Chapter IV: Part 4

III.a. THE FOURTHE EGLOGE OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY.--Pynson. No date. Quarto. Black letter.

It is entitled, "The Boke of Codrus and Mynaclus," over the cut of a
priest, with a shaven crown, writing at a plutus. It concludes with
"The discrypcion of the towre of Vertue & Honour, into whiche the noble
Hawarde contended to entre, by worthy acts of chiualry," related by
Menalcas, in stanzas of eight verses. At the end, "Thus endeth the
fourthe Eglogge of Alexandre Barcley, coteyning the maner of the riche
men anenst poets and other clerkes. Emprinted by Richarde Pynson priter
to the kynges noble grace." On the last leaf is his device, No. V.
Contains 22 leaves, with cuts.

III.b. THE FYFTE EGLOGE OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY. --Wynkyn de Worde. No date. Quarto. Black letter.

"The fyfte Eglog of Alexandre Barclay of the Cytezen and vplondyshman."
This title is over a large woodcut of a priest, sitting in his study.
Beneath, "Here after foloweth the Prologe." On the verso of A ii. are
two cuts of two shepherds, whole lengths, with this head-title,
"Interlocutoures be Amyntas and Faustus." There are no other cuts.
Colophon: "Here endeth the v. Eglog of Alexandre Barclay of the Cytezyn
and vplondysshman. Imprynted at London in flete strete, at the sygne of
[the] Sonne, by Wynkyn de worde." Beneath, device No. v. Contains A 8,
B 4, C 6; 18 leaves. There is a copy in the British Museum.

With the first four Eclogues as above, Woodhouse, 1803, (Herbert's
copy), £25.; resold, Dent, 1827, £36.; resold, Heber, 1834, £24. 10s.
At Heber's sale this unique set, containing the only known copy of the
first edition of the first four Eclogues, was bought by Thorpe; further
I have not been able to trace it.

III.c. THE EGLOGES.--John Herforde. No date. Quarto.

"Here begynneth the Egloges of Alex. Barclay, Priest, whereof the first
three conteineth the Miseries of Courters and Courtes." "Probably a
reprint of Pynson's impression," Dibdin. Contains only Eclogues I.-III.
Herbert conjectures the date to be 1548; Corser, 1546; Hazlitt, 1545.

III.d. THE EGLOGES.--Humfrey Powell. No date. Quarto. Black letter.

"Here begynneth the Egloges of Alexander Barclay, priest, whereof the
first thre conteineth the miseries of courters and courtes, of all
Princes in general ... In the whiche the interloquutors be, Cornix, and
Coridon." Concludes: "Thus endeth the thyrde and last Eglogue of the
Misery of Courte and Courters, Composed by Alexander Barclay preest, in
his youth. Imprinted at London by Humfrey Powell." Contains only
Eclogues I.-III. Collation: Title, A 1; sig. A to P2, in fours; 58
leaves not numbered.

This is an edition of extreme rarity. It is very well printed, and the
title is surrounded with a woodcut border with ornamented pillars at
the sides. Herbert conjectures the date to be 1549, the Bib.
Anglo-Poetica, Lowndes, and Corser, 1548. There is a copy in the
Cambridge University Library, and another in the possession of David
Laing, Esq.

Prices: Inglis, £6. 2s. 6d.; Bright, 1845. £10. 10s.; Bib.
Anglo-Poetica, £15.

III.e. CERTAYNE EGLOGES OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY PRIEST.--Cawood. 1570. Folio. Black letter.

Appended to Cawood's edition of the Ship of Fools. No title-page, cuts,
or pagination. The above heading on A i.

Colophon: Thus endeth the fifth and last Egloge of Alexander Barclay,
of the Citizen and the man of the countrey. Imprinted at London in
Paules Church-yarde by Iohn Cawood, Printer to the Queenes Maiestie.
Cum Priuilegio ad imprimendum solum.

Contains A--D, in sixes.

III._f_. THE CYTEZEN AND UPLONDYSHMAN: an Eclogue [the fifth] by Alexander Barclay.

Printed from the original edition by Wynkyn de Worde. Edited, with an
Introductory Notice of Barclay and his other Eclogues, by F.W.
Fairholt, F.S.A. London; printed for the Percy Society [vol. XXII.],
1847. 8vo. Pp. + 6, lxxiv., 47.

* * * * *

IV. THE INTRODUCTORY TO WRITE AND TO PRONOUNCE FRENCHE. Coplande. 1521. Folio. Black letter.

'Here begynneth the introductory to wryte, and to pronounce Frenche
compyled by Alexander Barcley compendiously at the commaudemet of the
ryght hye excellent and myghty prynce Thomas duke of Northfolke.' This
title is over a large woodcut of a lion rampant, supporting a shield,
containing a white lion in a border, (the same as that on the title of
the Sallust, VI.), then follows a French ballad of 16 lines in two
columns, the first headed, "R. Coplande to the whyte lyone, and the
second, "¶ Ballade." On the recto of the last leaf, 'Here foloweth the
maner of dauncynge of bace dauces after the vse of fraunce & other
places translated out of frenche in englysshe by Robert coplande.'
Col.: Jmprynted at London in the Fletestrete at the sygne of the rose
Garlande by Robert coplande, the yere of our lorde. M.CCCCC.xxi. y^e
xxii. day of Marche.' Neither folioed nor paged. Contains C 4, in
sixes, 16 leaves.

In the edition of Palsgrave (see above, p. lxxiii.), published among
the "Documents inédits sur l'histoire de France," the editor says of
this work of Barclay's: "Tous mes efforts pour découvrir un exemplaire
de ce curieux ouvrage ont été inutiles." There is a copy, probably
unique, in the Bodleian; it was formerly Herbert's, afterwards Douce's.

All the parts of this treatise relating to French pronunciation have
been carefully reprinted by Mr A. J. Ellis, in his treatise "On Early
English Pronunciation" (published by the Philological Society), Part
III., p. 804.

* * * * *

V. THE MYRROUR OF GOOD MANERS.----Pynson. No date. Folio. Black letter.

'Here begynneth a ryght frutefull treatyse, intituled the myrrour of
good maners, coteynyng the iiii. vertues, callyd cardynall, compyled in
latyn by Domynike Mancyn: And translate into englysshe: at the desyre
of syr Gyles Alyngton, knyght: by Alexander Bercley prest: and monke of
Ely. This title is over a cut, the same as at the head of Barclay's
preface to his translation of Sallust, a representation of the author
in a monkish habit on his knees, presenting a book to a nobleman. The
text begins on back of title. The original is printed in Roman letter
in the margins.----Colophon in a square woodcut border: Thus endeth the
ryght frutefull matter of the foure vertues cardynall: Jmprynted by
Rychard Pynson: prynter vnto the kynges noble grace: with his gracyous
pryuylege the whiche boke I haue prynted, at the instance & request, of
the ryght noble Rychard yerle of Kent. On the back, Pynson's device,
No. v. It has neither running titles, catch-words, nor the leaves
numbered. Signatures; A to G, in sixes, and H, in eights; 100 pp.

