic orat / Hic est pacificus hic est nullius amicus Hic saltat letus hic est sermone facetus Hic loqui nescit. hic cespitat iste pigrescit. Hic est clamosus Hic est verbis viciosus. Disputat hic ille currit per computa ville Nunc decium iactat socium feriendoque mactat. Hic seruit veneri / somno vult ipse teneri Hic vomit / hic vorat: sic Bacchi turba laboratcrediti] credatis 1509vomitum] vomitom 1509

Comynge of dronkennes as I wrytyn fynde.

Some ar so starynge mad that none can them holde

Rorynge and cryeng as men out of their mynde

Some fyghtynge some chydynge / some to other kynde

Nought lyuynge to them-selfe: and some dotynge Iohnn

100

Beynge dronke thynketh hym as wyse as Salomon

Some sowe dronke / swaloynge mete without mesure

Some mawdelayne dronke / mournynge lowdly and hye

Some beynge dronke no lenger can endure

Without they gyue them to bawdy rybawdry

105

Some swereth armys nayles herte and body.

Terynge our lord worse / than the Iowes hym arayed

Some nought can speke / but harkenyth what is sayd.

Some spende all that they haue and more at wast

With reuell and reuell dasshe fyll the cup Ioohnn

110

Some their thryft lesyth with dyce at one cast

Some slepe as slogardes tyll their thryft be gone

Some shewe theyr owne counsell for kepe can they none

Some ar Ape-dronke full of lawghter and of toyes

Some mery dronke syngynge with wynches and boyes

115

Some spue / some stacker some vtterly ar lame

Lyeng on the grounde without power to ryse

Some bost them of bawdry ferynge of no shame

Some dumme / and some speketh .ix. wordes at thryse

Some charge theyr bely with wyne in suche wyse

120

That theyr legges skant can bere vp the body

Here is a sort to drowne a hole nauy.

ref.ed: 97

¶ Barklaye to the Folys.

¶Alas mad folys howe longe wyll ye procede

In this beestly lyuynge agayst humayne nature

Cease of your Foly: gyue aduertence and hede

That in eche thynge ought to be had measure

Wyne ne ale hurteth no maner creature

sig: [h2v]

But sharpeth the wyt if it be take in kynde i. ad thimo. v.

But if it be nat / than I the ensure Eccle. xxxi.

It dulleth the brayne / blyndynge the wyt and mynde Eccle. ij.

Rede all bokes and thou shalt neuer fynde

That dronkennes and wysdome may togyther be xxxv. dis. luxuriosa.

For where is dronkennes / there madnes is by kynde

Gydynge the hauer to all enormyte

And where-as is madnes thou shalt neuer se

Reason ne wysdome take theyr abydynge

In one instant / wherfore lerne this of me

That dronkennes is mortell enmy to cunnynge.

De inutilibus diuitiis.

Diuitias molles ... pauperis ędes.

sig: h3

Ah vesana ... vota precesque.

ref.ed: 98

¶Of ryches vnprofytable.

Qui obturat aurem suam ad clamorem pauperis ipse clamabit et non exaudietur. Prouer. xxi.

¶Yet fynde I folys of another sorte

Whiche gather and kepe excessyfe ryches

With it denyeng their neyghboures to conforte

Whiche for nede lyueth in payne and wretchydnes

Suche one by fortune may fall into distres

And in lyke wyse after come to mysery

And begge of other / whiche shall to hym deny

ref.ed: 99

IT is great foly / and a desyre in vayne Eccle. v.

To loue and worshyp ryches to feruently prouer. x. et. xi.

And so great laboure to take in care and payne Luce. xvi.

sig: [h3v]

Fals treasoure to encrease and multyply Prouer. xxij.

But yet no wonder is it sertaynly Tob. xxvij.

Syth he that is ryche hath gretter reuerence Psal. xlviij.

Than he that hath sadnes wysdom and scyence

The ryche mannes rewardes stande in best degre

But godly maners we haue set clene asyde

Fewe loueth vertue / but fewer pouertye.

Fals couetyse his braunches spreddeth wyde

Ouer all the worlde / that pety can nat byde

Among vs wretches banysshed is kyndnes

Thus lyeth the pore in wo and wretchydnes

Without conforte and without auctoryte Prouer. xxviij.

But he only is nowe reputed wyse Horatius. ij. sermo.

Whiche hath ryches in great store and plente.

Suche shall be made a sergeant or Iustyce

And in the Court reputed of moste pryse

He shall be callyd to counseyll in the lawe

Though that his brayne be skarsly worth a strawe

He shall be Mayre baylyfe or constable

And he onely promotyd to honoure Ouidius. in. fasto.

His maners onely reputed ar laudable

His dedys praysyd as grettest of valoure Prouer. xxviij.

Men laboure and seke to fall in his fauoure Iuuenalis.

He shall haue loue / echone to hym shall sue

For his ryches / but nought for his vertue

ref.ed: 100

Se what rewardes ar gyuen to ryches

Without regarde had to mannys condycyon

A strawe for cunnynge wysdome and holynes

Of ryches is the first and chefe questyon

What rentes what londes howe great possessyon Eccle. xiij.

What stuffe of housholde what store of grotz and pens

And after his gode his wordes hath credence.

His wordes ar trouth men gyue to them credence

Thoughe they be falsly fayned and sotell

But to the pore none wyll gyue aduertence

Though that his wordes be true as the gospell

Ye let hym swere by heuyn and by hell

By god and his sayntes and all that god made

Yet nought they beleue that of hym is sayde

They say that the pore men doth god dispyse Prouer. xix.

Thouhe they nought swere but trouth and veryte

sig: [h4]

And that god punyssheth them in suche wyse

For so dispysynge of his hye maiestye

Kepynge them for their synnes in pouerte

And theyr ryche exaltyth by his power and grace

To suche ryches / worldly pleasour and solace

The ryche ar rewarded with gyftis of dyuerse sorte

With Capons and Conyes delycious of sent

But the pore caytyf abydeth without confort

Though he moste nede haue: none doth hym present

The fat pygge is baast / the lene cony is brent

He that nought hathe / shall so alway byde pore

But he that ouer-moche hath / yet shall haue more

ref.ed: 101

The wolfe etis the shepe / the great fysshe the small

The hare with the houndes vexed ar and frayde

He that hath halfe nedes wyll haue all

The ryche mannes pleasour can nat be denayde

Be the pore wroth / or be he well apayde

Fere causeth hym sende vnto the ryches hous

His mete from his owne mouth / if it be delycious

And yet is this ryche caytyf nat content

Though he haue all yet wolde he haue more.

And though this gode can neuer of hym be spent

With nought he departyth to hym that is pore

Though he with nede harde vexed were and sore.

O cursyd hunger o mad mynde and delyte. Psal. xxxvi.

To laboure for that whiche neuer shall do profyte

Say couetous caytyfe what doth it the auayle Eccle. iiij.

For to haue all and yet / nat to be content

Thou takest nat this sore laboure and trauayle Psal. xxxviij.

To thy pleasoure but to thy great turment Amos. ij.

But loke therof what foloweth consequent Prouer. xi.

Whan thou art dede and past this wretchyd lyfe Math. xix.

Thou leuyst behynde brawlynge debate and stryfe

To many one ryches is moche necessary Marci. x.

Whiche can it order right as it ought to be

But vnto other is it vtterly contrary

Whiche therwith disdayneth to socoure pouerte.

Nor them relefe in theyr aduersyte Luce. xij.

Suche shall our lorde sore punysshe fynally Thobie. iiij.

And his petycion rightwysly deny

ref.ed: 102

¶ Barklay to the Folys.

sig: [h4v]

¶Ye great estatis and men of dignyte

To whome god in this lyfe hath sent ryches

Haue ye compassion / on paynfull pouertye

And them confort in theyr carefull wretchydnes

God hym loueth and shall rewarde doutles

Whiche to the nedy for hym is charitable

With heuenly ioy / whiche treasour is endeles

So shall thy ryches to the be profytable.

De obsequio duorum dominorum.

Ille duos ... pondere molem

sig: [h5]

Otia rara ... omnibus horis.

ref.ed: 103

¶Of hym that togyder wyll serue two maysters.

¶A fole he is and voyde of reason

Whiche with one hounde tendyth to take

Two harys in one instant and season

Rightso is he that wolde vndertake

Hym to two lordes a seruaunt to make

For whether / that he be lefe or lothe

The one he shall displease / or els bothe.

ref.ed: 104

A Fole also he is withouten doute

And in his purpose sothly blyndyd sore

Whiche doth entende labour or go aboute

To serue god / and also his wretchyd store Math. vi.

sig: [h5v]

Of world[l]y ryches: for as I sayde before worldly] worldy 1509 Luce. vi: Luce. vi:

He that togyder wyll two maysters serue Eccle. iii.

Shall one displease and nat his loue deserue

For he that with one hownde wol take also Glo. iij. l. c. de. asses.

Two harys togyther in one instant

For the moste parte doth the both two forgo

And if he one haue: harde it is and skant

And that blynde fole mad and ignorant

That draweth thre boltis atons in one bowe

At one marke shall shote to hye or to lowe

Or els to wyde / and shortly for to say

With one or none of them he strykis the marke:

And he that taketh vpon hym nyght or day

Laboures dyuers to chargeable of warke.

Or dyuerse offycis: suche wander in the darke

For it is harde to do well as he ought

To hym that on dyuerse thynges hath his thought xvi. q. i. presbiteros.

With great thoughtes he troubleth sore his brayne Glo. in c. accusatus de her. liber vi.

His mynde vnstable / his wyt alway wandrynge:

Nowe here nowe there his body labours in payne

And in no place of stedfast abydynge. C deuers. de Cle. cor.

Nowe workynge now musynge now rennynge now rydynge

Now on see nowe on londe / than to se agayne

Somtyme to Fraunce / and nowe to Flaunders or Spayne

ref.ed: 105

Thus is it paynfull and no-thynge profytable

On many labours a man to set his mynde

For nouther his wyt nor body can be stable

Whiche wyll his body to dyuers chargis bynde

Whyle one goth forwarde the other bydes behynde

Therfore I the counseyll for thyne owne behoue

Let go this worlde and serue thy lorde aboue

He that his mynde settyth god truly to serue

And his sayntes: this worlde settynge at nought

Shall for rewarde euerlastynge ioy deserue

But in this worlde / he that settyth his thought

All men to please / and in fauour to be brought

Must lout and lurke / flater / lawde / and lye: Eccle. v.

And cloke a knauys counseyll / though it fals be

If any do hym wronge or iniury C. cum singula de preben. li. vi.

He must it suffer and pacyently endure

A dowble tunge with wordes lyke hony

sig: [h6]

And of his offycis if he wyll be sure xxxix. di. c. i.

He must be sober and colde of his langage

More to a knaue / than to one of hye lynage

Oft must he stoupe his bonet in his honde

His maysters backe he must oft shrape and clawe Iacobi. i.

His breste anoyntynge / his mynde to vnderstonde

But be it gode or bad therafter must he drawe

Without he can Iest he is nat worth a strawe.

But in the meane-tyme beware that he none checke

For than layth malyce a mylstone in his necke

ref.ed: 106

He that in court wyll loue and fauour haue

A fole must hym fayne / if he were none afore

And be as felowe to euery boy and knaue

And to please his lorde he must styll laboure sore C. quia in tantum de prebendis et dignita.

His manyfolde charge maketh hym coueyt more

That he had leuer serue a man in myserye

Than serue his maker in tranquylyte

But yet whan he hath done his dylygence

His lorde to serue as I before haue sayde

For one small faute or neglygent offence

Suche a displeasoure agaynst hym may be layde

That out is he cast bare and vnpuruayde.

Whether he be gentyll / yeman grome or page

Thus wordly seruyce is no sure herytage

Wherfore I may proue by these examples playne xxi. q. i. clericum.

That it is better more godly and plesant

To leue this mondayne casualte and payne

And to thy maker one god to be seruaunt

Whiche whyle thou lyuest shall nat let the want Eccle. ix.

That thou desyrest iustly / for thy syruyce

And than after gyue the / the ioyes of Paradyse

¶ Barklay to the Folys.

¶Alas man aryse out of Idolatry.

Worshyp nat thy ryches nor thy vayne treasoure

Ne this wretchyd worlde full of mysery.

But lawde thy maker and thy sauyour

With fere / mekenes / fayth / glory / and honoure

Let thy treasoure onely in his seruyce be

And here be content with symple behauoure

Hauynge in this lorde trust and felycyte

sig: [h6v]

De nimia ga[r]rulitate.

garrulitate] gatrulitate 1509

Qui linguam ... lingua docet.

sig: i1

ref.ed: 107

¶Of to moche spekynge or bablynge.

¶He that his tunge can temper and refrayne Qui custodit os suum et linguam suam custodit ab a[n]gustiis animam suam. prouer. xxi.

And asswage the foly of hasty langage

Shall kepe his mynde from trowble / sadnes and payne

And fynde therby great ease and auauntage

Where-as a hasty speker falleth in great domage

Peryll and losse / in lyke wyse as the pye

Betrays hir byrdes by hir chatrynge and crye.

ref.ed: 108

YE blaberynge folys superflue of langage 'Y' of 'YE' is guide letter in space set for large capital

Come to our shyp our ankers ar in wayde

By right and lawe [y]e maye chalange a stage ye] ve 1509

To you of Barklay it shall nat be denayde Proue. xxx. et. x

Howe-be-it the charge Pynson hathe on me layde Psal. cxxxix.

With many folys our Nauy not to charge. Eccle. ix.

Yet ye of dewty shall haue a sympyll barge Iacobi. iij.

Of this sorte thousandes ar withouten fayle

That haue delyte in wordes voyde and vayne

On men nat fawty somtyme vsynge to rayle

On folysshe wordes settynge theyr herte and brayne

They often touche to theyr owne shame and payne Eccle. v.

Suche thynges to whiche none wyll theyr mynde aply

(Saue suche folys) to theyr shame and enuy

sig: [i1v]

Say besy fole art thou nat well worthy

To haue enuy / and that echone sholde the hate

Whan by thy wordes soundynge to great foly

Thou sore labrest to engender debate

Some renneth fast thynkynge to come to late

To gyue his counsell whan he seeth men in doute

And lyghtly his folysshe bolt shall be shot out

Is it nat better for one his tunge to kepe

Where-as he myght (perchaunce) with honestee Prouer. xxij.

Than wordes to speke whiche make hym after wepe

For great losse folowynge wo and aduersyte

A worde ones spokyn reuoked can nat be Digito compesce labellum persius et iuuenalis.

Therfore thy fynger lay before thy lypes

For a wyse mannys tunge / without aduysement trypes

ref.ed: 109

He that wyll answere of his owne folysshe brayne

Before that any requyreth his counsayle

Shewith hym-selfe and his hasty foly playne Iob. xv.

Wherby men knowe his wordes of none auayle Prouer. xviij.

Some haue delyted in mad blaborynge and frayle

Whiche after haue suffred bytter punysshement

For their wordes / spoken without aduysement

Say what precedeth of this mad outrage

But great mysfortune / wo and vnhappynesse Hiere. xviij.

But for all theyr chattynge and plenty of langage Osee. vij.

Whan to the preste they come them to confesse

To shewe theyr lewde lyfe theyr synne and wretchydnes

Whan they sholde speke / and to this poynt ar come

Theyr tunges ar loste and there they syt as domme

Many haue ben whiche sholde haue be counted wyse

Sad and discrete / and right well sene in scyence

But all they haue defyled with this one vyse

Of moche spekynge: o cursyd synne and offence

Pyte it is that so great inconuenience

So great shame / contempt rebuke and vylany

Sholde by one small member c[o]me to the hole body come] came 1509

Let suche take example by the chatrynge pye. Pica.

Whiche doth hyr nest and byrdes also betraye

By hyr grete chatterynge / clamoure dyn and crye

Ryght so these folys theyr owne foly bewraye.

But touchynge wymen of them I wyll nought say Occupatio color retoricus.

They can nat speke / but ar as coy and styll

As the horle-wynde or clapper of a mylle

sig: i2

ref.ed: 110

But that man or woman or any creature

That lytell speketh or els kepeth sylence Eccle. v.

Ar euer of them-selfe moste stedfast and sure

Without enuy / hatred or malyuolence.

Where-as to suche comys moche inconuenyence Prouer. xxv.

Sorowe vpon sorowe / malyce and dysdayne

Whiche wyll no-tyme / his speche nor tunge refrayne Eccle. iij.

Fayre speche is pleasaunt if it be moderate

And spoken in season / conuenyente and dewe

To kepe scylence / to pore man or estate

Is a great grace / and synguler vertue

Langage is lawdable whan it is god and true

A wyse man or he speke wyll be wyse and ware

What (to whome) why (howe) whan and whare

¶ Barklaye to the Folys.

Ye bablynge brybours / endeuer you to amende

Mytygat by mesure / your prowde hasty langage

Kepe well your tunges so / shall ye kepe your frende

For hasty speche ingendreth great damage

Whan a worde is nat sayd / the byrde is in the cage

Also the hous is surest whan the dorys be barryde

So whan thy worde is spokyn and out at large

Thou arte nat mayster / but he that hath it harde

If thou take hede and set therto thy brayne

In this world thou shalt fynde thynges thre

Whiche ones past / can nat be callyd agayne.

The firste is (tyme lost) by mannes symplycyte

The seconde (youth) reuoked can nat be

The thyrde (a worde spoken) it gooth out in the wynde

And yet is the fourth / that is (virginyte)

My forgetfull mynde / had lefte it nere behynde

Inuenire rem alienam et non reddere

Inueniens aliquid ... reperta suis

sig: [i2v]

Et tenebris ... corda malis.

ref.ed: 111

¶Of them that correct other and yet them-selfe do nought andsynne worse than they whom / they so correct.

¶He lacketh reason and vnderstandynge to Qui relinquunt iter rectum et ambulant per vias tenebrosas. pro. ij.

Whiche to a towne or Cyte knoweth the way

And shewyth other howe they may thether go

Hym-selfe wandrynge aboute from day to day

In myre and fen / though his iourney thether lay Ne delecteris in semitis impiorum. etc. pro. iiij.

So he is mad whiche to other doth preche and tell

The waye to heuyn / and hym-selfe goth to hell.

sig: i3

ref.ed: 112

NOwe to our Nauy / a sorte maketh asaute xl. dis. c. i. iusti quod cum eo ceterum glo. in. c. ea que de sta regu.

Of folys blynde / mad Iugys and Iniust

Whiche lyghtly noteth another mannes faute.

Chastynge that synne / whiche theyr owne mynde doth rust

By longe abydynge / and increas of carnall lust

They cloke their owne vyce synne and enormyte

Other blamynge and chastynge with moche cruelte

They mocke and mowe at anothers small offence iii. q. vii. iudicet. etc. in grauibus.

And redy ar a faute in them to fynde

But of theyr owne foly and inconuenyence

They se no-thynge / for fully ar they blynde

Nat notynge the vyce rotyd in theyr owne mynde Via impiorum tenebrosa nesciunt vbi corruant prouer. iiij.

Theyr greuous woundes and secrete malady

For theyr owne yll they seke no remedy

The hande whiche men vnto a Crosse do nayle

Shewyth the waye ofte to a man wandrynge

Whiche by the same his right way can nat fayle

But yet the hande is there styll abydynge iij. q. vii. tria.

So do these folys lewde of theyr owne lyuynge

To other men shewe mean and way to wynne

Eternall ioy themselfe bydynge in synne

sig: [i3v]

He sertaynly may well be callyd a sote

Moche vnauysed and his owne ennemy Math. vij.

Whiche in a nothers iye can spye a lytell mote Luce. vi.

And in his owne can nat fele nor espye

A moche stycke / so is he certaynly.

Whiche noteth anothers small faute or offence

To his owne great synnes gyuynge none aduertence

ref.ed: 113

Many them-selfe fayne as chaste as was saynt Iohnn Iuuenalis

And many other fayne them meke and innocent

Some other as iust / and wyse as Salomon

As holy as Poule / as Iob als pacyent Esaye. ix.

As sad as senecke / and as obedyent

As Abraham / and as martyn vertuous

But yet is theyr lyfe full lewde and vycious

Some lokyth with an aungels countenaunce

Wyse sad and sober lyke an heremyte Iuuenalis.

Thus hydynge theyr synne and theyr mysgouernaunce.

Under suche clokys lyke a fals ypocryte

Let suche folys rede what Cicero doth wryte Cicero.

Whiche sayth that none sholde blame any creature

For his faut / without his owne lyuynge be sure

Without all spot of synne faut or offence Luce. iiij.

For in lyke fourme as a phesycyan.

By his practyse and cunnynge or scyence xxvi. dis. vna tantum.

The sekenes curyth of a nother man

But his owne yll nor dyseas he nat can

Relefe nor hele so doth he that doth blame i. q. i. multi.

Anothers synne: he styll lyuynge in the same

Many ar whiche other can counseyll craftely

And shewe the peryll that may come by theyr synne

But them-selfe they counseyll nat: ne remedy.

Nor take no waye wherby they heuyn may wynne

But lye in that vyce that they rotyd ar in

Leuynge the way that gydyth to ioy and rest

Their owne sensualyte ensuynge as a beest

ref.ed: 114

Wherfore ye prestis that haue the charge and cure. xliij. dist. sit. rector.

To teche and enfourme the rude comonte.

In goddys lawes groundyd in scripture

And blame all synnes sparynge no degre xxv. dis. prima.

Whyle ye rebuke thus theyr enormyte xli. dis. i. necesse

Lyue so that none may cause haue you to blame

And if ye do nat: it is to your great shame

sig: [i4]

For without doute it is great vylany

A man to speke agaynst any offence

Wherin he well knowyth hym owne selfe gylty

Within his mynde and secrete conscience

Agaynst hym-selfe suche one gyueth sentence

Howe god ryght iuge / by rightwyse iugement

Shulde hym rewarde with worthy punysshement

¶The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys.

¶Ye clerkes that on your shulders bere the shelde

Unto you graunted by the vnyuersyte.

Howe dare ye auenture to fyght in cristes felde

Agaynst synne / without ye clere and gyltles be

Consyder the Cocke and in hym shall ye se:

A great example / for with his wynges thryse

He betyth hym-selfe to wake his owne bodye

Before he crowe / to cause other wake or ryse.

De eo qui alios animaduertit / et met peccat.

Quisquis iter ... durosque Catones:

sig: [i4v]

Fabritiosque probos: ... sorde probata.

ref.ed: 115

¶Of hym that fyndeth ought of another mannys it nat restorynge to the owner.

sig: [i5]

¶He that ought fyndyth outher by day or nyght

Usynge it as his owne / as thynge gottyn iustly

And thynketh that he so may do by lawe and right

Suche is disceyuyd / and thynketh wrongfully

For why the deuyll our goostly ennemy

Doth hym so counseyll and in his erys blowe

Disceyuynge in his bondes / as he doth many mo

ref.ed: 116

THe feruour of ryches and disordred loue xiiij. q. v. si quid iuuenisti.

Whiche many haue / doth me bynde and constrayne.

Within my shyp them sharply to reproue

That pen nor hande / them-selfe wyll not refrayne L. cum querebatur

Of couetyse nowe I wyll nat speke agayne C. vnde. vi.

But of them that kepeth by force and by myght

That thynge wherto they haue nat come / by ryght

Some fyndeth treasours other mennys good

And in theyr owne vse suche good they occupy.

Whiche of theyr myndes ar so blynde and wode.

And so r[o]ted in theyr errour and foly roted] reted 1509

That oft they say (say) ye and dare byde by

That some saynt whome they worshypped haue

Haue sende / them the same theyr honestee to saue

They haue no force nor care / nor they none haue wyll

To whome the ryches so loste dyde apertayne

That fortune hath gyuen they holde fast and kepe styll

Neuer hauynge mynde it to restore agayne

Suche folys fere no-thynge euerlastynge payne

Nor note nat / that without true restytucion

It small auayleth to haue made confessyon.

Here me fole with thy immoderate mynde

Here me and do thy herte therto aply

If thou by fortune any ryches fynde Augustinus.

Callynge it thyne: thou lyest therin falsly

If thou haue wyt thou canst nat well deny

But that gode nat gyuen / nor gottyn by laboure

Can nat be rightwyse: thus mende thy blynde erroure

ref.ed: 117

If thou ought fynde that longeth nat to the

Than is it anothers / the case is clere and playne i. petri. iiij.

Wherfor thou ought of lawe and of dewte Deutro. vii.

Unto the owner it soone to yelde agayne Ange iusti de re diui i[n] fi.

But if he be dede / to whome it dyd attayne

Thou ought nat yet to kepe it nere the more.

But to his sectours or heyres it restore

sig: [i5v]

Put case that they also be past and dede

Yet ought thou nat to kepe it styll with the.

The lawe commaundyth / and also it is mede.

To gyue it to suche as haue necessyte.

With it releuynge theyr paynfull pouertee

And so shalt thou discharge thy conscyence.

Helpynge the pore / and auoyde great offence

But he that others godes tourneth to his owne vse

Spendynge and wastynge that thynge that neuer was his

Suche certaynly his reason doth abuse

And by this meane greuously doth amysse

Wherby he lesyth eternall ioy and blysse

His soule drownynge depe within hell flodes

For his myspendynge of other mennys goodes

But to be shorte / and brefe in my sentence

And sothe to saye playne as the mater is xxxij. dist erubescant.

Forsoth I se nat right great difference Hiere. xvii.

Bytwene a thefe / and these folys couetys

Both wrongly kepeth that thynge that is nat his

Thynkynge that god doth nat therto aduerte

Whiche notyth thy dedys / thy mynde thought and herte

ref.ed: 118

Wherfore if thou haue a rightwyse conscyence In regula peccatum. li. vi.

Thou wylt nought kepe whiche longeth nat to the

The lawe so commaundeth in payne of great offence

For of gode that thou kepest agaynst equyte

Thou shalt make accompt after that thou shalt dye peccatum non dimittitur de regu. iu. li. vi.

To thy great payne in hell for-euer more

If thou no restytucion make before.

Here myght I touche executours in this cryme.

Blamynge theyr dedys dysceyte and couetyse

If it were nat for wastynge of my tyme

For mende they wyll nat them in any wyse

Nor leue no poyntes of theyr disceytfull gyse

Let them take parte of that whiche I here note.

And be partynge foles in this present bote.

¶The enuoy of Barklay the translatour to the Folys.

¶Ye false executours whome all the worlde repreuys

And ye that fynde mennes goodes or treasoures

I call you as bad as robbers or theuys

For ye by your falshode and manyfolde errours

Kepe falsly that thynge whiche is none of yours

sig: [i6]

And wast here the goodes of hym that is past

The soule lyeth in payne / ye take your pleasours.

With his ryches / damnynge your owne soule at the last

De contione sapientię.

Quem sacra ... per orbem.

sig: [i6v]

Cęlestis per ... dogmata tractet.

ref.ed: 119

¶Of the sermon or erudicion of wysdome bothe to wyse men and folys.

¶He that delyteth in godly sapience

And it to obtayne puttyth his besynes

Aboue all folys shall haue preemynence

And in this worlde haue honour and rychesse

Or a worthy crowne in heuyns blessydnesse

Or els bothe welthe here / and after ioy and blysse

Where-as a fole of bothe the two shall mysse

ref.ed: 120

Wysdome with voyce replete with grauyte 'W' of 'Wysdome' is guide letter in space set for large capital

Callyth to all people / and sayth o thou mankynde Prouer. i.

Howe longe wylt thou lyue in this enormyte persius satyra tercia.

Alas howe longe shalt thou thy wyt haue blynde

Here my preceptis and rote them in thy mynde Valerius. li. i.

Nowe is full tyme and season to clere thy syght:

Harkyn to my wordes / grounde of goodnes and ryght

sig: k1

Lerne mortall men / stodyenge day and nyght

To knowe me wysdome / chefe rote of chastyte

My holy doctryne thy herte shall clere and lyght

My tunge shall shewe the ryght and equyte

Chase out thy foly / cause of aduersyte.

And seke me wysdome whiche shall endewe thy mynde

With helth and welth wherby thou lyfe shalt fynde

Aryse I say agayne to the mankynde

And seke me wysdome that am well of goodnes Prouer. xiij.

Let nat this worlde thy conscyence farther blynde

Nor to synne subdue for loue of false rychesse

Blynde nat thy herte with mondayne wretchednes

I am worth golde and worth all good mundayne:

And to mankynde counselloure souerayne

No maner Iowell is to me lyke certayne

Ne so profytable to mortall creature Plautus in amphitrione.

I passe all ryches and cause a man refrayne

His mynde from synne / and of his ende be sure

There is no treasoure nor precious stone so pure

Carbuncle Ruby ne adamond in londe nor see

Nor other lapydary comparable to me:

ref.ed: 121

And shortly to speke wysdome is more laudable Prouer. viii.

Than all the worlde or other thynge mundayne eodem capitulo plura vide ad hunc locum spectancia.

There is no treasoure: to wysdome comparable

But it alone is a vertue moste souerayne Melior est acquisitio eius negociatione auri et argenti. prouer. iij.

Hauynge nought lyke in valoure nor worth certayne

No fole is so ryche / nor hye of dignyte

But that a wyse man pore is more worthy than he

Wysdome preserueth men in auctoryte Inqui[re]reInquirere] Inquire 1509 prudentiam et arripe illam: et exaltabit te: glorificaberis ab ea cum eam fueris amplexatus etc. corona inclita proteget te: pro. iiij. Inquirere] Inquire 1509

Prynces promotynge by counseyll prouydent

By it pore men somtyme / and of lowe degre

Hath had the hole worlde to them obedyent

It gydeth Cytees and countrees excellent

And gouerneth the counseyll of prynce lorde and kynge

Strengthynge the body the herte enlumynynge

It gydyth lordes and from bondage doth brynge

Them whome foly hath brought in-to captyuyte

Hir gyftys to mankynde frely offrynge

Gydynge hir discyples from all aduersyte

Wysdome stondynge vpon a stage on hye Prouer. viij.

Cryeth to mankynde with lowde voyce in this wyse

I trouth exalte: and vycious men dispyse

sig: [k1v]

Lerne of me wysdome cast out your couetyse

For by my myght craft and wyse prouysicion

Kynges vnto their dygnyte dothe ryse

Theyr septers gydynge by my monycion

I gaue them lawes to gyde eche regyon

In welthe defendynge and in prosperyte

Them and theyr royalmes whyle they gyde them by me

ref.ed: 122

All maner nacyons that doth to me inclyne Eccle. xx.

I gyde and gouerne by lawe and equyte

In me is right / godly wyt and doctryne

What blynde foly / and howe great aduersyte

Do they auoyde that gyde them-selfe by me

And he that me louyth with worshyp and honour

Shall knowe my loue my grace and my fauour

He that me folowyth shall auoyde all dolour

I shall hym folowe promotynge in suche case

That none shall be before hym in valour Prouer. iij.

I godly ryches in my power inbrace

Whiche man by me may esely purchase

And he that wyll his way by me addresse

I shall rewarde with heuenly ioy endles

The father of heuen of infynyte goodnesse. Beatus dominus sapientia fundauit terram stabiliuit celos. etc. pro. iij.

Me comprehendyth within his deytee

Of hym my firste begynnynge is doutles.

And heuen and erth he create hath by me

And euery creature bothe on londe and se

The heuen imperyall planetis and firmament

God neuer thynge made without my true assent

Therfore mankynde set thy mynde and intent

To me wysdome to be subiect and seruaunt be] be be 1509

To my preceptis be thou obedyent

And heuenly ioy thou shalt nat lacke nor want

For doutles they ar mad and ignoraunt

And folys blyndyd who-so-euer they be Prouer. primo.

That wyll nat gladly be seruauntes vnto me

ref.ed: 123

¶The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys.

¶Aryse folys of myndes darke and blynde. Si intrauerit sapientia cor tuum et scientia anime tue placuerit consilium custodiet te et prudencia seruabit te etc. prouer. ii.

Receyue the gyftes of godly sapyence

Here hir preceptis and plant them in your mynde

And rote out the gaffys of your olde offence.

Call to your myndes what inconuenyence

Howe sodayne fallys / what sorowe and turment

Hath come to many a myghty lorde and prynce

For nat folowynge of hir commaundement.

sig: k2

Iactatio et confidentia fortunę.

Se fortunatum ... firma manet.

sig: [k2v]

ref.ed: 124

¶Of bostynge or hauynge confydence in fortune.

¶He is a fole whiche settyth confydence

On frayle fortune vncertayne and mutable

His mynde exaltynge in pryde and insolence

Bycause that she somtyme is fauorable

As if she wolde so be perdurable

Suche folys oft whan they thynke them most sure

All sodaynly great mysfortune endure

ref.ed: 125

AMonge our folys he ought to haue a place

And so he shall for it is resonable

Whiche thynketh hym-selfe greatly in fortunes grace

Bostynge that she to hym is fauorable Augustinus.

As if hyr maner were nat to be mutable Prouer. xxviij.

In this vayne hope suche theyr lyfe doth lede Valerius. li. i.

Tyll at the laste theyr hous borne ouer theyr hede Eccle. v.

He shakyth boost and oft doth hym auaunte

Of fortunes fauoure and his prosperyte

Whiche suffreth hym nought of his wyll to wante

So that he knoweth nought of aduersyte

Nor mysfortune nor what thynge is pouertee. Esaye. lxv.

O lawles fole / o man blyndyd of mynde

Say what suretye in fortune canst thou fynde

sig: k3

To what ende or vnto what conclusyon

Shall fortune frayle vnrightwyse and vnsure

Lede the blynde fole by hyr abusyon.

Howe darest thou the in hir blyndnes assure.

Syns she vnstable is and can nat longe endure

Hir gyftis changith / she is blynde and sodayne

Thoughe she firste lawghe hir ende is vncertayne.

Thou shakest boste ofte of hir foly in vayne

For he is most happy whiche can auoyde hir snare

If she exalte some-one vnto welth mundayne Augustinus.

She bryngeth another to payne sorowe and care

Whyle one is ladyd to the others backe is bare

Whyle she a begger maketh in good abounde

A lorde or state she throweth to the grounde

ref.ed: 126

But nat withstandynge hir mutabylyte.

Thou bostest thy gode and to moche abundaunce

Thou bostest thy welth and thy prosperyte

Thy good auenturs / and plentyfull pleasaunce

Alas blynde fole amende thy ygnoraunce

And in thy welthe to this saynge intende

That fortune euer hath an incertayne ende

Fals fortune infect of countenaunce and of face

By hir iyen clowdy / and varyable vysage Seneca in hercule furenti.

Hath many for a whyle taken to hir grace

Whiche after by hir whele vnstable and volage

Hath brought them to wo mysfortune and damage

She ruleth pore and riche without difference

Lewdnes exaltynge and damnynge innocence

Thus is that man voyde / of all intellygence

Whome fortune fedyth / with chaunche fortunable

If he therin haue ouer-large confydence

And thynke that sure that euer is mutable

That fole is sonne / to the fende abhomynable

That foloweth ryches / and fortune that is blynde

His sauyour lefte / and clene out of mynde

Whan the foule fende / father of vnhappynes

Pore man purposyth by falshode to begyle Prouer. xxi.

He sendeth hym welth worldly / and fals ryches

And causeth fortune / a_whyle on hym to smyle

Whiche with hir blyndenes doth mankynde so defyle

That whyle they trust in hir fauour to sore.

They damme theyr soules in hell for euermore

sig: [k3v]

ref.ed: 127

By large examples thou eche day mayste se

The chaunge of fortune and the ende vncertayne Prouer. i.

Wherfore to boste the of hyr commodyte Prosperitas stultorum perdet eos.

It is great foly and also thynge in vayne

From this lewdnes thy mynde therfore refrayne

And be content with fortune moderate

Nor boste the nat of thy welth or estate

This day thou art ryche and despysest the pore

Yet so may it fall / that for thy lewde lyuynge

To_morowe thou beggest thy brede from dore to dore

Therfore remembre that blynde fortune wandrynge

Hath nat in hyr handes power / nor gyd[y]nge gydynge] gydnge 1509

The rewardes of welth / nor of felycyte Iuuenalis.

But god them gydeth by his great maieste

And all-thynge chaungeth as is to hym plesaunt

His dedes to wysdome alwaye agreable

Wherfore blynde fole be nat so ignoraunt

To prayse fortune whiche is so varyable

And of rewardes vnsure and chaungeable Resume pro. i. prosperitas etc.

But thoughe she smyle trust nat to hir intent

For amonge swete herbes ofte lurkyth the serpent

ref.ed: 128

¶ Barklay to the Folys.

¶Ye folys that haue in fortune confydence:

And boste you of welth and of prosperyte

Leue of your foly / and note by euydence:

Hir cours vnsure: and hir mutabylyte

None in this lyfe can byde in one degre

But somtyme hye / than after pore and lowe.

Nowe nought set by / nowe in auctoryte

Nowe full nowe voyde as waters ebbe and flowe

I am remembred that I haue often sene

Great worldly ryches ende in pouertye

And many one that hath in fauour ben:

And hye promotyd in welth and dignyte.

Hath sodaynly fallyn into calamyte

Thus is it foly to trust in fortunes grace

For whyle the Se floweth and is at Burdews hye

It as fast ebbeth at some other place

sig: [k4]

De nimia curiositate mortalium.

Qui curas ... mutare valebit.

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ref.ed: 129

¶Of the ouer-great and chargeable curyosyte of men.

¶Unto mo folys here ordayne I a barge

Whiche medlyth with euery mannys besynes

And nat intendeth to their owne losse and charge

Great payne and wo suche folys oft oppresse

And let them lerne with pacyent mekenes

To suffer sorowe for why they shall none lacke

Syns they alone / the hole worlde take on theyr backe

ref.ed: 130

HE that wyll coueyt to bere more than he may

And take on his sholders more than he can sustayne

Suche is a fole / his dedys wyll not deny

And with his owne wyll gooth to peryll and payne.

He is vnwyse whiche is ioyous and fayne Persius. i.

To offer his necke to bere that without fere De renun. c. i. in prin. li. vi.

Whiche were ynoughe for dyuers men to bere Therencius

That man that taketh vpon his backe alone ad ro. xij.

The heuy weght of the large fyrmament Prouer. xx.

Or any burdeyne whiche maketh hym to grone

Whiche to sustayne his strength is ympotent abhominatio est apud deum pondus et pondus. Eccle. i. et .xiij.

No meruayle is if he fall incontynent

And than whan he lowe on the grounde doth lye

He oft repentyth his purpose and foly

sig: [k5]

We haue in storyes many examples great

Shewynge the lewde ende of this curyosyte.

I rede of Alexander that dyd often sweate

In great peryls to augment his dignyte

He was nat content with europe and asye

Nor all the grounde under the fyrmament

At the last ende / cowde nat his mynde content

As if all the erth were nat suffycyent

For his small body by curyouse couetyse

But at the last he must holde hym content

With a small cheste / and graue nat of great pryce.

Thus deth vs shewyth what thynge sholde vs suffyce

And what is the ende of our curyosyte. Eccle. vij.

For dethe is lyke to hye and lowde degre

ref.ed: 131

What shall a kynge at his last endynge haue

Of all his realme and infynyte treasoure

Saue onely his towmbe / and the grounde of his graue

But thoughe it be of great pryce and voloure

As is conuenyent to his hye honoure.

Yet lytell conforte to his soule shall it gyue Nota augustinum.

But cause of bostynge to them that after lyue

Thus whan man vnto his last ende is come

He nought with hym bereth of his dignytees

Wherfore cynicus a man of great wysdome Diogenes.

Lorde grettest of Grece in londes and Cytees Horatius.

Hathe lefte great example vnto all degrees

For his great ryches his herte dyd neuer blynde

But wordly pompe set clene out of his mynde

He forced of no castels nor excellent byldynge

Dispysynge charges and besynes worldly

But gaue his mynde to vertue and cunnynge

And namely to the scyence of astronomy

Consyderynge that great rest of mynde and of body

With hym abydeth whiche with bolde herte is fayne

To folowe vertue / and leue charges mundayne

He that so doth no weght doth vndertake

Vpon his backe of so great a grauyte

That his small strength must it agayne forsake.

Where he that attempteth grettest thynges / and hye: Iuuenalis.

Great weyght of charges and moche dignite

Must lerne to suffer payne thought and vexacion

By his great charges of perturbacion

sig: [k5v]

ref.ed: 132

What auayle is it the worlde to obtayne Prouer. xvii.

In one mannys power / and all other to excell Sapientie. v.

To suffer trouble / and vayne charges sustayne Math. xvij.

And at the last his pore soule gooth to hell

There toren and tourmented in paynes cruell

It were moche better to kepe a quyet mynde

And after our deth eternall rest to fynde

He that taketh thought for euery besynes:

And caryth for that whiche doth nat apertayne

Nor longe to his charge / he is full of blyndnes

And no houre shall rest / but styll in thought and payne

Care for thy owne charges / theron set thy brayne

For he a fole is that caryth or doth intende

For another mannys charge whiche he can nat amende

Therfore lyue in rest after thy degre.

Nor on suche thynges do nat thy mynde aply

Whiche ar no-thynge apertaynynge vnto the

If thou so do thou shalt fynde rest therby

Auoyde thou the charge of worldly mysery Sapientie. viij

For godes take no thought great care ne trauayle.

Whiche after deth shall do the none auayle

¶ Barklay to the Folys.

¶Fole clere thy iyen and of thy-selfe beware

Care moste for thy owne besynes and charge

For other mennes take no great thought nor care

If thou thy conscience mayst therof discharge

A curyous man that of his tunge is large

Talkynge or carynge of other / his place is best

Hye in the fore-top of our folysshe barge

For in that place is small quyet or rest

Mutuum accipere.

Haud facile ... pauperiemque creant.

sig: [k6]

Sępe etiam ... bona perficias.

ref.ed: 133

¶Of them that ar alway borowynge.

¶A man that is besy both euyn and morowe

With rauysshynge clawys and insaciable

Of his frendes and neyghbours to begge and to borow

To the deuourynge wolfe is most lyke or semblable

Suche in our shyp shall nat want a babyll

For he that styll borowes shall skant hym quyte or redde

And as a wretche the asse shall hym ouer-tredde

sig: [k6v]

ref.ed: 134

THat fole that hym-selfe a dettour doth make

To dyuerse men / and is borowynge alway Deutro. xv.

Right ponderous charges on hym doth take Prouer. xxii.

Borowynge of one another therwith to pay Psal. xxxvi.

Thoughe he be glad to haue longe terme and day Eccle. iij.

To hym assygned to make his payment

It nought auayleth / for soone the tyme is spent

But in the meane-tyme deuourynge vsurye

Spoylyth makynge pore many a borewer Psal. lxxi.

Where they two borewed they promys to pay thre

Their day of payment lenger to defarre.

Thus doth oft borowynge many thousandes marre Prouer. xxviij

Yet some get malyce for that gode that they len Luce. vi.

And where they lent twenty gladly taketh ten.

I wyll nat say but that it is mede certayne Et prestiterunt molestiam his qui se adiuuerunt donec [accipiant]accipiant] accipiantur 1509 osculantur manus et cetera. Require eccle. xxix. Et alia bona et conducentia ad hunc locum.accipiant] accipiantur 1509

To lene frely to one that is in nede

And wyll be glade it to content agayne.

But he that lenyth to haue rewarde or mede

Or more than he lent / may of hell-payne haue drede

And he that so boroweth gayne can haue none

Therby in this lyfe / but hell whan he is gone

sig: l1

Therfore in this satyre suche wyll I repreue

And none that borowe nor lene on amyte

The vsurers: fals cristen men in theyr byleue

Folowe the waren way of theyr iniquyte

Prohybyte by lawe iustyce and equyte

Theyr vnclene hertes / and mynde / vnhappely

On lucre settynge / comynge by vsury

ref.ed: 135

They hepe theyr synne in quantyte horryble Eccle. vij. et viij.

Labowrynge that lewde burthen gretter to make

And that sore weght tedyose and terryble

With a great rope vpon theyr shulders take

The weyght vp taken all theyr hole ioyntes quake

Thus these caytyfs with this rope and burthyn heuy

Them-selfe hange damnynge theyr soule eternally

A wretchyd man / alas make clere thy reason Eccle. xij.

Remember thoughe god the suffer thus longe-tyme xxiiij. q. iiij.

He graunteth that space to amende the in season. Nabuchadonosor.

And nat dayly to encreas thy synne and cryme

Somtyme he punyssheth with infernall abhyme 'abhyme'='abysm'

Shortly for synne / somtyme thoughe one mysdo

He suffreth longe: but yet truste nat therto

The longer vnpunysshed / the sorer is the payne

And if thou wylt nat gyue to me credence

Of sodome and Gomor the Bybyll sheweth playne Sodomia.

Howe god rightwysely ponysshed theyr offence Gene. xviij.

And also Solym / towne of great excellence iiij. regum. xvi

For vyciousnes god ponysshed bytterly Thobie. xiij.

Whiche sholde vs cause for to lyue rightwysely. Michee. iiij.

The rightwyse god also dyd sore chastyce Exodi. iij.

The Nilicolyans and them vtterly destroy The] Tthe 1509 Iohelis. iij. Iohelis. iij.

For theyr contynuynge in theyr syn and vyce Amos. ix.

And theyr lynage longe kepte from welth and ioy

In great trouble whiche dyd theyr hertis noy:

Howe-be-it that they were good and innocent

For theyr fathers faute they suffred punysshement

ref.ed: 136

But to our purpose to retourne agayne. Esaye. i.

He that ought boroweth whiche he can nat pay Prouer. xxij.

Of a wolfe rauysshynge foloweth the trayne Thobie. xiij.

But though he all swolowe yet can he by no way

Deuoure the tyme nor the prefyxed day

Wherfore if he than disceyue his credytour

He oft hym chastyth with iustyce and rygour

sig: [l1v]

Ryght in lyke wyse our lorde omnipotent Ezech. xliij.

In this worlde to lyue grauntyth vs tyme and space

Nat styll to synne / but vnto this intent

To leue our vyce / and folowe the way of grace

But if we styll contynue in one case

And haue done no good to pay hym at our day

In hell pryson he iustly shall vs lay

¶ Barklay to the Folys.

¶Thou fole mysmyndyd to large of conscyence conscyence] sconscyence 1509

To the I speke that art a lewde dettour

Borowe thou no-thynge / noble grote ne pens. Math. xxij. Reddite ergo que sunt cesaris cesari et que sunt dei deo.

More than thou mayst agayne pay thy credytour

Right so endeuer the to pay thy sauyour

His right and dewty / with a glad wyll and fayne

That is true seruyce / with glory and honour Ad Ro. xv. gentes autem super misericordia honora[r]ehonorare] honorate 1509 deum.honorare] honorate 1509

Than shalt thou surely escape infernall payne.

De inutilibus votis et petitionibus.

Qui superos ... viuere sęclis:

sig: l2

Quem tamen ... pectore fulgens.

ref.ed: 137

¶Of inprofytable and vayne prayers vowes and peticyons.

sig: [l2v]

That man whose herte vnhappy synne doth blynde ij. Macha. ix. Orabat autem scelestus dominum a quo non esset misericordiam consecuturus de antiacho. e[st].est] e 1509 est] e 1509

And prayth gasynge into the fyrmament

Or he that setteth nat his herte and mynde

Upon his wordes / theyr sentence or intent

And he that desyreth thynge nat conuenyent

Suche folys shall nat theyr peticion obtayne

For without the herte the tonge laboureth in vayne

ref.ed: 138

HEre we repreue (reperue) ye and reuyle. Eccle. xviij. pro. v. Ecclesiastes. vii.

A sorte of folys lewde of condicions

Whose herte and tunge theyr soules doth defyle Luce. xx. in fi.

By theyr blynde prayers and yll peticions Iohannis. xi.

Suche folowe no techynge nor gode monysyons

For often many of them with tunge doth pray i. ad corinth. xiiij. orabo spiritu orabo et mente psallam spiritu psallam et mente. ad ro. viij. Nam quid oremus. Sicut oporte[t]oportet] oporte 1509 nescimus sed ipse spiritus postulat pro nob. etc.oportet] oporte 1509

Theyr mynde / abstract nat knowynge what they say

Man oft desyreth with great affeccion

That thynge of god / whiche thynge if god wolde graunt.

Sholde be at last vnto theyr destruccyon

Examples hereof thou canst nat lacke nor want

The great Medas somtyme kynge tryumphant.

Of Phrygye By his owne folysshe desyre

With paynfull hunger / his lyfe-breth dyd expyre

This kynge Mydas of whom I haue you tolde midas rex phrigum.

Of god desyred with prayer dylygent.

That all that he touchyd tourne myght vnto golde

His prayer was harde / he obteynyd his intent Ouidius met. xi.

But nat to his welth / but mortall punysshement

For whan he brede or drynke tast or touche sholde

Incontynent was it tourned in-to golde

Thus was his prayer to his owne damage

For at the laste he dyed in wo and payne

For no golde coude his sore hunger asswage

Nor his desyre coude he nat call agayne.

Thus his peticion desyred was in vayne:

And where he wenyd great welth to get therby

He dyed in shame hunger and mysery.

ref.ed: 139

Some dayly pray with marueylous besynes

Cryeng and syghynge to god omnypotent Prouer. xvij.

For to haue plenty of welth ioy and ryches

And to be made ryche myghty and excellent.

O cursyd lyuers / o blynde men of intent

On suche desyres they set theyr mynde and thought Sapien. viij.

Whiche thousandes vnto shamefull ende hath brought

sig: l3

What profyted the myghty edefyces:

Of Lycynus / or lyuelode of excesse:

What profyteth the money gotten in vyces

Of riche Crassus / or cresus / great ryches

They all ar dede by theyr vnhappynes

And that lewdely / nat by deth naturall

Theyr blynde desyres chefe rote and cause of all

Another whiche is in youthes prosperyte Iuuenalis

For strength and myght often to god doth pray

Some of theyr lyfe to haue prolyxyte

Desyreth god / and here to byde alway

In riches welth / ioy and solempne aray

But yet they in glotony take suche custome

That they slea them-selfe longe or theyr day be come

Alas mad fole why prayest thou for age

Syns it so greuous is and ymportable Ad hebre. viij.

Unstable and full of dolour and damage Prouer. xvii.

Odyous to youth and intollerable

Say folysshe man whiche art of mynde vnstable

Is it nat great foly to any creature

To pray for that thynge / whiche he can nat endure

ref.ed: 140

Peleus / and Nestor and many other mo

As Itackes and laertes /sore haue complayned

For to longe age / euer full of payne and wo Psalmista.

Wherwith theyr bodyes sore haue ben constrayned

And with great sorowes and dyuers often payned:

And to conclude brefly in one sentence

Oft to age falleth moche inconuenyence

Yet ar mo folys whiche ought repreued be Horatius in arte.

And they ar suche whiche styll on god doth call Sapien. v.

For great rowmes / offyces and great dignyte Eccle. xi.

No-thynge intendynge to theyr greuous fall

For this is dayly sene / and euer shall

That he that coueytys hye to clym aloft

If he hap to fall / his fall can nat be soft

Some other pray for bewty and fayrnes

And that to a cursyd purpose and intent

Wherby they lese the heuenly blyssydnes:

Theyr soule subduynge to infernall turment

O ye mad folys of myndes ympotent

Pray your Pater noster with deuoute herte and mynde

For therin is all that is nedefull to mankynde

sig: [l3v]

Our sauyour criste whyle he was on this grounde

Amonge vs synners in this vale of mysery

Taught his disciples this prayer whiche doth sounde Pater noster.

Nere to this sentence / nor greatly doth nat vary

(Our father wiche art in heuen) eternally

Thy name be halowyd (graunt that to thy kyngdome)

All we thy seruauntis worthely may come

ref.ed: 141

In heuen and erth thy wyll be done alway

And of thy great grace and thy benygnyte

Our dayly brede graunt vnto vs this day

Forgyuynge our synnes and our iniquyte:

As we forgyue them that to vs detters be

And to auoyde temptacion thy grace vnto vs len

And vs delyuer from euery yll amen.

Whan thou hast clensyd thy mynde from syn before

100

And sayd this prayer to thy maker deuoutly

Thou nedyst nat of hym to desyre more

Yet mayst thou pray and desyre rightwysly Iuuenalis

For helthe of soule within thy hole body

For stedfast fayth and yll name to eschewe.

105

And chastely to lyue (by his help) in vertue

Thus sholde thou pray thou wretche both day and nyght

With herte and mynde vnto thy creatoure:

And nought by foly to asshe agaynst right 'asshe'='ask'

To hurte or losse to thy frende or neyghboure

110

Nor to thy fo by yll-wyll or rygoure

But if god to thy prayers alway sholde enclyne

Oft sholde come great sorowe to the and to all thyne

¶Th'enuoy of Barklay to the Folys.

¶Man clere thy mynde or thou begyn to pray

Els though thy prayer be iust it is but vayne

And kepe togyther thy hurte and tonge alway

Or els doutles thou lesest all thy payne

From lewde peticions thy mynde thou ought refrayne

If thou desyre yll to thy fo by malyce

At thy peticion god shall haue dysdayne

For though thou be wrothe god is nat in lyke wyse

De inutili studio.

sig: [l4]

Qui studium ... tempora prima

sig: [l4v]

ref.ed: 142

¶Of vnprofytable stody.

¶He that vayne stody doth haunt or exercyse

And lesyth his tyme / of fruyte voyde and barayne

Resortynge to ryot whiche cunnynge doth dispyse

And that of doctryne (in maner) hath disdayne

Suche shall in age of his madnes complayne

And seynge that he lesyth his tyme thus in foly

Let hym come to our folysshe company.

ref.ed: 143

NOwe in this Nauy many them-selfe present

Of this our roy[al]me and from beyo[n]de the see royalme] roylame 1509

Whiche in theyr stody or lewde and neglygent.

Lesynge theyr tyme at the vnyuersyte Eccle. xliiij.

Yet count they them-selfe of great auctoryte Ad hebre. v.

With theyr proude hodes on theyr neckes hangynge i. ad thy. iij.

They haue the lawde: but other haue the cunnynge

They thynke that they haue all scyence perfytely

Within theyr hertes bostynge them of the same

Though they therto theyr mynde dyd neuer aply

Without the thynge / they ioy them of the name

But suche mad folys to theyr great losse and shame

Whyle they sholde norysshe theyr myndes with science Eccle. xxv.

They seke theyr pleasour / gyuen to negly[ge]nce neglygence] neglynce 1509

sig: [l5]

They wander in euery inconuenyence

From strete to strete / from tauerne to tauerne

But namely youth / foloweth all offence xvi. b. i. sic vine

No-thynge intendynge the profyte to dyscerne

Nor fruyte of cunnynge wherby they myght gouerne

Them-selfe by reason / but suche thynges they ensue

Wherby they neyther get good maners nor vertue

But he that intendeth to come to the science Seneca epistolaepistola] epistolina 1509 xviij. C. nisi cum pridem de renun.epistola] epistolina 1509

And godly wysdome of our elders: certayne.

He must sore stody / for without dilygence

And besy laboure no man can it obtayne

None ought to cesse: though it firste be a payne.

In good perseueraunce getteth great ryches

Where no good cometh by sleuthfull ydelnes

ref.ed: 144

But moste I marueyll of other folys blynde

Whiche in dyuers scyencis ar fast laborynge

Both daye and nyght with all theyr herte and mynde

But of gramer knowe they lytyll or no-thynge

Whiche is the grounde of all lyberall cunnynge

Yet many ar besy in Logyke and in lawe

Whan all theyr gramer is skarsly worth a strawe

If he haue onys red the olde dotrinall

With his diffuse and vnparfyte breuyte Sulpicius in Alexandrum : est breuis ille nimis: fuscus et ille nimis.

He thynketh to haue sene the poyntis of grammer all.

And yet of one errour he maketh two or thre

Precyan or sulpice disdayneth he to se

Thus many whiche say that they theyr grammer can

Ar als great folys as whan they firste began

One with his speche rounde tournynge lyke a whyle

Of logyke the knottis doth lows and vndo xxxvii. di[s]dis] di 1509 nonnedis] di 1509

In hande with his sylogysimes / and yet doth he fele

No-thynge what it menyth / nor what longeth therto

Nowe sortes currit: Nowe is in hande plato

Another comyth in with bocardo and pheryson

And out goeth agayne a fole in conclusyon

There is nought else but Est and non est Virgilius est et non cuncti monosyllaba nota frequentant etc. His demptis nihil est hominum quod sermo volutet.

Blaberynge and chydynge / as it were beawlys wyfe

They argue nought els but to proue man a beest

Homo est Asinus is cause of moche stryfe

Thus passe forth these folys the dayes of theyr lyfe Qualis vita hominum quam duo monosyllaba versant. etc. Virgilius.

In two syllabis / not gyuynge aduertence

To other cunnynge doctryne / nor scyence.

sig: [l5v]

ref.ed: 145

I wyll nat say but that it is expedyent

The to knowe of Logyke the chrafte and connynge

For by argument it maketh euydent Eccle. xvi.

Moche obscurenes / somtyme enlumynynge

The mynde: and sharpynge the wyt in many a thynge

But oft yet by it a thynge playne bryght and pure

Is made diffuse / vnknowen harde and obscure

It is ynoughe therof to knowe the grounde

And nat therin to wast all thy lyfe holly xxxvi. dist. legimus.

Styll grutchynge lyke vnto the frogges sounde

Or lyke the chaterynge of the folysshe pye

If one afferme the other wyll deny

Sophestry nor Logyke with their art talcatyfe

Shewe nat the way vnto the boke of lyfe

With suche folyes tender youth is defylyd

And all theyr dayes on them they set delyte

But godly doctryne is from theyr myndes exylyd

Whiche sholde the body and the soule also profyte

They take no layser / pleasur nor respyte

To other scyences / pleasaunt and profytable

But without ende in one thynge chat and bable

One rennyth to almayne another vnto fraunce

To parys padway Lumbardy or spayne Eccle. viij. et quantum plus laborauerit ad querendum tanto minus inueniet.

Another to Bonony / Rome or orleance

To cayne / to Tolows / Athenys or Colayne

And at the last retournyth home agayne

More ignorant / blynder and gretter folys

Than they were whan they firste went to the scolys

ref.ed: 146

One bostynge the name of a lawer or deuyne xij. q. ij. gloria episcopi glo. in [c].c] e 1509 cum ex. littera de in [in]teinte] te 1509 resti.c] e 1509inte] te 1509

His proude hode hye vpon his stately necke:

Thus muste a gode clerke vnto a foule enclyne

Lowt with the body and with obedyence becke

And thoughe it tourne to theyr rebuke and checke

Yet nowe-a-dayes ouer many suche there be. Prouer. xiij.

Whiche in-stede of cunnynge vseth audacyte Cicero in epistolis ad vale. iuri sanctosancto] sanctom 1509 presertim cum his temporibus audacia pro sapientia liceat vti.sancto] sanctom 1509

The hode must answere for the folysshe student

100

Theyr tyme hath ben lost frutles and barayne.

Theyr frendes godes on suche folyes ar spent

To their damage thought hunger and payne:

Thus to conclude: me-thynke it is but vayne

The frendes to labour the dayes of theyr lyue

105

To spare for suche scolers whiche shall neuer thryue

sig: [l6]

¶The great foly / the pryde / and the enormyte Addicio Alexandri_barklay presbyteri. etc.

Of our studentis / and theyr obstynate errour

Causeth me to wryte two sentences or thre

More than I fynde wrytyn in myne actoure

110

The tyme hath ben whan I was conductoure

Of moche foly / whiche nowe my mynde doth greue

Wherfor of this shyp syns I am gouernoure.

I dare be bolde myne owne vyce to repreue

¶Howe-be-it I knowe my wordes shall suche greue

115

As them-selfe knoweth fawty and culpable

But if they be wroth: take they me by the sleue

For they shall bere the hode and I wyll the bable:

But firste ye studentis that ar of mynde vnstable

Ye wasters and getters by nyght in felde or towne

120

Within my Nauy wolde I set you to a cable

If I not fered lyst ye your-selfe wolde drowne

ref.ed: 147

¶Also I fere lyst my shyp sholde synke for syn

If that Cupido and Uenus seruytours

On the vnsure se my shyp entred within

125

Or all the folys promotyd to honours

I none receyue can of hye progenytours

My shyp is nat dressyd for them conuenyent

And to I fere lyst theyr cruell rygours:

Sholde rayse to my shyp some tempest or tourment

¶Th'enuoy of Barklay to the Folys.

¶Fy studentis clens your myndes of this cryme

Gyue ones your hertis to parfyte dylygence

Howe longe in Idelnes / wyll ye lese your tyme

In pryde and ryot / with all other offence

Alas what profyte get ye by neglygence

But spende your goodes in all iniquyte

And where your frendes thynke / ye labour for scyence:

Ye lese your tyme bryngynge them to pouertee

Leue of suche stody as is vnprofytable

Without fruyte outher godly discyplyne

And gyue your myndes to scyences lawdable

Where ye may your herte set and inclyne:

To Arystotyls or Platoys doctryne

And nat alway on logyke or Sophestry

I wyll nat say but it is a thynge dyuyne

And moche worth to knowe Phylosophy

sig: [l6v]

Temere loquentes contra deum.

Si deus ... magna modo

sig: m1

ref.ed: 148

¶Of them that folysshly speke agaynst the workes of god.

¶Here note we fowlys whiche can nat be content

With goddes worke / and ordynaunce dyuyne

Thynkynge theyr owne wyll moche more expedyent

Nat wyllynge theyr myndes to his wyll to enclyne

But suche folys often sholde come to ruyne

And wo with sorowe and losse sholde they fynde

If god sholde conforme his workes to theyr mynde

ref.ed: 149

HE is a fole and laboreth in vayne:

Whiche with small brondes of fyre flamynge bryght

Entendyth with laboure besynes and payne

Of the shynynge sonne for to encrease the lyght vi. q. i. si omnia.

Suche one assayeth a thynge passynge his myght Eccle. iij. vt supra

And is a fole to set thought or delyte Prouer. xxv.

To mende that thynge whiche god hath made perfyte

But yet is he a moche gretter fole truely

Whiche wyll correct that thynge whiche god hath done

And doth nat his herte his wyll and mynde aply

To goddes workes and deuyne prouysyon

Of all other maddest is his condycion

And more franty[k]e forsoth I may hym call frantyke] frantyfe 1509

Than they that ar vext with furyes infernall:

sig: [m1v]

(Thou fole) the myght of god omnipotent

In vertue and wysdome so largely doth extende ad romanos. x

His maiesty / and power is so excellent

His glorious godhede his workes doth defende

So that no mortall man can them amende Esaie. xl.

Wenest thou mad fole that thou amende cannest ought

That he hath done: whiche made all-thynge of nought

He that hath made the heuen and firmament

The londe / the se / and euery other thynge

Is so discrete / so wyse / and prouydent

Before his presence parfytely seynge

All-thynge to come that neuer hath had beynge

His workes and dedys ar so perfyte and ryght

That none can increas nor yet decreas his myght

ref.ed: 150

He doth all-thynge dispose moderate and dispence xxxij. dis. erubescant.

Knowynge our mynde / and what is to vs most mete

All-thynge is open and playne in his presence

Our inwarde thought must he nedes knowe and wete

And euery fortune is playne before his fete

He hath all-thynge by lawe and order drest

And doth no-thynge but it is for the best

Therfore whether he gyue thunder snowe or rayne

Wynde or wether / tempest or tourment

Frost lyghtnynge / fayre wether / outher storme sodayne

Mystes or clowdes / yet man sholde be content Sapientie. i.

And nat with worde nouther inwarde intent

Agaynst god grutche / but euery day and houre

Magnyfye the dedys of god his creatoure

It were moche better thou fole that thou were dome Psalmo. c.iij.

Than to cast lewde wordes agaynst thy lorde in vayne Sapientie. xi. et duodecimo.

Thou fole he worketh no-thynge but by wysedome

And yet art thou nat content but dost complayne Eccle. iij.

Thou sekest vengeaunce (for thy synne) and payne

In hell for euer / thynkynge thy-selfe so wyse

To teche thy god / and his warke to dispyse

It is nat lawfull for any / hye nor lowe

To be so bolde so blynde or so cruell

Grutchynge wordes agaynst his god to throwe

Thughe to theyr pl[ea]sour a thynge nat fortune well pleasour] plaesour 1509 Numeri. xiiij. Numeri. xiiij.

Take example by the children of Israell Iosue. ix.

Whiche oft for this synne suffred great payne and wo i. corinth. x.

Slayne and distroyed / so haue ben many mo

sig: m2

ref.ed: 151

Many a lewde body without wysdome or rede

Grutche in theyr myndes / and openly do blame

Almygh[t]y god / whan theyr children ar dede Almyghty] Almyghy 1509

Where rather they ought to enioye of the same

For it myght fortune that great rebuke and shame

Myght to theyr frendes haue come by theyr synne and cryme

Soone after: if they had nat dyed at that tyme

Wherfore this one clause is my conclusyon

That god our maker is wyse and prouydent

Blame nat his workes by thyne abusyon

For all that he doth is for the best intent

But if that god sholde alwaye assent

To our desyres and euer perfourme our wyll

Our owne requestis sholde tourne vs to great yll

¶ Alexander_Barklay to the Folys.

¶O ye mad myndes that no-thynge vnderstonde

O man presumptuous and vnobedyent Nolite loqui aduersus deum iniquitatem. psal. ix.

Howe darest thou be so bolde to take on honde

To repreue the workes of god omnipotent

Wylt thou hym teche / as more wyse and prouydent

Than he is (whiche made all-thynge of nought)

Leue of this thy foly / and holde thy-selfe content

For thou art a fole to set theron thy thought

Qui alios iudicat.

Se iustum ... posse diu.

sig: [m2v]

Si videt ... esse virum.

ref.ed: 152

¶Of them that gyue iugement on other.

¶Who that reputyth hym-selfe iust and fawtles

Of maners gode / and of lyuynge commendable.

And iugeth other (parchaunce that ar gyltles)

To be of a condicion reprouable

Hym-selfe nat notynge / thoughe that he were culpable

He is a fole / and onys shall haue a fall

Syns he wyll other iuge / hym-selfe yet worst of all.

ref.ed: 153

MAny fallyth in great peryll and damage Math[ei]. Mathei.] Math. ei. 1509 vij. oMathei.] Math. ei. 1509

And greuous deth by the vyce of folysshnes Luce. vi. ff.

Perseuerantly bydynge in theyr outrage Ad roman. ij. A. Mar. iiij. c. glo. in. c. ea. que de sta. regum. iij. q. vij. iudicet etc.

Theyr soule infect with synne and viciousnes

And though that deth hym alway to them addres

Yet hope they in longe lyfe and prosperyte

And neuer asswageth theyr blynde iniquyte

sig: m3

The tyme passeth as water in a ryuere

No mortall man can it reuoke agayne Nec quo preterijt iterum reuocabitur vnda nec quo preteriit hora redire potest.

Dethe with his dartis vnwarely doth apere

It is the ende of euery man certayne

The last of all ferys and ende of worldly payne

But thoughe we knowe that we all must haue an ende

We slepe in synne disdaynynge vs to amende Mors est vltimum terribilium philosophus.

Some thynke them gode / iust and excellent

Myghty stronge and worthy / of preemynence:

Charitable / chast / constant and innocent

Nat doutynge deth nor other / inconuenyence

But yet ar they wrappyd sore in synne and offence

And in a vayne hope / contynue in suche wyse

That all the worlde (saue them-selfe) they dispyse prouer. xxiiij. et. xxvi.

They take on them the workes of god omnipotent Eccle. x.

To iuge the secrete of mannys mynde and thought

And where no sygne is sene playne and euydent

They iuge a man saynge / his lyfe is nought

And if deth one hath vnto his last ende brought

(As mad) they mende nat theyr mysgouernaunce mathei. vij.

Nat thynkynge that they ensue must the same daunce. Ad romanos. ij.

sig: [m3v]

ref.ed: 154

Suche folys fayne causes and often-tymes say: Eccle. xi.

That he that is dede vsed ryot and moche foly

Whiche causyd hym to dye before his day

And that he was feble / or full of malancoly Esaie. xxxviij.

Ouer-sad / or prowde / disceytfull and pope-holy

Uiciously lyuynge in couetyse and gyle

Wherfore god suffred hym lyue the shorter whyle

Lo these blynde folys saciat with vyce Sapientie. iij.

Iugeth hym that perchaunce dyd nat amys

Whyle he here lyuyd / and is in paradyce

Rewardyd for his workes in endles ioy and blys

Where-as this lewde Iuger / here in this worlde is Eccle. xxi.

Styll lyuynge in synne / suffrynge great payne and wo

And though he thynke hym gode shall neuer come therto

He that in synne here lyeth fettered fast

And iugeth the deth of his frende or neyboure

Whiche from this lyfe is departed and past. Eccle. vij.

Let hym beware / for onys come shall the houre

That he must fele dethis dolorouse rygoure.

And after that endure infernall punysshement

For iugynge and mysdemynge of people innocent

The terme and day / of deth is moche vnsure Seneca.

The deth is sure / the houre is vncertayne Apocaly. xviij.

Deth is generall to euery creature

Theder we must all / be it pleasour or payne

Wherfore wysdome wyll that we shulde refrayne

From folysshe demynge and non[e] deth discus none] nons 1509

After deth god wot howe it shall be with vs

ref.ed: 155

Alas full often a iust man gode and true

Of mynde innocent sad sober and sympyll

Passynge his tyme in goodnes and vertue

Is of these folys thought and demyd for yll

And he that is nought / frowarde of dede and wyll

Of these folys blynde frantyke and wode.

Without all reason is iugyd to be goode

Wherfore I proue that a blynde fole thou art

To iuge or deme a mannys thought or intent

For onely god knoweth our mynde and hart

Wherto we gree and to what thynge we assent

But who that is rightwyse iust / and innocent

And louyth god with honour and with reuerence

Than / may he boldely iuge anothers offence

sig: [m4]

¶ Alexander_barklay to the Folys.

¶Amende you folys: do way these folysshe wayes

Take ye no charge: nat mete for your degre.

And note these wordes: whiche criste our sauyour sayes

Iuge nat another / and thou shalt nat iugyd be

It longeth onely to the hye dyuynyte

To iuge our mynde: for he is true iustyce

All-thynge discernynge by right and equyte

No man sholde deme / whyle hym-selfe is in vyce

De pluralitate benefitiorum.

Quisquis cupit ... cumulata ruunt.

sig: [m4v]

Dicite pontifices ... Ioue tartareo.

ref.ed: 156

¶Of pluralitees that is to say of them whiche charge them-selfe with many benefycis.

¶That myller is a fole and here shall haue a barge

And as a mad-man shall fast therin be bounde

Whiche his Asse wyll with so many sackes charge

That the pore beste for payne fallys to the grounde

Many in the chirche lyke hym may be founde.

Whiche so many benefycis labour to procure

That their small myght can nat the charge endure.

sig: [m5]

ref.ed: 157

AMonge our folys delytynge them in vyces De prebendis quia intantum etc. de multa de cleri non resi. Quia nonnulli.

Is yet another sorte of the speritualte

Whiche them ouerchargeth with dyuers benefyces

And namely suche that lowest ar in degre

Of byrth and cunnynge / of this condycion be

Defylynge goddes rentis and the chirches goode i. ad corinth. xi.

Them-selfe ouer-ladynge / as men frantyke and wode

The weght is so great they can it nat endure

Theyr myght is small / theyr cunnynge is moche lesse

Thus this great charge wherof they haue the cure

To infernall Fenn doth this pore Asse oppresse

And to an Asse moste lyke he is doutles

Whiche takynge on his backe sackes nyne or tenne. Eccle. xxxiiij.

Destroyeth hym-selfe (them leuynge in the fenne

But though one prebende were to hym suffycient

Or one benefyce his lyuynge myght suffyse

Yet this blynde fole is nat therwith content

But labowreth for mo / and alway doth deuyse

Fals meanes to come therto by couetyse

He gapeth with his wyde throte insaciable

And neuer can content his wyll abhomynable

So for the loue of the peny and ryches.

He taketh this charge to lyue in welth and eas. C. auaricie de prebendis.

Howe-be-it that fole that hath suche besynes

And dyueres charges fyndeth great disseas

Neyther shall he god / nor yet the worlde pleas xlvij. dis. sicut.

And shall with his burthyns his mynde so vex and comber

That halfe his cures / can he nat count nor nomber

ref.ed: 158

These carefull caytyfs / that ar of this same sort

With cures ar ouerchargyd so that of theyr mynde.

Rest haue they none / solace / pleasour nor conforte

Howe-be-it they thynke therby great welth to fynde

They gape yet euer / theyr maners lyke the wynde

Theyr lyfe without all terme or sertaynte

If they haue two lyuynges / yet loke they to haue thre

The folys whose hertis vnto this vyce ar bounde

Upon theyr sholders bereth aboute a sacke.

Insaciable without botome / outher grounde:

They thynke them nat lade though all be on theyr backe.

The more that they haue (the more they thynke they lacke)

What deuyll can stop theyr throte so large and wyde

Yet many all waste aboute Ryot and pryde

sig: [m5v]

But yet is this moche more abhomynable

That asses vntaught without wysdome or scyence

Haue theyr proude myndes moste vnsaciable

Nat commynge to worshyp by vertue nor prudence

Yet counte they them worthy of this excellence

Courters become prestis nought knowynge but the dyce

They preste not for god / but for a benefyce

The clerke of the kechyn is a prest become

In full trust to come to promosyon hye

No-thynge by vertue cunnynge nor wysdome

But by couetyse / practyse and flatery

The Stepyll and the chirche by this meane stande awry

For some become rather prestis for couetyse.

Than for the loue of god or his seruyce.

ref.ed: 159

Alas oft goddes goodes and cristis herytage

Of suche folys is wastyd and spent in vayne

In great folyes mundaynes and outrage

Where it decreed / and ordeyned is certayne. xvi. q. i. c. vlti.

That prestis sholde helpe pore people that lyue in payne xxiii. q. viij. conuenior.

And with suche goodes kepe hospytalyte

Whiche pryde ryot and Uenus suffreth nat to be

Thus is the grettest parte of the spiritualte

Pore preste / persone / vicayr / relygyon and prelate

With couetyse acloyde outher prodigalyte

And folys promotyd causyth good clerkis haue hate

Say lordes and bysshops with other of estate

What mouyth you so gladly / suche to promote

Whiche haue no cunnynge their wyt skant worth a grote

Wyll ye alway the folysshe asse ouercharge

With suche burthyns wherwith it can nat fare

And suffer other to walke and ren at large

And where they best myght bere theyr backes ar left bare

And that is worst of all / suche folys can nat be ware

But whan they ar promotyd after theyr owne entent.

Yet theyr insaciable mynde can neuer be content.

Some make exchanges and permutacions

Some take to ferme / and some let out agayne

Other folys for hope make resignacions

And some for one god scosyth gladly twayne 'scosyth'; see OED 'scorse', vb1, sense 1

Some lyueth longe in hunger and in payne

And in the somer-day skarsly drynketh twyse

Sparynge monay therwith to by a benefyce

sig: [m6]

ref.ed: 160

Some for no wages in court doth attende

With lorde or knyght / and all for this polecy

To get of his lorde a benefyce at the ende Actuum. viij.

And in the meane-tyme ensueth rybawdry i. q. petrus et c. qui studet.

And somtyme laboureth by chraft of symony.

He playeth a fals cast / nat cessynge to coniure

Tyll of some benefyce he at the last be sure

Than if this lorde haue in hym fauoure / he hath hope

100

To haue a nother benefyce of gretter dignyte

And so maketh a fals suggestyon to the pope

For a Tot-quot outher els a pluralyte

Than shall he nat be pleasyd with .ii. nouther thre

But dyuers wyll he haue ay choppynge and changynge

105

So oft a fole hath all and a gode clerke no-thynge

These of nought force so that they may haue gayne

And golde ynough to spende on rybawdry and pryde

They haue the profyte / another hath the payne

The cure of the soulys of them is set asyde

110

And no meruayle / for howe sholde they abyde.

To teche their parysshynges vertue wysdome or grace

Syns no man can be atonys in euery place

Alas these folys our mayster criste betray

Of mannes soule wherof they haue the cure

115

And settynge in their stede syr Iohnn of garnesey

They thynketh them-selfe dischargyd quyte and sure

These folys note nat that euery creature.

Whiche here of soulys doth cure or charge take

At domys-day a compt for them shall make

ref.ed: 161

120

But if I sholde touche all the enormytees

The immoderat couetyse and desyre of dignyte

That nowe is vsed amonge all the degrees

Of benefycyd men ouer all the spiritualte

I fere displeasour / and also I often se

125

That trouth is blamed / and nat ay best to tell

But he that in this lyfe wyll alway besy be

To get dyuers prebendes shall haue the last in hell

¶Th'enuoy of Barklay to the Folys.

¶What meane ye gyders of Christis herytage

Shall ye neuer leue this your deuowrynge mynde Non habemus hic ciuitatem permanentem sed futuram inquirimus.

Shall ye no-tyme your couytyse asswage

Whiche in goddes seruyce your hartis sore doth blynde

Let this fals traytour no place amonge you fynde

Graunt hym no row[m]e in churche nor in quere. rowme] rowne 1509

For this is sure ye shall all leue behynde

We haue no Cyte / nor place abydynge here

sig: [m6v]

De eo qui exceptiones querit ad emendandum se.

Qui cantum ... cunctatio vana.

sig: n1

ref.ed: 162

¶Of them that prolonge from day to day to amende themselfe.

¶He that cras cras syngeth with the crowe

Deferrynge the tyme of his amendement

Amonge our folys / in this our shyp shall rowe

For his presumpcion / dull mynde and blynde intent

What knowe these folys whether god omnypotent

Wyll graunt them to lyue vntyll another day.

Wherfore we ought to mende vs whyle we may.

ref.ed: 163

IF vnto any almyghty god doth sende

From heuen aboue by inspyracion dyuyne

Wyll and gode mynde his synnes to amende Eccle. v.

And with his grace his thoughtes enlumyne Psal. xciiij.

If that synner wyll nat therto enclyne Ad hebreos. iij.

But doth dyffer and dryue frome day to day Luce. xxij.

