Works, Poem 1

Works · Poem 1

The complaint of the Papingo.

QVho clymmis to hich, ꝑforce his feit mon faill

Expreme I ſall that be Experience,

Geue that ȝow pleis, to heir one pieteous taill,

How one fair Bird be fatall violence

Deuorit wes, and micht mak no d…fence

Contrair the deith, ſo failȝeit Naturall ſtrenth,

As efter I ſall ſchaw ȝow at more lenth.

¶ One Papyngo richt pleſand and perfyte,

Preſentit was tyll our moſt nobill King

Of quhom his grace one lang tyme had delyte,

More fair of forme, I wat flew neuer on wing.

This proper bird he gaue in gouerning

To me quhilk wes his ſimpyll ſeruiture,

On quhome I nid my diligence and cure.

☞ To lerne hir language Artificiall

To play platfute, and quhiſſill fute before,

Bot of hir Inclynatioun Naturall

Scho countrafaitit all fowlis les and more

Of hir curage, ſcho wald without my lore,

Sing lyke the Merle, and craw lyke to the cok,

Pew lyke the Gled, and chant lyke the Lauerok.

¶Bark lyke ane Dog, and kekill lyke ane ka,

Blait lyke ane Hog, and buller lyke ane bull,

Gaill lyke ane goik, and greit quhē ſcho wes wa…

Clym on ane cord, ſyne lauch, and play the fule,

Scho micht hauehave bene ane menſtrall agane ȝule,

This blyſſit bird wes to me ſo pleſand

Quhare euer I fure, I bure hir on my hand,

And ſo befell, in tyll ane mirthfull morrow,

In to my garth, I paſt me to repoſe,

This bird and I, as we wer wount aforrow,

Amang the flowris freſche, fragrant, & formoſe.

My vitall ſpreitis dewlie did reioſe

Quhen Phebus roſe, and raue the cloudis ſabill

Throuch brichtnes of his bemis amyabill.

Without vapour was weill purificate

The temperate air, ſoft, ſober, and ſerene.

The erth, be Nature ſo edificate

With holſum herbis, blew, quhyte, reid, & grene,

Quhilk eleuate my ſpreitis frome the ſplene

That day Saturne, nor Mars, durſt not appeir,

Nor Eole, of his Coue he durſt nocht ſteir.

That day perforce behuffit to be fair,

Be influence, and cours celeſtiall.

No Planeit preiſit for to perturb the air,

For Mercurius, be mouyng naturall

Exaltit wes, in to the throne tryumphall

Of his Manſioun, vntounto the fyftene gre

In his awin ſouerane ſigne of Virgine.

That day did Phebus pleſandlie depart,

Frome Gemini, and enterit in Cancer.

That day Cupido, did extend his dart,

Venus that day coniunit with Iuppiter.

That day Neptunus, hid hym lyke one ſker,

That day dame Nature, with greit beſines

Fortherit Flora, to kith hir craftines.

And retrograde wes Mars, in Capricorne,

And Cynthia, in Sagittar aſſeiſit,

That day dame Ceres, goddes of the corne

Full Ioyfullie Iohne Vponland appleſit.

The bad eſpect of Saturne wes appeiſit,

That day be Iuno, of Iuppiter the Ioy

Pertuband ſpreitis cauſing to hald coy,

The ſound of birdis, ſurmontit all the ſkyis,

With melodie of notis Muſicall,

The balmy droppis of dew Titan vpdryis

Hingand vponupon the tender twiſtis ſmall.

The heuinlie hew, and ſound Angelicall,

Sic perfyte pleſour, printit in myne hart

That w^t greit pyne, from thyne I micht depart.

So ſtill amang thoſe herbis amiabill

I did remane one ſpace, for my paſtance.

Bot warldlie pleſour, bene ſo variabill,

Myxit with ſorrow, dreid, and Inconſtance,

That thare in tyll is no contynuance.

So micht I ſay, my ſchort ſolace allace,

Was dreuin in dolour, in one lytle ſpace

For in that garth, amang thoſe fragrand flouris

Walkyng allone, none bot my bird and I.

VntoUnto the tyme, that I had ſaid myne houris,

This Bird I ſet vponupon one branche me by.

Bot ſcho began to ſpeill richt ſpedilie,

And in that tre ſcho did ſo hich aſcend,

That be no way I micht hir apprehend.

Sweit bird (ſaid I) be war mont nocht ouer hie,

Returne in tyme, perchance thy feit may failȝe,

Thow art richt fat, and nocht weill vſit to fle,

The gredie gled, I dreid ſcho the aſſailȝe.

I wyll ſaid ſcho aſcend, vailȝe quod vailȝe,

It is my kynd, to clym ay to the hicht

Of fether and bone, I wat weill I am wicht.

¶ So on the hicheſt lytle tender twiſt

With wyng diſplayit, ſcho ſat full wantounlie.

Bot Boreas blew one blaſt, or euer ſcho wiſt,

Quhilk brak the branche ād blew hir ſuddandlie

Doun to the ground, with mony cairfull crie

VponUpon ane ſto…, ſcho lichtit on hir breiſt,

The blude ruſchit out, and ſcho cryit for a preiſt.

God wat gyf than my hart wes wo begone,

To ſe that fowl flychter amang the flouris,

Quhilk w^t greit murning, gan to mak hir mone:

Now cummin ar (ſaid ſcho) the fatall houris

Of bitter deith, now mon I thole the ſchouris.

O dame Nature, I pray the of thy grace,

Len me laiſer to ſpeik one lytle ſpace,

For to complene my fate Infortunate,

And to diſpone my geir or I depart,

Sen of all confort I am deſolate

Allone, except the deith heir with his dart,

With aufull cheir, reddy to pers myne hart

And with that word, ſcho tuke one paſſioun,

Syne flatlingis fell, and ſwappit in to ſwoun.

With ſory hart, perſit with compaſſioun,

And ſalt teiris, diſtillyng frome myne Ene,

To heir that birdis lamentatioun,

I did approche, vnderunder ane Hauthorne grene

Quhare I micht heir, and ſe, and be vnſene

And quhen this bird had ſwounit twyſe or thryſe

Scho gan to ſpeik, ſaying on this wyſe.

O fals Fortune, quhy hes thou me begylit?

This day at morne quho knew this cairfull cace?

Vane hope in the my reſoun haith exylit,

Hauyng ſic traiſt in to thy fenȝeit face,

That euer I wes brocht in to the court allace:

Had I in forreſt flowin amang my feiris,

I mycht full weill hauehave leuit mony ȝeiris.

¶ Prudent counſell, allace I did refuſe,

Agane reſoun, vſing myne appetyte.

Ambitioun did ſo myne hart abuſe,

That Eolus, had me in greit diſpyte.

Poeitis, of me haith mater to indyte,

Quhilk clam ſo hich, and wo is me tharefore,

Nocht douting, that the deith durſt me deuore,

This day at morne, my forme and feddrem fair,

Abufe the proude Pacok war precelland

And now one catyue carioun full of tair

Bathand in blude, doun from my hart diſtelland

And in myne eir, the bell of deith bene knelland.

O fals warld, fy on thy felicite

Thy Pryde, Auarice, and Immundicite.

