Chapter 41

For when he spekyth fayrest, then thynketh he moost yll;Full gloryously can he glose, thy mynde for to fele;760He wyll set men a feightynge[1669]and syt[1670]hymselfe styll,And smerke, lyke a smythy kur, at[1671]sperkes of steile;He[1672]can neuer leue warke whylis it is wele;To tell all his towchis it were to grete wonder;The deuyll of hell and he be seldome asonder.Thus talkyng we went forth[1673]in at a postern gate;Turnyng[1674]on the ryght hande, by a[1675]windyng stayre,She brought me to[1676]a goodly chaumber of astate,Where the noble Cowntes of Surrey in a chayreSat honorably, to whome did repaire770Of ladys a beue[1677]with all dew reuerence:Syt downe, fayre ladys, and do your diligence!Come forth, ientylwomen, I pray you, she sayd;I haue contryuyd for you a goodly warke,And who can worke beste now shall be asayde;A cronell of lawrell with verduris light and darkeI haue deuysyd for Skelton, my clerke;For to his seruyce I haue suche regarde,That of our bownte we wyll hym rewarde:For of all ladyes he hath the library,780Ther names recountyng in the court of FameOf all gentylwomen he hath the scruteny,[1678]In Fames court reportynge the same;For yet of women he neuer sayd shame,But if they were counterfettes that women them call,That list of there lewdnesse with hym for to brall.With that the tappettis and carpettis were layd,Whereon theis ladys softly myght rest,The saumpler to sow on, the lacis to enbraid;To weue in the stoule sume were full preste,790With slaiis, with tauellis, with hedellis well drest;The frame was browght forth with his weuyng pin:God geue[1679]them good spede there warke[1680]to begin!Sume to enbrowder put them in prese,Well gydyng ther[1681]glowtonn to kepe streit theyr sylk,Sum pirlyng of goldde theyr worke to encreseWith fingers smale, and handis whyte[1682]as mylk;With, Reche me that skane of tewly sylk;And, Wynde me that botowme of such an[1683]hew,Grene, rede, tawny, whyte, blak,[1684]purpill, and blew.800Of broken warkis[1685]wrought many a goodly thyng,In castyng, in turnynge, in florisshyng of flowris,With burris rowth[1686]and bottons surffillyng,[1687]In nedill wark raysyng byrdis in bowris,[1688]With vertu enbesid all tymes and howris;And truly of theyr bownte thus were they bentTo worke me this chapelet by goode aduysemente.[1689]Occupacyon to Skelton.Beholde and se in your aduertysementHow theis ladys and gentylwomen allFor your pleasure do there endeuourment,810And for your sake how fast to warke[1690]they fall:To your remembraunce wherfore ye must callIn goodly wordes plesauntly comprysid,That for them some goodly conseyt be deuysid,With proper captacyons of beneuolence,Ornatly pullysshid after your faculte,Sith ye must nedis afforce it by pretenceOf your professyoun vnto vmanyte,[1691]Commensyng your proces after there degre,To iche of them rendryng thankis commendable,820With sentence fructuous and termes couenable.Poeta Skelton.[1692]Auaunsynge my selfe sum thanke[1693]to deserue,I me determynyd for to sharpe my pen,Deuoutly arrectyng my prayer to Mynerue,She to vowchesafe me to informe and ken;To Mercury also hertely prayed I then,Me to supporte, to helpe, and to assist,To gyde and to gouerne my dredfull tremlyng[1694]fist.As a mariner that amasid[1695]is in a stormy rage,Hardly bestad and[1696]driuen is to hope830Of that the tempestuows[1697]wynde wyll aswage,In trust[1698]wherof comforte[1699]his hart doth grope,From the anker he kuttyth[1700]the gabyll rope,Committyth all to God, and lettyth his shyp ryde;So I beseke[1701]Ihesu now to be my gyde.To the ryght noble Countes of Surrey.After all duly ordred obeisaunce,In humble wyse as lowly[1702]as I may,Vnto you, madame, I make reconusaunce,[1703]My lyfe endurynge I shall both wryte and say,Recount, reporte, reherse without delay840The passynge bounte of your noble astate,Of honour and worshyp which hath the formar date:Lyke to Argyua by iust resemblaunce,The noble wyfe of Polimites kynge;Prudent Rebecca, of whome remembraunceThe Byble makith; with whos chast lyuyngeYour noble demenour is counterwayng,Whos passynge bounte, and ryght noble astate,Of honour and worship it hath the formar date.The noble Pamphila,[1704]quene of the Grekis londe,[1705]850Habillimentis royall founde out industriously;Thamer also wrought with her goodly hondeMany diuisis passynge curyously;Whome ye represent and exemplify,Whos passynge bounte, and ryght noble astate,Of honour and worship it hath the formar date.As dame Thamarys, whiche toke the kyng of Perce,Cirus by name, as wrytith the story;Dame Agrippina also I may reherseOf ientyll corage the perfight[1706]memory;860So shall your name endure perpetually,Whos passyng bounte, and ryght noble astate,Of honour and worship it hath the formar date.To my lady Elisabeth Howarde.To be your remembrauncer,[1707]madame, I am bounde,Lyke to Aryna, maydenly of porte,Of vertu and[1708]konnyng the well and perfight grounde;Whome dame Nature, as wele I may reporte,Hath fresshely enbewtid with many a goodly sorteOf womanly feturis, whos florysshyng tender ageIs lusty to loke on, plesaunte, demure, and sage:870Goodly Creisseid, fayrer than Polexene,[1709]For to enuyue Pandarus appetite;Troilus, I trowe, if that he had you sene,In you he wolde haue set his hole delight:Of all your bewte I suffyce not[1710]to wryght;But, as I sayd, your florisshinge tender ageIs lusty to loke on, plesaunt, demure, and sage.To my lady Mirriell Howarde.Mi litell lady I may not[1711]leue behinde,But do her[1712]seruyce nedis now I must;Beninge, curteyse, of ientyll harte and mynde,880Whome fortune and fate playnly haue discustLonge to enioy plesure, delyght, and lust:The enbuddid blossoms of[1713]roses rede of hewWith lillis[1714]whyte your bewte doth renewe.Compare you I may to Cidippes, the mayd,That of Aconcyus whan she founde the byllIn her bosome, lorde, how[1715]she was afrayd!The ruddy shamefastnes in her vysage fyll,Whiche maner of abasshement became her not yll;Right so, madame, the roses redde of hew890With lillys whyte your bewte dothe renewe.To my lady Anne Dakers of the Sowth.Zeuxes,[1716]that enpicturid fare Elene the quene,You to deuyse his crafte were to seke;And if Apelles your countenaunce had sene,Of porturature which was the famous Greke,He coude not deuyse the lest poynt of your cheke;Princes of yowth, and flowre of goodly porte,Vertu, conyng, solace, pleasure, comforte.[1717]Paregall in honour vnto Penolepe,That for her trowth is in remembraunce had;900Fayre Diianira surmountynge[1718]in bewte;Demure Diana womanly and sad,Whos lusty lokis make heuy hartis glad;Princes of youth, and flowre of goodly porte,Vertu, connyng, solace, pleasure, comforte.[1719]To mastres Margery Wentworthe.With margerain ientyll,The flowre of goodlyhede,[1720]Enbrowdred the mantillIs of your maydenhede.[1721]Plainly I can not[1722]glose;910Ye be, as I deuyne,The praty primrose,The goodly columbyne.With margerain iantill,The flowre of goodlyhede,Enbrawderyd the mantyllIs of yowre maydenhede.Benynge, corteise, and meke,With wordes well deuysid;In you, who list to seke,920Be vertus well comprysid.With margerain iantill,The flowre of goodlyhede,Enbrawderid the mantillIs of yowr maydenhede.To mastres Margaret Tylney.I you assure,Ful wel I knowMy besy cureTo yow I owe;Humbly and low930Commendynge meTo yowre bownte.As MachareusFayre Canace,So I, iwus,[1723]Endeuoure meYowr name to seIt be enrolde,Writtin with golde.Phedra ye may940Wele represent;Intentyfe ayAnd dylygent,No tyme myspent;Wherfore delyghtI haue to whryghtOf Margarite,Perle orient,Lede sterre[1724]of lyght,Moche relucent;950Madame regentI may you callOf vertues[1725]all.To maystres Iane Blenner-Haiset.