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