Full text of "Early English poetry, ballads, and popular literature of the Middle Ages ;"

SOUTHERN BRANCH,

mfmsm of California,

L]SRARY»

»LOS ANGELES, CALIF.

EARLY ENGLISH POETRY,
BALLADS,

AND POPULAR LITERATURE
OF THE MIDDLE AGES.

EDITED FROM OKIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS
AND SCARCE PUBLICATIONS.

/J •" 3 ^y <>

VOL. VII.

LONDON.
PRINTED FOR THE PERCY SOCIE'JT

liV I' HITHARDS, ST. MAFJTfNS LANK.
M.DGCC.XLII.

CONTENTS OF VOL. VII.

THE HARMONY OF BIRDS.

EDITED DY J. PAYNE COLLIER, ESQ. P. 8. A.

A PARAPHRASE ON THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL
PSALMS, IN ENGLISH VERSE.

EDITED BY W. H. BLACK, ESQ.

THE HARMONY OF THE CHURCH, BY MICHAEL
DRAYTON. 1591.

EDITED DY THE REV. AI.KXANDEU DYCE.

JACK OF DOVER. 1604.

EDITED BY T. WRIGHT, ESQ. M.A. F.S.A.

A KERRY PASTORAL.

BDITED BY T. C'BOFTON CROKEB, ESQ.

THE

HARMONY OF BIRDS:

9 Wotm.

FROM THE ONLY KNOWN COPY, FEINTED BY JOHN WIGHT
IN THE MIDDLE OF THF SIXTEENTH CENTURY.

AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES.

LONDON :
PRINTED FOR THE PERCY SOCIETY.

M.DCCC.XLIII,

COUNCIL

CI)e ^ertp ^cicietp*

President.
The Rt. Hon. LORD BRAYBROOKE, F.S.A.

THOMAS AMYOT, Esq. F.R.S., Treas. S A.

WILLIAM HENRY BLACK, Esq.

J. A. CAHUSAC, Esq. F.S.A.

WILLIAM CHAPPELL, Esq. F.S.A., Treasurer.

J. PAYNE COLLIER, Esq. F.S.A.

T. CROFTON CROKER, Esq. F.S.A., M.R.I.A.

PETER CUNNINGHAM, Esq.

REV. ALEXANDER DYCE.

WILLIAM JERDAN, Esq. F.S.A., M.R.S.L.

SIR FREDERICK MADDEN, K.H., F.R.S., F.S.A.

T. J. PETTIGREW, Esq. F.R S., F.SA.

E. F. RIMBAULT, Esq. F.S.A. Secrelarij.

WILLIAM J. THOMS, Esq. F.S.A.

JAMES WALSH, Esq F.S.A.

THOMAS WRIGHT, Esq. M.A., F.S.A.

INTRODUCTION.

The ensuing tract has been attributed to John
Skelton on the authority of Herbert, who was not
aware of its existence until after he had published
his edition of the " Typographical Antiquities""
of Ames. He subsequently saw a copy of it
in the hands of Latham, and from Latham it
found its way into the library of the late Mr.
Heber. Our re-impression is made from a trans-
cript of that copy, for no other is known to be in
existence.

Whether " A proper new Boke of the Armonye
of Byrdes" were really the authorship of Skelton,
is a point which we shall probably find consi-
dered and determined in the long promised, and,
we hope we may now say, speedily forthcoming
edition of that author's multifarious works, under
the care of the Rev. Alexander Dyce. Herbert
seems to have thought that this tract was '' in the
manner" of Skelton, but we own that it does not
strike us at all in that light ; it is of too moral

ti turn, us well as in too modern a style, for
his pen, however becoming its tendency might
have been to his profession. Neither is the
versification at all like that of any other produc-
tion by Skelton with which we are acquainted.
However, this is a point on which we do not feel
well qualified to decide, and it is the less necessary
that we should finally make up our mind upon the
point, in as much as we are soon likely to have it
decisively settled. It has never, that we are
aware of, been attributed to any other author, and
we are without any extrinsic evidence either way;
none at least has come to our knowledge, beyond
the fact that Wight was the printer of two of
Skelton'^s admitted works, " Phillip Sparrow," and
Colyn Clout .""^ Both these are dateless, but pur-
port to have been printed " by John Wight," and
the last of them has the same imprint as the tract
now offered to the members of the " Percy
Society.'''

As to the date of the piece reprinted on the
following pages, John Wight did not begin to
print, as far as the fact can now be ascertained,
until 1551, and books with his name attached to
them, as a stationer, are extant dated 1588; but
he appears to have left off" printing on his own
account early : " Ferrarius of a Common Weale,'"'
4to. 1559, purports to have been printed, not by

Vll

John Wight, but " by John Kyngston, for John
Wight," and he subsequently employed as his
printers, Henry Denham, John Awdeley, Thomas
Dawson, John Charlewood, Thomas East, Newton
and Hatfield, Edward Bollifant, Henry Bynne-
raan, «fcc. As " A proper new Boke of the Ar-
monye of Byrdes" professes to have been printed
not for, but hy John Wight, we may fairly pre-
sume that it came from his press between 1551,
when he began, and 1559 when he left off printing
in his own name.

We believe that the poem is not only unique in
itself, but imique in its kind, and on every account
it deserves reprinting and preservation. Into
whose hands it devolved on the dispersion of
Mr. Heber"'s Library we are not informed, but
before his death he gave us permission to copy it,
with a view to a reimpression : his notion was,
that the value of the original copy of a tract was
not lessened by its being rendered accessible, but
he was influenced, besides, by higher and better
motives than mere pecuniary considerations. — We
have good reason to know that he felt none of that
literary dog-in- the -mangerism, which interferes
with the employment by others of what the pos-
sessor cannot himself enjoy.

PROPER NEW BOKE

ARMONYE OF BYRDES,

Imprinted at London by John "VVyght dvvelling :

Poules church yarde, at the sygne of

the Rose.

A PROPER NEW BOKE OF

THE ARMONY OF BYRDES.

Whan Dame Flora,
In die aurora,

Had coverd the meadow with flowers,
And all the fylde
Was over distylde

With lusty Aprell showers ;

For my disporte,
Me to conforte,

Whan the day began to spring,
Foorth I went,
With a good intent

To here the byrdes syng,

I was not past
Not a stones cast,

So nygh as I could deme.
But I dyd se
A goodly tree

Within an herbor grene ;

B 2

THE ARMONYE OF BYRDES.

Whereon dyd lyglit
Bp'cles as thycke

As sterres in the skye,
Praisyng our Lorde
Without discorde,

With goodly armony.

The popyngay
Than fyrst dyd say,

Hoc didicit per me,
Emperour and kyng
Without lettyng

Discite semper a me.

Therfore wyll I
The name magnify

Of God above all names ;
And fyrst begyn
In praisyng to him

This song, Te Deum laudamus.

Then sang the avys
Called the mavys

The trebble in ellamy,
That from the ground
Her notes round

Were herde into the skye.

Than all the rest,
At her request,

Both meane, basse, and tenur.

THE ARMONYE OF BYRDES.

With her dyd respond
This glorious song,

Te Dorainura confitemur.

The partryge sayd,
It may not be denayd,

But that I shall use my bath,
In flood and land,
In ertli and sand.

In hygh way and in path ;

Than with the erth
Wyll I make merth,

Accordyng to my nature.
She tuned then,
Te, eternum Patrem,

Omnis terra veneratur.

Than sayd the pecocke,
All ye well wot

I syng not musycall ;
For my brest is decayd,
Yet I have, he sayd,

Fethers angelicall.

He sang, Tibi
Omnes angeli,

Tibi celi, he dyd reherse,
Et universi,
Bot estates on hye,

And so concluded the verse.

THE ARMONYE OF BYRDES.

Than saycl the nightyngale,
To make shoi'te tale,

For wordes I do refuse,
Because my delyght,
Both day and nyght

Is synging for to use :

Tibi cherubin
Et seraphin,

Full goodly she dyd chaunt,
With notes merely
Incessabile

Voce proclaniant.

Than sang the thrusshe,
Sanctus, sanctus,

Sanctus, with a solempne note.
In Latyn thus,
Dominus Deus,

In Hebrew Sabaoth.

Than sayd the larke,
Bycause my parte

Is upward to ascend,
And downe to rebound
Toward the ground,

Singyng to discend ;

Than after my wunt
Pleni sunt.

Cell et tei-ra, quod she,.

THE ARMONYE OF BYRDES.

Shall be my song
On briefe and long,
Majestatis glorie tue.

The cocke dyd say,
I use alway

To crow both fyrst and last :
Like a postle I am,
For I preche to man,

And tell hhn the nyght is past.

I bring new tidynges

That the Kynge of all kynges

In tactu profudit chorus :
Than sang he mellodius
Te gloriosus

Apostolorum chorus.

Than sayd the pye,
I do prophecye.

Than may I well syng thus.
Sub umbra alarum
Te prophetarum

Laudabilis numerus.

Than the byrdes all
Domesticall,

All at once dyd crye.
For mankyndes sake,
Both erly and late,

We be all redy to dye.

THE ARMONYE OF BYRDES.

Te martyrum,
Both all and sum,

They sang mellifluus,
Candidatus so bright,
One God of myght

Laudat exercitus.

Than the red brest
His tunes redrest,

And sayd now wyll I holde
"With the churche, for there
Out of the ayere

I kepe me from the colde^

Te per orbem terrarum,
In visum Sarum,

He sange cum gloria ;
Sancta Avas nexte,
And then the hole texte

Confitetur ecclesia.

Than the egle spake.
Ye know my estate,

That I am lorde and kyng ;
Therfore wyll I
To the father only

Gryve laude and praisyng.

He toke his flyght
To the sonnes lyght,
Oculis aure verberatis;

THE ARMONYE OF BYRDES,

Patrem, he sang,
That all the wood rang
Immense majestatis.

Than sayd the phenix,
There is none such

As I, but I alone ;
Nor the Father, I prove,
Keygnyng above,

Hath no mo sonnes but one.

With tunes mylde
I sang that chylde

Venerandum verum ;
And his name dyd reherse
In the ende of the verse,

Et unicum filium.

Than sayd the dove,
Scripture doth prove,

That from the deite
The Holy Spiright
On Christ dyd lyght

In lykenesse of me ;

And syth the Spiright
From heven bright

Lyke unto me dyd come,
I wyll syng, quod she.
Sanctum quoque

Paracletum Spiritual.

10 THE ARMONYE OF BYRDES.

Than all in one voyce
They dyd all rejoyce,

Omnes vos iste,
Chaungyng their key
From ut to rey,

Et tu rex glorie Christe.

Then sayd the wren,
I am called the hen

Of our Lady most cumly ;
Than of her Sun
My notes shall run,

For the love of that Lady.

By tytle and ryght
The Son of myght,

She dyd hym well dyscus,
Tu Patris syngyng,
Without any endyng,

Sempiternus es filius.

The tyrtle trew.
With notes new,

The lady of chastyte,
Of a vyrgins wombe
AVas all her songe,

And of mannes libertye ;

Tu ad liberandum,
Et salvandum

Hominem pei'ditum,

THE ARMONYE OF BYRDES. 11

Non horruisti
Sed eligisti

Virginis uterum.

Than sayd the pellycane,
Whan my byrdes be slayne

With my bloude I tliem revy ve ;
Scrypture doth record
The same dyd our Lord,

And rose from deth to lyve.

She sang, Tu devicto
Mortis aculeo,

Ut DoDodnus dominorum,
Tu ascendisti
Et apparviisti

Credentibus regna celorum.

The osyll dyd pricke
Her notes all thycke,

With blacke ynke and with red ;
And in like facyon
With Christ in his passyon,

From the fote to the crown of the hed.

But now he doth raygne
With his Father agayne,

In dextera majestatis :
Than sang she with joye,
Tu ad dexteram Dei

Sedes, in gloria Patris.

12 THE ARMONYE OF BYRDES.

The swalowes syng swete,
To man we be mete,

For with him we do buylde :
Lyke as from above
God, for mannes love.

Was borne of mayden milde.

We come and go,
As Christ shall do,

To judge both great and small :
They sang for this,
Judex crederis

Esse venturus all.

Than in prostracion
They made oration

To Christ that died upon the rood.
To have mercy on those
For whom he chose

To shed his precious blood.

Te ergo quesumus.
We pray the Jesus,

Famulos tuos subveni
Ab omni doloso,
Quos precioso

Sanguine redemisti.

The hauies dyd syng.
Their belles dyd ryng,

Thei said they came from the Tower

THE ARMONYE OF BYRDES. 13

We hold with the kyng,
And wyll for him syng

To God, day, nyght, and hower.

The sparrowes dyd tell,
That Christ in his Gospell

A texte of them dyd purpose ;
Suis heredibus
Multis pastoribus

Meliores estis vos.

They fell downe flat
With Salvum fac

Populum tuum, Domine,
In heven to sit
Et benedic

Hereditate tue.

Than all dyd respond,
Lorde, helpe at hond,

Ne cadant ad internum ;
Et rege eos,
Et extolle iUos

Usque in eternum.

They toke their flyght,
Prayeng for the ryght.

And thus their prayer began;
Pater noster, qui es
Per singulos dies,

Benedicimus te, God and man.

14 THE ARMONYE OF BYRDES.

Et laudamus
Et gloriosus

Nomen tuum so lijc.
In seculum here,
In this militant quere,

Et in seculum seculi.

They dyd begyn
To pray that syn

Shuld clene from us exire ;
Dignare Domine
Die isto sine

Peccato nos custodire.

With supplication
They made intercessyon,

And sung, Misere nostri,
Rehersyng this texte
In Englysh nexte,

Lorde, on us have mercy.

Than dyd they prepare
Away for to fare,

And all at once arose,
Singyng in ara,
Fiat misei'icordia tua,

Domine, super nos.

AVith tunes renude
They dyd conclude

Whan they away shuld flye,

THE ARMONYE OF BYRDES. 15

To syng all and sum
Quemadmodum
tSperavimus in te.

Than dyd I go
Where I came fro,

And ever I dyd pretend,
Not to tary long,
But of this song

To make a fynall ende.

I sayd, In te, Domine,
Speravi cotidie,

That I fall not in infernum ;
And than with thy grace,
After this place

Non confunder in eternum.

FINIS.

Imprinted at London, by John Wyght dwelling in Poulcs
church yarde, at the sygne of the Rose.

NOTES.

P. 4, 1. 11, — Without lettyng] i.e. without hindrance or
obstruction.

P, 4, 1. 22, — Called the mavis] Sir W. Scott, in a note ti» hi^
ballad of " Alice Brand," in The Lady of the Lake,
infoiins us that the mavis is a thrush, but in this poem
the thrush is afterwards mentioned as a different bird.
Tyrwhitt in his notes upon Chaucer informs us that the
mavis is Saxon for a thrush ; but according to Todd, it
is rather to be derived from the French mauvis, and he
quotes a passage from Lord Bacon, which shews that he
did not consider the mavis and the thrush the same bird.

P. 4. 1. 21, — The treble in ellamy] e la mi seem to have been
the names of musical notes in singing.

P. 5. 1.21, — For my brest is decay d^ The word " breast" was
of old constantly used for voice.

P. (J, 1. 11, — Incessabile] In the original this word is mis-
printed as two words, In cessabile.

P. 6, 1. 25, — Than after my uunti i.e. after my ivont, or cus-
tom, so spelt for the sake of the rhyme.

18 NOTES.

P. 7, 1. 2, — Ov. briefe and lonrf] Brief and long were the names
of notes in music.

P. 8, 1. 12, — / kepe me from the colde] Of all birds the robin
is supposed most to prefer and resemble man, and his
reason for " holding with the church," because it keeps
him warm, is certainly a very human one.

P. 8, 1. 14, — In usum Sariwi] Missals in usum Sarum, were
such as were employed at Salisbury.

P. 8, 1. 24, — Gyve laude and praisyng] Misprinted in the
original " Gyve luade" &c.

P. 10, 1. 5, — From ut to rey"] ut and re were also the old names
of musical notes in singing.

P. 10, 1. 10, — Than of her sun] Sun for son : it is rightly
spelt in the next stanza.

P. 10, 1. 17, — Without any endyinrj] It is hardly worth notice,
but in the original " Witliout" is misprinted Witoiit.

P. 11, 1. 16, — The osyll did pricke'] Shakespeare introduces
" the oozel cock" in Midsummer's Night's Dream, Act iii.
sc. 1 . It differs from the blackbird chiefly by having a
white crescent on its breast.

P. 11, 1. 18,— With black ynke and ivith red] So of old
musical notes were written and printed : to "prick," used
two lines earlier, was a technical expression in the com-
position of music.

iNOTES. 19

P. 12, 1. 26, — Their belles dijd ryny] At tlie time when hawk-
ing was in fashion, hawks carried l)ells, that they might
be heard, as well as seen.

P. 13, 1. 11, — Multis PASTORiRus] So in the original; the
misprint is obvious. Vide Luke, c. xii. v. 7.

P. 14, 1. 5, — In this militant quere] Fonuerly quire was not
unfrequently spelt quere, especially if it were wanted for
the sake of the rhyme.

P. 14, 1. \b,~-And sung misere nostri^ Another misprint,
which the reader Avill at once detect and correct.

P. 14, 1. 20, — Away for to fare] To fare in its oldest sense
is to go, from faran, Sax. We still use it in the compound
thoroughfare, if not in farewell.

P. 15, 1. b, — And ever I did pretend] Nothing was much
more common of old, than to use " pretend'' in the sense
of intend.

THE END.

KICHARnS, PRINTER, ST. MAUTIN S LANE.

A PARAPHRASE

l)N THE

^e\3en penitential psalms.

IN ENGLISH VERSE,

SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN WBITTEN BY

THOMAS BRAMPTON, S. T. P.

IN THE YEAR 1414 ;

TOGETHER WITH A LEGENDARY PSALTER OF SAINT
BERNARD, IN LATIN AND IN ENGLISH VERSE.

WITH NOTES BY

WILLIAM HENRY BLACK,

ONE OF THE ASSISTANT KEEPERS OE THE PUBLIC EKCOUDS.

LONDON :
PRINTED FOR THE PERCY SOCIETY.

MDCCCXLII.

COUNCIL

€l)t f ercp ^orietp^

President.
The Rt. Hon. LORD BRAYBROOKE, F.S.A.

THOMAS AMYOT, Esq. F.R.S., Teeas. S.A.

WILLIAM HENRY BLACK, Esq.

J. A. CAHUSAC, Esq. F.S.A.

WILLIAM CHAPPELL, Esq. F.S.A., Treasurer.

J. PAYNE COLLIER, Esq. F.S.A.

T. CROFTON CROKER, Esq. F.S.A. M.R.I.A.

PETER CUNNINGHAM, Esq.

REV. ALEXANDER DYCE.

WILLIAM JERDAN, Esq. F.S.A., M.R.S.L.

SIR FREDERICK MADDEN, K.H., F.R.S., F.S.A.

T. J. PETTIGREW, Esq. F.R S., F.S.A.

E. F. RIMBAULT, Esq. F.S.A. Secretary.

WILLIAM J. THOMS, Esq. F.S.A.

JAMES WALSH, Esq.

THOMAS WRIGHT, Esq. M.A., F.S.A.

PREFACE.

The religious poetry of the Middle Ages consists,
for the most part, of dull versification, ennobled
with few of the lofty sentiments that pure Chris-
tianity inspires, and enlivened with few flights of
imagination, except those derived from a wild and
dreary superstition. That of our own language is
therefore chiefly valuable for its philological data,
and as constituting apart of our national literature.
But it is hoped that the poem, which these pages
first bring to light, will be found to contain both
some sentiments of piety, and some touches of
poetry, that may render it more acceptable than
its contemporaries.

The text is taken from one of Sir Hans Sloane's
MSS. in the British Museum, No. 1853, written
on vellum, early in the fifteenth century, in a
fair church-text, with illuminated capitals; in-
titled (in Latin) " Here begin the Seven Peni-
tential Psalms, translated out of Latin into
English ;'"' but not naming the author, either at
the head or at the foot of the poem. A later hand

however, of about the middle of the sixteenth cen-
tury, has preserved a memorial, which seems to
indicate his name, in the following note inscribed
along the top of the first page : " Frater Thomas
Brampton, sacrw Theologiw Doctor, fr. minorum

pauperculus confessor, de Anglicum. Anno

Dom. 1414. ad Dei honor em et incrementum devo-
cionisy Unfortunately this inscription was almost
obliterated by some liquid, which slightly damaged
the MS. ; and has been retouched by another old
hand : but an important blank remains, which
perhaps the words Latino transtulit in formerly
occupied : for the conclusion seems applicable not
to a mere transcriber, but to an author alone, or
(as the title expresses it) a translator. The term
transtulit, in the title, evidently means the act of
making a paraphrase in English, upon the Latin
text of the Seven Psalms ; which is given verse
by verse, before each stanza.

The Editor is strongly inclined to believe that
the words proposed to be inserted between " de"
and " Anglicum'''' are more than a probable con-
jecture, and that little doubt can remain that
Doctor Thomas Brampton, a Confessor of the
Freres Minors, was the author of the paraphrase :
but his researches, for many years past, have not
been successful enough to obtain any information
about him, bevond what this notice affords ; and

Yll

thus he must be introduced, for the first time, into
the list of our English poets and authors.

There is great probability that the date, men-
tioned in the old note, is correct : for the author's
application of that passage in the lOlst (or in the
English version, the 102nd) Psalm, " Thou aris-
ing, O Lord, shalt have mercy on Sion : for the
time of pitying her, yea the time, hath come ;'' —
to holy churchy and chivalry^ precisely agrees with
the disposition of both clergy and laity, and the
king too, at the beginning of the Fifth Henry ""s
reign. See stanza Ixxxvii., where the following
lines seem directly levelled against that brave
man and truly Christian martyr. Sir John Oldcas-
tle, Lord Cobham, who was at that time committed
to the flames as a heretic :

" Late nevere kni/yhthod, aglien the nght,
Be lost with tremun and sotijlte."

Henry''s persecuting resolution, to which he was
urged on by the furious clergy, is also painted to
the life, when he represents him as 'presiding in
Sion, (the very name by which the monastery,
that he founded at Isleworth, was called ;) thus: —

" Syon ' a merour' is, to say,
That God hath bygged,* and sett ful hye :
There si/tt our ki/nc/, be trewe fay,t
That shal heretykes alle distiye."|

» Built. t % the li'i'«" i'i^it'i- t Ufstvoy.

(Stanza xc) He adds, that whosoever full heartily
prays for the king, thereby

" iVIajTitenyth ome cherche graciously,
And kepith it, as ye may see."

But for these blemishes, one would think from
the general piety that pervades the poem, from
the hint given to oppressive tyrants in the 9ord
stanza, and from the description of imprisoned
sufferers, in the 94th, that the author was a
Lollard. But, on the contrary, the editor cannot
help conjecturing that he was the author of the
poem against Lollardie^ which is preserved in the
Cottonian MS. Vespasiamis, b. xvi, and printed
in Ritson's Ancient Songs ; the style and metre
being very much like those of this paraphrase.
Nor can he but observe, for the same reason, a
probability that he was the author also of The
Ploufjhijiaji's Ta'e, which is inserted among the
Canterbury Tales, in some old copies, as a supple-
ment to Chaucer's work.

The author's religious notions were what might
be expected of that dark age. He represents
himself, in an elegant introduction, as restless,
rising at midnight from his bed, repeating an
antiphona from his breviary, going to his Confessor,
and receiving instructions for the relief of his
conscience, one of which was, to say over ' these
seven Psalms ;' which he proceeds to do, verse by

verse, making the first words of his favourite
antiphona the burden of his meditation upon every
one. Thus confession, absolution, and discipline,
are the foundation ; and purgatory, the doctrines
of hereditary depravity, and of the immaculate con-
ception of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary alone,
and the notion of a guardian angel constantly
attending him, make their appearance, though
scantily. (Stanzas xlviii.lix.cviii.) It is remark-
able that there is not one invocation of a saint or
angel, or any mention of the Virgin Mary, but
what has now been noticed. Probably the author
designed his book for the instruction of his 'ghostly
children,' being a confessor himself ; and therefore
rather intended to represent one of them, and
himself, in those respective characters, in the
introductory passages.

The only other copy of this poem, known to the
editor, is a fragment in the Harleian collection,
No. 1704, of which volume the second MS. (ff. Jo
— 75) is written on paper, in a hand of the end of
the fifteenth century, imperfect at both ends.
The first five leaves (ff. 13 — 17 b) contain 55
stanzas out of the 124 ; viz. from the 62nd to the
beginning of the HGth, inclusively. All the
variations are given in the notes, whereby it
appears to be in many places inaccurate and
corrupt ; and it is modernized throughout, after
the common fashion of such copies. This fragment

is followed, after an interval of some pages, by a
copy of bishop Alcock''s famous allegorical " Tre-
tis of the Abbey of the Holy Ghost," (ff. 82b—
49) ; which circumstance has occasioned a grievous
blunder in two eminent literary historians. For
Wanley, in his account of this MS.* describes
the poem as the fourth article thus, "4. A frag-
ment of a comment upon the YII. Penitential
Psalms, in old English verse ;" then, as the ninth
article, he gives the title of the " Tretis" above
mentioned ; adding a note, which merely refers to
" another copie of this tretis," bearing the author's
name, and then briefly notices his history, cha-
racter, and death. Hence Warton, having con-
founded two articles, which stand at a considerable
distance from each other, and have not the least
connexion, enumerating Alcock's works, says :
" A fragment of a comment upon the seven Peni-
tential Psalms, in English verse, is supposed to he
by Bishop Alcock, MSS. Harl. 1704.4.fol. I3."t
Ritson improves upon Warton's supposition, by
stating it as a fact, thus : " Alcock, John,
Bishop of Ely, is the author of a comment upon
the seven Penitential Psalms, in English verse.
(Harl. MSS. 1704, imperfect.) He died in 1500."|

* Harlcian Catalogue, ii. 177.
f Walton's Ilistor}- of English Poetry, ed. 1824, 8vo. iii. 82.
X Biographiii Poetica, p. 43.

Thus, confusion is the parent of mistake, and the
grandmother of falsehood.

Having thus shown, that this work was not
written by Bishop Alcock, but in all probability
by the person named in the Sloane MS., (which
was unknown to Warton and Ritson) ; it remains
to show that this poem must not be confounded
with an earlier one of the same kind, said to have
been written by Richard RoUe, the hermit of
Hampole, which is preserved in the Bodleian
Library among Digby's MSS., No. 18. The first
line, as quoted by Tanner* and Warton, t — To
Goddis worschippe that dere us houglite ; and the
first line of the paraphrase on the Psalm " Do-
mine, ne in furore tuo,"" (xxxvii.) — Lord in thin
angre repreve me nought ; — are quite different from
the first and 31st stanzas of Thomas Brampton's
production, printed in the following pages.

The two Appendices of the present publication,
were added by the Editor, on a supposition that
the second of them was written by the same
author as the Paraphrase : though this is by no
means certain; yet it may have been an early me-
trical attempt by the same author. The language
is less polished, and the orthography is of an older
fashion than the larger poem ; and it is perhaps

* Bibliotheca Bi'itaunica, p. 375.

t History ot English Poetry, ii. 100.

Xll

remarkable, that, while Brampton's prospect of
death was connected witii tho idea of being cof-
fined or " locked in lead,'" the humbler versifier
of the Legendary Psalter (as it may be termed),
thinks of his icinding sheet., and of being " in
clottus clunge" (page 54.) The first Appendix
is given as the source of the other: they both
afford instances of the superstitious value attached
to prayers and other religious forms, (however
destitute of devotional merit), when foisted upon
the vulgar by a legend, ascribing their origin to a
saint, or to an angel, or to the very devil himself!
Many antient J3reviaries or Manuals contain an
Abridgment of the Psalter in Latin, ascribed to
Saint Jerome ; the prolix rubric of which says,
" Beatus vero Ieroximus hoc modo disposuH brevi-
ter hoc Psalterium, uhi Angelus Domini docuit eum.,
per Spiritum Sanctum ; " and sets forth its mani-
fold advantages. That consists of eight or nine
pages of selections from the Psalms : but this of
Saint Bernard beats it all to nothing ; for he
contrived to learn from the devil, how to say over
the whole Psalter in eight verses! Surely the
author of the second Appendix must have done a
most commendable work, when he put this infor-
mation, and the texts themselves, into the vulgar
tongue, for general use ! The introductory pas-
sage or legend in each Appendix, stantls in rubric

ill the MS. from which it is derived. But the
most remarkable rubric of this kind, which the
Editor can remember, is that of an " orison" in
the Harleian MS. 2867, art. 10,* which was an
universal charm : when a mass of our Lady had
been said over it, " then bear this orison upon
you," says the rubric, and it was warranted to
render the wearer invulnerable, and what not !

The Editor will now merely add, that he has
scrupulously followed the Sloane MS. in the text,
only substituting ih for the Anglo-Saxon J?, yet
retaining the 5, (a modern representative of the
Anglo-Saxon 3;,) conformably with the present
practice; although he is strongly inclined to think
that, in both instances, either the genuine old
characters ought to be used, or th and gh substi-
tuted for them respectively. He has marked the
final e, where long, with an accent ; where short,
with the usual note of a short syllable. The latter
practice is invariable in these pages ; and this,
with an occasional application of an accent, or of
the double points, where the rhythm of the verse is
not obvious to the eye, he trusts will not be un-
acceptable to the reader. Some of the verses are
full of anapaests, which puzzle an inexperienced

* See Harleian Catalogue, ii. 670, where the whole rubric is
printed.

reader of" old English poetry, far more than the
regular iambic measures of Chaucer, and other
writers. Want of time alone has prevented the
annexing of a concise glossary, which he originally

designed.

3, Magdalen Row,

Goodman's Fields,
3\st May, 1842.

W. H. BLACK.

CONTENTS.

Paraphrase on the Seven Penitential Psalms: —
Introduction, stanzas i.-vi. ....
Psalm VI. (vi.) DominK, ne In furore, stanzas VII.-XYI.

— XXXI. (XXXII.) Beati quorum remissa:, stanzas XVII.

XXX. .....

— XXXVn. (xxxvili.) Domine, ne In furore, stanzas

xxxi.-i,ni. ....

— L. (li.) Miserere met, Deus, stanzas liv.-lxxiii.

— CI. (cii.) /)ow»ieea;aMrfiorai«o«e»i, stanzas l<xxiv.-cii

— CXXIX. (cxxx.) De profundi's elamavi, stanzas

ciil.-cx. ....

I'AUK
1

12
21

— CXLII. (CXLIII.) Domine, exaudi orationem, stanzas

cxi.-cxxiv. . . . . .42

Appendix I. Legend of Saint Bernard and the Devil, about
eight verses in the Psalter ; too-ethor with those
verses and prayers in Latin . . .49

Appendix II. The same Legend in English ; with Para-
phrase of the eight verses, in metre . .51

Notes . . . . . . .55

Verses on " The VIL Deedly S}Tines" . . .61,62

HIC INCIPIUNT

SEPTEM PSALMI PENITENCIALES,

DE LATINO TRANSLATI IN ANGLICUM.

XN wynter, whan the wedir was cold,

1 ros at mydnyjt fro my rest,

And prayed to Jesu that he wold.

Be niyn helpe, for he my3t best.

In myn herte anon I kest

How I had syuned, and what degre :

I cryed, knockyng up on my brest,

" Ne reminiscaris, Domine !"
II.
Ne reminiscaris, Domine, delicta nostra, vel pa-
rentum nostrorum ; neque vindictam sumas de pec-
catis nosiris. Parce, Domine, parce papulo tuo,
quern redemisti precioso sanguine tuo; et ne ineternum
irascaris nobis ; et ne des hereditatem tuam in per-
dicionem.

That is to seye, " Lord I thynke no more

" Of my mysdedis that I have wrought,

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

" I or my faderys here be fore,

" That me in to this world have brought.

" Of my mysdedys venge the nought :

" But graunte me mercy and pyte.

" My woordys, my werkys, and wycked thought,

" • Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

III.
" Spare thy peple that is outerage,
" We crye to the ful pytously ;
" Lese no3t ly3tly thyn herytage,
" That thou hast lovyd so hertily.
" Have mynde, Lord, how thou woldyst dy,
" And hange ful hye up on a tre,
" To save hym that wolde wilfully
" Sey, ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'"

IV.

With sorwefuU herte and repentaunce,
Un to my Confessour I 3ede,
To schryve me clene and aske penaunce ;
Ther to me thou3te I hadde gret nede.
Myn herte for sorwe began to blede,
And cowthe non other coumfort se,
For wyl, and woord, and wicked dede,
But ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

My Confessour coumfortyd me blyve,
And seyde, " Thi synnes for3evyn are,
" Zyf thou purpose to amende thi lyve,
" God of his mercy will the spare.

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 3

" No synful man he wille forfare,
" That sory of his synnes wylle be :
" This woord schal coumforte all thi kare,
" ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

VI.

" And ferthermore, for tJii trespace,

" That thou hast don to Cod of haven e,

" Zif God wille sende the lyif and space, —

" Thou shall seyn thise Psalmes sevene:

" The bettyr with God thou mayst ben evene,

" Or evere thi soule passe fro the.

" Begynne, and seye with mylde stevene,

" ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !' "

VII.

r\03IINE, ne in furore tuo arguas me : neque in
ira tua corripias me.

J_<ORD I will thou no3t me schame ne schende,
Whan thou schalt be in thi fersnesse,
To dredfuU dome whan I schal wende ?
Helde nojt thi wretthe on my frealnessse,
Thi derworthi childeryn whan thou schalt blesse.
And bydde hem come to blysse with the :
Mi synfull werkys more and lesse,
' Ne reminiscaris Domine !'

VIII.

Miserere met, Domine, quoniam injirmvs sum :
Sana me, Domine, quoniam, conturbata sunt omnia
ossa mea.

B 2

4 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

Sythen thou woldyst no man were lost.
Have mercy on me, for I am seke.
Hele me, for my bonys are brost,
And rewe on alle that will be meke.
Thi pyte, Lord, encrese and eke,
To alle that wille repentaunt be.
And wille with sorweful herte seke,
'Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

IX.

Et anima mca tiirbata est valde : tu, Domine,
usqiiequo ?

My soule begynneth to tremble and qwake I

How longe schal it with dreed be schent?

Late nojt thyn ymage be forsake,

Made with so good avysenient.

Sythe man was made be full assent

Of the blysped Trinite ;

Thowj he do niys, and after repent,

* Ne reminiscaris, Uomine !'

Convertere, Domine, et eripe animam meam :
salvum me fac propter misericordiam tuam.
Turne the, Lord, and tarye now5t.
Thin owen lyknes to helpe and save.
Delyvere hem alle that thou hast bought.
And graunte hem mercy that will it crave.
Thynke, thou madyst bothe kyng and knave:
Therfore of mercy be so fre.
That no man wante, that wille it have.
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine I'

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. o

XI.

Quoniam non est in morte qui memor sit tui : in
inferno autem quis confitehitur tibi ?

Whan man is seek, and nedys nmste dye,
(As every man sclial do be kynde,)
After mercy he kan nojt crye,
For sykenes revyth hym his mynde.
Therfore, I rede, be nojt be hynde,
Whil mercy is in gret plente :
For in helie myjt nevere man fynde
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine 1'

XII.

Laboravi in gemitu meo : lavabo per singulas
noctes lectuin meum : lacnmis meis stratum meum
rigabo.

My travayle is, bothe nyght and day,

To wepe and weyle for my synne:

With bittere terys I schal asay

To wassche the bed that I lye inne.

Whoso evere hevene will wynne,

In en deles blysse evere more to be,

This vers he muste ofte begynne,

'Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XIII.

Turbatus est a furore ocidus meus : inveteravi
inter omnes inimicos meos.

Myn eyin ben wexin al derke for drede;
My vvickednes is drawyn on elde ;
My soule is wrappyd in wofull wede.
For synne I have forsake ful selde.

6 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

Lord ! fro sorwe and schanie me schelde !
Myn helpe, myn hele, it lythe in the I
Therfore I crye, in town and felde,
' Ne reminiscaris, Doraine !'

XIV.

Discedite a me omnes qui operamini iniquitatem :
qtioniam exaudivit Dominus vocem fletiis mei.

Whan thou schalt deme bothe grete and smale,
That day we nedys muste abyde.
Fro losaphath, that gret vale,
There is no man that may hym hyde.
Thanne sette me, Lord, on thi ry5t syde,
And cursede wretchys departe fro me.
Wepyng I preye, ajens that tyde,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine I'

XV.

Exaudivit Dominus deprecacionem meam : Do-
minus oracionem meam suscepit.

Whanne gode and ille here mede schal take.
As they ben worthi wo or wele,
Late me no5t thanne be forsake;
Sythe I have lefte my synnes fele.
Suflfere no feend me thanne apele,
Whanne the laste judgement schal be.
Late me be syker, whil I have hele.
Of ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine 1'

XVI.

Eruhescant et conturbentur vehementer omnes ini-
mici mei : convertantur et eruhescant valde velociter.

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. /

Whanne thei, that lyven a3ens tlii lawe,
Schul be schent with open schame,
To thy mercy I wille me drawe.
And kepe my soule oute of blame.
Thi mercy, Lord, I muste ataine,
Whan myn enmyes dampnyd schul be :
For evere I crye, and seye the same,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XVII.

TiEA TI quorum remisse sunt iniquitates ; et
quorum tecta simt peccata.
They may be syker of hevene blys,
That han for3evenes of here synne.
Thi mercy hydeth that is amys,
Ofwickede werkys 3yf thei will blynne.
Whan body and soule departe atwynne,
All worldys frenschippe awey will fle :
Thou getyst non helpe, of sybbe nor kynne,
But ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XVIII.

Beatus vir, cui non imputavit Dominus peccatum ;
nee est in spiritus ejus dolus.

Zyf God, that made all thyng of noujt,
Of no synne may the apeche,
In dede doon, or herte thou3t,
Ne gyle ne falsnes in my speche ;
Thanne, 3if it be as clerkys teche,
Of endeles blysse 1 dowte no3t me.
Zyf I be seek, this is my leche,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

8 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

XIX.

Quoniam facui, inveteraverunt ossa mea ; dum
clamarem tola die.

My medefull werkys, that ben ful fewe,

Zyf I go telle hem every where ;

My synne[s], that I in schryfte schulde schewe,

I kepe hem clos for schanie or fere ; —

Thanne waxe thei olde, and done me dere ;

I rote as dooth a bowe on tre.

Therfore, er I be leyd on bere,

' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XX.

Quoniam die ac node graviter est super me manus
tua : conversus sum in erumpna mea, dum configitur
spina.

The hand of vengeaunce, more and more,

Is up on me bothe day and ny5t ;

The prycke of conscyence grevyth me sore.

As often as I do unry3t :

But mercy, Lord ! as thou hast hyjt

To alle tho that wyl turne un to the,

1 kan no socour in thys ply5t.

But, ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XXI.

Delictum meum cognitum tibi feci : et injusticiam
meam non abscondi.

My trespas and myn unry3twysnesse
I knowleche, and my synnes fele.
TIJOVV5 I wolde hyde my wickydnesse,
My conscyence uille me apele.

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSAI,MS. V

I synne al daj', for I am frele ;

It is inannys infirniyte :

Whan no man may his gylte concele,

' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XXII.

Dixi, Conjitehor adversum me injusticiam meam
Domino : et tu remisisti wipietatem peccati mei.
Zyf thou, with good avysement,
Of thi synnes wilt the schryve,
Thi soule in helle schal nevere be schent,
Whil thou wilt here thi penaunce dryve.
Amende thi lyif (I rede the blyve)
Er evere thi wittes fro the fle ;
And thynke wel, whil thou art on lyve,
On ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XXIII.

