XIBRARY

31=-, ,--. jre' :.■

7^7: ■■':■

JAMES VI of Scotland, I of England.

the jpibim JUt of |3a^ie.

Edinburgh. 1585.

Jt Cmmtedbkstc tcr 'Wbaxar.

London. 1604.

CAREFULLY EDITED BY

E f)\VA R D art; fr,

AJjfociate, King^s College ; London, F.jR.G.S., &r*c.

LONDON:

5 ^UF-KN sni.AKi: Fl ,ni -MsiifKW \\\r..
Ent. Stat. Hall,] 10 December, 1 869. [All Rights referved.

CONTENTS.

Introduction
Bibliography

THE ESS A YES OE A PRENTISE, IN THE DIVINE

ARTE OF POESIE.
(i.) The Catalogue of the works herein contained . 8

(2.) Recommendatory Sonnets . . . .9-12

(3.) Original Poems by James VI.
Twelve Sonnets. Invocations to the Gods . .13-18

A Tragedy — Phcenix . . . 40-50, 79-80

Two Sonnets — (1.) To the Reader. (2.) Decipher-
ing the perfcdl Poet
A fliort Poem — Of 'Time .
A Sonnet ....

(4.) Translations by James VI.
The Uranie from I)u Partas
Out of the Poet Lit can
The CIIII Psalm, out of Trcmcllius
(5.) A fliort Treat ife, containing .fome Rules and Cautels
to be obferved and efchewed in Scottifli Poefy .

56
73
78

73-39
51-52
70-72

53-69
(6. ) A Table of fome obfeure words with their fignifieations 75-77

On the Introduction and Early Use of Tobacco

in England . . . Si -94, 1 13-120

A COUNTERBLAS1 TO TOBACCO.
(1.) To the Reader . . . . . 96-98

(2.) A Counterblast to Tobacco . . .99-112

INTRODUCTION.

literature is a Republic that admits of no
authority but that of Learning, Genius,
and Perfuafion. The Writer — whether
King, Peer, or Commoner — is judged
with one judgment. Curiofity, Rever-
Oence, or Loyalty may procure for a Work an attentive
reception and feme prefent applaufe : but its perpetu-
ation, its place in the Literature of the country, will de-
pend upon either its intrinfic merits, or on its illustrative
power in refpecl to the age in which it was written.

On thefe latter grounds, the Royal productions here
reprinted have been admitted into the Series.

The Radis and Cauielis in Scottis Poefie bring James
VI. within the fucceffion of our early Poetical Critics;
whofe writings — not very numerous, but now exceffive-
ly fcarce — are of great value in the fludy of Englifli
Poetry. For — not to fpeak of their often preferving
matches of poems now utterly loft — they fhow us the
theories of verification, the canons of Poetic tafle
and ftyle, prevailing in our country, immediately
before the advent of Spenfer, Shakefpeare, and their
fertile contemporaries. Thefe writings w r ere reprinted
by Mr. H ail e wood in his Ancient Critical Ejfays, 2
vols. 4to„ 1811-16: a Reprint, of which only 300
copies were printed, (and a portion of that number
deftroyed by fire), which is now fcarce ; and which,
when met with, ufually cofls two or three pounds.
The original texts being fo rare : Mr. Haflewood's
Reprint was, until lately, the only means whereby
moil of us could obtain a knowledge of this important
department of our National literature.

In purfuance, therefore, of what feemed an impera-
tive duty : thefe Criticifms in Poefy are being gradu-
ally reproduced in this Series. To the four now pub-
lifhed — Gascoigne, Sidnev, James VI., and Rxjtten-
ham: we purpofe adding in 1C70, W. Webbe-s Dif-
conrfe (of which only two copies remain) : and the five
productions, forming two-thirds of Mr. Haflewood's
Reprint — including alfo with them four others of

263 059

4 Introduction.

a differing character — will be obtainable for $s. 6d.,
and be on unlimited fale. It is to be hoped that this
advantageous facility of knowledge, may allure many
to a more thorough delight in Elizabethan poetry: and
that by a combined fludy of thefe Principles of Poefy
with the Poems themfelves, many may attain to a
more fubtle appreciation, a more fenfitive feeling of
that Song — which, in its aggregate and bulk, is the
fweeteft and moll enchanting in our Hiflory.

How much the Counterblajle represents another clafs
of our Literature, and a good deal of our former man-
ners : the notices given of the Tobacco controverfy
will mow. Thus both works fland on their own merits ;
their own reputation and that of their Royal Author
but predifpofing them to a courteous reception.

What he fays in the Preface to his other poetical wx>rk,
Exercifes at vacant houres, mufl not be forgotten in con-
sidering the Essayes, or Attempts of an Apprentife :

And in case thou fincle aswel in this work, as in my Lepaxto following,
many incorrect errours, both in the dytement and orthography, I must pray
thee to accept this my reasonable excuse, which is this. Thou considers, I
doubt not, that vpon the one part, I composed these things in my verie young
and tender yeares : wherein nature, (except shee were a monster) can admit
of no perfection. And nowe on the other parte, being of riper yeares, my
burden is so great and continuall, without anie intermission, that when my
ingyne and age could, my affaires and fasherie would not permit mee, to re-
mark the wrong orthography committed by the copiars of my vnlegible and
ragged hand, far les to amend my proper errours : Yea scarslie but at stollen
moments, haue I the leasure to blenk vpon any paper, and yet not that, with
free and vnvexed spirit. Alwaies, rough and vnpolished as they are, I offer
them vnto thee. . . .

Nothing need here be faid of the king's Sonnets
and Poems : they appraife themfelves. Of the reft,
the following may be noted : —

1. Mr. Gillies, writing, in 1812, his Pre/. Mem., see No. 2 on p. 6,
states — "Of the recommendatory versifiers T[homas H[udson] was the author
of p translation of Du Bartas's History 0/ Judith, printed at Edinburgh by
Thomas Vautrollier, and republished in the works of Du Bartas by Joshua
Sylvester. 5 ' R. H[udsonJ, probably a brother of the preceding, was also a
writer of verses. See an address to him, by Montgomery, in the second
volume of Sibbald's Chronicle. M. W. F. is obviously Master William Fouler,
author of The Triumphs 0/ Petrarhe and The Tarantula 0/ Love, extant
in MS. in the College Library of Edinburgh, of which specimens have been
published by Dr. Leyden.

2. Gillaume de Salluste, Seigneur du Bartas (b. 1544 — d. 1590) exer-
cised a considerable influence over some of the minor English poets of his
time. Something like mutual laudation passed between the young Scotch
king and the French poet. What James says of Du Bartas may be seen at
pp. 20-21. Not long after these Essayes, the king wrote a poem on the battle
of Lepanto : in a French translation of which, by Du Bartas, La Lepanthe,
is the following Pre/ace /rom the Translator to ttie Autlwr, in which the
Frenchman repays the Scot in full ; —

Introduction. 5

Iaques, si tn marchois cPun pied mortee pi bas,

Hardy tentreprendroy de t'allouer ses pas :

Pestendroy tons vies ner/s, et 7)ia course sacree

Eoing, loing lairroit a dos les aigles de Boree.

Mais puis qu aigle nouueau tit te guiudes es cieux,

Colle has, ie te suy settlement de mes ycu.x :

Mais plustost du desir : on, si ie me remue

Ombre ie vole en terre, et toy dedans la uuc.

He ! fusse ie vrayme?it, o PJueuix Escossois,

On P ombre de ton corps, on C Echo de ta voix.

Si ie n'auoy I'azur, for, et l' argent encore

Dont ton pdumage astro brillautemeut s'/iounore,

An moins faurey ta forme : et si mon rude vers

N'exprimoit la douceur de taut d accords diners,

II retieudroit quelque air de tes z'oix plus qti humaiues,

Mais, Pies, taisez vous J>ous ouyr les Camaues.
3. Emaxuei. Tremillius, was a Jew, born at Ferrara about 1510. He
became first a Catholic, then a Protestant ; was a celebrated Hebrew scholar,
and died at Sedan on 9th October 1580. His Latin version of the Scriptures
— originally brought out at Frankfort — was first printed in London in 1580,
and again in 15S1. 'Out of Tremillius' therefore simply means: — translated
from out of the Latin version of the Psalms, edited by Tremillius.

In the nineteen years intervening between the pub-
lication of the works here prefented to the reader,
James publifhed many works at Edinburgh. As among
others, his Majestys Poetical Exercifes at Vaca?it houres,
in 1591, confifting of his tranilation The Furies of Du
Bartas, of his own Lepanto, and of Du Bartas' render-
ing, La Lepanthe. His Dcemonologie in 1599. The
anonymous and fecret full edition — limited to feven
copies — of Bafdikon Doron in 1599. When he came
to the Englifli crown, moil of the profe works were
reprinted in London.

Almoft his firfl new literary production as King of
Great Britain and Ireland was A Counterblaste to lo-
bacco. So far as limited time and fpace have permitted,
we have, further on, furrounded it with fomewhat of the
antecedent and fubfequent literature of the fubject.
Lovers of the Pipe fometimes endeavour to stultify
James' Invective : by fketching, on an enlarged fcale,
the perfonal habits, the notions and conceits of the fo-
called Britifh Solomon. Here again the Invective mud
ftand on its own merits. What it is in itfelf, we can
eftimate. The meafure of its influence — efpecially
when its Royal authorfhip became generally known —
may not now be attainable. As a matter of hiflory ;
it failed in its purpofe. Tobacco fmoking ftill reigneth,
and will yet reign.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

Sftje <3fe#agt* of a Prentice m tlje jBimite $trt of
Poegie.

(a) Issues in the ^father's lifetime.

I. ^4^ # separate fiubUcation.

1. 1585. Edinburgh. Editiopriuceps: see title on opposite page.

1 vol. 4to.

1 1 . With o ther wo rks.
None.

(6) Issues since ilje Stumor's teatft.
I. As a separate publication.

2. 1 8 14. Edinburgh. The Essay cs of a Prentisc, in the Divine Art of

1 vol. 8vo. Poesie; with a prefatory Memoir by R. P. Gillies, F.S. A.E.

II. With other works.

3. 10 Dec. 1S69. Lond. 1 vol. 8vo. English Reprints; see title at/. 1.

% Cotmterbkstc to tobacco.

(a) Issues in the gutftov's lifetime.
I. As a separate publication.

1. 1604. London. Editiopriuceps: see title at/. 95. Anonymously pub-

1 vol. 4to. lished, and now very scarce. The present edition is re-
printed from a copy in the Bodleian Library, at Oxford.

II. With other works.

2. 1616. London. The [Prose] Workes of James I. . Collected and edited

1 vol. fol. by James Montagu, Bp. of Winchester. The Cotmter-
blaste is at//. 211-212.

3. 1619. London. The same translated into Latin, by the same Bishop.

1 vol. fol. The Counterblaste\% translated at//. 189-207. On/. 189, it
has the title of Misocaprms sine De Abusu Tobacci Lusus
Regiits: which is thus varied in repetition on /. 200, Miso-
capnus, sen lusus Regius de abztsu Tobacci.

.(b) Issues since tfjc Author's fccath.

I. As a separate publication.

None.

1 1 . With other works.

4. 1672. London. Two Broad-Sides against Tobacco: The First given by

1 vol. 4to. King James of famous memory, His Counterblast to To-
bacco. The Second transcribed out of that learned Physician
Dr. Everabd Mavnwaringe, His Treatise of the Scurvy.
... . Concluding with Two Poems against Tobacco
[i.e. an extract of Sylvester's Tobacco battered; see/. 116]
and Coffee. Collected and published, as very proper for

this Age, by J. H Licensed according to Order.

June 6, 1672.

Or with a slightly different title-page, beginning thus —
King James His Connterblaste to Tobacco. To which
is added a Learned Discourse written by Dr. Everard
Maynwaringe, Proving that Tobacco is a procuring Cause
of the Scurvy

5. 1689. Another Latin Edition of James' prose works, in which

t vol. fol. Misocapnus is included.

6. 10 Dec. 1869. London. 1 vol. 8vo. English Reprints: see title at /. 1.

THE ESSAYES OF

A PRENTISE, IN THE
DIVINE ART OF

P E S I E.

Imprinted at Edinburgh, by Thomas

Vautroullier.

1585-

CVM PRIVILEGIO

REGALI.

THE CATALOGVE OF THE

workis heirin conteined.

r I y He tvv elf Sonnets of Inuocations to the Goddis.

The Vranie or heauenly Mufe tranflated.

The Metaphoricatt Liuentioun of a Tragedie^ callit
Phoenix.

A Paraphrafticall tranflatioun out of the Po'ete Luca?ie.

A treatife of the airt of Scottis Poefie.

The CI I II. Pfalme of Dauid, tranflated out of
Tremeffius.

A Poeme of Tyme.

SONNET.

§j F Martiall deeds, and praclife of the pen
\ Haue wonne to auncient Grece a worthie fame :
' If Battels bold, and Bookes of learned men
Haue magnified the mightie Romain name :
Then place this Prince, who well deferues the fame :
Since he is one of Mars and Pallas race :
For both the Godds in him haue fett in frame
Their vertewes both, which both, he doth embrace.
O Macedon, adornde with heauenly grace,
Romain flout, decorde with learned (kill,
The Monarks all to thee fhall quite their place :
Thy endles fame fhall all the world fulfill.
And after thee, none worthier fhalbe feene,
To fway the Sword, and gaine the Laurell greene.

T. H.

SONNET.

fHE glorious Grekis in (lately flyle do blaife [olde :
The lawde, the conqurour gaue their Homer
^- The verfes Ccefar fong in Maroes praife,
The Romanis in remembrance depe haue rolde.
Ye Thefpian Nymphes, that fuppe the Ncttar colde,
That from Parnajfis forked topp doth fall,
What Alexander or Augujlus bolde,
May found his fame, whofe vertewes pafs them all ?
O Phcebus, for thy help, heir might I call,
And on Minerue, and Maias learned fonne :
But fmce I know, none was, none is, nor fhall,
Can rightly ring the fame that he hath wonne,
Then flay your trauels, lay your pennis adowne,
For Ccefars works, fhall iuflly Ccefar crowne.

R. H.

SONNET.

fejp He mightie Father of the Mufes nyne

2% Who mounted thame vpon Pamafsus hill,

v3^ Where Phoebus faire amidd thefe Sifters fyne

With learned toung fatt teaching euer ftill,

Of late yon God declared his woundrous will,

That Vra?iie mould teach this Prince mofl rare :

Syne me informed her fcholler with fuch fkill,

None could with him in Poefie compaire.

Lo, heir the fructis, Nymphe, of thy fofler faire,

Lo heir (6 noble lone) thy will is done,

Her charge compleit, as deid doth now declaire.

This work will witneffe, me obeyed the fone.

O Phczbus then reioyce with glauncing glore,
Since that a King doth all thy court decore.

M. VV.

SONNET.

•wt/jTHen as my minde exemed was from caire,
( YY Among the Nymphis my felf I did repofe :
<^->~» Where I gaue eare to one, who did prepaire
Her fugred voice this fequell to difclofe.
Conveine your felfs (6 fillers) doe not lofe
This paffing tyme which hafteth fail away :
And yow who wrytes in (lately verfe and profe,
This glorious Kings immortall gloire difplay.
Tell how he doeth in tender yearis effay
Aboue his age with (kill our arts to blaife.
Tell how he doeth with gratitude repay
The crowne he wan for his deferued praife.
Tell how of lone, of Mars, but more of God
The gloire and grace he hath proclaimed abrod.

M. W. F.

II

SONNET.

I AN goldin Titan fhyning bright at morne
u (V a For light of Torchis, cafl ane greater (haw ?
Ki> Can Thunder reard the heicher for a home ?
Craks Cannons louder, thoght ane Cok fould craw ?
Can our weake breath help Boreas for to blaw ?
Can Candill lowe giue fyre a greater heit ?
Can quhytefl Swans more quhyter mak the Snavv ?
Can Virgins teares augment the Winters weit ?
Helps pyping Pan Apollos Mufique fweit ?
Can Fountanis fmall the Ocean fea increffe ?
No, they augment the greater nocht a quheit :
Bot they them femes appears to grow the leffe.
So (worthy Prince) thy works fall mak the knawin.
Ours helps not thyne : we fleynzie bot our awin.

A. M.

De hums L ibri A uclore, Hercirtis
Rolloci conieclura.

§Vifquis es, entheus hie exit quo Auclore Melius,
{Nam liber Auclorem conticet ipfefuuni)
Dum quonam ingenio meditor, genioquefubaclus,
Maiora humanis viribus ijla canas :
Teque adeo qui fis expendo : aut Diuns es, inquam,

Aut a Diuum aliquis forte fecundus homo.
Nil fed habet fimile aut JDiuis, aut tei'ra femndiim :

Qiianquam illis Reges proximus omat honos.
Aut opus hoc igitur humano femine nati
NulliuSy aut hoc fie Regis oportet opus.

12

ACROSTICHON.

I Nfigne Aucloris vetuit prcefigere nomen

A ucloris cuncla peclus vacuum ambitione.

C uius pr cedar as laudes, her oka facia,

O mnigenafque a?iimi dotes, et peclora verh

B elligera, exornat ccelejiis gratia Mufce.

V era ifta omnino eft virtus, virtuteque 7naior
S ublimis regnat generofo in peclore Chriftus.
S cottia fortunata nimis bonafi tua noffes
EX imij vatis, pleclrum qui pollice doclo

T emperat, et Mufas regalem inducit in aulam :

V iclurus p oft fata diu : Nam fama fuperftes
S e?nper erit, femper florebit gloria vatis.

Pa. Ad. Ep. Sana.
EIVSDEM AD LECTOREM

EPIGRAM MA.

queer as quis fit tarn compti carminis auclor,

Auclorem audebis Mufa negare tunm ?
I lie quidem vetuit, cui te par ox necejfe eft :
Quis tantum in JDiuas cbtiiiet wiperium ?
Cui parent Mufce, Phcebus quo vate fuperbit,

Et capiti demit laurea ferta fuo.
Cui lauri, et fceptri pri??ii debentur honores,

Cui mult a cingit laude tyara caput.
Quo ducefpes cert a eftdiuifis orbe Britamiis,

Haud diuifa iterum regnafutura duo.
Progenies Begum, Begiiorumque vnicus hoereSj
Scilicet obfeurus delituifse poteft /

ANE QVADRAIN OF

ALEXANDRIN VERSE.

fMmortall Gods, fen I with pen and Poets airt [fmall,
So willingly hes fervde you, though my fkill be
I pray then euerie one of you to help his pairt,
In graunting this my fute, which after follow mail.

SONNET, i.

(jjT]3 IRST lone, as greateft God aboue the reft,

3xi Graunt thou to me a pairt of my defyre :

\& That when in verfe of thee I write my beft,

This onely thing I earneflly requyre,

That thou my veine Poetique fo infpyre,

As they may fuirlie think, all that it reid,

When I defcryue thy might and thundring fyre,

That they do fee thy felf in verie deid

From heauen thy greateft Thunders for to leid,

And fyne upon the Gyants heads to fall :

Or cumming to thy Semele with fpeid

In Thunders leaft, at her requeft and call :

Or throwing Phaethon downe from heauen to eard.

With threatning thunders, making monftrous reard.

SONNET. 2.

VA c Polio nixt, affift me in a parte,
rSrx. Sen vnto Ioue thou fecound art in might,
^*do That when I do defcryue thy fhyning Carte,
The Readers may efteme it in their fight.
And graunt me als, thou worlds 6 onely light,
That when I lyke for fubiecl to deuyfe
To wryte, how as before thy countenaunce bright
The yeares do Hand, with feafons dowble twyfe.
That fo I may defcryue the verie guyfe
Thus by thy help, of yeares wherein we liue :
As Readers fyne may fay, heir furely lyes,
Of feafons fowre, the glaffe and picture viue.
Grant als, that fo I may my verfes warpe,
As thou may play them fyne vpon thy Harpe.

14

SONNET. 3.

J'ND firfl, 6 Phoebus, when I do defcriue [flowris,
The Springtyme fproutar of the herbes and
Whome with in rank none of the foure do ftriue,
But neareft thee do flande all tymes and howris :
Graunt Readers may efteme, they fie the fhowris,
Whofe balmie dropps fo foftlie dois diflell,
Which watrie cloudds in mefure fuche downe powris,
As makis the herbis, and verie earth to fmell
With fauours fweit, fra tyine that onis thy fell
The vapouris foftlie fowkis with fmyling cheare,
Whilks fyne in cloudds are keiped clofs and well,
Whill vehement Winter come in tyine of yeare.
Graunt, when I lyke the Springtyme to difplaye.
That Readers think they fie the Spring alwaye.

SONNET. 4.

. ND graunt that I may fo viuely put in verfe
The Sommer, when I lyke theirof to treat :
k9 As when in writ I do theirof reherfe,
Let Readers think they fele the burning heat,
And graithly fee the earth, for lacke of weit,
With withering drouth and Sunne fo gaigged all,
As for the graffe on feild, the dufl in flreit
Doth ryfe and flee aloft, long or it fall.
Yea, let them think, they heare the fong and call,
Which Floras wingde muficians maks to found.
And that to tafle, and fmell, beleue they fhall
Delicious fruictis, whilks in that tyme abound.
And fhortly, all their fenfes fo bereaued,
As eyes and earis, and all may be deceaued.

i5

SONNET. 5.

V<R when I lyke my pen for to imploy

Of fertile Harveft in the defcription trew :
Let Readers think, they inflantly conuoy
The bufie lhearers for to reap their dew,
By cutting rypett cornes with hookes anew :
Which cornes their heauy heads did dounward bow,
Els feking earth againe, from whence they grew,
And vnto Ceres do their femice vow.
Let Readers alfo finely think and trow,
They fee the painfull Vigneroii pull the grapes :
Firfl tramping them, and after preffmg now
The grenett clutters gathered into heapes.

Let then the Harveft fo viue to them appeare,
As if they faw both cornes and clutters neare.

SONNET. 6.

j(VT let them think, in verie deid they feill,
^^ When as I do the Winters ttormes vnfolde,
^23^ The bitter fro (Is, which waters dois congeill
In Winter feafon, by a pearfmg colde.
And that they heare the whiddering Boreas bolde,
With hiddeous hurling, rolling Rocks from hie.
Or let them think, they fee god Saturne olde,
Whofe hoarie haire owercouering earth, maks file
The lytle birds in flocks, fra tyme they fee
The earth and all with ttormes of fnow owercled :
Yea let them think, they heare the birds that die,
Make piteous mone, that Saturnes hairis are fpred.
Apollo, graunt thir foirfaid fuitis of myne,
All fyue I fay, that thou may crowne me fyne.

i6

SONNET. 7.

fND when I do defcriue the Oceans force,
Graunt fyne, 6 Neptune, god of feas profound,
That readars think on leebord, and on dworce,
And how the Seas owerfiowed this maffiue round :
Yea, let them think, they heare a flormy found,
Which threatnis wind, and darknes come at hand :
And water in their fhipps fyne to abound,
By weltring waues, lyke hyeft towres on land.
Then let them thinke their fhipp now low on fand,
Now climmes and fkippes to top of rageing feas,
Now downe to hell, when fhippmen may not ftand,
But lifts their hands to pray thee for fome eas.

Syne let them think thy Trident doth it calme,
Which maks it cleare and fmothe lyke glas or alme.

SONNET. 8.

fND graunt the lyke when as the fwimming fort
_ _ Of all thy fubieas fkaled I lift declare :
^i^ As Triton monfter with a manly port,
Who drown d the Troy an trump etour moil raire :
As Marmaids wyfe, who wepis in wether faire :
And marvelous Monkis, I meane Monfcis of the fee.
Bot what of monfters, when I looke and ftaire
On wounderous heapes of iubiectis feruing the ?
As whailes fo huge, and Sea eylis rare, that be
Myle longs, in crawling cruikis of fixtie pace :
And Daulphins, Seahorfe, Selchs with oxin ee,
And Merfvvynis, Fertrikis als of fifties race.
In fhort, no fowle doth flie, nor beait doth go,
But thow hall nines lyke to them and mo.

17

SONNET. 9.

Dreidfull Plato, brother thrid to loue,
With Profapin, thy wife, the quene of hell
My fute to yow is, when I like to loaue
The ioyes that do in Elife field excell :
Or when I like great Tragedies to tell :
Or flyte, or murne my fate : or wryte with feare
The plagues ye do fend furth with Dirce fell.
Let Readers think, that both they fee and heare
Aleclo, threatning Turnus filler deare :
And heare Celcenos wings, with Harpy es all :
And fee dog Cerberus rage with hiddeous beare,
And all that did AEneas once befall.

When as he paft throw all thofe dongeons dim,
The forefaid feilds fyne vifited by him.

SONNET. 10.

kTM Furious Mars, thow warlyke fouldiour bold,
J\£)\ And hardy Pallas, goddeis flout and graue :
°^y Let Reidars think, when combats manyfold
I do defcriue, they fee two champions braue,
With armies huge approching to refaue
Thy will, with cloudds of duft into the air.
Syne Phifers, Drummes, and Trumpets cleir do craue
The pelmell chok with larum loude ahvhair,
Then nothing hard but gunnis, and ratling fair
Of fpeares, and clincking f words with glaunce fo cleir,
As if they foght in fkyes, then wrangles thair
Men killd, vnkilld, whill Parens breath reteir.
There lyes the venquifht wailing fore his chaunce :
There lyes the victor, revving els the daunce.

B

1

18

SONNET, n.

Nd at your handis I earneftly do craue,

O facound Mercure, with the Mufes nyne,
v ^lP That for conducing guyde I may you haue,
Afwell vnto my pen, as my Ingyne.
Let Readers think, thy eloquence deuyne
O Mercure, in my Poems doth appeare :
And that Parnaffls flowing fountaine fyne
Into my works doth fhyne lyke criflall cleare.
O Mufes, let them think that they do heare
Your voyces all into my verfe refound.
And that your vertewis fmguler and feir
May wholly all in them be alfo found.
Of all that may the perfyte Poems make,
I pray you let my verfes haue no lake.

SONNET. 12.

fN fhort, you all forenamed gods I pray
For to concur with one accord and will,
That all my works may perfyte be alway :
Which if ye doe, then fweare I for to fill
My works immortall with your praifes flill :
I mall your names eternall euer fmg,
I (hall tread downe the graffe on Pamafs hill
By making with your names the world to ring :
I fhall your names from all obliuion bring.
I lofty Virgill mail to life reftoir,
My fubiects all fhalbe of heauenly thing,
How to delate the gods immortals gloir.
Effay me once, and if ye find me fwerue,
Then thinke, I do not graces iuch deferue.

FINIS.

THE V R A N I E

tranflated.

* % r?

* To the fauor able
Reader

jjiAuing oft reuolued, and red ouer (fauorable
Reader) the booke and Poems of the
deuine and Illufter Poete, Salujl du Bar-
fas, I was moued by the oft reading and
perufmg of them, with a reftles and lofty defire, to
preas to attaine to the like vertue. But fen (alas) God,
by nature hathe refufed me the like lofty and quick
ingyne, and that my dull Mufe, age, and Fortune, had
refufed me the lyke fkill and learning, I was conflrained
to haue refuge to the fecound, which was, to doe what
lay in me, to fet forth his praife, fen I could not merite
the lyke my felf. Which I thought, I could not do fo
well, as by publifhing fome worke of his, to this yle of
Br Main (f warming full of quick ingynes,) afwell as
they ar made manifeft already to France. But
knowing my felf to vnfkilfull and groffe, to tranflate
any of his heauenly and learned works, I almoft left it
of, and was afhamed of that opinion alfo. Whill at
the laft, preferring foolehardines and a good intention,
to an vtter difpaire and fleuth, I refolued vnaduyfedly
to affay the tranllating in my language of the eafieft
and iliorteft of all his difficile, and prolixed Poems : to
wit, the Vranie or heauenlye Mufe, which, albeit it be
not well tranflated, yet hope I, ye will excufe me
(fauorable Reader) fen I neither ordained it, nor
auowes it for a iuft tranflation : but onely fct it forth,
to the end, that, albeit the Prouerb faith, that foole-
hardines proceeds of ignoraunce, yet fome quick
fprited man of this yle, borne vnder the fame, or as

TJie Preface,

happie a Planet, as Du Bartas was, might by the read-
ing of it, bee moued to tranflate it well, and befl,
where I haue bothe euill, and worfl broyled it.

