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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/20179-8.txt b/20179-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b6a75f5 --- /dev/null +++ b/20179-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11988 @@ +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: ISO-8859-1 + +*** 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 +Æneas 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 encyclopædia 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 (Müller, "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 mediæval 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 Grüber (Encyclopädie) 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 Schön 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 mediæval 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 _quæstio 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. Angliæ 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 +Pitsæus." 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, quæ 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 +lacunæ 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 Miseriæ +Curialium, the most popular of the works of one of the most successful +literary adventurers of the middle ages, Æneas 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. Catherinæ, Lib. I., +[Libros tres, Pits]; Vitam D. Margaritæ, Lib. I.; Vitam Etheldredæ, 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 Æneas 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 1½ 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 Athenæ 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 £2. + +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, £2. 4s.; + Sotheby's, 1821, £28; Dent, £30. 9s.; Bib. Anglo-Poetica, £105; + Perkins, 1873, £130. + + The following amusing note on prices is taken from Renouard's + "Catalogue d'un Amateur." "Les premières éditions latines de ce + singulier livre, celles des traductions françoises, toutes également + remplies de figures en bois, ne déplaisent pas aux amateurs, mais + jamais ils ne les ont payées un haut prix. La traduction angloise faite + en 1509, sur le francois, et avec des figures en bois, plus mauvaises + encore que leurs modèles, se paye en Angleterre 25, 30 et mème 60 + guinées; c'est là, si l'on veut, du zèle 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, £1, + 16s. White Knights, £8, 12s. Roxburghe, £9, 19s. 6d. Fonthill, £13, + 13s. Bib. Anglo-Poet, £12, 12s. Heber, £8, 12s. Sotheby's, 1873, £48, + 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 Trésor de livres rares et précieux. 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 imprimés sur vélin 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 réclames, avec + signatures, figures et initiales en bois; à longues lignes, au nombre + de 32 sur les pages entierès; cont. 169 f.; les 7 premiers renferment + 1. le titre suivant, gravé audessus d'une figure qui représente le + navire des fous: + + ¶ The shyppe of fooles. + + 2. Le prologue du traducteur; 3. la préface; 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 + aperçoit 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, £64. + +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), £25.; resold, Dent, 1827, £36.; resold, Heber, 1834, £24. 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, £6. 2s. 6d.; Bright, 1845. £10. 10s.; Bib. + Anglo-Poetica, £15. + +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 inédits sur l'histoire de France," the editor says of + this work of Barclay's: "Tous mes efforts pour découvrir un exemplaire + de ce curieux ouvrage ont été 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, £9.; Roxburghe (last leaf wanting), £10. 10s.; + Bibliotheca Anglo-Poetica, £12. 12s.; Sykes, £16. 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, £7., 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, £23, 12s.; Sykes, £8, 12s.; Heber, £5, 15s. 6d.; + Sotheby's, 1857, £10. + + 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), £40. 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 +diutiùs quàm 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 +quàm inceptum minus perfectum relinquere. Completo tamen opere: nec +quemquam magis dignum quàm 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 vná 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 + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SHIP OF FOOLS, VOLUME 1 *** + +***** This file should be named 20179-8.txt or 20179-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/1/7/20179/ + +Produced by Frank van Drogen, Keith Edkins and the Online 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text-indent: 1em;} + .figure p.in, .figcenter p.in, .figright p.in, .figleft p.in + {margin: 0; text-indent: 8em;} + .figcenter p.poem + {margin-left: 1em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0;} + .figcenter {margin: auto;} + .figright {float: right;} + .figleft {float: left;} + img.middle { border: none; vertical-align: middle } + + // --> + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +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: ISO-8859-1 + +*** 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) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="10" style="background-color: #ccccff;"> +<tr> +<td style="width:25%; vertical-align:top"> +Transcriber's note: +</td> +<td> +A few typographical errors in the 1874 introduction have been corrected. They +appear in the text <span class="correction" title="explanation will pop up">like this</span>, and the +explanation will appear when the mouse pointer is moved over the marked +passage. In the spirit of the 1874 edition, the text of the Ship of Fools itself +has been retained exactly as it stands, even to the punctuation. +</td> +</tr> +</table> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p003.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t003.png" + alt="Portrait of Sebastian Brandt." /></a> + </div> +<h1>THE SHIP OF FOOLS</h1> + +<p class="cenhead">TRANSLATED BY</p> + +<h2>ALEXANDER BARCLAY</h2> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:50%;"> + <a href="images/p004.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t004.png" + alt="The ship of fools." /></a> + </div> +<p class="cenhead">VOLUME FIRST</p> + +<h2>EDINBURGH: WILLIAM PATERSON</h2> + +<h3>LONDON: HENRY SOTHERAN & CO.</h3> + +<p class="cenhead">MDCCCLXXIV.</p> + +<h3>PREFATORY NOTE.</h3> + + <p>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):—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"... some wordes be in my boke amys</p> + <p>For though that I my selfe dyd it correct</p> + <p>Yet with some fautis I knowe it is infect</p> + <p>Part by my owne ouersyght and neglygence</p> + <p>And part by the prynters nat perfyte in science</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And other some escaped ar and past</p> + <p>For that the Prynters in theyr besynes</p> + <p>Do all theyr workes hedelynge, and in hast"</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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 <i>originals</i> 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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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 Æneas Mackay, Advocate, and Mr Ralph Thomas, ("Olphar + Hamst"), for searches made in the British Museum and elsewhere.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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 encyclopædia of + everything Brandtian.</p> + + <p class="author">T. H. JAMIESON.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i4"><span class="sc">Advocates' Library</span>,</p> + <p><span class="sc">Edinburgh</span>, <i>December</i> 1873.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + +<h3>Volume I.</h3> + +<h3><span class="sc"><a href="#conta">Introduction</a></span></h3> + +<h3><span class="sc"><a href="#contb">Notice of Barclay and his Writings</a></span></h3> + +<h3><span class="sc"><a href="#contc">Barclay's Will</a></span></h3> + +<h3><span class="sc"><a href="#contd">Notes</a></span></h3> + +<h3><span class="sc"><a href="#conte">Bibliographical Catalogue of Barclay's Works</a></span></h3> + +<h3><span class="sc"><a href="#contf">The Ship of Fools</a></span></h3> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" > + +<h3>Volume II.</h3> + +<h3><span class="sc">The Ship of Fools (concluded)</span></h3> + +<h3><span class="sc">Glossary</span></h3> + +<h3><span class="sc">Chapter I. of the Original (German), and of the Latin, and French Versions of the Ship of Fools</span></h3> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="conta"></a></p> + +<h3>INTRODUCTION.</h3> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>A more recent and impartial critic (Müller, "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?</p> + + <p>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 <i>chronique + scandaleuse</i> 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."</p> + + <p>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 <i>human nature</i> 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 <i>vers + de societe</i> 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 mediæval 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."</p> + + <p>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 + Sebastian<span class="over">u</span> 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, <i>e.g.</i>, does this occur? ... Where, + <i>e.g.</i>, occur the following appropriate words of Goethe: "Who can + think anything foolish, who can think anything wise, that antiquity has + not already thought of."</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>The following admirable notice from Ersch and Grüber (Encyclopädie) + 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 <i>book of the + people</i> 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 + <i>foolish</i>, and what he calls follies might be more correctly + described as sins and vices.</p> + + <p>"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."</p> + + <p>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 Schön 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."</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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<sup>t</sup>, 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."</p> + + <p>"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."</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Knowledge of trouth, prudence, and iust symplicite</p> + <p>Hath vs clene left; For we set of them no store.</p> + <p>Our Fayth is defyled loue, goodnes, and Pyte:</p> + <p>Honest maners nowe ar reputed of: no more.</p> + <p>Lawyers ar lordes; but Justice is rent and tore.</p> + <p>Or closed lyke a Monster within dores thre.</p> + <p>For without mede: or money no man can hyr se.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Al is disordered: Vertue hath no rewarde.</p> + <p>Alas, compassion; and mercy bothe ar slayne.</p> + <p>Alas, the stony hartys of pepyl ar so harde</p> + <p>That nought can constrayne theyr folyes to refrayne."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>His ships are full laden but carry not all who should be on board.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"We are full lade and yet forsoth I thynke</p> + <p>A thousand are behynde, whom we may not receyue</p> + <p>For if we do, our nauy clene shall synke</p> + <p>He oft all lesys that coueytes all to haue</p> + <p>From London Rockes Almyghty God vs saue</p> + <p>For if we there anker, outher bote or barge</p> + <p>There be so many that they vs wyll ouercharge."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>In his prologue "excusynge the rudenes of his translacion," he + professes to have purposely used the most "comon speche":—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"My speche is rude my termes comon and rural</p> + <p>And I for rude peple moche more conuenient</p> + <p>Than for estates, lerned men, or eloquent."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>He afterwards humorously supplements this in "the prologe," + by:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"But if I halt in meter or erre in eloquence</p> + <p>Or be to large in langage I pray you blame not me</p> + <p>For my mater is so bad it wyll none other be."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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."</p> + + <p>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 mediæval + picture-poem is of unrivalled interest.</p> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + +<h3>NOTICE</h3> + +<p class="cenhead">OF THE</p> + +<h2><i>Life and Writings of Alexander Barclay</i>,</h2> + +<h3><span class="sc">the translator of brandt's ship of fools.</span></h3> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="contb"></a></p> + +<h3>ALEXANDER BARCLAY.</h3> + + <p>Whether this distinguished poet was an Englishman or a Scotchman has + long been a <i>quæstio vexata</i> 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. Angliæ Script.,) asserts that though to some he appears to have + been a Scot, he was really an Englishman, and probably a native of + Devonshire, ("<i>nam</i> 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.</p> + + <p>On the other hand Bale, in an earlier work than the <i>Catalogus</i>, + the <i>Summarium Ill. Maj. Britt. Script.</i>, 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 Pitsæus." 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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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).</p> + + <p>"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).</p> + + <p>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];<a name="Ft_1" href="#FtN_1"><sup>[1]</sup></a> 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.<a name="Ft_2" + href="#FtN_2"><sup>[2]</sup></a> 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.</p> + + <p>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,—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">" I n prudence pereles is this moste comely kynge</p> + <p>A nd as for his strength and magnanymyte</p> + <p>C oncernynge his noble dedes in euery thynge</p> + <p>O ne founde or grounde lyke to hym can not be</p> + <p>B y byrth borne to boldnes and audacyte</p> + <p>V nder the bolde planet of Mars the champyon</p> + <p>S urely to subdue his ennemyes echone."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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.:</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"While I in youth in Croidon towne did dwell."</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"He hath no felowe betwene this and Croidon,</p> + <p>Save the proude plowman Gnatho of Chorlington."</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"And as in Croidon I heard the Collier preache"</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Such maner riches the Collier tell thee can"</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"As the riche Shepheard that woned in Mortlake."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>It seems to have become a second home to him, for there, we find, in + 1552, he died and was buried.</p> + + <p>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 <i>alma mater</i>, 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.:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"And once in Cambridge I heard a scoller say."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg1">'John highte that on, and Alein highte that other,</p> + <p>Of o toun were they born that highte Strother,</p> + <p>Fer in the North, I cannot tellen where.'</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>"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).</p> + + <p>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:</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"The great foly, the pryde, and the enormyte</p> + <p>Of our studentis, and theyr obstynate errour</p> + <p>Causeth me to wryte two sentences or thre</p> + <p>More than I fynde wrytyn in myne actoure</p> + <p>The tyme hath ben whan I was conductoure</p> + <p>Of moche foly, whiche nowe my mynde doth greue</p> + <p>Wherfor of this shyp syns I am gouernoure</p> + <p>I dare be bolde myne owne vyce to repreue."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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:</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"One rennyth to Almayne another vnto France</p> + <p>To Parys, Padway, Lumbardy or Spayne</p> + <p>Another to Bonony, Rome, or Orleanse</p> + <p>To Cayne, to Tolows, Athenys, or Colayne."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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:</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i16">CORNIX.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"As if diuers wayes laye vnto Islington,</p> + <p>To Stow on the Wold, Quaueneth or Trompington,</p> + <p>To Douer, Durham, to Barwike or Exeter,</p> + <p>To Grantham, Totnes, Bristow or good Manchester,</p> + <p>To Roan, Paris, to Lions or Floraunce.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i16">CORIDON.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>(What ho man abide, what already in Fraunce,</p> + <p>Lo, a fayre iourney and shortly ended to,</p> + <p>With all these townes what thing haue we to do?</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i16">CORNIX.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>By Gad man knowe thou that I haue had to do</p> + <p>In all these townes and yet in many mo,</p> + <p>To see the worlde in youth me thought was best,</p> + <p>And after in age to geue my selfe to rest.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i16">CORIDON.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thou might haue brought one and set by our village.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i16">CORNIX.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>What man I might not for lacke of cariage.</p> + <p>To cary mine owne selfe was all that euer I might,</p> + <p>And sometime for ease my sachell made I light."</p> + <p class="i30">ECLOGUE I.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Good offycers ar good and commendable</p> + <p>And manly knyghtes that lyue in rightwysenes</p> + <p>But they that do nat ar worthy of a bable</p> + <p>Syns by theyr pryde pore people they oppres</p> + <p>My mayster Kyrkhan for his perfyte mekenes</p> + <p>And supportacion of men in pouertye</p> + <p>Out of my shyp shall worthely be fre</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>I flater nat I am his true seruytour</p> + <p>His chaplayne and his bede man whyle my lyfe shall endure</p> + <p>Requyrynge God to exalt hym to honour</p> + <p>And of his Prynces fauour to be sure</p> + <p>For as I haue sayd I knowe no creature</p> + <p>More manly rightwyse wyse discrete and sad</p> + <p>But thoughe he be good, yet other ar als bad."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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.)</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Mansell of Otery for powlynge of the pore</p> + <p>Were nat his great wombe, here sholde haue an ore</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But for his body is so great and corporate</p> + <p>And so many burdens his brode backe doth charge</p> + <p>If his great burthen cause hym to come to late</p> + <p>Yet shall the knaue be Captayne of a barge</p> + <p>Where as ar bawdes and so sayle out at large</p> + <p>About our shyp to spye about for prayes</p> + <p>For therupon hath he lyued all his dayes."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>It ought however to be mentioned that no such name as Mansell appears + in the Devonshire histories, and it may therefore be fictitious.</p> + + <p>The ignorance and reckless living of the clergy, one of the chief + objects of his animadversion, receive also local illustration:</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"For if one can flater, and beare a Hauke on his fist,</p> + <p>He shalbe <span class="correction" title="'mde' in original">made</span> parson of Honington or Clist."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Softe, fooles, softe, a little slacke your pace,</p> + <p>Till I haue space you to order by degree,</p> + <p>I haue eyght neyghbours, that first shall haue a place</p> + <p>Within this my ship, for they most worthy be,</p> + <p>They may their learning receyue costles and free,</p> + <p>Their walles abutting and ioyning to the scholes;</p> + <p>Nothing they can, yet nought will they learne nor see,</p> + <p>Therfore shall they guide this our ship of fooles."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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., <span + class="sc">iii.</span> 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.</p> + + <p>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."</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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).</p> + + <p>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."</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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 <span + class="correction" title="'indentity' in original">identity.</span> 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:</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"They disceyue myndes chaste and innocent</p> + <p>With dyuers wayes whiche I wyll nat expres</p> + <p>Lyst that whyle I labour this cursyd gyse to stynt</p> + <p>I myght to them mynyster example of lewdnes</p> + <p>And therfore in this part I shall say les</p> + <p>Than doth my actour."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>Elsewhere he declares:</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i16">"for my boke certaynly</p> + <p>I haue compyled: for vertue and goodnes</p> + <p>And to reuyle foule synne and vyciousnes"</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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."</p> + + <p>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).</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"This man malycious whiche troubled is with wrath</p> + <p>Nought els soundeth but the hoorse letter R."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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).</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"For he that loueth is voyde of all reason</p> + <p>Wandrynge in the worlde without lawe or mesure</p> + <p>In thought and fere sore vexed eche season</p> + <p>And greuous dolours in loue he must endure</p> + <p>No creature hym selfe, may well assure</p> + <p>From loues soft dartis: I say none on the grounde</p> + <p>But mad and folysshe bydes he whiche hath the wounde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Aye rennynge as franatyke no reason in his mynde</p> + <p>He hath no constaunce nor ease within his herte</p> + <p>His iyen ar blynde, his wyll alwaye inclyned</p> + <p>To louys preceptes yet can nat he departe</p> + <p>The Net is stronge, the sole caught can nat starte</p> + <p>The darte is sharpe, who euer is in the chayne</p> + <p>Can nat his sorowe in vysage hyde nor fayne"</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>For expressive, happy simile, the two following examples are + capital:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Yet sometimes riches is geuen by some chance</p> + <p>To such as of good haue greatest aboundaunce.</p> + <p>Likewise as streames unto the sea do glide.</p> + <p>But on bare hills no water will abide.</p> + <p> · · · · · ·</p> + <p>So smallest persons haue small rewarde alway</p> + <p>But men of worship set in authoritie</p> + <p>Must haue rewardes great after their degree."—<span class="sc">Eclogue</span> I.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"And so such thinges which princes to thee geue</p> + <p>To thee be as sure as water in a siue</p> + <p> · · · · · · ·</p> + <p>So princes are wont with riches some to fede</p> + <p>As we do our swine when we of larde haue nede</p> + <p>We fede our hogges them after to deuour</p> + <p>When they be fatted by costes and labour."—<span class="sc">Eclogue</span> I.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>The everlasting conceit of musical humanity is very truthfully hit + off.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"This is of singers the very propertie</p> + <p>Alway they coueyt desired for to be</p> + <p>And when their frendes would heare of their cunning</p> + <p>Then are they neuer disposed for to sing,</p> + <p>But if they begin desired of no man</p> + <p>Then shewe they all and more then they can</p> + <p>And neuer leaue they till men of them be wery,</p> + <p>So in their conceyt their cunning they set by."—<span class="sc">Eclogue II.</span></p> + </div> + </div> + <p>Pithy sayings are numerous. Comparing citizens with countrymen, the + countryman says:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Fortune to them is like a mother dere</p> + <p>As a stepmother she doth to us appeare."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>Of money:</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Coyne more than cunning exalteth every man."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>Of clothing:</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"It is not clothing can make a man be good</p> + <p>Better is in ragges pure liuing innocent</p> + <p>Than a soule defiled in sumptuous garment."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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 <i>couleur de + rose</i> 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, quæ 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.</p> + + <p>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:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Better is a frende in courte than a peny in purse"—(I. 70.)</p> + <p class="hg3">"Whan the stede is stolyn to shyt the stable dore"—(I. 76.)</p> + <p class="hg3">"It goeth through as water through a syue."—(I. 245.)</p> + <p class="hg3">"And he that alway thretenyth for to fyght</p> + <p>Oft at the prose is skantly worth a hen</p> + <p>For greattest crakers ar nat ay boldest men."—(I. 198.)</p> + <p class="hg3">"I fynde foure thynges whiche by no meanes can</p> + <p>Be kept close, in secrete, or longe in preuetee</p> + <p>The firste is the counsell of a wytles man</p> + <p>The seconde is a cyte whiche byldyd is a hye</p> + <p>Upon a montayne the thyrde we often se</p> + <p>That to hyde his dedes a louer hath no skyll</p> + <p>The fourth is strawe or fethers on a wyndy hyll."—(I. 199.)</p> + <p class="hg3">"A crowe to pull."—(II. 8.)</p> + <p class="hg3">"For it is a prouerbe, and an olde sayd sawe</p> + <p>That in euery place lyke to lyke wyll drawe."—(II. 35.)</p> + <p class="hg3">"Better haue one birde sure within thy wall</p> + <p>Or fast in a cage than twenty score without"—(II. 74)</p> + <p class="hg3">"Gapynge as it were dogges for a bone."—(II. 93.)</p> + <p class="hg3">"Pryde sholde haue a fall."—(II. 161).</p> + <p class="hg3">"For wyse men sayth ...</p> + <p>One myshap fortuneth neuer alone."</p> + <p class="hg3">"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.]</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>The following are selected from the Eclogues as the most + remarkable:</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Each man for himself, and the fende for us all."</p> + <p class="hg3">"They robbe Saint Peter therwith to clothe Saint Powle."</p> + <p class="hg3">"For might of water will not our leasure bide."</p> + <p class="hg3">"Once out of sight and shortly out of minde."</p> + <p class="hg3">"For children brent still after drede the fire."</p> + <p class="hg3">"Together they cleave more fast than do burres."</p> + <p class="hg3">"Tho' thy teeth water."</p> + <p class="hg3">"I aske of the foxe no farther than the skin."</p> + <p class="hg3">"To touche soft pitche and not his fingers file."</p> + <p class="hg3">"From post unto piller tost shall thou be."</p> + <p class="hg3">"Over head and eares."</p> + <p class="hg3">"Go to the ant."</p> + <p class="hg3">"A man may contende, God geueth victory."</p> + <p class="hg3">"Of two evils chose the least."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"They shall my youth pardone, and vnchraftynes</p> + <p>Whiche onely translate, to eschewe ydelnes."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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.</p> + + <p>The first known work from Barclay's pen<a name="Ft_3" + href="#FtN_3"><sup>[3]</sup></a> 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:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"That idleness, mother of all adversity,</p> + <p>Her subjects bringeth to extreme poverty."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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 <i>magnum opus</i>, 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:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Whiche was the first ouersear of this warke</p> + <p>And vnto his frende gaue his aduysement</p> + <p>It nat to suffer to slepe styll in the darke</p> + <p>But to be publysshyd abrode: and put to prent</p> + <p>To thy monycion my bysshop I assent</p> + <p>Besechynge god that I that day may se</p> + <p>That thy honour may prospere and augment</p> + <p>So that thy name and offyce may agre</p> + <p> · · · · · ·</p> + <p>In this short balade I can nat comprehende</p> + <p>All my full purpose that I wolde to the wryte</p> + <p>But fayne I wolde that thou sholde sone assende</p> + <p>To heuenly worshyp and celestyall delyte</p> + <p>Than shoulde I after my pore wyt and respyt,</p> + <p>Display thy name, and great kyndnes to me</p> + <p>But at this tyme no farther I indyte</p> + <p>But pray that thy name and worshyp may agre."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i8">"the charge Pynson hathe on me layde</p> + <p>With many folys our Nauy not to charge."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Our Shyp here leuyth the sees brode</p> + <p>By helpe of God almyght and quyetly</p> + <p>At Anker we lye within the rode</p> + <p>But who that lysteth of them to bye</p> + <p>In Flete strete shall them fynde truly</p> + <p>At the George: in Richarde Pynsonnes place</p> + <p>Prynter vnto the Kynges noble grace.</p> + <p class="i20">Deo gratias.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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:—<i>Uxor</i>.—What ship + is that with so many owers, and straunge tacle; it is a greate vessell. + <i>Ciuis</i>.—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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Nowe to my purpose, their workes worthy fame,</p> + <p>Did in my yonge age my heart greatly inflame,</p> + <p>Dull slouth eschewing my selfe to exercise,</p> + <p>In such small matters, or I durst enterprise,</p> + <p>To hyer matter, like as these children do,</p> + <p>Which first vse to creepe, and afterwarde to go.</p> + <p> · · · · · · · ·</p> + <p>So where I in youth a certayne worke began,</p> + <p>And not concluded, as oft doth many a man:</p> + <p>Yet thought I after to make the same perfite,</p> + <p>But long I missed that which I first did write.</p> + <p>But here a wonder, I fortie yere saue twayne,</p> + <p>Proceeded in age, founde my first youth agayne.</p> + <p>To finde youth in age is a probleme diffuse,</p> + <p>But nowe heare the truth, and then no longer muse.</p> + <p>As I late turned olde bookes to and fro,</p> + <p>One litle treatise I founde among the mo</p> + <p>Because that in youth I did compile the same,</p> + <p>Egloges of youth I did call it by name.</p> + <p>And seing some men haue in the same delite,</p> + <p>At their great instance I made the same perfite,</p> + <p>Adding and bating where I perceyued neede,</p> + <p>All them desiring which shall this treatise rede,</p> + <p>Not to be grieued with any playne sentence,</p> + <p>Rudely conuayed for lacke of eloquence."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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 lacunæ in his biography, will be supplied. We shall feel + henceforth treading on firmer ground in dealing with the scanty materials + of his life.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Beside noble Henry which nowe departed late,</p> + <p>Spectacle of vertue to euery hye estate,</p> + <p>The patrone of peace and primate of prudence,</p> + <p>Which on Gods Church hath done so great expence.</p> + <p>Of all these princes the mercy and pitie,</p> + <p>The loue of concorde, iustice and equitie,</p> + <p>The purenes of life and giftes liberall,</p> + <p>Not lesse vertuous then the said princes all.</p> + <p>And Henry the eyght moste hye and triumphant,</p> + <p>No gifte of vertue nor manlines doth want,</p> + <p>Mine humble spech and language pastorall</p> + <p>If it were able should write his actes all:</p> + <p>But while I ought speake of courtly misery,</p> + <p>Him with all suche I except vtterly.</p> + <p>But what other princes commonly frequent,</p> + <p>As true as I can to shewe is mine intent,</p> + <p>But if I should say that all the misery,</p> + <p>Which I shall after rehearse and specify</p> + <p>Were in the court of our moste noble kinge,</p> + <p>I should fayle truth, and playnly make leasing."—<span class="sc">Eclogue</span> I.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Such as for honour unto the court resort,</p> + <p>Looke seldome times upon the lower sort;</p> + <p>To the hyer sort for moste part they intende,</p> + <p>For still their desire is hyer to ascende</p> + <p>And when none can make with them comparison,</p> + <p>Against their princes conspire they by treason,</p> + <p>Then when their purpose can nat come well to frame,</p> + <p>Agayne they descende and that with utter shame,</p> + <p>Coridon thou knowest right well what I meane,</p> + <p>We lately of this experience haue seene</p> + <p>When men would ascende to rowmes honorable</p> + <p>Euer is their minde and lust insaciable."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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.</p> + + <p>Minalcas, one of the interlocutors, thus introduces the + subject:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i20">"But it is lamentable</p> + <p>To heare a Captayne so good and honorable,</p> + <p><i>So soone</i> withdrawen by deathes crueltie,</p> + <p>Before his vertue was at moste hye degree.</p> + <p>If death for a season had shewed him fauour,</p> + <p>To all his nation he should haue bene honour."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>"'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:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i2">'Fearefull is labour without fauour at all,</p> + <p class="i2">Dreadfull of visage, a monster intreatable,</p> + <p>Like Cerberus lying at gates infernall;</p> + <p class="i2">To some men his looke is halfe intollerable,</p> + <p>His shoulders large, for burthen strong and able,</p> + <p class="i2">His body bristled, his necke mightie and stiffe;</p> + <p>By sturdy senewes, his ioyntes stronge and stable,</p> + <p class="i2">Like marble stones his handes be as stiffe.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Here must man vanquishe the dragon of Cadmus,</p> + <p class="i2">Against the Chimer here stoutly must he fight,</p> + <p>Here must he vanquish the fearefull Pegasus,</p> + <p class="i2">For the golden flece here must he shewe his might:</p> + <p>If labour gaynsay, he can nothing be right,</p> + <p class="i2">This monster labour oft chaungeth his figure,</p> + <p>Sometime an oxe, a bore, or lion wight,</p> + <p class="i2">Playnely he seemeth, thus chaungeth his nature,</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i2">Like as Protheus ofte chaunged his stature.</p> + <p class="i2"> · · · · · · ·</p> + <p>Under his browes he dreadfully doth loure,</p> + <p class="i2">With glistering eyen, and side dependaunt beard,</p> + <p>For thirst and hunger alway his chere is soure.</p> + <p class="i2">His horned forehead doth make faynt heartes feard.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Alway he drinketh, and yet alway is drye,</p> + <p class="i2">The sweat distilling with droppes aboundaunt,'</p> + <p class="i2"> · · · · · · ·</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>"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.)</p> + + <p>The hero's descent and knightly qualities are duly set + forth:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Though he were borne to glory and honour,</p> + <p>Of auncient stocke and noble progenie,</p> + <p>Yet thought his courage to be of more valour,</p> + <p>By his owne actes and noble chiualry.</p> + <p>Like as becommeth a knight to fortifye</p> + <p>His princes quarell with right and equitie,</p> + <p>So did this Hawarde with courage valiauntly,</p> + <p>Till death abated his bolde audacitie."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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 <i>at so early an age</i>:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Tell me, frayle fortune, why did thou breuiate</p> + <p>The liuing season of suche a captayne,</p> + <p>That when his actes ought to be laureate</p> + <p>Thy fauour turned him suffring to be slayne?"</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"But moste worthy duke hye and victorious,</p> + <p>Respire to comfort, see the vncertentie</p> + <p>Of other princes, whose fortune prosperous</p> + <p>Oftetime haue ended in hard aduersitie:</p> + <p>Read of Pompeius," [&c.]</p> + <p> · · · · · ·</p> + <p class="hg3">"This shall be, this is, and this hath euer bene,</p> + <p>That boldest heartes be nearest ieopardie,</p> + <p>To dye in battayle is honour as men wene</p> + <p>To suche as haue ioy in haunting chiualry.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Suche famous ending the name doth magnifie,</p> + <p>Note worthy duke, no cause is to complayne,</p> + <p>His life not ended foule nor dishonestly,</p> + <p>In bed nor tauerne his lustes to maynteyne,</p> + <p>But like as besemed a noble captayne,</p> + <p>In sturdie harnes he died for the right,</p> + <p>From deathes daunger no man may flee certayne,</p> + <p>But suche death is metest vnto so noble a knight.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"But death it to call me thinke it vnright,</p> + <p>Sith his worthy name shall laste perpetuall," [&c.]</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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":—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Some men deliteth beholding men to fight,</p> + <p>Or goodly knightes in pleasaunt apparayle,</p> + <p>Or sturdie souldiers in bright harnes and male.</p> + <p> · · · · · · · ·</p> + <p>Some glad is to see these Ladies beauteous,</p> + <p>Goodly appoynted in clothing sumpteous:</p> + <p>A number of people appoynted in like wise:</p> + <p>In costly clothing after the newest gise,</p> + <p>Sportes, disgising, fayre coursers mount and praunce,</p> + <p>Or goodly ladies and knightes sing and daunce:</p> + <p>To see fayre houses and curious picture(s),</p> + <p>Or pleasaunt hanging, or sumpteous vesture</p> + <p>Of silke, of purpure, or golde moste orient,</p> + <p>And other clothing diuers and excellent:</p> + <p>Hye curious buildinges or palaces royall,</p> + <p>Or chapels, temples fayre and substanciall,</p> + <p>Images grauen or vaultes curious;</p> + <p>Gardeyns and medowes, or place delicious,</p> + <p>Forestes and parkes well furnished with dere,</p> + <p>Colde pleasaunt streames or welles fayre and clere,</p> + <p>Curious cundites or shadowie mountaynes,</p> + <p>Swete pleasaunt valleys, laundes or playnes</p> + <p>Houndes, and suche other thinges manyfolde</p> + <p>Some men take pleasour and solace to beholde."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"What man is faultlesse, remember the village,</p> + <p>Howe men vplondish on holy dayes rage.</p> + <p>Nought can them tame, they be a beastly sort,</p> + <p>In sweate and labour hauing most chiefe comfort,</p> + <p>On the holy day assoone as morne is past,</p> + <p>When all men resteth while all the day doth last,</p> + <p>They drinke, they banket, they reuell and they iest</p> + <p>They leape, they daunce, despising ease and rest.</p> + <p>If they once heare a bagpipe or a drone,</p> + <p>Anone to the elme or oke they be gone.</p> + <p>There vse they to daunce, to gambolde and to rage</p> + <p>Such is the custome and vse of the village.</p> + <p>When the ground resteth from rake, plough and wheles,</p> + <p>Then moste they it trouble with burthen of their heles:</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i16"><span class="sc">Faustus</span>.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>To Bacchus they banket, no feast is festiuall,</p> + <p>They chide and they chat, they vary and they brall,</p> + <p>They rayle and they route, they reuell and they crye,</p> + <p>Laughing and leaping, and making cuppes drye.</p> + <p>What, stint thou thy chat, these wordes I defye,</p> + <p>It is to a vilayne rebuke and vilany.</p> + <p>Such rurall solace so plainly for to blame,</p> + <p>Thy wordes sound to thy rebuke and shame."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>Football is described in a lively picture:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"They get the bladder and blowe it great and thin,</p> + <p>With many beanes or peason put within,</p> + <p>It ratleth, soundeth, and shineth clere and fayre,</p> + <p>While it is throwen and caste vp in the ayre,</p> + <p>Eche one contendeth and hath a great delite,</p> + <p>With foote and with hande the bladder for to smite,</p> + <p>If it fall to grounde they lifte it vp agayne,</p> + <p>This wise to labour they count it for no payne,</p> + <p>Renning and leaping they driue away the colde,</p> + <p>The sturdie plowmen lustie, stronge and bolde,</p> + <p>Ouercommeth the winter with driuing the foote ball,</p> + <p>Forgetting labour and many a greuous fall."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>A shepherd, after mentioning his skill in shooting birds with a bow, + says:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"No shepheard throweth the axeltrie so farre."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>A gallant is thus described:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"For women vse to loue them moste of all,</p> + <p>Which boldly bosteth, or that can sing and iet,</p> + <p>Which are well decked with large bushes set,</p> + <p>Which hath the mastery ofte time in tournament,</p> + <p>Or that can gambauld, or daunce feat and gent."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>The following sorts of wine are mentioned:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"As Muscadell, Caprike, Romney, and Maluesy,</p> + <p>From Gene brought, from Grece or Hungary."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>As are the dainties of the table. A shepherd at court must not think + to eat,</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i12">"Swanne, nor heron,</p> + <p>Curlewe, nor crane, but course beefe and mutton."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>Again:</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"What fishe is of sauor swete and delicious,—</p> + <p>Rosted or sodden in swete hearbes or wine;</p> + <p>Or fried in oyle, most saporous and fine.—</p> + <p class="i16">The pasties of a hart.—</p> + <p>The crane, the fesant, the pecocke and curlewe,</p> + <p>The partriche, plouer, bittor, and heronsewe—</p> + <p>Seasoned so well in licour redolent,</p> + <p>That the hall is full of pleasaunt smell and sent."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>At a feast at court:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Slowe be the seruers in seruing in alway,</p> + <p>But swift be they after, taking thy meate away;</p> + <p>A speciall custome is vsed them among,</p> + <p>No good dish to suffer on borde to be longe:</p> + <p>If the dishe be pleasaunt, eyther fleshe or fishe,</p> + <p>Ten handes at once swarme in the dishe:</p> + <p>And if it be flesh ten kniues shalt thou see</p> + <p>Mangling the flesh, and in the platter flee:</p> + <p>To put there thy handes is perill without fayle,</p> + <p>Without a gauntlet or els a gloue of mayle."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>"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.)</p> + + <p>The following lines point out some of the festive tales of our + ancestors:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Yet would I gladly heare some mery fit</p> + <p>Of mayde Marion, or els of Robin hood;</p> + <p>Or Bentleyes ale which chafeth well the bloud,</p> + <p>Of perre of Norwich, or sauce of Wilberton,</p> + <p>Or buckishe Joly well-stuffed as a ton."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>He again mentions "Bentley's Ale" which "maketh me to winke;" and some + of our ancient domestic pastimes and amusements are recorded:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Then is it pleasure the yonge maydens amonge</p> + <p>To watche by the fire the winters nightes long:</p> + <p>At their fonde tales to laugh, or when they brall</p> + <p>Great fire and candell spending for laboure small,</p> + <p>And in the ashes some playes for to marke,</p> + <p>To couer wardens [pears] for fault of other warke:</p> + <p>To toste white sheuers, and to make prophitroles;</p> + <p>And after talking oft time to fill the bowles."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>He mentions some musical instruments:</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">" . . . . Methinkes no mirth is scant,</p> + <p>Where no reioysing of minstrelcie doth want:</p> + <p>The bagpipe or fidle to vs is delectable."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>And the mercantile commodities of different countries and + cities:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Englande hath cloth, Burdeus hath store of wine,</p> + <p>Cornewall hath tinne, and Lymster wools fine.</p> + <p>London hath scarlet, and Bristowe pleasaunt red,</p> + <p>Fen lands hath fishes, in other place is lead."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>Of songs at feasts:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"When your fat dishes smoke hote vpon your table,</p> + <p>Then layde ye songes and balades magnifie,</p> + <p>If they be mery, or written craftely,</p> + <p>Ye clappe your handes and to the making harke,</p> + <p>And one say to other, lo here a proper warke."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>He says that minstrels and singers are highly favoured at court, + especially those of the French gise. Also jugglers and pipers.</p> + + <p>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.):—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Yes since his dayes a cocke was in the fen,</p> + <p>I knowe his voyce among a thousande men:</p> + <p>He taught, he preached, he mended euery wrong;</p> + <p>But, Coridon alas no good thing bideth long.</p> + <p>He all was a cocke, he wakened vs from slepe,</p> + <p>And while we slumbred, he did our foldes hepe.</p> + <p>No cur, no foxes, nor butchers dogges wood,</p> + <p>Coulde hurte our fouldes, his watching was so good.</p> + <p>The hungry wolues, which that time did abounde,</p> + <p>What time he crowed, abashed at the sounde.</p> + <p>This cocke was no more abashed of the foxe,</p> + <p>Than is a lion abashed of an oxe.</p> + <p>When he went, faded the floure of all the fen;</p> + <p>I boldly dare sweare this cocke neuer trode hen!</p> + <p>This was a father of thinges pastorall,</p> + <p>And that well sheweth his Church cathedrall,</p> + <p>There was I lately about the middest of May,</p> + <p>Coridon his Church is twenty sith more gay</p> + <p>Then all the Churches betwene the same and Kent,</p> + <p>There sawe I his tome and Chapell excellent.</p> + <p>I thought fiue houres but euen a little while,</p> + <p>Saint John the virgin me thought did on me smile,</p> + <p>Our parishe Church is but a dongeon,</p> + <p>To that gay Churche in comparison.</p> + <p>If the people were as pleasaunt as the place</p> + <p>Then were it paradice of pleasour and solace,</p> + <p>Then might I truely right well finde in my heart.</p> + <p>There still to abide and neuer to departe,</p> + <p>But since that this cocke by death hath left his song,</p> + <p>Trust me Coridon there many a thing is wrong,</p> + <p>When I sawe his figure lye in the Chapell-side,</p> + <p>Like death for weping I might no longer bide.</p> + <p>Lo all good thinges so sone away doth glide,</p> + <p>That no man liketh to long doth rest and abide.</p> + <p>When the good is gone (my mate this is the case)</p> + <p>Seldome the better reentreth in the place."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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:</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"My harte sore mourneth when I must specify</p> + <p>Of the gentle cocke whiche sange so mirily,</p> + <p>He and his flocke wer like an union</p> + <p>Conioyned in one without discention,</p> + <p>All the fayre cockes which in his dayes crewe</p> + <p>When death him touched did his departing rewe.</p> + <p>The pretie palace by him made in the fen,</p> + <p>The maides, widowes, the wiues, and the men,</p> + <p>With deadly dolour were pearsed to the heart,</p> + <p>When death constrayned this shepheard to departe.</p> + <p>Corne, grasse, and fieldes, mourned for wo and payne,</p> + <p>For oft his prayer for them obtayned rayne.</p> + <p>The pleasaunt floures for wo faded eche one,</p> + <p>When they perceyued this shepheard dead and gone,</p> + <p>The okes, elmes, and euery sorte of dere</p> + <p>Shronke vnder shadowes, abating all their chere.</p> + <p>The mightie walles of Ely Monastery,</p> + <p>The stones, rockes, and towres semblably,</p> + <p>The marble pillers and images echeone,</p> + <p>Swet all for sorowe, when this good cocke was gone,</p> + <p>Though he of stature were humble, weake and leane,</p> + <p>His minde was hye, his liuing pure and cleane,</p> + <p>Where other feedeth by beastly appetite,</p> + <p>On heauenly foode was all his whole delite."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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.):—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"And shepheard Morton, when he durst not appeare,</p> + <p>Howe his olde seruauntes were carefull of his chere;</p> + <p>In payne and pleasour they kept fidelitie</p> + <p>Till grace agayne gaue him aucthoritie</p> + <p>Then his olde fauour did them agayne restore</p> + <p>To greater pleasour then they had payne before.</p> + <p>Though for a season this shepheard bode a blast,</p> + <p>The greatest winde yet slaketh at the last,</p> + <p>And at conclusion he and his flocke certayne</p> + <p>Eche true to other did quietly remayne."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>And again in Eclogue IV.:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Micene and Morton be dead and gone certayne."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"For this I learned of the Dean of Powles</p> + <p>I tell thee, Codrus this man hath won some soules."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>as is "the olde friar that wonned in Greenwich" in Eclogue V.</p> + + <p>The first three Eclogues are paraphrases or adaptations from the + Miseriæ Curialium, the most popular of the works of one of the most + successful literary adventurers of the middle ages, Æneas 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."</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>In the Prologue before mentioned we are told (Cawood's + edition):—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"That fiue Egloges this whole treatise doth holde</p> + <p>To imitation of other Poetes olde,"</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>Which appears to be a correction of the printer's upon the original, + as in Powell's edition:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"That X. egloges this hole treatyse dothe holde."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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.)</p> + + <p>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."</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>"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, + <i>De quatuor virtutibus</i>, 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—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Which a priest may write, not hurting his estate,</p> + <p>Nor of honest name obumbring at all his light.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>"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.</p> + + <p>He professes little:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>This playne litle treatise in stile compendious,</p> + <p>Much briefly conteyneth four vertues cardinall,</p> + <p>In right pleasaunt processe, plaine and commodious,</p> + <p>With light foote of metre, and stile heroicall,</p> + <p>Rude people to infourme in language maternall,</p> + <p>To whose vnderstanding maydens of tender age,</p> + <p>And rude litle children shall finde easy passage.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>Two editions of the work are sufficient evidence that this humble and + praiseworthy purpose was, in the eyes of his contemporaries, successfully + carried out.</p> + + <p>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<span class="over">n</span> + regii (<i>i.e.</i>, King's Hatfield, Hertfordshire) in Idus Novembris" to + Vesey, the centenarian Bishop of Exeter, with this + superscription:—"Reuer<span class="over">e</span>dissimo in Christo + patri ac dn<span class="over">o</span>: dn<span class="over">o</span> + Joanni Veysy exoni<span class="over">e</span>n episcopo Alexander Barclay + presbyter debita cum obseruantia. S." The dedication begins, "Memini me + superioribus annis c<span class="over">u</span> adhuc sacelli regij + presul esses: pastor vigilantissime: tuis suasionibus incitat<span + class="over">u</span>: vt Crispi Salustij hystori<span + class="over">a</span>—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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>Bale further enumerates in his list of Barclay's works "Contra + Skeltonum, Lib. I.; Quinq: eglogas ex Mantuano, Lib. I; Vitam D. + Catherinæ, Lib. I., [Libros tres, Pits]; Vitam D. Margaritæ, Lib. I.; + Vitam Etheldredæ, Lib. I.; Aliaq: plura fecit." Tanner adds: "Orationes + varias, Lib. I.; De fide orthodoxa, Lib. I."</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>"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.</p> + + <p>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:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"As the moste famous Baptist Mantuan</p> + <p>The best of that sort since Poetes first began."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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 Æneas 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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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":—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"I wryte no Ieste ne tale of Robyn Hode,</p> + <p>Nor sawe no sparcles, ne sede of vyciousnes;</p> + <p>Wyse men loue vertue, wylde people wantones,</p> + <p>It longeth nat to my scyence nor cunnynge,</p> + <p>For Phylyp the sparowe the (Dirige) to synge."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>A sneer to which Skelton most probably alludes when, enumerating his + own productions in the Garlande of Laurell, he mentions,</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Of Phillip Sparow the lamentable fate,</p> + <p>The dolefull desteny, and the carefull chaunce,</p> + <p>Dyuysed by Skelton after the funerall rate;</p> + <p>Yet sum there be therewith that take greuaunce,</p> + <p>And grudge thereat with frownyng countenaunce;</p> + <p>But what of that? harde it is to please all men;</p> + <p>Who list amende it, let hym set to his penne."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>The following onslaught in Barclay's Fourth Eclogue, is evidently + levelled at the abominable Skelton:</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Another thing yet is greatly more damnable:</p> + <p>Of rascolde poetes yet is a shamfull rable,</p> + <p>Which voyde of wisedome presumeth to indite,</p> + <p>Though they haue scantly the cunning of a snite;</p> + <p>And to what vices that princes moste intende,</p> + <p>Those dare these fooles solemnize and commende</p> + <p>Then is he decked as Poete laureate,</p> + <p>When stinking Thais made him her graduate;</p> + <p>When Muses rested, she did her season note,</p> + <p>And she with Bacchus her camous did promote.</p> + <p>Such rascolde drames, promoted by Thais,</p> + <p>Bacchus, Licoris, or yet by Testalis,</p> + <p>Or by suche other newe forged Muses nine,</p> + <p>Thinke in their mindes for to haue wit diuine;</p> + <p>They laude their verses, they boast, they vaunt and iet,</p> + <p>Though all their cunning be scantly worth a pet:</p> + <p>If they haue smelled the artes triuiall,</p> + <p>They count them Poetes hye and heroicall.</p> + <p>Such is their foly, so foolishly they dote,</p> + <p>Thinking that none can their playne errour note;</p> + <p>Yet be they foolishe, auoyde of honestie,</p> + <p>Nothing seasoned with spice of grauitie,</p> + <p>Auoyde of pleasure, auoyde of eloquence,</p> + <p>With many wordes, and fruitlesse of sentence;</p> + <p>Unapt to learne, disdayning to be taught,</p> + <p>Their priuate pleasure in snare hath them so caught;</p> + <p>And worst yet of all, they count them excellent,</p> + <p>Though they be fruitlesse, rashe and improuident.</p> + <p>To such ambages who doth their minde incline,</p> + <p>They count all other as priuate of doctrine,</p> + <p>And that the faultes which be in them alone,</p> + <p>And be common in other men eche one.</p> + <p>Thus bide good poetes oft time rebuke and blame,</p> + <p>Because of other which haue despised name.</p> + <p>And thus for the bad the good be cleane abject.</p> + <p>Their art and poeme counted of none effect,</p> + <p>Who wanteth reason good to discerne from ill</p> + <p>Doth worthy writers interprete at his will:</p> + <p>So both the laudes of good and not laudable</p> + <p>For lacke of knowledge become vituperable."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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 wym<span + class="over">e</span> 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.</p> + + <p>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:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>To all auncient poetes, litell boke, submytte the,</p> + <p>Whilom flouryng in eloquence facundious,</p> + <p>And to all other whiche present nowe be;</p> + <p>Fyrst to maister Chaucer and Ludgate sentencious,</p> + <p>Also to preignaunt Barkley nowe beying religious,</p> + <p>To inuentiue Skelton and poet laureate;</p> + <p>Praye them all of pardon both erly and late.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"Who entreth the court in yong and t<span class="over">e</span>der age</p> + <p>Are lightly blinded with foly and outrage:</p> + <p>But suche as enter with witte and grauitie,</p> + <p>Bow not so sone to such enormitie,</p> + <p>But ere thei enter if thei haue lerned nought</p> + <p>Afterwardes Vertue the least of theyr thought."</p> + <p class="i20"><i>Dialogue against the Fever Pestilence.</i></p> + </div> + </div> + <p>In another passage of the same Dialogue<a name="Ft_4" + href="#FtN_4"><sup>[4]</sup></a> 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 up<span class="over">o</span> 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, am<span class="over">e</span>d this euill market."</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>Thus discourse <i>Civis et Uxor</i>.—</p> + + <p>"<i>Uxor.</i> What are all these two and two in a table. Oh it is + trim. <i>Civis.</i> 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 Alex<span + class="over">a</span>der the Coppersmith, Trace, and Becket, Martin + Luther, and the Pope ... bishop Cr<span class="over">a</span>mer, 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:</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"What is the end of fame? 'Tis but to fill</p> + <p>A certain portion of uncertain paper."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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."</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="hg3">"After a many works of divers kinds</p> + <p>Your muse to tread th' Aruncan path designs:</p> + <p class="hg1">'Tis hard to write but Satires in these days,</p> + <p>And yet to write good Satires merits praise:</p> + <p> · · · · · ·</p> + <p>So old Petronius Arbiter appli'd</p> + <p>Corsives unto the age he did deride:</p> + <p>So Horace, Persius, Juvenal, (among</p> + <p>Those ancient Romans) scourg'd the impious throng;</p> + <p>So Ariosto (in these later times)</p> + <p>Reprov'd his Italy for many crimes;</p> + <p>So learned Barclay let his lashes fall</p> + <p>Heavy on some to bring a cure to all."</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>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."