¶ THE REGYSTER OR TABLE OF THIS PRESENT BOKE IN ENGLYSSHE.
[VOLUME I.]
¶ Alexander Barclay excusynge the rudenes of his translacion, y^e first
lefe Barclay y^e translatour to y^e folys.
A prologe in prose shewynge to what intent this Boke was firste made, & who
were the first Auctours of it.
Another Prologe: in Balade concernyng the same.
In what place this Boke was translate and to what purpose it was
translatyd.
¶ Here begynneth the Folys and firste of inprofytable bokys.
¶ Of euyll Counsellours Juges & men of lawe.
Of couetyse and prodigalyte.
Of newe disgysynges in apparayle.
¶ A lawde of the nobles and grauyte of Kynge Henry the eyght.
Of olde Folys encresynge foly with age.
Of negligent Fathers ayenst their Children.
Of taleberers: & mouers of debate.
Of nat folowers of good counsel.
Of vngoodly maners, and dysordred.
Of the hurtynge of frendshyp.
Of dispysers of holy scripture.
Of folys inprouydent.
Of disordred & venerious loue.
Of them that synne trustynge vpon the mercy of almyghty god.
Of folys y^t begyn great byldynge without sufficient prouysion.
Of glotons, and droncardes.
Of ryches vnprofytable.
Of folys that wyl serue two lordes both togyther.
Of superflue speche.
Of them that correct other, them self culpable in the same faut.
Of folys that fynde others good, nat restorynge the same to the owner.
¶ The sermon or doctryne of wysdom.
Of Folys bostyng them in fortune.
Of the superflue curyosyte of men.
Of great borowers, & slacke payers.
Of vnprofitable vowers & peticions.
Of negligent stodyers.
Of them that folvsshly speke ayenst the workes of god.
Of lewde Juges of others dedes.
Of pluralytees of benefyces.
Of synners that prolonge from daye to day to amende theyr myslyuyng.
Of men that ar Jelous.
Of auoutry, and specially of suche as ar bawdes to theyr wyues.
Of suche as nedys wyll contynue in theyr foly nat withstandynge holsom
erudicion.
An addicion of the secundaries of Otery saynt Mary, in Deuynshyre.
Of wrathfull folys.
Of the mutabylyte of fortune.
Of seke men inobedient.
Of to open councellers.
Of folys that can nat be ware by y^e mysfortune nor take example of others
damage.
Of folys that force or care for the bacbytynge of lewde people.
Of mockers and fals accusers.
Of them that despyse euerlastynge blys for worldly thynges & transitory.
Of talkers and makers of noyse in the Chirche of god.
Of folys that put them self in wylful ieopardy and peryll.
Of the way of felycyte, and godnes and the payne to come to synners.
Of olde folys y^t gyue example of vyce to youth negligent & vnexpert.
Of bodely lust or corporall voluptuosyte.
Of folys that can nat kepe secrete theyr owne counsell.
Of yonge folys that take olde wymen to theyr wyues nat for loue but for
ryches.
Of enuyous Folys.
Of impacient folys disdaynynge to abyde and suffer correccion, for theyr
profyte.
Of folysshe Fesicians vsynge theyr practyke without speculacyon.
Of the ende of worldly honour & power and of folys y^t trust in them.
An addicion of Alexander barclay.
Of predestinacyon.
Of folys that aply other mennys besynes leuynge theyr owne vndone.
Of the vyce of ingratytude or vnkyndnes and folys that vse it.
Of Folys that stande to moche in theyr owne conceyte.
Of folys that delyte them in daunsynge.
Of nyght watchers.
Of the vanyte of beggers.
[Illustration]
Alexander Barclay excusynge the rudenes of his translacion.
Go Boke: abasshe the thy rudenes to present.
To men auaunced to worshyp, and honour.
By byrthe or fortune: or to men eloquent.
By thy submyssion excuse thy Translatour.
But whan I remember the comon behauour
Of men: I thynke thou ought to quake for fere
Of tunges enuyous whose venym may the dere
Tremble, fere, and quake, thou ought I say agayne.
For to the Redar thou shewest by euydence
Thy selfe of Rethoryke pryuate and barayne
In speche superflue: and fruteles of sentence.
Thou playnly blamest without al difference
Bothe hye and lowe sparinge eche mannes name.
Therfore no maruayle thoughe many do the blame.
But if thou fortune to lye before a State
As Kynge or Prince or Lordes great or smal.
