Ane treatise callit the court of Venus deuidit into four buikis, newlie compylit be Iohne Rolland in Dalkeith.

¶The Thrid Buik.

THE day become with all expedience, Rhamnusia sat as Iuge full of prudence, Creat membres of Court baith mair & les As is Sutour, to gif finall sentence,

Quhilk was callit to Name Maleuolence. The Iustice Clerk, was callit Freminitnes. Four scharp sergiands the Court for to addres: Quhais Names hecht rigour and Impacience. The thrid, and ferd euill will, and vnkindnes.

And so beliue the Court was confirmat. Sutis was callit ilk ane in thair estait. Cheisit ane assyis, as was expedient: Luifsum Ladeis, of langage Laureat: Baith ald and ʒoung richt weill Morigerat, That in sic Actis had maist experiment, With hie Iugine, and eik correspondent To the mater was to be fulminat. Quhais Names ar in ordour subsequent.

¶ASSISA.

AND for the first was, chosin Dione, Venus Mother as into writ find we. Deidamia: and als the Nimph Dido: The proude Progne, quhilk gart hir awin Sone die Seruit hī on plait yat hir husbād micht se. The Poetris and Maistres eik Sappho: Occauia quhilk spous was to Nero, Quhom he did sla in his crudelitie: And Saturnus dochter was thair Iuno.

Subtill Scylla quhilk the hair Aureat Fra hir Father throw slicht scho depilat. The Quene Phillis, and luif to Demophoon, And in ane tre scho was transfigurat, ••uhen he on sey be storme was tribulat. ••edea tik most plesant to Iason.

Quene Niobe spous to Amphion. Dames the quhilkis Iuppiter violat: And Dalida, ane Deuill to forte Samson.

Thair was Biblis: and thair was Canace: Helene, Pirrha, and als the May Thisbe, Quhilk spilt hir self for luif of Pyramus. Iocasta Quene the quhilk in greit folie. Spousit hir sone efter hir king culd die. Deianira with ane sark venemous Brint Hercules quhilk was fa anterous. Hippolyte, and tik Pandora sle That with hir slichts al men dois vincous.

Orpheus wife the Quene Erudices: Alcmena als Mother to Hercules. And Hecuba vmquhile of Troy the Quene. Thir Ladeis all war chosin as I wis. On the assyis of quhomethe number is, Twentie and f••••e, quhē thay warred but went: And sworne also for to gif sentence clene, For fauour or feid, contract or it promeis: Bot the Iust way, that Iustice micht be sene.

¶Curiae circumassistentes.

BOT by all thir was mony Nimphe to se, That come to heir the case, and witnes be. Augeria, Aegiale, and Calypso, Galanthis, Coronis, Gione, Iuturna, Lara, Daris, Clemene, Ops, Philyra, Licous, and Drimo. Naiades, Leda, Ilione, Io, Quene Alceste quhilk for hir spous could die▪ Origone, Pelopea, and Hero,

Asteria, Circe Adriana, Lampethusa, Iuno, and Europa, Manto, Maia, and Halcione, Tantalis, Tyas, and Hypermnestra, Creusa, Daphne, and Hersilia, And Phemonoe in all meter richt sle Cloelia, and eik Penolope, Cassiope, Erichto, and Rhea, Atalanta, Cidippe, and Dirce.

Pasiphae, Chestias, Semele. Cleopatra, Calisto, Euadne, Lauinia, Tarpeia, Tomyris, Lampetia, Phedra, and Agaue, Feronia, Mirta, Antigone, Leuthocoe, Alcea, Candaces, Antiopa, Ariadne, Bryseis, Nicostrata, Procris, Harpalice, Nictimene, Argia, Thaumantis,

Thair was Athlas seuin dochteris all but leis To murne Hyas thair brother wald not ceis. Ambrosia, Pasithea, Eudora, Sithe, Pitho, Plione, Coronis, Als was present the fiftie Belides, Danaus dochteris and eik Electra, Oenone, Omphale, Aurora, Pettonia, and the Hesperides, Eurynome, and als Orithyia.

