THE SHIP OF FOOLS

TRANSLATED BY

ALEXANDER BARCLAY

flnwe

VOLUME FIRS T

EDINBURGH: WILLIAM PATERSON

LONDON: HENRY SOTHERAX & CO.
MDCCCLXXIV.
 PREFATORY NOTE.

IT isnecessary
the Ship oftoexplain
Fools, that
with a in the
view topresent
editionof
both philological
andbibliographicalinterests,the text, evento the punctua-
tion, has been printed exactlyas it standsin the earlier
impression(Pynson's),the authenticityof which Barclay
himself thus vouchesfor in a deprecatoryapology at the
endof his labours(II. 330) :-
"... somewordesbe in my boke amys
For though that I my selfedyd it correct
Yet with some fautis I knowe it is infect

Part by my owne ouersyghtand neglygence

And part by the prynters nat perfyte in science

And other someescapedar and past

For that the Prynters in theyr besynes
Do all theyr workeshedelynge,and in hast"

Yet the differencesof readingof the later edition (Ca-

wood's),aresurprisinglyfew andmostlyunimportant,though
great pains were evidently bestowedon the production
of the book, all the misprints being carefully corrected,and
the orthographyduly adjustedto the fashionof the time.
These differenceshave, in this edition, been placed in one
alphabetical
arrangement
with the glossary,
by whichplan
vi PrefatoryNote.
it is believedreferenceto themwill be mademoreeasy,and
much repetition avoided.
The woodcuts,
no lessvaluablefor their artisticmerit
than they are interesting as pictures of contemporary
manners,
havebeenfacsimiled
for the presenteditionfrom
the originals
asthey appearin the Basleeditionof the
Latin, " denuoseduloque
reuisa,"issuedunderBrandt'sown
superintendence
in 1497. This work has beendoneby
Mr J. T. Reid, to whomit is due to say that he has
executed it with the most painstakingand scrupulous
fidelity.
The portrait of Brandt, which forms the frontispieceto
this volume, is taken from Zarncke's edition of the Nar-
renschiff; that of Barclaypresentingone of his books to
his patron,prefixedto the Notice of his life, appearswith
a little more detail in the Mirror of Good Manners and the

Pynson editions of the Sallust; it is, however,of no

authority, being usedfor a similarpurposein variousother
publications.
For the copy of the extremelyrare originaleditionfrom
which the text of the present has been printed, I am
indebted to the private collection and the well known
liberality of Mr David Laing of the Signet Library, to
whomI beg hereto return my best thanks,for this aswell
as many other valuable favours in connection with the
present work.
In prosecuting enquiriesregarding the life of an author
of whom so little is known as of Barclay, one must be
indebted for aid, more or less,to the kindness of friends.
In this way 1 have to acknowledgemy obligationsto
Mr jEneas Mackay, Advocate,and Mr Ralph Thomas
 PrefatoryNote. vii
(" Olphar Hamst"), for searches made in the British
Museum and elsewhere.

For collationsof Barclay'sWorks, other than the Ship

of Fools, all of which are of the utmost degree of rarity,
and consequent
inaccessibility,
I amindebtedto the kindness
of Henry Hurh, Esq., 30 Princes' Gate, Kensington; the
Rev. W. D. Macray,of the Bodleian Library, Oxford;
W. B. Rye, Esq., of the British Museum; Henry Brad-
shaw, Esq., of the University Library, Cambridge; and
ProfessorSkeat,Cambridge.
For my brief noticeof Brandt and his Work, it is also
properto acknowledgemy obligationsto Zarncke'scritical
editionof the Narrenschiff(Leipzig, 1854) which is a per-
fect encyclopaedia
of everythingBrandtian.
T. H. JAMIESON.

ADVOCATES'
LIBRARY,
EDINBURGH,
December1873.
 Page

INTRODUCTION, Vol. I. ix

NOTICEOFBARCLAYAND HIS WRITINGS, xxiii

BARCLAY'SWILL, ,, Ixxxvi

NOTES, .... ,, Ixxxix

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL CATALOGUE OFBARCLAY'S

WORKS, .... XC111

THE SHIPOFFOOLS, . . . Vol. I. i

GLOSSARY, .... Vol. II. 339

CHAPTERI. OFTHEORIGINAL(GERMAN),AND
OF THE LATIN, AND FRENCH VERSIONS
OFTHE SHIP OFFOOLS, 347
 INTRODUCTION.

IF literary
popularity beSebastian
effort, taken
asthe measure
Brandt's ofsuccess
" Ship in
of Fools"
must be considered one of the most successful books
recordedin the wholehistory of literature. Publishedin
editionafter edition (the first dated 1494), at a time, but
shortly after the inventionof printing, when bookswere
expensive, and their circulationlimited; translatedinto the
leadinglanguages of Europeat a time whentranslationsof
new works were only the resultof the mostsignal merits,
its successwas then quite unparalleled. It may be said, in
modernphrase,to havebeenthe rageof the readingworld
at the endof the fifteenth and throughoutthe sixteenth
centuries. It was translatedinto Latin by one Professor
(Locher,1497),anc^instatedin the samelanguageandunder
the sametitle, by another(Badius Ascensius,1507); it
appearedin Dutch andLow German,andwastwice trans-
lated into English,andthree timesinto French; imitations
competedwith the originalin FrenchandGerman,aswell as
Latin, andgreatestand most unprecedented distinctionof
all, it waspreached,but, weshouldopine,only certainparts
of it, from the pulpit by the best preachers
of the time as
a newgospel. The Germans proudlyawardit the epithet,
"epoch-making,"and its long-continuedpopularityaffords
good,if not quite sufficient,groundfor the extravagant
-t*-
 Introduction.

eulogies
theylavishuponit. Trithemius
callsit " Divina
Satira,"and doubtswhetheranythingcouldhavebeen
writtenmoresuitedto the spirit of the age; Lochercom-
paresBrandtwith Dante,and Hutten styleshim the new
law-giverof Germanpoetry.
A morerecent
andimpartial
critic(Muller," Chipsfrom
a German_Workshop,"
Vol.III.),thussuggestively
setsforth
thevariedgrounds
ofBrandt'swonderful
popularity:-" His
satires,it is true, are not very powerful,nor pungent,nor
original. But hisstyleis freeandeasy. Brant is not a pon-
derouspoet. He writesin shortchapters,andmixeshis fools
in sucha mannerthat we alwaysmeetwith a variety of new
faces. It is true that all this would hardly be sufficient
to secure a decided success for a work like his at the

present day. But then we must rememberthe time in

which he wrote. . . There was room at that time for a work
like the ' Ship of Fools.1 It was the first printed book
that treated of contemporaneouseventsand living persons,
insteadof old GermanbattlesandFrenchknights. People
are alwaysfond of readingthe history of their own times.
If the good qualities of their age are brought out, they
think of themselvesor their friends; if the dark features
of their contemporariesare exhibited, they think of their
neighboursand enemies. Now the ' Ship of Fools' is
just sucha satirewhichordinarypeoplewould read,and
readwith pleasure. They might feel a slight twinge now
and then,but they would put down the book at the end,
and thank God that they were not like other men. There
is a chapteron Misers-and who would not gladly give a
pennyto a beggar? Thereis a chapteron Gluttony-and
who was ever more than a little exhilarated after dinner ?
 Introductioji. xi

There is a chapteron Church-goers-andwho ever went

to churchfor respectability'ssake,or to showoff a gaudy
dress,or a fine dog, or a new hawk? There is a chapter
on Dancing-and who everdancedexcept for the sake of
exercise? There is a chapter on Adultery-and who ever
did morethan flirt with his neighbour'swife ? We some-
times wish that Brant's satire had been a little more

searching,
andthat, insteadof hismanyallusionsto classical
fools(for hisbookis full of scholarship),
he hadgivenus
a little moreof the chronique
scandaleuse
of his own time.
But he wastoo gooda manto do this,andhis contempo-
rarieswereno doubtgratefulto him for his forbearance."
Brandt's satire is a satire for all time. Embodied in the
language
of the fifteenthcentury,coloured
with the habits
and fashions of the times, executed after the manner of
workingof the period,andmotivedby the eagerquestioning
spirit and the discontentwith "abusions"and "folyes"
which resulted in the Reformation, this satire in its morals
or lessonsis almostasapplicableto the year of grace1873
asto the yearof gracelessness
1497. It nevercan grow
old; in the mirror in which the menof his time sawthem-
selvesreflected,the men of all times can recognisethem-
selves; a crew of " able-bodied " is neverwantingto man
this old, weather-beaten,
but everseaworthy
vessel.The
thoughtful,
penetrating,
conscious
spiritof theBasle
professor
passing
by,for themost
part,local,temporary
or indifferent
points,seized
uponthenever-dying
folliesof hitman
nature
andimpaled themontheprintedpagefor theamusement,
the edification,
and the warningof contemporaries
andpos-
terityalike. No pettywriterof laborious
versdesociete
to
raisea laughfor a week,a month,or a year,andto be
xii Introduction.

buriedin utter oblivionfor everafter,washe, but a divine

seer who saw the weakness and wickedness of the hearts
of men,andwarnedthemto amendtheir waysand flee
fromthe wrathto come. Thoughbut a retired student,
and teacherof the canonlaw, a humble-minded man of
letters,and a diffidentimperialCounsellor,
yet is he to be
numbered
among
thegreatest
Evangelists
andReformers
of
medievalEuropewhosetrumpet-toned
tonguepenetrated
into regions where the namesof Luther or Erasmus were
but an emptysound,if eventhat. And yet, thoughhelping
muchthe causeof the Reformation by the freedomof his
social and clerical criticism, by his unsparingexposureof
everyform of corruptionand injustice,and,not least,by his
useof the vernacularfor political andreligiouspurposes,he
can scarcelybe classedin the great armyof the Protestant
Reformers. He was a reformer from within, a biting,
unsparingexposerof everypriestlyabuse,but a loyal sonof
the Church, who rebuked the faults of his brethren, but
visitedwith the pains of Hell those of " fals herytikes,"
andwept over the "ruyne, inclynacion,and decayof the
holy faythCatholyke,anddymynucion
of the Empyre."
So while he wasyet a reformerin the true senseof the
word, he was too muchof the scholarto be anythingbut
a true conservative. To his scholarlyhabit of working,
as well as to the manner of the time which hardly trusted
in the value of its own ideas but loved to lean them
upon classicalauthority, is no doubt owing the classical
mould in which his satire is cast. The description of
every folly is strengthenedby notice of its classicalor
biblicalprototypes,and in the marginof the Latin edition
of Locher, Brandt himself supplied the citationsof the
 Introduction. xiii

books and passageswhich formed the basisof his text,

which greatly added to the popularity of the work.
Brandt,indeed,with the modestyof genius,professesthat
it is really no more than a collection and translationof
quotations from biblical and classicalauthors, " Gesamlet
durch SebastianuBrant." But evenadmittingthe work to
be a Mosaic, to adopt the reply of its latest German
editor to the assertionthat it is but a compilationtestify-
ing to the most painstakingindustry and the consump-
tion of midnight oil, "even so one learns that a Mosaic is
a work of art when executed with artistic skill." That
he causedthe classicaland biblical passagesflitting before
his eyesto be cited in the margin proveschieflyonly the
excellenceof his memory. They arealso before our eyes
andyet we are not alwaysable to answerthe question:
where,e.g.,doesthis occur? . . . Where, e.g.,occurthe
following appropriatewords of Goethe: "Who can think
anythingfoolish,whocanthink anythingwise,that antiquity
hasnot alreadythought of."
Of the Greek authors,Plutarchonly is used,andhe evi-
dentlyby meansof a Latin translation. But from the Latin
largedraughtsof inspirationaretaken,directfrom the foun-
tainhead. Ovid, Juvenal, Persius, Catullus,and Seneca,are
largelydrawnfrom,while,strangelyenough,Cicero,Boethius,
and Virgil are quotedbut seldom,the latter, indeed,only
twice, though his commentators,especiallyServetus,are
frequentlyemployed.The Bible, of course,is a never-failing
source of illustration, and, as was to be expected,the Old
Testamentmuch morefrequentlythan the New, mostuse
beingmadeof the Proverbsof Solomon,while Ecclesiastes,
Ecclesiasticus,
andthe Sapientiafollow at no greatdistance.
xiv Introduction.

Thequotations aremadeapparently directfromtheVulgate,

in onlya fewcases therebeingaqualification
of the ideaby
the interpretation
oftheCorpusJurisCanonici.But through
thismedium
only,aswasto beexpected
of theprofessor
of
canonlaw,is the light of the fathersof theChurchallowed
to shineuponus, andaccordingto Zarncke(Introduction
to his edition of the Narrenschiff,1854),useof it has cer-
tainly beenmadefar oftener than the commentary shows,
the sources of information of which are of the most un-
satisfactorycharacter. On suchsolidand tried foundations
did Brandt constructhis great work, and the judgment of
contemporaries andposterityalike has declaredthe super-
structureto be worthy of its supports.
The following admirablenoticefrom Ersch and Griiber
(Encyclopedic)sumsup so skilfully the history,nature,and
qualitiesof the book that \ve quoteat length:-"The
Shipof Foolswasreceivedwith almostunexampled
applause
by high and low, learned and unlearned,in Germany,
Switzerland, and France, and was made the common pro-
perty of the greatestpart of literaryEurope,through Latin,
French,English,andDutch translations. For upwardsof
a century it was in Germanya bookof the peoplein the
noblestand widestsenseof the word, alike appreciatedby
an Erasmusanda Reuchlin,andby the mechanics of Strass-
burg, Basel,and Augsburg; and it was assumed to be so
familiarto all classes,
that evenduringBrandt'slifetime,the
GermanpreacherGailer von Kaiserbergwent so far as to
deliverpubliclecturesfrom the pulpit on hisfriend'spoem
asif it hadbeena scripturaltext. As to the poeticaland
humorouscharacter
of Brandt'spoem,its wholeconception
doesnot displayany extraordinary
powerof imagination
 Introduction. xv

nor doesit presentin its details any very striking salliesof

wit and humour, even when comparedwith older German
works of a similar kind, such as that of Renner. The
fundamentalidea of the poemconsistsin the shipping off
of severalshiploadsof fools of all kinds for their native
country,which,however,is visibleat a distanceonly; and
onewould have expectedthe poet to have given poetical
consistency to his work by fully carryingout this ideaof a
ship'screw,and sailingto the ' Landof Fools.' It is, how-
ever,at intervalsonly that Brandtremindsusof the allegory;
the fools who are carefullydivided into classesand intro-
duced to us in succession,instead of being ridiculed or
derided,arereprovedin a liberal spirit, with nobleearnest-
ness,true moral feeling,and practicalcommonsense. It
wasthe straightforward,the bold and liberal spirit of the
poet which sopowerfullyaddressed his contemporaries from
theShipof theFools; andto usit is valuable
asaproductof
the pietyandmoralityof the centurywhichpavedthe way
for the Reformation. Brandt's fools are representedas con-
temptibleandloathsome
ratherthanfoolish,andwhathecalls
follies might be morecorrectlydescribedassinsandvices.
" The ' Shipof Fools' is written in the dialectof Swabia,
and consistsof vigorous,resonant,and rhyming iambic
quadrameters.It is dividedinto 113 sections,eachot
which, with the exceptionof a short introductionand two
concluding
pieces,treatsindependently
of a certainclassof
fools or vicious persons; and we are only occasionally
remindedof the fundamental idea by an allusionto the ship.
No folly of the centuryis left uncensured.
The poet
attackswith noblezealthe failingsandextravagances
of his
age,andapplieshis lashunsparingly
evento the dreaded
xvi Introduction.

Hydraof poperyandmonasticism,
to combatwhichthe
Herculesof Wittenberghadnot yet kindledhis firebrands.
But the poet'sobjectwasnot merelyto reproveand to
animadvert;he instructsalso,andshowsthe foolsthe way
to the land of wisdom; and so far is he from assumingthe
arrogantair of the commonplace
moralist,that he reckons
himselfamongthe numberof fools. The styleof the poem
is lively, bold, and simple, and often remarkablyterse,
especiallyin his moralsayings,andrendersit apparentthat
the authorwas a classicalscholar,without howeverlosing
anythingof his Germancharacter."
Brandt's humour, which either his earnestnessor his
mannerbanishedfrom the text, took refugein the illustra-
tions andthere disporteditself with a wild zestand vigour.
Indeed to their popularity several critics have ascribed
the successof the book, but for this there is no sufficient
authority or probability. Cleverasthey are,it is morepro-
bablethat they ran, in popularity,but anequalracewith the
text. The preciseamountof Brandt'sworkmanshipin them
hasnot beenascertained,but it is agreedthat " mostof them,
if not actually drawn, were at least suggestedby him."
Zarnckeremarksregardingtheir artistic worth, "not all of
the cutsare of equalvalue. One can easilydistinguishfive
differentworkers,andmorepractised
eyeswouldprobablybe
able to increase the number. In some one can see how the
outlines, heads, hands, and other principal parts are cut
with the fine stroke of the master, and the details and
shading left to the scholars. The woodcuts of the most
superior master,which can be recognizedat once, and are
abouta third of the whole, belongto the finest,if they are
not, indeed, the finest, which were executedin the fifteenth
 Introduction. xvii

century, a worthy schoolof Holbein. According to the

opinion of Herr RudolphWeigel, they might possiblybe
the work of Martin Schonof Colmar. . . The composition
in the better ones is genuinelyHogarth-like, and the
longer one looks at these little pictures,the moreis one
astonishedat the fulnessof the humour, the finenessof the
characterisation
andthe almostdramatictalentof the group-
ing." Green, in his recent work on emblems,characterizes
themasmarkingan epochin that kind of literature. And
Dibdin, the Macaulayof bibliography,loseshis head in
admirationof the " entertainingvolume," extolling the
figures without stint for " merit in conceptionand execu-
tion," "bold andfree pencilling,""spirit andpoint," "deli-
cacy, truth, and force," "spirit of drollery," &c., &c.;
summarising thus, "few books are more pleasing to the
eye, andmoregratifyingto the fancythan the earlyeditions
of the ' StultiferaNavis.' It presents
a combinationof enter-
tainment to which the curious can never be indifferent."

Whether it were the racy clevernessof the pictures

or the unprecedented
boldnessof the text, the book stirred
Europe of the fifteenth century in a way and with a
rapidity it had neverbeen stirred before. In the German
actualacquaintance with it couldthen be but limited,though
it ran through seventeen editions within a century; the
Latin versionbrought it to the knowledgeof the educated
classthroughoutEurope; but, expressing, asit did mainly,
the feelingsof thecommonpeople,to haveit in the learned
languagewasnot enough. Translationsinto various ver-
nacularswere immediatelycalledfor, and the Latin edition
havinglightenedthetranslator's
labours,they werespeedily
supplied. England,however,wasall but last in the field
xviii Introduction.

but when she did appear,it was in force, with a version

in eachhand,the one in proseandthe other in verse.
Fifteenyearselapsed
fromthe appearance
of the first
Germanedition,beforethe Englishmetricalversion" trans-
latedout of Laten,French,and Doche.. . in the colegeof
SayntMaryOtery,by me,Alexander
Barclay,"
wasissued
fromthe pressof Pynsonin 1509. A translation,how-
ever,it is not. Properlyspeaking,
it is an adaptation,an
Englishship, formedand fashionedafter the Ship of
Foolsof the World. "But concernynge the translacion
of
this boke; I exhortye redersto take no displesourfor
y4,it isnattranslated
wordbywordeacordinge to ye verses
of my actour. For I hauebut only draweninto our moder
tunge,in rudelangagethe sentences
of the verses
asnere
asthe parcyteof my wyt wyl sufferme.sometymeaddynge,
somtymedetractingeand takinge away suchethingesas
semethme necessary andsuperfme. Wherfore I desyreof
yourederspardonof mypresumptuous
audacite,
trustynge
that ye shall holdeme excusedif ye consyderye scarsnes
of my wyt and my vnexpertyouthe. I hauein many
placesouerpassed
dyuerspoeticaldigressionsand obscure-
nesof fablesandhaueconcluded
myworkein rudelangage
asshalaperein my translacion."
"Wylling to redresthe errours and vycesof this oure
royalmeof England.. . I haue taken upon me. . . the
translacionof this presentboke.. . onely for the holsome
instruccion
commodyte and doctryneof wysdome, and to
densethe vanyteandmadness of folysshe
peopleof whom
ouergreatnombreis in theRoyalme of Englonde."
Actuatedby thesepatrioticmotives,Barclayhas,while
preserving
all the valuable
characteristics
of his original,
 Introduction. xix

paintedfor posterity perhapsthe most graphic and com-

prehensivepicturenow preservedof the folly, injustice,and
iniquity which demoralizedEngland,city andcountryalike,
at the beginningof the sixteenthcentury,andrenderedit
ripe for any changepoliticalor religious.
" Knowledgeof trouth, prudence,
andiustsymplicite
Hath vs clene left; For we setof them no store.
Our Fayth is defyled loue, goodnes,and Pyte:
Honest manersnowe ar reputedof: no more.
Lawyers ar lordes", but Justiceis rent and tore.
Or closedlyke a Monster within doresthre.
For without mede: or moneyno man canhyr se.
Al is disordered: Vertue hath no rewarde.
Alas, compassion ; and mercy bothe ar slayne.
Alas, the stony hartys of pepyl ar so harde
That nought canconstraynetheyr folyes to refrayne."

His shipsare full ladenbut carry not all who shouldbe on

board.

" We are full lade and yet lorsoth I thynke

A thousandare behynde,whom we may not receyue
For if we do, our nauy cleneshall synke
He oft all lesysthat coueytesall to haue
From London RockesAlmyghty God vs saue
For if we there anker, outher bote or barge
There be so many that they vs wyll ouercharge."

The nationaltone and aim of the English " Ship" are

maintainedthroughoutwith the greatestemphasis,
exhibit-
ing an independence
of spirit whichfewecclesiastics
of the
time would have dared to own. Barclayseemsto have
been first an Englishman,then an ecclesiastic. Every-
wherethroughouthis greatwork the voiceof the people
xx Introduction.

isheardto riseandringthroughthelongexposure
of abuse
andinjustice,
andhadtheauthorshipbeenunknown it would
mostcertainlyhavebeenascribed to a Langlandeof the
period. Everywherehe takeswhat we would call the
popularside, the side of the peopleas againstthosein
office. Everywhere he standsup boldlyin behalfof the
oppressed,andsparesnot the oppressor, evenif he be of
his ownclass. He appliesthe cudgelasvigorously to the
priest'spateasto the Lolardesback. But he dislikedmodern
innovationas muchasancientabuse,in this also faithfully
reflectingthe mind of the people,andhe is as emphaticin
his censure of the one as in his condemnation of the other.

Barclay's"Shipof Fools,"however,is not onlyimportant

asa picture of the Englishlife and popular feelingof his
time, it is, both in styleandvocabulary,a mostvaluableand
remarkablemonumentof the English language. Written
midwaybetweenChaucerandSpenser,
it is infinitelymore
easyto readthaneither. Pageafterpage,evenin theantique
spellingof Pynson'sedition, may be read by the ordinary
readerof to-daywithout referenceto a dictionary,andwhen
referenceis required it will be found in nine casesout of
ten that the archaismis Saxon, not Latin. This is all the
moreremarkable,that it occursin the caseof a priesttrans-
latingmainlyfromthe Latin and French,and can onlybe
explainedwith referenceto his standpointas a socialre-
former of the broadesttype, and to his evidentintention
that his bookshouldbe an appealto all classes,
but espe-
cially to the massof the people,for amendmentof their follies.
In evidenceof this it may be noticed that in the didactic
passages,and especiallyin the L'envois, which are additions
of his own, wherever, in fact, he appears in his o\\u
 Introduction. xxi

characterof " preacher,"his languageis most simple,and

his vocabularyof the mostSaxondescription.
In his prologue " excusyngethe rudenesof his trans-
lacion," he professesto have purposelyused the most
" comon speche" :-

" My specheis rude my termescomonand rural

And I for rude peplemochemore conuenient
Than for estates,lerned men, or eloquent."
He afterwardshumorouslysupplementsthis in " the
prologe,"by :-
" But if I halt in meteror erre in eloquence
Or be to large in langageI pray you blamenot me
For my materis so bad it wyll noneother be.''

So muchthe better for all who areinterestedin studying

the development of our languageandliterature. For thus
we have a volume, confessedly written in the commonest
languageof the commonpeople,fromwhich the philologist
may at onceseethe stageat which they hadarrivedin the
developmentof a simple English speech,and how far, in
this respect,the spokenlanguagehad advanceda-headof
the written; and from which also he can judge to what
extent the popularityof a book depends,when the lan-
guageis in a stateof transition,uponthe unusualsimplicity
of its stylebothin structureandvocabulary, andhowfar it
may,by reasonof its popularity,be influentialin modify-
ing and improvingthe languagein both these respects.
In the longbarrentractbetweenChaucerandSpenser, the
Shipof Foolsstands all but aloneasa popularpoem,andthe
continuanceof this popularityfor a centuryandmoreis no
doubt to be attributed asmuchto the use of the language
of the " comingtime" as to the popularityof the subject.
xxii Introduction.

In morerecenttimeshowever,
Barclayhas,probably
in
part,fromaccidental
circumstances,
cometo be relegated
to a positionamongthe Englishclassics,
thoseauthors
whomeveryone speaksof but few read. That modern
editions of at least his principal performancehave not
appeared,canonly be accountedfor by the great expense
attendantuponthe reproductionof so uniquelyillustrated
a work,an interesting
proofof which,givenin the evidence
before the Select Committee of the House of Commons on
the Copyrightactin 1818, is worthquoting. Amongstnew
editionsof standardbut costlyworks,of which the tax then
imposedby the act upon publishersof giving elevencopies
of all their publications free to certain libraries prevented
"
the publication,is mentioned,Barclay's" Ship of Fools;
regardingwhich Harding,the well knownbookseller,is
reportedto havesaid, " We havedeclinedrepublishingthe
'Ship of Fools,'a folio volumeof great rarity andhigh price.
Our probabledemandwould not havebeenmore than for
a hundredcopies,at the price of 12 guineaseach. The
deliveryof elevencopiesto the public libraries decidedus
againstenteringinto the speculation."
A wider and moreeagerinterestis nowbeingmanifested
in our early literature,and especiallyin our early popular
poetry, to the satisfactionof which, it is believed, a new edi-
tion of this bookwill beregardedasa mostvaluablecontribu-
tion. Indeed,as a graphic and comprehensivepicture of the
socialconditionof pre-Reformation
England;asan important
influence
in the formationof our modernEnglishtongue;
and as a rich and unique exhibition of early art, to all
of which subjectsspecialattention is being at presentdi-
rected, this medixval picture-poemis of unrivalled interest.
 NOTICE

Life and Writings of AlexanderBarclay,

THE TRANSLATOR OF BRANDT'S SHIP OF FOOLS.

 ALEXANDER BARCLAY.

T ~Y THETHER this distinguishedpoet wasan English-

V V manor a Scotchman
haslongbeena quastio
vexatciaffordingthe literaryantiquarya suitablefield for the
displayof hischaracteristicamenity. Bale,the oldestautho-
rity, simply says that some contendhe was a Scot, others an
Englishman,(Script.Illust. Majoris Britt. Catalogus,1559).
Pits (De Illust. Anglicr Script.,) assertsthat though to some
he appearsto havebeena Scot,he wasreallyan Englishman,
andprobably a nativeof Devonshire,(" nam ibi ad S. Mariam
de Otery, Presbyterprimumfuit "). Wood again,(Athen.
Oxon.), by the reasoningwhich finds a likenessbetween
Macedon and Monmouth, becausethere is a river in each.
arrivesat " Alexanderde Barklay.seemsto havebeenborn
at or neara town so calledin Somersetshire;"uponwhich
Ritson pertinently observes," there is no such place in
Somersetshire, the onely Berkeley known is in Glouces-
tershire." Warton, comingto the questiondouble-shotted,
observesthat " he was most probably of Devonshireor
Gloucestershire,"in the one case following Pits, and in
the other-anticipating
Ritson'sobservation.
On the other hand Bale, in an earlier work than the
xxvi Life andWritings
Catalogus,
the Summarium I/I. Maj. Britt. Script.,published
in 1548,duringBarclay'slife time, adornshim with the
epithets" Scotus,rhetor ac poetainsignis." Dempster
(Hist, ecclesiastica),
styleshim " Scotus,ut retulit ipse
JoannesPitsceus." Holinshedalsostyleshim "Scot"!
Sibbaldgiveshim a placein his (MS.)Catalogues of Scot-
tish poets,asdoesalsoWodrow in his Cataloguesof Scots
writers. Mackenzie (Lives of the Scots writers) begins,
" The Barklies,from whomthis gentleman
is descended,
are of a very ancientstandingin Scotland." Ritson(Bib.
Poetica),after a causticreview of the controversy,observes
" both his nameof baptismandthe orthographyof his sur-
name seemto prove that he was of Scottishextraction."
Bliss (Additions to Wood) is of opinion that he "un-
doubtedlywas not a nativeof England,"and Dr Irving
(Hist, of Scot. Poetry)adheresto the opinionof Ritson.
Suchcontention,whatevermay be the weight of the evi-
denceon either side,is at any rate a sufficientproof of the
eminenceof the individualwho is the subjectof it; to be
his birthplacebeing considered an honourof so muchvalue
to the country able to prove its claim to the distinction as
to occasiona literary warfare of severalcenturies' duration.
We cannotprofessto havebrought such reinforcements
to either side as to obtain for it a complete and decisive
victory,but their numberandcharacteraresuchaswill prob-
ably induce one of the combatantsquietly to retire from the
field. In the first place,a more explicit and unimpeach-
able piece of evidencethan any containedin the authors
mentionedabovehas beenfound,strangelyenough,in a
medical
treatise,
published
abouttwentyyears
afterBarclay's
death,by a physician
andbotanistof greateminence
in the
 oj AlexanderBarclay. xxvii
middleof the sixteenthcentury,who was a native of the
isle of Ely, at the Monasteryof whichBarclaywasfor some
time a monk.

It is entitled " A dialogueboth pleasauntand pietifull,

whereinis a godlieregiment againstthe Fever Pestilence,
with a consolationand comforte againstdeath.-Newlie
correctedby William Bullein, the author thereof.-Im-
printedat Londonby Ihon Kingston. Julij, 1573." [Svo.,
B. L., in leaves.] "There was an earlier impressionof
this work in 1564, but the edition of 1573 was 'corrected
by the author,' the last work on which he probablywas
engaged,ashe died in 1576. It is of no valueat this time
of day as a medicaltreatise,though the authorwasvery
eminent; but we advert to it becauseBullein, for the sake
of variety and amusement,introduces notices of Chaucer,
Gower,Lidgate,Skelton,andBarclay,which,comingfrom
a manwho was contemporarywith two of them, maybe
acceptedasgenerallyaccuraterepresentations. . . Alexander
Barclay,Dr Bullein callsBartlet, in the irregularspellingof
thosetimes; and, assertingthat he was ' born beyond the
cold river of Tweed,' we see no sufficient reason for dis-
believingthat he wasa native of Scotland. Barclay,after
writing his pastorals,£cc.,did not die until 1552, so that
Bullein was his contemporary,and most likely knew him
and the fact. He observes;-' Then Bartlet, with an
hoopyngrussetlongcoate,witha pretiehoodein hisnecke,
and five knottes upon his girdle, after Francistricks. He
wasbornebeyondethe cold river of Twede. He lodged
upona swetebed of chamomill,underthe sinamum tree;
abouthym manyshepherdes and shepe,with pleasaunte
pipes; greatlyabhorringthe life of Courtiers,
Citizens,
xxviii Life andWritings
Usurers,
andBanckruptes,
&c.,whose
oldedalesaremiser-
able. Andtheestate
of shepherdes
andcountrie
people
he
accoumpted mostehappieand sure." (Collier's"Biblio-
graphicalAccountof Early EnglishLiterature,"Vol. 1.,
P- 97)-
" The certaintywith whichBulleynherespeaks
of Bar-
clay, asborn beyondthe Tweed,is not a little strengthened
hy the accuracywith which even in allegory he delineates
his peculiar characteristics. ' He lodged upon a bed of
sweetcamomile.' What figure could havebeenmorede-
scriptiveof that agreeablebitterness,that pleasantirony,
which distinguishesthe author of the 'Ship of Fools?'
' About him many shepherdsand sheep with pleasant
pipes, greatly abhorringthe life of courtiers.' What
couldhave beena plainer paraphraseof the title of Bar-
clay's ' Eclogues,'or ' Miseries of Courtiers and Courtes,
and of all Princes in General.' As a minor feature, ' the
five knots uponhis girdle after Francis'stricks ' may also
be noticed. Hitherto, the fact of Barclay having beena
memberof the Franciscanorder hasbeenalwaysrepeated
as a matter of somedoubt; ' he was a monk of the order
of St Benedict,and afterwards,assomesay,a Franciscan.
Bulleynknows, and mentions,with certainty, what others
onlyspeakof as the merestconjecture.In short,every-
thing tendsto shewa degreeof familiar acquaintance
with
the man, his habits, and his productions, which entitles the
testimonyof Bulleyn~tothe highestcredit.'" (Lives of the
Scottish Poets, Vol. I., pt. ii., p. 77).
But there are other proofspointingas decidedlyto
the determinationof this Jong-continued
controversyin
favourof Scotland,
asthe soil fromwhichthis vagrant
 of AlexanderBarclay. xxix
childof the musessprung. No evidenceseems to havebeen
hitherto soughtfrom the mostobvioussource,his writings.
The writer of the memoir in the BiographiaBrittanica,
(who certainly dealt a well-aimed,though by no means
decisive,blow, in observing," It is pretty extraordinarythat
Barclay himself, in his severaladdressesto his patrons
shouldnever take notice of his being a stranger,which
would have made their kindness to him the more remark-

able [it was very customaryfor the writers of that age

to make mention in their works of the countries to whicli

theybelonged,
especially
if theywroteout of their own];
whereasthe readerwill quickly see,that in his addressto
the young gentlemenof Englandin the l Mirror of Good
Manners/hetreatsthemashiscountrymen,")hasremarked,
" It seemsa little strange that in those days a Scot should
obtainsogreatreputationin England,especiallyif it be con-
sidered from whence our author's rose,viz., from his enrich-
ing and improvingthe English tongue. Had he written
in Latin or on the sciences,the thing had been probable
enough,but in the light in which it now stands,I think it
very far from likely." From which it is evident that the
biographerunderstoodnot the versatilenatureof the Scot
andhis ability, especiallywhencaughtyoung,in " doingin
Rome as the Romansdo.'' Barclay'sEnglish educationand
foreign travel,togetherextendingoverthe mostimpression-
able yearsof his youth, couldnot havefailedto rub off any
obvious national peculiaritiesof speechacquiredin early
boyhood,had the differencebetweenthe EnglishandScot-
tish speechthen beenwider thanit was. But the language
of Barbourand Chaucerwasreally one and the same. It
will then not be wondered at that but few Scotch
xxx Life andWritings
wordsarefoundin Barclay's
writings. Still, thesefeware
not without their importancein strengtheningthe argument
asto nationality.Thefollowing
from" TheShipof Fools,"
indicateat once the clime to which they are native,
"gree,"' " kest," " rawky," "ryue," " yate," " bokest,"
"bydeth," " thekt,"and "or," in its peculiarScottishuse.
That anyEnglishman, especially
a Southor West of Eng-
land Englishman,shoulduse wordssuchas those,particu-
larly at a time of hostility andof little intercoursebetween
the nations,will surelybe admittedto be a far moreunlikely
thing than that a Scotchman born,thoughnot bred,should
become,after the effectsof an Englisheducationandresi-
dence had efficiently done their work upon him, a great
improverand enricherof the Englishtongue.
But perhapsthe strongestand most decisiveargument
of all in this much-vexed controversyis to be foundin the
panegyricof Jamesthe Fourthcontained
in the "Ship of
Fools," an eulogyso highly pitched andextravagantthat
no Englishman
of that timewouldeverhavedreamed
of it or
daredto pen it. Nothing could well be more conclusive.
Barclay precedesit by a long and high-flowntribute to
Henry, but when he comesto "Jamys of Scotlonde,"he,
so to speak, out-HerodsHerod. Ordinary versesuffices
not for the greatnessof his subject,which he must needs
honour with an acrostic,-
"In prudenceperelesis this mostecomelykynge
A nd as for his strengthand magnanymyte
C oncernyngehis noble dedesin euery thynge
O ne founde or groundelyke to hym cannot be
B y byrth borne to boldnesand audacyte
V nderthe boldeplanetof Mars thechampyon
S urely to subduehis ennemyesechone."
 of Alexander
Barclay. xxxi
There, we are convinced, speaksnot the prejudiced,Scot-
hatingEnglishcritic, but the heartbeatingtrue to its father-
land and loyalto its nativeSovereign.
That l'he wasborn beyondethe cold river of Twede,"
about the year 1476, as shallbe shownanon,is howeverall
the length we can go. His training was without doubt
mainly,if not entirely English. He must havecrossedthe
border very early in life, probablyfor the purposeof pur-
suing his educationat one of the Universities,or, even
earlier than the period of his University career, \vith
parents or guardiansto reside in the neighbourhoodof
Croydon,to which he frequentlyrefers. Croydonis men-
tioned in the followingpassages in EclogueI. :

" While I in youthin Croidontownedid dwell."

" He hath no feknve betwene this and Croidon,
SavetheproudeplowmanGnathoof Chorlington."
" And as in Croidon I heard the Collier preache''
"
" Such rnaner riches the Collier tell thee can

" As thericheShepheard
that wonedin Mortlake."

It seemsto have becomea secondhome to him, for there,

we find, in 1552,he diedandwasburied.
At whichUniversityhestudied,whetherOxfordor Cam-
bridge,is alsoa matterof doubtandcontroversy.
Wood
claimshim for Oxford and Oriel, apparentlyon no other
groundthanthathe dedicates
the " Shipof Fools
" to
ThomasCornish,the Suffraganbishopof Tyne, in the
Dioceseof Bath andWells, who wasprovostof Oriel Col-
legefrom1493to 1507. Thatthe Bishop
wasthefirst
xxxii Life andWritings
to give him an appointment
in the Churchis certainlya
circumstanceof considerable
weightin favourof theclaim
of Oxfordto be hisalmamater,andof Cornishto be his
intellectual
father; andif theappointmentproceeded from
theProvost's goodopinionof theyoungScotchman, thenit
saysmuchfor theabilityandtalentsdisplayed
by himduring
his Collegecareer. Oxfordhowever appears
to be nowhere
mentionedin his variouswritings,while Cambridgeis
introducedthusin EclogueI. :-
" And oncein Cambridge
I hearda scollersay.''

From which it seemsequally,if not more, probablethat

he wasa studentat that university. "There is reasonto
believe that both the universitieswere frequentedby
Scotish students; many particularnamesare to be traced
in their annals; nor is it altogether irrelevant to mention
that Chaucer'syoungclerksof Cambridgewho playedsuch
tricks to the miller of Trompington,aredescribed
ascoming
from the north, andas speakingthe Scotishlanguage:-
'John hightethaton,andAlein hightethat other,
Of o toun -werethey born that highte Strother,
Fer in the North, I cannot tellen where.'

" It may be consideredas highly probable that Barclay

completed his studies in one of those universities, and that
the connectionswhich he thus had an opportunity of form-
ing, induced him to fix his residence in the South ; and
whenwe supposehim to have enjoyed the benefit of an
Englisheducationit neednot appearpeculiarly' strange,
that in thosedays,a Scot shouldobtain sogreat reputation
in England.'" (Irving, Hist, of Scot.Poetry).
 of AlexanderBarclay. xxxiii
In the "Ship" there is a chapter "Of unprofytable
Stody" in which he makesallusionto his studentlife in
sucha way asto imply that it had not been a modelof
regularity andpropriety:
" The greatfoly, thepryde,andtheenormyte
Of our studentis,and theyr obstynateerrour
Causethme to wryte two sentences or thre
More than I fynde wrytyn in myne acroure
The tyme hath ben whan I was conductoure
Of mochefoly, whiche nowe my myndedoth greue
Wherfor of this shyp syns I am gouernoure
I darebe boldemyne owne vyce to repreue."

If these lines are meantto be acceptedliterally, which

suchconfessions seldomare, it may be that he was advised
to put a year or two's foreigntravelbetweenhisUniversity
career,andhis entranceinto the Church. At any rate, for
"whateverreason,on leaving the University,where, as is
indicatedby the title of "Syr" prefixedto his namein his
translation of Sallust, he had obtained the degree of
Bachelor of Arts, he travelled abroad, whether at his own
charges,
or in the company
of a sonof oneof his patronsis
not recorded,principally in Germany,Italy, and France,
wherehe appliedhimself,with an unusualassiduityand
success,
to the acquirementof the languagesspoken in
thosecountriesand to the study of their bestauthors. In
the chapter" Of unprofytable
Stody,"abovementioned,
which contains
proof howwellhe at leasthad profitedby
study,he citescertaincontinental
seats
of university
learn-
ingat eachof which,thereisindeed
no improbability
in
supposing
he mayhaveremained
for 'sometime,as was
the customin those days:
xxxiv Life andWritings
" One rennythto AJmayneanothervnto France
To Parys,Padway, Lumbardy or Spayne
Another to Bonony, Rome, or Orleanse
To Cayne,to Tolows, Athenys,or Colayne."

Another referenceto his travels and mode of travelling

is found in the Eclogues. Whether he made himself
acquaintedwith the Englishtownshe enumerates
beforeor
after his continental travels it is impossibleto determine:
CORN ix.

" As if diuerswayeslayevntoIslington,
To Stow on the Wold, Quauenethor Trompington,
To Douer, Durham, to Barwike or Exeter,
To Grantham,Totnes,Bristow or good Manchester,
To Roan, Paris, to Lions or Floraunce.
CORIDON.

(What ho manabide,what alreadyin Fraunce,

Lo, a fayre iourney and shortly endedto,
With all thesetowneswhat thing hauewe to do ?
CORNIX.

By Gad man knowe thou that I hauehad to do

In all thesetownesand yet in many mo.
To seetheworldein youthmethoughtwasbest,
And after in ageto geuemy selfeto rest.
CORIDON.

Thoumighthauebroughtoneandsetbyourvillage.
CORNIX.

What manI mightnot for lackeof cariage.

To carymineowneselfewasall that euerI might,
And sometimefor easemy sachellmadeI light."
ECLOGUEI.
 of AlexanderBarclay. xxxv
Returning to England, after some years of residence
abroad, with his mind broadenedand strengthenedby
foreigntravel,andby the study of the best authors,modern
aswell asancient,Barclay enteredthe church, the only career
then opento a manof his training. With intellect,accom-
plishments,andenergypossessed by few,hisprogressto dis-
tinction andpower ought to have beeneasyandrapid, but
it turnedout quite otherwise. The roadto eminencelay
by the " backstairs,"the atmosphereof which he couldnot
endure. The waysof courtiers-falsehood,flattery, and
fawning-he detested,
andworse,he saidso,wherefore
his
learning,wit andeloquencefound but small reward. To
his freedomof speech,his unsparingexposureanddenuncia-
tion of corruptionandvicein the Court andthe Church,as
well as amongthe peoplegenerally,must undoubtedlybe
attributed the failure to obtain that high promotionhis
talents deserved,and would otherwise have met with. The
policy,not alwaysa successful
onein the end,of ignoring
an inconvenientdisplayof talent,appearsto havebeenfully
carried out in the instanceof Barclay.
His first prefermentappearsto havebeenin the shapeof-
achaplainship
in thesanctuary
for pietyandlearningfounded
at SaintMary Otery in the County of Devon,by Grandi-
son, Bishop of Exeter; and to have comefrom Thomas
Cornish,SuffraganBishopof BathandWells underthe title
of the Bishopof Tyne, "meorum primitias laborumqui in
]ucemeruperunt,"to whom,doubtless out of gratitudefor
his first appointment,
he dedicated" The Shipof Fools."
Cornish,amongstthe manyothergoodthingshe enjoyed,
held,according to Dugdale,from 1490to 1511,the post
of wardenof theCollegeof S. Mary Otery,whereBarclay
xxxvi Life andWritings
no doubthad formed that regardandrespectfor him which
is so strongly expressedin the dedication.
A very eulogisticnotice of " My MaysterKyrkham," in
the chapter " Of the extorcionof Knyghtis,"(Ship of
Fools,)has misledbiographers,who were ignorantof Cor-
nish's connectionwith S. Mary Otery, to imaginethat
Barclay'suse of " Capellanushumilimus"in his dedi-
cationwas merelya politeexpression,
and that Kyrkham,
of whomhe styleshimself," His true seruytourhischap-
layne and bedeman" was his actual ecclesiasticalsuperior.
The following is the wholepassage
:-
" Good offycersar goodandcommendable
And manlyknyghtesthat lyuein rightwysenes
But theythat do nat ar worthy of a bable
Synsby theyr prydeporepeopletheyoppres
My miysterKyrkhanfor his perfytemekenes
And supportacionof men in pouertye
Out of my shypshallworthelybe fre

I flatcr nat I am his true seruytour

His chaplayne
andhis bedemanwhylemy lyfeshallendure
RequyryngeGod to exalt hym to honour
And of his Pryncesfauour to be sure
For as I haue saydI knowe no creature
More manly rightwyse \vysediscreteand sad
But thoughehe be good, yet other ar als bad."

That this Kyrkham was a knight and not an ecclesiastic

is so plainly apparentas to need no argument. An
investigation
into Devonshire
historyaffordsthe interesting
information
thatamong theancientfamilies
of that county
therewasoneof thisname,of greatantiquityandrepute,
now no longer existent, of which the most eminentmember
 of AlexanderBarclay. xxxvii
was a certain Sir John Kirkham, whosepopularity is evinced
by his having been twice created High Sheriff of the
County, in the years1507 and 1523. (Prince,Worthies
of Devon; Izacke,Antiquities of Exeter.)
That this was the Kirkham abovealludedto, there can
be no reasonable
doubt,andin viewof the expression
"My
maysterKyrkham," it may be surmisedthat Barclay had
the honourof beingappointedby this worthy gentlemanto
theofficeof Sheriff's or privateChaplainor to somesimilar
positionof confidence, by which he gainedthe poet'srespect
andgratitude. The whole allusion,however,might, with-
out strainingbe regardedas a merelycomplimentary one.
The tone of the passage affordsat any ratea very pleasing
glimpseof the mutualregard entertainedby the poet and
his Devonshireneighbours.
After the eulogyof Kyrkham endingwith "Yet other
ar alsbad," the poetgoeson immediatelyto givethepicture
of a characterof the oppositedescription,makingthe only
severepersonalreferencein his wholewritings,for with all
his unsparingexposureof wrong-doing,he carefully,wisely,
honourablyavoided personality. A certain Mansell of
Oteryis gibbetedasa terror to evil doersin a waywhich
would form a sufficientground for an action for libel in
thesedegeneratedays.-Ship, II. 82.
" Mansellof Otery for powlyngeof the pore
Werenathis greatwombe,heresholdehauean ore
But for his body is so great andcorporate
And somanyburdenshis brodebackedoth charge
If his greatburthencausehymto cometo late
Yet shall the knauebe Captayneof a barge
Where as ar bawdesand so sayleout at large
xxxviii Life andWritings
About our shyp to spyeabout for prayes
For theruponhath he lyued all his dayes."

It ought howeverto be mentionedthat no suchnameas

Mansellappearsin the Devonshirehistories,and it may
therefore be fictitious.
The ignorance
and reckless
living of the clergy,oneof
the chief objectsof his animadversion,
receivealso local
illustration:

" For if one can flater, and beare a Hauke on his fist,
He shalbemdeparsonof Honington or Clist."

A good humouredreferenceto the Secondaries

of the
Collegeis the only other streak of local colouring we have
detectedin the Ship,exceptthe passagein praiseof his
friend and colleagueBishop, quoted at p. liii.

" Softe,fooles,softe,a little slackeyour pace,

Till I haue spaceyou to order by degree,
I haueeyght neyghbours,that first shall hauea place
Within this my ship, for they mostworthy be,
They may their learningreceyuecostlesand free,
Their walles abuttingand ioyningto the scholes;
Nothing they can, yet nought will they learnenor see,
Therforeshalltheyguidethisour shipof fooles."

In the comfort,quiet,andseclusion
of the pleasantDevon-
shireretreat,the "Ship" wastranslated
in the year1508,
when he would be about thirty-two," by Alexander
BarclayPreste; and at that tyme chaplenin the sayde
College," whenceit maybe inferredthat he left Devon.
eitherin that yearor theyearfollowing,whenthe " Ship"
waspublished, probablyproceedingto Londonfor the pur-
 of AlexanderBarclay. xxxix
poseof seeingit through thepress. Whetherhe returned
to Devonshirewe do not know; probably not, for his patron
andfriend Cornish resignedthe wardenshipof St Mary
Otery in 1511, and in two years after died, so that
Barclay'sties andhopesin the West wereat an end. At
any rate we next hear of him in monastic orders, a monk
of the order of S. Benedict,in the famousmonasteryof Ely,
where, as is evident from internal proof, the Eclogues
were written and where likewise,asappearsfrom the title,
was translated" The mirrour of good maners,"at the
desireof Syr GilesAlington, Knight.
It is about this periodof his life, probablythe periodof
the full bloomof his popularity,that the quiet life of the
poet and priest was interruptedby the recognitionof his
eminencein the highest quarters,and by a requestfor his
aid in maintainingthe honour of the countryon an occasion
to which the eyesof all Europewere then directed. In a
letter of Sir Nicholas Vaux, busiedwith the preparationsfor
the meetingof Henry VIII., andFrancisI., calledthe Field
of the Cloth of Gold, to Wolsey,of date loth April 1520,
he begs the cardinalto "send to them . . . Maistre
Barkleye,the BlackMonkeandPoete,to devisehistoires
andconvenientraisonsto florisshethe buildingsandbanquet
housewithal" (RollsCalendars of LettersandPapers,Henry
VIII., in. pt. i.). No doubt it wasalsothought that this
would be an excellentopportunityfor the eulogistof the
Defenderof the Faith to againtake up the lyre to singthe
gloriesof his royalmaster,but no effortof hismuseon the
subject
of thisgreatchivalric
pageant
hasdescended
to usif
any wereever penned.
Probablyafter this employment
he did not return to
xl Life andWritings
Ely; with his positionor surroundings
therehe doesnot
seemto havebeenaltogethersatisfied(" theremanya thing
is wrong," see p. Ixix.) ; and afterwards,though in the
matter of date we are somewhatpuzzledby the allusion
of Bulleyn, an Ely man, to his Franciscanhabit, he
assumedthe habit of the Franciscansat Canterbury,
(' Bale MS. Sloan,f. 68,') to which changewe may
owe,if it be reallyBarclay's,
"The life of St Thomasof
Canterbury.1'
Autumnhad now cometo the poet, but fruit hadfailed
him. The advanceof age and his failure to obtain a
suitable position in the Church began gradually to weigh
upon his spirits. The bright hopeswith which he had
started in the flush of youth, the position he was to obtain,
the influence he was to wield, and the work he was
to do personally,andby his writings,in the field of moral
and social reformation were all in sad contrast with the
actualities around. He had never risen from the ranks,
the army was in a state of disorganisation,almost of
mutiny, and the enemy was more bold, unscrupulous,
and numerous than ever. It is scarcely to be wondered
at that, though not past fifty, he felt prematurelyaged,
that his youthful enthusiasm which had carried him
on bravelyin manyan attempt to instruct and benefit his
fellowsat lengthforsookhim and left him a preyto that
weakness of body,andthat hopelessness of spirit to which
he sopatheticallyalludesin the Prologueto the Mirror of
good Manners. All his best work, all the work which has
survivedto our day,wasexecutedbeforethis date. But the
penwastoo familiarto his handto be allowed
to drop.
Hisbiographers
tell us"that whenyearscame onhespent
 of AlexanderBarclay. xli
his time mostly in pious matters,and in readingand writing
historiesof the Saints." A goodlypictureof a well-spent
old age. The harnessof youth he had no longer the
spirit and strength to don, the garments of age he
gatheredresignedlyandgracefullyabouthim.
On the violent dissolution of the Monasteriesin 1539,
when their inmates,the good and bad, the men of wisdom
andthe " fools," werealike castadrift upon a rock-bound
and stormy coast,the value of the patronagewhich his
literary and personalpopularity had brought him, was put
to the test,andin the endsuccessfully,
thoughafterconsider-
able, but perhapsnot to be wonderedat, delay. His great
patrons, the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Kent, Bishop
Cornish, and probably also Sir Giles Alington, were
all dead, and he had to rely on newer and necessarily
weaker ties. But after waiting,till probably somewhat
dispirited, 'fortune smiled at last. Two handsomelivings
were presentedto him in the sameyear,both of which he
apparently held at the same time, the vicarage of Much
Badew in Essex,by the presentationof Mr John Pascal,to
which he was instituted on February yth, 1546, holding it
(accordingto the LansdowneMS. (980 f. 101), in the
British Museum)till his death; and the vicarageof S.
Mathew at Wokey, in Somerset,on March joth of the
sameyear. Wood dignifieshim with the degreeof doctor
of divinity at the time of his presentationto these
preferments.
That he seemsto haveacceptedquietlythe gradualpro-
gressof the reformedreligionduring the reign of Edward
VI., has been a cause of wonder to some. It would cer-
tainly havebeenastonishinghad onewho wassounsparing
d
xlii Lift and
in his exposureof theflagrantabuses
of the RomishChurch
doneotherwise. Though personallydisinclinedto radical
changeshiswritingsamplyshowhis deepdissatisfaction
with
things as they were. This rendersthe moreimprobable
the honoursassignedhim by Wadding (ScriptoresOrdinis
Minorum, 1806, p. 5), who promoteshim to be Suffragan
Bishopof BathandWells, andBale,who,in a slanderous
anecdote,the localeof whichis alsoWells,speaks of him
asa chaplainof QueenMary's,thoughMarydidnotascend
the thronetill the yearafter his death. As thesestate-
ments are nowhereconfirmed,it is not improbablethat
their authorshavefallen into error by confoundingthepoet
Barclay,
withaGilbertBerkeley,
whobecame
Bishop
ofBath
andWellsin 1559. Onemoreundoubted,but tardy,piece
of preferment
wasawardedhim whichmaybe regardedas
an honour of somesignificance. On the 3OthApril 1552,
the Dean and Chapterof Canterbury,London,presented
him to the Rectory of All Hallows, Lombard Street, but the
well-deserved
promotioncametoo late to be enjoyed. A
few weeks after, and before the loth June, at which date
his will wasproved,"he died, ashis biographerssay, " at a
very advancedage ; at the good old age of seventy-six,
as shall be shown presently,at Croydon where he had
passedhis youth, and there in the Church he was buried.
"June loth 1552,AlexanderBarkleysepult," (Extract
fromthe ParishRegister, in Lyson'sEnvironsof London).
A copyof hiswill, anextremely
interesting
andinstructive
document,hasbeenobtainedfrom Doctors'Commons, and
will be found appended. It bears in all its details those
traitsof character
which,fromall thatweotherwise
know,
we are led to associatewith him. In it we seethe earnest
 of AlexanderBarclay. xhii
conscientious
ministerwhosefirst thought is of the poor,the
loyal churchmanliberalin his supportof the houseof God,
the kind relative in his numerousand consideratebequests
to his kith and kin, the amiable,much loved man in the
gifts of remembranceto his many friends, and the pious
Christian in his wishesfor the prayers of his survivors " to
Almightie God for remission
of my synnes,andmercyupon
my soule."
Barclay's career and character, both as a churchmanand
a man of letters, deserveattention and respect from every
studentof our early history and literature. In the former
capacityhe showedhimselfdiligent,honest,andanxious,at
a time when these qualities seemedto havebeen so entirely
lost to the churchasto form only a subjectfor clericalridi-
cule. In the latter, the samequalities are also prominent,
diligence,honesty, bold outspokenness,an ardent desire for
the pure, the true, and the natural, and an undisguised
enmityto everythingfalse,self-seeking,and vile. Every-
thing he did wasdonein a pure way, andto a worthy end.
Bale standsalone in casting aspersionsupon his moral
character,asserting,as Ritson puts it, " in his bigoted
and foul-mouthedway," that " he continueda hater of
truth, and underthe disguiseof celibacya filthy adulterer
to the last; " and in his Declaration of Bonner's articles
(1561,fol. 81), he condescends
to an instance
to the effect
that " DoctoureBarkleyehaddegreateharmeonesof suche
a visitacion,at Wellys, beforehe wasQueneMaryesChap-
Jayne.For the womanwhomehesoreligiouslye
visiteddid
light him of all that hehad,sauingehisworkingetolas. For
the whicheactehe hadher in prison,andyet couldenothing
recoueragaine." Whetherthisstorybe true of anyoneis
xliv Life andWritings
perhaps
doubtful,and,if trueof a Barclay,weareconvinced
thathe is not our author. 11mayhavearisenaswehaveseen
from a mistakeasto indentity. But apartfromthe question
of identity,we havenothingin supportof the slanderbut
Bale's" foul-mouthed"assertion,whileagainstit wehavethe
whole tenor and aim of Barclay's published writings.
Everywhere
he inculcates
the highestand purestmorality,
and where even for that purposehe might be led into
descriptions
of vice,his disgustcarrieshim past what most
otherswouldhavefelt themselves justifiedin dealingwith.
For example,in the chapter of " Disgysyd folys" he
expresslypassesover aslightly as possiblewhat might to
othershaveproveda temptingsubject:
" They disceyuemyndeschasteand innocent
With dyuerswayeswhiche I wyll nat expres
Lyst that whyle I labour (his cursyd gyseto stynt
I myght to them mynysterexampleof lewdnes
And therfore in this part I shall say les
Than doth my actour."
Elsewhere he declares :

" for my bokecertaynly

I hauecompyled : for vertueandgoodnes
And to reuylefoulesynneandvyciousnes "
But citation is needless;there is not a pageof his
writingswhichwill not supplysimilarevidence,and our
greatearly moralistmay,we think, be dismissed
from Court
without a stain on his character.
Indeedto hishigh pitchedmorality,he doubtlessowed
in some
degree the greatandextended popularity of his
poetical
writingsin formertimesandtheir neglectin later.
 of AlexanderBarclay. xlv
Sermonsand "good" bookswere not yet in the sixteenth
centuryan extensive branchof literature,and" good" people
couldwithout remorseof conscience varytheir limited theo-
logicalreadingby frowning over the improprietiesand sins
of their neighboursasdepictedin the " Ship," andjoining,
with a seriousheadshaking heartiness, in the admonitions of
the translatorto amendment, or they might feel " strength-
ened" by a glanceinto the " Mirrour of goodManers,"or
edified by hearing of the '' Miseryes of Courtiers and
Courtesof all princesin generall,"astold in the " Eclogues."
Certain it is that these writings owed little of their
acceptance to touchesof humour or satire,to the gifts of
a poeticalimagination,or the graceof a polisheddiction.
The indignation of the honest man and the earnestnessof
the moralistwaited not for gifts and graces. Everything
went down, hard, rough, evenuncouth as it stood,of course
gainingin truth and in graphic power what it wants in
elegance. Still, with no refinement,polishor elaboration,
there aremanypicturesquepassages scatteredthroughout
theseworkswhich no amountof polishing could haveim-
proved. How coulda manin a ragebe better touchedoff
than thus ("Ship" I. 182, 15).
" This man malyciouswhiche troubledis with wrath
Nought els soundethbut the hoorseletter R."

The passionof loveis sographicallydescribedthat it is

difficult to imagineour priestly moralista total strangerto
its power, (I. 81).
" For he that loueth is voyde of all reason
Wandryngein the worlde without lawe or me5ure
In thought and fere sore vexedecheseason
xlvi Life andWritings
And greuousdoloursin louehe mustendure
No creaturehym selfe, may well assure
From louessoft dartis: I say noneon the grounde
But madandfolysshebydeshe whichehaththe woundc

Aye rennynge
asfranatykeno reasonin his mynde
He hath no constaunce nor ease within his herte
His iyenar blynde,his wyll alwayeinclyned
To louyspreceptesyetcannathe departe
The Net is stronge,the fole caught cannat starte
The darteis sharpe,who euer is in the chayne
Can nat his sorowein vysagehyde nor fayne"

For expressive,happy simile, the two following examples

are capital:-
" Yet sometimesrichesis geuenby somechance
To suchas of good hauegreatestaboundaunce.
Likewise as streamesunto the sea do glide.
But on bare hills no water will abide.

So smallestpersonshauesmall rewardealway
But men of worship setin authoritie
Musthauerewardes
greataftertheir degree."-ECLOGUE
I.
" And sosuchthingeswhichprincesto theegeue
To thee be as sure as water in a siue
" » t *

So princes are wont with riches some to fede

As we do our swine when we of larde haue nede
We fedeour hoggesthem after to deuour
When they be fatted by costesand labour."-ECLOGUEI.

The everlasting
conceitof musical
humanityis very
truthfully hit off.
" This is of singerstheverypropertie
Alway theycoueytdesiredfor to be
 of AlexanderBarclay. xlvii
And when their frendeswould heareof their cunning
Then are they neuerdisposedfor to sing,
But if they begin desiredof no man
Then shewethey all and more then they can
And neuerleauethey till men of them be wery,
So in their conceyttheir cunningthey setby."-ECLOGUEII.
Pithy sayingsare numerous. Comparing citizenswith
countrymen, the countryman says:-
" Fortune to them is like a mother dere

As a stepmothershe doth to us appeare."