[1726]What though[1727]my penne wax faynt,And hath smale lust to paint?Yet shall there no restrayntCause me to cese,Amonge this prese,For to encreseYowre goodly name.960I wyll my selfe applye,Trust[1728]me, ententifly,Yow for to stellyfye;And so obserueThat ye ne swarueFor to deserueInmortall fame.[1729]Sith mistres[1730]Iane Haiset[1731]Smale flowres helpt to settIn my goodly chapelet,970Therfore I render of her the memoryVnto the legend of fare Laodomi.[1732]To maystres Isabell Pennell.By saynt Mary, my lady,Your mammy and your dadyBrought forth a godely babi!My mayden Isabell,Reflaring rosabell,The flagrant camamell;The ruddy rosary,The souerayne rosemary,980The praty strawbery;The columbyne, the nepte,The ieloffer well set,The propre vyolet;Enuwyd your[1733]colowreIs lyke the dasy flowreAfter the Aprill showre;Sterre[1734]of the morow gray,The blossom on the spray,The fresshest flowre of May;990Maydenly demure,Of womanhode[1735]the lure;Wherfore I make you sure[1736],It were an heuenly helth,It were an endeles welth,A lyfe for God hymselfe,To here this nightingale,Amonge the byrdes smale,Warbelynge in the vale,Dug, dug,1000Iug, iug,Good yere and good luk,With chuk, chuk, chuk, chuk!To maystres Margaret Hussey.Mirry Margaret,As mydsomer flowre,Ientill as fawcounOr hawke of the towre;With solace and gladnes,Moche mirthe and no madnes,All good and no badnes,1010So ioyously,So maydenly,So womanlyHer demenyngIn euery thynge,Far, far passyngeThat I can endyght,Or suffyce to wryghtOf mirry Margarete,As mydsomer flowre,1020Ientyll as fawcounOr hawke of the towre;As pacient and as styll,And as full of good wyll,As fayre[1737]Isaphill;Colyaunder,Swete pomaunder,Good cassaunder;Stedfast of thought,Wele made, wele wrought;1030Far may be soughtErst that[1738]ye can fyndeSo corteise, so kyndeAs mirry Margarete[1739],This[1740]midsomer flowre,Ientyll as fawcounOr hawke of the towre.To mastres Geretrude Statham.Though[1741]ye wer hard hertyd,And I with you thwartidWith wordes that smartid,1040Yet nowe doutles ye geue me causeTo wryte of you this goodli clause,Maistres[1742]Geretrude,With womanhode[1743]endude,With vertu well renwde.I wyll that ye shall beIn all benyngnyteLyke to dame Pasiphe;For nowe dowtles ye geue me causeTo wryte of yow this goodly clause,1050Maistres Geretrude,With womanhode endude,With vertu well renude.Partly by your councell,Garnisshed with lawrellWas my fresshe coronell;Wherfore doutles ye geue me causeTo wryte of you this goodly clause,Maistres Geretrude,With womanhode endude,1060With vertu well renude.To maystres Isabell[1744]Knyght.But if I sholde aquyte your kyndnes,Els saye ye myghtThat in me were grete blyndnes,I for to be so myndles,And cowde not[1745]wryghtOf Isabell Knyght.It is not[1746]my custome nor my gyseTo leue behyndeHer that is bothe womanly[1747]and wyse,1070And specyally which glad was to deuyseThe menes[1748]to fyndeTo please my mynde,In helpyng to warke my laurell greneWith sylke and golde:Galathea, the made well besene,Was neuer halfe so fayre, as I wene,Whiche was extoldeA thowsande foldeBy Maro, the Mantuan prudent,1080Who list to rede;But, and I had leyser competent,I coude shew you[1749]suche a presedentIn very dedeHowe ye excede.Occupacyon to Skelton.Withdrawe your hande, the tyme passis[1750]fast;Set on your hede this laurell whiche is wrought;Here you[1751]not[1752]Eolus for you blowyth a blaste?I dare wele saye that ye and I be sought:Make no delay, for now ye must be brought1090Before my ladys grace, the Quene of Fame,Where ye must breuely answere to your name.Skelton Poeta.Castyng my syght the chambre aboute,To se how duly ich thyng in ordre was,Towarde the dore,[1753]as we were comyng oute,I sawe maister Newton sit with his compas,His plummet, his pensell, his spectacles of[1754]glas,Dyuysynge in pycture, by his industrious wit,Of my laurell the proces euery whitte.Forthwith vpon this, as it were in a thought,1100Gower, Chawcer, Lydgate, theis threBefore remembred, me curteisly[1755]broughtInto that place where as they left me,Where all the sayd poetis sat in there degre.But when they sawe my lawrell rychely wrought,[1756]All other besyde were counterfete[1757]they thoughtIn comparyson of that whiche I ware:Sume praysed the perle, some the stones bryght;Wele was hym that therevpon myght stare;Of this warke[1758]they had so great delyght,1110The silke, the golde, the flowris fresshe to syght,They seyd my lawrell was the goodlyestThat euer they saw, and wrought it was the best.In her astate there sat the noble QueneOf Fame: perceyuynge how that I was cum,She wonderyd me thought[1759]at my laurell grene;She loked hawtly, and gaue[1760]on me a glum:Thhere was amonge them no worde[1761]then but mum,For eche man herkynde what she wolde to me[1762]say;Wherof in substaunce I brought this away.1120The Quene of Fame to Skelton.My frende, sith ye ar before vs[1763]here presentTo answere vnto this noble audyence,Of that shalbe resonde you[1764]ye must be content;And for as moche as, by the hy[1765]pretenceThat ye haue now thorow[1766]preemynenceOf laureat triumphe,[1767]your place is here reseruyd,We wyll vnderstande how ye haue it deseruyd.Skelton Poeta to the Quene of Fame.Ryght high[1768]and myghty princes of astate,In famous glory all other transcendyng,Of your bounte the accustomable[1769]rate1130Hath bene full often and yet is entendyng[1770]To all that to[1771]reason is condiscendyng,But if hastyue[1772]credence by mayntenance of myghtFortune to stande betwene you and the lyght:But suche euydence I thynke for to[1773]enduce,And so largely to lay for myne indempnite,That I trust[1774]to make myne excuseOf what charge soeuer ye lay ageinst[1775]me;For of my bokis parte ye shall se,Whiche in your recordes, I knowe well, be enrolde,1140And so Occupacyon, your regester, me tolde.Forthwith she commaundid I shulde take my place;Caliope poynted me where I shulde sit:With that, Occupacioun presid in a pace;Be mirry, she sayd, be not[1776]aferde a whit,Your discharge here vnder myne arme is it.So then commaundid she was vpon thisTo shew her boke; and she sayd, Here it is.The Quene of Fame to Occupacioun.Yowre boke[1777]of remembrauns we will now that ye rede;If ony[1778]recordis in noumbyr can be founde,1150What Skelton hath compilid and wryton in dedeRehersyng by ordre, and what is the grownde,Let se now for hym how ye can expounde;For in owr courte, ye wote wele, his name can not[1779]ryseBut if he wryte oftenner than ones or twyse.Skelton Poeta.With that of the boke losende were the claspis:The margent was illumynid all with golden raillesAnd byse, enpicturid with gressoppes and waspis,With butterfllyis and fresshe pecoke taylis,Enflorid with flowris and slymy snaylis;1160Enuyuid picturis well towchid and quikly;It wolde haue made a man hole that had be ryght sekely,To beholde how it was garnysshyd and bounde,Encouerde ouer with golde of tissew fyne;The claspis and bullyons were worth a thousande pounde;With balassis and charbuncles the borders did shyne;Withaurum musicumeuery other lyneWas wrytin: and so she did her spede,Occupacyoun, inmediatly[1780]to rede.Occupacyoun redith and expoundyth sum parte of Skeltons bokes and baladis with ditis of plesure, in as moche as it were to longe a proces to reherse all[1781]by name that he hath compylyd, &c.