In the I ſe no thing bene permanent,

Of thy ſchort ſolace, ſorrow is the end,

Thy fals Infortunate giftis bene bot lent,

This day ful proude, the morne no thing to ſpēd,

O ȝe that doith pretend ay tyll aſcend,

My fatall end, hauehave in rememberance,

And ȝow defend, frome ſic vnhappy chance.

Quhydder that I wes ſtrickin in extaſie,

Or throuch one ſtark Imaginatioun,

Bot it appeirit in myne Fantaſie,

I hard this dolent lamentatioun.

Thus dullit in to deſolatioun,

Me thocht this bird, did breue in hir maneir

Hir counſall to the King, as ȝe ſall heir.

The firſt Epyſtill of the Papyngo, Directit to king Iames the Fyft.

PRepotent Prence, peirles of pulchritude

Glore, honour, laud, tryumphe and victorie,

Be to thy hich excellent Celſitude

With Martiall deidis, digne of memorie,

Sen Atropos conſumit haith my glorie

And dolent deith allace mon vsus depart

I leif to the my trew vnfenȝeit hart,

To gidder, with this Cedull ſubſequent,

With moiſt reuerent Reconmendatioun.

I grant thy grace, gettis mony one document

Be famous Fatheris predicatioun,

With mony notabill Naratioun,

Be pleſande Poeitis in ſtyle Heroicall

Quhow thow ſulde gyde thy Sait Imperiall,

Sum doith deplore the greit Calamiteis,

Of diuers Realmes Tranſmutatioun.

Sum pieteouſlie doith treit of Tragedeis,

All for thy graces Informatioun.

So I intend, but adulatioun

In to my barbour ruſticall indyte,

Amang the reſt, ſchir, ſum thing for to wryte.

Souerane conſaue this ſimpyll ſimilitude,

Of officiaris, ſeruing thy Senȝeorie.

Quho gydis thame weil gettis of thy grace greit gude.

Quho bene Iniuſt, degradit ar of glorie

And Cancellat out of thy memorie,

Prouiding ſyne more pleſand in thare place.

Beleue rycht ſo, ſall God do with thy grace.

Conſidder weill, thow bene bot officiare,

And Waſſall, to that king Imcomparabill.

Preis thow to pleis that puiſſant prince preclare,

Thy riche reward ſalbe Ineſtimabill,

Exaltit hich in glore Interminabill

Aboue Archāgellis, Virtues, Poteſtatis,

Pleſandlie placit amang the Principatis.

Of thy vertew, Poeitis perpetuallie,

Sall mak mentioun, vntounto the warld be endit,

So thou excers thyne office prudentlie,

In heuin, and erth, thy grace ſalbe commendit.

Quharefor effeir, that he be nocht offendit,

Quhilk hes exaltit the to ſic honour

Of his peple to be one gouernour.

And in the erth, haith maid ſic Ordinance,

VnderUnder thy feit, all thing terreſtriall

Ar ſubiect to thy pleſour and paſtance,

Boith fowll and fiſche, and beiſtis paſtorall,

Men to thy ſeruice, and wemē, thay bene thrall,

Halking, hunting, armes, and leiffull amour,

Preordinat ar be God, for thy pleſour.

Maiſteris of Muſike, to recreate thy ſpreit,

With dantit voce and pleſand Inſtrument.

Thus thou may be of all pleſouris repleit,

So in thyne office thow be deligent,

Bot be thow found ſleuthfull, or negligent,

Or Iniuſt, in thyne Executioun,

Thow ſall nocht faill Deuine punitioun.

Quharefor, ſen thow hes ſic Capacite

To lerne to play ſo pleſandlie, and ſing,

Ryde hors, ryn ſpeiris, with greit audacite

Schut with hand bow croſbow and culuering,

Amang the reſt (Schir) lerne to be ane king.

Kyith on that craft, thy pregnant freſche ingyne

Grantit to the, be Influence Deuyne.

¶ And ſen the Definitioun of ane king,

Is for to hauehave, of peple gouernance,

Addres the firſt, abufe all vther thing,

Tyll put thy body, tyll ſic Ordinance,

That thyne vertew, thyn chonour may auance.

For quhow ſuld Princis gouerne greit regionis

That can not dewly gyde thare awin perſonis?

And geue thy grace wald leif rycht pleſandlie,

Call thy counſall, and caſt on thame the cure.

Thare Iuſt Decreitis defend, and fortifie,

But gude counſall, may no Prince lang indure,

Wyrk with counſall, than ſall thy work be ſure.

Cheis thy counſale, of the moſt Sapient,

Without regard, to blude, riches, or rent.

Amang all vther paſtyme and pleſour,

Now in thy Adoleſcent ȝeiris ȝing

Wald thow ilk day, ſtudie bot half one hour,

The Regiment of Princelie gouerning,

To thy peple it war ane pleſand thing

Thare mycht thou fynd thyne awin vocatioun,

Quhow y^u ſuld vſe thy ſceptour, ſwerd & croun.

❧ The Cronikillis to knaw I the Exhort,

Quhilk may be Mirrour to thy Maieſte.

Thare ſall thow fynd, boith gude & euill report

Of euerilk Prince, efter his qualite.

Thocht thay be dede, thare deidis ſall nocht de,

Traiſt weill thow ſalbe ſtylit in that ſtorie

As thow deſeruis, put in memorie.

Requeiſt that Roy, quhilk rent wes on the rude,

The to defend frome deidis of defame,

That no Poeit report of the bot gude,

For Princes dayis Induris bot ane drame.

Sen firſt king Fergus bure ane Dyadame,

Thow art the laſt king, of fyue ſcore and fyue,

And all ar dede, and none bot thow on lyue.

Of quhoſe number, fiftie and fyue bene ſlane,

And moiſt part in thare awin miſgouernance.

Quharfor, I the beſeik my Souerane,

Conſidder of thare lyuis the Circumſtance.

And quhē thow knawis y^e cauſe of thare miſchāce

Of vertew than, exalt thy ſaillis on hie,

Traiſting to chaip that fatall deſtenie.

Treit ilk trew Barroun, as he war thy brother,

Quhilk mon at neid, the and thy Realme defend.

Quhen ſuddandlie one doith oppres one vther,

Lat Iuſtice myxit with mercy thame amend.

HaueHave thou thair hartis, thou hes yneuch to ſpēd.

And be the contrair, thow art bot king of bone,

Frō tyme thine heiris hartis bene from the gone.

I hauehave no laſer, for to wryte at lenth.

Myne hole intent, vntyll thyne Excellence,

Decreſſit ſo I am in wit, and ſtrenth,

My mortall wound doith me ſic violence,

Peple of me may hauehave Experience.

Becauſe allace, I wes Incounſolabill,

Now mon I de ane Catyue Miſerabill.

☞ ✚ ☜

The Secund Epiſtill of the Papyngo, directit to hir Brether of Court.

BBETHER of court, with mynd precordiall

To the greit God, hartlie I cōmend ȝow,

Imprent my fall, in ȝour memoriall,

To gidder with this E…dull that I ſend ȝow.

To preis ouer hich, I pray ȝow not pretend ȝow,

The vane aſcens of court, quho wyll conſidder,

Quho ſittith moſt hie, ſal …ind y^e ſait moſt ſlidder.