In the British Museum, Grenville collection, from Heber's collection.
"This edition differs materially from that used by Herbert, which has
led Dr Dibdin to the conclusion that there were two impressions." So
says a MS. note on the copy, (quoted in the Bib. Grenv.), but Dibdin
does not commit himself to the conclusion, his words being these: "This
description is given from a copy in the possession of Mr Heber; which,
from its varying with the account of Herbert, Mr H. supposes, with
justice, must be a different one from Herbert's." I have failed to
discover the difference.

Prices: Perry, £9.; Roxburghe (last leaf wanting), £10. 10s.;
Bibliotheca Anglo-Poetica, £12. 12s.; Sykes, £16. 16s.

To the above edition must belong the fragment entered in Bohn's Lowndes
under "Four," thus: "Four Vertues Cardinal. Lond. R. Pynson, n.d.
folio. Only a fragment of this Poem is known; it was printed at the
request of Rychard Erle of Kent."

V._a._. THE MIRROUR OF GOOD MANERS.----Cawood. 1570. Folio. Black letter.

Appended to Cawood's edition of the Ship of Fools. No title page,
pagination, or cuts. The above heading on A 1. The Latin original
printed in Roman by the side of the English. Contains A-G, in sixes.

It may be useful to give here the bibliography of the other English
translations of Mancyn.

Mancinus de quattuor Virtutibus. [The englysshe of Mancyne apon the foure cardynale vertues.] No place, printer's name, or date, but with the types of Wynkyn de Worde, circa 1518. 4to, a-d, in eights. Bodleian.

Following the title occurs: Petri Carmeliani exasticon in Dominici
Mancini de quattuor cardineis virtutibus libellum. The Latin portion is
in verse, printed in Roman letter, with marginal notes in black letter,
of a very small size, and the English in prose.

The English part, in black letter, is entitled: The englysshe of
Mancyne apon the foure cardynale vertues. n.p. or d. This portion has a
separate title and signatures; the title is on A 1. On sign. F ii.
occurs, "The correccion of the englysshe," and on the verso of the same
leaf is printed, "The correction of the texte." A, B, C, and D, 8
leaves each; E, 6 leaves; and F, 4 leaves; 42 leaves altogether. A copy
of this is in the British Museum. Only two perfect copies are known.

A Plaine Path to Perfect Vertue: Deuised and found out by Mancinus, a Latine Poet, and translated into English by G. Turberuile, Gentleman.

Ardua ad virtutem via.

Imprinted at London in Knightrider-strete, by Henry Bynneman, for
Leonard Maylard. Anno. 1568. 8vo., 72 leaves. Black letter, in verse.
Dedicated "To the right Honorable and hys singular good Lady, Lady
Anne, Coutesse Warvvicke." There is also a metrical address to the
reader, and 8 4-line stanzas by James Sanford in praise of the
translator.

Freeling, 1836, No. 911, £7., bought for Mr Corser: now in the British
Museum. Supposed to be unique.

* * * * *

VI. CRONYCLE compyled in Latyn, by the renowned Sallust.----Pynson. No date. Folio.

"Here begynneth the famous cronycle of the warre, which the romayns had
agaynst Jugurth, vsurper of the kyngdome of Numidy. which cronycle is
compyled in latyn by the renowmed romayne Salust. And translated into
englysshe by syr Alexander Barclay preest, at comaundement of the right
hye and mighty prince: Thomas duke of Northfolke." There are two
editions by Pynson of this book.

I. In this edition the lower half of the title page has a square
enclosed by double lines containing the Norfolk arms, a lion rampant,
holding a shield in his paws, on which is another lion, a cut which
also appears on the title of The Introductory. There is a full page cut
of the royal arms with portcullis, &c., on the back, followed by five
pages of Table. The preface to his patron, in English,----together with
a Latin dedication to Bishop Veysy, in parallel columns,----begins on
the verso of signature A iiii, under a cut of the author presenting his
book to him, the same as that which appears on the title of The myrrour
of good maners. [See the cut prefixed to the Notice of Barclay's life,
which is confined however to a reproduction of the two principal
figures only, two other figures, evidently of servants, and some
additional ornamentation of the room being omitted.] At the end of this
preface is another cut of the author, writing at a desk; also on the
back of the leaf is a cut of the disembarking of an army. There are no
other cuts, but the volume is adorned throughout with very fine woodcut
initials. Catchwords are given irregularly at the beginning, but
regularly towards the end, at the bottom of the left hand page only,
but the preface has them to every column. Colophon:----"Thus endeth the
famous cronycle of the war ... imprented at London by Rycharde Pynson
printer vnto the kynges noble grace: with priuylege vnto hym grauted by
our sayd souerayne lorde the kynge." On the back of the last leaf is
Pynson's device, No. v. The date is erroneously conjectured in Moss's
Classical Bib. to be 1511. It was probably 1519, certainly between 1519
and 1524. Contains 92 numbered leaves, and one leaf unnumbered, besides
eight leaves of preliminary matter: numbering quite regular:
signatures; a 8, A--O, 6 s, P, Q, 4 s. In the British Museum, Grenville
Collection, the Bodleian, and the Public Library at Cambridge.

Prices: Roxburghe, £23, 12s.; Sykes, £8, 12s.; Heber, £5, 15s. 6d.;
Sotheby's, 1857, £10.

II. In this edition, the title page is the same as in the other with
the exception of a semicolon for a full point after Numidy, the
succeeding which having an e added, and romayne being without the e,
but on the back instead of a cut of the royal arms The table commences;
the preface begins on the recto of sign. a 4, under the cut of the
author presenting his book to the Duke of Norfolk, and ends without the
leaf of woodcuts which is appended to the preface of the first edition.
Pynson's device at the end of the book is also wanting in this edition.
It contains only fol. lxxxvi., with six leaves of preliminary matter;
the pagination is a little irregular, xxi. and xxii. are wanting but
xxiii. is given three times, and lxxvii. is repeated for lxxviii.; the
British Museum copy is deficient in folios lxii. and lxv.: signatures;
a 6, A--N, 6 s, and O, P, 4 s. The initials are the same as those in
the first edition in the great majority of cases, but appear much more
worn. There are catch-words only at the end of every signature
throughout the book, except to the preface, which has them to every
column. In the British Museum, and the Public Library, Cambridge.

