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+Project Gutenberg's The Ship of Fools, Volume 1, by Sebastian Brandt
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Ship of Fools, Volume 1
+
+Author: Sebastian Brandt
+
+Translator: Alexander Barclay
+
+Release Date: December 23, 2006 [EBook #20179]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SHIP OF FOOLS, VOLUME 1 ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Frank van Drogen, Keith Edkins and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note: A few typographical errors in the 1874 introduction
+have been corrected: they are listed at the end of the text. In the spirit
+of that edition, the text of the Ship of Fools itself has been retained
+exactly as it stands, even to the punctuation.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE SHIP OF FOOLS
+
+TRANSLATED BY
+
+ALEXANDER BARCLAY
+
+[Illustration]
+
+VOLUME FIRST
+
+EDINBURGH: WILLIAM PATERSON
+
+LONDON: HENRY SOTHERAN & CO.
+
+MDCCCLXXIV.
+
+PREFATORY NOTE.
+
+It is necessary to explain that in the present edition of the Ship of
+Fools, with a view to both philological and bibliographical interests, the
+text, even to the punctuation, has been printed exactly as it stands in the
+earlier impression (Pynson's), the authenticity of which Barclay himself
+thus vouches for in a deprecatory apology at the end of his labours (II.
+330):--
+
+ "... 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"
+
+Yet the differences of reading of the later edition (Cawood's), are
+surprisingly few and mostly unimportant, though great pains were evidently
+bestowed on the production of the book, all the misprints being carefully
+corrected, and the orthography duly adjusted to the fashion of the time.
+These differences have, in this edition, been placed in one alphabetical
+arrangement with the glossary, by which plan it is believed reference to
+them will be made more easy, and much repetition avoided.
+
+The woodcuts, no less valuable for their artistic merit than they are
+interesting as pictures of contemporary manners, have been facsimiled for
+the present edition from the _originals_ as they appear in the Basle
+edition of the Latin, "denuo seduloque reuisa," issued under Brandt's own
+superintendence in 1497. This work has been done by Mr J. T. Reid, to whom
+it is due to say that he has executed it with the most painstaking and
+scrupulous fidelity.
+
+The portrait of Brandt, which forms the frontispiece to this volume, is
+taken from Zarncke's edition of the Narrenschiff; that of Barclay
+presenting one of his books to his patron, prefixed to the Notice of his
+life, appears with a little more detail in the Mirror of Good Manners and
+the Pynson editions of the Sallust; it is, however, of no authority, being
+used for a similar purpose in various other publications.
+
+For the copy of the extremely rare original edition from which the text of
+the present has been printed, I am indebted to the private collection and
+the well known liberality of Mr David Laing of the Signet Library, to whom
+I beg here to return my best thanks, for this as well as many other
+valuable favours in connection with the present work.
+
+In prosecuting enquiries regarding the life of an author of whom so little
+is known as of Barclay, one must be indebted for aid, more or less, to the
+kindness of friends. In this way I have to acknowledge my obligations to Mr
+AEneas Mackay, Advocate, and Mr Ralph Thomas, ("Olphar Hamst"), for searches
+made in the British Museum and elsewhere.
+
+For collations of Barclay's Works, other than the Ship of Fools, all of
+which are of the utmost degree of rarity, and consequent inaccessibility, I
+am indebted to the kindness of Henry Huth, Esq., 30 Princes' Gate,
+Kensington; the Rev. W. D. Macray, of the Bodleian Library, Oxford; W. B.
+Rye, Esq., of the British Museum; Henry Bradshaw, Esq., of the University
+Library, Cambridge; and Professor Skeat, Cambridge.
+
+For my brief notice of Brandt and his Work, it is also proper to
+acknowledge my obligations to Zarncke's critical edition of the
+Narrenschiff (Leipzig, 1854) which is a perfect encyclopaedia of everything
+Brandtian.
+
+T. H. JAMIESON.
+
+      ADVOCATES' LIBRARY,
+  EDINBURGH, _December_ 1873.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Volume I.
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+NOTICE OF BARCLAY AND HIS WRITINGS
+
+BARCLAY'S WILL
+
+NOTES
+
+BIBLIOGRAPHICAL CATALOGUE OF BARCLAY'S WORKS
+
+THE SHIP OF FOOLS
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Volume II.
+
+THE SHIP OF FOOLS (CONCLUDED)
+
+GLOSSARY
+
+CHAPTER I. OF THE ORIGINAL (GERMAN), AND OF THE LATIN, AND FRENCH VERSIONS
+OF THE SHIP OF FOOLS
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+INTRODUCTION.
+
+If popularity be taken as the measure of success in literary effort,
+Sebastian Brandt's "Ship of Fools" must be considered one of the most
+successful books recorded in the whole history of literature. Published in
+edition after edition (the first dated 1494), at a time, but shortly after
+the invention of printing, when books were expensive, and their circulation
+limited; translated into the leading languages of Europe at a time when
+translations of new works were only the result of the most signal merits,
+its success was then quite unparalleled. It may be said, in modern phrase,
+to have been the rage of the reading world at the end of the fifteenth and
+throughout the sixteenth centuries. It was translated into Latin by one
+Professor (Locher, 1497), and imitated in the same language and under the
+same title, by another (Badius Ascensius, 1507); it appeared in Dutch and
+Low German, and was twice translated into English, and three times into
+French; imitations competed with the original in French and German, as well
+as Latin, and greatest and most unprecedented distinction of all, it was
+preached, but, we should opine, only certain parts of it, from the pulpit
+by the best preachers of the time as a new gospel. The Germans proudly
+award it the epithet, "epoch-making," and its long-continued popularity
+affords good, if not quite sufficient, ground for the extravagant eulogies
+they lavish upon it. Trithemius calls it "Divina Satira," and doubts
+whether anything could have been written more suited to the spirit of the
+age; Locher compares Brandt with Dante, and Hutten styles him the new
+law-giver of German poetry.
+
+A more recent and impartial critic (Mueller, "Chips from a German Workshop,"
+Vol. III.), thus suggestively sets forth the varied grounds of Brandt's
+wonderful popularity:--"His satires, it is true, are not very powerful, nor
+pungent, nor original. But his style is free and easy. Brant is not a
+ponderous poet. He writes in short chapters, and mixes his fools in such a
+manner that we always meet with a variety of new faces. It is true that all
+this would hardly be sufficient to secure a decided success for a work like
+his at the present day. But then we must remember the time in which he
+wrote.... There was room at that time for a work like the 'Ship of Fools.'
+It was the first printed book that treated of contemporaneous events and
+living persons, instead of old German battles and French knights. People
+are always fond of reading the history of their own times. If the good
+qualities of their age are brought out, they think of themselves or their
+friends; if the dark features of their contemporaries are exhibited, they
+think of their neighbours and enemies. Now the 'Ship of Fools' is just such
+a satire which ordinary people would read, and read with pleasure. They
+might feel a slight twinge now and then, but they would put down the book
+at the end, and thank God that they were not like other men. There is a
+chapter on Misers--and who would not gladly give a penny to a beggar? There
+is a chapter on Gluttony--and who was ever more than a little exhilarated
+after dinner?
+
+There is a chapter on Church-goers--and who ever went to church for
+respectability's sake, or to show off a gaudy dress, or a fine dog, or a
+new hawk? There is a chapter on Dancing--and who ever danced except for the
+sake of exercise? There is a chapter on Adultery--and who ever did more
+than flirt with his neighbour's wife? We sometimes wish that Brant's satire
+had been a little more searching, and that, instead of his many allusions
+to classical fools (for his book is full of scholarship), he had given us a
+little more of the _chronique scandaleuse_ of his own time. But he was too
+good a man to do this, and his contemporaries were no doubt grateful to him
+for his forbearance."
+
+Brandt's satire is a satire for all time. Embodied in the language of the
+fifteenth century, coloured with the habits and fashions of the times,
+executed after the manner of working of the period, and motived by the
+eager questioning spirit and the discontent with "abusions" and "folyes"
+which resulted in the Reformation, this satire in its morals or lessons is
+almost as applicable to the year of grace 1873 as to the year of
+gracelessness 1497. It never can grow old; in the mirror in which the men
+of his time saw themselves reflected, the men of all times can recognise
+themselves; a crew of "able-bodied" is never wanting to man this old,
+weather-beaten, but ever seaworthy vessel. The thoughtful, penetrating,
+conscious spirit of the Basle professor passing by, for the most part,
+local, temporary or indifferent points, seized upon the never-dying follies
+of _human nature_ and impaled them on the printed page for the amusement,
+the edification, and the warning of contemporaries and posterity alike. No
+petty writer of laborious _vers de societe_ to raise a laugh for a week, a
+month, or a year, and to be buried in utter oblivion for ever after, was
+he, but a divine seer who saw the weakness and wickedness of the hearts of
+men, and warned them to amend their ways and flee from the wrath to come.
+Though but a retired student, and teacher of the canon law, a humble-minded
+man of letters, and a diffident imperial Counsellor, yet is he to be
+numbered among the greatest Evangelists and Reformers of mediaeval Europe
+whose trumpet-toned tongue penetrated into regions where the names of
+Luther or Erasmus were but an empty sound, if even that. And yet, though
+helping much the cause of the Reformation by the freedom of his social and
+clerical criticism, by his unsparing exposure of every form of corruption
+and injustice, and, not least, by his use of the vernacular for political
+and religious purposes, he can scarcely be classed in the great army of the
+Protestant Reformers. He was a reformer from within, a biting, unsparing
+exposer of every priestly abuse, but a loyal son of the Church, who rebuked
+the faults of his brethren, but visited with the pains of Hell those of
+"fals herytikes," and wept over the "ruyne, inclynacion, and decay of the
+holy fayth Catholyke, and dymynucion of the Empyre."
+
+So while he was yet a reformer in the true sense of the word, he was too
+much of the scholar to be anything but a true conservative. To his
+scholarly habit of working, as well as to the manner of the time which
+hardly trusted in the value of its own ideas but loved to lean them upon
+classical authority, is no doubt owing the classical mould in which his
+satire is cast. The description of every folly is strengthened by notice of
+its classical or biblical prototypes, and in the margin of the Latin
+edition of Locher, Brandt himself supplied the citations of the books and
+passages which formed the basis of his text, which greatly added to the
+popularity of the work. Brandt, indeed, with the modesty of genius,
+professes that it is really no more than a collection and translation of
+quotations from biblical and classical authors, "Gesamlet durch Sebastianu
+Brant." But even admitting the work to be a Mosaic, to adopt the reply of
+its latest German editor to the assertion that it is but a compilation
+testifying to the most painstaking industry and the consumption of midnight
+oil, "even so one learns that a Mosaic is a work of art when executed with
+artistic skill." That he caused the classical and biblical passages
+flitting before his eyes to be cited in the margin proves chiefly only the
+excellence of his memory. They are also before our eyes and yet we are not
+always able to answer the question: where, _e.g._, does this occur? ...
+Where, _e.g._, occur the following appropriate words of Goethe: "Who can
+think anything foolish, who can think anything wise, that antiquity has not
+already thought of."
+
+Of the Greek authors, Plutarch only is used, and he evidently by means of a
+Latin translation. But from the Latin large draughts of inspiration are
+taken, direct from the fountainhead. Ovid, Juvenal, Persius, Catullus, and
+Seneca, are largely drawn from, while, strangely enough, Cicero, Boethius,
+and Virgil are quoted but seldom, the latter, indeed, only twice, though
+his commentators, especially Servetus, are frequently employed. The Bible,
+of course, is a never-failing source of illustration, and, as was to be
+expected, the Old Testament much more frequently than the New, most use
+being made of the Proverbs of Solomon, while Ecclesiastes, Ecclesiasticus,
+and the Sapientia follow at no great distance.
+
+The quotations are made apparently direct from the Vulgate, in only a few
+cases there being a qualification of the idea by the interpretation of the
+Corpus Juris Canonici. But through this medium only, as was to be expected
+of the professor of canon law, is the light of the fathers of the Church
+allowed to shine upon us, and according to Zarncke (Introduction to his
+edition of the Narrenschiff, 1854), use of it has certainly been made far
+oftener than the commentary shows, the sources of information of which are
+of the most unsatisfactory character. On such solid and tried foundations
+did Brandt construct his great work, and the judgment of contemporaries and
+posterity alike has declared the superstructure to be worthy of its
+supports.
+
+The following admirable notice from Ersch and Grueber (Encyclopaedie) sums up
+so skilfully the history, nature, and qualities of the book that we quote
+at length:--"The Ship of Fools was received with almost unexampled applause
+by high and low, learned and unlearned, in Germany, Switzerland, and
+France, and was made the common property of the greatest part of literary
+Europe, through Latin, French, English, and Dutch translations. For upwards
+of a century it was in Germany a _book of the people_ in the noblest and
+widest sense of the word, alike appreciated by an Erasmus and a Reuchlin,
+and by the mechanics of Strassburg, Basel, and Augsburg; and it was assumed
+to be so familiar to all classes, that even during Brandt's lifetime, the
+German preacher Gailer von Kaiserberg went so far as to deliver public
+lectures from the pulpit on his friend's poem as if it had been a
+scriptural text. As to the poetical and humorous character of Brandt's
+poem, its whole conception does not display any extraordinary power of
+imagination, nor does it present in its details any very striking sallies
+of wit and humour, even when compared with older German works of a similar
+kind, such as that of Renner. The fundamental idea of the poem consists in
+the shipping off of several shiploads of fools of all kinds for their
+native country, which, however, is visible at a distance only; and one
+would have expected the poet to have given poetical consistency to his work
+by fully carrying out this idea of a ship's crew, and sailing to the 'Land
+of Fools.' It is, however, at intervals only that Brandt reminds us of the
+allegory; the fools who are carefully divided into classes and introduced
+to us in succession, instead of being ridiculed or derided, are reproved in
+a liberal spirit, with noble earnestness, true moral feeling, and practical
+common sense. It was the straightforward, the bold and liberal spirit of
+the poet which so powerfully addressed his contemporaries from the Ship of
+the Fools; and to us it is valuable as a product of the piety and morality
+of the century which paved the way for the Reformation. Brandt's fools are
+represented as contemptible and loathsome rather than _foolish_, and what
+he calls follies might be more correctly described as sins and vices.
+
+"The 'Ship of Fools' is written in the dialect of Swabia, and consists of
+vigorous, resonant, and rhyming iambic quadrameters. It is divided into 113
+sections, each of which, with the exception of a short introduction and two
+concluding pieces, treats independently of a certain class of fools or
+vicious persons; and we are only occasionally reminded of the fundamental
+idea by an allusion to the ship. No folly of the century is left
+uncensured. The poet attacks with noble zeal the failings and extravagances
+of his age, and applies his lash unsparingly even to the dreaded Hydra of
+popery and monasticism, to combat which the Hercules of Wittenberg had not
+yet kindled his firebrands. But the poet's object was not merely to reprove
+and to animadvert; he instructs also, and shows the fools the way to the
+land of wisdom; and so far is he from assuming the arrogant air of the
+commonplace moralist, that he reckons himself among the number of fools.
+The style of the poem is lively, bold, and simple, and often remarkably
+terse, especially in his moral sayings, and renders it apparent that the
+author was a classical scholar, without however losing anything of his
+German character."
+
+Brandt's humour, which either his earnestness or his manner banished from
+the text, took refuge in the illustrations and there disported itself with
+a wild zest and vigour. Indeed to their popularity several critics have
+ascribed the success of the book, but for this there is no sufficient
+authority or probability. Clever as they are, it is more probable that they
+ran, in popularity, but an equal race with the text. The precise amount of
+Brandt's workmanship in them has not been ascertained, but it is agreed
+that "most of them, if not actually drawn, were at least suggested by him."
+Zarncke remarks regarding their artistic worth, "not all of the cuts are of
+equal value. One can easily distinguish five different workers, and more
+practised eyes would probably be able to increase the number. In some one
+can see how the outlines, heads, hands, and other principal parts are cut
+with the fine stroke of the master, and the details and shading left to the
+scholars. The woodcuts of the most superior master, which can be recognized
+at once, and are about a third of the whole, belong to the finest, if they
+are not, indeed, the finest, which were executed in the fifteenth century,
+a worthy school of Holbein. According to the opinion of Herr Rudolph
+Weigel, they might possibly be the work of Martin Schoen of Colmar.... The
+composition in the better ones is genuinely Hogarth-like, and the longer
+one looks at these little pictures, the more is one astonished at the
+fulness of the humour, the fineness of the characterisation and the almost
+dramatic talent of the grouping." Green, in his recent work on emblems,
+characterizes them as marking an epoch in that kind of literature. And
+Dibdin, the Macaulay of bibliography, loses his head in admiration of the
+"entertaining volume," extolling the figures without stint for "merit in
+conception and execution," "bold and free pencilling," "spirit and point,"
+"delicacy, truth, and force," "spirit of drollery," &c., &c.; summarising
+thus, "few books are more pleasing to the eye, and more gratifying to the
+fancy than the early editions of the 'Stultifera Navis.' It presents a
+combination of entertainment to which the curious can never be
+indifferent."
+
+Whether it were the racy cleverness of the pictures or the unprecedented
+boldness of the text, the book stirred Europe of the fifteenth century in a
+way and with a rapidity it had never been stirred before. In the German
+actual acquaintance with it could then be but limited, though it ran
+through seventeen editions within a century; the Latin version brought it
+to the knowledge of the educated class throughout Europe; but, expressing,
+as it did mainly, the feelings of the common people, to have it in the
+learned language was not enough. Translations into various vernaculars were
+immediately called for, and the Latin edition having lightened the
+translator's labours, they were speedily supplied. England, however, was
+all but last in the field but when she did appear, it was in force, with a
+version in each hand, the one in prose and the other in verse.
+
+Fifteen years elapsed from the appearance of the first German edition,
+before the English metrical version "translated out of Laten, French, and
+Doche ... in the colege of Saynt Mary Otery, by me, Alexander Barclay," was
+issued from the press of Pynson in 1509. A translation, however, it is not.
+Properly speaking, it is an adaptation, an English ship, formed and
+fashioned after the Ship of Fools of the World. "But concernynge the
+translacion of this boke; I exhort ye reders to take no displesour for y^t,
+it is nat translated word by worde acordinge to ye verses of my actour. For
+I haue but only drawen into our moder tunge, in rude langage the sentences
+of the verses as nere as the parcyte of my wyt wyl suffer me, some tyme
+addynge, somtyme detractinge and takinge away suche thinges as semeth me
+necessary and superflue. Wherfore I desyre of you reders pardon of my
+presumptuous audacite, trustynge that ye shall holde me excused if ye
+consyder ye scarsnes of my wyt and my vnexpert youthe. I haue in many
+places ouerpassed dyuers poetical digressions and obscurenes of fables and
+haue concluded my worke in rude langage as shal apere in my translacion."
+
+"Wylling to redres the errours and vyces of this oure royalme of England
+... I haue taken upon me ... the translacion of this present boke ... onely
+for the holsome instruccion commodyte and doctryne of wysdome, and to
+clense the vanyte and madness of folysshe people of whom ouer great nombre
+is in the Royalme of Englonde."
+
+Actuated by these patriotic motives, Barclay has, while preserving all the
+valuable characteristics of his original, painted for posterity perhaps the
+most graphic and comprehensive picture now preserved of the folly,
+injustice, and iniquity which demoralized England, city and country alike,
+at the beginning of the sixteenth century, and rendered it ripe for any
+change political or religious.
+
+ "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 disordered: Vertue hath 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."
+
+His ships are full laden but carry not all who should be on board.
+
+ "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."
+
+The national tone and aim of the English "Ship" are maintained throughout
+with the greatest emphasis, exhibiting an independence of spirit which few
+ecclesiastics of the time would have dared to own. Barclay seems to have
+been first an Englishman, then an ecclesiastic. Everywhere throughout his
+great work the voice of the people is heard to rise and ring through the
+long exposure of abuse and injustice, and had the authorship been unknown
+it would most certainly have been ascribed to a Langlande of the period.
+Everywhere he takes what we would call the popular side, the side of the
+people as against those in office. Everywhere he stands up boldly in behalf
+of the oppressed, and spares not the oppressor, even if he be of his own
+class. He applies the cudgel as vigorously to the priest's pate as to the
+Lolardes back. But he disliked modern innovation as much as ancient abuse,
+in this also faithfully reflecting the mind of the people, and he is as
+emphatic in his censure of the one as in his condemnation of the other.
+
+Barclay's "Ship of Fools," however, is not only important as a picture of
+the English life and popular feeling of his time, it is, both in style and
+vocabulary, a most valuable and remarkable monument of the English
+language. Written midway between Chaucer and Spenser, it is infinitely more
+easy to read than either. Page after page, even in the antique spelling of
+Pynson's edition, may be read by the ordinary reader of to-day without
+reference to a dictionary, and when reference is required it will be found
+in nine cases out of ten that the archaism is Saxon, not Latin. This is all
+the more remarkable, that it occurs in the case of a priest translating
+mainly from the Latin and French, and can only be explained with reference
+to his standpoint as a social reformer of the broadest type, and to his
+evident intention that his book should be an appeal to all classes, but
+especially to the mass of the people, for amendment of their follies. In
+evidence of this it may be noticed that in the didactic passages, and
+especially in the L'envois, which are additions of his own, wherever, in
+fact, he appears in his own character of "preacher," his language is most
+simple, and his vocabulary of the most Saxon description.
+
+In his prologue "excusynge the rudenes of his translacion," he professes to
+have purposely used the most "comon speche":--
+
+ "My speche is rude my termes comon and rural
+  And I for rude peple moche more conuenient
+  Than for estates, lerned men, or eloquent."
+
+He afterwards humorously supplements this in "the prologe," by:--
+
+ "But if I halt in meter or erre in eloquence
+  Or be to large in langage I pray you blame not me
+  For my mater is so bad it wyll none other be."
+
+So much the better for all who are interested in studying the development
+of our language and literature. For thus we have a volume, confessedly
+written in the commonest language of the common people, from which the
+philologist may at once see the stage at which they had arrived in the
+development of a simple English speech, and how far, in this respect, the
+spoken language had advanced a-head of the written; and from which also he
+can judge to what extent the popularity of a book depends, when the
+language is in a state of transition, upon the unusual simplicity of its
+style both in structure and vocabulary, and how far it may, by reason of
+its popularity, be influential in modifying and improving the language in
+both these respects. In the long barren tract between Chaucer and Spenser,
+the Ship of Fools stands all but alone as a popular poem, and the
+continuance of this popularity for a century and more is no doubt to be
+attributed as much to the use of the language of the "coming time" as to
+the popularity of the subject.
+
+In more recent times however, Barclay has, probably in part, from
+accidental circumstances, come to be relegated to a position among the
+English classics, those authors whom every one speaks of but few read. That
+modern editions of at least his principal performance have not appeared,
+can only be accounted for by the great expense attendant upon the
+reproduction of so uniquely illustrated a work, an interesting proof of
+which, given in the evidence before the Select Committee of the House of
+Commons on the Copyright act in 1818, is worth quoting. Amongst new
+editions of standard but costly works, of which the tax then imposed by the
+act upon publishers of giving eleven copies of all their publications free
+to certain libraries prevented the publication, is mentioned, Barclay's
+"Ship of Fools;" regarding which Harding, the well known bookseller, is
+reported to have said, "We have declined republishing the 'Ship of Fools,'
+a folio volume of great rarity and high price. Our probable demand would
+not have been more than for a hundred copies, at the price of 12 guineas
+each. The delivery of eleven copies to the public libraries decided us
+against entering into the speculation."
+
+A wider and more eager interest is now being manifested in our early
+literature, and especially in our early popular poetry, to the satisfaction
+of which, it is believed, a new edition of this book will be regarded as a
+most valuable contribution. Indeed, as a graphic and comprehensive picture
+of the social condition of pre-Reformation England; as an important
+influence in the formation of our modern English tongue; and as a rich and
+unique exhibition of early art, to all of which subjects special attention
+is being at present directed, this mediaeval picture-poem is of unrivalled
+interest.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+NOTICE
+
+OF THE
+
+_Life and Writings of Alexander Barclay_,
+
+THE TRANSLATOR OF BRANDT'S SHIP OF FOOLS.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+ALEXANDER BARCLAY.
+
+Whether this distinguished poet was an Englishman or a Scotchman has long
+been a _quaestio vexata_ affording the literary antiquary a suitable field
+for the display of his characteristic amenity. Bale, the oldest authority,
+simply says that some contend he was a Scot, others an Englishman, (Script.
+Illust. Majoris Britt. Catalogus, 1559). Pits (De Illust. Angliae Script.,)
+asserts that though to some he appears to have been a Scot, he was really
+an Englishman, and probably a native of Devonshire, ("_nam_ ibi ad S.
+Mariam de Otery, Presbyter primum fuit"). Wood again, (Athen. Oxon.), by
+the reasoning which finds a likeness between Macedon and Monmouth, because
+there is a river in each, arrives at "Alexander de Barklay, seems to have
+been born at or near a town so called in Somersetshire;" upon which Ritson
+pertinently observes, "there is no such place in Somersetshire, the onely
+Berkeley known is in Gloucestershire." Warton, coming to the question
+double-shotted, observes that "he was most probably of Devonshire or
+Gloucestershire," in the one case following Pits, and in the other
+anticipating Ritson's observation.
+
+On the other hand Bale, in an earlier work than the _Catalogus_, the
+_Summarium Ill. Maj. Britt. Script._, published in 1548, during Barclay's
+life time, adorns him with the epithets "Scotus, rhetor ac poeta insignis."
+Dempster (Hist. ecclesiastica), styles him "Scotus, ut retulit ipse Joannes
+Pitsaeus." Holinshed also styles him "Scot"! Sibbald gives him a place in
+his (MS.) Catalogues of Scottish poets, as does also Wodrow in his
+Catalogues of Scots writers. Mackenzie (Lives of the Scots writers) begins,
+"The Barklies, from whom this gentleman is descended, are of a very ancient
+standing in Scotland." Ritson (Bib. Poetica), after a caustic review of the
+controversy, observes "both his name of baptism and the orthography of his
+surname seem to prove that he was of Scottish extraction." Bliss (Additions
+to Wood) is of opinion that he "undoubtedly was not a native of England,"
+and Dr Irving (Hist. of Scot. Poetry) adheres to the opinion of Ritson.
+
+Such contention, whatever may be the weight of the evidence on either side,
+is at any rate a sufficient proof of the eminence of the individual who is
+the subject of it; to be his birthplace being considered an honour of so
+much value to the country able to prove its claim to the distinction as to
+occasion a literary warfare of several centuries' duration.
+
+We cannot profess to have brought such reinforcements to either side as to
+obtain for it a complete and decisive victory, but their number and
+character are such as will probably induce one of the combatants quietly to
+retire from the field. In the first place, a more explicit and
+unimpeachable piece of evidence than any contained in the authors mentioned
+above has been found, strangely enough, in a medical treatise, published
+about twenty years after Barclay's death, by a physician and botanist of
+great eminence in the middle of the sixteenth century, who was a native of
+the isle of Ely, at the Monastery of which Barclay was for some time a
+monk.
+
+It is entitled "A dialogue both pleasaunt and pietifull, wherein is a
+godlie regiment against the Fever Pestilence, with a consolation and
+comforte against death.--Newlie corrected by William Bullein, the author
+thereof.--Imprinted at London by Ihon Kingston. Julij, 1573." [8vo., B.L.,
+111 leaves.] "There was an earlier impression of this work in 1564, but the
+edition of 1573 was 'corrected by the author,' the last work on which he
+probably was engaged, as he died in 1576. It is of no value at this time of
+day as a medical treatise, though the author was very eminent; but we
+advert to it because Bullein, for the sake of variety and amusement,
+introduces notices of Chaucer, Gower, Lidgate, Skelton, and Barclay, which,
+coming from a man who was contemporary with two of them, may be accepted as
+generally accurate representations.... Alexander Barclay, Dr Bullein calls
+Bartlet, in the irregular spelling of those times; and, asserting that he
+was 'born beyond the cold river of Tweed,' we see no sufficient reason for
+disbelieving that he was a native of Scotland. Barclay, after writing his
+pastorals, &c., did not die until 1552, so that Bullein was his
+contemporary, and most likely knew him and the fact. He observes:--'Then
+Bartlet, with an hoopyng russet long coate, with a pretie hoode in his
+necke, and five knottes upon his girdle, after Francis tricks. He was borne
+beyonde the cold river of Twede. He lodged upon a swete bed of chamomill,
+under the sinamum tree; about hym many shepherdes and shepe, with
+pleasaunte pipes; greatly abhorring the life of Courtiers, Citizens,
+Usurers, and Banckruptes, &c., whose olde daies are miserable. And the
+estate of shepherdes and countrie people he accoumpted moste happie and
+sure." (Collier's "Bibliographical Account of Early English Literature,"
+Vol. 1., P. 97).
+
+"The certainty with which Bulleyn here speaks of Barclay, as born beyond
+the Tweed, is not a little strengthened by the accuracy with which even in
+allegory he delineates his peculiar characteristics. 'He lodged upon a bed
+of sweet camomile.' What figure could have been more descriptive of that
+agreeable bitterness, that pleasant irony, which distinguishes the author
+of the 'Ship of Fools?' 'About him many shepherds and sheep with pleasant
+pipes, greatly abhorring the life of courtiers.' What could have been a
+plainer paraphrase of the title of Barclay's 'Eclogues,' or 'Miseries of
+Courtiers and Courtes, and of all Princes in General.' As a minor feature,
+'the five knots upon his girdle after Francis's tricks' may also be
+noticed. Hitherto, the fact of Barclay having been a member of the
+Franciscan order has been always repeated as a matter of some doubt; 'he
+was a monk of the order of St Benedict, and afterwards, as some say, a
+Franciscan. Bulleyn knows, and mentions, with certainty, what others only
+speak of as the merest conjecture. In short, everything tends to shew a
+degree of familiar acquaintance with the man, his habits, and his
+productions, which entitles the testimony of Bulleyn to the highest
+credit.'" (Lives of the Scottish Poets, Vol. I., pt. ii., p. 77).
+
+But there are other proofs pointing as decidedly to the determination of
+this long-continued controversy in favour of Scotland, as the soil from
+which this vagrant child of the muses sprung. No evidence seems to have
+been hitherto sought from the most obvious source, his writings. The writer
+of the memoir in the Biographia Brittanica, (who certainly dealt a
+well-aimed, though by no means decisive, blow, in observing, "It is pretty
+extraordinary that Barclay himself, in his several addresses to his patrons
+should never take notice of his being a stranger, which would have made
+their kindness to him the more remarkable [it was very customary for the
+writers of that age to make mention in their works of the countries to
+which they belonged, especially if they wrote out of their own];[1] whereas
+the reader will quickly see, that in his address to the young gentlemen of
+England in the 'Mirror of Good Manners,' he treats them as his
+countrymen,") has remarked, "It seems a little strange that in those days a
+Scot should obtain so great reputation in England, especially if it be
+considered from whence our author's rose, viz., from his enriching and
+improving the English tongue. Had he written in Latin or on the sciences,
+the thing had been probable enough, but in the light in which it now
+stands, I think it very far from likely." From which it is evident that the
+biographer understood not the versatile nature of the Scot and his ability,
+especially when caught young, in "doing in Rome as the Romans do."
+Barclay's English education and foreign travel, together extending over the
+most impressionable years of his youth, could not have failed to rub off
+any obvious national peculiarities of speech acquired in early boyhood, had
+the difference between the English and Scottish speech then been wider than
+it was. But the language of Barbour and Chaucer was really one and the
+same. It will then not be wondered at that but few Scotch words are found
+in Barclay's writings. Still, these few are not without their importance in
+strengthening the argument as to nationality. The following from "The Ship
+of Fools," indicate at once the clime to which they are native, "gree,"
+"kest," "rawky," "ryue," "yate," "bokest," "bydeth," "thekt," and "or," in
+its peculiar Scottish use.[2] That any Englishman, especially a South or
+West of England Englishman, should use words such as those, particularly at
+a time of hostility and of little intercourse between the nations, will
+surely be admitted to be a far more unlikely thing than that a Scotchman
+born, though not bred, should become, after the effects of an English
+education and residence had efficiently done their work upon him, a great
+improver and enricher of the English tongue.
+
+But perhaps the strongest and most decisive argument of all in this
+much-vexed controversy is to be found in the panegyric of James the Fourth
+contained in the "Ship of Fools," an eulogy so highly pitched and
+extravagant that no Englishman of that time would ever have dreamed of it
+or dared to pen it. Nothing could well be more conclusive. Barclay precedes
+it by a long and high-flown tribute to Henry, but when he comes to "Jamys
+of Scotlonde," he, so to speak, out-Herods Herod. Ordinary verse suffices
+not for the greatness of his subject, which he must needs honour with an
+acrostic,--
+
+ "I n prudence pereles is this moste comely kynge
+  A nd as for his strength and magnanymyte
+  C oncernynge his noble dedes in euery thynge
+  O ne founde or grounde lyke to hym can not be
+  B y byrth borne to boldnes and audacyte
+  V nder the bolde planet of Mars the champyon
+  S urely to subdue his ennemyes echone."
+
+There, we are convinced, speaks not the prejudiced, Scot-hating English
+critic, but the heart beating true to its fatherland and loyal to its
+native Sovereign.
+
+That "he was born beyonde the cold river of Twede," about the year 1476, as
+shall be shown anon, is however all the length we can go. His training was
+without doubt mainly, if not entirely English. He must have crossed the
+border very early in life, probably for the purpose of pursuing his
+education at one of the Universities, or, even earlier than the period of
+his University career, with parents or guardians to reside in the
+neighbourhood of Croydon, to which he frequently refers. Croydon is
+mentioned in the following passages in Eclogue I.:
+
+ "While I in youth in Croidon towne did dwell."
+
+ "He hath no felowe betwene this and Croidon,
+  Save the proude plowman Gnatho of Chorlington."
+
+ "And as in Croidon I heard the Collier preache"
+
+ "Such maner riches the Collier tell thee can"
+
+ "As the riche Shepheard that woned in Mortlake."
+
+It seems to have become a second home to him, for there, we find, in 1552,
+he died and was buried.
+
+At which University he studied, whether Oxford or Cambridge, is also a
+matter of doubt and controversy. Wood claims him for Oxford and Oriel,
+apparently on no other ground than that he dedicates the "Ship of Fools" to
+Thomas Cornish, the Suffragan bishop of Tyne, in the Diocese of Bath and
+Wells, who was provost of Oriel College from 1493 to 1507. That the Bishop
+was the first to give him an appointment in the Church is certainly a
+circumstance of considerable weight in favour of the claim of Oxford to be
+his _alma mater_, and of Cornish to be his intellectual father; and if the
+appointment proceeded from the Provost's good opinion of the young
+Scotchman, then it says much for the ability and talents displayed by him
+during his College career. Oxford however appears to be nowhere mentioned
+in his various writings, while Cambridge is introduced thus in Eclogue
+I.:--
+
+ "And once in Cambridge I heard a scoller say."
+
+From which it seems equally, if not more, probable that he was a student at
+that university. "There is reason to believe that both the universities
+were frequented by Scotish students; many particular names are to be traced
+in their annals; nor is it altogether irrelevant to mention that Chaucer's
+young clerks of Cambridge who played such tricks to the miller of
+Trompington, are described as coming from the north, and as speaking the
+Scotish language:--
+
+ 'John highte that on, and Alein highte that other,
+  Of o toun were they born that highte Strother,
+  Fer in the North, I cannot tellen where.'