Or doctour diuyne or other Graduate
Be this thy Excuse to content theyr mynde withal
My speche is rude my termes comon and rural
And I for rude peple moche more conuenient.
Than for Estates, lerned men, or eloquent.
But of this one poynt thou nedest not to fere
That any goode man: vertuous and Just.
Wyth his yl speche shal the hurt or dere.
But the defende. As I suppose and trust.
But suche Unthriftes as sue theyr carnal lust
Whome thou for vyce dost sharply rebuke and blame
Shal the dysprayse: emperisshinge thy name.
An exhortacion of Alexander Barclay.
But ye that shal rede this boke: I you exhorte.
And you that ar herars therof also I pray
Where as ye knowe that ye be of this sorte:
Amende your lyfe and expelle that vyce away.
Slomber nat in syn. Amende you whyle ye may.
And yf ye so do and ensue Vertue and grace.
Wythin my Shyp ye get no rowme ne place.
Barclay the translatour tho the Foles.
To Shyp galantes the se is at the ful.
The wynde vs calleth our sayles ar displayed.
Where may we best aryue? at Lyn or els at Hulle?
To vs may no hauen in Englonde be denayd.
Why tary we? the Ankers ar vp wayed.
If any corde or Cabyl vs hurt, let outher hynder.
Let slyp the ende, or els hewe it in sonder.
Retourne your syght beholde vnto the shore.
There is great nomber that fayne wold be aborde.
They get no rowme our Shyp can holde no more.
Haws in the Cocke gyue them none other worde.
God gyde vs from Rockes, quicsonde tempest and forde
If any man of warre, wether, or wynde apere.
My selfe shal trye the wynde and kepe the Stere.
But I pray you reders haue ye no dysdayne.
Thoughe Barclay haue presumed of audacite
This Shyp to rule as chefe mayster and Captayne.
Though some thynke them selfe moche worthyer than he.
It were great maruayle forsoth syth he hath be.
A scoler longe: and that in dyuers scoles
But he myght be Captayne of a Shyp of Foles
But if that any one be in suche maner case.
That he wyl chalange the maystershyp fro me
Yet in my Shyp can I nat want a place.
For in euery place my selfe I oft may se.
But this I leue besechynge eche degre:
To pardon my youthe and to bolde interprise.
For harde is it duely to speke of euery vyce.
For yf I had tunges an hundreth: and wyt to fele
Al thinges natural and supernaturall
A thousand mouthes: and voyce as harde as stele.
And sene all the seuen Sciences lyberal.
Yet cowde I neuer touche the vyces all.
And syn of the worlde: ne theyr braunches comprehende:
Nat thoughe I lyued vnto the worldes ende.
But if these vyces whiche mankynde doth incomber.
Were clene expellyd and vertue in theyr place.
I cowde nat haue gathered of fowles so great a nomber.
Whose foly from them out chaseth goddys grace.
But euery man that knowes hym in that case
To this rude Boke let hym gladly intende.
And lerne the way his lewdnes to amende.
* * * * *
[The Prologe of James Locher.]
After that I haue longe mused by my self of the sore confounded and
vncertayne cours of mannys lyfe, and thinges therto belonginge: at the last
I haue by my vigilant meditacion found and noted many degrees of errours:
wherby mankynd wandreth from the way of trouth I haue also noted that many
wyse men and wel lettred haue writen right fruteful doctrines: wherby they
haue heled these dyseses and intollerable perturbacions of the mynde: and
the goostly woundes therof, moche better than Esculapius which was fyrst
Inuentour of Phesyke and amonge the Gentyles worshypped as a God. In the
contrey of Grece were stodyes fyrst founded and ordeyned in the which began
and sprange holsom medicyne which gaue vnto infect myndes frutful doctryne
and norisshinge. Amonge whome Socrates that great begynner and honourer of
wysdom began to dispute of ye maners of men. But for that he coude nat
fynde certayne ende of goodnes and hyest felicite in naturall thinges: nor
induce men to the same, he gaue the hye contemplacions of his mynde to
moral vertues. And in so moche passed he al other in Philosophy moral that
it was sayde that he called Philosophy down from the Imperial heuen. whan
this Socrates perceyued the mindes of men to be prone, and extremely
inclyned to viciousnes he had gret affeccion to subdue suche maners.
