CI)e (English ^ctjolars library etc*
No. 3.
A Handful of Pleasant Delights^
1584.
Cl;e Cnglijsl) ^cljolar^ library ot
anti
CLEMENT ROBINSON
and divers others.
A Handful of Pleasant Delight s^
Containing sundry new Sonnets and de
lectable Histories in divers kinds
of metre &c.
1584.
Kdited by EDWARD ARBER, F.S.A., etc,
LECTURER IN ENGLISH LITERATURE ETC.,
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON.
SOUTHGATE, LONDON, N.
15 August 1878.
No. 3.
(All rights reserved.)
CO NT E NTS.
PAGE
First Lines of Poems and Stanzas ........................ vii-viii
The Tunes ...................................... viii
Bibliography ........... . ........................... ix-x
INTRODUCTION ..................................... xi-xiv
A fragment, of one leaf only, of another edition, in the Collection of
Bagford Ballads in the British Museum .................. xv-xvi
A Handefull of pleasant delites, etc I
SONGS BEARING THE NAMES OF THEIR AUTHORS.
AUTHOR. TITLE. TUNE. PAGE.
1. L. GIBSON ... Tantara, wherin Danea wel-
commeth home her Lord
Diophon from the war ... Down right Squire ... 7
2. [R. JONES.] ... The Printer to the Reader. 2
3. G. MANNINGTON. A sorrowfull Sonet, made. . .
at Cambridge Castle Labandala Shot ... 57
4. J. p Dame Beauties replie to the
Louer late at libertie : and
now complaineth himselfe
to be her captiue Where is the life that
[See Trans, i. 308.] late I led 14
[A reply in the same metre.}
5. P. PICKS An answer as pretie to the scof
of his Lady,
by the yongman that came
a wooing
Wherein he doth flout her
Being glad he went without
her,
Mislikingboth her and her
doing 13
6. T. RICHARDSON. A proper new Song I wish to see those
happy dales 9
7. J. THOMSON ... The Louer complaineth the
losse of his Ladie Cecilia Pauin 27
8. J. THOMSON ... A new Sonet of Pyramus and
Thisbie Downe fight Squire... 30
VI
CONTENTS.
ANONYMOUS SONGS,
i.e. written by C L E M E N T ROBINSON and divers others.
TUNE
PAGE.
10.
II.
12.
14-
i6.
17-
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23-
24.
25-
26.
27.
28-
29.
30.
31-
32.
33-
TITLE.
A Nosegaie alwaies sweet, for Louers to send for
Tokens, of loue, at Newyeres tide, or for fair
ings, as they in their minds shall be disposed
to write [See Trans, i. 336.] 3
The scoffe of a Ladie, as pretie as may be,
to a yong man that went a wooing :
He went stil about her, and yet he went without her,
because he was so long a dooing II
[Replied to (and perhaps also written by) P. PICKS at p. 13.]
A new Courtley Sonet, of the Lady Greensleues. New tune of Green-
A proper Sonet, wherin the Louer dolefully shew-
eth his grief to his L[ady]. and requireth pity.
The Historic of Diana and Acteon
[A noem, the title of which was on the lost leaf
sleeues
Row wel ye Marriners.
The Quarter Braules..
Ihe Louer compareth some subtile Suters to the
Hunter The Painter
A Sonet of a Louer in the praise of his lady ... Calen o Custure me.
A proper Sonet, Intituled
Maid will you marrie [See Trans. 1.437.] Black Almaine
The ioy of Virginitie The Gods of loue .
A warning for Wooers, that they be not oner haslie,
nor deceiued with womens beautie
An excellent Song of an outcast Louer
The complaint of a woman Louer
A proper sonet, Intituled
I smile to see how you deuise
A sonet of two faithfull Loners, exhorting one
another to be constant
A proper new Dity, Intituled
Fie upon Loue and al his lawes
The Louer being wounded with his Ladis beutie,
Fequireth mercy Apelles
The lamentation of a woman being wrongfully
Salisburie Plaine
All in a Garden green
Raging loue
To anie pleasant tune
Kypascie
Lumber me
defamed
A proper Song, Intituled
Fain wold I haue a pretie thing,
to giue vnto my Ladie
A proper wooing Song, intituled :
Maid will ye loue me, ye[a] or no?
The painefull plight of a Louer oppressed with the
beautifull looks of his Lady
A faithfull vow of two constant Lovers
A proper Sonet, of an vnkinde Damsell, to her
faithful Louer
The Loner complaineth the absence of his Ladie,
wisheth for death
The L >uer compareth him self to the painful Fal
coner. .,
Lustie Gallant
(The Mirchaunts
Daughter went oner
thefielde
I loued her otier wel..
The new Rogero. ...
The nine Muses
The new Almaine. ...
I loued her oucr wel..
17
20
22
25
29
33
34
36
37
40
43
45
46
47
48
Damon and Pithias ... 49
50
52
53
55
59
Ci
62
Vll
FIRST LINES OF POEMS & STANZAS.
PAGE
A craggie Rocke, 47
A ioiful sight my hearts ... 7
Alas Loue, why chafe ye .. 13
Alas my loue 17
All Musicks solemne 21
Although the Cat doth ... 35
And as the Gods do know. 40
And for any part I vow ... 55
And for my part 53
And for my part I sweare. 41
And if perhaps they fall ... 35
And keep thy friend 46
And lookt for out of hand. 41
And peise the words 56
And sith thou canst no man 46
And sure my sute 40
And thru he shield n
And though thou makest . 45
And though for this time . 53
And through the beautie . 26
And thus farewell 62
And when doubtlesse 37
And when as thou 10
And who did pay 19
And yet of one I waile ... 42
And yet, full oft it dooth . 44
A Nosegaie lacking flowers 3
An other Lord of high ... 30
As nature hath you deckt . 22
As one without refuge 20
As she began to shoot ... 23
As they in water stood 23
A thousand good women... 49
A thousand sighs 61
At leest forget no teares ... 56
Attend thee, go play thee. n
Be constant now therefore. 57
Besides these matters 25
But all is lost 44
But all is one with me 56
But being once reteind ... 43
But I am none of those ... 30
But if that winter could ... 3
But if you seek 35
But one, and that was she. 40
But sirs, I vse to tell 39
But though it be 61
But when she saw 25
But were it in the wit 51
I'.y Lure then in finest sort 63
By this thou saiest 16
Carnations is for 5
Consider (sweet) what sighs 52
Co-ivsloppes is for counsell.. 6
Diana and her darlings ... 22
Fain would I haue 50
i'ainj Indies loukes 51
PAGE
Fend is for flatterers 4
For euery morning 19
For if I could 34
For no deserts of men 42
Forsooth to see her 29
PAGE
Maid, wil yo i rrarie ? 34
il/iin'fftilds is for marriage 5
Mark Priains soune 38
Mayde will ye loue me ? ... 52
My deer likewise 63
For when she saw
For when thou freedome...
For where you say
8
35
31
20
43
7
27
42
42
42
10
63
9
54
42
18
18
5
49
37
4i
J4
ir
28
47
53
$
11
39
i3
42
48
6
45
45
43
5i
57
49
51
9
3
J3
44
47
27
My fancie did I fixe 40
My friend and parents 58
My gayest gelding 19
My grief doth grow 43
My men were clothed 19
My Queene and wife 8
My soule with silence 34
For why he thought
Greensleeues now farewel .
Had euer woman
Harke Harke, me thinkes.
Heart, what makes thee ...
He hops without the ring .
He may wel beat the bush
Her friend that wel
Here Cambridge now
How glad was then
No nothing here on earth . 55
No toile, nor labour great. 40
Now Ladies be merle 12
Now let this vow be kept . 57
Now must I depart 53
Now rings and tokens too. 41
Now we'come home 8
Now will 1 be trudging ... 15
Now would we send 41
O Lady, what a lucke 51
How oft within
I blame not all for one
I bought thee kercliers ...
I bought thee peticotes ...
Iclijloivers is for
If constant loue may reape
If Cupids dart do chance..
If for offence or fault
If honour and fame
If I might aduise ye .
Ou Dames (I say) 30
Pt'ni rin 11 is to print 6
Perhaps my absence may . 61
Remember how I sware ... 56
R oscjna rie is for 4
Roses is to rule me <j
Sage is for sustenance 4
Shall distance part ourloue 53
Sith spiteful! spite Or
Sith thou hast vowed 48
Some do long for pretie ... 50
If loue were attained
If she, I sale,
If that I false my faith ...
If that you do my case ...
If this be out of thought .
If I'enus would grant
I haue been readie
I ludge and finde
I lothe to tel the peeuish ..
I mean not to let ye
In these vnconstant tlaics.
In vewing thee,
I pray you keep this
I see him smile
I Smile to see
I take it nothing well
It is not all the silk
I Waile in woe
I waile oft times in woe ...
I walke the towne
I which was once
Lauatu/fris for loners true
Leaue off to flout now
Like as the simple Turtle .
Like I'iranins, I sigh
Loe, hereby you may
S >me loue for wealth 39
Some loueth too hie 39
Sometimes I spend 54
So that out of manie 25
So that this Ladie 25
So thou in change 45
Svch bitter fruict 47
Such false dissembling ... 50
Take heed of gazing ouer . 10
That at the first I had 56
The hov is gone lurking ... 12
The Crocaclile with fained. 48
The dismall dav 58
The famous Prince 46
The (irauers of the golden 51
Tlie guiltlesse goeth 42
The hound that semes 51
The life that erst thou ... 14
Vlll
FIRST LIVES OF POEMS AND STANZAS.
PAGE
The Lions noble minde ... 21
The liuely sparkes 48
The louing wormes 37
The Lyon and the Tyger . 54
The Mercers pull me 51
Then from his sheathe 32
Then let vs ioy 47
Then shall th[e]y say 55
Then sith Gods wil 52
The ofter that I view 59
The poisoned Pnncalier... 49
Therefore leaue off 46
Therefore, Lord, 50
Therefore ye amorous 28
Therfore, my deare 54
There is none thou saist ... 16
The Salamander in the fire 45
The same consent in her... 41
The secret flames 46
The secret sighs 45
The soaring hawk 62
The Svrens times [times].. 38
The toiling oxe, the horse 9
They set thee vp 19
The wofull prisoner 48
Thine owne delay must ... 38
Thinke ou the eger lookes. 56
This loue they vse 31
This is the life I leade 62
This wofull man 63
Thou couldst desire 19
PAGE
Though time may breede . 55
Though wisdom wold 43
Thus feed I fancie stil 62
Thus vainly stil 60
Thus while she stales 31
Thy crimson stockings 18
Thy garters fringed 19
Thy girdle of gold so red .. 18
Thy gown was of 18
Thy purse and eke 18
Thy self hath sought 17
Thy smock of silk 18
Time is to trie me 5
Too little is my skill 20
True meaning went withall 41
Trust not therefore 13
Twentie iorneyes 50
Violet is for faithfulnesse .. 4
Wei, I wil pray 20
Wei worthie of blaming ... 12
What Judgement canst 16
What though that she 10
When as I view 33
When as the Hunter 29
When as thy eies 53
When first I saw 60
When sorrow great 32
Where Ctipids fort 38
Wherefore all ye which do 9
Wherefore of such 30
PAGB
Where Venus hath ^8
W.iere was there found ... 39
Which vow if I do breake 55
Which when he did 26
Who list, thou saist 15
Whose disobedience 26
Whose fame by pen 34
Whose gleams doth heat ,. 33
Who vseth still the truth.. 40
With arms displaid 26
With free and cleane 57
With solemn vowe 41
Yea too too late 57
Yea welcome death 59
Ye louing wormes 37
Yet loe wordes are 41
Yet thinke 1 haue a troth . 56
You comly Dam[e]s, 44
You Ladies falsly deemd . 49
You Lordings, cast off 7
You Maids that thinke ... 25
You that in Musicke 2
Your gleams hath gript ... 23
Your pretie foot 33
Your pretie mouth 33
Your priuie winkes 45
Your voice so sweet 33
You students all 59
You valiant hearts 58
You Virgins pure 36
THE TUNES.
