<P cxvii>
<L R>
TABULA
<L R>
THE REGYSTER OR TABLE OF THIS PRESENT BOKE IN ENGLYSSHE.
$Alexander $Barclay excusynge the rudenes of his translacion, ye first lefe 
$Barclay ye translatour to ye folys.
+
A prologe in prose shewynge to what intent this Boke was firste made, & who 
were the first Auctours of it.
+
Another Prologe: in Balade concernyng the same.
+
In what place this Boke was translate and to what purpose it was translatyd.
+
Here begynneth the Folys and firste of inprofytable bokys.
+
Of euyll Counsellours Juges & men of lawe.
+
Of couetyse and prodigalyte.
+
Of newe disgysynges in apparayle.
+
A lawde of the nobles and grauyte of Kynge $Henry the eyght.
+
Of olde Folys encresynge foly with age
+
Of negligent Fathers ayenst their Children.
+
Of taleberers: & mouers of debate.
+
Of nat folowers of good counsel.
<P cxviii>
Of vngoodly maners, and dysordred.
+
Of the hurtynge of frendshyp.
+
Of dispysers of holy scripture.
+
Of folys inprouydent.
+
Of disordred & venerious loue.
+
Of them that synne trustynge vpon the mercy of almyghty $god.
+
Of folys yt begyn great byldynge without sufficient prouysion.
+
Of glotons, and droncardes.
+
Of ryches vnprofytable.
+
Of folys that wyl serue two lordes both togyther.
+
Of superflue speche.
+
Of them that correct other, them self culpable in the same faut.
+
Of folys that fynde others good, nat restorynge the same to the owner.
+
The sermon or doctryne of wysdom.
+
Of Folys bostyng them in fortune.
+
Of the superflue curyosyte of men.
+
Of great borowers, & slacke payers.
+
Of vnprofitable vowers & peticions.
+
Of negligent stodyers.
+
Of them that folysshly speke ayenst the workes of $god.
+
Of lewde Juges of others dedes.
+
Of the pluralytees of benefyces.
+
Of synners that prolonge from daye to day to amende theyr myslyuyng.
+
Of men that ar Jelous.
+
Of auoutry, and specially of suche as ar bawdes to theyr wyues.
<P cxix>
Of suche as nedys wyll contynue in theyr foly nat withstandynge holsom 
erudicion.
+
An addicion of the secundaries of Otery saynt $Mary, in $Deuynshyre.
+
Of wrathfull folys.
+
Of mutabylyte of fortune.
+
Of seke men inobedient.
+
Of to open councellers.
+
Of folys that can nat be ware by ye mysfortune nor take example of others 
damage.
+
Of folys that force or care for the bacbytynge of lewde people.
+
Of mockers and fals accusers.
+
Of them that despyse euerlastynge blys for worldly thynges & transitory.
+
Of talkers and makers of noyse in the Chirche of $god.
+
Of folys that put them self in wylful ieopardy and peryll.
+
Of the way of folycyte, and godnes and the payne to come to synners.
+
Of olde folys yt gyue example of vyce to youth negligent & vnexpert.
+
Of bodely lust or corporall voluptuosyte.
+
Of folys that can nat kepe secrete theyr owne counsell.
+
Of yonge folys that take olde wymen to theyr wyues nat for loue but for ryches.
+
Of enuyous Folys.
+
Of impacient folys disdaynynge to abyde and suffer correccion, for theyr 
profyte.
+
Of folysshe Fesicians vsynge theyr practyke without speculacyon.
<P cxx>
Of the ende of worldly honour & power and of folys yt trust in them.
+
An addicion of $Alexander $barclay.
+
Of predestinacyon.
+
Of folys that aply other mennys besynes leuynge theyr owne vndone.
+
Of the vyce of ingratytude or vnkyndnes and folys that vse it.
+
Of Folys that stande to moche in theyr owne conceyte.
+
Of folys that delyte them in daunsynge.
+
Of nyght watchers.
+
Of the vanyte of beggers.
<P 1>
<L R>
$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.
<P 2>
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 Just.
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.
<L R>
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.
<L R>
$Barclay the Translatour tho the Foles.
+
To Shyp galantes the se is at the ful.
The wynde vs calleth out 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 Ankers vp wayed.
If any corde of 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 & 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.
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.
<P 4>
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%Non mihi si lingua centum+
sint; oraque centum ferrea vox omnes/ceterum comprehendere formas. Omnia +
stultorum percurrere nomina possem (1570)
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 though I lyued vnto the worldes ende.
+
But if these vyces whiche mankynde doth incomber.
Were clene expellyd and vertue in theyr place.
I cowde nat haue gathered of fowles 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.
<P 11>
<L R>
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 & 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 thought 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
<b.ii.>
Grace is decayed, yll governaunce doth growe
Both prudent $Pallas and $Minerua are slayne
Or els to heuyn retourned are they agayne
<P 12>
Knowledge 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 Justice 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.%Eccle*s 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.
But if he haue a great wombe, and his Cofers ful%Prouer.xxvi
Than is none holde wyser bytwene $London and $Hul.
<P 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 pleasant cole dothe blowe.
The Foles assembleth as fast as they may dryue.
Some swymmeth after: other as thycke doth rowe
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
<P 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%Quis potest dicere mundum est cor +
meum purussum a peto.
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
+
But who so euer wyll knowlege his owne foly
And it repent, lyuynge after in symplynesse
Shall haue no place nor rowme more in our nauy
<b.iij.>
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
Suche shall in this Barge bere a babyll and a bell
<P 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
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 saguinem Prouer.i,Psal.xlviij.
Children with theyr faders that yll do them insygne
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
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:
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.
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.
<P 16>
But to thentent that euery man may knowe
The cause of my wrytynge: certes I intende%Scribendi causa
To profyte and to please both hye and lowe
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.
+
Afore my dayes a thousande yere ago
Blamynge and reuylynge the inconuenyence
Of people, wyllynge them to withdrawe therfro
Them I ensue: nat lyke of intellygence
And though I am nat to them lyke in science
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
Closynge the iyen of theyr intellygence
But if I halt in meter or erre in eloquence
Or be to large in langage I pray you blame nat me
For my mater is so bad it wyll none other be
<P 19>
<L R>
Here begynneth the foles and first inprofytable bokes.
<L 1>
I am the first 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
<P 20>
That iu this shyp the chefe place I gouerne%Diodorus Siculus li.i. Ecclesi.xij.
By this wyde see with folys wanderynge
The cause is playne, and easy to dyscerne
Styll am I besy bokes assemblynge
For to haue plenty it is a plesaunt thynge
In my conceyt and to haue them ay in honde%Dabitur liber nescientibus literas +
esaie.xxix.
But what they mene do I nat vnderstonde
+
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
+
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%Ptolomeus philadetemus me minit. +
Josephus. li.xij.
Ouer all the worlde good bokes to be sought
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
<P 21>
Lo in lyke wyse of bokys I haue store%Qui parum studet parum proficit glo. +
L. vnicuique. G. dexsacr.scri.
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 shole 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 gentyllmannys 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 boks excercyse
Or els I shall ensue the comon gyse
And say concedo to euery argument
Lyst by moche speche my latyn sholde be spent
<P 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
Against 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 :%Prouer. quinto ff.de origine.+
iur. l.ii.post originem.
Consyder our olde faders : note wel theyr diligence :
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.
Therfore in this Shyp let them come rowe with me.
<P 23>
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $ALEXANDER $BARCLAY TRANSLATOUR EXORTYNGE THE FOLES 
<L R>
ACCLOYED WITH THIS VICE TO AMENDE THEYR FOLY.
<L 92>
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.
<P 24>
<L R>
Of euyl Counsellours, Juges and men of lawe.
<L 99>
He that Office hath and hyghe autorite.
To rule a Royalme: as Juge or Counsellour
Which seynge Justice, 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.
<P 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 Justice.%Ecclesiasti.ij.& ij. +
q.vii.  Sicut xxx.q.v.iudicantem
But speketh at auenture : as men throwe the dyce.
+
Suche in the Senate ar taken oft to counsayle
With Statis of this and many a other region.
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.
+
Whan noble $Rome all the worlde dyd gouerne%Salustius bel.catelinario. Dilecti +
quibus corpus annis infermum ingenium sapientia validum erat reip. +
consultabant hij.&c.
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%Judicandum legibus non exemplis.l.+
meum. C. desentem & inter.
Hath no defence, tuycion, strength nor myght
Suche is the olde custome of this faculte
That colours oft cloke Justyce and equyte
None can the mater fele nor vnderstonde
Without the aungell be weyghty in his honde
<P 26>
Thus for the hunger of syluer and of golde
Justyce 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 Justycis syght
+
There is one and other alleged at the barre%vidi sub sole loco iudicii +
impietatem: et in loco iusticie inquitatem ecclesi iij.
And namely suche as chrafty were in glose
Upon the lawe : the clyentis stande afarre
Full lytell knowynge howe the mater goose
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 & si ad tempus.
Unto the others faynyd opynyon
Thou sholde say trouthe, so Justyce doth the bynde
And also lawe gyueth the commyssyon
To knowe hir, and kepe hir without transgressyon
Lyst they whome thou hast Juged wrongfully%Virgilius nec curare deum credis +
mortalia quemquam
Unto the hye Juge 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 ubi consulueris mature opus est facto.
No thynge is secrete, nor hyd from his presence
Wherefore if thou wylt gyde the by prudence
Or thou gyue Jugement of mater lesse or more
Take wyse mennys reade and good counsayle before
<c.ii>
<P 27>
Loke in what Balance, what weyght and what mesure
Thou seruest other. for thou shalt serued be%De pe et re c. cum ex eo.
With the same after this lyfe I the ensure.
If thou ryghtwysly Juge by lawe and equyte
Thou shalt haue presence of $goddes hyghe maiestye
But if thou Juge amys : than shall Eacus
(As Poetis sayth) hell Juge thy rewarde discusse
+
$God is aboue and regneth sempiternally.%C.de iudi.l.rem
Whiche shall vs deme at his last Jugement,
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 ludi. cum eterni +
li.vi.Sap.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 Juges so iuges, Lo here theyr trauayle
Worthely rewarded in wo withouten ende.
Than shall no grace be graunted ne space to amende.
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $ALEXANDER $BARCLAY THE TRANSLATOUR.
<L 183>
Therfore ye yonge Studentes of the Chauncery :
(I speke nat to the olde the Cure of them is past)
Remember that Justyce longe hath in bondage be
<P 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 Justyce lyeth bounde.
+
Thoughe your fore Faders haue take hir prysoner%Luce.xi. et vobis
legisperitis ve quia oneratis homines oneribus que portare non possunt et +
ipsi vno digito non tangitis sarcinas.ff.
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.
<P 29>
<L R>
Of Auaryce or Couetyse and prodygalyte.
<L 197>
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. 
<P 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 wrongfully%Primo xlviij.
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.
+
There wandreth he in dolour and derknes%Ecclesiasti.v.
Amonge infernall flodes tedyous and horryble%Ps.xlviij.
Let se what auayleth than all his ryches
Ungracyously gotyne, his paynes ar terryble
Than wolde he amende but it is inpossyble
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
<P 31>
But of the couetous somwhat to say agayne%Vendi animam lucro.&c. 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%Juuenalis
Of mysauenture, nor neuer art content
Deth is forgoten, thou carest nat a here
To saue thy soule from infernall punysshement%Sophonia si cased et argentum +
&c.Luce.xvi.Tob.xxvij.
If thou be dampned, than art thou at thy stent
By thy ryches which thou here hast left behynde
To thy executours, thou shalt small comforte fynde
+
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.
<P 32>
Rede $Tullius warkes the worthy Oratour.%Tullius in para.
And writen shalt thou fyynde in right fruteful sentence
That neuer wyseman 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 Just 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 & 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.quam.+
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.
<P 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.
For golde was theyr god and that is left behynde
Theyr bodyes beryed the soule clene out of mynde
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $ALEXANDER $BARCLAY TRANSLATOUR.
<L 296> 
Therfore thou couetouse thou wretch I speke to the.
Amende thy selfe ryse out of this blyndenes.
Content thy 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.
<P 34>
<L R>
Of new fassions and disgised Garmentes.
<L 303>
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 on is a Fole and skant shal euer thee
And comonly it is sene that nowe a dayes
One Fole gladly folowes anothers wayes.
<P 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 onipotent.
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.xviij.
+
Aparayle is apayred. Al sadness is decayde%ij.Regum.x. Nouitatibus +
indulgendum non est xi.dis C. de consue cum consuetudinibus.
The garmentes ar gone that longed to honestye.
And in newe sortes newe Foles ar arayede
Despisynge the costom of good antiquyte.
Mannys fourme is disfigured with euery degre
As Knyght Squyer yeman Jentilman and knaue
For al in theyr goynge vngoodely them behaue
+
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.
<P 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 Jentelman : 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 Jentylmen 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
<P 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 Jebet 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 inclyed to this inconuenyence.
But namely therwith these Courters are defyled.
Bytwen mayster and man I fynde no dyfference.
Therfore ye Courters knowledge 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. vultimo li.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.
<P 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 Jentyl wymen whome this lewde vice doth blynde
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 sit soft.  
Do on your Decke Slut : yf ye purpos to come oft.
I mean your Copyntanke : And if it wyl do no goode.
To kepe you from the rayne. ye shall haue a foles hode.
+
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
Folowynge newe fassyons, not graunted by doctry
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
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.
<P 39> 
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
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 wymen also disfourmynge theyr fygure.
Wors than the Turkes, Jewes, or Sarazyns.%Seneca in hercule etheo. +
anostrophe ad angliam.
A Englonde Englonde amende or be thou sure
Thy noble name and fame can nat endure
Amende lyst $god do grueously chastyce.
Bothe the begynners and folowes of this vyce.
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $ALEXANDER $BARCLAY YE TRANSLATOUR.
<L 427> 
Reduce courters clerly vnto your rembrance
From whens this disgysyng was brought wherein ye go
As I remember it was brought out of $France
This is to your plesour.  But payne ye had also.
As French 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 gravitate eximia %
henrician glorum 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
<d.i.>
<P 40>
Away with this pryde, this statelynes let be
Rede of the Prophetis clothynge or vesture
And of $Adam firste of your ancestrye
Of $Johnn the Prophete, theyr clothynge ws obscure
Ugle and homly, but nowe what creature
Wyll then eusue, sothly fewe by theyr wyll
Therfore suche folys my nauy shall fulfyll
<P 41>
<L R>
Of old folys that is to say the longer they lyue the more they ar 
<L R>
gyuen to foly.
<L 468>
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
<P 42>
The madnes of my youthe rotyd in my age%Inveterate fatuitas.  Inveterate +
diersu malorum, nunc venerunt peccata tua quae operabaris prius.  A +
senioribus egressa est iniquitas. Puer centum annotum monetur & peccator +
centum annorum maledictus erit.  Stultitia est quae me non sunt esse +
senem.(1570)
And the blynde foly of my iniquite
Wyll me nat suffer to leue myne old vsage
Nor my fore lyuynge full of enormyte
Lame ar his lymmys, and also I can nat se%Ouidius in fast. Prouer.xxij. +
Esaie xlvi.
I am a childe and yet lyuyd haue I
An hundreth wynter, encresynge my foly
+
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
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 percator in desideris 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.
<P 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%Juuenalis
That me his father he shall pas and excell
O that my herte shall than be wonder glad
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 Juge of the comon place.
<P 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
<L R>
$BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 539>
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.&.xviij.
+
What thinge is more abhomynable in $goddes syght.
Than vicious age : certaynly no thynge.
It is eke worldly shame, whan thy corage and mycht
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.
<d.iij>
<P 45>
<L R>
Of the erudicion of neglygent faders anenst theyr chyldren.
<L 560>
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
Causyth the Chylde for to fall to great offence
<P 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.
For whyle they ar yonge fereful and tender of age.%Prouer.xiij.Eccle.xxx.+
lxv.dis.cum bea.
Theyre vyce and foly is easy to asswage.
+
Two dyuers sortes of these foles may we fynde.
By whome theyr chyldren ar brought to confusion.
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.
+
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 Jepardy
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
<P 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%Juuenalis. 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 aptness outwarde and syne of grauyte
But fyll an erthen pot first with yll lycoure
And euer after it shall smell somwhat soure%Horatius in ars poetica
+
So youth brought vp in lewdnes and in sin%Quo semel est imbuta recens seruabit +
odorem resta diu.
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
<P 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 : they 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 Lucrecia sese interemit.
For rauysshynge chaste $Lucres agaynst hyr assent.
Wherfore hyrselfe she slewe hyr seynge thus defiled.
For the which dede this $Tarquyn was exiled.
+
From $Rome : wandrynge in the Costes of $Italy.
Dyd nat the traytour $Catelyne also conspyre%C. 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.
<P 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.
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
And them submyt to some lawdable mannys doctryne.
+
$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
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 iniquicion
To fynde one wyse, sad and laudable of fame
To $Alexander his sonne for to gyue Instruccion.
Founde was great $Aristotyl at the conclusion%Aristoleles magister Alexandri +
magni & discipulus platonis.
Disciple of $Plato.  whiche in euery Science.
Infourmed this chylde with parfyte diligence.
<P 50>
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.
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 :
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.
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
To $Crates complaynt comprysed in this sentence.%Crates thebanus
+
If it were graunted to me to shewe my thought
Ye follysshe faders Caytifes I myght you cal
Whiche gather riches to brynge your chylde to nought.
Gyuynge him occasion forto be prodigal.
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.xxij.
<P 51>
An olde sore to hele is oft halfe incurable
Ryght so ar these Chyldren roted in myschefe
Some after euer lyueth a lyfe abhomynable
To all 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.
+
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.
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.
He is moste Galaut 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 viij.
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
For the rote of vertue and wysdome therby is had.%Eccle.vij.
<P 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.%Juuenalis.
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.
By thy goode maners, wyt nor worthynes :
But this forsothe oft tymes fynde I true
That of a goode beste, yl whelpes may weshewe.
In lyke wyse of a Moder that is bothe chast and goode.
Often is brought forth a ful vngracious Brode.
+
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.
Thus is the fader a fole for his suffraunce
And the sone also for his mysgouernaunce
<L R>
THENUOY.
<L 752>
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 they faders negligence
But to say trouth brefely in one clause
The fader's fauour onely is the cause
<P 53>
<L R>
Of tale berers, fals reporters, &  prometers of stryfes.
<L 758>
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.
<P 54>
Some ar that thynke the pleasoure and ioy of theyr lyfe%Prouer.xvi.et xix.
To brynge men in blawlynge to discorde and debate
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 Jeperdous 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% Pravo 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 &c.+
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
<P 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. Ipsi+
quoque contra sanguinem suum insidiantur: & moliuntus fraudes contra +
animas suas pro.primo.
And with his venym kepeth them in stryfe
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
<e.i>
+
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.&c.
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
<P 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 there 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.
Whiche $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 & litigiorum promotoribus.
<P 57>
<L R>
Of hym that wyll nat folowe nor ensue good counsell, and necessary.
<L 848>
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
<P 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 apud +
temetipsum. Prouer.iij.
But whyle he thynketh hym full of sapience
Crafty and wyse, doutles he is more blynde
Than is that fole whiche is out of his mynde%Prouer.xiiij. 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
<e.iij.>
+
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. de in niteris 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
<P 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 did $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
Wheras his body was with a spere through rent
Of the sayd $Achyllys cruell and vnkynde
Alas for suynge his owne selfwyllyd mynde
<P 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 & 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 & prudent
The story of $Roboam is also euydent%Roboam
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 Plough, and depe to ere the ground
That by theyr laboure all folys may be founde
<P 61>
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $ALEXANDER $BARCLAY THE TRANSLATOUR.
<L 938>
O man vnauysed, thy blyndes set asyde
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.
<P 62>
<L R>
Of disordred and vngoodly maners.
<L 945>
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 mysgoueraunce
Whiche hast to foly, And folysshe company
Treylynge your Baybll in sygne of your foly
<P 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
+
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, hymselfe a gentylman or state
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
<P 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%Jacobi.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.& 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
<P 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.
<P 66>
<L R>
Of brekynge and hurtynge of amyte and frendshyp.
<L 1021>
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. 
<P 67>
A Fole frowarde cruell and vntrewe%Sapientie.v.
Is he whiche by his power wrongfully%Prouer.tercia.
His frendes and subiectes laboures to subdewe%Eccle.xi.
Without all lawe, but clene by tyranny
Therfore thou Juge thy erys se thou aply
To right Justyce 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 Justyce to violate
The law 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.&.iij.
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
<P 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
<f.i.>
+
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 thystory of $Patroclus to rede%Achilles Hectorem hasta truci dauit +
gratia Patrocli interempti.  Actor est bo.in ge.de.l.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.
<P 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.iiij.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
+
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
<P 70>
$Ualerius wrytyth a story longe and ample
Of $Lelius and of worthy $Cipio.%Cipio amicus Lelij. Val.li.& ca supra dictis.
Whiche of trewe loue hath left vs great example
For they neuer left in doloure wele nor wo
I rede in thystory of $Theseus also:%De Theseo et Preithoo prolixius narrant +
Oui et Lactancius vt refert bo.de.ge.de.li.xi.ca.xxxiij.Prouer.xx.
Howe he (as the Poetes fables doth tell)
Folowyd his felawe $perothus in to hell.
+
And serchynge hym dyd wander and compas
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%Multi homines misericordes vocantur: +
virum autem fidelem quis inueniet.
He gat $Perothus out of that wretchydnesse
+
Alas where ar suche frendes nowe a dayes
Suerly in the worlde none suche can be founde
All folowe theyr owne profyte and lewde wayes%Prouer.xiiij.&.xxix.
None vnto other coueytys to be bounde
Brekers of frendshyp ynough ar on the grounde%Ecclesi.xxxvij.
Whiche set nought by frendshyp so they may haue good
All suche in my shyp shall haue a folys hode
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS
<L 1133> 
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
<f.ii.>
<P 71>
<L R>
Of contempt or dispisynge of holy scripture.
<L 1141>
He that gyueth his erys or credence
To euerys 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.
<P 72>
Suche as dispyseth auncyent scripture
Whiche prouyd is of great auctoryte%i.ad.thim.iiij.Luce.xvi.
And hath no pleasoure felycyte or cure
Of godly Prophetis whiche wrote of vertye
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. Prouer.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.
<f.iij>
He that to scripture wyll not gyue credence %Eccle.iii.
Wherin ar the armys of our tuycion %Marc.xvi.
And of our fayth foundacion and defence %Johannis.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
<P 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.
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.xxii.
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.xiii.
Hete nor colde, woo, nor other punysshement %Juuenalis.
Nor that for synners is ordeyned no turment
Thus these mad folys wandreth euery houre
Without amendement styll in theyr blynde erroure
<P 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
<L R>
$BARCLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 1217>
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
<P 75>
<L R>
Of folys without prouysyon.
<L 1225>
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
<P 76>
Of other folys yet is a moche nomber
Whom I wolde gladly brynge to intellygence
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 & +
abscondit se. Pro.xx.
For this one daye prouyde me by wysdome
A wyse man seyth peryll longe before it come
+ 
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
<P 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 $Jonathas by errour and blyndnes %Jonathas.i.
Had nat receyued the gyftis of falsnes %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 terason
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
+
$Julius $Cesar the chefe of conquerours%Julius Cesar inprouidentia in teriit.
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 beynge wyse dyscrete and prouydent
<P 78>
If $Nichanor before had noted well %Nichanor. primo macha.vii.
The ende of his dedes he had nat be slayne 
By $Judas 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. & 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
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $ALEXANDER $BARCLAY.
<L 1309> 
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
<P 79>
<L R>
Of disordred loue and veneryous.
<L 1317>
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 that is wondyd can skant fynde remedy
<P 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
+
<g.i>
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 truci datur. 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 
But this one pleasour was grounde of moche payne
+
Also $Marcus a Prynce of the Romayns %Marcus Antonius a Cesare obtruncatur.
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) %Cleopatra amica sua.
With $cleopatra is loue was take so in blyndnes 
That he promysyd to make hir empresse
<P 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
+
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
<P 82>
Rede howe $Phedra hir loue fixed so feruent%Phedra calumniatrix ypoliti
On $ypolitus in prohybyte auowtry.
That when 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 hyrself 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 $Julia or, hir cruell offence.%Julia.
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. +
colloss.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 & newe
For this synne: whiche sholde vs moue it to eschewe
<P 83>
<L R>
$ALEXANDER $BARCLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 1408>
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, themselfe 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.
<g.ii>
Therfore folys awake, and be no longer blynde%Ut custodiat te a muliere 
mala &c. 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
<P 84>
<L R>
Of them yt synne trustynge vpon the mercy of $god.
<L 1430>
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
<P 85>
The wynde is vp our Nauy is aflote
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. xc.iij.+
dist.dia.de pe.dis.vij.Nullus
Whose herte for synne is neyther contryte ne sore
Nat mornynge (as they ought to do) therfore
<g.iii.>
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     
<P 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 forefaders 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 forefaders done%Exodi.xx.
Haue neuer ben left vnpunysshed fynally
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 Pharaois 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 gighe Justice
Which fyrst, or last punyssheth euery vyce.
<P 87>
Remember $Richarde lately kynge of price%Exemplum necis richardi tertii +
anglorum regis.
In $Englonde raynynge vnrightwysely 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 enormyte%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.
<L R>
$ALEXANDER $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 1514> 
Syghe synners, syghe, for your mysgouernaunce.
Lament, mourne, and sorowe for your enormyte.%Deutro.xxii.
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.
<P 88>
<L R>
Of the folisshe begynnynge of great bildynges without sufficient prouision.
<L 1522>
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.
<P 89>
Who euer begynneth any worke or dede
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.
+
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.iij.
Was he nat punysshed in paynes cruell
For his great pryde and his presumpcion
Whiche he toke it in the byldynge of $Babylon
<P 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, hymselfe 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%Jeremie.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 theyr myndes on excellent buyldynge%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.
<P 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 auten. de fi alie. col.ii.
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.ij.
And Roufe and wallys make egall with the grounde.
<L R>
$BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 1591>
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.
<P 92>
<L R>
Of glotons and dronkardes.
<L 1599>
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
<P 93>
Within our nauy he nedes shall haue a place.%Ca. crapula de vi. et hone. +
cle.horatius in epystolis.xxxv.dist.sexto die.
Whiche without mesure on lothsome glotony
Setteth his pleasure and singuler solace
His stomake ouerchargynge, vyle and vngodely
And to none other thynge his mynde doth he aply
Saue depest to drynke, suche force nat of theyr soules%Esaye.v.
But labure 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.%Juuenalis.
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.xxv.dist.vi.nolentum
The mynde it demynyssheth, coloure and beaute.
Causynge all myschef, shame and abusyon
It maketh men mad, and in conclusyon
Causeth them lyue without lawe or measure%Prouer.xxiiij. xxxv.dist.vent.
Suynge after syn defylynge theyr nature
+
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. xxxv.dis.luxuriam.
Than ar they outher gyuyn to rybawdry
Or els to brawle and fight at euery worde
Thus dronkennes is the chefe cause of discorde
<P 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
+
<h.i.>
This vyce (alas) good maners doth confounde
And maketh man ouer besy of langage%Horatius in epist.
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.vlt.
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%Justinus 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
<P 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
+
%Bis sex credates sunt species ebrietatis. Est vilis primus. sapiens est alter/ 
optimus.  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 vomiton facit duodenus. Vel sic. 
Ebrius atque satur, his ecce modis variantur 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 tura laborat.
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.
<P 96>
Se here the inconuenyence manyfolde
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 $Johnn
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
Some swereth armys nayles herte and body.
Terynge our lord worse, than the Jowes 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 $Joohnn
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 are Ape dronke full of lawghter and of toyes
Some mery dronke syngynge with wynches and boyes
+
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
That theyr legges skant can bere vp the body
Here is a sort to drowne a hole nauy.
<P 97>
<L R>
$BARKLAYE TO THE FOLYS.
<L 1781>
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
<h.ij.>
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.
<P 98>
<L R>
Of ryches vnprofytable.%Qui obturat aurem suam ad clamorem pauperis ipse +
clamabit et non exaudietur.Prouer.xxi.
<L 1734>
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
<P 99>
It is great foly, and a desyre in vayne%Eccle.v.
To loue and worshyp ryches to feruently%Prouer.x.&.xi.
And so great laboure to take in care and payne%Luce.xvi.
<h.iij.>
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 Justyce
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. Prouer.xxviij.Juuenalis.
His maners onely reputed ar laudable
His dedys praysyd as grettest of valoure
Men laboure and seke to fall in his fauoure
He shall haue loue, echone to hym shall sue
For his ryches, but nought for his vertue
<P 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
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 such 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
<P 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
<P 102>
<L R>
$BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 1825>
Ye great estatis and men of dignyte
To whome $god in this lyfe hath sent ryches
Haue ye compassion, on paynfull pouertye
And them conforte 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.
<P 103>
<L R>
Of hym that togyder wyll serue two maysters.
<L 1833>
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.
<P 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.
Of worldly ryches: for as I sayde before%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.iii.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 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.?.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.con
Nowe workynge now musynge now renynge now rydynge[dot above e in renynge]
Now on see nowe on londe, than to se agayne
Somtyme to $Fraunce, and nowe to $Flaunders or $Spayne
<P 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
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%Jacobi.i.
His breste anoyntynge, his mynde to vnderstonde
But be it gode or bad therafter must he drawe
Without he can Jest 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
<P 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 +
preben 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 worldly 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
<L R>
$BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 1916>
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
<P 107>
<L R>
Of to moche spekynge or bablynge.
<L 1924>
He that his tunge can temper and refrayne%Qui custodit os suum et linguam +
suam custodit ab augustiis 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.
<P 108>
Ye blaberynge folys superflue of langage
Come to our shyp our ankers ar in wayde
By right and lawe ve maye chalange a stage
To you of $Barklay it shall nat be denayde%Proue.xxx.&.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%Jacobi.iii.
+
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
+
<i.i.>
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%Dignito compesce labellum persius +
et iuuenalis.
Therfore thy fynger lay before thy lypes
For a wyse mannys tunge, without aduysement trypes
<P 109>
He that wyll answere of his owne folysshe brayne
Before that any requyreth his counsayle
Shewith hym selfe and his hasty foly playne%Job.xv.
Wherby men knowe his wordes of none auayle%Prouer.xviii.
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 came to the hole body
+
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 or a mylle
<P 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
<L R>
$BARKLAYE TO THE FOLYS.
<L 2001>
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 sayde, 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
<P 111>
<L R>
Of them that correct other and yet them selfe do nought and 
<L R>
synne worse than they whom they so correct.      
<L 2017>
He lacketh reason and vnderstandynge to%Qui reliquunt 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 &c Pro.iiij.
So he is mad whiche to other doth preche and tell
The waye to heuyn, and hym selfe goth to hell.
<P 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 Jugys 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. &c. 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 +
ubi 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%iii.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
+
<i.iij>
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
<P 113>
Many them selfe fayne as chaste as was saynt $Johnn%Iuuenalis
And many other fayne them meke and innocent
Some other as iust, and wyse as $Salomon
As holy as $Poule, as $Job 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%Juuenalis.
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.una 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 whereby 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
<P 114>
Wherfore ye prestis that haue the charge and cure.%xliii.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
+
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 hymselfe suche one gyueth sentence
Howe $god ryght iuge, by rightwyse iugement
Shulde hym rewarde with worthy punysshement
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 2094>
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
<P 115>
<L R>
Of hym that fyndeth ought of another mannys it nat restorynge 
<L R>
to the owner.
<L 2102>
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
<P 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, themselfe wyll not refrayne%L. cum querebatur
Or 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 others mennys good
And in theyr owne vse suche good they occupy.
Whiche of theyr myndes ar so blynde and wode.
And so reted in theyr errour and foly
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
<P 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 duu iusti
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
+
Put case that they also be past and dede
Yet ought thou nat to keep 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.xvij.
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
<P 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.
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARKLAY THE TRANSLATOUR TO THE FOLYS.
<L 2179> 
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
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
<P 119>
<L R>
Of the sermon or erudicion of wysdome bothe to wyse men and folys.
<L 2187>
He that delyteth in godly sapience
And it to obtain 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
<P 120>
Wysdome with voyce replete with grauyte
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
+
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 worthe golde and worth all good mundayne:
And to mankynde counselloure souerayne
+
No maner Jowell 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:
<P 121>
And shortly to speke wysdome is more laudable%Prouer.viii.
Than all the worlde or other thynge mundayne%eodem capto 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 & 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%Inquere prudentiam et arripe illam: et +
exaltabit te: Glorificaberis ab ea cum eam fueres amplexatus &c. corona +
inclita proteget te:Pro.iiij.
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
+
<k.i.>
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
<P 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 fundavit +
terram stabiliuit celos &c.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
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.prio.
That wyll nat gladly be seruauntes vnto me
<P 123>
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 2278>
Aryse folys of myndes darke and blynde.%Si intrauerit sapientia cor tuum et +
scientia animae tuae placuerit consilium custodiet te & prudencia seruabit te +
&c.Prouer.ii.
Receyue the gyftes of godly sapyence
Here hir perceptis 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.
<P 124>
Of bostynge or hauynge confydence in fortune.
<L 2285>
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
<P 125>
Amonge our folys he ought to haue a place
And so he shall for it is resonable
Whiche thynketh hymselfe 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
+
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
<P 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
Whom 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, awhyle 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
<k.iii.>
<P 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 gydnge
The rewardes of welth, nor of felycyte%Juuenalis.
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 &c.
But thoughe she smyle trust nat to hir intent
For amonge swete herbes ofte lurkyth the serpent
<P 128>
<L R>
$BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 2369>
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
<P 129>
<L R>
Of the ouer great and chargeable curyosyte of men.
<L 2385>
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
<P 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.%Persius.i.De renum.c.i.+
in prin.li.vi.Therencius
He is vnwyse whiche is ioyous and fayne
To offer his necke to bere that without fere
Whiche were ynoughe for dyuers men to bere
+
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%ab hominatio 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
+
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
<P 131>
What shall a kynge at his laste 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 worldly 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:%Juuenalis
Great weyght of charges and moche dignite
Must lerne to suffer payne thought and vexacion
By his great charges of perturbacion
<P 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
<L R>
$BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 2469>
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
<P 133>
<L R>
Of them that ar alway borowynge.
<L 2477>
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
<P 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 accipiantur osculantur manus et cetera. Require +
eccle.xxiv. Et alia bona & conducentia ad hunc locum.
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
+
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
<P 135>
They hepe theyr synne in quantyte horryble%Eccle.vii. (& 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. xxiiij.q.iiij. +
Nabuchadonosor
Remember thoughe $god the suffer thus longe tyme
He graunteth that space to amende the in season.
And nat dayly to encreas thy synne and cryme
Somtyme he punyssheth with infernall abhyme
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%Johelis.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
<P 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
+
<l.i.>
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
<L R>
$BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 2554> 
Thou fole mysmyndyd to large of sconscyence
To the I speke that art a lewde dettour
Borowe thou no thynge, noble grote ne pens.%Math.xxij. Reddite ergo quae +
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 honorato deum.
Than shalt thou surely escape infernall payne.
<P 137>
<L R>
Of inprofytable and vayne prayers vowes and peticyons.
<L 2562>
That man whose herte vnhappy synne doth blynde%ii.Macha.ix. Orabat autem +
scelestus dominum a quo non esset misericordiam consecuturus de antiacho.e.
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
<P 138>
Here we repreue (reperue) ye and reuyle.%Eccle.xviij.Pro.v.Eccles.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%Johannis.xi.
Suche folowe no techynge nor gode monysyons
For often many of them with tunge doth pray%i.ad.cor.xiiij.Orabo spiritu +
orabo & mente psallam spiritu psallam & mente. ad ro.viij. Nam quid oremus. +
Sicut oporte nesscimus sed ipse spiritus postulat pro nobis &c.
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. Ouidius met.xi.
Of $god desyred with prayer dylygent.
That all that he touchyd tourne myght vnto golde
His prayer was harde, he obteyned his intent
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.
<P 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
+
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%Juuenalis
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
<P 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
<l.iij.>
+
Our sauyour $criste whyle he was on this grounde
Amonge vs synners in this vale of mysery%Pater noster
Taught his disciples this prayer whiche doth sounde
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
<P 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
And sayd this prayer to thy maker deuoutly
Thou nedyst nat of hym to desyre more
Yet mayst thou pray and desyre rightwysly%Juuenalis
For helthe of soule within thy hole body
For stedfast fayth and yll name to eschewe.
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
To hurte or losse to thy frende or neyghboure
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
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 2674>
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.
<P 142>
<L R>
Of vnprofytable stody.
<L 2682>
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.
<P 143>
Nowe in this Nauy many them selfe present
Of this our roylame and from beyoud the see
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 neglynce
+
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 epistola. xviij. C.nisi +
cum pridem de renum.
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.
<P 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%xxxvij. di nonne
In hande with his sylogysimes, and yet doth he fele
No thynge what it menyth, nor what longeth therto%Virgilius est et non cuncti +
monosyllaba nota frequentant &c. His demptis nihil est hominum quod sermo +
volutet. Qualis vita hominum quam duo monosyllaba versant. &c. Virgilius.
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
Blaberynge and chydynge, as it were beawlys wyse
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
In two syllabis, not gyuynge aduertence
To other cunnynge doctryne, nor scyence.
<P 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 laboraverit +
ad quaerendum tanto minus inveniet.
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
<P 146>
One bostynge the name of a lawer or deuyne%xij. q. ij. gloria epis glo. in c  +
cum ex. littera de in te resti.
His proude hode hye vpon his stately necke:
Thus must a gode clerke vnto a foule enclyne
Lowt with the body and with obedyence becke
And thoughe it tourne to theyr rebuke and checke%Prouer.xiij. Cicero in +
epistolis ad vale iuri sanctum praesertim cum his temporibus audacia pro +
sapienta liceat vti.
Yet nowe a dayes ouer many suche there be.
Whiche in stede of cunnynge vseth audacyte
+
The hode must answere for the folysshe student
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
To spare for suche scolers whiche shall neuer thryue
+
The great foly, the pryde, and the enormyte%Addicio Alexandri barklay +
presbyteri &c.
Of our studentis, and theyr obstynate errour
Causeth me to wryte two sentences or thre
More than I fynde wrytyn in myne actoure
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
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
Within my Nauy wolde I set you to a cable
If I not fered lyst ye your selfe wolde drowne
<P 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
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
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 2808>
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
<P 148>
<L R>
Of them that folysshly speke agaynst the workes of $god.
<L 2824>
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
<P 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*s
And is a fole to set thought or delyte%Prouer.xxv.
To mende that thynge whiche $god hath made perfyte
+
But yet he is 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 frantyfe forsoth I may hym call
Than they that ar vext with furyes infernall:
<m.i.>
+
(Thou fole) the myght of $god omnipotent
In vertue and wysdome so largely doth extende%ad romanes.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
<P 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%Psalma.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 plaesour a thynge nat fortune well%Numeri.xiiij.
Take example by the children of $Israell%Josue.ix.
Whiche oft for this synne suffred great payne and wo%i.corinth.x.
Slayne and distroyed, so haue ben many mo
<P 151>
Many a lewde body without wysdome or rede
Grutche in theyr myndes, and openly do blame
Almyghy $god, whan theyr children ar dede
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
<L R>
$ALEXANDER $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 2901>
O ye mad myndes that no thynge vnderstonde
O man presumptuous and vnobedyent%Nolite loquitur ad versus deum iniquitatem +
ps.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
<P 152>
<L R>
Of them that gyue iugement on other.
<L 2909>
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
Hymselfe 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 worse of all.
<P 153>
Many fallyth in great peryll and damage%Math.ei.vij.o
And greuous deth by the vyce of folysshnes%Luce.vi.ff.
Perseuerantly bydynge in theyr outrage%Ad rom.ii.A Mar.iiij.c.glo.in.c.ea.quae +
de sta. regum.iij.q. vij. iudicet &c.
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
+
The tyme passeth as water in a ryuere
No mortall man can it reuoke agayne
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%Nec qui praeterijt iterum +
revocabitur vnda nec qui praetiit hora redire potest.  Mors est ultimum +
terribilium philosophus. 
We slepe in synne disdaynynge vs to amende
+
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.
<m.iij.>
<P 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.
Jugeth 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 Juger, 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 nons deth discus
After deth $god wot howe it shall be with vs
<P 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
<L R>
$ALEXANDER $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 2986>
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
Juge 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
<P 156>
<L R>
Of pluralitees that is to say of them whiche charge them selfe 
<L R>
with many benefycis.
<L 2994>
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.
<P 157>
Amonge our folys delytynge them in vyces%De preben quia intantum &c. de +
multa de cleri non resi. Quia nonnulli. i.ad.corinth.xi.
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
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 hymselfe (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
<P 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
+
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 stand awry
For some become rather prestis for couetyse.
Than for the loue of $god or his seruyce.
<P 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
Oher folys for hope make resignacions
And some for one $god scosyth gladly twayne
Some lyueth longe in hunger and in payne
And in the somer day skarsly drynketh twyse
Sparynge monay therwith to by a benefyce
<P 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
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 pleased with %.ii. nouther thre
But dyuers wyll he haue ay choppynge and changynge
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
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
And settynge in their stede syr $Johnn 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
<P 161>
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
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
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 3121>
What meane ye gyders of $Christis herytage	
Shall ye neuer leue this your deuowrynge mynde%Non habemus hic ciuitatem per +
manentem suum 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 rowne in churche nor in quere.
For this is sure ye shall all leue behynde
We haue no Cyte, nor place abydynge here
<P 162>
<L R>
Of them that prolonge from day to day to amende themselfe.
<L 3129>
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.
<P 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.xxii.
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
<n.i.>
+
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
<P 164>
Syns it is in thy power that thou may%Prouer.xxvii.
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%Consuetudo est altera natura. no. glo. ff.+
de lib. & posthu. l. se quis super verbo consuetudo.l.ff. quid quisque inte. +
in alte statue.
Whan costome and vse is tourned to nature
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%Job 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%Jacobi.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
<P 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
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF THE ACTOUR.
<L 3206>
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 crwys songe the sore abuse
<P 166>
<L R>
Of hym that is Jelous ouer his wyfe and watcheth hir wayes 
<L R>
without cause, or euydent tokyn of hir myslyuynge.
<L 3214>
He that his wyfe wyll counterwayte and watche
And feryth of hir lyuynge by his Jelowse 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
<P 167>
$Orestes was neuer so blynde and mad as is he%Eccle.vi.
Whiche for his wyfe taketh, thought and charge%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 Jelowsy
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 Jelowsy 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.%Juuenalis
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 mayleEccle.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
<P 168>
Thus is it foly and causeth great debate
Bytwene man and wyfe, whan he by Jelowsy.
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 Jelous: but honest lyuynge and gode
<n.iij.>
+
The toure of bras that callyd was $darayne.%Ouidius.iiij.
Coude nat the damsell (by name $Danes) defende%methamor.
But that $Jupiter 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 epist. 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
<P 169>
I fynde that often this folysshe Jelowsy
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 Jelowsy
And theyr owne pleasour: they scars can ought deny
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF THE ACTOUR.
<L 3291>
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 Jelowsy
If ye be fawtles, chaste and innocent
But wanton wowers ar ful of flatery
Euer whan they labour for their intent.
+
Be meke, demure, bocsome, and obedyent, 
Gyue none occasyon to men by your foly
If one ought asshe, deny it incontynent
And euer after auoyde his company
<P 170>
Beware of cornes, do nat your erys aply%Helena rapitur per parida vnde +
ouidius epistolis.
To pleasaunt wordes nor letters eloquent
If that $Helena had done so certaynly
She had nat ven rauysshed by handes violent
<P 171>
<L R>
Of auoutry, & specially of them yt ar bawdes to their wyues, 
<L R>
knowynge and wyll nat knowe, but kepe counseyll, for couetyse, and 
<L R>
gaynes or auauntage.
<L 3307>
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.
<P 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 a syde
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 $Julius 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 thynke laudable%Juuenalis
Anothers sponse to pullute and dyffame%vi. satyra
And howe beit the synne is moche abhomynable
They fere nat $god, nor dout nat worldly shame%Leut.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%Juuenalis
They forse no thynge so they may money wyn
Lyuynge as bawdes, and that to theyr owne wyues%C. quemadmodum de in ui. +
Prouer.xviij. de adul. & stu. C. si vir extra. xxxij. q.v.c. Si quis vxorem +
quia patronus est turpitudinis &c. vt supra xxxij. q.i.c.i. & iure iuram. quem +
admodum: & de adul. lij. Seneca in ethimologiis ff. ad l.Juli. de adul. l. +
stupor.xxij. q. ve lucrecia: Tarquinus expulsus.
O cursyd money, this madnes thou contryuys
<P 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
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 Jest
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
+
I rede in the hystory of one $Virginius%Clodius al. pius Ad venus ad nutum +
trahis omnia tu fera: tu ceca: tu ceci ianua leti. corpora tu maculos: animas +
in tartara mergis.
Whiche to thyntent 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
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
<P 174>
But in the meane tyme here shalt thou haue discorde%C. de adulteriis gracchus. +
Prouer.vi.
And neuer prosper in vertue nor ryches
And lothsome be before the almyghty lorde
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.
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF THE ACTOUR.
<L 3377>
O creatures vnkynde leue ye this outrage
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
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
<P 175>
<L R>
Of hym that nought can and nought wyll lerne, and seyth moche, 
<L R>
lytell berynge away, I mene nat theuys.
<L 3393>
He is a fole, and so shall he dye and lyue
That thynketh hym wyse, and yet can 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
<P 176>
Saynt $George to borowe our Nauy is aflote%Prouer.xv.&.xxvi.
Forth shall we sayle, thoughe that it be a payne
And moche laboure to forge a pryuate bote%Horatius i 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.eueydos.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.
+
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.
<P 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 so the wayes, and workes of cunnynge men
+
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
<o.i.>
<P 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 you fynde great grace%Plato de quo Hieronimus +
in prologo biblie.
<P 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.
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 coste or laboure out of his owne countrey
And whan the well of wysdome renneth by theyr dore
Yet looth they the water as if that it were soure
<L R>
$ALEXANDER $BARKLAY %AD %FATUOS %VT %DENT %LOCUM %OCTO %SECUNDARIUS 
<L R>
%BEATE $MARIE $DE $OTEREY %QUI %QUIDEM %PRIMA %HUIUS %RATIS %TRANSTRA 
<L R>
%MERENTUR.
<L 3498>
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.
<P 180>
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARKLAY.
<L 3506>
O vnauysyd, vnwyse and frowarde mam
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.
<P 181>
<L R>
Of great wrathe, procedynge of small occasyon.
<L 3514>
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 wratche is ennemy
<P 182>
Come nere, ye wrathfull men, take your rowme & 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.iij.
+
O man yll myndyd what helpeth the this yre%Prouer.xxii.
None the commendyth whiche doth thy maners marke%Jacobi primo.
What dost thou: but the waste with thyne owne fyre%Prouer.xvij.
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
<P 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
<o.iii.>
+
So his Asse erys to hym ar inuysyble%Persius
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 the ryche Cyte namyd $Tarentyne
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
<P 184>
So $socrates so $Senyk and $Plato%Socrates
Suffred great wronge great iniury and payn%Plato
And of your fayth sayntis right many mo%Seneca.
For $christ our mayster dyd great turment sustayne%Laurencius pacienter +
sustulit martyrium dirissum et tamen orauit pro populo ninico.
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 &c.+
seruetur.Prouer.xxij.& 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
+
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%Jo.xxxvi.
But folys ar moste troublyd with this foly%Prouer.xij.
Where as a wyse man for any aduersyte
Lyueth in quyete mynde and tranquylyte
<P 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
But on the dull Asse hastely assende
That a slowe beest may hasty folys cary
For your mad wrath dowtyth no thynge the ende%Eccles.vij.
Your madnes can nat your blynde mysdede defende
For who that one sleyth, angry and feruent
Ought to be hangyd whan he is pacyent
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF THE ACTOUR.
<L 3619>
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.
<P 186>
<L R>
Of the mutabylyte of fortune.
<L 3627>
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
<P 187>
We dayly proue by example and euydence
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
+
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
<P 188>
There is no lorde Duke kynge nor other estate
But dye they must, and from this wolde go
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.i.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 luye 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.
<P 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 $Julius $Cesar his lordshyp dyd extende%Julius 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
<P 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
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
They muse to destroy hym whom, they fere and hate%Sapientie.v.
+
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
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
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
<P 191>
<L R>
$ALEXANDER $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 3746>
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
<P 192>
<L R>
Of them that be diseasyd ans seke and ar impacient and 
<L R>
inobedyent to the Phesycyan.
<L 3754>
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.
<p.i>
<P 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%Juuenalis
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
+
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 re medio 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
<P 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 taryBoetius 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.
<P 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.
<p.ii.>
+
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
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 & 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
<P 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
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 3852>
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.
With satisfaccion these thre, with grace deuyne
Ar salues parfyte for all transgressyon
<P 197>
<L R>
Of ouer open takynges of counsell.
<L 3868>
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
<P 198>
Who that intendyth by chraft and polycy%Aesopus in apo. Prouer.i.Ouidius de +
reme.glo.i.cle.pastoralis de re iu.
To take many byrdes, outher small or great
And layeth before them to playne and openly
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
+
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 & harnes
<P 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 inprouydent
+
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 royallue, 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
+
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
<P 200>
A pore mannys dedys may soone be kept close%Ouidius
His name is hyd, and right so is his dede.%Juuenalis
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%Virgilius 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.
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 3945>
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
<P 201>
<L R>
Of folys that can nat beware by the mysfortune and example of others damage.
<L 3953>
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
<P 202>
We dayly se the mysfortune and damage%Prouer.iiij.et.xv.
And often fallys, to pouerte and payne
Whiche folys suffer for theyr synne and outrage%Johannis.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
+
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%Eccle*s.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%Jeremie.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
<P 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 bocwarde, the other doth also
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.& 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.in.Meth.
For his presumpcion, agaynst a myghty kynge
<P 204>
We haue example also by $Icarus%Icarus ouidius.viij. metha vide virgilium. +
iiij. eney. et seruium eodem, loco. Prouer.xv. et xxiij.
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
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
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARKLAY
<L 4037>
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
<P 205>
<L R>
Of them that forceth or careth for the bacbytynge of lewde people.
<q.i.>
<L 4045>
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.
<P 206>
Who that within this worlde wolde rest and lyue%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 Just
Let them nought care, for byde it nede they must
+
Let no man care for the lewde hyssynges
And yll soundynges of his 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 auautage
Hym selfe exaltynge to worshyp and honoure
Shall fynde the swetnes mengled with the sowre
+
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
<P 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%Johan.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
<q.ii.>
<P 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
<P 209>
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 4136>
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.
<P 210>
<L R>
Of mockers, and scorners, and false accusers.
<q.iij.>
<L 4144>
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
<P 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
+
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
<P 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%Job.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
<q.iiij.>
<P 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%Juuenalis
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
<P 214>
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARCLY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 4235>
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
<P 215>
<L R>
Of them that dyspyse euerlastynge ioye, and settyth thynges 
<L R>
transytory before thynges eternall and euerlastynge.       
<L 4243>
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
<P 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*s.ij.
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
+
But yet this fole doth nat desyre this tyme%i.Johannis.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 lascynyte
In pryde in Lechery andin couetyse
Suche setteth 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
<P 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 mordes and gyue to them credence
I say that pleasours and also ioyes mundayne
As it apereth playne by good euydence
Ar fylled with sorowe bytternes and payne%Job.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%Job.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%Eccle*s.iij.
From dethes dartis: and for conclusyon.
We dayly se many mennys confusyon.
<P 218>
We dayly se the fallys innumerable%Sapientie.ij.& v.
And greuous deth aswell of youth as age%Jacobi 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 worldly 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. & 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
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 4327>
O blynde man whiche hast thy moste felycyte
On worldly thynges, alas make clere thy mynde
What fyndest thou here, but great aduersyte
Wylt thou for it leue yt heuenly ioy behynde
And where thou myght euerlastynge ryches fynde
Where as is helth, endles lyfe and all goodues
Wylt thou forsake it for worldly wretchydnes
<P 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
<P 220>
<L R>
Of them that make noyses rehersynges of talys and do other 
<L R>
thynges vnlaufull and dishonest in ye chirche of $god.
<L 4341>
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:
<P 221>
Yet of mo folys fynde I a great nomber
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 & les
+
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
<P 222>
One tyme the hawkys bellys Jenglyth 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 anie. +
in fi. colloss.viii.
Some with theyr slyppers to and fro doth prance
Clappynge with their helys in churche and in quere
So that good people can nat the seruyce here
<r.i.>
<P 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
Jettynges 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.prouinti.de ce +
missarum
Suche caytyfs kepe talys and communycacion
Fast by the auter, thynkynge it none offence%C. linthiamina. veri saluatoriis.
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%Johannis.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
<P 224>
$Jhonn 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 Jues rebuke and great repreues
That of $goddes house they made a den of theues
+
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%Johellis.ij.
And with all our myght our lorde to magnyfy%Psal.i.
And than after all the heuenly company
+
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.
Moche wors than euer, the Jewes 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
<L R>
THE ENUOY TO THE REDERS.
<L 4453>
O man that bosteth 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
<P 225>
<L R>
Of them that wyllynge and knowyngly put them self in ieopardy and peryll.
<L 4460>
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.
<P 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%juuenalis
+
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
<P 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.
<r.iij.>
+
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 ir 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
<P 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.et.xxxv.
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
+
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
<P 229>
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 4551>
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
<P 230>
<L R>
Of the way of felycyte and godnes, and of the payne to come vnto synners.
<L 4559>
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
<P 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%Eccle*s.ij.
All orthly tresour, and of hell payne be sure
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.& 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
<P 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.
And thoughe the way be esy streyght and playne%facilis discensus auerni.
The ende is nought, I aduyse the tourne agayne
+
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.&.iiij.
By dyuers folys whiche haste them to that payne.
By way contynuall therto: but none therfro%Virgilius.vi.enei noctes atque +
dies patem atriiuanua 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
<P 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 ryghtwysnes
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
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.	
<L 4636>
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
<P 234>
<L R>
Of the yll example of elders gyuyn vnto youth.
<L 4644>
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
<P 235>
Ye aged men rotyd in folysshnes
And folysshe parentis lewde of your langage%Prouer.xxix.
Vnto our shyp swyftly your selfe addres%Juuenalis
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
+
Theyr wordes ar voyde of shame and honestye%Eccle*s.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
<P 236>
A folysshe Father, full hardly shall ensyne
His sone to good lyfe or to good gouernaunce%Prouer.xix.&.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%Juuenalis
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 or 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 nolis.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
<s.i.>
<P 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%Esipus 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
<P 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 seruauntes do the same%Prouer.xxii.
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARKLAY.
<L 4742>
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
<P 239>
<L R>
Of bodely pleasour or corporall voluptuosyte
<L 4750>
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
<P 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.%Juuenalis.
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%Eccle*s.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
+
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.xvij.
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
<P 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%Eccle*s.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.&.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
<s.iij.>
<P 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%Justi.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 $good almyghty seynge his vycyousnes
His body and soule deuydyd soon in twayne
From worldly 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
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 4834>
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
<P 243>
<L R>
Of folys that can nat kepe secrete theyr owne counsell.
<L 4842>
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
<P 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 %Job.xxviij.&.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%Judicum.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
+
$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
<P 245>
Thus olde storyes doth oft recorde and tell
By theyr examples whiche they vnto vs gyue%Eccle*s.x.
That wymen ar no kepars of councell
It goeth through them as water trough a syue
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 disceyfull be.
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
<P 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
+
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.
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 4926>
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.
<P 247>
<L R>
Of yonge folys that take olde wymen to theyr wyues, for theyr ryches.
<L 4934>
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.
<P 248>
Under the Asse tayle thoughe it be no thynge pure%Juuenalis
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%Juuenalis
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
+
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 made was made and blynde
+
They that ar weddyd nat for loue but rychesse%Eccle.xix.
Of moryage despysynge the pleasour and profyte
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
<P 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 vice
And lewde of maners, nought both to man and lad
Yet good shall hir mary be she neuer so bad%Juuenalis
+
If that a man of hye or lowe degre%Prouer.vii.