Thair was Guanour, vmquhile to Arthure Quene, ••ith mony vther Nimphis fair and schene: ••••••eis of sport, baith ald and ʒoung not few▪

That in Scotland my self befoir had sene. Bot I will not schaw now quhome of I mene: In dreid sum say that my taill is not trew. Bot weill I wait thay war gallandis of glew. And with Venus to the Court did conuene, Contrair Vesta Desperance to persew.

Gif sum wald seik, or to desyre be schawin Thir Nimphis Names, & quhair to find yame knawin Luik Virgill weill into his Eneydos: Als his Georgiks, and Bucolikis weill drawin In transformatis Ouid on breid hes blawin Intill his buik of Metamorphoseos. Theodolus baith in his text and glos: And De Remebio Amoris throw out sawin Thair salbe fund, and mony mo than thos.

Alsua quha list to tak pane, or laubour Out throw to reid the palice of honour, Maid be Gawine dowglas of Dunkell Bischop, and als ane honest oratour. Profound Poet, and perfite Philosophour, Into his dayis aboue all buir the bell: In sic practikis all vtheris did precell, Weill put in vers in gude still and ordour, Thir Nimphis names, yait he dois trewlie t••

Thairfoir schortlie lat vs to purpos werd, Mair sūmarlie we sall cum to the end Of our mater, tuichand our plantit pley. Knicht Desperance, gif thow hes caus attend Vnto this case, and thy actioun defend.

In ••hance the Court fra thy quarell dekey. For gif sa fall in faith I hald the fey. Pray fast to GOD sum succour to the send. Now wyte thy self, thow Nald Venus obep.

Incontinent thay callit the criminall, With ane twme scheith set him on the Pannall The ratland Rollis was red vnto the end. Sayand, thow art accusit of crime mortall Aganis Venus as Quene Imperiall, And all hir Court pertlie thow did contend. Quhome hes thow now yat thy caus wil defēd Or quha dar tak thy part this day partiall, In all this Court, gif ane dar mak it kend?

He said, Ladie, sen Iustice Clerk ʒe ar Into this Court, and set in my contrair: I ʒow protest, ʒe wald me licenciat With patience sen I am solitar: That I may theis to me ane forspeikar, Or ma in neid to be ruine Aduocat For I in law am not weill litterat. It was grantit: Vesta stuid at the bar He callit hir scho come in hir estait,

With hir sex Ladeis gangand at hir bak, Quhite as the snaw that euer lay in slak. Quod Desperance Madame plesit ʒour grace. This day ʒe wald my mater wndertak, ••••at I Ineur heir nouther schame, nor lak, ••me defend fra this cautelous case, 〈…〉〈…〉 I knaw I stand in perrellous place▪

(Quod scho) be b••••ith, and nathing stu••e fact, Thow sall not aill, and I haif life and space.

Anone Venus Increst in matilent, That Vesta tuik hir contrair sa patent. Sayand, thow Knicht Esperance to thy Name Sum aduocat expert and competent To speik for the cheis at thy awin entent. (Quod he) ʒour self I tak for me Madame: To ʒow as me likwise he put defame. And quhat ʒe do heir in I stand 〈◊〉〈◊〉: As pleis ʒour grace, to follow or declame.

Quod Frēmitnes▪ that Clerk was to Iustice Of this dittay grant ʒe ocht, or denyis? Vesta answerit with maneris richt constant That the cleneman thoill heir no preiudice, Reid it agane, we may thairwith adu••is: For I thairof as ʒit am Ignorant. And gif it be by ressoun ocht distant To find the richt lac it pas to assyis, Howbeit of thame sum part be fluctuant,

And for to be on the assyis vnabill, To the ane part thay ar our fauorabill: To the ni••t part agane oure odious. Quhairfoir arrow_forward I think part of thame refatabill Of the assyis and other is acceptabill Into than steid, quhilkis armair Famous, And of conscience ar far mair scrupulous, For to eschew fra all doutis dampnabill: And sa the richt salbe Illuminous.

Quod Rhamnusia quhilk was Iuge deputate Is thair ony ʒe wald haif alterat Of the assyis, and vtheris in thair steid? Schaw now in time gif sic thing ʒe cowait. And ressoun be the syis salbe translait, Sa ʒe ran preif vpon thame falt or feid, Or ony raus ressonabill of pleid. The vther part gif thay fortificat In ʒour contra••ie, be counsell, help, or reid.

