A posie of gilloflowers eche differing from other in colour and odour, yet all sweete. By Humfrey Gifford gent.

Farewell Court.

The Preface to a Treatise ensuing, compyled by the Authour, vpon a theme giuen by his approued friend and kinsman Maister A. D.

I Haue, according to my promise, though slenderly, com∣piled this simple discourse on the theme that yee gaue me, which was your Farwel to the court: which although it be nothing so well handled, as by some experienced courtier it might haue beene done: neuerthelesse it be∣ing considered, that my education hath beene so far di∣stant from the court, that I neuer sawe the fashions of the court, I hope that the priuiledge of a pardon may bee purchased for my excuse in this behalfe. I haue heerein introduced Witte and Wil as two domestical counsellers, alwayes attendant on a man marching in this vale of mi∣serie: The one giuing him trustie and wholsome admoni∣tions, how hee should here direct his life to the glory of God, and his soules health: The other with the flattering alluremets of the sinfull flesh, enticeth him to the pursutes of the pleasures of this worlde, in the end drouning him in the puddle of al abhomination, to the vtter confusion both of body and soule. Vnder the person of Wit is prefi∣gured a man, hauing a certaine carefull regarde of his cal∣ling, which is once in a mans life instilled into the harts of those, whome God hath sealed vp vnto saluation, and causeth them cleane to cast away the vile and vaine vani∣ties that the wicked world accounteth as precious, and addict all their doings towards the attainement of lyfe

euerlasting. Vnder the person of Wil, is picturde out, how a man letting flippe the bridle of his affections, is caryed from the precious paths of perfect felicitie, to the ineui∣table daungers of drowning Caribdis: and so passing the sea of this world, not stopping his eares with the waxe of vnderstanding, the voluptuous pleasures thereof, as sub∣till Sirens, entice him to the folowing of them, whome they presently drown in such delights, that he hath neuer farther regarde to the preseruing of his soule, but imita∣ting the nature of bruite beastes, addicteth himselfe onely vnto that, which his owne sensuall appetite shal allowe to be good. Although this may, peraduenture seeme vnto you, a too far fetched circumstance, little or nothing per∣tinent to the purpose: yet my hope is, that when yee haue throughly perused it, yee shall not finde the theme that ye gaue me, left altogether vntouched. The best is, I know your thankfull disposition to be such, that how so∣euer it be, being willingly offered, it shal not of you be vn∣gratefully accepted. Thus referring the view heereof to your discret consideration, I wishe you and yours abun∣dance of such prosperitie, as your heart desireth.

H. G.