So ȝe that now, be lanſing vp the ledder,

Tak tent in tyme, feſt…ning ȝour ſingaris faſt.

Quho climmis moſt hich, moſt dint hes of y^e wedder

And leiſt defence aganis the bitter blaſt,

Of fals fortune▪ quhilk takith neuer reſt,

Bot moſt redoutit daylie ſcho doun thringis,

Not ſparing Paipis, Conquerouris, nor Kingis.

Thocht ȝe be montit vp aboue the ſkyis,

And hes boith King, and court in gouernance,

Sū was als hich, quhilk now richt lawly lyis,

Complanyng ſore the courtis variance.

Thare pret…rite tyme, may be experience,

Quhilk throw vane hope of court did clym ſo hie,

Syne wātit wingis, quhē thay wend beſt to fle.

Sen ilk court bene vntraiſt and tranſitorie,

Changing als oft, as weddercok in wind,

Sum mak and glaid and vther ſum richt ſorie,

Formaiſt this day, the morne may go behind,

Lat not vane hope of court ȝour reſone blind.

Traiſt weill ſum mē, wyl gif ȝow laud as lordis,

Quhilk wald be glaid, to ſe ȝow hang in cordis,

¶I durſt declair the myſerabilite,

Of diuers courtis, war not my tyme bene ſchort

The dreidfull change, vane glore, and vilite

The painfull pleſour, as Poeitis doith report

Sum tyme in hope, ſum tyme in diſconfort,

And how ſū mē dois ſpend thair ȝoutheid haill

In Court, ſyne endis in the hoſpytaill.

Quhow ſum in court bene quiet counſalouris,

Without regard to commoun weill or kingis,

Caſting thare cure for to be Conquerouris.

And quhen thay bene hich raiſit in thare ringis.

How change of court yam dulfully doun thringꝭ,

And quhen thay bene frome thair eſtait depoſit

Quhow mony of thare fall bene richt reioſit.

And quhow fond fenȝeit fulis and flatteraris

For ſmall ſeruice obtenis greit rewardis.

Pandaris, pykthankis cuſtrouis, ād clatteraris,

Loupis vp frō laddis, ſyne lichtis amang lardis,

Blaſphemarouris, beggaris, & cōmoun bairdis,

Sum tyme in Court hes more auctorite,

Nor deuote Doctouris in Diuinite.

Quhow in ſum chuntre bene barnis of Beliall.

Full of diſſimulit payntit flatterie,

Prouocand be Intoxicat counſall

Princis till huredome, and till haſardrie,

Quho dois in Princis prent ſic harlotrie

I ſay for me ſic pert prouocatouris

Suld puniſchet be abufe all ſtrang tratouris.

Quhat trauers, troubill and Calamite?

Haith bene in court, within thir houndreth ȝeiris

Quhat mortal changis, and quhat miſerie?

Quhat nobil men, bene brocht vponupon thair heiris,

Traiſt weill my freindis, follow ȝe mō ȝour feiris

So ſen in Court bene uo tranquillite

Set nocht on it ȝour hole felicite,

The court changis ſumtyme with ſic outrage,

That few or none, may makin refiſtence

And ſpairis not the Prince, more than the page,

As weill apperith be Experience:

The Duke of Rotheſay, micht mak no defence,

Quhilk wes pertenand Roy of this regioun

Bot dulefully deuorit in preſoun.

Quhat dreid quhat dolour, had that nobil king

Robert the thrid, from tyme he knew the cace

Of his two Sonnis dolent departing?

Prince Dauid deid, and Iames captyne allace,

Till trew Scottis mē quhilk wes a cairful cace.

Thus may ȝe knaw, the court bene variand,

Quhē blude royal, the change may not ganeſtād.

Quho rang in court, more hie and tryumphand,

Nor Duke Murdok, quhil that his day …ourit?

Was he nocht greit Protectour of Scotland?

Ȝit of the court, he was nocht weil aſſurit.

It changit ſo, his lang ſeruice was ſmurit,

He and his Sone, fair Walter but remeid

Forfaltit war, and put to dulefull deid.

King Iames the firſt, the patroun of prudence,

Gem of Ingyne, and perll of policie

Well of Iuſtice, and flude of Eloquence

Quhoſe vertew doith tranſcend my fantaſie,

For tyll diſcryue, ȝit quhen he ſtude moſt hie,

Be fals Exorbitant conſpiratioun

That prudent Prince, wes pieteouſlie put doun.

Als Iames the ſecund, Roy of greit renonn,

Beand in his ſuperexcellent glore

Throuch rakles ſchuting of ane greit cannoun

The dolent deith, allace did hym deuore.

One thing thare bene, of quhilk I meruell more.

That Fortune had, at hym ſic mortall feid

Throuch fiftie thouſand, to wail hym be the heid.

My hart is perſt with panis for to pance,

Or wryte that Courtis variatioun

Of Iames the thrid, quhen he had gouernance,

The dolour, dreid, and deſolatioun,

The change of Court, and conſpiratioun,

And quhow that Cochrane with his companie,

That tyme in Court clam ſo preſumpteouſlie.

It had bene gude, thai bernes had bene vnborne

Be quhome that nobill Prince wes ſo abuſit.

Thay grew as did the weid abufe the corne,

That prudent Lordis counſall wes refuſit,

And held hym quiet, as he had bene incluſit.

Allace that Prince, be thare abuſioun

Was finallie brocht to confuſioun.

Thay clam ſo hich, and gat ſic audience,

And with thare Prince, grew ſo familiar,

His Germane brother, micht get no preſence,

The Duke of Albanie, nor the Erle of Mar,

Lyke baneiſt men, was haldin at the bar,

Tyll in the King, thare grew ſic mortall feid,

He flemit the Duke, and pat the Erle to deid.

Thus Cochrane, with his catyue companie

Forſit thame to fle, bot ȝit thay wantit fedderis

Abuſe the hich Cederis of Libanie,

Thay clam ſo hie, til thay lap ouir thair ledderis,

On Lawder brig, ſyne kaippit wer in tedderis,

Stranglit to deith, thay gat none vther grace,

Thair king captiue, quhilk wes ane cairful cace,

Tyll put in forme, that fait Infortunate,

And mortall change, perturbith myne ingyne.

My wit bene waik, my fyngeris fatigate,

To dyte, or wryte, the rancour and rewyne

The Ciuill weir, the battell Inteſtyne,

How that the Sone, with baner braid diſplayit

Agane the Father, in Battell cum arrayit.

Wald God y^e prince had bene that day confortit

With Sapience of the prudent Salomon,

And w^t ye ſtrenth of ſtrang Sampſon ſupportit.

With the bauld Oiſt of greit Agamemnon.

Quhat ſuld I wis, remedie wes thare none

At morne ane king, w^t ſceptour ſwerd and croun.

At ewin, ane deid deformit carioun.

Allace quhare bene, that richt redoutit Roy,

That potent prince, gentill king Iames y^e feird

I pray to Chriſt, his Saule for to conuey,

Ane greiter nobill, tang nocht in to the end.

O Atropus, warie we may thy weird

For he wes Mirrour of humilite

Lode ſterne, and lamp of liberalitie.

During his tyme, ſo Iuſtice did preuaill,

The Sauage Iles, trymblit for terrour.

