Chapter VIII: Part 8

Blynde myndyd man whiche wylt all thynge ouercome
Reputynge thy selfe, moste souerayne and royall
If thou be wyse or partener of wysdome
Labour to ouercome thyne owne selfe firste of all
Thy wrath asswage thou in especyall
Let neyther malyce, nor yre with the abyde
Thou art a fole the chefe or lorde to call
Of other: whan thou can nat thy selfe well gyde.

* * * * *

Of the mutabylyte of fortune.

We dayly proue by example and euydence
That many be made folys mad and ignorant
By the brode worlde, puttynge trust and confydence
In fortunes whele vnsure and inconstant
Some assay the whele thynkynge it pleasant
But whyle they to clym vp haue pleasour and desyre
Theyr fete them faylyth so fall they in the myre

Promote a yeman, make hym a gentyl man
And make a Baylyf of a Butchers son
Make of a Squyer knyght, yet wyll they if they can
Coueyt in theyr myndes hyer promosyon
And many in the worlde haue this condicion
In hope of honour by treason to conspyre
But ofte they slyde, and so fall in the myre

Suche lokys so hye that they forget theyr fete
On fortunes whele whiche turneth as a ball
They seke degrees for theyr small myght vnmete
Theyr folysshe hertis and blynde se nat theyr fall
Some folys purpose to haue a rowme Royall
Or clym by fortunes whele to an empyre
The whele than turneth lyuynge them in the myre

O blynde man say what is thyne intent
To worldly honoures so greatly to entende
Or here to make the hye ryche and excellent
Syns that so shortly thy lyfe must haue an ende
None is so worthy, nor can so hye ascende
Nor nought is so sure if thou the trouth enquyre
But that it may doute to fall downe to the myre

There is no lorde Duke kynge nor other estate
But dye they must, and from this wolde go
All worldly thynges whiche god hath here create
Shall nat ay byde, but haue an ende also
What mortall man hath ben promotyd so:
In worldly welthe or vncertayne dignyte
That euer of lyfe had houre of certaynte

In stormy wyndes lowest trees ar most sure
And howsys surest whiche ar nat byldyd hye
Where as hye byldynges may no tempest endure
Without they be foundyd sure and stedfastly
So gretest men haue moste fere and ieopardy
Better is pouertye though it be harde to bere
Than is a hye degre in ieopardy and fere,

The hyllys ar hye, the valeys ar but lowe
In valeys is come the hyllys ar barayne
On hyest places most gras doth nat ay growe
A mery thynge is mesure and easy to sustayne
The hyest in great fere, the lowest lyue in payne
Yet better ly on grounde, hauynge no name at all
Than hye on a Clyf ferynge alway to fall

Thus as me thynke it is no thynge lawdable
On fortunes whele, for one to clym to hye
Syns the swyft cours therof is so vnstable
And all must we leue whan we depart and dye
Of our short lyfe haue we no certayntye
For lachesys (whan that thou hast lefte drede)
Of thy lyue dayes shall shortly breke the threde.

Atropos is egall to pore man and estate
Defar wyll nat deth by prayer ne request
No mortall man may his furour mytygate.
Nor of hym haue one day longer here to rest:
Content the with measure (therfore) for it is best
Coueyt nat to moche in honour to 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 mysfortune constrayne hym to dyscende
Though Julius Cesar his lordshyp dyd extende
Ouer all the worlde: yet fortune at the last.
From lyfe and lordshyp hym wretchydly dyd cast

This hath ben sene, is sene, and euer shall
That most peryll is in hyest dignyte
Howe many estatis, howe many men Royall.
Hath fortune dryuyn downe into aduersyte
Rede dyuers cronycles, and thou shall playnly se
That many thousandes hath endyd in doloure
By theyr immoderate mynde to honoure

Ouer rede Bochas and than shalt thou se playne
The fall of prynces wryten ryght compendeously
There shalt thou se what punysshement and payne
Haue to them fallen, somtyme by theyr foly
And oft is moche preuy hatered and enuy
Had agaynst lordes of the rude comonte
Where euer they go: they lyue in ieopardye

Ay dowtynge deth by cursed gyle and treason
Eche thynge mysdemynge, ferynge to be opprest
By some mysfortune, with venym or with poyson.
Thus in great honour is neyther ioy nor rest
But thought and fere, ye whyle the lyfe doth lest
Thus who that procuryth great honour to attayne
Procuryth with all, enuy, peryll, fere and payne

A lorde or state whom many men doth drede
With loueles fere, and fayned countenaunce
Unto hym selfe ought wysely to take hede
And them to fere, if he wyll voyde myschaunce
For why a comonty is of suche ignoraunce
And so enuyous, that both erly and late
They muse to destroy hym whom, they fere and hate

A man promotyd vnto hye dygnyte
Shall haue loue shewyd hym by adulacion
But no true loue nouther faythfull amyte.
Good fame nor name, ne commendacion
Ye though he be worthy great exaltacion
Pytefull louynge and full of equyte
Yet harde is to please a folysshe comonte

Therfore me thynke of all thynge it is best
Man to be pleased and content with his degre
For why in mesure, is suerty eas and rest
And ay moste peryll in hyest dignyte
Fortune is full of changes and mutabylyte
Trust nat therto, therby comyth do gode
But nowe hye nowe lowe, vnstable as a flode

ALEXANDER BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Labour nat man with to moche besy cure
To clymme to hye lyst thou by fortune fall
For certaynly, that man slepyth nat sure
That lyeth lows vpon a narowe wall
Better somtyme to serue, than for to gouerne all
For whan the Net is throwen into the se
The great fysshe ar taken and the pryncipall
Where as the small escapyth quyte and fre

* * * * *

Of them that be diseasyd and seke and ar impacient and inobedyent to the Phesycyan.

