¶Rowe thy bote thou ioly ioly maryner, & wynd wel vp thy sayle,
For thou mightst neuer wind it vp better thine own self for to auaile.
THere ware thre mery maryners, that dwelt in Maldon meade
That could sayl of wynde and tyde, of chanel and of streame
And eke theyr compasse well dyrecte, from euery shore & steade
And ware acqueinted w
t the rockes: and sandes y
t myght them queame
From Maldon hauen to Billingesgate, aswel I vndertake
As any thre of many yeres, suche course that vsed to make.
A Crayer had they prest to sayle, and all theyr takle yare
And all theyr fraught ybrought a borde, to wende to Maldon towne
But for the wynde was not the best, before they forth wolde fare
They thought the citie for to rowme, and viewe it vp and downe
If thing vncouth they there might fynde, wherw
t to moue some glee
When they came home to Maldon meade, amonge theyr companye.
To Powles they hyed as place most fytte, for newes in theyr deuyce
Amonge the prynters gan they search, and busily enquyre
For thinges that might for Noueltie, at home be had in price
The printer sayd he thought he had, to pleasen theyr desyre
And drewe them nere into his shoppe, and gan vnfolde them lyght
A rolle of Rythmes, wherof the fyrst, the dickers dreame it hyght.
Then folowed answere to this dreame, to Dauie dickers whan
A solempne processe at a blusshe, be quoted here and there
With matter in the margent set, wheron to gase they gan
But they ne wist for ought I knewe, but hebrue that it were
A Replicacion was the next, whiche well I vnderstoode
For that I founde no worde therin, but it was Englyshe good.
But lo ye here the fourth quod he, that maketh vp the moste
I warrant you a clarkely pece, se howe it is be deckte
(As sellers are not nowe to learne, theyr wares to prayse I gesse)
The name therof Reioynder was, a terme to them suspecte
Because it sounded of the lawe, as though some case it warre.
Of ioyncture right for waywarde wyues, to pleaden at the barre.
But ay the prynter pressed on, and take them all quod he
I notte your names, but brethren myne. I you assure can
They be as good as in this towne in any shoppe there be
Our names quod be, and one stepped forth, a wight yonge watre man
Wylkyn is my name, and this is watte, and Herman hight the third
As trusty and sure at tackle knotte, as euer with corde was gyrd.
Well Wilkin, Watte, and Herman gent, by al your names I sweare
Ye shall not nede vpon my worde, to stande in any doubt
A meryer iest ye can not fynde, a boord with you to beare
So wyll ye say your selues I knowe, when ye haue red it out
But yf ye be vnlearned to reade, as maryners lyghtly be
Then yf ye lyst to harke a whyle, ye shall it heare of me.
For Gods swete bones quod Watkyn tho, for bokyshe be we not
We knowe to halfe, and stryke, & vyere, & vp the anchore waye
And cables folde, and clymbe to toppe, and then go tosse the potte
But if thou wylt of curtesy, of this vs somwhat say
By god my peny shalbe twayne, and theyrs shal make a grote
Though we therfore shulde go to bed, at nyght with thyrsty throte.
Nay then quod he Saynt George to borowe, the day is ours all
Ye shall it heare eche lyne at length, but fyrst and wote ye what
The partyes twayne betwene the which, this stryfe is nowe befall
It me behoueth fyrst to tell, good order asketh that
Wherfore a whyle gyue eare I pray, tyll I those twayne set out
And then ye may your fansye say, by turne eche one about.
This Diker semes a thryuynge ladde, brought vp in Pierces scole
The plowman stoute, of whom I thynke ye haue ful often harde
A swynckyng swaine, that handleth wel his spade and other toole
Ful loth he ware for lacke of hede, they shulde be reckly marde
For why in them and in his hande, his lyuynge chefely standes
He bragges not of his rentes ne fees, ne of entayled landes.
And yet he semeth a curtouse hind, and comen of good stocke
For Dikers feawe in my contrey, so wel y thewed bene
I warraunt you who lyst him proue, he is no spritelesse blocke
But to my tale, In cockowe tyme when eche thyng gan to gren
All weryed from his worke, retournes this Daui Diker hende
And for to ease hym selfe the bet, ful softely gan he wende
Unto his house within a groue, a lytle there besyde
His bottle & his bagge, he hent, he left them not behynde
Wherin remayned but small surplus, of viande at that tyde
And downe he sate hym on the benche, of meate had lytle mnide
But gan complayne his werynesse, and on his hande his hedde
He dyd arrest, & cleped wyfe, as though he wolde to bedde
Lo dame he sayd thou wotest I trowe, that candle is to diere
To sytte vp late and praten out our thryft tyll farther nyght
And eke I nyll no supper haue, lette be put out the fiere
And hast we all to bed I saye, that ryse betymes we myght
And in he stepte, and sone he was vncased in his couche
And at his heade as was his wonte, he layed vp his pouche.