For when he spekyth fayrest, then thynketh he moost yll;

Full gloryously can he glose, thy mynde for to fele;760

He wyll set men a feightynge[1669]and syt[1670]hymselfe styll,

And smerke, lyke a smythy kur, at[1671]sperkes of steile;

He[1672]can neuer leue warke whylis it is wele;

To tell all his towchis it were to grete wonder;

The deuyll of hell and he be seldome asonder.

Thus talkyng we went forth[1673]in at a postern gate;Turnyng[1674]on the ryght hande, by a[1675]windyng stayre,She brought me to[1676]a goodly chaumber of astate,Where the noble Cowntes of Surrey in a chayreSat honorably, to whome did repaire770Of ladys a beue[1677]with all dew reuerence:Syt downe, fayre ladys, and do your diligence!

Thus talkyng we went forth[1673]in at a postern gate;

Turnyng[1674]on the ryght hande, by a[1675]windyng stayre,

She brought me to[1676]a goodly chaumber of astate,

Where the noble Cowntes of Surrey in a chayre

Sat honorably, to whome did repaire770

Of ladys a beue[1677]with all dew reuerence:

Syt downe, fayre ladys, and do your diligence!

Come forth, ientylwomen, I pray you, she sayd;I haue contryuyd for you a goodly warke,And who can worke beste now shall be asayde;A cronell of lawrell with verduris light and darkeI haue deuysyd for Skelton, my clerke;For to his seruyce I haue suche regarde,That of our bownte we wyll hym rewarde:

Come forth, ientylwomen, I pray you, she sayd;

I haue contryuyd for you a goodly warke,

And who can worke beste now shall be asayde;

A cronell of lawrell with verduris light and darke

I haue deuysyd for Skelton, my clerke;

For to his seruyce I haue suche regarde,

That of our bownte we wyll hym rewarde:

For of all ladyes he hath the library,780Ther names recountyng in the court of FameOf all gentylwomen he hath the scruteny,[1678]In Fames court reportynge the same;For yet of women he neuer sayd shame,But if they were counterfettes that women them call,That list of there lewdnesse with hym for to brall.