He that is feble with sekenes outher wounde
Wherwith he feleth hym selfe so kept in payne
That dye he muste but if remedy be founde
He is a fole, if that he haue dysdayne
Of wyse Phesycyans: and medecines souerayne
And wyll nat sue theyr counsell and aduysement
Wherby he myght haue helth and short amendement

Thoughe the Phesycyan (of his lyfe) hym assure
So he be ruled, and vnto his mynde agre
The pacyent yet kepyth no dyete nor mesure
In mete nor drynke, and wyll nat gouerned be
But foloweth Ryot and all superfluyte
Receyuynge colde water in stede of ale or wyne
Agaynst read and counsell of crafty medycyne

What mete or drynke that is most contagious
And most infectyf to his sekenes or dyseas
And to hym forbyden, as moste contrarious
Unto his sekenes. That namely doth hym pleas
But that thynge that myght hym helpe and greatly eas
He hatyth moste, and wyll none receyue at all.
Tyll this small sore, at the last become mortall

Suche wyll no counsell ensue, nor mesure haue
Nor temper theym selfe in lesse nor yet in more.
Tyll theyr yll gouernaunce brynge them to theyr graue
Retournynge into grounde lyke as they were before
But who that soone wolde, be helyd of his sore
Whan it is newe ought to fynde remedy.
For in olde sorys is greatest ieopardy

A small sparcle often tyme doth augment
It selfe: and groweth to flames peryllous
Right so small wellys whiche semeth to be spent
With lytell sprynges and Ryuers, ofte so growys
Unto great waters, depe and ieopadous.
So a small sore augmentyth, styll preuely
By lytell and lytell for lacke of remedy

A small diseas whiche is ynoughe durable
At the begynnynge, for lacke of medycyne
At longe contynuaunce becomyth incurable
The paynfull pacyent bryngynge vnto ruyne
Wherfore who wyll to his owne helth enclyne
And soone be helyd of yll without all tary
To the Phesician ought nat to be contrary

Obstynat frowarde or inobedyent
Ought he nat be, but with a pacyent mynde
Shewe all his soris truly playne and euydent
To the Phesician if he wyll socour fynde.
And thoughe his saluys in paynes hym sore bynde.
Let nat for that, but after his wyll the gyde
Better a shorte payne, than that doth longe abyde

No sore can be releuyd without payne.
Forsake nat the short, the longe payne to eschewe
To the Phesycian we ought in worde be playne
And shewe hym our sore, whether it be olde or newe
For in thy wordes if that thou be nat trewe
Or kepe ought close, thou dysceyuest be thou sure
Thy selfe. and nat hym that of the hath the cure.

In lyke fourme who comyth vnto confessyon
There to declare howe he his lyfe hath spent
And shewyth nat his synne lyke wyse as he hath done
Hymself he disceyuyth, as blynde of his entent.
Thus many one endureth infernall tourment
With wo contynuall and payne for euermore
For kepynge secrete there, of his goostly sore.

Thus who that is payned in any malady
Bodely or gostly, ought nat to be callyd wyse
To the Phesycian without that he aply.
And his preceptis hant kepe and exercyse
But now olde wytches dare boldly interpryse
To intromyt to hele all infyrmyte
And many them byleue, whiche sothly is pyte

Suche wytches of theyr byleue abhomynable
On brest or hede of the paynfull pacyent
With theyr wytchecraftis shall compasse chat and bable
Assurynge hym of helth, and short amendement
Than he that is seke fyxith his intent
Upon hir errour: to haue helpe of his sore
But she hym leuyth wors than he was before

Poule the apostyll doth boldly say and preue
That they whiche to suche wytches wyll assent
Ar heretykes, Lolardes and false of theyr byleue
Brekynge goddes lawes and commaundement
And oft also by profe it apereth euydent
That suche as to wytches craftis wyll intende
By theyr fals Phesyke come soner to theyr ende

Theyr body dede, theyr soule in ieopardy
By mysbyleue for euer in paynes infernall.
Whiche ar rewarde for wretchyd synne and heresy
But if thou to thy mynde and reason call
And of this wrytynge perceyue the sence morall
Whan thou art fallen seke and in dedely syn
Seke helpe betyme, and byde nat longe therein

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Thou man or woman, that lyest seke in vyce
To goddes vycayrs confesse thy syn holly
So shalt thou from thy goostly yll aryse.
For thy soule fyndynge helpe and remedy
Without leasynge shewe hym thy synne playnly
Let nat for shame nor fall nat thereto agayne
Better shewe thy sore there to one secretely
Than after openly: and byde eternall payne

Ensewe the counsell of a wyse confessour
Take nat colde water in stede of vermayll wyne:
For moche swetnes, endure thou a lytell soure
Kepe well the dyet and threfolde medicyne
Ordayned for synne by spirituall doctryne
That is confessyon, the next contrycyon.
With satisfaccion these thre, with grace deuyne
Ar salues parfyte for all transgressyon

* * * * *

Of ouer open takynges of counsel.

Who that intendyth by chraft and polycy
To take many byrdes, outher small or great
And layeth before them to playne and openly
His lynes snarys, his lyme twyggis or his net
He shall no profyte gayne nor auauntage get
For if that he his engynes can nat hyde
The byrdes shall be ware, and lyghtly fle asyde

So he that wyll openly manace and threte
With worde and hande, as he wolde sle adowne ryght
Is oft scant abyll a symple hounde to bete.
For in his worde is all his force and myght
And he that alway thretenyth for to fyght.
Oft at the profe is skantly worth a hen
For greattest crakers ar nat ay boldest men

Who that agaynst his ennemy wolde fyght
And gyueth hym before wepyn and armour.
Agaynst hym selfe to encreas his foes myght
Suche one hath reason and wyt of smal valour.
Ryght so that sole is led in lyke errour
Which nought can do, of mater les or more
Without he crake and boste therof before.