A fole he is / no wyse man wyll denay

Yet many folowe this inconuenience

And knowynge theyr owne vyce / and lyfe full of ordure

The payne therof / and howe euery offence

And synne is punysshed of eche creature

Also they knowe that theyr deth is vnsure

And dye they must knowynge no houre nor space

Yet synne they styll / nat receyuynge this grace

sig: [n1v]

They folowe the crowes cry to theyr great sorowe

Cras cras cras to_morowe we shall amende

And if we mende nat than / than shall we the next morowe Eccle. v.

Outher shortly after / we shall no more offende

Amende mad fole whan god this grace doth sende

He is vnwyse whiche trustes the crowes songe

And that affermyth that he shall lyue so longe

Syns deth (as I haue sayde) is so vnstable

Wherfore we ought alway vs to prouyde

And mende our lyfe and synne abhomynable

For though that thou be hole at the euyn-tyde

Thou knowest nat sure that thou shall here abyde

Untyll the morne but if thou dye in that space

It shall be to late for the to cry cras cras

ref.ed: 164

Syns it is in thy power that thou may Prouer. xxvij.

Amende thy-selfe whan god inspyreth the Ouidius.

Why shalt thou tary vnto another day

The longer tary the lesse apt shalt thou be.

In olde sores is grettest ieopardye

Whan costome and vse is tourned to nature Consuetudo est altera natura. no. glo. ff. de lib. et posthu. l. si quis super verbo consuetudo. l. ff. quid quisque inte. in alte statue.

It is right harde to leue: I the ensure

Therfore if that thou lewdly fall in syn

By thy frayle flesshe / and the fals fendes trayne

Take nat the vse / contynue nat therin

But by confessyon shortly ryse agayne

Synne alway thretenyth vnto the doer / payne

And grutche of conscience with moche thought and wo

Yet alwaye ar we redy and prone therto Esaie. lvi.

Mannys lyfe on erth is euyn a chyualry

Agaynst our flesshe fyghtyng whiche often doth vs shame Iob milicia est vita hominis super terram.

Also the deuyll our goostly ennemy

On his parte labours to get vs in his frame

Thus oft we fall / and than our foly blame

Repentynge sore / and wyllynge to refrayne Iacobi. iiij.

But within an houre we fall therto agayne

Thus euer to vyce ar we redy and prone

The gyftis of grace we clene from vs exclude

We haue great cause sore to complayne and mone

We leue that thynge (our myndes ar so rude)

That myght vs gyde to helth and beatytude

Thus our owne foly / and our owne blynde madnes

Us often ledyth vnto great wretchydnes

sig: n2

ref.ed: 165

And if it fortune / that at any tyme

Within our myndes we purpose stedfastly

For to confesse our synne / excesse / or cryme

Agayne our thought is changyd by and by

Away then ren we with the crowys crye

With one cras / to_morowe / perauenture twayne

Without regarde had / vnto infernall payne

But in the meane space if that deth vntretable Eccle. x.

Arrest the with his mace / fyers and cruell Math. vi.

And for thy synne and lyfe abhomynable Luce. xij.

By iustyce damme thy soule for-euer to hell

Than woldest thou gladly (If thou myght) do well

But there is no grace but doloure payne and sorowe

Than is to late to crye cras cras to_morowe

¶The enuoy of the Actour.

¶Say what delyte / thou fole or what pleasoure Esaie. xxij.

Takest thou in synne and voluptuosyte i. corin. xv.

It is small sothly / and passeth euery houre Prouer. iii.

Lyke to the water / and that in myserye

Therfore set nat in synne thy felycyte

This day begyn thy lewde lyfe to refuse

Perchaunce to_morowe sholde be to late to the

So sholde cras the cr[o]wys songe the sore abuse crowys] crwys 1509

De custodia mulierum.

Custodit pulices ... casta thori.

sig: [n2v]

Foemina sed ... rapta foret

ref.ed: 166

¶Of hym that is Ielous ouer his wyfe and watcheth hir wayes without cause / or euydent tokyn of hir myslyuynge.

sig: n3

¶He that his wyfe wyll counterwayte and watche

And feryth of hir lyuynge by his Ielowse intent

Is as great fole / as is that wytles wratche

That wolde kepe flees vnder the son feruent

Or in the se cast water / thynkynge it to augment

For thoughe he hir watche lockynge with lockys twayne

But if she kepe hir-selfe his kepynge is but vayne

ref.ed: 167

ORestes was neuer so blynde and mad as is he Eccle. vi.

Whiche for his wyfe taketh thought and charge taketh] taketh / 1509 Numeri. v. Numeri. v.

Watchynge hir wayes / thoughe that she gyltles be

This fole styll fereth / if she be out at large

Lyst that some other his harnes sholde ouercharge

But for all his fere and carefull Ielowsy

If she be nought there is no remedy.

Thou fole I proue / thy watchynge helpeth nought Eccle. xix.

Thy labour lost is / thou takest this care in vayne

In vayne thou takest this Ielowsy and thought

In vayne thou sleest thy-selfe with care and payne

And of one doute thou fole thou makest twayne

And neuer shalt fynde eas nor mery lyuynge

(Whyle thou thus lyuest) but hatered and chydynge

For locke hir fast and all hir lokes marke.

Note all hir steppys / and twynklynge of hir iye. Iuuenalis

Ordeyne thy watchers and dogges for to barke Prouer. xxx.

Bar fast thy dores and yet it wyll nat be

Close hir in a Toure with wallys stronge and hye

But yet thou fole thou lesist thy trauayle

For without she wyll no man can kepe hir tayle

And yet more-ouer breche hir with plate and mayle Eccle. xxv.

And for all that if she be nought of kynde

She shall disceyue the (If she lyst) without fayle

But if that she be chast of dede and mynde

Hir-selfe shall she kepe / though thou hir neuer bynde Prouer. xij.

Thus they that ar chast of nature / wyll byde so

And nought wyll be nought what-so-euer thou do

ref.ed: 168

Thus is it foly and causeth great debate

Bytwene man and wyfe / whan he by Ielowsy.

His wyfe suspectyth / and doth watche or counterwayt

Or hir mysdemyth and kepyth in stratly.

Wherfore me-thynke it is best remedy

For hym that gladly wolde escape the hode

Nat to be Ielous: but honest-lyuynge and gode

sig: [n3v]

The toure of bras that callyd was darayne. Ouidius. iiij. methamor.

Coude nat the damsell (by name Danes) defende

But that Iupiter fonde a cautell and trayne

In a golden shoure into hir to discende Therencius in eunucho: scena quis me sequitur

And to be short / at conclusyon and ende

This mayde for all this Toure was there defylyd.

And by this lorde was she there brought with childe

By this example it apereth euydent

That it is foly a woman to kepe or close

For if she be of lewde mynde or intent

Outher preuy or apert there about she goys

Deuysynge wayes with hir good-man to glose

But specially if that he hir suspect

With a hode shall he vnwars be ouerdect

But in the worlde right many other be Penolope apud homerum in odissea et apud ouidium epistola prima Hero.

Whiche neuer folowe this fals and lothly way

We haue example of one Penolope

Whiche though that she alone was many a day

Hir husbonde gone / and she vexed alway.

By other louers: yet was she euer trewe

Unto hir olde: and neuer changyd for newe

ref.ed: 169

I fynde that often this folysshe Ielowsy

Of men: causyth some women to mysdo

Where-as (were nat theyr husbondes blynde foly)

The pore wymen knowe nat what longyd therto

Wherfore suche men ar folys and mad also

And with theyr hodes whiche they them-selfe purchace

Within my shyp shall haue a rowme and place

For where-as perchaunce theyr wyfes ar chaste and goode

By mannys vnkyndnes they chaunge and turne theyr herte

So that the wyfe must nedes gyue them a hode

But to be playne some wymen ar esy to conuert

For if one take them where they can nat start.

What for theyr husbondes folysshe Ielowsy

And theyr owne pleasour: they scars can ought deny

¶The enuoy of the Actour.

¶Therfore ye wymen lyue wysly and eschewe Ecclesi. xxvi.

These wanton wowers and suche wylde company Seneca in declama.

Get you gode name by sadnes and vertue

Haunt no olde quenys that nourysshe rybawdry

Than fere ye nat your husbondes Ielowsy

If ye be fawtles / chaste and innocent

But wanton wowers ar ful of flatery

Euer whan they labour for their intent.

sig: [n4]

¶Be meke / demure / bocsome / and obedyent /

Gyue none occasyon to men by your foly

If one ought asshe / deny it incontynent 'asshe'='ask'

And euer after auoyde his company

ref.ed: 170

Beware of cornes / do nat your erys aply Helena rapitur per parid[em] paridem] parida 1509 vnde ouidius epistolis.paridem] parida 1509

To pleasaunt wordes nor letters eloquent

If that Helena had so done certaynly

She had nat ben rauysshed by handes violent

De adulterio.

Est fatuus ... contaminata viro.

sig: [n4v]

Collatinus enim ... paxque frequens.

ref.ed: 171

¶Of auoutry / and specially of them that ar bawdes to theyr wyues / knowynge and wyll nat knowe / but kepe counseyll / for couetyse / and gaynes or auauntage.

¶A fole blynde / forsoth and wytles is that man

Whiche thoughe his wyfe openly defylyd be

Before his owne face / yet suche a chrafte he can

To fayne hym a_slepe / nat wyllynge it to se

Or els he layeth his hande before his iye

And thoughe he here and se howe the mater gose

He snortynge slepyth / and wyll it nat disclose.

sig: [n5]

ref.ed: 172

O What disorder / what shame and what domage

Is nowe brought in / and right lykely to abyde

In the sacrament of holy mariage

The fere of payne and lawe is set asyde

Faythe is clene lost / and fewe them-selfe do gyde

After theyr othe / but for lacke of punysshement. ff ad. l. in li de adulterio.

They brake and despyse this dyuyne sacrament

Alas the lawe that Iulius dyd ordeyne

Agaynst auoutry: is nowe a_slepe or dede

None feryth iustyce punysshement nor payne

Both man and woman ar past all fere and drede

Theyr promes brekynge / without respect or hede

Had to theyr othe / by mariage solemnysed

The bed defylyd. the sacrament despysed

Many ar whiche thynke it is a thyn[g]e laudable thynge] thynke 1509 Iuuenalis vi. satyra. Iuuenalis vi. satyra.

Anothers spo[u]se to pullute and dyffame

And howe-beit the synne is moche abhomynable

They fere nat god / nor dout nat worldly shame Leui. xx.

But rather boldly they bost them of the same deutro. xxij.

They note no-thynge the mortall punysshement

Taken on auoutrers in the olde testament

Yet is another thynge more lothsome and vyle

That many husbondes knowynge theyr wyues syn

Absent themselfe and stop theyr iyen the whyle

Kepynge the dore whyle the auoutrer is within Iuuenalis

They forse no-thynge so they may money wyn

Lyuynge as bawdes / and that to theyr owne wyues C. quemadmodum de in iu. Prouer. xviij. de adul. et stu.

O cursyd money / this madnes thou contryuys

ref.ed: 173

O cursyd husbonde thou ought to be asshamyd

To set so great fors for syluer or for golde

That thou for them thy wyfe wyll se diffamyd C. si vir extra. xxxij. q. v. c. Si quis vxorem quia patronus est turpitudinis etc. vt supra xxxij. q. i. c. i. et iureiuran. quemadmodum: et de adul. lij. Seneca in. ethimologiis ff. ad l. Iuli. de adul. l. stupor. xxij. q. ve

And helpe therto: ye: and the dede beholde

Blame it blynde dryuyll: by the lawe so thou sholde

And nat therat to gyggyll laghe and Iest

It is a lewde byrde that fyleth his owne nest

The Hystory of Atreus expressyth playne

Howe he (by his owne brother) for auoutry

Was dryuen from his royalme and his childre slayne

For his mysdede: without: let or remedy

These children thus bought theyr faders mad foly

What shall I wryte the wo and heuynes

Whiche Tarquyn had for rauysshynge lucres lucrecia: Tarquinus expulsus.

sig: [n5v]

I rede in the hystory of one Virginius Clodius al. pius

Whiche to th'yntent this foule synne to eschewe

Whan his doughter was desyred by Clodius

And that by force: the fader his dowghter slewe

Bytwene the handes of Clodius vntrue

The fader answered (whan men his dede dyd blame)

Better is to dye chast: than longe to lyue in shame

But of auoutry somwhat more to speke Ah venus ad nutum trahis omnia tu fera: tu ceca: tu ceci ianua leti. corpora tu maculos: animas in tartara mergis.

In it is yre / Enuy and paynfull pouertye.

And also he or she that mariage doth breke

May fere of deth eternall whan they dye

And here without welth ioy and rest shall they be

And well ar they worthy (forsoth) of sore tourment

In hell: for brekynge this holy sacrament

ref.ed: 174

But in the meane-tyme here shalt thou haue discorde

And neuer prosper in vertue nor ryches

And lothsome be before the almyghty lorde lothsome be] be lothsome be 1509

Thy dedes shall purchace mysfortune and distres

Thou lyue shalt in shame and dye in wretchydnes

And if thou procede therin and nat amende

Some great shame shalt thou haue before thyne ende.

¶The enuoy of the Actour.

¶O creatures vnkynde leue ye this outrage C. de adulteriis gracchus.

Breke nat your othe whiche ye made solemly

Eche one to other for to lyue in mariage

Defyle ye it nat by synne and vylany

On both partis if ye lyue faythfully

After your promes: in loue / fayth and concorde Prouer. vi.

Than shall ye in erth encreas and multyply

And after haue syght of the almyghty lorde

¶Let all spousys in theyr myndes comprehende

The lawys and decrees of the olde testament

Howe they that in auoutry dyd offende

Were outher stonyd or els openly brent

Wherfore syns goddes son omnypotent.

Confermed hath the olde testament with the newe

Auoutrers nowe deserue that same punysshement

But well is to them / that stedfast ar and trewe

sig: [n6]

Semper fatuus.

Est qui contendit ... ante manet.

sig: [n6v]

ref.ed: 175

¶Of hym that nought can and nought wyll lerne / and seyth moche / lytell berynge away / I mene nat theuys.

¶He is a fole / and so shall he dye and lyue

That thynketh hym wyse / and yet can he no-thynge

And though he myght he wyll nat set nor gyue

His mynde to good maners / vertue nor cunnynge.

So is he a fole that doth to market brynge

His Gese fast bounde / and game or sporte to se

Lowsyth theyr fete / and suffreth them to fle

ref.ed: 176

SAynt George to borowe our Nauy is aflote Prouer. xv. et. xxvi.

Forth shall we sayle / thoughe that it be a payne

And moche laboure to forge a pryuate bote Horatius in epist.

For euery faute: yet shall I nat refrayne

My hande nor penne: thoughe vnsure be my gayne

My laboure sure: my wyt and reason thynne Therencius

Than leue a thynge vnendyd better nat begynne

But in this place shall I a Shyp ordayne

For that fole: that heryth great doctryne Seruius. i. e[n]eydos. vt supra.

Wherby good maners and vertue aperyth playne

He seth all goodnes / stody / and disciplyne

And yet wyll nat his mynde therto enclyne

But though he knowe what thynge is godlyest

Ouer all the worlde / yet is he styll a beest.

sig: o1

Many of this sort wander and compase Seneca: peregrinatio non facit medicum: et nulla ars discitur loco.

All studies / the wonders of the worlde to se

With vnstabyll wynges fleynge from place to place

Some seyth lawe and some dyuynyte

But for all this byde they in one degre

And if they were Asses and folys blynde before

After all these syghtes yet ar they moche more

They se moche nought lernynge / and hauynge no delyte

In wysdome nor maners vertue nor goodnes

Theyr tyme is loste / without wysdome or profyte

Without grace / or other holynes

But whyle they labour thus with besynes Eccle. xxix.

If they se ought newe / or any folysshe toy

That lyghtly they lerne / and set theron theyr ioy.

ref.ed: 177

By this desyre folys may knowen be

For wytles men of fleynge mynde and brayne

At best pleasyd with thynges of neweltye

And them to haue / they spare no cost nor payne

To dyuers londes to ren but all in vayne

And so they labour alway from londe to londe

To se all wonders / but nought they vnderstonde

Some fle to se the wonders of englonde

Some to the court to se the maners there

Some to Wallys / Holonde / to Fraunce or Irlonde

To Lybye / afryke / and besyly enquere.

Of all marueyles / and skantly worth a here

Some vnto Fraunce and some to Flaunders ren

To s[e] the wayes / and workes of cunnynge men se] so 1509

And to be shorte ouer all they range

Spendynge theyr goodes about vnthryftynes Prouer. xxvi.

In countrees knowen / vnknowen and strange Luce. xv.

But whan theyr iourney they homwarde must addres

As folys vnware / and vagabundes thryftles

They haue nought lerned / kept / nor with them brought

Of maners / wysdome or other thynge that is ought

They that by the se sayle to londes strange Horatius in epistolis.

Oft chaunge the place and planete of the fyrmament

But theyr mynde nor maners they ne turne nor chaunge

And namely suche that ar lewde and neglygent

What-euer they se styll one is theyr intent

Whan he departyd / If that he were a sote

Agayne anone he comyth in the same mynde and cote

sig: [o1v]

ref.ed: 178

Say mad folys blynde ouersene / and worthy scorne

Fayne wolde I knowe what necessyte ye haue

To go from the place where ye were bred and borne

Into another londe to lerne to play the knaue

Your mynde vnstable sheweth playne that ye raue

Laboure nat so sore / to lerne to be a fole

That cometh by it-selfe without any other scole

He that is borne in walys or small_brytayne

To lerne to pyke and stele nedys nat go to Rome.

What nede we sayle to Flaunders or Almayne

To lerne glotony / syns we may it lerne at home

Suche lewdnes soon may we lerne of our wombe

He that wyll lerne falshode gyle or sotelte

May lerne it here as well as beyonde the se.

To passe the se to lerne Uenus rybawdry

It is great foly / for thou mayst lerne thy fyll

In shoppis Innes and sellers / ye somtyme openly

At saynt_Martyns Westmynster or at the tour_hyll

So that I fere all London / in tyme it shall fyll

For it is there kept in lyght and in darke

That the pore Stuys decays for lacke of warke

But brefely to speke / and this to set a_syde

He that on vyce / and synne wyll set his entent

May lerne it in Englonde / if he at home abyde

And that of all sortis: god sende amendement

But if thou alway wyll nede be dylygent

To labour in the worlde about from place to place

Do as dyd Plato / than shalt thou fynde great grace Plato de quo Hieronimus in prologo biblie.

ref.ed: 179

This godly plato laboured with dilygence

To Egypt / and other londes sparynge for no payne

Where-euer he came: augmentynge his scyence

And at the last retourned to Grece agayne

His countrey natyf: with laude and name souerayne

Thus he for all his wysdome laboured besyly

But that fowle that nought can nought settyth by

Wherfore that gose that styll about wyll wander Ad hebreos. xiij.

100

Moche seynge and herynge / and nought berynge away

Shall home come agayne as wyse as a gander

But more fole is he that may lerne euery day

Without cost or laboure out of his owne countrey

And whan the well of wysdome renneth by theyr dore

105

Yet looth they the water as if that it were soure

sig: o2

¶ Alexander_barklay ad fatuos vt dent locum octo secundariis beate_marie_de_Oterey qui quidem prima huius ratis transtra merentur.

¶Soft folys soft / a lytell slacke your pace

Tyll I haue space you to order by degre

I haue eyght neyghbours / that firste shall haue a place

Within this my shyp / for they most worthy be

They may theyr lernynge receyue costeles and fre.

Theyr wallys abuttynge and ioynynge to the scoles.

No-thynge they can / yet nought wyll they lerne nor se

Therfore shall they gyde this one shyp of foles.

ref.ed: 180

¶The enuoy of Barklay.

¶O vnauysyd / vnwyse and frowarde ma[n] man] mam 1509

Great cause thou hast to morne sore and complayne

Whan no goodnes vertue nor wyt thou can

And yet to lerne thou hast scorne and dysdayne

Alas man mende / and spare no maner payne

To get wysdome / and it thou shalt nat want

Hym that nought wyll knowe / god wyll nat knowe certayne

Wo is hym that wylfully is ignorant.

De iracundia ex leui causa.

Assiduis flagris ... in vrbe procul:

sig: [o2v]

Peccanti seruo: ... tarda vehat.

ref.ed: 181

¶Of great wrathe / procedynge of small occasyon.

sig: o3

¶Assys erys for our folys a lyuray is

And he that wyll be wroth for a thynge of nought

Of the same leuray is nat worthy to mys

For who that by wrathe to suche a wyll is brought

To sle his Asse for hir pas slowe and soft

Shall after his fury / repent his mad foly

For to a clere mynde / mad [wrathe] is ennemy wrathe] wratche 1509

ref.ed: 182

COme nere / ye wrathfull men / take your rowme and place xxxij. q. vij.

Within our shyp / and to slake our hastynes Quid in nimbus

Mount on an Asse slowe of hir gate and pace Sapientie. xiij.

Syns troublous wrath / in you / styreth this madnes Ad romanos. ij.

Often lacke of myght asswagyth cruelnes Hiere. xxix.

To a wylde cowe god doth short hornys sende Seneca de ira

Wrath is great foly / where myght may nat extende Valerius li. iiij.

O man yll-myndyd what helpeth the this yre Prouer. xxij.

None the commendyth whiche doth thy maners marke Iacobi primo.

What doste thou: but the waste with thyne owne fyre Prouer. xvij. d

Narrynge with thyselfe lyke as a dogge doth barke Eccle. v. c.

Without meke worde and pleasyd with no warke

Art thou: but thoughe all men be dylygent Eccle. xxx.

Mad wrathe to please / yet who can it content

This man malycious whiche troubled is with wrath

Nought els soundeth but the hoorse letter R Persius.

Thoughe all be well / yet he none answere hath

Saue the dogges letter / glowmynge with nar nar

Suche labour nat this mad rancour to defar

Nor yet his malyce to mytygate or asswage Prouer. xx.

But ioyeth to be drede of men for this outrage

His mouth fomyth his throte out-gorgyth fyre

His ferefull furoure is / his hole felycyte

By his great yre / doth he coueyte and desyre Prouer. xxvij.

Dowtyd to be: of the pore comonyte

His owne madnes and cruell furyosyte

Wyll he nat knowe as he were nat culpable

Of this mad fury and vyce abhomynable

ref.ed: 183

Hym-selfe is blynde / but other well note his dede

He shall be poynted whether he go or ryde

Saynge one to other take gode regarde and hede

Of yonder furyous fole whome reason doth nat gyde

Beware his wayes fle hym on euery syde

Who that hym sueth both hurte and shame shall fynde

Thus other hym notyth but he hymself is blynde

sig: [o3v]

So his Asse-erys to hym ar inuysyble P[e]rsius Persius] Parsius 1509 Persius] Parsius 1509

He thynkyth to haue pacyence though that he haue none

And vnto hym it is thynge incredyble

That suche ar folys whose pacyence is gone

Thus coueytyth he to kepe his erys alone

And to wrathfull men he wyll no-thynge obiect

For that hym-selfe is with the same infect

But somwhat to touche the inconuenyences Prouer. xi.

Whiche by this wrath procedyth to mankynde

It is chefe grounde of many great offences

Destroynge reason blyndynge the wyt and mynde

By malyce man is to all yll inclynde

Both symple man / and lordes excellent

Do that by wrath oft whiche they after repent

Reuoke thy mynde / somwhat thy herte enclyne Architas

Unto Archytas a man of hye wysdome

Borne [in] the ryche Cyte namyd Tarentyne in the] the the 1509

Rede howe that he his malyce dyd ouercome

For thoughe his seruaunt was fals to hym become

And he sore mouyd to auenge the same offence

Yet he refraynyd his wrathe by pacyence

ref.ed: 184

So socrates so Senyk and Plato Socrates Plato Seneca.

Suffred great wronge great iniury and payne

And of your fayth sayntis right many mo

For christ our mayster dyd great turment sustayne Laurencius pacienter sustulit martyrium diriss[im]umdirissimum] dirissum 1509 et tamen orauit pro populopopulo] populolo 1509 ninico.dirissimum] dirissum 1509populo] populolo 1509

What wo or payne cowde saynt Laurance refrayne

From pacience wherfore it is great shame

For christen men if they do not the same

They suffred deth / ye / and yet were pacyent

And many haue prayed / for suche that haue them slayne

Where thou mad fole takest greuous punysshement

For small occasyon / ye come by chaunce sodayne

Fole thou art blynde / and mad to set thy brayne

All-thynge to venge (by wrath) that doth mysfall

For he that part hath lost: by wrath oft lesyth all

And forsoth no meruayle / if suche wyse actours

Hath wrathes madnes / expelled and set asyde Prouer. xxx.

For where that wrath doth rayne with his furours Eccle. xix.

There can no reason nor wysedome longe abyde xi. q. ij. ira. v. q. ij. relatum etc. seruetur. prouer. xxij. et xvij.

The wyt it wastyth: so is it a lewde gyde

Therfore let mesure / this malyce holde agayne

But pacyence is brydyll his madnes to refrayne

sig: [o4]

It longeth nat to any man of hye prudence

For to be wrothe / yrous / or gyuys to malancoly

No suche passyon nor inconuenyence

Can fall to man / ay stedfast wyse and holy Io. xxxvi.

But folys ar moste troublyd with this foly Prouer. xij.

Where-as a wyse man for any aduersyte

Lyueth in quyete mynde and tranq[u]ylyte

ref.ed: 185

A man well-manerd / sad sober and dyscrete

If he be ware / wyse / chrafty and prouydent

Beholdeth all-thynge before his syght and fete.

Gydynge hym by mesure a vertue excellent

Where-as a fole doth all without aduysement

And in euery-thynge shewyth his folysshnes

Wroth at eche worde / as mayster of madnes

Wherfore ye folys se ye no lenger tary

100

But on the dull Asse hastely assende

That a slowe beest may hasty folys cary

For your mad wrath dowtyth no-thynge the ende Ecclesiastes. vii.

Your madnes can nat your blynde mysdede defende

For who that one sleyth / angry and feruent

105

Ought to be hangyd whan he is pacyent

¶The enuoy of the Actour.

¶Blynde-myndyd man whiche wylt all-thynge ouercome

Reputynge thy-selfe / moste souerayne and royall

If thou be wyse or partener of wysdome

Labour to ouercome thyne owne selfe firste of all

Thy wrath asswage thou in especyall

Let neyther malyce / nor yre with the abyde

Thou art a fole the chefe or lorde to call

Of other: whan thou can nat thy-selfe well gyde.

De fortunę mutabilitate.

Quem tota ... residere loco.

sig: [o4v]

COmplures fatuos / ... ipse volet.

ref.ed: 186

¶Of the mutabylyte of fortune.

sig: [o5]

¶That man whiche hopyth hye vp to ascende

On fortunes whele / and come to state royall

If the whele turne / may doute sore to descende

If he be hye the sorer is his fall

So he whiche trustyth nat therto at all

Shall in moste eas and suerty hymselfe gyde

For vnsure fortune can in no place abyde

ref.ed: 187

WE dayly proue by example and euydence 'W' of 'WE' is guide letter in space set for large capital

That many be made folys mad and ignorant

By the brode worlde / puttynge trust and confydence Eccle. x.

In fortunes whele vnsure and inconstant i. macha. ij.

Some assay the whele thynkynge it pleasant Prouer. xiiij.

But whyle they to clym vp haue pleasour and desyre Seneca in her. cu. fur.

Theyr fete them faylyth so fall they in the myre

Promote a yeman / make hym a gentyl man

And make a Baylyf of a Butchers son

Make a Squyer knyght / yet wyll they if they can

Coueyt in theyr myndes hyer promosyon

And many in the worlde haue this condicion

In hope of honour by treason to conspyre

But ofte they slyde / and so fall in the myre

sig: [o5v]

Suche lokys so hye that they forget theyr fete

On fortunes whele whiche turneth as a ball

They seke degrees for theyr small myght vnmete Claudianus de pe.di. iij. quid ergo in glo.

Theyr folysshe hertis and blynde se nat theyr fall

Some folys purpose to haue a rowme Royall

Or clym by fortunes whele to an empyre

The whele than turneth / lyuynge them in the myre

O blynde man say what is thyne intent

To worldly honoures so greatly to entende

Or here to make the hye ryche and excellent

Syns that so shortly thy lyfe must haue an ende Prouer. xiij.

None is so worthy / nor can so hye ascende

Nor nought is so sure if thou the trouth enquyre

But that it may doute to fall downe to the myre

ref.ed: 188

There is no lorde Duke kynge nor other estate

But dye they must / and from this wo[r]lde go worlde] wolde 1509

All worldly thynges whiche god hath here create Horatius

Shall nat ay byde / but haue an ende also

What mortall man hath ben promotyd so:

In worldly welthe or vncertayne dignyte seneca.in. h. fu.

That euer of lyfe had houre of certaynte

In stormy wyndes lowest trees ar most sure Addicio alexandri_barklay.

And howsys surest whiche ar nat byldyd hye

Where-as hye byldynges may no tempest endure

Without they be foundyd sure and stedfastly

So gretest men haue most fere and ieopardy

Better is pouertye though it be harde to bere

Than is a hye degre in ieopardy and fere

The hyllys ar hye / the valeys ar but lowe

In valeys is corne the hyllys ar barayne

On hyest places most gras doth nat ay growe

A mery thynge is mesure and easy to sustayne

The hyest in great fere / the lowest lyue in payne

Yet better ly on grounde / hauynge no name at all

Than hye on a Clyf ferynge alway to fall

Thus as me-thynke it is no-thynge lawdable

On fortunes whele / for one to clym to hye

Syns the swyft cours therof is so vnstable

And all must we leue whan we depart and dye

Of our short lyfe haue we no certayntye Marcialis.

For lachesys (whan that thou hast lefte drede)

Of thy lyue-dayes shall shortly breke the threde.

sig: [o6]

ref.ed: 189

Atropos is egall to pore man and estate

Defar wyll nat deth by prayer ne request

No mortall man may his furour mytygate.

Nor of hym haue one day longer here to rest:

Content the with measure (therfore) for it is best

Coueyt nat to moche in honour to excell

It is a fowle fall to fall from erth to hell

Unstable fortune exalteth some a_loft

To this intent / them to brynge to an yll ende

For who that hye clymmeth his fall can nat be soft

If that mysfortune constrayne hym to dyscende

Though Iulius Cesar his lordshyp dyd extende Iulius cesar

Ouer all the worlde: yet fortune at the last.

From lyfe and lordshyp hym wretchydly dyd cast

This hath ben sene / is sene / and euer shall

That most peryll is in hyest dignyte

Howe many estatis / howe many men Royall.

Hath fortune dryuyn downe into aduersyte

Rede dyuers / cronycles / and thou shall playnly se

That many thousandes hath endyd in doloure

By theyr immoderate mynde to honoure

Ouer-rede Bochas and than shalt thou se playne

The fall of prynces wryten ryght compendeously

There shalt thou se what punysshement and payne

Haue to them fallen / somtyme by theyr foly

And oft is moche preuy hatered and enuy Tullius in offi.

Had agaynst lordes of the rude comonte Eccle. xx.

Where-euer they go: they lyue in ieopardye

ref.ed: 190

Ay dowtynge deth by cursed gyle and treason

Eche thynge mysdemynge / ferynge to be opprest

By some mysfortune / with venym or with poyson.

Thus in great honour is neyther ioy nor rest

But thought and fere / ye whyle the lyfe doth lest

Thus who that procuryth great honour to attayne

Procuryth with all / enuy / peryll / fere and payne

A lorde or state whom many men doth drede

100

With loueles fere / and fayned countenaunce

Unto hym-selfe ought wysely to take hede

And them to fere / if he wyll voyde myschaunce

For why a comonty is of suche ignoraunce

And so enuyous / that both erly and late

105

They muse to destroy hym whom / they fere and hate Sapientie. v.

sig: [o6v]

A man promotyd vnto hye dygnyte

Shall haue loue shewyd hym by adulacion

But no true loue nouther faythfull amyte.

Good fame nor name / ne commendacion

110

Ye though he be worthy great exaltacion

Pytefull louynge and full of equyte

Yet harde is to please a folysshe comonte

Therfore me-thynke of all-thynge it is best

Man to be pleased and content with his degre

115

For why in mesure / is suerty eas and rest

And ay moste peryll in hyest dignyte

Fortune is full of changes and mutabylyte

Trust nat therto / therby comyth do gode

But nowe hye nowe lowe / vnstable as a flode

ref.ed: 191

¶ Alexander_barklay to the Folys.

¶Labour nat man with to moche besy cure

To clymme to hye lyst thou by fortune fall

For certaynly / that man slepyth nat sure

That lyeth lows vpon a narowe wall

Better somtyme to serue / than for to gouerne all

For whan the Net is throwen into the se

The great fysshe ar taken and the pryncipall

Where-as the small escapyth quyte and fre

De egrotante inobediente.

Egrotus si ... atque nihil:

sig: p1

Donec ad tumulum ... mulla premet.

ref.ed: 192

¶Of them that be diseasyd and seke and ar impacient and inobedyent to the Phesycyan.

¶If one be vexed with sore infirmyte

Within his body felynge dyseas and payne

And wyll nat gladly with perfyte mynde agre

To a wyse Phesycian that wolde hym hele agayne

He is a fole / and shall his foly sore complayne

And if that he by his selfe-wyll do sterue

It is but well: syns he it doth deserue.

sig: [p1v]

ref.ed: 193

HE that is feble with sekenes outher wounde

Wherwith he feleth hym-selfe so kept in payne glo. i. c. ad aures de eta et qua. or

That dye he muste but if remedy be founde

He is a fole / if that he haue dysdayne

Of wyse Phesycyans: and medecines souerayne Eccle. x. et xxxvij.

And wyll nat sue theyr counsell and aduysement

Wherby he myght haue helth and short amendement Boetius.

Thoughe the Phesycyan (of his lyfe) hym assure

So he be ruled / and vnto his mynde agre

The pacyent yet kepyth no dyete nor mesure

In mete nor drynke / and wyll nat gouerned be

But foloweth Ryot and all superfluyte

Receyuynge colde water in-stede of ale or wyne

Agaynst read and counsell of crafty medycyne

What mete or drynke that is most contagious

And most infectyf to his sekenes or dyseas

And to hym forbyden / as moste contrarious

Unto his sekenes. That namely doth hym pleas Iuuenalis

But that thynge that myght hym helpe and greatly eas Persius.

He hatyth moste / and wyll none receyue at all.

Tyll this small sore / at the last become mortall

sig: p2

Suche wyll no counsell ensue / nor mesure haue

Nor temper theym-selfe in lesse nor yet in more.

Tyll theyr yll gouernaunce brynge them to theyr graue Eccle. xviij.

Retournynge into grounde lyke as they were before Ouidius de remedio amoris

But who that soone wolde / be helyd of his sore

Whan it is newe ought to fynde remedy.

For in olde sorys is greatest ieopardy

ref.ed: 194

A small sparcle often-tyme doth augment

It-selfe: and groweth to flames peryllous

Right so small wellys whiche semeth to be spent

With lytell sprynges and Ryuers / ofte so growys

Unto great waters / depe and ieopadous.

So a small sore augmentyth / styll preuely

By lytell and lytell for lacke of remedy

A small diseas whiche is ynoughe durable

At the begynnynge / for lacke of medycyne

At longe contynuaunce becomyth incurable

The paynfull pacyent bryngynge vnto ruyne

Wherfore who wyll to his owne helth enclyne Eccle. xxxi.

And soone be helyd of yll without all tary Boetius de conso. philoso.

To the Phesician ought nat to be contrary

Obstynat frowarde or inobedyent

Ought he nat be / but with a pacyent mynde

Shewe all his soris truly playne and euydent

To the Phesician if he wyll socour fynde. Eccle. xxxviij.

And thoughe his saluys in paynes hym sore bynde.

Let nat for that / but after his wyll the gyde

Better a shorte payne / than that doth longe abyde

No sore can be releuyd without payne.

Forsake nat the short / the longe payne to eschewe

To the Phesycian we ought in worde be playne

And shewe hym our sore / whether it be olde or newe

For in thy wordes if that thou be nat trewe

Or kepe ought close / thou dysceyuest be thou sure

Thy-selfe. and nat hym that of the hath the cure.

ref.ed: 195

In lyke fourme who comyth vnto confessyon

There to declare howe he his lyfe hath spent

And shewyth nat his synne lyke-wyse as he hath done

Hymself he disceyuyth / as blynde of his entent.

Thus many one endureth infernall tourment

With wo contynuall and payne for euermore

For kepynge secrete there / of his goostly sore.

sig: [p2v]

Thus who that is payned in any malady

Bodely or gostly / ought nat to be callyd wyse

To the Phesycian without that he aply.

And his preceptis hant kepe and exercyse 'hant'='haunt'

But nowe olde wytches dare boldly interpryse

To intromyt to hele all infyrmyte

And many them byleue / whiche sothly is pyte

Suche wytches of theyr byleue abhomynable

On brest or hede of the paynfull pacyent

With theyr wytchecraftis shall compasse chat and bable

Assurynge hym of helth / and short amendement

Than he that is seke fyxith his intent

Upon hir errour: to haue helpe of his sore

But she hym leuyth wors than he was before

Poule the apostyll doth boldly say and preue

That they whiche to suche wytches wyll assent i. ad thimo. iiij.

Ar heretykes / Lolardes and false of theyr byleue

Brekynge goddes lawes and commaundement

And oft also by profe it apereth euydent

That suche as to wytches craftis wyll intende

By theyr fals Phesyke come soner to theyr ende

ref.ed: 196

Theyr body dede / theyr soule in ieopardy

By mysbyleue for-euer in paynes infernall.

Whiche ar rewarde for wretchyd synne and heresy

But if thou to thy mynde and reason call

And of this wrytynge perceyue the sence morall

Whan thou art fallen seke and in dedely syn

Seke helpe betyme / and byde nat longe therin

¶The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys.

¶Thou man or woman / that lyest seke in vyce

To goddes vycayrs confesse thy syn holly

So shalt thou from thy goostly yll aryse.

For thy soule fyndynge helpe and remedy

Without leasynge shewe hym thy synne playnly

Let nat for shame nor fall nat therto agayne

Better shewe thy sore there to one secretely

Than after openly: and byde eternall payne

¶Ensewe the counsell of a wyse confessour

Take nat colde water in-stede of vermayll wyne:

For moche swetnes / endure thou a lytell soure

Kepe well the dyet and threfolde medicyne

Ordayned for synne by spirituall doctryne

That is confessyon / the next contrycyon.

sig: p3

With satisfaccion these thre / with grace deuyne

Ar salues parfyte for all transgressyon

De nimium apertis consultationibus.

Quisquis forte ... pudoris habet.

sig: [p3v]

Tu caueas: ... facta tuę.

ref.ed: 197

¶Of ouer-open takynges of counsell.

¶Who that to clerely layeth his net or snare

Before the byrdes whome he by gyle wolde take

Them playnly techyth of his gyle to be ware

And is a fole whether he slepe or wake

Right so is he (and doth a sauegarde make)

For his foes them (techynge remedy to fynde)

Whiche sheweth them by thretenynge the secret of his mynde

ref.ed: 198

WHo that intendyth by chraft and polycy 'W' of 'WHo' is guide letter in space set for large capital Esopus in apo. Esopus in apo.

To take many byrdes / outher small or great Prouer primo

And layeth before them to playne and openly Ouidius de reme. glo. i. cle. pastoralis de re i[n]u.inu] iu 1509 inu] iu 1509

His lynes snarys / his lyme twyggis or his net

He shall no profyte gayne nor auauntage get

For if that he his engynes can nat hyde

The byrdes shall be ware / and lyghtly fle asyde

sig: [p4]

So he that wyll openly manace and threte

With worde and hande / as he wolde sle adowne ryght

Is oft scant abyll a symple hounde to bete.

For in his worde is all his force and myght

And he that alway thretenyth for to fyght.

Oft at the profe is skantly worth a hen

For greattest crakers ar nat ay boldest men Prouer. x.

Who that agaynst his ennemy wolde fyght

And gyueth hym before wepyn and armour.

Agaynst hym-selfe to encreas his foes myght

Suche one hath reason and wyt of small valour.

Ryght so that fole is led in lyke errour

Which nought can do / of mater les or more

Without he crake and boste therof before.

And also suche bosters and crakers comonly

Whiche doth theyr mynde in hasty wordes declare

Of other men ar lytell or nought set by

And by theyr wordes / full often yll they fare

A man also may ryght easely be ware

Of folys whiche thus theyr counsell out expres

Whose thretenynges to theyr foes is armour and harnes

ref.ed: 199

But hym call I wyse and crafty of counsell

Whiche kepeth close the secretis of his mynde

And to no man wyll them disclose nor tell Prouer. xviij. et xxvi.

To man nor woman / ennemy nor yet frynde

But do his purpose whan he best tyme can fynde

Without worde spekynge / and so may his intent

Best come to ende / his foo / beynge inpro[u]ydent

And specially no man ought to be large Horatius in epistolis.

Of wordes nor shewe his counsell openly Prouer. xi.

In thynges weyghty / of peryll and great charge

Consernynge a royalltie / or helth of his body

For many ar falsly disceyued fynally

By lewde tale-berers whiche seke the way to fynde

To knowe the preuy counsell of theyr lordes mynde

They fawne and flater to knowe his pryuetee

But they forsoth / that wolde knowe thynges newe

For the moste part of this condicion be

No-thynge to kepe / but lyghtly it to shewe.

Thus may the saynge of Salomon be fonde true.

Whiche sayth that he is wyse / and lyueth happely

Whiche to hym-selfe kepyth his counsell secretely

sig: [p4v]

I fynde foure thynges whiche by meanes can

Be kept close / in secrete / one longe in preuetee

The firste is the counsell of a wytles man

The seconde a Cyte / whiche byldyd is a_hye Eccle. viij.

Upon a mountayne / the thyrde we often se Math. v.

That to hyde his dedes a louer hath no skyll

The fourth is strawe or fethers on a wyndy hyll

ref.ed: 200

A pore mannys dedys may soone be kept close Ouidius

His name is hyd / and right so is his dede. Iuuenalis

A ryche mannys dede may no man hyde nor glose

It fleeth farthest / all men of it take hede

So that yll fame whome all men ought to drede

In fleynge about hir myght doth multyply Vergilius veresque acquirit eum do. iiij. eney.

Augmentynge to his lynage shame and vylany

Therfore who that intendyth to be wyse

Ware and crafty / auoydynge all inconuenyence

To shewe his counsell ought nat to interpryse

But do his mynde / kepynge alway sylence

In seruauntis is small trust or confydence

He that is nowe thy frende may after be thy fo Seneca.

Warne nat thy ennemy of that that thou wylt do Catho.

¶The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys.

¶O ye that ar put to wronge and Iniury

If ye intende for to yelde the same agayne

It is great foly to warne your ennemye

Or hym to threten with bostynge wordes vayne.

For oft is sayde / and true it is certayne

That they that wyll lyue in quyetnes and rest Audi / vide facet tace.

Must here and se and hasty wordes refrayne

All styll with fewe wordes do that they thynke best

Fatuorum damno sapientes nos fieri conuenit.

Stultorum lapsum ... inde graues.

sig: [p5]

Ridentur passim ... redire feram.

ref.ed: 201

¶Of folys that can nat beware by the mysfortune and example of others damage.

sig: [p5v]

Here we expresse / the errour and blyndnes

Of them that se. others aduersyte

Theyr wofull fall the ruyne and dystres.

Yet sue they the same / and ware they wyll nat be

Though they by example the payne of other se

Yet leue they nat: thus may they clayme a place

Within my Nauy / as folys voyde of grace

ref.ed: 202

WE dayly se the mysfortune and damage 'W' of 'WE' is guide letter in space set for large capital Prouer. iiij. et. xv. Prouer. iiij. et. xv.

And often fallys / to pouerte and payne

Whiche folys suffer for theyr synne and outrage Iohannis. xvij.

Some drowned / some maymed / some other-wyse slayne

Yet this example can nat cause vs refrayne

Our wretchyd lyfe / and seke for remedy

We marke no-thynge anothers ieopardy.

We se the mockynge scorne and derysyon

That folys hath ofte-tyme whan they offende

We se theyr losse / theyr / shame and theyr confusion

Howe-be-it all this can cause vs to amende

We can no-thynge and to nought we intende

So many folys I fynde that playne I thynke

Theyr weyghty charge shall cause my shyp to synke

sig: [p6]

Suche ar despysyd of men discrete and wyse Eccle. xxv.

Ye and more-ouer these folys ar so blynde

That echone of them the other doth despyse Ecclesiastes. x.

With sharp rebukes / wordes lewde and vnkynde

Yet in theyr lyfe no difference may we fynde

And though they haue sene a thousande brough to shame

For one sore vyce: yet lyue they in the same

The example of other can nat theyr myndes moue Ieremie. v. et. viij.

Theyr wyttis ar blynde theyr foly is the cause Eccle. i.

Alas mad folys why do ye vyce thus loue

Rennynge ay to deth without all rest or pause

Alas / at the last retourne to christis lawes

Be ware / whan ye other se taken in the snare

Let anothers peryll cause you to be ware

ref.ed: 203

Ye do nat so / alas it is great shame

Your synne hath quenchyd your grace and gostly lyght

One blynde man another doth chyde and blame

And yet both stomble / nat goynge euyn or right

A blynde man hym ledyth that also hath no syght

So both in the dyche fallyth in suche a wyse Mathei. xv.

That one can nat helpe / the other agayne to ryse Luce. vi.

One crab blamys another for hir bacwarde pace

And yet the blamer sothly can none other do Esopus in apo.

But both two ar in theyr goynge in lyke case

The one goeth b[a]cwarde / the other doth also bacwarde] bocwarde 1509

Many of these folys after that maner go

But who that of his moders doctryne hath disdayne:

Shall by his stepdame endure wo care and payne Ecclesi. iij. et xlj

And perchaunce after abyde the correccyon

Of the sayde stepdame / in place of punysshement.

For his synne / sufferynge hir vniust subieccien

And who that nat foloweth the commaundement

Of his fader beynge to hym obedyent

May fortune after in hunger thyrst ond colde

Obey that stranger / whom he nat gladly wolde

We fynde Hystories wryten longe and ample

In dyuers bokes of great auctoryte

The hole Bybyll sheweth to vs example

Howe they were punysshed that lyuyd in cruelte Pheton.

I fynde also wryten in bokes of Poetrye Tullius iij. offi.

Howe that Pheton was brent with the lyghtnynge Ouidius. ij. meth.

For his presumpcion / agaynst a myghty kynge

sig: [p6v]

ref.ed: 204

We haue example also by Icarus Icarus. ouidius. viij. metha vide virgilium . iiij. eney. et seruium eodem loco.

Whiche contrary vnto the commaundement

Of his crafty father named Dedalus

By fleynge to hye his wynges and fethers brent

And so descendyd and in the se was drent

Thus these two endynge by theyr lewdnes in care Prouer. xv. et xxiij.

By theyr example sholde cause vs to beware

We dayly se before our syght and our presence Addicio alexandri_Barklay.

What mysauenture to many one doth fall

And that worthely for theyr synne and offence

Yet ar we blynde / and ar nat ware at all

But in our synnes lyue vnto them egall

And where by synne we se one come to shame

We wyllyngly (alas) ensue the same

Therfore who sethe a mad fole come to wo Eccle. xi.

Or fall in peryll for lacke of a good gyde

By another way ought craftely to go

And (by anothers yll) for his helthe to prouyde

The fox was ware / and peryll set asyde

And wolde nat enter into the caue / for playne Esopus.

Of bestis that entred sawe he none come agayne Horatius in epistolis

¶The enuoy of Barklay.

¶Lerne man / lerne of bestes to be ware

Of others peryll / by theyr enormyte

For if one byrde be onys tane in a snare

The other auoyde as fast as they may flee

A fysshe byrde or beste that hath in peryll be

Of net hoke or snare / if that they may escape.

Wyll after euer beware / but blynde man wyll nat se

His owne destruccion / but after it doth gape

Nil curare detractiones hominum.

Non campana ... aure sonum.

sig: q1

QVisquis in hoc mundo ... turba ferat.

ref.ed: 205

¶Of them that forceth or careth for the bacbytynge of lewde people.

sig: [q1v]

¶Whether that a bell be hangyd or lye on grounde

If vnto the same a clapper lacke or fayle

The bell shall make but sympyll noyse or sounde

Though thou in it do hange a Foxys tayle

Right so backbyters that vse on men to rayle

Can nat greatly hurt them that lyue rightwysly

Wherfore it is foly theyr babblynge to set by.

ref.ed: 206

WHo that within this worlde wolde rest and lyue 'W' of 'WHo' is guide letter in space set for large capital Psal. c.viij. Psal. c.viij.

In eas of mynde / peas and tranquyllyte Prouer. xxiiij.

Must nat his mynde set / nor his erys gyue Sapientie. ij.

To the vayne talys / of the rude comonte

And though some people of suche condicion be

Oft to dyffame good people true and Iust

Let them nought care / for byde it nede they must

Let no man care for the lewde hyssynges

And yll soundynges of this vnhappy rage

It is great foly to set by the lesynges Ad philip. ij.

Of cursyde tunges syns none can them asswage Prouer. xiiij. et xviij.

For who in this worlde wyll come to aua[n]tage

Hym-selfe exaltynge to worshyp and honoure

Shall fynde the swetnes mengled with the sowre

sig: q2

And he that wyll of his dygnyte be sure

Or sympyll lyuynge what-so-euer it be

Right greuous chargis somtymes must endure

And with his iyen often beholde and se

Suche thynges wherwith his mynde can not agre

And he that wyll with the worlde haue to do

Must suffer suche trouble as belongeth therto

Yet some haue pytched theyr tentis stedfastly Ad hebreos. xi.

Upon sure grounde / auoyde of all this payne

Despysynge the worldes wantonnes and foly

For in the same is nought sure nor certayne

Nought se we tranquyll in these wawes mundayne

We se no loue / lawe / fydelyte / nor trust

But nowe up hye / and nowe lowe in the dust

ref.ed: 207

To auoyde the worlde with his foly and stryfe

Many hath left londes townes and ryches

And yll company lyuynge solytary lyfe

Alone in desert and in wyldernes

Ye and that: men of moste wyt and worthynes

Whiche by that meane dyd best of all eschewe

All worldly sclaunder and lyuyd in vertue

He that intendeth to lyue a rightwyse lyfe Iohan. xv.

And so procedeth in maners and good dede Sapien. xi.

Of worldly sclaunder / complaynt / hatered / and stryfe

And all yll-wyll / he ought nat to take hede

For he that is iuste ought no-thynge for to drede

A sclaundrynge tonge / ye / be it neuer so wode

For suche lewde tonges can none hurte that ar gode

Lyue well and wysely / than let men chat theyr fyll

Wordes ar but wynde / and though it oft so fall

That of lewde wordes comyth great hurte and yll

Yet byde the ende / that onely prouyth all

If thou canst suffer truste well that thou shall

Ouercome thyne ennemyes better by pacience

Than by hye wordes rygour or vyolence

If poetis that somtyme vyce blamyd and discommendyd Satyri.

And holy Prophetis whiche also dyd the same Prophete

To suche vayne and mortall wordes had intendyd

They sholde nat haue durst the peoples vyce to blame

So sholde they haue lost their honour and good name Psalmus. lij.

Theyr fame and meryt / but nowe they haue nat so

But spred theyr fame / whiche neuer away shall go

sig: [q2v]

ref.ed: 208

Forsoth none lyueth within the worlde wyde

So meke so holy / so wyse or pacyent Sapientie. vi.

Whiche can hym-selfe at euery tyme so gyde

To please eche fole / for none can some content

Forsoth he myght be named excellent

Happy and blessyd and lyue in welth and eas

Whiche euery man cowde serue content and pleas Eccle. viij.

But suche is none. and he that wyll assay

For to content eche folysshe mannes mynde

Must brake his slepe and stody nyght and day

And yet alway some fole shall be behynde Eccle. xxxvij.

Ye if one lyue well / yet wyll they somwhat fynde

Behynde his backe hym to sclaunder and diffame

For beggers and bawdes therin haue all theyr game

For whether thou dwell in Est west north or south

Of suche dryuels euer shalt thou fynde plente

One must haue moche mele / to stoppe eche mannys mouth

Sclander is the cunnynge of all the comonte

And in the same suche ay moste besy be

Whiche lyue them-selfe in shame and vylany

Euen nowe they speke repentynge by and by

Thus all the cunnynge and stody dilygent. i. corin. iij.

Of people vnthryfty is alway to despyse

And diffame other whiche ar but innocent Eccle. ii.

Wherfore let suche as ar discrete and wyse Prouer. xv.

Nought set by them that lesyngys doth deuyse Eccle. vii.

Nor theyr vayne foly: for he that doth certayne

Is but a fole. and euer shall lyue in payne

ref.ed: 209

¶The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys.

¶Trouble nat thy-selfe (thou man) where is no nede

And arme thou thy-selfe with goodly pacyence

Be sure it is great foly to take hede

Unto backbytynge syns that no resystence

May be founde to withstande his violence

And take thou this one thynge for thy comfort

That none wyse / or good / wyll commyt this offence

But all ar caytyffes / that ar of this lewde sort.

De subsannatoribus et calumniatoribus.

Stulti qui ... probitatis habent.

sig: q3

O Fatui ... innocuosque petunt.

ref.ed: 210

¶Of mockers / and scorners / and false accusers.

sig: [q3v]

¶Yet ar mo Folys whiche mocke and scorneth fast

Suche as them shewyth wysdome and doctryne

And at theyr hedes (vngoodly) stonys cast

In mynde disdaynynge to wysdome to enclyne

But gladly they ensue the discyplyne

Of folysshe mockers. let wyse men them eschewe

For no correccion can brynge them to vertue

ref.ed: 211

O Hertles folys / haste here to our doctryne Eccle. xxii.

Leue of the wayes of your enormyte Prouer. xxiii. et xxix.

Enforce you to my preceptis to enclyne

For here shall I shewe you good and veryte Sapientie. x.

Enclyne / and ye fynde shall great prosperyte

Ensuynge the doctryne of our faders olde

And godly lawes in valour worth great golde

Who that wyll folowe the graces manyfolde

Whiche ar in vertue / shall fynde auauncement

Wherfore ye folys that in your syn ar bolde

Ensue ye wysedome and leue your lewde intent

Wysdome is the way of men most excellent

Therfore haue done / and shortly spede your pace

To quaynt your-selfe and company with grace

sig: q4

Lerne what is vertue / therin is great solace Prouer. vi.

Lerne what is trouth sadnes and prudence

Let grutche be gone / and grauyte purchace

Forsake your foly and inconuenyence Baruth. iij.

Cesse to be folys / and ay to sue offence Ad titum . iij.

Folowe ye vertue / chefe rote of godlynes Sapien. vi.

For it and wysdome is grounde of clenlynes Eccle. xvi.

Wysedome and vertue two thynges ar doutles

Whiche man endueth with honour specyall

But suche hertis as slepe in folysshnes

Knoweth no-thynge / and wyll nought knowe at all

But in this lytell barge in pryncypall

All folysshe mockers I purpos to repreue

Clawe he his backe that felyth ytche or greue

ref.ed: 212

Mockers and scorners that ar harde of byleue

With a rugh combe here wyll I clawe and grate

To proue if they wyll from theyr vyce remeue

And leue theyr foly whiche causeth great debate

Suche caytyfs spare neyther pore man nor estate

And where theyr-selfe ar moste worthy of dyrysion

Other men to scorne is all theyr moste condicion

Yet ar mo folys of this abusion Iob. xij.

Whiche of wyse men despyseth the doctryne

With mowes / mockes / scorne / and collusyon

Rewardynge rebukes / for theyr good disciplyne Prouer. xiiij.

Shewe to suche wysdome / yet shall they nat enclyne

Unto the same / but set no-thynge therby

But mocke thy doctryne / styll or openly

So in the worlde it apereth comonly

That who that wyll a Fole rebuke or blame Prouer. xi.

A mocke or mowe shall he haue by and by

Thus in derysyon / haue folys theyr speciall game

Correct a wyse man / that wolde eschewe yll name

And fayne wolde lerne / and his lewde lyfe amende Eccle. xix.

And to thy wordes he gladly shall intende

If by mysfortune a rightwyse man offende

He gladly suffreth a iuste correccion

And hym that hym techyth taketh for his frende

Hym-selfe puttynge mekely vnto subieccion

Folowynge his preceptis and good dyreccion

But if that one a Fole rebuke or blame Prouer. xxv.

He shall his techer / hate / sclaunder and dyffame

sig: [q4v]

ref.ed: 213

Howbeit his wordes / oft turne to his owne shame

And his owne dartis retourne to hym agayne

And so is he sore woundyd with the same Prouer. xix.

And in wo endyth / great mysery and payne

It also prouyd full often is certayne

That they that on mockes alway theyr myndes cast

Shall of all other be mocked at the last

He that goeth right / stedfast sure and fast Iuuenalis

May hym well mocke that goth haltynge and lame

And he that is whyte may well his scornes cast

Agaynst a man of ynde / but no man ought to blame

Anothers vyce whyle he vsyth the same

But who that of synne is clene in dede and thought

May hym well scorne whose lyuynge is starke nought iij. q. vii. qui sine.

The scornes of Naball full dere sholde haue ben bought Nabal. i. regum. xxv.

If Abigayll his wyfe discrete and sage

Had nat by kyndnes right crafty meanes sought

The wrath of Dauyd to temper and asswage

Hath nat two berys in theyr fury and rage

Two and fourty Children rent and torne iiij. regum. ij. in fine.

For they the Prophete Helyseus dyd scorne

So myght they curse the tyme that they were borne

For theyr mockynge of this Prophete dyuyne

So many other of this sorte often mowrne

For theyr lewde mockes / and fall in-to ruyne

Thus is it foly for wyse men to enclyne

To this lewde flocke of Folys for se thou shall

Them moste scornynge that ar most bad of all

ref.ed: 214

¶Th'enuoy of Barcly to the Folys.

¶Ye mockynge Folys that in scorne set your ioy Geneseos. ix.

Proudly dyspysynge goddes punycion

Take ye example by Cham the son of Noy

Whiche laughyd his Father vnto derysyon

Whiche hym / after / cursyd for his transgressyon

And made hym seruaunt to all his lyne and stocke

So shall ye Caytyfs at the conclusyon

Syns ye ar nought / and other scorne and mocke

Contemptus ęternorum gaudiorum.

Qui male ... stulta / parens

sig: [q5]

OCcurrit fatuę ... regna luto.

ref.ed: 215

¶Of them that dyspyse euerlastynge ioye / and settyth thynges transytory before thynges eternall and euerlastynge.

sig: [q5v]

¶He is a foule that weyeth in one balaunce

The heuen and erth to knowe the heuyest

And by his foly and cursed ignoraunce

He thynketh that this wretchyd erth is best

And thoughe that here be neyther ioy nor rest

Yet had some leuer here styll to remayne

Than to depart to heuen voyde of all payne

ref.ed: 216

My hande is wery: fayne wolde I rest a space

But folys comyth to my shyp so besely Eccle. xiiij.

That to haue rest: they wyll graunt me no grace Psal. lxi.

That nede I must theyr lewdnes notefy Mar. viij.

But to recorde this folysshe company Math. xvi.

They ar suche that this worlde so greatly loue

That they despyse the heuenly Royalme aboue

They often thynke in theyr mynde preuely Sapien. iiij.

And by them-selfe in this wyse oft they say Ad romanos. ij.

O glorious lorde raynynge eternally Amos quinto.

Graunt me thy grace that I may lyue alway Eccl[e]siastes. Ecclesiastes] Ecclsiastes 1509 ij. Ecclesiastes] Ecclsiastes 1509

To se of this worlde the extreme ende and day

This is my wyll and synguler askynge

As for thy royalme / forsoth I set no thynge

sig: [q6]

But yet this fole doth nat desyre this tyme i. Iohannis. i.

Of so longe lyfe / and yeres alway newe

To clens his mynde from all synfull cryme

Nor for the loue of goodnes or vertue

But rather that he his pleasour may ensue

And with his matis and felawes suche as he

To folowe ryot / delytys and enormyte.

To lyue in wantonnes and blynde lascy[u]yte

In pryde in Lechery and in couetyse

Suche settyth theyr myndes and theyr felycyte Luce sexto

Not ferynge hell whiche is rewarde of vyce.

Those dredefull dennys / in a right ferefull wyse

With fyres flamynge / and manyfolde tourment

Can nat suche folys / theyr synnes cause to stent

ref.ed: 217

O sleuthfull fole say why doste nat thou call Prouer. xiiij.

Unto thy mynde that this worldes wretchydnes

Is full of sorowe moche more bytter than gall

Uoyde of all ioy / all pleasour and swetnes

Why settest thou so moche by frayle delyciousnes

On vayne pleasours / whiche shall sothly decay Tullius de senectute.

Lyke as the sone meltyth the snowe away

Man note my [w]ordes and gyue to them credence wordes] mordes 1509

I say that pleasours and also ioyes mundayne

As it apereth playne by good euydence

Ar fylled with sorowe bytternes and payne Iob. xviij.

Without all rest quyete or certayne

And yet alas the worlde so doth men blynde

That it they loue and caste heuen out of mynde

Wherfore it hapneth full often as I fynde

That suche as foloweth shamefull wantonnes

Ungoodly luste / and statelynes of mynde

Shall ofte perceyue great shame and wretchydnes

And them most suffer / with great mundayne distres.

And better charges / and after must nede endure

Cruell deth whiche ende is of euery creature

The worlde shall passe: ye and all ioy mundayne Iob. vi.

Without all doute at last shall haue an ende

And euery-thynge outher fruytfull or barayne

Shall to the grounde outher firste or last discende

We se also that none can hym defende Ecclesiastes. iij.

From dethes dartis: and for conclusyon.

We dayly se many mennys confusyon.

sig: [q6v]

ref.ed: 218

We dayly se the fallys innumerable Sapientie. ij. et v.

And greuous deth as well of youth as age Iacobi. primo

Thus is this wretchyd worlde moche vnstable Luce. xij.

Wherfore me-thynke it is a great outrage

To trust therto / or for an vnsure stage

Or hye place of welth or worldy honour

The presence to despyse of our sauyoure

But without doute the tyme shall come and houre

Whan all mankynde shall se hym euydent

Some to theyr ioy / some to wo and doloure

None shall eskhape that rightwyse iugement.

But eche be rewardyd as he his tyme hath spent

So they that vertuously haue lyuyd here

Despysynge this worlde shall gladly there apere

But they that here haue led theyr lyfe in vyce

For to depart ar wo in herte and mynde

And ferefull to byde that sentence of iustyce Apo. xiiij. et xx.

Syns of theyr synne excuse they can none fynde Math. xxv.

But to conclude forsoth that fole is blynde

That for worldly welth / from god wolde hym deuyde

And for vayne clay / the hye heuyn set a_syde

¶The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys.

¶O blynde man whiche hast thy moste felycyte

On worldy thynges / alas make clere thy mynde

What fyndest thou here / but great aduersyte

Wylt thou for it leue that heuenly ioy behynde

And where thou myght euerlastynge ryches fynde

Where-as is helth / endles lyfe and all good[n]es

Wylt thou forsake it for worldly wretchydnes

ref.ed: 219

¶Wylt thou heuyn compare with his paynfull lyfe

There-on to thynke thou art vnwyse certayne

There is concorde / here is no-thynge but stryfe

There is all rest / and here is care and payne

There is true loue: here is scorne and disdayne

There is all goodnes / here all yll and offence

Nowe chuse the best: here is great difference

sig: [q7]

Tumultus et confabulatio in ecclesia.

Accipitrem gestans ... prophana nihil.

sig: [q7v]

ref.ed: 220

¶Of them that make noyses rehersynges of talys and do other thynges vnlaufull and dishonest in the chirche of god.

¶A fole is he / and hath no mynde deuoute

And gyueth occasyon to men on hym to rayle.

Whiche goth in the chirche / his houndes hym aboute

Some rennynge / some fast tyed to his tayle

A hawke on his fyst suche one withouten fayle

Better were to be thens / for by his dyn and cry

He troublyth them that wolde pray deuoutly:

ref.ed: 221

YEt of mo folys fynde I a great nomber 'Y' of 'YEt' is guide letter in space set for large capital

Whiche thynke that it is no shame nor vylany

Within the chirche / the seruyce to encomber

With theyr lewde barkynge roundynge dyn and cry De immu. eccle. c. decet. li. vi. l. denunciamus.

And whyle good people ar praynge stedfastly

Theyr herte to good / with meke mynde and deuout

Suche folys them let / with theyr mad noyse and shout C. de his qui ad eccle. confu.

And whyle the prestis also them exercyse.

In matyns masse sermon or prechynge dyuyne

Or other due thynges that longe to theyr seruyce.

Techynge the people to vertue to enclyne

Than these folys as it were rorynge swyne

With theyr gettynge and talys of vycyousnes

Trouble all suche seruyce / that is sayd / more and les

sig: r1

In-to the churche than comys another sote

Without deuocyon gettynge vp and downe Prouer. v.

Or to be sene / and to showe his gardyd cote Treno. i.

Another on his fyst a Sparhauke or fawcon

Or els a Cokow / and so wastynge his shone

Before the auters he to and fro doth wander

With euyn as great deuocyon as a gander

In comys another his houndes at his tayle

With lynes and leshes and other lyke baggage.

His dogges barkyth / so that withouten fayle

The hole churche is troubled by theyr outrage

So innocent youth lernyth the same of age

And theyr lewde sounde doth the churche fyll.

But in this noyse the good people kepe them styll

ref.ed: 222

One tyme the hawkys bellys Ienglyth hye

Another tyme they flutter with theyr wynges

And nowe the houndes barkynge strykes the skye

Nowe sounde theyr fete / and nowe the chaynes rynges

They clap with theyr handes / by suche maner thynges

They make of the churche / for theyr hawkes a mewe

And Canell to theyr dogges / whiche they shall after rewe

So with suche folys is neyther peas nor rest

Unto the holy churche they haue no reuerence

But wander about to see who get may best

In rybawde wordes pryde and insolence

As mad-men they fere nat our sauyours presence

Hauynge no honour vnto that holy place

Wherin is gyuen to man euerlastynge grace

There ar handlyd pledynges and causes of the lawe

There ar made bargayns of dyuers maner thynges

Byenges and sellynges scant worth a hawe

And there ar for lucre contryuyd false lesynges

And whyle the prest his Masse or matyns synges

These folys whiche to the Churche do repayre

Ar chattynge and bablynge as it were in a fayre

Some gygyll and lawghe and some on maydens stare

And some on wyues with wanton countenaunce

As for the seruyce they haue small force or care

But full delyte them in theyr mysgouernaunce In autem vt lice ma. et a[u]ie. in fi. collatio. viii.

Some with theyr slyppers to and fro doth prance

Clappynge with their helys in chur[c]he and in quere churche] churhe 1509

So that good people can nat the seruyce here

sig: [r1v]

ref.ed: 223

What shall I wryte of maydens and of wyues Addicio translatoris Alexandri_barclay.

Of theyr roundynges and vngoodly comonynge

Howe one a sclaundre craftely contryues

And in the churche therof hath hyr talkynge

The other hath therto theyr erys lenynge

And than whan they all hath harde forth hir tale

With great deuocyon they get them to the ale

Thus is the churche defylyd with vylany

And in-stede of prayer and godly oryson

Ar vsyd shamefull bargayns and talys of rybawdry

Iettynges and mockynges and great derysyon

There fewe ar or none of perfyte deuocion

And whan our lorde is consecrate in fourme of brede

Therby walkes a knaue / his bonet on his hede

And whyle those wordes of consecracion

Ar sayde of the preste in goddes owne presence In consti. prouin. ti. de ce. missarum

Suche caytyfs kepe talys and communycacion

Fast by the auter / thynkynge it none offence C. linthiamina. veri saluatoris.

And where-as the angels ar ther with reuerence

Laudynge and worshyppynge our holy sauyour

These vnkynde caytyfs wyll scantly hym honour

Alas wherto shall any man complayne

For this foly and accostomed furour Iohannis. ij.

Syns none of them theyr fautes wyll refrayne

But ay procede in this theyr lewde errour

And nat withstandynge that Christ our sauyour

Hath left vs example / that none sholde mysdo

Within the chirche / yet inclyne we nat therto

ref.ed: 224

Ihonn the euangelyst doth openly expres.

Howe criste our sauyour dyd dryue out and expell Math. xxi.

From the Temple / suche as vsed there falsnes marci. xij.

And all other that therin dyd bye and sell Luce. xix.

Saynge as it after lyeth in the Gospell

Unto the Iues rebuke and great repreues

That of goddes house they made a den of theues

100

Remember this man / for-why thou dost the same

Defylynge goddes Chirche with synne and vanyte

Whiche sothly was ordeyned to halowe goddes name

And to lawde and worshyp the holy trynyte Eccle. xxi.

With deuout harte / loue / and all benygnyte Iohelis. ij.

105

And with all our myght our lorde to magnyfy Psal. i.

And than after all the heuenly company

sig: r2

For this cause hath god the holy chirche ordeyned

And nat for rybawde wordes and thynges vayne

But by vs chrysten men it is distayned.

110

Moche wors than euer / the Iewes dyd certayne

And if our lorde sholde nowe come downe agayne.

To dryue out of the churche suche as there do syn

Forsoth I thynke / right fewe sholde byde within

¶The enuoy to the reders.

¶O man that bostest thy-selfe in cristes name

Callynge the christen / se thou thy synne refuse

Remember well it is both synne and shame

The house of god / thus to defyle and abuse

But this one thynge causeth me oft to muse

That the false paynyms within theyr Temples be

To theyr ydols moche more deuout than we

De proteruo ac spontaneo periculo.

Qui cadit ... necemque tulit.

sig: [r2v]

Aetnęos quoniam ... pericla ferat.

ref.ed: 225

¶Of them that wyllynge and knowyngly put them-self in ieopardy and peryll.

sig: r3

¶He is a fole that wyll purchace and desyre

His owne deth or putteth hym-selfe in ieopardy

Lepynge in a well / or in a flamynge fyre

And where he myght lyue so dyeth wyllyngly

Suche suffer theyr destruccyon worthely

And if that they be drowned outher brent

It is to late them after to repent.

ref.ed: 226

I Fynde mo folys yet. whome I shall note Eccle. iij.

Suche ar they whiche pray both day and nyght

To god and his sayntes cryeng with open throte

O glorious god helpe me by thy great myght Math. vij.

That I may clens my herte and clere my syght

Wherby all foly and synne may fro me fall

But yet this fole it leuyth nat at all Luce. vi.

Suche folys oft pray for theyr amendement

Unto our lorde with syghynges sore and depe

But yet to synne contynually they assent

And after the same often complayne and wepe

Than say they playne that god hath had no kepe

Unto theyr prayer and taken of it no hede

But theyr owne foly is cause of theyr lewde dede

They se the peryll before theyr faces playne

That god hath ordeyned / for foly and for synne

They pray for helpe / and yet ar they full fayne

After the folys hode alway to ren

And besely laboure the same alone to wyn

So vnto god for helpe they cry and call

But they them-selfe wyll helpe no-thynge at all Iuuenalis

Than thynke they theyr prayers to god nat acceptable persius.

Bycause (anone) they haue nat all theyr wyll

And for that god is nat sone agreable

To here theyr cry and it graunt and fulfyll

These folys in theyr vyce contynue styll

And put theyr-selfe in wylfull ieopardy

And where they myght they fynde no remedy

ref.ed: 227

But these folys vnstabyll as the wynde

Prayeth vnto god and to his sayntis aboue

Nat knowynge what may content theyr folysshe mynde

Nor whether theyr askynge be for theyr behoue

But sothly this dare I both say and proue Math. xx.

And it auowe after my sympyll skyll Marci. x.

That neuer man shall syn without his wyll Ad Ro. viij.

sig: [r3v]

If that one with his owne wyll doth fall

Into a well to assay the ieopardy

Whan he is there. if he lowde crye and call

Bothe on god and man for helpe and remedy

He sekyth that peryll / and dyeth worthely

So were it foly to gyue hym corde or trayne

Or other engyne to helpe hym vp agayne

Whan suche folys ar sure vpon the grounde

Without all daunger / peryll hurt or fere

They lepe in the wel and yet fere to be drowned

Empedocles though he right myghty were Empedocles.

With suche lyke foly hym-selfe so sore dyd dere

That knowyngly and with his owne consent

Hymself he lost and by fyers fyre was brent

He lept hedelynge into the flamynge fyre

Of a brennynge hyll whiche callyd is Ethnay

To knowe the trouth / and nature to enquyre

Whether that same flame were very fyre or nay

So with his deth the trouth he dyd assay

But who that wolde hym drawen out of that hyll

Had ben a fole / syns it was his owne wyll

ref.ed: 228

For-why his mynde was blyndyd so certayne

That thoughe a man had hym delyuered than

The same peryll wolde he haue proued agayne

As mad as he forsoth is euery man

That is at eas / and hym nat so holde can

And also he that putteth hymselfe in drede

Or fere and peryll / where-as he hath no nede

So he that prayeth to god that he may get Prouer. xxviij.

The blysse of heuen / and scape infernall payne Eccle. [iij.] iij] 1509 omits et. xxxv. iij] 1509 omits

He is a fole his herte or mynde to set Esaie. i.

On frayle ryches / welth and ioy mundayne

On stedfast fortune / on lucre or on gayne

For certaynly these thynges of worldly welth

Oft man deuydeth away from heuenly helth

Thus he that prayeth for welth or for ryches

Or in this worlde hym-selfe to magnyfy

Prayeth for his hurt and cause of viciousnes

For worldly welth doth vyce oft multyply

So seke men theyr owne peryll wyllyngly

But who that prayeth / and can nat as he ought Luce. xx.

He bloweth in the wynde / and shall nat haue his thought

sig: [r4]

And who that to honour couetyse to ascende

Or to lyue in damnable voluptuosyte

He seketh his peryll for if that he descende

From welth and worshyp to payne and pouerte

It is but worthy / and let hym pacyent be

It to endure with mynde demure and meke

He is worthy sorowe that wyll it alway seke

ref.ed: 229

¶The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys.

¶Ye that fayne wolde escape all ieopardy

Auoyde suche thynges the whiche myght cause the same

To proue a peryll / is foly certaynly

Whether it be done in ernest or in game

They that so doth may theyr owne madnes blame

For he that is sure / and to a fray wyll ren

May fortune come home agayne / nosles or lame

And so it were better for to haue byd within

De via foelicitatis et futura peccatorum pęna

Multi stultitię ... ad orcum

sig: [r4v]

Et phlegetontęos ... aethraque paucos.

ref.ed: 230

¶Of the way of felycyte and godnes / and of the payne to come vnto synners.

sig: [r5]

¶Many in this lyfe the cart of syn doth drawe

By payne and labour / alway right dylygent

Norysshynge theyr syn agaynst all right and lawe

And alway lyuynge after one lyke assent

But whan they ar dede than shall theyr punysshement

In hell be dowblyd with cartis of whelys foure

Where-as they thought. deth shuld ende theyr laboure

ref.ed: 231

GOd suffreth nat eche vicious fole to knowe

The wonders that he made hath on this grounde Prouer. xiiij.

And dayly worketh. wherfore theyr syn soth growe Psal. xviii. et xl.

So that theyr foly them-selfe doth confounde Sapien. xiij.

And here theyr bodyes to great labours ar bounde

Sparynge no peryll for pleasour and for gayne

Than after deth haue they euerlastynge payne

So he that here lyueth in vyce and synne

Shall extreme dolour after deth endure Prouer. v.

Than what auantage is it for man to wyne Ecclesiastes. ij.

All [e]rthly tresour / and of hell payne be sure erthly] orthly 1509

But without dowt that wretchyd creature

Whiche goddes lawes wyll nat here holde and kepe

Shall after deth haue cause to wayle and wepe

And suche as here wyll nat knowe theyr sauyour

Obseruynge his preceptis and commaundement

Whiche god hathe ordeyned to saue vs from erroure Eccle. xij. et xl.

And vs commaundyd to kepe with clene intent

Ouer all the worlde. as rule moste excellent

To lyue godly. and who-so-euer he be Treuorum. iiij.

That foloweth in this worlde voluptuosyte

Or carnall lust ryot or other offence

Wastynge his tyme in syn and viciousnes

All suche in this worlde / by theyr blynde negligence

Drawe styll the cart of greuous besynes. Sapientie. xix.

With payne and charge and / whan this wretchydnes

Is past and gone / yet after this they shall

In hell endure great tourmentis eternall

ref.ed: 232

There shalt (thou fole) the charet drawe alway

With dowble paynes both tedyous and cruell

Wherfore thou fole retourne the I the pray. Seneca

Seke nat the way whiche ledeth vnto hell

With his foule dennes / more darke than tunge can tell Virgilius. vi. facilis discensus auerni.

And thoughe the way be esy streyght and playne

The ende is nought / I aduyse the tourne agayne

sig: [r5v]

The way to hell is greatly occupyed

The path is playne / and easy to ouergo Math. vij.

The dore ay open no entre is denyed

To suche as purpose in mynde to come therto

But at the ende therof is care and wo

With syghtis odyous and abhomynable

Yet in the way ar folkes innumerable

Thus is no meruayle though this way be playne

And greatly worne syns it is hantyd so prouer. ij. et. iiij.

By dyuers folys whiche haste them to that payne.

By way contynuall therto: but none therfro Virgilius. vi. enei noctes atque dies patet atri ianua ditis. Ecclesi. xxxij.

The dredefull dore to them that wyll in go

Both day and nyght is open / it doth forsake

No folys that wyll theyr iourney thyther take

But that way that to hye heuen doth lye

Is way of grace plesour / and all felycyte

In it suche walke as here lyue vertuously

And blessyd men / but nat suche as vyciouse be

Yet is it narowe / and full of difficulte

There is many a harde flynt brer and thorne

And no meruayle for it is nat greatly worne

ref.ed: 233

For why lewde people / whiche is the gretest sort Sapientie. v.

Forsake this way for the payne and hardnes Psal. vi.