Eſkdale, Euiſdale, Liddiſſdaill, and Anuandaill

Durſt nocht rebell, douting his dyntis dour,

And of his Lordis, had ſic perfyte fauour

So for to ſchaw, that he effe… it no fene

Out throuch his realme, he wald tyde him alone.

And of his court, throuch Europe ſprāg y^e fame.

Of luſtie Lordis, and lufeſum Ladyis ȝing,

Tryumphand tornayis iuſting & knichtly game,

With all paſtyme, according for ane king.

He wes the glore, of Princelie gouerning

Quhilk throuch the ardent lufe he had to France

Agane Ingland, did moue his Ordinance.

Of Floddoun feild, the rewyne to reuolue,

Or that moſt dolent day for tyll deplore,

I nyll for dreid, that dolour ȝow diſſolue,

Schaw how that prince in his tryumphād glore

Deſtroyit was, quhat nedith proces more,

Nocht be the vertew of Inglis ordinance,

Bot be his a win wilfull miſgouernance.

Allace that day, had he bene counſalabill

He had obtenit laud, glore, and victorie.

Quhoſe picreous proces, bene ſo lamentabill,

I nyll at lenth, it put in memorie.

I neuer red, in Tragedie nor ſtorie,

At one Iornay, ſo mony Nobillis ſlane

For the defence, and lufe of thare Souerane.

Now brether mark, in ȝour remembrance,

Ane Mirrour of thoſe mutabiliteis.

So may ȝe knaw, the Courtis inconſtance,

Quhen princis bene thus pullit frome thare ſeis.

Efter quhoſe deith, quhat ſtrange aduerſiteis,

Quhat greit miſrewll, in to this Regioun rang

Quhē our ȝong prince could nother ſpek nor gāg

During his tender ȝouth, & innocence,

Quhat ſtouth, quhat reif, quhat murthur & miſchāce?

Thair wes not ellis bot wraking of vengeance,

In to that Court thare rang ſic variance.

Diuers rewlaris, maid diuers ordināce.

Sum tyme our Qeuene, rang in auctoritie,

Sum tyme the prudent Duke of Albanie.

Sum tyme the realme, was reulit be Regentis,

Sum tyme Lufetenentis, le. daris of the law.

Than rang ſo mony Iobedientis,

That few or none, ſtude of ane vther aw

Oppreſſioun did ſo lowd his Bugill blaw,

That none durſt ryde, bot in to feir of weir,

Iok vp onland, that tyme did mys his meir.

Quho was more hich, in honour eleuate,

Nor was Margarete, our hich & michtie princes?

Sic power, was to hic appropriate

Of king, and realme ſcho wes gouernores.

Ȝit come one change, within ane ſchort proces,

That perle preclare, that luſty pleſand quene,

Lang tyme durſt nocht in to the court be ſene.

The Archebiſchop of ſāctādres Iames Betoun,

Chancellare, and prima ein po… et Paſtorall

Clam nyxt the king, moſt hich in this regioun,

The ledder ſchuke, he lap and gat one fall,

Auctorite, nor power ſpirituall,

Riches, freindſchip, micht not that tyme preuail,

Quhen dame Curia began to ſteir hir taill.

His hich prudence aualit hym nocht ane myte,

That tyme the court bair hym ſic mortall feid,

As preſoneir, thay keipt hym in deſpyte,

And ſum tyme wiſt not, quhare to hyde his heid.

Bot diſagyſit, lyke Ihone the raif he ȝeid.

Had nocht bene hope bair hym ſic companie,

He had bene ſtranglit, be melancholie.

Quhat cummer & cair, wes in the court of france,

Quhen king Francis, was takin preſoneir?

The Duke of Burboun, amyd his Ordinance

Deid at ane ſtraik, rycht bailfull brocht on beir?

The court of Rome, that tyme ran all areir,

Quhē Pape Clement, was put in ſtrang preſoun

The nobill Citie, put to confuſioun.

In Ingland, quho had greiter gouernance,

Nor thare tryumphand courtly Cardinall,

The commoun weill, ſum ſayis he did auance

Be Equall Iuſtice, boith to greit and ſmall,

Thare wes no Prelate, to hym peregall.

Ingliſmen ſayis, had he roung langer ſpace,

He had depoſit Sanct Peter of his place.

¶His princely pompe, nor Papale grauite,

His palice royall, riche, and radious,

Nor ȝit the flude of Superfluite

Of his riches, nor trauell tedious,

Frome tyme dame Curia, held hym odious

Aualit hym nocht, nor prudence moſt profound,

The ledder brak, and he fell to the ground.

Quhare bene the douchtie Erlis of Dowglas

Quhilkis royallie, in to this regioun rang?

Forfalt and ſlane, quhat nedith more proces?

The erle of Marche, wes merſchellit yaim amāg,

Dame Curia thame dulfullie doun thrang.

And now of lait, quho clam more hich amang vsus

Nor did Archebald vmquyle the Erle of Angus.

Quho with his Prince wes more familiar,

Nor of his grace, had more auctorite?

Was he nocht greit Wardane, and Chancellar?

Ȝit quhen he ſtude vponupon the hicheſt gre

Traiſting no thing, dot perpetuite,

Was ſuddanlie depoſit frome his place,

Forfalt and flemit, he gat none vther grace.

Quharefor traiſt nocht in tyll auctorite

My deir brether I pray ȝow hartfullie,

Preſume uocht in ȝour vane proſperite,

Conforme ȝour traiſt, in God alluterlie,

Sync ſerue ȝour Prince, with enteir hart trewlie.

And quhen ȝe ſe the Court, bene at the beſt,

I counſall ȝow, than draw ȝow to ȝour reſt.

Quhare bene, the hich tryūphant court of Troy?

Or Alexander, with his twelf prudent peiris,

Or Iulius, that richt redoutit Roy?

Agamemnon, moſt worthy in his weiris?

To ſchaw thare fyne, my frayit hart affeiris:

Sum murdreſt war, ſum poyſouit preteouſlie

Thare cairfull courtis diſperſit dulefullie.

Traiſt weill thare is no conſtant court bot one,

Quhare Chriſt bene king, quhoſe tyme īterminabill

And hich triūphant glore beis nev er gone.

That quiet court mirthfull and Immutabill,

But variance ſtandith ay ferme and ſtabill.

Diſſimulance, flatirie, nor fals report,

In to that Court, ſall neuer get reſort.

Traiſt weill my freindis, this is no fenȝeit fair,

For quho that bene, in the extreme of deid

The verite but dout, thay ſuld declair,

Without regarde, to fauour or to feid,

Quhill ȝe hauehave tyme, deir brether mak remeid,

Adew for euer, of me ȝe get no more,

Beſeikand God, to bring ȝow to his glore.

Adew Edinburgh, thow hich tryūphant toun

Withī quhoſe boundis, richt blythful haif I bene

Of trew Merchandis, the rute of this regioun,

Moſt reddy to reſaue, court, King and Quene,

Thy policie, and Iuſtice, may be ſene,

War deuotioun, wyſedome, and honeſte,

And credence tynt, thay mycht be found in the,

Adew fair Snawdoun, with thy touris hie

Thy Chapell royall, Park, and tabill round,

May, Iune, and Iuly, wald I dwell in the,

War I one man, to heir the birdis ſound,

Quhilk doith agane, thy royall roche redound.