And also suche bosters and crakers comonly
Whiche doth theyr mynde in hasty wordes declare
Of other men ar lytell or nought set by
And by theyr wordes, full often yll they fare
A man also may ryght easely be ware
Of folys whiche thus theyr counsell out expres
Whose thretenyngs to theyr foes is armour and harnes

But hym call I wyse and crafty of counsell
Whiche kepeth close the secretis of his mynde
And to no man wyll them disclose nor tell
To man nor woman, ennemy nor yet frynde
But do his purpose whan he best tyme can fynde
Without worde spekynge, and so may his intent
Best come to ende, his foo, beynge inprouydent

And specially no man ought to be large
Of wordes nor shewe his counsell openly
In thynges weyghty, of peryll and great charge
Consernynge a royallue, or helth of his body
For many ar falsly disceyued fynally
By lewde tale berers whiche seke the way to fynde
To knowe the preuy counsell of theyr lordes mynde

They fawne and flater to knowe his pryuetee
But they forsoth, that wolde knowe thynges newe
For the moste part of this condicion be
No thynge to kepe, but lyghtly it to shewe.
Thus may the saynge of Salomon be fonde true.
Whiche sayth that he is wyse, and lyueth happely
Whiche to hym selfe kepyth his counsell secretely

I fynde foure thynges whiche by meanes can
Be kept close, in secrete, one longe in preuetee
The firste is the counsell of a wytles man
The seconde a Cyte, whiche byldyd is a bye
Upon a mountayne, the thyrde we often se
That to hyde his dedes a louer hath no skyll
The fourth is strawe or fethers on a wyndy hyll

A pore mannys dedys may soone be kept close
His name is hyd, and right so is his dede.
A ryche mannys dede may no man hyde nor glose
It fleeth farthest, all men of it take hede
So that yll fame whome all men ought to drede
In fleynge about hir myght doth multyply
Augmentynge to his lynage shame and vylany

Therfore who that intendyth to be wyse
Ware and crafty, auoydynge all inconuenyence
To shewe his counsell ought nat to interpryse
But do his mynde, kepynge alway sylence
In seruauntis is small trust or confydence
He that is nowe thy frende may after be thy fo
Warne nat thy ennemy of that that thou wylt do

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

O ye that ar put to wronge and Iniury
If ye intende for to yelde the same agayne
It is great foly to warne your ennemye
Or hym to threten with bostynge wordes vayne.
For oft is sayde, and true it is certayne
That they that wyll lyue in quyetnes and rest
Must here and se and hasty wordes refrayne
All styll with fewe wordes do that they thynke best

* * * * *

Of folys that can nat beware by the mysfortune and example of others damage.

We dayly se the mysfortune and damage
And often fallys, to pouerte and payne
Whiche folys suffer for theyr synne and outrage
Some drowned, some maymed, some other wyse slayne
Yet this example can nat cause vs refrayne
Our wretchyd lyfe, and seke for remedy
We marke no thynge anothers ieopardy.

We se the mockynge scorne and derysyon
That folys hath ofte tyme whan they offende
We se theyr losse, theyr shame and theyr confusion
Howe be it all this can cause vs to amende
We can no thynge and to nought we intende
So many folys I fynde that playne I thynke
Theyr weyghty charge shall cause my shyp to synke

Suche ar despysyd of men discrete and wyse
Ye and more ouer these folys ar so blynde
That echone of them the other doth despyse
With sharp rebukes, wordes lewde and vnkynde
Yet in theyr lyfe no difference may we fynde
And though they haue sene a thousande brough to shame
For one sore vyce: yet lyue they in the same

The example of other can nat theyr myndes moue
Theyr wyttis ar blynde theyr foly is the cause
Alas mad folys why do ye vyce thus loue
Rennynge ay 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 anothers peryll cause you to be ware

Ye do nat so, alas it is great shame
Your synne hath quenchyd your grace and gostly lyght
One blynde man another doth chyde and blame
And yet both stomble, nat goynge euyn or right
A blynde man hym ledyth that also hath no syght
So both in the dyche fallyth in suche a wyse
That one can nat helpe, the other agayne to ryse

One crab blamys another for hir bacwarde pace
And yet the blamer sothly can none other do
But both two ar in theyr goynge in lyke case
The one goeth bocwarde, the other doth also
Many of these folys after that maner go
But who that of his moders doctryne hath disdayne:
Shall by his stepdame endure wo care and payne

And perchaunce after abyde the correccyon
Of the sayde stepdame, in place of punysshement.
For his synne, sufferynge hir vniust subieccien
And who that nat foloweth the commaundement
Of his fader beynge to hym obedyent
May fortune after in hunger thyrst ond colde
Obey that stranger, whom he nat gladly wolde

We fynde Hystories wryten longe and ample
In dyuers bokes of great auctoryte
The hole Bybyll sheweth to vs example
Howe they were punysshed that lyuyd in cruelte
I fynde also wryten in bokes of Poetrye
Howe that Pheton was brent with the lyghtnynge
For his presumpcion, agaynst a myghty kynge

We haue example also by Icarus
Whiche contrary vnto the commaundement
Of his crafty father named Dedalus
By fleynge to hye his wynges and fethers brent
And so descendyd and in the se was drent
Thus these two endynge by theyr lewdnes in care
By theyr example sholde cause vs to beware

We dayly se before our syght and our presence
What mysauenture to many one doth fall
And that worthely for theyr synne and offence
Yet ar we blynde, and ar nat ware at all
But in our synnes lyue vnto them egall
And where by synne we se one come to shame
We wyllyngly (alas) ensue the same

Therfore who sethe a mad fole come to wo
Or fall in peryll for lacke of a good gyde
By another way ought craftely to go
And (by anothers yll) for his helthe to prouyde
The fox was ware, and peryll set asyde
And wolde nat enter into the caue, for playne
Of bestis that entred sawe he none come agayne

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY

Lerne man, lerne of bestes to be ware
Of others peryll, by theyr enormyte
For if one byrde be onys tane in a snare
The other auoyde as fast as they may flee
A fysshe byrde or beste that hath in peryll be
Of net hoke or snare, if that they may escape.
Wyll after euer beware, but blynde man wyll nat se
His owne destruccion, but after it doth gape

* * * * *

Of them that forceth or careth for the bacbytynge of lewde people.