But godly men therin haue chefe confort

With all that lyue by grace in rightwysnes

Suche well consyder that heuyns blessydnes

Can nat be gotten by pleasour rest nor eas

Wherfore this way can nat suche synners pleas

God so hath ordeyned that who wyll haue vertue

Must it obtayne with payne and dilygence

And great labour / whiche many nowe eschewe

Without it be to seke synne and offence

Fewe seke the way to christis hye presence Prouer. xiij. et xv.

Therby it hapneth that many a thousande Ezech. vij.

Fast rennyth leftwarde / but fewe on the right hande

¶The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys.

¶Alas man remembre heuens blyssednes

And though the way be harde that lyeth therto

Forsoke it nat for all that great sharpnes

For at the ende is lyfe and rest also

Euerlastynge glory with other ioyes mo

But who that taketh the other way certayne

Shall fynde at the ende eternall payne and wo

Thoughe the way thether be easy streyght and playne

sig: [r6]

Praua maiorum exempla.

Cum pater ... praua ferat.

sig: [r6v]

ref.ed: 234

¶Of the yll example of elders gyuyn vnto youth.

¶If that the fader and mother before theyr son

By anger or malyce brake / platter pot / or pan

The son in hande shall take some cauderon

And lerne to breke it if his small power can

Thus oft-tyme chyldren haue cause to curse or ban

Theyr frendes for suche example of lewdnes

For soner that they lerne than vertue or goodes

ref.ed: 235

YE aged men rotyd in folysshnes 'Y' of 'YE' is guide letter in space set for large capital

And folysshe parentis lewde of your langage Prouer. xxix.

Vnto our shyp swyftly your-selfe addres Iuuenalis

Syns ye be worthy therin to haue a stage Uale. li. ij. c. ij.

Nowe cast I repreues agaynst your outrage Sapientie. iiij

Whiche boldly bost you of your vnthryfty lyues Eccle. xli.

Before your maydes / your doughters and your wyues

Alas the folys of this mad company

By theyr example cause great inconuenyence

Before theyr children recountynge rybaudry Eccle. iiij.

Of suche as they haue had experyence.

So gyue they to them example of offence

And in that synne wheron they bost and vant

They make them perfyte whiche erst were ignorant

sig: s1

Theyr wordes ar voyde of shame and honestye Ecclesiastes. x.

Theyr lyfe is without mesure and reuerence

But yet they thynke that they moste worthy be

That moste can tell of this greuous offence

Thus all the youth that is in theyr presence

Or that doth here theyr vyce and rybawdry

Vnto the same with theyr full mynde aply

Thus theyr yonge children maners lernyth none

The wyfe hath occasyon to breke hir chastyte

So is the lyfe defyled of them echone

And to be playne / we often-tymes se

That of what maners the folysshe husbondes be

Suche ar theyr wyues / children and housholde

The yonge Cok lerneth to crowe hye of the olde

ref.ed: 236

A folysshe Father / full hardly shall ensyne

His sone to good lyfe or to good gouernaunce Prouer. xix. et. xxix.

For if the father to foly doth enclyne

The sone wyll folowe his father in that daunce

And if the father vse hasarde or the chaunce

Or any prohybyt and vnlawfull game Iuuenalis

Most comonly the sone wyll do the same

If that the husbonde be vycious of his lyfe

Wastfull or dronken / or vyle in his langage

His sonnes doughters / his seruauntes and his wyfe

Wyll lerne of hym to passe the same passage

And if the husbonde breke his maryage

If the wyfe knowe / in mynde she wyll be wroth

Without he haue a hode of the same cloth

An olde prouerbe hath longe agone be sayde

That oft the sone in maners lyke wyll be glo. in. l. quod si nolit. ff. de edic.

Vnto the Father / and in lyke wyse the mayde

Or doughter / vnto the mother wyll agre

So if the elders vse enormyte

And before theyr children bost them of the same

The sone and doughter shall folowe syre and dame

The monkes thynke it lawfull for to play

Whan that the Abbot bryngeth them the dyce glo. in. c. fi. de con. dis. v.

Right so the Father / can nought or lytell say

Agaynst the sone / nor hym blame or chastyce

If he hym-selfe be taken in that same vyce

Thus lyues the Father in synne withouten shame

And after his deth the sone shall do the same

sig: [s1v]

ref.ed: 237

O wretchyd maners o tyme full of furour

And full of foly without all hope to stent

Howe longe shall god our lorde and sauyour

This synne suffer without greuous punysshement

Alas it nowe apereth euydent

That the fathers foly synne and great outrage

Is left to the sonne as it were herytage

And no meruayle / for it hath neuer ben seen

That of a wolfe a shepe hath be forth brought

Or that a calfe or lambe gendred hath been

Of a fell tygre: right so if it were sought

Ouer all the worlde. a Father that is nought

Sholde scant be founde / whiche coude brynge vp his childe

With his synne in no maner poynt defylyd

The yonge crab bacwarde doth crepe or go

As doth the olde / none can hir cours redres Esopus in apol.

These yonge children for the moste part also

Foloweth theyr fathers synne and his lewdnes

But they that lyue in maners of mekenes Ecclesi. vij.

In honest lyfe / goodnes grace and chastyte

May brynge forth children of maners as they be

I rede howe the Phylosopher Diogenes

Sayde by a childe whiche dronken was with wyne Diogenes.

That his Father was in that case doutles

Whan he it gate / so his hye wyt dyuyne

Knewe that the childes maners dyd inclyne

Vnto his Fathers / and so was it founde trewe

By them whiche well that childes fader knewe

ref.ed: 238

But though the Father and mother also be nought

Without dout this one thynge apereth playne

That the childe is suche as it is vp brought

And nat lyghtly chaungyd without great charge or payne

Therfore let euery man hym-selfe refrayne

Within his hous from all-thynge worthy blame Eccle. xxxvij.

Than shall his children and seruautes do the same Prouer. xxii.

¶The enuoy of Barklay.

¶Ye that haue children or other great housholde

Subdued to your seruyce / and your obedyence

Kepe vertuous lyfe / for that is worth great golde

And great example to youth to auoyde offence

But if ye boost you of synne and neglygence

In rybawde wordes / gyue credence to this clause

If the herers fall into inconuenyence

Your lewde example is the chefe grounde and cause

sig: s2

De voluptate corporali.

Simplicitate rudes / ... honesta sequatur.

sig: [s2v]

ref.ed: 239

¶Of bodely pleasour or corporall voluptuosyte

¶Wanton wastfull and vayne voluptuosyte

Oft blyndeth attysynge vnto inconuenyence

Many that ar rude / for theyr symplycyte

And them as shepe sleeth for all theyr innocence

But other some it kepyth with myght and violence

As bulles bounde sure to endure great care

And other as byrdes it tangleth in hir snare

ref.ed: 240

DRawe nere ye folys to you I crye and call Prouer. vij.

Whiche ar of grace clene destytute and bare

Folowynge your lust and pleasour corporall

But for your soule ye take no thought ne care

To whome may I this shamefull lust compare

Saue to a harlat faynynge / fals and couetous. Iuuenalis

Of whome comyth shame and bytes venemous

She syttyth in the strete as past both shame and fere

Hir brestes bare to tempt them that passe by Ecclesiastes. ix.

Hir face anoyntyd blasynge abrode hir here

Or els on hir folysshe front enlaced hye

Hir smocke to garnysshyd so hir dysceytfull iye

To shamfull lust a thousande doth attyce

Of youth whiche erst perchaunce knewe nought of vyce

sig: s3

Hir chamber full of flatery and disceyte Ezech. xvi.

Anone is opened the blynde fole entreth in

The hoke of deth is hyd vnder the bayte

Of folysshe lust pleasour and mortall syn

Hir soule she sellyth ryches therby to wyne

And what riches: a rewarde sothly full vyle

The soules damneth and bodyes doth defyle

The one departyth / another comys in agayne Michee. i.

Without all shame dare she them boldly pray Prouer. xvii.

To hir fals pleasours / Thus by hir gyle and trayne

This folysshe youth to hir wyll nat denay

But vnto hir some lepe both nyght and day Eccle. xix.

Without mesure / rennynge to lese theyr lyfe

As ox or shepe vnto the bochers knyfe

ref.ed: 241

The symple lambe his necke doth out extende

Vnto the Bocher his mortall ennemy

So doth these folys / sekynge a shamefull ende

And theyr owne deth / though they myght fynde remedy

O blynde fole I requyre the to aply

Vnto my wordes and thou shalt here and se.

Howe moche thou oughtest this folysshe lust to fle

The soule it damneth / and drowneth depe in hell

The wyt it wastyth / and confoundeth the mynde Hiere. xli.

It causeth man his londe and good to sell

And if that he none other mene can fynde

To rob and stele he oft-tyme is inclyned

Besyde all these this fowle lust is so vyle

That with fowle sauour it shall thy body fele

Thoughe of lewde lust the ioy be short and small

And thoughe the pleasour therof be soon ouer-past Prouer. v.

The payne that foloweth it / is eternall

With wofull dolour menglyd / that euer shall last

Therfore leue of: do nat thy pleasour cast Ecclesiastes. ij.

On worldly welth / delyte ioy and pleasour

For soon they pas and chaunge at euery hour Luce. viij.

Who that in this wretchyd worlde wyll auoyde Prouer. viij. et. xiij.

Of voluptuousnes the ioyes frayle and vayne

And suffre nat hym with them to be acloyde Ecclesi. i.

Infect or drownyd / shall for the same certayne

Euerlastynge lyfe / and endles ioy obtayne

And for his hye tryumphe and dyuyne prudence

Haue the fruycyon of goddes hye presence

sig: [s3v]

ref.ed: 242

But who that wyll his carnall lust ensue

Shall here haue shame / and after payne cruell

I coude hereof dyuers examples shewe

But of right many this one I shall you tell

One Sardanapalus all other dyd excell.

In carnall lust and so his mynde dyd cast Sardanapalus

On loue prohybyte / that grace was fro hym past Iusti. li. i.

The loue of vertue was full out of his mynde

So he concludyd to sue dilyciousnes

Thynkynge after deth no welth nor ioy to fynde

For this is the sentence of the prynce of derknes Michee. vi.

But [god] almyghty seynge his vycyousnes god] good 1509

His body and soule deuydyd soon in twayne

From wordly pleasour vnto infernall payne

By this hystory to vs it apereth playne

That from worldly pleasour and voluptuosyte

With all our myght we ought vs to refrayne

For thoughe the first of them delycious be

Theyr ende is poyson / and of sournes plente

Sue wyse men vertue / and set suche lust asyde

For they ar folys that in it lyue and byde

¶The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys.

¶Amende mad-men your blynde mysgouernaunce

Subdue nat your necke to the captyuyte

Of flysshely lust and corporall pleasaunce

Nor to blynde Venus with hir lasciuyte

(If ye it note) ye dayly here and se

The mysfortune of them that it ensue

And certaynly no man can saued be

By carnall lust / but by godly vertue

Archana esse recondenda.

Qui non in tacito ... fortissimus heros:

sig: [s4]

Non oculis ... seruare studebo.

ref.ed: 243

¶Of folys that can nat kepe secrete theyr owne counsell.

¶Of other Foles a nomber yet I fynde

Which by theyr bablynge wordes and langage

Can nat kepe close the secrete of theyr mynde.

But all theyr counsel out they shewe at large.

So that oft therof procedeth great damage.

As Murder / myschefe / hatered and debate.

That after they repent. But than it is to late.

sig: [s4v]

ref.ed: 244

HE is a naturall fole and vndiscrete

And to hym-selfe ingendryth oft great stryfe

Whiche can nat hyde his counsell and secrete

But by his foly it sheweth to his wyfe Seneca in moralibus.

And all that he hath done in his hole lyfe

Or that to do here-after he doth purpose Iob. xxviij. et. xviij.

To euery man suche a fole wyll disclose

The noble Sampson moste excellent of myght Eccle. xxix.

And strongest man that euer was get or borne Catho.

Were nat this foly: sholde nat haue lost his syght Iudicum. xiiij. et xvi.

Nor had his here / by gyle from his hede ofshorne

And of his ennemyes ben laughyd vnto scorne

And at the last with herte wrethfull and wo

His ennemyes murdred and hym-selfe also

Where-as he myght haue lyued in honour

If he had kept his secretes in his mynde

With his owne wyll he dyed in great dolour.

By the fals treason of his lemman vnkynde

We may in dyuers mo examples fynde

Howe many thousandes haue suffred paynes smart

And all for shewynge the secretes of theyr hart

sig: [s5]

Amphiaraus a Prynce moste excellent Stacius in theb.

Shortened the dayes of his pore doutfull lyfe

For shewynge the preuetees of his intent

By his owne foly to his disceytfull wyfe

And thoughe he longe escaped had the stryfe

And war of Thebes whiche he dyd longe defende

Yet at the leest his tunge was his owne ende

ref.ed: 245

Thus olde storyes doth oft recorde and tell

By theyr examples whiche they vnto vs gyue Ecclesiastes. x.

That wymen ar no kepars of councell

It goeth through them as water t[h]rough a syue through] trough 1509

Wherfore let them that quyetly wolde lyue

No more of theyr counsell to any woman showe Ecclesi. xix.

Than that they wolde that euery man dyd knowe

Let euery man that is discrete and sage

Of suche folys with all wysdome be ware

Whiche shewe theyr counsell by theyr hasty langage.

To euery man without all thought and care Prouer. xxi.

For they of wysdome and reason ar but bare

And who that his owne secrete wyll forth tell

Howe sholde he hyde another mannes counsell

Yet other be whiche by theyr flaterynge trayne

Labour to knowe euery mannys pryuete Horatius in epistolis.

And by and by to shewe it forth agayne

Of them be ware for they discey[t]full be. disceytfull] disceyfull 1509

Some other bost them of theyr felycyte

Bablynge that they haue theyr wyll in euery-thynge

As prosperous welth loue / ryches and cunnynge

And of great dedes done both on see and londe Prouer. xxviij

Some by theyr falshode / some by strength and vertue

But if one laboured the trouth to vnderstonde

Suche folysshe wordes sholde all be founde vntrewe

Let neuer man to suche his counsell shewe

For of one worde these folys makyth twayne

Whiche tourneth many to losse rebuke and payne

ref.ed: 246

Wherfore if thou wylt that thy pryuete Seneca.

Be kept secrete and nat come out at large

Be nat so folysshe to showe it vnto me

Or any other if it be thynge of charge

And if thou do thou shalt be in this barge

For howe wylt thou thynke that another man

Can kepe thy counsell syns thou thy-self ne can

sig: [s5v]

If the kynge Achab had nat vttred and tolde iij. regum. xxi.

Unto his wyfe his wyll and mynde so playne

By hir fals treason / and dysceyt manyfolde

Unrightwysly Nabot had nat ben slayne

But for the same / Achab suffred great payne

By deth in batayle / and for a punysshment

His wyfe with houndes was all to_torne and rent

Thus it apereth that he is wyse and ware Prouer. xxv.

Whiche can his counsell kepe within his hart

For by that mean may he escape great care

And suerly lyue without yll-wyllys dart

The Prophete seynge what dyuers paynes smart Esaie. xxiiij.

Comyth oft to them whiche doth theyr secret tell

Eche man exortyth to kepe close his counsell.

¶The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys.

¶Thou man that hast thy secret in thy brest

Holde it styll there suffer it nat out to go

Who that so doth / therby shall fynde great rest

Ne to thy frende shewe nat thy mynde also

For if that he after become thy fo

As often hapneth / than myght he the bewry

So sholde thy foly tourne vnto thy great wo

Howe-be-it suche thynges are prouyd comonly.

Vxorem ducere propter opes.

Diuitias propter ... aratra thori.

sig: [s6]

Iustitia et ... esse pecus.

ref.ed: 247

¶Of yonge folys that take olde wymen to theyr wyues / for theyr ryches.

¶Within our shyp that fole shall haue a hode

Whiche an olde wyfe taketh in maryage

Rather for hir ryches and hir worldly gode

Than for pure loue / or hope to haue lynage

But suche youth as mary them-selfe with age

The profyte and pleasour of wedlocke lese certayne

And worthely lyue in brawlynge stryfe and payne.

ref.ed: 248

UNder the Asse-tayle thoughe it be no-thynge pure Iuuenalis

Yet many seke and grope for the vyle fatnes i. ad corinth. vij.

Gatherynge togyther the fowle dunge and ordure Prouer. xix.

Suche ar they that for treasour and ryches

Whyle they ar yonge in theyr chefe lustynes

An agyd woman taketh to theyr wyfe

Lesynge theyr youth / and shortynge so theyr lyfe

They that so do hath neyther rest nor peas

But besy brawlynge and stryfe contynuall

They haue no pleasour / but thought and great dyseas

Rebuke out-braydynge / and strypes whan they fall Iuuenalis

But theyr owne foly is grounde and cause of all Prouer. xix.

For they be maryd unto the vyle treasour

And precious bagges / but nat for godly pleasour

sig: [s6v]

They haue no hope of children nor lynage Prouer. v. in fi.

Loue is there none / and durynge theyr wretchyd lyfe

Is nat one day in suche mad maryage

Auoyde of brawlynge / of hatered and of stryfe

But that pore man that weddeth a ryche wyfe

Cast in his nose shall styll hir bagges fynde Prouer. ix.

For whose cause he [mad] was made and blynde mad] made 1509

They that ar weddyd nat for loue but rychesse Eccle. xix.

Of m[a]ryage despysynge the pleasour and profyte maryage] moryage 1509

Suche seldome sauour fortunes happynes

But oft mysfortune them greuously doth byte

Thus gone is theyr pleasour theyr ioy and delyte

And for vayne treasoure suche ar so glad and fayne

That for the same they them subdue to payne

ref.ed: 249

They wyllyngly to payne them-selfe subdue

The whiche ar weddyd for wretchyd couetyse

They take no hede to maners and vertue

To honeste nor wysdome but lyue ay in malyce

For if a woman be fowle and full of vyce

And lewde of maners / nought both to man and lad

Yet good shall hir mary be she neuer so bad Iuuenalis

sig: t1

If that a man of hye or lowe degre Prouer. vij.

Wolde spouse his doughter vnto a strange man Ecclesi. x.

He nought inquyreth of his honestye

Of his behauour / nor if he norture can

But if he be ryche in londes and good: than

He shall be prayed his doughter for to haue

Thoughe [he] be but a bonde-man or a knaue he] 1509 omits

The firste enquyrynge and speciall questyon Iuuenalis

Is of the money / that thynge namely they moue

And last of all aske they the condicion

So whan they mete they neuer haue perfyte loue

Wherfore it were better to suche for theyr behoue Prouer. xxi.

To byde alone in deserte and wyldernes

Than in wedloke in payne for frayle ryches

Forsoth it is an vnmete maryage

And disagreynge and moche agaynst the lawe

Bytwene fresshe youth / and lame vnlusty age

The loue bytwene them is scantly worth a strawe

So doth the one styll on the other gnawe

And oft the man in mynde doth sore complayne.

His sede to sowe vpon a grounde barayne

ref.ed: 250

Than muste he haue another prymme or twayne

With them to slake his wanton yonge cowrage Prouer. xxv.

But in that space must he endure great payne Eccle. xxv.

With hir that he hath tane in maryage

Hir bablynge tunge whiche no man can asswage

With wrathfull wordes shall sle hym at the laste

His other prymes his good shall spende and waste

Thus who that selleth his youthes lustynes

For frayle ryches and this mundayne vanyte

He byeth stryfe / gyle and falshode endlesse

Suche force nat for fayth true loue nor honestye

And thoughe that he discende of hye degre

For hope of money he shall an olde fole wed

By whose foly he to euery yll is led.

And so these folys subdue them to bondage Ecclesiastes. xii.

And worthely endure suche payne and punysshement

They hope therby to come to auantage

But that they lese and lyue in sore tourment

They wast theyr good / and so whan that is spent

And nought remayneth theyr bodyes to relefe

Theyr disputacion is nought but hore and thefe

sig: [t1v]

But if I sholde wryte all the vnhappynes

The wrath discorde and the great deuysyon

Wherin they lyue / that mary for ryches

And nat for loue. I neuer sholde haue done

Wherfore this say I for a conclusyon

That he shall neuer thryue ne come to his behoue

That weddyth a wyfe for gode and nat for loue

ref.ed: 251

¶The enuoy of Barklay.

¶Alas man myndles what is thyne intent

To wed for ryches / that weddynge I defy

Maryage was ordeyned by god omnypotent

In goddes lawes the worlde to multyply

Wherfore that man that wyll therto aply

And wolde haue the profyte of faythfull maryage

This worldly ryches ought no-thynge to set by

But wed for loue and hope to haue lynage

¶Remember ryches is no-thynge comparable

To mekenes vertue and discrete gouernaunce

And other maners whiche ar more commendable

Than worldly treasour or suche vnsure substaunce

Wherfore consyder and call to thy remembraunce

That better is to haue some woman pore and bare

And lyue in eas: Than one with habundaunce

Of great ryches: and euer to lyue in care

De liuore et inuidia.

Inuidię telum ... mordere: quietem

sig: t2

Nullam agitat ... sapiensque bonusque.

ref.ed: 252

¶Of enuyous Folys.

sig: [t2v]

¶Yet ar mo folys whiche greatly them delyte

In others losse / and that by fals enuy

Wherby they suche vnrightwysly bacbyte

The dartis of suche ouer all the wordly flye

And euer in fleynge theyr fethers multyply

No state in erth therfro can kepe hym sure

His sede encreasyth as it wolde euer endure

ref.ed: 253

WAstynge enuy oft styreth to malyce Eccle. xiiij.

Folys nat a fewe whiche ar therto enclynyd Horatius in epistolis.

Pryckynge theyr frowarde hertes vnto vyce xlvi. dis. clericus

Of others damage reioysynge in theyr mynde

Enuyes darte doth his begynnynge fynde

In wrathfull hertes / it wastyth his owne nest

Nat suffrynge other to lyue in eas and rest

If one haue plenty of treasour and ryches Salustius.

Or by his merytis obteyne great dignyte Prouer. xxviij.

These folys enuyous that of the same haue les Cicero.

Enuy by malyce / the others hye degre Eccle. xiiij.

And if another of honour haue plente

They it enuy and wysshe that they myght sterue

Howe-be-it suche folys can nat the same deserue

These folys desyre agaynst both lawe and right

Anot[h]ers good if they may get the same Anothers] Anoters 1509 Ouidius. i. meth. Ouidius. i. meth.

If they may nat by flaterynge nor by myght

Than by fals malyce they hym enuy and blame

Outher if one by his vertue hath good name Prouer. xxiij.

By fals enuy these foles hym reproue

Their wrath them blyndeth so that they none can loue

The wounde of this malycious / fals enuy

So dedely is / and of so great cruelte

That it is incurable and voyde of remedy

A man enuyous hath suche a properte

That if he purpose of one vengyd to be

Or do some mysche[f] / whiche he reputyth best myschef] mysche 1509

Tyll it be done / he neuer hath eas nor rest

ref.ed: 254

No slepe / no rest nor pleasour can they fynde

To them so swete / pleasaunt and delectable

That may expell this malyce from theyr mynde

So is enuy a vyce abhomynable

And vnto helth so frowarde and damnable

That if it onys be rotyd in a man

It maketh hym lene. his colour pale and wan

sig: t3

Enuy is pale of loke and countenaunce Descripcio inuidie ex ouidio.

His body lene of colour pale and blewe

His loke frowarde / his face without pleasaunce

Pyllynge lyke scalys / his wordes ay vntrue

His iyen sparklynge with fyre ay fresshe and newe

It neuer lokyth on man with iyen full

But euer his herte by furious wrath is dull

Thou mayst example fynde of this enuy Ioseph geneseos. xxxvij.

By Ioseph whome his bretherne dyd neuer beholde

With louynge loke / but sharpe and cruelly

So that they hym haue murdred gladly wolde

I myght recount examples manyfolde

Howe many by enuy lost hath theyr degre

But that I leue bycause of breuyte

Enuyous folys ar stuffed with yll-wyll

In them no myrth nor solace can be founde Eccle. lxviij.

They neuer laughe but if it be for yll

As for gode lost or whan some shyp is drounde

Or whan some hous is brent vnto the grounde

But whyle these folys on other byte and gnawe

Theyr enuy wastyth theyr owne herte and theyr mawe

ref.ed: 255

The mount of Ethnay though it brent euer styll

Yet (saue itselfe) it brenneth none other thynge Alanus.

So these enuyous Folys by theyr yll-wyll

Wast theyr owne herte / thoughe they be ay musynge

Another man to shame and losse or hurt to brynge

Upon them-sellfe Thus tournyth this yll agayne

To theyr destruccion both shame great losse and payne

This fals enuy by his malycious yre

Doth often / bretherne so cursedly inflame

That by the same the one of them conspyre Lucanus.

Agaynst the other without all fere and shame

As Romulus and Remus excellent of fame

Whiche byldyd Rome / but after: enuy so grewe

Bytwene them that the one the other slewe

What shall I wryte of Cayme and of Abell

Howe Cayme for murder suffred great payne and wo

Atreus story and Theseus cruell.

Ar vnto vs example hereof also

Ethyocles with his brother: and many mo

Lyke as the storyes declareth openly

The one the other murdred by enuy

sig: [t3v]

¶The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys.

Wherfore let hym that is discrete and wyse

This wrathfull vyce exyle out of his mynde

And yll on none by malyce to surmyse

Let charyte in perfyte loue the bynde

Sue hir preceptis than shalt thou confort fynde

Loue in this lyfe / and ioy whan thou art past

Where-as enuy thy conscyence shall blynde

And both thy blode and body mar and wast thy] they 1509

De impacientia correctionis

Tibia cum fatuo / ... nocumenta ministrant.

sig: [t4]

Est sapiens ... ab annis.

ref.ed: 256

¶Of impacient Folys that wyll nat abyde correccion.

¶Unto our Folys shyp let hym come hastely

Whiche in his Bagpype hath more game and sport

Than in a Harpe or Lute more swete of melody

I fynde vnnumerable Folys of this sort

Whiche in theyr Bable haue all they hole confort

For it is oft sayd of men both yonge and olde

A fole wyll nat gyue his Babyll for any golde

ref.ed: 257

THe grettest synners that man may se or fynde Prouer. xxiij.

In myserable Folys theyr foly to expres Ecclesi. xxii.

Is whan they wyll by no mean gyue theyr mynde

To frendly wordes / to grace or to goodnes

Suche folys so set theyr mynde on frowardnes

That though one gyue them counsell sad and wyse

They it disdayne and vtterly dispyse

sig: [t4v]

But he that is discrete sad and prudent Prouer. ij. et. xviij.

Aplyeth his mynde right gladly to doctryne

He hereth wyse men / his wysdome to augment

He them doth folowe and to theyr wordes enclyne

But that fole whiche ay goeth to ruyne.

And mortall myschefe had leuer be dede or slayne

Than byde correccyon or for his profyte payne

Suche haue suche pleasour in theyr mad folysshe pype Prouer. x.

That they dispyse all other melody. Ecclesi. xv.

They leuer wolde dye folys than: byde a strype

For theyr correccyon and specyall remedy

And without dout none other Armony Prouer. xxiiij. et. xxvi.

To suche folys is halfe so delectable

As is their folysshe bagpype and theyr babyll

These frantyke folys wyll byde no punysshement

Nor smale correccion / for theyr synne and offence

No frendly warnynge can chaunge theyr yll intent

For to abyde it / they haue no pacyence.

They here no wysdome but fle from hir presence

And so it hapnyth that in the worlde be

Mo folys than men of wyt and grauyte

ref.ed: 258

O mortall fole remember well what thou art Sapien. vij. x. et. xv.

Thou art a man of erth made and of clay

Thy dayes ar short and nede thou must depart Ad Roma. vi.

Out of this lyfe / that canst thou nat denay

Yet hast thou reason and wyt wherby thou may Ecclesi. xxv.

Thy-selfe here gyde by wysdome ferme and stable Psal. c.xviij.

Wherby thou passest all bestis vnresonable

Thou art made lorde of euery creature

All-thynge erthly vnto thyne obedyence

God hath the creat vnto his owne fygure

Lo is nat here a great preemynence

God hath also gyuyn vnto the intellygence

And reason and wyt all foly to refuse.

Than art thou a fole that reason to abuse

He that is fre outher in subieccion.

If by his foly he fall into offence

And than submyt hym vnto correccyon.

All men shall laude his great obedyence

But if that one by pryde and insolence

Supporte his faute and so bere out his vyce

The hell tourmentis hym after shall chastyce

sig: [t5]

Correccyon shall the vnto wysdome brynge

Whiche is more precious than all erthly ryches

Than londes rentis or any other thynge

Why dost thou bost the of byrth or noblenes

Of ryches / strength beauty or fayrnes

These often ar cause of inconuenyence. Eccle. iii. et xvij

Where-as all good comyth by wysdome and prudence

ref.ed: 259

A wyse man onely as we often fynde Tullius in para.

Is to be named moste ryche and of most myght

Here thou his wordes and plant them in thy mynde Eccle. vij.

And folowe the same for they ar sure and right.

Better is to endure / thoughe it be nat lyght

To s[u]ffer a wyse man the sharply to repreue

Than a flaterynge fole to clawe the by the sleue

Thoughe sharpe correccyon at the first the greue Iob. ij.

Thou shalt the ende therof fynde profytable Iob. xxviij.

It oft apereth / therfore I it byleue Psal. xviij.

That man also forsoth is fortunable prouer. i. et. viij.

Whiche here in fere lyueth sure and stable Math. xi. et. xxiij.

And in this lyfe is clene of his intent

Ferynge the sharpe payne of hellys punysshement

He may hym-selfe right happy call also

Whiche is correct in his first tender age

And so lernyth in [godes] law to go godes] goodes 1509

And in his yocke / whiche doth all yll asswage

But these folys bydynge in theyr outrage

Whiche of correccyon in this lyfe hath dysdayne

May fere to be correct in hell with endles payne

¶The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys.

¶Ye obstynate folys that often fall in vyce

Howe longe shall ye kepe this frowarde ignoraunce

Submyt your myndes / and so from synne aryse

Let mekenes slake your mad mysgouernaunce

Remembre that worldly payne is greuaunce

To be compared to hell whiche hath no pere

There is styll payne / this is a short penaunce

Wherfore correct thy-selfe whyle thou art here.

De fatuis medicis et empericis.

sig: [t5v]

Artem qui ... fatuusque simul.

sig: [t6]

ref.ed: 260

¶Of folysshe Fesycyans and vnlerned that onely folowe practyke

practyke] paractyke 1509

knowynge nought of the speculacyon of theyr faculte.

¶Who that assayeth the craft of medycyne

Agaynst the seke and paynfull pacyent

And hath no insyght cunnynge nor doctryne

To gyue the seke / helth and amendement

Suche is a fole / and of a mad intent

To take on hym by Phesyke any cure

Nat knowynge of man / nor herbe the right nature

ref.ed: 261

YEt be mo folys vpon the grounde and londe 'Y' of 'YEt' is guide letter in space set for large capital

Whiche in our Shyp may clayme a rowme and place

Suche be Phesycians that no-thynge vnderstonde Domine. etc. I[u]sti. de. le. ac. qui imperitia. ff. de re ra. imperitia. xxix. dis. c. fi.

Wandrynge about in euery towne and place

Uysytynge the seke whiche lyue in heuy case

But nought they relefe of those paynes harde

But gape alway after some great rewarde

Suche that haue practyse and nought of speculatyfe

Whan they go vysyte some paynfull pacyent

Whan they hym note sure to forgo his lyfe

Without all hope of any amendement

sig: [t6v]

Yet say they other than is in theyr intent

That his diseas is no-thynge incurable

So that the pacyent to hym be agreable

Sayth the Phesycyan whan he hath his rewarde Seneca de clemen ad nero.

Abyde a whyle tyll I my bokes ouer-se

Wherby I may relyue thy paynes harde Eccle. x. et. xliiij.

Than from the pacyent homewarde departyth he

To se his bokes but if the pacyent dye Prouer. vi.

In that meane space the medycyne is to late

So may he lay it to his owne folysshe pate

The speculacion sholde he before haue sene

For that in Phesyke is chefe and pryncypall /

Yet many ar that vse the craft I wene Eccle. xxxviii.

Whiche of the cunnynge knowe lytell or nought at all Io. an de sen. ex. c. i. li. vi.

A herbe or wede that groweth vpon a wall

Beryth in it these folys medycyne.

None other bokes haue they nor doctryne

ref.ed: 262

Nor none they rede to haue the true scyence

Or perfyte knowlege and grounde of medycyne

They rede no volumes of the experyence

Of Podalirius nor Mesues doctryne

Suche folys disdayne theyr myndes to enclyne

Unto the doctryne of bokes of Auycen

Of ypocras and parfyte galyen

But all the substance of theyr blynde faculte Sapien. xij.

They take in bokes that speke of herbes only

Without respect had to theyr properte

Or operacion so often they them aply

To fals doctrynes / but first and specyally

These olde wyues therwith wyll haue to do

Thoughe they nought knowe that doth belonge therto

They dare be bolde to take on them the cure

Of them diseasyd howe-be-it that they nat can

Suche thynge discerne as longyth to nature

What is for woman good / and what for man

So oft they ende moche wors than they began

That the pore pacyent is so brought to his graue

Yet dyuers suters suche folysshe wytches haue

Suche wytches boldly dare afferme and say glo. in. c. fi. xxix. dis.

That with one herbe they hele can euery sore

Under euery syne plenete / houre and day

sig: v1

Yet besyde this they boldly dare say more

That it that helyth a man aged and hore

Shall helpe also a woman or a childe

Thus many thousandes oft ar by them begyled

ref.ed: 263

They say also in this our charge or cure Seneca.

What nedes it note the synes or fyrmament

The cause of thynges / or the strength of nature

Whether that the seke be stronge or impotent

They gyue one medesyn to euery pacyent

And if it fortune it be to colde or warme

The faythles wytche in hande goth with hir scharme scharme=charm

Say folysshe Surgyan by what experyence

Or whose Doctryne discyplyne or lore

Takest thou on the / nought knowynge of scyence Sapien. i.

With one Salue or plaster / to heale euery sore

Yet so thou thynkest / I the compare therfore

Unto a lawyer that of his craft nought can

And yet presumeth to counsell euery man

A lawer and a Phesician ar both lyke

Of theyr condicion and both insue one trayne Addicio alexandri_barklay.

The one begylyth the pacyent and seke

Takynge his god for to encreas his payne

The other labours and cauteles oft doth fayne

To clawe the coyne by craft from his clyent

Castynge hym of whan all his good is spent

Thus thryues the lawer by anothers good

Iniustly gotten / disceyuynge his clyent

Also some other ar callyd Phesicians good

Whiche vtterly disceyue the pacyent

If he haue money than hath he his intent

And if the seke haue store ynough to pay

Than shall the cure be dryuen from day to day

ref.ed: 264

So if the lawer may any auauntage wyn

He shall the cause from terme to terme defarre

The playntyf for a player is holde in.

With the defendaunt kepynge open warre

So laweyers and Phesicians thousandes do marre

And whan they no more can of theyr suers haue

The playntyf beggyth / the seke is borne to graue

But of these lawyers bycause I spoke before

100

Of folysshe Phesicians here onely I intende.

sig: [v1v]

Somwhat to say: And of lawers no more

On you Phesicians shall I conclude and ende

I say no man may hym so well defende

That he for murder may auoyde punysshement

105

Yet may Phesicians / sleynge the pacient

Thus thou that of Phesycian hast the name

If thou nought knowe of perfyte medycyne

It is forsoth to thy rebuke and shame

To boste the scyence: nat hauynge the doctryne

110

Therfore I counsell that thou thy mynde inclyne

To haue the cunnynge / els certaynly thou shall

Haue thy blynde craft and lyue a fole with all.

¶The enuoy of the tra[n]slatour.

translatour] traslatour 1509

¶Thou blynde Phesician that of thy craft nought can

Leue of thy lewdnes and bolde audacyte

To take on the: the cure of chylde or man

For by thy foly the wors myght they be

And ye that suerly perceyue your faculte

Be true therin / and auaryce from you cast

Shame is to brynge a man to pouertye

And than in paynes to leue hym at the last

De secularis potentię exitu.

Non fuit in terris ... castra / virosque:

sig: v2

Atque rates ... vnus erit.

ref.ed: 265

¶Of the ende of worldly honour and power and of Folys that trust therin.

sig: [v2v]

¶On erth was neuer degre so excellent

Nor man so myghty: in ryches nor scyence

But at the ende all hath ben gone and spent

Agaynst the same no man can make defence

Deth all-thynge drawyth / ferefull is his presence /

It is last ende of euery-thynge mundayne

Thus mannys fortune of cours is vncertayne

ref.ed: 266

O Creatures of myndes mad and blynde Iob. xv.

I wonder of your hertis proude and eleuate Eccle. ix. et. xxix.

Whiche on vayne power set so sore your mynde Iuuenalis in satyra omnibus in terris.

And trust so moche to your vnsure estate

As of your lyfe were neyther yere nor date

To worldly worshyp ye stedfast[l]y intende stedfastly] stedfasty 1509 Ecclesiastes. xi. Ecclesiastes. xi.

As if your lyfe sholde neuer-more come to ende

Alway ye labour to come to dignyte

And oft by falshode your power to augment

Alas fewe ar content with theyr degre

But by extorcion spoyle the pore innocent

On worldly treasour so set is theyr intent

And styll to honour as besely to ascende

As if theyr lyfe sholde neuer-more come to ende

Take thou example by Iulius cesar Cesar Iulius.

That of the worlde durynge a whyle was sure

And many kynges subduyd by myght of warre

And of the Empyre had lordshyp charge cure

But this his myght great space dyd nat endure

And whyle he trustyd yet hyer to ascende

By cruell deth he soon came to his ende

Right in lyke wyse the myghty Darius

Was kynge of Persy a realme moche excellent Darius rex persarum. i. mach. i.

Yet was his mynde so greatly co[u]etus

That with the same helde he hym nat content

But warred on other Royalmes adiacent

So whan his myght coude nat therto extende

His owne Royalme he loste and so came to his ende

ref.ed: 267

And also Xerxes in ryches abundant Xerxes de quo Iuuenalis et Herodotus lv.

Was longe in peas and great tranquyllyte

And in his Royalme was hye and tryumphant

As longe as he was content with his degre

Than had he pleasour and great felycyte.

To assay by warre his kyngdome to amende

But all he lost and so came to his ende

sig: v3

Whyle Nabugodonosor kynge of Babylone Nabuchodonosor daniel . iij.

In vnsure fortune set to great confydence

Commaundynge honour vnto hym to be done

As vnto god: with all humble reuerence

God by his power and hye magnyfycence

Made hym a beste / for that he dyd offende

And so in proces of tyme came to his ende

Alexander the great and myghty conquerour Alexander_magnus Iuuenalis.

To whome all the worlde scantly myght suffyse

Of Grece was the origynall lorde and Emperour

And all the w[or]lde subdued as I surmyse worlde] wrolde 1509

Yet hath he done as is the comon gyse

Left all behynde / for nought coude hym defende

But as a symple man at the last came to his ende

The myghty Cresus with his kyngdomes and store Cresus herodotus. li. i.

Of golde and ryches hym-selfe coude nat content

But whyle he trustyd and laboured for more

Fortune hym fayled: So lost he his intent. Cyrus Herodotus et Iustinus li. i.

What shall I wryte of Cyrus excellent

Drynkynge his blode by deth whiche fortune sende

Lo here-of states the comon deth and ende

ref.ed: 268

All kyngdomes dekay and all estate mundayne

Example of Rome Cartago and Mycene Ecclesi x.

Of Solyme Tyre grace and Troy moste souerayne

None of these places ar nowe as they haue ben Ecclesi. xlix.

Nor none other ouer the worlde as I wene Iob. ij.

Thus shortly to speke and all to comprehende Apoca. xviij.

All worldly thynges at last shall haue an ende. Sapientie. vij.

¶The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys.

¶O man that hast thy trust and confydence

Fyxed on these frayle fantasyes mundayne

Remember at the ende there is no difference

Bytwene that man that lyued hath in payne

And hym that hath in welth and ioy souerayne

They both must dye their payne is of one sort

Both ryche and pore / no man can deth refrayne

For dethes dart expellyth all confort

¶Say where is Adam the fyrst progenytour Geneseos. v.

Of all mankynde is he nat dede and gone Hec prima mundi etas est

And where is Abell of innocence the flour

With adamys other sonnes euerychone

A: dredfull deth of them hath left nat one

Where is Mathusalem / and Tuball that was playne Gene. v.

sig: [v3v]

The first that played on Harpe or on Orgone Gene. v. longeuissimus mortalium.

Ilz sont tous mortz ce monde est choce vayne

¶Where is iust Noy and his ofsprynge become Secunda etas.

Where is Abraham and all his progeny

As Isaac and Iacob / no strength nor wysdome Tercia etas.

Coude them ensure to lyue contynually

ref.ed: 269

Where is kynge Dauyd whome god dyd magnyfy

And Salomon his son of wysdome souerayne Quarta etas.

Where ar his sonnes of wysdome and beauty

Ilz sont toutz mortz ce monde est choce vayne.

¶Where ar the prynces and kynges of Babylon Quinta etas.

And also of Iude and kynges of Israell

Where is the myghty and valiant Sampson

He had no place in this lyfe ay to dwell

Where ar the Prynces myghty and cruell

That rayned before Christ delyuered vs from payne Sexta etas.

And from the Dongeons of darke and ferefull hell

Ilz sont toutz mortz ce monde est choce vayne.

¶Of worldly wors[h]yp no man can hym assure worshyp] worsyp 1509Septima etas mundi a christo vsque ad seculi finem.Septima etas mundi a christo vsque ad seculi finem.

In this our age whiche is the last of all

No creature can here alway endure

Yonge nor olde / pore man nor kynge royall

Unstable fortune tourneth as doth a ball

And they that ones pas can nat retourne agayne

Wherfore I boldly dare speke in generall

We all shall dye: ce monde est choce vayne.

¶Ryches nor wysdome can none therfro defende

Ne in his strenght no man can hym assure

Say where is Tully is he nat come to ende

Seneke the sage with Cato and Arture

The hye Arystotyll of godly wyt and pure

The glorious Godfray / and myghty Charlemayne

Thoughe of theyr lyfe they thought that they were sure

Yet ar they all dede: ce monde est choce vayne.

ref.ed: 270

¶Where ar the Phylosophers and Poetis lawreat

The great Grammaryens and pleasant oratours.

Ar they nat dede after the same fourme and rate

As ar all these other myghty conquerours

Where ar theyr Royalmes theyr ryches and treasours

Left to theyr heyres: and they be gone certayne

And here haue left theyr riches and honours

So haue they proued that this worlde is but vayne.

sig: [v4]

¶So I conclude bycause of breuyte

That if one sought the worlde large and wyde

Therin sholde be founde no maner of dere

That can alway in one case suerly byde

Strength / honour / riches cunnynge and beautye

All these decay / dayly: thoughe we complayne

Omnia fert etas / both helth and iolyte

We all shall dye: ce monde est choce vayne.

De prędestinatione.

Qui precium ... regna parauit.

sig: [v4v]

Non vult ... cuncta parauit

ref.ed: 271

¶Of predestynacion.

¶That man that lokyth for to haue a rewarde

Whiche he hath nat deseruyd to obtayne

And lenyth his body vpon a rede forwarde

Whiche for waykenes may hym nat well sustayne

Forsoth this fole may longe so loke in vayne

And on the Crauys he styll shall bacwarde ryde

Cryenge with the doue / whose flyght shall hym ay gyde

ref.ed: 272

IT is vnlawfull / man to be dilygent Ad ephe. i.

Or serchynge goddes workes to set his thought

Howe he hath made the heuen and fyrmament De pen. dis. iiij. c. benedictus. ij. Ad thimo. ij.

The erth the see and euery-thynge of nought

Yet of some Folys the cause hereof is sought

Whiche labour also with curyosyte

To knowe the begynnynge of his dyuynyte

sig: [v5]

These folys forgettynge their owne fragilyte

Wolde loke to knowe the ende of euery-thynge

Boldly disputynge in goddys pryuete

And what rewarde is ordeynyd for men lyuynge

Of many folys this is the moste musynge

Whiche labour dayly with besy cure and payne.

To knowe what god doth discerne and ordayne and] and or 1509

Therfore in this part I shall dispyse and blame Ad romanos. j.

Unchrafty folys whiche scantly haue ouer-sene Prouer. xxvi.

Ought of scripture / if they knowe the bokes name

Or els a whyle hath at the Scoles bene

Than bende they the browys and stedfastly they wene

In theyr conceyt that they ar passynge wyse

For all scripture newe commentis to deuyse

They frowardly the sentence do transpose Hieronimus in prologo biblie.

And that whiche is wryten / both playne and holely

By theyr corruptynge and vnlawfull glose

Oft-tyme they brynge to damnable heresy

Falsly expoundynge after theyr fantasy

They labour to transpose and turne the right sence

Thoughe the wordes stryue and make great resystence

ref.ed: 273

Here what these folys with theyr audacyte

Dare besely say by theyr fals errour blynde

Presumynge on goddes secrete and pryuete

Here what lewde wordes they cast out in the wynde

They say what man can chaunge or turne his mynde

To lyue after any other fourme and rate

But lyke as he is therto predestynate

They say: if god that rayneth ouerall

Hath any ordeyned that in this worlde is

To come to the place and rowme celestyall Grego. in dio. xxiij. q. iiij obtineri.

For to be partyner of euerlastynge blys

Ordeyned for suche as here doth nat amys

No man can chaunge / nor other thynge mundayne

That thynge whiche god by his myght doth ordayne

But if that god prefyxed hath before

Any creature vnto infernall payne

In derknes to be damnyd for euer-more Iohannis. vi.

No erthely thynge may that sentence call agayne

Nor hym delyuer: o fole thou mayst complayne

For this thy foly and also it repent

Thynkest thou nat god alway omnypotent

sig: [v5v]

Is god nat rightwyse and grounde of all iustyce xxiiij. q. iiij. Nabuchodonosor.

Rewardynge man after his gouernaunce

He that hath here nat lyen in synne and vyce

Hauynge in goddys seruyce his pleasaunce

Shall of his lorde be had in remembraunce Sapientie. x.

And of rewarde worthely be sure

Where it is worthy that synners payne endure Hieremie. li.

ref.ed: 274

Trust well who seruyth his maker stedfastly Prouer. xxiiij.

With pure herte kepynge sure his commaundement Ecclesi. xij.

And lawes shall be rewardyd fynally

With heuenly ioy and scape all punysshement

Therfore thou fole leue of this lewde intent Math. xvi.

Lyue vertuously and trust in goddes grace ad romanos. ij.

Than yll desteny in the shall haue no place

Unto great ioy god hath vs all create

And to vs all ordeyned his kyngdome Apoca. xxij.

And none hath vnto Hell predestynate

But often whan we folowe nat wysdome

By our owne foly we fall / and so become

Unto our maker vnkynde: and hym deny

Whiche them rewardyth that here lyue vertuously

Therfore thou Fole desyst thy wordes vayne

And let thy tunge no more suche wordes say

For god hath vs made all of one stuf certayne

As one potter makyth of one clay.

Vessels dyuers / but whan he must them lay

Vpon the kyll with fyre them there to dry kyll=kiln

They come nat all to good / moste comonly

Doth this erthyn pot his maker dispyse Esaie. xlv.

Whether it be made of fassyon good or yll Ad romanos. x.

Saynge why dost thou make me in this wyse

Wherfore mad-man I reade the to be styll

Blame nat thy maker / for thy vnhappy wyll

For god hath neuer man nor childe create

But all he hath to heuen predestynate

ref.ed: 275

And whyle we lyue here on this wretchyd grounde

We haue our reason and wyttes vs to gyde

With our fre-wyll and if no faute be founde

In our demenour / in heuen we shall abyde

But if we goddes lawes set asyde

Howe may we hope of hym rewarde to wyn

So our owne foly is moste cause of our syn.

¶The enuoy of Barclay.

sig: [v6]

O creature vnkynde vnto thy creatour

What carest thou to knowe or to inuestygate

The pryuetye / of god / leue this thy errour

To thynke the by hym to be predestynate

To endles wo and from his blysse pryuate

For syns thou hast thy reason and frewyll

Gyuyn the by god / thou art in suche estate

To take the eleccion outher of good or yll

De obliuione sui ipsius.

Qui volet ... voluere causas:

sig: [v6v]

Quid ve alios ... cura sodalis.

ref.ed: 276

¶Of folys that forget them-selfe and do other mannys besynes leuynge theyr owne vndone.

¶Who that wyll suffer his owne hous to bren

Tyll nought of it saue the bare wallys stonde

And with his water hastely doth ren

To quenche the fyre of anothers hous or londe

He is a fole and haue shall in his hande

A folysshe Pype or horne therwith to blowe

For other folys that in my Shyp wyll rowe.

ref.ed: 277

WIthin my Shyp of rowme he shall be sure 'W' of 'WIthin' is guide letter in space set for large capitalIn. l. culpa est. ff. de re i[u]. et. in. c. non est sine culpa. de reg. iu. li. vi. In. l. culpa est. ff. de re i[u]. et. in. c. non est sine culpa. de reg. iu. li. vi.

Whiche for anothers auantage and profyte

Takyth great thought and doth moche payne endure

Vnto his owne charge takynge no respyte

But setty[t]h it asyde and hath all his delyte settyth] settyh 1509

sig: x1

With all his stody hym to enforce and dres:

To care for euery mannys / besynes.

Suche hertles folys to them-self neglygent

In theyr owne charge slepe contynually Ecclesi. xxx.

But with open iyen they ar full dylygent

The worke of other with all theyr myght to aply

And for others profyte prouyde they besely.

But whyle these Folys ar glad to take in hande

Anothers charge / theyr owne styll let they stande

Wherfore I am so bolde within my boke

Somwhat to touche these folys mad vsage

That if it fortune them on the same to loke

They may therby perceyue in theyr corage

That labour they ought for their owne auauntage

Most specyally. for that is the degre

And the true order of perfyte charite

For perfyte loue and also charite

Begynneth with hym-selfe for to be charitable De pe. dis. scda qui vult.

And than to other after his degre

Thy owne auauntage is ay moost profytable

The great Phylosophers of maners ferme and stable

And also of wysdome godly and dyuyne

Hath left to vs suche techynge and doctryne

ref.ed: 278

We haue by Therence the same commaundement

The same is wryten also as I fynde Therencius Heautontimorumenos

In the holy lawe of the olde testament

And therfore he that oft wyll set his mynde

For others maters with care his thought to blynde l. presens. c. ser et aqua.

Let hym first se vnto his owne profyte

Lyst some mysfortune hym after sharply byte

Let hym turne his labour to his owne auauntage

And than do for other where-as he seeth moste nede Cicero in epistolis:

For who that playeth for mony outher gage

And on his felawes cast takyth onely hede

And nat to his owne / suche one shall seldom spede xxiij. q. si placet

And is a Fole. So is he that doth ren Prouer. ix. et. xxxi.

To quenche another hous / suffrynge his owne to bren

Suche one of his owne damage hath no fere

And worthy is his losse and hurte to byde

So is he that wyll anothers burthen bere

Or takyth anothers charge at any tyde

sig: [x1v]

Despysynge his owne werke and settynge it asyde

If suche haue losse and after it forthynke

No man shall moche force whether he flete or synke

He is well worthy to haue a folys pype

That goth vnbyddyn to rype anothers corne

And suffreth his owne to stande though it be rype.

And generally all Folys ar worthy scorne

Of what maner byrth so euer they be borne xix. q. ij. due.

If they them-self put / to losse or damage xiiij. dis quod ait.

Therby to do some other auauntage

ref.ed: 279

Say curyous Fole: say what pleasour thou hast prouer. v. et. xxvj

In others maters thy-self to intermyt

Or theyr great charges thus in thy mynde to cast

Thy-selfe to socour set thou thy mynde and wyt

Let others maters therfore in quyete syt

On thy owne profyte of all firste set thy mynde

And than (if thou mayst) do somwhat for thy frende

For vtterly that man is moche vnwyse

That thus takyth thought for anothers charge Prouer. xx.

And doth his owne by neglygence despyse

For suche Folys I forgyd haue this barge

But of the same suche men I clene discharge

That first of his pryuate profyte can take hede

And than helpe a frende and felowe at a nede iiij. regum. xx.

¶Th'enuoy of Barklay.

¶Ye that take charge / thought and besy cure

For others mysfortune / losse or aduersyte

First of your-self I aduyse you to be sure

For this is the order of parfyte charyte

Eche to hym-selfe moste louynge ay to be

And next to his frende / but who that doth dispyse.

His owne besynes whiche is in ieopardye

Seynge to anothers forsoth he is vnwyse

De vitio ingratitudinis.

Qui sibi vult ... ipse vices:

sig: x2

Qui sibi vult ... ille suam.

ref.ed: 280

¶Of the vyce of vnkyndnes and Folys that it folowe.

¶That Fole can neyther gode nor honeste

Whiche whan one doth to hym a frendly dede

It gladly takyth / thoughe it be two or thre

Lokynge for kyndnes / yet takyth he no hede

To shewe the same agayne in tyme of nede

Let suche Folys be no-thyng wroth therfore

Thoughe in this shyp I set them to an ore.

sig: [x2v]

ref.ed: 281

HE is a Fole that crauynge is alway

Takynge the seruyce and rewardes of his frende

And nat remembryth the same agayne to pay C de li. l. i. et. ij.

But as a churle it castyth out of his mynde xii. q. ij. octa.

For who that wolde haue one to hym be kynde Tullius in officijs.

And lyberall / he ought the same to be

For kyndnes meyntayneth bothe loue and charyte

He that wyll charge another with cures harde Ad collo. iij.

And great labours greuous to sustayne Leuiti. xix.

Ought for his labour hym worthely rewarde Tobie. iiij.

That the rewarde may be confort to his payne Eccle. xxxiiij.

It is disworshyp and also shame certayne

To take the labour of any ryche or pore

And nat iustly hym to content therfore

Wherfore the workman ought also to intende

Vnto his labour to saue his honestye

And workemanly to brynge it the ende Plautus in asi.

If he therby wolde well rewardyd be

And if the owner therof beholde and se.

His worke so done / he is a chorle vnkynde

If he do nat content the workmannys mynde.

sig: x3

He that wolde gladly that men sholde hym commende

Must fully purpose and fyx within his mynde

Lyberall to be and nat euer to intende Prouer. xxii.

To false Auaryce / whiche many one doth blynde

And if he purpose hye honours for to fynde

Or hym auaunce to any great degre

He must haue mekenes and lyberalyte

ref.ed: 282

He must of maners also be commendable Moribus et vita nobilitatur homo.

And of his speche als pleasaunt as he can

For an olde prouerbe true and verytable

Sayth that good lyfe and maners makyth man

But euery lawe doth dam and also ban

The churlysshe vyce and lewde of vnkyndnes

Whiche dryeth vp the well of bou[n]te and goodnes

For vnkynde folys if one labour dylygent

And so brynge theyr worke vnto good conclusyon

They fynde yet fautis and so ar nat content

Withdrawynge the rewarde by theyr collusyon

Wherfore let suche thynke it no abusyon

Nor haue disdayne ne yet in mynde complayne

If the pore laborer gyue vp his worke agayne

These frowarde Folys / doth wronge and iniury

To suche as to them do profyte and honour Ecclesi. xxix.

For kyndnes / they render shame and vylany Pro honore et beneficio. reddet illi contumeliam.

Rebukes sclander extorcion and rygour

But whyle they hope to come to great valoure

And by such rygour to honours to aryse

Theyr hope vanyssheth as doth the snowe or yce

Wherfore who that puttyth one to besynes Sapientie. [xvi] xvi] xvij 1509 Ingrati enim spes etc. in fine.xvi] xvij 1509

To charge or labour of body or of mynde

Ought hym rewarde agayne for his kyndnes

If he do nat forsoth he is vnkynde

But specyally as I oft wryten fynde Eccle. vii.

It is a thynge whiche doth for vengeaunce cry Malach. iii.

A pore laborer to put to Iniury

ref.ed: 283

What man can wryte the inconuenyence

Whiche groweth of this lewde and cursyd vyce

Vnkyndnes causeth great myschefe and offence

And is repugnynge to reason and iustyce

Wherfore let suche that wyll be namyd wyse

Leue it: and folowe lyberalyte

Whiche is noryssher of loue and amyte

sig: [x3v]

In dyuers bokes examples we may fynde

Howe many Cytees hygh and excellent

Agaynst all lawe and reason were vnkynde

To suche as dyd theyr dignyte augment Camillus de quo titus_liuius

O vnkynde rome thou was of this intent

Whiche hast Camyllus exyled in great payne

Thoughe he euer laboured thy honour to mentayne

O cruell Athenes by thy ingratytude Solon de quo Herodotus.

Hast thou nat banysshyd Solon also fro the

Though he enfourmyd hath thy maners rude

And gyuyn the lawes of right and equyte

For his great meryte / loue and benygnyte

Thou hast hym gyuen exyle and paynes harde

His labour was nat worthy that rewarde

Thou vnkynde Sparta: of thy audacyte

What shall I wryte or thy lewde vnkyndnes Licurgus de quo Iustinus

Hast thou nat banysshed by thy cruelte

Thy kynge Lycurgus / bycause he dyd redres

Thy wanton errours by lawe and rightwysnes Scipio_africanus de quo titus_liuius.

And Scipio whiche his contrey dyd defende

Fo[n]de it to hym / vnkynde at the last ende

ref.ed: 284

A thousande mo whome I can nat expresse

To suche as haue for them abyde great payne

Haue done displeasour / and shewed vnkyndnes

And them disceyued by some cautele or trayne

Yet none of them great goodnes cowde obtayne

By theyr vnkyndnes for who that so doth cast

Vnkyndly shall be seruyd at the last.

¶Th'enuoy of Barklay.

¶O fals vnkyndnes out on the I cry

From all goodnes dost thou nat man withdrawe

Byndynge his herte to gyle and vylany

Agaynst nature / agaynst both right and lawe

Thou makest man his maker nat to knawe

Therfore thou man expell out from thy mynde

This vyce / for we fynde in an olde sayde sawe

Wo is hym that to his maker is vnkynde.

¶Remember man the great preemynence Minuisti eum paulo minus ab angelis. etc.

Gyuen unto the by good omnypotent

Bytwene the and Angels is lytell difference

sig: [x4]

And all-thynge erthly to the obedyent

Fysshe byrde and beste vnder the fyrmament

Say what excuse mayst thou nowe lay or fynde

Syns thou art made by god so excellent

But that thou oughtest agayne to hym be kynde

¶ God hath the made vnto his owne lykenes

No erthly creature vnto the comparable Genesies primo.

Thy iyen vpwarde to consyder his hyghnes

Where other creatures that ar vnresonable Ouidius meth.

ref.ed: 285

Goeth on all foure and ar nat other able. Prona. etc.

Theyr loke alway vnto the grounde inclynyd

Therfore thou ought in vertue to be stable

And to thy maker [n]euer to be vnkynde

¶Whan man offendyd by disobedyence

Subduynge hym-self to labour care and payne Ge[ne]si. Genesi] Gesi 1509 ij. Genesi] Gesi 1509

And lost the confort of goodes hye presence

Hath nat christ Ihesu redemyd hym agayne

Besyde all this thou hast no-thynge certayne

In erth but by hym. wherfore I call the blynde

And of thy maners vncurtayse and vylayne

If to thy sauyour thou be nat true and kynde

¶Thoughe god hath made the (man) thus excellent

To lyue (if thou lyst) in ioy eternally

A lytell thynge shall hym agayne content

He nought requyreth but thy herte onely

And that thou defy thy gostly ennemy

And in goddes seruyce thy herte and body bynde.

Than shall he rewarde the in heuen right gloriously

So mayst thou be callyd vnto thy maker kynde

Suiipsius complacentia.

Pulmentum fatuis ... vesania ductat:

sig: [x4v]

Vt speculo ... impia turba.

ref.ed: 286

¶Of folys that stande so well in their owne conceyt that they thinke none so wyse / stronge / fayre / nor eloquent / as they ar themself.

¶We haue ouercome the malyce and enuy

Of suche as agaynst our Nauy did conspyre

Wherfore I shall my folys call quyckly

That they my Shyp may aparayle and atyre

Drawe nere ye Folys whiche syttynge by the fyre

Loke ay in a glasse to se your countenaunce

And in your owne dedis haue all your hole pleasaunce

sig: [x5]

ref.ed: 287

UNto my shyp I call hym to be Coke Prouer. iii. c. ne i[nn]itarisinnitaris] imitaris 1509 de consti.innitaris] imitaris 1509

The mete to dresse to other Folys echone

Whiche in his myrrour doth alway gase and loke

Whan he may get hym vnto a place alone

And though of colour and beaute he haue none

Yet thynketh he hym-self fayre and right plesant

And wyse: thoughe that he be mad and ignorant Ad roma. viij.

In his owne dedys is onely his delyte

In his owne conceyte thynkynge hym-self rightwyse

And fayre / thoughe he be yelowe as kyte

Is of hir fete: yet doth he styll deuyse

His vayne myrrour: that onely is his gyse

And thoughe he beholde hym-self of lothly shape Prouer. xiij. et xiiij.

He wyll it nat byleue / but in his glasse doth gape

Though for his foly all men myght hym repreue

And that he se it before hym openly

Within his glasse: he wyll it nat byleue

But strongly it defende and eke deny

He seyth nat his erys longe and hye

Whiche stande vpon his folysshe hode behynde

His lewde conceyt thus makyth hym starke blynde

sig: [x5v]

Whan people comon of men of hye prudence

Or of hye beauty / and strength if men doth tell

If one suche fole were there in the presence

He swere durst boldly / and that on the gospell Eccle. xx.

That he onely all other dyd excell Iob. v. et. xviij.

And that to gyue councell good and profytable

Were none in the wor[l]d vnto hym comparable world] wordly 1509

ref.ed: 288

These folys bost them-selfe of theyr wysdome

And thynke them-selfe to haue preemynence

Aboue all other that ar in christendome.

In gyftis of grace as beautye and scyence

Of strength / gode maners / vertue / and eloquence

But thoughe they stande in theyr owne conceytis

Nought is saue foly within theyr folysshe patis

And thoughe theyr face and vysage stande awry

And all to reuylde / theyr mouth standynge asyde

Within theyr myrrour the same can they nat spye

But in theyr foly contynually abyde

And whether that they ar styll outher go or ryde

Labour or be ydyll / they gase styll in theyr glasse

Yet wyll they nat byleue to ha[u]e erys lyke an Asse

Oft wha[n] these folys lye in theyr bed vpright

With tawny loke or els theyr botyll nose

They haue theyr myrrour alway in theyr syght

The vayne glasse (of theyr beautye) to apose

And whan suche a fole into the kechyn gose

To stere the pot / there whether he syt or stande

The glasse alway is in the other hande

Whan he a whyle his glas hath loken than

If one examynyd hym of his beautye Prouer. xxxi.

He boldly durst swere both by god and man Ezech. xvi.

That nought were in hym whiche myght repreuyd be Esaie. iij.

But all goodnes / fayre shape / and loke of grauyte

And that his gere gayly vpon his backe doth syt

He hardly is wyse: if he had any wyt

ref.ed: 289

I wryten fynde that great inconuenyence

As losse / contempt and occasyon of pryde

Hath fallyn vnto many by this lewde complacence

Whiche haue nat knowen the way themself to gyde Otho imperator speculum secum semper habuit. Iuuenalis.

The emperour Otho had ay borne by his syde

In warre and peas (a glasse) for his pleasaunce

To se his colour therin: and countenaunce

sig: [x6]

And to the entent to make his colour gay

With Assys mylke he noyntyd oft his skyn

And shauyd his berde onys euery day

But for that he offendyd god herein

After was he sharply punysshyd for this syn

And put vnto extreme rebuke and shame

To gyue other example to auoyde the same

It is forsoth a maner femynyne Salustius.

And nat for man to be so elegant

To suche toyes wanton wymen may inclyne

A yonge mayde may at her forhede haue pendant

The vayne myrrour to se hir shape pleasant

Man sholde nought set by to norysshe his beautye

But onely manhode strength and audacyte

The wanton mayde may for hir-self ordayne

Hir call hir coyfe / and suche conceytis newe call=caul

As broches fyletes and oyntmentis souerayne

And clothynge of dyuers colour and of hewe

But nowe yonge men the same fourme do ensue

A[n]d to content theyr mad and folysshe mynde

To wymen they compare themselfe agaynst kynde

ref.ed: 290

Disorder rayneth as I before haue sayde

The yonge men takyth womans countenaunce

And hir aparayll / and wymen ar arayde Ennius.

As men: agaynst all lawe and ordynaunce Tullius in officijs.

Thus man and woman ensue mysgouernaunce

In theyr behauour is small dyuersyte

Theyr owne conceyt causeth great enormyte

The poet Ouyde shewyth in a fable

100

Howe that one callyd Pygmalyon by name Pygmalion de quo ouidius. x. meth.

A fygure made vnto hym-self semblable

Whiche he in marbyll right craftely dyd frame

And in-so-moche he worshypped the same

Tyll at the last his mynde was past and gone

105

And he transformed so was in-to that stone

And if the Poetis fables be all sure

As by theyr subtyle wordes oft we here

The childe Narcissus was chaungyd of fygure Narcissus de quo ouidius. iij. metha.

Whyle he behelde into the water clere

110

For whyle his shadowe vnto hym dyd apere

Vpon the same so sore he set his mynde

That he transformyd was to another kynde.

sig: [x6v]

But to retorne agayne to our purpose

And of this sort of Folys to conclude

115

If god sholde them to other shape transpose

That thynke them fayre though they be foule and rude

Into foule fassyon he many sholde include

For whyle Folys theyr owne beauty magnyfy

So growyth the nomber and so they multyply

¶Th'enuoy of Barklay the translatour.

¶Blynde man inclere thy wylfull ignoraunce

Stande nat so great in thy owne conceyte

Ne in thy lewde fassyon set nat thy pleasaunce

Whether thou be pore or man of great estate

Another man moche more shall in the wayte

Of gode and yll than thou thy-self canst do

Therfore be nat cause to thy-self of disceyte

If one the teche: aply thy mynde therto

De choreis et saltationibus.

Qui chereis ... multa frequens.

sig: y1

Concurrunt illic ... die ve pręmit.

ref.ed: 291

¶Of lepynges and dauncis and Folys that pas theyr tyme in suche vanyte.

sig: [y1v]

¶That fole that settyth his felycyte

In wanton daunces and lepes immoderate

Hath in my Shyp a rowme for his degre

Bysyde the stere for troublynge of his pate

He god dyspleasyth / whiche doth suche foly hate

Suche lese theyr tyme in vayne and oft therin

Ar many hurtis: and cause of dedely syn.

ref.ed: 292

THose folys a place may chalenge in my shyp Exodi. xxxij.

Whiche voyde of wysdome as men out of theyr mynde Psal. x.

Them-selfe delyte to daunce to lepe and skyp

In compase rennynge lyke to the worlde wyde

In vnkynde labour / suche folys pleasour fynde

Rennynge about in this theyr furyous vyce

Lyke as it were in Bacchus sacryfyce Orgia bacchi.

Or as the Druydans rennyth in vayne about Druyde de quibus Iulius Cesar in commen.

In theyr mad festes vpon the hylle of yde

Makynge theyr sacrafyce with furour noyse and shout

Whan theyr madnes settyth theyr wyt asyde

Or whan the prestis of mars all nyght abyde

Within theyr temple by vse abhomynable Salij. de quibus. Virgilius. ij. Georgicorum.

To theyr ydollys doynge theyr seruyce detestable

Lyke as these paynyms hath to theyr ydols done

Theyr sacryfyce wandrynge in theyr madnes

Theyr bodyes weryenge / in vayne wastynge their shone

So do these fowlys them-selfe to daunsynge dres

Sekynge occason of great vnhappynes

They take suche labour without all hope of gayne

Without rewarde sure / of werynes and payne

Say Folys that vse this fury and outrage

What causyth you to haue delyte therin

For your great labour say what is your wage

Forsoth ye can therby no profyte wyn

But seke occasyon (as I haue sayde) of syn

And for thy werynge thy fete thus in the dust

Thou gettest no gayne but cause of carnall lust

ref.ed: 293

But whan I consyder of this folysshe game

The firste begynnynge and cause orygynall Exodi. xxxi.

I say the cause therof is worthy blame

For whan the deuyll to disceyue man mortall

And do contempt to the hye god eternall

Vpon a stage had set a Calfe of golde.

That euery man the same myght clere beholde

sig: y2

So than the Fende grounde of mysgouernaunce

Causyd the people this fygure to honour

As for theyr god and before the same to daunce. i. ad cor. x.

Whan they were dronk[e]n / thus fell they in errour dronken] dronkon 1509

Of Idolatry / and forgate theyr creatour.

Before this ydoll daunsynge both wyfe and man

Dispysynge god: Thus daunsynge fyrst began

Suche blynde folyes and inconuenyence Uide no. glo. in cle. de cel. mis.

Engendryth great hurte and incommodyte

And sawyth sede wherof groweth great offence

The grounde of vyce and of all enormyte

In it is pryde / fowle lust and lecherye In cle attendentes de sta. rel. de vi. et ho. cle. cum decorem.

And whyle lewde lepys ar vsyd in the daunce

Oft frowarde bargayns ar made by countenaunce

What els is daunsynge but euen a nurcery

Or els a bayte to purchace and meyntayne

In yonge hertis the vyle synne of rybawdry

Them fetrynge therin / as in a dedely chayne

And to say trouth in wordes clere and playne

Venereous people haue all theyr hole pleasaunce

Theyr vyce to norysshe by this vnthryfty daunce

ref.ed: 294

And wanton people disposyd vnto syn

To satysfye theyr mad conc[u]pyscence

With hasty cours vnto this daunsynge ryn

To seke occasyon of vyle synne and offence

And to expresse my mynde in short sentence

This vyciouse game oft-tymes doth attyse

By his lewde synes / chast hartis vnto vyce

Than it in erth no game is more damnable Prouer. ij.

It semyth no peas / but Batayle openly

They that it vse of myndes seme vnstable

As mad folke rennynge with clamour showt and cry

What place is voyde of this furyous foly

None: so that I dout within a whyle

These folys the holy churche shall defyle

Of people what sort or order may we fynde

Ryche or pore hye or lowe of name

But by theyr folysshnes / and wanton mynde

Of eche sort some ar gyuen vnto the same

The prestis and clerkes to daunce haue no shame

The frere or monke in his frocke and cowle

Must daunce in his dortor lepynge to play the fole

sig: [y2v]

To it comys children / maydes and wyues.

And flaterynge yonge men to se to haue theyr pray

The hande in hande great falshode oft contryues

The olde quean also this madnes wyll assay

And the olde dotarde thoughe he skantly may

For age and lamenes stere outher fote or hande

Yet playeth he the fole with other in the bande

ref.ed: 295

Than lepe they about as folke past theyr mynde Vir. ij. georg.

With madnes amasyd rennynge in compace

He moste is commendyd that can moste lewdnes fynde

Or can most quyckly ren about the place

There ar all maners vsyd that lacke grace

Mouynge theyr bodyes in synes full of shame Iudith. ij.

Whiche doth theyr hertes to synne right sore inflame

So oft this vyce doth many one abuse

100

That whan they ar departyd from the daunce

On lust and synne contynually they muse

Hauynge therin theyr wyll and theyr pleasaunce

Than fall they oft to great mysgouernaunce

As folys gyuyn to worke vnprofytable

105

So in my shyp they well deserue a babyll.

¶Th'enuoy of Barklay.

¶Do way your daunces ye people moche vnwyse

Desyst your folysshe pleasour of trauayle

It is me-thynke an vnwyse vse and gyse

To take suche labour and payne without auayle

And who that suspectyth his mayde or wyues tayle

Let hym nat suffer them in the daunce to be

For in that game thoughe sys or synke them fayle

The dyse oft renneth vpon the chaunce of thre

De nocturnis ioculatoribus.

Qui cithara / ... nocte volant.

sig: y3

Dum mollem ... remanete domi.

ref.ed: 296

¶Of nyght-watchers and beters of the stretes playnge by nyght on instrumentes and vsynge lyke Folyes whan tyme is to rest.

¶He is a fole that wandreth by nyght

In felde or towne / in company or alone

Playnge at his lemmans dore withouten lyght

Tyll all his body be colde as lede or stone

These folys knockynge tyll the nyght be gone

At that season thoughe that they fele no colde

Shall it repent and fele whan they be olde.

sig: [y3v]

ref.ed: 297

NOwe wolde I of my boke haue made an ende

And with my shyp drawen to some hauen or porte

Stryken my sayle / and all my folys sende

Vnto the londe / a whyle them-selfe to sporte

But this my purpose is lettyd by a sorte

Of frantyke folys / wandrynge about by nyght Esaie. xxix.

For often all yll-doers hatyth the day-lyght Sapien. xiiij.

Whyle (man) beste and euery lyuely creature Iob. xxxiiij.

Refresshe theyr myndes and bodyes with rest

And slepe: without the whiche none can endure

And whyle all byrdes drawe them to theyr nest Prouer. vij.

These dronken bandes of Folys than doth Iest

About the stretis / with rumour noyse and cry

Syngynge theyr folysshe songes of rybawdry

The furyes ferefull spronge of the flodes of hell

Vexith these vagabundes in theyr myndes so

That by no mean can they abyde ne dwell

Within theyr howsys / but out they nede must go

More wyldly wandrynge than outher bucke or doo

Some with theyr harpis another with his lute

Another with his bagpype or a folysshe flute

sig: [y4]

Than mesure they theyr songes of melody Ouidius in arte.

Before the dores of theyr lemman dere

Yowlynge with theyr folysshe songe and cry

So that theyr lemman may theyr great foly here Luce. v.

And tyll the yordan make them stande arere yordan=jordan

Cast on theyr hede / or tyll the stonys fle

They nat depart / but couet there styll to be

ref.ed: 298

But yet more-ouer these Folys ar so vnwyse

That in colde wynter they vse the same madnes

Whan all the howsys ar lade with snowe and yse Sapien. xvij.

O mad men amasyd vnstabyll and wytles Iohan. i.

What pleasour take ye in this your folysshenes

What ioy haue ye to wander thus by nyght

Saue that yll-doers alway hate the lyght

But folysshe youth doth nat alone this vse

Come of lowe byrth and sympyll of degre

But also statis them-selfe therin abuse

With some yonge folys of the spiritualte

The folysshe pype without all grauyte

Doth eche degre call to this frantyke game

The darkenes of nyght expellyth fere of shame

One barkyth another bletyth lyke a shepe

Some rore / some countre / some theyr balades fayne

Another from syngynge gyueth hym to wepe

Whan his souerayne lady hath of hym dysdayne

Or shyttyth hym out / and to be short and playne

Who that of this sort best can play the knaue

Lokyth of the other the maystery to haue

The folysshe husbonde oft of this sort is one

With wanton youth wandrynge by nyght also

Leuynge his wyfe at home in bed alone

And gyueth hyr occasyon often to mysdo Iuuenalis.

So that whyle he after the owle doth go

Fedynge the Couko / his wyfe hir tyme doth watche

Receyuynge another whose egges she doth hatche.

ref.ed: 299

Therfore ye folys that knowe you of this sort

To gyue occasyon of synne vnto your wyues

And all other: I you pray and exort

Of this your foly to amende your lyues

For longe nyght-watches seldome tymes thryues Ad ephe. iiij.

But if it be in labour: good to wyn Ad thessa. iiij.

Therfore kepe your dorys: els abyde within

sig: [y4v]

Thoughe I haue touchyd of this enormyte Addicio translatoris Alexandri_barclay.

In englysshe tunge: yet is it nat so vsyd

In this Royalme as it is beyonde the se

Yet moche we vse whiche ought to be refusyd

Of great nyght-watchynge we may nat be excusyd

But our watchynge is in drunkyn glotony

More than in syngynge or other meledy

Whan it is nyght and eche shulde drawe to rest

Many of our folys great payne and watchynge take

To pro[u]e maystryes and se who may drynke best

Outher at the Tauerne of wyne / or the ale-stake

Other all nyght watchyth for theyr lemmans sake

Standynge in corners lyke as it were a spye

Whether that the weder be / hote / colde / wete / or dry

Some other Folys range about by nyght

Prowdely Iettynge as men myndeles or wode

To seke occasyon with pacyent men to fyght

Delytynge them in shedynge mennys blode

Outher els in spoylynge of other mennys gode

Let these folys with suche lyke and semblable

Drawe to this barge / here shall they bere a bable

ref.ed: 300

¶Th'enuoy of Barclay.

¶Ye folys that put your bodyes vnto payne

By nyghtly watchynge / voyde of auauntage

Leue of your foly or els ye shall complayne

And mourne it sore if ye lyue vnto age

For though ye thynke that this your blynde outrage

Is vnto you no hurte nor preiudyce

It doth your body and goodes great dammage

And great cause both to you and yours of vyce.

De mendicis et eorum vanitatibus.

En metui ... vita placet.

sig: [y5]

Clericus: et monachus ... pagina deficiet.

ref.ed: 301

¶Of folysshe beggers and of theyr vanytees.

¶Syns I haue taken the charge one me

Mo botis and Barges for Folys to aparayle

And so agayne of newe to take the se

I feryd lyst company shulde me fayle

Within my folysshe shyppis to trauayle

But nowe doth beggers them-selfe to me present

For fewe of them I fynde of good intent

sig: [y5v]

ref.ed: 302

A Great company of folys may we fynde C. mendi de vali. li. xi. v. q. v. non omnis. xvii. di. c. pasci. glo. super math.

Amonge beggers / whiche haue theyr hole delyte

In theyr lewde craft: wherfore I set my mynde

In this Barge theyr maners / brefely for to wryte

For thoughe that nede them greuously do byte.

Yet is theyr mynde for all theyr pouerte

To kepe with them of children great plente

And though that they myght otherwyse well lyue

And get theyr lyuynge by labour and besynes

Yet fully they theyr myndes set and gyue

To lede this lyfe alway in wretchydnes C. auaricie de prebendis.

The clerke / frere / or monke / whiche hath store of ryches

For all his lyfe. if he it gyde wysely. Prouer. xiij.

