October. [headnote]
October woodblock illustration.
Ægloga decima. ARGVMENT ARGUMENT .

IN In Cuddie is set out the perfecte paterne of a Poete, whiche whishe which which finding no maintenaunce of his state and studies, complayneth of the contempte of Poetrie, and the causes thereof: Specially hauing having bene in all ages, and euen even enen euen amõgst amongst the most barbarous alwayes of singular accoumpt accounpt account & and honor, & and being indede so worthy and commendable an arte: or rather no arte, but a diuine divine gift and heauenly heavenly instinct not to bee gotten by laboure and learning, but a-dorned with both: and poured into the witte by a certaine ἐνθουσιασμὸς. ἐνθουσιασμὸς. ( Kithou[ſi]aſmos ) Kithou[ſi]aſmos Enthou[ſi]aſmos, and ce-lestiall inspiration, as the Author hereof els where at large discourseth, in his booke called the English Poete, which booke being lately come to my hands, I mynde also by Gods grace vpon upon further aduisement advisement to publish.
Pierce. Cuddie. CVddie Cvddie Cuddie , for shame hold vp up thy heauye heavye head, And let vs us cast with what delight to chace, chace: chace : chace, October. Sike And weary thys long lingring Phoebus Pbœbus Phœbus Phœbus P H O E B V S race. Whilome thou wont the shepheards laddes to leade, In rymes, in ridles, and in bydding base : : Now they in thee, and thou in sleepe art dead. dead? deade? deade. dead. Cuddye. Piers, I haue have pyped erst so long with payne, That all mine Oten reedes bene rent and wore: And my poore Muse hath spent her spared store, Yet little good hath got, and much lesse gayne. Such pleasaunce makes the Grashopper so poore, And ligge so layd, when Winter doth her straine: The dapper ditties, that I wont deuise devise , To feede youthes fancie, and the flocking fry, Delighten much: what I the bett for thy? They han the pleasure, I a sclender prise. I beate the bush, the byrds to them doe flye: What good thereof to Cuddie can arise? Piers. Pires. PIERS. Cuddie, the prayse is better, 19. then: than then than the price, The glory eke much greater 20. then: than then than the gayne: O what an honor is it, to restraine The lust of lawlesse youth with good aduice advice : Or pricke them forth with pleasaunce of thy vaine, Whereto thou list their trayned willes entice. Soone as thou gynst to sette thy notes in frame, O how the rurall routes to thee doe cleaue cleave : Seemeth thou dost their soule of sence bereaue bereave , All as the shepheard, that did fetch his dame From Plutoes balefull bowre withouten leaue leave : His musicks might the hellish hound did tame. Cuddie. So praysen babes the Peacoks spotted traine, And wondren at bright Argus blazing eye: But who rewards him ere the more for thy? Or feedes him once the fuller by a graine? October. fol.41 L . . But Sike prayse is smoke, that sheddeth in the skye, Sike words bene wynd, and wasten soone in vayne. Piers. Abandon then the base and viler clowne: clowne, clowne, clowne, Lyft vp up thy selfe out of the lowly dust, du[ſt]: du[ſt]: du[ſt]: And sing of bloody Mars, of wars, of giusts. giu[ſt]s, giu[ſt]s, gu[ſt]s, Turne thee to those, that weld the awful crowne, crowne. crowne. crowne, To doubted Knights, whose woundlesse armour rusts, And helmes vnbruzed unbruzed wexen dayly browne. There may thy Muse display her fluttryng wing, And stretch her selfe at large from East to West: Whither thou list in fayre Elisa rest, Or if thee please in bigger notes to sing, Aduaunce Advaunce the worthy whome shee loueth loveth best, That first the white beare to the stake did bring. And when