To wery labouring men, full swete doth seme such rest
He had not lyen longe, but loude he gan to route
And softly by his syde his wyfe, her selfe to bed adrest
The dogge, the cat, and syb the mayde, eche couchen them about
Into theyr hernes where they ware wont, and al was huyst and styll
And Dauy gan to dreame his dreame, as we deuysen wyll
Then Wylkyn gan at once vpbrayde, and sware by gods dyne harte
A rushe for bookes, me leuer ware that I could tel this tale
Then of your scrabblynges for to haue, a loade by wayne or carte
Strawe for such peltry, it is good to stuffe an empty male
I durst it take vpon my soule, in all this lyther thynge
Is not a tale that may be founde so muche to my lykynge.
Yea yea quod Wat, my selfe by gisse, in youth might this haue learned
If I so wyse or happye had ben to folowe my fathers wyll
Who would haue spent vpon my scoole so muche as he had earned
But I was bent another waye, me thought it very yll
All daye to rucken on my tayle, and poren on a booke
It was nothyng vnto my paye, full soone I it forsoke.
But Herman here our other mate, it was a wytty elfe
Ado, ado, quod herman then and prynter yet go forth
What was the dreame that Dauy mette as he it tolde him selfe
For yet me thinketh by thy fare, that dreme is somewhat worth.
Content quod he gyue heare agayne, and here me what I sayne
I shall you reade this dreame a ryght, as here I fynde it playne.
Dauye Dikers dreme.
WHen fayth in frendes beares fruite, and foolyssh fansies fade
& crafty catchers come to nought & hate great loue hath made
When fraude flieth farre frō towne: & loyterers leaue y
e fylde
And rude shall runne a ryghtfull race, and al men be well wylde
When gropers after gayne, shal carpe for common wealth
And wyly woorkers shall dysdayne to fygge and lyue by stealth
When wysedome walkes a lofte, and folly syttes full lowe
And vertue vainquisheth pamperd vice & grace begynnes to growe:
When Iustice ioynes to trueth, and lawe lokes not to miede
And brybes helpe not to buyld faire bowers, nor gyftes gret glotōs fiede
When hongre hides his head & pleinty pleaseth the pore
And nyggardes to the nedy men shall neuer shutte the dore
When double darke deceipt, is out of credite worne
And fawnyng speche is falshed founde & craft is laught to skorne
When pryde that pykes the purse, gapes not for garmentes gay
Nor Iauelles weare no veluette wiedes nor wandring wittes beare sway
When riches wronges not right, ne power puttes pore abacke
Nor coueytous criepes not into court nor learned lyuinges lacke
When slipper sleightes are sene and farre fatches be founde
And pryuate profite and selfe loue shall both be put in pounde
When debt no sergaunt dredes and courtiers credite kepe
And might melles not with merchaūdise, nor lordes shal sel no shiepe
When lucre lastes not longe, and hurde greate heapes doth hate
And euery wyght is well content, to walke in his estate
When truth doth treade the stretes, and lyers lurke in den
And Rex doth reygne and rule the rost, and wiedes out wicked men
Then balefull barnes be blyth, that here in Englande wonne
Your stryfe shall stynt I vndertake, and dredfull dayes be donne.
This Dyker was no fole I gesse, quod Watte and Herman tho
It semeth well he hym bethought, vpon the worldes change
And of his drudge and myckle payne, when he to bed dyd go
And then to dreame of such lyke thynges, perdy it is not straunge
Such as my talke and thoughtes haue bene, the day before certaine
Such thīges again at night in slepe, my dreme hath shewed me plaine.
And eke I harden ones, a ryght good doctour tell.
That such as farced go to bedde, with meate and drynke good store
Theyr dreames alwaye to them in more dysordre fell
Then yf they empty went to bedde, as ye haue harde before
That Dauie dyd whose supper was, so slender and so short
That nothynge els but wearynesse, and nature caused hym snort.
A dreame, a strawe quod Wylkin then, by god it nas no sweuyn
Men dreame of deuyls, of apes, and
[...]wles, of naked gyrles and boyes
But I ne thynke this dreame is such, it hitteth thynges so euen
It talketh with good reason rounde, of fansies ne of ioyes
But of suche thynges as I can not, amenden with my wytte
Nor neuer shall I thynke be founde, refourmed euery whytte.
No quod the prynted no, that ment not the dreame I vndertake
But where as many thynges ben foūd, that mans wyt can not fatche
To mend as many as we can, and the rest a paterne make
To brynge our state as nyghe to them, as mans deuyce can matche
As out of Plat
[...]es commen welth, a tale I coulde you tell
Of many thynges that he wolde haue, and not but very well:
That neuer yet in earthe ware founde, as he wolde haue them done
Quod Watte no more of Platoes lore, I ken him not by gysse
Ne care not muche except he coulde some rules for chaunge of mene
But well I wot algates and am full sure of this
That I haue harde the preachers speake, of asmuche as is here
And of mo thynges than any man, is able to come nere.