</p> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="contc"></a></p> + +<h3>THE WILL OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY.</h3> + +<p class="cenhead">EXTRACTED FROM THE PRINCIPAL REGISTRY OF HER +MAJESTY'S COURT OF PROBATE.</p> + +<h3><i>In the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.</i></h3> + + <p><span class="sc">In the Name of God. Amen.</span>—The + xxv<sup>th</sup> day of July in the yere of our Lorde God a thousande + fyve hundreth fyftie and one.... I <span class="sc">Alexander + Barqueley</span> Doctor of Divinitie Vicar of myche badowe in the countie + of Essex do make dispose and declare this my p<span + class="over">u</span>te 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<span class="over">p</span>ting my + soule from the bodye Also I bequeathe to the poore people of the said + <span class="over">p</span>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 rep<span + class="over">a</span>cons of the same Churche vj<sup>s</sup> + viij<sup>d</sup> Item I bequeathe to the poore people of the <span + class="over">P</span>ish of Owkley in the Countie of Somersett fiftie + shillings likewise to be distributed And towardes the rep<span + class="over">a</span>cons of the same Churche vj<sup>s</sup> + viij<sup>d</sup> 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<sup>s</sup> + iiij<sup>d</sup> 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<sup>li</sup> + xiij<sup>s</sup> iiij<sup>d</sup> 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 <span class="over">p</span>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<sup>r</sup> Henry Gate Knight and to M<sup>r</sup> 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 <span + class="over">P</span>ish of Badowe aforesaid to every of them one angell + noble of gold or ells y<sup>e</sup> valew therof in sylver Item I + bequeathe to M<sup>r</sup> 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 <span + class="over">P</span>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 <span class="correction" title="'th' in original" + >the</span> 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<span class="over">c</span>on after theyr discrecon namely to + <span class="over">p</span>sons bedred maydens widowes and other ympotent + <span class="over">p</span>sons Item I ordeyne and desire the said + M<sup>r</sup> Rochester to be the Overseer of this my last Will to be + well and truely <span class="over">p</span>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 <span class="pbar">–</span>p <span + class="correction" title="'nce' in original">me</span>. <span + class="sc">Alexandru Barqueley</span>.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p><span class="sc">Probatum</span> fuit Test<span class="over">m</span> + coram d<span class="over">n</span>o ca<span class="over">n</span>t + Archie<span class="over">p</span>o apud London decimo die mensis Junij + Anno d<span class="over">n</span>o mille<span class="over">m</span>o + quingentesimo quinquagesimo secundo Juramento Thom<span + class="over">e</span> Atkynson E<span class="over">x</span> in hm<span + class="over">o</span>i testamento no<span class="over">i</span>at Ac + Approbat<span class="over">u</span> et insumat<span class="over">u</span> + et comissa fuit adm<span class="over">o</span>traco om<span + class="over">n</span> bonor<span class="over">u</span> &<sup>c</sup> + d<span class="over">c</span>i deft de bene et &<sup>c</sup> ac de + pleno Inv<sup>ro</sup> &<sup>c</sup> exhibend Ad sancta dei Evangelia + Jurat Re<span class="over">s</span>rvata <span + class="pbar">–</span>ptate Thome Eden alteri e<span + class="over">x</span> &<sup>c</sup> cum venerit.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p><a name="contd"></a></p> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + +<h3>NOTES.</h3> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" > + +<div class="note"> + <p><a name="FtN_1" href="#Ft_1">[1]</a> <span class="sc">Barclay's + Nationality</span></p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p><a name="FtN_2" href="#Ft_2">[2]</a> <span class="sc">Barclay's + Vocabulary</span></p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p><a name="FtN_3" href="#Ft_3">[3]</a> <span class="sc">The Castle of + Labour</span></p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p><a name="FtN_4" href="#Ft_4">[4]</a> <span class="sc">Bulleyn's + Dialogue</span></p> + + <p>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 "<i>this + long neglected and unknown treatise</i>," 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."</p> + + <p>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 1½ 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, <i>never + met with or read of any other copy of the Dialogue, or Morality, by + Bulleyn, than the one</i>, [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 <i>ad longum</i>.</p> + + <p>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 + <i>rare book</i> 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 <i>universally overlooked</i> 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.</p> + + <p>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 Athenæ 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. + <i>supra</i>, but without the usual announcement that the work has + hitherto been unknown.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + +</div> + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p097.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t097.png" + alt="Barclay presents a book to his patron." /></a> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="conte"></a></p> + +<p class="cenhead">A</p> + +<h3>BIBLIOGRAPHICAL CATALOGUE</h3> + +<p class="cenhead">OF</p> + +<h3>BARCLAY'S WORKS.</h3> + +<h3>CONTENTS.</h3> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" > + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p><a href="#contei">I. <span class="sc">The Castell of Laboure</span>.</a></p> + <p><a href="#conteii">II. <span class="sc">The Shyp of Folys</span>.</a></p> + <p><a href="#conteiii">III. <span class="sc">The Egloges</span>.</a></p> + <p><a href="#conteiv">IV. <span class="sc">The Introductory</span>.</a></p> + <p><a href="#contev">V. <span class="sc">The Myrrour of Good Maners</span>.</a></p> + <p><a href="#contevi">VI. <span class="sc">Cronycle complyed by Salust</span>.</a></p> + <p><a href="#contevii">VII. <span class="sc">Figure of our Mother Holy Church</span>.</a></p> + <p><a href="#conteviii">VIII. <span class="sc">The Lyfe of Saynt George</span>.</a></p> + <p><a href="#conteix">IX. <span class="sc">The Lyfe of Saynte Thomas</span>.</a></p> + <p><a href="#contex">X. <span class="sc">Haython's Cronycle</span>.</a></p> + </div> + </div> + <p><a name="contei"></a></p> + + <p>I. <span class="sc">The Castell of Laboure</span>.—Wynkyn de + Worde. 1506. Small Quarto. Black letter.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>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<sup>b</sup>): "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<span + class="over">n</span>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."</p> + + <p>A copy of this very scarce book was sold among Mr. West's books in + 1773 for £2.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>I.<i>a</i>. <span class="sc">The Castell of + Laboure</span>.—Pynson. No date. Small Quarto. Black letter.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>"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.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" > + + <p><a name="conteii"></a></p> + + <p>II. <span class="sc">The Ship of Folys of the + Worlde</span>.—Pynson. 1509. Folio.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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."</p> + + <p>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."</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>The following are the more notable prices: Farmer, 1798, £2. 4s.; + Sotheby's, 1821, £28; Dent, £30. 9s.; Bib. Anglo-Poetica, £105; Perkins, + 1873, £130.</p> + + <p>The following amusing note on prices is taken from Renouard's + "Catalogue d'un Amateur." "Les premières éditions latines de ce singulier + livre, celles des traductions françoises, toutes également remplies de + figures en bois, ne déplaisent pas aux amateurs, mais jamais ils ne les + ont payées un haut prix. La traduction angloise faite en 1509, sur le + francois, et avec des figures en bois, plus mauvaises encore que leurs + modèles, se paye en Angleterre 25, 30 et mème 60 guinées; c'est là, si + l'on veut, du zèle patriotique, de l'esprit national."</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>II.<i>a</i>. <span class="sc">Stultifera Nauis</span>.... <span + class="sc">The Ship of Fooles</span>..... With diuers other workes.... + very profitable and fruitfull for all men.... Cawood. 1570. Folio.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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: <i>The Ship</i>, ¶ six leaves; ¶¶ six leaves; A to U u, in + sixes; X x, four leaves; <i>Mirrour of good manners</i>, A—G, in + sixes; <i>Egloges</i>, A to D, in sixes; in all 680 pp.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>Prices: Digby, 1680, 4s. 4d. Bernard, 1698, 1s. 10d. Gulston, 1783, + £1, 16s. White Knights, £8, 12s. Roxburghe, £9, 19s. 6d. Fonthill, £13, + 13s. Bib. Anglo-Poet, £12, 12s. Heber, £8, 12s. Sotheby's, 1873, £48, + 10s.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" > + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>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 Trésor de livres rares et précieux. A notice is subjoined of + the two editions of the English prose translation, and of the two other + publications bearing the title.</p> + + <p>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 + imprimés sur vélin de la Bibliotheque du Roi."</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>The Shyppe of Fooles, translated out of frenche, by Henry Watson. + London, Wynkyn de Worde, 1509, petit in—4.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>Edition en lettres de forme, sans chiffres ni réclames, avec + signatures, figures et initiales en bois; à longues lignes, au nombre de + 32 sur les pages entierès; cont. 169 f.; les 7 premiers renferment 1. le + titre suivant, gravé audessus d'une figure qui représente le navire des + fous:</p> + +<p class="cenhead">¶ The shyppe of fooles.</p> + + <p>2. Le prologue du traducteur; 3. la préface; 4. la table des + chapitres.</p> + + <p>Au recto du dernier f. est cette souscription:</p> + + <p>¶ Thus endeth the shyppe of fooles of this worde. Enprynted at London + in Flete strete by Wynk<span class="over">y</span> de worde prynter vnto + the excellent pryncesse Marguerete, Countesse of Rychemonde and Derbye, + and grandame vnto our moost naturall souereyne lorde kynge Henry <span + class="over">y</span> viii. The yere of our lorde. <span + class="sc">m.ccccc.</span> ix. ¶ The fyrste yere of the reygne of our + fouerayne lorde kynge Henry the viii. The. vi. daye of Julii. On aperçoit + au verso le monogramme et la marque de William Caxton, au bas desquels on + lit ces mots: Wynken de Worde."</p> + + <p>This beautiful copy upon vellum is the only example of this edition + known.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>The grete Shyppe of Fooles of this worlde. W<span + class="over">y</span>kyn de Worde. 1517. Quarto.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>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<span class="over">y</span>kyn de Worde. ye yere of our lorde + <span class="sc">m.ccccc.</span> & xvii.</p> + + <p>¶ The nynthe yere of y<sup>e</sup> reygne of our souerayne lorde kynge + Henry y<sup>e</sup> 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.</p> + + <p>Extremely rare. Roxburghe, £64.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>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.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If for this Voyage any have a mind,</p> + <p>They with Jack Adams may acceptance find,</p> + <p>Who will strain hard ere they shall stay behind.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i4">Licensed, Roger L'Estrange.</p> + <p class="i4">[A large woodcut of the Ship.]</p> + </div> + </div> + <p>London, Printed by J. W. for J. Clark, at the Bible and Harp in + West-Smithfield. n. d. [Circa 1650.] 4to. 4 leaves.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>"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 + <i>Bibliotheca Heberiana</i>, Part IV., No. 752.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>Stultifera Navis ... The modern Ship of fools. Lond. 1807, 80. Pp. + xxiv., 295.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>A wretched production in verse, in imitation of Barclay's Ship of + Fools, published anonymously by W. H. Ireland, the Shakesperian + forger.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" > + + <p><a name="conteiii"></a></p> + + <p>III. <span class="sc">The Egloges of Alex<span + class="over">a</span>der Barclay, Prest</span>.—The first three, + without printer's name or device. No date. Quarto. Black letter.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>"Here begynneth the Egloges of Alex<span class="over">a</span>der + 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 Curiali<span class="over">u</span>, 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.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>III.<i>a</i>. <span class="sc">The Fourthe Egloge of Alexander + Barclay</span>.—Pynson. No date. Quarto. Black letter.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>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, c<span class="over">o</span>teyning + the maner of the riche men anenst poets and other clerkes. Emprinted by + Richarde Pynson pr<span class="over">i</span>ter to the kynges noble + grace." On the last leaf is his device, No. V. Contains 22 leaves, with + cuts.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>III.<i>b</i>. <span class="sc">The Fyfte Egloge of Alexander + Barclay</span>. —Wynkyn de Worde. No date. Quarto. Black + letter.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>"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.</p> + + <p>With the first four Eclogues as above, Woodhouse, 1803, (Herbert's + copy), £25.; resold, Dent, 1827, £36.; resold, Heber, 1834, £24. 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.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>III.<i>c</i>. <span class="sc">The Egloges</span>.—John + Herforde. No date. Quarto.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>"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.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>III.<i>d</i>. <span class="sc">The Egloges</span>.—Humfrey + Powell. No date. Quarto. Black letter.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>"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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>Prices: Inglis, £6. 2s. 6d.; Bright, 1845. £10. 10s.; Bib. + Anglo-Poetica, £15.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>III.<i>e</i>. <span class="sc">Certayne Egloges of Alexander Barclay + Priest</span>.—Cawood. 1570. Folio. Black letter.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>Appended to Cawood's edition of the Ship of Fools. No title-page, + cuts, or pagination. The above heading on A i.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>Contains A—D, in sixes.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>III.<i>f</i>. <span class="sc">The Cytezen and Uplondyshman</span>: an + Eclogue [the fifth] by Alexander Barclay.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>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.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" > + + <p><a name="conteiv"></a></p> + + <p>IV. <span class="sc">The Introductory To Write and To Pronounce + Frenche</span>. Coplande. 1521. Folio. Black letter.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>'Here begynneth the introductory to wryte, and to pronounce Frenche + compyled by Alexander Barcley compendiously at the comma<span + class="over">u</span>dem<span class="over">e</span>t 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 + da<span class="over">u</span>ces 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. <span + class="sc">m.ccccc</span>.xxi. y<sup>e</sup> xxii. day of Marche.' + Neither folioed nor paged. Contains C 4, in sixes, 16 leaves.</p> + + <p>In the edition of Palsgrave (see above, p. lxxiii.), published among + the "Documents inédits sur l'histoire de France," the editor says of this + work of Barclay's: "Tous mes efforts pour découvrir un exemplaire de ce + curieux ouvrage ont été inutiles." There is a copy, probably unique, in + the Bodleian; it was formerly Herbert's, afterwards Douce's.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" > + + <p><a name="contev"></a></p> + + <p>V. <span class="sc">The Myrrour Of Good + Maners.</span>——Pynson. No date. Folio. Black letter.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>'Here begynneth a ryght frutefull treatyse, intituled the myrrour of + good maners, c<span class="over">o</span>teynyng 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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>Prices: Perry, £9.; Roxburghe (last leaf wanting), £10. 10s.; + Bibliotheca Anglo-Poetica, £12. 12s.; Sykes, £16. 16s.</p> + + <p>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."</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>V.<i>a.</i>. <span class="sc">The Mirrour of Good + Maners.</span>——Cawood. 1570. Folio. Black letter.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>It may be useful to give here the bibliography of the other English + translations of Mancyn.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>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.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>A Plaine Path to Perfect Vertue: Deuised and found out by Mancinus, a + Latine Poet, and translated into English by G. Turberuile, Gentleman.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + +<p class="cenhead">Ardua ad virtutem via.</p> + + <p>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, + Co<span class="over">u</span>tesse Warvvicke." There is also a metrical + address to the reader, and 8 4-line stanzas by James Sanford in praise of + the translator.</p> + + <p>Freeling, 1836, No. 911, £7., bought for Mr Corser: now in the British + Museum. Supposed to be unique.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" > + + <p><a name="contevi"></a></p> + + <p>VI. <span class="sc">Cronycle</span> compyled in Latyn, by the + renowned Sallust.——Pynson. No date. Folio.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>"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 c<span + class="over">o</span>maundement of the right hye and mighty prince: + Thomas duke of Northfolke." There are two editions by Pynson of this + book.</p> + + <p>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 <span + class="sc">a</span> 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 gra<span + class="over">u</span>ted 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.</p> + + <p>Prices: Roxburghe, £23, 12s.; Sykes, £8, 12s.; Heber, £5, 15s. 6d.; + Sotheby's, 1857, £10.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p>VI.<i>a.</i> <span class="sc">Cronicle of Warre</span>. Compiled in + Laten by Saluste. Corrected by Thomas Paynell. Waley, 1557. Quarto.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>"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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" > + + <p><a name="contevii"></a></p> + + <p>VII. <span class="sc">Alex. Barclay his figure of our Mother holy + church oppressed by the Frenche King</span>. Pynson. Quarto.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>This is given by Herbert on the authority of Maunsell's Catalogue, p. + 7.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" > + + <p><a name="conteviii"></a></p> + + <p>VIII. <span class="sc">The lyfe of the glorious Martyr saynt + George</span>. 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].</p> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" > + + <p><a name="conteix"></a></p> + + <p>IX. <span class="sc">The lyfe of saynte Thomas</span>. Pynson. No + date. Quarto. Black letter.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>"¶ 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<sup>e</sup> 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.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" > + + <p><a name="contex"></a></p> + + <p>X. <span class="sc">Haython's Cronycle</span>. Pynson. No date. Folio. + Black letter.</p> + +<blockquote class="b1"> + + <p>"Here begynneth a lytell Cronycle, translated & imprinted at the + cost & charge of Rycharde Pynson, by the c<span + class="over">o</span>maundement 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, + [<i>&c</i>.] Imprinted by the sayd <i>Richarde Pynson</i>, 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.</p> + + <p>On the verso of fol. 35, "Here endeth y<sup>e</sup> boke of thistoris + of thori<span class="over">e</span>t partes copyled by a relygious man + frere Hayton frere of Prem<span class="over">o</span>stre order, s<span + class="over">o</span>tyme lorde of court & cosyn german to the kyng + of Armeny vpon y<sup>e</sup> passage of the holy lande. By the c<span + class="over">o</span>ma<span class="over">u</span>dement of y<sup>e</sup> + holy fader y<sup>e</sup> apostle of Rome Clem<span class="over">e</span>t + the V. in y<sup>e</sup> cite of Potiers which boke I Nicholas Falcon, + writ first in French ... I haue tr<span class="over">a</span>slated it in + Latyn for our holy father y<sup>e</sup> pope. In the yere of our lorde + god <span class="sc">m.ccc.vii.</span> in y<sup>e</sup> moneth of August. + Deo gr<span class="over">a</span>s."</p> + + <p>"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.)</p> + + <p>Heber's copy (the one above mentioned), £40. 9s. 6d.</p> + +</blockquote> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="contf"></a></p> + +<h3>THE SHIP OF FOOLS.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p118.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t118.png" + alt="Coat of Arms of the printer, Richard Pynson." /></a> + </div> + <p><i>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.</i></p> + + <p><i>Tametsi crebris negocijs: varioque impedimentorum genere fatigatus + paulo diutiùs quàm 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 quàm inceptum minus perfectum relinquere. + Completo tamen opere: nec quemquam magis dignum quàm 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 vná 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.</i></p> + + <p><b>¶ 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.</b></p> + +<h3>TABULA.</h3> + +<p class="cenhead">¶ THE REGYSTER OR TABLE OF THIS PRESENT BOKE IN +ENGLYSSHE.</p> + +<h3>[VOLUME I.]</h3> + + <p>¶ <a href="#p003">Alexander Barclay excusynge the rudenes of his + translacion, y<sup>e</sup> first lefe Barclay y<sup>e</sup> translatour + to y<sup>e</sup> folys.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p005">A prologe in prose shewynge to what intent this Boke + was firste made, & who were the first Auctours of it.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p011">Another Prologe: in Balade concernyng the + same.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p017">In what place this Boke was translate and to what + purpose it was translatyd.</a></p> + + <p>¶ <a href="#p019">Here begynneth the Folys and firste of inprofytable + bokys.</a></p> + + <p>¶ <a href="#p024">Of euyll Counsellours Juges & men of + lawe.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p029">Of couetyse and prodigalyte.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p034">Of newe disgysynges in apparayle.</a></p> + + <p>¶ <a href="#p039">A lawde of the nobles and grauyte of Kynge Henry the + eyght.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p041">Of olde Folys encresynge foly with age.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p045">Of negligent Fathers ayenst their Children.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p053">Of taleberers: & mouers of debate.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p057">Of nat folowers of good counsel.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p062">Of vngoodly maners, and dysordred.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p066">Of the hurtynge of frendshyp.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p071">Of dispysers of holy scripture.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p075">Of folys inprouydent.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p079">Of disordred & venerious loue.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p084">Of them that synne trustynge vpon the mercy of + almyghty god.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p088">Of folys y<sup>t</sup> begyn great byldynge without + sufficient prouysion.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p092">Of glotons, and droncardes.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p098">Of ryches vnprofytable.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p103">Of folys that wyl serue two lordes both + togyther.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p107">Of superflue speche.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p111">Of them that correct other, them self culpable in the + same faut.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p115">Of folys that fynde others good, nat restorynge the + same to the owner.</a></p> + + <p>¶ <a href="#p119">The sermon or doctryne of wysdom.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p124">Of Folys bostyng them in fortune.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p129">Of the superflue curyosyte of men.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p133">Of great borowers, & slacke payers.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p137">Of vnprofitable vowers & peticions.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p142">Of negligent stodyers.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p148">Of them that folvsshly speke ayenst the workes of + god.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p152">Of lewde Juges of others dedes.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p156">Of pluralytees of benefyces.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p162">Of synners that prolonge from daye to day to amende + theyr myslyuyng.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p166">Of men that ar Jelous.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p171">Of auoutry, and specially of suche as ar bawdes to + theyr wyues.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p175">Of suche as nedys wyll contynue in theyr foly nat + withstandynge holsom erudicion.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p179">An addicion of the secundaries of Otery saynt Mary, in + Deuynshyre.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p181">Of wrathfull folys.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p186">Of the mutabylyte of fortune.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p192">Of seke men inobedient.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p197">Of to open councellers.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p201">Of folys that can nat be ware by y<sup>e</sup> + mysfortune nor take example of others damage.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p205">Of folys that force or care for the bacbytynge of + lewde people.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p210">Of mockers and fals accusers.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p215">Of them that despyse euerlastynge blys for worldly + thynges & transitory.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p220">Of talkers and makers of noyse in the Chirche of + god.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p225">Of folys that put them self in wylful ieopardy and + peryll.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p230">Of the way of felycyte, and godnes and the payne to + come to synners.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p234">Of olde folys y<sup>t</sup> gyue example of vyce to + youth negligent & vnexpert.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p239">Of bodely lust or corporall voluptuosyte.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p244">Of folys that can nat kepe secrete theyr owne + counsell.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p247">Of yonge folys that take olde wymen to theyr wyues nat + for loue but for ryches.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p252">Of enuyous Folys.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p256">Of impacient folys disdaynynge to abyde and suffer + correccion, for theyr profyte.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p260">Of folysshe Fesicians vsynge theyr practyke without + speculacyon.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p265">Of the ende of worldly honour & power and of folys + y<sup>t</sup> trust in them.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p268">An addicion of Alexander barclay.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p271">Of predestinacyon.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p276">Of folys that aply other mennys besynes leuynge theyr + owne vndone.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p280">Of the vyce of ingratytude or vnkyndnes and folys that + vse it.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p286">Of Folys that stande to moche in theyr owne + conceyte.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p291">Of folys that delyte them in daunsynge.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p296">Of nyght watchers.</a></p> + + <p><a href="#p301">Of the vanyte of beggers.</a></p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:50%;"> + <a href="images/p126.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t126.png" + alt="The ship of fools." /></a> + </div> + <p><a name="p003"></a></p> + +<h3>Alexander Barclay excusynge the rudenes +of his translacion.</h3> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Go Boke: abasshe the thy rudenes to present.</p> + <p>To men auaunced to worshyp, and honour.</p> + <p>By byrthe or fortune: or to men eloquent.</p> + <p>By thy submyssion excuse thy Translatour.</p> + <p>But whan I remember the comon behauour</p> + <p>Of men: I thynke thou ought to quake for fere</p> + <p>Of tunges enuyous whose venym may the dere</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Tremble, fere, and quake, thou ought I say agayne.</p> + <p>For to the Redar thou shewest by euydence</p> + <p>Thy selfe of Rethoryke pryuate and barayne</p> + <p>In speche superflue: and fruteles of sentence.</p> + <p>Thou playnly blamest without al difference</p> + <p>Bothe hye and lowe sparinge eche mannes name.</p> + <p>Therfore no maruayle thoughe many do the blame.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But if thou fortune to lye before a State</p> + <p>As Kynge or Prince or Lordes great or smal.</p> + <p>Or doctour diuyne or other Graduate</p> + <p>Be this thy Excuse to content theyr mynde withal</p> + <p>My speche is rude my termes comon and rural</p> + <p>And I for rude peple moche more conuenient.</p> + <p>Than for Estates, lerned men, or eloquent.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But of this one poynt thou nedest not to fere</p> + <p>That any goode man: vertuous and Just.</p> + <p>Wyth his yl speche shal the hurt or dere.</p> + <p>But the defende. As I suppose and trust.</p> + <p>But suche Unthriftes as sue theyr carnal lust</p> + <p>Whome thou for vyce dost sharply rebuke and blame</p> + <p>Shal the dysprayse: emperisshinge thy name.</p> + </div> + </div> +<h3>An exhortacion of Alexander Barclay.</h3> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But ye that shal rede this boke: I you exhorte.</p> + <p>And you that ar herars therof also I pray</p> + <p>Where as ye knowe that ye be of this sorte:</p> + <p>Amende your lyfe and expelle that vyce away.</p> + <p>Slomber nat in syn. Amende you whyle ye may.</p> + <p>And yf ye so do and ensue Vertue and grace.</p> + <p>Wythin my Shyp ye get no rowme ne place.</p> + </div> + </div> +<h3>Barclay the translatour tho the Foles.</h3> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>To Shyp galantes the se is at the ful.</p> + <p>The wynde vs calleth our sayles ar displayed.</p> + <p>Where may we best aryue? at Lyn or els at Hulle?</p> + <p>To vs may no hauen in Englonde be denayd.</p> + <p>Why tary we? the Ankers ar vp wayed.</p> + <p>If any corde or Cabyl vs hurt, let outher hynder.</p> + <p>Let slyp the ende, or els hewe it in sonder.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Retourne your syght beholde vnto the shore.</p> + <p>There is great nomber that fayne wold be aborde.</p> + <p>They get no rowme our Shyp can holde no more.</p> + <p>Haws in the Cocke gyue them none other worde.</p> + <p>God gyde vs from Rockes, quicsonde tempest and forde</p> + <p>If any man of warre, wether, or wynde apere.</p> + <p>My selfe shal trye the wynde and kepe the Stere.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But I pray you reders haue ye no dysdayne.</p> + <p>Thoughe Barclay haue presumed of audacite</p> + <p>This Shyp to rule as chefe mayster and Captayne.</p> + <p>Though some thynke them selfe moche worthyer than he.</p> + <p>It were great maruayle forsoth syth he hath be.</p> + <p>A scoler longe: and that in dyuers scoles</p> + <p>But he myght be Captayne of a Shyp of Foles</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But if that any one be in suche maner case.</p> + <p>That he wyl chalange the maystershyp fro me</p> + <p>Yet in my Shyp can I nat want a place.</p> + <p>For in euery place my selfe I oft may se.</p> + <p>But this I leue besechynge eche degre:</p> + <p>To pardon my youthe and to bolde interprise.</p> + <p>For harde is it duely to speke of euery vyce.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>For yf I had tunges an hundreth: and wyt to fele</p> + <p>Al thinges natural and supernaturall</p> + <p>A thousand mouthes: and voyce as harde as stele.</p> + <p>And sene all the seuen Sciences lyberal.</p> + <p>Yet cowde I neuer touche the vyces all.</p> + <p>And syn of the worlde: ne theyr braunches comprehende:</p> + <p>Nat thoughe I lyued vnto the worldes ende.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But if these vyces whiche mankynde doth incomber.</p> + <p>Were clene expellyd and vertue in theyr place.</p> + <p>I cowde nat haue gathered of fowles so great a nomber.</p> + <p>Whose foly from them out chaseth goddys grace.</p> + <p>But euery man that knowes hym in that case</p> + <p>To this rude Boke let hym gladly intende.</p> + <p>And lerne the way his lewdnes to amende.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p005"></a></p> + +<h3>[The Prologe of James Locher.]</h3> + + <p>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<sup>t</sup> 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<sup>t</sup> 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.</p> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p011"></a></p> + +<h3>Here begynneth the prologe.</h3> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Amonge the people of euery regyon</p> + <p>And ouer the worlde, south north eest and west</p> + <p>Soundeth godly doctryne in plenty and foyson</p> + <p>Wherin the grounde of vertue and wysdome doth rest</p> + <p>Rede gode and bad, and kepe the to the best</p> + <p>Was neuer more plenty of holsome doctryne</p> + <p>Nor fewer people that doth therto enclyne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>We haue the Bybyll whiche godly doth expresse</p> + <p>Of the olde testament the lawes mysticall</p> + <p>And also of the newe our erour to redresse</p> + <p>Of phylosophy and other artes liberall</p> + <p>With other bokes of vertues morall</p> + <p>But thoughe suche bokes vs godly wayes shewe</p> + <p>We all ar blynde no man wyll them ensue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Banysshed is doctryne, we wander in derknes</p> + <p>Throughe all the worlde: our selfe we wyll not knowe</p> + <p>Wysdome is exyled, alas blynde folysshenes</p> + <p>Mysgydeth the myndes of people hye and lowe</p> + <p>Grace is decayed, yll governaunce doth growe</p> + <p>Both prudent Pallas and Minerua are slayne</p> + <p>Or els to heuyn retourned are they agayne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Knowledge of trouth, Prudence, and iust Symplicite</p> + <p>Hath vs clene left: For we set of them no store.</p> + <p>Our Fayth is defyled loue, goodnes, and Pyte:</p> + <p>Honest maners nowe ar reputed of: no more.</p> + <p>Lawyers ar lordes: but Justice is rent and tore.</p> + <p>Or closed lyke a Monster within dores thre.</p> + <p>For without mede: or money no man can hyr se.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Al is disordred: Vertue hathe no rewarde.</p> + <p>Alas, Compassion: and Mercy bothe ar slayne.</p> + <p>Alas, the stony hartys of pepyl ar so harde</p> + <p>That nought can constrayne theyr folyes to refrayne</p> + <p>But styl they procede: and eche other meyntayne.</p> + <p>So wander these foles: incresinge without nomber.</p> + <p>That al the worlde they vtterly encomber.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Blasphemers of Chryst; Hostlers; and Tauerners:</p> + <p>Crakars and bosters with Courters auenterous,</p> + <p>Bawdes and Pollers with comon extorcioners</p> + <p>Ar taken nowe adayes in the worlde moste glorious.</p> + <p>But the gyftes of grace and al wayes gracious</p> + <p>We haue excluded. Thus lyue we carnally:</p> + <p>Utterly subdued to al lewdnes and Foly.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus is of Foles a sorte almost innumerable.</p> + <p>Defilynge the worlde with syn and Vylany.</p> + <p>Some thynkinge them self moche wyse and commendable</p> + <p>Thoughe al theyr dayes they lyue vnthryftely.</p> + <p>No goodnes they perceyue nor to no goode aplye.</p> + <p>But if he haue a great wombe, and his Cofers ful</p> + <p>Than is none holde wyser bytwene London and Hul.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But to assemble these Foles in one bonde.</p> + <p>And theyr demerites worthely to note.</p> + <p>Fayne shal I Shyppes of euery maner londe.</p> + <p>None shalbe left: Barke, Galay, Shyp, nor Bote.</p> + <p>One vessel can nat brynge them al aflote.</p> + <p>For yf al these Foles were brought into one Barge</p> + <p>The bote shulde synke so sore shulde be the charge.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The sayles ar hawsed, a pleasant cole dothe blowe.</p> + <p>The Foles assembleth as fast as they may dryue.</p> + <p>Some swymmeth after: other as thycke doth rowe</p> + <p>In theyr small botes, as Bees about a hyue</p> + <p>The nomber is great, and eche one doth stryue</p> + <p>For to be chefe as Purser and Capytayne</p> + <p>Quarter mayster, Lodesman or els Boteswayne.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They ron to our shyp, eche one doth greatly fere</p> + <p>Lyst his slacke paas, sholde cause hym byde behynde</p> + <p>The wynde ryseth, and is lyke the sayle to tere</p> + <p>Eche one enforseth the anker vp to wynde</p> + <p>The se swellyth by planettes well I fynde</p> + <p>These obscure clowdes threteneth vs tempest</p> + <p>All are nat in bed whiche shall haue yll rest</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>We are full lade and yet forsoth I thynke</p> + <p>A thousand are behynde, whom we may not receyue</p> + <p>For if we do, our nauy clene shall synke</p> + <p>He oft all lesys that coueytes all to haue</p> + <p>From London Rockes almyghty god vs saue</p> + <p>For if we there anker, outher bote or barge</p> + <p>There be so many that they vs wyll ouercharge</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ye London Galantes, arere, ye shall nat enter</p> + <p>We kepe the streme, and touche nat the shore</p> + <p>In Cyte nor in Court we dare nat well auenter</p> + <p>Lyst perchaunce we sholde displeasure haue therfore</p> + <p>But if ye wyll nedes some shall haue an ore</p> + <p>And all the remenaunt shall stande afar at large</p> + <p>And rede theyr fautes paynted aboute our barge.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Lyke as a myrrour doth represent agayne</p> + <p>The fourme and fygure of mannes countenaunce</p> + <p>So in our shyp shall he se wrytyn playne</p> + <p>The fourme and fygure of his mysgouernaunce</p> + <p>What man is fautles, but outher ignoraunce</p> + <p>Or els wylfulnes causeth hym offende:</p> + <p>Than let hym nat disdayne this shyp, tyll he amende.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And certaynly I thynke that no creature</p> + <p>Lyuynge in this lyfe mortall in transytory</p> + <p>Can hym self kepe and stedfastly endure</p> + <p>Without all spot, as worthy eternall glory</p> + <p>But if he call to his mynde and memory</p> + <p>Fully the dedys both of his youthe and age</p> + <p>He wyll graunt in this shyp to kepe some stage</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But who so euer wyll knowlege his owne foly</p> + <p>And it repent, lyuynge after in sympylnesse</p> + <p>Shall haue no place nor rowme more in our nauy</p> + <p>But become felawe to pallas the goddesse</p> + <p>But he that fyxed is in suche a blyndnesse</p> + <p>That thoughe he be nought he thynketh al is well</p> + <p>Suche shall in this Barge bere a babyll and a bell</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>These with other lyke may eche man se and rede</p> + <p>Eche by themselfe in this small boke ouerall</p> + <p>The fautes shall he fynde if he take good hede</p> + <p>Of all estatis as degres temporall</p> + <p>With gyders of dignytees spirituall</p> + <p>Bothe pore and riche, Chorles and Cytezyns</p> + <p>For hast to lepe a borde many bruse theyr shynnys</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Here is berdles youth, and here is crokyd age</p> + <p>Children with theyr faders that yll do them insygne</p> + <p>And doth nat intende theyr wantones to swage</p> + <p>Nouther by worde nor yet by discyplyne</p> + <p>Here be men of euery science and doctryne</p> + <p>Lerned and vnlerned man mayde chylde and wyfe</p> + <p>May here se and rede the lewdenes of theyr lyfe.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Here ar vyle wymen: whome loue Immoderate</p> + <p>And lust Venereall bryngeth to hurt and shame.</p> + <p>Here ar prodigal Galantes: wyth mouers of debate.</p> + <p>And thousandes mo: whome I nat wel dare name.</p> + <p>Here ar Bacbyters whiche goode lyuers dyffame.</p> + <p>Brakers of wedlocke, men proude: and couetous:</p> + <p>Pollers, and pykers with folke delicious.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>It is but foly to rehers the names here</p> + <p>Of al suche Foles: as in one Shelde or targe.</p> + <p>Syns that theyr foly dystynctly shal apere</p> + <p>On euery lefe: in Pyctures fayre and large.</p> + <p>To Barclays stody: and Pynsones cost and charge</p> + <p>Wherfore ye redars pray that they both may be saued</p> + <p>Before God, syns they your folyes haue thus graued.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But to thentent that euery man may knowe</p> + <p>The cause of my wrytynge: certes I intende</p> + <p>To profyte and to please both hye and lowe</p> + <p>And blame theyr fautes wherby they may amende</p> + <p>But if that any his quarell wyll defende</p> + <p>Excusynge his fautes to my derysyon</p> + <p>Knowe he that noble poetes thus haue done.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Afore my dayes a thousande yere ago</p> + <p>Blamynge and reuylynge the inconuenyence</p> + <p>Of people, wyllynge them to withdrawe therfro</p> + <p>Them I ensue: nat lyke of intellygence</p> + <p>And though I am nat to them lyke in science</p> + <p>Yet this is my wyll mynde and intencion</p> + <p>To blame all vyce lykewyse as they haue done.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>To tender youth my mynde is to auayle</p> + <p>That they eschewe may all lewdenes and offence</p> + <p>Whiche doth theyr myndes often sore assayle</p> + <p>Closynge the iyen of theyr intellygence</p> + <p>But if I halt in meter or erre in eloquence</p> + <p>Or be to large in langage I pray you blame nat me</p> + <p>For my mater is so bad it wyll none other be.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p017"></a></p> + +<h3>[The Argument.]</h3> + + <p>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<sup>t</sup> 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<sup>t</sup> + he hath outwarde in the mouth of the comontye, And to the entent + y<sup>t</sup> 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.</p> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p019"></a></p> + +<h3>Here begynneth the foles and first +inprofytable bokes.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p144.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t144.png" + alt="The first fool and his books." /></a> + <p class="poem">I am the firste fole of all the hole nauy<br /> To kepe + the pompe, the helme and eke the sayle<br /> For this is my mynde, this + one pleasoure haue I<br /> Of bokes to haue grete plenty and + aparayle<br /> I take no wysdome by them: nor yet auayle<br /> Nor them + preceyue nat: And then I them despyse<br /> Thus am I a foole and all + that sewe that guyse</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>That in this shyp the chefe place I gouerne</p> + <p>By this wyde see with folys wanderynge</p> + <p>The cause is playne, and easy to dyscerne</p> + <p>Styll am I besy bokes assemblynge</p> + <p>For to haue plenty it is a plesaunt thynge</p> + <p>In my conceyt and to haue them ay in honde</p> + <p>But what they mene do I nat vnderstonde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But yet I haue them in great reuerence</p> + <p>And honoure sauynge them from fylth and ordure</p> + <p>By often brusshynge, and moche dylygence</p> + <p>Full goodly bounde in pleasaunt couerture</p> + <p>Of domas, satyn, or els of veluet pure</p> + <p>I kepe them sure ferynge lyst they sholde be lost</p> + <p>For in them is the connynge wherin I me bost.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But if it fortune that any lernyd men</p> + <p>Within my house fall to disputacion</p> + <p>I drawe the curtyns to shewe my bokes then</p> + <p>That they of my cunnynge sholde make probacion</p> + <p>I kepe nat to fall in altercacion</p> + <p>And whyle they comon my bokes I turne and wynde</p> + <p>For all is in them, and no thynge in my mynde.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Tholomeus the riche causyd longe agone</p> + <p>Ouer all the worlde good bokes to be sought</p> + <p>Done was his commaundement anone</p> + <p>These bokes he had and in his stody brought</p> + <p>Whiche passyd all erthly treasoure as he thought</p> + <p>But neuertheles he dyd hym nat aply</p> + <p>Unto theyr doctryne, but lyued unhappely.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Lo in lyke wyse of bokys I haue store</p> + <p>But fewe I rede, and fewer understande</p> + <p>I folowe nat theyr doctryne nor theyr lore</p> + <p>It is ynoughe to bere a boke in hande</p> + <p>It were to moche to be it suche a bande</p> + <p>For to be bounde to loke within the boke</p> + <p>I am content on the fayre couerynge to loke</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Why sholde I stody to hurt my wyt therby</p> + <p>Or trouble my mynde with stody excessyue</p> + <p>Sythe many ar whiche stody right besely</p> + <p>And yet therby shall they neuer thryue</p> + <p>The fruyt of wysdom can they nat contryue</p> + <p>And many to stody so moche are inclynde</p> + <p>That utterly they fall out of theyr mynde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Eche is nat lettred that nowe is made a lorde</p> + <p>Nor eche a clerke that hath a benefyce</p> + <p>They are nat all lawyers that plees doth recorde</p> + <p>All that are promotyd are nat fully wyse</p> + <p>On suche chaunce nowe fortune throwys hir dyce</p> + <p>That thoughe one knowe but the yresshe game</p> + <p>Yet wolde he haue a gentyllmannys name</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>So in lyke wyse I am in suche case</p> + <p>Thoughe I nought can I wolde be callyd wyse</p> + <p>Also I may set another in my place</p> + <p>Whiche may for me my bokes excercyse</p> + <p>Or else I shall ensue the comon gyse</p> + <p>And say concedo to euery argument</p> + <p>Lyst by moche speche my latyn sholde be spent</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>I am lyke other Clerkes whiche so frowardly them gyde.</p> + <p>That after they ar onys come vnto promocion</p> + <p>They gyue them to plesour theyr stody set asyde.</p> + <p>Theyr Auaryce couerynge with fayned deuocion.</p> + <p>Yet dayly they preche: and haue great derysyon</p> + <p>Against the rude Laymen: and al for Couetyse.</p> + <p>Though theyr owne Conscience be blynded w<sup>t</sup> that vyce.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But if I durst trouth playnely vtter and expresse.</p> + <p>This is the special cause of this Inconuenyence.</p> + <p>That greatest foles, and fullest of lewdnes</p> + <p>Hauynge least wyt: and symplest Science</p> + <p>Ar fyrst promoted: and haue greatest reuerence</p> + <p>For if one can flater, and bere a hawke on his Fyst</p> + <p>He shalbe made Person of Honyngton or of Clyst.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But he that is in Stody ay ferme and diligent.</p> + <p>And without al fauour prechyth Chrystys lore</p> + <p>Of al the Comontye nowe adayes is sore shent.</p> + <p>And by Estates thretened to Pryson oft therfore.</p> + <p>Thus what auayle is it, to vs to Stody more:</p> + <p>To knowe outher scripture, trouth, wysedom, or vertue</p> + <p>Syns fewe, or none without fauour dare them shewe.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But O noble Doctours, that worthy ar of name:</p> + <p>Consyder our olde faders: note wel theyr diligence:</p> + <p>Ensue ye theyr steppes: obtayne ye such fame,</p> + <p>As they dyd lyuynge: and that by true Prudence.</p> + <p>Within theyr hartys they planted theyr scyence</p> + <p>And nat in plesaunt bokes. But nowe to fewe suche be.</p> + <p>Therefore in this Shyp let them come rowe with me.</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The Enuoy of Alexander Barclay Translatour exortynge the foles accloyed with this vice to amende theyr foly</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Say worthy doctours and Clerkes curious:</p> + <p>What moueth you of Bokes to haue such nomber.</p> + <p>Syns dyuers doctrines throughe way contrarious.</p> + <p>Doth mannys mynde distract and sore encomber.</p> + <p>Alas blynde men awake, out of your slomber</p> + <p>And if ye wyl nedys your bokes multyplye</p> + <p>With diligence endeuer you some to occupye.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p024"></a></p> + +<h3>Of euyl Counsellours, Juges and +men of lawe.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p149.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t149.png" + alt="The fools that would seeth a quick sow in a pan." /></a> + <p class="poem">He that Office hath and hyghe autorite.<br /> To rule a + Royalme: as Juge or Counsellour<br /> Which seynge Justice, playne + ryght and equyte<br /> Them falsly blyndeth by fauour or rigour<br /> + Condemnynge wretches gyltles. And to a Transgressour<br /> For mede + shewinge fauour. Suche is as wyse a man<br /> As he that wolde seeth a + quycke Sowe in a Pan.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Right many labours nowe, with hyghe diligence</p> + <p>For to be Lawyers the Comons to counsayle.</p> + <p>Therby to be in honour had and in reuerence</p> + <p>But onely they labour for theyr pryuate auayle.</p> + <p>The purs of the Clyent shal fynde hym apparayle.</p> + <p>And yet knowes he neyther lawe good counsel nor Justice.</p> + <p>But speketh at auenture: as men throwe the dyce.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Suche in the Senate ar taken oft to counsayle</p> + <p>With Statis of this and many a other region.</p> + <p>Whiche of theyr maners vnstable ar and frayle</p> + <p>Nought of Lawe Ciuyl knowinge nor Canon.</p> + <p>But wander in derknes clerenes they haue none.</p> + <p>O noble Rome thou gat nat thy honours</p> + <p>Nor general Empyre by suche Counsellours.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Whan noble Rome all the worlde dyd gouerne</p> + <p>Theyr councellers were olde men iust and prudent</p> + <p>Whiche egally dyd euery thynge descerne</p> + <p>Wherby theyr Empyre became so excellent</p> + <p>But nowe a dayes he shall haue his intent</p> + <p>That hath most golde, and so it is befall</p> + <p>That aungels worke wonders in westmynster hall.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>There cursyd coyne makyth the wronge seme right</p> + <p>The cause of hym that lyueth in pouertye</p> + <p>Hath no defence, tuycion, strength nor myght</p> + <p>Suche is the olde custome of this faculte</p> + <p>That colours oft cloke Justyce and equyte</p> + <p>None can the mater fele nor vnderstonde</p> + <p>Without the aungell be weyghty in his honde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus for the hunger of syluer and of golde</p> + <p>Justyce and right is in captyuyte</p> + <p>And as we se nat gyuen fre, but solde</p> + <p>Nouther to estates, nor sympell comonte</p> + <p>And though that many lawyers rightwysnes be</p> + <p>Yet many other dysdayne to se the ryght</p> + <p>And they ar suche as blynde Justycis syght</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>There is one and other alleged at the barre</p> + <p>And namely suche as chrafty were in glose</p> + <p>Upon the lawe: the clyentis stande afarre</p> + <p>Full lytell knowynge howe the mater goose</p> + <p>And many other the lawes clene transpose</p> + <p>Folowynge the example, of lawyers dede and gone</p> + <p>Tyll the pore Clyentis be etyn to the bone</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>It is not ynough to conforme thy mynde</p> + <p>Unto the others faynyd opynyon</p> + <p>Thou sholde say trouthe, so Justyce doth the bynde</p> + <p>And also lawe gyueth the commyssyon</p> + <p>To knowe hir, and kepe hir without transgressyon</p> + <p>Lyst they whome thou hast Juged wrongfully</p> + <p>Unto the hye Juge for vengeaunce on the crye.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Perchaunce thou thynkest that god taketh no hede</p> + <p>To mannes dedys, nor workes of offence</p> + <p>Yes certaynly he knowes thy thought and dede</p> + <p>No thynge is secrete, nor hyd from his presence</p> + <p>Wherefore if thou wylt gyde the by prudence</p> + <p>Or thou gyue Jugement of mater lesse or more</p> + <p>Take wyse mennys reade and good counsayle before</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Loke in what Balance, what weyght and what mesure</p> + <p>Thou seruest other. for thou shalt serued be</p> + <p>With the same after this lyfe I the ensure.</p> + <p>If thou ryghtwysly Juge by lawe and equyte</p> + <p>Thou shalt haue presence of goddes hyghe maiestye</p> + <p>But if thou Juge amys: than shall Eacus</p> + <p>(As Poetis sayth) hell Juge thy rewarde discusse</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>God is aboue and regneth sempiternally.</p> + <p>Whiche shall vs deme at his last Jugement,</p> + <p>And gyue rewardes to echone egally</p> + <p>After suche fourme as he his lyfe hath spent</p> + <p>Than shall we them se whome we as violent</p> + <p>Traytours: haue put to wronge in worde or dede</p> + <p>And after our deserte euen suche shall be our mede</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>There shall be no Bayle nor treatynge of maynpryse</p> + <p>Ne worldly wysdome there shall no thynge preuayle</p> + <p>There shall be no delayes vntyll another Syse</p> + <p>But outher quyt, or to infernall Gayle.</p> + <p>Ill Juges so iuged, Lo here theyr trauayle</p> + <p>Worthely rewarded in wo withouten ende.</p> + <p>Than shall no grace be graunted ne space to amende.</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The Enuoy of Alexander Barclay the translatour.</span></p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Therfore ye yonge Studentes of the Chauncery:</p> + <p>(I speke nat to the olde the Cure of them is past)</p> + <p>Remember that Justyce longe hath in bondage be</p> + <p>Reduce ye hir nowe vnto lybertye at the last.</p> + <p>Endeuer you hir bondes to louse or to brast</p> + <p>Hir raunsome is payde and more by a thousande pounde</p> + <p>And yet alas the lady Justyce lyeth bounde.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thoughe your fore Faders haue take hir prysoner</p> + <p>And done hir in a Dongeon nat mete for hir degre</p> + <p>Lay to your handes and helpe hir from daungere</p> + <p>And hir restore vnto hir lybertye</p> + <p>That pore men and monyles may hir onys se</p> + <p>But certaynly I fere lyst she hath lost hir name</p> + <p>Or by longe prysonment shall after euer be lame.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p029"></a></p> + +<h3>Of Auaryce or Couetyse and prodygalyte.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p154.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t154.png" + alt="Gathering riches." /></a> + <p class="poem">Ye that ar gyuen ouer moche to Couetyse<br /> Come + nere, a place is here for you to dwel<br /> Come nere ye wastfull + people in lyke wyse<br /> Youre rowme shall be hye in the Topcastell<br + /> Ye care for no shame, for heuen nor for hell<br /> Golde is your + god, ryches gotten wrongfully<br /> Ye dame your soule, and yet lyue in + penury.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He that is besy euery day and houre</p> + <p>Without mesure, maner, or moderacion</p> + <p>To gather riches and great store of treasoure</p> + <p>Therof no ioy takinge, confort nor consolacion.</p> + <p>He is a Fole: and of blynde and mad opynyon</p> + <p>For that which he getteth and kepeth wrongfully</p> + <p>His heyre often wasteth moche more vnthryftely.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>While he here lyueth in this lyfe caduke and mortal.</p> + <p>Ful sore he laboureth: and oft hungry gothe to bed</p> + <p>Sparinge from hymselfe: for hym that neuer shal</p> + <p>After do hym goode. thoughe he were harde bested.</p> + <p>Thus is this Couetous wretche so blyndly led</p> + <p>By the fende that here he lyueth wretchydly</p> + <p>And after his deth damned eternally.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>There wandreth he in dolour and derknes</p> + <p>Amonge infernall flodes tedyous and horryble</p> + <p>Let se what auayleth than all his ryches</p> + <p>Ungracyously gotyne, his paynes ar terryble</p> + <p>Than wolde he amende but it is inpossyble</p> + <p>In hell is no order nor hope of remedy</p> + <p>But sorowe vpon sorowe, and that euerlastyngly.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Yet fynde I another vyce as bad as this</p> + <p>Whiche is the vyce of prodygalyte</p> + <p>He spendyth all in ryot and amys</p> + <p>Without all order, pursuynge pouertye</p> + <p>He lyketh nat to lyue styll in prosperite</p> + <p>But all and more he wastyth out at large</p> + <p>(Beware the ende) is the leste poynt of his charge.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But of the couetous somwhat to say agayne</p> + <p>Thou art a fole thy soule to sell for riches</p> + <p>Or put thy body to labour or to payne</p> + <p>Thy mynde to fere, thy herte to heuynesse</p> + <p>Thou fole thou fleest no maner cruelnesse</p> + <p>So thou may get money, to make thy heyr a knyght</p> + <p>Thou sleest thy soule where as thou saue it myght</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thou hast no rest thy mynde is euer in fere</p> + <p>Of mysauenture, nor neuer art content</p> + <p>Deth is forgoten, thou carest nat a here</p> + <p>To saue thy soule from infernall punysshement</p> + <p>If thou be dampned, than art thou at thy stent</p> + <p>By thy ryches which thou here hast left behynde</p> + <p>To thy executours, thou shalt small comforte fynde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Theyr custome is to holde fast that they haue</p> + <p>Thy pore soule shall be farthest fro theyr thought</p> + <p>If that thy carkes be brought onys in the graue</p> + <p>And that they haue thy bagges in handes cought</p> + <p>What say they, than (by god the man had nought)</p> + <p>Whyle he here lyuyd he was to lyberall</p> + <p>Thus dampned is thy soule, thy ryches cause of all</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Who wyll denay but it is necesary</p> + <p>Of riches for to haue plenty and store</p> + <p>To this opynyon I wyll nat say contrary</p> + <p>So it be ordred after holy lore</p> + <p>Whyle thy selfe leuest departe some to the pore</p> + <p>With thy owne hande trust nat thy executours</p> + <p>Gyue for god, and god shall sende at all houres</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Rede Tullius warkes the worthy Oratour.</p> + <p>And writen shalt thou fynde in right fruteful sentence</p> + <p>That neuer wyseman loued ouer great honour.</p> + <p>Nor to haue great riches put ouer great diligence</p> + <p>But onely theyr mynde was set on Sapience</p> + <p>And quyetly to lyue in Just symplycite.