For that caufe, I haue put in, the French on the
one fide of the leif, and my blocking on the other :
noght thereby to giue proofe of my iufl tranilating, but
by the contrair, to let appeare more plainly to the
forefaid reader, wherin I haue erred, to the effect, that
with leffe difficulty he may efcape thofe fnares wherin
I haue fallen. I mufl alfo defire you to bear with it,
albeit it be replete with innumerable and intolerable
faultes : fie as, Ryming in tearmes, and dyuers others,
whilkis ar forbidden in my owne treatife of the Art of
Poefie, in the hinder end of this booke, I mufl, I fay,
praye you for to appardone mee, for three caufes.
Firfl, becaufe that tranilations are limitat, and re-
ftraind in fome things, more than free inuentions are.
Therefore reafoun would, that it had more libertie in
others. Secoundlie, becaufe I made noght my treatife
of that intention, that eyther I, or any others behoued
aflricktly to follow it : but that onely it mould ihew
the perfection of Poefie, whereunto fewe or none can
attaine. Thirdlye, becaufe, that (as I fhewe alreadye)
I avow it not for a iufl tranflation. Befydes that I
haue but ten feete in my lyne, where he hath twelue,
and yet tranflates him lyne by lyne. Thus not doub-
ting, fauorable Reader, but you will accept my
intention and trauellis in good parte,
(fen I requyre no farder,) I
bid you faire well.

•5£ ■%• -/?
# X X -X -*

% * -r?

L'VRANIE, OV

Celeste.

MVSE

||E n'eftoy point encor en FAuril de
mon aage,
Qu' vn defir d'affranchir mon renom

du trefpas,
Chagrin, me faifoit perdre et repos,

et repas,
Par le braue proiet de maint fgauant
ouurage.

Mais comme vn pelerin, qui fur le tard, rencontre
Vn fourchu carrefour, douteux, s'arrefle court :
Et d'efprit, non des pieds, de 9a de la difcourt,
Par les diuers chemins, que la Lune luy monftre.

Parmi tant de fentiers qui, fleuris, fe vont rendre
Sur le mont, 011 Phoebus guerdonne les beaux vers
De l'honneur immortel des lauriers tout-iour verds,
le demeuroy confus, ne fcachant lequel prendre.

Tantoft i'entreprenoy d'orner la Grecque Scene
D'vn veftement Francois. Tantoft dvn vers plus haut,
Hardi, i'enfanglantoy le Frangois efchafaut
Des Tyrans d'llion, de Thebes, de Mycene.

Ie confacroy tantofl a l'Aonide bande
L'Histoire des Francois : et ma faincTe fureur
Defmentant a bon droit la trop commune erreur,
Faifoit le Mein Gaulois, non la Seine Alemande.

Tantofl ie deffeignoy dvne plume flateufe
Le los non merite des Rois et grands Seigneurs :
Et, pour me voir bien toil riche d'or, et d honneurs,
D'vn cceur bas ie rendoy mercenaire ma Mufe.

Et tandis ie vouloy chanter le fils volage
De la molle Cypris, et le mal doux-amer,

THE VRANIE, OR HEA-

VENLY MVSE.

Carce was I yet in fpringtyme of my
years,

When greening great for fameaboue
my pears

Did make me lofe my wonted chere
and reft,

Effaying learned works with curious
breft.

But as the Pilgrim, who for lack of light,
Cumd on the parting of two wayes at night,
He flays affone, and in his mynde doeth caft,
What way to take while Moonlight yet doth laft.
So I amongft the paths vpon that hill,
Where Phoebus crowns all verfes euer ftill
Of endles praife, with Laurers always grene,
Did flay confufde, in doubt what way to mene.
I whyles effaide the Grece in Frenche to praife,
Whyles in that toung I gaue a lufty glaife
For to defcryue the Troian Kings of olde,
And them that Thebes and My cms crowns did holde.
And whiles I had the ftorye of Fraunce elected,
Which to the Mufes I fhould haue directed :
My holy furie with confent of nane,
Made frenche the Mem, and nowyfe dutche the Seiu.
Whiles thought I to fet foorth with flattring pen :
The praife vntrewe of Kings and noble men,
And that I might both golde and honours haue,
With courage baffe I made my Mufe a flaue.
And whyles I thought to fing the fickle boy
Of Cypris foft, and loues to-fwete anoy,

24 L'VRANiE.

Que les plus beaux efprits fouffrent pour trop aimer,
Difcours, oil me poufsoit ma nature, et mon aage.

Or tandis qu' inconflant ie ne me puis refoudre,
De ca, de la poufse d vn vent ambitieux,
Vne fainte beaute fe prefente a mes yeux,
Fille, comme ie croy, du grand Dieu lance-foudre.

Sa face eft angelique, angelique fon gefte,
Son difcours tout diuin, et tout parfait fon corps :
Et fa bouche a neuf-voix imite en fes accords
Le fon harmonieux de la dance celefte.

Son chef eft honore d'vne riche couronne
Faite a fept plis, gliffans d vn diuers mouuement,
Sur chacun de fes plis fe tourne obliquement
Ie ne fgay quel rondeau, qui fur nos chefs raionne.

Le premier eft de plomb, et d eftain le deuxiefme.
Le troifiefme d acier, le quart d or iauniffant,
Le quint eft compofe d eleclre palliffant,
Le fuyuant de Mercure, et d argent le feptiefme.

Son corps est affuble d vne mante azuree,
Seme'e haut et bas d vn million de feux,
Qui d vn bel art fans art diftindlement confus,
Decorent de leurs rais cefte beaute facree.

Icy luit le grand Char, icy fiambe la Lyre,
Icy la Poufsiniere, icy les clairs Beffons,
Icy le Trebufchet, icy les deux Poiffons,
Et mille autres brandons que ie ne puis defcrire.

Ie fuis [dit elle alors] cefte docle vranie,
Qui fur les gonds aftrez tranfporte les humains,
Faifant voir a leurs yeux, et toucher a leurs mains,
Ce que la Cour celefte et contemple et manie.

Ie quinte-efsence 1 ame : et fay que le Poete
Se furmontant foy mefme, enfonce vn haut difcours,
Qui, diuin, par 1 oreille attire les plus fourds,
Anime les rochers, et les fleuues arrefte.

Agreable eft le fonde mes doctes germaines :
Mais leur gofier, qui peut terre et ciel enchanter,
Ne me cede pas moins en 1 art de bien chanter,
Qu'au Rofsignol l'Oifon, les Pies aux Syrenes. [aiile

Pren moy donques pour guide : efleue au ciel ton.

THE VR AN IE. 25

To lofty fprits that are therewith made blyncl,

To which difcours my nature and age inclynd.

But whill I was in doubt what way to go,

With wind ambitious tofled to and fro :

A holy beuty did to mee appeare,

The Thundrers daughter feeming as (he weare.

Her porte was Angellike with Angels face,

With comely ihape and toung of heauenly grace :

Her nynevoced mouth refembled into found

The daunce harmonious making heauen refound.

Her head was honorde with a coflly crown,

Seuinfolde and round, to dyuers motions boun :

On euery folde I know not what doth glance,

Aboue our heads into a circuler dance.

The firft it is of Lead, of Tin the nixt, The seuin

The third of Stele, the fourth of Gold vnmixt, Planets.

The fyfth is made of pale Eledlre light,

The fixt of Mercure. feuint of Siluer bright.

Her corps is couured with an Afure gowne, Fimamcnt.

Where thoufand fires ar fowne both vp and downe :

Whilks with an arte, but arte, confufde in order, Fixed

Dois with their beanies decore thereof the border. Stan-es.

Heir fhynes the Charlewain, there the Harp giues light,

And heir the Seamans flarres, and there Twinnis bright,

And heir the Ballance, there the Fifhes twain e,

With thoufand other fyres, that pas my braine.

I am faid flie, that learned Vranie,

That to the Starres tranfports humanitie,

And maks men fee and twiche with hands and ene

It that the heauenly court contempling bene.

I quint-effence the Poets foule fo well,

While he in high difcours excede him fell.

Who by the eare the deafeft doeth allure,

Reuiues the rocks, and ftayes the floods for fure. N yne

The tone is pleafaunt of my * fillers deir : Muses.

Yet though their throts make heauen and earth admire,

They yeld to me no leffe in finging well,

Then Pye to Syraine, goofe to Nightingell.

Take me for guyde, lyft vp to heauen thy wing

26 L'VRANIE.

Salufle, chante moy du Tout-puifsant 1 honneur,
Et remontant le luth du Ieffean fonneur,
Courageux, broffe apres la couronne eternelle.

le ne puis d vn ceil fee, voir mes foeurs maquerelles,
Des amoreuz Frangois, dont les mignards efcrits [cris,
Sont pleins de feints foufpirs, de feints pleurs, de feints
D'impudiques difcours, et de vaines querelles.

Ie ne puis d vn ceil fee voir que 1 on mette en vente,
Nos diuines chanfons : et que d vn flateur vers,
Pour gaigner la faueur des Princes plus peruers,
Vn Commode, vn Neron, vn Caligule on vante.

Mais, fur tout, ie ne puis fans foufpirs et fans larmes
Voir les vers employez contre 1 autheur des vers :
Ie ne puis voir battu le Roy de l'vniuers
De fes propres foldats, et de fes propres armes.

L'homme a les yeux fillez de nuits Cimmeriennes,
Et s'il a quelque bien, tant foit peu precieux,
Par differentes mains il 1 a receu des cieux :
Mais Dieu feul nous apprend les chanfons Delphiennes.

Tout art s'apprend par art : la feule Poefie
Est vn pur don celefle : et nul ne peut goufter
Le miel, que nous faifons de Pinde degoutter
S'il n'a d'vn facre feu la poitrine faifie.

De cefte fource vient, que maints grands perfonnagc
Confommez en f^auoir, voire en profe diferts,
Se trauaillent en vain a compofer des vers :
Et qu'vn ieune apprenti fait de plus beaux ouurages.

De la vient que iadis le chantre Meonide,
Combien que mendiant, et fans maiftre, et fans yeux,
A vaincu par fes vers les nouueaux, et les vieux,
Chantant fi bien Vlyffe, et le preux Aeacide.

De la vient qu'vn Nafon ne peut parler en profe,
De la vient que Dauid mes chants fi toll aprit,
De pasteur fait Poete, et que maint ieune efprit [pofe.
Ne fcachant point noflre art, fuyuant noflre art com-

Recherche nuicl; et iour les ondes Caftalides :
Regrimpe nuicl et iour contre le roc Beffon :
Sois difciple d'Homere, et du fame! nourriffon
D'Ande, l'heureux feiour des vierges Pierides.

THE VRANIE. 27

Salujl, Gods immortals honour ling :
And bending higher Dauids Lute in tone,
With courage feke yon endles crown e abone.

1 no wais can, vnwet my cheekes, beholde

My fillers made by Frenchemen macquerels olde,

VVhofe mignarde writts, but faynd lamenting vaine,

And fayned teares and fhamles tales retaine.

But weping neither can I fee them fpyte

Our heauenly verfe, when they do nothing wryte,

But Princes flattery that ar tyrants rather

Then Nero, Commode, or Caligule ather.

But fpecially but fobbes I neuer mail

Se verfe beftowde gainft him made verfes all,

I can not fee his proper foldiers ding

With his owne amies him that of all is King.

Mans eyes are blinded with Cimmerien night :

And haue he any good, beit neuer fo light,

From heauen, by mediat moyens, he it reaches,

Bot only God the Delphiens fong vs teaches.

All art is learned by art, this art alone

It is a heauenly gift : no flefh nor bone

Can preif the honnie we from P'mde diflill,

Except with holy fyre his breed we fill.

From that fpring flowes, that men of fpeciall chofe,

Confumde in learning, and perfyte in profe,

For to make verfe in vaine dois trauell take.

When as a prentife fairer works will make.

That made that Homer, who a fongfler bene,

Albeit a beggar, lacking matter, and ene,

Exceded in his verfe both new and olde,

In fmging Vlifs and Achilles bolde.

That made that Nafo noght could fpeak but verfe,

That Dauid made my fongs fo fone reherfe,

Of pattor Poet made, yea youngmen whyles

Vnknowing our art, yet by our art compyles.

Seke night and day Caftalias waltring waas,

Climme day and night the twinrocks of Par?iaas :

Be Homers fkoller, and his, was born in Ande, Virgin

The happie dwelling place of all our bande.

28 L'VRANIE.

Lis tant que tu voudras, volume apres volume,
Les liures de Pergame, et de la grande cite,
Qui du nom d' Alexandre a fon nom emprunte :
Exerce inceffamment et ta langue, et ta plume.

loin tant que tu voudras, pour vn carme bien faire
L'obfcure nuidl au iour, et le iour a la nuidl,
Si ne pourras tu point cueillir vn digne fruit
D'vn fi fafcheux trauail, ii Pallas t'eft contraire. [forte,

Car du tout hors de 1 homme it fault que 1 homme
Sil veut faire des vers qui facent telle aux ans :
II fault quentre nos mains il fequeftre fes fens :
II fault qu vn faint ecflafe an plus haut ciel l'emporte.

Dautant que tout ainfi que la fureur humaine
Rend 1 homme moins qu humain : la diuine fureur
Rend 1 homme plus grand qu homme : et d vne fain die
Sur le ciel porte-feux a fon gre le promeine. [erreur

Ceil d vn fi facre' lieu que les diuins poetes
Nous apportent ca bas de fi docles propos,
Et des vers non fuiets au pouuoir d Atropos,
Truchemens de Nature, et du Ciel interpretes.

Les vrais Poetes font tels que la cornemufe,
Qui pleine de vent fonne, et vuide perd le fon :
Car leur fureur durant, dure auffi leur chanfon :
Et fi la fureur ceffe, auffi ceffe leur Mufe.

Puis donques que les vers ont au ciel pris nai fiance,
Efprits vrayment diuins, aurez vous bien le coeur
De prononcer vn vers et profane, et moqueur
Contre cil, qui conduit des cieux aflrez la danfe ?

Serez vous tant ingrats, que de rendre vos plumes
Miniflres de la chair, et femes de peche ?
Tout-iour donques fera voftre llyle empefche
A remplir, menfongers, de fonges vos volumes ?

Ferez-vous, 6 trompeurs, tout-iour d'vn diable vn Ange?
Fendrez vous tout-iour Fair de vos amoureux cris ?
He ! n'oiTa on iamais dans vos dodles efcrits
Eetentir haut et clair du grand Dieu la louange ?

Ne vous fuffit il pas de fentir dans voflre ame
Le Cyprien brandon, fans que plus effrontez
Qu'vne Lays publique, en cor vous euentez

THE V RAN IE. 29

How oft thou lykes reicl ouer booke efter booke,

The bookes of Troy, and of that towne which tooke

Her name from Alexander Monark then, Alexandria

Exerce but ceafe thy toung and eke thy pen.

Yea, if to make good verfe thou hes fie cure,

loyne night and day, and day to night obfcure,

Yet fhall thou not the worthy frute reape fo

Of all thy paines, if Pallas be thy fo.

For man from man mufl wholly parted be,

If with his age, his verfe do well agree.

Amongd our hands, he mufl his witts rehng,

A holy trance to high eft heauen him bring.

For euen as humane fury maks the man.

Les then the man : So heauenly fury can

Make man pas man, and wander in holy mifl,

Vpon the fyrie heauen to walk at lift.

Within that place the heauenly Poets fought

Their learning, fyne to vs heare downe it brought,

With verfe that ought to Atropos no dewe,

Dame Naturs trunchmen, heauens interprets trewe,

For Poets right are lyke the pype alway,

Who full doth found, and empty Hayes to play :

Euen fo their fury lading, lads their tone,

Their fury cead, their Mufe doth day affone.

Sen verfe did then in heauen fird bud and blunie,

If ye be heauenly, how dar ye prefume

A verfe prophane, and mocking for to fmg

Gaind him that leads of darrie heauens the ring?

Will ye then fo ingrately make your pen,

A flaue to hnne, and feme but fiefhly men ?

Shall dill your brains be bufied then to fill

With dreames, 6 dreamers, euery booke and bill?

Shall Satan dill be God for your behoue ?

Still will ye riue the aire with cryes of lone ?

And fliall there neuer into your works appeare,

The praife of God, refounding loud and cleare ?

SumTis it noght ye feele into your hairt

The Ciprian torch e, vnles more malapairt

Then Lais commoun quean, ye blow abrod

3 o L' V R A N I E.

Par le monde abufe 7 vostre impudique flam me ?

Ne vous suffit il pas de croupir en delices,
Sans que vous corrompiez, par vos nombres charmeurs,
Du le6leur indifcret les peu-conftantes mceurs,
Luy faifant embrafser pour les vertus les vices ?

Les tons, nombres, et chants, dont fe fait l'harmonie,
Qui rend le vers fi beau, ont fur nous tel pouuoir,
Que les plus durs Catons ils peuuent efmouuoir,
Agitant nos efprits d'vne douce manie.

Ainfi que le cachet dedans la cire forme
Prefque vn autre cachet, le Poete fgauant,
Va fi bien dans nos coeurs fes pafiions grauant,
Que prefque l'auditeur en l'auteur fe tranfforme.

Car la force des vers, qui fecrettement gliffe,
Par des fecrets conduits, dans nos entendemens,
Y empreint tous les bons et mauuais mouuemens,
Qui font reprefentez par vn dodle artifice.

Et c'efl pourquoy Platon hors de fa Republique
Chaffoit les efcriuains, qui fouloient par leurs vers
Rendre mefchans les bons, plus peru ers les peruers,
Sapans par leurs beaux mots l'honneflete publique.

Non ceux qui dans leurs chants marioient les beaux
Auec les beaux fuiets : ore entonnans le los [termes
Du iuste foudroyeur : ore d'vn faint propos,
Seruans aux defuoyez et de guides et d'Hermes.

Profanes efcriuains, voftre impudique rime,
Eft caufe, que Ton met nos chantres mieux-difans
Au rang des bafleleurs, des boufons, des plaifans :
Et qu'encore moins qu'eux le peuple les eflime.

Vos faites de Clion vne Thais impure :
D'Helicon vn bordeau : vous faites impudens,
Par vos lafcifs difcours, que les peres prudens
Deffendent a. leurs fils des carmes la lecture.

Mais fi foulans aux pieds la deite volage,
Qui blece de ces traits vos idolatres cceurs,
Vous vouliez employer vos plus fainctes fureurs
A faire voir en France vn facreVfaincl ouurage.

Chacun vous priferoit, comme eflans fecretaires,
Et miniflres facrez du Roy de 1 vniuers.

THE VRANIE. 31

But fhame, athort the world, your fhameles god ?

Abufers, flaikes it not to lurk in Iufl,

Without ye fmit with charming nombers iufl

The fickle maners of the reader flight,

In making him embrace, for day, the night ?

The harmony of nomber tone and fong,

That makes the verfe fo fair, it is fo flrong

Ouer vs, as hardeft Catos it will moue,

With fpreits aflought, and fweete transported loue.

For as into the wax the feals imprent

Is lyke a feale, right fo the Poet gent,

Doeth grau e fo viue in vs his pafiions flrange,

As maks the reader, halfe in author change.

For verfes force is fie, that foftly flydes

Throw fecret poris, and in our fences bydes,

As makes them haue both good and euill imprented,

Which by the learned works is reprefented.

And therefore Plato% common wealth did pack

None of thefe Poets, who by verfe did make

The goodmen euill, and the wicked worfe,

Whofe pleafaunt words betraied the publick corfe.

Not thofe that in their fongs good tearmes alwaife

Ioynd with fair Thems : whyles thundring out the praife

Of God, iufl Thundrer : whyles with holy fpeache,

Lyke Hermes did the way to flrayers teache.

Your fhameles rymes, are caufe, 6 Scrybes prophane,

That in the lyke opinion we remain e

With Iuglers, buffons, and that foolifh feames :

Yea les then them, the people of vs efleames.

For Clio ye put Thais vyle in vre,

For Helicon a bordell. Ye procure

By your lafciuious fpeache, that fathers fage

Defends verfe reading, to their yonger age.

But lightleing * yon fleing godhead flight, Cupide

Who in Idolatrous breads his darts hath pight.

If that ye would fmploy your holy traunce,

To make a holy hallovvde worke in Fraunce :

Then euery one wolde worthy fcribes you call,

And holy feruants to the King of all.

32 L'VRANI E."

Chacun reuereroit corame oracles vos vers :

Et les grands commettroient en vos mains leurs affaires.

La liaifon des vers fut iadis inuentee
Seulement pour traitter les myfteres facrez
Auec plus de refpedl : et de long temps apres
Par les carmes ne fut autre chofe chantee.

Ainfi mon grand Dauid fur la corde tremblante
De fon luth tout-diuin ne fonne rien que Dieu.
Ainfi le conducleur de l'exercite Hebrieu,
Sauue des rouges flots, le los du grand Dieu chante.

Ainfi Iudith, Delbore, au milieu des genfd' amies,
Ainfi lob, Ieremie, accablez de douleurs,
D vn carme bigarre de cent mille couleurs
Defcriuoient faintement leurs ioyes, et leurs larmes.

Voyla pourquoy Satan, qui fin se tranffigure
En Ange de clarte pour nous enforceler,
Ses preflres et fes dieux faifoit iadis parler,
Non d vne libre language, ains par nombre, et mefure.

Ainfi, fous Apollon la folle Phoemonoe
En hexametres vers fes oracles chantoit :
Et, par douteux propos, cauteleufe affrontoit
Non le Grec feulement, ains l'lbere, et l'Eoe.

Ainfi 1 antique voix en Dodone adoree,
Aefculape, et Amnion en vers prophetizoient,
Les Sibylles en vers le futur predifoient,
Et les preflres prioient en oraifon nombree.

Ainfi Line, Hefiode, et celuy dont la lyre
Oreilloit, comme on dit, les rocs, et les forefts,
Oferent autrefois les plus diuins fecrets
De leur profond fcauoir en docles vers efcrire.

Vous qui tant defirez vos fronts de laurier ceindre,
Oil pourriez vous trouuer vn champ plus fpacieux,
Que le los de celuy qui tient le frein des cieux,
Qui fait trembler les nionts, qui fait l'Erebe craindre ?

Ce fuiet est de vray la Corne d abondance,
C'eft vn grand magazin riche en difcours faconds,
Ceil vn grand Ocean, qui n'a riue, ny fonds,
Vn furjon immortel de diuine eloquence.

L'humble fuiet ne peut qu'humble difcours produire :

THEVRANIE. 33

Tixhone your verfe for oracles wolde take,
And great men of their counfell wolde you make.
The verfes knitting was found out and tryit,
For finging only holy myfleries by it
With greater grace. And efter that, were pend
Longtyme no verfe, but for that only end.
Euen fo my Dauid on the trembling firings
Of heauenly harps, Gods only praife he fings.
Euen fo the leader of the Hebrew hofl
Gods praife did fing vpon the Redfea cofl
So Iudith and Delbor in the foldiers throngs,
So lob and Leremie, preaft with woes and wrongs,
Did right defcryue their ioyes, their woes and torts,
In variant verfe of hundreth thoufand forts.
And therefore crafty Sathan, who can feame
An Angell of light, to witch vs in our dreame,
He caufde his gods and preefls of olde to fpeake
By nomber and meafure, which they durfl not breake.
So fond Phxmono'e vnder Apollos wing,
Her oracles Hexameter did fmg :
With doubtfum talk fhe craftely begylde,
Not only Grece, but Spaine and hides fhe fylde.
That olde voce ferude in JDodon, fpak in verfe,
So ^Efculap did, and fo did Ammon fearfe,
So Sy bills tolde in verfe, what was to come :
The Preefls did pray by nombers, all and fome.
So Hcfiod, Line, and he* whofe Lute they fay, Orpheus
Made rocks and forrefts come to heare him play,
Durfl well their heauenly fecrets all difcloes,
In learned verfe, that foftly flydes and goes.
O ye that wolde your browes with Laurel bind,
What larger feild I pray you can you find,
Then is his praife, who brydles heauens moil cleare,
Maks mountaines tremble, and howefl hells to feare ?
That is a home of plenty w r ell repleat :
That is a ftoreboufe riche, a learning feat.
An Ocean hudge, both lacking more and ground,
Of heauenly eloquence a fpring profound.
From fubiecls bafe, a bafe difcours dois fpring,
c

34 L'VRANIE.

Mais le graue fuiet de foymefme produit
Graues et mafles mots : de foymefmes il luit,
Et fait le faindl honneur de fon chantre reluire.

Or done fi vous voulez apres vos cendres viure,
N'imitez Eroftrat, qui pour viure, brufla
Le temple Ephefien : ou celuy qui moula,
Pour eftendre fon nom, vn cruel veau de cuiure.

Ne vueillez employer voflre rare artifice
A chanter la Cyprine, et fon fils emplume :
Car il vaut beaucoup mieux n'eflre point renomme',
Que fe voir renomme pour raifon de fon vice.

Viergesfont les neuf foeurs, qui dancent fur Parnaffe,
Vierge voflre Pallas : et vierge ce beau corps
Qu' vn fleuue vit changer fur les humides bords
En l'arbre tout-iour vert, qui vous cheueux enlace.

Confacrez moy pluftoft cefle rare eloquence
A chanter hautement les miracles compris
Dans le facre fueillet : et de vos beaux efprits
Verfez la, mes amis, toute la quinte-effence. [melle

Que Chrifl, comme Homme-Dieu, foit la croupe iu-
Sur qui vous fommeillez. Que pour cheual aile
L'Efprit du Trois-fois grand, d vn blanc pigeon voile',
Vous face ruifseler vne fource immortelle.

Tout ouurage excellent la memoire eternize
De ceux qui tant foit peu trauaillent apres luy :
Le Maufolee a fait viure iufquauiourd huy
Timothee, Bryace, et Scope, et Artemife.

Hiram feroit fans nom, fans la fainte afsiftance
Qu'il fit au baftiment du temple d'lfrael.
Et fans TArche de Dieu l'Hebrieu Befeleel
Seroit enfeueli fous eternel filence.

Et puis que la beaute de ces rares ouurages
Fait viure apres la mort tous ceux qui les ont faits,
Combien qu'auec le temps les plus feurs foient deffaits
Par rauines, par feux, par guerres, par orages.

Penfez, ie vous fuppli, combien fera plus belle
La louange, qu heureux, 9a bas vous acquerrez,
Lors que dans vos faints vers D 1 e v feul vous chanterez
Puis qu vn nom immortel vient de chofe immortelle.

THE VRANIE. 35

A lofty fubiecT of it felfe doeth bring
Graue words and weghtie, of it felfe diuine*
And makes the authors holy honour thine.
If ye wolde after afhes Hue, bewaire,
To do lyke Erqflrat, who brunt the faire
Ephefian temple, or him, to win a name,

* Who built of braffe, the ere well Calfe vntame. Peiiiius
Let not your art fo rare then be defylde,

In fmging Ve7ius and her fethred chylde :

For better it is without renowme to be,

Then be renowmde for vyle iniquitie.

Thofe nyne are Maides, that daunce vpon Parnaas ?

Learnd Pallas is a Virgin pure, lyke as

* That fair, wh ome waters changed on wattry banks Daphne
Into * that tre Hill grene, your hair that hanks. Laureii
Then confecrat that eloquence moll rair,

To fing the lofty miracles and fair

Of holy Scripture : and of your good ingyne,

Poure out, my frends, there -your fift-effence fyne.

Let Chrifl both God and man your Twinrock be,

Whome on ye flepe : for that *hors who did fie, Pegasus

Speak of that *thryfe great fpreit, whofe dow mofl white

Mote make your fpring flow euer with delyte. Hoiyghost.

All excellent worke beare record euer fhall,

Of trauellers in it, though their paines be fmall.

The Manfole tombe the names did eternife

Of Scope, Timotheas, Briace and Artemife.

But Hirams holy help, it war vnknowne

What he in building Izraels Temple had fhowne,

Without Gods Ark Befeleel I ewe had bene

In euerlafting filence buried clene.

Then, fmce the bewty of thofe works mofl rare

Hath after death made Hue all them that ware

Their builders : though them felues with tyme be failde,

By fpoils, by fyres, by warres, and tempefts quailde.

I pray you think, how mekle fairer fhall

Your happie name heirdowne be, when as all

Your holy verfe, great God alone fhall fing,

Since praife immortall commes of endles thing.

36 L'VRANIE.

Ie fgay que vous direz que les antiques fables
Sont Tame de vos chants, que ces contes diuers,
LVn de 1 autre naiffans, peuuent rendre vos vers
Beaucoup plus que l'hifioire au vulgaire admirables.

Mais oil peut on trouuer chofes plus merueilleufes
Que celles de la Foy ? he ! quel autre argument
Auec plus de tefmoins noflre raifon defment,
Qui rabat plus l'orgueil des ames curieufes ?

I'aymeroy mieux chanter la tour Affyrienne,
Que les trois monts Gregeois l'vn deffus l'autre entez
Pour dethrolner du ciel les dieux efpouuantez :
Et l'onde de Noe, que la Deucalienne.

I'aymeroy mieux chanter le changement fubite
Du Monarque d'Affur, que de l'Arcadien,
Et le viure fecond du faint Bethanien,
Que le recolement des membres d'Hippolite.

L'vn de plaire au lecteur tant feulement fe rnefle,
Et l'autre feulement tafche de profiter :
Mais feul celuy la peut le laurier meriter,
Qui, fage, le profit auec le plaifir melle.