Pro liac orahit ad te omnis sanctus, in tempore
oportuno.

Thow3 thou be holy in woord and dede,
And besy thi God to plese and pay,
To more mercy thou hast gret nede,
Zyf thou thi conscyens wylt asay.
Sevene sythes up on a day,
The ry3tvvyse fallyth, Cryist seyth to the :
But who so cryith, he seyde nevere nay,
Of ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XXIV.

Verumptamen in diluvio aquarum midtarum, ad
eiim non approximabunt.

10 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

Thou mayst 0031 come to God above,

Throwj thi flesclily governaunee :

Lust and lykyng 3yf thou love,

The ende therof is bitter chaunce.

Thou mayst 003! serve bothe, with plesaunce,

Cryist and the feend, in no degre.

Serve God ; and seye, with repentaunce,

' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XXV.

Tu es refugium menm a tribulacione que circiim-
(ledit me. Exultacio mea I erue me a circiindantihus
me.

Thou art inyn helpe in al dyssese !

Whan I am wrappyd in wele or wo,

I schulde be besy the to plese.

But, alias ! I do nojt so.

Delyvere me, Lord, fro many a fo.

That ny3t and day envyroun me.

For helpe I kan no ferthere go,

But to * Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XXVI.

Intellectum tibi dabo, et instruam te in via qua
gradieris : Jirmabo super te oeulos meos.
Graunte me grace wisdam and witt,
Thi lawe to understande and lere.
That I nevere gylte a3ens itt,
VVher evere I go, fer or nere.
I pray the. Lord, be thou my fere ;
And pitously beholde, and se
How T crye, whil I am here,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 11

XXVI r.
Nolite fieri sicut eqmis et mulus : quibus non est
intellectus.

I am full dull and ry3t unwyse,

As beestys that kan no resoun take ;

Slowe and slak in thi servyse,

And selde suffre for tlii sake.

To the ray moornyng I make.

On me have mercy and pyte.

There may no thyng my sorwe aslake,

But "Ne reminiscaris, Domine !"

XXVIII.

In chamo etfreno maxiUas eorum constrhige ; qui
non approocimant ad te.

Lord I drawe hym to the with a brydel,
That will no5t come with good wylle;
And streyne here chekys fro woordys ydell.
That kan no3t holdyn here tungys stylle.
But, Lord ! late nevere mannes soule spylle,
That axyth mercy and grace of the,
And mekely puttyth to the this bylle,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine I'

XXIX.

Multa jlagella peccatoris : sperantem autem in
Domino miser icordia circumdabit.

The scourge of God is sharp and kene,
Whanne synne among men is ryif ;
Often he betyth hem by dene.
To drawe hem fro here wycked lyif.

12 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

He sparyth neythir man ne wyif,

Ne non astate nor degre :

There is no tliyng may stynte this stryif.

But ' Ne reminisearis, Domine !'

XXX.

Letaminiin Domino, et exultate justi : et gloria-
mini omnes recti corde.

In herte thei may be merye and glad,
That ry3tfully here ly'if lede,
And kepe the lawe that Cryist bad,
In thoujt. in woord, and eke in dede.
God wille qwyte hem here mede,
In endles blysse when thei schul be .
Here uedys may no thyng bettyr spede,
Than ' Ne reminisearis, Domine !'

XXXI.

JHiOMINE, ne in furore tuo arguas me : neqiie in
ira tua corripias me.
Lord ! 3if thou be fers and sterne,
As ofte tyme as thou schevvyst outward.
And I trespase a3ens the 3erne,
To the I am rebel! and froward.
Ryghtwysnesse to me is hard,
But it with mercy mengyd be:
To this woord, Lord, have reward,
*Ne reminisearis, Domine !'

XXXI I.

Quoniam sagitte tue injixe sunt micJti: et conjir-
masti super me manum tuani.

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 18

Thyn arvvys bon scharpe and persyn niyn herte ;
Thi vengeaunce woundyth me ful depe ;
Thou makyst my body sore to smerte,
For thou woldist my soule kepe.
I kan no more but vveyle and wepe ;
Thin hand is sore set on me :
Tn to my grave er evere I crepe,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XXXIII.

Non est sanitas in came mea, a facie ire tue : non
est pax ossibus meis, a facie peccatomm meornm.

In my flesch I have non hele :

Of synne comyth sorwe, and that is sene:

My synful body is fals and frele,

And dooth my spirite gret angyr and tene.

There is no pees hem betwene,

But evermore stryif and enmyte.

My synfull werkis, alle be dene,

' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'
xxxiv.
Quoniam iniquitates mee supergresse sunt caput
meuni : et sicut honus grave, gravate sunt super me.

My gylt is grovvyn over myn heed ;

All wyckidnesse in me is founde :

My synnes ben hevy as hevy leed,

Thai drawe me down on to the grounde.

The feende with synne hath me so bounde,

Bothe hand and foot, I may no3t fie :

No thyng may make me saaf and sounde,

But ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine 1'

14 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

XXXV.

Putruerunt et corrupte sunt cicatrices mee ; a
facie insipiencie mee.

My soule is comberyd with sorwe and synne :

Lord I have pyte of my grevaunce.

My woundes festryn and rotyn with inne,

Be cause of unwyse governaunce.

Who so wille scape a carefull chaunce.

Whan all oure lyif demyd scball be ;

He muste be forn make purveaunce,

Of * Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XXXVI.

Miser factus sum, et curvatus sum usq^ie injinem :
tota die contristatus ingrediebar.

I am a wreeche and feble of myght,
And drawe faste toward myn ende ;
I may no5t go ne stonde aryght,
Mi bak begynneth for to bende.
Sorwe and syknesse wil me schende;
Al day I make my raone to the :
For now have I non othir freende,
But ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XXXVII.

Quoniam lumbi met impleti sunt illusionihus : et
non est sanitas in came mea.

My spirite and my flesch, in fere,
The feend is besy to begyle :
As longe as I have lyved here.
He is aboute with many a wyle,

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 15

Bothe body and soule to defyle :
I may no3t scape his cruelte.
Ther is non helpe, in this vvhyle,
But ' Ne rerainiscaris, Domine I'

XXXVIII.

Afflictus sum et humiliatus stim nimis : rugieham
a gemitu cordis met.

Syknesse makyth me lowe and make ;
I am turmentyd in wo and peyne.
Thow5 thou woldyst my sorvve eke,
I hadde no mater of the to pleyne.
I am worthy (I may no3t feyne)
To sufFre more, jyf it lyke the.
With contrite herte, I turne ageyne
To ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XXXIX.

Domine! ante te omnedesiderium meum: etgemitus
mens a te non est absconditus.

Thou knowyst myn herte and all my wille :
My sorwe I may 11051 fro the hyde :
Suffre nevere my soule to spylle,
Ne no myscheef me betyde.
Now fadyth and fallyth all my pryde :
For erthe I was, and erthe schal be.
Thi mercy only I abyde :
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XL.

Cor meum conturbatum est; dereliquit me virtus
mea : et lumen octdorum meorum et ipsum non est
mecum.

IG THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

Homvvard I drawe uri to my rest ;

My myght and sy3t awey is went.

Myn herte is in poynt to brest,

For dreed of harde jugement.

Lord I late me nevere be schamyd nor schent,

Thi ferdefuU face whan I schal se ;

Nor non that cryeth, with good entent,

' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XLI.

Amici mei et proximi mei: adversum me appro-
pinquaverunt, et steteriint.

Kyn and knowleche, at myn ende,
Whan I have iiede, begynneth to fayle.
He, that was sunityme my frende.
Is no5t aschamyd me to assayle.
That I have getyn with sore travayle,
Men ben a boutyn to 3yve fro me.
There is no thyng may me avayle.
But ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XLII.

Et quijuxta me erant, de longe steterunt : et vim
faciebant, qui querehant animam meam.
Summe that were sumtyme ful nye,
Untrewly now han me forsake :
Thei stryve ful faste, whan I schal dye.
My wordely godys for to take.
Thus falsnesse is the worldys make ;
And feythfull freendys fewe there be.
Er ryghtwysnesse be fully wake,
* Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

THE SEVEN PEN'ITENTIAL PSALMS. 17

XLIII.
Et qui inquirebant mala michi, locuti sunt vani-
tates : et dolos tola die meditabantur.
Whanne I may no lengere lyve,
Myn enenjyes spekyn of me full ille :
Zyf I my3te an ansvvere gyve,
They vvolde kepe here tungys stylle.
Thus al day falsnesse hath his wylle,
For frenschyp feyned is enemyte :
Folys ben favouryd all here fylle.
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine I

XL IV.

Ego autem, tanquam surdus, non audiebam : et
sicut mutus non aperiens as suum.
Myn erys and my mowth I dytt,
As I myjte neyther speke nor here :
For now men seyn, it is wytt
To thynke my fylle and make good chere.
Thus every day we be to lere,
' As fortune chaungyth, so muste we:'
In erthe I fynde no feythful fere,
But ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XLV.

Et factus sum sicut homo non audiens : et non
habens in ore suo redarguciones.

As I herde noujt, I holde my pes ;
In woord I dar no man repreve :
Zyf truthe will puttyn hym in pres,
He may sone dysplese and greve.

1 8 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

Now soothfastnesse hath takyn his leve,
And vvytt is turned to vanyte !
It is gret nede this woord to meve,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XL VI.

Quoniam in te, Domine, speravi : tii exaudies
me, Domine Deus meus !

Lord I whan I on to the calle,
For3yve me my synnes more and lesse:
Thou art governour of alle,
Welle and roote of all goodnesse !
Late no5t myn enemyes me oppresse ;
Myn hope, myn helpe, it is in the.
Whan thou schalt all wrong redresse,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine I'

XLVII.

Quia dixi, Nequando siipergaudeant niihi inimici
tnei: et, dum commoventur pedes met, super me magna
locuti sunt.

Late no3t myn enemyes makyn here game

Of me, whan I am lokyn in leed ;

Ne with here tungys blemysch my name,

And speke me ille whan I am deed.

Er evere my feet and myn heed

Be leyde a lyke, (as they muste be,)

To have in mynde, it is best reed,

' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XLVIII.

Quoniam ego in jiagella paratus sum : et dolor
meus in conspectu meo semper.

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 19

Here no lengere taryen I may ;
In erthe I schal no lengere dwelle:
Harde peynes I muste asay.
In purgatorye, or ellys in helle.
The ferdefull feendys, ferse and fell,
On me will scliewyn here cruelte ;
But I kunne sumnie tydinges telle
Of ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XLIX.

Quoniam iniquitatem meant annunciabo : et cogi-
tabo pro peccato meo.

My wyckydnesse I nedys sclial sehewe,
Before my dredefull jugys face ;
Whethyr ray synne? be manye or fewe,
I schal have ryght thanne, and no grace.
Thanne schal mercy be ful scace,
Whan ryghtwysnesse and equite
Schal puttyn a wey, out of his place,
* Ne reminiscaris. Domine !'

Inimici autem mei vivimt, et confirmati sunt super
me : et multiplicati sunt, qui odernnt me inique.
More ovyr, my peynes to encrese,
Myn enmyes that be lefte behynde,
They multiplye and will no3t cese :
Here hatrede and here vvratthe I fynde ;
In woord and vverk, thei ben unkynde,
Whan I am deed to pursewe me.
They sette ful selde in here n)ynde,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

c 2

20 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

LI.
Qui retribuunt mala pro bonis, detrahebanl michi :
quoniam sequebar bonitatem.
Now I am ful lytel bounde
To manye, that were to me beholde ;
Whan I am deed, and leyd in grounde,
Here love is waxen wonder colde.
They bakby'te me manye folde ;
Evyll for good the! qwyten me :
I am aferd thei be to bolde
Of ' Ne reminisearis, Domine !'

LII.

Ne derelinquas me, Domine Deus mens ! ne dis-
cesseris a me.

Now fleschly freendys have 1 none :
Lord I to the my soule I take.
I hope and truste in the aUme,
That thou wylt me nevere forsake.
Thou mayst best my sorwe aslake.
Departe nojt. Lord, awey fro me.
To thi mercy my raone I make,
' Ne reminisearis, Domine I'

LIII.

Intende in adjutorium meum : Domine Dens sa-
lutis mee !

Thow3 I in flesch be syke and frele,

Of my soule, god[e] Lord I take hede.
In the only is hope and hele:
Thou art myn lielpe at every nede.

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 21.

Thi mercy thou wylt no man forbede,
Tyl the body and soule departyd be:
Thanne is to late to synge, or rede,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

LIV.

IVflSERERE mei, Deus ! secundum magnam
niisericordimn tuam.

J\j.ercy, Lord, I ealle and crye:
Thi mercy is redy in every place.
Thow5 I have lyved ful synfullye,
I putte me fully in thi grace.
There is no synne, before thi face.
So grete as mercy and pyte.
To synfuU man thou were nevere scace
Of ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine I'

LV.

Et, secundum multitudinem miseracionum tuarum,
dele iniquitatem mectm.

To me thi mercy multiplye,

And lese no3t that thou hast bow3t.

Putte awey, Lord I gracyouslye.

My wicked werkys that I have wrowjt.

Thow3 I thi mercy deserve now3t,

Zyt it is thi propirte.

To spare hem that mekely sow3t,

' Ne reminiscaris, Domine I'

LVI.

Amplius lava me ah iniquitate mea : et a peccato
meo munda me.

22 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

Wassche me, Lord ! fertherraore,
Fro synne that grevyth me ful ille ;
That there leve no prevy sore,
Ne circumstaunce thatlongyth ther tylle.
Make me clene fro vvoord and wylle,
And kepe me, for thyn honeste.
Therfore I presente the this bylle,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

LVII.

Quoniam iniquitatem meant ego cognosco : et pec-
catum meum contra me est semper.
I am aknovve my synfull lyif,
That I have led fro tendyr age :
But 5yf thi mercy to me were ryif,
To peyne schiilde be my pilgrymage.
Myn owen dedys, that ben outrage.
Before thi sy3t accusyn me :
But to thi mercy I do homage.
' Ne reminiscaris, Doraine I'

LVIII.

Tibi soli peccavi, et malum coram te feci : ntjus-
ti/iceris in sermonibits tuis, et vincas cum judicaris.
I have synned to the alone,
And forfetyd ofte before thi sy3t:
Zyf I will leve my synnes ilkone,
Grace and mercy thou hast behyjt.
Schewe, Lord ! how they do unry5t.
That seyn thou wylt nojt rewe on me,
Whanne I crye, bothe day and ny3t,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine I'

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. Z6

LIX.
JEcce enim ! in iniqaitatibus conceptus sum : et in
peccatis concepit me mater mea.

Of my modyr I was conceyved
In synne, and so was every ehylde,
(After that Adam was dysceyved,)
Sauf Cryist alone and Marie mylde.
The feend ther to hath maad ful wylde
My flesch, my soule with inne me ;
But 3yf I kunne the bettyr bylde,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine I'

LX.

Ecce enim ! veritatem dileodsti : incerta et occulta
sapiencie tue manifestasti michi.

Zyf I my synne will nojt excuse,
But telle it trewly as it is ;
I truste thou wilt nojt me refuse,
Thow3 I do ofte tyme amys.
Tlianne thi wysdam will me wis,
To knowe so weel thi pryvyte,
That I schal no3t fayle of thys,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine 1'

LXI.

Asperges me, Domine, ysopo et mnndahor : lavabis
me, et super nivem dealbabor.

Sprenkle me, Lord ! with watyr of tcrys,
That myn herte be pourgyd clene.
Wysse me fro my wylde gerys.
And wassche mv synne awev be dene :

24 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

As snow, tliat fallyth in fyldes grene,
Is why3t and bryjt, so schal I be ;
Thanne schal the werkyng be ful sene
Of ' Ne reminlscaris, Domine !'

LXII.

Auditui meo dabis gaudium et leticiam : et ex-
nltahunt ossa hiimiliata.

My synne 3yf I no5t defende,

But asks mercy' with sorwefuU chere.

And my lyif mekely amende,

God will my bone gladly here.

He will no3t lese that is bou5t dere

Wyth bytter deth up on a tre,

As longe as we wyll lowely here

Seye ' Ne reminlscaris, Domine !'

LXIII.

Averte faciem tiiam a peccatis meis : et omnes
inifjuitates meas dele.

My wicked werkys thou putte awey,
And fro my synnes turne thi face,
.Sorwe and sj'jhyng is my pley,
Wher evere T be in ony place.
I am nojt worthy to have thi grace,
And ry3twysnesse I may nojt fle :
But, rayghtfull Lord ! be no5t scace
Of ' Ne reminlscaris, Domme !'

LXIV.

Coi' mtmdion crea in me. Dens ! el spiritum rectum
innova in visceribus meis.

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 25

Myn herte hath be dyfFoyled with synne ;
My spirit was to the untrewe.
Clense me, Lord ! therfore with inne ;
A ryghtful spiryte in me renewe,
That I may evere synne esschewe.
And 3yf I forfete, of frealte,
To thi mercy I will pursewe,
Wyth ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine I'

LXV.

Ne proicias me a facie tva : et spiritum sanctum
taum ne auferas a me.

Fro thi face caste thou me nou3t,

Thow3 I be untrewe and unkynde.

Zyf 1 trespace in dede or thoujt,

Lete nojt thi mercy be behynde.

Of my frealnesse, gode Lord, have mynde.

Thyne holy spirite take no5t fro me ;

And 5yf thou do, how schal I fynde

' Ne reminiscaris, Domine?'

LXVI.

Redde michi leticiam salutaris tui : et spiritu prin-
cipali confirma me.

Fadyr, that art of myghtes most !
Graunte me gladnesse of soulys hele.
Conferme me with the holy gost ;
And lete me nevere with feendys dele.
Forsake me no3t in wo ne in wele ;
For evore I liave nede to the :
And 3yf thou do, I will apcle
To ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

26 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

LXVII.
Doceho iniquos vias tuas : et impii ad te conver-
tentur.

The weyis that ben to God in hye.
Fill gladly I schal telle and teche,
Wher evere I be in cumpanye ;
Of tho only schal be my speche.
To turne synfuU men fro vvreche,
Ensaumple they may take of me :
For I cowde nevere fynde othyr leche,
But ' Ne reminiscaris, Domme !'

LXVIII.

Libera me de sanguinibus, Deus, Deus salutis mee!
el exultabit lingua mea justiciam tuam
I may no3t overcome the feende ;
His malyce I kan no3t fully felle :
He steryth my flesch, me to schende ;
It waxith sturdy and rebelle.
Of helthe and hele thou art the welle !
Fro fleschly lust thou delyvere me ;
That ry3tfuUy my tunge may telle,
'Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

LXIX.

Domine, labia mea aperies : et os meum annim-
ciabit laudem tuam.

My mouth schal preyse the day and ny3t,
My lyppes to the schull opyn wyde ; j

The to serve myn herte is ly5t ; ^

Evere more with the I uyll abyde,

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 27

Zyf I my trespace will nojt hyde,
But lowely aske mercy of the.
I crye to the in ilke a tyde,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine I'

LXX.

Quoniam, si voluisses sacrijicium, dedissetn utique :
Jiolocaiistis non delectaberis.

Of beeste that is unresonable.
Thou desyrest no sacryfyse.
That mannys lyvyng be covenable,
And redy un to thi servyse, —
That is all thi coveytise, —
That I love God as he doth me.
I may no bettyr offry'ng devyse,
Than ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

LXXI.

Sacriftcium Deo, spiritus contrihidatus : cor coa-
tritum et humiliatum, Dens, non despicies.
Zyf thou wilt ofFere, to God of hevene,
A spyrit of gret repentaunce;
Thowj thou be gylty of synnes sevene,
A sorwefuU herte is Goddys plesaunce.
Syn thou wylt no5t thi self avaunce,
God wyll no3t dispysen the ;
Whil thou wylt make good ordynaunce
Of ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

LXXII.

Benignefac, Domine, m bona voluntateliio, Syon :
nt edijicentur mnri Iherusalem.

28 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

My soule, that often hath be distryed,
Graunte me thi wyll to bygge ageyn.
Thi goodnesse was nevere 3yt denyed :
There hath no man raatere to pleyn.
Thi bounte passyth, as alle men seyn,
All that was or evere schal be ;
And ellys ray speche were all in veyn,
Of' Ne reminiscaris, Doraine V

LXXIII.

Nunc acceptabis sacrificium justicie, oblaciones et
holocausta : tunc imponent super altare timm vitulos.
Offryng and schedyng of beestys blood
Were made in awterys, in figure
Of Cryist, that deyid up on the rood,
To raunsoun synfull creature.
Whan I do ony forfeture,
A contrite heart I ofFere to the :
Accepte this, Lord, for ry3t rekure,
' Ne reminiscaris, Doraine I'

LXXIV.

t'\ OMINE ! exaudi oracionem mea[^m^ : et clamor
meus ad te veniat.

r\ ERE rae, Lord, T calle and crye :
Thou art ray comfort in wele and wo.
Accepte my prayere gracyouslye ;
I truste fully thou wylt do so.
Zyf thou fayle me I knowe no mo :
In ilyspeyr thanne levyst thou me.
1 am but lost, 3yf I forgo
' Ne reminiscarisj Doraine !'

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 29

LXXV.
Non avertas faciem tuam a me : in quacumque
die tribulor, inclina ad me aurem tuam.
Fro me turne no3t awey tlii face,
Thow3 I to the be often unkynde.
Ful selde thovv3 I deserve tin grace,
Whan thou art wroth, of mercy have mynde.
Zyf I seke grace, lete rau it fynde ;
And goodly thyn erys bowe to me.
Fro synne may no thyng me uubyude,
But ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine I'

LXXVl.

In quacumque die invocavero te : velociter exaudi
me.

Every day to synne I falle,
And selde do ryght and ofte wrong :
Zyf I be sory, and to the calle,
Lete no3t thi mercy tarye to longe.
Sprede thi grace on me amonge,
Whan I have synned in ony degre.
For trust to the, this is my songe,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

LXXVII.

Quia defecerunt, sicut fumus, dies mei : et ossa
mea, sicut cremium, aruerunt.

My dayes begynne to fayle and fade ;
Thei wanyssche as smoke, whan it is hye :
My bonys were stronge, and myghtyly made ;
But now thei elynge, and waxe all drye.

30 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

This is a token e that I schal dye :
My day is sett, I schal no3t fle.
I take me fully to thi mercy :
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

LXXVIII.

Percussus sum vtfenum, et aruit cor mcum : quia
ohlitus sum comedere panem meum.

I am smetyn down, and bcgynne to vvelxve,
As hey3 that lythe a5ens the sunne :
I have no myght my mete to swehve ;
For dry myn herte to gydere is runne.
My deth with inne me is begunne ;
I falle as doth the leef on tre :
My soule I hope to blysse be wunne,
With ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

LXXIX.

A voce gemitus mei : adhesit os meum carni mee.
For sorwe my lyppes cleve to gyder;
My mouth[e] hath no myght to speke:
I may nojt meve me hyder ne thyder ;
Myn herte for wo begynneth to breke.
For stark, my lemys I may not streke.
Mercyfull Lord ! rewe on me !
And wickyd werkys whan thou schalt wreke,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

LXXX.

Similis factus sum, pelicano solitudinis : factus jj

sum sicut nicticorax m domicilio.
To dreedful deth I am dy3t,
As a pelycan in wyldyrnesse ;

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. ol

And as a backe, that flyith be ny3t,
I am withdravvyn fro all goodnesse.
Thou helyst my woundys more and lesse ;
With thyn herte blood thou wassehyst me :
As oftyn I kan fynde wytnesse,
At ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

LXXXI.

Vigilavi : et f actus turn sicut passer solitariiis in
lecto.

I dar no3t slepe, but ever more wake,
As a sparwe that is alone.
The feend is busy my soule to take ;
And frendys have I fewe or none.
Whan wordely trust avvey is gone,
All hope and helpe it is in the :
To thi mercy' I make my mone;
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine 1' .

LXXXI I.

Tota die exprobrabant michi inimici mei : et, qui
laudabant me, adversum me jurabant.
Myn enmyes often me reprevyn,
And bakbyte me with outen enchesouu :
Now may no man othir levyn.
For wylfulnesse is holde resoun ;
All day we se in trust is tresoun.
And preysing prevyd sotylte.
False othys ben now nojt gesoun :
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

LXXXI II.

Quia cinerem tanquam panem manducabam : et
potum meum cum fletu miscebam.

32 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

Asschj's I eete in stede of brede,
My drynk is watyr that I wepe ;
Whan I thynke I schal be deed,
Be turuyd to asschys, and lye ful depe.
My deth evermore in niynde I kepe ;
I wote nojt whanne myn ende schal be :
In to my grave er evere I crepe,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

LXXXIV.

A facie ire indignationis tue : quia elevans alli-
sisti me.

Sythen thou woldyst my soule avaunce,
And make me eyr of hevene blysse ;
I am worthy the more penaunce,
As often as I do amysse.
Fro thi wratthe who schal rae wysse.
Whan sorwe and synne schul vengyd bo ?
All myn hope schal lyin in thysse,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

LXXXV.

Dies mei, sicut umbra, declinaverunt : et ego sicut
fenum ami.

My dayes as schadeue waxe drye and derke,
On me no lyght of grace may schyne ;
Deth on me hath set his merke :
As gres in medewe I drye and dwyne, •

My synnes I drede thei schul be myne,
And more schal I no3t bere with me ;
But 5yf I make the bettre my fyne,
Wyth ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS, 38

LXXXVI.
Tu autem, Domine, ineternum permanes : et me-
moriale tuum in generacione\m'\ et yen.eracione\_m~\.
There lastyth no thyng but thou alone ;
For here may I nojt longe abyde.
Whan my soule in peyne schal grone,
What schal avayle me all my pryde ?
Lust and lykyng T sette be syde;
And sette evermore my mynde in the.
I prey the, that thou wylt nojt hyde
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

LXXXVII.

Tu exurgens, Domine, misereberis Syon : quia
tempus miserendi ejus, quia venit tempus.
Have mercy of Syon, Davydes towr,
That signyfyeth the ordre of kny3t ;
They schulde be holy cherchys socour,
And mayntene the feyth with al here my5t.
Late nevere kny3thod, a3en the ryght,
Be lost with tresoun and sotylte.
For we preye, bothe day and nyjt,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine I'

LXXXVIII.

Quoniam placuerunt servis tuis lapides ejus : et
terre ejus miserebuntur.

Every kny3t is callyd a ston
Of Syon, for holy cherchis defens ;
And goddys servauntys, everylkon,
Thei schulde plese, with gret reverens.

•34 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

Thanne wratthe schulde slake, and al ofFens;
And mercy on erthe schulde be so fre.
That preyerys schulde turne all vyolens
To ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

LXXXIX.

Et timebunt gentes nomen tuum, Domine ! el
omnes reges terre gloriam tuam.

All peple in erthe thi name schal drede,
And kynges to thi blysse schul bende.
Of thi grace a kyng hath nede :
Mercyfull Lord, be thou his frende !
Yov thou only mayst save, or schende,
Bothe hye and lowe of iche degre.
Lete hym nevere forfete, thruj the fende,
A3ens ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine 1'
xc.
Quia edificavit Dominus Syon: et videbitur in
gloria sua.

Syon a merour is, to say,
That God hath bygged and sett ful hye :
There sytt oure kyng, be trewe fay,
That schal heretykes alle distrye.
He mayntenyth oure cherche gracyouslye,
And kepyth it, (as 3e may se),
That preyith for hym ful hertylye,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'
xci.
Respexit in oracionem humilnim : et non sprevit
precem eorum.

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 35

Zyf lordys willen to God be meke.
And leve cruelte and coveytise,
Holy cherche to encrese and eke,
And worschyp God in his servyse;
Thanne will nojt God prayerys dispyse,
For Icyng and for the comounte,
Whan we syngen, in devoute wyse,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XCII.

Scribantur hec in generacione altera : et populus,
qui creabitur, laudabit Dominum.

Mekenes of kynges in bokys is wretyn,
As of David and Ezechye ;
For othere aftyr hem schulde wetyn,
How thei schulde lyve vertouslye,
And thanke here God, that sytt on hye,
That forniyth and stabelyth kynges see,
To kynges that trustyn stedfastlye
To ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XCIII.

Quia prospexit de excelso sancto sua : Domimis
de celo in terram aspexit.

God beholdyth bothe more and lesse,
Fro hevene there he sytteth in trone,
How terauntys in erthe his peple oppresse,
That han non helpe but hym alone.
As thei dore, they make here mone.
To hym that all oure Juge schal be :
For alle here freendys ben i gone,
Saaf ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine I'

D 2

36 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

XCTV. §

Ut audiret gemitus eompediforum : et solverei
Jilios inter emfptorum.

God heryth his peple weyle and wepe.
That lyeth in feterys bounde sore :
In stokkys, and in prysons depe,
Thei curse the tyme that thei were bore.
Here faderys were slayn hem before;
And they be faste, and mowe nojt fle :
Helpe ne frenschypp have thei no more,
But ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'
xcv.
Ut anmincient in Si/on nomen Domini : et landem
efus in Iherusalem.

Thi name is knowyn of kyng and kny3t.
In the mount of Syon, that thou ches.
Thou art preysid, bothe day and ny3t,
In lerusalem the cyte of j)es.
Presthod of preysing schal nojt ces :
For thou hast made thi peple fre.
Thy mercy hath made a ful reles.
With ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'
xcvi.
In conveniendo populos in unum ; et reges, ut
serviant Domino.

Preestys, parfyjt in here lyvyng,
Schulde teche the peple the ryjt way ;
And tellyn kny3tes, comounnerys, and kyng,
How thei schulde serve God, to pay ;

...

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. St

And stere hem, all that evere thei may,
To pes, [and J love, and charyte .
And for the peple synge, and say,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XCVII.

Respondit ei in via virtutis sue : paucitatem
dieruni meorum nuncia michi.

The weye to vertew I vvolde fayne lere,

In hodily lyif whil I have space :

For my tyme is lytel here ;

My dayes be waxen wonder scace ;

And whider I schal, or to what place,

It lythe in Goddys pryvyte.

But evere I hope to fynde sum grace,

Wyth ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

XCVIII.

Ne revoces me in dimidio dierum meorum : in
generacione\_m^ et generationem, anni tiii.
Calle me no3t sodeynly ageyn.
Whan half my dayes ben i past ;
Ne darapne me no5t to endles peyn,
But 3y ve me lyif that evere schal last.
Thi 3erys ben endles, and may no5t wast ;
But I am goyng, and hens muste fie :
Myn hope and trust fully I caste,
In * Ne reminiscaris, Domine I'
xcix.
Inicio tu, Domine, terram fundasti: et opera
manuiun tuaram sunt celi.

\ r '1 ""'* o
4 iJ o i C

38 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

First thou madyst both earth and heveii,
Down to the lowest element ;
The sterrys, and the planetys seven,
That mevyn abowtyn the firmarneni:
Thanne niadyst thou man, ivith dvy'sement,
In erthe thi servaunt for to be.
Lete hym nevere therfore be schent :
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'
c.
Ipsi peribunt ; tu autem permanes : et omnes sicut
vestimentum veterascent.

Whan alle the planetys, that turnyn abowte.
At the day of dome schul cese and reste ;
Alle erthely thynges schul were owte ;
Castellys and towrys schul bende and breste :
Thanne thou schalt laste, for thou art beste !
Begynnyng thou art, and ende schalt be !
Late me thanne be no straunge geste.
To ' Ne reminiscaris Domine I'

CI.

Et sicut oportorium mutahis eos, et miitabuntur :
tu autem idem ipse es, et anni tui non deficient.
Mann [e]s^es/i shall bee [</]ystryed,
As clothys doth were with wedyr and Avynde;
And after ryse and {_be~\ glory fyed,
In holy scripture as we fynde:
But thou art unmutable be kynd !
There is no changyng foundyn in the !
Whan thou dost body and soule unbynde,
' Ne reminiscaris Domine!'

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 39

CII.
Filii servorum tuorum habitabunt : et semen
corum in seculum dirigetur.

Thi servauntys and thi chylderyn, in fere,
Schul be delyveryd fro peynes of helle :
To the thai schul be leve and dere,
Evere more in endles joye to dwelle.
There is no tunge that blysse may telle,
Nor herte thynke, nor ey3e se ;
That God to synfull men will selle,
For ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

cm.
JTiE -profundis clamavi ad te, Domine ! Domine,
exaudi vocem meam.
To the, Lord ! I ealle and cry,
Fro the depe dale of sorotv \^(ind ivoo :]
Here my voys gracyously,
And schelde me fro [my feerfull foo.]
I preye for me and many moe
That ben in peyne, and mowe \_notfflee:^
To dredefull dome whan we should goe,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

CIV.

Fiantaures tue intendentes, in vocem deprecacionis
mee.

Bowe thin erys hyderward,

And here my pray erys, whan I have nede.

Of mercy thou were nevere so hard,

Thi grace thou woldvst never man forbedc,

40 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

That vvolde be sory of his mysdede ;

Thi mercy is redyere than he.

Hym thar no more but speke, and spede,

Of ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'
cv.
Si iniqiiitates observaveris, Domine! Domine,
quis sustinebit ?

Zyf thou woldyst venge the anon,

Whan we have synned, and no thyng spare ;

Oure lyif in erthe schulde sone be gon,

Oure raerthe schulde turne to sorwe and care ;

Thi ry3twysnes wolde us furfare ;

We durst no3t byde, we my3te no5t fie.

Thanne schulde many on be ful bare

Of ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine I'
cvi.
Quia aptid te propiciacio est : et propter legem
tuam sustinui te, Domine !

A law of mercy thou hast gyven.

To hym that wyll no synnes hyde,

But clenly to a preest be schryveo,

And leve rebellyoun and his pryde.

Thi mercy is bothe long and wyde :

Ther of alle men han gret plente,

That wyll nojt lese, ne caste asyde,

' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

CVII.

Sustinuit anima mea in verbo ejus : speravit
andiia mea in Domino.

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 41

I am in hope of thi beheste,
Thi woordys fully I beleve, —
That thou wylt save bothe most and leste,
That wylfuUy the vvyl no3t greve.
There is no man that may myscheve,
Whyll thou of mercy art so fre ;
With sorvvefuU herte 3yf he wyll meve,
'Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

CVIII.

A custodia matutina, usque ad noctem : speret
Israel in Domino.

I truste fully thou wylt me kepe

Fro all myscheef, bothe day and ny3t.

Wher so evere I wake or slepe,

Wyth me is evere an aungyl bry3t :

Thow3 l?e apere no5t to my sy3t,

Ful tendyrly he kepyth me ;

He steryth myn herte, with al his my3t,

To ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'
cix.
Quia apud Dominum misericordia : et copiosa
apud eum redempcio.

Thou art mercyfuU and pyteuous,

Zyf we oure lyvyng will amende ;

Oure raumsoun is ful copyous,

For thou art redy thi grace to sende.

But, 3yf we wille oure synne defende.

And dyspyse thi lawe and the ;

Thanne muste ry5twysnesse suspende

' Ne reminiscaris, Domine I'

42 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

ex.
Et ipse redimet Israel, ex omnibus iniquitatibus
ejus.

Lord ! ful bytterly thou hast boujt
Wrecchyd mannes forfeture.
Whan he was lost, thou hast hym sou3t ;
Thi lyif thou potyst in aventure.
There niyjte no pore creature,
Whan we were thralle, make us fre ;
For on owre syde was no recure.
But ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

CXI.

T\OMINE, exaudi oracionem meam ; auribus per-
cipe obsecrationem meam, in veritate tua : ex-
audi \rne,'] in tua justicia.

To the, Lord, my cause I take:
Thi doom is truthe and ryjtwysnesse :
On myn enmy'es a pleynt I make.
That steryn me evere to wickydnesse.
Here ray prayere, and redresse
The malyce that thei schewe to me.
I leve ray synne ; I take wytnesse
Of ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

CXII.

Et non intres in judicium cum servo tito, Domifie !
quia nop. justijicabitur in conspectu tuo omnis vivens.
What so evere I have ben here before,
Deme rae no3t on the hardest wyse ;
I have do rays; 1 will no more,
But take nic fully to thi servysc.

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 43

Before so ryjtfull a justyse,
No lyvyng man gyltles may be :
Therfore I rede, no man dyspyse
' Ne jeminiscaris, Doraine I '

CXIII.

Quia perseciitus est inimicus animam meam : hu-
miliavit in terra vitam meam.

Myn enemyes ben ful harde to knovve,

That so faste my soule pursewe :

Thai drawe my love to the world ful lowe,

That be resoun I schulde eschewe-

They make me, to the ful, untrewe.

Out of here handys I may nojt fle,

But 3yf thi grace in me renewe

' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'
cxiv.
Collocavit me in obscuris, sicut mortuos seculi :
et anxiatus est super me spiritus mens ; in me turba-
tum est cor meuin.

Thei cumbre me in wyll and werk.

My spirite is ful of wo wyth inne.

AUe my woordys be waxe derk,

For thei be mynged with dedly synne.

Myn herte begynneth to breste atwynm ;

And hope of helpe 1 kan non se,

But 3yf I may frenschypp wynne

AVith ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'
cxv.
Memorfui diermn antiquorum ; meditalus sum in
omnibus operibiis tiiis : in factis mamium tiiarum
meditabar.

44 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

God hath chastysed, for here mysdede,
Summe of oure faderys, as I fynde ;
And largely qwytt hem here mede,
That han to hym be good and kynde.
His werkys schul nevere out of ray niynde :
Love and dreed they prentyn on me ;
That I dar nevere more leve be hynde
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'
cxvi.
Expandi manus meas ad te : anima men, sicut
terra si?ie aqua, tibi.

Often tymes myn handys I sprede,
And my synne be ful ypocrysye ;
For I ly ve no3t ther after in dede ;
Myn herte is fals[e feynt, and drye.
There ben no terys in myn eye ;
Tho\v3 I wolde wepe, it wyll no3t be :
1 kan no3t preye ry3t hertylye,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine I'

CXVII.

Velociter exaudi me, Domine ! defecit spiritus
meus.

Here me, Lord, and wyll no3t tarye:
My spirite begynneth to feynte and fayle.
Suffere nevere my soule rayskarye,
Whanne the feendys will me assayle.
Evere he is redy to gyvve batayle,
And I drede sore his cruelte :
I have non armour, of plate nor mayle,
But ' No reminiscaris, Domine 1'

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 45

CXVIII.
Non avertas faciem tuam a me : et similis ero
descendentibus in lacum.

Turne 005! avvej' fro me thi face,
But lete me have a sy3te of itt :
For, 3yf thou vvithdrawe thi grace.
My soule in synne schal sone be schytt.
Who so falle in that depe pytt,
It is so derk he schal no3t se.
Thanne is non helpe in mannys vvytt,
But ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

cxix.
Auditam fac michi mane misericordiam tuam :
quia in te speravi.

Of thi mercy' I wolde fayn lere

Be tyrae, 3yf it be thi lyst,

In this world, whil I am here:

In the is al myn hope and tryst I

Syth truthe and mercy were IVeendys and kyst.

There was nevere man, of no degre,

(But 3yf he wolde hym self,) that myst

' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

cxx.
Notam fac michi viam in qua ambulem. : quia ad
te levavi animam meam.

Teche me, Lord, the ry3t[e] weye,

That I may my soule save;

Zyf the gospell trewly seye,

Me thar no more but aske and have.

46 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

Thou were nevere scarce, to knyjt nor knave,
That vvolde lyfte up his herte to the,
And devoutly crye, and crave,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'
cxxi.
Eripe me de inimicis meis, Domine! ad te con-

fugi : doce me facere voluntatem tMam,, quia Deus

mens es tu.