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 be but a bonde man or a knaue
+
The firste enquyrynge and speciall questyon%Juuenalis
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
<P 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%Eccle*s.xii.
And worthely endure suche payne and punysshement
They hope therby to come to auauntage
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
<t.i.>
+
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
<P 251>
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARKLAY.
<L 5025>
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
<P 252>
<L R>
Of enuyous Folys.
<t.ii.>
<L 5041>
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
<P 253>
Wastynge enuy oft styreth to malyce%Eccle.xiiij.
Folys nat a fewe whiche ar therto enclynyd%Horatius in epistolis. xlvi.dis.+
clericus.
Pryckynge theyr frowarde hertes vnto vyce
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.xxxviij.
These folys enuyous that of the same haue les%Cicero
Enuy by malyce, the others hye degre%Ecclesi.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
Anoters good if they may get the same%Ouidius.ii.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, whiche he reputyth best
Tyll it be done, he neuer hath eas nor rest
<P 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
+
Enuy is pale of loke and countenaunce%Descripcio inui die 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%Joseph gen.xxxvij.
By $Joseph 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
<P 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 hurte 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
<t.iij.>
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 5125>
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 they blode and body mar and wast
<P 256>
<L R>
Of impacient Folys that wyll nat abyde correccion.
<L 5133>
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
<P 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
+
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 synn 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
<P 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
+
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.&.xvij.
Where as all good comyth by wysdome and prudence
<P 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 suffer 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%Job.ij.
Thou shalt the ende therof fynde profytable%Job.xxviij.
It oft apereth, therfore I it byleue%Psal.xviij.
That man also forsoth is fortunable%Prouer.i.&.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 $goodes law to go
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
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 5217>
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
Remember 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.
<P 260>
<L R>
Of folysshe Fesycyans and vnlerned that onely folowe paractyke 
<L R>
knowynge nought of the speculacyon of theyr faculte.
<L 5225>
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
<P 261>
Yet be mo folys vpon the grounde and londe
Whiche in our Shyp may clayme a rowme and place
Suche be Phesycians that no thynge vnderstonde%Domine.&c. Insti.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
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 declemen ad nero. Eccle.+
x.&.xliiij.
Abyde a whyle tyll I my bokes ouer se
Wherby I may relyue thy paynes harde
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.xxxviij.
Whiche of the cunnynge knowe lytell or nought at all%Jo.an.de sen.
A herbe or wede that groweth vpon a wall%ex.c.i.li.vi.
Beryth in it these folys medycyne.
None other bokes haue they nor doctryne
<P 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
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
<P 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
+
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 begyleth 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
<P 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
Of folysshe Phesicians here onely I intende.
<v.i.>
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
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
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.
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF THE TRASLATOUR.
<L 5337>
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
<P 265>
<L R>
Of the ende of worldly honour and power and of Folys that trust therin.
<v.ii.>
<L 5345>
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 laste ende of euery thynge mundayne
Thus mannys fortune of cours is vncertayne
<P 266>
O creatures of myndes mad and blynde%Job.xv.
I wonder of your hertis proude and eleuate%Eccle.ix.&.xxix.
Whiche on vayne power set so sore your mynde%Juuenalis i satyra omnibus in +
terris. Eccle*s.xi.
And trust so moche to your vnsure estate
As of your lyfe were neyther yere nor date
To worldly worshyp ye stedfastly intende
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 $Julius $cesar%Cesar Julius
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 couetus
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
<P 267>
And also $Xerxes in ryches abundant%Xerxes de quo Juuenalis 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
+
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 Juuenalis.
To whome all the worlde scantly myght suffyse
Of $Grece was the origynall lorde and Emperour
And all the wrolde subdued as I surmyse
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 Justinus 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
<P 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%Job.ij.
Thus shortly to speke and all to comprehende%Apoca.xviij.
All worldly thynges at last shall haue an ende.%Sapientie.vij.
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 5415>
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%Gene.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.
<v.iij.>
The first that played on Harpe or on Orgone%Gene.v.
%Ilz %sont %tous %mortz %ce %monde %est %choce %vayne%Longeuissimus mortalium. +
Secunda etas.
+
Where is iust $Noy and his ofsprynge become
Where is $Abraham and all his progeny
As $Isaac and $Jacob, no strength nor wysdome%Tercia etas.
Coude them ensure to lyue contynually
<P 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 $Jude 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 worshyp no man can hym assure%Septima etas. mundi a Christo usque +
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.
<P 270>
Where ar the Phylosophers and Poetis lawreat
The great Grammaryens and pleasant oratours.
Ar nat they 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.
+
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.
<P 271>
<L R>
Of predestynacion.
<L 5479>
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
<P 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
+
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 or ordayne
+
Therfore in this part I shall dispyse and blame%Ad romanos.i.
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
<P 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, not 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%Johannis.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
+
Is $god nat rightwyse and grounde of all iustyce%xxiiii.q.iiij. Nabuchodocosor.
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.
<P 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 ouer owne foly we fall, and so become
Unto our maker vnkind: 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
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 romanum.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
<P 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.
<L R>
THE ENUOY OF $BARCLAY.
<L 5577>
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
<P 276>
<L R>
Of folys that forget them selfe and do other mannys besynes 
<L R>
leuynge theyr owne vndone.                
<L 5585>
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.
<P 277>
Within my Shyp of rowme he shall be sure%Jn.l.culpa est.ff.de re in.&.in.c.+
non est sine +culpa. de reg.iii.li.vi.
Whiche for anothers auantage and profyte
Takyth great thought and doth moche payne endure
Vnto his owne charge takynge no respyte
But settyth it asyde and hath all his delyte
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 touch 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.sc?a 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
<P 278>
We haue by $Therence the same commaundement
The same is wryten also as I fynde%Therencius
In the holy lawe of the olde testament%Heauton.
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:xxiij. +
q.si placet
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
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
<x.i.>
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.duc.
If they them self put, to losse or damage%xiiij.dis quod ait.
Therby to do some other auauntage
<P 279>
Say curyous Fole: say what pleasour thou hast%Prouer.v.&.xxvi.
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.
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARKLAY.
<L 5663>
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
<P 280>
<L R>
Of the vyce of vnkyndnes and Folys that it folowe.
<L 5671>
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 thing wroth therfore
Thoughe in this Shyp I set them to an ore.
<x.ii.>
<P 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.&.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 officiis.
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.
+
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
<P 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 bouute 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.xvij.
To charge or labour of body or of mynde%Ingrati enim spes &c. in fine.
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
<P 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
<x.iij.>
+
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 Justinus
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 country dyd defende
Fonde it to hym, vnkynde at the laste ende
<P 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.
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARKLAY.
<L 5769>
O fals vnkyndnes out on the I cry
From all goodnes dost thou nat man withdrawe
Bydynge 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 cum paulominus ab angelis &c.
Gyuen unto the by $good omnypotent 
Bytwene the and Angels is lytell difference
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 prio.
Thy iyen vpwarde to consyder his hyghnes
Where other creatures that ar vnresonable%Ouidius meth.
<P 285>
Goeth on all foure and ar nat other able.%Prona. &c.
Theyr loke alway vnto the grounde inclynyd
Therfore thou ought in vertue to be stable
And to thy maker neuer to be vnkynde
+
Whan man offendyd by disobedyence
Subduynge hym self to labour care and payne%Gesi.ij.
And lost the confort of $goodes hye presence
Hath nat $christ $Jhesu 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
<P 286>
<L R>
Of folys that stande so well in their owne conceyt that they 
<L R>
thinke none so wyse, stronge, fayre, nor eloquent, as they ar themself.
<L 5809>
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
<P 287>
Vnto my shyp I call hym to be Coke%Prouer.iij.
The mete to dresse to other Folys echone%c.ne imitatis de consti.
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 hymself 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
+
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%Job.v.&.xviij.
And that to gyue councell good and profytable
Were none in the wordly vnto hym comparable
<P 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 haue erys lyke an Asse
+
Oft whan 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 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
<P 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.Juuenalis.
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
+
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
As broches fyletes and oyntmentis souerayne
And clothynge of dyuers colour and of hewe
But nowe yonge men the same fourme do ensue
Aud to content theyr mad and folysshe mynde
To wymen they compare themselfe agaynst kynde
<P 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
Howe that one callyd $Pygmalyon by name%Pygmalion de quo ouidius.x.meth.
A fygure made vnto hymself 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
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
For whyle his shadowe vnto hym dyd apere
Vpon the same so sore he set his mynde
That he transformyd was to another kynde.
+
But to retorne agayne to our purpose
And of this sort of Folys to conclude
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
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARKLAY THE TRANSLATOUR.
<L 5928>
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
<P 291>
<L R>
Of lepynges and dauncis and Folys that pas theyr tyme in suche vanyte.
<y.i.>
<L 5936>
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.
<P 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%Origia bacchi.
+
Or as the Druydans rennyth in vayne about%Druyde de quibus Julius 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.
To theyr ydollys doynge theyr seruyce detestable
+
Lyke as these paynyms hath to theyr ydols done%Georgicorum.
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
<P 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
+
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 dronken, thus fell they in errour
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
<P 294>
And wanton people disposyd vnto syn
To satysfye theyr mad concnpyscence
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
<y.ii>
+
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
<P 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%Judith.ij.
Whiche doth theyr hertes to synne right sore inflame
+
So oft this vyce doth many one abuse
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
So in my shyp they well deserue a babyll.
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARKLAY.	
<L 6041>
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
<P 296>
<L R>
Of nyght watchers & beters of the stretes playnge by nyght on 
<L R>
instrumentes & vsynge lyke Folyes whan tyme is to rest.
<L 6049>
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.
<y.iij.>
<P 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%Job.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 Jest
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
+
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
Cast on theyr hede, or tyll the stonys fle
They nat depart, but couet there styll to be
<P 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%Johan.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%Juuenalis
So that whyle he after the owle doth go
Fedynge the Couko, his wyfe hir tyme doth watche
Receyuynge another whose egges she doth hatche.
<P 299>
Therfore ye folys that knowe you of this sort
To gyue occasyon of synne vnto your wyues
And all other: I you pray and exort
Of this your foly to amende your lyues
For longe nyght watches seldome tymes thryues%Ad ephe.iiij.
But if it be in labour: good to wyn%Ad thessa.iiij.
Therfore kepe your dorys: els abyde within
+
Thoughe I haue touchyd of this enormyte%Addicio translatoris Alexandri barclay.
In englysshe tunge: yet is it nat so vsed
In this Royalme as it is beyonde the se
Yet moche we vse whiche ought to be refusyd
Of great nyght watchynge we may nat be excusyd
But our watchynge is in drunken glotony
More than in syngynge or other meledy
+
Whan it is nyght and eche shulde drawe to rest
Many of our folys great payne and watchynge take
To proue maystryes and se who may drynke best
Outher at the Tauerne of wyne, or at the ale stake
Other all nyght watchyth for theyr lemmans sake
Standynge in corners lyke as it were a spye
Whether that the weder be, hote, colde, wete, or dry
+
Some other Folys range about by nyght
Prowdely Jettynge as men myndeles or wode
To seke occasyon with pacyent men to fyght
Delytynge them in shedynge mennys blode
Outher els in spoylynge of other mennys gode
Let these folys with suche lyke and semblable
Drawe to this barge, here shall they bere a bable
<P 300>
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARCLAY.
<L 6140> 
Ye folys that put your bodyes vnto payne
By nyghtly watchynge, voyde of auauntage
Leue of your foly or els ye shall complayne
And mourne it sore if ye lyue vnto age
For though ye thynke that this your blynde outrage
Is vnto you no hurte nor preiudyce
It doth your body and goodes great dammage
And great cause both to you and yours of vyce.
<P 301>
<L R>
Of folysshe beggers and of theyr vanytees.
<L 6148>
Syns I haue taken the charge one me
Mo botis and Barges for Folys to aparayle
And so agayne of newe to take the se
I feryd lyst company shulde me fayle
Within my folysshe shyppis to trauayle
But nowe doth beggers them selfe to me present
For fewe of them I fynde of good intent
<P 302>
A great company of folys may we fynde%C.mendi de vali.li.xi.v.q.v.non omnis.+
xvii.di.c.pasci.glo.super math.
Amonge beggers, whiche haue theyr hole delyte
In theyr lewde craft: wherfore I set my mynde
In this Barge theyr maners, brefely for to write
For thoughe that nede them greuously do byte.
Yet is theyr mynde for all theyr pouerte
To kepe with them of children great plente
+
And though that they myght otherwyse well lyue
And get theyr lyuynge by labour and besynes
Yet fully they theyr myndes set and gyue
To lede this lyfe alway in wretchydnes%C. auaricie de prebendis. Prouer.xiij.
The clerke, frere, or monke, whiche hath store of ryches
For all his lyfe. if he gyde it wysely.
Wyll yet the beggers offyce occupy
+
Suche oft complayne the charge of pouerte
In garmentis goynge raggyd and to rent
But yet haue they of ryches great plente
Whiche in gode vse can neuer of them be spent
Almys is ordeyned by $god omnypotent%Luce.xi.
And holy churche: for to be gyuyn in dede%Tobie.iiij. et.xij..
Vnto good vse, and suche as haue moste nede
+
Almes is ordeyned by $god our creatour%Ecclesi.iij.
For men that lyue in nede and wretchydnes%Psal.xl.
Therwith their paynfull lyues to socour
And nat for ryche that lyues in viciousnes
But yet suche caytyfs boldly in dare pres
For their lewde lyfe without all maner drede
This almes takynge from them that haue most nede
<P 303>
The abbot, the Pryour, and also theyr couent%Danielis.iiij.
Ar so blyndyd with vnhappy couetyse
That with theyr owne can they nat be content
But to haue more, they alway mean deuyse
Ye: in so moche that some haue founde a gyse
To fayne theyr bretherne tan in captyuyte
That they may begge so by auctoryte
+
They fayne myracles where none were euer done
And all for lucre: some other range about
To gather and begge with some fayned pardon
And at the alehows at nyght all drynkyth out
So ren these beggers in company rowt%Ecclesi.vij.
By stretis tauernes townes and vyllagys
No place can well be fre of theyr outragys
+
Some begge for byldynges, some for relyques newe
Of holy sayntis of countreys farre and strange
And with theyr wordes faynyd and vntrewe
For cause of Lucre, about they ren and range%De pen.&.re.c.cum ex eo.
But in a sympyll vyllage, ferme or grange
Where as these beggers moste sympyll men may fynde
With theyr fals bonys as relykes they them blynde
+
Other beynge stronge and full of lustynes
And yonge ynoughe to labour for theyr fode%Ecclesi.xix.
Gyuyth theyr bodyes fully to slewthfulnes%L.vna c.de mendis vali.
The beggers craft thynkynge to them moost good
Some ray theyr legges and armys ouer with blood
With leuys & plasters though they be hole and sounde
Some halt as crypyls, theyr legge falsly vp bounde
<P 304>
Some other beggers falsly for the nonys
Disfygure theyr children $god wot vnhappely
Manglynge theyr facys, and brekynge theyr bonys
To stere the people to pety that passe by
There stande they beggynge with tedyous shout and cry%Hic plura notantur +
in libro teutonico.
Theyr owne bodyes tournynge to a strange fassion
To moue suche as passe to pyte and compassyon
+
Suche yonge laddys as lusty ar of age
Myghty and stronge, and wymen in lyke wyse
Wanton and yonge and lusty of cowrage
Gyueth them selfe vtterly to this gyse
The cause is that they labour do despyse
For theyr mynde is in ydylnes to be styll
Or els in vyce to wander at theyr wyll
+
They paciently theyr prouertye abyde
Nat for deuocion of herte or of mynde
But to the intent that at euery tyde
Other mennys godes sholde them fede and fynde.
But if they a whyle haue ron in the wynde
And in theyr hande the staf some hete hath caught
They neuer after shall leue the beggers craft
+
Amonge these beggers also is comonly
Braulynge debate hatered and chydynge
Great othes, mockes falshode and enuy
And one with other euer more fyghtynge
As for theyr dronkennes and vnsure abydynge
Theyr rebaudry both in dede and communycacion
These ar chefe poyntis of theyr occupacion
<P 305>
If the begger haue his staf and his hode
One bagge behynde and another before
Than thynkes he hym in the myddes of his goode
Thoughe that his clothes be raggyd and to tore
His body nere bare he hath no thought therfore
And if some man cloth them well to day
To morowe it shall agayne be solde away
+
And if these caytyfes fortune to begge or cry
For mete or money, on woman or on man
If one to them that, that they aske deny
And so depart: anone these beggers than
Whan he is gone, doth wary curse and ban
And if another gyue them ought of pyte
At the next alestake dronken shall it be
+
But if that I sholde gather in my barge%xlij.di.quiescamus in glo.
To note all theyr vyces, to sore sholde be the charge
And as I suppose I neuer sholde make an ende.
Wherfore I counsell them shortly to amende
Or els theyr lewdnes, synne, and enormyte
Shall cause men withdrawe theyr almes of charyte
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARCLAY THE TRANSLATOUR.
<L 6260>
O people vnthrifty gyuen to ydelnes
Spendynge your youth this wyse in vanyte
What ioy haue ye to lyue in wretchydnes
Where ye myght come to better rowme and degre
<P 306>
By worke, and labour: and so auaunsyd be
Yet begge ye styll hauynge your ioy therin
Amende your foly, and lerne ye this of me
That $goddes good sholde nat be spent in syn
<P v>
<L R>
TABULA
+
Of wymens malyce & wrath.
+
Of the great myght & powerr of Folys.
+
An addicion of $Alexander $barclay in the lawde of kynge $Henry y%e viij.
+
Of y%e vayne cure of Astronomy.
+
Of the folysshe descripcion or inquysycion of dyuers countres or regyons.
+
Of folys y%t stryue agaynst theyr betters nat wyllynge to se theyr foly.
+
Of folys that can nat vnderstande sport & yet wyll haue to do with folys.
+
Of folys that hurte euery man nat wyllynge to be hurt agayne.
+
Of folys improuyndent.
+
Of folys that stryue in the lawe for thynges of small valour.
+
Of dyshonest folys in wordes of rybawdry, or vyle langage.
+
Of the abusion of y%e spiritualte.
+
Of carde players, and dysers.
+
Of proude, vayne and superflue bostys of Folys.
+
A rehersinge of dyuers sortes of Folys oppressyd with theyr owne foly.
+
Of the extorcion of men of warre, scrybes and other offycers.
+
Of folysshe messangers.
+
Of the foly of Cokes, butlers, and other offycers of housholde.
+
Of the pryde of Churles and rude men of the countrey.
+
Of folys that despise and abhorre pouertye.
+
Of suche Folys as begyn to do well and contynue nat.
+
Of folys that despyse deth and make no prouysyon therfore.
+
Of folys that despyse $god.
+
Of blasphemers of $god.
+
Of the plage and indignacyon of $god.
+
Of folysshe exchaunges.
+
Of children that dysdayne to honoure & worshyp theyr parentis.
+
Of claterynge and vayne langage vsyd of prestes & clerkes in y%e Quere.
+
Of the elacion or bostynge of pryde.
+
Of vsures and okerers.
+
Of the vayne hope y%t folys haue to succede to herytage of men yet lyuynge.
+
Of the vyce of slouthe.
+
Of Folys that gyue & that after repent of that they haue gyuen.
+
Of Folys that kepe nat the holy daye.
+
Of mysbeleuynge folys as Sarrazyns, Paynems, turkes and other suche lyke.
+
Of the ruyne, inclynacyon and decay of the fayth of $Christ by slouthe of 
estatis.
+
A specyall exhortacion and lawde of the kynge $Henry the viij.
+
Of flaterers and glosers.
+
Of taleberers & Folys of lyght credence vnto the same.
+
Of marchauntis and other occupyers y%t vse falshode and gyle.
+
Of the falshode of Antichrist.
+
Of hym that dare nat vtter the trouthe for fere of displeasour, &c.
+
Of suche as withdrawe & let other from good dedes.
+
Of leuyng gode warkes vndone.
+
Of the rewarde of wysdom.
+
Of folys that wyl nat beware of mysfortune.
+
Of bacbyters of good workes & ayenst suche as shall dysprayse this boke.
+
Of the immoderate vylenes in maners vsed at the table.
+
Of folys disgysed with visers and other counterfayt apparayle.
+
The discripcion of a wyse man.
+
$Alexander $barclay to his welbeloued frende syr $Johnn $Bysshop of $Excester.
+
Of folys that despyse wysdome & Phylosophy and a commendacion of the same.
+
Of concertacyon or stryuyng bytwene vertue & voluptuosyte.
+
The obieccion of lust blamynge vertue.
+
The answere of vertue agaynst the obieccion of voluptuosyte.
+
The vnyuersall and generall Shyp or Barge:  wherin they rowe that erst hath had 
no charge.
+
The vnyuersall shyp of craftysmen or laborers.
+
Of folys that ar to worldly.
+
A brefe addicion of the syngularyte of some newe Folys.
+
A conclusion of this Boke with a Balade of our Lady.
<P 1>
<L R>
Of the yre immoderate, the wrath and great lewdnes of wymen.
<L 6268>
For wrathfull men I purposyd to ordayne
A slowe Asse theyr hastynes to asswage
But nowe must they forgo that beste agayne
For wymen clayme the same by theyr great rage
Theyr furour passyth, in dede and in langage
All men in erth : none may with them compare
He is well happy whiche may of them be ware.
<P 2>
My balade bare of frute and eloqueuce
And I also with all my herte and mynde%Prouer.xxi.
Wolde wymen lawde and prayse with reuerence %Eccle.xxv.
And namely suche as ar founde true and kynde
<z.ii>
But of that sort, but fewe a man shall fynde
So the yll cause, and theyr nature cruell
To say the trouth doth me constrayne and bynde
And of theyr vyces somwhat brefely to tell
+
I haue longe louyd, loue nowe, and euer shall%Prouer.xxi.
Them to commende that in vertue haue delyte
And that ar good and chaste namely of all
But bad, that full of wrath ar, and despyte
It is conuenyent of theyr madnes to wryte
And theyr condycions repreue without all drede
So am I bolder and redyer to endyte
For no wyse woman shall these rebukes rede
+
The mother of $Graccus.   $Cornelia prudent%Cornelia
Chaste and discrete, and of beauty souerayne
Shall nat my Balade rede : for intent
Was euer in vertue, hir honour to mentayne
No godly woman, that doth from synne refrayne
Shall I disprayse but rather them defende
Therefore in my wordes I shall boldly and playne
Lawde iust and good, and the yll discommende
+
She that hath bene brought vp in honestye%Ecclesi.xix.
Fedynge hir mynde with wysdome and prudence
And kept hir gode name in youth by chastyte
The fere of $God alway in hir presence
<P 3>
Suche ren nat lyghtly to vyle synne and offence
And doth no thynge, but gode and commendable
O that suche one is worthy reuerence%Ecclesi.xxvi.
Better than al golde, than ryches more lawdable
+
A woman iust and to goodnes inclyned
If wrath and yre hir husbonde do inflame
With hir good counsell shall mytigate his mynde%Hester. v.
And peas his wrath, an example of the same
We haue by kynge $Assuerus by name
Whiche commaundyd all the hebreans to be slayne
But his Quene $hester worthy of dede and fame
With hir fayre wordes apeasyd hym agayne
+
The kynge $Dauyd despysed by $Naball
That wronge purposyd to punysshe hastely%Abigayl.i.reg.xxv.
Yet was he apaysyd by a woman lyberall
$Abygayll by name, whiche very womanly
Causyd hym that yre to temper by and by
His hande withdrawynge, and swerde of punysshment
So good wymen counsell well and rightwysely%Ecclesi.xlviii.
But yll gyue counsell after the worst intent%Prouer.vi.
+
$Salomon the wyse infect with the foly
Of wymens counsell and blynde aduysement%Salomon.iij.Regum.xx.
To his great hurte fell to Idolatry
Renounsynge the seruyce of $god omnypotent
Of womans tunge : who can the malyce stent
Forsoth no man : for all theyr felycyte%Eccle.xlvii.
Is set in spekynge of wordes imprudent%Prouer.ix.et.xxv.
For in theyr tunge is all theyr cruelte 
<P 4>
Theyr cruell tunge is sharper than a dart
Therwith they labour to brynge men to yll name%Ecclesi.xxv.
And with the same they stryke some to the herte
With thoughtfull wounde, no thynge can hele the same%Eccle.xlij.
They neuer haue done, and yet haue they no shame
Without occasyon to chyde with noyse and cry
In cruell wordes is all theyr myrth and game
Sawynge theyr sede of chatrynge lyke the pye
<z.iij.>
+
O $god aboue : o kynge moste glorious%Prouer.ij.
Of heuen and erth the whiche hast rauysshyd hell
Delyuer vs from the tungys venemous%Ecc*s.vij.
Of frowarde wymen, cursyd and cruell
For a thousande mo myscheuys than man can tell
Procede of theyr mad and disordred langage%Ecclesi.xiij.
One woman chydynge makyth gretter yell%Prouer.vij.
Than sholde an hundreth pyes in one cage
+
The pore husbonde with some is so bested 
That he no rest hath one houre of the day%Inne Saty.vi.
Nor in the nyght whan he is in his bed
There she hym techyth a brawlynge crede to say%Eccle.xxvi.
And if he there ought vnto hir denay
She gronyth grutchynge, with hir complayntis styll
Ye foure dayes after let hym do what he may
He shall hir nat asswage tyll she hath chyd hir fyll
+
Thus is hir chydynge to this pore man great wo%Prouer.ij.&.v.
Moreouer in woman is gyle and sotyltye%Ecclesi.xix.&.xxv.
And secrete malyce whiche none can take hir fro
And for that she wolde fayne commendyd be
<P 5>
She hym commaundeth as moche more wyse than he
In hir owne conceyt despysynge his doctryne
And if hir husbonde to any thynge agre
By no maner mean wyll she therto inclyne
+
She wyll that no thynge be perfourmyd of his wyll
All must be rulyd after hir folysshe mynde%Eccle*s.vij.
And that in thynges, wherin she hath no skyll.
So oft the husbonde fawtles great hurte doth fynde
And also lossys whiche his herte sharply bynde
By the lewde dedys and langage of his wyfe
And though a womans wordes be but wynde
Yet of them growe bothe : murder losse and stryfe
+
Right so $Amphyon of $Thebes myghty kynge
For the offences : and selfe wyll of his wyfe%Amphyon.
Bycause he dyd hir wyll in euery thynge%Ouidius.vi.meth.
For his owne foly at laste he lost his lyfe
Wordes amonge wymen is comon and ryfe
And fere of shame, from many gone is quyte
So one $Calphurnia in a case playntyfe%Calphurnia.in l.ff.de postu.
His bare tyle shewyd to the iuge in despyte
+
But for to speke of womans wrath and yre
No beste in erthe to wrath is so inclynde
As she : hir wrath in hete passyth hote fyre
No tunge can tell the rancour of hir mynde
This wrath in woman is rotyd so by kynde
That if she be onys set in hir madnesse
She passyth  all the cruell bestis of Inde
The bere the wolf fell lyon, and and the lyones. 
<P 6>
The cruell Tyger to woman is nat lyke
Whiche whan hir whelpis from hir den taken be
Rangyth about in furour them to seke
For madnes gnawynge and terynge stocke and tre
A wrathfull woman is yet more made than she%Medea de qua. Seneca in me.
Cruell $Medea doth us example shewe
Of womans furour great wrath and cruelte
Whiche hir owne children dyd all to pecis hewe
+
$Progne also may be to vs example
Whiche sode hir owne childe after she had hym slayne
The story in $Ouyde is wryten longe and ample
But if $Juuenall had nat wryten playne
Of wymen the wrath, theyr cruelte and trayne
The same shulde nowe haue wryten ben by me
But foly it is to wryte the same agayne.
Therefore I leue it for cause of breuyte
+
The herte of woman is ay deuysynge scornys%Eccl*s.vij.
Disceyt and cautele falshode lesynge and gyle
It is more sharpe than knyfe, pryckynge as therues
If she be pacient : it lastyth but a whyle
Hir stomacke swellyth by bytter gall and vyle
Hir body full of rancour and madnes
But where she settyth, man by worde to reuyle
From hir stynkynge mouth commyth all vnhappynes
+
No maner vyce shall she vntouchyd leue%Ecclesi.xxv.
She troubleth maners of men that ar lawdable
And of theyr gode name doth falsly them bereue
She troublyth right and peas most profytable
<P 7>
Brakynge hir fayth by synne abhomynable
The bed defylynge, Dean can nat withdrawe
Them from that vyse theyr mynde is so vnstable%Eccle.xlvi.
They take theyr pleasour in synne agaynst the lawe
+
She that hir mynde doth to this vyce subdue
Gyuynge hir body to this mysgouernaunce
To husbonde, nor to none other man is true
Yet kepeth she a solem countenaunce
As none were lyke hir in Englonde nor in Fraunce
In all vertues, and knowynge nought of syn
But if that she were well sought she is perchaunce
A wolfe or gote within a Lammys skyn
+
A woman is lyke a clyster laxatyf%Juuenalis
In mannys purs voydynge that is within
If man shulde euer by rulyd by his wyfe
Hir  proude aparayle sholde make his thryst full thyn
As well can some spende as theyr good man can wyn
And moche faster, but if that coyne do fayle
She labowryth nat to get it without syn
But craftely to forge it with hir tayle
+
I fynde in the worlde that there by thynges thre
Right harde to knowe, the fourth that no man may
Knowe nor perceyue, first, whan a byrde doth fle
Alonge in the ayre : no man can spye hir way
The way of a Shyp in the see thoughe it be day
Harde is to se whiche way the shyp hath gone
The thirde harde thynge as I have oft harde say
Is the way of a serpent ouer a stone
<P 8>
But the fourth way that of all hardest is
Of yonge man is, in youthes lustynes
A vycyous womans way is lyke to this
Whiche after hir synne and great vnhappyness
Fedyth hir with mete of blynde delyciousnes
Than wypyth hir mouth and sayth in audyence
With mynde assured and past all shamefastnes
I haue nat commyttyd yll, synne nor any offence
+
Thre other thynges on erth I fynde certayne
Whiche troubleth the grounde and also the see%Prouer.xxx.
The fourth nouther see nor londe may well sustayne
The firste is a churle that hath a bonde man be
And so by fortune come vnto hye degre
The seconde is a fole whan he is dronke and full.
The thirde a wrathfull woman, full of cruelte
He that hir weddyth, hath a crowe to pull
+
Yet is the fourth wors and more eleuate
That is a hande mayde lowe of hir lynage
Promotyd from a begger and so come to estate
Succedynge hir lady as heyr in herytage
Of suche procedeth moche malyce and outrage
Disdayne great scorne, vilany and debate
For the frenche man, sayth in his langage
No thynge is wors than a churle made a state
+
I wolde fayne cesse of womans gyle and treason
And theyr great falshode whiche none can well defende
I nought wyll speke, howe some by mortall poyson
Theyr husbondes brynge to sodayne deth and ende
<P 9>
Examples habunde : who lyst therto intende
Of $Agrippina, and $Poncia wode of mynde%Agrippina.
Whiche on theyr husbondes dyd mortall hande extende%Poncia.
Of many suche we may in wrytynge fynde
+
What shall I wryte the cursyd cruelte%Dianaydes
Of the susters of $Danaides echone 
Fyfty in nomber, whiche by iniquyte
Slewe all their husbondes reseruyd one alone 
O chast $lucres, alas where art thou gone%Lucretia
From theyr presence all wymen ner, the chace
Thou art belouyd, nowe almost of none%Thais
And bawdy tays hath nowe thy rowme and place
+
Fals $Clytymnestra cruell of hir dede%Clytymnestra
May trouble the hertis of all men on the grounde
And cause them of other suche to take hede
Whose manyfolde malyce doth mynde of man confounde
The prudent $Porcia to fewe men nowe is bounde%Porcia cathonis
Or associat by the way of mariage
This $Porcia kept hir body chast and sounde
Trewe to hir husbonde $Cato the great sage
+
The Chast $Sabyn is nat weddyd nowe a dayes$Sabina
To many men : as she was wont to be
I meane that fewe inclyne, nowe to hir wayes
Wherfore I say that well happy is he%Prouer.xij.
That hath a whman kepynge hir honeste%Eccle.xxv.et.xxvi.
Pacient of mynde, in suche is great confort
She is a Jewell that louyth chastyte
It is pyte that so fewe, be of that sort
<P 10>
Ye gentyll wymen, and other great and small
Be nat displeasyd with these true cours sentences
For certaynly I haue nat wryten all 
The vyce of wymen theyr synnes nor offences
If I had red all the lyberall sciences
And all my lyfe shulde there about intende
Yet coude I neuer wryte all inconuenyences
By wymen done, nor theyr malyce comprehende
+
But whyle I lyue the good shall I commende
And them exalt at euery tyme and season 
I may haue leyser ynoughe therto tyntende
Syns of them is no plenty but great geason
But suche folys as ar voyde of all reason
And shame to all wymen by theyr mysgouernaunce
As powlynge yre disceyte sclaunder and treason
Them shall I blame with wrathfull countenannce
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARCLAY THE TRANSLATOUR.
<L 6515>
Ye wrathfull wymen by vyce lesynge your name
Correct your selfe, and labour ye with payne
In your lyuynge for to deserue no blame
Assay with mekenes to get your name agayne
By that mean may ye, all your wyll obtayne
Let chastyte you gyde and pacience
For to be frowarde, (it is a thynge in vayne
Vnto hym to whom yet owe obedyence
+
The lawe commaundyth you to do reuerence
Vnto your spousys with honour and mekenesse
<P 11>
And nat displease hym by your wylfull offence
As hasty langage disceyte and vnkyndnes
If ye lyue well than shall $God sende riches
To you in erth, with welth and joy mundayne
And if ye fortune to fall in to lewdnes
These great gyftis shall ye iustly lese agayne
<P 12>
<L R>
Of the great myght and power of Folys.
<L 6531>
Blynde foly hath hir tentis abrode displayde
In euery place, from them no felde is fre.
With hir madnes, the worlde is hole dismayde
She hath all men in hir captyuyte
But namely suche as ar of moste degre
Of most riches power lynage and myght
Vnder hir standard submyt them selfe to fyght
<P 13>
Thou folysshe man trustynge in thy ryches%Sapien.v.
Therby contendynge to haue preemynence%Prouer.xvij. et.xviiij.
Howe be it that thou art gyuen to viciousnes
And none so bolde to shewe the thy offence%Ecce.xxxiiij
The more thou errest in thy blynde negligence
For if that thou be hye of rowme and name
If thou offende the more shall be thy shame
+
Thoughe all thy wordes be full of folysshenes%Psal.ix.
And all thy dedys to no good ende do come
Yet wylt thou be reputyd in ryches
Bebefore all other and also in wysdome
O howe oft tymes (of these folys) wyll some
Commende them self and lawde their glorious name%Prouer.xxvij.
Whan they se that none other wyll do the same
+
These folys them boste of dedys of valyaunce%Ecclesi.xv.xxii.q.ii.pri. +
Job.xxxvij.
And worthy actis done by them in batayle
Howe be it that lawde wherby man doth auaunce
Hym self by his owne mouth is of but small auayle
And vyle before men of wysdome and counsayle
But suche fowlys that of eche hatyd be
Them self may commende by gode auctoryte.
+
These Folys say that londe is fortunate%Prouer.xx.
Whiche is gouernyd, by ryche Prynce or kynge%Eccle*s.x.
But better is that londe whiche longyth to a state%Sapien.vi.
Whiche is induyd with wysdome and cunnynge
Workynge by counsell in euery maner thynge
For who that raynth in wysdome and vertue
The great Vlixes shall scantly hym subdue
<P 14>
A wyse Prynce gydeth hymselfe by reason
And his Realme by Justyce and equyte
Ordeynynge eche thynge, accordynge to the season
Nowe with rygour : and oft by benygnyte.
Nat beynge parcyall to hye nor lowe degre
No coyne nor brybe can change or turne his mynde
But so he iugeth as lawe and right doth bynde
+
Suche louyth vertue, next $god omnypotent
And grace hym gydeth with godly chastyte
Wherby his Realme becommyth excellent
His londe increasynge in great prosperyte
His counsell discrete and full of grauyte
Graciously gydeth the subiectis on his grounde
And so departynge this Prynce in heuyn is crownde
+
Well is that londe and ioyous may it be
Whiche is defendyd by suche a noble estate%Eccle*s.v.&.x.
But wo be that londe, whose crowne of royalte
Is gyuen to a childe, whose counsell drynketh late%Prouer.xxx.
Gyuen to the wombe, to Ryot and debate
Suche frowarde counsell shall blynde his innocence
And cause hym decay from his hye excellence
+
A fole promotyd to riches and renowne%Sapien.xi.
Syttynge in his stage or chayre of rowme royall%Ecclesi.x.
Blyndeth iustyce tournynge the lawes vp set downe
By vyle rewardes and gyftis temporall
Another by fauour, letteth true iustyce fall
Damnynge innocence by fals iniquyte
Thus falsly ouerthrowen is iust symplycyte
<P 15>
Justyce ought be wayed in an euyn balance
By egall mesure, all fauour set a syde
Nat rygorously for wrath or displeasaunce%Sapien.vi.&.vij.
The fere of $god ought a iuges mynde to gyde
But moche I fere lyst the fals sede abyde
In erthe yet : of them whiche by fals polecy
Vnto deth iuged $Susanna wrongfully%Daniel.xiij.
+
And of $Andronicus whiche hath $Onias slayne%ii.mach.iiij.
Thoughe both be dede, the sede of them abyde
Wherof fals traytours begyn to growe agayne
Infectynge falsly the worlde on euery side
Maystershyp, and money euery thynge doth gyde
$Bynadab by gyftis hath broke his othe alas
$Tryphon by the same disceyued $Jonathas%iii.Regum.xx.
+
In hope of brybes men of great dignyte%i.macha.xij.
Blyndyth the lawes, and some doth oft betray
Theyr kynge and countrey sellynge theyr honeste
Example of $Jugurtha whiche oft by $Rome dyd say%Jugurtha da quo Salustius +
bello iugurthino.
Whyle he frome it departyd on a day
O $Rome $Rome, who that had store of golde
By thy owne gyders, thou falsly sholde be solde
+
Trust me (on grounde, no maner man we fynde%Ouidius de arte amandi 
Of so great wrath malyce nor rancoure
But the holy Crosse shall mytygate his mynde
All men doth it great worshyp and honour%Horatius in Epistolis
Money ouer man is like a conquerour
No herte so stronge whiche it doth nat ouercome
It is preferred both vertue and wysdome
<P 16>
Whan mony labours it leuyth nought vndone
It all ouercomyth with hye and lowe degre%Eccle*s. x.
And shortly to speke for a conclusyon%Ecclesi.x.
It thousandes blyndeth of men of dignyte
With dyuers folyes, whiche they themself nat se
Thus doth the nomber of Folys rayne so wyde
Ouer all the worlde : that no man can them gyde.
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARCLAY THE TRANSLATOUR.
<L 6629>
O nobel prynces, in wroshyp decorate
Infix your myndes to vertue and prudence
Remember it is more dishonour to a state
Than to a sympyll man to fall to vyle offence
And where as of $God ye haue preemynence
Aboue lowe people, labour with full intent
To pass them in vertue, and so with dylygence
Lerne to lyue by the rede Rose redolent
+
Though that we Brytons be fully separate 
From all the worlde as is sene by euydence
Wallyd with the se, and longe ben in debate
By insurreccion yet $God hath made defence
By his prouysion ordeyned us a prynce.
In all vertues most noble and excellent
This prynce is $Harry clene of conscience
Smellynge as the Rose ay fresshe and redolent
+
Drawe nere ye Prynces of myndes eleuate
Mekens may ye lerne beynge in his presence
And godly wysdome as hath apered late
In dyuers dedys done, by his excellence
<P 17>
Subduynge without blode great inconuenyence
Punysshynge the proude, louynge the innocent
Wherfore to his dedys gyue your aduertence
Folowynge the smell of the Rose redolent
+
By his reygne is all $Englonde lawreat
With godly peas nat nedynge great defence
Murdred is $Mars, and with woundes sawciate
The bondys of peas hath dryuen the tyrant hens
Banysshed is batayle by his magnyficence
And peas confermyd by $god omnypotent
The blynde $Venus chefe grounde of neglygence
Is exyled from the rede Rose redolent
+
In hym is iustyce with petye sociate
Vpon the pore he spareth no expense
Nor on the Churche after lyke maner rate
Promotynge men of wysdome and science
Seruynge his maker with loue and reuerence
Wherfore O $englonde be true to thy intent
With faythfull herte do hym obedyence
Thanke $god whiche hath the Rose vnto the sent
<&.ii>
<P 18>
<L R>
Of the vayne cure of Astronomy.
<L 6669>
He is forsoth of purpose vayne and blynde
Of mynde mysbeleuynge and without aduysement
Whiche stedfastly thynkyth in his mynde
To knowe thynges to come playne and euydent
Onely by the sterrys of the fyrmament
Yet churlys voyde of cunnynge and wysdome
Ar nowe a dayes Astronomyers become
<P 19>
Here call we to our folysshe company%xxvi.q.v.non liceat christia et per totum +
et.xxvi.q.vij.non obseruetis &c. sequentur.
Suche folys as labour and stody with great payne
To iuge the planetis, by theyr Astronomy
And other craftis without profyte and vayne
Come hyther Astronomyers haue yet no disdayne
Ye planetystis and wytches, and other of this sort
Whiche honour the sterres onely : as your confort
+
Suche iuge the dedys of men both more and les%Ad gala.iiij.xxvi.q.vii.quis +
existimaret.
Expoundynge the sterres by theyr vayne iugement
They labour wenynge by theyr folysshnes
To knowe the secrete of $god omnypotent
On this vayne stody so set is theyr intent
That what so euer they in the sterres se
Without all dout they thynke the same shall be
+
On the sterrys is all theyr felycyte%xxvi.q.ij.ipsos
And in the planetis ar they full dilygent
And than vtter with great audacyte
All that the same do showe or represent
The preuy workynges of euery element
And secrete causys of other bodyes aboue.%Exodi.xij.
They note to knowe to what effect they moue
+
Some gase vpon the wandrynge of the mone
Another deuysyth the cours of $Phebus clere
Gasynge on the Sonne at mornynge nyght or none
And by other planetis shewyth what doth apere
Howe some of them whan they do gyde the yere
Engendreth plenty pleasour myrth and ioy
And howe some other doth man and beste destroy
<P 20>
Some techyth what thynge sad $Saturne doth manace%Saturnus.
And what cruell $Mars doth note and signyfye%Mars.
Some expoundyth $Venus with hir pleasaunt face%Venus.
Howe she men bryngyth oft tyme to vylany
Another is in hande to trete of $Marcury%Marcurius.
Howe eche of these planetis doth men predestynate
And howe $Jupiter theyr wrath doth mytygate%Jupiter
<&.iii>
+
These folys say that in theyr bokes they fynde
That men borne vnder the constellacion
Of $Saturne : to theft and robbynge ar inclynyd
Yet fynde we suche true ofte by probacion 
And gode and iust without all decepcion
They say that children of $Mars without fayle
Shall be disposyd and full gyuen to Batayle
+
Yet fynde we often by playne experience
That suche as vnder this planete borne be
Ar nat inclyned after theyr sentence
But gyuen ay to peas and tranquyllyte
Right so by $Venus we often tymes se
That though she dispose hir children vnto lust
And bodely pleasour, yet ar they : chast and iust
+
Thus it aperyth both playne and openly
That it is foly to gyue great confydence
To the vnsure science of Astronomy%Ad Titum.ij.
Wherfore haue done Just man, note this sentence%Ptolomeus.
A man of wysdome vertue and science
If he the wayes of vyces set asyde
Shall gyde the sterris, and they shall hym nat gyde
<P 21>
Thynke well the sterris and eche elyment
The hole firmament and planetis euerychone%Ad roma.x.
Stande in the handes of $god omnypotent
None can them gyde saue this hye lorde alone
Therfore mad man, let thy foly be gone
Wylt thou knowe the secretis of thy creatour%Ecclesi.primo
Leue of thy blyndnes, thy foly and furour%Psal.xxxv.
+
Takest thou this labour and charge vpon the
As who sayth $god whiche reyneth eternall
Wolde shewe his secretis and godly pryuytye
By sterre or planete to any man mortall%De.pe.dis.iiij. in domo
Wherfore it is best me thynke that we leue all
Vnto the iugement and wyll of $god aboue
Whiche gydeth all : howe euer the sterris moue
+
He by his myght hath made the fyrmament
With all the sterres and planetis of the same
Whiche at his wyll ar euer obedyent
And he them rulyth, therfore what hurt or shame%Ad ephe.i.
What mysfortune aduersyte or blame%Ad rom.viij.
Can all the planetis to man or childe pretende%xxvi.q.v.non.?
If $god moste glorious by his myght vs defende
+
Thus is it foly, voyde labour and vanyte
To gyue great credence vnto Astronomy
It is great Foly also in certaynte
To trust vnto fortune, to byrth or desteny%xxvi.q.iiij. admoneant.
A vertuouse lyuer may all the same defye
Lyue well and than trust surely to $goddes grace
The sterris ne fortune shall in the haue no place.
<P 22>
<L R>
THENUOY OF BARKLAY.
<L 6760>
Leue of your foly, whiche labour this science
And let this your clokyd errour be refusyd
Vnto the sterris gyue nat to great credence
For many one therby hath ben abusyd.
And many one haue stodyed sore and musyd
To wryte Pronosticacions, whiche haue be founde
Of none effect, and than falsly excusyd
For suche shewe before after as they ar bounde.
<P 23>
<L R>
Of the folysshe descripcion and inquisicion of dyuers contrees and regyons.
<L 6768>
Who that is besy to mesure and compace
The heuyn and erth and all the worlde large
Describynge the clymatis and folke of euery place
He is a fole and hath a greuous charge
Without auauntage, wherfore let hym discharge
Hym selfe, of that fole whiche in his necke doth syt
About suche folyes dullynge his mynde and wyt.
<P 24>
That fole, of wysdome and reason doth fayle%Plinius libro secundo circa +
pricipium.
And also discression labowrynge for nought.
And in this shyp shall helpe to drawe the sayle
Which day and nyght infixeth all his thought
To haue the hole worlde within his body brought
Mesurynge the costes of euery royalme and lande
And clymatis, with his compace, in his hande
+
He coueytyth to knowe, and compryse in his mynde%xxvi.q.iiij.c.igitur.
Euery regyon and euery sundry place
Whiche ar nat knowen to any of mankynde
And neuer shall be without a specyall grace
Yet suche folys take pleasour and solace%Esa.xl.&.xlviij.
The length and brede of the worlde to mesure%Eccle*s.iiij.
In vayle besynes, takynge great charge and cure%ij.corin.x.
+
They set great stody labour and besynes
To knowe the people that in the east abyde
And by and by theyr mesures after dres
To knowe what folke the west and north part gyde%Abacuc.iij.
And who the sowth, thus all the worlde wyde
By these folys is meated by ieometry
Yet knowe they scant theyr owne vnwyse body
+
Another labours to knowe the nacions wylde
Inhabytynge the worlde in the North plage and syde
Metynge by mesure, countrees both fyers and mylde
Vnder euery planete, where men sayle go or ryde
And so this fole castyth his wyt so wyde
To knowe eche londe vnder the fyrmament
That therabout in vayne his tyme is spent
<P 25>
Than with his compace drawyth he about
$Europe, and $Asye, to knowe howe they stande
And of theyr regyons nat to be in dout
Another with $Grece and $Cesyll is in honde
With $Apuly, $Afryke and the newe fonde londe
With $Numydy and, where the Moryans do dwell
And other londes whose namys none can tell
+
He mesureth $Athlant, $calpe, and $cappadoce
The see of $Hercules $garnado and $Spayne
The yles there aboute shewynge all in groce
Throwynge his mesure to $Fraunce and to $Brytayne
The more and lesse, to $Flaundres and $almayne
There is no yle so lytell that hath name
But that these Folys in hande ar with the same
+
And regyons that are compasyd with the se
They besely labour to knowe and vnderstande
And by what cause, nature or propertye
These doth flowe, nat ouercouerynge the londe
So he descrybyth his cercle in his honde
The hole worlde : leuynge no thynge behynde
As in the Doctrynes of $Strabo he doth fynde%Strabo
+
Whiche wrote in bokes makynge declaracion
Somtyme hym groundynge vpon auctoryte
Howe eche Royalme and Londe had sytuacion%Eccle*s.
Some in brode feldes some closyd with the see
But ye geometryans that of this purpose be
Ye ar but folys to take suche cure and payne
Aboute a thynge whiche is fruteles and vayne%Plinius.
<P 26>
It passyth your reason the hole worlde to discus
And knowe euery londe and countrey of the grounde
For though that the noble actour $plinius
The same purposyd, yet fawty is he founde%Ptolomeus
And in $Tholomeus great errours doth habounde
Thoughe he by auctoryte makyth mencyon
Of the descripcion of euery regyon
+
Syns these actours so excellent of name
Hath bokes composyd of this facultye
And neuer coude parfytely perfourme the same
Forsoth it is great foly vnto the %Ecclesi.xxxiiij.
To labour about suche folysshe vanyte%Ezech.xiij.
It is a furour also one to take payne%Sapien.iij.
In suche thynges as prouyd ar vncertayne%Hiere.ij.
+
For nowe of late hath large londe and grounde
Ben founde by maryners and crafty gouernours
The whiche londes were neuer knowen nor founde
Byfore our tyme by our predecessours
And here after shall by our successours
Parchaunce mo be founde, wherin men dwell
Of whome we neuer before this same harde tell
+
$Ferdynandus that late was kynge of $spayne
Of londe and people hath founde plenty and store
Of whome the bydynge to vs was vncertayne
No christen man of them harde tell before
Thus is it foly to tende vnto the lore
And vnsure science of vayne geometry
Syns none can knowe all the worlde perfytely
<P 27>
<L R>
THENUOY OF BARKLAY.
<L 6859>
Ye people that labour the worlde to mesure
Therby to knowe the regyons of the same
Knowe firste your self, that knowledge is moste sure
For certaynly it is rebuke and shame
For man to labour.  onely for a name
To knowe the compasse of all the worlde wyde
Nat knowynge hym selfe, nor howe he sholde hym gyde
<P 28>
<L R>
Of hym that wyll net se his owne folysshenes: 
<L R>
and that stryuth agaynst his strenger.
<L 6866>
The folysshe $Marcia dyd with $Apollo stryue
But he ouercome : loste sone the victory.
And for his foly was fleyd beinge alyue
For that he comparyd to ioyous Armony.
His foulysshe Bagpype voyde of al melody.
Yet kept he stylle his Bagpype in his honde:
Nat willynge his foly to knowe nor vnderstonde.
<P 29>
Ouer al the worlde eche folysshe Creature.%Prouer.xxvi.et.xvij.
If he by his foly, or neglygence offende.
Hath suche condicion within hym by nature%Oui.vi.meth.
That to mennys mockes nought wyl he intende.%Oui.vi.fastorum
Nor knowledge his foly, nor stody hym to amende.
But as one obstynate, continue in his synne.
O folysshe $Marcia : for this thou lost thy skynne.%Juuenalis.
+
This folysshe $Marcia with $Phebus dyd contende.
Comparynge with hym in songe of Armony%Eccles.ij.
But for that $Marcia cowde nat his part defende%Prouer.xxvi.
He fleaed was alyue moche pyteously.
To whose example we se that comonly
Many mad brayned and blynde Foles ar alyue
Which voyde of reason, with prudent men dar stryue.
+
And euery fole that is voyde of dyscressyon
At al tymes thynketh hymself wyse and prudent.
Though he be destytute of wysedom and of reason.
Suche ar so blynde that they can nat aduyse.%Ecclesi.xx.
Howe men by mockes and scornes them despyce.$Sapientie.iiij.
Lawghinge to derision theyr maners and lewde dede.
Yet se they nat the foles erys vpon theyr hede.
+
Thys fole thus lawghed to scorne and derision
Taketh al in sporte lawhinge with them also.
Nat thynkynge hym contemned for his mad condicion,
Lewde, and disordred.  but where so euer he go
He best is content with them that so wyl do.
He loueth to be flatered and slawed by the sleue
That thynge that he wolde here : he gladly doth byleue.%Ecclesi.xix.
<P 30>
Who that hym prayseth in scorne and in mockage.
And in derision doth magnyfy his name
Anone he enclyneth vnto that lewde langage :
Auaunsinge hymselfe and presumynge on the same
Stryuynge with his better to his rebuke and shame.
So hangith on his shulders hys pype contynually
Wherby men may his lewdnes notefy.
<A.i.>
+
If suche a fole haue patrymony and londe%Ouidius.i.tristium.
Or in his Coffres great treasour and riches
He shall haue frendes and felawys at honde%Prouer.xix.
To egge hym forwarde vnto vnhappynes
And sawynge in hym sede of moche vnthryftynes%Luce.xv.
And than to spoyle hym : and leue hym pore and bare
Wherby he after must lyue in payne and care
+
Wastfull youth oft spendeth, all his hole substaunce
On suche Felawys folowynge alway theyr mynde
Rennynge hedely to vngracious gouernaunce
But whan of his good no more is left behynde%Tullius de amicia.
And he theyr falshode and preuy gyle doth fynde
He than auysyth hym of his olde estate
Begynnynge to spare, but than it is to late
+
So whan he by them is brought to pouertye
Hauynge no thynge his bodye to sustayne
Than all his frendes away fast from hym fle
As trayters vntrue leuynge the Fole in payne
Than cryeth he on god, and sore doth hym complayne
With wofull wordes, mournynge with herte full faynt
And than forthynkyth : but late is his complaynt
<P 31>
But who that in his costes is so ryfe%l.ius alimentorum ff.xv.pup edu.debe.
That he that spendyth within a yere or twayne
Whiche were ynoughe the dayes of his lyfe
With honest rule his body to mayntayne
He is a fole spendynge his good in vayne
But they on whome he so his good doth spende%Prouer.xxxviij.
Shall more to his money, than to his loue intende
+
Wherof precedyth pouerty and contempt
Scorne and derisyon nede and aduersyte
And from all honour these folys ar exempt
That thus wast theyr good in prodygalyte
For who that is of small power and degre
And with his betters wyll in expence stryue
Without all dout that Fole shall neuer thryue
+
And also folys that stryueth in the lawe
Agaynst an estate them passynge in ryches%Addicio alexandri barclay.
Shall theyr owne flesshe vnto the bonys gnawe
Or he that is voyde of reason and wytles
And dare presume by his presumptuousnes
Agaynst a man of hye wysdome and lore
He shall byde a fole, euen as he was before.
+
Ye folys voyde of wysdome and scyence
That wyll presume with cunnynge men to stryue
And ye feble Folys that by your insolence
Thynke you more stronge than any man a lyue
And ye pore Folys whiche labour to contryue
Mean to ouercome suche as better ar than ye
I you ensure that ye shalt neuer thryue
But outher be brought to shame or pouerte
<P 32>
And thou that art a courter or a knaue
Or a bonde chorle, and all thy hole lynage
Thynke well thou shalt but small profyte haue
To stryue with thy mayster come of hye parage
I fynde it moste for mannys auauntage
Within his bondes his body to preserue
And nat in riches, strength wysdome nor langage
To stryue agaynst the streme, lyst he in swymmynge sterue.
<A.ii.>
<P 33>
<L R>
Of folys that vnderstonde nat game and can no 
<L R>
thynge take in sport, and yet intermyt them with Folys.
<L 6966>
Who that with Folys or children wyll play
Or meddyll with suche as wyt and reason want
He ought them to suffer folowynge theyr way
And them endure, as for that small instant
Lyst for his maners mad and ignorant
I call hym hyther to gyde the helme and sayle
If the shyp brake, the les is his auayle
<P 34>
That man shall one be of our folysshe sort%Math.vij.
Whiche without wysdome and aduysement%i.dis.in princi.
Wyll besely with folys and children sport
And can nat them indure with meke intent
And mad he is that wyll in mynde assent
To haue ado or accompany with boyes
And can nat suffer theyr folysshnes and toyes
+
He is a Fole also, that hath great game
Whan childe or dronkard blamyth one absent%Prouer.xxvi.