For of all ladyes he hath the library,780

Ther names recountyng in the court of Fame

Of all gentylwomen he hath the scruteny,[1678]

In Fames court reportynge the same;

For yet of women he neuer sayd shame,

But if they were counterfettes that women them call,

That list of there lewdnesse with hym for to brall.

With that the tappettis and carpettis were layd,Whereon theis ladys softly myght rest,The saumpler to sow on, the lacis to enbraid;To weue in the stoule sume were full preste,790With slaiis, with tauellis, with hedellis well drest;The frame was browght forth with his weuyng pin:God geue[1679]them good spede there warke[1680]to begin!

With that the tappettis and carpettis were layd,

Whereon theis ladys softly myght rest,

The saumpler to sow on, the lacis to enbraid;

To weue in the stoule sume were full preste,790

With slaiis, with tauellis, with hedellis well drest;

The frame was browght forth with his weuyng pin:

God geue[1679]them good spede there warke[1680]to begin!

Sume to enbrowder put them in prese,Well gydyng ther[1681]glowtonn to kepe streit theyr sylk,Sum pirlyng of goldde theyr worke to encreseWith fingers smale, and handis whyte[1682]as mylk;With, Reche me that skane of tewly sylk;And, Wynde me that botowme of such an[1683]hew,Grene, rede, tawny, whyte, blak,[1684]purpill, and blew.800

Sume to enbrowder put them in prese,

Well gydyng ther[1681]glowtonn to kepe streit theyr sylk,

Sum pirlyng of goldde theyr worke to encrese

With fingers smale, and handis whyte[1682]as mylk;

With, Reche me that skane of tewly sylk;

And, Wynde me that botowme of such an[1683]hew,

Grene, rede, tawny, whyte, blak,[1684]purpill, and blew.800

Of broken warkis[1685]wrought many a goodly thyng,In castyng, in turnynge, in florisshyng of flowris,With burris rowth[1686]and bottons surffillyng,[1687]In nedill wark raysyng byrdis in bowris,[1688]With vertu enbesid all tymes and howris;And truly of theyr bownte thus were they bentTo worke me this chapelet by goode aduysemente.[1689]

Of broken warkis[1685]wrought many a goodly thyng,

In castyng, in turnynge, in florisshyng of flowris,

With burris rowth[1686]and bottons surffillyng,[1687]

In nedill wark raysyng byrdis in bowris,[1688]

With vertu enbesid all tymes and howris;

And truly of theyr bownte thus were they bent

To worke me this chapelet by goode aduysemente.[1689]

Occupacyon to Skelton.

Beholde and se in your aduertysementHow theis ladys and gentylwomen allFor your pleasure do there endeuourment,810And for your sake how fast to warke[1690]they fall:To your remembraunce wherfore ye must callIn goodly wordes plesauntly comprysid,That for them some goodly conseyt be deuysid,

Beholde and se in your aduertysement

How theis ladys and gentylwomen all

For your pleasure do there endeuourment,810

And for your sake how fast to warke[1690]they fall:

To your remembraunce wherfore ye must call

In goodly wordes plesauntly comprysid,

That for them some goodly conseyt be deuysid,

With proper captacyons of beneuolence,Ornatly pullysshid after your faculte,Sith ye must nedis afforce it by pretenceOf your professyoun vnto vmanyte,[1691]Commensyng your proces after there degre,To iche of them rendryng thankis commendable,820With sentence fructuous and termes couenable.

With proper captacyons of beneuolence,

Ornatly pullysshid after your faculte,

Sith ye must nedis afforce it by pretence

Of your professyoun vnto vmanyte,[1691]

Commensyng your proces after there degre,

To iche of them rendryng thankis commendable,820

With sentence fructuous and termes couenable.

Poeta Skelton.[1692]

Auaunsynge my selfe sum thanke[1693]to deserue,I me determynyd for to sharpe my pen,Deuoutly arrectyng my prayer to Mynerue,She to vowchesafe me to informe and ken;To Mercury also hertely prayed I then,Me to supporte, to helpe, and to assist,To gyde and to gouerne my dredfull tremlyng[1694]fist.

Auaunsynge my selfe sum thanke[1693]to deserue,

I me determynyd for to sharpe my pen,

Deuoutly arrectyng my prayer to Mynerue,

She to vowchesafe me to informe and ken;

To Mercury also hertely prayed I then,

Me to supporte, to helpe, and to assist,

To gyde and to gouerne my dredfull tremlyng[1694]fist.

As a mariner that amasid[1695]is in a stormy rage,Hardly bestad and[1696]driuen is to hope830Of that the tempestuows[1697]wynde wyll aswage,In trust[1698]wherof comforte[1699]his hart doth grope,From the anker he kuttyth[1700]the gabyll rope,Committyth all to God, and lettyth his shyp ryde;So I beseke[1701]Ihesu now to be my gyde.

As a mariner that amasid[1695]is in a stormy rage,

Hardly bestad and[1696]driuen is to hope830

Of that the tempestuows[1697]wynde wyll aswage,

In trust[1698]wherof comforte[1699]his hart doth grope,

From the anker he kuttyth[1700]the gabyll rope,

Committyth all to God, and lettyth his shyp ryde;

So I beseke[1701]Ihesu now to be my gyde.

To the ryght noble Countes of Surrey.

After all duly ordred obeisaunce,In humble wyse as lowly[1702]as I may,Vnto you, madame, I make reconusaunce,[1703]My lyfe endurynge I shall both wryte and say,Recount, reporte, reherse without delay840The passynge bounte of your noble astate,Of honour and worshyp which hath the formar date:

After all duly ordred obeisaunce,

In humble wyse as lowly[1702]as I may,

Vnto you, madame, I make reconusaunce,[1703]

My lyfe endurynge I shall both wryte and say,

Recount, reporte, reherse without delay840

The passynge bounte of your noble astate,

Of honour and worshyp which hath the formar date:

Lyke to Argyua by iust resemblaunce,The noble wyfe of Polimites kynge;Prudent Rebecca, of whome remembraunceThe Byble makith; with whos chast lyuyngeYour noble demenour is counterwayng,Whos passynge bounte, and ryght noble astate,Of honour and worship it hath the formar date.