Wyll yet the beggers offyce occupy

Suche oft complayne the charge of pouerte

In garmentis goynge raggyd and to_rent

But yet haue they of ryches great plente

Whiche in gode vse can neuer of them be spent

Almys is ordeyned by god omnypotent Luce. xi.

And holy churche: for to be gyuyn in dede Tobie. iiij. et. xij.

Vnto good vse / and suche as haue moste nede

sig: [y6]

Almes is ordeyned by god our creatour Ecclesi. iij.

For men that lyue in nede and wretchydnes Psal. xl.

Therwith their paynfull lyues to socour

And nat for ryche that lyues in viciousnes

But yet suche caytyfs boldly in dare pres

For their lewde lyfe without all maner drede

This almes takynge from them that haue most nede

ref.ed: 303

The abbot / the Pryour / and also theyr couent Danielis. iiij.

Ar so blyndyd with vnhappy couetyse

That with theyr owne can they nat be content

But to haue more / they alway mean deuyse

Ye: in-so-moche that some haue founde a gyse

To fayne theyr bretherne tan in captyuyte

That they may begge so by auctoryte

They fayne myracles where none were euer done

And all for lucre: some other range about

To gather and begge with some fayned pardon

And at the alehows at nyght all drynkyth out

So ren these beggers in company rowt Ecclesi. vij.

By stretis tauernes townes and vyllagys

No place can well be fre of theyr outragys

Some begge for byldynges / some for relyques newe

Of holy sayntis of countreys farre and strange

And with theyr wordes faynyd and vntrewe

For cause of Lucre / about they ren and range De pen. et re. c. cum ex eo.

But in a sympyll vyllage / ferme or grange

Where-as these beggers moste sympyll men may fynde

With theyr fals bonys as relykes they them blynde

Other beynge stronge and full of lustynes

And yonge ynoughe to labour for theyr fode Ecclesi. xix.

Gyuyth theyr bodyes fully to slewthfulnes L. vna c. de mendis vali.

The beggers craft thynkynge to them moost good

Some ray theyr legges and armys ouer with blood

With leuys and plasters though they be hole and sounde

Some halt as crypyls / theyr legge falsly vp bounde

ref.ed: 304

Some other beggers falsly for the nonys

Disfygure theyr children god wot vnhappely

Manglynge theyr facys / and brekynge theyr bo[n]ys

To stere the people to pety that passe by

There stande they beggynge with tedyous shout and cry Hic plura notantur in libro teutonico.

Theyr owne bodyes tournynge to a strange fassion

To moue suche as passe to pyte and compassyon

sig: [y6v]

Suche yonge laddys as lusty ar of age

Myghty and stronge / and wymen in lyke wyse

Wanton and yonge and lusty of cowrage

Gyueth them-selfe vtterly to this gyse

The cause is that they labour do despyse

For theyr mynde is in ydylnes to be styll

Or els in vyce to wander at theyr wyll

They paciently theyr pouertye abyde pouertye] prouertye 1509

Nat for deuocion of herte or of mynde

But to the intent that at euery tyde

Other mennys godes sholde them fede and fynde.

But if they a whyle haue ron in the wynde

And in theyr hande the staf some hete hath caught

They neuer after shall leue the beggers craft

Amonge these beggers also is comonly

Braulynge debate hatered and chydynge

Great othes / mockes falshode and enuy

And one with other euer-more fyghtynge

As for theyr dronkennes and vnsure abydynge

Theyr rebaudry both in dede and communycacion

These ar chefe poyntis of theyr occupacion

ref.ed: 305

If the begger haue his staf and his hode

One bagge behynde and another before

Than thynkes he hym in the myddes of his goode

Thoughe that his clothes be raggyd and to_tore

His body nere bare he hath no thought therfore

And if some man cloth them well to_day

To_morowe it shall agayne be solde a_way

And if these caytyfes fortune to begge or cry

100

For mete or money / on woman or on man

If one to them that / that they aske deny

And so depart: anone these beggers than

Whan he is gone / doth wary curse and ban

And if another gyue them ought of pyte

105

At the next alestake dronken shall it be

But if that I sholde gather in my barge xlij. di. quiescamus in glo.

All folysshe beggers / and labour or intende

To note all theyr vyces / to sore sholde be the charge

And as I suppose I neuer sholde make an ende.

110

Wherfore I counsell them shortly to amende

Or els theyr lewdnes / synne / and enormyte

Shall cause men withdrawe theyr almes of charyte

sig: z1

¶Th'enuoy of Barclay the translatour.

¶O people vnthrifty gyuen to ydelnes

Spendynge your youth this wyse in vanyte

What ioy haue ye to lyue in wretchydnes

Where ye myght come to better rowme and degre

ref.ed: 306

By worke / and labour: and so auaunsyd be

Yet begge ye styll hauynge your ioy therin

Amende your foly / and lerne ye this of me

That goddes good sholde nat be spent in syn

De iracundis mulier[i]bus.

mulieribus] mulierbus 1509

Su[n]t plerique ... vota parit.

sig: [z1v]

Consilio Salomon ... iura / fidem.

sig: z2

Et foedant ... continuare thorum.

¶Of the yre immoderate / the wrath and great lewdnes of wymen.

¶For wrathfull men I purposyd to ordayne

A slowe Asse theyr hastynes to asswage

But nowe must they forgo that beste agayne

For wymen clayme the same by theyr great rage

Theyr furour passyth / in dede and in langage

All men in erth: none may with them compare

He is well happy whiche may of them be ware.

ref.ed: 2

My balade bare of frute and eloque[n]ce

And I also with all my herte and mynde Prouer. xxi.

Wolde wymen lawde and prayse with reuerence Eccle. xxv.

And namely suche as ar founde true and kynde

sig: [z2v]

But of that sort / but fewe a man shall fynde

So the yll cause / and theyr nature cruell

To say the trouth doth me constrayne and bynde

And of theyr vyces somwhat brefely to tell

I haue longe louyd / loue nowe / and euer shall Prouer. xxi.

Them to commende that in vertue haue delyte

And that ar good and chaste namely of all

But bad / that full of wrath ar / and despyte

It is conuenyent of theyr madnes to wryte

And theyr condycions repreue without all drede

So am I bolder and redyer to endyte

For no wyse woman shall these rebukes rede

The mother of Graccus. Cornelia prudent Cornelia.

Chaste and discrete / and of beauty souerayne

Shall nat my Balade rede: for intent

Was euer in vertue / hir honour to mentayne

No godly woman / that doth from synne refrayne

Shall I disprayse but rather them defende

Therfore in my wordes I shall boldly and playne

Lawde iust and good / and the yll discommende

sig: z3

She that hath bene brought vp in honestye Ecclesi. xix.

Fedynge hir mynde with wysdome and prudence

And kept hir gode name in youth by chastyte

The fere of God alway in hir presence

ref.ed: 3

Suche ren nat lyghtly to vyle synne and offence

And doth no-thynge / but gode and commendable

O that suche one is worthy reuerence Ecclesi. xxvi.

Better than all golde / than ryches more lawdable

A woman iust and to goodnes inclyned

If wrath and yre hir husbonde do inflame

With hir good counsell shall mytigate his mynde Hester. v.

And peas his wrath / an example of the same

We haue by kynge Assuerus by name

Whiche commaundyd all the hebreans to be slayne

But his Quene hester worthy of dede and fame

With hir fayre wordes apeasyd hym agayne

The kynge Dauyd despysed by Naball

That wronge purposyd to punysshe hastely Abigayl. i. reg. xxv.

Yet was he apaysyd by a woman lyberall

Abygayll by name / whiche very womanly

Causyd hym that yre to temper by and by

His hande withdrawynge / and swerde of punysshment

So good wymen counsell well and rightwysely Ecclesi. xlviii.

But yll gyue counsell after the worst intent Prouer. vi.

Salomon the wyse infect with the foly

Of wymens counsell and blynde aduysement Salomon. iij. Regum. xi.

To his great hurte fell to Idolatry

Renounsynge the seruyce of god omnypotent

Of womans tunge: who can the malyce stent

Forsoth no man: for all theyr felycyte Eccle. xlvii.

Is set in spekynge of wordes imprudent Prouer. ix. et. xxv.

For in theyr tunge is all theyr cruelte

ref.ed: 4

Theyr cruell tunge is sharper than a dart

Therwith they labour to brynge men to yll name Ecclesi. xxv.

And with the same they stryke some to the herte

With thoughtfull wounde / no-thynge can hele the same Eccle. xlij.

They neuer haue done / and yet haue they no shame

Without occasyon to chyde with noyse and cry

In cruell wordes is all theyr myrth and game

Sawynge theyr sede of chatrynge lyke the pye

sig: [z3v]

O god aboue: o kynge moste glorious Prouer. ii.

Of heuen and erth the whiche hast rauysshyd hell

Delyuer vs from the tungys venemous Ecclesiastes. vii.

Of frowarde wymen / cursyd and cruell

For a thousande mo myscheuys than man can tell

Procede of theyr mad and disordred langage Ecclesi. xiii.

One woman chydynge makyth gretter yell Prouer. vij.

Than sholde an hundreth pyes in one cage

The pore husbonde with some is so bested

That he no rest hath one houre of the day Iuue saty. vi.

Nor in the nyght whan he is in his bed

There she hym techyth a brawlynge crede to say Eccle. xxvi.

And if he there ought vnto hir denay

She gronyth grutchynge / with hir complayntis styll

Ye foure dayes after let hym do what he may

He shall hir nat asswage tyll she hath chyd hir fyll

Thus is hir chydynge to this pore man great wo Prouer. ij. et. v.

Moreouer in woman is gyle and sotyltye Ecclesi. xix. et. xxv.

And secrete malyce whiche none can take hir fro

And for that she wolde fayne commendyd be

ref.ed: 5

She hym commaundeth as moche more wyse than he

In hir owne conceyt despysynge his doctryne

And if hir husbonde to any-thynge agre

By no maner mean wyll she therto inclyne

She wyll that no-thynge be perfourmyd of his wyll

All must be rulyd after hir folysshe mynde Ecclesiastes. vii.

And that in thynges / wherin she hath no skyll.

So oft the husbonde fawtles great hurte doth fynde

100

And also lossys whiche his herte sharply bynde

By the lewde dedys and langage of his wyfe

And though a womans wordes be but wynde

Yet of them growe bothe: murder losse and stryfe

Right so amphyon of Thebes myghty kynge

105

For the offences: and selfe-wyll of his wyfe Amphyon. Ouidius. vi. meth.

Bycause he dyd hir wyll in euery-thynge

For his owne foly at laste he lost his lyfe

Wordes amonge wymen is comon and ryfe

And fere of shame / from many gone is quyte

110

So one Calphurnia in a case playntyfe Calphurnia. in l. ff de postu.

Hir bare tayle shewyd to the iuge in despyte

sig: [z4]

But for to speke of womans wrath and yre

No beste in erthe to wrath is so inclynde

As she: hir wrath in hete passyth hote fyre

115

No tunge can tell the rancour of hir mynde

This wrath in woman is rotyd so by kynde

That if she be onys set in hir madnesse

She passyth all the cruell bestis of ynde

The bere the wolf fell lyon / and the lyones. and] and and 1509

ref.ed: 6

120

The cruell Tyger to woman is nat lyke

Whiche whan hir whelpis from hir den taken be

Rangyth about in furour them to seke

For madnes gnawynge and terynge stocke and tre

A wrathfull woman is yet more mad than she medea de qua. Seneca in me.

125

Cruell Medea doth vs example shewe

Of womans furour great wrath and cruelte

Whiche hir owne children dyd all to pecis hewe

Progne also may be to vs example

Whiche sode hir owne childe after she had hym slay[ne] slayne] slay 1509

130

The story in Ouyde is wryten longe and ample

But if Iuuenall had nat wryten playne

Of wymen the wrath / theyr cruelte and trayne

The same shulde nowe haue wryten ben by me

But foly it is to wryte the same agayne.

135

Therfore I leue it for cause of breuyte

The herte of woman is ay deuysynge scornys Ecclesiastes. vii.

Disceyt and cautele falshode lesynge and gyle

It is more sharpe than knyfe / pryckynge as th[orn]es thornes] therues 1509

If she be pacient: it lastyth but a whyle

140

Hir stomacke swellyth by bytter gall and vyle

Hir body full of rancour and madnes

But where she settyth / man by worde to reuyle

From hir stynkynge mouth commyth all vnhappynes

No maner vyce shall she vntouchyd leue Ecclesi. xxv.

145

She troubleth maners of men that ar lawdable

And of theyr gode name doth falsly them bereue

She troublyth right and peas most profytable

ref.ed: 7

Brakynge hir fayth by synne abhomynable

The bed defylynge / Dean can nat withdrawe Dean=Diana

150

Them from that vyse theyr mynde is so vnstable Eccle. xlvi.

They take theyr pleasour in synne agaynst the lawe

sig: [z4v]

She that hir mynde doth to this vyce subdue

Gyuynge hir body to this mysgouernaunce

To husbonde / nor to none other man is true

155

Yet kepeth she a solem countenaunce

As none were lyke hir in Englonde nor in Fraunce

In all vertues / and knowynge nought of syn

But if that she were well sought she is perchaunce

A wolf or gote within a Lammys skyn

160

A woman is lyke a clyster laxatyf Iuuenalis

In mannys purs voydynge that is within

If man shulde euer be rulyd by his wyfe

Hir proude aparayle sholde make his thry[f]t full thyn thryft] thryst 1509

As well can some spende as theyr good man can wyn

165

And moche faster / but if that coyne do fayle

She labowryth nat to get it without syn

But craftely to forge it with hir tayle

I fynde in the worlde that there be thynges thre

Right harde to knowe / the fourth that no man may

170

Knowe nor perceyue / first / whan a byrde doth fle

Alonge in the ayre: no man can spye hir way

The way of a Shyp in the see thoughe it be day

Harde is to se whiche way the shyp hath gone

The thirde harde thynge as I have oft harde say

175

Is the way of a serpent ouer a stone

ref.ed: 8

But the fourth way that of all hardest is

Of yonge man is / in youthes lustynes

A vycyous womans way is lyke to this

Whiche after hir synne and great vnhappyness

180

Fedyth hir with mete of blynde delyciousnes

Than wypyth hir mouth and sayth in audyence

With mynde assured and past all shamefastnes

I haue nat commyttyd yll / synne nor any offence

Thre other thynges on erth I fynde certayne

185

Whiche troubleth the grounde and also the see Prouer. xxx.

The fourth nouther see nor londe may well sustayne

The firste is a churle that hath a bonde-man be

And so by fortune come vnto hye degre

The seconde is a fole whan he is dronke and full.

190

The thirde a wrathfull woman / full of cruelte

He that hir weddyth / hath a crowe to pull

sig: [z5]

Yet is the fourth wors and more eleuate

That is a hande-mayde lowe of hir lynage

Promotyd from a begger and so come to estate

195

Succedynge hir lady as heyr in herytage

Of suche procedeth moche malyce and outrage

Disdayne great scorne / vilany and debate

For the frenche-man / sayth in his langage

No-thynge is wors than a churle made a state

200

I wolde fayne cesse of womans gyle and treason

And theyr great falshode whiche none can well defende

I nought wyll speke / howe some by mortall poyson

Theyr husbondes brynge to sodayne deth and ende

ref.ed: 9

Examples habunde: who lyst therto intende

205

Of Agrippina / and Poncia wode of mynde Agrippina.

Whiche on theyr husbondes dyd mortall hande extende poncia.

Of many suche we may in wrytynge fynde

What shall I wryte the cursyd cruelte Dianaydes.

Of the susters of danaides echone

210

Fyfty in nomber / whiche by iniquyte

Slewe all their husbondes reseruyd one alone

O chast lucres / alas where art thou gone Lucrecia

From theyr presence all wymen ner / the chace

Thou art belouyd / nowe almost of none Thais

215

And bawdy tays hath nowe thy rowme and place

Fals Clytymnestra cruell of hir dede Clytymnestra

May trouble the hertis of all men on the grounde

And cause them of other suche to take hede

Whose manyfolde malyce doth mynde of man confounde

220

The prudent Porcia to fewe men nowe is bounde Porcia cathonis.

Or associat by the way of mariage

This Porcia kept hir body chast and sounde

Trewe to hir husbonde Cato the great sage

The Chast Sabyn is nat weddyd nowe-a-dayes Sabina

225

To many men: as she was wont to be

I meane that fewe inclyne / nowe to hir wayes

Wherfore I say that well happy is he Prouer. xij.

That hath a w[o]man kepynge hir honeste woman] whman 1509 Eccle. xxv. et. xxvi. Eccle. xxv. et. xxvi.

Pacient of mynde / in suche is great confort

230

She is a Iewell that louyth chastyte

It is pyte that so fewe / be of that sort

sig: [z5v]

ref.ed: 10

Ye gentyll-wymen / and other great and small

Be nat displeasyd with these true cours sentences

For certaynly I haue nat wryten all

235

The vyce of wymen theyr synnes nor offences

If I had red all the lyberall sciences

And all my lyfe shulde there-about intende

Yet coude I neuer wryte all inconuenyences

By wymen done / nor theyr malyce comprehende

240

But whyle I lyue the good shall I commende

And them exalt at euery tyme and season

I may haue leyser ynoughe therto t'yntende

Syns of them is no plenty but great geason

But suche folys as ar voyde of all reason

245

And shame to all wymen by theyr mysgouernaunce

As powlynge yre disceyte sclaunder and treason

Them shall I blame with wrathfull countenaunce

¶Th'enuoy of Barclay the translatour.

¶Ye wrathfull wymen by vyce lesynge your name

Correct your-selfe / and labour ye with payne

In your lyuynge for to deserue no blame

Assay with mekenes to get your name agayne

By that mean may ye / all your wyll obtayne

Let chastyte you gyde and pacience

For to be frowarde / (it is a thynge in vayne

Unto hym to whom yet owe obedyence

¶The lawe commaundyth you to do reuerence

Vnto your spousys with honour and mekenesse

ref.ed: 11

And nat displease hym by your wylfull offence

As hasty langage disceyte and vnkyndnes

If ye lyue well than shall god sende riches

To you in erth / with welth and ioy mundayne

And if ye fortune to fall in-to lewdnes

These great gyftis shall ye iustly lese agayne

De potentia fatuitatis.

Sultitia extendit ... pręsidiisque valent.

sig: [z6]

CVm tibi nemo ... dominet in orbe.

ref.ed: 12

¶Of the great myght and power of Folys.

¶Blynde foly hath hir tentis abrode displayde

In euery place / from them no felde is fre.

With hir madnes / the worlde is hole dismayde

She hath all men in hir captyuyte

But namely suche as ar of moste degre

Of most riches power lynage and myght

Vnder hir standard submyt them-selfe to fyght

sig: [z6v]

ref.ed: 13

THou folysshe man trustynge in thy ryches Sapien. v.

Therby contendynge to haue preemynence Prouer. xvij. et. xxiiij.

Howe-be-it that thou art gyuen to viciousnes

And none so bolde to shewe the thy offence Eccle. xxxiiij.

The more thou errest in thy blynde negligence

For if that thou be hye of rowme and name

If thou offende the more shall be thy shame

Thoughe all thy wordes be full of folysshenes Psal. ix.

And all thy dedys to no good ende do come

Yet wylt thou be reputyd in ryches

Before all other and also in wysdome Before] Bebefore 1509

O howe oft-tymes (of these folys) wyll some

Commende them-self and lawde their glorious name Prouer. xxvij.

Whan they se that none other wyll do the same

These folys them boste of dedys of valyaunce Ecclesi. xv.

And worthy actis done by them in batayle xxij. q. ij. pri.

Howe-be-it that lawde wherby man doth auaunce Iob. xxxvii.

Hym-self by his owne mouth is of but small auayle

And vyle before men of wysdome and counsayle

But suche fowlys that of eche hatyd be

Them-self may commende by gode auctoryte.

sig: et1

These Folys say that londe is fortunate Prouer xx.

Whiche is gouernyd / by ryche Prynce or kynge Ecclesiastes. x.

But better is that londe whiche longyth to a state Sapien. vi.

Whiche is induyd with wysdome and cunnynge

Workynge by counsell in euery maner thynge

For who that rayneth in wysdome and vertue

The great Vlixes shall scantly hym subdue

ref.ed: 14

A wyse Prynce gydeth hymselfe by reason

And his Realme by Iustyce and equyte

Ordeynynge eche thynge / accordynge to the season

Nowe with rygour: and oft by benygnyte.

Nat beynge parcyall to hye nor lowe degre

No coyne nor brybe can change or turne his mynde

But so he iugeth as lawe and right doth bynde

Suche louyth vertue / next god omnypotent

And grace hym gydeth with godly chastyte

Wherby his Realme becommyth excellent

His londe increasynge in great prosperyte

His counsell discrete and full of grauyte

Graciously gydeth the subiectis on his grounde

And so departynge this Prynce in heuyn is crownde

Well is that londe and ioyous may it be

Whiche is defendyd by suche a noble estate Ecclesiastes. v. et. x.

But wo be that londe / whose crowne of royalte

Is gyuen to a childe / whose counsell drynketh late Prouer. xxx.

Gyuen to the wombe / to Ryot and debate

Suche frowarde counsell shall blynde his innocence

And cause hym decay from his hye excellence

A fole promotyd to riches and renowne Sapien. xi.

Syttynge in his stage or chayre of rowme royall Ecclesi. x.

Blyndeth iustyce tournynge the lawes vp-set-downe

By vyle rewardes and gyftis temporall

Another by fauour / letteth true iustyce fall

Damnynge innocence by fals iniquyte

Thus falsly ouerthrowen is iust symplycyte

ref.ed: 15

Iustyce ought be wayed in an euyn balance

By egall mesure / all fauour set a_syde

Nat rygorously for wrath or displeasaunce Sapien. vi. et. vii.

The fere of god ought a iuges mynde to gyde

But moche I fere lyst the fals sede abyde

In erthe yet: of them whiche by fals polecy

Vnto deth iuged Susanna wrongfully Danielis. xiij.

sig: [et1v]

And of Andronicus whiche hath Onias slayne ij. mach iiij.

Thoughe both be dede / the sede of them abyde

Wherof fals traytours begyn to growe agayne

Infectynge falsly the worlde on euery syde

Maystershyp / and money euery-thynge doth gyde

Bynadab by gyftis hath broke his othe alas

Tryphon by the same disceyued Ionathas iij. Regum. xx.

In hope of brybes men of great dignyte i. macha. xij.

Blyndyth the lawes / and some doth oft betray

Theyr kynge and countrey sellynge theyr honeste

Example of Iugurtha whiche oft by Rome dyd say Iugurtha de quo Salustius . bello iugurthino.

Whyle he frome it departyd on a day

O rome rome / who that had store of golde

By thy owne gyders / thou falsly sholde be solde

Trust me (on grounde / no maner man we fynde Ouidius de arte amandi.

Of so great wrath malyce nor rancoure

But the holy Crosse shall mytygate his mynde

All men doth it great worshyp and honour Horatius in Epistolis.

Money ouer man is lyke a conquerour

No herte so stronge whiche it doth nat ouercome

It is preferred both vertue and wysdome

ref.ed: 16

Whan mony labours it leuyth nought vndone

It all ouercomyth with hye and lowe degre Ecclesiastes. x.

And shortly to speke for a conclusyon Ecclesi. x.

It thousandes blyndeth of men of dignyte

With dyuers folyes / whiche they themself nat se

Thus doth the nomber of Folys rayne so wyde

Ouer all the worlde: that no man can them gyde.

¶Th'enuoy of Barclay the translatour.

¶O noble prynces / in w[or]shyp decorate worshyp] wroshyp 1509

Infix your myndes to vertue and prudence

Remember it is more dishonour to a state

Than to a sympyll man to fall to vyle offence

And where-as of God ye haue preemynence

Aboue lowe people / labour with full intent

To pas them in vertue / and so with dylygence

Lerne to lyue by the rede Rose redolent

¶Though that we Brytons be fully separate

From all the worlde as is sene by euydence

Wallyd with the se / and longe ben in debate

By insurreccion yet god hath made defence

By his prouysion ordeyned vs a prynce.

In all vertues most noble and excellent

This prynce is Harry clene of conscience

Smellynge as the Rose ay fresshe and redolent

sig: et2

Drawe nere ye Prynces of myndes eleuate

Mek[ne]s may ye lerne beynge in his presence Meknes] Mekens 1509

And godly wysdome as hath apered late

In dyuers dedys done / by his excellence

ref.ed: 17

Subduynge without blode great inconuenyence

Punysshynge the proude / louynge the innocent

Wherfore to his dedys gyue your aduertence

Folowynge the smell of the Rose redolent

By his reygne is all Englonde lawreat

With godly peas nat nedynge great defence

Murdred is Mars / and with woundes sawciate

The bondys of peas hath dryuen the tyrant hens

Banysshed is batayle by his magnyficence

And peas confermyd by god omnypotent

The blynde Venus chefe grounde of neglygence

Is exyled from the rede Rose redolent

In hym is iustyce with petye sociate

Upon the pore he spareth no expence

Nor on the Churche after lyke maner rate

Promotynge men of wysdome and science

Seruynge his maker with loue and reuerence

Wherfore O englonde be true of thy intent

With faythfull herte do hym obedyence

Thanke god whiche hath the Rose vnto the sent

De cura astrologię.

Est fatuus siquidem / ... orbis habet

sig: [et2v]

Errorem hic ... fata valent.

ref.ed: 18

¶Of the vayne cure of Astronomy.

sig: et3

¶He is forsoth of purpose vayne and blynde

Of mynde mysbeleuynge and without aduysement

Whiche stedfastly thynkyth in his mynde

To knowe thynges to come playne and euydent

Onely by the sterrys of the fyrmament

Yet churlys voyde of cunnynge and wysdome

Ar nowe-a-dayes Astronomyers become

ref.ed: 19

HEre call we to our folysshe company xxvi. q. v. non liceat christia et per totum et. xxvi. q. vij. non obseruetis etc. sequentur.

Suche folys as labour and stody with great payne

To iuge the planetis / by theyr Astronomy

And other craftis without profyte and vayne

Come hyther Astronomyers haue ye no disdayne

Ye planetystis and wytches / and other of this sort

Whiche honour the sterres onely: as your confort

Suche iuge the dedys of men both more and les Ad gala. iiij.

Expoundynge the sterres by theyr vayne iugement xxvi. q. vij. quis existimaret.

They labour wenynge by theyr folysshnes

To knowe the secrete of god omnypotent

On this vayne stody so set is theyr intent

That what-so-euer they in the sterres se

Without all dout they thynke the same shall be

On the sterrys is all theyr felycyte xxvi. q. ij. ipsos

And in the planetis ar they full dilygent

And than vtter with great audacyte

All that the same do showe or represent

The preuy workynges of euery element

And secrete causys of other bodyes aboue. Exodi. xij.

They note to knowe to what effect they moue

Some gase vpon the wandrynge of the mone

Another deuysyth the cours of Phebus clere

Gasynge on the Sonne at mornynge nyght or none

And by other planetis shewyth what doth apere

Howe some of them whan they do gyde the yere

Engendreth plenty pleasour myrth and ioy

And howe some other doth man and beste destroy

ref.ed: 20

Some techyth what thynge sad Saturne doth manace Saturnus.

And what cruell Mars doth note and signyfye Mars.

Some expoundyth Venus with hir pleasaunt face Venus.

Howe she men bryngyth oft-tyme to vylany

Another is in hande to trete of Marcury Marcurius.

Howe eche of these planetis doth men predestynate

And howe Iupiter theyr wrath doth mytygate Iupiter.

sig: [et3v]

These folys say that in theyr bokes they fynde

That men borne vnder the constellacion

Of Saturne: to theft and robbynge ar inclynyd

Yet fynde we suche true ofte by probacion

And gode and iust without all decepcion

They say the children of Mars without fayle

Shall be disposyd and full gyuen to Batayle

Yet fynde we often by playne experience

That suche as vnder this planete borne be

Ar nat inclyned after theyr sentence

But gyuen ay to peas and tranquyllyte

Right so by Venus we often-tymes se

That though she dispose hir children vnto lust

And bodely pleasour / yet ar they: chast and iust

Thus it aperyth both playne and openly

That it is foly to gyue great confydence

To the vnsure science of Astronomy Ad titum. iij.

Wherfore haue done Iust man / note this sentence Ptolomeus.

A man of wysdome vertue and science

If he the wayes of vyces set asyde

Shall gyde the sterris / and they shall hym nat gyde

ref.ed: 21

Thynke well the sterris and eche elyment

The hole firmament and planetis euerychone Ad roma. x.

Stande in the handes of god omnypotent

None can them gyde saue this hye lorde alone

Therfore mad-man / let thy foly be gone

Wylt thou knowe the secretis of thy creatour Ecclesi. primo

Leue of thy blyndnes / thy foly and furour Psal. xxxv.

Takest thou this labour and charge vpon the

As who sayth god whiche reyneth eternall

Wolde shewe his secretis and godly pryuytye

By sterre or planete to any man mortall De pe. dis. iiij. in domo.

Wherfore it is best me-thynke that we leue all

Unto the iugement and wyll of god aboue

Whiche gydeth all: howe euer the sterris moue

He by his myght hath made the fyrmament

With all the sterres and planetis of the same

Whiche at his wyll ar euer obedyent

And he them rulyth / therfore what hurt or shame Ad ephe. i.

What mysfortune aduersyte or blame Ad roma. viij.

Can all the planetis to man or childe pretende xxvi. q. v. non. l[i] li] lȜ 1509 li] lȜ 1509

If god moste glorious by his myght vs defende

sig: [et4]

Thus is it foly / voyde labour and vanyte

To gyue great credence vnto Astronomy

It is great Foly also in certaynte

To trust vnto fortune / to byrth or desteny xxvi. q. iiij. admoneant.

A vertuouse lyuer may all the same defye

Lyue well and than trust suerly to goddes grace

The sterris ne fortune shall in the haue no place.

ref.ed: 22

¶Th'enuoy of Barklay.

¶Leue of your foly / whiche labour this science

And let this your clokyd errour be refusyd

Vnto the sterris gyue nat to great credence

For many one therby hath ben abusyd.

And many one haue stodyed sore and musyd

To wryte Pronosticacions / whiche haue be founde

Of none effect / and than falsly excusyd

For suche shewe before after as they ar bounde.

De geographica regionum inquisitione.

Qui coelum ... Herculis atque fretum:

sig: [et4v]

Semotam Thylen: ... repperit innumeras.

ref.ed: 23

¶Of the folysshe descripcion and inquisicion of dyuers contrees and regyons.

sig: [et5]

¶Who that is besy to mesure and compace

The heuyn and erth and all the worlde large

Describynge the clymatis and folke of euery place

He is a fole and hath a greuous charge

Without auauntage / wherfore let hym discharge

Hym-selfe / of that fole whiche in his necke doth syt

About suche folyes dullynge his mynde and wyt.

ref.ed: 24

THat fole / of wysdome and reason doth fayle Plinius libro secundo circa principium.

And also discression labowrynge for nought.

And in this shyp shall helpe to drawe the sayle

Which day and nyght infixeth all his thought

To haue the hole worlde within his body brought

Mesurynge the costes of euery royalme and lande

And clymatis / with his compace / in his hande

He coueytyth to knowe / and compryse in his mynde xxvi. q. iiij. c. igitur.

Euery regyon and euery sundry place

Whiche ar nat knowen to any of mankynde

And neuer shall be without a specyall grace

Yet suche folys take pleasour and solace Esa. xl. et. xlviij

The length and brede of the worlde to mesure Ecclesiastes. iiij.

In vay[n]e besynes / takynge great charge and cure vayne] vayle 1509 ij. corin. x. ij. corin. x.

They set great stody labour and besynes

To knowe the people that in the east abyde

And by and by theyr mesures after dres

To knowe what folke the west and north part gyde Abacuc. iij.

And who the sowth / thus all the worlde wyde

By these folys is meated by ieometry meated=meted

Yet knowe they scant theyr owne vnwyse body

Another labours to knowe the nacions wylde

Inhabytynge the worlde in the North plage and syde

Metynge by mesure / countrees both fyers and mylde

Vnder euery planete / where men sayle go or ryde

And so this fole castyth his wyt so wyde

To knowe eche londe vnder the fyrmament

That therabout in vayne his tyme is spent

ref.ed: 25

Than with his compace drawyth he about

Europe / and Asye / to knowe howe they stande

And of theyr regyons nat to be in dout

Another with Grece and Cesyll is in honde

With Apuly / Afryke and the newe-fonde londe

With Numydy and / where the Moryans do dwell

And other londes whose namys none can tell

sig: [et5v]

He mesureth Athlant / calpe / and cappadoce

The see of Hercules garnado and Spayne

The yles there-aboute shewynge all in groce groce=gross

Throwynge his mesure to Fraunce and to Brytayne

The more and lesse / to Flaundres and almayne

There is no yle so lytell that hath name

But that these Folys in hande ar with the same

And regyons that ar compasyd with the se

They besely labour to knowe and vnderstande

And by what cause / nature or propertye

These doth flowe / nat ouercouerynge the londe

So he descrybyth his cercle in his honde

The hole worlde: leuynge no-thynge behynde

As in the Doctrynes of Strabo he doth fynde Strabo

Whiche wrote in bokes makynge declaracion

Somtyme hym groundynge vpon auctoryte

Howe eche Royalme and londe had sytuacion Ecclesiastes.

Some in brode feldes some closyd with the see

But ye geometryans that of this purpose be

Ye ar but folys to take suche cure and payne

Aboute a thynge whiche is fruteles and vayne Plinius.

ref.ed: 26

It passyth your reason the hole worlde to discus

And knowe euery londe and countrey of the grounde

For though that the noble actour plinius

The same purposyd / yet fawty is he founde Ptolomeus

And in Tholomeus great errours doth habounde habounde=abound

Thoughe he by auctoryte makyth mencyon

Of the descripcion of euery regyon

Syns these actours so excellent of name

Hath bokes composyd of this facultye

And neuer coude parfytely perfourme the same

Forsoth it is great foly vnto the Ecclesi. xxxiiij.

To labour about suche folysshe vanyte Ezech. xiii.

It is a furour also one to take payne Sapien. iij.

In suche thynges as prouyd ar vncertayne Hiere. ij.

For nowe of late hath large londe and grounde

Ben founde by maryners and crafty gouernours

The whiche londes were neuer knowen nor founde

Byfore our tyme by our predecessours

And here-after shall by our successours

Parchaunce mo be founde / wherin men dwell

Of whome we neuer before this same harde tell

sig: [et6]

Ferdynandus that late was kynge of spayne

Of londe and people hath founde plenty and store

Of whome the bydynge to vs was vncertayne

No christen man of them harde tell before

Thus is it foly to tende vnto the lore

And vnsure science of vayne geometry

Syns none can knowe all the worlde perfytely

ref.ed: 27

¶Th'enuoy of Barklay.

¶Ye people that labour the worlde to mesure

Therby to knowe the regyons of the same

Knowe firste your-self / that knowlege is moste sure

For certaynly it is rebuke and shame

For man to labour. onely for a name

To knowe the compasse of all the worlde wyde

Nat knowynge hym-selfe / nor howe he sholde hym gyde

De eo qui non vult esse fatuus.

Marsia cum docto ... in cumulo:

sig: [et6v]

Hunc plures ... sine honore sedet.

ref.ed: 28

¶Of hym that wyll nat se his owne folysshenes: and that stryueth agaynst his strenger.

sig: A1

¶The folysshe Marcia dyd with Apollo stryue

But he ouercome: loste sone the victory.

And for his foly was fleyd beinge alyue

For that he comparyd to ioyous Armony.

His foulysshe Bagpype voyde of al melody.

Yet kept he stylle his Bagpype in his honde:

Nat willynge his foly to knowe nor vnderstonde.

ref.ed: 29

OUer al the worlde eche folysshe Creature. Prouer. xxvi. et. xvii.

If he by his foly / or neglygence offende.

Hath suche condicion within hym by nature Oui. vi. meth.

That to mennys mockes nought wyl he intende. Oui. vi. fastorum

Nor knowlege his foly / nor stody hym to amende.

But as one obstynate / continue in his synne.

O folysshe Marcia: for this thou lost thy skynne. Iuuenalis.

This folysshe Marcia with Phebus dyd contende.

Comparynge with hym in songe of Armony Eccles. ii.

But for that Marcia cowde nat his part defende Prouer. xxvi.

He fleaed was alyue moche pyteously.

To whose example we se that comonly

Many mad-brayned and blynde Foles ar alyue

Which voyde of reason / with prudent men dar stryue.

And euery fole that is voyde of dyscressyon

At al tymes thynketh hymself wyse and prudent.

Though he be destytute of wysedom and of reason.

Suche ar so blynde that they can nat aduyse. Ecclesi. xx.

Howe men by mockes and scornes them despyce. Sapientie. iiii.

Lawghinge to derision theyr maners and lewde dede.

Yet se they nat the foles erys vpon theyr hede.

Thys fole thus lawghed to scorne and derision

Taketh al in sporte lawhinge with them also.

Nat thynkynge hym contemned for his mad condicion /

Lewde / and disordred. but where-so-euer he go

He best is content with them that so wyl do.

He loueth to be flatered and clawed by the sleue

That thynge that he wolde here: he gladly doth byleue. Ecclesi. xix.

ref.ed: 30

Who that hym prayseth in scorne and in mockage.

And in derision doth magnyfy his name

Anone he enclyneth vnto that lewde langage:

Auaunsinge hymselfe and presumynge on the same

Stryuynge with his better to his rebuke and shame.

So hangith on his shulders hys pype contynually

Wherby men may his lewdnes notefy.

sig: [A1v]

If suche a fole haue patrymony and londe Ouidius. i. tristium.

Or in his Coffres great treasour and riches

He shall haue frendes and felawys at honde Prouer. xix.

To egge hym forwarde vnto vnhappynes

And sawynge in hym sede of moche vnthryftynes sawynge=sowing Luce. xv. Luce. xv.

And than to spoyle hym: and leue hym pore and bare

Wherby he after must lyue in payne and care

Wastfull youth oft spendeth / all his hole substaunce

On suche Felawys folowynge alway theyr mynde

Rennynge hedely to vngracious gouernaunce

But whan of his good no more is left behynde Tullius de amic[it]ia.amicitia] amicia 1509 amicitia] amicia 1509

And he theyr falshode and preuy gyle doth fynde

He than auysyth hym of his olde estate

Begynnynge to spare / but than it is to late

So whan he by them is brought to pouertye

Hauynge no-thynge his bodye to sustayne

Than all his frendes away fast from hym fle

As trayters vntrue leuynge the Fole in payne

Than cryeth he on god / and sore doth hym complayne

With wofull wordes / mournynge with herte full faynt

And than forthynkyth: but late is his complaynt

ref.ed: 31

But who that in his costes is so ryfe l. ius alimentorum ff. xv. pup edu. debe.

That he that spendyth within a yere or twayne

Whiche were ynoughe the dayes of his lyfe

With honest rule his body to mayntayne

He is a fole spendynge his good in vayne

But they on whome he so his good doth spende prouer. xxxviij.

Shall more to his money / than to his loue intende

Wherof precedyth pouerty and contempt

Scorne and derisyo[n] nede and aduersyte

And from all honour these folys ar exempt

That thus wast theyr good in prodygalyte

For who that is of small power and degre

And with his betters wyll in expence stryue

Without all dout that Fole shall neuer thryue

And also folys that stryueth in the lawe

Agaynst an estate them passynge in ryches Addicio alexandri_barclay.

Shall theyr owne flesshe vnto the bonys gnawe

Or he that is voyde of reason and wytles

And dare presume by his presumptuousnes

Agaynst a man of hye wysdome and lore

He shall byde a fole / euen as he was before.

sig: A2

Ye folys voyde of wysdome and scyence

That wyll presume with cunnynge men to stryue

And ye feble Folys that by your insolence

Thynke you more stronge than any man a_lyue

And ye pore Folys whiche labour to contryue

Mean to ouercome suche as better ar than ye

I you ensure that ye shal[l] neuer thryue shall] shalt 1509

But outher be brought to shame or pouerte

ref.ed: 32

And thou that art a courter or a knaue

Or a bonde chorle / and all thy hole lynage

Thynke well thou shalt but small profyte haue

To stryue with thy mayster come of hye parage

I fynde it moste for mannys auauntage

Within his bondes his body to preserue

100

And nat in riches / strength wysdome nor langage

To stryue agaynst the streme / lyst he in swymmynge sterue.

De non intelligentibus ludos.

Qui vult cum pueris / ... putanda est

sig: [A2v]

Ambitio: cuuctos ... insipidosque viros.

ref.ed: 33

¶Of folys that vnderstonde nat game and can no-thynge take in sport / and yet intermyt them with Folys.

sig: A3

¶Who that with Folys or children wyll play

Or meddyll with suche as wyt and reason want

He ought them to suffer folowynge theyr way

And them endure / as for that small instant

Lyst for his maners mad and ignorant

I call hym hyther to gyde the helme and sayle

If the shyp brake. the les is his auayle

ref.ed: 34

THat man shall one be of our folysshe sort Math. vij.

Whiche without wysdome and aduysement i. dis. in princi.

Wyll besely with folys and children sport

And can nat them indure with meke intent

And mad he is that wyll in mynde assent

To haue ado or accompany with boyes

And can nat suffer theyr folysshnes and toyes

He is a Fole also / that hath great game

Whan childe or dronkard blamyth one absent Prouer. xxvi.

If he can nat also indure the same

And quenche madnes with wordes pacyent

For without dout who that wyll be present

And conuersaunt with caytyfs in theyr bourdes

Or els with children / must suffer theyr lewde wordes

Yet some ar besy on euery man to rayle Ecclesi. i.

With voyde wordes / and talys mad and vayne

With scornes and mockes behynde eche mannys tayle

And yet disdayneth to abyde the same agayne

Theyr madnes doth theyr myndes so constrayne

That with euery Fole they gladly haue to do

And can nat suffer what doth belonge therto

He that wyll labour a beast to hunt or chace Ecclesi. primo.

With his pleasour must take payne and besynes

Folowynge the same about from place to place

His lynes / colers / and lesshes he must dres

And often also abyde / full great hardnes

So he that wyll by yll worde man ouerturne

Must holde hym sure / lyst he vnwarly spurne

ref.ed: 35

One worde in sporte spokyn / another lyke requyrys Ecclesi. xix.

Rayle with a Fole / or childe that can nat gyde

Hym-selfe by reason / thy sportis lyke / desyres

He is a fole whiche can it nat abyde

For lyke wyll haue lyke / if thou be by the syde

Or in the company of Fole or innocent

To suffer theyr foly thou moste be pacyent

sig: [A3v]

A fole hastely rendreth yll for yll Psal. xxxvij.

And oft for good / and loue most profytable Ad Roma. ij.

They render hatered malyce and yll-wyll i. ad thess. v.

Whiche is a thynge wronge and intollerable i. petri. iij.

Yet this nature in folys abydeth stable

That seldome or neuer / they goodnes pay agayne

They other scorne / of scornys hauynge disdayne

With suche Folys none wyse ought intermyt Prouer. xiij.

But coueyt amonge wyse men to be conuersaunt Ecclesi. xiij. et. xxviij.

And so they do / but Folys voyde of wyt

Takyth theyr rowme amonge other ignoraunt

The company of folys to folys is pleasaunt

For it is a prouerbe / and an olde sayd sawe

That in euery place lyke to lyke wyll drawe

A precious stone wrappyd in myre and fen

Lesyth his colour and semyth nat of pryce

Right so one good / amonge vnthrifty men

Distayneth his name / with theyr yll name and vyce

And doth to hym-selfe great wronge and preiudice

For eche man is reputyd of the same sort

As is the company wherto he doth resort

ref.ed: 36

Wherfore me-thynke it best / for euery creature

To auoyde the bandes and mad enormyte Prouer. xxvij.

Of suche Folys whiche can no man endure

By theyr blynde pryde and desyre of dignyte

They coueyt to gouerne both hye and lowe degre C. quia per ambi. de elec. li. vi.

No dolour troubleth a Folys mynde so sore

As whan a man of reason is set hym before

If twenty men be in one company

Som of hye byrth / some wyse / some lyberall

If one fole be amonge them certaynly

He thynkes hym-selfe moche wyser than they all

Thus shortly to speke / a folysshe man rurall

If he a churle / a fole and vnthrift be

The more he lokyth to come to hye degre

Suche folys promotyd haue no pacience

To suffer theyr f[e]lawes / so hye-set is theyr mynde felawes] folawes 1509 Lucanus in primo. Lucanus in primo.

And to theyr betters they haue no reuerence

They can nat them endure / they ar so blynde

So by experience as we often fynde

A fole thoughe he neyther haue wysdome nor cunnynge

Yet thynketh hym-selfe aboue all worldly thynge

sig: [A4]

Hereof the Bybyll examples doth expres Hester. iij.

Howe the fals Aman (howe-beit he was vnwyse)

Had dyuers statis of wysdome and riches

To hym obeynge / and yet dyd them despyse

But for that Mardocheus wolde nat ryse

Out of his place to do to hym honour

His mynde was fyllyd with malyce and dolour

ref.ed: 37

In-so-moche that he wolde haue had hym slayne

For this small faut / but god gaue remedy

To mardocheus for to escape his trayne

And so fals Aman his treason dyd abye

And hanged was / for Mardocheus worthely

And that before Mardocheus face and iyene

By the persuasion of Hester noble quene

But of this proces to drawe vnto conclusyon Eccle. viij. et. xx. et. xxij.

100

What man that intendeth for to lyue quyetly

And wyse to be callyd without abusion

Let hym auoyde mad and folysshe company

But if he nedys wyll vnto suche aply

Let hym mekely endure theyr game and sport

105

Els shall he be one of this my folysshe sort.

¶Th'enuoy of Barklay.

¶O wyse man thou ought lewde company auoyde

For it is dayly prouyd by experyence

That with a thynge corrupt / a sounde thynge is distroyed

Right so good men oft fall in-to great offence

And iugyd yll / though they gyde them by prudence

And that for hauntynge of company diffamyd

For thoughe one be gyuen to godly innocence

As is his company right so shall he be namyd.

Malefacere et non expectare.

Ille quidem ... toleraretolerare] tolerarę 1509 neges.

sig: [A4v]

In saccum ... dilaniare tuam

ref.ed: 38

¶Of them that wylfully offende nat takynge hede to the ende / and hurtyth euery man nat thynkynge to haue theyr malyce rendryd agayne.

¶That fole castyth a dart into the ayre

And gasyth after it without aduysement

Of the fallynge downe therof nat beynge ware

Whiche labouryth with dedys and wordes vyolent

To get many foes hurtynge the innocent

And lokyth nat agayne lyke to endure

One yll turne requyreth / another be thou sure

sig: [A5]

ref.ed: 39

HEre touche I folys / and men without counsell Math. vij.

Whiche puttyth many vnto besynes and payne In prohe. decre. i. c. dilecti. de maio. et obe. ij. q. vi. qui se scit.

And them sore greuyth by theyr dedys cruell

Nat thynkynge to be seruyd with the same agayne

That fole forsoth is of a frantyke brayne

Whiche other men wyll hurt rebuke and blame

And wyll nat suffer of them agayne the same Sapien. xviij.

Consyder man / oft-tyme within thy mynde

The wronge that thou woldest do to thy neyghbour

Whether thou myght in thy herte paciently fynde

The same to suffer of hym without rancour

Malyce or yll-wyll / wrath or displeasour Eccle. xxxiij. et. xxxv.

For thou oughtest nat do to any creature

That thynge whiche thou of hym wolde nat endure

He that wyll other men thurst by violence

In-to a sak by extorcion and wronge

Must in lyke maner arme hym with pacyence

And suffer some blowys nowe and than amonge

To one yll turne another doth belonge

He that is besy euery man to displeas

Or to indamage shall neuer lyue in eas

sig: [A5v]

One namyd Peryllus a workman excellent Perillus de quo ouidius de arte amandi.

A bull of bras forgyd by his subtylte

Wherin a Tyrant myght put men to tourment

Deuysynge deth of moste payne and cruelte

But this workman to proue his faculte

Was by that Tyrant put to deth in lyke wyse

As he for other dyd ordayne and deuyse

ref.ed: 40

O vnwyse Fole whome madnes doth abuse Math. vij.

Howe darest thou be so hardy for to do

That to another whiche thy-selfe wolde refuse

Of hym to be done / to the / yet some do so

Makynge a pyt to others hurte and wo Psal. vij.

Wherin hymselfe is destroyed at the last Prouer. xxvi.

And some in theyr owne snarys ar taken fast Ecclesi. xxvij.

So cursyd Aman in lyke wyse dyd ordayne

For Mardocheus a maner of tourment

Wheron he hoped to haue hangyd hym in payne Hester. vij.

His lyfe consumynge with suche punysshement

But the ende happened nat after his intent

For at the last Aman hym-selfe with care

Was hangyd vp / and that in his owne snare

On wronge and malyce yll-wyll and iniury

All-moste all men hath nowe set theyr intent

Wherfore let wyse men for them fynde remedy Prouer. xvij.

For thoughe that it be a thynge conuenyent Eccle. vii.

To trust to other / yet be thou prouydent

Of mannys gyle falshode and sotelte

So mayst thou escape oft-tymes / aduersyte

Suche men as put to moche confydence

In other vnknowen / often great domage wyn

Suffrynge losse and hurt by theyr owne neglygence

For whan thou lokest vpon the vtter skyn

Thou knowyst full lytell what trust is within

For oft vnder flowres lurketh the serpent

So paynted wordes hydeth a fals intent

ref.ed: 41

Be nat a gest thou man who-euer thou art Eccle. ix.

To suche as louynge outwarde thou seest apere Prouer. xxiij.

Malyciously within / and of enuyous hart

He byddeth the ete and drynke / and make good chere

With loue as farre as thou canst se or here.

But whan suche traytours moste swetly on the smyle

Than ar they besyest the falsly to begyle

sig: [A6]

Vnder fayre wordes pleasaunt and lyberall

And smylynges fals and disceyuable

Suche beryth venym to poyson the withall

Auoyde suche men: thou wyse man and laudable

Theyr dedes ar so fals and so abhomynable Ecclesi. xiiij.

That whan thou gyuyst vnto them moste credence

They shall the brynge to moste inconuenyence

Ye: oft he lawygheth as he were true and gode

Grauntynge thy wordes what-euer thynge thou say

Whiche in his mynde: wolde fayne se thy herte-blode

And of thy secrete counsell the bewray

Beware of suche men as moche as thou may

For amonge swete herbys oft growyth stynkynge wedes

All flaterynge caytyfs ar nat true in theyr dedes

But whan these caytyfes hath hurt a mannys name

Or done hym in body or goodes preiudice

They thynke he ought nat to render them the same

Thoughe it may be done by lawe and by iustyce

But certaynly who that hym doth exercyce

In doynge other losse / hurt / or greuaunce

Shall lyue a fole and dye by some myschaunce

ref.ed: 42

¶Th'enuoy of Barclay the translatour.

¶O men malycious fals and iniuryous

Whiche set your myndes fals meanes to deuyse

To hurte your neyghbours by malyce odyous

And thynke nat to be seruyd in lyke wyse

Ye ar abusyd therin I you promyse

For he that here to his neyghbour is cruell

And doth hym in dede or worde / hurt or despyce

Shall outher be rewardyd here / or els in hell.

De improuidentia futuri.

Quisquis in aestatis ... nil retine solet.

sig: [A6v]

Est adeo demens: ... tempore quęque suo.

ref.ed: 43

¶Of foles without prouysion: that prouyde nought in the somer to lyue by in the wynter nor in youth to lyue by in age.

¶Who that maketh for hymselfe no purueaunce.

Of fruyt and corne in somer season clere.

Whan of the same is store and habundaunce

Shal after lyue in hunger all the yere

Sowkynge his fyngers lyke as the Bere doth here.

And he that in youth wyl nought for hym prouyde

In age must the paynes of pouertye abyde.

sig: B1

ref.ed: 44

AMonge our Folys I nomber hym for one l. xxxii. dis. nihil

Whiche lyueth ydylly and in slewthfulnes

Makynge in the somer no prouysion

To auoyde the wynters / payne and colde hardnes Seneca.

What man wyll nat curse and disprayse his madnes

Whiche at no tyme wyll for hym-self prouyde Prouer. vi.

Of sustenaunce / in nede hym-selfe to gyde

He that begynneth without aduysement

Can nat prouyde that thynge that is to come Deutro. xxxii.

Nor scantly that whiche must be done present

Thus ar his dedys done all without wysedome

Of this company yet fynde I other some

Whiche nought wyll saue them-self to fynde with-all

But all out-wastyth / by Ryot prodygall

These folys of theyr myndes ar so blynde Ecclesi. xxvi.

That nought they saue to theyr owne vtylyte

On wyse prouysion they set no-thynge theyr mynde

But if they be dryuen by extreme necessyte

As hunger thrist colde / or other aduersyte

So oft whan suche ar vexed with moste nede Prouer. xix.

They wolde prouyde / but than they can nat spede

sig: [B1v]

A fole of propertye that is neglygent

For thynge to come prouydeth nought at all

But on one daye settyth all his intent

So in that space if any nede do fall

To hym. he shall vpon his neyghbour call

For helpe and socour / and sore to hym complayne

And aske relefe whiche he shall nat obtayne

ref.ed: 45

Whan suche folys haue theyr wombes full Prouer. xiij.

They force no more / ne take no farther thought

Theyr vayne myndes to farther thynges is dull

Saue on that whiche from hande to mouth is brought

But he is wyse / and of reason wantyth nought

Whiche here hym gydeth by vertue and wysdome

And so prouydeth for the tyme to come

Wherby his wyfe / his children and ofspryn[g]e ofsprynge] ofsprynke 1509 Ecclesi. iiij. et. xxxviij. Ecclesi. iiij. et. xxxviij.

May without care outher besynes or payne

With honestye haue theyr fode and theyr lyuynge

Without occasio[n] theyr good name to distayne

I count hym wyse that thus doth set his brayne

And in the Somer can make suche purueaunce

Wherby all his may haue theyr sustenaunce Prouer. xx.

And that in wynter / and the hardest of the yere

But hym I count moche folysshe and vnwyse Sapien. xv.

And voyde of reason / whiche makyth styll good chere

And by no men wyll the tyme to come aduyse Prouer. vi. et. xxiiij.

But folys folowe moste comonly this gyse

To slepe all Somer whan the season is moste clere

And labour in the hardest season of the yere

Suche no-thynge labour / ne to no worke intende

But to ydylnes / a vyce yll and damnable

That whiche is gotten vnwysely thus they spende Prouer. xxi.

So that whan wynter comys they ar nat able

To haue one lofe of brede vpon theyr table

Nor other thynge theyr hunger to asswage

An ydell man is worthy suche wage

ref.ed: 46

In wynter he abydeth a lyfe myserable Prouer. xxvi.

Whiche in the Somer prouyded hath no-thynge Math. xxvi.

That to his vse is nede and profytable

Who that in Iuly whyle Phebus is shynynge

About his hay is nat besy labourynge

And other thynges whiche ar for his auayle Ecclesi. xxij.

Shall in the wynter his negligence bewayle

sig: B2

And who that can nat hym-selfe wysely prouyde

Of wode and vytayle and other sustenaunce

Shall in the wynter nat knowe where to abyde Prouer. xxij.

For colde and hunger with other lyke greuaunce

Lerne man of the symple Emet purueaunce Iuuenalis.

Whiche gathers and puruays euery-thynge in season Prouer vi.

Shame is to man of beste to lerne reason

For euery-thynge god hath a tyme puruayde Addicio alexandri_barclay.

And gyuen reason to man hym-selfe to gyde

By good prouysion / if that his mynde be layde

Vnto the same / and sleuth to set asyde

But that yonge man that wyll in age abyde

Without prouysion / wherby he myght hym fede

Shall worthely in his age dye for nede

Of that Fole who shall haue compassion

Whiche by his Foly / great slouth and neglygence

Vpon hym-selfe intendyth to haue none

But all out-wastyth by immoderate expence

So to conclude in brefe and short sentence

That fole hath nat the way hym-selfe to gyde

Whiche in due season can nat eche thynge prouyde

ref.ed: 47

¶Th'enuoy of Barclay.

¶O blynde man vnwyse / wastynge and neclygent

Lerne of the Emet to labour craftely

And in thy youth to be so dylygent

Wherby in age / thou lyue mayst easely

For he that wyll nat his mynde therto aply

In youth and Somer to labour without fere

In age and wynter shall lyue in penury

And sowke his clawys for hanger lyke the bere.

De litigantibus in iuditio.

Titibus et rixis ... concipiuntque dolos:

sig: [B2v]

Iuditii amfractus ... simplicitate regit.

ref.ed: 48

¶Of great stryuers in the lawe for thynges of nought.

¶He is a fole / whether it be man or wyfe

Whiche hym delyteth in iugement and lawe

And euer contendyth in discorde and in stryfe

In small tryfyls / and scantly worth a strawe

Suche / theyr owne flesshe vnto the bonys gnawe

And labour by theyr sotelty and gyle

To blynde iustyce / and the lawes to defyle.

ref.ed: 49

A Cause conuenyent doth me bynde and constrayne i. ad corin. vi.

To blame mo Folys: and that in myghty nomber Prouer. iij.

Whiche I haue suffred tyll this tyme to remayne Ecclesi. viij.

To se if they wolde waken from theyr slomber Ad titum . iij.

Suche ar mad Folys whiche other men inco[m]ber incomber] inconber 1509

With besy pledynge / wherby them-selfe ar brought

By longe contynuaunce vnto the poynt of nought

sig: B3

For small occasion for lytell thynge or nought ij. thimo. ij.

Vnwyse men stryue deuysynge falshode and gyle Math quinto.

Nowe euery fole hath set his mynde and thought Prouer. xvi.

To seke the extreme of lawe / but though they smyle

At the begynnynge / after within a whyle

Theyr laughynge shall turne to sorowe and damage

And onely the lawyers catchyth the auauntage

Yet ar these folys ioyous in theyr mynde

They norysshe stryfe without ende / them amonge Iacobi. iiij.

And some by falshode can crafty meanes fynde

By fals delayes theyr mater to prolonge

Suche Folys drawyth the lawe thus wyse a_longe

To that intent that by rightwyse iugement Prouer. xvij.

Transgressours sholde nat haue worthy punysshement

These folys that thus theyr maters doth diffarre

Shall in that space theyr owne goode waste and spende

To that purpose theyr neyghbour also to marre

So ar they both made beggers at the ende

Than must they to some agrement condiscende

Theyr cause and mater discussed neuer the more

O mad Folys so sholde they haue done before

sig: [B3v]

ref.ed: 50

Some suffer them-selfe for defaut of aparaunce Ecclesi. vi.

To be outlawyd / and other some suspendyd

Out of the Churche for his mysgouernaunce Hiere. ij.

And yet nought caryth / therfro to be defendyd

Howe-beit they myght: and haue theyr mater endyd

Suche assay by falshode to prouoke the lawe

And than it fle / and them therfro withdrawe Prouer. xxvi.

But suche Folys that thus so besely Ecclesi. xxviij.

Pursue the lawe / with stryfe and brawlynge vayne

Consyder nat that they ren in great enuy Esaie. lviij.

Amonge theyr neyghbours whiche shall them pay agayne

With theyr owne malyce and gyle to theyr great payne Ecclesi. viij.

But in the mean-space the lawyers a[re] made ryche are] a 1509

Leuynge these Folys and theyr mater in the dyche

Thou besy fole intende vnto this clause

That euery lawyer shall gyue more aduertence

To mony and gyftis than vnto thy cause

For after he hath set thy wordes and sentence

In his fat boke / fyllyd with offence

And there pryckyd with his couetous pen

Thou neuer shalt thryue whyle thy name is therin

Yet thou vnwysely art redy to intende Eccle. viij.

Vnto thy cause / and though it fortune be Prouer. xviij.

Skant worth a grote / yet gladly wylt thou spende

Thy hole good theron so sekynge pouerte

For howe-beit that the lawes ought be fre

Yet sergeaunt atturney promoter Iuge or scribe

Wyll nat fele thy mater without a preuy brybe

ref.ed: 51

Therfore thou acloyest with money or rewarde Prouer. iiij.

The kepars of the lawe to make them to the bounde

In-so-moche that thoughe thy mater be but harde

Yet money shall make it haue moche better sounde

And to be playne that case hath euer best grounde

That is best anoyntyd with maystershyp and golde

Thoughe it be false it strongly is vpholde

And without dout the lawyers dylygence Ecclesiastes. vi.

Is in his pledynge euer moste substancyall

Whan of thy purse he hath had experyence

And knowyth thy hande to hym fre and lyberall

Wherfore we often vnto our mater call

From far places men of greatest disceyt

And fayrest wordes to prolonge our debate

sig: [B4]

And with theyr fayre and paynted eloquence

To glose our mater in wordes of no substaunce Eccle. xl.

So that Iuge that by way of innocence Prouer. xxiij.

Gydeth the lawe in Iust and right balaunce

Of suche pleders is led the blynde mannys daunce

So that they playnly proue before his syght

The right to be wronge / and the wronge to be right.

¶Th'enuoy of Barklay.

¶O men malycious thus besy in the lawe

For euery mater and thynge of nought to stryue

I reade you your myndes from suche stryfe withdrawe

And from suche falshode as ye oft contryue

ref.ed: 52

Or I ensure you ye shall neuer thryue

But wast your goodes therwith to get enuy

Lyuynge in discorde whyle ye ar a_lyue

And at the ende your wylfulnes defye

Alas mad Fole / and man vnmerciable

What menest thou thy neyghbour to oppresse

And for thynge of nought to be so vengeable

To put both thy-self and hym to besynes

Wastynge your goodes about vnhappynes

Leue man thy malyce and mytygate thy mynde

For who that can lyue in peas and quyetnes

Shall welth and rest both loue and riches fynde

Where-as that Fole that is alway inclynde

To stryfe and pledynge for thynge of none auayle

And none occasion: labours the lawe to blynde

Becomynge a begger at last for his trauayle

And at the laste shall euery man assayle

This Fole with malyce / for his accostomyd stryfe

So that his foly he shall mone and bewayle

And so be wery of his wretchyd lyfe.

De obscoenis fatuis.

Colloquium prauum: ... sedulitate coli ####gt####

sig: [B4v]

Illius obscoenis ... perire decet.

ref.ed: 53

¶Of foles abhomynable in fowle wordes of rybawdry.

¶The lothsome wordes that nowe-adayes we vse

And shamefull commonynge / full of wantonnes

Ar wont good maners to infect and abuse

Indusynge yll maners / yll lyfe and viciousnes

With countenaunces and dedes of vnhappynes

For as the wyse man sayth in a parable

Fowle wordes infectyth maners commendable

sig: [B5]

ref.ed: 54

IN our tyme nowe both w[o]man childe and man woman] waman 1509 Ecclesi. li. Ecclesi. li.

Without nomber worshyp with humbyll reuerence i. esdre. vi.

The festis abhomynab[l]e of vyle grobyan abhomynable] abhomynabe 1509 Math. v. Math. v.

With all theyr myght honour and theyr dylygence i. ad cor. xvi.

Compassynge his auters with lawdes and insence xxviij. q. i. sepe.

With wordes and vsys / Fowle and abhomynable

Suche men myscheuous to hym ar acceptable

To his vyle temple renneth yonge and olde Ezech. ix.

Man / woman / mayden / and with them many a childe Ecclesi xxix.

And bere with them insence as I before haue tolde Iob. xxv. et. ii.

Worshyppynge his festis with theyr langage defylde

And wordes from whiche all goodnes is exylyd

And with vyle langage of rybawdry the grounde

Whose yl example doth sympyll youth confounde

Shamefastnes is exylyd and all his hole lynage Ouidius. i. Meth.

And in his place is vylenes byd behynde

Vngoodly maners / vngoodlyer langage Psal. xi.

Whiche ar the clene destruccion of mankynde

Lo here a fole / that with suche vyce is blynde

A vyle swyne / and foule ledyth by the ere

His bestely lyfe of this vyle beste to lere

sig: [B5v]

These Folys also ar in suche an outrage

To rynge the bell of theyr mad rybaudry Ecclesi. xx.

That men may knowe theyr lyfe by theyr langage

Wherby they vtter theyr lewdnes openly Prouer. xi.

Thus all the Shyppes of our folysshe company

Ar led by the wawes of this see mundayne

By the foule swyne folowynge hir lyfe and trayne

ref.ed: 55

Lyst our Folys of theyr right cours myght fayle

Or by great charge brake or els be drowned

The swyne of the se them draweth at hir tayle

And them nat suffreth to synke or stryke on grounde Ecclesiastes. v.

But if all the Folys that of this sort ar founde

Sholde drynke no ale nor wyne durynge this yere

We nedyd nat to fere / that they sholde be moche dere

But these Folys the trouth to determyne ij. petri. ij.

Bycause the sowe so doth hir pygges multyply

Therfore they folowe the maners of the swyne

In rybawde wordes full of shame and vylany

Suche maners in this tyme doth men best magnyfy Ad ephe. v.

And them promotyth moche rather than wysedome Psal. xl.

O where ar honesty and shamefastnes become

They ar exyled and haue no rowme nor place

In erth at this season with hye nor lowe de[g]re degre] dere 1509

But suche as vse rybawde wordes voyde of grace Hiere. ij.

Ar nowe promotyd sonest to dignyte

And howe-be-it that they moche vnworthy be

Who that of his langage is moste obhomynable

Is taken in the court as man moste commendable

The hogge promotyd out of the myre and dust

Vyle and vngoodly of body and vsage Esaie. xl.

Promotyth and admyttyth men after his lust

The vylest settynge moste hye vpon his stage Ad col. iij.

And some ar so past shame in theyr langage Ad titum primo

So fowle and lothly / that they moste comenly

Haue all theyr wordes in viciouse rybawdry

ref.ed: 56

So that if mad Horestes myght them se

Hauynge respect vnto theyr lothlynes Horestes.

He myght well say they were more mad than he

And wonder on theyr langage full of viciousnes Prouer. xij.

For all theyr delyte is in delyciousnes

Glotony and drynke / but he hath gayest name Ecclesi. xxxi.

Whiche rybawde wordes can mengle with the same

sig: [B6]

Thus who that offreth the Fende suche sacrafyce Ecclesi. xxxij.

With rybawde wordes foule and abhomynable

Gyuynge occasion to youth to fall to vyce

Suche in his dedes is greatly reprouable Esaie. xlvi.

And shall as a fowle both pore and myserable

Shamefully lyue without moche better ende

Before his deth if he hym nat amende.

¶Th'enuoy of Barklay.

¶Man vse thy tunge in myrth and honeste

And laude thy maker ther-with with reuerence

To that intent god gaue it vnto the

And nat to vse it in incouenyence

In rybawde wordes is great synne and offence

And to youth great example / and damage

But thoughe thou be clene of dede and conscience

Yet men shall the Iuge after thy langage.

De status spiritualis abusu.

En statum multi / ... relligione colunt

sig: [B6v]

Quid fratres ... coluisse bonos

ref.ed: 57

¶Of the abusion of the spiritualte.

¶Here must I yet another barge ordayne

For many folys of the spiritualte

Whiche to the intent to auoyde labour and payne

In theyr meane youth take on them this degre

But after whan they a whyle prestis haue be

To haue forsaken the worlde they repent

Where firste they sholde better haue prouyd theyr intent

sig: C1

ref.ed: 58

YEt somwhat here remayneth of my charge 'Y' of 'YEt' is guide letter in space set for large capital viii. q. i. scripturis et. c. Moyses. viii. q. i. scripturis et. c. Moyses.

Whiche must be touchyd and here of very right

Amonge our Folys haue a sympyll barge

And that is this / As moche as I haue insyght

Euery man laboures nowe with all theyr myght.

Vnto the order of presthode to promote

His sonne: howe-beit he be a very sote

If he be folysshe or of his wyt vnstable

Mysshapyn of his face / his handes or his fete

And for no besynes worldly profitable

For the holy Churche than thynke they hym most mete xviij. dis. nos autem glosa. i. xxi. dis. cleros

And so thou rurall churle / a man may wete

Thou woldest nat thy sone haue preste for this intent

To serue and to pleas our lorde omnypotent

But to the intent to lyue in eas and rest

And to auoyde all worldly besynes

And in his lust to fede hym with the best xxiii. dis. his igitur.

Contynuynge in vyce / and moche vnhappynes

Suche Folys haue theyr myndes on ryches

On cursyd lucre pleasour ioy and welth

Carynge nought at all for theyr soulys helth

They care nought for wysdome vertue nor doctryne

Cursyd mony troubleth the goodly sacryfyce xij. q. i. quia.

And to the same theyr mynde they so inclyne

That it them ledyth to eche vnhappy vyce

And yet they thynke them-self to exercyse

By way of wysdome and gouernaunce laudable

Thoughe they be worthy a bagpype and a bable

ref.ed: 59

The order of presthode is troublyd of eche fole

The honour of religion euery-where decays

Suche caytyfs and courters that neuer were at scole

Ar firste promotyd to presthode nowe-adays

O Numa Numa thou folowyd nat suche wayes Numa_pompeus.

In thy olde Temples suche folys to consecrate

But suche as were wyse / and with vertue decorate

And suche as had in cunnynge be brought vp Addicio translatoris.

Godly of maners and of lyfe laudable

But nowe blynde Folys nought knowynge saue the cup

Falshode and flatery ar brought out of the stable

S[t]reyght to the auter / and without any fable Streyght] Sreyght 1509

Mo prestes ar made than lernyd men or clerkes

As it aperyth playne by theyr folysshe warkes

sig: [C1v]

From the kechyn to the quere and so to a state

One yesterday a courter is nowe a prest become

And than haue these folys theyr myndes so eleuate

That they disdayne men of vertue and wysdome

But if they haue of golde a myghty some

They thynke them abyll a man to make or marre

And ar so presumptuous / and proude as Lucifarre

O godly order O prestly innocence

O laudable lyfe wysdome and humylyte

Alas why haue we you put from our presence

And you exylyd with godly grauyte

Our lyfe is nowe led in all enormyte

And all by our foly and amasyd ignoraunce

The prelatis ar the cause of this mysgouernaunce xxxvi. dis. oportet.

ref.ed: 60

O cursyd hunger of syluer and of golde

For your loue and desyre immoderate

To folys and boyes presthode is nowe solde

And to men myscheuous fyllyd with debate

The godly honour longynge to a state

Replete with wysdome cunnynge and grauyte

Ar nowe nat ordred right as they ought to be

O folys cursyd / o men moche myserable xcv. dis. ecce.

Say say what Furour your myndes doth constrayne xcvi. dis. quis dubitet

To this holy order whiche is to you damnable

If ye in vertue your lyues nat mentayne

Away with this mynde withdrawe your fete agayne

Assay your lyfe longe before or ye begyn

For it is damnable to man ensuynge syn

Yet certaynly I fynde by euydence xl. dis. per. to.

That in the worlde is no sort of degre

Whiche is more gyuen to inconuenyence

Than ar suche Folys of this spiritualte

O where is chastnes and dame humylyte

Alas they ar dede and nat with vs aquayntyd

But flaterynge falshode hath our facis payntyd

Alas our order is fallen in errour

The path is left wherin we ought vs kepe

With what relygion do we our lorde honour

Alas the Shepherd is lewder / than the shepe

This great disorder causyth my herte to wepe

Alas what lewdness is cloked vnder cowlys

Who can expresse the foly of these folys

sig: C2

ref.ed: 61

O holy orders of Monkes and of Freres Monachi et ceteri regulares arguuntur.

And of all other sortes of relygion

Your straytnes hath decayed of late yeres

The true and perfite rule of you is done

Fewe kepyth truly theyr right profession

In inwarde vesture / dyet / worde / or dede

Theyr chefe stody is theyr wretchyd wombe to fede

100

O holy Benet with god nowe glorifyed

O glorious Austen / o Francis decorate.

With mekenes / the placis that ye haue edefyed

Ar nowe disordred and with vyces maculate

Enuy / Pryde / Malyce / Glotony and debate

105

Ar nowe chefe gyders in many of your placis

Whiche grace and vertue vtterly out-chasys

These holy faders rehersyd afore by name

Composed rules holy and laudable

For men religious / to lyue after the same

110

Whiche nowe but lytell to them ar agreable

But in theyr lyfe from them moche vari[a]ble variable] varible 1509 vij. q. i. non autem. vij. q. i. non autem.

O holy Benet Francis and Augustyne

Se howe your children despyseth your doctryne

But to speke shortly and in generall

115

We fynde but fewe suche prestis nowe certayne

As moyses in the olde lawe first of all Moyses.

To serue in goddes Temple dyd ordayne Deutro. xviij.

But vnwyse men rasshe / and mad of brayne xxi. q. iiij. his. etc. Sacerdos.

Becomyth prestis onely for couetyse Prouer. xxi.

120

Gouernynge the Churche in a disordred wyse ij. Petri. iij.

ref.ed: 62

Loke who that nowe of mynde is eleuate glo. ij. q. viij. non omnis. xl. dis. c. fi.

And that gentylman that mysshapen and wytles is

Shall be made a preste / and after a prelate

To gyde the Churche / full bacwardly I wys

125

But suche as here the same doth gyde amys

And in theyr lyfe them-selfe nat gydyth well

May after theyr deth abyde rewarde in hell

¶Th'enuoy of Barclay the translatour.

¶Ye that ar gyders of goddes heritage

Be in your dedes to hym faythfull and true

Instruct his flocke with vertuous langage

And good example to goodnes and vertue

Teche them the wayes of lewdnes to eschewe

Rather with your workes than payntyd eloquence

For the rude pepyll moste gladly them subdue

To that thynge wherof they se experyence

sig: [C2v]

¶Expell couetyse / and desyre of dignyte

Beware of Venus / hir dartis are damnable

Take nat on you the order and degre

Of presthode: without that ye be somwhat able

For this is often prouyd without fable

That whan the Shepherde is folysshe outher blynde

Vnto his mayster he is nat profitable

Nor to his flocke: as he shall after fynde

¶The greattest rote of all mysgouernaunce

That nowe is vsyd amonge the comonte

Procedith of folysshe prestis ignoraunce

Whiche haue no wysdome way nor faculte

ref.ed: 63

To hele suche shepe as they playne scabbyd se

And straynge abrode without aduysement

They let them alone: so spiritually they dye

Wherfore the kepar is worthy punysshement

¶The cause why so many prestis lackyth wyt

Is in you bysshops / if I durst trouth expresse

Whiche nat consyder what men that ye admyt

Of lyuynge cunnynge person and godlynes

But who-so-euer hym-self therto wyll dresse

If an angell be his brokar to the scribe

He is admyttyd howe-beit he be wytles

Thus solde is presthode for an vnhappy brybe

De inani fastu et iactatione.

Mendaces fatuos: ... meruere tamen.

sig: C3

Nobilitas virtute ... protinus esse volunt.

ref.ed: 64

¶Of the prowde and vayne bostynge of Folys.

sig: [C3v]

¶My hande is wery my wyt is dull almoste

Fayne wolde I rest to refresshe my wyt agayne

But a folysshe bande / that vse them-selfe to bost

Of thynge nat done by them in wordes vayne

To wryte theyr lewdnes doth me bynde and constrayne

For some them bost in Phesyke and the lawys

Or in dedes of war: howe-beit they ar but dawes

ref.ed: 65

HEre had I purposyd as I before haue sayde

To haue stynt my tonge and seased for a whyle

Or of my boke here a conclusion made

And so these folys no farther to reuyle

But than aduysement dyd me beholde: and smyle

Saynge that my purpose was intendyd in vayne

And I but euen in the myddes of my payne xij. q. ij. gloria episcopi.

This worde to me was halfe a disconfort xxi. q. omnis.

For almoste wery was I of my trauayle Prouer. xxvij.

With that of Folys I sawe a myghty sort

Of dyuers sortis and dyuers aparayle

Some rayde as knyghtes in whyte harnes and mayle

And o[t]her as Doctours / and gyders of some scoles other] oher 1509

But euer me-thought that they sholde be but folys

Some other Crowned as Poetis lawreat Militis iactacio.

And other as Doctours expert in medycyne

Of whose maners condicions and estate

And stately bostynge of strength and of doctryne

Here shall I wryte / who lyst therto inclyne

And first I proue that euery day we se

That bostynge Folys leste of theyr dedes be

Some is a knyght hym bostynge of his londes

With his gylt sporys / and other cognysance

Another a Doctour and the lawys vnderstondes

And sene all the scolys of Italy and Fraunce

The knyght hym bostyth and boldely dare auaunce

Of his olde lynage / nobles and auncetry

Recountynge the discent of all his progeny

ref.ed: 66

Ye in-so-moche that oft he hath no shame Patres conscripti romanorum.

Hym-selfe of the stocke of the Romayns senatours

Or of some kynges progeny to name

Els other whiche hath ben myghty conquerours

And yet perchaunce his first progenytours Psal. lxi.

Came first of all vnto theyr chefe estate

By fals extorcion / oppression or discayte Prouer. xxviij.

sig: [C4]

Suche folys ar proude of suche noblenes Iuuenalis.

Whiche they haue neuer nether cowde obtayne Seneca

By theyr owne vertue theyr strength or theyr boldnes

But in the gettynge therof for to be playne i. Ad cor. iiij.

Noblenes is gotten with dilygence and payne De preben. venerabilis.

By iustyce vertue strength and rightwysnes

And nat by rygour oppression or ryches

Say fole by what vertue or worthynes

Hast thou deseruyd this renow[n]e specyall renowne] renowe 1509Bar. in. l. i. c. de incolis. lix. Bar. in. l. i. c. de incolis. lix.

Or what hast thou done wherby this noblenes

Wheron thou bostest / is thus vnto the fall

If it were sought I trowe no-thynge at all

Saue that thou lust suche folysshe wordes to fayne

Wherby thy foly and pryde aperyth playne

Lo sayth a fole. I haue be longe in warre

In straunge countrees and far beyonde the se

To dyuers Nacions my dedys knowen ar

Both spayne and Egypt and Fraunce spekes of me

In so many countrees in warrys haue I be

That all the people of Est / west / North and South

My name and laudys haue onely in theyr mouth

ref.ed: 67

But yet perchaunce this fole that thus hym bostis

Was neuer in war nor out of his owne londe

Some other as Doctours come from strange costis

Coueytynge that name though they nought vnderstonde

With euery folysshe thynge they ar in honde xlix. dis. sacerdotes et glo. in. l. i. c de ath. l. li. x.

