Groats-vvorth of witte, bought with a million of repentance. The repentance of Robert Greene, 1592. Edited by G.B. Harrison

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RE!P]^N*tANC;B

OF

ROBESRlI^ dREj:^N]^ 1592

j-£.

ROBERT GREENE

GROATS-VVORTH OF
WITTE

THE REPENTANCE OF
ROBERT GREENE

1592

VI
BODLEY HEAD QUARTOS

^^^

^^^^^^^^^M^^^^^^^^^^^

THE BODLEY HEAD QUARTOS
EDITED BY G. B. HARRISON

ROBERT GREENE, M.A.

GROATS-WORTH OF WITTE,
bought with a million of Repentance

THE REPENTANCE OF
ROBERT GREENE

1592

-tO

-^^

Published by John Lane The Bodley Head Ltd

Vigo Street, London, W.i, and by

E. P. Button & Company, New York

3iote

THE ORIGINAL of this text is
in the British Museum (C. 57. b. 42).
The few misprints v/hich have been
corrected in the text are noted on
page 52.

G. B. H.

2544
6-7

This reprint first pubhshed in 1923

Made and "Printed in Qreat Britain at the
QU RIVEN -TRESS, Tlaistoiv, f.13

GREENES,

GROATS.VVORTH

of wftte, bought with a

million of Repentance.

]Dercrtbtng tfic follte of rouf^.tlie falil^ooo ofmsltf.

Q)ifte aatterers, tfje mifertc of tije nesligenta

ano nukWtB of eccciulng

Coactc}an5.

Written before his death and publiflicd at hi9
dyeing rcqiieft,

Fslkemfuife infaujlum.

LONDON

Imnrinred for William Wright.

The Printer to the Gentle Readers.

IHAUE published here Gentlemen for your
mirth and benefite Greenes groates worth of
wit. With sundry of his pleasant discourses, ye
haue beene before delighted : But nowe hath death
giuen a period to his pen : onely this happened into
my handes which I haue published for your
pleasures : Accept it fauourably because it was his
last birth and not least worth: In my poore
opinion. But I will cease to praise that which is
aboue my conceipt, & leaue it selfe to speak for
it selfe : and so abide your learned censuring.

Yours VV. VV. / [A3

G

To the Gentlemen Readers.

ENTLEMEN. The Swan sings melodiously
before death^ that in all his life time vseth but a iarring
sound. Greene though able inough to write^yet deeplyer
serched with sicknes than euer heeretojore^ sendes you
his Swanne like songe^ for that he fear es he shall neuer
againe carroll to you woonted hue layes^ neuer againe
discouer to you youths pleasures. How euer yet sicknesse,
riot, Incontinence, haue at once shown their extremitie
yetif Irecouer,you shall all see, more fresh sprigs, then
euer sprang from me, directing you how to Hue, yet not
diswading ye from hue. This is the last I haue writ,
and I feare me the last I shall writ. And how euer
I haue beene censured for some of my former bookes,
yet Gentlemen I protest, they were as I had speciall
information. ' But passing them, I commend this to
your fauour able censures, that like an Embrion j [A31'
without shape, I feare me will be thrust into the world.
If I Hue to end it, it shall be otherwise : if not, yet will
I commend it to your courtesies, that you may as well be
acquainted with my repentant death, as you haue
lamented my careles course of life. But as Nemo ante
obitum fellx, so Acta Exitus probat: Beseeching
therefore so to be deemed heereof as I deserue, I leaue
the worke to your likinges, and leaue you to your
delightes.

GREENES

GROATES-VVORTH

OF WIT.

IN an Hand bounded with the Ocean there was
somtime a Cittie situated, made riche by Mar-
chandize, and populous by long peace, the
name is not mentioned in the Antiquarie, or els
worne out by times Antiquitie, what it was it
greatly skilles not, but therein thus it happened.
An.' old new made Gentleman herein dwelt, of no
small credit, exceeding wealth, and large con-
science: hee had gathered from many to bestow
vpon one, for though he had two sonnes he
esteemed but one, that being as himselfe, brought
vp to be golds bondman, was therefore held heire
apparant of his il gathered goods.

The other was a Scholler, and maried to a proper
Gentlewoman and therfore least regarded, for tis
an old sayd saw: To learning & law, thers no
greater foe than they that nothing know : yet / [Bi
was not the father altogether vnlettered, for he had
good experience in a Nouerint^ and by the vni-
uersall tearmes therein contained, had driuen
many a yoong Gentleman to seeke vnknowen
countries, wise he was, for he boare office in his
parish and sat as formally in his foxfurd gowne, as

8 GREENES

if he had been a very vpright dealing Burges : he
was religious too, neuer without a booke at his
belt, and a bolt in his mouthe, readye to shoote
through his sinfull neighbor.

And Latin hee had some where learned, which
though it were but little, yet was it profitable, for
he had this Philosophye written in a ring, Tu tibi
cura^ which precept he curiously obserued, being
in selfeloue so religious, as he held it no poynt of
charitie to part with any thing, of whiche hee
liuing might make vse.

But as all mortall thinges are momentarie, and-v
no certaintie can bee found in this vncertaine Y
world : so Gorinius^ (for that shall bee this vsurers
name) after manye a gowtie pang that had pincht
his exterior partes, many a curse of the people that
mouted into heauens presence, was at last with his
last summons, by a deadly disease arrested, wher-
against when hee had long contended, and was by
Phisitions giuen ouer, he cald his two sonnes
before him: and willing to performe the olde
prouerb Qualis vita finis Ita^ he thus prepard him-
selfe, and admonished them. My sonnes (for so
your mother sayde ye were) and so I assure my
selfe one of you is, and of the other I will make
no doubt. [bi"

You se the time is com, which I thought would/
neuer haue aproched and we must now be sepe-
rated, I feare neuer to meete againe. This sixteene

GROATSWORTH OF JVITTE 9

yeares dayly haue I liude vexed with disease: and
might I Hue sixteene more, howe euer miserably,
I should thinke it happye. But death is relentlesse,
and will not be intreated witles: and knowes not
what good my gold might doo him: senseles, &
hath no pleasure in the delightfull places I would
offer him. In briefe, I thinke he hath with this
foole my eldest sonne been brought vp in the
vniuersitie, and therefore accounts that in riches is
no vertue. But thou my son, (laying then his hand
on the yongers head) haue thou another spirit : for
without wealth, life is a death: what is gentry if
welth be wanting, but bace seruile beggerie.
Some comfort yet it is vnto me, to thinke how
many Gallants sprunge of noble parents, haue
croucht to Gorinius to haue sight of his gold: O
gold, desired gold, admired gold: and haue lost
their patrimonies to Gorinius^ because they haue
not returned by their day that adored creature :
How manye Schollers haue written rymes in
Gorinius praise, and receiued (after long capping
and reuerence) a sixpeny reward in signe of my
superficial liberality. Breefly my yong Lucanio how
I haue beene reurenst thou seest, when honester
men I confesse haue been sett farre off: for to bee
rich is to bee any thing, wise, honest, worshipful,
or what not. I tel thee my sonne: when I came
first to this Citie my whole wardrop was onely a
sute of white sheepe skins, my wealth an old groat,

10 GREENES

my woonning, the wide world. At this instant (O
greefe to part with it) I haue in ready / coine [B2
three-score thousand pound, in plate and lewels
XV. thousand; in Bondes and specialties as much, in
land nine hundred pound by the yeere: all which,
Liicanio I bequeath to thee, only I reserue for
Roberto thy wel red brother an old groat, (being y«
stocke I first began with) wherewith I wish him to
buy a groats-worth of wit: for he in my life hath
reprooud my manner of life, and therefore at my
death, shall not be contaminated with corrupt
gaine. Here by the way Gentlemen must I
digresse to she we the reason of Gorinius present
speach: Roberto being come from the Academic,
to visit his father, there was a great feast prouided :
where for table talke, Roberto knowing his father
and most of the company to be execrable vsurers,
inuayed mightely against that abhorred vice, inso-
muche that hee vrged teares from diuers of their
eyes, and compunction in some of their harts.
Dinner being past, he comes to his father, request-
ing him to take no offence at his liberall speach,
seeing what he had vttred was truth. Angry sonne
(said he) no by my honestie (and that is som what
I may say to you) but vse it still, and if thou canst
perswade any of my neighbours from lending vppon
vsurie I shuld haue the more customers : to which
when Roberto would haue replyde hee shut him-
selfe into his study, and fell to tell ouer his mony.

GROJTSWORTH OF fFITTE ii

This was Robertas offence: now returne, wee to
sicke Gorinius^ who after he had thus vnequally
distributed his goods and possessions, began to
aske his sonnes how they liked his bequestes,
either seemed agreed, and Roberto vrged him
with / nothing more than repentance of his sinn- [B2"
loke: to thine owne said he, fonde boy, & come my
Lucanio, let me giue thee good counsell before my
death: as for you sir, your bookes are your coun-
sellors, and therefore to them I bequeathe you. Ah
Lucanio, my onely comfort, because I hope thou
wilt as thy father be a gatherer, let me blesse thee /
before I dye. Multiply in welth my sonne by any ,^J
meanes thou maist, onely flye Alchymie, for
therein are more deceites than her beggerlye
Artistes haue words, and yet are the wretches more
talkatiue than women. But my meaning is, thou
shouldest not stand on conscience in causes of
profit, but heap treasure vpon treasure, for the
time of neede : yet seem to be deuout, els shalt thou
be held vyle, frequent holy exercises graue com-
panie, and aboue al vse the conuersation of yoong
Gentlemen, who are so wedded to prodigalitie,
that once in a quarter necissitie knocks at their
chamber doores : profer them kindnesse to relieue
their wants, but be sure of good assurance : giue
faire wordes till dayes of paiment come, & then
vse my course, spare none : what though they tell
of conscience (as a number will talke) looke but

12 GREENES

into the dealinges of the world, and thou shalt see
it is but idle words. Seest thou not many perish in
the streetes, and fall to theft for neede : whom small
succor woulde releeue, then where is conscience,
and why art thou bound to vse it more than other
men ? Seest thou not daylie forgeries periuries,
oppressions, rackinges of the poore, raisinges of
rents, inhauncing of duties euen by them that
should be al conscience, if they ment as they
speaker / but Lucanio if thou read well this [B3
booke (and with that hee reacht him Machiauels
workes at large) thou shalt se, what tis to be so
foole-holy as to make scruple of conscience where
profit presents it selfe.

Besides, thou hast an instance by the threedbare
brother here, who willing to do no wrong, hath
lost his childes right: for who woulde wish any
thinge to him, that knowes not how to vse it.

So much Lucanio for conscience : & yet I know
not whats the reason, but some-what stinges mee
inwardly when I speake of it. I father said Ro-
berto^ it is the worme of conscience, that vrges you
at the last houre to remember your life, that
eternall life may followe your repentance. Out
foole (sayd this miserable father), I feele it now, it
was onelye a stitch. I will forwarde with my exhor-
tation to Lucanio. As I said my sonne, make spoyle
of yoong Gallants, by insinuating thy selfe amongst
them, & be not mooued to thinke their Auncestors

GROJTSWORTH OF WITTE 13

were famous, but consider thine were obscure, and
that thy father was the first Gentleman of the
Name: Lucanio^ thou art yet a Bacheler, and soe
keepe thee till thou meete with one that is thy
equal, I meane in wealth : regarde not beautie, it is
but a bayte to entice thine neighbors eye : and the
most faire are commonlye most fond, vse not too
many familiars, for few prooue frendes, and as
easie it is to weigh the wind, as to diue into the
thoughtes of worldlye glosers. I tell thee Lucanio^
I haue seene four-scoore winters besides the od
seuen, yet saw I neuer him, that I esteemed as my
friend but gold, that desired creature, whom I
haue so deerly loued, / and found so firme a [bs"
frind, as nothing to me hauing it hath beene wanting.
No man but may thinke deerly of a true frend, &
so do I of it laying it vnder sure locks, and lodging
my heart there-with.