Wherfore in comon places of the Cyte of Athenes he instruct and infourmed
the peple in such doctrynes as compasith the clere and immaculate welles of
the moste excellent and souerayne gode. After the disces of Socrates
succeded ye godly Plato whiche in moral Philosophy ouerpassed also a great
part of his tyme And certaynly nat without a cause was he called godly. For
by what stody myght be more holely or better socour mankynde than by suche
doctrynes as he gaue. He wrote and ordeyned lawes moste egal and iust He
edityed vnto the Grekes a comon welthe stable, quyet and commendable. And
ordeyned the societe and company of them most iocund and amyable. He
prepared a brydel to refrayne the lust and sensualyte of the body. And
fynally he changed the yl ignorance feblenes and negligence of youth vnto
dylygence, strength and vertue. In tyme also of these Phylosophers sprange
the florisshynge age of Poetes: whiche amonge lettred men had nat smal
rowme and place. And that for theyr eloquent Retoryke and also for theyr
mery ficcions and inuencions. Of the whiche Poetes some wrote in moste
ornate termes in ditees heroycal wherin the noble actes and lyues both of
dyuyne and humayne creatures ar wont to be noted and writem. Some wrote of
tylling of the grounde. Some of the Planetes, of the courses of ye sterres:
and of the mouynge of the heuyn and fyrmament. Some of the Empyre and
shameful subieccion of disordred loue. And many other of the myserable
ruyne and fal of Kynges and princes for vice: as Tragedies. And some other
wrote Comedyes with great libertye of speche: which Comedies we cal
Interludes. Amonge whome Aristophanes Eupolis and Cratinus mooste laudable
Poetes passed al other. For whan they sawe the youth of Athenes and of al
the remanent of Grece inclyned to al ylles they toke occasion to note suche
myslyuinge. And so in playne wordes they repreued without fauour the vyces
of the sayd yl disposyd peple of what condicion or order they were: Of this
auncient wrytinge of Comedyes our laten Poetes deuysed a maner of wrytinge
nat inelegant. And fyrst Lucilius composed one Satyre in the whiche he
wrote by name the vices of certayne princes and Citezyns of Rome And that
with many bourdes so y^t with his mery speche myxt with rebukes he correct
al them of the cyte that disordredly lyued. But this mery speche vsed he
nat in his writing to the intent to excercyse wanton wordes or vnrefrayned
lascyuyte, or to put his pleasour in suche dissolute langage: but to ye
intent to quenche vyces and to prouoke the commons to wysdome and vertue,
and to be asshamed of theyr foly and excessyfe lyuynge. of hym all the
Latyn poetes haue takyn example, and begynnynge to wryte Satyrs whiche the
grekes named Comedyes: As Fabius specifyeth in his X boke of institucions.
After Lucilius succeded Horacius, moche more eloquent in wrytynge whiche in
the same deseruyd great laude: Persius also left to vs onely one boke by
the whiche he commyttyd his name and laude to perpetuall memory. The last
and prynce of all was Juuenall whiche in his iocunde poemys comprehendyd al
that was wryten most eloquent and pleasaunt of all the poetis of that sorte
afore his tyme: O noble men, and diligent hertes and myndes, o laudable
maners and tymes, these worthy men exyled ydelnes, wherby they haue
obtayned nat small worshyp and great commodyte example and doctryne lefte
to vs theyr posteryours why begyn we nat to vnderstonde and perceyue. Why
worshyp nat the people of our tyme these poetis why do nat they reuerence
to ye interpretours of them do they nat vnderstonde: that no poetes wryte,
but outher theyr mynde is to do pleasure or els profyte to the reder, or
ellys they togyther wyll doo bothe profyte and pleasoure why are they
dyspysed of many rude carters of nowe a dayes which vnderstonde nat them,
And for lacke of them haue nat latyn to vtter and expresse ye wyl of their
mynde. Se whether poetes ar to be dispised. they laude vertue and hym that
vseth it rebukyng vices with the vsers therof, They teche what is good and
what is euyll: to what ende vyce, and what ende vertue bringeth vs, and do
nat Poetis reuyle and sharply byte in their poemys all suche as ar vnmeke,
Prowde, Couetous, Lecherous, Wanton, delycyous, Wrathfull glotons, wasters,
Enuyours, Enchauntours, faythebrakers, rasshe, vnauysed, malapert, drunken,
vntaught foles, and suche lyke. Shulde theyr writyng that suche thinges