Lyke to Argyua by iust resemblaunce,

The noble wyfe of Polimites kynge;

Prudent Rebecca, of whome remembraunce

The Byble makith; with whos chast lyuynge

Your noble demenour is counterwayng,

Whos passynge bounte, and ryght noble astate,

Of honour and worship it hath the formar date.

The noble Pamphila,[1704]quene of the Grekis londe,[1705]850Habillimentis royall founde out industriously;Thamer also wrought with her goodly hondeMany diuisis passynge curyously;Whome ye represent and exemplify,Whos passynge bounte, and ryght noble astate,Of honour and worship it hath the formar date.

The noble Pamphila,[1704]quene of the Grekis londe,[1705]850

Habillimentis royall founde out industriously;

Thamer also wrought with her goodly honde

Many diuisis passynge curyously;

Whome ye represent and exemplify,

Whos passynge bounte, and ryght noble astate,

Of honour and worship it hath the formar date.

As dame Thamarys, whiche toke the kyng of Perce,Cirus by name, as wrytith the story;Dame Agrippina also I may reherseOf ientyll corage the perfight[1706]memory;860So shall your name endure perpetually,Whos passyng bounte, and ryght noble astate,Of honour and worship it hath the formar date.

As dame Thamarys, whiche toke the kyng of Perce,

Cirus by name, as wrytith the story;

Dame Agrippina also I may reherse

Of ientyll corage the perfight[1706]memory;860

So shall your name endure perpetually,

Whos passyng bounte, and ryght noble astate,

Of honour and worship it hath the formar date.

To my lady Elisabeth Howarde.

To be your remembrauncer,[1707]madame, I am bounde,Lyke to Aryna, maydenly of porte,Of vertu and[1708]konnyng the well and perfight grounde;Whome dame Nature, as wele I may reporte,Hath fresshely enbewtid with many a goodly sorteOf womanly feturis, whos florysshyng tender ageIs lusty to loke on, plesaunte, demure, and sage:870

To be your remembrauncer,[1707]madame, I am bounde,

Lyke to Aryna, maydenly of porte,

Of vertu and[1708]konnyng the well and perfight grounde;

Whome dame Nature, as wele I may reporte,

Hath fresshely enbewtid with many a goodly sorte

Of womanly feturis, whos florysshyng tender age

Is lusty to loke on, plesaunte, demure, and sage:870

Goodly Creisseid, fayrer than Polexene,[1709]For to enuyue Pandarus appetite;Troilus, I trowe, if that he had you sene,In you he wolde haue set his hole delight:Of all your bewte I suffyce not[1710]to wryght;But, as I sayd, your florisshinge tender ageIs lusty to loke on, plesaunt, demure, and sage.

Goodly Creisseid, fayrer than Polexene,[1709]

For to enuyue Pandarus appetite;

Troilus, I trowe, if that he had you sene,

In you he wolde haue set his hole delight:

Of all your bewte I suffyce not[1710]to wryght;

But, as I sayd, your florisshinge tender age

Is lusty to loke on, plesaunt, demure, and sage.

To my lady Mirriell Howarde.

Mi litell lady I may not[1711]leue behinde,But do her[1712]seruyce nedis now I must;Beninge, curteyse, of ientyll harte and mynde,880Whome fortune and fate playnly haue discustLonge to enioy plesure, delyght, and lust:The enbuddid blossoms of[1713]roses rede of hewWith lillis[1714]whyte your bewte doth renewe.

Mi litell lady I may not[1711]leue behinde,

But do her[1712]seruyce nedis now I must;

Beninge, curteyse, of ientyll harte and mynde,880

Whome fortune and fate playnly haue discust

Longe to enioy plesure, delyght, and lust:

The enbuddid blossoms of[1713]roses rede of hew

With lillis[1714]whyte your bewte doth renewe.

Compare you I may to Cidippes, the mayd,That of Aconcyus whan she founde the byllIn her bosome, lorde, how[1715]she was afrayd!The ruddy shamefastnes in her vysage fyll,Whiche maner of abasshement became her not yll;Right so, madame, the roses redde of hew890With lillys whyte your bewte dothe renewe.

Compare you I may to Cidippes, the mayd,

That of Aconcyus whan she founde the byll

In her bosome, lorde, how[1715]she was afrayd!

The ruddy shamefastnes in her vysage fyll,

Whiche maner of abasshement became her not yll;

Right so, madame, the roses redde of hew890

With lillys whyte your bewte dothe renewe.

To my lady Anne Dakers of the Sowth.

Zeuxes,[1716]that enpicturid fare Elene the quene,You to deuyse his crafte were to seke;And if Apelles your countenaunce had sene,Of porturature which was the famous Greke,He coude not deuyse the lest poynt of your cheke;Princes of yowth, and flowre of goodly porte,Vertu, conyng, solace, pleasure, comforte.[1717]

Zeuxes,[1716]that enpicturid fare Elene the quene,

You to deuyse his crafte were to seke;

And if Apelles your countenaunce had sene,

Of porturature which was the famous Greke,

He coude not deuyse the lest poynt of your cheke;

Princes of yowth, and flowre of goodly porte,

Vertu, conyng, solace, pleasure, comforte.[1717]

Paregall in honour vnto Penolepe,That for her trowth is in remembraunce had;900Fayre Diianira surmountynge[1718]in bewte;Demure Diana womanly and sad,Whos lusty lokis make heuy hartis glad;Princes of youth, and flowre of goodly porte,Vertu, connyng, solace, pleasure, comforte.[1719]

Paregall in honour vnto Penolepe,

That for her trowth is in remembraunce had;900

Fayre Diianira surmountynge[1718]in bewte;

Demure Diana womanly and sad,

Whos lusty lokis make heuy hartis glad;

Princes of youth, and flowre of goodly porte,

Vertu, connyng, solace, pleasure, comforte.[1719]

To mastres Margery Wentworthe.