Of money:
" Coynemore than cunningexaltethevery man."
O f clothing:
" It is not clothing canmakea man be good
Better is in raggespure liuing innocent
Than a souledefiled in sumptuousgarment."
It is as the graphic delineator of the life and con-
dition of the country in his period that the chief
interest of Barclay'swritings, and especiallyof the " Ship of
Fools,"now lies. Nowhereso accessibly, so fully, and so
truthfully will be found the state of Henry the Eighth's
Englandset forth. Everyline bearsthe characterof truth-
fulness, written as it evidently is, in all the sobernessof
sadness,by onewho had no occasionto exaggerate,
whose
only objectanddesirewas,by massingtogetheranddescrib-
ing faithfully the follies and abuseswhich were evident to
all, to shameeveryclassinto somedegreeof moral refor-
mation, and, in particular, to effect some amelioration of
circumstances to the sufferingpoor.
And a sadpicture it is which we thus obtain of merrie
Englandin the goodold timesof bluff King Hal, wanting
altogetherin the couleurderosewith which it is tinted by its
xlviii Life andWritings
latesthistorianMr Froude,whois ablytakento taskon this
subjectby a recentwriter in theWestminsterReview,whose
conclusions,formed upon other evidencethan Barclay's, ex-
presssofairly the impressionleft by a perusalof the " Ship
of Fools," and the Eclogues,that we quotethem here.
" Mr Frouderemarks: ' Looking therefore,at the stateof
Englandasa whole,I cannotdoubtthat underHenrythe
body of the peoplewere prosperous,well-fed, loyal, and
contented. In all pointsof materialcomfort,they were as
well off aseverthey hadbeenbefore; betteroff thanthey
have ever been in later times.' In this estimate we cannot
agree. Ratherwe shouldsay that during,and for long
after, this reign, the peoplewerein the most deplorable
conditionof povertyandmiseryof everykind. That they
were ill-fed,that loyalty wasat its lowestebb, that discon-
tent was rife throughoutthe land. ' In all points of
material comfort,'we think they wereworseoff than they
had ever beenbefore, and infinitely worse off than they
haveeverbeensincethe closeof the sixteenthcentury,-a
century in which the cup of England's woes was surely
fuller than it has ever been since, or will, we trust, ever be
again. It was the centuryin which this countryand its
people passedthrough a baptismof blood as well as ' a
baptismof fire,' andout of whichtheycameholierandbetter.
The epitaphwhichshouldbe inscribedoverthe centuryis
containedin a sentencewritten by the famousAchamin
I547 "'-' Nam vita, qua; nuncvivitur a plurimis,non vita
sedmiseriaest.' So,Bradford(Sermon on Repentance,
!533) sumsup contemporary
opinionin a singleweighty
sentence :
" All menmayseeif they will that the whoredom
pride,unmercifulness,
andtyranny
of England
far surpasses
 of Alexander
Barclay. xlix
any age that everwasbefore." Everypageof Barclay
corroborates
theseaccounts
of tyranny,injustice,
immorality,
wretchedness,poverty,andgeneraldiscontent.
Not only in fact andfeelingare Barclay'sShip of Fools
and Ecloguesthoroughlyexpressiveof the unhappy,dis-
contented,poverty-stricken, priest-ridden, and court-ridden
condition and life, the bitter sorrowsand the humble wishes
of the people,their verytexture, asBarclayhimselftellsus,
consistsof the commonest languageof the day,andin it are
interwovenmanyof thecurrentpopularproverbsandexpres-
sions.Almostall of thesearestill "householdwords"though
few ever imaginethe garbof their " dailywisdom" to be of
suchvenerableantiquity. Every pageof the "Eclogues"
aboundswith them; in the " Ship" they are lesscommon,
but still by no meansinfrequent. We havefor instance:-
" Better is a frendein courte than a penyin purse"-(I. 70.)
" Whan the stedeis stolyn to shyt the stabledore "-(I. j6.)
" It goeth through as water through a syue."-(I. 245.)
" And he that alway thretenythfor to fyght
Oft at the profe is skantly worth a hen
For greattestcrakersar nat ay boldest men."-(I. 198.)
" I fynde foure thyngeswhiche by no meanescan
Be kept close,in secrete,or longe in preuetee
The firste is the counsellof a wytles man
The secondeis a cyte whiche byldyd is a hye
Upon a montaynethe thyrde we often se
That to hydehis dedesa louerhathno skyll
The fourth is strawe or fethers on a wyndy hyll."-(I. 199.)
" A crowe to pull."-(II. 8.)
" For it is a prouerbe,andan oldesaydsawe
That in eueryplacelyke to lyke wyll drawe."-(II. 35.)
" Better haue one birde sure within thy wall
Or fastin a cagethantwentyscorewithout'-(II. 74.)
1 Life andIVritings
" Gapynge
asit weredogges
for a bone."-(II. 93.)
" Prydesholdehauea fall."-(II. 161).
" For wyse men sayth . . .
One myshapfortuneth neueralone."
" Clawe where it itchyth."-(II. 256.) [The use of this, it
occurs again in the Eclogues,might be regardedby someof our
Southernfriends,as itself a sufficientproof of the author'sNorthern
origin.]
The following are selectedfrom the Ecloguesasthemost
remarkable:

" Each man for himself, and the fende for us all."
" They robbe SaintPeter therwith to clothe SaintPowle."
" For might of water will not our leasurebide."
" Once out of sight and shortly out of minde.''
" For children brent still after drede the fire."

" Togethertheycleavemorefastthan do burres."

" Tho' thy teeth water."
" I aske of the foxe no farther than the skin."

" To touchesoft pitcheand not his fingers file."

" From post unto piller tost shall thou be."
" Over head and eares."
" Go to the ant."

" A man may contende,God geuethvictory."

" Of two evils chose the least.''

Thesearebut the morestrikingspecimens.An examina-

tion of the " Ship," and especiallyof the "Eclogues," for
the purpose of extracting their -wholeproverbial lore, would
be well worth the while, if it be not the duty, of the next
collectorin this branchof popularliterature. Thesewritings
introducemanyof our commonsayingsfor the first time to
Englishliterature,nowriterpriorto Barclayhavingthought
it dignifiedor worth while to profit by the popularwisdom
to any perceptibleextent. The first collectionof proverbs,
 of Alexander
Barclay. li
Heywood's,did not appearuntil 1546,so that in Barclay
we possess
the earliestknownEnglishform of suchpro-
verbsashe introduces. It needscarcelybe saidthat that
formis, in the majorityof instances,
morefull of meaning
and point than its modern representatives.
Barclay'sadoption
of thelanguage
of thepeoplenaturally
elevatedhim in popularestimationto a positionfar above
thatof his contemporaries
in thematterof style,somuchso
that he hasbeentraditionallyrecordedasoneof the greatest
improversof the language,that is, oneof thosewhohelped
greatly to bring the written languageto be morenearly
in accordancewith the spoken. Both a scholar and a
manof the world,hisphraseology
bearstokenof the greater
cultivationand wider knowledge he possessedover his
contemporaries. He certainly aimed at clearness of ex-
pression,and simplicity of vocabulary,and in theserespects
was so far in advance of his time that his works can even

now be read with ease,without the help of dictionaryor

glossary. In spite of his churchtrainingandhis residence
abroad,his works are surprisingly free from Latin or French
forms of speech; on the contrary, they are, in the main,
characterisedby a strong Saxondirectnessof expression
which must havetendedgreatly to the continuance
of their
popularity, andhaveexerciseda strong and advantageous
influenceboth in regulatingthe useof the commonspoken
language,
andin leadingthe waywhichit wasnecessary
for
the literarylanguageto follow. Philologistsanddictionary
makersappear,however,to havehithertooverlooked Bar-
clay'sworks, doubtless
owing to their rarity, but their in-
trinsicvalueaswell astheir positionin relationto the history
of the language
demand
specificrecognitionat their hands.
In Life and Writings
"J O

Barclayevidently delightedin his pen. From the time

of his return from the Continent, it was seldomout of his
hand. Idlenesswas distastefulto him. He petitionshis
critics if they be " wysemenandcunnynge,"that :-
" They shallmy youthpardone,andvnchraftynes
Whicheonelytranslate,to eschewe
ydelnes."

Assuredly
a muchmorelaudable
wayof employing
leisure
then than now, unlessthe translatorprudentlystopshortof
print. The modesty andsingleness
of aimof the manare
strikinglyillustrated
byhisthusdevotinghistimeandtalents,
not to originalwork ashe waswellabletohavedonehadhe
beendesirousonlyof glorifyinghis ownname,but to the
translationandadaptationor, better, "Englishing" of such
foreignauthorsashe deemedwould exercisea wholesome
andprofitableinfluenceuponhis countrymen. Suchwork,
however,mouldedin his skilful hands,becameall but original,
little being left of his author but the idea. Neither the
Ship of Fools,nor the Ecloguesretain perceptibletracesof a
foreignsource,andwere it not that they honestlybeartheir
authorshipon their fore-front,they might be regardedas
thoroughly,evencharacteristically,
Englishproductions.
The first knownwork from Barclay'spenappearedfrom
the pressof De Worde, so early as 1506, probably
immediatelyon his return from abroad,and was no doubt
the fruit of continentalleisure. It is a translation,in seven
linestanzas,
of the popularFrenchpoetPierreGringore's
Le Chateaude labour (1499)-the most ancientwork of
Gringorewith date,andperhapshis best-under the title
of " The Castellof labourewhereinis richesse,
vertu,and
honour;"in whichin a fancifulallegory
of somelength,
 of AlexanderBarclay. liii
a somewhatwearisomeLady Reasonovercomesdespair,
poverty and other such evils attendant upon the fortunes
of a poormanlatelymarried,the moralbeingto show:-
" That idleness,
motherof all adversity,
Her subjectsbringethto extremepoverty."
The generalappreciationof this first essayis evidenced
by the issueof a secondedition from the pressof Pynson
a few yearsafter the appearance of the first.
Encouragedby the favourablereceptionaccordedto the
first effort of his muse,Barclay,on his retirement to the
easeand leisure of the College of St Mary Otery, set
to work on the "Ship of Fools," acquaintance with which
Europe-famous satire he must have made when abroad.
This, his magnum
ofus, hasbeendescribedat somelength
in the Introduction, but two interesting personal notices
relative to the compositionof the work mayhere be added.
In the executionof the great task, he expresseshimself,
(II. 278), asunderthe greatestobligationsto his colleague,
friend, and literary adviser,Bishop :-
" Whiche was the first ouersear of this warke

And vnto his frende gauehis aduysement

It nat to suffer to slepestyll in the darke
But to be publysshydabrode: and put to prent
To thy monycionmy bysshopI assent
Besechynge god that I that day may se
That thy honour may prospereand augment
So that thy nameand offyce may agre

In this short baladeI can nat comprehende

All my full purposethat I woldeto the wryte
But fayneI woldethatthou sholdesoneassende
To heuenlyworshypandcelestyalldelyte
liv Life andWritings
Than shouldeI aftermy porewyt andrespyt,
Displaythy name,andgreatkyndnesto me
But at thistymeno fartherI indyte
But pray thatthy nameandworshypmayagre."

Pynson,
in hiscapacity
of judicious
publisher,
fearing
lest
the book should exceedsuitable dimensions,also receives
duenoticeat p. 108of Vol. I., wherehe speaks
of
" thechargePynsonhatheon melayde
With manyfolysour Nauy not to charge."

The concludingstanza,
or colophon, is alsodevotedto
immortalising
the great bibliopolein terms,it must be
admitted,not dissimilarto thoseof a moderndraper'spoet
laureate :-

Our Shyp here leuyth the seesbrode

By helpeof God almyght and quyetly
At Anker we lye within the rode
But who that lysteth of them to bye
In Flete strete shall them fynde truly
At the George: in RichardePynsonnesplace
Pryntervnto theKyngesnoblegrace.
Deo gratias.

Contemporaryallusionsto the Ship of Foolsthere could

not fail to be, but the only one we have met with occurs
in Bulleyn'sDialogue quotedabove,p. xxvii. It runs as
follows:-Uxor.-What shipisthatwithsomanyowers,and
straungetacle; it is a greatevessell. Ciuis.-This is the
shipof fooles,wherinsailethbothespirituallandtemporall,
of euerycallyngsome: therearekynges,queenes, popes,
archbishoppes,
prelates,
lordes,
ladies,
knightes,
gentlemen,
phisicions,
lawiers,marchauntes,
housbandemen,beggers,
 of AlexanderBarclay. Iv
theeues,hores,knaues,&c. This shipwanted!a goodpilot :
the storme,the rocke, andthe wrecke at hande,all will come
to naughtin this hulkefor want of goodgouernement.
The Eclogues,asappearsfrom their Prologue,had ori-
ginally beenthe work of our author'syouth, "the essaysof
a prenticein the art of poesie,"but they were wiselylaid
past to be adornedby the wisdomof a wider experience,
andwere, strangelyenough,lost for yearsuntil, at the age
of thirty-eight, the author again lighted, unexpectedly,
uponhis lost treasures,andstraightwayfinishedthem off
for the public eye.
The following autobiographical passagereminds one
forcibly of Scott's throwing aside Waverley, stumbling
acrossit after the lapseof years,and thereupondeciding
at onceto finish and publish it. After enumeratingthe
mostfamousecloguewriters,he proceeds:-
" Nowe to my purpose,their workes worthy fame,
Did in my yongeagemy heartgreatly inflame,
Dull slouth eschewingmy selfeto exercise,
In such small matters,or I durst enterprise,
To hyer matter, like as thesechildren do,
Which first vseto creepe,and afterwardeto go.

So where I in youth a certayneworke began,

And not concluded,as oft doth manya man:
Yet thought I after to makethe sameperfite,
But longI missedthat whichI first did write.
But here a wonder, I fortie yere sauetwayne,
Proceededin age,founde my first youth agayne.
To findeyouth in ageis a problemediffuse,
But nowe hearethe truth, and then no longer muse.
As I late turned olde bookes to and fro,
One litle treatiseI founde amongthe mo
Ivi Life andWritings
Becausethat in youth I did compilethe same,
Eglogesof youthI did callit by name.
And seingsomemen hauein the samedelite,
At their great instanceI madethe sameperfite,
Adding and bating where I perceyuedneede,
All themdesiringwhichshallthistreatiserede,
Not to be grieuedwith anyplaynesentence,
Rudely conuayed for lackeof eloquence."

The most importantrevelationin the wholeof thisin-

terestingpassage,
that relatingto theauthor'sage,seems
to
havebeenstudiously overlooked byall hisbiographers.If
we canfix with probabilitythe dateatwhichtheseEclogues
werepublished,thenthis,oneof themostregretted
of the
lacunae
in his biography,
will be supplied.We shallfeel
henceforthtreadingon firmer ground in dealingwith
the scantymaterialsof his life.
Fromthe lengthand favourwith whichthe praisesof
the Ely Cathedraland of Alcockits piousandmunificent
bishop,then but recentlydead,aresungin thesepoems(see
p. Ixviii.), it is evidentthat the poet must havedonnedthe
blackhoodin the monastery of Ely for at leasta few years.
Warton fixesthe date at 1514, because of the praisesof
the "noble Henry whichnow departedlate," andthe after
panegyricof his successor Henry VIII. (EclogueI.), whose
virtuesare alsodulyrecordedin the Shipof Fools(I. 39
and II. 205-8), but not otherwise of coursethan in a com-
plimentary
manner. Our later lightsmakethis pictureof
the noblepair appearboth out of drawingand over-
coloured :-

" BesidenobleHenrywhichnowedepartedlate,
Spectacle
of vertueto eueryhyeestate,
 of Alexander
Barclay. Ivii
The patroneof peaceand primateof prudence,
Which on GodsChurchhathdonesogreatexpence.
Of all theseprincesthe mercyand pitie,
The loue of Concorde,iusticeand equitie,
The purenesof life and giftes liberal!,
Not lessevertuousthen the saidprincesall.
And Henry the eyght mostehye and triumphant,
No gifte of vertue nor manlinesdoth want,
Mine humble spechand languagepastorall
If it were able should write his actes all:

But while I ought speakeof courtly misery,

Him with all sucheI exceptvtterly.
But what other princescommonlyfrequent,
As true as I can to shewe is mine intent,
But if I should say that all the misery,
Which I shall after rehearseand specify
Were in the court of our mostenoblekinge,
I shouldfayle truth, and playnly makeleasing."-ECLOGUE
I.

This eulogyof Henryplainlyimpliessomeshortexperience

of hisreign. But other allusionscontributemoredefinitely
to fix the precisedate, suchasthe followinghistoricalpas-
sage,whichevidentlyrefersto the careerof the notorious
extortioners, Empson and Dudley, who were executedfor
conspiracyand treasonin the first year of the new king's
reign.
" Such as for honour unto the court resort,
Looke seldometimes upon the lower sort j
To the hyer sort for mostepart they intende,
For still their desireis hyer to ascende
And when none canmakewith them comparison,
Againsttheir princesconspire
theyby treason,
Then whentheir purposecannatcomewell to frame,
Agayne
theydescende
andthatwith uttershame,
Iviii Life andWritings
Condon thou knowest right well what I meane,
We latelyof this experience
haueseene
When men would ascende to rowmes honorable
Euer is their minde and lust insatiable."

The most definiteproof of the dateof publication,how-

ever,is found in the fourth Eclogue. It containsa long
poemcalledThe towre of vertueand honour,whichis
reallya highly-wrought
elegyon the prematureand glori-
ousdeath,not of " the Duke of Norfolk, Lord High admiral,
andoneof Barclay's
patrons,"ashasbeenrepeated
parrot-
like, from Warton downwards,but of his chivalrousson,
Sir Edward Howard, Lord High Admiral for the short
spaceof a few months,who perishedin his gallant,if
reckless,attackupon the Frenchfleet in the harbourof
Brestin the year 1513. It is incomprehensiblethat the
dateof the publicationof the Ecloguesshouldbe fixed
at 1514,andthisblunderstill perpetuated.No Duke of
Norfolk died between Barclay'sboyhoodand 1524, ten
yearsafter the agreedupon date of the Elegy ; and the
Duke (Thomas),who wasBarclay'spatron, neverheld the
positionof Lord High Admiral(thoughhissonLordThomas,
createdEarl of Surreyin 1514, and who afterwardssuc-
ceededhim, also succeededhis brother Sir Edward in the
Admiralship),
but worthilyenjoyedthe dignifiedofficesof
Lord High Steward,LordTreasurer,andEarl Marshal,and
diedoneof Henry'smostrespected
andmostpopularMini-
sters,
athiscountryseat,
at a goodoldage,intheyearabove
mentioned, 1524. The otherallusionsto contemporary
events,
andespeciallyto the poet'sage,precludethe ideaof
carryingforwardthe publication
to the latterdate,did the
clearly
defined
points
of theElegyallowof it, astheydonot.
 of AlexanderBarclay. lix
Minalcas, one of the interlocutors, thus introduces the
subject:-
" But it is lamentable
To hearea Captayneso good and honorable,
Sosoonewithdrawen by deathescrueltie,
Before his vertue was at mostehye degree.
If death for a seasonhad shewed him fauour,
To all his nation he should haue bene honour."

" 'The Towre of Vertue and Honor,' introduced as a

songof oneof the shepherdsinto thesepastorals,exhibits
no very masterlystrokesof a sublimeand inventivefancy.
It has much of the trite imageryusuallyapplied in the
fabrication of these ideal edifices. It, however, showsour
author in a newwalk of poetry. This magnificenttower,
or castle is built on inaccessible cliffs of flint: the walls are
of gold, bright as the sun,and decoratedwith ' olde his-
toryesandpicturesmanyfolde:' the turrets are beautifully
shaped.Amongits heroicinhabitants
areHenryVIII., [' in
his maiestiemostehye enhaunsed
asought a conquerour,'
no doubt an allusionto the battle of the Spurs andhis other
exploits
in Francein 1513],Howard DukeofNorfolk,['the
floureof chiualry'],andtheEarlof Shrewsbury,
[' manfull
andhardy,with otherprinces andmenof dignitie']. Labour
is the porterat the gate, andVirtue governsthe house.
Labour is thus pictured,with somedegreeof spirit :-
c Fearefull is labour without fauour at all,
Dreadfullof vi age,a monsterintreatable,
Like Cerberuslying at gatesinfernal!;
To some men his looke is halfe intolerable,
His shoulders
large,for burthenstrongandable,
Hisbodybristled,hisneckemightie
andstiffe;
By sturdysenewes,
hisioyntesstronge
andstable,
Like marble stoneshis handesbe as stiffe.
Ix Life andWritings
Here must man vanquishethe dragonof Cadmus,
Againstthe Chimerherestoutlymusthe fight,
Heremusthe vanquishthefearefullPegasus,
For the golden flecehere must he shewehis might :
If labourgaynsay,
he cannothingbe right,
This monsterlabour oft chaungethhis figure,
Sometimean oxe, a bore, or lion wight,
Playnelyhe seemeth,
thuschaungeth
his nature,
Like as Protheusofte chaungedhis stature.

Under his browes he dreadfully doth loure,

With glisteringeyen,andsidedependaunt
beard,
For thirst and hunger alway his chereis soure,
His hornedforeheaddoth makefaynt heartes
feard.
Alway he drinketh, and yet alway is drye,
The sweatdistilling with droppesaboundaunt,'

" The poet adds,l that whenthe nobleHowardhadlong

boldlycontendedwith this hideousmonster,had brokenthe
bars anddoorsof the castle,had boundthe porter, andwas
now preparing to ascendthe tower of Virtue and Honour,
FortuneandDeathappeared,
andinterrupted
hisprogress.''
(Warton, Eng. Poetry, III.)
The hero'sdescent
andJcnightlyqualitiesare duly set
forth:-

"Though he wereborneto glory andhonour,

Of auncient
stockeandnobleprogenie,
Yet thoughthis courageto be of morevalour,
By hisowneactesandnoblechiualry.
Likeasbecommeth a knightto fortifye
His princes
quarellwith rightandequitie,
SodidthisHawarde
withcourage
valiauntly,
Till deathabatedhis boldeaudacitie."
 of AlexanderBarclay. Ixi
The poet, gives"cursed fortune" a severerating,andat
suchlengththat the old ladyno doubt repentedherself,for
cutting off so promisinga hero at soearlyan age:-
" Tell me,fraylefortune,why did thou breuiate
The liuing seasonof suchea captayne,
That whenhis actesoughtto be laureate
Thy fauourturnedhim suffringto be slayne?"
And then he addressesthe Duke himself in a consolatory
strain, endeavouringto reconcile him to the loss of so pro-
misinga son,by recalling to his memorythose heroesof
antiquitywhosecareersof glory werecut short by sudden
and violent deaths:-

" But moste-worthy duke hye and victorious,

Respireto comfort, seethe vncertentie
Of other princes,whosefortune prosperous
Oftetime haue ended in hard aduersitie :
Readof Pompeius,"[&c.]

" This shall be, this is, and this hath euer bene,
That boldestheartesbe nearestieopardie,
To dye in battayleis honour as men wene
To sucheas haueioy in hauntingchiualry.

" Suchefamousendingthe namedoth magnihe,

Note worthy duke, no causeis to complayne,
His life not endedfoulenor dishonestly,
In bed nor tauernehis lustesto maynteyne,
But like as besemeda noble captayne,
In sturdie harneshe died for the right,
From deathesdaungerno man may fleecertayne,
But suchedeath is metestvnto so noblea knight.

" But death it to call me thinke it vnright,

Sith hisworthy nameshalllasteperpetuall,"[&c.]
Ixii Life andWritings
This detail and theselong quotationshave been ren-
derednecessary
by the strangeblunderwhichhasbeen
madeand perpetuatedas to the identity of the young
hero whosedeath is so feelinglylamentedin this elegy.
With that now clearlyascertained,
we can not only fix
with confidence
the dateof the publicationof the Eclogues,
but by aid of the hint conveyed
in the Prologue,quoted
above
(p. lv.),asto theauthor's
age,"fortie saue
twayne,"
decide,for the first time, the durationof his life, andthe
dates,approximately
at least,of its incidents,
and of the
appearance of his undatedworks. Lord Edward Howard,
perhapsthe bravestand rashestof England'sadmirals,
perishedin a madlydaring attack upon the harbour of
Brest, on the 25th of April, 1514. As the eclogues
couldnot thereforehavebeenpublishedprior to that date,
so,bearingin mindthe otherallusions referredto above,they
couldscarcely haveappeared later. Indeed,thelosswhichthe
elegycommemorates is spokenof asquite recent,while the
elegy itself bears every appearance of havingbeenintro-
ducedinto the eclogueat the last moment. We feel quite
satisfied
therefore
that Wartonhit quitecorrectlyuponthe
year 1514asthat in which thesepoemsfirst sawthe light,
thoughthe ground(the allusionto the Henries)uponwhich
he went was insuiEcient,and his identification of the hero
of the elegy contradictedhis supposition. Had he been
awareof the importance
of fixing the datecorrectly,he
would probablyhave taken more care than to fall into the
blunderof confoundingthe fatherwith the son,andadorn-
ingthe formerwith the dearlyearnedlaurelsof the latter.
It maybe addedthat,fixing1514asthe dateat which
Barclay
hadarrived
at theageof 38, agrees
perfectly
with
 of AlexanderBarclay. Ixiii
all elsewe know of his years,with the assumeddate of
his academical
education,andof his travelsabroad,with the
suppositions
formedasto his agefrom his variouspublished
works havingdatesattachedto them, andfinally, with the
traditional " great age" at which he died, which would
thus be six yearsbeyondthe allottedspan.
After the Ship of Foolsthe Ecloguesrank secondin im-
portancein a consideration
of Barclay'swritings. Not only
as the first of their kind in English, do they crown their
author with the honour of introducing this kind of poetry to
Englishliterature,but they arein themselves
mostinterest-
ing and valuableas faithful and graphicpictures of the
court, citizen, and country life of the period. Nowhere else
in so accessiblea form do there exist descriptionsat once
so full and so accurateof the whole condition of the people.
Their daily life and habits, customs,manners,sports,and
pastimes,
areall placedon the canvasbeforeuswith a ready,
vigorous,unflinchinghand. Witness for instancethe follow-
ing sketch,whichmight be entitled," Life, temp. 1514":-
" Somemen deliteth beholdingmen to fight,
Or goodly knightesin pleasauntapparayle,
Or sturdiesouldiersin bright harnesand male.

Someglad is to seetheseLadies beauteous,

Goodly appoyntedin clothing sumpteous:
A numberof peopleappoyntedin like wise :
In costly clothing after the newestgise,
Sportes,disgising,
fayrecoursers
mountandpraunce,
Or goodlyladiesandknightessinganddaunce:
To seefayrehousesandcuriouspicture(s),
Or pleasaunthanging,or sumpteousvesture
Of silke, of purpure, or golde mosteorient,
And other clothing diuersand excellent:
Ixiv Life andWritings
Hye curiousbuildinges
or palacesroyall,
Or chapels,
templesfayreandsubstanciall,
Imagesgrauenor vaultescurious;
Gardeyns andmedowes, or placedelicious,
Forestesand parkeswell furnishedwith dere,
Coldepleasaunt
streames
or wellesfayreandclere,
Curiouscunditesor shadowiemountaynes,
Swerepleasaunt
valleys,laundesor playnes
Houndes,and sucheother thingesmanyfolde
Somementakepleasour
andsolaceto beholde."

The followingselections
illustrativeof the customsand
mannersof the times will serveas a sample of the over-
flowing cask from which they are taken. The condition
of the country peopleis clearlyenoughindicatedin a de-
scriptionof the villageSunday,the mannerof its celebration
being depictedin languagecalculatedto makea modern
Sabbatarian's hair stand on end :-

" What manis faultlesse,

remember
thevillage,
Howe menvplondishon holy dayesrage.
Noughtcanthemtame,theybe a beastlysort,
In sweateand labour hauingmostchiefecomfort,
On theholy dayassoone
asmorneis past,
Whenall menrestethwhileall the daydothlast,
Theydrinke,theybanket,
theyreuellandtheyiest
Theyleape,theydaunce,despisingeaseandrest.
If theyoncehearea bagpipe
or a drone,
Anoneto theelmeor oketheybe gone.
Therevsetheyto daunce,
togambolde
andtorage
Suchis thecustome
andvseof thevillage.
Whenthegroundrestethfromrake,ploughandwheles,
Thenmostetheyit troublewith burthenof theirheles:
 of Alexander
Barclay. Ixv
FAUSTUS.

To Bacchusthey banket,no feastis festiuall,

They chide and theychat, they vary and they brail,
They rayle and they route, they reuell and they crye,
Laughing and leaping,and makingcuppesdrye.
What, stintthouthy chat,thesewordesI defye,
It is to a vilaynerebuke and vilany.
Suchrurall solacesoplainlyfor to blame,
Thy wordes soundto thy rebuke and shame."
Footballis describedin a lively picture:-
" They get the bladderand blowe it great and thin,
With manybeanesor peasonput within,
It ratleth, soundeth,and shinethclereand fayre,
While it is throwen and castevp in the ayre,
Echeonecontendethand hath a great delite,
With foote and with hande the bladder for to smite,
If it fall to groundethey lifte it vp agayne,
This wise to labour they count it for no payne,
Renningandleapingtheydriueawaythecolde,
The sturdieplowmenlustie, strongeand bolde,
Ouercommeththe winter with driuing the foote ball,
Forgettinglabourandmanya greuousfall."

A shepherd,after mentioninghis skill in shootingbirds

with a bow, says:-
" No shepheardthroweth the axeltrie so farre."

A gallantis thus described

:-
" For women vse to loue them moste of all,
Which boldly bosteth,or that can sing and iet,
Which are well deckedwith large bushesset,
Which hath the masteryofte time in tournament,
Or that cangambauld,
or dauncefeatandgent."
Ixvi. Life andJVritlngs
The followingsortsof winearementioned
:-
« As Muscadell,
Caprike,Romney,andMaluesy,
FromGenebrought,from Greceor Hungary."

As are the daintiesof the table. A shepherdat court must

not think to eat,
" Swanue, nor heron,
Curlewe, nor crane,but coursebeefeand mutton."

Again :
" What fishe is of sauor swete and delicious,-
Rested or sodden in swete hearbes or wine ",
Or fried in oyle,mostsaporous
andfine.-
The pastiesof a hart.-
The crane,the fesant,the pecockeand curlewe,
The partiiche,plouer, bittor, and heronsewe-
Seasoned so well in licour redolent,
That the hall is full of pleasauntsmell and sent."

. At a feast at court :-

" Slowebe the seruersin seruingin alway,

But swift betheyafter,takingthy meateaway;
A speciallcustomeis vsedthem among,
No good dish to suffer on borde to be longe:
If the dishebe pleasaunt,eyther flesheor Jishe,
Ten handes at once swarme in the dishe:
And if it be flesh ten kniues shalt thou see

Manglingthe flesh,andin theplatterflee:

To put therethy handesis perill withoutfayle,
Withouta gauntletor elsa gloueof mayle."

"The twolastlinesremindusof a saying

of Quin,who
declaredit was not safeto sit down to a turtle-feast in one
of the city-halls,without a basket-hikedknife and fork.
 of Alexander
Barclay. Ixvii
Not that I suppose
Quin borrowed
hisbon-mots
fromblack
letter books." (Warton.)
The followinglinespointout someof the festivetalesof
our ancestors :-

" Yet -wouldI gladly hcare somemery fit

Of maydeMarion, or els of Robin hood ;
Or Bentleyesalewhich chafethwell the bloud,
Of perreof Norwich, or sauceof Wilberton,
Or buckisheJoly well-stuffed as a ton."

He againmentions"Bentley's Ale " which " makethme

to winke; " and someof our ancientdomesticpastimesand
amusements are recorded :-

"Then is it pleasurethe yongemaydensamonge

To watcheby the fire the winters nighteslong :
At their fonde talesto laugh, or when they brail
Great fire and candell spendingfor labouresmall,
And in the ashessomeplayesfor to marke,
To couer wardens [pears] for fault of other warke :
To toste white sheuers,and to makeprophitroles;
And after talking oft time to fill the bowles."

He mentions some musical instruments:

"
.... Methinkes no mirth is scant,
Where no reioysingof minstrelciedoth want:
The bagpipeor fidle to vs is delectable."

And the mercantile commodities of different countries

and cities :-

" Englandehath cloth, Burdeushath store of wine,

Cornewall hath tinne,and Lymster wools fine.
London hath scarlet,and Bristowepleasauntred,
Fen lands hath fishes,in other placeis lead."
Ixviii Life andWritings
Of songsat feasts:-
" Whenyourfat dishes
smoke
hotevponyourtable,
Thenlaydeyesonges andbalades magnifie,
If theybe mery,or writtencraftely,
Ye clappe
yourhandes
andto themaking
harke,
And onesayto other,lo herea properwarke."

He saysthatminstrels
andsingers
arehighlyfavoured
at
court,especially
thoseof the Frenchgise. Also jugglers
and pipers.
The personalreferences
throughoutthe Eclogues,
in
additionto thosealreadymentioned,though not numerous,
are of considerable interest. The learned Alcock,
Bishopof Ely (1486-1500),
andthe munificentfounderof
JesusCollege,Cambridge,standsdeservedly high in the
esteemof a poet andpriest,so zealousof good works as
Barclay. The poet'shumourthusdisguises him.-(Eclogue
I., A iii., recto.) :-

" Yes sincehis dayesa cockewas in the fen,

I knowehis voyceamonga thousandemen:
He taught,he preached,he mended euerywrong;
But, Coridonalasno goodthingbidethlong.
He all wasa cocke,he wakened vs from slepe,
And whilewe slumbred, he did our foldeshepe.
No cur, no foxes,nor butchersdoggeswood,
Couldehurteour fouldes,his watchingwassogood.
The hungrywolues,whichthat timedid abounde,
What time he crowed, abashedat the sounde.
This cockewasno moreabashed
of the foxe,
Than is a lion abashedof an oxe.
Whenhe went,fadedthefloureof all the fen;
I boldly dareswearethis cockeneuertrode hen !
 of Alexander
Barclay. Ixix
This wasa fatherof thingespastorall,
And that well sheweth his Church cathedrall,
TherewasI latelyaboutthe middestof May,
Coridon his Church is twenty sith more gay
Then all the Churches betwene the same and Kent,
There saweI his tome and Chapellexcellent.
I thought fiue houresbut euena little while,
Saint John the virgin me thought did on me smile,
Our parisheChurch is but a dongeon,
To that gay Churchein comparison.
If the peoplewere as pleasauntas the place
Then wereit paradiceof pleasourand solace,
Then mightI truely right well findein my heart.
There still to abideand neuerto departe,
But sincethatthis cockeby deathhathleft his song,
Trust me Coridon there manya thing is wrong,
When I sawehis figure lye in the Chapell-side,
Like death for wepingI might no longer bide.
Lo all good thingesso soneawaydoth glide,
That no man liketh to long doth rest and abide.
When the good is gone(my mate this is the case)
Seldomethe better reentrethin the place."

The excellenceof his subject carries the poet quite

beyondhimself in describingthe generallamentationat the
death of this worthy prelate; with an unusualpower of
imaginationhe thus pictures the sympathyof the towers,
arches,vaultsandimagesof Ely monastery:
" My hartesoremournethwhenI mustspecify
Of thegentlecockewhichesangesomirily,
He and his flocke wer like an union

Conioynedin one without discention,

All the fayre cockeswhich in his dayescrewe
When death him toucheddid his departingrewe.
Ixx Life andWritings
The pretie palaceby him madein the fen,
The maides,widowes,the wiues, and the men,
With deadlydolour were pearsedto the heart,
When death constraynedthis shepheardto departe.
Come,grasse,
andfieldes,mournedfor wo andpayne,
For oft his prayer for them obtaynedrayne.
The pleasaunt
flouresfor wo fadedecheone,
When they perceyuedthis shephearddeadand gone,
The okes,elmes,and euery sorte of dere
Shronkevnder shadowes,abatingail their chere.
The mightiewallesof Ely Monastery,
The stones,rockes,and towres semblably,
The marblepillersandimagesecheone,
Swet all for sorowe,when this good cockewas gone,
Though he ot staturewere humble,weakeand leane,
His mindewas hye, his liuing pure and cleane,
Where other feedethby beastlyappetite,
On heauenlyfoode was all his whole delite."

Morton, Alcock's predecessorand afterwards Arch-

bishopof Canterbury(1486-1500),is also singledout for
compliment, in which allusion is made to his troubles, his
servants'faithfulness, and his restoration to favour under
RichardIII. andHenry VII. (EclogueIII.):-
" And shepheard
Morton,whenhe durstnotappeare,
Howe his olde seruaunteswere carefull of his chere;
In payneand pleasourthey kept fidelitie
Till graceagaynegauehim aucthoritie
Then his oldefauourdid themagaynerestore
To greaterpleasour
thentheyhadpaynebefore.
Thoughfor a seasonthis shepheard
bodea blast,
The greatestwinde yet slakethat the last,
And at conclusion
he andhis flockecertayne
Echetrueto otherdid quietlyremayne."
 of Alexander
Barclay. Ixxi
And againin EclogueIV. :-
" MceneandMorton be deadandgonecertayne."
The "Deanof Powles"(Colet),withwhomBarclayseems
to havebeenpersonallyacquainted,andto whomthe refer-
encealludesas to one still living (his death occurred in
1519),is celebrated
asa preacher
in the sameEclogue
:-
" For this I learned of the Dean of Powles
I tell thee, Codrus this man hath won some soules."

as is " the olde friar that wonned in Greenwich" in

Eclogue V.
The first three Ecloguesare paraphrases or adaptations
from the Miseria?Curialium, the most popular of the
works of oneof the mostsuccessful literary adventurersof
the middle ages,.ZEneasSylvius (Pope Pius II., who died
in 1464}. It appearsto have been written with the view
of relievinghis feelingsof disappointment
and disgustat his
receptionat the court of the Emperor, whither he had
repaired,in the hopeof political advancement.The tone
andnatureof the work may be gatheredfrom this candid
exposure of the adventurer'smorale: " Many things
thereare which compelus to persevere,but nothing more
powerfully than ambition which, rivalling charity, truly
beareth all thingshowevergrievous,that it may attain to
the honoursof this world and the praiseof men. If we
werehumbleandlabouredto gainour ownsoulsratherthan
hunt aftervainglory,few of us,indeed,wouldenduresuch
annoyances." He details,withquerulous humour,all the
grievances of his position,from the ingratitude
of the
princeto thesordour of thetable-cloths,
andthe hardness
of the black bread. But hardest of all to bear is the con-
Ixxii Life andWritings
tempt showntowardsliterature. "In the courtsof princes
literary knowledgeis held a crime; andgreat is the grief
of men of letters when they find themselvesuniversally
despised, andseethe mostimportantmattersmanaged, not
to saymismanaged,
by blockheads,
who cannottell the
numberof their fingersandtoes."
Barclay'sadaptationis so thoroughlyEnglished,andcon-
tainssuchlarge additionsfrom the storesof his own bitter
experience,asto makeit evenmoretruly his own thanany
other of his translations.
The fourth andfifth ecloguesareimitations,-though no
noticethat they are so is conveyedin the title, as in the
caseof thefirst three,-of the fifth andsixth of the popular
ecloguewriter of the time,Jo. BaptistMantuan,whichmay
havehelpedto give riseto the generallyreceivedstatement
noticedbelow, that all the ecloguesare imitations of that
author. The fourth is entitled " Codrusand Minalcas,
treatingof the behauourof RichemenagaynstPoetes,"and
it maybejudgedhow far it is Barclay'sfrom the fact that
it numbersabout twelvehundredlines,including the elegy
of the Noble Howard, while the original, entitled, " De
consuetudine
Divitum ergaPoetas,"containsonlyabouttwo
hundred. The fifth is entitled " Amintas and Faustus, of
the disputationof citizensandmenof the countrey." It
containsover a thousandlines,and the original, " De dis-
ceptatione rusticorum et civium," like the fifth, extends to
little more than two hundred.
In the Prologuebeforementionedwe are told (Cawood's
edition) :-

" ThatfiueEgloges
thiswholetreatise
jioth holde
To imitation of other Poetes olde,"
 of AlexanderBarclay. Ixxiii
Which appears to be a correction of the printer's upon
the original, as in Powell's edition : -
" That X. eglogesthis hole treatysedothe holde."

Whether other five were ever publishedthere is no record

to show; it appears,however,highly improbable,that, if
they had,they couldhavebeenentirelylost,-especiallycon-
sideringthe popularityandrepeatedissueof the first five,-
during the few yearsthat wouldhaveelapsedbetweentheir
original publication and the appearanceof Cawood'sedition.
Possiblythe originalreadingmaybe a typographical
blunder,
for Cawoodis extremely sparing of correction, and appears
to have made none which he did not consider absolutely
necessary.This is oneof the literarypuzzleswhich remain
for bibliographyto solve. (Seebelow, p. Ixxix.)
The next of Barclay'sworks in point of date,and per-
haps the only one actuallyentitled to the merit of origi-
nality, is his Introductoryto write and pronounceFrench,
compiledat the requestof his great patron,ThomasDuke
of Norfolk, and printed by Copland in 1521. It is thus
alludedto in the first important authorityon Frenchgram-
mar, " Lesclarissementde la langue Francoyse compose
par maistreJehan Palsgraue,Angloys,natyf de Londres,"
1530 : " The right vertuous and excellent prince Thomas,
late Duke of Northfolke, hath commandedthe studious
clerke, AlexandraBarkelay,to embusyhymselfeaboutthis
exercyse." Further on he is not so complimentary ashe
remarks:-" Where as there is a boke, that goeth about
in this realme,intitled The introductoryto writte and pro-
nouncefrenche,compiledby AlexanderBarcley,in whichk is
mochevsed,andmanyotherthynges
' alsoby hymaffirmed,
Ixxiv Life find Writings
contraryto my sayengesin this boke, andspeciallyin my
seconde,where I shall assayeto expressethe declinations
and coniugatynges with the other congruitesobseruedin
the frenchetonge,I suppose it sufficientto warnethe lernar,
that I hauered ouer that boke at length : andwhat myn
opinion is therin, it shall well inough apere in my bokes
selfe,thoughI make therof no ferther expressemencion:
sanethat I hauesenean olde boke written in parchement,in
manerin all thynkeslike to his saydIntroductory: whiche,
by coniecture,was not vnwritten this hundred yeres. I
wot nat if he happenedto fortune uponsuchean other:
for whan it was commaundedthat the grammar maisters
shulde teche the youth of Englandeioyntly latin with
frenche, there were diuerse suche bokes diuysed: wher-
upon,asI suppose,beganone great occasyonwhy we of
Englandsoundethe latyn tong so corruptly,whichehaue
as good a tonge to soundeall maner spechesparfitely as
any other nacyon in Europa."-Book I. ch. xxxv. " Ac-
cordingto this," Mr Ellis (Early English Pronunciation,
804) pertinentlynotes: "i°, there ought to be manyold
MS. treatiseson French grammar; and 2°, the English
pronunciationof Latin was mouldedon the French."
To Barclay,as nine yearsbeforePalsgrave,belongs
at leastthe credit, hitherto generallyunrecognised,
of the
first publishedattempt at a French grammar,by either
Frenchmanor foreigner.
"The mirror of goodmanners,containingthe four cardi-
nal vertues,"appearedfrom the pressof Pynson,without
date, "which boke," saysthe typographer,"I haue
prynted at the instanceand request of the ryght noble
Rychard
Yerleof Kent." This earlof Kentdiedin 1523,
 of AlexanderBarclay. Ixxv
andasBarclayspeaksof himselfin the prefaceasadvanced
in age, the date of publication may be assignedto close
uponthat year. It is a translation,in the balladstanza,of
the Latin elegiacpoem of Dominicus Mancinus,De quatuor
"virtutibus,first publishedin 1516, and,asappearsfrom the
title, was executedwhile Barclaywas a monk of Ely, at
" the desireof the righte worshipfull Syr GilesAlington,
Knight." From the addressto his patron it would seem
that the Knight had requestedthe poet to abridge or
modernise Gower's Confessio amantis. For declining
this task he pleads,that he is too old to undertake such
a light subject,andalsothe sacrednatureof his profession.
He then intimates his choiceof the presentmore grave and
serious work instead-

Which a priestmay write, not hurting his estate,

Nor of honestnameobumbringat all his light.

" But the poet," saysWarton, " declfnedthis undertak-

ing asunsuitableto his age,infirmities,andprofession,and
choserather to oblige his patron with a grave system of
ethics. It is certain that he madea prudent choice. The
performanceshowshow little qualifiedhe was to correct
Gower." Instead of a carping criticism like this, it would
havebeenmuchmoreto the point to praisethe modestyand
sensibilityof an author,who had the courageto declinea
task unsuited to his tastesor powers.
He professeslittle : -
This playnelitle treatisein stile compendious,
Much briefly conteynethfour vertuescardinall,
In right pleasauntprocesse,plaineand commodious,
With light footeof metre,andstileheroicall,
Rude peopleto infourmein languagemuternall,
Ixxvi Life andWritings
To whosevnderstandingmaydensof tenderage,
And rude litle children shall tinde easypassage.
Two editions of the work are sufficient evidence that
thishumbleandpraiseworthy
purposewas,in the eyesof
his contemporaries,
successfully
carriedout.
The only remainingauthenticproductionof Barclay
which has comedown to us, is a translation of the Jugur-
thine War of Sallust,undertakenat the requestof, and
dedicatedto, his greatpatron,ThomasDuke of Norfolk,
andprintedalsoat Pynson'spresswithoutdate. The Latin
and Englishare printed side by side on the samepage,
the former being dedicated,with the date " Ex cellula
Hatfeldenregii (i.e., King'sHatfield,Hertfordshire)in Idus
Novembris" to Vesey, the centenarianBishop of Exeter,
with this superscription:-" Reueredissimoin Christo patri
ac dno : dno Joanni VeysyexonienepiscopoAlexander Bar-
claypresbyterdebjjacumobseruantia.
S." The dedication
begins, " Memini me superioribus annis cu adhuc sacelli
regij presul esses: pastor vigilantissime: tuis suasionibus
incitatu: vt Crispi Salustij hystoria-e romanalingua:
in anglicamcompendiose transferrem,"&c. Vesey was
probablyoneof Barclay'soldestwest countryfriends; for
he is recorded to have been connected with the diocese of
Exeterfrom 1503to 1551,in thevariouscapacities
of arch-
deacon,
precentor,
dean,and bishopsuccessively.
Conjec-
ture hasplacedthe date of this publicationat 1511, but
as Veyseydid not succeedto the Bishopricof Exeter till
August 1519, this is untenable. We cannotsaymorethan
that it musthavebeenpublished
between1519and 1524,
thedateof theDukeof Norfolk'sdeath,probably
in the
formeryear,since,from its beingdatedfrom " Hatfield,"
 of AlexanderBarclay. Ixxvii
the ancientpalaceof the bishopsof Ely, (soldto the Crown
in the 3oth of Henry VIII. ; Clutterbuck'sHertfordshire,
II.) Barclayat the time of its completionwasevidentlystill
a monkof Ely.
By his translationof Sallust (so popular an author at
that period, that the learned virgin queen is reported to
haveamusedher leisurewith an Englishversion),Barclay
obtainedthe distinctionof beingthe first to introducethat
classicto Englishreaders. His versionbearsthe reputation
of being executednot only with accuracy,but with con-
siderablefreedom and elegance,and its popularity was
evincedby its appearancein three additions.
Two other works of our author are spokenof as having
beenin print, but theyhaveapparentlypassedentirelyout of
sight : " The figureof our holy motherChurch,oppressed
by the FrencheKing," (Pynson,410), known only from
Maunsell'sCatalogue; and " The lyfe of the glorious
martyr, sayntGeorgetranslated(from Mantuan)by Alex-
ander Barclay,while he wasa monkof Ely, anddedicated
to N. West, Bishop of Ely," (Pynson, 410), (Herbert,
Typ. Antiquities.) West wasBishopof Ely from 1515
to 1533, andconsequentlyBarclay'ssuperiorduring pro-
bably his whole stay there. Whether thesetwo works
were in verse or prose is unknown.
There are two other books ascribedto Barclay, but
nothingsatisfactory canbe statedregardingtheir parentage
exceptthat, consideringtheir subject,and the pressthey
issuedfrom, it is not at all unlikelythat they mayhavebeen
the fruit of his prolific pen. The first is "The lyfe of
the blessedmartyr, Saynte Thomas," in prose, printed
by Pynson, (Herbert, Typ. Ant. 292), regardingwhich
Lxxviii Life andJVritings
Ant. Wood says, " I shouldfeel little difficulty in ascrib-
ing this to Barclay." The other is the Englishtrans-
lation of the Histoire merveilleuse du Grand Khan (in
Latin, De TartarissiueLiber historiarumpartium Orientis)
of the easternsoldier,andwesternmonk,Haytho,princeof
Georgiaat the endof the i3th, andbeginning
of the I4th
centuries.The Historywhichgivesan accountof Genghis
Khan,andhis successors,
with a short descriptionof the
differentkingdomsof Asia,wasverypopularin the I5th
and 16th centuries,asoneof the earliestaccountsof the
East, and the conjecture
of the GrenvilleCatalogueis
not improbable,though there is no sufficient evidence,
that Barclaywasthe authorof the Englishversionwhich
appearedfrom the pressof Pynson.
Bale further enumeratesin his list of Barclay'sworks
"Contra Skeltonum,Lib. I. ; Quinq: eglogasex Mantuano,
Lib. I; Vitam D. Catherines,Lib. I., [Libros tres, Pits] ;
Vitam D. Margarita?,Lib. !. ; Vitam Etheldredae,Lib. I.;
Aliaq: plura fecit." Tanner adds: " Orationes varias,
Lib. I. ; De fide orthodoxa, Lib. I."
Of thesevariousfruits of Barclay'sfertility and industry
no fragment
has survivedto our day,nor has even any
positiveinformationregardingtheir naturebeentransmitted
to us.

The " Orationes varias,"probablyacollectionof sermons

with especial
reference to the sinsof the daywould have
beenhistorically,
if not otherwise,interesting,
andtheirloss
is matterfor regret. On the otherhandthe want of the
treatise, " De fide orthodoxa," is doubtlessa relief to
literature.Thereare too manyof the kind already
to
encumber ourshelves
andourcatalogues.
 of AlexanderBarclay. Ixxix
The Lives of the Saints, the work, it is stated, of the
author's old age, were, accordingto Tanner, and he is
no doubt right, translationsfrom the Latin. Barclay's
reputationprobablydoesnot sufferfrom their loss.
" Ckiinqueeglogasex Mantuano,"though Balementions
also "Demiserijs aulicorum; BucolicamCodri; Eglogam
quartam,"apparentlythe five,but reallythe first four of the
ecloguesknownto us, are, I amstronglyinclinedto believe,
nothing elsethan these samefive eclogues,under, to use a
bibliographicalphrase,"a madeup" title. That he men-
tions first, five from Mantuan, and afterwardsadds "Bucoli-
cam Codri" and "Eglogam quartam," as two distinct
eclogues,apparentlynot from Mantuan,while both titles
must refer to the samepoem, an imitation of Mantuan's
fifth eclogue,is proof enough that he was not speaking
with the authorityof personalknowledgeof theseworks.
JohannesBaptista Spagnuoli, commonly called from his
native city, Mantuan,was the most popularand prolific
ecloguewriter of the fifteenth century,to which Barclay
himself testifies :-

" As the mostefamousBaptist Mantuan

The bestof that sortsincePoetesfirst began."

Barclay'sEcloguesbeingthe first attemptsof the kind

in English,Bale's "Ex Mantuano,"thereforeprobably
meansnothing more than "on the model of Mantuan;"
otherwise, if it be assumedthat five were the whole num-
ber that everappeared,
it couldnot applyto the first three,
which are expresslystated in the title to be from ./Eneas
Sylvius, while if ten be assumed,his statement would
account
for nine,the " quinqueeglogas
" beingthe fivenow
Ixxx Life andWritings
wanting,but if so,then he hasomittedto mentionthe most
popularof all the eclogues,the fifth, andhasfailedto attri-
bute to Mantuan two which are undoubtedly due to him.
The loss of the " Contra Skeltonum," is a matter
for regret. That therewasno love lost betweenthese
two contemporaries
andchief poetsof their time is evident
enough. Skelton'sscathingsarcasmagainstthe priesthood
no doubt woke his brother satirist's ire, and the latter lets
no opportunityslip of launchingforth his'contemptfor the
laureate of Oxford.

The moralist in announcingthe position he assumesin

oppositionto the writer of populartales,takescareto have
a fling at the authorof " The bokeof Phyllyp Sparowe":-
" I wryte no leste ne taleof Robyn Hode,
Nor saweno sparcles,ne sedeof vyciousnes;
"Wysemen loue vertue,wylde peoplewantones,
It longeth nat to my scyencenor cunnynge,
For Phylyp the sparowethe (Dirige) to synge."

A sneerto which Skelton most probablyalludeswhen,

enumerating his own productions in the Garlande of
Laurell, he mentions,
" Of Phillip Sparowthe lamentablefate,
The dolefull desteny,and the carefull chaunce,
Byuysedby Skeltonafter the funerall rate;
Yet sumtherebetherewith.that
takegreuaunce,
And grudge thereatwith frownyng countenaunce
;
But whatof that ? hardeit is to pleaseall men;
"Who list amendeit, let hym set to his penne."

The followingonslaught
in Barclay's
Fourth Eclogue,is
evidentlylevelledat the abominable
Skelton:
 of AlexanderBarclay. Ixxxi
" Another thing yet is greatly more damnable:
Of rascoldepoetesyet is a shamfull rable,
Which voyde of wisedomepresumethto indite,
Thoughtheyhauescantlythecunningof a snite;
And to what vicesthat princesmosteintende,
Those dare these fooles solemnize and commende
Then is he decked as Poete laureate,
When stinking Thais madehim her graduate:
When Muses rested,she did her seasonnote,
And shewith Bacchusher camousdid promote.
Suchrascoldedrames,promotedby Thais,
Bacchus,Licoris, or yet by Testalis,
Or by sucheother neweforged Musesnine,
Thinke in their mindes for to haue wit diuine;
They laudetheir verses,they boast,they vaunt and iet,
Though all their cunningbe scantlyworth a pet:
If they haue smelledthe artestriuiall,
They count them Poeteshye and heroicall.
Suchis their foly, so foolishly they dote,
Thinking that none can their playne errour note;
Yet be they foolishe,auoydeof honestie,
Nothing seasoned with spiceof grauitie,
Auoydeof pleasure,
auoydeof eloquence,
With manywordes,andfruitlesse
of sentence
;
Unapt to learne,disdayningto be taught,
Their priuatepleasurein snarehath them so caught;
And worst yet of all, they count them excellent,
Thoughtheybe fruitlesse,rasheandimprouident.
To suchambages who doth their mindeincline,
They countall otheraspriuateof doctrine,
And that the faultes which be in them alone,
And be common in other men eche one.

Thus bidegoodpoetesoft timerebukeandblame,

Becauseof other which haue despised name.
Ixxxii Life andWritings
And thus for the bad the good be cleine abject.
Their art andpoemecountedof noneeffect,
Who wanteth reasongood to discernefrom ill
Doth worthy writers interpreteat his will:
So both the hudes of good and not laudable
For lackeof knowledgebecomevituperable."

It has not hitherto been pointed out that Skelton did

not disdainto borrowa leaf from the enemy'sbook andtry
his handat paraphrasingthe Ship of Fools also. " The
Boke of three fooles, M. Skelton, poete laureate, gaue to
my lord Cardynall," is a paraphrasein prose, with intro-
ductoryverses,of threechaptersof Brandt, corresponding
to Barclay'schaptersheaded,Of yonge folysthat takeolde
wymeto theyr wyuesnat for loue but for ryches(I. 247) ;
Of enuyousfolys (I. 252) ; Of bodely lust or corporall
voluptuosyte (I. 239). Skelton's three fools, are, "The
manthat dothweda wyfefor her goodesandher rychesse;"
" Of Enuye,the seconde
foole"; and, " Of the Voluptuous-
nes corporall, the third foole; " and his versionsare dashed
off with his usualracy vigour. He probably,however,did
not think it worth while to competewith the established
favourite.If he hadwewouldcertainly
havegot a very
differentbook fromBarclay's.
Notwithstanding
his popularity
andindustry,
Barclay's
nameappears
to be but seldommentioned
by contemporary
or later authors. As earlyas 1521however,we find him
placedin the mosthonourable
company
by HenryBrad-
shaw," Lyfeof SayntWerburghe,"
(1521,Pynson,
410).
But the complimentwouldprobablylosehalf its sweetness
from his beingbracketedwith the detestedSkelton:
 of Alexander
Barclay. Ixxxiii
To all auncientpoetes,
litell boke,submyttethe,
Whilom flouryng in eloquencefacundious,
And to all other whiche presentnowe be ;
Fyrst to maisterChaucerand Ludgatesentencious,
Also to preignauntBarkley nowe beying religious,
To inuentiue Skelton and poet laureate;
Praye them all of pardonboth erly and late.

Bulleyn's repeatedallusionsto Barclay(see above,pp.

xxvii., liv.), apartfrom the probabilitythat, as contempor-
ariesresidentin the sameprovincialtown, Ely, they were
well acquaintedwith eachother, leavelittle doubt that the
two were personalfriends. Bulleyn'sfigurativedescription
of the poet, quoted at p. xxvii., is scarcelycompletewith-
out the followingverses,which are appendedto it by way
of summaryof his teachings(similar versesare appended
to the descriptionsof Chaucer,Gower, &c.) :-[Barclay
appears]saying
" Who entreth the court in yong and tederage
Are lightly blinded with foly and outrage:
But suche as enter with witte and grauitie,
Bow not so sone to such enormitie,
But ere thei enter if thei hauelerned nought
AfterwardesVertue the leastof theyr thought."
Dialogue
against
theFeverPestilence.

In anotherpassageof the sameDialoguethe pictureof

the honourableand deservingbut neglectedchurchmanis
touchedwith so muchstrengthand feelingthat, thoughno
indicationis given,onecannotbut believethat the painter
wasdrawingfromthe life, the life of his friend. The like-
ness,whether intentional or not, is a most faithful one:
"The third [picture] is, onewhichesheweththe stateof
Ixxxii Life andWritings
And thus for the bad the good be cleaneabject.
Their art andpoemecountedof noneeffect,
Who wantethreasongood to discernefrom ill
Doth worthy writers intcrpreteat his will:
So both the laudesof good and not laudable
For lackeof knowledgebecomevituperable."

It has not hitherto been pointed out that Skelton did

not disdainto borrowa leaf from the enemy'sbook andtry
his handat paraphrasingthe Ship of Fools also. " The
Boke of three fooles,M. Skelton, poete laureate, gaue to
my lord Cardynall," is a paraphrasein prose,with intro-
ductoryverses,of threechaptersof Brandt, corresponding
to Barclay'schaptersheaded,Of yonge folysthat takeolde
wymeto theyr wyuesnat for loue but for ryches(I. 247) ;
Of enuyousfolys (I. 252) ; Of bodely lust or corporall
voluptuosyte(I. 239). Skelton'sthree fools, are, "The
manthat dothweda wyfe for her goodesandherrychesse;"
" Of Enuye,the secondefoole";and, " Of the Voluptuous-
nes corporall, the third foole; " and his versionsare dashed
off with his usualracy vigour. He probably,however,did
not think it worth while to competewith the established
favourite. If he hadwe wouldcertainlyhavegot a very
differentbook from Barclay's.
Notwithstanding
his popularity
and industry,
Barclay's
nameappears
to be but seldom
mentioned
bycontemporary
or later authors. As early as 1521however,\ve find him
placedin the mosthonourable
companyby HenryBrad-
shaw," Lyfe of SayntWerburghe,"(1521,Pynson,410).
But the complimentwouldprobablylosehalf its sweetness
from his beingbracketedwith the detestedSkelton:
 of Alexander
Barclay. Ixxxiii
To all auncientpoetes,litell boke,submyttethe,
Whilom flouryng in eloquencefacundious,
And to all other whiche presentnowe be ;
Fyrst to maisterChaucerand Ludgatesentencious,
Also to preignauntBarkley nowe beying religious,
To inuentiueSkeltonand poet laureate;
Prayethemall of pardonboth erly andlate.

Bulleyn'srepeatedallusionsto Barclay(seeabove,pp.
xxvii., liv.), apart from the probabilitythat, as contempor-
ariesresidentin the sameprovincialtown, Ely, they were
well acquaintedwith each other, leavelittle doubt that the
two werepersonalfriends. Bulleyn'sfigurativedescription
of the poet, quotedat p. xxvii., is scarcelycompletewith-
out the followingverses,which are appendedto it by way
of summaryof his teachings(similar versesare appended
to the descriptionsof Chaucer,Gower, &c.) :-[Barclay
appears]saying
" Who entreth the court in yong and tederage
Are lightly blinded with foly and outrage:
But sucheas enter with witte and grauitie,
Bow not so sone to such enormitie,
But ere thei enter if thei hauelerned nought
AfterwardesVertue the least of theyr thought."
DialogueagainsttheFeverPestilence.

In anotherpassageof the sameDialoguethe pictureof

the honourableand deservingbut neglectedchurchmanis
touched with so much strength and feeling that, though no
indicationis given,onecannotbut believethat the painter
wasdrawingfromthe life, the life of his friend. The like-
ness,whether intentional or not, is a most faithful one:
" The third [picture]is, onewhichesheweththe stateof
 Ixxxiv Life andWritings
f
learned men, labouring long time in studie and diuine
vertue, whiche are wrapped in pouertie, wantyng the
goldenrakeor gapyngmouth. This manhathveriefewe
to preferre hym to that promotion,he smiteth himselfe
upo the breast,he wepethand lamenteth,that vice should
thusbe exalted,ignoraunce
rewardedwith glorie,coueteous
menspoilyngthe Churche,by the namesof patronesand
geuers,whiche extorcionersand tellers,they care not to
whom, so that it be raked with the golden racke. Wei,
wel, God of his mercie, amedthis euill market."
In oneof the manyhumoroussallieswhich lighten up
this old-fashionedantidoteto the pestilence,Barclayagain
appears,dressedin the metaphorical colour of the poet or
minstrel-green, which has probably here a double signifi-
cance,referring no doubt to his popularity as the English
ecloguewriter aswell as to his fameas a poet and satirist.
In introducing" Bartlet, grenebreche" as the antithesis to
" Bonerwepyng," allusionwas also probablyintendedto
the honourablepositionoccupiedby Barclayamongstthe
promoters
of theReformation,
compared
withthereapostacy,
the careerof brutal cruelty,and the deservedfate of the
JefFeries
of the Episcopalbench.
Thus discourse Civis et Uxor:-
" Uxor. What are all these two and two in a table. Oh
it is trim. Civis.Theseare old frendes,it is well handled
andworkemanly.WillyamBoswellin Paternosterrowe,
paintedthem. Here is Christ,and Sathan,SainctPeter,
andSymon Magus,Paule,andAlexader
theCoppersmith,
Trace,andBecket,
MartinLuther,andthePope
bishopCramer,andbishopGardiner. Bonerwepyng,
Bartlet,grenebreche.. . Salomon,
andWill Sommer. The
 of AlexanderBarclay. Ixxxv
cockeandthe lyon, the wolfeand the lambe." This pas-
sage also necessarilyimplies that Barclay'sfame at that
time wassecondto nonein England. Alas! for fame:
" What is the end of fame ? 'Tis but to fill

A certainportion of uncertainpaper."

In the seventeenthcentury Barclay still held a place in

the first rank of satirists, if we acceptthe evidence of the
learned Catholic poet of that time, Sir Aston Cokaine.
He thusalludesto him in an address" To my learnedfriend,
Mr ThomasBancroft,upon his Book of Satires. By Sir
Aston Cokayne."
" After a many works of diverskinds
Your museto treadth' Aruncan path designs:
'Tis hard to write but Satiresin thesedays,
And yet to write good Satiresmeritspraise:
" ""*""

So old Petronius Arbiter appli'd

Corsivesunto the age he did deride:
So Horace, Persius,Juvenal,(among
Those ancientRomans)scourg'dthe impiousthrong;
So Ariosto (in theselater times)
Reprov'dhis Italy for many crimes;
So learnedBarclaylet his lashesfall
Heavy on someto bring a cure to all."

In concludingthis imperfectnotice of one of the most

remarkable of our early writers, we cannot but echo the
regret expressedby one of his biographers,that " What
ought mostto be lamentedis, that we are able to sayso
very little of one in his own time so famous, and whose
works ought to have transmittedhim to posterity with
muchgreaterhonour."
Ixxxvi Life atidWritings

THE WILL OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY.

EXTRACTED FROM THE PRINCIPAL REGISTRY OF HER

MAJESTY'SCOURTOF PROBATE.

In thePrerogativeCourtof Canterbury.