Spekynge vayne wordes without wysdome and prudence

Yet count they them wyse and of parfyte eloquence

They boste theyr stody and vant of theyr cunnynge

With stately wordes proude loke and countenaunce

And thoughe suche folys lernyd haue no-thynge

With theyr solem pryde they defende theyr ignoraunce

As none were wyser in all the scolys of fraunce

If they can reken and tell eche bokes name

They thynke them-self great doctours by the same

So lede they foly about fast by the hande

Bostynge theyr laudes and name in euery place

Howbeit theyr owne dedes on se or on lande

Were neuer so noble suche lawdes to purchace

But to be short proude folys ar in that case

Rotyd by nature that them they moste auaunt them] them them 1509

In that wherin they ar moste ignoraunt Prouer. xxvij.

sig: [C4v]

¶Th'enuoy of Barclay.

¶Desyst ye folys your bostynge wordes and vayne

Let other men commende your honestye Prouer. xxvij.

And godly lyfe / for it is foly playne

To prayse your-selfe though that ye worthy be

Than moche gretter shame is it to lye

Bostynge that thynge the whiche ye neuer had

In cunnynge strength lynage or degre

Of all bostynge this namely is moste bad.

ref.ed: 68

¶But yet men olde of our predecessours

In theyr olde prouerbes often comprehende

That he that is amonge shrewyd neyghbours

May his owne dedes laufully commende

Syns his yll-wyllers wyll nat therto intende

Also I fynde that there thre sortes be

Of people lyuynge / whiche may themselfe defende

In lesynge / for they haue auctoryte to lye

¶The first is pylgrymes that hath great wonders sene

In strange countres / suche may say what they wyll

Before tho men that hath nat also ben

In those same places / and hath of them no skyll

The seconde ar men aged suche may bost theyr fyll

Without repugnaunce. And men of hye degre

Before theyr seruauntis may playne say what they wyll

Yet ar they nought but folys if they lye

De lusoribus.

Multos ludorum ... sensibus atque nocet:

sig: [C5]

Efficit iratos ... cuncta terit.

ref.ed: 69

¶Of carde-players and dysers.

sig: [C5v]

The damnable lust of cardes and of dyce

And other gamys prohybyte by the lawe

To great offencis some folys doth attyce

Yet can they nat them-self therfro withdrawe

They count theyr labour and los nat worth a strawe

Carynge nought els: therin is theyr delyte

Tyll thryft and helth from them be scapyd quyte

ref.ed: 70

LO yet agayne of Folys assemblyth mo in autem de sanc epi. interdicimus.

Vnto my shyppys in hope of auauntage

But oft it hapnyth or they depart and go

Theyr lust them turneth to losse and great damage

By theyr lewde gamys furour and outrage

Suche ar great gamners hauynge small substance

Whiche often fall to great losse and myschance

Sayth poetis that in hell ar Furyes thre Virgi. de ludo Sperne lucrum

The folys to punysshe that ar sende to the same

For theyr nat lyuynge here in equyte Exodi. xxxij.

It nedyth nat them here to count by name i. corin. x.

The fourth Fury is encresyd by this game

Whiche (than the other) is more furious and bad

For here in erth it makyth folys mad

But of men gyuen vnto this furiousnes l. si. ff. de alea.

Of vnsure game / chefe cause of stryfe and wo

And moche losse: somwhat I shall expresse

But first I say some ar so gyuen therto

That where-so-euer they labour ryde or go

If they be onys inflamyd with the game

To theyr destruccion theyr mynde is on the same

In hope to get (that they haue lost) agayne

All theyr hole pleasour is set to throwe the dyse

So of one losse oft-tymes make they twayne

Wherby oftyme they ren in preiudyce

And get occasion of theft and other vyce glo. in. c. pe. de. vi. et ho cle.

But thre dyse rennynge square all of one sort

To suche Folys is chefe confort ioy and sport xxxv. dis. c. i. glo. i.

ref.ed: 71

Suche folowe this game stryuynge nyght and day

Tournynge the dyse somtyme by polecy

Them falsly settynge assaynge if they may

Some vyle auauntage for to obtayne therby

But than if they nat set them craftely

Anone begynneth brawlynge and debate

Blasfemynge and othes the pot about the pate

sig: [C6]

Exces of watchynge doth players great damage

And in that space oft Venus doth them blynde Iuuenalis.

Makynge them hoore longe or they come to age

Also this game troubleth oft theyr mynde

With wrath them makynge vnstable as the wynde

Theyr mynde it disclosyth theyr wyt infextynge to infectynge] infextynge 1509

It also theyr reasons troublyth with inwarde wo

A couetous herte by game is kept in fere De. ex prela. inter dilectos. vbi. glo. et doc. do.

And styrred to yre euer whan it can nat wyn

Whiche yre vnto the stomake doth great dere vnto] vnto to 1509

Besyenge the mynde pryuely within

The wyt thus troublyd of wysdome is but thyn

And so the more that wrath doth hym inflame

The more backwarde and lewdly goeth his game

These folys vngracious of theyr gouernaunce

Care for no-thynge: theyr lust is fyxed fast Car. in cle. ij. de vi. et ho. cl.

On vnsure fortune: and hir vncertayne chaunce

Whiche them promotyth to beggers at the last

Watchynge without season tyll theyr wyt be past

Ye two nyghtes or thre as folys voyde of grace

No thyrst nor hunger can moue them from that place

ref.ed: 72

But in the mean season if that any discorde Leui. xxiiij.

Amonge them fall / the woundes of god ar sworne

His armys / herte and bonys / almoste at euery worde

Thus is our sauyour amonge these caytyfs torne

And wordes of malyce myschefe and great scorne

They throwe to god renounsynge oft his name Ad rom. ij.

Whan that mysfortune doth bacwarde gyde theyr game

These folys in furour vpon our lorde thus cry De. cle. male. c. i. et. ij.

As if he caryd for theyr myscheuous game

Or whan they for theyr lossys ar sory

That god aboue sholde also be the same De iudi. c. ij. li. vi.

But whyle these Folys blasfeme thus christes name

The wymen and maydes / whiche is abhomynable

In game and othes to men ar euen semblable

There is almoste no maner of degre

Man / childe / woman / pore man / or estate /

Olde or yonge / that of this game ar fre

Nor yet the clargy / both pore preste and prelate

They vse the same almoste after one rate

Whan by great los they brought ar in a rage

Right fewe haue reason theyr madnes to asswage

sig: [C6v]

I wyll nat say but it is commendable No. in ca. cle. de. vi. et ho. cle.

For recreasion somtyme to use suche sport

So it be done in season and tyme laudable

And amonge persons mekely of one sort

And nat for lucre / but pleasour and confort

Without all othes and with perfyte pacyence

In losse and gayne / in suche game is none offence

ref.ed: 73

But yet the Lucre that is won therby Host in s[u]m de ex. prela. qualiter.

Is nat allowed ne by the lawes approbate

For to be gotten true and rightwysely

For god almyghty doth suche yll-getters hate

And theyr wronge gamys also / causynge debate

Enuy and murder / and euen for the same cause

They ar prohybyte also by the lawes

And to be playne great inconuenyences

100

Procedyth to many by this vnlawfull game

And by the same oft youth doth sue offences

To his destruccion and all his frendes shame

For whan all theyr good is wastyd by the same

Often some by foly fallyth to be a thefe

105

And so ende in shame sorowe and myschefe

¶Th'enuoy of Barclay.

¶Consyder ye players the great losse and damage

That comyth of this game vsyd vnlaufully

Firste of it comyth no maner auauntage

But if one put hym firste in ieoperdy

And that small lucre that gotten is therby

Though thou about the same hast moche payne Though] Thought 1509

Thynke well that it is gotten wrongfully

The lawe the byndeth: it to restore agayne

Wherfore me-thynke that man doth surest play

That with this madnes medlyth nat at all ludunt secure quibus est [op]es semper in arca. virgi. de ludo. opes] es 1509 opes] es 1509

But in his cofres his moyney kepis alway

For that is sure howe-euer the cardes fall

ref.ed: 74

Or other game as Tables dyse or ball

And better a lytell sure than moche in fere and dout

Better haue one birde sure within thy wall

Or fast in a Cage than twenty score without

This game also oft causeth wrath and othes

And malyce where erst was loue and amyte

And moche falshode / whiche god almyghty lothes

With fals forswerynge disceyt and cruelte

It causeth by watchynge also infirmyte

sig: D1

So men by it (los) of goodes and body fynde

Wherfore let euery man suche foly fle

There was neuer wyse man that set theron his mynde.

De suppressis fatuis.

Est (scio) turba ... sacrilegique locant.

sig: [D1v]

Stultus et hic ... per ęquor eunt.

ref.ed: 75

¶Of folys oppressyd with theyr owne foly.

¶Of folys I wot there is great company

Within my boke in fygures and scripture

But in this Shyp namely ar there many

Whiche theyr owne foly can by no meane endure

Suche in this Barge shall of a rowme besure

Thoughe they haue rowme I can graunt them no rest

For with the Asse they rudely ar opprest.

ref.ed: 76

WIthin my shyp: and also on euery syde 'W' of 'WIthin' is guide letter in space set for large capital Prouer. i. Prouer. i.

Ar so many folys saylynge before the wynde

So swyftly that me-thynke they wyll nat byde

But sone depart / and so leue me behynde Ecclesi. xxxiij.

The faute and cause is in my sleuthfull mynde

But the slowe Asse hye on my backe doth skyp

And warnyth me so enter I the shyp

sig: D2

The shyp I enter / and worthy am therto

Amonge my folys my-self may clayme a place

For my great slouth in eche dede that I do

But neuertheles I am nat in that case

To occupy great rowme before eche mannys face

A lytell and strayt corner for me is best

That I may slepe therin and take my rest

I coueyt nat to be in places wyde

I am content with a corner of straytnes

Vpon the hatchys I coueyt nat to byde

For there is to moche labour and besynes

And also the Asse betokenynge sleuthfulnes

Sholde haue to moche space on me to tred

If I at large about by it were led

Yet in my sleuth if I coude be pacient Sapien. ij.

And folowe the Asse without all repugnaunce

But alway redy at his commaundement Ad hebre. xij.

I sholde be put to moche lesse greuaunce ij. q. i. multi.

And so haue hope to scape this perturbaunce

My membres fre / from suche wo and payne.

But well I fell my trust is but in vayne

ref.ed: 77

But this one thynge my herte and mynde doth glad

And in my payne is the moste chefe confort

That mo companyons by the same Asse ar lad.

Of my condicion lyuynge / and lyke sort

Whose owne foly / whiche they take for a sport

By longe contynuaunce themself doth sore oppres

Tournynge theyr myrth to wo and wretchydnes

These ar they whiche wyll nat aply theyr mynde Prouer. i.

To wyse mennys counsell and aduysement

Wherby they myght both welth and profyte fynde

If to suche counsell they gladly wolde assent

These ar suche folys as furious of intent

By wrath ar dryuen to dyuers great offence Prouer. xxvij.

For none occasion / without reason and prudence

These ar suche Folys as by stryfe and debate Prouer. xv.

And other suche whiche lewdly by enuy Ecclesi. xlviij.

And no cause gyuen theyr neyghbou[r]s hurt and hate neyghbours] neyghbous 1509

And so to malyce theyr cursyd myndes aply

These ar suche Folys as suffer paciently Prouer. xiij.

For lacke of betynge theyr children folowe vyce

To theyr great shame / theyr losse and preiudyce

sig: [D2v]

These ar they that by malyce at all hours prouer. xxvij.

Ar cruell and greuous / and put to losse and payne

Suche as they ouer may: both straunge[r]s and neyghbours straungers] straunges 1509

By cursyd lesynges whiche they iniustly fayne

These are they that of all men haue disdayne

With dronken dryuyls gyuen hole to glotony

These ar the felawes of this mad company Eccle. xxxi.

ref.ed: 78

Moreouer into my Shyp shall they ascende

That ar streght shoed whiche them doth sharply greue

But yet they se nat therto / it to amende Ecclesi. viij.

Suche ar they that on no goodnes wyll byleue Ecclesiastes. ij

All wastynge folys whiche to theyr great myscheue

Sell and waste theyr londes suche ar of this sort

And they that more spende than theyr londes may support

These ar mad Folys and abhomynable ff. de adul. matiri. et. l ij.

And cursyd of god: that ar bawdes to theyr wyues

Lettynge them to hyre / and thoughe that profytable

This way they thynke / yet right fewe of them thryues

These ar mad Folys that lewde ar of theyr lyues de pe. dis. iij. quia dimissa et. c. nihil.

Knowynge what payne is ordeyned for eche syn

Yet moue they nat / but styll abyde therin

These ar proude beggers / and other stately folys

Sclanderers lyers / and Iurours of the syse Addicio alexandri_barclay et. c. in salicibus

Phesicians and lawyers / that neuer went to scolys

And fals Tauerners that reken one pot twyse

Tapsters and hostlers that folowe that same gyse

These ar fals offycers that lyue vpon brybes

As excheters officials Counstables and scribes

Folys of these sortis and mo than I can tell

For theyr myslyuynge and great enormyte

Of the slowe Asse shalbe tred downe to hell

If they nat mende them-self before they dye

But in the mean-tyme shall they be here with me

In my folys Shyp / on se rowynge with payne

If they amende / depart they shall agayne

ref.ed: 79

¶Th'enuoy of Barclay.

¶O folys oppressyd with your mysgouernaunce

Amende your lyfe expell this your offence

Ye can nat excuse your-self by ignoraunce

Ye ar taught to leue your inconenyence

By godly Prechers men of hye prudence

Also the punysshement whiche god doth often sende

To other Folys shulde moue you to amende.

sig: D3

De militibus et scribis.

Dum captant ... tanta volant.

sig: [D3v]

ref.ed: 80

¶Of the extorcion of knyghtis great / offycers / men of war / scribes and practysers of the lawe.

¶Whyle knyghtes and scribes exchetours and constables

And other offycers whiche haue auctoryte

Vnder the kynge: as Sh[e]ryfs by fayned fables Sheryfs] Shryfs 1509

Catche a rurall man rude / and of symplycite

If he haue money / These theues so cruell be

That what by crakynge thretenynge and extorcion

They spoyle this pore man / so that sympyll is his porcion

ref.ed: 81

TO our folysshe Shyp I sommon and assyte Prouer. xxi.

Constables scribes lawyers and Sowdyours Math. xxiij.

Exchetours Sheryfs / and knyghtes that haue delyte Ecclesi. xli.

To abuse theyr offyces / by falshode and rygours

They gyue me occasion to blame theyr errours Luce. iij.

And for that in theyr charge they often tryp

By false abusion / they shall be in my shyp

Hast hyther I requyre / my Nauy is a_flote

Longe tary hurtyth / for hawsyd is the sayle

The anker wayed / within borde is the bote

Our shyp decked after a homely aparayle

By suche passyngers I loke for none auayle

But fere displesour / bycause I shall be trewe

Yet shall I so. ensue what may ensue

sig: [D4]

Good offycers ar good and commendable

And manly knyghtes that lyue in rightwysenes

But they that do nat ar worthy of a bable

Syns by theyr pryde pore people they oppres

My mayster kyrkham for his perfyte mekenes

And supportacion of men in pouertye

Out of my shyp shall worthely be fre

I flater nat I am his true seruytour

His chaplayne and bede man whyle my lyfe shall endure

Requyrynge god to exalt hym to honour

And of his Prynces fauour to be sure

For as I haue sayd I knowe no creature

More manly rightwyse wyse discrete and sad

But thoughe he be good / yet other ar als bad

ref.ed: 82

They shall vnnamyd my shyppis haue in cure

And other offycers who-so-euer they be

Whiche in extorcion and falshode them inure

Hopynge by the same to come [t]o dignyte to] do 1509

And by extorcion to augment theyr degre

Mansell of Otery for powlynge of the pore

Were nat his great wombe / here sholde haue an ore

But for his body is so great and corporate

And so many burdens his brode backe doth charge

If his great burthen cause hym to come to late

Yet shall the knaue be Captayne of a barge

Where-as ar bawdes / and so sayle out at large

About our shyp to spye about for prayes

For therupon hath he lyued all his dayes

But hym I leue / and so retourne agayne

Namly to speke of the vnrightwysenes

Of knyghtes and fals scribes whiche fully set theyr brayne

To brynge pore people into gretter wretchydnes

Than they were erst and so them to oppresse

For playnly to speke fals knyghtes and scribes be

Of one maner lyuynge practyse and faculte Ezech. xxij.

The scribe in wrytynge with his disceytfull pen

Syttynge in his syege acloyde with couetyse

By subtyle wordes spoylyth the symple men

Whiche come to hym / desyrynge right iustyce

The knyght in warre is gyuen to the same vyce

Robbynge and spoylynge by feldys: preuely Esaie. x.

But the scribe oppressyth the pore men openly Iob. xxx.

sig: [D4v]

ref.ed: 83

The knyght in warre in tyme of frost or rayne

Or the colde snowe as man masyd with rage

Subduyth his body to ieopardye or payne

Damnynge his soule for brybynge auauntage Math. v.

The iniust scribe ensuys the same vsage

Defylynge his soule with his pen and black ynke

Whose couetyse causyth his soule in hell to synke

The cursyd hunger of syluer and of golde Iob. xxviij.

After one maner doth these two so inflame

That for the Lucre therof theyr soules ar solde

The one a thefe without all fere and shame

In tyme of warre in spoylynge hath his game prouer. xi.

Murdrynge men and brennynge towne and vylage Mich. ij.

Nought sekynge but Lucre by spoylynge and pyllage Psal. ix.

The pore chorle vnexpert and innocent

Suspectynge nought for his true symplycyte

Is by this scribe compellyd by falshode vyolent

To pay for his pennys tyll he a begger be

Thus lyue knyghtis and scribes after one degre

Oppressynge the pore / them puttynge to great payne

Vnto them-self by falshode gettynge gayne Luce. xxi.

Eche of them askyth Lucre and wynnynge

Nought carynge whether it be wronge or right Amos. iij.

Thus cursyd is the sort that haue theyr lyuynge

In robbynge pore people by violence and myght Ecclesi. x.

But if they had Iustyce and mercy in theyr syght

Theyr offyces mynystrynge by lawe and equyte

Both of god and man rewardyd sholde they be

ref.ed: 84

Who that is rightwyse good / men shall hym commende Iacobi. iiij.

And lawde his name / and his dedes magnyfye ij. ad thimo. ij.

The knyght is ordeyned by manhode to defende

Wydowhode and age from wronge and iniury

With fatherles children / and suche as lyue in penury

And with dynt of swerde to defende the comon-welth

Expellynge theuys / sauynge true mannys helth

The scribe is ordeyned hymself to exercyse

100

To wryte with his pen iust lawes and verytable Esaie. iij.

And shewe by his craft the rule of right iustyce Math. xiij.

But nowe theyr dedys ar moche varyable

For knyghtes and scribes by wayes disceyuable

By the swerde and pen right cursydly intende Math. xxiij.

105

Them to oppres / whome they ought to defende

sig: [D5]

As wydowes pore men and children pryuate

Of Father and mother and feble men by age

By suche oppression they increase theyr estate

And by successyon of all theyr hole lynage

110

Alas the childe oft forgoys his heritage

Without: right longe or he be of discression

And all by fals knyghtis spoylynge and oppression

In erth no gyle / nor falshode is doutles zach. vij.

Nor yll that is to scribes comparable

115

But touchynge thoppression and vnhappynes

Of other offycers it is innumerable Malach. iij.

And namely sowdeours ar nowe moste vengeable

And other courters: that scant the kynges way

Of theyr spoylynge may be quyte by nyght or day

ref.ed: 85

120

What shall I wryte of powlynge customers

And spoylynge serchers Baylyfs and Constables

Sergeauntis and catchpollis and other offycers

Whiche with others plate garnysshe gay theyr tables

Theyr howsys stuffed with brybes abhomynbles

125

Suche by oppression become thus excellent Luce. iij.

Contynuynge in falshode for lacke of punysshement

¶Th'enuoy of Barclay.

¶Ye knyghtes vnrightwyse and offycers iniust

Auoyde your extorcion done by cruelte

Auoyde this desyre / mad and myscheuous lust

Whiche ye haue in spoylynge of the comonte

Better is for you to lyue in pouertye

So plesynge god with vndefyled name

Than by oppression to come to hye degre

And than after deth be damnyd for the same

De stulta nuntiorum legatione.

Cursor ego ... nuncius esse cupit.

sig: [D5v]

Qui chartas ... iussa rei.

ref.ed: 86

¶Of folysshe messangers and Pursuyuauntis.

¶I am a swyft Pursuyuaunte or messangar

None in the worlde swyfter as I wene

Here am I come from londes strange and far

Yet can I nat (drynkynge) voyde my botell clene

Tyll in the foles Shyppes I haue ben

And to the chefe delyuered vp this byll

Shypman (tyll I enter) let thy shyp stande styll

ref.ed: 87

I Had purposyd nat to haue tane on honde Qualis debeat esse nuncius ponit spe. in. ti. de execu.

To cary in my shyp any messangers

Or pursuyuauntis that occupy on londe

For I myself and all my maryners

Kepe on the see / with our folysshe partners

So far from londe / and rowynge with suche payne Prouer. xxv.

That no messanger may vs reuoke agayne

sig: [D6]

Yet some of them coueyt to haue place

To them assigned within a folysshe barge Ezech. xxx.

And with our folys to be so moche in grace

Of all theyr messages to haue the cure and charge

To this intent to ren euer out at large

With letters or Charters / about dyuers londes Prouer. xiij.

Somtyme in theyr mouth and somtyme in theyr hondes

Somtyme other wyse them hydynge pryuely

To kepe them sure / from moystnes of the rayne

And so to go without all ieopardy

In his iourny and salue to come agayne salue=safe

But some of these folys take vpon them payne

To execute more / than is in theyr message

To theyr owne scorne / and lordes great damage

But yet oft-tyme (Howbeit theyr promes) Prouer. xvi.

Was in all hast to theyr message to entende

They it prolonge by ouer moche dronkennes

Taryenge theyr charge / and bryngynge nought to ende

By theyr slowe paas / thus he that dyd them sende

Thynkyth his mater well done and brought to pas

But by theyr prolongynge it is euyn as it was

sig: [D6v]

ref.ed: 88

And often these messangers so wysely them gouerne

That whyle they sholde be in hande with theyr mesage

They range about to eche alehous and tauerne Prouer. xxiiij.

With the swete wyne theyr great hete to asswage

Tyll he be brought into the dronken rage

Than opyns he his letter it redynge twyse or thryse

And all for this purpose newe lesynges to deuyse

His letter he openyth as fals and past all shame prouer. xxvi.

To knowe the secrete therof to this intent

With his fals tunge to glose vpon the same

And oft in his message he is so neglygent

To lese his letters / and so as imprudent

He can nat that shewe that men to hym commyt

Retournynge without answere so folysshe is his wyt

A true messanger and of parfyte dilygence Prouer. xxvi.

Is moche worthy / and greatly commendable Sapien. v.

For lyke as in Somers feruent vyolence

The colde wynde and snowe to man is delectable

And as to men wery: rest is moche confortable

So a messanger spedy faythfull and parfyte

Retournynge to his lorde doth hym as great delyte

Suche true messangers no man wyll discommende

That is of wysdome mynde pacient / or doctryne

But folysshe messangers here I comprehende

Whiche in theyr message to folysshe wordes inclyne

More tendynge to theyr botell full of ale or wyne

Than to theyr message / for this is prouyd playne

That sende a fole forth. and so comys he agayne

ref.ed: 89

Suche folys haue theyr mawes so feruent

In hete by rennynge / and excessyue langage

Fyllyd with foly: That no drynke can it stent

Nor with moystnes that feruent hete asswage

But a faythfull man that doth truly his message

Is to be lawdyd. But we dayly proued se

That wyse wyll do wysely / and folys as they be.

¶Th'enuoy of Barclay the actour.

¶Ye folysshe messangers gyuen to neglygence

To slouth and ryot in your besynes

Reduce your myndes to parfyte dilygence

So may ye to your lordes do confort and gladnes

Be true in his myssage / gyue you to secretnes

If ye do nat I Barclay / shall certayne

For eche of you my folys lyueray dres

That is a hode to kepe you from the rayne

sig: E1

De cellariis et cocis:

En venit ... dicitur vsque mori.

sig: [E1v]

ref.ed: 90

¶Of folisshe Cokes and buttelers and other offycers of howsholde that wast theyr maysters good without mesure.

¶Lo nowe comys a sort by dosyns multyplyed

Vnto my shyp: of dyuers cokes and buttelers.

A rowme to them may nat be well denyed

Nor to all other suche howsholde offycers

These folys hast fast to be my maryners

Rowynge with suche myght that all the se fomes

Suche increas our Nauy / by vylenes of other wombes

ref.ed: 91

THis sort of seruauntes whome thou dost here espy Ezech. xxiiij.

Gyuen to theyr wombe by lust obhomynable

Of meat and drynke and superflwe glotony

Ar to theyr maysters but lytell profytable.

Oft Cokes and butlers ar so disceyuable

Of nature / to theyr mayster and folowe this offence

That nought they set by his losse by theyr expence

These folys reuellynge on theyr maysters coste Prouer. xxi. et. xxiij.

Spare no expence / nought carynge his damage

But they as Caytyfs often thus them boste

In theyr glotony with dissolute langage

Be mery companyons and lusty of cowrage

We haue our pleasour in deynty mete and drynke

On whiche thynge only we alway muse and thynke

sig: E2

Ete we and drynke we therfore without all care Esaie. lxv.

With reuyll without mesure as longe as we may

It is a royall thynge thus lustely to fare

With others mete / thus reuell we alway

Spare nat the pot another shall it pay

Whan that is done spare nat for more to call

He merely slepys the whiche shall pay for all

Thus fewe or none of kepars shall we fynde Prouer. xix.

Trewe in theyr dedys / and after one intent Math. xxiiij.

Though maysters to theyr seruauntis be full kynde

Agayne is the seruaunt fals and fraudelent

So howsholde seruauntes though they seme innocent

And without falshode before theyr lordes face

They wast all and more in another place

ref.ed: 92

Whan mayster and maystres in bed ar to rest

The bordes ar spred / the dores open echone

Than farys the Coke and Butteler of the best

Other both togyther / or eche of them alone Eccle. xxxi.

With wyne and ale tyll all the best be gone

By galons and potels they spende without care

That whiche theyr lorde for his owne mouth dyd spare

They ar nat content amonge them-selfe to spende Prouer. xij.

Theyr maysters goodes in suche-lyke glotony

But also for other glotons they do sende

And strange dronkardys to helpe out theyr vylany

By whose helpe they may the vessellis make dry

And he that hath way to drynke at eche worde

Amonge these Caytyfs is worshyppyd as a lorde

Amonge these wasters is no fydelyte Luce. xvi.

They haue no hede nor care ne aduertence. Treno. v.

Of the great losse / and the cause of pouertye

Growynge to theyr lorde by this wastfull expence

But hym begyle behynde his backe and presence

The mayster or lorde lyinge in his bed Prouer. xxix.

Full lytell knowys howe his howsholde is led

But whyle the seruauntes fals ryot thus ensue

Wastynge theyr maysters good and hole substance

The mayster thynkes his seruauntes good and true

But if it fortune after by some chaunce

That the mayster haue a desyre or plesaunce

Of his best drynke with his louers to haue some

The vessell empty shall yelde nought but bom bom

sig: [E2v]

ref.ed: 93

Than shall the lorde perceyue the great disceyte

Of his wastfull seruauntes and theyr fals abusion Ecclesi. xxxij.

But his perceyuynge than is all to late Luce. xij.

So it apereth that great collusion

Comyth vnto many / and extreme confusion

By vntrue seruauntes as Cokes and butlers

And by all other housholde offycers.

I thynke it shame to wryte in this my boke

The great disceyte gyle and vnclenlynes

Of any scolyon / or any bawdy Coke

His lorde abusynge by his vnthryftynes

Some for the nonys theyr meat lewdly dres.

Gyuynge it a tast to swet to salt or stronge

Bycause the seruauntes wolde eat it them amonge

This company / and b[a]nde vngracious bande] bende 1509 Ad ephe. vi. Ad ephe. vi.

Ar with no pety mouyd / nor yet care

They wast: and ete theyr mayster out of hous

Deuourynge his good / tyll he be pore and bare

And with what meates so euer the lorde shall fare

If it be in the kechyne or it come to the hall

The coke and scolyon must taste it first of all

In euery dysshe these caytyfs haue theyr handes

Gapynge as it were dogges for a bone

Whan nature is content fewe of them vnderstandes.

In-so-moche that as I trowe / of them is none

That dye for age: but by glotony echone

But suche folys were nat theyr hasty lokes

To my folysshe shyp sholde chosen be for Cokes

ref.ed: 94

¶Th'enuoy of Barclay.

¶In this shyp myght I compryse or comprehende

Seruauntis of euery craft and facultye

Whiche in lewde ryot theyr maysters goodes spende

Bryngynge them therby to carefull pouertye

But as for this tyme they shall passe by for me

Syns by theyr maysters folysshe neglygence

They haue occasion so ryotous to be

By great cause gyuen of inconuenyence.

¶But to you seruauntis I tourne my pen agayne

Exortynge you to your maysters to be true

And nat thus to spende and wast his good in vayne

And so to harde nede therby hym to subdue

Lewde felawshyp se that ye euer eschewe

Beware of ryot / be content wyth your degre.

For who that agaynst his mayster is vntrewe

In his owne labour is seldome sen to thye. thye=thee, 'thrive'

sig: E3

De rusticorum arrogantia

Villanę siquidem ... remanere statu.

sig: [E3v]

ref.ed: 95

¶Of the arrogance and pryde of rude men of the countrey.

¶The rustycall pryde of carles of the londe

Remaynyth nowe / whiche I intende to note

Whiche theyr owne pryde nat se nor vnderstonde

Wherfore they coueyte with me to haue a bote

And so they shall / but whan they ar a_flote

Let them me pardon / for I wyll take no charge

Of them: but them touche and let them ren at large

ref.ed: 96

OF husbonde-men the lyfe and the nature xlvi. i. dis. in. prin. l. nuper. C. de man et col. pa. glo. in l. seruis vrba. ff de le. iij.

Was wont be rude and of symplycyte

And of condicion humble and demure

But if a man wolde nowe demande of me

Howe longe agone is syns they thus haue be

I myght well answere it is nat longe agone

Syns they were symple and innocent echone

And so moche were they gyuen to symplenes

And other vertues chefe and pryncipall Ouidius . i. fast. et i. meth.

That the godly trone of fayth and righ[t]wysnes rightwysnes] righwysnes 1509

Had left great townes lordes and men royall

And taken place amonge these men rurall

All vertues: stedfastnes iustyce and lawe

Disdayned nat these pore cotis thekt with strawe

sig: [E4]

There was no disceyt nor gyle of tymes longe Iuuenalis.

Amonge these men: they were out-chasyd and gone

For iustyce (as I haue sayd) was them amonge

And of longe tyme there kept hir chayre and trone

Of brynnynge Auaryce amonge these men was none Ecclesi. viij.

No wrongfull lucre nor disceytful auauntage

Infect the myndes of men of the vyllage

That is to say they knewe none vsury

No hunger of golde dyd theyr myndes confounde

They knewe no malyce: nor pryde of theyr body

Nor other vyces that trowbleth nowe the grounde

They coueyted nat to greatly to abounde

In proude aparayle / lyke Cytezyns excellent

But theyr hole lyfe was symple and innocent

ref.ed: 97

But nowe the lyfe of eche carle and vyllayne Hiere. xiij.

Is in all maners chaungyd euen as clene

As if the trone moste noble and souerayne

Of rightwysenes: amonge them had neuer bene

Of theyr olde vertues nowe is none in them sene

Wherby they longe were wont themself to gyde

Theyr lyfe is loste and they set hole on pryde

Theyr clothes stately after the courters gyse

Theyr here out-busshynge as a foxis tayle

And all the fassions whiche they can deuyse

In counterfaytynge they vse in aparayll

Party and gardyd or short to none auayle

So that if god sholde theyr bodyes chaunge

After theyr vesture theyr shape sholde be full strange

Thus is theyr mekenes and olde symplycyte

Tournyd by theyr foly to arrogance and pryde

Theyr rightwysenes / loue and fydelyte

By enuy and falshode nowe ar set asyde

Disceyt and gyle with them so sure doth byde

That folke of the towne of them oft lerne the same Sapien. xvij.

And other newe yllis causynge reprofe and shame

Theyr scarsnes nowe is tournyd to couetyse Iob. xxiiij.

They onely haue golde and that / in abundaunce

Theyr vertue is gone / and they rotyd in vyce Esaie. v.

Onely on riches fixed is theyr plesaunce

Fye Chorles amende this mad mysgouernaunce

What mouyth you vnto this thyrst feruent Hiere. li.

Of golde: that were wont to be so innocent

sig: [E4v]

ref.ed: 98

What causeth you thus your lyfe to change

To cursyd malyce from godly innocence

Nowe Carles ar nat content with one grange

Nore one ferme place / suche is theyr insolence

They must haue many / to support theyr expence

And so a riche / vyllayne proude and arrogant

Anone becomyth a couetous marchant

Than labours he for to be made a state Prouer. xxiiij.

And to haue the pryuelege of hye nobles

Thus churlys becomyth statis nowe of late

Hye of renowne without all sympylnes Iuuenalis.

But it is great foly and also shame doutles

For Carles to coueyt this wyse to clym so hye

And nat be pleasyd with theyr state and degre Ecclesi. iij.

¶T[h]'enuoy of Barclay the translatour.

Thenuoy] Tenuoy 1509

¶Fye rurall carles awake I say and ryse

Out of your vyce and lyfe abhomynable

Namely of pryde / wrath / enuy and couetyse

Whiche ye insue / as they were nat damnable

Recouer your olde mekenes / whiche is most profytable

Of all vertues / and be content with your degre

For make a carle a lorde / and without any fable

In his inwarde maners one man styll shall he be.

De paupertatis contemptu.

Paupertas fugitur / ... cuncta quatit.

sig: [E5]

Haud facile ... fata tulit.

sig: [E5v]

Solus inops ... cadetque: potens.

sig: [E6]

Propter opes: ... inire potest.

ref.ed: 99

¶Of the contempt and dispysynge of pouertye.

¶In this our tyme we pouertye out-chase

From vs / but ryches doth euery man content

The pore is oppressyd to grounde in eche place

He onely is mocked and countyd imprudent

As it were a naturall fole / or innocent

He that is pore / and wyse / must hym submyt

Vnto a riche fole whiche in a trone shall syt.

sig: [E6v]

ref.ed: 100

I Cary of folys within this present barge xlvij. dis. sicut priuilegia. pa[u]. vi in. l. si quis ad. c. de epis. et. cle. archi. xi. q. iij. pauper.

A marueylous nomber and almoste infynyte

Whiche on vayne ryches only haue theyr charge

And hath on it more pleasour and delyte

Than in good vertues that myght theyr soule profyte

They set more store the peny to posses

Than of good / maners / worshyp / or holynes

All men forsaketh in this tyme to sustayne Sapien. v.

The weght and burthen of godly pouerte virgilius . iij. enei. Quid non mortalia pectora cogis auri sacra fames.

The cursyd hunger of ryches doth constrayne

The hertis of men and that of eche degre

Good lyuers of no valour countyd be

If they lacke riches / theyr goodnes to support

To theyr company none forsyth to resort Iuuenalis

They that haue honoured wysdome here-before P[r]ouer. Prouer.] Pouer. 1509 xxiij. Prouer.] Pouer. 1509

And loued vertue / and in the same procede

In this our tyme promotyd ar no more

To lawde and honour whiche ought to be theyr mede Ecclesi. x.

To rightwyse men nowe no man taketh hede

But onely they haue bribes in plente

That ar moste riche and hyest in degre

But syns it is so that plenty and abundaunce Ouidius

Of vayne riches and blynde and frayle treasour

Doth them that hath the same lyghtly auaunce

To loue / to frendshyp / to lawdes and honour

And he that lackyth the same is in dolour

Therfore all men more gladly it ensue

Than lawdable lyfe gode maners or vertue

ref.ed: 101

The worlde rennyth on suche chaunce nowe-adayes Iuuenalis

That none by vertue riches can attayne Ecclesiastes. v.

But who that wyll be riche must folowe nowe suche wayes Mich. vi.

Firste must he flater and of honour haue disdayne Eccle. xxv.

He spare must none othes though they be fals and vayne

And that he hath sayde by and by forsake.

Nowe swere and promes / anone them both to brake

He must promes and vowe both to god and man xxxv. dis. nonne.

And neuer care nor force to kepe the same

By falshode or brybynge get what he can

His wordes and dedes both without fere and shame

By cruell delynge he must hym get a name Ecclesiastes. iiij.

Nought must he care for synne nor vyolence xlviij. dis. sicut.

Nouther present nor past / styll redy to offence

sig: F1

He must with rauysshynge clawes exercyse Ecclesi. xiiij.

Vsury / rubbynge from people innocent rubbynge=robbing

Brybes and spoylynges and tyme therfore deuyse Amos. v.

He must bere talys faynyd and fraudelent

And with his lyes trouble myndes pacient Esaie. x.

And into the erys of good men and laudable

He droppyth venym by wordes vengeable

O damnable lyfe pollutyd all with vyce

O deuylysshe maners alas we may complayne Iob. v.

The worlde is wrappyd in suche syn by couetyse

Whiche doth all vertue and godlynes distayne Prouer. xi.

All-thynge is solde / for frayll treasour and vayne

Laufull and vnlaufull vertue lawe and right

Ar solde for money whiche blyndyth mannys syght

ref.ed: 102

Were nat blynde treasour and vnhappy ryches xi. q. iij. pauper.

Many one for theyr synnes and offence xxiiij. q. iiij. ne amisso.

Sholde worthely haue dyed in wretchydnes

And other escapyd for theyr innocence

The peny damnyth: somtyme gyuynge sentence

So that oft-tymes in tyme of iugement Apo. xviij.

It reddyth murdrers and Theues fro punysshement

Thus synnes greuous escapyth quyte and fre Ecclesiastes. x.

By money / whiche is so good an aduocate

That it man reddyth what-euer his trespas be

From deth and peryll if it come nat to late

It gettyth loue of pore man and estate

It wolues and Foxis delyuereth from tourment Iuuenalis.

And hangeth vp / doues and Lambes innocent

The ryche by oppressyon augmentyth theyr ryches

Whiche is at last to theyr owne great damage

Lyke as the Bybyll playnly doth expres

Howe Achab wolde haue had the herytage Achab.

Of Nabeth: descendynge to hym by his lynage iij. regum. xxi.

Wherfore this Naboth rightwysly withstode Ecclesiastes. v.

The kynges wyll and that by reason gode

Where-as this rightwyse man full wretchydly

By this ryche kynge / by oppression playne

And his Quenes falshode was damnyd wrongfully

For his denyenge / and so with stonys slayne

For whiche thynge this kynge after had payne

By wretchyd deth whiche god to hym dyd sende

Of extorcioners this is the comon ende

sig: [F1v]

ref.ed: 103

Thus the pore onely for theyr symplycite vi. q. iij. pauper.

Is tred vnder-fote by suche as haue myght

Thus bagges must be had of pure necessyte

For without them no man can haue his right Iuuenalis

But whan the golden age the worlde dyd lyght Lucanus.

And rayned amonge men / than was pouerte

Of great lawde and glory with men of eche degre

Than was theyr / fode scas theyr lyuynge lyberall scas=scarce xv. q. ij. illa no. de rescrip. statutum. li. vi. bea. th. ii. ij. q. c. lxxxviij. ar. iij. xv. q. ij. illa no. de rescrip. statutum. li. vi. bea. th. ii. ij. q. c. lxxxviij. ar. iij.

100

Theyr labour comon / they knewe no couetyse

All-thynge was comon than amonge them all

The lawe of nature from them expellyd vyce

Without violence or rygour of iustyce

But none of all these our firste progenytours

105

Theyr myndes blyndyd with gatherynge great treasours

But thoughe by ryches nowe men be enhaunced Prouer. xix.

Yet in tyme past men haue by pouertye xij. q. ij. crates laus priscorum romanorum.

In lawde and glory theyr royalmes hye auaunsyd

And come therby vnto so great dignyte

110

That theyr hye name and fame can neuer dye

Rome was firste pore / and pore was the senate

And in Rome pore was many a great estate

Yet were they nobly disposyd to batayle

So that whyle they lyuyd in theyr symplenes

115

No other Nacion agayne them coude preuayle

But af[t]er whan they gaue theyr myndes to ryches after] afrer 1509

Oft strange Nacions them sharply dyd oppres

By this example it apereth openly

That to a good warrour ryches is ennemy

ref.ed: 104

120

The noble Curius in scarsnes and vertue Q._Curius._Dendatus.

Rulynge in Rome / at the Romayns desyre

Dyd the Samnytyens manfully subdue

And the Ausonyans vnto the same empyre

With all other that durst agaynst Rome conspyre

125

Of whome many for his souerayne wysdome

Of theyr frewyll dyd subiect to hym become

What man doth nat Publicola commende Laus publicole.

Whiche by scarsnes deseruyd hath honour

And heuenly worshyp whiche none can comprehende

130

Hystoryan / Poet / nor other oratour

We lawde Fabricius a mean Conquerour

Whiche the rewardes of Pyrrhus dyd despyse Laus fabricij.

Wherby men knewe he louyd no couetyse

sig: F2

Yet led this Fabricius his lyfe in scarsyte

135

With lytell riches to hym moche acceptable Marcus_regulus de quo tullius in of.

Regulus also a man of great dignyte

For his suffysaunce reputyd is laudable

In small substance he thought to lyue most stable

Thus is that man both wyse and excellent

140

That with ynoughe can holde hym-selfe content

The firste begynnynge and origynall Apuleus.

Of all the worlde was firste in scarsyte

Therby were Cytees byldyd first of all

And kynges establyd in theyr royalte

145

With theyr kyngdomes. and men of eche degre.

Pouerte of all the lawes was Inuentryce

Mother vnto vertue / confonderes of vyce

ref.ed: 105

By scarsyte Grece hath gotten suche a name Summa laus grecorum.

Of laude and worshyp whiche neuer shall decay

150

That all the worlde hole / spekyth of the same

But howe the lordes therof lyued alway

In stedfast vertue somwhat shall I say Aristides

The iust Arystydes inuentour of iustyce

Was euer pore / nat gyuen to couetyse

155

Epamynundas also lyued in vertue Epamynundas

And he beynge Duke possessyd small ryches

Yet neuer kynge nor Prynce coude hym subdue

By suffysaunce suche was his worthynes Laus homeri poete heroici a paupertate.

The noble Poet homerus eke: doutles

160

Whyle he descrybed the sore ruyne of Troy

Was pore / and set on couetyse no ioy

Socrates with godly wysdome decorate Socratis. Laus.

Set neuer his mynde on ryches or treasour

Yet was neuer kynge so ryche nor estate

165

That was more worthy than he was of honour

In all the worlde is no-thynge at this houre

So proude nor hye whiche hath nat first of all

Had chefe begynnynge of a Ryuer but small

The worthy Cyte callyd Tarpye by name Augustinus.

170

Of small begynnynge is nowe made excellent

Rome hath also farre sprede abrode hir fame

Thoughe it were byldyd (as lerned men assent)

Of symple Shepherdes pore and innocent

O what a Cyte / and what a se royall

175

Hath had first name of pore men and rurall

sig: [F2v]

ref.ed: 106

Where-as the cursyd hunger of ryches Ouidius

Hath oft these Cytees destroyed and lost agayne Eccle. xviij.

Hath nat the Romayns byd oft great wretchydnes

And for Couetyse oppressyd in great payne

180

For the same vyce Cartago hath certayne

Suffred ruyne by fortune myserable Ruina cartaginis.

Where-as pouerte brynges men to ende laudable

Alas why Coueyt we so faruently Prouer. xxij.

Exces of ryches as men myndles and blynde Iuuenalis

185

Syns it so many hath brought to mysery

Yet ryches gotten is vnsure as the wynde

Dyd nat proude Cersus therby destruccion fynde

Endynge in payne great wo and wretchydnes Cersus de quo Herodo. li. i.

By the immoderate and lewde loue of ryches

190

Wherfore let men of eche sort of degre

Loue pouertye as thynge moste commendable Prouer. xij.

For suerly ryches is nought but vanyte Ecclesiastes vi.

Rulyd by chaunce vncertayne and vnstable Marci. x.

And to the Hauer oftentyme damnable

195

For a ryche man settynge theron his mynde

Shal into heuen right hardly passage fynde

¶Th'enuoy of Barclay.

¶Withdrawe your myndes men from to great ryches

Set nat your thought vpon vnsure treasour

Rede howe the Gospell examples doth expres

Of the pouertye of Christe our sauyour

ref.ed: 107

Thoughe he of all was lorde and creatour

And seconde parsone of the holy Trinite

Yet he for vs hath suffred great dolour

And in all his lyfe wylfull poue[r]te. pouerte] pouete 1509

Wherfore blynde man make clere thy ignoraunce

Take here example by god omnypotent

Holde thou thy-selfe content with suffysaunce

Voluntary scarsnes is a vertue excellent

That folowed the fathers of the olde testament

And also the discyples and Apostles in the newe

But to pouertye thoughe thou wylt nat consent

Than kepe thou mesure / and couetyse eschewe

Non perseuerare in bono.

Hoc manibus ... nidoque reponunt.

sig: F3

FEruet opus ... coepta placent.

ref.ed: 108

¶Of them that begyn to do well and contynue nat in that purpose.

sig: [F3v]

¶Unto this Plough of Folys many ren

Begynnynge to labour with dylygence and payne

But they wyll nat contynue longe therin

But shortly after cast of theyr worke agayne

No maruayle. for so volage is theyr brayne

That without reason they gyue moche gretter hede

As wytles Folys the bare Coko to fede

ref.ed: 109

FIrst whan the Carle takys his ploughe in honde

He is so besy therwith and dylygent Luce. xi.

As if that he wolde Ere out all his londe Eccle. xxxviij.

Vpon one day or he leue of / or stent de. pe. dis. ij. Multi.

To the first labour men ar lest insolent

But I shall tell the if thou gyue audyence

Of this my meter what is the chefe sentence

Some men ar lyuynge that for awhyle begyn

To lyue well ynoughe and outwarde represent Ad hebre. iij.

For to contynue in good lyfe without syn

Entrynge the way of vertue excellent

But shortly after chaungyd is that intent Ad hebre. xij.

They come nat vnto the top of the Mountayne Ecclesiastes. ij.

Wherin is vertue and good moste souerayne

sig: [F4]

These ar those Folys that taketh hastely

The ploughe in hande / as for a cours or twayne

And than agayne it leuyth by and by Abacuc. i.

These well deserue for theyr vnstable brayne ij. ad corin. vi.

In our lewde barges for to be put to payne

And besy labour / and alway to trauayle

To rowe our barges and hye to hawse the sayle

The wyse man in descripcion of vertue

Hath set the same on the hyght of a hyll Pytagoras

Whiche vnto heuen a certayne way doth shewe

To suche men as with theyr full myndes wyll Iosue. vij.

To that hyghe top theyr hole iourney fulfyll

But to this hyll / fewe ar that go forwarde

But many thousandes wolde clymbe therto bacwarde Prouer. xxvi.

ref.ed: 110

They ar suche that set all theyr hole lykynges

On ryches pleasour and euery dedely synne

And onely muse on these lowe wordly thynges

As if man myght hye goodnes by them wynne

Whiche haue no grace nor vertue them within

These men that ar of mynde thus varyable

To the children of Israell ar moste comparable

Whiche whan they were delyuered of destres

And out of Egypt / and past that cruell payne Exodi. xvi.

By hande of moyses / suche was theyr wylfulnes Numeri. xiiij.

That oft they wysshyd that they were there agayne

And all for hunger of one day or scant twayne

They rather wolde vytayle in sore captyuyte

Than with small penaunce / haue plesaunt lybertye

These worldly thynges to Egypt I compare

Wherin mankynde abydeth in bondage

Oft by his foly suffrynge great payne and care

But whan theyr mynde is red from this outrage

And they delyuered / and all theyr hole lynage

Forsakynge the worlde / for vertue moste souerayne

Than for small hardnes anone they turne agayne

Alas these people of myndes ar so rude

That they had leuer be in captyuyte

Of Faro the Fende / and his blynde seruytude

Than in Christis seruyce lyuynge in lybertye

But though the way of Christis seruyce be

Harde to be kept by blynde and frayle mankynde

Parseruer / and thou shalt a Crowne in heuen fynde

sig: [F4v]

ref.ed: 111

But many (alas) retourne agayne to vyce

And bacwarde agayne go to theyr olde offence Math. xv.

And he that the seruyce of god dyd exercyse Luce. xi.

In mekenes vertue and lowe obedyence

Is fallyn nowe to all inconuenyence

Alas the state of them is moche vnsure Apoca. iij.

Whiche chaunge good for yll agayne nature Hiere. iij.

The quakynge seke in bed lyenge prostrate

Halfe-dede halfe-lyuynge / by some mortall wounde i. q. i. ventum de pe. dis. i. quem penitet. xcij. dis. plurimos. xvi. q. i. in canonibus.

And of all his myghtis of manhode clene pryuate

Can nat be hole / but if plasters be bounde

Vnto his grefe to clens it by the grounde

Purgynge it by suche playsters mundifycatyue

And than it closynge by playsters sanatyue

And corrosyues / somtyme he must endure

To purge that flesshe whiche is putrefyed

Kepynge and obseruynge good dyet alway sure

But by this way whan his payne is modefyed

His wounde nere hole / fresshe and claryfyed

Withdrawe he his playsters for a day or twayne

His sore reneweth and rottyth than agayne

And oft becomyth wors than it was before

Corruptynge the flesshe and skyn on euery syde

Right so it fortunes by a gostely sore Ecclesi. xviij.

In vertue we ought perseuerantly abyde

Whiche to the heuenly regyon shall vs gyde

It nought auayleth thyself to boste and cry

That thou haste somtyme lyued rightwysly

ref.ed: 112

It is nat ynough from vyce the to defende Eccle. vij.

One day or twayne or onys to haue done well Sapien. v.

But that man that contynuys to the ende Math. x.

Shall neuer nede to fere the paynes of hell Deutro. xxxij.

For it expressed is playne in the gospell Eccle. ix.

Who that perseueryth in vertue and in grace

To his last ende / in heuen shall haue a place in] in in 1509

Therfore I pray / and humbly you beseke

100

Lerne good and vertue / and be therin actyfe

Nat onely for one day nor yet one weke

But it contynue the dayes of all your lyfe

Thynges thus begone / of man / childe / mayde / or wyfe

Ar moste acceptable to god our sauyour

105

And nat to do well / and leue within an hour

sig: [F5]

¶T[h]'enuoy of Barclay.

Thenuoy] Tenuoy 1509

¶O youth full frayle blynde youth I say agayne

In thy tendernes stody thou to begyn

To serue thy maker in vertues souerayne

And se thou surely rote thy-self therin

That thou the neuer pollute with dedely synne

And if thou fall agayne ryse hastely

Than shalt thou sothly heuen obtayne and wynne

If thou perseuer and so lyue stedfastly.

De neglectu mortis.

Non generi / ... miserasque tenebras

sig: [F5v]

Fastus non curat: ... ciuis / egenus:

sig: [F6]

Sępe prius lassare ... pessima mors est.

ref.ed: 113

¶O folys that despyse deth makynge no prouysion therfore

¶O cruell deth / o fury fauourles

So fyers art thou of loke and countenaunce

That thou nought sparest vertue nor ryches

Beauty nor byrth / strength nor valyaunce

Eche creature thou bryngest to vttraunce

Thou shewest none his season nor his tyde

So is he vnwyse that wyll the nat prouyde.

ref.ed: 114

O Brether in Christ conioyned by byleue Seneca.

Our blynde presumpcion doth vs sore abuse

Trust of longe lyfe our soules oft doth greue Iob. xxi.

We haue playne warnynge and yet we it refuse

Vnwarely we wander / and no-thynge we muse Iuuenalis.

On deth: but despyse his furour intretable

Whiche sure shall come / though tyme be varyable

sig: [F6v]

Man dye thou shalt: this thynge thou knowest playne

But as for the tyme / howe / where / and whan Iob. xviij.

These ar and shall be kept vncertayne

Fro the / and me / and almoste from euery man

Thus dye thou must prouyde it if thou can

We all must therto / olde / yonge / yll and goode ij. regum. xiiij.

Our lyfe styll passyth as water of a flode

Ly / stande / or go / ete / slepe / or drynke

Or in what-so-euer thynge thou the exercyse Ouidius. x. meth.

Yet deth cometh thoughe thou nat theron thynke

But for that we dye in suche varyable wyse

Thou this day: if suche a chaunce doth ryse

Thy neyghbour shall folowe outher first or last Prouer. x.

Therfore on hope all men theyr myndes cast

On hope to lyue set mortall men theyr mynde

Thoughe they be seke yet thynke they nat to dye

So this vayne hope doth them disceyue and blynde Ecclesiastes. ix.

If deth them stryke in that infirmyte

Ye and also we often-tymes may se

That deth is lyke to men opprest in age Sapien. x.

And to yonge children and men of hye corage

sig: G1

ref.ed: 115

Thy ernest is layde / the bargen must abyde Gene. x.

It may nat be broke / but where-as synne doth growe

And a pore wretche in vicious lyfe mysgyde Ad rom. v.

Suche wretches thynke that deth is neuer to slowe

And many one in vyce habounde and flowe Seneca.

Alway thoughe they that dye in synne mortall Mors peccatorum pessima.

(As Dauyd sayth) dye must rufull deth of all

Deth is (as I haue sayd) so intreatable

That all he consumeth / as his wyll doth aply Ecclesi. xi.

Thoughe one in beauty be incomparable Ad Roma. vi.

In strength or riches / thoughe god hym magnyfye

It nought auayleth: at last yet must he dye Iob. xxi.

Prolongyd is no tyme / if furour the submyt

Of cruell deth / thou must obey to it

Thy strength decays / and thy breth wexeth short Iuuenalis

Thy vaynes labour / and be somwhat colde labour] labours 1509

Thy body wexeth styf without comfort

Anone thy beauty pleasaunt / semeth olde

Thy vysage chaungynge by lokes manyfolde

Somtymes Pale with colour chaungeable

Somtyme as lede / from deth scant varyable

Thy herte quaketh thy vaynes lesyth myght Ecclesi. xvij.

Corrupt blode doth thy colour putryfye

Thy throte hurtlyth / thy wordes / and thy syght

Theyr naturall offyce shall vnto the denye

With suche passions all mortall men shall dye

For lyfe shall fayle whan deth shall take his place

No man of lyfe can charter here purchace

ref.ed: 116

O deth howe bytter is thy remembraunce Prouer. xi.

And howe cruell is it thy paynes to indure Eccle. xli.

To them that in erth settyth theyr plesaunce Virgi. vi. en.

On wretchyd ryches / vnstable and vnsure

And on vayne pleasours: yet euery creature

Must from this riches (though they be loth) depart

Whan deth them woundeth with his mortall dart

It is thynge Folysshe to trouble and encomber in autem. nup. deinceps. col. iiij.

That man that restyth and slepyth quyetly

His tyme was come / and we in the same slomber

Shall be opprest: god wot howe sodaynly Iuuenalis

We all must therto / there is no remedy

It hath to many ben profyte / and gladnes

To dye or theyr day to auoyde this wretchydnes

sig: [G1v]

And ende the myseries / and labours of this lyfe

And many one as wery of this short lyfe and payne

Them-selfe hath murdred with theyr owne hande and knyfe Vir. vi. enei.

And some with poyson also them-selfe hath slayne Sapien. iiij.

With snare / with water or with some other trayne

The cause why they them-selfe haue thus destroyd

Was worldly payne and mysery to auoyde

Yet better were it lyue a lyfe myserable

Than thus to dye / yet so haue nat they thought

But naturall deth to some if profytable

To suche as therby out of bondage ar brought

And paynfull Pryson / In all the worlde is nought

Concernynge payne / dole wo and mysery

But that deth fyndeth therfore a remedy.

ref.ed: 117

Deth with his fote doth worldly thynges tred Iuuenalis

O howe many that hath ben in captyuyte

And bytter Pryson doth deth clene quyte and red

By it all fetters and Chaynes lowsyd be

All worldly tourment all payne and cruelte

Is red by deth: and they that sholde haue bene

In payne contynuall / by deth ar quyted clene

Deth is delyuered / and from fortune lyberall Horatius

100

It tourneth downe the Castels and the toures Virg. de for.

Of kynges Prynces and other men royall

With lyke cruelte of payne and sodayne shoures

As pore mennys howsis lyuynge in doloures

For deth hym-selfe behaueth in one rate Martialis

105

And in lyke mesure to begger and estate Eccle. xxxix.

And thoughe that fortune cruell and vniust

Exalt yll-lyuers and rightwyse men oppres

Deuydynge honour and ryches where hir lust

Deth all the same doth order and redres

110

With egall payne by weght of rightwysnes

There is no prayer / rewarde / nor myght that may

Of deth prolonge one houre of the set day

This dredfull deth of colour pale and wan

To pore and ryche in fauour is egall

115

It spareth neyther woman childe nor man

But is indifferent both to great and small

For as sayth Flaccus / Poet heroycall Horatius.

With one fote / it stryketh at the dore Iob. xv.

Of kynges palaysys / and of the wretched pore Ecclesi. xlviij.

sig: G2

ref.ed: 118

120

It caryth nought for Pryde / ne statelynes

Nor myght / as we se oft by experyence

It is nat peasyd with treasour nor ryches

With cunnynge of Retoryke ne glosyd eloquence Iob. iiij.

To Pope and Begger it hath no difference. Ecclesiastes. ij. et. iiij.

125

With throte lyke wyde on echone doth he gape

None can his clawes auoyde / fle / nor escape

Yet he nat grauntyth to any creature

As symple man great Lorde or Prynce souerayne Ecclesi. xiiij.

Of dethes hour / to be stedfast and sure

130

To euery man his comynge is sodayne

Except to them that ar condemned playne

Whiche by theyr foly lewdely prouoke theyr tyme

By theft or murder or ellys some other cryme

It maketh no force: there is no difference

135

Whether thou dye yonge or els in extreme age

For this is sure eche creature shall hense

Both state and Begger shall pas the same passage

Lyue an hundryth wynter increasynge thy lynage l. fi. de sac. san eccle.

Yet to thy lyfe deth / ende / shall set and gyue

140

But fewe ar that nowe one hundreth wynter lyue

And than at the last: whether he by lefe or lothe

His wretchyd Carcas shall the voyde graue fulfyll

And many one also to his ende gothe

(As wery of his lyfe) at his desyre and wyll

145

No man hath fauour (of deth) to byde here styll

The father dede: the sone shall after hastely

And oft dyes the sone before the Father dye

ref.ed: 119

One after other / out of his lyfe we shall

Syster and brother / neuewe syre and dame

150

Tyll at the last from lyfe we gone be all

And the elementis pourgyd by fyry flame Apo. xxi.

To mourne for deth therfore thou art to blame

Or crye for the dede / and dolefully to wepe

Thy cryenge (fole) shall nat wake hym of that slepe

155

Thynge wordly that to man is delectable wordly=worldly

This deth disdaynes / ne no commaundement i. ad. cor. xv.

Can turne nor fere hym: his promys is so stable

His cruell daunce no man mortall can stent

Nor lede his cruell cours after his intent

160

The pope nor Emperour / if they be in his hande Ecclesi. xlviij.

Hath no maner myght his sore cours to withstande Ecclesiastes. ij. et. iij.

sig: [G2v]

The bysshop / lorde / the Pore man / lyke a state

Deth in his daunce ledyth by the sleue

He oft causeth men them-self to fatygate

165

And wery in his daunce / longe or they wolde byleue

But thoughe his besy coursys doth them greue

He gyuys no space to man to stande nor syt

But sue the trompe tyll he come to the pyt

There neuer was man of so great pryde ne pompe

170

Nor of suche myght / youth nor man of age

That myght gaynsay the sounde of dethes trompe

He makes man daunce and that without courage

As well th'estate as man of lowe lynage

His cruell cours is ay so intretable

175

That mannys myght to withstande is nat able

ref.ed: 120

Whan thou art dede / what profyte or auayle Horatius

Hast thou in toumbes hye ryche and excellent

That Corps that lackes all suche gay aparayle

Shall be ouercouered with the fyrmament Arthemesia de qua. hiero. vij. a. g. li. x.

180

The blynde / Arthemisia yet was of this intent

A sumtuous toumbe and ryche to edefye

By vayne opynyon hir name to magnyfye

This toumbe was shynynge with syluer and pure golde

So gayly couchyd and set with precious stone

185

Alayd with asure and coloures manyfolde

That of the seuen wonders of kyngdomes echone

That ar vnder Son: that rekened is for one

Yet this gay tombe abyll for any kynge

To hir pore soule profyted no-thynge

190

Chemnys also as dyodorus sayes Chemnis de quo dio. li. ij.

Byldyd a speere hye and wonderous

To bere remembraunce of his tyme and dayes

This speere was costely dere and sumptuous

And of quantyte so great and marueylous

195

That a thousande men and .iij. hundreth fulfyde

In twenty yeres coude it skantly bylde

The brother of the sayd chemnys in lyke wyse Dio. li. ij. de fratre chemnis qui edificauit pyramydem.

Brought all his Royalme vnto pouertye

Whyle he another lyke speere dyd deuyse

200

For his vayne toumbe / so that his comonte

And other workmen after one degre

Were longe compellyd in this worke to ete

Herbys and rotis for lacke of other mete

sig: G3

ref.ed: 121

One Rodopis callyd by suche a name Rodopis de quo hero. li. ij.

205

Byldyd suche another vayne sepulture

The riche Amasis also dyd the same Amasis herodo. li. ij.

But what was this / els but a vayne pleasure

It is great Foly to any creature

To make so great expences and trauayle

210

About vayne thynges that ar of none auayle

So great expences / suche Folysshe coste and vayne Ecclesiastes. viij.

Is done on toumbes and all by pompe and pryde Math. xxiij.

That this my shyp can it scarsly contayne Luce. xi.

But the soulys helth (alas) is set asyde Esaie. xxij.

215

Whiche euer sholde lyue and without ende abyde Ecclesiastes. vij.

And the caryon and fylth: is magnyfyed

By suche vayne toumbes that nowe ar edefyed

Beholde a toumbe and precious sepulture

Thought it be gay: aduyse what is within

220

A rottyn caryon vyler than all ordure

By this proude toumbe the soule no welth can wynne

But is Damnyd if the body dyed in synne

So is it Foly great coste and vanyte

To vse in Toumbes suche curyosyte

225

Euery grounde vnto god is sanctyfyed xiij. q. ii. vbicunque.

A rightwyse man that well doth lyue and dye

Shall in hye heuen in soule be glorifyed Seneca.

In what-euer grounde his wretchyd Carcas lye

But where a toumbe is byldyd curyously

230

It is but cause of Pryde to the ofsprynge

Helpynge the soule right lytell or no-thynge

ref.ed: 122

¶Th'enuoy of Barclay.

¶Man kepe thy body from synne exces and cryme Prouer. x.

And if thou fall aryse shortly agayne

Be euer redy / prouyde thy deth by tyme

For dye thou shalt that one thynge is certayne

And oft deth stelyth on man by cours sodayne

He warneth none / but who that dyes in syn

Dyes worst of all / and sure is of hell-payne Psal. xxxiij.

Thus is it peryll longe to abyde therin

¶Unto an Archer deth may I well compare

Whiche with his dart stryketh somtyme the marke

That is last age delyuerynge them from care

Of mundayne thought / and payne of worldly warke

Somtyme he shotyth ouer: as he were darke

Of syght / and somtyme to short: or els asyde

But well is hym that takyth thought and carke

At euery season his dartis to prouyde.

sig: [G3v]

ref.ed: 123

¶Of Folys that despyse god.

¶Whan that man synneth or therto doth assent

Thoughe god be of moche mercy and great pacience

Suffrynge hym escape without punysshement

And often is nat hasty to punysshe eche offence

Yet thou blynde Fole voyde of all prudence

He gyueth nat the his berde to draw and brast

For euery synne he punyssheth first or last.

ref.ed: 124

WHat man myght suffer with mynde pacient 'W' of 'WHat' is guide letter in space set for large capital Iob. xv. Iob. xv.

These folys that stryue agaynst theyr creatour Psal. cvij.

With wordes despysynge our lorde omnypotent Eccle. viij.

And hym denyenge as nat theyr gouernour Exodi. xvi.

Both day and nyght increasynge theyr errour Danielis. iij.

All goddes preceptis these folys thus confounde

With vicious wordes whiche doth theyr soules wounde

They vtter wordes / full of all folysshenes Sapien. xv.

Agaynst the Father of heuen they hym nat drede

No more than he were / of no myghtynes

Lyke to mankynde / or come of mannys sede

Of his great power they haue no fere nor hede

Nor yet aduertyce his rightwyse iugement

Ne that yll-doers ar worthy punysshement

sig: [G4]

Contemptus in deum.

Quia deus ... exaudiet ipsum

sig: [G4v]

What menest thou by god the Father eternall Persius

Howe takest thou hym / howe countest thou his lawe

Whiche by thy presumpcion foule and infernall

Dare be so bolde his berde this wyse to drawe

By his hye myght thou countest nat a strawe

And than whan god / by mercy and pyte

A whyle the suffreth for thy dede to go fre

And doth nat punysshe this synne in_contynent Ecclesiastes. viij.

Therfore thou thynkest that god hath pardoned the

Bycause the lyghtnynge or thounder vyolent

And other tempestous stormes whan they be

Ouertourneth downe an oke or other tre

And suffreth the and thy hows to be vnbrent

Thus thynkest thou: the pardonyd by god omnypotent

ref.ed: 125

O people of cursyd hope and confydence

What ioy haue ye: or what a lewde delyte Ad roma. ii.

Without amendement alway to sue offence

And more to offende / bycause ye haue respyte

Is godes Iustyce (thynke ye) decayd quyte

Nay god is more rightwyse than creature terrene

All-thynge he seys / no-thynge can stop his iyen

Thynkest thou that thy lyfe shall euer endure

That thou mayst haue longe tyme our lorde to pray Prouer. xxiij.

And in thy last age of pardone to be sure Eccle. xvi.

O fole vnrulyd lay this lewde mynde away Hiere. xiij.

Trust nat to lyfe / for vnsure is thy day

We all must dye: but he that styll doth syn Esaie. xlvij.

In hope of longe lyfe he often dyes therin

God suffreth the oftymes to offende Vale. li. ij.

And folowe thy wyll and sensualyte

To proue if thou thy lewde lyfe wylt amende

Expellynge thy carnall and blynde fragilyte

But if thou contynue in thy iniquyte

The more space that thou hast had before

Thy payne and tourment shall after be the more

Alas suche ar infect with great offence

That thus on synne infix alway theyr mynde Eccle. xxxvii.

They haue no wysdome grate / goodnes / ne prudence

But kepe theyr herte in darke erro[u]r and blynde

That to true byleue it no-thynge is inclyned Ad roma. ij.

Whan synfull errour is set in theyr intent

They god despyse / and his commaundement

sig: [G5]

ref.ed: 126

These folys in maner nought care for goddes myght

Whiche by his worde hath made eche element Psal. vij. et. xlvi.

The sonne: the mone / the derkenes and the lyght Gene. i.

The day / the nyght / the sterrys and firmament Ecclesiastes. v.

Whiche knowys all tymes eche hour and eche moment Whiche] Whihiche 1509

Both the tyme past and tyme that is to come

Our lyfe and deth he knowys by his wysdome

O man myserable: o wretchyd creature

Sholdest thou agaynst thy souerayne lorde rebell

Whiche to thyntent: that thou sholde nat endure

Eternall deth. sende to tourment cruell

His onely son to red thy soule fro hell red: see OED redd v2, rid v

The whiche also with his blode hath the bought

Therfore loue hym / and turne this frowarde thought

Thou art nat so redy to gyue the to penaunce

And to set thy mynde on vertue parfytely Ecclesi. ij.

Forsakynge thy synne and olde mysgouernaunce Hiere. xviij.

But god is als redy to take the to mercy Ezechi. xviij.

Thus mayst thou thynke both sure and stedfastly Math. iiii.

That if thou for thy synnes mourne and wayle Luce. xiij.

God shall the here / and quyte the thy trauayle

But who that hath herte harde in suche a wyse

And rotyd in suche malyce and furour

That by the same by worde he dare despyse

His god / his maker / his helth and sauyour

By synne / contempt or lyuynge in errour

Suche (but if he chaunge his intent)

Is damnyd / to endure infernall punysshement.

ref.ed: 127

¶Th'enuoy of Barclay.

¶O people proude / and of goodnes ignoraunt

Enclyne your myndes sore blyndyd by offence

Mollyfy your hertis that ar harde as adamant

Expell ye this pryde and stately insolence

Presume ye no more in worde / nor conscience

Your lord / defender / and maker to despyse

For who that doth / shall outher here or hence

At last be rewardyd / and that in ferefull wyse.

De blasphemiis in christum.

sig: [G5v]

Proh quicunque ... aliique simul.

ref.ed: 128

¶Of Blasphemers and sweres of the name of god / and of his Sayntis.

sig: [G6]

¶Nowe commyth to cours to wryte of the errours

Of men abhomynable / of women mayde and childe

Whiche agaynst Christ ar newe tourmentours

His skyn terynge / wors than Iowes it defylyd

O man myscheuous by whome Christ is reuylyd

Thou worthy art to dye in soule and in body

That Iuge that it suffreth sore shall it abye.

ref.ed: 129

O Myrthles myse of eloquence barayne Math. xii.

Cast out thy terys and mourne without mesure xxv. dis. qualis de re. dis. i. pena.

For from sore waylynge my-selfe can nat refrayne

Nor as I thynke none erthly creature Bea. tho. ii. ii. q. xiii. ar. i.

Consyderynge howe men in malyce them inure

If there were reason within harde stele or flynt

From carefull terys I wot they coude nat stynt

If beste had reason / wyt / or mannys brayne

To note and aduyse mannys mysgouernaunce

Without all dout I thynke it wolde complayne

For mannys synne / and wylfull ignoraunce

Therfore all ye that haue wyll and pleasaunce

To rede of the Folys of this iniquyte

Expell hye corage / and than come wepe with me

sig: [G6v]

For certaynly / I trowe no man coude wryte

The vyce nowe vsed / agaynst all ordynaunce

Nor yet that rede / whiche other men indyte

Without sore waylynge / and terys in habundaunce

For well I wot my herte is in greuaunce

Whan I consyder and wryte / thus-wyse of syn

Seynge howe the worlde defylyd is therin

But though I haue had great dilygence with payne Leui. xxiij.

Before this / to blame blynde Folys abhomynable

Yet this my labour almoste was tane in vayne

For none to this present sort ar comparable

These folys in theyr dedys ar so detestable

That all synne and vyce vnder the firmament

Theyr vicious hertis can nat pleas nor content

ref.ed: 130

Yet seke they wors: agaynst our lorde aboue Luce. xii.

By theyr yll tunge they tourment newe with payne

And though he onys dyed in erth for mannys loue

These caytyfs hym tourment nowe in heuen agayne

These folys (with newe sperys) set theyr brayne

To wounde / our lorde / whiche / can do hym no grefe

Saue that he seyth man seke his owne myschefe Marci. iij.

Agaynst Christ they cast and throwe great othys

Blasphemynge agaynst dyuyne commaundement

Wordes of Enuy whiche god almyghty lothys

They throwe agayne hym as trayters vyolent

O cursyd creatures / with armour impotent

That lorde that dyed to red them out of payne Esaie. lij.

They haue good wyll to tere his herte agayne

The one blasphemys by christis hede and brayne

Grutchynge and grennynge for symple thynge or nought

Another Caytyfe / or myscheuous vylayne

By all his holy membres / to swere hath lytyll thought xxij. q. si. quis per capillum.

Another by the blode wherwith he hath vs bought

His Face his herte / or by his crowne of thorne

Wherwith (for them) his skyn was rent and torne

Another out vomytis wordes execrable

Agaynst our lordes holy woundes fyue

His handes his fete and his crosse venerable in autem vt non lux. con na. circa ne. col. vi.

Wheron he dyed to make mankynde a_lyue

That fole that grettest othes can contryue

Blasphemynge god / men hym moste magnyfye

Thus newe agayne our lorde they crucyfye

sig: H1

ref.ed: 131

O cruell Caytyfs tyrantis and tourmentours

O blynde blasphemers / o men brought vp in vyce

O ye fals folowers / and inherytours ij. Mach. xij.

Of the cruell Iowes myschefe and malyce de. pe. dis. iiij. auctoritas in tex. et. glo.

To moche immoderate madnes doth attyce

Your myndes amasyd by othes to tourment

The sayntis of heuen: and god omnypotent

O ye blasphemers: o tourmentours vnkynde

Alas what mean ye your maker thus to tere

Syns in the Gospell we playnly wryten fynde

That no creature lyuynge ought to swere

By ought that god made / no nat by a here

Of his owne hede / our othes ought to be

(As christ vs techyth) onely (nay) and (ye)

But nowe in our othes is god omnypotent

With all his membres and sayntis euerychone

All that god made / and euery sacrament

The fere of payne (alas) is from vs gone

Our hertis harder than flynt or marbell-stone

Alas we tere our Lord that hath vs bought

By our blasphemynge / and that for thynge of nought

The tables / tenys / cardis / or the dyce

Ar chefe begynnynge of this vnhappynes

For whan the game wyll nat well aryse

And all the players troubled by dronkenes

Than suche Caytyfs as ioy in this exces

At eche worde labour our sauyour to tere

With othes abhomynable whiche they vngoodly swere

ref.ed: 132

Alas these folys repute it but a game

To cast suche wordes agayne theyr creatour

Them-selfe forswerynge / blasphemynge christis name

And he that is moste gyuen to this errour

Is nowe reputyd moste worthy of honour Ad Roma. ij.

He shall no rule in court nor kechen bere

(As this tyme goys) but he can crake and swere

The yonge (alas) this vyce doth here and lere

100

With stody intentyf / and parfyte aduertence

Of suche as ar olde: to blaspheme / and to swere

The name of god without all reuerence

In-so-moche that they thynke it none offence

To swere the holy Masse / that othe is nowe so ryfe

105

In mouth of man / mayden childe and wyfe

sig: [H1v]

It was onys ordeyned by constytucion

As I haue harde / that both symple men and hye

Sholde onely swere by that occupacion

The whiche theyr Faders dyd vse and occupy

110

But nowe eche sweryth the Mas comonly

Whiche is the prestis seruyce and besynes

So mennys [othes] theyr Fathers doth expres othes] others 1509

Alas no honour / laude nor reuerence

Is had nowe vnto that blessyd sacrament

115

But boyes / and men without all difference

Tere that holy body of god omnypotent

As it were iowes to his passion they assent

In euery bargayne / in ale-hous and at borde

The holy Mas is euer the seconde worde

ref.ed: 133

120

And than these houndes can suche excusys fynde

As to theyr soules without dout ar damnable

Saynge it is gode to haue the masse in mynde

And the name of god / and his sayntis honourable

O erytykes. o houndes abhomynable

125

That is a thynge whiche god almyghty lothys

To take his name in thy foule mouth by othys

Yet doest thou so / there is no maner place Leui. xix.

Nor no order or state that of this vyce is fre Math. v.

For whiche (alas) god hath withdrawyn his grace

130

And oft vs chastyth with plage of cruelte

With dyuers dethes / and moche adue[r]syte aduersyte] aduesyte 1509

For this vyce / Iuges ordayne no punysshement

Therfore is it punysshyd by god omnypotent

With tempest thunder / lyghtnynge hete or colde lyghtnynge] lyghtnynyge 1509

135

With murder by pestylence or els by some batayle

And sore diseasys / and paynys manyfolde

We oft by hunger haue cause also to wayle

The corne destroyed by wynde lyghtnynge or hayle

Of suche punysshement we wretchys worthy be

140

For god suffreth nat our synnes to go fre

Sennacheryb as the bybyll doth expres ij. Mach. xvi.

Nychanor and fyers Antyochus also ij. Mach. v.

Hath shamely dyed for this vnhappynes

Nat only they: but many thousandes mo

145

And in our dayes I fere lyst payne and wo

Be to vs sende by ryghtwyse punysshement

For swerynge in vayne / by god omnypotent

sig: H2

ref.ed: 134

O father almyghty our god and creatour

In thy hye maiesty syttynge in thy trone xxiij. q. v. Quid ergo

150

With blessyd Iesu thy sone our sauyour ij. petri. xxxij.

And o holy goste whiche ar thre in one

O god graunt thy grace to this our regyon

Pardon vs synners differ thy vengeaunce

Thoughe we deserue it by our mysgouernaunce

155

O glorious godhed of mercy infynyte Addicio alexandri_barclay.

Consyder howe mankynde is prone alway to vyce

Graunt vs good lord layser and respyte

Out of our slombrynge s[i]nnes to aryse sinnes] snnes 1509

Let thy great mercy excell thy hye iustyce

160

For if thy iustyce sholde put vs to vttraunce

We sholde be damnyd for our mysgouernaunce

If thou good lorde denye vs to socour

On whome may we wretches for socour cry or call

Alas on none / therfore let our errour

165

And synfull dedes clene from thy presence fall

Brynge vs vnto thy realme celestyall

Where in thy presence we may set our plesaunce

And so haue pardon of our mysgouernaunce.

¶Th'enuoy of Alexander_Barclay.