Who that within this worlde wolde rest and lyue
In eas of mynde, peas and tranquyllyte
Must nat his mynde set, nor his erys gyue
To the vayne talys, of the rude comonte
And though some people of suche condicion be
Oft to dyffame good people true and Just
Let them nought care, for byde it nede they must

Let no man care for the lewde hyssynges
And yll soundynges of this vnhappy rage
It is great foly to set by the lesynges
Of cursyde tunges syns none can them asswage
For who in this worlde wyll come to auautage
Hym selfe exaltynge to worshyp and honoure
Shall fynde the swetnes mengled with the sowre

And he that wyll of his dygnyte be sure
Or sympyll lyuynge what so euer it be
Right greuous chargis somtymes must endure
And with his iyen often beholde and se
Suche thynges wherwith his mynde can not agre
And he that wyll with the worlde haue to do
Must suffer suche trouble as belongeth therto

Yet some haue pytched theyr tentis stedfastly
Upon sure grounde, auoyde of all this payne
Despysynge the worldes wantonnes and foly
For in the same is nought sure nor certayne
Nought se we tranquyll in these wawes mundayne
We se no loue, lawe, fydelyte, nor trust
But nowe up hye, and nowe lowe in the dust

To auoyde the worlde with his foly and stryfe
Many hath left londes townes and ryches
And yll company lyuynge solytary lyfe
Alone in desert and in wyldernes
Ye and that: men of moste wyt and worthynes
Whiche by that meane dyd best of all eschewe
All worldly sclaunder and lyuyd in vertue

He that intendeth to lyue a rightwyse lyfe
And so procedeth in maners and good dede
Of worldly sclaunder, complaynt, hatered, and stryfe
And all yll wyll, he ought nat to take hede
For he that is iuste ought no thynge for to drede
A sclaundrynge tonge, ye, be it neuer so wode
For suche lewde tonges can none hurte that ar gode.

Lyue well and wysely, than let men chat theyr fyll
Wordes ar but wynde, and though it oft so fall
That of lewde wordes comyth great hurte and yll
Yet byde the ende, that onely prouyth all
If thou canst suffer truste well that thou shall
Ouercome thyne ennemyes better by pacience
Than by hye wordes rygour or vyolence

If poetis that somtyme vyce blamyd and discommendyd
And holy Prophetis whiche also dyd the same
To suche vayne and mortall wordes had intendyd
They sholde nat haue durst the peoples vyce to blame
So sholde they haue lost their honour and good name
Theyr fame and meryt, but nowe they haue nat so
But spred theyr fame, whiche neuer away shall go

Forsoth none lyueth within the worlde wyde
Suche meke so holy, so wyse or pacyent
Whiche can hym selfe at euery tyme so gyde
To please eche fole, for none can some content
Forsoth he myght be named excellent
Happy and blessyd and lyue in welth and eas
Whiche euery man cowde serue content and pleas

But suche is none, and he that wyll assay
For to content eche folysshe mannes mynde
Must brake his slepe and stody nyght and day
And yet alway some fole shall be behynde
Ye if one lyue well, yet wyll they somwhat fynde
Behynde his backe hym to sclaunder and diffame
For beggers and bawdes therin haue all theyr game

For whether thou dwell in Est west north or south
Of suche dryuels euer shalt thou fynde plente
One must haue moche mele, to stoppe eche mannys mouth
Sclander is the cunnynge of all the comonte
And in the same suche ay moste besy be
Whiche lyue them selfe in shame and vylany
Euen nowe they speke repentynge by and by

Thus all the cunnynge and stody dilygent.
Of people vnthryfty is alway to despyse
And diffame other whiche ar but innocent
Wherfore let suche as ar discrete and wyse
Nought set by them that lesyngys doth deuyse
Nor theyr vayne foly: for he that doth certayne
Is but, a fole. and euer shall lyue in payne.

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Trouble nat thy selfe (thou man) where is no nede
And arme thou thy selfe with goodly pacyence
Be sure it is great foly to take hede
Unto backbytynge syns that no resystence
May be founde to withstande his violence
And take thou this one thynge for thy comfort
That none wyse, or good, wyll commyt this offence
But all ar caytyffes, that ar of this lewde sort.

* * * * *

Of mockers, and scorners, and false accusers.

O Hertles folys, haste here to our doctryne
Leue of the wayes of your enormyte
Enforce you to my preceptis to enclyne
For here shall I shewe you good and veryte
Enclyne, and ye fynde shall great prosperyte
Ensuynge the doctryne of our faders olde
And godly lawes in valour worth great golde

Who that wyll folowe the graces manyfolde
Whiche ar in vertue, shall fynde auauncement
Wherfore ye folys that in your syn ar bolde
Ensue ye wysedome and leue your lewde intent
Wysdome is the way of men most excellent
Therfore haue done, and shortly spede your pace
To quaynt your selfe and company with grace.

Lerne what is vertue, therin is great solace
Lerne what is trouth sadnes and prudence
Let grutche be gone, and grauyte purchace
Forsake your foly and inconuenyence
Cesse to be folys, and ay to sue offence
Folowe ye vertue, chefe rote of godlynes
For it and wysdome is grounde of clenlynes

Wysedome and vertue two thynges ar doutles
Whiche man endueth with honour specyall
But suche hertis as slepe in folysshnes
Knoweth no thynge, and wyll nought knowe at all
But in this lytell barge in pryncypall
All folysshe mockers I purpos to repreue
Clawe he his backe that felyth ytche or greue

Mockers and scorners that ar harde of byleue
With a rugh combe here wyll I clawe and grate
To proue if they wyll from theyr vyce remeue
And leue theyr foly whiche causeth great debate
Suche caytyfs spare neyther pore man nor estate
And where theyr selfe ar moste worthy of dyrysion
Other men to scorne is all theyr moste condicion

Yet ar mo folys of this abusion
Whiche of wyse men despyseth the doctryne
With mowes, mockes, scorne, and collusyon
Rewardynge rebukes, for theyr good disciplyne
Shewe to suche wysdome, yet shall they nat enclyne
Unto the same, but set no thynge therby
But mocke thy doctryne, styll or openly