+
+"It may be considered as highly probable that Barclay completed his studies
+in one of those universities, and that the connections which he thus had an
+opportunity of forming, induced him to fix his residence in the South; and
+when we suppose him to have enjoyed the benefit of an English education it
+need not appear peculiarly 'strange, that in those days, a Scot should
+obtain so great reputation in England.'" (Irving, Hist. of Scot. Poetry).
+
+In the "Ship" there is a chapter "Of unprofytable Stody" in which he makes
+allusion to his student life in such a way as to imply that it had not been
+a model of regularity and propriety:
+
+ "The great foly, the pryde, and the enormyte
+  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."
+
+If these lines are meant to be accepted literally, which such confessions
+seldom are, it may be that he was advised to put a year or two's foreign
+travel between his University career, and his entrance into the Church. At
+any rate, for whatever reason, on leaving the University, where, as is
+indicated by the title of "Syr" prefixed to his name in his translation of
+Sallust, he had obtained the degree of Bachelor of Arts, he travelled
+abroad, whether at his own charges, or in the company of a son of one of
+his patrons is not recorded, principally in Germany, Italy, and France,
+where he applied himself, with an unusual assiduity and success, to the
+acquirement of the languages spoken in those countries and to the study of
+their best authors. In the chapter "Of unprofytable Stody," above
+mentioned, which contains proof how well he at least had profited by study,
+he cites certain continental seats of university learning at each of which,
+there is indeed no improbability in supposing he may have remained for some
+time, as was the custom in those days:
+
+ "One rennyth to Almayne another vnto France
+  To Parys, Padway, Lumbardy or Spayne
+  Another to Bonony, Rome, or Orleanse
+  To Cayne, to Tolows, Athenys, or Colayne."
+
+Another reference to his travels and mode of travelling is found in the
+Eclogues. Whether he made himself acquainted with the English towns he
+enumerates before or after his continental travels it is impossible to
+determine:
+
+                  CORNIX.
+
+ "As if diuers wayes laye vnto Islington,
+  To Stow on the Wold, Quaueneth or Trompington,
+  To Douer, Durham, to Barwike or Exeter,
+  To Grantham, Totnes, Bristow or good Manchester,
+  To Roan, Paris, to Lions or Floraunce.
+
+                  CORIDON.
+
+  (What ho man abide, what already in Fraunce,
+  Lo, a fayre iourney and shortly ended to,
+  With all these townes what thing haue we to do?
+
+                  CORNIX.
+
+  By Gad man knowe thou that I haue had to do
+  In all these townes and yet in many mo,
+  To see the worlde in youth me thought was best,
+  And after in age to geue my selfe to rest.
+
+                  CORIDON.
+
+  Thou might haue brought one and set by our village.
+
+                  CORNIX.
+
+  What man I might not for lacke of cariage.
+  To cary mine owne selfe was all that euer I might,
+  And sometime for ease my sachell made I light."
+                                ECLOGUE I.
+
+Returning to England, after some years of residence abroad, with his mind
+broadened and strengthened by foreign travel, and by the study of the best
+authors, modern as well as ancient, Barclay entered the church, the only
+career then open to a man of his training. With intellect, accomplishments,
+and energy possessed by few, his progress to distinction and power ought to
+have been easy and rapid, but it turned out quite otherwise. The road to
+eminence lay by the "backstairs," the atmosphere of which he could not
+endure. The ways of courtiers--falsehood, flattery, and fawning--he
+detested, and worse, he said so, wherefore his learning, wit and eloquence
+found but small reward. To his freedom of speech, his unsparing exposure
+and denunciation of corruption and vice in the Court and the Church, as
+well as among the people generally, must undoubtedly be attributed the
+failure to obtain that high promotion his talents deserved, and would
+otherwise have met with. The policy, not always a successful one in the
+end, of ignoring an inconvenient display of talent, appears to have been
+fully carried out in the instance of Barclay.
+
+His first preferment appears to have been in the shape of a chaplainship in
+the sanctuary for piety and learning founded at Saint Mary Otery in the
+County of Devon, by Grandison, Bishop of Exeter; and to have come from
+Thomas Cornish, Suffragan Bishop of Bath and Wells under the title of the
+Bishop of Tyne, "meorum primitias laborum qui in lucem eruperunt," to whom,
+doubtless out of gratitude for his first appointment, he dedicated "The
+Ship of Fools." Cornish, amongst the many other good things he enjoyed,
+held, according to Dugdale, from 1490 to 1511, the post of warden of the
+College of S. Mary Otery, where Barclay no doubt had formed that regard and
+respect for him which is so strongly expressed in the dedication.
+
+A very eulogistic notice of "My Mayster Kyrkham," in the chapter "Of the
+extorcion of Knyghtis," (Ship of Fools,) has misled biographers, who were
+ignorant of Cornish's connection with S. Mary Otery, to imagine that
+Barclay's use of "Capellanus humilimus" in his dedication was merely a
+polite expression, and that Kyrkham, of whom he styles himself, "His true
+seruytour his chaplayne and bedeman" was his actual ecclesiastical
+superior. The following is the whole passage:--
+
+ "Good offycers ar good and commendable
+  And manly knyghtes that lyue in rightwysenes
+  But they that do nat ar worthy of a bable
+  Syns by theyr pryde pore people they oppres
+  My mayster Kyrkhan 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 his 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."
+
+That this Kyrkham was a knight and not an ecclesiastic is so plainly
+apparent as to need no argument. An investigation into Devonshire history
+affords the interesting information that among the ancient families of that
+county there was one of this name, of great antiquity and repute, now no
+longer existent, of which the most eminent member was a certain Sir John
+Kirkham, whose popularity is evinced by his having been twice created High
+Sheriff of the County, in the years 1507 and 1523. (Prince, Worthies of
+Devon; Izacke, Antiquities of Exeter.)
+
+That this was the Kirkham above alluded to, there can be no reasonable
+doubt, and in view of the expression "My mayster Kyrkham," it may be
+surmised that Barclay had the honour of being appointed by this worthy
+gentleman to the office of Sheriff's or private Chaplain or to some similar
+position of confidence, by which he gained the poet's respect and
+gratitude. The whole allusion, however, might, without straining be
+regarded as a merely complimentary one. The tone of the passage affords at
+any rate a very pleasing glimpse of the mutual regard entertained by the
+poet and his Devonshire neighbours.
+
+After the eulogy of Kyrkham ending with "Yet other ar als bad," the poet
+goes on immediately to give the picture of a character of the opposite
+description, making the only severe personal reference in his whole
+writings, for with all his unsparing exposure of wrong-doing, he carefully,
+wisely, honourably avoided personality. A certain Mansell of Otery is
+gibbeted as a terror to evil doers in a way which would form a sufficient
+ground for an action for libel in these degenerate days.--Ship, II. 82.
+
+ "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."
+
+It ought however to be mentioned that no such name as Mansell appears in
+the Devonshire histories, and it may therefore be fictitious.
+
+The ignorance and reckless living of the clergy, one of the chief objects
+of his animadversion, receive also local illustration:
+
+ "For if one can flater, and beare a Hauke on his fist,
+  He shalbe made parson of Honington or Clist."
+
+A good humoured reference to the Secondaries of the College is the only
+other streak of local colouring we have detected in the Ship, except the
+passage in praise of his friend and colleague Bishop, quoted at p. liii.
+
+ "Softe, fooles, softe, a little slacke your pace,
+  Till I haue space you to order by degree,
+  I haue eyght neyghbours, that first shall haue a place
+  Within this my ship, for they most worthy be,
+  They may their learning receyue costles and free,
+  Their walles abutting and ioyning to the scholes;
+  Nothing they can, yet nought will they learne nor see,
+  Therfore shall they guide this our ship of fooles."
+
+In the comfort, quiet, and seclusion of the pleasant Devonshire retreat,
+the "Ship" was translated in the year 1508, when he would be about
+thirty-two, "by Alexander Barclay Preste; and at that tyme chaplen in the
+sayde College," whence it may be inferred that he left Devon, either in
+that year or the year following, when the "Ship" was published, probably
+proceeding to London for the purpose of seeing it through the press.
+Whether he returned to Devonshire we do not know; probably not, for his
+patron and friend Cornish resigned the wardenship of St Mary Otery in 1511,
+and in two years after died, so that Barclay's ties and hopes in the West
+were at an end. At any rate we next hear of him in monastic orders, a monk
+of the order of S. Benedict, in the famous monastery of Ely, where, as is
+evident from internal proof, the Eclogues were written and where likewise,
+as appears from the title, was translated "The mirrour of good maners," at
+the desire of Syr Giles Alington, Knight.
+
+It is about this period of his life, probably the period of the full bloom
+of his popularity, that the quiet life of the poet and priest was
+interrupted by the recognition of his eminence in the highest quarters, and
+by a request for his aid in maintaining the honour of the country on an
+occasion to which the eyes of all Europe were then directed. In a letter of
+Sir Nicholas Vaux, busied with the preparations for the meeting of Henry
+VIII., and Francis I., called the Field of the Cloth of Gold, to Wolsey, of
+date 10th April 1520, he begs the cardinal to "send to them ... Maistre
+Barkleye, the Black Monke and Poete, to devise histoires and convenient
+raisons to florisshe the buildings and banquet house withal" (Rolls
+Calendars of Letters and Papers, Henry VIII., III. pt. 1.). No doubt it was
+also thought that this would be an excellent opportunity for the eulogist
+of the Defender of the Faith to again take up the lyre to sing the glories
+of his royal master, but no effort of his muse on the subject of this great
+chivalric pageant has descended to us if any were ever penned.
+
+Probably after this employment he did not return to Ely; with his position
+or surroundings there he does not seem to have been altogether satisfied
+("there many a thing is wrong," see p. lxix.); and afterwards, though in
+the matter of date we are somewhat puzzled by the allusion of Bulleyn, an
+Ely man, to his Franciscan habit, he assumed the habit of the Franciscans
+at Canterbury, ('Bale MS. Sloan, f. 68,') to which change we may owe, if it
+be really Barclay's, "The life of St Thomas of Canterbury."
+
+Autumn had now come to the poet, but fruit had failed him. The advance of
+age and his failure to obtain a suitable position in the Church began
+gradually to weigh upon his spirits. The bright hopes with which he had
+started in the flush of youth, the position he was to obtain, the influence
+he was to wield, and the work he was to do personally, and by his writings,
+in the field of moral and social reformation were all in sad contrast with
+the actualities around. He had never risen from the ranks, the army was in
+a state of disorganisation, almost of mutiny, and the enemy was more bold,
+unscrupulous, and numerous than ever. It is scarcely to be wondered at
+that, though not past fifty, he felt prematurely aged, that his youthful
+enthusiasm which had carried him on bravely in many an attempt to instruct
+and benefit his fellows at length forsook him and left him a prey to that
+weakness of body, and that hopelessness of spirit to which he so
+pathetically alludes in the Prologue to the Mirror of good Manners. All his
+best work, all the work which has survived to our day, was executed before
+this date. But the pen was too familiar to his hand to be allowed to drop.
+His biographers tell us "that when years came on he spent his time mostly
+in pious matters, and in reading and writing histories of the Saints." A
+goodly picture of a well-spent old age. The harness of youth he had no
+longer the spirit and strength to don, the garments of age he gathered
+resignedly and gracefully about him.
+
+On the violent dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539, when their inmates,
+the good and bad, the men of wisdom and the "fools," were alike cast adrift
+upon a rock-bound and stormy coast, the value of the patronage which his
+literary and personal popularity had brought him, was put to the test, and
+in the end successfully, though after considerable, but perhaps not to be
+wondered at, delay. His great patrons, the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of
+Kent, Bishop Cornish, and probably also Sir Giles Alington, were all dead,
+and he had to rely on newer and necessarily weaker ties. But after waiting,
+till probably somewhat dispirited, fortune smiled at last. Two handsome
+livings were presented to him in the same year, both of which he apparently
+held at the same time, the vicarage of Much Badew in Essex, by the
+presentation of Mr John Pascal, to which he was instituted on February 7th,
+1546, holding it (according to the Lansdowne MS. (980 f. 101), in the
+British Museum) till his death; and the vicarage of S. Mathew at Wokey, in
+Somerset, on March 30th of the same year. Wood dignifies him with the
+degree of doctor of divinity at the time of his presentation to these
+preferments.
+
+That he seems to have accepted quietly the gradual progress of the reformed
+religion during the reign of Edward VI., has been a cause of wonder to
+some. It would certainly have been astonishing had one who was so unsparing
+in his exposure of the flagrant abuses of the Romish Church done otherwise.
+Though personally disinclined to radical changes his writings amply show
+his deep dissatisfaction with things as they were. This renders the more
+improbable the honours assigned him by Wadding (Scriptores Ordinis Minorum,
+1806, p. 5), who promotes him to be Suffragan Bishop of Bath and Wells, and
+Bale, who, in a slanderous anecdote, the locale of which is also Wells,
+speaks of him as a chaplain of Queen Mary's, though Mary did not ascend the
+throne till the year after his death. As these statements are nowhere
+confirmed, it is not improbable that their authors have fallen into error
+by confounding the poet Barclay, with a Gilbert Berkeley, who became Bishop
+of Bath and Wells in 1559. One more undoubted, but tardy, piece of
+preferment was awarded him which may be regarded as an honour of some
+significance. On the 30th April 1552, the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury,
+London, presented him to the Rectory of All Hallows, Lombard Street, but
+the well-deserved promotion came too late to be enjoyed. A few weeks after,
+and before the 10th June, at which date his will was proved, he died, as
+his biographers say, "at a very advanced age;" at the good old age of
+seventy-six, as shall be shown presently, at Croydon where he had passed
+his youth, and there in the Church he was buried. "June 10th 1552,
+Alexander Barkley sepult," (Extract from the Parish Register, in Lyson's
+Environs of London).
+
+A copy of his will, an extremely interesting and instructive document, has
+been obtained from Doctors' Commons, and will be found appended. It bears
+in all its details those traits of character which, from all that we
+otherwise know, we are led to associate with him. In it we see the earnest,
+conscientious minister whose first thought is of the poor, the loyal
+churchman liberal in his support of the house of God, the kind relative in
+his numerous and considerate bequests to his kith and kin, the amiable,
+much loved man in the gifts of remembrance to his many friends, and the
+pious Christian in his wishes for the prayers of his survivors "to
+Almightie God for remission of my synnes, and mercy upon my soule."
+
+Barclay's career and character, both as a churchman and a man of letters,
+deserve attention and respect from every student of our early history and
+literature. In the former capacity he showed himself diligent, honest, and
+anxious, at a time when these qualities seemed to have been so entirely
+lost to the church as to form only a subject for clerical ridicule. In the
+latter, the same qualities are also prominent, diligence, honesty, bold
+outspokenness, an ardent desire for the pure, the true, and the natural,
+and an undisguised enmity to everything false, self-seeking, and vile.
+Everything he did was done in a pure way, and to a worthy end.
+
+Bale stands alone in casting aspersions upon his moral character,
+asserting, as Ritson puts it, "in his bigoted and foul-mouthed way," that
+"he continued a hater of truth, and under the disguise of celibacy a filthy
+adulterer to the last;" and in his Declaration of Bonner's articles (1561,
+fol. 81), he condescends to an instance to the effect that "Doctoure
+Barkleye hadde greate harme ones of suche a visitacion, at Wellys, before
+he was Quene Maryes Chaplayne. For the woman whome he so religiouslye
+visited did light him of all that he had, sauinge his workinge tolas. For
+the whiche acte he had her in prison, and yet coulde nothing recouer
+againe." Whether this story be true of any one is perhaps doubtful, and, if
+true of a Barclay, we are convinced that he is not our author. It may have
+arisen as we have seen from a mistake as to identity. But apart from the
+question of identity, we have nothing in support of the slander but Bale's
+"foul-mouthed" assertion, while against it we have the whole tenor and aim
+of Barclay's published writings. Everywhere he inculcates the highest and
+purest morality, and where even for that purpose he might be led into
+descriptions of vice, his disgust carries him past what most others would
+have felt themselves justified in dealing with. For example, in the chapter
+of "Disgysyd folys" he expressly passes over as lightly as possible what
+might to others have proved a tempting subject:
+
+ "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."
+
+Elsewhere he declares:
+
+                 "for my boke certaynly
+  I haue compyled: for vertue and goodnes
+  And to reuyle foule synne and vyciousnes"
+
+But citation is needless; there is not a page of his writings which will
+not supply similar evidence, and our great early moralist may, we think, be
+dismissed from Court without a stain on his character.
+
+Indeed to his high pitched morality, he doubtless owed in some degree the
+great and extended popularity of his poetical writings in former times and
+their neglect in later. Sermons and "good" books were not yet in the
+sixteenth century an extensive branch of literature, and "good" people
+could without remorse of conscience vary their limited theological reading
+by frowning over the improprieties and sins of their neighbours as depicted
+in the "Ship," and joining, with a serious headshaking heartiness, in the
+admonitions of the translator to amendment, or they might feel
+"strengthened" by a glance into the "Mirrour of good Maners," or edified by
+hearing of the "Miseryes of Courtiers and Courtes of all princes in
+generall," as told in the "Eclogues."
+
+Certain it is that these writings owed little of their acceptance to
+touches of humour or satire, to the gifts of a poetical imagination, or the
+grace of a polished diction. The indignation of the honest man and the
+earnestness of the moralist waited not for gifts and graces. Everything
+went down, hard, rough, even uncouth as it stood, of course gaining in
+truth and in graphic power what it wants in elegance. Still, with no
+refinement, polish or elaboration, there are many picturesque passages
+scattered throughout these works which no amount of polishing could have
+improved. How could a man in a rage be better touched off than thus ("Ship"
+I. 182, 15).
+
+ "This man malycious whiche troubled is with wrath
+  Nought els soundeth but the hoorse letter R."
+
+The passion of love is so graphically described that it is difficult to
+imagine our priestly moralist a total stranger to its power, (I. 81).
+
+ "For he that loueth is voyde of all reason
+  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
+  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
+  The Net is stronge, the sole caught can nat starte
+  The darte is sharpe, who euer is in the chayne
+  Can nat his sorowe in vysage hyde nor fayne"
+
+For expressive, happy simile, the two following examples are capital:--
+
+ "Yet sometimes riches is geuen by some chance
+  To such as of good haue greatest aboundaunce.
+  Likewise as streames unto the sea do glide.
+  But on bare hills no water will abide.
+      .    .    .    .    .    .
+  So smallest persons haue small rewarde alway
+  But men of worship set in authoritie
+  Must haue rewardes great after their degree."--ECLOGUE I.
+
+ "And so such thinges which princes to thee geue
+  To thee be as sure as water in a siue
+      .    .    .    .    .    .    .
+  So princes are wont with riches some to fede
+  As we do our swine when we of larde haue nede
+  We fede our hogges them after to deuour
+  When they be fatted by costes and labour."--ECLOGUE I.
+
+The everlasting conceit of musical humanity is very truthfully hit off.
+
+ "This is of singers the very propertie
+  Alway they coueyt desired for to be
+  And when their frendes would heare of their cunning
+  Then are they neuer disposed for to sing,
+  But if they begin desired of no man
+  Then shewe they all and more then they can
+  And neuer leaue they till men of them be wery,
+  So in their conceyt their cunning they set by."--ECLOGUE II.
+
+Pithy sayings are numerous. Comparing citizens with countrymen, the
+countryman says:--
+
+ "Fortune to them is like a mother dere
+  As a stepmother she doth to us appeare."
+
+Of money:
+
+ "Coyne more than cunning exalteth every man."
+
+Of clothing:
+
+ "It is not clothing can make a man be good
+  Better is in ragges pure liuing innocent
+  Than a soule defiled in sumptuous garment."
+
+It is as the graphic delineator of the life and condition of the country in
+his period that the chief interest of Barclay's writings, and especially of
+the "Ship of Fools," now lies. Nowhere so accessibly, so fully, and so
+truthfully will be found the state of Henry the Eighth's England set forth.
+Every line bears the character of truthfulness, written as it evidently is,
+in all the soberness of sadness, by one who had no occasion to exaggerate,
+whose only object and desire was, by massing together and describing
+faithfully the follies and abuses which were evident to all, to shame every
+class into some degree of moral reformation, and, in particular, to effect
+some amelioration of circumstances to the suffering poor.
+
+And a sad picture it is which we thus obtain of merrie England in the good
+old times of bluff King Hal, wanting altogether in the _couleur de rose_
+with which it is tinted by its latest historian Mr Froude, who is ably
+taken to task on this subject by a recent writer in the Westminster Review,
+whose conclusions, formed upon other evidence than Barclay's, express so
+fairly the impression left by a perusal of the "Ship of Fools," and the
+Eclogues, that we quote them here. "Mr Froude remarks: 'Looking therefore,
+at the state of England as a whole, I cannot doubt that under Henry the
+body of the people were prosperous, well-fed, loyal, and contented. In all
+points of material comfort, they were as well off as ever they had been
+before; better off than they have ever been in later times.' In this
+estimate we cannot agree. Rather we should say that during, and for long
+after, this reign, the people were in the most deplorable condition of
+poverty and misery of every kind. That they were ill-fed, that loyalty was
+at its lowest ebb, that discontent was rife throughout the land. 'In all
+points of material comfort,' we think they were worse off than they had
+ever been before, and infinitely worse off than they have ever been since
+the close of the sixteenth century,--a century in which the cup of
+England's woes was surely fuller than it has ever been since, or will, we
+trust, ever be again. It was the century in which this country and its
+people passed through a baptism of blood as well as 'a baptism of fire,'
+and out of which they came holier and better. The epitaph which should be
+inscribed over the century is contained in a sentence written by the famous
+Acham in 1547:--'Nam vita, quae nunc vivitur a plurimis, non vita sed
+miseria est.'" So, Bradford (Sermon on Repentance, 1533) sums up
+contemporary opinion in a single weighty sentence: "All men may see if they
+will that the whoredom pride, unmercifulness, and tyranny of England far
+surpasses any age that ever was before." Every page of Barclay corroborates
+these accounts of tyranny, injustice, immorality, wretchedness, poverty,
+and general discontent.
+
+Not only in fact and feeling are Barclay's Ship of Fools and Eclogues
+thoroughly expressive of the unhappy, discontented, poverty-stricken,
+priest-ridden, and court-ridden condition and life, the bitter sorrows and
+the humble wishes of the people, their very texture, as Barclay himself
+tells us, consists of the commonest language of the day, and in it are
+interwoven many of the current popular proverbs and expressions. Almost all
+of these are still "household words" though few ever imagine the garb of
+their "daily wisdom" to be of such venerable antiquity. Every page of the
+"Eclogues" abounds with them; in the "Ship" they are less common, but still
+by no means infrequent. We have for instance:--
+
+ "Better is a frende in courte than a peny in purse"--(I. 70.)
+ "Whan the stede is stolyn to shyt the stable dore"--(I. 76.)
+ "It goeth through as water through a syue."--(I. 245.)
+ "And he that alway thretenyth for to fyght
+  Oft at the prose is skantly worth a hen
+  For greattest crakers ar nat ay boldest men."--(I. 198.)
+ "I fynde foure thynges whiche by no meanes can
+  Be kept close, in secrete, or longe in preuetee
+  The firste is the counsell of a wytles man
+  The seconde is a cyte whiche byldyd is a hye
+  Upon a montayne the thyrde we often se
+  That to hyde his dedes a louer hath no skyll
+  The fourth is strawe or fethers on a wyndy hyll."--(I. 199.)
+ "A crowe to pull."--(II. 8.)
+ "For it is a prouerbe, and an olde sayd sawe
+  That in euery place lyke to lyke wyll drawe."--(II. 35.)
+ "Better haue one birde sure within thy wall
+  Or fast in a cage than twenty score without"--(II. 74)
+ "Gapynge as it were dogges for a bone."--(II. 93.)
+ "Pryde sholde haue a fall."--(II. 161).
+ "For wyse men sayth ...
+  One myshap fortuneth neuer alone."
+ "Clawe where it itchyth."--(II. 256.) [The use of this, it occurs again in
+     the Eclogues, might be regarded by some of our Southern friends, as
+     itself a sufficient proof of the author's Northern origin.]
+
+The following are selected from the Eclogues as the most remarkable:
+
+ "Each man for himself, and the fende for us all."
+ "They robbe Saint Peter therwith to clothe Saint Powle."
+ "For might of water will not our leasure bide."
+ "Once out of sight and shortly out of minde."
+ "For children brent still after drede the fire."
+ "Together they cleave more fast than do burres."
+ "Tho' thy teeth water."
+ "I aske of the foxe no farther than the skin."
+ "To touche soft pitche and not his fingers file."
+ "From post unto piller tost shall thou be."
+ "Over head and eares."
+ "Go to the ant."
+ "A man may contende, God geueth victory."
+ "Of two evils chose the least."
+
+These are but the more striking specimens. An examination of the "Ship,"
+and especially of the "Eclogues," for the purpose of extracting their whole
+proverbial lore, would be well worth the while, if it be not the duty, of
+the next collector in this branch of popular literature. These writings
+introduce many of our common sayings for the first time to English
+literature, no writer prior to Barclay having thought it dignified or worth
+while to profit by the popular wisdom to any perceptible extent. The first
+collection of proverbs, Heywood's, did not appear until 1546, so that in
+Barclay we possess the earliest known English form of such proverbs as he
+introduces. It need scarcely be said that that form is, in the majority of
+instances, more full of meaning and point than its modern representatives.
+
+Barclay's adoption of the language of the people naturally elevated him in
+popular estimation to a position far above that of his contemporaries in
+the matter of style, so much so that he has been traditionally recorded as
+one of the greatest improvers of the language, that is, one of those who
+helped greatly to bring the written language to be more nearly in
+accordance with the spoken. Both a scholar and a man of the world, his
+phraseology bears token of the greater cultivation and wider knowledge he
+possessed over his contemporaries. He certainly aimed at clearness of
+expression, and simplicity of vocabulary, and in these respects was so far
+in advance of his time that his works can even now be read with ease,
+without the help of dictionary or glossary. In spite of his church training
+and his residence abroad, his works are surprisingly free from Latin or
+French forms of speech; on the contrary, they are, in the main,
+characterised by a strong Saxon directness of expression which must have
+tended greatly to the continuance of their popularity, and have exercised a
+strong and advantageous influence both in regulating the use of the common
+spoken language, and in leading the way which it was necessary for the
+literary language to follow. Philologists and dictionary makers appear,
+however, to have hitherto overlooked Barclay's works, doubtless owing to
+their rarity, but their intrinsic value as well as their position in
+relation to the history of the language demand specific recognition at
+their hands.
+
+Barclay evidently delighted in his pen. From the time of his return from
+the Continent, it was seldom out of his hand. Idleness was distasteful to
+him. He petitions his critics if they be "wyse men and cunnynge," that:--
+
+ "They shall my youth pardone, and vnchraftynes
+  Whiche onely translate, to eschewe ydelnes."
+
+Assuredly a much more laudable way of employing leisure then than now,
+unless the translator prudently stop short of print. The modesty and
+singleness of aim of the man are strikingly illustrated by his thus
+devoting his time and talents, not to original work as he was well able to
+have done had he been desirous only of glorifying his own name, but to the
+translation and adaptation or, better, "Englishing" of such foreign authors
+as he deemed would exercise a wholesome and profitable influence upon his
+countrymen. Such work, however, moulded in his skilful hands, became all
+but original, little being left of his author but the idea. Neither the
+Ship of Fools, nor the Eclogues retain perceptible traces of a foreign
+source, and were it not that they honestly bear their authorship on their
+fore-front, they might be regarded as thoroughly, even characteristically,
+English productions.
+
+The first known work from Barclay's pen[3] appeared from the press of De
+Worde, so early as 1506, probably immediately on his return from abroad,
+and was no doubt the fruit of continental leisure. It is a translation, in
+seven line stanzas, of the popular French poet Pierre Gringore's Le Chateau
+de labour (1499)--the most ancient work of Gringore with date, and perhaps
+his best--under the title of "The Castell of laboure wherein is richesse,
+vertu, and honour;" in which in a fanciful allegory of some length, a
+somewhat wearisome Lady Reason overcomes despair, poverty and other such
+evils attendant upon the fortunes of a poor man lately married, the moral
+being to show:--
+
+ "That idleness, mother of all adversity,
+  Her subjects bringeth to extreme poverty."
+
+The general appreciation of this first essay is evidenced by the issue of a
+second edition from the press of Pynson a few years after the appearance of
+the first.
+
+Encouraged by the favourable reception accorded to the first effort of his
+muse, Barclay, on his retirement to the ease and leisure of the College of
+St Mary Otery, set to work on the "Ship of Fools," acquaintance with which
+Europe-famous satire he must have made when abroad. This, his _magnum
+opus_, has been described at some length in the Introduction, but two
+interesting personal notices relative to the composition of the work may
+here be added. In the execution of the great task, he expresses himself,
+(II. 278), as under the greatest obligations to his colleague, friend, and
+literary adviser, Bishop:--
+
+ "Whiche was the first ouersear of this warke
+  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
+      .    .    .    .    .    .
+  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 assende
+  To heuenly worshyp and celestyall delyte
+  Than shoulde 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."
+
+Pynson, in his capacity of judicious publisher, fearing lest the book
+should exceed suitable dimensions, also receives due notice at p. 108 of
+Vol. I., where he speaks of
+
+         "the charge Pynson hathe on me layde
+  With many folys our Nauy not to charge."
+
+The concluding stanza, or colophon, is also devoted to immortalising the
+great bibliopole in terms, it must be admitted, not dissimilar to those of
+a modern draper's poet laureate:--
+
+  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.
+
+Contemporary allusions to the Ship of Fools there could not fail to be, but
+the only one we have met with occurs in Bulleyn's Dialogue quoted above, p.
+xxvii. It runs as follows:--_Uxor_.--What ship is that with so many owers,
+and straunge tacle; it is a greate vessell. _Ciuis_.--This is the ship of
+fooles, wherin saileth bothe spirituall and temporall, of euery callyng
+some: there are kynges, queenes, popes, archbishoppes, prelates, lordes,
+ladies, knightes, gentlemen, phisicions, lawiers, marchauntes,
+housbandemen, beggers, theeues, hores, knaues, &c. This ship wanteth a good
+pilot: the storme, the rocke, and the wrecke at hande, all will come to
+naught in this hulke for want of good gouernement.
+
+The Eclogues, as appears from their Prologue, had originally been the work
+of our author's youth, "the essays of a prentice in the art of poesie," but
+they were wisely laid past to be adorned by the wisdom of a wider
+experience, and were, strangely enough, lost for years until, at the age of
+thirty-eight, the author again lighted, unexpectedly, upon his lost
+treasures, and straightway finished them off for the public eye.
+
+The following autobiographical passage reminds one forcibly of Scott's
+throwing aside Waverley, stumbling across it after the lapse of years, and
+thereupon deciding at once to finish and publish it. After enumerating the
+most famous eclogue writers, he proceeds:--
+
+ "Nowe to my purpose, their workes worthy fame,
+  Did in my yonge age my heart greatly inflame,
+  Dull slouth eschewing my selfe to exercise,
+  In such small matters, or I durst enterprise,
+  To hyer matter, like as these children do,
+  Which first vse to creepe, and afterwarde to go.
+      .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .
+  So where I in youth a certayne worke began,
+  And not concluded, as oft doth many a man:
+  Yet thought I after to make the same perfite,
+  But long I missed that which I first did write.
+  But here a wonder, I fortie yere saue twayne,
+  Proceeded in age, founde my first youth agayne.
+  To finde youth in age is a probleme diffuse,
+  But nowe heare the truth, and then no longer muse.
+  As I late turned olde bookes to and fro,
+  One litle treatise I founde among the mo
+  Because that in youth I did compile the same,
+  Egloges of youth I did call it by name.
+  And seing some men haue in the same delite,
+  At their great instance I made the same perfite,
+  Adding and bating where I perceyued neede,
+  All them desiring which shall this treatise rede,
+  Not to be grieued with any playne sentence,
+  Rudely conuayed for lacke of eloquence."
+
+The most important revelation in the whole of this interesting passage,
+that relating to the author's age, seems to have been studiously overlooked
+by all his biographers. If we can fix with probability the date at which
+these Eclogues were published, then this, one of the most regretted of the
+lacunae in his biography, will be supplied. We shall feel henceforth
+treading on firmer ground in dealing with the scanty materials of his life.
+
+From the length and favour with which the praises of the Ely Cathedral and
+of Alcock its pious and munificent bishop, then but recently dead, are sung
+in these poems (see p. lxviii.), it is evident that the poet must have
+donned the black hood in the monastery of Ely for at least a few years.
+
+Warton fixes the date at 1514, because of the praises of the "noble Henry
+which now departed late," and the after panegyric of his successor Henry
+VIII. (Eclogue I.), whose virtues are also duly recorded in the Ship of
+Fools (I. 39 and II. 205-8), but not otherwise of course than in a
+complimentary manner. Our later lights make this picture of the noble pair
+appear both out of drawing and over-coloured:--
+
+ "Beside noble Henry which nowe departed late,
+  Spectacle of vertue to euery hye estate,
+  The patrone of peace and primate of prudence,
+  Which on Gods Church hath done so great expence.
+  Of all these princes the mercy and pitie,
+  The loue of concorde, iustice and equitie,
+  The purenes of life and giftes liberall,
+  Not lesse vertuous then the said princes all.
+  And Henry the eyght moste hye and triumphant,
+  No gifte of vertue nor manlines doth want,
+  Mine humble spech and language pastorall
+  If it were able should write his actes all:
+  But while I ought speake of courtly misery,
+  Him with all suche I except vtterly.
+  But what other princes commonly frequent,
+  As true as I can to shewe is mine intent,
+  But if I should say that all the misery,
+  Which I shall after rehearse and specify
+  Were in the court of our moste noble kinge,
+  I should fayle truth, and playnly make leasing."--ECLOGUE I.
+
+This eulogy of Henry plainly implies some short experience of his reign.
+But other allusions contribute more definitely to fix the precise date,
+such as the following historical passage, which evidently refers to the
+career of the notorious extortioners, Empson and Dudley, who were executed
+for conspiracy and treason in the first year of the new king's reign.
+
+ "Such as for honour unto the court resort,
+  Looke seldome times upon the lower sort;
+  To the hyer sort for moste part they intende,
+  For still their desire is hyer to ascende
+  And when none can make with them comparison,
+  Against their princes conspire they by treason,
+  Then when their purpose can nat come well to frame,
+  Agayne they descende and that with utter shame,
+  Coridon thou knowest right well what I meane,
+  We lately of this experience haue seene
+  When men would ascende to rowmes honorable
+  Euer is their minde and lust insaciable."