DANCE
PAGE
The Bteck Almaine 34
The New Almaine 61
The Cecilia Pauin 27
TUNES.
The New Rogero 55
The Quarter liraules f ? See Trans. i. 298.] 22
TUNES CHIEFLY NAMED FROM OLDER BALLADS.
PAGE
.... 40
.... 48
33
script will show their relation in time to the first edition of the Handful, fy*c.
i. 295, 388 All in a garden green
i. 298, 306, 307, 312 Appelles
ii. 407 Calen o Custure me ...
-. 304, 354 Damon and Pithias 49
Down right Squire , 7, 30
». 376, 378, 384, 388, 400 Greensleeues 17
i. 362. I loued nerouer well 53, 02
I wish to see those happy daies 9
Kypascie 46
Labandala Shot 57
Lumber me 47
Lustie Gallant 50
A tuoralization at i. 383. ... Raging loue [/>., Lord STRKY'S p<»-ni, " \Vh<-n raging love with
extreme pain." — TOTTEL'S Misc. 1557.] 43
»• 305, 34°, 342, 355, 360, 4Oi- Row wel ye Mariners 20
Salisburie Plaine 37
i. 355 The Gods of loue 36
The Mirchaunts Daughter went ouer the fielde 52
The nine Muses 59
». 297, 331,342,380, 400,407- '{'he Painter. ... , 29
\\ here is the life that late I led 14
EIBLIOGRAPHT.
The three following works will afford help in respect to this Text —
The Ballad Literature and Popular Music of the Olden Time &c. By W.
CIIAPPELL, F.S.A. 2Vols. [1855-59] 8vo. [For the times especially]
Philobiblon Society. Ancient Ballads and Broadsides published in England in
the Sixteenth Century, chiefly in the earlier years of the reign of Queen ELIZABETH.
Reprinted from the unique original copies, mostly in Black Letter, preserved in
the Library of HENRY HUTH, Esq. London, 1867.
A Transcript of the Registers of the Company of Stationers of London, 1554-
1640 A.D. Ed. by E. ARBER, F.S.A. 4 Vols. 1875-1877.
RICHARD JONES was made free of the Stationers' Company, or, as it is entered in
the Register, admitted " brother of this howse," 7th August 1564. Transcript, i. 278.
In the summer of 1566, occurs the following entry —
1. R. JONNES Recevyd of RYCHARD JONES for his lycense for prynting
of a boke of very pleasaunte Sonettes and story es in myter,
by CLAMENT ROBYNSON. \No sum as fee stated^
Trans, i. 313.
No*- any portion of this First edition has, as yet, been verified. The fragment
at//. 15-16 may or may not belong to it.
The following ballads were not in this First Edition —
(a) Because the ballads themselves are registered at a later date.
In the years
22 July 1 566-1 567. A fayne wolde I have a go\p\dly thyn^e to shewe vnto my ladye.
[see p. 50.] Trans. i. 340.
22 July 1567-1568. A fanivell to, Alas I lover you ouer well &e. [See pp. 53
and 62.] Trans, i. 362.
(This however may not have been the first appearance of
this burden.)
22 July 1568-1569. The Story tf ij faythful Lovers &c. [See pp. 30 and 46.]
7'm>rs. i. 386.
7 Nov. 1576. G. MANNING-TON'S ll'ocfttll ballade. [See p. 57.] Trans, ii. 324.
3 Sept. 1 5 So.
1 8 Sept. 15X0.
14 Dee.
1) 1 B L I 0 G R A F II Y
GREENSLEVES and poems occasioned by it. [See p. 17.]
"li-aiis. ii. 376, 378, 384, 388, 400.
Feb. 1581.
24 Aug. 1581.
io March 1582. Callin o Cnstiirc me. [See p. 33.] Trans, ii. 407.
(b) Because the ballad from which the following tune is named was
registered also at a later date.
22 July 1567 — 22 July 1568. The godes of Lore &c. [See p. 36.] Trans. i. 355.
Possibly a more detailed search would still farther demonstrate the gradual
growth of the Text up to the condition here reprinted.
2. 1584. London. 8vo. See title at p. i.
This unique imperfect copy was for many years in the possession of the Rev.
T. COKSER of Stand Rectory, near Manchester : who refused to let the present
Klitor see it, not being in favour of making English Literature "as cheap as
sixpenny chap-books." On the sale of this gentleman's magnificent Collection, it
passed for some £9 or £lO into the British Museum Library.
3. A fragment of another Elizabethan edition discovered and identified
by the Rev. J. W. EBSWORTH, M.A., while editing 77/6- Bag ford Bullads
in the British Museum for 77/6' Ballad Society ^ and reprinted by him in
those Ballads, Part I, Ed. 1876. Mr. EBSWORTH thinks that the fragment
is earlier than the present 1584 text.
Though unfortunately this leaf does not replace the missing one of Xo. 2 : it
is still u -e ful in settling some of the readings on/. 49., which had been matters of
dispute in consequence of the tender condition of the paper of the corresponding
page in that volume.
4. 1815. London. 4to. Heliconia, comprising A selection of English poetry
of the Elizabethan Age : &c. 3 Vols. Ed. by T. PARK. The 1 landfill,
&>c., is in Vol. ii.
5. 1871. Manchester. 4to. Spenser Society's Issues, No. 8. The Handful,
<S-v. Sumptuously printed in facsimile, page for page, line for line, type
for type, with facsimile ornaments ccc. ; under the editorship of J [A Mies]
C[ROSSLEY, Esq , F.S.A.]
6. 15 Aug. 1878. Southgate, London, N. 8vo. The present impression.
V YAKKATII JAMKS hail licenced to him on 13 Jan. 1581, The parlour of Pleas.utnte Dclightcs-
'Iran*, ii. 387.
INTRODUCTION.
[HE Handefull of pleasant deities &c. was one
of the popular Song Books of the first halt
of Queen ELIZABETH'S reign. The present
text is that of a late impression of this
Collection ; which probably had already
been reprinted more than once during the
eighteen years which had now elapsed since
its first appearance.
It is a Song Book rather than a Book of Poetry : so that
had it originally appeared in 1596 instead of 1566 A.D., it
would probably have been issued with the music : but at the
time of its actual first publication, the London printers had
not yet progressed sufficiently in their art to issue secular
Songs with" musical score.
RICHARD JONES, one of the minor publishers of his day,
specially addicted himself to the production of ballads. This
little book was originally made up of some of the more
favourite songs that he had published &c. ; with the natural
variations or additions in subsequent impressions.
The principle of selection in the present text seems chiefly
to have consisted in the exclusion of all poems on religious
subjects, political affairs or distinguished persons ; and also
of all others on the monstrosities or wonderments of the
hour to the description of which so many of the early
Elizabethan ballads were devoted. In effect, to produce an
xii INTRODUCTION.
attractive Handful of short songs " to solace the minds of
those who delighted in music."
Being thus intended for singing, there is not a true Sonnet
in the Collection.
An important feature of these early printed ballads is that
they gave the names — either from their title, their first line,
their burden or some prominent words therein — to the tunes
to which they were first sung; by which names, these tunes
are frequently quoted in the writings of SHAKESPEARE and
his contemporaries.
In the Literary History of England, this Collection is the
Fifth of the Eight Poetical Miscellanies which appeared in
London between 1557 and 1602 A.D ; the whole of which it
is our desire, sooner or later, to reprint. The First of them,
TOTTEL'S Miscellany of 1557, we have already accomplished
in the English Reprints.
The external history of this Text is also interesting in that
we are indebted for it to an unique imperfect copy ; and from
the jealousy with which that was for so many years guarded
from the public eye: so that — excepting, recently, the favoured
readers of the issues of the Spenser Society of Manchester —
the present is its first reappearance with any degree of
accuracy in modern times.
Two notable illustrative quotations are here given : but
there is every likelihood that now the text is made generally
available, other points of contact with the Literature of the
time will reward the inquiries of Students.
II.
HERE are two instances in which the influence of
this Collection can be traced on the subsequent
literature of our country.
1. SHAKESPEARE is supposed to have had the first
poem, the Xoscgaie &c. in mind, where in HAMLET he makes
the distracted OPHELIA say —
INTRODUCTION. xiii
Oph. There's rosemary, that's for remembrance • " pray you, love !
remember ! " and there is pansies, that's for thoughts.
Laer. A document in madness : thoughts and remembrance fitted.
Oph. There's fennel for you, and columbines ; there's rue for you ;
and here's some for me ; we may call it herb of grace o' Sundays ;
oh, you must wear your rue with a difference. There's a daisy ; I
would give you some violets, but they withered all when my father
died; they say he made a good end. — HAMLET, Act. IV, Sc. 5.
Variorum Ed. of SHAKESPEARE, by H. H. FURNESS, Vol. i. 345.
Ed. 1877.
2. The second is a more marked acknowledgement. In
Eastward Hoe, the joint production of GEORGE CHAPMAN,
BEN JONSON and JOHN MARSTON, and printed in 1603 ; is
the following parody of G. MANNINGTON'S sorrow/nil Sonet, as
it is called at p. 57.
Quick. Sir, it is all the testimonie I shall leaue behinde me to the
World, and my Maister, that I haue so offended.
Friend. Good Sir.
Qui. I writ it, when my spirits were opprest.
Pet. I, ile be sworne for you Francis.
Quic. It is in imitation of Maningtons\ he that was hangd at
Cambridge, that cut off the Horses head at a blowe.
Friend. So sir.
Quic. To the tune of I waile in woe, I plunge in paine.
Pet. An excellent Ditty it is, and worthy of a new tune.
Qui. In Cheapside/a;«0«.s -for Gold and Plate,
Quicksiluer / did dwel of late :
I had a Master good, and kind,
That would Jiaue wrought me to his mind.
He bad me still, Worke -vpon that,
But alas I wrought I knew not what.
He was a Touchstone black, but true ."
And told me still, what would ensue
Yet, woe is me, I would not learne,
I saw, alas, but could not discernt.
Friend. Excellent, excellent, well.
Gould. O let him alone, Hee is taken already.
Quic. / cast my Coat, and Cap away,
I went in silkes, and sattens gay,
False Mettall of good manners, 1
Did dayly coine unlawfully.
J scorned my Master, being drunke.
y kept my Gelding, and my Punke,
And with a knight, sir Flash, by namet
{Who now is soryfor the same.)
Pet. I thanke you Francis.
J thought f>y Ssa to rmtiif >i w, 1 r. | Rut Thames, and Tempest did me stay.
XIV
IN TRODUCTION.
Touch. This cannot be fained sure. Heauen pardon my seuerity.
77/c' ragged Colt, may prone a good Horse.
Gould. How he listens ! and is transported ? He has forgot mee.
QlliC. Still Eastward hoe ivas all my word:
Jjtif I'l'est'ii'ard J had no regard.
Nor n fncr thought, what would come after
As did alas his youngest Daughter,
At last the blacke Oxe trode o' myfoote,
And I saw then wJiat longd vntoot.
Now cry I, Touchstone, touch me stil,
And make me currant by thy skill.
Touch. And 1 will doe it, Francis.
Wolfe. Stay him M. Deputy, now is the time, we shall loose the
song else.
Frien. I protest it is the best that euer I heard.
Quick. How like you it Gentlemen ;
All. O admirable, sir !
Quic. This Stanze now following, alludes to the story of Man-
nington from whence I tooke my proiect for my inuention.
Fri[e]n[d]. Pray you goe on sir.
QlliC. O Manin^tun thy stories slumv,
Thou cutst a Horse-head off at a blow
But y confesse, J fiaue not the force
For to cut off the head of a horse,
Vet y desire this grace to winne,
That y may cut off the Horse-liead of Sin.
A nd leaue his body in the dust
Of sinnes high way and bogges of L ust,
Wherby y may take Vertues purse,
And line with her for better, for worse.
Fri[e]n[d]. Admirable sir, and excellently conceited.
Quick. Alas, sir.
Touch. Sonne Golding and M. Wolfe, I thank you / the deceipt
is welcome, especially from thee whose charitable soule in this hath
shewne a high point of wisdom and honesty. Listen. I am rauishcd
with his Repentance, and could stand here a whole prentiship to
heare him.