Delyvere me. Lord, after thi niy3t.
Fro myn enemyes that wole nie ille :
Thei pursewe me, bothe day and nyjt;
Thei seke my soule to spoyle and spylle.
Teche me to parforrae thi wylle :
Thou art my Lord, and evere schalt be !
This is my prayere, lowde and stylle,
' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'
cxxii.
Spiritus tmis bonus deducet me in terram rectam. :

propter nomen tuum, Domine, vivificahis me in eqni-

tate tua.

To the lond of ry5twysnesse

Thi spirit schal lede me hole and sounde,

Tyl God schal deme bothe more and lesse :

Thanne schal I ryse out of the grounde.

There schal truthe and ryght be founde ;

We schul be demyd be equite.

There schal no man, for peny ne pounde,

Have ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'

CXXIII.

Educes de tnhulacione animam meam : et in
misericordia ttia disperdes inimicos meos.

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 47

Lord ! lede me fro peynes kene,
And myn enray'es dysparple wyde ;
Whan thou schalt derae alle men be dene,
There is no man that may hym hyde.
Make me thanne with hem abyde,
That schul be savyd, and go with the ;
For thei ben provyd, ageyn that tyde,
Of' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !'
cxxiv.
Et perdes oinnes qui tribulant aniinam meam :
guoniam ego servus tuus sum.
Alle feendys, ferse and felle,
That wolde my soule schame and schende,
Thei schul be dampnyd to the peynes of helle,
Whanne thi servauntys to biysse schul wende.
That joye and biysse he us sende,
That schadde bis blood up on a tre ;
x\nd alle that makyn here last ende
Wyth ' Ne reminiscaris, Domine !' Amen,

APPENDIX I.

[Harl. MS. 1845, ff. 15, 16.]

Legitur in Vita Sanctl Bernardi Abhatis Clare-
vallis, quod Demon sibi semel apparuit, dicens se
scire octo versus in Psalterio, quos qui cotidie diceret,
tanti meriti acquireret, ac si totum Psalterium Da-
viticum deeantasset. Et cum beatus Hernardus
instaret ut sibi eosdem versus ostenderet, ille vero hoc
facer e recusaret; tunc beatus Bernardus, " Scio,"
in[_quit,^ " qtiid Jaciam :* nam quotidie legam totum
Psalterium, deinceps ; sicque predictos versus non
obmittam." Quod cum. audisset Demon, ne tantum.
honum faceret, pocius sibi hos versus ostendit. Sunt
autem qui sequuntur.\

Illuraina oculos meos, ne unquam obdormiam in
morte : nequando dicat inimicus meus, ' Pi*evalui
adversus eura.' {Ps. xii. 4.)

In manus tuas, Domine,| commendo spirituni
meum: redemisti me, Domine Deus veritatis! {Ps.
XXX. 6.)

* MS. scio inquid fadam.

f MS. sequitur.

J Domine does not occur hore in uiany Psiilters.

50 APPENDIX.

Locutus sura in lingua mea, ' Notum michi fac,
Domine, finem meum ;

' Et numerum dierura meorum, quis est : ut sciam
quid desit michi.' {Ps. xxxviii. o, 6.)

Fac mecum signura in bono,* ut \ddeant qui te
oderunt,f et confundantur : quoniam tu, Domine,
adjuvisti me, et consolatus es me. {Ps. Ixxxv. 16.)

Dirupisti, Domine, vincula mea : tibi sacrificabo
hostiam laudis, et nomen Domini invocabo. {Ps.
cxv. 7.)

Periit fuga a me : et non est qui requirat animam
[meam.JI {Ps. cxli. 6.)

Clamavi ad te, Domine : dixi, ' Tu es spes mea,
porcio mea in terra vivenoium.' {Ps. cxli. 7.)

Oracio dicenda post hos versv,s.

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus I qui Ezechie Regi,
inde te cum lacrimis humiliter deprecanti, vite spa-
cium protendisti ! concede michi indigno famulo tuo,
ante diem mortis mee, tantum vite spacium, quo, ad
mensuram, ut omnia peccata mea valeam deplorare ;
et veniam ac graciam, secundum misericordiam tuam,
consequi merear. Per Christum.

* The Psalters read in bonum.
f The Psahers, qui oderunt me.

% This word is added from the Psalters, to complete the
sense.

APPENDIX. ol

Item alia oracio.

Domine Jesu C[li]riste ! per illam amaritudinem
mortis quam svistinuisti pro me in cruce, maxime
cum anima tua egressa fuit de corpora tuo ; miserere
anime in gressu suo. Amen.*

APPENDIX IL

[Royal MS. 17 A. XXVTI. ff. 86 b— 88 b.]

Wit rctJennc in i\)t llyf of ^fj)nt ISnnartJ, tl;at
i\)t JScbctlc iSenK to i)tm, i)f fenelu biij. brisius" in tije
tauter, tijo luijcci)£ btr^iiiS antf a man sey ijcm lucljr
Kaj), ijc iSdjal ncbcr be iJampnutle. ^ntJ ^epnt 23civ
narlJ asifeut luljicijc tijep lucre ; antJ \)t mantle I;e jScIjulKe
ucfier toj)te fro i)pm. ^ntJ \}t gautJe ije toottie elliig
siap tijo ijol tauter uclje tiai). ^nU ]^e an^lucru'd
ani iSaptJ, I;e toolti ra5ii)r telle i;tm iuljnclje tijep tocr ;
antJ 3ege l)it arne.

* In the MS. is added the following short prayer, without
a rubric : but, as it was added with a different pen, it seems
not properly to belong to this article. " Peto, Domine Jesu,
largire michi in amore tuo modum sine mensura, a^'ectum
sineraodo, languorem s[i]np ordine, ardorem sine discrecione.
Amen.' '

E 2

52 APPENDIX.

Illumina oculos meos ne umqtiam obdormiam.

Zyf lijt unto myn eje sijt,

That I noujt slepe whan I schal dye.

Lat noujt my fo, in gostly fijt,

Seyn, ' I have over hym the maystrie' :

But shilde nie fro that t'oule wi3t,

That fel out of thin hevenis hye ;

That he be nonie me nou3[t] my my3t,

Whan I schal to the ' mercy' cry.
II.
In mantis ttias, Dominc, commendo spiritum meum.

In to thi hondus I be take my gost ;

Lord, sothfast God I thow hast me bou3t.

Thow quittist me fro the fendis host.

There I was thral in presoun brou3t.

My soule is thin, Lord, welle thow wost :

Hit is to thi liknesse wrou5t.

To that tresor the ry3t is most :

Saviour ! for sake hit nou3t.
III.
Locutus smn lingua mea, notiimfac michi.

I have spokyn with my tunge, —

' Lord make me myn endy[njg to knowe,

Sodenly that I be nou3t slunge

In fire, that makith gostis glowe.

But, Lord, that warnist olde and 3unge !

Soo warne me, that am thin owe ;

That I be nou3t in clottus clunge,

Til al mi syne wey be throwe.'

APPENDIX. 53

IV.

Et numerum dierum meoruni qui est, ut.
'And sene the numbre of dayis myne,
That I may wyte what lakith me :
Of deth sende me sum certayne syn,
Er my lyf dayis dispendid be.
Teche me to plese the and thyne I
Lat me nou3t lacke cliarite ;
So that sum vertu in me may schine,
Jesus I in plesaunce of the.'

V.
Diriipisti vincula mea: tibi sacrificabo.
Thow hast to broke, Lord, in two,
Cloos imade my hondis alle.
A sacrifijee I schal the do,
Of preysing, and thi name ealie.
Dere Lord I lat hit be so ;
The feiidus feteris lat hem falle;
That I may loos and freli go,
The to preyse in heven halle.

VI.

Periit fuga a me, et non est qui.

Fro me hath fli3te perischid and failid.
And ther nis none that my soule wil seke ;
For they, that han me sore a saylid,
Sowjt soule and bodi eke.
But alle here fraud hath noujt a vaylid ;
Jesu ! thow madist hem so meke.
Whan thow were to the deth travaylit,
To save the soulis that were seke.

.54 APPENDIX.

VII.

Clamavi ad te, Do/nine Deus, tu es spes.
I cride, and sayde, ' Thow art my Irist,
My part in the lond of" hem that lyve :
Ther thow art lyf, lykyng, and list ;
Ther drede of deth to deme is dryve.
Tlier is non hongur, ne no thrist ;
Al care lyth closid undir clive :
But al the vvele that may be wyst,
Thow partist hit, Lord, man to 3eive.

VIII.

Fac mecum sigmim in bono, ut videant.
Do with me sum token in gode,
That they mow sen, and schamid be,
That have me hatyd : for thow, Lord, stode
To helpyn and [to] counfort me.
My gostly fon, that ben so wode,
Confunde hem, for thi pyte;
And me con forte with gostly fode.
That al my lyst be layd on the.

NOTES.

Stanza i. — " In wynter, whan the wedir was cold." — It was
the fashion of the poets of tliat age, to begin their poems with
a description, or at least a notice, of the season ; and, in the
present instance, the author's devotional poem is much en-
livened with this introduction. Chaucer's " Canterbury
Tales," and especially his " Flower and the Leaf," open in
this way ; and there is a religious meditation among Hoc-
cleve's poems (quoted on stanza lxxxhi.), which opens in a
similar manner.

Ibid. — " Knockyng ujion my brest." — So Chaucer, treating
of" Penance," says — " Than is discipline eke, in knocking of
thy brest, in scourging with yevdes, in tribulation, in sufTring
patiently wronges that ben don to thee ; and eke in patient
suffring of maladies, or losing of worldly catel, or wif, or
child, or other frendes." {Chaucer's Persones Tale, Canterbury
Tales, ed. Oxford, 1798, 4to. ii. 386.) This act is borrowed
from the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican ; of whom
the latter ^^ percutiebat pectus suum, dicens, Deus! propitius
esto mihi peccatori." (Luc. xviii. 13.)

Page 1 . — Ne reminiscaris, Sfc. — This passage, from which
the burden of the whole poem is borrowed, is found in an-
cient Breviaries as the antiphona at the end of the seven
Penitential Psalms, next before the Litany. Hence it has
been adopted in the English Common Prayer-Book, and
stands in the Litany, between the response to the third invo-

d() notes.

cation, and the first of the deprecations, in these words : —
" Rememher not, Lord, our ofiFences, nor the offences of our
forefathers ; neither take thon vensreance of our sins : spare
us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed
with*^ thy most precious blood ; and be not angry with us for
ever." This is an exact translation of the old antiphona,
exceptiufi the last clause, which would complete it thus, —
" and give not thine inheritance into perdition." A MS.
Breviarj, written in England in the fifteenth century, (in the
editor's possession) adds these words, -propter nomen sanctum
tuum (" because of thy holy name") ; where it occurs at the
end of the fifteen Graduals (which follow the seven Peni-
tential) Psalm";, and immediately before the rubric " Sequatur
Letania." It is composed from the following texts, partly
apocryphal and partly scriptural : —

" Et nunc, Domine, memor esto mei ; et ne vindictam
sumas de peccatis meis : neque reminiscai'is delicta nostra,
vel parentum meorum." (Tobit. iii. 3.)

" Te ergo (|ua;sumus, tuis famulis subveni : quos praetioso
sanguine ledeinisti." (Hymnus sanctorum Ambrosii et Au-
gustini, inc. Te Deum.)

" Numquid in seternum irasceris nobis ? aut extendes iram
tuam a generatione in generationem ?" (Psalm. Ixxxv. 5.)

Stanza iv. — " To schiyve me clene and aske penaunce." —
See notes on stanza xxii.

Stanza vi. — " Or evere." — So in the MS. but in other places
er evere (see st. xxii. xxxii. Ixxxin.); and the word er fre-
quently occurs for before, in this poem.

Stanza viii. — In the Latin text, omnia is an addition to the
text of the Psalters : yet it occurs also in two MS. copies of
the Penitential Psalms, in the editor's hands.

NOTES. 57

Stanza ix. — The Latin text omits srd before " /«," which is
in all other copies.

Stanza x. — " To the kyng and knave." — " Tho, that thou
clcpest thy thralles, ben Goddes peple : for humble folk ben
Cristes frendes ; they ben contubernial with the Lord, thy
King. Thinke also, that of swiche seed as c/jer/es sjn'ingen,
of swiche seed springen Ir.rdes. The same deth that taketh
the cherl, swiche deth taketh the lord" &c. {Chaucer's
Persones Tale, p. 352.)

Stanza xiii. — " In town and felde." — MS. " add" for and.

Stanza xiv. — " Fro losaphath, that gret vale." — Alluding to
a vulgar tradition, that the general judgment is to take place in
the valley of Jehosaphat, under the wall of Jerusalem. Either
the proper name ought to be pronounced in four syllables, or
the word " gret" must be written and read </?-e/e, to complete
this line.

Ihid. — " And cursede wretchys departe fro me." — The verb
here is not neuter, or in the second person plural, as it is in
the English translation of this verse, ^'■Depart from me, all ye
workers of iniquity" (Ps. vi. 8.) : but is an active verb, mean-
ing Separate those from me; as in the old words of plighting,
" till death us departe" altered in the modern i)rint to " do
part." " Departe" occurs, as a verb neuter, in st. lii. ; but
otherwise in st. liii.

Stanza xvi. — " Thi mercy, Lord, I muste ataine."— The
rhyme requires atame, which is most probably the true reading,
and would mean conciliate, from the Anglo-Saxon atamian.
The MS. is ambiguous.

Stanza xx. — " The hand of vengeance." — Apparently a
mistake for Thi ; as in the Latin, mantis tua.

58 NOTES.

Ibid. — " The prycke of conscyence." — This idea is un-
doubtedly borrowed from the title of the most popular reli-
gious poem of the middle ages, Hanipole's Prick (or sting) of
Conscience ; which is too well known to need more than a pass-
ing mention.

Ibid — " Un to the.'' — The measure requires the first of
these syllables to be omitted ; as also " myn," in the first line

of St. XXI.

Stanza xxi. — " My synnes fele." — By comparing st. xv. it
will be seen that "fele" is not the verb to feel, but an adjec-
tive meaning many.

Stanza xxii. — " Of thi synnes wilt the schryve." — Chaucer
quotes this verse of the Psalm thus : " I say, quoth David, I
purposed fermely to shrive me ; and thou, Lord, lelescdst my
sinne." {Persones Tale, p. 302.)

Ibid. — " Whil thou wilt here thi penance dry ve." — That
is, exercise repentance. That painful discipline was not
meant by the word penance (as in st. iv.), is evident from the
whole tenor of the " Persones Tale," especially the following
passage : —

" Seint Ambrose sayth. That penance is the plaining of
man for the gilt that he hath don, and no more to do any
thing for which him ought to plaine. And som Doctour
sayth : Penance is the waymenting of man that sorweth for
his sinne, and peineth himself, for he hath misdon. Penance
with certain circumstances, is veray repentance of man, that
holdeth himself in sorwe and other peine, for his giltes ; and
for he schal be veray penitent, he shal first bewailen the sinnes
that he liath don, and stedfastly purpose in his herte to have
shrift of mouth, and to don satisfaction, and never to don
thing, for which him ought more to bewaylc or complainc, and

NOTES. 0.9

to continue in good weikes ; or elles his repentance may not
availe." {Chaucer^s Persones Tale, p. 281-2.)

Stanza XXIII. — "Seven sythes," &c. — This saying is not
Christ's, but Solomon's : " Septies enim in die cadet Justus,
etresurgety (Prov. xxiv. 16.) Perhaps the poet had in his
mind these words of the gospel, " Etsi septies in die peccaverit
in te, et septies in die conversus fuerit ad te, dicens ' Pienitet
me P dimitte illi." (Luc. xvii. 4.)

Stanza xxiv. — " Throwgh thi fleschly governaunce." — It
means what is called in Paul's epistles, ' walking after the
flesh,' — the (ppovrjixa aapKoq, which puzzled so much the com-
pilers of the Thirty-nine Articles.

Stanza xxvi. — Other Latin copies read, in hac via qua
gradieris.

Stanzaxxxi. — " Have reward." — In modern English iT^arfZ.
But so Chaucer : " Take reivard of thin owen value, that thou
ne be to foule to thyself." {Persones Tale, p. 287.)

Stanza xxxix. — " Thou knowyst." — MS. You; the capital
of the Saxon letter h (which occurs throughout the Sloane
MS.) being here made exactly like Y.

Ihid. — " For erthe I was, and erthe schal be." — Alluding
to those solemn words in Genesis iii. 19 : —

" In sudore vultus tui vesceris.pane tuo.
Donee revertaris in terram de qua sumptus es I
Quia pulvis es;
Et in pulverem reverteris !"

Stanza xlvi. — " Forghyve me my synnes." — The second
word is redundant, and is perhaps a mistake.

Stanza xlvii. — " Lokyn in Iced." — Alluding to the custom
of burying in leaden coffins. See App. II. st. iii.

60 NOTES.

Stanza lii. — " That thou wylt me nevere forsake." — By
transposing the fourth and fifth words, the line may be restored
to its i^roper measure ; thus, nevere me forsake. There is no
instance of ' nevere' accented otherwise than on the first sylla-
ble, throughout this poem.

Stanza liii, line 2. — The MS. has god lord : which words do
not seem intended to represent the " Domine Deus" in the
text, because the paraphrase of the foregoing verse gives only
' Lord' for that double invocation, which is not used by the
author in English. The editor's addition of a final e, makes the
phrase good Lord, of which there is an example in st. lxv.

Stanza lxii.— " Jwrfi^Mi." — Here begins the Harleian
fragment, in which the various readings of this stanza are : —
iine 1, My st/nne yff I tvolle not defende ; and line 5, that he
houte dere.

Stanza lxiii, line 2. — MS. Harl. repeats the pronoun,
thus, thou turne; it omits the third line; reads play for
'■place" at the end of the fourth; and omits "-thi" in the
fifth.

Stanza lxiv, line 1. — Harl. reads ben for "be;" omits
" to" in line 2 ; reads evermore for " ever" in line 5 ; and omits
" Wyth" in line 8.

Stanza lxv. — "Thi mercy."— Harl. my trespas, whereby
the sense is destroyed.

Stanza lxvi. — " Fadyr that art of myghtes most."— Harl.
read as thnu, for " that." The phrase which follows seems to
be equivalent to maximus virtutibus : it occurs in the begin-
ning of the Legend of Saint Ede, edited by the editor of this
work : —

NOTES. 6*1

" Almyghty God in Trinite,

Fader and Sone and Holy Goste I
Helpe and spede and consell me,
As tlion art God of mygliius moste."

[Clironicon Vilodunense , Lend. 1830, fnl.)

Stauza Lxvii. — " In hye.'' — Harl. an hie.

Stanza lxviii, line 3. — Harl. reads, me for to shende.

Stanza lxix. — Harl. adds both, after " shall" in the first
line ; in the fourth, it reads ivolde for " wyll ; and the fifth line
stands thus — Yff I trespas I ivoll not hide.

Stanza lxxi. — " Gylty of syunes sevene." — The Harl. MS.
inserts the, making the sense clearer, at the expense of the
measure. The poet evidently alludes to " the seven deadly
sins," which are thus recited in the elements of religious
instruction of the Catholics, intitled " Institutio Christiana,"
commonly prefixed to their manuals of devotion. " Septem
peccata capitalia, quse communiter mortalia appellantur.
Swperhia, Avaritia, Luxuria, Invidia, Gula, Ira, e.t Acedia.''''
They formed the principal topics of the pulpit before the Re-
formation ; and are largely discoursed of in the Persones
Tale : to illustrate which, the following short poem is here
off'ered to the reader, from an elegant little Wiclifiite MS. of
the fourteenth century, in the Harleian collection. (No. 2339,
fi'. 116 b,— 117 b.}

These be the vii. deedly svnnes that suen.

Pride is heed of alkyns synne,

That makith mannys soule fro God to twyn :

To wickide highnes he wole ay ;

And loveth to myche his owne noblay.

Him silf he preisith in his thought.

And othere men he settith at nought.

G2 notb:s.

Envije folowith pride comounly :
Whanne men faren weel, he is sory ;
Whanne men faren yvel, he joieth withynne ;
He laugheth nevere, but at syime.

Wraththe unto these two is knytt:
To take venjauuce is al his witt ;
To sle, to smyte, to procure woo,
To warie folk, to sclaundre also.

The coveitous man knowith no skille,
For al this world mai him not fiUe :
The worldis weelthe he willith ay,
With right or wrong, gete whether he may.

Glotenye hath greet appetite ;
To ete eerli and late is his delite :
He loveth no mesure of etinge,
And ay he wole be drinkynge.

The sixte synne is leccherie :
To manye a soule it worchith noie :
But men it leve, and hem amende.
In fier of helle thei wole be brende.

Sloxunes is a cursid thing :
For it is evere weri of weel doyng.
Good werk he lothith to bigynne ;
And lightli therof he wole blynne.

These ben the synnes sevene.
That reven men the blis of hevene.

Ibid. 1. 5. — Havl. Sethe thou wyltnot thi seljf enchawncfi.
The word "Of" is omitted by Havl. in the last line.

Stanza lxm. 1. 5,— For "as" Harl. reads that; and all
for " ellys" in line 7.

Stanza lxxih.— The reading of "iVH«c"for TMnc has been
occasioned, probably, by the mistake of the rubrisher; who

NOTES. f)*>

painted the blue capital N without looking at a copy. Such
mistakes are frequent in eniliellished MSS., hut seldom aft'ect
the sense: perhaps the old story of Mmnpsimus, for Sump-
simus, may be accounted for in this way.

Stanza lxxiv. — The omission of a letter in the Latin text
is supplied by the editor, as also at stanzas lxxxvi. and
xcviii. The only variation of the Harleian copy is, the
omission of" my" in the second line.

Stanza lxxv.— Harl. reads oft be, for " be often," in line
2 ; and on for " of," in line 4 ; adds thou before " bowe," in
line 6; and omits me in line 7.

Stanza lxxvi. — Harl. reads in for " to," in line 1 ; oftc do
wrong, in line 2; and in the thus, for " in the this," in line 7.

Stanza lxxvii. — Harl. reads chaumje, for " clynge," in
line 4 ; and may, for " schal," in line 6.

Stanza lxxviii. — Harl. reads the second line thus, As that/
that lie agaynst the sonne ; transposes the words in line 4,
thus, For drie to gedur my hert is ronne ; and inserts it be-
tween " me is," in line 5.

Stanza lxxix. — Mistaking " me" for ne, in line 3, Harl.
reads nor hedur nor thedur ; it also reads On for " And," in
line 7.

Stanza lxxx. — The first line seems to require adyght, or
ydyght, for the simple participle " dyght." The author
rarely uses any old prefix ; but i'gone in st. xciii., and ipast
in St. XCVIII., are proofs that he was not averse to the use of it,
and intended to say idyght, to fill up his measure.

6*4 NOTES.

Ibid. 1. 7. — For " oftyn," Havl. reads oft as ; and omits
" At" in line S.

Stanza lxxxi. — " Spaiwe that is alone." — Sparotve that
sitteth alone, Hail. The same MS. omits " awey" in line 3.

Stanza lxxxii. — Harl. in line 1, reads me ofle, for " often
me;" omits "me" in line 2; and reads holden resoun in line
7, for " now noght gesoun."

Stanza lxxxiii. — " I wote noght whanne myn ende schal
be." — Harl. / wote not ivhenne my deth shall be. This thought
is beautifully expressed in the first stanza of one of Hoccleve's
poems, a Balade translated by command of Master Robert
Chichele : —

" As that I walkid in the monthe of May
Besyde a gi'ove, in an hevy musynge
Flowers diverse I sy right fresh and gay,
And briddes herde I eek lustyly synge ;
That to myn herte yaf a confortynge :
But evere o thoght me stang unto the herte,
That dye I sholde, and hadde no knowynge
Whanne, ne whidir, J sholde hennes sterte."

Mr. Mason, the editor of some of Hoccleve's poems, describes
this as the seventeenth of those contained in his MS. (Preface,
p. 17, 1796, 4to.) But what has become of that MS., or
why Hoccleve's poem De Regimine Principum, and other
productions, have not been published, the present editor can
give no account whatever.

Stanza lxxxiv. — " Schal lyin in thysse." — Harl. in the is.

Stanza lxxxv. — " As schadewe waxe." — Hurl, ben sha-
doived and waxen.

NOTES. 65

Stanza lxxxvi. — " Noglit liyde." — Harl. me hide.

Stanza Lxxxvir. — After " Syoii," Hail, inserts the preposi-
tion on; and reads " the ordre of a knyghV in line 2. The
sentiment of this stanza, and of the next, is more akin to the
religion of Mohammed than to Christianity : but such was
chivalry, — an attempt to serve God and mammon upon a
grand scale. An allusion to it occurs in Chaucer's Persones
Tale, in these words. " What say we than of hem that pille
and don extortions to holy chiche ? Certes, the siverd, that
men yeven first to a knight, whan he is newe dubbed, sig-
nifieth that he shuld defend holt/ chirchc, and not robbe it ne
pille it; and who so doth, is traitour to Crist." {Canterhury
Tales, ii. 3.52.)

Stanza lxxxviii. — " Schulde be so fre." — Transposed in
Harl. so fre shuld be.

Stanza lxxxix. 1. 1. — For " schal," Harl. reads shuld:
as also for " schul " in line 2.

Stanza xc. — " Syon a merour is." — The poet strangely
resorts to this explanation of the name Sion, after his chi-
valric allegory of a tower composed of stones: he might have
found something consistent with his former idea, in the same
authority from which he gained the notion of a mirror
namely, a watch-toiver. The following passages are extracted
from the " Interpretationes Nominum Hebraicorum," com-
monly subjoined to MS. and early printed Latin Bibles.
" Sion. specula, vel semen ejus. — Sion, mandatum, vel nmnen,
sive speculum aut speculatio.^' (Biblia, Venetiis, 1497, 4to.)
In that old glossary, a poet or spiritualizer might meet with
almost any explanation that might suit his. fancy ; the inter-
pretations being often as widely different as the poles are fur
asunder.

66 NOTES.

Ibid. 1. 2. — Harl. omits " and sett;" reads sptteth for
" sytt," in line 3; omits" alle" in line 4; and alters the
sense, by pntting tn in the stead of " for," in line 7.

Stanza xci. — Harl. reads to God ivill for " willen to God,"
in line ! ; Jdrke for " cherche," in line 3 ; and For hi/ru/es and
for cmnm/te, in line i\

Stanza xcii. 1. 1. — Harl. reads, in Itnkes hen ivriten.

Stanza xcin. — " Freendys hen igone." — Harl. reads frendi^s
away hen (jnne.

Stanza xciv. — Harl. adds both after " peple," in line 1 ;
omits " they," in line (i ; and reads Help nor no frendship, in
line 7.

Stanza xcv. 1. 2. — Harl. mistakenly reads these che.te, for
" thou dies."

Ihid. 1. 4.—" Jerusalem the cyte of pes." — The " Tnterpre-
tationes" (({uoted l)efore) explain the name thus : — " Jeroso-
lyma : pacifica, vel iiisin pads. — Jerusalem : pacifica, vel
pads visio, sire timor perfectus, aut timebit perfecte.^^

Stanza xcvi, 1. 6. — The editor has added another con-
junction, to complete the measure. Tn the Harleian MS. the
final letter of pese might have been pronounced ; but the
word is always written without a final e in the Sloane MS.

Stanza xcix. — The words printed in italics were rein-
grossed, by an old hand, in the place where some liquid had
almost discharged the old writing of the Sloane MS. The

NOTES. 67

orthography does not seem to have been exactly followed : the
words exactly agree with the Harleian copy.

Stanza c. — MS. Harl. transposes the words " ])ende" and
" breste," in line 5, whereby the rhyme is spoiled ; and " thou
art" (arte thoti), in line fi.

Stanza ci. — In the Latin text, the MS. reads " oportorium"
for opertorium. Those portions of this stanza which are in
italics were reingrossed, as in stanza xcix; and those within
brackets are corrections obtained from the Harleian copy,
which reads the whole stanza thus : —

Mamies flessh sbal be dystroyed,

As clothes that weren with wedur and w^'iidc ;

And after rise and be glorified,

In holy scripture as we lynde:

But thou art in iiiutabull, by kynde I

Ther is no clionging fownden in the 1

When thou schalt body and soule unbinde,

Xe remiuiscari.s, Doniine !

Stanza cii. — Harl. reads, J'hi childer and ihi servavntes,
in line 1 ; and adds the before " peynes," in line 2.

Stanza cm. — This stanza has been sadly botched l)y the
second hand, and is corrected by the help of the Harleian copy.
The Sloane MS. omits the two last words of the second line ;
reads from all woe, in line 4 ; rnani/ moe (where the original
seems to have been "manyemo"), in line 5; and omits the two
last words of line 6. In line 7, Harl. reads, shall goo.

Stanza civ. — Him thar, (Sec. — See note on stanza cxx.

Stanza cv. — Harl. transposes " schulde sone" {so7ie
shulld), in line 3 ; and reads mi/ght for " nierthe," in line 4.

68 NOTES.

Stanza cvi. — The words in italics were reingrossed by an
old hand, where the original writing was obscured. In line 3,
Harl. reads, But dense to a preest hym to schryven : omits
" his," in line 4 ; and reads and for " ne," in line 7.

Stanza cvii. — Harl. reads line 4, thus, Thou ivill not
wilfully the greve ; in line fi, art of thi mercy, for " of mercy
art ;" and for " ghyf," in line 7, and.

Stanza cviii. — Harl. reads line 3 thus, Whether I wake
or I slepe ; in line 6, for " kepyth me," doth me kepe ; and for
" steryth myn herte," in line 7, sturreth me.

Stanza cix. — lu line 1, for " piteuous," Harl. reads pre-
ciouse; and wold for " will," in line 2.

Stanza ex. — Harl. omits " hast," in line 3 ; and reads he
made for •' make," in line 6.

Stanza cxi, cxii. — In the Latin text of the former stanza,
me is omitted in tlie Sloane MS., but occurs in the Harleian,
and in the Psalters: in the latter, Domhie is an addition not
found in the Psalter, but occurs in some of the Breviaries.

Stanza cxjii. — Harl. reads thi for "the," in line 7 ; and
prefixes Of to line 8.

Stanza cxv. — In line 2, Harl. reads tve for " I ;" adds for
after'' hem," in line 2; and omits " my," in line 5.

Stanza cxvi, 1. 1. — The Harleian copy ends with this
line — Often tym.es viy handes I spredc.

Stanza cxix. — " Sythe truthe and mercy were freendys and

NOTES. 60

kyst." — Alluding to Psalm Ixxxiv. 1], (or Ixxxv. 10, in the
English version,) Misericordla et Veritas nbviaverunt sibi :
justitia et pax osculatcc sunt.

Stanza cxx. — Zyf the yospell, 8ic. — In this and other
places, where the Saxon character J (expressed in this work
by 3) occurs at the beginning of a line, it is merely a plain Z
in the MS. The reference is to these words : — Petite et dabitur
vdbis ; (Matt. vii. 7 ; Luc. xi. 9 ;) the phrase " Me thar,"
meaning me oportet, ' I need no more than ask, and have.'
Compare stanza civ. So Chaucer, —

" And therfore this proverb is saycl ful soth,
Him thar not winnen ivel that evil doth ;
A gilour shal him self begiled he."
{Canterbury Tales,v. 4317-9; whereupon see Tyrwhitt's note.)

NOTES ON APPENDIX.

App. i.~-This article is taken from a MS. of Prayers in
Latin, written about the end of the fourteenth century. The
references to the Psalter are added to the several verses, by
the editor, according to the numbers of the Latin Psalms,
which differ from the English, (as may appear by comparing
the two versions.) thus : —

LATIN

VULGATE.

ENGLISH.

(1) Psal

m xii. 4.

salm xiii. 3, 4.

(2) „

XXX. 6.

„

xxxi. 5.

(3,4)

xxxviii. 5,

(i.

xxxix. 3, 4.

(5) „

Ixxxv. l(i.

„

l.Kxxvi. 17.

(«) „

cxv. 7.

cxvi. 16, 17.

(7,8)

cxli. (), 7.

cxlii. 4, 5.

70 NOTES.

App. II. — 111 the Legend, lines 8 and 9, the character 3 is
put for ]>, in the MS. Read rathur and these.

Stanza ii, 1. 7. — MS. " the" for thi.

Stanza ui. — In clottus clun<je. — Wrapped in cloths, that is,
in his winding sheet.

Stanza iv. — Of deth sende me sum ccrtayne syn. — A sign
or token before death was accounted a most desirable thing
in the times of superstition. In the following rubric of a
prayer, attributed to the venerable Beda, which occurs in
many antient books of devotion, — a vision of the virgin Mary
is promised to those who should daily use it. — " Oracio
venerabilis Bede presbiteri, de septem verbis doraini nostri
Jesu Christi in cruce pendentis ; quam quicunque cotidie
devote dixerit flexis genibus, nee diabolus nee lualus homo
ei nocere poterit, et per triginta dies ante obitum suum, vide-
bit beatam virginem Mariam covporaliter, facie ad faciem,
sibi in auxiliuui preparatani. Domine Jesu Christe, qui sep-
tem verba" &c.— (Editor's MS.)

Stanza viii. — The text of this verse is out of place: it
rightly stands the Jifth, iu the foregoing appendix. The
editor has added a syllable in the fourth line, to complete the
metre.

Ibid. — " For thi pite." — The following is Chaucer's remark
on divine pity : — " For certes, our Lord Jesu Crist hath
spared us so benignely in our folies, that, if he ne had pitee on
mannes soule, a sory songe might we alle singe !" — {Persones
Tale, p. 303.)

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PETER CUNNINGHAM, Esq.

REV. ALEXANDER DYCE.

WILLIAM JERDAN, Esq. F.S.A., M.R.S.L.

SIR FREDERICK MADDEN, K.H., F.RS., F.S.A.

T. J. PETTIGREW, Esq. F.R S., F.S A.

E. F. RIMBAULT, Esq. F.S.A. Secretary.

WILLIAM .1. THOMS. Esq. F.S.A.

JAMES WALSH, Esq F.S.A.

THOMAS WRIGHT, Esq. M.A., F.S A.

PREFACE.

The following Tract is not included in the Edi-
tions of Drayton s Works, The original is a small
black-letter quarto.

The Harmony of the Church is nothing more
than select portions of Scripture "reduced into^^
sundrie kinds of English meeter " ; and, perhaps,
exhibits in the versification less of the artist than
Drayton's later writings. It has, however, con-
siderable claims to our attention, both as the
earliest publication of so celebrated a poet, and
as being now re})riuted from a copy which is in
all probability unique. '''

A. D.

THE

HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

CONTAINING,

THE SPIRITUALL SONGES AND HOLY HYMNES, OF GODLY

MEN, PATBIARKES AND PROPHETES : ALL, SWEETLY

SOUNDING, TO THE PRAISE AND GLORY

OF THE HIGHEST.

NOW (nEWLIE) REDUCED INTO SUNDRIE KINDS OF ENGLISH

meeter : meete to be read or sung, for the
solace and comfort of the godly.

By M. D.

LONDON.

I'rinted by Kichard Jhoncs, at the lloso .and Crowno,
neere Holbornc Bridge.

1591.

TO THE GODLY AND VERTUOUS LADY, THE
LADY JANE DEUOREUX, OP RIERIUALE.

Good madame, oft imagining with my selfe Iiowe
to manifest my well meaning vnto your Ladishippe,
and in my loue towardes you most vnwilling to bee
founde ingratefull, either in the behalfe of my coun-
trie, or the place of my byrth, to the one your godlie
life beeing a pi'esident of perfect vertue, to the other
your bountiful! hospitalitie an exceeding releefe :

Then, good Ladie, my selfe, as an admyrer of your
manie vertues, and a well-wisher vnto your happie and
desired estate, doo here present the fruites of my
labours vnto your modest and discreet consideration ;
hoping that you will measure them, not by my abilitie,
but by their authoritie, not as poems of poets, but
praiers of prophets; and vouchsafe to be their gracious
patronesse against any gracelesse parasite ; and ende-
uour your selfe with this good Debora, Hester, and
ludith (whose songes of praise I here present to your
Ladiship) to the aduancing of Gods glorie and the
beautifieng of his Church. Thus committing your
Ladiship and all your actions to the protection of the
Almighty, and my short translation to your curteous
censure, I humbly take my leaue. London, this 10. of
Feb. 1590.

Your Ladiships to commaund, in all dutifuU seruices,

MiCHAELL Drayton.
b2

TO THE CURTEOUS READER.

Gentle Reader, my meaning is not with the varietie
of verse to feede any vaine humour, neither to trouble
thee with deuises of mine owne inuention, as carieng
an ouerweening of mine owne wit; but here I pre-
sent thee with these Psalmes or Songes of praise, so
exactly translated as the prose would permit, or sence
would any way suffer me : which (if thou shalt be the
same in hart thou art in name, I mean, a Christian)
I doubt not but thou wilt take as great delight in
these as in any poetical fiction : I speak not of Mars
the god of wars, nor of Venus the goddesse of loue,
but of the Lord of Hostes that made heauen and earth ;
not of toyes in Mount Ida, but of triumphes in Mount
Sion ; not of vanitie, but of veritie ; not of tales, but
of truethes.

Thus submitting my selfe vnto thy clemencie, and
my labours vnto thy indifferencie, I wish thee as my
selfe.

Thine, as his owne,

M. D.

THE SPIRITUALLL SONGES AND HOLY HYMNES
CONTAINED IN THIS BOOK.

1. The most notable Song of Moses which he made a litle

before his death.

2. The Song of the Israelites for their deUuerance out of Egypt.

3. The most excellent Song of Salomon, containing eight

Chapters.

4. The Song of Annah.

5. The Praier of Jeremiah.

6. The Song of Deborah and Barach.

7. A Song of the FaithfuU for the mercies of God. ---

8. Another Song of the Faithfull, -^

9. A Song of thankes to God. ^
10. Another Song of the Faithfull. ^

OTHER SONGES AND PRAIERS OUT OF THE
BOOKES OF APOCRIPHA.

11. The Praier of Judith.

12. The Song of Judith.

13. A Praier in Ecclesiasticus of the Author.

14. The Praier of Salomon.

15. A Song of Ihesus the sonne of Sirach.

16. The Praier of Hester.

17. The Praier of Mardocheus.

18. A Praier in the person of the Faithfull.

19. A Praier of Tobias.

THE MOST NOTABLE SONG OF MOSES, CONTAINING GODS BENEFITES
TO HIS PEOPLE, WHICH HE TAUGHT THE CHILDREN OF ISRAELL
A LITLE BEFORE HIS DEATH, AND COMMANDED THEM TO LEARNE
IT, AND TEACH IT VNTO THEIR CHILDREN, AS A WITNESSE
BETWEENE GOD AND THEM.

Deutronom. Chap, xxxii.

Yee Heauens aboue, vnto my speacli attend,
And, Earth below, giue eare vnto my will :
My doctrine shall like pleasant drops discend.
My words like heauenly dew shal down distil.
Like as sweet showers refresh the hearbs again,
Or as the grasse is nourish'd by the raine.

I will describe lehonahs name aright,
And to that God giue euerlasting praise :
Perfect is he, a God of woondrous might ;
With iudgment he directeth all his waies ;

He onely true, and without sinne to trust ;

Righteous is he, and he is onely iust.

With loathsome sinne now are you all defilde,
Not of his seed, but bastards basely borne ;
And from his mercie therefore quite exilde,
Mischieuous men, through foUie all forlorne :
Is it not he which hath you dearly bought,
Proportien'd you, and made you iust of nought?

8 THE IIARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

Consider well the times and ages past ;
Aske thy forefathers, and they shall thee tell
That when lehouah did deuide at last
Th' inheritance that to the nations fel,
And seperating Adams heires, he gaue
The portion his Israeli should haue.