+
+The most definite proof of the date of publication, however, is found in
+the fourth Eclogue. It contains a long poem called The towre of vertue and
+honour, which is really a highly-wrought elegy on the premature and
+glorious death, not of "the Duke of Norfolk, Lord High admiral, and one of
+Barclay's patrons," as has been repeated parrot-like, from Warton
+downwards, but of his chivalrous son, Sir Edward Howard, Lord High Admiral
+for the short space of a few months, who perished in his gallant, if
+reckless, attack upon the French fleet in the harbour of Brest in the year
+1513. It is incomprehensible that the date of the publication of the
+Eclogues should be fixed at 1514, and this blunder still perpetuated. No
+Duke of Norfolk died between Barclay's boyhood and 1524, ten years after
+the agreed upon date of the Elegy; and the Duke (Thomas), who was Barclay's
+patron, never held the position of Lord High Admiral (though his son Lord
+Thomas, created Earl of Surrey in 1514, and who afterwards succeeded him,
+also succeeded his brother Sir Edward in the Admiralship), but worthily
+enjoyed the dignified offices of Lord High Steward, Lord Treasurer, and
+Earl Marshal, and died one of Henry's most respected and most popular
+Ministers, at his country seat, at a good old age, in the year above
+mentioned, 1524. The other allusions to contemporary events, and especially
+to the poet's age, preclude the idea of carrying forward the publication to
+the latter date, did the clearly defined points of the Elegy allow of it,
+as they do not.
+
+Minalcas, one of the interlocutors, thus introduces the subject:--
+
+                     "But it is lamentable
+  To heare a Captayne so good and honorable,
+  _So soone_ withdrawen by deathes crueltie,
+  Before his vertue was at moste hye degree.
+  If death for a season had shewed him fauour,
+  To all his nation he should haue bene honour."
+
+"'The Towre of Vertue and Honor,' introduced as a song of one of the
+shepherds into these pastorals, exhibits no very masterly strokes of a
+sublime and inventive fancy. It has much of the trite imagery usually
+applied in the fabrication of these ideal edifices. It, however, shows our
+author in a new walk of poetry. This magnificent tower, or castle is built
+on inaccessible cliffs of flint: the walls are of gold, bright as the sun,
+and decorated with 'olde historyes and pictures manyfolde:' the turrets are
+beautifully shaped. Among its heroic inhabitants are Henry VIII., ['in his
+maiestie moste hye enhaunsed as ought a conquerour,' no doubt an allusion
+to the battle of the Spurs and his other exploits in France in 1513],
+Howard Duke of Norfolk, ['the floure of chiualry'], and the Earl of
+Shrewsbury, ['manfull and hardy, with other princes and men of dignitie'].
+Labour is the porter at the gate, and Virtue governs the house. Labour is
+thus pictured, with some degree of spirit:--
+
+   'Fearefull is labour without fauour at all,
+    Dreadfull of visage, a monster intreatable,
+  Like Cerberus lying at gates infernall;
+    To some men his looke is halfe intollerable,
+  His shoulders large, for burthen strong and able,
+    His body bristled, his necke mightie and stiffe;
+  By sturdy senewes, his ioyntes stronge and stable,
+    Like marble stones his handes be as stiffe.
+
+  Here must man vanquishe the dragon of Cadmus,
+    Against the Chimer here stoutly must he fight,
+  Here must he vanquish the fearefull Pegasus,
+    For the golden flece here must he shewe his might:
+  If labour gaynsay, he can nothing be right,
+    This monster labour oft chaungeth his figure,
+  Sometime an oxe, a bore, or lion wight,
+    Playnely he seemeth, thus chaungeth his nature,
+
+    Like as Protheus ofte chaunged his stature.
+        .    .    .    .    .    .    .
+  Under his browes he dreadfully doth loure,
+    With glistering eyen, and side dependaunt beard,
+  For thirst and hunger alway his chere is soure.
+    His horned forehead doth make faynt heartes feard.
+
+  Alway he drinketh, and yet alway is drye,
+    The sweat distilling with droppes aboundaunt,'
+        .    .    .    .    .    .    .
+
+"The poet adds, 'that when the noble Howard had long boldly contended with
+this hideous monster, had broken the bars and doors of the castle, had
+bound the porter, and was now preparing to ascend the tower of Virtue and
+Honour, Fortune and Death appeared, and interrupted his progress.'"
+(Warton, Eng. Poetry, III.)
+
+The hero's descent and knightly qualities are duly set forth:--
+
+ "Though he were borne to glory and honour,
+  Of auncient stocke and noble progenie,
+  Yet thought his courage to be of more valour,
+  By his owne actes and noble chiualry.
+  Like as becommeth a knight to fortifye
+  His princes quarell with right and equitie,
+  So did this Hawarde with courage valiauntly,
+  Till death abated his bolde audacitie."
+
+The poet, gives "cursed fortune" a severe rating, and at such length that
+the old lady no doubt repented herself, for cutting off so promising a hero
+_at so early an age_:--
+
+ "Tell me, frayle fortune, why did thou breuiate
+  The liuing season of suche a captayne,
+  That when his actes ought to be laureate
+  Thy fauour turned him suffring to be slayne?"
+
+And then he addresses the Duke himself in a consolatory strain,
+endeavouring to reconcile him to the loss of so promising a son, by
+recalling to his memory those heroes of antiquity whose careers of glory
+were cut short by sudden and violent deaths:--
+
+ "But moste worthy duke hye and victorious,
+  Respire to comfort, see the vncertentie
+  Of other princes, whose fortune prosperous
+  Oftetime haue ended in hard aduersitie:
+  Read of Pompeius," [&c.]
+      .    .    .    .    .    .
+ "This shall be, this is, and this hath euer bene,
+  That boldest heartes be nearest ieopardie,
+  To dye in battayle is honour as men wene
+  To suche as haue ioy in haunting chiualry.
+
+ "Suche famous ending the name doth magnifie,
+  Note worthy duke, no cause is to complayne,
+  His life not ended foule nor dishonestly,
+  In bed nor tauerne his lustes to maynteyne,
+  But like as besemed a noble captayne,
+  In sturdie harnes he died for the right,
+  From deathes daunger no man may flee certayne,
+  But suche death is metest vnto so noble a knight.
+
+ "But death it to call me thinke it vnright,
+  Sith his worthy name shall laste perpetuall," [&c.]
+
+This detail and these long quotations have been rendered necessary by the
+strange blunder which has been made and perpetuated as to the identity of
+the young hero whose death is so feelingly lamented in this elegy. With
+that now clearly ascertained, we can not only fix with confidence the date
+of the publication of the Eclogues, but by aid of the hint conveyed in the
+Prologue, quoted above (p. lv.), as to the author's age, "fortie saue
+twayne," decide, for the first time, the duration of his life, and the
+dates, approximately at least, of its incidents, and of the appearance of
+his undated works. Lord Edward Howard, perhaps the bravest and rashest of
+England's admirals, perished in a madly daring attack upon the harbour of
+Brest, on the 25th of April, 1514. As the eclogues could not therefore have
+been published prior to that date, so, bearing in mind the other allusions
+referred to above, they could scarcely have appeared later. Indeed, the
+loss which the elegy commemorates is spoken of as quite recent, while the
+elegy itself bears every appearance of having been introduced into the
+eclogue at the last moment. We feel quite satisfied therefore that Warton
+hit quite correctly upon the year 1514 as that in which these poems first
+saw the light, though the ground (the allusion to the Henries) upon which
+he went was insufficient, and his identification of the hero of the elegy
+contradicted his supposition. Had he been aware of the importance of fixing
+the date correctly, he would probably have taken more care than to fall
+into the blunder of confounding the father with the son, and adorning the
+former with the dearly earned laurels of the latter.
+
+It may be added that, fixing 1514 as the date at which Barclay had arrived
+at the age of 38, agrees perfectly with all else we know of his years, with
+the assumed date of his academical education, and of his travels abroad,
+with the suppositions formed as to his age from his various published works
+having dates attached to them, and finally, with the traditional "great
+age" at which he died, which would thus be six years beyond the allotted
+span.
+
+After the Ship of Fools the Eclogues rank second in importance in a
+consideration of Barclay's writings. Not only as the first of their kind in
+English, do they crown their author with the honour of introducing this
+kind of poetry to English literature, but they are in themselves most
+interesting and valuable as faithful and graphic pictures of the court,
+citizen, and country life of the period. Nowhere else in so accessible a
+form do there exist descriptions at once so full and so accurate of the
+whole condition of the people. Their daily life and habits, customs,
+manners, sports, and pastimes, are all placed on the canvas before us with
+a ready, vigorous, unflinching hand. Witness for instance the following
+sketch, which might be entitled, "Life, temp. 1514":--
+
+ "Some men deliteth beholding men to fight,
+  Or goodly knightes in pleasaunt apparayle,
+  Or sturdie souldiers in bright harnes and male.
+      .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .
+  Some glad is to see these Ladies beauteous,
+  Goodly appoynted in clothing sumpteous:
+  A number of people appoynted in like wise:
+  In costly clothing after the newest gise,
+  Sportes, disgising, fayre coursers mount and praunce,
+  Or goodly ladies and knightes sing and daunce:
+  To see fayre houses and curious picture(s),
+  Or pleasaunt hanging, or sumpteous vesture
+  Of silke, of purpure, or golde moste orient,
+  And other clothing diuers and excellent:
+  Hye curious buildinges or palaces royall,
+  Or chapels, temples fayre and substanciall,
+  Images grauen or vaultes curious;
+  Gardeyns and medowes, or place delicious,
+  Forestes and parkes well furnished with dere,
+  Colde pleasaunt streames or welles fayre and clere,
+  Curious cundites or shadowie mountaynes,
+  Swete pleasaunt valleys, laundes or playnes
+  Houndes, and suche other thinges manyfolde
+  Some men take pleasour and solace to beholde."
+
+The following selections illustrative of the customs and manners of the
+times will serve as a sample of the overflowing cask from which they are
+taken. The condition of the country people is clearly enough indicated in a
+description of the village Sunday, the manner of its celebration being
+depicted in language calculated to make a modern sabbatarian's hair stand
+on end:--
+
+ "What man is faultlesse, remember the village,
+  Howe men vplondish on holy dayes rage.
+  Nought can them tame, they be a beastly sort,
+  In sweate and labour hauing most chiefe comfort,
+  On the holy day assoone as morne is past,
+  When all men resteth while all the day doth last,
+  They drinke, they banket, they reuell and they iest
+  They leape, they daunce, despising ease and rest.
+  If they once heare a bagpipe or a drone,
+  Anone to the elme or oke they be gone.
+  There vse they to daunce, to gambolde and to rage
+  Such is the custome and vse of the village.
+  When the ground resteth from rake, plough and wheles,
+  Then moste they it trouble with burthen of their heles:
+
+                  FAUSTUS.
+
+  To Bacchus they banket, no feast is festiuall,
+  They chide and they chat, they vary and they brall,
+  They rayle and they route, they reuell and they crye,
+  Laughing and leaping, and making cuppes drye.
+  What, stint thou thy chat, these wordes I defye,
+  It is to a vilayne rebuke and vilany.
+  Such rurall solace so plainly for to blame,
+  Thy wordes sound to thy rebuke and shame."
+
+Football is described in a lively picture:--
+
+ "They get the bladder and blowe it great and thin,
+  With many beanes or peason put within,
+  It ratleth, soundeth, and shineth clere and fayre,
+  While it is throwen and caste vp in the ayre,
+  Eche one contendeth and hath a great delite,
+  With foote and with hande the bladder for to smite,
+  If it fall to grounde they lifte it vp agayne,
+  This wise to labour they count it for no payne,
+  Renning and leaping they driue away the colde,
+  The sturdie plowmen lustie, stronge and bolde,
+  Ouercommeth the winter with driuing the foote ball,
+  Forgetting labour and many a greuous fall."
+
+A shepherd, after mentioning his skill in shooting birds with a bow,
+says:--
+
+ "No shepheard throweth the axeltrie so farre."
+
+A gallant is thus described:--
+
+ "For women vse to loue them moste of all,
+  Which boldly bosteth, or that can sing and iet,
+  Which are well decked with large bushes set,
+  Which hath the mastery ofte time in tournament,
+  Or that can gambauld, or daunce feat and gent."
+
+The following sorts of wine are mentioned:--
+
+ "As Muscadell, Caprike, Romney, and Maluesy,
+  From Gene brought, from Grece or Hungary."
+
+As are the dainties of the table. A shepherd at court must not think to
+eat,
+
+             "Swanne, nor heron,
+  Curlewe, nor crane, but course beefe and mutton."
+
+Again:
+
+ "What fishe is of sauor swete and delicious,--
+  Rosted or sodden in swete hearbes or wine;
+  Or fried in oyle, most saporous and fine.--
+                  The pasties of a hart.--
+  The crane, the fesant, the pecocke and curlewe,
+  The partriche, plouer, bittor, and heronsewe--
+  Seasoned so well in licour redolent,
+  That the hall is full of pleasaunt smell and sent."
+
+At a feast at court:--
+
+ "Slowe be the seruers in seruing in alway,
+  But swift be they after, taking thy meate away;
+  A speciall custome is vsed them among,
+  No good dish to suffer on borde to be longe:
+  If the dishe be pleasaunt, eyther fleshe or fishe,
+  Ten handes at once swarme in the dishe:
+  And if it be flesh ten kniues shalt thou see
+  Mangling the flesh, and in the platter flee:
+  To put there thy handes is perill without fayle,
+  Without a gauntlet or els a gloue of mayle."
+
+"The two last lines remind us of a saying of Quin, who declared it was not
+safe to sit down to a turtle-feast in one of the city-halls, without a
+basket-hilted knife and fork. Not that I suppose Quin borrowed his bon-mots
+from black letter books." (Warton.)
+
+The following lines point out some of the festive tales of our ancestors:--
+
+ "Yet would I gladly heare some mery fit
+  Of mayde Marion, or els of Robin hood;
+  Or Bentleyes ale which chafeth well the bloud,
+  Of perre of Norwich, or sauce of Wilberton,
+  Or buckishe Joly well-stuffed as a ton."
+
+He again mentions "Bentley's Ale" which "maketh me to winke;" and some of
+our ancient domestic pastimes and amusements are recorded:--
+
+ "Then is it pleasure the yonge maydens amonge
+  To watche by the fire the winters nightes long:
+  At their fonde tales to laugh, or when they brall
+  Great fire and candell spending for laboure small,
+  And in the ashes some playes for to marke,
+  To couer wardens [pears] for fault of other warke:
+  To toste white sheuers, and to make prophitroles;
+  And after talking oft time to fill the bowles."
+
+He mentions some musical instruments:
+
+ "   .   .   .   .   Methinkes no mirth is scant,
+  Where no reioysing of minstrelcie doth want:
+  The bagpipe or fidle to vs is delectable."
+
+And the mercantile commodities of different countries and cities:--
+
+ "Englande hath cloth, Burdeus hath store of wine,
+  Cornewall hath tinne, and Lymster wools fine.
+  London hath scarlet, and Bristowe pleasaunt red,
+  Fen lands hath fishes, in other place is lead."
+
+Of songs at feasts:--
+
+ "When your fat dishes smoke hote vpon your table,
+  Then layde ye songes and balades magnifie,
+  If they be mery, or written craftely,
+  Ye clappe your handes and to the making harke,
+  And one say to other, lo here a proper warke."
+
+He says that minstrels and singers are highly favoured at court, especially
+those of the French gise. Also jugglers and pipers.
+
+The personal references throughout the Eclogues, in addition to those
+already mentioned, though not numerous, are of considerable interest. The
+learned Alcock, Bishop of Ely (1486-1500), and the munificent founder of
+Jesus College, Cambridge, stands deservedly high in the esteem of a poet
+and priest, so zealous of good works as Barclay. The poet's humour thus
+disguises him.--(Eclogue I., A iii., recto.):--
+
+ "Yes since his dayes a cocke was in the fen,
+  I knowe his voyce among a thousande men:
+  He taught, he preached, he mended euery wrong;
+  But, Coridon alas no good thing bideth long.
+  He all was a cocke, he wakened vs from slepe,
+  And while we slumbred, he did our foldes hepe.
+  No cur, no foxes, nor butchers dogges wood,
+  Coulde hurte our fouldes, his watching was so good.
+  The hungry wolues, which that time did abounde,
+  What time he crowed, abashed at the sounde.
+  This cocke was no more abashed of the foxe,
+  Than is a lion abashed of an oxe.
+  When he went, faded the floure of all the fen;
+  I boldly dare sweare this cocke neuer trode hen!
+  This was a father of thinges pastorall,
+  And that well sheweth his Church cathedrall,
+  There was I lately about the middest of May,
+  Coridon his Church is twenty sith more gay
+  Then all the Churches betwene the same and Kent,
+  There sawe I his tome and Chapell excellent.
+  I thought fiue houres but euen a little while,
+  Saint John the virgin me thought did on me smile,
+  Our parishe Church is but a dongeon,
+  To that gay Churche in comparison.
+  If the people were as pleasaunt as the place
+  Then were it paradice of pleasour and solace,
+  Then might I truely right well finde in my heart.
+  There still to abide and neuer to departe,
+  But since that this cocke by death hath left his song,
+  Trust me Coridon there many a thing is wrong,
+  When I sawe his figure lye in the Chapell-side,
+  Like death for weping I might no longer bide.
+  Lo all good thinges so sone away doth glide,
+  That no man liketh to long doth rest and abide.
+  When the good is gone (my mate this is the case)
+  Seldome the better reentreth in the place."
+
+The excellence of his subject carries the poet quite beyond himself in
+describing the general lamentation at the death of this worthy prelate;
+with an unusual power of imagination he thus pictures the sympathy of the
+towers, arches, vaults and images of Ely monastery:
+
+ "My harte sore mourneth when I must specify
+  Of the gentle cocke whiche sange so mirily,
+  He and his flocke wer like an union
+  Conioyned in one without discention,
+  All the fayre cockes which in his dayes crewe
+  When death him touched did his departing rewe.
+  The pretie palace by him made in the fen,
+  The maides, widowes, the wiues, and the men,
+  With deadly dolour were pearsed to the heart,
+  When death constrayned this shepheard to departe.
+  Corne, grasse, and fieldes, mourned for wo and payne,
+  For oft his prayer for them obtayned rayne.
+  The pleasaunt floures for wo faded eche one,
+  When they perceyued this shepheard dead and gone,
+  The okes, elmes, and euery sorte of dere
+  Shronke vnder shadowes, abating all their chere.
+  The mightie walles of Ely Monastery,
+  The stones, rockes, and towres semblably,
+  The marble pillers and images echeone,
+  Swet all for sorowe, when this good cocke was gone,
+  Though he of stature were humble, weake and leane,
+  His minde was hye, his liuing pure and cleane,
+  Where other feedeth by beastly appetite,
+  On heauenly foode was all his whole delite."
+
+Morton, Alcock's predecessor and afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury
+(1486-1500), is also singled out for compliment, in which allusion is made
+to his troubles, his servants' faithfulness, and his restoration to favour
+under Richard III. and Henry VII. (Eclogue III.):--
+
+ "And shepheard Morton, when he durst not appeare,
+  Howe his olde seruauntes were carefull of his chere;
+  In payne and pleasour they kept fidelitie
+  Till grace agayne gaue him aucthoritie
+  Then his olde fauour did them agayne restore
+  To greater pleasour then they had payne before.
+  Though for a season this shepheard bode a blast,
+  The greatest winde yet slaketh at the last,
+  And at conclusion he and his flocke certayne
+  Eche true to other did quietly remayne."
+
+And again in Eclogue IV.:--
+
+ "Micene and Morton be dead and gone certayne."
+
+The "Dean of Powles" (Colet), with whom Barclay seems to have been
+personally acquainted, and to whom the reference alludes as to one still
+living (his death occurred in 1519), is celebrated as a preacher in the
+same Eclogue:--
+
+ "For this I learned of the Dean of Powles
+  I tell thee, Codrus this man hath won some soules."
+
+as is "the olde friar that wonned in Greenwich" in Eclogue V.
+
+The first three Eclogues are paraphrases or adaptations from the Miseriae
+Curialium, the most popular of the works of one of the most successful
+literary adventurers of the middle ages, AEneas Sylvius (Pope Pius II., who
+died in 1464). It appears to have been written with the view of relieving
+his feelings of disappointment and disgust at his reception at the court of
+the Emperor, whither he had repaired, in the hope of political advancement.
+The tone and nature of the work may be gathered from this candid exposure
+of the adventurer's morale: "Many things there are which compel us to
+persevere, but nothing more powerfully than ambition which, rivalling
+charity, truly beareth all things however grievous, that it may attain to
+the honours of this world and the praise of men. If we were humble and
+laboured to gain our own souls rather than hunt after vain glory, few of
+us, indeed, would endure such annoyances." He details, with querulous
+humour, all the grievances of his position, from the ingratitude of the
+prince to the sordour of the table-cloths, and the hardness of the black
+bread. But hardest of all to bear is the contempt shown towards literature.
+"In the courts of princes literary knowledge is held a crime; and great is
+the grief of men of letters when they find themselves universally despised,
+and see the most important matters managed, not to say mismanaged, by
+blockheads, who cannot tell the number of their fingers and toes."
+
+Barclay's adaptation is so thoroughly Englished, and contains such large
+additions from the stores of his own bitter experience, as to make it even
+more truly his own than any other of his translations.
+
+The fourth and fifth eclogues are imitations,--though no notice that they
+are so is conveyed in the title, as in the case of the first three,--of the
+fifth and sixth of the popular eclogue writer of the time, Jo. Baptist
+Mantuan, which may have helped to give rise to the generally received
+statement noticed below, that all the eclogues are imitations of that
+author. The fourth is entitled "Codrus and Minalcas, treating of the
+behauour of Riche men agaynst Poetes," and it may be judged how far it is
+Barclay's from the fact that it numbers about twelve hundred lines,
+including the elegy of the Noble Howard, while the original, entitled, "De
+consuetudine Divitum erga Poetas," contains only about two hundred. The
+fifth is entitled "Amintas and Faustus, of the disputation of citizens and
+men of the countrey." It contains over a thousand lines, and the original,
+"De disceptatione rusticorum et civium," like the fifth, extends to little
+more than two hundred.
+
+In the Prologue before mentioned we are told (Cawood's edition):--
+
+ "That fiue Egloges this whole treatise doth holde
+  To imitation of other Poetes olde,"
+
+Which appears to be a correction of the printer's upon the original, as in
+Powell's edition:--
+
+ "That X. egloges this hole treatyse dothe holde."
+
+Whether other five were ever published there is no record to show; it
+appears, however, highly improbable, that, if they had, they could have
+been entirely lost,--especially considering the popularity and repeated
+issue of the first five,--during the few years that would have elapsed
+between their original publication and the appearance of Cawood's edition.
+Possibly the original reading may be a typographical blunder, for Cawood is
+extremely sparing of correction, and appears to have made none which he did
+not consider absolutely necessary. This is one of the literary puzzles
+which remain for bibliography to solve. (See below, p. lxxix.)
+
+The next of Barclay's works in point of date, and perhaps the only one
+actually entitled to the merit of originality, is his Introductory to write
+and pronounce French, compiled at the request of his great patron, Thomas
+Duke of Norfolk, and printed by Copland in 1521. It is thus alluded to in
+the first important authority on French grammar, "Lesclarissement de la
+langue Francoyse compose par maistre Jehan Palsgraue, Angloys, natyf de
+Londres," 1530: "The right vertuous and excellent prince Thomas, late Duke
+of Northfolke, hath commanded the studious clerke, Alexandre Barkelay, to
+embusy hymselfe about this exercyse." Further on he is not so complimentary
+as he remarks:--"Where as there is a boke, that goeth about in this realme,
+intitled The introductory to writte and pronounce frenche, compiled by
+Alexander Barcley, in which k is moche vsed, and many other thynges also by
+hym affirmed, contrary to my sayenges in this boke, and specially in my
+seconde, where I shall assaye to expresse the declinations and
+coniugatynges with the other congruites obserued in the frenche tonge, I
+suppose it sufficient to warne the lernar, that I haue red ouer that boke
+at length: and what myn opinion is therin, it shall well inough apere in my
+bokes selfe, though I make therof no ferther expresse mencion: saue that I
+haue sene an olde boke written in parchement, in maner in all thynkes like
+to his sayd Introductory: whiche, by coniecture, was not vnwritten this
+hundred yeres. I wot nat if he happened to fortune upon suche an other: for
+whan it was commaunded that the grammar maisters shulde teche the youth of
+Englande ioyntly latin with frenche, there were diuerse suche bokes
+diuysed: wherupon, as I suppose, began one great occasyon why we of England
+sounde the latyn tong so corruptly, whiche haue as good a tonge to sounde
+all maner speches parfitely as any other nacyon in Europa."--Book I. ch.
+xxxv. "According to this," Mr Ellis (Early English Pronunciation, 804)
+pertinently notes: "1º, there ought to be many old MS. treatises on French
+grammar; and 2º, the English pronunciation of Latin was moulded on the
+French."
+
+To Barclay, as nine years before Palsgrave, belongs at least the credit,
+hitherto generally unrecognised, of the first published attempt at a French
+grammar, by either Frenchman or foreigner.
+
+"The mirror of good manners, containing the four cardinal vertues,"
+appeared from the press of Pynson, without date, "which boke," says the
+typographer, "I haue prynted at the instance and request of the ryght noble
+Rychard Yerle of Kent." This earl of Kent died in 1523, and as Barclay
+speaks of himself in the preface as advanced in age, the date of
+publication may be assigned to close upon that year. It is a translation,
+in the ballad stanza, of the Latin elegiac poem of Dominicus Mancinus, _De
+quatuor virtutibus_, first published in 1516, and, as appears from the
+title, was executed while Barclay was a monk of Ely, at "the desire of the
+righte worshipfull Syr Giles Alington, Knight." From the address to his
+patron it would seem that the Knight had requested the poet to abridge or
+modernise Gower's Confessio amantis. For declining this task he pleads,
+that he is too old to undertake such a light subject, and also the sacred
+nature of his profession. He then intimates his choice of the present more
+grave and serious work instead--
+
+  Which a priest may write, not hurting his estate,
+  Nor of honest name obumbring at all his light.
+
+"But the poet," says Warton, "declined this undertaking as unsuitable to
+his age, infirmities, and profession, and chose rather to oblige his patron
+with a grave system of ethics. It is certain that he made a prudent choice.
+The performance shows how little qualified he was to correct Gower."
+Instead of a carping criticism like this, it would have been much more to
+the point to praise the modesty and sensibility of an author, who had the
+courage to decline a task unsuited to his tastes or powers.
+
+He professes little:--
+
+  This playne litle treatise in stile compendious,
+  Much briefly conteyneth four vertues cardinall,
+  In right pleasaunt processe, plaine and commodious,
+  With light foote of metre, and stile heroicall,
+  Rude people to infourme in language maternall,
+  To whose vnderstanding maydens of tender age,
+  And rude litle children shall finde easy passage.
+
+Two editions of the work are sufficient evidence that this humble and
+praiseworthy purpose was, in the eyes of his contemporaries, successfully
+carried out.
+
+The only remaining authentic production of Barclay which has come down to
+us, is a translation of the Jugurthine War of Sallust, undertaken at the
+request of, and dedicated to, his great patron, Thomas Duke of Norfolk, and
+printed also at Pynson's press without date. The Latin and English are
+printed side by side on the same page, the former being dedicated, with the
+date "Ex cellula Hatfelde[=n] regii (_i.e._, King's Hatfield,
+Hertfordshire) in Idus Novembris" to Vesey, the centenarian Bishop of
+Exeter, with this superscription:--"Reueredissimo in Christo patri ac dno:
+dno Joanni Veysy exonien episcopo Alexander Barclay presbyter debita cum
+obseruantia. S." The dedication begins, "Memini me superioribus annis cu
+adhuc sacelli regij presul esses: pastor vigilantissime: tuis suasionibus
+incitatu: vt Crispi Salustij hystoria--e romana lingua: in anglicam
+compendiose transferrem," &c. Vesey was probably one of Barclay's oldest
+west country friends; for he is recorded to have been connected with the
+diocese of Exeter from 1503 to 1551, in the various capacities of
+archdeacon, precentor, dean, and bishop successively. Conjecture has placed
+the date of this publication at 1511, but as Veysey did not succeed to the
+Bishopric of Exeter till August 1519, this is untenable. We cannot say more
+than that it must have been published between 1519 and 1524, the date of
+the Duke of Norfolk's death, probably in the former year, since, from its
+being dated from "Hatfield," the ancient palace of the bishops of Ely,
+(sold to the Crown in the 30th of Henry VIII.; Clutterbuck's Hertfordshire,
+II.) Barclay at the time of its completion was evidently still a monk of
+Ely.
+
+By his translation of Sallust (so popular an author at that period, that
+the learned virgin queen is reported to have amused her leisure with an
+English version), Barclay obtained the distinction of being the first to
+introduce that classic to English readers. His version bears the reputation
+of being executed not only with accuracy, but with considerable freedom and
+elegance, and its popularity was evinced by its appearance in three
+additions.
+
+Two other works of our author are spoken of as having been in print, but
+they have apparently passed entirely out of sight: "The figure of our holy
+mother Church, oppressed by the Frenche King," (Pynson, 4to), known only
+from Maunsell's Catalogue; and "The lyfe of the glorious martyr, saynt
+George translated (from Mantuan) by Alexander Barclay, while he was a monk
+of Ely, and dedicated to N. West, Bishop of Ely," (Pynson, 4to), (Herbert,
+Typ. Antiquities.) West was Bishop of Ely from 1515 to 1533, and
+consequently Barclay's superior during probably his whole stay there.
+Whether these two works were in verse or prose is unknown.
+
+There are two other books ascribed to Barclay, but nothing satisfactory can
+be stated regarding their parentage except that, considering their subject,
+and the press they issued from, it is not at all unlikely that they may
+have been the fruit of his prolific pen. The first is "The lyfe of the
+blessed martyr, Saynte Thomas," in prose, printed by Pynson, (Herbert, Typ.
+Ant. 292), regarding which Ant. Wood says, "I should feel little difficulty
+in ascribing this to Barclay." The other is the English translation of the
+Histoire merveilleuse du Grand Khan (in Latin, De Tartaris siue Liber
+historiarum partium Orientis) of the eastern soldier, and western monk,
+Haytho, prince of Georgia at the end of the 13th, and beginning of the 14th
+centuries. The History which gives an account of Genghis Khan, and his
+successors, with a short description of the different kingdoms of Asia, was
+very popular in the 15th and 16th centuries, as one of the earliest
+accounts of the East, and the conjecture of the Grenville Catalogue is not
+improbable, though there is no sufficient evidence, that Barclay was the
+author of the English version which appeared from the press of Pynson.
+
+Bale further enumerates in his list of Barclay's works "Contra Skeltonum,
+Lib. I.; Quinq: eglogas ex Mantuano, Lib. I; Vitam D. Catherinae, Lib. I.,
+[Libros tres, Pits]; Vitam D. Margaritae, Lib. I.; Vitam Etheldredae, Lib.
+I.; Aliaq: plura fecit." Tanner adds: "Orationes varias, Lib. I.; De fide
+orthodoxa, Lib. I."
+
+Of these various fruits of Barclay's fertility and industry no fragment has
+survived to our day, nor has even any positive information regarding their
+nature been transmitted to us.
+
+The "Orationes varias," probably a collection of sermons with especial
+reference to the sins of the day would have been historically, if not
+otherwise, interesting, and their loss is matter for regret. On the other
+hand the want of the treatise, "De fide orthodoxa," is doubtless a relief
+to literature. There are too many of the kind already to encumber our
+shelves and our catalogues.
+
+The Lives of the Saints, the work, it is stated, of the author's old age,
+were, according to Tanner, and he is no doubt right, translations from the
+Latin. Barclay's reputation probably does not suffer from their loss.
+
+"Quinque eglogas ex Mantuano," though Bale mentions also "De miserijs
+aulicorum; Bucolicam Codri; Eglogam quartam," apparently the five, but
+really the first four of the eclogues known to us, are, I am strongly
+inclined to believe, nothing else than these same five eclogues, under, to
+use a bibliographical phrase, "a made up" title. That he mentions first,
+five from Mantuan, and afterwards adds "Bucolicam Codri" and "Eglogam
+quartam," as two distinct eclogues, apparently not from Mantuan, while both
+titles must refer to the same poem, an imitation of Mantuan's fifth
+eclogue, is proof enough that he was not speaking with the authority of
+personal knowledge of these works.
+
+Johannes Baptista Spagnuoli, commonly called from his native city, Mantuan,
+was the most popular and prolific eclogue writer of the fifteenth century,
+to which Barclay himself testifies:--
+
+ "As the moste famous Baptist Mantuan
+  The best of that sort since Poetes first began."
+
+Barclay's Eclogues being the first attempts of the kind in English, Bale's
+"Ex Mantuano," therefore probably means nothing more than "on the model of
+Mantuan;" otherwise, if it be assumed that five were the whole number that
+ever appeared, it could not apply to the first three, which are expressly
+stated in the title to be from AEneas Sylvius, while if ten be assumed, his
+statement would account for nine, the "quinque eglogas" being the five now
+wanting, but if so, then he has omitted to mention the most popular of all
+the eclogues, the fifth, and has failed to attribute to Mantuan two which
+are undoubtedly due to him.
+
+The loss of the "Contra Skeltonum," is a matter for regret. That there was
+no love lost between these two contemporaries and chief poets of their time
+is evident enough. Skelton's scathing sarcasm against the priesthood no
+doubt woke his brother satirist's ire, and the latter lets no opportunity
+slip of launching forth his contempt for the laureate of Oxford.
+
+The moralist in announcing the position he assumes in opposition to the
+writer of popular tales, takes care to have a fling at the author of "The
+boke of Phyllyp Sparowe":--
+
+ "I wryte no Ieste 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."
+
+A sneer to which Skelton most probably alludes when, enumerating his own
+productions in the Garlande of Laurell, he mentions,
+
+ "Of Phillip Sparow the lamentable fate,
+  The dolefull desteny, and the carefull chaunce,
+  Dyuysed by Skelton after the funerall rate;
+  Yet sum there be therewith that take greuaunce,
+  And grudge thereat with frownyng countenaunce;
+  But what of that? harde it is to please all men;
+  Who list amende it, let hym set to his penne."
+
+The following onslaught in Barclay's Fourth Eclogue, is evidently levelled
+at the abominable Skelton:
+
+ "Another thing yet is greatly more damnable:
+  Of rascolde poetes yet is a shamfull rable,
+  Which voyde of wisedome presumeth to indite,
+  Though they haue scantly the cunning of a snite;
+  And to what vices that princes moste intende,
+  Those dare these fooles solemnize and commende
+  Then is he decked as Poete laureate,
+  When stinking Thais made him her graduate;
+  When Muses rested, she did her season note,
+  And she with Bacchus her camous did promote.
+  Such rascolde drames, promoted by Thais,
+  Bacchus, Licoris, or yet by Testalis,
+  Or by suche other newe forged Muses nine,
+  Thinke in their mindes for to haue wit diuine;
+  They laude their verses, they boast, they vaunt and iet,
+  Though all their cunning be scantly worth a pet:
+  If they haue smelled the artes triuiall,
+  They count them Poetes hye and heroicall.
+  Such is their foly, so foolishly they dote,
+  Thinking that none can their playne errour note;
+  Yet be they foolishe, auoyde of honestie,
+  Nothing seasoned with spice of grauitie,
+  Auoyde of pleasure, auoyde of eloquence,
+  With many wordes, and fruitlesse of sentence;
+  Unapt to learne, disdayning to be taught,
+  Their priuate pleasure in snare hath them so caught;
+  And worst yet of all, they count them excellent,
+  Though they be fruitlesse, rashe and improuident.