If he can nat also indure the same
And quenche madnes with wordes pacyent
For without dout who that wyll be present
And conuersaunt with caytyfs in theyr bourdes
Or els with children, must suffer theyr lewde wordes
+
Yet some ar besy on euery man to rayle%Ecclesi.i.
With voyde wordes, and talys mad and vayne
With scornes and mockes behynde eche mannys tayle
And yet disdayneth to abyde the same agayne
Theyr madnes doth theyr myndes so constrayne
That with euery Fole they gladly haue to do
And can nat suffer what doth belonge therto
+
He that wyll labour a beast to hunt or chace%Ecclesi.primo.
With his pleasour must take payne and besynes
Folowynge the same about from place to place
His lynes, colers, and lesshes he must dres
And often also abyde, full great hardnes
So he that wyll by yll worde man ouerturne
Must holde hym sure, lyst he vnwarly spurne
<P 35>
One worde in sporte spokyn, another lyke requyrys%Ecclesi.xix.
Rayle with a Fole, or childe that can nat gyde
Hym selfe by reason, thy sportis lyke, desyres
He is a fole whiche can it nat abyde
For lyke wyll haue lyke, if thou be by the syde
Or in the company of Fole or innocent
So suffer theyr foly thou moste be pacyent
<A.iiij.>
+
A fole hastely rendreth yll for yll%Psal.xxxvij.
And oft for good, and loue most profytable%Ad Roma.ij.
They render hatered malyce and yll wyll%i.ad.thess.v.
Whiche is a thynge wronge and intollerable%i.petri.iij.
Yet this nature in folys abydeth stable
That seldome or neuer, they goodnes pay agayne
They other scorne, of scornys hauynge disdayne
+
With suche Folys none wyse ought intermyt%Prouer.xiij.
But coueyt amonge wyse men to be conuersaunt%Ecclesi.xiij.et.xxviij.
And so they do, but Folys voyde of wyt
Takyth theyr rowme amonge other ignoraunt
The company of folys to folys is pleasaunt
For it is a prouerbe, and an olde sayd sawe
That in euery place lyke to lyke wyll drawe
+
A precious stone wrappyd in myre and fen
Lesyth his colour and semyth nat of pryce
Right so one good, amonge vnthrifty men
Distayneth his name, with theyr yll name and vyce
And doth to hym selfe great wronge and preiudice
For eche man is reputyd of the same sort
As is the company wherto he doth resort
<P 36>
Wherfore me thynke it best, for euery creature
To auoyde the bandes and mad enormyte%Prouer.xxvij.
Of suche Folys whiche can no man endure
By theyr blynde pryde and desyre of dignyte
They coueyt to gouerne both hye and lowe degre%C.quia perambi.de elec.li.vi.
No dolour troubleth a Folys mynde so sore
As when a man of reason is set hym before
+
If twenty men be in one company
Som of hye byrth, some wyse, some lyberall
If one fole be amonge them certaynly
He thynkes hym selfe moche wyser than they all
Thus shortly to speke, a folysshe man rurall
If he a churle, a fole and vnthrift be
The more he lokyth to come to hye degre
+
Suche folys promotyd haue no pacience
To suffer theyr folawes, so hye set is theyr mynde%Lucarnus in primo.
And to theyr betters they haue no reuerence
They can nat them endure, they ar so blynde
So by experience as we often fynde
A fole thoughe he neyther haue wysdome nor cunnynge
Yet thynketh hym selfe aboue all worldly thynge
+
Hereof the Bybyll examples doth expres%Hester.iij.
Howe the fals $Aman (howe beit he was vnwyse)
Had dyuers statis of wysdome and riches
To hym abeynge, and yet dyd them despyse
But for that $Mardocheus wolde nat ryse
Out of his place to do to hym honour
His mynde was fyllyd with malyce and dolour
<P 37>
In so moche that he wolde haue had hym slayne
For this small faut, but $god gaue remedy
To $mardocheus for to escape his trayne
And so fals $Aman his treason dyd abye
And hanged was, for $Mardocheus worthely
And that before $Mardocheus face and iyene
By the persuasion of $Hester noble quene
+
But of this proces to drawe vnto conclusyon%Eccle.viij.et.xx.et.xxij.
What man that intendeth for to lyue quyetly
And wyse to be callyd without abusion 
Let hym auoyde mad and folysshe company
But if he nedys wyll vnto suche aply
Let hym mekely endure theyr game and sport
Els shall he be one of this my folysshe sort.
<L R>
THENUOY OF BARKLAY.
<L 7071>
O wyse man thou ought lewde company auoyde
For it is dayly prouyde by experyence
That with a thynge corrupt, a sounde thynge is distroyed
Right so good man oft fall in to great offence
And iugyd yll, though they gyde them by prudence
And that for hauntynge of company diffamyd
For thoughe one be gyuen to godly innocence
As is his company right so shall he be namyd.
<P 38>
<L R>
Of them that wylfully offende nat takynge hede
<L R>
to the ende, and hurtyth euery man nat thynkynge
<L R>
to haue theyr malyce rendryd agayne.
<L 7079>
That fole castyth a dart into the ayre
And gasyth after it without aduysement
Of the fallynge downe therof nat beynge ware
Whiche labouryth with dedys and wordes vyolent
To get many foes hurtynge the innocent
And lokyth nat agayne lyke to endure
One yll turne requyreth, another be thou sure
<P 39>
Here touche I folys, and men without counsell%Math.vij.
Whiche puttyth many vnto besynes and payne%In prohe.decre. i.c.dilecti.de.+
maio.et.obe.ij.q.vi.quisescit.
And them sore greuyth by theyr dedys cruell
Nat thynkynge to be seruyd with the same agayne
That fole forsoth is of a frantyke brayne
Whiche other men wyll hurt rebuke and blame
And wyll nat suffer of them agayne the same%Sapien.xviij.
+
Consyder man, oft tyme within thy mynde
The wronge that thou woldest do to thy neyghbour
Whether thou myght in thy herte paciently fynde
The same to suffer of hym without rancour
Malyce or yll wyll, wrath or displeasour%Eccle.xxxiij.et.xxxv.
For thou oughtest nat do to any creature
That thynge whiche thou of hym wolde nat endure
+
He that wyll other men thurst by violence
In to a sak by extorcion and wronge
Must in lyke maner arme hym with pacyence
And suffer some blowys nowe and than amonge
To one yll turne another doth belonge
He that is besy euery man to displeas
Or to indamage shall neuer lyue in eas
+
One namyd $Peryllus a workman excellent%Perillus de quo ouidius de arte amandi.
A bull of bras forgyd by his subtylte
Wherin a Tyrant myght put men to tourment
Deuysynge deth of moste payne and cruelte
But this workman to proue his faculte
Was by that Tyrant put to deth in lyke wyse
As he for other dyd ordayne and deuyse
<P 40>
O vnwyse Fole whome madnes doth abuse%Math.vij.
Howe darest thou be so hardy for to do
That to another whiche thy selfe wolde refuse
Of hym to be done, to the, yet some do so
Makynge a pyt to others hurte and wo%Psal.vij.
Wherin hymselfe is destroyed at the last%Prouer.xxvi.
And some in theyr owne snarys ar taken fast%Ecclesi.xxvij.
+
So cursyd $Aman in lyke wyse dyd ordayne
For $Mardocheus a maner of tourment 
Wheron he hoped to haue hangyd hym in payne%Hester.vij.
His lyfe consumynge with suche punysshement
But the ende happended nat after his intent
For at the last Aman hym selfe with care
Was hangyd vp, and that in his owne snare
+
On wronge and malyce yll wyll and iniury
All moste all men hath nowe set theyr intent
Wherfore let wyse men for them fynde remedy%Prouer.xvij.
For thoughe that it be a thynge conuenyent%Eccle.vij.
To trust to other, yet be thou prouydent
Of mannys gyle falshode and sotelte
So mayst thou escape oft tymes, aduersyte
+
Suche men as put to moche confydence
In other vnknowen, often great domage wyn
Suffrynge losse and hurt by theyr owne neglygence
For whan thou lokest vpon the vtter skyn
Thou knowyst full lytell what trust is within
For oft vnder flowres lurketh the serpent
So paynted wordes hydeth a fals intent
<P 41>
Be nat a gest thou man who euer thou art%Eccle.ix.
To suche as louynge outwarde thou seest apere%Prouer.xxiij.
Malyciously within, and of enuyous hart
He byddeth the ete and drynke, and make good chere
With loue as farre as thou canst se or here.
But whan suche traytours moste swetly on the smyle
Than ar they besyest the falsely to begyle
+
Vnder fayre wordes pleasaunt and lyberall
And smylynges fals and disceyuable
Suche beryth venym to poyson the withall
Auoyde suche men: thou wyse man and laudable
Theyr dedes ar so fals and so abhomynable%Ecclesi.xiiij.
That whan thou gyuyst vnto them moste credence
They shall the brynge to moste inconuenyence
+
Ye: oft he lawygheth as he were true and gode
Grauntynge thy wordes what euer thynge thou say
Whiche in his mynde: wolde fayne se thy herte blode
And of thy secrete counsell the bewray
Beware of suche men as moche as thou may
For amonge swete herbys oft growyth stynkynge wedes
All flaterynge caytyfs ar nat true in theyr dedes
+
But whan these caytyfes hath hurt a mannys name
Or done hym in body or goodes preiudice
They thynke he ought nat to render them the same
Thoughe it may be done by lawe and by iustyce
But certaynly who that hym doth exercyce
In doynge other losse, hurt, or greuaunce
Shall lyue a fole and dye by some myschaunce
<P 42>
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARCLAY THE TRANSLATOUR.
<L 7170>
O men malycious fals and iniuryous
Whiche set your myndes fals meanes to deuyse
To hurte your neyghbours by malyce odyous
And thynke nat to be seruyd in lyke wyse
Ye ar abusyd therin I you promyse
For he that here to his neyghbour is cruell
And doth hym in dede or worde, hurt or despyce
Shall outher be rewardyd here, or els in hell.
<P 42>
<L R>
Of foles without prouysion: that prouyde
<L R>
nought in the somer to lyue by i the wynter
<L R>
nor in youth to lyue by in age.
<L 7178>
Who that maketh for hymselfe no purueaunce.
Of fruyt and corne in somer season clere.
Whan of the same is store and habundaunce
Shal after lyue in hunger all the yere
Sowkynge his fyngers lyke as the Bere doth here.
And he that in youth wyl nought for hym prouyde
In age must the paynes of pouertye abyde.
<P 44>
Amonge our Folys I nomber hym for one%l.xxxii.dis.nihil
Whiche lyueth ydylly and in slewthfulnes
Maykynge in the somer no prouysion
To auoyde the wynters, payne and colde hardnes%Seneca.
What man wyll nat curse and disprayse his madnes
Whiche at no tyme wyll for hym self prouyde%Prouer.vi.
Of sustenaunce, in nede hym selfe to gyde
+
He that begynneth without aduysement
Can nat prouyde that thynge that is to come%Deutro.xxxij.
Nor scantly that whiche must be done present
Thus ar his dedys done all without wysedome
Of this company yet fynde I other some
Whiche nought wyll saue them self to fynde with all
But all out wastyth, by Ryot prodygall
+
These folys of theyr myndes ar so blynde%Ecclesi.xxvi.
That nought they saue to theyr owne vtylyte
On wyse prouysion they set no thynge theyr mynde
But if they be dryuen by extreme necessyte
As hunger thrist colde, or other aduersyte
So oft whan suche ar vexed with moste nede%Prouer.xix.
The wolde prouyde, but than they can nat spede
<B.i.>
+
A fole of propertye that is neglygent
For thynge to come prouydeth nought atall
But on one daye settyth all his intent
So in that space if any nede do fall
To hym.  he shall vpon his neyghbour call
For helpe and socour, and sore to hym complayne
And aske relefe whiche he shall nat obtayne
<P 45>
Whan suche folys haue theyr wombes full%Prouer.xiij.
They force no more, ne take no farther thought
Theyr vayne myndes to farther thynges is dull
Saue on that whiche from hande to mouth is brought
But he is wyse, and of reason wantyth nought
Whiche here hym gydeth by vertue and wysdome
And so prouydeth for the tyme to come
+
Wherby his wyfe, his children and ofsprynke%Ecclesi.iiij.&.xxxviij.
May without care outher besynes or payne
With honestye haue theyr fode and theyr lyuynge
Without occasiou theyr good name to distayne
I count hym wyse that thus doth set his brayne
And in the Somer can make suche purueaunce
Wherby all his may haue theyr sustenaunce%Prouer.xx.
+
And that in wynter, and the hardest of the yere
But hym I count moche folysshe and vnwyse%Sapien.xv.
And voyde of reason, whiche makyth styll good chere
And by no men wyll the tyme to come aduyse%Prouer.vi.et.xxiiij.
But folys folowe moste comonly this gyse
To slepe all Somer whan the season is moste clere
And labour in the hardest season of the yere
+
Suche no thynge labour, ne to no worke intende
But to ydylnes, a vyce yll and damnable
That whiche is gotten vnwysely thus they spende%Prouer.xxi.
So that whan wynter comys they ar nat able
To haue one lofe of brede vpon theyr table
Nor other thynge theyr hunger to asswage
An ydell man is worthy suche wage
<P 46>
In wynter he abydeth a lyfe myserable%Prouer.xxvi.
Whiche in the Somer prouydyd hath no thynge%Math.xxvi.
That to his vse is nede and profytable
Who that in July whyle $Phebus is shynynge
About his hay is nat besy labourynge
And other thynges whiche ar for his auayle%Ecclesi.xxij.
Shall in the wynter his negligence bewayle
+
And who that can nat hym selfe wysely prouyde
Of wode and vytayle and other sustenaunce
Shall in the wynter nat knowe where to abyde%Prouer.xxij.
For colde and hunger with other lyke greuaunce
Lerne man of the symple Emet purueaunce%Juuenalis.
Whiche gathers and puruays euery thynge in season%Prouer.vi.
Shame is to man of beste to lerne reason
+
For euery thynge $god hath a tyme puruayde%Addicio alexandri barclay.
And gyuen reason to man hym selfe to gyde
By good prouysion, if that his mynde be layde
Vnto the same, and sleuth to set asyde
But that yonge man that wyll in age abyde
Without prouysion, wherby he myght hym fede
Shall worthely in his age dye for nede
+
Of that Fole who shall haue compassion
Whiche by his Foly, great slouth and neglygence
Vpon hym selfe intendyth to haue none
But all out wastyth by immoderate expence
So to conclude in brefe and short sentence
That fole hath nat the way hym selfe to gyde
Whiche in due season can nat eche thynge prouyde
<P 47>
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARCLAY.
<L 7269>
O blynde man vnwyse, wastynge and neclygent
Lerne of the Emet to labour craftely 
And in thy youth to be so dylygent
Wherby in age, thou lyue mayst easely
For he that wyll nat his mynde therto aply
In youth and Somer to labour without fere
In age and wynter shall lyue in penury
And sowke his clawys for hanger lyke the bere.
<P 48>
<L R>
Of great styuers in the lawe for thynges of nought.
<L 7277>
He is a fole, whether it be man or wyfe
Whiche hym delyteth in iugement and lawe
And euer contendyth in discorde and in stryfe
In small tryfyls, and scantly worth a strawe
Suche, theyr owne flesshe vnto the bonys gnawe
And labour by theyr sotelty and gyle
To blynde iustyce, and the lawes to defyle.
<P 49>
A cause conuenyent doth me bynde and constrayne%i.ad corin.vi.
To blame mo Folys: and that in myghty nomber%Prouer.iij.
Whiche I haue suffred tyll this tyme to remayne%Ecclesi.viij.
To se if they wolde waken from theyr slomber%Ad Titum.iij.
Suche ar mad Folys whiche other men inconber
With besy pledynge, wherby them selfe ar brought
By longe contynuaunce vnto the poynt of nought
+
For small occasion for lytell thynge or nought%ij.thimo.ij.
Vnwyse men stryue deuysynge falshode and gyle%Math quinto.
Nowe euery fole hath set his mynde and thought%Prouer.xvi.
To seke the extreme of lawe, but though they smyle
At the begynnynge, after within a whyle
Theyr laughynge shall turne to sorowe and damage
And onely the lawyers catchyth the auauntage
+
Yet ar these folys ioyous in theyr mynde
They norysshe stryfe without ende, them amonge%Jacobi.iiij.
And some by falshode can crafty meanes fynde
By fals delayes theyr mater to prolonge
Suche Folys drawyth the lawe thus wyse a longe
To that intent that by rightwyse iugement%Prouer.xvij.
Transgressours sholde nat haue worthy punysshement
+
These folys that thus theyr maters doth diffarre
Shall in that space theyr owne goode waste and spende
To that purpose theyr neyghbour also to marre
So ar they both made beggers at the ende
Than must they to some agrement condiscende
Theyr cause and mater discussed neuer the more
O mad Folys so sholde they haue done before
<B.iij.>
<P 50>
Some suffer them selfe for defaut of aparaunce%Ecclesi.vi.
To be outlawyd, and other some suspendyd
Out of the Churche for hys mysgouernaunce%Hiere.ij.
And yet nought caryth, therfro to be defendyd
Howe beit they myght: and haue theyr mater endyd
Suche assay by falshode to prouoke the lawe
And than it fle, and them therfro withdrawe%Prouer.xxvi.
+
But suche Folys that thus so besely%Ecclesi.xxviij.
Pursue the lawe, with stryfe and brawlynge vayne
Consyder nat that they ren in great enuy%Esaie.lviij.
Amonge theyr neyghbours whiche shall them pay agayne
With theyr owne malyce and gyle to theyr great payne%Ecclesi.viij.
But in the mean space the lawyers a made ryche
Leuynge these Folys and theyr mater in the dyche
+
Thou besy fole intende vnto this clause
That euery lawyer shall gyue more aduertence
To mony and gyftis than vnto thy cause
For after he hath set thy wordes and sentence
In his fat boke, fyllyd with offence
And there pryckyd with his couetous pen
Thou neuer shalt thryue whyle thy name is therin
+
Yet thou vnwysely art redy to intende%Eccle.viij.
Vnto thy cause, and though it fortune be%Prouer.xviij.
Skant worth a grote, yet gladly wylt thou spende
Thy hole good theron so sekynge pouerte
For howe beit that the lawes ought be fre
Yet sergeaunt at turney promoter Juge or scribe
Wyll nat fele thy mater without a preuy brybe
<P 51>
Therfore thou acloyest with money or rewarde%Prouer.iiij.
The kepars of the lawe to make them to the bounde
In so moche that thoughe thy mater be but harde
Yet money shall make it haue moche better sounde
And to be playne that case hath euer best grounde
That is best anoyntyd with maystershyp and golde
Thoughe it be false it strongly is vpholde
+
And without dout the lawyers dylygence%Eccl*s.vi.
Is in his pledynge euer moste substancyall
Whan of thy purse he hath had experyence
And knowyth thy hande to hym fre and lyberall
Wherfore we often vnto our mater call
From far places men of greatest disceyt
And fayrest wordes to prolonge our debate
+
And with theyr fayre and paynted eloquence
To glose our mater in wordes of no substaunce%Eccle.xl.
So that Juge that by way of innocence%%Prouer.xxiij.
Gydeth the lawe in Just and right balaunce
Of suche pleders is led the blynde mannys daunce
So that they playnly proue before his syght
The right to be wronge, and the wronge to be right.
<L R>
THENUOY OF BARKLAY.
<L 7361>
O man malycious thus besy in the lawe 
For euery mater and thynge of nought to stryue
I reade you your myndes from suche stryfe withdrawe
And from suche falshode as ye oft contryue
<P 52>
Or I ensure you ye shall neuer thryue
But wast your goodes therwith to get enuy
Lyuynge in discorde whyle ye ar a lyue
And at the ende your wylfulnes defye
+
Alas mad Fole, and man vnmerciable
What menest thou thy neyghbour to oppresse
And for thynge of nought to be so vengeable
To put both thy self and hym to besynes
Wastynge your goodes about vnhappynes
Leue man thy malyce and mytygate thy mynde
For who that can lyue in peas and quyetnes
Shall welth and rest both loue and riches fynde
+
Where as that Fole that is alway inclynde
To stryfe and pledynge for thynge of none auayle
And none occasion: labours the lawe to blynde
Becomynge a begger at last for his trauayle
And at the laste shall euery man assayle
This Fole with malyce, for his accostomyd stryfe
So that his foly he shall mone and bewayle
And so be wery of his wretchyd lyfe.
<P 53>
<L R>
Of foles abhomynable in fowle wordes of rybawdry.
<L 7385>
The lothsome wordes that nowe adayes we vse
And shamefull commonynge, full of wantonnes
Ar wont good maners to infect and abuse
Indusynge yll maners, yll lyfe and viciousnes
With countenaunces and dedes of vnhappynes
For as the wyse man sayth in a parable
Fowle wordes infectyth maners commendable
<P 54>
In our tyme nowe both waman childe and man%Ecclesi.li.i.esdre.vi.
Without nomber worshyp with humbyll reuerence
The festis abhomynable of vyle grobyan%Math.v.
With all theyr myght honour and theyr dylygenc%i.ad.cor.xvi.
Compassynge his auters with lawdes and insence%xxviij.q.i.sepe.
With wordes and vsys, Fowle and abhomynable
Suche men myscheuous to hym ar acceptable
+
To his vyle temple renneth yonge and olde%Ezech.ix.
Man, woman, mayden, and with them many a childe%Ecclesi.xxix.
And bere with them insence as I before haue tolde%Job.xxv.&.ij.
Worshyppynge his festis with theyr langage defylde
And wordes from whiche all goodnes is exylyd
And with vyle langage of rybawdry the grounde
Whose yl example doth sympyll outh confounde
+
Shamefastnes is exylyd and all his hole lynage%Ouidius.i. Meth.
And in his place is vylenes byd behynde
Vngoodly maners, vngoodlyer langage%Psal.xi.
Whiche ar the clene destruccion of mankynde
Lo here a fole, that with suche vyce is blynde
A vyle swyne, and foule ledyth by the ere
His bestely lyfe of this vyle beste to lere
+
These Folys also ar in suche an outrage
To rynge the bell of theyr mad rybaudry%Ecclesi.xx.
That men may knowe theyr lyfe by theyr langage
Wherby they vtter theyr lewdnes openly%Prouer.xi.
Thus all the Shyppes of our folysshe company
Ar led by the wawes of this see mundayne
By the foule swyne folowynge hir lyfe and trayne
<P 55>
Lyst our Folys of theyr right cours myght fayle
Or by great charge brake or els be drowned
The swyne of the se them draweth at hir tayle
And them nat suffreth to synke or stryke on grounde%Ecc*s.v.
But if all the Folys that of this sort ar founde
Sholde drynke no ale nor wyne durynge this yere
We nedyd nat to fere, that they sholde be moche dere
+
But these Folys the trouth to determyne%ij.Petri.ij.
Bycause the sowe so doth hir pygges multyply
Therfore they folowe the maners of the swyne
In rybawde wordes full of shame and vylany
Suche maners in this tyme doth men best magnyfy%Ad.ephe.v.
And them promotyth moche rather than wysedome%Psal.xl.
O where ar honesty and shamefastnes become
+
They ar exyled and haue no rowme nor place
In erth at this season with hye nor lowe dere
But suche as vse rybawde wordes voyde of grace%Hiere.ij.
Ar nowe promotyd sonest to dignyte
And howe be it that they moche vnworthy be
Who that of his langage is moste obhomynable
Is taken in the court as man moste commendable
+
The hogge promotyd out of the myre and dust
Vyle and vngoodly of body and vsage%Esaie.xl.
Promotyth and admyttyth men after his lust
The vylest settynge moste hye vpon his stage%Ad col.iij.
And some ar so past shame in theyr langage%Ad titum primo.
So fowle and lothly, that they moste comenly
Haue all theyr wordes in viciouse rybawdry
<P 56>
So that if mad $Horestes myght them se
Hauynge respect vnto theyr lothlynes%Horestes.
He myght well say they were more made than he
And wonder on theyr langage full of viciousnes%Prouer.xij.
For all theyr delyte is in delyciousnes
Glotony and drynke, but he hath gayest name%Ecclesi.xxxi.
Whiche rybawde wordes can mengle with the same
+
Thus who that offreth the Fende suche sacrafyce%Ecclesi.xxxij.
With rybawde wordes foule and abhomynable
Gyuynge occasion to youth to fall to vyce
Suche in his dedes is greatly reprouable%Esaie.xlvi.
And shall as a fowle both pore and myserable
Shamefully lyue without moche better ende
Before his deth if he hym nat amende.
<L R>
THENUOY OF BARKLAY.
<L 7462>
Man vse thy tunge in myrth and honeste
And laude thy maker ther with with reuerence
To that intent $god gaue it vnto the
And nat to vse it in incouenyence
In rybawde wordes is great synne and offence
And to youth great example, and damage
But thoughe thou be clene of dede and conscience
Yet men shall the Juge after thy langage.
<P 57>
<L R>
Of the abusion of the spiritualte.
<L 7470>
Here must I yet another barge ordayne
For many folys of the spiritualte
Whiche to the intent to auoyde labour and payne
In theyr meane youth take on them this degre
But after whan they a whyle prestis haue be
To haue forsaken the worlde they repent
Where firste they sholde better haue prouyd theyr intent
<P 58>
Yet somwhat here remayneth of my charge%viii.q.in.scripturis etc.Moyses.
Whiche must be touchyd and here of very right
Amonge our Folys haue a sympyll barge
And that is this, As moche as I haue insyght
Euery man laboures nowe with all theyr myght.
Vnto the order of presthode to promote
His sonne: howe beit he be a very sote
+
If he be folysshe or of his wyt vnstable
Mysshapyn of his face, his handes or his fete
And for no besynes worldly profitable
For the holy Churche than thynke they hym most mete%xviij.dis.nos.autem +
glosa.i.xxi.dis.cleros.
And so thou rurall churle, a man may wete
Thou woldest nat thy sone haue preste for this intent
To serue and to pleas our lorde omnypotent
+
But to the intent to lyue in eas and rest
And to auoyde all worldly besynes
And in his lust to fede hym with the best%xxiij.dis.his igitur.
Contynuynge in vyce, and moche vnhappynes
Suche Folys haue theyr myndes on ryches
On cursyd lucre pleasour ioy and welth
Carynge nought at all for theyr soulys helth
+
They care nought for wysdome vertue nor doctryne
Cursyd mony troubleth the goodly sacryfyce%xii.q.i.quia.
And to the same theyr mynde they so inclyne
That it them ledyth to eche vnhappy vyce
And yet they thynke them self to exercyse
By way of wysdome and gouernaunce laudable
Thoughe they be worthy a bagpype and a bable
<P 59>
The order of presthode is troublyd of eche fole
The honour of religion euery where decays
Suche caytyfs and courters that neuer were at scole
Ar firste promotyd to presthode nowe adays
O $Numa $Numa thou folowyd nat suche wayes%Numa pompeus
In thy olde Temples suche folys to consecrate
But suche as were wyse, and with vertue decorate
+
And suche as had in cunnynge be brought vp%Addicio translatoris.
Godly of maners and of lyfe laudable
But nowe blynde Folys nought knowynge saue the cup
Falshode and flatery ar brought out of the stable
Sreyght to the auter, and without any fable
Mo prestes ar made than lernyd men or clerkes
As it aperyth playne by theyr folysshe warkes
<C.i.>
+
From the kechyn to the quere and so to a state
One yester day a courter is nowe a prest become
And than haue these folys theyr myndes so eleuate
That they disdayne men of vertue and wysdome
But if they haue of golde a myghty some
They thynke them abyll a man to make or marre
And ar so presumptuous, and proude as $Lucifarre
+
O godly order () prestly innocence
O laudable lyfe wysdome and humylyte
Alas why haue we you put from our presence
And you exylyd with godly grauyte
Our lyfe is nowe led in all enormyte
And all by our foly and amasyd ignoraunce
The prelatis ar the cause of this mysgouernaunce%xxxvi.dis oportet.
<P 60>
O cursyd hunger of syluer and of golde
For your loue and desyre imoderate
To folys and boyes presthode is nowe solde
And to men myscheuous fyllyd with debate
The godly honour longynge to a state
Replete with wysdome cunnynge and grauyte
Ar nowe nat ordred right as they ought to be
+
O folys cursyd, o men moche myserable%xcv.dis.ecce.
Say say what Furour your myndes doth constrayne%xxvi.dis.quis dubicet
To this holy order whiche is to you damnable
If ye in vertue your lyues nat mentayne
Away with this mynde withdrawe your fete agayne
Assay your lyfe longe before or ye begyn
For it is damnable to man ensuynge syn
+
Yet certaynly I fynde by euydence%xl.dis.per.to.
That in the worlde is no sort of degre
Whiche is more gyuen to inconuenyence
Than ar suche Folys of this spiritualte
O where is chastnes and dame humylyte
Alas they ar dede and nat with vs aquayntyd
But flaterynge falshode hath our facis payntyd
+
Alas our order is fallen in errour
The path is left wherin we ought vs kepe
With what relygion do we our lorde honour
Alas the Shepherd is lewder, than the shepe
This great disorder causyth my herte to wepe
Alas what lewdness is cloked vnder cowlys
Who can expresse the foly of these folys
<P 61>
O holy orders of Monkes and of Freres%Monarchi et ceteri regulares arguuntur.
And of all other sortes of relygion
Your straytnes hath decayed of late yeres
The true and perfite rule of you is done
Fewe kepyth truly theyr right profession
In inwarde vesture, dyet, worde, or dede
Theyr chefe stody is theyr wretchyd wombe to fede
+
O holy $Benet with $god nowe glorifyed
O glorious $Austen, o $Francis decorate.
With mekenes, the placis that ye haue edefyed
Ar nowe disordred and with vyces maculate
Enuy, Pryde, Malyce, Glotony and debate
Ar nowe chefe gyders in many of your placis
Whiche grace and vertue vtterly out chasys
+
These holy faders rehersyd afore  by name
Composed rules holy and laudable
For men religious, to lyue after the same
Whiche nowe but lytell to them ar agreable
But in theyr lyfe from them moche varible%vij.q.i.non autem
O holy $Benet $Francis and $Augustyne
Se howe your children despyseth your doctryne
+
But to speke shortly and in generall
We fynde but fewe suche prestis now certayne
As $moyses in the olde lawe first of all%Moyses.
To serue in $goddes Temple dyd ordayne%Deutro.xviij.
But vnwyse men rasshe, and mad of brayne%xxi.q.iiij.his.&c.Sacerdos.
Becomyth prestis onely for couetyse%Prouer.xxi.
Gouernynge the Churche in a disordred wyse%ij.Petri.iij.
<P 62>
Loke who that nowe of mynde is eleuate%glo.ij.q.viij.non.omnis.xl.dis.c.fi.
And that gentylman that mysshapen and wytles is
Shall be made a preste, and after a prelate
To gyde the Churche, full bacwardly I wys
But suche as here the same doth gyde amys
And in theyr lyfe them selfe nat gydyth well
May after theyr deth abyde rewarde in hell
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARCLAY THE TRANSLATOUR.
<L 7596>
Ye that ar gyders of $goddes heritage
Be in your dedes to hum faythfull and true
Instruct his flocke with vertuous langage
And good example to goodnes and vertue
Teche them the wayes of lewdnes to eschewe
Rather with your workes than payntyd eloquence
For the rude pepyll moste gladly them subdue
To that thynge wherof they se experyence
<C.ij.>
+
Expell couetyse, and desyre of dignyte
Beware of $Venus, hir dartis are damnable
Take nat on you the order and degre
Of presthode: without that ye be somwhat able
For this often prouyd without fable
That whan the Shepherde is folysshe outher blynde
Vnto his mayster he is nat profitable
Nor to his flocke: as he shall after fynde
+
The greattest rote of all mysgouernaunce
That nowe is vsyd amonge the comonte
Procedith of folysshe prestis ignoraunce
Whiche haue no wysdome way nor faculte
<P 63>
To hele such shepe as they playne scabbyd se
And straynge abrode without aduysement
They let them alone: so spiritually they dye
Wherfore the kepar is worthy punysshement
+
The cause why so many prestis lackyth wyt
Is in you bysshops, if I durst trouth expresse
Whiche nat consyder what men that ye admyt
Of lyuynge cunnynge person and godlynes
But who so euer hym self therto wyll dresse
If an angell be his brokar to the scribe
He is admyttyd howe beit he be wytles
Thus solde is presthode for an vnhappy brybe
<P 64>
<L R>
Of the prowde and vayne bostynge of Folys.
<C.iij.>
<L 7628>
My hande is wery my wyt is dull almoste
Fayne wolde I rest to refresshe my wyt agayne
But a folysshe bande, that vse them selfe to bost
Of thynge nat done by them in wordes vayne
To wryte theyr lewdnes doth me bynde and constrayne
For some them bost in Phesyke and the lawys
Or in dedes of war: howe beit they ar but dawes
<P 65>
Here had I purpoysd as I before haue sayde
To haue stynt my tonge and seased for a whyle
Or of my boke here a conclusion made
And so these folys no farther to reuyle
But than aduysement dyd me beholde: and smyle
Saynge that my purpose was intendyd in vayne
And I but euen in the myddes of my payne%xii.q.ij.gloria episcopi.
+
This worde to me was halfe a disconfort%xxi.q.omnis.
For almoste wery was I of my trauayle%Prouer.xxviij.
With that of Folys I sawe a myghty sort
Of dyuers sortis and duyers aparayle
Some rayde as knyghtes in whyte harnes and mayle
And oher as Doctours, and gyders of some scoles
But euer me thought that they sholde be but folys
+
Some other Crowned as Poetis lawreat%Militis iactacio.
And other as Doctours expert in medycyne
Of whose maners condicions and estate
And stately bostynge of strength and of doctryne
Here shall I wryte, who lyst therto  inclyne
And first I proue that euery day we se
That bostynge Folys leste of theyr dedes be
+
Some is a knyght hym bostynge of his londes
With his gylt sporys, and other cognysance
Another a Doctour and the lawys vnderstondes
And sene all the scolys of $Italy and $Fraunce
The knyght hym bostyth and boldely dare auaunce
Of his olde lynage, nobles and auncetry
Recountynge the discent of all his progeny
<P 66>
Ye in so moche that oft he hath no shame%Patres conscripti romanorum.
Hym selfe of the stocke of the Romayns senatours
Or of some kynges progeny to name
Els other whiche hath ben myghty conquerours
And yet perchaunce his first progenytours%Psal.lxi.
Came first of all vnto theyr chefe estate
By fals extorcion, oppression or discayte%Prouer.xxviij.
+
Suche folys ar proude of suche noblenes%Juuenalis
Whiche they haue neuer nether cowde obtayne%Seneca
By theyr owne vertue theyr strength or theyr boldnes
But in the gettynge therof for to be playne%i.Ad cor.iiij.
Noblenes is gotten with dilygence and payne%De preben venerabilis.
By iustyce vertue strength and rightwysnes
And nat by rygour oppression or ryches
+
Say fole by what vertue or wothynes
Hast thou deseruyd this renowe specyall%Bar.in.l.in C.de incolis.li.x.
Or what hast thou done wherby this noblenes
Wheron thou bostest, is thus vnto the fall
If it were sought I trowe no thynge atall
Saue that thou lust suche folysshe wordes to fayne
Wherby thy foly and pryde aperyth playne
+
Lo sayth a fole. I haue be longe in warre
In straunge countrees and far beyonde the se
To dyuers Nacions my dedys knowen ar
Both $spayne and $Egypt and $Fraunce spekes of me
In so many countrees in warrys haue I be
That all the people of Est, west, North and South
My name and laudys haue onely in theyr mouth
<P 67>
But yet perchaunce this fole that thus hym bostis
Was neuer in war nor out of his owne londe
Some other as Doctours come from strange costis
Coueytynge that name though they nought vnderstonde
With euery folysshe thynge they ar in honde%xlix.dis.sacerdotes & glo.in l.i.c +
de ath.l.li.x.
Spekynge vayne wordes without wysdome and prudence
Yet count they them wyse and of parfyte eloquence
+
They boste theyr stody and vant of theyr cunnynge
With stately wordes proude loke and countenaunce
And thoughe suche folys lernyd haue no thynge
With theyr solem pryde they defende theyr ignoraunce
As none were wyser in all the scolys of fraunce
If they can reken and tell eche bokes name
They thynke them self great doctours by the same
+
So lede they foly about fast by the hande
Bostynge theyr laudes and name in euery place
Howbeit theyr owne dedes on se or on lande
Were neuer so noble suche lawdes to purchace
But to be short proude folys ar in that case
Rotyd by nature that them them they moste auaunt
In that wherin they ar moste ignoraunt%Prouer.xxvij.
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARCLAY.
<L 7712>
Desyst ye folys your bostynge wordes and vayne
Let other men commende your honestye%Prouer.xxvij.
And godly lyfe, for it is foly playne
To prayse your selfe though that ye worthy be
Than moche gretter shame is it to lye
Bostynge that thynge the whiche ye neuer had
In cunnynge strength lynage or degre
Of all bostynge this namely is moste bad.
<P 68>
But yet men olde of our predecessours
In theyr olde prouerbes often comprehende
That he that is amonge shrewyd neyghbours
May his owne dedes laufully commende
Syns his yll wyllers wyll nat therto intende
Also I fynde that there thre sortes be
Of people lyuynge, whiche may themselfe defende
In lesynge, for they haue auctoryte to lye
+
The first is pylgrymes that hath great wonders sene
In strange countres, suche may say what they wyll
Before tho men that hath nat also ben
In those same places, and hath of them no skyll
The seconde ar men aged suche may bost theyr fyll
Without repugnaunce.  And men of hye degre
Before theyr seruauntis may playne say what they wyll
Yet ar they nought but folys if they lye
<P 69>
<L R>
Of carde players and dysers.
<L 7736>
The damnable lust of cardes and of dyce
And other gamys prohybyte by the lawe
To great offencis some folys doth attyce
Yet can they nat them self therfro withdrawe
They count theyr labour and los nat worth a strawe
Carynge nought els:  therin is theyr delyte
Tyll thryft and helth from them be scapyd quyte
<P 70>
Lo yet agayne of Folys assemblyth mo%in autem de sanc epi. interdicimus.
Vnto my shyppys in hope of auauntage
But oft it hapnyth or they depart and go
Theyr lust them turneth to losse and great damage
By theyr lewde gamys furour and outrage
Suche ar great gamners hauynge small substance
Whiche often fall to great losse and myschance
+
Sayth poetis that in hell ar Furyes thre%Virgi.de ludo Sperne lucrum +
Exodi.xxxij.
The folys to punysshe that ar sende to the same
For theyr nat lyuynge here in equyte
It nedyth nat them here to count by name%i.corin.x.
The fourth Fury is encresyd by this game
Whiche (than the other) is more furious and bad
For here in erth it makyth folys mad
+
But of men gyuen vnto this furiousnes%l.si.ff.de alea.
Of vnsure game, chefe cause of stryfe and wo
And moche losse:  somwhat I shall expresse
But first I say some ar so gyuen therto
That where so euer they labour ryde or go
If they be onys inflamyd with the game
To theyr destruccion theyr mynde is on the same
+
In hope to get (that they haue lost) agayne
All theyr hole pleasour is set to throwe the dyse
So of one losse oft tymes make they twayne
Wherby oftyme they ren in preiudyce
And get occasion of theft and other vyce%glo.in.c.pe.de.vi.et ho cle.xxxv.+
dis.c.i. glo.i.
But thre dyse rennynge square all of one sort
To suche Folys is chefe confort ioy and sport
<P 71>
Suche folowe this game stryuynge nyght and day
Tournynge the dyse somtyme by polecy
Them falsly settynge assaynge if they may
Some vyle auauntage for to obtayne therby
But than if they nat set them craftely
Anone begynneth brawlynge and debate
Blasfemynge and othes the pot about the pate
+
Exces of watchynge doth players great damage
And in that space oft $Venus doth them blynde%Juuenalis.
Makynge them hoore longe or they come to age
Also this game troubleth oft theyr mynde
With wrath them makynge vnstable as the wynde
Theyr mynde it disclosyth theyr wyt infextynge to
It also theyr reasons troublyth with inwarde wo
+
A couetous herte by game is kept in fere%De.ex prela.interdilectos.ubi glo.&.+
doc.do
And styrred to yre euer whan it can nat wyn
Whiche yre vnto the stomake doth great dere
Besyenge the mynde pryuely within
The wyt thus troublyd of wysdome is but thyn
And so the more that wrath doth hym inflame
The more backwarde and lewdly goeth his game
+
These folys vngracious of theyr gouernaunce
Care for no thynge: theyr lust is fyxed fast%Car.in cle.ij.de vi.et ho.cl.
On vnsure fortune: and hir vncertayne chaunce
Whiche them promotyth to beggers at the last
Watchynge without season tyll theyr wyt be past
Ye two nyghtes or thre as folys voyde of grace
No thyrst nor hunger can moue them from that place
<P 72>
But in the mean season if that any discorde%Leui.xxiiij.
Amonge them fall, the woundes of $god ar sworne
His armys, herte and bonys, almoste at euery worde
Thus is our sauyour amonge these caytyfs torne
And wordes of malyce myschefe and great scorne
They throwe to $god renounsynge oft his name%Ad rom.ij.
Whan that mysfortune doth bacwarde gyde theyr game
+
These folys in furour vpon our lorde thus cry%De.cle.male.c.i.et.ij.
As if he caryd for theyr myscheuous game
Or whan they for theyr lossys ar sory
That $god aboue sholde also be the same%De iudi.c.ij.li.vi.
But whyle these Folys blasfeme thus christes name
The wymen and maydes, whiche is abhomynable
In game and othes to men ar euen semblable
+
There is almoste no maner of degre
Man, childe, woman, pore man, or estate,
Olde or yonge, that of this game ar fre
Nor yet the clargy, both pore preste and prelate
They vse the same almoste after one rate
Whan by great los they brought ar in a rage
Right fewe haue reason theyr madnes to asswage
+
I wyll nat say but it is commendable%No.in ca.cle.de.vi.& ho.cle.
For recreasion somtyme to use suche sport
So it be done in season and tyme laudable
And amonge persons mekely of one sort
And nat for lucre, but pleasour and confort
Without all othes and with perfyte pacyence
In losse and gayne, in suche game is none offence
<P 73>
But yet the Lucre that is won therby%Host in sum de ex.praela.qualiter.
Is nat allowed ne by the lawes approbate
For to be gotten true and rightwysely
For $god almyghty doth suche yll getters hate
And theyr wronge gamys also, causynge debate
Enuy and murder, and euen for the same cause
They ar prohybyte also by the lawes
+
And to be playne great inconuenyences
Procedyth to many by this vnlawfull game
And by the same oft youth doth sue offences
To his destruccion and all his frendes shame
For whan all theyr good is wastyd by the same
Often some by foly fallyth to be a thefe
And so ende in shame sorowe and myschefe
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARCLAY.
<L 7841>
Consyder ye players the great losse and damage
That comyth of this game vsyd vnlaufully
Firste of it comyth no maner auauntage
But if one put hym firste in ieoperdy
And that small lucre that gotten is therby 
Thought thou about the same hast moche payne
Thynke well that it is gotten wrongfully
The lawe the byndeth: it to restore agayne
+
Wherfore me thynke that man doth surest play
That with this madnes medlyth nat atall%Ludunt secure quibus est es semper in +
arca.virgi. de ludo.
But in his cofres his moyney kepis alway
For that is sure howe euer the cardes fall
<P 74>
Or other game as Tables dyse or ball
And better a lytell sure than moche in fere and dout
Better haue one birde sure within thy wall
Or fast in a Cage than twenty score without
+
This game also oft causeth wrath and othes
And malyce where erst was loue and amyte
And moche falshode, whiche $god almyghty lothes
With fals forswerynge disceyt and cruelte
It causeth by watchynge also infirmyte
So men by it (los) of goodes and body fynde
Wherfore let euery man suche foly fle
There was neuer wyse man that set theron his mynde.
<P 75>
<L R>
Of folys oppressyd with theyr owne foly.
<L 7865>
Of folys I wot there is great company
Within my boke in fygures and scripture
But in this Shyp namely ar there many
Whiche theyr owne foly can by no meane endure
Suche in this Barge shall of a rowme besure
Thoughe they haue rowme I can graunt them no rest
For with the Asse they rudely ar opprest
<P 76>
Within my shyp: and also on euery syde%Prouer.i.
Ar so many folys saylynge before the wynde
So swyftly that me thynke they wyll nat byde
But sone depart, and so leue me behynde%Ecclesi.xxxiij.
The faute and cause is in my sleuthfull mynde
But the slowe Asse hye on my backe doth skyp
And warnyth me so enter I the shyp
+
The shyp I enter, and worthy am therto
Amonge my folys my self may clayme a place
For my great slouth in eche dede that I do
But neuertheles I am nat in that case
To occupy great rowme before eche mannys face
A lytell and strayt corner for me is best
That I may slepe therin and take my rest
+
I coueyt nat to be in places wyde
I am content with a corner of straytnes
Vpon the hatchys I coueyt nat to byde
For there is to moche labour and besynes
And also the Asse betokenynge sleuthfulnes
Sholde haue to moche space on me to tred
If I at large about by it were led
+
Yet in my sleuth if I coude be pacient%Sapien.ij.
And folowe the Asse without all repugnaunce
But alway redy at his commaundement%Ad hebre.xij.
I sholde be put to moche lesse greuaunce%ij.q.i.multi.
And so haue hope to scape this perturbaunce
My membres fre, from suche wo and payne.
But well I fell my trust is but in vayne
<P 77>
But this one thynge my herte and mynde doth glad
And in my payne is the moste chefe confort
That mo companyons by the same Asse ar lad.
Of my condicion lyuynge, and lyke sort
Whose owne foly, whiche they take for a sport
By longe contynuaunce themself doth sore oppres
Tournynge theyr myrth to wo and wretchydnes
+
These ar they whiche wyll nat aply theyr mynde%Prouer.i.
To wyse mennys counsell and aduysement
Wherby they myght both welth and profyte fynde
If to suche counsell they gladly wolde assent
These ar suche folys as furious of intent
By wrath ar dryuen to dyuers great offence%Prouer.xxvij.
For none occasion, without reason and prudence
+
These ar suche Folys as by stryfe and debate%Prouer.xv.
And other suche whiche lewdly by enuy%Ecclesi.xlviij.
And no cause gyuen theyr neyghbous hurt and hate
And so to malyce theyr cursyd myndes aply
These ar suche Folys as suffer paciently%Prouer.xiij.
For lacke of betynge theyr children folowe vyce
To theyr great shame, theyr losse and preiudyce
<D.ii.>
+
These ar they that by malyce at all hours%Prouer.xxvij.
Ar cruell and greuous, and put to losse and payne
Suche as they ouer may: both straunges and neyghbours
By cursyd lesynges whiche they iniustly fayne
These are they that of all men haue disdayne
With dronken dryuyls gyuen hole to glotony
These ar the felawes of this mad company%Eccle.xxxi.
<P 78>
Moreouer into my Shyp shall they ascende
That ar streght shoed whiche them doth sharply greue
But yet they se nat therto, it to amende%Ecclesi.viij.
Suche ar they that on no goodnes wyll byleue%Eccle*s.ij.
All wastynge folys whiche to theyr great myscheue
Sell and waste theyr londes suche ar of this sort
And they that more spende than theyr londes may support
+
These ar mad Folys and abhomynable%ff.de adul.matiri.&.l.ij.
And cursyd of god: that ar bawdes to theyr wyues
Lettynge them to hyre, and thoughe that profytable
This way they thynke, yet right fewe of them thryues
These ar mad Folys that lewde ar of theyr lyues%de pe.dis.iij.quem dimissa &.c.+
nihil.
Knowynge what payne is ordeyned for eche syn
Yet moue they nat, but styll abyde therin
+
These ar proude beggers, and other stately folys
Sclanderers lyers, and Jurours of the syse%Addicio alexandri barclay &c.in +
salicibus
Phesicians and lawyers, that neuer went to scolys
And fals Tauerners that reken one pot twyse
Tapsters and hostlers that folowe that same gyse
These ar fals offycers that lyue vpon brybes
As excheters officials Counstables and scribes
+
Folys of these sortis and mo than I can tell
For theyr myslyuynge and great enormyte
Of the slowe Asse shalbe tred downe to hell
If they nat mende them self before they dye
But in the mean tyme shall they be here with me
In my folys Shyp, on se rowynge with payne
If they amende, depart they shall agayne
<P 79>
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARCLAY.
<L 7956>
O folys oppressyd with your mysgouernaunce
Amende your lyfe expell this your offence
Ye can nat excuse your self by ignoraunce
Ye ar taught to leue your inconenyence
By godly Prechers men of hye prudence
Also the punysshement whiche $god doth often sende
To other Folys shulde moue you to amende
<P 80>
<L R>
Of the extorcion of knyghtis great, offycers,
<L R>
men of war, scribes and practysers of the lawe.
<L 7963>
Whyle knyghtes and scribes exchetours and constables
And other offycers whiche haue auctoryte
Vnder the kynge: as Shryfs by fayned fables
Catche a rurall man rude, and of symplycite
If he haue money, These theues so cruell be
That what by crakynge thretenynge and extorcion
They spoyle this pore man, so that sympyll is his porcion
<P 81>
To our folysshe Shyp I sommon and assyte%Prouer.xxi.
Constables scribes lawyers and Sowdyours%Math.xxiij.
Exchetours Sheryfs, and knyghtes that haue delyte%Ecclesi.xli.
To abuse theyr offyces, by falshode and rygours
They gyue me occasion to blame theyr errours%Luce.iij.
And for that in theyr charge they often tryp
By false abusion, they shall be in my shyp
+
Hast hyther I requyre, my Nauy is a flote
Longe tary hurtyth, for hawsyd is the sayle
The anker wayed, within borde is the bote
Our shyp decked after a homely aparayle
By suche passyngers I loke for none auayle
But fere displesour, bycause I shall be trewe
Yet shall I so.   ensue what may ensue
+
Good offycers ar good and commendable
And manly knyghtes that lyue in rightwysenes
But they that do nat ar worthy of a bable
Syns by theyr pryde pore poeple they oppres
My mayster kyrkham for his perfyte mekenes
And supportacion of men in pouertye
Out of my shyp shall worthely be fre
+
I flater nat I am his true seruytour
His chaplayne and bede man whyle my lyfe shall endure
Requyrynge $god to exalt hym to honour
And of his Prynces fauour to be sure
For as I haue sayd I knowe no creature
More manly rightwyse wyse discrete and sad
But thoughe he be good, yet other ar als bad
<P 82>
They shall vnnamyd my shyppis haue in cure
And other offycers who so euer they be
Whiche in extorcion and falshode them inure
Hopynge by the same to come do dignyte
And by extorcion to augment theyr degre
$Mansell of $Otery for powlynge of the pore
Were nat his great wombe, here sholde haue an ore
+
But for his body is so great and corporate
And so many burdens his brode backe doth charge
If his great burthen cause hym to come to late
Yet shall the knaue be Captayne of a barge
Where as ar bawdes, and so sayle out at large
About our shyp to spye about for prayes
For therupon hath he lyued all his dayes
+
But hym I leue, and so retourne agayne
Namly to speke of the vnrightwysenes
Of knyghtes and fals scribes whiche fully set theyr brayne
To brynge pore people into gretter wretchydnes
Than they were erst and so them to oppresse
For playnly to speke fals knyghtes and scribes be
Of one maner lyuynge practyse and faculte%Ezech.xxij.
+
The scribe in wrytynge with his disceytfull pen
Syttynge in his syege acloyde with couetyse
By subtyle wordes spoylyth the symple men
Whiche come to hym, desyrynge right iustyce
The knyght in warre is gyuen to the same vyce
Robbynge and spoylynge by feldys: preuely%Esaie.x.
But the scribe oppressyth the pore men openly%Job.xxx.
<P 83>
The knyght in warre in tyme of frost or rayne
Or the colde snowe as man masyd with rage
Subduyth his body to ieopardye or payne
Damnynge his soule for brybynge auauntage%Math.v.
The iniust scribe ensuys the same vsage
Defylynge his soule with his pen and black ynke
Whose couetyse causyth his soule in hell to synke
+
The cursyd hunger of syluer and of golde%Job.xxviij.
After one maner doth these two so inflame
That for the Lucre therof theyr soules ar solde
The one a thefe without all fere and shame
In tyme of warre in spoylynge hath his game%Prouer.xi.
Murdrynge men and brennynge towne and vylage%Mich.ij.
Nought sekynge but Lucre by spoylynge and pyllage%Psal.ix.
+
The pore chorle vnexpert and innocent
Suspectynge nought for his true symplycyte
Is by this scribe compellyd by falshode vyolent
To pay for his pennys tyll he a begger be
Thus lyue knyghtis and scribes after one degre
Oppressynge the pore, them puttynge to great payne
Vnto them self by falshode gettynge gayne%Luce.xxi.
+
Eche of them askyth Lucre and wynnynge
Nought carynge whether it be wronge or right%Amos.iij.
Thus cursyd is the sort that haue theyr lyuynge
In robbynge pore people by violence and myght%Ecclesi.x.
But if they had Iustyce and mercy in theyr syght
Theyr offyces mynystrynge by lawe and equyte
Both of $god and man rewardyd sholde they be
<P 84>
Who that is rightwyse good, men shall hym commende%Jacobi.iiij.
And lawde his name, and his dedes magnyfye%ij.ad thimo.ij.
The knyght is ordeyned by manhode to defende
Wydowhode and age from wronge and iniury
With fatherles children, and suche as lyue in penury
And with dynt of swerde to defende the comon welth
Expellynge theuys, sauynge true mannys helth
+
The scribe is ordeyned hymself to exercyse
To wryte with his pen iust lawes and verytable%Esaie.iij.
And shewe by his craft the rule of right iustyce%Math.xiij.
But nowe theyr dedys ar moche varyable
For knyghtes and scribes by wayes disceyuable
By the swerde and pen right cursydly intende%Math.xxiij.
Them to oppres, whome they ought to defende
+
As wydowes pore men and children pryuate
Of Father and mother and feble men by age
By suche oppression they increase theyr estate
And by successyon of all theyr hole lynage
Alas the childe oft forgoys his heritage
Without: right longe or he be of discression
And all by fals knyghtis spoylynge and oppression
+
In erth no gyle, nor falshode is doutles%Zach.vij.
Nor yll that is to scribes comparable
But touchynge thoppression and vnhappynes
Of other offycers it is innumerable%Malach.iij.
And namely sowdeours ar nowe moste vengeable
And other courters: that scant the kynges way
Of theyr spoylynge may be quyte by nyght or day
<P 85>
What shall I wryte of powlynge customers
And spoylynge serchers Baylyfs and Constables
Sergeauntis and catchpollis and other offycers
Whiche with others plate garnysshe gay theyr tables
Theyr howsys stuffed with brybes abhomynbles
Suche by oppression become thus excellent%Luce.iij.
Contynuynge in falshode for lacke of punysshement
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARCLAY.
<L 8089>
Ye knyghtes vnrightwyse and offycers iniust
Auoyde your extorcion done by cruelte
Auoyde this desyre, mad and myscheuous lust
Whiche ye haue in spoylynge of the comonte
Better is for you to lyue in pouertye
So plesynge $god with vndefyled name
Than by oppression to come to hye degre
And than after deth be damnyd for the same
<P 86>
<L R>
Of folysshe messangers and Pursuyuauntis.
<L 8097>
I am a swyft Pursuyuaunte or messangar
None in the worlde swyfter as I wene
Here am I come from londes strange and far
Yet can I nat (drynkynge) voyde my botell clene
Tyll in the foles Shyppes I haue ben
And to the chefe delyuered vp this byll
Shpyman (tyll I enter) let thy shyp stande styll
<P 87>
I had purposyd nat to haue tane on honde%Qualis debeat esse nuncius ponit spe.+
in.ti.de execu.
To cary in my shyp any messangers
Or pursuyuauntis that occupy on londe
For I myself and all my maryners
Kepe on the see, with our folysshe partners
So far from londe, and rowynge with suche payne%Prouer.xxv.
That no messanger may vs reuoke agayne
+
Yet some of them coueyt to haue place
To them assigned within a folysshe barge%Ezech.xxx.