But now (Ah my Lucanid) now must I leaue it,
and to thee I leaue it with this lessen, loue none
but thy selfe, if thou wilt Hue esteemd.. So turning
him to his studdy, where his cheife treasure lay,
he loud cryde out in the wise mans woords, O mors
quam amara^ O death how bitter is thy memory to
him that hath al pleasures in this life, & so with
two or three lamentable grones hee left his life:
and to make short worke, was by Lucanio his sonne
interd, as the custome is with some solemnitie:
But leauing him that hath left the world to him

14 GREENES

that censureth of euery worldly man, passe wee to
his sonnes: and se how his long laid vp store is by
Lucanio lookyd into. The youth was of condition
simple, shamfast, & flexible to any counsaile,
which Roberto perceiuing, and pondering howe
little was lefte to him, grew into an inward con-
tempt of his fathers vnequall legacie, and deter-
minate resolution to work Lucanio al possible
iniurie, herevpon thus conuerting the sweetnes of
his studdye to the sharpe thirst of reuenge, he (as
Enuie is seldome idle) sought out fit companions
to effect his vnbrotherly resolution. Neither in
such a case is ill company far to seek, for y^ Sea
hath scarce so ieoperdies, as populous Citties haue
deceiuing Syrens, whose eies are Adamants, whose
words are witchcraftes, whose doores lead downe
to death. With one of these female serpents
Roberto consorts, and / they conclude what euer [B4
they compassed equally to sharre to their con-
tentes. This match made, Lucanio was by his
brother brought to the bush, where he had scarse
pruned his winges, but hee was fast limd, and
Roberto had what he expected. But that wee may
keepe forme, you shall heare howe it fortuned.

Lucanio being on a time verie pensiue, his
brother brake with him in these termes . I wonder
Lucanio why you are disconsolate, that want not
any thinge in the worlde that may worke your con-
tent. If wealth may delight a man, you are with

GROJTSWORTH OF WITTE 15

i that sufficiently furnisht: if credit may procure any
\ comfort, your word I knowe well, is as well
'accepted as any mans obligation: in this Citie, are
faire buildings and pleasant gardens, and cause of
solace, of them I am assured you haue your choyce.
Consider brother you are yoong, then plod not
altogether in meditating on our fathers precepts:
which howseuer they sauored of profit, were most
vnsauerly to one of your yeares applied. You must
not thinke but sundrye marchants of this Citie
expect your company, sundry Gentlemen desire
your familiaritie, & by couersing with such, you
wil be accounted a Gentleman : otherwise a pesant,
if ye liue thus obscurely. Besides, which I had
almost forgot and then had al the rest beene
nothing, you are a man by nature furnished with
all exquisite proportion, worthy the loue of any
courtly lady, be she neuer so amorous: you haue
wealth to maintaine her, of women not little
longed for : wordes to court her you shall not want,
for my selfe will be / your secretarie. Breefely [64"
why stand I to distinguish abilitie in perticularities,
when in one word it may be said which no man can
gainsay, Lucanio lacketh nothing to delight a wife,
nor any thing but a wife to delight him? My
yoong maister being thus clawd, and pufft vp with
his owne praise, made no longer delay, but hauing
on his holidaie hose hee trickt himselfe vp and like
a fellowe that meant good sooth, he clapt hys brother

I 6 GREENES

on the shoulder and said. Faith brother Roberto^ and
ye say the worde lets goe seeke a wife while tis hoat,
both of vs together, He pay well, and I dare tourne
you loose to say as well as any of them all, well
He doo my best said Roberto and since ye are so
forwarde lets goe nowe and try your good fortune.
With this foorth they walke, and Roberto went
directly toward the house where Lamilia (for so
wee call the Curtizan) kept her hospitall, which
was in the suburbes of the Citie, pleasantly seated,
and made more delectable by a pleasaunt garden
wherin it was scituate. No soner come they
within ken, but Mistris Lamilia like a cunning
angler made readye her change of baytes that shee
might effect Lucanios bane: and to begin she dis-
couered from her window her beauteous enticing
face, and taking a lute in her hand that shee might
the rather allure, shee soung this sonnet with a
delicious voyce,/ [Ci

Lamilias song.

Fie fie on blind fancie^

It hinders youths ioy :

Faire virgins learne by me.

To count loue a toy.
When loue learnd first the A B C of delight.
And knew no figures, nor conceited -phrase :
He simply gaue to due desert her right,
He lead not louers in darke winding ivayes,

GROJTSWORTH OF WITTE 17

He plainely wild to loue^ or flatly answerd no.
But now who lists to proue shall find it nothing sc,
Fie fie then on fancie^
It hinders youths ioy,
Faire virgins learne by me,
To count hue a toy.
For since he learnd to vse the Poets pen,
He learnd likewise with smoothing words to faine.
Witching chast eares with trothles tungs oj men.
And wronged jaith with jalshood and disdaine.
He giues a promise now, anon he sweareth no.
Who listethfor to proue shall find his changings so.
Fie fie then on fancie.
It hinders youthes ioy,
Faire virgins learne by me.
To count hue a toy.j [ci"

While this painted sepulcher was shadowing her
corrupting guilt, Hiena-like alluring to destruc-
tion, Roberto and Lucanio vnder her windowe kept
euen pace with euery stop of her instrument, but
especially my yoong Ruffler, (that before time like
a birde in a cage had beene prentise for three Hues
or one and twentie yeares at lest to extreame
Avarice his deceased father) O twas a world to see
howe hee sometyme simperd it, striuing to sett a
countenance on his new turnd face, that it might
seeme of wainscot proofe, to behold her face without
blushing: anone he would stroke his bow-bent-leg.

1 8 GREENES

as if he ment to shoote loue arrows from his
shins: then wypt his chin (for his beard was not
yet growen) with a gold wrought handkercher,
whence of purpose he let fall a handfull of Angels.
This golden shower was no sooner raind, but
Lamilia ceast her song, and Roberto (assureing
himselfe the foole was caught) came to Lucanio
(that stood now as one that had stard Medusa in
the face) and awaked him from his amazement
with these wordes. What in a traunce brother?
whence springs these dumps ? are ye amazd at this
obiect? or long ye to become loues subiect? Is
there not difference betweene this delectable life,
and the imprisonment you haue all your life
hethertoo indured? If the sight and hearing of
this harmonyous beautie worke in you effects of
wonder, what will the possession of so deuine an
essence, wherein beautie & Art dwell in their
perfectest excellence. Brother said Lucanio lets
vse fewe wordes, and shee be no more then a
woman, I trust youle helpe / me to win her ? [ca
and if you doe, well, I say no more but I am yours
till death vs depart, and what is mine shall be
yours world without end Amen.

Roberto smiling at his simplenes, helpte him to
gather vppe his dropt gold, and without anye more
circumstance, led him to Lamilias house: for of
such places it may be said as of hell.

Noctes atque dies patet atri ianua ditis.

GROJTSWORTH OF fFITTE 19

So their dores are euer open to entice youth to
distruction. They were no sooner entred but
Lamilia her selfe like a seconde Helen^ court like
begins to salute Roberto^ yet did her wandring eie
glance often at Lucanio: the effect of her inter-
tainment consisted in these tearmes, that to her
simple house Signor Roberto was welcome, & his
brother the better welcom for his sake: albeit his
good report confirmde by his present demeaner
were of it selfe enough to giue him deserued enter-
tainement in any place how honorable soeuer:
mutuall thankes returnd, they lead this prodigall
child into a parlor garnished with goodly por-
tratures of amiable personages: nere which an
excellent consort of musike began at their en-
traunce to play. Lamilia seeing Lucanio shamefast,
tooke him by the hand, and tenderly wringing him
vsed these wordes. Beleeue me Gentleman, I am
very sorie that our rude entertainment is such, as
no way may worke your content, for this I haue
noted since your first entering that your counte-
nance hath beene heauie, and the face being the
glasse of the hart, assures me the same is not quiet:-''
would ye wish any thing heere that might content
you, say/ but the word, and assure ye of present [Ca"
diligence to effect your full delight. Lucanio being
so farre in loue, as he perswaded himselfe without
her grant he could not Hue, had a good meaninge
to vtter his minde but wanting fit wordes, he stood

20 GREENES

like a trewant that lackt a prompter, or a plaier
that being out of his part at his first entrance, is
faine to haue the booke to speak what he should
performe. Which Roberto perceiuing, replied thus
in his behalfe: Madame the Sunnes brightnesse
daisleth the beholders eies, the maiestie of Gods,
amazeth humane men, Tullie Prince of Orators
once fainted though his cause were good, and hee
that tamed monsters stoode amated at Beauties
ornaments: Then blame not this yoong man
though he replied not, for he is blinded with the
beautie of your sunne darkening eies, made mute
with the celestiall organe of your voyce, and feare
of that rich ambush of amber colored dartes, whose
poyntes are leueld against his hart. Well Signor
Roberto said shee, how euer you mterpret their
sharpe leuell, be sure they are not bent to doo him
hurt, and but that modestie blindes vs poore
maydens from vttering the inward sorrow of our
mindes, perchance the cause of greefe is ours how
euer men do colour, for as I am a virgin I protest,
(and therewithall shee tainted her cheekes with a
vermilion blush) I neuer saw Gentleman in my life
in my eie so gratious as is Lucanio only this is my
greefe, that either I am dispised for that he scornes
to speak, or els (which is my greater sorrow) I
feare he cannot speake. Not speake Gentlewoman
quoth Lujcanio that were a iest indeed, yes I [C3
thanke God I am sound of wind and lym, only my

GROATSIVORTH OF JVITTE 21

hart is not as it was wont : but and you be as good
as your word that will soone be well, and so
crauing ye of more acquaintance, in token of my
plaine meaning receiue this diamond, which my
old father loud deerely: and with that deliuered
her a ringe wherein was a poynted diamonde of
wonderfull worth. Which she accepting with
a lowe conge, returnd him a silke Riband for
a fauour tyde with a true loues knot, which
he fastened vnder a faire lewel on his Beuer
felt.

After this Diomedis & Glauci permutatio, my
yong master waxed crancke, and the musike
continuing, was very forward in dauncing, to shew
his cunning: and so desiring them to play on a
hornepipe, laid on the pauement lustely with his
leaden heeles, coruetting, like a steede of Signor
, Roccoes teaching, & wanted nothing but bels, to
\ be a hobbyhorse in a morrice. Yet was he soothed
in his folly, and what euer he did Lamilia counted
excellent: her prayse made him proude, in so much
that if hee had not beene intreated, hee would
rather haue died in his daunce, then left off to shew
his mistris delight. At last reasonably perswaded,
seeing the table furnished, hee was content to
cease, and settle him to his victuals, on which
(hauing before labored) hee fed lustely, especially
of a Woodcocke pye, wherewith Lamilia his caruer,
plentifully plied him. Full dishes hauing furnisht

22 GREENES

empty stomackes, and Lucanio therby got leisure
to talke, falles to discourse of his wealth, his landes,
his bondes, his ability, / and how himselfe with [C3^
all he had, was at madame Lamilias disposing : de-
siring her afore his brother to tell him simply what
she meant. Lamilia replied My sweet Lucanio^
how I esteeme of thee mine eies do witnes, that
like handmaides, haue attended thy beauteous face,
euer since I firste behelde thee: yet seeing loue
that lasteth, gathereth by degrees his liking: let
this for that suffice, if I finde thee firme, Lamilia
wilbe faithfull : if fleeting, shee must of necessity
be infortunate: that hauing neuer seene any
whome before she could affect, she should be of
him iniuriously forsaken. Nay said Lucanio, I dare
say my brother here will giue his woord for that
I accept your own said Lamilia : for with me your
credite is better than your brothers. Roberto brake
off their amorous prattle with this speech. Sith
either of you are of other so fond at the first sight,
I doubt not but time will make your loue more
firme. Yet madame Lamilia although my brother
and you bee thus forward, some crosse chaunce
may conre : for Multa cadunt inter calicem supremaq;
lahe. And for a warning to teach you both wit,
He tell you an old wiues tale.

Before ye goe on with our tale (qd Mistris
Lamilia) let me giue ye a caueat by the wey,
which shall be figured in a fable.

GROJTSWORTH OF WITTE 23

Lamilias Fable.