His people be the portion of the Lord,
Jacob the lot of his inheritance :
In wildernesse he hath thee not abhorr'd,
But in wild deserts did thee still aduance ;
He taught thee still, and had a care of thee,
And kept thee as the apple of his eie.

Like as the eagle tricketh vp her neast,
Therein to lay her litle birdes full soft,
And on her backe doth suffer them to rest,
And with her wings doth carie them aloft ;

Euen so the Lord with care hath nourisht thee.
And thou hast had no other God but he :

And great lehouah giueth vnto thee
The fertilst soyle the earth did euer yeeld,
That thou all pleasure mightst beholde and see.
And tast the fruit of the most pleasant field ;
Honey for thee out of the flint he brought,
And oilc out of the craggie rocke he wrought ;

With finest butter still he hath thee fed,
With milke of sheep he hath thee cherished ;

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. i

With fat of lambes and rammes in Bazan bred,
With flesh of goates he hath thee nourished ;
With finest wheat he hath refresht thee still,
And gaue thee wine, thereof to drink thy fill.

But hee that should be thankfuU then for this,
Once waxing fat, began to spurne and kicke :
Thou art so crancke, and such thy grosenesse is,
That now to lust thy prouender doth pricke.
That he that made thee thou remembrest not,
And he that sau'd thee thou hast clean forgot.

With idols they ofiend his gracious eies,
And by their sinne prouoke him vnto yre ;
To deuils they doo offer sacrifice.
Forsake their God, and other goddes desire,

Gods whose beginnings were but strange and new,
Whom yet their fathers neuer fear'd nor knew.

He which begat thee is cleane out of mind,
The God which form'd thee thou doost not regard :
The Lord to angre was therewith inclinde.
His sonnes and daughters should him so reward.
And there he vow'd his chearfuU face to hide.
To see their end and what would them betide :

For faithlesse they and froward are become.
And with no God moue me to ielousie ;
To angre they prouoke me all and some,
And still offend me with their vanitie ;

10 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

And with no people I will mooue them then,
And angre them with vaine and foolish men :

For why, my wrath is kindled like the fire,

And shall descend to the infernall lake ;

The earth shall be consumed in mine ire,

My flames shal make the mighty mountains quake ;
With many plagues I wil them stil annoy,
And with mine arrowes I will them destroy ;

With hunger, heat, and with destruction,
I wil them burne, consume, and ouerthrow ;
They shal be meat for beasts to feed vppon,
The ground invenom'd whereupon they goe ;
In field, in chamber stil my sword shall slay
Man, maid, and child, with him whose head is gray;

And I will scatter them both far and neare.
And hencefoorth make their memorie to cease,
Saue that the furious enemie I feare,
And that his pride should thereby more increase,
And they should say, and foorth this rumor ring,
That they, and not the Lord, haue done this thing.

They are a nation void of counsell quite.

To vnderstand there doth not one intend ;

But were they wise, in it they would delite,

And would consider of their latter end :
Can one or two put thousands to the flight,
Except the Lord do help them with his might ?

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 11

For with our God their gods may not compare,
Our foes themselues will still the same confesse ;
Their vines of Sodome and Gomorra are,
Their grapes of gaule, clusters of bitternesse ;
Their wine is like to dragons poison sure.
Or gaule of aspes that no man may endure.

And haue not I laid vp in store this thing ?

Amongst my treasures doo I not it hide ?

The recompence with vengeance wil I bring.

And all in time their foot awry shall slide ;
For their destruction, loe, is nowe at hand.
And mischief here euen at their heels doth stand !

For why, the Lord doth iudge the earth alone.
And to his seruants shew himselfe most kinde :
When he shall see their power is past and gone,
And none kept vp in hold nor left behind.

When men shal say, let vs your goddes behold, —
Where be they now whom ye so mucli extold ?

Which oft did eat the fatted sacrifice,
And dranke the wine of the drinke oiFering ?
Vnto your helpe now let vs see them rise :
Loe, I am God, and there is no such thing !

I kil, giue life, I wound, make whole againe ;

Out of my handes no man can ought retaine :

I lift my hands on high to heauen aboue,
Immortall I, and onely Hue for euer ;

12 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

My glittering sword I sharpe for my behooue,
In righteous iudgment still I tloo perseuer ;
I wil send vengeance on mine enemies,
And many plagues on them which me dispise :

Mine ai'rowes then of blood shal haue their fill,
My sword shal eate the verie flesh of men.
For such my saintes as they doo slay and kill,
And for the captiues they imprison then ;
And when I once begin reuenge to take,
From plague and vengeance then I will not slake.

Ye nations all, honour his people then :
He will reuenge his seruantes guiltlesse blood,
And surely plague the vile and wicked men
Which stoutlie haue against him euer stood ;
He will shew mercie stil vnto his land.
And on his people brought foorth by his hand.

A SONG OF MOSES AND THE ISRAELITES FOR THEIR DELIUERANCE
OUT OF EGYPT.

The XV. Chap, of Exodus.

I WILL sing praise vnto the Lord for aie,
Who hath triumphed gloriously alone ;
The horse and rider he hath ouerthrowen,
And swallowed vp cuen in the raging sea.

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 13

He is my strength, he is my song of praise,
He is the God of ray saluation ;
A temple will I build to him alone,
I will exalt my fathers God alwaies.

The Lord lehouah is a man of warre ;
Pharao, his chariots, and his mightie hoste
Were by his hand in the wilde waters lost,
His captaines drowned in Red Sea so farre,

Into the bottom there they sanke like stones.
The mightie depthes our enemies deuour :
Thy owne right hand is gloorious in thy power,
Thy owne right hand hath bruised al their bones ;

And in thy glorie thou subuerted hast

The rebels rising to resist thy power ;

Thou sentst thy wrath which shall them all deuour

Euen as the fire doth the stubble wast ;

And with a blast out of thy nostrilles
The flowing flood stood still as any stone ;
The waters were congealed all in one,
And firme and sure as any rockes or hilles.

The furious foe so vainly vaunteth stil.
And voweth to pursue with endlesse toile,
And not returne til he haue got the spoile ;
With fire and sword they wil destroy and kill :

14 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

Thou sentst the wind which ouerwhehii'd them all ;
The surging seas came sousing in againe ;
As in the water, so with might and maine,
Like lead, vnto the bottome downe they fall.

Oh mightie Lord, who may with thee compare ?
Amongst the gods I find none like to thee,
Whose glorie's in holines, whose feares in praises be,
Whose chiefe delights in working woonders are :

Thou stretchest out thy right and holy arme.
And presently the earth did them deuour ;
And thou wilt bring vs by thy mightie power,
As thou hast promist, without further harnie :

And for thy people, Lord, thou shalt prouide
A place and seat of quietnesse and rest :
The nations all with feare shall be opprest,
And Palestina quake for all her pride ;

The dukes of Edom shal hang downe the head,
The Moabites shall tremble then for feare,
The Cananites in presence shall appeare.
Like vnto men whose fainting heartes were dead ;

And feare and dread shall fall on them, alas !
Because thou helpest with thy mighty hand ;
So stil as stones amazed they shal stand.
Oh mightie Lord, while thine elect doo passe !

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 15

And thou shalt bring thy chosen and elect
Unto the mount of thine inheritance,
A place prepared thy people to aduance ;
A sanctuary there thou shalt erect,

Which thou, oh Lord, establish'd hast therefoi-e,
And there thy name shal raigne for euermore !

THE MOST EXCELLENT SONG, WHICH WAS SALOMONS, WHEREIN

IS DECLARED THE TRUE AND VNFAINED LOUE BETWEENE

CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH, CONTAINING VIII. CHAPTERS.

CHAP. I.

Let him imbrace his deare with many a friendly kisse,
For why, thy loue than any wine to me more pleasant is ;
In smel thou art most like sweet odors vnto me,
Thy name like precious ointment is, so sweet as sweet

may be ;
Therefore the virgins al of thee enamored are,
Entice me on to follow thee, — ^loe, we ourselues prepare !
The King hath brought me in to chamber richly dight ;
He is my ioy, his loue is sweet, the good in him delight.
Ye daughters of Jerusalem, although that browne I bee,
Than arras rich or cedars fruits I seemlier am to see :
Disdaine me not, although I be not passing faire,
For why, the glowing sunny raies discolloured haue my

laire :

16 THE IIARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

My mothers darlings deare, with enuie swelling so,
Haue me constrain'd to keei^ their vine, thus I mine

own forgoe.
Tell me, my sweet and deare, where thou thy flocke

doost feed.
Or where thy litle lamblings rest about midday indeed,
Els shall I walke about, all wandring like a stray,
And seeke thee, after other flocks, through many an

vnknowne way.
If that my pathes, oh paragon, be so vnknowen to thee,
Go feed thy flock amongst the tents wher none but

shepherds be.
My true and loyal loue, I may thee well compare
To famous Pharaos horses great, which in his cha-
riots are :
Thy cheeks bedect with precious stone, most louely to

behold ;
About thy neck likewise do hang great massy chaines

of gold :
Fine costlie borders, for my loue, of gold we wil prepare,
With siluer studs accordinglie, of worke surpassing I'are.
Whiles he at table sat, perfumes then did I make
Of spicknard sweet and delicate, al for my true loues

sake :
My loue, more sweet than myrrhe, between my breasts

doth ly,
Or camphere that doth spring and grow in vine of

Engady.
How faire art thou, my loue, my done, my darling deare !
Thine eies most like vnto the doues in sight to me appeare :

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 1 7

Oh, how exceeding faire and seemly to be seene !
The bed where we together lie is hung with pleasant

greene ;
The beames our house vphold, they all of cedar be ;
The reaching rafters of the same of fyrre, that stately

tree.

THE SECOND CHAPTER.

I AM the fragrant flower of braue vermilion hue,

And lilie in the valey low ysprong vp fresh and new.

As lillie flower excels the thorne or litle chyer of grasse,

So far my loue the virgins all in beautie doth surpasse;

Or as the barren crooked stocke vnto the straightest tree,

No more the sonnes vnto my loue may ought compared be.

To rest by his sweet side, to mee a heauenly blisse ;

The fruit that springeth from my loue exceeding plea-
sant is.

To celler he me brings of wine aboundant store ;

His loue displaied ouer me, how can I wish for more ?

Fil foorth your flagons, then, whereof the fume may flie;

Bring forth your cates to comfort me, — ah me, for loue
I die!

His left hand clipping close about my necke doth hold.

His right doth sweetly me imbrace, and eke my
corps enfold.

I charge you by the roes and hinds, ye Jewish daugh-
ters all,

Not once to stir in a- wake my loue, vntil she please to call.

18 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

But stay, me thinks, this is mine owne loues voice I heare :
Loe, how he skips from hill to hill ! loe, yon he doth

appeare !
My lone is like a roe that frisketh in the wood,
Or like the strong and stately hart in prime and lusty

blood :
He closely shroudes himselfe behind our wall, I see.
And through the gate he dooth disclose and shew him-
selfe to me ;
And, calling then, he saith, Come to thine owne, my

deare.
For, lo, the clouds are past and gone, the skies are

christal cleare ;
The flowers in the field so faire and freshly spring ;
The birds do chant with merie glee, the turtle now

doth sing;
The fig-trees bear such store that boughs with waight

are bent.
The vines with blossoms do abound, which yeeld a sweet

accent !
Come to thine owne, my deare, my darling, and my done;
Leaue thou the place of thine abode, come to thine own

true loue ;
Let me behold thy face, most pleasant to the sight,
And heare my best beloueds voice that most doth me

delight.
Destroy the subtil fox that doth the grapes deuoure,
For, loe, behold, the time is come, the vines do bud

and floure !
My loue to me is true, and I likewise his owne.
Which in the lilies takes repast, himselfe euen all alone:

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 19

Until the day doth spring, or shadowes fade away,
Be as a roe, or like the harts which on the mountaines
play.

THE THIRB CHAPTER.

By night within my bed I romed here and there ;
But al in vain, I could not find my loue and friendly fere.
Then straight waies vplrose, and searching euery street
Throughout the city far and neer ; but him I could not

meete :
The watchmen found me tho, to whom I then can say,
Haue ye not seen mine owne true loue of late come this

a way?
Then passing them, I found my loue I long had sought,
And to my mothers chamber then my darling haue I

brought.
I charge you by the roes and hinds, this vow to me

you make,
Ye Jewish daughters, notto call my loue till she doe wake.
Who's that which doth from wildernes in mighty smoke

appeare,
Like the perfumes of odors sweet which merchants hold

so dear?
About the bed of Salomon, behold, there is a band
Of threescore valiant Israelites which al in ai-mour stand;
All expert men of war, with sword stil ready prest.
Least foes in night time should approch, when men

suspect them least.

20 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

King Salomon hath made of Liban tree so sure
ApaUace braue, whose pillers strong arealof siluerpure:
The panement beaten gold, the hangings purple graine,
The daughters of Jerusalem with ioy to entertaine.
Ye Sion daughters, see where Salomon is set
In royall throan, and on his head the princely coronet,
Wherewith his mother first adorn'd him (as they say),
When he in mariage linked was, euen on his wedding
day.

THE FOURTH CHAPTER.

Behold, thou art al faire, my loue, my hearts delight :
Thine eies so louely like the doues appear to me in sight;
Thy haire surpassing faire and seemely to the eie.
Like to a goodly heard of goateson Gilead mountaine hie ;
Thy teeth like new washt sheep returning from the flood,
Wheras not one is barren found, but beareth twinnes

so good ;
Thy lips like scarlet thred, thy talke dooth breed delight;
Thy temples like poragranet faire doth shew to me in

sight ;
Thy necke like Dauids Tower, which for defence doth

stand,
Wherein the shieldes and targets be of men of mightie

hand;
Thy brests like twinned roes in prime and youthfuU age.
Which feed among the lillies sweet, their hunger to

ass wage.

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 21

Until the day doe spring, and night be banisht hence,
I will ascend into the mount of myiThe and frankensence.
Thou art all faire, my loue, most seemly eke to see ;
From head to foot, from top to toe, there is no spot in thee.
Come downe from Libanon, from Libanon aboue,
And from Amanahs mountain hie come to thine own

true loue ;
From Sheuers stately top, from Hermon hil so hie,
From lions dens, and from the clilFes where lurking

leopards lie.
My spouse and sister deare, thy loue hath wounded me ;
Thy louely eie and seemly neck hath made me yeeld

to thee :
Thy loue far better is than any wine to me,
Thy odors sweet doth far surpasse the smell where

spices be :
Thy lips like hony combe, vnder thy tongue doth lie
The honey sweet; thy garments smel like Libanon on hie.
My spouse a garden is, fast vnder locke and kay.
Or like a fountaine closely kept, where sealed is the way.
Like to a pleasant plot I may thee well compare,
Where camphere, spicknard, dainty fruits, with sweet

pomgranets are,
Euen spicknard, saffron, calamus, and synamom do

growe,
With incense, myrrhe, and allocs, with many spices moe.
Oh fountaine passing pure, oh well of life most deare,
Oh spring of loftie Libanon, of water christal cleare !
Ye north and southern winds, vpon my garden blow,
That the sweet spice that is therein on euery side may
flow :

22 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

Vnto his garden place my loue for liis repast
Shall walke, and of the fruites therein shal take a
pleasant tast.

THE FIFT CHAPTER.

Within my garden plot, loe, I am present now !

I gathered haue the myrrhe and spice that in aboun-

dance growe ;
With honey, milke, and wine I hauerefresht me here:
Eat, di'ink, my friends, be mery there with harty

friendly cheare.
Although in slumbering sleepe it seemes to you I lay,
Yet heare I my beloued knock, me thinks I heare him say.
Open to me the gate, my loue, my hearts delight.
For, loe, my locks are all bedewed with di-izHng di-oj^s

of night !
My garments are put off, then may I not doo so :
Shal I defile my feet I washt so white as any snow ?
Then fast euen by the dore to me he shew'd his hand;
My heart was then enamoured when as I saw him

stand.
Then straight waies vp I rose to- ope the dore with

speed ;
My handes and fingers dropped myrrhe vpon the bar

indeed.
Then opened I the dore vnto my loue at last ;
But all in vaine, for why, before my loue was gone
and past.

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 23

There sought I for my loue, then could I crie and call;
But him I could not find, nor he nould answer me at all.
The watchmen found me then, as thus I walk'd astray;
They wounded me, and from my head my vaile they

took away.
Ye daughters of Jerusalem, if ye my loue doo see,
Tell him that I am sicke for loue, yea, tel liim this

from me.
Thou peerelesse gem of price, I pray thee to vs tell
What is thy loue, what may he be that doth so far

excell ?
In my beloueds face the rose and lilly striue ;
Among ten thousand men not one is found so faire aliue:
His head like finest gold, with secret sweet perfume ;
His curled locks hang all as black as any rauens plume ;
His eies be like to doues on riuers banks below,
Ywasht with milk, whose collours are most gallant to

the show ;
His cheeks like to a plot where spice and flowers growe;
His lips like to the lilly white, from whence pure

myrrh dotli flow ;
His hands like rings of gold with costly chrisalet ;
His belly like the yuory white with seemly saphyrs set;
His legs like pillers strong of marble set in gold ;
His countenance like Libanon or cedars to behold ;
His mouth it is as sweet, yea, sweet as sweet may be :
This is my lovie ; ye virgins, loe, euen such a one is he !
Thou fairest of vs al, whether is thy louer gone ?
Tel vs, and we will goe with tliee ; thou shalt not goe

alone.

24 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

THE SIXT CHAPTER.

DowNE to his garden place mine own true loue is gone,
Among the spice and lillies sweet to walke himselfe

alone.
True am I to my loue ; and he my louing make,
Which in the lillies makes abode, and doth his plea-
sure take.
With Tirzah or Jerusalem thy beautie may be waide,
In shew like to an armie great, whose ensignes are

displaid.
Oh, turne away thine eies ! for they haue wounded me:
Thy haires are like a heard of goats on Gilead mount

that be ;
Thy teeth like new washt sheep returning from the

flood,
Whereas not one is barren found, but beareth twins

a good ;
The temples of thy head, within thy locks, to showe,
Are like to the pomgranet fruit that in the orchards

grow.
Of concubines four score there are, of queens twice

treble ten,
Of virgins for the multitude not to be numbred then ;
But yet my doue alone and vndefiled fere.
Her mothers only daughter is, to her exceeding deare:
The virgins saw my loue, and they haue lik'd her well,
The queens, and eke the concubines, they say she doth

excell.
Who's she I doo behold, so like the morning cleare,

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 25

Or like the moon when towards the ful in pride she

doth appear ?
Bright as the radiant raies that from the sun descend,
Or like an army terrible when ensignes they extend ?
Unto the nuts downe will I goe and fruitfull valeyes lowe,
To see if that the vine doo bud and the pomgranets

growe.
My selfe I know not I, ne nothing knew I then :
Let me be like a chariot, euen of thy noble men.
Return againe, oh, make returne, thou Shulamite so

deare !
Let vs enioy thy company ; I pray thee soiorne here.
What see you in the Shulamite ? in her what may

you see,
But like a troupe of warlike men that in the armies be?

THE SEUENTH CHAPTEK.

How stately are thy steps with braue and lofty pace,

Thou daintie princesse, darling deare, with comely
gallant grace !

The ioints of thy fair thighs, the which so straight do
stand,

Ax'e like to curious iewels wrought by cunning work-
mans hand ;

Thy nauell like a goblet is which stil with wine doth
flowe ;

Thy belly like an heape of wheat, about which lillies
growe ;

26 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

Thy breasts I may compare like to two litle roes,
Which follow on their mothers steps when forth to

feed she goes ;
Thy necke like to a tower of costly iuory fram'd ;
Thine eies like Heshbon waters clear, by that Bath-
rabbin nam'd ;
Thy nose like Libanon Tower, most seemly to the eie.
Which towards Damascus citie faire, that stately town,

doth ly ;
Thy head like scarlet red, thy haire of purple hue :
The king in thee doth take delight as in his lady true.
How faire art thou, my loue, and seemly to the sight !
The pleasures that abound in thee, they are my chiefe

delight :
Thy stature like the palme, the tall and straightest tree ;
Thy brests, the which do thee adorne, most like to

clusters be :
Upon the pleasant palme, I said, I wil take holde.
And rest vpon her pleasant boughes, I said, I wil be

bolde :
Thy breasts are like a bunch of grapes on the most

fruitful vine ;
Thy nose in smel like to the fruit of al most pui'e and

fine ;
The roofe of thy sweet mouth like purest wine doth tast.
Which makes the very aged lagh, forgetting sorrowes

past.
I am vnto my loue a faithfull friendly fere,
And he is likewise vnto me most tender and most deare.
Goe we into the field, to sport vs in the plaine,
And in the pleasant villages, my loue, let vs remaine :

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 27

Then early will we rise, and see if that the vine do

flourish,
And if the earth accordingly do the pomgranets nourish,
I feele the mandrakes smell, within our gates that be :
The sweetest things both new and olde, my loue, I

kept for thee.

THE EIGHT CHAPTER.

Oh that thou weart my brother borne,
that suckt my mothers breast !

Then sweetly would I kisse thy lippes,
and by thee take my rest.
Vnto my mothers closet sure mine own loue will I

bring.
And be obedient vnto him in euery kind of thing :
There wil I giue to thee, my loue, the daintie spiced

wine,
And pleasant liquor that distils from the pomgranet fine^
With his lei't hand he shal support, and eke my head

vpreare,
And with the right most louingly he shal imbrace his

deare.
Ye daughters of Jerusalem, doo not my loue disease.
But suffer her to take her rest so long as she shall please.
Who's that which from the wildernes yon commeth

from aboue,
And in this sort familiarly dooth leane vpon her loue?

28 THE HAFfMONlE OF THE CHURCH.

Vnder a pleasant aple tree, from whence like fruit dotli

spring,
Thy mother first conceiued thee, euen forth which did

thee bring.
Let it be like a priuie scale within thy secret heart.
Or like a signet on thy hand thy secrets to impart ;
For iealousie is like the graue, and loue more strong

than death,
From whose hot brands ther doth proceed a flaming

fiery breath :
The flouds cannot alay his heat, nor water quench his

flame,
Neither the greatest treasure can counteruaile the

same.
Our litle sister hath no breasts: what shal we doo or say,
When we shal giue her to her spouse vpon her wed-
ding day ?
If that she be a wall, on that foundation sure
A princely pallace wil we build of siluer passing pure;
And if she be a doore, she shall inclosed be
With braue and goodly squared boords of the fine

cedar tree.
I am a mightie wall, my breasts like towers hie ;
Then am I passing beautifull in my beloueds eie.
King Salomon a vinyard had in faire Baalhamon field;
Each one in siluer yeerely dooth a thousand peeces

yeeld :
But yet my vineyard, Salomon, thy Adne doth far excell
For fruit and goodnes of the same, thou know'st it
very wel :

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 29

A thousand siluer peeces are euen yearely due to me,
Two thousand likewise vnto them the which her keepers

be.
Oh thou that in the garden dwell'st, learne me thy

voice to know,
That I may listen to the same, as thy companions doo !
Flie, my beloued, hence away, and be thou like the roe,
Or as the hart on mountaine tops, wheron sweet

spices growe.

THE SONG OF ANNAH FOR THE BRINGING FOORTH OF SAMUEL
HER SONNE.

The Second Chap, of the First Booke of Samuel.

My heart doth in tlie Lord reioice, that liuing Lord of

might.
Which doth his seruants horn exalt in al his peoples sight :
I wil reioice in their despight which erst haue me abhord.
Because that my saluation dependeth on the Lord.
None is so holie as the Lord ; besides thee none there are ;
With our God there is no god that may himselfe compare.
See that no more presumptuously ye neither boast nor

vaunt.
Nor yet vnseemly speak such things, so proud and

arrogant ;
For why, the counsell of the Lord in depth cannot be

sought.
Our enterprises and our actes by him to passe are brought.

80 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

The bowe is broke, the mightie ones subuerted are at

length,
And they which weake and feeble were increased are

in strength.
They that were ful and had great store, with labor buy

their bread,
And they which hungrie were and poore, with plenty

now are fed ;
So that the womb which barren was hath many chil-
dren born.
And she which store of cliildi-en had is left now all

forlorne.
The Lord doth kill and make aline, his iudgments all

are iust ;
He throweth downe into the graue, and raiseth from

the dust.
The Lord doth make both rich and poore ; he al our

thoughts doth trie ;
He bringeth low, and eke againe exalteth vp on hie.
He raiseth vp the simple soule, whom men pursude

with hate.
To sit amongst the mightie ones in chaire of princely

state ;
For why, the pillers of the earth he placed with his hand.
Whose mighty strength doth stil support the waight of

al the land.
He wil preserue his saints ; likewise the wicked men

at length
He wil confound; let no man seem to glory in his

strength.

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 31

The enemies of God, tlie Lord, shal be destroied all ;
From lieauen he shal thunder send, that on their heads

shal fall.
The mightie Lord shall iudge the world, and giue his

power alone
Vnto the king, and shal exalt his owne annointed one.

THE SONG OF lONAH IN THE WHALES EELLIE.

In the Second Chap, of lonah.

In griefe and anguish of my heart, my voice I did extend
Unto the Lord, and he therto a willing eare did lend ;
Euen from the deep and darkest pit and the infernall lake,
To me he hath bow'd down his eare, for his great

mercies sake.
For thou into the middest of svirging seas so deepe
Hast cast me foorth, whose bottom is so low and

woondrous steep ;
"VVliose mighty wallowing wanes, which from the

floods do flow,
Haue with their power vp swallowed me, and ouer-

whelm'd me tho.
Then said I, loe, I am exilde from presence of thy face !
Yet wil I once againe behold thy house and dwelling

place :
The waters haue encompast me, the floods inclosde me

round.
The weeds haue sore encombred me, which in the

seas abound :

32 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH,

Vnto the valeyes down I went, beneath the hils which

stand ;
The earth hath there enuiron'd me with force of al

the land :
Yet hast thou stil preserued me from al these dangers

hd'e,
And brought my life out of the pit, oh Lord, my God

so deare !
My soule consuming thus with care, I praied vnto the

Loi'd,
And he from out his holie place heard me with one

accord.
Who to vain lieng vanities doth whollie him betake
Doth erre, also Gods mercie he doth vtterly forsake :
But I wil offer vnto him the sacrifice of praise.
And pay my vowes, ascribing thanks vnto the Lord

alwaies.

THE PRAIER OF lEREMIAH, BEWAILING THE CAPTIUITIE
OF THE PEOPLE.

In the Fift Chap, of his Lamentations.

Cal vnto mind, oh mightie Lord, the wrongs we

daily take !
Consider and behold the same, for thy great mercies

sake.
Our lands and our inheritance meere strangers do

possesse,
The alients in our houses dwel, and we without redresse.

THE HARMON IE OF THE CHURCH. 33

We now, alas, .are fatherlesse ! and stil pursude witli

hate ;
Our mourning mothers nowe remaine in wofull widdowes

state.
We buy the water which we drink, such is our grieu-

ous want.
Likewise the wood euen for our vse that we ourselues

did plant.
Our neckes are subiect to the yoke of persecutions thi'all.
We wearied out with cruell toile, and find no rest at all.
Afore time we in Egypt land and in Assyria serued.
For food our hunger to sustaine, least that we should

haue sterued.
Our fathers, which are dead and gone, haue sinned

wondrous sore,
And we now scourg'd for their offence, ah, woe are we

therefore !
Those seruile slaues which bondmen be, of them in

fear we stand,
Yet no man doth deliuer vs from cruel caitiues hand.
Ovu- linings we are forc'd to get in perils of our Hues,
The drie and barren wildernesse therto by danger

driues.
Our skins be scortcht, as though they had bin in an

ouen dride,
With famine and the penury which here we doo abide.
Our wiues and maides defloured are by violence and

force.
On Sion and in luda land, sans pity or remoa'ce.

34 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

Our kings by cruel enimies with cordes .are hanged vp,
Our gr auest sage and ancient men haue tasted of that cup ;
Our yoong men they haue put to sword, not one at al

they spare,
Our litle boyes vpon the tree sans pitie hanged are.
Our elders sitting in the gates can now no more be found,
Our youth leaue off to take delight in musicks sacred

sound.
The ioy and comfort of our heart away is fled and gone,
Our solace is with sorrow mixt, our mirth is turn'd to

mone.
Our glory now is laid full low and buried in the ground.
Our sins ful sore do burthen vs, whose greatnes doth

abound.
Oh holy blessed Sion hill, my heart is woe for thee !
Mine eies poure foorth a flood of teares this dismal

day to see,
Which art destroied, and now lieth wast from sacred

vse and trade ;
Thy holie place is now a den of filthy foxes made.
But thou, the euerhuing Lord, which doost remaine

for aye,
Whose seat aboue the firmament full sure and still

doth stay.
Wherefore dost thou forsake thine owne ? shal we

forgotten be ?
Turne vs, good Lord, and so we shall be turned vnto

thee ;
Lord, cal vs home from oui* exile to place of our abode:
Thou long inough hast punisht vs ; oh Lord, now

spare thy rod !

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 35

THE SONG OF DEBORAH AND BARACKE.

The Fift Chap, of ludges.

Praise ye the Lord, the which reuenge
on Israels wrongs doth take,

Likewise for those which offered vp
themselues for Israels sake.
Heare this, ye kings, ye princes al, giue eare with one

accord ;
I wil giue thanks, yea, sing the praise of Israels

lining Lord.
When thou departedst. Lord, from Seir, and out of

Edom field,
The earth gan quake, the heauens rain, the cloudes

their water yeeld :
The mountains hie before the Lord haue melted euery del,
As Synay did in presence of the Lord of Israeli.
In time of Sangar, Anaths sonne, and in old laels daies,
The paths were al vnoccupied, men sought forth

vnknown waies :
The townes and cities there lay wast, and to decay

they fel.
Til Deborah a raatrone graue became in Israeli.
They chose them gods; then garboils did within their

gates abound ;
A spear or shield in Israel there was not to be found.
In those which gouern Israel my heart doth take delight.
And in the valiant people there : oh, praise the Lord

of might !

1)2

36 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

Speak, ye that on white asses ride, and that by IMidden

dwell,
And ye that daily trade the waies, see forth your minds

you tell.
The clattering noise of archers shot, when as the

arrowes flew.
Appeased was amongst the sort which water daily drew :
The righteousnesse of God the Lord shal be declared

there,
And likewise Israels righteousnes which worship him

in feare :
The people with reioicing hearts then all with one

consent,
I mean the Lords inheritance, vnto the gates they went.
Deborah, vp, arise, and sing a sweet and worthy song :
Baracke, lead them as captiues forth which vnto thee

belong.
For they which at this day remaine do rule like lords

alone :
The Lord ouer the mightie ones giues me dominion.
The roots of Ephraim arose gainst Amalecke to fight,
And so likewise did Beniamin with all their power

and might.
From Macher came a company which chiefest sway

did beare.
From Zebulon which cunning clarks and famous writers

were.
The kings which came of Isacher were with Deborah tho.
Yea, Isacher and Barack both attend on her also.
He was dismounted in the vale: for the deuisions sake
Of Ruben, the people there great lamentation make.

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 37

Gilead by lorclen made abode, and Dan on shipboord lay,
And Asher in the desart, he vpon the shore doth stay.
They of Zebulon and Nepthaly, like worthy valiant

wightes.
Before their foes, euen in the field, aduanc'd themselues

in fights.
The kings themselues in person fought, the kings of

Canaan,
In Tanach plaine wheras the streame of swift Megido I'an.
No pay, no hyer, ne coine at all, not one did seem to take;
They serued not for greedy gain nor filthy lucre sake.
The heauens hy and heauenly powers these things to

passe haue brought ;
The stars against proud Sisera euen in their course

haue fought.
The stream of Kishons ancient brook hath ouerwhelm'd

them there :
My soule, sith thou hast done thy part, be now of harty

cheare.
The hardened hooues of barbed horse were al in peeces

broke
By force of mightie men which met with many a sturdy

stroke.
The angel hath pronounc'd a curse, which shal on

Meroz fall,
And those that doo inhabite there, a curse light on

them all ;
Because they put not forth their hands to help the

lining Lord
Against the proud and mighty ones which haue his

truth abhord.

38 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

laell, the Kenit Hebers wife, most happy shal be blest
Aboue al other women there which in the tents do rest.
He asked water for to drink ; she gaue sweet milk to him,
Yea, butter in a lordly dish which was full tricke and

trim.
Her left hand to the naile she put, her right the ham-
mer wrought,
"Wherewith presumptuous Sisera vnto his death she

brought ;
And from his corps his head she cut with mortal

deadly wound,
When through the temples of his head she naild him

to the ground:
He bowed then vnto the earth, and at her feet can fall ;
And where he fell, there still he lay bereau'd of sences all.
The mother then of Sisera, in window where she lay.
Doth marueil much that this her sonne doth make so

long a stay :
Her ladies then, they hearing that, make answer by

and by ;
Yea, to her speaches past before her selfe doth this

replie, —
Hath he not gotten mightie spoiles, and now dimsion

makes?
Each one a damosell hath or twaine which he as captiue

takes ;
Sisera of costly coloured robes, ful rich with needle

wrought,
Hath got a pray which vnto him as chiefest spoiles are

brouirht.

THE IIARMONIE OF THE CHURCH, 39

So let thine enemies, Lord, sustaine and suiFer blame;
And let thy chosen blessed ones, that loue and feare

thy name,
Be like the son when in the morne his glorie doth

increase.
Or like the land which many a yeare hath bin in rest

and peace !

ANOTHER SONG OF THE FAITHFULl, FOR THE MERCIES OF GOD.

In the xii. Chap, of the Prophesie of Isaiah. ■^

Oh lining Lord, I still will lande thy name !

For though thou wert offended once with me.
Thy heauy wrath is turn'd from me againe.

And graciously thou now doost comfort mee.

Behold, the Lord is my saluation ;

I trust in him, and feare not any power :
He is my song, the strength I leane vpon ;

The Lord God is my louing vSauiour.

Therefore with ioy out of the well of life

Draw foorth sweet water which it dooth affoord.

And in the day of trouble and of strife

Cal on the name of God, the lining Lord :

Extol his works and woonders to the sunne,
Vnto al people let his praise be showne,

Record in song the meruails he hath done.

And let his jrlorie through the world be blowne.

40 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

Crie out aloud and shout on Sion liill ;

I giue thee charge that this proclaimed be,-
The great and mightie King of Israeli

Now onely dwelleth in the midst of thee.

A SONG OF THE FAITHFULLX^

In the Third Chap, of the Prophesie of Habacucke.

Lord, at thy voice my heart for feare hath trembled :
Vnto the world, Lord, let thy workes be showen ;
In these our daies now let thy power be knowen,
And yet in wrath let mercie be remembred.

From Teman, loe, our God you may behold.
The Holie One from Paran movint so hie !
His glorie hath cleane couered the skie.
And in the earth his praises be inrolde.

His shining was more clearer than the light ;
And from his hands a fulnesse did proceed,
Wliich did contain his wrath and power indeed ;
Consuming plagues and fire were in his sight.

He stood aloft and compassed the land,

And of the nations doth defusion make ;

The mountains rent, the hilles for feare did quake :

His vnknown pathes no man may vnderstand.

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 41

The Morians tentes, euen for their wickednes,
I might behold, the land of JNIidian,
Amaz'd and trembling, like vnto a man
Forsaken quite and left in great distresse.

What, did the riuers moue the Lord to ire ?
Or did the floods his maiesty displease ?
Or was the Lord offended with the seas,
That thou earnest forth in chariot hot as fire ?

Thy force and power thou freely didst relate ;
Vnto the tribes thy oath doth surely stand ;
And by thy strength thou didst deuide the land,
And from the earth the riuers seperate.

The mountaines saw, and trembled for feare ;
The sturdy streame with speed foorth passed by ;
The mightv depthes shout out a hideous crie,
And then aloft their waues they did vpreare.

The sun and moon amid their course stood still ;
Thy speares and arrowes forth with shining went :
Thou spoilest the land, being to anger bent,
And in displeasure thou didst slay and kill.

Thou wentest foorth for thine owne chosens sake,
For the sauegard of thine annointed one :
The house of wicked men is ouerthrowne,
And their foundations now goe all to wracke.

42 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH,

Their townes tliou strikest, by tliy miglitie power,
With their own weapons made for their defence,
Who like a whyrl-wind came with the pretence,
The poore and simple man quite to deuoure.

Thou madest thy horse on seas to gallop fast,
Vpon the waues thou ridest here and there :
My intrals trembled then for verie feai*e,
And at thy voice my lips shooke at the last.

Griefe pierc'd my bones, and feare did me annoy,
In time of trouble where I might find rest ;
For to reuenge when once the Lord is prest,
With plagues he wil the people quite destroy.

The fig-tree now no more shall sprout nor flourish,
The pleasant vine no more with grapes abound ;
No pleasure in the citie shall be found,
The field no more her fruit shal feed nor nourish.

The sheep shall now be taken from the fold,
In stall of bullocks there shall be no choice :
Yet in the Lord, my Sauiour, I reioice,
My hope in God yet wil I siu'ely hold.

God is my strength, the Lord my only stay ;
My feet for swiftnesse it is he wiU make
Like to the hinds who none in course can take ;
Vpon high places he will make me way.

THE IIARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 43

A SONG OF THANKES TO GOD, IN THAT HEE SHEWETH HIMSELFE

lUDGE OF THE ■WORLD IN PUNISHING THE WICKED

AND MAINTAINING THE GODLIE.

. . . 1

In the XV. Chap, of the Prophesie of Isaiah.

Oh Lord, my God, with praise I wil perseuer,
Thy blessed name in song I wil record,
For the great wonders thou hast done, O Lord !
Thy trueth and counsels haue bene certain euer.

A mightie citie thou makest ruinat,
The strongest townes thou bringest to decay,
A place where strangers vsually do stay,
And shall not be reduc'd to former state.

The proudest people therefore stoupe to thee,
The strongest cities haue thee still in feare :
Thou strengthnest the poore man in dispaire,
And helpest the needie in necessitie ;

Thou art a sure refuge against a shower,
A shadow which doth from the heat defend :
The raging blasts the mighty forth doth send.
Is like a storme which shakes the stateliest tower.

Thou shalt abate the forraine strangers pride,
Like as the heat doth drie the moistest place ;
The glorie of the proud thou shalt deface,
Like as the cloudes the sunny beames doo hide.

44 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

The Lord of liostes shal in this mount prouide,
And to his people here shal make a feast
Of fatted things and dainties of the best,
Of marrow and wines finely purified :

And in this mountaine by his mightie hand
That same dark cloud the Lord wil cleane destroy,
Euen with the vaile which doth his folke annoy ;
And death no more before his face shall stand.

The Lord will wipe out of his chosens eies
The teares which doo their faces so distaine ;
And their rebuke shal now no more remaine ;
Thus saith the Lord, these be his promises.

And men shal say then, loe, this same is he,
This is our God on whom we did attend.
This is the Lord that will vs stil defend !
We wiU be glad and ioyfuU, Lord, in thee :

Thy hand, oh Lord, here in this mount shall rest ;
And cursed Moab shall by thee be beaten,
As in thy iudgment thou of long doost threaten,
As in Mamena straw of men is thresht !

And ouer them the Lord his liand shal holde.
As he that swimmeth stretcheth him at length ;
And by his power and by his mighty strength
The proud and stout by him shal be controlde.

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 45

Thy highest walles and towers of all thy trust
He shall bring downe, and lay them all full lowe ;
Vnto the ground his hand shall make them bow,
And lay thy pride and giorie in the dust.

ANOTHER SONG OF THE FAITHFULL, WHEREIN IS DECLARED IN
WHAT CONSISTETH THE SALUATION OF THE CHURCH.

In the xvi. Chap, of the Prophesie of Isaiah.

And in that day this same shal be our song,
In luda land this shall be sung and said;
We haue a citie which is woondrous strong,
And for the walles the Lord himself our aid.