+  To such ambages who doth their minde incline,
+  They count all other as priuate of doctrine,
+  And that the faultes which be in them alone,
+  And be common in other men eche one.
+  Thus bide good poetes oft time rebuke and blame,
+  Because of other which haue despised name.
+  And thus for the bad the good be cleane abject.
+  Their art and poeme counted of none effect,
+  Who wanteth reason good to discerne from ill
+  Doth worthy writers interprete at his will:
+  So both the laudes of good and not laudable
+  For lacke of knowledge become vituperable."
+
+It has not hitherto been pointed out that Skelton did not disdain to borrow
+a leaf from the enemy's book and try his hand at paraphrasing the Ship of
+Fools also. "The Boke of three fooles, M. Skelton, poete laureate, gaue to
+my lord Cardynall," is a paraphrase in prose, with introductory verses, of
+three chapters of Brandt, corresponding to Barclay's chapters headed, Of
+yonge folys that take olde wyme to theyr wyues nat for loue but for ryches
+(I. 247); Of enuyous folys (I. 252); Of bodely lust or corporall
+voluptuosyte (I. 239). Skelton's three fools, are, "The man that doth wed a
+wyfe for her goodes and her rychesse;" "Of Enuye, the seconde foole"; and,
+"Of the Voluptuousnes corporall, the third foole;" and his versions are
+dashed off with his usual racy vigour. He probably, however, did not think
+it worth while to compete with the established favourite. If he had we
+would certainly have got a very different book from Barclay's.
+
+Notwithstanding his popularity and industry, Barclay's name appears to be
+but seldom mentioned by contemporary or later authors. As early as 1521
+however, we find him placed in the most honourable company by Henry
+Bradshaw, "Lyfe of Saynt Werburghe," (1521, Pynson, 4to). But the
+compliment would probably lose half its sweetness from his being bracketed
+with the detested Skelton:--
+
+  To all auncient poetes, litell boke, submytte the,
+  Whilom flouryng in eloquence facundious,
+  And to all other whiche present nowe be;
+  Fyrst to maister Chaucer and Ludgate sentencious,
+  Also to preignaunt Barkley nowe beying religious,
+  To inuentiue Skelton and poet laureate;
+  Praye them all of pardon both erly and late.
+
+Bulleyn's repeated allusions to Barclay (see above, pp. xxvii., liv.),
+apart from the probability that, as contemporaries resident in the same
+provincial town, Ely, they were well acquainted with each other, leave
+little doubt that the two were personal friends. Bulleyn's figurative
+description of the poet, quoted at p. xxvii., is scarcely complete without
+the following verses, which are appended to it by way of summary of his
+teachings (similar verses are appended to the descriptions of Chaucer,
+Gower, &c.):--[Barclay appears] saying
+
+ "Who entreth the court in yong and teder age
+  Are lightly blinded with foly and outrage:
+  But suche as enter with witte and grauitie,
+  Bow not so sone to such enormitie,
+  But ere thei enter if thei haue lerned nought
+  Afterwardes Vertue the least of theyr thought."
+                      _Dialogue against the Fever Pestilence._
+
+In another passage of the same Dialogue[4] the picture of the honourable
+and deserving but neglected churchman is touched with so much strength and
+feeling that, though no indication is given, one cannot but believe that
+the painter was drawing from the life, the life of his friend. The
+likeness, whether intentional or not, is a most faithful one: "The third
+[picture] is, one whiche sheweth the state of learned men, labouring long
+time in studie and diuine vertue, whiche are wrapped in pouertie, wantyng
+the golden rake or gapyng mouth. This man hath verie fewe to preferre hym
+to that promotion, he smiteth himselfe upo the breast, he wepeth and
+lamenteth, that vice should thus be exalted, ignoraunce rewarded with
+glorie, coueteous men spoilyng the Churche, by the names of patrones and
+geuers, whiche extorcioners and tellers, they care not to whom, so that it
+be raked with the golden racke. Wel, wel, God of his mercie, amed this
+euill market."
+
+In one of the many humorous sallies which lighten up this old-fashioned
+antidote to the pestilence, Barclay again appears, dressed in the
+metaphorical colour of the poet or minstrel--green, which has probably here
+a double significance, referring no doubt to his popularity as the English
+eclogue writer as well as to his fame as a poet and satirist. In
+introducing "Bartlet, grene breche" as the antithesis to "Boner wepyng,"
+allusion was also probably intended to the honourable position occupied by
+Barclay amongst the promoters of the Reformation, compared with the
+reapostacy, the career of brutal cruelty, and the deserved fate of the
+Jefferies of the Episcopal bench.
+
+Thus discourse _Civis et Uxor_.--
+
+"_Uxor._ What are all these two and two in a table. Oh it is trim. _Civis._
+These are old frendes, it is well handled and workemanly. Willyam Boswell
+in Pater noster rowe, painted them. Here is Christ, and Sathan, Sainct
+Peter, and Symon Magus, Paule, and Alexader the Coppersmith, Trace, and
+Becket, Martin Luther, and the Pope ... bishop Cramer, and bishop Gardiner.
+Boner wepyng, Bartlet, grene breche ... Salomon, and Will Sommer. The cocke
+and the lyon, the wolfe and the lambe." This passage also necessarily
+implies that Barclay's fame at that time was second to none in England.
+Alas! for fame:
+
+ "What is the end of fame? 'Tis but to fill
+  A certain portion of uncertain paper."
+
+In the seventeenth century Barclay still held a place in the first rank of
+satirists, if we accept the evidence of the learned Catholic poet of that
+time, Sir Aston Cokaine. He thus alludes to him in an address "To my
+learned friend, Mr Thomas Bancroft, upon his Book of Satires. By Sir Aston
+Cokayne."
+
+ "After a many works of divers kinds
+  Your muse to tread th' Aruncan path designs:
+ 'Tis hard to write but Satires in these days,
+  And yet to write good Satires merits praise:
+      .    .    .    .    .    .
+  So old Petronius Arbiter appli'd
+  Corsives unto the age he did deride:
+  So Horace, Persius, Juvenal, (among
+  Those ancient Romans) scourg'd the impious throng;
+  So Ariosto (in these later times)
+  Reprov'd his Italy for many crimes;
+  So learned Barclay let his lashes fall
+  Heavy on some to bring a cure to all."
+
+In concluding this imperfect notice of one of the most remarkable of our
+early writers, we cannot but echo the regret expressed by one of his
+biographers, that "What ought most to be lamented is, that we are able to
+say so very little of one in his own time so famous, and whose works ought
+to have transmitted him to posterity with much greater honour."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+THE WILL OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY.
+
+EXTRACTED FROM THE PRINCIPAL REGISTRY OF HER MAJESTY'S COURT OF PROBATE.
+
+_In the Prerogative Court of Canterbury._
+
+IN THE NAME OF GOD. AMEN.--The xxv^{th} day of July in the yere of our
+Lorde God a thousande fyve hundreth fyftie and one.... I ALEXANDER
+BARQUELEY Doctor of Divinitie Vicar of myche badowe in the countie of Essex
+do make dispose and declare this my pute testament conteyning my last Will
+in forme and order as hereafter followethe That ys to saye First I
+bequeathe my soule unto Almightie God my maker and Redemer and my bodye to
+be buried where it shall please God to dispose after de[=p]ting my soule
+from the bodye Also I bequeathe to the poore people of the said [=p]ish of
+Badowe fyftie shillings to be disposed where as yt shall appere to be most
+nede by the discrescon of myne Executours And also I bequeathe towardes the
+repacons of the same Churche vj^s viij^d Item I bequeathe to the poore
+people of the [=P]ish of Owkley in the Countie of Somersett fiftie
+shillings likewise to be distributed And towardes the repacons of the same
+Churche vj^s viij^d Item I bequeathe to Mr Horsey of Tawnton in the saide
+Countie of Somersett one fether bed and a bolster which I had of hym or els
+twentie shillings in redye money Item I bequeathe to Edword Capper
+otherwise called Edwarde Mathewe of Tawnton aforesaid xxxiij^s iiij^d of
+currant money of England Item I bequeathe to Johane Atkynson the daughter
+of Thomas Atkynson of London Scryvener one fetherbed wheruppon I use to lye
+having a newe tyke with the bolster blanketts and coverlett tester pillowe
+and two payer of my best shetes Item I bequeth to the same Johane Atkynson
+eight pounds current money of England to be receyved of the money due unto
+me by Cutbeard Crokk of Wynchester to be paide in two yeres (that is to
+saye foure poundes in the first yere and foure poundes in the secounde
+yere) Item I bequeathe to the saide Johane a flocke bed a quylte and all my
+pewter and brasse and other stuf of my kechen Item I give and bequeathe to
+Jeronymy Atkynson the daughter of the saide Thomas Atkynson vj^{li} xiij^s
+iiij^d currant money of England to be receyved of the said Cutbeard Crok in
+two yeres that is to saye every yere fyve markes Item I bequeathe to
+Tymothy and Elizabeth Atkynson the daughters of the said Thomas Atkynson to
+everye of theym five pounds currant money of England to be receyved of the
+said Cutbeard Croke so that the eldest of thes two daughters be paide the
+first two yeres and the other to be paide in other two yeres then next
+following Item The rest of the money whiche the saide Cutbeard Croke oweth
+to me amounting in the hole to the some of four score poundes I bequeathe
+to be devyded amonge poore and nedye [=p]sones after the discretion of myn
+Executours and manely to such as be bedred blynde lame ympotent wydowes and
+fatherless children.... Item I bequeathe to Syr John Gate Knight S^r Henry
+Gate Knight and to M^r Clerke to everye of theym fouer angell nobles to
+make every of theym a ringe of golde to be worne by theym in remembraunce
+of me Item I give and bequeathe to Hugh Rooke of London Scryvener to Henry
+bosoll of London Gold Smythe to Thomas Wytton of London Screvener and to
+the wief of Humfrey Stevens of London Goldsmythe to Humfrey Edwards Clerke
+to John Owhan of the [=P]ish of Badowe aforesaid to every of them one
+angell noble of gold or ells y^e valew therof in sylver Item I bequeathe to
+M^r Thomas Clerk of Owkey aforesaid to Thomas Edey Gentelman and to the
+said Thomas Atkynson to every of them foure angell nobles to make therof
+for every of them a ringe to were in remembraunce of oure olde
+acquayntaunce and famyliarytie Item my will is that my Executours shall
+distribute at the daye of my buriall among poore and nedy people sixe
+pounds fyftene shillings Item I bequeathe to Parnell Atkynson the wief of
+the said Thomas Atkynson my cosyn thirtenne pounds thirtene shillings and
+foure pence of currant money of England Item I bequeathe to John Watson of
+London Clotheworker three angell nobles to make a ring therof to be worne
+in remembraunce of oure olde famyliaritie Also I desire all suche as have
+or shall hereafter have eny benyfytt by thes my legacies and all other good
+chrestian people to praye to Almightie God for remission of my synnes and
+mercy upon my soule Item I bequeath to Johan Bowyer the syster of the said
+[=P]nell my cosen fourtie shillings Item I bequeathe to the said Thomas
+Atkynson Tenne pounds currant money of England whome with the said Thomas
+Eden I constitute the executours of this my last Will to whome I bequeathe
+the rest and residue of all my goodes chattells and debts to be distributed
+at their discrescion in works of mercy to poore people not peny mele but by
+larger por[=c]on after theyr discrecon namely to [=p]sons bedred maydens
+widowes and other ympotent [=p]sons Item I ordeyne and desire the said M^r
+Rochester to be the Overseer of this my last Will to be well and truely
+[=p]formed and fulfilled to whome for his labor and paynes I bequeathe fyve
+marks currant money of England In wytnes of whiche this my last Will I the
+said Alexander Barqueley hereunto have set my seale and subscribed the same
+with my owne hands the day and yere fyrst above written [p=] me. ALEXANDRU
+BARQUELEY.
+
+    PROBATUM fuit Test[=m] coram d[=n]o ca[=n]t Archie[=p]o apud London
+    decimo die mensis Junij Anno d[=n]o mille[=m]o quingentesimo
+    quinquagesimo secundo Juramento Thome Atkynson E[=x] in hmoi testamento
+    noiat Ac Approbatu et insumatu et comissa fuit admotraco om[=n] bonoru
+    &^c d[=c]i deft de bene et &^c ac de pleno Inv^{ro} &^c exhibend Ad
+    sancta dei Evangelia Jurat Re[=s]rvata [p=]tate Thome Eden alteri e[=x]
+    &^c cum venerit.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+NOTES.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[1] BARCLAY'S NATIONALITY
+
+The objection raised to claiming Barclay as a Scotsman, founded on the
+ground that he nowhere mentions his nationality, though it was a common
+practice of authors in his time to do so, especially when they wrote out of
+their own country, appeared to me, though ingenious and pertinent, to be of
+so little real weight, as to be dismissed in a parenthesis. Its importance,
+however, may easily be overrated, and it may therefore be well to point out
+that, apart from the possibility that this omission on his part was the
+result of accident or indifference, there is also the probability that it
+was dictated by a wise discretion. To be a Scotsman was not in the days of
+Henry VIII., as it has been in later and more auspicious times, a passport
+to confidence and popularity, either at the court or among the people of
+England. Barclay's fate having led him, and probably his nearest relatives
+also, across that Border which no Scotsman ever recrosses, to live and
+labour among a people by no means friendly to his country, it would have
+been a folly which so sensible a man as he was not likely to commit to have
+displayed the red rag of his nationality before his easily excited
+neighbours, upon whose friendliness his comfort and success depended. The
+farther argument of the Biographia Brittannica, that "it is pretty
+extraordinary that Barclay himself, in his several addresses to his
+patrons, should never take notice of his being a stranger, which would have
+made their kindness to him the more remarkable," is sufficiently disposed
+of by the succeeding statement, that the Duke of Norfolk and the Earl of
+Kent, Barclay's principal patrons, "are known to have been the fiercest
+enemies of the Scots." Surely a man who was English in everything but his
+birth could not be expected to openly blazon his Scottish nativity, without
+adequate occasion for so doing, in the very face of his country's chiefest
+enemies, who were at the same time his own best friends. His caution in
+this respect, indeed, may be regarded as an additional proof of his
+Scottish origin.
+
+[2] BARCLAY'S VOCABULARY
+
+Some of the words, stated in popular fashion to be Scotch--they are of
+course of Saxon origin--the usage of which by Barclay is adduced as an
+evidence of his nationality, are also to be found in Chaucer, but that does
+not invalidate the argument as stated. The employment of so many words of
+northern usage must form at least a strong corroborative argument in favour
+of northern origin.
+
+[3] THE CASTLE OF LABOUR
+
+It ought to be stated that the modesty of the young author prevented him
+from affixing his name to his first production, The Castle of Labour. Both
+editions are anonymous. Bale, Pits, Wood, &c., all include it in the list
+of his works without remark.
+
+[4] BULLEYN'S DIALOGUE
+
+A notice of the history of this once popular Dialogue, its ever recurring
+disappearance, and ever recurring "discovery" by some fortunate antiquary,
+would form an interesting chapter in a new "History of the transmission of
+ancient books to modern times." Its chances of preservation and record were
+unusually favourable. It must have been disseminated over the length and
+breadth of the land in its day, having run through four editions in little
+more than a dozen years. Maunsell's Catalogue (1595) records the edition of
+1578. Antony Wood (1721), and Bishop Tanner (1748) both duly give it a
+place in their notices of the productions of its author, without any
+special remark. But the Biographia Brittanica (1748) in a long article upon
+Bulleyn, in which his various works are noticed in great detail, introduces
+the Dialogue as "_this long neglected and unknown treatise_," and gives an
+elaborate account of it extending to about five columns of small print. The
+now famous passage, descriptive of the early poets, is quoted at length,
+and special notice of its bearing on Barclay's nationality taken, the
+writer (Oldys) announcing that the dispute must now be settled in favour of
+Scotland, "Seeing our author (Bulleyn), a contemporary who lived in, and
+long upon the borders of Scotland, says, as above, he was born in that
+kingdom: and as much indeed might have been in great measure gathered from
+an attentive perusal of this poet himself."
+
+The next biographer of Bulleyn, Aikin (Biog. Memoirs of Medicine, 1780),
+makes no discovery, but contents himself with giving a brief account of the
+Dialogue (in 11/2 pages), in which the description of Chaucer, &c., is duly
+noticed. Three years later, in spite of this, and the appearance of a
+second edition of the Biographia Brittanica (1778), another really learned
+and able antiquary, Waldron, in his edition of Jonson's Sad Shepherd
+(1783), comes forth triumphantly announcing his discovery of the Dialogue
+as that of a hitherto totally unknown treasure; and in an appendix favours
+the curious with a series of extracts from it, extending to more than
+thirty pages, prefacing them thus: "Having, among the various Mysteries and
+Moralities, whether original impressions, reprinted, or described only by
+those writers who have given any account of these Embrios of the English
+Drama, _never met with or read of any other copy of the Dialogue, or
+Morality, by Bulleyn, than the one_, [which I have used], an account of and
+some extracts from it may not be unpleasing." The passage regarding the
+poets is of course given _ad longum_.
+
+The next notice of the Dialogue occurs in Herbert's Ames (1786), where two
+editions, 1564 and 1578, are entered. Dibdin (1819), in addition, notices
+the edition of 1573. In the biographical accounts of Bulleyn in
+Hutchinson's Biographia Medica (1799), Aikin's General Biog. Dict. (1801),
+and its successor, Chalmers's Biog. Dict. (1812), due mention is preserved
+of the Dialogue in enumerating the works of its author. Sir Walter Scott
+alludes to it in the Introduction to the Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border
+(1802) as a "mystery," but his only knowledge of it is evidently derived
+from Waldron. Chalmers's Life of Lindsay (Poetical Works, 1806) has also
+kept it prominently before a considerable class of inquirers, as he gives
+that part of the description of the poets relating to Lindsay a conspicuous
+place, with the following note: "Owing to the very obliging temper of Mr
+Waldron I have been permitted to see that _rare book_ of Dr Bulleyn, with
+the second edition of 1569, which is remarkably different from the first in
+1564." To this use of it by Chalmers we owe the references to it in Lord
+Lindsay's Lives of the Lindsays, i. 261 (1849), Seton's Scottish Heraldry,
+480 (1863), and Notes and Queries, 3rd s., iv. 164 (1863). It was also
+probably Chalmers that drew the attention of the writer of the Memoir of
+Barclay in the Lives of the Scottish Poets (1822), to the possibility of
+there being also in the Dialogue notice of that poet. At any rate, he
+quotes the description of the early poets, showing in his preliminary
+remarks considerable familiarity with Bulleyn's history, pointing out the
+probability of his having known Barclay at Ely, and arguing that whether or
+not, "from living in the same neighbourhood he had an opportunity of
+knowing better than any contemporary whose evidence on the subject is
+extant, to what country Barclay was, by all about him, reputed to belong."
+He precedes his quotations thus: "As the whole passage possesses
+considerable elegance, and has been so _universally overlooked_ by the
+critics, the transcription of it here will not probably be deemed out of
+place." No mention is made of the title of the book from which the
+"Allegorical Description of the Early English Poets" is taken; hence it is
+impossible to say whether the quoter made use of a copy of the Dialogue, or
+of Waldron's Notes. The spelling is modernised.
+
+In various well-known bibliographical publications the existence of this
+fugitive Dialogue is carefully registered, and its title, at least, made
+known to all inquirers,--in Watt's Bibliotheca Britt. (1824), in Lowndes'
+Bibliog. Manual (1834), and in Atkinson's Medical Bibliog. (1834); and by
+the published Catalogues of the British Museum (1813), the Douce Collection
+(1840), and the Bodleian Library (1843), it is made known that there are
+copies of it preserved in these great collections. In Warton's Hist. of
+Eng. Poetry (ed. 1840), it is also recorded by Park, in his notes to the
+chapter on Gower, in which he refers to Bulleyn's visionary description of
+that poet. Cooper's Athenae Cantabrigienses, art. Bulleyn (1858), also
+carefully notes the Dialogue and its editions. And in 1865 Collier's
+well-known Bibliographical Account of Early English Literature again gives
+an account (two pages long) of the much neglected production, in which the
+passage relating to the poets is once more extracted in full, with the
+preliminary remarks as quoted at p. xxvii. _supra_, but without the usual
+announcement that the work has hitherto been unknown.
+
+But in 1873, by the very last man from whom we might have expected it (F.
+J. Furnivall, the Atlas on whose shoulders all our projects for the
+preservation of our early literature rest, in Notes and Queries, 4th s.,
+xii. 161), we are again introduced to this ever disappearing, ever
+reappearing Dialogue as a fresh find in early English literature: "Few
+things are pleasanter in reading old books than to come on a passage of
+praise of our old poets, showing that in Tudor days men cared for the
+'makers' of former days as we do still. To Mr David Laing's kindness I owe
+the introduction to the following quotation from a rare tract, where one
+wouldn't have expected to find such a passage," and then follows once more
+the whole passage so often quoted for the first time. Dr Rimbault, in an
+interesting note in a succeeding number of Notes and Queries (p. 234), is
+the first one acquainted with the Dialogue to state that "this amusing old
+work is perfectly well known, and has often been quoted from." So
+henceforth we may presume that this interesting and long-fertile field of
+discovery may be regarded as finally worked out.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+A
+
+BIBLIOGRAPHICAL CATALOGUE
+
+OF
+
+BARCLAY'S WORKS.
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  I. THE CASTELL OF LABOURE.
+  II. THE SHYP OF FOLYS.
+  III. THE EGLOGES.
+  IV. THE INTRODUCTORY.
+  V. THE MYRROUR OF GOOD MANERS.
+  VI. CRONYCLE COMPLYED BY SALUST.
+  VII. FIGURE OF OUR MOTHER HOLY CHURCH.
+  VIII. THE LYFE OF SAYNT GEORGE.
+  IX. THE LYFE OF SAYNTE THOMAS.
+  X. HAYTHON'S CRONYCLE.
+
+I. THE CASTELL OF LABOURE.--Wynkyn de Worde. 1506. Small Quarto. Black
+letter.
+
+    The title, "The castell of laboure," is within a scroll above a woodcut
+    of men over a tub: on the verso, a cut of a man sitting at a desk. At
+    sign. a ii. (recto) "Here begynneth the prologue of this present
+    treatyse." [The Brit. Mus. copy has this on the verso of the title
+    instead of the cut, a peculiarity which may entitle it to be called a
+    separate edition, though it appears to agree otherwise with the copy
+    described.] There are many curious woodcuts. Colophon on the reverse of
+    sign. i iii. (51^b): "Thus endeth the castell of labour, wherin is
+    rychesse, vertue, and honour. Enprynted at London in Fletestrete in the
+    sygne of the sonne. by Wynkyn de worde. Anno d[=n]i M.ccccc.vi." There
+    is no indication of authorship. Signatures: a b c d e f g h,
+    alternately 8s and 4s, i 4; 52 leaves, not numbered. The British Museum
+    and Cambridge University Library copies of this book have been
+    collated, but as the former ends with H 3 and the latter wants the last
+    leaf, that leaf must remain undescribed. Mr Bradshaw, however, says,
+    "it almost certainly contained a woodcut on the recto, and one of the
+    devices on the verso."
+
+    A copy of this very scarce book was sold among Mr. West's books in 1773
+    for L2.
+
+I.a. THE CASTELL OF LABOURE.--Pynson. No date. Small Quarto. Black letter.
+
+    The title, "Here begynneth the castell of laboure," is over a woodcut;
+    and on the reverse is a woodcut; both the same as those in the previous
+    edition. In the body of the work there are 30 woodcuts, which differ
+    from those of the first edition, one of these (at G 6) is a repetition
+    of that on the title page. Colophon: "Thus endeth the castell of labour
+    wherin is rychesse, vertue and honoure. Enprynted be me Richarde
+    Pynson." After the colophon comes another leaf (I 6), on the recto of
+    which is the printer's device, and on the verso a woodcut representing
+    a city on the banks of a river. Without indication of authorship.
+    Signatures: A, 8 leaves; B--I, in sixes.
+
+    "Neither Ames nor Herbert appear to have seen this rare volume; which
+    is probably a reprint of Wynkyn de Worde's impression of 1506."
+    (Dibdin's Typ. Antiq., II. 557.) There is a copy in the Library of H.
+    Huth, Esq.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+II. THE SHIP OF FOLYS OF THE WORLDE.--Pynson. 1509. Folio.
+
+    On the recto of the first leaf there is a large woodcut of Pynson's
+    arms, or device No. VII., similar to that which is on the reverse of
+    the last leaf of each of the volumes of his edition of Lord Berners'
+    translation of Froissart's Chronicles; on the back of the first leaf is
+    the translator's dedication to "Thomas Cornisshe, bishop of Tine, and
+    suffragan bishop of Bath;" on the next leaf begins "The regyster or
+    table of this present boke in Englyshe," (all as on pp. cxiii.--cxx.),
+    succeeded by a Latin table. Then on sign. a i. and fol. i. a large
+    woodcut, the same as is used for the title page of Cawood's edition
+    (and on p. 313, Vol. II.), with a Latin description in the margin.
+    Beneath is the title in Latin. On the back, "Alexander Barclay
+    excusynge the rudeness of his translacion," followed with "An
+    exhortacion of Alexander Barclay." Then on fol. ii., etc., follow in
+    Latin, "Epigramma," "Epistola" in prose, and various "Carmina." On the
+    back of fol. v. "The exhortacion of Brant to the fools" in Latin verse,
+    followed by Barclay's version with the heading "Barclay the Translatour
+    tho the Foles." On fol. iiii. the "Prologus Jacobi Locher ... incipit,"
+    followed by its translation into English. On fol. ix., etc.,
+    "Hecatastichon in proludium auctoris et Libelli Narragonici" and the
+    English translation, "Here begynneth the prologe." On xii. "The
+    Argument" in Latin and English, and then on xiii. commences the first
+    chapter, "De inutilibus libris," in Latin, and then in English, which
+    is the order throughout, with the cuts at the beginning of either the
+    one or other as the page suited. The book concludes with a ballad in
+    honour of the virgin Mary, consisting of twelve octave stanzas: at the
+    end of which is the colophon in a stanza of seven lines. On the verso
+    of the last leaf is the printer's device, No. v.
+
+    The Latin is uniformly printed in the Roman type, and the English in
+    the Gothic. Herbert supposes the diphthongs to be "the first perhaps
+    used in this kingdom."
+
+    The cuts are rude, coarse, English imitations of those in the original
+    editions. They are, including the preliminary one, 118 in number. The
+    cut illustrating the chapter, "Of them that correct other," etc., fol.
+    liii. has been exchanged with the cut of the succeeding chapter. The
+    cut illustrating "The unyuersall shyp and generall Barke," fol.
+    cclxii., is repeated at the succeeding chapter. The one illustrating
+    Barclay's new chapter "Of folys that ar ouer worldly" is an imitation
+    of the illustration of "De singularitate quorundam novorum fatuorum" in
+    the Latin edition of March 1497. The cut illustrating the ballad of the
+    Virgin appears in the original at the head of "Excusatio Jacobi Locher
+    Philomusi," and illustrates, according to the margin, "Derisio boni
+    operis."
+
+    The word "Folium" is on the left hand page, and the number, in Roman
+    capitals, on the right throughout the book; the last is cclxxiiii.
+    Including the dedication and table (4 folios) there are 283 folios. The
+    numbering is a model of irregularity: iiii. is repeated for vi., xx.
+    stands for xv., xviii. is repeated, xx. is wanting, xxii. is repeated,
+    xxiv. is wanting, xxx. is repeated, xxxvi. is wanting, xxxix. is
+    repeated in place of xliv., xlviii. is wanting, xlix. is repeated, lvii
+    is repeated after lxi., lviii follows twice, lix., lx., lxi. being
+    repeated in succession after lviii., lxvii., lxviii. are repeated after
+    lxviii., lxxxii. is wanting, lxxxiii. is repeated, lxxxii. stands for
+    lxxxvii., lxxxiii. succeeds for lxxxviiii, cclxv. succeeds for lxxxix.,
+    lxxxxii. is repeated for lxxxxvii., [in the Grenville copy this leaf is
+    correctly numbered], cxxxii is wanting, cxl. stands for cxxxviii.,
+    cxlxi. stands for cxlvi., clxxiv. is wanting, clxxxxxi. stands for
+    cci., ccxii. is repeated for ccxvii., ccxxxviii. is wanting, cclx.
+    stands for ccl., cclviii. is repeated for cclx.
+
+    The numeration by signatures is as follows: + iiij; a, 8; b--p, 6 s; q,
+    7; r, s, t, v, x, y, z, &, 6 s; A--Y, 6 s.
+
+    The book is extremely rare. There is a fine copy in the Bodleian
+    Library among Selden's books, another in the British Museum, Grenville
+    Collection, and another in the Library of St. John's College, Oxford.
+
+    The following are the more notable prices: Farmer, 1798, L2. 4s.;
+    Sotheby's, 1821, L28; Dent, L30. 9s.; Bib. Anglo-Poetica, L105;
+    Perkins, 1873, L130.
+
+    The following amusing note on prices is taken from Renouard's
+    "Catalogue d'un Amateur." "Les premieres editions latines de ce
+    singulier livre, celles des traductions francoises, toutes egalement
+    remplies de figures en bois, ne deplaisent pas aux amateurs, mais
+    jamais ils ne les ont payees un haut prix. La traduction angloise faite
+    en 1509, sur le francois, et avec des figures en bois, plus mauvaises
+    encore que leurs modeles, se paye en Angleterre 25, 30 et meme 60
+    guinees; c'est la, si l'on veut, du zele patriotique, de l'esprit
+    national."
+
+II.a. STULTIFERA NAUIS.... THE SHIP OF FOOLES..... With diuers other
+workes.... very profitable and fruitfull for all men.... Cawood. 1570.
+Folio.
+
+    A large cut of vessels filled with fools (the same as on p. 313, Vol.
+    II.) is inserted between the Latin and English titles. This edition
+    omits the ballad to the Virgin at the end. The English is in black
+    letter, and the Latin in Roman, in the same order as in the preceding
+    edition. On the recto of leaf 259: Thus endeth the Ship of Fooles,
+    translated ... by Alexander Barclay Priest, at that time Chaplen in the
+    Colledge of S. Mary Otery in the Countie of Deuon. Anno Domini 1508. On
+    the back "Excusatio Iacobi Locher Philomusi," in Sapphic verse. On the
+    next page five stanzas by Barclay "excusing the rudenes of his
+    Translation." Lastly, an Index in Latin, and then in English. Then,
+    follow the "diuers other workes," the Mirrour of good maners, and the
+    Egloges. Colophon: Imprinted at London in Paules Church-yarde by Iohn
+    Cawood Printer to the Queenes Maiestie. Cum Priuilegio ad imprimendum
+    solum.
+
+    The woodcuts, including the one on the title-page, number 117. They are
+    the same as those of Pynson's edition, but show occasional traces of
+    the blocks having been chipped in the course of their preservation in a
+    printer's office for 60 years or so. The borders only differ, being of
+    a uniform type, while those of the previous edition are woodcuts of
+    several patterns.
+
+    The numbering is a little irregular; the preliminary leaves (12) are
+    unnumbered. The folios are numbered in figures on the left hand page,
+    'folio' being prefixed to the first six, 16 is repeated for 17, 13
+    stands for 31, [in one of the Adv. Lib. copies the latter irregularity
+    is found, though not the former; in the other, 17 and 31 are numbered
+    correctly], 96 is repeated for 99, 188 for 191, 100 for 200, and 205
+    for 201. The last number is 259, and there are three extra leaves, thus
+    making 274 for the Ship. The supplementary works are not numbered. The
+    signatures are as follows: _The Ship_, ¶ six leaves; ¶¶ six leaves; A
+    to U u, in sixes; X x, four leaves; _Mirrour of good manners_, A--G, in
+    sixes; _Egloges_, A to D, in sixes; in all 680 pp.
+
+    This book was licensed to Cawood in 1567-8, and is said to be the only
+    book he had license for. It is now very rare.
+
+    Prices: Digby, 1680, 4s. 4d. Bernard, 1698, 1s. 10d. Gulston, 1783, L1,
+    16s. White Knights, L8, 12s. Roxburghe, L9, 19s. 6d. Fonthill, L13,
+    13s. Bib. Anglo-Poet, L12, 12s. Heber, L8, 12s. Sotheby's, 1873, L48,
+    10s.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    A complete bibliography of the various editions and versions of the
+    Ship of Fools will be found in Zarocke's edition of the original, or in
+    Graesse's Tresor de livres rares et precieux. A notice is subjoined of
+    the two editions of the English prose translation, and of the two other
+    publications bearing the title.
+
+    The abridged prose translation, by Henry Watson, from the French prose
+    version of Jehan Droyn, appeared from the press of De Worde in the same
+    year in which Barclay's fuller poetical version was issued. In both
+    text and illustrations it is a much inferior production to the latter.
+    As the existence of the first edition has been, and still is, denied,
+    it being frequently confounded with Barclay's book, we transcribe the
+    following description of the only known copy from Van Praet's
+    "Catalogue des livres imprimes sur velin de la Bibliotheque du Roi."
+
+The Shyppe of Fooles, translated out of frenche, by Henry Watson. London,
+Wynkyn de Worde, 1509, petit in--4.
+
+    Edition en lettres de forme, sans chiffres ni reclames, avec
+    signatures, figures et initiales en bois; a longues lignes, au nombre
+    de 32 sur les pages entieres; cont. 169 f.; les 7 premiers renferment
+    1. le titre suivant, grave audessus d'une figure qui represente le
+    navire des fous:
+
+    ¶ The shyppe of fooles.
+
+    2. Le prologue du traducteur; 3. la preface; 4. la table des chapitres.
+
+    Au recto du dernier f. est cette souscription:
+
+    ¶ Thus endeth the shyppe of fooles of this worde. Enprynted at London
+    in Flete strete by Wynk[=y] de worde prynter vnto the excellent
+    pryncesse Marguerete, Countesse of Rychemonde and Derbye, and grandame
+    vnto our moost naturall souereyne lorde kynge Henry [=y] viii. The yere
+    of our lorde. M.CCCCC. ix. ¶ The fyrste yere of the reygne of our
+    fouerayne lorde kynge Henry the viii. The. vi. daye of Julii. On
+    apercoit au verso le monogramme et la marque de William Caxton, au bas
+    desquels on lit ces mots: Wynken de Worde."
+
+    This beautiful copy upon vellum is the only example of this edition
+    known.
+
+The grete Shyppe of Fooles of this worlde. W[=y]kyn de Worde. 1517. Quarto.
+
+    This is the second edition of Watson's translation. Colophon: "Thus
+    endeth the shyppe of fooles of this worlde. Jmprynted at Londod in
+    flete strete by W[=y]kyn de Worde. ye yere of our lorde M.CCCCC. &
+    xvii.
+
+    ¶ The nynthe yere of y^e reygne of our souerayne lorde kynge Henry y^e
+    VIII. The xx. daye of June." It contains G G 6, fours and eights
+    alternately (the signatures ending on G G iij.), besides 6 leaves, with
+    the prologue, prolude and table, before signature A.