So in the worlde it apereth comonly
That who that wyll a Fole rebuke or blame
A mocke or mowe shall he haue by and by
Thus in derysyon, haue folys theyr speciall game
Correct a wyse man, that wolde eschewe yll name
And fayne wolde lerne, and his lewde lyfe amende
And to thy wordes he gladly shall intende

If by mysfortune a rightwyse man offende
He gladly suffreth a iuste correccion
And hym that hym techyth taketh for his frende
Hym selfe puttynge mekely vnto subieccion
Folowynge his preceptis and good dyreccion
But if that one a Fole rebuke or blame
He shall his techer, hate, sclaunder, and dyffame

Howbeit his wordes, oft turne to his owne shame
And his owne dartis retourne to hym agayne
And so is he sore woundyd with the same
And in wo endyth, great mysery and payne
It also prouyd full often is certayne
That they that on mockes alway theyr myndes cast
Shall of all other be mocked at the last

He that goeth right, stedfast sure and fast
May hym well mocke that goth haltynge and lame
And he that is whyte may well his scornes cast
Agaynst a man of ynde, but no man ought to blame
Anothers vyce whyle he vsyth the same
But who that of synne is clene in dede and thought
May hym well scorne whose lyuynge is starke nought

The scornes of Naball full dere sholde haue ben bought
If Abigayll his wyfe discrete and sage
Had nat by kyndnes right crafty meanes sought
The wrath of Dauyd to temper and asswage
Hath nat two berys in theyr fury and rage
Two and fourty Children rent and torne
For they the Prophete Helyseus dyd scorne

So myght they curse the tyme that they were borne
For theyr mockynge of this Prophete dyuyne
So many other of this sorte often mowrne
For theyr lewde mockes, and fall in to ruyne
Thus is it foly for wyse men to enclyne
To this lewde flocke of Folys for se thou shall
Them moste scornynge that ar most bad of all

THENUOY OF BARCLY TO THE FOLYS.

Ye mockynge Folys that in scorne set your ioy
Proudly dyspysynge goddes punycion
Take ye example by Cham the son of Noy
Whiche laughyd his Father vnto derysyon
Whiche hym, after, cursyd for his transgressyon
And made hym seruaunt to all his lyne and stocke
So shall ye Caytyfs at the conclusyon
Syns ye ar nought, and other scorne and mocke

* * * * *

Of them that dyspyse euerlastynge ioye, and settyth thynges transytory before thynges eternall and euerlastynge.

My hande is wery: fayne wolde I rest a space
But folys comyth to my shyp so besely
That to haue rest: they wyll graunt me no grace
That nede I must theyr lewdnes notefy
But to recorde this folysshe company
They ar suche that this worlde so greatly loue
That they despyse the heuenly Royalme aboue

They often thynke in theyr mynde preuely
And by them selfe in this wyse oft they say
O glorious lorde raynynge eternally
Graunt me thy grace that I may lyue alway
To se of this worlde the extreme ende and day
This is my wyll and synguler askynge
As for thy royalme, forsoth I set no thynge

But yet this fole doth nat desyre this tyme
Of so longe lyfe, and yeres alway newe
To clens his mynde from all synfull cryme
Nor for the loue of goodnes or vertue
But rather that he his pleasour may ensue
And with his maters and felawes suche as he
To folowe ryot, delytys and enormyte.

To lyue in wantonnes and blyndnes lascyuyte
In pryde in Lechery andin couetyse
Suche sytteth theyr myndes and theyr felycyte
Not ferynge hell whiche is rewarde of vyce.
Those dredefull dennys, in a right ferefull wyse
With fyres flamynge, and manyfolde tourment
Can nat suche folys, theyr synnes cause to stent

O sleuthfull fole say why doste nat thou call
Unto thy mynde that this worldes wretchydnes
Is full of sorowe moche more bytter than gall
Uoyde of all ioy, all pleasour and swetnes
Why settest thou so moche by frayle delyciousnes
On vayne pleasours, whiche shall sothly decay
Lyke as the sone meltyth the snowe away

Man note my wordes and gyue to them credence
I say that pleasours and also ioyes mundayne
As it apereth playne by good euydence
Ar fylled with sorowe bytternes and payne
Without all rest quyete or certayne
And yet alas the worlde so doth men blynde
That it they loue and caste heuen out of mynde

Wherfore it hapneth full often as I fynde
That suche as foloweth shamefull wantonnes
Ungoodly luste, and statelynes of mynde
Shall ofte perceyue great shame and wretchydnes
And them most suffer, with great mundayne distres.
And better charges, and after must nede endure
Cruell deth whiche ende is of euery creature

The worlde shall passe: ye and all ioy mundayne
Without all doute at last shall haue an ende
And euery thynge outher fruytfull or barayne
Shall to the grounde outher firste or last discende
We se also that none can hym defende
From dethes dartis. and for conclusyon.
We dayly se many mennys confusyon.

We dayly se the fallys innumerable
And greuous deth aswell of youth as age
Thus is this wretchyd worlde moche vnstable
Wherfore me thynke it is a great outrage
To trust therto, or for an vnsure stage
Or hye place of welth or worldly honour
The presence to despyse of our sauyoure

But without doute the tyme shall come and houre
Whan all mankynde shall se hym euydent
Some to theyr ioy, some to wo and doloure
None shall eskhape that rightwyse iugement.
But eche be rewardyd as he his tyme hath spent
So they that vertuously haue lyuyd here
Despysynge this worlde shall gladly there apere

But they that here haue led theyr lyfe in vyce
For to depart ar wo in herte and mynde
And ferefull to byde that sentence of iustyce
Syns of theyr synne excuse they can none fynde
But to conclude forsoth that fole is blynde
That for worldly welth, from god wolde hym deuyde
And for vayne clay, the hye heuyn set a syde

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

O blynde man whiche hast thy moste felycyte
On worldly thinges, alas make clere thy mynde
What fyndest thou here, but great aduersyte
Wylt thou for it leue y^t heuenly ioy behynde
And where thou myght euerlastynge ryches fynde
Where as is helth, endles lyfe and all goodnes
Wylt thou forsake it for worldly wretchydnes

Wylt thou heuyn compare with his paynfull lyfe
There on to thynke thou art vnwyse certayne
There is concorde, here is no thynge but stryfe
There is all rest, and here is care and payne
There is true loue: here is scorne and disdayne
There is all goodnes, here all yll and offence
Nowe chuse the best: here is great difference

* * * * *

Of them that make noyses rehersynges of talys and do other thynges vnlaufull and dishonest in y^e chirche of god.