Frien[d]. Forth good sir.
Quick. This is the last, and the Farewell.
Farewel C\iea.ps'\de,farez>vel sweet trade
Of Goldsmithes all, that neuer shall fade
Farewell deare fellow Prentises all
A nd be you warned by my fall .'
Shun Vsurers, Bauds, and dice, and drabs.
A uoide them as you would French seals
Seeke not to goe beyond your Tether,
But cut your Thongs vnto your Lether
So shall you thriue by little and little,
Scape Tiborne, Counters, and the Spitle.
Touch. An scape them shalt thou my penitent, and dear Frances.
H.3.
A FRAGMENT, OF ONE LEAF ONLY, OF ANOTHER
EDITION, IN THE COLLECTION OF BAGFORD
BALLADS IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM.
Press Mark, 643. m. 9/83.
Compare with //. 47-49.
to sundrie new tunes.
All slayest the heart, whom thou maist help,
1" A craggie Rock thy cradle was,
And Tygres milke sure was thy food :
Whereby Dame Nature brought to passe,
That like thy Nurse should be thy moode,
Wilde and vnkind, cruell and fell,
To flay the heart that loues thee well.
1F The Crocodile with fained teares,
The Fisher not so oft beguiles :
As thou haste fild my simple eares,
To heare sweet words, full fraught with wiles
That I may say, as I doo prooue,
Wo worth the time I gan to loue.
H Sith thou haste vow'd to worke my wracke,
And haste no will my wealth to way,
Farewell vnkind, I will keep backe
Such toyes as may my health decay :
And still will crie, as I haue cause,
Fie vpon loue and all his lawes.
'The Louer being wounded with his Ladies
beautie, require* h mercy. T0
the tune of Apelles.
He liuely sparkes of those two eyes,
My wounded heart hath set on fire :
And since I can no way deuise,
To stay the rage of my desire :
with sighes and trembling teares I craue
My deare, on me some pitty haue,
In viewing thee, I tooke such ioy,
As one that sought his quiet rest :
D 2
xvi THE BAG FORD FRAGMENT OF ANOTHER EDITION.
Sonets and Histories^
Vntill I felt the feathered boy,
Ay flickering in my captiue breast :
Since that time loe, in deep dispaire,
All voyd of ioy, my time I weare.
1~ The wofull prisoner Palemon,
And Troylus, eke King Pryamus,
Constrain'd by loue did neuer mone,
As I (my deare) for the haue done,
Let pitie then requite my paines
My life and death in thee remaines.
1f If constant loue may reape his hire,
And faith vnfained may purchase,
Great hope I haue to my desire,
Your gentle heart will grant me grace,
Till then (my deare) in few words plainc,
In pensiue thoughts I shall remaine.
fbe lamentation of a woman being wrongful-
lie defamed. To the tune of Damon and
Pythias.
u Ladies falselie deem'd
of any fault or crime,
Constraine your pensiue heartes to help
this dolefull tune of mine :
For spitefull men there are,
That faults would faine espie :
Alas, what heart would beare their talke,
but willinglie would die :
' I waile oft times in woe,
And curse mine houre of birth :
Such slaunderous pangs doe me oppresse,
when others ioy in mirth.
A Handefull
of pleasant delites,
Containing sundrie new Sonets
atiD delectable ^istoneg, in
diuers kindes of Meeter.
Newly deuised to the newest tunes
tjat ace noto in fc3e, to be 0ung:
euerie Sonet orderly pointed
to his proper
OHitf) neto aDWtiong of certain ®ong0
to verie late deuised Notes, not
commonly knowen, nor
vsed heretofore,
Clement Robinson
and diuers others.
HAT LONDON
Printed by Richard Ihones : dwel
ling at the signe of the Rose
and Crowne, neare
Holburne Bridge
1584.
£A-G. Scff. LIB. No. 3.
The Printer to
the Reader.
Ou that in Musicke do delight
your minds for to solace :
This little booke of Sonets m[ight\
wel like you in that case,
Peruse it wel ere you passe by,
here may you wish and haue,
Such pleasant songs to ech new tune,
as lightly you can craue.
Or if fine Histories you would reade,
you need not far to seek :
Within this booke such may you hauey
as Ladies may wel like.
Here may you haue such pretie thinges,
as women much desire :
Here may you haue of sundrie sorts,
such Songs as you require.
Wherefore my friend, if you regard,
such Songs to reade or heare :
Doubt not to buy this pretie Booke,
the price is not so deare.
Farewell.
Nosegaie ahvaies
sweet, for Louers to send for Tokens, of
lone, at Newyeres tide, or for fairings,
as they in their minds shall be disposed to write.
Nosegaie lacking flowers fresh,
to you now 1 do send.
Desiring you to look thereon,
when that you may intend :
For flowers fresh begin to fade,
and Boreas in the field,
Euen with his hard coniealed frost,
no better flowers doth yeeld :
But if that winter could haue sprung,
a sweeter flower than this,
I would haue sent it presently
to you withouten misse :
Accept this then as time doth serue
be thankful for the same,
Despise it not, but keep it well,
and marke ech flower his name.
Laplander is for louers true,
which euermore be faine :
Desiring alwaies for to haue,
some pleasure fb'r their pain :
Sends and Histories, to simdrie new Tunes. [IS£4.
And when that they obtained haue,
the loue that they require,
Then haue they al their perfect ioie,
and quenched is the fire.
If Rosemarie is for remembrance,
betweene vs daie and night :
Wishing that I might alwaies haue,
you present in my sight.
And when I cannot haue,
as I haue said before,
Then Cupid with his deadly dart,
doth wound my heart full sore.
^f Sage is for sustenance,
that should mans life sustaine,
For I do stil lie languishing,
continually in paine,
And shall do stil vntil I die,
except thou fauour show :
My paine and all my greeuous smart,
ful wel you do it know.
If Fend is for flaterers,
an euil thing it is sure :
But I haue alwaies meant truely,
with constant heart most pure :
And will continue in the same,
as long as life doth last,
Still hoping for a ioiful daie,
when all our paines be past.
If Violet is for faithfulnesse,
which in me shall abide :
Hoping likewise that from your heart,
you wil not let it slide.
And wil continue in the same,
as you haue nowe begunne :
And then for euer to abide,
then you my heart haue wonne.
X584.] Sonets and Histories -, to sundrie new Tunes. 5
1[ Time is to trie me,
as ech be tried must,
[PJtting you know while life doth last,
I wil not be vniust,
And if I should I would to God,
to hell my sotile should beare.
And eke also that Belzebub,
with teeth he should me teare.
H" Roses is to rule me.
with reason as you will,
For to be still obedient,
y©ur minde for to fulfill :
And thereto will not disagree,
in nothing that you say :
But will content your mind truely,
in all things that I may.
IT leliflowers is for gentlenesse,
which in me shall remaine :
Hoping that no sedition shal,
depart our hearts in twaine.
As soone the sunne shal loose his course,
the moone against her kinde,
Shall haue no light, if that I do
once put you from my minde.
H Carnations is for gratiousnesse,
marke that now by the way,
Haue no regard to flatterers,
nor passe not what they say.
For they will come with lying tales,
your eares for to fulfil :
In anie case do you consent,
nothing vnto their wil.
H Mangolds is for marriage,
that would our minds suffise,
Least that suspition of vs twaine,
by anie meanes should rise :
and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. [
As for my part, I do not care,
my self I wil stil vse.
That all the women in the world,
for you I will refuse.
<[[ Peniriall is to print your loue,
so deep within my heart :
That when you look this Nosegay on,
my pain you may impart,
And when that you haue read the same,
consider wel my wo,
Think ye then how to recompence,
euen him that loues you so.
1[ Cowsloppes is for counsel!,
for secrets vs between,
That none but you and I alone,
should know the thing we meane :
And if you wil thus wisely do,
as I think to be best :
Then haue you surely won the field,
and set my heart at rest.
[1[J I pray you keep this Nosegay wel,
and set by it some store :
And thus farewel, the Gods thee guide,
both now and euermore.
Not as the common sort do vse,
to set it in your brest :
That when the smel is gone away,
on ground he takes his rest.
FINIS.
1584.
L. Gibson.1
iss"'.] Sonets and Histories, to sundne new Times. 7
L. Gibsons Tantara, isoherin Danea fwelcommeth home
her Lord Diophon from the war.
To the tune ofy Down right Squire.
Ou Lordings, cast off your weedes of wo
me thinks I heare
A trumpet shril which plain doth show
my Lord is neare :
Tantara tara tantara,
this trumpet glads our hearts,
Therefore to welcome home your King,
you Lordings plaie your parts,
Tantara tara tantara, &c.
Harke harke, me thinkes I heare again,
this trumpets voice,
He is at hand this is certaine,
wherefore reioice.
Tantara tara tantara, &c.
this trumpet still doth say,
With trumpets blast, all dangers past,
doth shew in Marshall ray.
[Tantara tara tantara, &c.]
U A ioifull sight my hearts delight,
my Diophon deere :
Thy comely grace, I do embrace,
with ioiful cheere :
Tantara tara tantara,
what pleasant sound is this,
Which brought to me with victorie,
my ioy and onely blisse.
Tantara tara tantara, &c.
Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. [
D top Aon.
[U] My Queene and wife, my ioy and life
in whom I minde :
In euery part, the trustiest hart,
that man can finde.
Tantara tara tantara,
me thinks I heare your praise,
Your vertues race in euerie place,
which trumpet so doth raise.
Tantara tara tantara, &c.
[Dane 'a.]
Now welcome home to Siria soile,
from battered field :
That valiantly thy foes did foile,
with speare and shield :
Tantara tara tantara,
me thinks I heare it still,
Thy sounding praise, abroad to raise,
with trump that is nust shrill,
Tantara tara tantara, &c.
If honour and fame, O noble Dame,
such deeds do aske :
Then Diophon here to purchase fame,
hath done this taske :
Tantara tara tantara,
returnd he is againe,
To leade his life, with thee his wife,
in ioie without disdaine.
Tantara tara tantara, &c.
Finis
L. G.
T. Richardson."!
is?".'] Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Times. 9
II A proper new Song made by a Studient in
Cambridge, To the tune of I wish to see those
happy daies.
Which was once a happie wight,
and hie in Fortunes grace :
And which did spend my golden prime,
in running pleasures race,
Am now enforst of late,
contrariwise to mourne,
Since fortune ioies, into annoies,
my former state to turne.
The toiling oxe, the horse, the asse,
haue time to take their rest,
Yea all things else which Nature wrought,
sometimes haue ioies in brest :
Saue onelie I and such
which vexed are with paine :
For still in teares, my life it weares,
and so I must remaine.
How oft haue I in folded armes,
enioied my delight,
How oft haue I excuses made,
of her to haue a sight ?
But now to fortunes wil,
I caused am to bow.
And for to reape a hugie heape,
which youthful yeares did sow.
Wherefore all ye which do as yet,
remaine and bide behind :
Whose eies dame beauties blazing beams,
as yet did neuer blind.
Example let me be,
to you and other more :
Whose heauie hart, hath felt the smart,
subdued by Cupids lore.
io Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. [T> Rlch*rdson
1584.
1f Take heed of gazing ouer much,
on Damsels faire vnknowne :
For oftentimes the Snake doth lie,
with roses ouergrowde :
And vnder fairest flowers,
do noisome Adders lurke :
Of whom take heed, I thee areed :
least that thy cares they worke.
^[ What though that she doth smile on thee,
perchance shee doth not loue :
And though she smack thee once or twice,
she thinks thee so to prooue,
And when that thou dost thinke,
she loueth none but thee :
She hath in store, perhaps some more,
which so deceiued be,
*,[" Trust not therefore the outward shew
beware in anie case :
For good conditions do not lie,
where is a pleasant face :
But if it be thy chaunce,
a louer true to haue :
Be sure of this, thou shalt not misse,
ech thing that thou wilt craue.
M And when as thou (good Reader) shalt
peruse this scrole of mine :
Let this a warning be to thee,
and saie a friend of thine,
Did write thee this of loue,
and of a zealous mind :
Because that he sufficiently,
hath tried the female kind.