+
+    Extremely rare. Roxburghe, L64.
+
+The Ship of Fools Fully Fraught and Richly Laden with Asses, Fools,
+Jack-daws, Ninnihammers, Coxcombs, Slenderwits, Shallowbrains, Paper-Skuls,
+Simpletons, Nickumpoops, Wiseakers, Dunces, and Blockheads, Declaring their
+several Natures, Manners and Constitutions; the occasion why this Ship was
+built, with the places of their intended Voyage, and a list of the Officers
+that bear Command therein.
+
+  If for this Voyage any have a mind,
+  They with Jack Adams may acceptance find,
+  Who will strain hard ere they shall stay behind.
+
+      Licensed, Roger L'Estrange.
+      [A large woodcut of the Ship.]
+
+London, Printed by J. W. for J. Clark, at the Bible and Harp in
+West-Smithfield. n. d. [Circa 1650.] 4to. 4 leaves.
+
+    "This book, or rather tract, has nothing in common with Barclay's Ship
+    of Fools, except the general idea. It is entirely in prose. My copy has
+    nothing to show to whom it formerly belonged."--(Letter of H. Huth,
+    Esq.) The last sentence was elicited by the inquiry whether Mr Huth's
+    copy were the one formerly belonging to Mr Heber.--See _Bibliotheca
+    Heberiana_, Part IV., No. 752.
+
+Stultifera Navis ... The modern Ship of fools. Lond. 1807, 80. Pp. xxiv.,
+295.
+
+    A wretched production in verse, in imitation of Barclay's Ship of
+    Fools, published anonymously by W. H. Ireland, the Shakesperian forger.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+III. THE EGLOGES OF ALEXADER BARCLAY, PREST.--The first three, without
+printer's name or device. No date. Quarto. Black letter.
+
+    "Here begynneth the Egloges of Alexader Barclay, prest, wherof the
+    fyrst thre conteyneth the myseryes of courters and courtes of all
+    prynces in generall, the matter wherof was translated into Englyshe by
+    the sayd Alexander in fourme of Dialogues, out of a boke named in latyn
+    Miserie Curialiu, compyled by Eneas Siluius, Poete and oratour, whiche
+    after was Pope of Rome, & named Pius." This title is over a cut of two
+    shepherds, Coridon and Cornix, the interlocutors in these three
+    eclogues. On the back is a cut of David and Bathsheba. At the end of
+    the third egloge: "Thus endyth the thyrde and last egloge of the mysery
+    of court and courters, composed by Alexander Barclay, preste, in his
+    youthe." A cut of the two shepherds and a courtier fills up the page.
+    Without date, printer's name, or device. Contains P 6, in fours, the
+    last leaf blank.
+
+III.a. THE FOURTHE EGLOGE OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY.--Pynson. No date. Quarto.
+Black letter.
+
+    It is entitled, "The Boke of Codrus and Mynaclus," over the cut of a
+    priest, with a shaven crown, writing at a plutus. It concludes with
+    "The discrypcion of the towre of Vertue & Honour, into whiche the noble
+    Hawarde contended to entre, by worthy acts of chiualry," related by
+    Menalcas, in stanzas of eight verses. At the end, "Thus endeth the
+    fourthe Eglogge of Alexandre Barcley, coteyning the maner of the riche
+    men anenst poets and other clerkes. Emprinted by Richarde Pynson priter
+    to the kynges noble grace." On the last leaf is his device, No. V.
+    Contains 22 leaves, with cuts.
+
+III.b. THE FYFTE EGLOGE OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY. --Wynkyn de Worde. No date.
+Quarto. Black letter.
+
+    "The fyfte Eglog of Alexandre Barclay of the Cytezen and vplondyshman."
+    This title is over a large woodcut of a priest, sitting in his study.
+    Beneath, "Here after foloweth the Prologe." On the verso of A ii. are
+    two cuts of two shepherds, whole lengths, with this head-title,
+    "Interlocutoures be Amyntas and Faustus." There are no other cuts.
+    Colophon: "Here endeth the v. Eglog of Alexandre Barclay of the Cytezyn
+    and vplondysshman. Imprynted at London in flete strete, at the sygne of
+    [the] Sonne, by Wynkyn de worde." Beneath, device No. v. Contains A 8,
+    B 4, C 6; 18 leaves. There is a copy in the British Museum.
+
+    With the first four Eclogues as above, Woodhouse, 1803, (Herbert's
+    copy), L25.; resold, Dent, 1827, L36.; resold, Heber, 1834, L24. 10s.
+    At Heber's sale this unique set, containing the only known copy of the
+    first edition of the first four Eclogues, was bought by Thorpe; further
+    I have not been able to trace it.
+
+III.c. THE EGLOGES.--John Herforde. No date. Quarto.
+
+    "Here begynneth the Egloges of Alex. Barclay, Priest, whereof the first
+    three conteineth the Miseries of Courters and Courtes." "Probably a
+    reprint of Pynson's impression," Dibdin. Contains only Eclogues I.-III.
+    Herbert conjectures the date to be 1548; Corser, 1546; Hazlitt, 1545.
+
+III.d. THE EGLOGES.--Humfrey Powell. No date. Quarto. Black letter.
+
+    "Here begynneth the Egloges of Alexander Barclay, priest, whereof the
+    first thre conteineth the miseries of courters and courtes, of all
+    Princes in general ... In the whiche the interloquutors be, Cornix, and
+    Coridon." Concludes: "Thus endeth the thyrde and last Eglogue of the
+    Misery of Courte and Courters, Composed by Alexander Barclay preest, in
+    his youth. Imprinted at London by Humfrey Powell." Contains only
+    Eclogues I.-III. Collation: Title, A 1; sig. A to P2, in fours; 58
+    leaves not numbered.
+
+    This is an edition of extreme rarity. It is very well printed, and the
+    title is surrounded with a woodcut border with ornamented pillars at
+    the sides. Herbert conjectures the date to be 1549, the Bib.
+    Anglo-Poetica, Lowndes, and Corser, 1548. There is a copy in the
+    Cambridge University Library, and another in the possession of David
+    Laing, Esq.
+
+    Prices: Inglis, L6. 2s. 6d.; Bright, 1845. L10. 10s.; Bib.
+    Anglo-Poetica, L15.
+
+III.e. CERTAYNE EGLOGES OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY PRIEST.--Cawood. 1570. Folio.
+Black letter.
+
+    Appended to Cawood's edition of the Ship of Fools. No title-page, cuts,
+    or pagination. The above heading on A i.
+
+    Colophon: Thus endeth the fifth and last Egloge of Alexander Barclay,
+    of the Citizen and the man of the countrey. Imprinted at London in
+    Paules Church-yarde by Iohn Cawood, Printer to the Queenes Maiestie.
+    Cum Priuilegio ad imprimendum solum.
+
+    Contains A--D, in sixes.
+
+III._f_. THE CYTEZEN AND UPLONDYSHMAN: an Eclogue [the fifth] by Alexander
+Barclay.
+
+    Printed from the original edition by Wynkyn de Worde. Edited, with an
+    Introductory Notice of Barclay and his other Eclogues, by F.W.
+    Fairholt, F.S.A. London; printed for the Percy Society [vol. XXII.],
+    1847. 8vo. Pp. + 6, lxxiv., 47.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+IV. THE INTRODUCTORY TO WRITE AND TO PRONOUNCE FRENCHE. Coplande. 1521.
+Folio. Black letter.
+
+    'Here begynneth the introductory to wryte, and to pronounce Frenche
+    compyled by Alexander Barcley compendiously at the commaudemet of the
+    ryght hye excellent and myghty prynce Thomas duke of Northfolke.' This
+    title is over a large woodcut of a lion rampant, supporting a shield,
+    containing a white lion in a border, (the same as that on the title of
+    the Sallust, VI.), then follows a French ballad of 16 lines in two
+    columns, the first headed, "R. Coplande to the whyte lyone, and the
+    second, "¶ Ballade." On the recto of the last leaf, 'Here foloweth the
+    maner of dauncynge of bace dauces after the vse of fraunce & other
+    places translated out of frenche in englysshe by Robert coplande.'
+    Col.: Jmprynted at London in the Fletestrete at the sygne of the rose
+    Garlande by Robert coplande, the yere of our lorde. M.CCCCC.xxi. y^e
+    xxii. day of Marche.' Neither folioed nor paged. Contains C 4, in
+    sixes, 16 leaves.
+
+    In the edition of Palsgrave (see above, p. lxxiii.), published among
+    the "Documents inedits sur l'histoire de France," the editor says of
+    this work of Barclay's: "Tous mes efforts pour decouvrir un exemplaire
+    de ce curieux ouvrage ont ete inutiles." There is a copy, probably
+    unique, in the Bodleian; it was formerly Herbert's, afterwards Douce's.
+
+    All the parts of this treatise relating to French pronunciation have
+    been carefully reprinted by Mr A. J. Ellis, in his treatise "On Early
+    English Pronunciation" (published by the Philological Society), Part
+    III., p. 804.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+V. THE MYRROUR OF GOOD MANERS.----Pynson. No date. Folio. Black letter.
+
+    'Here begynneth a ryght frutefull treatyse, intituled the myrrour of
+    good maners, coteynyng the iiii. vertues, callyd cardynall, compyled in
+    latyn by Domynike Mancyn: And translate into englysshe: at the desyre
+    of syr Gyles Alyngton, knyght: by Alexander Bercley prest: and monke of
+    Ely. This title is over a cut, the same as at the head of Barclay's
+    preface to his translation of Sallust, a representation of the author
+    in a monkish habit on his knees, presenting a book to a nobleman. The
+    text begins on back of title. The original is printed in Roman letter
+    in the margins.----Colophon in a square woodcut border: Thus endeth the
+    ryght frutefull matter of the foure vertues cardynall: Jmprynted by
+    Rychard Pynson: prynter vnto the kynges noble grace: with his gracyous
+    pryuylege the whiche boke I haue prynted, at the instance & request, of
+    the ryght noble Rychard yerle of Kent. On the back, Pynson's device,
+    No. v. It has neither running titles, catch-words, nor the leaves
+    numbered. Signatures; A to G, in sixes, and H, in eights; 100 pp.
+
+    In the British Museum, Grenville collection, from Heber's collection.
+    "This edition differs materially from that used by Herbert, which has
+    led Dr Dibdin to the conclusion that there were two impressions." So
+    says a MS. note on the copy, (quoted in the Bib. Grenv.), but Dibdin
+    does not commit himself to the conclusion, his words being these: "This
+    description is given from a copy in the possession of Mr Heber; which,
+    from its varying with the account of Herbert, Mr H. supposes, with
+    justice, must be a different one from Herbert's." I have failed to
+    discover the difference.
+
+    Prices: Perry, L9.; Roxburghe (last leaf wanting), L10. 10s.;
+    Bibliotheca Anglo-Poetica, L12. 12s.; Sykes, L16. 16s.
+
+    To the above edition must belong the fragment entered in Bohn's Lowndes
+    under "Four," thus: "Four Vertues Cardinal. Lond. R. Pynson, n.d.
+    folio. Only a fragment of this Poem is known; it was printed at the
+    request of Rychard Erle of Kent."
+
+V._a._. THE MIRROUR OF GOOD MANERS.----Cawood. 1570. Folio. Black letter.
+
+    Appended to Cawood's edition of the Ship of Fools. No title page,
+    pagination, or cuts. The above heading on A 1. The Latin original
+    printed in Roman by the side of the English. Contains A-G, in sixes.
+
+    It may be useful to give here the bibliography of the other English
+    translations of Mancyn.
+
+Mancinus de quattuor Virtutibus. [The englysshe of Mancyne apon the foure
+cardynale vertues.] No place, printer's name, or date, but with the types
+of Wynkyn de Worde, circa 1518. 4to, a-d, in eights. Bodleian.
+
+    Following the title occurs: Petri Carmeliani exasticon in Dominici
+    Mancini de quattuor cardineis virtutibus libellum. The Latin portion is
+    in verse, printed in Roman letter, with marginal notes in black letter,
+    of a very small size, and the English in prose.
+
+    The English part, in black letter, is entitled: The englysshe of
+    Mancyne apon the foure cardynale vertues. n.p. or d. This portion has a
+    separate title and signatures; the title is on A 1. On sign. F ii.
+    occurs, "The correccion of the englysshe," and on the verso of the same
+    leaf is printed, "The correction of the texte." A, B, C, and D, 8
+    leaves each; E, 6 leaves; and F, 4 leaves; 42 leaves altogether. A copy
+    of this is in the British Museum. Only two perfect copies are known.
+
+A Plaine Path to Perfect Vertue: Deuised and found out by Mancinus, a
+Latine Poet, and translated into English by G. Turberuile, Gentleman.
+
+    Ardua ad virtutem via.
+
+    Imprinted at London in Knightrider-strete, by Henry Bynneman, for
+    Leonard Maylard. Anno. 1568. 8vo., 72 leaves. Black letter, in verse.
+    Dedicated "To the right Honorable and hys singular good Lady, Lady
+    Anne, Coutesse Warvvicke." There is also a metrical address to the
+    reader, and 8 4-line stanzas by James Sanford in praise of the
+    translator.
+
+    Freeling, 1836, No. 911, L7., bought for Mr Corser: now in the British
+    Museum. Supposed to be unique.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+VI. CRONYCLE compyled in Latyn, by the renowned Sallust.----Pynson. No
+date. Folio.
+
+    "Here begynneth the famous cronycle of the warre, which the romayns had
+    agaynst Jugurth, vsurper of the kyngdome of Numidy. which cronycle is
+    compyled in latyn by the renowmed romayne Salust. And translated into
+    englysshe by syr Alexander Barclay preest, at comaundement of the right
+    hye and mighty prince: Thomas duke of Northfolke." There are two
+    editions by Pynson of this book.
+
+    I. In this edition the lower half of the title page has a square
+    enclosed by double lines containing the Norfolk arms, a lion rampant,
+    holding a shield in his paws, on which is another lion, a cut which
+    also appears on the title of The Introductory. There is a full page cut
+    of the royal arms with portcullis, &c., on the back, followed by five
+    pages of Table. The preface to his patron, in English,----together with
+    a Latin dedication to Bishop Veysy, in parallel columns,----begins on
+    the verso of signature A iiii, under a cut of the author presenting his
+    book to him, the same as that which appears on the title of The myrrour
+    of good maners. [See the cut prefixed to the Notice of Barclay's life,
+    which is confined however to a reproduction of the two principal
+    figures only, two other figures, evidently of servants, and some
+    additional ornamentation of the room being omitted.] At the end of this
+    preface is another cut of the author, writing at a desk; also on the
+    back of the leaf is a cut of the disembarking of an army. There are no
+    other cuts, but the volume is adorned throughout with very fine woodcut
+    initials. Catchwords are given irregularly at the beginning, but
+    regularly towards the end, at the bottom of the left hand page only,
+    but the preface has them to every column. Colophon:----"Thus endeth the
+    famous cronycle of the war ... imprented at London by Rycharde Pynson
+    printer vnto the kynges noble grace: with priuylege vnto hym grauted by
+    our sayd souerayne lorde the kynge." On the back of the last leaf is
+    Pynson's device, No. v. The date is erroneously conjectured in Moss's
+    Classical Bib. to be 1511. It was probably 1519, certainly between 1519
+    and 1524. Contains 92 numbered leaves, and one leaf unnumbered, besides
+    eight leaves of preliminary matter: numbering quite regular:
+    signatures; a 8, A--O, 6 s, P, Q, 4 s. In the British Museum, Grenville
+    Collection, the Bodleian, and the Public Library at Cambridge.
+
+    Prices: Roxburghe, L23, 12s.; Sykes, L8, 12s.; Heber, L5, 15s. 6d.;
+    Sotheby's, 1857, L10.
+
+    II. In this edition, the title page is the same as in the other with
+    the exception of a semicolon for a full point after Numidy, the
+    succeeding which having an e added, and romayne being without the e,
+    but on the back instead of a cut of the royal arms The table commences;
+    the preface begins on the recto of sign. a 4, under the cut of the
+    author presenting his book to the Duke of Norfolk, and ends without the
+    leaf of woodcuts which is appended to the preface of the first edition.
+    Pynson's device at the end of the book is also wanting in this edition.
+    It contains only fol. lxxxvi., with six leaves of preliminary matter;
+    the pagination is a little irregular, xxi. and xxii. are wanting but
+    xxiii. is given three times, and lxxvii. is repeated for lxxviii.; the
+    British Museum copy is deficient in folios lxii. and lxv.: signatures;
+    a 6, A--N, 6 s, and O, P, 4 s. The initials are the same as those in
+    the first edition in the great majority of cases, but appear much more
+    worn. There are catch-words only at the end of every signature
+    throughout the book, except to the preface, which has them to every
+    column. In the British Museum, and the Public Library, Cambridge.
+
+    Both editions have the Latin in Roman letter in the margins, and
+    running-titles. Ames mentions an edition with cuts, which must be the
+    same as the first of these.
+
+VI._a._ CRONICLE OF WARRE. Compiled in Laten by Saluste. Corrected by
+Thomas Paynell. Waley, 1557. Quarto.
+
+    "Here begynneth the famous Cronicle of warre, whyche the Romaynes hadde
+    agaynst Jugurth vsurper of the kyngedome of Numidie: whiche Cronicle is
+    compiled in Laten by the renowmed Romayne Saluste: and translated into
+    englyshe by syr alexander Barklaye prieste. And nowe perused and
+    corrected by Thomas Paynell. Newely Jmprinted in the yere of oure Lorde
+    God M.D.L vij." On the verso of the title begins Paynell's
+    dedication--"To the ryghte honorable Lorde Antonye Vycounte Mountegue,
+    Knyghte of the ryghte honorable order of the garter, and one of the
+    Kynge and Queenes Magesties pryuie counsayle." "The prologue" begins on
+    a 1. Barclay's preface and dedication are omitted, as well as the Latin
+    of Sallust. Col.: "Thus endeth the famouse Cronicle of the warre ...
+    against Jugurth ... translated... by syr Alexander Barkeley, prieste,
+    at commaundemente of ... Thomas, duke of Northfolke, And imprinted at
+    London in Foster lane by Jhon Waley." Signatures; H h, 4 s, besides
+    title and dedication, two leaves: the pagination commences on a 4, at
+    "The fyrste chapter," the last folio being cxx.; xxi. is repeated for
+    xxii., xxiii. for xxiv., xix., stands for xxix., lvii. is repeated, and
+    lxxiv. is repeated for lxxv.
+
+    This edition forms the second part of a volume having the following
+    general title page: The Conspiracie of Catiline, written by Constancius
+    Felicius Durantinus, and translated bi Thomas Paynell: with the
+    historye of Jugurth, writen by the famous Romaine Salust, and
+    translated into Englyshe by Alexander Barcklaye.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+VII. ALEX. BARCLAY HIS FIGURE OF OUR MOTHER HOLY CHURCH OPPRESSED BY THE
+FRENCHE KING. Pynson. Quarto.
+
+    This is given by Herbert on the authority of Maunsell's Catalogue, p.
+    7.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+VIII. THE LYFE OF THE GLORIOUS MARTYR SAYNT GEORGE. Translated by Alexander
+Barclay, while he was a monk of Ely, and dedicated to N. West, Bp. of Ely.
+Pinson [Circa 1530.] Quarto. [Herbert, 289].
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+IX. THE LYFE OF SAYNTE THOMAS. Pynson. No date. Quarto. Black letter.
+
+    "¶ Here begynneth the lyfe of the blessed martyr saynte Thomas." This
+    title is the headline of this little treatise; at the beginning of
+    which is indented a small woodcut of a man in armour, striking at the
+    bishop, with his cross-bearer before him. It begins "The martir saynte
+    Thomas was son to Gylberde Bequet a burgeys of the Cite of London. And
+    was borne in y^e place, whereas now standeth the churche called saynte
+    Thomas of Akers." It concludes, "¶ Thus endeth the lyfe of the blessed
+    martyr saynt Thomas of Caunturbury. Jmprynted by me Rycharde Pynson,
+    prynter vnto the kynges noble grace." Contains eight leaves. There is a
+    copy in the British Museum. Assigned to Barclay on tne authority of
+    Wood.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+X. HAYTHON'S CRONYCLE. Pynson. No date. Folio. Black letter.
+
+    "Here begynneth a lytell Cronycle, translated & imprinted at the cost &
+    charge of Rycharde Pynson, by the comaundement of the ryght high and
+    mighty prince, Edwarde duke of Buckingham, yerle of Gloucestre,
+    Staffarde, and of Northamton," over a large woodcut. Colophon: "Here
+    endeth, [_&c_.] Imprinted by the sayd _Richarde Pynson_, printer unto
+    the Kinges noble grace." Date conjectured to be between 1520 and 1530.
+    Pynson's device, No. 5, at the end. Collation: A--E, and H, in sixes; F
+    and G, and I, in fours; forty-eight leaves.
+
+    On the verso of fol. 35, "Here endeth y^e boke of thistoris of thoriet
+    partes copyled by a relygious man frere Hayton frere of Premostre
+    order, sotyme lorde of court & cosyn german to the kyng of Armeny vpon
+    y^e passage of the holy lande. By the comaudement of y^e holy fader y^e
+    apostle of Rome Clemet the V. in y^e cite of Potiers which boke I
+    Nicholas Falcon, writ first in French ... I haue traslated it in Latyn
+    for our holy father y^e pope. In the yere of our lorde god M.CCC.VII.
+    in y^e moneth of August. Deo gras."
+
+    "The travels of Hayton into the Holy Land and Armenia, and his history
+    of Asia, is one of the most valuable of the early accounts of the east.
+    The present is the only translation into English, and from the
+    circumstances of its being printed by Pynson and having been (when in
+    Mr Heber's collection) bound with two other works (Mirrour of good
+    Maners and Sallust) both translated by Barclay, was probably also
+    translated by him. It is a book of extraordinaiy rarity, no perfect
+    copy that can be traced having previously occured for sale."
+    (Bibliotheca Grenvilliana, vol. I.)
+
+    Heber's copy (the one above mentioned), L40. 9s. 6d.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+THE SHIP OF FOOLS.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_Venerandissimo in Christo Patri ac Domino: domino Thome Cornisshe
+Tenenensis pontifici ac diocesis Badonensis Suffraganio vigilantissimo, sue
+paternitatis Capellanus humilimus Alexander Barclay suiipsius
+recommendacionem cum omni summissione, et reuerentia._
+
+_Tametsi crebris negocijs: varioque impedimentorum genere fatigatus paulo
+diutius quam volueram a studio reuulsus eram. Attamen obseruandissime
+presul: Stultiferam classem (vt sum tue paternati pollicitus) iam tandem
+absolui et impressam ad te destinaui. Neque tamen certum laborem pro
+incerto premio (humano. s.) meis impossuissem humeris: nisi Seruianum illud
+dictum (longe anteaqam inceperam) admonuisset. Satius esse non incipere
+quam inceptum minus perfectum relinquere. Completo tamen opere: nec
+quemquam magis dignum quam tua sit paternitas existimaui cui id dedicarem:
+tum quia saluberrima tua prudentia, morum grauitas, vite sanctitas
+doctrineque assiduitas: errantes fatuos mumdanis ab illecebris ad virtutis
+tramites: difficiles licet: possint reducere: tum vero: quia sacros ad
+ordines per te sublimatus et promotus, multisque aliis tuis beneficiis
+ditatus non potui tibi meum obsequium non coartare. Opus igitur tue
+paternitati dedicaui: meorum primicias laborum qui in lucem eruperunt Atque
+vt tua consuluerit paternatis: autoris carmina cum meis vulgaribus
+rithmicis vna alternatim coniunixi: et quantum a vero carminum sensu
+errauerim, tue autoritatis iudicium erit. Fateor equidem multo plura
+adiecisse quam ademisse: partim ad vicia que hac nostra in regione
+abundantius pullulant mordacius carpenda: partimque ob Rithmi
+difficultatem. Adieci etiam quasdam Biblie aliorumque autorum concordancias
+in margine notatas quo singula magis lectoribus illucescant: Simul ad
+inuidorum caninos latratus pacandos: et rabida ora obstruenda: qui vbi quid
+facinorum: quo ipsi scatent: reprehensum audierint. continuo patulo gutture
+liuida euomunt dicta, scripta dilacerant. digna scombris ac thus carmina
+recensent: sed hi si pergant maledicere: vt stultiuagi comites classem
+insiliant. At tu venerande Presul Discipuli tui exiguum munusculum: hilari
+fronte accipito, Classemque nostram (si quid vagum, si quid erronium: si
+quid denique superfluum emineat: optimam in partem interpretando: ab
+inuidorum faucibus: tue autoritatis clipeo tucaris. Vale. Ex Impressoria
+officina Richardi Pynson. iij. Idus Decembris._
+
+¶ THIS PRESENT BOKE NAMED THE SHYP OF FOLYS OF THE WORLDE WAS TRANSLATED IN
+THE COLLEGE OF SAYNT MARY OTERY IN THE COUNTE OF DEUONSHYRE: OUT OF LATEN,
+FRENCH, AND DOCHE INTO ENGLYSSHE TONGE BY ALEXANDER BARCLAY PRESTE: AND AT
+THAT TYME CHAPLEN IN THE SAYDE COLLEGE. TRANSLATED THE YERE OF OUR LORDE
+GOD. M.CCCCC.VIII. IMPRENTYD IN THE CYTE OF LONDON IN FLETESTRE AT THE
+SIGNE OF SAYNT GEORGE. BY RYCHARDE PYNSON TO HYS COSTE AND CHARGE: ENDED
+THE YERE OF OUR SAUIOUR. M. D. IX. THE. XIIII. DAY OF DECEMBER.
+
+TABULA.
+
+¶ THE REGYSTER OR TABLE OF THIS PRESENT BOKE IN ENGLYSSHE.
+
+[VOLUME I.]
+
+¶ Alexander Barclay excusynge the rudenes of his translacion, y^e first
+lefe Barclay y^e translatour to y^e 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.
+
+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 y^t 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 folvsshly speke ayenst the workes of god.
+
+Of lewde Juges of others dedes.
+
+Of 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.
+
+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 the mutabylyte of fortune.
+
+Of seke men inobedient.
+
+Of to open councellers.
+
+Of folys that can nat be ware by y^e 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 felycyte, and godnes and the payne to come to synners.
+
+Of olde folys y^t 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.
+
+Of the ende of worldly honour & power and of folys y^t 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.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+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.
+
+  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.
+
+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.
+
+Barclay the translatour tho the Foles.
+
+  To Shyp galantes the se is at the ful.
+  The wynde vs calleth our sayles ar displayed.
+  Where may we best aryue? at Lyn or els at Hulle?
+  To vs may no hauen in Englonde be denayd.
+  Why tary we? the Ankers ar vp wayed.
+  If any corde or Cabyl vs hurt, let outher hynder.
+  Let slyp the ende, or els hewe it in sonder.
+
+  Retourne your syght beholde vnto the shore.
+  There is great nomber that fayne wold be aborde.
+  They get no rowme our Shyp can holde no more.
+  Haws in the Cocke gyue them none other worde.
+  God gyde vs from Rockes, quicsonde tempest and forde
+  If any man of warre, wether, or wynde apere.
+  My selfe shal trye the wynde and kepe the Stere.
+
+  But I pray you reders haue ye no dysdayne.
+  Thoughe Barclay haue presumed of audacite
+  This Shyp to rule as chefe mayster and Captayne.
+  Though some thynke them selfe moche worthyer than he.
+  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
+
+  But if that any one be in suche maner case.
+  That he wyl chalange the maystershyp fro me
+  Yet in my Shyp can I nat want a place.
+  For in euery place my selfe I oft may se.
+  But this I leue besechynge eche degre:
+  To pardon my youthe and to bolde interprise.
+  For harde is it duely to speke of euery vyce.
+
+  For yf I had tunges an hundreth: and wyt to fele
+  Al thinges natural and supernaturall
+  A thousand mouthes: and voyce as harde as stele.
+  And sene all the seuen Sciences lyberal.
+  Yet cowde I neuer touche the vyces all.
+  And syn of the worlde: ne theyr braunches comprehende:
+  Nat thoughe I lyued vnto the worldes ende.
+
+  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.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+[The Prologe of James Locher.]
+
+After that I haue longe mused by my self of the sore confounded and
+vncertayne cours of mannys lyfe, and thinges therto belonginge: at the last
+I haue by my vigilant meditacion found and noted many degrees of errours:
+wherby mankynd wandreth from the way of trouth I haue also noted that many
+wyse men and wel lettred haue writen right fruteful doctrines: wherby they
+haue heled these dyseses and intollerable perturbacions of the mynde: and
+the goostly woundes therof, moche better than Esculapius which was fyrst
+Inuentour of Phesyke and amonge the Gentyles worshypped as a God. In the
+contrey of Grece were stodyes fyrst founded and ordeyned in the which began
+and sprange holsom medicyne which gaue vnto infect myndes frutful doctryne
+and norisshinge. Amonge whome Socrates that great begynner and honourer of
+wysdom began to dispute of ye maners of men. But for that he coude nat
+fynde certayne ende of goodnes and hyest felicite in naturall thinges: nor
+induce men to the same, he gaue the hye contemplacions of his mynde to
+moral vertues. And in so moche passed he al other in Philosophy moral that
+it was sayde that he called Philosophy down from the Imperial heuen. whan
+this Socrates perceyued the mindes of men to be prone, and extremely
+inclyned to viciousnes he had gret affeccion to subdue suche maners.
+Wherfore in comon places of the Cyte of Athenes he instruct and infourmed
+the peple in such doctrynes as compasith the clere and immaculate welles of
+the moste excellent and souerayne gode. After the disces of Socrates
+succeded ye godly Plato whiche in moral Philosophy ouerpassed also a great
+part of his tyme And certaynly nat without a cause was he called godly. For
+by what stody myght be more holely or better socour mankynde than by suche
+doctrynes as he gaue. He wrote and ordeyned lawes moste egal and iust He
+edityed vnto the Grekes a comon welthe stable, quyet and commendable. And
+ordeyned the societe and company of them most iocund and amyable. He
+prepared a brydel to refrayne the lust and sensualyte of the body. And
+fynally he changed the yl ignorance feblenes and negligence of youth vnto
+dylygence, strength and vertue. In tyme also of these Phylosophers sprange
+the florisshynge age of Poetes: whiche amonge lettred men had nat smal
+rowme and place. And that for theyr eloquent Retoryke and also for theyr
+mery ficcions and inuencions. Of the whiche Poetes some wrote in moste
+ornate termes in ditees heroycal wherin the noble actes and lyues both of
+dyuyne and humayne creatures ar wont to be noted and writem. Some wrote of
+tylling of the grounde. Some of the Planetes, of the courses of ye sterres:
+and of the mouynge of the heuyn and fyrmament. Some of the Empyre and
+shameful subieccion of disordred loue. And many other of the myserable
+ruyne and fal of Kynges and princes for vice: as Tragedies. And some other
+wrote Comedyes with great libertye of speche: which Comedies we cal
+Interludes. Amonge whome Aristophanes Eupolis and Cratinus mooste laudable
+Poetes passed al other. For whan they sawe the youth of Athenes and of al
+the remanent of Grece inclyned to al ylles they toke occasion to note suche
+myslyuinge. And so in playne wordes they repreued without fauour the vyces
+of the sayd yl disposyd peple of what condicion or order they were: Of this
+auncient wrytinge of Comedyes our laten Poetes deuysed a maner of wrytinge
+nat inelegant. And fyrst Lucilius composed one Satyre in the whiche he
+wrote by name the vices of certayne princes and Citezyns of Rome And that
+with many bourdes so y^t with his mery speche myxt with rebukes he correct
+al them of the cyte that disordredly lyued. But this mery speche vsed he
+nat in his writing to the intent to excercyse wanton wordes or vnrefrayned
+lascyuyte, or to put his pleasour in suche dissolute langage: but to ye
+intent to quenche vyces and to prouoke the commons to wysdome and vertue,
+and to be asshamed of theyr foly and excessyfe lyuynge. of hym all the
+Latyn poetes haue takyn example, and begynnynge to wryte Satyrs whiche the
+grekes named Comedyes: As Fabius specifyeth in his X boke of institucions.
+After Lucilius succeded Horacius, moche more eloquent in wrytynge whiche in
+the same deseruyd great laude: Persius also left to vs onely one boke by
+the whiche he commyttyd his name and laude to perpetuall memory. The last
+and prynce of all was Juuenall whiche in his iocunde poemys comprehendyd al
+that was wryten most eloquent and pleasaunt of all the poetis of that sorte
+afore his tyme: O noble men, and diligent hertes and myndes, o laudable
+maners and tymes, these worthy men exyled ydelnes, wherby they haue
+obtayned nat small worshyp and great commodyte example and doctryne lefte
+to vs theyr posteryours why begyn we nat to vnderstonde and perceyue. Why
+worshyp nat the people of our tyme these poetis why do nat they reuerence
+to ye interpretours of them do they nat vnderstonde: that no poetes wryte,
+but outher theyr mynde is to do pleasure or els profyte to the reder, or
+ellys they togyther wyll doo bothe profyte and pleasoure why are they
+dyspysed of many rude carters of nowe a dayes which vnderstonde nat them,
+And for lacke of them haue nat latyn to vtter and expresse ye wyl of their
+mynde. Se whether poetes ar to be dispised. they laude vertue and hym that
+vseth it rebukyng vices with the vsers therof, They teche what is good and
+what is euyll: to what ende vyce, and what ende vertue bringeth vs, and do
+nat Poetis reuyle and sharply byte in their poemys all suche as ar vnmeke,
+Prowde, Couetous, Lecherous, Wanton, delycyous, Wrathfull glotons, wasters,
+Enuyours, Enchauntours, faythebrakers, rasshe, vnauysed, malapert, drunken,
+vntaught foles, and suche lyke. Shulde theyr writyng that suche thinges
+disprayse and reuyle be dyspised of many blynde Dotardes y^t nowe lyue
+whiche enuy that any man shulde haue or vnderstonde ye thyng whiche they
+knowe nat. The Poetes also wyth great lawdes commende and exalt the noble
+folowers of vertue ascribyng to euery man rewardes after his merytes. And
+shortly to say, the intencion of al Poetes hath euer ben to repreue vyce:
+and to commende vertue. But syns it is so that nowe in our dayes ar so many
+neglygent and folysshe peple that they ar almost innumerable whiche
+despisynge the loue of vertue: folowe the blyndenes and vanyte of this
+worlde: it was expedient that of newe some lettred man, wyse, and subtil of
+wyt shulde awake and touche ye open vices of foles that now lyue: and blame
+theyr abhomynable lyfe. This fourme and lybertye of writinge, and charge
+hathe taken vpon hym the Right excellent and worthy Mayster Sebastian Brant
+Doctour of both the Lawes and noble Oratour and Poete to the comon welthe
+of al people in playne and comon speche of Doche in the contrey of Almayne:
+to the ymytacion of Dant Florentyne: and Francis Petrarche Poetes heroycal
+which in their maternal langage haue composed maruelous Poemes and
+ficcions. But amonge diuers inuencions composed of the sayde Sebastian
+brant I haue noted one named ye Shyp of Foles moche expedient and necessary
+to the redar which the sayd Sebastian composed in doche langage. And after
+hym one called James Locher his Disciple translated the same into Laten to
+the vnderstondinge of al Christen nacions where Laten is spoken. Than
+another (whose name to me is vnknowen) translated the same into Frenche. I
+haue ouersene the fyrst Inuencion in Doche and after that the two
+translations in Laten and Frenche whiche in blaminge the disordred lyfe of
+men of our tyme agreeth in sentence: threfolde in langage wherfore wylling
+to redres the errours and vyces of this oure Royalme of Englonde: as the
+foresayde composer and translatours hath done in theyr Contrees I haue
+taken vpon me: howbeit vnworthy to drawe into our Englysshe tunge the sayd
+boke named ye shyp of folys as nere to ye sayd thre Langages as the parcyte
+of my wyt wyll suffer me. But ye reders gyue ye pardon vnto Alexander de
+Barklay If ignoraunce negligence or lacke of wyt cause hym to erre in this
+translacion his purpose and synguler desyre is to content youre myndes. And
+sothely he hathe taken vpon hym the translacion of this present Boke
+neyther for hope of rewarde nor lawde of man: but onely for the holsome
+instruccion commodyte and Doctryne of wysdome, and to clense the vanyte and
+madnes of folysshe people of whom ouer great nombre is in the Royalme of
+Englonde. Therfore let euery man beholde and ouerrede this boke: And than I
+doute nat but he shal se the errours of his lyfe of what condycyon that he
+be. in lyke wyse as he shal se in a Myrrour the fourme of his countenaunce
+and vysage: And if he amende suche fautes as he redeth here wherein he
+knoweth hymself gylty, and passe forth the resydue of his lyfe in the order
+of good maners than shall he haue the fruyte and auauntage wherto I haue
+translatyd this boke.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Here begynneth the prologe.