With margerain ientyll,The flowre of goodlyhede,[1720]Enbrowdred the mantillIs of your maydenhede.[1721]Plainly I can not[1722]glose;910Ye be, as I deuyne,The praty primrose,The goodly columbyne.With margerain iantill,The flowre of goodlyhede,Enbrawderyd the mantyllIs of yowre maydenhede.Benynge, corteise, and meke,With wordes well deuysid;In you, who list to seke,920Be vertus well comprysid.With margerain iantill,The flowre of goodlyhede,Enbrawderid the mantillIs of yowr maydenhede.

With margerain ientyll,

The flowre of goodlyhede,[1720]

Enbrowdred the mantill

Is of your maydenhede.[1721]

Plainly I can not[1722]glose;910

Ye be, as I deuyne,

The praty primrose,

The goodly columbyne.

With margerain iantill,

The flowre of goodlyhede,

Enbrawderyd the mantyll

Is of yowre maydenhede.

Benynge, corteise, and meke,

With wordes well deuysid;

In you, who list to seke,920

Be vertus well comprysid.

With margerain iantill,

The flowre of goodlyhede,

Enbrawderid the mantill

Is of yowr maydenhede.

To mastres Margaret Tylney.

I you assure,Ful wel I knowMy besy cureTo yow I owe;Humbly and low930Commendynge meTo yowre bownte.As MachareusFayre Canace,So I, iwus,[1723]Endeuoure meYowr name to seIt be enrolde,Writtin with golde.Phedra ye may940Wele represent;Intentyfe ayAnd dylygent,No tyme myspent;Wherfore delyghtI haue to whryghtOf Margarite,Perle orient,Lede sterre[1724]of lyght,Moche relucent;950Madame regentI may you callOf vertues[1725]all.

I you assure,

Ful wel I know

My besy cure

To yow I owe;

Humbly and low930

Commendynge me

To yowre bownte.

As Machareus

Fayre Canace,

So I, iwus,[1723]

Endeuoure me

Yowr name to se

It be enrolde,

Writtin with golde.

Phedra ye may940

Wele represent;

Intentyfe ay

And dylygent,

No tyme myspent;

Wherfore delyght

I haue to whryght

Of Margarite,

Perle orient,

Lede sterre[1724]of lyght,

Moche relucent;950

Madame regent

I may you call

Of vertues[1725]all.

To maystres Iane Blenner-Haiset.[1726]

What though[1727]my penne wax faynt,And hath smale lust to paint?Yet shall there no restrayntCause me to cese,Amonge this prese,For to encreseYowre goodly name.960I wyll my selfe applye,Trust[1728]me, ententifly,Yow for to stellyfye;And so obserueThat ye ne swarueFor to deserueInmortall fame.[1729]Sith mistres[1730]Iane Haiset[1731]Smale flowres helpt to settIn my goodly chapelet,970Therfore I render of her the memoryVnto the legend of fare Laodomi.[1732]

What though[1727]my penne wax faynt,

And hath smale lust to paint?

Yet shall there no restraynt

Cause me to cese,

Amonge this prese,

For to encrese

Yowre goodly name.960

I wyll my selfe applye,

Trust[1728]me, ententifly,

Yow for to stellyfye;

And so obserue

That ye ne swarue

For to deserue

Inmortall fame.[1729]

Sith mistres[1730]Iane Haiset[1731]

Smale flowres helpt to sett

In my goodly chapelet,970

Therfore I render of her the memory

Vnto the legend of fare Laodomi.[1732]

To maystres Isabell Pennell.

By saynt Mary, my lady,Your mammy and your dadyBrought forth a godely babi!My mayden Isabell,Reflaring rosabell,The flagrant camamell;The ruddy rosary,The souerayne rosemary,980The praty strawbery;The columbyne, the nepte,The ieloffer well set,The propre vyolet;Enuwyd your[1733]colowreIs lyke the dasy flowreAfter the Aprill showre;Sterre[1734]of the morow gray,The blossom on the spray,The fresshest flowre of May;990Maydenly demure,Of womanhode[1735]the lure;Wherfore I make you sure[1736],It were an heuenly helth,It were an endeles welth,A lyfe for God hymselfe,To here this nightingale,Amonge the byrdes smale,Warbelynge in the vale,Dug, dug,1000Iug, iug,Good yere and good luk,With chuk, chuk, chuk, chuk!

By saynt Mary, my lady,

Your mammy and your dady

Brought forth a godely babi!

My mayden Isabell,

Reflaring rosabell,

The flagrant camamell;

The ruddy rosary,

The souerayne rosemary,980

The praty strawbery;

The columbyne, the nepte,

The ieloffer well set,

The propre vyolet;

Enuwyd your[1733]colowre

Is lyke the dasy flowre

After the Aprill showre;

Sterre[1734]of the morow gray,

The blossom on the spray,

The fresshest flowre of May;990

Maydenly demure,

Of womanhode[1735]the lure;

Wherfore I make you sure[1736],

It were an heuenly helth,

It were an endeles welth,

A lyfe for God hymselfe,

To here this nightingale,

Amonge the byrdes smale,

Warbelynge in the vale,

Dug, dug,1000

Iug, iug,

Good yere and good luk,

With chuk, chuk, chuk, chuk!

To maystres Margaret Hussey.

Mirry Margaret,As mydsomer flowre,Ientill as fawcounOr hawke of the towre;With solace and gladnes,Moche mirthe and no madnes,All good and no badnes,1010So ioyously,So maydenly,So womanlyHer demenyngIn euery thynge,Far, far passyngeThat I can endyght,Or suffyce to wryghtOf mirry Margarete,As mydsomer flowre,1020Ientyll as fawcounOr hawke of the towre;As pacient and as styll,And as full of good wyll,As fayre[1737]Isaphill;Colyaunder,Swete pomaunder,Good cassaunder;Stedfast of thought,Wele made, wele wrought;1030Far may be soughtErst that[1738]ye can fyndeSo corteise, so kyndeAs mirry Margarete[1739],This[1740]midsomer flowre,Ientyll as fawcounOr hawke of the towre.