U Here Cambridge now I bid farewell,
adue to Students all :
Adue vnto the Colledges,
and vnto Gttnuil Hall :
T. Richardson.-i §onets and Histories , to sundrie new Tunes. 1 1
And you my fellowes once,
pray vnto loue that I
May haue releef, for this my grief,
and speedie remedie.
^1 And that he shield you euerichone,
from Beauties luring looks :
Whose baite hath brought me to my baine,
and caught me from my Books :
Wherefore, for you, my praier shall be,
to send you better grace,
That modestie with honestie,
may guide your youthfull race.
Finis quod Thomas Richardson, sometime Student in Cambridge.
IF The scoffe of a Ladle, as pretie as may be,
to a yong man that went a wooing;
He went stil about her, and yet he went without her,
because he was so long a dooing.
iTtend thee, go play thee,
iSweet loue I am busie :
my silk and twist is not yet spun ;
| My Ladie will blame me,
If that she send for me,
and find my worke to be vndun :
How then ?
How shall I be set me ?
To say loue did let me ?
Fie no, it will not fit me,
It were no scuse for me.
[It were no scuse for me.]
If loue were attained,
My ioies were vnfained,
my seame and silke wil take no hold :
Oft haue I beene warned,
By others proofe learned :
hote wanton loue soone waxeth cold,
Go now :
1 2 Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. [IS'g4
I say go pack thee,
Or my needle shal prick thee :
Go seeke out Dame Idle :
More fit for thy bridle,
More fit for thy bridle.
11 Wei worthie of blaming,
For thy long detaining,
all vaine it is thatthou hast done :
Best now to be wandring,
Go vaunt of thy winning,
and tell thy Dame what thou hast won :
Say this :
Then say as I bade thee :
That the little dogge Fancie,
Lies chaste without moouing,
And needeth no threatning,
For feare of wel beating.
For feare of wel beating.
U The boy is gone lurking,
Good Ladies be working,
dispatch a while that we had done,
The tide will not tarrie,
All times it doth varie,
The day doth passe, I see the Sun,
[ ? One line omitted by the Printer.]
The frost bites faire flowers,
Lets worke at due howres,
Haste, haste, and be merie,
Till our needles be werie.
Till our needles be werie,
H Now Ladies be merie,
Because you are werie :
leaue worke I say, and get you home,
Your businesse is slacking,
Your loueris packing :
your answer hath cut off his comb.
How then ?
t584.] Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. 1 3
The fault was in him sir,
He wooed it so trim sir,
Alas poor seelie fellow,
Make much of thy pillow.
Make much of thy pillow.
Finis.
An answer as pretie to the scof of his Lady,
by the yongman that came a wooing,
Wherein he doth flout her.
Being glad he went without her9
Misliking both her and her dooing.
ILas Loue, why chafe ye ?
[Why fret ye, why fume ye ?
to me it seemeth verie strange,
|Me thinks ye misuse me,
soone to refuse me,
vnlesse you hope of better change :
Wei, wel : .
Wei now, I perceiue ye,
You are mindful to leaue me :
Now sure it doth grieue me :
That I am vnworthie :
That I am vnworthie.
IT I mean not to let ye, nor I can not forget ye,
it wil not so out of my minde :
My loue is not daintie, I see you haue plenty
that set so little by your friend.
Goe too spin on now I pray you, I list not to stay,
I will goe play me :
I am vnfit for you, &c.
[If] Leaue off to flout now, and prick on your clout now
you are a daintie Dame indeed,
14 Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. f*'1
And thogh of your taunting, I may make my vaunting
as bad or worse than I shal speed :
Sweet heart, though now you forsake it.
I trust you will take it:
and sure I spak e it, so fine as you make it, &c
[If] Now wil I be trudging, without anie grudging
I am content to giue you ground :
Good reson doth bind me, to leue you behind me,
for you are better lost than found :
Go play, go seeke out Dame pleasure :
You are a trim treasure,
Wise women be daintie,
Of fooles there be plentie, &c.
IF If I might aduise ye, few words shuld suffice ye
and yet you shold bestow them wel :
Maids must be manerly, not ful of scurility,
wherein I see you do excel,
Farewel good Nicibicetur,
God send you a sweeter,
A. lustie lim lifter, you are a trim shifter, &c.
Finis.
Peter Picks.
Dame Beauties replie to the Louer late at
liber tie : and now complaineth himself e
to be her captiue, Intituled : Where is
the life that late I led.
He life that erst thou ledst my friend,
was pleasant to thine eies :
But now the losse of libertie,
thou seemest to despise.
Where then thou ioiedst thy will,
now thou doest grudge in heart :
Then thou no paine nor grief didst feele,
but now thou pinest in smart.
Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Times. 1 5
What mooued thee vnto loue,
expresse and tell the same :
Saue fancie thine, that heapt thy paine,
thy follie learne to blame.
II For when thou freedome didst enioie,
thou gauest thy selfe to ease,
And letst self-will the ruling beare,
thy fancie fond to please :
Then stealing Cupid came,
with bow and golden dart :
He struck the stroke, at pleasure he
that now doth paine thy hart :
Blame not the Gods of loue,
But blame thy self thou maist :
For freedome was disdaind of thee,
and bondage more thou waiest.
H Who list, thou saist. to Hue at rest,
and freedome to possesse :
The sight of gorgeous Dames must shun,
least loue do them distresse :
Thou blamest Cupidoes craft,
who strikes in stealing sort :
And sets thee midst the princely Dames,
of Beauties famous fort :
And meaning wel thou saiest,
as one not bent to loue,
Then Cupid he constrains thee yeeld,
as thou thy self canst prooue.
1[ Faire Ladies lookes in libertie,
enlarged not thy paine :
Ne yet the sight of gorgeous Dames,
could cause thee thus complaine.
It was thy self indeed,
that causd thy pining woe,
Thy wanton wil, and idle minde,
causd Cupid strike the blow :
Blame not his craft, nor vs
1 6 Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes.
that Beauties darlings be,
Accuse thy selfe to seeke thy care,
thy fancie did agree.
H There is none thou saist, that can
more truely iudge the case :
Than thou that hast the wound receiu'de,
by sight of Ladies face.
Her beautie thee bewitcht,
thy minde that erst was free :
Her corps so comely framd, thou safest,
did force thee to agree :
Thou gauest thy self it seemes,
her bondman to abide,
Before that her good willingnesse,
of thee were knowen and tride.
[1T] What Judgement canst thou giue :
how dost thou plead thy case :
It was not she that did thee wound,
although thou seest her face :
Ne could her beautie so,
inchaunt or vex thy sprites,
Ne feature hers so comely framde,
could weaken to thy wits.
But that thou mightest haue showne
the cause to her indeede,
Who spares to speak, thy self dost know,
doth faile of grace to speede.
H By this thou saiest, thou soughtst ye means
of torments that you beare,
By this thou wouldest men take heede,
and learne of loue to feare :
For taking holde thou telst,
to flie it is too late,
And no where canst thou shrowd thy self,
but Care must be thy mate.
Though loue do pleasure seeme,
yet plagues none such there are :
Therefore all louers now thou willst,
of liking to beware,
1584;] Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Times. 1 7
U Thy self hath sought the meane and way,
and none but thou alone :
Of all the grief and care you beare,
as plainely it is showne :
Then why should men take heed,
thy counsell is vnfit :
Thou sparedst to speak, and faildst to speed,
thy will had banisht wit.
And now thou blamest loue,
and Ladies faire and free :
And better lost than found my frind,
your cowards heart v/e see.
Finis.
I. P.
A new Courtly. Sonet, of the Lady Green
sleeues. To the new tune of Greensleeues.
Greensleeues was all my ioy,
Greensleeues was my delight:
Greensleeues was ?ny hart of gold,
And who but Ladie Greensleeues.
Las my loue, ye do me wrong,
to cast me off discurteously :
[And I haue loued you so long.
Delighting in your companie.
Greensleeues was all my ioy,
Greensleeues was my delight :
Greensleeues was my heart of gold,
And who but Ladie Greensleeues.
IT I haue been readie at your hand,
to grant what euer you would craue.
I haue both waged life and land,
your loue and good will for to haue.
Greensleeues was all my ioy, &c.
ENO. Scff. LIB. No. 3. o
1 8 Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. [
IF I bought thee kerchers to thy head,
that were wrought fine and gallantly :
I kept thee both at boord and bed,
Which cost my purse wel fauouredly,
Greensleeues was al my ioie, &c.
IF I bought thee peticotes of the best,
the cloth so fine as fine might be :
I gaue thee iewels for thy chest,
and all this cost I spent on thee.
Greensleeues was all my ioie, &c.
IF Thy smock of silk, both faire and white,
with gold embrodered gorgeously :
Thy peticote of Sendall right :
and thus I bought thee gladly.
Greensleeues was all my ioie, &c.
IF Thy girdle of gold so red,
with pearles bedecked sumptuously :
The like no other lasses had,
and yet thou wouldst not loue me,
Greensleeues was all my ioy, &c.
IF Thy purse and eke thy gay guilt kniues,
thy pincase gallant to the eie :
No better wore the Burgesse wiues,
and yet thou wouldst not loue me.
Greensleeues was all my ioy, &c.
1F Thy crimson stockings all of silk,
with golde all wrought aboue the knee,
Thy pumps as white as was the milk,
and yet thou wouldst not loue me.
Greensleeues was all my ioy, &c.
IF Thy gown was of the grossie green,
thy sleeues of Satten hanging by :
Which made thee be our haruest Queen,
and yet thou wouldst not loue me.
Greensleeues was all my ioy, &c.
1580.
S one Is and Histories, to sundric new Tunes. 19
1[ Thy garters fringed with the golde,
And siluer aglets hanging by,
Which made thee blithe for to beholde,
And yet thou wouldst not lone me.
Greensleeues was all my ioy, &c.
H My gayest gelding I thee gaue,
To ride where euer liked thee,
No Ladie euer was so braue,
And yet thou wouldst not loue me.
Greensleeues was all my ioy, &c.
H My men were clothed all in green,
And they did euer wait on thee :
Al this was gallant to be seen,
and yet thou wouldst not loue me.
Greensleeues was all my ioy, &c.
1[ They set thee vp, they took thee downe,
they serued thee with humilitie,
Thy foote might not once touch the ground,
and yet thou wouldst not loue me.
Greensleeues was all my ioy, &c.
IF For euerie morning when thou rose,
I sent thee dainties orderly :
To cheare thy stomack from all woes,
and yet thou wouldst not loue me.
Greensleeues was all my ioy, &c.
H Thou couldst desire no earthly thing.
But stil thou hadst it readily :
Thy musicke still to play and sing,
And yet thou wouldst not loue me.
Greensleeues was all my ioy, &c.
H And who did pay for all this geare,
that thou didst spend when pleased thee ?
Euen I that am reiected here,
and thou disdainst to loue me.
Greensleeues was all my ioy, &c.
20 Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. [^
11 Wei, I wil pray to God on hie,
that thou my constancie maist see :
And that yet once before I die,
thou wilt vouchsafe to loue me.
Greensleeues was all my ioy, £c.
H Greensleeues now farewel adue
God I pray to prosper thee :
For I am stil thy louer true,
come once againe and loue me.
Greensleeues was all my ioy, &c.
Finis.
^4 proper sonet, ivherin the Louer dolefully sheweth
his grief to his I\ady\. and requireth pity.
To the tune of , Row wel ye Marriners.
S one without refuge,
For life doth pleade with panting breath
And rufully the ludge,
Beholds (whose doome grants life or death,)
So fare I now my onelie Loue,
Whom I tender as Turtle Doue,
Whose tender looks (O ioly ioy)
Shall win me sure your louing boy :
Faire lookes, sweet Dame,
Or else (alas) I take my bane :
Nice talke, coying,
Wil bring me sure to my ending,
Too little is my skil,
By pen (I saie) my loue to paint,
And when that my good will,
My tong wold shew, my heart doth faint :
Sith both the meanes do faile therefore,
My loue for to expresse with lore :
The torments of my inward smart.