And with our folys to be so moche in grace
Of all theyr messages to haue the cure and charge
To this intent to ren euer out at large
With letters or Charters, about dyuers londes%Prouer.xiij.
Somtyme in theyr mouth and somtyme in theyr hondes
+
Somtyme other wyse them hydynge pryuely
To kepe them sure, from moystnes of the rayne
And so to go without all ieopardy
In his iourny and salue to come agayne
But some of these folys take vpon them payne
To execute more, than is in theyr message
To theyr owne scorne, and lordes great damage
+
But yet oft tyme (Howbeit theyr promes)%Prouer.xvi.
Was in all hast to theyr message to entende
They it prolonge by ouer moche dronkennes
Taryenge theyr charge, and bryngynge nought to ende
By theyr slowe paas, thus he that dyd them sende
Thynkyth his mater well done and brought to pas
But by theyr prolongynge it is euyn as it was
<P 88>
And often these messangers so wysely them gouerne
That whyle they sholde be in hande with theyr mesage
They range about to eche alehous and tauerne%Prouer.xxiiij.
With the swete wyne theyr great hete to asswage
Tyll he be brought into the dronken rage
Than opyns he his letter it redynge twyse or thryse
And all for this purpose newe lesynges to deuyse
+
His letter he openyth as fals and past all shame%Prouer.xxvi.
To knowe the secrete therof to this intent
With his fals tunge to glose vpon the same
And oft in his message he is so neglygent
To lese his letters, and so as imprudent
He can nat that shewe that men to hym commyt
Retournynge without answere so folysshe is his wyt
+
A true messanger and of parfyte dilygence%Prouer.xxvi.
Is moche worthy, and greatly commendable%Sapien.v.
For lyke as in Somers feruent vyolence
The colde wynde and snowe to man is delectable
And as to men wery: rest is moche confortable
So a messanger spedy faythfull and parfyte
Retournynge to his lorde doth hym as great delyte
+
Suche true messangers no man wyll discommende
That is of wysdome mynde pacient, or doctryne
But folysshe messangers here I comprehende
Whiche in theyr message to folysshe wordes inclyne
More tendynge to theyr botell full of ale or wyne
Than to theyr message, for this is prouyd playne
That sende a fole forth.  and so comys he agayne
<P 89>
Suche folys haue theyr mawes so feruent
In hete by rennynge, and excessyue langage
Fyllyd with foly:  That no drynke can it stent
Nor with moystnes that feruent hete asswage
But a faythfull man that doth truly his message
Is to be lawdyd.  But we dayly proued se
That wyse wyll do wysely, and folys as they be.
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARCLAY THE ACTOUR.
<L 8167>
Ye folysshe messangers gyuen to neglygence
To slouth and ryot in your besynes
Reduce your myndes to parfyte dilygence
So may ye to your lordes do confort and gladnes
Be true in his myssage, gyue you to secretnes
If ye do nat I $Barclay, shall certayne
For eche of you my folys lyueray dres
That is a hode to kepe you from the rayne
<P 90>
<L R>
Of folisshe Cokes &buttelers and other offycers of 
<L R>
howsholde that wast theyr maysters good without mesure
<L 8175>
Lo nowe comys a sort by dosyns multyplyed
Vnto my shyp: of dyuers cokes and buttelers.
A rowme to them may nat be well denyed
Nor to all other suche howsholde offycers
These folys hast fast to be my maryners
Rowynge with suche myght that all the se fomes
Suche increas our Nauy, by vylenes of other wombes
<P 91>
This sort of seruauntes whome thou dost here espy%Ezech.xxiiij.
Gyuen to theyr wombe by lust obhomynable
Of meat and drynke and superflwe glotony
Ar to theyr maysters but lytell profytable.
Oft Cokes and butlers ar so disceyuable
Of nature, to theyr mayster and folowe this offence
That nought they set by his losse by theyr expence
+
These folys reuellynge on theyr maysters coste%Prouer.xxi.et.xxiij.
Spare no expence, nought carynge his damage
But they as Caytyfs often thus them boste
In theyr glotony with disolute langage
Be mery companyons and lusty of cowrage
We haue our pleasour in deynty mete and drynke
On whiche thynge only we alway muse and thynke
+
Ete we and drynke we therfore without all care%Esaie.lxv.
With reuyll without mesure as longe as we may
It is a royall thynge thus lustely to fare
With others mete, thus reuell we alway
Spare nat the pot another shall it pay
Whan that is done spare nat for more to call
He merely slepys the whiche shall pay for all
+
Thus fewe or none of kepars shall we fynde%Prouer.xix.
Trewe in theyr dedys, and after one intent%Math.xxiiij.
Though maysters to theyr seruauntis be full kynde
Agayne is the seruaunt fals and fraudelent
So howsholde seruauntes though they seme innocent 
And without falshode before theyr lordes face
They wast all and more in another place
<P 92>
Whan mayster and maystres in bed ar to rest
The bordes ar spred, the dores open echone
Than farys the Coke and butteler of the best
Other both togyther, or eche of them alone%Eccle.xxxi.
With wyne and ale tyll all the best be gone
By galons and potels they spende without care
That whiche theyr lorde for his owne mouth dyd spare
+
They ar nat content amonge them selfe to spende%Prouer.xij.
Theyr maysters goodes in suche lyke glotony
But also for other glotons they do sende
And strange dronkardys to helpe out theyr vylany
By whose helpe they may the vessellis make dry
And he that hath way to drynke at eche worde
Amonge these Caytyfs is worshyppyd as a lorde
+
Amonge these wasters is no fydelyte%Luce.xvi.
They haue no hede nor care ne aduertence.%Treno.v.
Of the great losse, and the cause of pouertye
Growynge to theyr lorde by this wastfull expence
But hym begyle behynde his backe and presence
The mayster or lorde lyinge in his bed%Prouer.xxix.
Full lytell knowys howe his howsholde is led
+
But whyle the seruauntes fals ryot thus ensue
Wastynge theyr maysters good and hole substance
The mayster thynkes his seruauntes good and true
But if it fortune after by some chaunce
That the mayster haue a desyre or plesaunce
Of his best drynke with his louers to haue some
The vessell empty shall yelde nought but bom bom
<E.ii.>
<P 93>
Than shall the lorde perceyue the great disceyte
Of his wastfull seruauntes and theyr fals abusion%Ecclesi.xxxij.
But his perceyuynge than is all to late%Luce.xij.
So it apereth that great collusion
Comyth vnto many, and extreme confusion
By vntrue seruauntes as Cokes and butlers
And by all other housholde offycers.
+
I thynke it shame to wryte in this my boke
The great disceyte gyle and vnclenlynes
Of any scolyon, or any bawdy Coke
His lorde abusynge by his vnthryftynes
Some for the nonys theyr meat lewdly dres.
Gyuynge it a tast to swet to salt or stronge
Bycause the seruauntes wolde eat it them amonge
+
This company, and bende vngracious%Ad ephe.vi.
Ar with no pety mouyd, nor yet care
They wast: and ete theyr mayster out of hous
Deuourynge his good, tyll he be pore and bare
And with what meates so euer the lorde shall fare
If it be in the kechyne or it come to the hall
The coke and scolyon must taste it first of all
+
In euery dysshe these caytyfs haue theyr handes
Gapynge as it were dogges for a bone
Whan nature is content fewe of them vnderstandes.
In so moche that as I trowe, of them is none
That dye for age: but by glotony echone
But suche folys were nat theyr hasty lokes
To my folysshe shyp sholde chosen be for Cokes
<P 94>
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARCLAY.
<L 8266>
In this shyp myght I compryse or comprehende
Seruauntis of euery craft and facultye
Whiche in lewde ryot theyr maysters goodes spende
Bryngynge them therby to carefull pouertye
But as for this tyme they shall passe by for me
Syns by theyr maysters folysshe neglygence
They haue occasion so ryotous to be
By great cause gyuen of inconuenyence.
+
But to you seruauntis I tourne my pen agayne
Exortynge you to your maysters to be true
And nat thus to spende and wast his good in vayne
And so to harde nede therby hym to subdue
Lewde felawshyp se that ye euer eschewe
Beware of ryot, be content wyth your degre.
For who that agaynst his mayster is vntrewe
In his owne labour is seldome sen to thye.
<P 95>
<L R>
Of the arrogance and pryde of rude men of the countrey.
<L 8282>
The rustycall pryde of carles of the londe
Remaynyth nowe, whiche I intende to note
Whiche theyr owne pryde nat se nor vnderstonde
Wherfore they coueyte with me to haue a bote
And so they shall, but whan they ar a flote
Let them me pardon, for I wyll take no charge
Of them: but them touche and let them ren at large
<P 96>
Of husbonde men the lyfe and the nature%xlvi.i. dis.in.pri.l.nuper.C.deman & +
col.pa.glo.in l:seruis vrba.ff de.le.iij.
Was wont be rude and of symplycyte
And of condicion humble and demure
But if a man wolde nowe demande of me
Howe longe agone is syns they thus haue be
I myght well answere it is nat longe agone
Syns they were symple and innocent echone
+
And so moche were they gyuen to symplenes
And other vertues chefe and pryncipall%Ouidius.i.fast.et in meth.
That the godly trone of fayth and righwysnes
Had left great townes lordes and men royall
And taken place amonge these men rurall
All vertues: stedfastnes iustyce and lawe
Disdayned nat these pore cotis thekt with strawe
+
There was no disceyt nor gyle of tymes longe%Juuenalis.
Amonge these men: they were out chasyd and gone
For iustyce (as I haue sayd) was them amonge
And of longe tyme there kept hir chayre and trone
Of brynnynge Auaryce amonge these men was none%Ecclesi.viij.
No wrongfull lucre nor disceytful auauntage
Infect the myndes of men of the vyllage
+
That is to say they knewe none vsury
No hunger of golde dyd theyr myndes confounde
They knewe no malyce: nor pryde of theyr body
Nor other vyces that trowbleth nowe the grounde
They coueyted nat to greatly to abounde
In proude aparayle, lyke Cytezyns excellent
But theyr hole lyfe was symple and innocent
<P 97>
But nowe the lyfe of eche carle and vyllayne%Hiere.xiij.
Is in all maners chaungyd euen as clene
As if the trone moste noble and souerayne
Of rightwysenes: amonge them had neuer bene
Of theyr olde vertues nowe is none in them sene
Wherby they longe were wont themself to gyde
Theyr lyfe is loste and they set hole on pryde
+

Theyr clothes stately after the courters gyse
Theyr here out busshynge as a foxis tayle
And all the fassions whiche they can deuyse
In counterfaytynge they vse in aparayll
Party and gardyd or short to none auayle
So that if $god sholde theyr bodyes chaunge
After theyr vesture theyr shape sholde be full strange
+
Thus is theyr mekenes and olde symplycyte
Tournyd by theyr foly to arrogance and pryde
Theyr rightwysenes, loue and fydelyte
By enuy and falshode nowe ar set asyde
Disceyt and gyle with them so sure doth byde
That folke of the towne of them oft lerne the same%Sapien.xvij.
And other newe yllis causynge reprofe and shame
+
Theyr scarsnes nowe is tournyd to couetyse%Job.xxiiij.
They onely haue golde and that, in abundaunce
Theyr vertue is gone, and they rotyd in vyce%Esaie.v.
Onely on riches fixed is theyr plesaunce
Fye Chorles amende this mad mysgouernaunce
What mouyth you vnto this thyrst feruent%Hiere.li.
Of golde: that were wont to be so innocent
<P 98>
What causeth you thus your lyfe to change
To cursyd malyce from godly innocence
Nowe Carles ar nat content with one grange
Nore one ferme place, suche is theyr insolence
They must haue many, to support theyr expence
And so a riche, vyllayne proude and arrogant
Anone becomyth a couetous marchant
+
Than labours he for to be made a state%Prouer.xxiiij.
And to haue the pryuelege of hye nobles
Thus churlys becomyth statis nowe of late
Hye of renowne without all sympylnes%Juuenalis.
But it is great foly and also shame doutles
For Carles to coueyt this wyse to clym so hye
And nat be pleasyd with theyr state and degre%Ecclesi.iij.
<L R>
TENUOY OF $BARCLAY THE TRANSLATOUR.
<L 8359>
Fye rurall carles awake I say and ryse
Out of your vyce and lyfe abhomynable
Namely of pryde, wrath, enuy and couetyse
Whiche ye insue, as they were nat damnable
Recouer your olde mekenes, whiche is most profytable
Of all vertues, and be content with your degre
For make a carle a lorde, and without any fable
In his inwarde maners one man styll shall he be.
<P 99>
<L R>
Of the contempt and dispysynge of pouertye.
<L 8367>
In this our tyme we pouertye out chase
From vs, but ryches doth euery man content
The pore is oppressyd to grounde in eche place
He onely is mocked and countyd imprudent
As it were a naturall fole, or innocent
He that is pore, and wyse, must hym submyt
Vnto a riche fole whiche in a trone shall syt.
<P 100>
I cary of folys within this present barge%xlvij.dis.sicut priuilegia,pan.vi +
in.l.si.quis ad.c.de epis.et cle archi.xi.q.iij.pauper.
A marueylous nomber and almoste infynyte
Whiche on vayne ryches only haue theyr charge
And hath on it more pleasour and delyte
Than in good vertues that myght theyr soule profyte
They set more store the peny to posses
Than of good, maners, worshyp, or holynes
+
All men forsaketh in this tyme to sustayne%Sapien v. Virgilius.iij.enei +
Quid non mortalia pectora cogis auri sacra fames.Juuenalis
The weght and burthen of godly pouerte
The cursyd hunger of ryches doth constrayne
The hertis of men and that of eche degre
Good lyuers of no valour countyd be
If they lacke riches, theyr goodnes to support
To theyr company none forsyth to resort
+
They that haue honoured wysdome here before%Prouer.xxiij.
And loued vertue, and in the same procede
In this our tyme promotyd ar no more
To lawde and honour whiche ought to be theyr mede%Ecclesi.x.
To rightwyse men nowe no man taketh hede
But onely they haue bribes in plente
That ar moste riche and hyest in degre
+
But syns it is so that plenty and abundaunce%Ouidius
Of vayne riches and blynde and frayle treasour
Doth them that hath the same lyghtly auaunce
To loue, to frendshyp, to lawdes and honour
And he that lackyth the same is in dolour
Therfore all men more gladly it ensue
Than lawdable lyfe gode maners or vertue
<P 101>
The worlde rennyth on suche chaunce nowe adayes%Juuenalis
That none by vertue riches can attayne%Eccle*s.v.
But who that wyll be riche must folowe nowe suche wayes%Mich.vi.
Firste must he flater and of honour haue disdayne%Eccle.xxv.
He spare must none othes though they be fals and vayne
And that he hath sayde by and by forsake.
Nowe swere and promes, anone them both to brake
+
He must promes and vowe both to $god and man%xxxv.dis.nonne.
And neuer care nor force to kepe the same
By falshode or brybynge get what he can
His wordes and dedes both without fere and shame
By cruell delynge he must hym get a name%Eccle*s.iiij.
Nought must he care for synne nor vyolence%xlviij.dis.sicut.
Nouther present nor past, styll redy to offence
+
He must with rauysshynge clawes exercyse%Ecclesi.xiiij.
Vsury, rubbynge from people innocent
Brybes and spoylynges and tyme therfore deuyse%Amos.v.
He must bere talys faynyd and fraudelent
And with his lyes trouble myndes pacient%Esaie.x.
And into the erys of good men and laudable
He droppyth venym by wordes vengeable
+
O damnable lyfe pollutyd all with vyce
O deuylysshe maners alas we may complayne%Job.v.
The worlde is wrappyd in suche syn by couetyse
Whiche doth all vertue and godlynes distayne%Prouer.xi.
All thynge is solde, for frayll treasour and vayne
Laufull and vnlaufull vertue lawe and right
Ar solde for money whiche blyndyth mannys syght
<P 102>
Were nat blynde treasour and vnhappy ryches%xi.q.iij.pauper.xxiiij.q.iiij. +
ne amisso.
Many one for theyr synnes and offence
Sholde worthely haue dyed in wretchydnes
And other escapyd for theyr innocence
The peny damnyth: somtyme gyuynge sentence
So that oft tymes in tyme of iugement%Apo.xviij.
It reddyth murdrers and Theues fro punysshement
+
Thus synnes greuous escapyth quyte and fre%Eccl*s.x.
By money, whiche is so good an aduocate
That it man reddyth what euer his trespas be
From deth and peryll if it come nat to late
It gettyth loue of pore man and estate
It wolues and Foxis delyuereth from tourment%Juuenalis.
And hangeth vp, doues and Lambes innocent
+
The ryche by oppressyon augmentyth theyr ryches
Whiche is at last to theyr owne great damage
Lyke as the Bybyll playnly doth expres
Howe $Achab wolde haue had the herytage%Achab.
Of $Nabeth: descendynge to hym by his lynage%iii.regum.xxi.Ecclesi.v.
Wherfore this $Naboth rightwysly withstode
The kynges wyll and that by reason gode
+
Where as this rightwyse man full wretchydly
By this ryche kynge, by oppression playne
And his Quenes falshode was damnyd wrongfully
For his denyenge, and so with stonys slayne
For whiche thynge this kynge after had payne
By wretchyd deth whiche $god to hym dyd sende
Of extorcioners this is the comon ende
<F.i.>
<P 103>
Thus the pore onely for theyr symplycite%vi.q.iij.pauper.
Is tred vnder fote by suche as haue myght
Thus bagges must be had of pure necessyte
For without them no man can haue his right%Juuenalis
But whan the golden age the worlde dyd lyght%Lucarnus
And rayned amonge men, than was pouerte
Of great lawde and glory with men of eche degre
+
Than was theyr fode scas, theyr lyuynge lyberall%xv.q.ij.illa no.de re scrip.+
statutum.li.vi.bea.th.ii.ij.q.c.lxxxviij.ar.iij.
Theyr labour comon, they knewe no couetyse
All thynge was comon than amonge them all
The lawe of nature from them expellyd vyce
Without violence or rygour of iustyce
But none of all these our firste progenytours
Theyr myndes blyndyd with gatherynge great treasours
+
But thoughe by ryches nowe men be enhaunced%Prouer.xix.xij.q.ij.crates +
laus priscorum romanorum.
Yet in tyme past men haue by pouertye
In lawde and glory theyr royalmes hye auaunsyd
And come therby vnto so great dignyte
That theyr hye name and fame can neuer dye
$Rome was firste pore, and pore was the senate
And in $Rome pore was many a great estate
+
Yet were they nobly disposyd to batayle
So that whyle they lyuyd in theyr symplenes
No other Nacion agayne them coude preuayle
But after whan they gaue theyr myndes to ryches
Oft strange Nacions them sharply dyd oppres
By this example it apereth openly
That to a good warrour ryches is ennemy
<P 104>
The noble $Curius in scarsnes and vertue%Q.Curius.
Rulynge in $Rome, at the Romayns desyre%Dendatus.
Dyd the Samnytyens manfully subdue
And the Ausonyans vnto the same empyre
With all other that durst agaynst $Rome conspyre
Of whome many for his souerayne wysdome
Of theyr frewyll dyd subiect to hym become
+
What man doth nat $Publicola commende%Laus publicole.
Whiche by scarsnes deseruyd hath honour
And heuenly worshyp whiche none can comprehende
Hystoryan, Poet, nor other oratour
We lawde $Fabricius a mean Conquerour
Whiche the rewardes of $Pyrrhus did despyse%Laus.fabricij.
Wherby men knewe he louyd no couetyse
+
Yet led this $Fabricius his lyfe in scarsyte
With lytell riches to hym moche acceptable%Marcus regulus de quo tullius in of.
$Regulus also a man of great dignyte
For his suffysaunce reputyd is laudable
In small substance he thought to lyue most stable
Thus is that man both wyse and excellent
That with ynoughe can holde hym selfe content
+
The firste begynnynge and origynall%Apuleus.
Of all the worlde was firste in scarsyte
Therby were Cytees byldyd first of all
And kynges establyd in theyr royalte
With theyr kyngdomes.  and men of eche degre.
Pouerte of all the lawes was Inuentryce
Mother vnto vertue, confonderes of vyce
<P 105>
By scarsyte $Grace hath gotten suche a name%Summa laus grecorum.
Of laude and worshyp whiche neuer shall decay
That all the worlde holde, spekyth of the same
But howe the lordes thereof lyued alway
In stedfast vertue somwhat shall I say%Aristides.
The iust $Arystydes inuentour of iustyce
Was euer pore, nat gyuen to couetyse
+
$Epamynundas also lyued in vertue%Epamynundas
And he beynge Duke possessyd small ryches
Yet neuer kynge nor Prynce coude hym subdue
By suffysaunce suche was his worthynes%Laus homeri poete heroici a paupertate.
The noble Poet $homerus eke:  doutles
Whyle he descrybed the sore ruyne of $Troy
Was pore, and set on couetyse no ioy 
+
$Socrates with godly wysdome decorate%Socratis Laus.
Set neuer his mynde on ryches or treasour
Yet was neuer kynge so ryche nor estate
That was more worthy than he was of honour
In all the worlde is no thynge at this houre
So proude nor hye whiche hath nat first of all
Had chefe begynnynge of a Ryuer but small
+
The worthy Cyte callyd $Tarpye by name%Augustinus.
Of small begynnynge is nowe made excellent
$Rome hath also farre sprede abrode hir fame
Thoughe it were byldyd (as lerned men assent)
Of symple Shepherdes pore and innocent
O what a Cyte, and what a se royall
Hath had first name of pore men and rurall
<F.ii.>
<P 106>
Where as the cursyd hunger of ryches%Ouidius
Hath oft these Cytees destroyed and lost agayne%Eccle.xviij.
Hath nat the Romayns byd oft great wretchydnes
And for Couetyse oppressyd in great payne
For the same vyce $Cartago hath certayne
Suffred ruyne by fortune myserable%Ruina cartaginis
Where as pouerte brynges men to ende laudable
+
Alas why Coueyt we so faruently%Prouer.xxij.
Exces of ryches as men myndles and blynde%Juuenalis
Syns it so many hath brought to mysery
Yet ryches gotten is vnsure as the wynde
Dyd nat proude $Cersus therby destruccion fynde
Endynge in payne great wo and wretchydnes%Cersus de quo Herodo.li.i.
By the immoderate and lewde Ioue of ryches
+
Wherfore let men of eche sort of degre
Loue pouertye as thynge moste commendable%Prouer.xij.
For suerly ryches is nought but vanyte%Eccl*s vi.
Rulyd by chaunce vncertayne and vnstable%Marci.x.
And to the Hauer oftentyme damnable
For a ryche man settynge theron his mynde
Shal into heuen right hardly passage fynde
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARCLAY.
<L 8563>
Withdrawe your myndes men from to great ryches
Set nat your thought vpon vnsure treasour
Rede howe the Gospell examples doth expres
Of the pouertye of $Christe our sauyour
<P 107>
Thoughe he of all was lorde and creatour
And seconde parsone of the holy Trinite
Yet he for vs hath suffred great dolour
And in all his lyfe wylfull pouete.
+
Wherfore blynde man make clere thy ignoraunce
Take here example by $god omnypotent
Holde thou thy selfe content with suffysaunce
Voluntary scarsnes is a vertue excellent
That folowed the fathers of the olde testament
And also the discyples and Apostles in the newe
But to pouertye thoughe thou wylt nat consent
Than kepe thou mesure, and couetyce eschewe
<P 108>
<L R>
Of them that begyn to do well and contynue nat in that purpose.
<L 8579>
Vnto this Plough of Folys many ren
Begynnynge to labour with dylygence and payne
But they wyll nat contynue longe therin
But shortly after cast of theyr worke agayne
No maruayle. for so volage is theyr brayne
That without reason they gyue moche gretter hede
As wytles Folys the bare Coko to fede
<P 109>
First whan the Carle takys his ploughe in honde
He is so besy therwith and dylygent%Luce.xi.
As if that he wolde Ere out all his londe%Eccle.xxxviij.
Vpon one day or he leue of, or stent%de.pe.dis.ij. Multi.
To the first labour men ar lest insolent
But I shall tell the if thou gyue audyence
Of this my meter what is the chefe sentence
+
Some men ar lyuynge that for awhyle begyn
To lyue well ynoughe and outwarde represent%Ad hebre.iij.
For to contynue in good lyfe without syn
Entrynge the way of vertue excellent
But shortly after chaungyd is that intent%Ad hebre.xij.
They come nat vnto the top of the Mountayne%Eccl*s.ij.
Wherin is vertue and good moste souerayne
+
These ar those Folys that taketh hastely
The ploughe in hande, as for a cours or twayne
And than agayne it leuyth by and by%Abacuc.i.
These well deserue for theyr vnstable brayne%ij.ad corin.vi.
In our lewde barges for to be put to payne
And besy labour, and alway to trauayle
To rowe our barges and hye to hawse the sayle
+
The wyse man in descripcion of vertue
Hath set the same on the hyght of a hyll%Pytagoras
Whiche vnto heuen a certayne way doth shewe
To suche men as with theyr full myndes wyll%Josue.vij.
To that hyghe top theyr hole iourney fulfyll
But to this hyll, fewe ar that go forwarde
But many thousandes wolde clymbe therto bacwarde%Prouer.xxvi.
<P 110>
They ar suche that set all theyr hold lykynges
On ryches pleasour and euery dedely synne
And onely muse on these lowe worldly thynges
As if man myght hye goodnes by them wynne
Whiche haue no grace nor vertue them within
These men that ar of mynde thus varyable
To the children of Israell ar moste comparable
+
Whiche whan they were delyuered of destres
And out of $Egypt, and past that cruell payne%Exodi.xvi.
By hande of $moyses, suche was theyr wylfulnes%Numeri.xiiij.
That oft they wysshyd that they were there agayne
And all for hunger of one day or scant twayne
They rather wolde vytayle in sore captyuyte
Than with small penaunce, haue plesaunt lybertye
+
These worldly thynges to Egypt I compare
Wherin mankynde abydeth in bondage
Oft by his foly suffrynge great payne and care
But whan theyr mynde is red from this outrage
And they delyuered, and all theyr hole lynage
Forsakynge the worlde, for vertue moste souerayne
Than for small hardnes anone they turne agayne
+
Alas these people of myndes ar so rude
That they had leuer be in captyuyte
Of $Faro the Fende, and his blynde seruytude
Than in $Christis seruyce lyuynge in lybertye
But though the way of $Christis seruyce be
Harde to be kept by blynde and frayle mankynde
Parseruer, and thou shalt a Crowne in heuen fynde
<P 111>
But many (alas) retourne agayne to vyce
And bacwarde agayne go to theyr olde offence%Math.xv.
And he that the seruyce of $god dyd exercyse%Luce.xi.
In mekenes vertue and lowe obedyence
Is fallyn nowe to all inconuenyence
Alas the state of them is moche vnsure%Apoca.iij.
Whiche chaunge good for yll agayne nature%Hiere.iij.
+
The quakynge seke in bed lyenge prostrate
Halfe dede halfe lyuynge, by some mortall wounde%i.q.i. ventum de +
pe.dis.i.quem penitet.xcij. dis.plurimos.xvi. q.i.in canonibus.
And of all his myghtis of manhode clene pryuate
Can nat be hole, but if plasters be bounde
Vnto his grefe to clens it by the grounde
Purgynge it by suche playsters mundifycatyue
And than it closynge by playsters sanatyue
+
And corrosyues, somtyme he must endure
To purge that flesshe whiche is putrefyed
Kepynge and obseruynge good dyet alway sure
But by this way whan his payne is modefyed
His wounde nere hole, fresshe and claryfyed
Withdrawe he his playsters for a day or twayne
His sore reneweth and rottyth than agayne
+
And oft becomyth wors than it was before
Corruptynge the flesshe and skyn on euery syde
Right so it fortunes by a gostely sore%Ecclesi.xviij.
In vertue we ought perseuerantly abyde
Whiche to the heuenly regyon shall vs gyde
It nought auayleth thyself to boste and cry
That thou haste  somtyme lyued rightwysly
<P 112>
It is nat ynough from vyce the to defende%Eccle.vij.
One day or twayne or onys to haue done well%Sapien.v.
But that man that contynuys to the ende%%Math.x.
Shall neuer nede to fere the paynes of hell%Deutro.xxxij.
For it expressed is playne in the gospell%Eccle.ix.
Who that perseueryth in vertue and in grace
To his last ende, in in heuen shall haue a place
+
Therfore I pray, and humbly you beseke
Lerne good and vertue, and be therin actyfe
Nat onely for one day nor yet one weke
But in contynue the dayes of all your lyfe
Thynges thus begone, of man, childe, mayde, or wyfe
Ar moste acceptable to $god our sauyour
And nat to do well, and leue within an hour
<L R>
TENUOY OF $BARCLAY.
<L 8684>
O youth full frayle blynde youth I say agayne
In thy tendernes stody thou to begyn
To serue thy maker in vertues souerayne
And se thou surely rote thy self therin
That thou the neuer pollute with dedely synne
And if thou fall agayne ryse hastely
Than shalt thou sothly heuen obtayne & wynne
If thou perseuer and so lyue stedfastly.
<P 113>
<L R>
O folys that despyse deth makynge no prouysion therfore
<L 8692>
O cruell deth, of fury fauourles
So fyers art thou of loke and countenaunce
That thou nought sparest vertue nor ryches
Beauty nor byrth, strength nor valyaunce
Eche creature thou bryngest to vttraunce
Thou shewest none his season nor his tyde
So is he vnwyse that wyll the nat prouyde.
<P 114>
O Brether in $Christ conioyned by byleue%Seneca
Our blynde presumpcion doth vs sore abuse
Trust of longe lyfe our soules oft doth greue%Job.xxi.
We haue playne warnynge and yet we it refuse
Vnwarely we wander, and no thynge we muse%Juuenalis
On deth:  but despyse his furour intretable
Whiche sure shall come, though tyme be varyable
+
Man dye thou shalt:  this thynge thou knowest playe
But as for the tyme, howe, where, and whan%Job.xviij.
These ar and shall be kept vncertayne
Fro the, and me, and almoste from euery man
Thus dye thou must prouyde it if thou can
We all must therto, olde, yonge, yll and goode%ij.regum.xiiij.
Our lyfe styll passyth as water of a flode
+
Ly, stande, or go, ete, slepe, or drynke
Or in what so euer thynge thou the exercyse%Ouidius.x.
Yet deth cometh thoughe thou nat theron thynke%Meth.
But for that we dye in suche varyable wyse
Thou for day:  if suche a chaunce doth ryse
Thy neyghbour shall folowe outher first or last%Prouer.x.
Therfore on hope all men theyr myndes cast
+
On hope to lyue set mortall men theyr mynde
Thoughe they be seke yet thynke they nat to dye
So this vayne hope doth them disceyue and blynde%Eccl*s.ix.
If deth them stryke in that infirmyte
Ye and also we often tymes may se
That deth is lyke to men opprest in age%Sapien.x.
And to yonge children and men of hye corage
<P 115>
Thy ernest is layde, the bargen must abyde%Gene.x.
It may nat be broke, but where as synne doth growe
And a pore wretche in vicious lyfe mysgyde%Ad rom.v.
Suche wretches thynke that deth is neuer to slowe
And many one in vyce habounde and flowe%Seneca.
Alway thoughe they that dye in synne mortall%Mors peccatorum pessima.
(As $Dauyd sayth) dye must rufull deth of all
+
Deth is (as I haue sayd) so intreatable
That all he consumeth, as his wyll doth aply%Ecclesi.xi.
Thoughe one in beauty be incomparable%Ad Roma.vi.
In strength or riches, thoughe $god hym magnyfye
It nought auayleth:  at last yet must he dye%Job.xxi.
Prolongyd is no tyme, if furour the submyt
Of cruell deth, thou must obey to it
+
Thy strength decays, and thy breth wexeth short%Juuenalis.
Thy vaynes labours, and be somwhat colde
Thy body wexeth styf without comfort
Anone thy beauty pleasaunt, semeth olde
Thy vysage chaungynge by lokes manyfolde
Somtymes Pale with colour chaungeable
Somtyme as lede, from deth scant varyable
+
Thy herte quaketh thy vaynes lesyth myght%Ecclesi.xvij.
Corrupt blode doth thy colour putryfye
Thy throte hurtlyth, thy wordes, and thy syght
Theyr naturall offyce shall vnto the denye
With suche passions all mortall men shall dye
For lyfe shall fayle whan deth shall take his place
No man of lyfe can charter here purchace
<P 116>
O deth howe bytter is thy remembraunce%Prouer.xi.
And howe cruell is it thy paynes to indure%Eccle.xli.
To them that in erth settyth theyr plesaunce%Virgi.vi.en.
On wretchyd ryches, vnstable and vnsure
And on vayne pleasours: yet euery creature
Must from this riches (though they be loth) depart
Whan deth them woundeth with his mortall dart
+
It is thynge Folysshe to trouble and encomber%in autem nup.de.inceps.col.iiij.
That man that restyth and slepyth quyetly
His tyme was come, and we in the same slomber
Shall be opprest:  $god wot howe sodaynly%Juuenalis
We all must therto, there is no remedy
It hath to many ben profyte, and gladnes
To dye or theyr day to auoyde this wretchydnes
<G.i.>
+
And ende the myseries, and labours of this lyfe
And many one as wery of this short lyfe and payne
Them selfe hath murdred with theyr owne hande and knyfe%Vir.vi.enei.
And some with poyson also them selfe hath slayne%Sapien.iiij.
With snare, with water or with some other trayne
The cause why they them selfe haue thus destroyd
Was worldly payne and mysery to auoyde
+
Yet better were it lyue a lyfe myserable
Than thus to dye, yet so haue nat they thought
But naturall deth to some if profytable
To suche as therby out of bondage ar brought
And paynfull Pryson, In all the worlde is nought
Concernynge payne, dole wo and mysery
But that deth fyndeth therfore a remedy.
<P 117>
Deth with his fote doth worldly thynges tred%Juuenalis
O howe many that hath ben in captyuyte
And bytter Pryson doth deth clene quyte and red
By it all fetters and Chaynes lowsyd be
All worldly tourment all payne and cruelte
Is red by deth:  and they that sholde haue bene
In payne contynuall, by deth ar quyted clene
+
Deth is delyuered, and from fortune lyberall%Horatius
It tourneth downe the Castels and the toures%Virg.de for.
Of kynges Prynces and other men royall
With lyke cruelte of payne and sodayne shoures
As pore mennys howsis lyuynge in doloures
For deth hym selfe behaueth in one rate%Martialis
And in lyke mesure to begger and estate%Eccle.xxxix.
+
And thoughe that fortune cruell and vniust
Exalt yll lyuers and rightwyse men oppres
Deuydynge honour and ryches where hir lust
Deth all the same doth order and redres
With egall payne by weght of rightwysnes
There is no prayer, rewarde, nor myght that may
Of deth prolonge one houre of the set day
+
This dredfull deth of colour pale and wan
To pore and ryche in fauour is egall
It spareth neyther woman childe nor man
But is indifferent both to great and small
For as sayth $Flaccus, Poet heroycall%Horatius.
With one fote, it stryketh at the dore%Job.xv.
Of kynges palaysys, and of the wretched pore%Ecclesi.xlviij.
<P 118>
It caryth nought for Pryde, ne statelynes
Nor myght, as we se oft by experyence
It is nat peasyd with treasour nor ryches
With cunnynge of Retoryke ne glosyd eloquence%Job.iiij.
To Pope and Begger it hath no difference.%Eccl*s.ij.&.iiij.
With throte lyke wyde on echone doth he gape
None can his clawes auoyde, fle, nor escape
+
Yet he nat grauntyth to any creature
As symple man great Lorde or Prynce souerayne%Ecclesi.xiiij.
Of dethes hour, to be stedfast and sure
To euery man his comynge is sodayne
Except to them that ar condemned playne
Whiche by theyr foly lewdely prouoke theyr tyme
By theft or murder or ellys some other cryme
+
It maketh no force:  there is no difference
Whether thou dye yonge or els in extreme age
For this is sure eche creature shall hense
Both state and Begger shall pas the same passage
Lyue an hundryth wynter increasynge thy lynage%l.fi.de sac.san eccle.
Yet to thy lyfe deth, ende, shall set and gyue
But fewe ar that nowe one hundreth wynter lyue
+
And than at the last:  whether he by lefe or lothe
His wretchyd Carcas shall the voyde graue fulfyll
And many one also to his ende gothe
(As wery of his lyfe) at his desyre and wyll
No man hath fauour (of deth) to byde here styll
The father ded:  the sone shall after hastely
And oft dyes the sone before the Father dye
<P 119>
One after other, out of his lyfe we shall
Syster and brother, neuewe syre and dame
Tyll at the last from lyfe we gone be all
And the elementis pourgyd by fyry flame%Apo.xxi.
To mourne for deth therfore thou art to blame
Or crye for the dede, and dolefully to wepe
Thy cryenge (fole) shall nat wake hym of that slepe
+
Thynge wordy that to man is delectable
This deth disdaynes, ne no commaundement%i.ad.cor.xv.
Can turne nor fere hym:  his promys is so stable
His cruell daunce no man mortall can stent
Nor lede his cruell cours after his intent
The pope nor Emperour, if they be in his hande%Ecclesi.xlviij.
Hath no maner myght his sore cours to withstande%Eccl*s.ij.et.iij.
<G.ii.>
+
The bysshop, lorde, the Pore man, lyke a state
Deth in his daunce ledyth by the sleue
He oft causeth men them self to fatygate
And wery in his daunce, longe or they wolde byleue
But thoughe his besy coursys doth them greue
He gyuys no space to man to stande nor syt
But sue the trompe tyll he come to the pyt
+
There neuer was man of so great pryde ne pompe
Nor of suche myght, youth nor man of age
That myght gaynsay the sounde of dethes trompe
He makes man daunce and that without courage
As well the state as man of lowe lynage
His cruell cours is ay so intretable
That mannys myght to withstande is nat able
<P 120>
Whan thou art dede, what profyte or auayle%Horatius
Hast thou in toumbes hye ryche and excellent
That Corps that lackes all suche gay aparayle
Shall be ouercouered with the fyrmament%Arthemesia de qua.hiero.vij.a.g.li.x.
The blynde, Arthemisia yet was of this intent
A sumtuous toumbe and ryche to edefye
By vayne opynyon hir name to magnyfye
+
This toumbe was shynynge with slyuer and pure golde
So gayly couchyd and set with precious stone
Alayd with asure and coloures manyfolde
That of the seuen wonders of kyngdomes echone
That ar vnder Son:  that rekened is for one
Yet this gay tombe abyll for any kynge
To hir pore soule profyted no thynge
+
$Chemnys also as $dyodorus sayes%Chemnis de quo dio.li.ij.
Byldyd a speere hye and wonderous
To bere remembraunce of his tyme and dayes
This speere was costely dere and sumptuous
And of quantyte so great and marueylous
That a thousande men and. iii. hundreth fulfyde
In twenty yeres coude it skantly bylde
+
The brother of the sayd $chemnys in lyke wyse%Dio.li.ij.de fte chemnis qui +
edificauit pyramydem
Brought all his Royalme vnto pouertye
Whyle he another lyke speere dyd deuyse
For his vayne toumbe, so that his comonte
And other workmen after one degre
Were longe compellyd in this worke to ete
Herbys and rotis for lacke of other mete
<P 121>
One $Rodopis callyd by suche a name%Rodopis de quo hero.li.ij.Amasis herodo.+
li.ij.
Byldyd suche another vayne sepulture
The riche $Amasis also dyd the same
But what was this, els but a vayne pleasure
It is great Foly to any creature
To make so great expences and trauayle
About vayne thynges that ar of none auayle
+
So great expences, suche Folysshe coste and vayne%Eccl*s.viij.
Is done on toumbes and all by pompe and pryde%Math.xxiij.
That this my shyp can it scarsly contayne%Luce.xi.
But the soulys helth (alas) is set asyde%Esaie.xxij.
Whiche euer sholde lyue and without ende abyde%Ecc*s.vij.
And the caryon and fylth:  is magnyfyed
By suche vayne toumbes that nowe ar edefyed
+
Beholde a toumbe and precious sepulture
Thought it be gay:  aduyse what is within
A rottyn caryon vyler than all ordure
By this proude toumbe the soule no welth can wynne
But is Damnyd if the body dyed in synne
So is it Foly great coste and vanyte
To vse in Toumbes suche curyosyte
+
Euery grounde vnto $god is sanctyfyed%xiij.q.ii.vbicumque Seneca.
A rightwyse man that well doth lyue and dye
Shall in hye heuen in soule be glorifyed
In what euer grounde his wretchyd Carcas lye
But where a toumbe is byldyd curyously
It is but cause of Pryde to the ofsprynge
Helpynge the soule right lytell or no thynge
<P 122>
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARCLAY.
<L 8923>
Man kepe thy body from synne exces and cryme%Prouer.x.
And if thou fall aryse shortly agayne
Be euer redy, prouyde thy deth by tyme
For dye thou shalt that one thynge is certayne
And oft deth stelyth on man by cours sodayne
He warneth none, but who that dyes in syn
Dyes worst of all, and sure is of hell payne%Psal.xxxiij.
Thus is it peryll longe to abyde therin
+
Vnto an Archer deth may I well compare
Whiche with his dart stryketh somtyme the marke
That is last age delyuerynge them from care
Of mundayne thought, and payne of worldly warke
Somtyme he shotyth ouer:  as he were darke
Of syght, and somtyme to short:  or els asyde
But well is hym that takyth thought and carke
At euery season his dartis to prouyde.
<G.iij.>
<P 123>
<L R>
Of Folys that despyse god.
<L 8938>
Whan that man synneth or therto doth assent
Thoughe $god be of moche mercy and great pacience
Suffrynge hym escape without punysshement
And often is nat hasty to punysshe eche offence
Yet thou blynde Fole voyde of all prudence
He gyueth nat the his berde to draw and brast
For euery synne he punyssheth first or last.
<P 124>
What man myght suffer with mynde pacient%Job.xv.
These folys that stryue agaynst theyr creatour%Psal.cvij.
With wordes despysynge our lorde omnypotent%Eccle.iij.
And hym denyenge as nat theyr gouernour%Exodi.xvi.
Both day and nyght increasynge theyr errour%Danielis.iij.
All $goddes preceptis these folys thus confounde
With vicious wordes whiche doth theyr soules wounde
+
They vtter wordes, full of all folysshenes%Sapien.xv.
Agaynst the Father of heuen they hym nat drede
No more than he were, of no myghtynes
Lyke to mankynde, or come of mannys sede
Of his great power they haue no fere nor hede
Nor yet aduertyce his rightwyse iugement
Ne that yll doers ar worthy punysshement
+
What menest thou by god the Father eternall%Persius.
Howe takest thou hym, howe countest thou his lawe
Whiche by thy presumpcion foule and infernall
Dare be so bolde his berde this wyse to drawe
By his hye myg$ht thou countest nat a strawe
And than whan god, by mercy and pyte
A whyle the suffreth for thy dede to go fre
+
And doth nat punysshe this synne in contynent%Eccl*s.viij.
Therfore thou thynkest that god hath pardoned the
Bycause the lyghtnynge or thounder vyolent
And other tempestous stormes whan they be
Ouertourneth downe an oke or other tre
And suffreth the and thy hows to be vnbrent
Thus thynkest thou:  the pardonyd by $god omnypotent
<P 125>
O people of cursyd hope and confydence
What ioy haue ye:  or what a lewde delyte%Ad roma.ij.
Without amendement alway to sue offence
And more to offende, bycause ye haue respyte
Is godes Iustyce (thynke ye) decayd guyte
Nay $god is more rightwyse than creature terrene
All thynge he seys, no thynge can stop his iyen
+
Thynkest thou that thy lyfe shall euer endure
That thou mayst haue longe tyme our lorde to pray%Prouer.xxiij.
And in thy last age of pardone to be sure%Eccle.xvi.
O fole vnrulyd lay this lewde mynde away%Hiere.xiij.
Trust nat to lyfe, for vnsure is thy day
We all must dye:  but he that styll doth syn%Esaie.xlvij.
In hope of longe lyfe he often dyes therin
+
$God suffreth the oftymes to offende%Vale.li.ij.
And folowe thy wyll and sensualyte
To proue if thou thy lewde lyfe wylt amende
Expellynge thy carnall and blynde fragilyte
But if thou contynue in thy iniquyte
The more space that thou hast had before
Thy payne and tourment shall after be the more
+
Alas suche ar infect with great offence
That thus on synne infix alway theyr mynde%Eccle.xxxvij.
They haue no wysdome grate, goodnes, ne prudence
But kepe theyr herte in darke errour and blynde
That to true byleue it no thynge is inclyned%Ad roma.ij.
Whan synfull errour is set in theyr intent
They $god despyse, and his commaundement
<P 126>
These folys in maner nought care for $goddes myght
Whiche by his worde hath made eche element%Psal.vij.&.xlvi.
The sonne:  the mone, the derkenes and the lyght%Gene.i.
The day, the nyght, the sterrys and firmament%Eccl*s.v.
Whihiche knowys all tymes eche hour and eche moment
Both the tyme past and tyme that is to come
Our lyfe and deth he knowys by his wysdome
+
O man myserable:  o wretchyd creature
Sholdest thou agaynst thy souerayne lorde rebell
Whiche to thyntent:  that thou sholde nat endure
Eternall deth.  sende to tourment cruell
His onely son to red thy soule fro hell
The whiche also with his blode hath the bought
Therfore loue hym, and turne this frowarde thought
+
Thou art nat so redy to gyue the to penaunce
And to set thy mynde on vertue parfytely%Ecclesi.ij.
Forsakynge thy synne and olde mysgouernaunce%Hiere.xviij.
But $god is als redy to take the to mercy%Ezechi.xviij.
Thus mayst thou thynke both sure and stedfastly%Math.iiij.
That if thou for thy synnes mourne and wayle%Luce.xiij.
$God shall the here, and quyte the thy trauayle
+
But who that hath herte harde in suche a wyse
And rotyd in suche malyce and furour
That by the same by worde he dare despyse
His god, his maker, his helth and sauyour
By synne, contempt or lyuynge in errour
Suche (but if he chaunge his intent)
Is damnyd, to endure infernall punysshement
<P 127>
<L R>
THENUOY OF $BARCLAY.
<L 9030>
O people proude, and of goodnes ignoraunt
Enclyne your myndes sore blyndyd by offence
Mollyfy your hertis that ar harde as adamant
Expell ye this pryde and stately insolence
Presume ye no more in worde, nor conscience
Your lord, defender, and maker to despyse
For who that doth, shall outher here or hence
At last be rewardyd, and that in ferefull wyse.
<P 128>
<L R>
Of Blasphemers and sweres of the name of $god, and of his Sayntis.
<L 9038>
Nowe commyth to cours to wryte of the errours
Of men abhomynable, of women mayde and childe
Whiche agaynst $Christ ar newe tourmentours
His skyn terynge, wors than Iowes it defylyd
O man myscheuous by whome $Christ is reuylyd
Thou worthy art to dye in soule and in body
That Iuge that it suffreth sore shall it abye.
<P 129>
O Myrthles myse of eloquence barayne%Math.xij.
Cast out thy terys and mourne without mesure%xxv.dis.qualis.de re.dis.i.pena+
Bea.tho.ii.ii. q.xiij.ar.i.
For from sore waylynge my selfe can nat refrayne
Nor as I thynke none erthly creature
Consyderynge howe men in malyce them inur
If there were reason within harde stele or flynt
From carefull terys I wot they coude nat stynt
+
If beste had reason, wyt, or mannys brayne
To note and aduyse mannys mysgouernaunce
Without all dout I thynke it wolde complayne
For mannys synne, and wylfull ignoraunce
Therfore all ye that haue wyll and pleasaunce
To rede of the Folys of this iniquyte
Expell hye corage, and than come wepe with me
+
For certaynly, I trowe no man coude wryte
The vyce nowe vsed, agaynst all ordynaunce
Nor yet that rede, whiche other men indyte
Without sore waylynge, and terys in habundaunce
For well I wot my herte is in greuaunce
Whan I consyder and wryte, thus wyse of syn
Seynge howe the worlde defylyd is therin
+
But though I haue had great dilygence with payne%Leui.xxiiij(1570)
Before this, to blame blynde Folys abhomynable
Yet this my labour almoste was tane in vayne
For none to this present sort ar comparable
These folys in theyr dedys ar so detestable
That all synne and vyce vnder the firmament
Theyr vicious hertis can nat pleas nor content
<P 130>
Yet seke they wors:  agaynst our lorde aboue%Luke.xij.(1570)
By theyr yll tunge they tourment newe with payne
And though he onys dyed in erth for mannys loue
These caytyfs hym tourment nowe in heuen agayne
These folys (with newe sperys) set theyr brayne
To wounde, our lorde, whiche, can do hym no grefe
Saue that he seyth man seke his owne myschefe%Marke iij.(1570)
+
Agaynst $Christ they cast and throwe great othys
Blasphemynge agaynst dyuyne commaundement
Wordes of Enuy whiche $god almyghty lothys
They throwe agayne hym as trayters vyolent
O cursyd creatures, with armour impotent
That lorde that dyed to red them out of payne%Esay.iii.(1570)
They haue good wyll to tere his herte agayne
+
The one blasphemys by $christis hede and brayne
Grutchynge and grennynge for symple thynge or nought
Another Caytyfe, or myscheuous vylayne
By all his holy membres, to swere hath lytyll thought
Another by the blode wherwith he hath vs bought%xxij.q.si.quis pro +
capilium(1570)
His Face his herte, or by his crowne of thorne
Wherwith (for them) his skyn was rent and torne
+
Another out vomytis wordes execrable
Agaynst our lordes holy woundes fyue
His handes his fete and his crosse venerable%in auten vt non l? con na circa +
ne, Col.vi.(1570)
Wheron he dyed to make mankynde a lyue
That fole that grettest othes can contryue
Blasphemynge god, men hym moste magnyfye
Thus newe agayne our lorde they crucyfye
<P 131>
O cruell Caytyfs tyrantis and tourmentours
O blynde blasphemers, o men brought vp in vyce
O ye fals folowers, and inherytours
Of the cruell Iowes myschefe and malyce%ii.Mach.xij(1570)
To moche immoderate madnes doth attyce%De pe dist.iij.authoritas in tex,et glo.
Your myndes amasyd by othes to tourment
The sayntis of heuen:  and $god omnypotent
+
O ye blasphemers:  o tourmentours vnkynde
Alas what mean ye your maker thus to tere
Syns in the Gospell we playnly wryten fynde
That no creature lyuynge ought to swere
By ought that $god made, no nat by a here
Of his owne hede, our othes ought to be
(As $christ vs techyth) onely (nay) and (ye)
+
But nowe in our othes is $god omnypotent
With all his membres and sayntis euerychone
All that $god made, and euery sacrament
The fere of payne (alas) is from vs gone
Our hertis harder than flynt or marbell stone
Alas we tere our Lord that hath vs bought
By our blasphemynge, and that for thynge of nought
+
The tables, tenys, cardis, or the dyce
Ar chefe begynnynge of this vnhappynes
For whan the game wyll nat well aryse
And all the players troubled by dronkenes
Than suche Caytyfs as ioy in this exces
At eche worde labour our sauyour to tere
With othes abhomynable whiche they vngoodly swere
<P 132>
Alas these folys repute it but a game
To cast suche wordes agyne theyr creatour
Them selfe forswerynge, blasphemynge $christis name
And he that is moste gyuen to this errour
Is nowe reputyd moste worthy of honour%Romans ii.(1570)
He shall no rule in court nor kechen bere
(As this tyme goys) but he can crake and swere
+
The yonge (alas) this vyce doth here and lere
With stody intentyf, and parfyte, aduertence
Of suche as ar olde:  to blaspheme, and to swere
The name of $god without all reuerence
In so moche that they thynke it none offence
To swere the holy Masse, that othe is nowe so ryfe
In mouth of man, mayden childe and wyfe
+
It was onys ordeyned by constytucion
As I haue harde, that both symple men and hye
Sholde onely swere by that occupacion
The whiche theyr Faders dyd vse and occupy
But nowe eche sweryth the Mas comonly
Whiche is the prestis seruyce and besynes
So mennys others theyr Fathers doth expres
+
Alas no honour, laude nor reuerence
Is had nowe vnto that blessyd sacrament
But boyes, and men without all difference
Tere that holy body of $god omnypotent
As it were iowes to his passion they assent
In euery bargayne, in ale hous and at borde
The holy Mas is euer the seconde worde
<P 133>
And than these houndes can suche excusys fynde
As to theyr soules without dout ar damnable
Saynge it is gode to haue the masse in mynde
And the name of god, and his sayntis honourable
O erytykes.  o houndes abhomynable
That is a thynge whiche $god almyghty lothys
To take his name in thy foule mouth by othys
+
Yet doest thou so, there is no maner place%Leui.xix.
Nor no order or state that of this vyce is fre%Math.v.
For whiche (alas) $god hath withdrawyn his grace
And oft vs chastyth with plage of cruelte
With dyuers dethes, and moche aduesyte
For this vyce, Iuges ordayne no punysshement
Therfore is it punysshyd by $god omnypotent
+
With tempest thunder, lyghtnynge hete or colde
With murder by pertylence or els by some batayle
And sore diseasys, and paynys manyfolde
We oft by hunger haue cause also to wayle
The corne destroyed by wynde lyghtnynge or hayle
Of suche punysshement we wretchys worthy be
For $god suffreth nat our synnes to go fre
+
$Sennacheryb as the bybyll doth expres%ij.Mach.xvi.
$Nychanor and fyers $Antyochus also%ij.Mach.v.
Hath shamely dyed for this vnhappynes
Nat only they:  but many thousandes mo
And in our dayes I fere lyst payne and wo
Be to vs sende by ryghtwyse punysshement
For swerynge in vayne, by $god omnypotent
<P 134>
O father almyghty our $god and creatour
In thy hye maiesty syttynge in thy trone%xxiij.q.v.
With blessyd $Iesu thy sone our sauyour%Quid ergo.ij.petri.xxxij.
And o holy goste whiche ar thre in one
O $god graunt thy grace to this our regyon
Pardon vs synners differ thy vengeaunce
Thoughe we deserue it by our mysgouernaunce
+
O glorious godhed of mercy infynyte%Addicio alexandri barclay.
Consyder howe mankynde is prone alway to vyce
Graunt vs good lord layser and respyte
Out of our slombrynge snnes to aryse
Let thy great mercy excell thy hye iustyce
For if thy iustyce sholde put vs to vttraunce
We sholde be damnyd for our mysgouernaunce
+
If thou good lorde denye vs to socour
On whome may we wretches for socour cry or call
Alas on none, therfore let our errour
And synfull dedes clene from thy presence fall
Brynge vs vnto thy realme celestyall
Where in thy presence we may set our pleasaunce
And so haue pardon of our mysgouernaunce.
<P 136>
<L R>
THENUOY OF $ALEXANDER $BARCLAY.
<L 9206>
Alas ye swerers mourne, for ye haue cause
Wasshe ye away your synne with syghes depe
For if I sholde vtter my mynde in one clause
I say your vnkyndnes causeth me to wepe
What $god hath done for you ye take no kepe
But tere his body by swerynge hym in vayne
Thoughe he as a good Shepherd, dyed for his shepe
That is for you, yet wolde ye hym sle agayne
<P 135>
Alas blasphemer, of $christ thou hast the name
And callyd art christen, so made by sacrament
But sothly that name is to thy vtter shame
Syns thou thy god, and sauyour dare tourment
O iuges iuges ordayne ye punysshement
For eche blasphemer wors than is an hell hounde
For if ye do nat our lorde omnypotent
Shall vs with our synnes by right iustyce confounde
%De plaga & indignatione dei.
<H.ii.>
<P 136>
<L R>
Of the plage and indignacion of $god, and folys that fere nat the same.
<L 9222>
Some folys meruayle and thynketh it great wonder
Whan $god vs stryketh for our yll and offence
With tempest, hete, sekenes, lyghtenynge or thunder
Hunger or colde, outher sodayne pestylence
But certaynly his hye magnyfycence
Vs worthely punyssheth for our iniquyte
For vertue alas is gone from eche degre.
<P 137>
O folys abusyd whome foly doth diffame%Prouer.xiij.