Yet of mo folys fynde I a great nomber
Whiche thynke that it is no shame nor vylany
Within the chirche, the seruyce to encomber
With theyr lewde barkynge roundynge dyn and cry
And whyle good people ar praynge stedfastly
Theyr herte to good, with meke mynde and deuout
Suche folys them let, with theyr mad noyse and shout

And whyle the prestis also them exercyse.
In matyns masse sermon or prechynge dyuyne
Or other due thynges that longe to theyr seruyce.
Techynge the people to vertue to enclyne
Than these folys as it were rorynge swyne
With theyr gettynge and talys of vycyousnes
Trouble all suche seruyce, that is sayd, more and les

In to the churche than comys another sote
Without deuocyon gettynge vp and downe
Or to be sene, and to showe his gardyd cote
Another on his fyst a Sparhauke or fawcon
Or els a Cokow, and so wastynge his shone
Before the auters he to and fro doth wander
With euyn as great deuocyon as a gander

In comys another his houndes at his tayle
With lynes and leshes and other lyke baggage.
His dogges barkyth, so that withouten fayle
The hole churche is troubled by theyr outrage
So innocent youth lernyth the same of age
And theyr lewde sounde doth the churche fyll.
But in this noyse the good people kepe them styll.

One tyme the hawkys bellys Jenglyth hye
Another tyme they flutter with theyr wynges
And nowe the houndes barkynge strykes the skye
Nowe sounde theyr fete, and nowe the chaynes rynges
They clap with theyr handes, by suche maner thynges
They make of the churche, for theyr hawkes a mewe
And Canell to theyr dogges, whiche they shall after rewe

So with suche folys is neyther peas nor rest
Unto the holy churche they haue no reuerence
But wander about to see who get may best
In rybawde wordes pryde and insolence
As mad men they fere nat our sauyours presence
Hauynge no honour vnto that holy place
Wherin is gyuen to man euerlastynge grace

There ar handlyd pledynges and causes of the lawe
There ar made bargayns of dyuers maner thynges
Byenges and sellynges scant worth a hawe
And there ar for lucre contryued false lesynges
And whyle the prest his Masse or matyns synges
These folys whiche to the Churche do repayre
Ar chattynge and bablynge as it were in a fayre

Some gygyll and lawghe and some on maydens stare
And some on wyues with wanton countenaunce
As for the seruyce they haue small force or care
But full delyte them in theyr mysgouernaunce
Some with theyr slyppers to and fro doth prance
Clappynge with their helys in churche and in quere
So that good people can nat the seruyce here

What shall I wryte of maydens and of wyues
Of theyr roundynges and vngoodly comonynge
Howe one a sclaundre craftely contryues
And in the churche therof hath hyr talkynge
The other hath therto theyr erys lenynge
And than whan they all hath harde forth hir tale
With great deuocyon they get them to the ale.

Thus is the churche defylyd with vylany
And in stede of prayer and godly oryson
Ar vsyd shamefull bargayns and talys of rybawdry
Jettynges and mockynges and great derysyon
There fewe ar or none of perfyte deuocion
And whan our lorde is consecrate in fourme of brede
Therby walkes a knaue, his bonet on his hede

And whyle those wordes of consecracion
Ar sayde of the preste in goddes owne presence
Suche caytyfs kepe talys and communycacion
Fast by the auter, thynkynge it none offence
And where as the angels ar ther with reuerence
Laudynge and worshyppynge our holy sauyour
These vnkynde caytyfs wyll scantly hym honour

Alas wherto shall any man complayne
For this foly and accostomed furour
Syns none of them theyr fautes wyll refrayne
But ay procede in this theyr lewde errour
And nat withstandynge that Christ our sauyour
Hath left vs example, that none sholde mysdo
Within the chirche, yet inclyne we nat therto.

Jhonn the euangelyst doth openly expres.
Howe criste our sauyour dyd dryue out and expell
From the Temple, suche as vsed there falsnes
And all other that therin dyd bye and sell
Saynge as it after lyeth in the Gospell
Unto the Jues rebuke and great repreues
That of goddes house they made a den of theues.

Remember this man, for why thou dost the same
Defylynge goddes Chirche with synne and vanyte
Whiche sothly was ordeyned to halowe goddes name
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 cause hath god the holy chirche ordeyned
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 lorde sholde nowe come downe agayne.
To dryue out of the churche suche as there do syn
Forsoth I thynke, right fewe sholde byde within

THE ENUOY TO THE REDERS.

O man that bostest thy selfe in cristes name
Callynge the christen, se thou thy synne refuse
Remember well it is both synne and shame
The house of god, thus to defyle and abuse
But this one thynge causeth me oft to muse
That the false paynyms within theyr Temples be
To theyr ydols moche more deuout than we

* * * * *

Of them that wyllynge and knowyngly put them self in ieopardy and peryll.