Both editions have the Latin in Roman letter in the margins, and
running-titles. Ames mentions an edition with cuts, which must be the
same as the first of these.

VI._a._ CRONICLE OF WARRE. Compiled in Laten by Saluste. Corrected by Thomas Paynell. Waley, 1557. Quarto.

"Here begynneth the famous Cronicle of warre, whyche the Romaynes hadde
agaynst Jugurth vsurper of the kyngedome of Numidie: whiche Cronicle is
compiled in Laten by the renowmed Romayne Saluste: and translated into
englyshe by syr alexander Barklaye prieste. And nowe perused and
corrected by Thomas Paynell. Newely Jmprinted in the yere of oure Lorde
God M.D.L vij." On the verso of the title begins Paynell's
dedication--"To the ryghte honorable Lorde Antonye Vycounte Mountegue,
Knyghte of the ryghte honorable order of the garter, and one of the
Kynge and Queenes Magesties pryuie counsayle." "The prologue" begins on
a 1. Barclay's preface and dedication are omitted, as well as the Latin
of Sallust. Col.: "Thus endeth the famouse Cronicle of the warre ...
against Jugurth ... translated... by syr Alexander Barkeley, prieste,
at commaundemente of ... Thomas, duke of Northfolke, And imprinted at
London in Foster lane by Jhon Waley." Signatures; H h, 4 s, besides
title and dedication, two leaves: the pagination commences on a 4, at
"The fyrste chapter," the last folio being cxx.; xxi. is repeated for
xxii., xxiii. for xxiv., xix., stands for xxix., lvii. is repeated, and
lxxiv. is repeated for lxxv.

This edition forms the second part of a volume having the following
general title page: The Conspiracie of Catiline, written by Constancius
Felicius Durantinus, and translated bi Thomas Paynell: with the
historye of Jugurth, writen by the famous Romaine Salust, and
translated into Englyshe by Alexander Barcklaye.

* * * * *

VII. ALEX. BARCLAY HIS FIGURE OF OUR MOTHER HOLY CHURCH OPPRESSED BY THE FRENCHE KING. Pynson. Quarto.

This is given by Herbert on the authority of Maunsell's Catalogue, p.
7.

* * * * *

VIII. THE LYFE OF THE GLORIOUS MARTYR SAYNT GEORGE. Translated by Alexander Barclay, while he was a monk of Ely, and dedicated to N. West, Bp. of Ely. Pinson [Circa 1530.] Quarto. [Herbert, 289].

* * * * *

IX. THE LYFE OF SAYNTE THOMAS. Pynson. No date. Quarto. Black letter.

"¶ Here begynneth the lyfe of the blessed martyr saynte Thomas." This
title is the headline of this little treatise; at the beginning of
which is indented a small woodcut of a man in armour, striking at the
bishop, with his cross-bearer before him. It begins "The martir saynte
Thomas was son to Gylberde Bequet a burgeys of the Cite of London. And
was borne in y^e place, whereas now standeth the churche called saynte
Thomas of Akers." It concludes, "¶ Thus endeth the lyfe of the blessed
martyr saynt Thomas of Caunturbury. Jmprynted by me Rycharde Pynson,
prynter vnto the kynges noble grace." Contains eight leaves. There is a
copy in the British Museum. Assigned to Barclay on tne authority of
Wood.

* * * * *

X. HAYTHON'S CRONYCLE. Pynson. No date. Folio. Black letter.

"Here begynneth a lytell Cronycle, translated & imprinted at the cost &
charge of Rycharde Pynson, by the comaundement of the ryght high and
mighty prince, Edwarde duke of Buckingham, yerle of Gloucestre,
Staffarde, and of Northamton," over a large woodcut. Colophon: "Here
endeth, [_&c_.] Imprinted by the sayd _Richarde Pynson_, printer unto
the Kinges noble grace." Date conjectured to be between 1520 and 1530.
Pynson's device, No. 5, at the end. Collation: A--E, and H, in sixes; F
and G, and I, in fours; forty-eight leaves.

On the verso of fol. 35, "Here endeth y^e boke of thistoris of thoriet
partes copyled by a relygious man frere Hayton frere of Premostre
order, sotyme lorde of court & cosyn german to the kyng of Armeny vpon
y^e passage of the holy lande. By the comaudement of y^e holy fader y^e
apostle of Rome Clemet the V. in y^e cite of Potiers which boke I
Nicholas Falcon, writ first in French ... I haue traslated it in Latyn
for our holy father y^e pope. In the yere of our lorde god M.CCC.VII.
in y^e moneth of August. Deo gras."

"The travels of Hayton into the Holy Land and Armenia, and his history
of Asia, is one of the most valuable of the early accounts of the east.
The present is the only translation into English, and from the
circumstances of its being printed by Pynson and having been (when in
Mr Heber's collection) bound with two other works (Mirrour of good
Maners and Sallust) both translated by Barclay, was probably also
translated by him. It is a book of extraordinaiy rarity, no perfect
copy that can be traced having previously occured for sale."
(Bibliotheca Grenvilliana, vol. I.)

Heber's copy (the one above mentioned), £40. 9s. 6d.

* * * * *

THE SHIP OF FOOLS.

_Venerandissimo in Christo Patri ac Domino: domino Thome Cornisshe Tenenensis pontifici ac diocesis Badonensis Suffraganio vigilantissimo, sue paternitatis Capellanus humilimus Alexander Barclay suiipsius recommendacionem cum omni summissione, et reuerentia._

