by Richard Jones; dwelling in the
upper end of Fleet lane,
at the sign of the
_Spread Eagle_.
_The Printer to the Reader._
WHAT lack you, Master mine?
some trifle that is true?
Why then, this same will serve your turn;
the which is also new.
Or if you mind to read
some Fables that be feigned:
Buy this same book! and ye shall find
such in the same contained.
Perchance, my words be thought
uncredible to you;
Because I say this Treatise is
both false and also true.
The matter of itself
is true, as many know:
And in the same, some feignèd tales
the Author doth bestow.
Therefore buy this same book
of him that here doth dwell;
And you, I know, will say you have
bestowed your money well.
Farewell.
Is. W.
_To her unconstant Lover._
AS close as you your wedding kept,
yet now the truth I hear:
Which you, ere now, might me have told.
What need you "Nay!" to swear?
You know I always wished you well;
so will I during life!
But sith you shall a Husband be;
GOD send you a good Wife!
And this, whereso you shall become,
full boldly may you boast:
That once you had as true a Love
as dwelt in any coast.
Whose constantness had never quailed,
if you had not begun:
And yet it is not so far past,
but might again be won.
If you so would, yea and not change
so long as life should last:
But if that needs you marry must;
then Farewell! Hope is past!
And if you cannot be content
to lead a single life,
Although the same right quiet be:
then take me to your Wife!
So shall the promises be kept
that you so firmly made:
Now choose, Whether ye will be true,
or be of SINON's trade?
Whose trade if that you long shall use,
it shall your kindred stain!
Example take by many a one,
whose falsehood now is plain.
As by ENEAS, first of all,
who did poor DIDO leave;
Causing the Queen by his untruth,
with sword her heart to cleave.
Also I find that THESEUS did
his faithful Love forsake;
Stealing away within the night,
before she did awake.
JASON, that came of noble race
two Ladies did beguile:
I muse how he durst show his face
to them that knew his wile.
For when he, by MEDEA's art,
had got the Fleece of Gold;
And also had of her, that time,
all kinds of things he would:
He took his ship, and fled away;
regarding not the vows
That he did make so faithfully
unto his loving Spouse.
How durst he trust the surging seas,
knowing himself forsworn?
Why did he 'scape safe to land
before the ship was torn?
I think King ÆOLUS stayed the winds,
and NEPTUNE ruled the sea;
Then might he boldly pass the waves:
no perils could him slay.
But if his falsehood had to them
been manifest before;
They would have rent the ship as soon
as he had gone from shore.
Now may you hear how falseness is
made manifest in time;
Although they that commit the same
think it a venial crime.
For they, for their unfaithfulness,
did get perpetual fame.
Fame! Wherefore did I term it so?
I should have called it shame.
Let THESEUS be! let JASON pass!
let PARIS also 'scape,
That brought destruction unto Troy,
all through the Grecian rape.
And unto me a TROILUS be!
If not, you may compare
With any of these persons that
above expressèd are.
But if I cannot please your mind,
for wants that rest in me:
Wed whom you list! I am content
your refuse for to be.
It shall suffice me, simple soul,
of thee to be forsaken:
And it may chance, although not yet,
you wish, you had me taken.
But rather than you should have cause
to wish this, through your Wife:
I wish to her, ere you her have,
no more but loss of life.
For she that shall so happy be,
of thee to be elect;
I wish her virtues to be such,
she need not be suspect!
I rather wish her HELEN's face,
than one of HELEN's trade!
With chasteness of PENELOPE,
the which did never fade.
A LUCRECE for her constancy,
and THISBE for her truth!
If such thou have, then PETO be:
not PARIS, that were ruth!
Perchance, ye will think this thing rare
in one woman to find.
Save HELEN's beauty, all the rest
the gods have me assigned.
These words I do not speak, thinking
from thy new Love to turn thee!
Thou knowest by proof what I deserve!
I need not to inform thee.
But let that pass! Would God I had
CASSANDRA's gift me lent!
Then either thy ill chance, or mine,
my foresight might prevent.
But all in vain for this I seek.
Wishes may not attain it!
Therefore may hap to me what shall;
and I cannot refrain it.
Wherefore I pray, GOD be my guide,
and also thee defend!
No worser than I wish myself,
until thy life shall end!
Which life, I pray GOD, may again
King NESTOR's life renew!
And after that, your soul may rest
amongst the heavenly crew!
Thereto I wish King XERXES's wealth,
or else King CRŒSUS's gold!
With as much rest and quietness
as man may have on mold!
And when you shall this letter have
let it be kept in store!
For she that sent the same, hath sworn
as yet to send no more.
And now, "Farewell!" For why? At large
my mind is here exprest:
The which you may perceive, if that
you do peruse the rest.