I fynde mo folys yet. whome I shall note
Suche ar they whiche pray both day and nyght
To god and his sayntes cryeng with open throte
O glorious god helpe me by thy great myght
That I may clens my herte and clere my syght
Wherby all foly and synne may fro me fall
But yet this fole it leuyth nat at all

Suche folys oft pray for theyr amendement
Unto our lorde with syghynges sore and depe
But yet to synne contynually they assent
And after the same often complayne and wepe
Than say they playne that god hath had no kepe
Unto theyr prayer and taken of it no hede
But theyr owne foly is cause of theyr lewde dede

They se the peryll before theyr faces playne
That god hath ordeyned, for foly and for synne
They pray for helpe, and yet ar they full fayne
After the folys hode alway to ren
And besely laboure the same alone to wyn
So vnto god for helpe they cry and call
But they them selfe wyll helpe no thynge at all

Than thynke they theyr prayers to god nat acceptable
Bycause (anone) they haue nat all theyr wyll
And for that god is nat sone agreable
To here theyr cry and it graunt and fulfyll
These folys in theyr vyce contynue styll
And put theyr selfe in wylfull ieopardy
And where they myght they fynde no remedy

But these folys vnstabyll as the wynde
Prayeth vnto god and to his sayntis aboue
Nat knowynge what may content theyr folysshe mynde
Nor whether theyr askynge be for theyr behoue
But sothly this dare I both say and proue
And it auowe after my sympyll skyll
That neuer man shall syn without his wyll

If that one with his owne wyll doth fall
Into a well to assay the ieopardy
Whan he is there. if he lowde crye and call
Bothe on god and man for helpe and remedy
He sekyth that peryll, and dyeth worthely
So were it foly to gyue hym corde or trayne
Or other engyne to helpe hym vp agayne

Whan suche folys ar sure vpon the grounde
Without all daunger, peryll hurt or fere
They lepe in the wel and yet fere to be drowned
Empedocles though he right myghty were
With suche lyke foly hym selfe so sore dyd dere
That knowyngly and with his owne consent
Hymself he lost and by fyers fyre was brent

He lept hedelynge into the flamynge fyre
Of a brennynge hyll whiche callyd is Ethnay
To knowe the trouth, and nature to enquyre
Whether that same flame were very fyre or nay
So with his deth the trouth he dyd assay
But who that wolde hym drawen out of that hyll
Had ben a fole, syns it was his owne wyll

For why his mynde was blyndyd so certayne
That thoughe a man had hym delyuered than
The same peryll wolde he haue proued agayne
As mad as he forsoth is euery man
That is at eas, and hym nat so holde can
And also he that putteth hymselfe in drede
Or fere and peryll, where as he hath no nede

So he that prayeth to god that he may get
The blysse of heuen, and scape infernall payne
He is a fole his herte or mynde to set
On frayle ryches, welth and ioy mundayne
On stedfast fortune, on lucre or on gayne
For certaynly these thynges of worldly welth
Oft man deuydeth away from heuenly helth

Thus he that prayeth for welth or for ryches
Or in this worlde hym selfe to magnyfy
Prayeth for his hurt and cause of viciousnes
For worldly welth doth vyce oft multyply
So seke men theyr owne peryll wyllyngly
But who that prayeth, and can nat as he ought
He bloweth in the wynde, and shall nat haue his thought

And who that to honour couetyse to ascende
Or to lyue in damnable voluptuosyte
He seketh his peryll for if that he descende
From welth and worshyp to payne and pouerte
It is but worthy, and let hym pacyent be
It to endure with mynde demure and meke
He is worthy sorowe that wyll it alway seke

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Ye that fayne wolde escape all ieopardy
Auoyde suche thynges the whiche myght cause the same
To proue a peryll, is foly certaynly
Whether it be done in ernest or in game
They that so doth may theyr owne madnes blame
For he that is sure, and to a fray wyll ren
May fortune come home agayne, nosles or lame
And so were it better for to haue byd within

* * * * *

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

God suffreth nat eche vicious fole to knowe
The wonders that he made hath on this grounde
And dayly worketh. wherfore theyr syn doth growe
So that theyr foly them selfe doth confounde
And here theyr bodyes to great labours ar bounde
Sparynge no peryll for pleasour and for gayne
Than after deth haue they euerlastynge payne

So he that here lyueth in vyce and synne
Shall extreme dolour after deth endure
Than what auantage is it for man to wyne
All orthly tresour, and of hell payne be sure
But without dowt that wretchyd creature
Whiche goddes lawes wyll nat here holde and kepe
Shall after deth haue cause to wayle and wepe

And suche as here wyll nat knowe theyr sauyour
Obseruynge his preceptis and commaundement
Whiche god hathe ordeyned to saue vs from erroure
And vs commaundyd to kepe with clene intent
Ouer all the worlde. as rule moste excellent
To lyue godly. and who so euer he be
That foloweth in this worlde voluptuosyte

Or carnall lust ryot or other offence
Wastynge his tyme in syn and viciousnes
All suche in this worlde, by theyr blynde negligence
Drawe styll the cart of greuous besynes.
With payne and charge and, whan this wretchydnes
Is past and gone, yet after this they shall
In hell endure great tourmentis eternall

There shalt (thou fole) the charet drawe alway
With dowble paynes both tedyous and cruell
Wherfore thou fole retourne the I the pray.
Seke nat the way whiche ledeth vnto hell
With his foule dennes, more darke than tunge can tell
And thoughe the way be esy streyght and playne
The ende is nought, I aduyse the tourne agayne

The way to hell is greatly occupyed
The path is playne, and easy to ouergo
The dore ay open no entre is denyed
To suche as purpose in mynde to come therto
But at the ende therof is care and wo
With syghtis odyous and abhomynable
Yet in the way ar folkes innumerable

Thus is no meruayle though this way be playne
And greatly worne syns it is hantyd so
By dyuers folys whiche haste them to that payne.
By way contynuall therto: but none therfro
The dredefull dore to them that wyll in go
Both day and nyght is open, it doth forsake
No folys that wyll theyr iourney thyther take

But that way that to hye heuen doth lye
Is way of grace plesour, and all felycyte
In it suche walke as here lyue vertuously
And blessyd men, but nat suche as vyciouse be
Yet is it narowe, and full of difficulte
There is many a harde flynt brere and thorne
And no meruayle for it is nat greatly worne

For why lewde people, whiche is the gretest sort
Forsake this way for the payne and hardnes
But godly men therin haue chefe consort
With all that lyue by grace in ryghtwysnes
Suche well consyder that heuyns blessydnes
Can nat be gotten by pleasour rest nor eas
Wherfore this way can nat suche synners pleas

God so hath ordeyned that who wyll haue vertue
Must it obtayne with payne and dilygence
And great labour, whiche many nowe eschewe
Without it be to seke synne and offence
Fewe seke the way to christis hye presence
Therby it hapneth that many a thousande
Fast rennyth leftwarde, but fewe on the right hande

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY TO THE FOLYS.