THE Foxe on a time came to visite the Gray,
partly for kindered cheefly for craft: and
finding the hole emptie of all other company,
sauing only one Badger enquired the cause of his
solitarinesse : hee dis/cribed, the sodaine death of [C4
his dam and sire with the rest of his consortes. The
Fox made a Friday face, counterfeiting sorrow:
but concludinge that deaths stroke was vneuitable
perswaded him to seeke som fit mate wherwith to
match. The badger soone agreed, so forth they
went, and in their way met with a waton ewe
stragling from the fold: the foxe bad the Badger
play the tall stripling, & strout on his tiptoes : for
(qd he) this ewe is lady of al these lawnds and her
brother cheefe bel weather of sundry flockes. To
bee short by the Foxes perswasion there would bee
a perpetuall league, betweene her harmeles kin-
dred, and all other deuouring beastes, for that the
Badger was to them all allied : seduced she yeelded,
and the Fox conducted them to the Badgers habi-
tation. Wher drawing her aside vnder color of
exhortation, puld out her throat to satisfie his
greedy thirst. Here I shoulde note, a yoonge
whelpe that viewed their walke, infourmed the
shepheardes of what hapned. They followed, and
trained the Foxe and Badger to the hole, the Foxe
afore had craftely conuaid himselfe away, the

24 GREENES

shepheards found the Badger rauing for the ewes
murther, his lametation being held for counterfet,
was by the shepherds dogs werried. The Foxe
escaped: the Ewe was spoiled, and euer since
betweene the Badgers and dogs hath continued a
mortall enmitie: And now be aduized, Roberto (qd
she) go forward with your tale, seek not by sly
insinuation to turne our mirth to sorrow. Go to
Lamilia (qd he) you feare what I meane not, but
howe euer yee take it. He forward with my tale./

Robertoes Tale.

IN the North partes there dwelt an olde Squier,
that had a young daughter his heire; who had
(as I knowe Madam Lamilia you haue had) many
youthfull Gentlemen that long time sued to ob-
taine her loue. But she knowing her own perfec-
tions (as women are by nature proud) would not
to any of them vouchsafe fauour: insomuch that
they perceiuing her relentlesse, shewed themselues
not altogether witlesse, but left her to her fortune,
when they found her frowardnes. At last it for-
tuned among other strangers, a Farmers sonne
visited her Fathers house: on whom at the first
sight she was enamoured, he likewise on her.
Tokens of loue past betweene them, either
acquainted others parentes of their choise, and
they kindly gaue their consent. Short tale to make,

GROJTSJVORTH OF IVITTE 25

married they were, and great solempnitie was at
the wedding feast. A yong Gentleman, that had
beene long a suiter to her, vexing that the Sonne
of a Farmer should bee so preferd, cast in his
minde by what meanes (to marre their merriment)
hee might steale away the Bride. Hereupon he
confers with an olde Beldam, called Mother
Gunby, dwelling thereby, whose counsell hauing
taken, he fell to his practise, and proceeded thus.
In the after noone, when dauncers were verie
busie, he takes the Bride by the hande, and after a
turne or two, tels her in her eare, he had a secret
to impart vnto her, appointing her in any wise in
the euening to find a time to confer with him: she
promist she would, and so they parted. Then goes
hee to the Bridegroome, & with / protestations [di
of entire affect, protests that the great sorrowe hee
takes at that which hee must vtter, wheron de-
pended his especiall credit, if it were known the
matter by him should be discouered. After the
Bridegrooms promise of secrecie, the gentleman
tels him, that a frend of his receiued that morning
from the Bride a Letter, wherein shee willed him
with some sixteene horse to await her comming at
a Parke side, for that she detested him in her heart
as a base countrey hynde, with v/home her Father
compeld her to marry. The Bridegroome almost
out of his wits, began to bite his lip. Nay, sayth the
Gentleman, if you will by me bee aduizde, you

26 GREENES

shall salue her credit, win her by kindnes, and yet
preuent her wanton complot. As how said the
Bridegroome? Mary thus saide the Gentleman:
In the euening (for till the guests be gone, she
intends not to gad) get you on horsebacke, and
seeme to bee of the companie that attendes her
comming, I am appoynted to bring her from the
house to the Parke, and from thence fetch a
winding compasse of a mile about, but to turne
vnto olde Mother Gunbyes house, where her Louer
my friend abydes : when she alights, I will conduct
her to a chamber farre from his lodging; but when
the lights are out, and shee expects her adulterous
copesmate, your selfe (as reason is) shall proue her
bedfellow, where priuately you may reprooue her,
and in the morning earely returne home without
trouble. As for the Gentleman my friend, I will
excuse her absence to him, by saying, she mockt
me with her Mayde in steade of her selfe, whome
when I knew at her alighting, I disdained to bring
her vnto his presence. The Bridegroome gaue his
hand eit shoulde be so./ [Di"

Now by the way you must vnderstand, this
Mother Gunby had a daughter, who all that day
sate heauily at home with a willow garland, for
that the Bridegroome (if hee had dealt faithfully)
should haue wedded her before any other. But
men {Lamilid) are vnconstant, money now a dayes
makes the match, or else the match is marde.

GROJTSWORTH OF WITTE 27

But to the matter: the Bridegroome and the
Gentleman thus agreed: he tooke his time, con-
ferd with the Bride, perswaded her that her
husband (notwithstanding his faire shew at the
marriage) had sworne to his olde sweet heart, their
neighbour Gunbyes daughter, to bee that night her
bedfellow : and if she would bring her Father, his
Father, and other friendes to the house at mid-
night, they should find it so.

At this the young Gentlewoman inwardly vext
to bee by a peasant so abusde, promist if she saw
likelyhood of his slipping away, that then she
would doo according as he directed.

All this thus sorting, the old womans daughter
was trickly attyrde ready to furnish this pageant,
for her old mother prouided all things necessary.

Well, Supper past, dauncing ended, and the
guests would home, and the Bridegroome pretend-
ing to bring some friend of his home, got his horse,
and to the Parke side he rode, and staide with the
horsemen that attended the Gentleman.

Anon came Marian like mistris Bride, and
mounted behind the Gentleman, away they post,
fetch their compasse, & at last alight at the olde
wiues house, where sodenly she is conuayd to her
chamber, & the bridegroome sent to keep her
company, wher he had scarse deuisd how / to [D2
begin his exhortation : but the Father of his Bryde
knockt at the chamber doore. At which being

28 GREENES

somewhat amazed, yet thinking to turne It to a
least, sith his Wife (as hee thought) was In bed
with him, hee opened the doore, saying: Father,
you are hartily welcome, I wonder how you found
vs out heere; this deulse to remooue our selues,
was with my wlues consent, that wee might rest
quietly without the Maides and Batchelers dis-
turbing. But wheres your Wife said the Gentle-
man ? why heere in bed saide hee. I thought (quoth
the other) my daughter had beene your wife, for
sure I am to day shee was gluen you in marriage.
You are merrely disposed, said the Bridegroome,
what thinke you I haue another wife ? I thinke but
as you speake quoth the Gentleman, for my
daughter is below, and you say your wife is in the
bed. Below (said he) you are a merry man, and
with that casting on a night gowne, hee went
downe, where when he saw his wife, the Gentle-
man his Father, and a number of his friends
assembled, hee was so confounded, that how to
behaue himselfe he knew not; onely he cryde out
that he was decerned. At this the old woman arises,
and making her selfe Ignoraunt of all the whole
matter. Inquires the cause of that sodayne tumult.
When she was told the new Bridegroome was
founde in bed with her daughter, she exclaimd
against so great an inlurie. Marian was calde In
quorum: shee iustlfied, It was by his allurement:
he being condemnd by all their consents, was

GROAT SWORTH OF WITTE 29

adiudged vnworthy to haue the Gentlewoman vnto
his Wife, and compeld (for escaping of punish-
ment) to marrie Marian: and the young Gentle-
man (for his care in discouering the Farmers
sonnes lewdnes) was recompenst with the Gentle-
womans euer during loue./ [02"

Quoth Lamilia, and what of this ? Nay nothing
said Roberto^ but that I haue told you the effects of
sodaine loue: yet the best is, my brother is a
maidenly Batchler ; and for your selfe, you haue not
beene troubled with many suiters. The fewer the
better, said Lucanio. But brother, I con you little
thanke for this tale, heereafter I pray you vse other
table talke. Lets then end talk, quoth Lamilia^ and
you (signior Lucanio) and I will go to the Chesse.
^To Chesse, said he, what meane you by that? It
is a game, said she, that the first daunger is but a
checke, the worst, the giuing of a mate. Well, said
Roberto^ that game yee haue beene at already then,
for you checkt him first with your beauty, & gaue
your selfe for mate to him by your bounty. Thats
wel taken brother, said Lucanio^ so haue we past
our game at Chesse. Wil ye play at Tables then,
said she? I cannot, quoth hee, for I can goe no
further with my game, if I be once taken. Will ye
play then at cards, I said he, so it bee at one and
thirtie. That fooles game, said she? Wele all to
hazard, said Roberto^ and brother you shall make
one for an houre or two: content quoth he. So to

30 GREENES

dice they went, and fortune so fauored Lucanio^
that while they continued square pky, hee was no
looser. Anone coosenage came about, and his
Angels being double winged, flew clean from
before him. Lamilia being the winner, preparde a
banquet; which finished, Roberto aduisde his
brother to departe home, and to furnish himselfe
with more Crownes, least hee were outcrackt with
new commers.

Lucanio loath to be outcountenanst, followed
his aduise, desiring to attend his returne, which
hee before had determined vnrequested: For as
soone as his brothers backe was turned, Roberto
begins to recken with La I milia, to bee a sharer [D3
as well in the money deceitfully wonne, as in the
Diamond so wilfully giuen. But she, secundum
mores meretricis, iested thus with the scholler. Why
Roberto, are you so well read, and yet shewe your
selfe so shallow witted, to deeme women so weake
of conceit, that they see not into mens demerites.
Suppose (to make you my stale to catch the w^ood-
cocke your brother) that my tongue ouer-running
myne intent, I spake of liberall rewarde : but what
I promist, theres the point; at least what I part
with I will be well aduisde. It may be you will
thus reason : Had not Roberto traind Lucanio vnto
Lamilias lure, Lucanio had not now beene Lamilias
pray: therefore sith hy Roberto she possesseth the
prize, Roberto merites an equal part. Monstrous

GROJTSIVORTH OF WITTE 31

absurd if so you reason ; as wel you may reason
thus: Lamilias dog hath kild her a Deere, there-
fore his Mistris must make him a pastie. No poore
pennilesse Poet, thou art beguilde in mee, and yet
I wonder how thou couldst, thou hast beene so
often beguilde. But it fareth with licentious men,
as with the chased Bore in the stream, who being
greatly refresht with swimming, neuer feeleth anie
smart vntill hee perish recurelesly wounded with
his owne weapons. Reasonlesse Roberto^ that
hauing but a brokers place, askest a lenders
reward. Faithles Roberto^ that hast attempted to
betray thy brother, irreligiously forsaken thy Wife,
deseruedly been in thy fathers eie an abiect:
thinkst thou Lamilia so loose, to consort with one
so lewd. No hypocrite, the sweet Gentleman thy
brother, I will till death loue, & thee while I Hue,
loath. This share Lamilia giues thee, other getst
thou none.

As Roberto would haue replide, Lucanio ap-
procht : / to whom Lamilia discourst the whole [D3"
deceipt of his brother, & neuer rested intimating
malitious arguments, til Lucanio vtterly refusde
Roberto for his brother, & for euer forbad him
his house. And when he would haue yeelded
reasons, and formed excuse, Lucanios impatience
(vrgd by her importunate malice) forbad all
reasoning with them that was reasonlesse, and so
giuing him lacke Drums intertainment, shut him

32 GREENES

out of doores: whom we will follow, & leaue
Lucanio to the mercie of Lamilia.^ Roberto in an
extreme extasie, rent his haire, curst his destenie,
blamd his trechery, but most of all exclaimd
against Lamilia: and in her against all enticing
Curtizans, in these tearms.

What meant the Poets in inuectiue verse,
To sing Medeas shame, and Scillas pride,
Calipsoes charmes, by which so many dyde?
Onely for this their vices they rehearse.
That curious wits which in this world conuerse.
May shun the dangers and enticing shoes.
Of such false Syrens, those home-breeding foes.
That from the eyes their venim do disperse.
So soone kils not the Basiliske with sight.
The Vipers tooth is not so venemous.
The Adders tung not halfe so dangerous.
As they that beare the shadow of delight.
Who chaine blind youths in tramels of their haire.
Till wast bring woe, and sorrow hast despaire.