Les plus beaux promenoirs font pres de la marine,
Et le nager plus fuer pres des riuages verds :
Et le fage Efcriuain n'efloigne dans fes vers
Le fc,auoir du plaifir, le ieu de la doclrine.

Vous tiendrez done ce rang en chantant chofes telles :
Car enfeignans autruy, vous mefmes apprendrez
La reigle de bien viure : et bien-heureux, rendrez
Autant que leurs fuiets, vos chanfons immortelles.

Laiffez moy done a part ces fables furannees :
Mes amis, laiffez moy cefl infolent Archer,
Qui les cceurs otieux peut feulement brefcher,
Et plus ne foyent par vous les Mufes profanees.

Mais las ! en vain ie crie, en vain, las ! ie m enroue :
Car 1 vn, pour ne fe voir conuaincu par mon chant,
Va, comme vn fin afpic, fon oreille bouchant :
L'autre Epicurien, de mes difcours fe ioue.

L'autre pour quelque temps fe range en mon efchole
Mais le monde enchanteur foudain le me fouftrait,
Et ce difcours facre, qui les feuls bons attrait,

THE VR A NIK. 37

I know that ye will fay, the auncient rabies

Decores your fongs, and that * thofe dyuers fables, Metamor

Ilk bred of other, doeth your verfes mak P hosis

More loued then ftoryes by the vulgar pack.

But where can there more wondrous things be found,

Then thofe of faith ? 6 fooles, what other ground,

With witnes mo, our reafons quyte improues,

Beats doun our pryde, that curious queftions moues ?

I had farr rather Babell tower forthfett, dufSd"

Then the *thre Grecian hilles on others plett, oiympus

To pull doun gods afraide, and in my moode,

Sing Noes rather then Deucalions floode.

I had far rather fing the fuddaine change Nabuchad

Of Affitrs monark, then of Areas flrange. nezer -

Of the* Bethaniejis holy lecond liuing, Lazarus.

Then Hippolitts with members glewde reuiuing.

To pleafe the Reader is the ones whole cair,

The vther for to proffite mair and mair :

But only he oi Laurel I is conding,

Who wyfely can with proffit, pleafure ming.

The fairefl walking on the Sea coaft bene,

And fuireft fwimming where the braes are grene :

So, wyfe is he, who in his verfe can haue

Skill mixt with pleafure, fports with doctrine graue.

In finging kepe this order Ihowen you heir,

Then ye your felf, in teaching men fhall leir

The rule of liuing well, and happely fhall

Your fongs make, as your thems immortall all.

No more into thofe oweryere lies delyte,

My freinds, caft of that infolent archer quyte,

"Who only may the ydle harts furpryfe :

Prophane no more the Mufes with yon cryes.

But oh ! in vaine, with crying am I horce :

For lo, where one, noght caring my fongs force,

Goes lyke a crafty fnaik, and ftoppes his eare :

The other godles, mocks and will not heare.

Ane other at my fchoole abydes a fpace,

While charming world withdrawe him from that place :

So that difcours, that maks good men reiofe,

38 L'VRANIE.

Entre par vne aureille, et par l'autre s'envolle.

Las ! ie n en voy pas vn qui fes deux yeux defsille
Du bandeau de Venus, et d vn profane fiel
De fes carmes dorez ne corrompe le miel :
Bien que de bons efprits noflre France fourmille.

Mais toy, mon cher mignon, que la Neufuaine fam<fte
Qui de Pegafe boit le furjon perennel,
Fit le facre fonneur du los de l'Eternel,
Mefme auant que de toy ta mere fuft enceinte :

Bien que cest argument femble vne maigre lande,
Que les meilleurs efprits ont en friche laifse,
Ne fois pour 1 auenir de ce trauail lafse :
Car plus la glorie eft rare, et tant plus elle eft grande.

Salvste, ne perds coeur fi tu vois que 1 Enuie
Aille abbayant, maligne, apres ton los naiffant :
Ne crain que fous fes pieds elle aille tapiffant
Les vers que tu feras, comme indignes de vie.

Ce monftre blece-honneur reffemble la Maftine,
Qui iappe contre ceux qui font nouueau venus,
Pardonnant toutesfois a ceux qui font cognus,
Curtoife enuers ceux cy, enuers ceux la mutine.

Ce monftre femble encor vne fameufe nue,
Que le naiffant Vulcan prefse de toutes pars,
Pour, noire, 1 eftoufFer de fes ondeux brouillars :
Mais ou plus ce feu croift, plus elle diminue.

Sui done (mon cher fouci) ce chemin non froyable
Que par ceux, que le ciel, liberal, veut benir,
Et ie iure qu en brief ie te feray tenir
Entre les bons efprits quelque rang honorable.

Ceft par ce beau difcours que la Mufe celefte
Tenant vne couronne en fa pucelle main,
Attire a foy mon coeur d vn tranfport plus qu'humain,
Tant bien a fes doux mots elle adioufte vn doux gefte.

Depuis, ce feul amour dans mes veines bouillonne:
Depuis, ce feul vent foufle es toiles de ma nef :
Bien-heureux: fi ie puis non pofer fur mon chef,
Ains du doigt feulement toucher cefte couronne.

FINIS.

THE VR AN IE. 39

At one eare enters, and at the other goes.
Alas, I fe not one vnvaill his ene
From Venus vaill and gal prophane, that bene
To golden honnied verfe, the only harme,
Although our France with lofty fprits doth fwarme.
But thou my deir one, whome the holy Nyne,
Who yearly drinks Pegafis fountaine fyne,
The great gods holy fongfler had receiued,
Yea, euen before thy mother the conceiued.
Albeit this fubiecl: feame a barren ground,
With quickeft fpreits left ley, as they it found,
Irk not for that heirefter of thy paine,
Thy glore by rairnes greater mail remaine.

Salujl, lofe not heart, though pale Inuye
Bark at thy praife increafmg to the fkye,
Feare not that fhe tread vnder foote thy verfe,
As if they were vnworthie to reherfe.

This monfler honnors-hurt is lyke the curr,
That barks at flrangers comming to the durr,
But fparing alwaies thofe are to him knowin,
To them mod gentle, to the others throwin.
This monfler als is lyke a railing cloude,
Which threatnes alwayis kendling Vulcan loude.
To fmore and drowne him, with her powring raine,
Yet force of fyre repellis her power againe.
Then follow furth, my fonne, that way unfeard,
Of them whom in fre heauens gift hath appeard.
And heare I fweare, thou fhortly mail refaue
Some noble rank among good fpreits and graue.
This heauenly Mufe by fuch difcourfes fair,
"Who in her Virgin hand a riche crowne bair :
So drew to her my heart, fo farr tranfported,
And with fwete grace, fo fwetely fhe exhorted :
As fmce that loue into my brain es did brew,
And fmce that only wind my fhipfailles blew,

1 thought me bleft, if I might only clame

To touche that crown, though not to weare the fame.

FINIS.

*
ANE METAPHORICALL
invention of a tragedie
called Phoenix.

A Colomne of 18 lynes feruing for a Preface
to the Tragedie enfuyng.

I Elf I

2 Echo 2

3 help, that both 3

4 together we, 4

5 Since caufe there be, may 5

6 now lament with tearis, My 6

7 murnefull yearis. Ye furies als 7

8 with him, Euen Pluto grim, who duells 8

9 in dark, that he, Since chief we fe him 9

10 to you all that bearis The ftyle men fearis of 10

II Dirse, I requeft, Eche greizlie gheft that dwells 11

12 beneth the fee, With all yon thre, whofe hairs are fnaiks 12

12 full blew, And all your crew, affift me in thir twa : 12

11 Repeit and fha my Tragedie full neir, The 11

10 chance fell heir, then fecundlie is beft, Deuills 10

9 void of reft, ye moue all that it reid, 9

8 With me in deid lyke dolour them 8

7 to griv', I then will liv' in 7

6 leffer greif therebj. Kyth 6

5 heir and tiy your force 5

4 ay bent and quick, 4

3 Excell in 3

2 fik like 2

I ill, I

and murne with

me. From Delphos fyne

Apollo cum with fpeid : Whofe

mining light my cairs will dim in deid.

Q The expanfion of the
former Colomne.

E If Echo help, that both together w E

(S ince caufe there be) may now lament with teari S

M y murnefull yearis. Ye furies als with hi M

E uen Pluto grim, who dwels in dark, that h E

S ince cheif we fe him to you all that beari S

T he flyle men fearis of Dirae : I requef T

E che greizlie ghefl, that dwells beneth the S E

W ith all yon thre, whofe hairis ar fnaiks full ble W

A nd all your crew, affifl me in thir tw A

E. epeit and fha my Tragedie full nei R

T he chance fell heir. Then fecoundlie is bef T

D euils void of reft, ye moue all that it rei D

W ith me, indeid, lyke dolour thame to gri V

I then mil liv', in leffer greif therebi I

K ythe heir and trie, your force ay bent and quic K

E xcell in fik lyke ill, and murne with m E
From Delphos fyne Apollo cum with fpeid,
Whofe mining light my cairs wil dim in deid.

PHOENIX.

HE dyuers falls, that Fortune geuis
to men,
By turning ouer her quheill to their

annoy,
When I do heare them grudge,

although they ken
That old blind Da?ne> delytes to let
the ioy

Of all, fuche is her vfe, which dois conuoy
Her quheill by gefs : not looking to the right,
Bot Hill turnis vp that pairt quhilk is too light.

Thus quhen I hard fo many did complaine,
Some for the loffe of worldly wealth and geir,
Some death of frends, quho can not come again e :
Some loffe of health, which vnto all is deir,
Some loffe of fame, which flill with it dois beir
Ane greif to them, who mereits it indeid :
Yet for all thir appearis there fome remeid.

For as to geir, lyke chance has made you want it,

Reflore you may the fame againe or mair.

For death of frends, although the fame (I grant it)

Can noght return e, yet men are not fo rair,

Bot ye may get the lyke. For feiknes fair

Your health may come : or to ane better place

Ye muft. For fame, good deids will mend difgrace.

P H OE N I X. 43

Then, fra I faw (as I already told)

How men complaind for things whilk might amend,

How Dauid Lindfay did complaine of old

His Papingo, her death, and fudden end,

Ane common foule, whofe kinde be all is kend.

All thefe hes moved me prefently to tell

Ane Tragedie, in griefs thir to excell.

For I complaine not of fie common cace,

Which diuerily by diuers means dois fall :

But I lament my Phcenix rare, whofe race,

Whofe kynde, whofe kin, whole offpring, they be all

In her alone, whome I the Phcenix call.

That fowle which only one at onis did liue,

Not Hues, alas ! though I her praife reviue.

In Arable cald Fcelix was fhe bredd

This foule, excelling Iris farr in hew.

Whofe body whole, with purpour was owercledd,

Whofe taill of coulour was celefliall blew,

With fkarlat pennis that through it mixed grew :

Her craig was like the yallowe burnifht gold,

And ihe her felf thre hundreth yeare was old.

She might haue liued as long againe and mair,

If fortune had not ftayde dame Naturs will :

Six hundreth yeares and fourtie was her fcair,

Which Nature ordained her for to fulfill.

Her natiue foile fhe hanted euer Hill,

Except to Egypt whiles fhe tooke her courfe,

Wherethrough great Nylus down runs from his fourfe.

Like as ane hors, when he is barded haile,
An fethered pannach fet vpon his heid,
Will make him feame more braue : Or to affaile
The enemie, he that the troups dois leid,
Ane pannache on his healme will fet in deid :
Euen fo, had Nature, to decore her face ;
Giuen her ane tap, for to augment her grace.

44 P H OE N I X.

In quantitie, fhe dois referable neare
Vnto the foule of mightie loue, by name
The AEgle calld : oft in the time of yeare,
She vfde to foir, and fiie through diuers realme,
Out through the Azure fkyes, whill fhe did fhame
The Sunne himfelf, her coulour was fo bright,
Till he abafhit beholding fuch a light.

Thus whill fhe vfde to fcum the fkyes about,
At lafl fhe chanced to fore out ower the fee
Calld Mare Rubrum : yet her courfe held out
Whill that flie pafl whole Afie. Syne to flie
To Europe fmall fhe did refolue : To drie
Her voyage out, at lafl fhe came in end
Into this land, ane flranger heir vnkend.

Ilk man did maruell at her forme moft rare

The winter came, and florms cled all the feild :

Which florms, the land of fruit and corne made bare,

Then did fhe flie into an houfe for beild,

Which from the florms might faue her as an fheild.

There, in that houfe fhe firfl began to tame,

I came, fyne tooke her furth out of the fame.

Fra I her gat, yet none could gefs what fort
Of foule fhe was, nor from what countrey cum :
Nor I my felf : except that be her port,
And gliflring hewes I knew the fhe was fum
Rare flranger foule, which oft had vfde to fcum
Through diuers lands, delyting in her flight ;
Which made vs fee, fo flrange and rare a fight.

Whill at the lafl, I chanced to call to minde
How that her nature, did referable neir
To that of Phoenix which I red. Her kinde,
Her hewe, her fhape, did mak it plaine appeir,
She was the fame, which now was lighted heir.
This made me to efleme of her the more,
Her name and rarenes did her fo decore.

P H OE N I X. 45

Thus being tamed, and throughly weill acquent.
She took delyte (as fhe was wount before)
What tyme that Titan with his beames vpfprent,
To take her flight, amongs the fkyes to foire.
Then came to her of fowlis, a woundrous flore
Of diuers kinds, fome fimple fowlis, fome ill
And rauening fowlis, whilks fimple onis did kill.

And euen as they do fwarme about their king
The hunnie Bees, that works into the hyue :
When he delyts furth of the ikepps to fpring,
Then all the leaue will follow him belyue,
Syne to be nixt him biffelie they flriue :
So, all thir fowlis did follow her with beir,
For loue of her, fowlis rauening did no deir.

Such was the loue, and reuerence they her bure,
Ilk day whill euen, ay whill they fhedd at night.
Fra time it darkned, I was euer fure
Of her returne, remaining whill the light,
And Phcebus ryfing with his garland bright.
Such was her trueth, fra time that fhe was tame,
She, who in brightnes Titans felf did fhame.

By vfe of this, and hanting it, at lad

She made the foules, fra time that I went out,

Aboue my head to flie, and follow fail

Her, who was chief and leader of the rout.

When it grew lait, fhe made them flie, but doubt,

Or feare, euen in the clofle with her of will,

Syne fhe her felf, perkt in my chalmer Hill.

When as the countreys round about did heare
Of this her byding in this countrey cold,
Which not but hills, and darknes ay dois beare,
(And for this caufe was Scotia calld of old,)
Her lyking here, when it was to them told,
And how fhe greind not to go backe againe :
The loue they bure her, turnd into difdaine.

4f- P H OE N 1 X.

Lo, here the fruidls, whilks of Inuy dois breid,
To harme them all, who vertue dois imbrace.
Lo, here the fruicts, from her whilks dois proceid,
To harme them all, that be in better cace
Then others be. So followed they the trace
Of proud Inuy, thir countreyis lying neir,
That fuch a foule, mould lyke to tary heir.

Whill Fortoun at the lail, not onely moued
Inuy to this, which could her not content,
Whill that Inuy, did feafe fom foules that loued
Her anis as femed : but yet their ill intent
Kythed, when they faw all other foules flill bent
To follow her, mifknowing them at all.
This made them worke her vndeferued fall.

Thir were the rauening fowls, whome of I fpak
Before, the whilks (as I already mew)
Was wount into her prefence to hald bak
Their crueltie, from fimples ones, that flew
With her, ay whill Inuy all feare withdrew.
Thir ware, the Rauin, the Stainchell, and the Gled,
With others kynds, whom in this malice bred.

Fra Malice thus was rooted be Inuy,
In them as fone the awin effects did maw.
Which made them fyne, vpon ane day, to fpy
And wait till that, as me was wount, fhe flaw
Athort the fkyes, fyne did they neir her draw,
Among the other fowlis of dyuers kynds,
Although they ware farr diffonant in mynds.

For where as they ware wount her to obey,

Their mynde farr contrair then did plaine appeare.

For then they made her as a commoun prey

To them, of whome ihe looked for no deare,

They ftrake at her fo bitterly, whill feare

Stayde other fowlis to preis for to defend her

From thir ingrate, whilks now had clene mifkend her.

P H OE N I X. 47

When fhe could find none other faue refuge
From thefe their bitter ftraiks, fhe fled at lafl
To me ( as if fhe wolde wifhe me to iudge
The wrong they did her ) yet they followed fafl
Till fhe betuix my leggs her felfe did cafl.
For fauing her from thefe, which her opprefl,
Whofe hote purfute, her fuffred not to reft.

Bot yet at all that ferved not for remeid,
For noghttheles, they fpaird her not a haire
In flede of her, yea whyles they made to bleid
My leggs : ( fo grew their malice mair and mair )
Which made her both to rage and to difpair,
Firfl, that but caufe they did her fuch difliort :
Nixt, that fhe laked help in any fort.

Then hauing tane ane dry and wethered flra,

In deip difpair, and in ane lofty rage

She fprang vp heigh, outfleing euery fa :

Syne to Panchaia came, to change her age

Ypon Apollos altar, to affwage

With outward fyre her inward raging fyre :

Which then was all her cheif and whole defyre.

Then being carefull, the event to know
Of her, who homeward had returnde againe
Where fhe was bred, where florms dois neuer blow,
Nor bitter blafts, nor winter fnows, nor raine,
But fommer (till : that countray doeth fo ftaine
All realmes in fairnes. There in hafle I fent,
Of her to know the yffew and event.

The meffmger went there into fie hafle,
As could permit the farrnes of the way,
By croffing ower fa mony countreys wafte
Or he come there. Syne with a lytle flay
Into that land, drew homeward euery day :
In his returne, lyke diligence he fhew
As in his going there, through realmes anew.

48 P H OE N I X.

Pra he returnd, then fone without delay
I fpeared at him, ( the certeantie to try )
What word of Phoenix which was flown away ?
And if through all the lands he could her fpy,
Where through he went, I bad him not deny,
But tell the trueth, yea whither good or ill
Was come of her, to wit it was my will.

He tolde me then, how fhe flew bak againe,
Where fra fhe came, and als he did receit,
How in Panchaia toun, fhe did remaine
On Phoebus alter, there for to compleit
With Thus and Myrrh, and other odours fweit
Of flowers of dyuers kyndes, and of Incens
Her nefl. With that he left me in fufpens.

Till that I charged him no wayes for to fpair,

Bot prefently to tell me out the reft.

He tauld me then, How Titans garland thair

Inflamde be heate, reflexing on her neft,

The withered lira, which when fhe was opprefl

Heir be yon fowlis, fhe bure ay whill fhe came

There, fyne aboue her nefl fhe laid the fame.

And fyne he tolde, how fhe had fuch defyre
To burne her felf, as fhe fat downe therein.
Syne how the Sunne the withered flra did fyre,
Which brunt her nefl, her fethers, bones, and fkin
All turnd in afh. Whofe end dois now begin
My woes : her death maks lyfe to greif in me.
She, whome I rew my eyes did euer fee.

O deuills of darknes, contraire vnto light,

In Phoebus fowle, how could ye get fuch place,

Since ye are hated ay be Phoebus bright ?

For flill is fene his light dois darknes chace.

But yet ye went into that fowle, whofe grace,

As Phoebus fowle, yet ward the Sunne him fell.

Her light his flaind, whome in all light dois dwell.

P H OE N I X. 49

And thou ( 6 Phoenix ) why was thow fo moued

Thow foule of light, be enemies to thee,

For to forget thy heauenly hewes, whilkis loued

Were baith by men and fowlis that did them fee ?

And fyne in hewe of afhe that they fould bee

Conuerted all : and that thy goodly fhape

In Chaos fould, and noght the fyre efcape ?

And thow ( 6 reuthles Death) fould thow deuore

Her? who not only paffed by all mens mynde

All other fowlis in hew, and fhape, but more

In rarenes ( fen there was none of her kynde

But fhe alone ) whome with thy ftounds thow pynde :

And at the lafl, hath perced her through the hart,

But reuth or pitie, with thy mortall dart.

Yet worft of all, fhe liued not half her age.

Why flayde thou Tyme at leaft, which all dois teare

To worke with her? O what a cruel rage,

To cut her off, before her threid did weare !

Wherein all Planets keeps their courfe, that yeare

It was not by the half yet worne away,

Which fould with her haue ended on a day.

Then fra thir newis, in forrows foped haill,

Had made vs both a while to holde our peace.

Then he began and laid, Pairt of my taill

Is yet vntolde, Lo here one of her race,

Ane worm bred of her afhe : Though fhe, alace,

(Said he) be brunt, this lacks but plumes and breath

To be lyke her, new gendred by her death.

Lenvoy.

Apollo then, who brunt with thy reflex
Thine onely fowle, through loue that thou her bure,
Although thy fowle, (whofe name doth end in X)
Thy burning heate on nowayes could indure,

D

50 Phoenix.

But brunt thereby : Yet will I the procure,
Late foe to Phoenix, now her freind to be :
Reuiuing her by that which made her die.

Draw farr from heir, mount heigh vp through the air,

To gar thy heat and beames be law and neir.

That in this countrey, which is colde and bair,

Thy gliflring beames als ardent may appeir

As they were oft in Arable : fo heir

Let them be now, to make ane Phoenix new

Euen of this worme of Phoenix alhe which grew.

This if thow dois, as fure I hope thou mail,
My tragedie a comike end will haue :
Thy work thou hath begun, to end it all.
Els made ane worme, to make her out the laue.
This Epitaphe, then beis on Phoenix graue.

Here lyeth, vvhome too eue?i be her death and end

Apollo hath a longer lyfe her fend.

FINIS.

A PARAPHRASTICALL

TRANSLATION OVT OF
THE POETE LVCANE.

68

LVCANVS LIB.

QVINTO.

f£} AEfaris an air fits veftrce fenfire putatis
-y^ Damnum poffe fuga 2 Velutifi cuncla minentur
Flumina, quos mifcent pelago, fubducere fontes :
Non magis ablatis vnquam decreverit cequor,
Quam mmc crefcit aquis. An vos momenta putatis
Vila dediffe mihi ?

If all the floods amongfl them wold conclude

To flay their courfe from running in the fee :

And by that means wold thinke for to delude

The Ocean, who fould impaired be,

As they fuppofde, beleuing if that he

Did lack their floods, he mould decreffe him fell :

Yet if we like the veritie to wye.

It pairs him nothing : as I mail you telL

52 LVCANVS LIB. V.

For out of him they are augmented all,

And moft part creat, as ye fhall perfaue :

For when the Sunne doth fouk the vapours fmali

Forth of the feas, whilks them conteine and haue,

A part in winde, in wete and raine the laue

He render dois : which doth augment their flrands.

Of Nefitims woll a coate fyne they him weaue,

By hurling to him fail out ower the lands.

When all is done, do to him what they can
None can perfaue that they do fwell him mair.
I put the cafe then that they neuer ran :
Yet not thelefs that could him nowife pair :
What needs he then to count it, or to cair,
Except their folies wold the more be fhawin ?
Sen though they flay, it harmes him not a hair,
What gain they, thogh they had their courfe withdrawen ?

So euen ficlike : Though fubiecls do coniure
For to rebell againft their Prince and King :
By ieauing him although they hope to fmure
That grace, wherewith God maks him for to ring,
Though by his gifts he maw him felfe bening,
To help their need, and make them thereby gaine :
Yet lack of them no harme to him doth bring,
When they to rewe their folie fhalbe fame.

JCenuoy.

Then Floods runne on your wounted courfe of olde ?

Which God by Nature dewly hes prouyded :

For though ye flay, as I before haue tolde,

And cafl in doubt which God hath els decyded :

To be conioynde, by you to be deuyded :

To kythe your fpite, and do the Depe no fkaith .-

Farre better were in others ilk confyded,

Ye Floods, thou Depe, whilks were your dewties baith.

FINIS.

ANE SC H O RT

TREATISE,

CONTEINING SOME REVLIS

and cautelis to be obferuit and

efchewit in Scottis

Poefie.

*

* * * * *
* * *

A QVADRAIN OF ALEXANDRIN

VERSE, DECLARING TO QVHOME THE
AutJiour hes direclit his labour.

To ignorants obdurde, quhair wilful errour lyis,
Nor zit to curious folks, quhilks carfing dois deiecl thee.
Nor zit to learned men, quha thinks thame onelie vvyis>
Bot to the docile bairns of knawledge I direcl thee.

THE PREFACE TO

the Reader.

HE caufe why (docile Reader) I haue not
I dedicat this fhort treatife to any particular
perfonis, (as commounly workis vfis to
be) is, that I efleme all thais quha hes
already fome beginning of knawledge,
with ane earneft defyre to atteyne to farther, alyke
meit for the reading of this worke, or any vther, quhilk
may help thame to the atteining to thair foirfaid de-
fyre. Bot as to this work, quhilk is intitulit, The
Reidis and cautelis to be obferuit and efchevvit in Scottis
Poefie, ze may maruell paraventure, quhairfore I fould.
haue writtin in that mater, fen fa mony learnit men,
baith of auld and of late hes already written thairof in
dyuers and fmdry languages : I anfwer, That nocht-
withflanding, I haue lykewayis writtin of it, for twa
cauffis : The ane is, As for them that wrait of auld,
lyke as the tyme is changeit fenfyne, fa is the ordour
of Poefie changeit. For then they obferuit not Flow-
ing, nor efchewit not Ryming i?i termes, befydes fmdrie
vther thingis, quhilk now we obferue, and efchew, and
dois weil in fa doing : be caufe that now, quhen the
warld is waxit auld, we haue all their opinionis in writ,
quhilk were learned before our tyme, befydes our awin
ingynis, quhair as they then did it onelie be thair awin
ingynis, but help of any vther. Thairfore, quhat I
fpeik of Poefie now, I fpeik of it, as being come to
mannis age and perfectioun, quhair as then, it was bot
in the infancie and chyldheid. The vther caufe is,
That as for thame that hes written in it of late, there
hes neuer ane of thame written in our language. For
albeit fmdrie hes written of it in Englifh, quhilk is lykeft
to our language, zit we differ from thame in fmdrie reulis
of Poefie, as ze will find be experience. I haue lyke-
wayis omittit dyuers figures, quhilkis are neceffare to
be vfit in verfe, for two caufis. The ane is, becaufe
they are vfit in all languages, and thairfore are fpokin
of be Du Bellay, and fmdrie vtheris, quha hes written

THE PREFACE. 55

in this airt. Quhairfore gif I wrait of them alfo, it
fould feme that I did bot repete that, quhilk they
haue written, and zit not fa weil, as they haue done
already.. The vther caufe is, that they are figures of
Rhetorique and Dialectique, quhilkis airtis I profeffe
nocht, and thairfore will apply to my felfe the counfale,
quhilk Apelles gaue to the fhoomaker, quhen he faid to
him, feing him find fait with the fhankis of the Image
of Vemis, efter that he had found fait with the pantoun,
Ne futor vltra crepidam.

I will alfo wifli zow (docile Reidar) that or ze
cummer zow with reiding thir reulis, ze may find in
zour felf fie a beginning of Nature, as ze may put in
praclife in zour verfe many of thir foirfaidis preceptis,
or euer ze fie them as they are heir fet doun. For gif
Nature be nocht the cheif worker in this airt, Reulis
wilbe bot a band to Nature, and will mak zow within
fhort fpace w T eary of the haill airt : quhair as, gif
Nature be cheif, and bent to it, reulis will be ane help
and flaff to Nature. I will end heir, left my preface
be langer nor my purpofe and haill mater following :
wifhing zow, docile Reidar, als gude fucces and great
proffeit by reiding this fhort treatife, as I tuke earnifl
and willing panis to blokjt, as ze lie, for zour caufe.
Fare weill.

I Haue infert in the hinder end of this Treatife,
maifl kyndis of verfis quhilks are not cuttit or
brokin, bot alyke many feit in euerie lyne of the verfe,
andhowtheyare commounlynamit, with myopinioun for
quhat fubieclis ilk kynde of thir verfe is meitefl to be vfit.

7^ O knaw the quantitie of zour lang or fhort fete in
they lynes, quhilk I haue put in the reule,
quhilk teachis zow to knaw quhat is Flovvi?ig, I haue
markit the lang fute with this mark, — and
abone the heid of the fhorte fute, I
haue put this mark u .

56

SONNET OF THE AVTHOVR

TOTHEREADER.

In for zourfaik I vvryte upon zour airt,
Apollo, Pan, and ze 6 Mufis nyne,
And thou, o Mercnre, for to help thy pah't
I do implore, fen thou be thy ingyne,
Nixt efter Pan had found the quhiffill, fyne
Thou did perfyte, that quhilk he dot efpyit :
And efter that made Argus for to tyne
(quha kepit lo) all his vvindois by it.
Concurre ze Gods, it can not be deny it :
Sen in your airt of Poefie I vvryte.
Auld birds to lear?ie by teiching it is tryit :
Sic docens difcans gifze help to dyte.