disprayse and reuyle be dyspised of many blynde Dotardes y^t nowe lyue
whiche enuy that any man shulde haue or vnderstonde ye thyng whiche they
knowe nat. The Poetes also wyth great lawdes commende and exalt the noble
folowers of vertue ascribyng to euery man rewardes after his merytes. And
shortly to say, the intencion of al Poetes hath euer ben to repreue vyce:
and to commende vertue. But syns it is so that nowe in our dayes ar so many
neglygent and folysshe peple that they ar almost innumerable whiche
despisynge the loue of vertue: folowe the blyndenes and vanyte of this
worlde: it was expedient that of newe some lettred man, wyse, and subtil of
wyt shulde awake and touche ye open vices of foles that now lyue: and blame
theyr abhomynable lyfe. This fourme and lybertye of writinge, and charge
hathe taken vpon hym the Right excellent and worthy Mayster Sebastian Brant
Doctour of both the Lawes and noble Oratour and Poete to the comon welthe
of al people in playne and comon speche of Doche in the contrey of Almayne:
to the ymytacion of Dant Florentyne: and Francis Petrarche Poetes heroycal
which in their maternal langage haue composed maruelous Poemes and
ficcions. But amonge diuers inuencions composed of the sayde Sebastian
brant I haue noted one named ye Shyp of Foles moche expedient and necessary
to the redar which the sayd Sebastian composed in doche langage. And after
hym one called James Locher his Disciple translated the same into Laten to
the vnderstondinge of al Christen nacions where Laten is spoken. Than
another (whose name to me is vnknowen) translated the same into Frenche. I
haue ouersene the fyrst Inuencion in Doche and after that the two
translations in Laten and Frenche whiche in blaminge the disordred lyfe of
men of our tyme agreeth in sentence: threfolde in langage wherfore wylling
to redres the errours and vyces of this oure Royalme of Englonde: as the
foresayde composer and translatours hath done in theyr Contrees I haue
taken vpon me: howbeit vnworthy to drawe into our Englysshe tunge the sayd
boke named ye shyp of folys as nere to ye sayd thre Langages as the parcyte
of my wyt wyll suffer me. But ye reders gyue ye pardon vnto Alexander de
Barklay If ignoraunce negligence or lacke of wyt cause hym to erre in this
translacion his purpose and synguler desyre is to content youre myndes. And
sothely he hathe taken vpon hym the translacion of this present Boke
neyther for hope of rewarde nor lawde of man: but onely for the holsome
instruccion commodyte and Doctryne of wysdome, and to clense the vanyte and
madnes of folysshe people of whom ouer great nombre is in the Royalme of
Englonde. Therfore let euery man beholde and ouerrede this boke: And than I
doute nat but he shal se the errours of his lyfe of what condycyon that he
be. in lyke wyse as he shal se in a Myrrour the fourme of his countenaunce
and vysage: And if he amende suche fautes as he redeth here wherein he
knoweth hymself gylty, and passe forth the resydue of his lyfe in the order
of good maners than shall he haue the fruyte and auauntage wherto I haue
translatyd this boke.
* * * * *
Here begynneth the prologe.
Amonge the people of euery regyon
And ouer the worlde, south north eest and west
Soundeth godly doctryne in plenty and foyson
Wherin the grounde of vertue and wysdome doth rest
Rede gode and bad, and kepe the to the best
Was neuer more plenty of holsome doctryne
Nor fewer people that doth therto enclyne
We haue the Bybyll whiche godly doth expresse
Of the olde testament the lawes mysticall
And also of the newe our erour to redresse
Of phylosophy and other artes liberall
With other bokes of vertues morall
But thoughe suche bokes vs godly wayes shewe
We all ar blynde no man wyll them ensue
Banysshed is doctryne, we wander in derknes
Throughe all the worlde: our selfe we wyll not knowe
Wysdome is exyled, alas blynde folysshenes
Mysgydeth the myndes of people hye and lowe
Grace is decayed, yll governaunce doth growe
Both prudent Pallas and Minerua are slayne
Or els to heuyn retourned are they agayne
Knowledge of trouth, Prudence, and iust Symplicite
Hath vs clene left: For we set of them no store.
Our Fayth is defyled loue, goodnes, and Pyte:
Honest maners nowe ar reputed of: no more.
Lawyers ar lordes: but Justice is rent and tore.
Or closed lyke a Monster within dores thre.
For without mede: or money no man can hyr se.
Al is disordred: Vertue hathe no rewarde.
Alas, Compassion: and Mercy bothe ar slayne.