+
+  Amonge the people of euery regyon
+  And ouer the worlde, south north eest and west
+  Soundeth godly doctryne in plenty and foyson
+  Wherin the grounde of vertue and wysdome doth rest
+  Rede gode and bad, and kepe the to the best
+  Was neuer more plenty of holsome doctryne
+  Nor fewer people that doth therto enclyne
+
+  We haue the Bybyll whiche godly doth expresse
+  Of the olde testament the lawes mysticall
+  And also of the newe our erour to redresse
+  Of phylosophy and other artes liberall
+  With other bokes of vertues morall
+  But thoughe suche bokes vs godly wayes shewe
+  We all ar blynde no man wyll them ensue
+
+  Banysshed is doctryne, we wander in derknes
+  Throughe all the worlde: our selfe we wyll not knowe
+  Wysdome is exyled, alas blynde folysshenes
+  Mysgydeth the myndes of people hye and lowe
+  Grace is decayed, yll governaunce doth growe
+  Both prudent Pallas and Minerua are slayne
+  Or els to heuyn retourned are they agayne
+
+  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:
+  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.
+  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
+  Than is none holde wyser bytwene London and Hul.
+
+  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
+
+  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
+  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
+  Lyuynge in this lyfe mortall in transytory
+  Can hym self kepe and stedfastly endure
+  Without all spot, as worthy eternall glory
+  But if he call to his mynde and memory
+  Fully the dedys both of his youthe and age
+  He wyll graunt in this shyp to kepe some stage
+
+  But who so euer wyll knowlege his owne foly
+  And it repent, lyuynge after in sympylnesse
+  Shall haue no place nor rowme more in our nauy
+  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
+
+  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
+  Bothe 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
+  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.
+
+  But to thentent that euery man may knowe
+  The cause of my wrytynge: certes I intende
+  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
+  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.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+[The Argument.]
+
+Here after foloweth the Boke named the Shyp of Foles of the world:
+translated out of Laten, French and Doche into Englysse in the Colege of
+saynt Mary Otery By me Alexander Barclay to the felicite and moste holsom
+instruccion of mankynde the whiche conteyneth al suche as wandre from the
+way of trouth and from the open Path of holsom vnderstondynge and wysdom:
+fallynge into dyuers blyndnesses of ye mynde, folysshe sensualytees, and
+vndlawful delectacions of the body. This present Boke myght haue ben callyd
+nat inconuenyently the Satyr (that is to say) the reprehencion of
+foulysshnes, but the neweltye of the name was more plesant vnto the fyrst
+actour to call it the Shyp of foles: For in lyke wyse as olde Poetes
+Satyriens in dyuers Poesyes conioyned repreued the synnes and ylnes of the
+peple at that tyme lyuynge: so and in lyke wyse this our Boke representeth
+vnto the iyen of the redars the states and condicions of men: so that euery
+man may behold within the same the cours of his lyfe and his mysgouerned
+maners, as he sholde beholde the shadowe of the fygure of his visage within
+a bright Myrrour. But concernynge the translacion of this Boke: I exhort ye
+reders to take no displesour for y^t it is nat translated word by worde
+acordinge to ye verses of my actour. For I haue but only drawen into our
+moder tunge, in rude langage the sentences of the verses as nere as the
+parcyte of my wyt wyl suffer me, some tyme addynge, somtyme detractinge and
+takinge away suche thinges a semeth me necessary and superflue. wherfore I
+desyre of you reders pardon of my presumptuous audacite trustynge that ye
+shall holde me excused if ye consyder ye scarsnes of my wyt and my vnexpert
+youthe. I haue in many places ouerpassed dyuers poetical digressions and
+obscurenes of Fables and haue concluded my worke in rude langage as shal
+apere in my translacion. But the speciyl cawse that mouethe me to this
+besynes is to auoyde the execrable inconuenyences of ydilnes whyche (as
+saint Bernard sayth) is moder of al vices: and to the vtter derision of
+obstynat men delitynge them in folyes and mysgouernance. But bycause the
+name of this boke semeth to the redar to procede of derysion: and by that
+mean that the substance therof shulde nat be profitable: I wyl aduertise
+you that this Boke is named the Shyp of foles of the worlde: For this
+worlde is nought els but a tempestous se in the whiche we dayly wander and
+are caste in dyuers tribulacions paynes and aduersitees: some by ignoraunce
+and some by wilfulnes: wherfore suche doers ar worthy to be called foles.
+syns they gyde them nat by reason as creatures resonable ought to do.
+Therfore the fyrst actoure willynge to deuyde suche foles from wysemen and
+gode lyuers: hathe ordeyned vpon the se of this worlde this present Shyp to
+contayne these folys of ye worlde, whiche ar in great nomber. So that who
+redeth it perfytely consyderynge his secrete dedys, he shall not lyghtly
+excuse hym selfe out of it, what so euer good name y^t he hath outwarde in
+the mouth of the comontye, And to the entent y^t this my laboure may be the
+more pleasaunt vnto lettred men, I haue adioyned vnto the same ye verses of
+my Actour with dyuerse concordaunces of the Bybyll to fortyfy my wrytynge
+by the same, and also to stop the enuyous mouthes (If any suche shal be) of
+them that by malyce shall barke ayenst this my besynes.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Here begynneth the foles and first inprofytable bokes.
+
+[Illustration: I am the firste fole of all the hole nauy
+To kepe the pompe, the helme and eke the sayle
+For this is my mynde, this one pleasoure haue I
+Of bokes to haue grete plenty and aparayle
+I take no wysdome by them: nor yet auayle
+Nor them preceyue nat: And then I them despyse
+Thus am I a foole and all that sewe that guyse]
+
+  That in this shyp the chefe place I gouerne
+  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
+  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
+  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 unhappely.
+
+  Lo in lyke wyse of bokys I haue store
+  But fewe I rede, and fewer understande
+  I folowe nat theyr doctryne nor theyr lore
+  It is ynoughe to bere a boke in hande
+  It were to moche to be it suche a bande
+  For to be bounde to loke within the boke
+  I am content on the fayre couerynge to loke
+
+  Why sholde I stody to hurt my wyt therby
+  Or trouble my mynde with stody excessyue
+  Sythe many ar whiche stody right besely
+  And yet therby shall they neuer thryue
+  The fruyt of wysdom can they nat contryue
+  And many to stody so moche are inclynde
+  That utterly 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 bokes excercyse
+  Or else I shall ensue the comon gyse
+  And say concedo to euery argument
+  Lyst by moche speche my latyn sholde be spent
+
+  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 w^t that vyce.
+
+  But if I durst trouth playnely vtter and expresse.
+  This is the special cause of this Inconuenyence.
+  That greatest foles, and fullest of lewdnes
+  Hauynge least wyt: and symplest Science
+  Ar fyrst promoted: and haue greatest reuerence
+  For if one can flater, and bere a hawke on his Fyst
+  He shalbe made Person of Honyngton or of Clyst.
+
+  But he that is in Stody ay ferme and diligent.
+  And without al fauour prechyth Chrystys lore
+  Of al the Comontye nowe adayes is sore shent.
+  And by Estates thretened to Pryson oft therfore.
+  Thus what auayle is it, to vs to Stody more:
+  To knowe outher scripture, trouth, wysedom, or vertue
+  Syns fewe, or none without fauour dare them shewe.
+
+  But O noble Doctours, that worthy ar of name:
+  Consyder our olde faders: note wel theyr diligence:
+  Ensue ye theyr steppes: obtayne ye such fame,
+  As they dyd lyuynge: and that by true Prudence.
+  Within theyr hartys they planted theyr scyence
+  And nat in plesaunt bokes. But nowe to fewe suche be.
+  Therefore in this Shyp let them come rowe with me.
+
+THE ENUOY OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY TRANSLATOUR EXORTYNGE THE FOLES ACCLOYED
+WITH THIS VICE TO AMENDE THEYR FOLY.
+
+  Say worthy doctours and Clerkes curious:
+  What moueth you of Bokes to haue such nomber.
+  Syns dyuers doctrines throughe way contrarious.
+  Doth mannys mynde distract and sore encomber.
+  Alas blynde men awake, out of your slomber
+  And if ye wyl nedys your bokes multyplye
+  With diligence endeuer you some to occupye.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of euyl Counsellours, Juges and men of lawe.
+
+[Illustration: 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.]
+
+  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.
+  The purs of the Clyent shal fynde hym apparayle.
+  And yet knowes he neyther lawe good counsel nor Justice.
+  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
+  Theyr councellers were olde men iust and prudent
+  Whiche egally dyd euery thynge descerne
+  Wherby theyr Empyre became so excellent
+  But nowe a dayes he shall haue his intent
+  That hath most golde, and so it is befall
+  That aungels worke wonders in westmynster hall.
+
+  There cursyd coyne makyth the wronge seme right
+  The cause of hym that lyueth in pouertye
+  Hath no defence, tuycion, 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
+
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  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
+
+  Loke in what Balance, what weyght and what mesure
+  Thou seruest other. for thou shalt serued be
+  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.
+  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
+  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 iuged, Lo here theyr trauayle
+  Worthely rewarded in wo withouten ende.
+  Than shall no grace be graunted ne space to amende.
+
+THE ENUOY OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY THE TRANSLATOUR.
+
+  Therfore ye yonge Studentes of the Chauncery:
+  (I speke nat to the olde the Cure of them is past)
+  Remember that Justyce longe hath in bondage be
+  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
+  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.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of Auaryce or Couetyse and prodygalyte.
+
+[Illustration: 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.]
+
+  He that is besy euery day and houre
+  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
+  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
+  Amonge infernall flodes tedyous and horryble
+  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 another vyce as bad as this
+  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.
+
+  But of the couetous somwhat to say agayne
+  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
+  Of mysauenture, nor neuer art content
+  Deth is forgoten, thou carest nat a here
+  To saue thy soule from infernall punysshement
+  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 necesary
+  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
+  With thy owne hande trust nat thy executours
+  Gyue for god, and god shall sende at all houres
+
+  Rede Tullius warkes the worthy Oratour.
+  And writen shalt thou fynde 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.
+
+  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.
+  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:
+  That to haue his mynde vnto his stody fre.
+  He threwe his Tresour all hole into the see.
+
+  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
+
+THE ENUOY OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY TRANSLATOUR.
+
+  Therefore thou couetouse thou wretch I speke to the.
+  Amende thy selfe ryse out of this blyndenes.
+  Content the wyth ynoughe for thy degre.
+  Dam nat thy soule by gatheringe frayle riches
+  Remembre this is a Uale of wretchednes.
+  Thou shalt no rest nor dwellynge place here fynde.
+  Depart thou shalt and leue it al behynde.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of newe fassions and disgised Garmentes.
+
+[Illustration: Who that newe garmentes loues or deuyses.
+Or weryth by his symple wyt, and vanyte
+Gyuyth by his foly and vnthryfty gyses
+Moche yl example to yonge Comontye.
+Suche one is a Fole and skant shal euer thee
+And comonly it is sene that nowe a dayes
+One Fole gladly folowes anothers wayes.]
+
+  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.
+
+  Aparayle is apayred. Al sadness is decayde
+  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
+  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, moste clenely, discretest, and moste honest.
+  But nowe adayes together we contende and stryue.
+  Who may be gayest: and newest wayes contryue.
+
+  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 here 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
+  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.
+
+  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.
+  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.
+
+  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.
+  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: if 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 Jnne is knowen by the sygne
+  So a lewde woman and a lechcrous
+  Is knowen by hir clothes, be they cours or fyne
+  Folowynge newe fassyons, not graunted by doctryne
+  The bocher sheweth his flesshe it to sell
+  So doth these women dampnyng theyr soule to hell
+
+  What shall I more wryte of our enormyte
+  Both man and woman as I before haue sayde
+  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.
+
+  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 of wymen also disfourmynge theyr fygure.
+  Wors than the Turkes, Jewes, or Sarazyns.
+  A Englonde Englonde amende or be thou sure
+  Thy noble name and fame can nat endure
+  Amende lyst god do greuously chastyce.
+  Bothe the begynners and folowes of this vyce.
+
+THE ENUOY OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY YE TRANSLATOUR.
+
+  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.
+  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.
+
+  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 was obscure
+  Uyle and homly, but nowe what creature
+  Wyll then eusue, sothly fewe by theyr wyll
+  Therfore suche folys my nauy shall fulfyll
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of old folys that is to say the longer they lyue the more they ar gyuen to
+foly.
+
+[Illustration: 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.]
+
+  The madnes of my youthe rotyd in my age
+  And the blynde foly of my iniquite
+  Wyll me nat suffer to leue myne old vsage
+  Nor my fore lyuynge full of enormyte
+  Lame ar his lymmys, and also I can nat se
+  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
+  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
+  Desyrynge lawde for eche vngracious dede
+  And of my foly to spred abrode the same
+  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.
+
+  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
+
+  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
+  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
+  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.
+
+  Thus shall he lyue as I haue all his dayes
+  And in his age increas his folysshenes
+  His fader came to worshyp by suche ways
+  So shall the sone, if he hym selfe addres
+  To sue my steppes in falshode and lewdnes
+  And at leste if he can come to no degre
+  This shyp of folys shall he gouerne with me
+
+BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Awake age alas what thynkest thou be
+  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
+  Shall skant euer his vyciousnes asswage
+
+  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.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of the erudicion of neglygent faders anenst theyr chyldren.
+
+[Illustration: That fole that suffreth his Chylde for to offende
+Wythout rebukynge, blame, and correccion.
+And hym nat exhorteth, hymselfe to amende.
+Of suche fawtes as by hym ar done.
+Shal it sore repent: god wote howe sone
+For oft the faders foly, fauour, and neglygence
+Causeth the Chylde for to fall to great offence]
+
+  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
+  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
+  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.
+
+  To moche lyberty pleasoure and lycence
+  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
+
+  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
+  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
+  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
+
+  So youth brought vp in lewdnes and in sin
+  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
+  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
+  It voydeth vyce, gettynge vertue and cunnynge
+
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  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.
+
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  Disciple of Plato. whiche in euery Science.
+  Infourmed this chylde with parfyte diligence.
+
+  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.
+  But abuse his reason: and from al good declyne.
+  Alas folysshe faders gyue your aduertence
+  To Crates complaynt comprysed in this sentence.
+
+  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.
+  Sorowe for your suffrance. But without remedy.
+
+  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,
+  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 Galant 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
+  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:
+  For the rote of vertue and wysdome therby is had.
+
+  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.
+  Thoughe it be nat gotten by theyr owne labour.
+  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
+  Thus is the fader a fole for his suffraunce
+  And the sone also for his mysgouernaunce
+
+THE ENUOY.
+
+  Auoyd faders your fauour and suffraunce
+  Anenst your children in theyr faute and offence
+  Reduce ye clerely vnto your remembraunce
+  That many a thousande inconuenyence
+  Haue children done by theyr faders negligence
+  But to say trouth brefely in one clause
+  The fader's fauour onely is the cause
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of tale berers, fals reporters, and prometers of stryfes.
+
+[Illustration: 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.]
+
+  Some ar that thynke the pleasoure and ioy of theyr lyfe
+  To brynge men in brawlynge to discorde and debate
+  Enioynge to moue them to chydynge and to stryfe
+  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
+  His tonge styll laboryth lesynges to contryue
+  His mynde styll museth of falshode and on gyle
+  Therwith to trobyll suche as gladly wolde nat stryue
+  Somtyme his wordes as dartis he doth dryue
+  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.
+  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
+  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.
+
+  Thus if one serche and seke the worlde ouerall
+  Than a backbyter nought is more peryllous
+  His mynde myscheuous, his wordys ar mortall
+  His damnable byt is foule and venemous
+  A thousande lyes of gyles odyous
+  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
+  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
+
+  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.
+  Suche 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.
+
+  But euery Sclanderer, and begynner of stryfe.
+  Lousers of loue, and infecters of Charite.
+  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
+  Leue of your lewdnes and note wel this sentence.
+  Which Cryist hymself sayd: to great rebuke and shame
+  Unto them that sclandreth a man of Innocence.
+  Wo be to them whych by malyuolence
+  Slandreth or dyffameth any creature.
+  But wel is hym that wyth pacience can indure.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of hym that wyll nat folowe nor ensue good counsell, and necessary.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  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
+  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
+
+  But though he be wyse, and of myght meruaylous
+  Endued with retoryke and with eloquence
+  And of hym selfe both ware and cautelous
+  If he be tachyd with this inconuenyence
+  To dysdayne others counseyll and sentence
+  He is vnwyse, for oft a folys counsayle
+  Tourneth a wyse man to consort and auayle
+
+  But specially the read and auysement
+  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
+  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
+
+  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
+  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
+  And vnto his fader bene obedient
+  Perchaunce he sholde haue lyuyd in welth and ioy
+  Longe tyme after and come to his intent
+  Whereas his body was with a spere through rent
+  Of the sayd Achyllys cruell and vnkynde
+  Alas for suynge his owne selfwyllyd mynde
+
+  I rede of Nero moche cursed and cruell
+  Whiche to wyse counsayle hymself wolde nat agre
+  But in all myschef all other dyd excell
+  Delytynge hym in synne and crueltye
+  But howe dyde he ende forsoth in myserye
+  And at the last as wery of his lyfe
+  Hymselfe he murdred with his owne hand and knyfe
+
+  The Bybyll wytnessyth howe the prophete Thoby
+  Gaue his dere sone in chefe commaundement
+  That if he wolde lyue sure without ieoperdy
+  He sholde sue the counsayle of men wyse and prudent
+  The story of Roboam is also euydent
+  Whiche for nat suynge of counseyll and wysdome
+  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
+  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.
+
+THE ENUOY OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY THE TRANSLATOUR.
+
+  O man vnauysed, thy blyndnes set asyde
+  Knowledge 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.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of disordred and vngoodly maners.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  In this our tyme small is the company
+  That haue good maners worthy of reuerence
+  But many thousandes folowe vylany
+  Prone to all synne and inconuenyence
+  Stryuynge who sonest may come to all offence
+  Of lewde condicions and vnlefulnesse
+  Blyndnes of yll, and defylyd folysshenesse
+
+  All myserable men alas haue set theyr mynde
+  On lothsome maners clene destytute of grace
+  Theyr iyen dymmyd, theyr hertes are so blynde
+  That heuenly ioy none forceth to purchace
+  Both yonge and olde procedeth in one trace
+  With ryche and pore without all dyfference
+  As bonde men subdued to foly and offence
+
+  Some ar busshed theyr bonetes, set on syde.
+  Some waue theyr armys and hede to and fro
+  Some in no place can stedfastly abyde
+  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 worth an onyon
+  With gentry or presthode is felowe and companyon.
+
+  Brybours and Baylyes that lyue upon 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 use 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
+  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
+  Auoydeth this wrath hatered and debate
+  His dedes pleaseth both comonty and estate
+  And namely suche as ar good and laudable
+  Thynketh his dedes right and commendable
+
+  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.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of brekynge and hurtynge of amyte and frendshyp.
+
+[Illustration: He that iniustyce vseth and greuance
+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 crudlye.]
+
+  A Fole frowarde cruell and vntrewe
+  Is he whiche by his power wrongfully
+  His frendes and subiectes laboures to subdewe
+  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
+  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
+
+  Of all thynges loue is moste profytable
+  For the right order of lowe and amyte
+  Is of theyr maners to be agreable
+  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
+
+  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
+  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.
+
+  The hystory also of Orestes dothe expresse
+  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
+  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.
+  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
+
+  Ualerius wrytyth a story longe and ample
+  Of Lelius and of worthy Cipio.
+  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:
+  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
+  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
+  None vnto other coueytys to be bounde
+  Brekers of frendshyp ynough ar on the grounde
+  Whiche set nought by frendshyp so they may haue good
+  All suche in my shyp shall haue a folys hode
+
+THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Ye cruell folys full of ingratitude.
+  Aryse be asshamyd of your iniquyte
+  Mollyfy your hertes vnkynde stuberne and rude
+  Graffynge in them true loue and amyte
+  Consyder this prouerbe of antyquyte
+  And your vnkyndnes weray ban and curse
+  For whether thou be of hy or lowe degre
+  Better is a frende in courte than a peny in purse
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of contempt, or dispisynge of holy scripture.
+
+[Illustration: He that gyueth his erys or credence
+To euery folys talys or talkynge
+Thynkynge more wysdome and fruytfull sentence
+In theyr vayne talys than is in the redynge
+Of bokes whiche shewe vs the way of godly lyuynge
+And soulys helth: forsoth suche one is blynde
+And in this shyp the anker shall vp wynde.]
+
+  Suche as dispyseth auncyent scripture
+  Whiche prouyd is of great auctoryte
+  And hath no pleasoure felycyte or cure
+  Of godly Prophetis whiche wrote of veryte
+  A fole he is for his moste felycyte
+  Is to byleue the tales of an olde wyfe
+  Rather than the doctryne of eternall lyfe
+
+  The holy Bybyll grounde of trouth and of lawe
+  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.
+
+  He that to scripture wyll not gyue credence
+  Wherin ar the armys of our tuycion
+  And of our fayth foundacion and defence
+  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
+  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 instruction
+  To suche lewde folys of this condycion.
+
+  It nought auayleth vnto them to complayne
+  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
+  Or godly lawes taught at any Scolys
+  For to reherse to these myscheuous folys.
+
+  What helpeth the Prophetis scripture or doctryne
+  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
+  Hete nor colde, woo, nor other punysshement
+  Nor that for synners is ordeyned no turment
+  Thus these mad folys wandreth euery houre
+  Without amendement styll in theyr blynde erroure
+
+  Before thy fete thou mayst beholde and se
+  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
+  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
+  Whiche shall rewarde them in a ferefull wyse
+  With mortall wo that euer shall endure
+  Whiche haue dyspysyd his doctryne and scripture
+
+BARCLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Out of your slomber folys I rede you ryse.
+  Scripture dyuyne, to folowe and inbrace
+  Be nat so bolde it to leue nor dispyse
+  But you enforce it to get and purchase
+  Remember mannys consort 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
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of folys without prouysyon.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  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
+  Than sayth he I thought it wolde nat haue be so
+  But than ouer late is it agayne to call
+  It is nat ynough thou fole to say I shall
+  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
+  Begynnynge by counsayll, and fore prouydence
+  Is sure to escape all inconuenyence
+
+  Whan Adam tastyd the appyll in Paradyse.
+  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 improuydence
+  That all his lynage rue sore for his offence.
+
+  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
+  Had nat receyued the gyftis of falsnes
+  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 treason
+  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 broughte in by a trayne
+  Where he was murdred and all his people slayne
+
+  Julius Cesar the chefe of conquerours
+  Was euer warre and prudent of counsayle
+  But whan he had obteyned great honours
+  And drewe to rest as wery of Batayle
+  Than his vnwarnes causyd hym to wayle
+  For if he had red with good aduysement
+  The letter whiche to the counselhous was sent
+
+  He had nat gyuen his owne iugement
+  As he dyd by his foly and neglygence
+  For whiche he murdred was incontynent
+  Without respect had vnto his excellence
+  Alas se here what inconuenyence
+  Came to this Emperour hye and excellent
+  For nat beyng wyse dyscrete and prouydent
+
+  If Nichanor before had noted well
+  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
+  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, prose and good counsayle
+  Are moche laudable, and also excellent
+  And to mankynde great profyte and auayle.
+  Where as those folys haue often cause to wayle
+  For theyr mysfortune, in sorowe vexed sore
+  Whiche ought begyn nat prouydyd before
+
+THE ENUOY OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY.
+
+  O man remember thou canste nat abyde
+  Styll in this lyfe therfore moste specially
+  For thy last ende thou oughtest to prouyde.
+  For that prouysion forsoth is most godly
+  And than next after thy mynde thou ought aply
+  To fle offence, and bewayle thyne olde synne
+  And in all workes and besynes worldly
+  What may be the ende marke well or thou begynne
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of disordred loue and veneryous.
+
+[Illustration: Here drawe we folys mad togyther bounde
+Whom Uenus caught hath in hyr net a snare
+Whose blynde hertes this forour doth confounde
+Theyr lyfe consumynge in sorowe shame and care
+Many one she blyndeth alas fewe can beware
+Of hyr dartes hedyd with shame and vylany
+But he that is wondyd can skant ynde remedy]
+
+  O cruel Uenus forsoth who doth insue
+  Thy flaterynge gylys and proude commaundement
+  And hastyth nat the dartis to eschewe
+  Of blynde Cupido but folowys his intent
+  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
+
+  The noble Troyans murdred ar and slayne
+  Theyr cyte brent, decayde is theyr kyngdome
+  Theyr kynge pryant by pyrrus dede and slayne
+  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
+  Called Antonius by another name
+  After that he had ouercome the persyans
+  To Rome retournyd with tryumphe lawde and fame
+  And there (whiche after was to his great shame)
+  With cleopatra in loue was take so in blyndnes
+  That he promysyd to make hir empresse
+
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  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
+
+  Rede howe Phedra hir loue fixed so feruent
+  On ypolitus in prohybyte auowtry.
+  That whan he wolde nat vnto hir consent
+  To hir husbonde she accused hym falsly
+  As if he wolde hir tane by force to vylany
+  Ipolitus was murdred for this accusement
+  But Phedra for wo hanged hyrself incontynent
+
+  The lewde loue of Phasyphe abhomynable
+  As poetis sayth) brought hir to hir confusyon
+  Nero the cruell Tyrant detestable.
+  His naturall mother knewe by abusyon
+  Uenus and Cupido with their collusyon.
+  Enflamyd Messalina in suche wyse
+  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.
+  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
+  Of Sodom and Gomor syns the Bybyll doth tell
+  Of their synnes agaynst god and nature
+  For whiche they sanke alyue downe into hell.
+  Thus it aperith what punysshement cruell.
+  Our lorde hath taken both in the olde lawe and newe
+  For this synne: whiche sholde vs moue it to eschewe
+
+ALEXANDER BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Ye folys inflamyd with loue inordynate.
+  Note these examples, drawe from this vyce your mynde
+  Remember that there is none so great estate
+  But that false loue hym causeth to be blynde
+  Our folysshe wymen may nat be left behynde
+  For many of them so folowys in this way
+  That they sell theyr soules and bodyes to go gay
+
+  The graceles galantes, and the aprentyce pore
+  Though they nought haue, 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.
+
+  Therfore folys awake, and be no longer blynde
+  Consyder that shame, seknes, 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
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of them y^t synne trustynge vpon the
+mercy of god.
+
+[Illustration: 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 upon presumpcion]
+
+  The wynde is up our Nauy is aflote
+  A bande of Folys a borde is come yet more
+  Theyr cursed maners and mad I shall nowe note
+  Whose herte for synne is neyther contryte ne sore
+  Nat mornynge (as they ought to do) therfore
+  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
+  Unto all people, than them punysshed to se
+  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
+  Yo trust in god syns he is mercyfull
+  What nedeth vs our wyttis for to dull
+  Labourynge our synne and foly to refrayne
+  Syns synne is a thynge naturall and humayne
+
+  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
+  Remember the synne of our forefaders done
+  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
+  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 highe Justice
+  Which fyrst, or last punyssheth euery vyce.
+
+  Remember Richarde lately kynge of price
+  In Englonde raynynge vnrightwisely a whyle.
+  Howe he ambycion, and gyleful Couetyse
+  With innocent blode his handes dyd defyle
+  But howbeit that fortune on hym dyd smyle
+  Two yere or thre: yet god sende hym punysshment
+  By his true seruant the rede Rose redolent.
+
+  Therfore remember that god omnypotent
+  Oft suffreth synners in theyr iniquyte
+  Grauntynge them space and tyme of amendement
+  And nat to procede in their enormyte
+  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
+  His fauour and grace passynge all synne mundayne
+  Yet iustice is with hym eternally.
+  Wherfore I aduyse the to note intentifly
+  Though pyte wolde spare, iustyce wyll nat so
+  But the here rewarde, els with infernal we.
+
+ALEXANDER BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Syghe synners, syghe, for your mysgouernance.
+  Lament, mourne, and sorowe for your enormyte.
+  Away with these Clowdes of mysty ignorance
+  Syn nat in hope of goddys hyghe petye
+  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
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of the folisshe begynnynge of great
+bildynges without sufficient prouision.
+
+[Illustration: 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.]
+
+  Who euer begynneth any worke or dede
+  Of byldynge or of other thynge chargeable
+  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
+  Without he knowe howe he well ende it may.
+
+  The wyse man counteth his cost before alway
+  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 finysshe 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.
+  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
+  Was he nat punysshed in paynes cruell
+  For his great pryde and his presumpcion
+  Whiche he toke it in the byldynge of Babylon
+
+  His golde and treasoure he spendyd hole theron
+  Enioynge hym in his Cyte excellent
+  Right so Nemroth by his inuencion
+  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
+  For great byldynges requyreth great rychesse
+
+  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
+  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.
+
+  Lyst all men do mocke and scorne his interpryse
+  For if he ought begyn without prouysyon
+  And haue nat wherby his byldynge may up 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
+  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
+  And Roufe and wallys make egall with the grounde.
+
+BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Ye folys blyndyd with curyosyte
+  Whiche on great byldynge set so sore your mynde
+  Remember ye nat that doutles ye shall dye
+  And your gay byldynges and howses leue behynde
+  Thynke ye your conforte alway in them to fynde
+  Or whan ye dye, them hens with you to haue
+  Nay nay the laste hous gyuen to mankynde
+  Is the course grounde and walles of his graue.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of glotons and dronkardes.
+
+[Illustration: 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.]
+
+  Within our nauy he nedes shall haue a place.
+  Whiche without mesure on lothsome glotony
+  Setteth his pleasure and singuler solace
+  His stomacke ouerchargynge, vyle and vngodely
+  And to none other thynge his mynde doth he aply
+  Saue depest to drynke, suche force nat of theyr soules
+  But labore in rynsynge pecis cuppis and bowles
+
+  The madnes of dronkennes is so immoderate
+  That greuous sores it ingendreth and sykenes
+  It causeth often great foly and debate
+  With soden deth and carefull heuynes
+  In thynges no difference putteth dronkennes.
+  It febleth the ioyntis and the body within
+  Wastynge the brayne makynge the wyt full thyn
+
+  It engendreth in the hede infirmyte
+  Blyndynge the herte wyt and discression
+  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
+  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
+  Than ar they outher gyuyn to rybawdry
+  Or els to brawle and fight at euery worde
+  Thus dronkennes is the chefe cause of discorde
+
+  But namely dronkennes and wretchyd glotony
+  By their excesse and superfluyte
+  Engendreth the rote of cursed Lechery
+  With murder, thefte and great enormyte
+  So bryngeth it many to great aduersyte
+  And with his furour the worlde so doth it blynde
+  That many it bryngeth to a shamfull ende
+
+  This vyce (alas) good maners doth confounde
+  And maketh man ouer besy of langage
+  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
+  His lyfe shortynge his body he doth defyle
+  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.
+  If he hym selfe had gydyd by wysdome
+  And the vyce auoydyd of blynde dronkennes
+  The great Alexander taken with this madnes
+  With his swerde, whan he was dronken slewe
+  Suche of his frendes as were to hym most trewe
+
+  I rede also howe this conquerour myghty
+  Upon a season played at the Chesse
+  With one of his knyghtes which wan ynally
+  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
+
+  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.
+
+  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.
+
+BARKLAYE TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Alas mad folys howe longe wyll ye procede
+  In this beestly lyuynge agayst humayne nature
+  Cease of your Foly: gyue aduertence and hede
+  That in eche thynge ought to be had measure
+  Wyne ne ale hurteth no maner creature
+  But sharpeth the wyt if it be take in kynde
+  But if it be nat, than I the ensure
+  It dulleth the brayne, blyndynge the wyt and mynde
+
+  Rede all bokes and thou shalt neuer fynde
+  That dronkennes and wysdome may togyther be
+  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.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of ryches vnprofytable.
+
+[Illustration: 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.]
+
+  It is great foly, and a desyre in vayne
+  To loue and worshyp ryches to feruently
+  And so great laboure to take in care and payne
+  Fals treasoure to encrease and multyply
+  But yet no wonder is it sertaynly
+  Syth he that is ryche hath gretter reuerence
+  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
+  But he only is nowe reputed wyse
+  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
+  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
+
+  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
+  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
+  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 suche ryches, worldly pleasour and solace
+
+  The ryche ar rewarded with gyftis of dyuerse sorte
+  With Capons and Conyes delycious of sent
+  But the pore caytyf abydeth without confort
+  Though he moste nede haue: none doth hym present
+  The fat pygge is baast, the lene cony is brent
+  He that nought hathe, shall so alway byde pore
+  But he that ouer moche hath, yet shall haue more
+
+  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.
+  To laboure for that whiche neuer shall do profyte
+
+  Say couetous caytyfe what doth it the auayle
+  For to haue all and yet, nat to be content
+  Thou takest nat this sore laboure and trauayle
+  To thy pleasoure but to thy great turment
+  But loke therof what foloweth consequent
+  Whan thou art dede and past this wretchyd lyfe
+  Thou leuyst behynde brawlynge debate and stryfe
+
+  To many one ryches is moche necessary
+  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
+  Suche shall our lorde sore punysshe fynally
+  And his petycion rightwysly deny
+
+BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  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 riches to the be profytable.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of hym that togyder wyll serue
+two maysters.
+
+[Illustration: 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.]