The?i Reidar fie of nature thou haue pairt,
Syne laikis thou nocht, bot heir to reid the airt.

SONNET DECIFRING

THE PERFYTE POET'E.

fNe rype ingyne, ane quick attd vvalkned wilt,
With fo??imair reafons, fitddenlie apply it,
For eitery pwpofe vfing reafons fit t,
VVithfikilfahies, where learning may befpyit,
With pithie vvordis, for to expres zow by it
His full intentioji in his proper leid,
The puritie quhairof, weill hes he tryit :
With memorie to keip qahat he dois reid,
With fikilfidnes andfiguris, quhilks proceid
Frojn Rhetorique, with euerlafiingfame,
With vthers woundring, preaffifig with all fpeid
For to atteine to meritefic a name.
All thir into the perfyte Po'ete be.
Goddis, grant I may obteine the Laurell trie.

57

THE REVLIS AND C A V-

TELIS TO BE OBSERVIT

and efchewit in Scottis

Poefie.

CAP. I

j|IRST, ze fall keip iuft cullouris,
quhairof the cautelis are thir.

That ze ryme nocht twyfe in
ane fyllabe. As for exemple, that
ze make not prone and reproue ryme
together, nor hone for houeing on
hors bak, and behoue.

That ze ryme ay to the hinmeft
lang fyllable, (with accent) in the lyne, fuppofe it be
not the hinmeft fyllabe in the lyne, as bakbyte zovv;
and out flyte zovv, It rymes in byte and fiyte, becaufe
of the lenth of the fyllabe, and accent being there, and
not in zovv, howbeit it be the hinmeft fyllabe of
ather of the lynis. Or qnejlion and digeftion, It rymes
in qnes and ges, albeit they be bot the antepenult
fyllabis, and vther twa behind ilkane of thame.

Ze audit alwayis to note, That as in thir foirfaidis, or
the lyke wordis, it rymes in the hinmeft lang fyllabe
in the lyne, althoucht there be vther fhort fyllabis be-
hind it, Sa is the hinmeft lang fyllabe the hinmeft
fute, fuppofe there be vther fhort fyllabis behind it,
quhilkis are eatin vp in the pronounceing, and na wayis
comptit as fete.

Ze man be war likewayis (except necefsitie compell
yow) with Ryming i7i Termis, quhilk is to fay, that
your firft or hinmeft word in the lyne, exceid not twa
or thre fyllabis at the maift, vfing thrie als feindill as
ye can. The caufe quhairfore ze fall not place a lang
word firft in the lyne, is, that all lang words hes ane

58 REVLIS AND CAVTELIS

fyllabe in them fa verie lang, as the lenth thairof eatis
vp in the pronouncing euin the vther fyllabes, quhilks ar
placit lang in the fame word, and thairfore fpillis the
flowing of that lyne. As for exemple, in this word,
Arabia, the fecond fyllable(ra) is fa lang, that it eatis
vp in the prononcing [a] quhilk is the hinmeft fyllabe
of the fame word. Quhilk [a] althocht it be in a lang
place, zit it kythis not fa, becaufe of the great lenth of
the preceding fyllable (ra). As to the caufe quhy ze
fall not put a lang word hinmeft in the lyne, It is, be-
caufe, that the lenth of the fecound fyllabe (ra) eating
vp the lenth of the vther lang fyllabe, [a] makis it to
feme bot as a tayle vnto it, together with the fhort
fyllabe preceding. And becaufe this tayle nather fer-
uis for callour nor fute, as I fpak before, it man be
thairfore repetit in the nixt lyne ryming vnto it, as it
is fet doune in the firft : quhilk makis, that ze will
fcarcely get many wordis to ryme vnto it, zea, nane at
all will ze finde to ryme to fmdrie vther langer wordis.
Thairfore cheifly be wane of inferting fie lang wordis
hinmeft in the lyne, for the caufe quhilk I laft allegit.
Befydis that nather firft nor lafl in the lyne, it keipis
na Flowing. The reulis and cautelis quhairof are
thir, as followis.

CHAP. II.

IRST, ze man vnderfland that all fyllabis
are deuydit in thrie kindes : That is,
fome fchort, fome lang, and fome indiffer-

ent. Be indifferent I meane, they quhilk
ere ather lang or fhort, according as ze
place thame.

The forme of placeing fyllabes in verfe, is this.
That zour firft fyllabe in the lyne be fliort, the
fecond lang, the thrid fhort, the fourt lang, the fyfi
fhort, the fixt lang, and fa furth to the end of the
lyne. Alwayis tak heid, that the nomber of zour fete

OF SCOTTIS POESIE. 59

in euery lyne be euin, and nocht odde : as four, fix,
audit, or ten : and not thrie, fyue, feuin, or nyne,
except it be in broken verfe, quhilkis are out of reul and
daylie inuentit be dyuers Poetis. Bot gif ze wald afk
me the reulis, quhairby to knaw euerie ane of thir thre
foirfaidis kyndis of fyllabes, I anfvver, Zour eare man
be the onely iudge and difcerner thairof. And to
proue this, I remit to the iudgement of the fame,
quhilk of thir twa lynis following flowis beft,

Into the Sea then Liicife?' vpfprang.

In the Sea then lucifer to vfprang,

I doubt not bot zour eare makkis zou eafilie to
perfaue, that the firft lyne flowis weil, and the vther
nathing at all. The reafoun is, becaufe the firft
lyne keips the reule abone written, to wit, the firft
fute fhort, the fecound lang, and fa furth, as I fhewe
before : quhair as the vther is direct contrair to the
fame. Bot fpecially tak heid, quhen zour lyne is of
fourtene, that zour Seclioun in aucht be a lang mono-
fyllabe, or ellis the hinmeft fyllabe of a word alwais
being lang, as I faid before. The caufe quhy it man
be ane of thir twa, is, for the Mufique, becaufe that
quhen zour lyne is ather of xiiij or xij fete, it wilbe
drawin fa lang in the fmging, as ze man reft in the
middes of it, quhilk is the Seclioun : fa as, gif zour
Seclioun be nocht ather a monofyllabe, or ellis the
hinmeft fyllabe of a word, as I faid before, bot the
firft fyllabe of a polyfyllabe, the Mufique fall make zow
fa to reft in the middes of that word, as it fall cut the
ane half of the word fra the vther, and fa fall mak it
feme twa different wordis, that is bot ane. This aucht
onely to be obferuit in thir foirfaid lang lynis : for
the fhortnes of all fhorter lynis, then thir before men-
tionat, is the caufe, that the Mufique makis na reft
in the middes of thame, and thairfore thir obferuationis

60 REVLIS AND CAVETLIS

feruis nocht for thame. Onely tak heid, that the
Sedioun in thame kythe fortieth ing langer nor any
* vther feit in that lyne, except the fecound and the laft,
as I haue faid before.

Ze man tak heid lykewayis, that zour langeft lynis
exceid nochte fourtene fete, and that zour shorteft be
nocht within foure.

Remember alfo to mak a Sedlioun in the middes of
euery lyne, quhether the lyne be lang or fhort. Be
Seclioun I mean, that gif zour lyne be of fourtene fete,
zour aucht fute, man not only be langer then the
feuint, or vther fhort fete, but alfo langer nor any
vther lang fete in the fame lyne, except the fecound
and the hinmeft. Or gif your lyne be of twelf fete, zour
SeElioun to be in the fext. Or gif of ten, zour Seclioun
to be in the fext alfo. The caufe quhy it is not in
fyue, is, becaufe fyue is odde, and euerie odde fute
is fhort. Or gif your lyne be of aucht fete, zour
Seclioun to be in the fourt. Gif of fex, in the fourt
alfo. Gif of four, zour Seclioim to be in twa.

Ze aucht likewife be war with oft compofing
zour haill lynis of monofyllabis onely, (albeit our
language haue fa many, as we can nocht weill efchewe
it) becaufe the maift pairt of thame are indifferent,
and may be in fhort or lang place, as ze like. Some
wordis of dyuers fyllabis are likewayis indifferent, as

Thairfore, reftore.

I thairfore, then.

In the firfl, thairfore^ (thair) is fhort, and (fore) is
lang : In the vther, (thair) is lang, and (fore) is fhort,
and zit baith flowis alike weill. Bot thir indifferent
wordis, compofit of dyuers fyllabes, are rare, fuppofe
in monofyllabes, commoun. The caufe then, quhy
ane haill lyne aucht nocht to be compofit of mono-
fyllabes only, is, that they being for the maift pairt
indifferent, nather the fecound, hinmeft, nor Seclioun,
will be langer nor the other lang fete in the fame lyne.

OF SCOTTIS POESIE. 61

Thairfore ze man place a word compofit of dyuers
fyllabes, and not indifferent, ather in the fecound,
hinmeft, or Seclioun, or in all thrie.

Ze man alfo tak heid, that quhen thare fallis any
fhort fyllabis efter the laft lang fyllabe in the lyne,
that ze repeit thame in the lyne quhilk rymis to the
vther, even as ze fet them downe in the firft lyne : as
for exempill, ze man not fay

T7ie?i fcir nocht
Nor heir ocht.

Bot

Thenfeir nochr
Nor heir nocht.

Repeting the fame, nocht, in baith the lynis : becaufe
this fyllabe, nocht, nather feruing for cullour nor fute,
is bot a tayle to the lang fute preceding, and thairfore
is repetit lykewayis in the nixt lyne, quhilk rymes vnto
it, euin as it fet doun in the firft.

There is alfo a kynde of indifferent wordis, afweill
as of fyllabis, albeit few in nomber. The nature quhair-
of is, that gif ze place thame in the begynning of a
lyne, they are fhorter be a fute, nor they are, gif ze
place thame hinmeft in the lyne, as

Sen patience I man haiie fteiforce.
I Hue in hope with patience.

Ze fe there are bot aucht fete in ather of baith thir
lynis aboue written. The caufe quhairof is, that
patience, in the firft lyne, in refpecl it is in the be-
ginning thairof, is bot of twa fete, and in the laft lyne,
of thrie, in refpecl it is the hinmeft word of that lyne.
To knaw and difcerne thir kynde of wordis from
vtheris, zour eare man be the onely iudge, as of all the
vther parts of Flowing, the verie twicheftane quhair-
of is Mufique.

I haue teachit zow now fhortly the reulis of Ryming,

62 REVLIS AND CAVTELIS

Fete, and Flowing. There reflis yet to teache zow the
wordis, fentences, and phrafis neceffair for a Poete to
vfe in his verfe, quhilk I haue fet doun in reulis, as
efter followis.

CHAR III.

ITrfl, that in quhatfumeuer ze put in verfe,
ze put in na wordis, ather metri caufa, or
zit, for filling furth the nomber of the
fete, bot that they be all fa neceffare, as
ze fould be conftrainit to vfe thame, in
cace ze were fpeiking the fame purpofe in profe.
And thairfore that zour wordis appeare to haue cum
out willingly, and by nature, and not to haue bene
thrawin out conftrainedly, be compulfioun.

That ze efchew to infert in zour verfe, a lang rable
of mennis names, or names of tounis, or fik vther
names. Becaufe it is hard to mak many lang names
all placit together, to flow weill. Thairfore quhen
that fallis out in zour purpofe, ze fall ather put bot
twa or thrie of thame in euerie lyne, mixing vther
wordis amang thame, or ellis fpecifie bot twa or thre
of them at all, faying {With the laif of that race) or
( With the rest in thay pairtis,) or fie vther lyke wordis :
as for example,

Out through his cairt, quhair Eons was eik
With other thre, quhilk Phaeton had drawin.

Ze fie thair is bot ane name there fpecifeit, to feme
for vther thrie of that forte.

Ze man alfo take heid to frame zour wordis and
fentencis according to the mater : As ' in Flyting
and Inuecliues, zour wordis to be cuttit fhort, and
hurland ouer heuch. For thais quhilkis are cuttit fhort,
I meane be fie wordis as thir,

OF SCOTTIS POESIE. 63

Jis neir cair,
for

/ fall neuer cair, gif zour fubiecl
were of loue, or tragedies. Becaufe in thame zour
words man be drawin lang, quhilkis in Fly ting man
be fhort.

Ze man lykewayis tak heid, the ze waill zour wordis
according to the purpofe : As, in ane heich and learnit
purpofe, to vfe heich, pithie, and learnit wordis.

Gif zour purpofe be of loue, To vfe commoun lan-
guage, with fome paffionate wordis.

Gif zour purpofe be of tragicall materis, To vfe
lamentable wordis, with fome heich, as rauifliit in
admiratioun.

Gif zour purpofe be of landwart erfairis, To vfe cor-
ruptit and vplandis wordis.

And finally, quhatfumeuer be zour fubiecl, to- vfe
vocabitla artis, quhairby ze may the mair viuelie repre-
fent that perfoun, quhais pairt ze paint out.

This is likewayis neidfull to be vfit in fentences, als
weill as in wordis. As gif zour fubiecl; be heich and
learnit, to vfe learnit and infallible reafonis, prouin be
necefhties.

Gif zour fubiecT be of loue, To vfe wilfull reafonis,
proceding rather from paffioun, nor reafoun.

Gif zour fubiecl be of landwart effaris, To vfe
fklender reafonis, mixt with groffe ignorance, nather
keiping forme nor ordour. And fa furth, euer framing
zour reafonis, according to the qualitie of zour fubiecl.

Let all zour verfe be Literally fa far as may be,
quhatfumeuer kynde they be of, bot fpeciallie Tumbling
verfe for flyting. Be Literall I meane, that the maift
pairt of zour lyne, fall rynne vpon a letter, as this
tumbling lyne rynnis vpon F.

Fetching fnde for to feid it fast furth of the Farie.

Ze man obferue that thir Tumbling verfe flowis not
on that faffoun, as vtheris dois. For all vtheris keipis
the reule quhilk I gaue before, To wit, the firft fute
fhort the fecound lang, and fa furth. Quhair as thir

64 REVLIS AND CAVTELIS

lies twa fhort, and ane lang throuch all the lyne, quhen
they keip ordour : albeit the maift pairt of thame be
out of ordour, and keipis na kynde nor reule of Flowing,
and for that caufe are callit Tumbling verfe : except
the fhort lynis of aucht in the hinder end of the verfe,
the quhilk flowis as vther verfes dois, as ze will find in
the hinder end of this buke, quhair I gaue exemple of
fmdrie kyndis of verfis.

CHAP. IIII.

j]ARK alfo thrie fpeciall ornamentis to verfe,
quhilkis are, Comparifo?is, Epithetis, and
Prouerbis.

As for Comparifons, take heid that they
be fa proper for the fubiect, that nather
they be ouer bas, gif zour fubiect be heich, for then
fould zour fubiect [Comparifoim?] difgrace zour Com-
parifoun [fubject?], nather zour Comparifoim be heich
quhen zour fubiect is baffe, for then fall zour Compari-
foim [fubject?] difgrace your fubiect \Comparifounl\
Bot let fie a mutuall correfpondence and fimilitude be
betwix them, as it may appeare to be a melt Compari-
foun for fie a fubiect, and fa fall they ilkane decore
vther.

As for Epithetis, It is to defcryue brieflie, en pqffant,
the naturall of euerie thing ze fpeik of, be adding the
proper adiectiue vnto it, quhairof there are twa faffons.
The ane is, to defcryue it, be making, a corruptit worde,
compofit of twa dyuers fimple wordis, as
Apollo gyde-Sunne
The vther faffon, is, be Circumlocution, as

Apollo reular of the Sunne.
I efleme this lad faffoun beft, Becaufe it expreffis
the authoris meaning als weill as the vther, and zit
makis na corruptit wordis, as the vther dois.

As for the Prouerbis, they man be proper for the
fubiect, to beautifie it, chofen in the fame forme as the
Comparifoim.

OF SCOTTIS POESIE. 65

CHAP V.

|T is alfo meit, for the better decoratioun of
the verfe to vfe fumtyme the figure of
Repetitioun, as

Qithylis toy rang,
Qiihylis noy rang. ore.

Ze fie this word qithylis is repetit heir. This forme
of repetitioun fometyme vfit, decoris the verfe very
mekle. zea quhen it cummis to purpofe, it will be
cumly to repete fie a word aucht or nyne tymes in a
verfe.

CHAP. VI.

ZE man alfo be warre with compofmg ony thing
in the fame maner, as hes bene ower oft vfit of
before. As in fpeciall, gif ze fpeik of loue, be
warre ze defcryue zour Zones makdome, or her fairnes.
And ficlyke that ze defcryue not the morning, and ryfmg
of the Sunne, in the Preface of zour verfe : for thir
thingis are fa oft and dyuerflie writtin vpon be Poetis
already, that gif ze do the lyke, it will appeare, ze bot
imitate, and that it cummis not of zour awin Irmentioun,
quhilk is ane of the cheif properteis of ane Poete.
Thairfore gif zour fubieel be to prayfe zour Lone, ze
fall rather prayfe hir vther qualiteis, nor her fairnes, or
hir fhaip : or ellis ze fall fpeik fome lytill thing of it,
and fyne fay. that zour wittis are fa final, and zour
vtterance fa barren, that ze can not difcryue any part
of hir worthelie : remitting alwayis to the Reider, to
iudge of hir, in refpeel fho matches, or rather excellis
Venus, or any woman, quhome to it fall pleafe zow to
compaire her. Bot gif zour fubieel be fie, as ze man
fpeik fome thing of the morning, or Sunne ryfmg, tak
heid, that quhatname zegiue to the Sunne, the Mone,
or vther Harris, the ane tyrne. gif ze happin to wryte

E

66

REVLIS AND CAVTELIS

thairof another tyme, to change thair names. As gif ze
call the Sunne Titan, at a tyme, to call him Phoebus or
Apollo the vther tyme, and ficlyke the Mone, and vther
Planettis.

CHAP. VII.

|OT fen Inuention, is ane of the cheif vertewis
in a Poete, it is befl that ze inuent zour
awin fubiect, zour felf, and not to com-
pofe of fen e fubieclis. Efpecially, tranflat-
ing any thing out of vther language, quhilk
doing, ze not onely effay not zour awin ingyne of Inuen-
tioun, bot be the fame meanes, ze are bound, as to a
flaik, to follow that buikis phrafis, quhilk ze tranflate.
Ze man alfo be war of wryting any thing of materis
of commoun weill, or vther fie graue fene fubieclis
(except Metaphorically, of manifefl treuth opinly
knawin, zit nochtwithftanding vfmg it very feindil) be-
caufe nocht onely ze effay nocht zour awin Inuentioun,
as I fpak before, bot lykewayis they are to graue
materis, for a Poet to mell in. Bot becaufe ze can not
haue the Inuentioun, except it come of Nature, I remit
it thairvnto, as the cheif caufe, not onely of Imientioun,
bot: alfo of all the vther pairtis of Poefie. For airt is
onely bot ane help and a remembraunce to Nature, as
I fhewe zow in the Preface.

CHAP. VIII. tuiching the kyndis of verfis,
mentionat in the Preface.

flrfl, there is ryme quhilk feruis onely for
lang hiftoreis, and zit are nocht verfe As
for exemple,

In Mali when that the Miff cfull Phoebus bricht,
The lamp of toy, the heauens gemme of licht,
Thegoldin cairt, and the ether iall King,
With picrpour face in Orient doisfpring,
Maifl angel~lyke afcending in his fp here,
And birds with all thair Jieauenlie voces cleare

OF SCOTTIS POESIE. 67

Dois mak a fvveit and heauinly harmony,
And fragrant flours dois fpring vp luflely .*
Into this feafonfvveitefl of delyte,
To walk I had a lusty appetyte*

And fa furth.

T For the defcriptioun of Heroique actis, Martiall
and knichtly faittis of armes, vfe this kynde of verfe
following, callit Heroically As

Meik mundane mirrour, myrrie and modefil,
Blyth, kynde, and courtes, comelie, dene, and chefl,

To all exemplefor thy ho?ieflie,
As richefl rofe, or rubie, by the refl,

With gracis graue, a?id gesture maifl digefl,
Ay to thy honnour alvvayis hauing eye.

Were faj sons fiiemde, they micht be found in the :

Of bliffings all, be blyth, thovv hes the beffl,

With euerie berne belouit for to be.

T For any heich and graue fubieclis, fpecially drawin
out of learnit authouris, vfe this kynde of verfe follow-
ing, callit Ballat Royal, as

That nicht he ceifl, and went to bed, bot greind
Zit faflfor day, and thocht the nicht to lang :
At lafil Diana doim her head recleind,
Into the fea. The?i Lucifer vpf prang,
Auroras pofl, whomefJio did fend amang
The Ieittie cludds,for to foretell ane hour,
Before fho flay her tears, quhilk Ouide fang
Fell for her loue, quhilk t limit in a flour.

T For tragicall materis, complaintis, or teftamentis, vfe
this kynde of verfe following, callit Troilus verfe, as

To thee Echo, a7id thovv to me agane,
In the defert, amangs the vvods and wells,
Qiihair deflinie hes bound the to remane,
But company, within the firths and fells,
Let vs complein, with wofull zoutts and zells,

68 REVLIS AND CAVTELIS

Afliaft, afhotter, that our harts hesflane :
To thee Echo, and thovv to me agane.

T For flyting, or Inuectiues, vfe this kynde of verfe
following, callit Rouncefallis, or Tumbling verfe.

In the hinder end of haruest vpon Alhallovv ene,
Quhen our glide nichtbors rydis (iiou gif I reid richi)
Some bucklit on a benwod, and fome 011 a bene,
Ay trot t and into troupes fra the tvvylicht :
Some fadland aflio ape, all grathed into grene:
Some hotche and on a hemp flalk, hovand on a heicht.
The king of Far y with the Court of the Elf queue,
With many elrage Incubus rydand that nicht :
There ane elf oji ane ape ane vnfell begat :
Befyde a pot baith auld and vvorne,
This bratshard in ane bus was borne :
They f and a monfler o?i the mome,
VVar facit nor a Cat.

1" For compendious prayfmg of any bukes, or the
authouris thairof, or ony argumentis of vther hiftoreis,
quhair fundrie fentences, and change of purpofis are
requyrit, vfe Sonet verfe, of fourtene lynis, and ten fete
in euery lyne. The exemple quhairof, I neid nocht
to maw zow, in refpe6l I haue fet doim twa in the be-
ginning of this treatife.

T In materis of loue, vfe this kynde of verfe, quhilk
we call Co7?imoun verfe, as

Quhais anfvver made tha?ne nocht fa glaid
That they fould thus the viclors be,
As euen the anfvver quhilk I haid
Did greatly ioy aud confort me:
Quhen lo, this fpak Apollo myne,
All that thou feikis, it fall be thyne.

1" Lyke verfe of ten fete, as this foirfaid is of audit, ze
may vfe lykewayis in loue materis : as alfo all kyndis
of cuttit and brokin verfe, quhairof new formes are
daylie inuentit according to the Poetes pleafour, as

OF SCOTTIS POESIE. 69

Qnha vvald haue tyrde to heir that tone,
Quhilk birds corroborat ay abone

Throuch fchonting of the Larkis ?
They f prang fa heich into thefkyes
Qiihill Cupide vvalknis with the cryis

Of Naturis chapell Clarkis.
Then leaning all the Heauins abone

He lichted on the eard.
Lo ! how that lytill God of loue.

Before me then appeard,
So myld-lyke

With bow thre quarters fkant
And chyld-lyke

So moylie

He lukit lyke a Sant.
And coy lie

And fa furth.

T This onely kynde of brokin verfe abonewrittin,
man of neceffitie, in thir lafl fhort fete, &sfo moylie and
coylie, haue bot twafete and a tayle to ilkane of thame,
as ze fie, to gar the cullour and ryme be in the penult
fyllabe.

4" And of thir foirfaidis kyndes of ballatis of haill

verfe, and not cuttit or brokin as this lafl is, gif ze

lyke to put ane owerword till ony of thame, as making

the lafl lyne of the firfl verfe, to be the lafl lyne of euerie

vther verfe in that ballat, will fet weill for loue materis.

Bot befydis thir kyndes of brokin or cuttit verfe,

quhilks ar inuentit daylie be Poetis, as I fhewe before,

there are fmdrie kyndes of haill verfe, with all thair lynis

alyke lang, quhilk I haue heir omittit, and tane bot

onelie thir few kyndes abone fpecifeit

as the befl, quhilk may be ap-

plyit to ony kynde of

fubiect,

bot rather to thir, quhairof

I haue fpokin before.

THE CIIII. PSALME,

TRANSLATED OVT OF
TREMELLIVS.

PSALME CIIII.

Lord infpyre my fpreit and pen, to praife
Thy Name, whofe greatnes fan* furpaffis all :
That fyne, I may thy gloir and honour blaife,
Which cleithis the ouer : about the lyke a wall
The light remainis. O thow, whofe charge and call
Made Heauens lyke courtenis for to fpred abreid,
Who bowed the waters fo, as ferue they mall
For criftall fyilring ouer thy houfe to gleid.

Who walks vpon the wings of reflles winde,
Who of the clouds his chariot made, euen he,
Who in his prefence flill the fpreits doeth find,
Ay ready to fulfill iik iufl decrie
Of his, whofe feruants fyre and flammis they be.
Who fet the earth on her fundations fure,
So as her brangling none fhall euer fee :
Who at thy charge the deip vpon her bure.

So, as the very tops of mountains hie

Be fluidis were onis ouerflowed at thy command,

Ay whill thy thundring voice fone made them flie

Ower hiddeous hills and howes, till noght but fand

Was left behind, fyne with thy mightie hand

Thow limits made vnto the roring deip.

So fhall (he neuer droun againe the land,

But brek her wawes on rockis, her mairch to keip.

Thir are thy workis, who maid the flrands to breid,
Syne rinn among the hills from fountains cleir,

PSALMECIIII. 71

Whairto wyld Affes oft dois rinn with fpeid,
With vther beafts to drinke. Hard by we heir
The chirping birds among the leaues, with beir
To fmg, whil all the rocks about rebounde.
A woundrous worke, that thow, 6 Father deir,
Maks throtts fo fmall yeild furth fo greate a founde !

O thow who from thy palace oft letts fall
(For to refrefh the hills) thy bleffed raine :
Who with thy works mainteins the earth and all :
Who maks to grow the herbs and grafs to gaine.
The herbs for foode to man, grafs dois remaine
For food to horfe, and cattell of all kynde.
Thow caufeft them not pull at it in vaine,
But be thair foode. fuch is thy will and mynde.

Who dois reioyfe the hart of man with wyne,

And who with oyle his face maks cleir and bright,

And who with foode his flomack ftrengthnes fyne,

Who nurifhes the very treis aright

The Cedars evin of Liban tall and wight

He planted hath, where birds do bigg their neft.

He maid the Firr treis of a woundrous hight,

Where Storks dois mak thair dwelling place, and reft.

Thow made the barren hills, wylde goats refuge.
Thow maid the rocks, a refidence and red
For Alpin ratts, where they doe Hue and ludge.
Thow maid the Moone, her courfe, as thou thoght bed.
Thow maid the Sunne in tyme go to, that left
He flill fould fhyne, then night fould neuer come.
But thow in ordour all things hes fo dreft,
Some beafls for day, for night are alfo fome.

For Lyons young at night beginnis to raire,
And from their denns to craue of God fome pray :
Then in the morning, gone is all their caire,
And homeward to their caues rinnis fafl, fra day
Beginne to kythe, the Sunne dois fo them fray.

72 PSALMECIIII.

Then man gois furth, fra tyme the Sunne dois ryfe.
And whill the euening he remanis away
At lefume labour, where his liuing lyes.

How large and mightie are thy workis, 6 Lord !
And with what wifedome are they wrought, but faile.
The earths great fulnes, of thy gifts recorde
Dois beare : Heirof the Seas (which dyuers fkaile
Of fifh contenis) dois witnes beare : Ilk faile
Of dyuers fhips vpon the fwolling wawes
Dois teflifie, as dois the monflrous whaile,
Who frayis all fillies with his ravening Iawes.

All thir (6 Lord) yea all this woundrous heape
Of liuing things, in feafon craues their fill
Of foode from thee. Thow giuing, Lord, they reape :
Thy open hand with gude things fills them ftill
When fo thow lift : but contrar, when thow will
Withdraw thy face, then are they troubled fair,
Their breath by thee receavd, fone dois them kill :
Syne they return e into their allies bair.

But notwithstanding, Father deare, in cace

Thow breath on them againe, then they reviue.

In fhort, thow dois, 6 Lord, renewe the face

Of all the earth, and all that in it liue.

Therefore immortall praife to him we giue :

Let him reioyfe into his works he maid,

Whofe looke and touche, fo hills and earth dois greiue,

As earth dois tremble, mountains reikis, afraid.