Alas, the stony hartys of pepyl ar so harde
That nought can constrayne theyr folyes to refrayne
But styl they procede: and eche other meyntayne.
So wander these foles: incresinge without nomber.
That al the worlde they vtterly encomber.
Blasphemers of Chryst; Hostlers; and Tauerners:
Crakars and bosters with Courters auenterous,
Bawdes and Pollers with comon extorcioners
Ar taken nowe adayes in the worlde moste glorious.
But the gyftes of grace and al wayes gracious
We haue excluded. Thus lyue we carnally:
Utterly subdued to al lewdnes and Foly.
Thus is of Foles a sorte almost innumerable.
Defilynge the worlde with syn and Vylany.
Some thynkinge them self moche wyse and commendable
Thoughe al theyr dayes they lyue vnthryftely.
No goodnes they perceyue nor to no goode aplye.
But if he haue a great wombe, and his Cofers ful
Than is none holde wyser bytwene London and Hul.
But to assemble these Foles in one bonde.
And theyr demerites worthely to note.
Fayne shal I Shyppes of euery maner londe.
None shalbe left: Barke, Galay, Shyp, nor Bote.
One vessel can nat brynge them al aflote.
For yf al these Foles were brought into one Barge
The bote shulde synke so sore shulde be the charge.
The sayles ar hawsed, a pleasant cole dothe blowe.
The Foles assembleth as fast as they may dryue.
Some swymmeth after: other as thycke doth rowe
In theyr small botes, as Bees about a hyue
The nomber is great, and eche one doth stryue
For to be chefe as Purser and Capytayne
Quarter mayster, Lodesman or els Boteswayne.
They ron to our shyp, eche one doth greatly fere
Lyst his slacke paas, sholde cause hym byde behynde
The wynde ryseth, and is lyke the sayle to tere
Eche one enforseth the anker vp to wynde
The se swellyth by planettes well I fynde
These obscure clowdes threteneth vs tempest
All are nat in bed whiche shall haue yll rest
We are full lade and yet forsoth I thynke
A thousand are behynde, whom we may not receyue
For if we do, our nauy clene shall synke
He oft all lesys that coueytes all to haue
From London Rockes almyghty god vs saue
For if we there anker, outher bote or barge
There be so many that they vs wyll ouercharge
Ye London Galantes, arere, ye shall nat enter
We kepe the streme, and touche nat the shore
In Cyte nor in Court we dare nat well auenter
Lyst perchaunce we sholde displeasure haue therfore
But if ye wyll nedes some shall haue an ore
And all the remenaunt shall stande afar at large
And rede theyr fautes paynted aboute our barge.
Lyke as a myrrour doth represent agayne
The fourme and fygure of mannes countenaunce
So in our shyp shall he se wrytyn playne
The fourme and fygure of his mysgouernaunce
What man is fautles, but outher ignoraunce
Or els wylfulnes causeth hym offende:
Than let hym nat disdayne this shyp, tyll he amende.
And certaynly I thynke that no creature
Lyuynge in this lyfe mortall in transytory
Can hym self kepe and stedfastly endure
Without all spot, as worthy eternall glory
But if he call to his mynde and memory
Fully the dedys both of his youthe and age
He wyll graunt in this shyp to kepe some stage
But who so euer wyll knowlege his owne foly
And it repent, lyuynge after in sympylnesse
Shall haue no place nor rowme more in our nauy
But become felawe to pallas the goddesse
But he that fyxed is in suche a blyndnesse
That thoughe he be nought he thynketh al is well
Suche shall in this Barge bere a babyll and a bell
These with other lyke may eche man se and rede
Eche by themselfe in this small boke ouerall
The fautes shall he fynde if he take good hede
Of all estatis as degres temporall
With gyders of dignytees spirituall
Bothe pore and riche, Chorles and Cytezyns
For hast to lepe a borde many bruse theyr shynnys
Here is berdles youth, and here is crokyd age
Children with theyr faders that yll do them insygne
And doth nat intende theyr wantones to swage
Nouther by worde nor yet by discyplyne
Here be men of euery science and doctryne
Lerned and vnlerned man mayde chylde and wyfe
May here se and rede the lewdenes of theyr lyfe.
Here ar vyle wymen: whome loue Immoderate
And lust Venereall bryngeth to hurt and shame.
Here ar prodigal Galantes: wyth mouers of debate.
And thousandes mo: whome I nat wel dare name.
Here ar Bacbyters whiche goode lyuers dyffame.