+
+  A fole also he is withouten doute
+  And in his porpose sothly blyndyd sore
+  Whiche doth entende labour or go aboute
+  To serue god, and also his wretchyd store
+  Of worldly ryches: for as I sayde before
+  He that togyder wyll two maysters serue
+  Shall one displease and nat his loue deserue
+
+  For he that with one hownde wol take also
+  Two harys togyther in one instant
+  For the moste parte doth the both two forgo
+  And if he one haue: harde it is and skant
+  And that blynde fole mad and ignorant
+  That draweth thre boltis atons in one bowe
+  At one marke shall shote to hye or to lowe
+
+  Or els to wyde, and shortly for to say
+  With one or none of them he strykis the marke:
+  And he that taketh vpon hym nyght or day
+  Laboures dyuers to chargeable of warke.
+  Or dyuerse offycis: suche wander in the darke
+  For it is harde to do well as he ought
+  To hym that on dyuerse thynges hath his thought
+
+  With great thoughtes he troubleth sore his brayne
+  His mynde vnstable, his wyt alway wandrynge:
+  Nowe here nowe there his body labours in payne
+  And in no place of stedfast abydynge.
+  Nowe workynge now musynge now renynge now rydynge
+  Now on see nowe on londe, than to se agayne
+  Somtyme to Fraunce, and nowe to Flaunders or Spayne
+
+  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:
+  And cloke a knauys counseyll, though it fals be
+
+  If any do hym wronge or iniury
+  He must it suffer and pacyently endure
+  A dowble tunge with wordes lyke hony
+  And of his offycis if he wyll be sure
+  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
+  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
+
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  That thou desyrest iustly, for thy syruyce
+  And than after gyue the, the ioyes of Paradyse.
+
+BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Alas man aryse out of Idolatry.
+  Worshyp nat thy ryches nor thy vayne treasoure
+  Ne this wretchyd worlde full of mysery.
+  But lawde thy maker and thy sauyour
+  With fere, mekenes, fayth, glory, and honoure
+  Let thy treasoure onely in his seruyce be
+  And here be content with symple behauoure
+  Hauynge in this lorde trust and felycyte
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of to moche spekynge or bablynge.
+
+[Illustration: He that his tunge can temper and refrayne
+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.]
+
+  Ye blaberynge folys superflue of langage
+  Come to our shyp our ankers ar in wayde
+  By right and lawe ye may chalange a stage
+  To you of Barklay it shall nat be denayde
+  Howe be it the charge Pynson hathe on me layde
+  With many folys our Nauy not to charge.
+  Yet ye of dewty shall haue a sympyll barge
+
+  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
+  Suche thynges to whiche none wyll theyr mynde aply
+  (Saue suche folys) to theyr shame and enuy
+
+  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
+  Than wordes to speke whiche make hym after wepe
+  For great losse folowynge wo and aduersyte
+  A worde ones spokyn reuoked can nat be
+  Therfore thy fynger lay before thy lypes
+  For a wyse mannys tunge, without aduysement trypes
+
+  He that wyll answere of his owne folysshe brayne
+  Before that any requyreth his counsayle
+  Shewith hym selfe and his hasty foly playne
+  Wherby men knowe his wordes of none auayle
+  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
+  But for all theyr chattynge and plenty of langage
+  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.
+  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
+  They can nat speke, but ar as coy and styll
+  As the horle wynde or clapper or a mylle
+
+  But that man or woman or any creature
+  That lytell speketh or els kepeth sylence
+  Ar euer of them selfe moste stedfast and sure
+  Without enuy, hatred or malyuolence.
+  Where as to suche comys moche inconuenyence
+  Sorowe vpon sorowe, malyce and dysdayne
+  Whiche wyll no tyme, his speche nor tunge refrayne
+
+  Fayre speche is pleasaunt if it be moderate
+  And spoken in season, conuenyente and dewe
+  To kepe scylence, to pore man or estate
+  Is a great grace, and synguler vertue
+  Langage is lawdable whan it is god and true
+  A wyse man or he speke wyll be wyse and ware
+  What (to whome) why (howe) whan and whare
+
+BARKLAYE TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Ye bablynge brybours, endeuer you to amende
+  Mytygat by mesure, your prowde hasty langage
+  Kepe well your tunges so, shall ye kepe your frende
+  For hasty speche ingendreth great damage
+  Whan a worde is nat sayd, the byrde is in the cage
+  Also the hous is surest whan the dorys be barryde
+  So whan thy worde is spokyn and out at large
+  Thou arte nat mayster, but he that hath it harde
+
+  If thou take hede and set therto thy brayne
+  In this world thou shalt fynde thynges thre
+  Whiche ones past, can nat be callyd agayne.
+  The firste is (tyme lost) by mannes symplycyte
+  The seconde (youth) reuoked can nat be
+  The thyrde (a worde spoken) it gooth out in the wynde
+  And yet is the fourth, that is (virginyte)
+  My forgetfull mynde, had lefte it nere behynde
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of them that correct other and yet them
+selfe do nought and synne worse than
+they whom they so correct.
+
+[Illustration: He lacketh reason and vnderstandynge to
+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
+So he is mad whiche to other doth preche and tell
+The wave to heuyn, and hym selfe goth to hell.]
+
+  Nowe to our Nauy, a sorte maketh asaute
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  So do these folys lewde of theyr owne lyuynge
+  To other men shewe mean and way to wynne
+  Eternall ioy themselfe bydynge in synne
+
+  He sertaynly may well be callyd a sote
+  Moche vnauysed and his owne ennemy
+  Whiche in a nothers iye can spye a lytell mote
+  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
+
+  Many them selfe fayne as chaste as was saynt Johnn
+  And many other fayne them meke and innocent
+  Some other as iust, and wyse as Salomon
+  As holy as Poule, as Job als pacyent
+  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
+  Thus hydynge theyr synne and theyr mysgouernaunce.
+  Under suche clokys lyke a fals ypocryte
+  Let suche folys rede what Cicero doth wryte
+  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
+  For in lyke fourme as a phesycyan.
+  By his practyse and cunnynge or scyence
+  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
+  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
+
+  Wherfore ye prestis that haue the charge and cure.
+  To teche and enfourme the rude comonte.
+  In goddys lawes groundyd in scripture
+  And blame all synnes sparynge no degre
+  Whyle ye rebuke thus theyr enormyte
+  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
+
+THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Ye clerkes that on your shulders here 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.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of hym that fyndeth ought of another
+mannys it nat restorynge to the owner.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  The feruour of ryches and disordred loue
+  Whiche many haue, doth me bynde and constrayne.
+  Within my shyp them sharply to reproue
+  That pen nor hande, themselfe wyll not refrayne
+  Of couetyse nowe I wyll nat speke agayne
+  But of them that kepeth by force and by myght
+  That thynge wherto they haue nat come, by ryght
+
+  Some fyndeth treasours other mennys good
+  And in theyr owne vse suche good they occupy.
+  Whiche of theyr myndes ar so blynde and wode.
+  And so 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
+  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
+
+  If thou ought fynde that longeth nat to the
+  Than is it anothers, the case is clere and playne
+  Wherfor thou ought of lawe and of dewte
+  Unto the owner it soone to yelde agayne
+  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 conseyence.
+  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
+  Forsoth I se nat right great difference
+  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
+
+  Wherfore if thou haue a rightwyse conscyence
+  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
+  To thy great payne in hell for euer more
+  If thou no restytucion make before.
+
+  Here myght I touche executours in this cryme.
+  Blamynge theyr dedys dysceyte and couetyse
+  If it were nat for wastynge of my tyme
+  For mende they wyll nat them in any wyse
+  Nor leue no poyntes of theyr disceytfull gyse
+  Let them take parte of that whiche I here note
+  And be partynge foles in this present bote.
+
+THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY THE TRANSLATOR TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Ye false executours whome all the worlde repreuys
+  And ye that fynde mennes goodes or treasoures
+  I call you as bad as robbers or theuys
+  For ye by your falshode and manyfolde errours
+  Kepe falsly that thynge whiche is none of yours
+  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
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of the sermon or erudicion of wysdome
+bothe to wyse men and folys.
+
+[Illustration: He that delyteth in godly sapience
+And it to obtayne puttyth his besynes
+Aboue all folys shall haue preemynence
+And in this worlde haue honour and rychesse
+Or a worthy crowne in heuyns blessydnesse
+Or els bothe welthe here, and after ioy and blysse
+Where as a fole of bothe the two shall mysse]
+
+  Wysdome with voyce replete with grauyte
+  Callyth to all people, and sayth o thou mankynde
+  Howe longe wylt thou lyue in this enormyte
+  Alas howe longe shalt thou thy wyt haue blynde
+  Here my preceptis and rote them in thy mynde
+  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
+  Let nat this worlde thy conscyence farther blynde
+  Nor to synne subdue for loue of false rychesse
+  Blynde nat thy herte with mondayne wretchednes
+  I am worth golde and worth all good mundayne:
+  And to mankynde counselloure souerayne
+
+  No maner Jowell is to me lyke certayne
+  Ne so profytable to mortall creature
+  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:
+
+  And shortly to speke wysdome is more laudable
+  Than all the worlde or other thynge mundayne
+  There is no treasoure: to wysdome comparable
+  But it alone is a vertue moste souerayne
+  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
+  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
+  Cryeth to mankynde with lowde voyce in this wyse
+  I trouth exalte: and vycious men dispyse
+
+  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
+
+  All maner nacyons that doth to me inclyne
+  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
+  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.
+  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 all planetis and firmameut
+  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
+  That wyll nat gladly be seruauntes vnto me
+
+THE ENVOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Aryse folys of myndes darke and blynde.
+  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.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of bostynge or hauynge confydence
+in fortune.
+
+[Illustration: He is a fole whiche settyth confydence
+On frayle fortune vncertayne and mutable
+His mynde exaltynge in pryde and insolence
+Because 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]
+
+  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
+  As if hyr maner were nat to be mutable
+  In this vayne hope suche theyr lyfe doth lede
+  Tyll at the laste theyr hous borne oure theyr hede
+
+  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.
+  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
+  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
+
+  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
+  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
+  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
+
+  By large examples thou eche day mayste se
+  The chaunge of fortune and the ende vncertayne
+  Wherfore to boste the of hyr commodyte
+  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 gydynge
+  The rewardes of welth, nor of felycyte
+  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
+  But thoughe she smyle trust nat to hir intent
+  For amonge swete herbes ofte lurkyth the serpent
+
+BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Ye folys that haue in fortune confydence:
+  And boste you of welth and of prosperyte
+  Leue of your foly, and note by euydence:
+  Hir cours vnsure: and hir mutabylyte
+  None in this lyfe can byde in one degre
+  But somtyme hye, than after pore and lowe.
+  Nowe nought set by, nowe in auctoryte
+  Nowe full nowe voyde as waters ebbe and flowe
+
+  I am remembred that I haue often sene
+  Great worldly ryches ende in pouertye
+  And many one that hath in fauour ben:
+  And hye promotyd in welth and dignyte.
+  Hath sodaynly fallyn into calamyte
+  Thus is it foly to trust in fortunes grace
+  For whyle the Se floweth and is at Burdews hye
+  It as fast ebbeth at some other place
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of the ouer great and chargeable
+curyosyte of men.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  He that wyll coueyt to bere more than he may
+  And take on his sholders more than he can sustayne
+  Suche is a fole, his dedys wyll not deny
+  And with his owne wyll gooth to peryll and payne.
+  He is vnwyse whiche is ioyous and fayne
+  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
+  The heuy weght of the large fyrmament
+  Or any burdeyne whiche maketh hym to grone
+  Whiche to sustayne his strength is ympotent
+  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.
+  For dethe is lyke to hye and lowde degre
+
+  What shall a kynge at his last endynge haue
+  Of all his realme and infynyte treasoure
+  Saue onely his towmbe, and the grounde of his graue
+  But thoughe it be of great pryce and voloure
+  As is conuenyent to his hye honoure.
+  Yet lytell conforte to his soule shall it gyue
+  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
+  Lorde grettest of Grece in londes and Cytees
+  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:
+  Great weyght of charges and moche dignite
+  Must lerne to suffer payne thought and vexacion
+  By his great charges of perturbacion.
+
+  What auayle is it the worlde to obtayne
+  In one mannys power, and all other to excell
+  To suffer trouble, and vayne charges sustayne
+  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
+  For godes take no thought great care ne trauayle.
+  Whiche after deth shall do the none auayle
+
+BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Fole clere thy iyen and of thy selfe beware
+  Care moste for thy owne besynes and charge
+  For other mennes take no great thought nor care
+  If thou thy conscience mayst therof discharge
+  A curyous man that of his tunge is large
+  Talkynge or carynge of other, his place is best
+  Hye in the fore top of our folysshe barge
+  For in that place is small quyet or rest
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of them that ar alway borowynge.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  That fole that hym selfe a dettour doth make
+  To dyuerse men, and is borowynge alway
+  Right ponderous charges on hym doth take
+  Borowynge of one another therwith to pay
+  Thoughe he be glad to haue longe terme and day
+  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
+  Where they two borewed they promys to pay thre
+  Their day of payment lenger to defarre.
+  Thus doth oft borowynge many thousandes marre
+  Yet some get malyce for that gode that they len
+  And where they lent twenty gladly taketh ten.
+
+  I wyll nat say but that it is mede certayne
+  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
+
+  They hepe theyr synne in quantyte horryble
+  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
+  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
+  Howe God rightwysely ponysshed theyr offence
+  And also Solym, towne of great excellence
+  For vyciousnes god ponysshed bytterly
+  Whiche sholde vs cause for to lyue rightwysely.
+
+  The rightwyse god also dyd sore chastyce
+  Tthe Nilicolyans and them vtterly destroy
+  For theyr contynuynge in theyr syn and vyce
+  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
+
+  But to our purpose to retourne agayne.
+  He that ought boroweth whiche he can nat pay
+  Of a wolfe rauysshynge foloweth the trayne
+  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
+
+  Ryght in lyke wyse our lorde omnipotent
+  In this worlde to lyue grauntyth vs tyme and space
+  Nat styll to synne, but vnto this intent
+  To leue our vyce, and folowe the way of grace
+  But if we styll contynue in one case
+  And haue done no good to pay hym at our day
+  In hell pryson he iustly shall vs lay
+
+BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Thou fole mysmyndyd to large of sconscyence
+  To the I speke that art a lewde dettour
+  Borowe thou no thynge, noble grote ne pens.
+  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
+  Than shalt thou surely escape infernall payne.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of inprofytable and vayne prayers vowes
+and peticyons.
+
+[Illustration: That man whose herte vnhappy synne doth blynde
+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]
+
+  Here we repreue (reperue) ye and reuyle.
+  A sorte of folys lewde of condicions
+  Whose herte and tunge theyr soules doth defyle
+  By theyr blynde prayers and yll peticions
+  Suche folowe no techynge nor gode monysyons
+  For often many of them with tunge doth pray
+  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 thyer 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
+  Of god desyred with prayer dylygent.
+  That all that he touchyd tourne myght vnto golde
+  His prayer was harde, he obteynyd 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.
+
+  Some dayly pray with marueylous besynes
+  Cryeng and syghynge to god omnypotent
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  Unstable and full of dolour and damage
+  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
+
+  Peleus, and Nestor and many other mo
+  As Itackes and laertes, sore haue complayned
+  For to longe age, euer full of payne and wo
+  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
+  And they ar suche whiche styll on god doth call
+  For great rowmes, offyces and great dignyte
+  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
+
+  Our sauyour criste whyle he was on this grounde
+  Amonge vs synners in this vale of mysery
+  Taught his disciples this prayer whiche doth sounde
+  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
+
+  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
+  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
+
+ THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Man clere thy mynde or thou begyn to pray
+  Els though thy prayer be iust it is but vayne
+  And kepe togyther thy hurte and tonge alway
+  Or els doutles thou lesest all thy payne
+  From lewde peticions thy mynde thou ought refrayne
+  If thou desyre yll to thy fo by malyce
+  At thy peticion god shall haue dysdayne
+  For though thou be wrothe god is nat in lyke wyse
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of vnprofytable stody.
+
+[Illustration: 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.]
+
+  Nowe in this Nauy many them selfe present
+  Of this our roylame and from beyond the see
+  Whiche in theyr stody or lewde and neglygent
+  Lesynge theyr tyme at the vnyuersyte
+  Yet count they them selfe of great auctoryte
+  With theyr proude hodes on theyr neckes hangynge
+  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
+  They seke theyr pleasour, gyuen to neglygence
+
+  They wander in euery inconuenyence
+  From strete to strete, from tauerne to tauerne
+  But namely youth, foloweth all offence
+  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 vertne
+
+  But he that intendeth to come to the science
+  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.
+
+  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
+  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
+  In hande with his sylogysimes, and yet doth he fele
+  No thynge what it menyth, nor what longeth therto
+  Nowe sortes currit: Nowe is in hande plato
+  Another comyth in with bocardo and pheryson
+  And out goeth agayne a fole in conclusyon
+
+  There is nought else but Est and non est
+  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.
+
+  I wyll nat say but that it is expedyent
+  The to knowe of Logyke the chrafte and connynge
+  For by argument it maketh euydent
+  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
+  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 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
+  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
+
+  One bostynge the name of a lawer or deuyne
+  His proude hode hye vpon his stately necke:
+  Thus muste a gode clerke vnto a foule enclyne
+  Lowt with the body and with obedyence becke
+  And thoughe it tourne to theyr rebuke and checke
+  Yet nowe a dayes ouer many suche there be.
+  Whiche in stede of cunnynge vseth audacyte
+
+  The hode must answere for the follysshe 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
+  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
+
+  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
+
+THENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Fy studentis clens your myndes of this cryme
+  Gyue ones your hertis to parfyte dylygence
+  Howe longe in Idelnes, wyll ye lese your tyme
+  In pryde and ryot, with all other offence
+  Alas what profyte get ye by neglygence
+  But spende your goodes in all iniquyte
+  And where your frendes thynke, ye labour for scyence:
+  Ye lese your tyme bryngynge them to pouertee
+
+  Leue of suche stody as is vnprofytable
+  Without fruyte outher godly discyplyne
+  And gyue your myndes to scyences lawdable
+  Where ye may your herte set and inclyne:
+  To Arystotyls or Platoys doctryne
+  And nat alway on logyke or Sophestry
+  I wyll nat say but it is a thynge dyuyne
+  And moche worth to knowe Phylosophy
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of them that folysshly speke agaynst
+the workes of god.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  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
+  Suche one assayeth a thynge passynge his myght
+  And is a fole to set thought or delyte
+  To mende that thynge whiche god hath made perfyte
+
+  But yet is he a moche gretter fole truely
+  Whiche wyll correct that thynge whiche god hath done
+  And doth nat his herte his wyll and mynde aply
+  To goddes workes and deuyne prouysyon
+  Of all other maddest is his condycion
+  And more frantyfe forsoth I may hym call
+  Than they that ar vext with furyes infernall:
+
+  (Thou fole) the myght of god omnipotent
+  In vertue and wysdome so largely doth extende
+  His maiesty, and power is so excellent
+  His glorious godhede his workes doth defende
+  So that no mortall man can them amende
+  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
+
+  He doth all thynge dispose moderate and dispence
+  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
+  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
+  Than to cast lewde wordes agaynst thy lorde in vayne
+  Thou fole he worketh no thynge but by wysedome
+  And yet art thou nat content but dost complayne
+  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 plaseour a thynge nat fortune well
+  Take example by the children of Israell
+  Whiche oft for this synne suffred great payne and wo
+  Slayne and distroyed, so haue ben many mo
+
+  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
+
+ALEXANDER BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  O ye mad myndes that no thynge vnderstonde
+  O man presumptuous and vnobedyent
+  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
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of them that gyue jugement on other.
+
+[Illustration: 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 worst of all.]
+
+  Many fallyth in great peryll and damage
+  And greuous deth by the vyce of folysshnes
+  Perseuerantly bydynge in theyr outrage
+  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
+  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
+
+  They take on them the workes of god omnipotent
+  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
+  Nat thynkynge that they ensue must the same daunce
+
+  Suche folys fayne causes and often tymes say:
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  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.
+  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
+  The deth is sure, the houre is vncertayne
+  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
+
+  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
+
+ALEXANDER BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Amende you folys: do way these folysshe wayes
+  Take ye no charge: nat mete for your degre.
+  And note these wordes: whiche criste our sauyour sayes
+  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
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of pluralitees that is to say of them whiche
+charge them selfe with many benefycis.
+
+[Illustration: 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.]
+
+  Amonge our folys delytynge them in vyces
+  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.
+  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.
+  Howe be it that sole that hath suche besynes
+  And dyueres charges fyndeth great disseas
+  Neyther shall he god, nor yet the worlde pleas
+  And shall with his burthyns his mynde so vex and comber
+  That halfe his cures, can he nat count nor nomber
+
+  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.
+
+  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.
+  That prestis sholde helpe pore people that lyue in payne
+  And with suche goodes kepe hospytalyte
+  Whiche pryde ryot and Uenus suffreth nat to be
+
+  Thus is the grettest parte of the spiritualte
+  Pore preste, persone, vicayr, relygyon and prelate
+  With couetyse acloyde outher prodigalyte
+  And folys promotyd causyth good clerkis haue hate
+  Say lordes and bysshops with other of estate
+  What mouyth you so gladly, suche to promote
+  Whiche haue no cunnynge their wyt skant worth a grote
+
+  Wyll ye alway the folysshe asse ouercharge
+  With suche burthyns wherwith it can nat fare
+  And suffer other to walke and ren at large
+  And where they best myght bere theyr backes ar left bare
+  And that is worst of all, suche folys can nat be ware
+  But whan they ar promotyd after theyr owne entent.
+  Yet theyr insaciable mynde can neuer be content.
+
+  Some make exchanges and permutacions
+  Some take to ferme, and some let out agayne
+  Other folys for hope make resignacions
+  And some for one god scosyth gladly twayne
+  Some lyueth longe in hunger and in payne
+  And in the somer day skarsly drynketh twyse
+  Sparynge monay therwith to by a benefyce
+
+  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
+  And in the meane tyme ensueth rybawdry
+  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 another 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 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
+
+  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
+
+THENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  What meane ye gyders of Christis herytage
+  Shall ye neuer leue this your deuowrynge mynde
+  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
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of them that prolonge from day to day
+to amende themselfe.
+
+[Illustration: 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.]
+
+  If vnto any almyghty god doth sende
+  From heuen aboue by inspyracion dyuyne
+  Wyll and gode mynde his synnes to amende
+  And with his grace his thoughtes enlumyne
+  If that synner wyll nat therto enclyne
+  But doth dyffer and dryue frome day to day
+  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
+
+  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
+  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
+
+  Syns it is in thy power that thou may
+  Amende thy selfe whan god inspyreth the
+  Why shalt thou tary vnto another day
+  The longer tary the lesse apt shalt thou be.
+  In olde sores is grettest ieopardye
+  Whan costome and vse is tourned to nature
+  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
+
+  Mannys lyfe on erth is euyn a chyualry
+  Agaynst our flesshe fyghtyng whiche often doth vs shame
+  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
+  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
+
+  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 than 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
+  Arrest the with his mace, fyers and cruell
+  And for thy synne and lyfe abhomynable
+  By iustyce damme thy soule for euer to hell
+  Than woldest thou gladly (If thou myght) do well
+  But there is no grace but doloure payne and sorowe
+  Than is to late to crye cras cras to morowe
+
+THE ENUOY OF THE ACTOUR.
+
+  Say what delyte, thou fole or what pleasoure
+  Takest thou in synne and voluptuosyte
+  It is small sothly, and passeth euery houre
+  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
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of hym that is Jelous ouer his wyfe and
+watcheth hir wayes without cause, or
+euydent tokyn of hir myslyuynge.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  Orestes was neuer so blynde and mad as is he
+  Whiche for his wyfe taketh thought and charge
+  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
+  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.
+  Ordeyne thy watchers and dogges for to barke
+  Bar fast thy dores and yet it wyll nat be
+  Close hir in a Toure with wallys stronge and hye
+  But yet thou fole thou lesist thy trauayle
+  For without she wyll no man can kepe hir tayle
+
+  And yet more ouer breche hir with plate and mayle
+  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
+  Thus they that ar chast of nature, wyll byde so
+  And nought wyll be nought what so euer thou do
+
+  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
+
+  The toure of bras that callyd was darayne.
+  Coude nat the damsell (by name Danes) defende
+  But that Jupiter fonde a cautell and trayne
+  In a golden shoure into hir to discende
+  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
+  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
+
+  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
+
+THE ENUOY OF THE ACTOUR.
+
+  Therfore ye wymen lyue wysly and eschewe
+  These wanton wowers and suche wylde company
+  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
+  Beware of cornes, do nat your erys aply
+  To pleasaunt wordes nor letters eloquent
+  If that Helena had so done certaynly
+  She had nat ven rauysshed by handes violent
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of auoutry, and specially of them y^t ar
+bawdes to their wyues, knowynge and
+wyll nat knowe, but kepe counseyll, for
+couetyse, and gaynes or auauntage.
+
+[Illustration: 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.]
+
+  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.
+  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 thynge laudable
+  Anothers sponse to pullute and dyffame
+  And howe beit the synne is moche abhomynable
+  They fere nat god, nor dout nat worldly shame
+  But rather boldly they bost them of the same
+  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
+  They forse no thynge so they may money wyn
+  Lyuynge as bawdes, and that to theyr owne wyues
+  O cursyd money, this madnes thou contryuys
+
+  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
+  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
+
+  But in the meane tyme here shalt thou haue discorde
+  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.
+
+THE ENUOY OF THE ACTOUR.
+
+  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
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of hym that nought can and nought wyll
+lerne, and seyth moche, lytell berynge
+away, I mene nat theuys.
+
+[Illustration: He is a fole, and so shall he dye and lyue
+That thynketh hym wyse, and yet can he no thynge
+And though he myght he wyll nat set nor gyue
+His mynde to good maners, vertue nor cunnynge.
+So is he a fole that doth to market brynge
+His Gese fast bounde, and game or sporte to se
+Lowsyth theyr fete, and suffreth them to fle]
+
+  Saynt George to borowe our Nauy is aflote
+  Forth shall we sayle, thoughe that it be a payne
+  And moche laboure to forge a pryuate bote
+  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
+  Than leue a thynge vnendyd better nat begynne
+
+  But in this place shall I a Shyp ordayne
+  For that fole: that heryth great doctryne
+  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
+  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
+  If they se ought newe, or any folysshe toy
+  That lyghtly they lerne, and set theron theyr ioy.
+
+  By this desyre folys may knowen be
+  For wytles men of fleynge mynde and brayne
+  Ar 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
+  In countrees knowen, vnknowen and strange
+  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
+  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
+
+  Say mad folys blynde ouersene, and worthy scorne
+  Fayne wolde I knowe what necessyte ye haue
+  To go from the place where ye were bred and borne
+  Into another londe to lerne to play the knaue
+  Your mynde vnstable sheweth playne that ye raue
+  Laboure nat so sore, to lerne to be a fole
+  That cometh by it selfe without any other scole
+
+  He that is borne in walys or small brytayne
+  To lerne to pyke and stele nedys nat go to Rome.
+  What nede we sayle to Flaunders or Almayne
+  To lerne glotony, syns we may it lerne at home
+  Suche lewdnes soon may we lerne of our wombe
+  He that wyll lerne falshode gyle or sotelte
+  May lerne it here as well as beyonde the se.
+
+  To passe the se to lerne Uenus rybawdry
+  It is great foly, for thou mayst lerne thy fyll
+  In shoppis Innes and sellers, ye somtyme openly
+  At saynt Martyns Westmynster or at the tour hyll
+  So that I fere all London, in tyme it shall fyll
+  For it is there kept in lyght and in darke
+  That the pore Stuys decays for lacke of warke
+
+  But brefely to speke, and this to set a syde
+  He that on vyce, and synne wyll set his entent
+  May lerne it in Englonde, if he at home abyde
+  And that of all sortis: god sende amendement
+  But if thou alway wyll nede be dylygent
+  To labour in the worlde about from place to place
+  Do as dyd Plato, than shalt thou fynde great grace
+
+  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
+  Moche seynge and herynge, and nought berynge away
+  Shall home come agayne as wyse as a gander
+  But more fole is he that may lerne euery day
+  Without cost or laboure out of his owne countrey
+  And whan the well of wysdome renneth by theyr dore
+  Yet looth they the water as if that it were soure
+
+ALEXANDER BARKLAY AD FATUOS VT DENT LOCUM OCTO SECUNDARIIS BEATE MARIE DE
+OTEREY QUI QUIDEM PRIMA HUIUS RATIS TRANSTRA MERENTUR.
+
+  Soft folys soft, a lytell slacke your pace
+  Tyll I haue space you to order by degre
+  I haue eyght neyghbours, that firste shall haue a place
+  Within this my shyp, for they most worthy be
+  They may theyr lernynge receyue costeles and fre.
+  Theyr wallys abuttynge and ioynynge to the scoles.
+  No thynge they can, yet nought wyll they lerne nor se
+  Therfore shall they gyde this one shyp of foles.
+
+THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY.
+
+  O vnauysyd, vnwyse and frowarde man
+  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.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of great wrathe, procedynge of small
+occasyon.
+
+[Illustration: Assys erys for our folys a lyuray is
+And he that wyll be wroth for a thynge of nought
+Of the same leuray is nat worthy to mys
+For who that by wrathe to suche a wyll is brought
+To sle his Asse for hir pas slowe and soft
+Shall after his fury, repent his mad foly
+For to a clere mynde, mad wrathe is ennemy]
+
+  Come nere, ye wrathfull men, take your rowme and place
+  Within our shyp, and to slake our hastynes
+  Mount on an Asse slowe of hir gate and pace
+  Syns troublous wrath, in you, styreth this madnes
+  Often lacke of myght asswagyth cruelnes
+  To a wylde cowe god doth short hornys sende
+  Wrath is great foly, where myght may nat extende
+
+  O man yll myndyd what helpeth the this yre
+  None the commendyth whiche doth thy maners marke
+  What doste thou: but the waste with thyne owne fyre
+  Narrynge with thyselfe lyke as a dogge doth barke
+  Without meke worde and pleasyd with no warke
+  Art thou: but thoughe all men be dylygent
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  Dowtyd to be: of the pore comontye
+  His owne madnes and cruell furyosyte
+  Wyll he nat knowe as he were nat culpable
+  Of this mad fury and vyce abhomynable
+
+  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
+
+  So his Asse crys to hym ar inuysyble
+  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
+  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
+  Unto Archytas a man of hye wysdome
+  Borne the 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
+
+  So socrates so Senyk and Plato
+  Suffred great wronge great iniury and payne
+  And of your fayth sayntis right many mo
+  For christ our mayster dyd great turment sustayne
+  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
+  For where that wrath doth rayne with his furours
+  There can no reason nor wysedome longe abyde
+  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
+  But folys ar moste troublyd with this foly
+  Where as a wyse man for any aduersyte
+  Lyueth in quyete mynde and tranquylyte
+
+  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
+  Your madnes can nat your blynde mysdede defende
+  For who that one sleyth, angry and feruent
+  Ought to be hangyd whan he is pacyent
+
+THE ENUOY OF THE ACTOUR.
+
+  Blynde myndyd man whiche wylt all thynge ouercome
+  Reputynge thy selfe, moste souerayne and royall
+  If thou be wyse or partener of wysdome
+  Labour to ouercome thyne owne selfe firste of all
+  Thy wrath asswage thou in especyall
+  Let neyther malyce, nor yre with the abyde
+  Thou art a fole the chefe or lorde to call
+  Of other: whan thou can nat thy selfe well gyde.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of the mutabylyte of fortune.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  We dayly proue by example and euydence
+  That many be made folys mad and ignorant
+  By the brode worlde, puttynge trust and confydence
+  In fortunes whele vnsure and inconstant
+  Some assay the whele thynkynge it pleasant
+  But whyle they to clym vp haue pleasour and desyre
+  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 of 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
+  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
+  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
+
+  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
+  Shall nat ay byde, but haue an ende also
+  What mortall man hath ben promotyd so:
+  In worldly welthe or vncertayne dignyte
+  That euer of lyfe had houre of certaynte
+
+  In stormy wyndes lowest trees ar most sure
+  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 moste 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 come the hyllys ar barayne
+  On hyest places most gras doth nat ay growe
+  A mery thynge is mesure and easy to sustayne
+  The hyest in great fere, the lowest lyue in payne
+  Yet better ly on grounde, hauynge no name at all
+  Than hye on a Clyf ferynge alway to fall
+
+  Thus as me thynke it is no thynge lawdable
+  On fortunes whele, for one to clym to hye
+  Syns the swyft cours therof is so vnstable
+  And all must we leue whan we depart and dye
+  Of our short lyfe haue we no certayntye
+  For lachesys (whan that thou hast lefte drede)
+  Of thy lyue dayes shall shortly breke the threde.
+
+  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
+  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
+  Had agaynst lordes of the rude comonte
+  Where euer they go: they lyue in ieopardye
+
+  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
+
+  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
+
+ALEXANDER BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Labour nat man with to moche besy cure
+  To clymme to hye lyst thou by fortune fall
+  For certaynly, that man slepyth nat sure
+  That lyeth lows vpon a narowe wall
+  Better somtyme to serue, than for to gouerne all
+  For whan the Net is throwen into the se
+  The great fysshe ar taken and the pryncipall
+  Where as the small escapyth quyte and fre
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of them that be diseasyd and seke and
+ar impacient and inobedyent to the
+Phesycyan.
+
+[Illustration: 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.]
+
+  He that is feble with sekenes outher wounde
+  Wherwith he feleth hym selfe so kept in payne
+  That dye he muste but if remedy be founde
+  He is a fole, if that he haue dysdayne
+  Of wyse Phesycyans: and medecines souerayne
+  And wyll nat sue theyr counsell and aduysement
+  Wherby he myght haue helth and short amendement
+
+  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
+  But that thynge that myght hym helpe and greatly eas
+  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
+  Retournynge into grounde lyke as they were before
+  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
+
+  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
+  And soone be helyd of yll without all tary
+  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.
+  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.
+
+  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.
+
+  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 now olde wytches dare boldly interpryse
+  To intromyt to hele all infyrmyte
+  And many them byleue, whiche sothly is pyte
+
+  Suche wytches of theyr byleue abhomynable
+  On brest or hede of the paynfull pacyent
+  With theyr wytchecraftis shall compasse chat and bable
+  Assurynge hym of helth, and short amendement
+  Than he that is seke fyxith his intent
+  Upon hir errour: to haue helpe of his sore
+  But she hym leuyth wors than he was before
+
+  Poule the apostyll doth boldly say and preue
+  That they whiche to suche wytches wyll assent
+  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
+
+  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 therein
+
+THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Thou man or woman, that lyest seke in vyce
+  To goddes vycayrs confesse thy syn holly
+  So shalt thou from thy goostly yll aryse.
+  For thy soule fyndynge helpe and remedy
+  Without leasynge shewe hym thy synne playnly
+  Let nat for shame nor fall nat thereto 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
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of ouer open takynges of counsel.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  Who that intendyth by chraft and polycy
+  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
+
+  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 smal valour.
+  Ryght so that sole 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 thretenyngs to theyr foes is armour and harnes
+
+  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
+  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
+  Of wordes nor shewe his counsell openly
+  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 bye
+  Upon a mountayne, the thyrde we often se
+  That to hyde his dedes a louer hath no skyll
+  The fourth is strawe or fethers on a wyndy hyll
+
+  A pore mannys dedys may soone be kept close
+  His name is hyd, and right so is his dede.