Ʒis quod Vesta, thay ar all suspicious: Bot thair is part mair wantoun and vicious Than vtheris ar, quhilk I desyre to set Of the assyis for causis cautelous That I can preif on thame notorious, Sa ʒe Madame with ressoun do ʒour det. Quod Rhamnusia, thā Name thame furth but let Be thair ony by ordour orguellous, We sall thame change, & vtheris for thame get.

Than. Vesta said, Madame but ony mair, Think ʒe it speidfall Venus Mother be thair▪ To quhat effect traist ʒe, or to quhat fine? Considerand Venus is in my contrair. And 〈…〉〈…〉 that staw hir Fatheris hair For Venus saik, and dwellis with hir senfine. And Quene Phillis, quhilk sufferit mekill pine For Venus saik, with greit sorrow and cair: As for thir thre faithlie I will decline.

••dea als scho causit ane strange Knicht 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hir awin Fatheris goldin fleis and micht▪

And herie him of all his gold and geir: Sine with the same stall away in the nicht. Vnto the schip togidder tuik thair flicht, Left kin and kith, and followit ane stranger: And slew hir awin brother that was sa deir, Becaus scho saw hir Father cum in sicht: All this scho did for Venus saik but weir.

Als Dalida pertlie scho tuik on hand, For Venus saik betray hir awin husband, Quhilk Samson was, and put hi•••• to his fais, Quene Iocasta ane Ladie of greit land, Tuik hir awin sone of spowsage in the band, For Venus saik (as the historie sayis), Deianira for Venus saik kest wayis Hir lufe distroy, caus ane vther did stand Mair in hir lufe, than Hercules all his dayis.

The nimph Progne the heid scho did of smite Fra hir awin sone, in hir husbandis dispite: Beraus scho had ane vther Paramour. The May Thisbe wald tine hir self sa nyte, Caus Pyramus away and deid was quite: For Venus saik scho curit na displesour▪ Heirfoir Madame, sen thir Nimphis of honou•••• Topleis Venus kest all thair appetite: I presuppone that thay hir ʒit fauour.

And weill I wait, that it is not liklie, That ane of thame on the assyis suld be, In my contrair, for I thame hald partiall For all thair dayis thay luifit neuer me,

Bot euer kest thair maist Felicitie, To pleis Venus, as Ladie maist speciall. And sen thay all set ay thair mind alhaill To pleis Venus in my greit contrarie, I can not think that thay can be equall.

For quhy al thing thay did for Venus quene It was all done in my contrarie clene: To that effect, to do me sturt and pine. Thairfoir I think yat thay sould not haif bene Put on assyis Iustice to circumuene, In ony caus or Actioun of mine, Or me to caus my Iust quarrell to tine. As to Iustice to ʒow Madame I mene, Put thame of fyis, for I set thame all nine.

Than Venus said in mind half stomochat▪ Of the assyis nane salbe alterat. As for the Roll, gif thay pleis, reid agane▪ Than said Vesta to Venus, weill I wait Ʒe aucht not be baith Iudge, and Aduocat. For and sa be, it is wrang ʒe do plane. Than said Venus with mind almaist Insane▪ It salbe sa, as I haif Imperat. Than said Vesta, Iustice can not remane.

For gif sa be that richt ʒe vs deny, Heir I protest befoir all standis by, That it sall turne vs to na preiudice, Nor to tak hurt in this Court throw inuy, Be ʒour hatrent and greit melancholie: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was vmquhile to vtheris done disprise.

Witnes, Acteon quhorne that ʒe gart decise, With his awin doggis quhair ʒe him haistelie Conuertit in ane Hart throw ʒour fantice.

Becaus that he on case hapinnit ••enn neir Vnwittandlie quhair that ʒour Ladeis cleir Was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thame with ʒow all arane Well Siclike becaus Diomeid wald forbeit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 The fers T••diauis quhair yat he faucthon•• weir And 〈…〉〈…〉 of his quarrell, All his kene ••uirh••••••th ••ow ʒour hatrent so fell, In fleand foullis ʒe did 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ut feir: As at mait lench Ouid dois planelis rest.