Open the gates, yea, set them open wide.

And let the godly and the righteous passe ;

Yea, let them enter, and therein abide,

Wliicli keepe his lawes, and do his trueth imbrace.

And in thy iudgment thou wilt sure preserue
In perfect peace those which doo trust in thee :
Trust in the Lord which dooth all trust deserue ;
He is thy strength, and none but onelie he.

He will bring downe the proud that looke so hie ;
The stateliest buildings he wil soone abase.
And make them euen with the ground to lie.
And vnto dust he will their pride deface :

46 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

It shall be troden to the verie ground ;
The poore and needy downe the same shal tread :
The iust mans way in righteousnes is found ;
Into a path most plaine thou wilt him lead.

But we haue waited long for thee, oh Lord !
And in thy way of iudgment we do rest ;
Oiu' soules doth ioy thy name still to record,
And thy remembrance doth content vs best.

My soide hath long'd for thee, oh Lord ! by night.
And in the morn my spirit for thee hath sought :
Thy iudgments to the earth giue such a bght.
As al the world by them thy trueth is taught.

But shew thy mercie to the wicked man, —
He wil not learne thy righteousnes to know ;
His chiefe delight is stiU to curse and ban,
And vnto thee himselfe he will not bow.

They doo not once at aU regard thy power ;
Thy peoples zeale shall let them see their shame ;
But with a fire thou shalt thy foes deuoure.
And cleane consume them with a burning flame.

With peace thou wilt preserue vs. Lord, alone,
For thou hast wrought great woonders for our sake ;
And other gods beside thee haue we none.
Only in thee we all our comfort take.

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH, 47

The dead and such as sleep within the graue,
Shal giue no glorie nor yeeld pi-aise to thee,
Which here on earth no place nor being haue,
And thou hast rooted out of memorie.

Oh Lord ! thou doost this nation multiply,
Thou, Lord, hast blest this nation with increase :
Thou art most glorious in thy maiesty ;
Thou hast inlarg'd the earth with perfect peace.

We cride to thee, and oft our hands did wring.
When we haue seen thee bent to punishment ;
Like to a woman in childbyrth traueiling,
Euen so in paine we mourne and doo lament :

We haue conceiu'd and laboured with paine.
But only wind at last we forth haue brought ;
Vpon the earth no hope there doth remaine,
The wicked world likewise auailes vs nought.

The dead shal line, and such as sleep in graue
With their own bodies once shal rise againe :
Sing, ye that in the dust your dwelling haue ;
The earth no more her bodies shall retaine.

Come, come, my people, to my chamber here.
And shut the doores vp surely after thee ;
Hide thou thy selfe, and doo not once appeare.
Nor let thine eies mine indignation see :

48 THE HARMONIE OF THE CnUUCH.

For from aboue the Lord is now dispos'd
To scourge tlie sinnes that in the world remaine
His seruants blood in earth shal be disclosde,
And she shal now yeeld vp her people slaine.

FINIS.

HEREAFTER FOLLOVVE CERTAIN OTHER SONGS AND PRAIERS

OF GODLY MEN AND WOMEN, OUT OF THE BOOKES

OF APOCRIPHA.

THE PRAIER OF lUDITH FOR THE DELIUERANCE OF THE
PEOPLE.

In the ix. Chap, of the book of ludith.

Oh Lord ! the G od of Simeon,
my soueraigne father deare,

To whom thou gauest strength and might
the sword in hand to beare,
To take reuenge on those which first the maidens

wombe did tame,
And spoiled her virginitie with great reproch and shame;
For which offence thou gauest vp their princes to be

slaine.
So that their wounds with gory blood their beds did

all distain ;
Their seruants with their lords, ech one, haue felt thy

wrath alike,
Who sitting in their roial seat thou sparest not to strike;

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 49

Their wiues, their daughters, and their goods, thou

gau'st, for thy behoue,
As prais, as captiues, and as spoiles, to those whom

thou didst loue,
Who, moou'd with zeale, could not abide their blood

defil'd to see ;
Then heare me. Lord, a widow poore which here do

cal to thee.
Things past, and things not yet discern'd, thy prouidence

hath wrought.
Things present, and the things to come, by tliee to

passe are brought ;
Each thing is present at thy call thy wisdome doth

deuise.
Thy secret iudgments long before thy knowledge doth

comprise.
Th' Assirians now in multitude a mighty number are,
Whose horsmen on their barbed horse themselues to

war prepare ;
Their hope in footmen doth consist, in sling, in speare,

and shield ;
They know not thee to be the Lord whose force doth

win the field.
Let all their force, their strength, and power be by thy

might abated,
WTio vow thy temple to defile which thou hast conse-
crated,
Yea, to pollute thy tabernacle, thy house, and holy

place.
And with their instruments of war thine altars to deface.

50 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

Behold their pride, and poure on them thy wrath and

heauy yre,
And strength my hand to execute the thing I now

desire ;
Smite thou the seruant and the lord, as they together

stand,
Abate their glory and their pride euen by a womans

hand:
For in the greatest multitude thou takest not delight.
Nor in the strong and valiant men consisteth not thy

might ;
But to the humble, lowly, meeke, the succourlesse, and

poore,
Thou art a help, defence, refuge, and louing sauiour.
My father in thy name did trust, O Israels Lord most

deare.
Of heauen, of earth, of sea and land ! doo thou my

praier heare :
Grant thou me wit, sleight, power, strength to wound

them, which aduance
Themselues ouer thy Sion hil and thine inheritance :
Declare to nations far and neare, and let them know

ful well,
Thou art the Lord whose power and strength defend-

eth Israeli.

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 51

THE SONG OF lUDITH, HAUING SLAINE HOLOPHERNES.

In the xvi. Chap, of the book of ludith.

Tune vp the timbrels, then, with laud vnto the Lord,
Sound foorth his praise on simbals loud, with songs of

one accord ;
Declare and shew his praise, also his name rehearse,
In song of thankes exactly pend, of sweet and noble

verse.
The Lord he ceaseth warres, euen he the verie same,
Tis he that doth appease all strife ; lehouahis his name;
The which hath pitcht his tent, our surest strength

and aide,
Amongst vs here, least that our foes shuld make vs

once dismaid.
From northren mountain tops proud Assur came a

downe.
With warlike men, a multitude of famous high renowne,
Whose footmen stopt the streams where riuers woont

to flowe.
And horsmen couered all the vales that lay the hilles

belowe.
His purpose was for to destroy my land with sword

and fire.
To put my yongmen to the sword did thirst with hot

desire.
My children to captiuitie he would haue borne away.
My virgins so by rape and force as spoiles and chiefest

pray.

E 2

52 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

But yet the high and mighty Lord his people doth defend,
And by a silly womans hand hath brought him to his end;
For why, their mightie men with armes were not

subdude.
Nor with their blood our yoong mens hands were not

at al imbrude,
No, none of Titans line this proud Assirian slue.
Nor any gyants aid we crau'd this souldier to subdue;
But ludith she alone, Meraris daughter deere,
Whose heauenly hue hath bred his baine, and brought

him to his beere.
She left her mourning weed, and deckt her selfe with gold,
In royall robes of seemly showe, all Israeli to behold;
With odors she perfum'd her selfe after the queintest

guise,
Her haire with fillet finely bound as art could wel deuise ;
Her slippers neat and trim his eies and fancie fed.
Her beautie hath bewitcht his mind, her sword cut off"

his head.
The Perseans were amaz'd, her modestie was such.
The Medes at her bold enterprise they marueiled as

much ;
Amongst th' Assyrians then great clamors can arise,
When as the fact so lately done apear'd before their eies.
The sons, which erst my daughters haue euen on their

bodies born,
Haue slaine them as they fled in chace, as men so quite

forlorne ;
Euen at the presence of the Lord the stoutest turn'd

his backe,

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 53

His power did so astonish them that al things went to

wracke.
A song now let vs sing of thankes vnto the Lord,
Yea, in a song of pleasant tune let vs his praise record.
Oh God, thou mightie Lord ! who is there like to

thee?
In strength and power to thee, oh Lord, none may

compared be !
Thy creatures all obey and servie thee in their trade.
For thou no sooner spakst the word but euery thing

was made ;
Thou sentest foorth the spirit which did thy worke

fulfill.
And nothing can withstand thy voice, but listen to thy

will.
The mountains shal remoue wher their foundation lay,
Likewise the floods, the craggy rocks like wax shal

melt away :
But they that feare the Lord, and in him put their

trust,
Those will he loue, and stil impute amongst the good

and iust.
But woe be those that seeke his chosen flocks decay !
The Lord God wil reuenge their wrongs at the last

iudgement day ;
For he such quenchlesse fire and gnawing wormes shal

send
Lito their flesh, as shal consume them world without
an end.

54 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

A PRAIER OF THE AUTHOUR.

In the xxiii. Chap, of Ecclesiasticus.

Lord of my life, my guide and gouernour,
Father, of thee this one thing I require ;
Thou wilt not leaue me to the wicked power.
Which seeke my fall, and stil my death desire.

Oh, who is he that shall instruct my thought,
And so with wisdom shall inspire my heart,
In ignorance that nothing may be wrought
By me with them whose sinne shall not depart ?

Least that mine errors growe and multiplie,
And to destruction through my sinnes I fall,
My foes reioice at my aduersitie.
Who in thy mercie haue no hope at all.

My Lord and God, from whom my life I tooke,
Vnto the wicked leaue me not a pray ;
A haughty mind, a proud_disdjdnfulMooke,
From me thy seruant take thou cleane away.

Vain£_hppe likewise, with vile concupiscence,
Lord, of thy mercie take thou cleane from me ;
Retaine thou him in true obedience.
Who with desire daily serueth thee.

Let not desire to please the greedy mawe.
Or appetite of any fleshly lust,
Thy seruant from his louing Lord withdraw.
But giue tliQU me a mind both good and iust.

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 55

THE PRAIER OF SALOMON.

In the ix. Chap, of the Book of Wisdome.

Oh God of our forefathers all,
of mercie thou the Lord,

Which heauen and earth and all thinges els
createdst with thy word,
And by thy wisdome madest man like to thy seUe alone,
And gauest him ouer thy workes the chiefe dominion,
That he shoud rule vpon the earth with equity and right.
And that his iudgments should be pure and vpright in

thy sight ! —
Giue me that wisdome which about thy sacred throne

doth stay,
And from amongst thine own elect. Lord, put me not

away;
For I thy seruant am, and of thy handmaid borne,
A sillie soule, whose life, alas ! is short and all forlorne,
And do not vnderstand at all what ought to be my guide,
I mean thy statutes and thy lawes, least that I slip aside ;
For though a man in worldly things for wisdome be

esteem'd.
Yet if thy wisdom want in him, his is but folly deem'd.
Thou chosest me to be a king, to sit on royaU throne.
To iudge the folk which thou of right dost chalenge

for thy own :
Thou hast commanded me to build a temple on thy hill,
And altar in the self same place where thou thy selfe
doost dwel,

56 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

Euen like vnto thy tabernacle in each kind of respect,
A thing most holy, which at first thy selfe thou didst

erect.
Thy wisdonie being stil with thee which vnderstands

thy trade,
When as thou framedst first the world, and her

foundation laid,
Which knew the thing that most of all was pleasant in

thy sight.
Thy wil and thy commandements wherein thou takst

delight ;
Send her down from that heauenly seat wheras she

doth abide.
That she may shew to me thy wUl, and be my onely guide ;
For she dooth know and vnderstand, yea, al things

doth foresee.
And by her works and mighty power I shall preserued

bee:
Then shal my woi-ks accepted be and liked in thy sight.
When I vpon my fathers throne shall iudge thy folke

aright.
Who knoweth the counseU of the Lord, his deep and

secret skil,
Or who may search into his works, or know his holy will ?
For why, the thoughts of mortal men are nothing els

but care,
Their forecasts and deuises all, things most vncertaine

are.
The bodie is vnto the soule a waight and burthen great,
The earthly house depresseth down the mind with

cares repleat :

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 57

The tilings which here on earth remain we hardly

can discern,
To find their secret vse and trade with labor great we

learne ;
For who doth search, or seek to know with traueill

and with care,
The secrets of the mightie Lord, which hie in heauen

are?
Who can thy counsels vnderstand, except thou doo

impart
Thy wisdome, and thy holy spirit doost send into his

heart ?
For so the waies of mortal men reformed are, and

taught
The things that most delighteth thee, which wisdom

forth haue brought.

A SONG OF IHESDS THE SONNE OF SIRACH.

In the last Chap, of Ecclesiasticus .

I WILL confesse thy name, Lord,
And giue thee praise with one accord !
My God, my King, and Sauiour,
Vnto thy name be thankes and power !

I haue bene succoured by thee,
And thou hast still preserued me.
And from destruction kept me long,
And from report of slaunderous tongue ;

68 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

From lips stil exercisde with lies,
And from my cruell enemies,
Thou me in mercie doost deliuer ;
Thy blessed name be praisde for euer !

From monsters that would me deuoure,
From cruell tyrants and their power ;
In all affliction, paine, and griefe,
Thou succourest me with some reliefe ;

From the cruell burning flame,
Poore I inclosde within the same.
From the deepe infernall pit.
From venom'd tongues that poison spit ;

From speeches that of malice spring.
From accusation to the king.
From all reproch and infamy.
From slander and like villanie.

My soule, to death praise thou the Lord,
And laud his name with one accord ;
For death was readie thee to take.
And thou neare the infernall lake.

They compassed me round about,
But there was none to helpe me out ;
I look'd when succour would appeare,
But there was none that would come neare.

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 59

Vpon thy mercies then I thought,
And on the wonders thou hast wrought,
How from destruction thou doost saue
Such as in thee affiance haue :

In praier then I did perseuer,

That thou from death wouldst me deliuer ;

Vnto the Lord I crie and call.

That he would rid me out of thrall.

Therefore I still will praise thy name,
And euer thanke thee for the same ;
My praiers shall of thee be heard,
And neuer from thy eares debard :

Thou sau'st me from destruction,
And other mischiefs more than one ;
Therefore wil I praise thee, O Lord,
And in my songs thy name record !

THE PRAIER OF HESTER FOR THE DELIUERANCE OF HER
AND HER PEOPLE.

In the xiiii. Chap, of Hester.

O MIGHTY Lord, thou art our God ! to thee for aid I

crie.
To help a woman desolate, sith danger now is nie.
Euen from my youth I oft haue hard my predecessors

tel.

60 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

That from amongst the nations all thou chosest Israeli,
And chosest those our fathers were from theirs that

went before,
To be thine owne, and hast perform'd thy promise

euermore.
Now, Lord, we haue committed sin most grieuous in

thine eies ;
Wherfore thou hast deliuered vs vnto our enemies ;
Because that to their heathen gods with worship we

haue gone.
Knowing that thou art God the Lord, the righteous

Lord alone.
Yet not content nor satisfied with these our captiues

bands,
But with their idols they themselues haue ioin'd and

shaken hands.
Quite to abolish and subuert what thou appointed hast,
And tliis thine owne inheritance euen vtterly to waste.
To shut and stop the mouthes of those that yeeld thee

thanks and praise.
Thy glorious temples to defile, thine altars vp to raise.
And to induce the heathen folke to laud their idols

might.
To magnifie a fleshly king, a man, a mortall wight.
Then let not such the scepter sway whose glorie is of

nought.
Least they deride vs when that we to miserie are brought,
And those deuises they haue wrought t' intangle vs

withall.
May turne vnto their owne decay, and on their heads
may fall.

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 61

Remember, Lord, and shew thy selfe to vs in time of need,
And strengthen me, thou King of kings, and Lord of

power indeed ;
Instruct my tongue with eloquence, my speaches to

impart
Before the lions face, and by thy wisdome turne his

heart
To hate our deadly enemie, so wholly bent to ill, —
Destroy him and al such as doo consent vnto his will ;
But let thy hand deliuer vs, and help and succour me,
Sith I am now left comfortlesse, and haue no help but

thee.
Thou know'st right well all things, O Lord ! and this

thou knowest then,
I hate the glory and the pompe of wicked sinful men,
And vtterly detest the bed of any heathen wight,
Vncircumcised, most vnpure, and odious in thy sight :
Thou knowest my necessitie, and that with hate I beare
This token of preheminence which on my head I weare,
And as a filthy menstruous cloath I take thereof such

shame,
As, being by my selfe alone, I neuer weare the same ;
And that at Hamans table yet thy handmaid hath not fed,
Nor tooke delight in princes feast, nor drank wine

offered ;
And neuer ioi'd in any thing, since first I hether came,
Vntil this day, but in the Lord, thou God of Abraham !
Oh thou, the high and mightie God, heare thou the

voice and crie
Of them, whose hope, whose trust, and stay only on

thee doth lie !

62 THE HARMONIE OP THE CHURCH.

And now in need deliuer vs out of their cruell hand,
And from the dread and feare, O Lord, wherin we
dayly stand !

THE PBAIER OF MARDOCHEUS.

In the xiii. Chap, of Hester.

Oh Lord, my Lord, that art the King of might,

Within whose power all thinges their being haue !

Who may withstand that liueth in thy sight.

If thou thy chosen Israeli wilt saue ?

For thou hast made the earth and heauen aboue.
And al things els that in the same do mooue.

Thou madest all things, and they are all thine own,
And there is none that may resist thy wiU :
Thou know'st all things, and this of thee is knowne,
I did not erst for malice nor for ill.

Presumption nor vaine glorie els at all.
Come nor bow downe vnto proud Hamans call.

I could haue bin content for Israels sake
To kisse the soles euen of his verie feet.
But that I would not mans vaine honor take
Before Gods glorie, being so vnmeet,

And would not worship none, O Lord, but thee !

And not of pride, as thou thy selfe doost see.

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 63

Therefore, oh Lord, my God and heauenly King,
Haue mercie on the people thou hast bought !
For they imagine and deuise the thing
How to destroy and bring vs vnto nought.
Thine heritance, which thou so long hast fed,
And out so far from Egypt land hast led.

Oh, heare my praier, and mercie doe extend

Vpon thy portion of inheritance !

For sorrowe now some ioy and solace send,

That we may Hue thy glorie to aduance ;

And suffer not their mouthes shut vp, oh Lord,
Which stil thy name with praises doo record !

A PRAIER IN THE PERSON OF THE FAITHFULL.

The xxxvi. Chap, of Ecclesiasticus.

Haue mercie on vs, blessed Lord,
Wliich madest all thinges with thy word ;
Behold vs, Sauiour, from aboue,
Illuminate vs with thy loue :

And let the wicked dread thy name.
Which neuer sought vnto the same.
And knowe that thou art God alone,
And like in woonders to be none.

64 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

Oil Lord, lift vp thy mightie hand !
The world thy power shall vnderstand :
As by vs thou art sanctified,
By them so be thou magnified ;

That they may learne thy power to knowe,
As we that be thy seruantes doo :
Thou art the lining Lord alone,
And other goddes besides thee none.

Renew the signes, Lord, thou hast showne,
And let thy woonderous woorks be knowne ;
Declare the strength of thy right hand,
Let them thy power vnderstand :

Arise to iudgment in thine yre,
Poure out thy wrath as hot as fire ;
Destroy the cruell aduersarie.
To spoile our foes. Lord, doo not tarie :

Shorten thou these wicked dales ;
Thinke on thine oath at all assaies ;
Let thy woonders. Lord, appeare,
And be thou praised farre and neare :

Li burning fire, Lord, let them die
Which doe escape and seek to flie ;
And let them perish with annoy
Which seeke thy people to destroy :

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 65

Cleaue thou the heads of mighty kings,
Our enemies in godly things ;
And let the world behold and see
That we are chosen vnto thee :

Lord, gather lacob vnto thee.
That they thy might and power may see.
That they thy wondrous works may shoAv,
And to be thine themselues may know.

Vnto thy folke impute no blame
Which euer cald vpon thy name ;
To Israel, Lord, be thou milde,
Thy only heir, thy first borne child ;

Vnto lerusalem shew pitie.
Thy sanctuarie and thy citie ;
Blesse Sion where thy prophets line.
Thy glorie to thy people giue :

And be thou witnesse vnto those
Which haue bene thine still to dispose,
And raise them vp, oh Lord, on hie.
Which in thy name doo prophesie !

Reward them. Lord, that waite for thee,
That they thy prophets trueth may see ;
Heare thou thy seruants praier, oh Lord,
As thou to Aaron gauest thy word !

66 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

Guide vs in way of rigliteousnesse :
The earth thy glorie shall expresse ;
And to the world it shall be knowne,
Thou art eternall and alone.

A PRATER OF TOBIAS, EXHORTING ALL MEN TO PRAISE THE LORD.

Tobias, Chap. xiii.

Bless'd be that King which euermore shal raign,
So euer may his kingdome blessed be !
Which punisheth and pittieth againe,
Which sends to hell and likewise setteth free ;

Before whose presence may no creature stand,

Nor any thing auoid his heauie hand.

Ye children of his chosen Israeli,
Before the Gentles stil confesse his name.
With whom he hath appointed you to dwell,
Euen there, I say, extol and laude his fame :

He is a Lord and God most gracious,

And still hath bene a father vnto vs.

He wil scourge vs for our iniquitie ;
Yet mercie will he take on vs againe,
And from those nations gathered shall we be.
With whom as strangers now we do remaine,
Yf in your harts he shal repentance find,
And turne to him with zeale and willing mind.

THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH. 67

When as your dealings shall be found vpright,
Then wil he tuini his face from you no more^
Nor thenceforth liide his presence from your sight,
But lend liis mercie then, laid vp in store ;
Therefore confesse his name, and praises sing
To that most great and highest heauenly King.

1 will confesse him in captiuitie,
And to a wicked people sliewe his might :
Oh, turne to him, vile sinners that you be,
And doo the thing is vpright in liis sight !
Who's there can tell if he will mercie showe.
Or take compassion on you, yea or noe ?

1 will extoll and laude thy name alwaies.
My soule, the praise of heauens King expresse ;
All tongues on earth shall spread abroad his praise,
All nations shew foorth his righteousnesse ;
Jerusalem, thou shalt be scourged then,
But he wil spai-e the sonnes of righteous men.

Fade not to giue the Lord his praises due.

And still extoll that euerlasting King ;

And help to build his tabernacle newe,

In which his saints shall euer sit and sing.

In which the captiues shall haue end of griefe.
In which the poore shall euer find reliefe.

Many shall come from countries ftir and neare,
And shall great giftes vnto his presence bring ;

68 THE HARMONIE OF THE CHURCH.

Many before his presence shall appeare,
And shal reioice in this great heauenly King :
Cursed be those which hate thy blessed name,
But bless'd be those which loue and like the same.

Triumph with ioy, ye that be good and iust ;

Though scattered now, yet shaU you gathered be ;

Then in the Lord fix all your hope and trust,

And rest in peace till you these blessings see :

Blessed be those which haue bin touch'd with griefe,
When they haue seen thee scourg'd and want reliefe.

Those only shall reioice with thee againe,
And those shall be partakers of thy glorie,
And shall in blisse for ay with thee remaine,
Now passed once these troubles transitorie :
Then, oh my soule, see thou reioice and sing,
And laud the great and highest heuenly King !

And he will build Jerusalem full faire
With emeralds and saphyrs of great price ;
With precious stones he will her walles repaire.
Her towers of golde with worke of rare deuice ;
And all her streetes with berall will he paue.
With carbunckles and ophirs passing braue :

And all her people there shall sit and say,
Praised be God with Aleluiah !

i'lNIS,

NOTES.

P. 3. Dedication, last line but three, " censure" i. e. opinion,
judgement.

P. 10. last line but three, " in it theij wnnld dclitc." Old ed.
"in, it they woule delite" — a misprint, as is shewn by
" would " in the next line.

P. 11. line 4, " bitteruesse." Old ed. " bittenesse."

P. 15. last line, " laire," i. e. leer, skin, complexion.

P. 16. last line but two, " Or camphere that doth spring and
yroio in vine of Emjady." Here " vine " is used for
vineyard. Our authorized version has, " My beloved is
unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vinei/ards of
En-gedi."

P. 17. line 7, "chyer of grasse." Qy. does "chyer" mean
spire ?

last line but three, " clipjuny," i. e. embracing, en-
circling.

P. 19. line 4, "fere," i. e. companion.

line 7, " tho," i. e. then.

last line but one, " readi/ prest," i. e. ready prepared,

provided.

70 NOTES.

P. 21. line 15, " kai/" i. e. key.

last Hue but four, " moe," i. e. more.

P. 23. line 2, " nould," i. e. ne would,— would not.

" at all." Old ed. " at at all."

P. 24. line 3, '■'^ make," i. e. mate.

P. 25. line 6, " ne" i. e. nor.

P. 27. last line but 3, " disease," i. e. trouble, disturb.

P. 29. line 2, " Tivo thousand." Old ed. " Two twousand.'
Compare the preceding line.

P. 30. last line but five, " pursude." Old ed. " pusude."

P. 35. line 7, " cueri/ del." i. e. everi/ part.

last line but three, " yarhoils" i. e. commotions, tumults.

Coles has, "A Ga?-&oi/, turba, rixa, contentio." Diet. Ii>
our authorized version the present passage stands, —
" then was ivar in the gates."

P. 37. line 4, ''fights." Old ed. " light."

P. 43. title, " XV. Chap." Ought to be "xxv. Chap."

P. 45. title, " xvi. Chap." Ought to be " xxvi. Chap."

P. 51. line 10, ''renomie". Old ed. "renowme", — which,
though a common form of the word in early writers,
must be a misprint here because it is against the rhyme.

P. 58. line 1, " exercisde". Old ed. " exrcisde."

P. 64. line 18, " at all assaies^\ This expression, not unfre-
quently found in our old writers, is thus renderetl by

NOTES. 71

Palsgrave, " En tous poynts, or a tons poynts." Lesclar.
de la Lang. Fr. 1530, fol. ccccxxxviii. (Table of Ad-
iierlies) ; and Homian has, " He is a frende at all assaycs.
Omnium horaruni amicus est." Vulgaria, sig. y iiii.
ed. 1630.

P. ()8. last line but two, " ophirs," i. e. (as in our authorized
version) " stones of Ophir."

LONDON : RICHARDS, 100, ST. MARTIN'S LANK.

JACK OF DOVER.

JACK OF DOVER,

QUEST OF INQUIRIE, OR HIS PRIVY SEARCH

FOR THE VERIEST FOOLE

IN ENGLAND.

A COLLECTION OF MERRY TALES PUBLISHED AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.

EDITED FROM A COPY IN THE BODLEIAN MERARV.

LONDON :
BEPKINTED FOR THE PERCY SOCIETY

lI.DCCC.XLfl,

«l

COUNCIL

We percp ^ockt^*

President.
The Rt. Hon. LORD BRAYBROOKE, F.S.A.

THOMAS AMYOT, Esq. F.R.S., Treas. S.A.

WILLIAM HENRY BLACK, Esq.

J. A. CAHUSAC, Esq. F.S.A.

WILLIAM CHAPPELL, Esq. F.S.A., Treasurer.

J PAYNE COLLIER, Esq. F.S.A.

T. CROFTON CROKER, Esq. F.S.A., M.R.l.A.

PETER CUNNINGHAM, Esq.

REV. ALEXANDER DYCE.

WILLIAM JERDAN, Esq. F.S.A., M.R.S.L.

SIR FREDERICK MADDEN, K.H., F.R.S., F.S.A.

T. .1. PETTIGREW, Esq. F.R S., F.S.A.

E. F. RIMBAULT, Esq. F.S.A. Secretary.

WILLIAM J. THOMS, Esq. F.S.A.

JAMES WALSH, Esq F.S.A.

THOMAS WRIGHT, E.sq. M.A., F.S A.

PREFACE.

The following little tract is extremely curious, as
forming one of the links between the wit of the
middle ages, and that of modern times. There is
scarcely one of the merry tales contained in it
which has not its counterpart among the numerous
Latin stories of the monks, which were popular in
the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. On this
account we are justified in supposing that it is
only a reproduction of a work of a much earlier
date than any of the known editions. It was
perhaps one of the little black-letter books of the
earlier times of printing in England.

There must have been an edition of the present
work in or before 1601, for on the 3rd of August of
that year, was entered in the Stationers' register,
by W. Firebrand, the printer of the earliest

edition now in existence, " the second parte of
Jack of Dover." The present edition is reprinted
from the copy of the earliest known edition now
preserved among the books of the late Mr. Douce,
in the Bodleian Library at Oxford. The second
part, or " Penniles Parliament,"" was reprinted in
the Harleian Miscellany, from an edition printed
in 1608. In the Malone Library there is an
edition printed at London in 1615.

The origin of the name of Jack of Dover appears
to be unknown; and its application is not quite
clear from the present book. Chaucer applies the
name to some kind of article sold by the Cook : —

" And many a Jacke of Do\er hast thou sold,
That hath bene twies hot and twies cold."

The Cokes PROLOGrE.

JACKE OF DOVER,

HTS QUEST OF INQUIRIE, OR HIS PRIVY

SEARCH FOR THE VERIEST FOOLE

IN ENGLAND.

LONDON :

Printed for William Ferbraiid, and are to be sold in

Popes head Ally, over against the Taverne doore,

neare the Exchange.

1604.

JACKE OF DOVERS QUEST

OF mauiRiE.

When meny Jacke of Dover had made his privie
search for the Foole of all Fooles, and making his
inquirie in most of the principall places in England,
at his I'etm'ne home was adjudged to be the foole him-
sclfe : but now, wearied with the motley coxcombe, he
hath undertaken in some place or other to finde out a
verier foole than himselfe. But first of all comming
to London he went into Paules church, where, walking
veiy melancholy in the middle ile with captaine Thin-
gut and his fellowes, he was invited to dine at duke
Humphries ordinarie, where amongst many other good
stomackes that repayred to his bountifull feast, there
came in a whole jury of pennilesse poets, who, being
fellowes of a merry disposition (but as necessary in a
common-wealth as a candle in a straw-bed) hee accepted
of their company ; and as from poets commeth all kind
of foolerie, so he hoped by their good! directions to
find out this Foole of all Fooles so long lookt for : so
thinking to passe away the dinner time with some
pleasant chat, least (being overcloyde with too many
delicates) they should surfet, he discovered to them his
merry meaning, who being glad of so good an occasion

4 JACKE OP DOVERS

of mirth, instead of a cup of sacke and sugar for dis-
jestion, these men of litle wit began to make inquirie
and to search for this aforesayde foole, thinking it a
deede of charitie to ease him of so great a bui'then as
his motley coxcombe was, and because such weake
braines as are now resident almost in every place might
take benefite hereat. In this manner began the inquirie.

THE FOOLE OF HERFORDE.

Upon a time (quoth one of the jurie) it was my chaunce
to be in the cittie of Herforde, when lodging in an
inn I was tolde of a certain silly witted gentleman there
dwelling, that wold assuredly beleeve all things that he
heard for a truth, to whose house I went upon a sleeveles
arrand, and finding occasion to be acquainted with him,
I was well entertained, and for three daj-es space had
my bed and boord in his house, where amongst many
other fooleries, I being a traveller made him beleeve
that tlie steeple in Burndwood in Essex sayled in one
night as far as Callis in Fraunce, and afterward re-
turned againe to his proper place. Another time I
made him beleeve that in the forest of Sherwood in
Nottinghamshire were scene five hundi'cd of the king
of Spaines galHes, which went to besiedge Robbin-
hoodes well, and that fourty thousand schollers with
elderne squirts performed such a peece of service, as
they were all in a manner broken and overthi'owne in
the forrest. Another time I made him beleeve that
Westminster hall, for suspition of treason, was banished

QUEST OF INQUIRIE. O

for ten years into Staffordshire. And last of all, I
made him beleeve that a tinker should be bayted to
death at Canterbury for getting two and twenty children
in a yeere : whereupon, to proove me a Iyer, he tooke
his horse and rode thither; and I, to verrifie him a
foole, tooke my horse and rode hither. Well, quoth
Jack of Dover, this in my minde was pretty foolerie,
but yet the Foole of all Fooles is not heere found that
I looke for.

THE FOOLE OF HUNTINGTON.

And it was my chaunce (quoth another of the jurie)
upon a time to be at Huntington, where I heard tell
of a simple shoomaker there dwelling, who having two
litle boyes, whom he made a vaunt to bring up to
learning, the better to maintaine themselves when they
were men ; and having . kept them a yeere or two at
schoole, he examined them, saying : My good boy
(quoth he to one of them) what doest thou learne ? and
where is thy lesson ? Oh, father, said the boy, I am
past grace. And where art thou? quoth he to the
other boy, who likewise answered, that he was at the
divell and all his workes. Now, Lord blesse us, quoth
the shoomaker, whither are my children learning ? the
one is already past grace, and the other at the divell and
all his workes : whereupon he tooke them both from
schoole, and set them to liis owne occupation. Well,
quoth Jacke of Dover, this in my mind was pretty
foolery, but yet the Foole of Fooles is not heere found
that I looke for.

b JACKE OF DOVERS

THE FOOLE OF BEDFORD.

Not many yeeres ago (sayd another of the jurie) it
was my chaunce to be at Bedford, where in the time of
my continuance there, the wives of that same place
strove to exceed one another in brave apparell, and
shee deemed herselfe the best woman that could get
her garments made of the most finest and strangest
fashion ; but, amongst the rest, there was a certaine
drapers wife, that although she could not put all other
women downe in her upper garments, she meant to
exceed them in her lower ; and therefore, when other
women had their stockings of wosted, jersie, silke, and
such like, she got her selfe a paire made of the finest
satten, and which shee continually put on when she
went abroad with her neighbours, and who but shee
(for the same) was talkt of almost in every company.
Thus for a long time bore she the bel away, and for
that fashion exceeded all her neighbours wives. But
now marke what happened in the end. Her husbande,
being a joUie lustie olde man, on a time looking over
the subsidy booke, founde himselfe therein five pound
more than he was before; whereupon he presently
went to maister Mayor of Bedford to get some abate-
ment, who hearing of his wives fantasticke humoui',
and knowing how he kept her in braverly beyond other
women, would not grant him any, saying : Oh, sir
(quoth Maister Mayor), is it not great reason that sith
your wife exceedes al other women in bravery, that
you likewise exceede all other men in the Queenes

QUEST OF INQUIUIE. 7

bookes ? for shee, a Gods name, must be in her satteu
stockings ; neither wooll nor wosted will serve turne :
whose fault is that, pray you ? To whom he replyed,
saying : Oh, pardon me, sir, I beseech your worship ;
I am an olde man, and not the first that have married
with a wanton young woman, and youth coupled with
age must needs have their owne sv/ing. I tell your
worshippe my good dayes be past ; and now because I
cannot please her above the knee, I must needes please
her beneath the knee: at which merry speeches M.
Mayor got the payment in the Queenes books for that
time abated. Well, quoth Jacke of Dover, this in my
minde was pretty foolery, but yet the Foole of all
Fooles is not heare found that I looke for.

THE FOOLE OF BUCKINGHAM.

TuERE was of late (quoth another of the jurie) a
certaine young man dwelling in Buckingham, who
had long time (in the way of mariage) made sute unto
a very rich widdow in the same towne, and to that
purpose had spent much money ; but all in vaine ; for
he had purchased no more favour at her handes, than
he had when first he began his sute, "Whereupon the
young man (not meaning as yet to give over the same)
went another way to worke, made it knowne to a
cosen of his, being a merry gentleman of the same
towne, who taking the matter in hand, went to this
widdowes house, and tolde her of his kinsman, an olde

» JACKE OF DOVERS

suter of hers, how he had now provided himselfe
otherwise of a wife, and meant not to trouble her any
further, and that he intended the next Sunday follow-
ing to be askt in the church, but that he doubted she
would forbid the banes ; Not I, by my troth, quoth the
widdow, nor any one for me. Whereupon the old
gentleman procured her to set her hand to a bond of
two hundred pound, with this condition : that neither
she, nor any one for her, by any means should then or
at any time after, forbid, or cause it to be forbidden :
the which being done, away goes he, and wils his
foresayd kinsman to haste to the church, and against
the next Sunday following, bespeake the banes betwixt
the widdow and himselfe. When Sunday came the
widdow gets her up betimes in the morrow, decking
herselfe in her best apparell, and withall she hyes
unto the church, to heare who it was that her olde
lover should marry. But when service was done,
(contrary to her expectation) she heard that her owne
name was askt unto him, she was so abashed, that she
knew not what to do ; yet durst not (for feare of for-
feyting her bond) make any meanes to have the banes
forbidden, but of force was content to let them alone ;
and so at the day appoynted, she was maryed to the
young man, who prooved a very carefuU husband, and
long lyved they togither in great love and unitie.
Well, quoth Jacke of Dover, this in my minde was
pretty foolerie, but yet the Foole of all Fooles is not
heere found, that I looke for.

QUEST OF INQUIRIE. 9

THE FOOLE OF NORTHAMPTON.

In like manner (quoth anothei* of tlie jurie) there
(Iwellecl a certaine rich gentleman of late in the towne
of Northampton, who being somewhat given to the old
religion, was very charitable to the poore, and every
day gave many a good almes at his doore ; the which
not a little greeved his wife, being a woman of a very
covetous nature : but she having by good huswifery
gathered together a pretty stocke of money, came
unto her husband (not knowing how to bestow it of
her selfe) and delivered it to him, being a bag of good
old angels, and withall requested him to lay it out
(for her use) upon some house or land, that if God
should call him away, shee might the better maintaine
herselfe afterward. The good old gentleman knowing
his wives covetous nature? on this condition takes her
bag of angels, promising with the same to buy her a
house for ever. But so it hapned, that within few
dales after he changed his wives double gold into single
silver, and alwayes when he went abroad (in a merry
humour) he gave of the same money to the poore,
so bountifully bestowing it that in a short time he had
never a whit left. All this while the poore woman
thought hee was espying her out a house ; but at last
marvelling she heard no news thereof, tooke occasion
to moove her husband of it saying: I would gladly
know good husband [quoth she] where the house is you
promised to buy with my money ? Oh, good wife,
quoth he, it is in heaven, wife : thy money hath pur-

10 JACKE OF DO VERS

chased us for ever a house in heaven, a house that will
never decay, but stand eternally : meaning that the
money he had given to the poore, had purchased them
a house in heaven, where all good deeds are rewarded.
But never after that time, would his wife give him any
more money, but kept it secret alone to her selfe.
Well, quoth Jacke of Dover, this in my mind was
pretty foolery, but yet the Foole of all Fooles is not
here found that I looke for.

THE FOOLE OF OXFORD.

There was upon a time (quoth another of the jurie)
a certaine merry black-smith dwelling in Oxford, who
upon a great festival-day, was invited to dine at a
noblemans table, who kept a house some two miles off;
and being a merry conceited fellow, and fuU of jestes,
he was placed amongst both honorable and worshipfull
personages : to which table, amongst many other dain-
ties, there was served in two gurnet fishes; the one
being of an exceeding great bignes, was set before the
nobleman himselfe ; the other being a very little one,
was placed in the dish that stood just before this same
black-smith, who being in his merry moode, and
having a desire to taste of the bigger fish, tooke the
little one in his hand, and laide it close to his eare,
harkning to it as though it would have spoken : which
Avhen the nobleman perceived, he greatly marvailed,
and deraaunded the cause of his doing so ? Oh, my good

QUEST OF INQUIRIE. 1 1

lord, quotli liee, from a friend of mine lately drowned
in the seas, I would gladly heare some newes ; con-
cerning whom I have asked this little fish, and he
sayth, that as yet he can tell little, by reason of his
tender age, but he hath an olde kinsman (he sayth)
can tell more of the matter, which now lyeth there in
the dish before you, therefore I beseech your honour
let me talke with him a little. Hei'ewithall the noble-
man and his guestes were greatly delighted, and so
reached him downe the bigger fish ; wherein the merry
black-smith had his desire, and withall was well
satisfied and contented. Well, quoth Jacke of Dover,
this in my minde was pretty foolerie, but yet the
Foole of all Fooles is not heere found that I looke for.