the stubborne stroke of stronger stounds, Has somewhat slackt the tenor of thy string: Of loue love and lustihead tho mayst thou sing, And carrol lowde, and leade the Myllers rownde, All were Elisa one of thilke same ring . . So mought our Cuddies name to Heauen Heaven sownde . . Cuddye. Indeede the Romish Tityrus, I heare, Through his Mecœnas left his Oaten reede, Whereon he earst had taught his flocks to feede, And laboured lands to yield the timely eare, And eft did sing of warres and deadly drede, So as the Heauens Heavens did quake his verse to here . . But ah Mecœnas is yclad in claye, And great Augustus long ygoe is dead: And all the worthies liggen wrapt in leade, That matter made for Poets on to play: For euer ever , who in derring doe were dreade, The loftie verse of hem was loued loved aye . . October. The But after vertue gan for age to stoupe, And mighty manhode brought a bedde of ease: The vaunting Poets found nought worth a pease, To put in preace emong the learned troupe. Tho gan the streames of flowing wittes to cease, And sonnebright honour pend in shamefull coupe. And if that any buddes of Poesie, Yet of the old stocke gan to shoote agayne: Or it mens follies mote be forst to fayne, And rolle with rest in rymes of rybaudrye: rybaudrye. rybaudrie. rybaudrie: ribaudry: Or as it sprong, it wither must agayne: Tom Piper makes vs us better melodie . . Piers. O pierlesse Poesye, where is then thy the thy place? If nor in Princes pallace thou doe sitt: (And yet is Princes pallace the most fitt) Ne brest of baser birth doth thee embrace . . Then make thee winges of thine aspyring wit, And, whence thou camst, flye backe to heauen heaven apace . . Cuddie. Ah Percy it is all 85. to: too to too weake and wanne, So high to sore, and make so large a flight: Her peeced pyneons bene not so in plight, For Colin fittes such famous flight to scanne: He, were he not with loue love so ill bedight, Would mount as high, and sing as soote as Swanne . . Piers. Pires Piers. PIERS. Ah fon, for loue love does teach him climbe so hie, And lyftes him vp up out of the loathsome myre: Such immortall mirrhor, as he doth admire, Would rayse ones mynd aboue above the starry skie . . And cause a caytiue caytive corage to aspire, For lofty loue love doth loath a lowly eye . . Cuddie. CVDDY. All otherwise the state of Poet stands, For lordly loue love is such a Tyranne fell: That where he rules, all power he doth expell . . October. fol.42 L.ij. in The vaunted verse a vacant head demaundes, demaundes. demaundes, demands, demands, Ne wont with crabbed care the Muses dwell. dwell, dwell: Unwisely weaues weaves , that takes two webbes in hand. Who euer ever casts to compasse weightye prise, And thinks to throwe out thondring words of threate: Let powre in lauish lavish cups and thriftie bitts of meate, For Bacchus fruite is frend to Phœbus wise. And when with Wine the braine begins to sweate, The nombers flowe as fast as spring doth ryse. Thou kenst not Percie howe the ryme should rage . . O if my temples were distaind with wine, And girt in girlonds of wild Yuie Yvie twine, How I could reare the Muse on stately stage, And teache her tread aloft in buskin buſ-kin buskin fine, With queint Bellona in her equipage. But ah my corage cooles ere it be warme, For thy, content vs us in thys humble shade: Where no such troublous tydes han vs us assayde, Here we our slender pipes may safely charme . . Piers. Pires. PIERS. And when my Gates shall han their bellies layd: Cuddie shall haue have a Kidde to store his farme.
Cuddies Embleme. Agitante calescimus illo &c. etc.