IN THE NAME OFGOD. AMEN.-The xxvth day of

July in the yere of our Lorde God a thousandefyve hun-
dreth fyftie and one. . . I ALEXANDER BARQUELEY
Doctor of Divinitie Vicar of myche badowe in the countie
of Essex do make disposeand declare this my pute testa-
mentconteyningmy last Will in formeand order as here-
after followethe That ys to sayeFirst I bequeathemy soule
unto Almightie God my makerandRedemerandmy bodye
to be buried where it shall please God to dispose after
depting my soulefrom the bodye Also I bequeatheto the
poorepeopleof the saidpish of Badowefyftie shillingsto
be disposed
whereas yt shall appereto be most nede by
the discresconof myne Executours And also I bequeathe
towardesthe repaconsof the sameChurchevjsviijd Item
I bequeatheto the poorepeopleof the Pi^h of Ovvkleyin
the Countieof Somerset!fiftie shillingslikewise to be dis-
tributed And towardesthe repacons of the same Churche
vjsviijd Item I bequeatheto Mr Horseyof Tawntonin the
saide Countie of Somersett one fether bed and a bolster
whichI hadof hymor elstwentieshillingsin redyemoney
Item I bequeatheto Edword Capper otherwise called
EdwardeMatheweof Tawntonaforesaid
xxxiij5iiijd of cur-
rant moneyof EnglandItem I bequeatheto Johane
 of AlexanderBarclay. Ixxxvii
Atkynson the daughterof ThomasAtkynson of London
Scryvenerone fetherbedwherupponI use to lye havinga
newetyke with the bolster blanketts and coverlett tester
pillowe and two payer of my best shetesItem I bequeth to
the sameJohaneAtkynrsoneight poundscurrent moneyof
Englandto be receyvedof the moneydueunto me by Cut-
beardCrokk of Wynchesterto be paidein two yeres(that
is to sayefoure poundesin the first yereandfourepoundes
in the secoundeyere) Item I bequeatheto the saideJohane
a flocke bed a quylte and all my pewter and brasse and
other stuf of my kechenItem I give and bequeatheto
Jeronymy Atkynson the daughter of the saide Thomas
Atkynsonvj1'xiijsiiijd currant moneyof Englandto be re-
ceyvedof the saidCutbeardCrok in two yeres that is to
sayeeveryyerefyvemarkesItem I bequeathe
to Tymothy
and Elizabeth Atkynson the daughtersof the said Thomas
Atkynson to everyeof theym five poundscurrantmoneyof
England to be receyvedof the said Cutbeard Croke so that
the eldest of thes two daughters be paide the first two
yeresand the other to be paide in other two yeres then
next followingItem The restof the moneywhichethe saide
CutbeardCrokeowethto me amountingin the hole to the
someof four scorepoundesI bequeatheto be devyded
amonge
pooreandnedyepsones
afterthe discretion
of myn
Executoursandmanelyto suchas be bedred blynde lame
ympotentwydowesand fatherlesschildren. . . . Item I
bequeatheto Syr John Gate Knight Sr Henry Gate
Knight and to Mr Clerketo everyeof theym fouer angel!
noblesto makeeveryof theyma ringeof goldeto be worne
by theymin remembraunce of meItem I giveandbequeathe
to Hugh Rooke of London Scryvenerto Henry bosoll of
Ixxxviii Life andWritings
London Gold Smytheto ThomasWytton of London
Screvenerand to the wief of HumfreyStevensof London
Goldsmytheto Humfrey EdwardsClerke to John Owhan
of the Pish of Badoweaforesaidto everyof themoneangell
nobleof goldor ellsyevalewtherof in sylverItem I be-
queathe to Mr Thomas Clerk of Owkey aforesaidto
ThomasEdey Gentelmanand to the saidThomasAtkyn-
sonto everyof themfoureangellnoblesto maketheroffor
everyof them a ringe to were in remembraunce
of oure
oldeacquayntaunce and famyliarytieItem mywill is that
my Executoursshalldistributeat the dayeof my buriall
amongpooreandnedypeoplesixepoundsfyfteneshillings
Item I bequeatheto ParnellAtkynsonthe wiefof the said
ThomasAtkynsonmycosynthirtennepounds thirteneshil-
lingsandfourepenceof currantmoneyof EnglandItemI
bequeathe to JohnWatsonof LondonClotheworker three
angellnoblesto makea ring therofto be wornein remem-
braunceof oureoldefamyliaritieAlsoI desireall sucheas
have or shall hereafter have eny benyfytt by thes my
legaciesand all other good chrestianpeople to prayeto
Almightie God for remissionof my synnesandmercyupon
my soule Item I bequeathto JohanBowyer the systerof
the said Pnell my cosenfourtie shillings Item I bequeathe
to the saidThomasAtkynsonTennepoundscurrantmoney
of Englandwhomewith the saidThomasEden I constitute
th executoursof thismy lastWill to whomeI bequeathe
the restandresidueof all my goodeschattellsanddebtsto
be distributedat their discrescion
in works of mercyto
poorepeoplenot penymelebut by largerporconaftertheyr
discreconnamelyto psonsbedredmaydens widowesand
otherympotent
psonsItemI ordeyne
anddesirethe said
 of Alexander
Barclay. Ixxxix
Mr Rochesterto be the Overseerof this my lastWill to be
well and truely pformedandfulfilled to whomefor his labor
andpaynesI bequeathefyve marks currantmoneyof Eng-
land In wytnes of whiche this my last Will I the said
AlexanderBarqueleyhereuntohaveset my sealeand sub-
scribedthe samewith my owne handsthe day and yere
fyrst abovewrittenpnce. ALEXANDRUBARQUELEY.
PROBATUM fuit Testfn coramdno cantArchiepoapudLondon decimo
die mensis
Junij Anno dfio milleinoquingentesimo
quinquagesimo
secundo
Juramento
ThomeAtkynsonEx in hmoitestamento nolat Ac Approbatu
et insumatu et comissa fuit admotraco omn bonora &c dci deft de bene et
&c ac de pleno Inv'° &c exhibenct Ad sanctadei EvangeliaJurat Resrvata
ptate Thome Eden alteri ex &c cum venerit.

NOTES.

P. XXIX.-BARCLAY'S NATIONALITY.

The objectionraisedto claimingBarclayasa Scotsman,

foundedon the
ground that he nowherementions his nationality,though it wasa common
practiceof authorsin his timeto do so,especially
whentheywroteout of
their own country, appearedto me, though ingeniousand pertinent, to be
of so little realweight,as to be dismissed
in a parenthesis.Its impor-
tance,however,may easily be overrated,and it may therefore be well to
pointout that, apartfrom the possibilitythat this omission
on his partwas
the resultof accidentor indifference,
thereis alsotheprobabilitythat it was
dictatedby a wisediscretion. To be a Scotsman was not in the daysof
Henry VIII., as it hasbeenin later and more auspicious times,a pass-
port to confidenceand popularity,either at the court or amongthe
peopleof England. Barclay'sfate havingled him, and probablyhis
nearestrelativesalso,acrossthat Borderwhich no Scotsmanever recrosses,
to live andlabouramonga peopleby no meansfriendlyto hiscountry,it
wouldhavebeenafolly whichso sensible a manashewasnot likely to com-
mit to havedisplayedthe red ragof his nationalitybeforehis easilyexcited
neighbours,uponwhosefriendlinesshiscomfortandsuccess depended.The
farther argumentof the BiographiaBrittannica,that " it is prettyextraor-
S
xc Life andWritings
dinarythatBarclayhimself,
in his several
addresses
to hispatrons,
should
nevertake noticeof his beinga stranger,whichwould havemadetheir
kindnessto him the moreremarkable," is sufficientlydisposed
of by the
succeedingstatement,
that the Duke of Norfolk and the Earl of Kent,
Barclay's
principal
patrons," areknownto havebeenthe fiercest enemies
of theScots." Surelya manwhowasEnglishin everything buthisbirth
couldnot be expected to openlyblazonhis Scottishnativity,without
adequate
occasion
for so doing,in the veryfaceof his country'schiefest
enemies,
whowereat the sametimehisownbestfriends. His cautionin
thisrespect,
indeed,
mayberegaidtd
asanadditional
proofof hisScottish
origin.
P. XXX.-BARCLAY'S VOCABULARY.

Someof the words,statedin popularfashionto beScotch-theyare of

courseof Saxonorigin-the usageof which by Barclayis adducedasan
evidenceof his nationality,arealsoto be foundin Chaucer,
but that does
not invalidatethe argument asstated. The employmentof somanywords
of northernusagemustform at leasta strongcorroborative argument in
favourof northernorigin.
P. LII.-THE CASTLE OF LABOUR.
It oughtto bestatedthat the modesty of the youngauthorprevented
himfromaffixinghis nameto his firstproduction,The Castleof Labour.
Both editionsare anonymous.Bale, Pits, Wood, &c., all includeit
in the list of his works without remark.

P. LXXXI1I.-BULLEYN'S DIALOGUE.

A noticeof the historyof thisoncepopularDialogue,its everrecurring

disappearance,
andeverrecurring" discovery" by somefortunateantiquaryf
wouldform an interestingchapterin a new" History of the transmission
of ancientbooksto moderntimes." Its chancesof preservation and
record were unusuallyfavourable. It must have been disseminatedover
the lengthand breadthof the land in its day,havingrun throughfour
editionsin little morethan a dozenyears. Maunsell's Catalogue
(1595)
recordsthe editionof 1578. Antony Wood (1721),andBishopTanner
(1748) bothduly giveit a placein their noticesot theproductions
of its
author,
withoutanyspecial
remark.ButtheBiographia
Brittanica
(1748)
in a long article uponBulleyn,in which his variousworksarenoticedin
greatdetail,introducesthe Dialogueas " this longneglected
and unknown
treatise,"and givesan elaborateaccountof it extendingto aboutfive
columnsof smallprint. Thenowfamous passage,descriptive
of theearly
poets,
is quotedat length,andspecial noticeot its bearing
on Barclay's
nationality
taken,the writer (Oldys)announcing that thedisputemust
nowbesettled in favourof Scotland,
" Seeingourauthor(Bulleyn),acon-
 of Alexander
Barclay. xci
temporarywho lived in, and longuponthe bordersof Scotland,says,as
above,hewasbornin that kingdom: andasmuchindeedmighthavebeen
in greatmeasure gatheredfrom anattentiveperusalof this poethimself."
The next biographerof Bulleyn,Aikin (Biog. Memoirsof Medi-
cine, 1780),makesno discovery, but contentshimselfwith givinga brief
accountof the Dialogue(in \\ pages),in which the descriptionof
Chaucer, &c., is duly noticed. Three yearslater,in spiteof this, andthe
appearance of a secondedition of the BiographiaBrittanica (1778),
anotherreally learnedand ableantiquary,Waldron, in his edition of
Jonson'sSad Shepherd (1783),comesforth triumphantlyannouncing his
discoveryof the Dialogueasthat of a hithertototallyunknowntreasure ;
and in an appendix favoursthe curiouswith a seriesof extracts from it,
extending to more than thirty pages,prefacing them thus: " Having,
amongthe variousMysteries andMoralities,whetheroriginalimpressions,
reprinted,or described
only by thosewriterswho havegivenany account
of theseEmbriosof the EnglishDrama,nevermet<w'ithor read of any
othercopyof theDialogue,or Morality,ly Bulleyn,than the one,[whichI
haveused],anaccountof andsomeextractsfromit maynot beunpleasing.'1
The passage
regardingthe poetsis of coursegiven ad longum.
Thenextnoticeof theDialogueoccursin Herbert'sAmes(1786),where
two editions, 1564 and 1578, are entered. Dibdin (1819), in addition,
noticestheeditionof 1573. In the biographical
accounts
of Bulleynin
Hutchinson's Biographia Medica (1799), Aikin's General Biog. Diet.
(1801),andits successor,
Chalmers's
Biog.Diet. (1812),due mentionis
preserved
of the Dialoguein enumerating
theworks of its author. Sir
Walter Scott alludesto it in the Introduction to the Minstrelsyof the Scot-
tish Border(i 802) asa " mystery,"buthisonlyknowledge of it is evidently
derivedfromWaldron. Chalmers's Life of Lindsay(PoeticalWorks,1806)
hasalsokeptit prominently beforea considerable classof inquirers,ashe
givesthatpartof thedescription
of the poetsrelatingto Lindsaya conspicu-
ousplace,with the followingnote: "Owing to theveryobligingtemperof
Mr WaldronI havebeenpermittedto seethat rarebookof Dr Bulleyn,with
the secondedition of 1569, which is remarkablydifferent from the first in
1564." To thisuseof it by Chalmers
we owethereferences
to it in Lord
Lindsay'sLivesof theLindsays,
i. 261(1849),Seton's
Scottish
Heraldry,
480(1863),andNotesandQueries, 3rds.,iv. 164(1863). It wasalso
probablyChalmers thatdrewtheattention
of thewriterof theMemoirof
Barclayin theLivesof the ScottishPoets(1822),to the possibility
of
therebeingalsoin theDialoguenoticeof thatpoet. At anyrate,he
quotes
thedescription
oftheearlypoets,
showing
in hispreliminary
remarks
considerable
familiarity
with Bulleyn's
history,pointing
out theprobability
of his havingknownBarclayat Ely, andarguingthatwhetheror nof,
" fromlivingin thesame neighbourhoodhehadanopportun.ty of knowing
xcii Life
-J
and Writings
c>

betterthan anycontemporary whoseevidenceon the subject is extant,to

whatcountryBarclaywas,by all abouthim,reputedto belong." He pre-
cedeshis quotations thus: " As the wholepassage possesses considerable
elegance, andhasbeensouniversallyoverlooked
by the critics,the transcrip-
tion of it herewill not probablybedeemedout of place." No mentionis
madeof the title of the book from which the " Allegorical Descriptionot
the Early EnglishPoets" is taken; henceit is impossible
to saywhether
the quotermadeuseof a copy of the Dialogue,or of Waldron'sNotes.
The spellingis modernised.
In variouswell-knownbibliographical publicationsthe existenceof this
fugitiveDialogueis carefullyregistered,
andits title, at least,madeknown
to alJ inquirers,-in Watt's BibiiothecaBritt. (1824), in Lowndes'
Bibliog.Manual(1834),andin Atkinson'sMedicalBibliog.(1834); and
by thepublished
Catalogues of theBritish Museum(1813),theDouceCol-
lection(1840),and the BodleianLibrary (1843),it is madeknownthat
therearecopiesof it preserved
in thesegreatcollections.In Warton's
Hist, of Eng. Poetry(ed. 1840),it is alsorecordedby Park,in his notes
to the chapteron Gower, in which he refersto Bulleyn'svisionary
descriptionof that poet. Cooper'sAthenz Cantabrigienses, art Bulleyn
(1858), alsocarefullynotestheDialogueand its editions. And in 1865
Collier'swell-knownBibliographical Accountof Early EnglishLiterature
againgivesan account(two pageslong)of the muchneglected production,
in whichthe passagerelatingto thepoetsis oncemoreextractedin full, with
the preliminaryremarksasquotedat p. xxvii. supra,but withouttheusual
announcement that the work has hitherto been unknown.
But in 1873, by the very last man from whom we might haveexpected
it (F. J. Furnivall,the Atlas onwhoseshoulders all our projectsfor the
preservation of our earlyliteraturerest,in NotesandQueries,4th s., xii.
161),we areagainintroducedto this ever disappearing, ever reappearing
Dialogueas a fresh find in early English literature: " Few thingsare
pleasanter in readingold booksthanto comeon a passage of praiseof our
old poets,showingthat in Tudor daysmencaredfor the ' makers'of
formerdays as we do still. To Mr David Laing's kindnessI owe
the introductionto the followingquotationfrom a rare tract,whereone
wouldn'thaveexpectedto find sucha passage," and thenfollowsonce
morethe wholepassage so oftenquotedfor the firsttime. Dr Rimbault,
in aninteresting
notein a succeeding
number
of NotesandQueries
(p.
234),is the first one acquainted
with the Dialogueto statethat "this
amusingold workis perfectly
wellknown,andhasoftenbeenquoted
from." Sohenceforth wemaypresumethatthisinteresting
andlong-
fertilefieldof discovery
mayberegarded
asfinallyworkedout.
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL CATALOGUE

BARCLAY'S WORKS.
L

CONTENTS.

I. THE CASTELL OF LABOURE.

II. THE SHYP OF FOLYS.

III. THE EGLOGES.

IV. THE INTRODUCTORY.

V. THE MYRROUROF GOOD MANERS.

VI. CRONYCLECOMPYLEDBY SALUST.

VII. FIGURE OF OURMOTHER HOLY CHURCH.

VIII. THE LYFE OF SAYNT GEORGE.

IX. THE LYFE OF SAYNTE THOMAS.

X. HAYTHON'S CRONYCLE.
I. THE CASTELLOF LABOURE.-Wynkyn
de Worde.
1506. Small Quarto. Black letter.
The title, " The castell of laboure," is within a scroll above a
woodcut of men over a tub : on the verso, a cut of a man
sittingat a desk. At sign,a ii. (rtcto) " Herebegynneth
the
prologue of thispresent treatyse." [The Brit. Mus.copyhas
this on the versoof the title insteadof the cut,a peculiaritywhich
mayentitleit to becalleda separate
edition,thoughit appears
to agreeotherwisewith thecopy described.] There aremany
curiouswoodcuts. Colophonon the reverseof sign,i iii. (5 ib):
" Thus endeththe castellof labour,wherin is rychesse,vertue,
andhonour. Enpryntedat Londonin Fletestrete
in the sygne
of the sonne.by Wynkyn de worde. Anno dni M.ccccc.vi."
There is no indicationof authorship. Signatures: a b c d e f
g h, alternately8s and 45,i 4 ; 52 leaves,not numbered. The
British Museumand Cambridge
UniversityLibrary copiesof
this book havebeencollated,but as the former endswith H 3
and the latter wants the last leaf, that leaf must remain unde-
scribed. Mr Bradshaw,
however,says," it almostcertainly
contained a woodcut on the recto, and one of the devices on
the verso."
A copyof this veryscarcebookwassoldamongMr. West'sbooks
in 1773 for £2.
l.a. THE CASTELLOF LABOURE.-Pynson. No date.
Small Quarto. Black letter.
The title, " Here begynneththe castell of laboure," is over a
woodcut; and on the reverse is a woodcut; both the
sameas thosein the previousedition. In the body of
the work there are 30 woodcuts,which differ from thoseof
the first edition,oneof these(at G 6) is a repetitionof that
on the title page. Colophon: " Thus endeththecastellof
labour wherin is rychesse,vertue and honoure. Enpryntcd
bemeRichardePynson." After the colophon comesanother
leaf(I 6), on the rectoof which is the printer'sdevice,and
on the verso a woodcut representinga city on the banksof a
river. Without indicationof authorship. Signatures: A, 8
leaves ; B-I, in sixes.
" NeitherAmesnorHerbertappearto haveseenthisrarevolume;
which is probablya reprintof Wynkyn deWorde'simpres-
sion of 1506." (Dibdin's Typ. Antiq., II. 557.) There
isa copyin theLibraryof H. Huth,Esq.
xcvin Jl Bibliographical
Catalogue
II. THE SHYPOF FOLYSOF THE WORLDE.-Pynson.
1509. Folio.
On the recto of the first leaf there is a large woodcut of Pynson's
arms, or device No. VII., similar to that which is on the
reverse of the last leaf of each of the volumes of his edition of
Lord Berners' translation of Froissart's Chronicles ; on the
back of the first leaf is the translator's dedication to " Thomas
Cornisshe,bishopof Tine, and suffraganbishopof Bath;" on
the next leaf begins" The regyster or table of this present
bokein Englyshe,"(all as on pp. cxiii.-cxx.), succeeded
by a Latin table. Then on sign, a i. and fol. i. a large
woodcut, the same as is used for the title page of Ca-
wood's edition (and on p. 313, Vol. II.), with a Latin de-
scriptionin the margin. Beneathis the title in Latin.
On the back,"Alexander Barclay excusyngethe rudeness
of his translacion," followed with " An exhortacion of
Alexander Barclay." Then on fol. ii., etc., follow in
Latin, " Epigramma," " Epistola" in prose, and various
" Carmina." On the back of fol. v. "The exhortacion of
Brant to the fools" in Latin verse,followed by Barclay'sver-
sion with the heading" Barclaythe Translatourtho the Poles."
On fol. iiii. the " Prokgus Jacobi Locher . . . incipit,"
followed by its translationinto English. On fol. ix., etc.,
" Hecatastichon
in proludiumauctoris
et Libelli Narragonici"
and the English translation," Here begynneththe prologe."
On xii. "The Argument" in Latin and English, and then
on xiii. commences the first chapter," De inutilibuslibris," in
Latin, and then in English, which is the older throughout,
with the cutsat the beginningof eitherthe oneor otheras the
pagesuited. The book concludeswith a ballad in honour
of the virgin Mary, consistingof twelve octavestanzas: at
the end of which is the colophonin a stanzaof sevenlines.
On the versoof the last leaf is the printer'sdevice, No. v.
The Latin is uniformlyprinted in the Roman type, and the
Englishin theGothic. Herbertsupposes
thediphthongs
to be
" the first perhapsusedin this kingdom."
The cuts are rude,coarse,English imitationsof thosein the original
editions.Theyare,includingthepreliminary one,118in num-
ber. The cut illustratingthechapter," Of themthat correct
other,"etc., fol. Iiii. hasbeenexchangedwith thecut of the suc-
ceeding
chapter. The cut illustrating" The unyuersallshyp
andgeneral!Barke,"fol. cclxii.,is repeated
at the succeeding
chapter. The one illustratingBarclay'snew chapter" Of
folys that ar ouer worldly " is an imitation of the illustration
of " De singularitatequorundamnovorumfatuorum" in the
Latin editionof March 1497. The cut illustratingtheballad
of theVirginappears
in theoriginalat theheadof " Excusatio
 of Barclays Works. xcix
JacobiLocher Philomusi,"and illustrates,accordingto the
margin, " Derisio bonioperis.1'
The word " Folium" is on the left hand page,and the number,
in Roman capitals, on the right throughoutthe book ; the
lastiscclxxiiii. Includingthededication
andtable(4 folios)
there are 283 folios. The numbering is a model ot
irregularity: iiii. is repeatedfor vi., xx. standsfor xv.,
xviii. is repeated,xx. is wanting, xxii. is repeated,xxiv.
is wanting, xxx. is repeated,xxxvi. is wanting, xxxix.
is repeatedin place of xliv., xlviii. is wanting,xlix. is
repeated,Ivii is repeatedafter Ixi., Iviii follows twice, lix., lx.,
Ixi. being repeatedin successionafter Iviii., Ixvii., Ixviii. are
repeated
after Ixviii., Ixxxii. is wanting,Ixxxiii. is repeated,
Ixxxii. standsfor Ixxxvii., Ixxxiii. succeedsfor Ixxxviiii,
cclxv. succeedsfor Ixxxix., Ixxxxii. is repeatedfor Ixxxxvii.,
[in the Grenville copy this leaf is correctlynumbered],
cxxxiiis wanting,cxl. standsfor cxxxviii., cxlxi. stands for
cxlvi., clxxiv. is wanting, clxxxxxi. standsfor cci., ccxii. is
repeatedfor ccxvii., ccxxxviii. is wanting, cclx. stands for
ccl., cclviii. is repeatedfor cclx.
The numeration bysignatures is asfollows: + iiij; a, 8 ; b-p, 6 s ;
q, 7 ; r,s,t,v,x,y,z,&, 6 s ; A-Y, 6 s.
The book is extremelyrare. There is a fine copy in the Bodleian
Library among Selden'sbooks,another in the British Mu-
seum,GrenvilleCollection,andanotherin the Library of St.
John's College, Oxford.
The following are the more notable prices: Farmer, 1798,
£2. 45.; Sotheby's, 1821, £28; Dent, £30. 95.; Bib.
Anglo-Poetica,£105; Perkins, 1873, £130.
The following amusingnote on prices is taken from Renouard's
" Catalogued'un Amateur." "Les premieresEditionslatines
de ce singulier livre, celles destraductionsfranchises,toutes
egalement
rempliesde figuresen bois,ne deplaisent
pasaux
amateurs,
maisjamaisils nelesont payeesun haulprix. La
traduction angloisefaite en i509, surle francois,et avecdes
figuresen bois, plusmauvaises
encoreque leursmodules, se
payeen Angleterre25, 30 et meme60 guinees ; c'estla, si
Tonveut,du zelepatriotique,de 1'esprit
national."
II.#. STULTIFERA NAUIS. . . . THE SHIP OF FOOLES.. . .
With diuersother workes. . . . very profitable and
fruitfull for all men. . . . Cawood. 1570. Folio.
A large cut of vessels
filled with fools(thesameas on p. 313,
Vol. II.) is insertedbetween
the Latin andEnglishtitles.
This edition omits the ballad to the Virgin at the end.
The Englishis in black letter,and the Latin in Roman,in
the sameorder as in the precedingedition. On the recto
 Bibliographical
Catalogue
of leaf 259 : Thus endeththe Shipof Fooles,translated.
..
by AlexanderBarclayPriest,at that time Chaplenin the
Colledgeof S. Mary Oteryin the Countieof Deuon. Anno
Domini 1508. On the back " Excusatio lacobi Locher
Pbilomusi,"in Sapphicverse. On the next pagefive stanzas
by Barclay " excusingthe rudenesof his Translation."
Lastly, an Index in Latin, and then in English. Then
follow the "diuersother workes," theMirrour of goodmaners,
and the Egloges. Colophon: Imprinted at London in Paules
Church-yarde
by lohn CawoodPrinterto the Oueenes
Maies-
tie. Cum Priuilegio ad imprimendumsolum.
The woodcuts, including the one on the title-page,number117.
They are the sameas thoseof Pynson'sedition,but show
occasionaltraces of the blocks having been chipped in the
course
of their preservation
in a printer'sofficefor 60 years
or so. The bordersonly differ,being of a uniform type, while
thoseof the previous
editionarewoodcutsof severalpatterns.
The numberingis a little irregular ; the preliminaryleaves(12) are
unnumbered. The folios are numberedin figures on the
left hand page,'folio' beingprefixedto the first six, 16 is
repeatedfor 17, 13 standsfor 31, [in one of the Adv. Lib.
copiesthe latterirregularityis found,thoughnot the former;
in the other,17 and 31 are numbered correctly],96 is re-
peated for 99, 188 for 191, 100for 200,and 205 for 201.
The last numberis 259, and thereare threeextra leaves,thus
making274 for the Ship. The supplementary works are not
numbered.The signatures
areas follows: TheShip,^f six
leaves; ^ six leaves; A to U u, in sixes; X x, four leaves;
Mirrour of goodmanners,A-G, in sixes; Egloges,A to D,
in sixes; in all 680 pp.
This book was licensed to Cawood in 1567-8, and is said to
bethe onlybookhe hadlicensefor. It is nowveryrare.
Prices: Digby,1680,45.4d. Bernard,1698,13.lod. Gulston,
1783, £i, i6s. White Knights, £8, 12s. Roxburghe,£g,
193.6d FonthilJ,£13, 135. Bib. Anglo-Poet,£12, Izs.
Heber, £8, 12s. Sotheby's,1873, £48, 10s.

A complete bibliography of the various editions and versions of the Ship of

Fools will be found in Zarncke's edition of the original, or in Graesse's
Tresor de livres rares et precieux. A notice is subjoined of the two
editions of the English prosetranslation, and of the two other publica-
tions bearing the title.
The abridged prose translation, by Henry Wat-son, from the French prose
version of Jchan Droyn, appeared from the press of De Worde in the
 of Barclays Works. ci
sameyear in which Barclay'sfuller poetical versionwas issued. In
both text and illustrations it is a much inferior production to the latter.
As the existence of the first edition has been, and still is, denied, it
being frequently confounded with Barclay's book, we transcribe the
following descriptionof the only known copyfrom Van Praet's"Cata-
loguedeslivresimprime'ssur velin dela Bibliothequedu Roi."

The Shyppeof Fooles,translatedout of frenche,by Henry

Watson. London, Wynkyn de Worde, 1509, petit in-4.
Edition en lettresde forme, sanschiffresni reclames,
avecsignatures,
figureset
initiates en bois; a. longues lignes, au nombre de 31 sur lei pages en-
tieres; cont. 169 f.; les 7 premiers renferment I. le litre suivant, grave
audessusd'une figure qui repr^sente le navire desfous:
^f The fhyppe of fooles.
2. Le prologue du traducteur; 3. la preface ; 4. la table des chapitres.
Au recto du dt-rnier f. est cette souscription :
^[ Thus endeththe fhyppeof foolesof this worde. Enpryntedat London in
Flete ftrete by Wynky de worde prynter vnto the excellent pryncede
Marguerete, Countene of Rychemonde and Derbye, and grandame
vnto our mooft naturall fouereynelorde kynge Hunry y. viii. The
yereof our lorde.M.ccccc.ix. H The fyrfte yere of the reygneof our
fouerayne lorde kynge Henry the viii. The. vi. daye of Julii.
On aperijoit au verso le monogramme et la marque de William Caxton, au has
desquelson lit ces mots: Wynken de Worde."
This beautiful copy upon vellum is the only example of this edition known.

The grete Shyppe of Fooles of this worlde. Wykyn de

Worde. 1517. Quarto.
This is the secondedition of Watson's translation. Colophon : "Thus endeth
the shyppe of foolesof this worlde. Jmpryntedat Londodin flete
strete by Wykyn de Worde. ye yere of our lorde M.ccccc.& xvii.
IT The nyntheyere of ye reygneof our souerayne
lordekynge Henry
ye VIII. The xx. daye of June." It contains G G 6, fours and eights
alternately (the signaturesending on G G iij.), besides6 leaves,with the
prologue,proludeand table,beforesignatureA.
Extremely rare. Roxburghe, £64,

The Ship of Fools Fully Fraught and Richly Laden with

Asses,Fools,Jack-daws,Ninnihammers,Coxcombs,Slender-
wits, Shallowbrains,Paper-Skuls,Simpletons,Nickumpoops,
Wiseakers,Dunces,and Blockheads,Declaring their several
Natures, Mannersand Constitutions; the occasionwhy this
Ship was built, with the placesof their intended Voyage,
and a list of the Officers that bear Command therein.
If for this Voyage any have a mind,
They with Jack Adams may acceptancefind,
Who will strainhard erethey shallstay behind.
Licensed,Roger L'Estrange.
[A largewoodcutof theShip.]
London,Printe.1by J. W. for J. Clark,attheBibleandHarp
in West-Smithfield.n. d. [Circa 1650.] 410. 4 leaves.
cii A Bibliographical
Catalogue
" This book, or rather tract, has nothing in commonwith Barclay'sShip of
Fools,except the generalidea. It is entirely in prose. My copyhas
nothing to showto whom it formerlybelonged."-(Letter of H. Huth,
Esq.) The last sentence was elicited by the inquiry whether Mr
Huth s copy were the one formerly belonging to Mr Heber.-See
BibliothccaHeicriana, Part IV., No. 751.

Stultifera Navis. . . The modernShip of fools. Lond. 1807,

80. Pp. xxiv., 295.
A wretched production in verse, in imitation of Barclay's Ship of Fools,
publishedanonymously
by W. H. Ireland,the Shakesperian
forger.

III. THE EGLOGES

OFALEXADERBARCLAY,PREST.-The
first three, without printer'snameor device. No date.
Chiarto. Black letter.
" Herebegynneth the Eglogesof AlexaderBarclay,piest,wherof
the fyrst threconteyneththe myseryes
of couriersandcourtes
of all pryncesin generall,the matterwherofwas translated
intoEnglysheby the saydAlexanderin fourmeof Dialogues,
out of a bokenamedin latynMiserieCurialiu,compyledby
Eneas Siluius,Poete and oratour, whiche after wasPope ot
Rome, & named Pius." This title is over a cut of two
shepherds,Condon and Cornix, the interlocutors in these
three eclogues. On the back is a cut of David and Bath-
sheba. At the end of the third egloge: " Thus endyth
the thyrde and last egloge of the mysery of court and
couriers, composed by Alexander Barclay, preste, in his
youthe." A cul of the two shepherdsand a courtier fills up
the page. Withoul dale,printer's name,or device. Coniains
P 6, in fours,ihe lastleaf blank.

Ill.fl. THE FOURTHE EGLOGGE OF ALEXANDRE BARCLEY.

-Pynson. No date. Quarto. Black letter.
It is entitled,"The Boke of Codrusand Mynaclus," over the cut
of a priest,wilh a shavencrown, writing at a plutus. It
concludeswith "The discrypcion
of the towre of Vertue&
Honour, into whiche the noble Hawarde contendedto entre,
by worthy acls of chiualry," relaled by Menalcas,in stanzas
of eight verses. At the end, "Thus endeth the fourthe
Egloggeof AlexandreBarcley,coteyningthe manerof ihe
riche men anenstpoetsand other clerkes. Emprintedby
RichardePynsonpruer lo ihe kyngesnoblegrace." On
the lasl leaf is his device,No. V. Contains22 leaves,
with
cuts.
 of BarclaysWorks. ciii
\\\.b. THE FYFTE EGLOG OF ALEXANDRE BARCLAY.-
Wynkyn de Worde. No date. Quarto. Blackletter.
" The fyfte Eglog of Alexandra Barclayof the Cytezenand
vplondyshman."This title isoveralargewoodcutof a priest,
siltingin his study. Beneath,
" HereafterfoloweththePro-
loge." On the versoof A ii. aretwo cutsof two shepherds,
wholelengths,with this head-title," Interlocutouresbe Amyn-
tas and Faustus." There are no other cuts. Colophon:
" Here endeth the v. Eglog of Alexandre Barclay of the
Cytezynandvplondysshman. Impryntedat Londonin flete
strete,at thesygneof [the] Sonne,by Wynkyn de worde."
Beneath,deviceNo. v. ContainsA 8, B 4, C 6 ; 18 leaves.
Thereis a copyin the British Museum.
With the firstfour Ecloguesasabove,Woodhouse,
1803, (Her-
bert'scopy),£25.; resold,
Dent,1827,£36.;resold,
Heber,
1834,£24. los. At Heber'ssalethis uniqueset,contain-
ing the onlyknowncopyof the firstedition of the first four
Eclogues,was boughtby Thorpe; further I havenot been
able to trace it.

lll.c. THE EGLOGES.-John

Herforde. No date. Quarto.
" Herebegynneth
theEgloges
of Alex. Barclay,
Priest,whereof
the first three conteineth the Miseries of Couriers and Courtes.'
" Probably
a reprintof Pynson's
impression,"
Dibdin. Con-
tainsonlyEcloguesI.-III. Herbertconjectures
thedateto
be1548; Corser,1546; Hazlitt,1545.
\l\,d. THEEGLOGES.-Humfrey
Powell. No date. Quarto.
Black letter.

" Herebegynneth
theEgloges
of Alexander
Barclay,
priest,where-
of the first thre conteineth the miseriesof couriers and
courtes,of all Princesin general.
. . In thewhichethe inter-
loquutorsbe,
Comix,andCoridon."
Concludes:
"Thusendeth
the thyrdeandlastEglogue
of the Miseryof Courteand
Couriers,Composedby AlexanderBarclaypreest,in his
youth. Jmpiinted
at LondonbyHumfrey
Powell."Con-
tainsonlyEclogues
I.-III. Collation
: Title, A I ; sig.
A to P2, in fours; 58 leavesnot numbered.
Thisisaneditionof extreme
rarity. It isverywellprinted,
and
the tille is surrounded
with a woodcutborderwith orna-
menicd
pillarsatthesides.Herbertconjectures
thedatelo
be 1549,the Bib.Anglo-Poelica,
Lowndes, andCorser,
1548.There isacopyintheCambridge
University
Library,
andanother
in thepossession
of DavidLaing,Esq.
Prices
: Inglis,
£6.28.6d.;Bright,1845,
£*°- los.;Bib.Anglo-
Poetica, £15.
civ A Bibliographical
Catalogue
\\\.e. CERTAYNE EGLOGESOF ALEXANDERBARCLAY
PRIEST.-Cawood. 1570.Folio. Blackletter.
Appendedto Cawood's
editionof the Shipof Fools. No title-
page,cuts, or pagination. The aboveheadingon A i.
Colophon: Thus endeththe fifth and last Eglogeof Alexander
Barclay, of the Citizen and the manof the countrey. Im-
printed at London in PaulesChurch-yardeby lohn Cawood,
Printer to theQueenesMaiestie. CumPriuilegioad impri-
mendum solum.
Contains A-D, in sixes.

III/. THE CYTEZEN

ANDUPLONDYSHMAN
: an Eclogue[the fifth] by
AlexanderBarclay. Printedfrom the originaleditionby
Wynkyn de \Voide. Edited,with an IntroductoryNotice of
Barclayandhis otherEclogues,byF. W. Fairholt,F.S.A.
London; printedfor the PercySociety[vol. XXII.], 1847.
8vo. Pp. + 6, Ixxiv., 47.

IV. THE INTRODUCTORY TO WRITE AND TO PRONOUNCE

FRENCHE.Coplande.1521. Folio. Blackletter.
' Here begynneththe introductoryto wryte, and to pronounce
Frenche
compyled
by Alexander
Barcleycompendiously
at
the commaudemet
of the ryght hye excellentand myghty
prynceThomasdukeof Northfolke.'This title is overa
large woodcutof a lion rampant,supportinga shield,con-
taininga whitelionin aborder,(thesameasthatonthetitle
of the Sallust,VI.), thenfollowsa Frenchballadof 16
lines in two columns,the first headed," R. Coplandeto the
whyte lyone,and the second," 11Ballade." On the recto
of the last leaf, ' Here foloweth the maner of dauncynge
of bacedaucesafter the vse of fraunce& other placestrans-
lated out of frenchein englyssheby Robert coplande.'
Col. : Jmpryntedat Londonin the Fletestreteat the sygne
of the rose Garlandeby Robert coplande.the yere of our
lorde.M.ccccc.xxi.
ye xxii. dayof Marche." Neitherfolioed
nor paged. ContainsC 4, in sixes, 16 leaves.
In the editionof Palsgrave
(seeabove,p. Ixxiii.), published
among
the " Documentsin^dits sur 1'histoirede France," the editor
saysof this workof Barclay's: " Tous meseffortspourd6-
couvrirun exemplaire
de ce curieuxouvrageont et6 inutiles."
There is a copy,probablyunique,in the Bodleian; it was
formerly Herbert's, afterwardsDouce's.
All the partsof this treatiserelatingto Frenchpronunciation
have
been carefully reprinted by Mr A. J. Ellis, in his treatise
" OnEarlyEnglishPronunciation
" (published
bythePhilo-
logicalSociety),Part III., p. 804.
 of Barclays Works. cv
V. THE MYRROUR
OFGOOD
MANERS.-Pynson. No date.
Folio. Black letter.
' Here begynneth a ryght frutefull treatyse,intituled the myrrour
of good maners,coteynyngthe iiii. vertues,callyd car-
dynall, compyledin latyn by Domynike Mancyn: And
translateintoenglysshe : at the desyreof syr GylesAlyngton,
knyght: by Alexander Bercleyprest: and monkeof Ely.
This title is over a cut, the same as at the head ot Bar-
clay's prefaceto his translationof Sallust,a representa-
tion of the authorin a monkishhabiton his knees,presenting
a book to a nobleman. The text beginson back of title.
The originalis printed in Romanletter in the margins.-
Colophon in a square woodcut border: Thus endeth the
ryght frutefull matterof the foure vertuescardynall: Jm-
pryntedby Rychard Pynson: prynter vnto the kynges
noblegrace: with his gracyouspryuylegethe whichebokeI
haueprynted,at the instance& request,of the ryght noble
Rychard yerle of Kent. On the back, Pynson'sdevice,
No. v. It has neither running titles, catch-words, nor
the leavesnumbered. Signatures;A. to G, in sixes,and H,
in eights ; ico pp.
In the British Museum,Grenville collection,from Hcber's col-
lection. " This edition differsmateriallyfromthat usedby
Herbert, which has led Dr Dibdin to the conclusionthat
there weretwo impressions."So saysa MS. note on the
copy,(quotedin the Bib.Grenv.),but Dibdin doesnot com-
mit himself to the conclusion,his words beingthese: " This
descriptionis givenfrom a copy in thepossession
of Mr Heber;
which,from its varyingwith the accountof Herbert,Mr H.
supposes,
with justice, mustbe a differentone from Herbert's."
I have failed to discover the difference.
Prices: Perry, £g. ; Roxburghe(lastleaf wanting),.£10. IDs.;
BibliothecaAnglo-Poetica, £12. I2s.; Sykes,£16. l6s.
To the aboveedition must belong the fragmententeredin Bohn's
Lowndes under "Four," thus: "Four Vertues Cardinal.
Lond. R. Pynson,n.d. folio. Only a fiagmentof this Poem
is known; it wasprintedat the requestof RychardErie of
Kent."

V.a. THE MIRROURof GOODMANERS.-Cawood. 1570

Folio. Black letter.
Appended
to Cawood's
editionof the Shipof Fools. No title
page,pagination, or cuts. The aboveheading
on A I. The
Latin originalprintedin Romanby the sideof the English.
ContainsA-G, in sixes.
cvi A Bibliographical
Catalogue
It maybe usefulto give herethe bibliographyof the other English trans-
lations of Mancyn.

Mancinus de quattuor Virtutibus. [The englyssheof Man-

cyneaponthefourecardynale
vertues.] No place,printer's
name,or date, but with the types of Wynkyn de Worde,
circa 1518. 410,a-d, in eights. Bodleian.
Following the title occurs: Petri Carmelianiexasticonin Dominici Mancini
de quattuorcardincisvirtutibus libellum. The Latin portion is in verse,
printed in Romanletter, with marginalnotes in black letter, of a very
small size, and the English in prose.
The Englishpart,in blackletter,is entitled: The englysshe
of Mancyne
apon the foure cardynalevertues.n.p. or d. This portion hasa separate
title andsignatures;the title is on A I. On sign. F ii. occurs,"The
correccionof the englysshe,"andon the versoof the sameleaf is printed,
"The correction of the texte." A, B, C, and D, 8 leaves each; E, 6
leaves; andF, 4 leaves; 41 leavesaltogether. A copyof this is in the
British Museum. Only two perfectcopiesareknown.
A Plaine Path to Perfect Vertue : Deuised and found out by
Mancinus,a Latine Poet, and translatedinto English by G.
Turberuile, Gentleman.
Ardua ad virtutem via.
Imprintedat Londonin Knightrider-strete,
by HenryBynneman,
for Leonard
Maylard. Anno.1568. 8vo.,71leaves.Blackletter,in verse. Dedi-
cated " To the right Honorableandhys singulargoodLady, Lady Anne,
CoutesseWarvvicke."' There is also a metrical addressto the reader, and
8 4-line stanzasby JamesSanfordin praiseof the translator.
Freeling,1836,No. 911,£j., boughtfor Mr Corser:now in the British
Museum. Supposedto be unique.

VI. CRONYCI.E
compyledin Latyn, by the renowned
Sallust.-Pynson. No date. Folio.
"' Here begynneththe famouscronycleof the warre,which the
romaynshad agaynstJugurth,vsurperof the kyngdome of
Numidy. which cronycleis compyledin latyn by the re-
nowmedromayne Salust. And translatedinto englyssheby
syr AlexanderBarclaypreest,at comaundemem of the right
hye and mighty prince: Thomasduke of Northfolke."
There are two editionsby Pynsonof this book.
I. In this edition the lowerhalf of the title pagehasa square
enclosedby doublelinescontainingtheNorfolk arms,a lion
rampant, holding a shield in his paws,on which is another
lion, a cut which alsoappearson the title of The Introductory.
Thereis a full pagecut of the royalarmswith portcullis,&c.,
on the back,followedby fivepagesof Table. The preface
to hispatron,in English,-together with a Latin dedicationto
BishopVeysy,in parallelcolumns,-beginson theversoof
signatureA iiii, undera cut of the authorpresentinghis
 of Barclays Works. cvii
book to him, the sameas that which appearson the title of
The myrrourof goodmaners. [See the cut prefixedto the
Notice of Barclay'slife, which is confinedhoweverto a repro-
ductionof thetwo principalfiguresonly,twootherfigures,
evi-
dentlyof servants, and someadditionalornamentation of the
roombeingomitted.] At theendof thispreface isanothercut
of theauthor,writingat adesk;alsoonthebackof theleafisa
cutofthedisembarking of anarmy. Therearenoothercuts,but
thevolumeis adornedthroughoutwith veryfinewoodcutinitials.
Catchwordsare given irregularlyat the beginning,but regu-
larly towardstheend,atthebottomof the left handpageonly,
but the prefacehas them to everycolumn. Colophon:-
" Thus endeththe famouscronycleof the war. . . imprented
at London by RychardePynsonprinter vnto the kyngesnoble
grace: with priuylegevntohym grained by our saydsouerayne
lorde the kynge." On the back of the last leaf is Pynson's
device,No. v. The dateis erroneouslyconjecturedin Moss's
Classical
Bib.to be 1511. It wasprobably1519,certainly
between1519 and 1524. Contains92 numbered leaves,
andone leafunnumbered, besides
eight leavesof preliminary
matter: numbering quiteregular: signatures;
a 8, A-O,
6 s, P, Q, 4 s. In the British Museum,Grenville Collec-
tion,the Bodleian,andthePublicLibrary at Cambridge.
Prices: Roxburghe,£23, 12s.; Sykes,£8, I2s.; Heber, £5,
155. 6d.; Sotheby's,1857, £10.
II. In this edition,the title pageis the sameas in the otherwith the
exceptionof a semicolon
for a full pointafter Numidy,the
succeedingwhich having an e added, and romayne being
withoutthe e, but on the back insteadof a cutof the royal
armsThe tablecommences ; the prefacebeginson the recto of
sign, a 4, under the cut of the author presentinghis book
to the Duke of Norfolk, and endswithout the leaf of wood-
cuts which is appendedto the prefaceof the first edition.
Pynson'sdeviceat the end of the book is alsowantingin this
edition. It containsonly fol. Ixxxvi., with six leavesof
preliminary matter; the paginationis a little irregular, xxi.
and xxii. are wanting but xxiii. is given three times, and
Ixxvii. is repeated
for Ixxviii. ; the British Museumcopyis
deficientin folios Ixii. and Ixv. : signatures
; a 6, A-N, 6 s,
and O, P, 4 s. The initials are the sameas those in the first
edition in the great majority of cases,but appearmuch more
worn. Therearecatch-words
onlyat the endof everysigna-
ture throughoutthe book, except to the preface,which has
them to every column. In the British Museum, and the
PublicLibrary,Cambridge.
Both editionshavethe Latin in Romanletter in the margins,
and running-titles. Ames mentions an edition with cuts,
which must be the same as the first of these.
cviii A Bibliographical
Catalogue
VI.a. CRONICLEOF WARRE. Compiled in Laten by
Saluste. Corrected by Thomas Paynell. Waley,
'557- Quarto.
" Here begynneth
the famousCronicle of warre, whyche the
RomayneshaddeagaynstJugurth vsurper of the kyngedome
of Numidie : whiche Cronicle is compiled in Laten by the
renowmedRomayneSaluste:and translatedinto englyshe
by syr alexanderBarklayeprieste. And nowe perusedand
correctedby ThomasPaynell. Newely.Imprintedin the
yere of oure Lorde God M.D.L vij." On the versoof the
title beginsPaynell'sdedication-" To the ryghtehonorable
LordeAntonyeVycounteMountegue, Knyghteof the ryghte
honorableorder of the garter, and one of the Kynge and
QueenesMagesties
pryuie counsayle." "The prologue"
beginson a i. Barclay'sprefaceand dedicationare omitted,
as well as the Latin of Sallust. Col. : " Thus endeth the
famouse
Cronicleof the warre. . . againstJugurth. : . trans-
lated.. . by syr AlexanderBarkeley,
prieste,at commaunde-
menteof. . . Thomas,duke of Northfolke, And imprinted
at London in Fosterlane by Jhon Waley." Signatures;
H h, 4 s, besidestitle and dedication, two leaves:the pag-
inationcommences on a 4, at " The fyrstechapter,"the last
folio beingcxx.; xxi. is repeatedfor xxii., xxiii. for xxiv.,
xix., standsfor xxix., Ivii. is repeated,
andIxxiv. is repeated
for Ixxv.
This editionformsthe secondpartof a volumehavingthefollowing
generaltitle page: The Conspiracieof Catiline,written by
Constancius Felicius Durantinus, and translated bi Thomas
Paynell: with the historyeof Jugurth,writenby the famous
RomaineSalust,andtranslatedinto Englysheby Alexander
Barcklaye.

VII. ALEX. BARCLAY HIS FIGURE OF OUR MOTHER HOLY

CHURCHOPPRESSED
BYTHEFRENCHEKlNG. PytlSOn.
Quarto.
This is givenby Herberton the authorityof Maunsell's
Catalogue,
P- 7-

VIII. THE LYFE OF THE GLORIOUS MARTYR SAYNT

GEORGE.Translated by AlexanderBarclay, while
he was a monk of Ely, and dedicatedto N. West,
Bp. of Ely. Pinson[Circa1530.] Quarto. [Herbert,
289].
 of Barclays Works. cix
IX. THE LYFEOFSAYNTETHOMAS. Pynson. No date.
Quarto. Blackletter.
" 1 Herebegynneth
thelyfe of theblessed
martyrsaynte
Thomas."
This title is the headlineof this little treatise; at the begin-
ningof whichis indenteda smallwoodcutof amanin armour,
strikingat the bishop,with his cross-bearer
beforehim. It
begins"The martirsaynte
Thomaswassonto Gylberde
Bequeta burgeysof the Cite of London. And was borne
in ye place,whereas
nowswndeththe churchecalledsaynte
Thomas of Akers." It concludes, "f Thus endeth the
lyfe of the blessedmartyrsayntThomasof Caunturbury.
Jmprynted by me RychardePynson,pryntervntothe kyngcs
noblegrace." Containseightleaves.Thereis a copyin the
British Museum. Assigned to Barclayon tne authority of
Wood.

X. HAYTHON'S
CRONYCLE.Pynson. No date Folio.
Black letter.
"Here begynneth
a lytell Cronycle,translated& imprintedat the
cost & charge of Rycharde Pynson,by the comaundement
of the ryght high and mighty prince,Edwarde duke of Buck-
ingham,yerle of Gloucestre,Staffarde,and of Northamton,"
over a largewoodcut. Colophon:"Here endeth,[£5V.]
Imprintedby the sayd RichardsPynson,printer unto the
Kinges noblegrace." Date conjecturedto be between1520
and 1530. Pynson'sdevice, No. 5, at the end. Collation:
A-E, andH, in sixes; F andG, andI, in fours;forty-
eight leaves.
On the verso of fol. 35, "Here endeth ye boke of thistoris of
thoriet partescopyledby a relygiousman frere Hayton
frere of Premostreorder, sotymelorde of court & cosyn
germanto the kyngof Armenyvponye passage of the holy
lande. By the comaudement of yc holy faderye apostle
of Rome Clemet the V. in ye cite of Potiers which boke I
Nicholas Falcon, writ first in French ... I haue traslated it
in Latyn for our holy fatherye pope. In the yere of our
lordegodM.CCC.VII. in ye monethof August. Deo gras."
" The travelsof Hayton intothe Holy Land and Armenia,and
his historyof Asia, is one of the mostvaluableof the early
accounts of theeast. The present is theonly translation
into
English,and from the circumstances of its beingprintedby
Pynsonand havingbeen(whenin Mr Heber'scollection)
bound with two other works (Mirrour of good Maners and
Sallust)both translatedby Barclay,wasprobablyalsotrans-
lated by him. It is a book of extraordinaiy rarity, no perfect
copy that can be tracedhavingpreviously
occuredfor sale."
(Bibliotheca
Grenvilliana,
vol. I.)
Heber'scopy(theoneabovementioned), £40. 95.6d.
THE SHIP OF FOOLS.
 Venerandissimo
in Cbristo Patri ac Domino: dominoThome
Cornissbe
Tenenensh pontificlac diocesis
Badonensis
Suffraganio
vigilantusimo,
suepaternitattsCapellanus
humilimusAlexanderBarclaysuiipsiusrecommenda-
cionemcumomnisummissione,
et reuerentia.

Tametsi
crebrisnegocijs
: varioqueimpedimeniorum
genere
fatigatuspaulodiutiusquamvoluerama studioreuulsus eram.
Attamenobseruandissime presul: Stultiferamclassem
(vt sum
tuepaternatipollicitus)lamtandemabsoluietimpressam ad te
destinaui. Nequetamencertumlaborempro incertoprcmio
(hitmano.j.) meisimpossuissem
bumeris: nisi Seruianumillud
dictum(longeanteaqaminceperani) admonuisset.Satinsesse
non incipere quam inceptiimminus perfectumrelinquere.
Completotamenopere: neequemqua?n magisdignumquam
tua sit paternitasexisthnaui
cui id dedicarem
: turnquia salu-
berrima tua prudentia, morumgrauitas, vite sanctitasdoc-
trinequeassiduitas : errantesfatuosmumdanis ab illecebris
ad
"virtutistramites: difficile*licet: possintreducere:turn vero:
quiasacros
ad ordines
per te subiunatus
etpromotus,
multisque
aliis tuis benejlciis
ditatusnonpotui tibi meumobsequium
non
coartare. Opus igitur tue paternitati dedicaui: meorum
primiciaslaborumqui in lucemeruperuntAtque vt tua
consuluerit
paternatis
: antoris carminacummeis-uulgaribus
rithmicis vna alternatim coniunixi: et quantuma vero car-
minumsensuerrauerim,tueautoritatisindiciumerit. Fateor
equid<;m
multo
pluraadiecisse
quamademisse:
partimad
 [ cxvi ]
"uiciaque hac nostrain redoneabundantius
pullulantmor-
daciuscarpcnda: partimqueob Ritbmi difficultatem. Adicci
et'mmquatdcimBiblie aliorumqueautorumconcordancias in
margine notatasquosingulamagislectoribusillucescant: Simul
ad inuidorum caninoslatratus pacandos
: et rabida ora obstru-
cnda: qui vbi quidfacinorum: quoif si scatent; reprebensum
audicrint.continwpatulogutture liuida cuomunt dicta,scripta
diLicerant.dignascombrisac thus carminarecensent : sedhi
si pcrgantmaledicere: vt stultiuagicomitesc/assem instliant.
At tu vencrandeP resid Discipuli tui exiguummuniisculum:
hiliiri frontc accipito,Classemque nostram(si quid vagi/m,si
quid erromum: si quid denique superfluumcmineat : optimam
in parteminterpretando : ab inuidorumfaucibus: tueautori-
ttitis clipcotucaris. Vale. Ex Imprcssoria offic-naRichardi
Pymon. iij. Idus Dccembris.

prcsctit T15obenamct) tljc 5>l)vp of folp s of tbc toorlttc teas

translatct in tbc College of sapnt mary dDtcri' in tljc countc of
5Dcuon6bv«*" out of JLatcn, JFrencbc,ano JDocbcinto Cngli'Bsl):
tonge \ft Ullcjcantet 115arcUv^restc : anD at ttmt tvmr CbapTen in
tl)t 0ai'6eCotlcge.transtatcBtty vert of oar JLoroe
gon. ^.ccccc.&iii.
3PnprcntpD in tljc Cvte of JLonDonin JFlettstrc at tty signt of
S)avnt dPcorge.U5uISi'c^atDe^imson to tya Coste ano cbargc:
<EnDel»tfa I'cre of our 5»auiour. fll)). n. ijc, ^Cl)c«jciiu. &'""¥of
IDcccmbcr.
 TABULA.

C THE REGYSTER OR TABLE OF THIS PRESENT BOKE IN

ENGJ-YSSHE.

[VOLUME I.]

C Alexander Barclay excusyngethe rudenes of

his translacion,ye first lefe Barclay ye translatour
to ye folys, ..... 3
A prologein proseshewynge to what intentthis Boke
was firste made, & who were the first Auctours
of it, . . . . . 5
Another Prologe: in Baladeconcerningthe same, 11
In what place this Boke was translate and to what
purposeit was translatyd, . . . 17
C Here begynneththe Folys and firste of inprofyt-
able bokys, . . . . .19
C Of euyll Counsellours Juges& menof lawe, . 24
Of couetyseand prodigalyte, . . . 29
Of newedisgysynges in apparayle, . . 34
C A lawde of the noblesand grauyte oi Kynge
Henry the eyght, ... 39
Of olde Folys encresynge foly with age, . 41
Of negligentFathersayensttheir Children, 45
Of taleberers: & mouers of debate, . 53
Of nat folowersof goodcounsel, . * . 57
cxviii Tabula.

Of vngoodlymaners,anddysordred, . . 62
Of the hurtynge of frendshyp, ... 66
Of dispysersof holy scripture, . . . 71
Of folys inprouydent, . . . -75
Of disordred & veneriousloue, . . 79
Of them that synne trustynge vpon the mercy of
almyghty god, .... 84
Of folysyl begyngreatbyldyngewithoutsufficient
prouysion, ....
Of glotons,anddroncardes, . 92
Of rychesvnprofytable, . . 98
Of folysthat wyl seruetwo lordesboth togyther, 103
Of superfluespeche, ... 107
Of them that correctother, themself culpablein the
samefaut, . . . . 111
Of folysthat fyndeothersgood,nat restorynge
the
same to the owner, . . . 115
C The sermonor doctryneof wysdom, . . 119
Of Folys bostyngthemin fortune, . . 124
Of the superfluecuryosyteof men, . . 129
Of greatborowers,& slackepayers, . . 133
Of vnprofitable vowers & peticions, . . 137
Of negligentstodyers, . . . .142
Of themthat folvsshlyspekeayenstthe workesof god, 148
Of lewdeJugesof othersdedes, . . 152
Of pluralyteesof benefyces, . . .156
Of synnersthat prolongefromdaye to dayto amende
theyr myslyuyng, . . . . 162
Of men that ar Jelous, . . .. 166
Of auoutry,and speciallyof sucheas ar bawdesto
theyrwynes, . . . . 171
 Tabula. cxix

Of sucheas nedyswyll contynue

in theyrfolynat
"withstandyngeholsomerudicion, . . \-jc
An addicion
of the secundaries
of OterysayntMary,
in Deuynshyre, . . § .179
Of wrathfull folys, . . . .181
Of the mutabylyteof fortune, . . .186
Of sekemeninobedient, . . . 192
Of to opencouncellers,
. . . . 197
Of folysthat cannat be ware by yemysfortune
nor
take exampleof othersdamage, . . 201
Of folys that force or care for the bacbytyngeof
lewdepeople, .... 205
Of mockersand fals accusers, . . 210
Of themthat despyseeuerlastyngeblys for worldly
thynges& transitory, . . . 215
Of talkersand makersof noysein the Chircheof god, 220
Of folys that put them self in wylful ieopardyand
peryll, . . . . .225
Of the way of felycyte,andgodnesandthe payneto
come to synners, . . . .230
Of olde folysy1gyue exampleof vyceto youth
negligent& vnexpert, . . . 234
Of bodelylust or corporallvoluptuosyte, . 239
Of folysthatcannatkepesecrete
theyrownecounsell,244
Of yongefolysthat takeoldewymento theyrwyues
nat for loue but for ryches, . . . 247
Of enuyousFolys, . 252
Of impacient
folysdisdaynynge
to abydeandsuffer
correccion,
for theyrprofyte, 256
Of folysshe
Fesicians
vsynge
theyrpractyke
without
speculacyon,
.
cxx Tabula.

Of the endeof woildlyhonour& powerandof folys

yl trust in them, .... 265
An addicionof Alexanderbarclay, . . 268
Of predestinacyon, .... 271
Of folys that aply other mennysbesynesleuynge
theyr ownevndone, .... 276
Of the vyceof ingratytude
or vnkyndnes
and folys
that vse it, . . . . 280
Of Folys that standeto mochein theyrowneconceyte,286
Of folysthat delytethem in daunsynge,. . 291
Of nyghtwatchers, .... 296
Of the vanyteof beggers, . . . 301
Alexander Barclay excusyngethe rudenes
of his translation.

Co Boke : abasshethe thy rudenesto present.

To men auauncedto worshyp, and honour.
By byrthe or fortune : or to men eloquent.
By thy submyssion
excusethy Translatour.
But whan I remember the comon behauour
Of men: I thynke thou ought to quakefor fere
Of tungesenuyouswhosevenymmay the dere

Tremble, fere, andquake,thou ought I sayagayne.

For to the Redarthou shewestby euydence
Thy selfeof Rethorykepryuateandbarayne
In spechesuperflue
: andfrutelesof sentence.
Thouplaynlyblamest withoutal difference
Bothe hye andlowe sparingeechemannesname.
Therforeno maruayle
thoughemanydo the blame.
2 An exhortation
of Alexander
Barclay.
But if thou fortune to lye beforea State
As Kynge or Prince or Lordesgreator smal.
Or doctourdiuyneor other Graduate
Be this thy Excuseto contenttheyr myndewithal
My specheis rude my termescomonandrural
And I for rude peple mochemore conuenient.
Than for Estates,lerned men, or eloquent.

But of this onepoynt thou nedestnot to fere

That any goodeman: vertuousandJust.
Wyth his yl specheshalthe hurt or dere.
But the defende. As I supposeand trust.
But sucheUnthriftes as sue theyr carnal lust
Whome thou for vyce dost sharply rebuke and blame
Shal the dysprayse
: emperisshinge
thy name.

An exhortacionof AlexanderBarclay.
But ye that shalredethis boke: I you exhorte.
And you that ar herarstherof alsoI pray
Where as ye knowethat ye be of this sorte:
Amendeyour lyfe andexpellethat vyceaway.
Slombernatin syn. Amendeyou whyleye may.
And yf ye so do andensueVertue andgrace.
Wythin my Shypye get no rowmene place.
 Barclaythe translatourtho the Poles.

To Shypgalantesthe seis at the ful.

The wyndevs callethour saylesar displayed.
Where may we best aryue? at Lyn or elsat Hulle?
To vs may no hauen in Englonde be denayd.
Why tary we? the Ankers ar vp wayed.
If any cordeor Cabyl vs hurt, let outherhynder.
Let slyp the ende, or els hewe it in sonder.

Retourneyour syghtbeholdevnto the shore.

There is greatnomberthat faynewold be aborde.
They get no rowmeour Shypcanholdeno more.
Haws in the Cockegyue themnoneother worde.
God gyde vs from Rockes,quicsondetempestandforde
If any manof warre,wether,or wyndeapere.
My selfeshaltrye the wyndeandkepethe Stere.

But I pray you redershaueye no dysdayne.

ThougheBarclayhauepresumedof audacite
This Shypto rule aschefemaysterandCaptayne.
Though somethynke themselfemocheworthyerthan he.
It weregreat maruayleforsothsyth he hath be.
A scolerlonge: andthat in dyuersscoles
But he myghtbe Captayneof a Shypof Foles
4 Barclaythetranslatour
thothePoles.
But if that any onebe in suchemanercase.
That he wyl chalange
the maystershyp
fro me
Yet in my Shyp canI nat want a place.
For in eueryplacemy selfeI oft mayse.
But this I leuebesechyngeechedegre:
To pardonmy youtheandto boldeinterprise.
For hardeis it duelyto spekeof eueryvyce.

For yf I hadtungesan hundreth: andwyt to fele

Al thingesnaturalandsupernaturall
A thousandmouthes: andvoyceas hardeas stele.
And seneall the seuenScienceslyberal.
Yet cowdeI neuertouchethe vycesall.
And syn of the worlde: ne theyr braunchescomprehende
Nat thougheI lyued vnto the worldesende.

But if thesevyceswhichemankyndedoth incomber.

Were cleneexpellydandvertuein theyr place.
I cowdenathauegathered of fowlessogreata nomber.
Whosefoly fromthemout chaseth goddysgrace.
But euerymanthat knoweshymin that case
To this rudeBokelet hymgladlyintende.
And lerne the way his lewdnesto amende.
 [The Prologeof JamesLocher.]