…ew Lythquo, quhoſe palice of pleſance,

Mycht be one patrone, in Portugall or France.

☞ Fair weill Falkland, the Fortres of Fyfe,

Thy polite Park, vnderunder the lowmound law,

Sum tyme in the, I led ane luſtie lyfe,

The fallow Deir, to ſe thame raik on raw,

Court men to cum to the, thay ſtand greit aw,

Sayand thy burgh, bene of all burrowis vaill,

Becauſe in the, thay neuer gat gude aill.

The Commouning betuix the Papingo, And hir holy Executouris.

THE Pye perſauit the Papingo in pane,

He lichtit doun and fenȝeit him to greit.

Siſter (ſaid he) alace quho hes ȝou ſlane,

I pray ȝow mak ꝓuiſioun for ȝour ſpreit

Diſpone ȝour geir, and ȝow confes compleit,

I hauehave power be ȝour contritioun,

Of all ȝour mys, to geue ȝow full remiſſioun.

I am (ſaid he) one Channoun regulair,

And of my brether Pryour principall.

My quhyte Rocket, my clene lyfe doith declair,

The blak bene of the deith memoriall.

Quharefor, I think ȝour …uddis naturall,

Sulde be ſubmittit hole in to my cure.

Ȝe knaw I am ane holy Creature.

The Rauin come rolpand, quhē he hard the rair,

So did the Gled, with mony pieteous pew,

And fenȝeitlie thay contrafait greit cair.

Siſter (ſaid thay) ȝour rakleſnes we rew,

Now beſt it is, our Iuſt counſall enſew,

Sen wo pretend to hich promotioun,

Religious men, of greit deuotioun.

I am ane blak Monk, ſaid the ruttilland rauin,

So ſaid the gled, I am ane holy freir,

And hes power to bring ȝow quick to heuin,

It is weill knawin, my conſcience bene ful cleir,

The blak Bybill, pronunce I ſall perqueir

So tyll our brether, ȝe wyll geue ſum gude,

God wat geue we haif neid of lyues fude.

The Papingo ſaid, father be the rude,

Howbeit ȝour rayment be religious lyke,

Ȝour conſcience, I ſuſpect be nocht gude,

I did perſaue, quhen priuelie ȝe did pyke

Ane chekin frome ane hen, vnderunder ane dyke

I grant (ſaid he) that hen was my gude freind,

And I that chekin tuke, bot for my teind,

Ȝe knaw the faith be vsus mon be ſuſteind,

So be the Pope, it is preordinate,

That ſpirituall mē, ſuld leue vponupon thare teind,

Bot weill wat I, ȝe bene predeſtinate

In ȝour extremis to be ſo fortunate,

To hauehave ſic holy conſultatioun,

Quharefore, we mak ȝow exhortatioun,

Sen dame Nature hes grantit ȝow ſic grace,

Laiſer to mak confeſſioun generall,

Schaw furth ȝour ſyn ī haiſt, quhill ȝe haif ſpace

Syne of ȝour geir, mak one memoriall.

We thre ſall mak ȝour feiſtis funerall,

And with greit blis, burie we ſall ȝour bonis,

Syne Trentalis twentie, trattill all at onis,

The rukkis ſall rair, that mē ſall on thame rew,

And cry, Commemoratio Animarum.

We ſall gar chekinnis cheip, and gaiſlingis pew

Suppoſe the geis and hennis, ſuld cry alarum,

And we ſall ſerue, Secundum Vſum Sarum.

And mak ȝow ſaif, we find ſanct Blaſe to broch,

Cry and for ȝow, the cairfull corrinoch.

And we ſall ſing, about ȝour Sepulture,

Sanct Mongois matynis, and the mekle Creid,

And ſyne deuotelie ſay, I ȝow aſſure,

The auld Placebo bakwart, and the beid,

And we ſall weir for ȝow the murnyng weid,

And thocht ȝour ſpreit, with Pluto war profeſt,

Deuotelie ſall ȝour Dirige be dreſt.

Father (ſaid ſcho) ȝour facund wordis fair,

Full ſore I dreid, be contrair to ȝour deidis.

The wyffis of the village, cryis with cair,

Quhē yat ꝑſaue ȝou maw ouirthort thare medis.

Ȝour fals conſait, boith duke & draik ſore dredis,

I maruell ſuithlie, ȝe de nocht eſchamit

For ȝour defaltis, beyng ſo defamit.

It dois abhor, my pure perturbit ſpreit

Tyll mak to ȝow ony confeſſioun.

I heir men ſay, ȝe bene one Hypocreit,

Exemptit frome the ſenȝe and ſeſſioun.

To put my geir in ȝour poſſeſſioun,

That wyll I nocht, ſo help me dame Nature,

Nor of my corps, I wyll ȝow geue no cure.

Bot had I heir, the nobill Nichtingall,

The gentyll Ia, the Merle, and Turtur trew.

My Obſequies, and feiftis funerall

Ordour thay wald, with notis of the new

The pleſand pown, moſt angellyk of hew,

Wald God I war, this day with hym confeſt

And my deuyſe, dewlie be hym addreſt,

The mirthfull Maueis, w^t the gay Goldſpink,

The luſtie larke, wald God thay war preſent,

My Infortune, forſuith thay wald forthink,

And conforte me, that bene ſo Impotent.

The ſwift Swallow, in practik moſt prudent,

I wat ſcho wald, my bleiding ſtem belyue,

With hir moſt verteous ſtone reſtringityue.

Compt me the cace, vnderunder confeſſioun,

The Gled ſaid, proudlie to the Papingo,

And we ſall ſweir be our profeſſioun

Counſall to keip, and ſchaw it to no mo.

We the beſeik, or thow depart vsus fro

Declare to vsus, ſum cauſis reſonabill,

Quhy, we bene haldin ſo abhominabill.

☞Be thy trauell, thow hes Experience.

Firſt beand bred, in to the Orient,

Syne be thy gude ſeruice, and diligence,

To Princis maid, heir in the Occident.

Thow knawis the vulgar pepillis Iugement,

Quhare thow tranſcurrit the hote Meridional

Syne nixt the Poill, the plaig Septentrionall.

So be thyne hich ingyne ſuperlatyue,

Of all countreis, thow knawis the qualiteis.

Quharefore, I the conture be God of lyue,

The veritie declare withouttin leis,

Quhat thow hes hard, belandis or be ſeis,

Of vsus kirkman, boith gude and euill report,

And quhow thay Iuge, ſchaw vsus we the exhort.

Father (ſaid ſcho) I Catyue Creature,

Dar nocht preſume, with ſic mater to mell,

Of ȝour cares, ȝe knaw I hauehave no cure,

Demand thame quhilk in prudence doith precell,

I may nocht pew, my panes bene ſo fell.

And als perchance, ȝe will nocht ſtand content,

To knaw, the vulgare pepillis Iugement

Ȝit will the deith, alyte withdraw his dart,

All thay lyis in my memoriall

I ſall declare, with trew vnfenȝeit hart.

