To Matthew Shore I was a wife, In Lombard-street I once did dwelle, I spred my plumes, as wantons doe, At last my name in court did ring Yet Mistress Blague, a neighbour neare, By her persuasions I was led In heart and mind I did rejoyce, That I had made so sweet a choice; And therefore did my state resigne, To be king Edward's concubine. From city then to court I went, When I was thus advanc'd on highe, Commanding Edward with mine eye, For Mrs. Blague I in short space Obtainde a livinge from his grace. No friende I had but in short time I made unto a promotion climbe; But yet for all this costlye pride, My husbande could not mee abide. His bed, though wronged by a king, He could not live to see his name Long time I lived in the courte, But yet a gentle minde I bore I still had ruth on widowes tears, At last my royall king did dye, I then was punisht for my sin, Then for my lewd and wanton life, Where many thousands did me viewe, Not thus content, they took from mee XXVII.-CORYDON'S DOLEFUL KNELL. THIS little simple elegy is given, with some corrections, from two copies, one of which is in The golden garland of princely delights. SERIES THE SECOND.-BOOK III. 1. THE COMPLAINT OF CONSCIENCE. I SHALL begin this Third Book with an old allegoric satire, entitled The Complaint of Conscience-a manner of moralizing which, if it was not first introduced by the author of Pierce Plowman's Visions, was at least chiefly brought into repute by that ancient satirist. The kind of verse used in this ballad has a strong affinity with the peculiar metre of that writer. The following song, entitled The Complaint of Conscience, is printed from the Editor's folio manuscript. Some corruptions in the old copy are here corrected; the corrections are placed between inverted "commas. For nothing was passed betweene foe | Then went I to London, where once I did and friend, But Conscience was called to bee at "the" end. Noe bargaines, nor merchandize merchants wold make But I was called a witnesse therto: No use for noe money, nor forfett wold take, But I wold controule them, if that they did soe: "And" that makes me live now in great woe, " dwell:" But they bade away with me, when they knew my name; For he will undoe us to bye and to sell! They bade me goe packe me, and hye me for shame : They lought at my raggs, and there had good game; This is old threed-bare Conscience, that dwelt with saint Peter: But they wold not admitt me to be a chimney-sweeper. For then came in Pride, Sathan's Not one wold receive me, the Lord "he" He brought with him three, whose names "thus they call," That is Covetousnes, Lecherye, Usury, beside: They never prevail'd, till they had wrought my downe-fall; Soe Pride was entertained, but Conscience decried, And now ever since" abroad have I tryed To have had entertainment with some one or other; But I am rejected, and scorned of my brother. Then went I to the Court the gallants to winn, But the porter kept me out of the gate: To Bartlemew Spittle to pray for my sinne, They bade me goe packe, it was fitt for my state; Goe, goe, threed-bare Conscience, and seeke thee a mate. purse, On an awle and some patches I did it bestow; "For" I thought better cobble shooes than doe worse. Straight then all the coblers began for to curse, And by statute wold prove me a rogue, and forlorne, And whipp me out of towne to "seeke" where I was borne. Then did I remember, and call to my minde, The Court of Conscience where once I did sit : Not doubting but there I some favor shold find, For my name and the place agreed soe fit; But there of my purpose I fayled a whit, For " thoughe the judge us'd my name in everye "commission," The lawyers with their quillets wold get "my" dismission. Good Lord, long preserve my king, Then Westminster-hall was noe place for L |