_Tametsi crebris negocijs: varioque impedimentorum genere fatigatus paulo diutiùs quàm volueram a studio reuulsus eram. Attamen obseruandissime presul: Stultiferam classem (vt sum tue paternati pollicitus) iam tandem absolui et impressam ad te destinaui. Neque tamen certum laborem pro incerto premio (humano. s.) meis impossuissem humeris: nisi Seruianum illud dictum (longe anteaqam inceperam) admonuisset. Satius esse non incipere quàm inceptum minus perfectum relinquere. Completo tamen opere: nec quemquam magis dignum quàm tua sit paternitas existimaui cui id dedicarem: tum quia saluberrima tua prudentia, morum grauitas, vite sanctitas doctrineque assiduitas: errantes fatuos mumdanis ab illecebris ad virtutis tramites: difficiles licet: possint reducere: tum vero: quia sacros ad ordines per te sublimatus et promotus, multisque aliis tuis beneficiis ditatus non potui tibi meum obsequium non coartare. Opus igitur tue paternitati dedicaui: meorum primicias laborum qui in lucem eruperunt Atque vt tua consuluerit paternatis: autoris carmina cum meis vulgaribus rithmicis vná alternatim coniunixi: et quantum a vero carminum sensu errauerim, tue autoritatis iudicium erit. Fateor equidem multo plura adiecisse quam ademisse: partim ad vicia que hac nostra in regione abundantius pullulant mordacius carpenda: partimque ob Rithmi difficultatem. Adieci etiam quasdam Biblie aliorumque autorum concordancias in margine notatas quo singula magis lectoribus illucescant: Simul ad inuidorum caninos latratus pacandos: et rabida ora obstruenda: qui vbi quid facinorum: quo ipsi scatent: reprehensum audierint. continuo patulo gutture liuida euomunt dicta, scripta dilacerant. digna scombris ac thus carmina recensent: sed hi si pergant maledicere: vt stultiuagi comites classem insiliant. At tu venerande Presul Discipuli tui exiguum munusculum: hilari fronte accipito, Classemque nostram (si quid vagum, si quid erronium: si quid denique superfluum emineat: optimam in partem interpretando: ab inuidorum faucibus: tue autoritatis clipeo tucaris. Vale. Ex Impressoria officina Richardi Pynson. iij. Idus Decembris._

¶ THIS PRESENT BOKE NAMED THE SHYP OF FOLYS OF THE WORLDE WAS TRANSLATED IN THE COLLEGE OF SAYNT MARY OTERY IN THE COUNTE OF DEUONSHYRE: OUT OF LATEN, FRENCH, AND DOCHE INTO ENGLYSSHE TONGE BY ALEXANDER BARCLAY PRESTE: AND AT THAT TYME CHAPLEN IN THE SAYDE COLLEGE. TRANSLATED THE YERE OF OUR LORDE GOD. M.CCCCC.VIII. IMPRENTYD IN THE CYTE OF LONDON IN FLETESTRE AT THE SIGNE OF SAYNT GEORGE. BY RYCHARDE PYNSON TO HYS COSTE AND CHARGE: ENDED THE YERE OF OUR SAUIOUR. M. D. IX. THE. XIIII. DAY OF DECEMBER.

TABULA.

¶ THE REGYSTER OR TABLE OF THIS PRESENT BOKE IN ENGLYSSHE.

[VOLUME I.]

¶ Alexander Barclay excusynge the rudenes of his translacion, y^e first lefe Barclay y^e translatour to y^e folys.

A prologe in prose shewynge to what intent this Boke was firste made, & who were the first Auctours of it.

Another Prologe: in Balade concernyng the same.

In what place this Boke was translate and to what purpose it was translatyd.

¶ Here begynneth the Folys and firste of inprofytable bokys.

¶ Of euyll Counsellours Juges & men of lawe.

Of couetyse and prodigalyte.

Of newe disgysynges in apparayle.

¶ A lawde of the nobles and grauyte of Kynge Henry the eyght.

Of olde Folys encresynge foly with age.

Of negligent Fathers ayenst their Children.

Of taleberers: & mouers of debate.

Of nat folowers of good counsel.

Of vngoodly maners, and dysordred.

Of the hurtynge of frendshyp.

Of dispysers of holy scripture.

Of folys inprouydent.

Of disordred & venerious loue.

Of them that synne trustynge vpon the mercy of almyghty god.

Of folys y^t begyn great byldynge without sufficient prouysion.

Of glotons, and droncardes.

Of ryches vnprofytable.

Of folys that wyl serue two lordes both togyther.

Of superflue speche.

Of them that correct other, them self culpable in the same faut.

Of folys that fynde others good, nat restorynge the same to the owner.

¶ The sermon or doctryne of wysdom.

Of Folys bostyng them in fortune.

Of the superflue curyosyte of men.

Of great borowers, & slacke payers.

Of vnprofitable vowers & peticions.

Of negligent stodyers.

Of them that folvsshly speke ayenst the workes of god.

Of lewde Juges of others dedes.

Of pluralytees of benefyces.

Of synners that prolonge from daye to day to amende theyr myslyuyng.

Of men that ar Jelous.

Of auoutry, and specially of suche as ar bawdes to theyr wyues.

Of suche as nedys wyll contynue in theyr foly nat withstandynge holsom erudicion.

An addicion of the secundaries of Otery saynt Mary, in Deuynshyre.

Of wrathfull folys.

Of the mutabylyte of fortune.

Of seke men inobedient.

Of to open councellers.

Of folys that can nat be ware by y^e mysfortune nor take example of others damage.

Of folys that force or care for the bacbytynge of lewde people.

Of mockers and fals accusers.

Of them that despyse euerlastynge blys for worldly thynges & transitory.

Of talkers and makers of noyse in the Chirche of god.

Of folys that put them self in wylful ieopardy and peryll.

Of the way of felycyte, and godnes and the payne to come to synners.

Of olde folys y^t gyue example of vyce to youth negligent & vnexpert.

Of bodely lust or corporall voluptuosyte.

Of folys that can nat kepe secrete theyr owne counsell.

Of yonge folys that take olde wymen to theyr wyues nat for loue but for ryches.

Of enuyous Folys.

Of impacient folys disdaynynge to abyde and suffer correccion, for theyr profyte.

Of folysshe Fesicians vsynge theyr practyke without speculacyon.

Of the ende of worldly honour & power and of folys y^t trust in them.

An addicion of Alexander barclay.

Of predestinacyon.

Of folys that aply other mennys besynes leuynge theyr owne vndone.

Of the vyce of ingratytude or vnkyndnes and folys that vse it.

Of Folys that stande to moche in theyr owne conceyte.

Of folys that delyte them in daunsynge.

Of nyght watchers.

Of the vanyte of beggers.

Alexander Barclay excusynge the rudenes of his translacion.

Go Boke: abasshe the thy rudenes to present.
To men auaunced to worshyp, and honour.
By byrthe or fortune: or to men eloquent.
By thy submyssion excuse thy Translatour.
But whan I remember the comon behauour
Of men: I thynke thou ought to quake for fere
Of tunges enuyous whose venym may the dere

Tremble, fere, and quake, thou ought I say agayne.
For to the Redar thou shewest by euydence
Thy selfe of Rethoryke pryuate and barayne
In speche superflue: and fruteles of sentence.
Thou playnly blamest without al difference
Bothe hye and lowe sparinge eche mannes name.
Therfore no maruayle thoughe many do the blame.

But if thou fortune to lye before a State
As Kynge or Prince or Lordes great or smal.
Or doctour diuyne or other Graduate
Be this thy Excuse to content theyr mynde withal
My speche is rude my termes comon and rural
And I for rude peple moche more conuenient.
Than for Estates, lerned men, or eloquent.