And firſt I ſay, to ȝow in generall,

The commoun peple ſayith, ȝe bene all

Degenerit frome ȝour holy Primityuis,

As teſtifyis the proces of ȝour lyuis.

Of ȝour peirles prudent predeceſſouris,

The beginnyng, I grant wes verray gude.

Apoſtolis, Martyris, Virginis, Confeſſouris,

The ſound of thare excellent Sanctitude

Was hard ouer all the warld be land and flude,

Planting the faith, be Predicatioun.

As Chriſt had maid to thame Narratioun,

To fortifie the faith thay tuke no feir,

Afore Princis, precheing full prudentlie,

Of dolorous deith, thay doutit nocht the deir,

The veritie declaring feruentlie,

And Martyrdome thay ſufferit pacientlie.

Thay tuke no cure of land, riches nor rent,

Doctryne and deid, war boith equiualent.

To ſchaw at lenth, thair workis wer greit wounder,

Thare myracklis, thay wer ſo manifeſt.

In name of Chriſt, thay haillit mony hounder,

Raſing the deid, and purging the poſſeſt

With peruerſt ſpreitis, quhilkꝭ had bene oppreſt

The crukit ran, the blind men gat thare Ene.

The deif men hard, the lipper war maid clene.

¶The Prelatis ſpouſit wer, with pouerte,

Thoſe dayis, quhen ſo thay fluriſchit in fame,

And with hir, generit Lady Chaiſtite.

And dame Deuotioun, notable of Name.

Humill thay war, ſimple, and full of ſchame.

Thus Chaiſtite, and dame Deuotioun

War principall cauſe, of thare promotioun.

Thus thay contynewit, in this lyfe deuyne,

Ay tyll thare rang, in Romes greit Ciete,

Ane potent Prince, was namit Conſtantyne,

Perſauit the Kirk, had ſpouſit pouerte,

With gude intent, and mouit of piete,

Cauſe of Diuorce, he fand betuix thame two,

And partit thame, withouttin wordis mo.

Syne ſchortlie with ane greit ſolemynite,

Withouttin ony Deſpenſatioun,

The kirk he ſpouſit, with dame Properte,

Quhilk haiſtelie be proclamatioun,

To pouerte gart mak Narratioun,

VnderUnder the pane of perſing hir ene,

That with the kirk, ſcho ſuld no more be ſene.

Sanct Silueſter, that tyme rang Pope in Rome

Quhilk firſt conſent to the Mariage

Of properte, the quhilk began to blome

Taking on hir, the cure with hich curage.

Deuotioun drew hir till one Heremitage,

Quhen ſcho conſiderit lady Properte

So hich exaltit in to Dignite.

O Sylueſter, quhare was thy diſcretioun,

Quhilk Peter did renunce, thow did reſaue?

Androw, and Ihone, did leif thare poſſeſſioun,

Thair ſchippis, & nettis, lynis, and al the iaue,

Of tēporall ſubſtance, no thing wald thay hauehave,

Contrarious to thare contemplatioun

Bot ſoberlie thare ſuſtentatioun.

Ihone the Baptiſt, went to the wildernes,

Lazarus, Martha, and marie Magdalane

Left veritage, and gudis more and les.

Prudent ſanct Paule, thocht properte prophane,

From toun, to toun, he ran in wynd and rane,

VponUpon his feit, teching the word of grace,

And neuer was ſubiectit to riches.

The gled ſaid, ȝit I heir no thing bot gude,

Proceid ſchortlie, and thy mater auance.

The Papyngo ſaid, father be the rude,

It wer to lang, to ſchaw the circumſtance,

Quhow properte, with hir new alliance,

Grew greit with child, as trew men to me tald,

And bure two dochteris gudlie to behald,

The eldeſt douchter, named was riches,

The ſecund Siſter, Senſualite,

Quhilkꝭ did incres, within one ſchort proces,

Prepleſand to the Spiritualite,

In greit ſubſtance, and excellent bewte.

Thir Ladyis two, grew ſo within few ȝeris,

That in the warld, war nō micht be thare peris.

This royall Riches, and Ladie Senſuall,

From that tyme furth, tuke hole the gouernance

Of the moſt part, of the ſtait ſpirituall.

And thay agane, with humill obſeruance,

Amorouſlie thare wittis did auance,

As trew luffaris, thare Ladyis for to pleis,

God wat geue than, thare hartis war at Eis.

Sone thay forȝet, to ſtudie pray and preiche,

Thay grew ſo ſubiect, to dame Senſuall,

And thocht bot pane, pure peple for to teiche,

Ȝit thay decretit, in thare greit counſall,

Thay wald no more, to Mariage be thrall,

Traiſting ſurely, till obſerue Chaiſtite,

And all begylit, quod Senſualite.

Apperandlie, thay did expell thare Wyffis,

That thay mycht leif at large, without thirlage,

At libertie to leid thare luſtie lyffis,

Thinkand men thrall, that bene in mariage

For new faicis, prouokis new curage.

Thus Chaiſtite thay turne in to delyte,

Wantyng of Wyffis, bene cauſe of appetyte,

Dame Chaiſtite did ſteill away for ſchame

Frome tyme ſcho did perſaue thare prouiance,

Dame Senſuall, one letter gart proclame

And hir exylit Italie, and France.

In Ingland, couth ſcho get none Ordinance

Than to the King, and Court of Scotland

Scho markit hir, withouttin more demand.

Traiſting in to that court to get confort.

Scho maid hir humill ſupplicatioun.

Schortlie thay ſaid, ſcho ſuld get na ſupport,

Bot boſtit hir with blaſphematioun,

To Preiſtis go mak ȝour proteſtatioun.

It is ſaid thay, mony one houndreth ȝeir

Sen Chaiſtite, had ony entres heir.

Tyrit for trauell, ſcho to the preiſtis paſt,

And to the rewlaris of Religioun.

Of hir preſence, ſchortlie thay war agaſt,

Sayand thay thocht, it bot abuſioun

Hir to reſaue, ſo with concluſioun,

With one auyce, decretit and gaue dome,

Thay wald reſſet no Rebell out of Rome.

Suld we reſaue, that Romanis hes refuſit

And baniſt Ingland, Italie, and France,

For ȝour flattrie, than wer we weill abuſit

Pas hyne ſaid thay and faſt ȝour way auance,

Amang the Nonnis, go ſeik ȝour ordinance,

For we hauehave maid aith of fidelite

To dame Riches, and Senſualite.

Than pacientlie, ſcho maid progreſſioun,

Toward the Nonnis, with hart ſiching ful ſo…e.

Thay gaue hir preſence, with proceſſioun,

Reſauand hir, with honour, laud, and glore,

Purpoſing, to preſerue hir euer more.

Of that nouellis come to dame Properte,

To Ryches, and to Senſualite.

Quhilkis ſped thame at the poſt richt ſpedilie,

And ſet ane ſege, proudlie about the place.

The ſillie Nonnis, did ȝeild thame haiſtelie,

And humillie of that gilt aſkit grace,

Syne gaue thare bandis of perpetuall pace.

Reſauand thame, thay keſt vp wykketꝭ wyde,

Than Chaiſtite, thare no langer wald abyde.

So for refuge, faſt to the freiris ſcho fled,

Quhilkis ſaid, thay wald of ladyis tak no cure.