With this he laid his head on his hand, and
leant his elbow on the earth, sighing out sadly,
Heu patior telis vulnera facta meisl
On the other side of the hedge sate one that
heard his sorrow : who getting ouer, came towards
him, and / brake off his passion. When he [D4
approached, hee saluted Roberto in this sort.

Gentleman quoth hee (for so you seeme) I haue
by chaunce heard you discourse some part of your

GROJTSU^ORTH OF PFITTE 33

greefe; which appeareth to be more than you will
discouer, or I can conceipt. But if you vouchsafe
such simple comforte as my abilitie may yeeld,
assure your selfe, that I wil indeuour to doe the
best, that either may procure you profite, or bring
you pleasure: the rather, for that I suppose you
are a scholler, and pittie it is men of learning
should Hue in lacke.

Roberto wondring to heare such good wordes, for
that this iron age affoordes few that esteeme of
vertue; returnd him thankfull gratulations, and
(vrgde by necessitie) vttered his present griefe,
beseeching his aduise how he might be imployed.
Why, easily quoth hee, and greatly to your
benefite: for men of my profession gette by
schollers their whole liuing. What is your pro-
fession, said Roberto ? Truly sir, saide hee, I am a
player. A player, quoth Roberto^ I tooke you rather
for a Gentleman of great liuing, for if by outward
habit men should be censured, I tell you, you
would bee taken for a substantiall man. So am I
where I dwell (quoth the player) reputed able at
my proper cost to build a Windmill. What
though the world once went hard with me, when
I was faine to carry my playing Fardle a foote-
backe; Tempora mutantur^ I know you know the
meaning of it better than I, but I thus conster it,
its otherwise now; for my very share in playing
apparell will not be sold for two hundred pounds.

34 GREENES

Truly (said Roberto) tis straunge, that you should
so prosper in that vayne practise, for that it seemes
to mee your voice is nothing / gratious. Nay [04"
then, saide the Player, I mislike your iudgement:
why, I am as famous for Delphrigus, & the King
of Fairies, as euer was any of my time. The twelue
I labors of Hercules haue I terribly thundred on the
Stage, and plaid three Scenes of the Deuill in the
High way to heauen. Haue ye so (saide Roberto})
then I pray you pardon me. Nay more (quoth the
Player) I can serue to make a pretie speech, for I
was a countrey Author, passing at a Morrall, for
twas I that pende the Morrall of mans witte, the
Dialogue of Diues, and for seuen yeers space was
absolute Interpreter to the puppets. But now my
Almanacke is out of date :

The people make no estimation,
Of Morrals teaching education.

Was not this prettie for a plaine rime extem-
pore? if ye will ye shall haue more. Nay its
enough, said Roberto, but how meane you to vse
mee ? Why sir, in making Playes, said the other,
for which you shall be well paid, if you will take
the paines.

Roberto perceiuing no remedie, thought best in
respect of his present necessitie, to try his wit, &
went with him willingly: who lodgd him at the
Townes end in a house of retayle, where what
happened our Poet, you shall after heare. There

GROJTSWORTH OF fVITTE 35

by conuersing with bad company, he grew A malo
in peiuSj falling from one vice to another: and so
hauing founde a vaine to finger crowns, he grew
cranker than Lucanio^ who by this time began to
droope, beeing thus dealt with by Lamilia. Shee
hauing bewitched him with hir enticing wiles,
caused him to consume in lesse than two yeeres
that infinite treasure gathered by his father with so
many a poore mas curse. His lands sold, his iewels
pawnd, his money wasted, he/ was casseerd [ei
by Lamilia^ that had coossend him of all. Then
walkt he like one of Duke Humfreys Squires, in a
thread-bare cloake, his hose drawne out with his
heeles, his shooes vnseamed, least his feete should
sweate with heat: now (as witlesse as hee was) he
remembred his Fathers words, his vnkindnes to
his brother, his carelesnes of himselfe. In this
sorrow he sate down on pennilesse bench; where
when Opus and Vsus told him by the chymes in his
stomacke it was time to fall vnto meat, he was
faine with the Camelion to feed vpon the aire, and
make patience his best repast.

While he was at this feast, Lamilia came flaunt-
ing by, garnished with the iewels wherof she
beguiled him, which sight serued to close his
stomacke after his cold cheare. Roberto hearing
of his brothers beggery, albeit he had little re-
morse of his miserable state, yet did seeke him
out, to vse him as a propertie, whereby Lucanio

36 GREENES

was somewhat prouided for. But beeing of simple
nature, hee serued but for a blocke to whet
Robertoes wit on : which the poore foole perceiuing,
he forsooke all other hopes of life, and fell to be a
notorious Pandar, in which detested course he
continued till death. But Roberto now famozed for
an Arch-plaimaking-poet, his purse like the sea
somtime sweld, anon like the same sea fell to a low
ebbe; yet seldom he wanted, his labors were so
well esteemed. Marry this rule he kept, what euer
he fingerd afore hand, was the certaine meanes to
vnbinde a bargaine, and being askt why hee so
slightly dealt with them that did him good? It
becoms me, saith hee, to bee contrary to the worlde;
for com.monly when vulgar men receiue earnest,
they doo performe, when I am paid any thing
afore-hand, I breake my promise. / He had [Ei^
shift of lodgings, where in euery place his Host-
esse writ vp the wofull remembrance of him, his
laundresse, and his boy; for they were euer his in
houshold, beside retainers in sundry other places.
His companie were lightly the lewdest persons in
the land, apt for pilferie, periurie, forgerie, or any
villainy. Of these hee knew the casts to cog at
cards, coossen at Dice; by these he learnd the
legerdemaines of nips, foystes, connycatchers,
crosbyters, lifts, high Lawyers, and all the rabble
of that vncleane generation of vipers: and pithily
could he paint out their whole courses of craft:

GROJTSTVORTH OF IVITTE 37

So cunning he was In all craftes, as nothing rested
ifi him almost but craftines. How often the
Gentlewoman his Wife labored vainely to recall
him, is lamentable to note: but as one giuen ouer
to all lewdnes, he communicated her sorrowfull
lines among his loose truls, that iested at her
bootlesse laments. If he could any way get credite
on scores, he would then brag his creditors carried
stones, comparing euery round circle to a groning
O procured by a painfull burden. The shamefuU
ende of sundry his consorts deseruedly punished
for their amisse, wrought no compunction in his
heart: of which one, brother to a Brothell hee
kept, was trust vnder a tree as round as a Ball.

To some of his swearing companions thus it
happened : A crue of them sitting in a Tauerne
carowsing, it fortuned an honest Gentleman and
his friend, to enter their roome: some of them
beeing acquainted with him, in their domineering
drunken vaine would haue no nay but downe hee
must needes sitte with them; beeing placed, no
remedie there was, but he must needes keepe euen
compasse with their vnseemely carrowsing. / [E2
Which he refusing, they fell from high words to
sound strokes, so that with much adoo the Gentle-
man saued his owne, and shifted from their
company. Being gone one of these tiplers forsooth
lackt a gold Ring, the other sware they see the
Gentleman take it from his hande. Vpon this the

38 GREENES

Gentleman was indited before a ludge, these
honest men are deposde : whose wisedome weigh-
ing the time of the braule, gaue light to the lury,
what power wine-washing poyson had, they
according vnto conscience found the Gentleman
not guiltie, and God released by that verdit the
innocent.

With his accusers thus it fared : One of them for
murder was worthily executed: the other neuer
since prospered: the third, sitting not long after
vpon a lustie horse, the beast sodenly dyde vnder
him, God amend the man.

Roberto euery day acquainted with these exam-
ples, was notwithstanding nothing bettered, but
rather hardened in wickednesse. At last was that
place iustified, God warneth men by dreams anc^'
visions in the night, and by knowne examples iri
the day, but if hee returne not, hee comes vppon
him with iudgement that shall bee felt. For now
when the number of deceites caused Roberto bee
hatefull almost to all men, his immeasurable
drinking had made him the perfect Image of the
dropsie, and the loathsome scourge of Lust
tyrannized in his bones : lying in extreame pouerty,
and hauing nothing to pay but chalke, which now
his Host accepted not for currant, this miserable
man lay comfortlesly languishing, hauing but one
groat left (the iust proportion of his Fathers
Legacie) which looking on, he cryed: O now it is

GROJTSrVORTH OF TVITTE 39

too late, too late to buy witte with thee : and there-
fore / will I see if I can sell to carelesse youth [£2"
what I negligently forgot to buy.

Heere (Gentlemen) breake I off Robertoes
speach; whose life in most parts agreeing with
mine, found one selfe punishment as I haue doone.
Heereafter suppose me the saide Roberto^ and I will
goe on with that hee promised: Greene will send
you now his groats-worth of wit, that neuer shewed
a mites-worth in his life: & though no man now
bee by to doo mee good : yet ere I die I will by my
repentaunce indeuour to doo all men good.

Deceiuifig worlds that with alluring toyes^
Hast made my life the subiect of thy scorne :
And scornest now to lend thy fading ioyes.
To length my life^ whom- friends haue left forlorne.
How well are they that die ere they be borne,
Ane neuer see thy sleights, which few men shun.
Till vnawares they helpelesse are vndone.

Oft haue I sung of Loue, and of his fire,

But now I finde that Poet was aduizde ;

Which made full feasts increasers of desire,

And proues weake loue was with the poore despizde.

For when the life with food is not suffizde.

What thought of Loue ; what motion of delight ;

What pleasance can proceed from such a wight?

40 GREENES

Witnesse my zvant^ the murderer of my %vit ;
My rauisht sence of wonted furie reft ;
Wants such conceit, as should in Poems fit
Set downe the sorrow wherein I am left : j [E3
But therefore haue high heauens their gifts bereft :
Because so long they lent them mee to vse.
And I so long their bountie did abuse.

0 that a yeare were grau7ited me to Hue,
And for that yeare my former wits restorde :
What rules of life, what counsell would I giue?
How should my sinne zvith sorrow be deplorde?
But I must die of euery man abhorde.

Time loosely spent will not againe be wonne.
My time is loosely spent, and I vndone.

O horrenda fames, how terrible are thy assaults?
but vermis conscienticS, more wouding are thy
stings. Ah Gentlemen, that Hue to read my
broken and confused lines, looke not I should (as

1 was wont) delight you with vaine fantasies, but
gather my follies altogether; and as yee would
deale with so many parricides, cast them into the
fire: call them Telegones, for now they kil their
Father, and euery lewd line in them written, is a
deepe piercing wound to my heart; euery idle
houre spent by any in reading them, brings a
million of sorrowes to my soule. O that the teares
of a miserable man (for neuer any man was yet

GROJTSWORTH OF PFITTE 41

more miserable) might wash their memorie out
with my death; and that those works with mee
together might bee interd. But sith they cannot,
let this my last worke witnes against them with
mee, how I detest them. Blacke is the remem-
brance of my blacke workes, blacker than night,
blacker than death, blacker than hell.

Learne wit by my repentance (Gentlemen) and
let these few rules following be regarded in your
Hues. / [es^-

1 First in al your actions set God before your
eies; for the feare of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdome : Let his word be a lanterne to your feet,
and a light vnto your paths, then shall you stand
as firme rocks, and not be mocked.

2 Beware of looking backe, for God will not
bee mocked; and of him that hath receiued much,
much shal be demaunded.

3 If thou be single, and canst abstain, turne thy
eies from vanitie; for there is a kinde of women
bearing the faces of Angels, but the hearts of
Deuils, able to intrap the elect if it were possible.

4 If thou bee married, forsake not the wife of
thy youth to follow straunge flesh; for whore-
mongers and adulterers the Lord will iudge. The
doore of a harlot leadeth downe to death, and in
her lips there dwels destruction ; her face is decked
with odors, but she bringeth a man to a morsell of
bread and nakednes : of which my selfe am instance.

D

42 GREENES

5 If thou be left rich, remember those that
want, & so deale, that by thy wilfulnes thy selfe
want not: Let not Tauerners and Victuallers be
thy Executors; for they will bring thee to a dis-
honorable graue.

6 Oppresse no man ; for the crie of the wronged
ascendeth to the eares of the Lord: neyther delight
to increase by Vsurie, least thou loose thy habita-
tion in the euerlasting Tabernacle.