GLOSSE. This Æglogue is made in imitation of Theocritus his xvi. Idilion, vvherein wherein hee repro-ued repro-ved the Tyranne Hiero of Syracuse for his nigardise towarde Poetes, in whome is the power to make men immortal for theyr good dedes, or shameful for their naughty lyfe. And the lyke also is in Mantuane. Mantuane, The style hereof as also that in Theocritus, is more loftye 5. then: than then than the rest, and applyed to the heighte of Poeticall vvitte witte . Cuddie] Cuddie) I doubte vvhether whether by Cuddie be specified the authour selfe, or some other. For October. skill in the eyght Æglogue the same person was brought in, singing a Cantion of Colins making, as he sayth. So that some doubt, that the persons be different. VVhilome Whilome ) sometime. Oaten reedes) Auena Avena . Ligge so layde) lye so faynt and vnlustye unlustye . Dapper) pretye. Frye) is a bold Metaphore, forced from the spawning fishes, fi][sh]es. [fi][sh]es, for the multitude of young fish be called the frye. To restraine.) restraine) This place seemeth to conspyre vvith with Plato, who in his first booke de Le-gibus sayth, that the first inuention invention of Poetry vvas was of very vertuous intent. For at what time an infinite number of youth vsually usually came to theyr great solemne feastes called Panegyrica, vvhich which they vsed used euery every fiue five yeere to hold, some lear-ned man being more hable 22. thẽ: than22. then: than thẽ then thã than the rest, for speciall gyftes of wytte and Musicke, vvould would take vpon upon him to sing fine verses to the people, in prayse eyther eythet either of ver-tue or of victory or of immortality or such like. At whose wonderful gyft al men being astonied and as it vvere were rauished ravished , vvith with delíght, delight, thinking (as it was indeed) that he vvas was inspired from aboue above , called him vatem: vvhich which kinde of men after-vvarde after-warde framing their verses to lighter musick (as of musick be many kinds, some sadder, some lighter, some martiall, some heroical: and so diuersely diversely eke affect the mynds of mẽ men ) found out lighter matter of Poesie also, some playing vvyth wyth loue love , some scorning at mens fashions, some povvred powred out in pleasures, and so vvere were called Poetes or makers. Sence bereaue bereave ) vvhat what the secrete vvorking working of Musick is in the myndes of men, asvvell aswell appeareth, hereby, that some of the auncient Philosophers, and those the moste vvise wise , as Plato and Pythagoras held for opinion, that the mynd vvas was made of a certaine harmonie and musicall nombers, for the great compassion & and likenes of affection in thone and in the other as also by that memorable history of Alex-ander: to vvhom whom vvhen when as Timotheus the great Musitian playd the Phrygian melodie, it is said, that he vvas was distraught vvith with such vnvvonted unvvonted vnwonted unwonted fury, that streight vvay way rysing from the table in great rage, he caused himselfe to be armed, as rea-dy to goe to vvarre warre (for that musick is very vvar war like:) like): And immediatly when-as the Musitian chaunged his stroke into the Lydian and Ionique harmony, he vvas was so furr from warring, that he sat as styl, as if he had bene in matters mattes matters matters of coun-sell. Such might is in musick. vvherefore Wherefore Plato and Aristotle forbid the Arabian Aradian Melodie from children and youth. for For that being altogither on one the fyft and vij. vii. vij, ſeuenth ſeauenth tone, it is of great force to molifie and quench the kindly courage, vvhich which vseth useth to burne in yong brests. So that it is not incredible which the Poete here sayth, that Musick can bereaue bereave the soule of sence. The shepheard that) Orpheus: of whom is sayd, that by his excellent skil in Musick and Poetry, he recouered recovered his wife Eurydice from hell. Argus eyes) of Argus is before said, that Iuno Juno to him committed hir husband Iupíter Jupiter his Paragon Iô, bicause he had an hundred eyes: but afterwarde Mercury vvyth wyth hys Musick lulling Argus aslepe, slevv slew him and brought Iô away, vvhose whose eyes it is sayd that Iuno Juno Inno Iuno for his eternall memory placed