THE FOOLE OF WARWICKE.

Not many yeeres ago (quoth another of the jurie)
there was dwelling in Wai'wicke a plaine country far-
mer, but none of the wisest : who on a time rysing
early in a morning, found his hose eaten and gnawne
with rats ; and being therewith greatly troubled in
minde, thinking the same to be some token of misfor-
tune comming towards him, went unto a neighbour of
his to crave his advice and counsell therein, and to
know what it signified : saying that it was the strangest
thing that ever he saw. But his honest neighbour
noting the simplicitie of his wit, presently made him
this answere. Surely, good neighbour (quoth he), this

12 JACKE OF DO VERS

is no such strange thing as you speake of; but if your
hose had eaten the rattes, then had it been a strange
thing indeed. Hereupon the poore farmer, seeing
himselfe thus flouted to his face, went his way all
ashamed. Well, quoth Jacke of Dover, this in my
minde was pretty foolerie, but yet the Foole of all Fooles
is not heei'e found, that I looke for.

THE FOOLE OF COVENTRIE.

Upon a time there was (quoth another of the jury) a
certaine petty-cannon dwelling in Coventrie, to whose
house, upon a high feastival day, there came an expeart
and curious musition, but very poore (as commonly
men of the finest qualities be) and in hope of a reward
offered to shew him the rarest musicke that ever he
heard. Wilt thou so ? quoth the petty-cannon ; well,
shew thy best, and the more cunningly that thou play-
est, the greater reward thou shalt have. Hereupon the
poore musition cheered up his spirits, and with his
instrument plaide in a most stately manner before him
a long season : whereunto the petty-cannon gave good
care, and on a sodaine startes up, and gets him into
his study, where he remained some three or foure
houres, not regarding the poore musition that all this
while stood playing in the hall, hoping for some reward
or other: afterwarde when it grew towards supper
time, downe came the petty-cannon againe, and
walkes two or three times one after another bv the

QUEST OF INQUIRIE. 13

musition, but sayes never a word ; at which the
musition began to marvell; and having nothing all
this while given him for all his laboure, he boldly
asked his reward. Why, quoth the petty-cannon, the
reward I promised thee, I have already payde. As
how ? quoth the musition ; as yet was nothing given
me. Yes, quoth the petty-cannon, I have given thee
pleasure for pleasure ; for I have as much delighted
thee with hope, as thou hast done me with musick.
Well, quoth Jacke of Dover, this in my minde was
pretty foolery, but yet the Foole of all Fooles is not
heere found, that I looke for.

THE FOOLE OF LESTER.

A certaine knight there was (quoth another of the
jury) that on a time as he rode through Lester, had an
occasion to alight and make water, and walking after-
ward a foote through the streetes, there came unto him
a poore begger-man and asked of his worship one
penny for God's sake. One penny, quoth the knight,
that is no gyft for a man of worship to give. Why
then, quoth the begger, give me an angell ? Nay, that
(sayd the knight) is no almes for a begger to take.
Thus both wayes did he shake him off, as one worthy
of no reward for his presumption. Well, quoth Jacke
of Dover, this is likewise pretty foolerie, but yet the
Foole of all Fooles is not heere found, that I looke for.

14 JACKE OF DO VERS

THE FOOLE OF NOTTINGHAM.

There was of late in Nottingham (quoth another of
the jury) a certaine justice of peace, who one time
ryding through the streete, he met with a swaggering
companion called Cutting Tom; who in a braverie
tooke the wall of M. Justice, and almost tumbled both
him and his horse downe into the dirt. ^Vhereupon
in an anger he caused the ruffian to be staide, and asked
him what he was ? Maiy (quoth Cutting Tom) I am a
man as you are. But, quoth the justice, whom dost
thou serve ? Whom do I serve, quoth he, why I do serve
God. Serve God, sayd the Justice, what dost thou
mocke mee ? goe carry the knave to prison, He teach
him some other answer, then to say I serve God. To
the jaile was he born, where for that night he lay, and
on the moiTOw brovight before him againe. Now, sirra,
quoth the justice, are you better advised yet ? tell me
who do you serve now ? Wliy, quoth Cutting Tom, I
serve God still. But, sayd the justice, dost thou serve
no body else ? Yes, quoth he, I serve my Lord Presi-
dent of Yorke. Gods body, knave, why didst not say
so at first? Mary, quoth he, because I had thought
you had loved God better then my Lord President ;
for now I see for his sake I am set at liberty, and not
for Gods : therefore He serve God no more, but stil
my Lord President. Well, quoth Jacke of Dover,
this in my minde was pretty foolery, but yet the
Foole of all Fooles is not heere found, that I looke for.

QUEST OF INQUIRIE. 15

THE FOOLE OF LINCOLNE.

As I heard say (quoth another of the jurie) there
dwelled of late a certaine poore labouring man in
Lincolne, who upon a time, after his wife had so reviled
him with tongue mettle, as the whole streete rung
againe for wearinesse thereof, at last he went out of
the house, and sate him downe quietly upon a blocke
before his owne doore ; his wife being more out of
patience, by his quietnes and gentle sufferaunce, went
up into the chamber, and out at the window powred
downe a pisse-pot upon his head ; which when the
poore man saw, in a merry raoode he spake these
words: Now surely, quoth he, I thought at last that
after so great a thunder, we should have some raine.
Well, quoth Jacke of Dover, this in my minde was
pretty foolery, but yet the Foole of all Fooles is not
heere to be found that I looke for.

THE FOOLE OF YORKE.

Of late there was dwelling in Yorke (quoth another of
the jury) a certaine merry cloathyer, a passing good
house-keeper, and one whose table was free for any
man : but so it hapned on a time, amongst many other
sitting at his table, there was a countrey gentleman
named Maister Fuller ; with whom as then he meant
to be merry, and therefore finding occasion, he spake
as foloweth. Now, I pray you, Maister Fuller, quoth

16 J ACRE OF DOVERS

he (having as then divers sortes of wildfoule upon the
table) which doe you thinke the better meat, of a part-
ridge or a woodcocke ? Mary, quoth he, I do think a
partridge. Not in my minde, quoth the cloathyer, for
I take a woodcocke to be the better meate ; for a
woodcocke is fuller in the wing, fuller in the legge,
fuller in the pinion, and fuller is the woodcock in all
places ; at which the whole company laughed hartely,
and M. Fuller heard himselfe called woodcocke by
craft. Well, quoth Jacke of Dover, this in my minde
was pretty foolery, but yet the Foole of all Fooles is
not heere found, that I looke for.

THE FOOLE OF DURHAM.

Upon a time (quoth another of the jury) there was a
certaine lewde pilfring fellow that served a gentleman
of Durham, whom he kept for no other purpose, but
onely to make cleane the yardes, sweepe the streetes,
fetch in water, and such other drudgeries : this fellow
upon a time having stolne and convaide away certaine
trifling thinges out of his masters house, as he had done
before in divers places where he dwelt, and being now
detected for the same, and brought before his M., his
excuse was, that by no meanes he could do withall, for
it was his fortune to steale, and who (quoth he) can
withstand his hard fortune ? Why then, said his maister,
it is also thy hard fortune to be whipt, which being likewise
thy destiny, thou canst not prevent it. Here the ser-

QUEST OF INQUIRIE. 17

vant alleadged that fortune was the cause of his fault,
the master likewise returneth, that fortune was the
cause of his punishment : to be short, it was the poore
fellowes hard fortune to be well whipt, and so turned
out of service. Well, quoth Jacke of Dover, this in
my minde was pretty foolerie, but yet the Foole
of all Fooles is not heere found, that I looke for.

THE FOOLE OF WESTCHESTER.

Upon a time (quoth another of the jury), there was a
widow woman dweling in Westchester, that had taken
a certaine sum of mony of two cony-catchers, to keepe
upon this condition, that she should not deliver it
againe to the one without the other : but it so hapned
that within a while after, one of these coney-catchers
fayned his fellow to be dead, and came in mourning
cloathes to the woman and demaunded the money.
The simple woman thinking his words to be true, be-
leeved that his fellow was dead in deed, and therepon
delivered him the money : now within few dayes after
commeth the other conicatcher, and of the woman like-
wise demaundeth the same money; but understanding of
the delivery thereof before to his fellow without his con-
sent (as the bargaine was made), he arrested the poore
woman to London, and brought her to great trouble :
but being at last brought to try all before the judges of
the court, she sodainely slipt to the barre, and in this
manner pleaded her owne cause. My good Lordes

18 J ACRE OF DO VERS

(quoth she) here is a fellow troubles me without cause,
and puts me to a needles charge : what need he seeke
for triall, when I confesse the debt, and stand heere
ready to deliver his money ? Why, that is all, quoth
the conicatcher, that I demaund. I, but (quoth the
woman) do you remember your condition ? which is,
that I must not deliver it to the one without the other ;
therefore, go fetch thy fellow, and thou shalt have thy
mony. Hereupon the conicatcher was so astonished
that he knew not what to say, for his feUow was gone,
and he coidd not tell where to find him: by which
meanes he was constrained to let his action fall, and by
the law was condemned to pay her charges, and withall
great dammages for troubling her without cause.
Well, quoth Jacke of Dover, this, in my minde, was
pretty foolery : but yet the foole of aU fooles is not
heare found, that I looke for.

THE FOOLE OF NORTHUMBERLAND.

There was of late (quoth another of the jurie) a cer-
taine simple feUow dwelling in Northumberland, that
could not w^ell remember his owne name, nor teU
rightly to the number of just twentie, yet would many
times give such good admonitions as the wisest man in
all the eountrey could not give better : but amongst all
other, this one is worthy of memory, for going in an
evening through a greene fielde, it was his chaunce to
over heare a lusty young batehelor making sute to a

QUEST OF INQUIRIE. 19

faire milkemayd for a night's lodging, who for the same
demaunded a brace of angelles ; whereupon, the foole
sodainly starting backe, merrely said unto him : " Oh,
my goode friende (quoth he), I prithee buy not repent-
ance so dear:" signifying to the will, that after dis-
honest pleasure, repentance followeth speedily. Well,
quoth Jack of Dover, this in my minde was foolish
wisdome, but yet the foole of all fooles is not heere
found, that I looked for.

THE FOOLE OF WESTMERLAND.

Of late was dwelling in Westmerland (quoth another
of the jurie) a certaine simple taylor, that by his maister
was sent some two mile off, to a gentleman named
Maister Taylor, to demaund a little money due unto
his maister, for making four sutes of apparell: but
coming to the gentleman when he had not so much in
the house as would discharge the debt, yet meaning
not to abase his creddit so much as to tell the fellow so,
he found this wittie shift to drive him off for that time,
for when the taylors man demanded the money, he
asked the fellow what he was ? And, please your wor-
ship (quoth he), I am by occupation a taylor. A
taylor is a knaves name (saith the gentleman) ; heeres
every knave as well as myselfe wil be a taylor : but I
prithee, friend, what taylor art thou? for there be
divers sorts of taylers : there be taylors by name, there
be marchant tailors, there be womens taylers, there be

20 JACKE OF DOVERS

snipping taylors, there be cutting taylors, there be
botching taylors, and there be honest taylors, and there
be thieving taylors. By this description of taylors he
drove the poore fellow to such a quandary that he knew
not what to say, but returned like a foole as he went,
without either money or answere. Well, quoth Jacke
of Dover', this in my mind was pretty foolery, but yet
the foole of aU fooles is not here found, that I look for.

THE FOOLE OF LANCASTER

There was of late (quoth another of the jurie) a
ploughman and a butcher dwelling in Lancastei', who
for a trifling matter (like two fooles) went to law, and
spent much money therein, almost to both their un-
doings: but at last, being both consented to be tride by
a lawyer dwelling in the same town, each of them, in
hope of a further favour, bestowed gyftes upon him :
the ploughman first of all presented him a cupple of
good fat hens, desiring Mr. Lawyer to stand his good
friend, and to remember his suite in law ; the which he
courteously tooke at his handes, saying : that what
favour he could show him, he should be sure of the
uttermost. But, now, when the butcher heard of the
presenting of these hens by the ploughman, hee went
and presently killed a good fatte hogge, and in like
manner presented it to the lawyer, as a bribe to draw
him to his side ; the which he also tooke very cour-
teously, and promised the like to him as he did before

QUEST OF INQUIRIE. 21

to the other. But so it fell out, that shortly after the
verdict passed on the butchers side ; which when the
ploughman had notice of, he came unto the lawyer, and
asked him wherefore his two hens were forgotten ?
Mary, quoth he, because there came in a fatte hogge
and eate them up. Now a vengeance take that hog,
quoth the ploughman, that eate both my suit in law,
and hens together. Well, quoth Jacke of Dover, this
in my minde was pretty foolery, but yet the foole of
all fooles is not heere found, that I looked for.

THE FOOLE OF WORSTERSHIRE.

There was on a time, remayning in Worstershire,
(quoth another of the jurie) a certain poet, or vercifier,
that had dedicated a booke of poetrie to a merrie gen-
tleman there dwelling, thereby to purchase his favour
and reward withall : when the poet had presented the
book unto him, the gentleman in outward show took it
very kindly ; but without any answere at all given to
the poore scholler, he put it up into his pocket and
went his wayes : within a while after, the poet (to put
him in minde thereof) gave him certaiue excellent
verses, the which he likewise tooke, and put into his
pocket without any answere at all ; in this manner
did the poore scholler oftentimes put the gentleman in
minde of his goodwill, but all in vaine, for neither had
he a reward nor answere at all backe. But now at
last marke what hapned : when the gentleman saw he

22 JACKE OF DOVERS

could not be rid of the poet by anie means, himselfe
with his owne handes writ certain verses in Latten,
and when he spied him againe coming towards him, he
sent him the verses by one of his servants : the schoUer
courteously tooke, and read them, not only with a loude
voyce, but with pleasing jesture and amiable counte-
nance, praysing them with wouderfull admiration ;
and thereupon, coming nearer to the gentleman, he put
his hand into his pocket, and pulled out a few single
two-pences, and offered them unto him, saying : It is
no reward for your estate (right worshipfull), but if I
had more, more would I give : hereupon the gentleman
in regard of the schoUers good wit, called his purse-
bearer, and commanded foure angells forthwith to be
given him. Well, quoth Jacke of Dover, this in my
minde was pretty foolerie, but yet the foole of all
fooles is not heere found, that I look for.

THE FOOLE OF WINSOR.

Upon a time, there was in Winsor (quoth another
of the jurie), a certaine simple outlandish doctor of
phisicke, belonging to the Deane, who on a day being
at dinner in Eton CoUedge, in a pleasant humor asked
of Maister Deane what strange matter of worth he had
in the colledge, that he might see, and make report of
when he came into his own countrey ? whereupon the
deane called for a boy out of the schole, of some six
yeeres of age; who, being brought before him, used this

QUEST OF INQUIRIE. 23

speach : M. Doctor, quoth he, this is the onely wonder
that I have, which you shall quickly find, if you will
aske him any question: whereupon the D. calling
the boy to him, said these words, — My pretty boy
(quoth he), what is it that men so admire in thee?
My understanding, quoth the boy. Why, sayd the
Doctor, what dost thou understand? I understand
rayselfe, said the boy, for I know myselfe to be a
childe. Why, quoth the Doctor, couldest thou thinke
that thou wert a man ? Not so easely, M. Doctor,
answered the boy, as to thinke that a man may be a
child. As how, sayd the Doctor ? By this, quoth
the boy ; for I have heard, that an old man decayed in
wit, is a kind of child, or rather a foole. With that
the Doctor casting a frowning smile upon the boy,
used these words : Truly, thou art a rare childe for thy
wit, but I doubt thou wilt proove like a sommer apple ;
sooue ripe, soone rotten : thou art so full of wit now,
that I feare thou wilt have little when thou art old.
Like enough, sayd the boy ; but will you give me leave
to shew my opinion upon your wordes ? Yes, my
good wag (sayd he.) Then M. Doctor, quoth the boy,
I gather by your words, that you had a good wit when
you were young. The Doctor, biting his lip, went his
way, very much displeased at the boyes witty reasons,
thinking himselfe ever after to be a foole. Well, quoth
Jacke of Dover, this, in my minde, was pretty foolery,
but yet the foole of al fooles is not here found, that I
look for.

24 JACKE OF DOVERS

THE FOOLE OF DARBIE.

Upon a time, there chaunced (quoth another of the
jurie) to come unto a gentlemans house at Darbie, a
certaine goldsmith of London, who, after dinner, look-
ing well upon the gentlemans cupboard of plate, where
amongst many other peeces very richly wrought, he
had a chiefe likeing to two silver cups ; the one was
made in fashion of a tigar, the other of a crab-fish :
whereupon he desired the gentleman to lend him for a
day or two the cup made like a tigar, to make another
by it ; which having obtained, he cariyed it away with
him, and kept it at his house full thi-ee months : which
the gentleman nothing pleased with, sent to him for it ;
which having gotten home, it fell out that within few
dayes after, the same goldsmith sent to the gentleman
againe, to borrow his other cup of the crab-fish ; to
whose messenger the gentleman made this pleasant an-
swere : I prithee, my good friend, quoth he, commende
me to thy maister, and tell him I would be glad to doe
him any pleasure, but seeing my tiger, which I tooke
to be one of the swiftest beastes in the world, hath
been three monthes in going between London and
Darbie, truley I feare my crab is so slow, that if I
should let him creepe out of my doores, he would be
three yeares in coraming home againe, and tl^/erefore
intreat him to pardon me. Well, quoth Jacke of
Dover, this in my mind was pretty foolery ; but yet
the foole of all fooles is not here found, that I looke
for.

QUEST OF INQUIRIE. 25

THE FOOL OF SHREWESBURIE.

In Shrewsburie there was of late (quoth another of the
jurie) a substantial innkeeper, that kept a certaine
foole in his house, of whom he demanded on a time, of
what profession he thought most men of the towne
to be of? who answered, that he thought they were
phisitions. Phisitions, quoth the innkeeper ; what
wager wilt thou lay on that ? Mary, answered the
foole, I will lay five crownes, and that within few dayes
I wiU approve it, or else I will pay the money. Well,
said the innkeeper thou shalt either pay it, or be well
payd for it, if it be not so : but if thou make it good,
thou shalt have five crownes of mee. Content, quoth
the foole : so upon the next morning he put a clout
under his chin and over his mouth, and laying his hand
under his j awes, went hanging his head, up and downe
the towne, as if he had bin very sicke : but at last,
comraing into a cutlers shop, a friend of his, he made a
great shew of the paine of the toothach, asking of him
a medicine for the same ? who presently taught him
one, with which he thankfully departed : and with this
device he went almost to every house of the towne, to
learne a medicine for the toothach, setting downe in a
booke divers medicines, with their names that gave
them : which being done, he returned to the innkeeper,
with his clout about his mouth, seeming to be sore
payned with the toothach, which the innkeeper per-
ceiving, in pittie brake into this speech : Alas, poore
foole, never feare it, if it be but the toothach, Ee helpe

26 JACKE OF DOVERS

thee presently, I pray you do, (quoth the foole) for I
am in cruell paine : which he no sooner taught him,
but the foole, pulling off his clout, fell into a great
laughing, with these words : This is the best medicine
that ever I learned, for it hath not onely made me
whole, but hath gotten me five crownes. As how ?
said the innkeeper. Mary, thus, quoth the fool : you
layde a wager with mee, that most of the towne were
not phisitions, and I have prooved that they be, for
most part in every house I have learned medicines for
my teeth, and they that give medicines can be no
other then phisitions : in witnes whereof, see heere in
my booke what is set downe. The innkeeper seeing
himselfe thus overreacht, confessed the wager, and
payde the foole his money. Well, quoth Jacke of
Dover, this in my mind was pretty foolery, but yet
the foole of all fooles is not heere found, that I looke
for.

THE FOOLE OF WINCHESTER.

Not far from Winchester, there dwelled (quoth another
of the jury) a certaine simple justice, to whom a
country gentleman made complaint of the ill de-
meanors and disordered lives of many under officers in
his libertie, requesting him that he would send for
them, and put them in some feare : the which he
promised to do : whereupon he sent his warrant for all
the bayliffes, constables, headboi'roughes, and church-
wardens, that were in his liberty, and putting them

QUEST OF INQUIRIE. 27

altogether in a great chamber, he put on a night gowne
which was furred with blacke lambe skins, with the
wrong side outward, and so with his hand before his
face, as halfe blinded, ran backwards at them, crying
" Boe bulbagger," as some use to feare children withal,
and so, according to the gentlemans complaint, he
feared them away. "Well, quoth Jacke of Dover, this
in my minde was pretty foolerie ; but yet the foole of
all fooles is not heere found, that I look for.

THE FOOLE OF GLOSTEE.

Upon a time, (quoth another of the jurie) a certaine
fellow wanting money, came unto Gloster, where hap-
ning into the company of a sort of maister colliars, he
sodainly began this speech : My good friends (quoth
he), if any of you will gaine by a poore man draw
neare : I will give you that thing for a shilling a peece,
which, if you use it well, shall be worth a crowne to
you: whereupon the coUiai's, in hope of benefite,
bestowed some few shillings upon him, and he to every
one of them gave fewer yardes of fine threede, which
of purpose he had in his pocket : but to every one that
receaved the threed he gave this item: — Take heed,
quoth he, when you see a foole or a knave, that you let
him not come neare you, by the length of this threed,
and it will be worth a crowne the observing of it :
whereat they all laughed to see themselves made fooles

28 JACKE OF DOVERS

in this manner. AVell, quoth Jacke of Dover, this in
my mincle was pretty foolery, but yet the foole of all
fooles is not heere found, that I look for.

THE FOOLE OF DEVONSHIEE.

After this, travelling from Gloster, T tooke my jorney
into Devonshire, where in the time of my continuance
there, I had intelligence of a plaine countrey plough-
man there dwelling, who for his simplenes almost every
one made a foole of: but amongst the rest a certaine
covetous gentleman, having a desire to a good milch
cow which this poore ploughman had, would very often
times say in his hearing, that what gyftes soever any
man gave him with a goodwill, should before the yeeres
end be turned double againe : this poore ploughman
noting his wordes very often, and thinking to have two
kine for his one before the yeeres end, which would,
as he thought, be a great benefite to him, gave him his
said cow : the covetous gentleman taking the same very
gladly, meaning never to returne her backe, put her
into his neathouse amongst his other kine. The poore
ploughman hying himselfe home, daily expecting when
his cow should come home double : at last unawares in
an evening, he heard his cow low before his window,
which by chaunce had broke out of the gentlemans
stable, and an other fat oxe with her ; which when the
plouglunan saw, he held up his handes blessing him-
selfe, saying, See how the Lord workes with this good

QUEST OF INQUIRIE. 29

gentleman ; for he, pitying my estate, hath sent my cow
double home in deed, the which I will here take at his
hands very thankfully : so dry ving them both into his
house, he killed the fat oxe and salted him up in powdring
tubbes, and caryed his cow the next morning againe to
the gentleman, saying: And please your worship, yester
night you sent her home to my house according to
your promise, Avhich heere I give to you againe to day,
hoping still of your wonted curtesies. The gentleman
not regarding his speeches, but thinking them to be
mere foolishnesse in deede, tooke the poore mans cow
againe, and put her into his stable amongst beastes as
before he did: but the cowe not forgetting her old
maisters house, came still once a weeke home with a
fellow, and so continued until such time as the poore
ploughman had sixe or seaven of the gentleman's best
beeves in his powdring tubs ; but being discoverd, the
gentleman could never by his owne wordes recover any
thing at the poore mans handes. This in my minde
was pretty foolerie : but yet the Foole of all Fooles is
not heere found, that I looke for.

THE FOOLE OF CORNEWALL.

Thus travelling with my privie search from Devon-
shire, I came to Cornewall, where after I had made
my jorney, I was told of a humorous knight dwelling
in the same countrey, who upon a time having gathered
together in one open market place a great assemblie of

so JACKE OF DOVERS

knightes, squires, gentlemen, and yeomen, and whilest
they stood expecting to heare some discourse or speach
to proceed from him : he in a foolish manner (not
without laughter) began to use a thousand jestures,
turning his eyes this way, then that way, seeming al-
wayes as though he would have presently begun to
speake ; and at last, fetching a deepe sigh, with a
grunt like hogge, he let a beastly loude fart, and tould
them that the occasion of this calling of them together
was to no other ende, but that so noble a fai't might be
honoured with so worthy a company as there was
This in my mind was pretty foolery, but yet the Foole
of all Fooles is not yet found, that I looke for.

THE FOOLE OF HAMPSHIRE.

After this I tooke my jorney from Cornewall, and
came into Hampshire, where remayning in the towne
of Southampton, I heard of a certaine old begger-
woman, who upon a time came a begging to a Dutch-
mans doore there dwelling, and seeing a jacke an apes
there on the stal mumping and moing at her, she, ac-
cording to her wit, sayd : Oh, my pretty boy, quoth
she, I prithee mocke me not, for I may be thy grandam
by mine age : which words a young man of the house
overhearing, sayd unto her. Oh, mother, you mistake ;
for this is no child you speake unto. No, is it not ?
quoth she : I pray what is it then ? Mary, sayd the
fellow, it is a jack an apes. A jack an apes! quoth

QUEST OF INQUIRIE, 31

she : now, Jesus, what these Fleminges can make for
money, thinking verily it had been a thing made by
mens hand. This in my minde was a pretty foolerie,
but yet the Foole of all Fooles is not heere found, that
I looke for.

THE FOOLE OF BAEKSHIRE.

Travelling after this from Southampton, I tooke my
jorney into the country of Barkshire, where, not far
from Reading, I heard tel of a certaine lewde doctor of
phisicke, that bore such affection to a mealemans wife
of the same countrey, that shee by no meanes could
be rid of him, whereupon she certified her husband
thereof: he in this manner was revenged on him.
Thus it hapned upon a time this merry mealeman
counterfeited himselfe to be starke mad, and caused his
wife to send for this doctor with all speed: who no
sooner received the message, as well to shewe his love
to the woman he affected, as to have reward of her
husband, came with all speed to this counterfeit patient:
the newes of whose comming was no sooner brought to
the meale-man, who attended his comming in his bed,
but presently he made such a show of madnesse, as if
he had been possessed with a thousand devils ; to whose
presence the doctor being brought, with many chearfuU
words he comforted the meale-man, who stared in his
face, as if he would have torn him in peeces, yet
ceased not his friendes about him to yeeld the doctor
many thankes, beseeching him to regard the manner of

32 JACKE OF DOYERS

his fits, and to view the water he made that morning,
to which he willingly agreed : for which purpose there
was prepared in an urinall the water of a mare great
with fole, which the doctor viewed and again revewed,
having never scene the Kke before, casting many
doubtes of the meale-mans recoverie, standing thus in
a quandary, as one driven to a non-plus : which by the
mealemans friendes being perceived, they drew him
secretly into another roome, earnestly desiring him to
shew his opinion of the disease, whether it were dan-
gerous or no. The doctor being loath to speake what
he found, yet to satisfie their mindes, he thus sayd:
Be it knowne, quoth he, that the strangenes of the
water, sheweth a thing contrary to nature, for by it I
see he hath within his body some lyving forme, and a
child it is in my opinion, for which I am sorry, and
desire you that be his good friendes, to pray for him,
that God may take mercy on his soule. Hei'eupon the
mealemans wife being then present, and meaning with
the rest to follow still the jest, hearing of so strange a
report, cryed out against her husband, fayning a
desembling cry, and wishing herselfe never to have
been borne, rather then to live a poynting stocke in
the world : which speech being verie well delivered, as
one possessed with a diveU, she in a great rage flung
away from the company, and would not be intreated to
returne againe. The doctor having heard so woefuU a
cry proceed from the saint he so dearly loved, thought
all had bin faithfully ment, which was faynedly spoken ;
therefore going secretly alone unto her where she sate,

QUEST OF INQUIRIE. 33

and in briefe termes of wooing, promised her, if she
would grant to become his wife, he would sodainely
end her griefe by the death of her husband, therefore
say amen to my sute, and I will give him such a drinke
as soone will dispatch his life. The woman not as yet
meaning to marre the pastime they intended, requested
him to stay for her answere till the morrow, and to
take a hard lodging in her house for that night, to
which the doctor most willingly agreed, and so, after
supper was ended, he was conducted to his bedde,
where he was no sooner warme, but the mealeman
playing his mad pranks, entered the chamber, breaking
open the doore to the doctors admiration ; who in a
fearefull maner asked what he wold have ? Villaine,
quoth the mealemam, be still, or die upon my knife.
The D. knowing it was but foUie to resist a mad man,
most quietly yeelded to his will: whereupon the
mealeman binding him hand and foote called in his
friendes, who came in disguised, and with burtchin
rods so belabored the doctor, as they left him no skinne
on his body : that done, they plundged him in a tubbe
of salt brine over head and eares, that he forgot his
love, and almost himselfe ; so leaving him to his rest
till morning, and then they brought with them a
surjion, who in the presence of them all cut out his
stones: which being done, and the wound drest, they
caused him upon a mangie jade to be horst, and so
sent him away to seeke his fortune. This in my
mind was pretty foolerie, but yet the Foole of all
Fooles is not heere found, that I look for.

S4- JACKE OF DOVERS

THE FOOLE OF ESSEX.

After this, I tooke my journey from Berkshire, and
came into Essex, where searching up and downe the
countrey, I was tolde of a certaine widow dwelling
there that was evermore troubled with foure importu-
nate suters : namely : a lawyer, a merchant, a souldier,
and a courtier ; every one of them so earnest in their
affections, that no nay would serve turne, for the widow
they must needes have, whether she will or no : but
she beai'ing more love to the courtier then to all the
rest, she like a wily wench, rid them off in this manner:
to the lawyer she first comes and secretly comfortes
him, saying, that above all others she had chosen him
for her husband, and none but he ; but quoth she, you
know how I am troubled with my other suters, and
except we be secretly convaide to chui'ch without their
knowledge, surely we shall by them be intercepted;
therefore to morrow morning He have you tied up in a
meale sacke heere in my house, and by a porter (which
I will sende) shal be borne to Chensford, where I in
mans apparel will stay your comming, and so without
any of their suspitions we will be maried togeather :
which pollicie the lawyer so well lyked of, that he was
got readie in the sacke by three a clocke the next
morning. But now the widdow in the meane time,
had told the merchant, that shee would be his wife,
and none but his, and that hee the same morning
should come like a porter, and fetch her to church tyde
up in a meale-sacke ; the which he was very dUigeut

QUEST OF INQUmiE. 85

to doe ; and attyred thus in a porters apparell, he was
set to carry the lawyer in the saeke to Chensford
instead of the widdow : who being both deceived and
gone forward on their jorney, she sent the souldier
after them (disguised like a singer) to belabour their
fooles coates soundly, with this condition, that at his
returne she would make him her husband. This hope
caused the souldier to be as willing to performe her
desire, as she to command his labour. But now marke
the jest ; whilst these tliree were sent like woodcocks
to Chensford, the courtier and she were maryed
together at Burntwood. Which in my minde was
pretty foolery, but yet the Foole of all Fooles is not
heere found, that I looke for.

THE FOOLE OF LONDON.

At my first entrie into London, and making my privy
search there for this aforesayd foole, I was told of a
rich usurers sonne there dwelling, who at his fathers
discease was left owner of a very sumptuous house,
with great store of lands belonging thereunto : which
humerous young man upon a time seeing one of his
neighbors having built his house in forme of a castle,
with ditch and rampires about it, he desired to have
his made of the like fashion ; the which being no sooner
finished, but he saw another of his neighbors have a
faire set of apple trees in the forme of an orchard, he
desired to have the like, and caused his aforesaid house

D 2

36 JACKE OF DOVER.

to be plucked downe, and planted in the place such a
set of apple trees as the other man had ; which being
come to a good groath, he caused them also to be root-
ed up, saying, it were far better to have it a field of
cabages : and in the ende his sumptuous house came to
be a gai'den of cabages : yet not suffised with this, he
in an other humor, bought all the geese in that country,
supplanted his garden of cabages, and made it a faire
greene for these creatures to graze upon ; and being
a friend of his asked wherefore he did so ? he answered
that from geese came feathers, wherewith to make
boulsters and beds, and of them he had greater neede
then of cabages, or such like thinges, that grow in
gardens. This was pretty foolery, but yet the Foole of
all Fooles is not heere found, that I looke for.

THE FOOLES OF PAULES, OR FOOLES
IN GENERALL.

AVell (quoth one of the jury), if we cannot finde the
foole we looke for amongst these fooles before named,
one of us will be the foole, ^or in my minde, there
cannot be a verier foole in the world then is a poet ;
for poets have good wits, but can not use them; great
store of money, but can not keepeit; and many friends
till they lose them : therefore we thinke fit to have a
parliament of poets, and to enact such lawes and statutes,
as may proove beneficial to the commonweath of Jacke
of Dovers motly coated fooles.

THE

PENNILES PARLIAMENT

THREED-BARE POETS

ALL MIRTH AND WITTIE CONCEITES.

Printed at London, for William Barley, and are to be sold

at his Shop in Gratious-strccto, neere

Leaden-hall-gate.

UiOS.

THE PENNILES PARLIAMENT

THREED-BARE POETS.

1 . First of all, for the increase of every fool in his
humour, we think it necessary and convenient, that all
such as buys this book, and laughs not at it, before he
has read it over, shall be condemned of melancholy,
and be adjudged to walk over Moorfields, twice a week,
in a foul shirt, and a pair of boots, but no stockings.

2. It is also agreed upon that long-bearded men
shall seldom prove the wisest ; and that a niggards purse
shall scarce bequeatli his master a good dinner ; and, be-
cause water is like to prove so weak an element in the
world, that men and women will want tears to bewail their
sins ; we charge and command all gardeners to sow more
store of onions, for fear widows should want moisture to
bewail their husbands funerals.

3. In like manner we think it fit, that red wine
should be drank with oysters ; and that some maidens
shall blush more for shame than for shame-facedness.
But men must have care, lest, conversing too much
with red petticoats, they banish their hair from their

40 THE PENNILES PARLIAMENT

heads, and by that means make the poor barbers beg-
gars for want of work.

4. Furthermore, it is lawful for those women that
every morning taste a pint of muscadine with eggs, to
chide, as well as they that di-ink smaU beer all the
winter ; and those that clip that they should not, shall
have a horse-night-cap for their labour. Gentlemen
that sell land for paper, shall buy penury with repen-
tance ; and those that have most gold, shall have least
grace ; some that mean well, shall fare worse ; and he
that hath no credit, shall have less commodity.

5. It is also ordered and agreed upon, that such as
are cholerick, shall never want woe and sorroxv ; and
they that lack money, may fast upon Fridays, by the
statute : and it shall be lawful for them that want shoes, "
to wear bootes all the year ; and he that hath never a
cloke, may, without oifence, put on his best gown at
ISIidsummer ; witness old Prime, the keeper of Bethlem
dicing-house^.

6. In like manner, it is agreed upon, that what day
soever St. Pauls church hath not, in the middle aile of
it, either a broker, masterless man, or a pennyless
companion, the usurers of London shaU be sworn by
oath to bestow a new steeple upon it ; and it shall be
lawful for coney-catchers to fall together by the ears,
about the four knaves at cards, which of them may
claim superiority ; and whether false dice, or true, be
of the most antiquity.

OF THREED-BARE POETS. 41

7. Furthermore, we think it necessary and lawful
for the husband and wife to fall at square for superio-
rity, in such sort as the wife shall sit playing above in
the chamber, while the husband stands painting below
in the kitchen. Likewise, we mark all brokers to be
knaves, by letters-patents ; and usurers for five marks
a-piece, shall lawfully be buried in the chancel, though
they have bequeathed their souls and bodies to the
devil in hell.

8. In like mannei', it is thought good, that it shall
be lawful for muscadines, in vintners cellars, to indict
their masters of commixion ; and Serjeants shall be
contented to arrest any man for his fees. Ale-wives
shall sell flesh on Fridays without licence ; and such
as sell beer in halfpenny j^ots, shall utter bread and
cheese for money through the whole year ; and those
that are past honesty and shame shall smile at sin ;
and they that care not for God, prefer money before
conscience.

9. Furthermore, it shall be lawful for footstools (by
the help of womens hands) to fly about without wings ;
and poor men shall be accounted knaves without
occasions ; those that flatter least, shall speed worst ;
and pigs (by the statute) shall dance the anticks with
bells about their necks, to the wonder and amazement
of all swineherds.

10. In like manner it is convenient, that many men
shall wear hoods, that have little learning ; and some

42 THE PENNILES PARLIAMENT

surfeit so much about wit, and strive so long against
the stream, as their necks shall fail them ; some shall
build fair houses by bribes, gather much wealth by
contention, and, before they be aware, heap up riches
for another, and wretchedness for themselves.

11. Furthermore, it shall be established for the
benefit of increase, that some shall have a tympany in
their bellies, which will cost them a child-bearing ;
and, though the father bear aU the charges, it shall
be a wise child that shall know his own father.

12. It shall be lawful for some to have a palsy in
their teeth, in such sort, as they shall eat more than
ever they will be able to pay for : some such a megrim
in their eyes, as they shall hardly know another mans
wife from their own ; some such a stopping in their
hearts, as they shall be utter obstinate to receive
grace ; some such a buzzing in their ears, as they
shall be enemies to good counsel ; some such a smeU in
their noses, as no feast shall escape without their
companies ; and some shall be so needy, as neither
young heirs shall get their own, nor poor orphans their
patrimony.

13. Also, it is enacted and decreed, that some shall
be so numerous in their walks, as they cannot step
one foot from a fool ; some so consumed in mind, as
they shall keep never a good thouglit to bless them-
selves ; some so disguised in purse, as they count it

OF THREED-BARE POETS. 43

fatal to have one penny, to buy their dinners on Sun-
days ; some so burthened in conscience, as they account
wrongful dealing the best badge of their occupation.

14. But, amongst other laws and statutes by us here
established, we think it most necessary and convenient,
that poulterers shall kiU more innocent poultry by
custom, than their wives and maids can sell with a
good conscience ; also it is ordered and agreed upon,
that bakers, woodmongers, butchers, and brewers,
shaU fall to a mighty conspiracy ; so that no man shall
have either bread, fire, meat, or drink, without credit
or ready money.

15. Sycophants by the statute shall have great
gifts, and good and godly labours shall scarce be worth
thanks : it is also thought necessary that maidens
about midnight shall see wonderous visions, to the
great heart -grief of their mothers.

16. Furthermore, it is marked and set down, that,
if lawyers plead poor mens causes without money,
Westminster-hall shall grow out of custom, to the great
impoverishing of all nimmers, lifters, and cutpurses.
Those that sing bass, shall love good drink by authority ;
and trumpeters, that sound trebles, shall stare by
custom. Women that wear long gowns, may lawfully
raise dust in March ; and they that keep a temperate
diet, shall never die on surfeits.

44 THE PENNILES PARLIAMENT

17. In like manner, it shall be lawful for sailors and
soldiers to spend at their pleasures what pay they get
by their sword ; and if the treasurer pay them any
thing beyond account and reckoning, if they build not
an hospital therewith, they may bestow it in apparel by
the statute.

18. It is further established and agreed upon, that
they that drink too much Spanish sack, shall, about
July, be served with a fiery-face ; but oh ! you ale
knights, you that devour the marrow of the malt, and
drink whole ale-tubs into consumptions, that sing
Queen Dido over a cup, and tell strange news over an
ale-pot ; how unfortunate are you, you shall p-ss out
that which you have swallowed down so sweetly ; you
are under the law, and shall be awarded with this
punishment, that the rot shall infect your purses, and
eat out tlae bottoms before you be aware.