Th•••• and 〈…〉〈…〉, At ʒour awin will diuers men transformat: And 〈…〉〈…〉, bot throw ʒour 〈◊〉〈◊〉. arrow_back Quhairfoir arrow_forward we wa••d that ʒe obt•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Ʒour will with wir, and ʒour mind intigat: Quhair by that we Iurin••heit na distres And gif ʒe preis this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 man ••o oppres, Our caus we sall to Cupid king translar, For of all wrang he will vs weill redres.

Than Venus was cummeri•• in cairis kene, With mind dement vneis scho micht sustene The words scharp quhilk scho thocht a•• to hicht Sayand, schaip ʒe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cupid King complene? To him my Court in na sort dois pertene, Nor ••ane thairof to Cupid sall haifsicht. Thairfoir it sall pas baith ʒour mane & micht Be ony way fra my Court to abstene.

Than Vesta said, Madame, I ask bot richt.

The Rollis relect quhais tennour ʒe sall heir. Desperance Knicht thow art Indytit heir For flauchter of ane knicht hecht Esperance. Secundlie, for language richt austeir Thow did rehers to Esperance thy feir Of Venus Quene into greit arrogance Sayand, scho is the rute of all mischance: Grounder of euill, and na vertew hir neir. And sa at schort set hir at deffyance.

This and siclike in thy greit Tyrannie Oftsyis thow said, quhilk thow can not deny. Defend thy caus, and mak answeir beliue. Weill (quod Vesta) to the first answeir I: That point is fals as is sene oppinlie. As to slauchter, the man is ʒit on liue: And neuer had, nor hes ane wound nociue. This dittay is geinit in sinisterlie. And in the self that point is suspensiue.

To the nirt point of that dittay think me, All that he said it was of veritie, That sall I preif be perfyit argument: Pleis ʒe the same athir to heir or se. I sall ʒow schaw be guid Authoritie Baithin the new, and in the auld Testament, Seir examples in the self euident. And sum of thame I sall now specifie, Quhilk to ressoun salbe correspondent.

••han said Venus with vult verecund,

Say quhat ʒe will and keip ʒow within bound Not pretendand to argune throw ʒour will: Bot to ressoun that ʒour Sermone resound, Or ellis the lak to ʒour self sall redound. Faith said Vesta I grant richt weill thairtist, And say I ocht by ressoun or by skill: I stand content with ʒow to be confound, Sa that the same conditioun ʒe fulfill.

As to that point quhair he blasphemit Venus It is not half sa euill nor odious: As ʒe it hald: and this my caus and quhy, Howbeit scho be sumtime richt glorious: Into hir self scho is richt venemous Richt cummersum and full of Tyrannie. As in exampill schorthe schaw sall I. Now quod Venus blaw furth ʒour boist buste∣ous, Say quhat ʒe pleis richt small I set it by.

Quod Vesta in the threttiefift Cheptour Of Genesis Ruben Incurrit furour Of his father, and eik the malisoun, Beeaus he was sic ane Formeantour, That with Bala his fatheris paramour He lay, quhilk was to greit abusioun And als to GOD ane greit contemptioun. arrow_back Quhairfoir arrow_forward Iacob said at his latter hour, That Ruben was greit caus of his passioun.

¶Ruben primogenitus meus & principiun doloris mei. GENES. XLIX.

Than said Venus now ʒe contrair ʒour ••ell Iacob ʒe say quhilk callit was Israell,

Ane Patriach was, and ane haly man: He had Bala in Paramour ʒe tell, How durst he with siclik ane mater mell. Gif lufe was sa abhominabill than. Schaw me the suith of this now gif ʒe can? Scho said his wife was deid callit Rachel, Lyas sister and douchter to Laban.

Thocht sa had bene his wife had bene on liue, The law licent, with power possessiue, At that time for to haif ane Concubine And that for caus diuers consideratiue. (Quod Venus) quha maid yat caus suspensiue? Quha had power sit Actis to decline? Than said Vesta, that did Scriptour deuine Of the Euangell, and the law positiue, It did suspend, and haldis as detestiue.