+  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
+  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
+  Warne nat thy ennemy of that that thou wylt do
+
+THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  O ye that ar put to wronge and Iniury
+  If ye intende for to yelde the same agayne
+  It is great foly to warne your ennemye
+  Or hym to threten with bostynge wordes vayne.
+  For oft is sayde, and true it is certayne
+  That they that wyll lyue in quyetnes and rest
+  Must here and se and hasty wordes refrayne
+  All styll with fewe wordes do that they thynke best
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of folys that can nat beware by the mysfortune
+and example of others damage.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  We dayly se the mysfortune and damage
+  And often fallys, to pouerte and payne
+  Whiche folys suffer for theyr synne and outrage
+  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
+  Ye and more ouer these folys ar so blynde
+  That echone of them the other doth despyse
+  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
+  Theyr wyttis ar blynde theyr foly is the cause
+  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
+
+  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
+  That one can nat helpe, the other agayne to ryse
+
+  One crab blamys another for hir bacwarde pace
+  And yet the blamer sothly can none other do
+  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
+
+  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
+  I fynde also wryten in bokes of Poetrye
+  Howe that Pheton was brent with the lyghtnynge
+  For his presumpcion, agaynst a myghty kynge
+
+  We haue example also by Icarus
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  Of bestis that entred sawe he none come agayne
+
+THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY
+
+  Lerne man, lerne of bestes to be ware
+  Of others peryll, by theyr enormyte
+  For if one byrde be onys tane in a snare
+  The other auoyde as fast as they may flee
+  A fysshe byrde or beste that hath in peryll be
+  Of net hoke or snare, if that they may escape.
+  Wyll after euer beware, but blynde man wyll nat se
+  His owne destruccion, but after it doth gape
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of them that forceth or careth for the
+bacbytynge of lewde people.
+
+[Illustration: 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.]
+
+  Who that within this worlde wolde rest and lyue
+  In eas of mynde, peas and tranquyllyte
+  Must nat his mynde set, nor his erys gyue
+  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 this vnhappy rage
+  It is great foly to set by the lesynges
+  Of cursyde tunges syns none can them asswage
+  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
+  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
+
+  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
+  And so procedeth in maners and good dede
+  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
+  And holy Prophetis whiche also dyd the same
+  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
+  Theyr fame and meryt, but nowe they haue nat so
+  But spred theyr fame, whiche neuer away shall go
+
+  Forsoth none lyueth within the worlde wyde
+  Suche meke so holy, so wyse or pacyent
+  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
+
+  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
+  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.
+  Of people vnthryfty is alway to despyse
+  And diffame other whiche ar but innocent
+  Wherfore let suche as ar discrete and wyse
+  Nought set by them that lesyngys doth deuyse
+  Nor theyr vayne foly: for he that doth certayne
+  Is but, a fole. and euer shall lyue in payne.
+
+THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Trouble nat thy selfe (thou man) where is no nede
+  And arme thou thy selfe with goodly pacyence
+  Be sure it is great foly to take hede
+  Unto backbytynge syns that no resystence
+  May be founde to withstande his violence
+  And take thou this one thynge for thy comfort
+  That none wyse, or good, wyll commyt this offence
+  But all ar caytyffes, that ar of this lewde sort.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of mockers, and scorners, and
+false accusers.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  O Hertles folys, haste here to our doctryne
+  Leue of the wayes of your enormyte
+  Enforce you to my preceptis to enclyne
+  For here shall I shewe you good and veryte
+  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
+  Lerne what is trouth sadnes and prudence
+  Let grutche be gone, and grauyte purchace
+  Forsake your foly and inconuenyence
+  Cesse to be folys, and ay to sue offence
+  Folowe ye vertue, chefe rote of godlynes
+  For it and wysdome is grounde of clenlynes
+
+  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
+
+  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
+  Whiche of wyse men despyseth the doctryne
+  With mowes, mockes, scorne, and collusyon
+  Rewardynge rebukes, for theyr good disciplyne
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  He shall his techer, hate, sclaunder, and dyffame
+
+  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
+  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
+  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
+
+  The scornes of Naball full dere sholde haue ben bought
+  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
+  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
+
+THENUOY OF BARCLY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Ye mockynge Folys that in scorne set your ioy
+  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
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of them that dyspyse euerlastynge ioye,
+and settyth thynges transytory before
+thynges eternall and euerlastynge.
+
+[Illustration: 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 al payne]
+
+  My hande is wery: fayne wolde I rest a space
+  But folys comyth to my shyp so besely
+  That to haue rest: they wyll graunt me no grace
+  That nede I must theyr lewdnes notefy
+  But to recorde this folysshe company
+  They ar suche that this worlde so greatly loue
+  That they despyse the heuenly Royalme aboue
+
+  They often thynke in theyr mynde preuely
+  And by them selfe in this wyse oft they say
+  O glorious lorde raynynge eternally
+  Graunt me thy grace that I may lyue alway
+  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
+  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 maters and felawes suche as he
+  To folowe ryot, delytys and enormyte.
+
+  To lyue in wantonnes and blyndnes lascyuyte
+  In pryde in Lechery andin couetyse
+  Suche sytteth theyr myndes and theyr felycyte
+  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
+
+  O sleuthfull fole say why doste nat thou call
+  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
+  Lyke as the sone meltyth the snowe away
+
+  Man note my wordes 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
+  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
+  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
+  From dethes dartis. and for conclusyon.
+  We dayly se many mennys confusyon.
+
+  We dayly se the fallys innumerable
+  And greuous deth aswell of youth as age
+  Thus is this wretchyd worlde moche vnstable
+  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
+  Syns of theyr synne excuse they can none fynde
+  But to conclude forsoth that fole is blynde
+  That for worldly welth, from god wolde hym deuyde
+  And for vayne clay, the hye heuyn set a syde
+
+THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  O blynde man whiche hast thy moste felycyte
+  On worldly thinges, alas make clere thy mynde
+  What fyndest thou here, but great aduersyte
+  Wylt thou for it leue y^t heuenly ioy behynde
+  And where thou myght euerlastynge ryches fynde
+  Where as is helth, endles lyfe and all goodnes
+  Wylt thou forsake it for worldly wretchydnes
+
+  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
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of them that make noyses rehersynges of
+talys and do other thynges vnlaufull
+and dishonest in y^e chirche of god.
+
+[Illustration: 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:]
+
+  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
+  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
+
+  And whyle the prestis also them exercyse.
+  In matyns masse sermon or prechynge dyuyne
+  Or other due thynges that longe to theyr seruyce.
+  Techynge the people to vertue to enclyne
+  Than these folys as it were rorynge swyne
+  With theyr gettynge and talys of vycyousnes
+  Trouble all suche seruyce, that is sayd, more and les
+
+  In to the churche than comys another sote
+  Without deuocyon gettynge vp and downe
+  Or to be sene, and to showe his gardyd cote
+  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.
+
+  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 contryued 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
+  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
+
+  What shall I wryte of maydens and of wyues
+  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
+  Suche caytyfs kepe talys and communycacion
+  Fast by the auter, thynkynge it none offence
+  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
+  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.
+
+  Jhonn the euangelyst doth openly expres.
+  Howe criste our sauyour dyd dryue out and expell
+  From the Temple, suche as vsed there falsnes
+  And all other that therin dyd bye and sell
+  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
+  With deuout harte, loue, and all benygnyte
+  And with all our myght our lorde to magnyfy
+  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
+
+THE ENUOY TO THE REDERS.
+
+  O man that bostest thy selfe in cristes name
+  Callynge the christen, se thou thy synne refuse
+  Remember well it is both synne and shame
+  The house of god, thus to defyle and abuse
+  But this one thynge causeth me oft to muse
+  That the false paynyms within theyr Temples be
+  To theyr ydols moche more deuout than we
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of them that wyllynge and knowyngly
+put them self in ieopardy and peryll.
+
+[Illustration: 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.]
+
+  I fynde mo folys yet. whome I shall note
+  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
+  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
+
+  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
+
+  Than thynke they theyr prayers to god nat acceptable
+  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
+
+  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
+  And it auowe after my sympyll skyll
+  That neuer man shall syn without his wyll
+
+  If that one with his owne wyll doth fall
+  Into a well to assay the ieopardy
+  Whan he is there. if he lowde crye and call
+  Bothe on god and man for helpe and remedy
+  He sekyth that peryll, and dyeth worthely
+  So were it foly to gyue hym corde or trayne
+  Or other engyne to helpe hym vp agayne
+
+  Whan suche folys ar sure vpon the grounde
+  Without all daunger, peryll hurt or fere
+  They lepe in the wel and yet fere to be drowned
+  Empedocles though he right myghty were
+  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
+
+  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
+  The blysse of heuen, and scape infernall payne
+  He is a fole his herte or mynde to set
+  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
+  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
+
+THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Ye that fayne wolde escape all ieopardy
+  Auoyde suche thynges the whiche myght cause the same
+  To proue a peryll, is foly certaynly
+  Whether it be done in ernest or in game
+  They that so doth may theyr owne madnes blame
+  For he that is sure, and to a fray wyll ren
+  May fortune come home agayne, nosles or lame
+  And so were it better for to haue byd within
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of the way of felycyte and godnes, and of
+the payne to come vnto synners.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  God suffreth nat eche vicious fole to knowe
+  The wonders that he made hath on this grounde
+  And dayly worketh. wherfore theyr syn doth growe
+  So that theyr foly them selfe doth confounde
+  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
+  Than what auantage is it for man to wyne
+  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
+  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
+  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.
+  With payne and charge and, whan this wretchydnes
+  Is past and gone, yet after this they shall
+  In hell endure great tourmentis eternall
+
+  There shalt (thou fole) the charet drawe alway
+  With dowble paynes both tedyous and cruell
+  Wherfore thou fole retourne the I the pray.
+  Seke nat the way whiche ledeth vnto hell
+  With his foule dennes, more darke than tunge can tell
+  And thoughe the way be esy streyght and playne
+  The ende is nought, I aduyse the tourne agayne
+
+  The way to hell is greatly occupyed
+  The path is playne, and easy to ouergo
+  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
+  By dyuers folys whiche haste them to that payne.
+  By way contynuall therto: but none therfro
+  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 brere and thorne
+  And no meruayle for it is nat greatly worne
+
+  For why lewde people, whiche is the gretest sort
+  Forsake this way for the payne and hardnes
+  But godly men therin haue chefe consort
+  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
+  Therby it hapneth that many a thousande
+  Fast rennyth leftwarde, but fewe on the right hande
+
+THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Alas man remembre heuens blyssednes
+  And though the way be harde that lyeth therto
+  Forsoke it nat for all that great sharpnes
+  For at the ende is lyfe and rest also
+  Euerlastynge glory with other ioyes mo
+  But who that taketh the other way certayne
+  Shall fynde at the ende eternall payne and wo
+  Thoughe the way thether be easy streyght and playne
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of the yll example of elders gyuyn vnto
+youth.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  Ye aged men rotyd in folysshnes
+  And folysshe parentis lewde of your langage
+  Vnto our shyp swyftly your selfe addres
+  Syns ye be worthy therin to haue a stage
+  Nowe cast I repreues agaynst your outrage
+  Whiche boldly bost you of your vnthryfty lyues
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  Such ar theyr wyues, children and housholde
+  The yonge Cok lerneth to crowe hye of the olde
+
+  A folysshe Father, full hardly shall ensyne
+  His sone to good lyfe or to good gouernaunce
+  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
+  Most comonly the sone wyll do the same
+
+  If that the husbonde be vycious of his lyfe
+  Wastfull or dronken, or vyle in his langage
+  His sonnes doughters, his seruauntes and his wyfe
+  Wyll lerne of hym to passe the same passage
+  And if the husbonde breke his maryage
+  If the wyfe knowe, in mynde she wyll be wroth
+  Without he haue a hode of the same cloth
+
+  An olde prouerbe hath longe agone be sayde
+  That oft the sone in maners lyke wyll be
+  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
+  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
+
+  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
+  These yonge children for the moste part also
+  Foloweth theyr fathers synne and his lewdnes
+  But they that lyue in maners of mekenes
+  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
+  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
+
+  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
+  Than shall his children and seruautes do the same
+
+THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY.
+
+  Ye that haue children or other great housholde
+  Subdued to your seruyce, and your obedyence
+  Kepe vertuous lyfe, for that is worth great golde
+  And great example to youth to auoyde offence
+  But if ye boost you of synne and neglygence
+  In rybawde wordes, gyue credence to this clause
+  If the herers fall into incouenyence
+  Your lewde example is the chefe grounde and cause
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of bodely pleasour or corporall
+voluptuosyte
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  Drawe nere ye folys to you I crye and call
+  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.
+  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
+  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 perchuance knewe nought of vyce
+
+  Hir chamber full of flatery and disceyte
+  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
+  Without all shame dare she them boldly pray
+  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
+  Without mesure, rennynge to lese theyr lyfe
+  As ox or shepe vnto the bochers knyfe
+
+  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
+  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
+  The payne that foloweth it, is eternall
+  With wofull dolour menglyd, that euer shall last
+  Therfore leue of: do nat thy pleasour cast
+  On worldly welth, delyte ioy and pleasour
+  For soon they pas and chaunge at euery hour
+
+  Who that in this wretchyd worlde wyll auoyde
+  Of voluptuousnes the ioyes frayle and vayne
+  And suffre nat hym with them to be acloyde
+  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
+
+  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
+  On loue prohybyte, that grace was fro hym past
+
+  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
+  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
+
+THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Amende mad men your blynde mysgouernaunce
+  Subdue nat your necke to the captyuyte
+  Of flysshely lust and corporall pleasaunce
+  Nor to blynde Venus with hir lasciuyte
+  (If ye it note) ye dayly here and se
+  The mysfortune of them that it ensue
+  And certaynly no man can saued be
+  By carnall lust, but by godly vertue
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of folys that can nat kepe secrete theyr
+owne counsell.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  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
+  And all that he hath done in his hole lyfe
+  Or that to do here after he doth purpose
+  To euery man suche a fole wyll disclose
+
+  The noble Sampson moste excellent of myght
+  And strongest man that euer was get or borne
+  Were nat this foly: sholde nat haue lost his syght
+  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
+  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
+
+  Thus olde storyes doth oft recorde and tell
+  By theyr examples whiche they vnto vs gyue
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  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
+
+  Wherfore if thou wylt that thy pryuete
+  Be kept secrete and nat come out at large
+  Be nat so folysshe to showe it unto 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 selfe ne can
+
+  If the kynge Achab had nat vttred and tolde
+  Vnto his wyfe his wyll and mynde so playne
+  By hir fals treason, and dysceyt manyfolde
+  Vnrightwysly 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
+  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
+  Comyth oft to them whiche doth theyr secret tell
+  Eche man exortyth to kepe close his counsell.
+
+THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Thou man that hast thy secret in thy brest
+  Holde it styll there suffer it nat out to go
+  Who that so doth, therby shall fynde great rest
+  Ne to thy frende shewe nat thy mynde also
+  For if that he after become thy fo
+  As often hapneth, than myght he the bewry
+  So sholde thy foly tourne vnto thy great wo
+  Howe be it suche thynges are prouyd comonly.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of yonge folys that take olde wymen to
+theyr wyues, for theyr ryches.
+
+[Illustration: 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.]
+
+  Under the Asse tayle thoughe it be no thynge pure
+  Yet many seke and grope for the vyle fatnes
+  Gatherynge togyther the fowle dunge and ordure
+  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 have no pleasour, but thought and great dyseas
+  Rebuke out braydynge, and strypes whan they fall
+  But theyr owne foly is grounde and cause of all
+  For they be maryd unto the vyle treasour
+  And precious bagges, but nat for godly pleasour
+
+  They haue no hope of children nor lynage
+  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
+  For whose cause he made was made and blynde
+
+  They that ar weddyd nat for loue but rychesse
+  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
+
+  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
+
+  If that a man of hye or lowe degre
+  Wolde spouse his doughter vnto a strange man
+  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
+  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
+  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
+
+  Than muste he haue another prymme or twayne
+  With them to slake his wanton yonge cowrage
+  But in that space must he endure great payne
+  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
+  And worthely endure suche payne and punysshement
+  They hope therby to come to auantage
+  But that they lese and lyue in sore tourment
+  They wast theyr good, and so whan that is spent
+  And nought remayneth theyr bodyes to relefe
+  Theyr disputacion is nought but hore and thefe
+
+  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
+
+THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY.
+
+  Alas man myndles what is thyne intent
+  To wed for ryches, that weddynge I defy
+  Maryage was ordeyned by god omnypotent
+  In goddes lawes the worlde to multyply
+  Wherfore that man that wyll therto aply
+  And wolde haue the profyte of faythfull maryage
+  This worldly ryches ought no thynge to set by
+  But wed for loue and hope to haue lynage
+
+  Remember ryches is no thynge comparable
+  To mekenes vertue and discrete gouernaunce
+  And other maners whiche ar more commendable
+  Than worldly treasour or suche vnsure substaunce
+  Wherfore consyder and call to thy remembraunce
+  That better is to haue some woman pore and bare
+  And lyue in eas: Than one with habundaunce
+  Of great ryches: and euer to lyue in care
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of enuyous Folys.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  Wastynge enuy oft styreth to malyce
+  Folys nat a fewe whiche ar therto enclynyd
+  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
+  Or by his merytis obteyne great dignyte
+  These folys enuyous that of the same haue les
+  Enuy by malyce, the others hye degre
+  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
+  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
+  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
+
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  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
+
+  The mount of Ethnay though it brent euer styll
+  Yet (saue itselfe) it brenneth none other thynge
+  So these enuyous Folys by theyr yll wyll
+  Wast theyr owne herte, thoughe they be ay musynge
+  Another man to shame and losse or hurt to brynge
+  Upon them sellfe Thus tournyth this yll agayne
+  To theyr destruccion both shame great losse and payne
+
+  This fals enuy by his malycious yre
+  Doth often, bretherne so cursedly inflame
+  That by the same the one of them conspyre
+  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
+
+THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Wherfore let hym that is discrete and wyse
+  This wrathfull vyce exyle out of his mynde
+  And yll on none by malyce to surmyse
+  Let charyte in perfyte loue the bynde
+  Sue hir preceptis than shalt thou consort 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
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of impacient Folys that wyll nat abyde
+correccion.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  The grettest synners that man may se or fynde
+  In myserable Folys theyr foly to expres
+  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 despyse
+
+  But he that is discrete sad and prudent
+  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
+  That they dispyse all other melody.
+  They leuer wolde dye folys than: byde a strype
+  For theyr correccyon and specyall remedy
+  And without dout none other Armony
+  To suche folys is halfe so delectable
+  As is their folysshe bagpype and theyr babyll
+
+  These frantyke folys wyll byde no punysshement
+  Nor smale correccion, for theyr synne and offence
+  No frendly warnynge can chaunge theyr yll intent
+  For to abyde it, they haue no pacyence.
+  They here no wysdome but fle from hir presence
+  And so it hapnyth that in the worlde be
+  Mo folys than men of wyt and grauyte
+
+  O mortall fole remember well what thou art
+  Thou art a man of erth made and of clay
+  Thy dayes ar short and nede thou must depart
+  Out of this lyfe, that canst thou nat denay
+  Yet hast thou reason and wyt wherby thou may
+  Thy selfe here gyde by wysdome ferme and stable
+  Wherby thou passest all bestis vnreasonable
+
+  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.
+  Where as all good comyth by wysdome and prudence
+
+  A wyse man onely as we often fynde
+  Is to be named moste ryche and of most myght
+  Here thou his wordes and plant them in thy mynde
+  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
+  Thou shalt the ende therof fynde profytable
+  It oft apereth, therfore I it byleue
+  That man also forsoth is fortunable
+  Whiche here in fere lyueth sure and stable
+  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
+
+THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  Ye obstynate folys that often fall in vyce
+  Howe longe shall ye kepe this frowarde ignoraunce
+  Submyt your myndes, and so from synne aryse
+  Let mekenes slake your mad mysgouernaunce
+  Remember that worldly payne it 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.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of folysshe Fesycyans and vnlerned that
+onely folowe paractyke knowynge nought
+of the speculacyon of theyr faculte.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  Whiche of the cunnynge knowe lytell or nought at all
+  A herbe or wede that groweth vpon a wall
+  Beryth in it these folys medycyne.
+  None other bokes haue they nor doctryne
+
+  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
+  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 descerne 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
+  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
+
+  They say also in this our charge or cure
+  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
+  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
+  The one begylyth the pacyent and seke
+  Takynge his god for to encreas his payne
+  The other labours and cauteles oft doth fayne
+  To clawe the coyne by craft from his clyent
+  Castynge hym of whan all his good is spent
+
+  Thus thryues the lawer by anothers good
+  Iniustly gotten, disceyuynge his clyent
+  Also some other ar callyd Phesicians good
+  Whiche vtterly disceyue the pacyent
+  If he haue money than hath he his intent
+  And if the seke haue store ynough to pay
+  Than shall the cure be dryuen from day to day
+
+  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.
+  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.
+
+THE ENUOY OF THE TRASLATOUR.
+
+  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
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of the ende of worldly honour and power
+and of Folys that trust therein.
+
+[Illustration: On erth was neuer degre so excellent
+Nor man so myghty: in ryches nor scyence
+But at the ende all hath ben gone and spent
+Agaynst the same no man can make defence
+Deth all thynge drawyth, ferefull is his presence,
+It is last ende of euery thynge mundayne
+Thus mannys fortune of cours is vncertayne]
+
+  O creatures of myndes mad and blynde
+  I wonder of your hertis proude and eleuate
+  Whiche on vayne power set so sore your mynde
+  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
+  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
+  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
+
+  And also Xerxes in ryches abundant
+  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
+  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
+  To whome all the worlde scantly myght suffyse
+  Of Grece was the origynall lorde and Emperour
+  And all the worlde 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
+  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.
+  What shall I wryte of Cyrus excellent
+  Drynkynge his blode by deth whiche fortune sende
+  To here of states the comon deth and ende
+
+  All kyngdomes dekay and all estate mundayne
+  Example of Rome Cartago and Mycene
+  Of Solyme Tyre grace and Troy moste souerayne
+  None of these places ar nowe as they haue ben
+  Nor none other ouer the worlde as I wene
+  Thus shortly to speke and all to comprehende
+  All worldly thynges at last shall haue an ende.
+
+THE ENOUY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
+
+  O man that hast thy trust and confydence
+  Fyxed on these frayle fantasyes mundayne
+  Remember at the ende there is no difference
+  Bytwene that man that lyued hath in payne
+  And hym that hath in welth and ioy souerayne
+  They both must dye their payne is of one sort
+  Both ryche and pore, no man can deth refrayne
+  For dethes dart expellyth all confort
+
+  Say where is Adam the fyrst progenytour
+  Of all mankynde is he nat dede and gone
+  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
+  The first that played on Harpe or on Orgone
+  _Ilz sont tous mortz ce monde est choce vayne_
+
+  Where is iust Noy and his ofsprynge become
+  Where is Abraham and all his progeny
+  As Isaac and Jacob, no strength nor wysdome
+  Coude them ensure to lyue contynually
+  Where is kynge Dauyd whome god dyd magnyfy
+  And Salomon his son of wysdome souerayne
+  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
+  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
+  And from the Dongeons of darke and ferefull hell
+  _Ilz sont toutz mortz ce monde est choce vayne._
+
+  Of worldly worsyp no man can hym assure
+  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 strength 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_.
+
+  Where ar the Phylosophers and Poetis lawreat
+  The great Grammaryens and pleasant oratours.
+  Ar they nat dede after the same fourme and rate
+  As ar all these other myghty conquerours
+  Where ar theyr Royalmes theyr ryches and treasours
+  Left to theyr heyres: and they be gone certayne
+  And here haue left theyr riches and honours
+  So haue they proued that this worlde is but vayne.
+
+  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_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of predestynacion.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  It is vnlawfull, man to be dilygent
+  Or serchynge goddes workes to set his thought
+  Howe he hath made the heuen and fyrmament
+  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
+  Unchrafty folys whiche scantly haue ouer sene
+  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
+  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
+
+  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
+  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
+  No erthly 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
+  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
+  And of rewarde worthely be sure
+  Where it is worthy that synners payne endure
+
+  Trust well who seruyth his maker stedfastly
+  With pure herte kepynge sure his commaundement
+  And lawes shall be rewardyd fynally
+  With heuenly ioy and scape all punysshement
+  Therfore thou fole leue of this lewde intent
+  Lyue vertuously and trust in goddes grace
+  Than yll desteny in the shall haue no place
+
+  Vnto great ioy god hath vs all create
+  And to vs all ordeyned his kyngdome
+  And none hath vnto Hell predestynate
+  But often whan we folowe nat wysdome
+  By ouer owne foly we fall, and so become
+  Vnto 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
+  Whether it be made of fassyon good or yll
+  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
+
+  And whyle we lyue here on this wretchyd grounde
+  We haue our reason and wyttes vs to gyde
+  With our fre wyll and if no faute be founde
+  In our demenour, in heuen we shall abyde
+  But if we goddes lawes set asyde
+  Howe may we hope of hym rewarde to wyn
+  So our owne foly is moste cause of our syn.
+
+THE ENUOY OF BARCLAY.
+
+  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
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of folys that forget them selfe and do
+another mannys besynes leuynge theyr
+owne vndone.
+
+[Illustration: 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.]
+
+  Within my Shyp of rowme he shall be sure
+  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
+  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
+  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
+
+  We haue by Therence the same commaundement
+  The same is wryten also as I fynde
+  In the holy lawe of the olde testament
+  And therfore he that oft wyll set his mynde
+  For others maters with care his thought to blynde
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  If they them self put, to losse or damage
+  Therby to do some other auauntage
+
+  Say curyous Fole: say what pleasour thou hast
+  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
+  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
+
+THENUOY OF BARKLAY.
+
+  Ye that take charge, thought and besy cure
+  For others mysfortune, losse or aduersyte
+  First of your self I aduyse you to be sure
+  For this is the order of parfyte charyte
+  Eche to hym selfe moste louynge ay to be
+  And next to his frende, but who that doth dispyse.
+  His owne besynes whiche is in ieopardye
+  Seynge to anothers forsoth he is vnwyse
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of the vyce of vnkyndnes.
+
+[Illustration: 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.]
+
+  He is a Fole that crauynge is alway
+  Takynge the seruyce and rewardes of his frende
+  And nat remembryth the same agayne to pay
+  But as a churle it castyth out of his mynde
+  For who that wolde haue one to hym be kynde
+  And lyberall, he ought the same to be
+  For kyndnes meyntayneth bothe loue and charyte
+
+  He that wyll charge another with cures harde
+  And great labours greuous to sustayne
+  Ought for his labour hym worthely rewarde
+  That the rewarde may be confort to his payne
+  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
+  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
+  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
+
+  He must of maners also be commendable
+  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 bounte 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
+  For kyndnes, they render shame and vylany
+  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
+  To charge or labour of body or of mynde
+  Ought hym rewarde agayne for his kyndnes
+  If he do nat forsoth he is unkynde
+  But specyally as I oft wryten fynde
+  It is a thynge whiche doth for vengeaunce cry
+  A pore laborer to put to Iniury
+
+  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
+
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  Hast thou nat banysshed by thy cruelte
+  Thy kynge Lycurgus, bycause he dyd redres
+  Thy wanton errours by lawe and rightwysnes
+  And Scipio whiche his country dyd defende
+  Fonde it to hym, vnkynde at the last ende
+
+  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.
+
+THENUOY OF BARKLAY.
+
+  O fals vnkyndnes out on the I cry
+  From all goodnes dost thou nat man withdrawe
+  Byndynge his herte to gyle and vylany
+  Agaynst nature, agaynst both right and lawe
+  Thou makest man his maker nat to knawe
+  Therfore thou man expell out from thy mynde
+  This vyce, for we fynde in an olde sayde sawe
+  Wo is hym that to his maker is vnkynde.
+
+  Remember man the great preemynence
+  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
+  Thy iyen vpwarde to consyder his hyghnes
+  Where other creatures that ar vnresonable
+  Goeth on all foure and ar nat other able.
+  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
+  And lost the consort 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
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of folys that stande so well in their owne
+conceyt that they thinke none so wyse,
+stronge, fayre, nor eloquent, as they
+ar themself.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  Vnto my shyp I call hym to be Coke
+  The mete to dresse to other Folys echone
+  Whiche in his myrrour doth alway gase and loke
+  Whan he may get hym vnto a place alone
+  And though of colour and beaute he haue none
+  Yet thynketh he hym self fayre and right plesant
+  And wyse: thoughe that he be mad and ignorant
+
+  In his owne dedys is onely his delyte
+  In his owne conceyte thynkynge hymself right wyse
+  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
+  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
+  That he onely all other dyd excell
+  And that to gyue councell good and profytable
+  Were none in the worldly vnto hym comparable
+
+  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 a fole into the kechyn gose
+  To stere the pot, there whether he syt or stande
+  The glasse alway is in the other hande
+
+  Whan he a whyle his glas hath loken than
+  If one examynyd hym of his beautye
+  He boldly durst swere both by god and man
+  That nought were in hym whiche myght repreuyd be
+  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.
+
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  And to content theyr mad and folysshe mynde
+  To wymen they compare themselfe agaynst kynde
+
+  Disorder rayneth as I before haue sayde
+  The yonge men takyth womans countenaunce
+  And hir aparayll, and wymen ar arayde
+  As men: agaynst all lawe and ordynaunce
+  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
+  A fygure made vnto hymselfe 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
+  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
+
+THENUOY OF BARKLAY THE TRANSLATOUR.
+
+  Blynde man inclere thy wylfull ignoraunce
+  Stande nat so great in thy owne conceyte
+  Ne in thy lewde fassyon set nat thy pleasaunce
+  Whether thou be pore or man of great estate
+  Another man moche more shall in the wayte
+  Of gode and yll than thou thy self canst do
+  Therfore be nat cause to thy self of disceyte
+  If one the teche: aply thy mynde therto
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of lepynges and dauncis and Folys that pas
+  theyr tyme in suche vanyte.
+
+[Illustration: 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.]
+
+  Those folys a place may chalenge in my shyp
+  Whiche voyde of wysdome as men out of theyr mynde
+  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
+
+  Or as the Druydans rennyth in vayne about
+  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
+  To theyr ydollys doynge theyr seruyce detestable
+
+  Lyke as these paynyms hath to theyr ydols done
+  Theyr sacryfyce wandrynge in theyr madnes
+  Theyr bodyes weryenge, in vayne wastynge their shone
+  So do these fowlys them selfe to daunsynge dres
+  Sekynge occason of great vnhappynes
+  They take suche labour without all hope of gayne
+  Without rewarde sure, of werynes and payne
+
+  Say Folys that vse this fury and outrage
+  What causyth you to haue delyte therin
+  For your great labour say what is your wage
+  Forsoth ye can therby no profyte wyn
+  But seke occasyon (as I haue sayde) of syn
+  And for thy werynge thy fete thus in the dust
+  Thou gettest no gayne but cause of carnall lust
+
+  But whan I consyder of this folysshe game
+  The firste begynnynge and cause orygynall
+  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.
+  Whan they were dronkon, 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
+  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
+  And whyle lewde lepys ar vysd in the daunce
+  Oft frowarde bargayns ar made by countenaunce
+
+  What els is daunsynge but euen a nurcery
+  Or els a bayte to purchase and meyntayne
+  In yonge hertis the vyle synne of rybawdry
+  Them fe*trynge 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
+
+  And wanton people disposyd vnto syn
+  To satysfye theyr mad concupyscence
+  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
+  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
+
+  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
+
+  Than lepe they about as folke past theyr mynde
+  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
+  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.
+
+THENUOY OF BARKLAY
+
+  Do way your daunces ye people moche vnwyse
+  Desyst your folysshe pleasour of trauayle
+  It is me thynke an vnwyse vse and gyse
+  To take suche labour and payne without auayle
+  And who that suspectyth his mayde or wyues tayle
+  Let hym nat suffer them in the daunce to be
+  For in that game thoughe sys or synke them fayle
+  The dyse oft renneth vpon the chaunce of thre
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of nyght watchers and beters of the stretes
+playnge by nyght on instrumentes and
+vsynge lyke Folyes whan tyme is to
+rest.
+
+[Illustration: 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.]
+
+  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
+  For often all yll doers hatyth the day lyght
+
+  Whyle (man) beste and euery lyuely creature
+  Refresshe theyr myndes and bodyes with rest
+  And slepe: without the whiche none can endure
+  And whyle all byrdes drawe them to theyr nest
+  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
+  Before the dores of theyr lemman dere
+  Yowlynge with theyr folysshe songe and cry
+  So that theyr lemman may theyr great foly here
+  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
+
+  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
+  O mad men amasyd vnstabyll and wytles
+  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 therein 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
+  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.
+
+  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
+  But if it be in labour: good to wyn
+  Therfore kepe your dorys: els abyde within
+
+  Thoughe I have touchyd of this enormyte
+  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 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 here a bable
+
+THENUOY OF BARCLAY.
+
+  Ye folys that put your bodyes vnto payne
+  By nyghtly watchynge, voyde of auauntage
+  Leue of your foly or els ye shall complayne
+  And mourne it sore if ye lyue vnto age
+  For though ye thynke that this your blynde outrage
+  Is vnto you no hurte nor preiudyce
+  It doth your body and goodes great dammage
+  And great cause both to you and yours of vyce.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Of folysshe beggers and of theyr vanytees.
+
+[Illustration: 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]
+
+  A great company of folys may we fynde
+  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
+  The clerke, frere, or monke, whiche hath store of ryches
+  For all his lyfe. if he it gyde 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
+  And holy churche: for to be gyuyn in dede
+  Vnto good vse, and suche as haue moste nede
+
+  Almes is ordeyned by god our creatour
+  For men that lyue in nede and wretchydnes
+  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
+
+  The abbot, the Pryour, and also theyr couent
+  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
+  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
+  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
+  Gyuyth theyr bodyes fully to slewthfulnes
+  The beggers craft thynkynge to them moost good
+  Some ray theyr legges and armys ouer with blood
+  With leuys and plasters though they be hole and sounde
+  Some halt as crypyls, theyr legge falsely vp bounde
+
+  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
+  There 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 occupation
+
+  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
+  All folysshe beggers, and labour or intende
+  To note all theyr vyces, to sore sholde be the charge
+  And as I suppose I neuer sholde make an ende.
+  Wherfore I counsell them shortly to amende
+  Or els theyr lewdnes, synne, and enormyte
+  Shall cause men withdrawe theyr almes of charyte
+
+THENUOY OF BARCLAY THE TRANSLATOUR.
+
+  O people vnthrifty gyuen to ydlenes
+  Spendynge your youth this wyse in vanyte
+  What ioy haue ye to lyue in wretchydnes
+  Where ye myght come to better rowme and degre
+  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
+
+Corrections made to printed original.
+
+"He shalbe made parson of Honington or Clist." - 'mde' in original.
+
+"a mistake as to identity" - 'indentity' in original.
+
+"the executours of this my last Will" - 'th executours' in original.
+
+"written [p=] me" - 'written[p=]nce' in original.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Ship of Fools, Volume 1, by Sebastian Brandt
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