Alas man remembre heuens blyssednes
And though the way be harde that lyeth therto
Forsoke it nat for all that great sharpnes
For at the ende is lyfe and rest also
Euerlastynge glory with other ioyes mo
But who that taketh the other way certayne
Shall fynde at the ende eternall payne and wo
Thoughe the way thether be easy streyght and playne

* * * * *

Of the yll example of elders gyuyn vnto youth.

Ye aged men rotyd in folysshnes
And folysshe parentis lewde of your langage
Vnto our shyp swyftly your selfe addres
Syns ye be worthy therin to haue a stage
Nowe cast I repreues agaynst your outrage
Whiche boldly bost you of your vnthryfty lyues
Before your maydes, your doughters and your wyues

Alas the folys of this mad company
By theyr example cause great inconuenyence
Before theyr children recountynge rybaudry
Of suche as they haue had experyence.
So gyue they to them example of offence
And in that synne wheron they bost and vant
They make them perfyte whiche erst were ignorant

Theyr wordes ar voyde of shame and honestye
Theyr lyfe is without mesure and reuerence
But yet they thynke that they moste worthy be
That moste can tell of this greuous offence
Thus all the youth that is in theyr presence
Or that doth here theyr vyce and rybawdry
Vnto the same with theyr full mynde aply

Thus theyr yonge children maners lernyth none
The wyfe hath occasyon to breke hir chastyte
So is the lyfe defyled of them echone
And to be playne, we often tymes se
That of what maners the folysshe husbondes be
Such ar theyr wyues, children and housholde
The yonge Cok lerneth to crowe hye of the olde

A folysshe Father, full hardly shall ensyne
His sone to good lyfe or to good gouernaunce
For if the father to foly doth enclyne
The sone wyll folowe his father in that daunce
And if the father vse hasarde or the chaunce
Or any prohybyt and vnlawfull game
Most comonly the sone wyll do the same

If that the husbonde be vycious of his lyfe
Wastfull or dronken, or vyle in his langage
His sonnes doughters, his seruauntes and his wyfe
Wyll lerne of hym to passe the same passage
And if the husbonde breke his maryage
If the wyfe knowe, in mynde she wyll be wroth
Without he haue a hode of the same cloth

An olde prouerbe hath longe agone be sayde
That oft the sone in maners lyke wyll be
Vnto the Father, and in lyke wyse the mayde
Or doughter, vnto the mother wyll agre
So if the elders vse enormyte
And before theyr children bost them of the same
The sone and doughter shall folowe syre and dame

The monkes thynke it lawfull for to play
Whan that the Abbot bryngeth them the dyce
Right so the Father, can nought or lytell say
Agaynst the sone, nor hym blame or chastyce
If he hym selfe be taken in that same vyce
Thus lyues the Father in synne withouten shame
And after his deth the sone shall do the same

O wretchyd maners o tyme full of furour
And full of foly without all hope to stent
Howe longe shall god our lorde and sauyour
This synne suffer without greuous punysshement
Alas it nowe apereth euydent
That the fathers foly synne and great outrage
Is left to the sonne as it were herytage

And no meruayle, for it hath neuer ben seen
That of a wolfe a shepe hath be forth brought
Or that a calfe or lambe gendred hath been
Of a fell tygre: right so if it were sought
Ouer all the worlde. a Father that is nought
Sholde scant be founde, whiche coude brynge vp his childe
With his synne in no maner poynt defylyd

The yonge crab bacwarde doth crepe or go
As doth the olde, none can hir cours redres
These yonge children for the moste part also
Foloweth theyr fathers synne and his lewdnes
But they that lyue in maners of mekenes
In honest lyfe, goodnes grace and chastyte
May brynge forth children of maners as they be

I rede howe the Phylosopher Diogenes
Sayde by a childe whiche dronken was with wyne
That his Father was in that case doutles
Whan he it gate, so his hye wyt dyuyne
Knewe that the childes maners dyd inclyne
Vnto his Fathers, and so was it founde trewe
By them whiche well that childes fader knewe

But though the Father and mother also be nought
Without dout this one thynge apereth playne
That the childe is suche as it is vp brought
And nat lyghtly chaungyd without great charge or payne
Therfore let euery man hym selfe refrayne
Within his hous from all thynge worthy blame
Than shall his children and seruautes do the same

THE ENUOY OF BARKLAY.

Ye that haue children or other great housholde
Subdued to your seruyce, and your obedyence
Kepe vertuous lyfe, for that is worth great golde
And great example to youth to auoyde offence
But if ye boost you of synne and neglygence
In rybawde wordes, gyue credence to this clause
If the herers fall into incouenyence
Your lewde example is the chefe grounde and cause

* * * * *

Of bodely pleasour or corporall voluptuosyte

Drawe nere ye folys to you I crye and call
Whiche ar of grace clene destytute and bare
Folowynge your lust and pleasour corporall
But for your soule ye take no thought ne care
To whome may I this shamefull lust compare
Saue to a harlat faynynge, fals and couetous.
Of whome comyth shame and bytes venemous

She syttyth in the strete as past both shame and fere
Hir brestes bare to tempt them that passe by
Hir face anoyntyd blasynge abrode hir here
Or els on hir folysshe front enlaced hye
Hir smocke to garnysshyd so hir dysceytfull iye
To shamfull lust a thousande doth attyce
Of youth whiche erst perchuance knewe nought of vyce