Brakers of wedlocke, men proude: and couetous:
Pollers, and pykers with folke delicious.
It is but foly to rehers the names here
Of al suche Foles: as in one Shelde or targe.
Syns that theyr foly dystynctly shal apere
On euery lefe: in Pyctures fayre and large.
To Barclays stody: and Pynsones cost and charge
Wherfore ye redars pray that they both may be saued
Before God, syns they your folyes haue thus graued.
But to thentent that euery man may knowe
The cause of my wrytynge: certes I intende
To profyte and to please both hye and lowe
And blame theyr fautes wherby they may amende
But if that any his quarell wyll defende
Excusynge his fautes to my derysyon
Knowe he that noble poetes thus haue done.
Afore my dayes a thousande yere ago
Blamynge and reuylynge the inconuenyence
Of people, wyllynge them to withdrawe therfro
Them I ensue: nat lyke of intellygence
And though I am nat to them lyke in science
Yet this is my wyll mynde and intencion
To blame all vyce lykewyse as they haue done.
To tender youth my mynde is to auayle
That they eschewe may all lewdenes and offence
Whiche doth theyr myndes often sore assayle
Closynge the iyen of theyr intellygence
But if I halt in meter or erre in eloquence
Or be to large in langage I pray you blame nat me
For my mater is so bad it wyll none other be.
* * * * *
[The Argument.]
Here after foloweth the Boke named the Shyp of Foles of the world:
translated out of Laten, French and Doche into Englysse in the Colege of
saynt Mary Otery By me Alexander Barclay to the felicite and moste holsom
instruccion of mankynde the whiche conteyneth al suche as wandre from the
way of trouth and from the open Path of holsom vnderstondynge and wysdom:
fallynge into dyuers blyndnesses of ye mynde, folysshe sensualytees, and
vndlawful delectacions of the body. This present Boke myght haue ben callyd
nat inconuenyently the Satyr (that is to say) the reprehencion of
foulysshnes, but the neweltye of the name was more plesant vnto the fyrst
actour to call it the Shyp of foles: For in lyke wyse as olde Poetes
Satyriens in dyuers Poesyes conioyned repreued the synnes and ylnes of the
peple at that tyme lyuynge: so and in lyke wyse this our Boke representeth
vnto the iyen of the redars the states and condicions of men: so that euery
man may behold within the same the cours of his lyfe and his mysgouerned
maners, as he sholde beholde the shadowe of the fygure of his visage within
a bright Myrrour. But concernynge the translacion of this Boke: I exhort ye
reders to take no displesour for y^t it is nat translated word by worde
acordinge to ye verses of my actour. For I haue but only drawen into our
moder tunge, in rude langage the sentences of the verses as nere as the
parcyte of my wyt wyl suffer me, some tyme addynge, somtyme detractinge and
takinge away suche thinges a semeth me necessary and superflue. wherfore I
desyre of you reders pardon of my presumptuous audacite trustynge that ye
shall holde me excused if ye consyder ye scarsnes of my wyt and my vnexpert
youthe. I haue in many places ouerpassed dyuers poetical digressions and
obscurenes of Fables and haue concluded my worke in rude langage as shal
apere in my translacion. But the speciyl cawse that mouethe me to this
besynes is to auoyde the execrable inconuenyences of ydilnes whyche (as
saint Bernard sayth) is moder of al vices: and to the vtter derision of
obstynat men delitynge them in folyes and mysgouernance. But bycause the
name of this boke semeth to the redar to procede of derysion: and by that
mean that the substance therof shulde nat be profitable: I wyl aduertise
you that this Boke is named the Shyp of foles of the worlde: For this
worlde is nought els but a tempestous se in the whiche we dayly wander and
are caste in dyuers tribulacions paynes and aduersitees: some by ignoraunce
and some by wilfulnes: wherfore suche doers ar worthy to be called foles.
syns they gyde them nat by reason as creatures resonable ought to do.
Therfore the fyrst actoure willynge to deuyde suche foles from wysemen and
gode lyuers: hathe ordeyned vpon the se of this worlde this present Shyp to
contayne these folys of ye worlde, whiche ar in great nomber. So that who
redeth it perfytely consyderynge his secrete dedys, he shall not lyghtly
excuse hym selfe out of it, what so euer good name y^t he hath outwarde in
the mouth of the comontye, And to the entent y^t this my laboure may be the
more pleasaunt vnto lettred men, I haue adioyned vnto the same ye verses of
my Actour with dyuerse concordaunces of the Bybyll to fortyfy my wrytynge
by the same, and also to stop the enuyous mouthes (If any suche shal be) of
them that by malyce shall barke ayenst this my besynes.