You may well gesse within your hart:
1584.] Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. 2 1
•
Wherefore, sweet wench,
Some louing words, this heat to quench
Fine smiles, smirke lookes,
And then I neede no other lookes,
IF Your gleams hath gript the hart,
alas within my captiue breast :
O how I feele the smart,
And how I find my griefe increast :
My fancie is so fixt on you,
That none away the same can do :
My deer vnlesse you it remooue :
Without redresse I die for loue,
Lament with me,
Ye Muses nine, where euer be,
My life I loth,
My loies are gone, I tel you troth,
IF All Musicks solemne sound,
Of song, or else of instrument :
Me thinks they do resound,
With doleful tunes, me to lament,
And in my sleep vnsound, alas,
Me thinks such dreadful things to passe :
that out I crie in midst of dreames,
Wherwith my tears run down as streams,
O Lord, think I,
She is not here that should be by :
What chance is this,
That I embrace that froward is ?
1F The Lions noble minde,
His raging mood (you know) oft staies,
When beasts do yeeld by kinde,
On them (forsooth) he neuer praies :
Then sithence that I am your thrall,
To ease my smart on you I call.
A bloudie conquest is your part,
To kill so kind a louing heart :
22 Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Times. [:
Alas remorce,
Or presently I die perforce :
God grant pitie,
Within your breast now planted be.
H As nature hath you deckt,
with worthie gifts aboue the rest,
So to your praise most great,
Let pitie dwell within your brest,
That I may saie with heart and wil,
Lo, this is she that might me kil :
For why ? in hand she held the knife,
And yet (forsooth) she saued my life.
Hey-ho, darling :
With lustie loue, now let vs sing,
Plaie on, Minstrel,
My Ladie is mine onelie girle.
The Historic of Diana and Acteon.
To the Quarter Braules.
lana and her darlings deare,
Walkt once as you shall heare :
Through woods and waters cleare,
themselues to play :
The leaues were gay and green,
And pleasant to be seen :
They went the trees between,
in coole aray,
So long, that at the last they found a place,
of waters full cleare :
So pure and faire a Bath neuer was
found many a yeare.
There shee went faire and gent,
Her to sport, as was her wonted sort :
In such desirous sort :
Thus goeth the report :
Diana dainteously began her selfe therein to bathe
And her body for to laue,
So curious and braue.
Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. 23
1[ As they in water stood,
Bathing their liuelie blood :
Acteon in the wood,
chaunst to come by:
And vewed their bodies bare,
Maruailing what they weare,
And stil deuoid of care,
on them cast his eie :
But when the Nymphs had perceiued him,
aloud then they cried,
Enclosed her, and thought to hide her skin,
which he had spied :
But too true I tell you,
She scene was,
For in height she did passe,
Ech Dame of her race.
Harke then Acteons case :
When Diana did perceue, where Acteon did stand,
She took bowe in her hand,
And to shoot she began.
H As she began to shoot, Acteon ran about,
To hide he thought no boote,
his sights were dim :
And as he thought to scape,
Changed was Acteons shape,
Such was vnluckie fate,
yeelded to him :
For Diana brought it thus to passe,
and plaied her part,
So that poore Acteon changed was
to a hugie Hart,
And did beare, naught but haire :
In this change,
Which is as true as strange,
And thus did he range,
Abroad
[Leaf B. vj is wanting.]
[Lea/B. vj is -wanting^]
Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Times. 25
So that his sorrowes importunate,
Had ended his life incontinent,
Had not Lady Venus grace, Lady Lady,
Pitied her poore seruants case,
My deer Ladie.
^F For when she saw the torments strong,
Wherewith the Knight was sore opprest,
Which he God knowes had suffered long,
Al through this Ladies mercilesse,
Of their desires she made exchange,
Ladie, Ladie.
And wrought a myracle most strange,
My deer Ladie.
IF So that this Ladie faithfully,
Did loue this Knight aboue all other :
And he vnto the contrarie,
Did hate her then aboue all measure,
And pitifull she did complaine : ladie, ladie.
Requiring fauour, and might not obtaine.
My deer ladie.
IT But when she saw, that in no case,
She might vnto his loue attaine :
And that she could not finde some grace,
To ease her long enduring paine,
And yat his hart wold not remoue, Lady, ladie
Without all cure [s]he died for loue,
My deer, [ladie.]
IF Besides these matters maruelous,
One other thing I wil you tell :
Of one whose name was Narcissusy
A man whose beautie doth excel.
Of natures gifts he had no misse, Lady, lady
He had ye whole of beauties blisse,
My deere. [ladie.]
IF So that out of manie a far Countrey,
I reade of manie a woman faire,
Did come this Narcissus to see,
Who perished when they came there,
26 Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Times.
Through his default I say in fine, lady, lady
Who vnto loue would not incline.
My deer.[ladie.]
U Whose disobedience vnto loue,
When vnto Venus it did appeare.
How that his hart would not remoue,
She punisht him as you shal heare :
A thing most strange forsooth it was,
Ladie, Ladie.
Now harken how it came to passe,
My deer.[ladie.]
^f For when he went vpon a daie,
With other mo in strange disguise,
Himself forsooth he did aray
In womans attire of a new deuise,
And ouer a bridge as he did go, Ladie, ladie.
In the water he sawe his own shadow,
My. [deer ladie.]
1[ Which when he did perceiue and see,
A Ladie faire he saith it seemeth :
Forgat himself that it was he,
And iudgde that it was Dianaes Nymph,
Who in the waters in such fashion, Lady, la[dy]
Did vse themselues for recreation,
My deer, [ladie.]
H And through the beautie of whose looks,
Taken he was with such fond desire,
That after manie humble sutes,
Incontinent he did aspire.
Vnto her grace him to refer, Ladie, Ladie
Trusting yat mercie was in her,
My deer, &c.
H With armes displaid he took his race,
And leapt into the riuer there,
And thought his Ladie to imbrace,
1584.
I5g J Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. 2 7
Being of himselfe, deuoid of feare,
And there was drownd without redresse, Ladie, Ladie.
His crueltie rewarded was,
with such follie.
H Loe, hereby you may perceiue,
How Venus can, and if she please,
Her disobedient Subiects grieue,
And make them drinke their owne disease,
Wherfore rebel not I you wish, Lady, lady.
Least that your chaunce be worse than this,
if worse may be.
Finis.
The Louer complaineth the losse of his Ladie
To Cecilia Pauin.
art, what makes thee thus to be,
in extreame heauinesse ?
If care do cause all thy distresse,
Why seekest thou not some redresse,
to ease thy carefulnesse ?
Hath Cupid stroke in Venerie,
Thy wofull corps in ieoperdie :
right wel then may I sob and crie,
Til that my Mistresse deer, my faith may trie
Why would I cloake from her presence,
My loue and faithfull diligence ?
And cowardly thus to die.
And cowardly thus to die.
^[ * No no, I wil shew my woe,
in this calamitie.
To her whom Nature shapte so free :
With all Dianaes chastitie,
or Venus rare beautie :
Then shall I brace felicitie,
And Hue in all prosperitie.
28 Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. [J>Tho™8":
then leaue off this woe, let teares go,
thou shalt embrace thy Ladie deer with ioy.
In these thy armes so louingly,
As Paris did faire Helenic.
By force of blinded boy.
By force of blinded boy.
If If Venus would grant vnto me,
such happinesse :
As she did vnto Troylus,
By help of his friend Pandarus,
To Crcssids loue who worse,
Than all the women certainly :
That euer liued naturally.
Whose slight falsed faith, the storie saith,
Did breed by plagues, her great and sore distresse,
For she became so leprosie,
That she did die in penurie :
Because she did transgresse.
Because she did transgresse.
^[ If she, I saie, wil me regard,
in this my ieoperdie,
.1 wil shew her fidelitie,
And eke declare her curtesie,
to Louers far and nie :
O heart how happie shouldst thou be,
When my Ladie doth smile on me :
Whose milde merie cheare,
Wei driue away feare,
Cleane from my brest, and set ioy in ye place
when I shall kisse so tenderly :
Her fingers small and slenderly,
which doth my heart solace, &c.
[H] Therefore ye amorous imps who burne
so stil in Cupids fire,
Let this the force of my retire
Example be to your desire,
That so to loue aspire :
For I did make deniance,
And set her at defiance :
.j $onefs and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. 29
Which made me full wo, it chanced so,
Because I look at my mistresse so coy :
Therefore, when she is merily
Disposed, look you curteously :
Receiue her for your ioy.
Receiue her for your ioy.
Finis.
I. Toinson.
The Louer compareth some subtile Sutcrs
to the Hunter. To the tune of the Painter.
Hen as the Hunter goeth out,
with hounds in brace.
The Hart to hunt, and set about,
with wilie trace,
He doth it more to see and view,
Her wilinesse (I tell you true.)
Her trips and skips, now here, now there,
With squats and flats, which hath no pere.
More than to win or get the game
to be are away :
He is not greedie of the same,
(thus Hunters saie :
So some men hunt by hote desire,
To Venus Dames, and do require
With fauor to haue her, or els they wil die,
they loue her, and prooue her, and wot ye why ?
Forsooth to see her subtilnesse, and wily way.
When they (God knows) mean nothing lesse
than they do say :
For when they see they may her win,
They leaue then where they did begin.
they prate and make the matter nice,
And leaue her in fooles paradice.
3O Sonets and Histories, to snndrie new Tunes.
1584.
Wherefore of such (good Ladie now)
wisely beware,
Least flinging fancies in their brow,
do breed you care :
And at the first giue them the checke,
Least they at last giue you the geek,
And scornfully disdaine ye then,
In faith there are such kind of men.
But I am none of those indeed,
beleeue me now :
I am your man if you me need,
I make a vow :
To serue you without doublenesse :
With feruent heart my owne mistresse,
Demaund me, commaund me,
what please ye, and whan,
I wil be stil readie, as I am true man.
A new Sonet of Pyramus and Thisbie.
To the, Downe right Squler.
Ou Dames (I say) that climbe the mount
of Helicon,
Come on with me, and giue account,
what hath been don :
Come tell the chaunce ye Muses all,
and dolefull newes,
Which on these Louers did befall,
which I accuse.
In Babilon not long agone,
a noble Prince did dwell :
whose daughter bright dimd ech ones sight,
so farre she did excel.
An other Lord of high renowne,
who had a sonne :
And dwelling there within the towne,
great loue begunne :
j. Th°™on.j Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. 3 1
Pyramus this noble Knight,
I tel you true :
Who with the loue of Thisbie bright,
did cares renue :
It came to passe, their secrets was,
beknowne vnto them both :
And then in minde, they place do finde,
where they their loue vnclothe.
II This loue they vse long tract of time,
till it befell :
At last they promised to meet at prime,
by Minus well :
Where they might louingly imbrace,
in loues delight :
That he might see his Thisbies face,
and she his sight :
In ioyful case, she approcht the place,
where she her Pyramus
Had thought to viewd, but was renewd,
to them most dolorous.
IT Thus while she staies for Pyramus,
there did proceed :
Out of the wood a Lion fierce,
made Thisbie dreed :
And as in haste she fled awaie,
her Mantle fine :
The Lion tare in stead of praie,
till that the time
That Pyramus proceeded thus,
and see how lion tare
The Mantle this of Thisbie his,
he desperately doth fare.
IF For why he thought the lion had,
faire Thisbie slaine.
And then the beast with his bright blade,
he slew certaine :
Then made he mone and said alas,
,2 Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Times. [J< ThonJ;$|;
(O wretched wight)
Now art thou in a woful case
for Thisbie bright :
Oh Gods aboue, my faithfull loue
shal neuer faile this need :
For this my breath by fatall death,
shal weaue Atropos threed.
11 Then from his sheathe he drew his blade,
and to his hart
He thrust the point, and life did vade,
with painfull smart :
Then Thisbie she from cabin came
with pleasure great,
And to the well apase she ran,
there for to treat :
And to discusse, to Pyramus
of al her former feares.
And when slaine she, found him truly,
she shed foorth bitter teares.
IT When sorrow great that she had made,
she took in hand
The bloudie knife, to end her life,
by fatall hand.
