FROM THE COTTON MS. VESPASIAN A.XXV.

1.

There is no tre that growe

On earthe, that I do knowe,

More worthie praise I trowe,

Than is the vyne,

Whos grapes, as ye may rede,

Their licoure forthe dothe shede,

Wherof is made indede

All our good wyne.

And wyne, ye maye trust me,

Cause the men for to be

Merie, for so ye see

His nature is;

Then put asyde all wrathe,

For David showde us hathe,

Vinum letificat

Cor hominis.

2.

Wyne taken with excesse,

As Scripture dothe expresse,

Cause the great hevines

Unto the mynde:

But theie that take pleasure

To drinke it with measure,

No doute a great treasure

They shall it finde.

Then voide you all sadnes,

Drinke your wyne with gladnes,

To take thought is madnes,

And marke well this;

And put asyde all wrathe, &c. ut supra.

3.

How bringe ye that to pas

Cordis Jucunditas,

Is now and ever was

The lyfe of man.

Sithe that mirthe hathe no peare,

Then let us make good cheare,

And be you merie heare,

While that ye can;

And drinke well of this wyne,

While it is good and fyne,

And showe some outwarde syne

Of joye and blisse;

Expell from you all wrathe, &c. ut supra.

4.

This thinge full well ye ken,

Hevines dulleth men,

But take this medicien then,

Where’er ye come:

Refreshe yourself therewith.

For it was said long sithe,

That vinum acuit

Ingenium.

Then give not a chery

For sider nor perrye,

Wyne maketh man merie.

Ye knowe well this;

And put asyde all wrathe, &c. ut supra.

5.

In hope to have release

From all our hevines,

And mirthe for to encrease

Sum dele the more,

Pulsemus organa.

Simul cum cithara,

Vinum et musica

Vegetabit cor.

But sorowe, care, and strife

Shortnethe the days of life,

Bothe of man and of wyfe

It will not mis;

Then put asyde all wrathe, &c. ut supra.

6.

A merie herte in cage

Makethe a lustie age,

As telleth us the sage,

Ever for the noynes;

Because we should delight

In mirthe, bothe daye and night,

He saith an hevie fright

Driethe up the bones.

Wherfor, let us alwaye

Rejoice in God, I saye,

Our mirthe cannot decaye

If we do this,

And put asyde all wrathe, &c. ut supra.

7.

Nowe ye that be presente,

Laud God Omnipotent,

That hathe us given and sent

Our dalie foode,

When thorowe sinne we’re slaine,

He sent his son againe,

Us to redeeme from paine

By his sweete bloode,

And he is the trewe vyne,

From whome distill’d the wyne,

That boughte your soules and myne,

You knowe well this:

Then put asyde all wrathe,

For David showde us hathe

Vinum letificat

Cor hominis.

* * * * *

The Every-day Book and Table Book. v. 3 (of 3) Everlasting Calerdar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac · 第 1679 / 1847 题