* * * * *
Here begynneth the foles and first inprofytable bokes.
[Illustration: I am the firste fole of all the hole nauy
To kepe the pompe, the helme and eke the sayle
For this is my mynde, this one pleasoure haue I
Of bokes to haue grete plenty and aparayle
I take no wysdome by them: nor yet auayle
Nor them preceyue nat: And then I them despyse
Thus am I a foole and all that sewe that guyse]
That in this shyp the chefe place I gouerne
By this wyde see with folys wanderynge
The cause is playne, and easy to dyscerne
Styll am I besy bokes assemblynge
For to haue plenty it is a plesaunt thynge
In my conceyt and to haue them ay in honde
But what they mene do I nat vnderstonde
But yet I haue them in great reuerence
And honoure sauynge them from fylth and ordure
By often brusshynge, and moche dylygence
Full goodly bounde in pleasaunt couerture
Of domas, satyn, or els of veluet pure
I kepe them sure ferynge lyst they sholde be lost
For in them is the connynge wherin I me bost.
But if it fortune that any lernyd men
Within my house fall to disputacion
I drawe the curtyns to shewe my bokes then
That they of my cunnynge sholde make probacion
I kepe nat to fall in altercacion
And whyle they comon my bokes I turne and wynde
For all is in them, and no thynge in my mynde.
Tholomeus the riche causyd longe agone
Ouer all the worlde good bokes to be sought
Done was his commaundement anone
These bokes he had and in his stody brought
Whiche passyd all erthly treasoure as he thought
But neuertheles he dyd hym nat aply
Unto theyr doctryne, but lyued unhappely.
Lo in lyke wyse of bokys I haue store
But fewe I rede, and fewer understande
I folowe nat theyr doctryne nor theyr lore
It is ynoughe to bere a boke in hande
It were to moche to be it suche a bande
For to be bounde to loke within the boke
I am content on the fayre couerynge to loke
Why sholde I stody to hurt my wyt therby
Or trouble my mynde with stody excessyue
Sythe many ar whiche stody right besely
And yet therby shall they neuer thryue
The fruyt of wysdom can they nat contryue
And many to stody so moche are inclynde
That utterly they fall out of theyr mynde
Eche is nat lettred that nowe is made a lorde
Nor eche a clerke that hath a benefyce
They are nat all lawyers that plees doth recorde
All that are promotyd are nat fully wyse
On suche chaunce nowe fortune throwys hir dyce
That thoughe one knowe but the yresshe game
Yet wolde he haue a gentyllmannys name
So in lyke wyse I am in suche case
Thoughe I nought can I wolde be callyd wyse
Also I may set another in my place
Whiche may for me my bokes excercyse
Or else I shall ensue the comon gyse
And say concedo to euery argument
Lyst by moche speche my latyn sholde be spent
I am lyke other Clerkes whiche so frowardly them gyde.
That after they ar onys come vnto promocion
They gyue them to plesour theyr stody set asyde.
Theyr Auaryce couerynge with fayned deuocion.
Yet dayly they preche: and haue great derysyon
Against the rude Laymen: and al for Couetyse.
Though theyr owne Conscience be blynded w^t that vyce.
But if I durst trouth playnely vtter and expresse.
This is the special cause of this Inconuenyence.
That greatest foles, and fullest of lewdnes
Hauynge least wyt: and symplest Science
Ar fyrst promoted: and haue greatest reuerence
For if one can flater, and bere a hawke on his Fyst
He shalbe made Person of Honyngton or of Clyst.
But he that is in Stody ay ferme and diligent.
And without al fauour prechyth Chrystys lore
Of al the Comontye nowe adayes is sore shent.
And by Estates thretened to Pryson oft therfore.
Thus what auayle is it, to vs to Stody more:
To knowe outher scripture, trouth, wysedom, or vertue
Syns fewe, or none without fauour dare them shewe.
But O noble Doctours, that worthy ar of name:
Consyder our olde faders: note wel theyr diligence:
Ensue ye theyr steppes: obtayne ye such fame,
As they dyd lyuynge: and that by true Prudence.
Within theyr hartys they planted theyr scyence
And nat in plesaunt bokes. But nowe to fewe suche be.
Therefore in this Shyp let them come rowe with me.