</p> + <p>For in greatest honour is greatest ieoperdye.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He that is symple, and on the grounde doth lye</p> + <p>And that can be content with ynoughe or suffisaunce</p> + <p>Is surer by moche than he that lyeth on hye.</p> + <p>Nowe vp nowe downe vnsure as a Balaunce.</p> + <p>But sothly he that set wyll his plesance</p> + <p>Onely on wysdom and styl therfore labour.</p> + <p>Shal haue more goode than all erthly tresour.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Wysdom techeth to eschewe al offence.</p> + <p>Gydynge mankynde the ryght way to vertue.</p> + <p>But of couetyse Comys all Inconuenyence.</p> + <p>It cawseth man of worde to be vntrue.</p> + <p>Forswerynge and falshode doth it also ensue.</p> + <p>Brybery and Extorcion, murder and myschefe.</p> + <p>Shame is his ende: his lyuyinge is reprefe.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>By couetyse Crassus brought was to his ende.</p> + <p>By it the worthy Romayns lost theyr name.</p> + <p>Of this one yl a thousand ylles doth descende.</p> + <p>Besyde enuy, Pryde, wretchydnes and Shame.</p> + <p>Crates the Philosopher dyd Couetyse so blame:</p> + <p>That to haue his mynde vnto his stody fre.</p> + <p>He threwe his Tresour all hole into the see.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But shortly to conclude. Both bodely bondage.</p> + <p>And gostly also: procedeth of this couetyse.</p> + <p>The soule is damned the body hath damage</p> + <p>As hunger, thyrst, and colde with other preiudice.</p> + <p>Bereft of the ioyes of heuenly Paradyse.</p> + <p>For golde was theyr god and that is left behynde</p> + <p>Theyr bodyes beryed the soule clene out of mynde</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The Enuoy of Alexander Barclay translatour.</span></p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Therefore thou couetouse thou wretch I speke to the.</p> + <p>Amende thy selfe ryse out of this blyndenes.</p> + <p>Content the wyth ynoughe for thy degre.</p> + <p>Dam nat thy soule by gatheringe frayle riches</p> + <p>Remembre this is a Uale of wretchednes.</p> + <p>Thou shalt no rest nor dwellynge place here fynde.</p> + <p>Depart thou shalt and leue it al behynde.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p034"></a></p> + +<h3>Of newe fassions and disgised Garmentes.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p159.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t159.png" + alt="Their goods are wasted, lost, and spent." /></a> + <p class="poem">Who that newe garmentes loues or deuyses.<br /> Or + weryth by his symple wyt, and vanyte<br /> Gyuyth by his foly and + vnthryfty gyses<br /> Moche yl example to yonge Comontye.<br /> Suche + one is a Fole and skant shal euer thee<br /> And comonly it is sene + that nowe a dayes<br /> One Fole gladly folowes anothers + wayes.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Drawe nere ye Courters and Galants disgised</p> + <p>Ye counterfayt Caytifs, that ar nat content</p> + <p>As god hath you made: his warke is despysed</p> + <p>Ye thynke you more crafty than God onipotent.</p> + <p>Unstable is your mynde: that shewes by your garment.</p> + <p>A fole is knowen by his toyes and his Cote.</p> + <p>But by theyr clothinge nowe may we many note.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Aparayle is apayred. Al sadness is decayde</p> + <p>The garmentes ar gone that longed to honestye.</p> + <p>And in newe sortes newe Foles ar arayede</p> + <p>Despisynge the costom of good antiquyte.</p> + <p>Mannys fourme is disfigured with euery degre</p> + <p>As Knyght Squyer yeman Jentilman and knaue,</p> + <p>For al in theyr goynge vngoodely them behaue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The tyme hath ben, nat longe before our dayes</p> + <p>Whan men with honest ray coude holde them self content.</p> + <p>Without these disgised: and counterfayted wayes.</p> + <p>Wherby theyr goodes ar wasted, loste, and spent.</p> + <p>Socrates with many mo in wysdom excellent.</p> + <p>Bycause they wolde nought change that cam of nature</p> + <p>Let growe theyre here without cuttinge or scissure.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>At that tyme was it reputed to lawde and great honour.</p> + <p>To haue longe here: the Beerde downe to the brest</p> + <p>For so they vsed that were of moste valour.</p> + <p>Stryuynge together who myht be godlyest</p> + <p>Saddest, moste clenely, discretest, and moste honest.</p> + <p>But nowe adayes together we contende and stryue.</p> + <p>Who may be gayest: and newest wayes contryue.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Fewe kepeth mesure, but excesse and great outrage</p> + <p>In theyr aparayle. And so therin they procede</p> + <p>That theyr goode is spent: theyr Londe layde to morgage.</p> + <p>Or solde out right: of Thryft they take no hede.</p> + <p>Hauinge no Peny them to socour at theyr nede.</p> + <p>So whan theyr goode by suche wastefulnes is loste.</p> + <p>They sel agayne theyr Clothes for half that they coste.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A fox furred Jentelman: of the fyrst yere or hede.</p> + <p>If he be made a Bailyf a Clerke or a Constable.</p> + <p>And can kepe a Parke or Court and rede a Dede</p> + <p>Than is Ueluet to his state mete and agreable.</p> + <p>Howbeit he were more mete to here a Babyl.</p> + <p>For his Foles Hode his iyen so sore doth blynde</p> + <p>That Pryde expelleth his lynage from his mynde.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Yet fynde I another sort almoste as bad as thay.</p> + <p>As yonge Jentylmen descended of worthy Auncetry.</p> + <p>Whiche go ful wantonly in dissolute aray.</p> + <p>Counterfayt, disgised, and moche vnmanerly</p> + <p>Blasinge and garded: to lowe or else to hye.</p> + <p>And wyde without mesure: theyr stuffe to wast thus gothe</p> + <p>But other some they suffer to dye for lacke of clothe.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some theyr neckes charged with colers, and chaynes</p> + <p>As golden withtthes: theyr fyngers ful of rynges:</p> + <p>Theyr neckes naked: almoste vnto the raynes</p> + <p>Theyr sleues blasinge lyke to a Cranys wynges</p> + <p>Thus by this deuysinge suche counterfayted thinges</p> + <p>They dysfourme that figure that god hymselfe hath made</p> + <p>On pryde and abusion thus ar theyr myndes layde.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Than the Courters careles that on theyr mayster wayte</p> + <p>Seinge hym his Uesture in suche fourme abuse</p> + <p>Assayeth suche Fassion for them to counterfayte.</p> + <p>And so to sue Pryde contynually they muse.</p> + <p>Than stele they; or Rubbe they. Forsoth they can nat chuse.</p> + <p>For without Londe or Labour harde is it to mentayne.</p> + <p>But to thynke on the Galows that is a careful payne.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But be it payne or nat: there many suche ende.</p> + <p>At Newgate theyr garmentis ar offred to be solde.</p> + <p>Theyr bodyes to the Jebet solemly ascende.</p> + <p>Wauynge with the wether whyle theyr necke wyl holde.</p> + <p>But if I shulde wryte al the ylles manyfolde.</p> + <p>That procedeth of this counterfayt abusion</p> + <p>And mysshapen Fassions: I neuer shulde haue done.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>For both States, comons, man, woman, and chylde</p> + <p>Ar vtterly inclyed to this inconuenyence.</p> + <p>But namely therwith these Courters are defyled.</p> + <p>Bytwen mayster and man I fynde no dyfference.</p> + <p>Therfore ye Courters knowledge your offence.</p> + <p>Do nat your errour mentayne, support nor excuse.</p> + <p>For Fowles ye ar your Rayment thus to abuse.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>To Shyp Galauntes come nere I say agayne.</p> + <p>Wyth your set Busshes Curlynge as men of Inde.</p> + <p>Ye counterfayted Courters come with your fleinge brayne</p> + <p>Expressed by these variable Garmentes that ye fynde.</p> + <p>To tempt chast Damsels and turne them to your mynde</p> + <p>Your breste ye discouer and necke. Thus your abusion</p> + <p>Is the Fendes bate. And your soules confusion.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Come nere disgysed foles: receyue your Foles Hode.</p> + <p>And ye that in sondry colours ar arayde.</p> + <p>Ye garded galantes wastinge thus your goode</p> + <p>Come nere with your Shertes brodered and displayed.</p> + <p>In fourme of Surplys. Forsoth it may be sayde.</p> + <p>That of your Sort right fewe shal thryue this yere.</p> + <p>Or that your faders werith suche Habyte in the Quere.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And ye Jentyl wymen whome this lewde vice doth blynde</p> + <p>Lased on the backe: your peakes set a loft.</p> + <p>Come to my Shyp. forget ye nat behynde.</p> + <p>Your Sadel on the tayle: yf ye lyst to sit soft.</p> + <p>Do on your Decke Slut: if ye purpos to come oft.</p> + <p>I mean your Copyntanke: And if it wyl do no goode.</p> + <p>To kepe you from the rayne. ye shall haue a foles hode.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>By the ale stake knowe we the ale hous</p> + <p>And euery Jnne is knowen by the sygne</p> + <p>So a lewde woman and a lechcrous</p> + <p>Is knowen by hir clothes, be they cours or fyne</p> + <p>Folowynge newe fassyons, not graunted by doctryne</p> + <p>The bocher sheweth his flesshe it to sell</p> + <p>So doth these women dampnyng theyr soule to hell</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>What shall I more wryte of our enormyte</p> + <p>Both man and woman as I before haue sayde</p> + <p>Ar rayde and clothyd nat after theyr degre</p> + <p>As nat content with the shape that god hath made</p> + <p>The clenlynes of Clergye is nere also decayed.</p> + <p>Our olde apparale (alas) is nowe layde downe</p> + <p>And many prestes asshamed of theyr Crowne.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Unto laymen we vs refourme agayne</p> + <p>As of chryste our mayster in maner halfe asshamed</p> + <p>My hert doth wepe: my tunge doth sore complayne</p> + <p>Seing howe our State is worthy to be blamed.</p> + <p>But if all the Foly of our Hole Royalme were named</p> + <p>Of mys apparayle of Olde, young, lowe, and hye,</p> + <p>The tyme shulde fayle: and space to me denye.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Alas thus al states of Chrysten men declynes.</p> + <p>And of wymen also disfourmynge theyr fygure.</p> + <p>Wors than the Turkes, Jewes, or Sarazyns.</p> + <p>A Englonde Englonde amende or be thou sure</p> + <p>Thy noble name and fame can nat endure</p> + <p>Amende lyst god do greuously chastyce.</p> + <p>Bothe the begynners and folowes of this vyce.</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The Enuoy of Alexander Barclay ye translatour.</span></p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Reduce courters clerly vnto your rembrance</p> + <p>From whens this disgysyng was brought wherein ye go</p> + <p>As I remember it was brought out of France.</p> + <p>This is to your plesour. But payne ye had also.</p> + <p>As French Pockes hote ylles with other paynes mo.</p> + <p>Take ye in good worth the swetnes with the Sour.</p> + <p>For often plesour endeth with sorowe and dolour.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p><a name="p039"></a></p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But ye proude Galaundes that thus yourselfe disgise</p> + <p>Be ye asshamed. beholde vnto your Prynce.</p> + <p>Consyder his sadnes: His honestye deuyse</p> + <p>His clothynge expresseth his inwarde prudence</p> + <p>Ye se no Example of suche Inconuenyence</p> + <p>In his hyghnes: but godly wyt and grauyte.</p> + <p>Ensue hym: and sorowe for your enormyte.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Away with this pryde, this statelynes let be</p> + <p>Rede of the Prophetis clothynge or vesture</p> + <p>And of Adam firste of your ancestrye</p> + <p>Of Johnn the Prophete, theyr clothynge was obscure</p> + <p>Uyle and homly, but nowe what creature</p> + <p>Wyll then eusue, sothly fewe by theyr wyll</p> + <p>Therfore suche folys my nauy shall fulfyll</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p041"></a></p> + +<h3>Of old folys that is to say the longer they +lyue the more they ar gyuen to foly.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p166.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t166.png" + alt="The old fool." /></a> + <p class="poem">Howe beit I stoup, and fast declyne<br /> Dayly to my + graue, and sepulture<br /> And though my lyfe fast do enclyne<br /> To + pay the trybute of nature<br /> Yet styll remayne I and endure<br /> In + my olde synnes, and them nat hate<br /> Nought yonge, wors olde, suche + is my state.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The madnes of my youthe rotyd in my age</p> + <p>And the blynde foly of my iniquite</p> + <p>Wyll me nat suffer to leue myne old vsage</p> + <p>Nor my fore lyuynge full of enormyte</p> + <p>Lame ar his lymmys, and also I can nat se</p> + <p>I am a childe and yet lyuyd haue I</p> + <p>An hundreth wynter, encresynge my foly.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But though I myght lerne my wyll is nat therto</p> + <p>But besy I am and fully set my thought</p> + <p>To gyue example to children to mysdo</p> + <p>By my lewde doctryne bryngynge them to nought</p> + <p>And whan they ar onys into my daunce brought</p> + <p>I teche them my foly wysdome set asyde</p> + <p>My selfe example, begynner, and theyr gyde.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>My lewde lyfe, my foly and my selfwyllyd mynde</p> + <p>Whiche I haue styll kept hytherto in this lyfe</p> + <p>In my testament I leue wryten behynde</p> + <p>Bequethyng parte both to man childe and wyfe</p> + <p>I am the actour of myschefe and of stryfe</p> + <p>The foly of my youth and the inconuenyence</p> + <p>In age I practyse, techynge by experyence</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>I am a fole and glad am of that name</p> + <p>Desyrynge lawde for eche vngracious dede</p> + <p>And of my foly to spred abrode the same</p> + <p>To showe my vyce and synne, as voyde of drede</p> + <p>Of heuen or hell. therfore I take no hede</p> + <p>But as some stryue disputynge of theyr cunnynge</p> + <p>Right so do I in lewdnes and myslyuynge.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Somtyme I bost me of falshode and dysceyt</p> + <p>Somtyme of the sede that sawyn is by me</p> + <p>Of all myschefe, as murder flatery debate</p> + <p>Couetyse bacbytynge theft and lechery</p> + <p>My mynde is nat to mende my iniquyte</p> + <p>But rather I sorowe that my lyfe is wore</p> + <p>That I can nat do as I haue done before</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But syns my lyfe so sodaynly dothe apeyre</p> + <p>That byde I can nat styll in this degre</p> + <p>I shall infourme and teche my sone and heyre</p> + <p>To folowe his fader, and lerne this way of me</p> + <p>The way is large, god wot glad shall he be</p> + <p>Lernynge my lore with affeccion and desyre</p> + <p>And folowe the steppys of his vnthryfty syre</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>I trust so crafty and wyse to make the lad</p> + <p>That me his father he shall pas and excell</p> + <p>O that my herte shall than be wonder glad</p> + <p>If I here of may knowe, se, or here tell</p> + <p>If he be false faynynge sotyll or cruell</p> + <p>And so styll endure I haue a speciall hope</p> + <p>To make hym scrybe to a Cardynall or Pope.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Or els if he can be a fals extorcyoner</p> + <p>Fasynge and bostynge to scratche and to kepe</p> + <p>He shall be made a comon costomer</p> + <p>As yche hope of Lyn Calays or of Depe</p> + <p>Than may he after to some great offyce crepe</p> + <p>So that if he can onys plede a case</p> + <p>He may be made Juge of the comon place.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus shall he lyue as I haue all his dayes</p> + <p>And in his age increas his folysshenes</p> + <p>His fader came to worshyp by suche ways</p> + <p>So shall the sone, if he hym selfe addres</p> + <p>To sue my steppes in falshode and lewdnes</p> + <p>And at leste if he can come to no degre</p> + <p>This shyp of folys shall he gouerne with me</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Barklay To the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Awake age alas what thynkest thou be</p> + <p>Awake I say out of thy blynde derkenes</p> + <p>Remembrest thou nat that shortly thou shalt dye</p> + <p>Aryse from synne amende thy folysshenes</p> + <p>Though thy youth reted were in vyciousnes</p> + <p>Aryse in age is full tyme to leue it</p> + <p>Thy graue is open thy one fote in the pyt</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Leue thy bostynge of that thou hast done amys</p> + <p>Bewayle thy synnes, sayeng with rufull mone</p> + <p>Delicta iuuentutis mee deus ne memineris</p> + <p>Amende the or thy youth be fully gone</p> + <p>That sore is harde to hele that bredes in the bone</p> + <p>He that is nought yonge, procedynge so in age</p> + <p>Shall skant euer his vyciousnes asswage</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>What thinge is more abhomynable in goddes syght.</p> + <p>Than vicious age: certaynly no thynge.</p> + <p>It is eke worldly shame, whan thy corage and mycht</p> + <p>Is nere dekayed, to kepe thy lewde lyuynge.</p> + <p>And by example of the, thy yonge children to brynge.</p> + <p>Into a vicious lyfe: and all goodnes to hate.</p> + <p>Alas age thus thou art the Fendes bate.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p045"></a></p> + +<h3>Of the erudicion of neglygent faders +anenst theyr chyldren.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p170.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t170.png" + alt="The fool that suffers his children to offend." /></a> + <p class="poem">That fole that suffreth his Chylde for to offende<br /> + Wythout rebukynge, blame, and correccion.<br /> And hym nat exhorteth, + hymselfe to amende.<br /> Of suche fawtes as by hym ar done.<br /> Shal + it sore repent: god wote howe sone<br /> For oft the faders foly, + fauour, and neglygence<br /> Causeth the Chylde for to fall to great + offence</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A myserable Fole euermore shal he be.</p> + <p>A wretche vnauysed, and a Catyf blynde.</p> + <p>Whiche his chyldren fawtes forseth nat to see</p> + <p>Hauynge no care for to induce theyr mynde</p> + <p>To godly vertue: and vyce to leue behynde.</p> + <p>For whyle they ar yonge fereful and tender of age</p> + <p>Theyre vyce and foly is easy to asswage.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Two dyuers sortes of these foles may we fynde.</p> + <p>By whome theyr chyldren ar brought to confusion.</p> + <p>The one is neglygent. the other is starke blynde.</p> + <p>Nat wyllynge to beholde his childes yl condicion.</p> + <p>Whyle he is in youthe: But for a conclusion</p> + <p>He is a Fole that wyl nat se theyr vyce.</p> + <p>And he that seyth: and wyl it nat chastyce.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Alas thou art a cursed counselloure</p> + <p>To wanton youth that tender is of age</p> + <p>To let them wander without gouernoure</p> + <p>Or wyse mayster, in youthes furious rage</p> + <p>Get them a mayster theyr foly to asswage</p> + <p>For as a herdles flocke strayth in Jepardy</p> + <p>So children without gyde wandreth in foly.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>To moche lyberty pleasoure and lycence</p> + <p>Gyuen vnto youth, whether it be or age</p> + <p>Right often causyth great inconuenyence</p> + <p>As ryot mysrule with other sore damage</p> + <p>Theyr londe and goodes solde or layde to gage</p> + <p>But thou folysshe father art redy to excuse</p> + <p>Thy yonge children of theyr synne and abuse</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thou sayst they ar ouer tender to eschewe</p> + <p>Theyr folysshe maners and they haue no skyll</p> + <p>To knowe the wayes of goodnes or vertue</p> + <p>Nor to discerne what is gode, what is yll</p> + <p>Thou blynde dodart these wordes holde thou styll</p> + <p>Theyr youth can nat excuse thy folysshenes</p> + <p>He that can yll as well myght lerne goodnes</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A yonge hert is as apt to take wysdome</p> + <p>As is an olde, and if it rotyd be</p> + <p>It sawyth sede of holy lyfe to come</p> + <p>Also in children we often tymes se</p> + <p>Great aptness outwarde and syne of grauyte</p> + <p>But fyll an erthen pot first with yll lycoure</p> + <p>And euer after it shall smell somwhat soure</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>So youth brought vp in lewdnes and in sin</p> + <p>Shall skant it shrape so clene out of his mynde</p> + <p>But that styll after some spot wyll byde within</p> + <p>A lytell twygge plyant is by kynde</p> + <p>A bygger braunche is harde to bowe or wynde</p> + <p>But suffer the braunche to a byg tre to growe</p> + <p>And rather it shall brake than outher wynde or bowe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Correct thy childe whyle he is lyke a twygge</p> + <p>Soupyll and plyant, apt to correccion</p> + <p>It wyll be harde forsoth whan he is bygge</p> + <p>To brynge his stubron herte to subieccion</p> + <p>What hurtyth punysshement with moderacion</p> + <p>Unto yonge children, certaynely no thynge</p> + <p>It voydeth vyce, gettynge vertue and cunnynge</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Say folysshe fader haddest thou leuer se</p> + <p>Thy sonnes necke vnwrested wyth a rope.</p> + <p>Than with a rod his skyn shulde brokyn be.</p> + <p>And oft thou trustest: and hast a stedfast hope</p> + <p>To se thy son promoted nere as hye as is the Pope</p> + <p>But yet perchaunce mourne thou shalt ful sore.</p> + <p>For his shameful ende: fortuned for lacke of lore.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some folowe theyr chyldrens wyl and lewde plesour</p> + <p>So grauntinge them theyr mynde: that after it doth fal</p> + <p>To theyr great shame: they sorowe and dolour</p> + <p>As dyd to Priamus a Kynge Imperial</p> + <p>Whiche suffred his men: his son chefe of them al</p> + <p>By force from Grece to robbe the fayre Helayne.</p> + <p>Wherby both Fader and son were after slayne.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>With noble Hector and many thousandes mo.</p> + <p>The Cyte of Troy vnto the ground clene brent.</p> + <p>I rede in the Cronycles of the Romayns also</p> + <p>Howe Tarquyne the proude had shame and punysshment</p> + <p>For rauysshynge chaste Lucres agaynst hyr assent.</p> + <p>Wherfore hyrselfe she slewe hyr seynge thus defiled.</p> + <p>For the which dede this Tarquyn was exiled,</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>From Rome: wandrynge in the Costes of Italy.</p> + <p>Dyd nat the traytour Catelyne also conspyre</p> + <p>And many mo sworne to his cruel tyranny</p> + <p>Agaynst the Romans to oppresse theyr Impyre,</p> + <p>But he and all his were murdred for theyr hyre,</p> + <p>And nat vnworthely. Beholde wherto they come</p> + <p>Which ar nat enfourmed in youth to ensue wysdom.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The son oft foloweth the faders behauour</p> + <p>And if the fader be discrete and vertuous.</p> + <p>The son shal suche wayes practyse both day and hour.</p> + <p>But if that the fader be lewde and vicious</p> + <p>By falshode lyuynge: and by wayes cautelous.</p> + <p>The son also the same wayes wyl ensue</p> + <p>And that moche rather than goodnes or vertue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Therfore it nedeth that better prouysion.</p> + <p>Were founde for youthe by sad and wyse counsayle</p> + <p>Far from theyr faders of this condicion.</p> + <p>And other lewde gydes which myght theyr myndes assayle</p> + <p>Greuously wyth syn. So were it theyr auayle</p> + <p>From theyr faders frawde and falshode to declyne</p> + <p>And them submyt to some lawdable mannys doctryne.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Peleus, somtyme a noble and worthy kynge</p> + <p>Subdued Achylles vnto the doctryne</p> + <p>Of phenix whiche was both worthy and cunnynge</p> + <p>Wherfore Achyllys right gladly dyd enclyne</p> + <p>With his hert and mynde vnto his disciplyne</p> + <p>Wherby his name so noble was at the last</p> + <p>That all Asy in worthynes he past</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ryght so Philippus a kynge worthy of name</p> + <p>Ouer all Grece made great iniquicion</p> + <p>To fynde one wyse, sad and laudable of fame</p> + <p>To Alexander his sonne for to gyue Instruccion</p> + <p>Founde was great Aristotyl at the conclusion</p> + <p>Disciple of Plato. whiche in euery Science.</p> + <p>Infourmed this chylde with parfyte diligence.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Whiche Alexander afterward had so great dignyte.</p> + <p>What by his strength, his cunnynge, and boldenes.</p> + <p>That he was lorde both of Londe and See.</p> + <p>And none durst rebel aganst his worthynes.</p> + <p>Lo here the lawde, the honour, and nobles.</p> + <p>Which dothe procede of vertue and doctryne</p> + <p>But few ar the faders that nowe hereto inclyne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Fewe ar that forceth nowe adayes to se</p> + <p>Theyr chyldren taught: or to do any cost</p> + <p>On som sad man, wyse, and of auctorite:</p> + <p>Al that is theron bestowed thynke they loste.</p> + <p>The folyssh Fader oft tymes maketh great boste.</p> + <p>That he his son to habundant riches shal auance</p> + <p>But no thynge he speketh of vertuous gouernance.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The feder made but smal shyft or prouysion.</p> + <p>To induce his Son by vertuous doctryne.</p> + <p>But whan he is dede and past: moche les shal the son</p> + <p>To stody of grace his mynde or hert inclyne.</p> + <p>But abuse his reason: and from al good declyne.</p> + <p>Alas folysshe faders gyue your aduertence</p> + <p>To Crates complaynt comprysed in this sentence.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If it were graunted to me to shewe my thought</p> + <p>Ye follysshe faders Caytifes I myght you cal</p> + <p>Whiche gather riches to brynge your chylde to nought.</p> + <p>Gyuynge him occasion forto be prodigal.</p> + <p>But goode nor cunnynge shewe ye hym none at all.</p> + <p>But whan ye drawe to age, ye than moste comonly.</p> + <p>Sorowe for your suffrance. But without remedy.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>An olde sore to hele is oft halfe incurable</p> + <p>Ryght so ar these Chyldren roted in myschefe</p> + <p>Some after euer lyueth a lyfe abhomynable</p> + <p>To all theyr Kyn great sorowe and reprefe.</p> + <p>The one is a murderer the other a fereles thefe,</p> + <p>The one of god nor goode man hath no fors ne care.</p> + <p>Another so out wasteth that his frendes ar ful bare.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some theyr londe and lyuelode in riot out wasteth,</p> + <p>At cardes, and, tenys, and other vnlawful gamys.</p> + <p>And some wyth the Dyce theyr thryft away casteth.</p> + <p>Some theyr soule damnes, and theyr body shames.</p> + <p>With flesshly lust: which many one dyffamys.</p> + <p>Spendynge the floures of youth moche vnthryftely.</p> + <p>On dyuers Braunches that longe to Lechery.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Another delyteth hymselfe in Glotony.</p> + <p>Etynge and drynkynge without maner, or mesure:</p> + <p>The more that some drynke: the more they wax drye.</p> + <p>He is moste Galant whyche lengest can endure.</p> + <p>Thus without mesure ouercharge they theyr nature.</p> + <p>So that theyr Soule is loste theyr body and goode is spent.</p> + <p>For lacke of doctryne, Norture and punysshment.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Se here playne prose, example and euydence</p> + <p>Howe youthe which is nat norysshed in doctryne.</p> + <p>In age is gyuen vnto al Inconuenyence.</p> + <p>But nought shall make youthe soner forto inclyne.</p> + <p>To noble maners: nor Godly dysciplyne:</p> + <p>Than shal the doctryne of a mayster wyse and sad:</p> + <p>For the rote of vertue and wysdome therby is had.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Without dout Noblenes is moche excellent</p> + <p>Whiche oft causeth youth to be had in great honour.</p> + <p>To haue the name, and lawde they ar content.</p> + <p>Thoughe it be nat gotten by theyr owne labour.</p> + <p>But what auayleth them this lewde obscure errour</p> + <p>Of suche hye byrthe them self to magnyfy.</p> + <p>Sythe they defyle it with vice and Uilany.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Why art thou proude thou foul of that nobles</p> + <p>Whyche is nat gotten by thyne owne vertue.</p> + <p>By thy goode maners, wyt nor worthynes:</p> + <p>But this forsothe oft tymes fynde I true</p> + <p>That of a goode beste, yl whelpes may weshewe.</p> + <p>In lyke wyse of a Moder that is bothe chast and goode.</p> + <p>Often is brought forth a ful vngracious Brode.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But though the childe be of lewde condicion</p> + <p>And of his nature frowarde and varyable</p> + <p>If the fader be slacke in the correccion</p> + <p>Of his childe, he onely is culpable</p> + <p>Whiche wyll nat teche hym maners commendable</p> + <p>Thus is the fader a fole for his suffraunce</p> + <p>And the sone also for his mysgouernaunce</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The Enuoy.</span></p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Auoyd faders your fauour and suffraunce</p> + <p>Anenst your children in theyr faute and offence</p> + <p>Reduce ye clerely vnto your remembraunce</p> + <p>That many a thousande inconuenyence</p> + <p>Haue children done by theyr faders negligence</p> + <p>But to say trouth brefely in one clause</p> + <p>The fader's fauour onely is the cause</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p053"></a></p> + +<h3>Of tale berers, fals reporters, and +prometers of stryfes.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p178.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t178.png" + alt="The reward of the talebearers." /></a> + <p class="poem">Of folys yet fynde I another maner sorte<br /> Whiche + ar cause of brawlynge stryfe and deuysion<br /> Suche ar dowble tongyd + that lesyngys reporte<br /> Therby trustynge to come to great + promosion<br /> But suche lewde caytyfes at the conclusion<br /> + Bytwene two mylstons theyr legges puttes to grynde<br /> And for + rewarde, theyr confusion shall they fynde.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some ar that thynke the pleasoure and ioy of theyr lyfe</p> + <p>To brynge men in brawlynge to discorde and debate</p> + <p>Enioynge to moue them to chydynge and to stryfe</p> + <p>And where loue before was to cause mortall hate</p> + <p>With the comonty, and many great estate</p> + <p>Suche is moche wors than outher murderer or thefe</p> + <p>For ofte of his talys procedeth grete myschefe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Within his mouth is venym Jeperdous and vyle</p> + <p>His tonge styll laboryth lesynges to contryue</p> + <p>His mynde styll museth of falshode and on gyle</p> + <p>Therwith to trobyll suche as gladly wolde nat stryue</p> + <p>Somtyme his wordes as dartis he doth dryue</p> + <p>Agaynst good men: for onely his delyte.</p> + <p>Is set to sclaunder to diffame and bacbyte.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And namely them that fautles ar and innocent.</p> + <p>Of conscience clene, and maners commendable</p> + <p>These dryuyls sclaunder, beynge full dilygent.</p> + <p>To deuyde, louers that ar moste agreable</p> + <p>His tonge Infect his mynde abhomynable</p> + <p>Infectyth loue and ouertourneth charyte</p> + <p>Of them that longe tyme haue lyuyd in amyte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But he that accused is thus without all faute</p> + <p>And so sclaundred of this caytyf vnthryfty</p> + <p>Knowyth nought of this ieoperdous assaute</p> + <p>For he nought dowteth that is no thynge fauty</p> + <p>Thus whyle he nought feryth comyth sodaynly</p> + <p>This venemous doloure distaynynge his gode name</p> + <p>And so gyltles put to rebuke, and to shame.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus if one serche and seke the worlde ouerall</p> + <p>Than a backbyter nought is more peryllous</p> + <p>His mynde myscheuous, his wordys ar mortall</p> + <p>His damnable byt is foule and venemous</p> + <p>A thousande lyes of gyles odyous</p> + <p>He castyth out where he wolde haue debate</p> + <p>Engendrynge murder whan he his tyme can wayt</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Where as any frendes lyueth in accorde</p> + <p>Faythfull and true: this cowarde and caytyf</p> + <p>With his fals talys them bryngeth to dyscorde</p> + <p>And with his venym kepeth them in stryfe</p> + <p>But howe beit that he thus pas forth his lyfe</p> + <p>Sawynge his sede of debate and myschefe</p> + <p>His darte oft retourneth to his own reprefe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But nat withstandynge, suche boldely wyl excuse</p> + <p>His fals dyffamynge: as fautles and innocent.</p> + <p>If any hym for his dedes worthely accuse</p> + <p>He couereth his venym: as symple of intent.</p> + <p>Other ar whiche flater: and to euery thynge assent.</p> + <p>Before face folowynge the way of adulacion,</p> + <p>Whiche afterwarde sore hurteth by detraccion.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The worlde is nowe alle set on dyffamacion.</p> + <p>Suche ar moste cherisshed that best can forge a tale.</p> + <p>Whych shulde be moste had in abhomynacion.</p> + <p>And so they ar of wyse men without fayle.</p> + <p>But suche as ar voyde of wysdom and counsayle</p> + <p>Inclyneth theyr erys to sclander and detraccion,</p> + <p>Moche rather than they wolde to a noble sermon.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But euery Sclanderer, and begynner of stryfe.</p> + <p>Lousers of loue, and infecters of Charite.</p> + <p>Unworthy ar to lyue here at large in this lyfe.</p> + <p>But in derke Dongeon they worthy ar to be.</p> + <p>And there to remayne in pryson tyl they dye.</p> + <p>For with there yl tunges they labour to destroy</p> + <p>Concorde: whiche cause is of loue and of ioy.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>An olde quean that hath ben nought al hyr dayes.</p> + <p>Whiche oft hath for money hyr body let to hyre</p> + <p>Thynketh that al other doth folowe hyr olde wayes.</p> + <p>So she and hyr boul felawes syttinge by the fyre.</p> + <p>The Boule about walkynge with theyr tunges they conspyre</p> + <p>Agaynst goode peple, to sclander them wyth shame.</p> + <p>Than shal the noughty doughter lerne of the bawdy dame.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>By his warkes knowen is euery creature</p> + <p>For if one good, louynge, meke and charitable be.</p> + <p>He labours no debates amonge men to procure.</p> + <p>But coueyteth to norysshe true loue and charite.</p> + <p>Where as the other ful of falshode and iniquyte</p> + <p>Theyr synguler plesour put to ingender variaunce.</p> + <p>But oft theyr folysshe stody retournes to theyr myschaunce</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Therfore ye bacbyters that folke thus dyffame</p> + <p>Leue of your lewdnes and note wel this sentence.</p> + <p>Which Cryist hymself sayd: to great rebuke and shame</p> + <p>Unto them that sclandreth a man of Innocence.</p> + <p>Wo be to them whych by malyuolence</p> + <p>Slandreth or dyffameth any creature.</p> + <p>But wel is hym that wyth pacience can indure.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p057"></a></p> + +<h3>Of hym that wyll nat folowe nor ensue +good counsell, and necessary.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p182.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t182.png" + alt="Furrow begun whether it be good or ill." /></a> + <p class="poem">Of folys yet another sorte doth come<br /> Vnto our + shyp rowynge with great trauayle<br /> Whiche nought perceyue of + doctryne nor wysdome<br /> And yet dysdayne they to aske wyse + counseyll<br /> Nor it to folowe for theyr owne auayle<br /> Let suche + folys therat haue no dysdayne<br /> If they alone endure theyr losse + and payne</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He is a fole that dothe coueyt and desyre</p> + <p>To haue the name of wysdome and prudence</p> + <p>And yet of one sought thorugh a cyte or a shyre</p> + <p>None coude be founde of lesse wysdome nor science</p> + <p>But whyle he thynketh hym full of sapience</p> + <p>Crafty and wyse, doutles he is more blynde</p> + <p>Than is that fole whiche is out of his mynde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But though he be wyse, and of myght meruaylous</p> + <p>Endued with retoryke and with eloquence</p> + <p>And of hym selfe both ware and cautelous</p> + <p>If he be tachyd with this inconuenyence</p> + <p>To dysdayne others counseyll and sentence</p> + <p>He is vnwyse, for oft a folys counsayle</p> + <p>Tourneth a wyse man to consort and auayle</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But specially the read and auysement</p> + <p>Of wyse men, discrete, and full of grauyte</p> + <p>Helpeth thyne owne, be thou never so prudent</p> + <p>To thy purpose gyuynge strength and audacyte.</p> + <p>One man alone knowys nat all polycye</p> + <p>Thoughe thou haue wysdome cunnynge and scyence</p> + <p>Yet hath another moche more experience</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some cast out wordes in paynted eloquence</p> + <p>Thynkynge therby to be reputed wyse</p> + <p>Thoughe they haue neyther wysdome nor science</p> + <p>Suche maner folys them self do exercyse</p> + <p>A plughe and teame craftely to deuyse</p> + <p>To ere the path that folys erst hath made</p> + <p>The trouth vnder glose of suche is hyd and layde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>For why, they trust alway to theyr owne mynde</p> + <p>And furour begon whether it be good or yll</p> + <p>As if any other, no wyser read coude fynde</p> + <p>Thus they ensue theyr pryuate folysshe wyll</p> + <p>Oft in suche maters wherin they haue no skyll</p> + <p>As did Pyrrus whiche began cruell Batayle</p> + <p>Agaynst Orestes refusynge wyse counsayle</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But folowyd his owne rasshe mynde without auayle</p> + <p>As blynde and obstynat of his intencion</p> + <p>Wherfore he was disconfyted in Batayle</p> + <p>Hymselfe slayne, his men put to confusyon</p> + <p>If that the Troyans in theyr abusyon</p> + <p>With false Parys, had confourmed theyr intent</p> + <p>To Helenns counsayle Troy had nat ben brent.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>For that Priamus his mynde wolde nat aply</p> + <p>To the counseyll of Cassandra Prophetes</p> + <p>The grekys distroyed a great parte of Asy</p> + <p>Hector also by his selfwyllydnes</p> + <p>Was slayne with Peyn for all his doughtynes</p> + <p>Of Achylles in open and playne Batayle</p> + <p>For nat folowynge of his faders counsayle</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If Hector that day had byddyn within Troy</p> + <p>And vnto his fader bene obedient</p> + <p>Perchaunce he sholde haue lyuyd in welth and ioy</p> + <p>Longe tyme after and come to his intent</p> + <p>Whereas his body was with a spere through rent</p> + <p>Of the sayd Achyllys cruell and vnkynde</p> + <p>Alas for suynge his owne selfwyllyd mynde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>I rede of Nero moche cursed and cruell</p> + <p>Whiche to wyse counsayle hymself wolde nat agre</p> + <p>But in all myschef all other dyd excell</p> + <p>Delytynge hym in synne and crueltye</p> + <p>But howe dyde he ende forsoth in myserye</p> + <p>And at the last as wery of his lyfe</p> + <p>Hymselfe he murdred with his owne hand and knyfe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The Bybyll wytnessyth howe the prophete Thoby</p> + <p>Gaue his dere sone in chefe commaundement</p> + <p>That if he wolde lyue sure without ieoperdy</p> + <p>He sholde sue the counsayle of men wyse and prudent</p> + <p>The story of Roboam is also euydent</p> + <p>Whiche for nat suynge of counseyll and wysdome</p> + <p>Lost his Empyre, his scepter and kyngdome</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If that it were nat for cawse of breuyte</p> + <p>I coude shewe many of our predecessours</p> + <p>Whiche nat folowynge counceyll of men of grauyte</p> + <p>Soone haue decayed from theyr olde honours</p> + <p>I rede of Dukes, Kynges, and Emperours</p> + <p>Whiche dispysynge the counsayle of men of age</p> + <p>Haue after had great sorowe and damage.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>For he suerly whiche is so obstynate</p> + <p>That onely he trusteth to his owne blyndnes</p> + <p>Thynkynge all wysdome within his dotynge pate</p> + <p>He often endyth in sorowe and dystres</p> + <p>Wherfore let suche theyr cours swyftly addres</p> + <p>To drawe our Plough, and depe to ere the ground</p> + <p>That by theyr laboure all folys may be founde.</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The Enuoy of Alexander Barclay the Translatour</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O man vnauysed, thy blyndnes set asyde</p> + <p>Knowledge thy owne foly thy statelynes expel</p> + <p>Let nat for thy eleuate mynde nor folysshe pryde,</p> + <p>To order thy dedes by goode and wyse counsel</p> + <p>Howbeit thou thynke thy reason doth excel</p> + <p>Al other mennys wyt. yet oft it doth befall.</p> + <p>Anothers is moche surer: and thyn the worst of all.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p062"></a></p> + +<h3>Of disordred and vngoodly maners.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p187.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t187.png" + alt="Trailing your bauble in sign of your folly." /></a> + <p class="poem">Drawe nere ye folys of lewde condicion<br /> Of yll + behauoure gest and countenaunce<br /> Your proude lokys, disdayne and + derysyon<br /> Expresseth your inwarde folysshe ignoraunce<br /> Nowe + wyll I touche your mad mysgoueraunce<br /> Whiche hast to foly, And + folysshe company<br /> Treylynge your Baybll in sygne of your + foly</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>In this our tyme small is the company</p> + <p>That haue good maners worthy of reuerence</p> + <p>But many thousandes folowe vylany</p> + <p>Prone to all synne and inconuenyence</p> + <p>Stryuynge who sonest may come to all offence</p> + <p>Of lewde condicions and vnlefulnesse</p> + <p>Blyndnes of yll, and defylyd folysshenesse</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>All myserable men alas haue set theyr mynde</p> + <p>On lothsome maners clene destytute of grace</p> + <p>Theyr iyen dymmyd, theyr hertes are so blynde</p> + <p>That heuenly ioy none forceth to purchace</p> + <p>Both yonge and olde procedeth in one trace</p> + <p>With ryche and pore without all dyfference</p> + <p>As bonde men subdued to foly and offence</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some ar busshed theyr bonetes, set on syde.</p> + <p>Some waue theyr armys and hede to and fro</p> + <p>Some in no place can stedfastly abyde</p> + <p>More wylde and wanton than outher buk or do</p> + <p>Some ar so proude that on fote they can nat go</p> + <p>But get they must with countenaunce vnstable</p> + <p>Shewynge them folys, frayle and varyable</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some chyde that all men do them hate</p> + <p>Some gygyll and lawgh without grauyte</p> + <p>Some thynkes, hymselfe a gentylman or state</p> + <p>Though he a knaue caytyf and bonde churle be</p> + <p>These folys ar so blynde them self they can nat so</p> + <p>A yonge boy that is nat worth an onyon</p> + <p>With gentry or presthode is felowe and companyon.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Brybours and Baylyes that lyue upon towlynge</p> + <p>Are in the world moche set by nowe a dayes</p> + <p>Sergeauntis and Catchpollys that lyue upon powlynge</p> + <p>Courters and caytyfs begynners of frayes</p> + <p>Lyue styll encreasynge theyr vnhappy wayes</p> + <p>And a thousande mo of dyuers facultyes</p> + <p>Lyue auauntynge them of theyr enormytees.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Within the chirche and euery other place</p> + <p>These folys use theyr lewde condicions</p> + <p>Some starynge some cryeng some haue great solace</p> + <p>In rybawde wordes, some in deuysyons</p> + <p>Some them delyte in scornes and derysons</p> + <p>Some pryde ensueth and some glotony.</p> + <p>Without all norture gyuen to vylany</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Theyr lyfe is folysshe lothsome and vnstable</p> + <p>Lyght brayned, theyr herte and mynde is inconstant</p> + <p>Theyr gate and loke proude and abhomynable</p> + <p>They haue nor order as folys ignorant</p> + <p>Chaungyng theyr myndes thryse in one instant</p> + <p>Alas this lewdnes and great enormyte</p> + <p>Wyll them nat suffer theyr wretchydnes to se</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus ar these wretchyd caytyfes fully blynde</p> + <p>All men and wymen that good ar doth them hate</p> + <p>But he that with good maners endueth his mynde</p> + <p>Auoydeth this wrath hatered and debate</p> + <p>His dedes pleaseth both comonty and estate</p> + <p>And namely suche as ar good and laudable</p> + <p>Thynketh his dedes right and commendable</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>As wyse men sayth: both vertue and cunnynge</p> + <p>Honoure and worshyp grace and godlynes</p> + <p>Of worthy maners take theyr begynnynge</p> + <p>And fere also asswagyth wantones.</p> + <p>Subduynge the furour of youthes wylfulnes</p> + <p>But shamefastnes trouth constance and probyte</p> + <p>Both yonge and olde bryngeth to great dignyte.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>These foresayde vertues with charite and peas.</p> + <p>Together assembled stedfast in mannys mynde.</p> + <p>Cawseth his honour and worthynes to encreas.</p> + <p>And his godly lyfe a godly ende shal fynde</p> + <p>But these lewde caytyfs which doth theyr myndes blynde</p> + <p>With corrupt maners lyuynge vnhappely.</p> + <p>In shame they lyue and wretchedly they dye.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p066"></a></p> + +<h3>Of brekynge and hurtynge of amyte and frendshyp.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p191.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t191.png" + alt="The breakers of friendship." /></a> + <p class="poem">He that iniustyce vseth and greuance<br /> Agaynst all + reason lawe and equyte<br /> By vyolent force puttynge to vtteraunce<br + /> A symple man full of humylyte<br /> Suche by his lewdnes and + iniquyte.<br /> Makyth a graue wherin hym selfe shall lye.<br /> And + lewdly he dyeth that lyueth crudlye.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A Fole frowarde cruell and vntrewe</p> + <p>Is he whiche by his power wrongfully</p> + <p>His frendes and subiectes laboures to subdewe</p> + <p>Without all lawe, but clene by tyranny</p> + <p>Therfore thou Juge thy erys se thou aply</p> + <p>To right Justyce and set nat thyne intent</p> + <p>By wrath or malyce to be to vyolent.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>It is nat lawfull to any excellent</p> + <p>Or myghty man, outher lawyer or estate</p> + <p>By cruelnes to oppresse an innocent</p> + <p>Ne by pryde and malyce Justyce to violate</p> + <p>The law transposynge after a frowarde rate</p> + <p>With proude wordes defendynge his offence</p> + <p>God wot oft suche haue symple conscience</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O that he cursed is and reprouable</p> + <p>Whiche day and nyght stodyeth besely</p> + <p>To fynde some meanes false and detestable</p> + <p>To put his frende to losse or hurte therby</p> + <p>Our hertes ar fully set on vylany</p> + <p>There ar right fewe of hye or lowe degre</p> + <p>That luste to norysshe trewe loue and amyte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Alas exyled is godly charyte</p> + <p>Out of our Royalme we all ar so vnkynde</p> + <p>Our folys settyth gretter felycyte</p> + <p>On golde and goodes than on a faythfull frynde</p> + <p>Awake blynde folys and call vnto your mynde</p> + <p>That though honest ryches be moche commendable</p> + <p>Yet to a true frende it is nat comparable</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Of all thynges loue is moste profytable</p> + <p>For the right order of lowe and amyte</p> + <p>Is of theyr maners to be agreable</p> + <p>And one of other haue mercy and pyte</p> + <p>Eche doynge for other after theyr degre</p> + <p>And without falshode this frendeshyp to mayntayne</p> + <p>And nat departe for pleasour nor for payne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But alas nowe all people haue dysdayne</p> + <p>On suche frendshyp for to set theyr delyte</p> + <p>Amyte we haue exyled out certayne</p> + <p>We lowe oppressyon to sclaunder and bacbyte</p> + <p>Extorcyon hath strength, pyte gone is quyte</p> + <p>Nowe in the worlde suche frendes ar there none</p> + <p>As were in Grece many yeres agone.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Who lyst thystory of Patroclus to rede</p> + <p>There shall he se playne wryten without fayle</p> + <p>Howe whan Achyllys gaue no force nor hede</p> + <p>Agaynst the Troyans to execute batayle</p> + <p>The sayd Patroclus dyd on the aparayle</p> + <p>Of Achylles, and went forth in his steade</p> + <p>Agaynst Hector: but lyghtly he was dede.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But than Achylles seynge this myschaunce.</p> + <p>Befallen his frende whiche was to hym so true.</p> + <p>He hym addressyd shortly to take vengeaunce.</p> + <p>And so in Batayle the noble Hector slewe</p> + <p>And his dede cors after his charot drewe.</p> + <p>Upon the grounde traylynge ruthfully behynde</p> + <p>Se howe he auengyd Patroclus his frende.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The hystory also of Orestes dothe expresse</p> + <p>Whiche whan agamenon his fader was slayne</p> + <p>By egystus whiche agaynst rightwysnes</p> + <p>The sayde Orestis moder dyd meyntayne</p> + <p>The childe was yonge wherfore it was but vayne</p> + <p>In youth to stryue, but whan he came to age</p> + <p>His naturall moder slewe he in a rage</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And also Egystus whiche had his fader slayne</p> + <p>Thus toke he vengeaunce of both theyr cruelnes</p> + <p>But yet it grewe to his great care and payne</p> + <p>For sodaynly he fell in a madnesse</p> + <p>And euer thought that in his furiousnes</p> + <p>His moder hym sued flamynge full of fyre</p> + <p>And euer his deth was redy to conspyre</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Orestes troubled with this fereful vysyon</p> + <p>As franatyke and mad wandred many a day</p> + <p>Ouer many a countrey londe and regyon</p> + <p>His frende Pylades folowynge hym alway</p> + <p>In payne nor wo he wolde hym nat denay</p> + <p>Tyll he restoryd agayne was to his mynde</p> + <p>Alas what frynde may we fynde nowe so kynde.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Of dymades what shall I lawde or wryte.</p> + <p>And Pythias his felawe amyable</p> + <p>Whiche in eche other suche loue had and delyte</p> + <p>That whan Denys a tyrant detestable</p> + <p>And of his men some to hym agreable</p> + <p>Wolde one of them haue mordred cruelly</p> + <p>Echone for other offred for to dye</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ualerius wrytyth a story longe and ample</p> + <p>Of Lelius and of worthy Cipio.</p> + <p>Whiche of trewe loue hath left vs great example</p> + <p>For they neuer left in doloure wele nor wo</p> + <p>I rede in thystory of Theseus also:</p> + <p>Howe he (as the Poetes fables doth tell)</p> + <p>Folowyd his felawe perothus in to hell.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And serchynge hym dyd wander and compas</p> + <p>Those lothsome flodys and wayes tenebrous</p> + <p>Ferynge no paynes of that dysordred place</p> + <p>Nor obscure mystes or ayres odyous</p> + <p>Tyll at the laste by his wayes cautelous</p> + <p>And Hercules valyaunt dedes of boldnesse</p> + <p>He gat Perothus out of that wretchydnesse.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Alas where ar suche frendes nowe a dayes</p> + <p>Suerly in the worlde none suche can be founde</p> + <p>All folowe theyr owne profyte and lewde wayes</p> + <p>None vnto other coueytys to be bounde</p> + <p>Brekers of frendshyp ynough ar on the grounde</p> + <p>Whiche set nought by frendshyp so they may haue good</p> + <p>All suche in my shyp shall haue a folys hode</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The Enuoy of Barklay To the Folys.</span></p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ye cruell folys full of ingratitude.</p> + <p>Aryse be asshamyd of your iniquyte</p> + <p>Mollyfy your hertes vnkynde stuberne and rude</p> + <p>Graffynge in them true loue and amyte</p> + <p>Consyder this prouerbe of antyquyte</p> + <p>And your vnkyndnes weray ban and curse</p> + <p>For whether thou be of hy or lowe degre</p> + <p>Better is a frende in courte than a peny in purse</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p071"></a></p> + +<h3>Of contempt, or dispisynge of holy scripture.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p196.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t196.png" + alt="The fool who despises holy scripture." /></a> + <p class="poem">He that gyueth his erys or credence<br /> To euery + folys talys or talkynge<br /> Thynkynge more wysdome and fruytfull + sentence<br /> In theyr vayne talys than is in the redynge<br /> Of + bokes whiche shewe vs the way of godly lyuynge<br /> And soulys helth: + forsoth suche one is blynde<br /> And in this shyp the anker shall vp + wynde.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Suche as dispyseth auncyent scripture</p> + <p>Whiche prouyd is of great auctoryte</p> + <p>And hath no pleasoure felycyte or cure</p> + <p>Of godly Prophetis whiche wrote of veryte</p> + <p>A fole he is for his moste felycyte</p> + <p>Is to byleue the tales of an olde wyfe</p> + <p>Rather than the doctryne of eternall lyfe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The holy Bybyll grounde of trouth and of lawe</p> + <p>Is nowe of many abiect and nought set by</p> + <p>Nor godly scripture is nat worth an hawe</p> + <p>But talys ar louyd grounde of rybawdry</p> + <p>And many blynddyd ar so with theyr foly</p> + <p>That no scripture thynke they so true nor gode</p> + <p>As is a folysshe yest of Robyn hode.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He that to scripture wyll not gyue credence</p> + <p>Wherin ar the armys of our tuycion</p> + <p>And of our fayth foundacion and defence</p> + <p>Suche one ensueth nat the condycion</p> + <p>Of man resonable, but by abusyon</p> + <p>Lyuyth as a best of conscyence cruell</p> + <p>As saue this worlde were neyther heuen nor hell.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He thynketh that there is no god aboue</p> + <p>Nor nobler place than is this wretchyd grounde</p> + <p>Nor goddes power suche neyther fere nor loue</p> + <p>With whom all grace and mercy doth abounde</p> + <p>Whiche whan hym lyst vs wretches may confounde</p> + <p>Alas what auayleth to gyue instruction</p> + <p>To suche lewde folys of this condycion.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>It nought auayleth vnto them to complayne</p> + <p>Of theyr blyndnes, nor enfourme them with vertue</p> + <p>Theyr cursed lyfe wyll by no mean refrayne</p> + <p>Their viciousnes, nor their erroure eschewe</p> + <p>But rather stody theyr foly to renewe</p> + <p>Alas what profytis to suche to expresse.</p> + <p>The heuenly ioy, rewarde of holynesse.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Alas what auayleth to suche to declare</p> + <p>The paynes of hell, wo dissolate and derke</p> + <p>No wo nor care can cause suche to beware</p> + <p>From their lewde lyfe corrupt and synfull warke</p> + <p>What profyteth sermons of any noble clarke</p> + <p>Or godly lawes taught at any Scolys</p> + <p>For to reherse to these myscheuous folys.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>What helpeth the Prophetis scripture or doctryne</p> + <p>Unto these folys obstynate and blynde</p> + <p>Their hertis ar harde, nat wyllynge to enclyne</p> + <p>To theyr preceptis nor rote them in theyr mynde</p> + <p>Nor them byleue as Cristen men vnkynde</p> + <p>For if that they consydred heuen or hell</p> + <p>They wolde nat be so cursed and cruell</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And certaynly the trouth apereth playne</p> + <p>That these folys thynke in theyr intent</p> + <p>That within hell is neyther car nor payne</p> + <p>Hete nor colde, woo, nor other punysshement</p> + <p>Nor that for synners is ordeyned no turment</p> + <p>Thus these mad folys wandreth euery houre</p> + <p>Without amendement styll in theyr blynde erroure</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Before thy fete thou mayst beholde and se</p> + <p>Of our holy fayth the bokys euydent</p> + <p>The olde lawes and newe layde ar before the</p> + <p>Expressynge christes tryumphe right excellent</p> + <p>But for all this set is nat thyne intent</p> + <p>Theyr holy doctryne to plant within thy brest</p> + <p>Wherof shold procede ioy and eternall rest</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Trowest thou that thy selfe wyllyd ignoraunce</p> + <p>Of godly lawes and mystycall doctryne</p> + <p>May clense or excuse thy blynde mysgouernaunce</p> + <p>Or lewde erroure, whiche scorne hast to inclyne</p> + <p>To theyr preceptis: and from thy synne declyne</p> + <p>Nay nay thy cursed ignoraunce sothly shall</p> + <p>Drowne thy soule in the depe flodes infernall</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Therfore let none his cursydnes defende</p> + <p>Nor holy doctryne, nor godly bokes dispyse</p> + <p>But rather stody his fawtes to amende</p> + <p>For god is aboue all our dedes to deuyse</p> + <p>Whiche shall rewarde them in a ferefull wyse</p> + <p>With mortall wo that euer shall endure</p> + <p>Whiche haue dyspysyd his doctryne and scripture</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Barclay To the Folys.</span></p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Out of your slomber folys I rede you ryse.</p> + <p>Scripture dyuyne, to folowe and inbrace</p> + <p>Be nat so bolde it to leue nor dispyse</p> + <p>But you enforce it to get and purchase</p> + <p>Remember mannys consort and solace.</p> + <p>Is holy closyd within the boke of lyfe</p> + <p>Who that it foloweth hath a speciall grace</p> + <p>But he that doth nat a wretche is and caytyfe</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p075"></a></p> + +<h3>Of folys without prouysyon.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p200.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t200.png" + alt="The fool who does not gird his horse." /></a> + <p class="poem">He is a fole forsoth and worse<br /> That to his + saddyll wolde lepe on hye<br /> Before or he haue gyrt his horse<br /> + For downe he comys with an euyll thee<br /> But as great a fole forsoth + is he<br /> And to be lawghed to derysyon.<br /> That ought begynneth + without prouysyon</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Of other folys yet is a moche nomber</p> + <p>Whom I wolde gladly brynge to intellygence</p> + <p>To auoyde their blyndnes which sore doth incomber</p> + <p>Theyr mynde and herte for lackynge of science</p> + <p>Suche ar vnware and gyuen to neglygence</p> + <p>Mad and mysmyndyd pryuate of wysdome</p> + <p>Makynge no prouysyon for the tyme to come.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If any mysfortune aduersyte or wo</p> + <p>As often hapnyth, to suche a fole doth fall</p> + <p>Than sayth he I thought it wolde nat haue be so</p> + <p>But than ouer late is it agayne to call</p> + <p>It is nat ynough thou fole to say I shall</p> + <p>For this one daye prouyde me by wysdome</p> + <p>A wyse man seyth peryll longe before it come</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He is vnwyse and of prouysyon pore</p> + <p>That nought can se before he haue damage</p> + <p>Whan the stede is stolyn to shyt the stable dore</p> + <p>Comys small pleasoure profyte or vauntage</p> + <p>But he that can suche folysshenes asswage</p> + <p>Begynnynge by counsayll, and fore prouydence</p> + <p>Is sure to escape all inconuenyence</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Whan Adam tastyd the appyll in Paradyse.</p> + <p>To hym prohybyte by dyuyne commaundement</p> + <p>If he had noted the ende of his interpryse</p> + <p>To Eue he wolde nat haue ben obedyent</p> + <p>Thus he endured right bytter punysshement</p> + <p>For his blynde erroure and improuydence</p> + <p>That all his lynage rue sore for his offence.