Quhar bene ſcho now, than ſaid the gredie gled?

Nocht amang ȝow, ſaid ſcho I ȝow aſſure.

I traiſt ſcho bene, vponupon the borrow mure,

Beſouth Edinbugh, and that richt mony menis

Prof eſtamang the Siſteris of the Senis.

Thair hes ſcho fund hir mother Pouerte,

And Deuotioun, hir a win ſiſter carnall.

Thair hes ſcho fund, faith, hope and cherite,

Togidder with the vertues Cardinall.

Thair hes ſcho fund, ane Conuent ȝit vnthrall

To dame Senſuall, nor with riches abuſit.

So quietlie, thoſe ladyis bene Incluſit.

The Pyot ſaid, I dreid be thay aſſailȝeit,

Thay rander thame, as did the holy Nonnis.

Dout nocht (ſaid ſcho) for thay bene ſo artailȝeit,

Thay purpoſe to defend thame w^t thair gunnis,

Reddy to ſchute, thay hauehave ſex greit Cannonnis,

Perſeuerance, Conſtance, and Conſcience,

Auſterite, Laubour, and Abſtinence.

¶ To reſiſt ſubtell Senſualite,

Strongly thay bene, enarmit feit and handis,

Be abſtinence, and keipit pouerte,

Contrair ryches, and all hir fals ſeruandis.

Thay hauehave ane Bumbard, braiſſit vp in bandis,

To keip thair port, in iniddis of thare clois,

Quhilk is callit, Domine custodi nos.

Within quhoſe ſchot thair dar no Enemeis

Approche thare place, for dreid of dyntis dour,

Boich nicht and day, thay wirk lyke beſie beis,

For thare defence, reddie to ſtand in ſtour,

And hes ſic watchis, on thare vtter tour,

That dame Senſuall, with ſeige dar not aſſailȝe

Nor cum within, the ſchot of thare artailȝe.

The Pyot ſaid, quhareto ſulde thay preſume.

For to reſyſte, ſweit Senſualite,

Or dame riches, quhilkꝭ reularis bene in Rome,

Ar thay more conſtant, in thare qualite,

Nor the princis of Spiritualite,

Quhilkis pleſandlie withouttin obſtaikle

Haith thame reſauit, in thare habitakle.

Quhow lang traiſt ȝe, thoſe ladyis ſall remane

So ſolytar, in ſic perfectioun?

The Papingo ſaid, brother in certane

So lang as thay obey correctioun,

Cheiſing thare heidis be electioun,

Vnthrall to riches, or to pouerte,

Bot as requyrith thare neceſſite.

O prudent prelatis, quhare was ȝour preſcience,

That tuke on hand, tyll obſerue Chaſtitie,

But auſteir lyfe, laubour, and abſtinence?

… ȝe nocht, the greit proſperite

App…ndlie, to cum of properte.

Ȝe knaw greit cheir, greit eis and Idilnes,

To Lecherie, was mother and maiſties.

Thow rauis vnrockit, the rauin ſaid be the rude

So to reproue, riches, or properte.

Abraham, and Iſaac, war riche and veray gude

Iacob, and Ioſeph, had proſperite.

The Papingo ſaid, that is verite.

Riches I grant, is nocht to be refuſit,

Prouiding alwayis, that it be nocht abuſit.

Than ſaid the Rauin, one replicatioun,

Syne ſaid thy reſon is nocht worth ane myte.

As I ſall preue, with proteſtatioun

That no man tak, my wordis in deſpyte,

I ſay, the temporall Princis hes the wy…e

That in the kirk, ſic Paſtouris dois prouyde,

To gouerne ſaulis, y^u not thame ſelfis can gyde.

Lang tyme efter the kirk tuke properte

The Prelatis leuit in greit perfectioun,

Vnthrall to riches, or Senſualite

VnderUnder the holy Spreitis protectioun,

Orderlie choſin be electioun.

As Gregore, Ierome, Ambroſe, and Auguſtyne,

Benedict, Bernard, Clement, Cleit, and Lyne.

Sic pacient Prelatis, enterit be the port

Pleſand the peple be predicatioun.

Now dyke lowparis, dois in the kirk reſort

Be Symonie, and ſupplicatioun

Of Princis be thare preſentatioun.

So ſillie Saulis, that bene Chriſtis ſcheip

Ar geuin to hungrie gormand wolfis to keip.

No maruell is, thocht we Religious men

Degenerit be, and in our lyfe confuſit.

Bot ſing, and drink, none vther craft we ken,

Our ſpirituall Fatheris, hes vsus ſo abuſit

Agane our wyll, thoſe trukouris bene intruſit.

Lawit men hes now, religious men in curis

Profeſt Virginis, in keiping of ſtrong huris.

Princis, princis quhair bene ȝour hich prudens,

In diſpoſitioun of ȝour Beneficeis?

The guerdonyng of ȝour Courticiens,

Is ſum cauſe of thir greit Enormiteis,

Thare is one ſort, waitand lyke hungrie fleis.

For ſpirituall cure, thocht thay be no thing abill,

Quhoſe gredie thriſtis bene Inſatiabill.

Princis, I pray ȝow be no more abuſit,

To verteous men hauyng ſo ſmall regard?

Quhy ſulde vertew, throuch flatterie be refuſit

That men for couunyng, can get no reward?

Allace that euer one bragger, or ane baird,

Ane hure maiſter, or commoun haſarture,

Suld in the kirk, get ony kynd of cure.

War I one man, worthy to weir ane croun,

Ay quhen thare vaikit ony beneficeis,

I ſuld gar call, ane Congregatioun

The principall, of all the Prelaceis,

Moſt cunnyng Clerkis of Vniuerſiteis,

Moſt famous Fatheris of religioun,

With thare aduyſe mak diſpoſitioun.

❧ I ſulde diſpone, all offices Paſtorallis,

Tyll Doctours of Diuinite, or Iure.

And cauſe dame Vertew, pull vp all hir ſaillis,

Quhen cunnyng men had in the kirk moſt cure.

Gar Lordis ſend thare Sonnis I ȝow aſſure

To ſeik ſcience, and famous ſculis frequent

Syne thame promoue, that war moſt ſapient.

Greit pleſour war to heir ane Biſchop preiche,

One Dane, or Doctour in Diuinite,

One Abhor, quhilk could weil his Cōuent teiche,

One Perſoun, flowing in Philoſophie.

I tyne my tyme, to wis quhilk wy…l nocht be.

War not the preicheing, of the begging freiris,

Tynt war the faith amang the Seculeris.

As for thare precheing, quod the Papingo

I thame excuſe, for quhy, thay bene ſo thrall

To properte, and hir ding Dochteris two,

Dame Riches, and fair lady Senſuall,

Thay may nocht vſe no paſtyme ſpirituall.

And in thare habitis, thay tak ſic delyte,

Thay hauehave renuncit ruſſet, and roploch quhyte

Cleikand to thame ſkarlot, and Cramoſie,

With Meneuer, martrik, Grice, & ryche armyne

Thare lawe hartis, exalti… ar ſo hie

To ſe thare Papale pompe it is ane pyne.

More riche array is now with frenȝeis fyne,

VponUpon the barding of ane Biſchopis Mule,

Nor euer had Paule or Peter agane ȝule.