in her byrd the Peacocks tayle. for For those coloured spots indeede resemble eyes. VVoundlesse Woundlesse armour) vnvvounded unvvounded vnwounded unwounded in warre, doe rust through long peace. Display) A poeticall metaphore: vvhereof whereof the meaning is, that if the Poet list shovve showe his October. fol.43 L.3. Such skill in matter of more dignitie, 63. then: than then than is the homely Æglogue, good occasion is him offered of higher veyne and more Heroicall argument, in the person of our most gratious soueraign soveraign , vvhõ vvhom whõ whom (as before) he calleth Elisa. Or if mater of knight-hoode and cheualrie chevalrie please him better, that there be many Noble & and valiaunt men, that are both vvorthy worthy of his payne in theyr deserued deserved prayses, and also fa-uourers fa-vourers of hys skil and faculty. The vvorthy worthy ) he meaneth meanerh (as I guesse) the most honorable and renowmed the Erle of Leycester, vvhõ vvhom whõ whom by his cognisance (although the same be also proper to other) rather 72. then: than then than by his name he bevvrayeth bewrayeth , being not likely, that the names of no-ble princes be knovvn known to country clovvne clowne . Slack) that is vvhen when thou chaungest thy verse from stately discourse, to matter of more moro pleasaunce and delight. The Millers) a kind of daunce. Ring) company of dauncers. The Romish Tityrus) vvel wel knowẽ knowen to be Virgile, vvho who by Mecænas means vvas was brought into the fauour favour fauonr fauour fauor of the Emperor Augustus, and by him moued moved to vvrite write in loftier kinde, 81. then: than then than he erst had doen. VVhereon Whereon ) in these three verses are the three seuerall severall vvorkes workes of Virgile intended. For in teaching his flocks to feede, is meant his Æglogues. In labouring of lands, is hys Bucoliques. Bucoliques. Georgiques. In singing of vvars wars and deadly dreade, is his diuine divine Æneis figured. In derring doe) In manhoode and cheualrie chevalrie . For euer ever ) He shevveth sheweth the cause, vvhy why Poetes vvere were wont be had in such honor of noble men; that is, that by them their vvorthines worthines & and valor shold through theyr famous Posies be cõmended commended to al posterities. vvherfore wherfore VVherfore Wherfore it is sayd, that Achilles had ne-uer ne-ver bene so famous, as he is, but for Homeres immortal verses. vvhich which VVhich Which is the only aduantage advantage , vvhich which he had of Hector. And also that Alexander the great cõming comming to his tombe in Sigeus, vvith with naturall teares blessed him, that euer ever vvas was his hap to be honoured vvith with so excellent a Poets work: as so renowmed and ennobled onely by hys meanes. vvhich which VVhich Which being declared in a most eloquent Oration of Tullies, is of Petrarch no lesse worthely sette forth in a sonet: ſonet ſonet: ſonet. Sonnet. Giunto Alexandro a la famosa tomba Del fero Achille sospírando disse O fortunato che si chiara tromba. Trouasti Trovasti &c. etc. And that such account hath bene alvvayes alwayes made of Poetes, asvvell aswell shevveth sheweth this that the vvorthy worthy Scipio in all his vvarres warres against Carthage and Numantia had euermore evermore in his company, and that in a most familiar sort the good olde Poet Ennius: as also that Alexander destroying Thebes, vvhen when he vvas was enformed that the famous Lyrick Poet Pindarus vvas was borne in that citie, not onely commaun-ded streightly, that no man should vpon upon payne of death do any violence to that house by fire or othervvise otherwise : but also specially spared most, and some highly rewarded, that vvere were of hys kinne. So fauoured favoured he the only name of a Poete, Poete. Poet, poet, Poet. vvhych whych prayse otherwise vvas was in the same man no lesse famous, that vvhen when he came to ransacking of king Darius coffers, vvhom whom he lately had ouerthrowen overthrowen , he founde in a little coffer of siluer silver the two bookes of Homers vvorks works , as layd vp up there for speciall ievvells jevvells iewells jewells and richesse, vvhich which he taking thence, put one of them dayly in his bosome, and thother euery every night layde vnder