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Hymselfe dryuyn out from Paradyce all bare</p> + <p>With Eue, into this vale of wretchydnes</p> + <p>To get theyr lyuynge with laboure payne and care</p> + <p>And also if Jonathas by errour and blyndnes</p> + <p>Had nat receyued the gyftis of falsnes</p> + <p>Unto hym gyuen of Tryphon by abusyon</p> + <p>He sholde haue escapyd great confusyon</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If that he before had notyd craftely</p> + <p>His ennemyes gyftis of frawde full and of treason</p> + <p>He myght haue sauyd hymselfe from ieoperdy</p> + <p>And all his people by prouydence and reason</p> + <p>Where as he blynde was as at that season</p> + <p>And to a cyte broughte in by a trayne</p> + <p>Where he was murdred and all his people slayne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Julius Cesar the chefe of conquerours</p> + <p>Was euer warre and prudent of counsayle</p> + <p>But whan he had obteyned great honours</p> + <p>And drewe to rest as wery of Batayle</p> + <p>Than his vnwarnes causyd hym to wayle</p> + <p>For if he had red with good aduysement</p> + <p>The letter whiche to the counselhous was sent</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He had nat gyuen his owne iugement</p> + <p>As he dyd by his foly and neglygence</p> + <p>For whiche he murdred was incontynent</p> + <p>Without respect had vnto his excellence</p> + <p>Alas se here what inconuenyence</p> + <p>Came to this Emperour hye and excellent</p> + <p>For nat beyng wyse dyscrete and prouydent</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If Nichanor before had noted well</p> + <p>The ende of his dedes he had nat be slayne</p> + <p>By Judas and the children of Israell</p> + <p>His hande and tunge cut of to his great payne</p> + <p>And than his hede, as the bybyll sheweth playne</p> + <p>Thus may all knowe that wyll therto entende</p> + <p>Wherto they come that caryth nat the ende</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But he that begynneth by counsayll and wysdome</p> + <p>Alway procedynge with good prouysyon</p> + <p>Notynge what is past and what is for to come</p> + <p>Suche folowys godly scripture and monycion</p> + <p>In happy wayes without transgressyon</p> + <p>Of goddes lawes, and his commaundement</p> + <p>And often tymes comys to his intent.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus it appereth playne and euydent</p> + <p>That wyse prouysyon, prose and good counsayle</p> + <p>Are moche laudable, and also excellent</p> + <p>And to mankynde great profyte and auayle.</p> + <p>Where as those folys haue often cause to wayle</p> + <p>For theyr mysfortune, in sorowe vexed sore</p> + <p>Whiche ought begyn nat prouydyd before</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The Enuoy of Alexander Barclay</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O man remember thou canste nat abyde</p> + <p>Styll in this lyfe therfore moste specially</p> + <p>For thy last ende thou oughtest to prouyde.</p> + <p>For that prouysion forsoth is most godly</p> + <p>And than next after thy mynde thou ought aply</p> + <p>To fle offence, and bewayle thyne olde synne</p> + <p>And in all workes and besynes worldly</p> + <p>What may be the ende marke well or thou begynne</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p079"></a></p> + +<h3>Of disordred loue and veneryous.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p204.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t204.png" + alt="Fools in the snares of Venus." /></a> + <p class="poem">Here drawe we folys mad togyther bounde<br /> Whom + Uenus caught hath in hyr net a snare<br /> Whose blynde hertes this + forour doth confounde<br /> Theyr lyfe consumynge in sorowe shame and + care<br /> Many one she blyndeth alas fewe can beware<br /> Of hyr + dartes hedyd with shame and vylany<br /> But he that is wondyd can + skant ynde remedy</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O cruel Uenus forsoth who doth insue</p> + <p>Thy flaterynge gylys and proude commaundement</p> + <p>And hastyth nat the dartis to eschewe</p> + <p>Of blynde Cupido but folowys his intent</p> + <p>Suche folys endure moche sorowe and turment</p> + <p>Wastynge theyr goodes dishonestynge their name</p> + <p>As past fere of god and sekynge after shame</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Howe many yllys, what inconuenyence</p> + <p>Howe great vengeaunce, and howe bytter punysshement</p> + <p>Hath god oft takyn for this synne and offence</p> + <p>Howe many Cytees hye and excellent</p> + <p>Hath Uenus lost, destroyed, and alto brent</p> + <p>What lordes and howe many a great estate</p> + <p>Hath loue lost, murdred, or els brought in debate</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The noble Troyans murdred ar and slayne</p> + <p>Theyr cyte brent, decayde is theyr kyngdome</p> + <p>Theyr kynge pryant by pyrrus dede and slayne</p> + <p>And all this by Parys vnhappy loue is come</p> + <p>Whiche voyde of grace and blynde without wysdome</p> + <p>To fyll his lust, from Grece rubbyd Helayne,</p> + <p>But this one pleasour was grounde of moche payne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Also Marcus a Prynce of the Romayns</p> + <p>Called Antonius by another name</p> + <p>After that he had ouercome the persyans</p> + <p>To Rome retournyd with tryumphe lawde and fame</p> + <p>And there (whiche after was to his great shame)</p> + <p>With cleopatra in loue was take so in blyndnes</p> + <p>That he promysyd to make hir empresse</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>So this blynde louer to fyll his interpryse</p> + <p>Caused his men two hondred shyppes ordayne</p> + <p>And toke the see wenynge in suche fourme and wyse</p> + <p>His lewde desyre: to perfourme and obteyne</p> + <p>But shortly after was he ouercome and slayne</p> + <p>Of Cesar: and whan he this purpose vnderstode</p> + <p>He bathed his Corse within his lemmans blode</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>For two serpentis that venemus were and fell</p> + <p>Were set to the brestis of fayre Cleopatray</p> + <p>So this cruell purpose had punysshement cruell</p> + <p>For theyr intendynge theyr countrey to betray</p> + <p>And worthy they were, what man can it denay</p> + <p>Thus it apereth playne by euydence</p> + <p>That of false loue cometh great inconuenyence</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>For he that loueth is voyde of all reason</p> + <p>Wandrynge in the worlde without lawe or mesure</p> + <p>In thought and fere sore vexed eche season</p> + <p>And greuous dolours in loue he must endure</p> + <p>No creature hym selfe may well assure</p> + <p>From loues soft dartis: I say none on the grounde</p> + <p>But mad and folysshe bydes he whiche hath the wounde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Aye rennynge as franatyke no reason in his mynde</p> + <p>He hath no constaunce nor ease within his herte</p> + <p>His iyen ar blynde, his wyll alwaye inclyned</p> + <p>To louys preceptes yet can nat he departe</p> + <p>The Net is stronge, the fole caught can nat starte</p> + <p>The darte is sharpe, who euer is in the chayne</p> + <p>Can nat his sorowe in vysage hyde nor fayne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Rede howe Phedra hir loue fixed so feruent</p> + <p>On ypolitus in prohybyte auowtry.</p> + <p>That whan he wolde nat vnto hir consent</p> + <p>To hir husbonde she accused hym falsly</p> + <p>As if he wolde hir tane by force to vylany</p> + <p>Ipolitus was murdred for this accusement</p> + <p>But Phedra for wo hanged hyrself incontynent</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The lewde loue of Phasyphe abhomynable</p> + <p>As poetis sayth) brought hir to hir confusyon</p> + <p>Nero the cruell Tyrant detestable.</p> + <p>His naturall mother knewe by abusyon</p> + <p>Uenus and Cupido with their collusyon.</p> + <p>Enflamyd Messalina in suche wyse</p> + <p>That euery nyght hir selfe she wolde disgyse</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And secretly go to the brothelhous</p> + <p>For to fulfyll hir hote concupyssence</p> + <p>What shall I wryte the dedes vicious</p> + <p>Of Julia or, hir cruell offence.</p> + <p>What shall I wryte the inconuenyence</p> + <p>Whiche came by Danythys cursed auowtry</p> + <p>Syth that the bybyll it shewyth openly</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>What shall I wryte the greuous forfayture</p> + <p>Of Sodom and Gomor syns the Bybyll doth tell</p> + <p>Of their synnes agaynst god and nature</p> + <p>For whiche they sanke alyue downe into hell.</p> + <p>Thus it aperith what punysshement cruell.</p> + <p>Our lorde hath taken both in the olde lawe and newe</p> + <p>For this synne: whiche sholde vs moue it to eschewe</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Alexander Barklay To the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ye folys inflamyd with loue inordynate.</p> + <p>Note these examples, drawe from this vyce your mynde</p> + <p>Remember that there is none so great estate</p> + <p>But that false loue hym causeth to be blynde</p> + <p>Our folysshe wymen may nat be left behynde</p> + <p>For many of them so folowys in this way</p> + <p>That they sell theyr soules and bodyes to go gay</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The graceles galantes, and the aprentyce pore</p> + <p>Though they nought haue, themselfe they set nought by</p> + <p>Without they be acquaynted with some hore</p> + <p>Of westmynster or some other place of rybawdry</p> + <p>Than fall they to murder theft and robery.</p> + <p>For were nat proude clothynge, and also flesshely lust</p> + <p>All the feters and gyues of Englonde shulde rust.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Therfore folys awake, and be no longer blynde</p> + <p>Consyder that shame, seknes, and pouertye</p> + <p>Of loue procedeth: and drawe from it your mynde</p> + <p>Suffre not your soules damned and lost to be</p> + <p>By vayne lust and carnall sensualyte</p> + <p>For thoughe the small pleasure do make the fayne</p> + <p>The ende oft is worldly wo and myserye</p> + <p>Or amonge the fendes eternall payne</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p084"></a></p> + +<h3>Of them y<sup>t</sup> synne trustynge vpon the +mercy of god.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p209.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t209.png" + alt="Neither for goose nor crane, nor yet for other beasts unresonable." /></a> + <p class="poem">Who that styll synneth without contricion<br /> + Trustynge goddes mercy and benygnyte<br /> Bycause he sparyth our + transgressyon<br /> And he that thynketh iustice and equyte<br /> Is + nat in god as well as is petye<br /> Suche is forsoth without + discressyon<br /> Syns he thus synneth upon + presumpcion</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The wynde is up our Nauy is aflote</p> + <p>A bande of Folys a borde is come yet more</p> + <p>Theyr cursed maners and mad I shall nowe note</p> + <p>Whose herte for synne is neyther contryte ne sore</p> + <p>Nat mornynge (as they ought to do) therfore</p> + <p>Without fere styll lyuynge in theyr vyciousnes</p> + <p>No thynge inclyned to godly holynes</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They thynke no thynge on goddes rightwysnes</p> + <p>But grounde them all, on his mercy and pyte</p> + <p>For that he redyer is vnto forgeuenesse</p> + <p>Unto all people, than them punysshed to se</p> + <p>Trouth it is that the great enormyte</p> + <p>Of the worlde hathe nat aye worthy punysshement</p> + <p>Nor he nat damnyd that doth his synne repent</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Put case he gyuyth nat aye lyke iugement</p> + <p>On mannys mysdede, nor yet mundayne offence</p> + <p>And though he be gode meke and pacyent</p> + <p>Nor shortly punyssheth our inconuenyence</p> + <p>Put case also he gyue nat aduertence</p> + <p>To all mundayne fawtes synne and fragylyte</p> + <p>Yet none sholde synne in hope of his mercy</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But these folys assembled in a companye</p> + <p>Sayth eche to other that oft it is laufull</p> + <p>To perseuerant synners lyuynge in iniquyte</p> + <p>Yo trust in god syns he is mercyfull</p> + <p>What nedeth vs our wyttis for to dull</p> + <p>Labourynge our synne and foly to refrayne</p> + <p>Syns synne is a thynge naturall and humayne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Than sayth another forsoth thou sayst playne</p> + <p>And also our fore Faders and progenitours</p> + <p>Before our dayes offendyd haue certayne.</p> + <p>As well as we, in many blynde errours</p> + <p>But syns they haue escapyd all paynes and dolours</p> + <p>Of hell; and nowe in heuyn ar certayne</p> + <p>What nede haue we to fere infernall payne.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Than comys in an other with his dotysshe brayne</p> + <p>By god sayth he I knowe it without fable</p> + <p>That heuyn was made neyther for gose nor crane</p> + <p>Nor yet for other bestes vnresonable</p> + <p>Than of the Scripture doth he Chat and bable</p> + <p>Alleggynge our forefaders whiche haue mysdone</p> + <p>Saynge that no synne is newe in our season</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A myserable men destytute of reason.</p> + <p>That thus on hope do synne vnhappely</p> + <p>Remember the synne of our forefaders done</p> + <p>Haue neuer ben left vnpunysshed fynally</p> + <p>And that somtyme, full sharpe and bytterly</p> + <p>For euer more all synne hath had a fall</p> + <p>With sorowe here, or els wo infernall</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The synne of Sodom foule and nat natural</p> + <p>The Pryde of rome, whiche was so excellent</p> + <p>The offence of Dauyd Prophete and kynge royal</p> + <p>The furour of Pharao fyers and violent</p> + <p>Haue nat escaped the rightwyse punysshment</p> + <p>Of God aboue, the celestial and highe Justice</p> + <p>Which fyrst, or last punyssheth euery vyce.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Remember Richarde lately kynge of price</p> + <p>In Englonde raynynge vnrightwisely a whyle.</p> + <p>Howe he ambycion, and gyleful Couetyse</p> + <p>With innocent blode his handes dyd defyle</p> + <p>But howbeit that fortune on hym dyd smyle</p> + <p>Two yere or thre: yet god sende hym punysshment</p> + <p>By his true seruant the rede Rose redolent.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Therfore remember that god omnypotent</p> + <p>Oft suffreth synners in theyr iniquyte</p> + <p>Grauntynge them space and tyme of amendement</p> + <p>And nat to procede in their enormyte</p> + <p>But those synners that byde in one degre</p> + <p>And in this lyfe their synne wyll nat refrayne</p> + <p>God after punyssheth with infernall payne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>As I haue sayde (therfore) I say agayne</p> + <p>Though god be of infynyte pety and mercy</p> + <p>His fauour and grace passynge all synne mundayne</p> + <p>Yet iustice is with hym eternally.</p> + <p>Wherfore I aduyse the to note intentifly</p> + <p>Though pyte wolde spare, iustyce wyll nat so</p> + <p>But the here rewarde, els with infernal we.</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Alexander Barklay to the Folys.</span></p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Syghe synners, syghe, for your mysgouernance.</p> + <p>Lament, mourne, and sorowe for your enormyte.</p> + <p>Away with these Clowdes of mysty ignorance</p> + <p>Syn nat in hope of goddys hyghe petye</p> + <p>And remember howe ye daily punysshed be</p> + <p>With dyuers dyseases both vncouthe and cruel</p> + <p>And all for your synne, but suche as escapeth fre</p> + <p>And styl lyue in syn, may fere the peynes of helle</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p088"></a></p> + +<h3>Of the folisshe begynnynge of great +bildynges without sufficient prouision.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p213.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t213.png" + alt="The fool who builds without counting the cost." /></a> + <p class="poem">Come nere folys and rede your ignorance<br /> And great + losse procedynge of your owne foly<br /> Whiche without gode and + discrete purueaunce<br /> Any great werke wyll bylde or edefye.<br /> + All suche ar folys what man wyll it deny<br /> For he that wyll bylde + before he count his cost<br /> Shall seldome well ende, so that is made + is lost.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Who euer begynneth any worke or dede</p> + <p>Of byldynge or of other thynge chargeable</p> + <p>And to his costes before taketh no hede</p> + <p>Nor tyme nat countyth to his worke agreable</p> + <p>Suche is a fole and well worthy a babyll</p> + <p>For he that is wyse wyll no thynge assay</p> + <p>Without he knowe howe he well ende it may.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The wyse man counteth his cost before alway</p> + <p>Or he begyn, and nought wyll take in honde</p> + <p>Wherto his myght or power myght denay</p> + <p>His costes confourmynge to the stynt of his londe</p> + <p>Where as the fole that nought doth vnderstonde</p> + <p>Begynneth a byldynge without aduysement</p> + <p>But or halfe be done his money clene is spent.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Many haue begon with purpose dilygent</p> + <p>To bylde great houses and pleasaunt mansyons</p> + <p>Them thynkynge to finysshe after theyr intent</p> + <p>But nede disceyuyd hath theyr opynyons</p> + <p>Their purpose nat worth a cowpyll of onyons</p> + <p>But whan they se that they it ende nat can</p> + <p>They curse the tyme that euer they it began</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Of Nabugodosor that worthy man.</p> + <p>What shall I wryte or the story to the tell</p> + <p>Syth that the Bybyll to the expresse it can</p> + <p>In the fourth chapter of the prophete Danyell</p> + <p>Was he nat punysshed in paynes cruell</p> + <p>For his great pryde and his presumpcion</p> + <p>Whiche he toke it in the byldynge of Babylon</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>His golde and treasoure he spendyd hole theron</p> + <p>Enioynge hym in his Cyte excellent</p> + <p>Right so Nemroth by his inuencion</p> + <p>The towre of Babylon began for this intent</p> + <p>To saue hym, if the worlde agayne were drent</p> + <p>But the hye god consyderynge his blynde rage</p> + <p>His purpose let by confusyon of langage</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>His towre vnperfyte to his losse and domage</p> + <p>His people punysshed, hymselfe specyally</p> + <p>Thus it apereth what great disauauntage</p> + <p>On theyr hede falleth that byldeth in foly</p> + <p>Thus he is folysshe that wolde edefy</p> + <p>Any great worke without ryches in excesse</p> + <p>For great byldynges requyreth great rychesse</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But many folys ar in suche a blyndnesse</p> + <p>That hereon nought they set their mynde ne thought</p> + <p>Wherfore to them oft commyth great distresse</p> + <p>And to great pouerty often ar they brought</p> + <p>Laughed to scorne, their purpose cometh to nought</p> + <p>And truely I fynde in bokes wryten playne</p> + <p>That our olde faders haue neuer set theyr brayne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>On great byldynge, ne yet of them ben fayne:</p> + <p>It longeth to a lorde a Prynce or a Kynge</p> + <p>That lacke no treasoure theyr werkes to mayntayne</p> + <p>To set theyr myndes on excellent buyldynge</p> + <p>Therfore who so euer wyll meddle with this thynge</p> + <p>Or any other, before let hym be wyse</p> + <p>That his myght and ryches therto may suffyse.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Lyst all men do mocke and scorne his interpryse</p> + <p>For if he ought begyn without prouysyon</p> + <p>And haue nat wherby his byldynge may up ryse</p> + <p>All that is lost that is made and begon</p> + <p>And better it is sothly in myn intencion</p> + <p>Nought to begyn, and spare laboure and payne</p> + <p>Than to begyn and than, leue of agayne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Who euer he be that so doth certayne</p> + <p>He shall haue mockis mengled with his damage</p> + <p>Therfore let suche folys sharpe theyr brayne</p> + <p>And better intende to theyr owne auauntage</p> + <p>Consyderynge that processe of tyme and age</p> + <p>Theyr curyous byldynges shall at the lest confounde</p> + <p>And Roufe and wallys make egall with the grounde.</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ye folys blyndyd with curyosyte</p> + <p>Whiche on great byldynge set so sore your mynde</p> + <p>Remember ye nat that doutles ye shall dye</p> + <p>And your gay byldynges and howses leue behynde</p> + <p>Thynke ye your conforte alway in them to fynde</p> + <p>Or whan ye dye, them hens with you to haue</p> + <p>Nay nay the laste hous gyuen to mankynde</p> + <p>Is the course grounde and walles of his graue.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p092"></a></p> + +<h3>Of glotons and dronkardes.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p217.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t217.png" + alt="Gluttons and drunkards." /></a> + <p class="poem">That gloton or dronkarde, vyle in goddes sight<br /> + Shall hardly escape the weyght of pouertye.<br /> Whiche drynketh and + deuoureth both day and nyght<br /> Therin onely settynge all his + felycyte<br /> His lothsome lust and his bestyalyte<br /> Shall brynge + vnto destruccion fynally<br /> His soule, his godes and his wretchyd + body.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Within our nauy he nedes shall haue a place.</p> + <p>Whiche without mesure on lothsome glotony</p> + <p>Setteth his pleasure and singuler solace</p> + <p>His stomacke ouerchargynge, vyle and vngodely</p> + <p>And to none other thynge his mynde doth he aply</p> + <p>Saue depest to drynke, suche force nat of theyr soules</p> + <p>But labore in rynsynge pecis cuppis and bowles</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The madnes of dronkennes is so immoderate</p> + <p>That greuous sores it ingendreth and sykenes</p> + <p>It causeth often great foly and debate</p> + <p>With soden deth and carefull heuynes</p> + <p>In thynges no difference putteth dronkennes.</p> + <p>It febleth the ioyntis and the body within</p> + <p>Wastynge the brayne makynge the wyt full thyn</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>It engendreth in the hede infirmyte</p> + <p>Blyndynge the herte wyt and discression</p> + <p>The mynde it demynyssheth, coloure and beaute.</p> + <p>Causynge all myschef, shame and abusyon</p> + <p>It maketh men mad, and in conclusyon</p> + <p>Causeth them lyue without lawe or measure</p> + <p>Suynge after syn defylynge theyr nature</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The people that are acloyed with this synne.</p> + <p>On no thynge els theyr myndes wyll aply:</p> + <p>Saue to the wyne and ale stakes to renne</p> + <p>And there as bestes to stryue and drynke auy</p> + <p>Than ar they outher gyuyn to rybawdry</p> + <p>Or els to brawle and fight at euery worde</p> + <p>Thus dronkennes is the chefe cause of discorde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But namely dronkennes and wretchyd glotony</p> + <p>By their excesse and superfluyte</p> + <p>Engendreth the rote of cursed Lechery</p> + <p>With murder, thefte and great enormyte</p> + <p>So bryngeth it many to great aduersyte</p> + <p>And with his furour the worlde so doth it blynde</p> + <p>That many it bryngeth to a shamfull ende</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>This vyce (alas) good maners doth confounde</p> + <p>And maketh man ouer besy of langage</p> + <p>And hym that in all ryches doth abounde</p> + <p>It ofte in pryson bryngeth and in bondage</p> + <p>It causeth man to his great sorowe and domage</p> + <p>Disclose his secrete and his preuey counsayle</p> + <p>Whiche causeth hym after sore to mourne and wayle</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Nought is more lothsome, more vycyous nor vyle</p> + <p>Than he that is subdued to this vyce</p> + <p>His lyfe shortynge his body he doth defyle</p> + <p>Bereuynge his soule the ioy of Paradyse</p> + <p>Howe many Cytees and lordes of great pryce</p> + <p>Hath ben destroyed by dronken glotony</p> + <p>And by his felawe, false loue, or lechery.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The sone of Thomyr had nat ben ouercome</p> + <p>Nor slayne by Cyrus for all his worthynes.</p> + <p>If he hym selfe had gydyd by wysdome</p> + <p>And the vyce auoydyd of blynde dronkennes</p> + <p>The great Alexander taken with this madnes</p> + <p>With his swerde, whan he was dronken slewe</p> + <p>Suche of his frendes as were to hym most trewe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>I rede also howe this conquerour myghty</p> + <p>Upon a season played at the Chesse</p> + <p>With one of his knyghtes which wan ynally</p> + <p>Of hym great golde treasoure and rychesse</p> + <p>And hym ouercame, but in a furyousnes</p> + <p>And lade with wyne, this conquerour vp brayde</p> + <p>And to his knyght in wrath these wordes sayde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>I haue subdued by strength and by wysdome</p> + <p>All the hole worlde, whiche obeyeth to me</p> + <p>And howe hast thou alone me thus ouercome</p> + <p>And anone commaundyd his knyght hanged to be</p> + <p>Than sayde the knyght by right and equyte</p> + <p>I may apele. syns ye ar thus cruell</p> + <p>Quod Alexander to whome wylt thou apell</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Knowest thou any that is gretter than I</p> + <p>Thou shalt be hanged thou spekest treason playne</p> + <p>The knyght sayd sauynge your honour certaynly</p> + <p>I am no traytoure, apele I woll certayne</p> + <p>From dronken Alexander tyll he be sober agayne</p> + <p>His lorde than herynge his desyre sounde to reason</p> + <p>Differryd the iustyce as for that tyme and season</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And than after whan this furour was gone</p> + <p>His knyght he pardoned repentynge his blyndenes.</p> + <p>And well consydered that he shulde haue mysdone</p> + <p>If he to deth had hym done in that madnesse</p> + <p>Thus it apereth what great unhappynes</p> + <p>And blyndnes cometh to many a creature</p> + <p>By wyne or ale taken without measure.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Se here the inconuenyence manyfolde</p> + <p>Comynge of dronkennes as I wrytyn fynde.</p> + <p>Some ar so starynge mad that none can them holde</p> + <p>Rorynge and cryeng as men out of their mynde</p> + <p>Some fyghtynge some chydynge, some to other kynde</p> + <p>Nought lyuynge to them selfe: and some dotynge Johnn</p> + <p>Beynge dronke thynketh hym as wyse as Salomon</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some sowe dronke, swaloynge mete without mesure</p> + <p>Some mawdelayne dronke, mournynge lowdly and hye</p> + <p>Some beynge dronke no lenger can endure</p> + <p>Without they gyue them to bawdy rybawdry</p> + <p>Some swereth armys nayles herte and body.</p> + <p>Terynge our lord worse, than the Jowes hym arayed</p> + <p>Some nought can speke, but harkenyth what is sayd.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some spende all that they haue and more at wast</p> + <p>With reuell and reuell dasshe fyll the cup Joohnn</p> + <p>Some their thryft lesyth with dyce at one cast</p> + <p>Some slepe as slogardes tyll their thryft be gone</p> + <p>Some shewe theyr owne counsell for kepe can they none</p> + <p>Some are Ape dronke full of lawghter and of toyes</p> + <p>Some mery dronke syngynge with wynches and boyes</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some spue, some stacker some vtterly ar lame</p> + <p>Lyeng on the grounde without power to ryse</p> + <p>Some bost them of bawdry ferynge of no shame</p> + <p>Some dumme, and some speketh. ix. wordes at thryse</p> + <p>Some charge theyr bely with wyne in suche wyse</p> + <p>That theyr legges skant can bere vp the body</p> + <p>Here is a sort to drowne a hole nauy.</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Barklaye to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Alas mad folys howe longe wyll ye procede</p> + <p>In this beestly lyuynge agayst humayne nature</p> + <p>Cease of your Foly: gyue aduertence and hede</p> + <p>That in eche thynge ought to be had measure</p> + <p>Wyne ne ale hurteth no maner creature</p> + <p>But sharpeth the wyt if it be take in kynde</p> + <p>But if it be nat, than I the ensure</p> + <p>It dulleth the brayne, blyndynge the wyt and mynde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Rede all bokes and thou shalt neuer fynde</p> + <p>That dronkennes and wysdome may togyther be</p> + <p>For where is dronkennes, there madnes is by kynde</p> + <p>Gydynge the hauer to all enormyte</p> + <p>And where as is madnes thou shalt neuer se</p> + <p>Reason ne wysdome take theyr abydynge</p> + <p>In one instant, wherfore lerne this of me</p> + <p>That dronkennes is mortell enmy to cunnynge.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p098"></a></p> + +<h3>Of ryches vnprofytable.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p223.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t223.png" + alt="The rich fool and the poor man." /></a> + <p class="poem">Yet fynde I folys of another sorte<br /> Whiche gather + and kepe excessyfe ryches<br /> With it denyeng their neyghboures to + conforte<br /> Whiche for nede lyueth in payne and wretchydnes<br /> + Suche one by fortune may fall into distres<br /> And in lyke wyse after + come to mysery<br /> And begge of other, whiche shall to hym + deny.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>It is great foly, and a desyre in vayne</p> + <p>To loue and worshyp ryches to feruently</p> + <p>And so great laboure to take in care and payne</p> + <p>Fals treasoure to encrease and multyply</p> + <p>But yet no wonder is it sertaynly</p> + <p>Syth he that is ryche hath gretter reuerence</p> + <p>Than he that hath sadnes wysdom and scyence</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The ryche mannes rewardes stande in best degre</p> + <p>But godly maners we haue set clene asyde</p> + <p>Fewe loueth vertue, but fewer pouertye.</p> + <p>Fals couetyse his braunches spreddeth wyde</p> + <p>Ouer all the worlde, that pety can nat byde</p> + <p>Among vs wretches banysshed is kyndnes</p> + <p>Thus lyeth the pore in wo and wretchydnes</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Without conforte and without auctoryte</p> + <p>But he only is nowe reputed wyse</p> + <p>Whiche hath ryches in great store and plente.</p> + <p>Suche shall be made a sergeant or Justyce</p> + <p>And in the Court reputed of moste pryse</p> + <p>He shall be callyd to counseyll in the lawe</p> + <p>Though that his brayne be skarsly worth a strawe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He shall be Mayre baylyfe or constable</p> + <p>And he onely promotyd to honoure</p> + <p>His maners onely reputed ar laudable</p> + <p>His dedys praysyd as grettest of valoure</p> + <p>Men laboure and seke to fall in his fauoure</p> + <p>He shall haue loue, echone to hym shall sue</p> + <p>For his ryches, but nought for his vertue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Se what rewardes ar gyuen to ryches</p> + <p>Without regarde had to mannys condycyon</p> + <p>A strawe for cunnynge wysdome and holynes</p> + <p>Of ryches is the first and chefe questyon</p> + <p>What rentes what londes howe great possessyon</p> + <p>What stuffe of housholde what store of grotz and pens</p> + <p>And after his gode his wordes hath credence.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>His wordes ar trouth men gyue to them credence</p> + <p>Thoughe they be falsly fayned and sotell</p> + <p>But to the pore none wyll gyue aduertence</p> + <p>Though that his wordes be true as the gospell</p> + <p>Ye let hym swere by heuyn and by hell</p> + <p>By god and his sayntes and all that god made</p> + <p>Yet nought they beleue that of hym is sayde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They say that the pore men doth god dispyse</p> + <p>Thouhe they nought swere but trouth and veryte</p> + <p>And that god punyssheth them in suche wyse</p> + <p>For so dispysynge of his hye maiestye</p> + <p>Kepynge them for their synnes in pouerte</p> + <p>And theyr ryche exaltyth by his power and grace</p> + <p>To suche ryches, worldly pleasour and solace</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The ryche ar rewarded with gyftis of dyuerse sorte</p> + <p>With Capons and Conyes delycious of sent</p> + <p>But the pore caytyf abydeth without confort</p> + <p>Though he moste nede haue: none doth hym present</p> + <p>The fat pygge is baast, the lene cony is brent</p> + <p>He that nought hathe, shall so alway byde pore</p> + <p>But he that ouer moche hath, yet shall haue more</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The wolfe etis the shepe, the great fysshe the small</p> + <p>The hare with the houndes vexed ar and frayde</p> + <p>He that hath halfe nedes wyll haue all</p> + <p>The ryche mannes pleasour can nat be denayde</p> + <p>Be the pore wroth, or be he well apayde</p> + <p>Fere causeth hym sende vnto the ryches hous</p> + <p>His mete from his owne mouth, if it be delycious</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And yet is this ryche caytyf nat content</p> + <p>Though he haue all yet wolde he haue more.</p> + <p>And though this gode can neuer of hym be spent</p> + <p>With nought he departyth to hym that is pore</p> + <p>Though he with nede harde vexed were and sore.</p> + <p>O cursyd hunger o mad mynde and delyte.</p> + <p>To laboure for that whiche neuer shall do profyte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Say couetous caytyfe what doth it the auayle</p> + <p>For to haue all and yet, nat to be content</p> + <p>Thou takest nat this sore laboure and trauayle</p> + <p>To thy pleasoure but to thy great turment</p> + <p>But loke therof what foloweth consequent</p> + <p>Whan thou art dede and past this wretchyd lyfe</p> + <p>Thou leuyst behynde brawlynge debate and stryfe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>To many one ryches is moche necessary</p> + <p>Whiche can it order right as it ought to be</p> + <p>But vnto other is it vtterly contrary</p> + <p>Whiche therwith disdayneth to socoure pouerte.</p> + <p>Nor them relefe in theyr aduersyte</p> + <p>Suche shall our lorde sore punysshe fynally</p> + <p>And his petycion rightwysly deny</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ye great estatis and men of dignyte</p> + <p>To whome god in this lyfe hath sent ryches</p> + <p>Haue ye compassion, on paynfull pouertye</p> + <p>And them conforte in theyr carefull wretchydnes</p> + <p>God hym loueth and shall rewarde doutles</p> + <p>Whiche to the nedy for hym is charitable</p> + <p>With heuenly ioy, whiche treasour is endeles</p> + <p>So shall thy riches to the be profytable.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p103"></a></p> + +<h3>Of hym that togyder wyll serue +two maysters.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p228.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t228.png" + alt="One hound to take two hares." /></a> + <p class="poem">A fole he is and voyde of reason<br /> Whiche with one + hounde tendyth to take<br /> Two harys in one instant and season<br /> + Rightso is he that wolde vndertake<br /> Hym to two lordes a seruaunt + to make<br /> For whether, that he be lefe or lothe<br /> The one he + shall displease, or els bothe.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A fole also he is withouten doute</p> + <p>And in his porpose sothly blyndyd sore</p> + <p>Whiche doth entende labour or go aboute</p> + <p>To serue god, and also his wretchyd store</p> + <p>Of worldly ryches: for as I sayde before</p> + <p>He that togyder wyll two maysters serue</p> + <p>Shall one displease and nat his loue deserue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>For he that with one hownde wol take also</p> + <p>Two harys togyther in one instant</p> + <p>For the moste parte doth the both two forgo</p> + <p>And if he one haue: harde it is and skant</p> + <p>And that blynde fole mad and ignorant</p> + <p>That draweth thre boltis atons in one bowe</p> + <p>At one marke shall shote to hye or to lowe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Or els to wyde, and shortly for to say</p> + <p>With one or none of them he strykis the marke:</p> + <p>And he that taketh vpon hym nyght or day</p> + <p>Laboures dyuers to chargeable of warke.</p> + <p>Or dyuerse offycis: suche wander in the darke</p> + <p>For it is harde to do well as he ought</p> + <p>To hym that on dyuerse thynges hath his thought</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>With great thoughtes he troubleth sore his brayne</p> + <p>His mynde vnstable, his wyt alway wandrynge:</p> + <p>Nowe here nowe there his body labours in payne</p> + <p>And in no place of stedfast abydynge.</p> + <p>Nowe workynge now musynge now renynge now rydynge</p> + <p>Now on see nowe on londe, than to se agayne</p> + <p>Somtyme to Fraunce, and nowe to Flaunders or Spayne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus is it paynfull and no thynge profytable</p> + <p>On many labours a man to set his mynde</p> + <p>For nouther his wyt nor body can be stable</p> + <p>Whiche wyll his body to dyuers chargis bynde</p> + <p>Whyle one goth forwarde the other bydes behynde</p> + <p>Therfore I the counseyll for thyne owne behoue</p> + <p>Let go this worlde and serue thy lorde aboue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He that his mynde settyth god truly to serue</p> + <p>And his sayntes: this worlde settynge at nought</p> + <p>Shall for rewarde euerlastynge ioy deserue</p> + <p>But in this worlde, he that settyth his thought</p> + <p>All men to please, and in fauour to be brought</p> + <p>Must lout and lurke, flater, lawde, and lye:</p> + <p>And cloke a knauys counseyll, though it fals be</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If any do hym wronge or iniury</p> + <p>He must it suffer and pacyently endure</p> + <p>A dowble tunge with wordes lyke hony</p> + <p>And of his offycis if he wyll be sure</p> + <p>He must be sober and colde of his langage</p> + <p>More to a knaue, than to one of hye lynage</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Oft must he stoupe his bonet in his honde</p> + <p>His maysters backe he must oft shrape and clawe</p> + <p>His breste anoyntynge, his mynde to vnderstonde</p> + <p>But be it gode or bad therafter must he drawe</p> + <p>Without he can Jest he is nat worth a strawe.</p> + <p>But in the meane tyme beware that he none checke</p> + <p>For than layth malyce a mylstone in his necke</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He that in court wyll loue and fauour haue</p> + <p>A fole must hym fayne, if he were none afore</p> + <p>And be as felowe to euery boy and knaue</p> + <p>And to please his lorde he must styll laboure sore</p> + <p>His manyfolde charge maketh hym coueyt more</p> + <p>That he had leuer serue a man in myserye</p> + <p>Than serue his maker in tranquylyte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But yet whan he hath done his dylygence</p> + <p>His lorde to serue as I before haue sayde</p> + <p>For one small faute or neglygent offence</p> + <p>Suche a displeasoure agaynst hym may be layde</p> + <p>That out is he cast bare and vnpuruayde.</p> + <p>Whether he be gentyll, yeman grome or page</p> + <p>Thus worldly seruyce is no sure herytage</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Wherfore I may proue by these examples playne</p> + <p>That it is better more godly and plesant</p> + <p>To leue this mondayne casualte and payne</p> + <p>And to thy maker one god to be seruaunt</p> + <p>Whiche whyle thou lyuest shall nat let the want</p> + <p>That thou desyrest iustly, for thy syruyce</p> + <p>And than after gyue the, the ioyes of Paradyse.</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Alas man aryse out of Idolatry.</p> + <p>Worshyp nat thy ryches nor thy vayne treasoure</p> + <p>Ne this wretchyd worlde full of mysery.</p> + <p>But lawde thy maker and thy sauyour</p> + <p>With fere, mekenes, fayth, glory, and honoure</p> + <p>Let thy treasoure onely in his seruyce be</p> + <p>And here be content with symple behauoure</p> + <p>Hauynge in this lorde trust and felycyte</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p107"></a></p> + +<h3>Of to moche spekynge or bablynge.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p232.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t232.png" + alt="The blabbering fool and the magpie." /></a> + <p class="poem">He that his tunge can temper and refrayne<br /> And + asswage the foly of hasty langage<br /> Shall kepe his mynde from + trowble, sadnes and payne<br /> And fynde therby great ease and + auauntage<br /> Where as a hasty speker falleth in great domage<br /> + Peryll and losse, in lyke wyse as the pye<br /> Betrays hir byrdes by + hir chatrynge and crye.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ye blaberynge folys superflue of langage</p> + <p>Come to our shyp our ankers ar in wayde</p> + <p>By right and lawe ye may chalange a stage</p> + <p>To you of Barklay it shall nat be denayde</p> + <p>Howe be it the charge Pynson hathe on me layde</p> + <p>With many folys our Nauy not to charge.</p> + <p>Yet ye of dewty shall haue a sympyll barge</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Of this sorte thousandes ar withouten fayle</p> + <p>That haue delyte in wordes voyde and vayne</p> + <p>On men nat fawty somtyme vsynge to rayle</p> + <p>On folysshe wordes settynge theyr herte and brayne</p> + <p>They often touche to theyr owne shame and payne</p> + <p>Suche thynges to whiche none wyll theyr mynde aply</p> + <p>(Saue suche folys) to theyr shame and enuy</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Say besy fole art thou nat well worthy</p> + <p>To haue enuy, and that echone sholde the hate</p> + <p>Whan by thy wordes soundynge to great foly</p> + <p>Thou sore labrest to engender debate</p> + <p>Some renneth fast thynkynge to come to late</p> + <p>To gyue his counsell whan he seeth men in doute</p> + <p>And lyghtly his folysshe bolt shall be shot out</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Is it nat better for one his tunge to kepe</p> + <p>Where as he myght (perchaunce) with honestee</p> + <p>Than wordes to speke whiche make hym after wepe</p> + <p>For great losse folowynge wo and aduersyte</p> + <p>A worde ones spokyn reuoked can nat be</p> + <p>Therfore thy fynger lay before thy lypes</p> + <p>For a wyse mannys tunge, without aduysement trypes</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He that wyll answere of his owne folysshe brayne</p> + <p>Before that any requyreth his counsayle</p> + <p>Shewith hym selfe and his hasty foly playne</p> + <p>Wherby men knowe his wordes of none auayle</p> + <p>Some haue delyted in mad blaborynge and frayle</p> + <p>Whiche after haue suffred bytter punysshement</p> + <p>For their wordes, spoken without aduysement</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Say what precedeth of this mad outrage</p> + <p>But great mysfortune, wo and vnhappynesse</p> + <p>But for all theyr chattynge and plenty of langage</p> + <p>Whan to the preste they come them to confesse</p> + <p>To shewe theyr lewde lyfe theyr synne and wretchydnes</p> + <p>Whan they sholde speke, and to this poynt ar come</p> + <p>Theyr tunges ar loste and there they syt as domme</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Many haue ben whiche sholde haue be counted wyse</p> + <p>Sad and discrete, and right well sene in scyence</p> + <p>But all they haue defyled with this one vyse</p> + <p>Of moche spekynge: o cursyd synne and offence</p> + <p>Pyte it is that so great inconuenience</p> + <p>So great shame, contempt rebuke and vylany</p> + <p>Sholde by one small member came to the hole body</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Let suche take example by the chatrynge pye.</p> + <p>Whiche doth hyr nest and byrdes also betraye</p> + <p>By hyr grete chatterynge, clamoure dyn and crye</p> + <p>Ryght so these folys theyr owne foly bewraye.</p> + <p>But touchynge wymen of them I wyll nought say</p> + <p>They can nat speke, but ar as coy and styll</p> + <p>As the horle wynde or clapper or a mylle</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But that man or woman or any creature</p> + <p>That lytell speketh or els kepeth sylence</p> + <p>Ar euer of them selfe moste stedfast and sure</p> + <p>Without enuy, hatred or malyuolence.</p> + <p>Where as to suche comys moche inconuenyence</p> + <p>Sorowe vpon sorowe, malyce and dysdayne</p> + <p>Whiche wyll no tyme, his speche nor tunge refrayne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Fayre speche is pleasaunt if it be moderate</p> + <p>And spoken in season, conuenyente and dewe</p> + <p>To kepe scylence, to pore man or estate</p> + <p>Is a great grace, and synguler vertue</p> + <p>Langage is lawdable whan it is god and true</p> + <p>A wyse man or he speke wyll be wyse and ware</p> + <p>What (to whome) why (howe) whan and whare</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Barklaye to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ye bablynge brybours, endeuer you to amende</p> + <p>Mytygat by mesure, your prowde hasty langage</p> + <p>Kepe well your tunges so, shall ye kepe your frende</p> + <p>For hasty speche ingendreth great damage</p> + <p>Whan a worde is nat sayd, the byrde is in the cage</p> + <p>Also the hous is surest whan the dorys be barryde</p> + <p>So whan thy worde is spokyn and out at large</p> + <p>Thou arte nat mayster, but he that hath it harde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If thou take hede and set therto thy brayne</p> + <p>In this world thou shalt fynde thynges thre</p> + <p>Whiche ones past, can nat be callyd agayne.</p> + <p>The firste is (tyme lost) by mannes symplycyte</p> + <p>The seconde (youth) reuoked can nat be</p> + <p>The thyrde (a worde spoken) it gooth out in the wynde</p> + <p>And yet is the fourth, that is (virginyte)</p> + <p>My forgetfull mynde, had lefte it nere behynde</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p111"></a></p> + +<h3>Of them that correct other and yet them +selfe do nought and synne worse than +they whom they so correct.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p236.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t236.png" + alt="The hand which men unto a cross do nail, sheweth the way." /></a> + <p class="poem">He lacketh reason and vnderstandynge to<br /> Whiche to + a towne or Cyte knoweth the way<br /> And shewyth other howe they may + thether go<br /> Hym selfe wandrynge aboute from day to day<br /> In + myre and fen, though his iourney thether lay<br /> So he is mad whiche + to other doth preche and tell<br /> The wave to heuyn, and hym selfe + goth to hell.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Nowe to our Nauy, a sorte maketh asaute</p> + <p>Of folys blynde, mad Jugys and Iniust</p> + <p>Whiche lyghtly noteth another mannes faute.</p> + <p>Chastynge that synne, whiche theyr owne mynde doth rust</p> + <p>By longe abydynge, and increas of carnall lust</p> + <p>They cloke their owne vyce synne and enormyte</p> + <p>Other blamynge and chastynge with moche cruelte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They mocke and mowe at anothers small offence</p> + <p>And redy ar a faute in them to fynde</p> + <p>But of theyr owne foly and inconuenyence</p> + <p>They se no thynge, for fully ar they blynde</p> + <p>Nat notynge the vyce rotyd in theyr owne mynde</p> + <p>Theyr greuous woundes and secrete malady</p> + <p>For theyr owne yll they seke no remedy</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The hande whiche men vnto a Crosse do nayle</p> + <p>Shewyth the waye ofte to a man wandrynge</p> + <p>Whiche by the same his right way can nat fayle</p> + <p>But yet the hande is there styll abydynge</p> + <p>So do these folys lewde of theyr owne lyuynge</p> + <p>To other men shewe mean and way to wynne</p> + <p>Eternall ioy themselfe bydynge in synne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He sertaynly may well be callyd a sote</p> + <p>Moche vnauysed and his owne ennemy</p> + <p>Whiche in a nothers iye can spye a lytell mote</p> + <p>And in his owne can nat fele nor espye</p> + <p>A moche stycke, so is he certaynly.</p> + <p>Whiche noteth anothers small faute or offence</p> + <p>To his owne great synnes gyuynge none aduertence</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Many them selfe fayne as chaste as was saynt Johnn</p> + <p>And many other fayne them meke and innocent</p> + <p>Some other as iust, and wyse as Salomon</p> + <p>As holy as Poule, as Job als pacyent</p> + <p>As sad as senecke, and as obedyent</p> + <p>As Abraham, and as martyn vertuous</p> + <p>But yet is theyr lyfe full lewde and vycious</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some lokyth with an aungels countenaunce</p> + <p>Wyse sad and sober lyke an heremyte</p> + <p>Thus hydynge theyr synne and theyr mysgouernaunce.</p> + <p>Under suche clokys lyke a fals ypocryte</p> + <p>Let suche folys rede what Cicero doth wryte</p> + <p>Whiche sayth that none sholde blame any creature</p> + <p>For his faut, without his owne lyuynge be sure</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Without all spot of synne faut or offence</p> + <p>For in lyke fourme as a phesycyan.</p> + <p>By his practyse and cunnynge or scyence</p> + <p>The sekenes curyth of a nother man</p> + <p>But his owne yll nor dyseas he nat can</p> + <p>Relefe nor hele so doth he that doth blame</p> + <p>Anothers synne: he styll lyuynge in the same</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Many ar whiche other can counseyll craftely</p> + <p>And shewe the peryll that may come by theyr synne</p> + <p>But them selfe they counseyll nat: ne remedy.</p> + <p>Nor take no waye whereby they heuyn may wynne</p> + <p>But lye in that vyce that they rotyd ar in</p> + <p>Leuynge the way that gydyth to ioy and rest</p> + <p>Their owne sensualyte ensuynge as a beest</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Wherfore ye prestis that haue the charge and cure.</p> + <p>To teche and enfourme the rude comonte.</p> + <p>In goddys lawes groundyd in scripture</p> + <p>And blame all synnes sparynge no degre</p> + <p>Whyle ye rebuke thus theyr enormyte</p> + <p>Lyue so that none may cause haue you to blame</p> + <p>And if ye do nat: it is to your great shame</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>For without doute it is great vylany</p> + <p>A man to speke agaynst any offence</p> + <p>Wherin he well knowyth hym owne selfe gylty</p> + <p>Within his mynde and secrete conscience</p> + <p>Agaynst hymselfe suche one gyueth sentence</p> + <p>Howe god ryght iuge, by rightwyse iugement</p> + <p>Shulde hym rewarde with worthy punysshement</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ye clerkes that on your shulders here the shelde</p> + <p>Unto you graunted by the vnyuersyte.</p> + <p>Howe dare ye auenture to fyght in cristes felde</p> + <p>Agaynst synne, without ye clere and gyltles be</p> + <p>Consyder the Cocke and in hym shall ye se:</p> + <p>A great example, for with his wynges thryse</p> + <p>He betyth hym selfe to wake his owne bodye</p> + <p>Before he crowe, to cause other wake or ryse.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p115"></a></p> + +<h3>Of hym that fyndeth ought of another +mannys it nat restorynge to the owner.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p240.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t240.png" + alt="The devil and the finder." /></a> + <p class="poem">He that ought fyndyth outher by day or nyght<br /> + Usynge it as his owne, as thynge gottyn iustly<br /> And thynketh that + he so may do by lawe and right<br /> Suche is disceyuyd, and thynketh + wrongfully<br /> For why the deuyll our goostly ennemy<br /> Doth hym + so counseyll and in his erys blowe<br /> Disceyuynge in his bondes, as + he doth many mo</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The feruour of ryches and disordred loue</p> + <p>Whiche many haue, doth me bynde and constrayne.</p> + <p>Within my shyp them sharply to reproue</p> + <p>That pen nor hande, themselfe wyll not refrayne</p> + <p>Of couetyse nowe I wyll nat speke agayne</p> + <p>But of them that kepeth by force and by myght</p> + <p>That thynge wherto they haue nat come, by ryght</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some fyndeth treasours other mennys good</p> + <p>And in theyr owne vse suche good they occupy.</p> + <p>Whiche of theyr myndes ar so blynde and wode.</p> + <p>And so reted in theyr errour and foly</p> + <p>That oft they say (say) ye and dare byde by</p> + <p>That some saynt whome they worshypped haue</p> + <p>Haue sende, them the same theyr honestee to saue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They haue no force nor care, nor they none haue wyll</p> + <p>To whome the ryches so loste dyde apertayne</p> + <p>That fortune hath gyuen they holde fast and kepe styll</p> + <p>Neuer hauynge mynde it to restore agayne</p> + <p>Suche folys fere no thynge euerlastynge payne</p> + <p>Nor note nat, that without true restytucion</p> + <p>It small auayleth to haue made confessyon.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Here me fole with thy immoderate mynde</p> + <p>Here me and do thy herte therto aply</p> + <p>If thou by fortune any ryches fynde</p> + <p>Callynge it thyne: thou lyest therin falsly</p> + <p>If thou haue wyt thou canst nat well deny</p> + <p>But that gode nat gyuen, nor gottyn by laboure</p> + <p>Can nat be rightwyse: thus mende thy blynde erroure</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If thou ought fynde that longeth nat to the</p> + <p>Than is it anothers, the case is clere and playne</p> + <p>Wherfor thou ought of lawe and of dewte</p> + <p>Unto the owner it soone to yelde agayne</p> + <p>But if he be dede, to whome it dyd attayne</p> + <p>Thou ought nat yet to kepe it nere the more.</p> + <p>But to his sectours or heyres it restore</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Put case that they also be past and dede</p> + <p>Yet ought thou nat to keep it styll with the.</p> + <p>The lawe commaundyth, and also it is mede.</p> + <p>To gyue it to suche as haue necessyte.</p> + <p>With it releuynge theyr paynfull pouertee</p> + <p>And so shalt thou discharge thy conseyence.</p> + <p>Helpynge the pore, and auoyde great offence</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But he that others godes tourneth to his owne vse</p> + <p>Spendynge and wastynge that thynge that neuer was his</p> + <p>Suche certaynly his reason doth abuse</p> + <p>And by this meane greuously doth amysse</p> + <p>Wherby he lesyth eternall ioy and blysse</p> + <p>His soule drownynge depe within hell flodes</p> + <p>For his myspendynge of other mennys goodes</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But to be shorte, and brefe in my sentence</p> + <p>And sothe to saye playne as the mater is</p> + <p>Forsoth I se nat right great difference</p> + <p>Bytwene a thefe, and these folys couetys</p> + <p>Both wrongly kepeth that thynge that is nat his</p> + <p>Thynkynge that god doth nat therto aduerte</p> + <p>Whiche notyth thy dedys, thy mynde thought and herte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Wherfore if thou haue a rightwyse conscyence</p> + <p>Thou wylt nought kepe whiche longeth nat to the</p> + <p>The lawe so commaundeth in payne of great offence</p> + <p>For of gode that thou kepest agaynst equyte</p> + <p>Thou shalt make accompt after that thou shalt dye</p> + <p>To thy great payne in hell for euer more</p> + <p>If thou no restytucion make before.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Here myght I touche executours in this cryme.</p> + <p>Blamynge theyr dedys dysceyte and couetyse</p> + <p>If it were nat for wastynge of my tyme</p> + <p>For mende they wyll nat them in any wyse</p> + <p>Nor leue no poyntes of theyr disceytfull gyse</p> + <p>Let them take parte of that whiche I here note</p> + <p>And be partynge foles in this present bote.</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The Enuoy of Barklay the translator to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ye false executours whome all the worlde repreuys</p> + <p>And ye that fynde mennes goodes or treasoures</p> + <p>I call you as bad as robbers or theuys</p> + <p>For ye by your falshode and manyfolde errours</p> + <p>Kepe falsly that thynge whiche is none of yours</p> + <p>And wast here the goodes of hym that is past</p> + <p>The soule lyeth in payne, ye take your pleasours.</p> + <p>With his ryches, damnynge your owne soule at the last</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p119"></a></p> + +<h3>Of the sermon or erudicion of wysdome +bothe to wyse men and folys.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p244.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t244.png" + alt="Wisdom calling to the people." /></a> + <p class="poem">He that delyteth in godly sapience<br /> And it to + obtayne puttyth his besynes<br /> Aboue all folys shall haue + preemynence<br /> And in this worlde haue honour and rychesse<br /> Or + a worthy crowne in heuyns blessydnesse<br /> Or els bothe welthe here, + and after ioy and blysse<br /> Where as a fole of bothe the two shall + mysse</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Wysdome with voyce replete with grauyte</p> + <p>Callyth to all people, and sayth o thou mankynde</p> + <p>Howe longe wylt thou lyue in this enormyte</p> + <p>Alas howe longe shalt thou thy wyt haue blynde</p> + <p>Here my preceptis and rote them in thy mynde</p> + <p>Nowe is full tyme and season to clere thy syght:</p> + <p>Harkyn to my wordes, grounde of goodnes and ryght</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Lerne mortall men, stodyenge day and nyght</p> + <p>To knowe me wysdome, chefe rote of chastyte</p> + <p>My holy doctryne thy herte shall clere and lyght</p> + <p>My tunge shall shewe the ryght and equyte</p> + <p>Chase out thy foly, cause of aduersyte.</p> + <p>And seke me wysdome whiche shall endewe thy mynde</p> + <p>With helth and welth wherby thou lyfe shalt fynde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Aryse I say agayne to the mankynde</p> + <p>And seke me wysdome that am well of goodnes</p> + <p>Let nat this worlde thy conscyence farther blynde</p> + <p>Nor to synne subdue for loue of false rychesse</p> + <p>Blynde nat thy herte with mondayne wretchednes</p> + <p>I am worth golde and worth all good mundayne:</p> + <p>And to mankynde counselloure souerayne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>No maner Jowell is to me lyke certayne</p> + <p>Ne so profytable to mortall creature</p> + <p>I passe all ryches and cause a man refrayne</p> + <p>His mynde from synne, and of his ende be sure</p> + <p>There is no treasoure nor precious stone so pure</p> + <p>Carbuncle Ruby ne adamond in londe nor see</p> + <p>Nor other lapydary comparable to me:</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And shortly to speke wysdome is more laudable</p> + <p>Than all the worlde or other thynge mundayne</p> + <p>There is no treasoure: to wysdome comparable</p> + <p>But it alone is a vertue moste souerayne</p> + <p>Hauynge nought lyke in valoure nor worth certayne</p> + <p>No fole is so ryche, nor hye of dignyte</p> + <p>But that a wyse man pore is more worthy than he</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Wysdome preserueth men in auctoryte</p> + <p>Prynces promotynge by counseyll prouydent</p> + <p>By it pore men somtyme, and of lowe degre</p> + <p>Hath had the hole worlde to them obedyent</p> + <p>It gydeth Cytees and countrees excellent</p> + <p>And gouerneth the counseyll of prynce lorde and kynge</p> + <p>Strengthynge the body the herte enlumynynge</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>It gydyth lordes and from bondage doth brynge</p> + <p>Them whome foly hath brought in to captyuyte</p> + <p>Hir gyftys to mankynde frely offrynge</p> + <p>Gydynge hir discyples from all aduersyte</p> + <p>Wysdome stondynge vpon a stage on hye</p> + <p>Cryeth to mankynde with lowde voyce in this wyse</p> + <p>I trouth exalte: and vycious men dispyse</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Lerne of me wysdome cast out your couetyse</p> + <p>For by my myght craft and wyse prouysicion</p> + <p>Kynges vnto their dygnyte dothe ryse</p> + <p>Theyr septers gydynge by my monycion</p> + <p>I gaue them lawes to gyde eche regyon</p> + <p>In welthe defendynge and in prosperyte</p> + <p>Them and theyr royalmes whyle they gyde them by me</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>All maner nacyons that doth to me inclyne</p> + <p>I gyde and gouerne by lawe and equyte</p> + <p>In me is right, godly wyt and doctryne</p> + <p>What blynde foly, and howe great aduersyte</p> + <p>Do they auoyde that gyde them selfe by me</p> + <p>And he that me louyth with worshyp and honour</p> + <p>Shall knowe my loue my grace and my fauour</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He that me folowyth shall auoyde all dolour</p> + <p>I shall hym folowe promotynge in suche case</p> + <p>That none shall be before hym in valour</p> + <p>I godly ryches in my power inbrace</p> + <p>Whiche man by me may esely purchase</p> + <p>And he that wyll his way by me addresse</p> + <p>I shall rewarde with heuenly ioy endles</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The father of heuen of infynyte goodnesse.</p> + <p>Me comprehendyth within his deytee</p> + <p>Of hym my firste begynnynge is doutles.</p> + <p>And heuen and erth he create hath by me</p> + <p>And euery creature bothe on londe and se</p> + <p>The heuen imperyall all planetis and firmameut</p> + <p>God neuer thynge made without my true assent</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Therfore mankynde set thy mynde and intent</p> + <p>To me wysdome to be subiect and seruaunt</p> + <p>To my preceptis be thou obedyent</p> + <p>And heuenly ioy thou shalt nat lacke nor want</p> + <p>For doutles they ar mad and ignoraunt</p> + <p>And folys blyndyd who so euer they be</p> + <p>That wyll nat gladly be seruauntes vnto me</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The envoy of Barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Aryse folys of myndes darke and blynde.