Mirry Margaret,

As mydsomer flowre,

Ientill as fawcoun

Or hawke of the towre;

With solace and gladnes,

Moche mirthe and no madnes,

All good and no badnes,1010

So ioyously,

So maydenly,

So womanly

Her demenyng

In euery thynge,

Far, far passynge

That I can endyght,

Or suffyce to wryght

Of mirry Margarete,

As mydsomer flowre,1020

Ientyll as fawcoun

Or hawke of the towre;

As pacient and as styll,

And as full of good wyll,

As fayre[1737]Isaphill;

Colyaunder,

Swete pomaunder,

Good cassaunder;

Stedfast of thought,

Wele made, wele wrought;1030

Far may be sought

Erst that[1738]ye can fynde

So corteise, so kynde

As mirry Margarete[1739],

This[1740]midsomer flowre,

Ientyll as fawcoun

Or hawke of the towre.

To mastres Geretrude Statham.

Though[1741]ye wer hard hertyd,And I with you thwartidWith wordes that smartid,1040Yet nowe doutles ye geue me causeTo wryte of you this goodli clause,Maistres[1742]Geretrude,With womanhode[1743]endude,With vertu well renwde.I wyll that ye shall beIn all benyngnyteLyke to dame Pasiphe;For nowe dowtles ye geue me causeTo wryte of yow this goodly clause,1050Maistres Geretrude,With womanhode endude,With vertu well renude.Partly by your councell,Garnisshed with lawrellWas my fresshe coronell;Wherfore doutles ye geue me causeTo wryte of you this goodly clause,Maistres Geretrude,With womanhode endude,1060With vertu well renude.

Though[1741]ye wer hard hertyd,

And I with you thwartid

With wordes that smartid,1040

Yet nowe doutles ye geue me cause

To wryte of you this goodli clause,

Maistres[1742]Geretrude,

With womanhode[1743]endude,

With vertu well renwde.

I wyll that ye shall be

In all benyngnyte

Lyke to dame Pasiphe;

For nowe dowtles ye geue me cause

To wryte of yow this goodly clause,1050

Maistres Geretrude,

With womanhode endude,

With vertu well renude.

Partly by your councell,

Garnisshed with lawrell

Was my fresshe coronell;

Wherfore doutles ye geue me cause

To wryte of you this goodly clause,

Maistres Geretrude,

With womanhode endude,1060

With vertu well renude.

To maystres Isabell[1744]Knyght.

But if I sholde aquyte your kyndnes,Els saye ye myghtThat in me were grete blyndnes,I for to be so myndles,And cowde not[1745]wryghtOf Isabell Knyght.It is not[1746]my custome nor my gyseTo leue behyndeHer that is bothe womanly[1747]and wyse,1070And specyally which glad was to deuyseThe menes[1748]to fyndeTo please my mynde,In helpyng to warke my laurell greneWith sylke and golde:Galathea, the made well besene,Was neuer halfe so fayre, as I wene,Whiche was extoldeA thowsande foldeBy Maro, the Mantuan prudent,1080Who list to rede;But, and I had leyser competent,I coude shew you[1749]suche a presedentIn very dedeHowe ye excede.

But if I sholde aquyte your kyndnes,

Els saye ye myght

That in me were grete blyndnes,

I for to be so myndles,

And cowde not[1745]wryght

Of Isabell Knyght.

It is not[1746]my custome nor my gyse

To leue behynde

Her that is bothe womanly[1747]and wyse,1070

And specyally which glad was to deuyse

The menes[1748]to fynde

To please my mynde,

In helpyng to warke my laurell grene

With sylke and golde:

Galathea, the made well besene,

Was neuer halfe so fayre, as I wene,

Whiche was extolde

A thowsande folde

By Maro, the Mantuan prudent,1080

Who list to rede;

But, and I had leyser competent,

I coude shew you[1749]suche a presedent

In very dede

Howe ye excede.

Occupacyon to Skelton.

Withdrawe your hande, the tyme passis[1750]fast;Set on your hede this laurell whiche is wrought;Here you[1751]not[1752]Eolus for you blowyth a blaste?I dare wele saye that ye and I be sought:Make no delay, for now ye must be brought1090Before my ladys grace, the Quene of Fame,Where ye must breuely answere to your name.

Withdrawe your hande, the tyme passis[1750]fast;

Set on your hede this laurell whiche is wrought;

Here you[1751]not[1752]Eolus for you blowyth a blaste?

I dare wele saye that ye and I be sought:

Make no delay, for now ye must be brought1090

Before my ladys grace, the Quene of Fame,

Where ye must breuely answere to your name.

Skelton Poeta.

Castyng my syght the chambre aboute,To se how duly ich thyng in ordre was,Towarde the dore,[1753]as we were comyng oute,I sawe maister Newton sit with his compas,His plummet, his pensell, his spectacles of[1754]glas,Dyuysynge in pycture, by his industrious wit,Of my laurell the proces euery whitte.

Castyng my syght the chambre aboute,

To se how duly ich thyng in ordre was,

Towarde the dore,[1753]as we were comyng oute,

I sawe maister Newton sit with his compas,

His plummet, his pensell, his spectacles of[1754]glas,

Dyuysynge in pycture, by his industrious wit,

Of my laurell the proces euery whitte.

Forthwith vpon this, as it were in a thought,1100Gower, Chawcer, Lydgate, theis threBefore remembred, me curteisly[1755]broughtInto that place where as they left me,Where all the sayd poetis sat in there degre.But when they sawe my lawrell rychely wrought,[1756]All other besyde were counterfete[1757]they thought

Forthwith vpon this, as it were in a thought,1100

Gower, Chawcer, Lydgate, theis thre

Before remembred, me curteisly[1755]brought

Into that place where as they left me,

Where all the sayd poetis sat in there degre.

But when they sawe my lawrell rychely wrought,[1756]

All other besyde were counterfete[1757]they thought

In comparyson of that whiche I ware:Sume praysed the perle, some the stones bryght;Wele was hym that therevpon myght stare;Of this warke[1758]they had so great delyght,1110The silke, the golde, the flowris fresshe to syght,They seyd my lawrell was the goodlyestThat euer they saw, and wrought it was the best.