19. It is also agreed upon and thought necessary,
that some womens lips shall swell so big, as they shall
long to kiss other men beside their husbands ; others
cheeks shall be so monstrously out of frame, as they
cannot speak in a just cause without large fees ; some
with long tongues shall teU aU things which they hear ;
some with no brains shall meddle much and know
little ; and those that have no feet, may by the statute
go on crutches.

20. Furthermore, it is convenient and thought meet

OF THREED-BARE POETS. 45

that ale shall exceed so far beyond its bounds, as many
stomachs shall be drowned in liquor, and thereupon
will follow the dropsy, to the great benefit of all physi-
cians : it is lawful for some to take such purgative
drugs, that, if nature help not, the worms, in the
churches of London, shall keep their Christmas at
Midsummer in their beUies; but tailors, by this means,
shall have moi'e conscience ; for, where they were wont
to steal but one quarter of a cloke, they shall have due
commission to nick their customers in the lace, and,
besides their old fee, take more than enough for new
fashions sake. But now, touching these following
articles, we are to advise old men to look with specta-
cles, lest in finding over many wise lines, they wax
blind with reading.

21. But now, touching the benefit of private houses,
by our rare and exquisite judgments, we think it very
commodious that those married men of weakest wit,
and worse courage, should provide themselves with
good weapons, to defend themselves from assaults,
which shall assail them about midnight ; and it shall be
lawful for all wives to have a masculine courage, in
such sort, that they who have had their wills to this
hour, shall have the mastery all the year after ; and
those husbands which do not valiantly resist them,
shall be awarded to pay a sheeps head to their next
neighbour, in penance for their folly.

22. As by our provident judgments we have seen

46 THE PENNILES PARLIAMENT

into lamentable miseries, incident in these parts of the
world ; so, for the reformation thereof, we do ordain
and enact, that the oil of holly shall prove a present
remedy for a shrewd housewife, accounting Socrates
for a flat fool, that suffered his wife to crown him with
a p-ss-pot ; ordaining, that all those that give their
wives their own wills, be fools by act of parliament.

23. Also, it is further established and agreed upon,
that Essex calves shall indict butchers knives of wilful
murder ; and whosoever will prove a partial juryman,
shall have a hot sheeps skin for his labour. Bow-bell
in Cheapside, if it break not, shall be warranted by
lettei's patents to ring well ; and, if the conduit-heads
want no water, the tankard -bearers shall have one
custard more to their solemn dinners, than their usual
custom.

24. Moreover, it is thought good, that it shall be
lawful for all tripe-wives to be exquisite physicians,
for in one offal they shall find more simples, than ever
Galen gathered since he was christened; besides, if
dancers keep not tide and time in their measures, they
shall forfeit a fat goose to their teacher, for their slender
judgment. The French morbus, by commission, shall
be worth three weeks diet ; and they who have but one
shirt to shift them withal, may, by the law, strain
courtesy to weai" a foul one upon the Sunday ; also our
commision shall be sent forth for the increase of hemp,
as not oidy upland-ground shall be plentifully stored

OF THREED-BARE POETS. 47

therewith, but also it shall so prosper in the highways,
as the stalks thereof shall touch the top of Tyburn.

25. In like manner we think it necessary and con-
venient, that there shall be great noise of wars in
taverns, and wine shall make some so venturous, as
they will destroy Tyrone and all his power at one
draught : also we think it meet that there be craft in
all occupations, and those that are penitent in this
world, shall have comfort in a better ; silk-weavers, by
the statute, shall prosper well, if they wash their hands
clean on fasting-days, for otherwise, in soiling their
work, they shall lose their work-masters ; daws, by
authority, shall leave building in steeples, and dwell in
cities ; and such as are cunning in musick, shall know
a crotchet from a quaver: but let such men as instruct
youth, be very circumspect ; for if they leai'n more
than their masters can teach them, they shall forfeit
their wits to those that bring them up.

26. Furthermore, we think it most necessary and
. convenient, that the generation of Judas should walk

about the world in these our latter days, and sell his neigh-
bour for commodity to any man ; but the usurers shall
be otherwise disposed ; for, having monthly taken but a
penny in the shilling, ever since they first began their
occupation, they shall now, with a good conscience,
venture upon three-pence with the advantage ; besides,
many men shall prove themselves apparently knavish,
and yet, in their own opinions, will not be so; and many

48 THE PENNILES PARLIAMENT

women shall imagine that there are none fairer than
themselves.

27. Moreover, for the further increase of foolish
humours, we do establish and set down, that fantastick
devices shall prove most excellent ; and some shall so
long devise for other men, that they will become barren
themselves ; some shall devise novelties to their own
shames, and some snares to entrap themselves with.

28. In like manner we think it most necessary, that
those who be fortune-tellers, shall shut a knave in a
circle ; and, looking about for a devil, shall find him
locked in their own bosoms : atheists, by the law, shall
be as odious as they are careless ; and those that depend
on destiny, and not on God, may chance look through
a narrow lattice at Footmans Inn. But my dear
friends, the grocers, are plentifully blessed, for their
figs and raisins may allure fair lasses by authority ;
yea, many men, by the statute, shall be so kind-hearted,
that a kiss and an apple shall serve to make them
innocents.

29. It is further agreed upon and established, that
many strange events shall happen in those houses
where the maid is predominant with her master, and
wants a mistress to look narrowly unto her.

30. Also, we think it convenient, that some shall
take tlieii' neighbours bed for their own ; some the

OP THREED-BARE POETS. 49

servant for their roaster ; and, if candles could tell tales,
some will take a familiar for a flea. Also, we think it
meet, that there should be many fowlers, who, instead
of larks, will catch lobcocks ; and many, for want of
wit, shall sell their freehold for tobacco-pipes and red
petticoats. Likewise, we think it convenient, that
there should be many takers ; some would be taken for
wise men, who, indeed, are very fools ; for some will
take cracked angels of your debtors, and a quart of
Malmsy, when they cannot get a pottle,

3 1 . But, stay aAvhile ; whither are we carried, leaving
the greatest laws unpublished, and establishing the less ?
Therefore we enact and ordain, as a necessary statute,
that there shall great contentions fall between soldiers
and archers ; and, if the fray be not decided over a pot
of ale and a black pudding, great bloodshed is like to
ensue ; for some shall maintain, that a Turk can be hit
at twelve-score pricks in Finsbury Fields ; ergo, the
bow and shafts won Bullen ; others shall say that a
pot-gun is a dangerous weapon against a mud-wall,
and an enemy to the painters work ; amongst these
controversies we will send forth our commission to god
Cupid, being an archer, who shall decide the doubt,
and prove that archery is heavenly, for in meditation
thereof he hath lost his eyes.

32. O gentle fellow-soldiers ! then leave your
controversies, if you love a woman ; for I will prove
it, that a mince-pie is better than a musket ; and he

50 TllK PHNNILKS PAKLIAMKNT

that dare gainsay me, let liim meet me at the Dagger
in Cheap, with a case of pewter-spoons, and I will
answer it ; aiul if 1 juove not tliat a mince-i)ie is the
better weapon, let me dine twice a week at Uuke
Humphrys table.

33. It is furthermore established,* that the four
knaves at the cards shall suddenly leap from out the
bunch, and des])erately prank about the new playhouse
to seek out their old master, Captain Crop-ear ; also
it is thought meet, that some men, in these days, shall
be politick beyond reason, and write more in one lien,
than they can prove in an age.

34. Furthermore, it shall be lawful for some to
study which way they may walk to get them a stomach
to their meat, whilst others are as careful to get meat
to put in their bellies : likewise there shall be a great
persecution in the commonwealth of kitchen-fees, so
that some desperate woman shall boil, try, and see the
poor tallow to the general commodity of all tlie whole
company of tallow-chandlers.

3.5. Alas ! alas ! how are we troubled to think on
these dangerous times ; for taih^rs, by act of parliament,
may lawfully invent new fashions ; and he that takes
Irish aquaxntcc by the pint, may by the law stumble
without offence, and break his face ; and it shall be
thought convenient, that some be so desperately bent,
as they shall go into my Lord Mayors buttery, when

or TiiKi:Ki)-n\Ri: roi-yrs. 51

all the barrels be full, without either sword or dagger
about them ; many men .shall be so venturously given,
as they shall go into Pettycoat-lanc, and yet come out
again as honestly as they went first in.

36. In like manner, it shall be hiwful lor Thames
water to cleanse as much as ever it did in times past ;
and, if the brewers at London buy store of good malt,
poor bargemen at Queenhithe shall have a wdiole cpiart
for a penny ; St. Thomas's onions shall be sold by the
rope at Billin.sgate by the statute, and sempsters in the
Exchange shall become so conscionable, that a man
without offence, may buy a Ailling band for twelve
pence.

.37. It shall be hiwful for sinitiis to love good ale ;
and, if it be possible, to have a fro.st of three weeks long
in July, men shall not be afraid of a good fire at ]\Iid-
summer. Porters baskets shall have authority to hold
more than they can honestly carry away ; and such a
drought .shall come among cans at Bartholomew fair in
Smithfuld, that they .shall never continue long fdle<l.

38. Tin; images in the Temple church, if they ri.se
again, shall have a conmiission to dig down Charing-
cross with their fauchions ; and millers, by custom,
shall have small mind to moiMiing prayers, if the wind
serve them in any corner on Sunday. Those that go
to wars, and can get nothing, may come liome poor by
authority ; and tlio.se that ])lay fast and lo<»sc with

r)2 TIIK PENNILKS PARLIAMENT

woniens tipion-.striiigs, may chance to make a journey
for a Winchester pigeon ; for prevention thereof drink
every raoi-ning a draught of noli me tangere, and by
that means thou shalt be sure to escape the physicians
l)iu-gatory.

39. Furthermore, it shall be lawful for bakers to
thrive by two things ; that is, scores well paid, and
millers that are honest.

40. Physicians, by other mens harms, and church-
yards by often burials.

41. Also, we think it necessary for the common-
wealth, that the salmon shall be better sold in Fish-
street, than the beer shall be at Billingsgate.

42. And hearts-ease, among the company of herb-
wives, shall be worth as much money as they can get for
it by the statute.

43. It is further enacted and agreed upon, that
those that run four-score miles a-foot, on a winters
day, shall have a sore thirst about seven of the clock in
the evening.

44. And such as are inclined to the dropsy, may be
lawfully cured, if the physicians know how.

4o. Also, we ordain and appoint, that, if there be no

OF THUEED-UARE POETS. oo

great store of" tempests, two half-penny loaves shall be
sold lor a penny in Whitechapel.

46. Chaucers books, by act of parliament, shall in
tliese days prove more witty than ever they were
Ijcifore ; for there shall so many sudden or rather
sodden, wits step abroad, that a flea shall not frisk
forth, unless they comment on her.

47. O what a detestable trouble shall be among
women about four-score and ten years old ; for such
as have more teeth about them than they can well
use, shall die for age, if they live not by miracle.

48. Moreover, we think it necessary, that those that
have two eyes in their head, shall sometimes stumble ;
and they that can neither write nor read, may as
boldly forsware themselves as they that can.

49. And it shall be lawful for almanack -makers, to
tell more lies than true tales.

50. And they that go to sea without victuals, may
suffer penury by the statute.

51. In like manner, it shall be lawful i'or any man
to carry about him more ;:ul(l than iron, if he can get it.

52. But they that are given to suUen complexions,
if they be females, must be more circumspect ; for, if

/)4 THK I'ENNILIX PAUI^IAMENT

they repent their hidden sins too mucli, they may by
chance catch Heaven for tlioir hiboiir.

53. Therefore, let maidens take heed how they fall
on their backs, lest they catch a forty weeks favour.

54. And he that hath once married a shrew, and by
good chance buried her ; beware how he come into the
stocks again.

55. Further, it shall be lawful for those that be rich
to have many friends ; and they that be poor, may, by
authority, keep money, if they can get it honestly.

56. Also, we command and charge all such as have
no conscience, to do their worst, lest they die in the
devils debt : as for the rest, they that have more
money than they need, may help their poor neighbours,
if they will.

57. In like manner, it sliall be lawful for such as
are subject to hot rheums, to drink cold drink : and
those that have a mind to enrich physicians, to be
never without diseases.

58. Also, soldiers tliat have no means to thrive by
plain dealing, may, by the statute, swallow down an ounce
of syrup of subtlety every morning ; and, if they cannot
thrive that way, we think it necessary that, four
times in the year, they go a-fishing on Salisbury plain.

OF THRKF.DnAUK TOKTS. 0.)

59. Furthermore, lor the l»enelit and inercase ot"
Ibolish liuniours, we think it necessary that those our
dear friends, who are sworn true servitors to womans
pautables, shouhl have this order set down, that you
suit yourselves handsomely against goose feast ; and if
you meet not a fair lass betwixt St. Pauls and Strat-
ford tliat day, we will bestow a new suit of satin upon
you, so you will bear all the charges.

60. But as for your dear friends and scholars, thus
much we favour you, you shall dine upon wit by autho-
rity ; and, if you pay your hostess well, it is no matter
though you score it up till it come to a good round
sum.

61. In like manner, it shall be lawful for maids
milk to be good physiek for kibed heels ; and a cup
of sack to bed-ward a present remedy for the rheum.

62. Such as are sick in the spring, may take physiek
by the statute ; and those that are cold, may wear
more clothes without ottence,

63. It is best to ride in long journeys, lest a man
be weary with going a-foot ; and more comely to go in
broken stockings tluin bare-li^gLM'd.

64. Further, it shall be lawl'id for some to be lean,
because they cannot be fat.

65 Some, liy statute, shall love lu-cf i)as>iiig well.

")() THE PENNILESS PARLIAMENT

because they can come by no other meat ; and other
some simper it with an egf^ at dinnei-, that dare man-
fully set upon a shouMcr of \ eal in the alternoon.

66 Some shall be sad, when they want money; and
in love with widows, rather for their wealth than their
honesty.

67. It is also thought necessary, that some shall
suspect their wives at home, because they themselves
play false abroad.

68. And some love bowling-alleys better than a
sermon.

69. But, above all other things, spirits with aprons
shall much disturb your sleep about midnight.

70. Furthermore, it shall be lawful for liiiii that mar-
ries without money, to find four bare legs in bis bed ; and
he that is too prodigal in spending, shall die a beggar,
by the statute.

71. In like manner we think it necessary that ho
that is plagued with a cursed wife, have his pate l)roken
quarterly, as he pays his rent.

72. Likewise, he who delights in subtlety, may
play the knave by custom ; and, he who hath his com-
plexion and coui'age spent, may eat mutton on lasting-
days by tlie law.

OF TlIRKF.n-nAItK I'OKTS. 57

73. And to coiK-lmk', sincf tlie'iv arc ten precepts to
be observed in the art of scoMinjr, we humbly take tjur
leave of Duke Iliinipiireys onliiiary, antl betake us to
the chapel of ill counsell ; where a quart or two of tine
Trinidado shall arm us against the <z:un-shot of tongue-
metal, and keep us sjife from the assaults of Sir John
Find-fault. Vale, my dear friends, till my next return.

TUK KM).

Rli HARDS, rBINTKK, Si'. MAKIIN M I.4NE.

A KERin PASTORAL

IN IM1T\TI"N

TIIK FIRST ECLO(aiK
OF VIRGIL.

KDITKll,
WITH ISTIliilHCTION AND MITl-.S, IIV

T. CROFT OX CHOKER. K^(}.

LONDON :

in;pRiNTF,D Ff)i{ riiK im:!{cv s()('lKl^

\l |i< < r.\| III

COUNX'IL

President.
TuE Rt. Hon. LORD BRAYBROOKE, F.S.A.

THOMAS AMYOT, Esq. F.H.S., Tkuas. S A.

WILLIAM HENIIY BLACK, Esu.

J. A. CAHUSAC, Esq. F.S.A.

WILLIAM CHAPPELL, Esq. F.S.A., Tnamrer.

J. PAYNE COLLIER, Esq. F.S.A.

T. CROFTON CROKER, Esg. FS.A., M.R.LA.

PETER CUNNINGHAM, Esq.

REV. ALEXANDER DYCE.

WILLIAM JKRDAN, Esq. F.S.A., M.U.S.L.

SIR FREDERICK MADDEN, K.H., F.R.S., F.S.A.

T. J. PETTIGREW, Esq. F.R S., F.S A.

E. F. RI.M15AULr, Esq. F.S.A. Scrnlary.

WILLLVM J. TIIOMS, Esq. F.S..\.

JAMES WALSH, Esq. F.S.A.

THOMAS WRIGHT, Esq. M.A., F.S A.

INTKODUCTION.

H E Kerry pastoral now pre-
sented to the Members of
the Percy Society, is re-
printed from a copy, 12
pages 4to. believed to be
uiii<|U(.', in the possession of
■?^ the Editor, to whom it was
given by Sir William Botham, in 182.0.

Dr. Smith in his history of Kerry, p. 418, thus
refers to this composition. " Some of the inhabit-
ants have produced tolerable specimens of poetry,
not only in their native language, but also in
English ; for besides some occasional verses
already hinted at, p. 108,* not many years ago a
humorous eclogue called ' a Kerry Pastoral,"* was
addressed by a poet of this country to the fellows
of T. C. D. which had no inconsiderable share of
merit.'" IJut slight glances at the history of the
county in which this poem was circulated — at tlu-

* Tlif passage n-furrnl lo is copied ;il p. ;n.

period, just wlicn the Hanoverian succession was
established, and at the circumstances under which
it was written, are necessary to place its object
and merits fairly before the English reader. In
addition to which, the Editor has been induced to
support the allusions to local peculiarities by
extensive extracts from various works, which
prove how very accurate a picture is given of Irish
manners at the time.

The most extensive grant of lands in the county
of Kerry, under the Act of Settlement, according
to Smith, was " made to the Provost and Fellows
of Trinity College, Dublin, who, by letters patent
of K. Charles II, dated November 10th, IGGfi,
had a very large estate settled on th^ said Uni-
versity for ever, with courts Icet and courts
baron at Noghavel and Cari^-foil, to;jether with
fairs, markets, &c., and the king was pleased to
reduce the crown rents of the said estate in this
county, to the sum of .TlOO per annum.'"' Look-
ing at the time when this grant was made, it
appears to have been a patriotic and judicious
proceeding, for its object was the encouragement
of literature and science. " The kingdom of
Kerry," as the southern part of the county is still
facetiously termed, was, witli a small part of the
county of Cork, a palatinate jurisdiction under
the Earls of Desmond ; and when Pjlizabeth

waged the warfare of extermination against Ge-
raUline dominion, the advantages of Jverry as a
military position for guerilla movements, became
generally known, and, in conseciucnce, its moun-
tain fastnes.se.s were, at various subsequent periods,
the retreat of those who defietl English power,

" Wlien all l)iit liopc was lost.'

The settlers, who luul been introduced under
the grants made by Charles II, were seriously
disturbed during the reign of James II ; their
bawnes were attacked, — their cattle carried off,
— their granaries plundered, and their imj)rovc-
ments destroyed, by swarms of wild mountaineers,
whom they were unable to repress.

These mountaineers received and welcomed
among them men who, having been deprived of
their inheritance by legal forfeiture, supplied the
places of their natural leaders, and, true to their
policy, protracted an irritating conflict for feudal
supremacy ; every act of plunder, and even nuir-
der itself, was considered by them as a justifiable
deed of retribution.

The state of the county of Kerry at this period
may be gleaned from " An exact relation of the
persecutions, robberies, and losses, sustained by
the I'rotestants of Killniarc [I\(nniar<'| in Ire-

vni

laii'l,""" ill which thr loUowin^ cases arc referred
to as having particularly interested the writer R.
(). fRiciiard Orpen], the agent for "the Lady
Petty, her son Lord Shclborne, and James
Waller, Esq."

" Daniel Mac Tiege Carthy, one of those that
murdered Eilward Gilks, a smelter, for endeavour-
ing to defentl himself from being robbed at noon
day of forty shillings, which they knew he had
about him, in the year 1680.

"Owen Sulwan (a loose gentleman), for coming
unawares behind 11. 0. in a dark night, and run-
ning him through the body with a sword, for offer-
ing to recover a debt due to him from Sulwan's
friend, in the year 1680.

" Teague a Glanna and others, that murdered
the Pursivant for daring to come into that part
of the country, to arrest a papist, at the suit of
Sir William Petty, or of any Protestant whatever,
in the year 1685.

" Daniel Mac Dermot, and half a score others,
for robbing a parcel of French Protestants that,
having escaped out of France, were, by stress of
weather, forced into the river of Killmare, in the
year 1()8I>.

* Ito. pp. 30. Iy)n(l(»n : printed fnr Thct. Bcnnct, at the
Half MiMdi in St. Paul's C'huich ^ aid ; and are t«i be sold i>y
Randal Taylor, near Statinners' Hall. l(tS!>.

" Daniel Crouly, and scvoii iiioro torics, that,
in tlie year 1G.S7, attt iiii)te(l to nuirdcr and rob
Iv. 0. and his brotlior, but without success, their
captain having received a shot in the head, and
two more of the chief of them in the shoulder and
thigh ; being made prisoners, they lived till they
were hanged at the assizes following."

In 1G88, we are told that " The officers of the
new raised levies, being persons of broken and
desperate fortunes, not able to maintain them-
selves, or their soldiers, were foreed to fijeh and
steal black cattle and sheep, all over the kingdom
for their subsistence ; and more especially in the
county of Kerry, where the natives were more
indigent, the thieves appeared publicly in great
numbers, thirty, forty, and oftentimes seventy in
company, well armed with pikes, swords, guns,
pistols, (fee, marching openly through the glins
and mountains, with droves of six or seven score
cows and bullocks at a time, in such terror to
the Protestants, that when they saw their cattle
hurried away before their faces by the rogues,
they durst not pursue nor en<iuire for them."

The consequence was, that Mr. Or[)en and the
little party of English settlers whom he had been
the means of or<rauizinir for self-defence into an
armed association, fled into England in the spring
of 1(189.

The mountaineers, wliosc fathers liad been
dispossessed by Cromweirs grantees, and those
who had suffered under the Act of Settlement,
sprung with savage joy and ferocity upon lands
which they had compelled the English settlers
to abandon, and they endeavoured to hold by
force these re -captured possessions for years
after the Articles of Limerick (1691) were sup-
|)osed to have adjusted the political settlement
of property in Ireland. Formidable armed
parties, termed Tories and Rapparees (the latter
an Irish name for robber), paraded through the
country, and in the mountain fastnesses of Kerry
especially, defied the military sent against them.
On the 20th of March, 1693, Captain Waller
wrote from Kinsale to Sir Robert Southwell : " I
am just now going towards Kerry with a party of
soldiers, towards suppressing the Rapparees, who
are grown very numerous in these parts.""*

The following extract, prefixed by Miss Brooke
to her oxfjuisite translation of the lament of
" Ned of the Hill," — the soubriquet of Captain
Edmond Ilyan, — upon the loss of his mistress, will
illustrate the deplorable situation in which both
those who attempted peaceably to farm lands in

* Southwell MSS. Sold at Messrs. Christie's 1)v Auction,
Feh. IH31, hy order of the lOxccutors of Lor<l Dc Cliirord.
Thorpe's CjitaHr„c IV. 18:31. No. ;lfil, p. 19S.

tho vicinity of the moiintaiii districts of Cork,
Limerick, Clare, and Kerry, were placed at the
commencement of the last century, as well as that
of their op])onents.

Of ]lyan, observes Miss IJrooko, " many
stories are still circulated, but no connected ac-
count has been obtained, further than that he
commanded a company of those unhappy free-
booters, called Rapparees, who, after the defeat
of the Boyne, were obliged to abandon their
dwellings and possessions, ' hoping (says Mr.
O'llalloran) for safety within the precincts of the
Irish (juarter : but they were too numerous to be
employed in the army, and their miseries often
obliged them to prey alike upon friend and foe ;
at length some of the most daring of them formed
themselves into independent companies, whose
subsistence chiefly arose from depredations com-
mitted on the enemy. It was not choice, but
necessity that drove them to this extreme ; I
have heard ancient people, who were witnesses to
the calamities of these days, aflirm, that they
remembered vast numbers of these poor Ulster
Irish, men, women, and children, to have no other
beds but the ridges of potatoe-gardens, and little
other covering than the canopy of heaven : they
dispersed themselves over the counties of Linir-
rick, Clare, and Ken-v ; ami the hardness of the

XII

times at length slmt mi all bowels of huinanity,
so that most of them perished of the sword, cold,
or famine.' "*

Under the state of things de.sei'ibed, this Kerry
pastoral was c<)mi)Osed and circulated. The
College lands had yielded little or no produce
to the University, and the object of this ingeni-
ous pamphlet, in which reference is made to a
variety of local customs and superstitions, was to
procure respectable bona fide tenants, who would
improve the College estates, instead of " middle
men," or farmers, whose object was to underlet
the ground at what is called a rack rent. The
idea was certainly a benevolent one, of endea-
vouring to lead men to think correctly as to what
would be to their advantage, as well as for the
advantage of those whom they considered as
opposed to them ; and it is to be regretted that
the College authorities have failed in the object
inculcated in the following verses. This, how-
ever, appears to be the case from the account
given by the llcv. Caesar Otway in his Sketches
in the South of Ireland (1827). "To return to
Lord Lansdownc's estate on one side of the
river and that of Trinity College on the other, I
observed, as I drove slowly along, that his Lord-
ship's lands were much better cultivated ; the

* O'llall.uanV Inl. to ihc Hist, and Ant. of Ireland,!). 382.

faniis better stocked; tin; eiibins fewer; inoro
grass land ; what houses appeared were dI' a
better description than on the Colleijiate lands,
and, on alighting to walk up a hill, I entered into
chat with a poor sickly looking fellow who was
going towards No<leon (Kenniare). There is no
countryman in Ireland so easy, or, I woulil say,
so polished, in his address and manners as a
Kerry man. I was really surprised as I passed
through the country, to receive answers and
procure directions, fraught with civility and in-
telligence, superior much to what I have met
elsewhere. ' Are you, my good friend, a tenant
of Lord Lansdowne's f ' Ah, no, sir, and more
is my loss ! No, sir, if it were my luck to be
under the great Marquis, I would not be the
poor naked sinking crathur that I am. His
Lonlship allows his tenants to live and thrive ;
he permits no middlemen to set and re-set over
and over again his estate ; he allows no Jack of a
Squireen to be riding in top-boots over the
countr}', drinking and carousing on the profits of
the ground, while the poor racked tenant is
forced, with all his labour, often to go barefooted,
and often to live and work on a meal of dry
potatoes. No, sir, look across the river there —
look yomler at that snug farmer's house — there
the man's forefathers live<|. and thei'i' lu' himself

XIV

and his seed after will liv(3 and do well , paying a
moderate rent, and there^s no fear at all of their
being disturbed.'

" ' Well ! but, my friend, on your .side of the
river is it not the same ' To be sure, I see not
60 uuich conifo)-t ; I see many, very many poor
cabins.'

" ' Oh I sir, how could it be othersvise ? There
are twenty landlords between the College and the
man who tills the grounds. The land is let, re-
let, and sub-let, it is halved and quartered,
divided and subdivided, until the whole place
will become a place of poverty and potato gardens.
I have four acres of land. How can I live and
rear my children, and pay thirty shillings an aero
off that ? And I am subject to have my pig, or
the bed from under me, canted by one, two,
three, four — och ! I do not know how many land-
lords. And now I am going to Nedeen, to get
some physic from the poticary ; for the dry po-
tatoes, master, agree but poorly with my stomach
in the spring of the year. Och ! then, it's I that
wishes that the great College that does bo making
men so lamed and so wise, would send down
some of these larned people here, just to be after
making their own poor tenants a little happier
and a little asier."

Thu Eilitor cannot conclude without cxprossin;^
hi.s thanks to Mr. How ol" Fleet street, tliu Pub-
lisher of Mr, and Mr.s. 8. 0. HalFs Ireland, for
the enibelli.slnnents which have been introduced
to illustrate the notes.

T. c. a.

llnsauiDUirs /liitnr, FiiI/kiih,
•27lli April, IMJ.J.

F A S T O R A L

IMITATION

OF '1 HE

FirTt Kcloiriie

V I R GIL:

Infcrlli'd to till'

Provnfl, Felfnus, ."inil .Sckoldis, of Iriiiit i/ Colhge,
DUBLIN;

Bij Murroi^Jinli ( 'oni/orof jlti<yhfni(t^r(tiiii.

D U n L 1 X :

Printed hy J(tmes Carfon, in CoghilFs ('dint, in Damrs-
ftreet, ojiposite fc tlio Caf/fr-Afarkcf, 1719.

k- . /

iijil' "lijii'v i.jiV.'iijii' -lijipf [ij;;- •;;,;;■ "jfji, ■■,"i|ir''i;iii'"{;jri' -K

PASTORAL

In Imitit'u)!! ol' till' 1' Irit

Eclogue of VIRGIL, &c.

MiirKxjIiiili OCintiitr and Out ii SnUinni.
The AK<. TMICNT.

Murrojrhoh Me Ti<ruc. INIc. Mahooii Lca^rli, 3Io
Murro;.'Iioh O'Connor, of Aufrluxna^rraun in the liit-
rony of Irafrhty Connor, und Coiinfi/ of Kerry, was
omoncf other Collf;;(' Tenants tiiriud out of his Farm
of Bullylinc, but being rccommendeil to the Collvfre bif
several Gentlemen of that Countrif is Restored in this
F.CI.OGLK ; therefore he oirns his Obligations to the
College, and the Ilappinefs of his Condition.

Owen Sullivan of Rinrarah, near the Island of
Valentia, in the Ilaroni/ of Ivralia;:li {another College
Under- Tenant) meeting uith some Misfortunes and not
having rrpre/ented his Case to the College, Ino/rs his
Farm, whieh is given to a Captain of that Country.

OWKN.

T\/ry Old Acquaintance, and my dearest Friend,
My Murroghoh I what Joys on you attend !
Ten thousand iJles-sing? seem at onee to shine
Upon your Farm and House of liallyline,

H 2

Since you're Itcstord tu Xative Land aiul Ease,
The "World's your own, and Use it as you please
Now tell the Glories of your noble Name,
How Prince O'Connor fVoiii Hispanid earne.
Sprung Iroin Milesian Jiac(\ of great Renown,
By right of Conquest made this Isle his own,
Landing at S/iannons INIouth, the nohle Flood
Enrich'd lerne with his Royal Blood;
For from his Loins, as from her flowing Springs,
Our Irish Veins are fill'd with Blood of Kings.
But I alass, can no such Ilcmours boast,
vSince sweet Rhincarah — dear Ivrah is lost:
My Blood runs low, I'm poor and in Disgrace,
And dare not own I'm of Milesian Race.
You top the World, as great a Monarch are.
As Connor Sligo, Connor Fahj were,
And at your Ease beneath Arbutus laid.
Leaning against the mossy Tree your Head,
AVitli Harp, and Voice, the College Praises sing,
Till Woods and Rocks, the College Praises ring.

MnRROGHOH.

'Tis true to sing her Praises is my Choice,
She shall for ever have my Harp and Voice ;
To her I owe the Happiness you see,
'Twas she restor'd my Farm and JAhertg.

For wliicli lull Miif/ars to lici- lltaltli we'll drink
Aucl to the bottom Str<indid lloysluds sink,
Good Stranded Claret, Wreck'd upon oiir Shore;
And when that's out we'll go in search for more.
Whole Nights we'll spend, to break of Day sit np,
Then Deogh a Dorus for the j)arting Cup.

My dearest MurriKjIt, I am glad to lind,
So much Content and Pleasure in your Miml :
But I poor Owen, Grieve lament and moan,
You see I'm Packing np, and must be gone.
My bended Shoulders with my Burthen bow,
And I ean luinlly (hive this limping Cow.
Not long ago, whieh gave me Cause to Fret,
A Sea Hoy at the * Scallogs broke my Net.
The Sea did not up to Rhincarah How,
'\Mang(r(o/i\s top was Black, and W'anted Snow.
With mournful song lamented, the %Bantee.
Foretold the Ruin of my House and me.
When all these Omens met at once, I knew
What sad Misfortunes must of Ct)urse ensue.
Rut tell me Murrogli, what the College is.
There's nothing more 1 long to know than This.

* A Kocky Island near Uimurali.

* The liifjlii'st Muiiiitniii in Ki-rry, near Itinrurali, \\ liicli all llic
Year round ia reinurkuble tt) Imve Snow on ii.

§ A spirit wliifli, ucconlinp; lo Irish Sii/irr.itiliiin, iijUH-ars and
bewails an) Si;rnal Calainity. citlur «itli H«'s|)»'i't to Life or
Fortunr of anv .Vncicnt rennirkaliic Families.

MURUUGUOU.

Oict n I was so foolisli once I own,

To think it like Little School in Town,

Or like the School that's in Tralee, you Know

Where we to Sizes and to Sessions goe,

And wlien Arrested, stand each otliers Bail,

And spend a Cow or two in Jmio and Ale.

I might compare '•^^iJno/ico/i to ^'^ K/iocha//ore,

riiCiirragh of Ballijline to '^^Lifin/tiore

W'hh ninoh more Reason — lint my Dearest Friend.

The College does onr Schools so far transcend,

Or uU the Schools that ever yet 1 saw.

As t*' Karni/s Cabbin is below ("^ Lixna.

OWli.N.

Hut what good Fortune led you to that Place?

MURROdHOH.

To tell my Si/ffri/u/s, and P^xplaine my Case,
To be restor'd, to Hnd a just Redress
From those tvho glory to relieve Distress.
Tis true I lost my Lond-Lordn Favour by't

'.I) A rising nrar Murroyh's Farm.

(2) A very high Mountain upon the College Estate.

(3) A small Shrub on Murrogh's Farm.

(4) The great CnUexir Wood.

(A) A Cotter in Murmrfh's Farm.
C Lord Kerry's House.

But then, Diar Otnn, 1 n-LMinM my Kiglil ;

All my Ii'r/icical Fines \vitli liim were vain,

Nor Prai/'rs nor Money couM my Farm obtain ;

AVhat Cou'd I do, but to the College run,

And well I did, or I shou'd be undone.

There did I see a venerable Board,

Provost and Fellows, Men that kept their Word,

Sincere and Just, Honest, and Fair, and True,

Their only Rule is to yivc all their Due.

No Bribes or Interest can Corrupt tiuir INIinds,

Cnbiassd Laws the Rich and l\)or Man finds ;

Alike to all, their Charity Extends,

Ev'u I a Stranger found them all my Friends ;

Such were the Saints that once possess'd this Isle,

And drew down Blessings on our happy Soil.

They soon (for Justice here knows no Delay)

Gave this short Answer. Mitrrogh go your way,

Returii, improve your Farm, us heretofore,

Be gone, you shall not be Molested more.

Happy Milesian, happiest of Men !

Then Ballyline is now your own Again.

'Tis Large enough, tho' not* a wiiolc I'low-hind.

And has a h)V('ly I'rospect to the Strand.

' A Kcirij Dtuoniiiiation "f Land.

Tliu' Bo(js and Hacks ikfcjiiu that Sput of Kaitli,
Consider Murrotjh that it gave thee Birth,
Those Boys and Rocks your Cows and Sheep surround,
Keep them from Trespass Pledge, and Starvijig Pound.
Thrice happy you, who living at your Ease,
Have nought to do but see your Cattle Graze,
Speak *Latin to tlie Stranger passing by.
And on a Shatuhnxj Bank reclining lye;
Or on tii(; Grassij Sod Cut Points to play
Backgamon ; and Delude the fLivelong Day.
When Night comes on to pleasing Rest you go,
Lull'd by the soft \Cr07man, or Sweet (") Speck s/ioio
When Kircherd Skeelak strains her warbling throat,
In tuneful Hum, an<l Sleeps upon the Note.

MURROGHOH.

Dingle and (^> Derri/ sooner shall unite,
Shanon and Cashnn both be draiuM out riglit,
And Kerry i\Ien forsake their ^'^^ Cards and Dice,
Dogs be pursu'd by /fares, and Cats by Mice,
IVater begin to burn, and Fire to wet,
Before I si 1 all my College Friends forget.

• 'Tis natural for the Cow Boys in the County of Kerry to
speak Latin.

t They are such (iiimsters in tho County of Kerry, that they
Cut Poinds in the Soda, by way of Td/ilfif, and [use ?] Potato's and
Tiirnipn for men.

\ IIuniniinK fif a Time.

(a) An Irish ftfound.

(b) The Two remotest Parts of Ireland.

Bill I must <[iiit my Dear Ivnujli and n>iiiii

The World about, to liiid another Home ;

To Paris* <ijo with Satclwl cramM with IJooks,

With empty Pockets and with hungry Looks ;

Or else to Dublin to Tim ^Sullivan

To be a Drawer or a waiting Man ;

Or else perliaps some favourable Chance

By Box and Dice my Fortune may advance,

At the Groom Porters cou'd I find a Friend,

That wou'd poor Owen kindly recommend.

There I cou'd nicely serve, and teach young ^Ii:ij

The Art to Cog, and win their Coin again.

But shall this Forreign Captain force from nie.

My House and Land, my IVcirs, and FLs/teri/ /

Was it for him I those Improvements made I

Must his Long Sword turn out my LaVriiig Si^nidv f

Adieu my Dear abode' —

1 shall no more with Brogue ^Boaii Scrihiogli climb

Steep (^^MuUoghbert, enthron'd on top sublime,

* 'Tis a Kerry sliift, to go to Piiri.i, w licii Hcdiic'il.

f A Kerry Man wlio k('C'|>.s llle London 'I\irrni, virv Uiiiil and
Generous to liis Country Men.

§ A liroym: with a Srolloji'it Jfiil, which noni' but Cicntk'UHii
arc allow'd lo wear.

(a) The Hill of Hrftrenrr, wlierc the Head of (lie C/un sitting
every Sundav au<l IIi>Iy-l)ay on two stones dcsiiU's all Contro-
vprsies.

Head of my Clan, determine ev'ry Case,

To make my Vassals Live at home in Peace,

To teach them Justice a much cheaper Way,

Keep them from Lawyers Fees, and Court's Delay,

Nor shall [I] see you Curagh* Can a Wee,

Full often have I made a song fur thee,

Least some Disaster should attend my Life,

My tender Children, or my Loving Wife.

Nor the ^Kuochdrum wliere our Forefathers set,

Upon thy Lofty Top th' Insidious Net,

To catch Desmonian wild, a sight more rare

To British Eyes, than Scandinavian Bear.

Valentia too I bid farewell to tliee.

Title to best of IMen great Anglesey.

Desmond tho' last, not least belov'd farewel,

By wliose great Lord whole Troops of Brittains fell.

Thy Glories shall in distant Lands be known,

And all the World superior Desmond own.

MURKOGHOH.

But stay Dear Owen cosher here this Niglit,
Behold the Rooks have now begun their Flight,

* Then; is an old Tradition amonf,'st thorn, that if Travellers
do not make a Rhime in praise of this Mountain, some Misfor-
tune will befall them or some one belonging to them.

t A Hill in that Country.

And to thfir Xesfs in AVinged Troops rei»air,
They i\y in hast, and show that Night is neai\
'J'hc Sliccp and Lambkiits all around us bleat,
The Suiis']\i&i down, to Travel is too late.
Slacaan and Scollops shall adorn my board,
Fit Entertainment for a Kerrij Lord,
In Egg Shells then we'll take our j)arting Cup,
Lye down on Ruslies, with the Sun get up.

FINIS.

E M A R K 8

^^ILLUSTRATIVE NOTES.

P. 3, — The Argument.] Whether the names of the
speakers and the localities mentioned are all strictly correct or
imaginary, the Editor cannot state, hut if imaf^inary, the
semhlance of truth has l)cen most carefully preserved.