</p> + <p>Receyue the gyftes of godly sapyence</p> + <p>Here hir perceptis and plant them in your mynde</p> + <p>And rote out the gaffys of your olde offence.</p> + <p>Call to your myndes what inconuenyence</p> + <p>Howe sodayne fallys, what sorowe and turment</p> + <p>Hath come to many a myghty lorde and prynce</p> + <p>For nat folowynge of hir commaundement.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p124"></a></p> + +<h3>Of bostynge or hauynge confydence +in fortune.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p249.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t249.png" + alt="Sudden great misfortune." /></a> + <p class="poem">He is a fole whiche settyth confydence<br /> On frayle + fortune vncertayne and mutable<br /> His mynde exaltynge in pryde and + insolence<br /> Because that she somtyme is fauorable<br /> As if she + wolde so be perdurable<br /> Suche folys oft whan they thynke them most + sure<br /> All sodaynly great mysfortune + endure</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Amonge our folys he ought to haue a place</p> + <p>And so he shall for it is resonable</p> + <p>Whiche thynketh hymselfe greatly in fortunes grace</p> + <p>Bostynge that she to hym is fauorable</p> + <p>As if hyr maner were nat to be mutable</p> + <p>In this vayne hope suche theyr lyfe doth lede</p> + <p>Tyll at the laste theyr hous borne oure theyr hede</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He shakyth boost and oft doth hym auaunte</p> + <p>Of fortunes fauoure and his prosperyte</p> + <p>Whiche suffreth hym nought of his wyll to wante</p> + <p>So that he knoweth nought of aduersyte</p> + <p>Nor mysfortune nor what thynge is pouertee.</p> + <p>O lawles fole, o man blyndyd of mynde</p> + <p>Say what suretye in fortune canst thou fynde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>To what ende or vnto what conclusyon</p> + <p>Shall fortune frayle vnrightwyse and vnsure</p> + <p>Lede the blynde fole by hyr abusyon.</p> + <p>Howe darest thou the in hir blyndnes assure.</p> + <p>Syns she vnstable is and can nat longe endure</p> + <p>Hir gyftis changith, she is blynde and sodayne</p> + <p>Thoughe she firste lawghe hir ende is vncertayne.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thou shakest boste ofte of hir foly in vayne</p> + <p>For he is most happy whiche can auoyde hir snare</p> + <p>If she exalte some one vnto welth mundayne</p> + <p>She bryngeth another to payne sorowe and care</p> + <p>Whyle one is ladyd to the others backe is bare</p> + <p>Whyle she a begger maketh in good abounde</p> + <p>A lorde or state she throweth to the grounde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But nat withstandynge hir mutabylyte.</p> + <p>Thou bostest thy gode and to moche abundaunce</p> + <p>Thou bostest thy welth and thy prosperyte</p> + <p>Thy good auenturs, and plentyfull pleasaunce</p> + <p>Alas blynde fole amende thy ygnoraunce</p> + <p>And in thy welthe to this saynge intende</p> + <p>That fortune euer hath an incertayne ende</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Fals fortune infect of countenaunce and of face</p> + <p>By hir iyen clowdy and varyable vysage</p> + <p>Hath many for a whyle taken to hir grace</p> + <p>Whiche after by hir whele vnstable and volage</p> + <p>Hath brought them to wo mysfortune and damage</p> + <p>She ruleth pore and riche without difference</p> + <p>Lewdnes exaltynge and damnynge innocence</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus is that man voyde, of all intellygence</p> + <p>Whom fortune fedyth, with chaunche fortunable</p> + <p>If he therin haue ouer large confydence</p> + <p>And thynke that sure that euer is mutable</p> + <p>That fole is sonne, to the fende abhomynable</p> + <p>That foloweth ryches, and fortune that is blynde</p> + <p>His sauyour lefte, and clene out of mynde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Whan the foule fende, father of vnhappynes</p> + <p>Pore man purposyth by falshode to begyle</p> + <p>He sendeth hym welth worldly, and fals ryches</p> + <p>And causeth fortune, awhyle on hym to smyle</p> + <p>Whiche with hir blyndenes doth mankynde so defyle</p> + <p>That whyle they trust in hir fauour to sore.</p> + <p>They damme theyr soules in hell for euermore</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>By large examples thou eche day mayste se</p> + <p>The chaunge of fortune and the ende vncertayne</p> + <p>Wherfore to boste the of hyr commodyte</p> + <p>It is great foly and also thynge in vayne</p> + <p>From this lewdnes thy mynde therfore refrayne</p> + <p>And be content with fortune moderate</p> + <p>Nor boste the nat of thy welth or estate</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>This day thou art ryche and despysest the pore</p> + <p>Yet so may it fall, that for thy lewde lyuynge</p> + <p>To morowe thou beggest thy brede from dore to dore</p> + <p>Therfore remembre that blynde fortune wandrynge</p> + <p>Hath nat in hyr handes power, nor gydynge</p> + <p>The rewardes of welth, nor of felycyte</p> + <p>But god them gydeth by his great maieste</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And all thynge chaungeth as is to hym plesaunt</p> + <p>His dedes to wysdome alwaye agreable</p> + <p>Wherfore blynde fole be nat so ignoraunt</p> + <p>To prayse fortune whiche is so varyable</p> + <p>And of rewardes vnsure and chaungeable</p> + <p>But thoughe she smyle trust nat to hir intent</p> + <p>For amonge swete herbes ofte lurkyth the serpent</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ye folys that haue in fortune confydence:</p> + <p>And boste you of welth and of prosperyte</p> + <p>Leue of your foly, and note by euydence:</p> + <p>Hir cours vnsure: and hir mutabylyte</p> + <p>None in this lyfe can byde in one degre</p> + <p>But somtyme hye, than after pore and lowe.</p> + <p>Nowe nought set by, nowe in auctoryte</p> + <p>Nowe full nowe voyde as waters ebbe and flowe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>I am remembred that I haue often sene</p> + <p>Great worldly ryches ende in pouertye</p> + <p>And many one that hath in fauour ben:</p> + <p>And hye promotyd in welth and dignyte.</p> + <p>Hath sodaynly fallyn into calamyte</p> + <p>Thus is it foly to trust in fortunes grace</p> + <p>For whyle the Se floweth and is at Burdews hye</p> + <p>It as fast ebbeth at some other place</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p129"></a></p> + +<h3>Of the ouer great and chargeable +curyosyte of men.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p254.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t254.png" + alt="The fool with the world on his back." /></a> + <p class="poem">Unto mo folys here ordayne I a barge<br /> Whiche + medlyth with euery mannys besynes<br /> And nat intendeth to their owne + losse and charge<br /> Great payne and wo suche folys oft oppresse<br + /> And let them lerne with pacyent mekenes<br /> To suffer sorowe for + why they shall none lacke<br /> Syns they alone, the hole worlde take + on theyr backe</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He that wyll coueyt to bere more than he may</p> + <p>And take on his sholders more than he can sustayne</p> + <p>Suche is a fole, his dedys wyll not deny</p> + <p>And with his owne wyll gooth to peryll and payne.</p> + <p>He is vnwyse whiche is ioyous and fayne</p> + <p>To offer his necke to bere that without fere</p> + <p>Whiche were ynoughe for dyuers men to bere</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>That man that taketh vpon his backe alone</p> + <p>The heuy weght of the large fyrmament</p> + <p>Or any burdeyne whiche maketh hym to grone</p> + <p>Whiche to sustayne his strength is ympotent</p> + <p>No meruayle is if he fall incontynent</p> + <p>And than whan he lowe on the grounde doth lye</p> + <p>He oft repentyth his purpose and foly</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>We haue in storyes many examples great</p> + <p>Shewynge the lewde ende of this curyosyte.</p> + <p>I rede of Alexander that dyd often sweate</p> + <p>In great peryls to augment his dignyte</p> + <p>He was nat content with europe and asye</p> + <p>Nor all the grounde under the fyrmament</p> + <p>At the last ende, cowde nat his mynde content</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>As if all the erth were nat suffycyent</p> + <p>For his small body by curyouse couetyse</p> + <p>But at the last he must holde hym content</p> + <p>With a small cheste, and graue nat of great pryce.</p> + <p>Thus deth vs shewyth what thynge sholde vs suffyce</p> + <p>And what is the ende of our curyosyte.</p> + <p>For dethe is lyke to hye and lowde degre</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>What shall a kynge at his last endynge haue</p> + <p>Of all his realme and infynyte treasoure</p> + <p>Saue onely his towmbe, and the grounde of his graue</p> + <p>But thoughe it be of great pryce and voloure</p> + <p>As is conuenyent to his hye honoure.</p> + <p>Yet lytell conforte to his soule shall it gyue</p> + <p>But cause of bostynge to them that after lyue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus whan man vnto his last ende is come</p> + <p>He nought with hym bereth of his dignytees</p> + <p>Wherfore cynicus a man of great wysdome</p> + <p>Lorde grettest of Grece in londes and Cytees</p> + <p>Hathe lefte great example vnto all degrees</p> + <p>For his great ryches his herte dyd neuer blynde</p> + <p>But worldly pompe set clene out of his mynde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He forced of no castels nor excellent byldynge</p> + <p>Dispysynge charges and besynes worldly</p> + <p>But gaue his mynde to vertue and cunnynge</p> + <p>And namely to the scyence of astronomy</p> + <p>Consyderynge that great rest of mynde and of body</p> + <p>With hym abydeth whiche with bolde herte is fayne</p> + <p>To folowe vertue, and leue charges mundayne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He that so doth no weght doth vndertake</p> + <p>Vpon his backe of so great a grauyte</p> + <p>That his small strength must it agayne forsake.</p> + <p>Where he that attempteth grettest thynges, and hye:</p> + <p>Great weyght of charges and moche dignite</p> + <p>Must lerne to suffer payne thought and vexacion</p> + <p>By his great charges of perturbacion.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>What auayle is it the worlde to obtayne</p> + <p>In one mannys power, and all other to excell</p> + <p>To suffer trouble, and vayne charges sustayne</p> + <p>And at the last his pore soule gooth to hell</p> + <p>There toren and tourmented in paynes cruell</p> + <p>It were moche better to kepe a quyet mynde</p> + <p>And after our deth eternall rest to fynde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He that taketh thought for euery besynes:</p> + <p>And caryth for that whiche doth nat apertayne</p> + <p>Nor longe to his charge, he is full of blyndnes</p> + <p>And no houre shall rest, but styll in thought and payne</p> + <p>Care for thy owne charges, theron set thy brayne</p> + <p>For he a fole is that caryth or doth intende</p> + <p>For another mannys charge whiche he can nat amende</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Therfore lyue in rest after thy degre.</p> + <p>Nor on suche thynges do nat thy mynde aply</p> + <p>Whiche ar no thynge apertaynynge vnto the</p> + <p>If thou so do thou shalt fynde rest therby</p> + <p>Auoyde thou the charge of worldly mysery</p> + <p>For godes take no thought great care ne trauayle.</p> + <p>Whiche after deth shall do the none auayle</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Fole clere thy iyen and of thy selfe beware</p> + <p>Care moste for thy owne besynes and charge</p> + <p>For other mennes take no great thought nor care</p> + <p>If thou thy conscience mayst therof discharge</p> + <p>A curyous man that of his tunge is large</p> + <p>Talkynge or carynge of other, his place is best</p> + <p>Hye in the fore top of our folysshe barge</p> + <p>For in that place is small quyet or rest</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p133"></a></p> + +<h3>Of them that ar alway borowynge.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p258.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t258.png" + alt="To the devouring wolf most like and semblable." /></a> + <p class="poem">A man that is besy both euyn and morowe<br /> With + rauysshynge clawys and insaciable<br /> Of his frendes and neyghbours + to begge and to borow<br /> To the deuourynge wolfe is most lyke or + semblable<br /> Suche in our shyp shall nat want a babyll<br /> For he + that styll borowes shall skant hym quyte or redde<br /> And as a + wretche the asse shall hym ouer tredde</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>That fole that hym selfe a dettour doth make</p> + <p>To dyuerse men, and is borowynge alway</p> + <p>Right ponderous charges on hym doth take</p> + <p>Borowynge of one another therwith to pay</p> + <p>Thoughe he be glad to haue longe terme and day</p> + <p>To hym assygned to make his payment</p> + <p>It nought auayleth, for soone the tyme is spent</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But in the meane tyme deuourynge vsurye</p> + <p>Spoylyth makynge pore many a borewer</p> + <p>Where they two borewed they promys to pay thre</p> + <p>Their day of payment lenger to defarre.</p> + <p>Thus doth oft borowynge many thousandes marre</p> + <p>Yet some get malyce for that gode that they len</p> + <p>And where they lent twenty gladly taketh ten.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>I wyll nat say but that it is mede certayne</p> + <p>To lene frely to one that is in nede</p> + <p>And wyll be glade it to content agayne.</p> + <p>But he that lenyth to haue rewarde or mede</p> + <p>Or more than he lent, may of hell payne haue drede</p> + <p>And he that so boroweth gayne can haue none</p> + <p>Therby in this lyfe, but hell whan he is gone</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Therfore in this satyre suche wyll I repreue</p> + <p>And none that borowe nor lene on amyte</p> + <p>The vsurers: fals cristen men in theyr byleue</p> + <p>Folowe the waren way of theyr iniquyte</p> + <p>Prohybyte by lawe iustyce and equyte</p> + <p>Theyr vnclene hertes, and mynde, vnhappely</p> + <p>On lucre settynge, comynge by vsury</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They hepe theyr synne in quantyte horryble</p> + <p>Labowrynge that lewde burthen gretter to make</p> + <p>And that sore weght tedyose and terryble</p> + <p>With a great rope vpon theyr shulders take</p> + <p>The weyght vp taken all theyr hole ioyntes quake</p> + <p>Thus these caytyfs with this rope and burthyn heuy</p> + <p>Them selfe hange damnynge theyr soule eternally</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A wretchyd man, alas make clere thy reason</p> + <p>Remember thoughe god the suffer thus longe tyme</p> + <p>He graunteth that space to amende the in season.</p> + <p>And nat dayly to encreas thy synne and cryme</p> + <p>Somtyme he punyssheth with infernall abhyme</p> + <p>Shortly for synne, somtyme thoughe one mysdo</p> + <p>He suffreth longe: but yet truste nat therto</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The longer vnpunysshed, the sorer is the payne</p> + <p>And if thou wylt nat gyue to me credence</p> + <p>Of sodome and Gomor the Bybyll sheweth playne</p> + <p>Howe God rightwysely ponysshed theyr offence</p> + <p>And also Solym, towne of great excellence</p> + <p>For vyciousnes god ponysshed bytterly</p> + <p>Whiche sholde vs cause for to lyue rightwysely.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The rightwyse god also dyd sore chastyce</p> + <p>Tthe Nilicolyans and them vtterly destroy</p> + <p>For theyr contynuynge in theyr syn and vyce</p> + <p>And theyr lynage longe kepte from welth and ioy</p> + <p>In great trouble whiche dyd theyr hertis noy:</p> + <p>Howe be it that they were good and innocent</p> + <p>For theyr fathers faute they suffred punysshement</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But to our purpose to retourne agayne.</p> + <p>He that ought boroweth whiche he can nat pay</p> + <p>Of a wolfe rauysshynge foloweth the trayne</p> + <p>But though he all swolowe yet can he by no way</p> + <p>Deuoure the tyme nor the prefyxed day</p> + <p>Wherfore if he than disceyue his credytour</p> + <p>He oft hym chastyth with iustyce and rygour</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ryght in lyke wyse our lorde omnipotent</p> + <p>In this worlde to lyue grauntyth vs tyme and space</p> + <p>Nat styll to synne, but vnto this intent</p> + <p>To leue our vyce, and folowe the way of grace</p> + <p>But if we styll contynue in one case</p> + <p>And haue done no good to pay hym at our day</p> + <p>In hell pryson he iustly shall vs lay</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thou fole mysmyndyd to large of sconscyence</p> + <p>To the I speke that art a lewde dettour</p> + <p>Borowe thou no thynge, noble grote ne pens.</p> + <p>More than thou mayst agayne pay thy credytour</p> + <p>Right so endeuer the to pay thy sauyour</p> + <p>His right and dewty, with a glad wyll and fayne</p> + <p>That is true seruyce, with glory and honour</p> + <p>Than shalt thou surely escape infernall payne.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p137"></a></p> + +<h3>Of inprofytable and vayne prayers vowes +and peticyons.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p262.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t262.png" + alt="Vain prayers." /></a> + <p class="poem">That man whose herte vnhappy synne doth blynde<br /> + And prayth gasynge into the fyrmament<br /> Or he that setteth nat his + herte and mynde<br /> Upon his wordes, theyr sentence or intent<br /> + And he that desyreth thynge nat conuenyent<br /> Suche folys shall nat + theyr peticion obtayne<br /> For without the herte the tonge laboureth + in vayne</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Here we repreue (reperue) ye and reuyle.</p> + <p>A sorte of folys lewde of condicions</p> + <p>Whose herte and tunge theyr soules doth defyle</p> + <p>By theyr blynde prayers and yll peticions</p> + <p>Suche folowe no techynge nor gode monysyons</p> + <p>For often many of them with tunge doth pray</p> + <p>Theyr mynde, abstract nat knowynge what they say</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Man oft desyreth with great affeccion</p> + <p>That thynge of god, whiche thynge if god wolde graunt.</p> + <p>Sholde be at last vnto thyer destruccyon</p> + <p>Examples hereof thou canst nat lacke nor want</p> + <p>The great Medas somtyme kynge tryumphant.</p> + <p>Of Phrygye By his owne folysshe desyre</p> + <p>With paynfull hunger, his lyfe breth dyd expyre</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>This kynge Mydas of whom I haue you tolde</p> + <p>Of god desyred with prayer dylygent.</p> + <p>That all that he touchyd tourne myght vnto golde</p> + <p>His prayer was harde, he obteynyd his intent</p> + <p>But nat to his welth, but mortall punysshement</p> + <p>For whan he brede or drynke tast or touche sholde</p> + <p>Incontynent was it tourned in to golde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus was his prayer to his owne damage</p> + <p>For at the laste he dyed in wo and payne</p> + <p>For no golde coude his sore hunger asswage</p> + <p>Nor his desyre coude he nat call agayne.</p> + <p>Thus his peticion desyred was in vayne:</p> + <p>And where he wenyd great welth to get therby</p> + <p>He dyed in shame hunger and mysery.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some dayly pray with marueylous besynes</p> + <p>Cryeng and syghynge to god omnypotent</p> + <p>For to haue plenty of welth ioy and ryches</p> + <p>And to be made ryche myghty and excellent.</p> + <p>O cursyd lyuers, o blynde men of intent</p> + <p>On suche desyres they set theyr mynde and thought</p> + <p>Whiche thousandes vnto shamefull ende hath brought</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>What profyted the myghty edefyces:</p> + <p>Of Lycynus, or lyuelode of excesse:</p> + <p>What profyteth the money gotten in vyces</p> + <p>Of riche Crassus, or cresus, great ryches</p> + <p>They all ar dede by theyr vnhappynes</p> + <p>And that lewdely, nat by deth naturall</p> + <p>Theyr blynde desyres chefe rote and cause of all</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Another whiche is in youthes prosperyte</p> + <p>For strength and myght often to god doth pray</p> + <p>Some of theyr lyfe to haue prolyxyte</p> + <p>Desyreth god, and here to byde alway</p> + <p>In riches welth, ioy and solempne aray</p> + <p>But yet they in glotony take suche custome</p> + <p>That they slea them selfe longe or theyr day be come</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Alas mad fole why prayest thou for age</p> + <p>Syns it so greuous is and ymportable</p> + <p>Unstable and full of dolour and damage</p> + <p>Odyous to youth and intollerable</p> + <p>Say folysshe man whiche art of mynde vnstable</p> + <p>Is it nat great foly to any creature</p> + <p>To pray for that thynge, whiche he can nat endure</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Peleus, and Nestor and many other mo</p> + <p>As Itackes and laertes, sore haue complayned</p> + <p>For to longe age, euer full of payne and wo</p> + <p>Wherwith theyr bodyes sore haue ben constrayned</p> + <p>And with great sorowes and dyuers often payned:</p> + <p>And to conclude brefly in one sentence</p> + <p>Oft to age falleth moche inconuenyence</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Yet ar mo folys whiche ought repreued be</p> + <p>And they ar suche whiche styll on god doth call</p> + <p>For great rowmes, offyces and great dignyte</p> + <p>No thynge intendynge to theyr greuous fall</p> + <p>For this is dayly sene, and euer shall</p> + <p>That he that coueytys hye to clym aloft</p> + <p>If he hap to fall, his fall can nat be soft</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some other pray for bewty and fayrnes</p> + <p>And that to a cursyd purpose and intent</p> + <p>Wherby they lese the heuenly blyssydnes:</p> + <p>Theyr soule subduynge to infernall turment</p> + <p>O ye mad folys of myndes ympotent</p> + <p>Pray your Pater noster with deuoute herte and mynde</p> + <p>For therin is all that is nedefull to mankynde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Our sauyour criste whyle he was on this grounde</p> + <p>Amonge vs synners in this vale of mysery</p> + <p>Taught his disciples this prayer whiche doth sounde</p> + <p>Nere to this sentence, nor greatly doth nat vary</p> + <p>(Our father wiche art in heuen) eternally</p> + <p>Thy name be halowyd (graunt that to thy kyngdome)</p> + <p>All we thy seruauntis worthely may come</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>In heuen and erth thy wyll be done alway</p> + <p>And of thy great grace and thy benygnyte</p> + <p>Our dayly brede graunt vnto vs this day</p> + <p>Forgyuynge our synnes and our iniquyte:</p> + <p>As we forgyue them that to vs detters be</p> + <p>And to auoyde temptacion thy grace vnto vs len</p> + <p>And vs delyuer from euery yll amen.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Whan thou hast clensyd thy mynde from syn before</p> + <p>And sayd this prayer to thy maker deuoutly</p> + <p>Thou nedyst nat of hym to desyre more</p> + <p>Yet mayst thou pray and desyre rightwysly</p> + <p>For helthe of soule within thy hole body</p> + <p>For stedfast fayth and yll name to eschewe.</p> + <p>And chastely to lyue (by his help) in vertue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus sholde thou pray thou wretche both day and nyght</p> + <p>With herte and mynde vnto thy creatoure:</p> + <p>And nought by foly to asshe agaynst right</p> + <p>To hurte or losse to thy frende or neyghboure</p> + <p>Nor to thy fo by yll wyll or rygoure</p> + <p>But if god to thy prayers alway sholde enclyne</p> + <p>Oft sholde come great sorowe to the and to all thyne</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc"> The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Man clere thy mynde or thou begyn to pray</p> + <p>Els though thy prayer be iust it is but vayne</p> + <p>And kepe togyther thy hurte and tonge alway</p> + <p>Or els doutles thou lesest all thy payne</p> + <p>From lewde peticions thy mynde thou ought refrayne</p> + <p>If thou desyre yll to thy fo by malyce</p> + <p>At thy peticion god shall haue dysdayne</p> + <p>For though thou be wrothe god is nat in lyke wyse</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p142"></a></p> + +<h3>Of vnprofytable stody.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p267.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t267.png" + alt="Vain study." /></a> + <p class="poem">He that vayne stody doth haunt or exercyse<br /> And + lesyth his tyme, of fruyte voyde and barayne<br /> Resortynge to ryot + whiche cunnynge doth dispyse<br /> And that of doctryne (in maner) hath + disdayne<br /> Suche shall in age of his madnes complayne<br /> And + seynge that he lesyth his tyme thus in foly<br /> Let hym come to our + folysshe company.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Nowe in this Nauy many them selfe present</p> + <p>Of this our roylame and from beyond the see</p> + <p>Whiche in theyr stody or lewde and neglygent</p> + <p>Lesynge theyr tyme at the vnyuersyte</p> + <p>Yet count they them selfe of great auctoryte</p> + <p>With theyr proude hodes on theyr neckes hangynge</p> + <p>They haue the lawde: but other haue the cunnynge</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They thynke that they haue all scyence perfytely</p> + <p>Within theyr hertes bostynge them of the same</p> + <p>Though they therto theyr mynde dyd neuer aply</p> + <p>Without the thynge, they ioy them of the name</p> + <p>But suche mad folys to theyr great losse and shame</p> + <p>Whyle they sholde norysshe theyr myndes with science</p> + <p>They seke theyr pleasour, gyuen to neglygence</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They wander in euery inconuenyence</p> + <p>From strete to strete, from tauerne to tauerne</p> + <p>But namely youth, foloweth all offence</p> + <p>No thynge intendynge the profyte to dyscerne</p> + <p>Nor fruyte of cunnynge wherby they myght gouerne</p> + <p>Them selfe by reason, but suche thynges they ensue</p> + <p>Wherby they neyther get good maners nor vertne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But he that intendeth to come to the science</p> + <p>And godly wysdome of our elders: certayne.</p> + <p>He must sore stody, for without dilygence</p> + <p>And besy laboure no man can it obtayne</p> + <p>None ought to cesse: though it firste be a payne.</p> + <p>In good perseueraunce getteth great ryches</p> + <p>Where no good cometh by sleuthfull ydelnes.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But moste I marueyll of other folys blynde</p> + <p>Whiche in dyuers scyencis ar fast laborynge</p> + <p>Both daye and nyght with all theyr herte and mynde</p> + <p>But of gramer knowe they lytyll or no thynge</p> + <p>Whiche is the grounde of all lyberall cunnynge</p> + <p>Yet many ar besy in Logyke and in lawe</p> + <p>Whan all theyr gramer is skarsly worth a strawe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If he haue onys red the olde dotrinall</p> + <p>With his diffuse and vnparfyte breuyte</p> + <p>He thynketh to haue sene the poyntis of grammer all.</p> + <p>And yet of one errour he maketh two or thre</p> + <p>Precyan or sulpice disdayneth he to se</p> + <p>Thus many whiche say that they theyr grammer can</p> + <p>Ar als great folys as whan they firste began</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>One with his speche rounde tournynge lyke a whyle</p> + <p>Of logyke the knottis doth lows and vndo</p> + <p>In hande with his sylogysimes, and yet doth he fele</p> + <p>No thynge what it menyth, nor what longeth therto</p> + <p>Nowe sortes currit: Nowe is in hande plato</p> + <p>Another comyth in with bocardo and pheryson</p> + <p>And out goeth agayne a fole in conclusyon</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>There is nought else but Est and non est</p> + <p>Blaberynge and chydynge, as it were beawlys wyse</p> + <p>They argue nought els but to proue man a beest</p> + <p>Homo est Asinus is cause of moche stryfe</p> + <p>Thus passe forth these folys the dayes of theyr lyfe</p> + <p>In two syllabis, not gyuynge aduertence</p> + <p>To other cunnynge doctryne, nor scyence.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>I wyll nat say but that it is expedyent</p> + <p>The to knowe of Logyke the chrafte and connynge</p> + <p>For by argument it maketh euydent</p> + <p>Moche obscurenes, somtyme enlumynynge</p> + <p>The mynde: and sharpynge the wyt in many a thynge</p> + <p>But oft yet by it a thynge playne bryght and pure</p> + <p>Is made diffuse, vnknowen harde and obscure</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>It is ynoughe therof to knowe the grounde</p> + <p>And nat therin to wast all thy lyfe holly</p> + <p>Styll grutchynge lyke vnto the frogges sounde</p> + <p>Or lyke the chaterynge of the folysshe pye</p> + <p>If one afferme the other wyll deny</p> + <p>Sophestry nor Logyke with their art talcatyfe</p> + <p>Shewe nat the way vnto the boke of lyfe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>With suche folyes tender youth is defylyd</p> + <p>And all theyr dayes on them they set delyte</p> + <p>But godly doctryne is from theyr myndes exylyd</p> + <p>Whiche sholde the body and soule also profyte</p> + <p>They take no layser, pleasur nor respyte</p> + <p>To other scyences, pleasaunt and profytable</p> + <p>But without ende in one thynge chat and bable</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>One rennyth to almayne another vnto fraunce</p> + <p>To parys padway Lumbardy or spayne</p> + <p>Another to Bonony, Rome or orleance</p> + <p>To cayne, to Tolows, Athenys or Colayne</p> + <p>And at the last retournyth home agayne</p> + <p>More ignorant, blynder and gretter folys</p> + <p>Than they were whan they firste went to the scolys</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>One bostynge the name of a lawer or deuyne</p> + <p>His proude hode hye vpon his stately necke:</p> + <p>Thus muste a gode clerke vnto a foule enclyne</p> + <p>Lowt with the body and with obedyence becke</p> + <p>And thoughe it tourne to theyr rebuke and checke</p> + <p>Yet nowe a dayes ouer many suche there be.</p> + <p>Whiche in stede of cunnynge vseth audacyte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The hode must answere for the follysshe student</p> + <p>Theyr tyme hath ben lost frutles and barayne.</p> + <p>Theyr frendes godes on suche folyes ar spent</p> + <p>To their damage thought hunger and payne:</p> + <p>Thus to conclude: me thynke it is but vayne</p> + <p>The frendes to labour the dayes of theyr lyue</p> + <p>To spare for suche scolers whiche shall neuer thryue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The great foly, the pryde, and the enormyte</p> + <p>Of our studentis, and theyr obstynate errour</p> + <p>Causeth me to wryte two sentences or thre</p> + <p>More than I fynde wrytyn in myne actoure</p> + <p>The tyme hath ben whan I was conductoure</p> + <p>Of moche foly, whiche nowe my mynde doth greue</p> + <p>Wherfor of this shyp syns I am gouernoure.</p> + <p>I dare be bolde myne owne vyce to repreue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Howe be it I knowe my wordes shall suche greue</p> + <p>As them selfe knoweth fawty and culpable</p> + <p>But if they be wroth: take they me by the sleue</p> + <p>For they shall bere the hode and I wyll the bable:</p> + <p>But firste ye studentis that ar of mynde vnstable</p> + <p>Ye wasters and getters by nyght in felde or towne</p> + <p>Within my Nauy wolde I set you to a cable</p> + <p>If I not fered lyst ye your selfe wolde drowne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Also I fere lyst my shyp sholde synke for syn</p> + <p>If that Cupido and Uenus seruytours</p> + <p>On the vnsure se my shyp entred within</p> + <p>Or all the folys promotyd to honours</p> + <p>I none receyue can of hye progenytours</p> + <p>My shyp is nat dressyd for them conuenyent</p> + <p>And to I fere lyst theyr cruell rygours:</p> + <p>Sholde rayse to my shyp some tempest or tourment</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Thenuoy of Barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Fy studentis clens your myndes of this cryme</p> + <p>Gyue ones your hertis to parfyte dylygence</p> + <p>Howe longe in Idelnes, wyll ye lese your tyme</p> + <p>In pryde and ryot, with all other offence</p> + <p>Alas what profyte get ye by neglygence</p> + <p>But spende your goodes in all iniquyte</p> + <p>And where your frendes thynke, ye labour for scyence:</p> + <p>Ye lese your tyme bryngynge them to pouertee</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Leue of suche stody as is vnprofytable</p> + <p>Without fruyte outher godly discyplyne</p> + <p>And gyue your myndes to scyences lawdable</p> + <p>Where ye may your herte set and inclyne:</p> + <p>To Arystotyls or Platoys doctryne</p> + <p>And nat alway on logyke or Sophestry</p> + <p>I wyll nat say but it is a thynge dyuyne</p> + <p>And moche worth to knowe Phylosophy</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p148"></a></p> + +<h3>Of them that folysshly speke agaynst +the workes of god.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p273.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t273.png" + alt="A fire to increase the light of the sun." /></a> + <p class="poem">Here note we fowlys whiche can nat be content<br /> + With goddes worke, and ordynaunce dyuyne<br /> Thynkynge theyr owne + wyll moche more expedyent<br /> Nat wyllynge theyr myndes to his wyll + to enclyne<br /> But suche folys often sholde come to ruyne<br /> And + wo with sorowe and losse sholde they fynde<br /> If god sholde conforme + his workes to theyr mynde</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He is a fole and laboreth in vayne:</p> + <p>Whiche with small brondes of fyre flamynge bryght</p> + <p>Entendyth with laboure besynes and payne</p> + <p>Of the shynynge sonne for to encrease the lyght</p> + <p>Suche one assayeth a thynge passynge his myght</p> + <p>And is a fole to set thought or delyte</p> + <p>To mende that thynge whiche god hath made perfyte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But yet is he a moche gretter fole truely</p> + <p>Whiche wyll correct that thynge whiche god hath done</p> + <p>And doth nat his herte his wyll and mynde aply</p> + <p>To goddes workes and deuyne prouysyon</p> + <p>Of all other maddest is his condycion</p> + <p>And more frantyfe forsoth I may hym call</p> + <p>Than they that ar vext with furyes infernall:</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>(Thou fole) the myght of god omnipotent</p> + <p>In vertue and wysdome so largely doth extende</p> + <p>His maiesty, and power is so excellent</p> + <p>His glorious godhede his workes doth defende</p> + <p>So that no mortall man can them amende</p> + <p>Wenest thou mad fole that thou amende cannest ought</p> + <p>That he hath done: whiche made all thynge of nought</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He that hath made the heuen and firmament</p> + <p>The londe, the se, and euery other thynge</p> + <p>Is so discrete, so wyse, and prouydent</p> + <p>Before his presence parfytely seynge</p> + <p>All thynge to come that neuer hath had beynge</p> + <p>His workes and dedys ar so perfyte and ryght</p> + <p>That none can increas nor yet decreas his myght</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He doth all thynge dispose moderate and dispence</p> + <p>Knowynge our mynde, and what is to vs most mete</p> + <p>All thynge is open and playne in his presence</p> + <p>Our inwarde thought must he nedes knowe and wete</p> + <p>And euery fortune is playne before his fete</p> + <p>He hath all thynge by lawe and order drest</p> + <p>And doth no thynge but it is for the best</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Therfore whether he gyue thunder snowe or rayne</p> + <p>Wynde or wether, tempest or tourment</p> + <p>Frost lyghtnynge, fayre wether, outher storme sodayne</p> + <p>Mystes or clowdes, yet man sholde be content</p> + <p>And nat with worde nouther inwarde intent</p> + <p>Agaynst god grutche, but euery day and houre</p> + <p>Magnyfye the dedys of god his creatoure</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>It were moche better thou fole that thou were dome</p> + <p>Than to cast lewde wordes agaynst thy lorde in vayne</p> + <p>Thou fole he worketh no thynge but by wysedome</p> + <p>And yet art thou nat content but dost complayne</p> + <p>Thou sekest vengeaunce (for thy synne) and payne</p> + <p>In hell for euer, thynkynge thy selfe so wyse</p> + <p>To teche thy god, and his warke to dispyse</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>It is nat lawfull for any, hye nor lowe</p> + <p>To be so bolde so blynde or so cruell</p> + <p>Grutchynge wordes agaynst his god to throwe</p> + <p>Thughe to theyr plaseour a thynge nat fortune well</p> + <p>Take example by the children of Israell</p> + <p>Whiche oft for this synne suffred great payne and wo</p> + <p>Slayne and distroyed, so haue ben many mo</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Many a lewde body without wysdome or rede</p> + <p>Grutche in theyr myndes, and openly do blame</p> + <p>Almyghy god, whan theyr children ar dede</p> + <p>Where rather they ought to enioye of the same</p> + <p>For it myght fortune that great rebuke and shame</p> + <p>Myght to theyr frendes haue come by theyr synne and cryme</p> + <p>Soone after: if they had nat dyed at that tyme</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Wherfore this one clause is my conclusyon</p> + <p>That god our maker is wyse and prouydent</p> + <p>Blame nat his workes by thyne abusyon</p> + <p>For all that he doth is for the best intent</p> + <p>But if that god sholde alwaye assent</p> + <p>To our desyres and euer perfourme our wyll</p> + <p>Our owne requestis sholde tourne vs to great yll</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Alexander barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O ye mad myndes that no thynge vnderstonde</p> + <p>O man presumptuous and vnobedyent</p> + <p>Howe darest thou be so bolde to take on honde</p> + <p>To repreue the workes of god omnipotent</p> + <p>Wylt thou hym teche, as more wyse and prouydent</p> + <p>Than he is (whiche made all thynge of nought)</p> + <p>Leue of this thy foly, and holde thy selfe content</p> + <p>For thou art a fole to set theron thy thought</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p152"></a></p> + +<h3>Of them that gyue jugement on other.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p277.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t277.png" + alt="The fool who judges others." /></a> + <p class="poem">Who that reputyth hym selfe iust and fawtles<br /> Of + maners gode, and of lyuynge commendable.<br /> And iugeth other + (parchaunce that ar gyltles)<br /> To be of a condicion reprouable<br + /> Hymselfe nat notynge, thoughe that he were culpable<br /> He is a + fole, and onys shall haue a fall<br /> Syns he wyll other iuge, hym + selfe yet worst of all.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Many fallyth in great peryll and damage</p> + <p>And greuous deth by the vyce of folysshnes</p> + <p>Perseuerantly bydynge in theyr outrage</p> + <p>Theyr soule infect with synne and viciousnes</p> + <p>And though that deth hym alway to them addres</p> + <p>Yet hope they in longe lyfe and prosperyte</p> + <p>And neuer asswageth theyr blynde iniquyte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The tyme passeth as water in a ryuere</p> + <p>No mortall man can it reuoke agayne</p> + <p>Dethe with his dartis vnwarely doth apere</p> + <p>It is the ende of euery man certayne</p> + <p>The last of all ferys and ende of worldly payne</p> + <p>But thoughe we knowe that we all must haue an ende</p> + <p>We slepe in synne disdaynynge vs to amende</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some thynke them gode, iust and excellent</p> + <p>Myghty stronge and worthy of preemynence:</p> + <p>Charitable, chast, constant and innocent</p> + <p>Nat doutynge deth nor other inconuenyence</p> + <p>But yet ar they wrappyd sore in synne and offence</p> + <p>And in a vayne hope, contynue in suche wyse</p> + <p>That all the worlde (saue them selfe) they dispyse</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They take on them the workes of god omnipotent</p> + <p>To iuge the secrete of mannys mynde and thought</p> + <p>And where no sygne is sene playne and euydent</p> + <p>They iuge a man saynge, his lyfe is nought</p> + <p>And if deth one hath vnto his last ende brought</p> + <p>(As mad) they mende nat theyr mysgouernaunce</p> + <p>Nat thynkynge that they ensue must the same daunce</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Suche folys fayne causes and often tymes say:</p> + <p>That he that is dede vsed ryot and moche foly</p> + <p>Whiche causyd hym to dye before his day</p> + <p>And that he was feble, or full of malancoly</p> + <p>Ouer sad, or prowde, disceytfull and pope holy</p> + <p>Uiciously lyuynge in couetyse and gyle</p> + <p>Wherfore god suffred hym lyue the shorter whyle</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Lo these blynde folys saciat with vyce</p> + <p>Jugeth hym that perchaunce dyd nat amys</p> + <p>Whyle he here lyuyd, and is in paradyce</p> + <p>Rewardyd for his workes in endles ioy and blys</p> + <p>Where as this lewde Juger, here in this worlde is</p> + <p>Styll lyuynge in synne, suffrynge great payne and wo</p> + <p>And though he thynke hym gode shall neuer come therto</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He that in synne here lyeth fettered fast</p> + <p>And iugeth the deth of his frende or neyboure</p> + <p>Whiche from this lyfe is departed and past.</p> + <p>Let hym beware, for onys come shall the houre</p> + <p>That he must fele dethis dolorouse rygoure.</p> + <p>And after that endure infernall punysshement</p> + <p>For iugynge and mysdemynge of people innocent</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The terme and day, of deth is moche vnsure</p> + <p>The deth is sure, the houre is vncertayne</p> + <p>Deth is generall to euery creature</p> + <p>Theder we must all, be it pleasour or payne</p> + <p>Wherfore wysdome wyll that we shulde refrayne</p> + <p>From folysshe demynge and nons deth discus</p> + <p>After deth god wot howe it shall be with vs</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Alas full often a iust man gode and true</p> + <p>Of mynde innocent sad sober and sympyll</p> + <p>Passynge his tyme in goodnes and vertue</p> + <p>Is of these folys thought and demyd for yll</p> + <p>And he that is nought, frowarde of dede and wyll</p> + <p>Of these folys blynde frantyke and wode.</p> + <p>Without all reason is iugyd to be goode</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Wherfore I proue that a blynde fole thou art</p> + <p>To iuge or deme a mannys thought or intent</p> + <p>For onely god knoweth our mynde and hart</p> + <p>Wherto we gree and to what thynge we assent</p> + <p>But who that is rightwyse iust, and innocent</p> + <p>And louyth god with honour and with reuerence</p> + <p>Than, may he boldely iuge anothers offence</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Alexander barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Amende you folys: do way these folysshe wayes</p> + <p>Take ye no charge: nat mete for your degre.</p> + <p>And note these wordes: whiche criste our sauyour sayes</p> + <p>Juge nat another, and thou shalt nat iugyd be</p> + <p>It longeth onely to the hye dyuynyte</p> + <p>To iuge our mynde: for he is true iustyce</p> + <p>All thynge discernynge by right and equyte</p> + <p>No man sholde deme, whyle hym selfe is in vyce</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p156"></a></p> + +<h3>Of pluralitees that is to say of them whiche +charge them selfe with many benefycis.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p281.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t281.png" + alt="The ass charged with many sacks." /></a> + <p class="poem">That myller is a fole and here shall haue a barge<br /> + And as a mad man shall fast therin be bounde<br /> Whiche his Asse wyll + with so many sackes charge<br /> That the pore beste for payne fallys + to the grounde<br /> Many in the chirche lyke hym may be founde.<br /> + Whiche so many benefycis labour to procure<br /> That their small myght + can nat the charge endure.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Amonge our folys delytynge them in vyces</p> + <p>Is yet another sorte of the speritualte</p> + <p>Whiche them ouerchargeth with dyuers benefyces</p> + <p>And namely suche that lowest ar in degre</p> + <p>Of byrth and cunnynge, of this condycion be</p> + <p>Defylynge goddes rentis and the chirches goode</p> + <p>Them selfe ouer ladynge, as men frantyke and wode</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The weght is so great they can it nat endure</p> + <p>Theyr myght is small, theyr cunnynge is moche lesse</p> + <p>Thus this great charge wherof they haue the cure</p> + <p>To infernall Fenn doth this pore Asse oppresse</p> + <p>And to an Asse moste lyke he is doutles</p> + <p>Whiche takynge on his backe sackes nyne or tenne.</p> + <p>Destroyeth hymselfe them leuynge in the fenne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But though one prebende were to hym suffycient</p> + <p>Or one benefyce his lyuynge myght suffyse</p> + <p>Yet this blynde fole is nat therwith content</p> + <p>But labowreth for mo, and alway doth deuyse</p> + <p>Fals meanes to come therto by couetyse</p> + <p>He gapeth with his wyde throte insaciable</p> + <p>And neuer can content his wyll abhomynable</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>So for the loue of the peny and ryches.</p> + <p>He taketh this charge to lyue in welth and eas.</p> + <p>Howe be it that sole that hath suche besynes</p> + <p>And dyueres charges fyndeth great disseas</p> + <p>Neyther shall he god, nor yet the worlde pleas</p> + <p>And shall with his burthyns his mynde so vex and comber</p> + <p>That halfe his cures, can he nat count nor nomber</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>These carefull caytyfs, that ar of this same sort</p> + <p>With cures ar ouerchargyd so that of theyr mynde.</p> + <p>Rest haue they none, solace, pleasour nor conforte</p> + <p>Howe be it they thynke therby great welth to fynde</p> + <p>They gape yet euer, theyr maners lyke the wynde</p> + <p>Theyr lyfe without all terme or sertaynte</p> + <p>If they haue two lyuynges, yet loke they to haue thre</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The folys whose hertis vnto this vyce ar bounde</p> + <p>Upon theyr sholders bereth aboute a sacke.</p> + <p>Insaciable without botome, outher grounde:</p> + <p>They thynke them nat lade though all be on theyr backe.</p> + <p>The more that they haue (the more they thynke they lacke)</p> + <p>What deuyll can stop theyr throte so large and wyde</p> + <p>Yet many all waste aboute Ryot and pryde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But yet is this moche more abhomynable</p> + <p>That asses vntaught without wysdome or scyence</p> + <p>Haue theyr proude myndes moste vnsaciable</p> + <p>Nat commynge to worshyp by vertue nor prudence</p> + <p>Yet counte they them worthy of this excellence</p> + <p>Courters become prestis nought knowynge but the dyce</p> + <p>They preste not for god, but for a benefyce</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The clerke of the kechyn is a prest become</p> + <p>In full trust to come to promosyon hye</p> + <p>No thynge by vertue cunnynge nor wysdome</p> + <p>But by couetyse, practyse and flatery</p> + <p>The Stepyll and the chirche by this meane stand awry</p> + <p>For some become rather prestis for couetyse.</p> + <p>Than for the loue of god or his seruyce.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Alas oft goddes goodes and cristis herytage</p> + <p>Of suche folys is wastyd and spent in vayne</p> + <p>In great folyes mundaynes and outrage</p> + <p>Where it decreed, and ordeyned is certayne.</p> + <p>That prestis sholde helpe pore people that lyue in payne</p> + <p>And with suche goodes kepe hospytalyte</p> + <p>Whiche pryde ryot and Uenus suffreth nat to be</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus is the grettest parte of the spiritualte</p> + <p>Pore preste, persone, vicayr, relygyon and prelate</p> + <p>With couetyse acloyde outher prodigalyte</p> + <p>And folys promotyd causyth good clerkis haue hate</p> + <p>Say lordes and bysshops with other of estate</p> + <p>What mouyth you so gladly, suche to promote</p> + <p>Whiche haue no cunnynge their wyt skant worth a grote</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Wyll ye alway the folysshe asse ouercharge</p> + <p>With suche burthyns wherwith it can nat fare</p> + <p>And suffer other to walke and ren at large</p> + <p>And where they best myght bere theyr backes ar left bare</p> + <p>And that is worst of all, suche folys can nat be ware</p> + <p>But whan they ar promotyd after theyr owne entent.</p> + <p>Yet theyr insaciable mynde can neuer be content.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some make exchanges and permutacions</p> + <p>Some take to ferme, and some let out agayne</p> + <p>Other folys for hope make resignacions</p> + <p>And some for one god scosyth gladly twayne</p> + <p>Some lyueth longe in hunger and in payne</p> + <p>And in the somer day skarsly drynketh twyse</p> + <p>Sparynge monay therwith to by a benefyce</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some for no wages in court doth attende</p> + <p>With lorde or knyght, and all for this polecy</p> + <p>To get of his lorde a benefyce at the ende</p> + <p>And in the meane tyme ensueth rybawdry</p> + <p>And somtyme laboureth by chraft of symony.</p> + <p>He playeth a fals cast, nat cessynge to coniure</p> + <p>Tyll of some benefyce he at the last be sure</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Than if this lorde haue in hym fauoure, he hath hope</p> + <p>To haue another benefyce of gretter dignyte</p> + <p>And so maketh a fals suggestyon to the pope</p> + <p>For a Tot quot outher els a pluralyte</p> + <p>Than shall he nat be pleased with .<span class="sc">ii</span>. nouther thre</p> + <p>But dyuers wyll he haue ay choppynge and changynge</p> + <p>So oft a fole all and a gode clerke no thynge</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>These of nought force so that they may haue gayne</p> + <p>And golde ynough to spende on rybawdry and pryde</p> + <p>They haue the profyte, another hath the payne</p> + <p>The cure of the soulys of them is set asyde</p> + <p>And no meruayle, for howe sholde they abyde.</p> + <p>To teche their parysshynges vertue wysdome or grace</p> + <p>Syns no man can be atonys in euery place</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Alas these folys our mayster criste betray</p> + <p>Of mannes soule wherof they haue the cure</p> + <p>And settynge in their stede syr Johnn of garnesey</p> + <p>They thynketh them selfe dischargyd quyte and sure</p> + <p>These folys note nat that euery creature.</p> + <p>Whiche here of soulys doth cure or charge take</p> + <p>At domys day a compt for them shall make</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But if I sholde touche all the enormytees</p> + <p>The immoderat couetyse and desyre of dignyte</p> + <p>That nowe is vsed amonge all the degrees</p> + <p>Of benefycyd men ouer all the spiritualte</p> + <p>I fere displeasour, and also I often se</p> + <p>That trouth is blamed, and nat ay best to tell</p> + <p>But he that in this lyfe wyll alway besy be</p> + <p>To get dyuers prebendes shall haue the last in hell</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Thenuoy of Barklay to the Folys.</span></p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>What meane ye gyders of Christis herytage</p> + <p>Shall ye neuer leue this your deuowrynge mynde</p> + <p>Shall ye no tyme your couytyse asswage</p> + <p>Whiche in goddes seruyce your hartis sore doth blynde</p> + <p>Let this fals traytour no place amonge you fynde</p> + <p>Graunt hym no rowne in churche nor in quere.</p> + <p>For this is sure ye shall all leue behynde</p> + <p>We haue no Cyte, nor place abydynge here</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p162"></a></p> + +<h3>Of them that prolonge from day to day +to amende themselfe.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p287.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t287.png" + alt="The fool who cries cras with the crow." /></a> + <p class="poem">He that cras cras syngeth with the crowe<br /> + Deferrynge the tyme of his amendement<br /> Amonge our folys, in this + our shyp shall rowe<br /> For his presumpcion, dull mynde and blynde + intent<br /> What knowe these folys whether god omnypotent<br /> Wyll + graunt them to lyue vntyll another day.<br /> Wherfore we ought to + mende vs whyle we may.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If vnto any almyghty god doth sende</p> + <p>From heuen aboue by inspyracion dyuyne</p> + <p>Wyll and gode mynde his synnes to amende</p> + <p>And with his grace his thoughtes enlumyne</p> + <p>If that synner wyll nat therto enclyne</p> + <p>But doth dyffer and dryue frome day to day</p> + <p>A fole he is, no wyse man wyll denay</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Yet many folowe this inconuenience</p> + <p>And knowynge theyr owne vyce, and lyfe full of ordure</p> + <p>The payne therof, and howe euery offence</p> + <p>And synne is punysshed of eche creature</p> + <p>Also they knowe that theyr deth is vnsure</p> + <p>And dye they must knowynge no houre nor space</p> + <p>Yet synne they styll, nat receyuynge this grace</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They folowe the crowes cry to theyr great sorowe</p> + <p>Cras cras cras to morowe we shall amende</p> + <p>And if we mende nat than, than shall we the next morowe</p> + <p>Outher shortly after, we shall no more offende</p> + <p>Amende mad fole whan god this grace doth sende</p> + <p>He is vnwyse whiche trustes the crowes songe</p> + <p>And that affermyth that he shall lyue so longe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Syns deth (as I haue sayde) is so vnstable</p> + <p>Wherfore we ought alway vs to prouyde</p> + <p>And mende our lyfe and synne abhomynable</p> + <p>For though that thou be hole at the euyn tyde</p> + <p>Thou knowest nat sure that thou shall here abyde</p> + <p>Untyll the morne but if thou dye in that space</p> + <p>It shall be to late for the to cry cras cras</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Syns it is in thy power that thou may</p> + <p>Amende thy selfe whan god inspyreth the</p> + <p>Why shalt thou tary vnto another day</p> + <p>The longer tary the lesse apt shalt thou be.</p> + <p>In olde sores is grettest ieopardye</p> + <p>Whan costome and vse is tourned to nature</p> + <p>It is right harde to leue: I the ensure</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Therfore if that thou lewdly fall in syn</p> + <p>By thy frayle flesshe, and the fals fendes trayne</p> + <p>Take nat the vse, contynue nat therin</p> + <p>But by confessyon shortly ryse agayne</p> + <p>Synne alway thretenyth vnto the doer, payne</p> + <p>And grutche of conscience with moche thought and wo</p> + <p>Yet alwaye ar we redy and prone therto</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Mannys lyfe on erth is euyn a chyualry</p> + <p>Agaynst our flesshe fyghtyng whiche often doth vs shame</p> + <p>Also the deuyll our goostly ennemy</p> + <p>On his parte labours to get vs in his frame</p> + <p>Thus oft we fall, and than our foly blame</p> + <p>Repentynge sore, and wyllynge to refrayne</p> + <p>But within an houre we fall therto agayne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus euer to vyce ar we redy and prone</p> + <p>The gyftis of grace we clene from vs exclude</p> + <p>We haue great cause sore to complayne and mone</p> + <p>We leue that thynge (our myndes ar so rude)</p> + <p>That myght vs gyde to helth and beatytude</p> + <p>Thus our owne foly, and our owne blynde madnes</p> + <p>Us often ledyth vnto great wretchydnes</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And if it fortune, that at any tyme</p> + <p>Within our myndes we purpose stedfastly</p> + <p>For to confesse our synne, excesse, or cryme</p> + <p>Agayne our thought is changyd by and by</p> + <p>Away than ren we with the crowys crye</p> + <p>With one cras, to morowe, perauenture twayne</p> + <p>Without regarde had, vnto infernall payne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But in the meane space if that deth vntretable</p> + <p>Arrest the with his mace, fyers and cruell</p> + <p>And for thy synne and lyfe abhomynable</p> + <p>By iustyce damme thy soule for euer to hell</p> + <p>Than woldest thou gladly (If thou myght) do well</p> + <p>But there is no grace but doloure payne and sorowe</p> + <p>Than is to late to crye cras cras to morowe</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The Enuoy of the Actour</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Say what delyte, thou fole or what pleasoure</p> + <p>Takest thou in synne and voluptuosyte</p> + <p>It is small sothly, and passeth euery houre</p> + <p>Lyke to the water, and that in myserye</p> + <p>Therfore set nat in synne thy felycyte</p> + <p>This day begyn thy lewde lyfe to refuse</p> + <p>Perchaunce to morowe sholde be to late to the</p> + <p>So sholde cras the crwys songe the sore abuse</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p166"></a></p> + +<h3>Of hym that is Jelous ouer his wyfe and +watcheth hir wayes without cause, or +euydent tokyn of hir myslyuynge.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p291.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t291.png" + alt="Folly a woman to keep or close." /></a> + <p class="poem">He that his wyfe wyll counterwayte and watche<br /> And + feryth of hir lyuynge by his Jelowse intent<br /> Is as great fole, as + is that wytles wratche<br /> That wolde kepe flees vnder the son + feruent<br /> Or in the se cast water, thynkynge it to augment<br /> + For thoughe he hir watche lockynge with lockys twayne<br /> But if she + kepe hir selfe his kepynge is but vayne</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Orestes was neuer so blynde and mad as is he</p> + <p>Whiche for his wyfe taketh thought and charge</p> + <p>Watchynge hir wayes, thoughe that she gyltles be</p> + <p>This fole styll fereth, if she be out at large</p> + <p>Lyst that some other his harnes sholde ouercharge</p> + <p>But for all his fere and carefull Jelowsy</p> + <p>If she be nought there is no remedy.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thou fole I proue, thy watchynge helpeth nought</p> + <p>Thy labour lost is, thou takest this care in vayne</p> + <p>In vayne thou takest this Jelowsy and thought</p> + <p>In vayne thou sleest thy selfe with care and payne</p> + <p>And of one doute thou fole thou makest twayne</p> + <p>And neuer shalt fynde eas nor mery lyuynge</p> + <p>(Whyle thou thus lyuest) but hatered and chydynge</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>For locke hir fast and all hir lokes marke.</p> + <p>Note all hir steppys, and twynklynge of hir iye.</p> + <p>Ordeyne thy watchers and dogges for to barke</p> + <p>Bar fast thy dores and yet it wyll nat be</p> + <p>Close hir in a Toure with wallys stronge and hye</p> + <p>But yet thou fole thou lesist thy trauayle</p> + <p>For without she wyll no man can kepe hir tayle</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And yet more ouer breche hir with plate and mayle</p> + <p>And for all that if she be nought of kynde</p> + <p>She shall disceyue the (If she lyst) without fayle</p> + <p>But if that she be chast of dede and mynde</p> + <p>Hir selfe shall she kepe, though thou hir neuer bynde</p> + <p>Thus they that ar chast of nature, wyll byde so</p> + <p>And nought wyll be nought what so euer thou do</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus is it foly and causeth great debate</p> + <p>Bytwene man and wyfe, whan he by Jelowsy.</p> + <p>His wyfe suspectyth, and doth watche or counterwayt</p> + <p>Or hir mysdemyth and kepyth in stratly.</p> + <p>Wherfore me thynke it is best remedy</p> + <p>For hym that gladly wolde escape the hode</p> + <p>Nat to be Jelous: but honest lyuynge and gode</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The toure of bras that callyd was darayne.</p> + <p>Coude nat the damsell (by name Danes) defende</p> + <p>But that Jupiter fonde a cautell and trayne</p> + <p>In a golden shoure into hir to discende</p> + <p>And to be short, at conclusyon and ende</p> + <p>This mayde for all this Toure was there defylyd.