7 Beware of building thy house to thy neigh-
bors hurt; for the stones will crie to the timber;
Wee were laid together in bloud: and those that
so erect houses, calling them by their names, shall
lie in the graue lyke Sheepe, and death shall gnaw
vpon their soules. / [E4

8 If thou be poore, be also patient, and striue
not to grow rich by indirect meanes; for goods so
gotten shal vanish like smoke.

9 If thou bee a Father, Maister, or Teacher,
ioyne good example with good counsaile; else
little auaile precepts, where life is different.

10 If thou be a Sonne or Seruant, despise not
reproofe; for though correction bee bitter at the
first, it bringeth pleasure in the end.

Had I regarded the first of these rules, or beene
obedient to the last ; I had not now at my last ende,
beene left thus desolate. But now, though to my
selfe I giue Consilium post facta\ yet to others they
may serue for timely precepts. And therefore

GROATSWORTH OF WITTE 43

(while life giues leaue) I will send warning to my
olde consorts, which haue liued as loosely as my
selfe, albeit weaknesse will scarse suffer me to
write, yet to my fellow Schollers about this Cittie,
will I direct these few insuing lines.

To those Gentlemen his Quondam acquaintance^
that spend their wits in making plaies^ R. G.
wisheth a better exercise^ and wisdome
to preuent his extremities.

IF wofull experience may moue you (Gentlemen)
to beware, or vnheard of wretchednes intreate
you to take heed: I doubt not but you wil looke
backe with sorrow on your time past, and in-
deuour with repentance to spend that which is to
come. Wonder not, (for with thee wil I first
begin) thou famous gracer of Tragedians, that
Greene^ who hath said with thee (like the foole in
his heart) There is no God, shoulde now giue / [£4"
glorie vnto his greatnes: for penetrating is his
power, his hand lyes heauie vpon me, hee hath
spoken vnto mee with a voice of thunder, and I
haue felt he is a God that can punish enemies. Why
should thy excellent wit, his gift, bee so blinded,
that thou shouldst giue no glorie to the giuer? Is
it pestilent Machiuilian pollicy that thou hast
studied? O peeuish folliel What are his rules but

44 GREENES

meere confused mockeries, able to extirpate in
small time the generation of mankind. For if Sic
vo/oy sic iubeoy hold in those that are able to com-
maund : and if it be lawfull Fas & nefas to do any-
thing that is beneficiall; onely Tyrants should
possesse the earth, and they striuing to exceed in
tyrannie, should each to other be a slaughter man ;
till the mightiest outliuing all, one stroke were
lefte for Death, that in one age mans life should
end. The brocher of this Diabolicall Atheisme is
dead, and in his life had neuer the felicitie hee
aymed at: but as he began in craft; liued in feare,
and ended in despaire. Quam inscrutahilia sunt Dei
indicia? This murderer of many brethren, had his
conscience seared like Caine: this betrayer of him
that gaue his life for him, inherited the portion of
ludas: this Apostata perished as ill as lulian: and
wilt thou my friend be his disciple ? Looke but to
me, by him perswaded to that libertie, and thou
shalt find it an infernall bondage. I knowe the
least of my demerits merit this miserable death,
but wilfull striuing against knowne truth, ex-
ceedeth all the terrors of my soule. Defer not (with
me) till this last point of extremitie; for little
knowst thou how in the end thou shalt be visited.
With thee I ioyne yong luuenall, that byting
Satyrist, that lastly with mee together writ a
Comedie. / Sweet boy, might I aduise thee, be [Fi
aduisde, and get not many enemies by bitter

GROJTS WORTH OF JVITTE 45

'■
wordes : inueigh against vaine men, for thou canst

do it, no man better, no man so well : thou hast a

libertie to reprooue all, and name none; for one;

being spoken to, all are offended; none being,

blamed no man is iniured. Stop shallow water still

running, it will rage, or tread on a worme and it'

will turne: then blame not Schollers vexed with

sharpe lines, if they reproue thy too much liberty

of reproofe.

And thou no lesse deseruing than the other two,

in some things rarer, in nothing inferiour; driuen

(as my selfe) to extreme shifts, a litle haue I to say

to thee : and were it not an idolatrous oth, I would

sweare by sweet S. George, thou art vnworthy

better hap, sith thou dependest on so meane a stay.

Base minded men all three of you, if by my miserie

you be not warnd: for vnto none of you (like mee)

sought those burres to cleaue: those Puppets (I

meane) that spake from our mouths, those Anticks

garnisht in our colours. Is it not strange, that I, to

whom they all haue beene beholding: is it not like

that you, to whome they all haue beene beholding,

shall (were yee in that case as I am now) bee both

at once of them forsaken ? Yes trust them not : for

there is an vpstart Crow, beautified with our

feathers, that with his Tygers hart wrapt in a

Players hyde^ supposes he is as well able to bombast

out a blanke verse as the best of you: and beeing an

absolute lohannes fac totum^ is in his owne conceit

46 GREENES

the onely Shake-scene in a countrey. O that I
might intreat your rare wits to be imploied in more
profitable courses: & let those Apes imitate your
past excellence, and neuer more acquaint them
with your admired inuentions. I knowe the best
husband of/ you all will neuer proue an Vsurer, [Fi"
and the kindest of them all will neuer proue a kind
nurse: yet whilest you may, seeke you better
Maisters; for it is pittie men of such rare wits,
should be subiect to the pleasure of such rude
groomes.

In this I might insert two more, that both haue
writ against these buckram Gentlemen: but lette
their owne workes serue to witnesse against their
owne wickednesse, if they perseuere to maintaine
any more such peasants. For other new-commers,
I leaue them to the mercie of these painted mon-
sters, who (I doubt not) will driue the best
minded to despise them: for the rest, it skils not
though they make a ieast at them.

But now returne I againe to you three, knowing
my miserie is to you no newes: and let mee hartily
intreat you to be warned by my harms. Delight
not (as I haue done) in irreligious oathes; for from
the blasphemers house, a curse shall not depart.
Despise drunkennes, which wasteth the w^it, and
maketh men all equall vnto beasts. Flie lust, as the
deathsman of the soule, and defile not the Temple
of the holy Ghost. Abhorre those Epicures, whose

GROJTS WORTH OF WITTE 47

loose life hath made religion lothsome to your
eares: and when they sooth you with tearms of
Maistership, remember Robert Greene, whome they
haue often so flattered, perishes now for want of
comfort. Remember Gentlemen, your Hues are
like so many lighted Tapers, that are with care
deliuered to all of you to maintaine: these with
wind-puft wrath may be extinguisht, which
drunkennes put out, which negligence let fall:
for mans time is not of it selfe so short, but it is
more shortned by sinne. The fire of my light is now
at the last snufFe, and for want of wherewith to
su/ staine it, there is no substance lefte for life to [F2
feede on. Trust not then (I beseech ye) to such
weake staies: for they are as changeable in minde,
as in many attyres. Wei, my hand is tyrde, and I
am forst to leaue where I would begin : for a whole
booke cannot containe their wrongs, which I am
forst to knit vp in some fewe lines of words.

Desirous that you should Hue,

though himselje be dying :

Robert Greene.

Now to all men I bid farewel in like sort, with
this conceited Fable of that olde Comedian Aesope,

AN Ant and a Grashopper walking together

J~\ on a Greene, the one carelesly skipping, the

other carefully prying what winters prouision was

48 GREENES

scattered in the way: the Grashopper scorning
(as wantons will) this needlesse thrift (as hee
tearmed it) reprooued him thus :

The greedy miser thirsteth still j or gaine^
His thrift is theft, his weale works others woe :
That foole is fond which will in caues remaine.
When mongst faire sweets he may at -pleasure goe.

To this the Ant perceiuing the Grashoppers
meaning, quickly replyde :

The thriftie husband spares what vnthrift spends,
His thrift no theft, for dangers to prouide :
Trust to thy selfe, small hope in want yeeld friends,
A caue is better than the deserts wide, j [f?"

In short time these two parted, the one to his
pleasure, the other to his labour. Anon Haruest
grew on, and reft from the Grashopper his
woonted moysture. Then weakly skipt hee to the
medowes brinks: where till fell winter he abode.
But storms continually powring, hee went for
succour to the Ant his olde acquaintance, to
whom hee had scarce discouered his estate, but
the waspish little worme made this reply.

Packe hence {quoth he) thou idle lazie worme.
My house doth harbor no vnthriftie mates :

GROATSWORTH OF WITTE 49

Thou scorndst to toile^ & now thou feelst the storme.
And starust for food while I am fed with cates,
Vse no intreats^ I will relentlesse rest^
For toyling labour hates an idle guest.

The Grashopper foodlesse, helplesse and
strengthles, got into the next brooke, and in the
yeelding sand digde for himselfe a pit: by which
hee likewise ingrau'de this Epitaph.

When Springs greene -prime arrayd me with delight^
And euery power with youthfull vigor fild^
Gaue strength to worke what euer fancie wild :
I neuer feard the force of winters spight.

When first I saw the sunne the day begin^

And dry the Mornings tears from hearbs and grasse ;

I little thought his chearefull light would passe^

Till vgly night with darknes enterd in.

And then day lost I mournd^ spring past I wayld^
But neither te ares for this or that auailde. / [F3

Then too too late I praisd the Emmets paine^
That sought in spring a harbor gainst the heate :
And in the haruest gathered winters meat^
Preuenting famine^ frosts, and stormy raine.

My wretched end may warn Greene springing youth
To vse delights, as toyes that will deceiue,

50 GREENES

And scorne the world before the world them leaiie :
For all worlds trusty is mine without ruth.

Then blest are they that like the toyling Ant^
Prouide in time gainst winters wojull want.

With this the Grashopper yeelding to the
"wethers extremit, died comfortles without remedy.
Like him my selfe: like me, shall all that trust to
friends or times inconstancie. Now faint I of my
last infirmity, beseeching them that shall burie my
bodie, to publish this last farewell written with
my wretched hand.

Fcslicem Juisse infaustum.

A letter written to his wife^ founde with this
booke after his death.

The remembrance of the many wrongs offred
thee, and thy vnreproued vertues, adde greater sor-
row to my miserable state, than I can vtter or thou
conceiue. Neither is it lessened by consideration
of thy absence, (though shame would hardly let me
behold thy face) but exceedingly aggrauated, for
that I cannot (as I ought) to thy owne selfe
reconcile my selfe, that thou mightst witnes my
inward woe at this instant, that haue made/ thee [F3"
a wofull wife for so long a time. But equall heauen
hath denide that comfort, giuing at my last neede
like succour as I haue sought all my life: being
in this extremitie as voide of helpe, as thou hast

GROJTSPFORTH OF WITTE 51

beene of hope. Reason would, that after so long
wast, I should not send thee a child to bring thee
greater charge ; but consider he is the fruit of thy
wombe, in whose face regarde not the Fathers
faults so much, as thy owne perfections. He is yet
Greene, and may grow straight, if he be carefully
tended: otherwise, apt enough (I feare mee) to
follow his Fathers folly. That I haue offended
thee highly I knowe, that thou canst forget my
iniuries I hardly beleeue : yet perswade I my selfe,
if thou saw my wretched estate, thou couldst not
but lament it : nay certainly I know thou wouldst.
All my wrongs muster themselues before mee,
euery euill at once plagues mee. For my contempt
of God, I am contemned of men : for my swearing
and forswearing, no man will beleeue me : for my
gluttony, I suffer hunger: for my drunkennes,
thirst: for my adultery, vlcerous sores. Thus God
hath cast me downe, that I might be humbled: and
punished me for example of other sinners: and
although he strangely suffers me in this world to
perish without succor, yet trust I in the world to
come to find mercie, by the merites of my Sauiour
to whom I commend thee, and commit my soule.

Thy repentant husband for his dis-
loyalties Robert Greene.

Fcelicem juisse injaustum.

FINIS.

ERRATA

The following emendations only have been made in
the text of the original : —

age

Line

In the Original reads

5

5

'pen : '

'pen?'

5

8

' worth : '

'worth?'

5

1 1

'selfe:'

'selfe?'

6

5

' neiier '

^nener''

9

17

'gold:'

'gold?'

9

19

'creature : '

'creature? '

10

8

'with)'

'wirhC

12

16

' wrong '

' worng '

12

25

'father),'

'father,'

27

2

'agreed : he'

'agreedh: e'

31

8

'anie'

'auie'

35

5

' Lamilia '

' Laminia '

_?I^^leAl

The T{epe7itance

of
ROBERT GREENE

^te

THE ORIGINAL ofthis text is
in the Bodleian Library (Malone
575*). The few misprints which
have been corrected in the text are
noted on page 35.