under his pillovve pillowe . October. Embleme.Such honor haue have Poetes alvvayes alwayes found in the sight of princes and noble men. vvhich which VVhich Which this author here very well sheweth, as els vvhere where more notably. But after) he sheweth the cause of contempt of Poetry to be idlenesse and basenesse of mynd. Pent) shut vp up in slouth, as in a coope or cage. Tom piper) An Ironicall Sarcasmus, Sacraſmus, Sarcaſmus, spoken in derision of these rude vvits wits , vvhych whych make more account of a ryming rybaud, 122. then: than then than of skill grounded vpon upon learning and iudgment judgment . Ne brest) the meaner sort of men. Her peeced pineons) vnperfect unperfect skil. Spoken wyth with vvyrh vvith humble modestie. As soote as Svvanne Swanne ) The comparison seemeth to be strange: for the svvanne swanne hath euer ever vvonne wonne small commendation for her svvete swete singing: but it is sayd of the learned that the svvan swan a little before hir death, singeth most pleasantly, as prophecying by a secrete instinct her neere destinie. de[ſt]inie de[ſt]inie. deſtinie. de[ſt]inie, As vvel wel sayth the Poete elsvvhere elswhere in one of his sonetts: ſonetts. ſonets. Sonnets. Sonets: The siluer silver svvanne swanne doth sing before her dying day As shee that feeles the deepe delight that is in death &c. etc. Immortall myrrhour) Beauty, vvhich which is an excellent obiect object of Poeticall spirites, as appeareth by the vvorthy worthy Petrachs saying Petrachs ſaying. Petrarchs ſaying. Petrarch, ſaying. Petrarch, ſaying: Fiorir faceua faceva il mio debile ingegno A la sua ombra, et crescer ne gli affanni. A caytiue caytive corage) a base and abiect abject minde. For lofty loue love ) I think this playing with the letter to be rather a fault 139. then: than then than a figure, aswel in our English tongue, as it hath bene alvvayes alwayes in the Latine, called Cacozelon. A vacant) imitateth Mantuanes saying: ſaying. ſaying, vacuum curis diuína divína cerebrum Poscit. Lauish Lavish cups) Resembleth that comen verse Fæcundi calices quem non fecere disertum. O if my) He seemeth here to be rauished ravished with a Poetical furie. For (if one rightly mark) the numbers rise so ful, & and the verse groweth so big, that it seemeth he hath for-got the meanenesse of shepheards state and stile. VVild Wild yuie yvie ) for it is dedicated to Bacchus & and therefore it is sayd that the Mænades (that is Bacchus franticke priestes) vsed used in theyr sacrifice to carry Thyrsos, which were pointed staues staves or Iauelins Javelins , vvrapped wrapped about with yuie yvie . In buskin) it vvas was the maner of Poetes & and plaiers in tragedies to were buskins, as also in Comedies to vse use stockes [ſt]ockes ſockes ſcockes ſocks & and light shoes. So that the buskin in Poetry is vsed used for tragical matter, as is as it said in Virgile, Virgile. Virgill, Sola sophocleo tua carmina digna cothurno. And the like in Horace, Magnum loqui, nitique cothurno. Queint) strange Bellona; the goddesse of battaile, that is Pallas, which may therefore wel be called queint for that (as Lucian saith) vvhen when Iupiter Jupiter hir father was in traueile traveile of her, he caused his sonne Vulcane with his axe to hevv hew his head. Out of which leaped forth lustely a valiant damsell armed at all poyntes, vvhom whom seeing Vul-cane so faire & and comely, lightly leaping to her, proferred her some cortesie, which the Lady disdeigning, shaked her speare at him, and threatned his saucinesse. Therefore such straungenesse [st]rauugene[ſſ]e [st]raungene[ſſ]e [st]rangene[ſſ]e is vvell well applyed to her. Æquipage.) Æquipage) order. Tydes) seasons. Charme) temper and order. for For Charmes vvere were vvont wont to be made by verses as Ouid Ovid sayth: ſayth. ſaith ſaith: Aut si carminibus. October fol.44 L.4. Now Embleme. Hereby is meant, as also in the vvhole whole course of this Æglogue, that Poetry is a diuine divine instinct and vnnatural unnatural rage passing the reache of comen reason. VVhom Whom Piers an-swereth Epiphonematicós as admiring the excellencye of the skyll vvhereof whereof in Cuddie hee hadde alreadye hadde a taste.
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