</p> + <p>And by this lorde was she there brought with childe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>By this example it apereth euydent</p> + <p>That it is foly a woman to kepe or close</p> + <p>For if she be of lewde mynde or intent</p> + <p>Outher preuy or apert there about she goys</p> + <p>Deuysynge wayes with hir good man to glose</p> + <p>But specially if that he hir suspect</p> + <p>With a hode shall he vnwars be ouerdect</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But in the worlde right many other be</p> + <p>Whiche neuer folowe this fals and lothly way</p> + <p>We haue example of one Penolope</p> + <p>Whiche though that she alone was many a day</p> + <p>Hir husbonde gone, and she vexed alway.</p> + <p>By other louers: yet was she euer trewe</p> + <p>Unto hir olde: and neuer changyd for newe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>I fynde that often this folysshe Jelowsy</p> + <p>Of men; causyth some women to mysdo</p> + <p>Where as (were nat theyr husbondes blynde foly)</p> + <p>The pore wymen knowe nat what longyd therto</p> + <p>Wherfore suche men ar folys and mad also</p> + <p>And with theyr hodes whiche they them selfe purchace</p> + <p>Within my shyp shall haue a rowme and place</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>For where as perchaunce theyr wyfes ar chaste and goode</p> + <p>By mannys vnkyndnes they chaunge and turne theyr herte</p> + <p>So that the wyfe must nedes gyue them a hode</p> + <p>But to be playne some wymen ar esy to conuert</p> + <p>For if one take them where they can nat start.</p> + <p>What for theyr husbondes folysshe Jelowsy</p> + <p>And theyr owne pleasour: they scars can ought deny</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enuoy of the Actour</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Therfore ye wymen lyue wysly and eschewe</p> + <p>These wanton wowers and suche wylde company</p> + <p>Get you gode name by sadnes and vertue</p> + <p>Haunt no olde quenys that nourysshe rybawdry</p> + <p>Than fere ye nat your husbondes Jelowsy</p> + <p>If ye be fawtles, chaste and innocent</p> + <p>But wanton wowers ar ful of flatery</p> + <p>Euer whan they labour for their intent.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Be meke, demure, bocsome, and obedyent,</p> + <p>Gyue none occasyon to men by your foly</p> + <p>If one ought asshe, deny it incontynent</p> + <p>And euer after auoyde his company</p> + <p>Beware of cornes, do nat your erys aply</p> + <p>To pleasaunt wordes nor letters eloquent</p> + <p>If that Helena had so done certaynly</p> + <p>She had nat ven rauysshed by handes violent</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p171"></a></p> + +<h3>Of auoutry, and specially of them y<sup>t</sup> ar +bawdes to their wyues, knowynge and +wyll nat knowe, but kepe counseyll, for +couetyse, and gaynes or auauntage.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p296.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t296.png" + alt="He layeth his hand before his eye." /></a> + <p class="poem">A fole blynde, forsoth and wytles is that man<br /> + Whiche thoughe his wyfe openly defylyd be<br /> Before his owne face, + yet suche a chrafte he can<br /> To fayne hym a slepe, nat wyllynge it + to se<br /> Or els he layeth his hande before his iye<br /> And thoughe + he here and se howe the mater gose<br /> He snortynge slepyth, and wyll + it nat disclose.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O what disorder, what shame and what domage</p> + <p>Is nowe brought in, and right lykely to abyde</p> + <p>In the sacrament of holy mariage</p> + <p>The fere of payne and lawe is set a syde</p> + <p>Faythe is clene lost, and fewe them selfe do gyde</p> + <p>After theyr othe, but for lacke of punysshement.</p> + <p>They brake and despyse this dyuyne sacrament</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Alas the lawe that Julius dyd ordeyne</p> + <p>Agaynst auoutry: is nowe a slepe or dede</p> + <p>None feryth iustyce punysshement nor payne</p> + <p>Both man and woman ar past all fere and drede</p> + <p>Theyr promes brekynge, without respect or hede</p> + <p>Had to theyr othe, by mariage solemnysed</p> + <p>The bed defylyd. the sacrament despysed</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Many ar whiche thynke it is a thynge laudable</p> + <p>Anothers sponse to pullute and dyffame</p> + <p>And howe beit the synne is moche abhomynable</p> + <p>They fere nat god, nor dout nat worldly shame</p> + <p>But rather boldly they bost them of the same</p> + <p>They note no thynge the mortall punysshement</p> + <p>Taken on auoutrers in the olde testament</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Yet is another thynge more lothsome and vyle</p> + <p>That many husbondes knowynge theyr wyues syn</p> + <p>Absent themselfe and stop theyr iyen the whyle</p> + <p>Kepynge the dore whyle the auoutrer is within</p> + <p>They forse no thynge so they may money wyn</p> + <p>Lyuynge as bawdes, and that to theyr owne wyues</p> + <p>O cursyd money, this madnes thou contryuys</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O cursyd husbonde thou ought to be asshamyd</p> + <p>To set so great fors for syluer or for golde</p> + <p>That thou for them thy wyfe wyll se diffamyd</p> + <p>And helpe therto: ye: and the dede beholde</p> + <p>Blame it blynde dryuyll: by the lawe so thou sholde</p> + <p>And nat therat to gyggyll laghe and Jest</p> + <p>It is a lewde byrde that fyleth his owne nest</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The Hystory of Atreus expressyth playne</p> + <p>Howe he (by his owne brother) for auoutry</p> + <p>Was dryuen from his royalme and his childre slayne</p> + <p>For his mysdede: without: let or remedy</p> + <p>These children thus bought theyr faders mad foly</p> + <p>What shall I wryte the wo and heuynes</p> + <p>Whiche Tarquyn had for rauysshynge lucres</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>I rede in the hystory of one Virginius</p> + <p>Whiche to thyntent this foule synne to eschewe</p> + <p>Whan his doughter was desyred by Clodius</p> + <p>And that by force; the fader his dowghter slewe</p> + <p>Bytwene the handes of Clodius vntrue</p> + <p>The fader answered (whan men his dede dyd blame)</p> + <p>Better is to dye chast: than longe to lyue in shame</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But of auoutry somwhat more to speke</p> + <p>In it is yre Enuy and paynfull pouertye.</p> + <p>And also he or she that mariage doth breke</p> + <p>May fere of deth eternall whan they dye</p> + <p>And here without welth ioy and rest shall they be</p> + <p>And well ar they worthy (forsoth) of sore tourment</p> + <p>In hell: for brekynge this holy sacrament</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But in the meane tyme here shalt thou haue discorde</p> + <p>And neuer prosper in vertue nor ryches</p> + <p>And lothsome be before the almyghty lorde</p> + <p>Thy dedes shall purchace mysfortune and distres</p> + <p>Thou lyue shalt in shame and dye in wretchydnes</p> + <p>And if thou procede therin and nat amende</p> + <p>Some great shame shalt thou haue before thyne ende.</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enuoy of the Actour</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O creatures vnkynde leue ye this outrage</p> + <p>Breke nat your othe whiche ye made solemly</p> + <p>Eche one to other for to lyue in mariage</p> + <p>Defyle ye it nat by synne and vylany</p> + <p>On both partis if ye lyue faythfully</p> + <p>After your promes: in loue, fayth and concorde</p> + <p>Than shall ye in erth encreas and multyply</p> + <p>And after haue syght of the almyghty lorde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Let all spousys in theyr myndes comprehende</p> + <p>The lawys and decrees of the olde testament</p> + <p>Howe they that in auoutry dyd offende</p> + <p>Were outher stonyd or els openly brent</p> + <p>Wherfore syns goddes son omnypotent.</p> + <p>Confermed hath the olde testament with the newe</p> + <p>Auoutrers nowe deserue that same punysshement</p> + <p>But well is to them, that stedfast ar and trewe</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p175"></a></p> + +<h3>Of hym that nought can and nought wyll +lerne, and seyth moche, lytell berynge +away, I mene nat theuys.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p300.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t300.png" + alt="Looseth their feet, and suffreth them to flee." /></a> + <p class="poem">He is a fole, and so shall he dye and lyue<br /> That + thynketh hym wyse, and yet can he no thynge<br /> And though he myght + he wyll nat set nor gyue<br /> His mynde to good maners, vertue nor + cunnynge.<br /> So is he a fole that doth to market brynge<br /> His + Gese fast bounde, and game or sporte to se<br /> Lowsyth theyr fete, + and suffreth them to fle</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Saynt George to borowe our Nauy is aflote</p> + <p>Forth shall we sayle, thoughe that it be a payne</p> + <p>And moche laboure to forge a pryuate bote</p> + <p>For euery faute: yet shall I nat refrayne</p> + <p>My hande nor penne: thoughe vnsure be my gayne</p> + <p>My laboure sure: my wyt and reason thynne</p> + <p>Than leue a thynge vnendyd better nat begynne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But in this place shall I a Shyp ordayne</p> + <p>For that fole: that heryth great doctryne</p> + <p>Wherby good maners and vertue aperyth playne</p> + <p>He seth all goodnes, stody, and disciplyne</p> + <p>And yet wyll nat his mynde therto enclyne</p> + <p>But though he knowe what thynge is godlyest</p> + <p>Ouer all the worlde, yet is he styll a beest.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Many of this sort wander and compase</p> + <p>All studies, the wonders of the worlde to se</p> + <p>With vnstabyll wynges fleynge from place to place</p> + <p>Some seyth lawe and some dyuynyte</p> + <p>But for all this byde they in one degre</p> + <p>And if they were Asses and folys blynde before</p> + <p>After all these syghtes yet ar they moche more</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They se moche nought lernynge, and hauynge no delyte</p> + <p>In wysdome nor maners vertue nor goodnes</p> + <p>Theyr tyme is loste, without wysdome or profyte</p> + <p>Without grace, or other holynes</p> + <p>But whyle they labour thus with besynes</p> + <p>If they se ought newe, or any folysshe toy</p> + <p>That lyghtly they lerne, and set theron theyr ioy.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>By this desyre folys may knowen be</p> + <p>For wytles men of fleynge mynde and brayne</p> + <p>Ar best pleasyd with thynges of neweltye</p> + <p>And them to haue, they spare no cost nor payne</p> + <p>To dyuers londes to ren but all in vayne</p> + <p>And so they labour alway from londe to londe</p> + <p>To se all wonders, but nought they vnderstonde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some fle to se the wonders of englonde</p> + <p>Some to the court to se the maners there</p> + <p>Some to Wallys, Holonde, to Fraunce or Irlonde</p> + <p>To Lybye, afryke, and besyly enquere.</p> + <p>Of all marueyles, and skantly worth a here</p> + <p>Some vnto Fraunce and some to Flaunders ren</p> + <p>To so the wayes, and workes of cunnynge men</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And to be shorte ouer all they range</p> + <p>Spendynge theyr goodes about vnthryftynes</p> + <p>In countrees knowen, vnknowen and strange</p> + <p>But whan theyr iourney they homwarde must addres</p> + <p>As folys vnware, and vagabundes thryftles</p> + <p>They haue nought lerned, kept, nor with them brought</p> + <p>Of maners, wysdome or other thynge that is ought</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They that by the se sayle to londes strange</p> + <p>Oft chaunge the place and planete of the fyrmament</p> + <p>But theyr mynde nor maners they ne turne nor chaunge</p> + <p>And namely suche that ar lewde and neglygent</p> + <p>What euer they se styll one is theyr intent</p> + <p>Whan he departyd, If that he were a sote</p> + <p>Agayne anone he comyth in the same mynde and cote</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Say mad folys blynde ouersene, and worthy scorne</p> + <p>Fayne wolde I knowe what necessyte ye haue</p> + <p>To go from the place where ye were bred and borne</p> + <p>Into another londe to lerne to play the knaue</p> + <p>Your mynde vnstable sheweth playne that ye raue</p> + <p>Laboure nat so sore, to lerne to be a fole</p> + <p>That cometh by it selfe without any other scole</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He that is borne in walys or small brytayne</p> + <p>To lerne to pyke and stele nedys nat go to Rome.</p> + <p>What nede we sayle to Flaunders or Almayne</p> + <p>To lerne glotony, syns we may it lerne at home</p> + <p>Suche lewdnes soon may we lerne of our wombe</p> + <p>He that wyll lerne falshode gyle or sotelte</p> + <p>May lerne it here as well as beyonde the se.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>To passe the se to lerne Uenus rybawdry</p> + <p>It is great foly, for thou mayst lerne thy fyll</p> + <p>In shoppis Innes and sellers, ye somtyme openly</p> + <p>At saynt Martyns Westmynster or at the tour hyll</p> + <p>So that I fere all London, in tyme it shall fyll</p> + <p>For it is there kept in lyght and in darke</p> + <p>That the pore Stuys decays for lacke of warke</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But brefely to speke, and this to set a syde</p> + <p>He that on vyce, and synne wyll set his entent</p> + <p>May lerne it in Englonde, if he at home abyde</p> + <p>And that of all sortis: god sende amendement</p> + <p>But if thou alway wyll nede be dylygent</p> + <p>To labour in the worlde about from place to place</p> + <p>Do as dyd Plato, than shalt thou fynde great grace</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>This godly plato laboured with dilygence</p> + <p>To Egypt, and other londes sparynge for no payne</p> + <p>Where euer he came: augmentynge his scyence</p> + <p>And at the last retourned to Grece agayne</p> + <p>His countrey natyf: with laude and name souerayne</p> + <p>Thus he for all his wysdome laboured besyly</p> + <p>But that fowle that nought can nought settyth by</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Wherfore that gose that styll about wyll wander</p> + <p>Moche seynge and herynge, and nought berynge away</p> + <p>Shall home come agayne as wyse as a gander</p> + <p>But more fole is he that may lerne euery day</p> + <p>Without cost or laboure out of his owne countrey</p> + <p>And whan the well of wysdome renneth by theyr dore</p> + <p>Yet looth they the water as if that it were soure</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><a name="p179"></a></p> + +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Alexander Barklay ad fatuos vt dent locum octo secundariis beate marie de Oterey qui quidem prima huius ratis transtra merentur</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Soft folys soft, a lytell slacke your pace</p> + <p>Tyll I haue space you to order by degre</p> + <p>I haue eyght neyghbours, that firste shall haue a place</p> + <p>Within this my shyp, for they most worthy be</p> + <p>They may theyr lernynge receyue costeles and fre.</p> + <p>Theyr wallys abuttynge and ioynynge to the scoles.</p> + <p>No thynge they can, yet nought wyll they lerne nor se</p> + <p>Therfore shall they gyde this one shyp of foles.</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enuoy of Barklay</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O vnauysyd, vnwyse and frowarde man</p> + <p>Great cause thou hast to morne sore and complayne</p> + <p>Whan no goodnes vertue nor wyt thou can</p> + <p>And yet to lerne thou hast scorne and dysdayne</p> + <p>Alas man mende, and spare no maner payne</p> + <p>To get wysdome, and it thou shalt nat want</p> + <p>Hym that nought wyll knowe, god wyll nat knowe certayne</p> + <p>Wo is hym that wylfully is ignorant.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p181"></a></p> + +<h3>Of great wrathe, procedynge of small +occasyon.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p306.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t306.png" + alt="Mount on an ass, slow of gait and pace." /></a> + <p class="poem">Assys erys for our folys a lyuray is<br /> And he that + wyll be wroth for a thynge of nought<br /> Of the same leuray is nat + worthy to mys<br /> For who that by wrathe to suche a wyll is + brought<br /> To sle his Asse for hir pas slowe and soft<br /> Shall + after his fury, repent his mad foly<br /> For to a clere mynde, mad + wrathe is ennemy</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Come nere, ye wrathfull men, take your rowme and place</p> + <p>Within our shyp, and to slake our hastynes</p> + <p>Mount on an Asse slowe of hir gate and pace</p> + <p>Syns troublous wrath, in you, styreth this madnes</p> + <p>Often lacke of myght asswagyth cruelnes</p> + <p>To a wylde cowe god doth short hornys sende</p> + <p>Wrath is great foly, where myght may nat extende</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O man yll myndyd what helpeth the this yre</p> + <p>None the commendyth whiche doth thy maners marke</p> + <p>What doste thou: but the waste with thyne owne fyre</p> + <p>Narrynge with thyselfe lyke as a dogge doth barke</p> + <p>Without meke worde and pleasyd with no warke</p> + <p>Art thou: but thoughe all men be dylygent</p> + <p>Mad wrathe to please, yet who can it content</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>This man malycious whiche troubled is with wrath</p> + <p>Nought els soundeth but the hoorse letter R</p> + <p>Thoughe all be well, yet he none answere hath</p> + <p>Saue the dogges letter, glowmynge with nar nar</p> + <p>Suche labour nat this mad rancour to defar</p> + <p>Nor yet his malyce to mytygate or asswage</p> + <p>But ioyeth to be drede of men for this outrage</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>His mouth fomyth his throte out gorgyth fyre</p> + <p>His ferefull furoure is, his hole felycyte</p> + <p>By his great yre, doth he coueyte and desyre</p> + <p>Dowtyd to be: of the pore comontye</p> + <p>His owne madnes and cruell furyosyte</p> + <p>Wyll he nat knowe as he were nat culpable</p> + <p>Of this mad fury and vyce abhomynable</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Hym selfe is blynde, but other well note his dede</p> + <p>He shall be poynted whether he go or ryde</p> + <p>Saynge one to other take gode regarde and hede</p> + <p>Of yonder furyous fole whome reason doth nat gyde</p> + <p>Beware his wayes fle hym on euery syde</p> + <p>Who that hym sueth both hurte and shame shall fynde</p> + <p>Thus other hym notyth but he hymself is blynde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>So his Asse crys to hym ar inuysyble</p> + <p>He thynkyth to haue pacyence though that he haue none</p> + <p>And vnto hym it is thynge incredyble</p> + <p>That suche ar folys whose pacyence is gone</p> + <p>Thus coueytyth he to kepe his erys alone</p> + <p>And to wrathfull men he wyll no thynge obiect</p> + <p>For that hym selfe is with the same infect</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But somwhat to touche the inconuenyences</p> + <p>Whiche by this wrath procedyth to mankynde</p> + <p>It is chefe grounde of many great offences</p> + <p>Destroynge reason blyndynge the wyt and mynde</p> + <p>By malyce man is to all yll inclynde</p> + <p>Both symple man, and lordes excellent</p> + <p>Do that by wrath oft whiche they after repent</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Reuoke thy mynde, somwhat thy herte enclyne</p> + <p>Unto Archytas a man of hye wysdome</p> + <p>Borne the the ryche Cyte namyd Tarentyne</p> + <p>Rede howe that he his malyce dyd ouercome</p> + <p>For thoughe his seruaunt was fals to hym become</p> + <p>And he sore mouyd to auenge the same offence</p> + <p>Yet he refraynyd his wrathe by pacyence</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>So socrates so Senyk and Plato</p> + <p>Suffred great wronge great iniury and payne</p> + <p>And of your fayth sayntis right many mo</p> + <p>For christ our mayster dyd great turment sustayne</p> + <p>What wo or payne cowde saynt Laurance refrayne</p> + <p>From pacience wherfore it is great shame</p> + <p>For christen men if they do not the same</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They suffred deth, ye, and yet were pacyent</p> + <p>And many haue prayed, for suche that haue them slayne</p> + <p>Where thou mad fole takest greuous punysshement</p> + <p>For small occasyon, ye come by chaunce sodayne</p> + <p>Fole thou art blynde, and mad to set thy brayne</p> + <p>All thynge to venge (by wrath) that doth mysfall</p> + <p>For he that part hath lost: by wrath oft lesyth all</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And forsoth no meruayle, if suche wyse actours</p> + <p>Hath wrathes madnes, expelled and set asyde</p> + <p>For where that wrath doth rayne with his furours</p> + <p>There can no reason nor wysedome longe abyde</p> + <p>The wyt it wastyth: so is it a lewde gyde</p> + <p>Therfore let mesure, this malyce holde agayne</p> + <p>But pacyence is brydyll his madnes to refrayne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>It longeth nat to any man of hye prudence</p> + <p>For to be wrothe, yrous, or gyuys to malancoly</p> + <p>No suche passyon nor inconuenyence</p> + <p>Can fall to man, ay stedfast wyse and holy</p> + <p>But folys ar moste troublyd with this foly</p> + <p>Where as a wyse man for any aduersyte</p> + <p>Lyueth in quyete mynde and tranquylyte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A man well manerd, sad sober and dyscrete</p> + <p>If he be ware, wyse, chrafty and prouydent</p> + <p>Beholdeth all thynge before his syght and fete.</p> + <p>Gydynge hym by mesure a vertue excellent</p> + <p>Where as a fole doth all without aduysement</p> + <p>And in euery thynge shewyth his folysshnes</p> + <p>Wroth at eche worde, as mayster of madnes</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Wherfore ye folys se ye no lenger tary</p> + <p>But on the dull Asse hastely assende</p> + <p>That a slowe beest may hasty folys cary</p> + <p>For your mad wrath dowtyth no thynge the ende</p> + <p>Your madnes can nat your blynde mysdede defende</p> + <p>For who that one sleyth, angry and feruent</p> + <p>Ought to be hangyd whan he is pacyent</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enuoy of the Actour</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Blynde myndyd man whiche wylt all thynge ouercome</p> + <p>Reputynge thy selfe, moste souerayne and royall</p> + <p>If thou be wyse or partener of wysdome</p> + <p>Labour to ouercome thyne owne selfe firste of all</p> + <p>Thy wrath asswage thou in especyall</p> + <p>Let neyther malyce, nor yre with the abyde</p> + <p>Thou art a fole the chefe or lorde to call</p> + <p>Of other: whan thou can nat thy selfe well gyde.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p186"></a></p> + +<h3>Of the mutabylyte of fortune.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p311.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t311.png" + alt="The wheel of fortune." /></a> + <p class="poem">That man whiche hopyth hye vp to ascende<br /> On + fortunes whele, and come to state royall<br /> If the whele turne, may + doute sore to descende<br /> If he be hye the sorer is his fall<br /> + So he whiche trustyth nat therto at all<br /> Shall in moste eas and + suerty hymselfe gyde<br /> For vnsure fortune can in no place + abyde</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>We dayly proue by example and euydence</p> + <p>That many be made folys mad and ignorant</p> + <p>By the brode worlde, puttynge trust and confydence</p> + <p>In fortunes whele vnsure and inconstant</p> + <p>Some assay the whele thynkynge it pleasant</p> + <p>But whyle they to clym vp haue pleasour and desyre</p> + <p>Theyr fete them faylyth so fall they in the myre</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Promote a yeman, make hym a gentyl man</p> + <p>And make a Baylyf of a Butchers son</p> + <p>Make of a Squyer knyght, yet wyll they if they can</p> + <p>Coueyt in theyr myndes hyer promosyon</p> + <p>And many in the worlde haue this condicion</p> + <p>In hope of honour by treason to conspyre</p> + <p>But ofte they slyde, and so fall in the myre</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Suche lokys so hye that they forget theyr fete</p> + <p>On fortunes whele whiche turneth as a ball</p> + <p>They seke degrees for theyr small myght vnmete</p> + <p>Theyr folysshe hertis and blynde se nat theyr fall</p> + <p>Some folys purpose to haue a rowme Royall</p> + <p>Or clym by fortunes whele to an empyre</p> + <p>The whele than turneth lyuynge them in the myre</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O blynde man say what is thyne intent</p> + <p>To worldly honoures so greatly to entende</p> + <p>Or here to make the hye ryche and excellent</p> + <p>Syns that so shortly thy lyfe must haue an ende</p> + <p>None is so worthy, nor can so hye ascende</p> + <p>Nor nought is so sure if thou the trouth enquyre</p> + <p>But that it may doute to fall downe to the myre</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>There is no lorde Duke kynge nor other estate</p> + <p>But dye they must, and from this wolde go</p> + <p>All worldly thynges whiche god hath here create</p> + <p>Shall nat ay byde, but haue an ende also</p> + <p>What mortall man hath ben promotyd so:</p> + <p>In worldly welthe or vncertayne dignyte</p> + <p>That euer of lyfe had houre of certaynte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>In stormy wyndes lowest trees ar most sure</p> + <p>And howsys surest whiche ar nat byldyd hye</p> + <p>Where as hye byldynges may no tempest endure</p> + <p>Without they be foundyd sure and stedfastly</p> + <p>So gretest men haue moste fere and ieopardy</p> + <p>Better is pouertye though it be harde to bere</p> + <p>Than is a hye degre in ieopardy and fere,</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The hyllys ar hye, the valeys ar but lowe</p> + <p>In valeys is come the hyllys ar barayne</p> + <p>On hyest places most gras doth nat ay growe</p> + <p>A mery thynge is mesure and easy to sustayne</p> + <p>The hyest in great fere, the lowest lyue in payne</p> + <p>Yet better ly on grounde, hauynge no name at all</p> + <p>Than hye on a Clyf ferynge alway to fall</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus as me thynke it is no thynge lawdable</p> + <p>On fortunes whele, for one to clym to hye</p> + <p>Syns the swyft cours therof is so vnstable</p> + <p>And all must we leue whan we depart and dye</p> + <p>Of our short lyfe haue we no certayntye</p> + <p>For lachesys (whan that thou hast lefte drede)</p> + <p>Of thy lyue dayes shall shortly breke the threde.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Atropos is egall to pore man and estate</p> + <p>Defar wyll nat deth by prayer ne request</p> + <p>No mortall man may his furour mytygate.</p> + <p>Nor of hym haue one day longer here to rest:</p> + <p>Content the with measure (therfore) for it is best</p> + <p>Coueyt nat to moche in honour to excell</p> + <p>It is a fowle fall to fall from erth to hell</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Unstable fortune exalteth some a loft</p> + <p>To this intent, them to brynge to an yll ende</p> + <p>For who that hye clymmeth his fall can nat be soft</p> + <p>If that mysfortune constrayne hym to dyscende</p> + <p>Though Julius Cesar his lordshyp dyd extende</p> + <p>Ouer all the worlde: yet fortune at the last.</p> + <p>From lyfe and lordshyp hym wretchydly dyd cast</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>This hath ben sene, is sene, and euer shall</p> + <p>That most peryll is in hyest dignyte</p> + <p>Howe many estatis, howe many men Royall.</p> + <p>Hath fortune dryuyn downe into aduersyte</p> + <p>Rede dyuers cronycles, and thou shall playnly se</p> + <p>That many thousandes hath endyd in doloure</p> + <p>By theyr immoderate mynde to honoure</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ouer rede Bochas and than shalt thou se playne</p> + <p>The fall of prynces wryten ryght compendeously</p> + <p>There shalt thou se what punysshement and payne</p> + <p>Haue to them fallen, somtyme by theyr foly</p> + <p>And oft is moche preuy hatered and enuy</p> + <p>Had agaynst lordes of the rude comonte</p> + <p>Where euer they go: they lyue in ieopardye</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ay dowtynge deth by cursed gyle and treason</p> + <p>Eche thynge mysdemynge, ferynge to be opprest</p> + <p>By some mysfortune, with venym or with poyson.</p> + <p>Thus in great honour is neyther ioy nor rest</p> + <p>But thought and fere, ye whyle the lyfe doth lest</p> + <p>Thus who that procuryth great honour to attayne</p> + <p>Procuryth with all, enuy, peryll, fere and payne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A lorde or state whom many men doth drede</p> + <p>With loueles fere, and fayned countenaunce</p> + <p>Unto hym selfe ought wysely to take hede</p> + <p>And them to fere, if he wyll voyde myschaunce</p> + <p>For why a comonty is of suche ignoraunce</p> + <p>And so enuyous, that both erly and late</p> + <p>They muse to destroy hym whom, they fere and hate</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A man promotyd vnto hye dygnyte</p> + <p>Shall haue loue shewyd hym by adulacion</p> + <p>But no true loue nouther faythfull amyte.</p> + <p>Good fame nor name, ne commendacion</p> + <p>Ye though he be worthy great exaltacion</p> + <p>Pytefull louynge and full of equyte</p> + <p>Yet harde is to please a folysshe comonte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Therfore me thynke of all thynge it is best</p> + <p>Man to be pleased and content with his degre</p> + <p>For why in mesure, is suerty eas and rest</p> + <p>And ay moste peryll in hyest dignyte</p> + <p>Fortune is full of changes and mutabylyte</p> + <p>Trust nat therto, therby comyth do gode</p> + <p>But nowe hye nowe lowe, vnstable as a flode</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Alexander barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Labour nat man with to moche besy cure</p> + <p>To clymme to hye lyst thou by fortune fall</p> + <p>For certaynly, that man slepyth nat sure</p> + <p>That lyeth lows vpon a narowe wall</p> + <p>Better somtyme to serue, than for to gouerne all</p> + <p>For whan the Net is throwen into the se</p> + <p>The great fysshe ar taken and the pryncipall</p> + <p>Where as the small escapyth quyte and fre</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p192"></a></p> + +<h3>Of them that be diseasyd and seke and +ar impacient and inobedyent to the +Phesycyan.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p317.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t317.png" + alt="He that is feeble with sickness." /></a> + <p class="poem">If one be vexed with sore infirmyte<br /> Within his + body felynge dyseas and payne<br /> And wyll nat gladly with perfyte + mynde agre<br /> To a wyse Phesycian that wolde hym hele agayne<br /> + He is a fole, and shall his foly sore complayne<br /> And if that he by + his selfe wyll do sterue<br /> It is but well: syns he it doth + deserue.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He that is feble with sekenes outher wounde</p> + <p>Wherwith he feleth hym selfe so kept in payne</p> + <p>That dye he muste but if remedy be founde</p> + <p>He is a fole, if that he haue dysdayne</p> + <p>Of wyse Phesycyans: and medecines souerayne</p> + <p>And wyll nat sue theyr counsell and aduysement</p> + <p>Wherby he myght haue helth and short amendement</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thoughe the Phesycyan (of his lyfe) hym assure</p> + <p>So he be ruled, and vnto his mynde agre</p> + <p>The pacyent yet kepyth no dyete nor mesure</p> + <p>In mete nor drynke, and wyll nat gouerned be</p> + <p>But foloweth Ryot and all superfluyte</p> + <p>Receyuynge colde water in stede of ale or wyne</p> + <p>Agaynst read and counsell of crafty medycyne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>What mete or drynke that is most contagious</p> + <p>And most infectyf to his sekenes or dyseas</p> + <p>And to hym forbyden, as moste contrarious</p> + <p>Unto his sekenes. That namely doth hym pleas</p> + <p>But that thynge that myght hym helpe and greatly eas</p> + <p>He hatyth moste, and wyll none receyue at all.</p> + <p>Tyll this small sore, at the last become mortall</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Suche wyll no counsell ensue, nor mesure haue</p> + <p>Nor temper theym selfe in lesse nor yet in more.</p> + <p>Tyll theyr yll gouernaunce brynge them to theyr graue</p> + <p>Retournynge into grounde lyke as they were before</p> + <p>But who that soone wolde, be helyd of his sore</p> + <p>Whan it is newe ought to fynde remedy.</p> + <p>For in olde sorys is greatest ieopardy</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A small sparcle often tyme doth augment</p> + <p>It selfe: and groweth to flames peryllous</p> + <p>Right so small wellys whiche semeth to be spent</p> + <p>With lytell sprynges and Ryuers, ofte so growys</p> + <p>Unto great waters, depe and ieopadous.</p> + <p>So a small sore augmentyth, styll preuely</p> + <p>By lytell and lytell for lacke of remedy</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A small diseas whiche is ynoughe durable</p> + <p>At the begynnynge, for lacke of medycyne</p> + <p>At longe contynuaunce becomyth incurable</p> + <p>The paynfull pacyent bryngynge vnto ruyne</p> + <p>Wherfore who wyll to his owne helth enclyne</p> + <p>And soone be helyd of yll without all tary</p> + <p>To the Phesician ought nat to be contrary</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Obstynat frowarde or inobedyent</p> + <p>Ought he nat be, but with a pacyent mynde</p> + <p>Shewe all his soris truly playne and euydent</p> + <p>To the Phesician if he wyll socour fynde.</p> + <p>And thoughe his saluys in paynes hym sore bynde.</p> + <p>Let nat for that, but after his wyll the gyde</p> + <p>Better a shorte payne, than that doth longe abyde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>No sore can be releuyd without payne.</p> + <p>Forsake nat the short, the longe payne to eschewe</p> + <p>To the Phesycian we ought in worde be playne</p> + <p>And shewe hym our sore, whether it be olde or newe</p> + <p>For in thy wordes if that thou be nat trewe</p> + <p>Or kepe ought close, thou dysceyuest be thou sure</p> + <p>Thy selfe. and nat hym that of the hath the cure.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>In lyke fourme who comyth vnto confessyon</p> + <p>There to declare howe he his lyfe hath spent</p> + <p>And shewyth nat his synne lyke wyse as he hath done</p> + <p>Hymself he disceyuyth, as blynde of his entent.</p> + <p>Thus many one endureth infernall tourment</p> + <p>With wo contynuall and payne for euermore</p> + <p>For kepynge secrete there, of his goostly sore.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus who that is payned in any malady</p> + <p>Bodely or gostly, ought nat to be callyd wyse</p> + <p>To the Phesycian without that he aply.</p> + <p>And his preceptis hant kepe and exercyse</p> + <p>But now olde wytches dare boldly interpryse</p> + <p>To intromyt to hele all infyrmyte</p> + <p>And many them byleue, whiche sothly is pyte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Suche wytches of theyr byleue abhomynable</p> + <p>On brest or hede of the paynfull pacyent</p> + <p>With theyr wytchecraftis shall compasse chat and bable</p> + <p>Assurynge hym of helth, and short amendement</p> + <p>Than he that is seke fyxith his intent</p> + <p>Upon hir errour: to haue helpe of his sore</p> + <p>But she hym leuyth wors than he was before</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Poule the apostyll doth boldly say and preue</p> + <p>That they whiche to suche wytches wyll assent</p> + <p>Ar heretykes, Lolardes and false of theyr byleue</p> + <p>Brekynge goddes lawes and commaundement</p> + <p>And oft also by profe it apereth euydent</p> + <p>That suche as to wytches craftis wyll intende</p> + <p>By theyr fals Phesyke come soner to theyr ende</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Theyr body dede, theyr soule in ieopardy</p> + <p>By mysbyleue for euer in paynes infernall.</p> + <p>Whiche ar rewarde for wretchyd synne and heresy</p> + <p>But if thou to thy mynde and reason call</p> + <p>And of this wrytynge perceyue the sence morall</p> + <p>Whan thou art fallen seke and in dedely syn</p> + <p>Seke helpe betyme, and byde nat longe therein</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enuoy of Barklay to the folys.</span></p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thou man or woman, that lyest seke in vyce</p> + <p>To goddes vycayrs confesse thy syn holly</p> + <p>So shalt thou from thy goostly yll aryse.</p> + <p>For thy soule fyndynge helpe and remedy</p> + <p>Without leasynge shewe hym thy synne playnly</p> + <p>Let nat for shame nor fall nat thereto agayne</p> + <p>Better shewe thy sore there to one secretely</p> + <p>Than after openly: and byde eternall payne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ensewe the counsell of a wyse confessour</p> + <p>Take nat colde water in stede of vermayll wyne:</p> + <p>For moche swetnes, endure thou a lytell soure</p> + <p>Kepe well the dyet and threfolde medicyne</p> + <p>Ordayned for synne by spirituall doctryne</p> + <p>That is confessyon, the next contrycyon.</p> + <p>With satisfaccion these thre, with grace deuyne</p> + <p>Ar salues parfyte for all transgressyon</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p197"></a></p> + +<h3>Of ouer open takynges of counsel.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p321.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t321.png" + alt="Layeth before them plain and openly his net." /></a> + <p class="poem">Who that to clerely layeth his net or snare<br /> + Before the byrdes whome he by gyle wolde take<br /> Them playnly + techyth of his gyle to be ware<br /> And is a fole whether he slepe or + wake<br /> Right so is he (and doth a sauegarde make)<br /> For his + foes them (techynge remedy to fynde)<br /> Whiche sheweth them by + thretenynge the secret of his mynde</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Who that intendyth by chraft and polycy</p> + <p>To take many byrdes, outher small or great</p> + <p>And layeth before them to playne and openly</p> + <p>His lynes snarys, his lyme twyggis or his net</p> + <p>He shall no profyte gayne nor auauntage get</p> + <p>For if that he his engynes can nat hyde</p> + <p>The byrdes shall be ware, and lyghtly fle asyde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>So he that wyll openly manace and threte</p> + <p>With worde and hande, as he wolde sle adowne ryght</p> + <p>Is oft scant abyll a symple hounde to bete.</p> + <p>For in his worde is all his force and myght</p> + <p>And he that alway thretenyth for to fyght.</p> + <p>Oft at the profe is skantly worth a hen</p> + <p>For greattest crakers ar nat ay boldest men</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Who that agaynst his ennemy wolde fyght</p> + <p>And gyueth hym before wepyn and armour.</p> + <p>Agaynst hym selfe to encreas his foes myght</p> + <p>Suche one hath reason and wyt of smal valour.</p> + <p>Ryght so that sole is led in lyke errour</p> + <p>Which nought can do, of mater les or more</p> + <p>Without he crake and boste therof before.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And also suche bosters and crakers comonly</p> + <p>Whiche doth theyr mynde in hasty wordes declare</p> + <p>Of other men ar lytell or nought set by</p> + <p>And by theyr wordes, full often yll they fare</p> + <p>A man also may ryght easely be ware</p> + <p>Of folys whiche thus theyr counsell out expres</p> + <p>Whose thretenyngs to theyr foes is armour and harnes</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But hym call I wyse and crafty of counsell</p> + <p>Whiche kepeth close the secretis of his mynde</p> + <p>And to no man wyll them disclose nor tell</p> + <p>To man nor woman, ennemy nor yet frynde</p> + <p>But do his purpose whan he best tyme can fynde</p> + <p>Without worde spekynge, and so may his intent</p> + <p>Best come to ende, his foo, beynge inprouydent</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And specially no man ought to be large</p> + <p>Of wordes nor shewe his counsell openly</p> + <p>In thynges weyghty, of peryll and great charge</p> + <p>Consernynge a royallue, or helth of his body</p> + <p>For many ar falsly disceyued fynally</p> + <p>By lewde tale berers whiche seke the way to fynde</p> + <p>To knowe the preuy counsell of theyr lordes mynde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They fawne and flater to knowe his pryuetee</p> + <p>But they forsoth, that wolde knowe thynges newe</p> + <p>For the moste part of this condicion be</p> + <p>No thynge to kepe, but lyghtly it to shewe.</p> + <p>Thus may the saynge of Salomon be fonde true.</p> + <p>Whiche sayth that he is wyse, and lyueth happely</p> + <p>Whiche to hym selfe kepyth his counsell secretely</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>I fynde foure thynges whiche by meanes can</p> + <p>Be kept close, in secrete, one longe in preuetee</p> + <p>The firste is the counsell of a wytles man</p> + <p>The seconde a Cyte, whiche byldyd is a bye</p> + <p>Upon a mountayne, the thyrde we often se</p> + <p>That to hyde his dedes a louer hath no skyll</p> + <p>The fourth is strawe or fethers on a wyndy hyll</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A pore mannys dedys may soone be kept close</p> + <p>His name is hyd, and right so is his dede.</p> + <p>A ryche mannys dede may no man hyde nor glose</p> + <p>It fleeth farthest, all men of it take hede</p> + <p>So that yll fame whome all men ought to drede</p> + <p>In fleynge about hir myght doth multyply</p> + <p>Augmentynge to his lynage shame and vylany</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Therfore who that intendyth to be wyse</p> + <p>Ware and crafty, auoydynge all inconuenyence</p> + <p>To shewe his counsell ought nat to interpryse</p> + <p>But do his mynde, kepynge alway sylence</p> + <p>In seruauntis is small trust or confydence</p> + <p>He that is nowe thy frende may after be thy fo</p> + <p>Warne nat thy ennemy of that that thou wylt do</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O ye that ar put to wronge and Iniury</p> + <p>If ye intende for to yelde the same agayne</p> + <p>It is great foly to warne your ennemye</p> + <p>Or hym to threten with bostynge wordes vayne.</p> + <p>For oft is sayde, and true it is certayne</p> + <p>That they that wyll lyue in quyetnes and rest</p> + <p>Must here and se and hasty wordes refrayne</p> + <p>All styll with fewe wordes do that they thynke best</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p201"></a></p> + +<h3>Of folys that can nat beware by the mysfortune +and example of others damage.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p324.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t324.png" + alt="Both stumble, not going even or right." /></a> + <p class="poem">Here we expresse, the errour and blyndnes<br /> Of them + that se others aduersyte<br /> Theyr wofull fall the ruyne and + dystres.<br /> Yet sue they the same, and ware they wyll nat be<br /> + Though they by example the payne of other se<br /> Yet leue they nat: + thus may they clayme a place<br /> Within my Nauy, as folys voyde of + grace</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>We dayly se the mysfortune and damage</p> + <p>And often fallys, to pouerte and payne</p> + <p>Whiche folys suffer for theyr synne and outrage</p> + <p>Some drowned, some maymed, some other wyse slayne</p> + <p>Yet this example can nat cause vs refrayne</p> + <p>Our wretchyd lyfe, and seke for remedy</p> + <p>We marke no thynge anothers ieopardy.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>We se the mockynge scorne and derysyon</p> + <p>That folys hath ofte tyme whan they offende</p> + <p>We se theyr losse, theyr shame and theyr confusion</p> + <p>Howe be it all this can cause vs to amende</p> + <p>We can no thynge and to nought we intende</p> + <p>So many folys I fynde that playne I thynke</p> + <p>Theyr weyghty charge shall cause my shyp to synke</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Suche ar despysyd of men discrete and wyse</p> + <p>Ye and more ouer these folys ar so blynde</p> + <p>That echone of them the other doth despyse</p> + <p>With sharp rebukes, wordes lewde and vnkynde</p> + <p>Yet in theyr lyfe no difference may we fynde</p> + <p>And though they haue sene a thousande brough to shame</p> + <p>For one sore vyce: yet lyue they in the same</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The example of other can nat theyr myndes moue</p> + <p>Theyr wyttis ar blynde theyr foly is the cause</p> + <p>Alas mad folys why do ye vyce thus loue</p> + <p>Rennynge ay to deth without all rest or pause</p> + <p>Alas, at the last retourne to christis lawes</p> + <p>Be ware, whan ye other se taken in the snare</p> + <p>Let anothers peryll cause you to be ware</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ye do nat so, alas it is great shame</p> + <p>Your synne hath quenchyd your grace and gostly lyght</p> + <p>One blynde man another doth chyde and blame</p> + <p>And yet both stomble, nat goynge euyn or right</p> + <p>A blynde man hym ledyth that also hath no syght</p> + <p>So both in the dyche fallyth in suche a wyse</p> + <p>That one can nat helpe, the other agayne to ryse</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>One crab blamys another for hir bacwarde pace</p> + <p>And yet the blamer sothly can none other do</p> + <p>But both two ar in theyr goynge in lyke case</p> + <p>The one goeth bocwarde, the other doth also</p> + <p>Many of these folys after that maner go</p> + <p>But who that of his moders doctryne hath disdayne:</p> + <p>Shall by his stepdame endure wo care and payne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And perchaunce after abyde the correccyon</p> + <p>Of the sayde stepdame, in place of punysshement.</p> + <p>For his synne, sufferynge hir vniust subieccien</p> + <p>And who that nat foloweth the commaundement</p> + <p>Of his fader beynge to hym obedyent</p> + <p>May fortune after in hunger thyrst ond colde</p> + <p>Obey that stranger, whom he nat gladly wolde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>We fynde Hystories wryten longe and ample</p> + <p>In dyuers bokes of great auctoryte</p> + <p>The hole Bybyll sheweth to vs example</p> + <p>Howe they were punysshed that lyuyd in cruelte</p> + <p>I fynde also wryten in bokes of Poetrye</p> + <p>Howe that Pheton was brent with the lyghtnynge</p> + <p>For his presumpcion, agaynst a myghty kynge</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>We haue example also by Icarus</p> + <p>Whiche contrary vnto the commaundement</p> + <p>Of his crafty father named Dedalus</p> + <p>By fleynge to hye his wynges and fethers brent</p> + <p>And so descendyd and in the se was drent</p> + <p>Thus these two endynge by theyr lewdnes in care</p> + <p>By theyr example sholde cause vs to beware</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>We dayly se before our syght and our presence</p> + <p>What mysauenture to many one doth fall</p> + <p>And that worthely for theyr synne and offence</p> + <p>Yet ar we blynde, and ar nat ware at all</p> + <p>But in our synnes lyue vnto them egall</p> + <p>And where by synne we se one come to shame</p> + <p>We wyllyngly (alas) ensue the same</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Therfore who sethe a mad fole come to wo</p> + <p>Or fall in peryll for lacke of a good gyde</p> + <p>By another way ought craftely to go</p> + <p>And (by anothers yll) for his helthe to prouyde</p> + <p>The fox was ware, and peryll set asyde</p> + <p>And wolde nat enter into the caue, for playne</p> + <p>Of bestis that entred sawe he none come agayne</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enuoy of Barklay</span></p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Lerne man, lerne of bestes to be ware</p> + <p>Of others peryll, by theyr enormyte</p> + <p>For if one byrde be onys tane in a snare</p> + <p>The other auoyde as fast as they may flee</p> + <p>A fysshe byrde or beste that hath in peryll be</p> + <p>Of net hoke or snare, if that they may escape.</p> + <p>Wyll after euer beware, but blynde man wyll nat se</p> + <p>His owne destruccion, but after it doth gape</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p205"></a></p> + +<h3>Of them that forceth or careth for the +bacbytynge of lewde people.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p328.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t328.png" + alt="In it do hang a fox's tail." /></a> + <p class="poem">Whether that a bell be hangyd or lye on grounde<br /> + If vnto the same a clapper lacke or fayle<br /> The bell shall make but + sympyll noyse or sounde<br /> Though thou in it do hange a Foxys + tayle<br /> Right so backbyters that vse on men to rayle<br /> Can nat + greatly hurt them that lyue rightwysly<br /> Wherfore it is foly theyr + babblynge to set by.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Who that within this worlde wolde rest and lyue</p> + <p>In eas of mynde, peas and tranquyllyte</p> + <p>Must nat his mynde set, nor his erys gyue</p> + <p>To the vayne talys, of the rude comonte</p> + <p>And though some people of suche condicion be</p> + <p>Oft to dyffame good people true and Just</p> + <p>Let them nought care, for byde it nede they must</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Let no man care for the lewde hyssynges</p> + <p>And yll soundynges of this vnhappy rage</p> + <p>It is great foly to set by the lesynges</p> + <p>Of cursyde tunges syns none can them asswage</p> + <p>For who in this worlde wyll come to auautage</p> + <p>Hym selfe exaltynge to worshyp and honoure</p> + <p>Shall fynde the swetnes mengled with the sowre</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And he that wyll of his dygnyte be sure</p> + <p>Or sympyll lyuynge what so euer it be</p> + <p>Right greuous chargis somtymes must endure</p> + <p>And with his iyen often beholde and se</p> + <p>Suche thynges wherwith his mynde can not agre</p> + <p>And he that wyll with the worlde haue to do</p> + <p>Must suffer suche trouble as belongeth therto</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Yet some haue pytched theyr tentis stedfastly</p> + <p>Upon sure grounde, auoyde of all this payne</p> + <p>Despysynge the worldes wantonnes and foly</p> + <p>For in the same is nought sure nor certayne</p> + <p>Nought se we tranquyll in these wawes mundayne</p> + <p>We se no loue, lawe, fydelyte, nor trust</p> + <p>But nowe up hye, and nowe lowe in the dust</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>To auoyde the worlde with his foly and stryfe</p> + <p>Many hath left londes townes and ryches</p> + <p>And yll company lyuynge solytary lyfe</p> + <p>Alone in desert and in wyldernes</p> + <p>Ye and that: men of moste wyt and worthynes</p> + <p>Whiche by that meane dyd best of all eschewe</p> + <p>All worldly sclaunder and lyuyd in vertue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He that intendeth to lyue a rightwyse lyfe</p> + <p>And so procedeth in maners and good dede</p> + <p>Of worldly sclaunder, complaynt, hatered, and stryfe</p> + <p>And all yll wyll, he ought nat to take hede</p> + <p>For he that is iuste ought no thynge for to drede</p> + <p>A sclaundrynge tonge, ye, be it neuer so wode</p> + <p>For suche lewde tonges can none hurte that ar gode.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Lyue well and wysely, than let men chat theyr fyll</p> + <p>Wordes ar but wynde, and though it oft so fall</p> + <p>That of lewde wordes comyth great hurte and yll</p> + <p>Yet byde the ende, that onely prouyth all</p> + <p>If thou canst suffer truste well that thou shall</p> + <p>Ouercome thyne ennemyes better by pacience</p> + <p>Than by hye wordes rygour or vyolence</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If poetis that somtyme vyce blamyd and discommendyd</p> + <p>And holy Prophetis whiche also dyd the same</p> + <p>To suche vayne and mortall wordes had intendyd</p> + <p>They sholde nat haue durst the peoples vyce to blame</p> + <p>So sholde they haue lost their honour and good name</p> + <p>Theyr fame and meryt, but nowe they haue nat so</p> + <p>But spred theyr fame, whiche neuer away shall go</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Forsoth none lyueth within the worlde wyde</p> + <p>Suche meke so holy, so wyse or pacyent</p> + <p>Whiche can hym selfe at euery tyme so gyde</p> + <p>To please eche fole, for none can some content</p> + <p>Forsoth he myght be named excellent</p> + <p>Happy and blessyd and lyue in welth and eas</p> + <p>Whiche euery man cowde serue content and pleas</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But suche is none, and he that wyll assay</p> + <p>For to content eche folysshe mannes mynde</p> + <p>Must brake his slepe and stody nyght and day</p> + <p>And yet alway some fole shall be behynde</p> + <p>Ye if one lyue well, yet wyll they somwhat fynde</p> + <p>Behynde his backe hym to sclaunder and diffame</p> + <p>For beggers and bawdes therin haue all theyr game</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>For whether thou dwell in Est west north or south</p> + <p>Of suche dryuels euer shalt thou fynde plente</p> + <p>One must haue moche mele, to stoppe eche mannys mouth</p> + <p>Sclander is the cunnynge of all the comonte</p> + <p>And in the same suche ay moste besy be</p> + <p>Whiche lyue them selfe in shame and vylany</p> + <p>Euen nowe they speke repentynge by and by</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus all the cunnynge and stody dilygent.</p> + <p>Of people vnthryfty is alway to despyse</p> + <p>And diffame other whiche ar but innocent</p> + <p>Wherfore let suche as ar discrete and wyse</p> + <p>Nought set by them that lesyngys doth deuyse</p> + <p>Nor theyr vayne foly: for he that doth certayne</p> + <p>Is but, a fole. and euer shall lyue in payne.</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Trouble nat thy selfe (thou man) where is no nede</p> + <p>And arme thou thy selfe with goodly pacyence</p> + <p>Be sure it is great foly to take hede</p> + <p>Unto backbytynge syns that no resystence</p> + <p>May be founde to withstande his violence</p> + <p>And take thou this one thynge for thy comfort</p> + <p>That none wyse, or good, wyll commyt this offence</p> + <p>But all ar caytyffes, that ar of this lewde sort.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p210"></a></p> + +<h3>Of mockers, and scorners, and +false accusers.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p333.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t333.png" + alt="At their heads ungoodly stones cast." /></a> + <p class="poem">Yet ar mo Folys whiche mocke and scorneth fast<br /> + Suche as them shewyth wysdome and doctryne<br /> And at theyr hedes + (vngoodly) stonys cast<br /> In mynde disdaynynge to wysdome to + enclyne<br /> But gladly they ensue the discyplyne<br /> Of folysshe + mockers, let wyse men them eschewe<br /> For no correccion can brynge + them to vertue</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O Hertles folys, haste here to our doctryne</p> + <p>Leue of the wayes of your enormyte</p> + <p>Enforce you to my preceptis to enclyne</p> + <p>For here shall I shewe you good and veryte</p> + <p>Enclyne, and ye fynde shall great prosperyte</p> + <p>Ensuynge the doctryne of our faders olde</p> + <p>And godly lawes in valour worth great golde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Who that wyll folowe the graces manyfolde</p> + <p>Whiche ar in vertue, shall fynde auauncement</p> + <p>Wherfore ye folys that in your syn ar bolde</p> + <p>Ensue ye wysedome and leue your lewde intent</p> + <p>Wysdome is the way of men most excellent</p> + <p>Therfore haue done, and shortly spede your pace</p> + <p>To quaynt your selfe and company with grace.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Lerne what is vertue, therin is great solace</p> + <p>Lerne what is trouth sadnes and prudence</p> + <p>Let grutche be gone, and grauyte purchace</p> + <p>Forsake your foly and inconuenyence</p> + <p>Cesse to be folys, and ay to sue offence</p> + <p>Folowe ye vertue, chefe rote of godlynes</p> + <p>For it and wysdome is grounde of clenlynes</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Wysedome and vertue two thynges ar doutles</p> + <p>Whiche man endueth with honour specyall</p> + <p>But suche hertis as slepe in folysshnes</p> + <p>Knoweth no thynge, and wyll nought knowe at all</p> + <p>But in this lytell barge in pryncypall</p> + <p>All folysshe mockers I purpos to repreue</p> + <p>Clawe he his backe that felyth ytche or greue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Mockers and scorners that ar harde of byleue</p> + <p>With a rugh combe here wyll I clawe and grate</p> + <p>To proue if they wyll from theyr vyce remeue</p> + <p>And leue theyr foly whiche causeth great debate</p> + <p>Suche caytyfs spare neyther pore man nor estate</p> + <p>And where theyr selfe ar moste worthy of dyrysion</p> + <p>Other men to scorne is all theyr moste condicion</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Yet ar mo folys of this abusion</p> + <p>Whiche of wyse men despyseth the doctryne</p> + <p>With mowes, mockes, scorne, and collusyon</p> + <p>Rewardynge rebukes, for theyr good disciplyne</p> + <p>Shewe to suche wysdome, yet shall they nat enclyne</p> + <p>Unto the same, but set no thynge therby</p> + <p>But mocke thy doctryne, styll or openly</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>So in the worlde it apereth comonly</p> + <p>That who that wyll a Fole rebuke or blame</p> + <p>A mocke or mowe shall he haue by and by</p> + <p>Thus in derysyon, haue folys theyr speciall game</p> + <p>Correct a wyse man, that wolde eschewe yll name</p> + <p>And fayne wolde lerne, and his lewde lyfe amende</p> + <p>And to thy wordes he gladly shall intende</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If by mysfortune a rightwyse man offende</p> + <p>He gladly suffreth a iuste correccion</p> + <p>And hym that hym techyth taketh for his frende</p> + <p>Hym selfe puttynge mekely vnto subieccion</p> + <p>Folowynge his preceptis and good dyreccion</p> + <p>But if that one a Fole rebuke or blame</p> + <p>He shall his techer, hate, sclaunder, and dyffame</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Howbeit his wordes, oft turne to his owne shame</p> + <p>And his owne dartis retourne to hym agayne</p> + <p>And so is he sore woundyd with the same</p> + <p>And in wo endyth, great mysery and payne</p> + <p>It also prouyd full often is certayne</p> + <p>That they that on mockes alway theyr myndes cast</p> + <p>Shall of all other be mocked at the last</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He that goeth right, stedfast sure and fast</p> + <p>May hym well mocke that goth haltynge and lame</p> + <p>And he that is whyte may well his scornes cast</p> + <p>Agaynst a man of ynde, but no man ought to blame</p> + <p>Anothers vyce whyle he vsyth the same</p> + <p>But who that of synne is clene in dede and thought</p> + <p>May hym well scorne whose lyuynge is starke nought</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The scornes of Naball full dere sholde haue ben bought</p> + <p>If Abigayll his wyfe discrete and sage</p> + <p>Had nat by kyndnes right crafty meanes sought</p> + <p>The wrath of Dauyd to temper and asswage</p> + <p>Hath nat two berys in theyr fury and rage</p> + <p>Two and fourty Children rent and torne</p> + <p>For they the Prophete Helyseus dyd scorne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>So myght they curse the tyme that they were borne</p> + <p>For theyr mockynge of this Prophete dyuyne</p> + <p>So many other of this sorte often mowrne</p> + <p>For theyr lewde mockes, and fall in to ruyne</p> + <p>Thus is it foly for wyse men to enclyne</p> + <p>To this lewde flocke of Folys for se thou shall</p> + <p>Them moste scornynge that ar most bad of all</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Thenuoy of Barcly to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ye mockynge Folys that in scorne set your ioy</p> + <p>Proudly dyspysynge goddes punycion</p> + <p>Take ye example by Cham the son of Noy</p> + <p>Whiche laughyd his Father vnto derysyon</p> + <p>Whiche hym, after, cursyd for his transgressyon</p> + <p>And made hym seruaunt to all his lyne and stocke</p> + <p>So shall ye Caytyfs at the conclusyon</p> + <p>Syns ye ar nought, and other scorne and mocke</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p215"></a></p> + +<h3>Of them that dyspyse euerlastynge ioye, +and settyth thynges transytory before +thynges eternall and euerlastynge.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p338.