After that I haue longemusedby my self of the sore

confounded andvncertayne coursof mannyslyfe, andthinges
therto belonginge:at the last I haueby my vigilant medi-
tacionfound and notedmanydegreesof errours: wherby
mankyndwandrethfrom the way of trouth I haue also
noted that many wyse men and wel lettred hauewriten
right fruteful doctrines: wherby they haue heled these
dysesesandintollerableperturbacionsof the mynde: and
the goostlywoundestherof, mochebetter than Esculapius
which was fyrst Inuentour of Phesykeand amongethe
Gentylesworshyppedas a God. In the contreyof Grece
were stodyesfyrst foundedaridordeynedin the which be-
gan andsprangeholsommedicynewhich gauevnto infect
myndesfrutful doctryneandnorisshinge. Amongewhome
Socratesthat greatbegynnerandhonourerof wysdombe-
gan to disputeof ye manersof men. But for that he coude
nat fyndecertayneende of goodnesand hyest felicite in
naturallthinges: nor inducemento the same,he gaue the
hye contemplacionsof his mynde to moral vertues. And
in so mochepassedhe al other in Philosophymoralthat it
wassaydethat hecalledPhilosophydownfrom the Imperial
heuen. whan this Socrates perceyuedthe mindes of
men to be prone,and extremelyinclynedto viciousneshe
had gret affeccion to subdue suchemaners. Wherfore in
comonplaces of the Cyte of Atheneshe instruct and in-
6 TheProhgeof JamesLooker.
fourmedthe peplein suchdoctrynesascompasiththe clere
andimmaculatewellesof the mosteexcellentandsouerayne
gode. After the discesof Socratessuccededye godly
Plato whichein moral Philosophyouerpassed alsoa great
part of his tyme And certaynlynat without a causewashe
called godly. For by what stody myght he more holely
or better socourmankyndethan by suchedoctrynesas
he gaue. He wrote andordeynedlawesmosteegalandiust
He edityedvnto the Grekesa comonwelthe stable,quyet
andcommendable.And ordeynedthe societeandcompany
of themmostiocundand amyable. He prepared
a brydel
to refrayne the lust and sensualyteof the body. And
fynallyhe changed
the yl ignorance
feblenes
andnegligence
of youth vnto dylygence,strength and vertue. In tyme
alsoof thesePhylosophers
sprangethe florisshynge
ageof
Poetes: whicheamoiigelettred men had nat smal rowme
andplace. And that for theyreloquent
Retorykeandalso
for theyr meryficcionsand inuencions.Of the whiche
Poetessomewrotein mosteornatetermesin diteesheroycal
wherin the noble actesand lyuesboth of dyuyneand
humayne creatures ar wont to be noted and writem.
Somewroteof tyllingof thegrounde.Someof the Planetes,
of the courses
of ye sterres: and of the mouyngeof the
heuynandfyrmament. Someof the Empyreandshameful
subieccionof disordredloue. And many other of the
myserable
ruyneandfal of Kyngesand princesfor vice:
as Tragedies. And someother wrote Comedyeswith
great libertye of speche: which Comedieswe cal Inter-
ludes. AmongewhomeAristophanesEupolisandCratinus
moostelaudablePoetespassedal other. For whan they
sawethe youth of Athenesand of al the remanentof
 ThePrologeof JamesLocker* 7
Greceinclynedto al ylles they toke occasionto note suche
myslyuinge. And so in playnewordesthey repreuedwith-
out fauourthe vycesof the saydyl disposydpepleof what
condicionor orderthey were: Of this auncientwrytinge of
Comedyesour latenPoetesdeuyseda manerof wrytinge
nat inelegant. And fyrst LuciliuscomposedoneSatyrein
the whichehe wroteby namethe vicesof certayneprinces
andCitezynsof RomeAnd that with manybourdesso y'
with his mery spechemyxt with rebukes he correct al
them of the cyte that disordredly lyued. But this
mery spechevsed he nat in his writing to the intent
to excercysewanton wordes or vnrefrayned lascyuyte,
or to put his pleasourin suche dissolutelangage: but
to ye intent to quenchevycesandto prouokethe commons
to wysdomeand vertue,and to be asshamed of theyr foly
andexcessyfe lyuynge. of hym all the Latyn poeteshaue
takyn example,andbegynnyngeto wryte Satyrswhichethe
grekesnamedComedyes: As Fabiusspecifyethin his X
boke of institutions. After Lucilius succeded Horacius,
mochemoreeloquentin wrytynge whiche in the samede-
seruydgreatlaude: Persiusalsoleft to vs onelyone boke
by the whiche he ccmmyttydhis nameand laudeto per-
petuallmemory. The last and prynceof all was Juuenall
whichein his iocundepoemyscomprehendyd al that was
wryten mosteloquentand pleasauntof all the poetisof that
sorteaforehis tyme : O noblemen,anddiligent hertesand
myndes,o laudablemanersand tymes,theseworthy men
exyled ydelnes,wherby they haue obtayned nat small
worshypandgreat commodyteexampleand doctrynelefte
to vs theyr posteryourswhy begyn we nat to vnderstonde
and perceyue. Why worshypnat the peopleof our tyme
8 ThePrologeof James
Locher.
thesepoetiswhy do nat they reuerenceto ye interpretours
of them do they nat vnderstonde:that no poeteswryte,
but outlier theyr myndeis to do pleasureor els profyte to
the reder,or ellysthey togytherwyll doobothe profyteand
pleasourewhy are they dyspysedof manyrude cartersof
nowea dayeswhichvnderstonde nat them, And for lackeof
themhauenat latyn to vtter andexpresse
yewyl of their
mynde. Se whether poetesar to be dispised.they laude
vertueand hym that vsethit rebukyngviceswith the vsers
therof, They techewhat is good and what is euyll: to
what endevyce,andwhat ende vertuebringeth vs,anddo
nat Poetisreuyle and sharplybyte in their poemysall suche
as ar vnmeke, Prowde, Couetous, Lecherous, Wanton,
delycyous, Wrathfull glotons, wasters, Enuyours, En-
chauntours, faythebrakers, rasshe, vnauysed,malapert,
drunken, vntaught foles, and suchelyke. Shulde theyr
writyng that suchethingesdisprayseandreuylebe dyspised
of manyblyndeDotardesyl nowe lyue whicheenuy that
any manshuldehaueor vnderstonde ye thyng whichethey
knowenat. The Poetesalsowyth greatlawdescommende
and exalt the noble folowersof vertue ascribyngto euery
manrewardesafter his merytes. And shortly to say,the
intencionof al Poeteshath euerben to repreuevyce: and
to commende vertue. But synsit is so that nowein our
dayesar so manyneglygentand folysshepeple that they
ar almostinnumerablewhichedespisynge the loueof ver-
tue: folowetheblyndenesandvanyteof thisworlde: it was
expedientthat of newesomelettredman,wyse,and subtil
of wyt shuldeawakeandtoucheyeopenvicesof folesthat
now lyue: and blametheyr abhomynable lyfe. This
fourmeandlybertyeof writinge,andchargehathetaken
 ThePrologsof James
Locher. 9
vponhym the Right excellentandworthy MaysterSebastian
Brant Doctour of both the Lawes and noble Oratour and
Poete to the comonwelthe of al people in playne and
comonspecheof Doche in the contreyof Almayne: to the
ymytacion of Dant Florentyne: and Francis Petrarche
Poetesheroycalwhichin their maternallangagehauecom-
posedmaruelousPoemesand fictions. But amongediuers
inuencionscomposedof the saydeSebastianbrant I haue
noted one named ye Shyp of Poles moche expedientand
necessaryto the redar which the sayd Sebastiancomposed
in doche langage. And after hym one called James
Locher his Disciple translatedthe same into Laten to the
vnderstondingeof al Christennacions
whereLatenis spoken.
Than another(whosenameto me is vnknowen)translated
the sameinto Frenche. I haue ouersenethe fyrst Inuen-
cion in Doche and after that the two translations in Laten
andFrenchewhichein blamingethe disordredlyfe of men
of our tymeagreethin sentence : threfoldein langagewher-
fore wylling to redresthe errours andvycesof this cure
Royalme of Englonde: as the foresaydecomposerand
translatourshath donein theyr ContreesI hauetakenvpon
me: howbeitvnworthyto draweinto our Englysshetunge
the saydboke namedye shypof folysas nere to ye sayd
thre Langages asthe parcyteof mywyt wyll sufferme. But
ye reders gyue ye pardon vnto Alexander de Barklay If
ignorauncenegligence or lackeof wyt causehym to erre in
this translacionhispurposeandsyngulerdesyreis to content
youre myndes. And sothelyhe hathetakenvponhym the
translacionof this presentBokeneytherfor hopeof rewarde
nor lawdeof man: but onely for the holsomeinstruccion
commodyteand Doctryne of wysdome,and to dense the
io ThePrologsof JamesLocher.
vanyteandmadnesof folysshepeopleof whom ouer great
nombre is in the Royalme of Englonde. Therfore let
euery man beholdeand ouerredethis boke: And than I
doutenat but he shal se the errours of his lyfe of what
condycyonthat he be. in lyke wyseas he shal se in a
Myrrour the fourmeof his countenaunce andvysage:And
if he amende suche fautes as he redeth here wherein he
knowethhymselfgylty, andpasseforth the resydueof his
lyfe in the order of good manersthan shall he haue the
fruyte andauauntage
whertoI hauetranslatydthis boke.
 Here begynneththe prologe.
Amongethe peopleof eueryregyon
And ouer the worlde, south north eestand west
Soundethgodly doctrynein plenty andfoyson
Wherin the groundeof vertueandwysdomedoth rest
Redegodeandbad, andkepe the to the best
Was neuermoreplenty of holsomedoctryne
Nor fewer peoplethat doth therto enclyne

We hauethe Bybyll whichegodly doth expresse

Of the olde testamentthe lawesmysticall
And also of the newe our erour to redresse
Of phylosophyand other artesJiberall
With other bokes of vertues morall

But thoughesuchebokesvs godly wayesshewe

We all ar blynde no manwyll themensue

Banysshedis doctryne,we wanderin derknes

Througheall the worlde: our selfewe wyll not knowe
Wysdomeis exyled,alasblyndefolysshenes
Mysgydeththe myndes of peoplehye andlowe
Graceis decayed,yll governaunce
doth growe
Both prudentPallasand Mineruaare slayne
Or els to heuynmourned are they agayne
12 The Prologe.
Knowledge
of trouth,Prudence,
andiustSymplicite
Hath vs cleneleft: For we set of them no store.
OurFaythis defyled
loue,goodnes,
andPyte:
Honestmanersnowear reputedof: no more.
Lawyers
ar lordes:butJustice
is rentandtore.
Or closed
lykea Monsterwithindoresthre.
For withoutmede: or moneyno mancanhyr se.

Al is disordred : Vertue hathe no rewarde.

Alas,Compassion:
andMercybothear slayne.
Alas,the stonyhartysof pepyl ar soharde
That noughtcanconstrayne theyr folyesto refrayne
But styl they precede: and eche other meyntayne.
Sowanderthesefoles: incresingewithout nomber.
That al the worldethey vtterly encomber.

Blasphemers
of Chryst; Hostlers; andTauerners:
Crakarsandbosterswith Couriersauenterous,
Bawdes and Pollers with comon extorcioners
Ar takennoweadayes
in theworldemoste
glorious.
But thegyftesof graceandal wayesgracious
Wehaueexcluded.Thuslyuewecarnally
:
Utterlysubdued
to al lewdnes
andFoly.

Thus is of Folesa sortealmostinnumerable.

Defilynge
theworlde
withsynandVylany.
Some thynkinge
themselfmoche
wyseandcommendable
Thoughe
altheyrdayes
theylyuevnthryftely.
Nogoodnes
they
perceyue
nortonogoode
aplye.
Butif hehauea greatwombe,
andhisCofersful
Thanisnone
holde
wyser
bytwene
London
andllul.
 T'heProloge.
But to assemble these Foles in one bonde.

And theyr demeritesworthely to note.

FayneshalI Shyppesof euery manerlonde.
None shalbeleft: Barke, Galay, Shyp, nor Bote.
One vesselcannat bryngethem al aflote.
For yf al theseFoleswerebrought into one Barge
The bote shuldesynkeso soreshuldebe the charge.

The saylesar hawsed,a pleasantcole dothe blowe.

The Folesassembleth
asfast as they may dryue.
Someswymmethafter : otheras thycke doth rowe
In theyr small botes, as Bees about a hyue
The nomberis great,and echeonedoth stryue
For to be chefeasPurser andCapytayne
Quarter mayster,Lodesman or elsBoteswayne.

They ron to our shyp, echeonedoth greatly fere

Lyst his slackepaas,sholdecausehym bydebehynde
The wynderyseth, andis lyke the sayleto tere
Echeoneenforseththe anker vp to wynde
The se swellythby pianetteswell I fynde
These obscureclowdes threteneth vs tempest
All are nat in bed whicheshallhaueyll rest

We are full ladeand yet forsothI thynke

A thousandare behynde,whomwe may not receyue
For if we do, our nauy cleneshallsynke
He oft all lesysthat coueytesall to haue
From LondonRockesalmyghtygod vs saue
For if we there anker,outher bote or barge
There be so manythat they vs wyll ouercharge
14 Prologe.
Ye LondonGalantes,
arere,ye shallnat enter
We kepethestreme, andtouche
nattheshore
In Cytenorin Courtwedarenatwellauenter
Lystperchaunce
wesholde
displeasure
hauetherfore
But if yewyll nedes
someshallhauean ore
And all the remenauntshall standeafar at large
Andredetheyrfautespayntedabouteour barge.

Lyke asa myrrourdoth representagayne

The fourmeandfygureof mannescountenaunce
So in our shypshallhe sewrytyn playne
The fourmeandfygureof his mysgouernaunce
What man is fautles,but outlier ignoraunce
Or elswylfulnescausethhym offende:
Thanlet hym nat disdaynethis shyp,tyll he amende.

And certaynlyI thynkethat no creature

Lyuyngein this lyfe mortallin transytory
Canhym self kepeandstedfastlyendure
Without all spot,asworthyeternallglory
But if he call to his myndeandmemory
Fullythe dedysbothof his youtheandage
He wyllgrauntin thisshypto kepesomestage

Butwhosoeuerwyll knowlege his ownefoly

Andit repent,lyuyngeafterin sympylnesse
Shallhauenoplacenorrowme
morein ournauy
But become felaweto pallasthe goddesse
But he thatfyxedis in suchea blyndnesse
Thatthoughe hebenoughthethynketh al iswell
Sucheshallin thisBargeberea baby
11anda bell
 TheProloge. 15
Thesewith other lyke mayechemanseandrede
Eche by themselfein this small boke ouerall
The fautesshallhe fynde if he take goodhede
Of all estatisasdegrestemporall
With gydersof dignyteesspirituall
Botheporeandriche,ChorlesandCytezyns
For hast to lepe a bordemanybrusetheyr shynnys

Here is berdlesyouth,and hereis crokyd age

Children with theyr faders that yll do them insygne
And doth nat intendetheyr wantonesto swage
Nouther by worde nor yet by discyplyne
Here be menof euery scienceanddoctryne
Lernedandvnlernedmanmaydechyldeand wyfe
May hereseand redethe lewdenesof theyr lyfe.

Here ar yyle wymen: whomeloue Immoderate

And lust Venereallbryngethto hurt and shame.
Here ar prodigalGalantes:wyth mouersof debate.
And thousandes mo: whome I nat wel dare name.
Here ar Bacbyterswhichegoodelyuersdyffame.
Brakersof wedlocke,menproude: andcouetous:
Pollers,andpykers with folke delicious.

It is but foly to rehersthe nameshere

Of al suchePoles: asin oneSheldeor targe.
Synsthat theyr foly dystynctlyshalapere
On euerylefe: in Pycturesfayreandlarge.
To Barclays
stody: andPynsones costandcharge
Wherforeye redarspraythat they both maybe saued
Before God, synsthey your folyeshauethusgraued.
 TheProloge.
But to thententthat euerymanmay knowe
The causeof mywrytynge: certesI intende
To profyteandto please
bothhyeandlowe
And blametheyrfauteswherbytheymayamende
But if that anyhis quarellwyll defende
Excusynge his fautesto my derysyon
Knowe he that noble poetesthus haue done.

Afore my dayesa thousande yere ago

Blamyngeandreuylyngethe inconuenyence
Of people,wyllyngethemto withdravvetherfro
ThemI ensue: nat lyke of intellygence
And though I am nat to them lyke in science
Yet this is my wyll mynde and intencion
To blameall vycelykewyseasthey hauedone.

To tenderyouthmymyndeis to auayle
That theyeschewe
mayall lewdenesandoffence
Whichedoththeyrmyndes oftensoreassayle
Closynge the iyenof theyrintellygence
But if I halt in meteror errein eloquence
Or be to largein langage I prayyou blamenat me
For mymateris sobadit wyll noneotherbe.
 [ The Argument. ]
Here after foloweththe Boke namedthe Shypof Foles
of the world : translatedout of Laten, French and Doche
into Englyssein the Colegeof saynt Mary Otery By me
AlexanderBarclayto the feliciteandmosteholsominstruc-
cion of mankyndethe whicheconteynethal sucheaswandre
from the way of trouth andfrom the openPath of holsom
vnderstondynge and wysdom: fallyngeinto dyuers blynd-
nessesof ye mynde,folysshesensualytees, and vndlawful
delectacions of the body. This present Bokemyght haue
ben callydnat inconuenyently the Satyr (that is to say) the
reprehencion of foulysshnes,
but the neweltyeof the name
wasmoreplesantvnto the fyrst actourto call it the Shypof
foles: For in lyke wyseasolde PoetesSatyriensin dyuers
Poesyesconioynedrepreuedthe synnesand ylnes of the
pepleat that tyme lyuynge: so andin lyke wysethis our
Bokerepresentedvnto the iyenof theredarsthe statesand
condicionsof men: so that eueryman may behold within
the samethe coursof his lyfe andhismysgouerned maners,
as he sholde beholdethe shadoweof the fygure of his
visagewithin a bright Myrrour. But concernynge the trans-
lacionof this Boke: I exhort ye redersto take no displesour
for y* it is nat translatedword by wordeacordingeto ye
versesof my actour. For I hauebut only draweninto our
modertunge,in rude langagethe sentences of the versesas
nere asthe parcyteof my wyt wyl suffer me, sometyme
addynge, somtymedetractinge and takinge away suche
thingesa semethmenecessary
andsuperflue. wherforeI
desyreof you reders pardonof my presumptuous
audacite
18 TheArgument.
trustynge
thatyeshallholdemeexcused
if yeconsyder
ye
scarsnes
of my wyt and my vnexpertyouthe. I hauein
manyplacesouerpasseddyuerspoeticaldigressions
and
obscurenes
of Fablesandhaueconcludedmy worke in rude
langage
asshalaperein my translacion.But the speciyl
cawsethat mouetheme to this besynesis to auoydethe
execrable
inconuenyences of ydilneswhyche(as saintBer-
nardsayth)is moderof al vices: andto the vtter derision
of obstynatmendelityngethemin folyesandmysgouernance.
But bycausethe nameof this boke semethto the redar to
precedeof derysion: andby that meanthat the substance
therof shuldenat be profitable: I wyl aduertiseyou that
this Bokeis namedthe Shyp of foles of the worlde: For
this worldeis noughtelsbut a tempestous se in the whiche
we daylywanderandarecastein dyuerstribulacionspaynes
andaduersitees : someby ignoraunceandsomeby wilfulnes:
wherforesuche doersar worthyto be calledfoles.synsthey
gydethemnatby reason ascreatures resonableoughtto do.
Therforethe fyrst actourewillyngeto deuydesuchefoles
fromwysemen andgodelyuers: hatheordeyned vponthe
seof thisworlde
thispresent
Shypto contayne
thesefolysof
ye worlde,whichear in greatnomber. So that who redeth
it perfytely
consyderynge
his secrete
dedys,he shallnot
lyghtlyexcuse
hymselfeoutof it, whatsoeuergoodname
yl hehathoutwarde
in themouthof thecomontye,Andto
theentent yl this mylabouremaybe the morepleasaunt
vntolettredmen,I haueadioynedvntothesameye verses
ofmyActour
withdyuerse
concordaunces
of theBybyllto
fortyfymywrytynge
by the same,
andalsoto stopthe
enuyous
mouthes
(If anysucheshalbe)of themthatby
malyce
shallbarke
ayenst
thismybesynes.
Here begynneth the foles and first
inprofytablebokes.

I am the firste fole of all the hole nauy

To kepethepompe,the helmeandekethe sayle
For this is my mynde,this onepleasoure
haueI
Of bokesto hauegreteplenty and aparayle
I takeno wysdome
by them: nor yet auayle
Nor thempreceyue
nat: And thenI themdespyse
Thus am I a foole and all that sewethat guyse
2o Inprojytahle
bokes.
That in thisshypthe chefeplaceI gouerne
By thiswydeseewith folyswanderynge
The cause is playne,andeasyto dyscerne
Styll amI besybokesassemblynge
For to haueplentyit is a plesauntthynge
In myconceyt andto hauethemayin honde
But whattheymenedo I nat vnderstonde

But yet I haue them in great reuerence

And honouresauyngethemfrom fylth andordure
By oftenbrusshynge,
andmochedylygence
Full goodly boundein pleasauntcouerture
Of domas,satyn,or elsof veluetpure
I kepe them sure ferynge lyst they sholde be lost
For in themis the connyngewherinI mebost.

But if it fortune that any lernyd men

Within my housefall to disputacion
I drawe the curtyns to shewemy bokes then
That they of my cunnyngesholdemakeprobacion
I kepe nat to fall in altercacion
Aad whyle they comonmy bokesI turneandwynde
For all is in them,andno thyngein my mynde.

Tholomeusthe riche causydlongeagone

Ouerall the worldegoodbokesto be sought
Done was his commaundement anone

Thesebokeshe hadandin his stodybrought

Whichepassyd all erthlytreasoure
ashe thought
But neuertheles
he dydhymnataply
Unto theyrdoctryne, but lyuedunhappely.
 Inprofytable
bokes. 21
Lo in lyke wyseof bokysI hauestore
But fewe I rede, and fewer understande
I folowe nat theyr doctrynenor theyr lore
It is ynoughe to here a boke in hande
It were to moche to be it suche a bande
For to be bounde to loke within the boke

I am contenton the fayrecoueryngeto loke

Why sholdeI stodyto hurt my wyt therby

Or troublemy myndewith stodyexcessyue
Sythe many ar whiche stody right besely
And yet therby shallthey neuerthryue
The fruyt of wysdomcanthey nat contryue
And many to stody so mocheare inclynde
That utterly they fall out of theyr mynde

Eche is nat lettred that nowe is made a lorde

Nor echea clerkethat hath a benefyce

They are nat all lawyersthat pleesdoth recorde
All that are promotydare nat fully wyse
On suchechauncenowefortunethrowyshir dyce
That thoughe one knove but the yresshegame
Yet woldehe hauea gentyllmannys
name

So in lyke wyseI am in suchecase

Thoughe[ noughtcanI woldebe callyd wyse
Also I may set anotherin my place
Whiche may for me my bokesexcercyse
Or else I shall ensuethe comongyse
And say concedoto euery argument
Lyst by mochespechemy latyn sholdebe spent
22 Inprofytablebokes.
I am lyke other Clerkeswhichesofrovvardlythemgyde.
That after they ar onyscomevnto promotion
They gyue them to plesourtheyr stodyset asyde.
Theyr Auarycecoueryngewith fayneddeuocion.
Yet dayly they preche: andhauegreat derysyon
Against the rude Laymen: andal for Couetyse.
ThoughtheyrowneConscience
be blyndedw' that vyce.

But if I durst trouth playnely vtter and expresse.

This is the specialcauseof this Inconuenyence.
That greatestfoles,andfullest of lewdnes
Hauyngeleastwyt: andsymplest
Science
Ar fyrst promoted: andhauegreatestreuerence
For if one can flater, and here a hawke on his Fyst
He shalbemadePersonof Honyngtonor of Clyst.

But he that is in Stodyay ferme anddiligent.

And without al fauourprechythChrystyslore
Ok al the Comontyenowe adayesis sore shent.
And by Estatesthretenedto Prysonoft therfore.
Thus what auayleis it, to vs to Stody more:
To knoweouther scripture,trouth, wysedom,or vertue
Syns fewe, or none without fauour dare them shewe.

But O nobleDoctours,that worthyar of name:

Consyderour oldefaders: notewel theyrdiligence
;
Ensueye theyrsteppes: obtayneye suchfame,
As they dyd lyuynge: andthat by true Prudence.
Within theyrhartysthey plantedtheyrscyence
And nat in plesauntbokes. But nowe to fewe suchebe.
Thereforein this Shyp let themcomerowe with me.
 Inprofytablebokes.
THE ENUOY OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY TRANSLATOUR
EXORTYNGE THE POLES ACCLOYED WITH THIS VICE

TO AMENDE THEYR FOLY.

Say worthy doctoursandClerkescurious:

What mouethyou of Bokesto hauesuchnomber.
Syns dyuers doctrinesthroughe way contrarious.
Doth mannysmynde distract and sore encomber.
Alas blyndemenawake,out of your slomber
And if ye wyl nedysyour bokesmultyplye
With diligenceendeueryou someto occupye.
Of euylCounsellours,
Jugesand
men of lawe.

He that Office hath and hygheautorite.

To rule a Royalme: as Jugeor Counsellour
Which seytlgeJustice,playneryght and equyte
Them falsly blyndethby fauouror rigour
Condemnynge wretchesgyltles. And to a Transgressour
For medeshewinge
fauour. Sucheis aswysea man
As he that wolde seetha quycke Sowein a Pan.
 Of Euyl Counsellours. 2.5
Right manylaboursnowe,with hyghediligence
For to be Lawyersthe Comonsto counsayle.
Therby to be in honourhadandin reuerence
But onelythey labourfor theyr pryuateauayle.
The pursof the Clyentshalfyndehym apparayle.
And yet knoweshe neytherlawegoodcounselnor Justice.
But speketh at auenture: as men throwe the dyce.

Suchein the Senatear takenoft to counsayle

With Statisof this andmanya other region.
Whiche of theyr manersunstablear andfrayle
Nought of Lawe Ciuyl knowingenor Canon.
But wander in derknesclerenesthey haue none.
O nobleRomethou gat nat thy honours
Nor generalEmpyreby sucheCounsellours.

Whan nobleRomeall the worldedyd gouerne

Theyr councellers
wereolde meniust andprudent
Whiche egallydyd euery thyngedescerne
Wherby theyr Empyre becameso excellent
But nowe a dayeshe shall haue his intent
That hath mostgolde,andsoit is befall
That aungelsworke wondersin westmynsterhall.

There cursydcoynemakyththe wrongesemeright

The causeof hym that lyueth in pouertye
Hath no defence,tuycion,strengthnor myght
Suche is the olde custome of this faculte

That coloursoft cloke Justyceandequyte

None can the mater fele nor vnderstonde
Without the aungellbe weyghtyin his honde
26 Of Euyl Counsellours.
Thusfor the hungerof syluerandof golde
Justyceandright is in captyuyte
And aswesenatgyuenfre, but solde
Noutherto estates,nor sympellcomonte
And thoughthat manylawyersrightwysnes be
Yet manyotherdysdayneto sethe ryght
And theyar sucheasblyndeJustycissyght

There is one and other allegedat the barre

And namelysucheaschraftywerein glose
Upon the lawe: the clyentisstandeafarre
Full lytell knowyngehowethe matergoose
And manyother the lawesclenetranspose
Folovvynge
the example,of lawyersdedeand gone
Tyll the pore Clyentis be etyn to the bone

Tt is not ynough to conformethy mynde

Unto the others faynyd opynyon
Thou sholdesaytrouthe,soJustycedoth the bynde
And alsolawegyueththe commyssyon
To knowehir, andkepehir withouttransgressyon
LysttheywhomethouhastJugedwrongfully
Unto thehyeJugefor vengeaunce on the crye.

Perchaunce
thouthynkestthatgodtakethno hede
To mannes
dedys,nor workesof offence
Yescertaynly
heknowesthy thoughtanddede
No thyngeissecrete,
norhydfromhispresence
Whereforeif thouwyltgydetheby prudence
Or thou gyueJugementof materlesseor more
Takewyse
mennys
reade
andgoodcounsayle
before
 Of Euyl Coum~eHours. 27
Loke in what Balance,what weyght andwhat mesure
Thou seruest other, for thou shalt serued be

With the sameafter this lyfe I the ensure.

If thou ryghtwyslyJugeby laweandequyte
Thou shalthauepresenceof goddeshyghematestye
But if thou Juge amys: than shallEacus
(As Poetissayth)hell Jugethy rewardediscusse

God is aboue and regneth sempiternally.

Whiche shall vs deme at his last Jugement,
And gyuerewardesto echoneegally
After suchefourme as he his lyfe hath spent
Than shall we them se whome we as violent

Traytours: haueput to wrongein wordeor dede

And after our deserte euen suche shall be our mede

There shallbe no Baylenor treatyngeof maynpryse

Ne worldly wysdomethereshallno thyngepreuayle
There shallbe no delayesvntyll anotherSyse
But outherquyt, or to infernallGayle.
Ill Jugessoiuged, Lo here theyr trauayle
Worthely rewardedin wo withouten ende.
Than shallno gracebe grauntedne spaceto amende.

THE ENUOY OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY

THE TRANSLATOUR.

Therforeye yongeStudentes
of the Chauncery
:
(I spekenat to the olde the Cure of them is past)
Rememberthat Justycelongehath in bondagebe
28 Of £uy! Counsel/ours.
Reduceye hir nowevnto lybertyeat the last.
Endeueryou hir bondesto louseor to brast
Hir raunsome is paydeandmoreby a thousandepounde
And yet alasthe ladyJustycelyeth bounde.

Thougheyour fore Fadershauetake hir prysoner

And donehir in a Dongeonnat metefor hir degre
Lay to your handesandhelpehir from daungere
And hir restorevnto hir lybertye
That poremenandmonylesmayhir onysse
But certaynlyI fere lyst shehath lost hir name
Or by longeprysonment shallafter euerbe lame.
Of Auaryceor Couetyseand prodygalyte.

Ye thatar gyuenouermocheto Couetyse

Come nere,a placeis herefor you to dwel
Comenereye wastfullpeoplein lyke wyse
Yourerowmeshallbe hyein the Topcastell
Ye carefor no shame,for heuennor for hell
Goldeis yourgod,rychesgottenwrongfully
Ye dameyoursoule,andyet lyuein penury.
 Of Auaryce
or Couetyse
He that is besyeuerydayandhoure
Without mesure,maner, or moderacion
To gatherrichesandgreatstoreof treasoure
Therofno ioy takinge,confortnor consolacion.
He is a Fole: andof blyndeandmadopynyon
For thatwhichhe gettethandkepethwrongfully
His heyreoftenwastethmochemorevnthryftely.

While he herelyuethin this lyfe cadukeandmortal.

Ful sorehe laboureth: andoft hungrygothe to bed
Sparingefromhymselfe: for hym that neuershal
After do hym goode.thoughehe were hardebested.
Thus is this Couetouswretche so blyndly led
By the fendethat herehe lyueth wretchydly
And after his deth damnedeternally.

There wandreth he in dolour and derknes

Amongeinfernallflodestedyousandhorryble
Let sewhatauayleththan all his ryches
Ungracyously gotyne,his paynesar terryble
Than\voldehe amendebut it is inpossyble
In hell is no ordernor hopeof remedy
Butsorowe
vponsorowe,
andthateuerlastyngly.

Yet fyndeI anothervyceasbadas this

Whicheis the vyceof prodygalyte
He spendythall in ryot andamys
Withoutall order,pursuynge
pouertye
Helykethnatto lyuestyllin prosperite
Butallandmore
hewastyth
outatlarge
(Beware
theende)
istheleste
poynt
ofhischarge.
 andProdygalyte.
But of the couetoussomwhatto sayagayne
Thou art a fole thy souleto sell for riches
Or put thy body to labouror to payne
Thy myndeto fere, thy herteto heuynesse
Thou fole thou fleest no maner cruelnesse

So thou may get money,to makethy heyr a knyght

Thou sleestthy soulewhereasthou saneit myght

Thou hast no rest thy myndeis euerin fere

Of mysauenture,nor neuer art content
Deth is forgoten,thou carestnat a here
To sauethy soulefrom infernallpunysshement
If thou be dampned,than art thou at thy stent
By thy rycheswhich thou herehastleft behynde
To thy executours,thou shalt smallcomfortefynde

Theyr customeis to holdefast that they haue

Thy pore souleshallbe farthestfro theyr thought
If that thy carkesbe brought onysin the graue
And that they hauethy baggesin handescought
What saythey, than (by god the manhadnought)
Whyle he herelyuyd he wasto lyberall
Thus dampnedis thy soule,thy rychescauseof all

Who wyll denaybut it is necesary

Of richesfor to haueplentyandstore
To this opynyonI wyll nat saycontrary
So it be ordred after holy lore
Whyle thy selfeleuestdepartesometo the pore
With thy ownehandetrust nat thy executours
Gyue for god, and godshallsendeat all houres
 Of Auaryce
or Couetyse
RedeTullius warkes the worthy Oratour.
And writenshaltthouf'yndein right frutefulsentence
Thatneuerwyseman louedouergreathonour.
Nor to hauegreatrichesput ouergreatdiligence
But onelytheyrmynde wasseton Sapience
And quyetlyto lyuein Justsymplycite.
For in greatest
honouris greatest ieoperdye.

He thatis symple,
andon thegroundedothlye
And that canbe contentwith ynougheor suffisaunce
Is surerby mochethanhe that lyeth on hye.
Nowe vp nowedownevnsureasa Balaunce.
But sothlyhe that setwyll his plesance
Onely on wysdomand styl therrbre labour.
Shalhauemoregoodethan all erthly tresour.

Wysdom techeth to escheweal offence.

Gydyngemankyndethe ryght way to vertue.
But of couetyse
Comysall Inconuenyence.
It cawseth man of worde to be vntrue.
Forswerynge
andfalshodedoth it alsoensue.
BryberyandExtorcion, murderandmyschefe.
Shameis hisende: hislyuyingeis reprefe.

By couetyse
Crassus
broughtwasto his ende.
By it theworthyRomayns
losttheyrname.
Of thisoneyl a thousand
yllesdothdescende.
Besydeenuy,Pryde,wretchydnes andShame.
Crates
thePhilosopher
dydCouetyse
soblame
:
Thatto haue
hismynde
vntohisstody
fre.
He threwehis Tresourall hole into the see.
 andProdygalyte. 33
But shortly to conclude. Both bodelybondage.
And gostlyalso: procedethof this couetyse.
The souleis damnedthe body hath damage
As hunger,thyrst, andcoldewith other prejudice.
Bereftof the ioyesof heuenlyParadyse.
For goldewastheyr god andthat is left behynde
Theyr bodyesberyedthe soulecleneout of mynde

THE ENUOY OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY TRANSLATOUR.

Thereforethou couetousethou wretchI speketo the.

Amendethy selferyse out of this blyndenes.
Contentthe wyth ynoughefor thy degre.
Dam nat thy souleby gatheringefrayleriches
Remembre this is a Uale of wretchednes.

Thoushaltno restnor dwellyngeplaceherefynde.

Departthoushaltandleueit al behynde.
Of newe fassionsand disgisedGarmentes.

Who thatnewegarmentes louesor deuyses.

Or werythby hissymplewyt, andvanyte
Gyuythby his foly andvnthryftygyses
Mocheyl example to yongeComontye.
Suche one is a Pole and skant shal euer thee

And comonlyit is senethat nowea dayes

OneFok*gl.idlyfolowesanothers wayes.
 Of newefassions
and disgised
garments. 35
Drawe nereye CouriersandGalantsdisgised
Ye counterfaytCaytifs. that ar nat content
As god hath you made: his warkeis despysed
Ye thynke you morecrafty than God onipotent.
Unstableis your mynde: that shewesby your garment.
A fole is knowenby his toyesandhis Cote.
But by theyr clothingenowemay we manynote.

Aparayleis apayred.Al sadnessis decayde

The garmentesar gonethat longedto honestye.
And in newe sortesneweFoles ar arayede
Despisynge
the costomof goodantiquyte.
Mannysfourmeis disfiguredwith euerydegre
As Knyght Squyer yemanJentilman and knaue,
For al in theyr goyngevngoodelythembehaue

The tyme hath ben, nat longebeforeour dayes

Whan menwith honestray coudeholdethemself content.
Without thesedisgised: andcounterfaytedwayes.
Wherby theyr goodesar wasted,loste,andspent.
Socrateswith manymo in wysdomexcellent.
Bycausethey woldenoughtchangethat camof nature
Let growe theyre here without cuttinge or scissure.

At that tyme wasit reputedto lawdeandgreathonour.

To hauelonge here: the Beerde downe to the brest
For sothey vsedthat wereof mostevalour.
Stryuyngetogetherwho myht be godlyest
Saddest,mosteclenely, discretest,and mostehonest.
But nowe adayestogether we contendeand stryue.
Who may be gayest: andnewestwayescontryue.
$6 Of newe
fassionsanddisgisedgarmentes.
Fewekepethmesure,
butexcesse
andgreatoutrage
In theyraparayle.
Andsotherintheyprecede
Thattheyrgoode
isspent:theyrLondelaydeto morgage.
Or soldeout right: of Thryft theytakeno hede.
Hauinge
noPenythemto socour
at theyrnede.
Sowhantheyrgoodeby suchewastefulnes
is loste.
Theyselagayne
theyrClothes
for halfthattheycoste.

A fox furredJentelman:of the fyrst yere or hede.

If he be madea Bailyf a Clerkeor a Constable.
And cankepea Parkeor Court and redea Dede
Than is Ueluet to his state mete and agreable.
Howbeithe weremoremeteto berea Babyl.
For his FolesHodehis iyen so soredoth blynde
That Prydeexpellethhis lynagefrom his mynde.

Yet fyndeI anothersortalmosteasbadasthay.

As yongeJentylmendescended of worthy Auncetry.
Whichego ful \vantonlyin dissolutearay.
Counterfayt,
disgised,
andmochevnmanerly
Blasinge
andgarded:to loweor elseto hye.
And wydewithoutmesure:theyrstuffe to wastthusgothe
But othersometheysufferto dyefor lackeof clothe

Sometheyrneckescharged withcolers,andchaynes
As golden
withtthes
: theyrfyngersful of rynges
:
Theyrneckes
naked : almostevntotheraynes
Theyrsleues
blasingelyketo a Cranyswynges
Thusbythisdeuysinge
suche counterfayted
thinges
Theydysfourme
thatfigurethatgodhymselfe
hathmade
Onprydeandabusionthusartheyrmyndeslayde
 Of newe
fassions
anddisgised
garmentes.
j7
Than the Courierscarelesthat on theyr maysterwayte
Seingehym his Uesturein suchefourmeabuse
Assayeth sucheFassionfor them to counterfayte.
And so to sue Pryde contynually they muse.
Thanstelethey, or Rubbethey. Forsoththeycannatchuse.
For without Londe or Labour harde is it to mentayne.
But to thynke on the Galows that is a careful payne.

But be it payneor nat: theremanysucheende.

At Newgate theyr garmentisar offred to be solde.
Theyr bodyesto the Jebetsolemlyascende.
Wauynge with the wether whyle theyr necke wyl holde.
But if I shulde wryte al the ylles manyfolde.
That procedethof this counterfayt abusion
And mysshapenFassions: 1 neuer shulde hauedone.

For both States,comons,man, woman, and chylde

Ar vtterly inclyed to this inconuenyence.
But namelytherwith theseCourtersare defyled.
BytwenmaysterandmanI fyndeno dyfference.
Therfore ye Courtersknowledgeyour offence.
Do nat your errour mentayne,support nor excuse.
For Fowlesye ar your Raymentthus to abuse.

To ShypGalauntescomenereI sayagayne.
Wyth your set BusshesCurlyngeasmenof Inde.
Ye counterfaytedCourterscomewith your fleingebrayne
Expressedby thesevariableGarmentesthat ye fynde.
To tempt chastDamselsandturne themto your mynde
Your bresteye discouerandnecke. Thus your abusion
Is the Fendesbate. And your soulesconfusion.
38 Of'newe
fass'wnsanddisgised
garmentes.
Comeneredisgysed foles: receyueyourFolesHode.
And ye that in sondrycoloursar arayde.
Ye gardedgalantes wastingethusyourgoode
Comenerewith your Shertes brodered anddisplayed.
In fourmeof Surplys. Forsothit maybe sayde.
That of yourSortright feweshalthryuethis yere.
Or that yourfaderswerithsucheHabytein the Quere.

And ye Jentylwymen\vhomethis lewdevicedothblynde

Lasedon the backe: your peakesset a loft.
Cometo my Shyp. forget ye nat behynde.
Your Sadelon the tayle : yf ye lyst to sit soft.
Do on your DeckeSlut: if ye purposto comeoft.
I meanyour Copyntanke: And if it wyl do no goode.
To kepeyoufromtherayne.ye shallhauea foleshode.

By the ale stakeknowe we the ale hous

And eueryJnneis knowenby the sygne
So a lewde woman and a lecherous
Is knowen
by hir clothes,
betheycoursor fyne
Folowynge
newefassyons, notgraunted
by doctryne
The bochershewethhis flessheit to sell
Sodoththese
women
dampnyng
theyrsouleto hell

WhatshallI morewryteof ourenormyte

Bothmanandwoman asI before hauesayde
Ar raydeandclothydnataftertheyrdegre
As natcontent
withtheshape thatgodhathmade
Theclenlynes
of Clergye isnerealsodecayed.
Ouroldeapparale(alas)isnowelaydedowne
Andmanyprestes asshamed of theyrCrowne.
 Of newejiissions
anddisgised
garmentes.
Unto laymenwe vs refourmeagayne
As of chrysteour maysterin manerhalfeasshamed
My hert doth wepe: my tungedoth sorecomplayne
Seinghoweour Stateis worthy to be blamed.
But if all the Foly of our Hole Royalmewere named
Of mysapparayleof Olde, young,lowe, andhye,
The tyme shuldefayle: andspaceto me denye.

Alas thus al statesof Chrystenmendeclynes.

And of wymenalsodisfourmynge theyr fygure.
Wors than the Turkes, Jewes,or Sarazyns.
A Englonde Englondeamendeor be thou sure
Thy noble nameand fame can nat endure
Amendelyst goddo greuouslychastyce.
Bothe the begynnersand folowesof this vyce.

THE ENUOY OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY YE TRANSLATOUR.

Reduce couriers clerly vnto your rembrance

From whensthis disgysyngwasbroughtwhereinye go
As I rememberit was brought out of France.
This is to your plesour. But payneye hadalso.
As FrenchPockeshote ylleswith otherpaynesmo.
Take ye in goodworth the swetneswith the Sour.
For often plesourendethwith soroweand dolour.

But yeproudeGalaundes
that thusyourselfe
disgise
Be ye asshamed.
beholdevnto your Prynce.
Consyder
his sadnes
: His honestye
deuyse
His clothyngeexpressethhis invvardeprudence
Ye seno Exampleof sucheInconuenyence
In his hyghnes: but godly wyt andgrauyte.
Ensuehym : andsorowefor your enormyte.
40 Of'newe
fasslonsanddlsglsed
garments
s
Away with this pryde,this statelynes
let be
Redeof the Prophetisclothynge or vesture
And of Adamfirste of your ancestrye
Of Johnn the Prophete,theyr clothyngewasobscure
Uyle and homly, but nowe what creature
Wyll theneusue,sothlyfewe by theyr wyll
Therforesuchefolysmy nauy shallfulfyll
Of old folys that is to saythe longer they
lyue the more they ar gyuen to foly.

Howe beitI stoup,andfastdeclyne

Dayly to my graue,and sepulture
And though my lyfe fast do enclyne
To pay the trybute of nature
Yet styll remayneI and endure
In my olde synnes,and them nat hate
Nought yonge,wors olde, sucheis my state.
42 Of oldfolys.
The madnesof my youtherotydin my age
And theblyndefoly of myiniquite
Wyll menatsufferto leuemyneoldvsage
Nor myforelyuyngefull of enormyte
Lamear his lymmys,andalsoI cannat se
I ama childeandyet lyuyd haueI
An hundrethwynter,encresynge my foly.

But thoughI myghtlernemy wyll is nat therto

But besyI amandfully setmy thought
To gyueexampleto childrento mysdo
By my lewdedoctrynebryngyngethem to nought
And whan they ar onys into my dauncebrought
I techethemmy foly wysdomeset asyde
My selfeexample,begynner,andtheyr gyde.

My lewdelyfe, my foly andmy selfwyllydmynde

Whiche I hauestyll kept hythertoin this lyfe
In my testamentI leuewryten behynde
Bequethyngparteboth to manchildeand wyfe
1 am the actourof myschefeandof stryfe
Thefoly of myyouthandtheinconuenyence
In ageI practyse,techyngeby experyence

I am a fole and glad am of that name

Desyryngelawdefor echevngracious dede
And of my foly to spredabrodethe same
To showe
myvyceandsynne,
asvoydeof drede
Of heuen or hell, therfore I take no hede
Butassomestryue disputynge
of theyrcunnynge
RightsodoI in lewdnes
andmyslyuynge.
 Ofoldjblys. 43
SomtymeI host me of falshodeanddysceyt
Somtymeof the sedethat sawynis by me
Of all myschefe,asmurderflatery debate
Couetysebacbytyngetheft andlechery
My myndeis nat to mendemy iniquyte
But ratherI sorowethat my lyfe is wore
That I can nat do as I haue done before

But synsmy lyfe so sodaynlydotheapeyre

That byde I cannat styll in this degre
I shall infourme and teche my sone and heyre
To folowe his fader, and lerne this way of me
The way is large, god wot glad shallhe be
Lernyngemy lore with affeccionanddesyre
And folowethe steppysof his vnthryfty syre

I trust socrafty andwyseto makethe lad

That me his father he shall pas and excell
O that my herte shallthan be wonderglad
If I here of may knowe, se, or here tell
If he be falsefaynyngesotyll or cruell
And so styll endureI hauea speciallhope
To makehym scrybeto a Cardynallor Pope.

Or els if he canbe a fals extorcyoner

Fasynge
andbostynge
to scratche
andto kepe
He shall be made a comon costomer

As ychehopeof Lyn Calaysor of Depe

Thanmayhe afterto somegreatoffycecrepe
So that if he canonyspledea case
He may be madeJugeof the comonplace.
44 Ofoldfolys.
Thus shallhe lyue asI haueall his dayes
And in his agemcreashis folysshenes
His fader came to worshyp by sucheways
So shallthe sone,if he hym selfeaddres
To suemy steppes
in falshode
andlewdnes
And at leste if he can come to no degre
This shypof folysshallhe gouerne
with me
BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Awakeagealaswhatthynkestthoube
AwakeI sayout of thy blyndederkenes
Remembrestthou nat that shortly thou shalt dye
Arysefrom synneamendethy folysshenes
Thoughthy youthretedwerein vyciousnes
Aryse in ageis full tyme to leue it
Thy graueis openthy onefote in the pyt

Leue thy bostyngeof that thou hast doneamys

Bewaylethy synnes,sayengwith rufull mone
Delicta iuuentutis mee deus ne memineris

Amendethe or thy youth be fully gone

That sore is harde to hele that bredes in the bone

He that is noughtyonge,procedyngeso in age

Shall skanteuerhis vyciousnes
asswage

Whatthingeis moreabhomynable
in goddes
syght.
Thanviciousage: certaynlyno thynge.
It isekeworldlyshame,
whanthy corage
andmycht
Is neredekayed,
to kepethy lewdelyuynge.
Andby example
of the,thy yongechildren
to brynge.
Into a viciouslyfe : andall goodnesto hate.
Alas age thus thou art the Fendesbate.
Of the erudicionof neglygentfaders
anensttheyr chyldren.

Thatfulethatsuffreth
hisChyldefor to offende
Wythoutrebukynge, blame,andcorreccion.
And hymnatexhorteth,hymselfe to amende.
Of suchefawtesasby hymar done,
Shalit sorerepent: godwotehowcsone
For oft the fadersfoly, fauour,andneglygence
Causeththe Chylde for to fall to greatoffence
 46 Of theerudicwn
of negligent
fciders
A myserable Poleeuermoreshalhe be.
A wretchevnauysed, anda Catyf blynde.
Whichehis chyldrenfawtesforsethnat to see
Hauyngeno carefor to inducetheyr mynde
To godly vertue: andvyceto leue behynde.
For whyletheyar yongeferefulandtenderof age
Theyrevyceandfolyis easyto asswage.

Twodyuers
sortes
of these
folesmaywefynde.
By whome
theyrchyldrenar broughtto confusion.
Theoneis neglygent.
theotheris starkeblynde.
Nat wyllyngeto beholde
hischildesyl condicion.
Whyle he is in youthe: But for a conclusion
He isa Folethatwylnatsetheyrvyce.
Andhethatseyth:andwylit natchastyce.
Alas thou art a cursedcounselloure
To wantonyouththattenderisof age
To letthemwanderwithoutgouernoure
Orwysemayster,
in youthes
furiousrage
Getthemamayster
theyrfolyto asswage
Forasaherdles
flocke
strayth
inJepardy
Sochildren
without
gydewandreth
infoly.
Tomoche
lyberty
pleasoure
andlycence
Gyuen vntoyouth,
whetherit beorage
Rightoften
causyth
great
inconuenyence
Asryotmysrule
withothersoredamage
Theyr
londe
andgoodes
solde
orlayde
togage
Butthoufolysshe
fatherartredyto excuse
Thyyonge children
of theyrsynneandabuse
 theyrchildren. 47
Thou saystthey ar ouer tenderto eschewe
Theyr folysshemanersand they haueno skyll
To knowe the wayes of goodnesor vertue
Nor to discernewhat is gode,what is yll
Thou blyndedodartthesewordesholdethou styll
Theyr youth cannat excusethy folysshenes
He that canyll aswell myght lerne goodnes

A yonge hert is as apt to take wysdome

As is an olde, andif it rotyd be
It sawythsedeof holy lyfe to come
Also in childrenwe often tymesse
Greataptness
outwarde
andsyneof gruuyte
But fyll an erthenpot first \vith yll lycoure
And euer after it shall smell somwhat soure

So youth broughtvp in lewdnesandin sin

Shallskantit shrapesocleneout of his mynde
But that styll aftersomespotwyll bydewithin
A lytell twyggeplyantis by kynde
A byggerbraunche is hardeto boweor wynde
But sufferthebrauncheto a bygtre to growe
Andratherit shallbrakethanoutherwyndeor bo\ve

Correctthychildewhyleheis lykea twygge

Soupyllandplyant,apt to correccion
It wyllbehardeforsothwhanheis bygge
To bryngehis stubronherte to subieccion
What hurtythpunysshement with moderacion
Unto yongechildren,certaynely
no thynge
It voydethvyce,gettyngevertueandcunnynge
48 Oftheerudicwn
ofneglygent
fader
s
Say folysshefaderhaddestthou leuerse
Thy sonnes
neckevnwrested
wytha rope.
Than with a rod his skyn shuldebrokynbe.
And oft thou trustest: andhast a stedfasthope
To se thy sonpromotednereashye asis the Pope
But yet perchaunce mournethou shahful sore.
For his shameful ende: fortuned for lacke of lore.

Somefolowe theyr chyldrenswyl andlewdeplesour

Sograuntingethemtheyrmynde:that afterit dothfal
To theyr greatshame:they soroweanddolour
As dyd to Priamusa KyngeImperial
Whiche suffred his men : his son chefe of them al
By forcefromGreceto robbethe fayreHelayne.
WherbybothFaderandsonwereafterslayne.

With nobleHector andmanythousandes mo.

The Cyte of Troy vnto the ground clenebrent.
I rede in the Cronyclesof the Romaynsalso
Howe Tarquynethe proudehad shameandpunysshment
For rauysshyngechaste Lucres agaynst hyr assent.
Wherfore hyrselfesheslewehyr seyngethus defiled.
For the which dedethis Tarquyn wasexiled.

FromRome: wandrynge in the Costesof Italy.

Dyd nat the traytourCatelynealsoconspyre
And manymo sworneto his cruel tyranny
Agaynstthe Romansto oppressetheyr Impyre,
But he andall his were murdredfor theyr hyre,
And nat vnworthely. Beholdewherto they come
Which ar nat enfourmedin youth to ensuewysdom.
 Anetistthe^rchyklren. 49
The son oft foloweth the faders behauour
And if the fader be discrete and vertuous.

The sonshalsuchewayespractyseboth day and hour.

But if that the fader be lewde and vicious
By falshodelyuynge: andby wayescautelous.
The sonalsothe samewayeswyl ensue
And that mocherather than goodnesor vertue

Therforeit nedeththat better prouysion.

Were foundefor youtheby sadand wysecounsayle
Far from theyr fadersof this condicion.
And otherlewdegydeswhich myght theyr myndesassayle
Greuouslywyth syn. So were it theyr auayle
From theyrfadersfrawdeandfalshodeto declyne
And themsubmytto somelawdablemannysdoctryne.

Peleus,somtymea nobleandworthy kynge

SubduedAchyllesvnto the doctryne
Of phenixwhichewasboth worthy and cunnynge
Wherfcre Achyllysright gladly dyd enclyne
With his hert andmyndevnto his disciplyne
Wherby his nameso noble was at the last
That all Asy in worthyneshe past

RyghtsoPhilippusa kyngeworthyof name

Ouerall Grecemadegreatiniquicion
To fyndeonewyse,sadandlaudableof fame
To Alexanderhis sonnefor to gyue Instruccion
FoundewasgreatAristotyl at the conclusion
Discipleof Plato, whichein eueryScience.
Infourmedthis chyldewith parfytediligence.
50 Of theeruditionof neglygent
fciders
Whiche Alexanderafterwardhad so great dignyte.
What by his strength,his cunnynge,and boldenes.
That he was lorde both of Londe and See.
And nonedurstrebelagansthis \vorthynes.
Lo here the lawde, the honour, and nobles.
Which dotheprecedeof vertueanddoctryne
But fewar the fadersthat noweheretoinclyne

Fewear that forcethnoweadayes to se

Theyrchyldrentaught: or to do anycost
On somsadman,wyse,andof auctorite:
Al that is theronbestowed
thynkethey loste.
Thefolyssh
Faderoft tymesmaketh
greatboste.
That he his son to habundantriches shal auauce
Butnothynge
hespeketh
of vertuous
gouernance.

Thefedermade
butsmal
shyftorprouysion.
Toinduce
hisSonbyvertuous
doctryne.
Butwhanheisdtdeandpast:moche
lesshaltheson
Tostody
ofgrace
hismynde
orhertinclyne.
Butabuse
hisreason:
andfromalgood
declyne.
Alasfolysshe
faders
gyueyouraduertence
ToCrates
comphynt
comprysed
in thissentence.

If it were
graunted
tometoshewe
mythought
Yefollysshe
faders
Caytifes
I myght
youcal
Whiche
gather
riches
tobrynge
your
chylde
tonought.
Gyuynge
himoccasion
fortobeprodigal.
Butgoode
norcunnynge
shewe yehymnoneatall.
Butwhan
yedrawe
toage,
yethan
mostecomonly.
Sorowe
foryour
suffrance.
Butwithout
remedy.
 Anensttheyrchildren. 5i
An olde sore to hele is oft halfe incurable

Ryght so ar these Chyldren roted in myschefe

Someafter euerlyuetha lyfe abhomynable
To all theyr Kyn great soroweand reprefe.
The one is a murderer the other a fereles thefe,
The oneof godnor goodemanhath no fors ne care.
Another so out wasteth that his frendes ar ful bare.

Sometheyr londeandlyuelodein riot out wasteth,

At cardes,and,tenys,andother vnlawfulgamys.
And somewyth the Dyce theyr thryft awaycasteth.
Some theyr souledamnes,and theyr body shames.
With flesshlylust; which manyonedyffamys.
Spendynge the flouresof youth mochevnthryftely.
On dyuers Braunchesthat longe to Lechery.

Another delytethhymselfein Glotony.

Etynge anddrynkyngewithout maner,or mesure:
The morethat somedrynke: the morethey wax drye.
He is mosteGalantwhychelengestcanendure.
Thus without mesureouerchargethey theyr nature.
So that theyr Souleis loste theyr body andgoodeis spent.
For lackeof doctryne,Norture andpunysshment.

Se here playne prose, exampleand euydence

Howe youthewhich is nat norysshedin doctryne.
In ageis gyuenvnto al Inconuenyence.
But noughtshallmakeyouthesonerforto inclyne.
To noblemaners: nor Godly dysciplyne:
Than shalthe doctryneof a maysterwyseandsad:
For the rote of vertueand wysdometherby is had.
52 Of theerudition
ofnegligent
faders.
Without dout Noblenesis mocheexcellent
Whicheoft causeth
youthto be hadin greathonour.
To hauethe name,and la\vde they ar content.
Thougheit be nat gottenby theyrownelabour.
But what auayleththemthis lewdeobscureerrour
Of suchehyebyrthethemself to magnyfy.
Sythetheydefyleit with viceandUilany.
Why art thouproudethoufoul of that nobles
Whycheis nat gottenby thyneownevertue.
By thy goodemaners,wyt nor worthynes:
But this forsotheoft tymesfyndeI true
That of a goodebeste,yl whelpesmay weshewe.
In lyke wyseof a Moderthat is bothechastandgoode.
Oftenis broughtforth a ful vngraciousErode.

But though the childe be of lewde condicion

And of his naturefrowardeandvaryable
If the fader be slacke in the correccion
Of his childe,he onelyis culpable
Whichewyll nat techehym manerscommendable
Thus is the fader a fole for his suffraunce
And the sonealsofor his mysgouernaunce

THE ENUOY.

Auoyd fadersyour fauour and suffraunce

Anenstyour childrenin theyr fauteandoffence
Reduceye clerelyvnto your remembraunce
That manya thousandeinconuenyence
Hauechildrendoneby theyrfadersnegligence
But to saytrouth brefely in oneclause
The fader'sfauour onely is the cause
Of tale berers,fals reporters, and
prometersof stryfes.

Of folysyet fynde1 anothermanersorte

Whichear causeof brawlyngestryfeanddeuysion
Suchear dowbletongydthat lesyngysreporte
Therby trustyngeto cometo greatpromosion
But suchelewdecaytyfesat theconclusion
Bytwenetwo mylstonstheyrleggesputtesto grynde
And for rewarde,theyrconfusion
shalltheyfynde.
54 Of taleberers
fals reporters,
Somear that thynkethe pleasoureandioy of theyr lyfe
To bryngemenin brawlynge to discorde
anddebate
Enioyngeto mouethemto chydynge andto stryfe
And where loue before was to cause mortall hate

With the comonty,and many great estate

Suche is moche wors than outher murderer or thefe

For ofte of his talysprocedethgretemyschefe

Within his mouth is venym Jeperdousand vyle

His tongestyll laborythlesyngesto contryue
His myndestyll musethof falshodeand on gyle
Therwith to trobyll sucheasgladlywoldenat stryue
Somtymehis wordesas dartis he doth dryue
Agaynst good men: for onely his delyte.
Is set to sclaunderto diffameandbacbyte.

And namelythem that fautles ar and innocent.

Of conscienceclene,and manerscommendable
Thesedryuylssclaunder,beyngefull dilygent.
To deuyde,louersthat ar mosteagreable
His tongeInfect his myndeabhomynable
Infectythloueandouertourneth
charyte
Of themthat longetymehauelyuydin amyte

But he that accusedis thus without all faute

And sosclaundred
of thiscaytyfvnthryfty
Knowythnoughtof this ieoperdousassaute
For he noughtdowteththat is no thyngefauty
Thuswhylehe noughtferythcomythsodaynly
This venemousdolouredistaynynge hisgodename
And sogyltlesput to rebuke,andto shame.
 Andprometersof stryfes. 55
Thus if one serche and seke the worlde ouerall

Than a backbyternoughtis moreperyllous

His mynde myscheuous,his wordys ar mortall
His damnablebyt is foule and venemous
A thousandelyes of gyles odyous
He castyth out where he \volde haue debate
Engendryngemurderwhanhe his tyme canwayt

Where as any frendes lyueth in accorde

Faythfull andtrue : this cowardeandcaytyf
With his fals talysthembryngeth to dyscorde
And with his venym kepeth them in stryfe
But howebeit that he thus pasforth his lyfe
Sawyngehis sedeof debateand myschefe
His darte oft retourneth to his own reprefe

But nat withstandynge,sucheboldely wyl excuse

His fals dyffamynge: asfautlesandinnocent.
If any hym for his dedesworthely accuse
He couerethhis venym: as sympleof intent.
Other ar whicheflater: andto euery thyngeassent.
Before facefolowyngethe way of adulacion,
Whiche afterwarde sore hurteth by detraccion.

The worldeis nowealle set on dyffamacion.

Suchear mostecherisshed that best canforge a tale.
Whych shuldebe mostehad in abhomynacion.
And so they ar of wysemenwithout fayle.
But sucheasar voydeof wysdomand counsayle
Inclyneththeyr erys to sclanderanddetraccion,
Mocherather than they \\olde to a noblesermon.
56 Of talebererSjfahreporters.
But euerySclanderer,
andbegynner
of stryfe.
Lousersof loue,andginfecters
of Charite.
Unworthyar to lyuehereat largein thislyfe.
But in derke Dongeonthey worthy ar to be.
And thereto remaynein prysontyl they dye.
For with thereyl tungesthey labourto destroy
Concorde: whiche causeis of loue and of ioy.

An oldequeanthat hath bennoughtal hyr dayes.

Whiche oft hath for moneyhyr body let to hyre
Thynketh that al otherdoth folowehyr olde wayes.
So sheandhyr boul felawessyttingeby the fyre.
The Bouleaboutwalkyngewith theyr tungesthey conspyre
Agaynstgoodepeple,to sclanderthem wyth shame.
Than shalthe noughtydoughterlerneof the bawdy dame.

By his warkesknovvenis euery creature

For if one good, louynge, meke and charitable be.
He laboursno debatesamongemen to procure.
But coueytethto norysshetrue loue and charite.
Where asthe other ful of falshodeandiniquyte
Theyr syngulerplesourput to ingendervariaunce.
But oft theyrfolysshe
stodyretournes
to theyrmyschaunce

Therforeye bacbyters
that folkethusdyffame
Leueof your lewdnesandnote wel this sentence.
WhichCryisthymselfsayd: to greatrebukeandshame
Unto them that sclandretha man of Innocence.
Wo be to themwhychby malyuolence
Slandrethor dyffamethany creature.
But wel is hym that wyth paciencecanindure.
Of hym that wyll nat folowe nor ensue
good counsell,and necessary.

Of folys yetanothersortedoth come

Vnto ourshyprowyngewith greattrauayle
Whichenoughtperceyue of doctrynenor wysdome
And yet dysdayne theyto askewysecounseyll
Nor it to folowe for theyr owneauayle
Let suchefolys therat haueno dysdayne
If they alone enduretheyr losseand payne
58 Of hymthatwyllnutfolowe
He is a fole that dothecoueytand desyre
To hauethe nameof wysdomeandprudence
Andyetof onesoughtthorugha cyteor a shyre
None coudebe foundeof lessewysdomenor science
But whylehe thynkethhym full of sapience
Craftyandwyse,doutleshe is moreblynde
Than is that fole whiche is out of his mynde

But thoughhe be wyse,andof myght meruaylous

Endued with retoryke and with eloquence
And of hym selfeboth wareandcautelous
If he be tachyd with this inconuenyence
To dysdayneotherscounseylland sentence
He is vnwyse,for oft a folys counsayle
Tournetha wysemanto confortandauayle

But speciallythe readandauysement

Of wysemen,discrete,andfull of grauyte
Helpeththyneowne,be thou neverso prudent
To thy purpose
gyuyngestrengthandaudacyte.
One manaloneknowysnat all polycye
Thoughe
thouhauewysdome
cunnynge
andscyence
Yet hathanothermoche
moreexperience

Somecastout wordesin payntedeloquence

Thynkynge therbyto be reputedwyse
Thoughetheyhaueneytherwysdome nor science
Suchemanerfolysthemselfdo exercyse
A plugheandteamecraftelyto deuyse
To erethe paththat folysersthathmade
Thetrouthvndergloseof suche
is hydandlayde
 Goodcounsell
and necessary. 59
For why,theytrustalwayto theyrownemynde
And furour begonwhetherit be goodor yll
As if any other, no wyserreadcoudefynde
Thus they ensuetheyr pryuatefolysshe\vyll
Oft in suchematerswherin they haueno skyll
As did Pyrrus whichebegancruell Batayle
AgaynstOrestesrefusyngewysecounsayle

But folowydhis ownerasshemyndewithout auayle

As blyndeandobstynatof his intencion
Wherfore he wasdisconfytedin Batayle
Hymselfeslayne,his men put to confusyon
If that the Troyansin theyr abusyon
With falseParys,hadconfourmedtheyr intent
To HelennscounsayleTroy had nat benbrent.

