113. ¶ Of the Authors linked Verses departing from Court to the Country

1

Muse not my friend to finde me here, For fortunes looke,

Contented with this meane estate: Hath changed hew:

And séeme to doo with willing chéere, And I my booke,

That courtier doth so deadly hate. Must learne anew.

2

And yet of force, to learne anew, But where a spight,

Would much abash the dulled braine: Of force must bée:

I craue to iudge if this be trew, What is that wight,

The truant child that knowth the paine. May disagrée?

3

No, no, God wot, to disagrée, For lordlie bent,

Is ventring all to make or mar: Must learne to spare:

If fortune frowne we dailie sée, And be content

It is not best to striue too far. With countrie fare.

4

From daintie Court to countrie fare, Where néede yet can,

Too daintie fed is diet strange: None other skill:

From cities ioy, to countrie care, Somtime poore man

To skillesse folke is homelie change. Must breake his will.

5

If courtlie change so breaketh will If court with cart

That countrie life must serue the turne: Must be content,

What profit then in striuing still, What ease to hart,

Against the prick to séeme to spurne? Though mind repent?

6

What gaine I though I doo repent, As néede doth make

My crotches all are broke and gon: Old age to trot:

My woonted friends are careles bent, So must I take,

They feare no chance I chance vpon. In woorth my lot.

7

Now if I take in woorth my lot, Behold the horse

That fatall chance doth force me to, Must trudge for pelfe,

If ye be friends embraid me not, And yet of forse,

But vse a friend as friends should do. Content it selfe.