Say what auauntage what profyte or what mede%Tre.iij.in fine
Is it to you to haue $christis name%Deutro.xxv.
Whan ye nat folowe his lyfe in worde nor dede%Hiere.xv.
Of his preceptis alas we take no hede
Yet we repute vs condigne in our corage
To be callyd christen, and christes herytage
+
Who that in vyce his dayes doth meyntayne
May bere the name of $christ our sauyour
But than his name he chalangeth in vayne
And tyll he amende led in a blynde errour
So we (alas) often forget our creatour
Abusynge and brakeynge his hyghe commaundement
Nat carynge the decrees of faders auncient
<H.iij.>
+
We take $christes name, but his doctryne we deny%Ecclesi.xxxvij.
And from his way (alas) we sore declyne
And to all ylles our myndes we aply%Esaie.lij.
Whiche often doth vs brynge to perelous ruyne
We ioy of the name, and the true fayth deuyne%Luce.xxi.
Trustyng therby to eschewe euerlastynge payne%Jacobi.vi.
But godly workes we abhor and disdayne
+
Iustyce and hir lawes ar banysshyd from eche place
Mysrule amasyd hir braunches doth extende%Johan.viij.
All vertuous doctryne away from vs we chase
Thus goth the worlde aprochynge to the ende
Our fayth oftyme doth from hir chayre discende
She is nat so parfyte as she in tyme hath be
Nor yet hir two systers hope and charyte
<P 138>
Alas we dayly without all drede commyt
Moche cursyd vyce somtyme by ignoraunce
Somtyme by malyce, somtyme for lacke of wyt
As wors than the turke, in our mysgouernaunce
Thus dame mysrule so ledes vs in hir daunce
That our blynde youth with to moche lybertye
Subdueth our bodyes to all enormyte
+
So all mankynde with vyce is violate%Job.xv.
Both yonge and olde stronge feble and ympotent
The ryche, the pore, the vylayne and estate
That they rebell agaynst our lorde omnypotent%Eccl*s.vij.
Howbeit our lorde as a father pacyent
Sayth man if thou my lawes kepe and loue%Exodi.xvi.
I shall the lede to my hye Royalme aboue%Deutro.xi.
+
But if thou by malyce selfe wyll or neglygence%Math.vij.
Dispyse my lawes reputynge them but vayne
Thou shalt nat escape ay fre for thyne offence
Without correccion punysshement and payne%Johan.xv.
Yet we blynde men of these wordes haue disdayne
To this great promes alas we nought intende
Ne labour nat our errours to amende
+
Suche is our foly we thynke nat to amende
But styll procede in our olde mysgouernaunce
We ar so blyndyd we note no thynge the ende%Leuit.xxvi.
Wherfore our lorde, by Iustyces balance%Nume.xiiij.
Of suche offenders oft taketh vengeaunce
With dyuers plagis, and punysshement terryble
As pockes, pestylence, and other yll horryble
<P 139>
Though mercy fauour, yet $god of his iustyce
With dyuers plages sundry sorys and sekenes%Ezech.xxxviij.
And dredfull dolours punyssheth vs for vyce%Esaie.lix.
Suche is the order of his hyghe rightwysnes
Whan men contynue in theyr vnhappynes
His swerde of vengeaunce vpon them to extende
And that namely whan they wyll nat amende
+
Cruell $Mars somtyme vs thretenyth with batayle%Deutro.xxviij.
Somtyme our bodyes infect with pestylence%ij.Regum.vij.
The corne somtyme distroyed with rayne or hayle
Than hunger men consumyth without all difference
This worthely we indure for our offence
With sore diseasys that neuer were sene before
But yet our synnes increasyth euer more
+
Somtyme our fode with hete is all to brent%Luce.xij.
Somtyme by colde abyde we moche payne%Apocalip.xviij.
Some hath with thunder theyr bodyes all to rent
Now frost, nowe snowe, lyghtenynge, tempest, or rayne
Some with thunder boltis theyr bodyes smyt in twayne
Some murdred, some hanged some hedyd, some drownde
And all for offence, and synne done on the grounde
+
The dyuers dethes whiche dayly we indure
And dyuers chaunces whiche dayly on vs fall
I trowe there is none erthly creature
That hath the brayne to comprehende them all
Though that his dayes were nere perpetuall
And often se we tokens of ferefull punysshement
By sygnes and sterres of the clere fyrmament
<P 140>
We ought these paynes with mekenes to indure%Ouidius in epistolis.
And nat to grutche therfore, nor $god to blame
For our lewde lyfe forsoth doth them procure%Psal.v.&.xliij.
And for our synnes ar we worthy of the same%Esaie.xxij.
Some nacions haue ben dryuen out in shame%Johel.ij.
From theyr owne londe wandrynge in payne and stryfe
Whiche sothly was for theyr disordred lyfe
+
Wherfore thou man thynke sure in thyne intent
That synne accostomed, by order of iustyce
Of $god aboue, cryeth for punysshement%Prouer.xiiij.
Other here or els in hell:  for euery vyce%Treno.v.
Hath suche rewarde, wherfore let vs be wyse%Hiere.xxix.
And shortly amende our olde mysgouernaunce
<L R>
$BARCLAY THE TRANSLATOUR.
<L 9327>
O man clere thy syght, beholde thy owne offence
And mende for the loue of $god omnypotent
For if thy synne stynke alway in his presence
Iustyce shall nat let the auoyde his punysshement
And though mercy be nat to the moch vyolent
Nat suffrynge vengeaunce shortly on the to fall
Yet mende betyme be nat ouer neglygent
Beware the ende for that oft payth for all.
<P 141>
<L R>
Of folysshe exchanges scorsynges & permutacions.
<L 9335>
Who that hath a nedy iourney for to ryde
And for a bagpype his hors wyll sell.  playnly
He is a fole and lewdly doth hym gyde
And no auauntage shall he obtayne therby.
So hapnyth it to hym moste comonly
Whiche for frayle pleasour of one day or twayne
Forsaketh heuen, sure of euerlastynge payne
<P 142>
Some Folys yet shall of a rowme be sure%glo.iusti.quod cum eo qui in versum +
erit et in autem qui.mo.na.eff.sui coll.vij. l.pe.ff de iur.et fact.ig.
Within this shyp a lowe or els a hye
Suche ar they that greuous charges wyll indure
Subduynge theyr bodyes to labour besely
Theyr shulders with burthyns chargynge heuely
In worldly curys sore labourynge in vayne
Therby hereafter to byde infernall payne
+
They laboure here so sore for wretchyd goodes
That whan theyr body departyth from this lyfe
Theyr soule is plungyd in infernall flodys
So what auayleth them to be so actyfe
In worldly labour, so thoughtfull or pensyfe
Here in this erth all other to excell
And after toren by cruell houndes of hell
+
He that here labours in erth for frayle ryches%Ad hebre.xi.
Suffreth more sorowe and payne contynually
Than he that lyueth alone in wyldernes
And hym in $goddes seruyce doth aply
Abydynge in fastynge, and praynge deuoutly
So worldly wretchys (as it apereth playne)
Take here sore labour to wynne euerlastynge payne
+
Who that serueth $god with parfyte dylygence
Shall in this lyfe auoyde moche worldly wo
And be rewardyd in heuen whan he goth hens
Where as he that serueth this worlde shall nat so
Yet of this sort fynde we right many mo
That to haue ryches all besynes employ
Rather than to get in heuen eternall ioy
<P 143>
Mysrule, wast, falshode, and also couetyse,
With other vyces as pryde or statelynes%Prouer.ij.et.iiij.
Vs sorer labours causeth to exercyse
Than vertue doth:  or godly holynes
For them fewe men wyll take great besynes
Easy is the way to vyce and men are prone
To folowe that cursyd way almoste echone
+
Before our syght it dayly apereth playne%Sapien.xij.
What great labours, what charge and besynes
Proude people indure theyr pryde for meyntayne
With dyuers garnamentis presentynge statelynes%Eccle.&.xxxij.
Onely on clothynge bestowynge theyr ryches
Suche set all vertuous besynes asyde%Esaie.lvij.
And onely labour for to mayntayne theyr pryde
+
Somtyme suche dare set theyr lyfe in ieopardy
Nat ferynge Iustyce, but the lawe to violate
For to mayntayne theyr statelynes therby
By proude apparayle, nat mete for theyr estate
Right so Couetyse after lyke maner rate
By ardaunt desyre of hir blynde iniquyte%Horatius in epist.
Draweth men to peryls both of londe and se
+
To dyuers peryls men boldly them subdue
In hope frayle ryches to purchace and obtayne
But for the loue of goodnes or vertue
Right fewe or none wyll put them selfe to payne
For money man sayles the troublous se of $spayne
And moche of the worlde he compasyth about%Sapien.xiiij.
Of ieopardy and peryll without all maner dout
<P 144>
Who that by couetyse is drawen and opprest
Is neuer at eas ne quyetnes of mynde
By nyght nat takynge slepe ne naturall rest
With fyry ropys this fury so doth them bynde%Ecclesi.v.
They fere no flode, no colde, tempest, or wynde,%Sapho in epistolis
There is no labour nor colde that can them dere
The hunger of golde them maketh without fere%Claudianus de captu proserpie.
+
O man commyttynge thy lyfe vnto the streme
Alas note well thy desyrous vanyte
Howe thou the auenterest in holowe beame
To pas the see in contynuall ieopardye
And all this thou doest of gode to haue plentye
But for the loue of $god thy creatour
Thou skarsly woldest endure a symple shoure
+
Some for vayne ryches folowes another vyce
Watchynge by myght in wynter sharpe and colde
To encreas his purse, by cardes or by dyce
There syttynge in paynes and peryls manyfolde
Suche sle them selfe longe tyme or they be olde
And waste theyr youth without all auauntage
Theyr soule submyttynge to $Lucyfers bondage
+
What shall I say or of the maners wryte%Treno.iiij.
Of dronkardes or glotons Whiche without mesure
Onely in theyr wombes set theyr hole delyte
Corruptynge and chargynge them self beyonde nature%Juuenalis
So whan the body can nat suche rule indure
Theyr lyfe they ende and oft by deth sodayne
And for this labour rewardyd with hell payne
<P 145>
What shall I say of the paynfull fantasy
Whiche he abydeth and suffreth day and nyght
Whiche for his wyfe taketh thought and ielowsy
Hir alway ferynge, thoughe she be in his syght
Howe by those Folys whiche settyth all theyr myght
By force of Armys to be $Uenus champyon
Rather than to wyn the heuenly regyon
+
What shall I wryte of the mad mysgouernaunce
And vayne labour whiche men vpon them take
Some watchynge in reuell and some to ren and daunce
Some for worldly pleasour both day and nyght to wake
But nought wyll we suffer for $god almyghtyes sake
In whose seruyce we rest at ende myght fynde
We labour here for deth as bestis blynde%Sapien.v.
+
We seke our destruccion:  for symple ioy mundayne
Our myndes ar so blynde:  and we so prone to yll
That heuen we chaunge for euerlastynge payne%Juuenalis.
In good workes haue we no pleasour nouther skyll
Deuyne preceptis we seldome tyme fulfyll
Banysshyd is vertue decayed is holynes%Eccl*s.x.
And moche of the worlde ensue vnthryftynes
+
Let wyse men stody (therfore) to obtayne
Vertue though the way be in diffyculte
For thoughe that one neuer infyx his brayne%Math.vij.
To vyce, yet shall the way full esy be
But certaynly wors than a fole is he
Whiche wyll in stede of heuenly blyssydness%Ezech.vij.
Bye worldly pleasour, endynge in wretchydnes
<P 146>
<L R>
THENYOY OF $BARCLAY.
<L 9454>
Remember Fole it is great hurte and losse
For worldly pleasour to lese ioy eternall
Remember also howe $god dyed on the crosse
Shedynge his blode the to redeme withall
This payne he suffred for the and for vs all
Consyder his sorowes, be kynde to hym agayne
Lese nat ne change nat his ioy celestyall
For folysshe pleasour, or frayll and worldly payne
<P 147>
<L R>
Of folysshe children y%t worshyp nat their fader and moder.
<L 9462>
Them also I repute for Folys blynde
Whiche haue no honour worshyp ne reuerence
To father and mother, but ar to them vnkynde
And nat consyder what payne and dylygence
What labour, thought, great costis, and expence
Theyr parentis had for them in theyr yonge age
But they rewarde the same with great outrage
<P 148>
That foule is full of all vnhappynes%Ecclesi.iij.
And suerly worthy of euerlastynge payne%iii.q.v.omnes qui i.ad thimo.
Whiche for his frendes loue and great kyndnes
Rewardeth them with vnkyndnes agayne%Prouer.xx.&.xxviij.
But hym I iuge a gretter fole certayne
Whiche on his children bestowys all his substaunce
And lyues hym selfe (for nede) in harde penaunce
+
And where as he myght his age well relefe
With his owne goodes at euery tyme of nede
There lyeth he gronynge, in payne wo and myschefe%Beatus tho.xxij. q.c.xxij.+
ar.v.
His vnkynde children takynge of hym no hede
And where he labowred right sore his son to fede
Sparynge from hym selfe to fynde hym to the scole
In age his son hym taketh for a fole
+
And where as he ought his father to honour
To worshyp and loue by dyuyne commaundement
The vnkynde caytyf wyll do hym no socour
But suffreth hym abyde both pore and indigent
And often this Caytyf with handes violent
As past all grace shame or godly fere
With strokes doth his Father hurt and dere
+
Or suffreth hym vtterly to dye for lacke%Prouer.xxvij.
Or els hym dryueth vnkyndly to the colde%Ouidius.i.meth.
With a cowpyll of croches a walet on his backe
Whan he hath spoylyd hym of that he wolde
So whan the Father is tedyous and olde
His children thynke he lyueth alto longe
Oft wysshynge hym to be drownyd outher honge
<P 149>
There is no pyte that can suche wretches moue%Ecclesi.ij.&.vij.
Anenst theyr Faders wo and paynfull age%Leuit.xx.
They shewe hatered for fouour and hye loue%Deutro.v.
O folysshe Fader consyder in thy corage%Deutro.xxiij.
Thy to great pyte thy olde and blynde dotage
Whiche to thy sonne hast gyuen suche store of gode
Whiche the dede wyssheth nat grauntynge the thy fode
+
He suffreth the to lyue with hunger harde bested
And god wot howe glad wolde he be in his mynde
If thou by cruell deth were from hym red%Exodi.xx.
Yet is his owne lyfe vnstable as the wynde%Malach.
And shortly shall dye leuynge that gode behynde%Math.xv.
And for his vylayne, and frowarde vnkyndness
His soule berest euerlastynge blessydnes
+
And what worthely, for after my sentence
He well deserueth an yll and shamefull ende%Marci.vij.
Whiche wyll nat honour, with loue and reuerence
His fader and mother as his myght may extende%Ad ephe.vi.
And also all them of whose blode he doth discende%Deutro.xxvii.
And who that agaynst his parentis wyll rebell%Prouer.xx.
Is sothly worthy to haue a roume in hell
+
And oft it is sene by examples euydent
That short space they lyue and shamefully thy dye
Whiche to theyr parentis ar nat obedyent
And suffreth them lyue in nede and penury
Disdaynynge them to honour and worshyp reuerently
Examples in the Bybyll we haue in sondry wyse
Howe they haue endyd that doth theyr faders despyse
<I.ii.>
<P 150>
The goodly $Absolon of beauty excellent%Absolon
Of pleasaunt fygure thoughe he so goodly were%ij.Regii.xv.&.xviij.
For beynge vnto his Fader inobedyent
And his purposynge hym and all his to dere
And to rob his Royalme, was hangyd by the here
By sodayne chaunce and $goddes punysshement
And with thre sperys his herte in sonder rent
+
For that $Cham discouered his faders pryuete%Cham
As in contempt hauynge of hym disdayne%Gene.ix.
Was he nat cursyd by $goddes maiestye%Leuiti.xviij.
And bonde to his bretherne whiche was to his great payne
Thoughe $Sennacheryb by his owne sonnes were slayne%Sennacherib.ij.para.xxxij.
They hopynge to obtayne his royalme for theyr mede
Yet none of them theyr fader dyd succede
+
$Balthasar kynge somtyme of $Babylon%Danielis.v.
In sorowfull yeres longe lyued worthely
For his proude mynde and fyers transgression
Agaynst his father, for that he cruelly
Dismembred hym:  but sothly if that I
Sholde all suche wretches paynes comprehende
In this my boke, I neuer sholde haue ende
+
The bybyll recordeth howe $Toby auncyent
Approchynge to deth almost in dethys hour%Thobie.iiij.
Gaue his dere sone speciall commaundement
With all reuerence his mother to honour
$Salomon therfore of sapyence the flour%iij.Regum.ij.
Hauynge no respect to his hye excellence
Vnto his mother dyd humble reuerence
<P 151>
Erectynge hym vp from his hye rowme royall
To mete his mother, and set hir by his syde
On his right hande as chefe and pryncipall
By whose example all children ought them gyde
Humbly to theyr parentis without all grutche or pryde
But fewe alas nowe wyll vnto this intende
Whiche causyth them sore repent it at the ende
+
If $Corylaus had nat ben obedyent%Corylaus
Vnto his moder and fered hir.  certayne%Plutarchus
By $Rome he sholde haue suffred punysshement
And by his foly longe lyued in great payne
The Bybyll also recordeth to vs playne%Hiere.xxxv.
Howe the sonnes of $Rechab had great preemynence%Ecclesi.xxiij.
For hauynge to theyr fader loue and obedyence
+
Were they nat lauded by $god omnypotent
Yes certaynly but the chefe cause wherfore
Was for they folowed the commaundement
Of $Rechab theyr fader, denyenge nat his lore
So shall I conclude shortly and say no more
That he that to Fader or moder is vnkynde
Shall here in erth his soule to fendes bynde
<L R>
$BARCLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 9574>
Thou vnkynde childe and inobedyent
Thynke what thy Fader and Moder dyd for the
Remember what goodes they haue on the spent
Or they coude brynge the vnto thy degre
Endeuer the to them kynde agayne to be
For all the kyndnes that thou canst shewe:  certayne
Nor all thy worshyp nor thy humylyte
Can neuer be abyll them to rewarde agayne
<P 152>
Be nat therfore childe vnto them vylayne
But take thou example of $Christ our sauyour
Howe he alway thoughe he were $god souerayne
His carnall moder benyngly dyd honour
And $Joseph also whiche after the errour
Of the blynde Jewes to hym was fader sayde
Yet is he $god and gracious gouernour
Lyke to the Fader before the worlde was made
+
But thou aged man that seest thy dayes fade
Thy strength decay, and thy colour fro the fall
Thynke well that whan thou all thy good hast layde
Vpon thy children to auaunce them with all
Whan thou hast nede perchaunce none of them shall
Socour thy nede, but from theyr hous the cast
Therfore I aduyse the, nede nat on them to call
But whyle thou lyuest to holde sure that thou hast.
<I.iij.>
<P 153>
<L R>
Of the claterynge and bablynge of prestis and clerkes in the quere.
<L 9598>
Of folys yet:  may we great nomber se
In the holy querys of chirches small and great
Whose communycacyon is voyde of honestye
But on vayne talys theyr myndes clene ar set
That $goddes seruyce is oft hyndred and let
By suche iapes and dedys of farre and nere
Whiche they as Folys recount within the quere
<P 154>
I haue before touchyd the great enormyte
The foly, and disorder, without all reuerence%c.decet de immu. eccl.li.vi.
Whiche in the chirche dayly we may se
Amonge lay folys, whiche better were be thens
But nowe shall I touche another, lyke offence
And that is of Folys whiche in the quere habounde
Nat saynge the seruyce of $god as they ar bounde
+
But dyuers toyes and Iapis varyable
They spred abrode, encombrynge the seruyce%C.cum decorem de.vi.&.ho.cle.
And namely with theyr tunge wherwith they bable
Eche one to other, as if they toke aduyse
And counsell togyder theyr cartis to deuyse%Hieronimus ad damasum.
Vnto our shyppes theyr company to cary
For loth they be to longe fro them to tary
+
O $goddes temple, o godly ordynaunce
By holy faders ordeyned to gyde the same%Psalmo.xxx.viij.&.lxxvi. Ad ephe.iij.
None labours you to support nor auaunce
But to decay they suffer, vnto theyr shame
The godly costomes ar tourned vnto game
The Seremonyes somtyme kept stedfastly
Ar nowe defyled by Iestis of vylany
+
The constitucions ordeyned right holely
In tyme past by Faders wyse and auncyent
Holy Chirches honour to meyntayne therby
Ar halfe abusyd, none suys theyr, right intent
The seruyce also of $god omnypotent
Is nowe mysusyd:  as playnly doth apere
Nat in the chirche so moche as in the quere
<P 155>
There be no tydynges nor neweltees of warre%Prouer.v.
Nor other wonders done in any strange londe
What euer they be and come they neuer so farre
The prestis in the quere at first haue them in honde
Whyle one recountyth, the other, to vnderstonde
His fayned fable harkeneth to the glose
Full lytell aduertynge howe the seruyce goes
+
The bataylys done perchaunce in small $brytayne
In $fraunce or $Flaunders or to the worldes ende
Ar tolde in the quere (of some) in wordes vayne
In myddes of Matyns in stede of the Legende
And other gladly to here the same intende
Moche rather than the seruyce for to here
The rector Chori is made the messanger
+
He rennyth about lyke to a pursuyuant
With his whyte staffe mouynge from syde to syde
Where he is lenynge talys ar nat skant
But in one place nat longe doth he abyde
So he and other them selfe so lewdly gyde
Without deuocion, by theyr lewde neglygence
That no thynge can bynde theyr tunges to sylence
+
And in the mornynge whan they come to the quere
The one begynneth a Fable or a hystory
The other lenyth theyr erys it to here
Takynge it in stede of the Inuytory
Some other maketh respons antym and memory
And all of fables and Iestis of $Robyn $hode
Or other tryfyls that skently ar so gode
<P 156>
With tryfyls they begyn and so oft tyme they ende
Recountynge nueltees, they waste theyr tyme therin
And where as they ought the seruyce to intende
Of $god almyghty:  they spende the tyme in syn
And other some, vnto the quere doth ren
Rather for lucre and cursyd couetyse
Than for the loue of the dyuyne seruyce
+
The peny them prycketh vnto deuocyon%glo.c.si de cle.non resi.li.vi. Psal.xv.
But that is outwarde nat rotyd in the harte
But better were auoyde this hye promocion
And surer, from the quere to stande a parte
Than thyder to presume, and if that thou aduert
Thy owne order and therof the excellence
So shalt thou nat gyde the in $goddes hye presence
+
I thynke it better more mete and profytable
To stande afarre without the Chirche and quere
Than there to be, and so to that bable
That for thy noyse none can the seruyce here%Neemie.xiij.
And if thou thynke thy talys and wanton chere
Or wordes superflue ar to our lorde pleasaunt
Thou art abusyd and greatly ignoraunt
+
But certaynly the prestis that thus lyue%Ecclesi.xx.xvi.q.vii.&.ho.diximmus
Disordred in the hous of $god our creatour
Doth yll example vnto lay people gyue
By theyr musrule to sue the same errour
But to them selfe do they great dishonour
And sclaunder to the Chirche, so that moste comonly
All prestis (of laymen) ar moche the lesse set by
<P 157>
O folysshe preste vsynge suche fables vayne
And cursyd customes:  thynkest thou therby%actuum.xij.
Of $god any mede or meryte to obtayne
Nay $god is nat pleased with suche lewde foly
It is conuenyent our lorde to magnyfye%xxiiij.q.i.omnibus.&c.quare ex sola.
With parfyte prayer loue reuerence and honour
And nat with iapys and talys of no valour
<L R>
THENUOY OF $ALEXANDER $BARCLAY.
<L 9696>
Ye prestis and clerkes amende your myslyuynge
Defyle nat the Churche with wordes of vanyte%Eccle*s.iij
Remember:  there is tyme and place for euery thynge
As tyme of myrth, and tyme of grauyte%Domum domini decet sctitudo.
In euery place ye ought discrete to be
That men may commende your vertue and goodnes
But namely in churche vse wordes of honestye
That is no place for talys, but for holynes
<P 158>
<L R>
Of eleuate pryde, and bostynge.
<L 9704>
That lawde is vyle the whiche doth procede
From mannys owne mouth vttred in wordes vayne
Os suche foly no wyse man taketh hede
But by discression, doth hym selfe refrayne
But pompe and pryde whiche doth all men disdayne
Engendreth folys:  whiche thynkynge to exell
All other in erth:  at last fall downe to hell.
<P 159>
Besyde our folys rehersyd here before%Eccle.ix.&.xi.
In dyuers barges almost innumerable%Judith.ix.
Yet stately pryde makyeth the nomber more%Psal.xc.&.cxxiij.
Whiche is a vyce so moche abhomynable%Prouer.vij.
That it surmountyth without any fable%Eccl*s.vij.
All other vyces in furour and vylenes%Oui.meth.
And of all synne is it rote and maystres
+
The noblest hertis by this vyce ar acloyed
It is confounder, of mekenes and vertue
So by the same is many one destroyed
In soule and body whiche them to it subdue
Wherfore let the wyse his statelynes eschewe
For it hath be sene is sene, and euer shall
That first or last foule pryde wyll haue a fall
+
The first inuentour of this vnhappy vyce
As doth the scripture playne expres and tell
Was $lucyfer, whiche to hym dyd attyce%De pe.dis ij.hinc etiam. Esaie.xiij.
A cursyd nomber both stately and cruell
In mynde intendynge his maker to excell
Or els if he coude come to his intent
For to be egall with $god omnypotent
+
Thus of all synnes pryde was the first of all
Bygon by $Lucifer, but $god omnypotent
Percyuynge his foly made hym and his to fall
From heuen to hell to paynes violent
In horryble shape:  before so excellent
Shynynge in heuen before the aungels all
Thus had his folysshe pryde a greuous fall
<P 160>
But to be short.  and to retourne agayne
Vnto my auctour:  suche as ar stryke with pryde
Vse for to bost them self with wordes vayne%Thobie.iiij.
To spred theyr fame theyr name and lawes wyde
And though that they vngraciously them gyde%Jacobi.iiij.
Yet as mad men they bost they vaunt and raue
And of that whiche they neuer deserued haue
+
Lo sayth a fole attached with this vyce%vi.q.in imitare.
I haue ben norsshed at the vnyuersyte
In dyuers contrees and stodyes of great pryce
Both in these partyes and eke beyonde the se
At $bonony, $Parys and $Padway haue I be%xij.q.ij.gloria episcopi in fine.
Wherfore I ought to haue preemynence
And the chefe place with lawde and reuerence
+
Another bostyth hym self that he hath ben
In $Grece at scolys and many other londe%Peregrinatio: non facit medicum +
& nulla ars loco discitur vt ait seneca.
But if that he were aposyd well I wene
The grekes letters he skant doth vnderstonde
But thou vayne boster if thou wylt take on honde
To stody cunnynge and ydylnes despyse
The royalme of $Englonde myght for the suffyse
+
In englonde is suffycyent discyplyne
And noble men endued with scyence
And if thou lyst to aply to theyr doctryne
Thou mayst lerne wysdome and noble eloquence
Haunt them that haue therin preemynence
And to theyr Instruccion with all thy mynde intende
It is no great boste to haue sene the worldes ende%Johel.ij.
<P 161>
But syns mad pryde Enmy to all vertue%Ecclesi.x.et.xxvij.
Subdueth the worlde vnder baner brode displayde
Thoughe folys obey, let wyse men it eschewe
For $Lucyfer, as I before haue sayde
Corrupt with this vyce, had heuen to him denayde
And as first actour of this infectyfe sore
Was dryuen downe to hell with his, for euer more%Luce.x.
+
And nowe hym folowe men, children and wymen%xxiiij.q.iij.quidam ver.luciferiani.
Fallynge from erth for this myscheuous pryde
To infernall flodes and that darke dredefull den%Job.xl.
Where without ende in payne they must abyde%Prouer.xv. et.viij.
This fende with his felawes layeth on euery syde
Theyr nettis of pryde wherwith they goostly quell%Psal.xvij.
Foles without nomber, drawynge with them to hell%Sapien.v.
<K.i.>
+
Let man haue wysdome and beautye souerayne%Prouer.xiiij.
Strength, vertue, cunnynge, honour and ryches%Job.xxvi.
And this one vyce shall all the same dystayne%Ecclesi.xi.
Defylynge worshyp by his proude statelynes%Eccl*s.vij.
But namely this pryde is lady and maystres
Ouer womankynde, whiche playnly without fayle
Apereth by theyr lokes, and stately apparayle
+
Whiche wymen whan that they on pryde do muse
The same representynge outwarde in theyr habyte%Eccle.xix.
Both yonge and olde of men they sore abuse%Prouer.v.
Whan theyr frayle beautye doth mennes hertes byte
And to be playne:  in pryde, wymen haue such delyte
That if some were as they ar almost all
The pryde in them at last sholde haue a fall
<P 162>
As I haue sayde.  whan wymen set theyr mynde
Them selfe to garnysshe by thys stately pryde
Men that ar wyse, make they as folys blynde
Nat knowyng howe by reason them to gyde%Holofernes
As dyd $Iudith:  whiche whyle she dyd abyde%Judyth.ix.
Were the Tent of $Holofernes capytayne
By hir feble hande he wretchydly was slayne
+
And all by reason that he was so inflamyd
By hir fayre shape, hir clothynge, and beautye
Yet was this $Iudith of lyuynge nat dyffamyd%Jesabel.iiij.
But yonge and olde euer kept hir chastyte%Regum.ix.
And in lyke wyse $Iesabell, whan that she
Thought by hir beautye $Iehu to betray
By pryde she payntyd hir face to make hir gay
+
Betray I say, to  pardon hir offence
Agaynst the wyll of $god omnypotent
Whiche myght haue turnyd to inconuenyence
To noble $Iehu, by $goddes punysshemeut%Ecclesi.xiiij.xxvij.q.v.nec Salomon.
These thynges consydered wysdome with voyce prudent
Both lowde and shyll (sayth) cryeng to mankynde
From womans pryde and beauty drawe they mynde
+
Of all erthly thynges enclyne nat to theyr gyle
For with theyr iyen replete with wantonnes
Pure hertes and chaste they enfect and defyle
But suche as ar gyuen to vertue and goodnes%Prouer.xiiij.
To mesure and mekenes expellynge statelynes%Ecclesi.xxv.
They worthy ar of lawdes for theyr humylyte
For seldome or neuer they breke theyr chastyte
<P 163>
If $Barsabe throughe hir blynde neglygence%ij.Regum xi.
In bathynge had nat discoueryd hir beauty
$Dauyd had nat fallen to that cruell offence
Of murder, engendred by vyle auoutry%Ecclesi.x.
But to be playne, and for to speke shortly%Johel.ij.
Thousandes ar disceyued & brought to wofull fall
By pryde, and eke they folys abyde withall
+
But $god almyghty dispyseth and doth hate%Nume.xv.
These stately folys blyndyd with ignoraunce%Thobie.iiij.
Whose myndes ar so hye and eleuate
That they nat se theyr owne mysgouernaunce
Wherfore our lorde oft taketh vengeaunce
Of theyr abusyon, and with infernall payne
Whiche is rewarde to fowle pryde and disdayne
+
O that he is happy whome this vnthryfty syn
Of pryde or vayne glory with his hasty furour
Hath nat subdued, ouercome, nor entred in
Nor the vayne desyre, of ryches nor honour
And happy is he whiche thynketh euery hour
Of howe great valour is the royalme celestyall
Beynge ware of pryde by $Lucyfers fall
+
Suche one nat forsyth of honour no hye name
Nat carynge in this worlde to haue preemynence
Nor other exces longynge vnto the same
Whiche ar attysers of men to all offence.
But proude folys voyde of wysdome and scyence
By vayne pryde stodyeth all other to excell
And than at the last they fall downe vnto hell
<P 164>
Of proude $Lucyfer thus they assay the fall
Receyuynge a rewarde for theyr statelynes%Job.xlj.
Drownynge theyr proude hertis in flodes infernall%Esaie.xiiij.
Where payne is eternall, wo, and bytternes
More tedyous than all tunges can expres
This is of pryde rewarde at the last ende
A thynge of the hyest thus nedes moste descende
+
Presumptuous pryde hath euer a shamefull ende
So haue they that coueyt other to excell%Nu.xvi.
As we of $Chore:  $Datan:  and $Abiron fynde%Psal.c.v.
Whiche by pryde agaynst $Moyses dyd rebell
Wherfore they and theyrs alyue sanke downe to tell
Thus well is hym that foloweth vertue
And that with mekenes can stately pryde subdue.
<K.ii.>
<L R>
THENUOY OF $ALEXANDER $BARCLAY.
<L 9865>
O men make your myndes: ensue humylyte
And also ye wymen, refuse your statelynes
For certaynly the more hyghe that ye be
The more ye ought to gyue you to mekenes
For pryde is the rote of all vnhappynes
Supporter of vyce, and enmy to vertue
Therfore it is sayd (and true it is doutles)
That pryde goth goth before, but shame do it ensue
<L R>
AN EXCLAMACION AYENST PRYDE.
<L 9873>
O pryde despytous, o hasty tyranny.
Infernall fury with venym maculate
Fy on thy fraylte, out on the I cry
For with thy venym thou hast intoxicate
<P 165>
So many kynges, so many a great estate
Thou man destroyest, if thou may hym subdue
Wherfore we ought the to desprayse and hate
Thou goest before But shame doth the ensue
+
By the is $Lucyfer damned eternally%Gene.iij.
Expulsed to payne, from $goddes hyghe presence
And all mankynde endureth mysery
For that thou causyd hym by thy offence
Of pryde:  to desyre to haue suche excellence
To knowe gode and yll, that all mankynde myght rewe
Tyll Aue:  for $Eue had made a recompence
Thus, o blynde pryde ay shame doth the ensue
+
The pryde of them that byldyd $Babylon%Gene.xi.
Was nat asswagyd without great vengeaunce%Nabugo.
The kynge transformyd from mannys fassyon%Judi.ix.
Vnto a brute bestis shape and countenaunce%Gene.xvi.
Dyd nat $Agar hir selfe also auaunce
By pryde despysynge hir lady bycause she knewe
Hir selfe conceyued, but hir mysgouernaunce%Moab.Esaie.xvi.
Was sharply punysshed, and shame dyd it ensue%Holofernes.
+
But shortly to drawe me to a conclusyon%Judith.xiij.
Thou hast made thousandes to ende in care and wo%Aman hest.vi.
By the, had $moab payne and confusion%ij.macha.xv.
$Holofernes, $Aman, $Nichanor, and $Pharao%Exodi.xiiij.
$Balthasar, $Anthiochus, $Herode and many mo%Danielis.xv.
In the olde testament and also in the newe%i.macha.i.
But shortly to speke, and farther nat to go%ii.macha.v.
Pryde goeth before, and shame doth ensue%Actuum.xij.
<P 166>
<L R>
Of vsurers, and Okerers.
<L 9905>
Vnto our shyp let them come hastely
Whiche by theyr ardent desyre of frayle ryches
Theyr myndes set on deuourynge vsury
These ar the theues that by theyr cruelnes
Spoyle the pore people and greuously oppres
They boste theyr gaynes they bye they sell agayne
Spolylynge and oppressynge, on gyle is all theyr brayne.
<P 167>
A Shamfull sort of Folys doth remayne%Prouer.xx.
Wors than all other spoken of before%Luce.vi.
Whose synfull lyfe and fals disceytfull trayne%Inno.in.c.i.de vsu.Bal.in autem.+
ad hec.C.e.ii. xiiij.q.iiij.per totum.
I shall reuyle with wordes sharpe and sore
This sort is vtter ennemy to the pore
Full of lyes, couetyse gyle, and foule vylenes
Content with no treasour, nor innumerable ryches
+
The power of the lawe ought sharpely to chastyce%C.i.de.emp.et ven
With extreme rygour and mortall punysshement
This sort infectyf that foloweth this vyce.
This rauenynge sort worthy paynes violent
Agaynst our lordes dyuyne commaundement%Ecclesi.xlij.
By theyr vnmekenes, the pore oft maketh bare%Esaie.xxxiij.
Of londe and goodes, than leuynge them in care
+
These wretchyd folys of mynde ar made so dull%Ezech.xiij.
That with theyr money gotten all by fals vsury%Abacuc.ij.
Of corne and vytayle they stuff theyr howses full
Therby to ingender nede, and paynfull penury
Vnto the pore, that they may wyn therby
So of all vytayle these wretches get plentye 
To sell it derer, whan some great darth shalbe
+
These vsurers alone haue all the store
Of wyne and vytayle, whiche sothly myght suffyse%xiiij.q.iiij.c.nonum &c.+
se &c.pe
Many without nomber, of Cytezyns, ryche and pore
No punysshement they drede ne fere in any wyse
But lyue the men that theyr maker doth despyse
No feruent lyghtnynge, ne thunder vyolent
Can cause these wretches theyr vsury to stent
<P 168>
But by all synne, and in all vnlefulnes
These wretches labour and syngulerly gyue hede
To multyply theyr foule and vyle ryches
They brynge forth hunger them selfe they onely fede%Math.xxiij.
Suffrynge the pore (alas) to sterue for nede%Leui.xxv.
This sorte, thus, to the pore is so cruell
That for lacke of petye many one they quell
+
Thoughe the Iewes lyue in errour and derknes%Deutro.xxiij.
Gyuen to vsury (as lobourynge men oft sayes)%Exodi.xxij.
Yet ar they more gyuen to pytye and mekenes%Hiere.v.
And almes:  than christen men ar nowe adayes
In vsury we ensue the Iewes wayes
And many other synnes folwe and abhomynable
Rennynge without mesure whiche is intollerable
+
For his vsury, the Iewe is out exyled
From christen costes yet of vs many one
With the same vyce is infect and defyled
The pore by the ryche is etyn to the bone
Almes is banysshed, pytye is there no
Cruell crauynge spoyleth them that erst had nought
The pore is vexyd and to a begger brought
+
The weyke hath the weyght, the worlde so doth fare 
The spere of extorcyon persyth throughe his syde
He that nere is naked shall be made fully bare
He skant hath rowme in any place to byde
But these vsurers, whome gylefull gayne doth gyde
Desyreth no plenty of corne vpon the grounde
But onely that theyr owne garners may habounde
<P 169>
These caytyfs wysshe the feldes baryne in this wyse%Ecclesi.xxvij.
To theyr owne profyte and others great greuaunce
That hunger and darth may by the same aryse
But for bycause that they haue habundaunce
They laugh anone and haue a great plesaunce%xiiij.q.iiij.nec.hoc.&c.se.&c.+
quicunque
If there be skant of corne and of vytayle
By mouryn, lyghtnynge, tempest, rayne or hayle
+
These wretchyd folys for theyr owne auauntage
Dayly desyre, and fayne wolde here or se
A hole comontye to haue losse and damage
But to conclude:  those men vyle caytyfs be
That seke lucre, enhaunsynge theyr degre
Or that wyll gather ryches by couetyse
Or fals vsury, to others preiudyce
+
Some gladly lene to haue wynnynge therby%Addicio alexandri barclay.
And some sell dere bycause the payment
Is set to longe day:  yet thynke they verely
Nat to perysshe the dyuyne commanndement
Thoughe that suche folys thynke them innocent
If that they nat mende a rowme they haue in hell
But in the mean space in my shyp shall they dwell
<L R>
$BARCLAY TO THE FOLYS.
<L 9989>
O mysbyleuers, o men wytles and blynde
Gyue nat your myndes to gylefull vsury
And thou of the chirche reuoke also thy mynde
Frome the fowle synne of cursyd symony
And ye marchauntis:  that greatly occupy
Expell this vyce, for sore is the offence
Your ryches shall moche the soner multyply
If pytye of the pore be ay in your presence
<P 170>
<L R>
Of the vayne hope that Foles hath to succede to herytage 
<L R>
possession and ryches.
<L 9997>
Some ar that hope and hath gode trust alway
Others goodes by succession to attayne
Lokynge, and gapynge, hourly nyght and day
Whan they shall perysshe and dye by chaunce sodayne
But this they often tymes wysshe in vayne
For suche as they moste gladly dede wolde haue
Etyth of that gose that graseth on theyr graue
<P 171>
Who may endure those Folys ignoraunce%de conces.preben.c.ij.&c.ne captande +
eo.ti.li.vi. l.stupulatio ff.de ver.ob.l.quidan ff.de dona.
Whose myndes: the feruour of wretchyd couetyse
Maketh mad, and folysshe, to such extreme vttraunce
That the hole worlde myght say they ar vnwyse

Of suche mad foles this is the comon gyse
Contynually to gape for the succession
Of others goodes, ryches and possessyon%Ecclesi.xxxi.
+
Of heyres this is the comon vse in dede
Theyr parentis deth to wysshe and to desyre
To the londe and ryches the soner to succede%Trenorum.v.
And often by venemous treason they conspyre%Esaie.xxx.
But syth the ruler of the hauenly Impyre%i.thimo.vi.
In no mannys handes putteth deth ne desteny%Prouer.xx.
Oft se we these folys before the other dye
+
I say to suche as others deth loke fore
It often happeneth, as we may dayly se%Eccle.xliiij.
That lyghtly they theyr self departe before
Wherfore thou fole fyllyd with all iniquyte
Say:  is it nat great foly and shame to the
And also madnes, to wysshe thy frende damage
Or deth:  for his vyle goode an herytage
+
A frende lyuynge is a ryches excellent
Therfore I say he is a fole doutles
That in his herte wolde gladly be content%Hiere.xiij.
To se hym dede for lyuelode or riches
Therfore fole expell this errour and blyndnes%Sapien.
For this thy hope is full of vanyte
What knowest thou whan thou thy self shall dye
<P 172>
Deth the assayleth and foloweth hestely
Thy lyfe shortnyth whether thou slepe or wake%Ecclesi.vi.
Thy selfe shall dye:  there is no remedy
And if thou before canst no prouysion make
Vpon his backe the full Asse shall the take
And to our shyp the lede through fen and myre
For this thy folysshe hope and vayne desyre
+
It is great foly whan thou art farre in age
To loke dayly whan a yonge childe shall dye
Hopynge to succede hym vnto his herytage
Howbeit thou nerer art to thy deth than he
Yet this vayne hope doth fede and norysshe the
By the whiche hope though many confort haue
Yet oft it doth his mayster sore discayue
+
Hope man confortyth makynge hym glad and fayne
Ought to obtayne whan that he doth intende
But from vayne hope thou oughtest to refayne
For it disayueth his mayster at the ende
So if thou sylt my purpose comprehende
Whether thou be olde, yonge, or of myd age
Set nat thy trust to moche on herytage
+
For though thou be yonge:  as I before haue sayd%Ecclesi.xxxviij.
Thy ioyntis stronge in youthes lustynes%Prouer.x.
Thy colour quycke, and pleasaunt lyke a mayde
Thy skyn smoth, and thy herte full of boldles
Yet deth dayly steleth slyely on the:  doutles%Osee.ix.
Both yonge and olde must go the same passage%Prouer.xij.
Thus is it foly to hope on herytage
<P 173>
Oft mourneth the Fader, the sonnes deth sodayne%priamus de quo Juuenalis.
Thus dyeth the yonge oft tyme before the olde
Dyd nat $Pryamus right pyteously complayne
His sonnes dede whyle they were yonge and bolde
Them to haue lyued though he right gladly wolde
Whyle $absolon hoped by treason to obtayne%Absolon.
His faders kyngdome:  he wretchydly was slayne%ij.Regum.xviij.
+
Pale deth and cruell, as it is often sene%Hiere.viij.
Maketh hym thy heyre by his stroke mortall
Whome thou supposyd, and thought sholde neuer haue bene%Nume.xxv.
So lytell knoweth these folys what may fall%Psal.xxxvi.
For this is dayly sene and euer shall
That $god almyghty, owner of euery thynge
Chosyth heyres at his pleasour and lykynge
<L R>
THENUOY OF THE ACTOUR.
<L 10074>
Ye wytles men, full blyndyd with errour
Set nat vayne hope on worldly herytage
But only on $god:  lyue after his pleasour
And so infourme your ofsprynge and lynage
It is a vayne hope, a madnes and outrage
On worldly thynges to hope contynually
Hauynge small hope within thy dull carage
Of heuen:  where thou myght byde perpetually
<P 174>
<L R>
Of folys that kepe nat the holy daye.
<L 10082>
He that doth nat the holy day honour
With due deuocyon, lawde, and reuerence
But rather intendyth to couetous labour
Vayne talys, sportis, or other lyke offence
Suche ought of dutye and very congruence
To clym as companyon vp to the cart of Apys
Whiche (eche day lyke) aplyeth nought but apis.
<L.i.>
<P 175>
Alas for shame, howe wretchedly mankynde%Exodi.xx.&.xxxi.
Wandryth in the way of obscure darkenes
They haue no wysdome, ne parfytenes of mynde%Leui.xxvi.
To knowe the cours of godly ryghtwysnes%Johannis.xvij.
Though $god of his grace, and infynyte goodnes%Deutro.v.
To true christen men hath grauntyd hym to knawe
By the holy doctryne of his precept and lawe
+
And thoughe they be chosen to $god and his kyngdome
As men elect, callyd to the royalme celestyall%Hierr.xvij. de.fere.c.i.&.xl +
c.e.ti.l.omnes de.con dis.iiij.c.i.
Yet of vs christen men (alas) ar some
That of his doctryne worshyp nought at all
We let his lawes clene from our myndes fall
Our holy fayth despysed half:  and defyled
Hir honour decayes:  the fere of payne exyled
+
The fader of heuen gaue a commendement
To $moyses wryten in tables of harde stone
Deuydyd in Ten preceptis, to this intent
Mankynde to reduce whiche had mysgone
Amonge the whiche preceptis this was one
The sabbot to Worshyp and sanctyfy alway
The seuenth day of the weke called the sonday
+
This day was ordeyned in the olde testament
After worldly werke done all the weke before
To worshyp and to honour our lord omnypotent
And bysshops it conferme, and yet besyde this more
They haue decreed and ordred by holy lore
Other festis of sayntis in heuen gloryfyed
To be on theyr dayes halowed and magnyfyed
<P 176>
These dayes were ordeyned for men to exercyse
Them selfe in prayer, goodnes and vertue
Our lorde and his sayntis to honour:  and lyke wyse
Of worde and dede all excesse to eschewe
But for that we more gladly vs subdue%xxxiiij.q.i.odi.de.con.dis.in die
To worldly tryfyls, and bodely pleasour
We vyolate the fayth by our wylfull errour
+
Those laudable costomes we defyle and vyolate
By the holy lawes (alas) we set no thynge
But on the holy day, mad ryot and debate
Troubleth the seruyce of the almyghty kynge
The holy day we fyle with eche vnlefull thynge%xxiiij.dis.cum liceat.
As fat festis and bankettis sausyd with glotony
And that from mornynge to nyght, contynually
+
The heuenly festis ar wasshyd with dronkenes
And whan quyete rest is gyuen to mankynde%xxiij.dis.his igitur
By the holy day:  from worldly besynes
These dronken dastardes set nat theyr mynde
On churche nor prayer, but drynke tyll they be blynde%xliij.dis.non oportet.
And on the holy day, we dayly se that men
Soner to the tauerne than to the churche ren
+
The tauerne is open before the churche be
The pottis are ronge as bellys of dronkenes%Seneca ad lucillum in +
epistola.xviij.c.placita.xiiij.q.iiij.
Before the churche bellys with great salemnyte
There here these wretches theyr Matyns and theyr masse
Who lysteth to take hede shall often se doutles
The stallys of the tauerne stuffyd nere echone
Whan in the churche stallys he shall se fewe or none
<P 177>
There one drynketh fastynge without discression
Another deuoureth drynkynge out his iyen
This lyfe they lede:  and that before or one
Of all the sort hath at the churche bene%de con.dis.iij.irreligiosa.
But besyde this vyce: it euery day is sene
That on the holy day suche workes we tende to
Whiche on the workynge day scantly we wolde do
+
Alas man it is a great shame certaynly
Whyle the prest precheth the deuyne commaundement
For the to aply vnto bestly glotony%i.ad thassa.x.
Or whyle any seruyce of $god omnypotent%Actuum.ij.
Is done in the churche, me thynke in myne intent
It is great shame to the to take more hede
To fede thy foule wombe:  than thy soule to fede
+
And nat to the churche nor auter for to come
Without thou erst be dronken so bestely
That whan thou art there outher art thou dombe
Or els in prayeng thou bokest vnmanerly%Esaie.xxviij.
Spuynge vp thy prayers:  $god wot vndeuoutly
And where the hole weke thou keptest sobernes
Thou worshyppest the holy day with dronkenes
+
It passeth my myght, I thynke none can ne may
Wryte all the folyes synnes and offence
Whiche nowe ar vsed vpon the holy day
For some folowe Idelnes slouth and neglygence
Some vse gamys:  grounde of great inconuenyence
Som bete the stretis, and to rybawdry
On the holy day moste namely them aply
<L.ii.>
<P 178>
Some slaunder, some lye, what shall I say more
We se some more besy about theyr marchaundyse
Than they haue ben all the hole weke before
Thus on the holy day forborne is no vyce
These folys aply nat them in the seruyce
Of $god, but the sabbot defyle with vylany
Wherby theyr soulys they dam eternally.
<L 10180>
Cesse fule, and leue of worldly besynes%C.Thenuoy of the actour 
Vpon the holy day, and rest of the labour
Of thy handes aplyenge the hole to holynes
With worde and dede to lawde thy creatour%Hiere.xvij.
Sanctyfy the sabbot:  so sayth our sauyour%Leuiti.xxv.
From terrene Lucre that day withdrawe thy mynde%Marci.ij.
For with clene herte thy maker to honour%Johan.ix.
On the holy day:  the scripture doth the bynde
<P 179>
<L R>
Of folys that repent of that they haue gyuen.
<L 10188>
He is a Fole:  and voyde of wyt certayne
That mourneth for that whiche is past remedy
And by no mean may reuoked be agayne
For vayne cure suche one vexeth contynually
Moreouer that man is folysshe certaynly
Whiche gyueth his frende ought and after doth repent
Suche lesyth the meryte:  the gyft in vayne is spent
<P 180>
If thou lyst to gyue:  and to be lyberall%glo.in c.i.de dona.xxiij.q.vl.ex +
his omnibus ii.Corinth.v.
I shall the shewe what thynge it is in dede
It is a vertue right great and pryncipall
Of loue, and pytye, if that the same procede
And if it be nat done for fere and drede
But of a herte true, stedfast, faythfull and fre
It gendreth confort, and grounde of amyte
+
Who gyueth his frende with mery countenaunce%Ecclesi.xij.
Gyft or rewarde:  and who so euer he be%Job.lv.
That a straunge man doth worthely auaunce
With condigne rewarde, by lyberalyte%Ad coll.iij.
It may be proued and sayde forsoth that he%Ad hebre.iiij.
Is worthy lawdes and an excellent fame
And for his goodnes of vertue to haue name
+
But he is a fole and full of vylany%Ecclesi.xviij.
Whiche to his louer gyueth ought at all
And than agayne repentyth by and by
Full of sorowe that he was so lyberall
He is also a fole and a man rurall
Whiche gyueth with mynde neyther good ne glad
With lokes pale:  and countenaunce sore and sad
+
And for that this displeasour doth hym dere%Eccle.xx.
His frende:  he soone out braydeth of the same
Hym self (for malyce) drawynge by the here
So hath this fole, by malyce and yll name
His rewarde lost, for it rebuked and shame
And no meruayle:  for no man that hath skyll
Shall thanke hym for goodnes done agaynst his wyll
<P 181>
Yet is he moche wors and lewder of intent
Whiche whan he hath gyuen a thynge for $goddes sake%Ecclesi.xxv.
Of his dede, or gyft anone hym doth repent
Thynkynge that $god wyll no recompence make
Of that rewarde whiche to the pore they take
For that he ne sendeth to euery fole agayne
Alway, and lyghtly for one gyft thre or twayne
+
Suche folys for lucre, gayne and auauntage
To haue great gyftis and dowble of valour
Wolde gyue small gyftis:  and that with glad courage
But loth they ar to departe with great treasour
Be sure thou fole that $god our creatour
Shall nat thy rewardes ne gyftis accept atall
But thou gyue them with fre herte and lyberall%Canti.viij.
+
Wenest thou blynde man that $god omnypotent%Ecclesi.xiiij.
Careth ought for the small gyftes of mankynde
Thou art abused if thou be of that intent
$God onely marketh the gode wyll of thy mynde
And in thy gyftis deuout if he the fynde
For thy gode wyll and god deuocyon
He shall to the graunt the heuenly region
+
Thus he that of goodnes and lyberalyte%Prouer.iij.
With mery face and cherefull countenaunce%Ecclesi.iiij.
Gyuyth to his frende that hath necessyte
And to other men good of theyr gouernaunce
By almes and pytye:  his dede shall hym auaunce
To worthy laudes, and thankes manyfolde
And vnto a gode name:  which better is than golde
<P 182>
Those rewardes euer ar namely commendable
And best of all, that gyuen ar with glad mynde%Prouer.xxviij.
But yet is he moche vyle and reprouable%Seneca de in gratitudine.
Whiche euer is takynge:  remaynynge styll vnkynde
In all the worlde nought vyler can I fynde%Tul.in offi.
Nor wors, than is a fals vnkynde vylayne%Sapien.xvi.
Yet many thousandes ensue that bestly trayne%Ecclesi.xxix.
+
A man that is good hauynge wysdome, skyll and wyt
Lyghtly rewardeth his frendes true kyndnes
Than moste the other indeuer hym to quyte
The same agayne with thanke, and faythfulnes
But if thou wylt gyue, for to haue thanke doutles
It moste be done with mery loke and mynde%ij.thimo.iij.
Els shalt thou neyther thanke, ne meryte fynde%Luce.vi.
<L R>
THENUOY OF $ALEXANDER $BARCLAY THE TRANSLATOUR.
<L 10265>
Whether thou wylt gyue rewarde gyft or present
To $god or man, it must be gladly done
And with gode wyll:  els thy rewarde is spent
And loste vtterly, with meryte small or none
Therfore consyder with thy selfe alone
To whome thou gyuest:  for that is wyt and skyll
And if thou worthy and wyse fynde the person
Than gyue thy gyft with glad loke and good wyll
+
So shall thy kyndnes rewardyd be agayne
But all is lost that thou dost gyue to fynde
Four sortis of people:  the first is a vylayne
Or chorle, for agayne thou shalt hym proue vnkynde
<P 183>
The seconde a childe, for his forgetfull mynde
Expellyth kyndnes, the thirde a man in age
The fourth a woman varyable as the wynde
Beynge of hir loue vnstable and volage
<P 184>
<L R>
Of the vyce of slouth.
<L 10281>
The Papy sede betokenynge slouthfulnes
Is sawen in the worlde and fast doth multyply
The synne of slouth all mankynde doth oppres
But namely seruauntis them self therto aply
Despysynge labour, slepynge contynually
But olde and yonge gyue them to this offence
Chalangynge theyr wagis:  they voyde of dilygence
<P 185>
Though that vyle slouth sprenklyd with dedely slomber
Be destroyer and confounder of mankynde%Bea.tho.parte.i.q.lxiij.ar.ij.et.+
ij.ij.q.xxxv.ar. ij.in q.de.malo.q.ii.ar.ij.
And in all vyce constrayneth hym to slomber
Yet many it folowe, and on it set theyr mynde
If thou take hede, thou clere and playne shalt fynde
That damnable slouth is so corrupt a vyce
That of his foule rote all yllys doth aryse
+
Of slouthys bosom out spryngeth euery yll
And who that attachyd is with this offence
No vertuous dede he gladly shall fulfyll
But slepyth ay in Idelnes and blynde neglygence%Prouer.vi.
Bytwene hym and the lame is lytell difference%Sapien.
For both, in maner, lyueth in lyke case
Nat vsynge theyr membres but slepynge in one place
+
A slouthfull man is nere of that nature%Prouer.xv.&.xxvi.
That if he lay besyde a fyre brennynge
For to be brent:  he rather wolde endure%Prouer.xxvij.