For that Priamushis myndewoldenat aply

To the counseyllof Cassandra Prophetes
The grekysdistroyeda great parteof Asy
Hector alsoby his selfwyllydnes
Was slaynewith Peyn for all his doughtynes
Of Achyllesin openandplayneBatayle
For nat folowyngeof his faderscounsayle

If Hector that dayhad byddynwithin Troy

And vnto his fader bene obedient

Perchauncehe sholdehauelyuyd in welth andioy

Longe tyme after and cometo his intent
Whereashis body waswith a sperethroughrent
Of the saydAchyllys cruell and vnkynde
Alas for suyngehis owneselfwyllydmynde
60 Of hymthatwyll natfolowe
\ rede of Nero moche cursed and cruell

Whiche to wysecounsaylehymselfwoldenat agre

But in all myschefall otherdyd excell
Delytyngehymin synneandcrueltye
But howedydehe endeforsothin myserye
And at the last aswery of his lyfe
Hymselfe
hemurdred
withhisownehandandknyfe

The Bybyllwytnessyth
howethe propheteThoby
Gaue his dere sone in chefe commaundement
That if he woldelyue sure without ieoperdy
He sholdesuethe counsayle of men wyseandprudent
The story of Roboamis alsoeuydent
Whiche for nat suyngeof counseyllandwysdome
Lost his Empyre, his scepterandkyngdome

If that it were nat for cawseof breuyte

I coude shewemany of our predecessours
Whiche nat folovvyngecounceyllof menof grauyte
Soonehauedecayedfrom theyr olde honours
I redeof Dukes, Kynges,and Emperours
Whichedispysynge
the counsayle
of menof age
Haueafterhadgreatsoroweanddamage.

For he suerlywhicheis soobstynate

That onelyhe trustethto his owneblyndnes
Thynkynge
allwysdome
withinhisdotynge
pate
He oftenendythin soroweanddystres
Wherforelet suchetheyrcoursswyftlyaddres
To drawe
ourPlough,
anddepeto eretheground
Thatby theyrlaboure
all folysmaybefounde.
 Goodcounsel!and necessary. 6I

THEENUOYOF ALEXANDER BARCLAY THE TRANSLATOUR.

O manvnauysed,thy blyndnesset asyde

Knowledgethy ownefoly thy statelynesexpel
Let nat for thy eleuatemyndenor folysshepryde.
To order thy dedesby goodeandwysecounsel
Howbeitthou thynke thy reasondoth excel
Al othermennyswyt. yet oft it doth befall.
Anothersis mochesurer: and thyn the worst of all.
Of disordredand vngoodly maners.

Draw*.1nereye folys of lewdecondicion

Of yll behauoure gestand countenaunce
Your proudclokys, disdayneand derysyon
Expressrthyour inwardefolyssheignoraunct-
Nowe wyll T toucheyour madmysgoueraunce
Whiclu- h:ist to foly, And folysshecompany
Treylynge your Baybllin sygneof your foly
 Of disordred
andvnpoodly
maners.
In this our tyme smallis the company
That hauegoodmanersworthy of reuerence
But manythousandes folowe vylany
Proneto all synneandinconuenyence
Stryuyngewho sonestmaycometo all offence
Of lewde condicions and vnlefulnesse

Blyndnesof yll, and defylydfolysshene^se

All myserablemenalashaueset theyr mynde

On lothsomemanersclenedestytuteof grace
Theyr iyen dymmyd,theyr hertesare soblynde
That heuenlyioy noneforcethto purchace
Both yongeandolde procedethin onetrace
With rycheandporewithout all dyfference
As bonde men subduedto foly and offence

Some ar busshedtheyr bonetes,set on syde.

Somewanetheyr armysandhedeto andfro
Somein no placecanstedfastlyabyde
More wylde andwantonthan outherbuk or do
Somear so proudethat on fote they cannat go
But get they mustwith countenaunce vnstable
Shewyngethem folys, frayle andvaryable

Some chyde that all men do them hate

Somegygyll and lawgh without grauyte
Somethynkes,hymselfea gentylmanor state
Though he a knauecaytyf andbondechurle be
Thesefolys ar soblynde themself they cannat so
A yongeboy that is nat worth an onyon
With gentry or presthodeis feloweand coinpanyon.
64 Of dlsordred
andvngoodly
maners.
Brybours
andBaylyes
thatlyueupontowlynge
Are in the world mocheset by nowea dayes
Sergeauntis
andCatchpollys
that lyueuponpowlynge
Courtersandcaytyfsbegynnersof frayes
Lyue styll encreasynge
theyr vnhappywayes
And a thousande mo of dyuersfacultyes
Lyue auauntyrigethemof theyr enormytees.

Within the chircheandeueryotherplace

Thesefolysusetheyr lewdecondicions
Somestaryngesomecryengsomehauegreat solace
In rybawdewordes, somein deuysyons
Somethem delyte in scornesand derysons
Somepryde ensuethandsomeglotony.
Without all norture gyuen to vylany

Theyr lyfe is folysshelothsomeand vnstable

Lyght brayned,theyr herte andmyndeis inconstant
Theyr gateandlokeproudeandabhomynable
Theyhauenor orderasfolysignorant
Chaungyngtheyr myndesthrysein oneinstant
Alasthislewdnesandgreatenormyte
Wyll themnat suffertheyrwretchydnes
to se

Thusar thesewretchyd
caytyfes
fullyblynde
All menandwymenthat goodar doth themhate
But hethatwithgoodmaners
endueth
hismynde
Auoydeth this wrath hateredand debate
His dedes
pleaseth
bothcomontyandestate
And namelysucheasar goodandlaudable
Thynkethhisdedesright andcommendable
 Of dlsordred
andvngoodly
maners. 65
As wysemensayth: both vertueandcunnynge
Honoureandworshypgraceandgodlynes
Of worthy manerstake theyr begynnynge
And fere alsoasswagythwantones.
Subduyngethe furour of youtheswylfulnes
But shamefastnestrouth Constance
andprobyte
Both yongeandolde bryngeth to great dignyte.

Theseforesaydevertueswith chariteandpeas.
Together assembled stedfastin mannysmynde.
Cawsethhis honourand worthynesto encreas.
And his godly lyfe a godly endeshalfynde
But theselewdecaytyfswhich doth theyr myndesblynde
With corrupt manerslyuyngevnhappely.
In shamethey lyue andwretchedlythe} dye.
Of brekynge
andhurtynge
of amyte
and
frendshyp.

He that iniustycevsethand greuance

Agaynst all reasonlawe and equyte
By vyolcntforce puttyngeto vtteraunce
A symplemanfull of humylyte
Sucheby his lewdnesand iniquyte.
Makytha grauewherinhymselfeshalllye.
And lewdlyhe dyeththat lyuethcrudlyc.
 Ofamyteandfrends
hyp. 67
A Pole frowarde cruell and vntrewe

Is he whicheby his powerwrongfully

His frendes and subiectes laboures to subdewe
Without all lawe, but cleneby tyranny
Therfore thou Jugethy erys se thou aply
To right Justyceandset nat thyne intent
By wrath or malyceto be to vyolent.

It is nat lawfullto any excellent

Or myghtyman,outherlawyer or estate
By cruelnesto oppressean innocent
Ne by pryde and malyceJustyce to violate
The law transposyngeafter a frowarde rate
With proudewordesdefendynge his offence
God wot oft suchehauesympleconscience

O that he cursed is and reprouable

Whiche day andnyght stodyethbesely
To fynde somemeanesfalseanddetestable
To put his frendeto losseor hurte therby
Our hertesar fully set on vylany
There ar right fewe of hye or lowedegre
That lusteto norysshetrewe loue andamyte

Alas exyledis godly charyte

Out of our Royalmewe all ar so vnkynde
Our folys settyth gretter felycyte
On goldeandgoodesthan on a faythfull frynde
Awake blyndefolys andcall vnto your mynde
That though honestrychesbe mochecommendable
Yet to a true frende it is nat comparable
68 Of brekynge
andhurtynge
Of all thyngesloue is mosteprofitable
For the right order of lowe andamyte
Is of theyr manersto be agreable
And one of other haue mercy andpyte
Echedoyngefor other after theyr degre
And without falshodethis frendeshypto mayntayne
And nat departefor pleasournor for payne

But alasnoweall peoplehauedysdayne

On suchefrendshypfor to set theyr delyte
Amyte we haueexyledout certayne
We lowe oppressyon to sclaunderandbacbyte
Extorcyonhath strength,pyte goneis quyte
Nowe in the worlde suche frendes ar there none
As were in Grece many yeres agone.

Who lyst thystory of Patroclusto rede

There shallhe seplaynewryten without fayle
Howe whanAchyllysgaueno forcenor hede
Agaynstthe Troyansto executebatayle
The sayd Patroclus dyd on the aparayle
Of Achylles, and went forth in his steade
AgaynstHector: but lyghtly he wasdede.

But than Achyllesseyngethis myschaunce.

Befallenhisfrendewhichewasto hymsotrue.
He hym addressyd
shortly to take vengeaunce.
And so in Batayle the noble Hector slewe
And his dede cors after his charot drewe.
Upon the groundetraylyngeruthfully behynde
Se howe he auengydPatroclus his frende.
 Ofamyteandfrendshyp. 69
The hystoryalsoof Orestesdothe expresse
Whiche whanagamenon his faderwasslayne
By egystuswhicheagaynstrightvvysnes
The saydeOrestismoderdyd meyntayne
The childewasyongewherforeit wasbut vayne
In youth to stryue,but whanhe cameto age
His naturall moder slewehe in a rage

And alsoEgystuswhichehad his faderslayne

Thus toke he vengeaunce of both theyr cruelnes
But yet it greweto his greatcareandpayne
For sodaynlyhe fell in a madnesse
And euer thought that in his furiousnes
His moderhym suedflamyngefull of fyre
And euerhis deth wasredy to conspyre

Orestestroubledwith this fereful vysyon

As franatykeand madwandredmanya day
Ouer manya countreylondeandregyon
His frendePyladesfolowyngehym alway
In paynenor wo he woldehym nat denay
Tyll he restorydagaynewasto his mynde
Alas what frynde may we fyndenoweso kynde.

Of dymadeswhat shallI lawdeor wryte.

And Pythiashis felaweamyable
Whiche in echeother sucheloue had anddelyte
That whanDenysa tyrant detestable
And of his men someto hym agreable
Wolde one of them haue mordredcruelly
Echone for other offred for to dye
yo Qfhurtynge
amyte
andfrends
hyp.
Ualeriuswrytytha storylongeandample
Of Lelius and of worthy Cipio.
Whicheof trewelouehath left vs greatexample
For they neuerleft in dolourewelenor wo
I redein thystoryof Theseus
also:
Howehe (asthe Poetesfablesdothtell)
Folowydhis felaweperothusin to hell.
And serchynge
hym dyd wanderandcompas
Those lothsomeflodys and wayestenebrous
Feryngeno paynesof that dysordredplace
Nor obscuremystesor ayresodyous
Tyll at the lasteby his wayescautelous
And Herculesvalyauntdedesof boldnesse
He gat Perothusout of that wretchydnesse,
Ahis wherear suchefrendesnowe a dayes
Suerly in the worlde none suchecan be founde
All folowetheyr owneprofyteandlewdewayes
Nonevnto othercoueytysto be bounde
Brekersof frendshypynoughar on the grounde
Whichesetnoughtby frendshyp
sotheymayhauegood
All suchein my shypshallhauea folys hode
THE ENUOYOF BARKI.AY TO THE FOLYS.

Ye cruellfolysfull of ingratitude.
Arysebe asshamyd of your iniquyte
Mollyfy your hertesvnkyndestuberneandrude
Graffynge
in themtrueloueandamyte
Consyder
thisprouerbeof antyquyte
And your vnkyndnes
weraybanandcurse
Forwhether thoubeof hyor lowedegre
Betteris afrendein courtethana penyin purse
Of contempt, or dispisynge of holy
scripture.

He that gyuethhis erysor credence

To eueryfolys talys or talkynge
Thynkyngemorewysdome
andfruytfull sentence
In theyr vaynetalys than is in the redynge
Of bokeswhicheshewevs the way of godly lyuynge
And soulyshelth: forsothsucheoneis blynde
And in this shypthe ankershallvp wynde.
72 Of contempt
or despisynge
Sucheasdispyseth
auncyent
scripture
Whiche prouydis of greatauctoryte
And hath no pleasourefelycyteor cure
Of godlyProphetis
whiche
wroteof veryte
A fole he is for his mostefelycyte
Is to byleuethe talesof anoldewyfe
Ratherthan the doctryneof eternalllyfe

TheholyBybyllgroundeof trouthandof lawe

Is noweof manyabiectandnoughtset by
Nor godlyscriptureis nat worth an hawe
But talysar louydgroundeof rybawdry
And manyblynddydar sowith theyr foly
That no scripturethynke they so true nor gode
As is a folyssheyestof Robynhode.

He that to scripture\vyll not gyue credence

Wherin ar the armysof our tuycion
And of our fayth foundacionand defence
Sucheone ensuethnat the condycion
Of manresonable, but by abusyon
Lyuyth asa bestof conscyencecruell
As sauethis worldewereneytherhcuennor hell.

He thynkeththat there is no god aboue

Nornobler
placethanisthiswretchyd
grounde
Nor goddes
powersucheneytherferenor loue
With whomall graceandmercydothabounde
Whichewhanhymlystvswretches
mayconfounde
Alaswhatauaylethto gyueinstruccion
To suche
lewdefolysof thiscondycion.
 of Holy Scripture. 73
It noughtauaylethvnto them to complayne
Of theyr blyndnes,nor enfourmethemwith vertue
Theyr cursedlyfe wyll by no meanrefrayne
Their viciousnes,nor their erroure eschewe
But rather stody theyr foly to renewe
Alas what profytis to sucheto expresse.
The heuenly ioy, rewarde of holynesse.

Alas what auaylethto sucheto declare

The paynesof hell, wo dissolateand d<.rke
No wo nor care can cause suche to beware

From their lewdelyfe corrupt andsynfullwarke

What profyteth sermons of any nobleclarke
Or godly lawestaught at any Scolys
For to reherseto thesemyscheuous folys.

What helpeththe Prophetisscriptureor doctryne

Unto thesefolysobstynateandblynde
Their hertisar harde,nat wyllyngeto enclyne
To theyrpreceptis
nor rotethemin theyrmynde
Nor thembyleueasCristenmenvnkynde
For if that they consydredheuenor hell
They woldenat be so cursedandcruell

And certaynlythe trouthaperethplayne

That thesefolys thynke in theyr intent
That withinhell is neythercarnor payne
Hete nor colde,woo,nor otherpunysshement
Nor that for synnersis ordeynedno turment
Thusthesemadfolyswandretheueryhoure
Without amendement
styll in theyr blyndeerroure
 74 Of contempt
of Holy Scripture.
Beforethy fetethou maystbeholdeand se
Of our holy fayth the bokyseuydent
The olde lawesandnewelaydear beforethe
Expressynge christestryumpheright excellent
But for all this set is nat thyne intent
Theyr holy doctryneto plantwithin thy brest
Wherof sholdprecedeioy andeternallrest
Trowestthou that thy selfewyllyd ignoraunce
Of godlylawesandmystycalldoctryne
May denseor excusethy blyndemysgouernaunce
Or lewdeerroure,whichescornehast to inclyne
To theyrpreceptis
: andfromthy synnedeclyne
Naynaythy cursedignoraunce
sothlyshall
Brownethy soulein the depeflodesinfernall
Therforelet nonehis cursydnes
defende
Nor holydoctryne,norgodlybokesdispyse
But ratherstodyhis fawtesto amende
For godis aboueall our dedes
to deuyse
Whicheshallrewarde
themin a ferefullwyse
With mortall wo that euer shall endure
Whichehauedyspysyd
hisdoctryne
andscripture
BARCLAYTO THE FOLYS.
Outof yourslomber
folysI redeyouryse.
Scripturedyuyne,to foloweandinbrace
Benatsoboldeit to leuenordispyse
But youenforceit to get andpurchase
Remember
mannysconfort andsolace.
Is holyclosyd
withinthebokeof lyfe
Whothatit foloweth
hathaspecial!
grace
Buthethatdothnatawretche
isandcaytyfe
Of folys without prouysyon.

He is a fole forsoth and worse

That to his saddyllwoldelepeon hye

Before or he hauegyrt his horse
For downehe comyswith an euyll thee
But asgreata foleforsothis he
And to be lawghedto derysyon.
That oughtbegynneth
withoutprouysyon
76 Ofjblyswithout
prouysyon.
Of otherfolysyetis a mochenomber
Whom I woldegladlybryngeto intellygence
To auoydetheir blyndneswhich soredoth incomber
Theyrmyndeandhertefor lackyngeof science
Suchear vnwareandgyuento neglygence
Mad andmysmyndyd pryuateof wysdome
Makyngeno prouysyonfor the tymeto come.

If anymysfortuneaduersyteor wo
As often hapnyth, to suchea fole doth fall
Than saythhe I thoughtit woldenat hauebe so
But than ouer late is it agayneto call
It is nat ynoughthou fole to sayI shall
For this one daye prouyde me by wysdome
A wysemanseythperyll longebeforeit come

He is vnwyseandof prouysyonpore
That noughtcansebeforehe hauedamage
Whan the stedeis stolynto shyt the stabledore
Comyssmallpleasoure profyteor vauntage
But he that cansuchefolysshenes asswage
Begynnynge by counsayll,andfore prouydence
Is sureto escapeall inconuenyence

WhanAdamtastydthe appyllin Paradyse.

To hym prohybyteby dyuynecommaundement
If hehadnotedthe endeof hisinterpryse
To Euehe woldenat hauebenobedyent
Thushe enduredright bytterpunysshement
For his blyndeerroureandimprouydence
That all his lynagerue sorefor his offence.
 Ofjblys withoutprouysyon. 77
Hymselfedryuyn out from Paradyceall bare
With Eue, into this vale of wretchydnes
To get theyr lyuynge with laboure payneand care
And also if Jonathasby errour and blyndnes
Had nat receyuedthe gyftis of falsnes
Unto hym gyuen of Tryphon by abusyon
He sholdehaueescapydgreatconfusyon

If that he beforehadnotyd craftely

His ennemyes gyftis of frawdefull andof treason
He myght hauesauydhymselfefrom ieoperdy
And all his people by prouydenceand reason
Where as he blynde was as at that season
And to a cyte broughte in by a trayne
Where he was murdred and all his people slaync

Julius Cesarthe chefeof conquerours

Was euer warre and prudent of counsayle
But whanhe hadobteynedgreathonours
And drewe to rest as wery of Batayle
Than his vnwarnescausydhym to wayle
For if he hadred with goodaduysement
The letter whiche to the counselhous was sent

He had nat gyuenhis owneiugement

As he dyd by his foly andneglygence
For whichehe murdredwasincontynent
Without respect had vnto his excellence
Alas se here what inconuenyence
Came to this Emperour hye and excellent
For nat beyng wyse dyscrtte and prouydtnt
78 Qff°fyswithout
prouysyon.
If Nichanor before had noted well
The endeof hisdedeshe hadnat be slayne
By Judas
andthechildren
of Israeli
His handeandtungecut of to his greatpayne
And thanhis hede,asthe bybyll shewethplayne
Thusmayall knowethat wyll thertoentende
Whertotheycomethat carythnat the ende
But he that begynnethby counsayllandwysdome
Alway procedynge with goodprouysyon
Notyngewhat is pastandwhat is for to come
Suchefolowysgodly scriptureandmonycion
In happy wayeswithout transgressyon
Of goddeslawes,andhis commaundement
And oftentymescomysto his intent.
Thus it apperethplayne and euydent
That wyseprouysyon,profe and good counsayle
Are mochelaudable,and also excellent
And to mankyndegreatprofyteandauayle.
Where asthosefolyshaueoftencauseto wayle
For theyr mysfortune,in sorowevexed sore
Whiche oughtbegynnat prouydydbefore

THE ENUOYOF ALEXANDER BARCLAY.

O manrememberthou canstenat abyde

Styll in thislyfetherforemostespecially
For thy lastendethououghtest to prouyde.
For thatprouysion forsothis mostgodly
Andthannextafterthymyndethououghtaply
To fleoffence,
andbewayle
thyneoldesynne
Andin all workes
andbesynes
worldly
Whatmaybetheende
marke
wellor thoubegynne
Of disordred loue and veneryous.

HeredrawewefoJysmad togytherbounde
Whom Uenuscaughthathin hyr neta snare
Whoseblyndehertesthis forourdothconfounde
Theyr lyfe consumynge
in soroweshameandcare
Manyonesheblyndethalasfewecanbeware
Of hyr darteshedyd with shameand vylany
But he that is wondyd can skantyndc remedy
80 Of disordred
loueandveneryous.
O cruel Uenus forsoth who doth insue
Thy flateryngegylysandproudecommaundement
And hastyth nat the dartis to eschewe
Of blynde Cupidobut folowyshisintent
Suchefolys enduremochesoroweandturment
Wastyngetheyr goodesdishonestynge their name
As pastfere of god andsekyngeafter shame

Howe manyyllys, what inconuenyence

Howe greatvengeaunce, andhowebytter punysshement
Hath god oft takyn for this synneandoffence
Howe manyCyteeshye and excellent
Hath Uenus lost, destroyed,and alto brent
What lordes and howe many a great estate
Hath loue lost, murdred, or els brought in debate

The nobleTroyansmurdredar and slayne

Theyr cyte brent, decaydeis theyr kyngdome
Theyr kyngepryant by pyrrus dedeand slayne
And all this by Parysvnhappyloue is come
Whiche voydeof graceandblyndewithout wysdome
To fyll his lust, from Grecerubbyd Helayne,
But this onepleasourwasgroundeof mochepayne

Also Marcusa Prynceof the Romayns

CalledAntonius by anothername
After that he hadouercomethe persyans
To Rome retournyd with tryumphe lawde and fame
And there (whicheafter wasto his greatshame)
With cleopatrain loue wastake soin blyndnes
That he promysydto makehir empresse
 Of dlsordredloneand veneryous. 8 I
So this blynde louerto fyll his interpryse
Causedhis mentwo hondredshyppesordayne
And toke the seewenyngein suchefourmeandwyse
His lewdedesyre: to perfourmeandobteyne
But shortlyafter washe ouercomeandslayne
Of Cesar: andwhanhe this purposevnderstode
He bathed his Corse within his lemmans blode

For two serpentisthat venemuswere and fell

Were set to the brestisof fayre Cleopatray
So this cruell purposehadpunysshement cruell
For theyr intendyngetheyr countreyto betray
And worthy they were,what mancanit denay
Thus it aperethplayneby euydence
That of falseloue comethgreatinconuenyence

For he that loueth is voyde of all reason

Wandryngein the worldewithout laweor mesure
In thought and fere sorevexedecheseason
And greuousdoloursin loue he mustendure
No creature hym selfe may well assure
From louessoft dartis: I saynoneon the grounde
But madandfolysshebydeshe whichehath the wounde

Aye rennyngeasfranatykeno reasonin his mynde

He hath no constaunce nor ease within his herte

His iyen ar blynde,his wyll alwayeinclyned

To louys preceptesyet cannat he departe
The Net is stronge,the fole caughtcannat starte
The darteis sharpe,who euer is in the chayne
Can nat his sorowein vysagehyde nor fayne
82 Of disordred
loneandveneryous.
Redehowe Phedrahir loue fixed so feruent
On ypolitusin prohybyteauowtry.
That whan he wolde nat vnto hir consent
To hir husbonde sheaccused hym falsly
As if he woldehir taneby forceto vylany
Ipolituswasmurdredfor this accusement
But Phedrafor wo hangedhyrselfincontynent

The lewde loue of Phasypheabhomynable

As poetissayth)broughthir to hir confusyon
Nero the cruell Tyrant detestable.
His naturall mother kneweby abusyon
Uenus and Cupido with their collusyon.
EnflamydMessalinain suchewyse
That euery nyght hir selfe she wolde disgyse

And secretlygo to the brothelhous

For to fulfyll hir hote concupyssence
What shallI wryte the dedesvicious
Of Julia or, hir cruell offence.
What shallI wryte the inconuenyence
Whichecameby Danythys cursedauowtry
Syththatthebybyllit shewythopenly

WhatshallI wrytethegreuous
forfayture
Of Sodom
andGoraorsynsthe Bybylldothtell
Of their synnesagaynstgod andnature
For whichethey sankealyuedowneinto hell.
Thusit aperithwhatpunysshement
cruell.
Our lordehath takenboth in the olde laweandnewe
For this synne: whichesholdevs moueit to eschewe
 Qfdisordredhueandveneryous. 83

ALEXANDER BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Ye folys inflamydwith loue inordynate.

Note theseexamples,drawefrom this vyceyour mynde
Rememberthat there is none so great estate
But that falseloue hym causethto be blynde
Our folysshewymenmay nat be left behynde
For manyof themso folowysin this way
That they sell theyr soulesandbodyesto go gay

The gracelesgalantes,andthe aprentycepore

Though they noughthaue,themselfethey set noughtby
Without they be acquayntedwith somehore
Of westmynster or someother placeof rybawdry
Than fall they to murdertheft androbery.
For werenat proudeclothynge,andalsoflesshelylust
All the fetersandgyuesof Englondeshulderust.

Therfore folys awake,andbe no longerblynde

Consyderthat shame,seknes,andpouertye
Of loue procedeth: anddrawefrom it your mynde
Suffrenot your soulesdamnedandlost to be
By vaynelust andcarnallsensualyte
For thoughethe smallpleasuredo makethe fayne
The endeoft is worldly wo andmyserye
Or amongethe fendeseternal! payne
Of themy* synne
trustynge
vponthe
mercyof god.

Who that styll synnethwithout contricion

Trustyngegoddesmercyandbenygnyte
Bycausehe sparythour transgressyon
And hethatthynkethiusticeandequyte
Is nat in god as well as is petye
Sucheis forsothwithoutdiscressyon
Synshe thus synnethupon presumpcion
 Of themthatsynne. 85
The wyndeis up our Nauyis aflote
A bandeof Folysa hordeis comeyet more
Theyr cursedmanersand mad I shall nowe note
Whose hertefor synneis neythercontrytene sore
Nat mornynge(as they ought to do) therfore
Without fere styll lyuyngein theyr vyciousnes
No thyngeinclynedto godly holynes

They thynkeno thyngeon goddesrightwysnes

But groundethemall, on his mercyandpyte
For that he redyeris vnto forgeuenesse
Unto all people, than them punysshedto se
Trouth it is that the great enormyte
Of the worldehathe nat aye worthy punysshemem
Nor he nat damnydthat doth his synnerepent

Put casehe gyuyth nat ayelyke iugement

On mannysmysdede,nor yet mundayneoffence
And thoughhe be godemekeandpacyent
Nor shortly punysshethour inconuenyence
Put casealso he gyue nat aduertence
To all mundaynefawtessynneandfragylyte
Yet nonesholdesynnein hopeof his mercy

But these folys assembledin a companye

Sayth echeto other that oft it is laufull
To perseuerantsynnerslyuyngein iniquyte
Yo trust in god synshe is mercyfull
What nedethvs our wyttis for to dull
Labouryngeour synneandfoly to refrayne
Synssynneis a thyngenaturallandhumayne
86 Of themthatsynne
Thansaythanother
forsoththousaystplayne
And alsoour fore Faders and progenitours
Beforeour dayesoffendydhauecertayne.
As well aswe, in manyblyndeerrours
But synstheyhaueescapyd
all paynes
anddolours
Of hell; and nowe in heuyn ar certayne
What nedehauewe to fere infernall payne.

Thancomysin an otherwith his dotysshebrayne

By godsaythhe I knoweit without fable
That heuyn was madeneyther for gosenor crane
Nor yet for other bestesvnresonable
Than of the Scripture doth he Chat and bable
Alleggyngeour forefaders
whichehauemysdone
Sayngethat no synneis newe in our season

A myserable mendestytuteof reason.

That thus on hopedo synnevnhappely
Rememberthe synneof our forefadersdone
Haueneuerbenleft vnpunysshed fynally
And that somtyme,
full sharpeandbytterly
For euer more all synnehath had a fall
With sorowehere, or els wo infernall

The synneof Sodomfoule and nat natural

The Prydeof rome,whichewasso excellent
Theoffence
of DauydProphete
andkyngeroyal
The furour of Pharaofyersandviolent
Hauenatescapedthe rightwyse
punysshment
Of Godaboue,the celestial
andhigheJustice
Whichfyrst,or lastpunyssheth
eueryvyce.
 Trustyngevponthemercyof god. 87
RememberRichardelately kyngeof price
In Englonderaynyngevnrightwiselya whyle.
Howe he ambycion,andgyleful Couetyse
With innocentblode his handesdyd defyle
But howbeitthat fortuneon hym dyd smyle
Two yere or thre: yet god sendehym punysshment
By his true seruantthe redeRoseredolent.
Therfore rememberthat godomnypotent
Oft suffreth synnersin theyr iniquyte
Grauntyngethem spaceand tymeof amendement
And nat to precedein their enormyte
But those synnersthat byde in one degre
And in this lyfe their synnewyll nat refrayne
God after punysshethwith infernal!payne
As I hauesayde(therfore) I say agayne
Though god be of infynyte pety andmercy
His fauourandgracepassynge all synnemundayne
Yet iusticeis with hym eternally.
Wherfore I aduysethe to note intentifly
Though pyte woldespare,iustycewyll nat so
But the here rewarde, els with infernal wo.

ALEXANDER BARKLAY TO THE FOLVS.

Syghesynners,syghe,for your mysgouernance.

Lament,mourne,and sorowefor your enormyte.
Away with theseClowdesof mystyignorance
Syn nat in hopeof goddyshyghe petye
And rememberhoweye daily punysshedbe
With dyuersdyseases both vncoutheandcruel
And all for your synne,but sucheasescapethfre
And styl lyue in syn, may fere the peynesof helle
Of the folisshe begynnyngeof great
bildynges
withoutsufficient
prouision.

Comenerefolys and rede your ignorance

And greatlosseprocedynge of your ownefoly
Whiche without godeand discretepurueaunce
Any greatwerke wyll bylde or edefye.
All suchear folys what man wyll it deny
For he that wyll bylde beforehe count his cost
Shall seldome well ende, so that is made is lost.
 Of thebegynnynge
ofgreatbilclynges.
89
Who euerbegynnethany worke or dede
Of byldyngeor of other thyngechargeable
And to his costes before taketh no hede
Nor tyme nat countythto his workeagreable
Sucheis a fole andwell worthy a babyll
For he that is wysewyll no thyngeassay
Without he knowehowehe well endeit may.

The wysemancountethhis costbeforealway

Or he begyn,andnoughtwyll take in honde
Wherto his myght or power myght denay
His costesconfourmyngeto the stynt of his londe
Where as the fole that nought doth vnderstonde
Begynnetha byldyngewithout aduysement
But or halfe be done his money cleneis spent.

Many hauebegonwith purposedilygent

To bylde greathousesand pleasauntmansyons
Them thynkyngeto finyssheafter theyr intent
But nededisceyuydhath theyr opynyons
Their purposenat worth a cowpyllof onyons
But whanthey sethat they it ende nat can
They cursethe tymethat euertheyit began

Of Nabugodosorthat worthy man.

What shallI wryte or the story to the tell
Syththat the Bybyll to theexpresse
it can
In the fourth chapterof the propheteDanyell
Was he nat punysshedin paynescruell
For his greatprydeandhispresumpcion
Whiche he toke it in the byldyngeof Babylon
90 Of thebegynnynge
ofgreatbildynges
Hisgoldeandtreasourehespendydholetheron
Enioyngehymin hisCyteexcellent
RightsoNemroth by hisinuencion
The towre of Babylonbeganfor this intent
To sauehym,if theworldeagayneweredrent
But thehyegodconsyderynge hisblynderage
His purpose
let by confusyon
of langage

His towrevnperfyteto his losseand domage

His peoplepunysshed, hymselfespecyally
Thus it aperethwhat greatdisauauntage
On theyr hedefalleththat byldethin foly
Thus he is folysshethat woldeedefy
Any greatworkewithout rychesin excesse
For greatbyldyngesrequyrethgreatrychesse

But manyfolysar in suchea blyndnesse

That hereonnoughtthey set their myndene thought
Wherforeto themoft commythgreatdistresse
And to greatpouertyoften ar they brought
Laughedto scorne,their purposecomethto nought
AndtruelyI fyndein bokes-wrytenplayne
That ouroldefadershaueneuersettheyrbrayne

On greatbyldynge, ne yetof thembenfayne:

It longethto a lordea Prynceor a Kynge
Thatlackenotreasoure
theyrwerkesto mayntayne
To settheyrmyndes
onexcellent
buyldynge
Therforewhosoeuerwyll meddle
withthisthynge
Or anyother, beforelet hym be wyse
Thathismyghtandryches
thertomaysuffyse.
 Withoutsufficient
proms
ion, 91
Lyst all mendo mockeand scornehis interpryse
For if he ought begynwithout prouysyon
And haue nat wherby his byldynge may up ryse
All that is lost that is madeand begon
And better it is sothly in myn intencion
Nought to begyn,andsparelaboureandpayne
Than to begynand than, leueof agayne

Who euerhe be that so doth certayne

He shallhauemockismengledwith his damage
Therfore let suchefolys sharpetheyr brayne
And better intendeto theyr owneauauntage
Consyderyngethat processeof tyme and age
Theyr curyousbyldyngesshallat the lest confounde
And Roufeandwallysmakeegallwith the grounde.

BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Ye folys blyndydwith curyosyte

Whiche on great byldynge set so sore your mynde
Rememberye nat that doutlesye shalldye
And your gay byldyngesandhowsesleue behynde
Thynke ye your confortealwayin themto fynde
Or whan ye dye, them hens with you to haue
Nay nay the lastehousgyuen to mankynde
Is the coursegroundeandwallesof his graue.
 Of glotonsanddronkardes.

That gloton or dronkarde,vyle in goddessight

Shallhardlyescape the weyghtof pouertye.
Whichedrynkethanddeuoureth bothdayandnyght
Therinonelysettynge all hisfelycyte
His lothsome lustandhis bestyalyte
Shallbryngevntodestruccion fynally
His soule,hisgodesandhis wretchydbody.
 Of glotomanddronkardes. 93
Within our nauyhe nedesshallhauea place.
Whichewithoutmesure
on lothsome
glotony
Settethhis pleasureand singulersolace
His stomacke
ouerchargynge,
vyleandvngodely
And to noneother thyngehis myndedoth he aply
Sauedepestto drynke,sucheforcenat of theyr soules
But laborein rynsyngepeciscuppisandbowles

The madnes of dronkennes is so immoderate

That greuoussoresit ingendrethandsykenes

It causethoften greatfoly anddebate
With sodendeth andcarefullheuynes
In thynges no differenceputteth dronkennes.
It febleth the ioyntisand the bodywithin
Wastyngethe braynemakyngethe wyt full thyn

It engendrethin the hedeinfirmyte

Blyndyngethe herte wyt anddiscression
The myndeit demynyssheth, coloureandbeaute.
Causyngeall myschef,shameandabusyon
It maketh men mad, and in conclusyon
Causeththemlyue without laweor measure
Suyngeafter syndefylyngetheyr nature

The peoplethat are acloyedwith this synne.

On no thyngeelstheyrmyndes
wyll aply:
Saueto the wyne andale stakesto renne
And there as bestesto stryue and drynke auy
Thanar theyouthergyuynto rybawdry
Or elsto brawleandfight at eueryworde
Thus dronkennesis the chefe causeof discorde
94 Of glotons
anddronkardes.
But namelydronkennes
andwretchydglotony
By their excesse
andsuperfluyte
Engendreth
the roteof cursedLechery
With murder, thefte and great enormyte
So bryngethit manyto greataduersyte
And with his furour the worlde so doth it blynde
That manyit bryngethto a shamfullende

This vyce (alas)goodmanersdoth confounde

And makethmanouer besyof langage
And hym that in all ryches doth abounde
It ofte in prysonbryngethand in bondage
It causethmanto his great soroweanddomage
Disclosehis secreteand his preueycounsayle
Whiche causethhym after soreto mourneandwayle

Nought is morelothsome,morevycyousnor vyle

Than he that is subduedto this vyce
His lyfe shortynge
his bodyhe dothdefyle
Bereuyngehis soulethe ioy of Paradyse
HowemanyCyteesandlordesof greatpryce
Hath bendestroyedby dronkenglotony
And by hisfelawe,falseloue,or lechery.

The soneof Thomyr had nat benouercome

Nor slayneby Cyrusfor all his worthynes.
If he hymselfehadgydydby wysdome
And the vyceauoydydof blyndedronkennes
The great Alexander taken with this madnes
With his swerde, whan he was dronken slewe
Sucheof his frendesas wereto hym mosttrewe
 Ofg/otonsanddronkardes. 95
I rede also howe this conquerourmyghty
Upon a seasonplayed at the Chesse
With oneof his knyghteswhich wan ynally
Of hym great golde treasoureand rychesse
And hym ouercame,but in a furyousnes
And ladewith wyne, this conquerourvp brayde
And to his knyght in wrath these wordessayde

I hauesubduedby strengthandby wysdome

All the hole worlde,whicheobeyethto me
And howe hast thou alone me thus ouercome
And anonecommaundyd his knyght hangedto be
Than saydethe knyght by right andequyte
I may apele. synsye ar thus cruell
QuodAlexanderto whomewylt thou apell

Knowest thou any that is gretter than I

Thou shaltbe hangedthou spekesttreasonplayne
The knyght saydsauyngeyour honourcertaynly
I am no traytoure, apele I woll certayne
From dronkenAlexandertyll he be soberagayne
His lordethan heryngehisdesyresoundeto reason
Differryd the iustyceasfor that tymeandseason

And than after whanthis furour wasgone

His knyght he pardonedrepentyngehis blyndenes.
And well consyderedthat he shulde haue mysdone
If he to deth had hym done in that madnesse
Thus it apereth what great unhappynes
And blyndnescomethto manya creature
By wyne or ale takenwithout measure.
06 Of'glotons
anddronkardes.
Seherethe inconuenyence
manyfolde
Comynge
of dronkennes
asI wrytynfynde.
Somear sostaryngemadthat nonecanthemholde
Roryngeandcryengasmenout of their mynde
Somefyghtyngesomechydynge, someto otherkynde
Noughtlyuyngeto themselfe: andsomedotyngeJohnn
BeyngedronkethynkethhymaswyseasSalomon

Somesowedronke,swaloyngemetewithout mesure
Somemawdelayne dronke,mournyngelowdly andhye
Somebeyngedronkeno lengercanendure
Without they gyuethemto bawdyrybawdry
Somesweretharmysnaylesherte and body.
Teryngeour lord worse,than the Joweshym arayed
Somenoughtcanspeke,but harkenythwhat is sayd.

Somespendeall that they haueand more at wast

With reuellandreuelldasshefyll the cup Joohnn
Sometheir thryft lesythwith dyceat onecast
Someslepeasslogardes
tyll their thryft be gone
Someshewetheyrownecounsell for kepecantheynone
SomeareApedronkefull of lawghterandof toyes
Some
merydronke
syngynge
withwynches
andboyes

Somespue,somestackersomevtterlyar lame
Lyengonthegrounde
withoutpowerto ryse
Somebostthemof bawdryferyngeof no shame
Somedumme, andsome speketh.
ix. wordes
atthryse
Somecharge theyrbelywithwynein suche
wyse
Thattheyrleggesskantcanberevpthebody
Hereis a sortto drowne
a holenauy.
 Ofglotons
anddronkardes. 97

BARKLAYE TO THE FOLYS.

Alas madfolys howelongewyll ye precede

In this beestlylyuyngeagaysthumaynenature
Ceaseof your Foly : gyue aduertence
andhede
That in echethyngeought to be hadmeasure
Wyne ne ale hurteth no manercreature
But sharpeththe wyt if it be take in kynde
But if it be nat, than I the ensure
It dulleth the brayne,blyndyngethe wyt andmynde

Rede all bokes and thou shalt neuer fynde

That dronkennesandwysdomemaytogytherbe
For where is dronkennes,
theremadnesis by kynde
Gydyngethe hauerto all enormyte
And where as is madnes thou shalt neuer se

Reasonne wysdometake theyr abydynge

In one instant, wherfore lerne this of me
That dronkennesis mortell enmy to cunnynge.
Of rychesvnprofytable.

Yet fynde I folys of anothersorte

Whichegatherandkepeexcessyfe
ryches
With it denyengtheir neyghboures
to conforte
Whichefor nedelyuethin payneandwretchydnes
Sucheone by fortunemay fall into distres
And in lyke wyseaftercometo mysery
And beggeof other, whiche shall to hym deny.
 Of ryches
unprofitable. 99
It is greatfoly, anda desyrein vayne
To loue andworshyprychesto feruently
And so great laboure to take in care and payne
Fals treasoureto encreaseand multyply
But yet no wonderis it sertaynly
Syth he that is rychehath gretter reuerence
Thanhe that hath sadneswysdomandscyence

The rychemannesrewardesstandein best degre

But godly manerswe haueset cleneasyde
Fewe loueth vertue, but fewer pouertye.
Falscouetysehis braunches spreddethwyde
Ouer all the worlde,that pety cannat byde
Amongvswretches banysshedis kyndnes
Thuslyeththe porein wo andwretchydnes

Without conforte and without auctoryte

But he only is nowereputedwyse
Whichehathrychesin greatstoreandplente.
Sucheshallbe madea sergeantor Justyce
And in the Court reputedof mostepryse
He shallbe callydto counseyll
in the lawe
Thoughthathisbrayne
beskarsly
wortha strawe

He shallbe Mayrebaylyfeor constable

And he onelypromotydto honoure
His manersonelyreputedar laudable
Hisdedys
praysyd
asgrettestof valoure
Men laboure and seke to fall in his fauoure
He shallhaueloue,echoneto hymshallsue
Forhisryches,
but noughtfor his vertue
ioo Of ryehes vnprofytable.
Sewhat rewardesar gyuento ryches
Withoutregarde
hadto mannys
condycyon
A strawefor cunnyngewysdomeandholynes
Of rychesis the first andchefequestyon
What rentes what londeshowe great possessyon
What stufFeof housholdewhat store of grotz and pens
And afterhisgodehiswordeshathcredence.

His wordesar trouth men gyue to them credence

Thoughethey be falslyfaynedandsotell
But to the pore none wyll gyue aduertence
Though that his wordesbe true as the gospell
Ye let hym swereby heuynandby hell
By godandhis sayntesandall that god made
Yet noughtthey beleuethat of hym is sayde

They saythat the poremendoth god dispyse

Thouhethey noughtswerebut trouth andveryte
And that god punyssheth themin suchewyse
For sodispysynge of his hye maiestye
Kepyngethemfor their synnesin pouerte
And theyrrycheexaltythby hispowerandgrace
To sucheryches,worldlypleasourandsolace

The rychear rewarded

with gyftisof dyuersesorte
With CaponsandConyesdelyciousof sent
But the porecaytyfabydethwithout confort
Thoughhemoste
nedehaue:nonedothhympresent
The fat pyggeis baast,the leneconyis brent
He thatnoughthathe,shallsoalwaybydepore
But he that ouer mochehath, yet shallhauemore
 Of' ryches
vnprofytabk 10i
Thewolfeetistheshepe,
thegreatfysshe
thesmall
TheharewiththehoundesTexed
ar andfrayde
He that hathhalfenedeswyll haueall
The rychemannes pleasour
cannatbe denayde
Be the porewroth,or be he wellapayde
Ferecauseth hymsende vntothe rycheshous
His metefrom his ownemouth,if it be delycious

And yet is this rychecaytyfnat content

Though he haueall yet woldehe hauemore.
And thoughthis godecanneuerof hym be spent
With noughthe departythto hym that is pore
Though he with nede hardevexed were and sore.
O cursydhungero madmyndeanddelyte.
To laboure for that whiche neuer shall do profyte

Say couetouscayryfewhat doth it the auayle

For to haue all and yet, nat to be content
Thou takest nat this sore laboure and trauayle
To thy pleasourebut to thy greatturment
But loke therof what foloweth consequent
Whan thou art dedeandpast this wretchydlyfe
Thou leuystbehyndebrawlyngedebateandstryfe

To manyonerychesis mochenecessary
Whiche canit orderright asit ought to be
But vnto other is it vtterly contrary
Whiche thenvith disdaynethto socourepouerte.
Nor them relefe in theyr aduersyte
Sucheshallour lorde sorepunysshefynally
And his petycionrightwyslydeny
IO2 Ofrychesvnprofytable.

BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Ye greatestatisandmenof dignyte
To whomegodin this lyfe hath sentryches
Haueye compassion,on paynfullpouertye
And themconfortein theyr carefullwretchydnes
God hym loueth and shall rewarde doutles
Whicheto the nedyfor hym is charitable
With heuenlyioy, whichetreasouris endeles
So shallthy richesto the be profytable.
Of hym that togyder wyll serue
two maysters.

A fble he is and voydeof reason

Whiche with one houndetendythto take
Two harys in one instantand season
Rightsois he that woldevndertake
Hym to two lordesa seruauntto make
For whether,that he be lefe or lothe
The onehe shalldisplease,
or elsbothe.
IO4 Of hymthatwyll seruetwomaysters.
A fole also he is withouten doute
And in hisporpose
sothlyblyndydsore
Whiche doth entendelabouror go aboute
To seruegod,andalsohis wretchydstore
Of worldlyryches:for asI saydebefore
He that togyderwyll two maysters
serue
Shallonedisplease
andnathis louedeserue

For he that with one hownde wol take also

Two harystogytherin oneinstant
For the mostepartedoth the both two forgo
And if he one haue : harde it is and skant
And that blynde fole mad and ignorant
That draweth thre boltis atons in one bowe
At one marke shall shote to hye or to lowe

Or elsto wyde,andshortlyfor to say

With oneor noneof themhe strykisthe marke:
And he that takethvponhym nyght or day
Labouresdyuersto chargeableof warke.
Or dyuerseoffycis: suchewander in the darke
For it is hardeto do well ashe ought
To hymthaton dyuerse
thyngeshathhis thought

With greatthoughtes
he troublethsorehisbrayne
Hismyndevnstable,
hiswyt alwaywandrynge
:
Noweherenowetherehisbodylabours
in payne
And in no placeof stedfast
abydynge.
Noweworkynge
nowmusynge
nowrenynge
nowrydynge
Nowonseenoweonlonde,thanto seagayne
Somtyme
to Fraunce,
andnowetoFlaunders
orSpayne
 Of hymthatwyll seruetwomaysters.105
Thus is it paynfullandno thyngeprofytable
On manylaboursa manto set his mynde
For noutherhis wyt nor body canbe stable
Whiche wyll his body to dyuerschargisbynde
Whyle onegoth forwardethe otherbydesbehynde
TherforeI the counseyllfor thyneownebehoue
Let go this worlde and seruethy lorde aboue

He that his myndesettythgod truly to serue

And his sayntes: this worldesettyngeat nought
Shallfor rewardeeuerlastynge ioy descrue
But in this worlde,he that settythhis thought
All mento please,andin fauourto be brought
Must lout andlurke, flater, lawde,andlye:
And clokea knauyscounseyll,thoughit falsbe

If any do hym wrongeor iniury

He must it sufferandpacyentlyendure
A dowbletungewith wordeslyke hony
And of his offycisif he wyll be sure
He mustbe soberandcoldeof his langage
More to a knaue,than to oneof hye lynage

Oft musthe stoupehis bonetin his honde

His maystersbackehe mustoft shrapeandclawe
His bresteanoyntynge,his myndeto vnderstonde
But be it godeor badtheraftermusthe drawe
Without he can Jest he is nat worth a strawe.
But in the meanetyme bewarethat he nonechecke
For than layth malycea mylstonein his necke
106 Of hymthatwyll servetwomaysters.
He thatin courtwyll loueandfauourhaue
A folemusthymfayne,if he werenoneafore
And be asfeloweto eueryboy andknaue
And to please
hislordehe muststyll labouresore
His manyfoldechargemakethhym coueytmore
That he had leuer seruea man in myserye
Than seruehis maker in tranquylyte

But yet whanhe hath donehis dylygence

His lorde to serueas I before haue sayde
For onesmallfauteor neglygentoffence
Suchea displeasoure agaynsthym may be layde
That out is he castbareandvnpuruayde.
Whether he be gentyll, yemangrome or page
Thus worldly seruyceis no sureherytage
WherforeI mayproueby theseexamples playne
That it is bettermoregodlyandplesant
To leuethis mondayne casualteandpayne
And to thy makeronegod to be seruaunt
Whiche whylethou lyuestshallnat let the want
That thou desyrestJustly,for thy syruyce
And thanaftergyuethe,the ioyesof Paradyse.
BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Alas manaryseout of Idolatry.

Worshypnat thy rychesnor thy vaynetreasoure
Ne thiswretchydworldefull of mysery.
But lawdethy makerandthy sauyour
With fere,mekenes,fayth,glory,andhonoure
Let thy treasoure
onelyin his seruyce
be
And herebe contentwith symplebehauoure
Hauynge
in thislordetrustandfelycyte
Of to mochespekyngeor bablynge.

He that his tungecan temperand refrayne

And asswagethe foly of hastylangage
Shallkepehis myndefromtrowble,sadnesandpayne
And fynde therby greateaseand auauntage
Where as a hastyspekerfalleth in greatdomage
Peryll andlosse,in lyke wyseasthe pye
Betrayshir byrdesby hir chatrynge
andcrye.
 108 Of to moche
spekynge
or bablynge.
Ye blaberyngefolys superflueof langage
Cometo our shypour ankersar in wayde
By right andlaweye may chalangea stage
To you of Barklayit shallnat be denayde
Howe be it the chargePynsonhatheon me layde
With manyfolysour Nauy not to charge.
Yet ye of dewty shallhauea sympyllbarge

Of this sortethousandesar withoutenfayle

That hauedelytein wordesvoydeandvayne
On men nat fawty somtymevsyngeto rayle
On folysshewordessettyngetheyr herteandbrayne
They often toucheto theyr owneshameandpayne
Suchethyngesto whichenonewyll theyr myndeaply
(Sauesuchefolys) to theyr shameandenuy

Say besyfole art thou nat well worthy

To haueenuy, andthat echonesholdethe hate
"Whanby thy wordessoundyngeto greatfoly
Thou sorelabrestto engenderdebate
Somerennethfast thynkyngeto cometo late
To gyue his counsell whan he seeth men in doute
And lyghtly his folysshebolt shall be shot out

Is it nat better for one his tunge to kepe

Where ashe myght (perchaunce) with honestee
Than wordesto spekewhichemakehym after wepe
For greatlossefolowyngewo andaduersyte
A worde onesspokyn reuoked can nat be
Therfore thy fynger lay beforethy lypes
For a wysemannystunge,without aduysementtrypes
 Of to moche
spekynge
or bablynge.109
He that wyll answereof his ownefolysshebrayne
Beforethat any requyrethhis counsayle
Shewithhym selfeandhis hastyfoly playne
Wherby menknowehis wordesof noneauayle
Somehauedelytedin madblaboryngeandfrayle
Whiche after haue suffred bytter punysshement
For their wordes,spokenwithout aduysement

Say what precedethof this madoutrage

But greatmysfortune,wo andvnhappynesse
But for all theyr chattyngeandplenty of langage
Whan to the prestethey comethemto confesse
To shewetheyr lewdelyfe theyr synneandwretchydnes
Whan they sholdespeke, and to this poynt ar come
Theyr tungesar loste andtherethey syt asdomme

Many haueben whichesholdehauebe countedwyse

Sad and discrete,and right well senein scyence
But all they hauedefyledwith this onevyse
Of mochespekynge: o cursydsynneandoffence
Pyte it is that so great inconuenience
So greatshame,contemptrebukeand vylany
Sholde by one small membercameto the hole body

Let suchetake exampleby the chatryngepye.

Whiche doth hyr nest andbyrdesalsobetraye
By hyr gretechatterynge,clamouredyn andcrye
Ryght so thesefolys theyr owne foly bewraye.
But touchyngewymenof themI wyll noughtsay
They cannat speke,but ar as coy andstyll
As the horle wynde or clapperor a mylle
110 Of to moche
spekynge
or bablynge.
But that man or womanor any creature
That lytell spekethor elskepethsylence
Ar euer of them selfe moste stedfast and sure
Without enuy,hatredor malyuolence.
Where asto suchecomysmocheinconuenyence
Sorowevponsorowe,malyceanddysdayne
Whiche wyll no tyme,his spechenor tungerefrayne
Fayre specheis pleasauntif it be moderate
And spokenin season,conuenyenteand dewe
To kepe scylence,to pore man or estate
Is a great grace, and synguler vertue
Langageis lawdablewhan it is god and true
A wysemanor he spekewyll be wyseand ware
What (to whome)why (howe)whanandwhare
BARKLAYE TO THE FOLYS.

Ye bablyngebrybours,endeueryou to amende
Mytygat by mesure,your prowdehastylangage
Kepewell your tungesso, shallye kepe your frende
For hastyspecheingendrethgreatdamage
Whan a wordeis nat sayd,the byrde is in the cage
Also the housis surestwhanthe dorysbe barryde
So whanthy wordeis spokynandout at large
Thou arte nat mayster,but he that hath it harde
If thou take hedeandsettherto thy brayne
In this worldthou shaltfyndethyngesthre
Whicheonespast,cannatbe callydagayne.
The firsteis (tymelost)by mannes
symplycyte
The seconde(youth) reuokedcannat be
Thethyrde(a wordespoken)
it goothoutin thewynde
And yetis thefourth,that is (virginyte)
My forgetfullmynde,hadlefteit nerebehynde
Of them that correct other and yet them
selfedo nought and synneworse than
they whom they so correct.

He lacketh reasonand vnderstiindyngeto

Whiche to a towne or Cyte knoweth the way
And shewythother howethey may thethergo
Hym selfewandrynge aboutefromdayto day
In myreandfen, thoughhis iourneythetherlay
So he is mad whiche to other doth precheand tell
The waveto heuyn,andhymselfegothto hell.
112 Of themthatcorrectothers
Nowe to our Nauy, a sortemakethasaute
Of folysblynde,madJugysandIniust
Whichelyghtlynotethanothermannes faute.
Chastynge
thatsynne,
whichetheyrownemynde
dothrust
By longeabydynge,
andincreasof carnalllust
They cloketheir ownevycesynneandenormyte
Otherblamynge
andchastynge
with mochecruelte

Theymockeandmoweat anothers
smalloffence
And redy ar a fautein themto fynde
But of theyrownefoly andinconuenyence
They seno thynge,for fully ar they blynde
Nat notyngethe vyce rotyd in theyr owne mynde
Theyr greuouswoundesand secretemalady
For theyr owne yll they seke no remedy

The handewhichemenvnto a Crossedo nayle

Shewyththe wayeofte to a manwandrynge
Whiche by the samehis right way can nat fayle
But yet the handeis therestyll abydynge
So do thesefolyslewdeof theyr ownelyuynge
To othermenshewemeanandwayto wynne
Eternallioy themselfebydyngein synne

He sertaynlymaywell be callyda sote

Mochevnauysed andhis owneennemy
Whichein a nothersiye canspyea lytell mote
And in hisownecannat felenor espye
A mochestycke,so is he certaynly.
Whiche noteth anothers small faute or offence
To hisownegreatsynnes
gyuyngenoneaduertence
 andsynne'worsethemselves. \ 13
Many them selfefayneaschasteaswassayntJohnn
And manyother faynethemmekeandinnocent
Some other as iust, and wyse as Salomon
As holy as Poule,asJob alspacyent
As sadassenecke,andasobedyent
As Abraham,andas martynvertuous
But yet is theyr lyfe full lewdeandvycious

Somelokyth with an aungelscountenaunce

"Wysesadandsoberlyke an heremyte
Thus hydyngetheyr synneandtheyr mysgouernaunce.
Under sucheclokyslyke a fals ypocryte
Let suchefolys redewhat Cicerodoth wryte
Whiche sayththat nonesholdeblameany creature
For his faut, without his ownelyuyngebe sure

Without all spot of synnefaut or offence

For in lyke fourmeasa phesycyan.
By his practyseand cunnyngeor scyence
The sekenescuryth of a notherman
But his owne yll nor dyseashe nat can
Relefe nor hele so doth he that doth blame
Anotherssynne: he styll lyuyngein the same

Many ar whicheother cancounseyllcraftely

And shewethe peryll that may comeby theyr synne
But themselfethey counseyllnat: ne remedy.
Nor take no wayewherebythey heuynmay wynne
But lye in that vycethat they rotyd ar in
Leuyngethe waythat gydythto ioy andrest
Their ownesensualyte
ensuyngeasa beest
i 14 Of themthatcorrect
others,
Wherforeye prestisthat hauethechargeandcure.
To teche and enfourme the rude comonte.

In goddys
lawesgroundyd
in scripture
And blameall synnessparyngeno degre
Whyle ye rebukethus theyr enormyte
Lyuesothat nonemaycausehaueyou to blame
And if ye do nat: it is to your greatshame

For without doute it is great vylany

A manto spekeagaynstany offence
Wherin he well knowyth hym owneselfegylty
Within his mynde and secreteconscience
Agaynst hymselfesucheone gyueth sentence
Howegodryght iuge, by rightwyseiugement
Shuldehym rewardewith worthy punysshement
THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Ye clerkesthat on your shuldersberethe shelde

Unto yougrauntedby the vnyuersyte.
Howedareyeauenture to fyght in cristesfelde
Agaynstsynne,withoutye clereandgyltlesbe
ConsydertheCockeandin hymshallyese:
A greatexample,
for withhiswyngesthryse
Hebetythhymselfeto wakehisownebodye
Before
hecrowe,
tocause
otherwake
or ryse.
Of hym that fyndeth ought of another
mannysit nat restoryngeto the owner.

He that oughtfyndythoutherby dayor nyght

Usyngeit ashis owne,asthyngegottyniustly
And thynkeththat he somaydo by laweandright
Sucheis disceyuyd, andthynkethwrongfully
For why the deuyllourgoostlyennemy
Doth hymsocounseyll andin hiserysblowe
Disceyuynge in hisbondes,ashe doth manymo
116 Of hymthatfyndeth
The feruourof rychesanddisordredloue
Whiche manyhaue,doth mebyndeandconstrayne.
Within my shyp them sharply to reproue
That pennor hande,themselfewyll not refrayne
Of couetysenoweI wyll nat spekeagayne
But of themthat kepethby forceandby myght
That thyngewhertotheyhauenat come,by ryght

Somefyndethtreasoursothermennys good
And in theyrownevsesuchegoodtheyoccupy.
Whicheof theyrmyndes ar soblyndeandwode.
And soretedin theyrerrourandfoly
Thatofttheysay(say)yeanddarebydeby
Thatsome sayntwhome theyworshyppedhaue
Hauesende,themthesame theyrhonestee
to saue

Theyhaue
noforcenorcare,northeynonehauewyll
Towhometheryches
solostedydeapertayne
Thatfortune
hathgyuen
theyholde
fastandkepestyll
Neuerhauyngemynde it to restore
agayne
Suche
folysferenothynge euerlastynge
payne
Nornotenat,thatwithouttruerestytucion
It small
auayleth
tohaue
made
confessyon.
Heremefolewiththyimmoderate
mynde
Heremeanddothyhertetherto
aply
If thoubyfortune
anyryches
fynde
Callynge
it thyne
: thoulyest
therin
falsly
If thou
haue wytthoucanst
natwelldeny
Butthatgode
natgyuen,
norgottyn
bylaboure
Can
natberightwyse
: thus
mende
thyblynde
erroure
 Oughtof another
mannys. ii7
If thou ought fyndethat longethnat to the
Than is it anothers,the caseis clereand playne
Wherfor thou ought of laweandof dewte
Unto the ownerit sooneto yeldeagayne
But if he be dede,to whomeit dyd attayne
Thou ought nat yet to kepeit nerethe more.
But to his sectoursor heyresit restore

Put casethat they alsobe pastanddede

Yet ought thou nat to keep it styll with the.
The lawecommaundyth, andalsoit is mede.
To gyueit to sucheashauenecessyte.
With it releuyngetheyr paynfullpouertee
And so shalt thou dischargethy conscyence.
Helpyngethe pore, andauoydegreatoffence

But he that othersgodestournethto his ownevse

Spendyngeandwastyngethat thyngethat neuerwashis
Suchecertaynly his reasondoth abuse
And by this meanegreuouslydoth amysse
Wherby he lesytheternallioy andblysse
His souledrownyngedepewithin hell flodes
For his myspendyngeof other mennysgoodes

But to be shorte,andbrefein my sentence

And sotheto sayeplayneasthe materis
ForsothI senat right greatdifference
Bytwenea thefe,andthesefolyscouetys
Both wronglykepeththat thyngethat is nat his
Thynkyngethat goddothnat thertoaduerte
Whichenotyththy dedys,thy myndethoughtandherte
i i8 Of/jym thatfyndeth
ought.
Wherfore if thou hauea rightwyse conscyence
Thou\vylt noughtkepewhichelongethnat to the
The lawesocommaundeth
in payneof greatoffence
For of godethat thou kepest agaynstequyte
Thoushaltmakeaccompt
afterthat thoushaltdye
To thy greatpaynein hell for euermore
If thou no restytucionmakebefore.

Here myghtI toucheexecutours in this cryme.

Blamyngetheyr dedysdysceyteandcouetyse
If it werenat for wastyngeof my tyme
For mendethey wyll nat themin any wyse
Nor leue no poyntesof theyr disceytfullgyse
Let them take parte of that whiche I here note
And be partyngefolesin this presentbote.

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY THE TRANSLATOUR TO THE

FOLYS.

Ye falseexecutours
whomeall the worlderepreuys
And ye that fyndemennesgoodesor treasoures
I call you asbadasrobbersor theuys
For ye by your falshodeandmanyfoldeerrours
Kepefalslythatthyngewhicheis noneof yours
And wastherethe goodesof hymthat is past
Thesoulelyethin payne,
yetakeyourpleasours.
With hisryches,damnynge
yourownesouleat the last
Of the sermonor erudicion of wysdome
bothe to wyse men and folys.