G. B, H,

The Repentance

of Robert Greene Maifter
ofArtcs.

Wherein by himfclfc is liid open lits loofc life,
wirfi the manner of his death. ^

■I

■ AT LONDON,
Plilted for Cutbtrt Burbie, and arc to be foWa«
the middle fliop in the Poultry ,vnder
SaiotMiIdrcds Chttrch.,

/^'4^ ^7^^

The Printer to the Gentlemen
Readers.

GENTLEMEN, I know you ar not vnac-
quainted with the death of Robert Greene,
whose pen in his life time pleased you as well
on the Stage, as in the Stationers shops: And to
speake truth, although his loose life was odious
to God and offensiue to men, yet forasmuch as at
his last end he found it most grieuous to himselfe
(as appeareth by this his repentant discourse) I
doubt not but he shall for the same deserue fauour
both of God and men. And considering Gentle-
men that Venus hath her charmes to inchaunt ; that
Fancie is a Sorceresse bewitching the Senses, and
follie the onely enemie to all vertuous actions. And
forasmuch as the purest glasse is the most brickie,
I the finest Lawne the soonest staind, the highest
•lOake most subiect to the wind, and the quickest
\wit the more easily woone to folly : I doubt not but
you will with regarde forget his follies, and like to
the Bee gather hony out of the good counsels of
him, who was wise, learned and polliticke, had not
his lasciuious life withdrawen him from those
studies which had been far more pro/fitable to [az
him.

4 THE REPENTJNCE

For herein appeareth that he was a man gluen
ouer to the lust of his owne heart, forsaking all
godlines & one that daily delighted in all manner
of wickednes. Since other therefore haue forerun
him in the like faults, and haue been forgiuen both
of God and men I trust hee shall bee the better
accepted, that by the working of Gods holy spirit,
returnes with such a resolued Repentance, being a
thing acceptable both to God and men.

To conclude, forasmuch as I found this dis-
course very passionate, and of woonderfull effect to
withdraw the wicked from their vngodly waies,
I thoght good to publish the same: and the rather,
for that by his repentance they may as in a glasse
see their owne follie, and thereby in time resolue,
that it is better to die repentant, than to Hue dis^
honest.

Yours C. B. / [Aa"

Wh

To all the wanton youths of

England : Robert Greene wisheth refor-
mation of wilf nines.

HEN I consider {kinde Cuntrimen) that youth
is like to the spring time of mans age readie in the
bloome to he nipped with euerie misfortune^ and that
^a yong man is like to a tender plants apt to he
wrested hy nurture either to good or euilX as his
friendes like good Gardeners shall with care indeuour
his education^ seeing in the prime of our yeares vice is
most ready to creepe in, and that want of experience
committeth sundrie wanton desires, I thoght good to lay
before you a president of such preiudiciall inconuen-
iences, which at the first seeming sweete vnto youth, at
the last growe into fruits of bitter repentance : For a
yong man led on by selfe will (hauing the raines of
libertie in his owne hand) foreseeth not the ruth of
follie, but aimeth at present pleasures, for he giues
himself e vp to delight, and thinketh euerie thing good,
honest, lawfull and vertuous, that fitteth for the
content of his lasciuious humour : hee foreseeth not that
such as clime hastely, fall sodainely : that Bees haue
stings as well as honie : that vices haue ill endes as
well as sweete beginnings : and whereof growes this
heedles life, hut of j selfe conceit, thinking the good [A3
counsell of age is dotage: that the aduice of friends
proceeds of enuie, and not of hue : that when their

6 THE REPENTJNCE OF

fathers correct them for their faults^ they hate them :
whereas when the hlacke Oxe hath trod on their feete,
and the Crowes joote is scene in their eies^ then toucht
with the feeling of their owne follie^ they sigh out had
I wist, when repentance commeth too late. Or like as
waxe is ready to receiue euerie newe fourme, that is
stamped into it, so is youth apt to admit of euery vice
that is obiected vnto it, and in young yeares wanton
desires is cheefely predominate especiallie the two
Ringleaders of all other mischief es, namely pride and
whoredome, these are the Syrens that with their in-
chanting melodies, drawe them on to vtter confusion,
for after a young man hath suckt in that sinne of pride,
hee groweth into contempt, and as he increaseth prowde
in his attyre, so he is scornfull in his lookes, and dis-
daines the wholsome admonition of his honest freends,
whose aduice he supposeth to he doone oj malice, and
therefore esteemeth his owne waies best, and had
rather hazard his life, than to loose an intch of his
credit. Pride is like tofier, that will die and goe out if
it bee not maintained withfewell, and yet lay on neuer
so bigge logges, it consumes them all to ashes, so pride
craues maintenance, or els it will fade : and had a
young man neuer so great reuenues, pride at last will
reduce it to beggeryou,for it is such a sinne, as once got
into the boane it will step into the flesh, he that once
ietteth in his brauerie : if he haue no meanes to main-
taine it, it will leaue no bad course of life vnattempted,
but hee will haue corners to vphold his follie. Heereof
growes coossenages, thefts, murthers, and a thousand

ROBERT GREENE 7

other pettie mischief es^ and causes many -pro j per [as"
persons to bee trust vp at the gallowes^ purchasing
thereby infamy to themselues^ and hart breaking
sorrow to their friends and parents for euer.

Companion to this vice, is lust and lecherie, which
is the viper, whose venome is incurable, and the onely
sinne that in this life leadeth vnto shame, and after
death vnto hell fire: for he that giueth himself e ouer to
harlots, selleth his soule to destruction, and maketh his
bodie subiect to all incurable diseases. These two vices
do not onlie waste a mans substance, but also con-
sumeth his bodie and soule, and maketh him attempt to
do any mischiefe for his maintenance therein. If
happely the young man hath any grace, and is loth to
take any vnlawfull wayes, the ordinary course of his
copesmates, is straight to call him coward, and cast him
out of their fauour, or els by svveete persvvasions and
flattering vvordes, make him forsake God and all good
meanes of life vvhatsoeuer : this is the manner, life,
and course of such as will not listen to the graue
aduice of their parents, but seeke therby to bring their
graie haires with greefe vnto theyr graues.

This ensuing discourse, gentle Reader, dooth lay
open the graceles endeuours of my selfe, who although
I were for a long time giuen ouer to the lust of my own
hart, yet in the end, Gods grace did so fauourablie
worke in me, that I trust heerein thou shalt perceiue
my true and vnfained repentance. Accept it in good
part, and if it may profit anie I haue my desire.

Farewell, R. G. / [A4

The Repentance

of Robert Greene, Maister

of Arts.

^ A S there is no Steele so stiffe, but the stamp
,/\.wilI pierce; no flint so harde, but the drops
of raine will hollowe: so there is no heart so
voide of grace, or giuen ouer to wilfull follie,
but the mercifull fauour of God can mollifie. An
instance of the like chaunced to my selfe, being a
man wholy addicted to all gracelesse indeuors,
\ giuen from my youth to wantonnes, brought vp in
riot who as I grew in yeares, so I waxed more ripe
in vngodlines, that I was the mirrour of mischiefe,
and the very patterne of all preiudiciall actions : for
I neither had care to take any good course of life,
nor yet to listen to the friendly perswasions of my
parents. I seemed as one of no religion, but rather
as a meere Atheist, contemning the holy precepts
vttered by any learned preacher : I would smile at
such as would frequent the Church, or such place
of godly exercise, & would scoffe at any that would
checke mee with any wholesome or / good ad- [bi
monition : so that herein I seemed a meere repro-
bate, the child of Sathan, one wipt out of the booke
of life, and as an outcast from the face and fauor of

10 THE REPENTJNCE OF

God, I was giuen ouer to drunkennes, so that I
lightly accounted of that company that would not
intertaine my inordinate quaffing. And to this
beastly sinne of gluttonie, I added that detestable
vice of swearing, taking a felicitie in blaspeming &
prophaning the name of God, confirming nothing
idlely but with such solemne oths, that it amazed
euen my companions to heare mee. And that I
might seeme to heape one sinne vpon another, I
was so rooted therein, that whatsoeuer I got, I stil
consumed the same in drunkennes.

Liuing thus a long time, God (who suffereth
sinners to heape coles of fire vpon their owne
heads, and to bee fed fat with sinne against the day
of vengeance) suffered me to go forward in my
loose life : many warninges I had to draw me from
my detestable kind of life, and diuers crosses to
contrary my actions: but all in vaine, for though I
were sundry times afflicted with many foule and
greeuous diseases, and thereby scourged with the
rod of Gods wrath, yet when by the great labor &
frendship of sundry honest persons, they had
(though to their great charges) sought & pro-
cured my recouery, I did with the Dog Redire in
vomitum^ I went again with the Sow to wallow in
the mire, and fell to my former follies as frankly,
as if I had not tasted any iot of want, or neuer been
scourged for them. Consuetudo peccandi tollit
sensum peccati ; my daily custome in sinne had

ROBERT GREENE ii

cleane taken away the feeling of my sinne: for I
was so giuen to these vices aforesaide, that I
counted them rather veniall scapes & fauhs of
nature, than any great / and greeuous offences : [Bi"
neither did I care for death, but held it onely as the
end of life. For comming one day into Aldersgate
street to a welwillers house of mine, hee with other
of his friendes perswaded me to leaue my bad
course of life, which at length would bring mee to
vtter destruction, whereupon I scoffingly made
them this answer. Tush, what better is he that
dies in his bed than he that endes his life at
Tyburne, all owe God a death : if I may haue my
desire while I Hue, I am satisfied, let me shift after
death as I may. My friends hearing these words,
greatly greeued at my gracelesse resolution, made
this reply : If you feare not death in this world,
nor the paines of the body in this life, yet doubt
the second death, & the losse of your soule, which
without hearty repentance must rest in hell fire
for euer and euer.

Hell (quoth I) what talke you of hell to me ? I
know if I once come there, I shal haue the com-
pany of better men than my selfe, I shal also meete
with some madde knaues in that place, & so long
as I shall not sit there alone, my care is the lesse.
But you are mad folks (quoth I) for if I feared the
Judges of the bench no more than I dread the
iudgements of God, I would before I slept diue

12 THE REPENTJNCE OF

into one Carles bagges or other, and make merrie
with the shelles I found in them so long as they
would last. And though some in this company
were Fryers of mine owne fraternitie to whom I
spake the wordes : yet were they so amazed at my
prophane speeches, that they wisht themselues
foorth of my company. Whereby appeareth, that
my continuall delight was in sinne, and that I
made my selfe drunke with the dregges of mis-
chiefe. But beeing departed thence vnto my
lodging, / and now grown to the full, I was [B2
checked by the mightie hand of God : for Sicknes
(the messenger of death) attached me, and tolde
me my time was but short, and that I had not long
to Hue: whereupon I was vexed in mind, and grew
very heauy. As thus I sate solempnly thinking of
my end, and feeling my selfe waxe sicker and
sicker, I fell into a great passion, and was wonder-
fully perplexed, yet no way discouered my agony,
but sate still calling to mind the lewdnes of my
former life: at what time sodainly taking the booke
of Resolution in my hand, I light vpon a chapter
therein, which discouered vnto mee the miserable
state of the reprobate, what Hell was, what the
worme of Conscience was, what tormentes there
was appointed for the damned soules, what vn-
speakable miseries, what vnquenchable flames,
what intollerable agonies, what incomprehensible
griefs; that there was nothing but feare, horrour.

ROBERT GREENE 13

vexation of mind, depriuation from the sight and
fauour of God, weeping and gnashing of teeth,
and that al those tortures were not termined
or dated within any compasse of yeares, but
euerlasting world without end; concluding all
in this of the Psalmes : Ab injeris nulla est
\redemptio.