But ay me thynkes it is to fyne, for such a rude vplande
It ware ynoughe for a ryght good clerke, at instyuynsty taught
He had to helpe his parysshe prest, I venture durst my hande
What though he coulde it dreame thus right, yet I beleue it naught
That he coulde with such queint prouerbes, his dreame at large endite
And eke I thynke the sely swayne, dyd neuer learne to wryte
No Watte quod the prynter tho, thou harpest on the truth
This Diker had a frende in court that well coulde handle pen
With whom he was acqueynted earst, as play felowes in youth
Who for they then companions ware dyd hym vouchsafe to ken
And loued Dauy euermore, in hym suche truth there was
And Dauy when he came to towne, vnsene wolde not hym pas.
Befell vpon a market daye, when he this dreame had had
That he to London lyst resort, for thynges that stode him niede
He founde his frende, and al this dreame, at length
[...]to him radde
And he for that it semed a thynge, the pennynge worth in diede
Gan drawe it into frame, and shapen as ye harde
And one that lust it fantasien, to pryntynge it prefarde.
Lo nowe I haue the halfe perfourmed, that I you earst behight
What maner man this Diker was, and howe this dreame came out
And nowe I wyll to Camell passe, if ye therin delight
By whom this ioly sturre, is chiefly brought about
And tell fro poynte to poynte, as earst I dyd of this
His worthynesse as I it knowe, and as the sayeng is.
The Camell semes to me to be, a great out landishe beast
Quod Herman to the prynter then, that longe his peace had holde
With bunches twayne vpon his backe, as highe as any horse at least.
Of which I do remenbre is, in the newe Testament tolde
That euery ryche gnof, may vp to heauen as easyly stye
As maye this wylde vnruly beast, passe through a nydles eye.
And eke we none in Englande haue except they bene vs brought
Of late that I ne knowe, out of some farre countrye
And by my trouth if I shall say you playnly to my thought
Thoughe none we had, it skylles not muche, if they so vnruly be
But prynter trust thou me, I nylle it not belieue
A beaste to speake and wryten this, my reason doth not gieue.
The prynter loude he loughe, and so dyd al the shoppe
And sayde that Herman spoken had, asmuch as myght he sayde
But ware the Camell here quod he, he wolde be in thy toppe
No force quod he▪ of beastes I am nothynge afrayde
Though I do selde on horsebacke come, there can no Camel kynde
Tyll I knowe more, lette me to say, tho fansies of my mynde.
Mary knowe thou then quod he, that Camell is a man
Nay prynter softe quod Wylkin the, and suffer me to speake
What cause had he that moued hym, to answer to thys whan
Or why shulde he of other al, so sumysshlye out breake
To dart at Dauye Dikers dreame that ment him none vnrest
Except he ware one of those sortes, that it wolde haue redrest.
Pardien a dreame is but a dreame, a fansye of the heade
And he ne ment I hope that men, shulde it for godspell take
But as a sweuyn or fantasie, that eche one shulde it reade
For thy me thynkes accordyngly, the name dyd Dauye make
And nowe a man (ye saye he is) agaynst a dreame to spurne
Me thynke it eyther smelles of craft, or els of some harte burne.
What soft mate quod the prynter tho, and he began to lowre
You gynue waxe hote I wene, agaynst the somer sonne
Ye may be cooled ere ye come home, with some fresshe Apryl showre
This is to much before that I my tale haue all ydonne
Here fyrst an ende of all, and then prononcen dome
Or els depart ye calmely hence, euen such way as ye come.
Herman was full wo, when he, the printer sawe thus wroth
And had but lyttle lust to tary out the tale
And to his felowes gan vpbrayde, ye se the daye hence goeth
And eke ye knowe aswel as I, the water gynnes to vale
And by the vanes I spye the wynde, to be by south at west.
That we vs haste to Maldon meade, I thynke it be the best
And therfore nowe gyue vs quod he, and take thou here thy grote
And though that Wylkin and this Wat, haue shewed theyr hasty wyt
(We Maryners be salte yfrette, we can no bet god wote)
I pray the prynter be content and take no grefe at it
We haue at home a maryner that can some skyl of booke
He shall them see and reade them vs, and so theyr leaue they ioke.
And I that present was at al, for that I lyked the sporte
Gan prynt it in my fyckle heade, in order as I tolde
And for to pen it out the bet dyd to my celle resorte
And drewe it there into a sōme, as I had harde it tolde
Not with such wordes as they it spake, but in suche wordes as I
Had partly learned of my dame, and lyst to fantasy.
Suche happe may happe, to gyue a seconde fytte
If cause shall happe, and laysure serue for it.
❧Imprynted at London in Fletestrete at the sygne of the George next to saynt Dunstones Church by Wyllyam Powell.