He that delyteth in godly sapience

And it to obtayneputtyth his besynes
Aboue all folys shall hauepreemynence
And in this worlde haue honourand rychesse
Or aworthycrownein heuynsblessydnesse
Or elsbothewelthehere,andafterioy andblysse
Whereasa foleof bothethe two shallmysse
I2O Of'thesermon
ofivysclome
Wysdome
with?oyce
replete
withgrauyte
Callyth
to allpeople,
andsayth
o thoumankynde
Howelongewylt thoulyuein thisenormyte
Alashowelongeshaltthouthy wyt haueblynde
Heremypreceptis
androtethemin thy mynde
Noweis full tymeandseason
to clerethy syght:
Harkynto mywotdes,
grounde
of goodnes
andryght

Lernemortallmen,stodyenge
day andnyght
To knowemewysdome, cheferote of chastyte
My holydoctryne
thy herteshallclereandlyght
My tungeshallshewethe ryght andequyte
Chaseout thy foly, causeof aduersyte.
And sekeme wysdomewhiche shall endewethy mynde
With helth and welth wherby thou lyfe shalt fynde

AryseI sayagayneto the mankynde

And seke me wysdomethat am well of goodnes
Let nat this worldethy conscyencefarther blynde
Nor to synnesubduefor loue of falserychesse
Blyndenat thy hertewith mondayne wretchednes
I amworth goldeandworthall goodmundayne:
And to mankyndecounselloure sonerayne

No manerJowellis to melykecertayne
Ne so profytableto mortallcreature
I passe
all rychesandcausea manrefrayne
His myndefrom synne,andof his endebe sure
Thereisnotreasoure
norprecious
stonesopure
CarbuncleRubyne adamondin londenorsee
Nor otherlapydarycomparable
to me:
 Both to wysemenandjolys. 121
And shortly to spekewysdomeis morelaudable
Than all the worldeor otherthyngemundayne
There is no treasoure:to wysdomecomparable
But it alone is a vertue mostesouerayne
Hauyngenoughtlyke in valourenor worth certayne
No fole is so ryche,nor hye of dignyte
But that a wysemanporeis moreworthy than he

Wysdomepreseruethmenin auctoryte
Pryncespromotyngeby counseyllprouydent
By it poremensomtyme,andof lovvedegre
Hath had the hole worlde to them obedyent
It gydeth Cyteesand countreesexcellent
And gouerneththe counseyllof pryncelordeandkynge
Strengthyngethe body the herteenlumynynge

It gydyth lordesandfrom bondagedoth brynge

Them whomefoly hath brought in to captyuyte
Hir gyftys to mankyndefrely offrynge
Gydyngehir discyplesfrom all aduersyte
Wysdomestondyngevpon a stageon hye
Cryeth to mankyndewith lowdevoycein this wyse
I trouth exalte : and vyciousmen dispyse

Lerneof mewysdomecastout your couetyse

For by my myght craft and wyseprouysicion
Kyngesvnto their dygnytedothe ryse
Theyr septersgydyngeby my monycion
I gauethem lawesto gyde echeregyon
In welthe defendyngeandin prosperyte
Them andtheyr royalmeswhyle they gyde themby me
122 Of thesermon
of ivysdome
All maner
nacyons
thatdothto mejnclyne
1 gydeandgouerne
by laweandequyte
In meis right,godlywyt anddoctryne
What blyndefoly, andhowegreataduersyte
Do theyauoyde
thatgydethemselfeby me
And he that melouythwith worshypandhonour
Shallknowemylouemy graceandmy fauour

He that mefolowythshallauoydeall dolour

I shallhym folowepromotyngein suchecase
That noneshallbe beforehym in valour
I godlyrychesin my powerinbrace
Whichemanby memay eselypurchase
And he that wyll his way by me addresse
I shallrewardewith heuenlyioy endles

The fatherof heuenof infynytegoodnesse.

Me comprehendyth within his deytee
Of hym my firste begynnynge is doutles.
And heuenanderth he createhath by me
And euery creaturebothe on londe and se
The heuenimperyallall planetisandfirmament
Godneuerthyngemadewithoutmy true assent

Therforemankynde
setthy myndeandintent
To me wysdometo be subiectandseruaunt
To mypreceptis
be thouobedyent
And heuenlyioy thou shaltnat lackenor want
For doutles
theyar madandignoraunt
Andfolysblyndyd
whosoeuertheybe
That wyll natgladlybe seruauntes
vntome
 Bothto wysemenandfolys. 123

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE Foi/vs.

Aryse folysof myndesdarkeandblynde.

Receyuethe gyftesof godly sapyence
Here hir perceptisand plant them in your mynde
And rote out the gaffysof your olde offence.
Call to your myndeswhat inconuenyence
Howe sodaynefallys,what soroweandturment
Hath cometo manya myghtylordeandprynce
For nat folowyngeof hir commaundement.
Of bostyngeor hauyngeconfydence
in fortune.

He is a fole whichesettythconfydence
On frayle fortune vncertayneand mutable
His myndeexakyngein pryde and insolence
Becausethat shesomtymeis fauorable
As if she wolde so be perdurable
Suchefolys oft whanthey thynke them most sure
All sodaynlygreatmysfortune
endure
 Ofhauynge
confydence
infortune. 125
Amongeour fblys he ought to hauea place
And so he shall for it is resonable

Whiche thynkethhymselfegreatlyin fortunesgrace

Bostyngethat sheto hym is fauorable
As if hyr manerwerenat to be mutable
In this vaynehopesuchetheyr lyfe doth lede
Tyll at the laste theyr housborneoure theyr hede

He shakythboostand oft doth hym auaunte

Of fortunesfauoureandhis prosperyte
Whiche suffrethhym noughtof his wyll to wante
So that he knoweth nought of aduersyte
Nor mysfortunenor what thyngeis pouertee.
O lawlesfole, o manblyndydof mynde
Saywhat suretyein fortune canstthou fynde

To what ende or vnto what conclusyon

Shall fortunefraylevnrightwyseandvnsure
Ledethe blyndefole by hyr abusyon.
Howe darest thou the in hir blyndnesassure.
Syns she vnstableis and can nat longe endure
Hir gyftis changith,sheis blyndeandsodayne
Thougheshefirste lawghehir endeis vncertayne.

Thou shakestbosteofte of hir foly in vayne

For he is mosthappy whichecanauoydehir snare
If she exalte someone vnto welth mundayne
Shebryngethanotherto paynesoroweandcare
Whyle oneis ladydto the othersbackeis bare
Whyle shea beggermakethin goodabounde
A lordeor stateshethrowethto the grounde
126 Ofhauynge
confidence
infortune.
But nat withstandynge
hir mutabylyte.
Thoubostest thy godeandto mocheabundaunce
Thou bostestthy welth andthy prosperyte
Thy goodauenturs,
andplentyfullpleasaunce
Alas blyndefole amendethy ygnoraunce
And in thy weltheto this sayngeintende
That fortune euer hath an incertayneende

Fals fortune infect of countenaunce and of face

By hir iyenclowdyandvaryablevysage
Hath manyfor a whyle takento hir grace
Whicheafter by hir whele vnstableandvolage
Hath broughtthemto wo mysfortuneanddamage
She ruleth pore and riche without difference
Lewdnesexaltyngeand damnyngeinnocence

Thus is that manvoyde,of all intellygence

Whom fortune fedyth, with chaunchefortunable
If he therin haueouerlargeconfydence
And thynke that sure that euer is mutable
That fole is sonne,to the fendeabhomynable
Thatfolowethryches,
andfortunethatis blynde
His sauyour
lefte,andcleneout of mynde

Whanthefoulefende,fatherof vnhappynes
Poremanpurposythby falshodeto begyle
He sendeth
hymwelthworldly,andfalsryches
And causeth
fortune,awhyleon hymto smyle
Whichewithhir blyndenes
dothmankynde
sodefyle
That whyle they trust in hir fauourto sore.
They dammetheyr soulesin hell for euermore
 Of hauynge
confidence
infortune. 127
By large examplesthou echeday maystese
The chaungeof fortune and the endevncertayne
Wherfore to bostethe of hyr commodyte
It is great foly andalsothyngein vayne
From this lewdnesthy myndetherforerefrayne
And be content with fortune moderate

Nor bostethe nat of thy welth or estate

This day thou art ryche anddespysest the pore

Yet somay it fall, that for thy lewdelyuynge
To morowethou beggestthy bredefrom dore to dore
Therfore remembrethat blyndefortune wandrynge
Hath nat in hyr handespower,nor gydynge
The rewardesof welth, nor of felycyte
But god them gydethby his great maieste

And all thyngechaungethasis to hym plesaunt

His dedesto wysdomealwayeagreable
Wherfore blyndefole be nat so ignoraunt
To praysefortune whicheis so varyable
And of rewardesvnsure and chaungeable
But thougheshesmyletrust nat to hir intent
For amongesweteherbesofte lurkyth the serpent
 28 Of*hauynge
confidence
infortune.

BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Ye folysthat hauein fortuneconfydence:

And bosteyouof \vehhandof prosperyte
Leueof your foly, andnote by euydence:
Hir cours vnsure: and hir mutabylyte
None in this lyfe canbydein onedegre
But somtymehye, than after poreandlowe.
Nowe noughtsetby, nowein auctoryte
Nowe full nowe voydeas waters ebbe and flowe

1 am remembred that I haue often sene

Great worldlyrychesendein pouertye

And many one that hath in fauour ben:
And hyepromotydin welth anddignyte.
Hath sodaynlyfallyn into calamyte
Thusis it foly to trustin fortunesgrace
For whyletheSeflowethandis at Burdewshye
It asfastebbethat someotherplace
Of the ouer greatand chargeable
curyosyte of men.

Unto mo folys hereordayneI a barge

Whiche medlyth with euerymannysbesynes
And nat intendethto their ownelosseand charge
Greatpayneandwo suchefolysoft oppresse
And let them lerne with pacyentmekenes
To suffersorowefor why they shall nonelacke
Synstheyalone,the holeworWetakeon theyrbacke
130 Of theonergreatcuryosyte
of men.
He that wyll coueytto bere morethan he may
And take on his sholders more than he can sustayne
Sucheis a fole, his dedyswyll not deny
And with his ownewyll gooth to peryll andpayne.
He is vnwysewhicheis ioyousandfayne
To offer his necke to bere that without fere
Which3 were ynoughefor dyuersmento bere

That man that taketh vpon his backe alone

The heuy weght of the largefyrmament
Or any burdeynewhichemakethhym to grone
Whiche to sustaynehis strength is ympotent
No meruayleis if he fall incontynent
And than whanhe lowe on the groundedoth lye
He oft repentythhis purposeand foly

We hauein storyesmanyexamplesgreat
Shewyngethe lewdeendeof this curyosyte.
I redeof Alexanderthat dyd often sweate
In great peryls to augmenthis dignyte
He wasnat contentwith europeandasye
Nor all the groundeunderthe fyrmament
At the last ende,cowdenat his myndecontent

As if all the erth werenat suffycyent

For his smallbody by curyousecouetyse
But at the last he mustholdehym content
With a smallcheste,andgrauenatof greatpryce.
Thusdethvs shewythwhatthyngesholdevs suffyce
And what is the endeof our curyosyte.
For detheis lyketo hye andlowdedegre
 Of theonergreat cur\os\teof men.
What shalla kyngeat hislast endyngehaue
Of all his realmeandinfynytetreasoure
Saueonelyhis towmbe,andthe groundeof hisgraue
But thoughe it be of great pryce and voloure
As is conuenyentto his hye honoure.
Yet lytell conforteto his souleshallit gyue
But causeof bostyngeto them that after lyue

Thus whan man vnto his last ende is come

He noughtwith hym berethof his dignytees

Wherfore cynicusa man of great wysdome
Lorde grettestof Grecein londesandCytees
Hathelefte greatexamplevnto all degrees
For his greatrycheshis hertedyd neuerblynde
But worldly pompeset cleneout of his mynde

He forcedof no castelsnor excellentbyldynge

Dispysyngechargesandbesynesworldly
But gauehis myndeto vertueandcunnynge
And namelyto the scyence of astronomy
Consyderynge that greatrest of myndeandof body
With hym abydethwhichewith boldeherteis fayne
To folowe vertue,and leuechargesmundayne

He that sodoth no weghtdoth vndertake

Vpon his backeof so greata grauyte
That his smallstrengthmustit agayneforsake.
Where he that attemptethgrettestthynges,andhye :
Greatweyghtof chargesandmochedignite
Must lerne to sufferpaynethought andvexacion
By his greatchargesof perturbacion.
132 Of theonergreatcuryosyte
of men.
What auayle is it the worlde to obtayne
In onemannys
power,andall otherto excell
To suffer trouble, and vayne chargessustayne
And at the lasthis poresoulegoothto hell
There toren andtourmentedin paynescmell
It were mochebetter to kepe a quyetmynde
And after our deth eternall rest to fynde
He that taketh thought for euery besynes:
And caryth for that whiche doth nat apertayne
Nor longeto his charge,he is full of blyndnes
And no houre shallrest, but styll in thought andpayne
Carefor thy ownecharges,theron set thy brayne
For he a fole is that caryth or doth intende
For anothermannyschargewhichehe cannat amende
Therfore lyue in rest after thy degre.
Nor on suchethyngesdo nat thy myndeaply
Whiche ar no thyngeapertaynynge vnto the
If thou so do thou shalt fynderest therby
Auoyde thou the chargeof worldly mysery
For godestake no thought greatcarene trauayle.
Whiche after deth shalldo the noneauayle
BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Fole clere thy iyen and of thy selfebeware

Caremostefor thy ownebesynes
andcharge
For other mennestake no greatthought nor care
If thou thy conscience
maysttherof discharge
A curyousman that of his tunge is large
Talkynge or carynge of other, his placeis best
Hye in the fore top of our folysshebarge
For in that place is small quyet or rest
Of them that ar alwayborowynge.

A manthat is besybotheuynandmorowe
With rauysshyngeclawysandinsaciable
Of his frendesand neyghboursto beggeand to borow
To the deuouryngewolfeis mostlykeor semblable
Suchein our shypshallnat wanta babyll
Forhethatstyllborowes
shallskanthymquyteor telde
And as a wretchethe asseshall hym ouertrcdde
134 Of themthatar alwayborowynge.
That fole thathymselfea dettourdothmake
To dyuerse men,andis borowynge alway
Rightponderous chargeson hymdothtake
Borowynge of oneanothertherwithto pay
Thoughehe be gladto hauelongetermeandday
To hym assygnedto makehis payment
It noughtauayleth,for soonethe tymeis spent

But in the meanetyme deuouryngevsurye

Spoylythmakyngeporemanya borewer
Wherethey two borewedthey promysto pay thre
Their day of paymentlenger to defarre.
Thus dothoft borowyngemanythousandes
marre
Yet someget malycefor that gode that they len
And where they lent twenty gladly taketh ten.

I wyll nat saybut that it is medecertayne

To lenefrely to one that is in nede
And wyll be gladeit to contentagayne.
But he that lenyth to hauerewarde or mede
Or morethanhe lent, may of hell paynehauedrede
And he that soborowethgaynecanhauenone
Therbyin thislyfe,but hellwhanhe is gone

Therforein thissatyresuche
wyll I repreue
And nonethatborowenor leneon amyte
Thevsurers:falscristen
menin theyrbyleue
Folowethewarenwayof theyriniquyte
Prohybyte
byJaweiustyce
andequyte
Theyrvnclene
hertes,
andmynde,
vnhappely
Onlucresettynge,
comyngebyvsury
 Of themthatar alwayborowynge.135
They hepetheyr synnein quantytehorryble
Labowryngethat lewdeburthengretter to make
And that soreweght tedyoseand terryble
With a greatrope vpontheyr shulderstake
The weyghtvp takenall theyr hole ioyntesquake
Thus thesecaytyfswith this rope andburthyn heuy
Them selfehangedamnyngetheyr souleeternally

A wretchyd man,alas make clere thy reason

Rememberthoughe god the suffer thus longe tyme
He graunteth that spaceto amendethe in season.
And nat dayly to encreasthy synneandcryme
Somtymehe punysshethwith infernall abhyme
Shortlyfor synne,somtymethougheonemysdo
He suffrethlonge: but yet truste nat therto

The longer vnpunysshed,

the soreris the payne
And if thou wylt nat gyue to me credence
Of sodomeand Gomorthe Bybyll shewethplayne
Howe God rightwyselyponysshed theyr offence
And alsoSolym,towneof greatexcellence
For vyciousnes
god ponysshedbytterly
Whiche sholdevs causefor to lyue rightwysely.

The rightwysegod alsodyd sorechastyce

Tthe Nilicolyansand themvtterly destroy
For theyrcontynuynge in theyrsynandvyce
And theyrlynagelongekeptefromwelthandioy
In greattroublewhichedyd theyrhertisnoy:
Howe be it that they weregoodandinnocent
For theyrfathersfautetheysuffred
punysshement
 Of themthatar a/wayborowynge.
But to our purpose to retourne agayne.
He that ought borowethwhichehe cannat pay
Of a wolfe rauysshynge
foloweththe trayne
But thoughhe all swoloweyetcanhe by no way
Deuourethe tymenor the prefyxedday
Wherfore if he than disceyuehis credytour
He oft hym chastythwith iustyceandrygour

Ryght in lyke wyseour lordeomnipotent

In this worldeto lyue grauntythYStyme andspace
Nat styll to synne,but vnto this intent
To leueour vyce,andfolowethe way of grace
But if we styll contynuein one case
And hauedoneno goodto pay hym at our day
In hell prysonhe iustly shallvs lay

BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Thoufolemysmyndyd
to largeof sconscyence
To the I spekethat art a lewde dettour
Borowethouno thynge,noblegrotene pens.
Morethanthoumaystagaynepaythy credytour
Rightsoendeuerthe to paythy sauyour
Hisrightanddewty,witha gladwyll andfayne
That is trueseruyce,
with glory andhonour
Thanshaltthousurely
escape
infernall
payne.
Of inprofytable and vayneprayersvowes
and peticyons.

That manwhosehertevnhappysynoedoth blynde

And prayth gasyngeinto the fyrmament
Or he that settethnat his herte and mynde
Upon his wordes,theyr sentenceor intent
And he that desyreththyngenat conuenyent
Suchefolysshallnat theyrpeticionobtayne
For withouttheheitethe tongelaboured]in vayne
 Ofinprofytableandvayneprayers,
Here we repreue(reperue)ye andreuyle.
A sorteof folys lewdeof condicions
Whoseherteand tunge theyr soulesdoth defyle
By theyrblyndeprayersandyll peticions
Suche folovveno techyngenor gode monysyons
For often manyof themwith tunge doth pray
Theyrmynde,abstractnat knowynge
whatthey say

Man oft desyrethwith great affeccion

That thyngeof god,whichethyngeif godwoldegraunt.
Sholde be at last vnto thyer destruccyon
Exampleshereofthou canstnat lackenor want
The greatMedassomtyme kyngetryumphant.
Of PhrygyeBy his ownefolysshedesyre
With paynfullhunger,his lyfe brethdyd expyre

This kyngeMydasof whomI haueyou tolde

Of goddesyredwith prayerdylygent.
That all that he touchydtournemyght vnto golde
His prayer was harde, he obteynyd his intent
But nat to his welth, but mortall punysshement
For whan he brede or drynke tast or touche sholde
Incontynentwasit tournedin to golde

Thuswashisprayerto his ownedamage

For at the lastehe dyedin wo andpayne
For nogoldecoude
hissorehungerasswage
Nor his desyrecoudehe nat callagayne.
Thushis peticiondesyredwasin vayne:
And wherehe wenydgreatwelthto get therby
He dyedin shame hungerandmysery.
 Of inprofytabk
andvayne
prayers. 1
Somedayly pray with marueylousbesynes
Cryengandsyghyngeto god omnypotent
For to haueplenty of welth ioy andryches
And to be maderyche myghtyand excellent.
O cursyd lyuers, o blynde men of intent
On suchedesyresthey set theyr myndeandthought
Whiche thousandesvnto slvamefull
endehath brought

What profyted the myghty edefyces:

Of Lycynus,or lyuelodeof excesse :
What profyteth the moneygottenin vyces
Of riche Crassus,or cresus,greatryches
They all ar dedeby theyr vnhappynes
And that lewdely,nat by deth naturall
Theyr blynde desyreschefe rote and causeof all

Another whiche is in youthes prosperyte

For strengthand myght often to god doth pray
Someof theyr lyfe to haue prolyxyte
Desyrethgod, andhere to byde alway
In richeswelth, ioy and solempnearay
But yet they in glotonytake suchecustome
That they sleathemselfelongeor theyr day be come

Alas madfole why prayestthou for age

Synsit so greuousis and ymportable
Unstable and full of dolour and damage
Odyousto youth andintolerable
Sayfolysshe
manwhicheart of myndevnstable
Is it nat great foly to any creature
To prayfor thatthynge,whiche
hecannatendure
140 Of inprofytab/e
andvayne
prayers.
Peleus,and Nestor andmanyother mo
As Itackes and laertes, sore haue complayned
For to longeage,euerfull of payneand wo
Wherwith theyr bodyessorehaueben constrayned
And with greatsorowesanddyuersoften payned:
And to concludebrefly in one sentence
Oft to age falleth moche inconuenyence

Yet ar mofolys whicheought repreuedbe

And they ar suchewhichestyll on god doth call
For greatrowmes,offycesandgreatdignyte
No thyngeintendyngeto theyr greuousfall
For this is dayly sene,and euershall
That he that coueytyshye to clym aloft
If he hap to fall, his fall cannat be soft

Someotherpray for bewty and fayrnes

And that to a cursydpurposeandintent
Wherby they lesethe heuenlyblyssydnes :
Theyr soulesubduyngeto infernall turment
O ye madfolys of myndesympotent
Pray your Pater nosterwith deuouteherte andmynde
For therinis all that is nedefullto mankynde

Our sauyourcristewhylehe wason thisgrounde

Amongevs synnersin this vale of mysery
Taughthisdisciples
thisprayerwhichedothsounde
Nereto thissentence,nor greatlydothnat vary
(Our fatherwicheart in heuen)eternally
Thy name
behalowyd
(grauntthatto thykyngdome)
All wethy seruauntis
worthelymaycome
 Of inprofy
tableandvayne
prayers. 141
In heuenanderththy wyll be donealway
And of thy greatgraceandthy benygnyte
Our dayly bredegraunt vnto vs this day
Forgyuyngeour synnesandour iniquyte:
As we forgyue them that to vs detters be
And to auoydetemptacionthy gracevnto vs len
And vs delyuerfrom eueryyll amen.
Whan thou hast clensydthy myndefrom syn before
And saydthis prayerto thy makerdeuoutly
Thou nedyst nat of hym to desyre more
Yet mayst thou pray and desyrerightwysly
For heltheof soulewithin thy hole body
For stedfastfayth andyll nameto eschewe.
And chastelyto lyue (by hishelp) in vertue
Thus sholdethou pray thou wretcheboth day andnyght
With herte andmyndevnto thy creatoure:
And noughtby foly to assheagaynstright
To hurte or losseto thy frendeor neyghboure
Nor to thy fo by yll wyll or rygoure
But if god to thy prayersalwaysholdeenclyne
Oft sholdecomegreat soroweto the andto all thyne

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Man clerethy myndeor thou begynto pray

Els thoughthy prayerbe iustit is but vayne
And kepetogyther thy hurte andtongealway
Or els doutles thou lesest all thy payne
From lewdepeticionsthy myndethou ought refrayne
If thou desyreyll to thy fo by malyce
At thy peticiongod shallhauedysdayne
For thoughthoube wrothegodis nat in lykewyse
 Of vnprofytablestody.

He that vaynestodydoth hauntor exercyse

And lesythhis tyme, of fruyte voyde and barayne
Resortyngeto ryot whichecunnyngedoth dispyse
And that of doctryne (in maner)hath disdayne
Sucheshallin ageof hismadnes complayne
And seynge thathe lesythhis tymethusin foly
Let hym cometo our folysshecompany.
 Of unprofitable
sfoc/y,
Nowe in this Nauy manythem selfepresent
Of this our roylameandfrom beyondthe see
Whiche in theyr stodyor lewdeand neglygent
Lesyngetheyr tyme at the vnyuersyte
Yet countthey them selfeof greatauctoryte
With theyr proudehodeson theyr neckeshangynge
They hauethe lawde: but other hauethe cunnynge

They thynke that they haueall scyenccperfytely

Within theyr hertesbostyngethemof the same
Thoughthey thertotheyrmyndedyd neueraply
Without the thynge,they ioy them of the name
But suchemadfolys to theyr greatlosseand shame
Whyletheysholde
norysshe
theyrmyndes
withscience
They seketheyrpleasour,
gyuento neglygence

They wanderin eueryinconuenyence

From strete to strete, from tauerne to tauerne
But namelyyouth,folowethall offence
No thyngeintendynge the profyteto dyscernc
Nor fruyteof cunnynge
wherbytheymyghtgouerne
Themselfeby reason,but suchethyngestheyensue
Wherbytheyneytherget goodmaners nor vertne

But he that intendeth to come to the science

Andgodlywysdome
of ourelders
: certayne.
He mustsorestody,for withoutdilygence
Andbesylabourenomancanit obtayne
Noneoughtto cesse
: thoughit firstebea payne.
In good
perseueraunce
getteth
great
ryches
Wherenogoodcometh
bysleuthfull
ydelnes.
144 Of vnprofytabk
stody.
But mosteI marueyllof other folysblynde
Whiche in dyuers scyencisar fast laborynge
Bothdayeandnyghtwithall theyrherteandmynde
But of gramerknowethey lytyll or no thynge
Whicheis the groundeof all lyberallcunnynge
Yet manyar besyin Logykeandin lawe
Whan all theyrgrameris skarslywortha strawe

If he haueonysred the olde dotrinall

With his diffuseand vnparfytebreuyte
He thynkethto hauesenethepoyntis
of grammer
all.
And yet of oneerrourhe makethtwo or thre
Precyanor sulpicedisdayneth
he to se
Thus manywhichesaythat theytheyrgrammercan
Ar alsgreat folys as whan they firste began

One with his specheroundetournyngelyke a whyle

Of logyke the knottis doth lows andvndo
In handewith his sylogysimes,andyet doth he fele
No thyngewhat it menyth,nor what longeththerto
Nowe sortescurrit: Nowe is in hande plato
Another comythin with bocardoand pheryson
And out goeth agaynea fole in conclusyon

There is noughtelsebut Est andnon est

Blaberynge
andchydynge,
asit werebeawlyswyse
They arguenoughtelsbut to prouemana beest
Homo est Asinusis causeof mochestryfe
Thuspasse
forth thesefolysthe dayesof theyr lyfe
In two syllabis, not gyuynge aduertence
To other cunnyngedoctryne,nor scyence.
 Of' vnprofytable
stody. 145
I wyll nat saybut that it is expedyent
The to knowe of Logyke the chrafteandconnynge
For by argumentit maketheuydent
Moche obscurenes, somtymeenlumynynge
The mynde: andsharpyngethe wyt in manya thynge
But oft yet by it a thyngeplaynebryght andpure
Is made diffuse, vnknowenharde and obscure

It is ynoughetherof to knowethe grounde

And nat therin to wastall thy lyfe holly
Styll grutchyngelyke vnto the froggessounde
Or lyke the chateryngeof the folysshepye
If oneaffermethe other wyll deny
Sophestrynor Logyke with their art talcatyfe
Shewenat the way vnto the boke of lyfe

With suchefolyestenderyouth is defylyd

And all theyr dayeson them they set delyte
But godly doctryneis from theyr myndesexylyd
Whiche sholdethe body andsoulealsoprofyte
They take no layser, pleasur nor respyte
To other scyences,pleasauntand profytable
But without ende in one thynge chat and bable

One rennythto almayneanothervnto fraunce

To paryspadwayLumbardyor spayne
Another to Bonony,Romeor orleance
To cayne,to Tolows,Athenysor Colayne
And at the last retournyth home agayne
More ignorant,blynderandgretter folys
Than they were whanthey firste went to the scolys
146 Of vnprofytable
stody.
Onebostynge the nameof a laweror deuyne
His proudehodehye vponhis statelynecke:
Thus mustea godeclerkevnto a foule enclyne
Lowt with the body andwith obedyencebecke
And thougheit tourneto theyr rebukeandchecke
Yet nowea dayesouer manysuchetherebe.
Whiche in stedeof cunnyngevsethaudacyte

The hodemustanswerefor the follysshestudent

Theyr tyme hath benlost frutles and barayne.
Theyr frendesgodeson suchefolyesar spent
To their damagethought hungerandpayne:
Thus to conclude: me thynke it is but vayne
The frendesto labourthe dayesof theyr lyue
To sparefor suchescolerswhicheshallneuerthryue

The greatfoly, the pryde, andthe enormyte

Of our studentis,and theyr obstynateerrour
Causethme to wryte two sentences or thre
More than I fynde wrytyn in myneactoure
The tyme hath ben whan I was conductoure
Of mochefoly, whichenowemy myndedoth greue
Wherfor of this shyp synsI amgouernoure.
I darebe boldemyneownevyceto repreue
Howe be it I knowemy wordesshallsuchegreue
As themselfeknowethfawty andculpable
But if they be wroth: take they me by the sleue
For they shallbere the hodeandI wyll the bable:
But firste ye studentisthat ar of myndevnstable
Ye wastersand getters by nyght in felde or towne
Within my Nauy wolde I set you to a cable
If I not fered lyst ye your selfe wolde drowne
 Of vnprofytable
stody. 147
Also I fere lyst my shyp sholdesynkefor syn
If that Cupidoand Uenusseruytours
On the vnsuresemy shyp entredwithin
Or all the folys promotyd to honours
I nonereceyuecanof hye progenytours
My shyp is nat dressydfor themconuenyent
And to I fere lyst theyr cruell rygours:
Sholderayse to my shyp some tempestor tourment

THENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Fy studentisclensyour myndesof this cryme

Gyue onesyour hertis to parfytedylygence
Howe longein Idelnes,wyll ye leseyour tyme
In pryde andryot, with all other offence
Alas what profyteget ye by neglygence
But spendeyour goodesin all iniquyte
And whereyour frendesthynke, ye labour for scyence:
Ye leseyour tyme bryngyngethemto pouertee

Leueof suchestodyasis vnprofytable

Without fruyte outher godly discyplyne
And gyue your myndesto scyences lawdable
Where ye may your herteset andinclyne:
To Arystotyls or Platoys doctryne
And nat alwayon logyke or Sophestry
I wyll nat saybut it is a thyngedyuyne
And mocheworth to knowe Phylosophy
Of them that folysshlyspekeagaynst
the workes of god.

Here note we fowlys whichecan nat be content

With goddesworke, and ordynauncedyuyne
Thynkynge theyr ownewyll mochemoreexpedyent
Nat wyllynge theyr myndesto his wyll to enclyne
But suchefolys often sholdecometo ruyne
And wo with soroweandlossesholdetheyfynde
If godsholdeconforme
his workesto theyrmynde
 Of themthatJblysshly
speke. 149
He is a fole andlaborethin vayne:
Whiche with smallbrondesof fyre flamyngebryght
Entendythwith labourebesynesandpayne
Of the shynyngesonnefor to encrease
the lyght
Sucheoneassayetha thyngepassynge his myght
And is a fole to set thoughtor delyte
To mendethat thyngewhichegodhathmadeperfyte

But yet is he a mochegretter fole truely

Whichewyll correctthat thyngewhichegod hath done
And doth nat his herte his wyll and mynde aply
To goddesworkesanddeuyneprouysyon
Of all other maddestis his condycion
And morefrantyfeforsoth I may hym call
Than they that ar vext with furyesinfernal):

(Thou fole) the myght of god omnipotent

In vertue and wysdomeso largely doth extende
His maiesty,andpower is soexcellent
His gloriousgodhedehis workesdoth defende
So that no mortall man can them amende

Wenest thou mad fole that thou amendecannestought

That he hath done: whichemadeall thyngeof nought

He that hath made the heuen and firmament

The londe,the se,andeueryother thynge
Is sodiscrete,sowyse,andprouydent
Beforehis presenceparfytely seynge
All thyngeto comethat neuerhathhadbeynge
His workesanddedysar soperfyteandryght
That nonecanincreasnor yet decreashis myght
r5° Of themthatfolysshly
speke
He dothall thyngedispose
moderate
anddispence
Knowyngeour mynde,andwhat is to vs mostmete
All thyngeis openandplaynein his presence
Our inwardethought musthe nedesknowe andwete
And euery fortune is playnebeforehis fete
He hath all thyngeby lawe andorder drest
And doth no thyngebut it is for the best

Therfore whetherhe gyue thundersnoweor rayne

Wynde or wether, tempest or tourment
Frostlyghtnynge,
fayrewether,outherstormesodayne
Mystesor clowdes,yet mansholdebe content
And nat with worde nouther inwarde intent

Agaynstgodgrutche,but euerydayandhoure
Magnyfyethe dedysof god his creatoure

It were moche better thou fole that thou were dome

Than to castlewdewordesagaynstthy lorde in vayne

Thou fole he worketh no thyngebut by wysedome
And yet art thou nat contentbut dost complayne
Thou sekestvengeaunce (for thy synne)andpayne
In hell for euer,thynkyngethy selfeso wyse
To techethy god, andhis warketo dispyse

It is nat lawfull for any,hye nor lowe

To be so boldesoblynde or so cruell
Grutchyngewordesagaynsthis god to throwe
Thughe to theyr plaseoura thyngenat fortune well
Take exampleby the childrenof Israeli
Whiche oft for this synnesuffredgreatpayneandwo
Slayneanddistroyed,so hauebenmanymo
 Agaynsttheworkes
of god. 151
Many a lewde body without wysdomeor rede
Grutche in theyr myndes,and openly do blame
Almyghy god, whantheyr childrenar dede
Where rather they ought to enioyeof the same
For it myght fortune that great rebukeandshame
Myght to theyr frendeshauecomeby theyr synneandcryme
Sooneafter: if they had nat dyed at that tyme

Wherfore this oneclauseis my conclusyon

That god our makeris wyseandprouydent
Blame nat his workes by thyne abusyon
For all that he doth is for the best intent
But if that god sholdealwayeassent
To our desyresand euerperfourmeour wyll
Our ownerequestissholdetournevs to greatyll

ALEXANDER BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

O ye mad myndesthat no thynge vnderstonde

O man presumptuousand vnobedyent
Howe darest thou be so bolde to take on honde
To repreuethe workesof godomnipotent
Wylt thou hym teche,as morewyseandprouydent
Than he is (whichemadeall thyngeof nought)
Leue of this thy foly, andholdethy selfecontent
For thou art a fole to set theronthy thought
Of themthat gyuejugementon other.

Who that reputythhymselfeiust andfawtles

Of maners gode,andof lyuyngecommendable.
And iugethother(parchaunce that ar gyltles)
To be of a condicionreprouable
Hymselfenatnotynge,thoughe
that he wereculpable
He is a fole, and onysshall hauea fall
Synshe wyll otheriuge,hymselfeyet worstof all.
 Of themthatgyueiiigement
onother.153
Many fallyth in greatperyll anddamage
And greuousdeth by the vyceof folysshnes
Perseuerantlybydyngein theyr outrage
Theyr souleinfect with synneandviciousnes
And thoughthat deth hym alwayto themaddres
Yet hopethey in longelyfe andprosperyte
And neuerasswageth theyr blyndeiniquyte

The tyme passethaswaterin a ryuere

No mortall mancanit reuokeagayne
Dethe with his dartis vnwarely doth apere
It is the ende of euery man certayne
The last of all ferysandendeof worldly payne
But thoughewe knowethat we all musthauean ende
We slepein synnedisdaynyngevs to amende

Somethynke themgode,iust andexcellent

Myghty strongeandworthy of preemynence:
Charitable, chast, constantand innocent
Nat doutyngedeth nor otherinconuenyence
But yet ar they wrappydsorein synneandoffence
And in a vaynehope,contynuein suchewyse
That all the worlde(sauethemselfe)they dispyse

They take on themthe workesof god omnipotent

To iuge the secreteof mannysmyndeandthought
And whereno sygneis seneplayneandeuydent
They iuge a man saynge,his lyfe is nought
And if deth onehath vnto his last endebrought
(As mad)theymendenat theyrmysgouernaunce
Nat thynkyngethat theyensuemustthe samedaunce
 154 Of themthatgyuemgement
onother.
Suchefolysfaynecausesandoftentymessay:
That he that is dedevsedryot andmochefoly
Whiche causydhym to dyebeforehis day
And that he was feble, or full of malancoly
Ouer sad,or prowde,disceytfullandpopeholy
Uiciouslylyuyngein couetyseandgyle
Wherforegodsuffredhym lyue the shorterwhyle

Lo theseblynde folys saciatwith vyce

Jugethhym that perchauncedyd nat amys
Whyle he herelyuyd, andis in paradyce
Rewardydfor his workesin endlesioy andblys
Where as this lewde Juger, here in this worlde is
Styll lyuyngein synne,suffryngegreatpayneandwo
And thoughhe thynke hym godeshallneuercometherto

He that in synnehere lyeth fettered fast

And iugeththe deth of his frendeor neyboure
Whichefrom this lyfe is departedandpast.
Let hym beware,for onyscomeshallthe houre
That he mustfele dethisdolorouserygoure.
And after that endureinfernallpunysshement
For iugyngeandmysdemynge of peopleinnocent

The termeandday, of deth is mochevnsure

The dethis sure,the houreis vncertayne
Deth is general!to euerycreature
Thederwemustall,beit pleasour
or payne
Wherfore
wysdome wyllthatweshulde refrayne
From folysshedemyngeandnonsdeth discus
After deth godwot howeit shallbe with vs
 Of themthatgyuemgement
onother. 155
Alas full often a iust man gode and true
Of myndeinnocentsadsoberand sympyll
Passyngehis tyme in goodnesandvertue
Is of thesefolysthought anddemydfor yll
And he that is nought, frowardeof dedeandwyll
Of thesefolysblynde frantykeand wode.
Without all reasonis iugydto be goode

Wherfore I proue that a blynde fole thou art

To iuge or demea mannysthought or intent
For onelygod knowethour myndeandhart
Wherto we gree and to what thynge we assent
But who that is rightwyse iust, and innocent
And louyth godwith honourandwith reuerence
Than, may he boldelyiuge anothersoffence

ALEXANDER BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Amendeyou folys: do way thesefolysshewayes

Take ye no charge: nat metefor your degre.
And note these wordes: whiche criste our sauyoursayes
Juge nat another,andthou shalt nat iugyd be
It longethonelyto the hye dyuynyte
To iuge our mynde: for he is true iustyce
All thynge discernyngeby right andequyte
No man sholdedeme,whyle hym selfeis in vyce
Of pluralitees
that is to sayof themwhiche
chargethem selfewith many benefycis.

That myHeris a foleandhereshallhauea barge

And as a mad man shall fast therin be bounde

Whiche his Asse wyll with so many sackescharge

That the porebestefor paynefallys to the grounde
Many in the chirchelyke hym may be founde.
Whiche so manybenefycislabourto procure
That their small myght can nat the chargeendure.
 Of PluraRteeSj
&c. 157
Amongeour folys delytyngethemin vyces
Is yet another sorte of the speritualte
Whiche them ouerchargethwith dyuersbenefyces
And namely suchethat lowest ar in degre
Of byrth andcunnynge,of this condycionbe
Defylyngegoddesrentisand the chirchesgoode
Them selfeouer ladynge,asmenfrantyke andwode

The weght is sogreatthey canit nat endure

Theyr myght is small,theyr cunnyngeis mochelesse
Thus this greatchargewherofthey hauethe cure
To infernall Fenn doth this pore Asse oppresse
And to an Asse mostelyke he is doutles
Whiche takyngeon his backesackesnyneor tenne.
Destroyethhymselfethem leuyngein the fenne

But thoughoneprebendewere to hym suffycient

Or onebenefycehis lyuyngemyght suffyse
Yet this blynde fole is nat therwith content
But labowreth for mo, and alway doth deuyse
Fals meanesto come therto by couetyse
He gapethwith his wyde throte insaciable
And neuer can content his wyll abhomynable

So for the loue of the peny and ryches.

He taketh this chargeto lyue in welth and eas.
Howe be it that fole that hath suchebesynes
And dyuereschargesfyndethgreat disseas
Neyther shallhe god, nor yet the worldepleas
And shallwith his burthynshis myndesovex andcomber
That halfe his cures, can he nat count nor nomber
 Of themwhiche
charge
themselfe
Thesecarefullcaytyfs,that ar of thissamesort
With curesar ouerchargyd sothat of theyrmynde.
Resthauetheynone,solace,
pleasournorconforte
Howebeit theythynketherbygreatwelthto fynde
Theygapeyeteuer,theyrmanerslykethewynde
Theyr lyfe without all termeor sertaynte
If theyhauetwolyuynges,
yetloketheyto hauethre

The folyswhosehertisvntothisvycear bounde

Upontheyrsholdersberethaboutea sacke.
Insaciable
without botome,outhergrounde:
They thynkethemnat lade thoughall be on theyr backe.
The morethat theyhaue(the morethey thynketheylacke)
What deuyllcanstoptheyr throte so largeandwyde
Yet many all wasteabouteRyot and pryde

But yet is this mochemoreabhomynable

That asses vntaughtwithout wysdomeor scyence
Haue theyr proude myndesmostevnsaciable
Nat commynge to worshypby vertuenor prudence
Yet countethey themworthy of this excellence
Courters
become prestisnoughtknowynge but the dyce
Theyprestenot for god,but for a benefyce

Theclerkeof thekechynis a prestbecome

In full trustto cometo promosyon
hye
No thyngeby vertue
cunnyngenorwysdome
Butby couetyse,
practyse
andflatery
TheStepyll
andthechirchebythismeanestandawry
Forsomebecomeratherprestis
forcouetyse.
Thanfortheloueof godor hisseruyce.
 With manybenefycis.
Alas oft goddesgoodesandcristisherytage
Of suchefolys is wastydand spentin vayne
In greatfolyesmundaynes andoutrage
Where it decreed,andordeynedis certayne.
That prestissholdehelpepore peoplethat lyue in payne
And with suchegoodeskepehospytalyte
Whiche pryde ryot andUenussuffrethnat to be

Thus is the grettestparte of the spiritualte

Pore preste,persone,vicayr, relygyonandprelate
With couetyseacloydeouther prodigalyte
And folys promotydcausythgoodclerkishauehate
Say lordesandbysshopswith other of estate
What mouyth you so gladly, sucheto promote
Whiche haue no cunnyngetheir wyt skant worth a grote

Wyll ye alway the folyssheasseouercharge

With sucheburthynswherwith it cannat fare
And suffer other to walke and ren at large
And where they best myght bere theyr backesar left bare
And that is worst of all, suchefolys can nat be ware
But whan they ar promotydafter theyr ovvneentent.
Yet theyr insaciablemyndecan neuerbe content.

Somemakeexchanges andpermutacions
Sometake to ferme,andsomelet out agayne
Other folysfor hopemakeresignacions
And somefor one god scosythgladly twayne
Somelyueth longein hungerandin payne
And in the somerday skarslydrynkethtwyse
Sparynge
monaytherwithto by a benefyce
I 60 Of themwhiche
charge
themselfe
Somefor no wagesin court doth attende
With lorde or knyght, andall for this polecy
To get of his lorde a benefyceat the ende
And in the meanetyme ensuethrybawdry
And somtymelabourethby chraft of symony.
He playetha falscast,nat cessyngeto coniure
Tyll of somebenefycehe at the last be sure

Than if this lordehauein hym fauoure,he hath hope

To haueanotherbenefyceof gretter dignyte
And so maketha fals suggestyonto the pope
For a Tot quot outher els a pluralyte
Than shallhe nat be pleasedwith .11. noutherthre
But dyuerswyll he haueay choppyngeandchangynge
So oft a fole all and a godeclerkeno thynge

Theseof noughtforce so that they may hauegayne

And goldeynoughto spendeon rybawdryand pryde
They hauethe profyte, anotherhath the payue
The cure of the soulysof them is set asyde
And no meruayle,for howesholdethey abyde.
To techetheir parysshynges
vertuewysdomeor grace
Syns no man can be atonys in euery place

Alas thesefolysour maystercristebetray

Of mannessoulewherof they haue the cure
And settyngein their stedesyr Johnnof garnesey
They thynkeththemselfedischargydquyte andsure
These folys note nat that euery creature.
Whiche here of soulysdoth cure or chargetake
At domysday a comptfor themshallmake
 JVith manybemfycis. 161
But if I sholdetoucheall the enormytees
The immoderatcouetyseanddesyreof dignyte
That noweis vsedamongeall the degrees
Of benefycydmen ouer all the spiritualte
I fere displeasour,and also I often se
That trouth is blamed,andnat ay best to tell
But he that in this lyfe wyll alwaybesy be
To get dyuersprebendesshallhauethe last in hell

THENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

What meaneye gydersof Christisherytage

Shallye neuerleue this your deuowryngemynde
Shall ye no tyme your couytyse asswage
Whiche in goddesseruyceyour hartissoredoth blynde
Let this fals traytour no placeamongeyou fynde
Graunt hym no rowne in churche nor in quere.
For this is sure ye shall all leue behynde
We haueno Cyte, nor placeabydyngehere
Of them that prolongefrom day to day
to amende themselfe.

He that eraserassyngeth
with the crowe
Deferryngethe tyme of his amendement
Amongeourfolys,in thisour shypshallrowe
For his presumpcion,
dull myndeand blynde intent
What knowethesefolyswhethergodomnypotent
Wyll grauntthemto lyuevntyll anotherday.
Wheiforeweoughtto mendevs whylewemay.
 Of thame
thatprolonge,
&c. 163
If vnto any almyghtygod doth sende
From heuen aboue by inspyraciondyuyne
Wyll andgodemyndehis synnesto amende
And with his gracehis thoughtes enlumyne
If that synner wyll nat therto enclyne
But doth dyffer anddryue fromeday to day
A fole he is, no wyse man wyll denay

Yet manyfolowethis inconuenience

And knowyngetheyr ownevyce,and lyfe full of ordure
The paynetherof, andhoweeuery offence
And synneis punysshedof eche creature
Also they knowe that theyr deth is vnsure
And dye they mustknowyngeno hourenor space
Yet synne they styll, nat receyuyngethis grace

They folowethe crowescry to theyr great sorowe

Cras eras eras to morowe we shall amende

And if we mendenat than, than shall we the next morowe

Outher shortly after, we shall no more offende
Amendemadfole whangod this gracedoth sende
He is vnwysewhichetrustesthe crowessonge
And that affermyththat he shalllyue so longe

Synsdeth (as I hauesayde)is so vnstable

Wherfore we ought alwayvs to prouyde
And mendeour lyfe and synneabhomynable
For thoughthat thou be hole at the euyntyde
Thou knowestnat sure that thou shallhere abyde
Untyll the mornebut if thou dye in that space
It shallbe to late for the to cry eraseras
164 Of themthatprolonge
from dayto day
Synsit is in thy power that thou may
Amendethy selfewhangod inspyreththe
Why shaltthou tary vnto anotherday
The longertary the lesseapt shalt thou be.
In olde soresis grettestieopardye
Whan costome and vse is tourned to nature

It is right hardeto leue: I the ensure

Therfore if that thou lewdly fall in syn

By thy frayleflesshe,and the fals fendestrayne
Take nat the vse,contynuenat therin
But by confessyonshortly ryse agayne
Synnealway thretenyth vnto the doer, payne
And grutche of consciencewith mochethought and wo
Yet alwaye ar we redy and prone therto

Mannyslyfe on erth is euyn a chyualry

Agaynstour flesshefyghtyng whicheoften doth vs shame
Also the deuyllour goostlyennemy
On his partelaboursto get vs in his frame
Thusoft we fall,andthanour foly blame
Repentynge sore,andwyllyngeto refrayne
But withinanhourewe fall thertoagayne

Thuseuerto vycear we redyandprone

The gyftis of gracewe clenefrom vs exclude
We hauegreatcause
soreto complayne
andmone
We leuethatthynge(ourmyndes ar sorude)
Thatmyghtvsgydeto helthandbeatytude
Thusourownefoly,andourowneblyndemadnes
Us oftenledythvntogreatwretchydnes
 to amende
themselfe. 165
And if it fortune, that at any tyme
Within our myndeswe purpose stedfastly
For to confesse
our synne,excesse,
or cryme
Agayne our thought is changyd by and by
Away than ren we with the crowys crye
With one eras,to morowe, perauenturetwayne
Without regardehad, vnto infernal!payne

But in the meanespaceif that deth vntretable

Arrest the with his mace,fyers andcruell
And for thy synneandlyfe abhomynable
By iustyce dammethy soule for euer to hell
Than woldestthou gladly (If thou myght) do well
But there is no grace but doloure payneand sorowe
Than is to late to crye eraserasto morowe

THE ENUOY OF THE ACTOUR.

Say what delyte, thou fole or what pleasoure

Takest thou in synneand voluptuosyte
It is small sothly, and passetheuery houre
Lyke to the water, andthat in myserye
Therfore set nat in synnethy felycyte
This day begynthy lewdelyfe to refuse
Perchaunce to morowe sholde be to late to the

So sholdeerasthe crwys songethe soreabuse

Of hym that is Jelousouer his wyfe and
watcheth hir wayes without cause,or
euydenttokyn of hir myslyuynge.

He that his wyfe wyll counterwayteand watche

And ferythof hir lyuyngeby his Jelowse
intent
Is as greatfole, as is that wytleswratche
That wolde kepefleesvnder the sonferuent
Or in the se castwater, thynkyngeit to augment
For thoughehehir watchelockyngewith lockystwayne
But if shekepehir selfehiskepynge
is but vayne
 Qfhym thatis Jelousonerhis wyfe. 167
Oresteswasneuersoblyndeandmadasis he
Whiche for his wyfe taketh thoughtand charge
Watchyngehir wayes,thoughethat shegyltlesbe
This fole styll fereth, if shebe out at large
Lyst that someother his harnessholdeouercharge
But for all his fere andcarefullJelowsy
If shebe noughtthereis no remedy.

Thou fole I proue,thy watchyngehelpethnought

Thy labourlost is, thou takestthis carein vayne
In vaynethou takestthis Jelowsyandthought
In vaynethou sleestthy selfewith careandpayne
And of one doute thou fole thou makesttwayne
And neuershalt fyndeeasnor merylyuynge
(Whyle thou thus lyuest) but hateredandchydynge

For locke hir fast and all hir lokes marke.

Note all hir steppys,andtwynklyngeof hir iye.

Ordeynethy watchersanddoggesfor to barke
Bar fastthy doresandyet it wyll nat be
Close hir in a Toure with wallys strongeand hye
But yet thou fole thou lesistthy trauayle
For without shewyll no mancankepehir tayle

And yet moreouerbrechehir with plateandmayle

And for all that if shebe nought of kynde
Sheshalldisceyuethe (If shelyst) without fayle
But if that shebe chastof dedeandmynde
Hir selfeshallshekepe,thoughthou hir neuerbynde
Thus they that ar chastof nature,wyll byde so
And noughtwyll be noughtwhat soeuerthoudo
168 Qfhym thatis Je/ous
ouerhis ivyfe.
Thus is it foly andcausethgreatdebate
Bytwenemanandwyfe,whanhe by Jelowsy.
His wyfesuspectyth,
anddothwatcheor counterwayt
Or hir mysdemyth
andkepythin stratly.
Wherfore me thynke it is best remedy
For hymthat gladlywoldeescape
the hode
Nat to be Jelous: but honestlyuyngeandgode

The toure of bras that callyd was darayne.

Coudenat the damsell(by nameDanes)defende
But that Jupiter fondea cautellandtrayne
In a goldenshoureinto hir to discende
And to be short,at conclusyon andende
This maydefor all this Toure wastheredefylyd.
And by this lorde wasshetherebrought with childe

By this exampleit apereth euydent

That it is foly a womanto kepeor close
For if she be of lewde mynde or intent
Outherpreuyor apertthereabout shegoys
Deuysyngewayeswith hir goodmanto glose
But speciallyif that he hir suspect
With a hode shall he vnwars be ouerdect

But in the worlderight manyotherbe

Whicheneuerfolowethisfalsandlothlyway
We haueexampleof onePenolope
Whichethoughthatshealone
wasmanya day
Hir husbonde
gone,andshevexedalway.
By otherlouers: yet wassheeuertrewe
Unto hir olde: andneuerchangyd
for newe
 Of hymthat is Jelonsonerhis wyfe. 169
I fynde that often this folyssheJelowsy
Of men ; causyth somewomen to mysdo
Where as (were nat theyr husbondesblynde foly)
The pore wymenknowe nat what longyd therto
Wherfore suchemen ar folys and mad also
And with theyr hodeswhichethey them selfepurchace
Within my shyp shall hauea rowmeandplace

For whereasperchaunce
theyr wyfesar chasteandgoode
By mannysvnkyndnesthey chaungeandturne theyr herte
So that the wyfe must nedesgyue them a hode
But to be playnesomewymenar esyto conuert
For if onetake them wherethey cannat start.
What for theyr husbondesfolyssheJelowsy
And theyr ownepleasour: they scarscanought deny

THE ENUOY OF THE AcTOUR.

Therfore ye wymen lyue wysly and eschewe

Thesewantonwowersandsuchewylde company
Get you godenameby sadnesand vertue
Haunt no olde quenys that nouryssherybawdry
Than fere ye nat your husbondes Jelowsy
If ye be fawtles,chasteand innocent
But wantonwowersar ful of flatery
Euer whan they labour for their intent.

Be meke,demure,bocsome,andobedyent,
Gyuenoneoccasyonto menby your foly
If oneought asshe,deny it incontynent
And euer after auoyde his company
170 Ofhym thatis Jelonsonerhiswyfe.
Beware of comes,do nat your erys aply
To pleasauntwordesnor letters eloquent
If that Helenahadso donecertaynly
Shehadnat venrauysshedby handesviolent
Of auoutry, and specially of them yf ar
bawdesto their wyues,knowynge and
wyll nat knowe, but kepecounseyll,for
couetyse,and gaynesor auauntage.

A foleblynde,forsothandwytlesis that man

Whichethoughehis wyfe openlydefylydbe
Before his owneface, yet suchea chrafte he can
To faynehyma slepe,nat wyllyngeit to se
Or els he layeth his handebeforehis iye
And thoughehe here and se howe the mater gose
He snortynge
slepyth,andwyll it natdisclose.
172 Of auoutry.
O what disorder,what shameand what domage
Is nowebroughtin, andright lykely to abyde
In the sacramentof holy manage
The fere of payneandlaweis set a syde
Faytheis clenelost,andfewethemselfedo gyde
After theyr othe, but for lackeof punysshement.
They brake anddespysethis dyuynesacrament

Alas the lawe that Julius dyd ordeyne

Agaynstauoutry: is nowea slepeor dede
Noneferyth iustycepunysshement nor payne
Bothmanandwomanar past all fere anddrede
Theyr promesbrekynge,without respector hede
Had to theyr othe,by managesolemnysed
The beddefylyd.the sacramentdespysed

Manyar whichethynkeit is a thyngelaudable

Anotherssponseto pullute anddyffame
And howebeit the synneis mocheabhomynable
They fere nat god,nor dout nat worldly shame
But ratherboldly they bostthem of the same
Theynoteno thyngethe mortallpunysshement
Taken on auoutrers in the olde testament

Yet is anotherthyngemorelothsome
andvyle
Thatmanyhusbondes
knowynge
theyrwyues
syn
Absentthemselfe
andstoptheyriyenthe whyle
Kepyngethe dorewhyle the auoutreris within
Theyforsenothyngesotheymaymoney
wyn
Lyuynge
asbawdes,
andthatto theyrowne
wyues
O cursyd
money,
thismadnesthoucontryuys
 Ofauoutry. 173
O cursyd husbondethou ought to be asshamyd
To set so greatfors for sylueror for golde
That thou for them thy wyfe wyll se difFamyd
And helpetherto: ye : andthe dedebeholde
Blameit blyndedryuyll: by the laweso thou sholde
And nat therat to gyggyll lagheandJest
It is a lewdebyrde that fyleth his ownenest

The Hystory of Atreus expressythplayne

Howe he (by his ownebrother) for auoutry
Was dryuen from his royalme and his childre slayne
For his mysdede: without : let or remedy
Thesechildrenthus boughttheyr fadersmadfoly
What shallI wryte the wo and heuynes
Whiche Tarquynhad for rauysshynge lucres

I redein the hystory of oneVirginius

Whiche to thyntent this foule synne to eschewe
Whan his doughterwasdesyredby Clodius
And that by force; the faderhis dowghterslewe
Bytwene the handesof Clodius vntrue
The faderanswered(whanmenhis dededyd blame)
Better is to dye chast: than longeto lyue in shame

But of auoutrysomwhatmoreto speke

In it is yre Enuy andpaynfullpouertye.
And alsohe or shethat mariagedoth breke
May fere of deth eternal!whanthey dye
And here without welth ioy andrest shallthey be
And well ar they worthy (forsoth)of soretourment
In hell: for brekyngethis holy sacrament
I 74 Of auoutry.
But in the meanetymehere shaltthou hauediscorde
And neuerprosperin vertuenor ryches
And lothsomebe before the almyghty lorde
Thy dedesshallpurchacemysfortuneanddistres
Thou lyue shaltin shameanddye in wretchydnes
And if thou precedetherin and nat amende
Somegreatshameshalt thou hauebeforethyneende.

THE ENUOY OF THE ACTOUR.

O creaturesvnkyndeleueye this outrage

Brekenat your othe whicheye madesolemly
Echeoneto otherfor to lyue in manage
Defyle ye it nat by synneandvylany
On both partisif ye lyue faythfully
After yourpromes: in loue,fayth andConcorde
Than shallye in erth encreasandmultyply
And after hauesyghtof the almyghtylorde

Let all spousys

in theyrmyndes
comprehende
The lawys and decreesof the olde testament
Howetheythat in auoutrydyd offende
Were outherstonydor elsopenlybrent
Wherforesynsgoddes sonomnypotent.
Confermedhath the olde testamentwith the newe
Auoutrersnowedeserue
that samepunysshement
But well is to them,that stedfastar andtrewe
Of hym that nought can and nought wyll
lerne,and seythmoche,lytell berynge
away, I mene nat theuys.

He is a fole, andso shallhe dyeandlyue

That thynkethhymwyse,andyet canhe no thynge
A nd though he myght he wyll nat set nor gyue
His myndeto goodmaners, vertuenor cunnynge.
So is hea folethat doth to marketbrynge
His Gesefastbounde, andgameor sporteto se
Lowsyth theyrfete,andsuffreththemto fle
I 76 Qfhymthatnought
can
SayntGeorgeto boroweour Nauy is aflote
Forth shallwe sayle,thoughethat it be a payne
And mochelaboureto forgea pryuatebote
For eueryfaute: yet shallI nat refrayne
My handenor penne:thoughevnsurebe mygayne
My labouresure: mywyt andreasonthynne
Thanleuea thyngevnendydbetter nat begynne

But in this placeshall I a Shyp ordayne

For that fole: that heryth greatdoctryne
Wherbygoodmanersandvertueaperythplayne
He sethall goodnes,stody,anddisciplyne
And yet wyll nat his myndetherto enclyne
But thoughhe knowewhat thyngeis godlyest
Ouer all the worlde,yet is he styll a beest.

Many of this sortwanderandcompase

All studies,the wondersof the worlde to se
With vnstabyllwyngesfleyngefrom placeto place
Someseythlaweandsomedyuynyte
But for all thisbydetheyin onedegre
And if theywereAsses andfolysblyndebefore
After allthesesyghtes
yetar theymoche
more

Theysemoche
nought
lernynge,
andhauynge
nodelyte
In wysdome
normaners
vertuenorgoodnes
Theyrtymeisloste,without
wysdome
or profyte
Withoutgrace,or otherholynes
But whyletheylabourthuswithbesynes
If theyseoughtnewe,
or anyfolysshe
toy
Thatlyghtly
theylerne,
andsettheron
theyrioy.
 jind noughtwyll Ierne. 177
By this desyrefolys may knowenbe
For wytles menof fleyngemyndeandbrayne
Ar best pleasydwith thyngesof neweltye
And themto haue,they spareno costnor payne
To dyuerslondesto renbut all in vayne
And so they labour alway from londe to londe
To seall wonders,but noughtthey vnderstonde

Somefle to sethe wondersof englonde

Some to the court to se the maners there

Someto Wallys, Holonde, to Fraunce or Irlonde

To Lybye, afryke, andbesylyenquere.
Of all marueyles,
and skantlyworth a here
Some vnto Fraunce and some to Flaunders ren

To so the wayes,andworkesof cunnyngemen

And to be shorteoner all they range

Spendyngetheyr goodesabout vnthryftynes
In countreesknowen, vnknowen and strange
But whantheyr iourneythey homwardemust addres
As folys -vnware,andvagabundes
thryftles
They hauenoughtlerned,kept, nor with them brought
Of maners,wysdomeor other thyngethat is ought

They that by the sesayleto londesstrange

Oft chaungethe placeandplaneteof the fyrmament
But theyrmyndenor maners
theyne turnenorchaunge
And namelysuchethat ar lewdeandneglygent
What euerthey se styll oneis theyr intent
Whan he departyd,If that he were a sote
Agayneanone
hecomythin thesame
mynde
M
andcote
i 78 Ofhym thatnought
can
Saymadfolysblyndeouersene, andworthyscorne
FaynewoldeI knowewhatnecessyte ye haue
To go fromthe placewhereye werebredandborne
Into anotherlondeto lerne to play the knaue
Your myndevnstableshewethplaynethat ye raue
Labourenat so sore,to lerneto be a fole
That comethby it selfewithout anyother scole

He that is borne in walys or small brytayne

To lerneto pyke andstelenedysnat go to Rome.
What nedewe sayJeto Flaundersor Almayne
To lerneglotony,synswe may it lerne at home
Suchelewdnessoon may we lerne of our wombe
He that wyll lernefalshodegyle or sotelte
May lerneit hereaswell asbeyondethe se.

To passethe se to lerne Uenus rybawdry

It is greatfoly, for thou maystlerne thy fyll
In shoppisInnesandsellers,ye somtymeopenly
At sayntMartynsWestmynsteror at the tour hyll
So that I fere all London,in tyme it shall fyll
For it is therekept in lyght andin darke
That the poreStuysdecaysfor lackeof warke

But brefelyto speke,andthisto seta syde

He that on vyce,andsynnewyll set his entent
Maylerneit in Englonde,
if heat homeabyde
And that of all sortis: god sendeamendement
But if thoualwaywyllnedebedylygent
To labour
in theworlde
about
fromplace
to place
DoasdydPlato,thanshalt
thoufynde
great
grace
 And noughtwyll lerne. 179
This godly platolabouredwith dilygence
To Egypt, andother londessparyngefor no payne
Where euer he came: augmentyngehis scyence
And at the last retournedto Greceagayne
His countreynatyf: with laudeandnamesouerayne
Thus he for all his wysdomelabouredbesyly
But that fowle that noughtcannoughtsettyth by

Wherfore that gosethat styll aboutwyll wander

Mocheseyngeandherynge,andnoughtberyngeaway
Shallhomecomeagayneas wyseasa gander
But morefole is he that maylerne eueryday
Without costor laboureout of his ownecountrey
And whanthe well of wysdomerennethby theyr dore
Yet looth they the waterasif that it were soure

ALEXANDER BARKLAY AD FATUOS VT DENT LOCUM

OCTOSECUNDARIISBEATE MARIE DE OTEREY QUI

QUIDEM PRIMA HUIUS RATIS TRANSTRA MERENTUR.

Soft folys soft, a lytell slackeyour pace

Tyll I hauespaceyou to order by degre
I haueeyghtneyghbours,that firste shallhauea place
Within this my shyp,for they mostworthy be
They may theyr lernyngereceyuecostelesandfre.
Theyr wallysabuttyngeand ioynyngeto the scoles.
No thyngethey can, yet noughtwyll they lernenor se
Therfore shallthey gyde this oneshypof foles.
i8o Ofhymthatnoughtcanlerne.

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY.

O vnauysyd,vnwyseandfrowardeman
Greatcausethou hastto mornesoreandcomplayne
Whan no goodnesvertue nor wyt thou can
And yet to lernethou hastscorneanddysdayne
Alas manmende,and spareno maner payne
To get wysdome, andit thou shaltnat want
Hym that noughtwyll knowe,god wyll nat knowecertayne
Wo is hym that wylfully is ignorant.
Of great wrathe, procedynge of small
occasyon.