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t338.png" + alt="Weigheth the heaven and earth to know the heaviest." /></a> + <p class="poem">He is a foule that weyeth in one balaunce<br /> The + heuen and erth to knowe the heuyest<br /> And by his foly and cursed + ignoraunce<br /> He thynketh that this wretchyd erth is best<br /> And + thoughe that here be neyther ioy nor rest<br /> Yet had some leuer here + styll to remayne<br /> Than to depart to heuen voyde of al + payne</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>My hande is wery: fayne wolde I rest a space</p> + <p>But folys comyth to my shyp so besely</p> + <p>That to haue rest: they wyll graunt me no grace</p> + <p>That nede I must theyr lewdnes notefy</p> + <p>But to recorde this folysshe company</p> + <p>They ar suche that this worlde so greatly loue</p> + <p>That they despyse the heuenly Royalme aboue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They often thynke in theyr mynde preuely</p> + <p>And by them selfe in this wyse oft they say</p> + <p>O glorious lorde raynynge eternally</p> + <p>Graunt me thy grace that I may lyue alway</p> + <p>To se of this worlde the extreme ende and day</p> + <p>This is my wyll and synguler askynge</p> + <p>As for thy royalme, forsoth I set no thynge</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But yet this fole doth nat desyre this tyme</p> + <p>Of so longe lyfe, and yeres alway newe</p> + <p>To clens his mynde from all synfull cryme</p> + <p>Nor for the loue of goodnes or vertue</p> + <p>But rather that he his pleasour may ensue</p> + <p>And with his maters and felawes suche as he</p> + <p>To folowe ryot, delytys and enormyte.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>To lyue in wantonnes and blyndnes lascyuyte</p> + <p>In pryde in Lechery andin couetyse</p> + <p>Suche sytteth theyr myndes and theyr felycyte</p> + <p>Not ferynge hell whiche is rewarde of vyce.</p> + <p>Those dredefull dennys, in a right ferefull wyse</p> + <p>With fyres flamynge, and manyfolde tourment</p> + <p>Can nat suche folys, theyr synnes cause to stent</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O sleuthfull fole say why doste nat thou call</p> + <p>Unto thy mynde that this worldes wretchydnes</p> + <p>Is full of sorowe moche more bytter than gall</p> + <p>Uoyde of all ioy, all pleasour and swetnes</p> + <p>Why settest thou so moche by frayle delyciousnes</p> + <p>On vayne pleasours, whiche shall sothly decay</p> + <p>Lyke as the sone meltyth the snowe away</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Man note my wordes and gyue to them credence</p> + <p>I say that pleasours and also ioyes mundayne</p> + <p>As it apereth playne by good euydence</p> + <p>Ar fylled with sorowe bytternes and payne</p> + <p>Without all rest quyete or certayne</p> + <p>And yet alas the worlde so doth men blynde</p> + <p>That it they loue and caste heuen out of mynde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Wherfore it hapneth full often as I fynde</p> + <p>That suche as foloweth shamefull wantonnes</p> + <p>Ungoodly luste, and statelynes of mynde</p> + <p>Shall ofte perceyue great shame and wretchydnes</p> + <p>And them most suffer, with great mundayne distres.</p> + <p>And better charges, and after must nede endure</p> + <p>Cruell deth whiche ende is of euery creature</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The worlde shall passe: ye and all ioy mundayne</p> + <p>Without all doute at last shall haue an ende</p> + <p>And euery thynge outher fruytfull or barayne</p> + <p>Shall to the grounde outher firste or last discende</p> + <p>We se also that none can hym defende</p> + <p>From dethes dartis. and for conclusyon.</p> + <p>We dayly se many mennys confusyon.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>We dayly se the fallys innumerable</p> + <p>And greuous deth aswell of youth as age</p> + <p>Thus is this wretchyd worlde moche vnstable</p> + <p>Wherfore me thynke it is a great outrage</p> + <p>To trust therto, or for an vnsure stage</p> + <p>Or hye place of welth or worldly honour</p> + <p>The presence to despyse of our sauyoure</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But without doute the tyme shall come and houre</p> + <p>Whan all mankynde shall se hym euydent</p> + <p>Some to theyr ioy, some to wo and doloure</p> + <p>None shall eskhape that rightwyse iugement.</p> + <p>But eche be rewardyd as he his tyme hath spent</p> + <p>So they that vertuously haue lyuyd here</p> + <p>Despysynge this worlde shall gladly there apere</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But they that here haue led theyr lyfe in vyce</p> + <p>For to depart ar wo in herte and mynde</p> + <p>And ferefull to byde that sentence of iustyce</p> + <p>Syns of theyr synne excuse they can none fynde</p> + <p>But to conclude forsoth that fole is blynde</p> + <p>That for worldly welth, from god wolde hym deuyde</p> + <p>And for vayne clay, the hye heuyn set a syde</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O blynde man whiche hast thy moste felycyte</p> + <p>On worldly thinges, alas make clere thy mynde</p> + <p>What fyndest thou here, but great aduersyte</p> + <p>Wylt thou for it leue y<sup>t</sup> heuenly ioy behynde</p> + <p>And where thou myght euerlastynge ryches fynde</p> + <p>Where as is helth, endles lyfe and all goodnes</p> + <p>Wylt thou forsake it for worldly wretchydnes</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Wylt thou heuyn compare with his paynfull lyfe</p> + <p>There on to thynke thou art vnwyse certayne</p> + <p>There is concorde, here is no thynge but stryfe</p> + <p>There is all rest, and here is care and payne</p> + <p>There is true loue: here is scorne and disdayne</p> + <p>There is all goodnes, here all yll and offence</p> + <p>Nowe chuse the best: here is great difference</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p220"></a></p> + +<h3>Of them that make noyses rehersynges of +talys and do other thynges vnlaufull +and dishonest in y<sup>e</sup> chirche of god.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p343.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t343.png" + alt="His hounds him about, a hawk on his fist." /></a> + <p class="poem">A fole is he, and hath no mynde deuoute<br /> And + gyueth occasyon to men on hym to rayle.<br /> Whiche goth in the + chirche, his houndes hym aboute<br /> Some rennynge, some fast tyed to + his tayle<br /> A hawke on his fyst suche one withouten fayle<br /> + Better were to be thens, for by his dyn and cry<br /> He troublyth them + that wolde pray deuoutly:</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Yet of mo folys fynde I a great nomber</p> + <p>Whiche thynke that it is no shame nor vylany</p> + <p>Within the chirche, the seruyce to encomber</p> + <p>With theyr lewde barkynge roundynge dyn and cry</p> + <p>And whyle good people ar praynge stedfastly</p> + <p>Theyr herte to good, with meke mynde and deuout</p> + <p>Suche folys them let, with theyr mad noyse and shout</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And whyle the prestis also them exercyse.</p> + <p>In matyns masse sermon or prechynge dyuyne</p> + <p>Or other due thynges that longe to theyr seruyce.</p> + <p>Techynge the people to vertue to enclyne</p> + <p>Than these folys as it were rorynge swyne</p> + <p>With theyr gettynge and talys of vycyousnes</p> + <p>Trouble all suche seruyce, that is sayd, more and les</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>In to the churche than comys another sote</p> + <p>Without deuocyon gettynge vp and downe</p> + <p>Or to be sene, and to showe his gardyd cote</p> + <p>Another on his fyst a Sparhauke or fawcon</p> + <p>Or els a Cokow, and so wastynge his shone</p> + <p>Before the auters he to and fro doth wander</p> + <p>With euyn as great deuocyon as a gander</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>In comys another his houndes at his tayle</p> + <p>With lynes and leshes and other lyke baggage.</p> + <p>His dogges barkyth, so that withouten fayle</p> + <p>The hole churche is troubled by theyr outrage</p> + <p>So innocent youth lernyth the same of age</p> + <p>And theyr lewde sounde doth the churche fyll.</p> + <p>But in this noyse the good people kepe them styll.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>One tyme the hawkys bellys Jenglyth hye</p> + <p>Another tyme they flutter with theyr wynges</p> + <p>And nowe the houndes barkynge strykes the skye</p> + <p>Nowe sounde theyr fete, and nowe the chaynes rynges</p> + <p>They clap with theyr handes, by suche maner thynges</p> + <p>They make of the churche, for theyr hawkes a mewe</p> + <p>And Canell to theyr dogges, whiche they shall after rewe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>So with suche folys is neyther peas nor rest</p> + <p>Unto the holy churche they haue no reuerence</p> + <p>But wander about to see who get may best</p> + <p>In rybawde wordes pryde and insolence</p> + <p>As mad men they fere nat our sauyours presence</p> + <p>Hauynge no honour vnto that holy place</p> + <p>Wherin is gyuen to man euerlastynge grace</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>There ar handlyd pledynges and causes of the lawe</p> + <p>There ar made bargayns of dyuers maner thynges</p> + <p>Byenges and sellynges scant worth a hawe</p> + <p>And there ar for lucre contryued false lesynges</p> + <p>And whyle the prest his Masse or matyns synges</p> + <p>These folys whiche to the Churche do repayre</p> + <p>Ar chattynge and bablynge as it were in a fayre</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some gygyll and lawghe and some on maydens stare</p> + <p>And some on wyues with wanton countenaunce</p> + <p>As for the seruyce they haue small force or care</p> + <p>But full delyte them in theyr mysgouernaunce</p> + <p>Some with theyr slyppers to and fro doth prance</p> + <p>Clappynge with their helys in churche and in quere</p> + <p>So that good people can nat the seruyce here</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>What shall I wryte of maydens and of wyues</p> + <p>Of theyr roundynges and vngoodly comonynge</p> + <p>Howe one a sclaundre craftely contryues</p> + <p>And in the churche therof hath hyr talkynge</p> + <p>The other hath therto theyr erys lenynge</p> + <p>And than whan they all hath harde forth hir tale</p> + <p>With great deuocyon they get them to the ale.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus is the churche defylyd with vylany</p> + <p>And in stede of prayer and godly oryson</p> + <p>Ar vsyd shamefull bargayns and talys of rybawdry</p> + <p>Jettynges and mockynges and great derysyon</p> + <p>There fewe ar or none of perfyte deuocion</p> + <p>And whan our lorde is consecrate in fourme of brede</p> + <p>Therby walkes a knaue, his bonet on his hede</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And whyle those wordes of consecracion</p> + <p>Ar sayde of the preste in goddes owne presence</p> + <p>Suche caytyfs kepe talys and communycacion</p> + <p>Fast by the auter, thynkynge it none offence</p> + <p>And where as the angels ar ther with reuerence</p> + <p>Laudynge and worshyppynge our holy sauyour</p> + <p>These vnkynde caytyfs wyll scantly hym honour</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Alas wherto shall any man complayne</p> + <p>For this foly and accostomed furour</p> + <p>Syns none of them theyr fautes wyll refrayne</p> + <p>But ay procede in this theyr lewde errour</p> + <p>And nat withstandynge that Christ our sauyour</p> + <p>Hath left vs example, that none sholde mysdo</p> + <p>Within the chirche, yet inclyne we nat therto.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Jhonn the euangelyst doth openly expres.</p> + <p>Howe criste our sauyour dyd dryue out and expell</p> + <p>From the Temple, suche as vsed there falsnes</p> + <p>And all other that therin dyd bye and sell</p> + <p>Saynge as it after lyeth in the Gospell</p> + <p>Unto the Jues rebuke and great repreues</p> + <p>That of goddes house they made a den of theues.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Remember this man, for why thou dost the same</p> + <p>Defylynge goddes Chirche with synne and vanyte</p> + <p>Whiche sothly was ordeyned to halowe goddes name</p> + <p>And to lawde and worshyp the holy trynyte</p> + <p>With deuout harte, loue, and all benygnyte</p> + <p>And with all our myght our lorde to magnyfy</p> + <p>And than after all the heuenly company</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>For this cause hath god the holy chirche ordeyned</p> + <p>And nat for rybawde wordes and thynges vayne</p> + <p>But by vs chrysten men it is distayned.</p> + <p>Moche wors than euer, the Jewes dyd certayne</p> + <p>And if our lorde sholde nowe come downe agayne.</p> + <p>To dryue out of the churche suche as there do syn</p> + <p>Forsoth I thynke, right fewe sholde byde within</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The Enuoy To the Reders.</span></p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O man that bostest thy selfe in cristes name</p> + <p>Callynge the christen, se thou thy synne refuse</p> + <p>Remember well it is both synne and shame</p> + <p>The house of god, thus to defyle and abuse</p> + <p>But this one thynge causeth me oft to muse</p> + <p>That the false paynyms within theyr Temples be</p> + <p>To theyr ydols moche more deuout than we</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p225"></a></p> + +<h3>Of them that wyllynge and knowyngly +put them self in ieopardy and peryll.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p348.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t348.png" + alt="Leaping in a well, or in a flaming fire." /></a> + <p class="poem">He is a fole that wyll purchace and desyre<br /> His + owne deth or putteth hym selfe in ieopardy<br /> Lepynge in a well, or + in a flamynge fyre<br /> And where he myght lyue so dyeth wyllyngly<br + /> Suche suffer theyr destruccyon worthely<br /> And if that they be + drowned outher brent<br /> It is to late them after to + repent.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>I fynde mo folys yet. whome I shall note</p> + <p>Suche ar they whiche pray both day and nyght</p> + <p>To god and his sayntes cryeng with open throte</p> + <p>O glorious god helpe me by thy great myght</p> + <p>That I may clens my herte and clere my syght</p> + <p>Wherby all foly and synne may fro me fall</p> + <p>But yet this fole it leuyth nat at all</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Suche folys oft pray for theyr amendement</p> + <p>Unto our lorde with syghynges sore and depe</p> + <p>But yet to synne contynually they assent</p> + <p>And after the same often complayne and wepe</p> + <p>Than say they playne that god hath had no kepe</p> + <p>Unto theyr prayer and taken of it no hede</p> + <p>But theyr owne foly is cause of theyr lewde dede</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They se the peryll before theyr faces playne</p> + <p>That god hath ordeyned, for foly and for synne</p> + <p>They pray for helpe, and yet ar they full fayne</p> + <p>After the folys hode alway to ren</p> + <p>And besely laboure the same alone to wyn</p> + <p>So vnto god for helpe they cry and call</p> + <p>But they them selfe wyll helpe no thynge at all</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Than thynke they theyr prayers to god nat acceptable</p> + <p>Bycause (anone) they haue nat all theyr wyll</p> + <p>And for that god is nat sone agreable</p> + <p>To here theyr cry and it graunt and fulfyll</p> + <p>These folys in theyr vyce contynue styll</p> + <p>And put theyr selfe in wylfull ieopardy</p> + <p>And where they myght they fynde no remedy</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But these folys vnstabyll as the wynde</p> + <p>Prayeth vnto god and to his sayntis aboue</p> + <p>Nat knowynge what may content theyr folysshe mynde</p> + <p>Nor whether theyr askynge be for theyr behoue</p> + <p>But sothly this dare I both say and proue</p> + <p>And it auowe after my sympyll skyll</p> + <p>That neuer man shall syn without his wyll</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If that one with his owne wyll doth fall</p> + <p>Into a well to assay the ieopardy</p> + <p>Whan he is there. if he lowde crye and call</p> + <p>Bothe on god and man for helpe and remedy</p> + <p>He sekyth that peryll, and dyeth worthely</p> + <p>So were it foly to gyue hym corde or trayne</p> + <p>Or other engyne to helpe hym vp agayne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Whan suche folys ar sure vpon the grounde</p> + <p>Without all daunger, peryll hurt or fere</p> + <p>They lepe in the wel and yet fere to be drowned</p> + <p>Empedocles though he right myghty were</p> + <p>With suche lyke foly hym selfe so sore dyd dere</p> + <p>That knowyngly and with his owne consent</p> + <p>Hymself he lost and by fyers fyre was brent</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He lept hedelynge into the flamynge fyre</p> + <p>Of a brennynge hyll whiche callyd is Ethnay</p> + <p>To knowe the trouth, and nature to enquyre</p> + <p>Whether that same flame were very fyre or nay</p> + <p>So with his deth the trouth he dyd assay</p> + <p>But who that wolde hym drawen out of that hyll</p> + <p>Had ben a fole, syns it was his owne wyll</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>For why his mynde was blyndyd so certayne</p> + <p>That thoughe a man had hym delyuered than</p> + <p>The same peryll wolde he haue proued agayne</p> + <p>As mad as he forsoth is euery man</p> + <p>That is at eas, and hym nat so holde can</p> + <p>And also he that putteth hymselfe in drede</p> + <p>Or fere and peryll, where as he hath no nede</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>So he that prayeth to god that he may get</p> + <p>The blysse of heuen, and scape infernall payne</p> + <p>He is a fole his herte or mynde to set</p> + <p>On frayle ryches, welth and ioy mundayne</p> + <p>On stedfast fortune, on lucre or on gayne</p> + <p>For certaynly these thynges of worldly welth</p> + <p>Oft man deuydeth away from heuenly helth</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus he that prayeth for welth or for ryches</p> + <p>Or in this worlde hym selfe to magnyfy</p> + <p>Prayeth for his hurt and cause of viciousnes</p> + <p>For worldly welth doth vyce oft multyply</p> + <p>So seke men theyr owne peryll wyllyngly</p> + <p>But who that prayeth, and can nat as he ought</p> + <p>He bloweth in the wynde, and shall nat haue his thought</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And who that to honour couetyse to ascende</p> + <p>Or to lyue in damnable voluptuosyte</p> + <p>He seketh his peryll for if that he descende</p> + <p>From welth and worshyp to payne and pouerte</p> + <p>It is but worthy, and let hym pacyent be</p> + <p>It to endure with mynde demure and meke</p> + <p>He is worthy sorowe that wyll it alway seke</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ye that fayne wolde escape all ieopardy</p> + <p>Auoyde suche thynges the whiche myght cause the same</p> + <p>To proue a peryll, is foly certaynly</p> + <p>Whether it be done in ernest or in game</p> + <p>They that so doth may theyr owne madnes blame</p> + <p>For he that is sure, and to a fray wyll ren</p> + <p>May fortune come home agayne, nosles or lame</p> + <p>And so were it better for to haue byd within</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p230"></a></p> + +<h3>Of the way of felycyte and godnes, and of +the payne to come vnto synners.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p353.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t353.png" + alt="Punishment doubled with carts of wheels four." /></a> + <p class="poem">Many in this lyfe the cart of syn doth drawe<br /> By + payne and labour, alway right dylygent<br /> Norysshynge theyr syn + agaynst all right and lawe<br /> And alway lyuynge after one lyke + assent<br /> But whan they ar dede than shall theyr punysshement<br /> + In hell be dowblyd with cartis of whelys foure<br /> Where as they + thought, deth shuld ende theyr laboure</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>God suffreth nat eche vicious fole to knowe</p> + <p>The wonders that he made hath on this grounde</p> + <p>And dayly worketh. wherfore theyr syn doth growe</p> + <p>So that theyr foly them selfe doth confounde</p> + <p>And here theyr bodyes to great labours ar bounde</p> + <p>Sparynge no peryll for pleasour and for gayne</p> + <p>Than after deth haue they euerlastynge payne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>So he that here lyueth in vyce and synne</p> + <p>Shall extreme dolour after deth endure</p> + <p>Than what auantage is it for man to wyne</p> + <p>All orthly tresour, and of hell payne be sure</p> + <p>But without dowt that wretchyd creature</p> + <p>Whiche goddes lawes wyll nat here holde and kepe</p> + <p>Shall after deth haue cause to wayle and wepe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And suche as here wyll nat knowe theyr sauyour</p> + <p>Obseruynge his preceptis and commaundement</p> + <p>Whiche god hathe ordeyned to saue vs from erroure</p> + <p>And vs commaundyd to kepe with clene intent</p> + <p>Ouer all the worlde. as rule moste excellent</p> + <p>To lyue godly. and who so euer he be</p> + <p>That foloweth in this worlde voluptuosyte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Or carnall lust ryot or other offence</p> + <p>Wastynge his tyme in syn and viciousnes</p> + <p>All suche in this worlde, by theyr blynde negligence</p> + <p>Drawe styll the cart of greuous besynes.</p> + <p>With payne and charge and, whan this wretchydnes</p> + <p>Is past and gone, yet after this they shall</p> + <p>In hell endure great tourmentis eternall</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>There shalt (thou fole) the charet drawe alway</p> + <p>With dowble paynes both tedyous and cruell</p> + <p>Wherfore thou fole retourne the I the pray.</p> + <p>Seke nat the way whiche ledeth vnto hell</p> + <p>With his foule dennes, more darke than tunge can tell</p> + <p>And thoughe the way be esy streyght and playne</p> + <p>The ende is nought, I aduyse the tourne agayne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The way to hell is greatly occupyed</p> + <p>The path is playne, and easy to ouergo</p> + <p>The dore ay open no entre is denyed</p> + <p>To suche as purpose in mynde to come therto</p> + <p>But at the ende therof is care and wo</p> + <p>With syghtis odyous and abhomynable</p> + <p>Yet in the way ar folkes innumerable</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus is no meruayle though this way be playne</p> + <p>And greatly worne syns it is hantyd so</p> + <p>By dyuers folys whiche haste them to that payne.</p> + <p>By way contynuall therto: but none therfro</p> + <p>The dredefull dore to them that wyll in go</p> + <p>Both day and nyght is open, it doth forsake</p> + <p>No folys that wyll theyr iourney thyther take</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But that way that to hye heuen doth lye</p> + <p>Is way of grace plesour, and all felycyte</p> + <p>In it suche walke as here lyue vertuously</p> + <p>And blessyd men, but nat suche as vyciouse be</p> + <p>Yet is it narowe, and full of difficulte</p> + <p>There is many a harde flynt brere and thorne</p> + <p>And no meruayle for it is nat greatly worne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>For why lewde people, whiche is the gretest sort</p> + <p>Forsake this way for the payne and hardnes</p> + <p>But godly men therin haue chefe consort</p> + <p>With all that lyue by grace in ryghtwysnes</p> + <p>Suche well consyder that heuyns blessydnes</p> + <p>Can nat be gotten by pleasour rest nor eas</p> + <p>Wherfore this way can nat suche synners pleas</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>God so hath ordeyned that who wyll haue vertue</p> + <p>Must it obtayne with payne and dilygence</p> + <p>And great labour, whiche many nowe eschewe</p> + <p>Without it be to seke synne and offence</p> + <p>Fewe seke the way to christis hye presence</p> + <p>Therby it hapneth that many a thousande</p> + <p>Fast rennyth leftwarde, but fewe on the right hande</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Alas man remembre heuens blyssednes</p> + <p>And though the way be harde that lyeth therto</p> + <p>Forsoke it nat for all that great sharpnes</p> + <p>For at the ende is lyfe and rest also</p> + <p>Euerlastynge glory with other ioyes mo</p> + <p>But who that taketh the other way certayne</p> + <p>Shall fynde at the ende eternall payne and wo</p> + <p>Thoughe the way thether be easy streyght and playne</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p234"></a></p> + +<h3>Of the yll example of elders gyuyn vnto +youth.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p357.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t357.png" + alt="By anger or malice break pot." /></a> + <p class="poem">If that the fader and mother before theyr son<br /> By + anger or malyce brake, platter pot, or pan<br /> The son in hande shall + take some cauderon<br /> And lerne to breke it if his small power + can<br /> Thus oft tyme chyldren haue cause to curse or ban<br /> Theyr + frendes for suche example of lewdnes<br /> For soner that they lerne + than vertue or goodes</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ye aged men rotyd in folysshnes</p> + <p>And folysshe parentis lewde of your langage</p> + <p>Vnto our shyp swyftly your selfe addres</p> + <p>Syns ye be worthy therin to haue a stage</p> + <p>Nowe cast I repreues agaynst your outrage</p> + <p>Whiche boldly bost you of your vnthryfty lyues</p> + <p>Before your maydes, your doughters and your wyues</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Alas the folys of this mad company</p> + <p>By theyr example cause great inconuenyence</p> + <p>Before theyr children recountynge rybaudry</p> + <p>Of suche as they haue had experyence.</p> + <p>So gyue they to them example of offence</p> + <p>And in that synne wheron they bost and vant</p> + <p>They make them perfyte whiche erst were ignorant</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Theyr wordes ar voyde of shame and honestye</p> + <p>Theyr lyfe is without mesure and reuerence</p> + <p>But yet they thynke that they moste worthy be</p> + <p>That moste can tell of this greuous offence</p> + <p>Thus all the youth that is in theyr presence</p> + <p>Or that doth here theyr vyce and rybawdry</p> + <p>Vnto the same with theyr full mynde aply</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus theyr yonge children maners lernyth none</p> + <p>The wyfe hath occasyon to breke hir chastyte</p> + <p>So is the lyfe defyled of them echone</p> + <p>And to be playne, we often tymes se</p> + <p>That of what maners the folysshe husbondes be</p> + <p>Such ar theyr wyues, children and housholde</p> + <p>The yonge Cok lerneth to crowe hye of the olde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A folysshe Father, full hardly shall ensyne</p> + <p>His sone to good lyfe or to good gouernaunce</p> + <p>For if the father to foly doth enclyne</p> + <p>The sone wyll folowe his father in that daunce</p> + <p>And if the father vse hasarde or the chaunce</p> + <p>Or any prohybyt and vnlawfull game</p> + <p>Most comonly the sone wyll do the same</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If that the husbonde be vycious of his lyfe</p> + <p>Wastfull or dronken, or vyle in his langage</p> + <p>His sonnes doughters, his seruauntes and his wyfe</p> + <p>Wyll lerne of hym to passe the same passage</p> + <p>And if the husbonde breke his maryage</p> + <p>If the wyfe knowe, in mynde she wyll be wroth</p> + <p>Without he haue a hode of the same cloth</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>An olde prouerbe hath longe agone be sayde</p> + <p>That oft the sone in maners lyke wyll be</p> + <p>Vnto the Father, and in lyke wyse the mayde</p> + <p>Or doughter, vnto the mother wyll agre</p> + <p>So if the elders vse enormyte</p> + <p>And before theyr children bost them of the same</p> + <p>The sone and doughter shall folowe syre and dame</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The monkes thynke it lawfull for to play</p> + <p>Whan that the Abbot bryngeth them the dyce</p> + <p>Right so the Father, can nought or lytell say</p> + <p>Agaynst the sone, nor hym blame or chastyce</p> + <p>If he hym selfe be taken in that same vyce</p> + <p>Thus lyues the Father in synne withouten shame</p> + <p>And after his deth the sone shall do the same</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O wretchyd maners o tyme full of furour</p> + <p>And full of foly without all hope to stent</p> + <p>Howe longe shall god our lorde and sauyour</p> + <p>This synne suffer without greuous punysshement</p> + <p>Alas it nowe apereth euydent</p> + <p>That the fathers foly synne and great outrage</p> + <p>Is left to the sonne as it were herytage</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And no meruayle, for it hath neuer ben seen</p> + <p>That of a wolfe a shepe hath be forth brought</p> + <p>Or that a calfe or lambe gendred hath been</p> + <p>Of a fell tygre: right so if it were sought</p> + <p>Ouer all the worlde. a Father that is nought</p> + <p>Sholde scant be founde, whiche coude brynge vp his childe</p> + <p>With his synne in no maner poynt defylyd</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The yonge crab bacwarde doth crepe or go</p> + <p>As doth the olde, none can hir cours redres</p> + <p>These yonge children for the moste part also</p> + <p>Foloweth theyr fathers synne and his lewdnes</p> + <p>But they that lyue in maners of mekenes</p> + <p>In honest lyfe, goodnes grace and chastyte</p> + <p>May brynge forth children of maners as they be</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>I rede howe the Phylosopher Diogenes</p> + <p>Sayde by a childe whiche dronken was with wyne</p> + <p>That his Father was in that case doutles</p> + <p>Whan he it gate, so his hye wyt dyuyne</p> + <p>Knewe that the childes maners dyd inclyne</p> + <p>Vnto his Fathers, and so was it founde trewe</p> + <p>By them whiche well that childes fader knewe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But though the Father and mother also be nought</p> + <p>Without dout this one thynge apereth playne</p> + <p>That the childe is suche as it is vp brought</p> + <p>And nat lyghtly chaungyd without great charge or payne</p> + <p>Therfore let euery man hym selfe refrayne</p> + <p>Within his hous from all thynge worthy blame</p> + <p>Than shall his children and seruautes do the same</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enuoy of Barklay</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ye that haue children or other great housholde</p> + <p>Subdued to your seruyce, and your obedyence</p> + <p>Kepe vertuous lyfe, for that is worth great golde</p> + <p>And great example to youth to auoyde offence</p> + <p>But if ye boost you of synne and neglygence</p> + <p>In rybawde wordes, gyue credence to this clause</p> + <p>If the herers fall into incouenyence</p> + <p>Your lewde example is the chefe grounde and cause</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p239"></a></p> + +<h3>Of bodely pleasour or corporall +voluptuosyte</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p362.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t362.png" + alt="As sheep, as bulls, as birds it tangleth in its snare." /></a> + <p class="poem">Wanton wastfull and vayne voluptuosyte<br /> Oft + blyndeth attysynge vnto inconuenyence<br /> Many that ar rude, for + theyr symplycyte<br /> And them as shepe sleeth for all theyr + innocence<br /> But other some it kepyth with myght and violence<br /> + As bulles bounde sure to endure great care<br /> And other as byrdes it + tangleth in hir snare</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Drawe nere ye folys to you I crye and call</p> + <p>Whiche ar of grace clene destytute and bare</p> + <p>Folowynge your lust and pleasour corporall</p> + <p>But for your soule ye take no thought ne care</p> + <p>To whome may I this shamefull lust compare</p> + <p>Saue to a harlat faynynge, fals and couetous.</p> + <p>Of whome comyth shame and bytes venemous</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>She syttyth in the strete as past both shame and fere</p> + <p>Hir brestes bare to tempt them that passe by</p> + <p>Hir face anoyntyd blasynge abrode hir here</p> + <p>Or els on hir folysshe front enlaced hye</p> + <p>Hir smocke to garnysshyd so hir dysceytfull iye</p> + <p>To shamfull lust a thousande doth attyce</p> + <p>Of youth whiche erst perchuance knewe nought of vyce</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Hir chamber full of flatery and disceyte</p> + <p>Anone is opened the blynde fole entreth in</p> + <p>The hoke of deth is hyd vnder the bayte</p> + <p>Of folysshe lust pleasour and mortall syn</p> + <p>Hir soule she sellyth ryches therby to wyne</p> + <p>And what riches: a rewarde sothly full vyle</p> + <p>The soules damneth and bodyes doth defyle</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The one departyth, another comys in agayne</p> + <p>Without all shame dare she them boldly pray</p> + <p>To hir fals pleasours, Thus by hir gyle and trayne</p> + <p>This folysshe youth to hir wyll nat denay</p> + <p>But vnto hir some lepe both nyght and day</p> + <p>Without mesure, rennynge to lese theyr lyfe</p> + <p>As ox or shepe vnto the bochers knyfe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The symple lambe his necke doth out extende</p> + <p>Vnto the Bocher his mortall ennemy</p> + <p>So doth these folys, sekynge a shamefull ende</p> + <p>And theyr owne deth, though they myght fynde remedy</p> + <p>O blynde fole I requyre the to aply</p> + <p>Vnto my wordes and thou shalt here and se.</p> + <p>Howe moche thou oughtest this folysshe lust to fle</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The soule it damneth, and drowneth depe in hell</p> + <p>The wyt it wastyth, and confoundeth the mynde</p> + <p>It causeth man his londe and good to sell</p> + <p>And if that he none other mene can fynde</p> + <p>To rob and stele he oft tyme is inclyned</p> + <p>Besyde all these this fowle lust is so vyle</p> + <p>That with fowle sauour it shall thy body fele</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thoughe of lewde lust the ioy be short and small</p> + <p>And thoughe the pleasour therof be soon ouer past</p> + <p>The payne that foloweth it, is eternall</p> + <p>With wofull dolour menglyd, that euer shall last</p> + <p>Therfore leue of: do nat thy pleasour cast</p> + <p>On worldly welth, delyte ioy and pleasour</p> + <p>For soon they pas and chaunge at euery hour</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Who that in this wretchyd worlde wyll auoyde</p> + <p>Of voluptuousnes the ioyes frayle and vayne</p> + <p>And suffre nat hym with them to be acloyde</p> + <p>Infect or drownyd, shall for the same certayne</p> + <p>Euerlastynge lyfe, and endles ioy obtayne</p> + <p>And for his hye tryumphe and dyuyne prudence</p> + <p>Haue the fruycyon of goddes hye presence</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But who that wyll his carnall lust ensue</p> + <p>Shall here haue shame, and after payne cruell</p> + <p>I coude hereof dyuers examples shewe</p> + <p>But of right many this one I shall you tell</p> + <p>One Sardanapalus all other dyd excell.</p> + <p>In carnall lust and so his mynde dyd cast</p> + <p>On loue prohybyte, that grace was fro hym past</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The loue of vertue was full out of his mynde</p> + <p>So he concludyd to sue dilyciousnes</p> + <p>Thynkynge after deth no welth nor ioy to fynde</p> + <p>For this is the sentence of the prynce of derknes</p> + <p>But good almyghty seynge his vycyousnes</p> + <p>His body and soule deuydyd soon in twayne</p> + <p>From worldly pleasour vnto infernall payne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>By this hystory to vs it apereth playne</p> + <p>That from worldly pleasour and voluptuosyte</p> + <p>With all our myght we ought vs to refrayne</p> + <p>For thoughe the first of them delycious be</p> + <p>Theyr ende is poyson, and of sournes plente</p> + <p>Sue wyse men vertue, and set suche lust asyde</p> + <p>For they ar folys that in it lyue and byde</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Amende mad men your blynde mysgouernaunce</p> + <p>Subdue nat your necke to the captyuyte</p> + <p>Of flysshely lust and corporall pleasaunce</p> + <p>Nor to blynde Venus with hir lasciuyte</p> + <p>(If ye it note) ye dayly here and se</p> + <p>The mysfortune of them that it ensue</p> + <p>And certaynly no man can saued be</p> + <p>By carnall lust, but by godly vertue</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p244"></a></p> + +<h3>Of folys that can nat kepe secrete theyr +owne counsell.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p366.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t366.png" + alt="His hair by guile from his head off-shorn." /></a> + <p class="poem">Of other Foles a nomber yet I fynde<br /> Which by + theyr bablynge wordes and langage<br /> Can nat kepe close the secrete + of theyr mynde.<br /> But all theyr counsel out they shewe at large.<br + /> So that oft therof procedeth great damage.<br /> As Murder, + myschefe, hatered and debate.<br /> That after they repent. But than it + is to late</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He is a naturall fole and vndiscrete</p> + <p>And to hym selfe ingendryth oft great stryfe</p> + <p>Whiche can nat hyde his counsell and secrete</p> + <p>But by his foly it sheweth to his wyfe</p> + <p>And all that he hath done in his hole lyfe</p> + <p>Or that to do here after he doth purpose</p> + <p>To euery man suche a fole wyll disclose</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The noble Sampson moste excellent of myght</p> + <p>And strongest man that euer was get or borne</p> + <p>Were nat this foly: sholde nat haue lost his syght</p> + <p>Nor had his here, by gyle from his hede ofshorne</p> + <p>And of his ennemyes ben laughyd vnto scorne</p> + <p>And at the last with herte wrethfull and wo</p> + <p>His ennemyes murdred and hym selfe also</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Where as he myght haue lyued in honour</p> + <p>If he had kept his secretes in his mynde</p> + <p>With his owne wyll he dyed in great dolour.</p> + <p>By the fals treason of his lemman vnkynde</p> + <p>We may in dyuers mo examples fynde</p> + <p>Howe many thousandes haue suffred paynes smart</p> + <p>And all for shewynge the secretes of theyr hart</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Amphiaraus a Prynce moste excellent</p> + <p>Shortened the dayes of his pore doutfull lyfe</p> + <p>For shewynge the preuetees of his intent</p> + <p>By his owne foly to his disceytfull wyfe</p> + <p>And thoughe he longe escaped had the stryfe</p> + <p>And war of Thebes whiche he dyd longe defende</p> + <p>Yet at the leest his tunge was his owne ende</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus olde storyes doth oft recorde and tell</p> + <p>By theyr examples whiche they vnto vs gyue</p> + <p>That wymen ar no kepars of councell</p> + <p>It goeth through them as water trough a syue</p> + <p>Wherfore let them that quyetly wolde lyue</p> + <p>No more of theyr counsell to any woman showe</p> + <p>Than that they wolde that euery man dyd knowe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Let euery man that is discrete and sage</p> + <p>Of suche folys with all wysdome be ware</p> + <p>Whiche shewe theyr counsell by theyr hasty langage.</p> + <p>To euery man without all thought and care</p> + <p>For they of wysdome and reason ar but bare</p> + <p>And who that his owne secrete wyll forth tell</p> + <p>Howe sholde he hyde another mannes counsell</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Yet other be whiche by theyr flaterynge trayne</p> + <p>Labour to knowe euery mannys pryuete</p> + <p>And by and by to shewe it forth agayne</p> + <p>Of them be ware for they disceyfull be.</p> + <p>Some other bost them of theyr felycyte</p> + <p>Bablynge that they haue theyr wyll in euery thynge</p> + <p>As prosperous welth loue, ryches and cunnynge</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And of great dedes done both on see and londe</p> + <p>Some by theyr falshode, some by strength and vertue</p> + <p>But if one laboured the trouth to vnderstonde</p> + <p>Suche folysshe wordes sholde all be founde vntrewe</p> + <p>Let neuer man to suche his counsell shewe</p> + <p>For of one worde these folys makyth twayne</p> + <p>Whiche tourneth many to losse rebuke and payne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Wherfore if thou wylt that thy pryuete</p> + <p>Be kept secrete and nat come out at large</p> + <p>Be nat so folysshe to showe it unto me</p> + <p>Or any other if it be thynge of charge</p> + <p>And if thou do thou shalt be in this barge</p> + <p>For howe wylt thou thynke that another man</p> + <p>Can kepe thy counsell syns thou thy selfe ne can</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If the kynge Achab had nat vttred and tolde</p> + <p>Vnto his wyfe his wyll and mynde so playne</p> + <p>By hir fals treason, and dysceyt manyfolde</p> + <p>Vnrightwysly Nabot had nat ben slayne</p> + <p>But for the same, Achab suffred great payne</p> + <p>By deth in batayle, and for a punysshment</p> + <p>His wyfe with houndes was all to torne and rent</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus it apereth that he is wyse and ware</p> + <p>Whiche can his counsell kepe within his hart</p> + <p>For by that mean may he escape great care</p> + <p>And suerly lyue without yll wyllys dart</p> + <p>The Prophete seynge what dyuers paynes smart</p> + <p>Comyth oft to them whiche doth theyr secret tell</p> + <p>Eche man exortyth to kepe close his counsell.</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thou man that hast thy secret in thy brest</p> + <p>Holde it styll there suffer it nat out to go</p> + <p>Who that so doth, therby shall fynde great rest</p> + <p>Ne to thy frende shewe nat thy mynde also</p> + <p>For if that he after become thy fo</p> + <p>As often hapneth, than myght he the bewry</p> + <p>So sholde thy foly tourne vnto thy great wo</p> + <p>Howe be it suche thynges are prouyd comonly.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p247"></a></p> + +<h3>Of yonge folys that take olde wymen to +theyr wyues, for theyr ryches.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p370.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t370.png" + alt="A old wife taken in marriage for her riches." /></a> + <p class="poem">Within our shyp that fole shall haue a hode<br /> + Whiche an olde wyfe taketh in maryage<br /> Rather for hir ryches and + hir worldly gode<br /> Than for pure loue, or hope to haue lynage<br /> + But suche youth as mary them selfe with age<br /> The profyte and + pleasour of wedlocke lese certayne<br /> And worthely lyue in brawlynge + stryfe and payne.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Under the Asse tayle thoughe it be no thynge pure</p> + <p>Yet many seke and grope for the vyle fatnes</p> + <p>Gatherynge togyther the fowle dunge and ordure</p> + <p>Suche ar they that for treasour and ryches</p> + <p>Whyle they ar yonge in theyr chefe lustynes</p> + <p>An agyd woman taketh to theyr wyfe</p> + <p>Lesynge theyr youth, and shortynge so theyr lyfe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They that so do hath neyther rest nor peas</p> + <p>But besy brawlynge and stryfe contynuall</p> + <p>They have no pleasour, but thought and great dyseas</p> + <p>Rebuke out braydynge, and strypes whan they fall</p> + <p>But theyr owne foly is grounde and cause of all</p> + <p>For they be maryd unto the vyle treasour</p> + <p>And precious bagges, but nat for godly pleasour</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They haue no hope of children nor lynage</p> + <p>Loue is there none, and durynge theyr wretchyd lyfe</p> + <p>Is nat one day in suche mad maryage</p> + <p>Auoyde of brawlynge, of hatered and of stryfe</p> + <p>But that pore man that weddeth a ryche wyfe</p> + <p>Cast in his nose shall styll hir bagges fynde</p> + <p>For whose cause he made was made and blynde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They that ar weddyd nat for loue but rychesse</p> + <p>Of moryage despysynge the pleasour and profyte</p> + <p>Suche seldome sauour fortunes happynes</p> + <p>But oft mysfortune them greuously doth byte</p> + <p>Thus gone is theyr pleasour theyr ioy and delyte</p> + <p>And for vayne treasoure suche ar so glad and fayne</p> + <p>That for the same they them subdue to payne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They wyllyngly to payne them selfe subdue</p> + <p>The whiche ar weddyd for wretchyd couetyse</p> + <p>They take no hede to maners and vertue</p> + <p>To honeste nor wysdome but lyue ay in malyce</p> + <p>For if a woman be fowle and full of vice</p> + <p>And lewde of maners, nought both to man and lad</p> + <p>Yet good shall hir mary be she neuer so bad</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If that a man of hye or lowe degre</p> + <p>Wolde spouse his doughter vnto a strange man</p> + <p>He nought inquyreth of his honestye</p> + <p>Of his behauour, nor if he norture can</p> + <p>But if he be ryche in londes and good: than</p> + <p>He shall be prayed his doughter for to haue</p> + <p>Thoughe be but a bonde man or a knaue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The firste enquyrynge and speciall questyon</p> + <p>Is of the money, that thynge namely they moue</p> + <p>And last of all aske they the condicion</p> + <p>So whan they mete they neuer haue perfyte loue</p> + <p>Wherfore it were better to suche for theyr behoue</p> + <p>To byde alone in deserte and wyldernes</p> + <p>Than in wedloke in payne for frayle ryches</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Forsoth it is an vnmete maryage</p> + <p>And disagreynge and moche agaynst the lawe</p> + <p>Bytwene fresshe youth, and lame vnlusty age</p> + <p>The loue bytwene them is scantly worth a strawe</p> + <p>So doth the one styll on the other gnawe</p> + <p>And oft the man in mynde doth sore complayne.</p> + <p>His sede to sowe vpon a grounde barayne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Than muste he haue another prymme or twayne</p> + <p>With them to slake his wanton yonge cowrage</p> + <p>But in that space must he endure great payne</p> + <p>With hir that he hath tane in maryage</p> + <p>Hir bablynge tunge whiche no man can asswage</p> + <p>With wrathfull wordes shall sle hym at the laste</p> + <p>His other prymes his good shall spende and waste</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus who that selleth his youthes lustynes</p> + <p>For frayle ryches and this mundayne vanyte</p> + <p>He byeth stryfe, gyle and falshode endlesse</p> + <p>Suche force nat for fayth true loue nor honestye</p> + <p>And thoughe that he discende of hye degre</p> + <p>For hope of money he shall an olde fole wed</p> + <p>By whose foly he to euery yll is led.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And so these folys subdue them to bondage</p> + <p>And worthely endure suche payne and punysshement</p> + <p>They hope therby to come to auantage</p> + <p>But that they lese and lyue in sore tourment</p> + <p>They wast theyr good, and so whan that is spent</p> + <p>And nought remayneth theyr bodyes to relefe</p> + <p>Theyr disputacion is nought but hore and thefe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But if I sholde wryte all the vnhappynes</p> + <p>The wrath discorde and the great deuysyon</p> + <p>Wherin they lyue, that mary for ryches</p> + <p>And nat for loue. I neuer sholde haue done</p> + <p>Wherfore this say I for a conclusyon</p> + <p>That he shall neuer thryue ne come to his behoue</p> + <p>That weddyth a wyfe for gode and nat for loue</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enuoy of Barklay</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Alas man myndles what is thyne intent</p> + <p>To wed for ryches, that weddynge I defy</p> + <p>Maryage was ordeyned by god omnypotent</p> + <p>In goddes lawes the worlde to multyply</p> + <p>Wherfore that man that wyll therto aply</p> + <p>And wolde haue the profyte of faythfull maryage</p> + <p>This worldly ryches ought no thynge to set by</p> + <p>But wed for loue and hope to haue lynage</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Remember ryches is no thynge comparable</p> + <p>To mekenes vertue and discrete gouernaunce</p> + <p>And other maners whiche ar more commendable</p> + <p>Than worldly treasour or suche vnsure substaunce</p> + <p>Wherfore consyder and call to thy remembraunce</p> + <p>That better is to haue some woman pore and bare</p> + <p>And lyue in eas: Than one with habundaunce</p> + <p>Of great ryches: and euer to lyue in care</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p252"></a></p> + +<h3>Of enuyous Folys.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p375.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t375.png" + alt="Of others damage rejoicing in their mind." /></a> + <p class="poem">Yet ar mo folys whiche greatly them delyte<br /> In + others losse, and that by fals enuy<br /> Wherby they suche + vnrightwysly bacbyte<br /> The dartis of suche ouer all the wordly + flye<br /> And euer in fleynge theyr fethers multyply<br /> No state in + erth therfro can kepe hym sure<br /> His sede encreasyth as it wolde + euer endure</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Wastynge enuy oft styreth to malyce</p> + <p>Folys nat a fewe whiche ar therto enclynyd</p> + <p>Pryckynge theyr frowarde hertes vnto vyce</p> + <p>Of others damage reioysynge in theyr mynde</p> + <p>Enuyes darte doth his begynnynge fynde</p> + <p>In wrathfull hertes, it wastyth his owne nest</p> + <p>Nat suffrynge other to lyue in eas and rest</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If one haue plenty of treasour and ryches</p> + <p>Or by his merytis obteyne great dignyte</p> + <p>These folys enuyous that of the same haue les</p> + <p>Enuy by malyce, the others hye degre</p> + <p>And if another of honour haue plente</p> + <p>They it enuy and wysshe that they myght sterue</p> + <p>Howe be it suche folys can nat the same deserue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>These folys desyre agaynst both lawe and right</p> + <p>Anoters good if they may get the same</p> + <p>If they may nat by flaterynge nor by myght</p> + <p>Than by fals malyce they hym enuy and blame</p> + <p>Outher if one by his vertue hath good name</p> + <p>By fals enuy these foles hym reproue</p> + <p>Their wrath them blyndeth so that they none can loue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The wounde of this malycious, fals enuy</p> + <p>So dedely is, and of so great cruelte</p> + <p>That it is incurable and voyde of remedy</p> + <p>A man enuyous hath suche a properte</p> + <p>That if he purpose of one vengyd to be</p> + <p>Or do some mysche, whiche he reputyth best</p> + <p>Tyll it be done, he neuer hath eas nor rest</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>No slepe, no rest nor pleasour can they fynde</p> + <p>To them so swete, pleasaunt and delectable</p> + <p>That may expell this malyce from theyr mynde</p> + <p>So is enuy a vyce abhomynable</p> + <p>And vnto helth so frowarde and damnable</p> + <p>That if it onys be rotyd in a man</p> + <p>It maketh hym lene. his colour pale and wan.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Enuy is pale of loke and countenaunce</p> + <p>His body lene of colour pale and blewe</p> + <p>His loke frowarde, his face without pleasaunce</p> + <p>Pyllynge lyke scalys, his wordes ay vntrue</p> + <p>His iyen sparklynge with fyre ay fresshe and newe</p> + <p>It neuer lokyth on man with iyen full</p> + <p>But euer his herte by furious wrath is dull</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thou mayst example fynde of this enuy</p> + <p>By Joseph whome his bretherne dyd neuer beholde</p> + <p>With louynge loke, but sharpe and cruelly</p> + <p>So that they hym haue murdred gladly wolde</p> + <p>I myght recount examples manyfolde</p> + <p>Howe many by enuy lost hath theyr degre</p> + <p>But that I leue bycause of breuyte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Enuyous folys ar stuffed with yll wyll</p> + <p>In them no myrth nor solace can be founde</p> + <p>They neuer laughe but if it be for yll</p> + <p>As for gode lost or whan some shyp is drounde</p> + <p>Or whan some hous is brent vnto the grounde</p> + <p>But whyle these folys on other byte and gnawe</p> + <p>Theyr enuy wastyth theyr owne herte and theyr mawe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The mount of Ethnay though it brent euer styll</p> + <p>Yet (saue itselfe) it brenneth none other thynge</p> + <p>So these enuyous Folys by theyr yll wyll</p> + <p>Wast theyr owne herte, thoughe they be ay musynge</p> + <p>Another man to shame and losse or hurt to brynge</p> + <p>Upon them sellfe Thus tournyth this yll agayne</p> + <p>To theyr destruccion both shame great losse and payne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>This fals enuy by his malycious yre</p> + <p>Doth often, bretherne so cursedly inflame</p> + <p>That by the same the one of them conspyre</p> + <p>Agaynst the other without all fere and shame</p> + <p>As Romulus and Remus excellent of fame</p> + <p>Whiche byldyd Rome, but after: enuy so grewe</p> + <p>Bytwene them that the one the other slewe</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>What shall I wryte of Cayme and of Abell</p> + <p>Howe Cayme for murder suffred great payne and wo</p> + <p>Atreus story and Theseus cruell.</p> + <p>Ar vnto vs example hereof also</p> + <p>Ethyocles with his brother: and many mo</p> + <p>Lyke as the storyes declareth openly</p> + <p>The one the other murdred by enuy</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Wherfore let hym that is discrete and wyse</p> + <p>This wrathfull vyce exyle out of his mynde</p> + <p>And yll on none by malyce to surmyse</p> + <p>Let charyte in perfyte loue the bynde</p> + <p>Sue hir preceptis than shalt thou consort fynde</p> + <p>Loue in this lyfe, and ioy whan thou art past</p> + <p>Where as enuy thy conscyence shall blynde</p> + <p>And both they blode and body mar and wast</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p256"></a></p> + +<h3>Of impacient Folys that wyll nat abyde +correccion.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p379.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t379.png" + alt="In his bagpipe hath more game and sport." /></a> + <p class="poem">Unto our Folys shyp let hym come hastely<br /> Whiche + in his Bagpype hath more game and sport<br /> Than in a Harpe or Lute + more swete of melody<br /> I fynde vnnumerable Folys of this sort<br /> + Whiche in theyr Bable haue all they hole confort<br /> For it is oft + sayd of men both yonge and olde<br /> A fole wyll nat gyue his Babyll + for any golde</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The grettest synners that man may se or fynde</p> + <p>In myserable Folys theyr foly to expres</p> + <p>Is whan they wyll by no mean gyue theyr mynde</p> + <p>To frendly wordes, to grace or to goodnes</p> + <p>Suche folys so set theyr mynde on frowardnes</p> + <p>That though one gyue them counsell sad and wyse</p> + <p>They it disdayne and vtterly despyse</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But he that is discrete sad and prudent</p> + <p>Aplyeth his mynde right gladly to doctryne</p> + <p>He hereth wyse men, his wysdome to augment</p> + <p>He them doth folowe and to theyr wordes enclyne</p> + <p>But that fole whiche ay goeth to ruyne.</p> + <p>And mortall myschefe had leuer be dede or slayne</p> + <p>Than byde correccyon or for his profyte payne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Suche haue suche pleasour in theyr mad folysshe pype</p> + <p>That they dispyse all other melody.</p> + <p>They leuer wolde dye folys than: byde a strype</p> + <p>For theyr correccyon and specyall remedy</p> + <p>And without dout none other Armony</p> + <p>To suche folys is halfe so delectable</p> + <p>As is their folysshe bagpype and theyr babyll</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>These frantyke folys wyll byde no punysshement</p> + <p>Nor smale correccion, for theyr synne and offence</p> + <p>No frendly warnynge can chaunge theyr yll intent</p> + <p>For to abyde it, they haue no pacyence.</p> + <p>They here no wysdome but fle from hir presence</p> + <p>And so it hapnyth that in the worlde be</p> + <p>Mo folys than men of wyt and grauyte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O mortall fole remember well what thou art</p> + <p>Thou art a man of erth made and of clay</p> + <p>Thy dayes ar short and nede thou must depart</p> + <p>Out of this lyfe, that canst thou nat denay</p> + <p>Yet hast thou reason and wyt wherby thou may</p> + <p>Thy selfe here gyde by wysdome ferme and stable</p> + <p>Wherby thou passest all bestis vnreasonable</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thou art made lorde of euery creature</p> + <p>All thynge erthly vnto thyne obedyence</p> + <p>God hath the creat vnto his owne fygure</p> + <p>Lo is nat here a great preemynence</p> + <p>God hath also gyuyn vnto the intellygence</p> + <p>And reason and wyt all foly to refuse.</p> + <p>Than art thou a fole that reason to abuse</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He that is fre outher in subieccion.</p> + <p>If by his foly he fall into offence</p> + <p>And than submyt hym vnto correccyon.</p> + <p>All men shall laude his great obedyence</p> + <p>But if that one by pryde and insolence</p> + <p>Supporte his faute and so bere out his vyce</p> + <p>The hell tourmentis hym after shall chastyce</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Correccyon shall the vnto wysdome brynge</p> + <p>Whiche is more precious than all erthly ryches</p> + <p>Than londes rentis or any other thynge</p> + <p>Why dost thou bost the of byrth or noblenes</p> + <p>Of ryches, strength beauty or fayrnes</p> + <p>These often ar cause of inconuenyence.</p> + <p>Where as all good comyth by wysdome and prudence</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A wyse man onely as we often fynde</p> + <p>Is to be named moste ryche and of most myght</p> + <p>Here thou his wordes and plant them in thy mynde</p> + <p>And folowe the same for they ar sure and right.</p> + <p>Better is to endure, thoughe it be nat lyght</p> + <p>To suffer a wyse man the sharply to repreue</p> + <p>Than a flaterynge fole to clawe the by the sleue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thoughe sharpe correccyon at the first the greue</p> + <p>Thou shalt the ende therof fynde profytable</p> + <p>It oft apereth, therfore I it byleue</p> + <p>That man also forsoth is fortunable</p> + <p>Whiche here in fere lyueth sure and stable</p> + <p>And in this lyfe is clene of his intent</p> + <p>Ferynge the sharpe payne of hellys punysshement</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He may hym selfe right happy call also</p> + <p>Whiche is correct in his first tender age</p> + <p>And so lernyth in goodes law to go</p> + <p>And in his yocke, whiche doth all yll asswage</p> + <p>But these folys bydynge in theyr outrage</p> + <p>Whiche of correccyon in this lyfe hath dysdayne</p> + <p>May fere to be correct in hell with endles payne</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enuoy of Barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ye obstynate folys that often fall in vyce</p> + <p>Howe longe shall ye kepe this frowarde ignoraunce</p> + <p>Submyt your myndes, and so from synne aryse</p> + <p>Let mekenes slake your mad mysgouernaunce</p> + <p>Remember that worldly payne it greuaunce</p> + <p>To be compared to hell whiche hath no pere</p> + <p>There is styll payne, this is a short penaunce</p> + <p>Wherfore correct thy selfe whyle thou art here.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p260"></a></p> + +<h3>Of folysshe Fesycyans and vnlerned that +onely folowe paractyke knowynge nought +of the speculacyon of theyr faculte.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p383.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t383.png" + alt="He hath no insight, cunning or doctrine." /></a> + <p class="poem">Who that assayeth the craft of medycyne<br /> Agaynst + the seke and paynfull pacyent<br /> And hath no insyght cunnynge nor + doctryne<br /> To gyue the seke, helth and amendement<br /> Suche is a + fole, and of a mad intent<br /> To take on hym by Phesyke any cure<br + /> Nat knowynge of man, nor herbe the right nature</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Yet be mo folys vpon the grounde and londe</p> + <p>Whiche in our Shyp may clayme a rowme and place</p> + <p>Suche be Phesycians that no thynge vnderstonde</p> + <p>Wandrynge about in euery towne and place</p> + <p>Uysytynge the seke whiche lyue in heuy case</p> + <p>But nought they relefe of those paynes harde</p> + <p>But gape alway after some great rewarde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Suche that haue practyse and nought of speculatyfe</p> + <p>Whan they go vysyte some paynfull pacyent</p> + <p>Whan they hym note sure to forgo his lyfe</p> + <p>Without all hope of any amendement</p> + <p>Yet say they other than is in theyr intent</p> + <p>That his diseas is no thynge incurable</p> + <p>So that the pacyent to hym be agreable</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Sayth the Phesycyan whan he hath his rewarde</p> + <p>Abyde a whyle tyll I my bokes ouer se</p> + <p>Wherby I may relyue thy paynes harde</p> + <p>Than from the pacyent homewarde departyth he</p> + <p>To se his bokes but if the pacyent dye</p> + <p>In that meane space the medycyne is to late</p> + <p>So may he lay it to his owne folysshe pate</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The speculacion sholde he before haue sene</p> + <p>For that in Phesyke is chefe and pryncypall,</p> + <p>Yet many ar that vse the craft I wene</p> + <p>Whiche of the cunnynge knowe lytell or nought at all</p> + <p>A herbe or wede that groweth vpon a wall</p> + <p>Beryth in it these folys medycyne.