¶Alas ye swerers mourne / for ye haue cause

Wasshe ye away your synne with syghes depe

For if I sholde vtter my mynde in one clause

I say your vnkyndnes causeth me to wepe

What god hath done for you ye take no kepe

But tere his body by swerynge hym in vayne

Thoughe he as a good Shepherd / dyed for his shepe

That is for you / yet wolde ye hym sle agayne

ref.ed: 135

¶Alas blasphemer / of christ thou hast the name

And callyd art christen / so made by sacrament

But sothly that name is to thy vtter shame

Syns thou thy god / and sauyour dare tourment

O iuges iuges ordayne ye punysshement

For eche blasphemer wors than is an hell-hounde

For if ye do nat our lorde omnypotent

Shall vs with our synnes by right iustyce confounde

De plaga et indignatione dei.

sig: [H2v]

Miratur fatuus: ... omne malum.

ref.ed: 136

¶Of the plage and indignacion of god / and folys that fere nat the same.

sig: H3

¶Some folys meruayle and thynketh it great wonder

Whan god vs stryketh for our yll and offence

With tempest / hete / sekenes / lyghtenynge or thunder

Hunger or colde / outher sodayne pestylence

But certaynly his hye magnyfycence

Vs worthely punyssheth for our iniquyte

For vertue alas is gone from eche degre.

ref.ed: 137

O Folys abusyd whome foly doth diffame Prouer. xiij.

Say what auauntage what profyte or what mede Tre. iij. in fine

Is it to you to haue christis name Deutro. xxv.

Whan ye nat folowe his lyfe in worde nor dede Hiere. xv.

Of his preceptis alas we take no hede

Yet we repute vs condigne in our corage

To be callyd christen / and christes herytage

Who that in vyce his dayes doth meyntayne

May bere the name of christ our sauyour

But than his name he chalangeth in vayne

And tyll he amende led in a blynde errour

So we (alas) often forget our creatour

Abusynge and brakeynge his hyghe commaundement

Nat carynge the decrees of faders auncient

sig: [H3v]

We take christes name / but his doctryne we deny Ecclesi. xxxvij.

And from his way (alas) we sore declyne

And to all ylles our myndes we aply Esaie. lij.

Whiche often doth vs brynge to perelous ruyne

We ioy of the name / and the true fayth deuyne Luce. xxi.

Trustyng therby to eschewe euerlastynge payne Iacobi. vi.

But godly workes we abhor and disdayne

Iustyce and hir lawes ar banysshyd from eche place

Mysrule amasyd hir braunches doth extende Iohan. viij

All vertuous doctryne away from vs we chace

Thus goth the worlde aprochynge to the ende

Our fayth oftyme doth from hir chayre discende

She is nat so parfyte as she in tyme hath be

Nor yet hir two systers hope and charyte

ref.ed: 138

Alas we dayly without all drede commyt

Moche cursyd vyce somtyme by ignoraunce

Somtyme by malyce / somtyme for lacke of wyt

As wors than the turke / in our mysgouernaunce

Thus dame mysrule so ledes vs in hir daunce

That our blynde youth with to moche lybertye

Subdueth our bodyes to all enormyte

So all mankynde with vyce is violate Iob. xv.

Both yonge and olde stronge feble and ympotent

The ryche / the pore / the vylayne and estate

That they rebell agaynst our lorde omnypotent Ecclesiastes. vij.

Howbeit our lorde as a father pacyent

Sayth man if thou my lawes kepe and loue Exodi. xv.

I shall the lede to my hye Royalme aboue Deutro. xi.

But if thou by malyce selfe-wyll or neglygence Math. vij.

Dispyse my lawes reputynge them but vayne

Thou shalt nat escape ay fre for thyne offence

Without correccion punysshement and payne Iohan. xv.

Yet we blynde men of these wordes haue disdayne

To this great promes alas we nought intende

Ne labour nat our errours to amende

Suche is our foly we thynke nat to amende

But styll procede in our olde mysgouernaunce

We ar so blyndyd we note no-thynge the ende Leuiti. xxvi.

Wherfore our lorde / by Iustyces balance Nume. xiiij.

Of suche offenders oft taketh vengeaunce

With dyuers plagis / and punysshement terryble

As pockes / pestylence / and other yll horryble

sig: [H4]

ref.ed: 139

Though mercy fauour / yet god of his iustyce

With dyuers plages sundry sorys and sekenes Ezech. xxxviij.

And dredfull dolours punyssheth vs for vyce Esaie. lix.

Suche is the order of his hyghe rightwysnes

Whan men contynue in theyr vnhappynes

His swerde of vengeaunce vpon them to extende

And that namely whan they wyll nat amende

Cruell Mars somtyme vs thretenyth with batayle Deutro. xxviij.

Somtyme our bodyes infect with pestylence ij. Regum. vij.

The corne somtyme distroyed with rayne or hayle

Than hunger men consumyth without all difference

This worthely we indure for our offence

With sore diseasys that neuer were sene before

But yet our synnes increasyth euer more

Somtyme our fode with hete is all to_brent Luce. xij.

Somtyme by colde abyde we moche payne Apocalip. xviij

Some hath with thunder theyr bodyes all to_rent

Now frost / nowe snowe / lyghtenynge / tempest / or rayne

Some with thunder-boltis theyr bodyes smyt in twayne

Some murdred / some hanged some hedyd / some drownde

And all for offence / and synne done on the grounde

The dyuers dethes whiche dayly we indure

And dyuers chaunces whiche dayly on vs fall

I trowe there is none erthly creature

That hath the brayne to comprehende them all

Though that his dayes were nere perpetuall

And often se we tokens of ferefull punysshement

By sygnes and sterres of the clere fyrmament

ref.ed: 140

We ought these paynes with mekenes to indure Ouidius in epistolis.

And nat to grutche therfore / nor god to blame

For our lewde lyfe forsoth doth them procure Psal. v. et. xliij.

And for our synnes ar we worthy of the same Esaie. xxij.

Some nacions haue ben dryuen out in shame Iohel. ij.

From theyr owne londe wandrynge in payne and stryfe

Whiche sothly was for theyr disordred lyfe

Wherfore thou man thynke sure in thyne intent

100

That synne accostomed / by order of iustyce

Of god aboue / cryeth for punysshement Prouer. xiiij.

Other here or els in hell: for euery vyce Treno. v.

Hath suche rewarde / wherfore let vs be wyse Hiere. xxix.

And shortly amende our olde mysgouernaunce

105

Lyst god rightwysely take on vs vengeaunce

sig: [H4v]

¶ Barclay the translatour.

¶O man clere thy syght / beholde thy owne offence

And mende for the loue of god omnypotent

For if thy synne stynke alway in his presence

Iustyce shall nat let the auoyde his punysshement

And though mercy be nat to the moch vyolent

Nat suffrynge vengeaunce shortly on the to fall

Yet mende betyme be nat ouer-neglygent

Beware the ende for that oft payth for all.

De fatua permutatione.

Qui pro stultisona ... delitiisque iacent.

sig: [H5]

Quid referam ... inersque manet.

ref.ed: 141

¶Of folysshe exchanges scorsynges and permutacions.

¶Who that hath a nedy iourney for to ryde

And for a bagpype his hors wyll sell. playnly

He is a fole and lewdly doth hym gyde

And no auauntage shall he obtayne therby.

So hapnyth it to hym moste comonly

Whiche for frayle pleasour of one day or twayne

Forsaketh heuen / sure of euerlastynge payne

sig: [H5v]

ref.ed: 142

SOme Folys yet shall of a rowme be sure glo. iusti. quod cum eo qui in ver. sed erit et in autem. qui mo. na. eff. sui coll. vij.

Within this shyp a lowe or els a hye

Suche ar they that greuous charges wyll indure

Subduynge theyr bodyes to labour besely

Theyr shulders with burthyns chargynge heuely

In worldly curys sore labourynge in vayne l. pe. ff de iur. et fact. ig.

Therby hereafter to byde infernall payne

They laboure here so sore for wretchyd goodes

That whan theyr body departyth from this lyfe

Theyr soule is plungyd in infernall flodys

So what auayleth them to be so actyfe

In worldly labour / so thoughtfull or pensyfe

Here in this erth all other to excell

And after toren by cruell houndes of hell toren=torn

He that here labours in erth for frayle ryches Ad hebre. xi.

Suffreth more sorowe and payne contynually

Than he that lyueth alone in wyldernes

And hym in goddes seruyce doth aply

Abydynge in fastynge / and praynge deuoutly

So worldly wretchys (as it apereth playne)

Take here sore labour to wynne euerlastynge payne

Who that serueth god with parfyte dylygence

Shall in this lyfe auoyde moche worldly wo

And be rewardyd in heuen whan he goth hens

Where-as he that serueth this worlde shall nat so

Yet of this sort fynde we right many mo

That to haue ryches all besynes employ

Rather than to get in heuen eternall ioy

ref.ed: 143

Mysrule / wast / falshode / and also couetyse /

With other vyces as pryde or statelynes Prouer. ij. et. iiij.

Vs sorer labours causeth to exercyse

Than vertue doth: or godly holynes

For them fewe men wyll take great besynes

Easy is the way to vyce and men ar prone

To folowe that cursyd way almoste echone

Before our syght it dayly apereth playne Sapien. xij.

What great labours / what charge and besynes

Proude people indure theyr pryde for meyntayne

With dyuers garnamentis presentynge statelynes garnamentis=garments Eccle. [ij.] ij.] 1509 omits et. xxxij. Eccle. [ij.] ij.] 1509 omits et. xxxij. ij.] 1509 omits

Onely on clothynge bestowynge theyr ryches

Suche set all vertuous besynes asyde Esaie. lvij.

And onely labour for to meyntayne theyr pryde

sig: [H6]

Somtyme suche dare set theyr lyfe in ieopardy

Nat ferynge Iustyce / but the lawe to violate

For to meyntayne theyr statelynes therby

By proude apparayle / nat mete for theyr estate

Right so Couetyse after lyke maner rate

By ardaunt desyre of hir blynde iniquyte Horatius in epistulis.

Draweth men to peryls both of londe and se

To dyuers peryls men boldly them subdue

In hope frayle ryches to purchace and obtayne

But for the loue of goodnes or vertue

Right fewe or none wyll put them-selfe to payne

For money man sayles the troublous se of spayne

And moche of the worlde he compasyth about Sapien. xiiij.

Of ieopardy and peryll without all maner dout

ref.ed: 144

Who that by couetyse is drawen and opprest

Is neuer at eas ne quyetnes of mynde

By nyght nat takynge slepe ne naturall rest

With fyry ropys this fury so doth them bynde Ecclesi. v.

They fere no flode / no colde / tempest / or wynde / Sapho in epistolis

There is no labour nor colde that can them dere

The hunger of golde them maketh without fere Claudianus de raptu proserpine.

O man commyttynge thy lyfe vnto the streme

Alas note well thy desyrous vanyte

Howe thou the auenterest in holowe beame

To pas the see in contynuall ieopardye

And all this thou doest of gode to haue plentye

But for the loue of god thy creatour

Thou skarsly woldest endure a symple shoure

Some for vayne ryches folowes another vyce

Watchynge by [n]yght in wynter sharpe and colde nyght] myght 1509

To encreas his purse / by cardes or by dyce

There syttynge in paynes and peryls manyfolde

Suche sle them-selfe longe-tyme or they be olde

And waste theyr youth without all auauntage

Theyr soule submyttynge to Lucyfers bondage

What shall I say or of the maners wryte Treno. iiij.

Of dronkardes or glotons Whiche without mesure

Onely in theyr wombes set theyr hole delyte

Corruptynge and chargynge them-self beyonde nature Iuuenalis

So whan the body can nat suche rule indure

Theyr lyfe they ende and oft by deth sodayne

And for this labour rewardyd with hell-payne

sig: [H6v]

ref.ed: 145

What shall I say of the paynfull fantasy

Whiche he abydeth and suffreth day and nyght

Whiche for his wyfe taketh thought and ielowsy

Hir alway ferynge / thoughe she be in his syght

Howe by those Folys whiche settyth all theyr myght

By force of Armys to be Uenus champyon

Rather than to wyn the heuenly regyon

100

What shall I wryte of the mad mysgouernaunce

And vayne labour whiche men vpon them take

Some watchynge in reuell and some to ren and daunce

Some for worldly pleasour both day and nyght to wake

But nought wyll we suffer for god almyghtyes sake

105

In whose seruyce we rest at ende myght fynde

We labour here for deth as bestis blynde Sapien. v.

We seke our destruccion: for symple ioy mundayne

Our myndes ar so blynde: and we so prone to yll

That heuen we chaunge for euerlastynge payne Iuuenalis.

110

In good workes haue we no pleasour nouther skyll

Deuyne preceptis we seldome-tyme fulfyll

Banysshyd is vertue decayed is holynes Ecclesiastes. x.

And moche of the worlde ensue vnthryftynes

Let wyse men stody (therfore) to obtayne

115

Vertue though the way be in diffyculte

For thoughe that one neuer infyx his brayne Math. vij.

To vyce / yet shall the way full esy be

But certaynly wors than a fole is he

Whiche wyll in-stede of heuenly blyssydnes Ezech. vij.

120

Bye worldly pleasour / endynge in wretchydnes

ref.ed: 146

¶Th'enuoy of Barclay.

¶Remember Fole it is great hurte and losse

For worldly pleasour to lese ioy eternall

Remember also howe god dyed on the crosse

Shedynge his blode the to redeme withall

This payne he suffred for the and for vs all

Consyder his sorowes / be kynde to hym agayne

Lese nat ne change nat his ioy celestyall

For folysshe pleasour / or frayll and worldly payne

De non honorantibus parentes

sig: I1

Hos reor ... matre pii.

sig: [I1v]

ref.ed: 147

¶Of folysshe children that worshyp nat their fader and moder.

¶Them also I repute for Folys blynde

Whiche haue no honour worshyp ne reuerence

To father and mother / but ar to them vnkynde

And nat consyder what payne and dylygence

What labour / thought / great costis / and expence

Theyr parentis had for them in theyr yonge age

But they rewarde the same with great outrage

ref.ed: 148

THat foule is full of all vnhappynes Ecclesi. iij.

And suerly worthy of euerlastynge payne iii. q. v. omnes qui

Whiche for his frendes loue and great kyndnes

Rewardeth them with vnkyndnes agayne i. ad thimo.

But hym I iuge a gretter fole certayne Prouer. xx. et. xxviij.

Whiche on his children bestowys all his substaunce

And lyues hym-selfe (for nede) in harde penaunce

And where-as he myght his age well relefe

With his owne goodes at euery tyme of nede

There lyeth he gronynge / in payne wo and myschefe Beatus tho. xxij q. c. xxii. ar. v.

His vnkynde children takynge of hym no hede

And where he labowred right sore his son to fede

Sparynge from hym-selfe to fynde hym to the scole

In age his son hym taketh for a fole

sig: I2

And where-as he ought his father to honour

To worshyp and loue by dyuyne commaundement

The vnkynde caytyf wyll do hym no socour

But suffreth hym abyde both pore and indigent

And often this Caytyf with handes violent

As past all grace shame or godly fere

With strokes doth his Father hurt and dere

Or suffreth hym vtterly to dye for lacke Prouer. xxvij.

Or els hym dryueth vnkyndly to the colde Ouidius. i. meth.

With a cowpyll of croches a walet on his backe

Whan he hath spoylyd hym of that he wolde

So whan the Father is tedyous and olde

His children thynke he lyueth al to longe

Oft wysshynge hym to be drownyd outher honge

ref.ed: 149

There is no pyte that can suche wretches moue Ecclesi. ij. et. vij

Anenst theyr Faders wo and paynfull age Leuiti. xx.

They shewe hatered for fauour and hye loue Deutro. v.

O folysshe Fader consyder in thy corage Deutro. xxiij.

Thy to great pyte thy olde and blynde dotage

Whiche to thy sonne hast gyuen suche store of gode

Whiche the dede wyssheth nat grauntynge the thy fode

He suffreth the to lyue with hunger harde bested

And god wot howe glad wolde he be in his mynde

If thou by cruell deth were from hym red Exodi. xx.

Yet is his owne lyfe vnstable as the wynde Malach.

And shortly shall dye leuynge that gode behynde Math. xv.

And for his vylayne / and frowarde vnkyndness

His soule berest euerlastynge blessydnes

And that worthely / for after my sentence

He well deserueth an yll and shamefull ende Marci. vij.

Whiche wyll nat honour / with loue and reuerence

His fader and mother as his myght may extende Ad ephe. vi.

And also all them of whose blode he doth discende Deutro. xxvii.

And who that agaynst his parentis wyll rebell Prouer. xx.

Is sothly worthy to haue a roume in hell

And oft it is sene by examples euydent

That short space they lyue and shamefully th[e]y dye they] thy 1509

Whiche to theyr parentis ar nat obedyent

And suffreth them lyue in nede and penury

Disdaynynge them to honour and worshyp reuerently

Examples in the Bybyll we haue in sondry wyse

Howe they haue endyd that doth theyr faders despyse

sig: [I2v]

ref.ed: 150

The goodly Absolon of beauty excellent Absolon.

Of pleasaunt fygure thoughe he so goodly were ij. Regum. xv. et. xviij.

For beynge vnto his Fader inobedyent

And his purposynge hym and all his to dere

And to rob his Royalme / was hangyd by the here

By sodayne chaunce and goddes punysshement

And with thre sperys his herte in sonder rent

For that Cham discouered his faders pryuete Cham

As in contempt hauynge of hym disdayne Gene. ix.

Was he nat cursyd by goddes maiestye Leuiti. xviij.

And bonde to his bretherne whiche was to his great payne

Thoughe Sennacheryb by his owne sonnes were slayne Sennacherib. ij. para. xxxij.

They hopynge to obtayne his royalme for theyr mede

Yet none of them theyr fader dyd succede

Balthasar kynge somtyme of Babylon Danielis. v.

In sorowfull yeres longe lyued worthely

For his proude mynde and fyers transgression

Agaynst his father / for that he cruelly

Dismembred hym: but sothly if that I

Sholde all suche wretches paynes comprehende

In this my boke / I neuer sholde haue ende

The bybyll recordeth howe Toby auncyent

Approchynge to deth almost in dethys hour Thobie. iiij.

Gaue his dere sone speciall commaundement

With all reuerence his mother to honour

Salomon therfore of sapyence the flour iij. Regum. ij.

Hauynge no respect to his hye excellence

Vnto his mother dyd humble reuerence

ref.ed: 151

Erectynge hym vp from his hye rowme royall

To mete his mother / and set hir by his syde

On his right hande as chefe and pryncipall

By whose example all children ought them gyde

Humbly to theyr parentis without all grutche or pryde

But fewe alas nowe wyll vnto this intende

Whiche causyth them sore repent it at the ende

If Corylaus had nat ben obedyent Corylaus

100

Vnto his moder and fered hir. certayne Plutarchus

By Rome he sholde haue suffred punysshement

And by his foly longe lyued in great payne

The Bybyll also recordeth to vs playne Hiere. xxxv.

Howe the sonnes of Rechab had great preemynence Ecclesi. xxiij.

105

For hauynge to theyr fader loue and obedyence

sig: I3

Were they nat lauded by god omnypotent

Yes certaynly but the chefe cause wherfore

Was for they folowed the commaundement

Of Rechab theyr fader / denyenge nat his lore

110

So shall I conclude shortly and say no more

That he that to Fader or moder is vnkynde

Shall here in erth his soule to fendes bynde

¶ Barclay to the Folys.

Thou vnkynde childe and inobedyent

Thynke what thy Fader and Moder dyd for the

Remember what goodes they haue on the spent

Or they coude brynge the vnto thy degre

Endeuer the to them kynde agayne to be

For all the kyndnes that thou canst shewe: certayne

Nor all thy worshyp nor thy humylyte

Can neuer be abyll them to rewarde agayne

ref.ed: 152

Be nat therfore childe vnto them vylayne

But take thou example of Christ our sauyour

Howe he alway thoughe he were god souerayne

His carnall moder benyngly dyd honour

And Ioseph also whiche after the errour

Of the blynde Iewes to hym was fader sayde

Yet is he god and gracious gouernour

Lyke to the Fader before the worlde was made

But thou aged man that seest thy dayes fade

Thy strength decay / and thy colour fro the fall

Thynke well that whan thou all thy good hast layde

Vpon thy children to auaunce them with-all

Whan thou hast nede perchaunce none of them shall

Socour thy nede / but from theyr hous the cast

Therfore I aduyse the / nede nat on them to call

But whyle thou lyuest to holde sure that thou hast.

De cauillatione sacerdotum in choro:

In choris ... vocibus assiduis:

sig: [I3v]

Consilium capiunt: ... ab ęde sacra.

ref.ed: 153

¶Of the claterynge and bablynge of prestis and clerkes in the quere.

¶Of folys yet: may we great nomber se

In the holy querys of chirches small and great

Whose communycacyon is voyde of honestye

But on vayne talys theyr myndes clene ar set

That goddes seruyce is oft hyndred and let

By suche iapes and dedys of farre and nere

Whiche they as Folys recount within the quere

sig: [I4]

ref.ed: 154

I Haue before touchyd the great enormyte

The foly / and disorder / without all reuerence c. decet de inmu. eccl. li. vi.

Whiche in the chirche dayly we may se

Amonge lay folys / whiche better were be thens

But nowe shall I touche another / lyke offence

And that is of Folys whiche in the quere habounde

Nat saynge the seruyce of god as they ar bounde

But dyuers toyes and Iapis varyable

They spred abrode / encombrynge the seruyce C. cum decorem de. vi. et. ho. cle.

And namely with theyr tunge wherwith they bable

Eche one to other / as if they toke aduyse

And counsell togyder theyr cartis to deuyse Hieronimus. ad damasum .

Vnto our shyppes theyr company to cary

For loth they be to longe fro them to tary

O goddes temple / o godly ordynaunce

By holy faders ordeyned to gyde the same Psalmo. xxx. viij. et. lxxvi.

None labours you to support nor auaunce Ad ephe. iij.

But to decay they suffer / vnto theyr shame

The godly costomes ar tourned vnto game

The Seremonyes somtyme kept stedfastly

Ar nowe defyled by Iestis of vylany

sig: [I4v]

The constitucions ordeyned right holely

In tyme past by Faders wyse and auncyent

Holy Chirches honour to meyntayne therby

Ar halfe abusyd / none suys theyr / right intent

The seruyce also of god omnypotent

Is nowe mysusyd: as playnly doth apere

Nat in the Chirche so moche as in the quere

ref.ed: 155

There be no tydynges nor neweltees of warre Prouer. v.

Nor other wonders done in any strange londe

What-euer they be and come they neuer so farre

The prestis in the quere at first haue them in honde

Whyle one recountyth / the other / to vnderstonde

His fayned fable harkeneth to the glose

Full lytell aduertynge howe the seruyce goes

The bataylys done perchaunce in small_brytayne

In fraunce or Flaunders or to the worldes ende

Ar tolde in the quere (of some) in wordes vayne

In myddes of Matyns in-stede of the Legende

And other gladly to here the same intende

Moche rather than the seruyce for to here

The rector Chori is made the messanger

He rennyth about lyke to a pursuyuant

With his whyte staffe mouynge from syde to syde

Where he is lenynge talys ar nat skant

But in one place nat longe doth he abyde

So he and other them-selfe so lewdly gyde

Without deuocion / by theyr lewde neglygence

That no-thynge can bynde theyr tunges to sylence

And in the mornynge whan they come to the quere

The one begynneth a Fable or a hystory

The other lenyth theyr erys it to here

Takynge it in-stede of the Inuytory Inuytory=Invitatory

Some other maketh respons antym and memory

And all of fables and Iestis of Robyn_hode

Or other tryfyls that skantly ar so gode

ref.ed: 156

With tryfyls they begyn and so oft-tyme they ende

Recountynge nueltees / they waste theyr tyme therin

And where-as they ought the seruyce to intende

Of god almyghty: they spende the tyme in syn

And other some / vnto the quere doth ren

Rather for lucre and cursyd couetyse

Than for the loue of the dyuyne se[r]uyce seruyce] seuyce 1509

sig: [I5]

The peny them prycketh vnto deuocyon glo. c. si de cle. non resi. li. vi.

But that is outwarde nat rotyd in the harte

But better were auoyde this hye promocion Psal. xv.

And surer / from the quere to stande a_parte

Than thyder to presume / and if that thou aduert

Thy owne order and therof the excellence

So shalt thou nat gyde the in goddes hye presence

I thynke it better more mete and profytable

To stande afarre without the Chirche and quere

That for thy noyse none can the seruyce here Neemie. xiij.

And if thou thynke thy talys and wanton chere

Or wordes superflue ar to our lorde pleasaunt

Thou art abusyd and greatly ignoraunt

But certaynly the prestis that thus lyue Ecclesi. xx.

Disordred in the hous of god our creatour xvi. q. vii. et. ho. diximusdiximus] diximmus 1509 diximus] diximmus 1509

Doth yll example vnto lay people gyue

By theyr m[y]srule to sue the same errour mysrule] musrule 1509

But to them-selfe do they great dishonour

And sclaunder to the Chirche / so that moste comonly

All prestis (of laymen) ar moche the lesse set by

ref.ed: 157

O folysshe preste vsynge suche fables vayne

And cursyd customes: thynkest thou therby actuum. xij.

Of god any mede or meryte to obtayne

Nay god is nat pleased with suche lewde foly

It is conuenyent our lorde to magnyfye xxiiij. q. i. omnibus. etc. quare ex sola.

With parfyte prayer loue reuerence and honour

And nat with iapys and talys of no valour

¶Th'enuoy of alexander_Barclay.

¶Ye prestis and clerkes amende your myslyuynge

Defyle nat the Churche with wordes of vanyte Ecclesiastes. iij.

Reme[m]ber: there is tyme and place for euery-thynge Remember] Remeber 1509

As tyme of myrth / and tyme of grauyte Domum domini decet s[an]ctitudo. sanctitudo] sctitudo 1509 sanctitudo] sctitudo 1509

In euery place ye ought discrete to be

That men may commende your vertue and goodnes

But namely in churche vse wordes of honestye

That is no place for talys / but for holynes

Superbię ostentatio.

Sordida laus ... quos rapiunt:

sig: [I5v]

EFficit et fatuos ... casta foret:

sig: [I6]

Iesabel vngebat ... reclusa viros.

ref.ed: 158

¶Of eleuate pryde / and bostynge.

¶That lawde is vyle the whiche doth procede

From mannys owne mouth vttred in wordes vayne

Of suche foly no wyse man taketh hede

But by discression / doth hym-selfe refrayne

But pompe and pryde whiche doth all men disdayne

Engendreth folys: whiche thynkynge to excell

All other in erth: at last fall downe to hell.

ref.ed: 159

BEsyde our folys rehersyd here-before Eccle. ix. et. xi.

In dyuers barges almost innumerable Iudith. ix.

Yet stately pryde makyth the nomber more Psal. xc. et. cxxiij

Whiche is a vyce so moche abhomynable Prouer. vii.

That it surmountyth without any fable Ecclesiastes. vii.

All other vyces in furour and vylenes Oui. meth.

And of all synne is it rote and maystres

sig: [I6v]

The noblest hertis by this vyce ar acloyed

It is confounder / of mekenes and vertue

So by the same is many one destroyed

In soule and body whiche them to it subdue

Wherfore let the wyse his statelynes eschewe

For it hath be sene is sene / and euer shall

That first or last foule pryde wyll haue a fall

The first inuentour of this vnhappy vyce

As doth the scripture playne expres and tell

Was lucyfer / whiche to hym dyd attyce De pe. dis ij. hinc etiam.

A cursyd nomber both stately and cruell

In mynde intendynge his maker to excell Esaie. xiij.

Or els if he coude come to his intent

For to be egall with god omnypotent

Thus of all synnes pryde was the first of all

Bygon by Lucifer / but god omnypotent

Percyuynge his foly made hym and his to fall

From heuen to hell to paynes violent

In horryble shape: before so excellent

Shynynge in heuen before the aungels all

Thus had his folysshe pryde a greuous fall

sig: K1

ref.ed: 160

But to be short. and to retourne agayne

Vnto my auctour: suche as ar stryke with pryde

Vse for to bost them-self with wordes vayne Thobie. iiij.

To spred theyr fame theyr name and lawdes wyde

And though that they vngraciously them gyde Iacobi. iiii.

Yet as mad men they bost they vaunt and raue

And of that whiche they / neuer deserued haue

Lo sayth a fole attached with this vyce vi. q. i imitare.

I haue ben norysshed at the vnyuersyte

In dyuers contrees and stodyes of great pryce

Both in these partyes and eke beyonde the se

At bonony / Parys and Padway haue I be bonony=Bologna xii. q. ij. gloria episcopi in fine. xii. q. ij. gloria episcopi in fine.

Wherfore I ought to haue preemynence

And the chefe place with lawde and reuerence

Another bostyth hym-self that he hath ben

In Grece at scolys and many other londe Peregrinatio: non facit medicum et nulla ars loco discitur vt ait seneca.

But if that he were aposyd well I wene

The grekes letters he skant doth vnderstonde

But thou vayne boster if thou wylt take on honde

To stody cunnynge and ydylnes despyse

The royalme of Englonde myght for the suffyse

In englonde is suffycyent discyplyne

And noble men endued with scyence

And if thou lyst to aply to theyr doctryne

Thou mayst lerne wysdome and noble eloquence

Haunt them that haue therin preemynence

And to theyr Instruccion with all thy mynde intende

It is no great boste to haue sene the worldes ende Iohel. ij.

ref.ed: 161

But syns mad pryde Enmy to all vertue Ecclesi. x. et. xxvij.

Subdueth the worlde vnder baner brode displayde

Thoughe folys obey / let wyse men it eschewe

For Lucyfer / as I before haue sayde

Corrupt with this vyce / had heuen to him denayde

And as first actour of this infectyfe sore

Was dryuen downe to hell with his / for euer-more Luce. x.

And nowe hym folowe men / children and wymen xxiiij. q. iij. quidam ver. luciferiani.

Fallynge from erth for this myscheuous pryde

To infernall flodes and that darke dredefull den Iob. xl.

Where without ende in payne they must abyde Prouer. xv. et. viii.

This fende with his felawes layeth on euery syde

Theyr nettis of pryde wherwith they goostly quell Psal. xvii.

Foles without nomber / drawynge with them to hell S[a]pien. Sapien] Sopien 1509 v. Sapien] Sopien 1509

sig: [K1v]

Let man haue wysdome and beautye souerayne Prouer. xiiij.

Strength / vertue / cunnynge / honour and ryches Iob. xxvi.

And this one vyce shall all the same dystayne Ecclesi. xi.

Defylynge worshyp by his proude statelynes Ecclesiastes. vij.

But namely this pryde is lady and maystres

Ouer womankynde / whiche playnly without fayle

Apereth by theyr lokes / and stately apparayle

Whiche wymen whan that they on pryde do muse

The same representynge outwarde in theyr habyte Eccle. xix.

Both yonge and olde of men they sore abuse Prouer. v.

Whan theyr frayle beautye doth mennes hertes byte

And to be playne: in pryde / wymen haue such delyte

That if some were as they ar almost all

The pryde in them at last sholde haue a fall

ref.ed: 162

As I haue sayde. whan wymen set theyr mynde

Them-selfe to garnysshe by thys stately pryde

Men that ar wyse / make they as folys blynde

Nat knowyng howe by reason them to gyde Holofernes

As dyd Iudith: whiche whyle she dyd abyde Iudyth. ix.

Nere the Tent of Holofernes capytayne

By hir feble hande he wretchydly was slayne

And all by reason that he was so inflamyd

100

By hir fayre shape / hir clothynge / and beautye

Yet was this Iudith of lyuynge nat dyffamyd

But yonge and olde euer kept hir chastyte

And in lyke wyse Iesabell / whan that she Iesabel. iiij. Regum. ix.

Thought by hir beautye Iehu to betray

105

By pryde she payntyd hir face to make hir gay

Betray I say / to pardon hir offence

Agaynst the wyll of god omnypotent

Whiche myght haue turnyd to inconuenyence

To noble Iehu / by goddes punyssheme[n]t Ecclesi. xiiij.

110

These thynges consydered wysdome with voyce prudent xxvij. q. v. nec. Salomon

Both lowde and shyll (sayth) cryeng to mankynde

From womans pryde and beauty drawe they mynde

Of all erthly thynges enclyne nat to theyr gyle

For with theyr iyen replete with wantonnes

115

Pure hertes and chaste they enfect and defyle

But suche as ar gyuen to vertue and goodnes Prouer. xiiij.

To mesure and mekenes expellynge statelynes Ecclesi. xxv.

They worthy ar of lawdes for theyr humylyte

For seldome or neuer they breke theyr chastyte

sig: K2

ref.ed: 163

120

If Barsabe throughe hir blynde neglygence ij. Regum. xi.

In bathynge had nat discoueryd hir beauty

Dauyd had nat fallen to that cruell offence

Of murder / engendred by vyle auoutry Ecclesi. x.

But to be playne / and for to speke shortly Iohel. ij.

125

Thousandes ar disceyued and brought to wofull fall

By pryde / and eke they folys abyde withall

But god almyghty dispyseth and doth hate Nume. xv.

These stately folys blyndyd with ignoraunce Thobie. iiij.

Whose myndes ar so hye and eleuate

130

That they nat se theyr owne mysgouernaunce

Wherfore our lorde oft taketh vengeaunce

Of theyr abusyon / and with infernall payne

Whiche is rewarde to fowle pryde and disdayne

O that he is happy whome this vnthryfty syn

135

Of pryde or vayne-glory with his hasty furour

Hath nat subdued / ouercome / nor entred in

Nor the vayne desyre / of ryches nor honour

And happy is he whiche thynketh euery hour

Of howe great valour is the royalme celestyall

140

Beynge ware of pryde by Lucyfers fall

Suche one nat forsyth of honour no hye name

Nat carynge in this worlde to haue preemynence

Nor other exces longynge vnto the same

Whiche ar attysers of men to all offence.

145

But proude folys voyde of wysdome and scyence

By vayne pryde stodyeth all other to excell

And than at the last they fall downe vnto hell

ref.ed: 164

Of proude Lucyfer thus they assay the fall

Receyuynge a rewarde for theyr statelynes Iob. xli.

150

Drownynge theyr proude hertis in flodes infernall Esaie. xiiij.

Where payne is eternall / wo / and bytternes

More tedyous than all tunges can expres

This is of pryde rewarde at the last ende

A thynge at the hyest thus nedes moste descende

155

Presumptuous pryde hath euer a shamefull ende

So haue they that coueyt other to excell Nu. xvi.

As we of Chore: Datan: and Abiron fynde Psal. c.v.

Whiche by pryde agaynst Moyses dyd rebell

Wherfore they and theyrs alyue sanke downe to [h]ell hell] tell 1509

160

Thus well is hym that foloweth vertue

And that with mekenes can stately pryde subdue.

sig: [K2v]

¶Th'enuoy of alexander_Barclay.

¶O men meke your myndes: ensue humylyte

And also ye wymen / refuse your statelynes

For certaynly the more hyghe that ye be

The more ye ought to gyue you to mekenes

For pryde is the rote of all vnhappynes

Supporter of vyce / and enmy to vertue

Therfore it is sayd (and true it is doutles)

That pryde goth before / but shame do it ensue goth] goth goth 1509

¶An exclamacion ayenst pryde.

¶O pryde despytous / o hasty tyranny.

Infernall fury with venym maculate

Fy on thy fraylte / out on the I cry

For with thy venym thou hast intoxicate

ref.ed: 165

So many kynges / so many a great estate

Thou man destroyest / if thou may hym subdue

Wherfore we ought the to desprayse and hate

Thou goest before But shame doth the ensue

By the is Lucyfer damned eternally Gene. iij.

Expulsed to payne / from goddes hyghe presence

And all mankynde endureth mysery

For that thou causyd hym by thy offence

Of pryde: to desyre to haue suche excellence

To knowe gode and yll / that all mankynde myght rewe

Tyll Aue: for Eua had made a recompence

Thus / o blynde pryde ay shame doth the ensue

The pryde of them that byldyd Babylon Gene. xi.

Was nat asswagyd without great vengeaunce Nabugo.

The kynge transformed from mannys fassyon Iudi. ix.

Vnto a brute bestis shape and countenaunce Gene. xvi.

Dyd nat Agar hir-selfe also auaunce

By pryde despysynge hir lady bycause she knewe

Hir-selfe conceyued / but hir mysgouernaunce Moab. Esaie. xvi.

Was sharply punysshed / and shame dyd it ensue

But shortly to drawe me to a conclusyon Holofernes. Iudith. xiij.

Thou hast made thousandes to ende in care and wo Aman hester . vi.

By the / had moab payne and confusion ij. macha. xv.

Holofernes / Aman / Nichanor / and Pharao Exodi. xiiij.

Balthasar / Anthiochus / Herode and many mo Danielis. xv.

In the olde testament and also in the newe i. macha. i.

But shortly to speke / and farther nat to go ij. macha. v.

Pryde goeth before / and shame doth ensue Actuum. xij.

sig: K3

De vsurariis et foeneratoribus.

Quos vsura ... diuitiasque legunt.

sig: [K3v]

ref.ed: 166

¶Of vsurers / and Okerers.

¶Unto our shyp let them come hastely

Whiche by theyr ardent desyre of frayle ryches

Theyr myndes set on deuourynge vsury

These ar the theues that by theyr cruelnes

Spoyle the pore people and greuously oppres

They boste theyr gaynes they bye they sell agayne

Spoylynge and oppressynge / on gyle is all theyr brayne.

ref.ed: 167

A Shamfull sort of Folys doth remayne Prouer. xx.

Wors than all other spoken of before Luce. vi.

Whose synfull lyfe and fals disceytfull trayne Inno. in .c. i. de vsu. Bal. in aut. ad hec. C. e. ti. xiiij. q. iiii. per totum.

I shall reuyle with wordes sharpe and sore

This sort is vtter ennemy to the pore

Full of lyes / couetyse gyle / and foule vylenes

Content with no treasour / nor innumerable ryches

The power of the lawe ought sharpely to chastyce C. i. de. emp. et ven.

With extreme rygo[u]r and mortall punysshement

This sort infectyf that foloweth this vyce.

This rauenynge sort worthy paynes violent

Agaynst our lordes dyuyne commaundement Ecclesi. xlij.

By theyr vnmekenes / the pore oft maketh bare Esaie. xxxiij.

Of londe and goodes / than leuynge them in care

sig: [K4]

These wretchyd folys of mynde ar made so dull Ezech. xiii.

That with theyr money gotten all by fals vsury Abacuc. ij.

Of corne and vytayle they stuff theyr howses full

Therby to ingender nede / and paynfull penury

Vnto the pore / that they may wyn therby

So of all vytayle these wretches get plentye

To sell it derer / whan some great darth shalbe

These vsurers alone haue all the store

Of wyne and vytayle / whiche sothly myght suffyse xiiij. q. iiii. c[a]nonum canonum] c. nonum 1509 et.c. se etc. pe.canonum] c. nonum 1509

Many without nomber / of Cytezyns / ryche and pore

No punysshement they drede ne fere in any wyse

But lyue the men that theyr maker doth despyse

No feruent lyghtnynge / ne thunder vyolent

Can cause these wretches theyr vsury to stent

ref.ed: 168

But by all synne / and in all vnlefulnes

These wretches labour and syngulerly gyue hede

To multyply theyr foule and vyle ryches

They brynge forth hunger them-selfe they onely fede Math. xxiij.

Suffrynge the pore (alas) to sterue for nede Leui. xxv.

This sorte / thus / to the pore is so cruell

That for lacke of petye many one they quell

Thoughe the Iewes lyue in errour and derknes Deutro. xxiij.

Gyuen to vsury (as l[a]bourynge men oft sayes) labourynge] lobourynge 1509 Exodi. xxij. Exodi. xxij.

Yet ar they more gyuen to pytye and mekenes Hiere. v.

And almes: than christen men ar nowe-adayes

In vsury we ensue the Iewes wayes

And many other synnes fowle and abhomynable

Rennynge without mesure whiche is intollerable

For his vsury / the Iewe is out exyled

From christen costes yet of vs many one

With the same vyce is infect and defyled

The pore by the ryche is etyn to the bone

Almes is banysshed / pytye is there no[ne] none] no 1509

Cruell crauynge spoyleth them that erst had nought

The pore is vexyd and to a begger brought

The weyke hath the weyght / the worlde so doth fare

The spere of extorcyon persyth throughe his syde

He that nere is naked shall be made fully bare

He skant hath rowme in any place to byde

But these vsurers / whome gylefull gayne doth gyde

Desyreth no plenty of corne vpon the grounde

But onely that theyr owne garners may habounde

sig: [K4v]

ref.ed: 169

These caytyfs wysshe the feldes baryne in this wyse Ecclesi. xxvij.

To theyr owne profyte and others great greuaunce

That hunger and darth may by the same aryse

But for bycause that they haue habundaunce

They laugh anone and haue a great plesaunce xiiij. q. iiiij. nec. hoc. et.c. se. et.c. quicunque.

If there be skant of corne and of vytayle

By mouryn / lyghtnynge / tempest / rayne or hayle

These wretchyd folys for theyr owne auauntage

Dayly desyre / and fayne wolde here or se

A hole comontye to haue losse and damage

But to conclude: those men vyle caytyfs be

That seke lucre / enhaunsynge theyr degre

Or that wyll gather ryches by couetyse

Or fals vsury / to others preiudyce

Some gladly lene to haue wynnynge therby Addicio alexandri_barclay.

And some sell dere bycause the payment

Is set to longe day: yet thynke they verely

Nat to perysshe the dyuyne comma[u]ndement

Thoughe that suche folys thynke them innocent

If that they nat mende a rowme they haue in hell

But in the mean-space in my shyp shall they dwell

¶ Barclay to the Folys.

¶O mysbyleuers / o men wytles and blynde

Gyue nat your myndes to gylefull vsury

And thou of the chirche reuoke also thy mynde

Frome the fowle synne of cursyd symony

And ye marchauntis: that greatly occupy

Expell this vyce / for sore is the offence

Your ryches shall moche the soner multyply

If pytye of the pore be ay in your presence

De vana spe futurę successionis

Rebus in externis ... cupit alterius:

sig: [K5]

Expectet fatum: ... fine velis.

ref.ed: 170

¶Of the vayne hope that Foles hath to succede to herytage possession and ryches.

¶Some ar that hope and hath gode trust alway

Others goodes by succession to attayne

Lokynge / and gapynge / hourly nyght and day

Whan they shall perysshe and dye by chaunce sodayne

But this they often-tymes wysshe in vayne

For suche as they moste gladly dede wolde haue

Etyth of that gose that graseth on theyr graue

sig: [K5v]

ref.ed: 171

WHo may endure those Folys ignoraunce 'W' of 'WHo' is guide letter in space set for large capitalde conces. preben. c. ij. et.c. ne captande eo. ti. li. vi de conces. preben. c. ij. et.c. ne captande eo. ti. li. vi

Whose myndes: the feruour of wretchyd couetyse

Maketh mad / and folysshe / to such extreme vttraunce

That the hole worlde myght say they ar vnwyse l. st[i]pulatiostipulatio] stupulatio 1509 ff. de ver. ob. l. quidam ff. de dona.stipulatio] stupulatio 1509

Of suche mad foles this is the comon gyse

Contynually to gape for the succession

Of others goodes / ryches and possessyon Ecclesi. xxxi.

Of heyres this is the comon vse in-dede

Theyr parentis deth to wysshe and to desyre

To the londe and ryches the soner to succede Trenorum. v.

And often by venemous treason they conspyre Esaie. xxx.

But syth the ruler of the heuenly Impyre i. thimo. vi.

In no mannys handes putteth deth ne desteny Prouer. xx.

Oft se we these folys before the other dye

I say to suche as others deth loke fore

It often happeneth / as we may dayly se Eccle. xliiij.

That lyghtly they theyr-self departe before

Wherfore thou fole fyllyd with all iniquyte

Say: is it nat great foly and shame to the

And also madnes / to wysshe thy frende damage

Or deth: for his vyle goode an herytage

sig: [K6]

A frende lyuynge is a ryches excellent

Therfore I say he is a fole doutles

That in his herte wolde gladly be content Hiere. xiij.

To se hym dede for lyuelode or riches

Therfore fole expell this errour and blyndnes Sapien.

For this thy hope is full of vanyte

What knowest thou whan thou thy-self shall dye

ref.ed: 172

Deth the assayleth and foloweth hestely

Thy lyfe shortnyth whether thou slepe or wake Ecclesi. vi.

Thy-selfe shalt dye: there is no remedy

And if thou before canst no prouysion make

Vpon his backe the dull Asse shall the take

And to our shyp the lede through fen and myre

For this thy folysshe hope and vayne desyre

It is great foly whan thou art farre in age

To loke dayly whan a yonge childe shall dye

Hopynge to succede hym vnto his herytage

Howbeit thou nerer art to thy deth than he

Yet this vayne hope doth fede and norysshe the

By the whiche hope though many confort haue

Yet oft it doth his mayster sore discayue

Hope man confortyth makynge hym glad and fayne

Ought to obtayne whan that he doth intende

But from vayne hope thou oughtest to refrayne

For it disayueth his mayster at the ende

So if thou wylt my purpose comprehende

Whether thou be olde / yonge / or of myd-age

Set nat thy trust to moche on herytage

For though thou be yonge: as I before haue sayde Ecclesi. xxxviij

Thy ioyntis stronge in youthes lustynes Prouer. x.

Thy colour quycke / and pleasaunt lyke a mayde

Thy skyn smoth / and thy herte full of boldles

Yet deth dayly steleth slyely on the: doutles Osee. ix.

Both yonge and olde must go the same passage Prouer. xij.

Thus is it foly to hope on herytage

ref.ed: 173

Oft mourneth the Fader / the sonnes deth sodayne priamus de quo Iuuenalis.

Thus dyeth the yonge oft-tyme before the olde

Dyd nat Pryamus right pyteously complayne

His sonnes dede whyle they were yonge and bolde

Them to haue lyued though he right gladly wolde

Whyle absolon hoped by treason to obtayne

His faders kyngdome: he wretchydly was slayne Absolon. ij.Regum. xviij.

sig: [K6v]

Pale deth and cruell / as it is often sene Hiere. viij.

Maketh hym thy heyre by his stroke mortall

Whome thou supposyd / and thought sholde neuer haue bene Nume. xxv.

So lytell knoweth these folys what may fall Psal. xxxvi.

For this is dayly sene and euer shall

That god almyghty / owner of euery-thynge

Chosyth heyres at his pleasour and lykynge

¶Th'enuoy of the actour.

¶Ye wytles men / full blyndyd with errour

Set nat vayne hope on worldly herytage

But only on god: lyue after his pleasour

And so infourme your ofsprynge and lynage

It is a vayne hope / a madnes and outrage

On worldly thynges to hope contynually

Hauynge small hope within thy dull carage

Of heuen: where thou myght byde perpetually

Non obseruare dies festos.

Qui diem festum ... taberna sonat

sig: L1

Ille bibit ... sola cole:

ref.ed: 174

¶Of folys that kepe nat the holy-daye.

¶He that doth nat the holy-day honour

With due deuocyon / lawde / and reuerence

But rather intendyth to couetous labour

Vayne talys / sportis / or other lyke offence

Suche ought of dutye and very congruence

To clym as companyon vp to the cart of Apys

Whiche (eche day lyke) aplyeth nought but apis.

sig: [L1v]

ref.ed: 175

ALas for shame / howe wretchedly mankynde Exodi. xx. et xxxi.

Wandryth in the way of obscure darkenes

They haue no wysdome / ne parfytenes of mynde Leui. xxvi.

To knowe the cours of godly ryghtwysnes Iohannis. xvij.

Though god of his grace / and infynyte goodnes Deutro. v.

To true christen men hath grauntyd hym to knawe

By the holy doctryne of his precept and lawe

And thoughe they be chosen to god and his kyngdome

As men elect / callyd to the royalme celestyall Hier[e]. Hiere.] Hierr. 1509 xvij. Hiere.] Hierr. 1509

Yet of vs christen men (alas) ar some

That of his doctryne worshyp nought at all de. fere. c. i. et. xl c. e. ti. l. omnes de. con dis. iiij. c. i.

We let his lawes clene from our myndes fall

Our holy fayth despysed half: and defyled

Hir honour decayes: the fere of payne exyled

The fader of heuen gaue a commendement

To moyses wryten in tables of harde stone

Deuydyd in Ten preceptis / to this intent

Mankynde to reduce whiche had mysgone

Amonge the whiche preceptis this was one

The sabbot to Worshyp and sanctyfy alway

The seuenth day of the weke called the sonday

This day was ordeyned in the olde testament

After worldly werke done all the weke before

To worshyp and to honour our lord omnypotent

And bysshops it conferme / and yet besyde this more

They haue decreed and ordred by holy lore

Other festis of sayntis in heuen gloryfyed

To be on theyr dayes halowed and magnyfyed

ref.ed: 176

These dayes were ordeyned for men to exercyse

Them-selfe in prayer / goodnes and vertue

Our lorde and his sayntis to honour: and lyke-wyse

Of worde and dede all excesse to eschewe

But for that we more gladly vs subdue xxxiiij. q. i. odi. de. con. dis. in die

To worldly tryfyls / and bodely pleasour

We vyolate the fayth by our wylfull errour

Those laudable costomes we defyle and vyolate

By the holy lawes (alas) we set no-thynge

But on the holy-day / mad ryot and debate

Troubleth the seruyce of the almyghty kynge

The holy-day we fyle with eche vnlefull thynge xxiiij. dis. cum liceat.

As fat festis and bankettis sausyd with glotony

And that from mornynge to nyght / contynually

sig: L2

The heuenly festis ar wasshyd with dronkenes

And whan quyete rest is gyuen to mankynde xxiij. dis. his igitur.

By the holy-day: from worldly besynes

These dronken dastardes set nat theyr mynde

On churche nor prayer / but drynke tyll they be blynde xliij. dis. non oportet.

And on the holy-day / we dayly se that men

Soner to the tauerne than to the churche ren

The tauerne is open before the churche be

The pottis ar ronge as bellys of dronkenes Seneca ad lucillum in epistola. xviij c. placita. xiiij. q. iiij.

Before the churche-bellys with great s[o]lemnyte solemnyte] salemnyte 1509

There here these wretches theyr Matyns and theyr masse

Who lysteth to take hede shall often se doutles

The stallys of the tauerne stuffyd nere echone

Whan in the churche-stallys he shall se fewe or none

ref.ed: 177

There one drynketh fastynge without discression

Another deuoureth drynkynge out his iyen

This lyfe they lede: and that before or one

Of all the sort hath at the churche bene de con. dis. iij. irreligiosa.

But besyde this vyce: it euery day is sene

That on the holy-day suche workes we tende to

Whiche on the workynge-day scantly we wolde do

Alas man it is a great shame certaynly

Whyle the prest precheth the deuyne commaundement

For the to aply vnto bestly glotony i. ad th[e]ssa. thessa] thassa 1509 x. thessa] thassa 1509

Or whyle any seruyce of god omnypotent Actuum. ij.

Is done in the churche / me-thynke in myne intent

It is great shame to the to take more hede

To fede thy foule wombe: than thy soule to fede

And nat to the churche nor auter for to come

Without thou erst be dronken so bestely

That whan thou art there outher art thou dombe

Or els in prayeng thou bokest vnmanerly bokest=bolkest Esaie. xxviij. Esaie. xxviij.

Spuynge vp thy prayers: god wot vndeuoutly

And where the hole weke thou keptest sobernes

Thou worshyppest the holy-day with dronkenes

It passeth my myght / I thynke none can ne may

Wryte all the folyes synnes and offence

Whiche nowe ar vsed vpon the holy-day

For some folowe Idelnes slouth and neglygence

Some vse gamys: grounde of great inconuenyence

Som bete the stretis / and to rybawdry

On the holy-day moste namely them aply

sig: [L2v]

ref.ed: 178

Some slaunder / some lye / what shall I say more

We se some more besy about theyr marchaundyse

Than they haue ben all the hole weke before

Thus on the holy-day forborne is no vyce

These folys aply nat them in the seruyce

Of god / but the sabbot defyle with vylany

Wherby theyr soulys they dam eternally.

left margin

¶Th'enuoy of the actour

¶Cesse f[o]le / and leue of worldly besynes fole] fule 1509

Vpon the holy-day / and rest of th[y] labour thy] the 1509

Of thy handes aplyenge the hole to holynes

With worde and dede to lawde thy creatour Hiere. xvij.

Sanctyfy the sabbot: so sayth our sauyour Leuiti. xxv.

From terrene Lucre that day withdrawe thy mynde Marci. ij.

For with clene herte thy maker to honour Iohan. ix.

On the holy-day: the scripture doth the bynde

Largiri et penitere.

Qui dolet ... ipse pii.

sig: L3

Lęticia vultus / ... prompta tuis.

ref.ed: 179

¶Of folys that repent of that they haue gyuen.

¶He is a Fole: and voyde of wyt certayne

That mourneth for that whiche is past remedy

And by no mean may reuoked be agayne

For vayne cure suche one vexeth contynually

Moreouer that man is folysshe certaynly

Whiche gyueth his frende ought and after doth repent

Suche lesyth the meryte: the gyft in vayne is spent

sig: [L3v]

ref.ed: 180

IF thou lyst to gyue: and to be lyberall glo. in c. i. de dona. xxiij. q. vi. ex his omnibus.

I shall the shewe what thynge it is in-dede

It is a vertue right great and pryncipall

Of loue / and pytye / if that the same procede ij. Corinth. v.

And if it be nat done for fere and drede

But of a herte true / stedfast / faythfull and fre

It gendreth confort / and grounde of amyte

Who gyueth his frende with mery countenaunce Ecclesi. xii.

Gyft or rewarde: and who-so-euer he be Iob. lv.

That a straunge man doth worthely auaunce

With condigne rewarde / by lyberalyte Ad coll. iij.

It may be proued and sayde forsoth that he Ad hebre. iiij.

Is worthy lawdes and an excellent fame

And for his goodnes of vertue to haue name

But he is a fole and full of vylany Ecclesi. xviij.

Whiche to his louer gyueth ought at all

And than agayne repentyth by and by

Full of sorowe that he was so lyberall

He is also a fole and a man rurall

Whiche gyueth with mynde neyther good ne glad

With lokes pale: and countenaunce sore and sad

And for that this displeasour doth hym dere Eccle. xx.

His frende: he soone out-braydeth of the same

Hym-self (for malyce) drawynge by the here

So hath this fole / by malyce and yll name

His rewarde lost / for it rebuked and shame

And no meruayle: for no man that hath skyll

Shall thanke hym for goodnes done agaynst his wyll

ref.ed: 181

Yet is he moche wors and lewder of intent

Whiche whan he hath gyuen a thynge for goddes sake Ecclesi. xxv.

Of his dede / or gyft anone hym doth repent

Thynkynge that god wyll no recompence make

Of that rewarde whiche to the pore they take

For that he ne sendeth to euery fole agayne

Alway / and lyghtly for one gyft thre or twayne

Suche folys for lucre / gayne and auauntage

To haue great gyftis and dowble of valour

Wolde gyue small gyftis: and that with glad courage

But loth they ar to departe with great treasour

Be sure thou fole that god our creatour

Shall nat thy rewardes ne gyftis accept at all

But thou gyue them with fre herte and lyberall Canti. viij.

sig: [L4]

Wenest thou blynde man that god omnypotent Ecclesi. xiiij.

Careth ought for the small gyftes of mankynde

Thou art abused if thou be of that intent

God onely marketh the gode wyll of thy mynde

And in thy gyftis deuout if he the fynde

For thy gode wyll and god deuocyon

He shall to the graunt the heuenly region

Thus he that of goodnes and lyberalyte Prouer. iij.

With mery face and cherefull countenaunce Ecclesi. iiij.

Gyuyth to his frende that hath necessyte

And to other men good of theyr gouernaunce

By almes and pytye: his dede shall hym auaunce

To worthy laudes / and thankes manyfolde

And vnto a gode name: which better is than golde

ref.ed: 182

Those rewardes euer ar namely commendable

And best of all / that gyuen ar with glad mynde Prouer. xxviij.

But yet is he moche vyle and reprouable Seneca de ingratitudine.

Whiche euer is takynge: remaynynge styll vnkynde

In all the worlde nought vyler can I fynde Tul. in offi.

Nor wors / than is a fals vnkynde vylayne Sapien. xvi.

Yet many thousandes ensue that bestly trayne Ecclesi. xxix.

A man that is good hauynge wysdome / skyll and wyt

Lyghtly rewardeth his frendes true kyndnes

Than moste the other indeuer hym to quyte

The same agayne with thanke / and faythfulnes

But if thou wylt gyue / for to haue thanke doutles

It moste be done with mery loke and mynde ij. thimo. iij.

Els shalt thou neyther thanke / ne meryte fynde Luce. vi.

¶Th'enuoy of alexander_Barclay the translatour.

¶Whether thou wylt gyue rewarde gyft or present

To god or man / it must be gladly done

And with gode wyll: els thy rewarde is spent

And loste vtterly / with meryte small or none

Therfore consyder with thy-selfe alone

To whome thou gyuest: for that is wyt and skyll

And if thou worthy and wyse fynde the person

Than gyue thy gyft with glad loke and good wyll

¶So shall thy kyndnes rewardyd be agayne

But all is lost that thou dost gyue to fynde

Four sortis of people: the first is a vylayne

Or chorle / for agayne thou shalt hym proue vnkynde

ref.ed: 183

The seconde a childe / for his forgetfull mynde

Expellyth kyndnes / the thirde a man in age

The fourth a woman varyable as the wynde

Beynge of hir loue vnstable and volage

sig: [L4v]

De accidię vitio.

Desidię vitium ... illa suas.

sig: [L5]

ref.ed: 184

¶Of the vyce of slouth.

¶The Papy-sede betokenynge slouthfulnes

Is sawen in the worlde and fast doth multyply

The synne of slouth all mankynde doth oppres

But namely seruauntis them-self therto aply

Despysynge labour / slepynge contynually

But olde and yonge gyue them to this offence

Chalangynge theyr wagis: they voyde of dilygence

ref.ed: 185

THough that vyle slouth sprenklyd with dedely slomber

Be destroyer and confounder of mankynde Bea. tho. parte. i. q. lxiij. ar. ij. et. ij. ij. q. xxxv. ar. ij. in q. de. malo. q. ii. ar. ij.

And in all vyce constrayneth hym to slomber

Yet many it folowe / and on it set theyr mynde

If thou take hede / thou clere and playne shalt fynde

That damnable slouth is so corrupt a vyce

That of his foule rote all yllys doth aryse

Of slouthys bosom out-spryngeth euery yll

And who that attachyd is with this offence

No vertuous dede he gladly shall fulfyll

But slepyth ay in Idelnes and blynde neglygence Prouer. vi.

Bytwene hym and the lame is lytell difference Sapien.

For both / in maner / lyueth in lyke case

Nat vsynge theyr membres but slepynge in one place

sig: [L5v]

A slouthfull man is nere of that nature Prouer. xv. et. xxvi.

That if he lay besyde a fyre brennynge

For to be brent: he rather wolde endure Prouer. xxvii.

Than take the payne hym-selfe in any-thynge

For to relefe by rysynge or mouynge

Thus is he a Fole / and worthy wretchydnes

To gyue other example / of his lewde sleuthfulnes

A slouthfull creature is as vnprofytable Prouer. x.

As smoke or dust / is for a mannys iyen Ecclesiastes. x.

Or as a molle / or vant mete and able

For to do profyte within a garden grene

For in no goodnes besyed is he sene

Saue for to slepe / and watche the fyre alway

Besy in no-thynge / but in vayne sport and play

ref.ed: 186

Amonge all other the slouthfull man onely

Withstandeth hym-selfe so mad and blynde is he

In Idelness lyeng styll contynually

By that prouysyon to purchace pouertye Prouer. xx.

But happy is he whiche hath felycyte

To vse his ioyntes in workes iust and gode

With labour of his handes gettynge his dayly fode

But our sauyour oft taketh punysshement Prouer. xxi. et. xxii.

By godly iustyce and very rightwysenes

And that oft-tyme with hell-payne and tourment

On them that lyue alway in slouthfulnes

But them that labour in lawfull besynes

He largely rewardeth / and wryte doth testyfy Iob. v.

That an Idell man to ete is nat worthy Ecclesiastes. ij.

The vyce of slouth full harde is to asswage

Or to subdue: therfore before our dayes Ecclesi. li.

By it was brought moche peryll and damage

Into the worlde. and that by dyuers wayes Iuuenalis.

For as Iuuenall the noble Poete sayes Satyra. vi.

Amonge the Romayns dyd growe and sprynge therby

The rote of couetyse / pryde and lechery /

And sothly slouth and wretchyd Idylnes

By wayes remys and dranynge neglygence

Of all other synne is rote and maystres ii. thessa. iij.

Yonge hartis attysyth t[o] many a sore offence to] ta 1509

The noble Dauyd / a man of hye prudence ij. Regum. xi.

Whyle he submyttyd hymselfe to Idylnes

Synned in adultery and murder: by blyndenes

sig: [L6]

ref.ed: 187

Whyle Rome was gyuen to labour and dylygence Augustinus de roma.

They wan Cartago / as it is wryten playne

But afterwarde by slouth and neglygence

That noble Cyte anone they lost agayne

For whan the romaynes were voyde of care and payne

Of batayle and labour / and other besynes

They gaue theyr bodyes to slouth and ydelnes

They had no warre to exercyse theyr myght Appianus

To them obeyed small / great / lowe and hye

Enmy was none agayne whome they myght fyght

Than gaue the youth them-selfe to lechery

Whiche lost theyr force / theyr [m]yght and strength therby myght] nyght 1509

Amonge them-selfe than began they to conspyre

This wyse decayed theyr excellent impyre

For whyle the romayns straunge regions dyd assayle

Expellynge faynt slouth / and nedy Idelnes

By dedes of Armes and boldenes of batayle

Therin they subdued theyr hye cowragyousnes

But after by slouth vyle lust dyd them oppres

And (alas) so sore they gaue them to the same Ouidius in fast

That vtterly they loste theyr glorious name

¶Th'enuoy of Alexander_barclay.

¶Lerne by example o man for to beware

Of faynt Idelnes and of neglygence

Suffer nat that slouth take the in hir snare

For she is rote of all synne and offence

Gyue the therfore to perfyte dylygence

Be alway doynge / but se thy dede be gode

For as I sayde before in a sentence

An Idell man is nat / worthy of his fode.

De externis et infidelibus fatuis.

Hic posui ... cuncta tenet.

sig: [L6v]

Quos ideo externos ... sponte gulam:

ref.ed: 188

¶Of straunge Folys and infydeles as sarasyns paynems / turkes and suche-lyke.

¶Hytherto I haue me indeuered to repreue

The folys of our fayth: for theyr enormyte

But nowe shall I touche wretches of mysbyleue

Expressynge theyr foly by theyr infydelyte

But thoughe these Heretykes greatly vnworthy be

With vs christen men to be: for theyr blynde slomber

In errour: yet ar they of this our folysshe nomber

sig: M1

ref.ed: 189

O God aboue: howe moche abundaunt nomber Ecclesi. x.

Of folys rayneth / from the right way wandrynge ij. Corin. iiij. et. vi.

By mysbyleue / wherin they slepe and slomber

Leuynge the right lawe of god in euery-thynge Sapien. iiij.

These ar fals Sarasyns / fals of theyr lyuynge

And other mysbyleuers by blyndnes voyde of grace

Whiche in our Shyppis loketh to haue a place

Of these fals forayns renneth so great a bonde

Vnto our shyppis that the great company i. Corin. vij.

Of them / ouerspredeth both the brode se and londe ij. q. i. multi de diuor gaudemus.

For of them all nat one / is fautles verely

These folys ar Forayns: and this is the cause why

For from the folde of god they falsly them withdrawe

And the trewe fayth / despysynge goddes lawe

It were moche better these wretchys to despyse

And styll to leue them in theyr blynde derkenes

What haue I to do with the myscheuous gyse

Of them whom errour so blyndly doth oppres

For they ar so blyndyd in theyr vayne wyckydnes

That they wyll be helyd by no medycyne

Nor from theyr vayne Idolatry declyne

sig: [M1v]

I sholde them passe ouer / for there is no doctryne xcij. dis. plurimos.

No gode monysyon nor good aduysement

That can them moue / ne cause them to inclyne xvi. q. i. in canonibus.

Vnto the holy fayth of our lorde omnypotent

But as blynde bestis / of one cursed assent

In the lewde lawes / they onely haue delyte

Of theyr fals mayster / disceytfull Mahumyte

ref.ed: 190

But touchynge the nomber and the horrible bende

Of these blynde folys: they ar so infynyte

That a small volume can nat well comprehende

Theyr foly. who sholde the hole togyther wryte

Therfore after my wyt / my laysar / and respyte

Of theyr sectis onely I shall make mensyon

For breuyte leuynge theyr fyrst inuencion

The cursyd Iewes despysynge christis lore Iudei.

For theyr obstynate / and vnrightwyse cruelte

Of all these folys must nede be set before

The nacion of Turkes next to them shall be Turci.

The sarrazyns next whose infydelyte

Is groundyd so blyndly on mahumetis lawe Sarraceni.

That no instruccion can them fro it withdrawe

The whiche errour as I in wrytynge fynde

Two partis of the worlde: as afryke and asye

With mysbyleue full wretchydly doth blynde Tartari

And of europe great part and quantyte

Whiche in our shyp caryed shall nedes be

The houndes of Tartary ar of this sect also

With other londes and Ilys many mo

The Scithians and also they of Sarmatyke Scithe

And they of Boeme / by fendes fraudolent boemi.

Ar led and blyndyd with an errour lyke

Despysynge the lawes of god omnypotent

Many ar the londes and Iles adiacent

Whiche with lyke errour ar blyndyd and infect

The owgly Mauryans ar also of this sect Morani.

ref.ed: 191

These with other lyke ar Folys / and blynde dawes

Hauynge the chefe shyp of foly and errour

For that they folowe vayne doctryne and fals lawes

But namely they that be of suche furour

Wylfully to forsake god theyr creatour

On fals enchauntement whyle they theyr myndes set

In the deuelysshe scoles: of Praga and Tolet Praga.

sig: M2

Nygromancians / and fals wytches also Nigromantici.

Ar of this sort / folowynge lyke offence

Nat onely they that wytche-craftis do Heretici.

But they also that gyue to them credence

Or them supportyth with fauour or defence

For all suche Caytayfs as vnto them assent

Byleue nat truly on god omnypotent

It were to moche and to longe a labour

To rehers all those folys innumerable

Whiche worshyp Idollys and lyue in lyke errour

As vayne sacrifyces / and lawes execrable

Whiche by theyr iugement moche abhomynable

Agaynst the holy fayth of Christ dare obiect

That it is fals / vayne / and of small effect

Amonge these sayde folys plunged in hell-payne

I may assemble those wretched houndes of hell C. de. his qui sibi. mor. consci. l. vna. xxiij. q. v. placuit.

Whiche by dispayre with theyr owne handes ar slayne

By rope / water / knyfe / or other deth cruell

But of these mysbyleuers more to wryte or tell

Or to them enuoy / theyr errour to counsayle

It were but foly / and / payne without auayle

De fidei catholicę

catholicę] cahtholicę 1509

/ et imperii inclinatione

Vos o cristicolę ... mobilitate fremit:

sig: [M2v]

Dogmata non solum ... cuncta labascunt.

sig: M3

Decrescit virtus: ... consumit ouile.

sig: [M3v]

Enecat: imberbes ... reuerentia thurco:

sig: [M4]

Maiori cultu ... diademate: sedem

sig: [M4v]

Ecclesię firmet: ... bistoniosque lares

sig: [M5]

ref.ed: 192

¶Of the ruyne / inclynacion and decay of the holy fayth catholyke / and dymynucion of the Empyre.

¶O christen Prynces gyders of Christendome

Whiche ought our fayth with manhode to defende

I you exort / by reason and wysdome

And hyghe discressyon in mynde to comprehende

The fall therof / and besely to intende

It to defende with your labour dilygent

Leuynge me the hode / that I shewe here present

ref.ed: 193

WHyle I remember the sore ruyne and dekay 'W' of 'WHyle' is guide letter in space set for large capital

Of our christen fayth / and our parfyte byleue

Howe it decreaseth to damage euery day in. aut. vt ind. sine. quo. suff. in prin. col. ij. in. autem vt diuiniss. in prin. col. viij

The causers therof I nedes must repreue

Whiche slouthfull suffraunce sothly me so doth greue

That with wete chekes by teres thycke as hayle

I am constrayned this / harde chaunce to bewayle

My dolefull teres may I nat well defarre

My stomake strykynge with handes lamentable

For none with Trumpet nor sounde betokenynge warre

This hurt out-chaseth / ne furour vengeable

Thoughe vnto Prynces the dede were honorable

To chace out this hurt and inconuenyence

Alas yet therto none doth his dilygence

sig: [M5v]

No man is so dull / nor so cruell of hert

Thoughe that his herte were harder than the stone

But that this dolefull chanse sholde cause it smert

And with inwarde syghes sore to complayne and mone

Seynge thus saynt Petyrs holy chare or trone

And the fayth decresynge playne in our presence

By slouth of statis and thoughtles neglygence

The holy chayr / and apostolyke See

Lyeth in decay / plungyd in fere and dout

And Rome the hede / and chefe of christentye Roma de qua Lactancius

Thretenyth ruyne: and all the londe about

Tremblynge for fere of the vnchristen rout

Of cursyd Turkes and other infydelys

Thus is our fortune led forth on feble whelys

ref.ed: 194

All christen Royalmes / and christis comonte

Wandreth / and ar cast in case full myserable

Flowynge / and swymmynge in the tempestous se

And wawes of fere / abasshyd and vnstable

Nat onely our fayth / and lawes honorable

Decreaseth dayly: but also trouth to say

All holy ordynaunce we dayly se decay

But estatis / as kynges / and other men royall Causa de struccionis fidei

By theyr blynde slouth and ferefull neglygence

Ar to be blamyd / for they be cause of all

For though that they be our shelde and defence

Hauynge in theyr handes / as is sene by euydence

The armour / and dartis: of warre and chyualry

These peryls they beholde: fyndynge no remedy

None taketh helme / spere / ne other armour

With manly courage / and bolde audacyte

These peryls to preuent and to socour

Wherfore o Rome: I fere thy lybertye

Shall by thy enmyes be reft away fro the

And thou be brought to bondage payne and care

If that thy gyders be nat both wyse and ware

Defence of our fayth by slouth is left behynde

Saynt Peters shyp is cast from syde to syde

And all to_shaken with tempest wawes and wynde

Without respyte in eas and rest to abyde

The fayth of Christ whiche all mankynde doth gyde

Vnto the hye Royalme and see celestyall

Declyneth sore / ferynge ruyne and fall

sig: [M6]

ref.ed: 195

Suche frowarde Nacions / as ar of mysbyleue

Prepareth armour in theyr mad crueltye

Agaynst the churche / the same to hurt and greue

And it to subdue to sore captyuyte

Whiche churche quaketh ferynge this ieopardye

And skant goth fre / but if no ayde be founde

I fere sore lyst it shall be throwen to grounde

The turke on euery syde doth it assayle Turcus

Despysynge the fayth: demynysshynge the same

Whiche cruell tyrant (alas) if he preuayle

Shall all them morder that worshyp christis name

The fals Prophete / fyllyd with synne and shame

(I mean Mahumet) by his lawes damnable Mahumetis

Hath subuertyd people almost innumerable

His Sectis infectyf he hath out-cast and spred

Nere ouer the worlde / and namely firste of all

The Arabyens by his fals lawes ar led Arabia

Next by his venym dedely and mortall

Asye the more obeyeth (as bonde and thrall) Asia

Vnto his lawes / and so in maner lyke

To his fals lawes obey they of Afryke Aphrica.

The Soldan of Egypt and Royalmes of Tartary Turcus ex caspis montibus

Ar of his sect / and the fals Turke also

Whiche to our fayth is mortall ennemy /

Our marchys / marrynge as moche as he may do

And moche of them annexeth his vnto

Warrynge dayly on christen royalmes adiacent

Whiche with his owne was wont to be content

ref.ed: 196

The londe of Trace / large in a marueylous wyse Tracia

With the royalmes of Septemtrion echone

Longynge to his fader: coude nat his mynde suffyse Libia

We lost haue the Nacions of lybye: echone Asia_minor.

Asia the lesse: from vs is reft and gone

Whiche in tyme past was true obedyent

To the holy lawes of Faders auncyent

Of Europe moche haue we lost and forgone

100

Alas the excellent royalme of Hungarye Hungaria.

By this fals Turke had: vtterly / ben vndone

If it had nat hym resystyd noblye

And in lyke maner the men of Dalmacye Dalmacia

With blody Batayle and woundes wyde and depe

105

Cessyth nat theyr Royalme / from the fals Turke to kepe

sig: [M6v]

But in theyr dredefull paynes and dolour

Theyr dayly warre and manly resystence

Seldome / or neuer / haue they ayde or socour

Of christen Sowdyours / to be at theyr defence

110

Thus by our slouth / and wylfull neglygence

Our fayth sore fadeth (alas) we it despyse

Suffrynge our enmyes to enter in this wyse

Alas no-thynge increasyth nowe-a-dayes

Vnto our fayth our londes to augment

115

But euery-thynge contynually decayes Hiere. ix.

And namely our fayth and vertue excellent Treno. ij.

Who is so stuburne of stomake or intent

Whiche coude nat this dolefull fortune sore bewayle

Rendynge his here his face and apparayle

ref.ed: 197

120

Forsoth I thynke so harde-hertyd is none

But bysyde these forsayd losses or damage Grecia.

From vs alas the Ilys of Grece ar gone

Whiche longe-tyme kept our fayth and our vsage

The Traciens from vs ar reft by the outrage Tracia.

125

Of the Turkes: Obeyinge to theyr ydolatry Achaia.

So doth Achynus / and eke Masedony

We Sparta haue lost / by this fyers tyrant

The cruell Turke / and Tessaly also Sp[a]rta.Sparta] Sperta 1509 Sparta] Sperta 1509

With his swete Laundes goodly and pleasaunt Thessalia.

130

We haue lost Thebe / and dyuers Cytees mo

With dyuers mo Iles as Mysia: both the two Mysia.

And Constantynoble that Cyte excellent Constantynoble] Constanstynoble 1509 Constan[t]inopolis.Constantinopolis] Constanlinopolis 1509 Constan[t]inopolis.Constantinopolis] Constanlinopolis 1509 Constantinopolis] Constanlinopolis 1509

Vnto the Turke nowe is made obedyent

This noble Cyte / worthy and lawdable

135

Condigne to be gouernyd by an emperour

Vnto the noble Rome moste lyke and comparable

Is nowe in thraldome / bereft his olde honour

And also the fayth of christ our sauyour.

What shall I wryte farther of the ruyne

140

And fall of our fayth / and holy lawe dyuyne

To christen men it is great vylany

And shame: to suffer our fayth thus to decay

The Turke hath all won: by his tyranny

Yet that / his mynde contentyth by no way

145

But yet more-ouer he stodyeth euery day

Nat cessynge his Army and Batayle to renewe

Vs and our landes in lyke wyse to subdue

sig: N1

ref.ed: 198

The nobel Cecyle is dayly in great dout Sicilia.

Istria: pannony / and also / Lumberdy Istria.

150

And dyuers other Nacions there-about Pannonia.

As Sycyll / the Stiryans Venyce and Italy Lumberdia

These Ilys / and regions quakyth contynually Venetia

The royalme of Naplys lyueth also in dout Neapolis

Of the fals Turke besegeynge it about Apulia

155

The royalme of Denmarke with his hyll ethnay Danubia.

As men sayth / brennynge alway with flamynge fyre

Scantly escapyth the Ieopardous affray

Of these fals Turkes / and theyr cruell Impyre

Agaynst all christen royalmes they conspyre

160

But namely subdue they vnto captiuyte

Suche royalmes as ioynynge vnto theyr marchys be

O holy Rhodes thou nedys moste entende Rhodos

With thy noble knyghtis thy manhode and vertue

The fayth and Crosse of Christ for to defende

165

And to ouerthrowe / and manly to subdue

The Turkes / and theyr lawes moche vntrue

O noble place thou moste the payne abyde

Though thou assaylyd be sore on euery syde

Bagiazit a Prynce moche proude and pyteles Bagiazit

170

With his wylde people full of crudelyte

Prepareth armour our [people to] oppres people to] to people 1509

By batayle horryble / dayly contendyth he

Our costes to brynge into captyuyte

And onely that purpose fyxeth in his hert

175

Our holy fayth / by rygour / to subuert

ref.ed: 199

He is throughe-persyd with fury serpentyne

With madnes enuyroned: and that on euery syde

Rauynge in his rage / as Bacchus god of wyne

So that no christen man dare hym abyde

180

For with dolefull deth / and blody woundes wyde

He them sore vexeth / but suche as he doth kepe

And saue on lyue: he layth in pryson depe

With no maner blode this thyrst is sacyate Esaie. lvi.

Vnto these Turkes / whiche neuer ar content Ecclesi. xij.

185

With cruell Batayle they bete agaynst the yate

Of our christen Royalmes / with strokes vyolent

Wherfore o Rome / o Cyte excellent Roma.

O flour of our fayth / o Peters holy chear

Be ware: for-why great cause thou hast to fear

sig: [N1v]

190

Beholde this Sect vomyteth out madnes

Enflamyd by the fende with furour infernall

Our holy fayth / and the / also doutles

By ferefull rygour for to make bonde and thrall

The wolfe (alas) sore wastyth ouerall xliij. dis. sit rector et.c. ephesiis

195

The Innocent folde / of christ our sauyour

Drownynge the sheepe in drede / wo / and dolour

They al deuour / no man is founde so bolde

Them to withstande / thus without resystence

They flee both man / and woman / yonge and olde

200

Hauynge no respect to godly Innocence

Yet we / alas / by slouth and neglygence

Plungyd in the wawes of voluptuosyte

Make no resystence to this calamyte

ref.ed: 200

Of men and harnes whiche longeth to batayle

205

We haue ynoughe: and capytayns excellent

With strength ynough / bolde corage and counsayle

We lacke no-thynge that is expedyent

As wyt / and wysdome / wyse practyse and prudent

But yet suffer we / these turkes to procede

210

And them to resyst haue we no care nor hede

We lese our fayth (alas) and wyllyngly

To our great shame (forsoth) and dishonour c. quamuis de reg. iu. in auri.