Than take the payne hym selfe in any thynge
For to relefe by rysynge or mouynge
Thus is he a Fole, and worthy wretchydnes
To gyue other example, of his lewde sleuthfulnes
+
A slouthfull creature is as vnprofytable%Prouer.x.
As smoke or dust, is for a mannys iyen%Eccl*s.x.
Or as a molle, or vant mete and able
For to do profyte within a garden grene
For in no goodnes besyed is he sene
Saue for to slepe, and watche the fyre alway
Besy in no thynge, but in vayne sport and play
<P 186>
Amonge all other the slouthfull man onely
Withstandeth hym selfe so mad and blynde is he
In Idelness lyeng styll contynually
By that prouysyon to purchace pouertye%Prouer.xx.
But happy is he whiche hath felycyte
To vse his ioyntes in workes iust and gode
With labour of his handes gettynge his dayly fode
+
But our sauyour oft taketh punysshement%Prouer.xxi.et.xxij.
By godly iustyce and very rightwysenes
And that oft tyme with hell payne and tourment
On them that lyue alway in slouthfulnes
But them that labour in lawfull besynes
He largely rewardeth, and wryte doth testyfy%Job.v.
That an Idell man to ete is nat worthy%Eccl*s.ij.
+
The vyce of slouth full harde is to asswage
Or to subdue:  therfore before our dayes%Ecclesi.li.
By it was brought moche peryll and damage
Into the worlde.  and that by dyuers wayes%Juuenalis.
For as $Juuenall the noble Poete sayes%Satyra.vi.
Amonge the Romayns dyd growe and sprynge therby
The rote of couetyse, pryde and lechery,
+
And sothly slouth and wretchyd Idylnes
By wayes remys and dranynge neglygence
Of all other synne is rote and maystres%ii.thessa.iij.
Yonge hartis attysyth ta many a sore offence
The noble $Dauyd, a man of hye prudence%ii.Regum.xi.
Whyle he submyttyd hymselfe to Idylnes
Synned in adultery and murder:  by blyndenes
<P 187>
Whyle $Rome was gyuen to labour and dylygence%Augustinus de roma.
They wan $Cartago, as it is wryten playne
But afterwarde by slouth and neglygence
That noble Cyte anone they lost agayne
For whan the romaynes were voyde of care and payne
Of batayle and labour, and other besynes
They gaue theyr bodyes to slouth and ydelnes
+
They had no warre to exercyse theyr myght%Appianus
To them obeyed small, great, lowe and hye
Enmy was none agayne whome they myght fyght
Than gaue the youth them selfe to lechery
Whiche lost theyr force, theyr nyght and strength therby
Amonge them selfe than began they to conspyre
This wyse decayed theyr excellent impyre
+
For whyle the romayns straunge regions dyd assayle
Expellynge faynt slouth, and nedy Idelnes
By dedes of Armes and boldenes of batayle
Therin they subdued theyr hye cowragyousnes
But after by slouth vyle lust dyd them oppres
And (alas) so sore they gaue them to the same%Ouidius in fast.
That vtterly they loste theyr glorious name
<L R>
THENUOY OF $ALEXANDER $BARCLAY.
<L 10365>
Lerne by example o man for to beware
Of faynt Idelnes and of neglygence
Suffer nat that slouth take the in hir snare
For she is rote of all synne and offence
Gyue the therfore to perfyte dylygence
Be alway doynge, but se thy dede be gode
For as I sayde before in a sentence
An Idell man is nat, worthy of his fode.
<P 188>
<L R>
Of straunge Folys and infydels as sarasyns paynems, turkes and suche lyke.
<L 10373>
Hytherto I haue me indeuered to repreue
The folys of our fayth:  for theyr enormyte
But nowe shall I touche wretches of mysbyleue
Expressynge theyr foly by theyr infydelyte
But thoughe these Heretykes greatly vnworthy be
With vs christen men to be:  for theyr blynde slomber
In errour:  yet ar they of this our folysshe nomber
<P 189>
O $God aboue:  howe moche abundaunt nomber%Ecclesi.x.
Of folys rayneth, from the right way wandrynge%ii.Corin.iiij.et vi.
By mysbyleue, wherin they slepe and slomber
Leuynge the right lawe of $god in euery thynge%Sapien.iiij.
These ar fals Sarasyns, fals of theyr lyuynge
And other mysbyleuers by blyndnes voyde of grace
Whiche in our Shyppis loketh to haue a place
+
Of these fals forayns renneth so great a bonde
Vnto our shyppis that the great company%i.Corin.vij.
Of them, ouerspredeth both the brode se & londe%ii.q.i.multi.de diuor gaudemus
For of them all nat one, if fautles verely
These folys ar Forayns:  and this is the cause why
For from the folde of $god they falsly them withdrawe
And the trewe fayth, despysynge $goddes lawe
+
It were moche better these wretchys to despyse
And styll to leue them in theyr blynde derkenes
What haue I to do with the myscheuous gyse
Of them whome errour so blyndly doth oppres
For they ar so blyndyd in theyr vayne wyckydnes
That they wyll be helyd by no medycyne
Nor from theyr vayne Idolatry declyne
<M.i.>
+
I sholde them passe ouer, for there is no doctryne%xcij.dis.plurimos.
No gode monysyon nor good aduysement
That can them moue, ne cause them to inclyne%xvi.q.i.in canonibus.
Vnto the holy fayth of our lorde omnypotent
But as blynde bestis, of one cursed assent
In the lewde lawes, they onely haue delyte
Of theyr fals mayster, diceytfull $Mahumyte
<P 190>
But touchynge the nomber and the horrible bende
Of these blynde folys:  they ar so infynyte
That a small volume can nat well comprehende
Theyr foly. who sholde the hole togyther wryte
Therfore after my wyt, my laysar, and respyte
Of theyr sectis onely I shall make mensyon
For breuyte leuynge theyr fyrst inuencion
+
The cursyd Iewes despysynge $christis lore %Judei.
For theyr obstynate, and vnrightwyse cruelte
Of all these folys must nede be set before
The nacion of Turkes next to them shall be%Tucci.
The sarrazyns next whose infydelyte
Is groundyd so blyndly on $mahumetis lawe%Sarraceni,
That no instruccion can them fro it withdrawe
+
The whiche errour as I in wrytynge fynde
Two partis of the worlde:  as $afryke and $asye
With mysbyleue full wretchydly doth blynde%Tartari.
And of $europe great part and quantyte
Whiche in our shyp caryed shall nedes be
The houndes of $Tartary ar of this sect also
With other londes and Ilys many mo
+
The Scithians and also they of $Sarmatyke%Scithe
And they of $Boeme, by fendes fraudolent%Boemi
Ar led and blyndyd with an errour lyke
Despysynge the lawes of $god omnypotent
Many ar the londes and Iles adiacent
Whiche with lyke errour ar blyndyd and infect
The owgly Mauryans ar also of this sect%Morani.
<P 191>
These with other lyke ar Folys, and blynde dawes
Hauynge the chefe shyp of foly and errour
For that they folowe vayne doctryne and fals lawes
But namely they that be of suche furour
Wylfully to forsake $god theyr creatour
On fals enchauntement whyle they theyr myndes set
In the deuelysshe scoles:  of $Praga and $Tolet%Praga
+
Nygromancians, and fals wytches also%Nigromantici.
Ar of this sort, folowynge lyke offence
Nat onely they that wytche craftis do%Heretici.
But they also that gyue to them credence
Or them supportyth with fauour or defence
For all suche Caytayfs as vnto them assent
Byleue nat truly on $god omnypotent
+
It were to moche and to longe a labour
To rehers all those folys innumerable
Whiche worshyp Idollys and lyue in lyke errour
As vayne sacrifyces, and lawes execrable
Whiche by theyr iugement moche abhomynable
Agaynst the holy fayth of $Christ dare obiect
That it is fals, vayne, and of small effect
+
Amonge these sayde folys plunged in hell payne
I may assemble those wretched houndes of hell%C.de his qui sibi. mor.+
consci.l.vna.xxiij.q.v.placuit
Whiche by dispayre with theyr owne handes ar slayne
By rope, water, knyfe, or other deth cruell
But of these mysbyleuers more to wryte or tell
Or to them enuoy, theyr errour to counsayle
It were but foly, and, payne without auayle
<M.ii>
<P 192>
<L R>
Of the ruyne, inclynacion and decay of the holy fayth catholyke, and 
<L R>
dymynucion of the Empyre.
<L 10464>
O christen Prynces gyders of Christendome
Whiche ought our fayth with manhode to defende
I you exort, by reason and wysdome
And hyghe discressyon in mynde to comprehende
The fall therof, and besely to intende
It to defende with your labour dilygent
Leuynge me the hode, that I shewe here present
<P 193>
Whyle I remember the sore ruyne and dekay
Of our christen fayth, and our parfyte byleue
Howe it decreaseth to damage euery day%in.aut.ut ind.sine.quo.suff.in +
prin.col.ij.in.auten vt diuiniss.in prin.col.viij.
The causers therof I nedes must repreue
Whiche slouthfull suffraunce sothly me so doth greue
That with wete chekes by teres thycke as hayle
I am constrayned this, harde chaunce to bewayle
+
My dolefull teres may I nat well defarre
My stomake strykynge with handes lamentable
For none with Trumpet nor sounde betokenynge warre
This hurt out chaseth, ne furour vengeable
Thoughe vnto Prynces the dede were honorable
To chace out this hurt and inconuenyence
Alas yet therto none doth his dilygence
+
No man is so dull, nor so cruell of hert
Thoughe that his herte were harder than the stone
But that this dolefull chanse sholde cause it smert
And with inwarde syghes sore to complayne and mone
Saynge thus saynt $Petyrs holy chare or trone
And the fayth decresynge playne in our presence
By slouth of statis and thoughtles neglygence
+
The holy chayr, and apostolyke See
Lyeth in decay, plungyd in fere and dout
And $Rome the hede, and chefe of christentye%Roma de qua Lactancius
Thretenyth ruyne:  and all the londe about
Tremblynge for fere of the vnchristen rout
Of cursyd Turkes and other infydelys
Thus is our fortune led forth on feble whelys
<P 194>
All christen Royalmes, and $christis comonte
Wandreth, and ar cast in case full myserable
Flowynge, and swymmynge in the tempestous se
And wawes of fere, abasshyd and vnstable
Nat onely our fayth, and lawes honorable
Decreaseth dayly: but also trouth to say
All holy ordynaunce we dayly se decay
+
But estatis as kynges, and other men royall%Causa de struccionis fidei
By theyr blynde slouth and ferefull neglygence
Ar to be blamyd, for they be cause of all
For though that they be our shelde and defence
Hauynge in theyr handes, as is sene by euydence
The armour, and dartis:  of warre and chyualry
These peryls they beholde:  fyndynge no remedy
+
None taketh helme, spere, ne other armour
With manly courage, and bolde audacyte
These peryls to preuent and to socour
Wherfore o $Rome: I fere thy lybertye
Shall by thy enmyes be reft away fro the
And thou be brought to bondage payne and care
If that thy gyders be nat both wyse and ware
+
Defence of our fayth by slouth is left behynde
Saynt $Peters shyp is cast from syde to syde
And all to shaken with tempest wawes and wynde
Without respyte in eas and rest to abyde
The fayth of $Christ whiche all mankynde doth gyde
Vnto the hye Royalme and see celestyall
Declyneth sore, ferynge ruyne and fall
<P 195>
Suche frowarde Nacions, as ar of mysbyleue
Prepareth armour in theyr mad crueltye
Agaynst the churche, the same to hurt and greue
And it to subdue to sore captyuyte
Whiche churche quaketh ferynge this ieopardye
And skant goth fre, but if no ayde be founde
I fere sore lyst it shall be throwen to grounde
+
The turke on euery syde doth it assayle%Turcus
Despysynge the fayth:  demynysshynge the same
Whiche cruell tyrant (alas) if he preuayle
Shall of them order that worshyp $christis name
The fals Prophete, fyllyd with synne and shame
(I mean $Mahumet) by his lawes damnable%Mahumetis
Hath subuertyd people almost innumerable
+
His Sectis infectyf he hath out cast and spred
Nere ouer the worlde, and namely firste of all 
The Arabyens by his fals lawes ar led%Arabia
Next by his venym dedely and mortall
$Asye the more abeyeth (as bonde and thrall)%Asia
Vnto his lawes, and so in maner lyke
To his fals lawes obey they of $Afryke%Aphrica
+
The Soldan of $Egypt and Royalmes of $Tartary%Turcus ex caspis montibus
Ar of his sect, and the fals Turke also
Whiche to our fayth is mortall ennemy,
Our marchys, marrynge as moche as he may do
And moche of them annexeth his vnto
Warrynge dayly on christen royalmes adiacent
Whiche with his owne was wont to be content
<P 196>
The londe of $Trace, large in a marueylous wyse%Tracia
With the royalmes of $Septemtrion echone
Longynge to his fader:  coude nat his mynde snffyse%Libia
We lost haue the Nacions of $lybye:  echone%Asia minor
$Asia the lesse:  from vs is reft and gone
Whiche in tyme past was true obedyent
To the holy lawes of Faders auncyent
+
Of $Europe moche haue we lost and forgone
Alas the excellent royalme of $Hungarye%Hungaria
By this fals Turke had: vtterly, ben vndone
If it had nat hym resystyd noblye
And in lyke maner the men of $Dalmacye%Dalmacia
With blody Batayle and woundes wyde and depe
Cessyth nat they Royalme, from the fals Turke to kepe
+
But in theyr dredefull paynes and dolour
Theyr dayly warre and manly resystence
Seldome, or neuer, haue they ayde or socour
Of christen Sowdyours, to be at theyr defence
Thus by our slouth, and wylfull neglygence
Our fayth sore fadeth (alas) we it despyse
Suffrynge our enmyes to enter in this wyse
+
Alas no thynge increasyth nowe a dayes
Vnto our fayth our londes to augment
But euery thynge contynually decayes%Hiere.ix.
And namely our fayth and vertue excellent%Treno.ij.
Who is so stuburne of stomake or intent
Whiche coude nat this dolefull fortune sore bewayle
Rendynge his here his face and apparayle
<P 197>
Forsoth I thynke so harde hertyd is none
But bysyde these forsayd losses or damage%Grecia.
From vs alas the Ilys of Grece ar gone
Whiche longe tyme kept our fayth and our vsage
The Traciens from vs ar reft by the outrage%Tracia.
Of the Turkes:  Obeyinge to theyr ydolatry%Achaia.
So doth $Achynus, and eke $Masedony
+
We $Sparta haue lost, by this fyers tryant
The cruell Turke, and $Tessaly also%Sperta.
With his swete Laundes goodly and pleasaunt%Thessasia
We haue lost $Thebe, and dyuers Cytees mo
With dyuers mo Iles as $Mysia:  both the two%Mysia.
And $Constanstynoble that Cyte excellent%Constantinoplis
Vnto the Turke nowe is made obedyent
+
This noble Cyte, worthy and lawdable
Condigne to be gouernyd by an emperour
Vnto the noble $Rome moste lyke and comparable
Is nowe in thraldome, bereft his olde honour
And also the fayth of $christ our sauyour.
What shall I wryte farther of the ruyne
And fall of our fayth, and holy lawe dyuyne
+
To christen men it is great vylany
And shame:  to suffer our fayth thus to decay
The Turke hath all won:  by his tyranny
Yet that, his mynde contentyth by no way
But yet more ouer he stodyeth euery day
Nat cessynge his Army and Batayle to renewe
Vs and our landes in lyke wyse to subdue
<P 198>
The nobel $Cecyle is dayly in great dout%Sicilia.
$Istria:  $pannony, and also, $Lumberdy%Istria
And dyuers other Nacions there about%Pannonia.
As $Sycyll, the $Stiryans $Venyce and $Italy%Lumberdia
These Ilys, and regions quakyth contynually%Venetia
The royalme of $Naplys lyueth also in dout%Neopolis
Of the fals Turke besegeynge it about%Apulia
+
The royalme of $Denmarke with his hyll $ethnay%Danubia
As men sayth, brennynge alway with flamynge fyre
Scantly escapyth the Ieopardous affray
Of these fals Turkes, and theyr cruell Impyre
Agaynst all christen royalmes they conspyre
But namely subdue they vnto captiuyte
Suche royalmes as ioynynge vnto theyr marchys be
+
O holy $Rhodes thou nedys moste entende%Rhodos
With thy noble knyghtis thy manhode and vertue
The fayth and Crosse of $Christ for to defende
And to ouerthrowe, and manly to subdue
The Turkes, and theyr lawes moche vntrue
O noble place thou moste the payne abyde
Though thou assaylyd be sore on euery syde
+
$Bagiazit a Prynce moche proude and pyteles%Bagiazit
With his wylde people full of crudelyte
Prepareth armour our to people oppres
By batayle horryble, dayly contendyth he
Our costes to brynge into captyuyte
And onely that purpose fyxeth in his hert
Our holy fayth, by rygour, to subuert
<P 199>
He is throughe persyd with fury serpentyne
With madnes enuyroned:  and that on euery syde
Rauynge in his rage, as $Bacchus god of wyne
So that no christen man dare hym abyde
For with dolefull deth, and blody woundes wyde
He them sore vexeth, but suche as he doth kepe
And saue on lyue:  he layth in pryson depe
+
With no maner blode this thyrst is facyate%Esaie.lvi.
Vnto these Turkes, whiche neuer ar content%Ecclesi.xij.
With cruell Batayle they bete agaynst the yate
Of our christen Roaylmes, with strokes vyolent
Wherfore o $Rome, o Cyte excellent%Roma
O flour of our fayth, o $Peters holy chear
Be ware:  for why great cause thou hast to fear
<N.i.>
+
Beholde this Sect vomyteth out madnes
Enflamyd by the fende with furour infernall
Our holy fayth, and the, also doutles
By ferefull rygour for to make bonde and thrall
The wolfe (alas) sore wastyth ouerall%xliii.dis.sit rector &.c.ephesiis
The innocent folde, of $christ our sauyour
Drownynge the sheepe in drede, wo, and dolour
+
They al deuour, no man is founde so bolde
Them to withstande, thus without resystence
They flee both man, and woman, yonge and olde
Hauynge no respect to godly Innocence
Yet we, alas, by slouth and neglygence
Plungyd in the wawes of voluptuosyte
Make no resystence to this calamyte
<P 200>
Of men and harnes whiche longeth to batayle
We haue ynoughe:  and capytayns excellent
With strength ynough, bolde corage and counsayle
We lacke no thynge that is expedyent
As wyt, and wysdome, wyse practyse and prudent
But yet suffer we, these turkes to procede
And them to resyst haue we no care nor hede
+
We lese our fayth (alas) and wyllyngly
To our great shame (forsoth) and dishonour%C.quamuis de reg iu in auri.
The cause is:  for that slouth doth occupy
The mynde of euery kynge and gouernour
Our states slomber, both kynge and emperour
And $Palynurus the hede of christente
And chefe lodes man:  slepyth in his See
+
Thy people $Peter in ryches abundaunt
Slepyth in lyke wyse, and in lyke neglygence%Psal.lxxv.
As if that they were blynde and ignoraunt
Of this great peryll and inconuenyence
Our holy fayth without faut or offence%Naum.iii.
Without helpe lyeth open:  to the Turkes hande
To be defyled, no man doth hym withstande
+
None lettyth this cruell ennemy to rage
By royalmes and Cytees, but as we se playnly%Esaie.li.
Theyr owne selfe they subdue vnto bondage
And ferefull deth wyllynge and gladly
Therfore this turke (alas) moche cruelly
Where euer he comys, by batayle violent
Demynyssheth the fayth of $god omnypotent
<P 201>
And that as a conquerour valyent and stronge
But doutles I suppose in myne intent
That the greuous synnes raynynge vs amonge
Be the chefe causers of this sore punysshement
We it deserue:  therfore $god hath it sent
As scourge and penaunce for our vyciousnes
And that by due order of his rightwysnes
+
We worshyp ryches, therto we vs subdue
To golde and treasour we make our sacryfyce
Our fayth is exyled (alas) so is vertue
With vs abydeth no thynge, but synne and vyce
The execrable hunger of golde and couetyse
And the vayne pleasour of Folys fraudelent
Subduyth our bodyes to worthy punysshement
+
The heuenly vergyn from vs is dryuen hens
I meane that iustice is blynde in christente%Ouidius et in prohe.grego.
Or out of the grounde, disdaynynge our presence%Ecclesi.xiiij.
With hir thre systers, strength or audacyte%Joh.xix.c.int quattuor de ma.et +
obe.c.nimis de priuile
Prudence and temperaunce also exylyde by
Charyte is banysshyd also from eche place
For whose absence, alas we haue no grace
+
All christen Royalmes ar thus corrupt with syn
And gyuen in so moche to slouth and ydelnes
That eche man stodyeth part of some royalme to wyn
Suffrenge the Turkes our fayth thus to oppres
In tyme past, $Rome lanterne of worthynes
Chose four Susters, of Cytees pryncipall
Felawes of the fayth, and in honour egall
<P 202>
The firste was $Jerusalem in holynes shynynge%Jherosolima.
The seconde $Alexander so callyd first of all%Alexandria.
After the name of that moste noble kynge
The thirde $Antyoche, a place or hold royall%Antiochia
The fourth $Constantynoble whiche euery man dyd call%Constantinopolis
Newe $Rome, and onely bycause of the lykenes
But nowe, mysbyleuers, doth all the same oppres
+
These Cytees nowe ar take from vs away
By the fals enmyes, of our godly byleue
Besyde all this yet ryseth euery day
Newe sectis of gentyles our costes for to greue
And fals prophetis whiche dayly doth repreue
And defyle our fayth in as moche as they may
Yet fewe, or none at all doth them gaynsay
+
So blynde ar our hertis, opressyd in derkenes
And also our iyen, this peryll wyll nat se
Therfore we ar worthy to suffer this distres
Suche is our lyfe, and our fragylyte
And though we be drowned in depe aduersyte
Vnto vs denyeth $Christ socour for to sende%Cause desolatonis fidei Leuite.xxvi.
For that we nat purpos our lyues to amende
+
The Turke to his Idols hath gretter reuerence
And more deuocion, to his fals lawe and doctryne%Prouer.xviij.
Than we christen men without obedyence
Haue to our true fayth, and holy lawe dyuyne
Concorde and peas ar fall into ruyne
Vnmekenes vs pleasyth:  disceyt and vsury
The pore, and good we, oppres by rebbery
<P 203>
Neyghbour agayne neyghbour, the son agayne nature
Agaynst the Fader, and echone nowe adayes
Anothers londes desyreth to procure
By falshode, oppressyon, or suche disceytfull wayes
The states ar vexyd by foule dyscorde and frayes%Prouer.xvij.
But yet both they and men of lowe degre%Hiere.xv.
Seke but theyr pryuate profyte and owne vtylyte
+
Euery man seketh but for his owne auayle
Wherby our fayth decayeth dayly so
Wherfore it is no marueyle without fayle
Though we our townes and Cytees thus forgo
Lesynge our royalmes, to our great payne and wo
And namely suche as were most auncyent
Best groundyd in the fayth of $christ omnypotent
+
No thynge is left:  nought doth to vs remayne
Anone the Turke shall with his hoste cruell
Enter on our costes to our great losse and payne
Yet labour we nat his furour to expell
But namely suche as other doth excell
In byrth and ryches, strength and audacyte
Labour leste to chalange and defende our lybertye
+
The yate is open:  The way is open made
Wherfore o $Rome. o $Rome moste excellent
I fere me sore lyst thy honour shall fade
Thou skant shalt escape, nor fle the punysshement
The storme on the comyth cruell and vyolent
A kynge the byldyd and eft a counsellour
Encreased thy name, and brought the to hnour
<P 204>
Than had this Cyte so hye a name royall
That through the worlde it spred abrode his fame
And also vp  vnto, the Heuen Imperyall
Than after we it subgect vnder the name%Romane vrbis principia.
Of an emperour, to honour, and nat shame
Yet after it was agayne admyttyd fre
But nowe may it fere, agayne in seruytude to be
+
No man resistyth agaynst this vyolence%Hiere.xxxi.
Our fayth also demynysshyth euery day%ad hebre.viij.
By culpable synne, and our noyson offence
Whiche at the ende hath greuous payne alway
O christen Prynces therfore do that ye may
Our fayth to socour, out of captyuyte
Sauynge your owne londes, your lyfe and lybertye
+
O worthy prynces and lordes Italyen
Ye stoberne Flemynges and ye of $Pannony%Exortacio

O subtyle Lumberdes, Spanyardes and Frenchmen
And o holy Fader the Pope moste specyally
Lay to your handes by strength and polycy
Our fayth to defende, and helpe ye shall nat want
Throwe out your dartis with handes tryumphant
+
Expell your wrath: set statelynes asyde%Concordia parui res crescunt +
discordia maxime dilabuntur Salustius in Jugurtha                        
Be stedfast in fayth:  kepe ay humylyte
Let constance and peas amonge you ay abyde
With knot perpetuall of loue and amyte
Haue one assent, in concorde all agre
Ioyn hande to hande, prepare you vnto warre
Take soone your armour, and no more tyme diffarre
<P 205>
If peas be with vs, concorde and amyte
We may from our costis the cruell turke expell
And so kepe our fayth in stedfast lybertye
One hope we haue, our ennemyes to quell
Whiche hope is stedfast if we ourselfe do well%Mutatur laus maximiliani +
romanorum regis in laudem henrici octaui anglorum regis.
For $Henry the eyght replete with hye wysdome
By iust tytyll gydeth our Septer of kyngdome
+
This noble Prynce begynnyth vertuonsly
By iustyce and pyte, his roylme to meyntayne
So that he and his:  without mo company
May succour, our sores by his manhode souerayne
And get with his owne hande $Jerusalem agayne
He passyth $Hercules in manhode and courage
Hauynge a respect vnto his tender age
<N.iij.>
+
He passeth $Achylles in strength and valyance
His fame nere as great, but as for his larges
And lyberalyte, he shewyth in countenaunce
That no auaryce can blynde his rightwysnes
Couetyse hath left behynde hym his riches
Vnto the hyghe possessyon, of lyberalyte
Whiche with the same shall kepe, our lybertye
+
Let go $Pompeius:  and $Camyllus also
And $Sylla, for none of them wyll I commende
This Prynce I prayse alonely and no mo
Whiche is moste abyll our fayth for to defende
He is moste worthy by honour to ascende
Vnto a noble Diademe Imperyall
So is my hope, that he hereafter shall
<P 206>
Than shall he our fayth establysshe and make sure
Defendynge the Churche and $christis herytage
There shall no Turke be abyll to indure
His rampynge Lyons rorynge in theyr rage
Nor none of all the Sarxazyns lynage
Thus may our Prynce be shelde of christendome
By strength and ryches, but namely by wysdome
+
His armys victorious shall spred abrode theyr fame
Ouer all the worlde, for he may wyn agayne
$Jerusalem:  and the Crosse within the same
With the holy toumbe:  for this is my trust certayne
That if he begyn:  he nought shall do in vayne
For $god and his sayntis shall helpe hym for to fyght
Saynt $george our patrone shall eke augment his myght
+
But o englysshe states I humbly you requyre
Vnto your kynge of hert and mynde be true%Apostropha ad angli genas
Submyt your selfe gladly to his empyre
So shall ye lyghtly your ennemyes subdue
And syth that all Christen prynces doth eschewe
Labour and payne, for the holy faythes defence
In the name of $god do ye your dylygence
+
Though $Aufony slepe and also $Italy
The kynges of $Sycyll and also of $Fraunce
And they of the Churche for none of them truly
Defendyth the fayth, but labour to auaunce
Theyr proper londes, suche is theyr gouernaunce
That christen kynges this wyse togyder fyght
Suffrynge the fayth decay before theyr syght
<P 207>
They knowe the cause, hauynge power and myght
Yet wyll they nat the holy fayth defende
Therefore lede ye your Host of men forth right
These Turkes to subdue.  If ye so condiscende
Than be ye sure $Christ shall you socour sende%Apoca.xvij.
Of angels heuenly to your ayde and defence
And brake theyr Tentis with his hande and presence
+
The noble $Henry of $Englonde is at hande%Henricus rex anglorum.
Of kynges noblest, of worthy auncetrye
Whiche shall you helpe to wyn the holy lande
And brynge these tyrantis vnto Captyuyte
Enuy who wyll:  none rightwyser than he
Is in the worlde nor of more noblenes
Nor more habundant in treasour and ryches
+
His maiestye presentyth a kynges countenaunce
His maners honest, and full of noblenes
He seketh nat his kyngdome to auaunce
By gyle disceyte:  nor other lyke falsnes
His mynde nat elate with scornfull statelynes
But in the playne path of goodnes lawe and right
The fere of $god alway before his syght
+
As longe as this noble Prynce shall be our gyde
With vs all honour godnes and ioy shall growe
With perfyte pease about on euery syde
In welth and ryches we shall habounde and flowe
And if there be any of statis hye or lowe
Whiche by yll councell wolde cause hym to mysdo
$God graunt them no myght, no space ne tyme therto
<P 208>
There is no Prynce to greatter excellence
I trowe none lyuynge of hye nor lowe degre
Wherfore let them do hym obedyence
As to theyr hede:  and moste of dignyte
Obey to hym Prynces than trust I ye shall se
That by his manhode, and counsell souerayne%Addicio alexandri Barclay.
All that his lost, we shall:  soone wyn agayne
+
And ye christen Prynces who so euer ye be%Jacobi scotorum regis strennuissimi +
a magnani mitate laus summa
If ye be destytute of a noble Capytayne
Take $Iamys of $Scotlonde for his audacyte
And proued manhode if ye wyll laude attayne
Let hym haue the forwarde, haue ye no disdayne
Nor indignacion, for neuer kynge was borne
That of ought of warre can shewe the vnycorne
+
For if that he take onys his spere in hande
Agaynst these Turkes strongly with it to ryde
None shall be abyll his stroke for to withstande
Nor before his face so hardy to abyde
Yet this his manhode increasyth nat his pryde
But euer sheweth he mekenes and humylyte
In worde and dede to hye and lowe degre
+
In prudence pereles is this moste comely kynge
And as for his strength and maguanymyte
Concernynge his noble dedes in euery thynge
One founde or grounde lyke to hym can nat be
By byrth borne to boldnes and audacyte
Vnder the bolde planet of $Mars the champyon
Surely to subdue his ennemyes echone
<P 209>
$Mars hath hym chosyn:  all other set asyde
To be in practyse of Batayle without pere
Saue ryches lacketh his manfull myght to gyde
He hath nat plentye of all thynge as is here
The cause is that stormes in season of the yere
Destroyeth the corne engendrynge so scarsnes
Whiche thynge moche hurteth this Prynces worthynes
+
Let hym be formest, than dout ye nought at all
For onely his loke (so bolde is his courage)
The turkes pryde shall make decay and fall
Lyke to a Lyon in dedes he shall rage
Thus he beynge gyde the fury shall asswage
Of the fals Turkes:  so that they shall be fayne
Our christen londes to vs to yelde agayne
+
If the Englysshe Lyon his wysdome and ryches
Conioyne with true loue, pease and fydelyte
With the Scottis vnycornes myght and hardynes
Than is no dout but all hole christente
Shall lyue in peas welth and tranquylyte
And the holy londe come into christen hondes
And many a regyon out of the fendes bondes.
<L R>
THENUOY OF $ALEXANDER $BARCLAY.
<L 10940>
O worthy estatis of Christendome echone
Consyder your power and your habylyte
Let slombrynge slouth away fro you be gone
Fere nat to fyght for your lyfe and lybertye
Let eche man do after his power and degre
To withstande the Turke and the fayth to defende
If we manly fyght:  and all in one agre
Than without dout $god shall vs socour sende.
<P 210>
<L R>
Of flaterers and glosers.
<L 10948>
He that wyll flater a hors of hye corage
Clappynge or touchynge: if that he stande to nye
May happen to haue the fote on his vysage
To his great hurt: and who that subtylly
Wyll flater an estate to get some good therby
He often at the last is cast out of fauour
For flaterynge pleaseth no wyse man of honour.
<P 211>
Our folys yet encreasyth more and more
But as for those that nowe themselfe present
I thought to haue set them in a shyp before%Prouer.xxix.Bea.tho.ii.ii.q.c.+
xv.glo.xxv.dis. c. unum Teren.in eunu.
Where as ar seruauntis fals and fraudelent
But by no meane wyll they therto consent
They coueyt a shyp for them selfe to attayne
Therfore for them this shyp I nowe ordayne
+
Great lordes seruauntis, wyll nedes sayle apart
Alone by them self they coueyt for to be%xlvi.dist.ecce quare
For they ne can well vse theyr craft and art
Of gyle and flaterynge amonge the comontye
And if that ye wyll knowe what men these be
They ar fals flaterers fyllyd full of gyle
And fowle corrupcion: as is a botche or byle
+
A crafty flaterer, as nowe is many one%Hora in epistolis
With grettest lordes coueytis alway to dwell
Also they labour to knowe eche thynge alone
Yet can they nought kepe secrete in counsell
But with the comon Folys for that they wyll nat mell
I ordoyne to them this Barge here present
Lyst theyr fraude myght be theyr owne impedyment%Leui.xix.
+
The kynges Court nowe adayes doth fede%Ecclesi.vij.
Suche faynynge flaterers: and best they ar in grace
As chefe with theyr lorde, by lyes gettynge mede
Some with a fals herte, and a payntyd face
In his lordes seruyce to haue chefe rowme and place
Into his lordes erys yetyth secretly%xliij.dis.c.vl.
Lyes venemous, debate to multyply%Prouer.xxvi.
<P 212>
Another can pyke vp the fethers properly
Of his maysters clothys if they syt nat right
He maketh them yet for to syt more awry
To take occasion them clenlyer to dyght
Another ay bydeth in his maysters syght
Nat to his profyte, but to his charge and coste
But to support hym, if he do crake or boste
+
These faynynge flaterers theyr lordes thus begyle
Yet ar theyr lordes therwith right well content
They laughe out lowde if that theyr lorde do smyle
What euer he sayth they to the same assent
And in so moche ar they fals and fraudelent
That if theyr mayster say that the crowe is whyte
They say the same, and haue therin delyte
+
They flater theyr lorde with wordes fayre and gay
And vayne roundynges to cause hym to byleue%i.ad thassa.ij.
That all is trouth whiche they vnto hym say%Ecclesi.xxviij.
Another hym stryketh and claweth by the sleue
Another with fals talys his neyghbour doth greue
Vnto a ryche man accusynge hym falsly
To syt at his dysshe and get some mete therby
+
Thus cause these flaterers, malyce and discorde.%Juuenalis ff.de her insti.+
l.captatorias.
The ryche oft desyreth suche lyes for to here
Eche flaterer is in chefe rowme with his lorde
Whan a symple seruaunt must nedes stande arere
The playne man hungreth, the lyer hath the chere%lxxxiii.dis.nihil xi. q. iii.+
Nemo petit.
No man in Court shall nowe a lyuynge fynde
Without that he can bowe to euery wynde
<P 213>
The tre that bowyth to no wynde that doth blowe
In stormes and tempest is in moste ieoperdy%Eccle.xxi.glo.in li,c, si.que +
aliquem tes.per.
And often with sodayne blastis ouerthrowe
Therfore these flaterers to eche wynde aply
And he that can, vpholde his maysters lye
With ye and nay, and helpe hym if he tryp
Obteyneth nowe grettest honour and worshyp
+
Many one in flaterynge cometh to great honour%Ad roma.i.
The cause is: for grettest statis nowe a dayes%Psal.xl.
To be disceyued ar glad, and haue pleasour%Ecclesi.xiiij.
In a dowble tunge beleuynge that it sayes
None is nowe beloued, but suche as vse the wayes%xlvi.dis sunt non nulli de +
his que fi. a. ma. per c. que siuit & in glo.
Of adulacion, and that can secretely
Whysper and rounde thynges ymagyned falsly
+
And they that haue lerned to forge tydynges newe
Ar most made of if they haue the scyence
By flaterynge wordes to make them to seme true
None settyth by seruauntis of faythfull dilygence
But for that punysshement foloweth eche offence
We dayly se these flaterers harde bested
And by theyr owne gyle, they vnder fote ar tred
<L R>
Thenuoy of $Alexander Barclay.
<L 11032>
Amende fals flaterers: it is a folysshe sport
And vayne besynes, for a small wretchyd mede
Folys in theyr lyes to flater and support
And whan all is done nat to be sure to spede
Thou shalt fynde truly: if thou take gode hede
That at the ende flaterers ar nought set by
But he that is playne, to flater hauynge drede
At last shall be rewardyd well and worthely
<P 214>
<L R>
Of tale berers and Foles of lyght credence vnto the same.
<L 11040>
He is lyght myndyd, and voyde of all prudence
Whiche alway is wont, without aduysement
To all vayne talys sone to gyue credence
Aplyenge his erys therto: with full intent
For why these brybours fals and fraudelent
And bablynge lyers, by wordes wors than knyfe.
Amonge men sawe debate and greuous stryfe.
<O.i.>
<P 215>
These folys present I sholde haue callyd skant
Vnto my shyp to rowe amonge the mo%xi.q.iii.non solum.xxx.q.v.nullum glo. pen.+
xvi.q.ii.c.i.
But that the Shyp before can them nat want
So these two sortis wyll nedis togyther go
For thoughe the flaterer hym selfe behauyth so
By fayned talys good lyuers oft to greue%lxxxvi.dis.si.quid.
They ar as lewde that wyll the same byleue%Ecclesi.xix.
+
He is a fole that his erys wyll inclyne
Lyghtly: to his wordes that is of suche vsage
Newe talys and tydynges dayly to ymagyne
And that apereth superflue of langage
For he showeth tokyns of foly and dotage
Whiche gyueth his erys to here suche wordes vayne
As myght his neyghbours honestye distayne
+
A fole is ay lyght, and hasty of credence
With erys open to eche tale that is newe%Hester.xvi.
Wherof oft groweth great inconuenyence
But a wyse man suche talys can eschewe%Prouer.xiiii.
Nat them byleuynge but if he knowe them true
He is nat hardy the whiche one stryketh sore%Josue.vi.
Behynde his backe: nat warnynge hym before
+
For who that is vnwarely strykyn so
Can for the same no helpe ne socour fynde%Prouer.xxii.
No more can he fynde remedy therto
That of taleberers is sclandred thus behynde
But nowe is he a mayster that hath suche wyly mynde
A rightwyse man with fals wordes to diffame
And many vngoodly gyue credence to the same
<P 216>
But who so euer vsyth this adulacion
Or that to vayne wordes gyueth to sone credence
Ar trayters, and full of abhomynacion
Cursyd and iniust stynkynge in the presence
Of $god almyght: for by the same offence
Is sawen the sede of stryfe: and mortall wo
Amonge great statis: and comontye also%Eccle.xxviii
+
Therfore that man that quyetly wolde lyue
And rightwysely: with name of honestye
To flaterynge talys must nat his erys gyue%ii.thessa.ii.
For a fals tunge fulfyllyd with iniquyte%Prouer.xviij.
By mortall venym infecteth eche degre
Brekynge the bonys (god wot) of many one
Howbeit the tunge within it hath no bone
+
By this vyce: the honour of hym that is absent%Eccle.viiij.
Thoughe it were gotten by way moste vertuous
Is hurt and distayned by worde malyuolent%Sapien.ij.
Of it cometh many a vyce full peryllous
And it often tymes by wayes iniuryous%Ecce.xviij.
Jugement gyueth on man in his absence%Prouer.xxix.
Fals and iniustly by to hasty credence
+
By this maner, iustyce and lawe is vyolate
Vnto the absent moche noysom, harde and sore
Whan he is falsly accusyd by some state
Or some other man, nat assytyd before
Howe can he defende his cause well: whan no more
Tary is made, but forth right the sentence
Vnwysely is gyuen by to hasty credence
<P 217>
The wretchyd $Aman byleuynge hastely%Hester.iij.
By $Mardocheus the talys to hyme tolde
Wolde hym haue put to deth vnrightwysly
If the Quene $hester durst nat haue ben so bolde
The kynge to asswage, by wordes sad and colde
Wherby fals $Aman in paynfull shame and care
Anone was hanged: and that in his owne smare
<O.ii.>
+
Ouer hasty credence without aduysement%Miphiboseth.
Sende $Saulis sone: $myphiboseth by name%Regum.xvi.
Great care and sorowe by paynfull punysshement
The noble $Alexander most excellent of fame%i.macha.x.
Wolde neuer inclyne his erys vnto the same%Esa.xxviij.
For well he wyst to what inconuenyence
They fall: that ar to hasty of credence.
<L R>
$Alexander $Barclay the Translatour
<L 11117>
Consyder man wheder thou be lowe or hye
What thynge thou herest, before thou thynke it true
For flaterers ay speke fayrest whan they lye
Or whan they lyst to brynge vp talys newe
Beware of them: Theyr company eschue
They shall the cause to fall to suche offence
That all thy lyfe thou shalt it after rue
To them, if thou be hasty of credence
+
Therfore do thou as doth the god palfray
Whan they begyn to clawe the by the sleue
Flynge with thy helys: and dryue them so away
And with sharpe wordes be bolde them to repreue
<P 218>
Stop fast thy erys, or els fro them remeue
For be thou sure: to speke in short sentence
Mo men are marryd, than any wolde byleue
And greuously offende by to hasty credence
<P 219>
<L R>
Of falshode, gyle, and disceyte, & suche as folowe them.
<L 11133>
The vayne $ disceytfull craft of alkemy
The corruptynge of wyne and other merchandyse
Techyth and shewyth vnto vs openly
What gyle and falshode men nowe do exercyse
All occupyers almost, suche gyle dyuyse
In euery chaffar, for no fydelyte
Is in this londe, but gyle and subtylte
<P 220>
O well of muses: o pleasaunt castaly%Contra alchi. mistas vide textum i.c.+
episcopi circa finem xxvi.q.v.
O susters nyne, with lowe benygnyte
I you beseke my wyt to multyply
By hundred folde, and tunges of lyke plente
Graunt to me strength to wryte the subtylte
The fraude, and disceyt, whiche is by gylefull wayes
Amonge all chraftis vsed nowe adayes
+
Without a hundred tunges great wysdome and respyte
Contynuall labour: and stody without ende
None can theyr gyles ne all theyr falshode wryte
Nor all fals folys in balade comprehende
So many be that thus theyr lyues spende
That all the shyppes ne galays vnto Spayne
Nor myghty Carakes can nat them well coutayne
+
So they that ar abrode fast about may range
Rowynge on the see: myself theyr lode and gyde
In dyuers contres farre and londes straunge
And spred theyr namys about on euery syde
But dyuers ar the sortis, that the worlde wyde
In euery part doth infect and defyle
By fraudes fayned, and fals myscheuous gyle
+
Firste fals loue disceyuyth and doth greue%Prouer.xi.et.xxix.
Both age: and youthe both wylde and prodygall
Lernyd and lewde: if that they it byleue
For vnder his tunge is hyd venym mortall
Frendes and felawes faynynge and fals with all%Eccle.vi.
Also shalt thou fynde that of suche maner be
To speke fayre wordes mengled with sotylte%Eccle.xxxvij.
<P 221>
Suche in theyr hertis haue no fydelyte
And often we se that wycked and fals counsell%Prouer.xii.
Disceyueth many by fals lyberalyte%Eccle.viij.et xxxvij.
Disceytfull wordes, dissymuled as gospell
Doth many abuse and from theyr right expell
And no maruayle, for almoste euery man
To his pryuate profyte intendeth what he can
+
None is that caryth for comon auauntage%Ouidius
Thus comon welth sore fallyth into decay
But ouerall, men ar fals of theyr langage
By lyes auaylynge them selfe all that they may
Brother begylyth brother as we se euery day
And the sone the Fader desceyueth oft also
But though he can nat: yet is his mynde therto
+
No bondes of loue, amonge men nowe doth byde%Math.vii.
Fals gyle vs gydeth, blyndyd is conscyence
And suche as within the cloyster doth abyde
Fyle theyr relygion oft by the same offence
Faynynge them sayntis whan they ar in presence
With ypocresy payntynge theyr countenaunce
So clokynge and hydynge theyr yll mysgouernaunce
+
Some shyne without: and as swete bawme they smell
But yet theyr hertis ar fyllyd with falsnes
And within the skyn more yll than man can tell
As gyle and disceyte, iust men therwith toppres%Ezech.xiii.
And wolues rauysshynge full of vnthryftynes%Luce.xiii
Bere shepes skynnes showynge nat that they be%Prouer.xviij
Foxys within: shewynge out symplycyte
<P 222>
By suche falshode, they many one begyle
In vniust coyne, is founde also abusyon
And disceyt: which doth all the worlde defyle
By clyppynge and wasshynge, and lyke dymynusyon
Bysyde all this, yet in many a regyon
Suche folys stody to mengle and multyply
Eche sort of metall men do disceyue therby
+
And in theyr wretchyd ryches to abounde
The clyp, they coyne, and that: counterfayt metall%Hieremie.v.et.vij.
And the right kynde of golde they oft confounde
They sell precious stones nat true ne naturall
But counterfayt (for true) men to begyle withall
The coyne by falshode also oft lacketh weyght
Thus ouer the worlde is nought but gyle and sleyght
+
What shall I wryte of gyle and sotyltye
Vsed in weyght nomber, tale and mesure%Ecclesi.xxvij.
Howe they bye with one, large, or weyghtye
And sell by a les: theyr conscyence is so obscure
Marchaundys also in gyle them them selfe inure
By dyuers wayes makynge them to seme plasaunt
True men to disceyue that therin ar ignoraunt
+
That whiche is nought they make seme good and fyne
But to touche a teuerners hye experyence%Virgilius
Howe lyghtly the knaue can brewe a bowle of wyne%iiij.euey.
As who sayth that he hath the craft and scyence
To amende that thynge that $goddes hye prudence
Hath made parfyte, but he his owne to saue
By newe brewyd wyne, men bryngeth to theyr graue
<P 223>
In no man is trust, for euery man by gyle%Prouer.xx.
And preuy falshode hath suche a craftynes
His occupacion by fraudys fals to defyle
Reputynge hym selfe wyse for suche disceytfulnes
Thus is there no craft, pore, ryche, more or les
But all ar vpholden with gyle and soteltye
Whiche falshode causeth that many neuer thye
+
But if I sholde tarry so longe here to expres
All the fals wayes and gyle done wrongfully
In eche occupacion, and euery besynes
It were to longe: therfore I say shortly
That he is happy whiche lyueth perfytely
Voyde of all fraude: but the trouth to reporte
In worde and dede, but fewe be of that sort
<L R>
Thenuoy of $Alexander Barcly.
<L 11238>
Thou that hast to do with worldly besynes
Outher occupacyon, in court or marchaundyse
Kepe clene thy conscyence, beware disceytfulnes
All fraude and gyle take hede that thou despyce
Than shalt thou to welth, ryches and honour ryse
And if thou be fals: beware of pouertye
Besyde hell payne, for $Christ sayth in this wyse
That in his owne mesure eche man shall serued be
<P 224>
<L R>
Of the falshode of Antichrst.
<L 11246>
We haue before, a shyp sende forth to see
Swyft and, well stuffed with many a subtyll rout%Deutro.xiij.
But of lyke folys, yet many one there bexxvij.q.v.i.fi.
On our shyp sydes, clymmynge rounde about
I speke with pacyence: for why I am in dout
Lyst this company, of proude speche: yll and haut
With theyr sharpe dartis my feble shyp assaut
<P 225>
But if thou aske who they ar that me incomber
And what be theyr maners and conuersacion
Of whens they ar and howe great is theyr nomber
Of whome I intende to make declaracyon
Vnto thy questyons this is my relacion
And fynall answere, that they that thus me greue%Math.xxiiij.
Ar fals Christen men, nat perfyte of byleue%Marci.xij.
+
And fals Prophetis, nat folowynge the right
Whiche with fals hertis vnperfyte of credence
Nat duly worshyp the lawe of $god almyght
Nor his holy doctryne, with worthy reuerence
And other suche as varye the true sence
Of $goddes lawes, expoundynge other wyse
Than it in the text clere and playnly lyes
+
Suche counterfayte the kayes that $Jesu dyd commyt%ix.dis.ego.c.si.+
ad sacros.xxiiij.
Vnto $Peter: brekynge his Shyppis takelynge
Subuertynge the fayth, beleuynge theyr owne wyt%q.iii.heresis
Agaynst our perfyte fayth in euery thynge
So is our Shyp without gyde wanderynge%Actuum.xxvii.
By tempest dryuen, and the mayne sayle of torne%Prouer.xxx.
That without gyde the Shyp about is borne
+
I mean that euery fals interpretour%Marci.iiij.
And vniust Prophete accordynge in assent
Defyle the lawes of $Christ our sauyour%Math.viij.
And also the fayth, but suche in theyr intent%Hiere.in prologo biblie xxxvii.+
dis relatum. Apoca.xx.
Whan theyr owne selfe by errour fraudelent
Ar all corrupt, with synne agaynst the lawe
They stody: yet mo to theyr errour to drawe
<P 226>
Many they disceyue, by theyr myscheuous lore
Of theyr fals lawes castynge abrode the sede
Yet greuous paynes of Hell byde them therfore
But suche Hell houndes therof wyll take no hede
But certaynly all our byleue and crede
The whiche is able to saue vs from hell payne
To vs is gyuen in wordes clere and playne
+
In our lawe ar founde no wordes disceyuable%iii.thimo.iii.ix.ix.dis.quis +
nesciat.ii.petri.iiij.
No fals abusyon, nor obscure hardnes
But many folys of mynde abhomynable
For an hye name, for honour and ryches%Hiere.xxiij.
Or for vayne pryde and fals presumptuousnes%Mach.iij.
To shewe theyr cunnynge, they men blynde and abuse
Makynge the playne lawe, obscure, darke and diffuse
+
They holy scriptures rehers moche other wyse
Than the $holy goost them vttred first of all
The cause is that pryde them vexeth to aryse
To some hye Rowme, and a glory pryncypall%xlvi.dis hoc habet.
O blynde fole awake and to remembraunce call%xxiiij.q.iii.heresis.xxxvij.c.+
direlatum.c.vino.
The prophetis saynge. confermyd by the lawe
And so from errour thy synfull mynde withdrawe.
+
Were it nat ynoughe for the to vnderstonde
The holy lawes: passynge in that scyence
But yet presumptuously to take on honde
To turne frowardly, the true and rightwyse sence
Chaungynge our fayth, by thy fals neglygence
Whiche fayth was sende from $god omnypotent
By the $holy gost to our faders auncyent
<P 227>
They seme in handes to bere a fals balance%xxiiij.q.i.non. afferamus.
Whiche falsly techyth the lawe of $god almyght
Some poyntis thynke they heuy and worthy penaunce
And other some make they but small and lyght
By glose thus turne we the lawe agaynst right%Ezech.ii.
Thus they that our faythis doctryne wolde confounde
Before Antichrist set tentis here on grounde
+
They set no tentis agayne hym for to fyght
But agaynst his comynge they ordayne great treasour
Other to subdue: for to encreas his myght
Them drawynge to his infaciable errour%i.Johann.i.
Many one assembleth as to a conquerour
Obeynge and berynge his cursed cognysaunce
Assaynge for to put our fayth to harde vttraunce
+
Whiche trayters also them besely doth hast
With Antichrist theyr mayster and theyr lorde
Theyr cursed lawes to spred abrode and cast
Ouer all the worlde, for to infect concorde
Bryngynge theyr fals goddes with them at one accorde
Suche folys ar nat drawen by scourge of punysshement%Ecclesi.x.
But to Antichrist of theyr owne mynde thassent
+
To be of his garde they yelde them wyllyngly
But some shall obey for meney and treasour
Whome he by lyberall gyftis crafty
Shall so attyce hym lowly to honour
Suche foles shall he bye and brynge to his errour
Se here howe money theyr soules shall defyle
But some shall he wyn by sotylte and gyle
<P 228>
Some by fals myracles and some by punysshement
Shall this fals Tyraunt to his seruyce procure
But than by the myght of $god omnypotent
This wycked Nauy longe tyme shall nat endure
But whyle these Folys shall thynke them selfe most sure%Apoca.xiij.
Theyr shyppys shall dryue and shortly at the last
By myght of $god they all shall ryue and brast
+
Togyther shall they fall vnto the pyt of hell
And suche be releued as they put vnto payne
Antichristis $Charettes and $Cartis shall cesse theyr yell
And the true lawe and fayth sprynge vp agayne
But in the mean space, alas we may complayne%Marci.iiij.
For the shyp of $Peter in stormes and tempest
Is throwen and cast clene destytute of rest
+
The Mast nowe meuyth the taklynge and the sayle
O $god wythsaue the wayke shyp to socour
From the fals Herytikes that dayly it assayle
With great violence and manyfolde rygour
For with fals Doctryne, conteynynge great errour
The holy scriptures some labour to expounde
But the true fayth full pyteously is drowned
+
Thus fals Antichrist, the fayth of $Christ to stent
Into the wyde worlde his messangers doth sende%i.iohannis.i
As swyft Currours, onely for that intent%Ecclesi.ij.
His Tentis to prepare, his Army to defende%ii.iohan.i.
And to cause the Chrysten to hym to confydence
By the fals sede of errour that they sawe
Before his comynge agaynst our fayth and lawe
<P 229>
But thre maner thynges I fynde that be certayne%Inno.in.c.quid autem de pe & re.+
et in cle fi.c.ti.
Whiche ar well worthy for to be notyd here
For they our fayth support, defende and meyntayne
The firste is the wysdome and great grace that apere
From a Bysshops mouth by doctryne playne and clere
But ouer the worlde if that poynt were well sought
For the most part it slepeth and is set at nought
+
The seconde is of Bokes store and abundaunce
Whorin ar the lawes of $Christ our sauyour
Whiche rottyth nowe, the cause why in substaunce%Eccl*s.xvi.
Is for they haue no iust interpretour
Of the holy lawes, nor good exposytour
The thyrde is Doctryne, wysdome, and scyence
But that nowe decayeth by slouth and neglygence
+
And if that a man haue cunnynge parfytely%Prouer.xvi.
Labourynge by it to make men leue theyr vyce
The rude commontye shall set no thynge hym by
Therfore we nowe our selfe moste exercyse
In cunnynge to wyn coyne: by blynde Couetyse
Or some other blyndnes and conceytis newe
Whiche neyther sleyth vyce, ne shewyth vs vertue
+
Of bokis is plenty ynoughe in euery place%xciij.de legimus
And some but pore theyr Shoppes haue stuffyd full
But fewe or none haue pleasour nor solace
The same to stody theyr myndes ar so dull
The ryche stodyeth, all, from the pore to pull
Disdaynynge to set his mynde on gode doctryne
For none saue the pore doth nowe therto inclyne
<P 230>
Suche as ar noble and excellent of fame%Prouer.xvi.
To rede in bokes of wysdome haue great scorne%Eccl*s.iij.
The noble and holy lawe this wyse is lame
And wytty Pallas so by the here is torne
I mean that wysdome hir greuous fall doth morne
For they that to hir doctryne moste aply
Can get no laude, but malyce and enuy
+
No mede ne rewarde is gyuen to wysdome%Hiere.xiiij.
Thus is the labour of stody lost in vayne%Ecclesi.viij.
By suche neglygence, alas the tyme is come
That fals Prophetis our holy fayth distayne
They all shall turne if fauour them meyntayne%Ezech.viij.
And if they that preche for mede and vyle rewarde
Shall them supportyth: our case shall be full harde
<L R>
Thenuoy.
<L 11407>
O ye that to Antichrist disciples be
Of fore messangers the chrysten to accloy
Corruptynge the lawes by your iniquyte
Alas what may I vnto you nowe enuoy
Your wycked errour your soules shall destroy
Wherfore I pray you your herte therfro withdrawe
Els shall ye haue $Hell payne destytute of ioy
For none ar saued that corrupt $goddes lawe.
<P 231>
<L R> Of hym that dare nat vtter the trouth for
<L R> fere of displeasour or punysshement.
<L 11415> 
Who euer he be, that for loue, fere or mede
For fauour, thretnynge or suche lyke accydence
Sayth nat the trouth lyke as it is in dede
But stoppeth his mouth, and kepeth so sylence
To please the people allowynge theyr offence
And sparynge theyr fautes, it playnly doth apere
Suche to Antichrist is frende and messanger
<P 232>
Many hath a mynde redy prompt and clere
To knowlege, and to preche the very lawe dyuyne
And to say the trouth lyke as it doth apere
But oft, suche, by flatery or thretenynge declyne%xxxviij.dis.sedulo.