Syne fair ladyis, thare Chene may not eſchaip,

Dame Senſuall ſo, ſic ſeid hes in thame ſawin.

Les ſkaith it war with licence of the Paip,

That ilk Prelate one Wyfe had of his awin,

Nor ſe thare baſtardꝭ ouirthort y^e cuntre blawin.

For now be thay, be weil cūmin from the ſculis,

Thay fal to work, as thay war commoun bullis.

PEw quod the gled, thow preichis all in vane.

Ȝe Secular folkis, hes of our cace no curis.

I grant ſaid ſcho, ȝit men wyll ſpeik agane,

Quhow ȝe haif maid a hundreth thouſand huris

Quhilkꝭ neuer had bene, war not ȝour lecherus luris

And geue I lee, hartlie I me repent,

Was neuer Bird I wat more penitent.

Than ſcho hir ſch…aue w^t deuote countenance,

To that fals gled, quhilk fenȝeit hym one freir.

And quhen ſcho had fulfyllit hir pennance

Full ſubtellie at hir he gan inqueir:

Cheis ȝow (ſaid he) quhilk of vsus brether heir

Sall hauehave of all ȝour naturall geir the curis,

Ȝe knaw none bene, more holy creaturis.

I am content (quod the pure Papingo)

That ȝe freir Gled, and corbie monk ȝour brother

HaueHave cure of all my gudis, and no mo.

Sen at this tyme, freindſchip I find none vther.

We ſalbe to ȝow trew as tyll our Mother

(Quod thay) and ſweir tyll fulfyll hir intent.

Of that (ſaid ſcho) I tak ane Inſtrument.

The Pyot ſaid, quhat ſall myne office be?

Ouerman ſaid ſcho, vntounto the vther two,

The rowpand Rauin, ſaid ſweit ſiſter lat ſe

Ȝour holy intent for it is tyme to go.

The gredie gled ſaid, brother do nocht ſo

We wyll remane, and haldin vp hir heid,

And neuer depart frome hir, tyll ſcho be deid.

The Papingo, thame thankit tenderlie,

And ſaid, ſen ȝe hauehave tane on ȝow this cure,

Depart myne naturall gudis equallie,

That euer I had, or hes of dame Nature.

Firſt to the Howlet, Indigent and pure

Quhilk on the day for ſchame dar nocht be ſene,

Tyll hir I leif, my gay galbert of grene.

My bricht depurit Ene, as chriſtall cleir,

On to the Bak, ȝe ſall thame boith preſent.

In Phebus preſeuce, quhilk dar nocht appeir.

Of naturall ſicht, ſcho bene ſo Impotent,

My birneiſt beik, I leif with gude entent

Onto to the gentill, pieteous Pellicane,

To helpe to pers, hir tender hart in twane.

I leif the Goik, quhilk hes no ſang bot one,

My muſike, with my voce Angelicall.

And to the Guſe, ȝe geue quhen I am gone,

My Eloquence, anb toung Rethori…a….

And tak and dry, my bonis greit and ſmall

Syne clois thame in one cais of Ebure fyne,

And thame preſent, vntounto the Phenix ſyne.

To birne with hir, quhen ſcho hir lyfe renewis,

In Arabie, ȝe ſall hir find but weir,

And ſall knaw hir, be hir moſt heuinlie hewis,

Gold, Aſure, Gowles, Purpour, and Synopeie,

Hir dait is for to leif fyue houndreth ȝeir.

Mak to that bird my commendatioun.

And als I mak ȝow ſupplicatioun,

Sen of my corps, I hauehave ȝow geuin the cure.

Ȝe ſpeid ȝow to the court but tarying,

And tak my hart of perfyte portrature,

And it preſent vntounto my Souerane King.

I wat he wyll it clois it to one ring,

Commend me to his grace, I ȝow exhort,

And of my paſſioun mak hym trew report.

Ȝe thre my tryppis ſall hauehave for ȝour trauell,

With luffer and lowng, to part equall amāg ȝow

Pray and Pluto, the potent prince of hell

Geue ȝe failȝe, that in his feit he fang ȝow,

Be to me trew, thocht I no thing belang ȝow,

Sore I ſuſpect, ȝour conſcience be to large.

Dout nocht ſaid thay, we tak it with the charge.

Adew brether, quod the pure Papingo,

To talkin more, I hauehave no tyme to tarie.

Bot ſen my ſpreit, mon fra my body go,

I recommend it to the quene of Farie

Eternallie, in tyll hir court to tarie

In wyldernes, among the holtis hore.

Than ſcho inclynit hir heid, and ſpak no more.

Plungit in tyll hir mortall paſſioun,

Full greuouſlie, ſcho grippit to the ground.

It war to lang to mak narratioun

Of ſichis ſore, with mony ſtang and ſtound,

Out of hir wound, the blude did ſo abound,

One coumpas round, was w^t hir blude maid reid

Without remeid, thare was no thing bot deid.

¶ And be ſcho had, In Mauus tuas ſaid,

Extinctit wer hir naturall wittis fyue.

Hir heid full ſoftlie on hir ſchulder laid

Syne ȝeild the ſpreit, with panis pungityue.

The Rauin began, rudely to rug and ryue,

Full gormoundlyke, his emptie throt to feid,

Eit ſoftlie brother ſaid the gredie gled.

Quhil ſcho is hote, depart hir ewin amang vsus.

Tak thow one half, and reik to me ane vther,

In tyll our richt, I wat no wicht dar wrang vsus,

The Pyot ſaid, the feind reſaue the fother,

Quhy mak ȝe me ſtepbarne, and I ȝour brother?

Ȝe do me wrang ſchir gled, I ſchrew ȝour hart

Tak thare (ſaid he) the puddingis for thy part.

Than wit ȝe weill, my hart wes wounder ſair

For to behald, that dolent departing.

Hir Angell fedderis, fleing in the air,

Except the hart, was left of hir no thing.

The Pyot ſaid, this pertenith to the king.

Quhilk tyll his grace, I purpoſe to preſent,

Thow (quod the gled) ſall faill of thyne intent.

The Rauin ſaid, God nor I rax in ane raip.

And thow get this, tyll other King or Duke.

The Pyote ſaid, plene I nocht to the Pape

Than in ane ſmedie, I be ſmorit with ſmuke,

With that the Gled, the pece claucht in his cluke,

And fled his way, the laue with all thare micht

To chace the gled, flew all out of my ſicht.

Now hauehave ȝe hard, this lytle Tragedie.

The ſore complaynt, the teſtament & miſchance

Of this pure Bird, quhilk did aſcend ſo hie.

Beſeikand ȝow, excuſe myne Ignorance,

And rude indyte, quhilk is nocht tyll auance.

And to the quair, I geue commandement

Mak no repair, quhare Poetis bene preſent.

Becauſe thow bene, but Rethorike ſo rude,

Be neuer ſene, beſyde none vther buke,

With King nor Quene, w^t Lord nor man of gude

With coit vnclene, clame kintent to ſum cuke.

Steill in ane nuke, quhen thay liſt on the luke.

For ſmell of ſmuke, men wyll abhor to beir the.

Heir I maneſweir the, quharefor to lurk go leir the.

☞ FINIS. ☜