But of this one poynt thou nedest not to fere
That any goode man: vertuous and Just.
Wyth his yl speche shal the hurt or dere.
But the defende. As I suppose and trust.
But suche Unthriftes as sue theyr carnal lust
Whome thou for vyce dost sharply rebuke and blame
Shal the dysprayse: emperisshinge thy name.

An exhortacion of Alexander Barclay.

But ye that shal rede this boke: I you exhorte.
And you that ar herars therof also I pray
Where as ye knowe that ye be of this sorte:
Amende your lyfe and expelle that vyce away.
Slomber nat in syn. Amende you whyle ye may.
And yf ye so do and ensue Vertue and grace.
Wythin my Shyp ye get no rowme ne place.

Barclay the translatour tho the Foles.

To Shyp galantes the se is at the ful.
The wynde vs calleth our sayles ar displayed.
Where may we best aryue? at Lyn or els at Hulle?
To vs may no hauen in Englonde be denayd.
Why tary we? the Ankers ar vp wayed.
If any corde or Cabyl vs hurt, let outher hynder.
Let slyp the ende, or els hewe it in sonder.

Retourne your syght beholde vnto the shore.
There is great nomber that fayne wold be aborde.
They get no rowme our Shyp can holde no more.
Haws in the Cocke gyue them none other worde.
God gyde vs from Rockes, quicsonde tempest and forde
If any man of warre, wether, or wynde apere.
My selfe shal trye the wynde and kepe the Stere.

But I pray you reders haue ye no dysdayne.
Thoughe Barclay haue presumed of audacite
This Shyp to rule as chefe mayster and Captayne.
Though some thynke them selfe moche worthyer than he.
It were great maruayle forsoth syth he hath be.
A scoler longe: and that in dyuers scoles
But he myght be Captayne of a Shyp of Foles

But if that any one be in suche maner case.
That he wyl chalange the maystershyp fro me
Yet in my Shyp can I nat want a place.
For in euery place my selfe I oft may se.
But this I leue besechynge eche degre:
To pardon my youthe and to bolde interprise.
For harde is it duely to speke of euery vyce.

For yf I had tunges an hundreth: and wyt to fele
Al thinges natural and supernaturall
A thousand mouthes: and voyce as harde as stele.
And sene all the seuen Sciences lyberal.
Yet cowde I neuer touche the vyces all.
And syn of the worlde: ne theyr braunches comprehende:
Nat thoughe I lyued vnto the worldes ende.

But if these vyces whiche mankynde doth incomber.
Were clene expellyd and vertue in theyr place.
I cowde nat haue gathered of fowles so great a nomber.
Whose foly from them out chaseth goddys grace.
But euery man that knowes hym in that case
To this rude Boke let hym gladly intende.
And lerne the way his lewdnes to amende.

* * * * *

[The Prologe of James Locher.]