Siclik we reid into the xj. Cheptour, In the thrid buik of Kings be Scriptour. How Salamon, throw lufe Inordinat, Howbeit he was of greit wisdome the flour, Aboue all kingis that euer buir Sceptour With lust of luifʒit he was laqueat, Gart himfra GOD all deuotioun translait: To fals Ydollis, sa throw lufis fauour, Lang tufie fra GOD he was degenerat.

(Quod Venus) gif he was sa wise ane King As ʒe haif said or in ane Realme culd ring To reule ane Realme I ges that suith to be, to purpois I meruell of ane thing:

Gif luif be not bot lust and lamenting. Quhair was all than his wisdome tell latse. Had it bene sin, or schame I say for me: Sa wise ane man had not throw misgiding Anis crabit GOD, nor fallin in sic folie..

Ʒis (said Vesta) of lufe the rampand rage, The ardent lust, and the kendilland curage, The naturall cours, and eik the sauage blude, Will caus ane man dekay into dotage, Vnto the time that the lust be assuage: And takis no thocht to ressoun, nor to gude. Richt swa it was of Salomon to conclude: He conuertit furth of that foull thirlage, And fra that time leuit ay in sanctitude.

In the sextene Cheptour wereid richt swa Of Iudicum, Sampson and Dalida His Paramouris quhome he gaif sic credence, That he hir schew quhairin his strenthis lay. And thairfoir all his hair scho tuik him fra: Quhairthrow all micht he mist to mak defence. Quhen scho that saw be gude experience, Scho him betrayit vnto his mortall fa. And this he gat throw lufis Insolence.

King Dauid als quhilk spak greit Prophe•••• Throw lufis lust fell in Adulterie, With Vryis wife, his awin Knicht spetian Sine writtingis send to Ioab quietlie, Greit Lufetenent of all his Senʒeori••, Biddand him put Drie to the battell,

In sic ane place: that he suld not preuaill: Bot to be slane in brount of the armie. And sa he was be chance and weird fatall.

Sa Dauid heir committit sinnis twane. First Adulterie, sine Homicide agane. And all this come throw luif Inordinat, The xj. Cheptour of Regum will not lane, In the nixt buik, for thair it standis plane. We haif siclike exempill reuelat, Of Iust Ioseph, quha was Incarcerat, Be the fals mind of his Lordis wife but lane, Disirand him hir bed to violat,

Quhilk he denyit, sayand Madame ʒe knaw All that my Lord hes now haif I not aw Vnder my cure, saifand ʒour awin persoun. How may I than sic charge lat on me faw? Considderand it is aganis the Law And to my Lord ane greit vilipensioun. I nill consent to do sic abusioun. Incontinent als sone as scho that saw, Scho hir bethocht on ane forthocht felloun.

On the nixt day the same scho did desyre. He said, I nill aganis my Lord conspyre: And speciall in contrair his honour. For and I did I seruit to my hyre For to be brint into ane cruell fyre, In witnessing of ane vntrew Tratour. Scho seand this, scho cryit with greit clamour, This Tratour theif is cum into greit Ire,

Me to defoull allone within my bour.

And sa at schort, in handis sone tane was he, And presonit sair with Irne bandis till ane tre. Bot in schort time he was quit of that cair. Quha pleisis mair of this storie to se, Luik Genesis the nine and threttie: I am begilit and thay find it not thair. Faith (quod Venus) he seruit it weill and mair, That in sic neid wald not hir anis supple: Scho wairit hir luif euill on him I declair.