Murroghoh O'Connor, the accepted tenant of the Provost
and Fellows is said to he of Aughanagraun, or the ground
which can grow corn or grain.

" On the first arrival of the English into these parts," says
Smith, in his History of Kerry, p. 27, " they lound the
O'Connors possessed of the northern tract of this county, from
which family that part still retains tlienamc of Iragliticonnor,"
— this literally means the ploughed ground hclonging to the
house of Connor. The name of Murroghoh, a common one
in all the clans upon the South West Coast of Ireland, such
as the O'Sullivans, O'Briens, Sec. is the Irish for a sailor or
mariner,— see Muireach in O'Brien's Irish Dictionary.

Owen Sullivan, the other speaker, is said to he of Rincarah,

14 NOTIvS.

that is, of till- idcky proinontory, a locality laid down in Sniitli's
map of Kerry as " Kiiieaharagli," on tlie main land, oj)j)ositc
to C'romwcU's Fort on ^'alentia Island. " The Southern parts,
[on the first arrival of the English in Kerry,] were occupied,"
says Smith, " by the O'Suliivan's, the harony of Dunkcrron
being then called O'Suliivan's country, of which he had tlie
title of Prince given him by tlie Irish. They bad als(t large
possessions in Iveragh." The latter name, like most Itteal
names, is highly descriptive; meaning tlie territory of ex-
ample or warning, from the numerous shipwrecks that have
occurred on this rocky coast."

P. 4, 1. 4, — '■\friim Hispania cnmc.'^ Sec Moore's History
of Ireland, Vol. i. p. 77.

P. 1, 1. lO,—'' BlnoJ of Kin</s."] See Concublmr in
O'Brien's Irish Dictionary.

P. 4, 1. Hi, — " Connor Sli'/n, Conn/tr Folt/."] The two
principal families of the name were thus distinguished. The
opposition given by O'Connor Kerry to English power in
Ireland, in the reign of Elizabeth, is recorded in tiie Pmula
Ilibernia.

P.4, 1. 17, — '■'■ bi-ncalh Arbutus laid,''^ i. c. "Arbutus Uncdo."
" The Arbutus," says Derrick, in a letter addressed to Lord
Southwell from Killarney, dated (Hh October, 17<)0," flourishes
all the year, bearing, at one and the same time, leaves, blossoms,
berries, and iruit in different stages of maturity. The leaves
are of a very beautiful green, with a red stalk; the blossom
resembles the lily of the valley ; the berries arc first green,
then yellow, acquiring at length a colour like the finest scarlet
strawberry : it is called by gardeners the strawberry tree."
Although the Arbutus is well known in the gardens of England
as a shrub, Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Hall state, that "in Dinis
Island there is one, the stem of which is seven feet in circum-

NOTKS.

toronce, and its luij^lit is in i)ri)portion, hcin^ ci|nal tn llial
of an ash tree of tlie sjinic prtli which stands near it ; and on
Koni^h Island, opjuisitt- O'Sullivan's cascade, there is another,
tlie circumference of which is nine feet and a half Ah»ne,
its character is not [(Jiiere, not ?] jiicluresiiue ; tlie branches
are bare, long, piiarled, and crooked, presentinfif in its wild stjite
a remarkahle contrast to its trim, formal, and bush-like li},Mire
in our cultivated gardens.

"It is said that, although now found universally in Ireland,
and more especially in the counties of Cork and Kerry, it (the
Arbutus) is not a native of the soil, hut was introduced into
the country by Spanish monks." A note liowever in Hall's
/r«»/«n//, Vol. i. p. 1 HI, states, that upon this point botanists
are divided in opinion •, and the opinions of two of the most
cminotl in In laml an' tbi-rc lhm ii.

NOTRS.

1'. 4, lines li), 22, — //«//» diul riJiv<:'\ Upon tliis fanions
instrument, the Irish harp, at the period when these lines
were written, almost every one played; the term "every one"
is to be understood in the same sense as applied to the Piano-
forte at present. Few specimens of the Irish harp remain.
The Editor believes the only one in England to be in his pos-
session. It was made for the Rev. Charles Bunworth in 1734,
by John Kelly, who also appears to have been the maker of a
harp in 172(>, enji^raved in Walker's " Memoirs of the Irish
bards;" but Mr. Bunworth's harp is probably more accurately
delineated, as copied from a sketch by Mr. MacClise.

NOTES. 17

P. 5, 1. ],—"full Mathera to lur health wrll drink"] The
Mather, a compound of two Irish words, Maide (wood), and
er (noble), was applied to an ancient drinking vessel, gene-
rally made of the wood of the oral) tree. The annexed sketch
was made by the Editor from a Mather in his possession,
presented to him by the late Mr. Samuel McSkimin, of Car-
rickfergus.

Generally speaking the Mather was round at bottom,
and quadrangular at top, with a handle on each of its four
sides. It varied from 7} to i:\ inches in height, and from
lO.V to 18 inches in circumference, and held from three pints
to upwards of two quarts. Figures of the two Irish Mathers
from which this description is collected, are given in the
Dublin Penny Journal, vol. i. No. 38, p. 300; and vol. ii. No.
84,p.249. On the latter the name and date of DehmotTi;i.i,v,
1.590, are engraved.

To drink out of the Mather, it was necessary to apply one
of the four corners, and not the side, to the mouth. The fol
lowing anecdote is told respecting this national mode of drink-
ing: "When Lord Townshend left the vice-royalty of Ireland,
he had two massive silver mathers made in London, where they
were regularly introduced at his dinnerparties; and guests most
usually applied the side of the vessel to the mouth, and seldom

18 NOTES.

escaped witli a dry ncik-dotli, vest, urdtnililit. Lord Towiis-
lieiid, liosvever, after eiijoyiii}^; the inistiike, usually ealled on
his frieud the late Colonel O'Reilly (afterwards Sir llu},d»
Nugcut by the King's si{;;n manual), to teaeh the drill, and
handle the Mather in true Irish style.''

In Ueau Swift's translation of O'Rourk's feast, we find

" Usquebaugh to our feast
In piiils was brought up.
An hundred at least,

And a inadtUr* our cup."

Laurence Whyte, from whose poem of " The Partinj^ Cup"
an extensive extract is made in a subsequent note, thus closes
Canto II :

" Tho harper at each interval
Had dram or maddtr at his call.
Together with his horn of snuff.
Of each we saw he took enough.
And when he could no longer play,
i^peak.tlioi/ech ushered in tlie day."

In ihf Irish Iludibras, 1(589, a fleet of small boats or
eorracles, are said to be —

" Like Meddar.s formed of the whole piece ;
Meddar, which is a pretty black,
A deep, round, foursquare wooden Jack ;
An ill-shaped trunk of carved tree.
An uniform deformity."

P. 5, 1. 2,—" Stranded Hof/shvds." 1. 3,—" Stranded
Claret."} " The ' Lady Nelson port' is still famous in Kerry,
and a glass of it is sometimes offered as a bonne bouche.^^ —
Ladi/ C/tntterton's Rambles in the Smith of Ireland. Vol. i, ]).
aOH.

* Wooden vessel.

NOTKS. 19

Mr. W'fld in his Account of Killarncy, iiu'iilions visiting
Lou|):h Iiie, wlicre he was regaled with some delicious oysters;
a hoy appeared carryiufj; a haskct after a gentleman, hy wliose
boat the oysters liad lurn taken; and "copious lilialions were
poured from Ijottles wliich had evidently heen filled in France,
and the wine proved to he nolhin;^ less tlian Bur;,nindy of a
most delicious flavour.''

In a note which Mr. Weld thoupfht it necessary to atUich in
a second edition to this passaq;e, in conse<inence of some ob-
servations, made by tlic Rev. Horace Townscnd, calculatcil to
throw discredit upon this statement, he asks with nnuh
ndii't'li : " Are there no shipwrecks on tliis rocky and dan-
gerous coast ?"

P. 5, 1. (), — " J'hcn Deoifh a Doras fur the parting cap .'']
Doch-an-diirrach (a Gaelic term), is explained in the glossary
to the Waverly Novels, as " stirrup-cup ; parting cup." It
is literally, " the drink at the door," respecting the legal im-
munities attached to which, see Sir Walter Scott's note to the
Chapter XI of Waverly.

Laurence Whyte, " a Lover of the Muses and .Matliema-
ticks'' as be styles himself on tlie title page of " Original
Poemson various Subjects'' [ind Ed. Dublin, 1712], has enti-
tled one of his productions "The Parting Cup; or, the Hu-
mours of Deoch an Doruis, alias Theodorus, alias Doctor
Dorus, an old Irish gentleman famous (about 30 years ago),
for his great hosjiitiility, but more particularly in Christmas-
time — '

" When folk.s Imvc little dsi- to do
But try wlmt ale thuir neighbours brew,
To drink nil iiiglit, and sing in cliurus
And when they piirt drink Ucochadorut.

lUit it so liappiiis that W'hyle's poem, besides illustrating

V 2

20 NOTRS.

the common use of the plirase, has preserved a faiUirul picturo
of the stite of Irish society at the jtcriod to whiili the Kerry
Pastoral bclong^s : —

" Lest any shuulil iiii.stiikt^ the time,
By this our prchiilo put in rhiine,
We shall explain it if you please,
It was in Christmas holiilays.
About the thirtit-tli of December,
As near as I can well remember ;
Tlie moon was just a quarter old,
The wind at north, the weather cold :
In Anna's long victorious reign,
Who triumphed over France and Spain.
When Marlborough's fame tliro' Kurope ran,
^V^lo fought the buttles of Queen Ann ;
Tlien did the name of Deochadoriis
Become so numerous and glorious.
As well Strongbonians as Milesians
Kept open house on all occasions,
Tliat scarce a parish or a town
Tliroughout the kingdom but had one.
Then Cromwell's tril)cs of later date,
Laid by their civil jars and heat,
Became more generous and free,
Drank Deuchadorus neighbourly.
And tho" they could not mouth him well,
They into all his humours fell ;
For all who breathe the Irish air
Must in its happy influence share ;
It gives them such a turn of mind
.\s makes them candid, free, and kind."

This lively sketch however is followed hy a melancholy
portrait:

" We can't forget young A r's frakes,

His drinking bouts with jolly rakes —
How ninny he has killed with drinking.
How many more sent home a blinking!'

NOTES. 2 1

III stciiliii}( lioinowiiTils, uroupd tln-ir wiiv
At initliiiKlit, ur ut break uf day :
How moiiy he hu» »eiit humo rLH.'liiig
Blind drunk, uithout the sense of fueling ?
'Twos Ikochadonu night anil day,
Until ho drunk himsulT uway."

Alul White honestly conchules with —

" Such is the practice of our i-sle,
^^'here sciireo one trihe of Dcochadorus
IJut stnnd ill iiiisiTy before us."

Mr. and ^Irs. S. C. Hall, who, in their recent work on
Ireland, have recorded the change which has taken jdace in
the popuhir habits of the Irish people, state that;— "If a
guest were aide to mount his horse without assisUmee in
the ' good old times,' he was presented with a dcoch an dur-
rass glass, which he was forced, seldom
against his will, to ' drink at the door.'
This glass usually held a quart; it was
terminated by a globe, which of itself con-
tained a ' drop,' suiricicnt to complete the
business of the night." [vol. i. p. ."l.'i.]

And the print by which the deoch an
darras glass is illustrated in their work was
from a sketch which the Editor made in
1H"29 of one in tlic possession of two old
ladies named Baylee, who resided in the
Desmonian stronghold of Lough Gur, in
the County of Limerick.

"The door cup" however was not always of glass; in the
Irish Hudibras, we find Nees (the hero)

" Swearing he could not |>nrt, not for lii<<
Own letf, till he got llough a l)nrri$.

22 NOTKS.

Willi tJiiit till' jiortiT liroiiKlit iliciii out
A iiieddur stopt with u cli'iin clout ;
Wliicli, tlio' 'twas rt'ckont'd but a small one,
Coiitaiiii'd throe hulls ol' a whole gallon."

P. 6, 1. 14, — "^ Sea Hog at the Scallogs broke my net."^
For "Sea Hog," llie reading should he Sea Dofj, and for
" Scallogs," Skcli(/s. Sniilh in his History of Kerry, mentions
that Sahuon in the Kenmare river are " much destroyed hy
seals and sea dogs, which are so numerous there, that in summer
all the rocks on the shore are in a manner covered with them."
And Doctor Smith adds, " some j)coplc have proposed a method
of taking them in strong nets, made of thick cordage on purpose,
which scheme has not been tried because of its expense."
The rocks called the Skeligs, are about nine miles from the
mouth of tlic Kcnniare river. Upon the larger one a light-
house was built, in 182(i. Lady Chatterton has preserved, in
her "Rambles in the South of Ireland," Vol. i. chapter 13,
an account of the Skeligs, by ^Ir. Maurice O'ConneU, and
also of a visit made by the Editor to the greater Skelig,
•2r)th April, 1825.

P. 5, 1. ]5,—''Tfie Sea dhJ not up to Rhiucarah f,nr?'']
'J'his means the Atlantic had receded from the South Western
shore of Ireland.

P. .^, 1. 1(), — " 3Ia>i(/erlo)i\'< lop ini.< black and minted siion\'^
Mangerton " was for many years considered the highest
[mountain] in Ireland, and set down in the old maps and
surveys as being 2,470 feet in height." " It is now ascertained
by the measurement of Mr. Nimnio, that the height of
Mangerton is 2,5;j0 feet, while that of Carran Tiial, [not far
disUint] is 3,410. — WrhjhCs Guide to Killarneij.

P. 5, 1. 17,—" The Bantee:''\ Sir Waller Scott in his

NOTES.

letters on Deraonology ami Witchcraft, speaking "of some
leading superstitions, ouce perhaps common to all the countries
of Europe, but now restricted to those which continue to be
inhabited by an undisturbed and native race; of these,"
continues Sir Walter Scott, " one of the most beautiful is the
Irish fiction, which assigns to cerUiin families of ancient
descent and distinguished rank the privilege of a Banshee, as
she is called, or household fairy, whose oflice is to appear
seemingly mourning while she announces the approaching
death of some one of the destined race."

The following verses descriptive of Banshee superstition, arc
translated by the Editor from a Caoine (Kent), upon the death
of a Knight of Kerry, who was killed in Flanders about tiie
year 1(542.

•' I hail hoard lamentations

And sad warning cries
From the Banshcos of many

Broad districts arise ;
I besought thee, O Christ,

To protect me from pain ;
1 prayed, but my prayers

Tliey were offered in vain.

" Aina from her closely

Hid nest did awake
The woman of wailing

At Gur's voicy lake ;
From Glen Fogra of words

Came a mournful whine,
And nil Kerry's hags

Wept the lost Geraldine.

" Tlie Banshees of Youglmll

.\nd of stately Mogeely
Were joined in their grief

By wide Imuiokilly.
f'arah Mona in gk»>m

Of deep sorrow appear.'^.

24 NOTES.

And nil Kiiiuluivaky '»
Absiirbi'il into U'lipt.*

" Tlif jirosjiprous Siixoiis

WiTf M-izfJ with tiifriglit,
III Trali'c they jmckod up

And iiiiulf reiitly for fliglit.
For tLerc ii slirill voice

At the door of each hull
\\'us heard, and they fancied

Foretelling their fall.

"At Dingle, the niercliants

In terror forsook
Tlieir ships and their biisinciis,

Tliey trembled and shook.
St)me fled to concealment —

The fools thus to fly !
For no trader a Hanshce

Will utter a cry.+

" The Banshee of Dunqueen

In sweet song did deplore
To the spirit that watches

On dark Dun-an-oir ;
And Knniniore's maid

Uy the Feal's gloomy wave
Did mourn, with clear voice.

The death of the brave.

'■ On stonny Slieve Mis

Spreads the cry far and wide ,
From Slieve Finnalaun

The wild eaglo replied ;
Moiig the reeks, like the

Thunder-peal's echoing rout,
It l)urst, and deep bellows

Bright Brandon gives out."

* Literally, " Kinalmeaky is drained from crying." Kinahneaky is a
district of bog in the county of Cork.

+ This is the verse quoted by Dr. O'Brien in his Irish Dictionary, to
»hew that the Banshee is solely an aristocratic appendage.

NOTlvS. 25

1'. ti, 11. n, 1,— " I'lalir i/ou linoir, \\ here irr In Si:istin(l tn
Sessions y««'."] " Tralee is the shire-town of the county oC
Kerry, evcrsince the atUiinder of Gerald Eiirl of Desmond; and
wasduring the existeneeof thai earl's palatinatethe plaee where
he chiefly resided ami cxereised his jurisdiction." — Snrard's
llihrrniati Gazcltnr.

P. 0, 1. 5, — " And when Arretted stand each others /?«?/."]
" A Kerry witness" is a proverhial expression for a person
who will swear any thing in a court of justice.

P. G, 1. 8, '' Curragh of Balli/linc.^'] C'urrai/h which is
explained in the foot note as " a small shrub," is prol)ahly a
misprint for " a small hog." The glossary to the Irish Hudi-
hras renders Cnrmyh "heath;" but Cnrrach is explained in
O'Brien's Irish Dictionary, as " a bog, or fen." — Moin^ he
adds, " is drier ground than what they call fj/jracA." And
hence the Editor may observe comes Moineen, a little springy
piece of turf to dance upon. The Air of Moore's "Minstrel
Boy," though published as " The Mnrccn" ought to ha\e
been Moneen. But any word the meaning of which is not
understood gets sadly mangled —

" At couthert [gossipiugj wakes ; could play Mai/cai [Margery]
Whip off Dunboyn, and dance a Mvneen." —

The Irish Hudihras, 1089, p. 27.

P. <>, 1. 12, — " /./.r;/rt.''] Lixnaw, an ancient seat of the
Earls of Kerry, is described by Smilii, in 1771, about which
time it was suffered to fall into ruin, as " standing agreeably
on the river Brick, which is here cut into several pleasant
canals that adorn its plantations and gardens. The in)i)rove-
mcnts are very extensive, most of the vistaes and avenues
terminating by different buildings, seats, and farm-houses.
The tide flows up to tlie gardens, whereby boats of considera-

26 NOTES.

Me bunieii ni;iy l)nn<^ up jjoods to tlic bridpe near the house ;
here are two stone hridiifes over tlie Hriek, tlie oldest of which
was huilt hy Nieliolas, the third baron ol" Lixnaw, wlio was
the first person that made causeways to this phice, llie huul
being naturally wet and marshy.

" The present house," continues Smith, " coHsists of a large
building with wini,fs on each side, and several offices that
inclose an handsome area : in one of these wings is a chapel
the walls of which are painted in fresco by a foreigner called
John Souillard, being copies of the celebrated cartoons of
Raphael, at Hampton Court, particularly the lame man healed
by Peter and John, Elymas the sorcerer, Paul preaching at
Athens, Sec. The figures are as large as life ; and over the
door, between festoons and other decorations, are the heads of
Homer, Virgil, Milton, and Pope, all in claro obscuro by the
same hand."

P. 7, 1. 7,—" Provost mid Fcllnirs."'] Doctor Baldwin was
Provost of Trinity College, Dul)lin, from 1717 to the time of
his death, 30th September, 1758. Doctor Claudius Gilbert
was Vice-Provost from 1716 to 17.'}j>, and the donor of 13,000
volumes to the College Library. Among the Fellows of Tri-
nity College, at the time that this Kerry Pastoral was written
(1719), were, — the philosophic Berkeley, advanced to the
deaneiy of Derry 1721, Bishopric of Cloyne 1733, Delany,
afterwards Dean of Down ; Bindon, afterwards Dean of Lime-
rick ; Madden, afterwards Dean of Kilmore ; Synge, after-
wards Bishop of Clonfert 1730, Ferns 1733, and Elphin
1740 ; Clayton, afterwards Bishop of Killala 1729, Cork
and Ross 1733, Cloghcr 1715; and Stopford, afterwards
Bishop of Cloyne.

" Mtii tliiil kept tlieir wonl.

Sincere, and just, honest, and fair, tuid true."

NOTES. 27

p. 7, 1. 22, — " Tis l(irt/f cnoiti/h thinujh nut a uholc Plaw-
laniiy] 111 Kerry " the land is held not by the aerc ; for in
these inountaiiis, such minute divisions are of little iinportiince ;
hut, aeeordiug to the lanj^uaj^^e of the couiitrv, /»// tlic liunp ;
that is, by larji;e tracts ; and, al'ter agreement has been made
with the landlord for their respective shares, it is usual for
many diflerent families to form a partnership and make a
joint concern of their several farms. Where pasturage alone
is followed, great benefit accrues to the little community from
this practice. It saves labour and expense of multiplied
superintendence ; it excites attention to the general interest,
and prevents disputes that would otherwise arise concerning
boundaries, where the benefit to be derived from their existence
is not ade(iuate to the cost of their erection. Each man to
the computed extent of his land is permitted to maintain a
certain number of cattle ; and in many instances, where the
parties have confidence in each other, tlicy have a joint stock,
both of their kine and their produce" — Weld's Killdrnci/.

P. 7, 1. 23,— "rt loicli/ prospect to the Strand:'] The
" Stranded Hogsheads" and " Stranded claret" mentioned in
p. o, lines 2 and M, explain the loveliness of the prospect.

P. S, 1. 7, — " Spciik Latin to I he stramjer passhnj iy.'']
Sir Richard Cox, writing about tiie time the Kerry
Pastoral appeared, .says, " very few of the Irii^h aim at any
more than a little Latin, which crcrij cow-hoy pretends to, and
a smattering of logic, which very few of them know the u.se
of."

" It is a.sserte(l, that Latin has l)eeii very generally studied
in Kerry, even by the lowest ranks of the people; and I have
lieard more tiian one gentleman hear testimony to the circum-
stance of the bare-fouled buys having been found reading
classical authors in the fields. It is related of one of thc^c

28 NOTES.

poor fellows, tli;il upon an expostulation having been made
with him on such an unprofitable use of his time, he replied,
with much spirit : —

" Est iiuodain prodirc tonus, si non dutiir ultra."

" Classical reading," says Dr. Smith, in his History ot
Kerry, " extends itself even to a fault amongst the lower and
poorer kinds of this country ; many of whom, to the Udiing
them off more useful work, have greater knowledge in this
way than some of the better sort of other places." Similar
testimony is borne by other writers : " In alighting to take a
view of the ancient family seat at PalHce, I gave the bridle of
my horse to a poor boy, who seemed to look for it with eager-
ness. From his manner of answering some questions I asked
him, I was led to enquire into his situation ; and was not a
little surprised to find that though sunk in the most abject
poverty, he was nevertheless a good classical scholar. He
was well acquainted with the best Latin poets ; had read over
most of the historians ; and was then busy with the Orations
of Cicero. I found upon further enquiry, that this classical
spirit is very general among the lower sort of people in
Kerry." — Dcscriptiim of KiUdrnnj. Amini/motts.

Mr. Weld is of opinion that these accounts arc " either
very much exaggerated, or the taste for classical learning is
less prevalent than formerly"— lor during his visits to Kerry,
between the years 1 800 and 1811, he " was unable to procure
an interview with one of these learned peasants." He how-
ever says : " A gentleman of my aciiuaintancc indeed, who
was with me at Killarncy, once happened to be present when
a poor boy came into the inn yard, and asked for alms in good
Latin ; and he observed that several of the town's-folk who
were bystanders, rejdied to him in that language, and for
some minutes continued the conversation in that language
with apparent facility."

NOTES. 29

P. 8, 1. 8, — " A S/in7iilm)(/ Ifnuh".] It is scarcely necessary
to observe, tliat the Shamrock is the National emblem of
Ireland. Keogh, Thrclkeld, and other Irish botmisls, assert
that the Scatnrr txjr or Shamroc^, is tlie trifuliiiin rq)ens ;
this however has been disputed.

" Other countries" says the late Caesar Otway, in the Dublin
Penny Journal, " may boast of their trefoil as well as we ; but
nowhere on the l)road cartli, on continent, or in isle, is there
such an abundance of this succulent material for making fat
mutton. In winter as well as in summer, it is found to spread
its green carpet over our limestone hills, drawing its verdure
from the mists that sweep from the Atlantic. The seed of it is
everywhere. Cast lime or limestone gravel on the top of u
mountain, or on the centre of a bog, and up starts the
shamrock.'"

P. 8, 11. J), 10.—" Oil the ijrassij sod, cut points to pl<n/
Backffamvion ; ] " In some pails [of Kerry] they have a
singular and primitive mode of playing at backgammon in
the fields. The turf is cut out, so as to make a board of large
size ; flat stones are used for men ; and to perform the busi-
ness of dice, a person sits with his back to the players and
calls out whatever cast he plea.ses ; upon this principle tiie
play is conducted." — Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Hall's Irtlaud.,
vol. I. p. 2;')r>.

P. 8, 1, 12,—" LuWd 1)1/ the soft Cronnan."^ Cronaan is
explained in the glossary to the Irish iiudibras as a song.—

' ' lliit sing dysclf the sweet Cro-naan."

At an Irish wake.

" sonic laugh, sonic weep ;

Some sing Cronans, ami some ih> sli-cp."

arc the passages upon which lliis explanation is oflcred. The

30 NOTES.

true meaning of the word is a iiioiidtonous mtlody, conesponil-
in<; with what we shouhl now call recitative.

" Ckonan, the hase in nius>ic. Crdni'in la ■h'lun/iuinis,
Cantns-hassus."

" CuoNAN, any dull note, also the hiizzini^ of a (\\ or other
insect." — O'Biini .

In " a dissertation on Italian and Irish Music," l)y I«iurencc
Whyte, [17-1'2], speaking of the manner in which the former
has superseded the latter, he says that Irish Music

ilics to Miiiistpr for the air,

To clear her pipes ami warble there.
Poor Cronaan, being tiim'tl out of play,
With Rinke Mucenauh flew away,
To the remotest parta of Kerrj-,
In hopes to make the vulgar merry,
But scarce one cabin in their (light
Would give them lodging for the night ;
So taken up with foreign jingle,
Tralee despised them ; likewise Dingle.'

P. M, 1. \'2, — " Sirrct S]>cck .^Aojf."] This melody is com-
monly known as " the humours of Joyce's country," and its
musical notation is preserved in Walker's memoirs of the Irish
bards. " Several districts of this kingdom," says \S'alkcr,
" have certain appellations for airs which originated in them,
as Sjx'ic Scnach, the Spcic or humours of Joyce's country,"
which he adds was " pricked from the voice by the Rev. Dr.
Young, while on a visit last winter, 1785, in the county
of Huscommon." Speire according to O'Brien is a prop or
support, and Snuvh is the Irish mode of writing Joyce; the
littnil nuiining therefore is "the leader of the Joyces," a
gigantic race inlialiiting the wild district of Connamara, in
the county of (J al way, respecting whom and which, see "A
Tour round Ireland, hy John Barrow, Esq. in 1835."

In a lellor addressed to Mr. Walker, 178K, giving an

NOTF>^. 31

account of the inhabititnts of Uic Rosses, islands on the coast
of Donegal, the writer says — " Their sonjifs, called Sjiric
Si(iav/ut, were recitJils of exploits achieved hy the friants and
warriors and hunters of old." That is to say, the deeds of
Joyces. Speice is jirohaMy from the Latin spes.

P. 8, 1. 13,—" Kircherd Shcclah."] The Irish Kercher or
Cailleach as it was sometimes called, from heing worn Ity old
women, was a large handkerchief tied under the chin ; the
other ends at the hack of the head, falling loosely upon the
shoulders. Mr. Beaufort has stated to Mr. Walker, (" Histor-
ical Essay on the Dress of the Ancient and Modem Irish,'") that
the simple head dress of the Cailleach " was worn hy hoth sexes,
liut usually by men, and made of the skin of a beast." The
Editor perfectly recollects it as the common costume of the
female peasantry of the South of Ireland.

P. 8, 1. 16,—" Shanan and ('«.\7i«»."] The Shannon River,
" all circumstances considered, is one of the finest in the
British dominions; not only on accouut of its rolling 200
miles, but also of its great depth in most places, and the
gentleness of its cuttcuV— Seirard\'< Ilibcniian Gazttlnr.

Spenser in his " Fairy Queen," Book iv. Canto 1 1th, calls
it—

" Tlie spucious Slu'iian, >i)n'ailing like u sea. "

The Cashin, which is formed by the confluence of three
rivers, the Galey, Feal, and Briek, falls into the Shannon not
far from its mouth.

P. H, 1. 17, — " A)id h'rrri/ turn fitrmhr tlnir riir<ls nud
(/jcf."] Among the evil persons whom Sjuusir, in his view
of the State of Ireland, reeoniniends gelling rid of in that
country by " the short riddance of a .Mar.shal,"— are a class

o2 NOTES.

calletl '' Canows;" " wliitli," lie tolls us, " is a kind of people
that wander up and down to f^cnllcnicn's houses, living,' only
upon cards and dice ; the which, though they have little or
nothinjf of their own, yet will they play for much money;
which if they win, they waste most lightly ; and if they lose
they pay as slenderly, but make rccompence with one stealth
or another ; whose only hurt is, not that they themselves are
idle lossels, but that through gaming they draw others to like
Icudness and idleness."

P. 9, 1.3, — " T(i P<nis (JO nith mtchid cravCd with ioo^s."]
The Sorbonne was crowded with Irish " wranglers," who, for
a gratuity undertook to defend certain tlieological or metaphy-
sical theses against all impugnants. Boileau t;ilks ol' the
'■'■ figures hibemoises^' of these Irish disputants; and in "Gil
Bias," they arc commemorated as a striking feature at Sala-
manca. Goldsmith, in raml)ling through Italy, often g(jt a
dinner and a viaticum by defending propositions in the halls
of the convents and universities : (see Prior), and from Duns
Scotus, and Columbanus, to the most recent period, Ireland
was the great mother of polemical spirits in the Continental
schools of Divinity. Pelagius was a Welshman; his Greek
name being only a translation of INIorgan.

P. 9, 1. IH, — " BiDijuc liiian Scrihiotjh.''^'\ This Irish name,
literally means the shoe of true writing that is scalloj)cd or
indented like a legal document or " Indenture," which in
Irish is called ban-scribbin. Liiurcnce Whyte in " A Disser-
tation on Fashions," [1742] says :

" The shoes reform'd and fashion'd so,
The heel is lower than the toe,
And if I may believe my sire
The brogue-bungcreeb was something higher,
Tlie harness buclle of tlie shoe
In days of j'oro would malvc us two ;

NO IKS. iio

Tlipy ;ire goiul innviablos of lull-,
To plodf^f i>r Ht'll, wlifii innilc of plutr ;
When nikcs at taviTiis, or at stcnvs.
Drink out their buckles, and their shm-s."

A note upon Briujur-hunsnrvb, adds, " A kind of scalloped
Brogue, with two lilts more f;ishioiial)lu than ordinary, lor
gentlemen and the better sort of people to wear, before shoes
came in fashion in Ireland."

" The brogue or shoe of the Irish peasantry," is said by
Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Hall, to differ " in its construction from the
shoe of any other country. It was formerly made of nnUmned
hide, but for the last century at least, it has been made of
tanned leather. The leather of the uppers is mucli stronger
than what is used in the strongest shoes, being made of cow
hide dressed for the purpo.se, and it never has an inside lining
like the ordinary shoe ; the sole leather is generally of an
inferior description. The process of making the brogue is
entirely different to that of shocmaking ; and the tools used
in the work, excepting the hammer, pinchers, and knife, bear
little analogy. The awl, though used in common by both
operators, is much larger than the largest used by the shoe-
maker, and unlike in the bend." Much curious information
respecting the manufacture of brogues, may be found in tljc
work to which the Editor is indebted for this extract. — {Hull's
Trvland, Vol. i. pp. ISi), 100), where it is stated, that " the
l)rogue makers pride themselves on the anti(|uity of their
trade; and boast over the shoemakers, whom they consider
only a spurious graft on their more nol)Ieart."

I'. It, 1. lit,-'' Stet-j, Mullo!,/,l,ertr] MiilloRlibert, wliiil.
is ixjilaiiRil in tlio ncttc ;is " tlu- liill ol rffcrc'iicc," is littTally
llic hill of judpoincut. ( Mulhiili bearl ). .Speuscr in liis
View ol" the State of Irchmd, says : " There is a great use
ainon;; the Irish to make fj^reat assemblies lo{;;ether upon a
Rath or Hill, there to parly (as they say) about matters and
wronj^s between Township and Township, or one jjrivate per-
son and another. But well I wot, and true it hath been of-
tentimes proved, that in their mectint^s, many mischiefs have
been liolh practised and wrought ; for to them do eomnionly
resort all the scum of the people, where they may meet and
confer of what they list, which else they could not do without
suspicion or knowledge of others. Besides, at these meetin;rs
1 have known divers times, that many Englishmen, and good
Irish subjects, h.ive been villanously murdered by moving one
([uarrel or another against them. For the Irish never come
to those Raths but armed, whether on horse, or on foot ;
which the English, nothing suspecting, are then cfminionly
taken at advanUige like sheep in a pen-fold.

A view of one of those judgement seats, on the hill of Kyle,
in the Queen's County, is given in Dr. Ledwich's " Antii|uities
of Ireland." IJc says" it was comnioii in Wales to throw nj)
an earthen mount, whereon the judges sat; and this wjis called
a Gorsedde."

P. 1 < t, II. a, (i, — " Cura(jh Can a Wee, Full often have I made
II son;/ for thfr.^'] Dr. Smith (p. lOS) describing the parish
of (ilanbehy, in the barony of Iveragh, says that it is "so
named from llie river Behy which waters it ; the greater yinvl
of it is extremely rough. The road from the other parts of
Kerry, into this barony, runs over very high and sleep liills,
that stand in this parish, called Druntj and Cahinanawy ;
which road hangs, in a tremendous niannn. ovn- that |i;trl of

NOTES. .).)

llic si'ii that tonus the liay nt' ('astUniaiii, ami is imt unlike ihi'
niuuiiUin of Pcuineuinaure in North Wales, except that the
road here is metre stony and less secure for the traveller.
There is a custom amonjf the country' people, to enjoin every
one that passes this mountain, to make some verses to its
honour, otherwise they ailirin, that whoever attempts to jiass
it without vei-sifying, must meet with some mischance : the
orif^inal of which notion seems to he, that it will reiiuire a per-
son's whole circumspection to preserve himself Jrom fallinii; otV
his horse. They," continues Doctor Smith, " repeated to me
several performance^, both in Irish and English, made on this
occasion; but this mountain is not, like that of Helicon, con-
secrated to the Muses, for all the verses that I heard were
almost as rugfjed and uncouth as the road on which they were
made, — fur which reason I shall not trouble the reader witli
them ; altliough I had several coi)ies jjivcn mo for that pur-
pose."

.\ writer under the ii'im dc (/ncrre of Ur. M'Slatt, presumed
to be Mr. Windele of Cork, says : " The sound or strait be-
tween Clear and Skerkin (in the county of Cork) is called Gas-
canan, and is singular for a usage which retpiires that all who
cross it for the first time should improvise, at least a couplet ;
othenvi.se some mi.schance may be the consetjuence. A simi-
lar exercise of the little of poetry within us is required on
passing the rufrLfed pathway of Cahircanawy, overhanging tin-
dizzy clifls of Castleniain ; and I doubt not but a collirtion
of these effusions would afford a rare picture of the miml of
the gentry who freijuent tliese pas.sages of song."

I'. 1(», 11. !», 10, ll,~'' K no, k (I rum, w/trn- our forcftttlurs
set Ipon thy lofli/ lop l/i' in-^itlioits nrt, To cnlrli Dcfiitnniiii
irild."] (icrald, the si.\teenth Karl of Desmond, anil his f.il-
lowers, were literally hunted down by the Mngli.sh. It is the

,SG NOTES. "

{)i)l)iil;tr tniditioii, fli;it soiiu; of the wild Irish ill Kerry were
taken by iiettiiii^ thoiii.

P. 10, 1. 14, — '^^ Great Anglesey."^ Sir Arlluir Annesley,
the sixth Viseoimt Valentia, succeeded to the title on the death
of his hiDther, IHth Sep., 1710. He had been "a Gentleman
of the Privy Chamber to William and Anne ; and, after his
succession to the honours, was appointed (Uth October), joint
Vice Treasurer of Ireland ; and, lOth, sworn of the Privy Coun-
cil in Kuirland. In 171 1, he was one of the Commissioners for
building lifty new churches ; and 9lli July that year, sworn of the
Privy Council in Ireland, taking his seat the same day in tlie
House of Peers. On the death of the Queen, he was one of the
Lord Justices of England, to administer affairs until King
George I anrived from Hanover; who (1st October 1714) called
him into his Privy Council of both kingdcmis; and 15th January
ft)llowing, made him joint Vice Treasurer and Treasurer at
AV'ar. On the deatli of the Duke of Manchester, he was
elected in full senate (l<5th February 1721) High Steward of
the University of Caml)ridge, where he had liis education, and
which he had represented in three several ])arliaments. On
the 2!Hh November 1727, he was made Lord Lieutenant and
Governor of the County of Wexford, and sworn a Privy
Coimcillor to King George II on his accession to the crown."
— Lodge's Peerage.

Viscount Valentia died 1st April 17:57, willKHit issue, and
was succeeded in the title by Lord Altham.

P. 10, 1. l.'>, — " Dexmnud."'] " A considerable part of
Kerry was formerly a distinct county in itself, called Desmond ;
it consisted of that part of Kerry which lies south of the Mang,
with the barony of Bear and Bantry in the County of Cork ;
and was a jialalinate luuler the jurisdiction of the Karls of

NOTES. U7

Desmond. It is inic tht* iiiiciciit country of Desmond, or
South Munster, extended niueh farther, as ai)j)eai-s l)y the
grant of Henry II to llohert Titz Steidieu and Milo ile
C'ogan. Its limits were from the liill of St. JJrandon [in
Kerr)] to the river lihiekwater, near Lismorc, and eonipre-
hended tlie County of Cork as well as Kerry." — Smith\s Kern/.
P 10,1.19, — '■'■ Cosher hire thix nliihtr] An invitation to
bed and hoard. The Irish word cosair signifies both ai bed
and a banciuet. '' Ctishering " is incorrectly cxjdained in the
Irish Iludibras as "gossiping;" although the meaning of the
word in that work is clearly established by the lines -. —

" A very fit and proper house, sir,
For such n worthy guest to cosher."

In the Vocabulary appended to the Irish St;itc Papers of the
reign of Henry VIII, published by royal authority, " cosher,
rosherrr, coshif, courheri/, or coj/sshrr" are defined, — " an ex-
action of lodging and victUtals for the lord and his retinue."

P. 11, 1. '>, — " Slacanii."} The edible sea weed in England
is called laver. The Irish name is compounded of two words
signifying " tiiu(}-huttery

P. 11, 1. 7, — '''' Etjg shelUy] No uncommon mode of
measuring whiskey, in the absence of a glass, was by an egg
shell.

P. 11,1. S, — " /w/r </()«•/( OH )-H.s7i(s."] The l-'reneh tra-
veller, M. la BouUaye le Gouz, who visited Ireland in KMl,
speaking of the residences of the higher classes says, — " lis
unt peu dc meublcs, et oment lours chambres de iong, dont ils
font leurs liets en Kste, et de paille en Hyner, ils metteiit vn
pied de iong autour do leur chambre et sur leurs feneslrrs, el
plusicurs d'entreux ornenl leurs plaiuhers de vanuaux." At

38 NOTICS.

the cldbf of the scvciitccnlh cciitmv, a cahin is (IcbCiibcd in
tlie Irish Hudilnas, —

" TIk! floor boni-atli with riihlicK luid, Ktvuil
C)l' lajii'stry ; no bt'il uor boilsUjad."

Ami a Hast as furnished —

" Willi ii.ipkius wove of lliigs uuj rushes."

TlilC END.

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