Assyserysfor ourfolys a lyurayis

And he that wyll be wrothfor a thyngeof nought
Of the sameleurayis nat worthyto mys
For whothat by wratheto suchea wyll is brought
To sle his Asse for hir passloweand soft
Shallafterhisfury, repenthis madfoly
For to a cleremynde,madwratheis ennemy
 82

Comenere,yewrathfullmen,takeyourrowme
andplace
Within our shyp,andto slakeour hastynes
Mount on an Assesloweof hir gate andpace
Synstroublouswrath,in you,styreththismadnes
Oftenlackeof myghtasswagyth cruelnes
To a wyldecowegoddothshorthornyssende
Wrath is greatfoly, wheremyght may nat extende

O manyll myndydwhat helpeththe this yre

Nonethe commendyth whichedoth thy manersmarke
What dostethou: but the wastewith thyneownefyre
Narryngewith thyselfelyke asa doggedoth barke
Without mekewordeandpleasydwith no warke
Art thou: but thoughe all men be dylygent
Mad wrathe to please,yet who can it content

This manmalycious
whichetroubledis with wrath
Nought els soundethbut the hoorseletter R
Thougheall be well, yet he noneanswerehath
Sauethe dogges
letter,glowmynge
with narnar
Suche labour nat this mad rancour to defar
Nor yethismalyceto mytygateor asswage
But ioyethto be dredeof menfor thisoutrage

His mouthfomythhisthroteout gorgythfyre

His ferefullfuroureis, hisholefelycyte
By hisgreatyre,dothhecoueyte
anddesyre
Dowtydto be: of the porecomontye
His ownemadnes andcruellfuryosyte
Wyll he nat knoweashe werenat culpable
Of thismadfury andvyceabhomynable
 Procedynge
of smalloceasy
on. 183
Hym selfeis blynde,but otherwell notehis dede
He shallbe poyntedwhetherhe go or ryde
Sayngeoneto other take goderegardeandhede
Of yonderfuryousfole whomereasondoth nat gyde
Bewarehis wayesfle hymon euerysyde
Who that hym suethboth hurte andshameshallfynde
Thusotherhym notythbut he hymselfis blynde

So his Asseerys to hym ar inuysyble

He thynkyth to hauepacyencethoughthat he hauenone
And vnto hym it is thynge incredyble
That suchear folyswhosepacyenceis gone
Thus coueytyth he to kepe his erys alone
And to wrathfull menhe wyll no thyngeobiect
For that hym selfeis with the sameinfect

But somwhatto touche the inconuenyences

Whiche by this wrath procedythto mankynde
It is chefegroundeof manygreatoffences
Destroyngereasonblyndyngethe wyt andmynde
By malycemanis to all yll inclynde
Both sympleman,andlordesexcellent
Do that by wrath oft whichethey after repent

Reuokethy mynde,somwhatthy herte enclyne

"UntoArchytas a manof hye wysdome
Bornethe the ryche Cyte namydTarentyne
Redehowethat he his malycedyd ouercome
For thoughehis seruauntwasfals to hym become
And he soremouydto auengethe sameoffence
Yet he refraynydhis wrathe by pacyence
I 84 Of greatwrathe
So socratessoSenykandPlato
Suffredgreatwrongegreatiniury andpayne
And of your fayth sayntisright manymo
For christ our maysterdyd great turment sustayne
What woor paynecovvde
sayntLaurance
refrayne
From paciencewherforeit is greatshame
For christenmenif they do not the same

They suffreddeth, ye, andyet were pacyent

And manyhaueprayed,for suchethat hauethemslayne
Where thou madfole takestgreuouspunysshement
For smalloccasyon,ye comeby chauncesodayne
Fole thou art blynde, and mad to set thy brayne
All thynge to venge(by wrath) that doth mysfall
For he that part hath lost: by wrath oft lesythall

And forsothno meruayle,if suchewyseactours

Hath wrathes madnes,expelledand set asyde
For wherethat wrath doth raynewith his furours
There can no reasonnor wysedomelonge abyde
The wyt it wastyth : so is it a lewde gyde
Therfore let mesure,this malyceholde agayne
But pacyence
is brydyll his madnesto refrayne

It longethnat to anymanof hye prudence

For to be wrothe,yrous,or gyuysto malancoly
No suchepassyonnor inconuenyence
Canfall to man,ay stedfastwyseandholy
But folysar mostetroublyd with this foly
Where asa wysemanfor any aduersyte
Lyueth in quyetemyndeand tranquylyte
 Procedynge
of smalloccasion. \ 85
A man well manerd,sad sober and dyscrete
If he be ware,wyse,chraftyandprouydent
Beholdethall thyngebeforehis syghtandfete.
Gydyngehym by mesurea vertueexcellent
Where as a fole doth all without aduysement
And in euery thynge shewyth his folysshnes
Wroth at echeworde, as maysterof madnes

Wherfore ye folysseye no lengertary

But on the dull Asse hastely assende
That a slowebeestmay hastyfolys cary
For your madwrath dowtythno thyngethe ende
Your madnescannat your blyndemysdededefende
For who that one sleyth, angry and feruent
Ought to be hangydwhanhe is pacyent

THE ENUOY OF THE AcTOUR.

Blyndemyndydmanwhichewylt all thyngeouercome

Reputyngethy selfe,mostesouerayne
androyall
If thou be wyse or partener of wysdome
Labour to ouercomethyne owne selfe firste of all
Thy wrathasswagethou in especyall
Let neythermalyce,nor yre with the abyde
Thou art a fole the chefe or lorde to call

Of other: whanthou cannat thy selfewell gyde.

Of the mutabylyteof fortune.

That man whiche hopyth hye vp to ascendc

On fortuneswhele,and cometo stateroyall
If the wheleturne, may doutesoreto descende
If he be hye the soreris his fall
So he whichetrustyth nat therto at all
Shall in mosteeasand suertyhymselfegyde
For vnsurefortune canin no placeabyde
 Of themtetabylyte
offortune, 187
We dayly proueby exampleandeuydence
That manybe madefolys madand ignorant
By the brodeworlde,puttyngetrust andconfydence
In fortunes whele vnsure and inconstant

Someassaythe whele thynkyngeit pleasant

But whyle they to clym vp hauepleasouranddesyre
Theyr fete them faylyth so fall they in the myre

Promotea yeman,makehym a gentylman

And makea Baylyf of a Butchersson
Make of a Squyerknyght, yet wyll they if they can
Coueyt in theyr myndeshyer promosyon
And many in the worlde haue this condicion
In hopeof honourby treasonto conspyre
But ofte they slyde,and sofall in the myre

Suchelokys sohye that they forget theyr fete

On fortunes whele whiche turneth as a ball

They sekedegreesfor theyr smallmyght vnmete

Theyr folysshehertisand blyndesenat theyr fall
Somefolyspurposeto hauea rowmeRoyall
Or clym by fortunes whele to an empyre
The whelethan turneth lyuyngethemin the myre

O blyndemansaywhat is thyne intent

To worldly honouressogreatly to entende
Or here to makethe hye rycheandexcellent
Synsthat so shortly thy lyfe must hauean ende
None is so worthy, nor canso hye ascende
Nor noughtis sosureif thou the trouth enquyre
But that it may doute to fall downeto the myre
I 88 Of themutabylyte
offortune.
There is no lordeDuke kyngenor otherestate
But dye they must,andfrom this woldego
All worldly thyngeswhichegodhath here create
Shallnat ay byde,but hauean endealso
What mortal! man hath ben promotyd so :
In worldly welthe or vncertaynedignyte
That euer of lyfe had houre of certaynte

In stormywyndeslowesttreesar mostsure
And howsyssurestwhichear nat byldyd hye
Where ashye byldyngesmay no tempestendure
Without they be foundydsure andstedfastly
So gretestmenhauemostefere andieopardy
Better is pouertyethoughit be hardeto bere
Than is a hye degrein ieopardyandfere,

The hyllys ar hye, the valeysar but lowe

In valeysis cornethe hyllys ar barayne
On hyestplacesmostgrasdoth nat ay growe
A mery thyngeis mesureandeasyto sustayne
The hyestin greatfere,the lowestlyue in payne
Yet better ly on grounde,hauyngeno nameat all
Thanhyeon a Clyf feryngealwayto fall

Thusasmethynkeit is no thyngelawdable
On fortuneswhele,for oneto clymto hye
Syns the swyft cours therof is so vnstable
And all mustweleuewhanwe departanddye
Of our shortlyfe hauewe no certayntye
For lachesys
(whanthat thouhastlefte drede)
Of thy lyue dayesshallshortlybreke the threde.
 Of themutabylyte
offortune. 189
Atropos is egall to pore man and estate
Defarwyll nat deth by prayerne request
No mortallmanmayhis furour mytygate.
Nor of hym haueoneday longerhereto rest:
Contentthe with measure(therfore) for it is best
Coueytnat to mochein honourto excell
It is a fowle fall to fall from erth to hell

Unstable fortune exalteth some a loft

To this intent, them to brynge to an yll ende

For who that hye clymmeth his fall can nat be soft
If that mysfortuneconstraynehym to dyscende
ThoughJulius Cesarhis lordshypdyd extende
Oner all the worlde: yet fortune at the last.
From lyfe andlordshyphym wretchydlydyd cast

This hath ben sene,is sene,and euer shall

That mostperyll is in hyest dignyte
Howemanyestatis,howemanymenRoyall.
Hath fortune dryuyndowneinto aduersyte
Rededyuerscronycles,andthou shall playnly se
That manythousandes hath endydin doloure
By theyr immoderatemyndeto honoure

Ouer redeBochasandthan shaltthou seplayne

The fall of prynceswryten ryght compendeously
There shaltthou sewhat punysshement andpayne
Haueto them fallen,somtymeby theyr foly
And oft is mochepreuy hateredandenuy
Had agaynstlordesof the rudecomonte
Where euerthey go: they lyue in ieopardye
 190 Of themutabyJyte
offortune.
Ay dowtyngedeth by cursedgyle andtreason
Eche thynge mysdemynge,ferynge to be opprest
By somemysfortune,with venymor with poyson.
Thus in greathonouris neytherioy nor rest
But thoughtandfere, ye whyle the lyfe doth lest
Thus who that procurythgreathonourto attayne
Procurythwith all, enuy,peryll, fere andpayne

A lorde or state whom many men doth drede

With louelesfere,andfaynedcountenaunce
Unto hym selfe ought wyselyto take hede
And themto fere,if he wyll voydemyschaunce
For why a comontyis of sucheignoraunce
And so enuyous,that both erly and late
They museto destroyhym whom,they fere andhate

A manpromotydvnto hye dygnyte

Shallhaueloue shewydhym by adulacion
But no true loue noutherfaythfull amyte.
Good fame nor name, ne commendacion
Ye thoughhe be worthy greatexaltacion
Pytefull louyngeand full of equyte
Yet hardeis to pleasea folysshecomonte

Therforemethynke of all thyngeit is best

Man to be pleasedandcontentwith his degre
For why in mesure,is suerty easand rest
And ay mosteperyll in hyestdignyte
Fortuneis full of changes
andmutabylyte
Trust nat therto,therby comythdo gode
But nowe hye nowe lowe, vnstableas a flode
 Of themutabylyte
offortune. 19

ALEXANDER BARKLAY TO THE "FoLvs.

Labour nat manwith to mochebesy cure

To clymmeto hye lyst thou by fortune fall
For certaynly, that man slepyth nat sure
That lyeth lows vpon a narowe wall
Better somtymeto serue,than for to gouerneall
For whan the Net is throwen into the se

The greatfysshear takenandthe pryncipall

Where as the smallescapythquyteand fre
Of them that be diseasydand seke and
ar impacient and inobedyent to the
Phesycyan.

If one be vexed with soreinfirmyte

Within his body felyngedyseasand payne
And wyll nat gladly with perfyte myndeagre
To a wysePhesycianthat woldehym hele agayne
He is a fole,andshallhis foly sorecomplayne
And if that he by his selfewyll do sterue
It is but well: synshe it doth deserue.
 Of themthatbediseasyd
andseke 193
He that is feble with sekenes outher wounde
Wherwith he feleth hym selfeso kept in payne
That dyehe mustebut if remedybe founde
He is a fole, if that he haue dysdayne
Of wysePhesycyans : andmedecines souerayne
And wyll nat suetheyr counselland aduysement
Wherby he myght hauehelth and shortamendement

Thoughethe Phesycyan(of his lyfe) hym assure

Sohe be ruled, andvnto his myndeagre
The pacyentyet kepyth no dyetenor mesure
In metenor drynke,andwyll nat gouernedbe
But folowethRyot andall superfluyte
Receyuynge coldewaterin stedeof ale or wyne
Agaynstreadandcounsellof crafty medycyne

What meteor drynkethat is mostcontagious

And mostinfectyf to his sekenesor dyseas
And to hym forbyden,asmostecontrarious
Unto his sekenes. That namelydoth hym pleas
But that thyngethat myghthymhelpeandgreatlyeas
He hatyth moste,and wyll nonereceyueat all.
Tyll this smallsore,at the last becomemortall

Suchewyll no counsellensue,nor mesurehaue

Nor tempertheymselfein lessenor yet in more.
Tyll theyryll gouernaunce
bryngethemto theyrgraue
Retournyngeinto groundelyke asthey werebefore
But who that soonewolde,be helyd of hissore
Whan it is neweought to fynderemedy.
For in olde sorysis greatestJeopardy
194 And ar inobedyent
to thePhesycyan.
A smallsparcleoften tyme doth augment
It selfe: andgrowethto flamesperyllous
Right sosmallwellyswhichesemethto be spent
With lytell sprynges
andRyuers,ofte sogrowys
Unto greatwaters,depeandieopadous.
So a smallsoreaugmentyth,styll preuely
By lytell andlytell for lackeof remedy

A small diseaswhiche is ynoughedurable

At the begynnynge,for lackeof medycyne
At longe contynuauncebecomyth incurable
The paynfull pacyentbryngynge vnto ruyne
Wherfore who wyll to his owne helth enclyne
And soonebe helydof yll without all tary
To the Phesicianought nat to be contrary

Obstynatfrowardeor inobedyent
Ought he nat be, but with a pacyentmynde
Sheweall his soristruly playneand euydent
To the Phesicianif he wyll socourfynde.
And thoughehis saluysin paynes
hym sorebynde.
Let nat for that, but after his wyll the gyde
Bettera shortepayne,than that doth longeabyde

No sorecanbe releuydwithout payne.

Forsakenat the short, the longepayneto eschewe
To the Phesycian
weoughtin wordebe playne
And shewehym our sore, whether it be olde or newe
For in thy wordesif that thou be nat trewe
Or kepeought close,thou dysceyuest be thou sure
Thy selfe.andnat hym that of the hath the cure.
 Of themthatar d'ueasyd
andseke \ 95
In lykefourmewhocomythvntoconfessyon
There to declarehowehe his lyfe hath spent
And shewythnat his synnelyke wyseashe hath done
Hymselfhe disceyuyth,asblyndeof his entent.
Thus many one endureth infernall tourment
With wo contynuallandpaynefor euermore
For kepyngesecretethere, of his goostlysore.

Thus who that is paynedin any malady

Bodelyor gostly, ought nat to be callydwyse
To the Phesycianwithout that he aply.
And his preceptishant kepeandexercyse
But now olde wytchesdareboldly interpryse
To intromyt to hele all infyrmyte
And manythembyleue,whiche sothlyis pyte

Suchewytchesof theyr byleueabhomynable

On brestor hedeof the paynfullpacyent
With theyr wytchecraftisshallcompasse chat and bable
Assuryngehym of helth, andshort amendement
Than he that is sekefyxith his intent
Upon hir errour: to hauehelpeof his sore
But shehym leuyth wors than he wasbefore

Poulethe apostylldoth boldly sayandpreue

That they whicheto suchewytcheswyll assent
Ar heretykes,Lolardesandfalseof theyr byleue
Brekyngegoddeslawesand commaundement
And oft alsoby profe it aperetheuydent
That sucheasto wytchescraftiswyll intende
By theyr fals Phesykecomesonerto theyr ende
198 Of oneropentakynges
of counsell.
Who that intendythby chraft andpolycy
To take manybyrdes,outhersmallor great
And layethbeforethemto playneandopenly
His lynessnarys,his lymetwyggisor hisnet
He shall no profyte gaynenor auauntageget
For if that he his engynescannat hyde
The byrdesshallbe ware,andlyghtly fle asyde

Sohe that \vyll openlymanaceand threte

With worde and hande, as he uolde sle adowneryght
Is oft scantabyll a symple houndeto bete.
For in his worde is all his force and myght
And he that alwaythretenythfor to fyght.
Oft at the profe is skantly worth a hen
For greattestcrakers ar nat ay boldestmen

Who that agaynsthis ennemywolde fyght

And gyuethhym beforewepyn andarmour.
Agaynst hym selfe to encreashis foes myght
Sucheonehath reasonandwyt of smalvalour.
Ryght sothat fole is led in lyke errour
Which nought can do, of mater les or more
Without he crake and boste therof before.

And alsosuchebostersandcrakerscomonly
Whichedoththeyrmyndein hastywordesdeclare
Of other menar lytell or noughtsetby
And by theyr wordes,full often yll they fare
A manalsomay ryght easelybe ware
Of folyswhichethustheyrcounsell
out expres
Whose thretenyngsto theyr foesis armourand harnes
 Of oneropen
takynges
of counsell.
199
But hymcallI wyseandcraftyof counsell
Whiche kepethclosethe secretisof his mynde
And to no man\vyll themdisclosenor tell
To mannor woman,ennemynor yet frynde
But do his purposewhanhe best tyme canfynde
Without worde spekynge,and somay his intent
Best cometo ende,his foo, beyngeinprouydent

And speciallyno manought to be Urge

Of wordesnor shewehis counsell openly
In thyngesweyghty,of peryll andgreatcharge
Consernynge a royallue,or helth of his body
For manyar falslydisceyuedfynally
By lewdetale bererswhichesekethe way to fynde
To knowe the preuy counsellof theyr lordesmynde

They fawneandflaterro knowehis pryuetee

But they forsoth,that woldeknowe thyngesnewe
For the mostepart of this condicionbe
No thynge to kepe, but lyghtly it to shewe.
Thus maythe sayngeof Salomonbe fondetrue.
Whiche sayththat he is wyse,and lyuethhappely
Whiche to hym selfekepyth his counsellsecretely

I fyndefoure thyngeswhicheby meanescan

Be kept close,in secrete,one longe in preuetee
The firste is the counsellof a wytlesman
The secondea Cyte, whichebyldyd is a hye
Upon a mountayne,the thyrde weoften se
That to hyde his dedesa louer hath no skyll
The fourth is straweor fetherson a wyndy hyll
2OO Ofoueropentakynges
of coumell.
A poremannysdedysmaysoonebe kept close
His nameis hyd, andright sois his dede.
A rychemannysdedemayno manhydenor glose
It fleeth farthest, all men of it take hede
So that yll famewhomeall menought to drede
In fleyngeabouthir myght doth multyply
Augmentyngeto his lynageshameand vylany

Therfore who that intendyth to be wyse

Ware andcrafty, auoydyngeall inconuenyence
To shewehis counsellought nat to interpryse
But do his mynde,kepyngealwaysylence
In seruauntisis smalltrust or confydence
He that is nowethy frendemay after be thy fo
Warne nat thy ennemyof that that thou wylt do

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOI.YS.

O ye that ar put to wrongeandIniury

If ye intendefor to yeldethe sameagayne
It is greatfoly to warneyour ennemye
Or hym to thretenwith bostyngewordesvayne.
For oft is sayde,andtrue it is certayne
That they that wyll lyue in quyetnesandrest
Must here andseandhastywordesrefrayne
All styll with fewe wordesdo that they thynke best
Of folys that cannat bewareby the mys-
fortune and exampleof others damage.

Herewe expresse,the errourandblyndnes

Of themthat se.othersaduersyte
Theyrwofullfall theruyneanddystres.
Yetsuetheythesame, andwaretheywyll natbe
Thoughtheybyexample thepayneof otherse
Yet leuetheynat: thusmaytheyclaymea place
Within myNauy,asfolysvoydeof grace
2O2 s that can nat beware

We dayly sethe mysfortuneanddamage

And often fallys,to pouerteandpayne
Whiche folys sufferfor theyr synneandoutrage
Somedrowned,somemaymed,someother wyseslayne
Yet this examplecannat causevs refrayne
Our wretchydlyfe, and sekefor remedy
We markeno thyngeanothersieopardy.

We sethe mockyngescorneandderysyon
That folyshath ofte tyme whanthey offende
We setheyr losse,theyr, shameandtheyr confusion
Howe be it all this can cause vs to amende

We canno thyngeandto noughtwe intende

SomanyfolysI fyndethat playneI thynke
Theyr weyghtychargeshallcausemy shyp to synke

Suchear despysyd of mendiscreteandwyse

Ye andmoreouerthesefolysar soblynde
That echoneof themthe otherdoth despyse
With sharprebukes,wordeslewdeand vnkynde
Yet in theyr lyfe no differencemaywe fynde
And thoughthey hauesenea thousandebrough to shame
For onesorevyce: yet lyue they in the same

The exampleof othercannat theyr myndesmoue

Theyr wyttis ar blyndetheyr foly is the cause
Alas madfolyswhy do ye vycethus loue
Rennyngeay to deth without all rest or pause
Alas, at the last retourne to christis lawes
Be ware, whan ye other se taken in the snare
Let anothersperyll causeyou to be ware
 13ytheexample
of othersdamage.203
Ye do nat so, alasit is great shame
Your synnehath quenchydyour graceandgostlylyght
One blynde man another doth chyde and blame
And yet both stomble,nat goyngeeuynor right
A blyndeman hym ledyth that alsohath no syght
So both in the dychefallyth in suchea wyse
That onecannat helpe,the other agayneto ryse

One crab blamysanotherfor hir bacwardepace

And yet the blamersothlycannoneother do
But both two ar in theyr goyngein lyke case
The onegoethbocwarde,the other doth also
Many of thesefolysafter that manergo
But who that of his modersdoctrynehath disdayne:
Shallby his stepdameendurewo careandpayne

And perchaunce after abydethe correccyon

Of the saydestepdame,in placeof punysshement.
For his synne,sufferyngehir vniustsubieccien
And who that nat roloweth the commaundement

Of his faderbeyngeto hym obedyent

May fortune after in hunger thyrst ond colde
Obey that stranger,whomhe nat gladlywolde

We fyndeHystorieswryten longeandample
In dyuersbokesof greatauctoryte
The hole Bybyll shewethto vs example
Howe they werepunysshedthat lyuyd in cruelte
I fyndealsowryten in bokesof Poetrye
Howe that Phetonwasbrent with the lyghtnynge
For his presumpcion,agaynsta myghty kynge
204 Qff°^s thatcannat beware
We haue examplealso by Icarus
Whiche contraryvnto the commaundement
Of his craftyfathernamed
Dedalus
By fleyngeto hye hiswyngesandfethersbrent
And so descendydandin the sewasdrent
Thus thesetwo endyngeby theyr lewdnesin care
By theyr examplesholdecausevs to beware
We dayly sebeforeour syghtand our presence
What mysauenture to manyonedoth fall
And that worthelyfor theyr synneandoffence
Yet ar we blynde,andar nat ware at all
But in our synneslyue vnto themegall
And whereby synnewe se onecometo shame
We wyllyngly (alas)ensuethe same
Therfore who sethe a mad fole come to wo

Or fall in peryll for lackeof a goodgyde

By anotherway ought craftelyto go
And (by anothersyll) for his helthe to prouyde
The fox wasware,andperyll set asyde
And woldenat enterinto the caue,for playne
Of bestisthat entredsawehe nonecomeagayne
THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY
Lerne man, lerne of bestesto be ware
Of othersperyll, by theyr enormyte
For if onebyrde be onystanein a snare
The otherauoydeasfastastheymayflee
A fysshebyrdeor bestethat hathin peryllbe
Of nethokeor snare,if that they mayescape.
Wyll aftereuerbeware,but blyndemanwyll natse
His ownedestruccion,
but afterit dothgape
Of them that forceth or careth for the
bacbytyngeof lewde people.

Whetherthata bellbe hangydor lye on grounde

If vntothe samea clapperlackeor fayle
The bell shall makebut sympyll noyseor sounde
Thoughthouin it do hangea Foxystayle
Right so backbytersthat vse on men to rayle
Cannat greatlyhurt themthat lyuerightwysly
Wherforeit is foly theyr babblyngo
to setby.
206 Of themthatfor cethor careth
Who that within this worlde wolde rest and lyue
In easof mynde,peasandtranquyllyte
Must nat hismyndeset,nor his erys gyue
To the vaynetalys,of the rude comonte
And thoughsomepeopleof suchecondicionbe
Oft to dyffamegoodpeopletrue andJust
Let themnoughtcare,for byde it nedethey must

Let no man care for the lewde hyssynges

And yll soundynges of this vnhappyrage
It is greatfoly to set by the lesynges
Of cursydetungessynsnonecanthemasswage
For who in this worlde wyll cometo auautage
Hym selfeexaltyngeto worshypandhonoure
Shall fynde the swetnesmengledwith the sowre

And he that wyll of his dygnytebe sure

Or sympyll lyuynge what so euer it be
Right greuouschargissomtymes mustendure
And with his iyen often beholdeandse
Suchethyngeswhervvithhis myndecannot agre
And he that wyll with the worldehaueto do
Must suffersuchetroubleasbelongeththerto

Yet somehauepytchedtheyr tentisstedfastly

Upon suregrounde,auoydeof all this payne
Despysyngethe worldeswantonnes andfoly
For in the sameis noughtsurenor certayne
Noughtsewe tranquyllin thesewawesmundayne
We seno loue,lawe,fydelyte,nor trust
But noweup hye, andnowelowein the dust
 For thebacbytynge
of'lewtiepeople.207
Toauoydethe worlde with his foly andstryfe
Many hath left londestownesand ryches
And yll companylyuyngesolytarylyfe
Alone in desertand in wyldernes
Ye andthat: menof mostewyt andworthynes
Whiche by that meanedyd best of all eschewe
All worldly sclaunderand lyuyd in vertue

He that intendethto lyue a rightwyselyfe

And so procedethin manersandgooddede
Of worldly sclaunder,complaynt,hatered,andstryfe
And all yll wyll, he ought nat to takehede
For he that is iuste ought no thynge for to drede
A sclaundryngetonge, ye, be it neuer so wode
For suchelewdetongescannonehurte that ar gode.

Lyue well andwysely,than let menchat theyr fyll

Wordes ar but wynde, and though it oft so fall
That of lewdewordescomythgreathurte andyll
Yet byde the ende,that onely prouyth all
If thou canst suffer truste well that thou shall

Ouercomethyneennemyes better by pacience

Than by hye wordesrygour or vyolence

If poetisthat somtymevyceblamydanddiscommendyd
And holy Prophetiswhichealsodyd the same
To suchevayneandmortallwordeshad intendyd
They sholdenat hauedurst the peoplesvyceto blame
So sholdethey hauelost their honourandgoodname
Theyr fameandmeryt,but nowethey hauenat so
But spredtheyr fame,whicheneuerawayshallgo
208 Of themthatfor cethor careth
Forsoth nonelyueth within the worldewyde
Suchemekeso holy, so wyseor pacyent
Whiche can hym selfeat euerytymeso gyde
To pleaseechefole, for nonecan somecontent
Forsothhe myght be namedexcellent
Happy and blessydandlyuein welth andeas
Whiche eueryman cowdeseruecontentandpleas

But sucheis none,andhe that wyll assay

For to contentechefolysshemannesmynde
Must brake his slepeandstodynyght andday
And yet alwaysomefole shallbe behynde
Ye if onelyuewell,yet wyll theysomwhat fynde
Behyndehis backehymto sclaunder anddiffame
For beggersand bawdestherin haueall theyr game

For whether thou dwell in Est west north or south

Of suchedryuelseuershalt thou fyndeplente

Onemusthauemochemele,to stoppeechemannys
mouth
Sclanderis the cunnyngeof all the comonte
And in the samesucheay mostebesybe
Whiche lyue themselfe in shameand vylany
Euennowethey spekerepentynge
by andby

Thusall the cunnynge andstodydilygent.

Of peoplevnthryftyis alwayto despyse
And diffame other whiche ar but innocent
Wherfore let sucheasar discreteand wyse
Nought set by themthat lesyngysdoth deuyse
Nor theyr vaynefoly : for he that doth certayne
Is but, a fole. andeuershalllyue in payne.
 For thebacbytynge
of lewcie
people.209

THE ENUOY OF BARKXAY TO THE FOLYS.

Troublenat thy selfe(thou man)whereis no nede

And armethou thy selfewith goodlypacyence
Be sureit is greatfoly to take hede
Unto backbytyngesynsthat no resystence
May be founde to withstande his violence
And take thou this onethyngefor thy comfort
That nonewyse,or good,wyll commytthis offence
But all ar caytyffes,that ar of this lewdesort.
Of mockers, and scorners, and
false accusers.

Yet ar mo Folys whiche mockeand scornethfast

Sucheasthemshewythwysdomeanddoctryne
And at theyr hedes(vngoodly)stonyscast
In myndedisdaynynge to wysdome to enclyne
But gladlytheyensue the discyplyne
Of folysshemockers,let wysementhemeschewe
For no correccioncanbryngethem to vertue
 Of mockers)
scorners,
andfalseaccusers.
211
O Hertlesfolys, hastehere to our doctryne
Leueof the wayesof your enormyte
Enforceyou to my preceptisto enclyne
For here shallI sheweyou goodandveryte
Enclyne, and ye fynde shall great prosperyte
Ensuyngethe doctryneof our fadersolde
And godly lawesin valourworth greatgolde

Who that wyll folowethe gracesmanyfolde

Whiche ar in vertue, shall fynde auauncement
Wherfore ye folysthat in your syn ar bolde
Ensueye wysedorae and leueyour lewdeintent
Wysdomeis the way of men mostexcellent
Therforehauedone,andshortly spedeyour pace
To quayntyour selfeandcompanywith grace.

Lerne what is vertue,therin is greatsolace

Lerne what is trouth sadnesand prudence
Let grutchebe gone,andgrauytepurchace
Forsakeyour foly andinconuenyence
Cesseto be folys, anday to sueoffence
Foloweye vertue,cheferote of godlynes
For it andwysdomeis groundeof clenlynes

Wysedomeandvertuetwo thyngesar doutles

Whiche manenduethwith honourspecyall
But sucheherds asslepein folysshnes
Knowethno thynge,andwyll noughtknowe at all
But in this lytell bargein pryncypall
All folysshemockersI purposto repreue
Clawehe his backethat felyth ytche or greue
212 Of mockers,
scorners,
andfalse accusers.
Mockersandscornersthat ar hardeof byleue
With a rugh combeherewyll I claweandgrate
To proue if they wyll from theyr vyceremeue
And leue theyr foly whichecausethgreat debate
Suchecaytyfsspareneytherpore mannor estate
And wheretheyr selfear mosteworthy of dyrysion
Other men to scorne is all theyr mostecondicion

Yet ar mo folys of this abusion

Whiche of wysemendespyseththe doctryne
With mowes, mockes,scorne,and collusyon
Rewardyngerebukes,for theyr gooddisciplyne
Sheweto suchewysdome,yet shallthey nat enclyne
Unto the same,but set no thyngetherby
But mockethy doctryne,styll or openly

So in the worldeit aperethcomonly

That who that wyll a Fole rebukeor blame
A mockeor moweshallhe haueby andby
Thus in derysyon,hauefolys theyr special!game
Correcta wyseman,that woldeescheweyll name
And faynewoldelerne,andhis lewdelyfeamende
And to thy wordeshe gladly shallintende

If by mysfortunea rightwysemanoffende
He gladly suffreth a iuste correccion
And hym that hym techythtaketh for his frende
Hym selfeputtyngemekelyvnto subieccion
Folowyngehis preceptisandgooddyreccion
But if that one a Fole rebuke or blame
He shallhistecher,hate,sclaunder,
anddyffame
 Of mockers,
scorners,
andjalseaccusers.
213
Howbeit his wordes,oft turne to his owne shame
And his ownedartis retourneto hym agayne
And so is he sore woundydwith the same
And in wo endyth,greatmyseryandpayne
It alsoprouyd full often is certayne
That they that on mockesalwaytheyr myndescast
Shall of all other be mocked at the last

He that goeth right, stedfastsureandfast

May hym well mocke that goth haltynge and lame
And he that is whyte may well his scornescast
Agaynsta manof ynde,but no manought to blame
Anothersvycewhyle he vsyth the same
But who that of synneis clenein dedeandthought
May hym well scornewhoselyuyngeis starkenought

The scornes of Naball full deresholdehaueben bought

If Abigayll his wyfe discreteand sage
Had nat by kyndnesright crafty meanessought
The wrath of Dauyd to temperandasswage
Hath nat two berysin theyr fury and rage
Two andfourty Childrenrent and tome
For they the PropheteHelyseusdyd scorne

So myght they cursethe tyme that they were borne

For theyrmockyngeof this Prophetedyuyne
So manyotherof this sorteoften mowrne
For theyr lewdemockes,andfall in to ruyne
Thus is it foly for wysemento enclyne
To this lewdeflockeof Folys for sethou shall
Them mostescornyngethat ar mostbadof all
214 Of mockers^
scorners^
andfalseaccusers.

THENUOY OF BARCLY TO THE FOLYS.

Ye mockyngeFolysthat in scorneset your ioy

Proudly dyspysyngegoddes punycion
Take ye exampleby Chamthe sonof Noy
Whiche laughydhis Father vnto derysyon
Whiche hym, after, cursydfor his transgressyon
And madehym seruauntto all his lyne andstocke
So shallye Caytyfsat the conclusyon
Synsye ar nought,andotherscorneandmocke
Of them that dyspyse euerlastyngeioye,
and settyth thynges transytory before
thyngeseternalland euerlastynge.

He is a foulethat weyethin onebalaunce

The heuenand erth to knowethe heuyest
And by his foly andcursedignoraunce
He thynkeththat this wretchyderthis best
And thoughethat here be neyther ioy nor rest
Yet had someleuerhere styll to remayne
Than to depart to heuenvoyde of al payne
2 i 6 Of themthat dyspyse
euerlastynge
wye.
My handeis wery: faynewoldeI rest a space
But folys comythto my shyp sobesely
That to haue rest : they wyll graunt me no grace
That nedeI musttheyr lewdnesnotefy
But to recordethis folysshecompany
They ar suchethat this worlde sogreatlyloue
That they despysethe heuenlyRoyalmeaboue

They often thynke in theyr myndepreuely

And by them selfein this wyseoft they say
O glorious lorde raynynge eternally
Graunt me thy grace that I may lyue alway
To se of this worlde the extremeendeandday
This is my wyll andsynguleraskynge
As for thy royalme,forsothI set no thynge

But yet this fole doth nat desyrethis tyme

Of so longelyfe, and yeresalwaynewe
To clenshis myndefrom all synfullcryme
Nor for the loue of goodnesor vertue
But rather that he his pleasourmay ensue
And with his maters and felawes suche as he

To foloweryot, delytysandenormyte.

To lyue in wantonnesand blyndneslascyuyte

In pryde in Lecheryandincouetyse
Suchesytteth theyr myndesandtheyr felycyte
Not feryngehell whicheis rewardeof vyce.
Thosedredefulldennys,in a right ferefull wyse
With fyres flamynge,and manyfoldetourment
Can nat suchefolys, theyr synnescauseto stent
 Of themthatdyspyse
euerlastynge
wye.2I 7
O sleuthfullfole saywhy dostenat thou call
Unto thy myndethat this worldeswretchydnes
Is full of sorowemoche more bytter than gall
Uoyde of all ioy, all pleasourand swetnes
Why settestthou so mocheby frayledelyciousnes
On vaynepleasours,whicheshallsothlydecay
Lyke asthe sonemeltyththe snoweaway

Man note my wordes and gyue to them credence

I saythat pleasoursand alsoioyesmundayne
As it aperethplayneby goodeuydence
Ar fylled with sorowebytternesandpayne
Without all rest quyete or certayne
And yet alasthe worlde sodoth menblynde
That it they loue andcasteheuenout of mynde

Wherfore it hapnethfull oftenasI fynde

That suche as foloweth shamefull wantonnes
Ungoodlyluste,and statelynesof mynde
Shallofte perceyuegreat shameandwretchydnes
And themmostsuffer,with greatmundaynedistres.
And better charges,andafter mustnedeendure
Cruell deth whicheendeis of euerycreature

Theworldeshallpasse:ye andall ioy mundayne

Without all doute at last shall haue an ende

And euerythyngeoutherfruytfull or barayne

Shall to the groundeoutherfirste or last discende
We sealsothat nonecanhym defende
From dethesdartis. and for conclusyon.
We dayly semanymennysconfusyon.
2 I 8 Of themthatdyspyse
euerlastynge
wye.
We dayly se the fallys innumerable
And greuousdeth aswellof youth asage
Thus is this wretchydworldemochevnstable
Wherfore me thynkeit is a greatoutrage
To trust therto, or for an vnsure stage
Or hye placeof welth or worldly honour
The presenceto despyseof our sauyoure

But without doutethe tyme shallcomeandhoure

Whan all mankyndeshallsehym euydent
Someto theyr ioy, someto wo anddoloure
None shalleskhapethat rightwyseiugement.
But echebe rewardydashe his tyme hath spent
So they that vertuouslyhauelyuyd here
Despysynge this worldeshallgladly thereapere

But they that herehaueled theyr lyfe in vyce

For to depart ar wo in herte and mynde
And ferefull to bydethat sentence
of iustyce
Synsof theyr synneexcusethey cannonefynde
But to concludeforsoth that fole is blynde
That for worldly welth, from godwoldehym deuyde
And for vayneclay,the hye heuynset a syde

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

O blyndemanwhichehastthy mostefelycyte
On worldlythinges,alasmakeclerethy mynde
What fyndestthou here,but greataduersyte
Wylt thoufor it leuey* heuenlyioy behynde
And wherethoumyghteuerlastynge rychesfynde
Where as is helth,endleslyfe andall goodnes
Wylt thou forsakeit for worldly wretchydnes
 Of themthatdyspyse
euerlastynge
ioye.219
Wylt thou heuyn comparewith his paynfulllyfe
There on to thynke thou art vnwysecertayne
There is concorde,here is no thyngebut stryfe
There is all rest, andhereis careandpayne
There is true loue: hereis scorneanddisdayne
There is all goodnes,here all yll andoffence
Nowe chusethe best: hereis greatdifference
Of themthat makenoysesrehersynges of
talys and do other thyngesvnlaufull
and dishonestin ye chircheof god.

A fole is he, and hath no myndedeuoute

And gyueth occasyonto men on hym to rayle.
Whiche goth in the chirche, his houndeshym aboute
Somerennynge,somefast tyed to his tayle
A hawkeon his fyst sucheonewithoutenfayle
Betterwereto be thens,for by his dynandcry
He troublyththemthat woldepraydeuoutly:
 Of themthatmakenoyses
rehersynges.
22i
Yet of mo folysfyndeI a great nomber
Whiche thynke that it is no shamenor vylany
Within the chirche,the seruyceto encomber
With theyr lewdebarkyngeroundyngedyn andcry
And whyle goodpeoplear prayngestedfastly
Theyr herte to good,with mekemyndeanddeuout
Suchefolys themlet, with theyr madnoyseandshout

And whyle the prestis also them exercyse.

In matyns massesermonor prechyngedyuyne
Or otherdue thyngesthat longeto theyr seruyce.
Techynge the people to vertue to enclyne
Than these folys as it were rorynge swyne
With theyr gettyngeand talysof vycyousnes
Troubleall sucheseruyce,that is sayd,moreandles

In to the churche than comysanother sote

Without deuocyongettyngevp anddowne
Or to be sene, and to showe his gardyd cote
Another on his fyst a Sparhaukeor fawcori
Or elsa Cokow,andso wastyngehis shone
Before the auters he to and fro doth wander
With euyn as great deuocyonas a gander

In comysanotherhis houndesat his tayle

With lynesandleshesandother lyke baggage.
His doggesbarkyth,sothat withoutenfayle
The hole churcheis troubledby theyr outrage
So innocentyouth lernyth the sameof age
And theyr lewdesoundedoth the churchefyll.
But in this noysethe goodpeoplekepe themstyll.
222 Of themthatmakenoyses
rehersynges
One tyme the hawkysbellysJenglythhye
Another tyme they flutter with theyr wynges
And nowethe houndesbarkyngestrykesthe skye
Nowe soundetheyr fete, and nowethe chaynesrynges
Theyclapwith theyrhandes,
by suchemanerthynges
They makeof the churche,for theyr hawkesa mewe
And Canellto theyr dogges,
whichetheyshallafterrewe

Sowith suchefolys is neytherpeasnor rest

Unto the holy churchethey haueno reuerence
But wander about to seewho get may best
In rybawdewordespryde andinsolence
As mad men they fere nat our sauyourspresence
Hauyngeno honourvnto that holy place
Wherin is gyuento maneuerlastynge grace

There ar handlydpledyngesandcausesof the lawe

There ar madebargaynsof dyuersmanerthynges
Byengesandsellynges scantworth a hawe
And therear for lucrecontryuedfalselesynges
And whylethe presthis Masseor matynssynges
Thesefolyswhicheto theChurchedo repayre
Ar chattyngeandbablyngeasit were in a fayre

Somegygyll andlawgheandsomeon maydensstare

And someon wyues with wanton countenaunce
As for the seruycethey hauesmallforceor care
But full delytethemin theyr mysgouernaunce
Somewith theyr slyppersto andfro doth prance
Clappyngewith their helysin churcheandin quere
So that goodpeoplecannat the seruycehere
 ofvnlaufullanddishonest
thynges.223
What shallI wryte of maydensandof wyues
Of theyr roundyngesandvngoodlycomonynge
Howe one a sclaundrecraftely contryues
And in the churchetherof hath hyr talkynge
The other hath therto theyr erys lenynge
And than whanthey all hath hardeforth hir tale
With greatdeuocyonthey get themto the ale.

Thus is the churchedefylydwith vylany

And in stedeof prayerand godly oryson
Ar vsydshamefullbargaynsandtalysof rybawdry
Jettyngesandmockynges andgreatderysyon
There fewe ar or noneof perfytedeuocion
And whan our lorde is consecrate in fourme of brede

Therby walkes a knaue, his bonet on his hede

And whyle those wordesof consecracion

Ar saydeof the prestein goddesownepresence
Suchecaytyfskepetalys andcommunycacion
Fast by the auter, thynkyngeit noneoffence
And whereas the angelsar ther with reuerence
Laudyngeandworshyppynge our holy sauyour
Thesevnkyndecaytyfswyll scantlyhym honour

Alas whertoshallany mancomplayne

For this foly and accostomed furour
Synsnoneof them theyr fauteswyll refrayne
But ay precedein this theyr lewdeerrour
And nat withstandynge that Christ our sauyour
Hath left vs example,that nonesholdemysdo
Within the chirche,yet inclynewe nat therto.
224 Of themthatmakenoyses
rehersynges.
Jhonnthe euangelystdoth openlyexpres.
Howe criste our sauyourdyd dryue out and expell
From the Temple,sucheasvsedtherefalsnes
And all other that therin dyd bye and sell
Saynge
asit afterlyethin the Gospell
Unto the Jues rebuke and great repreues
That of goddeshousethey madea denof theues.
Rememberthis man, for why thou dost the same
DefylyngegoddesChirchewith synneandvanyte
Whiche sothlywasordeynedto halowegoddesname
And to lawde and worshyp the holy trynyte
With deuout harte, loue, and all benygnyte
And with all our myght our lorde to magnyfy
And than after all the heuenly company

For this causehath godthe holy chircheordeyned

And nat for rybawde wordes and thynges vayne
But by vs chrysten men it is distayned.
Moche wors than euer, the Jewes dyd certayne
And if our Idrde sholde nowecomedowne agayne.
To dryue out of the churchesucheas there do syn
Forsoth I thynke, right fewe sholde byde within
THE ENUOY TO THE REDERS.

O man that bostestthy selfe in cristesname

Callyngethe christen,sethou thy synnerefuse
Rememberwell it is both synneand shame
The houseof god, thus to defyleandabuse
But this one thynge causethme oft to muse
That the falsepaynymswithin theyr Templesbe
To theyr ydolsmochemoredeuoutthan we
Of them that wyllynge and knowyngly
put them self in ieopardyandperyll.

He is a folethat wyll purchaceanddesyre

His ownedethor puttethhymselfein ieopardy
Lepyngein a well, or in a flamynge
fyre
And wherehe myghtlyueso dyethwyllyngly
Suchesuffertheyrdestruccyon worthely
And if that they be drownedouther brent
It is to late them after to repent.
226 Of themthatwyllynge
andknowyngly
I fyndemo folysyet. whomeI shallnote
Suchear they whicheprayboth dayandnyght
To godandhissayntes cryengwith openthrote
O gloriousgodhelpemeby thy greatmyght
That I may clensmy herteand cleremy syght
Wherbyall foly andsynnemayfro mefall
But yet this fole it leuyth nat at all

Suchefolys oft pray for theyr amendement

Unto our lorde with syghyngessoreanddepe
But yet to synnecontynuallythey assent
And after the sameoften complayne andwepe
Than saythey playnethat godhathhadno kepe
Unto theyrprayerandtakenof it no hede
But theyrownefoly is causeof theyrlewdedede

They sethe peryllbeforetheyrfacesplayne

That godhathordeyned, for foly andfor synne
They pray for helpe, andyet ar they full fayne
After the folys hodealwayto ren
And beselylabourethe samealoneto wyn
So vntogod for helpethey cry andcall
But they themselfewyll helpeno thyngeat all

Thanthynkethey theyr prayersto god natacceptable

Bycause
(anone)theyhauenat all theyrwyll
And for that god is nat soneagreable
To heretheyr cry and it graunt andfulfyll
Thesefolys in theyr vyce contynuestyll
And put theyr selfein wylfull ieopardy
And wheretheymyghtthey fyndeno remedy
 put thems
elfin leopardy
andperylL 227
But thesefolys vnstabyllasthe wynde
Prayethvnto god andto his sayntisaboue
Nat knowynge whatmaycontenttheyrfolysshe
mynde
Nor whethertheyraskynge
be for theyrbehoue
But sothlythis dareI both sayand proue
And it auoweafter my sympyllskyll
That neuermanshallsyn without his wyll

If that onewith his ownewyll doth fall

Into a well to assaythe ieopardy
Whan he is there, if he lowdecrye andcall
Bothe on god and man for helpe and remedy
He sekyththat peryll, anddyeth worthely
So wereit foly to gyue hym cordeor trayne
Or other engyneto helpehym vp agayne

Whan suchefolys ar surevpon the grounde

Without all daunger,peryll hurt or fere
They lepe in the wel andyet fere to be drowned
Empedoclesthoughhe right myghtywere
With suchelyke foly hymselfesosoredyd dere
That knowynglyandwith his owne consent
Hymselfhe lostandby fyersfyre wasbrent

He lept hedelynge
into the flamyngefyre
Of a brennyngehyll whichecallydis Ethnay
To knowethetrouth,andnatureto enquyre
Whetherthatsameflamewereveryfyreor nay
Sowith hisdeththe trouthhe dyd assay
But whothatwoldehymdrawen
outof thathyll
Hadbena fole, synsit washis ownewyll
228 Of them
thatwyllynge
andknowingly
For why his myndewasblyndydsocertayne
Thatthoughe
a manhadhymdelyuered
than
The sameperyllwoldehe haueprouedagayne
As mad as he forsoth is euery man
That is at eas,and hym nat soholdecan
And alsohe that putteth hymselfein drede
Or fere and peryll, whereashe hath no nede

So he that prayethto god that he mayget

The blysseof heuen,andscapeinfernallpayne
He is a fole his herteor myndeto set
On frayle ryches,welth and ioy mundayne
On stedfastfortune,on lucreor on gayne
For certaynlythesethyngesof worldly welth
Oft mandeuydethawayfrom heuenlyhelth

Thus he that prayethfor welth or for ryches

Or in this worlde hym selfeto magnyfy
Prayeth for his hurt andcauseof viciousnes
For worldly welth doth vyceoft multyply
So sekemen theyr owneperyll wyllyngly
But who that prayeth,andcannat ashe ought
He blowethin the wynde,and shallnat hauehis thought

And whothat to honourcouetyse

to ascende
Or to lyuein damnable
voluptuosyte
He seketh his peryll for if that he descende
From welth andworshypto payneandpouerte
It is but worthy, andlet hym pacyentbe
It to endure with mynde demureand meke
He is worthy sorowethat wyll it alway seke
 put themself'm
jeopardy
andperyll. 229

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Ye that faynewoldeescapeall ieopardy

Auoydesuchethyngesthe whichemyght causethe same
To prouea peryll, is foly certaynly
Whether it be done in ernest or in game
They that sodoth may theyr ownemadnesblame
For he that is sure,and to a fray wyll ren
May fortunecomehomeagayne,noslesor lame
And so wereit better for to hauebyd within
Of the way of felycyteandgodnes,
andof
the payne to come vnto synners.

Manyin this lyfe the cartof syndoth drawe

By payneand labour, alway right dylygent
Norysshyngetheyr syn agaynstall right and lawe
And alway lyuynge after one lyke assent
But whantheyar dedethanshalltheyrpunysshement
In hell be dowblydwith cartisof whelysfoure
Whereas theythought,dethshuldendetheyrlaboure
 Of thewayoffelycyte
andgodnes^
&c. 23i
God suffreth nat eche vicious fole to knowe
The wondersthat he madehath on this grounde
And daylyworketh.wherforetheyr syn doth growe
So that theyr foly themselfedoth confounde
And heretheyr bodyesto greatlaboursar bounde
Sparyngeno peryll for pleasourandfor gayne
Than after deth hauethey euerlastyngepayne

So he that herelyueth in vyceand synne

Shall extreme dolour after deth endure
Than what auantageis it for manto wyne
All orthly tresour,andof hell paynebe sure
But without dowt that wretchydcreature
Whiche goddeslaweswyll nat hereholdeandkepe
Shallafter deth hauecauseto wayleandwepe

And sucheasherewyll nat knowetheyr sauyour

Obseruyngehis preceptisandcommaundement
Whichegod hathe ordeynedto sauevs from erroure
And vs commaundydto kepe with cleneintent
Ouer all the worlde. as rule moste excellent
To lyue godly, andwho so euerhe be
That folowethin this worldevoluptuosyte

Or carnalllust ryot or otheroffence

Wastyngehis tyme in syn andviciousnes
All suchein thisworlde,by theyrblyndenegligence
Drawestyll the cart of greuousbesynes.
With payneandchargeand,whanthiswretchydnes
Is past andgone,yet after this they shall
In hell enduregreattourmentiseternall
232 Of thewayoffelycyte
andgofines,
There shalt (thou fole) the charetdrawealway
With dowblepaynes
both tedyousandcruell
"Wherfore thou fole retourne the I the pray.
Seke nat the way whiche ledeth vnto hell
"With his foule dennes,moredarkethan tungecantell
And thoughethe way be esystreyghtandplayne
The endeis nought,I aduysethe tourneagayne

Tlie way to hell is greatlyoccupyed

The path is playne,and easyto ouergo
The doreay openno entreis denyed
To sucheaspurposein myndeto cometherto
But at the ende therof is care and wo

With syghtisodyousandabhomynable
Yet in the way ar folkesinnumerable

Thus is no meruaylethoughthis way be playne

And greatly worne synsit is hantydso
By dyuersfolys whichehastethem to that payne.
By way contynualltherto : but nonetherfro
The dredefull dore to them that wyll in go
Both day and nyght is open, it doth forsake
No folys that wyll theyr iourneythyther take

But that way that to hye heuendoth lye

Is way of graceplesour,andall felycyte
In it suchewalkeasherelyue vertuously
And blessydmen, but nat suche as vyciousebe
Yet is it narowe, and full of diffculte
There is many a harde flynt brere and thorne
And no meruayle for it is nat greatly worne
 And of thepayneto come
vntosynners.
233
For why lewdepeople,whicheis the gretestsort
Forsakethis way for the payneandhardnes
But godly mentherin hauechefeconfort
With all that lyue by gracein ryghtwysnes
Suchewell consyderthat heuynsblessydnes
Can nat be gotten by pleasourrest nor eas
Wherfore this way cannat suchesynnerspleas

God sohath ordeynedthat who wyll hauevertue

Must it obtaynewith payneand dilygence
And greatlabour,whichemanynoweeschewe
Without it be to seke synneand offence
Fewesekethe way to christishye presence
Therby it hapneththat manya thousande
Fastrennythleftwarde,but fewe on the right hande

THE ENUOYOF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Alas manremembreheuensblyssednes
And thoughthe way be hardethat lyeth therto
Forsokeit nat for all that greatsharpnes
For at the endeis lyfe andrest also
Euerlastynge
glorywith otherioyesmo
But whothat takeththe otherwaycertayne
Shallfyndeat the endeeternallpayneandwo
Thoughe
thewaythether
beeasystreyght
andplayne
Of the yll exampleof eldersgyuyn vnto
youth.

If that the faderand motherbeforetheyr son

By angeror malycebrake,platter pot, or pan
The son in hande shall take some cauderon

And lerne to breke it if his small power can

Thus oft tyme chyldrenhauecauseto curseor ban
Theyr frendesfor sucheexampleof lewdnes
For sonerthat they lerne than vertueor goodes
 Of theyll example
of elders. 235
Ye agedmenrotyd in folysshnes
And folyssheparentislewdeof your langage
Vnto our shyp swyftly your selfeaddres
Synsye be worthy therin to hauea stage
Nowe castI repreuesagaynstyour outrage
Whiche boldly bost you of your vnthryfty lyues
Beforeyour raaydes,your doughtersandyour wyues

Alas the folys of this madcompany

By theyr examplecausegreatinconuenyence
Before theyr children recountyngerybaudry
Of sucheasthey hauehad experyence.
So gyuethey to themexampleof offence
And in that synnewheronthey bost and vant
They makethemperfytewhicheerst wereignorant

Theyr wordesar voydeof shameandhonestye

Theyr lyfe is without mesureand reuerence
But yet they thynke that they mosteworthy be
That mostecantell of this greuousoffence
Thus all the youththat is in theyr presence
Or that doth heretheyr vyceandrybawdry
Vnto the samewith theyr full myndeaply

Thus theyr yongechildrenmanerslernyth none

The wyfehathoccasyon
to brekehir chastyte
Sois the lyfe defyledof them echone
And to be playne,we often tymesse
That of what manersthe folysshehusbondes
be
Suchar theyr wyues,childrenandhousholde
The yongeCok lernethto crowehye of the olde
231> Of theyll exampleof elders
A folyssheFather, full hardly shallensyne
His soneto goodlyfe or to goodgouernaunce
For if the father to foly doth enclyne
The sonewyll folowehis father in that daunce
And if the father vse hasarde or the chaunce

Or any prohybyt andvnlawfullgame

Most comonlythe sonewyll do the same

If that the husbondebe vyciousof his lyfe

Wastfull or dronken,or vyle in his langage
His sonnesdoughters,his seruauntes andhis wyfe
Wyll lerne of hym to passethe samepassage
And if the husbondebreke his maryage
If the wyfeknowe,in myndeshewyll be wroth
Without he haue a hode of the same cloth

An olde prouerbehath longeagonebe sayde

That oft the sonein manerslyke wyll be
Vnto the Father, andin lyke wysethe mayde
Or doughter,vnto the motherwyll agre
So if the eldersvseenormyte
And beforetheyr childrenbost them of the same
The soneanddoughtershallfolowesyreanddame

Themonkesthynkeit lawfullfor to play

WhanthattheAbbotbryngeththemthedyce
Right sothe Father,cannoughtor lytell say
Agaynstthe sone,nor hym blameor chastyce
If he hymselfebe takenin that samevyce
Thus lyuesthe Father in synnewithoutenshame
And after his deth the sone shall do the same
 Gyuynvntoyouth. 237
O wretchydmaners
o tymefull of furour
And full of foly without all hopeto stent
Howe longeshallgod our lordeandsauyour
This synnesufferwithoutgreuouspunysshement
Alas it nowe apereth euydent
That the fathersfoly synneandgreatoutrage
Is left to the sonneasit wereherytage

And no meruayle,for it hath neuerben seen

That of a wolfe a shepehath be forth brought
Or that a calfe or lambe gendredhath been
Of a fell tygre: right soif it were sought
Ouer all the worlde.a Father that is nought
Sholdescantbe founde,whichecoudebrynge vp his childe
With his synnein no manerpoynt defylyd

The yongecrab bacwardedoth crepeor go

As doth the olde, none can hir cours redres
Theseyongechildrenfor the mostepart also
Foloweththeyr fatherssynneandhis lewdnes
But they that lyue in manersof mekenes
In honestlyfe, goodnesgraceandchastyte
May bryngeforth childrenof maners
astheybe

I redehowethe PhylosopherDiogenes
Saydeby a childewhichedronkenwaswith wyne
That his Father was in that case doutles
Whanhe it gate,sohishye wyt dyuyne
Knewethat the childesmanersdyd inclyne
Vnto his Fathers, and so was it founde trewe
By themwhichewell that childesfaderknewe
238 Of theyll example
of elders.
But thoughthe Father andmotheralsobe nought
Without dout this onethyngeaperethplayne
That the childe is sucheas it is vp brought
And nat lyghtly chaungydwithout greatchargeor payne
Therfore let euery manhym selferefrayne
Within his housfrom all thyngeworthy blame
Than shall his children and seruautes do the same

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY.

Ye that hauechildrenor other greathousholde

Subduedto your seruyce,and your obedyence
Kepevertuouslyfe, for that is worth greatgolde
And greatexampleto youth to auoydeoffence
But if ye boostyou of synneandneglygence
In rybawde wordes,gyue credenceto this clause
If the herersfall into incouenyence
Your lewdeexampleis the chefegroundeandcause
Of bodely pleasour or corporall
voluptuosyte

Wantonwastfullandvaynevoluptuosyte
Oft blyndethattysyngevnto inconuenyence
Manythat ar rude,for theyrsymplycyte
And them as shepesleethfor all theyr innocence
But othersomeit kepythwith myghtandviolence
As bullesboundesureto enduregreatcare
And otherasbyrdesit tanglethin hir snare
240 Of bodely
pleasouror
Drawe nereye folys to you I crye andcall
Whiche ar of graceclenedestytuteand bare
Folowyngeyour lust andpleasourcorporall
But for your souleye take no thought ne care
To whomemay I this shamefulllust compare
Saueto a harlat faynynge,fals andcouetous.
Of whomecomythshameand bytesvenemous

Shesyttyth in the streteaspast both shameandfere

Hir brestesbareto tempt them that passeby
Hir face anoyntyd blasynge abrode hir here
Or elson hir folysshefront enlacedhye
Hir smocketo garnysshydsohir dysceytfulliye
To shamfull lust a thousandedoth attyce
Of youth whicheerst perchuance
knewenoughtof vyce

Hir chamberfull of flatery anddisceyte

Anone is openedthe blynde fole entreth in
The hoke of deth is hyd vnder the bayte
Of folysshelust pleasourandmortall syn
Hir souleshesellythrychestherby to wyne
And what riches: a rewarde sothly full vyle
The soulesdamnethandbodyesdoth defyle

The onedepartyth,anothercomysin agayne

Without all shamedareshethem boldly pray
To hir falspleasours,
Thusby hir gyleandtrayne
This folyssheyouth to hir wyll nat denay
But vnto hir somelepe both nyght and day
Without mesure,rennyngeto lesetheyr lyfe
As ox or shepevnto the bochersknyfe
 Corporal!
vohiptuosyte. 241
The symplelambehis neckedoth out extende
Vnto the Bocherhis mortall ennemy
So doth thesefolys, sekyngea shamefullende
And theyr ownedeth, thoughthey myght fynderemedy
O blyndefole I requyrethe to aply
Vnto my wordesand thou shalt here and se.
Howe mochethou oughtestthis folysshelust to fle

The soule it damneth,and drowneth depe in hell

The wyt it wastyth,andconfoundeththe mynde
It causethman his londe and good to sell
And if that he none other mene can fynde
To rob and stelehe oft tyme is inclyned
Besydeall these this fowle lust is so vyle
That with fowle sauourit shallthy body fele

Thougheof lewdelust the ioy be short andsmall

And thoughethe pleasourtherof be soonouer past
The paynethat folowethit, is eternall
With wofull dolour menglyd,that euershalllast
Therforeleue of: do nat thy pleasourcast
On worldly welth, delyteioy and pleasour
For soonthey pasandchaungeat eueryhour

Who that in this wretchyd worlde wyll auoyde

Of voluptuousnes the ioyesfrayle.andvayne
And suffrenat hym with them to be acloyde
Infect or drownyd,shallfor the samecertayne
Euerlastyngelyfe, andendlesioy obtayne
And for his hye tryumpheand dyuyneprudence
Haue the fruycyonof goddeshye presence
242 Of boflely
pleasour,
But who that wyll his carnall lust ensue
Shall herehaueshame,andafter paynecruell
I coudehereofdyuersexamples shewe
But of right manythis oneI shallyou tell
One Sardanapalusall other dyd excell.
In carnall lust and so his mynde dyd cast
On loue prohybyte,that gracewasfro hym past
The loue of vertue was full out of his mynde
So he concludydto suedilyciousnes
Thynkyngeafterdeth no welthnor ioy to fynde
For this is the sentenceof the prynceof derknes
But goodalmyghtyseyngehis vycyousnes
His bodyandsouledeuydydsoonin twayne
From worldly pleasourvnto infernallpayne
By this hystory to vs it aperethplayne
That from worldly pleasourand voluptuosyte
With all our myght we ought vs to refrayne
For thoughethe first of them delyciousbe
Theyr endeis poyson,and of sournesplente
Sue wyse men vertue, and set suche lust asyde
For they ar folys that in it lyue andbyde

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Amendemadmenyour blyndemysgouernaunce
Subduenat yournecketo the captyuyte
Of flysshelylust andcorporallpleasaunce
Nor to blyndeVenuswith hir lasciuyte
(If ye it note) ye dayly here and se
The mysfortuneof themthat it ensue
And certaynly no man can sauedbe
By carnall lust, but by godly vertue
Of folys that cannat kepe secretetheyr
owne counsel!.