In comparyson of that whiche I ware:

Sume praysed the perle, some the stones bryght;

Wele was hym that therevpon myght stare;

Of this warke[1758]they had so great delyght,1110

The silke, the golde, the flowris fresshe to syght,

They seyd my lawrell was the goodlyest

That euer they saw, and wrought it was the best.

In her astate there sat the noble QueneOf Fame: perceyuynge how that I was cum,She wonderyd me thought[1759]at my laurell grene;She loked hawtly, and gaue[1760]on me a glum:Thhere was amonge them no worde[1761]then but mum,For eche man herkynde what she wolde to me[1762]say;Wherof in substaunce I brought this away.1120

In her astate there sat the noble Quene

Of Fame: perceyuynge how that I was cum,

She wonderyd me thought[1759]at my laurell grene;

She loked hawtly, and gaue[1760]on me a glum:

Thhere was amonge them no worde[1761]then but mum,

For eche man herkynde what she wolde to me[1762]say;

Wherof in substaunce I brought this away.1120

The Quene of Fame to Skelton.

My frende, sith ye ar before vs[1763]here presentTo answere vnto this noble audyence,Of that shalbe resonde you[1764]ye must be content;And for as moche as, by the hy[1765]pretenceThat ye haue now thorow[1766]preemynenceOf laureat triumphe,[1767]your place is here reseruyd,We wyll vnderstande how ye haue it deseruyd.

My frende, sith ye ar before vs[1763]here present

To answere vnto this noble audyence,

Of that shalbe resonde you[1764]ye must be content;

And for as moche as, by the hy[1765]pretence

That ye haue now thorow[1766]preemynence

Of laureat triumphe,[1767]your place is here reseruyd,

We wyll vnderstande how ye haue it deseruyd.

Skelton Poeta to the Quene of Fame.

Ryght high[1768]and myghty princes of astate,In famous glory all other transcendyng,Of your bounte the accustomable[1769]rate1130Hath bene full often and yet is entendyng[1770]To all that to[1771]reason is condiscendyng,But if hastyue[1772]credence by mayntenance of myghtFortune to stande betwene you and the lyght:

Ryght high[1768]and myghty princes of astate,

In famous glory all other transcendyng,

Of your bounte the accustomable[1769]rate1130

Hath bene full often and yet is entendyng[1770]

To all that to[1771]reason is condiscendyng,

But if hastyue[1772]credence by mayntenance of myght

Fortune to stande betwene you and the lyght:

But suche euydence I thynke for to[1773]enduce,And so largely to lay for myne indempnite,That I trust[1774]to make myne excuseOf what charge soeuer ye lay ageinst[1775]me;For of my bokis parte ye shall se,Whiche in your recordes, I knowe well, be enrolde,1140And so Occupacyon, your regester, me tolde.

But suche euydence I thynke for to[1773]enduce,

And so largely to lay for myne indempnite,

That I trust[1774]to make myne excuse

Of what charge soeuer ye lay ageinst[1775]me;

For of my bokis parte ye shall se,

Whiche in your recordes, I knowe well, be enrolde,1140

And so Occupacyon, your regester, me tolde.

Forthwith she commaundid I shulde take my place;Caliope poynted me where I shulde sit:With that, Occupacioun presid in a pace;Be mirry, she sayd, be not[1776]aferde a whit,Your discharge here vnder myne arme is it.So then commaundid she was vpon thisTo shew her boke; and she sayd, Here it is.

Forthwith she commaundid I shulde take my place;

Caliope poynted me where I shulde sit:

With that, Occupacioun presid in a pace;

Be mirry, she sayd, be not[1776]aferde a whit,

Your discharge here vnder myne arme is it.

So then commaundid she was vpon this

To shew her boke; and she sayd, Here it is.

The Quene of Fame to Occupacioun.

Yowre boke[1777]of remembrauns we will now that ye rede;If ony[1778]recordis in noumbyr can be founde,1150What Skelton hath compilid and wryton in dedeRehersyng by ordre, and what is the grownde,Let se now for hym how ye can expounde;For in owr courte, ye wote wele, his name can not[1779]ryseBut if he wryte oftenner than ones or twyse.

Yowre boke[1777]of remembrauns we will now that ye rede;

If ony[1778]recordis in noumbyr can be founde,1150

What Skelton hath compilid and wryton in dede

Rehersyng by ordre, and what is the grownde,

Let se now for hym how ye can expounde;

For in owr courte, ye wote wele, his name can not[1779]ryse

But if he wryte oftenner than ones or twyse.

Skelton Poeta.

With that of the boke losende were the claspis:The margent was illumynid all with golden raillesAnd byse, enpicturid with gressoppes and waspis,With butterfllyis and fresshe pecoke taylis,Enflorid with flowris and slymy snaylis;1160Enuyuid picturis well towchid and quikly;It wolde haue made a man hole that had be ryght sekely,

With that of the boke losende were the claspis:

The margent was illumynid all with golden railles

And byse, enpicturid with gressoppes and waspis,

With butterfllyis and fresshe pecoke taylis,

Enflorid with flowris and slymy snaylis;1160

Enuyuid picturis well towchid and quikly;

It wolde haue made a man hole that had be ryght sekely,

To beholde how it was garnysshyd and bounde,Encouerde ouer with golde of tissew fyne;The claspis and bullyons were worth a thousande pounde;With balassis and charbuncles the borders did shyne;Withaurum musicumeuery other lyneWas wrytin: and so she did her spede,Occupacyoun, inmediatly[1780]to rede.

To beholde how it was garnysshyd and bounde,

Encouerde ouer with golde of tissew fyne;

The claspis and bullyons were worth a thousande pounde;

With balassis and charbuncles the borders did shyne;

Withaurum musicumeuery other lyne

Was wrytin: and so she did her spede,

Occupacyoun, inmediatly[1780]to rede.

Occupacyoun redith and expoundyth sum parte of Skeltons bokes and baladis with ditis of plesure, in as moche as it were to longe a proces to reherse all[1781]by name that he hath compylyd, &c.

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