You Ladies all, peruse and see,
the faithfulnesse,
How these two Louers did agree,
to die in distresse :
You Muses \vaile, and do not faile,
but still do you lament :
These louers twaine, who with such paine,
did die so well content.
Finis.
/. Thomson.
15?34J Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Times. 33
A Sonet of a Loner in the praise of his lady.
To Galen o Custure me: sung at euerie lines end.
Hen as I view your comly grace, Ca. &c
our golden haires, your angels face :
our azured veines much like the skies,
Your siluer teeth, your Christali eies.
Your Corall lips, your crimson cheeks,
That Gods and men both loue and leekes,
IT Your pretie mouth with diuers gifts,
Which driueth wise men to their shifts:
So braue, so fine, so trim, so yong,
With heauenlie wit and pleasant tongue,
That Pallas though she did excell,
Could frame ne tel a tale so well.
U" Your voice so sweet, your necke so white,
your bodie fine and small in sight :
Your fingers long so nimble be,
To vtter foorth such harmonic,
As all the Muses for a space :
To sit and heare do giue you place.
1f Your pretie foot with all the rest,
That may be scene or may be gest :
Doth beare such shape, that beautie may
Giue place to thee and go her way :
And Paris nowe must change his doome,
For Venus lo must giue thee roome.
If Whose gleams doth heat my hart as fier,
Although I burne, yet would I nier :
Within my selfe then can I say :
The night is gone, behold the day :
Behold the star so cleare and bright,
As dimmes the sight of Phoebus light :
ENG. SCH. LIB. No. 3. 4
34 Sonets and Histories, to sundric new Tunes. [X5?8
584.
Whose fame by pen for to discriue,
Doth passe ech wight that is aliue :
Then how dare I with boldned face,
Presume to craue or wish your grace ?
And thus amazed as I stand,
Not feeling sense, nor moouing hand,
My soule with silence moouing sense,
Doth wish of God with reuerence,
Long life, and vertue you possesse :
To match those gifts of worthinesse,
And loue and pitie may be spide,
To be your chief and onely guide.
1T A proper Sonet, Intituled, Maid, wil you
marrle. To the Blacke Almaine.
Aid, vvil you marie ? I pray sir tarie,
I am not disposed to wed a :
For he yat shal haue me, wil neuer deny me
he shal haue my maidenhed a.
Why then you wil not wed me ?
No sure sir I haue sped me,
You must go seeke some other wight,
That better may your heart delight.
For I am sped I tell you true,
beleue me it greues me, I may not haue you,
To wed you and bed you as a woman shold be
For if I could, be sure I would,
consent to your desire :
I would not doubt, to bring about
ech thing you would require :
But promise now is made,
Which cannot be staide :
It is a womans honestie,
To keep her promise faithfully.
And so I do meane til death to do,
Consider and gather, that this is true :
Choose it, and vse it, the honester you.
•o84.] Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. 35
II -But if you seek, for to misleeke,
with this that I haue done :
Or else disdaine, that I so plaine
this talke with you haue begone :
Farewell I wil not let you,
He fisheth well that gets you,
And sure I thinke your other friend,
Wii prooue a Cuckold in the end :
But he wil take heed if he be wise,
To watch you and catch you, with Argus eies,
Besetting and letting your wonted guise.
H Although the Cat doth winke a while,
yet sure she is not blinde :
It is the waie for to beguile,
the Mice that run behind :
And if she see them running,
Then straightway she is comming:
Vpon their head she claps her foote,
To striue with her it is no boote.
The seelie poore Mice dare neuer play,
She catcheth and snatcheth them euery day,
Yet whip they, and skip they, when she is away,
If And if perhaps they fall in trap,
to death then must they yeeld :
They were better then, to haue kept their den
than straie abroad the field :
But they that will be ranging,
Shall soone repent their changing:
And so shall you ere it be long,
Wherefore remember well my song :
And do not snuffe though I be plaine,
But cherily, merily, take the same.
For hufBng and snuffing deserueth blame.
1[ For where you say you must obay,
the promise you haue made,
So sure as I wil neuer flie,
from that I haue said :
36 Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. [15g4.
Therefore to them I leaue you,
Which gladly wil receiue you :
You must go choose some other mate,
According to your own estate.
For I do meane to Hue in rest,
Go seek you, and leek you an other guest,
And choose him, and vse him, as you like best.
The ioy of Virginitie : to, The Gods of loue
ludge and finde, how God doth minde,
to furnish, to furnish
his heauenly throne aboue,
With virgins pure, this am I sure,
without misse, without misse :
with other Saints he doth loue :
It is allowed as you may reade,
And eke auowed by Paul indeede,
Virginitie is accepted,
a thing high in Gods sight :
Though marriage is selected,
a thing to be most right :
yet must I praise Virginitie,
For I would faine a Virgin be.
You Virgins pure, your seines assure,
and credite, and credite :
great ioy you shall possesse,
Which I (God knows) cannot disclose,
nor spreade it, nor spreade it,
ne yet by pen expresse.
Nor halfe the ioies that you shall finde,
I can not iudge for you assignde :
When hence your ghost shall yeelded be,
into the throne of blisse :
In chaste and pure Virginitie,
for thought or deed ywisse :
Wher you shal raign, with God on hie
For euermore eternally.
I584J Sonets and Histories, to sundrie neiv Times. 37
H And when doubtlesse, you shal possesse,
with lesus, with lesus,
these ioies celestiall.
Then Ladie Fame, wil blaze your name,
amongst vs, amongst vs,
which then on earth raigne shal.
She wil resound in euerie coast,
By trumpet sound, and wil you boast ?
So that although you do depart
This mortall life so vaine :
Your chastitie in euerie heart,
by memorie shall remaine.
But hard it is, I saie no more,
To finde an hundreth in a score.
Finis.
IF A warning for Wooers, that they be not
ouer hastie, nor deceiued with womens
beautie, To, Salisburie Plaine.
E louing wormes come learne of me
The plagues to leaue that linked be :
The grudge, the grief, the gret anoy,
The fickle faith, the fading ioy :
in time, take heed,
In fruitlesse soile sow not thy seed :
buie not, \vith cost,
the thing that yeelds but labour lost.
If Cupids dart do chance to light,
So that affection dimmes thy sight,
Then raise vp reason by and by,
With skill thy heart to fortifie
Where is a breach,
Oft times too late doth come the Leach :
Sparks are put out,
when fornace flames do rage about.
38 Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Ttcncs. [15g4t
II Thine owne delay must win the field,
When lust doth leade thy heart to yeeld :
When steed is stolne, who makes al last,
May go on foot for al his haste :
In time shut gate,
For had I wist, doth come too late,
Fast bind, fast find,
Repentance alwaies commeth behind.
If The Syrens times [times] oft time beguiles,
So doth the teares of Crocodiles :
But who so learnes Vlysses lore,
May passe the seas, and win the shore.
Stop eares, stand fast,
Through Cupids trips, thou shalt him cast :
Flie baits, shun hookes,
Be thou not snarde with louely lookes.
1[ Where Venus hath the maisterie,
There loue hath lost her libertie :
where loue doth win the victorie,
The fort is sackt with crueltie.
First look, then leap,
In suretie so your shinnes you keepe :
The snake doth sting,
That lurking lieth with hissing.
1[ Where Cupids fort hath made a waie,
There graue aduise doth beare no swaie,
Where Loue doth raigne and rule the roste,
There reason is exilde the coast :
Like all, loue none, except ye vse discretion,
First try, then trust, be not deceiued with sinful lust,
H Marke Priams sonne, his fond deuise
When Venus did obtaine the price :
For Pallas skil and lunoes strength,
He chose that bred his bane at length.
Choos^e] wit, leaue wil, let Helen be with Paris stil :
Amisfsj goeth al, vvher fancie forceth iooles to iall.
JSH-] Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. 39
H Where was there found a happier wight,
Than Troylus was til loue did light ?
What was the end of Romeus.
Did he not die like Piramus
who baths in blis ? let him be mindful of Iphis
who seeks to plese, may ridden be like Hercules.
H I lothe to tel the peeuish brawles,
And fond delights of Cupids thrawles,
Like momish mates of Midas mood,
They gape to get that doth no good :
Now down, now vp, as tapsters vse to tosse ye Cup
One breedeth ioy, another breeds as great anoy
U Some loue for wealth, and some for hue,
And none of both these loues are true.
For when the Mil hath lost hir sailes,
Then must the Miller lose his vailes :
Of grasse commeth hay,
And flowers faire wil soon decay :
Of ripe commeth rotten,
In age al beautie is forgotten.
[H] Some loueth too hie, and some too lowe,
And of them both great griefs do grow,
And some do loue the common sort :
And common folke vse common sport.
Looke not too hie,
Least that a chip fall in thine eie :
But hie or lowe,
Ye may be sure she is a shrow.
IT But sirs, I vse to tell no tales,
Ech fish that swims doth not beare scales,
In euerie hedge I finde not thornes :
Nor euerie beast doth carrie homes :
I saie not so,
That euerie woman causeth wo :
That were too broad,
Who loueth not venom must shun the tode.
4O Sonets and Histories, to sundric new Tunes. [^
H Who vseth still the truth to tel,
May blamed be though he saie wel :
Say Crowe is white, and snowe is blacke,
Lay not the fault on womans backe,
Thousands were good,
But few scapte drowning in Noes flood :
Most are wel bent,
I must say so, least I be shent.
Finis.
11 An excellent Song of an outcast Louer.
To, All In a Garden green.
Y fancie did I fixe,
in faithful forme and frame :
n hope ther shuld no blustring blast
haue power to moue the same.
And as the Gods do know,
and world can witnesse beare :
I neuer serued other Saint,
nor I doll other where.
But one, and that was she,
whom I in heart did shrine :
And make account that pretious pearle,
and iewel rich was mine.
No toile, nor labour great,
could wearie me herein :
For stil I had a lasons heart,
the golden fleece to win.
And sure my sute was hearde,
I spent no time in vaine :
A grant of friendship at her hand,
I got to quite my painc.
xss4 J Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. 4 1
[If! With solemne vowe and othe.
was knit the True-loue knot,
And friendly did we treat of loue,
as place and time we got.
If Now would we send our sighes,
as far as they might go,
Now would we worke with open signes,
to blaze our inward wo.
If Now rings and tokens too,
renude our friendship stil,
And ech deuice that could be wrought,
exprest our plaine goodwill,
[IT] True meaning went withall,
it cannot be denide :
Performance of the promise past,
was hopte for of ech side :
If And lookt for out of hand :
such vowes did we two make,
As God himself had present been,
record thereof to take.
If And for my part I sweare,
by all the Gods aboue,
I neuer thought of other friend,
nor sought for other loue.
1f The same consent in her,
I saw ful oft appeare,
If eies could see, or head could iudge,
or eare had power to heare.
'
If Yet loe wordes are but winde,
an other new come guest,
Hath won her fauour (as I feare)
as fancies rise in brest.
42 Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. [I:J4-
[IT] Her friend that wel deserues,
is out of countenaunce quite,
She makes the game to see me shoot,
while others hit the white.
[IF] He may wel beat the bush,
as manie thousands doo :
And misse the birds, and haply loose
his part of feathers too.
1F He hops without the ring,
yet daunceth on the trace,
When some come after soft and faire,
a heauie hobling pace.
If In these vnconstant daies,
such troth these women haue :
As wauering as the aspen leaf
they are, so God me saue.
IT For no deserts of men
are wei[ghe]d, what ere they be :
For in a mood their minds are led
with new delights we see.
^[ The guiltlesse goeth to wrack,
the gorgeous peacocks gay :
They do esteem vpon no cause,
and turne their friends away.
1[ I blame not al for one,
some flowers grow by the weeds,
Some are as sure as lock and key,
and iust of words and deeds.
IT And yet of one I waile,
of one I crie and plaine :
And for her sake shall neuer none,
so nip my heart againe :
I5's4.] Sonets and Plistories, to sundrie new Tunes.
IT If for offence or fault,
I had been floong at heele :
The lesse had been my bitter smart,
and gnawing greefe I feele.