After that I had with deepe consideration
pondered vpon these points, such a terrour stroke
into my conscience, that for very anguish of minde
my teeth did beate in my head, my lookes waxed
pale and wan, and fetching a great sigh, I cried
vnto God, and said: If all this be true, oh what
shall become of me ? If the rewarde of sinne be ,
death and hell, how many deaths and hels do I .^'
deserue, that haue beene a most miserable sinner ?
If damnation be the meed for wickednes, then am I
dam/ ned ? for in all the world there neuer liued [Ba"
a man of worser life. Oh what shall I doe? I
cannot call to God for mercie; for my faultes are
beyond the compasse of his fauour: the punish-
ment of the body hath an ende by death, but the
paines of the soule by death are made euerlasting.
Then what a miserable case am I in if I die ? yet if
my death might redeeme my offences, & wash
away my sinnes, oh might I suffer euery day
twentie deathes while seuen yeares lasteth, it were
nothing: but when I shall end a contempt to the
world, I shal enioy the disdaine of men, the

14 THE REPENTANCE OF

displeasure of God, & my soule (that immortall
creature) shall euerlastingly bee damned: Oh woe
is mee, why doe I Hue? nay rather why was I
borne ? Cursed be the day wherein I was born, and
haplesse be the brests that gaue me sucke. Why
did God create me to bee a vessell of wrath ? Why
did hee breath life into me, thus to make me a lost
sheepe ? Oh I feele a hell already in my conscience,'
the number of my sinnes do muster before my
eies, the poore mens plaints that I haue wronged,
cries out in mine eares and saith, Robin Greene
thou art damnd ; nay, the iustice of God tels mee
I cannot bee saued. Now I do remember (though
too late) that I haue read in the Scriptures, how
neither adulterers, swearers, theeues, nor mur-
derers shall inherite the kingdome of heauen.
What hope then can I haue of any grace, when
(giuen ouer from all grace) I exceeded all other in
these kinde of sinnes ? If thus vppon earth and
aliue I feele a hell, oh what a thing is that hell,
where my soule shall euerlastingly Hue in torments.
I am taught by the scripture to pray ; but to whom
shoulde I pray? to him that I haue blasphemed,
to him that I haue contemned and despised, / [B3
whose name I haue taken in vaine ? No, no, I am
in a hell. Oh that my last gaspe were come, that I
might be with ludas or Cain, for their place is
better than mine; or that I might haue power with
these hands to vnlose my soule from this wretched

ROBERT GREENE 15

carcasse, that hath imprisoned so many wicked
villainies within it. Oh I haue sinned, not against -"' '" ■"''
the Father, nor against the Sonne, but against the
holy Ghost : for I presumed vpon grace, and when
the spirit of God cried in my mind & thoght, and
said, drunkennes is a vice, whoredome is a vice ; I
carelesly (in contempt) resisted this motion, and as
it were in a brauery, committed these sinnes with
greedines. Oh now I shall crie with Diues to haue
one drop of water for my tongue, but shall not be
heard: I haue sinned against my owne soule, and
therefore shalbe cast into vtter darknesse: and
further I shall not come till I haue paid the vtter-
most farthing, which I shal neuer be able to satisfie.

0 happy are you that feele the sparks of Gods
fauour in your hearts, happy are you that haue
hope in the passion of Christ, happy are you that
beleue that God died for you, happy are you that
can pray. Oh why doth not God shew the like
mercie vnto mee ? The reason is, because in all my
life I neuer did any good. I alwaies gloried in
sinne, and despised them that imbraced vertue.

jjGod is iust, and cannot pardon my offences; and
|:herefore I would I were out of this earthly hell,
^o I were in that second hell, that my soule might
suffer tormentes: for now I am vexed both in soule
and bodie.

1 In this despairing humor, searching further into
the said Booke of Resolution^ I found a place that

1 6 THE REPENTJNCE OF

greatly did comfort mee, & laid before me the
promises of Gods / mercie, shewing mee that [B3"
although the lustice of God was' great to punish
sinners, yet his mercie did exceede his works: and
though my faults were as red as skarlet, yet washt
with his bloud, they shoulde bee made as white as
snow: therein was laid before mine eyes, that
Dauid (who was called a man after his owne heart)
did both commit adultery, and sealde it with
murther: yet when hee did repent, God heard him,
and admited him to his fauour. Therin was laid
before me the obstinate sinne of Peter, that not
onely denied his Maister Christ, but also forswore
himselfe: yet so soone as hee shed tears, and did
hartily repent him, his offences were pardoned.
Therein was laid open the theefe that had liued
licentiously, and had scarse in all his life done one
good deed, and yet hee was saued by hope in the
mercies of God. Therein was also laide open how
the seueritie of the Law was mittigated with the
sweet and comfortable promises of the Gospell,
insomuch that I began to be somewhat pacified, &
a little quieted in mind, taking great ioy and
comfort in the pithie perswasions and promises of
Gods mercie alleadged in that Booke. And yet I
was not presently resolued in my conscience, that
God would deale so fauorably with me, for that
stil the multitude of my sinnes presented me with
his lustice: and would therefore reason thus with

ROBERT GREENE i-j

my selfe. Why, those men (before mentioned)
were elected and predestinated to be chosen vessels
of Gods glory, & therfore though they did fal, yet
they rose againe, & did shew it in time, with some
other fruits of their election. But contrariwise, I
(the most wicked of all men) was euen brought vp
from my swadling clouts in wickednes, my infancy
was sin, & my riper age increast in wickednes ; I / [B4
tooke no pleasure but in ill, neither was my minde
sette vpon any thing but vpon the spoyle: then
seeing all my life was lead in lewdnes, and I neuer
but once felt any remorse of conscience, how can
God pardon mee, that repent rather for feare then /(
for loue ? Yet calling vnto mind the words of Esay^
that at what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him
from the bottome of his heart, the Lord would
wipe away all his wickednes out of his remem-
brance.

Thus beeing at a battaile betweene the spirite
and the flesh, I beganne to feele a greater comfort
in my mind, so that I did [with] teares confesse and
acknowledge, that although I was a most miserable
sinner, yet the anguish that Christ suffered on the
Crosse, was able to purge and cleanse me from all
my oflFences: so that taking hold with faith vpon
the promises of the Gospell, I waxed strong in
spirite, and became able to resist and withstand all
the desperate attempts that Sathan had giuen
before to my weake and feeble conscience. When

1 8 THE REPENTJNCE

thus I had consideratly thought on the wretched-

nes of my life, and therewithal! looked into the

vncertainty of death, I thought good to

write a short discourse of the same,

which I haue ioyned to this

treatise, containing as

followeth. / [34"

The life and death

of Robert Greene Maister
of Artes.

1NEEDE not make long discourse of my
parentes, who for their grauitie and honest life
is well knowne and esteemed amongst their neigh-
bors; namely, in the Cittie of Norwitch, where I
was bred and borne. But as out of one selfe same
clod of clay there sprouts both stinking weeds and
delighttull flowers: so from honest parentes often
grow most dishonest children ; for my Father had
care to haue mee in my Non-age brought vp at
schoole, that I might through the studie of good
letters grow to be a frend to my self, a profitable
member to the common-welth, and a comfort to
him in his age. But as early pricks the tree that
will proue a thorne: so euen in my first yeares I
began to followe the filthines of mine owne desires,
and neyther to listen to the wholesome aduertise-
ments of my parentes, nor bee rulde by the care-
full correction of my Maister. For being at the
Vniuersitie of Cambridge, I / light amongst wags [Ci
as lewd as my selfe, with whome I consumed the
flower of my youth, who drew mee to trauell into

20 THE REPENTJNCE OF

y Italy, and Spaine, in which places I sawe and
practizde such villainie as is abhominable to de-
clare. Thus by their counsaile I sought to furnish
my selfe with coine, which I procured by cunning
sleights from my Father and my friends, and my
Mother pampered me so long, and secretly helped
mee to the oyle of Angels, that I grew thereby
prone to all mischiefe: so that beeing then conuer-
sant with notable Braggarts, boon companions and
ordinary spend-thrifts, that practized sundry
superficiall studies, I became as a Sien grafted into
the same stocke, whereby I did absolutely partici-
pate of their nature and qualities. At my return
into England, I ruffeled out in my silks, in the

(^ habit oi Malcontent, and seemed so discontent, that
no place would please me to abide in, nor no
vocation cause mee to stay my selfe in : but after I
had by degrees proceeded Maister of Arts, I left
the Vniuersitie and away to London, where (after
I had continued some short time, & driuen my
self out of credit with sundry of my frends) I
became an Author of Playes, and a penner of
Loue Pamphlets, so that I soone grew famous in
that qualitie, that who for that trade growne so
ordinary about London as Robin Greene. Yong yet
in yeares, though olde in wickednes, I began to
resolue that there was nothing bad, that was
profitable : whereupon I grew so rooted in all mis-
chiefe, that I had as great a delight in wickednesse.

ROBERT GREENE 21

as sundrie hath in godlinesse : and as much felicitie,
I tooke in villainy, as others had in honestie.

Thus was the libertie I got in my youth, the
cause / of my licentious liuing in my age, and [Ci"
beeing the first steppe to hell, I find it now the
first let from heauen.

But I would wish all my natiue Countrymen,
that reade this my repentaunce ; First to feare God
in their whole life, which I neuer did : Secondly, to
obey their Parents, and to listen vnto the whole-
some counsaile of their Elders : so shall their dayes
be multiplied vppon them heere on earth, and
/inherite the crowne of glorie in the kingdome of
heauen. I exhort them also to leaue the company
of lewd and ill liuers: for conuersing with such
Copes-mates, drawes them into sundry dangerous
inconueniences : nor lette them haunt the company
of harlots, whose throates are as smooth as oyle,
but their feet lead the steps vnto death and destruc-
tion: for they like Syrens with their sweete in-
chaunting notes, soothed me vp in all kind of
vngodlines.

Oh take heede of Harlots (I wish you the
vnbridled youth of England) for they are the
Basiliskes that kill with their eyes, they are the
Syrens that allure with their sweete lookes; and
they leade their fauorers vnto their destruction,
as a sheepe is lead vnto the slaughter.

From whordome I grew to drunkennes, from

22 THE REPENTJNCE OF

drunkennes to swearing and blaspheming the
name of God, hereof grew quarrels, frayes, and
continual controuersies, which are now as wormes
in my conscience gnawing incessantly. And did I
not through hearty repentance take hold of Gods
mercies, euen these detestable sinnes woulde
drench me downe into the damnable pit of de-
struction; for Stipendium peccati mors. / ^j /^ ,

Oh knowe (good Countrymen) that the^horrible
sins and intollerable blasphemie I haue vsed
against the / Maiestie of God, is a blocke in my [C2
conscience, and that so heauy that there were no
way with me but desperation, if the hope of
Christs death and passion did not helpe to ease
mee of so intollerable and heauie a burthen.

I haue long with the deafe Adder stopt mine
eares against the voice of Gods Ministers, yea my
heart was hardened with Pharao against all the
motions that the spirit of God did at any time
worke in my mind, to turn me from my detestable
kind of liuing.

Yet let me confesse a trueth, that euen once, and
yet but once, I felt a feare and horrour in my
conscience, & then the terrour of Gods iudge-
mentes did manifestly teach me that my life was
bad, that by sinne I deserued damnation, and that
such was the greatnes of my sinne, that I deserued
no redemption. And this inward motion I receiued
in Saint Andrews Church in the Cittie of Norwich,

ROBERT GREENE 23

at a Lecture or Sermon then preached by a godly
learned man, whose doctrine, and the maner of
whose teaching, I liked wonderfull well: yea (in
my conscience) such was his singlenes of hart, and
zeale in his doctrine, that hee might haue con-
uerted the most monster of the world.

Well, at that time, whosoeuer was worst, I
knewe my selfe as bad as he : for being new come
from Italy, (where I learned all the villanies vnder
the heauens) I was drownd in pride, whoredome
was my daily exercise, and gluttony with drunken-
nes was my onely delight.

At this Sermon the terrour of Gods iudge-
mentes did manifestly teach me, that my exercises
were damnable, and that I should bee wipte out
of the booke of life, if I did not speedily repent
my loosenes of life, and re / forme my mis- [ca^
demeanors.

At this Sermon the said learned man (who
doubtles was the child of God) did beate downe
sinne in such pithie and perswasiue manner, that
I began to call vnto mind the daunger of my soule,
and the preiudice that at length would befall mee
for those grosse sinnes which with greedines I
daily committed: in so much as sighing I said in
my selfe. Lord haue mercie vpon mee, and send
me grace to amend and become a new man.