To Iehona I all my lyfe fhall fing,
To found his Name I euer ftill fhall cair :
It fhall be fweit my thinking on that King :
In him I fhall be glaid for euer mair :
O let the wicked be into no whair
In earth. O let the finfull be deftroyde.
Bleffe him. my foule who name Iehona bair :
bleffe him now with notts that are enioyde.

Hallelu-iah.

ANE SCHORT POEME

OF TYME.

* w w

1 S I was panfmg in a morning, aire,
^ And could not fleip, nor nawayis take me reft,
^£> Furth for to walk, the morning was fa faire,
Athort the feilds, it femed to me the beft.
The Eajl was cleare, whereby belyue I gefl
That fyrie Titan cumming was in fight,
Obfcuring chafl Diana by his light.

Who by his ryfmg in the Azure fkyes,
Did dewlie helfe all thame on earth do dwell.
The balmie dew through birning drouth he dryis,
Which made the foile to fauour fweit and fmell,
By dewe that on the night before downe fell,
Which then was foukit by the Delphienns heit
Vp in the aire : it was fo light and weit.

Whofe hie afcending in his purpour Sphere

Prouoked all from Morpheus to flee :

As beads to feid, and birds to hng with beir,

Men to their labour, biffie as the Bee :

Yet ydle men deuyfmg did I fee.

How for to dry ue the tyme that did them irk,

By findrie Daftvmes, quhill that it grew mirk.

74 TYM E.

Then woundred I to fee them feik a wyle,
So willinglie the precious tyme to tyne :
And how they did them felns fo farr begyle,
To fame of tyme, which of it felfe is fyne.
Fra tyme be paft, to call it bakwart fyne
Is bot in vaine : therefore men fould be warr,
To fleuth the tyme that flees fra them fo farr.

For what hath man bot tyme into this lyfe,
Which giues him dayis his God aright to knaw :
Wherefore then fould we be at fie a ftryfe,
So fpedelie our felfis for to withdraw
Euin from the tyme, which is on nowayes flaw
To file from vs, fuppofe we fled it noght ?
More wyfe we were, if we the tyme had foght.

Bot fen that tyme is fie a precious thing,

I wald we fould bellow it into that

Which were moll pleafour to our heauenly King.

Flee ydilteth, which is the greatefl lat.

Bot fen that death to all is deflinat,

Let vs imploy that time that God hath fend vs,

In doing weill, that good men may commend vs.

Hcec quoque perficiat, quod perficit omnia, Tempus.
FINIS.

75

A TABLE OF SOME OBSCVRE

WORD IS WITH THEIR SIG-

nifications, efter the or dour of

the Alphabet.

* *

Wordis Significations

Atnmon Iupiter Ammon.

Ande A village befyde Mantua where

Virgill was borne.
Alexandria A famous citie in Egypt, where

was the notable librarie gathered by Ptolomeus Phila-

delphus.

B

Bethaniens fecond liuing Lazarus oiBethania, who was
reuiued be Chrifl, reid John n Chap.

Castalia A well at the fute of the hill

Par?iaffus.

Celoeno Th e cheif of the Harpy es, a kynde

of monflers with wingis and womens faces, whome
the Poets feynzeis to reprefent theuis.

Cerberus The thrie headed porter of hell.

Cimmerien night Drevin from a kynd of people in

the Eafl, called Cimmerij, who are great theuis, and
dwellis in dark canes, and therefore, ileeping in
finne, is called Cimmerien night.

Circuler daunce The round motionis of the Pla-

nets, and of their heauens, applyed to feuin fmdrie
metallis.

Clio One of the Mufes.

Cypris The dwelling place of Venus,

tearming continens pro contento.

Cyprian torche Lovis darte.

76 THE TABLE.

D

Delphien Songs Po ernes, and verfes, drawen from

the Oracle of Apollo at Delphos.
Dira Thre furies of hell, Aleclo, Me-

gera, and Tefiphone.
Dodon A citie of the kingdome of Epi-

rus, befydes the which, there was a wood and a

Temple therein, confecrated to Inpitcr.

E

Eleclre A metal, fowre parts gold and

fift part filuer.
Elife field In Latin Campi Elifij, a ioy full

place in hell, where as the Poets feinzeis all the

happie fpreits do remaine.
Efadape A mediciner, after made a god.

G

Greateft thunders Jupiter (as the Poets feinzeis)
had two thunders, whereof he fent the greateft vpon
the Gyants, who contemned him.

H

Hermes An AEgiptian Philofopher foone

after the tyme of Moyfes, confeffed in his Dialogues
one onely God to be Creator of all things, and graunt-
ed the errours of his forefathers, who brought in the
fuperftitious worshipping of I doles.

Hippolyte After his members were drawin

in funder by fowre horfes, Efculapias at Nepiuns re-
quefl, glewed them together, and reviued him.

M

Maufole to?nbe One of the feauin miracles which

Artemife caufed to be builded for her hufband by
Timotheus, Briace, Scope, and fundrie other work-
men.

THE TABLE.

77

Mein A riuer in Almanie.

Sein A riuer in Fraunce.

The Authors meaning of thefe two riuers is, that the
originall of the Almanis came firft out of Fraunce,
contrarie to the vulgar opinion.

Nynevoiced mouth
was one.

N
The nyne Mufes, whereof Vranie

P

PancJiaia A towne in the Eafl, wherein, it

is written, the Phcenix burn is her felfe vpon Apollos
altar.

A hill confecrate to Apollo, and

Pitide or Pindus

the Mufes.
Phcenwnoe

Oracles of Apollo.

A woman who pronounced the

Sea?nans Jiarres The feauen ft aires.

Semele Mother of Bacchus, who being

decerned by luno, made Jupiter come to her in his
leaft thunder, which neuerthelefs confumde her.

Syrettes Taken heir for littill gray birdes

of Canaria.

T

A common harlot of Alexandria.
A monfter in the fea, fhapen like

Thais

Triton
a man.

Turuus lifter Named Inturna, a goddefse of

the water, who in the fhape of her brothers waggon-
ner led his chariot through the fields, ay till Aleclo
appeared vnto them in the fhape of an Howlet.

Vranie

V
The heauenly Mufe.

FINIS.

7»

Sonnet of the Authou>\

fHE facound Greke, Demojlhenes by name,
His toung was ones into his youth fo flow,
As evin that airt, which fioorifh made his fame,
He fcarce could name it for a tyme, ze know*. ^que*
So of fmall feidis the Liban Cedres grow :
So of an Egg the Egle doeth proceid :
From fountains fmall great Nilus flood doeth flow :
Evin fo of rawnis do mightie fifhes breid.
Therefore, good Reader, when as thow dois reid
Thefe my firfl fruiclis, difpyfe them not at all.
Who watts, both thefe may able be indeid
Of fyner Poemis the begynning fmall.

Then, rather loaue my meaning and my panis,
Then lak my dull ingyne and blunted branis.

FINIS.

I HAVE INSERT FOR

THE FILLING OVT OF THIR

VACAND PAGEIS, THE VERIE

wordis of Plinius vpon the

Phoenix,

as followis

* * *

C. P L I N 1 1

Nat. Hift. Lib. Decimi, Cap. 2.

De Phxnice.

* *

[lEthiopes atque Indi, difcolores maxime et
inenarrabiles ferunt aues, et ante omnes
nobilem Arabia Phoenicem: haud fcio an
fabulose, vnum in toto orbe, nee vifum
magnopere. Aquilsenarratur magnitudine,
auri fulgore circa colla, castera purpureus, cseruleam
rofeis caudam pennis diftinguentibus, criflis faciem.
capiitque plumeo apice cohoneflante. Primus atque
diligentiffimus togatorum de eo prodidit Manilius, Sen-
ator ille, maximis nobilis doclrinis doclore nullo :
neminem extitiffe qui viderit vefcentem : facrum in
Arabia Soli efte, viuere annis DCLX. fenefcentem,
cafia thurifque furculis conftruere nidum, replere odori-
bus, et fuperemori. Ex offibus deinde et memedullis
eius nafci primo ceuvermiculum : inde fieri pullum ;
principioque iufla funeri priori reddere, et totum de-
ferre nidum prope Panchaiam in Solis vrbem, et in ara
ibi deponere. Cum huius alitis vita magni conuer-

8o

fionem aim fieri prodit idem Manilius, iterumque fig-
nificationes tempeflatum et fideram eafdem reuerti.
Hoc autem cira meridiem incipere, quo die lignum
Arietis Sol intrauerit. Et fuiffe eius conuerfionis
annum prodente fe P. Licinio, M. Cornelio Conful-
ibus. Cornelius Valerianus Phcenicem deuolaffe in
AEgyptum tradit, Q. Plautio, Sex. Papinio Coss. Alla-
tus eft et in vrbem Claudij Principis Cenfura, anno
vrbis DCCC, et in comitio propofitus, quod adlis
teflatum eil, fed quern falfum effe nemo dubitaret.

FINIS.

I helped my felfalfo in my Tragedie thairof with
the Phoenix of Laclantius Firmianus, with
Gefnerus de Auibus, and dy iters vthers,
hot I hane onely infer t thir fore-
faid words of Plinhis,
Becaufe I follow
him maifl in
my Tra-
gedie.
Fareweill.

« *
»

On the Introduction and Early use of Tobacco
in England.

to the Difcovery of America : fee 27ie Athenceiim for 27 June and
I Auguft 1857.

I. 1577. The earlieft detailed account of the herb Tobacco in
the Englifh language I believe to be, "Joy full 11 ewes oute of the
nave founde worlde . . . Englifhed by John Fkampton
Marchant." London. 1577. A work reprinted in 1580, 1596, &c.

[n his Dedication — dated London, 1 Oct. 1577 — t0 ' M after
Edwarde Dier Efquire,' Frampton informs us :

Retourning right worshipfull, home into Englande oute of Spaine, and
now not pressed with the former toiles of my old trade, I to pa.-se the tyme
to some benefite of my countrie, and to auoyde idlenesse : tooke in hande to
translate out of Spanishe into Englishe. the thre bookes of Doctour Mon-
ardes of Seuill, the learned Phisition, treatyng of the singtiler and rare ver-
tues of certaine Hearbes, Trees, Oyles, Plantes, Stones, and Drugges of the
Weste Indies ....

Nicholas Monardes had nrft publiflied his account of To-
bacco in the Second Part cf his Dc las Co/as que tracn dc ncuflras
Indicts Occidentals que firuen en medicina. Publiflied at Seville
in J 571, and republished there, all three parts together, in 1574.

The following extracts are taken from the fecond edition of
Joy full naves, 15S0: which Frampton defcribes as "Newly cor-
rected as by conference with the olde copies may appeare. "
Monardes tells us —

This Hearbe which commonly is called Tabaco. is an Hearbe of much
antiquitie, and knowen amongst the Indians, and in especially among
them of the new Spayne, and after that those Countries were gotten by our
Spaniardes, beyng taught of the Indians, they did profite themseiues with
those things, in the wounds which they receiued in their Warres, healing
themseiues therewith to the great benefite.

Within these few yeeres [.Monardes is writing in T571] there hath beene
brought into Spayne of it, more to adornate Gardens with the fairnesse thereof,
and to geue a pleasant sight, than that it was thought to haue the maruel-
lous medicinable vertues, which it hath, but nowe wee doe v.->e it more for his
vertues. than for his fairenesse. For surely they are such which doe bring
admiration. ...

The proper name of it amongest the Indians is Picielt, for the name of Ta-
haco is geuen to it by our Spaniard es, by reason of an Islande that is named
Tabaco. ...

One of the meruelles of this Hearbe, and that which bringeth most
admiration, is, the maner howe the Priestes of the Indias did vsc it. which
was in this manner: when there was emongest the Indians any manner of
businesse, of greate importaunce, in the which the chiefe gentlemen called
Casiques,or any of the principall people of the countrie, had necessitie to
consult with their Priestes, in any businesse of importance ; they went
and propounded their matter to their chiefe Priest, forthwith in their pres-
ence, he tooke certaine leaues of the Tabaco, and cast them into the fire,
and did receiue the smoke of them at his mouth, and at his nose with a Cane,
F

82 On the Introduction of Tobacco into France.

and in taking of it, hee fell downe vppon the ground, as a Dead man, and
remayning so, according to the quantitie of the smoke that he had taken,
and when the hearbe had done his worke, he did reuiue and awake, and
gaue them their answeres, according to the visions, and illusions which hee
sawe, whiles he was rapte in the same manner, and he did interprete to them,
as to him seemed best, or as the Deuill had counselled him, geuing them
continually doubtfull answeares, in such sorte, that howsoeuer it fell out,
they might say that it was the same, which was declared, and the answeare
that he made.

In like sort the rest of the Indians for their pastime, doe take the smoke
of the Tabaco, too make themselues drunke withall, and to see the visions,
and thinges that represent vnto them that wherein they doe delight : and
other times thy take it to knowe their businesse, and successe, because con-
formable to that, whiche they haue seene beyng drunke therewith, euen so
they iudge of their businesse. And as the Deuil is a deceauer, and hath
the knowledge of the vertue of hearbes, so he did shew the vertue of
this Hearb, that by the meanes thereof, they might see their imaginations,
and visions, that he hath represented to them, and by that meanes deceiue
them.

So far Monardes. The page following his account begins
thus : —

Hereafter followeth a further addition of the Hearbe called Tabaco, other-
wise called by the Frenchmen Nicotiane, Which hearbe hath done greajt cures
in the Realme of Fraunce and Portugal, as heereafter at large may appeare
in this treatise following.

This treatife is not found in Monardes : but was taken by
Frampton from a celebrated French author.

After the death of Charles Estienne, another French doclor,
John Liebaut, edited fucceffive editions of his U Agriculture,
et Maifon Rujlique, in 1564, 1565, 1570, 1574, &c. : until the
names of the two medical men became identified with this po-
pular work.

In the edition of 1570, at/. 79, b. ii. c. 76, will be found the
French text of ' the treatife following,' which Frampton flipped
into a totally different author. Of this treatife, we fhall give the
effential portions, becaufe it contains Nicot's own account of the
introduction of Tobacco into France, within the decade preceding
his relation.

Liebault thus begins his difcourfe : —

Nicotiane, although it bee not long since it hath beene knowne in France,
notwithstanding deserueth palme and price, and among al other medicinable
he&rbs, it deserueth to stand in the first rank, by reason of his singular ver-
ues, and as it were almost to bee had in admiration, as hereafter you shall
vnderstand. And for that none suche as of auncient time, or of late dayes,
haue written the nature of plantes, did neuer make mention thereof, I haue
therefore learned the whole historie touching the same, which I learned of a
gentleman my very friend, the first authour, inuenter, and bringer of this
hearb into France : wherfore I thought good to publish it in writing for their
sakes, that haue so often hearde speaking of this saide hearbe, and yet neyther
knew the hearbe nor the efiectes thereof.

This Hearbe is called Nicotiane, of the name of him that gaue the firste
intelligence thereof vnto this Realme, as many other plantes haue^ taken their
names of certayne Greekes and Romaynes, who hauing beene in straunge
Countries, for seruice of their common Weales, haue brought into their coun-
tries many plants, which were before vnknowne. Some haue called this;

On the Introduction of Tobacco into France. S3

Hearbe the Queenes Hearbe, because it was firste sent vnto her, as heere-
aftershalbe declared by the Gentleman, that was the first inuenter of it, and
since was by her geuen to diuers for to sowe, whereby it might bee planted in
this lande. Others haue named it the great Priors hearbe, for that he caused
it to multiply in Fraunce, more then any other, for the greate reuerence that
he bare to [tjhis hearbe, for the Diuine effectes therin contayned*. Many haue
geuen it the name, Petum, which is indeede the proper name of the Hearbe,
as they which haue trauelled that Countrie can tell. Notwithstanding, it is
better to name it Nicotiane, by the name of him that sent it into Fraunce
first, to the ende that hee may haue the honour thereof, according to his
desert, for that hee hath enriched our Countrie [i.e. France], with so singular
an Hearbe. Thus much for the name, and nowe hearken further for the
whole Historic

Then follows Nicot's own account :

Maister Iohn Nicot, Counseller to the King, being Embassadour for his
Maiestie in Portugall, in the yeere of our Lorde. 1559. 60. 61. went one day
to see the Prysons of the King of Portugall: and a Gentleman beeyng the
keeper of the sade Prisons presented him with this hearb, as a strange Plant
brought from Florida. The same Maister Nicot, hauing caused the said
hearb to be set in his Garden, where it grewe and multiplied maruellously,
was vppon a time aduertised, by one of his Pages, that a young man, of kinne
to that Page made asaye of that hearbe brused both the hearbe and the luice
together vppon an vlcer, which he had vpon his cheeke neere vnto his nose,
comming of a Noli me tangere, which began to take roote already at the
gristles of the Nose, wherewith hee founde himselfe meruellously eased.
Therefore the sayde Maister Nicot caused the sicke young man to bee brought
before him, and causing the saide hearb to be continued to the sore eight or
ten daies, this saide Noli me tangere, was vtterly extinguished and healed :
and he had sent it, while this cure was a woorking to a certeine Phisition of
the King of Portugall one of the greatest fame to examine the further working
and effect of the said Nicotiane, and sending for the same young man at the
end of ten dayes, the sayde Phisition seeing the visage of the said sicke yong
man, certified, that the sayde Noli me tangere was vtterly extinguished, as
in deede he neuer felt it since.

Within a while after, one of the Cookes of the sayde Embassadour hauing
almost cutte off his thombe, with a great chopping knyfe, the Steward of the
house of the sayde Gentleman ran to the sayde Nicotiane, and dressed him
therewith fiue or sixe tymes, and so in the ende thereof he was healed : from
that time forward this hearbe began to bee famous throughout Lishebron,
where the court of the kyng of Portugall was at that present, and the vertue
of this sayde hearbe was extolled, and the people began to name it the Am-
bassadours hearbe. Wherefore there came certaine dayes after a Gentleman
of the Countrie, Father to one of the Pages of the Ambassadour, wiio was
troubled with an vlcer in his Legge, hauinge had the same twoo yeeres, and
demaunded of the sayde Ambassadour for his hearbe, and vsing the same in
such order as is before written, at the end of tenne or twelue daies hee was
healed. From that cyme forth the fame of that same hearbe increased in
such sort, that many came from al places to haue some of it. Among al
others there was a woman that had her face couered wyth a Ringworme
rooted, as though she had a Visouron her face, to whome she saide L[ord]
Embassadour caused the hearbe to be giuen, and told how she should vse it,
and at the ende of eight or tenne daies, this woman was throughly healed, who
came and presented her selfe to the Ambassadour, shewing him of her healing.

After there came a Captaine to present his Sonne sick of the kinges euill to
the sayde L[ord] Ambassadour, for to send him into France, vnto whome
there was asaye made of the sayde hearbe, which in fewe dayes did begin
to shewe great signes of healing, and finally he was altogether healed therby
of the kings euill.

The L[ord] Ambassadour seeing so great effectes proceeding of this hearbe,
and hauing heard say that the Lady Montigue that was, dyed at Saint Ger-
mans, of an vlcer bredd in her brest, that did turne to a Noli me tangere,

84 On the Introduction of Tobacco into England.

for the which there could neuer remedy bee founde, and lykewyse that the
Countesse of Ricffe, had sought for al the famous Phisitions of that Realme,
for to heale her face, vnto whom they could giue no remedy, he thought it

food to communicate the same into France, and did sende it to king
"rauncis the seconde, and to the Queene Mother, and to many other Lords
of the Court, with the maner of ministring the same : and howe to apply it
vnto the said diseases, euen as he had found it by experience, and chiefly to
the Lorde of larnac gouernour of Rogel, with whom the saide Lorde Am-
bassadour had great amitie for the seruice of the king. The which Lord
of larnac told one day at the Queenes table, yat he had caused the saide
Nicotiane to be distilled, and the water to bee dronke, mingled with water
Enphrasie. otherwise called eyebright, to one that was shorte breathed, who
was therewith healed. . . .

[Here follow descriptions of the herb, and directions for its cultivation.}
Moreouer the inhabitantes of Florida do nourish themselues certaine
ymes, with the smoke of this Hearbe, which they receaue at the mouth
through certaine coffins, suche as the Grocers do vse to put in their Spices.
There be other oyntmentes prepared of the sayde hearbe, with other simples,
but for a truth this only simple hearbe, taken and applyed as aforesayde, is of
greater efficacie, notwithstanding one may make thereof an oyntment, which
is singular, to cleanse, incarnate, and knit together al maner of woundes ;
the making of the sayde Oyntmente is thus. Take a pounde of the freshe
leaues of the sayde Hearbe, stampe them, and mingle them with newe Waxe,
Rosine, common oyle, of eche three ounces, let them boyle altogether, vntil
the Iuyce Nicotiane be consumed, then adde therto three ounces of Venise
Turpentine, straine the same through a Linen cloth, and keepe it in Pottes
to jrour vse.

Liebaut thus concludes : —

Loe, here you haue the true Historie of Nicotiane, of the whiche the sayde
Lorde Nicot, one of the Kynges Counsellers first founder out of this hearbe,
hath made mee prime aswell by woorde as by wryting, to make thee (friendly
Reader) partaker therof, to whom I require thee to yeeld as harty thankes
as I acknowledge my self bounde vnto him, for this benefite receiued. — Joy-
full News, fol. 42-45.

Ill fo far therefore, as thefe two editions of Joyfull nevves cir-
culated, this much was known in England refpecting Tebacco,
fo early as 1577-80.

II. The principal notices of the firft introduction of the Herb
into this country are thefe : —

1. Edmund Howes, in his continuation of J. S tow's Annates,
[p. 1038. Ed. 1631] ftates —

Tobacco was first brought, and made known in England by Sir Iohn
Hawkins, about the yeare 1565 but not vsed by Englishmen in many yeeres
after, though at this day commonly vsed by most men, and many women.

The dates of Mr, afterwards Sir John Hawkins' voyages to the
Weft Indies, are

The first Oct. 1562 — Sept. 1563.

The second 18 Oct. 1564 — 20 Sept. 1565.

The third ) ^ . r T £0

'the troublesome voyadge ' J 2 0ct ^-^S Jan. 1568.
The account of the Second voyage, by John Sparke the younger,
Hates that Hawkins, ranging along the coaft of Florida for frefh
water in July 1565, came upon the French fettlement there under
Laudoniere : and in defcribing that country Sparke mentions that
the natives —

On the Introduction of Tobacco into England. 85

The Floridians when they trauell haue a kinde of herbe dryed, which
with a cane, and an earthen cup in the end, with fire and the dried herbs
put together, do sucke thorow the cane the smoke thereof, which smoke
satisfieth their hunger, and therewith they Hue foure or fine dayes without
meat or drinke, and this all the Frenchmen vsed for this purpose : yet do they
holde opinion withall, that it causeth water and iieame to void from their sto-
macks. — Hakluyt, p. 541. Ed. 1589.

2. Howes, on the fame page as the preceding, flates —
Apricocks, Mellycatiws, Musk-Millions, and Tobacco, came into England
about the 20 yeare of Queene Elizabeth [T577].

And adds in the margin —

Sir Walter Raleigh was the first that brought Tobacco into vse, when all
men wondred what it meant.

The date here given, fo far as Tobacco fmoking generally is
concerned, mint be wrong by about ten years.

III. Smoking appears to have been nrft taught in England,
under the following circum fiances : —

1. Sir Walter Raleigh's fir ft Expedition took poffeflion of Vir-
ginia on 13 July 1584, and after a fix weeks' flay in the country,
returned home. The next year, a fecond expedition conveyed
out a colony under Mailer Ralph Lane, which remained in the
country from 17 Aug. 1585 to 18 June 1586: when Sir Francis
Drake and his fleet returning from his victorious raid in the Wefl
Indies brought home the colony to the number of 103 perfons.
Among thefe was the celebrated mathematician Thomas Hariot,
who in his exceffively rare ' Brief mid true report oj the new fotmd

landof Virginia : &c Imprinted at London 1588/ thus

defcribes Tobacco, and the adoption of the fmoking of it by thefe
Virginian colonifts.

There is an herbe Avhich is sowed a part by it selfe and is called by the
inhabitants 7p/><tevoc: In the West Indies it hath diuers names, according to
the seuerall places and countries where it groweth and is vsed : The Spani-
ardes generally call it Tobacco. The leaues thereof being dried and brought
into powder : they vse to take the fume or smoke thereof by sucking it through
pipes made of claie into their stomacke and heade ; from whence it purgeth
superfluous fleame and other grosse humors, openeth all the pores and pass-
ages of the body : by which meanes the vse thereof, not only preserueth the
body from obstructions: but also if any be, so that they haue not beene of
too long continuance, in short time breaketh them: wherby their bodies
are notably presented in health, and know not many greeuous diseases
wherewithall wee in England are oftentimes afflicted.

This Vppdwoc is of so precious estimation amongest them, that they thinke
their gods are maruelously delighted therwith : Whereupon sometime they
make hallowed fires and cast some of the pouder therein for a sacrifice: being
in a storme vppon the waters, to pacifie their gods, they cast some vp into
the aire and into the water : so a weare for fish being newly set vp, they cast
some therein and into the aire: aLo after an escape of danger, they cast some
into the aire likewise: but all done with strange gestures, stamping, some-
time dauncing, clapping of hands, holding vp of hands, and staring vp into
the heauens, vttering therewithal and chattering strange words and noises. _

We our selues during the time we were there vsed to suck it after their
maner, as also since our returne, and haue found manie rare and wonderful
experiments of the vertues thereof; of which the relation would require a

$6 On the Introduction of Tobacco into England.

volume by it selfe : the vse of it by so manie of late, men and women of great
calling as else, and some learned Phisitions also, is sufficient witnes.

It would therefore appear that Raleigh himfelf had nothing to
do either with the introduction of the weed itfelf, or of the habit of
fmoking of it. Hawkins may have brought home a few fpecimens
of the plant in 1565 ; but for the importation of it in any quantity
and for the teaching of how to fmoke it, we are indebted to Matter
Ralph Lane and to his fellow-colonifts, who acquired both from
the Indians, during the twelve months they were cut off from all
intercourfe with their mother- country.

2. William Camden, who was fecond, afterwards Head Mafter
of Weftminfler School between 1575- 1593, and confequently a
contemporaiy witnefs, in his A7i?iales, publifhed in Latin in 1615,
2±p. 388, gives this account ; of which this is the earlieft tranfla-
tion into Englifh.

These were the first (that I know of) that brought at their returne into
England, that Indian Plant called Tobacco, or Nicotiana, which they vsed,
being instructed by the Indians, against crudities of the Stomack. And
certes since that time it is grown so frequent in vse, and of such price, that
many, nay, the most part, with an insatiable desire doe take of it, drawing
into their mouth the smoke thereof, which is a strong sent, through a Pipe
made of earth, and venting of it againe through their nose ; some for wanton-
nesse, or rather fashion sake, and other for healths sake, insomuch that To-
bacco shops are set vp in greater number than either Alehouses or Tauemes.
And as one said, but falsely, the bodies of such Englishmen, as are so much
delighted with this plant, did seeme to degenerate into the nature of the
Sauages, because they were caried away with the selfe-same thing, beleeuing
to obtaine and conserue their health by the selfe-same meanes, as the barbari-
ans did. — Bk. III. p. 107. Ed. 1625.

In the face of thefe facts, attefted by early contemporary tefti-
mony : all accounts which reprefent Sir W. Raleigh as introduc-
ing Tobacco into England mufl be confidered falfe in that refpedl.

Incidentally this agrees with the account — though in itfelf no
evidence — given in an undated 4 pp. tract, The Venimons Qua-
lities of Tobacco, apparently printed before 1650.

Tabacco is an ignite Plant, called by the native Americans Picielt; by
those of Hisfianiola, Pete be Cetutc ; as by those of New France, Peti,
Petum, and Petunum. It was called by the French Nicotiana, from Jofm
Nicotius Embassador to the king of France, who An. 1559, first sent this
Plant into France. But now it is generally by us Europeans termed Tabaco,
(which we improperly pronounce Tobacco) a name first given it by the Spani-
ards from their Hand Tabaco, which abounded with this Plant; whereof had
Plato had as much experience as we, he would, without al perad venture,
have philosophised thereon. They say we are beholding to Sir Francis Drake's
Mariners for the knowledge and use of the Plant, who brought its Seed from
Virginie into England about the year 1585.

IV. But while Sir Walter introduced neither the Herb nor the
manner of fmoking it, there is a general confent that he princi-
pally brought the habit of Tobacco-fmoking, or, as it was at firft
called, TobsLCco-drinfo'ng, into fafhion. His name, and his al-
moft exclufively, became identified with the new National Habit.

Yet even of this, Ave have but little demonftrative proof.

On the Introduction of Tobacco into England. 87

It may, however, be well to give fome of the principal traditions
and legends on this point.

1. John Aubrey, F.R.S., in his Minutes of Lives of Eminent
Men, of which his Introductory letter to Anthony a Wood is
dated 15 June 1680, gives the following in his life of Raleigh.