1f But being once reteind,
a friend by her consent :
And after that to be disdaind,
when best good will I ment,
IT I take it nothing well,
for if my power could show,
With Larum bel and open crie,
the world should throughly know,
The complaint of a woman Louer,
To the tune of. Raging hue.
Hough wisdom wold I shold refrain,
My heaped cares here to vnfold :
ood Ladies yet my inward paine,
So pricketh me I haue no holde :
But that I must my griefe bewray,
Bedewed in teares with doleful tunes,
That you may heare, and after say,
Loe, this is she whom loue consumes.
My grief doth grow by my desire.
To fancie him that stormes my woe :
He naught regards my flaming fire,
Alas why doth he serue me so?
Whose fained teares I did beleeue,
And wept to heare his wailing voice,
But now, alas, too soon I preeue
Al men are false, there is no choice.
Had euer woman such reward,
At anie time for her goodwill ?
Had euer woman hap so hard,
So cruelly for loue to spill ?
44 Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Times. [X5g4.
What paps (alas) did giue him food,
That thus vnkindly workes my wo ?
What beast is of so cruell moode,
to hate the hart that loues him so?
H Like as the simple Turtle true,
In mourning groanes I spend the day :
My daily cares night dooth renew,
To thinke how he did me betray :
And when my weary limmes wold rest,
My sleepe vnsound hath dreadfull dreams,
Thus greeuous greefes my hart doth wrest
That stil mine eies run down like streams :
H And yet, full oft it dooth me good,
To haunt the place where he hath beene,
To kisse the ground whereon he stoode,
When he (alas) my loue did win.
To kisse the Bed wheron we laye ?
Now may I thinke vnto my paine,
O blisfull place full oft I say :
Render to me my loue againe,
IT But all is lost that may not be,
Another dooth possesse my right :
His cruell hart, disdaineth me,
New loue hath put the olde, to flight:
He loues to see my watered eyes,
and laughes to see how I do pine :
No words can well my woes comprise,
alas what griefe is like to mine ?
II You comly Dam[e]s, beware by me,
To rue sweete words of fickle trust :
For I may well example be,
How filed talke oft prooues vniust
But sith deceipt haps to my pay,
Good Ladyes helpe my dolefull tunes,
That you may here and after say :
Loe this is she whom loue consumes.
IS84.] Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. 45
A proper sonet, Intituled: I smile to see how
you deuise. To anie pleasant tune.
Smile to see how you deuise,
ew masking nets my eies to bleare :
your self you cannot so disguise :
But as you are, you must appeare.
your priuie winkes at boord I see,
And how you set your rouing mind :
your selfe you cannot hide from me,
Although I wincke, I am not blind.
The secret sighs and fained cheare,
That oft doth paine thy carefull brest :
To me right plainly doth appeare,
I see in whom thy hart doth rest.
IF And though thou makest a fained vow,
That loue no more thy heart should nip,
yet think I know as well as thou,
The fickle helm doth guide the ship.
IF The Salamander in the fire,
By course of kinde doth bathe his limmes :
The floting Fish taketh his desire,
In running streams whereas he swimmes.
IF So thou in change dost take delight,
Ful wel I know thy slipperie kinde :
In vaine thou seemst to dim my sight,
Thy rowling eies bewraieth thy minde.
IF I see him smile that doth possesse
Thy loue which once I honoured most :
If he be wise, he may well gesse,
Thy loue soon won, wil soon be lost.
46 Sonets and Histories, to sundrie nciv Tunes.
H And sith thou canst no man intice,
That he should stil loue thee alone :
Thy beautie now hath lost her price,
I see thy sauorie s^c.ent is gone.
H Therefore leaue off thy wonted plaie,
But, as thou art, thou wilt appeare,
Ynlesse thou canst deuise a waie,
To dark the Sun that shines so cleare.
H And keep thy friend that thou hast won,
In trueth to him thy loue supplie,
Least he at length as I haue done,
Take off thy Belles and let thee flie.
A Sonet of two fait hfull Loners, exhorting
one another to be constant.
To the tune of Kypascie.
He famous Prince of Macedon,
/hose wars increst his worthy name
Triumphed not so, when he had won
By conquest great, immortall fame,
As I reioice, reioice,
For thee, my choice, with heart and voice,
Since thou art mine,
Whom, long to loue, the Gods assigne.
1F The secret flames of this my loue,
The stars had wrought ere I was borne,
Whose sugred force my hart doth moue,
And eke my will so sure hath sworne.
that Fortunes lore, no more,
though I therefore, -did life abhor[r]e :
Shall neuer make,
Forgetful dewes my heat to slake.
L.l Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. 47
1584- J
U If that I false my faith to thee,
Or seeke to chaunge for any newe :
If thoughts appeare so ill in me,
If thou thy life shall iustly rew.
Such kinde of woe, of woe :
As friende or foe, might to me showe :
Betide me than,
Or wurse, if it may hap to man.
If Then let vs ioy in this our loue :
In spite of Fortunes wrath, my deere :
Twoo willes in one, as dooth behooue,
One loue in both, let still appeare :
And I will be, will be,
Piramus to thee, my owne Thisbie,
So thou againe,
jMy constant louer shalt remaine.
A proper new Dity: Int it u led Fie vpon Loue
and al his /awes. To the tune of lumber me.
bitter fruict thy loue doth yeelde,
Such broken sleepes, such hope vnsure,
" hy call so oft hath me beguilde.
That I vnneth can well indure :
But crie (alas) as I haue cause,
Fie vpon Loue and all his Lawes.
1T Like Piramus, I sigh and grone,
Whom Stonie wals, keept from his loue,
And as the wofull Palemon,
A thousand stormes, for thee I prooue,
Yet thou a cruell Tigers whelpe,
All slaiest the hart, whom thou maist help.
If A craggie Rocke, thy Cradle, was,
And Tigers milke sure was thy foode,
VVherby Dame Nature broought to passe,
That like the Nurse should be thy moode :
Wild and vnkinde, cruell and fell,
to rent the hart that loues thee well.
48 Sonets and Histories, to snndrie new Tunes. [I5g4<
H The Crocadile with fained teares,
The Fisher not so oft beguiles :
As thou hast luld my simple eares,
To here sweet words full fraught with wiles,
that I may say, as I do prooue,
Wo worth the time, I gan to loue.
U Sith thou hast vowd to worke my wrack
And hast no will my wealth to way :
Farewell vnkinde, I will keepe backe,
Such toyes as may my helth decay :
and still will cry as I haue cause.
Fie vpon Loue and all his lawes.
The Louer being wounded with his Ladis
beutie, requireth mercy.
To the tune of dpelles.
He liuelie sparkes of those two eyes,
my wounded hart hath set on fire :
And since I can no way deuise,
o stay the rage of my desire,
with sighs and trembling tears I craue
my deare on me some pitie haue.
H In vewing thee, I tooke such ioy,
As one that sought his quiet rest :
Vntill I felt the fethered boy,
Ay flickring in my captiue brest :
Since that time loe, in deepe dispaire,
all voide of ioy, my time I weare.
1T The wofull prisoner Palemon.
And Troylus eke kinge Pyramus sonne,
Constrained by loue did neuer mone :
As I my deer for thee haue done.
Let pitie then requite my paines,
My life and death in thee remaines.
I584 ] Sonets and Histories, to sundme neiv Times. 49
IF If constant loue may reape his hire,
And faith vnfained may purchace :
Great hope I haue to my desire.
Your gentle hart wil grant me grace,
Til then (my deer) in few words plaine,
In pensiue thoughts I shall remaine.
The lamentation of a 'woman being wrongfully
defamed. To the tune of Damon and Pi t bias.
Ou Ladies falsly deemd,
of anie fault or crime :
Command your pensiue harts to help
this dolefull tune of mine :
For spitefull men there are,
that faults would fain espie :
Alas, what heart would heare their talke,
but willingly would die.
^[ I waile oft times in woe,
and curse mine houre of birth,
Such slanderous pangs do me oppresse,
when others ioy in mirth :
Belike it was ordaind to be my destinie.
Alas what heart would heare their talk, &c.
IT A thousand good women,
haue guiltlesse been accusde :
For verie spite, although that they,
their bodies neuer abusde :
the godly Susanna accusde was falsly
alas &c.
IT The poisoned Pancalier,
ful falsly did accuse
The good Dutchesse of Sauoy,
because she did refuse.
To grant vnto his loue,
that was so vngodlie.
Alasjwhat, &c.
ENG. Sen. LIB, No. 3,
5O Sonets and Histories, to sundric new Tunes. [I5g4>
H" Such false dissembling men,
stoong with Alectos dart :
Must needs haue place to spit their spite,
vpon some guiltiesse hart :
Therefore, I must he pleasde,
that they triumph on me,
Alas, &c.
II Therefore, Lord, I thee pray,
the like death downe to send,
Vpon these false suspected men,
or else their minds t'amend :
As thou hast done tofore,
vnto these persons three.
Alas what, &c.
A proper Song, Intituled: Fain wold I haue
a pretie thing to giue vnto my Ladie.
To the tune of lust le Gallant.
^[ Fain would I haue a pretie thing,
to giue vnto my Ladie :
I name no thing, nor I meane no thing,
But as pretie a thing as may bee.
[jWentie iorneyes would I make,
and twentie waies would hie me,
[To make aduenture for her sake,
to set some matter by me :
But I would faine haue a pretie thing, &c,
I name nothing, nor I meane nothing, £c.
Some do long for pretie knackes,
and some for straunge deuices :
God send me that my Ladie lackes,
I care not what the price is,
thus faine, &c
I5?84 ] Sonets and Histories^ to sundrie new Tunes. 5 1
If Some goe here, and some goe there,
wheare gases be not geason ;
And I goe gaping euery where,
but still come out of season.
Yet faine> &c.
IT I walke the towne, and tread the streete>
in euery corner seeking :
The pretie thinge I cannot meete,
thats for my Ladies liking.
Faine, &c>
It The Mercers pull me going by,
the Silkie wiues say, what lacke ye ?
The thing you haue not, then say I,
ye foolish fooles, go packe ye.
But fain &c.
1] It is not all the Silke in Cheape,
nor all the golden treasure :
Nor twentie Bushels on a heape>
can do my Ladie pleasure.
But faine, &e.
H The Grauers of the golden showes,
with luelles do beset me.
The Shemsters in the shoppes that sowes>
they do nothing but let me ;
But faine, &c.
U But were it in the wit of man>
by any meanes to make it,
I could for Money buy it than,
and say, faire Lady, take it.
Thus, fain, £ck
^] O Lady, what a lucke is this :
that my good willing misseth :
To finde what pretie thing it is,
That my good Lady wisheth.
52 Sonets and Histories, to snndric new Tunes. [15?84.
Thus fain wold I haue had this preti thing
to giue vnto my Ladie :
I said no harme, nor I ment no harme,
but as pretie a thing as may be.
A proper wooing Song, intituled : Maide
will ye lone me : ye or no ?
To the tune of the Mirchaunts Daughter
went ouer the fielde.
Ayde will ye loue me yea or no ?
jtell me the trothe, and let me goe.
It can be no lesse then a sinfull deed,
trust me truely,
To linger a Louer that lookes to speeds
in due time dtiely.
1[ You Maids that thinke your selu[e]s as fine,
As Venus and all the Muses nine :
The Father himselfe, when he first made man
. trust me truely :
Made you for his help when the world began
in due time duely.
IF Then sith Gods wil was euen so.
Why should you disdaine you Louer tho ?
But rather with a willing heart,
Loue him truely ?
For in so doing, you do but your, part,
Let reason rule ye.
IF Consider (sweet) what sighs and sobbes,
Do nip my heart with cruell throbbes,
And al (my deer) for the loue of you,
Trust me truly :
But I hope that you wil some mercie show,
In due time duelv.
i584.] Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. 53
H If that you do my case well way,
And shew some signe whereby I may
Haue some good hope of your good grace,
Trust me truely :
I count my selfe in a blessed case,
Let reason rule ye.
H And for my part, whilst I do Hue,
To loue you most faithfully, my hand I giue.