The cause is: for that slouth doth occupy

The mynde of euery kynge and gouernour

215

Our states slomber / both kynge and emperour

And Palynurus the hede of christente

And chefe lodes-man: slepyth in his See

Thy people Peter in ryches abundaunt

Slepyth in lyke wyse / and in lyke neglygence Psal. lxxv.

220

As if that they were blynde and ignoraunt

Of this great peryll and inconuenyence

Our holy fayth without faut or offence Naum. iij.

Without helpe lyeth open: to the Turkes hande

To be defyled / no man doth hym withstande

225

None lettyth this cruell ennemy to rage

By royalmes and Cytees / but as we se playnly Esaie. li.

Theyr owne selfe they subdue vnto bondage

And ferefull deth wyllynge and gladly

Therfore this turke (alas) moche cruelly

230

Where-euer he comys / by batayle violent

Demynyssheth the fayth of god omnypotent

sig: N2

ref.ed: 201

And that as a conquerour valyant and stronge

But doutles I suppose in myne intent

That the greuous synnes raynynge vs amonge

235

Be the chefe causers of this sore punysshement

We it deserue: therfore god hath it sent

As scourge and penaunce for our vyciousnes

And that by due order of his rightwysnes

We worshyp ryches / therto we vs subdue

240

To golde and treasour we make our sacryfyce

Our fayth is exyled (alas) so is vertue

With vs abydeth no-thynge / but synne and vyce

The execrable hunger of golde and couetyse

And the vayne pleasour of Folys fraudelent

245

Subduyth our bodyes to worthy punysshement

The heuenly vergyn from vs is dryuen hens

I meane that iustice is blynde in christente Ouidius et in prohe. grego.

Or out of the grounde / disdaynynge our presence Ecclesi. xiiij.

With hir thre systers / strength or audacyte Ioh. xix. c. inter quattuor de ma. et obe. c. nimis de priuile

250

Prudence and temperaunce also exylyde be

Charyte is banysshyd also from eche place

For whose absence / alas we haue no grace

All christen Royalmes ar thus corrupt with syn

And gyuen in-so-moche to slouth and ydelnes

255

That eche man stodyeth part of some royalme to wyn

Suffrenge the Turkes our fayth thus to oppres

In tyme past / Rome lanterne of worthynes

Chose four Susters / of Cytees pryncipall

Felawes of the fayth / and in honour egall

ref.ed: 202

260

The firste was Ierusalem in holynes shynynge Iherosolima.

The seconde Alexander so callyd first of all Alexandria.

After the name of that moste noble kynge

The thirde Antyoche / a place or hold royall Antiochia

The fourth Constantynoble whiche euery man dyd call Constantinopolis.

265

Newe Rome / and onely bycause of the lykenes

But nowe / mysbyleuers / doth all the same oppres

These Cytees nowe ar take from vs away

By the fals enmyes / of our godly byleue

Besyde all this yet ryseth euery day

270

Newe sectis of gentyles our costes for to greue

And fals prophetis whiche dayly doth repreue

And defyle our fayth in-as-moche as they may

Yet fewe / or none at all doth them gaynsay

sig: [N2v]

So blynde ar our hertis / opressyd in derkenes

275

And also our iyen / this peryll wyll nat se

Therfore we ar worthy to suffer this distres

Suche is our lyfe / and our fragylyte

And though we be drowned in depe aduersyte

Vnto vs denyeth Christ socour for to sende Cause desolat[i]onisdesolationis] desolatonis 1509 fidei Leuite. xxvi. desolationis] desolatonis 1509

280

For that we nat purpos our lyues to amende

The Turke to his Idols hath gretter reuerence

And more deuocion / to his fals lawe and doctryne Prouer. xviij.

Than we christen men without obedyence

Haue to our true fayth / and holy lawe dyuyne

285

Concorde and peas ar fall into ruyne

Vnmekenes vs pleasyth: disceyt and vsury

The pore / and good we / oppres by r[o]bbery robbery] rebbery 1509

ref.ed: 203

Neyghbour agayne neyghbour / the son agayne nature

Agaynst the Fader / and echone nowe-adayes

290

Anothers londes desyreth to procure

By falshode / oppressyon / or suche disceytfull wayes

The states ar vexyd by foule dyscorde and frayes Prouer. xvij.

But yet both they and men of lowe degre Hiere. xv.

Seke but theyr pryuate profyte and owne vtylyte

295

Euery man seketh but for his owne auayle

Wherby our fayth decayeth dayly so

Wherfore it is no marueyle without fayle

Though we our townes and Cytees thus forgo

Lesynge our royalmes / to our great payne and wo

300

And namely suche as were most auncyent

Best groundyd in the fayth of christ omnypotent

No-thynge is left: nought doth to vs remayne

Anone the Turke shall with his hoste cruell

Enter on our costes to our great losse and payne

305

Yet labour we nat his furour to expell

But namely suche as other doth excell

In byrth and ryches / strength and audacyte

Labour leste to chalange and defende our lybertye

The yate is open: The way is open made

310

Wherfore o Rome. o Rome moste excellent

I fere me sore lyst thy honour shall fade

Thou skant shalt escape / nor fle the punysshement

The storme on the comyth cruell and vyolent

A kynge the byldyd and eft a counsellour

315

Encreased thy name / and brought the to h[o]nour honour] hnour 1509

sig: N3

ref.ed: 204

Than had this Cyte so hye a name royall

That through the worlde it spred abrode his fame

And also vp vnto / the Heuen Imperyall

Than after was it subget vnder the name Romane vrbis principia.

320

Of an emperour / to honour / and nat shame

Yet after it was agayne admyttyd fre

But nowe may it fere / agayne in seruytude to be

No man resistyth agaynst this vyolence Hiere. xxxi.

Our fayth also demynysshyth euery day ad hebre. viij.

325

By culpable synne / and our noyso[m] offence noysom] noyson 1509

Whiche at the ende hath greuous payne alway

O christen Prynces therfore do that ye may

Our fayth to socour / out of captyuyte

Sauynge your owne londes / your lyfe and lybertye

330

O worthy prynces and lordes Italyen

Ye stoberne Flemynges and ye of Pannony . Exortacio.

O subtyle Lumberdes / Spanyardes and Frenchmen

And o holy Fader the Pope moste specyally

Lay to your handes by strength and polycy

335

Our fayth to defende / and helpe ye shall nat want

Throwe out your dartis with handes tryumphant

Expell your wrath: set statelynes asyde Concordia parue res crescunt discordia maxime dilabuntur Salustius in Iugurtha

Be stedfast in fayth: kepe ay humylyte

Let constance and peas amonge you ay abyde

340

With knot perpetuall of loue and amyte

Haue one assent / in concorde all agre

Ioyn hande to hande / prepare you vnto warre

Take soone your armour / and no more tyme diffarre

ref.ed: 205

If peas be with vs / concorde and amyte

345

We may from our costis the cruell turke expell

And so kepe our fayth in stedfast lybertye

One hope we haue / our ennemyes to quell

Whiche hope is stedfast if we ourselfe do well Mutatur laus maximiliani romanorum regis in laudem henrici octaui. anglorum regis.

For Henry the eyght replete with hye wysdome

350

By iust tytyll gydeth our Septer of kyngdome

This noble Prynce begynnyth vertuo[u]sly

By iustyce and pyte / his roylme to meyntayne

So that he and his: without mo company

May succour / our sores by his manhode souerayne

355

And get with his owne hande Ierusalem agayne

He passyth Hercules in manhode and courage

Hauynge a respect vnto his tender age

sig: [N3v]

He passeth Achylles in strength and valyance

His fame nere as great / but as for his larges

360

And lyberalyte / he shewyth in countenaunce

That no auaryce can blynde his rightwysnes

Couetyse hath left behynde hym his riches

Vnto the hyghe possessyon / of lyberalyte

Whiche with the same shall kepe / our lybertye

365

Let go Pompeius: and Camyllus also

And Sylla / for none of them wyll I commende

This Prynce I prayse alonely and no mo

Whiche is moste abyll our fayth for to defende

He is moste worthy by honour to ascende

370

Vnto a noble Diademe Imperyall

So is my hope / that he hereafter shall

ref.ed: 206

Than shall he our fayth establysshe and make sure

Defendynge the Churche and christis herytage

There shall no Turke be abyll to indure

375

His rampynge Lyons rorynge in theyr rage

Nor none of all the Sar[r]azyns lynage Sarrazyns] Sarxazyns 1509

Thus may our Prynce be shelde of christendome

By strength and ryches / but namely by wysdome

His armys victorious shall spred abrode theyr fame

380

Ouer all the worlde / for he may wyn agayne

Ierusalem: and the Crosse within the same

With the holy toumbe: for this is my trust certayne

That if he begyn: he nought shall do in vayne

For god and his sayntis shall helpe hym for to fyght

385

Saynt george our patrone shall eke augment his myght

But o englysshe states I humbly you requyre

Vnto your kynge of hert and mynde be true Apostropha ad angligenas

Submyt your-selfe gladly to his empyre

So shall ye lyghtly your ennemyes subdue

390

And syth that all Christen prynces doth eschewe

Labour and payne / for the holy faythes defence

In the name of god do ye your dylygence

Though Aufony slepe and also Italy

The kynges of Sycyll and also of Fraunce

395

And they of the Churche for none of them truly

Defendyth the fayth / but labour to auaunce

Theyr proper londes / suche is theyr gouernaunce

That christen kynges this wyse togyder fyght

Suffrynge the fayth decay before theyr syght

sig: [N4]

ref.ed: 207

400

They knowe the cause / hauynge power and myght

Yet wyll they nat the holy fayth defende

Therfore lede ye your Host of men forth-right

These Turkes to subdue. If ye so condiscende

Than be ye sure Christ shall you socour sende Apoca. xvij.

405

Of angels heuenly to your ayde and defence

And brake theyr Tentis with his hande and presence

The noble Henry of Englonde is at hande Henricus rex anglorum.

Of kynges noblest / of worthy auncetrye

Whiche shall you helpe to wyn the holy-lande

410

And brynge these tyrantis vnto Captyuyte

Enuy who wyll: none rightwyser than he

Is in the worlde nor of more noblenes

Nor more habundant in treasour and ryches

His maiestye presentyth a kynges countenaunce

415

His maners honest / and full of noblenes

He seketh nat his kyngdome to auaunce

By gyle disceyte: nor other lyke falsnes

His mynde nat elate with scornfull statelynes

But in the playne path of goodnes lawe and right

420

The fere of god alway before his syght

As longe as this noble Prynce shall be our gyde

With vs all honour godnes and ioy shall growe

With perfyte peas about on euery syde

In welth and ryches we shall habounde and flowe

425

And if there be any of statis hye or lowe

Whiche by yll councell wolde cause hym to mysdo

God graunt them no myght / no space ne tyme therto

ref.ed: 208

There is no Prynce of greatter excellence

I trowe none lyuynge of hye nor lowe degre

430

Wherfore let them do hym obedyence

As to theyr hede: and moste of dignyte

Obey to hym Prynces than trust I ye shall se

That by his manhode / and counsell souerayne Addicio alexandri_Barclay.

All that [is] lost / we shall: soone wyn agayne is] his 1509

435

And ye christen Prynces who-so-euer ye be Iacobi scotorum regis strennuissimi a magnani mitate laus summa.

If ye be destytute of a noble Capytayne

Take Iamys of Scotlonde for his audacyte

And proued manhode if ye wyll laude attayne

Let hym haue the forwarde / haue ye no disdayne

440

Nor indignacion / for neuer kynge was borne

That of ought of warre can shewe the vnycorne

sig: [N4v]

For if that he take onys his spere in hande

Agaynst these Turkes strongly with it to ryde

None shall be abyll his stroke for to withstande

445

Nor before his face so hardy to abyde

Yet this his manhode increasyth nat his pryde

But euer sheweth he mekenes and humylyte

In worde and dede to hye and lowe degre

In prudence pereles is this moste comely kynge

450

And as for his strength and mag[n]anymyte

Concernynge his noble dedes in euery-thynge

One founde or grounde lyke to hym can nat be

By byrth borne to boldnes and audacyte

Vnder the bolde planet of Mars the champyon

455

Surely to subdue his ennemyes echone

the initial letters of each line of this stanza are separated by one space from the word to which they belong to form an acrostic IACOBVS

ref.ed: 209

Mars hath hym chosyn: all other set asyde

To be in practyse of Batayle without pere

Saue ryches lacketh his manfull myght to gyde

He hath nat plentye of all-thynge as is here

460

The cause is that stormes in season of the yere

Destroyeth the corne engendrynge so scarsnes

Whiche thynge moche hurteth this Prynces worthynes

Let hym be formest / than dout ye nought at all

For onely his loke (so bolde is his courage)

465

The turkes pryde shall make decay and fall

Lyke to a Lyon in dedes he shall rage

Thus he beynge gyde the fury shall asswage

Of the fals Turkes: so that they shall be fayne

Our christen londes to vs to yelde agayne

470

If the Englysshe Lyon his wysdome and ryches

Conioyne with true loue / peas and fydelyte

With the Scottis vnycornes myght and hardynes

Than is no dout but all hole christente

Shall lyue in peas welth and tranquylyte

475

And the holy-londe come into christen hondes

And many a regyon out of the fendes bondes.

¶Th'enuoy of alexander_Barclay.

¶O worthy estatis of Christendome echone

Consyder your power and your habylyte

Let slombrynge slouth away fro you be gone

Fere nat to fyght for your lyfe and lybertye

Let eche man do after his power and degre

To withstande the Turke and the fayth to defende

If we manly fyght: and all in one agre

Than without dout god shall vs socour sende.

sig: [N5]

De assentatoribus et parasytis:

Subdolum equum ... vngula equi.

sig: [N5v]

ref.ed: 210

¶Of flaterers and glosers.

¶He that wyll flater a hors of hye corage

Clappynge or touchynge: if that he stande to nye

May happen to haue the fote on his vysage

To his great hurt: and who that subtylly

Wyll flater an estate to get some good therby

He often at the last is cast out of fauour

For flaterynge pleaseth no wyse man of honour.

ref.ed: 211

OUr folys yet encreasyth more and more

But as for those that nowe themselfe present

I thought to haue set them in a shyp before Prouer. xxix.

Where-as ar seruauntis fals and fraudelent Bea. tho. ij. ij. q. c. xv. glo. xxv. dis. c. vnum.

But by no meane wyll they therto consent

They coueyt a shyp for them-selfe to attayne

Therfore for them this shyp I nowe ordayne Teren . in eunu.

Great lordes seruauntis / wyll nedes sayle apart

Alone by them-self they coueyt for to be xlvi. dist. ecce quare

For they ne can well vse theyr craft and art

Of gyle and flaterynge amonge the comontye

And if that ye wyll knowe what men these be

They ar fals flaterers fyllyd full of gyle

And fowle corrupcion: as is a botche or byle byle=boil

sig: [N6]

A crafty flaterer / as nowe is many one Hora in epistolis

With grettest lordes coueytis alway to dwell

Also they labour to knowe eche thynge alone

Yet can they nought kepe secrete in counsell

But with the comon Folys for that they wyll nat mell

I ord[a]yne to them this Barge here present ordayne] ordoyne 1509

Lyst theyr fraude myght be theyr owne impedyment Leui. xix.

The kynges Court nowe-adayes doth fede Ecclesi. vij.

Suche faynynge flaterers: and best they ar in grace

As chefe with theyr lorde / by lyes gettynge mede

Some with a fals herte / and a payntyd face

In his lordes seruyce to haue chefe rowme and place

Into his lordes erys yetyth secretly xliij. dis. c. vl.

Lyes venemous / debate to multyply Prouer. xxvi.

ref.ed: 212

Another can pyke vp the fethers properly

Of his maysters clothys if they syt nat right

He maketh them yet for to syt more awry

To take occasion them clenlyer to dyght

Another ay bydeth in his maysters syght

Nat to his profyte / but to his charge and coste

But to support hym / if he do crake or boste

These faynynge flaterers theyr lordes thus begyle

Yet ar theyr lordes therwith right well content

They laughe out lowde if that theyr lorde do smyle

What-euer he sayth they to the same assent

And in-so-moche ar they fals and fraudelent

That if theyr mayster say that the crowe is whyte

They say the same / and haue therin delyte

They flater theyr lorde with wordes fayre and gay

And vayne roundynges to cause hym to byleue i. ad th[e]ssa. thessa.] thassa. 1509 ij. thessa.] thassa. 1509

That all is trouth whiche they vnto hym say Ecclesi. xxviij.

Another hym stryketh and claweth by the sleue

Another with fals talys his neyghbour doth greue

Vnto a ryche man accusynge hym falsly

To syt at his dysshe and get some mete therby

Thus cause these flaterers / malyce and discorde. Iuuenalis

The ryche oft desyreth suche lyes for to here

Eche flaterer is in chefe rowme with his lorde ff. de. her insti. l. captatorias

Whan a symple seruaunt must nedes stande arere

The playne man hungreth / the lyer hath the chere lxxxiii. dis. nihil xi. q. iij. Nemo petit.

No man in Court shall nowe a lyuynge fynde

Without that he can bowe to euery wynde

sig: [N6v]

ref.ed: 213

The tre that bowyth to no wynde that doth blowe

In stormes and tempest is in moste ieoperdy Eccle. xxi.

And often with sodayne blastis ouerthrowe glo. in li. c. si. qui aliquem tes. per.

Therfore these flaterers to eche wynde aply

And he that can / vpholde his maysters lye

With ye and nay / and helpe hym if he tryp

Obteyneth nowe grettest honour and worshyp

Many one in flaterynge cometh to great honour Ad roma. i.

The cause is: for grettest statis nowe-a-dayes Psal. xl.

To be disceyued ar glad / and haue pleasour Ecclesi. xiiij.

In a dowble tunge beleuynge that it sayes

None is nowe beloued / but suche as vse the wayes xlvi. dis. sunt nonnulli de his que fi. a. ma. per c. quesiuit et in. glo.

Of adulacion / and that can secretely

Whysper and rounde thynges ymagyned falsly

And they that haue lerned to forge tydynges newe

Ar most made of if they haue the scyence

By flaterynge wordes to make them to seme true

None settyth by seruauntis of faythfull dilygence

But for that punysshement foloweth eche offence

We dayly se these flaterers harde bested

And by theyr owne gyle / they vnder-fote ar tred

¶Th'enuoy of alexander_Barclay.

¶Amende fals flaterers: it is a folysshe sport

And vayne besynes / for a small wretchyd mede

Folys in theyr lyes to flater and support

And whan all is done nat to be sure to spede

Thou shalt fynde truly: if thou take gode hede

That at the ende flaterers ar nought set by

But he that is playne / to flater hauynge drede

At last shall be rewardyd well and worthely

De delatoribus et obloquutoribus

Hic animum ... verba canunt

sig: O1

Ted tamen ... celerata nocet.

ref.ed: 214

¶Of tale-berers and Foles of lyght credence vnto the same.

¶He is lyght-myndyd / and voyde of all prudence

Whiche alway is wont / without aduysement

To all vayne talys sone to gyue credence

Aplyenge his erys therto: with full intent

For why these brybours fals and fraudelent

And bablynge lyers / by wordes wors than knyfe.

Amonge men sawe debate and greuous stryfe.

sig: [O1v]

ref.ed: 215

THese folys present I sholde haue callyd skant

Vnto my shyp to rowe amonge the mo xi. q. iij. non solum. xxx. q. v. nullum. glo. pen. xvi. q. ij. c. i.

But that the Shyp before can them nat want

So these two sortis wyll nedis togyther go

For thoughe the flaterer hym-selfe behauyth so

By fayned talys good lyuers oft to greue lxxxvi. dis. si. quid

They ar as lewde that wyll the same byleue Ecclesi. xix.

He is a fole that his erys wyll inclyne

Lyghtly: to his wordes that is of suche vsage

Newe talys and tydynges dayly to ymagyne

And that apereth superflue of langage

For he showeth tokyns of foly and dotage

Whiche gyueth his erys to here suche wordes vayne

As myght his neyghbours honestye distayne

A fole is ay lyght / and hasty of credence

With erys open to eche tale that is newe Hester. xvi.

Wherof oft groweth great inconuenyence

But a wyse man suche talys can eschewe Prouer. xiiij.

Nat them byleuynge but if he knowe them true

He is nat hardy the whiche one stryketh sore Iosue. vi.

Behynde his backe: nat warnynge hym before

sig: O2

For who that is vnwarely strykyn so

Can for the same no helpe ne socour fynde Prouer. xxij.

No more can he fynde remedy therto

That of taleberers is sclandred thus behynde

But nowe is he a mayster that hath suche wyly mynde

A rightwyse man with fals wordes to diffame

And many vngoodly gyue credence to the same

ref.ed: 216

But who-so-euer vsyth this adulacion

Or that to vayne wordes gyueth to sone credence

Ar trayters / and full of abhomynacion

Cursyd and iniust stynkynge in the presence

Of god almyght: for by the same offence

Is sawen the sede of stryfe: and mortall wo

Amonge great statis: and comontye also Eccle. xxviij.

Therfore that man that quyetly wolde lyue

And rightwysely: with name of honestye

To flaterynge talys must nat his erys gyue ii. thessa. ij.

For a fals tunge fulfyllyd with iniquyte Prouer. xviij.

By mortall venym infecteth eche degre

Brekynge the bonys (god wot) of many one

Howbeit the tunge within it hath no bone

By this vyce: the honour of hym that is absent Eccle. viiij.

Thoughe it were gotten by way moste vertuous

Is hurt and distayned by worde malyuolent Sapien. ij.

Of it cometh many a vyce full peryllous

And it often-tymes by wayes iniuryous Eccle. xviij.

Iugement gyueth on man in his absence Prouer. xxix.

Fals and iniustly by to hasty credence

By this maner / iustyce and lawe is vyolate

Vnto the absent moche noysom / harde and sore

Whan he is falsly accusyd by some state

Or some other man / nat assytyd before

Howe can he defende his cause well: whan no more

Tary is made / but forth-right the sentence

Vnwysely is gyuen by to hasty credence

ref.ed: 217

The wretchyd Aman byleuynge hastely Hester. iij.

By Mardocheus the talys to hym tolde

Wolde hym haue put to deth vnrightwysly

If the Quene hester durst nat haue ben so bolde

The kynge to asswage / by wordes sad and colde

Wherby fals Aman in paynfull shame and care

Anone was hanged: and that in his owne s[n]are snare] smare 1509

sig: [O2v]

Ouer-hasty credence without aduysement Miphiboseth.

Sende Saulis sone: myphiboseth by name Regum. xvi.

Great care and sorowe by paynfull punysshement

The noble Alexander most excellent of fame i. mach. x.

Wolde neuer inclyne his erys vnto the same Esa. xxviij.

For well he wyst to what inconuenyence

They fall: that ar to hasty of credence.

¶ Alexander_barclay the translatour.

¶Consyder man wheder thou be lowe or hye

What thynge thou herest / before thou thynke it true

For flaterers ay speke fayrest whan they lye

Or whan they lyst to brynge vp talys newe

Beware of them: Theyr company eschue

They shall the cause to fall to suche offence

That all thy lyfe thou shalt it after rue

To them / if thou be hasty of credence

Therfore do thou as doth the god palfray

Whan they begyn to clawe the by the sleue

Flynge with thy helys: and dryue them so away

And with sharpe wordes be bolde them to repreue

ref.ed: 218

Stop fast thy erys / or els fro them remeue

For be thou sure: to speke in short sentence

Mo men are marryd / than any wolde byleue

And greuously offende by to hasty credence

De falsariis et fraudulentia:

Alchimia docet ... pręmia multis:

sig: O3

Decipiuut multos ... minimique fideles:

sig: [O3v]

ref.ed: 219

¶Of falshode / gyle / and disceyte / and suche as folowe them.

¶The vayne and disceytfull craft of alkemy

The corruptynge of wyne and other marchandyse

Techyth and shewyth vnto vs openly

What gyle and falshode men nowe do exercyse

All occupyers almost / suche gyle dyuyse

In euery chaffar / for no fydelyte

Is in this londe / but gyle and subtylte

ref.ed: 220

O Well of muses: o pleasaunt castaly Contra alchimistas vide textum. i. c. episcopi circa finem. xxvi. q. v.

O susters nyne / with lowe benygnyte

I you beseke my wyt to multyply

By hundred folde / and tunges of lyke plente

Graunt to me strength to wryte the subtylte

The fraude / and disceyt / whiche is by gylefull wayes

Amonge all chraftis vsed now-adayes

Without a hundred tunges great wysdome and respyte

Contynuall labour: and stody without ende

None can theyr gyles ne all theyr falshode wryte

Nor all fals folys in balade comprehende

So many be that thus theyr lyues spende

That all the shyppes ne galays vnto Spayne

Nor myghty Carakes can nat them well co[n]tayne

So they that ar abrode fast about may range

Rowynge on the see: my-self theyr lode and gyde

In dyuers contres farre and londes straunge

And spred theyr namys about on euery syde

But dyuers ar the sortis / that the worlde wyde

In euery part doth infect and defyle

By fraudes fayned / and fals myscheuous gyle

Firste fals loue disceyuyth and doth greue Prouer. xi. et. xxix.

Both age: and youthe both wylde and prodygall

Lernyd and lewde: if that they it byleue

For vnder his tunge is hyd venym mortall

Frendes and felawes faynynge and fals with-all Eccle. vi.

Also shalt thou fynde that of suche maner be

To speke fayre wordes mengled with sotylte Eccle. xxxvij.

ref.ed: 221

Suche in theyr hertis haue no fydelyte

And often we se that wycked and fals counsell Prouer. xii.

Disceyueth many by fals lyberalyte Eccle. viij. et. xxxvij.

Disceytfull wordes / dissymuled as gospell

Doth many abuse and from theyr right expell

And no maruayle / for almoste euery man

To his pryuate profyte intendeth what he can

sig: [O4]

None is that caryth for comon auauntage Ouidius

Thus comon-welth sore fallyth into decay

But ouerall / men ar fals of theyr langage

By lyes auaylynge them-selfe all that they may

Brother begylyth brother as we se euery day

And the sone the Fader desceyueth oft also

But though he can nat: yet is his mynde therto

No bondes of loue / amonge men nowe doth byde Math. vii.

Fals gyle vs gydeth / blyndyd is conscyence

And suche as within the cloyster doth abyde

Fyle theyr relygion oft by the same offence

Faynynge them sayntis whan they ar in presence

With ypocresy payntynge theyr countenaunce

So clokynge and hydynge theyr yll mysgouernaunce

Some shyne without: and as swete bawme they smell

But yet theyr hertis ar fyllyd with falsnes

And within the skyn more yll than man can tell

As gyle and disceyte / iust men therwith t'oppres Ezech. xiii.

And wolues rauysshynge full of vnthryftynes Luce. xiii.

Bere shepes-skynnes showynge nat that they be Prouer. xviij.

Foxys within: shewynge out symplycyte

ref.ed: 222

By suche falshode / they many one begyle

In vniust coyne / is founde also abusyon

And disceyt: whiche doth all the worlde defyle

By clyppynge and wasshynge / and lyke dymynusyon

Bysyde all this / yet in many a regyon

Suche folys stody to mengle and multyply

Eche sort of metall men do disceyue therby

And in theyr wretchyd ryches to abounde

The clyp / they coyne / and that: counterfayt metall Hieremie. v. et. vij.

And the right kynde of golde they oft confounde

They sell precious stones nat true ne naturall

But counterfayt (for true) men to begyle withall

The coyne by falshode also oft lacketh weyght

Thus ouer the worlde is nought but gyle and sleyght

What shall I wryte of gyle and sotyltye

Vsed in weyght nomber / tale and mesure Ecclesi. xxvij.

Howe they bye with one / large / or weyghtye

And sell by a les: theyr conscyence is so obscure

Marchaundys also in gyle them-selfe inure them-selfe] them them-selfe 1509

By dyuers wayes makynge them to seme plasaunt

True men to disceyue that therin ar ignoraunt

sig: [O4v]

That whiche is nought they make seme good and fyne

But to touche a t[a]uerners hye experyence tauerners] teuerners 1509 Virgilius iiij. e[n]ey. Virgilius iiij. e[n]ey.

Howe lyghtly the knaue can brewe a bowle of wyne

As who sayth that he hath the craft and scyence

To amende that thynge that goddes hye prudence

Hath made parfyte / but he his owne to saue

By newe brewyd wyne / men bryngeth to theyr graue

ref.ed: 223

In no man is trust / for euery man by gyle Prouer. xx.

And preuy falshode hath suche a craftynes

His occupacion by fraudys fals to defyle

Reputynge hym-selfe wyse for suche disceytfulnes

Thus is there no craft / pore / ryche / more or les

But all ar vpholden with gyle and soteltye

Whiche falshode causeth that many neuer thye

But if I sholde tary so longe here to expres

100

All the fals wayes and gyle done wrongfully

In eche occupacion / and euery besynes

It were to longe: therfore I say shortly

That he is happy whiche lyueth perfytely

Voyde of all fraude: but the trouth to reporte

105

In worde and dede / but fewe be of that sort

¶Th'enuoy of alexander_Barcly.

¶Thou that hast to do with worldly besynes

Outher occupacyon / in court or marchaundyse

Kepe clene thy conscyence / beware disceytfulnes

All fraude and gyle take hede that thou despyce

Than shalt thou to welth / ryches and honour ryse

And if thou be fals: beware of pouertye

Besyde hell-payne / for Christ sayth in this wyse

That in his owne mesure eche man shall serued be

De Antichristo.

IAm nauem ... pseudoque prophetas

sig: [O5]

Qui christi / ... dispergere leges

sig: [O5v]

Per mundum ... praua patent.

ref.ed: 224

¶Of the falshode of Antichrst.

sig: [O6]

WE haue before / a shyp sende forth to see 'W' of 'WE' is guide letter in space set for large capital

Swyft and / well-stuffed with many a subtyll rout Deutro. xiij.

But of lyke folys / yet many one there be xxvij. q. v. i. fi.

On our shyp-sydes / clymmynge rounde about

I speke with pacyence: for why I am in dout

Lyst this company / of proude speche: yll and haut

With theyr sharpe dartis my feble shyp assaut

ref.ed: 225

But if thou aske who they ar that me incomber

And what be theyr maners and conuersacion

Of whens they ar and howe great is theyr nomber

Of whome I intende to make declaracyon

Vnto thy questyons this is my relacion

And fynall answere / that they that thus me greue Math. xxiiij.

Ar fals Christen men / nat perfyte of byleue Marci. xij.

sig: [O6v]

And fals Prophetis / nat folowynge the right

Whiche with fals hertis vnperfyte of credence

Nat duly worshyp the lawe of god almyght

Nor his holy doctryne / with worthy reuerence

And other suche as varye the true sence

Of goddes lawes / expoundynge other wyse

Than it in the text clere and playnly lyes

Suche counterfayte the kayes that Iesu dyd commyt ix. dis. ego. c. si ad sacros. xxiiij. q. iij. heresis

Vnto Peter: brekynge his Shyppis takelynge

Subuertynge the fayth / beleuynge theyr owne wyt

Agaynst our perfyte fayth in euery-thynge

So is our Shyp without gyde wanderynge Actuum. xxvij.

By tempest dryuen / and the mayne-sayle of torne Prouer. xxx.

That without gyde the Shyp about is borne

I mean that euery fals interpretour Marci. iiij.

And vniust Prophete accordynge in assent

Defyle the lawes of Christ our sauyour Math. viij.

And also the fayth / but suche in theyr intent Hiere. in prologo biblie

Whan theyr owne selfe by errour fraudelent

Ar all corrupt / with synne agaynst the lawe xxxvii. dis. relatum.

They stody: yet mo to theyr errour to drawe

ref.ed: 226

Many they disceyue / by theyr myscheuous lore Apoca. xx.

Of theyr fals lawes castynge abrode the sede

Yet greuous paynes of Hell byde them therfore

But suche Hell-houndes therof wyll take no hede

But certaynly all our byleue and crede

The whiche is able to saue vs from hell-payne

To vs is gyuen in wordes clere and playne

In our lawe ar founde no wordes disceyuable iij. thimo. iij. ix. ix. dis. quis nesciat. ij. petri. iiij.

No fals abusyon / nor obscure hardnes

But many folys of mynde abhomynable

For an hye name / for honour and ryches Hiere. xxiij.

Or for vayne pryde and fals presumptuousnes M[i]ch. Mich.] Mach. 1509 iij. Mich.] Mach. 1509

To shewe theyr cunnynge / they men blynde and abuse

Makynge the playne lawe / obscure / darke and diffuse

They holy scriptures rehers moche other-wyse

Than the holy goost them vttred first of all

The cause is that pryde them vexeth to aryse

To some hye Rowme / and a glory pryncypall xlvi. dis. hoc habet.

O blynde fole awake and to remembraunce call xxiiij. q. iij. heresis. xxxvij. c. direlatum. c. vino.

The prophetis saynge. confermyd by the lawe

And so from errour thy synfull mynde withdrawe

sig: P1

Were it nat ynoughe for the to vnderstonde

The holy lawes: passynge in that scyence

But yet presumptuously to take on honde

To turne frowardly / the true and rightwyse sence

Chaungynge our fayth / by thy fals neglygence

Whiche fayth was sende from god omnypotent

By the holy gost to our faders auncyent

ref.ed: 227

They seme in handes to bere a fals balance xxiiij. q. i. non. afferamus

Whiche falsly techyth the lawe of god almyght

Some poyntis thynke they heuy and worthy penaunce

And other some make they but small and lyght

By glose thus turne we the lawe agaynst right Ezech. ij.

Thus they that our faythis doctryne wolde confounde

Before Antichrist set tentis here on grounde

They set no tentis agayne hym for to fyght

But agaynst his comynge they ordayne great treasour

Other to subdue: for to encreas his myght

Them drawynge to his insaciable errour i. Iohan. i.

Many one assembleth as to a conquerour

Obeynge and berynge his cursed cognysaunce

Assaynge for to put our fayth to harde vttraunce

Whiche trayters also them besely doth hast

With Antichrist theyr mayster and theyr lorde

Theyr cursed lawes to spred abrode and cast

Ouer all the worlde / for to infect concorde

Bryngynge theyr fals goddes with them at one accorde

Suche folys ar nat drawen by scourge of punysshement Ecclesi. x.

But to Antichrist of theyr owne mynde th'assent

To be of his garde they yelde them wyllyngly

But some shall obey for m[o]ney and treasour money] meney 1509

Whome he by lyberall gyftis crafty

Shall so attyce hym lowly to honour

Suche foles shall he bye and brynge to his errour

Se here howe money theyr soules shall defyle

But some shall he wyn by sotylte and gyle

ref.ed: 228

Some by fals myracles and some by punysshement

Shall this fals Tyraunt to his seruyce procure

But than by the myght of god omnypotent

This wycked Nauy longe-tyme shall nat endure

But whyle these Folys shall thynke them-selfe most sure Apoca. xiij.

Theyr shyppys shall dryue and shortly at the last

By myght of god they all shall ryue and brast

sig: [P1v]

Togyther shall they fall vnto the pyt of hell

100

And suche be releued as they put vnto payne

Antichristis Charettes and Cartis shall cesse theyr yell

And the true lawe and fayth sprynge vp agayne

But in the mean-space / alas we may complayne Marci. iiii.

For the shyp of Peter in stormes and tempest

105

Is throwen and cast clene destytute of rest

The Mast nowe meuyth the taklynge and the sayle

O god wythsaue the wayke shyp to socour

From the fals Herytikes that dayly it assayle

With great violence and manyfolde rygour

110

For with fals Doctryne / conteynynge great errour

The holy scriptures some labour to expounde

But the true fayth full pyteously is drowned

Thus fals Antichrist / the fayth of Christ to stent

Into the wyde worlde his messangers doth sende i. iohannis. i.

115

As swyft Currours / onely for that intent Ecclesi. ij.

His Tentis to prepare / his Army to defende ij. iohan . i.

And to cause the Chrysten to hym to confydence

By the fals sede of errour that they sawe

Before his comynge agaynst our fayth and lawe

ref.ed: 229

120

But thre maner thynges I fynde that be certayne Inno. in. c. quid autem de. pe. et re. et. in. cle. fi. e. ti.

Whiche ar well worthy for to be notyd here

For they our fayth support / defende and meyntayne

The firste is the wysdome and great grace that apere

From a Bysshops mouth by doctryne playne and clere

125

But ouer the worlde if that poynt were well sought

For the most part it slepeth and is set at nought

The seconde is of Bokes store and abundaunce

Wh[e]rin ar the lawes of Christ our sauyour Wherin] Whorin 1509

Whiche rottyth nowe / the cause why in substaunce Ecclesiastes. xvi.

130

Is for they haue no iust interpretour

Of the holy lawes / nor good exposytour

The thyrde is Doctryne / wysdome / and scyence

But that nowe decayeth by slouth and neglygence

And if that a man haue cunnynge parfytely Prouer. xvi.

135

Labourynge by it to make men leue theyr vyce

The rude commontye shall set no-thynge hym by

Therfore we nowe our-selfe moste exercyse

In cunnynge to wyn coyne: by blynde Couetyse

Or some other blyndnes and conceytis newe

140

Whiche neyther sleyth vyce / ne shewyth vs vertue

sig: P2

Of bokis is plenty ynoughe in euery place xciij. de legimus

And some but pore theyr Shoppes haue stuffyd full

But fewe or none haue pleasour nor solace

The same to stody theyr myndes ar so dull

145

The ryche stodyeth / all / from the pore to pull

Disdaynynge to set his mynde on gode doctryne

For none saue the pore doth nowe therto inclyne

ref.ed: 230

Suche as ar noble and excellent of fame Prouer. xiiij.

To rede in bokes of wysdome haue great scorne Ecclesiastes. iij.

150

The noble and holy lawe this wyse is lame

And wytty Pallas so by the here is torne

I mean that wysdome hir greuous fall doth morne

For they that to hir doctryne moste aply

Can get no laude / but malyce and enuy

155

No mede ne rewarde is gyuen to wysdome Hiere. xiiij.

Thus is the labour of stody lost in vayne Ecclesi. viij.

By suche neglygence / alas the tyme is come

That fals Prophetis our holy fayth distayne

They all shall turne if fauour them meyntayne Ezech. viii.

160

And if they that preche for mede and vyle rewarde

Shall them support: our case shall be full harde support] supportyth 1509

¶Th'enuoy.

¶O ye that to Antichrist disciples be

Or fore-messangers the chrysten to accloy

Corruptynge the lawes by your iniquyte

Alas what may I vnto you nowe enuoy

Your wycked errour your soules shall destroy

Wherfore I pray you your herte therfro withdrawe

Els shall ye haue Hell-payne destytute of ioy

For none ar saued that corrupt goddes lawe.

Veritatem obticere.

Quisquis amore / ... iussuque deorum.

sig: [P2v]

Ingenii dotes ... in atris.

ref.ed: 231

¶Of hym that dare nat vtter the trouth for fere of displeasour or punysshement.

¶Who-euer he be / that for loue / fere or mede

For fauour / thretnynge / or suche-lyke accydence

Sayth nat the trouth lyke as it is in-dede

But stoppeth his mouth / and kepeth so sylence

To please the people allowynge theyr offence

And sparynge theyr fautes / it playnly doth apere

Suche to Antichrist is frende and messanger

sig: P3

ref.ed: 232

MAny hath a mynde redy prompt and clere

To knowlege / and to preche the very lawe dyuyne

And to say the trouth lyke as it doth apere

But oft / suche / by flatery or thretenynge declyne xxxviij. dis. sedulo.

From the way of trouth and verytable lyne

And so holy trouth and godly veryte Psal. xxxv.

By fere they leue / disdayny[n]ge it to se disdaynynge] disdaynyge 1509 Prouer. xxij. Prouer. xxij.

Sothly I may say they vnderstonde nat right Ecclesiastes. xij.

That for loue or fere: dare nat the trouth expres Math. x.

But hydeth it away from mannys syght xi. q. iij. quis. metu.

Doutynge displeasour of them that haue ryches xl. dis. si papa.

Thus is the power of wordly wretchydnes xliij. dis. sit rector.

More in theyr myndes than the commaundement Actuum. x.

And chefe preceptis of god omnypotent

Why sholde he fere to preche and to expres xviij. q. iii. Transferunt.

The lawes of god gyuen vnto mankynde

To whome our lorde of his great goodnes

Hath sende chefe gyftis: as reason of his mynde

With wyt and wysdome: the way therof to fynde

To fayne or to lye to hym it is great foly

Whiche hath the reason the trouth to fortyfy

sig: [P3v]

But for that flaterynge so many doth ouercome Eccle. iiij. et. xix

And rewardes / lettyth the trouth for to apere xi. q. iij. nemo. xxij. q. ij. ne quis arbitre.

Therfore the Fole / that sholde say trouth is dum

Hackynge his wordes that no man may them here

And if he knowe that any-one is nere

Infect and scabbyd / he dare no worde let slyp

But layeth his fynger anone before his lyp

ref.ed: 233

But suche a wyse man as Vyrgyll doth discrybe Virgilius de viro bono.

Is stedfast / fereles / constant farme and stable

Nat lettynge / nor leuynge for fauour / loue / nor brybe

The trouth to shewe / and blame the reprouable

Ponderynge the furour of them that ar culpable

And blamynge the same / playne and openly

For veryte and trouth nat doutynge for to dye

The wyse man to vtter the trouth is nat aferde Iuuenalis de thauro phalar.

Thugh he sholde be closyd within the bull of bras

Of Phalaris / the tyraunt: or if a naked swerde Dionisius

Henge ouer his necke his lyfe so to oppres

For he that is wyse perfytely: doutles

Hath so establysshyd his mynde the trouth to say

That daunger of deth can hym no-thynge affray

No lorde nor man of hye ne lowe degre Thobie. iiij.

Nor thretnynge wordes / ne other punysshement

Can cause suche one in any poynt to lye Prouer. xii.

He showyth out the lawes of god omnypotent

In wordes playne / nat fals ne fraudelent

Nat ferynge to touche the foly and errour

Of Pope nor prelate / kynge ne emperour

Saynt Iohnn_the_baptyst our lordes messanger Iohannes_baptista.

Withdrewe hym-selfe into secrete wyldernes

Nat wyllynge amonge the people to apere

For theyr vayne grutchis and wylfull frowardnes

Yet dyd he euer the very trouth expres xxv. q. ix. c. si.

As true messanger / the worlde to despyse

Therfore had he grace our sauyour to baptyse

ref.ed: 234

He that doth one with pleasaunt worde correct

And colde pacyence that he may condiscende

To lerne the wayes his vyces to abiect Ecclesiastes. vij.

And take example his lyuynge to amende

Vnto thy wordes though he nat than intende

But the beholde with lokes sharp and harde Ecclesi. xxxvij.

Yet tyme shall come whan he shall the rewarde

sig: [P4]

If he in hym haue any droppe of grace

He shall conuerte / rewardynge thy counsell

Therfor I say who-euer is in that case

For worldly ryches / the trouth nat playne to tell

Puttynge bodely profyte before eternall well

Suche shall dye a Fole blynde and ignoraunt Hiere. li.

And may to Antichrist be callyd pursuyuaunt.

¶Th'enuoy of Alexander_barcly.

¶O precher thou deth ought rather to endure

Than for loue / fauour / fere or punysshement

The veryte to cloke / or make the trouth obscure

Or to hyde the lawes of god omnypotent

And if that any vnto thy deth assent

For prechynge trouth: receyue it paciently

So hath many sayntis theyr blode and lyues spent

Rather than they wolde hyde veryte / or lye

Retractio a bono.

Qui vult esse ... malesana rapit.

sig: [P4v]

Nos socios ... transit iter.

ref.ed: 235

¶Of folys that withdrawe and let other to do good dedes.

¶He that wyll walke in the ryght way of vertue

And worshyp trouth iustyce and rightwysnes

And stody all pleasours mundayne to eschewe

Subduynge the flesshe and fende with his falsnes the] the / 1509

Oft-tymes suche one shall fynde contraryousnes

And byde and endure losse with aduersyte

By enuy of them that lewde and wycked be

sig: [P5]

ref.ed: 236

HE is a naturall Fole: and eke a dawe Math. xvi.

And all his blode corrupt with folysshnes Marci. viij.

Whiche labours to let / hynder and withdrawe Prouer. xxiiij.

Good men and iust from dedes of goodnes Ad roma. i.

I wyll nat say / but some / there be doutles Psal. xxxvi.

That assay to folowe good maners and vertue

By stedfast lyfe / all synne for to subdue

But than thou fole: with all thy force and myght

Withdrawest hym backwarde full malyciously

Assaynge to hurt his wyll to good and right

Whiche he purposyd to kepe contynually

Thou hym withdrawest: this is the reason why Prouer. xiiij.

That a Fole hath chefe pleasour and confort

To haue all other lyke hym of the same sort

A fole is glad his nomber to augment Ecclesi. xiiij.

And euer is besy them namely to pursue

To hate and manace with malyce vyolent

Whiche iustly lyue in goodnes and vertue Ecclesi. xx.

But vyce hym pleasyth / for that doth he insue

A fole fast stodyeth to hym to drawe echone

Lyst he of foly myght bere the name alone

He gyueth counsell fals and reprouable

With all his myght to hym attysynge mo

Or els them troublyth by wordes moch vnstable

Whiche ar iust men / euer wyllynge good to do

A prysoner lyenge longe in payne and wo

Hath consolacion and great confort certayne

To haue many mo be partne[r]s of his payne partners] partnes 1509

ref.ed: 237

Therfore if any whiche hath that gyft of grace

For to / despyse this worldes wretchydnes

Withdrawynge hym-selfe to some solytary place

Anone this Fole lyuynge in viciousnes Sapientie. v.

Cryeth out / and blamyth suche parfyte holynes

This iust man condemnynge by wrongfull iugement Luce. xii.

Bycause his lyuynge is nat after his intent i. thimo. iiij.

Suche frowarde folys all goodnes thus defyle

By wordes iniurious / and oft we here and se

That with suche wordes the good men they reuyle

Saynge one to other / lo yonder same is he

Whiche without make thynketh hym wyse to be

Secretnes he loueth / and theder is he gone

Nought can hym pleas / saue that whiche is alone

sig: [P5v]

In christ and his sayntes he lyueth in dispayre

All worldly pleasour despysynge vtterly

He loueth nat to come in open ayre

But lorkyth in corne[r]s by fals Ipocrysy corners] cornes 1509

But we with our felawes lyue alway merely

And though we in erth oft-tymes do amys

Yet hope we hereafter to come to heuyns blysse

Who that hym gydeth by reason and wysdome Math. v.

Folowynge the way of parfyte righ[t]wysnes rightwysnes] righwysnes 1509 ij. ad thimo. ij. ij. ad thimo. ij.

Intendynge therby vnto hye heuen to come Ecclesiastes. vi.

Shall here suche wordes of foly and lewdnes

Spoken of these folys lyuynge in viciousnes

And no meruayle / for thou shalt neuer se

That synners shall with vertuous men agre

ref.ed: 238

Alas thus conuersacyon world[l]y or mundayne worldly] worldy 1509 xxviij. q. i. sepe. xxviij. q. i. sepe.

Is moche noysom / and so great preiudyce

That oft of vertue it maketh man barayne

And hym corruptyth with many a greuous vyce

And synners labour with all theyr myght to attyse

Vnto theyr lyuynge / corrupt and detestable

Suche as of lyuynge ar vertuous and laudable

Therfore if vertue / good lyfe and honestye Luce. xxi.

By thy selfwyllyd / and owne malyciousnes Prouer. xiiij.

Can nat haue place ne rowme to be in the Ecclesi. xxxvij.

Yet trouble thou nat by thy vngraciousnes Hiere. xxxix.

Suche as ar good and lyue in rightwysnes Ad collo. iij.

Fauour the good / and suffer hym procede

That is in the way of vertue and good dede

¶ Alexander_Barclay to the Folys.

¶Amende thy lyfe man: expell thou thy offence

Submyttynge thy-selfe vnto the true doctryne

Of godly wysdome ensuynge hir prudence

Wherin is groundyd scripture and lawe dyuyne

But if that thou wylt nat therto inclyne

By thy owne malyce and wylfull frowardnes

Yet hynder them nat / that go after the lyne

Of good instruccion / and vertuous goodnes.

Omissio bonor[u]m operum

Lampades accendunt ... pulsata repente.

sig: [P6]

EHeu pręcipiti ... fatuum atque nimis

ref.ed: 239

¶Of the omyssyon or leuynge of good warkes.

sig: [P6v]

¶It is nat ynoughe to bere a lampe in hande

But also thou must haue oyle and lyght therin

By whiche saynge: this thynge I vnderstande

That / man nat onely ought for to leue all syn

But also to do good: suche shall heuyn wyn

Heuyns yatis shall be opened to them anone

Whiche do good dedys / after vyce fro them is gone

ref.ed: 240

O Hertis of men in wylfull errour drowned

And through neglygence oppressyd sore in payne Boecius

Though your yll-lyuynge hath brought you to the grounde Math. xxv.

Seke the way of helth: and so ryse vp agayne Luce. xiij.

But playne I se whiche causeth me complayne Psal. vi.

The myndes of all men beryed in derknes xii. q. omnis et.

None feryth punysshement of goddis rightwysnes

Alas mannes lyfe graffyd in synne and vyce

Contynuyth in vylenes / we plunge in the see

Our woundyd hertis: disdaynynge to aryse

Out of the slomber of our iniquyte Ad hebre. xii. de cle. non resi. relatum.

Alas man it is but small auayle to the

The deuylles lawes / and vyces to eschewe

Without thou withall sue goodnes and vertue

sig: Q1

So to do good dedes it is a thynge laudable Luce. xij.

As the Churche of god to support and meyntayne de renun. c. i. de eta. et. qua. intelleximus.

In paynge tythes to be true and verytable

And in thy yonge age from vyces to abstayne

Folowynge vertue in dedes true and playne Math. x.

And nyght and day to set thy mynde and wyll i. q. vij. suggestum. i. reg. xij.

All other poyntis of the lawe to fulfyll

But than in age for to go out of kynde

Thy lyfe defylynge with lewde mysgouernaunce

It lytell auaylyth as I thynke in my mynde

A whyle to lyue well / in suche inconstance

What helpeth it a whyle to haue a short plesance

The stedfast fayth for to folowe by vertue

And nat in [t]he same alway to co[n]tynue the] he 1509; contynue] cotynue 1509

ref.ed: 241

At last whan god shall iuge all mankynde Math. xxiiij.

And that the trompes sounde shall them vp-call i. ad corin. xiiij.

Vnto his iugement: nat leuynge one behynde

Than shall there be made a count in generall

And eche man shall showe out his dedes all

Bothe great / and small / receyuynge theyr rewarde

Some of great ioy: and some of paynes harde

He that wyll there haue ioy of god almyght

Must haue his Lampe clere and yllumynate

And of gode dedes shewynge abrode the lyght

But whan the Lampe here is voyde or maculate

And in the kyndlynge therof is slowe or late

As wyllynge to do well / whan his lyue dayes ar wore

He often is disceyued / and a_busyd right sore

He is vnware / and clene without wysdome xxvi. q. [vi.]vi.] 1509 omits si. presbiter in glo.vi.] 1509 omits

That doth no good dedes longynge to charyte

Tyll the extreme houre of bytter deth do come

So moche hopynge / and trustynge euer is he

In hope of recoueraynge from his infyrmyte

That nought he caryth those wordes that Christ shall say

Sharply to synners at Domys dredefull day

But if a wyse man by deth sodaynly fall

Whiche caryth to prepare his ende before he dye Math. xxv.

His deth ought to be rewed nowght at all Sapien. iij.

Syth he here hath lyuyd well and vertuously

And sende his good dedes of pyte and mercy

Before deth to make for his soule purueaunce

O well is hym that hath suche remembraunce

sig: [Q1v]

ref.ed: 242

By vertuous dede to prouyde a place before

With god in the glorious heuen Imperyall

Where-as is lyfe that last shall euer-more

Euerlastynge lyght / and ioy perpetuall Ecclesi. xi.

But that blynde fole shall haue a greuous fall

Whiche nat inclyneth to vertue nor wysdome

Nor any good dede tyll his last ende be come

Suche folys hath nought but foly them within

Whiche vnto the ferefull day of iugement Deutro. viij.

If they sholde lyue / wolde alway lyue in syn Ad hebre. ij.

Nat dredynge infernall payne ne punysshement Seneca.

But whan this blynde wretche hath thus his dayes spent Ecclesi. vij.

The grounde hath his Carkas / there his Corps must dwell Math. xi.

His sory soule beryed in the paynes of hell Ezech. xxxiij.

Alas we folowe mortall thynges here De pe. dis. vij. nemo.

Vnsure incertayne: and all without wysdome

And as by our folysshe maners doth appere

We despyse prouysyon for the tyme to come

These worldly chargis doth folys thus ouercome

Fewe hath theyr myndes on god ne gode / stedfast

Thus meruayle nat / if god despyse them at the last.

¶Th'enuoy of the tra[n]slatour.

translatour] traslatour 1509

¶O christen soules if ye wyll haue the syght

Of glorious god in his Royalme celestyall

Whan ye haue syn ouercome by godly myght

Ye most you indeuer to do good dedes withall

ref.ed: 243

The lampe of thy soule clerely bren than shall

And at heuen gates knocke / and thou shalt come in

For that is rewarde / with ioy eternall

To them that do good: fleynge from wretchyd syn

But those wretchyd folys whose lampes lackyth lyght

By remysse myndes / slouth / or wylfull neglygence

May nat well clayme of our sauyour to haue syght

Nor to haue Rowme or place in his presence

Therfore to my wordes / o man gyue aduertence

Do vertuous dedes / and also vyce refrayne

Than without dout for this thy hye prudence

Thou shalt in heuen a glorious place obtayne

De premio sapientię.

Possumus ad dextram ... iusta capit.

sig: Q2

O Stulti ... ille viam.

ref.ed: 244

¶Of the rewarde of wysdome.

sig: Q2v

¶Two wayes lyeth before eche mannys syght

Of the whiche wayes man nedys one must holde

The one lyeth leftwarde / the other lyeth right

At whose ende we oft may se a crowne of golde

But at the leftis / ende / ar erys many-folde

In sygne of Foly / and many folys be

Whiche leftwarde go / sekynge captyuyte

ref.ed: 245

O Folys of pardon I you requyre and pray

And vnto you I shall also gyue the same Prouer. xvi.

Take no displeasour with that that I shall say Math. vij.

And though my balade your maners touche or blame. Iob. xxvij.

Nowe shall I wryte what laude what mede and fame Tobie. iiij.

Ar gyuen to wysdome vertue and rightwysnes

And what is rewarde moste mete for viciousnes

Many ar whiche greatly desyreth an hye name xl. dis. c. si.

And famous honour / or tytyll of dignyte

Some ar desyrous / to spred abrode theyr fame

To be callyd Doctours / or maysters of degre Vide. glo. xliij. dis. in sum.

Moste clere in wysdome of the vnyuersyte

But these names coueyt they nat for this intent

The christen to infourme / that of wyt [a]r indigent ar] or 1509

sig: Q3

Nor in holy doctryne them-self to occupy xlvi. dis. habet. hoc de ma. et obe. humilis.

As in scripture or lawes of Christ our sauyour

Or other godly techynge our fayth to fortyfy viij. q. i. qualis

But onely they ar drawen and led to this errour

For desyre of fame / vayne lawde / and great honour

Suche walke in the way that is on the left syde

On rockes and clyffis and hyghe mountayns of pryde

They leue the right way of goodnes and vertue

Of iustyce and wysdome / hauynge no thought at all

Howe they myght ignoraunt myndes with them endue

And fede them with that sauour delycious and royall

And other with theyr wordes hye and retorycall

Theyr sentences paynt in fauour for to come

Or therby to purchace a name of hye wysdome

ref.ed: 246

But sothly all worldly wysdome and prudence Abdie. i.

Vsyd here in erth / is before god almyght Ad corin. i.

Of none effect / and all worldly scyence

Is but as foly in that hye lordes syght

Thus many one byleue that they go right

And towarde the right hande vnto the way of helth

By theyr vayne pleasours / lust and worldly welth

They suppose to walke in the way of rightwysnes

Whiche bryngeth man by gode labour contynuall

Vnto the endles ioy / and seat of blessydnes Iudith

Of the hye kyngdome and place celestyall Actuum. xiiij.

But neuertheles / ignoraunt foly with hir pall

So blyndeth theyr myndes / that they nat vnderstande

Mean to kepe duly the path on the right hande

That way is harde / streyght / and full of diffyculte Luce. xiij.

Whiche mankynde ledyth to the heuenly regyon

But that way is brode / easy and playne to se

Whiche ledeth man to Hellys depe dongyon

Therfore thou must stablysshe thy intencion

(If thou wylt be partyner of heuenly ioy and chere)

To despyse vayne pleasour whyle thou art lyuynge here

Thou art vnwyse / if that thou set thy thought

To wyn heuenly ioy by worldly pleasour

Or to take that thynge whiche thou neuer bought

Or aske rewarde where thou dyd no labour

And surely he whiche lyueth in errour

Folowynge his foly in vyce without all shame Ecclesi. vij.

Shall haue iust rewardes accordynge to the same

sig: [Q3v]

ref.ed: 247

Also the wyse that lyueth rightwysely

Shall nat depart without rewarde and mede

But be rewardyd right well and worthely

With gyftis of heuen / whiche sothly shall excede

In valour / all the worlde in lenght and brede

This ioy that I of speke / so passynge in valour

Is the holy presence of Christ our sauyour

So Plato dyd folysshe company eschewe

And all other folyes procedynge of the same Plato de quo hiero in pr[o]logoprologo] prlogo 1509 biblie.prologo] prlogo 1509

Walkynge in the way of goodnes and vertue

Wherby he wan / laude and immortall fame

But nowe worldly wysdome hath so corrupt the name

That none it makyth happy vertuous nor wyse

But hym that with hert and mynde doth it despyse

¶Th'enuoy of Alexander_barcly.

¶Lerne man / lerne / wysdome to vnderstonde

For trust me though that the way of viciousnes

And dedely synne / lyenge on the left hande

Seme full of pleasour and wanton lustynes

At the ende is dolour wo and wretchydnes

Mysery vexacion and euerlastynge payne

And if sodayne deth in this way the: oppres

To late shall it be for retourne agayne

Auoyde thou therfore this left and frowarde way

For a short pleasour take nat eternall payne

Go on the right hande in-as-moche as thou may

And whan thou art there retourne thou nat agayne

ref.ed: 248

And though the path be nat moche smothe and playne

But full of sharpe thornes whiche shall the hurte and noy

Yet at the ende / thou shalt come to certayne

A heuenly castell replete with myrth and ioy

Neglectus infortunij.

Hic fatuus ... mobilitasque docet.

sig: [Q4]

Nam res externę ... naue bonum.

ref.ed: 249

¶Of the despysynge of mysfortune.

¶He is a fole and greatly reprouable

Whiche seyth and felyth suerly in his mynde

That all his dedes ar moche infortunable

And where-euer he go agaynst hym is the wynde

But in his mysfortune yet is he so blynde

That he is improuydent / abydynge wyllyngly

Despysynge (thoughe he myght) for to fynde remedy

sig: [Q4v]

ref.ed: 250

THe greuous fallys of men from theyr degre in autem de non alie. aut per ec. col. ii.

The frayle chaunsys / and aduersyte sodayne

And of vnsure fortune the mutabylyte

Whiche we se dayly / shewyth vnto vs playne Prouer. xi.

That in all thynges that to men apertayne Sapien. iiij.

Is no constance / trust or confydence

Nor sure degre / or stable permanence

For these vayne thynges the whiche we outwarde se Tullius

Syns they ar so caduke in condicion frayle Seneca.

Can none make perfyte in true felycyte

But that somtyme he may fynde cause to wayle Horatius in arte.

Nor no man by preuate wysdome or counsayle

Nor strength / or labour can make a warke so fast

But that it shall perysshe and decay at the last

But here I purpose of suche a Fole to wryte ff. de dona can mor. l. senatus.

To whom eche fortune is aduers and contrary

And yet hath he chefe pleasour and delyte C. de neg. ges. l. iiij.

With all his mynde and herte for to apply

To thynges of fortune / that contynually

Of cruell chauncis he hath but lytell hede Hiere. li.

Trustynge afterwarde moche better for to spede Ezech. xxvi.

sig: [Q5]

He is nat ware / but bare without wysedome

That can nat consyder surely in his mynde

That whan one yll is past: as bad may after come

If he hym ieparde to suche-lyke storme and wynde

Let suche nat thynke it thynge against kynde

Nor any meruayle if theyr shyp without ore

Mast and sayle / be drownyd rent and tore

ref.ed: 251

If any mysfortune happen on the to fall ff. como. l. si vt

At the begynnynge of thynge that thou wolde do

If thou go farther may fortune that thou shall

Haue after that same / other yllys many mo

For wyse men sayth / and oft it fallyth so

As it is wryten and sayd of many one

That one myshap fortuneth neuer alone

An yll fortune growyth alway more and more

The ende oft is greuous: and euer vncertayne

And if thou hast had one mysfortune before

Another lyke sone / may after fall / agayne

Thou mayst se example before the clere and playne

By dyuers changes whiche playnly thou mayst se

By fallys contynuall / full of aduersyte

Thus fortune floweth oft synkynge at the last

And playne shall perysshe if thou the space abyde

Thus happy is he that is of mynde stedfast

Doynge his deuoyr the same ay to prouyde Prouer. viij.

So muste he do whiche hath desyre to abyde

In suertye and rest: for dayly thou mayst se

Howe ferefull fortune sodaynly crepys on the

Who that dare auenture or ieparde for to rowe Ecclesi. xliij.

Vpon the se swellynge by wawes great and hye Prouer. xxiij. et. xxx.

In a weyke vessell / had nede that wynde sholde blowe

Styll / soft / and cawme / lyst that he / fynally Luce. xviij.

And also his shyp: stande in great ieopardy

Throwyn with the flodes on the se depe and wyde

And drowned at the last: or rent the syde fro syde

ref.ed: 252

And also he whiche hath no craft nor skyll

And dare auenture on the wylde se to rowe

By his rasshe mynde his mad brayne and self-wyll

No meruayle is if the wawes hym ouer-flowe

And if he than escape and be nat clene ouerthrowe Luce. viij.

If he after dare ieoparde hym-selfe agayne

To the same peryll: he is a fole certayne

sig: [Q5v]

But he is wyse / and so men may hym call Ecclesi. iij.

Whiche hath nat alway his trust and confydence Esaie. xxiij.

In vnsure fortune and chaunsys inequall Soph. ij.

And of the same can beware by prudence Iob. iiij.

That man is hap[p]y / and shall fle the violence happy] haphy 1509 Sapien. xiiij. Sapien. xiiij.

And furour of the see / though it moche rughly moue

And with his shyp enter the heuenly port aboue

¶Th'enuoy .etc.

¶Beware of mysfortune / ye men / in that ye may

And in that thynge that comyth vnfortunate

Procede nat: but your mynde drawe ye away

And if by good fortune that ye be eleuate

To some hye rowme conuenyent for a state

Whyle ye ar there / ye ought you euen to bere

For myshape prouydynge both erly and late

And than if it come ye nede nat greatly fere

¶We haue late sene some men promotyd hye

For whose sharpnes all men fered theyr name

But for they toke on them than theyr degre

Myght nat support: they fell downe in great shame

ref.ed: 253

But well myght they haue contynued without blame

If they had kept them within theyr boundes well

By right and iustyce: but oft full yll they frame

That wyll be besy with to hye thynges to mell.

Detractio bonorum.

Detrahit insipiens ... reuellere possunt

sig: [Q6]

Nec temere ... finit opus.

ref.ed: 254

Of bacbyters of good men and of them that shal disprayse this warke.

sig: [Q6v]

¶Oft so it hapneth that he that is vnwyse

With his lewde tunge / and mouth full of enuy

Doth wyse men and iust sclaunder and despyse

About the Cattis necke suche men a bell doth tye

Thynkynge that theyr dedes may be kept secretely

And to haue no name therof they thynke echone

But yet the dogge cryeth / stryken with the bone

ref.ed: 255

NOwe shall wyse men enioy and haue pleasaunce Prouer. i.

With inwarde myrth and also outwarde sport Ecclesi. vij.

With mery lokes of chere and of countenaunce Ecclesi. xxi.

Seynge that we haue gathred so great a sort

Of folys in one boke: To rede to theyr confort

The wyse men shall enioy: and they that loue vertue

That we by craft haue forged this Nauy newe

Our shyp sayleth nat abrode vnto presence

Vnto the rebuke of vertuouse men and wyse

For in suche is small faut / synne / or offence

Wherfore no man ought them blame or despyse

We coueyte nat to perysshe theyr fame in any wyse

But pray god in ioy to contynue them a_lyue

And that yll-lyuers may mende / or neuer thryue

Amende may they well if they lyst to take hede

For here haue we gyuen them holsome medecyne

To rule theyr lyfe / also we haue in-dede

Vnto them gyuen / of maners / good doctryne

Who lyst them to rede / and to them to inclyne

If he be wyse: he shall auoyde doutles

The clowdes of synne: and nettis of folysshnes

Suche I commende as ar worthy great honour

But other be whiche sore I hurt and blame

By my wrytynge: for theyr mysbehauour

Syns that of Folys they well deserue the name

Yet may they nat (without theyr owne great shame)

Disprayse my wrytynge boldly by any way

Nor rasshly yll wordes ayenst the same to say

ref.ed: 256

Yet dout I nat: but surely knowe it well

That some shall be whiche ayenst my wrytynge

With harde and frowarde wordes shall rebell

And it contynue / and hurt in euery-thynge

But if that suche be wyse men and cunnynge

They shall my youth pardone / and vnchraftynes

Whiche onely translate / to eschewe ydelnes

sig: R1

But if some other be troubled by enuy

As brybours to barke agaynst my besynes

They ought to cesse / for my boke certaynly

I haue compyled / for vertue and goodnes

And to reuyle foule synne and viciousnes

At first begynnynge lyke as I toke the charge

Requyrynge pardon if I haue ben to large

To wryte playne trouth was my chefe mynde and wyll

But if any thynke that I hyt hym to nere

Let hym nat grutche but kepe hym coy and styll

And clawe were it itchyth so drawynge hym arere

For if he be hasty / it playnly shall apere

That he is fauty / gylty / and culpable

So shall men repute hym worthy of a bable

But be they angry or be they well apayde

This thynge oft prouyd is by experyence

He that is gylty thynketh all that is sayde

Is spokyn of hym / and touchynge his offence

I fele well the hyssynge and malyuolence

Of some enuyours whiche doth my warke disdayne

But my playne Balade comfortyth me agayne

ref.ed: 257

Suche Folys namely agaynst my boke shall barke

As nought haue in them but synne and viciousnes

Leuynge all besynes vertuous and good warke Horatius in arte.

And gyuynge them-selfe to slouth and ydylnes

Horace the poet doth in his warke expres

That both wyse and unwyse dyuers warkes wryte

Some to gode: and pleasour / and some but small profyte

But if my warke be nat moche delactable

Nor gayly payntyd with termys of eloquence

I pray that at lest it may be profytable

To brynge men out of theyr synne and olde offence

Into the noble way of good intellygence

I care nat for folysshe bacbyters / let them passe

The swete Cymball is no pleasour to an asse

Melodyous myrth to bestis is vncouthe

And the swete graffis of wysdome and doctryne

Sauoureth no-thynge within a folys mouthe

Whiche to the same disdayneth to inclyne

Cast precious stones or golde amonges swyne

And they had leuer haue dreggis fylth or chaffe

No meruayle: for they: were norysshed vp with draffe

sig: [R1v]

Therfore o reders I you exort and pray

Rede ouer this warke well and intentyfly

Expell hye mynde / put statelynes away

Barke nat therat: loke nat theron awry

With countenaunce pale expressynge your enuy

If ought be amysse: of that take ye no hede

Tend to the best than shall ye haue the mede

ref.ed: 258

Be pleased withall / and if that ye ought fynde

Nat ordred well / and as it ought to be

Whiche may displeas or discontent your mynde

In wantonnes / or [lackynge] grauyte lackynge] in to and 1509

Or sharply spoken with to great audacyte

Vnto your correccion all hole I do submyt

If ought be amys it is for lacke of wyt.

¶Th'enuoy of Barclay.

¶Ye folys enuyous detractynge eche good dede

Expell your malyce / and / yre / and ougly syn

And to your-selfe / and your owne warke take hede

Howe yll infect and foule ye ar within

Correct your-selfe: so sholde ye first begyn

And than teche other to vertue to aply

And nat by malyce on them to grutche and gryn

Or behynde theyr backe them sclaunder by enuy

De immoderata mensę turpitudine.

Obscoenos mensę ... manante saliua:

sig: R2

In manibus ... pectora bacchus

sig: [R2v]

In tabulis ... orbe decus.

sig: R3

ref.ed: 259

¶Of immoderate vylenes / in maners / vsyd at the table.

¶It is thynge laufull: and nat vncommendable

To touche the yll maners / the foule and lothsome wayes

Whiche dyuers folys nowe vsyth at the table

Whiche ar so past all shame / that nowe-a-dayes

But fewe or none / there honest wordes sayes

Of pleasaunt norture they haue no care nor hede

But bestely intende as swyne theyr wombe to fede

ref.ed: 260

I Thought that I had fyllyd suffyciently

This boke with folys: and men persuynge syn Prouer. iiij. et. xiij.

And endyd my rebukes: but yet one company

(Of other folys doth) vnto my nauy ryn Psal. lxviij.

Cryeng with lowde voyce: captayne abyde / haue in Ecclesi. xxix.

I kest an Anker: and restynge at that worde i ad. [cor.] cor.] 1509 omits x. cor.] 1509 omits

Sende forth a bote: them to receyue aborde Ecclesiastes. ij.

But vnderstonde ye what company they be:

I you ensure that fewe of all the sort iiij. dis de[ni]que.denique] deinque 1509 denique] deinque 1509

Ar gyuen greatly to disceyt or sotylte

In couetyse / or gayne haue fewe of them comfort

But they echone that to this shyp resorte Esaie. xxviij.

Ar lothsome Folys of norture clene pryuate xiiij. dis. c. i.

Fedynge at theyr mete: euyn after swynys rate

sig: [R3v]

In shamefull vse: voyde of all shamefastnes

All theyr hole dedes: ar without reuerence

But lyke to vnresonable bestis in vylenes

Bytwene them and swyne as lytell difference

They spare no coyne / no coste / nor yet expence

But brede / and mete / dayntyes / bere / ale / and wyne

They drynke / and deuour / lyke wyse as it were swyne

The first of this sort whome I intende to blame ff. de. ori. in. li. [i.] i.] 1509 omits i.] 1509 omits

Ar suche as intende theyr lothsome wombe to fede Math. xv.

Or theyr face be wasshyd or handes: and the same Actuum. vi.

Do they or they say theyr Aue / or theyr Crede xliiij. dis. pro reuerentia de con. dis. v. in omnibus.

As for theyr Pater-noster: of it take they no hede

And for the great gyftis that they of god obtayne

They render no gracis ne thankes to hym agayne Plinius . li. xiiij. circa finem.

ref.ed: 261

Theyr lyppis ar foule / dryuelynge on euery syde

Within theyr handes is vyle fylth and ordure

Theyr noses droppynge / in vylenes is theyr pryde

Theyr iyen rawky / and all theyr face vnpure

By suche vylenes disfygure they nature

Theyr chekis dyrty: Theyr tethe by rustynes

Blacke / foule / and rottyn / expressyth theyr vylenes

No honestye / maner / norture nor clenlynes

Is in these wretchys / for they the same disdayne

He is kynge of dronkardes and of dronkenes c. a crapula de. vi. et ho. cle.

Reputyd of them: the whiche is moste vylayne

As gruntynge and drynkynge / rebokynge vp agayne Horatius in epis.

And that can excyte his felawes to glotony Percius.

Techynge them the bowles and pottis to occupy

Some drynkes: some quaxes the canykyn halfe full quaxes: OED suggests this unique form is a variant of 'Quass' v; Cawood's edition (1570) substitutes 'quafes'.

And some all out / chargynge hym in suche wyse

That the wyne semyth for to ryue his skull

That he hath no power from the borde to ryse

Than bokes he all vp after the comon gyse

(So longe he drynkyth) yet other haue no shame

Seynge all the table couered with the same

Than drynke they about / euery fole to other

In order: but he that doth forsake the pot

Shall no more be taken as felawe frende and brother

But cast out of company / callyd fole and sot

The other stryue drynkynge / echone by lot

It nought auayleth these caytyfs to reuyle

Shewynge howe this vse theyr soulys doth defyle

sig: [R4]

ref.ed: 262

It weryeth the bodye / by anger and syknes de reli. et. ve. san. c. i.

Styrynge it to wrath / to fyghtynge and varyaunce

Nought is wors than contynuall dronkenes xxxv. dis. luxuriosa.

For dyuers sores / great sekenes and greuaunce

Procedyth therof by longe contynuaunce Ecclesi. xxxi.

It lowsyth the body / troublynge eche ioynt and vayne Osee. iiij.

The wyt it wastyth / blyndynge the mynde and brayne

O cursyd maners / o vse abhomynable Luce xxxi.

O bestelynes / agaynst nature humayne Prouer. xii. et. xxij.

Whether is become the reuerence of the table

The moderate honour of it is lost agayne

Where is Curius and abstynence souerayne Curius

Where is olde Persymony wont to be so gode

Where is the olde mesure of mannys lyfe and fode

Where is the bryght worshyp therof nowe become

Where is the clenlynes / and maners euerychone

Of the borde or table / vsed amonge some

Of our fore-Faders that nowe ar dede and gone

But we vse nought but bestelynes alone

In worde and dede corrupt with vylany

In-stede of good talkynge vse we rybawdry

Gone is the honour and costomes moderate

Mesure is despysyd: ryght so is honestye

With hye and lowe: both pore man and estate Luce. xiiij.

Yet at the table another vse we se Prouer. xxv.

Whiche is vnlaufull / and ought nat vsed be Leuit. xix.

That folys at the borde haue oft the hyest stage

The boy lokes to syt before a man of age

ref.ed: 263

Thus is no order obseruyd at the table Iusti. de. iu. na. glo. fi. et.

Honestye hath the hyest place no more

But eche man is reputyd honorable Iusti de bo. poss.

After his ryches / his treasour and his store

The vyle Churle shall syt and drynke before de offi. cus. c. i.

Thus at the table is gyuen all honour

Nat after vertue / but after vayne treasour

To mannys maners no respect they haue

100

They take gode and yll almoste indifferently

A gentyl-man somtyme is set beneth a knaue

Without honestye / and moche vnreuerently

But whan these bestis hath set them-selfe thus hye Irreuerentia mense.

In handlynge or tastynge / mete / bere / ale / or wyne

105

Them-selfe behaue they moche bestelyer than swyne

sig: [R4v]

One swalloweth into his throte a soppe or twayne

Another drunkard / goth to / so hastely

That all together he castyth vp agayne

Another with fyngers foule and vnmanerly

110

Tossyth vp the mete / or lyftyth it a_hye

Vnto his foule nose holdynge it to wete

If it may lyke hym: and if the sent be swete

Some drynketh / the lycour on euery syde rennynge

Of his vyle mouth pollute: foule and horryble

115

Some whan the cuppis ar empty hyely synge

Some voyde mo cuppis than man wolde thynke possyble

And other some / galons: so that theyr ioyntis ar feble

They vomytynge agayne / rorynge vnmanerly

Troublynge the ayre / with barkynge / noyse and cry

ref.ed: 264

120

Some synge / and reuell as in bacchus sacryfyce

As rauysshyd with furour / whiche Bacchus doth blynde

Theyr myndes: attysynge them vnto euery vyce

And loke whome this sort moste vngoodly can fynde

He shall the borde haue ruled by his mynde

125

He brastyth a glasse or cup at euery worde

So that the drynke ouercouereth all the borde

Some pull from theyr felawes with hande rauysshynge

And from that mease that nere to them doth syt mease=mess

They taste the swettest and best of euery-thynge Sardanapalus

130

Thus Sardanapalus: whiche onely dyd commyt Iusti. li. i.

His mynde to vyle lust: without reason or wyt

Hath nowe many felawes: whome lust / corrupt and vyle

Fedyth and whome lackynge of mesure doth defyle

Suche ar best pleasyd with thynges Immoderate

135

But what man can wryte all vylenes of the table

And all the folyes vsyd in dyuers rate de sepul. certificari.

Syns wyse men lyue nat all in way semblable

Theyr lyuynge and maners ar greatly varyble Persius

For euery Nacyon at table hathe his gyse

140

Some we commende / and other some despyse

The grekis Latyns / and the men of Almayne

In theyr behauour many other thynges vse

Agaynst the vse of Englonde / Fraunce or spayne

The Turkes and Paynyms haue also in them mysuse

145

And men of ynde these wayes afore / refuse

Hauynge other maner: yet other them despyce

Thus euery Nacion lyuynge hath his gyse

sig: [R5]

ref.ed: 265

Mennys maners ar moche dyuers and varyable Terencius

Theyr wyll vnlyke in pleasour and solace Quintilianus

150

Eche royalme hath fedynge dyuers at the table li. ij. ff. de. treb. quia poterat.

And dyuers is theyr lyfe almost in euery place

Yet ought they all with herte and mynde to enbrace

Wyse talkynge / and maners longynge to honeste

Auoydynge foule wordes / and bestyalyte

155

The swynes lyuynge we all ought to eschewe Prouer. xxx.

In worde and dede we ought to auoyde excesse Ad collo. iij.

With communycacion / of goodnes / and vertue Thobie. ij.

Folowynge the way of honest clenlynesse

And with all our herte / our mynde / and lowe mekenes

160

Yelde thankes and gracis to god omnypotent

For suche goodes / as he: vnto vs hath sent

We ar nat borne into this worlde here Esaie. li.

Alway to ete / as bestis vnresonable

And euery houre: to vse suche bestely chere i. ad thess. ij et v

165

Ouerchargynge nature by vse abhomynable aris. ij. de anima

But to refresshe vs by wayes mesurable Ecclesiastes. v.