He was the first that brought tobacco into England, and into fashion. In
our part of North Wilts — e.g. Malmesbury hundred — it came first into
fashion by Sir Walter Long. They had first silver pipes. The ordinary sort
made use of a walnut shell and a strawe. I have heard my grandfather Lyte
say, that one pipe was handed from man to man round the table. Sir W.
Raleigh standing in a stand at Sir Robert Poyntz parke, at Acton, tooke a
pipe of tobacco, which made the ladies quitt it till he had donne. Within
these 35 years, 'twas scandalous for a divine to take tobacco. It was sold
then for its wayte in siluer. I haue heard some of our old yeomen neighbours
say, that when they went to Malmesbury or Chippenham Market, they
culled out their biggest shillings to lay in the scales against the tobacco ;
now, the customes of it are the greatest his majestie hath. — Letters written
by Eminent Persons. Ed. by John Aubrey. //. 512. Ed. 1813. 1

2. T- P- Malcolm, in his Londinium Redivivum, iv. p. 490,
Ed. iSoi, ftates.

' There was a tradition, in the parish of St. Matthew, Friday Street, that
Sir Walter Raleigh and bir Hugh Myddleton often smoaked tobacco together
at the door of Sir Hugh's house* in that parish.

3. Thomas Pennant, in his Journey to Snowdon, p. 28, Ed.
1 78 1, which forms the fecoiid volume of his Tour in Wales, the
firft of which was published in 1778 ; gives the following account
of William Middleton : the third fon of Richard Middleton,
Governor of Denbigh Caflle, and brother to Sir Hugh Middle-
ton, the fixth fon in that family.

The particular information, from ' It is fayd' to +, is given on
the authority of the Sebright MSS., i.e. MSS. formerly belong-
ing to Mr. Edward Lloyd, but lent to him by Sir John Sebright,
Bart., in whofe poffeffion they were, at the date of Pennant's
preface, I March 1781. The laft part of the paragraph is merely
Pennant's fpeculation : but there may be fome truth in the MS.
legend.

The third, William, was a sea captain, and an eminent poet. His early
education was at O xford: but his military turn led him abroad, where he
signalized himself as soldier and sailor. He translated the psalms into
Welsh metre, and finished them on Jan. 4th, 1595, apud Scutum insnlam
occidentalium Indorum : which, as well as his Barddoniaeth, or art of
Welsh poetry, were published in Loudon; the first in 1603, the other in
1593. It is sayed, that he, with captain Thomas Price, of Pldsyollin, and
<jne captain Koet, vvere the first who smoked, or as they called it; drank
tobacco publickly in London; and that the Londoners flocked from all parts
to see them.t Pipes were not then invented, so they used the twisted leaves,
or segars. The invention is usually ascribed to Sir Walter Raleigh. It
may be so ; but he was too good a courtier to smoke in public, especially in
the reign of James, who even condescended to write a book against the
practice, under the title of The Counter-blast to Tobacco.

4. A Phyfician [Dr. J. A. Paris] in A Guide to Mounts Bay
and Lands End, p. 39, Ed. 1824, ftates.

88 On the Introduction of Tobacco into England.

A tradition exists here, that Tobacco was first smoked by Sir Walter
Raleigh in Penzance, on his landing from America.
Which legend is quite contrary to the facts.

5. William Oldys, in his Life of Sir Walter Raleigh prefixed
to The Hi/lory of the World, Ed. 1736, xxxii., gives the follow-
ing from a 4to MS. entitled Apophthegms of the EnglifJi Nation,
then in the collection of Rodney Fane, Esq.

He [Sir W. Raleigh] assured her majesty [Queen Elizabeth] he had so
well experienced the nature of it, that he could tell her of what weight
even the smoke would be in any quantity propos'd to be consum'd. Her
majesty fixing her thoughts upon the most impracticable part of the experi-
ment, that of bounding the smoke in aballance, suspected that he put the tra-
veller upon her, and would needs lay him a wager he could not solve the doubt :
so he procured a quantity agreed upon to be thoroughly smok'd, then went to
weighing ; but it was of the ashes ; and in the conclusion, vvhat was wanting
in the prime weight of the tobacco, her majesty did not deny to have been
evaporated in smoke ; and further said, that many laboitrers in the Jire she
had heard of who turned their gold into smoke, but Ralegh was the first
who had turned smoke into gold.

James Howell, Familiar Letters, Hi. 12, Ed. 1650, in a Letter
on Tobacco, incidentally confirms this flory.

But if one would try a pretty conclusion how much smoak ther is in a
pound of Tobacco, the ashes will tell him ; for let a pound be exactly
weighed, and the ashes kept charily and weighed afterwards, what wants of
a pound weight in the ashes cannot be denied to have bin smoak, which
evaporated into air; I haue bin told that Sir Walter Rawleigh won a wager
of Queen Elizabeth upon this nicity.

6. We have now come to a legend, perhaps the moft untruft-
worthy of all.

(1.) In Tarlton 1 s Jefts, 1611, 4to, there occurs the following
flory.

Ho7u Tart ton tooke tobacco at the first comming up of it.

Tarlton, as other gentlemen used, at the first comming up of tobacco, did
take it more for fashion's sake than otherwise; and being in a roome, set
between two men overcome with wine, and they never seeing the like,
wondred at it, and seeing the vapour come out of Tarlton's nose, cryed out:
fire, fire! and threw a cup of wine in Tarlton's face. Make no more stirre,
quoth Tarlton, the fire is quenched ; if the sheriffes come, it will turne to a
fine, as the custome is. And drinking that againe : fie, sayes the other, what
a stinke it makes; I am almost poysoned. If it offend, saies Tarlton, let's
every one take a little of the smell, and so the savour will quickly goe : but
tobacco whiffes made them leave him to pay all.- Shakespeare's Jest-Books,
Ed. by W. C. Hazlitt. ii. 221. Ed. 1864.

(2.) In i6rc-, Barnaby Rich inferted in the fecond edition of
The Irijh Hubbub, or the EnglifJi Hue and Crie, a similar flory.

I remember a pretty iest of Tobacco. That was this. A certaine Welch-
man comming newly to London, and beholding one to take tobacco, neuer
seeing the like before, and not knowing the manner of it, but perceiuing him
vent smoake so fast, and supposing his inward parts to be on fire : cried out,
O Iliesu, Ihesu man, for the passion of Cod hold, for by Cods splud ty
snowts on fire, and hauing a bowle of beere in his hand, threw it at the
others face to quench his smoking nose.—/. 45.

(3. ) To fomewhat fimilar purport is the legend of Sir W. Raleigh
and the Tankard of Ale. Of this ftory, though evidently current
in the feventeenth century, Oldys could quote no earlier authority
than The BritifJi Apollo, 3d Ed. p. 376, London 1726: and we

On the Introduction of Tobacco into England. 89

can only adduce the authority of the firft edition of the fame
work.

The Britijli Apollo was a bi-weekly periodical k Perform'd by
aSociety of Gentlemen,' partly devoted to the explanation of
difficulties in Divinity, Mathematics, Love, and fuch like, and
partly to Poetry and Political News. In itfelf of no authority
whatever, it merely difpenfed its modicums of current knowledge
from the learned to the general public.

In Vol. I, No. 43, publifhed on July 7, 1708, occur the fol-
lowing queflion and anfwer.

Q. Gentlemen, Pray how long is it since, the smoaking Tobacco, and the
taking Snuff hath been in Use here i?i England; the time when they were
first brought over, and how, or by whom. Your Humble Servant, H. S.

A. Snuff, tho' the Use of it has been long known to such, as were by mer-
chandizing or other means, familiar with the Spanish Customes, has been
till lately a perfect Stranger to the Practice of the British Nation, and like
our other Fashions came to us from France, but the Use of Tobacco-smoak-
ing, was introdue'd by Sir Walter Rawleigh, in the Reign of Queen Eliza-
beth; and since a comical story depends upon the Relation, it may not be
unacceptable to the Querist and the Publick.

Sir Walter haying imitated the Indians by delighting in their Favorite
Weed, was unwilling to disuse it, and therefore at his return to England,
supplied himself with some Hogsheads, which he plac'd in his own Study,
and generally indulg'd himself in Smoaking secretly, two Pipes a Day: at
which times he order'd a Simple Fellow, who waited at his Study Door, to
bring him up a Tankard of old Ale and Nutmeg, always laying aside the
Pipe, when he heard his Servant coming ; But while he was one day,
earnestly imploy'd in Reading something, Which amus'd him, The Fellow
enter'd, and surprizing his Master, as the Smoak ascended thicklv from his
Mouth and the Bole of the Pipe, he threw the Ale directly in his 'Face; and
running down Stairs alarm'd the Family with repeated Exclamations, that
his Master was on fire in the in-side, and before thev could get up Stairs
would be burnt to Ashes.

How much this legend wanders from the facts of the cafe, will

be apparent from the above. There may, however, be earlier

accounts of this ftory in a more credible form : but Ave have not

\met with them. The ftory may poffibly have been connected

with other names beficles Tarleton, the Welfhman, and Raleigh.

Oldys, in quoting the legend, remarks.
_ This I say, if true, has nothing in it of more surprising or tinparallerd
simplicity, than there was in that poor Norwegian, who upon the first sight
of Roses could not be induced to touch, tho' he saw them grotu, being so
amazed to behold trees budding with fire; or, to come closer by way of
retaliation, than there was in those Virginians themselves, who, the first
time'theyseized upon a quantity of Gun-Powder which belong'd to the English
colony, sow'd it for grain, or the seed of some strange vegetable in the earth,
with full expectation of reaping a plentiful crop of combustion by the next
harvest to scatter their enemies. Life of Sir W. Raleigh, xxxi. Ed. 1736.

6. We may conclude this firing of ftories, with a trustworthy
account of Sir W. Raleigh's Tobacco Box. Oldys in his Life,
xxxL Note e, Ed. 1736, tells us, that

Being at Leeds in Yorkshire, soon after Mr. Ralph Thoresby the anti-
quary died, Anno 1725. I saw his Musceum; and in it, among other rarities,
what himself has publickly call'd (in the catalog7/e thereof, annexed to his
antiqzdties of that town) Sir Walter Ralegh's tobacco box. From the best
of my memory, I can resemble its outward appearance to nothing more

90 On the Introduction of Tobacco into England.

nearly than one of our modern Muff-cases ; about the same height and width,
cover'd with red leather, and open'd at top (but with a hinge, I think) like
one of those. In the inside, there was a cavity for a receiver of glass or
metal, which might hold half a pound or a pound of tobacco ; and from the
edge of the receiver at top, to the edge of the box, a circular stay or collar,
with holes in it, to plant the tobacco about, with six or eight pipes to smoke
it in. This travelling box, with the MSS. Medals and other rarities in its
company, descending to a young clergyman, the son of the deceased, was
soon after reported to have been translated to London.

V. The general credence and affociation of Smoking with
Sir W. Raleigh being remembered ; may it not be taken as proof
of a malignancy towards him — even thus early — on the part of
the Writer of the Cotmterblafte ; in that he depreciates ' the firft
Author' as neither King, great Conqueror, nor learned Doctor
of Phyficke,' and affirms the cuftorae to be 'brought in by a
father fo generally hated ;' in that he wilfully or ignorantly falsi-
fies the hiftory of the Introduction of Tobacco ; concocting a de-
grading flory for his purpofe.

VI. We have now but to notice the early beginnings of the
Tobacco Controverfy, which — fometimes fl umbering, fometimes
raging — has lafled to our own time, and will yet go on. It
created a larger early Tobacco literature in England than is gene-
rally thought, or than we have been able to trace. It raged over
Europe as well as in England.

And here we may exprefs fome aftonifhment that no one among
the countlefs myriads of Smokers, has ever written a Hiftory of
the Tobacco Literature and of the progrefs of Smoking through
civilized and uncivilized communities, even unto this laft age,
wherein the Whahabees of Arabia punifti it, under the name of
Drinking the ftiameful 'with death. Of (ketches there are feveral.
Mr. F. Tiedeman has given an excellent one of the general
Introduction of the plant into Europe, in his Gefchichte des Ta-
baks, etc., Frankfort, 1852. Mr. F. W. Fairholt in his Hiftory
of Tobacco, London 1842, has given a good inflalment towards a
Hiftory of the fubject: while A Paper: of Tobacco, by Jofeph
Fume [W. A. Chatto] London, 1832, is a flighter ftudy flill.
Another work, A Pinch of Snuff, London, 1837, I have been
unable to meet with. Dr. H. W. Cleland in his privately printed
work On the Hiftoiy and Properties, Chemical and Medical, of
Tobacco, Glasgow, July 1840 — which work also we have not had
the advantage of confulting — gives a lift of 150 works on this
fubject. All thefe modern works are but helps to the future Hif-
torian of Tobacco.

VII. To thefe ; we can add here but another fketch of the
earlier Controverfy ; and that a very limited one. It will be con-
venient to give the notices under each year : dwelling more par-
ticularly on thofe which incidentally illuflrate the growth of the
Habit, as well as the progrefs of the Controverfy.

On the Early Use of Tobacco in England. 91

1587. De Herba Panacea, written by Giles Evarard, latinized
^Egidius Everardus, may be jufi: mentioned : becaufe it formed
the text of a larger Englifli work, Panacea : published in London
in 1659.

1595. William Barley had a licence to print a Treatife de-
scribing the nature of Tobacco. Herbert's Ames, ii. 2JJ.

1596. Ben Jonson, in Every Man in his Humour, Act III.
Sc. 2, acted on 25th November 1596, thus very skilfully represents
both sides of the controversy, in the speeches of Bobadilla and Cob.

Bobadilla. Body of me : here's the remainder of seuen pound, since yes-
terday was seuennight. It's your right Trinidado : did you neuer take any,
signior'?

Stephana. No truly sir ? but i'le learne to take it now, since you commend
it so.

Bobadilla. Signior beleeue me, vpon my relation for what I tel you, the
world shall not imprnue. I haue been in the Indies where this herbe growes)
where neither myselfe, nor a dozen Gentlemen more of my knowledge haue
receiued the taste of any other nutriment, in the world, for the space of one
and twentie weekes, but Tabacco onely. Therefore it cannot be but 'tis
most diuine. Further, take it in the nature, in the true kinde so, it makes an
Antidote, that had you taken the most deadly poysonous simple in all Flor-
ence, it should expell it, and clarifie you, with as much ease, as I speak.

And for your greene wound, your Balsamum, and your are all meere

gulleries, and trash to it, especially your Trinidado ; your Neiocotian is
good too : I could say what I know of the vertue of it, for the exposing of
rewmes, raw humors, crudities, obstructions, with a thousand of this kind ;
but I professe my selfe no quacke-saluer : only thus much : by Hercules I
doe holde it, and will affirme it (before any Prince in Europe) to be the most
foueraigne, and pretious herbe, that euer the earth tendred to the vse of
man.

Immediately afterwards; he'makes Cob reprefent the other side.

Cab. By gods deynes : I marie what pleasure or felicitie they haue in
taking this rogish Tabacco : it's good for nothing but to choake a man, and
fill him full of smoake, and imbers: there were foure died out of one house
last weeke with taking of it, and two more the bell went for yester-night,
one of them they say will ne're scape it, he voydc-d a bushell of soote yes-
ter-day, vpward and downeward By the stockes : and there were no wiser
men then I, I 'Id haue it present death, man or woman, that .should but deale
with a Tabacco pipe ; why, it will stifle them all in the'nd as many as vse
it; it's little better than rats bane. Ed. 1601.

(3.) Tobacco is faid not to be alluded to by Shakefpeare or in
the Arabian Nights.

(4.) It is often noticed by other Englifli dramatifls : as Dekker
and others later on. See alfo Malone, Ilijt. Ace. of the Englifli
Stage, p. 5S4.

1597. Thomas Gerard, 'Master in Chiurvrgerie,' figures and
defcribes the Tobacco plant in The Herbal or General Histoire of
Plantes, Bk. ii. pp. 285-9.

1597. Bp. Joseph Hall publifhes his Satires, in which he al-
ludes to Tobacco Smoking, Bk. iv. Sat. 4 ; Bk. v. Sat. 2.

1598. Paul Hentzner, in his Latin Itinerarium under
Augufl 1598. has a paffage, of which the following is a tranfla-
tionby Mr. YV. B. Rye:—

At these spectacles, and everywhere else, the English are constantly smok-
ing the Nicotian weed, which in America is called Tobaca— others call it
Ptetnm — [i.e. Petitn, the Brazilian name for Tobacco, from which the allied

92 On the L\arly Use of Tobacco in England.

beautiful plant 'Petunia' derives its appellation,] and generally in this
manner: they have pipes on purpose made of clay, into the farther end of
which they put the herb, so dry that it may be rubbed into powder, and
lighting it, they draw the smoke into their mouths, which they puff out again
through their nostrils like funnels, along with it plenty of phlegm and de-
fluxion from the head.— England as seen by Foreigners, p. 216, ed. 1865.

1599. Henry Buttes, M.A. and Fellow of C.C.C., in Cam-
bridge], wrote a strange work, Diets Dry Dinner, of which title
he gives this explanation —

Dyets dry Dinner. That is, varietie of Fare ; prouided, prepared and or-
dered, at Dyets own prescription : whose seruant and Attendant at this feast
1 professe myselfe. Thus far (perhaps) not disliked of any. A Dry Dinner,
not only Caninnm Prandiron, without \\ ine, but Accipitrinion, without all
drinke except Tabacco, (which also is but Dry Drinke) : herein not like to
be liked of many. What ere it be (as he sait'h in the Comedie) Habeas vt
Nacta, take it as you finde it, and welcome. More then which I cannot pei-
form.

The following preface To my Country-men Reader s, is fo allu-
five that its entire infertion may be pardoned, though it wander a
little from our fubjecl : —

Welcome courteous Countreymen. I meane especially Norfolkmen. For
they are true CathoHques in matter of Dyet : no Recusants of any thing that
is mans mcate. I bid all in general, excepting only such as are affrayed of
roasted Piggc, a breast or legge of Mutton, a Ducke &c. To conclude, I
forbid no man, but him onely that hath maried a wife and cannot come. No
man shall loose his labour. Here are Leitnses for euery mans lips. For the
Northeren-man, White-meates, Beeje, Mutton, Venison : for the Soulherne-
vian, Frnites, Hearbes, Fowte, Fish, Spice, and Sauce. As for the Middle-
sex or Londoner, I smell his Diet. Vcscitur aura ceiheria. Here is a Pipe
of right Trinidado for him. The Yorkers they will be content with bald
Tabacodocko. What should T say? here is good Veale for the Essex-man:
passing Leckes and excellent Cheese for the Welsh-man. Deniqne qvidnon ?
Mary, here are neither Eg-pies for the Lancashire-man, nor Wag-iayles for
the Keniish-nzan. But that is all one, here is other good cheere enough.
And what is wanting in mea'te, shall bee supplyed in kinde welcome and offi-
cious attendance.

Least any thing should be amisse, or missing to thee, T haue my selfe (for
fault of a better) taken vpon me all such Offices as any way concerne this
Dinner.

1 Ciioise. First, I am Cator: and haue prouided the very choise of such
day n tics as Natures Market affoordeth.

2 Vse. Secondly, I am Taster: commending each dish to thy Palate, ac-
cording to his right vse and vertue.

3 H urt. And (since nothing is so perfectly good, as it partaketh of no euill
property) I haue put into a by-dish dike Eg-shclles in a Saucer what worthily
may breed offence. Herein imitating a merry Greeke, who espying an haire
in a dish of Gutter, called for another dish and dished it by it self.

4 Preparation or Correction. Thirdly, I play the Cooke : so prepar-
ing, seasoning, and saucing the harmefull disposition of euery meat, as it
shall be either in whole abolished, or in part qualified.

[5J Degree, Season, Age, Constitution. Lastly, I assume the Car-
riers office : and halting noted the nature and operation of each particular
dispense to euery of my Guests according to the Season, his Age, and Con-
stitution.

Thus very rudely, T obtrude vnto thee not a banquet, but a byt rather of
esch dish Scholler-likely, that is, badly earned. For Schollers are bad Car-
jeers. Do thou, by thy kindly feeding on Dyets dry Dinner, but cause thy
selfe to thirst for Dyets Drinking: and I shall with like alacrity, act thy Cup-
bearer. Wherefore vntill thou beest Dry drunke, Fare-well. Thy Country-
man. H. Buttes.

Of the Early Use of Tobacco in England. 93

Applying his method, Buttes thus difcourfes of Tabacco :

Chotse. Translated out of India in the seed or roote ; Natiue or satiue in
our own fruitfullest soiles : Dried in the shade, and compiled very close: of
a tawny colour, somwhat inclining to red: most perspicuous and cleare:
which the Nose soonest taketh in snuffe.

Vse. It cureth any griefe, dolour, opilation, impostume, or obstruction,
proceeding of cold or winde : especially in the head or breast : the leaues are
good against the Migrant, cold stomackes, sick kidnies, tooth-ache, fits of
the moother, naughty breath, scaldings or burnings : 4. ounces of the iuyce
drunk, purgeth vp and downe : cleanseth the eyes, being outwardly applied.
The water distilled and taken afore the fits, cureth an Ague.

The fume taken in a Pipe is good against Rumes, Catarrhs, hoarsenesse,
ache in the head, stomacke, lungs, breast : also in want of meat, drinke,
sleepe, or rest.

Hurt. Mortifieth and benummeth : causeth drowsinesse : troubleth and
dulleth the sences : makes (as it were! drunke : dangerous in meale time.

Correction. The leaues be-ashed or warmed in imbers and ashes : taken
once a day at most, in ye morning, fasting.

Degree. Hot and dry in the second : of a stiffening and soddering nature.
Also disensing and dissoluing filthy humours, consisting of contrary qualities.

Season. Age. Constitution*. In Winter and the Spring, for hot, strong,
youthful, and fat bodies only, as some thinke.

Jiuttes alfo compofes A Satyricall Epigram, vpon the wanton,
and cxcejjiue vfe of Tabacco.

IT chaunc'd me gazing at the Theater,
To spie a Lock-Tabacco-Chevalier,

Clowding the loathing ayr with foggie fume

Of Dock-Tabacco, friendly foe to rume.

I wisht the Roman lawes seuerity : Alex. sen. Edict.

Who smoke selleth, tuil/i smoke be don to dy. _

Being well nigh smouldred with his smokie stir,

I gan this wize bespeak my gallant Sir :

Certes, me thinketh Sir) it ill beseems,

Thus here to vapour out these reeking steams :

Like or to Maroes steeds, whose nosthrils flam'd ;

Or Plinies Nosemen (mouthles men) surnam'd,

Whose breathing nose supply'd Mouths absency.

He me regreets with thisprophane reply :

Nay ; I resemble (Sir) Jehoitak dread,

From out whose nosthrils a smoake issued :

Or the mid-ayrs congealed region,

Whose stomach with crude humors frozenon

Sucks vp Tabacco- like the vpmost ayr,

Enkindled by Fires neighbour candle fayr :

And hence it spits out watry reums amaine,

As phleamy snow, and haile, and sheerer raine :

Anon it smoakes beneath, it flames anon.

Sooth then, quoth I, it's safest we be gon,

Le.'.t there arise some Ignis Fatuus

From out this smoaking flame, and choken vs.
On English foole : wanton Italianly :
Go Frenchly : Duchly drink : breath Indianly.

He then gives this Storiefor Table-talke.

This Hearbe is of great Antiquitie and high respect among the Indians,
and especially those of America or new Spain. Of whom the Spaniards
tooke it, after they had subdued those Countries, first vpon a liking of the
hearbe verie faire and glorious to the eye ; afterward vpon triall of his vertues
wotthie admiration.

The Name in India is Filciet, surnamed Tabacco by the Spaniard, of the

94 On the Early Use of Tobacco in England.

ile Tabaco. By their meanes it spred farre and neare : hut yet wee are not
beholden to their tradition. Our English Vlisses, renomed Syr Walter
Rawleigh, a man admirably excellent in Nauigation, of Natures priuy coun-
sell, and infinitely reade in the wide booke of the worlde, hath both farre
fetcht it, and deare bought it : the estimate of the treasure I leaue to other :
yet this all know, since it came in request, there hath bene Magnus fumi
q?testus, and Ftani-venduhis is the best Epithite for an Apothecary.

Thus much late Histories tell vs : among the Indians it is so highly hon-
oured, that when the Priests are consulting in matter of importance, they
presently cast Tabacco into the fire, and receiue at their nose and mouth,
the smoak through a Cane, till they fall downe dead-drunke. Afterward
reuiuing againe, theygiue answeres according to the phantasmes and visions,
which appeared to them in their sleepe.

1602. (i) " Work for Chimney -/weepers : or A zvarningfor To-
bacconijls. Defcribing the pernicious vfe of Tobacco, no leffe
pleafant than profitable for all forts to reade : Fumus patriae,
Jgne alieno Luculentior. As much to fay, Better be chokt with
Englifh hemp, then poifoned with Indian Tabacco." Written
by Philaretes, who alleges eight reafons againfl Tobacco ;
whereof one is —

7 Seauenthly, for that the first author and finder hereof was the Diuell,
and the first practisers of the same were the Diuells Priests, and therefore not
to be vsed of vs Christians. •

(2.) This provoked "A Defence of Tabacco: with a friendly
answer to the late printed Booke called Worke for Chimney-
sweepers. Si iudicas, cognofe : ft Rex es, iube."

(3.) Sir William Vaughan, in his Natnrall and Artificiall
Directions for health, &c. Sect. ii. ch. 8. Of Hearbes* p. 22.

Cane Tabacco well dryed, and taken in a siluer pipe, fasting in the morn-
ing, cureth the megrim, the tooth ache, obstructions proceeding of cold, and
helpeth the fits of the mother. After meales it doth much hurt, for it infect-
eth the braine and the Hues.

In his fourth edition of this work, publifhed in 1613, he al-
tered his mind and wrote againfl Smoking.

(4.) Another anonymous work dedicated ' To my loving Friend
Mailer Michael Drayton,' appeared, entitled The Metamorphofis
of Tabacco. It opens with the following lines : —
I sing the loues of the superiour powers,
With the faire mother of all fragrant flowers :
From which first loue a glorious Simple springs,
Belou'd of heau'nly Gods, and earthly Kings.
Let others in their wanton verses chaunt
A beautious face that doth their senses daunt,
And on their Muses wings lift to the skie
The radiant beames of an inchaunting eye.
Me let the sound of great Tabaccoes praise
A pitch aboue those loue-sicke Poets raise :
Let me adore with my thrice-happie pen
The sweete and sole delight of mortall men,
The Comu-copia of all earthly pleasure,
Where bank-rupt Nature hath consum'd her treasure,
A worthie plant springing from Floraes hand,
The blessed ofspring of an vncouth land.

1604. In the course of this year; there was anonymoufly publifhed

31^

A

COVNTER

BLASTE TO

Tobacco.

**-9H— -

-i-STH

-«:**

•" Imprinted at London

by R. B.

Anno 1604.

^ To The Reader.

IS euery humane body (deare Countrcy men)
how wholefome foeuer, is notwithjlanding
fubiecl, or at leajl naturally inclined to fome
forts of difeafes, or infirmities : fo is there
no Common-wealth, or Body-politicke, how
well gouemed, or peaceable foeuer it bee, that laches the
own e popular errors, and naturally endined corruptions :
and therefore is it no wonder, although this our Countrey
and Common-wealth, though peaceable, though wealthy,
though lo?ig flour iJJung in both, be amongst the reft, fubiecl
to the owne naturatt infirmities. We are of all Nations
the people most louing and most reuerently obedient to our
Pri7ice, yet are wee (as time hath often borne ivitneffe)
too eafie to be f educed to make Rebellion, vpon very flight
grounds. Our fortimate and oft prooued valour in
warres abroad, our heartie and reuerent obedience to our
Prifices at home, hath bred vs a long, and a thrice happy
peace : Our Peace hath bred wealth : A7id Peace and
wealth hath brought foorth a generatt ' fluggiftinefse, which
makes vs wallow in all forts of idle delights, and foft
delicacies, the firfl feedes of the fubuerfion of all great
Monarchies. Our Cleargie are become negligent and
lazie, our Nobilitie and Gentrie prodigally a?id folde to

To The Reader. 97

their priuate delights, Our Lawyers couetous, our Com-
mon-people prodigall and curious ; and geiwally all forts
of people more carefull for their priuat ends, then for
their mother the Common-wealth.