</p> + <p>None other bokes haue they nor doctryne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Nor none they rede to haue the true scyence</p> + <p>Or perfyte knowlege and grounde of medycyne</p> + <p>They rede no volumes of the experyence</p> + <p>Of Podalirius nor Mesues doctryne</p> + <p>Suche folys disdayne theyr myndes to enclyne</p> + <p>Unto the doctryne of bokes of Auycen</p> + <p>Of ypocras and parfyte galyen</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But all the substance of theyr blynde faculte</p> + <p>They take in bokes that speke of herbes only</p> + <p>Without respect had to theyr properte</p> + <p>Or operacion so often they them aply</p> + <p>To fals doctrynes, but first and specyally</p> + <p>These olde wyues therwith wyll haue to do</p> + <p>Thoughe they nought knowe that doth belonge therto</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They dare be bolde to take on them the cure</p> + <p>Of them diseasyd howe be it that they nat can</p> + <p>Suche thynge descerne as longyth to nature</p> + <p>What is for woman good, and what for man</p> + <p>So oft they ende moche wors than they began</p> + <p>That the pore pacyent is so brought to his graue</p> + <p>Yet dyuers suters suche folysshe wytches haue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Suche wytches boldly dare afferme and say</p> + <p>That with one herbe they hele can euery sore</p> + <p>Under euery syne plenete, houre and day</p> + <p>Yet besyde this they boldly dare say more</p> + <p>That it that helyth a man aged and hore</p> + <p>Shall helpe also a woman or a childe</p> + <p>Thus many thousandes oft ar by them begyled</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They say also in this our charge or cure</p> + <p>What nedes it note the synes or fyrmament</p> + <p>The cause of thynges, or the strength of nature</p> + <p>Whether that the seke be stronge or impotent</p> + <p>They gyue one medesyn to euery pacyent</p> + <p>And if it fortune it be to colde or warme</p> + <p>The faythles wytche in hande goth with hir scharme</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Say folysshe Surgyan by what experyence</p> + <p>Or whose Doctryne discyplyne or lore</p> + <p>Takest thou on the, nought knowynge of scyence</p> + <p>With one Salue or plaster, to heale euery sore</p> + <p>Yet so thou thynkest, I the compare therfore</p> + <p>Unto a lawyer that of his craft nought can</p> + <p>And yet presumeth to counsell euery man</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A lawer and a Phesician ar both lyke</p> + <p>Of theyr condicion and both insue one trayne</p> + <p>The one begylyth the pacyent and seke</p> + <p>Takynge his god for to encreas his payne</p> + <p>The other labours and cauteles oft doth fayne</p> + <p>To clawe the coyne by craft from his clyent</p> + <p>Castynge hym of whan all his good is spent</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus thryues the lawer by anothers good</p> + <p>Iniustly gotten, disceyuynge his clyent</p> + <p>Also some other ar callyd Phesicians good</p> + <p>Whiche vtterly disceyue the pacyent</p> + <p>If he haue money than hath he his intent</p> + <p>And if the seke haue store ynough to pay</p> + <p>Than shall the cure be dryuen from day to day</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>So if the lawer may any auauntage wyn</p> + <p>He shall the cause from terme to terme defarre</p> + <p>The playntyf for a player is holde in.</p> + <p>With the defendaunt kepynge open warre</p> + <p>So laweyers and Phesicians thousandes do marre</p> + <p>And whan they no more can of theyr suers haue</p> + <p>The playntyf beggyth, the seke is borne to graue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But of these lawyers bycause I spoke before</p> + <p>Of folysshe Phesicians here onely I intende.</p> + <p>Somwhat to say: And of lawers no more</p> + <p>On you Phesicians shall I conclude and ende</p> + <p>I say no man may hym so well defende</p> + <p>That he for murder may auoyde punysshement</p> + <p>Yet may Phesicians, sleynge the pacient</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thus thou that of Phesycian hast the name</p> + <p>If thou nought knowe of perfyte medycyne</p> + <p>It is forsoth to thy rebuke and shame</p> + <p>To boste the scyence: nat hauynge the doctryne</p> + <p>Therfore I counsell that thou thy mynde inclyne</p> + <p>To haue the cunnynge, els certaynly thou shall</p> + <p>Haue thy blynde craft and lyue a fole with all.</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enuoy of the traslatour</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thou blynde Phesician that of thy craft nought can</p> + <p>Leue of thy lewdnes and bolde audacyte</p> + <p>To take on the: the cure of chylde or man</p> + <p>For by thy foly the wors myght they be</p> + <p>And ye that suerly perceyue your faculte</p> + <p>Be true therin, and auaryce from you cast</p> + <p>Shame is to brynge a man to pouertye</p> + <p>And than in paynes to leue hym at the last</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p265"></a></p> + +<h3>Of the ende of worldly honour and power +and of Folys that trust therein.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p388.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t388.png" + alt="The wheel of fortune." /></a> + <p class="poem">On erth was neuer degre so excellent<br /> Nor man so + myghty: in ryches nor scyence<br /> But at the ende all hath ben gone + and spent<br /> Agaynst the same no man can make defence<br /> Deth all + thynge drawyth, ferefull is his presence,<br /> It is last ende of + euery thynge mundayne<br /> Thus mannys fortune of cours is + vncertayne</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O creatures of myndes mad and blynde</p> + <p>I wonder of your hertis proude and eleuate</p> + <p>Whiche on vayne power set so sore your mynde</p> + <p>And trust so moche to your vnsure estate</p> + <p>As of your lyfe were neyther yere nor date</p> + <p>To worldly worshyp ye stedfastly intende</p> + <p>As if your lyfe sholde neuer more come to ende</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Alway ye labour to come to dignyte</p> + <p>And oft by falshode your power to augment</p> + <p>Alas fewe ar content with theyr degre</p> + <p>But by extorcion spoyle the pore innocent</p> + <p>On worldly treasour so set is theyr intent</p> + <p>And styll to honour as besely to ascende</p> + <p>As if theyr lyfe sholde neuer more come to ende</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Take thou example by Julius cesar</p> + <p>That of the worlde durynge a whyle was sure</p> + <p>And many kynges subduyd by myght of warre</p> + <p>And of the Empyre had lordshyp charge cure</p> + <p>But this his myght great space dyd nat endure</p> + <p>And whyle he trustyd yet hyer to ascende</p> + <p>By cruell deth he soon came to his ende</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Right in lyke wyse the myghty Darius</p> + <p>Was kynge of Persy a realme moche excellent</p> + <p>Yet was his mynde so greatly couetus</p> + <p>That with the same helde he hym nat content</p> + <p>But warred on other Royalmes adiacent</p> + <p>So whan his myght coude nat therto extende</p> + <p>His owne Royalme he loste and so came to his ende</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And also Xerxes in ryches abundant</p> + <p>Was longe in peas and great tranquyllyte</p> + <p>And in his Royalme was hye and tryumphant</p> + <p>As longe as he was content with his degre</p> + <p>Than had he pleasour and great felycyte.</p> + <p>To assay by warre his kyngdome to amende</p> + <p>But all he lost and so came to his ende</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Whyle Nabugodonosor kynge of Babylone</p> + <p>In vnsure fortune set to great confydence</p> + <p>Commaundynge honour vnto hym to be done</p> + <p>As vnto god: with all humble reuerence,</p> + <p>God by his power and hye magnyfycence</p> + <p>Made hym a beste, for that he dyd offende</p> + <p>And so in proces of tyme came to his ende</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Alexander the great and myghty conquerour</p> + <p>To whome all the worlde scantly myght suffyse</p> + <p>Of Grece was the origynall lorde and Emperour</p> + <p>And all the worlde subdued as I surmyse</p> + <p>Yet hath he done as is the comon gyse</p> + <p>Left all behynde, for nought coude hym defende</p> + <p>But as a symple man at the last came to his ende</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The myghty Cresus with his kyngdomes and store</p> + <p>Of golde and ryches hym selfe coude nat content</p> + <p>But whyle he trustyd and laboured for more</p> + <p>Fortune hym fayled: So lost he his intent.</p> + <p>What shall I wryte of Cyrus excellent</p> + <p>Drynkynge his blode by deth whiche fortune sende</p> + <p>To here of states the comon deth and ende</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>All kyngdomes dekay and all estate mundayne</p> + <p>Example of Rome Cartago and Mycene</p> + <p>Of Solyme Tyre grace and Troy moste souerayne</p> + <p>None of these places ar nowe as they haue ben</p> + <p>Nor none other ouer the worlde as I wene</p> + <p>Thus shortly to speke and all to comprehende</p> + <p>All worldly thynges at last shall haue an ende.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><a name="p268"></a></p> + +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enouy of Barklay to the Folys</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O man that hast thy trust and confydence</p> + <p>Fyxed on these frayle fantasyes mundayne</p> + <p>Remember at the ende there is no difference</p> + <p>Bytwene that man that lyued hath in payne</p> + <p>And hym that hath in welth and ioy souerayne</p> + <p>They both must dye their payne is of one sort</p> + <p>Both ryche and pore, no man can deth refrayne</p> + <p>For dethes dart expellyth all confort</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Say where is Adam the fyrst progenytour</p> + <p>Of all mankynde is he nat dede and gone</p> + <p>And where is Abell of innocence the flour</p> + <p>With adamys other sonnes euerychone</p> + <p>A: dredfull deth of them hath left nat one</p> + <p>Where is Mathusalem, and Tuball that was playne</p> + <p>The first that played on Harpe or on Orgone</p> + <p><i>Ilz sont tous mortz ce monde est choce vayne</i></p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Where is iust Noy and his ofsprynge become</p> + <p>Where is Abraham and all his progeny</p> + <p>As Isaac and Jacob, no strength nor wysdome</p> + <p>Coude them ensure to lyue contynually</p> + <p>Where is kynge Dauyd whome god dyd magnyfy</p> + <p>And Salomon his son of wysdome souerayne</p> + <p>Where ar his sonnes of wysdome and beauty</p> + <p><i>Ilz sont toutz mortz ce monde est choce vayne.</i></p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Where ar the prynces and kynges of Babylon</p> + <p>And also of Jude and kynges of Israell</p> + <p>Where is the myghty and valiant Sampson</p> + <p>He had no place in this lyfe ay to dwell</p> + <p>Where ar the Prynces myghty and cruell</p> + <p>That rayned before Christ delyuered vs from payne</p> + <p>And from the Dongeons of darke and ferefull hell</p> + <p><i>Ilz sont toutz mortz ce monde est choce vayne.</i></p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Of worldly worsyp no man can hym assure</p> + <p>In this our age whiche is the last of all</p> + <p>No creature can here alway endure</p> + <p>Yonge nor olde, pore man nor kynge royall</p> + <p>Unstable fortune tourneth as doth a ball</p> + <p>And they that ones pas can nat retourne agayne</p> + <p>Wherfore I boldly dare speke in generall</p> + <p>We all shall dye: <i>ce monde est choce vayne</i>.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ryches nor wysdome can none therfro defende</p> + <p>Ne in his strength no man can hym assure</p> + <p>Say where is Tully is he nat come to ende</p> + <p>Seneke the sage with Cato and Arture</p> + <p>The hye Arystotyll of godly wyt and pure</p> + <p>The glorious Godfray, and myghty Charlemayne</p> + <p>Thoughe of theyr lyfe they thought that they were sure</p> + <p>Yet ar they all dede: <i>ce monde est choce vayne</i>.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Where ar the Phylosophers and Poetis lawreat</p> + <p>The great Grammaryens and pleasant oratours.</p> + <p>Ar they nat dede after the same fourme and rate</p> + <p>As ar all these other myghty conquerours</p> + <p>Where ar theyr Royalmes theyr ryches and treasours</p> + <p>Left to theyr heyres: and they be gone certayne</p> + <p>And here haue left theyr riches and honours</p> + <p>So haue they proued that this worlde is but vayne.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>So I conclude bycause of breuyte</p> + <p>That if one sought the worlde large and wyde</p> + <p>Therin sholde be founde no maner of dere</p> + <p>That can alway in one case suerly byde</p> + <p>Strength, honour, riches cunnynge and beautye</p> + <p>All these decay, dayly: thoughe we complayne</p> + <p><i>Omnia fert etas</i>, both helth and iolyte</p> + <p>We all shall dye: <i>ce monde est choce vayne</i>.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p271"></a></p> + +<h3>Of predestynacion.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p394.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t394.png" + alt="Of the crayfish he still shall backward ride." /></a> + <p class="poem">That man that lokyth for to haue a rewarde<br /> Whiche + he hath nat deseruyd to obtayne<br /> And lenyth his body vpon a rede + forwarde<br /> Whiche for waykenes may hym nat well sustayne<br /> + Forsoth this fole may longe so loke in vayne<br /> And on the Crauys he + styll shall bacwarde ryde<br /> Cryenge with the doue, whose flyght + shall hym ay gyde</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>It is vnlawfull, man to be dilygent</p> + <p>Or serchynge goddes workes to set his thought</p> + <p>Howe he hath made the heuen and fyrmament</p> + <p>The erth the see and euery thynge of nought</p> + <p>Yet of some Folys the cause hereof is sought,</p> + <p>Whiche labour also with curyosyte</p> + <p>To knowe the begynnynge of his dyuynyte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>These folys forgettynge their owne fragilyte</p> + <p>Wolde loke to knowe the ende of euery thynge</p> + <p>Boldly disputynge in goddys pryuete</p> + <p>And what rewarde is ordeynyd for men lyuynge</p> + <p>Of many folys this is the moste musynge</p> + <p>Whiche labour dayly with besy cure and payne.</p> + <p>To knowe what god doth discerne and or ordayne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Therfore in this part I shall dispyse and blame</p> + <p>Unchrafty folys whiche scantly haue ouer sene</p> + <p>Ought of scripture, if they knowe the bokes name</p> + <p>Or els a whyle hath at the Scoles bene</p> + <p>Than bende they the browys and stedfastly they wene</p> + <p>In theyr conceyt that they ar passynge wyse</p> + <p>For all scripture newe commentis to deuyse</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They frowardly the sentence do transpose</p> + <p>And that whiche is wryten, both playne and holely</p> + <p>By theyr corruptynge and vnlawfull glose</p> + <p>Oft tyme they brynge to damnable heresy</p> + <p>Falsly expoundynge after theyr fantasy</p> + <p>They labour to transpose and turne the right sence</p> + <p>Thoughe the wordes stryue and make great resystence</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Here what these folys with theyr audacyte</p> + <p>Dare besely say by theyr fals errour blynde</p> + <p>Presumynge on goddes secrete and pryuete</p> + <p>Here what lewde wordes they cast out in the wynde</p> + <p>They say what man can chaunge or turne his mynde</p> + <p>To lyue after any other fourme and rate</p> + <p>But lyke as he is therto predestynate</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They say: if god that rayneth ouerall</p> + <p>Hath any ordeyned that in this worlde is</p> + <p>To come to the place and rowme celestyall</p> + <p>For to be partyner of euerlastynge blys</p> + <p>Ordeyned for suche as here doth nat amys</p> + <p>No man can chaunge, not other thynge mundayne</p> + <p>That thynge whiche god by his myght doth ordayne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But if that god prefyxed hath before</p> + <p>Any creature vnto infernall payne</p> + <p>In derknes to be damnyd for euer more</p> + <p>No erthly thynge may that sentence call agayne</p> + <p>Nor hym delyuer: o fole thou mayst complayne</p> + <p>For this thy foly and also it repent</p> + <p>Thynkest thou nat god alway omnypotent</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Is god nat rightwyse and grounde of all iustyce</p> + <p>Rewardynge man after his gouernaunce</p> + <p>He that hath here nat lyen in synne and vyce</p> + <p>Hauynge in goddys seruyce his pleasaunce</p> + <p>Shall of his lorde be had in remembraunce</p> + <p>And of rewarde worthely be sure</p> + <p>Where it is worthy that synners payne endure</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Trust well who seruyth his maker stedfastly</p> + <p>With pure herte kepynge sure his commaundement</p> + <p>And lawes shall be rewardyd fynally</p> + <p>With heuenly ioy and scape all punysshement</p> + <p>Therfore thou fole leue of this lewde intent</p> + <p>Lyue vertuously and trust in goddes grace</p> + <p>Than yll desteny in the shall haue no place</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Vnto great ioy god hath vs all create</p> + <p>And to vs all ordeyned his kyngdome</p> + <p>And none hath vnto Hell predestynate</p> + <p>But often whan we folowe nat wysdome</p> + <p>By ouer owne foly we fall, and so become</p> + <p>Vnto our maker vnkind: and hym deny</p> + <p>Whiche them rewardyth that here lyue vertuously</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Therfore thou Fole desyst thy wordes vayne</p> + <p>And let thy tunge no more suche wordes say</p> + <p>For god hath vs made all of one stuf certayne</p> + <p>As one potter makyth of one clay</p> + <p>Vessels dyuers, but whan he must them lay</p> + <p>Vpon the kyll with fyre them there to dry</p> + <p>They come nat all to good, moste comonly</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Doth this erthyn pot his maker dispyse</p> + <p>Whether it be made of fassyon good or yll</p> + <p>Saynge why dost thou make me in this wyse</p> + <p>Wherfore mad man I reade the to be styll</p> + <p>Blame nat thy maker, for thy vnhappy wyll</p> + <p>For god hath neuer man nor childe create</p> + <p>But all he hath to heuen predestynate</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And whyle we lyue here on this wretchyd grounde</p> + <p>We haue our reason and wyttes vs to gyde</p> + <p>With our fre wyll and if no faute be founde</p> + <p>In our demenour, in heuen we shall abyde</p> + <p>But if we goddes lawes set asyde</p> + <p>Howe may we hope of hym rewarde to wyn</p> + <p>So our owne foly is moste cause of our syn.</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">The enuoy of Barclay</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O creature vnkynde vnto thy creatour</p> + <p>What carest thou to knowe or to inuestygate</p> + <p>The pryuetye, of god, leue this thy errour</p> + <p>To thynke the by hym to be predestynate</p> + <p>To endles wo and from his blysse pryuate</p> + <p>For syns thou hast thy reason and frewyll</p> + <p>Gyuyn the by god, thou art in suche estate</p> + <p>To take the eleccion outher of good or yll</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p276"></a></p> + +<h3>Of folys that forget them selfe and do +another mannys besynes leuynge theyr +owne vndone.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p399.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t399.png" + alt="He that will suffer his own house to burn." /></a> + <p class="poem">Who that wyll suffer his owne hous to bren<br /> Tyll + nought of it saue the bare wallys stonde<br /> And with his water + hastely doth ren<br /> To quenche the fyre of anothers hous or londe<br + /> He is a fole and haue shall in his hande<br /> A folysshe Pype or + horne therwith to blowe<br /> For other folys that in my Shyp wyll + rowe.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Within my Shyp of rowme he shall be sure</p> + <p>Whiche for anothers auantage and profyte</p> + <p>Takyth great thought and doth moche payne endure</p> + <p>Vnto his owne charge takynge no respyte</p> + <p>But settyth it asyde and hath all his delyte</p> + <p>With all his stody hym to enforce and dres:</p> + <p>To care for euery mannys besynes.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Suche hertles folys to them self neglygent</p> + <p>In theyr owne charge slepe contynually</p> + <p>But with open iyen they ar full dylygent</p> + <p>The worke of other with all theyr myght to aply</p> + <p>And for others profyte prouyde they besely.</p> + <p>But whyle these Folys ar glad to take in hande</p> + <p>Anothers charge, theyr owne styll let they stande</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Wherfore I am so bolde within my boke</p> + <p>Somwhat to touch these folys mad vsage</p> + <p>That if it fortune them on the same to loke</p> + <p>They may therby perceyue in theyr corage</p> + <p>That labour they ought for their owne auauntage</p> + <p>Most specyally. for that is the degre</p> + <p>And the true order of perfyte charite</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>For perfyte loue and also charite</p> + <p>Begynneth with hym selfe for to be charitable</p> + <p>And than to other after his degre</p> + <p>Thy owne auauntage is ay moost profytable</p> + <p>The great Phylosophers of maners ferme and stable</p> + <p>And also of wysdome godly and dyuyne</p> + <p>Hath left to vs suche techynge and doctryne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>We haue by Therence the same commaundement</p> + <p>The same is wryten also as I fynde</p> + <p>In the holy lawe of the olde testament</p> + <p>And therfore he that oft wyll set his mynde</p> + <p>For others maters with care his thought to blynde</p> + <p>Let hym first se vnto his owne profyte</p> + <p>Lyst some mysfortune hym after sharply byte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Let hym turne his labour to his owne auauntage</p> + <p>And than do for other where as he seeth moste nede</p> + <p>For who that playeth for mony outher gage</p> + <p>And on his felawes cast takyth onely hede</p> + <p>And nat to his owne, suche one shall seldom spede</p> + <p>And is a Fole. So is he that doth ren</p> + <p>To quenche another hous, suffrynge his owne to bren</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Suche one of his owne damage hath no fere</p> + <p>And worthy is his losse and hurte to byde</p> + <p>So is he that wyll anothers burthen bere</p> + <p>Or takyth anothers charge at any tyde</p> + <p>Despysynge his owne werke and settynge it asyde</p> + <p>If suche haue losse and after it forthynke</p> + <p>No man shall moche force whether he flete or synke</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He is well worthy to haue a folys pype</p> + <p>That goth vnbyddyn to rype anothers corne</p> + <p>And suffreth his owne to stande though it be rype.</p> + <p>And generally all Folys ar worthy scorne</p> + <p>Of what maner byrth so euer they be borne</p> + <p>If they them self put, to losse or damage</p> + <p>Therby to do some other auauntage</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Say curyous Fole: say what pleasour thou hast</p> + <p>In others maters thy self to intermyt</p> + <p>Or theyr great charges thus in thy mynde to cast</p> + <p>Thy selfe to socour set thou thy mynde and wyt</p> + <p>Let others maters therfore in quyete syt</p> + <p>On thy owne profyte of all firste set thy mynde</p> + <p>And than (if thou mayst) do somwhat for thy frende</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>For vtterly that man is moche vnwyse</p> + <p>That thus takyth thought for anothers charge</p> + <p>And doth his owne by neglygence despyse</p> + <p>For suche Folys I forgyd haue this barge</p> + <p>But of the same suche men I clene discharge</p> + <p>That first of his pryuate profyte can take hede</p> + <p>And than helpe a frende and felowe at a nede</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Thenuoy of Barklay</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ye that take charge, thought and besy cure</p> + <p>For others mysfortune, losse or aduersyte</p> + <p>First of your self I aduyse you to be sure</p> + <p>For this is the order of parfyte charyte</p> + <p>Eche to hym selfe moste louynge ay to be</p> + <p>And next to his frende, but who that doth dispyse.</p> + <p>His owne besynes whiche is in ieopardye</p> + <p>Seynge to anothers forsoth he is vnwyse</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p280"></a></p> + +<h3>Of the vyce of vnkyndnes.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p403.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t403.png" + alt="Always taking the service and rewards of his friend." /></a> + <p class="poem">That Fole can neyther gode nor honeste<br /> Whiche + whan one doth to hym a frendly dede<br /> It gladly takyth, thoughe it + be two or thre<br /> Lokynge for kyndnes, yet takyth he no hede<br /> + To shewe the same agayne in tyme of nede<br /> Let suche Folys be no + thing wroth therfore<br /> Thoughe in this Shyp I set them to an + ore.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He is a Fole that crauynge is alway</p> + <p>Takynge the seruyce and rewardes of his frende</p> + <p>And nat remembryth the same agayne to pay</p> + <p>But as a churle it castyth out of his mynde</p> + <p>For who that wolde haue one to hym be kynde</p> + <p>And lyberall, he ought the same to be</p> + <p>For kyndnes meyntayneth bothe loue and charyte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He that wyll charge another with cures harde</p> + <p>And great labours greuous to sustayne</p> + <p>Ought for his labour hym worthely rewarde</p> + <p>That the rewarde may be confort to his payne</p> + <p>It is disworshyp and also shame certayne</p> + <p>To take the labour of any ryche or pore</p> + <p>And nat iustly hym to content therfore</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Wherfore the workman ought also to intende</p> + <p>Vnto his labour to saue his honestye</p> + <p>And workemanly to brynge it the ende</p> + <p>If he therby wolde well rewardyd be</p> + <p>And if the owner therof beholde and se.</p> + <p>His worke so done, he is a chorle vnkynde</p> + <p>If he do nat content the workmannys mynde.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He that wolde gladly that men sholde hym commende</p> + <p>Must fully purpose and fyx within his mynde</p> + <p>Lyberall to be and nat euer to intende</p> + <p>To false Auaryce, whiche many one doth blynde</p> + <p>And if he purpose hye honours for to fynde</p> + <p>Or hym auaunce to any great degre</p> + <p>He must haue mekenes and lyberalyte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He must of maners also be commendable</p> + <p>And of his speche als pleasaunt as he can</p> + <p>For an olde prouerbe true and verytable</p> + <p>Sayth that good lyfe and maners makyth man</p> + <p>But euery lawe doth dam and also ban</p> + <p>The churlysshe vyce and lewde of vnkyndnes</p> + <p>Whiche dryeth vp the well of bounte and goodnes</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>For vnkynde folys if one labour dylygent</p> + <p>And so brynge theyr worke vnto good conclusyon</p> + <p>They fynde yet fautis and so ar nat content</p> + <p>Withdrawynge the rewarde by theyr collusyon</p> + <p>Wherfore let suche thynke it no abusyon</p> + <p>Nor haue disdayne ne yet in mynde complayne</p> + <p>If the pore laborer gyue vp his worke agayne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>These frowarde Folys, doth wronge and iniury</p> + <p>To suche as to them do profyte and honour</p> + <p>For kyndnes, they render shame and vylany</p> + <p>Rebukes sclander extorcion and rygour</p> + <p>But whyle they hope to come to great valoure</p> + <p>And by such rygour to honours to aryse</p> + <p>Theyr hope vanyssheth as doth the snowe or yce</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Wherfore who that puttyth one to besynes</p> + <p>To charge or labour of body or of mynde</p> + <p>Ought hym rewarde agayne for his kyndnes</p> + <p>If he do nat forsoth he is unkynde</p> + <p>But specyally as I oft wryten fynde</p> + <p>It is a thynge whiche doth for vengeaunce cry</p> + <p>A pore laborer to put to Iniury</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>What man can wryte the inconuenyence</p> + <p>Whiche groweth of this lewde and cursyd vyce</p> + <p>Vnkyndnes causeth great myschefe and offence</p> + <p>And is repugnynge to reason and iustyce</p> + <p>Wherfore let suche that wyll be namyd wyse</p> + <p>Leue it: and folowe lyberalyte</p> + <p>Whiche is noryssher of loue and amyte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>In dyuers bokes examples we may fynde</p> + <p>Howe many Cytees hygh and excellent</p> + <p>Agaynst all lawe and reason were vnkynde</p> + <p>To suche as dyd theyr dignyte augment</p> + <p>O vnkynde rome thou was of this intent</p> + <p>Whiche hast Camyllus exyled in great payne</p> + <p>Thoughe he euer laboured thy honour to mentayne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O cruell Athenes by thy ingratytude</p> + <p>Hast thou nat banysshyd Solon also fro the</p> + <p>Though he enfourmyd hath thy maners rude</p> + <p>And gyuyn the lawes of right and equyte</p> + <p>For his great meryte, loue and benygnyte</p> + <p>Thou hast hym gyuen exyle and paynes harde</p> + <p>His labour was nat worthy that rewarde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thou vnkynde Sparta: of thy audacyte</p> + <p>What shall I wryte or thy lewde vnkyndnes</p> + <p>Hast thou nat banysshed by thy cruelte</p> + <p>Thy kynge Lycurgus, bycause he dyd redres</p> + <p>Thy wanton errours by lawe and rightwysnes</p> + <p>And Scipio whiche his country dyd defende</p> + <p>Fonde it to hym, vnkynde at the last ende</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A thousande mo whome I can nat expresse</p> + <p>To suche as haue for them abyde great payne</p> + <p>Haue done displeasour, and shewed vnkyndnes</p> + <p>And them disceyued by some cautele or trayne</p> + <p>Yet none of them great goodnes cowde obtayne</p> + <p>By theyr vnkyndnes for who that so doth cast</p> + <p>Vnkyndly shall be seruyd at the last.</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Thenuoy of Barklay</span>.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O fals vnkyndnes out on the I cry</p> + <p>From all goodnes dost thou nat man withdrawe</p> + <p>Byndynge his herte to gyle and vylany</p> + <p>Agaynst nature, agaynst both right and lawe</p> + <p>Thou makest man his maker nat to knawe</p> + <p>Therfore thou man expell out from thy mynde</p> + <p>This vyce, for we fynde in an olde sayde sawe</p> + <p>Wo is hym that to his maker is vnkynde.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Remember man the great preemynence</p> + <p>Gyuen unto the by good omnypotent</p> + <p>Bytwene the and Angels is lytell difference</p> + <p>And all thynge erthly to the obedyent</p> + <p>Fysshe byrde and beste vnder the fyrmament</p> + <p>Say what excuse mayst thou nowe lay or fynde</p> + <p>Syns thou art made by god so excellent</p> + <p>But that thou oughtest agayne to hym be kynde.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>God hath the made vnto his owne lykenes</p> + <p>No erthly creature vnto the comparable</p> + <p>Thy iyen vpwarde to consyder his hyghnes</p> + <p>Where other creatures that ar vnresonable</p> + <p>Goeth on all foure and ar nat other able.</p> + <p>Theyr loke alway vnto the grounde inclynyd</p> + <p>Therfore thou ought in vertue to be stable</p> + <p>And to thy maker neuer to be vnkynde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Whan man offendyd by disobedyence</p> + <p>Subduynge hym self to labour care and payne</p> + <p>And lost the consort of goodes hye presence</p> + <p>Hath nat christ Jhesu redemyd hym agayne</p> + <p>Besyde all this thou hast no thynge certayne</p> + <p>In erth but by hym. wherfore I call the blynde</p> + <p>And of thy maners vncurtayse and vylayne</p> + <p>If to thy sauyour thou be nat true and kynde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thoughe god hath made the (man) thus excellent</p> + <p>To lyue (if thou lyst) in ioy eternally</p> + <p>A lytell thynge shall hym agayne content</p> + <p>He nought requyreth but thy herte onely</p> + <p>And that thou defy thy gostly ennemy</p> + <p>And in goddes seruyce thy herte and body bynde.</p> + <p>Than shall he rewarde the in heuen right gloriously</p> + <p>So mayst thou be callyd vnto thy maker kynde</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p286"></a></p> + +<h3>Of folys that stande so well in their owne +conceyt that they thinke none so wyse, +stronge, fayre, nor eloquent, as they +ar themself.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p407.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t407.png" + alt="Look aye in a glass to see your countenance." /></a> + <p class="poem">We haue ouercome the malyce and enuy<br /> Of suche as + agaynst our Nauy did conspyre<br /> Wherfore I shall my folys call + quyckly<br /> That they my Shyp may aparayle and atyre<br /> Drawe nere + ye Folys whiche syttynge by the fyre<br /> Loke ay in a glasse to se + your countenaunce<br /> And in your owne dedis haue all your hole + pleasaunce</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Vnto my shyp I call hym to be Coke</p> + <p>The mete to dresse to other Folys echone</p> + <p>Whiche in his myrrour doth alway gase and loke</p> + <p>Whan he may get hym vnto a place alone</p> + <p>And though of colour and beaute he haue none</p> + <p>Yet thynketh he hym self fayre and right plesant</p> + <p>And wyse: thoughe that he be mad and ignorant</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>In his owne dedys is onely his delyte</p> + <p>In his owne conceyte thynkynge hymself right wyse</p> + <p>And fayre, thoughe he be yelowe as kyte</p> + <p>Is of hir fete: yet doth he styll deuyse</p> + <p>His vayne myrrour: that onely is his gyse</p> + <p>And thoughe he beholde hym self of lothly shape</p> + <p>He wyll it nat byleue, but in his glasse doth gape.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Though for his foly all men myght hym repreue</p> + <p>And that he se it before hym openly</p> + <p>Within his glasse: he wyll it nat byleue</p> + <p>But strongly it defende and eke deny</p> + <p>He seyth nat his erys longe and hye</p> + <p>Whiche stande vpon his folysshe hode behynde</p> + <p>His lewde conceyt thus makyth hym starke blynde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Whan people comon of men of hye prudence</p> + <p>Or of hye beauty, and strength if men doth tell</p> + <p>If one suche fole were there in the presence</p> + <p>He swere durst boldly and that on the gospell</p> + <p>That he onely all other dyd excell</p> + <p>And that to gyue councell good and profytable</p> + <p>Were none in the worldly vnto hym comparable</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>These folys bost them selfe of theyr wysdome</p> + <p>And thynke them selfe to haue preemynence</p> + <p>Aboue all other that ar in christendome.</p> + <p>In gyftis of grace as beautye and scyence</p> + <p>Of strength, gode maners, vertue, and eloquence</p> + <p>But thoughe they stande in theyr owne conceytis</p> + <p>Nought is saue foly within theyr folysshe patis</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And thoughe theyr face and vysage stande awry</p> + <p>And all to reuylde, theyr mouth standynge asyde</p> + <p>Within theyr myrrour the same can they nat spye</p> + <p>But in theyr foly contynually abyde</p> + <p>And whether that they ar styll outher go or ryde</p> + <p>Labour or be ydyll, they gase styll in theyr glasse</p> + <p>Yet wyll they nat byleue to haue erys lyke an Asse.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Oft whan these folys lye in theyr bed vpright</p> + <p>With tawny loke or els theyr botyll nose</p> + <p>They haue theyr myrrour alway in theyr syght</p> + <p>The vayne glasse (of theyr beautye) to apose</p> + <p>And whan suche a fole into the kechyn gose</p> + <p>To stere the pot, there whether he syt or stande</p> + <p>The glasse alway is in the other hande</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Whan he a whyle his glas hath loken than</p> + <p>If one examynyd hym of his beautye</p> + <p>He boldly durst swere both by god and man</p> + <p>That nought were in hym whiche myght repreuyd be</p> + <p>But all goodnes, fayre shape, and loke of grauyte</p> + <p>And that his gere gayly vpon his backe doth syt</p> + <p>He hardly is wyse: if he had any wyt.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>I wryten fynde that great inconuenyence</p> + <p>As losse, contempt and occasyon of pryde</p> + <p>Hath fallyn vnto many by this lewde complacence</p> + <p>Whiche haue nat knowen the way themself to gyde</p> + <p>The emperour Otho had ay borne by his syde</p> + <p>In warre and peas (a glasse) for his pleasaunce</p> + <p>To se his colour therin; and countenaunce</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And to the entent to make his colour gay</p> + <p>With Assys mylke he noyntyd oft his skyn</p> + <p>And shauyd his berde onys euery day</p> + <p>But for that he offendyd god herein</p> + <p>After was he sharply punysshyd for this syn</p> + <p>And put vnto extreme rebuke and shame</p> + <p>To gyue other example to auoyde the same</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>It is forsoth a maner femynyne</p> + <p>And nat for man to be so elegant</p> + <p>To suche toyes wanton wymen may inclyne</p> + <p>A yonge mayde may at her forhede haue pendant</p> + <p>The vayne myrrour to se hir shape pleasant</p> + <p>Man sholde nought set by to norysshe his beautye</p> + <p>But onely manhode strength and audacyte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The wanton mayde may for hir self ordayne</p> + <p>Hir call hir coyfe, and suche conceytis newe</p> + <p>As broches fyletes and oyntmentis souerayne</p> + <p>And clothynge of dyuers colour and of hewe</p> + <p>But nowe yonge men the same fourme do ensue</p> + <p>And to content theyr mad and folysshe mynde</p> + <p>To wymen they compare themselfe agaynst kynde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Disorder rayneth as I before haue sayde</p> + <p>The yonge men takyth womans countenaunce</p> + <p>And hir aparayll, and wymen ar arayde</p> + <p>As men: agaynst all lawe and ordynaunce</p> + <p>Thus man and woman ensue mysgouernaunce</p> + <p>In theyr behauour is small dyuersyte</p> + <p>Theyr owne conceyt causeth great enormyte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The poet Ouyde shewyth in a fable</p> + <p>Howe that one callyd Pygmalyon by name</p> + <p>A fygure made vnto hymselfe semblable</p> + <p>Whiche he in marbyll right craftely dyd frame</p> + <p>And in so moche he worshypped the same</p> + <p>Tyll at the last his mynde was past and gone</p> + <p>And he transformed so was in to that stone</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And if the Poetis fables be all sure</p> + <p>As by theyr subtyle wordes oft we here</p> + <p>The childe Narcissus was chaungyd of fygure</p> + <p>Whyle he behelde into the water clere</p> + <p>For whyle his shadowe vnto hym dyd apere</p> + <p>Vpon the same so sore he set his mynde</p> + <p>That he transformyd was to another kynde.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But to retorne agayne to our purpose</p> + <p>And of this sort of Folys to conclude</p> + <p>If god sholde them to other shape transpose</p> + <p>That thynke them fayre though they be foule and rude</p> + <p>Into foule fassyon he many sholde include</p> + <p>For whyle Folys theyr owne beauty magnyfy</p> + <p>So growyth the nomber and so they multyply</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Thenuoy of Barklay the translatour.</span></p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Blynde man inclere thy wylfull ignoraunce</p> + <p>Stande nat so great in thy owne conceyte</p> + <p>Ne in thy lewde fassyon set nat thy pleasaunce</p> + <p>Whether thou be pore or man of great estate</p> + <p>Another man moche more shall in the wayte</p> + <p>Of gode and yll than thou thy self canst do</p> + <p>Therfore be nat cause to thy self of disceyte</p> + <p>If one the teche: aply thy mynde therto</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p291"></a></p> + +<h3>Of lepynges and dauncis and Folys that pas + theyr tyme in suche vanyte.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p414.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t414.png" + alt="To their idols doing their service detestable." /></a> + <p class="poem">That fole that settyth his felycyte<br /> In wanton + daunces and lepes immoderate<br /> Hath in my Shyp a rowme for his + degre<br /> Bysyde the stere for troublynge of his pate<br /> He god + dyspleasyth, whiche doth suche foly hate<br /> Suche lese theyr tyme in + vayne and oft therin<br /> Ar many hurtis: and cause of dedely + syn.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Those folys a place may chalenge in my shyp</p> + <p>Whiche voyde of wysdome as men out of theyr mynde</p> + <p>Them selfe delyte to daunce to lepe and skyp</p> + <p>In compase rennynge lyke to the worlde wyde</p> + <p>In vnkynde labour, suche folys pleasour fynde</p> + <p>Rennynge about in this theyr furyous vyce</p> + <p>Lyke as it were in Bacchus sacryfyce</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Or as the Druydans rennyth in vayne about</p> + <p>In theyr mad festes vpon the hylle of yde</p> + <p>Makynge theyr sacrafyce with furour noyse and shout</p> + <p>Whan theyr madnes settyth theyr wyt asyde</p> + <p>Or whan the prestis of mars all nyght abyde</p> + <p>Within theyr temple by vse abhomynable</p> + <p>To theyr ydollys doynge theyr seruyce detestable</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Lyke as these paynyms hath to theyr ydols done</p> + <p>Theyr sacryfyce wandrynge in theyr madnes</p> + <p>Theyr bodyes weryenge, in vayne wastynge their shone</p> + <p>So do these fowlys them selfe to daunsynge dres</p> + <p>Sekynge occason of great vnhappynes</p> + <p>They take suche labour without all hope of gayne</p> + <p>Without rewarde sure, of werynes and payne</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Say Folys that vse this fury and outrage</p> + <p>What causyth you to haue delyte therin</p> + <p>For your great labour say what is your wage</p> + <p>Forsoth ye can therby no profyte wyn</p> + <p>But seke occasyon (as I haue sayde) of syn</p> + <p>And for thy werynge thy fete thus in the dust</p> + <p>Thou gettest no gayne but cause of carnall lust</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But whan I consyder of this folysshe game</p> + <p>The firste begynnynge and cause orygynall</p> + <p>I say the cause therof is worthy blame</p> + <p>For whan the deuyll to disceyue man mortall</p> + <p>And do contempt to the hye god eternall</p> + <p>Vpon a stage had set a Calfe of golde.</p> + <p>That euery man the same myght clere beholde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>So than the Fende grounde of mysgouernaunce</p> + <p>Causyd the people this fygure to honour</p> + <p>As for theyr god and before the same to daunce.</p> + <p>Whan they were dronkon, thus fell they in errour</p> + <p>Of Idolatry, and forgate theyr creatour.</p> + <p>Before this ydoll daunsynge both wyfe and man</p> + <p>Dispysynge god: Thus daunsynge fyrst began</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Suche blynde folyes and inconuenyence</p> + <p>Engendryth great hurte and incommodyte</p> + <p>And sawyth sede wherof groweth great offence</p> + <p>The grounde of vyce and of all enormyte</p> + <p>In it is pryde, fowle lust and lecherye</p> + <p>And whyle lewde lepys ar vysd in the daunce</p> + <p>Oft frowarde bargayns ar made by countenaunce</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>What els is daunsynge but euen a nurcery</p> + <p>Or els a bayte to purchase and meyntayne</p> + <p>In yonge hertis the vyle synne of rybawdry</p> + <p>Them fe*trynge therin, as in a dedely chayne</p> + <p>And to say trouth in wordes clere and playne</p> + <p>Venereous people haue all theyr hole pleasaunce</p> + <p>Theyr vyce to norysshe by this vnthryfty daunce</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And wanton people disposyd vnto syn</p> + <p>To satysfye theyr mad concupyscence</p> + <p>With hasty cours vnto this daunsynge ryn</p> + <p>To seke occasyon of vyle synne and offence</p> + <p>And to expresse my mynde in short sentence</p> + <p>This vyciouse game oft tymes doth attyse</p> + <p>By his lewde synes, chast hartis vnto vyce</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Than it in erth no game is more damnable</p> + <p>It semyth no peas, but Batayle openly</p> + <p>They that it vse of myndes seme vnstable</p> + <p>As mad folke rennynge with clamour showt and cry</p> + <p>What place is voyde of this furyous foly</p> + <p>None: so that I dout within a whyle</p> + <p>These folys the holy churche shall defyle</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Of people what sort or order may we fynde</p> + <p>Ryche or pore hye or lowe of name</p> + <p>But by theyr folysshnes, and wanton mynde</p> + <p>Of eche sort some ar gyuen vnto the same</p> + <p>The prestis and clerkes to daunce haue no shame</p> + <p>The frere or monke in his frocke and cowle</p> + <p>Must daunce in his dortor lepynge to play the fole</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>To it comys children, maydes and wyues.</p> + <p>And flaterynge yonge men to se to haue theyr pray</p> + <p>The hande in hande great falshode oft contryues</p> + <p>The olde quean also this madnes wyll assay</p> + <p>And the olde dotarde thoughe he skantly may</p> + <p>For age and lamenes stere outher fote or hande</p> + <p>Yet playeth he the fole with other in the bande</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Than lepe they about as folke past theyr mynde</p> + <p>With madnes amasyd rennynge in compace</p> + <p>He moste is commendyd that can moste lewdnes fynde</p> + <p>Or can most quyckly ren about the place</p> + <p>There ar all maners vsyd that lacke grace</p> + <p>Mouynge theyr bodyes in synes full of shame</p> + <p>Whiche doth theyr hertes to synne right sore inflame</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>So oft this vyce doth many one abuse</p> + <p>That whan they ar departyd from the daunce</p> + <p>On lust and synne contynually they muse</p> + <p>Hauynge therin theyr wyll and theyr pleasaunce</p> + <p>Than fall they oft to great mysgouernaunce</p> + <p>As folys gyuyn to worke vnprofytable</p> + <p>So in my shyp they well deserue a babyll.</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Thenuoy of Barklay</span></p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Do way your daunces ye people moche vnwyse</p> + <p>Desyst your folysshe pleasour of trauayle</p> + <p>It is me thynke an vnwyse vse and gyse</p> + <p>To take suche labour and payne without auayle</p> + <p>And who that suspectyth his mayde or wyues tayle</p> + <p>Let hym nat suffer them in the daunce to be</p> + <p>For in that game thoughe sys or synke them fayle</p> + <p>The dyse oft renneth vpon the chaunce of thre</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p296"></a></p> + +<h3>Of nyght watchers and beters of the stretes +playnge by nyght on instrumentes and +vsynge lyke Folyes whan tyme is to +rest.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p419.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t419.png" + alt="Playing at his leman's door." /></a> + <p class="poem">He is a Fole that wandreth by nyght<br /> In felde or + towne, in company or alone<br /> Playnge at his lemmans dore withouten + lyght<br /> Tyll all his body be colde as lede or stone<br /> These + folys knockynge tyll the nyght be gone<br /> At that season thoughe + that they fele no colde<br /> Shall it repent and fele whan they be + olde.</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Nowe wolde I of my boke haue made an ende</p> + <p>And with my shyp drawen to some hauen or porte</p> + <p>Stryken my sayle, and all my folys sende</p> + <p>Vnto the londe, a whyle them selfe to sporte</p> + <p>But this my purpose is lettyd by a sorte</p> + <p>Of frantyke folys, wandrynge about by nyght</p> + <p>For often all yll doers hatyth the day lyght</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Whyle (man) beste and euery lyuely creature</p> + <p>Refresshe theyr myndes and bodyes with rest</p> + <p>And slepe: without the whiche none can endure</p> + <p>And whyle all byrdes drawe them to theyr nest</p> + <p>These dronken bandes of Folys than doth Jest</p> + <p>About the stretis, with rumour noyse and cry</p> + <p>Syngynge theyr folysshe songes of rybawdry</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The furyes ferefull spronge of the flodes of hell</p> + <p>Vexith these vagabundes in theyr myndes so</p> + <p>That by no mean can they abyde ne dwell</p> + <p>Within theyr howsys, but out they nede must go</p> + <p>More wyldly wandrynge than outher bucke or doo</p> + <p>Some with theyr harpis another with his lute</p> + <p>Another with his bagpype or a folysshe flute</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Than mesure they theyr songes of melody</p> + <p>Before the dores of theyr lemman dere</p> + <p>Yowlynge with theyr folysshe songe and cry</p> + <p>So that theyr lemman may theyr great foly here</p> + <p>And tyll the yordan make them stande arere</p> + <p>Cast on theyr hede, or tyll the stonys fle</p> + <p>They nat depart, but couet there styll to be</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But yet more ouer these Folys ar so vnwyse</p> + <p>That in colde wynter they vse the same madnes</p> + <p>Whan all the howsys ar lade with snowe and yse</p> + <p>O mad men amasyd vnstabyll and wytles</p> + <p>What pleasour take ye in this your folysshenes</p> + <p>What ioy haue ye to wander thus by nyght</p> + <p>Saue that yll doers alway hate the lyght</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But folysshe youth doth nat alone this vse</p> + <p>Come of lowe byrth and sympyll of degre</p> + <p>But also statis them selfe therein abuse</p> + <p>With some yonge folys of the spiritualte</p> + <p>The folysshe pype without all grauyte</p> + <p>Doth eche degre call to this frantyke game</p> + <p>The darkenes of nyght expellyth fere of shame</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>One barkyth another bletyth lyke a shepe</p> + <p>Some rore, some countre, some theyr balades fayne</p> + <p>Another from syngynge gyueth hym to wepe</p> + <p>Whan his souerayne lady hath of hym dysdayne</p> + <p>Or shyttyth hym out, and to be short and playne</p> + <p>Who that of this sort best can play the knaue</p> + <p>Lokyth of the other the maystery to haue</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The folysshe husbonde oft of this sort is one</p> + <p>With wanton youth wandrynge by nyght also</p> + <p>Leuynge his wyfe at home in bed alone</p> + <p>And gyueth hyr occasyon often to mysdo</p> + <p>So that whyle he after the owle doth go</p> + <p>Fedynge the Couko, his wyfe hir tyme doth watche</p> + <p>Receyuynge another whose egges she doth hatche.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Therfore ye folys that knowe you of this sort</p> + <p>To gyue occasyon of synne vnto your wyues</p> + <p>And all other: I you pray and exort</p> + <p>Of this your foly to amende your lyues</p> + <p>For longe nyght watches seldome tymes thryues</p> + <p>But if it be in labour: good to wyn</p> + <p>Therfore kepe your dorys: els abyde within</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thoughe I have touchyd of this enormyte</p> + <p>In englysshe tunge: yet is it nat so vsed</p> + <p>In this Royalme as it is beyonde the se</p> + <p>Yet moche we vse whiche ought to be refusyd</p> + <p>Of great nyght watchynge we may nat be excusyd</p> + <p>But our watchynge is in drunken glotony</p> + <p>More than in syngynge or other meledy</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Whan it is nyght and eche shulde drawe to rest</p> + <p>Many of our folys great payne and watchynge take</p> + <p>To proue maystryes and se who may drynke best</p> + <p>Outher at the Tauerne of wyne, or the ale stake</p> + <p>Other all nyght watchyth for theyr lemmans sake</p> + <p>Standynge in corners lyke as it were a spye</p> + <p>Whether that the weder be, hote, colde, wete, or dry</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some other Folys range about by nyght</p> + <p>Prowdely Jettynge as men myndeles or wode</p> + <p>To seke occasyon with pacyent men to fyght</p> + <p>Delytynge them in shedynge mennys blode</p> + <p>Outher els in spoylynge of other mennys gode</p> + <p>Let these folys with suche lyke and semblable</p> + <p>Drawe to this barge, here shall they here a bable</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Thenuoy of Barclay.</span></p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Ye folys that put your bodyes vnto payne</p> + <p>By nyghtly watchynge, voyde of auauntage</p> + <p>Leue of your foly or els ye shall complayne</p> + <p>And mourne it sore if ye lyue vnto age</p> + <p>For though ye thynke that this your blynde outrage</p> + <p>Is vnto you no hurte nor preiudyce</p> + <p>It doth your body and goodes great dammage</p> + <p>And great cause both to you and yours of vyce.</p> + </div> + </div> + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" > + + <p><a name="p301"></a></p> + +<h3>Of folysshe beggers and of theyr vanytees.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/p424.png"><img style="width:100%" src="images/t424.png" + alt="The beggar and his children." /></a> + <p class="poem">Syns I haue taken the charge one me<br /> Mo botis and + Barges for Folys to aparayle<br /> And so agayne of newe to take the + se<br /> I feryd lyst company shulde me fayle<br /> Within my folysshe + shyppis to trauayle<br /> But nowe doth beggers them selfe to me + present<br /> For fewe of them I fynde of good + intent</p> + </div> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A great company of folys may we fynde</p> + <p>Amonge beggers, whiche haue theyr hole delyte</p> + <p>In theyr lewde craft: wherfore I set my mynde</p> + <p>In this Barge theyr maners, brefely for to write</p> + <p>For thoughe that nede them greuously do byte.</p> + <p>Yet is theyr mynde for all theyr pouerte</p> + <p>To kepe with them of children great plente</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And though that they myght otherwyse well lyue</p> + <p>And get theyr lyuynge by labour and besynes</p> + <p>Yet fully they theyr myndes set and gyue</p> + <p>To lede this lyfe alway in wretchydnes</p> + <p>The clerke, frere, or monke, whiche hath store of ryches</p> + <p>For all his lyfe. if he it gyde wysely.</p> + <p>Wyll yet the beggers offyce occupy</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Suche oft complayne the charge of pouerte</p> + <p>In garmentis goynge raggyd and to rent</p> + <p>But yet haue they of ryches great plente</p> + <p>Whiche in gode vse can neuer of them be spent</p> + <p>Almys is ordeyned by god omnypotent</p> + <p>And holy churche: for to be gyuyn in dede</p> + <p>Vnto good vse, and suche as haue moste nede</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Almes is ordeyned by god our creatour</p> + <p>For men that lyue in nede and wretchydnes</p> + <p>Therwith their paynfull lyues to socour</p> + <p>And nat for ryche that lyues in viciousnes</p> + <p>But yet suche caytyfs boldly in dare pres</p> + <p>For their lewde lyfe without all maner drede</p> + <p>This almes takynge from them that haue most nede</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The abbot, the Pryour, and also theyr couent</p> + <p>Ar so blyndyd with vnhappy couetyse</p> + <p>That with theyr owne can they nat be content</p> + <p>But to haue more, they alway mean deuyse</p> + <p>Ye: in so moche that some haue founde a gyse</p> + <p>To fayne theyr bretherne tan in captyuyte</p> + <p>That they may begge so by auctoryte</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They fayne myracles where none were euer done</p> + <p>And all for lucre: some other range about</p> + <p>To gather and begge with some fayned pardon</p> + <p>And at the alehows at nyght all drynkyth out</p> + <p>So ren these beggers in company rowt</p> + <p>By stretis tauernes townes and vyllagys</p> + <p>No place can well be fre of theyr outragys</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some begge for byldynges, some for relyques newe</p> + <p>Of holy sayntis of countreys farre and strange</p> + <p>And with theyr wordes faynyd and vntrewe</p> + <p>For cause of Lucre, about they ren and range</p> + <p>But in a sympyll vyllage, ferme or grange</p> + <p>Where as these beggers moste sympyll men may fynde</p> + <p>With theyr fals bonys as relykes they them blynde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Other beynge stronge and full of lustynes</p> + <p>And yonge ynoughe to labour for theyr fode</p> + <p>Gyuyth theyr bodyes fully to slewthfulnes</p> + <p>The beggers craft thynkynge to them moost good</p> + <p>Some ray theyr legges and armys ouer with blood</p> + <p>With leuys and plasters though they be hole and sounde</p> + <p>Some halt as crypyls, theyr legge falsely vp bounde</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Some other beggers falsly for the nonys</p> + <p>Disfygure theyr children god wot vnhappely</p> + <p>Manglynge theyr facys, and brekynge theyr bonys</p> + <p>To stere the people to pety that passe by</p> + <p>There stande they beggynge with tedyous shout and cry</p> + <p>There owne bodyes tournynge to a strange fassion</p> + <p>To moue suche as passe to pyte and compassyon</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Suche yonge laddys as lusty ar of age</p> + <p>Myghty and stronge, and wymen in lyke wyse</p> + <p>Wanton and yonge and lusty of cowrage</p> + <p>Gyueth them selfe vtterly to this gyse</p> + <p>The cause is that they labour do despyse</p> + <p>For theyr mynde is in ydylnes to be styll</p> + <p>Or els in vyce to wander at theyr wyll</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They paciently theyr prouertye abyde</p> + <p>Nat for deuocion of herte or of mynde</p> + <p>But to the intent that at euery tyde</p> + <p>Other mennys godes sholde them fede and fynde.</p> + <p>But if they a whyle haue ron in the wynde</p> + <p>And in theyr hande the staf some hete hath caught</p> + <p>They neuer after shall leue the beggers craft</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Amonge these beggers also is comonly</p> + <p>Braulynge debate hatered and chydynge</p> + <p>Great othes, mockes falshode and enuy</p> + <p>And one with other euer more fyghtynge</p> + <p>As for theyr dronkennes and vnsure abydynge</p> + <p>Theyr rebaudry both in dede and communycacion</p> + <p>These ar chefe poyntis of theyr occupation</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If the begger haue his staf and his hode</p> + <p>One bagge behynde and another before</p> + <p>Than thynkes he hym in the myddes of his goode</p> + <p>Thoughe that his clothes be raggyd and to tore</p> + <p>His body nere bare he hath no thought therfore</p> + <p>And if some man cloth them well to day</p> + <p>To morowe it shall agayne be solde away</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And if these caytyfes fortune to begge or cry</p> + <p>For mete or money, on woman or on man</p> + <p>If one to them that, that they aske deny</p> + <p>And so depart: anone these beggers than</p> + <p>Whan he is gone, doth wary curse and ban</p> + <p>And if another gyue them ought of pyte</p> + <p>At the next alestake dronken shall it be</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But if that I sholde gather in my barge</p> + <p>All folysshe beggers, and labour or intende</p> + <p>To note all theyr vyces, to sore sholde be the charge</p> + <p>And as I suppose I neuer sholde make an ende.</p> + <p>Wherfore I counsell them shortly to amende</p> + <p>Or els theyr lewdnes, synne, and enormyte</p> + <p>Shall cause men withdrawe theyr almes of charyte</p> + </div> + </div> +<p class="cenhead"><span class="sc">Thenuoy of Barclay the translatour.</span></p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>O people vnthrifty gyuen to ydlenes</p> + <p>Spendynge your youth this wyse in vanyte</p> + <p>What ioy haue ye to lyue in wretchydnes</p> + <p>Where ye myght come to better rowme and degre</p> + <p>By worke, and labour: and so auaunsyd be</p> + <p>Yet begge ye styll hauynge your ioy therin</p> + <p>Amende your foly, and lerne ye this of me</p> + <p>That goddes good sholde nat be spent in syn</p> + </div> + </div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Ship of Fools, Volume 1, by Sebastian Brandt + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SHIP OF FOOLS, VOLUME 1 *** + +***** This file should be named 20179-h.htm or 20179-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/1/7/20179/ + +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) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old 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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 + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SHIP OF FOOLS, VOLUME 1 *** + +***** This file should be named 20179.txt or 20179.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/1/7/20179/ + +Produced by Frank van Drogen, Keith Edkins and the Online +Distributed 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