After that I haue longe mused by my self of the sore confounded and vncertayne cours of mannys lyfe, and thinges therto belonginge: at the last I haue by my vigilant meditacion found and noted many degrees of errours: wherby mankynd wandreth from the way of trouth I haue also noted that many wyse men and wel lettred haue writen right fruteful doctrines: wherby they haue heled these dyseses and intollerable perturbacions of the mynde: and the goostly woundes therof, moche better than Esculapius which was fyrst Inuentour of Phesyke and amonge the Gentyles worshypped as a God. In the contrey of Grece were stodyes fyrst founded and ordeyned in the which began and sprange holsom medicyne which gaue vnto infect myndes frutful doctryne and norisshinge. Amonge whome Socrates that great begynner and honourer of wysdom began to dispute of ye maners of men. But for that he coude nat fynde certayne ende of goodnes and hyest felicite in naturall thinges: nor induce men to the same, he gaue the hye contemplacions of his mynde to moral vertues. And in so moche passed he al other in Philosophy moral that it was sayde that he called Philosophy down from the Imperial heuen. whan this Socrates perceyued the mindes of men to be prone, and extremely inclyned to viciousnes he had gret affeccion to subdue suche maners. Wherfore in comon places of the Cyte of Athenes he instruct and infourmed the peple in such doctrynes as compasith the clere and immaculate welles of the moste excellent and souerayne gode. After the disces of Socrates succeded ye godly Plato whiche in moral Philosophy ouerpassed also a great part of his tyme And certaynly nat without a cause was he called godly. For by what stody myght be more holely or better socour mankynde than by suche doctrynes as he gaue. He wrote and ordeyned lawes moste egal and iust He edityed vnto the Grekes a comon welthe stable, quyet and commendable. And ordeyned the societe and company of them most iocund and amyable. He prepared a brydel to refrayne the lust and sensualyte of the body. And fynally he changed the yl ignorance feblenes and negligence of youth vnto dylygence, strength and vertue. In tyme also of these Phylosophers sprange the florisshynge age of Poetes: whiche amonge lettred men had nat smal rowme and place. And that for theyr eloquent Retoryke and also for theyr mery ficcions and inuencions. Of the whiche Poetes some wrote in moste ornate termes in ditees heroycal wherin the noble actes and lyues both of dyuyne and humayne creatures ar wont to be noted and writem. Some wrote of tylling of the grounde. Some of the Planetes, of the courses of ye sterres: and of the mouynge of the heuyn and fyrmament. Some of the Empyre and shameful subieccion of disordred loue. And many other of the myserable ruyne and fal of Kynges and princes for vice: as Tragedies. And some other wrote Comedyes with great libertye of speche: which Comedies we cal Interludes. Amonge whome Aristophanes Eupolis and Cratinus mooste laudable Poetes passed al other. For whan they sawe the youth of Athenes and of al the remanent of Grece inclyned to al ylles they toke occasion to note suche myslyuinge. And so in playne wordes they repreued without fauour the vyces of the sayd yl disposyd peple of what condicion or order they were: Of this auncient wrytinge of Comedyes our laten Poetes deuysed a maner of wrytinge nat inelegant. And fyrst Lucilius composed one Satyre in the whiche he wrote by name the vices of certayne princes and Citezyns of Rome And that with many bourdes so y^t with his mery speche myxt with rebukes he correct al them of the cyte that disordredly lyued. But this mery speche vsed he nat in his writing to the intent to excercyse wanton wordes or vnrefrayned lascyuyte, or to put his pleasour in suche dissolute langage: but to ye intent to quenche vyces and to prouoke the commons to wysdome and vertue, and to be asshamed of theyr foly and excessyfe lyuynge. of hym all the Latyn poetes haue takyn example, and begynnynge to wryte Satyrs whiche the grekes named Comedyes: As Fabius specifyeth in his X boke of institucions. After Lucilius succeded Horacius, moche more eloquent in wrytynge whiche in the same deseruyd great laude: Persius also left to vs onely one boke by the whiche he commyttyd his name and laude to perpetuall memory. The last and prynce of all was Juuenall whiche in his iocunde poemys comprehendyd al that was wryten most eloquent and pleasaunt of all the poetis of that sorte afore his tyme: O noble men, and diligent hertes and myndes, o laudable maners and tymes, these worthy men exyled ydelnes, wherby they haue obtayned nat small worshyp and great commodyte example and doctryne lefte to vs theyr posteryours why begyn we nat to vnderstonde and perceyue. Why worshyp nat the people of our tyme these poetis why do nat they reuerence to ye interpretours of them do they nat vnderstonde: that no poetes wryte, but outher theyr mynde is to do pleasure or els profyte to the reder, or ellys they togyther wyll doo bothe profyte and pleasoure why are they dyspysed of many rude carters of nowe a dayes which vnderstonde nat them, And for lacke of them haue nat latyn to vtter and expresse ye wyl of their mynde. Se whether poetes ar to be dispised. they laude vertue and hym that vseth it rebukyng vices with the vsers therof, They teche what is good and what is euyll: to what ende vyce, and what ende vertue bringeth vs, and do nat Poetis reuyle and sharply byte in their poemys all suche as ar vnmeke, Prowde, Couetous, Lecherous, Wanton, delycyous, Wrathfull glotons, wasters, Enuyours, Enchauntours, faythebrakers, rasshe, vnauysed, malapert, drunken, vntaught foles, and suche lyke. Shulde theyr writyng that suche thinges disprayse and reuyle be dyspised of many blynde Dotardes y^t nowe lyue whiche enuy that any man shulde haue or vnderstonde ye thyng whiche they knowe nat. The Poetes also wyth great lawdes commende and exalt the noble folowers of vertue ascribyng to euery man rewardes after his merytes. And shortly to say, the intencion of al Poetes hath euer ben to repreue vyce: and to commende vertue. But syns it is so that nowe in our dayes ar so many neglygent and folysshe peple that they ar almost innumerable whiche despisynge the loue of vertue: folowe the blyndenes and vanyte of this worlde: it was expedient that of newe some lettred man, wyse, and subtil of wyt shulde awake and touche ye open vices of foles that now lyue: and blame theyr abhomynable lyfe. This fourme and lybertye of writinge, and charge hathe taken vpon hym the Right excellent and worthy Mayster Sebastian Brant Doctour of both the Lawes and noble Oratour and Poete to the comon welthe of al people in playne and comon speche of Doche in the contrey of Almayne: to the ymytacion of Dant Florentyne: and Francis Petrarche Poetes heroycal which in their maternal langage haue composed maruelous Poemes and ficcions. But amonge diuers inuencions composed of the sayde Sebastian brant I haue noted one named ye Shyp of Foles moche expedient and necessary to the redar which the sayd Sebastian composed in doche langage. And after hym one called James Locher his Disciple translated the same into Laten to the vnderstondinge of al Christen nacions where Laten is spoken. Than another (whose name to me is vnknowen) translated the same into Frenche. I haue ouersene the fyrst Inuencion in Doche and after that the two translations in Laten and Frenche whiche in blaminge the disordred lyfe of men of our tyme agreeth in sentence: threfolde in langage wherfore wylling to redres the errours and vyces of this oure Royalme of Englonde: as the foresayde composer and translatours hath done in theyr Contrees I haue taken vpon me: howbeit vnworthy to drawe into our Englysshe tunge the sayd boke named ye shyp of folys as nere to ye sayd thre Langages as the parcyte of my wyt wyll suffer me. But ye reders gyue ye pardon vnto Alexander de Barklay If ignoraunce negligence or lacke of wyt cause hym to erre in this translacion his purpose and synguler desyre is to content youre myndes. And sothely he hathe taken vpon hym the translacion of this present Boke neyther for hope of rewarde nor lawde of man: but onely for the holsome instruccion commodyte and Doctryne of wysdome, and to clense the vanyte and madnes of folysshe people of whom ouer great nombre is in the Royalme of Englonde. Therfore let euery man beholde and ouerrede this boke: And than I doute nat but he shal se the errours of his lyfe of what condycyon that he be. in lyke wyse as he shal se in a Myrrour the fourme of his countenaunce and vysage: And if he amende suche fautes as he redeth here wherein he knoweth hymself gylty, and passe forth the resydue of his lyfe in the order of good maners than shall he haue the fruyte and auauntage wherto I haue translatyd this boke.

* * * * *

Here begynneth the prologe.

Amonge the people of euery regyon
And ouer the worlde, south north eest and west
Soundeth godly doctryne in plenty and foyson
Wherin the grounde of vertue and wysdome doth rest
Rede gode and bad, and kepe the to the best
Was neuer more plenty of holsome doctryne
Nor fewer people that doth therto enclyne

We haue the Bybyll whiche godly doth expresse
Of the olde testament the lawes mysticall
And also of the newe our erour to redresse
Of phylosophy and other artes liberall
With other bokes of vertues morall
But thoughe suche bokes vs godly wayes shewe
We all ar blynde no man wyll them ensue

Banysshed is doctryne, we wander in derknes
Throughe all the worlde: our selfe we wyll not knowe
Wysdome is exyled, alas blynde folysshenes
Mysgydeth the myndes of people hye and lowe
Grace is decayed, yll governaunce doth growe
Both prudent Pallas and Minerua are slayne
Or els to heuyn retourned are they agayne

Knowledge of trouth, Prudence, and iust Symplicite
Hath vs clene left: For we set of them no store.
Our Fayth is defyled loue, goodnes, and Pyte:
Honest maners nowe ar reputed of: no more.
Lawyers ar lordes: but Justice is rent and tore.
Or closed lyke a Monster within dores thre.
For without mede: or money no man can hyr se.

Al is disordred: Vertue hathe no rewarde.
Alas, Compassion: and Mercy bothe ar slayne.
Alas, the stony hartys of pepyl ar so harde
That nought can constrayne theyr folyes to refrayne
But styl they procede: and eche other meyntayne.
So wander these foles: incresinge without nomber.
That al the worlde they vtterly encomber.

Blasphemers of Chryst; Hostlers; and Tauerners:
Crakars and bosters with Courters auenterous,
Bawdes and Pollers with comon extorcioners
Ar taken nowe adayes in the worlde moste glorious.
But the gyftes of grace and al wayes gracious
We haue excluded. Thus lyue we carnally:
Utterly subdued to al lewdnes and Foly.