THE ENUOY OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY TRANSLATOUR EXORTYNGE THE FOLES ACCLOYED
WITH THIS VICE TO AMENDE THEYR FOLY.
Say worthy doctours and Clerkes curious:
What moueth you of Bokes to haue such nomber.
Syns dyuers doctrines throughe way contrarious.
Doth mannys mynde distract and sore encomber.
Alas blynde men awake, out of your slomber
And if ye wyl nedys your bokes multyplye
With diligence endeuer you some to occupye.
* * * * *
Of euyl Counsellours, Juges and men of lawe.
[Illustration: He that Office hath and hyghe autorite.
To rule a Royalme: as Juge or Counsellour
Which seynge Justice, playne ryght and equyte
Them falsly blyndeth by fauour or rigour
Condemnynge wretches gyltles. And to a Transgressour
For mede shewinge fauour. Suche is as wyse a man
As he that wolde seeth a quycke Sowe in a Pan.]
Right many labours nowe, with hyghe diligence
For to be Lawyers the Comons to counsayle.
Therby to be in honour had and in reuerence
But onely they labour for theyr pryuate auayle.
The purs of the Clyent shal fynde hym apparayle.
And yet knowes he neyther lawe good counsel nor Justice.
But speketh at auenture: as men throwe the dyce.
Suche in the Senate ar taken oft to counsayle
With Statis of this and many a other region.
Whiche of theyr maners vnstable ar and frayle
Nought of Lawe Ciuyl knowinge nor Canon.
But wander in derknes clerenes they haue none.
O noble Rome thou gat nat thy honours
Nor general Empyre by suche Counsellours.
Whan noble Rome all the worlde dyd gouerne
Theyr councellers were olde men iust and prudent
Whiche egally dyd euery thynge descerne
Wherby theyr Empyre became so excellent
But nowe a dayes he shall haue his intent
That hath most golde, and so it is befall
That aungels worke wonders in westmynster hall.
There cursyd coyne makyth the wronge seme right
The cause of hym that lyueth in pouertye
Hath no defence, tuycion, strength nor myght
Suche is the olde custome of this faculte
That colours oft cloke Justyce and equyte
None can the mater fele nor vnderstonde
Without the aungell be weyghty in his honde
Thus for the hunger of syluer and of golde
Justyce and right is in captyuyte
And as we se nat gyuen fre, but solde
Nouther to estates, nor sympell comonte
And though that many lawyers rightwysnes be
Yet many other dysdayne to se the ryght
And they ar suche as blynde Justycis syght
There is one and other alleged at the barre
And namely suche as chrafty were in glose
Upon the lawe: the clyentis stande afarre
Full lytell knowynge howe the mater goose
And many other the lawes clene transpose
Folowynge the example, of lawyers dede and gone
Tyll the pore Clyentis be etyn to the bone
It is not ynough to conforme thy mynde
Unto the others faynyd opynyon
Thou sholde say trouthe, so Justyce doth the bynde
And also lawe gyueth the commyssyon
To knowe hir, and kepe hir without transgressyon
Lyst they whome thou hast Juged wrongfully
Unto the hye Juge for vengeaunce on the crye.
Perchaunce thou thynkest that god taketh no hede
To mannes dedys, nor workes of offence
Yes certaynly he knowes thy thought and dede
No thynge is secrete, nor hyd from his presence
Wherefore if thou wylt gyde the by prudence
Or thou gyue Jugement of mater lesse or more
Take wyse mennys reade and good counsayle before
Loke in what Balance, what weyght and what mesure
Thou seruest other. for thou shalt serued be
With the same after this lyfe I the ensure.
If thou ryghtwysly Juge by lawe and equyte
Thou shalt haue presence of goddes hyghe maiestye
But if thou Juge amys: than shall Eacus
(As Poetis sayth) hell Juge thy rewarde discusse
God is aboue and regneth sempiternally.
Whiche shall vs deme at his last Jugement,
And gyue rewardes to echone egally
After suche fourme as he his lyfe hath spent
Than shall we them se whome we as violent
Traytours: haue put to wronge in worde or dede
And after our deserte euen suche shall be our mede
There shall be no Bayle nor treatynge of maynpryse
Ne worldly wysdome there shall no thynge preuayle
There shall be no delayes vntyll another Syse
But outher quyt, or to infernall Gayle.
Ill Juges so iuged, Lo here theyr trauayle
Worthely rewarded in wo withouten ende.
Than shall no grace be graunted ne space to amende.