Forsaking all other, for your sweet sake,
Trust me truly :
In token whereof, my troth I betake,
to your selfe most duely.
11 And though for this time we must depart,
yet keep you this ring tru[e] token of my hart,
Til time do serue, we meet againe,
Let reason rule ye.
When an answer of comfort, I trust to obtain,
In due time duly.
U Now must I depart with sighing teares,
With sobbing heart and burning eares :
Pale in the face, and faint as I may,
trust me truly :
But I hope our next meeting, a ioyfull day,
in due time duly.
The painefull plight of a Louer oppressed
unth the beautiful I looks of his Lady.
To the tune of, I loued her ouer wel.
Hen as thy eies, ye wretched spies
did breed my cause of care :
And sisters three did full agree,
my fatall threed to spare.
Then let these words ingrauen be,
on toomb whereas I lie,
That here lies one whom spiteful loue,
hath caused for to die.
54 Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. [15'84.
H Somtimes I spend the night to end,
in dolors and in woe :
Somtime againe vnto my pain,
my chiefest ioy doth grow.
When as in minde, thy shape I finde,
as fancie doth me tell :
Whome now I knowe, as proofe doth show
I loued thee ouer wel.
H How oft within my wreathed arme,
desired I to folde :
Thy Christall corps, of whom I ioyed,
more dearer than of golde.
But now disdaine, dooth breede my paine,
and thou canst not denie :
But that I loued thee ouer well :
that caused me die.
[H] The hound that serues his Maisters will,
in raunging here and there,
The moyling Horse, that labours still,
his burthen great to beare :
In lew of paine, receiues againe,
of him which did him owe :
As Natures heast, wiles most and least
them thankefull for to showe.
The Lyon and the Tyger fierce,
as Nature doth them binde :
For loue, like loue repay againe :
in Stories we doo finde :
Those beasts and birds both wild and tame,
of frendships lore can tell :
But thy reply, willes me to die,
that loued thee ouer well.
Therfore, my deare and Darling faire,
ensample take by those,
Which equally with loue againe,
their louing mindes dispose :
1584.] Sonets and Histories, to snndrie neiv Tunes. 55
And giue him glee, whose death we s[ee]
approcheth very nie:
Without he gaine, to ease his paine,
which loued thee hartely.
If Then shall th[e]y say that see the same,
where euer that they goe :
And wish for ay, as for thy pay,
all Nestors yeares to know :
And I no lesse then all the rest,
should wish thee health for aye :
Because thou hast heard my request,
and saued me from decay.
A faithfull vow of two constant Loners
To the new Rogero,
Hall distance part our lone,
or daily choice of chaunge ?
Or sprites below, or Gods aboue,
haue power to make vs straunge :
No nothing here on earth,
that kinde hath made or wrought,
Shall force me to forget,
goodwill so dearely bought,
And for any part I vow,
to serue for terme of life :
Which promi-se may compare with her,
which was Vlisses wife.
^f Which vow if I doo breake,
let vengeance on me fall,
Eche plague that on the earth may raigne,
I aske not one, but all.
If Though time may breede suspect,
to fill your hart with toyes ;
And absence may a mischefe breede,
to let your wished ioyes :
56 Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. [J4.
H Yet thinke I haue a troth,
and honesty to keepe :
And weigh the time your loue hath dwelt,
within my hart so deep.
If And peise the words I spake,
and marke my countenance then :
And let not slip no ernest sigh,
if thou remember can.
IF At least forget no teares,
that trickled downe my face :
And marke howe oft I wroong your hand,
and blushed all the space.
1[ Remember how I sware,
and strook therewith my brest :
In witnesse when thou partst me fro,
my heart with thee should rest.
IF Thinke on the eger lookes,
full loth to leaue thy sight,
That made the signes when that she list,
to like no other wight.
IF If this be out of thought,
yet call to minde againe,
The busie sute, the much adoe,
the labour and the paine,
IF That at the first I had,
ere thy good will I gate;
And think how for thy loue alone,
I purchase partly hate.
IF But all is one with me,
my heart so setled is :
No friend, nor foe, nor want of wealth,
shall neuerhurt in this.
I584J Sonets and Histories, to szindrie new Tunes. 5 7
H Be constant now therefore,
and faithfull to the end?
Be carefull how we both may do,
to be ech others friend.
IF With free and cleane consent,
two hearts in one I knit :
Which for my part, I vow to keep,
and promise not to flit,
1F Now let this vow be kept,
exchange thy heart for mine :
So shal two harts be in one breast,
and both of them be thine.
A sorrowful! Sonet, made by M. George
Mannington, at Cambridge Castle.
To the tune of Labandala Shot.
Waile in wo, I plunge in pain,
with sorowing sobs, I do complain,
With wallowing waues I wish to die,
I languish sore whereas I lie,
In feare I faint in hope I holde,
With ruthe I runne, I was too bolde :
As lucklesse lot assigned me,
in dangerous dale of destinie :
Hope bids me smile, Feare bids me weep,
My seelie soule thus Care doth keep.
Yea too too late I do repent,
the youthful yeares that I haue spent,
The retch lesse race of carelesse kinde,
which hath betwitcht my woful minde.
Such is the chaunce, such is the state,
Of those that trust too much to fate.
No bragging boast of gentle blood,
What so he be, can do thee good :
No wit, no strength, nor beauties hue,
No friendly sute can death eschue.
58 Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. [G- Manai»=ton-
1575.
If The dismall day hath had his wil,
And iustice seekes my life to spill :
Reuengement craues by rigorous law,
Whereof I little stood in awe :
The dolefull doom to end my life,
Bedect with care and worldlie strife :
And frowning iudge hath giuen his doome.
O gentle death thou art welcome :
The losse of life, I do not feare,
Then welcome death, the end of care.
H O prisoners poore, in dungeon deep,
Which passe the night in slumbring sleep :
Wei may you rue your youthful race.
And now lament your cursed cace.
Content your selfe with your estate,
Impute no shame to fickle fate :
With wrong attempts, increase no wealth,
Regard the state of prosperous health :
And think on me, when I am dead :
Whom such delights haue lewdly led.
H My friend and parents, where euer you be
Full little do you thinke on me :
My mother milde, and dame so deer :
Thy louing childe, is fettred heer :
Would God I had, I wish too late,
Been bred and borne of meaner estate :
Or else, would God my rechlesse eare,
Had been obedient for to heare,
Your sage aduice and counsel true :
But in the Lord parents adue.
1F You valiant hearts of youthfull train,
Which heard my heauie heart complain :
A good example take by me,
Which runne the race where euer you be :
trust not too much to bilbow blade,
nor yet to fortunes fickle trade.
G. Manninston.-| Donets and PUstories, to suitdrie new Times. 59
Hoist not your sailes no more in winde,
Least that some rocke, you chaunce to finde,
or else be driuen to Lybia land,
whereas the Barque may sinck in sand.
1F You students all that present be,
To view my fatall destinie,
would God I could requite your pain,
wherein you labour, although in vain,
if mightie God would think it good,
to spare my life and vitall blood,
For this your profered curtesie,
I would remaine most stedfastly,
Your seruant true in deed and word,
But welcome death as please the Lord.
1[ Yea welcome death, the end of woe,
And farewell life, my fatall foe :
Yea welcome death, the end of strife,
Adue the care of mortall life,
For though this life doth fleet away,
In heauen I hope to Hue for ay :
A place of ioy and perfect rest,
Which Christ hath purchaste for the best :
Til that we meet in heauen most hiest :
Adue, farewell in lesu Christ.
A proper Sonet y of an vnkinde Damsell, to
to her faithful Louer. To, the nine Muses.
He ofter that I view and see,
That plesant face and faire beautie,
whereto my heart is bound :
The neer my Mistresse is to me,
My health is farthest off I see :
and fresher is my wound :
Like as the flame doth quench by fire,
or streams consume by raigne,
So doth the sight that I desire,
appease my grief and paine :
60 Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes.
Like a flie that doth hie,
and haste into the fire :
So in brief, findes her grief,
that thought to sport aspire.
^1" When first I saw those Christal streams,
I little thought on beauties beams :
sweet venom to haue found,
But wilful wil did prick me foorth,
Perforce to take my grief in woorth,
that causd my mortall wound :
And Cupid blind compeld me so,
my fruitlesse hope to hide :
Wherein remaind my bitter wo :
thus stil he did me guide ?
Then his dart, to my hart,
he slung with cruell fist :
Whose poison fel, I know right wel,
no louer may resist.
1f Thus vainly stil, I frame my sute,
Of ill sowen seeds, such is the frute,
experience doth it show :
The fault is hers the pain is mine,
And thus my sentence I define,
I hapned on a shrow :
And now beware, ye yongmen all,
Example take by mee :
Least beauties bait in Cupids thrall,
do catch you priuily :
So stay you, I pray you,
and marke you my great wrong,
Forsaken, not taken,
thus end I now my song.
1584
Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Tunes. 6 1
The Louer complaineth the absence of
his Ladie, wishethfor death.
Toy the new Almalne.
Ith spitefull spite hath spide her time,
my wished ioies to end :
And drowping dread hath driuen me now
from my new chosen friend :
I can but waile the want,
of this my former ioie :
Sith spiteful force hath sought so long,
my blisse for to annoie.
1f But though it be our chance
asunder for to be,
My heart in pawne til we do meet,
Shal stil remaine with thee :
And then we shall renue,
our sugred pleasures past :
And ioue that loue, that seekes no change,
whilst life in vs do last.
[If]
Perhaps my absence may,
or else some other let:
By choice of change, cause thee my deer,
our former loue forget :
And thou renounce the oth,
which erst thou vowdst to me :
My deerest blood in recompence,
thou sure shouldst shortly see.
A thousand sighs to send to thee I wil not let,
Ne to bewaile the losse of thee, I neuer will forget
But still suppose I see,
the same before my face :
And louingly between my armes,
thy corps I do embrace.
62 Sonets and Histories, to sundric new Tunes.
1] Thus feed I fancie stil,
for lacke of greater ioy :
With such like thoughts, which daily doth,
my wofull heart annoy ;
thus stil in hope I line,
my wished ioies to haue :
And in dispaire oft time I wish,
my feeble Corps in graue.
IF This is the life I leade, til I thee see again
And so wil do, til dreadful death,
do seek to ease my paine,
whom rather I do wish, by force to end in wo,
than for to Hue in happie state,
thy loue for to forgo.
IF And thus farewell my deer,
with whom my heart shall rest,
Remember him that this did write,
sith he doth loue thee best :
And wil til greedie death,
my daies do shorten now :
Farewel my dear, loe here my faith
and troth to thee I vow.
Finis.
The Louer compareth him self to t lie pain
ful Falconer. To the tune, I loued her ouer wel.
He soaring hawk from fist that flies,
her Falconer doth constraine :
Sometime to range the ground vnknown,
to find her out againe :
And if by sight or sound of bell,
his falcon he may see :
Wo ho he cries, with cheerful voice,
the gladdest man is he.
L] Sonets and Histories, to sundrie new Times. 63
I5S4-J
If By Lure then in finest sort,
he seekes to bring her in :
But if that she, ful gorged be,
he can not so her win :
Although her becks and bending eies,
she manie proffers makes :
Wo ho ho he cries, awaie she flies,
and so her leaue she takes.
^f This wofull man with wearie limmes,
runnes wandring round about :
At length by noise of chattering Pies,
his hawke againe found out
His heart was glad his eies had seen,
his falcon swift of flight :
Wo ho ho he cries, she emptie gorgde,
vpon his Lure doth light.
If How glad was then the falconer there,
no pen nor tongue can tel :
He swam in blisse that lately felt
like paines of cruel hel.
His hand somtime vpon her train,
somtime vpon her brest :
Wo ho ho he cries with chearfull voice,
his heart was now at rest.
If My deer likewise, beholde thy loue,
what paines he doth indure :
And now at length let pitie moue,
to stoup vnto his Lure.
A hood of silk, and siluer belles,
new gifts I promise thee :
Wo ho ho, I crie, I come then saie,
make me as glad as hee.
FINIS.
64
PR
2337
R6
1878
Robinson, Clement
A handful of pleasant
delights
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