For remedie whereof it is the Kings pa?'t (as the pro-
per Phifician of his Politicke-body) to purge it of all thofe
difeafes, by Medicines meet e for the fame : as by a certaine
milde, and yet iufi forme of gouernment, to maintaine the
Pub li eke quictneffe, and preuent all occafions of Commo-
tion : by the example of his owne Perfon and Court, to
make vs all afJiamed of our fluggifli delicacie, and to
flirre vs vp to the praclife again e of all honest exer-
cifes, and Martial! Jliadowes of War re ; As like-
wife by his, and his Courts moderatenejfe in Apparell,
to make vs afJiamed of our prodigalitie : By his quicke
admonitions and carefull oucrfeeing of the Cleargie, to
waken them vp againe, to be more diligent in their Offices :
By tliefliarpetriall, and feuere piunfnment of tJiepartiall,
coueious and bribing Lawyers, to refonne their corruptions :
And generally by the example of his owne Perfon, and
by the due execution of good Lawes, to reforme and abolifli,
piece and piece, thefe old and euill grounded abufes. For
this will not bee Opus vnius diei, but as euery one of thefe
difeaf:s, muflfrcm the King receiue the owne aire proper
for it, fo are there fome forts of abufes in Common-
wealths, that though they be of fo bafe and contemptible
a condition, as they are too low for the Law to looke on,
and too meane for a King to inte7pone his author itie, or
bend his eye vpon : yet are they co?'ruptions, a f well as the
great eft of them. So is an Ant an Animal, afwell as an
Elephant : fo is a VVrenne Auis, afwell as a Swannei
and fo is a fmall dint of the Toothake, a difeafe afwc
as the f carefull Plague is. But for thefe bafe forts of
corrupiioji in Common-wealthes, not onely the King, or

G

98 To The Reader.

any inferior Magi/irate, but Quilibet e populo may
feme to be a Phifician, by difcouering and impugn-
ing the error, and by perfwading reformation thereof

Andfurely in my opinion, there cannot be a more bafe,
and yet hurtfull, corruption in a Countrey, then is the
vile vfe (or other abufe) of taking Tobacco in this King-
dome, which hath mooned me, fliortly to difcouer the
abufes thereof in this following little Pamphlet.

If any thinke it a light Argicment,fo is it but a toy
that is bef lowed vpo?i it. And fence the Subiecl is but of
Smoke, I thinke the fume of an idle braine, may feruefor
a fufficient battery against fo famous aud feeble an enemy.
If my grounds be found true, it is all I looke for ; but if
they cary the force of perfwafion with tJiem, it is all I can
wifh, and more then I can expecl. My onely care is, that
you, my deare Countrey-men, may rightly conceiue euen

by this fmallest trifle, of the fmceritie of my meaning

in greater matters, neuer to fpare any

paine, that may tend to the

procuring of your weale

and profperitie.

A

COUNTERBLASTE TO

Tobacco.

-*-**-

-f-X-l*

•hM+

Hat the manifolde abufes of this vile
cuftome of Tobacco taking, may the
better be efpied, it is fit, that firfl you
enter into confideration both of the
firft originall thereof, and likewife of
the reafons of the firfl entry thereof
into this Countrey. For certainely
as fuch cuflomes, that haue their firfl
inflitution either from a godly, neceffary, or honorable
ground, and are firfl brought in, by the meanes of fome
worthy, vertuous, and great Perfonage, are euer, and
mod iuftly, holden in great and reuerent eflimation and
account, by all wife, vertuous, and temperate fpirits: So
fhould it by the contrary, iuflly bring a great difgraceinto
that fort of cuflomes, which hauing their originall from
bafe corruption and barbarity, doe in like fort, make
their firfl entry into a Countrey, by an inconfiderate
and childifh affectation of Noueltie, as is the true cafe
of the firfl inuention of Tobacco taking, and of the firfl
entiy thereof among vs. For Tobacco being a common
herbe, which (though vnder diuers names) ;grQwes„

ioo A counter blajte to Tobacco.

almofl euery where, was firft found out by fome of the
barbarous Indians, to be a Preferuatiue, or Antidot
againfl the Pockes, a filthy difeafe, whereunto thefe
barbarous people are (as all men know) very much
fubiecl, what through the vncleanly and aduft confti-
tution of their bodies, and what through the intemperate
heate of their Climat : fo that as from them was firft
brought into Chriftendome, that moft deteftable dif-
eafe, fo from them likewife was brought this vfe of
Tobacco, as a {linking and vnfauorie Antidot, for fo
corrupted and execrable a Maladie, the {linking Suf-
fumigation whereof they yet vfe againft that difeafe,
making fo one canker or venime to eate out another.

And now good Countrey men let vs (I pray you)
confider, what honour or policie can mooue vs to imi-
tate the barbarous and beaflly maners of the wilde,
godleffe, and flauifh Indians, efpecially in fo vile and
{linking a cuflome ? Shall wee that difdaine to imitate
the maners of our neighbour France (hauing the ftile
of the firft Chriftian Kingdom) and that cannot endure
the fpirit of the Spaniards (their King being now com-
parable in largenes of Dominions, to the great Empe-
ror of Turkie) Shall wee, I fay, that haue bene fo long
ciuill and wealthy in Peace, famous and inuincible in
Warre, fortunate in both, we that haue bene euer able
to aide any of our neighbours (but neuer deafed any
of their eares with any of our fupplications for affift-
ance) mall we, I fay, without blufhing, abafe ourfelues
fo farre, as to imitate thefe beaflly Indians, flaues to
the Spaniards, refufe to the world, and as yet aliens
from the holy Couenant of God ? Why doe we not
as well imitate them in walking naked as they doe? in
preferring glaffes, feathers, and fuch toyes, to golde
and precious ftones, as they doe ? yea why do we not
denie God and adore the Deuill, as they doe ?

Now to the corrupted bafeneffe of the firft vfe of
this Tobacco, doeth very well agree the foolifh and
groundleffe firft entry thereof into this Kingdome. It
is not fo long fince the firft entry of this abufe amongft
y^.here^ a^ this prefent age cannot yet very well re-

A counter blafte to Tobacco. ioj

member, both the firft Author, and the forme of the
firft introduction of it amongft vs. It was neither
brought in by King, great Conquerour, nor learned
Doctor of Phificke.

With the report of a great difcouery for a Conqueft,
fome two or three Sauage men, were brought in,
together with this Sauage cuftome. But the pitie is,
the poore wilde barbarous men died, but that vile
barbarous cuftome is yet aliue, yea in frefli vigor : fo
as it feemes a miracle to me, how a cuftome fpringing
from fo vile a ground, and brought in by a father fo
generally hated, mould be welcomed vpon fo ilender
a warrant. For if they that firft put it in practife heere,
had remembred for what refpecl it was vfed by them
from whence it came, I am fure they would haue bene
loath, to haue taken fo farre the imputation of that
difeafe vpon them as they did, by vfmg the cure
thereof. For Sanis non eft opus medico > and counter-
poifons are neuer vfed, but where poyfon is thought
to precede.

But fince it is true, that diuers cuftomes (lightly
grounded, and with no better warrant entred in a
Commonwealth, may yet in the vie of them thereafter,
proone both neceffary and profitable ; it is therefore
next to be examined, if there be not a full Sympathie
and true Proportion, between e the bafe ground and
foolifh entrie, and the loathfome, and hurtfull vfe of
this (linking Antidote.

I am now therefore heartily to pray you to confider,
firft vpon what falfe and erroneous grounds you haue
firft built the generall good liking thereof ; and next,
what fmnes towards God, and foolifh vanities before
the world you commit, in the deteftable vfe of it.

As for thefe deceitfull grounds, that haue fpecially
mooued you to take a good and great conceit thereof,
I (hall content my felfe to examine here onely foure of
the principals of them ; two founded vpon the Theo-
ricke of a deceiuable apparance of Reafon, and two
of them vpon the miftaken Pracflicke of generall
Experience.

102 A counte%blafte to Tobacco.

Firft, it is thought by you a fure Aphorifme in the
Phyfickes, That the braines of all men, beeing natur-
ally colde and wet, all dry and hote things fhould be
good for them ; of which nature this (linking fuffumi-
gation is, and therefore of good vfe to them. Of this
Argument, both the Propofition and Affumption are
falfe, and fo the Conclufion cannot but be voyd of it
felfe. For as to the Propofition, That becaufe the
braines are colde andmoifl, therefore things that are hote
and drie are beft for them, it is an inept confequence :
For man beeing compounded of the foure Complexions,
(whofe fathers are the foure Elements) although there
be a mixture of them all in all the parts of his body,
yet mull the diuers parts of our Microcofme or little
world within our felues, be diuerfly more inclined, fome
to one, fome to another complexion, according to the
diuerfitie of their vfes, that of thefe difcords a perfect
harmonie may bee made vp for the maintenance of
the w T hole body.

The application then of a thing of a contrary nature,
to any of thefe parts, is to interrupt them of their due
function, and by confequence hurtfull to the health
of the whole body. As if a man, becaufe the Liuer is
hote (as the fountaine of blood) and as it were an
ouen to the ftomacke, would therfore apply and
weare clofe vpon his Liuer and flomacke a cake of
lead ; he might within a very fhort time (I hope) be
fufteined very good cheape at an Ordinarie, befide
the cleering of his confcience from that deadly fmne
of gluttonie. And as if, becaufe the Heart is full of
vitall fpirits, and in perpetuall motion, a man would
therefore lay a heauy pound flone on his bread, for
flaying and holding downe that wanton palpitation, I
doubt not but his bread would bee more bruifed with
the weight thereof, then the heart would be comforted
with fuch a difagreeable and contrarious cure. And
euen fo is it with the Braines. For if a man, becaufe
the Braines are colde and humide, would therefore
vfe inwardly by fmells, or outwardly by application,

A counterblajle to Tobacco. 103

things of hot and drie qualitie, all the gaine that he
could make thereof, would onely be to put himfelfe
in a great forwardneffe for running mad, by ouer-
watching himfelfe, the coldneffe and moiftneffe of our
braine beeing the onely ordinarie meanes that procure
our fleepe and red. Indeed I do not denie, but
when it falls out that any of thefe, or any part of our
bodie growes to be diftempered, and to tend to an
extremitie, beyond the co'mpaffe of Natures temperate
mixture, that in that cafe cures of contrary qualities,
to the intemperate inclination of that part, being
wifely prepared and difcreetely miniftered, may be both
neceffarie and helpefull for ftrengthning and affifling
Nature in the expulfion of her enemies : for this is
the true definition of all profitable Phyficke.

But firft thefe Cures ought not to bee vfed, but
where there is neede of them, the contrarie whereof,
is daily practifed in this generall vfe of Tobacco by
all forts and complexions of people.

And next, I deny the Minor of this argument, as I
haue already faid, in regard that this Tobacco, is not fim-
ply of a dry and hot qualitie; but rather hath a certaine
venemous facultie ioyned with the heate thereof,
which makes it haue an Antipathie againft nature, as
by the hatefull fmell thereof doeth well appeare. For
the Nofe being the proper Organ and conuoy of the fenfe
of fmelling to the braines, which are the onely fountaine
of that fenfe, doeth euer feme vs for an infallible wit-
neffe, whether that Odour which we fmell, be health-
full or hurtfuli to the braine (except when it fals out
that the fenfe it felfe is corrupted and abufed through
fome infirmitie, and diftemper in the braine.) And
that the fuffumigation thereof cannot haue a drying
qualitie, it needes no further probation, then that it
is a fmoake, all fmoake and vapour, being of it felfe
humide, as drawing neere to the nature of the ayre,
and eafie to be refolued againe into water, whereof
there needes no other proofe but the Meteors, which
being bred of nothing elfe but of the vapours and ex-

104 -A counterblajle to Tobacco.

halations fucked vp by the Sunne out of the earth, the
Sea, and waters yet are the fame fmoakie vapours
turned, and transformed into Raynes, Snowes, Deawes,
hoare Frofles, and fuch like waterie Meteors, as by the
contrarie the raynie cloudes are often transformed and
euaporated in bluftering winds.

The fecond Argument grounded on a fhow of rea-
fon is, That this filthie fmoake, afwell through the
heat and flrength thereof, as by a naturall force and
qualitie, is able and fit to purge both the head and
flomacke of Rhewmes and diflillations, as experience
teacheth, by the fpitting and auoyding fleame, im-.
meadiately after the taking of it. But the fallacie of
this Argument may eafily appeare, by my late pre-
ceding defcription of the Meteors. For euen as the
fmoakie vapours fucked vp by the Sunne, and ftaied
in the lowed and colde Region of the ayre, are there
contracted into cloudes and turned into raine and
fuch other watery Meteors : So this (linking fmoake
being fucked vp by the Nofe, and imprifoned in the
colde and moyft braines, is by their colde and wett
facultie, turned and cad foorth againe in waterie dis-
tillations, and fo are you made free and purged of
nothing, but that wherewith you wilfully burdened
your felues : and therefore are you no wifer in taking
Tobacco for purging you of diflillations, then if for pre-
uenting the Cholike you would take all kinde of
windie meates and drinkes, and for preuenting of the
Stone, you would take all kinde of meates and drinkes
that would breede grauell in the Kidneyes, and then
when you were forced to auoyde much winde out of
your flomacke, and much grauell in your Vrine, that
you mould attribute the thank e thereof to fuch nourilh-
ments as bred thofe within you, that behoued either to
be expelled by the force of Nature, or you to haue
bwft at the broad fide, as the Prouerbe is.

As for the other two reafons founded vpon ex-
perience, the firfl of which is, That the whole people
would not haue taken fo generall a good liking there-

A counterblafle to Tobacco. 105

of, if they had not by experience found it verie
foueraigne and good for them : For anfwere thereunto
how eafily the mindes of any people, wherewith God
hath replenifhed this world, may be drawen to the
foolifh affectation of any noueltie, I leaue it to the
difcreet iudgement of any man that is reafonable.

Doe we not dayly fee, that a man can no fooner
bring ouer from beyond the Seas any new forme of
apparell, but that hee can not bee thought a man of
fpirit, that would not prefently imitate the fame?
And fo from hand to hand it fpreades, till it be prac-
tifed by all, not for any commoditie that is in it, but
only becaufe it is come to be the fafhion. For fuch is
the force of that naturall Selfe-loue in euery one of vs,
and fuch is the corruption of enuie bred in the brefl
of euery one, as we cannot be content vnleffe we imi-
tate euery thing that our fellowes doe, and fo prooue
our felues capable of euery thing whereof they are cap-
able, like Apes, counterfeiting the maners of others, to
our owne deflruction. For let one or two of the
greateft Mailers of Mathematickes in any of the two
famous Yniuerfities, but conftantly affirme any cleare
day, that they fee fome flrange apparition in the
fkies : they will I warrant you be feconded by the
greateft part of the Students in that profeffion : So
loath will they be, to bee thought inferiour to their
fellowes, either in depth of knowledge or fharpneffe of
fight : And therefore the generall good liking and
imbracing of this foolifh cuflome, doeth but onely
proceede from that affectation of noueltie, and popu-
lar errour, whereof I haue already fpoken.

The other argument drawen from a miflaken ex-
perience, is but the more particular probation of this
generall, becaufe it is alleaged to be found true by
proofe, that by the taking of Tobacco diuers and very
many doe fmde themfelues cured of diuers difeafes
as on the other part, no man euer receiued harme
thereby. In this argument there is firfl a great mif-
taking and next a monflrous abfurditie. For is it not
a very great miftaking, to take Non caufam pro caufa,

106 A counterblajle to lobacco.

as they fay in the Logicks? becaufe peraduenture
when a ficke man hath had his difeafe at the height,
hee hath at that inftant taken Tobacco, and afterward
his difeafe taking the naturall courfe of declining, and
confequently the patient of recouering his health, O
then the Tobacco forfooth, was the worker of that
miracle. Befide that, it is a thing well knowen to all Phi-
ficians,'that the apprehenfion and conceit of the patient
hath by wakening and vniting the vitall fpirits, and fo
flrengthening nature, a great power and vertue, to cure
diuers difeafes For an euident proofe of miflaking in
the like cafe, I pray you what fooliih boy, what lillie
wench, what olde doting wife, or ignorant countrey
clowne, is not a Phifician for the toothach, for the
cholicke, and diuers fuch common difeafes? Yea,
will not euery man you meete withal, teach you a
fundry cure for the fame, and fweare by that meane
either himfelfe, or fome of his neerefl kinfmen and
friends was cured ? And yet I hope no man is fo
foolifh as to beleeue them. And all thefe toyes do
only proceed from the miflaking Non caufam pro
caiifa, as I haue already fayd, and fo if a man chance
to recouer one of any difeafe, after he hath taken
Tobacco, that mud haue the thankes of all. But by
the contrary, if a man fmoke himfelfe to death with it
(and many haue done) O then fome other difeafe
muft beare the blame for that fault. So doe olde
harlots thanke their harlotrie for their many yeeres,
that cuflome being healthfull (fay they) ad purgandos
Renes, but neuer haue minde how many die of the
Pockes in the flower of their youth. And fo doe olde
drunkards thinke they prolong their dayes, by their
fwinelike diet, but neuer remember howe many die
drowned in drinke before they be halfe olde.

And what greater abfurditie can there bee, then to
fay that one cure mail feme for diuers, nay, contrar-
ious fortes of difeafes? It is an vndoubted ground
among all Phificians, that there is almoft no fort either
of nourilhment or medicine, that hath not fome thing
in it difagreeable to fome part of mans bodie, be-

A cowiterblafle to Tobacco, 107

caufe, as I haue already fayd, the nature of the temper-
ature of euery part, is fo different from another, that
according to the olde prouerbe, That which is good
for the head, is euill for the necke and the moulders.
For euen as a ftrong enemie, that inuades a towne or
fortreffe, although in his fiege thereof, he do belaie
and compaffe it round about, yet he makes his breach
and entrie, at fome one or few fpecial parts thereof,
which hee hath tried and found to bee weakefl and
lead able to refift ; fo fickeneffe doth make her parti-
cular affault, vpon fuch part or parts of our bodie, as
are weakefl and eafieft to be ouercome by that fort of
difeafe, which then doth affaile vs, although all the reft
of the body by Syrnpathie feele it felfe, to be as it
were belaied, and befieged by the affliction of that
fpeciall part, the griefe and fmart thereof being by the
fence of feeling difperfed through all the reft of our
members. And therefore the fkilfull Phifician preffes
by fuch cures, to purge and flrengthen that part
which is afflicted, as are only fit for that fort of difeafe,
and doe bed agree with the nature of that infirme
part; which being abufed to a difeafe of another na-
ture, would prooue as hurtfull for the one, as helpfull
for the other. Yea, not only will a fkilfull and warie
Phifician bee carefull to vfe no cure but that which is
fit for that fort of difeafe, but he wil alfo confider all
other circumdances, and make the remedies futable
thereunto : as the temperature of the clime where the
Patient is, the conditution of the Planets, the time of
the Moone, the feafon of the yere, the age and com-
plexion of the Patient, and the prefent date of his body,
in drength or weakeneffe. For one cure mud not euer
be vfed for the felf-fame difeafe, but according to the
varying of any of the forefaid circumdances, that fort
of remedie mud be vfed which is fitted for the fame.
Whear by the contrarie in th is cafe, fuch is the mir-
aculous omnipotencie of our ft rong taded Tobacco, as
it cures all forts of difeafes (which neuer any drugge
could do before) in all perfons, and at all times. It

io8 A counterblafle to Tobacco.

cures all maner of diflillations, either in the head or
flomacke (if you beleeue their Axioraes) although in
veiy deede it doe both corrupt the braine, and by
caufmg ouer quicke difgeftion, fill the flomacke full of
crudities. It cures the Gowt in the feet, and (which
is miraculous) in that very inflant when the fmoke
thereof, as light, flies vp into the head, the vertue
thereof, as heauie, runs downe to the little toe. It
helpes all forts of Agues. It makes a man fober that
w r as drunke. It refreflies a weary man, and yet makes
a man hungry. Being taken when they goe to bed, it
makes one fleepe foundry, and yet being taken when a
man is fleepie and drowfie, it will, as they fay, awake
his braine, and quicken his vnderflanding. As for
curing of the Pockes, it femes for that vfe but among
the pockie Indian flaues. Here in England it is re-
fined, and will not d eigne to cure heere any other then
cleanly and gentlemanly difeaies., O omnipotent pow-
er of Tobacco ! And if it could by the fmoke thereof
chace out deuils, as the fmoke of Tobias fifh did (which
I am fure could fmel no flronglier) it would feme for
a precious Relicke, both for the fuperftitious Priefts,
and the infolent Puritanes, to caft out deuils withall.

Admitting then, and not conferring that the vfe
thereof were healthfull for fome fortes of difeafes ;
mould it be vfed for all fickneffes? mould it be vfed
by all men ? mould it be vfed at al times ? yea fhould
it be vfed by able, yong, ftrong, healthful men ? Med-
icine hath that vertue, that it neuer leaueth a man in
that flate wherin it findeth him : it makes a ficke
man whole, but a whole man ficke. And as Medicine
helpes nature being taken at times of necefhtie, fo be-
ing euer and continually vfed, it doth but weaken,
wearie, and weare nature. What fpeake.I of Medi-
cine? Nay let a man euery houre of the day, or as oft
as many in this countrey vfe to take Tobacco, let a man
I fay, but take as oft the bed forts of nourifhments in
meate and drinke that can bee deuifed, hee mall with
the continuall vfe thereof weaken both his head and his

A count erblajle to Tobacco. 109

flomacke : all his members fhall become feeble, his
fpirits dull, and in the end, as a drowfie lazie belly-
god, he fhall euanifh in a Lethargic

And from this weakneffe it proceeds, that many in
this kingdome haus had fuch a continuall vfe of taking
this vnfauorie fmoke, as now they are not able to for-
beare the fame, no more then an olde drunkard can
abide to be long fober, without falling into an vncur-
able wcakeaeffe and euill conflitution : for their con-
tinuall cuilome hath made to them, /mbiiinn, alteram
naturam : fo to thofe that from their birth haue bene
continually nourifhed vpon poifon and things venem-
ous, wholefome meates are onely poifonable.

Thus hauing, as I trufte, diffidently anfwered the
mod principal I arguments that are vfed in defence of
this vile cuftome, it refls onely to inform e you what
fumes and vanities you commit in the filthie abufe
thereof. Firll, are you not guiltie of fmnefull and
fhamefull lufl ? (for hid may bee as well in any of the
fenfes as in feeling) that although you bee troubled
with no difeafe, but in perfect health, yet can you
neither be merry at an Ordinarie, nor lafciuious in the
Stewes, if you lacke Tobacco to prouoke your appetite
to any of thofe forts of recreation, hiding after it as the
children of Ifrael did in the wilderneffe after Quailes ?
Secondly it is, as you vfe or rather abufe it, a branch e
of the fmne of drunkenneffe, which is the roote of all
fmnes : for as the onely delight that drunkards take
in Wine is in the drength of the tade, and the force of
the fume thereof that mounts vp to the braine : for no
drunkards loue any weake, or fweete drink e : fo are
not thofe (I meane the drong heate and the fume) the
onely qualities that make Tobacco fo delectable to all
the louers of it? And as no man likes drong headie
drinke the fird day (becanfe nemo rcpcnte fit turpiffi-
mni) but by cudome is piece and piece allured, while
in the ende, a drunkard will haue as great a third to
bee drunke, as a fober man to quench his third with
a draught when hee hath need of it : So is not this the
very cafe of all the great takers of Tobacco ? which

i to A counterblafle to Tobacco.

therefore they themfelues do attribute to a bewitching
qualitie in it. Thirdly, is it not the greater! fmne of
all, that you the people of all fortes of this Kingdome,
who are created and ordeined by God to beflowe both
your perfons and goods for the maintenance both of
the honour and fafetie of your King and Common-
wealth, mould difable your felues in both ? In your
perfons hauing by this continual! vile cuftome brought
your felues to this mameful imbecilitie, that you are
not able to ride or walke the iourney of a Iewes Sab-
both, but you muft haue a reekie cole brought you
from the next poore houfe to kindle your Tobacco
with ? whereas he cannot be thought able for any fer-
uice in the warres, that cannot endure oftentimes the
want of meate, drinke and fleepe, much more then
muft hee endure the want of Tobacco. In the times of
the many glorious and victorious battailes fought by this
Nation, there was no word of Tobacco. But now if it
were time of warres, and that you were to make fome
fudden Canalcado vpon your enemies, if any of you
mould feeke leifure to flay behinde his fellowe for
taking of Tobacco, for my part I mould neuer bee forie
for any euill chance that might befall him. To take
a cuftome in any thing that cannot bee left againe, is
mod harmefull to the people of any land. Mollicies
and delicacie were the wracke and ouerthrow, firft of
the Perfian, and next of the Roman e Empire. And
this very cuftome of taking Tobacco (whereof our pre-
fent purpofe is) is euen at this day accounted fo effe-
minate among the Indians themfelues, as in the market
they will offer no price for a flaue to be fold, whome
they finde to be a great Tobacco taker.

Now how you are by this cuftome difabled in your
goods, let the Gentry of this land beare witneffe, fome
of them bellowing three, fome foure hundred pounds
a yeere vpon this precious ftinke, which I am fure
might be bellowed vpon many farre better vfes. I
read indeede of a knauifh Courtier, who for abufmg
the fauour of the Emperour Alexander Seuerus his
Mailer by taking bribes to intercede, for fundry per-

A counterblajle to Tobacco. in

fons in his Mailers eare, (for whom he neuer once
opened his mouth) was iuflly choked with fmoke, with
this doome, Fumo per eat, qui fumum vendidit : but of .
fo many fmoke-buyers, as are at this prefent in this
kingdome, I neuer read nor heard.

And for the vanities committed in this filthie cuf-
tome, is it not both great vanitie and vncleaneneffe,
that at the table, a place of refpect, of cleanlineffe, of
modeftie, men mould not be afhamed, to fit toffing of
Tobacco pipes, and puffing of the fmoke of Tobacco one
to another, making the filthy fmoke and ftinke thereof,
to exhale athwart the dimes, and infect the aire, when
very often, men that abhorre it are at their repaft?
Surely Smoke becomes a kitchin far better then a
Dining chamber, and yet it makes a kitchin alfo often-
times in the inward parts of men, foiling and infecting
them, with an vncftuous and oily kinde of Soote, as
hath bene found in fome great Tobacco takers, that
after their death were opened. And not onely meate
time, but no other time nor action is exempted from
the publike vfe of this vnciuill tricke : fo as if the wiues
of Diepe lift to contefl with this Nation for good maners
their worfl maners would in all reafon be found at lead
not fo difhoneft (as ours are) in this point. The publike
vfe whereof, at all times, and in all places, hath now
fo farre preuailed, as diuers men very found both in
iudgement, and complexion, haue bene at lafl forced
to take it alfo without defire, partly becaufe they were
afhamed to feeme lingular, (like the two Philofophers
that were forced to duck themfelues in that raine
water, and fo become fooles afwell as the reft of the
people) and partly, to be as one that was content to
eate Garlicke (which hee did not loue) that he might
not be troubled with the fmell of it, in the breath of
his fellowes. And is it not a great vanitie, that a man
cannot heartily welcome his friend now, but ftraight
they muft bee in hand with Tobacco^ No it is become
in place of a cure, a point of good fellowfhip, and
he that will refufe to take a pipe of Tobacco among
his fellowes, (though by his own election he would

ii2 A counterblafte to Tobacco.

rather feele the fauour of a Sinke) is accounted peeuifh
and no good company, euen as they doe with tippeling
in the cold Eafterne Countries. Yea the Miflreffe
cannot in a more manerly kinde, entertaine her fer-
uant, then by giuing him out of her faire hand a pipe
of Tobacco. But herein is not onely a great vanitie,
but a great contempt of Gods good giftes, that the
fweeteneffe of mans breath, being a good gift of God,
mould be willfully corrupted by this {linking fmoke,
wherein I mufl confeffe, it hath too flrong a vertue :
and fo that which is an ornament of nature, and can
neither by any artifice be at the firfl acquired, nor
once loft, be recouered againe, fhall be filthily cor-
rupted with an incurable ftinke, which vile qualitie is
as directly contrary to that wrong opinion which is
holden of the wholefomneffe thereof, as the venime of
putrifaction is contrary to the vertue Preferuatiue.

Moreouer, which is a great iniquitie, and againfl all
humanitie, the husband fhall not bee afliamed, to
reduce thereby his delicate, wholefome, and cleane
complexioned wife, to that extremitie, that either fhee
mufl alfo corrupt her fweete breath therewith, or elfe
refolue to hue in a perpetuall flinking torment.

Haue you not reafon then to bee afliamed, and to
forbeare this filthie noueltie, fo bafely grounded, fo
foolifhly receiued and fo groffely miftaken in the right
vfe thereof? In your abufe thereof finning againfl
God, harming your felues both in perfons and goods,
and raking alfo thereby the markes and notes of vanitie
vpon you : by the cuflome thereof making your felues
to be wondered at by all forraine ciuil Nations, and
by all flrangers that come among you, to be fcqrned
and contemned. A cuflome lothfome to the eye, hate-
fall to the Nofe, harmefull to the braine, dangerous to

the Lungs, and in the blacke (linking fume there-
of, neerefl refembling the horrible Sti-
gian fmoke of the pit that is
bottomeleffe.