But this good motion lasted not long in mee;
for no sooner had I met with my copesmates, but

24 THE REPENTJNCE OF

seeing me In such a solemne humour, they de-
maunded the cause of my sadnes : to whom when
I had discouered that I sorrowed for my wicked-
nesse of life, and that the Preachers wordes had
taken a deepe impression in my conscience, they
fell vpon me in ieasting manner, calling me
Puritane and Presizian, and wished I might haue
a Pulpit, with such other scoffing tearmes, that by
their foolish perswasion the good and wholesome
lesson I had learned went quite out of my remem-
brance: so that I fel againe with the Dog to my
olde vomit, and put my wicked life in practise, and
that so throughly as euer I did before.

Thus although God sent his holy spirit to call
mee, and though I heard him, yet I regarded it no
longer than the present time, when sodainly for-
saking it, I went forward obstinately in my misse.
Neuerthelesse soone after I married a Gentlemans
daughter of good account, with whom I liued for
a while : but forasmuch as she would perswade me
from my wilfull wickednes, after I had a child by
her, I cast her off, hauing spent vp the marriage
money which I obtained by her. / [C3

Then left I her at six or seuen, who went into
Lincolneshire, and I to London: where in short
space I fell into fauor with such as were of honor-
able and good calling. But heere note, that though
I knew how to get a friend, yet I had not the gift
or reason how to keepe a friend: for hee that was

ROBERT GREENE 25

my dearest friend, I would bee sure so to behaue
my selfe towards him, that he shoulde euer after
professe to bee my vtter enemie, or else vowe
neuer after to come in my company.

Thus my misdemeanors (too many to bee.
recited) caused the most part of those so much to
despise me, that in the end I became friendles,
except it were in a fewe Alehouses, who commonly
for my inordinate expences would make much of
me, vntil I were on the score, far more than euer
I meant to pay by twenty nobles thick. After I had
wholy betaken me to the penning of plaies (which
was my continuall exercise) I was so far from
calling vpon God, that I sildome thought on God,
but tooke such delight in swearing and blasphem-
ing the name of God, that none could thinke other-
wise of mee, than that I was the child of perdition.

These vanities and other trifling Pamphlets
I penned of Loue, and vaine fantasies was my
chiefest stay of liumg, and for those my vaine
discourses, I was beloued of the more vainer sort
of people, who beeing my continuall companions,
came still to my lodging, and there would con-
tinue quaffing, carowsing, and surfeting with me
all the day long.

But I thanke God, that hee put it in my head,
to lay open the most horrible coosenages of the
common Conny-catchers, Cooseners, and Crosse-
biters, which I haue indifferently handled in those

26 THE REPENTJNCE OF

my seuerall discour / ses already imprinted. [C3"
And my trust is, that those discourses will doe great
good, and bee very beneficiall -to the Common-
wealth of England.

But oh my deare Wife, whose company and
sight I haue refrained these sixe years : I aske God
and thee forgiuenesse for so greatly wronging thee,
of whome I seldome or neuer thought, vntill now :
Pardon mee (I pray thee) where soeuer thou art,
and God forgiue mee all my offences.

And now to you all that Hue and reuell in such
wickednesse as I haue done, to you I write, and
in Gods name wish you to looke to your selues,
and to reforme your selues for the safegard of
your owne soules: dissemble not with God, but
seeke grace at his handes, hee hath promist it,
and he will performe it.

God doth sundry times deferre his punishment
vnto those that runne a wicked race; but Quod
dejertur non aufertur, that which is deferde is not
quittanst, a day of reckoning will come, when the
Lord will say; Come giue account of thy Stewardship.
What God determineth, man cannot preuent: he
that binds two sinnes together, cannot go vn-
punisht in the one: so long the Pot goeth to the
Pit, that at last it comes broken home.
f Therefore (all my good friends) hope not in
money, nor in friends, in fauors, in kindred, they
are all vncertaine, and they are furthest off, when

ROBERT GREENE 27

men thinke them most nigh. Oh were I now to
begin the flower of my youth, were I now in the
prime of my yeares, how far would I bee from my
former follyes? what a reformed course of life
would I take: but it is too late; onely now the
comfortable mercies of the Lord is left me to
hope in. / [C4

It is bootlesse for me to make any long discourse
to such as are gracelesse as I haue beene, all whole-
some warninges are odious vnto them, for they
with the spider sucke poison out of the most
pretious flowers, & to such as God hath in his
secrete councell elected, fewe words will suffize.
But howsoeuer my life hath beene, let my repent-
ant ende be a generall example to all the youth in
England to obey their parentes, to flie whoredome,
drunkennes, swearing, blaspheming, contempt of
the word, and such greeuous and grosse sinnes,
least they bring their parents heads with sorrow to
their graues, and least (with mee) they be a blemish
to their kindred, and to their posteritie for euer.

Thus may you see how God hath secrete to
himselfe the times of calling, and when hee will
haue them into his vineyard, some hee calles in the
morning, some at noone, and some in the euening,
and yet hath the last his wages as well as the first:
For as his iudgementes are inscrutable, so are his
mercies incomprehensible. And therefore let all
men learne these two lessons; not to despaire,

28 THE REPENTJNCE

because God may worke in them through his spirit
at the last houre; nor to presume, least God giue
them ouer for their presumption, and deny them
repentance, and so they die impenitent: which
finalis impenitentia is a manifest sinne against the
holy Ghost.

To this doth that golden sentence of S. Augus-
tine allude, which hee speaketh of the theefe hang-
ing on the Crosse. There was (saith hee) one theeje
saued and no more^ therefore presume not ; and there
was one saued^ and therefore despaire not. And to
conclude, take these caueats hereafter following. /

[04"

Certaine Cauiats sent by Ro-

bert Greene to a frend of his (as a farewell :)
written with his owne hande.

THE feare of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdome: therfore serue God, least he suffer
thee to be lead into temptation.

2 Despise neither his worde nor his Minister:
for he that heareth not can haue no faith, & with-
out faith no man can be saued.

3 Obey thy Prince : for he that lifteth his hande
against the Lords anointed, shall be like vnto a
withered plant.

4 Despise not the counsaile of thy Father, nor
the wholesome admonition of thy mother : for he
that listeneth not to their lessons, shall be cut off
in his youth.

5 Spend the prime of thy yeares in vertue : so
dost thou lay an earnest pennie of honorable age.

6 Flie the sweetnes of the grape : for a man that
is giuen to much wine shall neuer be rich.

7 Take not the name of God in vaine : for then
thou shalt not bee guiltlesse, nor shall the curse of
God come neare thy house.

8 A man that delights in harlots shall heape
sinne vpon his soule : he shall be an open shame in
the streets, and his place shall not be knowne. / [di

30

THE REPENTJNCE

9 He that robbeth from his neighbour, pur-
chaseth discredit to himselfe and his kindred, and
he shall not go to his graue with honor.

10 Who medleth with pitch shall be defiled,
and he that eateth the bread of Robbers, fatneth
himselfe against the day of vengeance.

1 1 Giue not thy youth ouer to the Deuill,
neyther vow the dregs of thy olde age vnto God;
for a repentant mind commeth from God. i

12 Remember thy end, and thou shalt neuerj
doe amisse, and let the law of the Lord be a
lanthorne to thy feete: so shall thy pathes bee
aright, and thou die with honour.

Robert Greene. / [di"

^M{m>^mm^^M?B^^tmm^¥Mms^

The manner of the death and last end of
Robert Greene Malster of Artes.
AFTER that he had pend the former dis-
ikcourse (then lying sore sicke of a surfet
which hee had taken with drinking) hee continued
most patient and penitent; yea, he did with teares
forsake the world, renounced swearing, and de-
sired forgiuenes of God and the worlde for all his
offences: so that during all the time of his sicknesse
(which was about a moneths space) hee was neuer
heard to sweare, raue, or blaspheme the name of
God as he was accustomed to do before that time,
which greatly comforted his welwillers, to see how
mightily the grace of God did worke in him.

He confessed himselfe that he was neuer heart
sicke, but said that al his paine was in his belly.
And although he continually scowred, yet still his
belly sweld, and neuer left swelling vpward, vntill
it sweld him at the hart and in his face.

During the whole time of his sicknes, he
continually called vpon God, and recited these
sentences following :

O Lord forgiue me my manifold offences.
O Lord haue mercie vpon me.
O Lord forgiue me my secret sinnes^ and in thy
mercie (Lord) -pardon them all. / [D2

Thy mercie (O Lord) is aboue thy works.

32 THE REPENTJNCE

And with such like godly sentences hee passed
the time, euen till he gaue vp the Ghost.

And this is to bee noted, that his sicknesse did
not so greatly weaken him, but that he walked to
his chaire & backe againe the night before he
departed, and then (being feeble) laying him
downe on his bed, about nine of the clocke at
night, a friend of his tolde him, that his Wife had
sent him commendations, and that shee was in
good health: whereat hee greatly reioiced, con-
fessed that he had mightily wronged her, and
wished that hee might see her before he departed.
Whereupon (feeling his time was but short), hee
tooke pen and inke, & wrote her a Letter to this
effect.

ufVEET Wife, as euer there was any good will
or friendship betweene thee and mee, see this
hearer (my Host) satisfied of his debt, I owe him tenne
-pound, and hut for him I had perished in the streetes.
Forget and forgiue my wronges done vnto thee, and
Almighty God haue mercie on my souk. Fare-
well till we meet in heauen, for on earth
thou shah neuer see me more.
This 2. of September.
1592.
Written by thy dying Husband

Robert Greene. / [Da"

Greenes Prayer in the time of
his sicknesse.

OLORD lesus Christ my Sauiour and re-
deemer, I humbly beseech thee to looke
downe from heauen vpon mee (thy seruant)
that am grieued with thy spirite that I may
patiently endure to the end thy rod of chastise-
ment : And forasmuch as thou art Lorde of life and
death, as also of strength, health, age, weakenes,
and sicknes, I do therefore wholy submit my selfe
vnto thee, to bee dealt withall according to thy
holy will and pleasure. And seeing O merclfull
lesu, that my sinnes are innumerable like vnto the
sandes of the sea, and that I haue so often offended

1,-' ^

thee that I haue worthely deserued death and vtter
damnation, I humbly pray thee to deale with me
according to thy gratious mercie and not agreeable
to my wicked deserts. And graunt that I may (O
Lorde) through thy spirite with patience, suffer
and beare this Crosse, which thou hast worthily
laid vppon mee: notwithstanding how greeuous
soeuer the burthen thereof be, that my faith may
be found laudable and glorious in thy sight, to the
increase of thy glory, & my euerlasting felicitie.
For euen thou (O Lord) most sweete Sauior didst
first suffer paine before thou wert crucified : Since

34 THE REPENTJNCE

therefore O meeke Lambe of God that my way to
e / ternall ioy is to suffer with thee worldly gree- [D3
uances, graunt that I may be made like vnto thee,
by suffering paciently, aduersitie, trouble, and
sicknes. And lastly, forasmuch as the multitude
of thy mercies doth put away the sinnes of those
which truely repent, so as thou remembrest them
no more, open the eye of thy mercie, and behold
me a most miserable and wretched sinner, who for
the same doth most earnestly desire pardon and
forgiuenes. Renew (O Lorde) in mee, whatsoeuer
hath beene decayed by the fraudulent m^allice of
Sathan, or my owne carnall wilfulnes : receiue me
(O Lord) into thy fauour, consider of my contri-
tion, and gather vp my teares into thy heauenly
habitation : and seeing (O Lorde) my whole trust
and confidence is onely in thy mercie, blot out my
offences, and tread them vnder feet, so as they
may not be a witnesse against me at the day
of wrath. Grant this O Lord, I humbly
beseech thee, for thy mercies sake.
Amen.

FINIS.

ERRATA

The following emendations only have been made in
the text of the original : —

Page

Line

In the Original reads :

5

17

^ honest^

' honest ; '

i8

4

* of the same '

'of my the same'

26

18

'punishment'

'puishment '

32

13

'short),'

'short,'

33

3

' seruant)

•seruant'

wpii ■IuIIi.'J: -t^--Mw-'-..iM)|uf»unjiii.-ji.j'>^*^if..-

^■Vl'.llH .M,9«--1J.

\

vU

Pu Greene, Robert
p

54.4. Groats-worth of witte, bouc^t

?Qoo V^nn ^ "^lli°n ^^ repentance. ^
1923 1592. 1923^

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