From the way of trouth and verytable lyne
And so holy trouth and godly veryte%Psal.xxxv.
By fere they leue, disdaynynge it to se%Prouer.xxij.
+
Sothly I may say they vnderstonde nat right%Eccl*s.xij.
That for loue or fere: dare nat the trouth expres%Math.x.
But hydeth it away from mannys syght%xi.q.iij.quis.metu.
Doutynge displeasour of them that haue ryches%xl.dis.si.papa.
Thus is the power of wordly wretchydnes%xliij.dis.sit rector.
More in theyr myndes than the commaundement%Actuum.x.
And chefe preceptis of $god omnypotent
+
Why sholde he fere to preche and to expres%xviij.q.iij.Transferunt
The lawes of $god gyuen vnto mankynde
To whome our lorde of his great goodnes
Hath sende chefe gyftis: as reason of his mynde
With wyt and wysdome: the way therof to fynde
To fayne or to lye to hym it is great foly
Whiche hath the reason the trouth to fortyfy
<P.iii.>
+
But for that flaterynge so many doth ouercome%Eccle.iiij.&.xix.
And rewardes, lettyth the trouth for to apere%%xi.q.iij.nemo xxij.q.ii.ne +
quis arbitre.
Therfore the Fole, that sholde say trouth is dum
Hackynge his wordes that no man may them here
And if he knowe that any one is nere
Infect and scabbyd, he dare no worde let slyp
But layeth his fynger anone before his lyp
<P 233>
But suche a wyse man as $Vyrgyll doth discrybe%Virgilius de viro bono.
Is stedfast, fereles, constant farme and stable
Nat lettynge, nor leuynge for fauour, loue, nor brybe
The trouth to shewe, and blame the reprouable
Ponderynge the furour of them that ar culpable
And blamynge the same, playne and openly
For veryte and trouth nat doutynge for to dye
+
The wyse man to vtter the trouth is nat aferde%Juuenalis de thauro phalar.+
Dionisius
Thugh he sholde be closyd within the bull of bras
Of $Phalaris, the tyraunt: or if a naked swerde
Henge ouer his necke his lyfe so to oppres
For he that is wyse perfytely: doutles
Hath so establysshyd his mynde the trouth to say
That daunger of deth can hym no thynge affray
+
No lorde nor man of hye ne lowe degre%Thobie.iiij.
Nor thretnynge wordes, ne other punysshement
Can cause suche one in any poynt to lye%Prouer.xij.
He showyth out the lawes of $god omnypotent
In wordes playne, nat fals ne fraudelent
Nat ferynge to touche the foly and errour
Of Pope nor prelate,  kynge ne emperour
+
Saynt $Johnn the baptyst our lordes messanger%Johannes baptista.
Withdrewe hym selfe into secrete wyldernes
Nat wyllynge amonge the people to apere
For theyr vayne grutchis and wylfull frowardnes
Yet dyd he euer the very trouth expres%xxv.q.ix.c.si.
As true messanger, the worlde to despyse
Therfore had he grace our sauyour to baptyse
<P 234>
He that doth one with pleasaunt worde correct
And colde pacyence that he may condiscende
To lerne the wayes his vyces to abiect%Eccl*s vij.
And take example his lyuynge to amende
Vnto thy wordes though he nat than intende
But the beholde with lokes sharp and harde%Hiere.li.
Yet tyme shall come whan he shall the rewarde
+
If he in hym haue any droppe of grace
He shall conuerte, rewardynge thy counsell
Therfor I say who euer is in that case
For worldly ryches, the trouth nat playne to tell
Puttynge bodely profyte before eternall well
Suche shall dye a Fole blynde and ignoraunt
And may to Antichrist be callyd pursuyuaunt.
<LR>
Thenuoy of $Alexander $Barcly.
<L 11492>
O precher thou deth ought rather to endure
Than for loue, fauour, fere or punysshement
The veryte to cloke, or make the trouth obscure
Or to hyde the lawes of $god omnypotent
And if that any vnto thy deth assent
For prechynge trouth: receyue it paciently
So hath many sayntis theyr blode and lyues spent
Rather than they wolde hyde veryte, or lye
<P 235> 
<LR>
Of folys that withdrawe and let other to do good dedes.
<L 11500>
He that wyll walke in the ryght way of vertue
And worshyp trouth iustyce and rightwysnes
And stody all pleasours mundayne to eschewe
Subduynge the, flesshe and fende with his falsnes
Oft tymes suche one shall fynde contraryousnes
And byde and endure losse with aduersyte
By enuy of the that lewde and wycked be
<P 236>
He is a naturall Fole: and eke a dawe%Math.xvi.
And all his blode corrupt with folysshnes%Marci.viij.
Whiche labours to let, hynder and withdrawe%Prouer.xxiiij.
Good men and iust from dedes of goodnes%Ad.roma.i.
I wyll nat say, but some, there be doutles%Psal.xxxvi.
That assay to folowe good maners and vertue
By stedfast lyfe, all synne for to subdue
+
But than thou fole: with all thy force and myght
Withdrawest hym backwarde full malyciously
Assaynge to hurt his wyll to good and right
Whiche he purposyd to kepe contynually
Thou hym withdrawest: this is the reason why%Prouer.xiiij.
That a Fole hath chefe pleasour and confort
To haue all other lyke hym of the same sort
+
A fole is glad his nomber to augment%Ecclesi.xiiij.
And euer is besy them namely to pursue
To hate and manace with malyce vyolent
Whiche iustly lyue in goodnes and vertue%Ecclesi.xx.
By vyce hym pleasyth, for that doth he insue
A fole fast stodyeth to hym to drawe echone
Lyst he of foly myght bere the name alone
+
He gyueth counsell fals and reprouable
With all his myght to hym attysynge mo
Or els them troublyth by wordes moch vnstable
Whiche ar iust men, euer wyllynge good to do
A prysoner lyenge longe in payne and wo
Hath consolacion and great confort certayne
To haue many mo be partnes of his payne
<P 237>
Therfore if any whiche hath that gyft of grace
For to, despyse this worldes wretchydnes
Withdrawynge hym selfe to some solytary place
Anone this Fole lyuynge in viciousnes%Sapientie.v.
Cryeth out, and blamyth suche parfyte holynes
This iust man condemnynge by wrongfull iugement%Luce.xij.
Bycause his lyuynge is nat after his intent%i.thimo.iiij.
+
Suche frowarde folys all goodnes thus defyle
By wordes iniurious, and oft we here and se
That with suche wordes the good men they reuyle
Saynge one to other, lo yonder same is he
Whiche without make thynketh hym wyse to be
Secretnes he loueth, and theder is he gone
Nought can hym pleas, saue that whiche is alone
+
In $christ and his sayntes he lyueth in dispayre
All worldly pleasour despysynge vtterly
He loueth nat to come in open ayre
But lorkyth in cornes by fals Ipocrysy
But we with our felawes lyue alway merely
And though we in erth oft tymes do amys
Yet hope we hereafter to come to heuyns blysse
+
Who that hym gydeth by reason and wysdome%Math.v.
Folowynge the way of parfyte righwysnes%ij.ad thimno.ij.
Intendynge therby vnto hye heuen to come%Eccl*s.vi.
Shall here suche wordes of foly and lewdnes
Spoken of these folys lyuynge in viciousnes
And no meruayle, for thou shalt neuer se
That synners shall with vertuous men agre
<P 238>
Alas thus conuersacyon worldy or mundayne%xxviij.q.i.sepe.
Is moche noysom, and so great preiudyce
That oft of vertue it maketh man barayne
And hym corruptyth with many a greuous vyce
And synners labour with all theyr myght to attyse
Vnto theyr lyuynge, corrupt and detestable
Suche as of lyuynge ar vertuous and laudable
+
Therfore if vertue, good lyfe and honestye%Luce.xxi.
By thy selfwyllyd, and owne malyciousnes%Prouer.xiiij.
Can nat haue place ne rowme to be in the%Ecclesi.xxxvij.
Yet trouble thou nat by thy vngraciousnes%Hiere.xxxix.
Suche as ar good and lyue in rightwysnes%Ad collo.iij.
Fauour the good, and suffer hym procede
That is in the way of vertue and good dede
<L R>
$Alexander $Barclay to the Folys.
<L 11577>
Amende thy lyfe man: expell thou thy offence
Submyttynge thy selfe vnto the true doctryne
Of godly wysdome ensuynge hir prudence
Wherin is groundyd scripture and lawe dyuyne
But if that thou wylt nat therto inclyne
By thy owne malyce and wylfull frowardnes
Yet hynder them nat, that go after the lyne
Of good instruccion, and vertuous goodnes.
<P 239>
<LR> 
Of the omyssyon or leuynge of good warkes.
<L 11585>
It is nat ynoughe to bere a lampe in hande
But also thou must haue oyle and lyght therin
By whiche saynge: this thynge I vnderstande
That, man nat onely ought for to leue all syn
But also to do good: suche shall heuyn wyn
Heuyns yatis shall be opened to them anone
Whiche do good dedys, after vyce fro them is gone
<P 240>
O hertis of men in wylfull errour drowned
And through neglygence oppressyd sore in payne%Boecius
Though your yll lyuynge hath brought you to the ground%Math.xxv.
Seke the way of helth: and so ryse vp agayne%Luce.xiij.
But playne I se whiche causeth me complayne%Psal.vi.
The myndes of all men beryed in derknes%xii.q.omnis.et.
None feryth punysshement of $goddis rightwysnes
+
Alas mannes lyfe graffyd in synne and vyce
Contynuyth in vylenes, we plunge in the see
Our woundyd hertis: disdaynynge to aryse
Out of the slomber of our iniquyte%Ad hebre.xii. de cle.non resi.relatum.
Alas man it is but small auayle to the
The deuylles lawes, and vyces to eschewe
Without thou withall sue goodnes and vertue
+
So to do good dedes it is a thynge laudable%Luce.xij.de renun.c.i.de eta +
&.qua intelleximus.Math.x.i.q.vij.suggestum.i.reg.xij.
As the Churche of $god to support and meyntayne
In paynge tythes to be true and verytable
And in thy yonge age from vyces to abstayne
Folowynge vertue in dedes true and playne
And nyght and day to set thy mynde and wyll
All other poyntis of the lawe to fulfyll
+
But than in age for to go out of kynde
Thy lyfe defylynge with lewde mysgouernaunce
It lytell auaylyth as I thynke in my mynde
A whyle to lyue well, in suche inconstance
What helpeth it a whyle to haue a short plesance
The stedfast fayth for to folowe by vertue
And nat in he same alway to contynue
<P 241>
At last whan $god shall iuge all mankynde%Math.xxiiij.
And that the trompes sounde shall them vp call%i.ad corin.xiiij.
Vnto his iugement: nat leuynge one behynde
Than shall there be made a count in generall
And eche man shall showe out his dedes all
Bothe great, and small, receyuynge theyr rewarde
Some of great ioy: and some of paynes harde
+
He that wyll there haue ioy of $god almyght
Must haue his Lampe clere and yllumynate
And of gode dedes shewynge abrode the lyght
But whan the Lampe here is voyde or maculate
And in the kyndlynge therof is slowe or late
As wyllynge to do well, whan his lyue dayes ar wore
He often is disceyued, and abusyd right sore
+
He is vnware, and clene without wysdome%xxvi.q.si.presbiter in glo.
That doth no good dedes longynge to charyte
Tyll the extreme houre of bytter deth do come
So moche hopynge, and trustynge euer is he
In hope of recoueraynge from his infyrmyte
That nought he caryth those wordes that $Christ shall say
Sharply to synners at Domys dredefull day
+
But if a wyse man by deth sodaynly fall
Whiche caryth to prepare his ende before he dye%Math.xxv.
His deth ought to be rewed nowght atall%Sapien.iij.
Syth he here hath lyuyd well and vertuously
And sende his good dedes of pyte and mercy
Before deth to make for his soule purueaunce
O well is hym that hath suche remembraunce
<Q.i.>
<P 242>
By vertuous dede to prouyde a place before
With $god in the glorious heuen Imperyall
Where as if lyfe that last shall euer more
Euerlastynge lyght, and ioy perpetuall%Ecclesi.xi.
But that blynde fole shall haue a greuous fall
Whiche nat inclyneth to vertue nor wysdome
Nor any good dede tyll his last ende be come
+
Suche folys hath nought but foly them within
Whiche vnto the ferefull day of iugement%Deutro.viij.
If they sholde lyue, wolde alway lyue in syn%Ad hebre.ij.
Nat dredynge infernall payne ne punysshement%Seneca
But whan this blynde wretche hath thus his dayes sp%Ecclesi.vij.
The grounde hath his Carkas, there his Corps must dwell%Math.xi.
His sory soule beryed in the paynes of hell%Ezech.xxxiij.
+
Alas we folowe mortall thynges here%De.pe.dis.vij.nemo
Vnsure incertayne: and all without wysdome
And as by our folysshe maners doth appere
We despyse prouysyon for the tyme to come
These worldly chargis doth folys thus ouercome
Fewe hath theyr myndes on $god ne gode, stedfast
Thus meruayle nat, if $god despyse them at the last.
<LR>
Thenuoy of the Traslatour.
<L 11669>
O christen soules if ye wyll haue the syght
Of glorious $god in his Royalme celestyall
Whan ye haue syn ouercome by godly myght
Ye most you indeuer to do good dedes withall
<P 243>
The lampe of thy soule clerely bren than shall
And at heuen gates knocke, and thou shalt come in
For that is rewarde, with ioy eternall
To them that do good: fleynge from wretchyd syn
+
But those wretchyd folys whose lampes lackyth lyght
By remysse myndes, slouth, or wylfull neglygence
May nat well clayme of our sauyour to haue syght
Nor to haue Rowme or place in his presence
Therfore to my wordes, o man gyue aduertence
Do vertuous dedes, and also vyce refrayne
Than without dout for this thy hye prudence
Thou shalt in heuen a glorious place obtayne
<P 244>
<L R>
Of the rewarde of wysdome
<Q.ii>
<L 11685>
Two wayes lyeth before eche mannys syght
Of the whiche wayes man nedys one must holde
The one lyeth leftwarde, the other lyeth right
At whose ende we oft may se a crowne of golde
But at the leftis, ende, ar erys many folde
In sygne of Foly, and many folys be
Whiche leftwarde go, sekynge captyuyte
<P 245>
O Folys of pardon I you requyre and pray
And vnto you I shall also gyue the same%Prouer.xvi.
Take no displeasour with that that I shall say%Math.vij.
And though my balade your maners touche or blame.%Job.xxvij.
Nowe shall I wryte what laude what mede and fame%Tobie.iiij.
Ar gyuen to wysdome vertue and rightwysnes
And what is rewarde moste mete for viciousnes
+
Many ar whiche greatly desyreth an hye name%xl.dis.c.si.
And famous honour, or tytyll of dignyte
Some ar desyrous, to spred abrode theyr fame
To be callyd Doctours, or maysters of degre%Vide.glo.xliij.dis.insum.
Moste clere in wysdome of the vnyuersyte
But these names coueyt they nat for this intent
The christen to infourme, that of wyt ar indigent
+
Nor in holy doctrine them self to occupy%xlvi.dis.habet.hoc de ma.et obe. humilis.
As in scripture or lawes of $Christ our sauyour
Or other godly techynge our fayth to fortyfy%viij.q.i.qualis
But onely they ar drawen and led to this errour
For desyre of fame, vayne lawde, and great honour
Suche walke in the way that is on the left syde
On rockes and clyffis and hyghe mountayns of pryde
+
They leue the right way of goodnes and vertue
Of iustyce and wysdome, hauynge no thought atall
Howe they myght ignoraunt myndes with them endue
And fede them with that sauour delycious and royall
And other with theyr wordes hye and retorycall
Theyr sentences paynt in fauour for to come
Or therby to purchace a name of hye wysdome
<P 246>
But sothly all worldly wysdome and prudence%Abdie.i.
Vsyd here in erth, is before $god almyght%Ad corin.i.
Of none effect, and all wordly scyence
Is but as foly in that hye lordes syght
Thus many one byleue that they go right
And towarde the right hande vnto the way of helth
By theyr vayne pleasours, lust and worldly welth
+
They suppose to walke in the way of rightwysnes
Whiche bryngeth man by gode labour contynuall
Vnto the endles ioy, and seat of blessydnes%Judith viii(?)
Of the hye kyngdome and place celestyll%Actuum.xiiij.
But neuertheles, ignoraunt foly with hir pall
So blyndeth theyr myndes, that they nat vnderstande
Mean to kepe duly the path on the right hande
+
That way is harde, streyght, and full of diffyculte%Luce.xiij.
Whiche mankynde ledyth to the heuenly regyon
But that way is brode, easy and playne to se
Which ledeth man to $Hellys depe donygon
Therfore thou must stablysshe thy intencion
(If thou wylt be partyner of heuenly ioy and chere)
To despyse vayne pleasour whyle thou art lyuynge here
+
Thou art vnwyse, if that thou set thy thought
To wyn heuenly ioy by worldly pleasour
Or to take that thynge whiche thou neuer bought
Or aske rewarde where thou dyd no labour
And surely he whiche lyueth in errour
Folowynge his foly in vyce without all shame%Ecclesi.vij.
Shall haue iust rewardes accordynge to the same
<P 247>
Also the wyse that lyueth rightwysely
Shall nat depart without rewarde and mede
But be rewardyd right well and worthely
With gyftis of heuen, whiche sothly shall excede
In valour, all the worlde in lenght and brede
This ioy that I of speke, so passynge in valour
Is the holy presence of $Christ our sauyour
+
So $Plato dyd folysshe company eschewe
And all other folyes procedynge of the same%Plato de quo hiero in prologo biblie.
Walkynge in the way of goodnes and vertue
Wherby he wan, laude and immortall fame
But nowe worldly wysdome hath so corrupt the name
That none it makyth happy vertuous nor wyse
But hym that with hert and mynde doth it despyse
<LR>
Thenuoy of $Alexander $Barcly.
<L 11762>
Lerne man, lerne, wysdome to vnderstonde
For trust me though that the way of viciousnes
And dedely synne, lyenge on the left hande
Seme full of pleasour and wanton lustynes
At the ende is dolour wo and wretchydnes
Mysery vexacion and euerlastynge payne
And if sodayne deth in this way the: oppres
To late shall it be for retourne agayne
+
Auoyde thou therfore this left and frowarde way
For a short pleasour take nat eternall payne
Go on the right hande in as moche as thou may
And whan thou art there retourne thou nat agayne
<P 248>
And though the path be nat moche smothe and playne
But full of sharpe thornes whiche shall the hurte and noy
Yet at the ende, thou shalt come to certayne
A heuenly castell replete with myrth and ioy
<P 249>
<LR>
Of the despysynge of mysfortune.
<L 11778>
He is a fole and greatly reprouable
Whiche seyth and felyth suerly in his mynde
That all his dedes ar moche infortunable
And where euer he go agaynst hym is the wynde
But in his mysfortune yet is he so blynde
That he is improuydent, abydynge wyllyngly
Despysynge (thoughe he myght) for to fynde remedy
<P 250>
The greuous fallys of men from theyr degre%in auten de non alie. aut per ec. +
col.ii.
The frayle chaunsys, and aduersyte sodayne
And of vnsure fortune the mutabylyte
Whiche we se dayly, shewyth vnto vs playne%Prouer.xi.
That in all thynges that to men apertayne%Sapien.iiij.
Is no constance, trust or confydence
Nor sure degre, or stable permanence
+
For these vayne thynges the whiche we outwarde se%Tullius
Syns they ar so caduke in condicion frayle%Seneca
Can none make perfyte in true felycyte
But that somtyme he may fynde cause to wayle%Horatius in arte.
Nor no man by preuate wysdome or counsayle
Nor strength, or labour can make a warke so fast
But that it shall perysshe and decay at the last
+
But here I purpose of suche a Fole to wryte%ff.de nona con mor.l.senatus.
To whom eche fortune is aduers and contrary
And yet hath he chefe pleasour and delyte%C.de neg.ges.l.iiij.
With all his mynde and herte for to apply
To thynges of fortune, that contynually
Of cruell chauncis he hath but lytell hede%Hiere.li.
Trustynge afterwarde moche better for to spede%Ezech.xxvi.
+
He is nat ware, but bare without wysdome
That can nat consyder surely in his mynde
That whan one yll is past: as bad may after come
If he hym ieparde to suche lyke storme and wynde
Let suche nat thynke it thynge against kynde
Nor any meruayle if theyr shyp without ore
Mast or sayle, be drownyd rent and tore
<P 251>
If any mysfortune happen on the to fall%ff.como.l.si vt.
At the begynnynge of thynge that thou wolde do
If thou go farther may fortune that thou shall
Haue after that same, other yllys many mo
For wyse men sayth, and oft it fallyth so
As it is wryten and sayd of many one
That one myshap fortuneth neuer alone
+
An yll fortune growyth alway more and more
The ende oft is greuous: and euer vncertayne
And if thou hast had one mysfortune before
Another lyke sone, may after fall, agayne
Thou mayst se example before the clere and playne
By dyuers changes whiche playnly thou mayst se
By fallys contynuall, full of aduersyte
+
Thus fortune floweth oft synkynge at the last
And playne shall perysshe if thou the space abyde
Thus happy is he that is of mynde stedfast
Doynge his deuoyr the same ay to prouyde%Prouer.viij.
So muste he do whiche hath desyre to abyde
In suertye and rest: for dayly thou mayst se
Howe ferefull fortune sodaynly crepys on the
+
Who that dare auenture or ieparde for to rowe%Ecclesi.xliij.
Vpon the se swellynge by wawes great and hye%Prouer.xxiij.et.xxx.
In a weyke vessell, had nede that wynde sholde blowe
Styll, soft, and cawme, lyst that he, fynally%Luce.xviij.
And also his shyp: stande in great ieopardy
Throwyn with the flodes on the se depe and wyde
And drowned at the last: or rent the syde fro syde
<P 252>
And also he whiche hath no craft nor skyll
And dare auenture on the wylde se to rowe
By his rasshe mynde his mad brawne and self wyll
No meruayle is if the wawes hym ouer flowe
And if he than escape and be nat clene ouerthrowe%Luce.viij.
If he after dare ieoparde hym selfe agayne
To the same peryll: he is a fole certayne
+
But he is wyse, and so men may hym call%Ecclesi.iij.
Whiche hath nat alway his trust and confydence%Esaie.xxiij.
In vnsure fortune and chaunsys inequall%Soph.ij.
And of the same can beware by prudence%Job.iiij.
That man is haphy, and shall fle the violence%Sapien.xiiij.
And furour of the see, though it moche rughly moue
And with his shyp enter the heuenly port aboue
<LR>
Thenuoy &c.
<L 11855>
Beware of mysfortune, ye men, in that ye may
And in that thynge that comyth vnfortunate
Procede nat: but your mynde drawe ye away
And if by good fortune that ye be eleuate
To some hye rowme conuenyent for a state
Whyle ye ar there, ye ought you euen to bere
For myshape prouydynge both erly and late
And than if it come ye nede nat greatly fere
+
We haue late sene some men promotyd hye
For whose sharpnes all men fered theyr name
But for they toke on them than theyr degre
Myght nat support: they fell down in great shame
<P 253>
But well myght they haue contynued without blame
If they had kept them within theyr boundes well
By right and iustyce: but oft full yll they frame
That wyll be besy with to hye thynges to mell
<P 254>
<LR>
Of bacbyters of good men & of them y%t shal disprayse this warke.
<L 11871>
Oft so it hapneth that he that is vnwyse
With his lewde tunge, and mouth full of enuy
Doth wyse men and iust sclaunder and despyse
About the Cattis necke suche men a bell doth tye
Thynkynge that theyr dedes may be kept secretely
And to haue no name therof they  thynke echone
But yet the dogge cryeth, stryken with the bone
<P 255>
Nowe shall wyse men enioy and haue pleasaunce%Prouer.i.
With inwarde myrth and also outwarde sport%Ecclesi.vij.
With mery lokes of chere and of countenaunce%Ecclesi.xxi.
Seynge that we haue gathred so great a sort
Of folys in one boke: To rede to theyr confort
The wyse men shall enioy: and they that loue vertue
That we by craft haue forged this Nauy newe
+
Our shyp sayleth nat abrode vnto presence
Vnto the rebuke of vertuouse men and wyse
For in suche is small faut, synne, or offence
Wherfore no man ought them blame or despyse
We coueyte nat to perysshe theyr fame in any wyse
But pray $god in ioy to contynue them a lyue
And that yll lyuers may mende, or neuer thryue
+
Amende may they well if they lyst to take hede
For here haue we gyuen them holsome medecyne
To rule theyr lyfe, also we haue in dede
Vnto them gyuen, of maners, good doctryne
Who lyst them to rede, and to them to inclyne
If he be wyse: he shall auoyde doutles
The clowdes of synne: and nettis of folysshnes
+
Suche I commende as ar worthy great honour
But other be whiche sore I hurt and blame
By my wrytynge: for theyr mysbehauour
Syns that of Folys they well deserue the name
Yet may they nat (without theyr owne great shame)
Disprayse my wrytynge boldly by any way
Nor rasshly yll wordes ayenst the same to say
<P 256>
Yet doubt I nat: but surely knowe it well
That some shall be whiche ayenst my wrytynge
With harde and frowarde wordes shall rebell
And it contynue, and hurt in euery thynge
But if that suche be wyse men and cunnynge
They shall my youth pardone, and vnchraftynes
Whiche onely translate, to eschewe ydelnes
+
But if some other be troubled by enuy
As brybours to barke agaynst my besynes
They ought to cesse, for my boke certaynly
I haue compyled, for vertue and goodnes
And to reuyle foule synne and viciousnes
At first begynnynge lyke as I toke the charge
Requyrynge pardon if I haue ben to large
+
To wryte playne trouth was my chefe mynde and wyll
But if any thynke that I hyt hym to nere
Let hym nat grutche but kepe hym coy and styll
And clawe were it itchyth so drawynge hym arere
For if he be hasty, it playnly shall apere
That he is fauty, gylty, and culpable
So shall men repute hym worthy of a bable
+
But be they angry or be they well apayde
This thynge oft prouyd is by experyence
He that is gylty thynketh all that is sayde
Is spokyn of hym, and touchynge his offence
I fele well the hyssynge and malyuolence
Of some enuyours whiche doth my warke disdayne
But my playne Balade comfortyth me agayne
<P 257>
Suche Folys namely agaynst my boke shall barke
As nought haue in them but synne and viciousness
Leuynge all besynes vertuous and good warke%Horatius in arte.
And gyuynge them selfe to slouth and ydylnes
$Horace the poet doth in his warke expres
That both wyse and unwyse dyuers warkes wryte
Some to gode: and pleasour, and some but small profyte
+
But if my warke be nat moche delactable
Nor gayly payntyd with termys of eloquence
I pray that at lest it may be profytable
To brynge men out of theyr synne and olde offence
Into the noble way of good intellygence
I care nat for folysshe bacbyters, let them passe
The swete Cymball is no pleasour to an asse
+
Melodyous myrth to bestis is vncouthe
And the swete graffis of wysdome and doctryne
Sauoureth no thynge within a folys mouthe
Whiche to the same disdayneth to inclyne
Cast precious stones or golde amonges swyne
And they had leuer haue dreggis fylth or chaffe
No meruayle: for they: were norysshed vp with draffe
<R.i.>
+
Therfore o reders I you exort and pray
Rede ouer this warke well and intentyfly
Expell hye mynde, put statelynes away
Barke nat therat: loke nat theron awry
With countenaunce pale expressynge your enuy
If ought be amysse: of that take ye no hede
Tend to the best than shall ye haue the mede
<P 258>
Be pleased withall, and if that ye ought fynde
Nat ordred well, and as it ought to be
Whiche may displeas or discontent your mynde
In wantonnes, or in to and grauyte
Or sharply spoken with to great audacyte
Vnto your correccion all hole I do submyt
If ought be amys it is for lacke of wyt.
<LR>
Thenuoy of $Barclay.
<L 11969>
Ye folys enuyous detractynge eche good dede
Expell your malyce, and, yre, and ougly syn
And to your selfe, and your owne warke take hede
Howe yll infect and foule ye ar within
Correct your selfe: so sholde ye first begyn
And than teche other to vertue to aply
And nat by malyce on them to grutche and gryn
Or behynde theyr backe them sclaunder by enuy
<P 259>
<LR>
Of immoderate vylenes, in maners, vsyd at the table.
<L 11977>
It is thynge laufull: and nat vncommendable
To touche the yll maners, the foule and lothsome wayes
Whiche dyuers folys nowe vsyth at the table
Whiche ar so past all shame, that nowe a dayes
But fewe or none, there honest wordes sayes
Of pleasaunt norture they haue no care nor hede
But bestely intende as swyne theyr wombe to fede
<P 260>
I thought that I had fyllyd suffyciently%Prouer.xiiij. & xiij.(1570)
This boke with folys: and men persuynge syn%Psal.lxviij.(1570)
And endyd my rebukes: but yet one company%Ecclesi.xxix.(1570)
(Of other folys doth) vnto my nauy ryn%i.Corin.x.(1570)
Cryeng with lowde voyce: captayne abyde, haue in%Ecclesi.x.(1570)
I kest an Anker: and restynge at that worde
Sende forth a bote: them to receyue abrode
+
But vnderstonde ye what company they be:
I you ensure that fewe of all the sort%iiij.dist.denique (1570)
Ar gyuen greatly to disceyt or sotylte
In couetyse, or gayne haue fewe of them comfort
But they echone that to this shyp resorte%Esay xxviij,lxiiij,dist.c.i.(1570)
Ar lothsome Folys of norture clene pryuate
Fedynge at theyr mete: euyn after swynys rate
+
In shamefull vse: voyde of all shamefastnes
All theyr hole dedes: ar without reuerence
But lyke to vnresonable bestis in vylenes
Bytwene them and swyne as lytell difference
They spare no coyne, no coste, nor yet expence
But brede, and mete, dayntyes, bere, ale, and wyne
They drynke, and deuour, lyke wyse as it were swyne
+
The first of this sort whome I intende to blame%ff.de. ori.in.li.Math.xv.+
Actuum.vi.xliiij.dis pro reuerentia de con dis.v.in omnibus. Plinius +
li.xiiij.circa finem.
Ar suche as intende theyr lothsome wombe to fede
Or theyr face be wasshyd or handes: and the same
Do they or they say theyr Aue, or theyr Crede
As for theyr Pater noster: of it take they no hede
And for the great gyftis that they of $god obtayne
They render no gracis ne thankes to hym agayne
<P 261>
Theyr lyppis ar foule, dryuelynge on euery syde
Within theyr handes is vyle fylth and ordure
Theyr noses droppynge, in vylenes is theyr pryde
Theyr iyen rawky, and all theyr face vnpure
By suche vylenes disfygure they nature
Theyr chekis dyrty: Theyr tethe by rustynes
Blacke, foule, and rottyn, expressyth theyr vylenes
+
No honestye, maner, norture nor clenlynes
Is in these wretchys, for they the same disdayne
He is kynge of dronkardes and of dronkenes%c.a crapula de vi.et ho.cle.+
Horatius in epistolis. Percius.
Reputyd of them: the whiche is moste vylayne
As gruntynge and drynkynge, rebokynge vp agayne
And that can excyte his felawes to glotony
Techynge them the bowles and pottis to occupy
+
Some drynkes: some quaxes the canykyn halfe full
And some all out, chargynge hym in suche wyse
That the wyne semyth for to ryue his skull
That he hath no power from the borde to ryse
Than bokes he all vp after the comon gyse
(So longe he drynkyth) yet other haue no shame
Seynge all the table couered with the same
+
Than drynke they about, euery fole to other
In order: but he that doth forsake the pot
Shall no more be taken as felawe frende and brother
But cast out of company, callyd fole and sot
The other stryue drynkynge, echone by lot
It nought auayleth these caytyfs to reuyle
Shewynge howe this vse theyr soulys doth defyle
<P 262>
It weryeth the bodye, by anger and syknes%de reli.& ve.san.c.i.xxxv.dis +
luxuriosa. Ecclesi.xxxi.
Styrynge it to wrath, to fyghtynge and varyaunce
Nought is wors than contynuall dronkenes
For dyuers sores, great sekenes and greuaunce
Procedyth therof by longe contynuaunce
It lowsyth the body, troublynge eche ioynt and vayne%Osee.iiij.
The wyt it wastyth, blyndynge the mynde and brayne
+
O cursyd maners, o vse abhomynable%Luce.xxxi.
O bestelynes, agaynst nature humayne%Prouer.xij.&.xxij.
Whether is become the reuerence of the table
The moderate honour of it is lost agayne
Where is Curius and abstynence souerayne%Curius
Where is olde Persymony wont to be so gode
Where is the olde mesure of mannys lyfe and fode
+
Where is the bryght worshyp therof nowe become
Where is the clenlynes, and maners euerychone
Of the borde or table, vsed amonge some
Of our fore Faders that nowe ar dede and gone
But we vse nought but bestelynes alone
In worde and dede corrupt with vylany
In stede of good talkynge vse we rybawdry
+
Gone is the honour and costomes moderate
Mesure is despysyd: ryght so is honestye
With hye and lowe: both pore man and estate%Luce.xiiij.
Yet at the table another vse we se%Prouer.xxv.
Whiche is vnlaufull, and ought nat vsed be%Leuit.xix.
That folys at the borde haue oft the hyest stage
The boy lokes to syt before a man of age
<P 263>
Thus is no order obseruyd at the table%Iusti de iu.
Honestye hath the hyest place no more%na.glo.fi.& Iusti de bo.poss.de +
offi.cus.c.i.
But eche man is reputyd honorable
After his ryches, his treasour and his store
The vyle Churle shall syt and drynke before
Thus at the table is gyuen all honour
Nat after vertue, but after vayne treasour
+
To mannys maners no respect they haue
They take gode and yll almoste indifferently
A gentyl man somtyme is set beneth a knaue
Without honestye, and moche vnreuerently
But whan these bestis hath set them selfe thus hye%Irreuerentia mense
In handlynge or tastynge, mete, bere, ale, or wyne
Them selfe behaue they moche bestelyer than swyne
+
One swalloweth into his throte a soppe or twayne
Another drunkard, goth to, so hastely
That all together he castyth vp agayne
Another with fyngers foule and vnmanerly
Tossyth vp the mete, or lyftyth it a hye
Vnto his foule nose holdynge it to wete
If it may lyke hym: and if the sent be swete
+
Some drynketh, the lycour on euery syde rennynge
Of his vyle mouth pollute: foule and horryble
Some whan the cuppis ar empty hyely synge
Some voyde mo cuppis than man wolde thynke possyble
And other some, galons: so that theyr ioyntis ar feble
They vomytynge agayne, rorynge vnmanerly
Troublynge the ayre, with barkynge, noyse and cry
<P 264>
Some synge, and reuell as in $bacchus sacryfyce
As rauysshyd with furour, whiche $Bacchus doth blynde
Theyr myndes: attysynge them vnto euery vyce
And loke whome this sort moste vngoodly can fynde
He shall the borde haue ruled by his mynde
He brastyth a glasse or cup at euery worde
So that the drynke ouercouereth all the borde
+
Some pull from theyr felawes with hande rauysshynge
And from that mease that nere to them doth syt
They taste the swettest and best of euery thynge%Sardanapalus
Thus $Sardanapalus: whiche onely dyd commyt%Iusti.li.i.
His mynde to vyle lust: without reason or wyt
Hath nowe many felawes: whome lust, corrupt and vyle
Fedyth and whome lackynge of mesure doth defyle
+
Suche ar best pleasyd with thynges Immoderate
But what man can wryte all vylenes of the table
And all the folyes vsyd in dyuers rate%de sepul.certificari.Persius.
Syns wyse men lyue nat all in way semblable
Theyr lyuynge and maners ar greatly varyble
For euery Nacyon at table hathe his gyse
Some we commende, and other some despyse
+
The $grekis $Latyns, and the men of $Almayne
In theyr behauour many other thynges vse
Agaynst the vse of $Englonde, $Fraunce or $spayne
The $Turkes and $Paynyms haue also in them mysuse
And men of $ynde these wayes afore, refuse
Hauynge other maner: yet other them despyce
Thus euery Nacion lyuynge hath his gyse
<P 265>
Mennys maners ar moche dyuers and varyable%Terencius
Theyr wyll vnlyke in pleasour and solace%Quintilianus 
Eche royalme hath fedynge dyuers at the table%li.ii.ff.de treb.quia poterat.
And dyuers is theyr lyfe almost in euery place
Yet ought they all with herte and mynde to embrace
Wyse talkynge, and maners longynge to honeste
Auoydynge foule wordes, and bestyalyte
+
The swynes lyuynge we all ought to eschewe%Prouer.xxx.
In worde and dede we ought to auoyde excesse%Ad collo.iij.
With communycacion, of goodnes, and vertue$Thobie.ij.
Folowynge the way of honest clenlynesse
And with all our herte, our mynde, and lowe mekenes
Yelde thankes and gracis to $god omnypotent
For suche goodes, as he: vnto vs hath sent
+
We ar nat borne into this worlde here%Esaie.li.
Alway to ete, as bestis vnresonable
And euery houre: to vse suche bestely chere%i.ad thess.ii & v. Aris.ii.de +
anima Eccle*s.v.
Ouerchargynge nature by vse abhomynable
But to refresshe vs by wayes mesurable
Our lyfe and body togyder to preserue
And hour of melys, by dyete to obserue
+
That mete and drynke shall do all men moste gode
That is receyued without superflue exces
To confort the body, and to norysshe the blode
Our soule is a spyryt as scripture doth expres 
Wherfore it may nat rest in place of drynes%xxxij.q.ii.moyses
So must we our blode norysshe and meyntayne
For in the same our spyryte doth remayne
<P 266>
But in euery thynge is ordre and mesure%Horatius glo.iusti per quis:per +
non ac in prin.
By to great exces, and superfluyte
The soule and lyfe, may by no mean indure
And in lyke wyse by to great scarsyte
But this we fynde that many one, mo dye%Ecclesi.xxxviij.
By glotony, excesse, and lyuynge bestyall
Than by hunger, knyfe, or deth naturall
+
In lordes courtis were wont vsyd to be%Curialitas antiqua.
Gode maners, worthy, honest and commendable
Wherby all other myght lerne honestye
But nowe ar the maners there no thynge laudable
But corrupt, and foule, but namely at the table
In dronken glotony is theyr chefe, sport and game
And rybaude wordes without all fere and shame
+
Norture fro them by suche vyce is exyled
Theyr olde name, and fame of honestye
Ar vnder fote, so worshyp is exylyd
Nat onely from the court and men of hye degre
But also from the symple comontee
Both yonge and olde, vsyth suche excesse
At tables, without maners of honest clenlynes.
<LR>
Thenuoy of $Barclay.
<L 12173>
Ye men vnmanerde, to whome intellygence
And wysdome ar gyuen, by the Prynce celestyall
It is to you shame, that no maner difference
Is bytwene your lyfe, and maners, bestyall
And that at the table in chefe and pryncypall
It is an olde saynge that man ought of dutye
Behaue hym on hyll, lyke as he wolde in hall
Vsynge and accostomynge hym to honestye
<P 267>
<LR>
Of folys disgysyd with vysers and other counterfayte apparayle.
<L 12181>
$Democritus laughed to scorne and dyd despy-se
These folysshe games and worldly vanyte
And suche folys as oft them selfe disgyse
By counterfayt vysers exprssynge what they be
But other wyse $Cynicus a man of grauyte
Oft tyme bewayled the bytter and harde chaunce
Seynge in the worlde of folys suche abundaunce
<P 268>
If $Democritus sholde nowe agayne be borne
Or in our tyme, if he lyued: doutles%Prouer.xiiij.
He sholde, the men nowe lyuynge laugh to scorne%Juuenalis l.si.quis.c.de.pe +
plinius li.vij.Solinus.Crassus.
For theyr dyuers synnes and wylfull folysshenes
And $Crassus also, for all his great sadnes
Sholde laugh to scorne, our folysshe lyfe and wayes
Thoughe he neuer laughed but onys in all his dayes
+
But namely sholde he laughe: if that he myght se%de.vi.& ho.cle.c.cum decorem.
The wayes of men in this our tyme lyuynge
Howe they with vysers dayle disgysed be
Them selfe difformynge almost in euery thynge
Whan they ar disgysyd to them it is semynge
That no syn is gret: nor soundynge to theyr shame
Syns theyr foule vysers therof can cloke the fame
+
To euery yll: theyr lewde lyfe doth them drawe
They wander ragynge more madly in theyr vyce
Than doth suche people as forsake $goodes lawe
Whan to theyr ydols they make theyr sacrifyce
Whose names to tell as for nowe I despyse
But as for these Folys, arayed in theyr rage
They kepe almost euyn suche lyke vsage
+
The one hath a vyser vgly: set on his face
Another hath on, vyle counterfayte vesture
Or payntyth his vysage with fume in suche case
That what he is hym selfe is skantly sure
Another by pryde his wyt hath so obscure
To hyre the busshe of one that late is dede
Therwith to disgyse his folys dotynge hede
<P 269>
Some counterfayte theyr tethe in a straynge wyse
Some for a mocke hath on gowne of whyte
And other some in straunge londes gyse
Aray them selfe, eche after his delyte
And other some besyde theyr vayne habyte
Defyle theyr faces: so that playne trouth to tell
They ar more fowle, than the blacke Deuyll of hell
+
Than cary they theyr instrumentis musycall%Eccle.xxv.
About: of theyr louers wyllynge to be sene
And theyr wanton hertis for to disceyue withall
But happy is she that can her selfe kepe clene
From these mad folys: for all that euer they meane
Is vnder theyr deuyls clothynge as they go
The deuyllys workes for to commyt also
+
They disceyue myndes chaste and innocent
With dyuers wayes whiche I wyll nat expres
Lyst that whyle I labour this cursyd gyse to stynt
I myght to them mynyster example of lewdnes
And therfore in this part I shall say les
Than doth my actour: and that in dyuers clauses
Whiche is nat done without suffycyent causes
<S.i.>
+
Many one whiche hath nat done amys%In auten de sau. epi.col.ix.
All the hole yere: but kept hym from all vyce
Fallyth vnto synne: whan this disgysynge is
For some in baudy wordes them exercyce%C. de epi.et cle.l.minime.
To $venus warkes yonge wymen to attyce
But all theyr maners: if that I sholde shewe playne
It were to longe: and labour without gayne
<P 270>
These folys that them selfe disgyseth thus
In theyr lewde gestis doth outwarde represent
The frowarde festis of the Idoll $Saturnus%Saturnalis compitalitia. +
Mammurius faber.
And other disceytfull, goddes and fraudelent
Or els rather: forsoth in myne intent
That they ar wyckyd spiritis I byleue
Sende out of hell (to erth) mankynde to greue
+
With dyuers fassyons they hyde the same vysage%C. de pe.l.si.quis de cri.+
fol.ad audientiam.
Whiche $god hath made vnto his owne lykenes
And gyuen to $Adam and all his hole lynage
For to remember his excellent goodnes
But these lewde wretchys by theyr folysshnes
Defylyth nature, hauynge a chefe pleasaunce
For to disfygure theyr shape and countenaunce
+
Yet haue they no fere of $god: ne drede of shame
Them selfe to disfygure this wyse agaynst kynde
But besyde this: some them selfe fayneth lame%De con.dist.v.fucare.
Some counterfayt them as they were fully blynde
And yonge gentylmen wyll nat abyde behynde
Some them disgyse euyn as the other do
And so go forth as folys amonge the mo
+
Some goeth on four disfourmed as a bere
Some fayne them croked, and some impotent
Some with theyr fyngers theyr iyen abrode blere
And yet that is wors: and worthy punysshement
These folys disgysed moste set theyr intent
On hyest dayes, and most solemne also
In suche disfygured maner for to go
<P 271>
As is $christis feste or his Natyuyte%de con.dis.v.quadragesima
At Ester, and most speciall at wytsontyde
Whan eche creature sholde best disposyd be
Settynge all worldly vanytees asyde
Than $Venus stryfes accompanyed with pryde
Ar led by daunsynge, and other them disgyse
These holy festis alas thus they despyse
+
Whan the bytter passyon of $Christ our sauyour
Sholde be remembred: these wretchyd folys ryn
To theyr disgysynge, vanyte and errour
To seke occasyon therby of dedely syn
Thus lytell they coueyt the heuenly ioy to wyn
With $Crist our sauyour alas suche ryse to late
For worldly synne them holdyth in one state
+
Therfore let these Folys auoyde this mad mysuse
And folowe the right way of vertuous grauyte
Let them these lewde disgysynges clene refuse
For nought is therin: saue worldly vanyte
It is vnlefull, It can none other be
Where $god made man eche creature to excell
Than man to make hym selfe a deuyll of hell
+
I haue harde that a certayne man was slayne
Beynge disgysyd as a Fowle fende horryble
Whiche was anone caryed to hell payne
By suche a fende. whiche is nat impossyble
It was his right it may be so credyble
For that whiche he caryed with hym away
Was his vysage: and his owne leueray
<P 272>
<LR>
Thenuoy of $Alexander $Barclay.
<L 12300>
Man be content with thy owne nature
As $god hath made the of shape and countenaunce
Diffourme nat thy body, thy vysage of fygure
Nor yet in vesture: in play, disgyse or daunce
Art thou nat made to $goddes owne semblaunce
Than certaynely thou art greatly to blame
By the blynde pryde of thy mysgouernaunce
Presumptuously to counterfayt the same
<P 273>
<LR>
The descripcion of a wyse man.
<L 12308>
A man that is gode: endued with sapience%Prouer.viij.et xxvij.
Repreuyth dedys nat good ne commendable
He chastyseth wordes: wherof myght growe offence%Sapientie.vi.
And that to the ere haue sounde abhomynable%Ecclesi.x.
But vnto the soule his wordes ar profytable
He techyth vertue: hauynge inwarde regarde
To his owne dedys: or he procede forwarde
<S.iii.>
<P 274>
He auoydeth all yll and worldly vanyte
Sekynge and louynge the harde way of goodnes
And his hole lyfe in that way ordreth he
In euery thynge auoydynge great excesse
The noble $virgyll in wrytynge doth expresse
A wyse man describynge his poyntis nere echone
What maner man, in our tyme lyueth none
+
Of $Socrates the hyghe maieste souerayne%Socrates.
In this part had the hyghest degre
And went moste nere the hye name to attayne
For in his maners and lyuynge lyke was he
To suche a man: as we may wryten se
In the crafty Poesye of excellent $virgyll
This worthy $Socrates was ruler of his wyll
+
Within his boundys kepynge alway the same
He holly of hymselfe dependyd stedfastly
So constant and parfyte that none coude hym blame
Except it were by malyce and enuy
He was prouydent: gode and eche thynge wolde aply
Vnto the best: nat doynge to any creature
But that: whiche gladly he wolde agayne indure
+
And euery man that is in suche case
Of this goodnes to kepe the godly way%Seneca epista.C.v.
Within his herte hath many gyftis of grace
Shynynge as bryght as is the sonny day%Tullius.in para.
His owne dedes doth he iuge by rightwyse way
Nat carynge for the grutches of the rude commonte
Takynge euyn lyke welth and aduersyte
<P 275>
By his prouysyon he euer is safe and sure
From outwarde thynges his mynde doth he abstayne
He hath no brybes of any creature
To fauour syn, or yll men to meyntayne%Ecclesi.iij.
He uer is fre: lyberall: true and playne
With stedfast mynde, he vayne desyre doth hate%Sapientie.vi.
Desyrynge no thynge: but that is moderate%Ecclesi.vi.
+
He all is foundyd is parfyte stablenes%Prouer.x.
Nat gyuynge hym selfe to rest in any wyse%Ecclesi.xviij.
Before he can by good prouysion dresse
All thynge that to his lyuynge may suffyce
A pryuat profyte, he alway doth despyse
In respect of the wele of a hole comonte
Conioynynge thynge honest with his vtylyte
+
He euery day doth some thynge, great or small
Aparteynynge to goodnes, laude and honestye%Eccl*s.xij.
O wolde $god that suche fortune myght vs fall%Ecclesi.xxxvij.
That in this our tyme, suche men myght with vs be
And that men endued with wyt and grauyte
Myght teche the same, to magnyfy doctryne
And that the ignoraunt wolde to theyr lore inclyne
+
We ought nat sothly to meruayle in this case%Eccl*s.i.
That of the folysshe folke a sort innumerable
Multyplyeth thus almoste in euery place
The cause is playne, for certis without fable%Prouer.iiij.
Wysdome is banysshed, as thynge nat profytable
Out of the worlde with woundes on euery syde
We graunt no place to hir with vs to byde
<P 276>
Who that wyll labour in this our wretchyd tyme%Eccl*s.x.
To lyue in wysdome vertue and goodnes%Easie.v.
Is clene dispysyd of them that lyue in cryme
Gyuen to all synne and all vnthryftynes
They call hym folysshe, rude and full of madnes%Prouer.xxix.
But he that can fraude crafty: and gylefull wayes
Hath name of nobles, and wysdome nowe adayes
+
Gode $Aristydes for all his rightwysenes%Aristides
In this our tyme sholde nat be of great pryse%Curius
$Fabricius and $Curius, for all theyr hye goodnes%Fabricius
Sholde be despysyd: and $Cato sad and wyse
Sholde nowe be mocked of suche as lyue in vyce%Prouer.i.
For it is sayde, and prouyd true and verytable%Sapien.v.
That folys hath no pleasour but onely in they bable
+
Of noble $Plato: what sholde the sect dyuyne
Do amonge men that nowe adayes ar borne
They sholde for all theyr wysdome and doctryne
Of suche folys be laughed vnto scorne
And if they trouth vttred: be all to rent and torne
For the lawde and glory of this tyme nowe present
Ar gyuen vnto folys: men fals and fraudelent
+
The company of men that lackyth wyt
Is best exaltyd (as nowe) in euery place
And in the chayr, or hyest rowme shall syt
Promotynge none: but suche as sue theyr trace
They ryches thynke moste speciall gyft of grace
But whan a Fole is thus become a state
He shall with his foly good myndes violate
<P 277>
If the noble royalme of $Englonde wolde auaunce%Anglie defectus
In our dayes: men of vertue and prudence
Eche man rewardynge after his gouernaunce
As the wyse with honour and rowme of excellence
And the yll with greuous payne for theyr offence
Than sholde our famous laude of olde obtayned
Nat bene decayed, oppressyd and thus distayned
+
If men of wysdome were brought out of the scolys
And after theyr vertue set in moste hye degre
My shyp sholde nat haue led so many folys
Both of men temporall, and of the spiritualyte
Whiche in the wawes of the tempestuous se
Of this wretchyd worlde moche payne and wo abyde
For lacke of wyt, and reason, them to gyde
+
But none doth iuge hym selfe for his offence%Prouer.xiij.
With godly wysedome none doth endue his mynde%Virgilius.
None parfytely wyll serche is conscyence
Suche fautis expellynge as he therin doth fynde
These worldly pleasours, alas mankynde doth blynde
So sore: that if the worlde hole were sought
Fewe sholde be founde that lyue ryght as they ought
+
And therfore in wordes both of sadnes and sport
With folysshe Cotis and hodes I haue disgysed
Of these Folys a great and meruaylous sort
Lyke as my mayster $Brant had first deuysyd
But of these Folys though good men be despysyd
And had as Folys, no meruayle is truly
For in a folys syght hye wysdome is foly
<P 278>
But though these folys repute men of wysdome
As wors than they: yet let them lyue and do%Ecclesi.iij.
As $virgyll techyth, wysely, and they shall come%Sapientie.vi.
To heuen whan that theyr soule shall hens go
They nought shall knowe of mysery nor wo
And for theyr ledynge here in rightwysnes
Shall be theyr rewarde the heuenly blyssydnes
+
Thoughe wysemen here, of folys be opprest
Had in derysion: and kept in lowe degre
For this theyr trouble eternall ioy and rest
In $goddes hye presence to them rewarde shall be
Wherfore o man I warne and councell the
Prepare thy selfe to wysdome and prudence
Do thou hir honour with loue and reuerence
+
Wysedome shall men auaunce vnto honour
So $Barclay wyssheth and styll shall tyll he dye
Parfytely pray to $god our creatour
That vertuous men and wyse may haue degre
(As they ar worthy) of lawde and dygnyte
But namely to his frende bysshop by name
Before all other desyreth he the same
+
Whiche was the first ouersear of this warke%Familiarem suum Johannem bisshop +
de eo bene meritum commendat
And vnto his frende gaue his aduysement
It nat to suffer to slepe styll in the darke
But to be publysshyd abrode: and put to prent
To thy monycion my bysshop I assent
Besechynge $god that I that day may se
That thy honour may prospere and augment
So that thy name and offyce may agre
<P 279>
Thy name to worshyp and honour doth accorde
As borne a bysshop without a benefyce
Thy lyuynge small: thy name is of a lorde
And though thou nowe be stryke with couetyse
That vyce shall slake in the if thou aryse
(As I suppose) and lyberalyte
Shall suche fortune for the by grace deuyse
So that thy name and offyce shall agre
+
But if that fortune to thy goodnes enuye
As though she wolde: the nat honour to attayne
Yet let hir passe: and hir fraylenes defye
For all hir gyftis ar frayle and vncertayne
If she nat smyle on the but haue disdayne
The to promote to welth and dignyte
To olde acquayntaunce be stedfast true and playne
Than shall thy goodnes and thy name agre
+
Let pas the worlde for nought in it is stable
The greatter Baylyf the sorer is his payne
Some men that late were callyd honorable
Dyd theyr promosyon after sore complayne
No wyse man is desyrous to obtayne
The forked cap without he worthy be
As ar but fewe: but be thou glad and fayne
That thy good name and maners may agre
+
In this short balade I can nat comprehende
All my full purpose that I wolde to the wryte
But fayne I wolde that thou sholde sone asende
To heuenly worshyp and celestyall delyte
<P 280>
Than sholde I after my pore wyt, and respyt,
Display thy name, and great kyndnes to me
But at this tyme no farther I indyte
But pray that thy name and worshyp may agre.
<P 281>
<LR>
Of folys that dispyse wysdome and Phylosophy and a commendacion
of the same.
<L 12488>
With dolefull dolour: it sorowyd ought to be
That nowe adayes the wysdome and doctryne
Of wyse men, iust, and full of grauyte
Is nought set by: but fallyth to ruyne
But folys that to wysdome wyll nat inclyne
Spyttyth for despyte on hym the whiche is wyse
And all his dedys doth vtterly despyse
<P 282>
The rude commontye, that wyt and wysedome lacke%Psalmo.xxix.
Labouryth with all the power that they may%Johell.i.
Wyse men and gode: to thyrst into a sacke%Ipoca.vi.
For vnder fote of Folys without nay%Sapien.i.
Phylosophy lyeth, oppressyd nyght and day
Folys it repute nought worth ne profytable
They haue delyte: in men to them semblable
+
Who euer he be that purposyth in mynde
The holy Toure of wysdome to attayne
And coueytyth his rest in it to fynde
Despysynge worldly welth and ioy mundayne
He must both hande and tunge fro synne refrayne
Obseruynge his body in grace by chastyte
And than of wysedome receyued shall he be
+
Phylosophy doth mannys mynde compace%Tullius pro orchia poeta.
With syghtis and iyen replete with holynes
To man it gyueth right many gyftis of grace
As eloquence: and waye of rightwysnes%Ecclesi.i.
It man confortyth oppressyd in sadnes
By holy doctryne, and it doth socour fynde
For all yll mouynges, and fantasyes of mynde
+
It techyth man to all vertues to inclyne
It shewyth the way for to lyue vertuously
And by suche lore and vertuous doctryne
It techyth them that truly it aply
The heuenly way: vnto the sterres a hye
We sadnes and sorowe may fle by this wysdome
And greuous chaunces or fallys by it ouercome
<P 283>
The father of heuen our lorde omnypotentProuer.ij.
Of his great grace and infynyte goodnes%Ecclesi.i.