Of otherFolesa nomberyet I fynde

Which by theyrbablynge wordesandlangage
Cannatkepeclosethe secrete of theyrmynde.
But all theyrcounselout theysheweat large.
So that oft therofprocedethgreatdamage.
As Murder, myschefe,hateredand debate.
That aftertheyrepent. But thanit is to late
244 js tat can nat
He is a naturall fole and vndiscrete
And to hym selfeingendrythoft great stryfe
Whiche cannat hydehis counsellandsecrete
But by his foly it shewethto his wyfe
And all that he hath done in his hole lyfe
Or that to do here after he doth purpose
To euerymansuchea fole wyll disclose

The nobleSampsonmosteexcellentof myght

And strongestmanthat euerwasget or borne
Were nat this foly: sholdenat hauelost his syght
Nor had his here,by gyle from his hedeofshorne
And of his ennemyes ben laughydvnto scorne
And at the last with herte wrethfull and wo

His ennemyes
murdredandhym selfealso

Where ashe myght hauelyued in honour

If he hadkept his secretesin his mynde
With his ownewyll he dyedin great dolour.
By the fals treasonof his lemmanvnkynde
We mayin dyuersmo examplesfynde
Howe manythousandes hauesufiredpaynessmart
And all for shewyngethe secretesof theyr hart

Amphiarausa Pryncemosteexcellent
Shortened
the dayesof his poredoutfulllyfe
For shewyngethe preueteesof his intent
By his ownefoly to his disceytfullwyfe
And thoughehe longeescaped had the stryfe
And war of Thebeswhichehe dyd longedefende
Yet at the leesthis tunge washis owneende
 Theyrownecounsel!. 245
Thus olde storyesdoth oft recordeandtell
By theyr examples whichethey vnto vs gyue
That wymenar no keparsof councell
It goeththrough themaswater trough a syue
Wherfore let themthat quyetly woldelyue
No moreof theyr counsellto any womanshowe
Than that they woldethat euerymandyd knowe

Let euerymanthat is discreteandsage

Of suchefolys with all wysdomebe ware
Whiche shewetheyr counsellby theyr hastylangage.
To euerymanwithout all thought andcare
For they of wysdomeandreasonar but bare
And who that his owne secretewyll forth tell
Howe sholdehe hyde another mannescounsell

Yet other be whicheby theyr flateryngetrayne

Labour to knowe euery mannyspryuete
And by andby to sheweit forth agayne
Of thembe ware for they disceyfullbe.
Some other bost them of theyr felycyte
Bablyngethat they hauetheyr wyll in euerythynge
As prosperouswelth loue,rychesandcunnynge

And of greatdedesdoneboth on seeandlonde

Someby theyr falshode,someby strengthand vertue
But if one laboured the trouth to vnderstonde

Suchefolysshewordessholdeall be foundevntrewe
Let neuer man to suche his counsell shewe
For of onewordethesefolys makyth twayne
Whiche tournethmanyto losserebukeandpayne
246 Offolysthatcannatkepetheyrcounsel
I.
Wherfore if thou wylt that thy pryuete
Be kept secreteandnat comeout at large
Be nat so folyssheto showeit vnto me
Or any other if it be thyngeof charge
And if thou do thou shalt be in this barge
For howewylt thou thynke that anotherman
Cankepethy counsell
synsthouthy selfene can
If the kyngeAchab had nat vttred andtolde
Vnto his wyfe his wyll andmyndeso playne
By hir fals treason,and dysceytmanyfolde
VnrightwyslyNabot hadnat ben slayne
But for the same,Achabsuffredgreatpayne
By deth in batayle,andfor a punysshment
His wyfe with houndeswasall to torne andrent
Thus it apereththat he is wyseandware
Whiche can his counsellkepewithin his hart
For by that meanmay he escapegreatcare
And suerlylyue without yll wyllys dart
The Propheteseyngewhat dyuerspaynessmart
Comyth oft to them whiche doth theyr secret tell
Eche man exortyth to kepe closehis counsell.

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Thou manthat hast thy secretin thy brest

Holdeit styll theresufferit nat out to go
Who that sodoth,therbyshallfyndegreatrest
Ne to thy frendeshewenat thy myndealso
For if that he after becomethy fo
As oftenhapneth,thanmyghthe the bewry
So sholdethy foly tournevnto thy great wo
Howebe it suchethyngesare prouydcomonly.
Of yongefolys that take oldewymen to
theyr wyues,for theyr ryches.

Within our shypthat fole shall hauea hode

Whichean oldewyfe takethin maryage
Ratherfor hir rychesandhir worldlygode
Than for pureloue,or hopeto hauelynage
But sucheyouthasmarythemselfewith age
Theprofyteandpleasour
of wedlocks
lesecutayne
And worthelylyuein brawlyngu
stryfcand]i,ivne.
248 Ofyongefolys
thattakeaideivymen
Under the Assetayle thougheit be no thyngepure
Yet manysekeandgropefor the vyle fatnes
Gatheryngetogytherthe fowle dungeandordure
Suchear they that for treasourandryches
Whyle theyar yongein theyrchefelustynes
An agydwomantaketh to theyr wyfe
Lesyngetheyr youth, and shortyngesotheyr lyfe

They that so do hath neytherrest norpeas

But besy brawlyngeand stryfecontynuall
They have no pleasour,but thought and great dyseas
Rebukeout braydynge,and strypeswhanthey fall
But theyr ownefoly is groundeandcauseof all
For they be marydunto the vyle treasour
And preciousbagges,but nat for godly pleasour

They haueno hopeof childrennorlynage

Loue is therenone,andduryngetheyr wretchydlyfe
Is nat one day in suchemad maryage
Auoyde of brawlynge,of hateredandof stryfe
But that pore manthat weddetha ryche wyfe
Castin his noseshallstyll hir baggesfynde
For whose causehe made was madeand blynde

They that ar weddydnat for loue but rychesse

Of moryagedespysynge the pleasourandprofyte
Sucheseldomesauourfortuneshappynes
But oft mysfortunethemgreuouslydoth byte
Thus goneis theyr pleasourtheyr ioy anddelyte
And for vaynetreasouresuchear soglad and fayne
Thar,for the samethey them subdueto payne
 To theyrwyues
Jbr theyrrycbes. 249
They wyllyngly to paynethemselfesubdue
The whichear weddydfor wretchydcouetyse
They take no hede to manersand vertue
To honestenor wysdomebut lyue ay in malyce
For if a woman be fowle and full of vice
And lewde of maners,nought both to man and lad
Yet goodshallhir marybe sheneuerso bad

If that a manof hye or lowe degre

Wolde spousehis doughtervnto a strangeman
He noughtinquyrethof his honestye
Of his behauour, nor if he norture can
But if he be ryche in londesand good : than
He shallbe prayedhis doughterfor to haue
Thoughebe but a bondemanor a knaue

The firste enquyryngeandspecial!questyon

Is of the money, that thynge namely they moue
And last of all askethey the condicion
So whanthey metethey neuerhaueperfyteloue
Wherfore it were better to suchefor theyr behoue
To byde alonein deserteandwyldernes
Than in wedlokein paynefor frayle ryches

Forsoth it is an vnmete maryage

And disagreynge and mocheagaynstthe lawe
Bytwenefressheyouth, andlamevnlusty age
The loue bytwenethemis scantlyworth a strawe
So doth the onestyll on the other gnawe
And oft the manin myndedoth sorecomplayne.
His sedeto sowevpon a groundebarayne
25° Of yonge
folysthattakeoldewymen
Thanmustehe haueanotherprymmeor twayne
With them to slakehis wantonyongecowrage
But in that spacemusthe enduregreatpayne
With hir that he hath tane in maryage
Hir bablyngetungewhicheno mancanasswage
With wrathful! \vordesshallslehym at the laste
His other prymeshis goodshallspendeandwaste

Thuswhothat sellethhis youtheslustynes

For fraylerychesandthismundayne vanyte
He byeth stryfe, gyle and falshodeendlesse
Suche
forcenat for faythtrue louenor honestye
And thoughethathe discende
of hyedegre
For hopeof moneyhe shallan oldefole wed
By whosefolyheto eueryyll is led.

And so thesefolyssubduethemto bondage

Andworthelyenduresuchepayneandpunysshement
Theyhopetherbyto cometo auantage
But thatthey leseandlyuein soretourment
Theywasttheyrgood,
andsowhan
thatisspent
Andnoughtremayneth theyrbodyes
to relefe
Theyrdisputacion
is noughtbuthoreandthefe

Butif I sholde
wryteallthevnhappynes
Thewrathdiscordeandthegreatdeuysyon
Wherintheylyue,thatmaryforryches
And nat for loue. I neuersholdehauedone
WherforethissayI for a conclusyon
Thatheshallneuerthryuenecometo hisbehoue
That weddytha wyfefor godeandnat for loue
 To theyrivyues
for fheyrryches. 25I

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY.

Alas manmyndleswhat is thyne intent

To wed for ryches,that weddyngeI defy
Maryage was ordeyned by god omnypotent
In goddeslawesthe worldeto multyply
Wherfore that manthat wyll therto aply
And woldehauethe profyteof faythfullmaryage
This worldly rychesought no thynge to set by
But wed for loue andhopeto hauelynage

Rememberryches is no thynge comparable

To mekenesvertueanddiscretegouernaunce
And other maners whiche ar more commendable

Than worldly treasouror suchevnsuresubstaunce

Wherfore consyderand call to thy remembraunce
That better is to haue somewomanpore and bare
And lyue in eas: Than onewith habundaunce
Of greatryches: and euerto lyue in care
 Of enuyous Folys.

Yet ar mo folyswhichegreatlythemdelyte
In otherslosse,and that by fals enuy
Wherby they suchevnrightwysly bacbyte
The dartis of sucheouer all the wordly fiye
And euerin fleyngetheyr fethers multyply
No statein erth therfro can kepehym sure
His sedeencivasyth
asit woldeeuerendure
 Of enuyous
folys. 253
Wastyngeenuyoft styrethto malyce
Folysnat a fewe whichear therto enclynyd
Pryckyngetheyr frowardehertesvnto vyce
Of othersdamagereioysyngein theyr mynde
Enuyesdartedoth his begynnyngefynde
In wrathfull hertes, it wastyth his owne nest
Nat suffryngeother to lyue in easandrest

If one haueplentyof treasourandryches

Or by his merytisobteynegreatdignyte
These folys enuyousthat of the samehaue les
Enuy by malyce,the othershye degre
And if anotherof honour haueplente
They it enuy andwysshethat they myght sterue
Howe be it suchefolys can nat the samedeserue

Thesefolys desyreagaynstboth laweandright

Anotersgoodif they mayget the same
If they may nat by flateryngenor by myght
Than by fals malycethey hym enuyandblame
Outher if one by his vertue hath good name
By fals enuy thesefoleshym reproue
Their wraththemblyndethso that they nonecanloue

The woundeof this malycious,fals enuy

So dedelyis, and of sogreatcruelte
That it is incurableandvoydeof remedy
A man enuyoushath suchea properte
That if he purposeof onevengydto be
Or do somemysche,whichehe reputythbest
Tyll it be done, he neuerhath easnor rest
254 Of enuyous
Jblys.
No slepe,no restnor pleasour
cantheyfynde
To themsoswete,pleasaunt anddelectable
That mayexpellthis malycefromtheyrmynde
So is enuya vyceabhomynable
And vnto helth so frowarde and damnable

That if it onys be rotyd in a man

It makethhym lene.hiscolourpale andwan.

Enuy is pale of loke andcountenaunce

His body lene of colourpale andblewe
His loke frowarde,his facewithout pleasaunce
Pyllyngelyke scalys,his wordesay vntrue
His iyen sparklyngewith fyre ay fressheandnewe
It neuer lokyth on man with iyen full
But euerhis herteby furiouswrath is dull

Thou maystexamplefynde of this enuy

By Josephwhomehis brethernedyd neuerbeholde
With louyngeloke,but sharpeandcruelly
So that they hym hauemurdredgladly wolde
I myght recountexamplesmanyfolde
Howe manyby enuylost hath theyr degre
But that I leuebycause
of breuyte

Enuyousfolysar stuffedwith yll wyll

In them no myrth nor solacecan be founde
They neuerlaughebut if it befor yll
As for godelostor whansomeshyp is drounde
Or whansomehousis brentvntothe grounde
But whylethesefolyson otherbyteandgnawe
Theyrenuywastyththeyrowneherteandtheyrmawc
 Ofenuyous
jblys. 255
The mountof Ethnaythough it brenteuer styll
Yet (saueitselfe)it brennethnoneother thynge
SotheseenuyousFolysby theyr yll wyll
Wast theyr owneherte, thoughe they be ay musynge
Another man to shameand losseor hurt to brynge
Upon them sellfeThus tournyththis yll agayne
To theyr destruccion
both shamegreatlosseand payne
This fals enuyby his malyciousyre
Doth often, bretherne so cursedly inflame
That by the samethe oneof themconspyre
Agaynstthe otherwithout all fere andshame
As Romulus and Remus excellent of fame

Whiche byldyd Rome, but after: enuy so grewe

Bytwenethemthat the onethe other slewe
What shall I wryte of Cayme and of Abell
Howe Caymefor murdersuffredgreatpayneandwo
Atreus story and Theseuscruell.
Ar vnto vs examplehereof also
Ethyocleswith his brother: and manymo
Lyke asthe storyesdeclarethopenly
The onethe othermurdredby enuy

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Wherfore let hym that is discreteandwyse

This wrathfull vyceexyleout of his mynde
And yll on noneby malyceto surmyse
Let charytein perfyteloue the bynde
Suehir preceptisthanshaltthou confortfynde
Loue in this lyfe, andioy whanthou art past
Where as enuythy conscyence shallblynde
And both they blode and body mar and wast
Of impacient Folys that wyll nat abyde
correccion.

Unto our Folysshyplet hymcomehastely

Whichein his Bagpype hathmoregameandsport
Than in a Harpeor Lute moresweteof melody
I fynde vnnumerableFolys of this sort
Whichein theyrBablehaueall theyholeconfort
For it is oft saydof menboth yongeand olde
A folewyll natgyuehis Babyllfor anygolde
 Of impadentJblys. 257
The grettestsynnersthat manmay seor fynde
In myserableFolys theyr foly to expres
Is whanthey wyll by no meangyue theyr mynde
To frendly wordes,to graceor to goodnes
Suchefolys soset theyr myndeon frowardnes
That thoughonegyuethemcounsellsadandwyse
They it disdayneandvtterly despyse

But he that is discrete sad and prudent

Aplyeth his mynderight gladly to doctryne
He herethwysemen,his wysdometo augment
He themdoth foloweandto theyr wordesenclyne
But that fole whicheay goeth to ruyne.
And mortallmyschefe
hadleuerbe dedeor slayne
Thanbydecorreccyonor for hisprofytepayne

Suchehauesuchepleasour in theyrmadfolysshe
pype
That they dispyseall othermelody.
They leuerwoldedyefolysthan: bydea strype
For theyrcorreccyonandspecyall remedy
And without dout noneother Armony
To suchefolysis halfe so delectable
As is their folysshe
bagpypeandtheyrbabyll

Thesefrantykefolyswyllbydeno punysshement
Nor smalecorreccion, for theyrsynneandoffence
No frendlywarnyngecanchaunge theyryll intent
For to abydeit, they haueno pacyence.
Theyhereno wysdome but fle fromhir presence
And so it hapnyththat in the worldebe
Mo folysthanmenof wyt andgrauyte
258 Of impatient
folys
O mortall fole remember well what thou art
Thou art a man of erth madeandof clay
Thy dayesar short andnedethou must depart
Out of this lyfe, that canstthou nat denay
Yet hast thoureasonandwyt wherbythou may
Thy selfeheregydeby wysdome
ferineandstable
Wherby thou passestall bestisvnreasonable

Thou art made lorde of euery creature

All thyngeerthly vnto thyneobedyence
God hath the creatvnto his ownefygure
Lo is nat here a greatpreemynence
God hath alsogyuynvnto the intellygence
And reasonandwyt all foly to refuse.
Than art thou a fole that reason to abuse

He that is fre outher in subieccion.

If by his foly he fall into offence

And than submythym vnto correccyon.
All men shalllaudehis greatobedyence
But if that oneby pryde andinsolence
Supportehisfauteandsobereout hisvyce
The hell tourmentis
hymaftershallchastyce

Correccyon
shallthe vntowysdome brynge
Whicheis moreprecious thanall erthlyryches
Thanlondesrentisor anyotherthynge
Why dost thou bost the of byrth or noblenes
Of ryches,strengthbeautyor fayrnes
Theseoftenar causeof inconuenyence.
Whereasall goodcomythby wysdome
andprudence
 thatwyll nat abyde
correction. 259
A wysemanonelyaswe often fynde
Is to be namedmosterycheandof mostmyght
Here thou his wordesandplant them in thy mynde
And folowethe samefor they ar sureandright.
Betteris to endure,thougheit be nat lyght
To suffera wysemanthe sharplyto repreue
Thana flaterynge
fole to clawethe by the sleue
Thoughesharpecorreccyon
at the first the greue
Thou shaltthe endetherof fyndeprofytable
It oft apereth,therforeI it byleue
That man also forsoth is fortunable
Whiche herein fere lyueth sureandstable
And in this lyfe is cleneof his intent
Feryngethe sharpepayneof hellyspunysshement
He mayhym selferight happy call also
Whiche is correctin his first tenderage
And solernyth in goodeslaw to go
And in his yocke,whichedoth all yll asswage
But thesefolys bydyngein theyr outrage
Whicheof correccyon in thislyfe hathdysdayne
May fereto be correctin hell with endlespayne
THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.
Ye obstynatefolys that often fall in vyce
Howe longeshallye kepe this frowardeignoraunce
Submytyourmyndes,andsofromsynnearyse
Let mekenesslakeyour madmysgouernaunce
Rememberthat worldly payne it greuaunce
To be compared to hell whichehath no pere
There is styll payne,this is a short penaunce
Wherfore correctthy selfewhyle thou art here.
Of folyssheFesycyans
and vnlernedthat
onelyfoloweparactykeknowyngenought
of the speculacyon
of theyr faculte.

Who that assayeth

the craft of medycyne
Agaynstthesekeandpaynfullpacyent
And hathno insyghtcunnyngenordoctryne
To gyue the seke,helth and amendement
Suche is a fole, and of a mad intent
To take on hym by Phesykeany cure
Nat knowynge
of man,norherbethe right nature
 OffolyssheFesycyans. 26
Yet be mo folys vpon the grounde and londe
Whiche in our Shyp may claymea rowme and place
Suchebe Phesycians
that no thynge vnderstonde
Wandryngeaboutin euerytowneandplace
Uysytyngethe sekewhichelyuein heuycase
But noughttheyrelefeof thosepaynes
harde
But gapealwayaftersomegreatrewarde

Suchethat hauepractyseandnoughtof speculatyfe

Whantheygo vysytesomepaynfullpacyent
Whantheyhymnotesureto forgohislyfe
Without all hopeof any amendement
Yet saytheyotherthanis in theyr intent
That his diseasis no thyngeincurable
So that the pacyentto hym be agreable

SayththePhesycyan
whanhehathhisrewarde
Abydea whyletyll I mybokesouerse
WherbyI mayrelyuethy paynesharde
Thanfromthe pacyenthomewardedepartythhe
To sehis bokesbut if the pacyentdye
In that meanespacethe medycyneis to late
Somayhe lay it to hisownefolysshepate

The speculationsholdehe beforehauesene

For that in Phesykeis chefeandpryncypall,
Yet manyar that vsethe craftI wene
Whicheof the cunnynge knowelytell or noughtat all
A herbeor wedethat growethvpona wall
Berythin it thesefolysmedycyne.
None other bokes haue they nor doctryne
262 Qffolysshe
Fesycyans.
Nor nonethey redeto hauethe true scyence
Or perfyteknowlege
andgroundeof medycyne
They redeno volumesof the experyence
Of Podalirius nor Mesuesdoctryne
Suchefolysdisdayne
theyrmyndes
to enclyne
Unto the doctryneof bokesof Auycen
Of ypocrasandparfytegalyen

But all the substance

of theyr blyndefaculte
They take in bokesthat spekeof herbesonly
Without respect had to theyr properte
Or operacionso often they them aply
To fals doctrynes,but first andspecyally
Theseolde wyuestherwith wyll haueto do
Thoughethey noughtknowethat doth belongetherto

They darebe boldeto take on themthe cure

Of themdiseasydhowebe it that they nat can
Suchethyngedescerneaslongythto nature
What is for womangood, andwhat for man
So oft they endemochewors than they began
That the porepacyentis so broughtto his graue
Yet dyuerssuterssuchefolysshewytcheshaue

Suchewytchesboldly dareaffermeandsay
That with oneherbethey hele caneuery sore
Under euerysyneplenete,houreandday
Yet besydethis they boldly daresaymore
That it that helyth a managedandhore
Shall helpe also a womanor a childe
Thus manythousandes
oft ar by thembegyled
 QffolyssheFesycyans. 263
They sayalsoin this our chargeor cure
What nedesit note the synesor fyrmament
The causeof thynges,or the strengthof nature
Whether that the seke be stronge or impotent
They gyueone medesynto euerypacyent
And if it fortune it be to colde or warme
The faythleswylchein handegoth with hir scharme

SayfolyssheSurgyanby what experyence

Or whoseDoctrynediscyplyneor lore
Takestthou on the, noughtknowyngeof scyence
With oneSalueor plaster,to healeeuery sore
Yet sothou thynkest,I the comparetherfore
Unto a lawyer that of his craft noughtcan
And yet presumethto counselleueryman

A lawer anda Phesicianar both lyke

Of theyr condicionandboth insueonetrayne
The onebegylyththe pacyentand seke
Takyngehis god for to encreashis payne
The other laboursandcautelesoft doth fayne
To clawethe coyneby craft from his clyent
Castyngehym of whanall his goodis spent

Thus thryuesthe lawerby anothersgood

Iniustly gotten,disceyuynge
his clyent
Also someotherar callyd Phesiciansgood
Whichevtterly disceyuethe pacyent
If he hauemoneythan hath he his intent
And if the sekehauestoreynoughto pay
Than shallthe curebe dryuenfrom dayto day
264 Ofjblysshe
Fesycyans.
So if the lawermayany auauntagewyn
He shall the cause from terme to terme defarre

The playntyffor a playeris holdein.

With the defendauntkepyngeopenwarre
So laweyersand Phesicians thousandesdo marre
And whan they no morecanof theyr suershaue
The playntyfbeggyth,the sekeis borneto graue

But of theselawyersbycauseI spokebefore

Of folysshePhesicianshereonelyI intende.
Somwhatto say: And of lawersno more
On you PhesiciansshallI concludeand ende
I sayno manmay hym sowell defende
That he for murdermay auoydepunysshement
Yet may Phesicians,sleyngethe pacient

Thus thou that of Phesycianhast the name

If thou noughtknoweof perfytemedycyne
It is forsothto thy rebukeandshame
To bostethe scyence : nat hauyngethe doctryne
Therfore I counsellthat thou thy mynde inclyne
To hauethe cunnynge,elscertaynlythou shall
Hauethy blyndecraft andlyue a fole with all.
TH£ ENUOY OF THE TRASLATOUR.

Thou blyndePhesicianthat of thy craft noughtcan

Leue of thy lewdnesandboldeaudacyte
To take on the: the cureof chyldeor man
For by thy foly the worsmyght they be
And ye that suerlyperceyueyour faculte
Be true therin, and auarycefrom you cast
Shameis to brynge a man to pouertye
And than in paynesto leuehym at the last
Of the endeof worldly honour and power
and of Folys that trust therein.

On erth wasneuerdegreso excellent

Nor mansomyghty: in rychesnor scyence
But at theendeall hathbengoneandspent
Agaynst the sameno man can makedefence
Deth all thyngedrawyth,ferefullis his presence,
It is lastendeof euerythyngemundayne
Thus mannys fortuneof coursis vncertayne
266 Of theendeof worldlyhonour
andpower
O creaturesof myndesmadandblynde
I wonderof your hertis proudeandeleuate
Whiche on vaynepower set so sore your mynde
And trust somocheto your vnsureestate
As of your lyfe were neytheryere nor date
To worldly worshypye stedfastlyintende
As if your lyfe sholdeneuermorecometo ende

Alway ye labourto cometo dignyte

And oft by falshodeyour power to augment
Alas fewear contentwith theyr degre
But by extorcionspoylethe pore innocent
On worldly treasourso set is theyr intent
And styll to honour as besely to ascende
As if theyr lyfe sholdeneuermorecometo ende

Take thou exampleby Julius cesar

That of the worldeduryngea whyle wassure
And manykyngessubduydby myght of warre
And of the Empyrehad lordshypchargecure
But this his myght greatspacedyd nat endure
And whylehe trustyd yet hyer to ascende
By cruell dethhe sooncameto his ende

Right in lyke wysethe myghty Darius

Was kyngeof Persy a realmemocheexcellent
Yet was his mynde so greatly couetus
That with the samehelde he hym nat content
But warredon other Royalmesadiacent
So whanhis myght coudenat therto extende
His owneRoyalmehe losteand socameto hisende
 and of Polysthat trust therm. 267
And alsoXerxesin rychesabundant
Was Jongein peasandgreat tranquyllyte
And in his Royalmewashye andtryumphant
As longeashe wascontentwith his degre
Than hadhe pleasourandgreatfelycyte.
To assayby warrehis kyngdometo amende
But all he lost and so came to his ende

Whyle Nabugodonosor kyngeof Babylone

In vnsurefortune set to great confydence
Commaundyngehonour vnto hym to be done
As vnto god: with all humblereuerence,
God by his powerandhye magnyfycence
Madehym a beste,for that he dyd offende
And so in procesof tyme cameto his ende

Alexanderthe greatandmyghty conquerour

To whomeall the worldescantlymyght suffyse
Of Grecewasthe origynalllorde andEmperour
And all the worldesubduedasI surmyse
Yet hath he doneas is the comongyse
Left all behynde,for noughtcoudehym defende
But asa symplemanat the last cameto his ende

The myghtyCresuswith his kyngdomesand store

Of goldeand rycheshym selfecoudenat content
But whyle he trustyd and labouredfor more
Fortunehym fayled: So lost he his intent.
What shallI wryte of Cyrusexcellent
Drynkyngehisblodeby deth whichefortune sende
To here of states the comon deth and ende
268 Of theendeof worldlyhonour
andpower
All kyngdomesdekayandall estatemundayne
Exampleof RomeCartagoandMycene
Of SolymeTyre graceand Troy mostesouerayne
None of these placesar nowe as they haue ben
Nor none other ouer the worlde as I wene

Thus shortly to spekeandall to comprehende

All worldly thyngesat last shallhauean ende.

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

O manthat hast thy trust andconfydence

Fyxedon thesefrayle fantasyesmundayne
Remember at the ende there is no difference

Bytwenethat manthat lyuedhath in payne

And hym that hath in welth and ioy souerayne
They both mustdye their payneis of onesort
Both rycheandpore,no mancandeth refrayne
For dethesdart expellythall confort

Say whereis Adam the fyrst progenytour

Of all mankyndeis he nat dedeandgone
And where is Abell of innocence the flour
With adamysothersonneseuerychone
A : dredfull deth of them hath left nat one

Where is Mathusalem,andTuball that wasplayne

The first that playedon Harpe or on Orgone
llz iont tousmortzcemonde estchocevayne

Where is iust Noy andhis ofspryngebecome

Where is Abrahamandall his progeny
As IsaacandJacob,no strengthnor wysdome
Coudethemensureto lyue contynually
 andof Folysthattrusttherm. 269
Whereis kyngeDauydwhomegoddyd magnyfy
And Salomonhis sonof wysdomesouerayne
Where ar his sonnesof wysdomeand beauty
llz sonttoutzmortzcemondeestchocevayne.

Where ar the pryncesandkyngesof Babylon

And alsoof Judeandkyngesof Israeli
Where is the myghtyand valiantSampson
He had no placein this lyfe ay to dwell
Where ar the Pryncesmyghty and cruell
That raynedbeforeChrist delyueredvs from payne
And from the Dongeonsof darke andferefull hell
llz sonttoutzmortzcemondeestcboce vayne.

Of worldlyworsypno mancanhym assure

In this our agewhiche is the last of all
No creaturecanhere alway endure
Yongenor olde,poremannor kyngeroyall
Unstable fortune tourneth as doth a ball

And theythat onespascannat retourneagayne

Wherfore I boldly darespekein generall
We all shalldye: cemonde
estchoce
vayne.

Rychesnor wysdomecannonetherfro defende

Ne in his strengthno mancanhym assure
Say where is Tully is he nat cometo ende
Senekethe sagewith Cato and Arture
The hye Arystotyll of godly wyt andpure
The gloriousGodfray,and myghtyCharlemayne
Thougheof theyr lyfe they thought that they were sure
Yet ar they all dede: cemonde estcboce
vayne.
270 Of theendof worldlyhonour
",

Where ar the Phylosophersand Poetis lawreat

The greatGrammaryens andpleasantoratours.
Ar they nat dedeafter the samefburmeandrate
As ar all theseother myghtyconquerours
Where ar theyr Royalmestheyr rychesandtreasours
Left to theyr heyres: and they be gonecertayne
And herehaueleft theyr richesandhonours
So hauethey prouedthat this worldeis but vayne.

So I concludebycauseof breuyte
That if one sought the worlde large and wyde
Therm sholde be founde no maner of dere
That canalwayin onecasesuerlybyde
Strength,honour,richescunnyngeandbeautye
All thesedecay,dayly: thoughewe complayne
Omniafert etas,both helth and iolyte
We all shalldye: cemonde
estcboce
vayne.
 Of predestynacion.

That manthat lokythfor to hauea rewarde

Whiche he hath nat deseruydto obtayne
And lenythhis bodyvpona redeforwarde
Whichefor waykenes mayhymnatwell sustayne
Forsoth this fole may longe so loke in vayne
And on the Crauyshe styll shallbacwarde
ryde
Cryenge
with thedoue,whose
flyghtshallhymaygyde
272 Ofpredestynaclon.
It is vnlawfull, man to be dilygent
Or serchyngegoddesworkesto set his thought
Howehe hath madethe heuenandfyrmament
The erth the seeandeuery thyngeof nought
Yet of someFolysthe causehereofis sought,
Whiche labour also with curyosyte
To knowethe begynnyngeof his dyuynyte

Thesefolys forgettyngetheir ownefragilyte

Wolde loke to knowethe endeof euerythynge
Boldly disputyngein goddyspryuete
And what rewardeis ordeynydfor menlyuynge
Of manyfolysthis is the mostemusynge
Whiche labourdaylywith besycure andpayne.
To knowewhat god doth discerneandor ordayne

Therfore in this part I shalldispyseandblame

Unchraftyfolyswhichescantlyhaueouersene
Ought of scripture,if they knowethe bokesname
Or els a whyle hath at the Scolesbene
Than bendethey the browysandstedfastlythey wene
In theyr conceytthat they ar passynge
wyse
For all scripturenewecommentisto deuyse

They frowardlythe sentence

do transpose
And that whicheis wryten,bothplayneandholely
By theyr corruptyngeand vnlawfullglose
Oft tymetheybryngeto damnable
heresy
Falslyexpoundynge after theyr fantasy
They labourto transposeandturnethe right sence
Thoughethe wordesstryueandmakegreatresystence
 Ofpredestynacwn. 273
Here what thesefolys with theyr audacyte
Dare beselysayby theyr falserrourblynde
Presumyngeon goddessecreteand pryuete
Herewhat lewdewordesthey castout in the wynde
They saywhat mancanchaungeor turne his mynde
To lyueafter any other fourmeandrate
But lyke ashe is therto predestynate

They say: if god that rayneth ouerall

Hath anyordeynedthat in this worlde is
To come to the placeand rowme celestyall
For to be partynerof euerlastynge
blys
Ordeynedfor sucheas here doth nat amys
No mancanchaunge, not otherthyngemundayne
That thyngewhichegodby hismyghtdoth ordayne

But if that godprefyxedhath before

Any creaturevnto infernallpayne
In derknesto be damnydfor euermore
No erthly thyngemay that sentencecall agayne
Nor hym delyuer: o fole thou maystcomplayne
For this thy foly andalsoit repent
Thynkestthou nat godalwayomnypotent

Is god nat rightwyseandgrounde'of all iustyce

Rewardyngemanafter his gouernaunce
He that hath herenat lyenin synneandvyce
Hauyngein goddysseruycehis pleasaunce
Shall of his lorde be had in remembraunce

And of rewarde worthely be sure

Where it is worthy that synnerspayneendure
274 Ofpredestynaclon.
Trust well who seruythhis makerstedfastly
With pure hertekepyngesurehis commaundement
And lawesshallbe rewardydfynally
With heuenlyioy andscapeall punysshement
Therfore thou fole leue of this lewde intent

Lyue vertuouslyandtrust in goddesgrace

Than yll destenyin the shallhaueno place

Vnto greatioy godhath vsall create

And to vs all ordeynedhis kyngdome
And none hath vnto Hell predestynate
But often whan we folowe nat wysdome
By ouerownefoly we fall, andsobecome
Vnto our maker vnkiad : and hym deny
Whiche them rewardyththat herelyuevertuously

Therforethou Fole desystthy wordesvayne

And let thy tunge nomoresuchewordessay
For godhath vs madeall of onestuf certayne
As onepotter makythof oneclay
Vesselsdyuers,but whanhe mustthemlay
Vpon the kyll with fyre themthereto dry
They comenat all to good,mostecomonly

Doth this erthyn pot his makerdispyse

Whether it be madeof fassyongoodor yll
Sayngewhy dost thou makeme in this wyse
Wherfore madmanI readethe to be styll
Blamenat thy maker,for thy vnhappywyll
For god hath neuer man nor childe create
But all he hath to heuenpredestynate
 Ofpredestynaclon. 275
And whyle we lyue here on this wretchydgrounde
We haueour reasonandwyttesvs to gyde
With our fre wyll andif no fautebe founde
In our demenour,in heuenwe shallabyde
But if we goddeslawesset asyde
Howe may we hopeof hym rewardeto wyn
Soour ownefoly is mostecauseof our syn.

THE ENUOY OF BARCLAY.

O creature vnkynde vnto thy creatour

What carestthou to knowe or to inuestygate
The pryuetye,of god, leue this thy errour
To thynke the by hym to be predestynate
To endleswo and from his blyssepryuate
For synsthou hastthy reasonandfrewyll
Gyuyn the by god, thou art in sucheestate
To take the eleccionoutherof good or yll
Of folys that forget them selfe and do
anothermannysbesynesleuyngetheyr
owne vndone.

Who that wylJ sufferhis ownehousto bren

Tyll noughtof it sauethe barewallysstonde
And with his waterhastelydothren
To quenche the fyre of anothers
housor londe
Ke is a fole and haueshall in his hande
A folysshePypeor hometherwithto blowe
For otherfolysthatin my Shypwyll rowe.
 Offolysthatforgetthemselfe. 277
Withinmy Shypof rowmehe shallbe sure
Whiche for anothersauantageandprofyte
Takythgreatthoughtanddothmochepayneendure
Vnto his ownechargetakyngeno respyte
But settythit asydeandhath all his delyte
With all his stodyhym to enforceanddres:
To care for euery mannysbesynes.

Suchehertlesfolys to them self neglygent

In theyr ownechargeslepecontynually
But with openiyen they ar full dylygent
The workeof other with all theyr myght to aply
And for othersprofyte prouydethey besely.
But whyle theseFolys ar glad to take in hande
Anotherscharge,theyr ownestyll let they stande

WherforeI amso boldewithin my boke

Somwhatto touch thesefolys mad vsage
That if it fortune them on the same to loke

They may therby perceyuein theyr corage

That labourthey ought for their owneauauntage
Most specyally.for that is the degre
And the true order of perfytecharite

For perfyte loue andalsocharite

Begynnethwith hym selfefor to be charitable
And than to other after his degre
Thy owneauauntageis ay moostprofytable
The great Phylosophers of manersfermeand stable
And alsoof wysdomegodly and dyuyne
Hath left to vs suchetechyngeanddoctryne
278 Qfjofysthatforgetthemselfe
We haueby Therencethe samecommaundement
The sameis wrytenalsoasI fynde
In the holy laweof the olde testament
And therfore he that oft wyll set his mynde
For othersmaterswith carehis thought to blynde
Let hym first sevnto his owneprofyte
Lyst somemysfortune
hymaftersharplybyte

Let hym turnehis labourto his owneauauntage

And than do for other where as he seeth moste nede
For who that playethfor monyouthergage
And on his felawescast takyth onely hede
And nat to his owne, sucheone shall seldomspede
And is a Fole. So is he that doth ren
To quencheanotherhous,suffryngehis owneto bren

Sucheone of his owne damageh;ith no fere

And worthy is his losseand hurte to byde
So is he that wyll anothersburthen bere
Or takyth anotherschargeat any tyde
Despysynge his ownewerkeandsettyngeit asyde
If suchehauelosseandafter it forthynke
No manshallmocheforcewhetherhe fleteor synke

He is well worthy to hauea folys pype

That goth vnbyddynto rype anotherscorne
And suffrethhisowneto standethoughit be rype.
And generallyall Folys ar worthy scorne
Of what manerbyrth so euerthey be borne
If theythemself put, to losseor damage
Therby to do someotherauauntage
 and doanothermannysbesynes. 279
SaycuryousFole: saywhat pleasourthou hast
In othersmatersthy self to intermyt
Or theyr greatchargesthus in thy myndeto cast
Thy selfeto socourset thou thy myndeandwyt
Let others maters therfore in quyete syt
On thy owneprofyteof all firste set thy mynde
And than (if thou mayst) do somwhatfor thy frende

For vtterly that manis mochevnwyse

That thus takyth thought for anotherscharge
And doth his owneby neglygencedespyse
For sucheFolys I forgyd hauethis barge
But of the samesuchemenI clenedischarge
That first of his pryuateprofyte can take hede
And than helpea frendeand feloweat a nede

THENUOY OF BARKLAY.

Ye that take charge,thought andbesycure

For othersmysfortune,losseor aduersyte
First of your self I aduyseyou to be sure
For this is the order of parfyte charyte
Echeto hym selfemostelouyngeay to be
And next to his frende,but who that doth dispyse.
His owne besyneswhiche is in ieopardye
Seyngeto anothersforsothhe is vnwyse
282 Of thevyceof vnkynclnes.
He must of maners also be commendable
And of his specheals pleasauntas he can
For an olde prouerbetrue and verytable
Sayththat goodlyfe andmanersmakythman
But euery lawe doth dam and also ban
The churlysshevyceandlewdeof vnkyndnes
Whiche dryeth vp the well of bounteand goodnes

For vnkyndefolysif onelabourdylygent

And sobryngetheyr workevnto goodconclusyon
They fyndeyet fautisandso ar nat content
Withdrawyngethe rewardeby theyr collusyon
Wherfore let suchethynke it no abusyon
Nor hauedisdaynene yet in myndecomplayne
If the porelaborergyue vp his worke agayne

ThesefrowardeFolys, doth wrongeand iniury

To sucheas to themdo profyteandhonour
For kyndnes,they rendershameandvylany
Rebukessclanderextorcionandrygour
But whyle they hopeto cometo greatvaloure
And by suchrygour to honoursto aryse
Theyr hopevanyssheth as doth the snoweor yce

Wherforewho that puttyth oneto besynes

To chargeor labourof bodyor of mynde
Ought hym rewardeagaynefor his kyndnes
If he do nat forsothhe is unkynde
But specyallyas I oft wryten fynde
It is a thyngewhichedoth for vengeaunce
cry
A pore laborer to put to Iniury
 Of thevyceof vnkyndnes. 283
What mancanwryte the inconuenyence
Whiche growethof this lewdeandcursydvyce
Vnkyndnescausethgreatmyschefeand offence
And is repugnyngeto reasonand iustyce
Wherfore let suchethat wyll be namydwyse
Leue it: andfolowelyberalyte
Whicheis noryssher
of loueandamyte

In dyuersbokesexamples
we mayfynde
HowemanyCyteeshygh and excellent
Agaynstall laweandreasonwere vnkynde
To sucheasdyd theyrdignyteaugment
O vnkynde rome thou was of this intent
Whiche hast Camyllusexyledin greatpayne
Thoughehe euer labouredthy honourto mentayne

O cruell Athenesby thy ingratytude

Hastthou nat banysshydSolonalsofro the
Though he enfourmydhath thy manersrude
And gyuynthe lawesof right andequyte
For his greatmeryte,loue andbenygnyte
Thou hast hym gyuen exyleandpaynesharde
His labour was nat worthy that rewarde

Thou vnkyndeSparta: of thy audacyte

What shall1 wryte or thy lewdevnkyndnes
Hast thou nat banysshed by thy cruelte
Thy kynge Lycurgus,bycausehe dyd redres
Thy wantonerroursby laweandrightwysnes
And Scipiowhichehis countrydyd defende
Fondeit to hym,vnkyndeat the lastende
284 Of thevyceof vnkymines.
A thousandemo whome I can nat expresse
To sucheas haue for them abyde great payne
Hauedonedispleasour,
andshewedvnkyndnes
And them disceyuedby somecauteleor trayne
Yet none of them great goodnescowdeobtayne
By theyr vnkyndnesfor who that so doth cast
Vnkyndlyshallbe seruydat the last.

THENUOY OF BARKLAY.

O fals vnkyndnesout on the I cry

From all goodnesdost thou nat man withdrawe
Byndynge his herte to gyle and vylany
Agaynst nature, agaynstboth right and lawe
Thou makest man his maker nat to knawe

Therfore thou man expell out from thy mynde

This vyce,for we fynde in an olde saydesawe
Wo is hym that to his makeris vnkynde.

Remembermanthe greatpreemynence
Gyuenunto the by goodomnypotent
Bytwenethe andAngelsis lytell difference
And all thyngeerthly to the obedyent
Fysshebyrde and bestevnderthe fyrmament
Saywhat excusemaystthou nowelay or fynde
Synsthou art madeby god so excellent
But that thou oughtestagayneto hym be kynde.

God hath the madevnto hisownelykenes

No erthlycreaturevnto the comparable
Thy iyen vpwardeto consyderhis hyghnes
Where other creatures that ar vnresonable
 Of thevyceofvnkyndnes. 285
Goeth on all foure and ar nat other able.

Theyr loke alwayvnto the groundeinclynyd

Therfore thou ought in vertue to be stable
And to thy makerneuerto be vnkynde

Whan manoffendydby disobedyence

Subduyngehym self to labourcareandpayne
And lostthe confortof goodeshye presence
Hath nat christ Jhesuredemydhym agayne
Besydeall this thou hastno thyngecertayne
In erth but by hym.wherforeI call the blynde
And of thy manersvncurtayseandvylayne
If to thy sauyourthou be nat true andkynde

Thoughegod hath madethe (man)thus excellent

To lyue (if thou lyst) in ioy eternally
A lytell thyngeshallhym agaynecontent
He noughtrequyrethbut thy herte onely
And that thou defy thy gostlyennemy
And in goddesseruycethy herteandbodybynde.
Than shall he rewarde the in heuen right gloriously
So maystthou be callydvnto thy makerkynde
Of folys that standeso well in their owne
conceytthat they thinke nonesowyse,
stronge,fayre, nor eloquent,as they
ar themself.

We haueouercomethe malyceand enuy

Of sucheas agaynstour Nauy did conspyre
Wherfore I shall my folys call quyckly
That theymy Shypmayaparayleandatyre
Drawenereye Folyswhichesyttyngeby thefyre
Loke ay in a glasseto se your countenaunce
And in yourownededishaueall yourholepleasaunce
 Qffolysthatstandwellin theirconceyt.
287
Vnto my shypI call hym to be Coke
The meteto dresseto other Folys echone
Whiche in his myrrourdoth alwaygaseandloke
Whan he mayget hym vnto a placealone
And thoughof colourandbeautehe hauenone
Yet thynkethhe hym self fayre andright plesant
And wyse: thoughethat he be madandignorant

In his ownededysis onelyhis delyte

In his owneconceytethynkyngehymselfright wyse
And fayre,thoughehe be yeloweaskyte
Is of hir fete: yet doth he styll deuyse
His vaynemyrrour: that onelyis his gyse
And thoughehe beholdehym self of lothly shape
He wyll it nat byleue,but in his glassedoth gape.

Though for his foly all menmyght hym repreue

And that he se it beforehym openly
Within his glasse-. he wyll it nat byleue
But stronglyit defendeandeke deny
He seyth nat his erys longe and hye
Whiche standevpon his folysshehodebehynde
His lewdeconceytthus makythhym starkeblynde

Whan peoplecomonof menof hye prudence

Or of hye beauty,and strengthif mendoth tell
If one suchefole were there in the presence
He sweredurst boldly andthat on the gospell
That he onelyall other dyd excell
And that to gyue councellgoodand profytable
Were nonein the worldly vnto hym comparable
288 Offolysthatstandwell
Thesefolysbost them selfeof theyr wysdome
And thynkethem selfeto hauepreemynence
Aboue all other that ar in christendome.

In gyftis of graceasbeautyeandscyence
Of strength,godemaners,vertue,andeloquence
But thoughethey standein theyr owneconceytis
Nought is sauefoly within theyr folysshepatis

And thoughetheyr faceand vysagestandeawry

And all to reuylde,theyr mouthstandyngeasyde
Within theyr myrrourthe samecanthey nat spye
But in theyr foly contynuallyabyde
And whetherthat they ar styll outhergo or ryde
Labour or be ydyll, they gasestyll in theyr glasse
Yet wyll they nat byleueto haueerys lyke an Asse.

Oft whanthesefolys lye in theyr bedvpright

With tawny loke or els theyr botyll nose
They hauetheyr myrrouralwayin theyr syght
The vayneglasse(of theyr beautye)to apose
And whansuchea fole into the kechyngose
To sterethe pot, therewhetherhe syt or stande
The glassealwayis in the otherhande

Whan he a whyle his glashath lokenthan

If oneexamynydhym of his beautye
He boldly durst swereboth by god andman
That noughtwerein hymwhichemyghtrepreuydbe
But all goodnes,
fayreshape,
andlokeof grauyte
And that hisgeregaylyvponhisbackedothsyt
He hardly is wyse: if he hadany wyt.
 in their owneconceyt. 289
I wryten fynde that great inconuenyence
As losse,contemptandoccasyon of pryde
Hath fallyn vnto manyby this lewdecomplacence
Whiche hauenat knowenthe way themselfto gyde
The emperourOtho haday borneby his syde
In warre andpeas(a glasse)for his pleasaunce
To se his colour therin ; and countenaunce

And to the ententto makehis colourgay

With Assysmylke he noyntydoft his skyn
And shauydhis berdeonyseuery day
But for that he offendydgod herein
After washe sharplypunysshydfor this syn
And put vnto extreme rebuke and shame
To gyue other exampleto auoydethe same

It is forsotha manerfemynyne
And nat for man to be so elegant
To suchetoyeswantonwymenmay inclyne
A yongemaydemay at her forhedehauependant
The vaynemyrrour to sehir shapepleasant
Man sholdenoughtset by to norysshehis beautye
But onelymanhodestrengthandaudacyte

The wantonmaydemay for hir self ordayne

Hir call hir coyfe,andsucheconceytisnewe
As brochesfyletesandoyntmentissouerayne
And clothyngeof dyuerscolour andof hewe
But nowe yonge men the samefourme do ensue
And to contenttheyr madand folysshemynde
To wymenthey comparethemselfeagaynstkynde
290 Offolys that standwell
DisorderraynethasI beforehauesayde
The yongementakyth womanscountenaunce
And hir aparayll,and wymenar arayde
As men : agaynstall lawe and ordynaunce
Thus manandwomanensuemysgouernaunce
In theyr behauour is small dynersyte
Theyr owneconceytcausethgreat enormyte

The poet Ouyde shewyth in a fable

Howe that onecallydPygmalyonby name
A fyguremadevnto hymselfesemblable
Whiche he in marbyllright craftelydyd frame
And in so mochehe worshyppedthe same
Tyll at the lasthis myndewaspast andgone
And he transformed so was in to that stone

And if the Poetis fables be all sure

As by theyr subtyle wordes oft we here

The childeNarcissuswaschaungydof fygure
Whyle he beheldeinto the water clere
For whylehis shadowevnto hym dyd apere
Vpon the sameso sorehe set his mynde
That he transformydwasto anotherkynde.

But to retorneagayneto our purpose

And of this sort of Folys to conclude
If god sholdethemto other shapetranspose
That thynke themfayrethoughthey be foule andrude
Into foule fassyonhe many sholde include
For whyleFolystheyrownebeautymagnyfy
So growyththe nomberandsotheymultyply
 /// their owneconceyt. 290*

THENUOY OF BARKI.AY THE TRANSLATOUR.

Blyndemaninclerethy wylfull ignoraunce

Standenat so greatin thy owneconceyte
Ne in thy lewdefassyonset nat thy pleasaunce
Whether thou be pore or manof great estate
Another manmochemoreshall in the wayte
Of godeandyll than thou thy self canstdo
Therforebe nat causeto thy self of disceyte
If onethe teche: aply thy myndetherto
Of lepyngesanddauncisandFolysthat pas
theyr tyme in suchevanyte.

That folethat settythhis felycyte

In wantondaunces andlepesimmoderate
Hath in my Shypa rowmefor his degre
Bysydethe sterefor troublynge of hispate
He god dyspleasyth,whichedoth suchefoly hate
Suchelesetheyrtymein vayneandoft thc-rin
Ar manyhurtis: andcause
of dedefy
syn.
292 Of lepynges
anddauncls.
Those folysa placemay chalengein my shyp
Whiche voydeof wysdomeas menout of theyr mynde
Them selfedelyteto daunceto lepe andskyp
In compase rennyngelyke to the worlde wyde
In vnkyndelabour,suchefolys pleasourfynde
Rennyngeaboutin this theyr furyousvyce
Lyke asit were in Bacchussacryfyce

Or asthe Druydansrennyth in vayneabout

In theyr madfestesvpon the hylle of yde
Makyngetheyrsacrafyce
with furournoyseandshout
Whan theyr madnessettyth theyr wyt asyde
Or whan the prestis of marsall nyght abyde
Within theyr templeby vseabhomynable
To theyr ydollysdoyngetheyr seruycedetestable

Lyke asthesepaynymshath to theyr ydolsdone

Theyr sacryfycewandryngein theyr madnes
Theyr bodyesweryenge,in vaynewastyngetheir shone
So do thesefowlysthem selfeto daunsynge dres
Sekyngeoccason of greatvnhappynes
They take suchelabourwithout all hopeof gayne
Without rewardesure,of werynesandpayne
i

SayFolysthat vsethisfury andoutrage

What causythyou to hauedelytetherin
For yourgreatlaboursaywhatis yourwage
Forsothye cantherbyno profytewyn
But sekeoccasyon(asI hauesayde)of syn
And for thy weryngethy fete thus in the dust
Thou gettestno gaynebut causeof carnalllust
 Of lepynges
anddauncls. 293
But whanI consyderof this folysshegame
The firste begynnyngeandcauseorygynall
I say the causetherof is worthy blame
For whanthe deuyll to disceyuemanmortall
And do contemptto the hye god eternall
Vpon a stagehadset a Calfeof golde.
That euerymanthe samemyght clerebeholde

So than the Fendegroundeof mysgouernaunce

Causydthe peoplethis fygure to honour
As for theyr godand beforethe sameto daunce.
Whan they were dronkon, thus fell they in errour
Of Idolatry, andforgatetheyr creatour.
Beforethis ydoll daunsyngeboth wyfe andman
Dispysyngegod: Thus daunsynge fyrst began

Sucheblynde folyesand inconuenyence

Engendrythgreathurte andincommodyte
And sawythsedewherofgrowethgreatoffence
The groundeof vyceandof all enormyte
In it is pryde,fowle lust andlecherye
And whyle lewdelepysar vysd in the daunce
Oft frowardebargaynsar madeby countenaunce

What els is daunsynge but euena nurcery

Or elsa bayteto purchaseandmeyntayne
In yongeherds the vyle synneof rybawdry
Them fetryngetherin, asin a dedelychayne
And to say trouth in wordesclereandplayne
Venereouspeoplehaueall theyr hole pleasaunce
Theyr vyceto norysshe
by this vnthryftydaunce
294 Of lepynges
anddauncis.
And wanton people disposydvnto syn
To satysfyetheyr madconcupyscence
With hasty cours vnto this daunsyngeryn
To sekeoccasyon of vyle synneandoffence
And to expressemy myndein shortsentence
This vyciousegameoft tymesdoth attyse
By his lewdesynes,chasthartisvnto vyce

Than it in erth no game is more damnable

It semyth no peas,but Batayle openly
They that it vseof myndessemevnstable
As madfolke rennyngewith clamourshowtandcry
What place is voyde of this furyous foly
None : so that I dout within a whyle
These folys the holy churche shall defyle

Of peoplewhat sort or order may we fynde

Ryche or pore hye or lowe of name
But by theyr folysshnes,
andwantonmynde
Of echesort somear gyuen vnto the same
The prestis and clerkes to dauncehaue no shame
The frere or monke in his frocke and cowle
Must dauncein his dortor lepyngeto play the fole

To it comyschildren,maydesandwyues.
And flaterynge
yongemento seto hauetheyrpray
The handein handegreatfalshodeoft contryues
The oldequeanalsothis madnes wyll assay
And the oldedotardetlioughehe skantlymay
For age and lamenesstere outher fote or hande
Yet playethhe the fole with other in the bande
 Of lepynges
anddauncis. 295
Thanlepe they about asfolke pasttheyr mynde
With madnesamasydrennyngein compace
He mosteis commendydthat can moste lewdnesfynde
Or can most quyckly ren about the place
There ar all manersvsydthat lackegrace
Mouyngetheyr bodyesin synesfull of shame
Whiche doth theyr hertesto synneright soreinflame

So oft this vycedoth manyoneabuse

That whan they ar departydfrom the daunce
On lust andsynnecontynuallythey muse
Hauyngetherin theyr wyll and theyr pleasaunce
Than fall they oft to greatmysgouernaunce
As folysgyuyn to worke vnprofytable
So in my shyp they well deseruea babyll.

THENUOY OF BARKLAY

Do way your dauncesye peoplemochevnwyse

Desystyour folysshepleasourof trauayle
It is me thynke an vnwysevseand gyse
To take suchelabourandpaynewithout auayle
And who that suspectythhis maydeor wyuestayle
Let hym nat sufferthemin the daunceto be
For in that gamethoughesysor synkethemfayle
The dyseoft rennethvpon the chaunceof thre
Of nyght watchersandbetersof the stretes
playngeby nyght on instrumentesand
vsyngelyke Folyeswhan tyme is to
rest.

He is a Fole thatwandrethby nyght

In felde or towne, in companyor alone
Playngeat his lemmans
dorewithoutenlyght
Tyll all his body be coldeas lede or stone
Thesefolysknockynge tyll the nyghtbe gone
At that seasonthoughethat theyfeleno colde
Shallit repentandfelewhantheybe olde.
 Ofnyghtwatchers
andbeters
of thestretes.
297
Nowe woldeI of my boke hauemadean ende
And with my shyp drawento somehauenor porte
Strykenmy sayle,and all my folys sende
Vnto the londe, a whyle them selfe to sporte
But this my purposeis lettyd by a sorte
Of frantykefolys, wandryngeabout by nyght
For oftenall yll doershatyth the day lyght

Whyle (man)besteand euerylyuely creature

Refresshetheyr myndesand bodyeswith rest
And slepe: without the whiche none can endure
And whyle all byrdesdrawethem to theyr nest
Thesedronkenbandesof Folys than doth Jest
About the stretis,with rumournoyseandcry
Syngyngetheyr folysshesongesof rybawdry

The furyesferefull sprongeof the flodesof hell

Vexith these vagabundesin theyr myndesso
That by no meancanthey abydene dwell
Within theyr howsys,but out they nedemustgo
More wyldly wandryngethan outherbuckeor doo
Somewith theyr harpisanotherwith his lute
Another with his bagpypeor a folyssheflute

Than mesurethey theyr songesof melody

Beforethe doresof theyr lemmandere
Yowlyngewith theyr folysshesongeandcry
So that theyr lemmanmay theyr greatfoly here
And tyll the yordanmakethem standearere
Caston theyrhede,or tyll the stonysfle
They nat depart,but couettherestyll to be
298 Of nyghtwatchers
andbete
rs of thestretes.
But yet moreouer theseFolysar sovnwyse
That in coldewynter they vsethe samemadnes
Whan all the howsysar lade with snoweandyse
O madmenamasydvnstabyllandwytles
What pleasourtake ye in this your folysshenes
What ioy haueye to wanderthus by nyght
Sauethat yll doersalwayhate the lyght

But folyssheyouth doth nat alonethis vse

Comeof lowebyrth andsympyllof degre
But also statis them selfe therein abuse

With someyongefolys of the spiriiualte

The folysshepype without all grauyte
Doth eche degre call to this frantyke game
The darkenesof nyghtexpellythfere of shame

One barkyth another bletyth lyke a shepe

Somerore, somecountre, sometheyr baladesfayne
Another from syngyngegyuethhym to wepe
Whan his souerayne lady hath of hym dysdayne
Or shyttythhym out, andto be short andplayne
Who that of this sort best canplay the knaue
Lokyth of the other the maysteryto haue

The folysshehusbondeoft of this sort is one

With wantonyouth wandryngeby nyght also
Leuyngehis wyfe at homein bedalone
And gyuethhyr occasyon oftento mysdo
So that whyle he after the owle doth go
Fedyngethe Couko,his wyfe hir tyme doth watche
Receyuynge anotherwhoseeggesshedoth hatche.
 Of nyghtwatchers
andbeters
of thestretes.
299
Therforeye folysthat knoweyou of this sort
To gyue occasyon of synnevnto your wyues
And all other: I you pray andexort
Of this your foly to amendeyour lyues
For longenyght watchesseldorae tymesthryues
But if it be in labour: goodto wyn
Therforekepeyour dorys: elsabydewithin

ThougheI havetouchydof this enormyte

In englysshetunge: yet is it nat so vsed
In this Royalmeasit is beyondethe se
Yet mochewe vsewhicheought to be refusyd
Of greatnyght watchyngewe may nat be excusyd
But our watchyngeis in drunkenglotony
More than in syngyngeor other meledy

Whan it is nyght andecheshuldedraweto rest

Many of our folysgreat payneandwatchyngetake
To prouemaystryesandse who may drynkebest
Outher at the Tauerneof wyne,or the ale stake
Other all nyght watchythfor theyr lemmanssake
Standyngein cornerslyke asit werea spye
Whether that the weder be, hote, colde, wete, or dry

Someother Folys rangeaboutby nyght

ProwdelyJettyngeasmen myndelesor wode
To sekeoccasyonwith pacyentmen to fyght
Delytyngethem in shedyngemennysblode
Outher els in spoylyngeof other mennysgode
Let thesefolys with suchelyke and semblable
Drawe to this barge,hereshall they berea bable
300 Of nyghtwatchers
andbeters
of thestretes.
THENUOY OF BARCLAY.

Ye folys that put your bodyesvnto payne

By nyghtly watchynge,voydeof auauntage
Leue of your foly or elsye shallcomplayne
And mourneit soreif ye lyue vnto age
For thoughye thynke that this your blyndeoutrage
Is vnto you no hurte nor preiudyce
It doth your body andgoodesgreatdammage
And greatcauseboth to you andyoursof vyce.
Of folysshebeggersand of theyr vanytees.

Syns I hnuetaken the chargeone me

Mo botisandBargesfor Folysto aparayle
And so agayneof neweto take the se
I ferydlyst companyshuldemefayle
Within my folyssheshyppisto trauayle
But nowedoth beggersthemselfeto mepresent
For feweof themI fyndeof goodintent
302 Ofjblysshe
beggers
andof theyrvanytees.
A greatcompanyof folysmay we fynde
Amongebeggers,whichehauetheyr hole delyte
In rheyrlewdecraft: wherforeI set my mynde
In this Bargetheyr maners,brefely for to write
For thoughethat nedethemgreuouslydo byte.
Yet is theyr myndefor all theyr pouerte
To kepe with themof childrengreatplente

And thoughthat they myght otherwysewell lyue

And get theyr lyuynge by labour and besynes
Yet fully they theyr myndesset andgyue
To ledethis lyfe alwayin wretchydnes
The clerke,frere, or monke,whichehath storeof ryches
For all his lyfe. if he it gyde wysely.
Wyll yet the beggersoffyceoccupy

Sucheoft complaynethe chargeof pouerte

In garmentisgoynge raggyd and to rent
But yet haue they of ryches great plente
"Whichein godevsecanneuerof thembe spent
Almys is ordeynedby god omnypotent
And holy churche: for to be gyuynin dede
Vnto good vse,and sucheas haue mostenede

Almesis ordeynedby god our creatour

For menthat lyue in nedeandwretchydnes
Therwith their paynfulllyuesto socour
And nat for rychethat lyuesin viciousnes
But yet suchecaytyfsboldly in darepres
For their lewde lyfe without all manerdrede
This almestakyngefrom them that hauemostnede
Qffolysshe
beggers
andof they
r vanytees.
303
The abbot,the Pryour, andalsotheyr couent
Ar so blyndydwith vnhappycouetyse
That with theyr ownecanthey nat be content
But to hauemore,they alwaymeandeuyse
Ye: in so mochethat somehauefoundea gyse
To faynetheyr brethernetan in captyuyte
That they may beggesoby auctoryte

They faynemyracleswherenonewere euerdone

And all for lucre: someotherrangeabout
To gatherandbeggewith somefaynedpardon
And at the alehowsat nyght all drynkythout
Soren thesebeggersin companyrowt
By stretistauernestownesandvyllagys
No placecanwell be fre of theyr outragys

Somebeggefor byldynges,somefor relyquesnewe

Of holy sayntisof countreysfarre and strange
And with theyr wordesfaynydand vntrewe
For causeof Lucre, aboutthey ren andrange
But in a sympyllvyllage,fermeor grange
Where as thesebeggersmostesympyllmenmay fynde
With theyr fals bonysas relykesthey them blynde

Other beyngestrongeandfull of lustynes

And yongeynougheto labourfor theyrfode
Gyuyththeyrbodyesfully to slewthfulnes
The beggerscraft thynkyngeto them moostgood
Someray theyr leggesandarmysouerwith blood
With leuysandplasters
thoughtheybe holeandsounde
Somehalt ascrypyls,theyr leggefalselyvp bounde
304 Ofjblysshe
beggers
andoftheyrvanytees.
Someother beggersfalslyfor the nonys
Disfyguretheyr childrengod wot vnhappely
Manglyngetheyr facys,andbrekyngetheyr bonys
To sterethe peopleto pety that passeby
There standethey beggyngewith tedyousshoutand cry
There ownebodyestournyngeto a strangefassion
To moue sucheas passeto pyte and compassyon

cuche yonge laddysas lusty ar of age

Myghty and stronge, and wymen in lyke wyse
Wantonandyongeandlusty of cowrage
Gyueththemselfevtterly to this gyse
The causeis that they labourdo despyse
For theyr myndeis in ydylnesto be styll
Or elsin vyceto wanderat theyr wyll

They paciently theyr prouertye abyde

Nat for deuocionof herteor of mynde
But to the intent that at euerytyde
Other mennysgodessholde them fede and fynde.
But if they a whyle haueron in the wynde
And in theyr handethe staf somehete hath caught
Theyneueraftershallleuethe beggerscraft

Amongethesebeggersalsois comonly
Braulyngedebatehateredandchydynge
Greatothes,mockesfalshodeand enuy
And onewith other euermorefyghtynge
As for theyrdronkennes
andvnsureabydynge
Theyr rebaudryboth in dedeandcommunycacion
Thesear chefepoyntisof theyr occupacion
 Offolysshe
baggers
andof they
r vanytees.
305
If the beggerhauehis staf and his hode
One baggebehyndeandanotherbefore
Than thynkeshe hym in the myddesof his goode
Thoughethat his clothesbe raggydandto tore
His body nerebarehe hath no thought therfore
And if someman cloth them well to day
To moroweit shallagaynebe soldeaway

And if thesecaytyfesfortune to beggeor cry

For meteor money,on womanor on man
If oneto themthat, that they askedeny
And sodepart: anonethesebeggersthan
Whan he is gone,doth wary curseand ban
And if anothergyue them ought of pyte
At the next alestake dronken shall it be

But if that I sholdegatherin my barge

All folysshebeggers,andlabouror intende
To note all theyr vyces,to soresholdebe the charge
And asI supposeI neuersholdemakean ende.
Wherfore I counsel!themshortly to amende
Or els theyr lewdnes,synne,andenormyte
Shallcausemenwithdrawetheyr almesof charyte

THENUOY OF BARCLAY THE TRANSLATOUR.

O peoplevnthrifty gyuen to ydlenes

Spendyngeyour youth this wysein vanytt
What ioy haueye to lyue in wretchydnes
Where ye myght cometo better rowmeanddegre
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