Our lyfe and body togyder to preserue

And hour of melys / by dyete to obserue

That mete and drynke shall do all men moste gode

170

That is receyued without superflue exces

To confort the body / and to norysshe the blode

Our soule is a spyryt as scripture doth expres

Wherfore it may nat rest in place of drynes xxxij. q. ij. moyses.

So must we our blode norysshe and meyntayne

175

For in the same our spyryte doth remayne

ref.ed: 266

But in euery-thynge is ordre and mesure Horatius glo. iusti. per quos: per no ac in prin.

By to great exces / and superfluyte

The soule and lyfe / may by no mean indure

And in lyke wyse by to great scarsyte

180

But this we fynde that many one / mo dye Ecclesi. xxxviij.

By glotony / excesse / and lyuynge bestyall

Than by hunger / knyfe / or deth naturall

In lordes courtis were wont vsyd to be Curialitas antiqua.

Gode maners / worthy / honest and commendable

185

Wherby all other myght lerne honestye

But nowe ar the maners there no-thynge laudable

But corrupt / and foule / but namely at the table

In dronken glotony is theyr chefe / sport and game

And rybaude wordes without all fere and shame

sig: [R5v]

190

Norture fro them by suche vyce is exyled

Theyr olde name / and fame of honestye

Ar vnder-fote / so worshyp is exylyd

Nat onely from the court and men of hye degre

But also from the symple comontee

195

Both yonge and olde / vsyth suche excesse

At tables / without maners of honest clenlynes.

¶Th'enuoy of Barclay.

¶Ye men vnmanerde / to whome intellygence

And wysdome ar gyuen / by the Prynce celestyall

It is to you shame / that no maner difference

Is bytwene your lyfe / and maners / bestyall

And that at the table in chefe and pryncypall

It is an olde saynge that man ought of dutye

Behaue hym on hyll / lyke as he wolde in hall

Vsynge and accostomynge hym to honestye

De laruatis fatuis.

Risit Democritus ... instrumenta: canuntque

sig: [R6]

Audiat vt ... larua tegebat

sig: [R6v]

Quem mox ... ille suum.

ref.ed: 267

¶Of folys disgysyd with vysers and other counterfayte apparayle.

¶ Democritus laughed to scorne and dyd despyse

These folysshe games and worldly vanyte

And suche folys as oft them-selfe disgyse

By counterfayt vysers expr[e]ssynge what they be expressynge] exprssynge 1509

But other wyse Cynicus a man of grauyte

Oft-tyme bewayled the bytter and harde chaunce

Seynge in the worlde of folys suche abundaunce

ref.ed: 268

IF Democritus sholde nowe agayne be borne

Or in our tyme / if he lyued: doutles Prouer. xiiij.

He sholde / the men nowe lyuynge laugh to scorne Iuuenalis

For theyr dyuers synnes and wylfull folysshenes l. si quis. c. de pe plinius li. vij.

And Crassus also / for all his great sadnes

Sholde laugh to scorne / our folysshe lyfe and wayes Solinus

Thoughe he neuer laughed but onys in all his dayes Crassus

sig: S1

But namely sholde he laughe: if that he myght se de vi. et ho. cle. c cum decorem.

The wayes of men in this our tyme lyuynge

Howe they with vysers dayle disgysed be

Them-selfe difformynge almost in euery-thynge

Whan they ar disgysyd to them it is semynge

That no syn is gret: nor soundynge to theyr shame

Syns theyr foule vysers therof can cloke the fame

To euery yll: theyr lewde lyfe doth them drawe

They wander ragynge more madly in theyr vyce

Than doth suche people as forsake goodes lawe

Whan to theyr ydols they make theyr sacrifyce

Whose names to tell as for nowe I despyse

But as for these Folys / arayed in theyr rage

They kepe almost euyn suche-lyke vsage

The one hath a vyser vgly: set on his face

Another hath on / vyle counterfayte vesture

Or payntyth his vysage with fume in suche case

That what he is hym-selfe is skantly sure

Another by pryde his wyt hath so obscure

To hyre the busshe of one that late is dede

Therwith to disgyse his folys dotynge hede

ref.ed: 269

Some counterfayte theyr tethe in a straynge wyse

Some for a mocke hath on gowne of whyte

And other some in straunge londes gyse

Aray them-selfe / eche after his delyte

And other some besyde theyr vayne habyte

Defyle theyr faces: so that playne trouth to tell

They ar more fowle / than the blacke Deuyll of hell

Than cary they theyr instrumentis musycall Eccle. xxv.

About: of theyr louers wyllynge to be sene

And theyr wanton hertis for to disceyue withall

But happy is she that can hir-selfe kepe clene

From these mad folys: for all that euer they meane

Is vnder theyr deuyls clothynge as they go

The deuyllys workes for to commyt also

They disceyue myndes chaste and innocent

With dyuers wayes whiche I wyll nat expres

Lyst that whyle I labour this cursyd gyse to stynt

I myght to them mynyster example of lewdnes

And therfore in this part I shall say les

Than doth my actour: and that in dyuers clauses

Whiche is nat done without suffycyent causes

sig: [S1v]

Many one whiche hath nat done amys In autem de sau. epi. col. ix.

All the hole yere: but kept hym from all vyce

Fallyth vnto synne: whan this disgysynge is

For some in baudy wordes them exercyce C. de epi. et cle. l. minime.

To venus warkes yonge wymen to attyce

But all theyr maners: if that I sholde shewe playne

It were to longe: and labour without gayne

ref.ed: 270

These folys that them-selfe disgyseth thus

In theyr lewde gestis doth outwarde represent

The frowarde festis of the Idoll Saturnus Saturnalia

And other disceytfull / goddes and fraudelent compitalitia.

Or els rather: forsoth in myne intent Mammurius

That they ar wyckyd spiritis I byleue Faber.

Sende out of hell (to erth) mankynde to greue

With dyuers fassyons they hyde the same vysage C. de pe. l. si. quis de cri. fal. ad audientiam.

Whiche god hath made vnto his owne lykenes

And gyuen to Adam and all his hole lynage

For to remember his excellent goodnes

But these lewde wretchys by theyr folysshnes

Defylyth nature / hauynge a chefe pleasaunce

For to disfygure theyr shape and countenaunce

Yet haue they no fere of god: ne drede of shame

Them-selfe to disfygure this wyse agaynst kynde

But besyde this: some them-selfe fayneth lame De con. dist. v. fucare.

Some counterfayt them as they were fully blynde

And yonge gentylmen wyll nat abyde behynde

Some them disgyse euyn as the other do

And so go forth as folys amonge the mo

Some goeth on four disfourmed as a bere

Some fayne them croked / and some impotent

Some with theyr fyngers theyr iyen abrode blere

And yet that is wors: and worthy punysshement

These folys disgysed moste set theyr intent

On hyest dayes / and most solemne also

In suche disfygured maner for to go

ref.ed: 271

As is christis feste or his Natyuyte de con. dis. v. quadragesima

At Ester / and most speciall at wytsontyde

Whan eche creature sholde best disposyd be

Settynge all worldly vanytees asyde

Than Venus stryfes accompanyed with pryde

Ar led by daunsynge / and other them disgyse

These holy festis alas thus they despyse

sig: S2

Whan the bytter passyon of Christ our sauyour

100

Sholde be remembred: these wretchyd folys ryn

To theyr disgysynge / vanyte and errour

To seke occasyon therby of dedely syn

Thus lytell they coueyt the heuenly ioy to wyn

With Crist our sauyour alas suche ryse to late

105

For worldly synne them holdyth in one state

Therfore let these Folys auoyde this mad mysuse

And folowe the right way of vertuous grauyte

Let them these lewde disgysynges clene refuse

For nought is therin: saue worldly vanyte

110

It is vnlefull / It can none other be

Where god made man eche creature to excell

Than man to make hym-selfe a deuyll of hell

I haue harde that a certayne man was slayne

Beynge disgysyd as a Fowle fende horryble

115

Whiche was anone caryed to hell-payne

By suche a fende. whiche is nat inpossyble

It was his right it may be so credyble

For that whiche he caryed with hym away

Was his vysage: and his owne leueray

ref.ed: 272

¶Th'enuoy of Alexander_Barclay.

¶Man be content with thy owne nature

As god hath made the of shape and countenaunce

Diffourme nat thy body / thy vysage of fygure

Nor yet in vesture: in play / disgyse or daunce

Art thou nat made to goddes owne semblaunce

Than certaynely thou art greatly to blame

By the blynde pryde of thy mysgouernaunce

Presumptuously to counterfayt the same

Viri prudentis descriptio.

Vir bonus ... docta canunt:

sig: [S2v]

Ex se pendebat ... nostra ratis:

sig: S3

Sed censor ... venerande vale.

ref.ed: 273

¶The descripcion of a wyse man.

sig: [S3v]

A Man that is gode: endued with sapience Prouer. viij. et. xxvij.

Repreuyth dedys nat good ne commendable

He chastyseth wordes: wherof myght growe offence Sapientie. vi.

And that to the ere haue sounde abhomynable Ecclesi. x.

But vnto the soule his wordes ar profytable

He techyth vertue: hauynge inwarde regarde

To his owne dedys: or he procede forwarde

ref.ed: 274

He auoydeth all yll and worldly vanyte

Sekynge and louynge the harde way of goodnes

And his hole lyfe in that way ordreth he

In euery-thynge auoydynge great excesse

The noble virgyll in wrytynge doth expresse

A wyse man describynge his poyntis nere echone

What maner man / in our tyme lyueth none

Of Socrates the hyghe maieste souerayne Socrates.

In this part had the hyghest degre

And went moste nere the hye name to attayne

For in his maners and lyuynge lyke was he

To suche a man: as we may wryten se

In the crafty Poesye of excellent virgyll

This worthy Socrates was ruler of his wyll

Within his boundys kepynge alway the same

He holly of hymselfe dependyd stedfastly

So constant and parfyte that none coude hym blame

Except it were by malyce and enuy

He was prouydent: gode and eche thynge wolde aply

Vnto the best: nat doynge to any creature

But that: whiche gladly he wolde agayne indure

And euery man that is in suche case

Of this goodnes to kepe the godly way Seneca epistula. C.v.

Within his herte hath many gyftis of grace

Shynynge as bryght as is the sonny day Tullius. in para.

His owne dedes doth he iuge by rightwyse way

Nat carynge for the grutches of the rude commonte

Takynge euyn lyke welth and aduersyte

ref.ed: 275

By his prouysyon he euer is safe and sure

From outwarde thynges his mynde doth he abstayne

He hath no brybes of any creature

To fauour syn / or yll men to meyntayne Ecclesi. iij.

He [e]uer is fre: lyberall: true and playne euer] uer 1509

With stedfast mynde / he vayne desyre doth hate Sapientie. vi

Desyrynge no-thynge: but that is moderate Ecclesi. vi.

sig: [S4]

He all is foundyd in parfyte stablenes Prouer. x.

Nat gyuynge hym-selfe to rest in any wyse Ecclesi. xviij.

Before he can by good prouysion dresse

All-thynge that to his lyuynge may suffyce

A pryuat profyte / he alway doth despyse

In respect of the wele of a hole comonte

Conioynynge thynge honest with his vtylyte

He euery day doth some-thynge / great or small

Aparteynynge to goodnes / laude and honestye Ecclesiastes. xii.

O wolde god that suche fortune myght vs fall Ecclesi. xxxvij.

That in this our tyme / suche men myght with vs be

And that men endued with wyt and grauyte

Myght teche the same / to magnyfy doctryne

And that the ignoraunt wolde to theyr lore inclyne

We ought nat sothly to meruayle in this case Ecclesiastes. i.

That of the folysshe folke a sort innumerable

Multyplyeth thus almoste in euery place

The cause is playne / for certis without fable Prouer. iiij.

Wysdome is banysshed / as thynge nat profytable

Out of the worlde with woundes on euery syde

We graunt no place to hir with vs to byde

ref.ed: 276

Who that wyll labour in this our wretchyd tyme Ecclesiastes. x.

To lyue in wysdome vertue and goodnes E[sa]ie. Esaie.] Easie. 1509 v. Esaie.] Easie. 1509

Is clene dispysyd of them that lyue in cryme

Gyuen to all synne and all vnthryftynes

They call hym folysshe / rude and full of madnes Prouer. xxix.

But he that can fraude crafty: and gylefull wayes

Hath name of nobles / and wysdome nowe-adayes

Gode Aristydes for all his rightwysenes Aristides

In this our tyme sholde nat be of great pryse Curius

Fabricius and Curius / for all theyr hye goodnes Fabricius

Sholde be despysyd: and Cato sad and wyse

Sholde nowe be mocked of suche as lyue in vyce Prouer. ix.

For it is sayde / and prouyd true and verytable Sapien. v.

That folys hath no pleasour but onely in they[r] bable theyr] they 1509

Of noble Plato: what sholde the sect dyuyne

Do amonge men that nowe-adayes ar borne

They sholde for all theyr wysdome and doctryne

Of suche folys be laughed vnto scorne

And if they trouth vttred: be all to_rent and torne

For the lawde and glory of this tyme nowe present

Ar gyuen vnto folys: men fals and fraudelent

sig: [S4v]

The company of men that lackyth wyt

Is best exaltyd (as nowe) in euery place

And in the chayr / or hyest rowme shall syt

Promotynge none: but suche as sue theyr trace

They ryches thynke moste speciall gyft of grace

But whan a Fole is thus become a state

He shall with his foly good myndes violate

ref.ed: 277

If the noble royalme of Englonde wolde auaunce Anglie defectus.

In our dayes: men of vertue and prudence

Eche man rewardynge after his gouernaunce

As the wyse with honour and rowme of excellence

And the yll with greuous payne for theyr offence

Than sholde our famous laude of olde obtayned

Nat bene decayed / oppressyd and thus distayned

If men of wysdome were brought out of the scolys

100

And after theyr vertue set in moste hye degre

My shyp sholde nat haue led so many folys

Both of men temporall / and of the spiritualtye

Whiche in the wawes of the tempestous se

Of this wretchyd worlde moche payne and wo abyde

105

For lacke of wyt / and reason / them to gyde

But none doth iuge hym-selfe for his offence Prouer. xiij.

With godly wysedome none doth endue his mynde Virgilius.

None parfytely wyll serche is conscyence

Suche fautis expellynge as he therin doth fynde

110

These worldly pleasours / alas mankynde doth blynde

So sore: that if the worlde hole were sought

Fewe sholde be founde that lyue ryght as they ought

And therfore in wordes both of sadnes and sport

With folysshe Cotis and hodes I haue disgysed

115

Of these Folys a great and meruaylous sort

Lyke as my mayster Brant had first deuysyd

But of these Folys though good men be despysyd

And had as Folys / no meruayle is truly

For in a folys syght hye wysdome is foly

ref.ed: 278

120

But though these folys repute men of wysdome

As wors than they: yet let them lyue and do Ecclesi. iij.

As virgyll techyth / wysely / and they shall come Sapientie. vi.

To heuen whan that theyr soule shall hens go

They nought shall knowe of mysery nor wo

125

And for theyr lyfe ledynge here in rightwysnes

Shall be theyr rewarde the heuenly blyssydnes

sig: [S5]

Thoughe wysemen here / of folys be opprest

Had in derysion: and kept in lowe degre

For this theyr trouble eternall ioy and rest

130

In goddes hye presence to them rewarde shall be

Wherfore o man I warne and councell the

Prepare thy-selfe to wysdome and prudence

Do thou hir honour with loue and reuerence

Wysedome shall men auaunce vnto honour

135

So Barclay wyssheth and styll shall tyll he dye

Parfytely pray to god our creatour

That vertuous men and wyse may haue degre

(As they ar worthy) of lawde and dygnyte

But namely to his frende bysshop by name

140

Before all other desyreth he the same

¶Whiche was the first ouersear of this warke Familiarem suum Iohannem_bisshop de eo bene meritum commendat.

And vnto his frende gaue his aduysement

It nat to suffer to slepe styll in the darke

But to be publysshyd abrode: and put to prent

145

To thy monycion my bysshop I assent

Besechynge god that I that day may se

That thy honour may prospere and augment

So that thy name and offyce may agre

ref.ed: 279

¶Thy name to worshyp and honour doth accorde

150

As borne a bysshop without a benefyce

Thy lyuynge small: thy name is of a lorde

And though thou nowe be stryke with couetyse

That vyce shall slake in the if thou aryse

(As I suppose) and lyberalyte

155

Shall suche fortune for the by grace deuyse

So that thy name and offyce shall agre

¶But if that fortune to thy goodnes enuye

As though she wolde: the nat honour to attayne

Yet let hir passe: and hir fraylenes defye

160

For all hir gyftis ar frayle and vncertayne

If she nat smyle on the but haue disdayne

The to promote to welth and dignyte

To olde acquayntaunce be stedfast true and playne

Than shall thy goodnes and thy name agre

165

¶Let pas the worlde for nought in it is stable

The greatter Baylyf the sorer is his payne

Some men that late were callyd honorable

Dyd theyr promosyon after sore complayne

No wyse man is desyrous to obtayne

170

The forked cap without he worthy be

As ar but fewe: but be thou glad and fayne

That thy good name and maners may agre

sig: [S5v]

In this short balade I can nat comprehende

All my full purpose that I wolde to the wryte

175

But fayne I wolde that thou sholde sone assende

To heuenly worshyp and celestyall delyte

ref.ed: 280

Than sholde I after my pore wyt / and respyt /

Display thy name / and great kyndnes to me

But at this tyme no farther I indyte

180

But pray that thy name and worshyp may agre.

In commendationem philosophię.

In precio ... benedicta quies:

sig: [S6]

Hac sine non ... vulgus iners.

ref.ed: 281

¶Of folys that dispyse wysdome and Phylosophy and a commendacion of the same.

¶With dolefull dolour: it sorowyd ought to be

That nowe-adayes the wysdome and doctryne

Of wyse men / iust / and full of grauyte

Is nought set by: but fallyth to ruyne

But folys that to wysdome wyll nat inclyne

Spyttyth for despyte on hym the whiche is wyse

And all his dedys doth vtterly despyse

ref.ed: 282

THe rude commontye / that wyt and wysedome lacke Psalmo. xxix.

Labouryth with all the power that they may Iohell. i.

Wyse men and gode: to thyrst into a sacke Apoca. vi.

For vnder fote of Folys without nay Sapien. i.

Phylosophy lyeth / oppressyd nyght and day

Folys it repute nought worth ne profytable

They haue delyte: in men to them semblable

sig: [S6v]

Who-euer he be that purposyth in mynde

The holy Toure of wysdome to attayne

And coueytyth his rest in it to fynde

Despysynge worldly welth and ioy mundayne

He must both hande and tunge fro synne refrayne

Obseruynge his body in grace by chastyte

And than of wysedome receyued shall he be

Phylosophy doth mannys mynde compace Tullius pro archia poeta.

With syghtis and iyen replete with holynes

To man it gyueth right many gyftis of grace

As eloquence: and waye of rightwysnes Ecclesi. iiij.

It man confortyth oppressyd in sadnes

By holy doctryne / and it doth socour fynde

For all yll mouynges / and fantasyes of mynde

It techyth man to all vertues to inclyne

It shewyth the way for to lyue vertuously

And by suche lore and vertuous doctryne

It techyth them that truly it aply

The heuenly way: vnto the sterres a_hye

We sadnes and sorowe may fle by this wysdome

And greuous chaunces or fallys by it ouercome

ref.ed: 283

The father of heuen our lorde omnypotent Prouer. ij.

Of his great grace and infynyte goodnes Ecclesi. i.

Hath sende this scyence to people innocent

To shewe them the way of grace and rightwysnes

All hir aparayle agreyth to holynes

Therwith she offreth frely to cloth mankynde

Sawynge hir sede of vertue in theyr mynde

She coueryth hir hede with vale of chastyte

Hir body clothyd with pall of the same sort

The rosys purpyll of fayre humylyte

Spredyth the grounde where-as she doth resort

Wherfore let euery wyse man haue confort Sapien. vi. et. ix

Onely in wysedomys presence and seruyce

For where she rayneth subdued is euery vyce

She fedeth man with dylycious drynke

Of parfyte wysdome: all vyce therby to fle

And vnto hym that euer on hir doth thynke

She grauntyth honour of parfyte lybertye Ecclesi. xxviij.

Whyle she is gyde the herte and mynde ar fre

For she expellyth: vyce and mysgouernaunce Prouer. viij. et. xvi.

Whiche ar rote of mysfortune and mychaunce

sig: T1

She gyueth laudes to all them that hir loue

And by hir doctryne and worthy sapyence

The wyse ascendyth to the hye heuen aboue

And to iust lyuers: and men of innocence

Heuen-yates she opyns theyr dedes to recompence

Thus wysdome is chefe gyder of our lyfe

Is blyssyd rest: slakynge debate and stryfe

ref.ed: 284

None lyueth so fyers / nor so cruell tyrant

But that noble wysdome by parfyte pacyence

Shall hym ouercome: but he that wyt doth want

For lacke of wysedome oft fallyth to offence

There is no lorde ne Prynce of excellence Sapien. viij.

That can well gyde his scepter and kyngdome

Without the helpe and counsell of wysedome

Wysdome is moder of fayth: and of iustyce

And all goodnes doth of it growe and sprynge

But yet moste people nowe insuyth vyce

Fulfyllynge theyr folysshe lust in euery-thynge

They foly folowe / but wysedome and cunnynge

They clene dispyse: hauynge scorne and enuy

At suche god men as them to it aply

But leue this foly / o wretchyd men alas Prouer. vij.

And both yonge and olde fast spede you to obtayne

The godly gyftis of excellent pallas

Endeuour your-selfe to drynke of hir fountayne Prouer. iij.

But o disciples of wysdome: spare no payne

To help your moder: for if ye be to slacke

The rude comontye shall thrust hir in a sacke

¶A lementacion of Barclay for the ruyne and fall of wysdome.

¶O synfull season: sore drownyd in derkenes

O wylfull foly o thou proude ignoraunce

Howe longe shall ye mankynde thus wyse oppres

That none almost in wysdome hath pleasaunce

ref.ed: 285

But men myslyuynge in mad mysgouernaunce

Ar so with statis in fauour loue and grace

That with them wysdome can haue none acquayntaunce

But clene exyled and foly in hir place

¶Alas the tyme: that wyse men of mekenes

Sholde be despysyd: yet fallen is that chaunce

Nought is set by: saue treasour and ryches

Playne trouth is foly: and pouertye penaunce

Boldnes and bostynge ledyth all the daunce

Venus all techyth for to insue hir trace

Fals flatery the most part doth auaunce

But gone is wysdome and foly in hir place

sig: [T1v]

Foule fal[s]hode hath confoundyd faythfulnes falshode] falhode 1509

The newe disgyses hath left Almayne and Fraunce

And come to Englonde: and eche vnclenlynes

Doth lede vs wretchys / we make no purueaunce

Agaynst our ende whan deth shall with his launce

Consume this lyfe: we may bewayle this case

Our wordes ar folysshe: so is our countenaunce

Thus gone is wysdome / and foly in hir place

Who can rehers eche sort of folysshenes

That vs mysgydeth through our mysordynaunce

Lust is our Lady: and glotony maystres

Sobernes is gone: and stately arrogaunce

Hath mekenes slayne: alas this is greuaunce

Vnto my herte: expellynge all solace

O glorious god direct this perturbaunce

That wysdome may agayne obtayne hir place

Concertatio Virtutis cum Voluptate.

ASpice conflictum ... inire viam.

Epigramma ad lectorem.

VIrtutis quicunque ... luxuriosa Venus:

sig: T2

ref.ed: 286

¶A concertacion or stryuynge bytwene vertue and voluptuosyte: or carnall lust.

¶Beholde here man dyrect thy syght to se

For in this balade I shall vnto the shewe

The stryfe of vyce and voluptuosyte

Had in co[n]tempt of goodnes and vertue contempt] comtempt 1509

But do thou so that vertue may subdue

Foule carnall lust whose pleasour is but vayne

Firste full of myrth: endynge in bytter payne

ref.ed: 287

WHyle Hercules lay slepynge (as I rede) 'W' of 'WHyle' is guide letter in space set for large capital

Two wayes he sawe full of diffyculte

The one of pleasour: at ende gyuynge no mede

The other of vertue auaunsynge eche degre

But of both these two wayes whan that he

Had sought the state: the ende / and the strayghtnes

The way he entred of vertue and goodnes

Therfore o reder that hast wyll to inclyne

To souerayne vertue that is incomperable

Thy mynde aplyenge stedfast to hir doctryne

Ouer-rede this balade for it is profytable

And though thou thynke it but a fayned fable

Yet red it gladly: but if thou be to haut

Fle from it fast and fynde in it no faut

sig: [T2v]

We pardon requyre where-as we do offende Horatius in arte.

Grauntynge the same to other vsynge to wryte

None doth so well but some may it amende

But namely if it be done without respyte.

None without leyser: can voyde of faut endyte

And mannys wyt / as dayly doth apere

Somtyme is dull: somtyme parfyte and clere

With wordes playne: I viciousnes confounde

Oppressynge men with fals flatrynge semblaunt

And throwynge Venus tentis to the grounde

But vertue I lawde: as goodnes moste plesaunt

Whiche with hir wepen most stronge and tryumphaunt

Subduyth vyce: and all suche as hir loue

With hir she ledyth to the hye royalme aboue

ref.ed: 288

Therfore let euery man / mayde / childe / and wyfe

In theyr yonge age to vertue them inclyne

Lernynge of hir the way to lede theyr lyfe

As of maysteres moste holsome in doctryne

Who hir insuys assayeth no ruyne

For hir rewarde is sure / and eternall

In erth here: and in the royalme celestyall

Thus shall he lyue in perpetuyte.

But let echone auoyde the viciousnes Tullius in off.

To hym promysyd by voluptuosyte

Hir warkes ar all oppressyd with blyndnes

And where-as she can wanton youth oppres

She hym so rotyth in slouth and neglygence

That nede shall cause hym fall to all offence

Lust brakyth the mynde: and as we often se

It blyndyth the vnderstondynge and the wyt

From mannys hert it chasis chastyte

All mortall venym hath the chefe rote in it

None can be helyd that hath hir byt

But noble blode she most of all doth blynde

Whiche more on hir: than vertue haue theyr mynde

Therfore yonge men gyue aduertence and hede

Here shall ye se: and so shall feble age

What yll of worldly pleasour doth procede

And howe she bryngeth some men to great damage

Than shall ye here what good and auauntage

What welth what rest / what honour and ryches

Comys to mankynde by vertue and goodnes

sig: T3

Obiectio voluptatis criminantis virtutem.

EN ego sincerę ... corniger Nammon:

sig: [T3v]

Me numide ... nulla voluptas.

ref.ed: 289

¶The obiection of lust blamynge vertue.

LO gorgays galantis: to galantis here am I Ecclesiastes. ij.

Lo here fayre lust: full enmy to vertue Sapien. ij.

Clothyd in laurer: in sygne of victory

The large worlde I hole to me subdue

My stremynge standardes alayd with sundry hewe

In tryumphe shynyth bryghter than the sonne

I all the worlde to my Empyre haue wonne

sig: [T4]

ref.ed: 290

All frag[r]aunt floures most pleasaunt: gay and swete fragraunt] fragaunt 1509

Whose sundry sortis no lyuynge man can tell

Vnto my pleasour ar spred vnder my fete

That all the ayre enioyeth of the smell

The vyolet that in odour doth excell

About in bosom by me alway I bere

The same oft-tyme inlasyd with my here

All my vesture: is of golde pure

My gay Chaplet / with stonys set

With couerture: of fyne asure

In syluer net my here vp-knet

Soft sylke bytwene lyst it myght fret

My purpyll pall / ouercouereth all

Clere as Christall: no-thynge egall

My wanton face: louers to enbrace: my wanton iye

In suche a case: shewe them solace: that none ar fre

So louers be subiet to me: in euery pla[c]e place] plame 1509

My hye beautye: voyde of bounte: doth them inlace

To hunt to chace: to daunce: to trace: what one is he

That beryth face: or hath that grace: on londe or se

In lyke degre hym-selfe to se: my pleasaunt pace

Is lyght as fle: thus none that be: can me compace

sig: [T4v]

I cast my pleasours: and hony swete

Ouer all the worlde none can beware

Nor loke so surely vnto his fete

But that I tangle hym in my snare

Whan I with youth can mete

With reason nat well replete

In lust I cause hym flete

Of grace barayne and bare

ref.ed: 291

What man is he that can beware

Whan I my nettis abrode display

Namely to youth I me repare

I blynde theyr hertis sorest alway

I take no thought ne care

Howe-euer the worlde fare

No season fre I spare

Frome pleasour: nyght nor day

With harpe in hande / alway I stande

Passynge eche hour: in swete pleasour

A wanton bande: of euery lande

Ar in my tour / me to honour

Some of voloure / some bare and poure

Kynges in theyr pryde / syt by my syde

Euery fresshe flour / of swete odour

To them I prouyde / that with me byde

Whan the stature / of my fygure

With golde shynyng / is hye standynge

They that inure / in my pleasure

With herte wandrynge / moche swetely synge

Garlandes of golde / to me offrynge

And me beholde with countenaunce

Smylynge / laughynge: eche wanton thynge

On myrth musynge / lernynge to daunce

Mo men me honour: for my pleasaunce

Than worshyp the mother of the hye kynge

I shewe them myrth / she harde penaunce

I pleasaunt lust: She chast lyuynge

ref.ed: 292

Who-euer they be / that folowe me

And gladly fle: to any standarde

They shall be fre: nat seke nor se

Aduersyte: nor paynes harde

sig: [T5]

No poynt of payne / shall he sustayne

But ioy souerayne / whyle he is here

No frost ne rayne / there shall distayne /

His face by payne / ne hurt his chere

He shall his hede / cast to no drede

To get the mede / and lawde of warre

Nor yet haue nede / for to take hede

Howe batayles spede / but stande a_farre

Nor yet be bounde / to care the sounde

Of man: or grounde: or trumpet shyll

Strokes that redounde / shall nat confounde

Nor his mynde wounde: but if he wyll

Who wyll subdue / hym to insue

My pleasours newe: that I demayne

I shall hym shewe / way to eschewe

Where hardnes grewe: and to fle payne

The swetnes of loue he shall assay

But suche as my pleasours hate and dispyse

In hardnes lyue and bytter payne alway

In dolour drowned / and that in greuous wyse

Endynge theyr lyfe after a wretchyd gyse

By couetyse / abstaynynge theyr pleasour

Chaungynge swetnes for bytter payne and sour

ref.ed: 293

By pleasaunt lust I callyd am ouer-all

Prynces pereles and glorious goddes

Of me procedyth pleasour: as is egall

To come of a hye and noble Empres

In me is myrth and songes of gladnes

And vnder my dayes and hours fortunate

Age hath first rote to holde vp his estate

100

The lusty Parys / by whome the ryche troy Paris

Gaue place to grece / as subiect to the same

In my seruyce had pleasour and great ioy

So that by me he spred abrode his fame

Those pleasours folowynge of whan I haue the name

105

And that remayneth in my auctoryte

And proude Cleopatra: was seruytour to me Cleopatra

sig: [T5v]

There is no londe inclosyd with the se

But that they all haue folowyd my counsell

As Afryke / Numyde the other I let be

110

I wyll nat tary theyr namys for to tell

But fewe or none ar bytwene heuen and hell

In hethynes nor yet in chrystente

But yonge outher olde they all obey to me

My deynteous dartis about full brode I cast

115

Amonge all Nacions vnto the worldes ende Epicurei.

The Phylosophers that were in tymes past

As Epicurians to me dyd condiscende

All theyr hole sect my quarell doth defende

For all theyr sect to this clause dyd assent

120

That lust and pleasour was gode most excellent

ref.ed: 294

Without corporall labour: my goodes shall profyte

Of mete and drynke I haue welth and excesse

I haue my pleasour / my ioy and my delyte

In deynty dysshes and swete delyciousnes

125

I lede nat lyfe in peryll and hardnes

Vnder heuy helme / in felde from any towne

Nat on harde strawe: but soft and costely downe

If ioy / and pleasour / dyd me nat ay insue

And lusty myrthe / with corporall pleasaunce Iuuenalis in satyra Omnibus in terris

130

So myghty kynges wolde nat them subdue

Vnto my tentis / whose myght shall me auaunce

That all the worlde vnder my gouernaunce

Shall it submyt / and dwellers of the same

Shall bere about the badges of my name

135

It is longe past syns that men first dyd thus

Subdue theyr myndes and bodyes vnto me

The myghty kynge callyd Sardanapalus Sardanapalus de quo diodorus et Iustinus

Left dedes that longyd vnto his royalte

Folowynge my pleasour and voluptuosyte

140

And rome victorious at last by hye courage Roma.

Yeldyd it-selfe mekely to my bondage

Eas welth and rest to me alway is best

Vnto my seruauntis I gyue the same

And where-as nature aperyth goodlyest

145

I am moste besy the herte for to inflame Hiere. vij.

With fyry brondes to Venus plesaunt game

No colde ne hunger to yonge men shall I gyue

But pleasaunt rest: whyle they with me do lyue

sig: [T6]

ref.ed: 295

My lyfe I lede in ioyfull Idylnes

150

Nat let nor troubled by any aduersyte

Therfore o youth that art in lustynes

And age also that of bad maners be

Tourne hyther your faces beholdynge my beaute

And you indeuer your erys to inclyne

155

To my preceptis / folowynge my doctryne

The tyme passyth dayly fro mankynde

Our dayes of lyfe longe whyle can nat indure Verba Sardanapali.

Therfore on pleasour establysshe we our mynde

For in my mynde no erthly creature

160

After this lyfe of pleasour shall be sure Sapien. ij.

Therfore be we mery the time that we ar here

And passe we our tyme alway in lusty chere.

Responsio virtutis carmine Elegiaco.

CArmine nugoso ... adusque tuis.

sig: [T6v]

Te duce morborum ... clara premit:

sig: V1

Magnus Alexander ... pectora vestra fidem.

ref.ed: 296

¶The answere of vertue ayenst this obiection of voluptuosyte.

sig: [V1v]

O Lothsome lust: o mad mysgouernour Ecclesiastes. xvij.

Of all mankynde / and rote of euery vyce Sapien. vi. et. i.

With thy barayne balade / and corporall pleasour Baru[c]h. Baruch] Baruth 1509 iij. Baruch] Baruth 1509

Howe darest thou greue me thus in any wyse me] me me 1509

Thy wordes ar vayne: thy myght I clene despyse

Howe dare thy cowarde herte me thus assayle

Syns thou / the bostest: vnmete vnto batayle

ref.ed: 297

Haue done and answere: disceytfull trayteres

Howe darest thou wretchyd men this wyse abuse

Or them disceyue by thy chraft of falsnes

Why doth mankynde on thy vayne pleasours muse

Why doth the worlde goodnes and grace refuse

Rennynge to thy foly / subduynge them in care

As fysshe or byrde to panter / net or snare

Why lawdest thou thy lust and pleasour vayne

Thy wandrynge wayes in synne and bestlynes

Who that the folowys / shall at the ende certayne

Fynde no honour / but payne and great distres

Thy faythfull felawe is bestyall dronkenes

Thy pursuyuaunt is dredfull worldly shame

Fleynge about to spred abrode thy name

sig: V2

Shame them subdueth that them submyt to the

Thy beautye blyndyd is by mysgouernaunce

I say nat nay / but fayre thou art to se

And alway wrappyd in halters of pleasaunce

Thy iyen wanton / with wanton countenaunce

Thy here glystrynge or shynynge as golde bryght

That many thousande destroyed is by thy syght

Thy purpyll garlandes couchyd with precious stone

Pure and resplendaunt is all thy apparayle

Aleyed gayly with perles many a one

Of purpyll colour of Tyre is thy mantayle

With precious stones beset as thycke as hayle

Thy gyrdyls gay / and rynges pleasaunt to se

But what is this: but worldly vanyte

ref.ed: 298

Thou art nat armyd / nor to no warre dost go

But standest naked / and all thy body bare

As chefe champyon vnto blynde Cupido

Suche feble men that lacke wyt to beware

Attysest thou falsly into thy snare

The bowe of Venus / and dartis lye by the

Hedyd with shame / myshap and pouertye

In thy one hande is the myscheuous dart

Of fleshly lust: and pleasour corporall

Wherwith thou sharply strykest to the hart

The olde / the yonge: the pore / and pryncipall

Thy other hande bereth in it venym mortall

Vnto the whiche if man nat well attende

With all yll shall he be poysoned at the ende

Of thy fayre forehede: the beauty and bryghtnes

And all the fassyon / and shape that is in the

Defyled and blyndyd is / by viciousnes

And flesshely lust clene voyde of chastyte

In thy vayne wordes is nought of honestee

Thou canst no skyll of honest sport ne game

But rybaude wordes / soundynge all to shame

Thou art distroyer of all mankynde

But namely to suche: as sue thy trayne

The wyt thou dullyst / troublynge thy mynde

The honest name doste thou distayne

Thou bryngest man to infernall payne

Wastynge his goodes by wayes prodygall

B[u]t his last ende / alas is worst of all

sig: [V2v]

ref.ed: 299

By the / in the worlde true loue is maculate

By the / dull slouth doth pyteously oppres

The lusty bodyes of many a great estate

Thou ar destroyer of vertue and nobles

And youth descendyd of byrth of worthynes

Whan they theyr myndes to thy precept inclyne

To nought they vanysshe / so fallynge in ruyne

By the / we greuous sores oft sustayne

Infyrmytees / sore peryls and mortall

By the / the soule is drowned depe in payne

In hell / amonge the fendys infernall

Thou makest man slouthfull and dull withall

To chast hartis art thou mortall ennemy

The wyttis blyndynge / or wastynge vtterly

Thou wretchyd lust dost stynt abate and swage

The strength of man / and his audacyte

Thou bryngest lowe the lusty hye corage

Of manly youth in his prosperite

Thou art the mete of all aduersyte

And cursyd fode of payne / wo / and doloure

Both to the pore / and men of great honoure

Of the hath mortall sorys oft theyr rote

And sore sekenes / where to no man mortall

Can fynde no socour / no remedy / nor bote

But for to speke of the / in generall

Recount all yll: and thou art grounde of all

Thou art the well / of eche disordered thynge

Of whose hede / vyle glotony doth sprynge

ref.ed: 300

Thou makest youth suche as thou dost attyse

To lese the vertue of manhode and boldnes

Theyr hertis dullynge with ferefull cowardyse

Thou makest age to grow in viciousnes

Thou makest many to wander in derknes

Of vicious lyfe / attysynge by thy gyle

Nought chaste thou techyst: but thynge vnpure and vyle

Thou hast no reason: ne stedfastnes of mynde

100

Of wysdome the purest grayne is fro the gone

No parfyte wyt shall man within the fynde

Of reasons sad / thou certaynly hast none

And thoughe at the first thou shewe vnto echone

Pleasour: and hope vnto honour to ascende

105

Thou them disceyuest falsly at the ende

sig: V3

The hande of many great laude sholde haue obtayned

By worthy tryumphe / auaunsynge so theyr name

If thou haddest nat theyr hye purpose distayned

Them by thy gyle withdrawynge from the same

110

So by thy mean obscured is theyr fame

And by thy venym thou hast intoxycate

The noble hertis: of many a great estate

Thou hast ouerthowe the wallys of noble Troy Troia voluptate interijt similiter et Parthi.

The parthyans / and dwellers of Asy

115

By thy deuowrynge lust haue lost theyr ioy

And many a Cyte by the / on grounde doth lye

The Cytees of Grece with wallys stronge and hye Grecia

Ly nowe on grounde the wallys with gras ouergrowe

The attyke royalmes by the ar nowe full lowe Attica

ref.ed: 301

120

By the was sodome and other Cytees drowned Sodoma

And that in nomber mo than I can name

Hath ben destroyed / and made euyn with the grounde

Corynth (by the) was lost with swerde and flame Corinthus

And moche parte of egypt was the same Egiptus

125

Tarent also / Assyria and eke Trace Tarentum

Thou hast destroyed: and that / in wofull case

What nedyth here to name the royalmes all

Or all those Cytees and places excellent

Whiche thou hast made from theyr honour to fall

130

By punysshement of our lorde omnypotent

Some drowned / and some with fyre of heuen brent

But to be playne we dayly se doutles

That all thy seruauntis ende in wretchydnes

But better is my state / my fortune and degre

135

For all my seruauntis that vnto me inclyne

Shall haue rewarde of ioy and blysse with me

Whiche ioy / in heuen abydeth me and myne

Vnto vs grauntyd by the grace dyuyne

By pacyent labour I pore men here auaunce

140

To worldly welth / and good in abundaunce

The yatis of heuen to man ar opened wyde

And he receyued in ioy that neuer shall cesse

So that I be his helper and his gyde

To lede hym theder by way of rightwysnes

145

My way is harde / and full of besynes

But at the ende I haue a restynge place

Wherin is lyfe euerlastynge and solace

sig: [V3v]

ref.ed: 302

Stronge Hercules that myghty champyon Hercules

And Iulius Cesar an Emperour royall Iulius cesar

150

And Alexander whose felawe found was none Alexander_magnus.

Consyderynge well his wyt and dedys all

These hath renowme that neuer can stynt nor fall

For that they euer obeyed vnto me

And many mo by me brought to degre

155

I haue auaunsyd to glorious lawde and name

Poule that was consull of the Impyre romayne Paulus_emilius

Whiche dyuers Nacions wan encresynge his fame

To the sayde romaynes / tryumphe and laude souerayne

And thoughe they suffred peryll and great payne

160

Yet hath the loue / and mede of me vertue

Nat suffred them harde chargis to eschewe

By me the honour of the hye eloquence

Of Cicero: and: his parfyte polecy Cicero

Ar spred abrode / shynynge: for excellence

165

And noble Virgyll the Prynce of Poetry Virgilius

The romayne lynage by vers dyd magnyfy

He and Homerus: with Poetis euerychone euerychone] euererychone 1509

Hath won theyr glory and laude by me alone

Arystotyll ensuynge my iust commaundement Aristoteles

170

Hath made his name / and laudes immortall

And also Plato moste noble and excellent

The Phylosophers all other / great or small

Hauynge no name / in goodes temporall Plato.

Hath left the worlde / with all his vanyte

175

And at the ende great honour had by me

ref.ed: 303

I clere the wyt / the speche I fortyfye

With sadnes reason / and pleasaunt eloquence

I man conferme / augment and edefye

With honour / laude / and knowlege of science

180

And to expres my myght in brefe sentence Prouer. viij.

None may here wyn / but by my socour

Lawde / fame / ne helth / ryches nor honour

In the is pryde: and all thy wanton wyll

Is set on ryot and wretchyd lechery

185

All vicious wordes doth from thy mouth dystyll

Thy hole delyte in lust and rybawdry

But as for hym that wyll to me aply

I shall by vertue brynge hym to rightwysnes

And than to glory by wysdome and ryches

sig: [V4]

190

I shewe my seruauntis true iustyce and pyte

In the hye Heuen sure-fixyd is my mynde

My hous is kept ay clene by chastyte

My god is hye: and who that wyll hym fynde Sapien. iiij.

For to be lyght: his lust must leue behynde

195

And so by labour / and parfyte dilygence Prouer. ix.

He may attayne that place of excellence

In vertue / is besy / and dylygent labour

For no good comys of slouthfull ydelnes

But swet and payne / at ende shall fynde pleasour

200

And parfyte rest: is ende of besynes

And he that walkes the way of holynes

And lyues in worshyp / ought to be glad and fayne

This quyet rest by my helpe to obtayne

ref.ed: 304

So whether thou lust to wyn name of honour

205

By wyt / or warre: by wysdome or by myght

Or in a Cyte for to be councellour

Or els by lawe to gyue eche man his right

Let me vertue alway be in thy syght

Than shalt thou by my mean / the way prouyde

210

In euery case howe / thou mayst best the gyde

Who that for loue of vertue speciall

Endureth labour / swet / payne and besynes

The endles pleasour of ioy celestyall

Shall be rewarde to hym for his hardnes

215

Vertue alone is of suche worthynes

That gyde it ought and / gouerne euery-thynge Prouer. viij.

And gode gyftis / parte / as is to it lykynge

But thou fals lust and pleasour corporall

All men disceyuest that vnto the inclyne

220

Thou first art swete / at last more soure than gall

Thou many thousandes hast brought vnto ruyne

And namely suche as of most noble lyne

Discendyd ar: for_gettynge theyr degre

Defyle theyr byrth: and auncyent name by the

225

Thou art so fyers: so hasty and cruell

That no wylde beste: no: nat the myghty bere

Can haue respyte within his den to dwell

Thy cruell clawes so fyersly doth hym tere

That on his skyn remayned skant a here

230

Thou sholdest his skyn I trowe rent of also

Ne had the Lyon: him socoured in his wo

sig: [V4v]

ref.ed: 305

Therfore ye men (whyle ye haue tyme and space) Plautus. in amphi.

Expell vayne lust and pleasour corporall

Whiche dedely yll is barayne of all grace Prouer. vij.

235

And rote or sparcle to kyndell synnes all

Therfore to Christ for grace se that ye call

Wherby ye may all carnall lust subdue

And plant in your myndes goodnes and vertue

So shall your hertis sauour the true doctryne

240

And blessyd fayth of Christ our sauyour

Whiche fayth shall brynge you to the syght dyuyne

Of goddes presence / and celestyall pleasour

But worldly welth / as riches and honour

Shall in this lyfe be part of your rewarde

245

Where-as vayne lust endyth in paynes harde

Latina nauis seu barca socialis.

Innumeros classes ... Argolicique viri:

sig: [V5]

Et veniunt ... tuta pede:

sig: [V5v]

Ne rapiant ... vnda rates.

ref.ed: 306

¶The vnyuersall shyp and generall Barke or barge Wherin they rowe: that yet hath had no charge.

¶Within my shyp ar folys innumerable

My shyppys dyuers forgyd here-before

With furious Folys / in foly perdurable

But nat-the-les yet here I forge more

And if perchaunce some-one hath had no ore

Nor place before: condigne for his degre

In this great Carake nowe shall he rowe with me

ref.ed: 307

HEre shall Iacke_charde / my brother Robyn_hyll Iacke_charde] Iacke / charde 1509 ij. q. i. multi. ij. q. i. multi.

With Myllers and bakers that weyght and mesure hate Eccle. xxxiij. et. vii.

All stelynge taylers: as Soper: and Manshyll

Receyue theyr rowme: bycause they come to late Iob. xxx.

The foulest place is mete for theyr estate i Es[d]re. Esdre] Esere 1509 v. Esdre] Esere 1509

A rowme for rascoldes hard by the pompe shall be pompe=pump, see OED 'Pump' sb1.2. Sapien. iiij. Sapien. iiij.

That stynkynge placis and knaues may agre

sig: [V6]

Come to Companyons: ren: tyme it is to rowe

Our Carake fletis: the se is large and wyde

And depe Inough: a pleasaunt wynde doth blowe

Prolonge no tyme / our Carake doth you byde

Our felawes tary for you on euery syde

Hast hyther I say ye folys naturall

Howe oft shall I you vnto my Nauy call

Ye haue one confort ye shall nat be alone Ecclesiastes. i.

Your company almoste is infynyte

For nowe alyue ar men but fewe or none

That of my shyp can red hym-selfe out quyte

A fole in felawes / hath pleasour and delyte In omnem terram exiuit sonus eorum.

Here can none want / for our proclamacion

Extendyth farre: and to many a straunge nacyon

But to be playne / and speke as [I i]ntende I intende] ntende 1509

All men ar folys that can nat them-selfe gyde

Thus all the worlde may I well comprehende

Except a fewe: whome I may set a_syde

All hole Asia: though it be longe and wyde

And farre from vs / and all nat of our lawe

Yet ar they redy our sayles vp to drawe

ref.ed: 308

From the farre Costis and hote of Lybia hote: perhaps 'hete'

The Mawryans and eke the men of ynde

And all the dwellers almost of Africa

The Lumbarde nacion vntrue of dede and mynde

All these within our shyp wyll placis fynde

So may the dwellers of Cecyle and almayne

Of Italy Fraunce / Flaunders / Grece / and Spayne

The Pycardes / Normans and Neapolytayns

Come in great clusters / our Nauy to augment

So doth Venycians / Gascowns and Romayns

And lytell_Brytayne is all of lyke assent

And also the great by ryches excellent

Whiche nowe is callyd plentyfull in Englonde

Comyth to our shyp / with Wales / and Scotlande

The out-yles all dyspersyd here and there

In the mayne se: also come in one bonde

So many comys that certaynly I fere

Within my shyp they all can nat well stonde

Hyther comys also the dwellers of Irelonde

Denys / and Mawrys / Patryke / and Mackmure

In mantels preckyd / for lacke of precious furre

sig: [V6v]

In Englonde is no Cyte / nor shyre-towne

Boroughe ne vyllage howe pore so euer it be

Nor noble Palays of suche a great renowne

But some maryners sende must they vnto come

But to be shorte and fle prolixyte

There is no Nacyon / ne regyon vnder sonne

But all or some / to this my shyp doth ronne

ref.ed: 309

Both yonge and olde / pore man / and estate

The folysshe moder: hir doughter by hir syde

Ren to our Nauy ferynge to come to late

No maner of degre is in the worlde wyde

But that for all theyr statelynes and pryde

As many as from the way of wysdome tryp

Shall haue a rowme and place within my shyp

My folysshe felawes therfore I you exort

Hast to our Nauy / for tyme it is to rowe

Nowe must we leue eche sympyll hauen and porte

And sayle to that londe where folys abounde and flowe

For whether we aryue / at London or Brystowe

Or any other Hauen within this our londe

We folys ynowe / shall fynde alway at hande

No speciall place wyll I chose for our rode

But at auenture: where the wynde shall vs dryue

But whyle we wretchys / thus sayle and rowe abrode

On this depe se / our foly doth depryue

Our soule from helth: and lond of men alyue

So that in the wawes of this tempestous se

Oftyme we lyue / in doutfull ieopardye

Our frayle bodyes wandreth in care and payne

And lyke to botes trowbled with tempest sore de hac meteria virgilius in secundo et. iij. enei.

From rocke to rocke cast in this se mundayne

Before our iyen beholde we euer-more

The deth of them that passed ar before

Alas mysfortune vs causeth oft to rue

Whan to vayne thoughtis our bodyes we subdue

ref.ed: 310

By dyuers chauncis ren we to ieopardy

And of our lyfe / god wot we ar vnsure

Oft of our chauncis we seke no remedy

But wander forth: our reason moche obscure

Tempest we suffer: sore fallys we indure

And to our iournay / so symple hede we take

That in the se / and Rockis our shyppis brake

sig: X1

100

A_farre of Scylla: the rorynge we may here Scilla

Yet by our foly / our myndes ar so cruell

That to the peryls (alas) we drawe vs nere

And some so wander without gyde or counsell

That in the hourlynge pyttis of ferefull hell

105

Theyr shyppis brake / and there alway remayne

Within that gulf / in endles wo and payne Caribdis

We wander in more dout than mortall man can thynke

And oft by our foly / and wylfull neglygence

Our shyp is in great peryll for to synke

110

So sore ar we ouercharged with offence

We se the daunger before our owne presence

Of straytis rockis / and bankis of sonde full hye

Yet we procede to wylfull ieopardye

We dyuers Monsters within the se beholde

115

Redy to abuse or to deuour mankynde

As Dolphyns / whallys / and wonders manyfolde

And oft the Marmaydes songe dullyth our mynde

That to all goodnes we ar made dull and blynde

The wolues of the se oft do vs moche care

120

Yet we of them can neuer well beware

ref.ed: 311

We se Polyphemus that foule and great Geant

In his dredefull den / mankynde also to dere

Whome great vlixes both bolde and valyant

Myght for his lokes drede: and quake for fere

125

A thousande Monstres [o]r mo / mankynde to tere or] ar 1509

And to deuour / and brynge vnto hell-pyt

Yet we (alas) our-selfe to them submyt

About we wander in tempest and tourment

What place is sure / where Foles may remayne

130

And fyx theyr dwellynge sure and parmanent

None certaynly: The cause therof is playne

We wander in the se / for pleasour bydynge payne

And though the hauen of helth be in our syght

Alas we fle from it with all our myght

135

Alas / therfore dayly we must indure

Great payne and wo: and well we it deserue

For he that of rest (whan he lyst) may be sure

And wyll none haue: he worthy is to sterue

We loue no wysdome: ne tende nat to obserue

140

Hir lore / and lawes: ne way of ryghtwysnes

But arme our-selfe with foly and falsnes

sig: [X1v]

Alas / alas the vyle and vayne goddes

Of folysshnes: and worldly vanyte

Hath made vs drynke: so of hir cup doutles

145

That all our wyttes and reasons blyndyd be

A wysdome wysedome great pyte it is to se

Howe fewe to thy preceptis nowe inclyne

Thy name decayes: and fallys to ruyne

ref.ed: 312

Alas dere bretherne / alas thou wretchyd man

150

O frowarde stocke to thy creatour vnkynde

Expell thy foly: aply all that thou can

To folowe wysdome with all thy myght and mynde

What ioy hast thou to wander in the wynde

In vyce and errour / without good-wyll to stent

155

Cesse man: and seke the: place ay permanent

Set foly: errour (and vanyte asyde)

Fle from the wayes: of suche as sue offence

Labour to obtayne a place: ay to abyde

Without ende before goddes hye presence

160

Lyst that hell-monsters by furyous violence

Swalowe vp thy soule to payne from ioy and blys

Whyle in this lyfe thou errest or goest amys

Socialis nauis mechanicorum.

STultorum trahitur ... decipit exspolians

sig: X2

Vendit opus ... insipidumque vocat.

sig: [X2v]

ref.ed: 313

¶The vnyuersall shyp of crafty men / or laborers.

ref.ed: 314

A Company gathryd togyther in a rout

Of folysshe men / and blynde by ignoraunce

Rowe nowe in botis my shyppis all about

Suche men ar they that get theyr sustenaunce

With labour of hande / and lewde of gouernaunce

But suche as labour truly for theyr fode

I wyll nat blame / but them repute as gode

Haste hyther laborers: our sayles ar a_loft

Our shyp fleys swyftly by myght of ore

But first of all ye folys that labour soft

And lese the tyme / makynge your maysters pore

In this shyp present shall ye be set afore Operarius ebriosus non locupletabitur.

And than suche as spende theyr wage in dronkenes

For dronken workmen come neuer to ryches

But why these Folys vnto my shyp I call

For to be short this is the reason why

For as the state of all men mortall

And eche other thynge chaungyth contynually Prouer. xi.

Without condicion / stable: certaynly

So is the state of labourers / disceyuable

And moche vnsure / and also chaungeable

The speciall vyce comon amonge them all de elec. cum magistrum. lxi. dis. miserum. xix. dis. sacerdos

Is that eche seruaunt fayne wolde a mayster be

Yet in his craft he knoweth nought at all

But is a Fole therin: and so shall dye

And many worke-men: as we may dayly se

Wandreth as folys: in slouth and ydelnes

Hurtynge theyr wages by theyr folysshnes

ref.ed: 315

One laboureth fast for lytell or for nought

His felawe to put to los or hurte therby

Yet he hym-selfe to pouertye is brought

By his yll-wyll / his hatred and enuy

And for that this vyce his herte contynually Ezech. vij.

Vexyth and troubleth / for nought he offreth forth

That worke or thynge that is great treasour worth

Yet this foule abuse and malyce enuyous

Of laborynge men: oft-tyme doth them oppres

With pouertye / to all mankynde odyous

If one sell for lytell another sellys for les

Tyll both be opprest with pouertees hardnes Leui. xxv.

Echone despyseth his pryuate auauntage

To do another displeasour and damage

sig: X3

Some make theyr ware iniust and disceyuable

Sellynge it forth for small and lytell pryce Ecclesi. xxvij.

The trouth appereth playne and verytable

For in gode ware the pryse doth ay aryse

But contrary if thou the trouth aduyse

Where a great thynge for lytell pryce is bought

It sygnyfyeth that it is stolen / or nought

All suche as c[o]ueyt the byers to begyle coueyt] ceueyt 1509

With flaterynge wordes fals and dysceyuable

Disceyuynge other / disceyue them-selfe the whyle

And all other ar greatly reprouable

Whiche make theyr warke nat true and profitable

But counterfayte and pleasaunt to the iye

And nought in profe: men to abuse therby

ref.ed: 316

The pryse of eche ware decayeth euery day

And yet the ware is skantly worth the pryse

Amonge all marchauntis / skant and vneth we may

Fynde one or two that trouth do e[xe]rcyse exercyse] ercyse 1509

But all ar blyndyd so by couetyse

That nought they force of fals disceytfulnes

So that they / may therby obtayne riches

Thus so great chaungis: and mutab[y]lyte mutabylyte] mutablyte 1509

Styreth the hertis of labourynge men to yre

That the most part abyde in pouertye

And to be short / echone of them conspyre

Agaynst other by malyce / hote as fyre

In all theyr hertis none / other thynge doth rayne

Saue enuy malyce / hatered and disdayne

What nede is it in wordes to be large

Or all the vyce of chrafty men to wryte

The payne were longe / and great sholde be the charge

And to the same I haue to small respyte

For if that any haue pleasour and delyte

In this our tyme to be constant and wyse

The comontye shall hym hate and despyse

Therfore I leue them in theyr folysshnes

Yet praynge god that they may ones amende

And so increas in trouth and rightwysnes

That I may haue cause theyr goodnes to commende

Who iustly lyueth iustly also shall ende

And who that in his craft is iust and true

Shall proue in ryches / and prospere in vertue

sig: [X3v]

De fatuis mundanis.

Dum me cura ... putata iacent.

ref.ed: 317

¶Of Folys that ar ouer-worldly.

OFt whyle man labours for to ascende

By fortune frayle alway forwarde

And whyle alway he doth intende

For his sore labour to haue rewarde

Than is his fortune so sharpe and harde

To leue his fote / at his moste nede

And let hym slyp in mortall fere and drede

sig: [X4]

ref.ed: 318

Who that lenyth on braunchys frayle

Or taketh his holde by leuys lyght

Can fynde therby but small auayle

But to the grounde descende downe-right

And though the braunches be stronge and wyght

Whan thou begynnest to slyp or slyde

In thy degre harde is to abyde

And thoughe the braunches be hole and sounde

And be to wayke the to sustayne

Yet shalt thou downe come to the grounde

So if a man take care and payne

To lyue in vertue / and good souerayne

Yet all this shall be nought set by

But if they be gyded craftely

The strongest braunche or boughe shall fayle

Without good wysdome if man ascende

But vnto the top if thou preuayle

Yet ought thou to thy fete intende

Eche thynge is prouyd at the ende

Therfore man ought hym euen to bere

In hyest rowmes is greattest fere

In clymmynge vp man hath great payne

But whan he at the hyest is

Hauynge great hope there to remayne

In welth and pleasour ioy and blys

Yet of the frute small part is his

For by one blast of wynde sodayne

In one instant he fallys agayne

ref.ed: 319

If one be in a rowme a_hye

Men that ar lowe seme to hym small

But to say trouth and veryte

Yet may theyr stature be egall

In lyke wyse though a man royall

Despyse them lyuynge in pouerte

Of one metall yet both they be

This worlde all hole goeth vp and downe

It ebbes and flowes lyke to the se

Wexynge and waynynge lyke the mone

Nowe in welthe and in prosperyte

Eft in aduers and frowarde pouerte

But that man folowes hye wysdome

Whiche takys all thynges lyke as they come

sig: [X4v]

Thoughe some in treasour and welth abounde

Thynkynge them-self wyse men alone

Yet whan that they ar brought to grounde

They and the pore: is all but one

And thoughe thou suerly marke the bone

Of begger / and hym / that kynge hath bene

Small difference shalt thou fynde bytwene

After the day cometh the nyght

So after pleasour oft comys payne

He is in prudence / but porely pyght

That can nat both in lyke sustayne

But if I shall be true and playne

No erthly thynge makes more debate

Than a vyle chorle come to a state

ref.ed: 320

Whan s[u]che a vilayne rude of his mynde

A_hye is set on a myghty tre

To gentyll blode can he nat be kynde

Yet he forgettis his owne degre

But thoughe the thycke leuys let none se

Howe moche myschefe suche go about

Yet at the last it wyll come out

If dethys ax the tre downe-throwe

And if theyr riches as leuys lyght

Away fro them on grounde do flowe

Than all theyr falshode is out in syght

But whyle the tre may stande vp-right

The leuys of ryches hangynge about

To lorellys often the lorde moste lowt

The noble fawcons ar oft opprest

The Egle blyndyd / and byrdes small

Ar spoyled and dryuen from theyr nest

Whan the gredy kyte wyll rule all

But if the kyte than after fall

By aduers fortune: or his iniquyte

The fawcons may well haue ioy to se

Thus well is hym that can attende

To take his holde by braunchys stronge

Whan he purposeth vp to ascende

And in the top to byde there longe

Without wysdome it shall be wronge

For who that clymmes by stately pryde

For greuous wyndes can nat abyde

sig: [X5]

ref.ed: 321

Therfore man who-so-euer thou be

That hast mynde and concupyscence

To brynge the into hye degre

Or in the seruyce of kynge or prynce

If thou be brought to excellence

Kepe petye styll before thy iyen

Vse iustyce / mekenes / and prudence

Remembrynge euer what thou hast ben

100

To get loue do thy dylygence

And if thou wylt haue amyte

To auncient blode / do reuerence

Thoughe it be but of lowe degre

Prouyde the in prosperite

105

For mysfortune: for it is sene

That fortune hath no certaynte

So thynke thou euer what thou hast bene

Serue god thy maker aboue all-thynge

And next that with thy herte and mynde

110

Be true and loyall vnto thy kynge

And to his subiectis iust and kynde

Let auaryce by no way the blynde

Than myght thou fall or thou wolde wene

So that no faut in the men fynde

115

Care nat to be as thou hast bene

De singularitate quorundam nouorum fatuorum

TE nostram accepi ... caterua ruat.

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Cernitis vt ... alterutrumque vices.

sig: [X6]

Oscula mortali ... specie vsque bona:

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Liberius poterit ... scripta viro.

sig: Y1

Iccirco stultis ... diuque Vale.

ref.ed: 322

¶A brefe addicion of the syngularyte of some newe Folys.

sig: [Y1v]

HEre maketh myne Autour a specyall mencion

Of ypocrytis nat parfyte of byleue

And suche as abuseth theyr relygyon

But I shall nat so sharply them repreue

I am full lothe relygious men to greue

Or discontent: for if I so do wolde

A myghty volume coude nat theyr vyces holde

ref.ed: 323

I leue theyr pryde: I leue theyr couetyse

I woll nat touche theyr malyce nor enuy

Nor them that Venus toyes exercyse

I woll nat blame / nor touche openly

It were but foly / syth is no remedy

But if I sholde vpon me take the payne

A newe labour I sholde begynne agayne

I them nat touche that cunnynge men disdayne

There were none ende in blamynge all the folys

The maners / rude / vngoodly / and vylayne

And assys erys clokyd vnder cowlys

Knowynge no-thynge / contemnynge yet the scolys

All these to touche and sondry vyces mo

It were to sore a charge and payne to do

I wyll nat say that they vse any syn

Yet oft / forsoth they folowe nat the way

Of the relygyon that they haue entred in Math. vij.

Thoughe they the name and / habyte nat denay

Yet of theyr lyfe full harde it is to say

But often at ende it proueth euydent

That vnder floures lurketh the serpent

The wolfe or Foxe is hyd within the skyn

Of the symple shepe pore and innocent

Mekenes without: but pryde is hyd within

The wordes fayre: but fals is theyr intent

No sort by falshode / or wayes fraudelent

May soner disceyue good folke by any way

Than the wyckyd sort of ypocrytis may

ref.ed: 324

Hange vp the scapler: the amys cowle and frocke

Or other habyte of eche relygyon

Vpon a tre clene dede / or rottyn stocke

Suche ar those folys that haue professyon

Leuynge theyr right rule in eche condicion

They bere the habyte the vesture or the wede

And eke the name / without the thynge in-dede

sig: Y2

And if that one lyue well and vertuously

In way of grace: lyke as he ought to go

The remanent assayle hym with enuy

And hym oppres with greuous payne and wo

Vntyll he folowe lyke as the other do

And leue his way of godly ryghtwysnes

Folowynge theyr lyfe full of all viciousnes

The gode ar good and worthy reuerence

And whan the Shepherde is ware and dylygent

Rulynge hym-selfe by vertue and prudence

Than grace and goodnes soner shall augment

Amonge the flocke by example euydent

But if the Shepeherde by foly hurte his name

Moste comonly the flocke shall do the same

Whan that the hede hath no diseas nor payne

Than all the membres greatly the sounder be

But if the hede be seke or sore certayne

Than ouer the body goeth that infyrmyte

But to be playne we dayly here and se

That the comontye / in theyr behauour

Ar suche as is theyr lorde and gouernour

ref.ed: 325

Alas what lewde relygion do they take

Or of what sort is theyr professyon

That of theyr wombes vyle theyr goddes make

As wytles bestis / voyde of discressyon

Thus it appereth that theyr ingressyon

Into relygion is more for welth and eas

Than by harde penaunce / our sauyour to pleas

Thoughe men relygious be countyd in the lawe

As dede and gone out of this lyfe actyue

That saynge surely is scantly worth a strawe

For suche dedys oft-tymes they contryue

That it appereth playne that they ar alyue

But as for that: a_part it shall be layde

At eche season: trouth ought nat to be sayde

A heuenly lyfe is to be monke or frere

Yet is it nat ynoughe to bere the name

Suche must they be in lyfe as they apere

In outwarde habyte: accordynge to the same

Than sholde none haue occasion them to blame

For certaynly no vertuous man there is

That wyll hym blame that hath nat done amys

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For he that is of god without all dout

Wyll be full redy and besy nyght and day

The workes of god almyght to go about

The deuyllys seruaunt kepyth another way

In lust and pleasour walkynge whyle he may

Seruynge his mayster: and yet in euery place

He fayneth vertue outwarde in his face

ref.ed: 326

Of suche a vyle and wretchyd ypocryte

And of his maners playnly as they be

At this conclusion brefly shall I wryte

As it is founde in good auctoryte

Leuynge my auctour for his prolyxite ¶Nota Barnardum contra ypocritas super cantica.

And to playne speche / and eke to lyberall

For to be drawen in langage maternall

By these poyntis the whiche I shall expres

100

Those ypocrytis shall openly apere

Whiche outwarde fayne vertue and holynes

In worde and dede: where men may se or here

But whan that they haue brought them-selfe arere

And out of syght / and others audyence

105

They ar moche wors than / other in offence

They outwarde in face present humylyte

As if they were holy and parfyte of lyuynge

Yet wolde they nat of men despysyd be Volunt esse humiles sine despectu

They fayne them pore: yet wyll they lacke no-thynge

110

Touchynge theyr habyte / vesture or clothynge Pauperes sine defectu

They wyll the same in costely maner dresse

Without all care thought / trouble or besynesse Bene vestiri sine sollicitudine

They loke to be fed / well and delycyously

Without labour / therin is no delyte Delicate pasci sine labore

115

Some men they flater / but other they enuy Alijs adulantes

And other some / they cruelly bacbyte Aliis detrahentes

Some men to malyce / by falshode they excyte Aliis inuidentes.

As dogges they byte some in playne audyence

For synne: thoughe they commyt the same offence Mordaces vt canes

ref.ed: 327

120

As Foxis full of falshode and of gyle

By sotelte they all theyr workes gyde Dolosi vt vulpes.

They boldly / other for statelynes reuyle

Yet as proude Lyons / ar they accloyd with pryde Superbi vt leones

And whyle that they in company abyde

125

They shewe them outwarde as Lambes innocent Exterius vt oues

Lyke rauysshynge wolues yet ar they of intent Interius vt lupi rapaces Sine autoritate iudices Sine visu testes Sine processu doctores Postremo falsi accusatores et omni virtute carentes hec ille. vt supra.

sig: Y3

They wyll be Iuges without auctoryte

And wytnesses without knowlege / or syght

They wyll be Doctours of passynge grauyte

130

Without processe in stody day / or nyght

And to be short / by Iugement vnright

They oft accuse good men / them to oppres

Theyr-selfe yet bare of vertue and goodnes

These ar the tokyns and sygnes euydent

135

Whiche in ypocrytis men may note and se

Also the religyous sholde be obedyent

And euer perseuer in fayre humylyte

Beynge content with wylfull pouerte

Enclynynge euer with all his dilygence

140

His chastyte / to kepe by abstynence

But nowe hath entred into relygyon

In-stede of mekenes and obedyence

Pryde and disdayne / and fals rebellyon

Yll-wyll / enuy / and other lyke offence

145

Wylfull pouertye / expellyd haue they thence

And all ar gyuen vnto worldly ryches

Whiche they out-wast about vnthryftynes

ref.ed: 328

But of theyr chastyte for to be playne

It for to kepe is great diffyculte

150

Where glotony and dronkenes doth rayne

But where-as is abstynence / and scarsyte

It may be kept / and best contynued be

The flesshe agaynst the reason doth rebell

But well is hym that the ardent hete may quell

155

But these wretchys haue moche gretter hede

Theyr wombe to fede tyll they be full as swyne

As for theyr soule they labour nat to fede

With godly wordes or holsome discyplyne

The greattest part to glotony inclyne

160

Whiche is the rote of Venus insolence

Nowe Iuge ye where is theyr contynence

By flatery fayre I loke to haue no mede

Theyr lyfe is godly that kepe theyr order true

And of theyr right professyon taketh hede

165

Passynge theyr lyfe in goodnes and vertue

And that the fendes workes wyll subdue

And eke the Fende / fader of all iniquyte

By sobernes subduynge theyr sensualyte

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Here purpose I no farther to procede

170

Let euery man chose for hym-selfe a place

As he shall in this boke ouer-se or rede

For hym moste mete: man knoweth best his case

And here shall I by goddes helpe and grace

Drawe all my Nauy / to hauyns for to rest

175

For fere of wynter stormes and tempest

ref.ed: 329

Wysdome hath gyuen me this commaundement

My wyt is wery: my hande and hede also

Wherfore I gladly with all my herte assent

And lepe a_borde / amonge the other mo

180

But in my iournay: if that I haue mysgo

By bytynge wordes or scarsnes of scyence

I yelde me vnto men of more prudence

It is no meruayle (the trouth playnly to say)

Syth I a mayster without experyence

185

Of worldly thynges haue erred from the way

By ignoraunce / or slouthfull neglygence

Let none be wroth for blamynge his offence

For if his lyfe fro synne be pure and clere

No maner hurt is sayde agaynst hym here

190

Within a myrrour / if thou beholde thy chere

Or shap of face: if thy colour be pure

Within the myrrour to the it shall apere

But if that thou be foule of thy fygure

The glas shall shewe the same I the insure

195

Yet blame thou nat the myrrour for the same

But thy owne shap thou ought rebuke and blame

The myrrour showys eche man lyke as they be

So doth my boke / for who that is in syn

Shall of his lyfe / the fygure in it se

200

If he with good aduertence loke therin

But certaynly his reason is but thyn

For his yll lyfe if he my boke despyse

For them I laude that vertue exercyse

ref.ed: 330

Let nat the redar be discontent with this

205

Nor any blame agayne me to obiect

Thoughe that some wordes be in my boke amys

For though that I my-selfe dyd it correct

Yet with some fautis I knowe it is infect

Part by my owne ouersyght and neglygence

210

And part by the prynters nat perfyte in science

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And other some escaped ar and past

For that the Prynters in theyr besynes

Do all theyr workes hedelynge / and in hast

Wherfore if that the redar be wytles

215

He shall it scorne anone by frowardnes

But if the reder wyse / sad and discrete be

He shall it mende: laynge no faut to me

It is ynoughe if my labour may be sene

Of lernyd men / and theyr mynde to content

220

For nought is pleasaunt before a Folys iyen

And to be playne it was nat myne intent

At my begynnynge to Folys to assent

Ne pleas theyr myndes by sparynge of theyr vyce

But it to shewe: and that in playnest wyse

225

Therfore let Folys haue theyr wordes vayne

Whiche nought can do / but without reason chat

All others dedes / by lewde tunge to distayne

And if theyr belyes be full / and chekis fat

Let Clerkes speke / and they haue scorne therat

230

They knowe no-thinge: yet wolde / they fayne haue prayse

And theyr owne dedes onely doth them pleas

ref.ed: 331

With suche Folys I ende my besynes

Whiche all-thynge blame / and vtterly dispyse

Yet all theyr lyfe they passe in ydylnes

235

Or in theyr bely fedynge in bestely wyse

But this I fynde / that no man can deuyse

A thynge so crafty / so good and excellent

Or yet so sure: that may eche man content

What warke is that: that may eche man content

240

No worldly thynge: forsoth I trowe the same

Thoughe Virgyll were a poet excellent

Afore all other / shynynge in lawde and fame

Yet some there were whiche dyd his warkes blame

Ierome with other Doctours certaynly

245

Cowde nat theyr warkes defende well from enuy

Holde me excusyd: for why my wyll is gode

Men to induce vnto vertue and goodnes

I wryte no Iest ne tale of Robyn_hode

Nor sawe no sparcles ne sede of vyciousnes

250

Wyse men loue vertue / wylde people wantones

It longeth nat to my scyence nor cunnynge

For Phylyp the Sparowe the (Dirige) to synge.

sig: [Y4v]

Excusatio Iacobi_Locher Philomusi.

VErtimus naues ... Lector amice.

sig: [Y5]

ref.ed: 333

¶A conclusyon of this Boke with a Balade of the translatour in the honoure of the blessyd Virgyn Mary / moder of god.

ref.ed: 334

O Moder mary flour of all womankynde

In beauty passynge eche erthly creature

In whome the Fende no thought of synne coude fynde

O blessyd moder remaynynge Mayden pure

O lemynge lampe in lyght passynge nature

Most clere Crystall by clene virgynyte

O holy moder / and virgyne most demure

Direct our lyfe in this tempestous se

¶O well of mercy: o godly graffe of grace

Bryght as the mone / and porte of Paradyse

In whome Chryst Iesu elect his dwellynge place

Chosen as the son / O rose passynge all pryce

Plantyd in Ann without consent of vyce

O noble fruyte spronge of a barayne tre

Syns to thy son: thou art our medyatryce

Direct our lyfe in this tempestous se

sig: [Y5v]

¶O ceder tre growynge in Lybany

O rod of Iesse / and spouse of Salomon

O well of water lastynge eternally

O gardayne / closyd / o flees of gedeon

O cyte of god / and sempiternall trone

Of god elect for thy humylyte

To the I call: o Lady here my mone

Direct our lyfe / in this tempestous se

¶O Mary / myrrour clere and immaculate

O tour of Dauyd: with Pynacles without pere

O pleasaunt olyue / with vertue decorate

Pyller of fayth / whyle thou wast lyuynge here

ref.ed: 335

O heuenly starre / of gardyns fountayne clere

O plesaunt Lyly moste goodly in beautye

Compasyd rounde with the sharpe thorne and brere

Direct our lyfe in this tempestous se

¶Hayle moder of mercy: Hayle myrrour of mekenes

Hayle Quene of blysse: hayle sterre celestyall

Hayle hope of synners / eternall Emperes

Whiche by the fruyt of thy closet virgynall

Mankynde hast wasshyd from synne orygynall

Lowse of our bondes / and make vs synners fre

From paynfull pyt and dongeon infernall

Gydynge our lyfe in this tempestous se

¶O Quene vs red out / of captyuyte

On the we call / in the our confort is

That by thy prayer to the hye Trinyte

All shall be pardonyd that we haue done amys

Syns thou art in eternall ioy and blys

Our mediatryce: before the deyte

Our hope is sure: that thou wylt neuer mys

Our lyfe to gyde in this tempestous se

¶O glorious Lady: o Quene most excellent

Howe may I synner thy lawdes comprehende

My synfull mouth is nat suffycyent

Worthy nor able thy goodnes to commende

My wyt ne reason coude nat therto extende

Thoughe euery member of myne were tunges thre

Yet is my trust that thou wylt euer intende

To gyde vs synners in this tempestous se

ref.ed: 336

¶Syns synners stray here in this se mundayne

In dyuers synnes / by errour and fraylnes

By thy bryghtnes reduce our way agayne

Shewe vs thy lyght to clere our thycke derknes

And to subdue the Prynce of viciousnes

With all his pompes / his pryde and vanyte

And come to heuen by way of rightwysnes

Thou gydynge vs in this tempestous se.

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¶O blessyd Moder / set hye in goddes trone

In ioy and blysse surmountynge mannes mynde

Syns by thy fruyte we saued ar echone

And heuen yatis opened to mankynde

Graunt that we dayly by the may socour fynde

Of soule and body in eche aduersyte

Let thy lyght. Lady. the Fende subdue and blynde

And gyde vs wretches in this tempestous se

¶Thou art the Sterre / blasynge with bemys bryght

Aboue these worldes wawes so violent

Our synnes darke enclerynge with thy lyght

Mannys mediatryce to god omnypotent

Wherfore to the / o Lady I present

This symple Boke thoughe it vnworthy be

But pore and symple and moche ineloquent

Rudely composyd in this tempestous se

¶O blessyd virgyn / O resplendaunt lanterne

Defende my Shyp from the malyciousnes

Of fals enuy / withsaue it to gouerne

From stroke of storme: as most holy patrones

ref.ed: 337

My soule and body: to the also Empres

And all my workes I submyt besekynge the

That the foule Fende me neuer may oppres

Whyle I here wander in this tempestous se

¶And after whan my soule is seperate

From this mortall body / and clot of clay

With thy holy presence / o moder immaculate

From me expell the ougly fende away

O moder of mercy syns thou well may

Thy sonnes presence purchace for me

By thy ayde and socour that I may say

That I haue escapyd this stormy se.

¶Our Shyp here leuyth the sees brode

By helpe of God almyght and quyetly

At Anker we lye within the rode

But who that lysteth of them to bye

In Flete_strete shall them fynde truly

At the George: in Richa[r]de_Pynsonnes place Richarde] Richade 1509

Prynter vnto the Kynges noble grace.

Deo gratias.

sig: [Y6v]