Hath sende this scyence to people innocent
To shewe them the way of grace and rightwysnes
All hir aparayle agreyth to holynes
Therwith she offreth frely to cloth mankynde
Sawynge hir sede of vertue in theyr mynde
+
She coueryth hir hede with vale of chastyte
Hir body clothyd with pall of the same sort
The rosys purpyll of fayre humylyte
Spredyth the grounde where as she doth resort
Wherfore let euery wyse man haue confort%Sapien.vi.&.ix.
Onely in wysedomys presence and seruyce
For where she rayneth subdued is euery vyce
+
She fedeth man with dylycious drynke
Of parfyte wysdome: all vyce therby to fle
And vnto hym that euer on hir doth thynke
She grauntyth honour of parfyte lybertye%Ecclesi.xxviij.
Whyle she is gyde the herte and mynde are fre
For she expellyth: vyce and mysgouernaunce%Prouer.viij.et.xvi.
Whiche ar rote of mysfortune and mychaunce
+
She gyueth laudes to all them that hir loue
And by hir doctryne and worthy sapyence
The wyse ascendyth to the hye heuen aboue
And to iust lyuers: and men of innocence
Heuen yates she opyns theyr dedes to recompence
Thus wysdome is chefe gyder of our lyfe
Is blyssyd rest: slakynge debate and stryfe
<P 284>
None lyueth so fyers, nor so cruell tyrant
But that noble wysedome by parfyte pacyence
Shall hym ouercome: but he that wyt doth want
For lacke of wysedome oft fallyth to offence
There is no lorde ne Prynce of excellence%Sapien.viij.
That can well gyde his scepter and kyngdome
Without the helpe and counsell of wysedome
+
Wysdome is moder of fayth: and of iustyce
And all goodnes doth of it growe and sprynge
But yet moste people nowe insuyth vyce
Fulfyllynge theyr folysshe lust in euery thynge
They foly folowe, but wysedome and cunnynge
They clene dispyse: hauynge scorne and enuy
At suche god men as them to it aply
+
But leue this foly, o wretchyd men alas%%Prouer.vij.
And both yonge and olde fast spede you to obtayne
The godly gyftis of excellent $pallas
Endeuour your selfe to drynke of hir fountayne%Prouer.iij.
But o disciples of wysdome: spare no payne
To help your moder: for if ye be to slacke
The rude comontye shall thrust hir in a sacke
<LR>
A Lementacion of $Barclay for the Ruyne and Fall of Wysdome.
<L 12572>
O synfull season: sore drownyd in derkenes
O wylfull foly o thou proude ignoraunce
Howe longe shall ye mankynde thus wyse oppres
That none almost in wysdome hath pleasaunce
<P 285>
But men myslyuynge in mad mysgouernaunce
Ar so with statis in fauour loue and grace
That with them wysdome can haue none acquayntaunce
But clene exyled and foly in hir place
+
Alas the tyme: that wyse men of mekenes
Sholde be despysyd: yet fallen is that chaunce
Nought is set by: saue treasour and ryches
Playne trouth is foly: and pouertye penaunce
Boldnes and bostynge ledyth all the daunce
$Venus all techyth for to insue hir trace
Fals flatery the most part doth auaunce
But gone is wysdome and foly in hir place
<T.i.>
+
Foule falshode hath confoundyd faythfulnes
The newe disgyses hath left $Almayne and $Fraunce
And come to $Englonde: and eche vnclenlynes
Doth lede vs wretchys, we make no purueaunce
Agaynst our ende whan deth shall with his launce
Consume this lyfe: we may bewayle this case
Our wordes ar folysshe: so is our countenaunce
Thus gone is wysdome, and foly in hir place
+
Who can rehers eche sort of folysshenes
That vs mysgydeth through our mysordynaunce
Lust is our Lady: and glotony maystres
Sobernes is gone: and stately arrogaunce
Hath mekenes slayne: alas this is greuaunce
Vnto my herte: expellynge all solace
O glorious $god direct this perturbaunce
That wysdome may agayne obtayne hir place
<P 286>
<LR>
A concertacion or stryuynge bytwene vertue & voluptuosyte:
or carnall lust.
<L 12604>
Beholde here man dyrect thy syght to se
For in this balade I shall vnto the shewe
The stryfe of vyce and voluptuosyte
Had in comtempt of goodnes and vertue
But do thou so that vertue may subdue
Foule carnall lust whose pleasour is but vayne
Firste full of myrth: endynge in bytter payne
<P 287>
Whyle $Hercules lay slepynge (as I rede)
Two wayes he sawe full of diffyculte
The one of pleasour: at ende gyuynge no mede
The other of vertue auaunsynge eche degre
But of both these two wayes whan that he
Had sought the state: the ende, and the strayghtnes
The way he entred of vertue and goodnes
+
Therfore o reder that hast wyll to inclyne
To souerayne vertue that is incomperable
Thy mynde aplyenge stedfast to hir doctryne
Ouer rede this balade for it is profytable
And though thou thynke it but a fayned fable
Yet red it gladly: but if thou be to haut
Fle from it fast and fynde in it no faut
<T.ii.>
+
We pardon requyre where as we do offende%Horatius in arte.
Grauntynge the same to other vsynge to wryte
None doth so well but some may it amende
But namely if it be done without respyte.
None without leyser: can voyde of faut endyte
And mannys wyt, as dayly doth apere
Somtyme is dull: somtyme parfyte and clere
+
With wordes playne: I viciousnes confounde
Oppressynge men with fals flatrynge semblaunt
And throwynge $Venus tentis to the grounde
But vertue I lawde: as goodnes moste plesaunt
Whiche with hir wepen most stronge and tryumphaunt
Subduyth vyce: and all suche as hir loue
With hir she ledyth to the hye royalme aboue
<P 288>
Therfore let euery man, mayde, childe, and wyfe
In theyr yonge age to vertue them inclyne
Lernynge of hir the way to lede theyr lyfe
As of maysteres moste holsome in doctryne
Who hir insuys assayeth no ruyne
For hir rewarde is sure, and eternall
In erth here: and in the royalme celestyall
+
Thus shall he lyue in perpetuyte.
But let echone auoyde the viciousnes%Tullius in off.
To hym promysyd by voluptuosyte
Hir warkes ar all oppressyd with blyndnes
And where as she can wanton youth oppres
She hym so rotyth in slouth and neglygence
That nede shall cause hym fall to all offence
+
Lust brakyth the mynde: and as we often se
It blyndyth the vnderstondynge and the wyt
From mannys hert it chasis chastyte
All mortall venym hath the chefe rote in it
None can be helyd that hath hir byt
But noble blode she most of all doth blynde
Whiche more on hir: than vertue haue theyr mynde
+
Therfore yonge men gyue aduertence and hede
Here shall ye se: and so shall feble age
What yll of worldly pleasour doth procede
And howe she bryngeth some men to great damage
Than shall ye here what good and auauntage
What welth what rest, what honour and ryches
Comys to mankynde by vertue and goodnes
<P 289>
<LR>
The obiection of lust blamynge vertue.
<L 12667>
Lo gorgays galantis: to galantis here am I%Eccl*s.ij.
Lo here fayre lust: full enmy to vertue%Sapien.ij.
Clothyd in laurer: in sygne of victory
The large worlde I hole to me subdue
My stremynge standardes alayd with sundry hewe
In tryumphe shynyth bryghter than the sonne
I all the worlde to my Empyre haue wonne
<P 290>
All fragaunt floures most pleasaunt: gay and swete
Whose sundry sortis no lyuynge man can tell
Vnto my pleasour ar spred vnder my fete
That all the ayre enioyeth of the smell
The vyolet that in odour doth excell
About in bosom by me alway I bere
The same oft tyme inlasyd with my here
+
All my vesture: is of golde pure
My gay Chaplet, with stonys set
With couerture: of fyne asure
In syluer net my here up knet
Soft sylke bytwene lyst it myght fret
My purpyll pall, ouercouereth all
Clere as Christall: no thynge egall
+
My wanton face: louers to embrace: my wanton iye
In suche a case: shewe them solace: that none ar fre
So louers be subiet to me: in euery plame
My hye beautye: voyde of bounte: doth them inlace
To hunt to chace: to daunce: to trace: what one is he
That beryth face: or hath that grace: on londe or se
In lyke degre hym selfe to se: my pleasaunt pace
Is lyght as fle: thus none that be: can me compace
+
I cast my pleasours: and hony swete
Ouer all the worlde none can beware
Nor loke so surely vnto his fete
But that I tangle hym in my snare
Whan I with youth can mete
With reason nat well replete
In lust I cause hym flete
Of grace barayne and bare
<P 291>
What man is he that can beware
Whan I my nettis abrode display
Namely to youth I me repare
I blynde theyr hertis sorest alway
I take no thought ne care
Howe euer the worlde fare
No season fre I spare
Frome pleasour: nyght nor day
+
With harpe in hande, alway I stande
Passynge eche hour: in swete pleasour
A wanton bande: of euery lande
Ar in my tour, me to honour
Some of voloure, some bare and poure
Kynges in theyr pryde, syt by my syde
Euery fresshe flour, of swete odour
To them I prouyde, that with me byde
+
Whan the stature, of my fygure
With golde shynyng, is hye standynge
They that inure, in my pleasure
With herte wandrynge, moche swetely synge
Garlandes of golde, to me offrynge
And me beholde with countenaunce
Smylynge, laughynge: eche wanton thynge
On myrth musynge, lernynge to daunce
+
Mo men me honour: for my pleasaunce
Than worshyp the mother of the hye kynge
I shewe them myrth, she harde penaunce
I pleasaunt lust: She chast lyuynge
<P 292>
Who euer they be, that folowe me
And gladly fle: to any standarde
They shall be fre: nat sek nor se
Aduersyte: nor paynes harde
+
No poynt of payne, shall he sustayne
But ioy souerayne, whyle he is here
No frost ne rayne, there shall distayne,
His face by payne, ne hurt his chere
+
He shall his hede, cast to no drede
To get the mede, and lawde of warre
Nor yet haue nede, for to take hede
Howe batayles spede, but stande a farre
+
Nor yet be bounde, to care the sounde
Of man: or grounde: or trumpet shyll
Strokes that redounde, shall nat confounde
Nor his mynde wounde: but if he wyll
+
Who wyll subdue, hym to insue
My pleasours newe: that I demayne
I shall hym shewe, way to eschewe
Where hardnes grewe: and to fle payne
+
The swetnes of loue he shall assay
But suche as my pleasours hate and dispyse
In hardnes lyue and bytter payne alway
In dolour drowned, and that in greuous wyse
Endynge theyr lyfe after a wretchyd gyse
By couetyse, abstaynynge theyr pleasour
Chaungynge swetnes for bytter payne and sour
<P 293>
By pleasaunt lust I callyd am ouer all
Prynces pereles and glorious goddes
Of me procedyth pleasour: as is egall
To come of a hye and noble Empres
In me is myrth and songes of gladnes
And vnder my dayes and hours fortunate
Age hath first rote to holde vp his estate
+
The lusty $Parys, by whome the ryche $troy%Paris
Gaue place to $grece, as subiect to the same
In my seruyce had pleasour and great ioy
So that by me he spred abrode his fame
Those pleasours folowynge of whan I haue the name
And that remayneth in my auctoryte
And proude $Cleopatra: was seruytour to me%Cleopatra
+
There is no londe inclosyd with the se
But that they all haue folowyd my counsell
As $Afryke, $Numyde the other I let be
I wyll nat tary theyr namys for to tell
But fewe or none ar bytwene heuen and hell
In hethynes nor yet in chrystente
But yonge outher olde they all obey to me
+
My deynteous dartis about full brode I cast
Amonge all Nacions vnto the worldes ende%Epicurei.
The Phylosophers that were in tymes past
As Epicurians to me dyd condiscende
All theyr hole sect my quarell doth defende
For all theyr sect to this clause dyd assent
That lust and pleasour was gode most excellent
<P 294>
Without corporall labour: my goodes shall profyte
Of mete and drynke I haue welth and excesse
I haue my pleasour, my ioy and my delyte
In deynty dysshes and swete delyciousnes
I lede nat lyfe in peryll and hardnes
Vnder heuy helme, in felde from any towne
Nat on harde strawe: but soft and costely downe
+
If ioy, and pleasour, dyd me nat ay insue
And lusty myrthe, with corporall pleasaunce%Juuenalis in satyra Omnibus in +
terris
So myghty kynges wolde nat them subdue
Vnto my tentis, whose myght shall me auaunce
That all the worlde vnder my gouernaunce
Shall it submyt, and dwellers of the same
Shall bere about the badges of my name
+
It is longe past syns that men first dyd thus
Subdue theyr myndes and bodyes vnto me
The myghty kynge callyd $Sardanapalus%Sardanapalus de quo diodorus et +
Justinus Roma.
Left dedes that longyd vnto his royalte
Folowynge my pleasour and voluptuosyte
And $rome victorious at last by hye courage
Yeldyd it selfe mekely to my bondage
+
Eas welth and rest to me alway is best
Vnto my seruauntis I gyue the same
And where as nature aperyth goodlyest
I am moste besy the herte for to inflame%Hiere.vij.
With fyry brondes to $Venus plesaunt game
No colde ne hunger to yonge men shall I gyue
But pleasaunt rest: whyle they with me do lyue
<P 295>
My lyfe I lede in ioyfull Idylnes
Nat let nor troubled by any aduersyte
Therfore o youth that art in lustynes
And age also that of bad maners be
Tourne hyther your faces beholdynge my beaute
And you indeuer your erys to inclyne
To my preceptis, folowynge my doctryne
+
The tyme passyth dayly fro mankynde
Our dayes of lyfe longe whyle can nat indure%Verba Sardanapali.
Therfore on pleasour establysshe we our mynde
For in my mynde no erthly creature
After this lyfe of pleasour shall be sure%Sapien.ij.
Therfore be we mery the time that we ar here
And passe we our tyme alway in lusty chere
<P 296>
<LR>
The answere of vertue agenst this obiection of voluptuosyte.
<V.i.>
<L 12829>
O Lothsome lust: o mad mysgouernour%Eccl*s.xvij.
Of all mankynde, and rote of euery vyce%Sapien.vi.& i.
With thy barayne balade, and corporall pleasour%Baruth.iij.
Howe darest thou greue me me thus in any wyse
Thy wordes ar vayne: thy myght I clene despyse
How dare thy cowarde herte me thus assayle
Syns thou, the bostest: vnmete vnto batayle
<P 297>
Haue done and answere: disceytfull trayteres
Howe darest thou wretchyd men this wyse abuse
Or them disceyue by the chraft of falsnes
Why doth mankynde on thy vayne pleasours muse
Why doth the worlde goodnes and grace refuse
Rennynge to thy foly, subduynge them in care
As fysshe or byrde to panter, net or snare
+
Why lawdest thou thy lust and pleasour vayne
Thy wandrynge wayes in syn and bestlynes
Who that the folowys, shall at the ende certayne
Fynde no honour, but payne and great distres
Thy faythfull felawe is bestyall dronkenes
Thy pursuyuaunt is dredfull worldly shame
Fleynge about to spred abrode thy name
+
Shame them subdueth that them submyt to the
Thy beautye blyndyd is by mysgouernaunce
I say nat nay, but fayre thou art to see
And alway wrappyd in halters of pleasaunce
Thy iyen wanton, with wanton countenaunce
Thy here glystrynge or shynynge as golde bryght
That many thousande destroyed is by thy syght
+
Thy purpyll garlandes couchyd with precious stone
Pure and resplendaunt is all thy apparayle
Aleyed gayly with perles many a one
Of purpyll colour of Tyre is thy mantayle
With precious stones beset as thycke as hayle
Thy gyrdyls gay, and rynges pleasaunt to se
But what is this: but worldly vanyte
<P 298>
Thou art nat armyd, nor to no warre dost go
But standest naked, and all thy body bare
As chefe champyon vnto blynde $Cupido
Suche feble men that lacke wyt to beware
Attysest thou falsly into thy snare
The bowe of $Venus, and dartis lye by the
Hedyd with shame, myshap and pouertye
+
In thy one hande is the myscheuous dart
Of fleshly lust: and pleasour corporall
Wherwith thou sharply strykest to the hart
The olde, the yonge: the pore, and pryncipall
Thy other hande bereth in it venym mortall
Vnto the whiche if man nat well attende
With all yll shall he be poysoned at the ende
+
Of thy fayre forehede: the beauty and bryghtnes
And all the fassyon, and shape that is in the
Defyled and blyndyd is, by viciousnes
And flesshely lust clene voyde of chastyte
In thy vayne wordes is nought of honestee
Thou canst no skyll of honest sport ne game
But rybaude wordes, soundynge all to shame
+
Thou art distroyer of all mankynde
But namely to suche: as sue thy trayne
The wyt thou dullyst, troublynge thy mynde
The honest name doste thou distayne
Thou bryngest man to infernall payne
Wastynge his goodes by wayes prodygall
Bnt his last ende, alas is worst of all
<V.ii.>
<P 299>
By the, in the worlde true loue is maculate
By the, dull slouth doth pyteously oppres
The lusty bodyes of many a great estate
Thou ar destroyer of vertue and nobles
And youth descendyd of byrth of worthynes
Whan they theyr myndes to thy precept inclyne
To nought they vanysshe, so fallynge in ruyne
+
By the, we greuous sores oft sustayne
Infyrmytees, sore peryls and mortall
By the, the soule is drowned depe in payne
In hell, amonge the fendys infernall
Thou makest man slouthfull and dull withall
To chast hartis art thou mortall ennemy
The wyttis blyndynge, or wastynge vtterly
+
Thou wretchyd lust dost stynt abate and swage
The strength of man, and his audacyte
Thou bryngest lowe the lusty hye corage
Of manly youth in his prosperite
Thou art the mete of all aduersyte
And cursyd fode of payne, wo, and doloure
Both to the pore, and men of great honoure
+
Of the hath mortall sorys oft theyr rote
And sore sekenes, where to no man mortall
Can fynde no socour, no remedy, nor bote
But for to speke of the, in generall
Recount all yll: and thou art grounde of all
Thou art the well, of eche disordered thynge
Of whose hede, vyle glotony doth sprynge
<P 300>
Thou makest youth suche as thou dost attyse
To lese the vertue of manhode and boldnes
Theyr hertis dullynge with ferefull cowardyse
Thou makest age to grow in viciousnes
Thou makest many to wander in derknes
Of vicious lyfe, attysynge by thy gyle
Nought chaste thou techyst: but thynge vnpure and vyle
+
Thou hast no reason: ne stedfastnes of mynde
Of wysdome the purest grayne is fro the gone
No parfyte wyt shall man within the fynde
Of reasons sad, thou certaynly hast none
And thoughe at the first thou shewe vnto echone
Pleasour: and hope vnto honour to ascende
Thou them disceyuest falsly at the ende
+
The hande of many great laude sholde haue obtayned
By worthy tryumphe, auaunsynge so theyr name
If thou haddest nat theyr hye purpose distayned
Them by thy gyle withdrawynge from the same
So by thy mean obscured is theyr fame
And by thy venym thou hast intoxycate
The noble hertis: of many a great estate
+
Thou hast ouerthowe the wallys of nobel $Troy%Troia voluptate in teriit si +
militeret. Parthi. Grecia.Attica.Sodoma.Corinthus.Egiptus.Tarentum.
The $parthyans, and dwellers of $Asy
By thy deuowrynge lust haue lost their ioy
And many a Cyte by the, on grounde doth lye
The Cytees of $Grece with wallys strong and hye
Ly nowe on grounde the wallys with gras ouergrowe
The $attyke royalmes by the ar nowe full lowe
<P 301>
By the was sodome and other Cytees drowned
And that in nomber mo than I can name
Hath ben destroyed, and made euyn with the grounde
$Corynth (by the) was lost with swerde and flame
And moche parte of $egypt was the same
$Tarent also, $Assyria and eke $Trace
Thou hast destroyed: and that, in wofull case
+
What nedyth here to name the royalmes all
Or all those Cytees and places excellent
Whiche thou hast made from theyr honour to fall
By punysshement of our lorde omnypotent
Some drowned, and some with fyre of heuen brent
But to be playne we dayly se doutles
That all thy seruauntis ende in wretchydnes
+
But better is my state, my fortune and degre
For all my seruauntis that vnto me inclyne
Shall haue rewarde of ioy and blysse with me
Whiche ioy, in $heuen abydeth me and myne
Vnto vs grauntyd by the grace dyuyne
By pacyent labour I pore men here auaunce
To worldly welth, and good in abundaunce
+
The yatis of $heuen to man ar opened wyde
And he receyued in ioy that neuer shall cesse
So that I be his helper and his gyde
To lede hym theder by way of rightwysnes
My way is harde, and full of besynes
But at the ende I haue a restynge place
Wherin is lyfe euerlastynge and solace
<V.iii.>
<P 302>
Stronge $Hercules that myghty champyon%Hercules
And $Julius $Cesar an Emperour royall%Julius cesar
And $Alexander whose felawe found was none%Alexander magnus
Consyderynge well his wyt and dedys all
These hath renowne that neuer can stynt nor fall
For that they euer obeyed vnto me
And many mo by me brought to degre
+
I haue auaunsyd to glorious lawde and name
$Poule that was consull of the Impyre $romayne%Paulus emilius
Whiche dyuers Nacions wan encresynge his fame
To the sayde romaynes, triumphe and laude souerayne
And thoughe they suffred peryll and great payne
Yet hath the loue, and mede of me vertue
Nat suffred them harde chargis to eschewe
+
By me the honour of the hye eloquence
Of $Cicero: and: his parfyte polecy$Cicero
Ar spred abrode, shynynge: for excellence
And noble $Virgyll the Prynce of Poetry%Virgilius
The romayne lynage by vers dyd magnyfy
He and $Homerus: with Poetis euerychone
Hath won theyr glory and laude by me alone
+
$Arystotyll ensuynge my iust commaundement%Aristolteles
Hath made his name, and laudes immortall
And also $Plato moste noble and excellent
The Phylosophers all other, great or small
Hauynge no name, in goodes temporall%Plato.
Hath left the worlde, with all his vanyte
And at the ende great honour had by me
<P 303>
I clere the wyt, the speche I fortyfye
With sadnes reason, and Pleasaunt eloquence
I man conferme, augment and edefye
With honour, laude, and knowledge of science
And to expres my myght in brefe sentence%Prouer.viij.
None may here wyn, but by my socour
Lawde, fame, ne helth, ryches nor honour
+
In the is pryde: and all thy wanton wyll
Is set on ryot and wretchyd lechery
All vicious wordes doth from thy mouth dystyll
Thy hole delyte in lust and rybawdry
But as for hym that wyll to me aply
I shall by vertue brynge hym to rightwysnes
And than to glory by wysdome and ryches
+
I shewe my seruauntis true iustyce and pyte
In the hye $Heuen sure fixyd is my mynde
My hous is kept ay clene by chastyte
My $god is hye: and who that wyll hym fynde%Sapien.iiij.
For to be lyght: his lust must leue behynde
And so by labour, and parfyte dilygence%Prouer.ix.
He may attayne that place of excellence
+
In vertue, is besy, and dylygent labour
For no good comys of slouthfull ydelnes
But swet and payne, at ende shall fynde pleasour
And parfyte rest: is ende of besynes
And he that walkes the way of holynes
And lyues in worshyp, ought to be glad and fayne
This quyet rest by my helpe to obtayne
<P 304>
So whether thou lust to wyn name of honour
By wyt, or warre: by wysdome or by myght
Or in a Cyte for to be councellour
Or els by lawe to gyue eche man his right
Let me vertue alway be in thy syght
Than shalt thou by my mean, the way prouyde
In euery case howe, thou mayst best the gyde
+
Who that for loue of vertue speciall
Endureth labour, swet, payne and besynes
The endles pleasour of ioy celestyall
Shall be rewarde to hym for his hardnes
Vertue alone is of suche worthynes
That gyde it ought and, gouerne euery thynge%Prouer.viij.
And gode gyftis, parte, as is to it lykynge
+
But thou fals lust and pleasour corporall
All men disceyuest that vnto the inclyne
Thou first art swete, at last more soure than gall
Thou many thousandes hast brought vnto ruyne
And namely such as of most noble lyne
Discendyd ar: for gettynge theyr degre
Defyle theyr byrth: and auncyent name by the
+
Thou art so fyers: so hasty and cruell
That no wylde beste: no: nat the mighty bere
Can haue respyte within his den to dwell
Thy cruell clawes so fyersly doth him tere
That on his skyn remayned skant a here
Thou sholdest his skyn I trowe rent of also
Ne had the Lyon: him socoured in his wo
<P 305>
Therfore ye men (whyle ye haue tyme and space)%Platus in amphi. Prouer.vij.
Expell vayne lust and pleasour corporall
Whiche dedely yll is barayne of all grace
And rote or sparcle to kyndell synnes all
Therfore to $Christ for grace se that ye call
Wherby ye may all carnall lust subdue
And plant in your myndes goodnes and vertue
+
So shall your hertis sauour the true doctryne
And blessyd fayth of $Christ our sauyour
Whiche fayth shall brynge you to the syght dyuyne
Of $goddes presence, and celestyall pleasour
But worldly welth, as riches and honour
Shall in this lyfe be part of your rewarde
Where as vayne lust endyth in paynes harde 
<P306>
<LR>
The vnyuersall shyp and generall Barke or barge
Wherin they rowe: that yet hath had no charge.
<L 13070>
Within my shyp ar folys innumerable
My shyppys dyuers forgyd here before
With furious Folys, in foly perdurable
But nat the les yet here I forge more
And if perchaunce some one hath had no ore
Nor place before: condigne for his degre
In this great Carake nowe shall he rowe with me
+
Here shall $Jacke, charde, my brother $Robyn hyll%ii.q.i.multi.
With Myllers and bakers that weyght and mesure hate%Eccle.xxxiii.et vii.
All stelynge taylers: as Soper: and Manshyll
Receyue theyr rowme: bycause they come to late%Job.xxx.
The foulest place is mete for theyr estate%i.Esere.v.
A rowme for rascoldes hard by the pompe shall be%Sapien.iiii.
That stynkynge placis and knaues may agre
+
Come to Companyons: ren: tyme it is to rowe
Our Carake fletis: the se is large and wyde
And depe Inough: a pleasaunt wynde doth blowe
Prolonge no tyme, our Carake doth you byde
Our felawes tary for you on euery syde
Hast hyther I say ye folys naturall
Howe oft shall I you vnto my Nauy call
+
Ye haue one confort ye shall nat be alone%Ecclesi.i.
Your company almoste is infynyte
For nowe alyue ar men but fewe or none
That of my shyp can red hym selfe out quyte
A fole in felawes, hath pleasour and delyte%In omnem terram exiuit sonus eorum.
Here can none want, for our proclamacion
Extendyth farre: and to many a straunge nacyon
+
But to be playne, and speke as intende
All men ar folys that can nat them selfe gyde
Thus all the worlde may I well comprehende
Except a fewe: whome I may set a syde
All hole $Asia: though it be longe and wyde
And farre from vs, and all nat of our lawe
Yet ar they redy our sayles vp to drawe
<P308>
From the farre Costis and hote of $Lybia
The $Mawryans and eke the men of $ynde
And all the dwellers almost of $Africa
The $Lumbarde nacion vntrue of dede and mynde
All these within our shyp wyll placis fynde
So may the dwellers of $Cecyle and $almayne
Of $Italy $Fraunce, $Flaunders, $Grece, and $Spayne
+
The $Pycardes, $Normans and $Neapolytayns
Come in great clusters, our Nauy to augment
So doth $Venycians, $Gascowns and $Romayns
And lytell $Brytayne is all of lyke assent
And also the great by ryches excellent
Whiche nowe is callyd plentyfull in $Englonde
Comyth to our shyp, with $Wales, and $Scotlande
+
The out yles all dyspersyd here and there
In the mayne se: also come in one bonde
So many comys that certaynly I fere
Within my shyp they all can nat well stonde
Hyther comys also the dwellers of $Irelonde
$Denys, and $Mawrys, $Patryke, and $Mackmure
In mantels preckyd, for lacke of precious furre
+
In $Englonde is no Cyte, nor shyre towne
Boroughe ne vyllage howe pore so euer it be
Nor noble Palays of suche a great renowne
But some maryners sende must they vnto come
But to be shorte and fle prolixyte
There is no Nacyon, ne regyon vnder sonne
But all or some, to this my shyp doth ronne
<P309>
Both yonge and olde, pore man, and estate
The folysshe moder: hir doughter by hir syde
Ren to our Nauy ferynge to come to late
No maner of degre is in the worlde wyde
But that for all theyr statelynes and pryde
As many as from the way of wysdome tryp
Shall haue a rowme and place within my shyp
+
My folysshe felawes therfore I you exort
Hast to our Nauy, for tyme it is to rowe
Nowe must we leue eche sympyll hauen and porte
And sayle to that londe where folys abounde and flowe
For whether we aryue, at $London or $Brystowe
Or any other Hauen within this our londe
We folys ynowe, shall fynde alway at hande
+
No speciall place wyll I chose for our rode
But at auenture: where the wynde shall vs dryue
But whyle we wretchys, thus sayle and rowe abrode
On this depe se, our foly doth depryue
Our soule from helth: and lond of men alyue
So that in the wawes of this tempestous se
Oftyme we lyue, in doutfull ieopardye
+
Our frayle bodyes wandreth in care and payne
And lyke to botes trowbled with tempest sore%de hac meteria Vergilius in +
secundo & iii. enei.
From rocke to rocke cast in this se mundayne
Before our iyen beholde we euer more
The deth of them that passed ar before
Alas mysfortune vs causeth oft to rue
Whan to vayne thoughtis our bodyes we subdue
<P310>
By dyuers chauncis ren we to ieopardy
And of our lyfe, $god wot we ar vnsure
Oft of our chauncis we seke no remedy
But wander forth: our reason moche obscure
Tempest we suffer: sore fallys we indure
And to our iournay, so symple hede we take
That in the se, and Rockis our shyppis brake
+
A farre of $Scylla: the rorynge we may here%Scilla
Yet by our foly, our myndes ar so cruell
That to the peryls (alas) we drawe vs nere
And some so wander without gyde or counsell
That in the hourlynge pyttis of ferefull hell
Theyr shyppis brake, and there alway remayne
Within that gulf, in endles wo and payne%Caribdis
+
We wander in more dout than mortall man can thynke
And oft by our foly, and wylfull neglygence
Our shyp is in great peryll for to synke
So sore ar we ouercharged with offence
We se the daunger before our owne presence
Of straytis rockis, and bankis of sonde full hye
Yet we procede to wylfull ieopardye
+
We dyuers Monsters within the se beholde
Redy to abuse or to deuour mankynde
As Dolphyns, whallys, and wonders manyfolde
And oft the Marmaydes songe dullyth our mynde
That to all goodnes we ar made dull and blynde
The wolues of these oft do vs moche care
Yet we of them can neuer well beware
<P311>
We se $Polyphemus that foule and great Geant
In his dredefull den, mankynde also to dere
Whome great vlixes both bolde and valyant
Myght for his lokes drede: and quake for fere
A thousande Monstres ar mo, mankynde to tere
And to deuour, and brynge vnto hell pyt
Yet we (alas) our selfe to them submyt
+
About we wander in tempest and tourment
What place is sure, where Foles may remayne
And fyx theyr dwellynge sure and parmanent
None certaynly: The cause therof is playne
We wander in the se, for pleasour bydynge payne
And though the hauen of helth be in our syght
Alas we fle from it with all our myght
+
Alas, therfore dayly we must indure
Great payne and wo: and well we it deserue
For he that of rest (whan he lyst) may be sure
And wyll none haue: he worthy is to sterue
We loue no wysdome: ne tende nat to obserue
Hir lore, and lawes: ne way of ryghtwysnes
But arme our selfe with foly and falsnes
<X.i.>
+
Alas, alas the vyle and vayne goddes
Of folysshnes: and worldly vanyte
Hath made vs drynke: so of hir cup doutles
That all our wyttes and reasons blyndyd be
A wysdome wysedome great pyte it is to se
Howe fewe to thy preceptis nowe inclyne
Thy name decayes: and fallys to ruyne
<P312>
Alas dere bretherne, alas thou wretchyd man
O frowarde stocke to thy creatour vnkynde
Expell thy foly: aply all that thou can
To folowe wysdome with all thy myght and mynde
What ioy hast thou to wander in the wynde
In vyce and errour, without good wyll to stent
Cesse man: and seke the: place ay permanent
+
Set foly: errour (and vanyte asyde)
Fle from the wayes: of suche as sue offence
Labour to obtayne a place: ay to abyde
Without ende before $goddes hye presence
Lyst that hell monsters by furyous violence
Swalowe vp thy soule to payne from ioy and blys
Whyle in this lyfe thou errest or goest amys
<P313>
<LR>
The vnyuersall shyp of crafty men, or laborers.
<P314>
<L 13235>
A company gathryd togyther in a rout
Of folysshe men, and blynde by ignoraunce
Rowe nowe in botis my shyppis all about
Suche men ar they that get theyr sustenaunce
With labour of hande, and lewde of gouernaunce
But suche as labour truly for theyr fode
I wyll nat blame, but them repute as gode
+
Haste hyther laborers: our sayles ar a loft
Our shyp fleys swyftly by myght of ore
But first of all ye folys that labour soft
And lese the tyme, makynge your maysters pore
In this shyp present shall ye be set afore%Operarius ebriosus non +
locupletabitur.
And than suche as spende theyr wage in dronkenes
For dronken workmen come neuer to ryches
+
But why these Folys vnto my shyp I call
For to be short this is the reason why
For as the state of all men mortall
And eche other thynge chaungyth contynually%Prouer.xi.
Without condicion, stable: certaynly
So is the state of labourers, disceyuable
And moche vnsure, and also chaungeable
+
The speciall vyce comon amonge them all%de elec.cum magistrum. lxi.dis.miserum.+
xix.dis.sacerdos
Is that eche seruaunt fayne wolde a mayster be
Yet in his craft he knoweth nought atall
But is a Fole therin: and so shall dye
And many worke men: as we may dayly se
Wandreth as folys: in slouth and ydelnes
Hurtynge theyr wages by theyr folysshnes
<P315>
One laboureth fast for lytell or for nought
His felawe to put to los or hurte therby
Yet he hym selfe to pouertye is brought
By his yll wyll, his hatred and enuy
And for that this vyce his herte contynually%Ezech.vii.
Vexyth and troubleth, for nought he offreth forth
That worke or thynge that is great treasour worth
+
Yet this foule abuse and malyce enuyous
Of laborynge men: oft tyme doth them oppres
With pouertye, to all mankynde odyous
If one sell for lytell another sellys for les
Tyll both be opprest with pouertees hardnes%Leui.xxv.
Echone despyseth his pryuate auauntage
To do another displeasour and damage
+
Some make theyr ware iniust and disceyuable
Sellynge it forth for small and lytell pryce%Ecclesi.xxvii.
The trouth appereth playne and verytable
For in gode ware the pryse doth ay aryse
But contrary if thou the trouth aduyse
Where a great thynge for lytell pryce is bought
It sygnyfyeth that it is stolen, or nought
+
All suche as ceueyt the byers to begyle
With flaterynge wordes fals and dysceyuable
Disceyuynge other, disceyue them selfe the whyle
And all other ar greatly reprouable
Whiche make theyr warke nat true and profitable
But counterfayte and pleasaunt to the iye
And nought in profe: men to abuse therby
<P316>
The pryse of eche ware decayeth euery day
And yet the ware is skantly worth the pryse
Amonge all marchauntis, skant and vneth we may
Fynde one or two that trouth do ercyse
But all ar blyndyd so by couetyse
That nought they force of fals disceytfulnes
So that they, may therby obtayne riches
+
Thus so great chaungis: and mutablyte
Styreth the hertis of labourynge men to yre
That the most part abyde in pouertye
And to be short, echone of them conspyre
Agaynst other by malyce, hote as fyre
In all theyr hertis none, other thynge doth rayne
Saue enuy malyce, hatered and disdayne
+
What nede is it in wordes to be large
Or all the vyce of chrafty men to wryte
The payne were longe, and great sholde be the charge
And to the same I haue to small respyte
For if that any haue pleasour and delyte
In this our tyme to be constant and wyse
The comontye shall hym hate and despyse
+
Therfore I leue them in theyr folysshnes
Yet praynge $god that they may ones amende
And so increas in trouth and rightwysnes
That I may haue cause theyr goodnes to commende
Who iustly lyueth iustly also shall ende
And who that in his craft is iust and true
Shall proue in ryches, and prospere in vertue
<X.iii.>
<P317>
<LR> Of Folys that ar ouer worldly.
<L 13319>
Oft whyle man labours for to ascende
By fortune frayle alway forwarde
And whyle alway he doth intende
For his sore labour to haue rewarde
Than is his fortune so sharpe and harde
To leue his fote, at his moste nede
And let hym slyp in mortall fere and drede
<P318>
Who that lenyth on braunchys frayle
Or taketh his holde by leuys lyght
Can fynde therby but small auayle
But to the grounde descende downe right
And though the braunches be stronge and wyght
Whan thou begynnest to slyp or slyde
In thy degre harde is to abyde
+
And thoughe the braunches be hole and sounde
And be to wayke the to sustayne
Yet shalt thou downe come to the grounde
So if a man take care and payne
To lyue in vertue, and good souerayne
Yet all this shall be nought set by
But if they be gyded craftely
+
The strongest braunche or boughe shall fayle
Without good wysdome if man ascende
But vnto the top if thou preuayle
Yet ought thou to thy fete intende
Eche thynge is prouyd at the ende
Therfore man ought hym euen to bere
In hyest rowmes is greattest fere
+
In clymmynge vp man hath great payne
But whan he at the hyest is
Hauynge great hope there to remayne
In welth and pleasour ioy and blys
Yet of the frute small part is his
For by one blast of wynde sodayne
In one instant he fallys agayne
<P319>
If one be in a rowme a hye
Men that ar lowe seme to hym small
But to say trouth and veryte
Yet may theyr stature be egall
In lyke wyse though a man royall
Despyse them lyuynge in pouerte
Of one metall yet both they be
+
This worlde all hole goeth vp and downe
It ebbes and flowes lyke to the se
Wexynge and waynynge lyke the mone
Nowe in welthe and in prosperyte
Eft in aduers and frowarde pouerte
But that man folowes hye wysdome
Whiche takys all thynges lyke as they come
+
Thoughe some in treasour and welth abounde
Thynkynge them self wyse men alone
Yet whan that they ar brought to grounde
They and the pore: is all but one
And thoughe thou suerly marke the bone
Of begger, and hym, that kynge hath bene
Small difference shalt thou fynde bytwene
+
After the day cometh the nyght
So after pleasour oft comys payne
He is in prudence, but porely pyght
That can nat both in lyke sustayne
But if I shall be true and playne
No erthly thynge makes more debate
Than a vyle chorle come to a state
<P320>
Whan suche a vilayne rude of his mynde
A hye is set on a myghty tre
To gentyll blode can he nat be kynde
Yet he forgettis his owne degre
But thoughe the thycke leuys let none se
Howe moche myschefe suche go about
Yet at the last it wyll come out
+
If dethys ax the tre downe throwe
And if theyr riches as leuys lyght
Away fro them on grounde do flowe
Than all theyr falshode is out in syght
But whyle the tre may stande vp right
The leuys of ryches hangynge about
To lorellys often the lorde moste lowt
+
The noble fawcons ar oft opprest
The Egle blyndyd, and byrdes small
Ar spoyled and dryuen from theyr nest
Whan the gredy kyte wyll rule all
But if the kyte than after fall
By aduers fortune: or his iniquyte
The fawcons may well haue ioy to se
+
Thus well is hym that can attende
To take his holde by braunchys stronge
Whan he purposeth vp to ascende
And in the top to byde there longe
Without wysdome it shall be wronge
For who that clymmes by stately pryde
For greuous wyndes can nat abyde
<P321>
Therfore man who so euer thou be
That hast mynde and concupyscence
To brynge the into hye degre
Or in the seruyce of kynge or prynce
If thou be brought to excellence
Kepe petye styll before thy iyen
Vse iustyce, mekenes, and prudence
Remembrynge euer what thou hast ben
+
To get loue do thy dylygence
And if thou wylt haue amyte
To auncient blode, do reuerence
Thoughe it be but of lowe degre
Prouyde the in prosperite
For mysfortune: for it is sene
That fortune hath no certaynte
So thynke thou euer what thou hast bene
+
Serue $god thy maker aboue all thynge
And next that with thy herte and mynde
Be true and loyall vnto thy kynge
And to his subiectis just and kynde
Let auaryce by no way the blynde
Than myght thou fall or thou wolde wene
So that no faut in the men fynde
Care nat to be as thou hast bene
<P322>
<LR>
A brefe addicion of the syngularyte of some newe Folys.
<L 13434>
Here maketh myne Autour a specyall mencion
Of ypocrytis nat parfyte of byleue
And suche as abuseth theyr relygyon
But I shall nat so sharply them repreue
I am full lothe relygious men to greue
Or discontent: for if I so do wolde
A myghty volume coude nat theyr vyces holde
<P323>
I leue theyr pryde: I leue theyr couetyse
I woll nat touche theyr malyce nor enuy
Nor them that $Venus toyes exercyse
I woll nat blame, nor touche openly
It were but foly, syth is no remedy
But if I sholde vpon me take the payne
A newe labour I sholde begynne agayne
+
I them nat touche that cunnynge men disdayne
There were none ende in blamynge all the folys
The maners, rude, vngoodly, and vylayne
And assys erys clokyd vnder cowlys
Knowynge no thynge, contemnynge yet the scolys
All these to touche and sondry vyces mo
It were to sore a charge and payne to do
+
I wyll nat say that they vse any syn
Yet oft, forsoth they folowe nat the way
Of the relygon that they haue entred in%Math.vij.
Thoughe they the name and, habyte nat denay
Yet of theyr lyfe full harde it is to say
But often at ende it proueth euydent
That vnder floures lurketh the serpent
+
The wolfe or Foxe is hyd within the skyn
Of the symple shepe pore and innocent
Mekenes without: but pryde is hyd within
The wordes fayre: but fals is theyr intent
No sort by falshode, or wayes fraudelent
May soner disceyue good folke by any way
Than the wyckyd sort of ypocrytis may
<P324>
Hange vp the scapler: the amys cowle and frocke
Or other habyte of eche relygyon
Vpon a tre clene dede, or rottyn stocke
Suche ar those folys that haue professyon
Leuynge theyr right rule in eche condicion
They bere the habyte the vesture or the wede
And eke the name, without the thynge in dede
+
And if that one lyue well and vertuously
In way of grace: lyke as he ought to go
The remanent assayle hym with enuy
And hym oppres with greuous payne and wo
Vntyll he folowe lyke as the other do
And leue his way of godly ryghtwysnes
Folowynge theyr lyfe full of all viciousnes
+
The gode ar good and worthy reuerence
And whan the Shepherde is ware and dylygent
Rulynge hym selfe by vertue and prudence
Than grace and goodnes soner shall augment
Amonge the flocke by example euydent
But if the Shepherde by foly hurte his name
Moste comonly the flocke shall do the same
+
Whan that the hede hath no diseas nor payne
Than all the membres greatly the sounder be
But if the hede be seke or sore certayne
Than ouer the body goeth that infyrmyte
But to be playne we dayly here and se
That the comontye, in theyr behauour
Ar suche as is theyr lorde and gouernour
<P325>
Alas what lewde relygion do they take
Or of what sort is theyr professyon
That of theyr wombes vyle theyr goddes make
As wytles bestis, voyde of discressyon
Thus it appereth that theyr ingressyon
Into relygion is more for welth and eas
Than by harde penaunce, our sauyour to pleas
+
Thoughe men relygious be countyd in the lawe
As dede and gone out of this lyfe actyue
That saynge surely is scantly worth a strawe
For suche dedys oft tymes they contryue
That it appereth playne that they ar alyue
But as for that: a part it shall be layde
At eche season: trouth ought nat to be sayde
+
A heuenly lyfe is to be monke or frere
Yet is it nat ynoughe to bere the name
Suche must they be in lyfe as they apere
In outwarde habyte: accordynge to the same
Than sholde none haue occasion them to blame
For certaynly no vertuous man there is
That wyll hym blame that hath nat done amys
<Y.ii>
+
For he that is of $god without all dout
Wyll be full redy and besy nyght and day
The workes of $god almyght to go about
The deuyllys seruaunt kepyth another way
In lust and pleasour walkynge whyle he may
Seruynge his mayster: and yet in euery place
He fayneth vertue outwarde in his face
<P326>
Of suche a vyle and wretchyd ypocryte
And of his maners playnly as they be
At this conclusion brefly shall I wryte
As it is founde in good auctoryte
Leuynge my auctour for his prolyxite
And to playne speche, and eke to lyberall
For to be drawen in langage maternall
+
By these poyntis the whiche I shall expres%Bernardum contra hipocritis +
super cantica.  Volunt esse humilet sine aespectu, parta pares sine aescectum.+
Bene vestire fine sollicitudine delicate pasci sine labore.  Aliis adulantes,+
aliis detrahentes, aliis inuidentes, mordaces vt canes, dolosi vt vulpes,+
superbi vt leones, exterius vt oues, interius vt lupi rapaces, sine +
authoritate iudices, sine visu testes, sine processu doctores, postremo +
falsi accusatores et omni virtute carentes hecule.
Those ypocrytis shall openly apere
Whiche outwarde fayne vertue and holynes
In worde and dede: where men may se or here
But whan that they haue brought them selfe arere
And out of syght, and others audyence
They ar moche wors than, other in offence
+
They outwarde in face present humylyte
As if they were holy and parfyte of lyuynge
Yet wolde they nat of men despysyd be
They fayne them pore: yet wyll they lacke no thynge
Touchynge theyr habyte, vesture or clothynge
They wyll the same in costely maner dresse
Without all care thought, trouble or besynesse
+
They loke to be fed, well and delycyously
Without labour, therin is no delyte
Some men they flater, but other they enuy
And other some, they cruelly bacbyte
Some men to malyce, by falshode they excyte
As dogges they byte some in playne audyence
For synne: thoughe they commyt the same offence
<P327>
As Foxis full of falshode and of gyle
By sotelte they all theyr workes gyde
They boldly, other for statelynes reuyle
Yet as proude Lyons, ar they accloyd with pryde
And whyle that they in company abyde
They shewe them outwarde as Lambes innocent
Lyke rauysshynge wolues yet ar they of intent
+
They wyll be Iuges without auctoryte
And wytnesses without knowlege, or syght
They wyll be Doctours of passynge grauyte
Without processe in stody day, or nyght
And to be short, by Iugement vnright
They oft accuse good men, them to oppres
Theyr selfe yet bare of vertue and goodnes
+
These ar the tokyns and sygnes euydent
Whiche in ypocrytis men may note and se
Also the religyous sholde be obedyent
And euer perseuer in fayre humylyte
Beynge content with wylfull pouerte
Enclynynge euer with all his dilygence
His chastyte, to kepe by abstynence
+
But nowe hath entred into relygyon
In stede of mekenes and obedyence
Pryde and disdayne, and fals rebellyon
Yll wyll, enuy, and other lyke offence
Wylfull pouertye, expellyd haue they thence
And all ar gyuen vnto worldly ryches
Whiche they out wast about vnthryftynes
<P328>
But of theyr chastyte for to be playne
It for to kepe is great diffyculte
Where glotony and dronkenes doth rayne
But where as is abstynence, and scarsyte
It may be kept, and best contynued be
The flesshe agaynst the reason doth rebell
But well is hym that the ardent hete may quell
+
But these wretchys haue moche gretter hede
Theyr wombe to fede tyll they be full as swyne
As for theyr soule they labour nat to fede
With godly wordes or holsome discyplyne
The greattest part to glotony inclyne
Whiche is the rote of $Venus insolence
Nowe Iuge ye where is theyr contynence
+
By flatery fayre I loke to haue no mede
Theyr lyfe is godly that kepe theyr order true
And of theyr right professyon taketh hede
Passynge theyr lyfe in goodnes and vertue
And that the fendes workes wyll subdue
And eke the Fende, fader of all iniquyte
By sobernes subduynge theyr sensualyte
+
Here purpose I no farther to procede
Let euery man chose for hym selfe a place
As he shall in this boke ouerse or rede
For hym moste mete: man knoweth best his case
And here shall I by $goddes helpe and grace
Drawe all my Nauy, to hauyns for to rest
For fere of wynter stormes and tempest
<P329>
Wysdome hath gyuen me this commaundement
My wyt is wery: my hande and hede also
Wherfore I gladly with all my herte assent
And lepe a borde, amonge the other mo
But in my iournay: if that I haue mysgo
By bytynge wordes or scarsnes of scyence
I yelde me vnto men of more prudence
+
It is no meruayle (the trouth playnly to say)
Syth I a mayster without experyence
Of worldly thynges, haue erred from the way
By ignoraunce, or slouthfull neglygence
Let none be wroth for blamynge his offence
For if his lyfe fro synne be pure and clere
No maner hurt is sayde agaynst hym here
+
Within a myrrour, if thou beholde thy chere
Or shap of face: if thy colour be pure
Within the myrrour to the it shall apere
But if that thou be foule of thy fygure
The glas shall shewe the same I the insure
Yet blame thou nat the myrrour for the same
But thy owne shap thou ought rebuke and blame
+
The myrrour showys eche man lyke as they be
So doth my boke, for who that is in syn
Shall of his lyfe, the fygure in it se
If he with good aduertence loke therin
But certaynly his reason is but thyn
For his yll lyfe if he my boke despyse
For them I laude that vertue exercyse
<P330>
Let nat the redar be discontent with this
Nor any blame agayne me to obiect
Thoughe that some wordes be in my boke amys
For though that I my selfe dyd it correct
Yet with some fautis I knowe it is infect
Part by my owne ouersyght and neglygence
And part by the prynters nat perfyte in science
+
And other some escaped ar and past
For that the Prynters in theyr besynes
Do all theyr workes hedelynge, and in hast
Wherfore if that the redar be wytles
He shall it scorne anone by frowardnes
But if the reder wyse, sad and discrete be
He shall it mende: laynge no faut to me
+
It is ynoughe if my labour may be sene
Of lernyd men, and theyr mynde to content
For nought is pleasaunt before a Folys iyen
And to be playne it was nat myne intent
At my begynnynge to Folys to assent
Ne pleas theyr myndes by sparynge of theyr vyce
But it to shewe: and that in playnest wyse
+
Therfore let Folys haue theyr wordes vayne
Whiche nought can do, but without reason chat
All others dedes, by lewde tunge to distayne
And if theyr belyes be full, and chekis fat
Let Clerkes speke, and they haue scorne therat
They knowe no thinge: yet wolde, they fayne haue prayse
And theyr owne dedes onely doth them please
<P331>
With suche Folys I ende my besynes
Whiche all thynge blame, and vtterly dispyse
Yet all theyr lyfe they passe in ydylnes
Or in theyr bely fedynge in bestely wyse
But this I fynde, that no man can deuyse
A thynge so crafty, so good and excellent
Or yet so sure: that may eche man content
+
What warke is that: that may eche man content
No worldly thynge: forsoth I trowe the same
Thoughe $Virgyll were a poet excellent
Afore all other, shynynge in lawde and fame
Yet some there were whiche dyd his warkes blame
$Jerome with other Doctours certaynly
Cowde nat theyr warkes defende well from enuy
+
Holde me excusyd: for why my wyll is gode
Men to induce vnto vertue and goodnes
I wryte no Iest ne tale of $Robyn $hode
Nor sawe no sparcles ne sede of vyciousnes
Wyse men loue vertue, wylde people wantones
It longeth nat to my scyence nor cunnynge
For $Phylyp the Sparowe the (Dirige) to synge.
<P333>
<LR> A conclusyon of this Boke with a Balade of the translatour
in the honoure of the blessyd Virgyn $Mary, moder of $god.
<P334>
<L 13686>
O Moder $mary flour of all womankynde
In beauty passynge eche erthly creature
In whome the Fende no thought of synne coude fynde
O blessyd moder remaynynge Mayden pure
O lemynge lampe in lyght passynge nature
Moste clere Crystall by clene virgynyte
O holy moder, and virgyne most demure
Direct our lyfe in this tempestous se
+
O well of mercy: o godly graffe of grace
Bryght as the mone, and porte of Paradyse
In whome Chryst $Jesu elect his dwellynge place
Chosen as the son, O rose passynge all pryce
Plantyd in $Ann without consent of vyce
O noble fruyte spronge of a barayne tre
Syns to thy son: thou art our medyatryce
Direct our lyfe in this tempestous se
+
O ceder tre growynge in $Lybany
O rod of $Jesse, and spouse of $Salomon
O well of water lastynge eternally
O gardayne, closyd, o flees of $gedeon
O cyte of $god, and sempiternall trone
Of $god elect for thy humylyte
To the I call: o Lady here my mone
Direct our lyfe, in this tempestous se
+
O $Mary, myrrour clere and immaculate
O tour of $Dauyd: with Pynacles without pere
O pleasaunt olyue, with vertue decorate
Pyller of fayth, whyle thou wast lyuynge here
<P335>
O heuenly starre, of gardyns fountayne clere
O plesaunt Lyly moste goodly in beautye
Compalyd rounde with the sharpe thorne and brere
Direct our lyfe in this tempestous se
+
Hayle moder of mercy: Hayle myrrour of mekenes
Hayle Quene of blysse: hayle sterre celestyall
Hayle hope of synners, eternall Emperes
Whiche by the fruyt of thy closet virgynall
Mankynde hast wasshyd from synne orygynall
Lowse of our bondes, and make vs synners fre
From paynfull pyt and dongeon infernall
Gydynge our lyfe in this tempestous se
+
O Quene vs red out, of captyuyte
On the we call, in the our confort is
That by thy prayer to the hye Trinyte
All shall be pardonyd that we haue done amys
Syns thou art in eternall ioy and blys
Our mediatryce: before the deyte
Our hope is sure: that thou wylt neuer mys
Our lyfe to gyde in this tempestous se
+
O glorious Lady: o Quene most excellent
Howe may I synner thy lawdes comprehende
My synfull mouth is nat suffycyent
Worthy nor able thy goodnes to commende
My wyt ne reason coude nat therto extende
Thoughe euery member of myne were tunges thre
Yet is my trust that thou wylt euer intende
To gyde vs synners in this tempestous se
<P336>
Syns synners stray here in this se mundayne
In dyuers synnes, by errour and fraylnes
By thy bryghtnes reduce our way agayne
Shewe vs thy lyght to clere our thycke derknes
And to subdue the Prynce of viciousnes
With all his pompes, his pryde and vanyte
And come to heuen by way of rightwysnes
Thou gydynge vs in this tempestous se.
+
O blessyd Moder, set hye in $goddes trone
In ioy and blysse surmountynge mannes mynde
Syns by thy fruyte we saued ar echone
And heuen yatis opened to mankynde
Graunt that we dayly by the may socour fynde
Of soule and body in eche aduersyte
Let thy lyght. Lady. the Fende subdue and blynde
And gyde vs wretches in this tempestous se
+
Thou art the Sterre, blasynge with bemys bryght
Aboue these worldes wawes so violent
Our synnes darke enclerynge with thy lyght
Mannys mediatryce to $god omnypotent
Wherfore to the, o Lady I present
This symple Boke thoughe it vnworthy be
But pore and symple and moche ineloquent
Rudely composyd in this tempestous se
+
O blessyd virgyn, O resplendaunt lanterne
Defende my Shyp from the malyciousnes
Of fals enuy, withsaue it to gouerne
From stroke of storme: as most holy patrones
<P337>
My soule and body: to the also Empres
And all my workes I submyt besekynge the
That the foule Fende me neuer may oppres
Whyle I here wander in this tempestous se
+
And after whan my soule is seperate
From this mortall body, and clot of clay
With thy holy presence, o moder immaculate
From me expell the ougly fende away
O moder of mercy syns thou well may
Thy sonnes presence purchace for me
By thy ayde and socour that I may say
That I haue escapyd this stormy se.
+
Our Shyp here leuyth the sees brode
By helpe of $God almyght and quyetly
At Anker we lye within the rode
But who that lysteth of them to bye
In $Flete strete shall them fynde truly
At the $George: in $Richarde $Pynsonnes place
Prynter vnto the Kynges noble grace.
Deo gratias.