Thus is of Foles a sorte almost innumerable.
Defilynge the worlde with syn and Vylany.
Some thynkinge them self moche wyse and commendable
Thoughe al theyr dayes they lyue vnthryftely.
No goodnes they perceyue nor to no goode aplye.
But if he haue a great wombe, and his Cofers ful
Than is none holde wyser bytwene London and Hul.

But to assemble these Foles in one bonde.
And theyr demerites worthely to note.
Fayne shal I Shyppes of euery maner londe.
None shalbe left: Barke, Galay, Shyp, nor Bote.
One vessel can nat brynge them al aflote.
For yf al these Foles were brought into one Barge
The bote shulde synke so sore shulde be the charge.

The sayles ar hawsed, a pleasant cole dothe blowe.
The Foles assembleth as fast as they may dryue.
Some swymmeth after: other as thycke doth rowe
In theyr small botes, as Bees about a hyue
The nomber is great, and eche one doth stryue
For to be chefe as Purser and Capytayne
Quarter mayster, Lodesman or els Boteswayne.

They ron to our shyp, eche one doth greatly fere
Lyst his slacke paas, sholde cause hym byde behynde
The wynde ryseth, and is lyke the sayle to tere
Eche one enforseth the anker vp to wynde
The se swellyth by planettes well I fynde
These obscure clowdes threteneth vs tempest
All are nat in bed whiche shall haue yll rest

We are full lade and yet forsoth I thynke
A thousand are behynde, whom we may not receyue
For if we do, our nauy clene shall synke
He oft all lesys that coueytes all to haue
From London Rockes almyghty god vs saue
For if we there anker, outher bote or barge
There be so many that they vs wyll ouercharge

Ye London Galantes, arere, ye shall nat enter
We kepe the streme, and touche nat the shore
In Cyte nor in Court we dare nat well auenter
Lyst perchaunce we sholde displeasure haue therfore
But if ye wyll nedes some shall haue an ore
And all the remenaunt shall stande afar at large
And rede theyr fautes paynted aboute our barge.

Lyke as a myrrour doth represent agayne
The fourme and fygure of mannes countenaunce
So in our shyp shall he se wrytyn playne
The fourme and fygure of his mysgouernaunce
What man is fautles, but outher ignoraunce
Or els wylfulnes causeth hym offende:
Than let hym nat disdayne this shyp, tyll he amende.

And certaynly I thynke that no creature
Lyuynge in this lyfe mortall in transytory
Can hym self kepe and stedfastly endure
Without all spot, as worthy eternall glory
But if he call to his mynde and memory
Fully the dedys both of his youthe and age
He wyll graunt in this shyp to kepe some stage

But who so euer wyll knowlege his owne foly
And it repent, lyuynge after in sympylnesse
Shall haue no place nor rowme more in our nauy
But become felawe to pallas the goddesse
But he that fyxed is in suche a blyndnesse
That thoughe he be nought he thynketh al is well
Suche shall in this Barge bere a babyll and a bell

These with other lyke may eche man se and rede
Eche by themselfe in this small boke ouerall
The fautes shall he fynde if he take good hede
Of all estatis as degres temporall
With gyders of dignytees spirituall
Bothe pore and riche, Chorles and Cytezyns
For hast to lepe a borde many bruse theyr shynnys

Here is berdles youth, and here is crokyd age
Children with theyr faders that yll do them insygne
And doth nat intende theyr wantones to swage
Nouther by worde nor yet by discyplyne
Here be men of euery science and doctryne
Lerned and vnlerned man mayde chylde and wyfe
May here se and rede the lewdenes of theyr lyfe.

Here ar vyle wymen: whome loue Immoderate
And lust Venereall bryngeth to hurt and shame.
Here ar prodigal Galantes: wyth mouers of debate.
And thousandes mo: whome I nat wel dare name.
Here ar Bacbyters whiche goode lyuers dyffame.
Brakers of wedlocke, men proude: and couetous:
Pollers, and pykers with folke delicious.

It is but foly to rehers the names here
Of al suche Foles: as in one Shelde or targe.
Syns that theyr foly dystynctly shal apere
On euery lefe: in Pyctures fayre and large.
To Barclays stody: and Pynsones cost and charge
Wherfore ye redars pray that they both may be saued
Before God, syns they your folyes haue thus graued.

But to thentent that euery man may knowe
The cause of my wrytynge: certes I intende
To profyte and to please both hye and lowe
And blame theyr fautes wherby they may amende
But if that any his quarell wyll defende
Excusynge his fautes to my derysyon
Knowe he that noble poetes thus haue done.

Afore my dayes a thousande yere ago
Blamynge and reuylynge the inconuenyence
Of people, wyllynge them to withdrawe therfro
Them I ensue: nat lyke of intellygence
And though I am nat to them lyke in science
Yet this is my wyll mynde and intencion
To blame all vyce lykewyse as they haue done.

To tender youth my mynde is to auayle
That they eschewe may all lewdenes and offence
Whiche doth theyr myndes often sore assayle
Closynge the iyen of theyr intellygence
But if I halt in meter or erre in eloquence
Or be to large in langage I pray you blame nat me
For my mater is so bad it wyll none other be.

* * * * *

[The Argument.]

