THE BOOK OF THE FAIR GENTLEWOMAN, THAT NO MAN
SHOULD PUT HIS TRUST OR CONFIDENCE IN,
THAT IS TO SAY,
FLATTERING EVERY MAN THAT COVETETH TO HAVE ALL, AND SPECIALLY THEM THAT TRUST IN HER,
SHE DECEIVETH THEM AT LAST.
As often as I consider these old noble Clerks,
Poets, Orators, and Philosophers, Sects three;
How wonderful they were, in all their works!
How eloquent, how inventive, in every degree!
Half amazed I am; and, as a dead tree,
Stand still, overrude for to bring forth
Any fruit, or sentence, that is aught worth.
Nevertheless, though rude I be in all contriving
Of matters; yet somewhat to make, I need not to
care!
I see many a one occupied in the same thing!
So unlearned men, nowadays, will not spare
To write, to babble, their minds to declare ;
Trowing themselves gay fantasies to draw,
When all their cunning is not worth a straw!
Some, in French Chronicles, gladly doth presume;
Some, in English, blindly wade and wander;
Another, in Latin, bloweth forth a dark fume,
As wise as a great-headed ass of ALEXANDER!
Some, in Philosophy, like a gaggling gander,
Beginneth lustily the brows to set up;
And, at the last, concludeth in the good ale cup!
Finis Prologus.
FORTUNE! O, mighty and variable!
What rule thou claimest, with thy cruel power! Good folk, thou 'stroy'st; and lov'st reprovable! Thou mayst not warrant thy gifts for one hour! FORTUNE, unworthy men setteth in honour!
Through FORTUNE, th' innocent in woe and sorrow screecheth!
The just man she spoileth, and the unjust enricheth!
Young men she killeth, and letteth old men live;
Unrighteously dividing time and season!
That good men leseth, to wicked doth she give!
She hath no difference; but judgeth all good reason,
Inconstant, slipper, frail, and full of treason!
Neither, for ever, cherishing whom she taketh;
Nor, for ever, oppressing whom she forsaketh.
Finis.
'MINE high Estate, power, and authority,
If ye ne know, ensearch; and ye shall spy
That Richesse, Worship, Wealth, and Dignity,
Joy, Rest, and Peace, and all things finally
That any pleasure or profit may come by,
To Man's comfort, aid, and sustenance,
Is all at my device and ordinance!
'Without my favour, there is nothing won!
Many a matter have I brought, at last,
To good conclusion, that fondly was begun!
And many a purpose, bounden sure and fast
With wise provision, I have overcast!
Without good hap, there may no wit suffice!
Better is to be fortunate, than wise!
'And therefore hath there some men been or this,
My deadly foes; and written many a book
To my dispraise: and no other cause there is,
But for me list not friendly on them look.
Thus like the fox they fare! that once forsook
The pleasant grapes, and gan for to defy them;
Because he leapt and leapt, and could not come by
them.
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