On the Early Use of Tobacco in England. 113

The foregoing Invective was written by the King of Great
Britain. How early its royal authorfhip was avowed, I know
not : but it was generally known long before its infertion in
the collected edition of the King's Workes, publiihed in
1616.

But King James flopped not, in his Crufade againfl Tobacco,
at words. In the following Commiffio pro Tabacco he added
Fines and Blows.

James, by the grace of God cs°c. to our right Trustie and risrht Welbeloued
Cousen and Counsellor, Tito mas Earle of Dorset our High Treasourer of
Englande, Greetinge.

Whereas Tabacco, being a Drugge of late Veres found out. and by Mer-
chants, as well Denizens as Strangers, brought from forreign Partes in small
quantitie into this Realm of England and other our Dominions, was used
and taken by the better sort both then and nowe onelye as Phisicke to pre-
serve Healthe, and is now at this Day, through evell Custome and the Tol-
leration thereof, excessivelie taken by a nomber of ryotous and disordered
Persons of meane and base Condition, whoe, contrarie to the use which Per-
sons of good Callinge and Qualitye make thereof, doe spend most of there
tyme in that idle Vanitie, to the evill example and corrupting of others, and
also do consume that Wages whiche manye of them gett by theire Labour,
and wherewith there Families should be releived, not caring at what Price
they buye that Drugge, but rather devisinge how to add to it other Mixture,
therebye to make it the more delightful 1 to their Taste, though so much the
more costly to there Purse ; by which great and imoderate takinge of Ta-
bacco the Health of a great nomber of our People is impayred, and theire
Bodies weakened and made unfit for Labor, the Estates of many mean Per-
sons soe decayed and consumed as they are thereby dryven to unthriftie
Shifts onelie to maynteyne their gluttonous exercise thereof, besides that
also a great part of the Treasure of our Landeis spent and exhausted by this
onely Drugge so licentiously abused by the meaner sorte, all which enormous
Inconveniences ensuinge thereuppon We doe well perceave to proceed prin-
cipally-from the great quantitie of Tabacco daily brought into this our Realm
of England and Dominions of Wales from the Partes beyond the Seas by
Merchauntes and others, which Excesse We conceave might in great part
be restrayned by some good Imposition to be laid uppon it, whereby it is
likelie that a lesse Quantitie of Tabacco will hereafter be broughte into this
our Realm of England, Dominion of Wales and Town of Barwick then in
former tymes, and yet sufficient store to serve for their necessarie use who
are of the better sort, and have and will uee the same with Moderation to
preserve their Healthe ;

We do therefore will and command you our Treasurer of Englande, and
herebye also warrant and aucthorise you to geve order to all Customers
Comptrollers Searchers Surveyors, and other Officers of our Fortes, that,
from and after the sixe and twentith Day of October next comynge, they
shall demaunde and take to our use of all Merchauntes, as well Englishe as
Strangers, and of all others whoe shall bringe in anye Tabacco into this
Realme, within any Porte Haven or Creek belonging to any theire several!
Charges, the Somme of Six Shilli?iges and cigkte Pence uppon everye Pound
Waight thereof, over and above the Custome of Twoo Peyice uppon the
Pounde Waighte usual lye paide heretofore ;

And for the better execution hereof, bothe in the Reformation of the saide
Abuses, and for the avoydinge of all Fraude and Deceipte concerninge the
Paymente of the saide Imposition and Custome, Our WiH and Pleasure is
that you shall in our Name straightlye charge and commaunde all Collectors
Customers Comptrollers Surveyors, and other Officers whatsoever to whome
the same maye belonge, that they suffer noe Entries to be made of anye
Tabacco at anye tyme hereafter to be broughte into anye Porte Haven or
Creeke within this our Kealme of Englande, and Dominion of Wales, and
H

ii4 °n the Early Use of Tobacco in England.

Towne of Barwicke, or anye parte of the same, by anye Englishe or Stranger,
or anye other Persone whatsoever, before the saide Custome and Imposition
before specified be firste satisfied and paide, or Composition made for the
same with our saide Customers, Collectors, or other Officers to whorae the
enme apperteyneth, uppon Payne that if anye Merchaunte Englishe or
Straunger, or other whatsoever, shall presume to bringe in anye of the saide
Tabacco, before suche Payemente and Satisfactione firste made, That then
he shall not onelie forfeite the saide Tabacco, but alsoe shall undergoe suche
furthere Penalties and corporall Punishmente as the Qualitie of suche soe
highe a Contempte against our Royall and expresse Commaundemente in
this mannere published shall deserve.

Wytnes our self at Westminster the seaventeenth Day of October. [1604].

Per ifisum Regem.

Rymer Foedera, xvi. 601. Ed. 1715.

Sir Robert Ayton [lx 1570 — d. an unmarried man in 1638]
left amon- his MSS. the following Sonnet, firft printed among
his Poems, Edinburgh, 1844. Ed. by C Roger.

On Tobacco.
Forsaken of all comforts but these two,
My faggot and my pipe, il sit and muse
On all my crosses, and almost accuse
The Heav'ns for dealing with me as they do.
'1 hen Hope steps in, and w.ith a smiling brow
Such cheerful expectations doth infuse
As makes me think ere long I cannot choose
But be some grandee, whatsoe'er I'm now.
But having spent my pipe, I then perceive
That hopes and dreams are cousins — both deceive.
Then mark I this conclusion in my mind,
It's all one thing—both tend into one scope —
To live upon Tobacco and on Hope,
The one's but smoke, the oihec is but wind. p. 53.

1606. "The copy of a Letter written by E. D. Doclour of Phy-
ficke to a Gentleman, by whom it was published. The former
part conteineth Rules for the prefer nation of health, and preuenl-
iug of all difeafes viitil extreme olde age. Herein is inferted the
Authotirs opinion of Tabacco" . .

E. D. argues that Tabacco is (1) not safe for youth : (2) it shorteneth life :
(3) it breedeih many diseases : (4) it breedeth melancholy : (5) it hurteth the
minde : 16) it is ill for the Smokers' issue : (7) it shorteneth life : and

" To conclude, sith it is so hurtfull and dangerous to youth, I wish (in com-
passion of them) that it might haue the permtious nature expressed in the
name, and that it were as well knowen by the name of Youths-bane, as by
the name of Tabacco." pp. 3-5.

1607. A fexe-folde Politician, by I[ohn] M[elton], has the
following allufion to Tobacco Smoking : —

And as the enterludes may be tearmed, the Schoole-houses of vanitie, and
wantonnes ; so these [vaine poets and plaiersjare the schoolemaisters there-
of : and methinks they (who haue tasted of the sweete fountaine water, run-
ning from their Academick mothers breasts, by this, if nothing else) shold
be deterred from their scribling profession, that they see their writings and
conceits sold at a common doore to euery base companion for a penny. But
most of their conceits are too deere at that rate, and therefore may well bee
had in the same request that Tobacco is now, which was wont to be taken of

On the Early Use of Tobacco in England. 115

great gentlemen, and gallants, now made a frequent and familiar Companion

of euery Tapster and Horse-keeper. And their conceits are

likest Tobacco of any thing : for as that is quickly kindled, Conceits sauo-

makes a stinking smoake, and quickly goes out, but leaues ring of no

and inhering stinke in the nostrils and stomackes of the imigemcnt or

takers, not to be drawne out, but by putting in a worse sa- studdie like

uour, as of Onions and Garlick, ^according to the prouerbe : Tobacco

the smel of Garlicke takes away the stink of dunghils, ] so smoke.

the writing of ordinarye Play-bookes, Pamphlets, and such

like, may be tearmed the mushrum conceptions of idle braines, moste of them

are begotte ouer night in Tobacco smoake and muld-sacke, and vttered and

deliuered to the worlds presse by the helpe and midwifery of a caudle the

next morning. pp. 34-36.

1610. (1.) *E[dmund] G[ardiner]. Gent, and Practitioner in
Phyficke,' wrote a medical defence, under the title of The Triall
of Tabacco. Wherein, his worth is mojl worthily expreffed, as, in
the name, nature, and cpualitie of the fayd Jiearb, his fpeciall zfe in
all Phyficke, with the t) ue and right vfe of taking it, &c. . . .

(2.) Under this year may alfo be put — George Sandys. A
Relation of a Journey begun An. Dom. 1610. Foure Bookes.
Containing a defc ript ion of the TurkifJi Empire, of Aigypt, of the
Holy Land, of the Remote parts of Italy, and //lands adioyning.
London. 1615.

The Turkes are also incredible takers of Opium, whereof the lesser Asia
affordeth them plenty : carrying it about them both in peace and in warre ;
which they say expclleth all feare, and makes them couragious : but I rather
thinke giddy headed, and turbulent dreamers ; by them, as should seeme by
what hath bene said, religiously affected. And perhaps for the selfe same
cause they also delight in Tobacco; they take it through reeds that haue
ioyned vn'to them great heads of wood to containe it : I doubt not but lately
taught them, as brought them by the English : and were it not sometimes
Iookt into :for Morat Bassa not long since commanded a pipe to be thrust
through the nose of a Turke, and so to be led in derision through the Citie,)
no questionbut it would proue a principall commodity. Neuerthelesse they
will take it in corners, and are so ignorant therein, that that which in Eng-
1 md is not saleable, doth passe here amongst them for most excellent. Bk.
I. p. 66.

So England took Tobacco firft to Turkey.

1611. Perfuming of Tobacco, and the great Abufe co??imitted in
it. See Lowndes.

1614. (1.) William Barclay, M.A., M.D., publifhed at
Edinburgh, — what was perhaps the firft flat contradiction to the
Counterblafle — viz. : Nepenthes t or the Vert ues of Tabacco. This
tract — which I fhould, had fpace permitted, have been glad to
have entirely reprinted here — was publifhed by the Spalding
Club in their Mifcellany, i. pp. 257-274. It begins thus —

Hercvles to obey the commandement and will of I v. no, busied him-
selfe to ouerthrow the most famous monsters of his time, his Amies were a
bigge and a club. A most worthie Ladie, and, if I durst say so, the very
Ivis'o of our He hath commanded me to destroy some monstruous Diseases
so that to imitate the most chiualrous Chiftan of the worlde, I haue armed
my selfe with a boxe for his bagge, and a pipe for his club : a boxe to conserue
my Tabacco, and a pipe to vse it, by those two Godwilling, to ouercome
many maladies. If the hostes of such Diseases do not betray my endeuoures
to their hating and hated guests by not vsing or abusing my weapons. But
before I enter in the list, I must whet as it were my wits with these two
points, First why doe I treat of a matter so often handled by so many, so
odious to Princes, so pernicious to sundrie, and so cojtly to all?

u6 On the Early Use of Tobacco i-n- England.

Secondly why doe I as another Clodivs reueale mysteria bonce Deer,
and prophane the secrets of Physicke ? I answere that a good matter is not
the worse to be maintained by many : and Plus vident oculi quam oculus.
As concerning the hatred of Princes, one mans meate is another mans poy-
son. The wine prince of liquors hateth vehemently colworts, and yet beere,
aile, sider water, oyle, honey, and all other liquors doe well agree with col-
worts. The king of France drinketh neuer Orleans wine notwithstanding
his subjects doe loue it well.

1 know sundrie men that haue such Antipathie with outter" that? they dare
not smell it. It hath bene pernicious to sundrie I grant it, so hath wine, so
hath bread, so hath gold, so hath land, and what so wholsome thing is that
cannot be turned to abuse? If it be costly vse the lesseof it. What? is not
Rheubarbc coastly ? is not Muske coastly? is not Arnbe rgi -eese coastly? As
touching the second point of my reuealing this secret of Physicke, I answere,
1 mean but to reforme the harme which proceedeth of the abuse, and to shew
to my countrey men that I am more willing to pleasure them then to profite
my selfe, neither did I sweare to conceale that point when in a robe of pur-
pure I wedded the metamorphosed Daphne. It resteth now to vnfold what
moued me to entitule this treatise Nepenthes, because it hath certaine melli-
fluous delicacie, which deliteth the senses, and spirits of man with a mindful
obliuion, insomuch that it maketh and induceth kclklov eTri^rjdov a irdvT'Jtv
the forgetting of all sorrowes and miseries. And there is such hostilitie be-
twene it and mebncholie, that it is the only medicament in the world or-
dained by nature to entertaine good companie : insomuch that it worketH
neuer so well, as when it is giuen from man to man, as a pledge of friend-
shippe and amitie.

[The countrey which God hath honoured and blessed with this happie and
holy herbe, doth call it in the natiue language Petnm, the Spaniards, who
haue giuen it the right of naturalitie in their soyle, terme it Tabacco, the
Frenchmen which haue receiued it in their countrey as in a colonie call it
Nicotian, in this our He of Brittaine, as in all other maritime parts, we vse
the Spanish name of Tabacco. But esteeming it worthie of a more loflie
name^ T haue chosen for gossip the faire and famous Helena, and giuen to
her the honour to name this most profitable plant, Nepentties.

Albeit this herbe disdaines not to be nourished in many gardens in Spaine;
in Italic, France, Flanders, Germanie and Brittaine, yet neuerthelesse only
that which is fostered in India and brought home by Mariners and Traffiquers-
is to be vsed, as after you shall heare the reason is.

Non omnis fert omnia trUus-..
But auarice and greedincs of gaine haue moued the Marchants to apparell
some Euro/>ean plants with Indian coats, and to enstall them in shops as
Tighteous and legittime Tabacco .... So that the most fine, best, and
purest is that which is brought to Fnrope'm leaues, ana' not rolled in puddings,
as the English Navigators first brought home. . . .

In Tabacco there is nothing which is not medecin,. the root, the stalke, the
leaues, the seeds, the smoke, the ashes, and to be more particular, Tabacco
may serue for the vse of man either greene or dby. . . .

To the cure and peregrination of an arnue of maladies, Tabacco must be
used after this maner. Take of leafe Tabacc» a*» much as being folded to-
gether, may make a round ball of such bignesse that it may fill the patient's
mouth, and inclyne his face downward towards the ground, keeping the
mouth open, not mouing a whit with his tongue, except now and then to
waken the medicament, there shall flow such a flood of water from his brain
and his stomacke, and from all parts of his body that it shall be a wonder.
This he must do fasting in the morning, and if it be for preseruation, and
the body very cacochyme, or full of euil humours,, he must take it once a
weeke, otherwise once a month : But if it bee to cure the Epilepsie or Hy-
dropisie once euery day. Thus haue I vsed Tabacco my self, and thus vsed
Tabacco, lean Grei s a venerable old man at Nantes in the French Britain,
who liued whill he was six score yeares of ag.r, and who was known for the
only refuge of the poore afflicted souldiers of Venus when they were wounded
with the French Pickes, 1 should haue said Pockes.. Thus much for the vse

On the Early Use of Tobacco in England. 117

of Tabacco in substance. As concerning the smoke, it may be taken more
frequently, and for the said effects, but always fasting, and with an emptie
stomack, not as the English abuses do, which make a smoke-boxe of their
skull, more fit to be caried vnder his arme that selleth nt Paris, dttnoir a
iioircir to blacke men's shoes, then to carie the braine of him that can not
walke, can not ryde except the Tabacco Pype be in his mouth. I chanced
in company on a tyme with an English merchant in Xorvrandie betweene
Rowen and Xeiv-hauen. This fellow was a merrie man, but at euery house
he must have a Cole to kindle his Tabacco : the Frenchmen wondered, and
I laughed at his intemperancie. But there is one William Alsof> an honest
man dwelling in Bishops-gate street, hard within the gate that selleth the
best Tabacco in England, and vseth it most discreetly. . . .

(2.) " The Hone/lie of this Age. Prootring by good circum-
ftance that the world was neuer honeft till now. By Barnabep:
Rych Gentleman, Seruant to the Kings mofl Excellent Maieflie."
has the following.

But he that some fortie or fifty yeares sithens, should haue asked after a
Piccadilly, I wonder who could haue vnderstood him, or could haue told
what a Pickadilly had beene, either fish or flesh.

But amongst the trades that are newly taken vp, this trade of Tobacco
doth exceede : and the money that is spent in smoake is vnknowne, and (I
thinke vnthought on, and of such a smoake as is more vaine, then the smoake
of fayre words, for that (they say) will serue to feede Fooles, but this smoake
maketh Fooles of Wisemen : mee thinks experience were enough to teach
the most simple witted, that before Tobacco was euer knowne in England,
that we lined in as perfect health, and as free from sicknesse, as we haue
done sithens, and looke vppon those (whereof there are a number at this
present houre' that did neuer take Tobacco in their Hues, and if they doe not
line as healthsome in bodie, and as free from all manner of diseases, as those
that doe take it fastest : they say it is good for a Cold, for a Pose, for Reiums,
for Aches, for Dropsies, and for all manner of diseases proceeding of moyst
humours : but I cannot see but that those that doe take it fastest, areasmuch
(or more) subiect to all these infirmities, yea and to thepoxe itsclfe) as those
that haue nothing at all to doe with it : then what a wonclerfull expence might
very well bee spared, thai is spent and consumed in this needlesse vanitie.

There is not so base a groome, that commes into an Alehouse to call for his
pot, but he must haue his pipe of Tobacco, for it is a commoditie that is nowe
as vendible in euery Tauerne, Inne, and Ale house, as ej'ther Wine, Ale, or
Beare, and for Apothicaries Shops, Growers Shops, Chaimdlers Shops, they
are almost) neuer without company, that from morning till night are still
taking of Tobacco, what a> number are there besides, that doe kecpe houses,
set open shoppes, that haue no other trade to Hue by, but by the selling oi
Tobacco.

I haue heard it tolde that now very lately, there hath bin a Cathalogue
taken of all those new erected 'houses that haue set vppe that Trade of sell-
ing Tobacco, in London and neare about London, and if a man may bcleeue
what is confidently reported, there are found to be vpward of 7000. houses,
that doth Ywxq. by that trade.

I cannot say whether they number Apothicaries shoppes, Grosers shops,
and Chaimdlers shops in this computation, but let it be that these were thrust
in to make vppe the number : let vs now looke a little into the Vidimus of
the matter, and let vs cast vppe but a sleight account, what the expence
might be that is consumed in this smoakie vapoure.

If it be true that there be 7000. shops, in and about London, that doth vent
Tobacco, as it is credibly reported that there be ouer and aboue that number:
it may well bee supposed, to be but an ill customed shoppe. that taketh not
fiue shillings a day, one day with another, throughout the whole yeare, or if
one doth take lesse, two other may take more : but let vs make our account,
but after 2 shillings sixe pence a day, for he that taketh lesse than that,
would be ill able to pay his rent, or to keepe open his Shop Windowes, neither

n8 On the Early Use of Tobacco in England.

would Tobacco houses make such a muster as they doe, and that almost in
euery Lane, and in euery by-corner round about Eojidon.

Let vs then reckon thus, 7000. halfe Crowns a day amounieth just to 31.9375
poundes a yeare. Sum ma totalis, All spent in smoake.

I doe not reckon now what is spent in Tauernes, in Innes, in Alehouses,
nor what gentlemen doe spend in their owne houses and chambers, it would
amount to a great reckoning, but if I coulde deliuer truly what is spent
throughout the whole Realme of England, in that idle vanitie, I thinke it
woulde make a number of good people (that haue anie feare of God in them)
to lament, that such a masse of Treasure, should be so basely consumed,
that might be imployed to many better purposes.—//. 25-27.

(3.) Joshua Sylvester, the tranflator of Du Bartas, wrote a.
poem, under the title of Tobacco battered ; and the Pipes fJiattered
{About their Eares that idlely Idolize fo bafe and barbarous a Weed ;
or at least-wife oiter-lou-e fo loath fome Vanitie:) by A Volley of holy
Shot thundered from Mount Helicon. The calibre of this Invec-
tive may be meafured by its concluding lines —

. . . How iuster will the Heau'nly God,

Th' Eternal, punish with infernal Rod,

In Hell's darke (Fornace, with black Fumes, to choak)

Those, that on Earth will still offend in Smoak ?

Offend their Friends, with a Most vn-Respect :

Offend their Wiues and Children, with Neglect :

Offend the Eyes, with foule and loathsom Spawlings :

Offend the Nose, with filthy Fumes exhalings:

Offend the Eares, with lowd lewd Execrations:

Offend the Mouth, with ougly Excreations :

Offend the Sense, with stupefying Sense :

Offend the Weake, to follow their Offeiise :

Offend the Body, and offend the Minde :

Offend the Conscience in a fearefull kinde :

Offend their Baptisme, and their Second Birth :

Offend the Maiestie of Heau'n and Earth.

Woe to the World because of Such Offenses ;

So voluntaire, so voyd of all pretenses

Of all Excuse (saue Fashion, Custojue, Will)

In so apparant, proued, granted, ///.

Woe, woe to them by Whom Offences come,

So scandalous to All our Christendom e.
1615. A11 Advice how to plant Tobacco in England: and how to
bring it to colour and perfection, to whom it may be profitable, and
to whom harmfull. 7 he vertit£s of the Hearbe in generally as

well in the outward application as taken in FvME. With the
danger of the Spanifli Tobacco. Written by C. T.

This work gives us a good idea of the rapid growth of To-
bacco Smoking in England.

I haue heard it reported, by men of good iudgement, that there is paid out
of England and Ireland, neere the value of two hundred thousand pounds
euery yeare for Tobacco^ and that the greatest part thereof is bought for
ready money. Sure I am, that when our Englishmen for these seuen or eight
yeares last past, traded for it at Trinidado^ or in Orenoque, that great store
of Gold, Siluer, Coine, and plate was carried hence, and giuen to the^ Spaniard
there in exchange. For so greedy were our English of the Indian Tobacco,
as where in the beginning of our traffique there, some yeares since, the
Spaniards (as in all new plantations) were prest with all sorts of wa its ; and
had neither cloathes to couer them, nor shooes to tread on, nor bread to
eate, and did therefore exchange their Tobacco for Fish. Wine, Aqua-v ta^,
all sorts of lasting food, for woollen stockins, hats, tbreed. hatchets, and the
like : they became in a short time so cloyd with all these commodities, as

On the Early Use of Tobacco in England. 119

nothing (some Silkes, and Cloatfo of SsTuer and Gold excepted) but ready-
Money, and Siluer plate could content them.

This Trade therefore, where the Treasure of this land is vented for smoke,
cannot but greatly prejudice the Common-weale : which although it were in
some sort tollerable, by reason that many shippes and Mariners were employed,
and that thereby wee kept our knowledge of the West Indies, and bred many
sufficient Marriners ; yet seeing the Spaniards haue now vtterly banished our
Merchants, and put all to- the sword, or to a more craell death, which they
can maister, or besray m those parts : I haue thought good, as well for the
keeping within the Land of the Treasure before spoken of, then carried into
the Indies, and now into Spaine, as for other respects hereafter remembred;
to instruct those of our Nation how to sow, plant and perfect this drugge.

For besides the ill exchange made for this fantasticall merchandize, and
besides, the extreame rate, and price of the Indian Tobacco , of which the
greatest part is sold for ten times the value of pepper, and the best of it,
weight for weight, for the finest siluer; it is hard to find one pound weight
in hue hundred, that is not sophisticate.

The naturall co-lour of Tobacco is a deepe yellow, or a light tawnie : and
when the Indians themselues sold it vs for Kniues, Hatchets, Beads, Belles,
and like merchandise, it had no other complexion, as alt the Tobacco at this
day hath, which is brought from the coast of Guiana, from Saint Vincents,
from Saint Lucia, from Dominica, and other places, where we buy it but of
the naturall people, and all these sorts are cleane, and so is that of St. Do-
mingo, where ihe Spaniards haue not yet learned the Art of Sophistication.

There is also a sort of Caraccas Tobacco, which the Indians make vp, and
sell to the Spaniards, which is wholesome enough; but there comes little of
it into England.

Now besides these harmefull mixtures, if our English which delight in
Indian Tobacco, had seene how the Spanish slaues make it vp, how they dresse
their sores, and pockie vlcers, with the same vnwasht hands with which they
slubber and annoynt the Tobacco, and call it sauce Per los pe?-ros Luteranos,
for Lutheran dogges, they would not so often draw it into their heads and
through their noses as they doe : }'ea many a filthy sauour should they find
therein, did not the smeM of the hunny maister it, which smelf euery man
may plainly perceiue that takes of the blacke roll Tabacco, brought from
Orenoqtce, Trinidado, and else-where.

1616. John Deacon — who appears to have been another
Phillip Stubbes — dedicated Tobacco- tortured ; or the filthie fume
of Tobacco refined-, to James I.

This work is in the form of a dialogue between Capniflus and
Hydrophones. It is divided into two parts r (1.) The Fume of
Tobacco taken inward, is very pernicious vnto the Body. (2.)
The Fume of Tobacco taken inward, is too too profTuuious for
many of our Tobacconists purfes, and moil pernicious to the
publike State.

The following extracts will mow the nature of the work.
Capn. Alas poore Tobacco, my pretie Tobacco; thou that hast bene hitherto-
accompted the Ale-knights armes, the Beere-brewers badge, the Carousers-
crest, the Drunkards darling, the Draffe-sacks delight, the Easterlings ensigne,
the Fantasticals foretresse, the Gormandizers glorie, the hungry Hostesses ale-
pole, theMad-braines merriment, the New-fangles noueltie, the Poope-noddies-
paramour, the Ruffians reflection, the Swil-boles swine-troffe, the Tinkers-
trull, the Tospots protection, the Vintners vintage, and the vn thrifts pasport ;
thou must now (I feare me) bee enforced forthwith to take thy farewell to-
wards the vttermost parts of hidia, from whence thou were first transported

to England by vicious and wild dispositions p. 57.

Hydr. First therefore for the exceeding high rate that this Tobacco hath
euer bene at since the very first arriuall thereof into England, thou thyselfe,
and all our Tobacconists, are able to say this of your owne proper knowledge:

120 On the Early Use of Tobacco in England.

namely, that the same hath vsually bene sold by the pound, for twentie
nobles, fiue, foure, t or three pounds: yea and when it came to the lowest
price, it could not bee had vnder foure markes or fortie shillings, which
amounteth to three shillings four pence an ounce at the least. Is not this
(thinkest thou) an exceeding high rate for filthie Tobacco ? . . . p. 61.

Hydr. Concerning therefore that former superfluous and riotous waste, which
those Tobacconists do so wilfully make about their beastly Tobacco fumes,
do tell me in good sadnesse, whether it be not a superfluous waste, for any
man of great place, to paddle forth yearely one hundred pounds at the least,
for an hundred gallons of filthy fumes ? for a Gentleman of meaner condition,
to be at fortie pound annuall expences, about bare fortie pottels of stinking
flames, for a Yeoman, an Husbandman, an Artificer, a Trades-man, a Tinker,
a Shoomaker, or a Cobbler, to bestow weekely some three shillings four-
pence at the least, for but one onely ounce of fantastical fooleries ?.../. 62.

Hydr. So as (by these ineanes) they make great noble Persons, but single-
soaled Gentlemen ; well bred Gentelmen, but bare thredded Yeomen ; bounti-
full Yeomen, but beggerly Husbandmen , hospitious Husbandmen, but shifting
Trades-men, artificious Trades-men but conicatching companions , conicatch-
ing companions, but vagabond rogues. Thus thou mayest plainly perceiue
how these their intoxicating Tobacco fumes are able (in an vnperceiuable and
Circean manner) to transforme nobilitie into gentrie, gentrie into yeomanrie,
yeomanrie into husbandry, husbandrie into maunuarie, manuarie into manu-
biarie, manubiarie into a vagrant and retchlesse roguerie, and what not
besides? p. 65.

(2.) The Counter Maste was reprinted this year in Bishop
Montagu's edition of James' Workes.

1616. Bishop Montagu publifhed a Latin tranflation of the
King's works : in which the Counterblajle appears as Mifocapnus,
feu de Abuftc Tabacci. This provoked a Polish Jefuit to write
Antimifocapnus, a trad which I have not met with.

We cannot better conclude thefe fcattered notices, than with
the following poem : sometimes cabled Tobacco Spiritualized : but
which is evidently reprinted in Two Broadfides, &c. 1672 : see
No. %p. 6.

The hidian Weed withered quite,
Green at Noon, cut down at Night;
Shews thy decay, all Flesh is hay :
Thus think, then drink Tobacco.

The Pipe that is so lilly-.v/hite,
Shews Thee to be a mortal Wight,
And euen such gone with a touch :
Thus think, then drink Tobacco.

And when the Smoke ascends on high,
Think thou behold'st the Vanity
Of worldly stuff, gone with a pufif:
Thus think, then drink Tobacco.

And when the Pipe grows foul within,
Think on the Soul defil'd with Sin,
And then the Fire it doth require :
Thus think, then drink Tobacco.

The Ashes that are left behind
May serve to put thee still in mincL
That unto Dust return thou must :
Thus think, then drink Tobacco.

Answered by Gearge Withers thus,

Thus think, chunk no Tobacco.

Muir &=> Paterson, Printers, Edinburgh.

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