Here after foloweth the Boke named the Shyp of Foles of the world: translated out of Laten, French and Doche into Englysse in the Colege of saynt Mary Otery By me Alexander Barclay to the felicite and moste holsom instruccion of mankynde the whiche conteyneth al suche as wandre from the way of trouth and from the open Path of holsom vnderstondynge and wysdom: fallynge into dyuers blyndnesses of ye mynde, folysshe sensualytees, and vndlawful delectacions of the body. This present Boke myght haue ben callyd nat inconuenyently the Satyr (that is to say) the reprehencion of foulysshnes, but the neweltye of the name was more plesant vnto the fyrst actour to call it the Shyp of foles: For in lyke wyse as olde Poetes Satyriens in dyuers Poesyes conioyned repreued the synnes and ylnes of the peple at that tyme lyuynge: so and in lyke wyse this our Boke representeth vnto the iyen of the redars the states and condicions of men: so that euery man may behold within the same the cours of his lyfe and his mysgouerned maners, as he sholde beholde the shadowe of the fygure of his visage within a bright Myrrour. But concernynge the translacion of this Boke: I exhort ye reders to take no displesour for y^t it is nat translated word by worde acordinge to ye verses of my actour. For I haue but only drawen into our moder tunge, in rude langage the sentences of the verses as nere as the parcyte of my wyt wyl suffer me, some tyme addynge, somtyme detractinge and takinge away suche thinges a semeth me necessary and superflue. wherfore I desyre of you reders pardon of my presumptuous audacite trustynge that ye shall holde me excused if ye consyder ye scarsnes of my wyt and my vnexpert youthe. I haue in many places ouerpassed dyuers poetical digressions and obscurenes of Fables and haue concluded my worke in rude langage as shal apere in my translacion. But the speciyl cawse that mouethe me to this besynes is to auoyde the execrable inconuenyences of ydilnes whyche (as saint Bernard sayth) is moder of al vices: and to the vtter derision of obstynat men delitynge them in folyes and mysgouernance. But bycause the name of this boke semeth to the redar to procede of derysion: and by that mean that the substance therof shulde nat be profitable: I wyl aduertise you that this Boke is named the Shyp of foles of the worlde: For this worlde is nought els but a tempestous se in the whiche we dayly wander and are caste in dyuers tribulacions paynes and aduersitees: some by ignoraunce and some by wilfulnes: wherfore suche doers ar worthy to be called foles. syns they gyde them nat by reason as creatures resonable ought to do. Therfore the fyrst actoure willynge to deuyde suche foles from wysemen and gode lyuers: hathe ordeyned vpon the se of this worlde this present Shyp to contayne these folys of ye worlde, whiche ar in great nomber. So that who redeth it perfytely consyderynge his secrete dedys, he shall not lyghtly excuse hym selfe out of it, what so euer good name y^t he hath outwarde in the mouth of the comontye, And to the entent y^t this my laboure may be the more pleasaunt vnto lettred men, I haue adioyned vnto the same ye verses of my Actour with dyuerse concordaunces of the Bybyll to fortyfy my wrytynge by the same, and also to stop the enuyous mouthes (If any suche shal be) of them that by malyce shall barke ayenst this my besynes.

* * * * *

Here begynneth the foles and first inprofytable bokes.

That in this shyp the chefe place I gouerne
By this wyde see with folys wanderynge
The cause is playne, and easy to dyscerne
Styll am I besy bokes assemblynge
For to haue plenty it is a plesaunt thynge
In my conceyt and to haue them ay in honde
But what they mene do I nat vnderstonde

But yet I haue them in great reuerence
And honoure sauynge them from fylth and ordure
By often brusshynge, and moche dylygence
Full goodly bounde in pleasaunt couerture
Of domas, satyn, or els of veluet pure
I kepe them sure ferynge lyst they sholde be lost
For in them is the connynge wherin I me bost.

But if it fortune that any lernyd men
Within my house fall to disputacion
I drawe the curtyns to shewe my bokes then
That they of my cunnynge sholde make probacion
I kepe nat to fall in altercacion
And whyle they comon my bokes I turne and wynde
For all is in them, and no thynge in my mynde.

Tholomeus the riche causyd longe agone
Ouer all the worlde good bokes to be sought
Done was his commaundement anone
These bokes he had and in his stody brought
Whiche passyd all erthly treasoure as he thought
But neuertheles he dyd hym nat aply
Unto theyr doctryne, but lyued unhappely.

Lo in lyke wyse of bokys I haue store
But fewe I rede, and fewer understande
I folowe nat theyr doctryne nor theyr lore
It is ynoughe to bere a boke in hande
It were to moche to be it suche a bande
For to be bounde to loke within the boke
I am content on the fayre couerynge to loke

Why sholde I stody to hurt my wyt therby
Or trouble my mynde with stody excessyue
Sythe many ar whiche stody right besely
And yet therby shall they neuer thryue
The fruyt of wysdom can they nat contryue
And many to stody so moche are inclynde
That utterly they fall out of theyr mynde

Eche is nat lettred that nowe is made a lorde
Nor eche a clerke that hath a benefyce
They are nat all lawyers that plees doth recorde
All that are promotyd are nat fully wyse
On suche chaunce nowe fortune throwys hir dyce
That thoughe one knowe but the yresshe game
Yet wolde he haue a gentyllmannys name

So in lyke wyse I am in suche case
Thoughe I nought can I wolde be callyd wyse
Also I may set another in my place
Whiche may for me my bokes excercyse
Or else I shall ensue the comon gyse
And say concedo to euery argument
Lyst by moche speche my latyn sholde be spent

I am lyke other Clerkes whiche so frowardly them gyde.
That after they ar onys come vnto promocion
They gyue them to plesour theyr stody set asyde.
Theyr Auaryce couerynge with fayned deuocion.
Yet dayly they preche: and haue great derysyon
Against the rude Laymen: and al for Couetyse.
Though theyr owne Conscience be blynded w^t that vyce.

But if I durst trouth playnely vtter and expresse.
This is the special cause of this Inconuenyence.
That greatest foles, and fullest of lewdnes
Hauynge least wyt: and symplest Science
Ar fyrst promoted: and haue greatest reuerence
For if one can flater, and bere a hawke on his Fyst
He shalbe made Person of Honyngton or of Clyst.

But he that is in Stody ay ferme and diligent.
And without al fauour prechyth Chrystys lore
Of al the Comontye nowe adayes is sore shent.
And by Estates thretened to Pryson oft therfore.
Thus what auayle is it, to vs to Stody more:
To knowe outher scripture, trouth, wysedom, or vertue
Syns fewe, or none without fauour dare them shewe.

But O noble Doctours, that worthy ar of name:
Consyder our olde faders: note wel theyr diligence:
Ensue ye theyr steppes: obtayne ye such fame,
As they dyd lyuynge: and that by true Prudence.
Within theyr hartys they planted theyr scyence
And nat in plesaunt bokes. But nowe to fewe suche be.
Therefore in this Shyp let them come rowe with me.

THE ENUOY OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY TRANSLATOUR EXORTYNGE THE FOLES ACCLOYED WITH THIS VICE TO AMENDE THEYR FOLY.

Say worthy doctours and Clerkes curious:
What moueth you of Bokes to haue such nomber.
Syns dyuers doctrines throughe way contrarious.
Doth mannys mynde distract and sore encomber.
Alas blynde men awake, out of your slomber
And if ye wyl nedys your bokes multyplye
With diligence endeuer you some to occupye.

* * * * *

Of euyl Counsellours, Juges and men of lawe.

Right many labours nowe, with hyghe diligence
For to be Lawyers the Comons to counsayle.
Therby to be in honour had and in reuerence
But onely they labour for theyr pryuate auayle.
The purs of the Clyent shal fynde hym apparayle.
And yet knowes he neyther lawe good counsel nor Justice.
But speketh at auenture: as men throwe the dyce.