I think the lufe that cūmis on will motiue, It is far mair till allow be sic fiue, As is gude luif of Paramour allone, But ony band or strenʒene attractiue: Bot with gude will, and mind most exaltiue. Quhair folk ar bound to luif thank gif I none. To luif at lenth quhill ane of thame be gone. It is mair thank to haif lufe effectiue, As Chawceris wife luifit Freir Ihone Bakone

(Quod Vesta) quhat causis yame fra lufe declīe Bot schame and lak with pouertie and pine, And to the deid as Chawcer dois Indice. And euill daylie spokin of thame sensine. Na (said Venus) I speik not to that fine: Tuichand thair sturt, thair sorrow nor yair site Bot gif thay twa togidder had mair delite Into thair time, nor thay be law deuine At Kirk dur war coniunit and vnite. For thay the quhilk at Kirk durtakis 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Ar thair compellit baith to burd and bed, Fra that time furth, quhill deid thame twa de∣part. Riches, seiknes, neuer to gar thame sched. And swa by luif the Law garris thame be led. Thus wayis man oftimes is maid Cowart: He dar not to ane vther set his hart. For hir at hame he is sa sair adred, Howbeit ane vther haif his hart Inwart.

That is na luif (quod Vesta) for this quhy: It dois Inbring mair euill nor it puttis by. Call ʒe it luif, or call ʒe it delite? Gif siclik lufe cummis of ʒour Lamenrie. Ʒour luif and lust heir planelie I deny For it is all bot sunkin into site. And of that lufe diuers doctouris dois write Seir exampillis, sayand to vs schortlie: The end thairof is dolour and despite.

Of this we reid, how Herod Antipas His broderis wife he had Herodias: And committit Adulterie with Incest. Becaus Sanct Iohne abhorrit sa greit trespas, And it repreuit, King Herod crabbit was: Him for to slay greit subtell wayis he kest. Till on ane day he maid ane solempne Feist: In the menetime in come ane prettie Las, Dansand, and cled in maner guidliest.

••••r sport, and play, and dansing pleisit ye King He bad hir ask thairfoir quhat kind of thing Scho wald desyre, he sould it not deny,

Howbeit it war that ane half of his ring. To hir mother scho past but tarying, To haif counsall, the quhilk scho gat in hy. Scho said nothing at ʒour grace couait I. Bot Iohnis heid intill ane disch to bring: Quhilk was grantit, and done richt suddanelie.

Of this slauchter he was caus efficient, With the vther twa sinnis precedent. This Sanct Mark sayis into his sert Cheptour And all this come throw foull lust of luferent. arrow_back Quhairfoir arrow_forward he deit with miserie dolent, And was deiect with schame fra all honour, Be the persute of the greit Empriour, And was denude of his Kingdome and rent, As Scolastick story schawis in Scriptour.

In the threttene Chaptour of Daniell, Of this foull lust quhat is thair for to tell? Of twa Elderis, and als of Susanna: Caus scho denyit to fulfill thair counsell In Adulterie, thay fand ane way subtell. Hir to accuse befoir ane Iuge thay ga Sayand thay saw ane ʒoung man and na ma With hir allone in ane ʒaird Intermell: To beir witnes to the same, Heir we twa.

And sa at schort, scho was condampnit to d•• Throw the falset of thir twa Preistis feid. Sa on the morne the day come of Iugement. Thair scho allone wilsum of ane gudereid, Throw Goddis grace stert wp into the steid

Quhilk neuer spak ane ʒoung adolescent: Sayand, I am of this deid Innocent. Quhairthrew this woman in haist gat remeid. And the same twa to deid was schamelie schent.

Than Venus said, thay seruit it and far mair. Ane clene woman for to put in sic cair. That lufe thay had come all of falsitie: It was na luif it was bot fenʒeit fair. For in sic luif is nother reull nor squair, Bot blindit lufe corrupt with crueltie, Mirt with malice, repleit with subteltie: And in that case peruert into dispair. Than said Vesta, Madame now we agre.

Na said Venus, to that I nill consent: I will not ʒit gif ouir my argument. For all that I haif outher hard or sene: Howbeit ʒe haif schawin furth ane small legent. I do not knaw gif it be euident. For sic storyis I cuir thame not ane prene. And I deny that euer sic hes bene. Bot quhen ʒe pleis sic castis ʒe can Inuent, Me to defraude with gyle, and circumuene.

Than said Vesta, quhair that ʒe say that I Can find sic castis to ʒow sa haistelie, Of my Ingine but ony euidence. As to that point, I say to ʒow schortlie, ••hat opinioun ʒe tak sinisterlie, It to defend ʒe sall haif na defence For I haif said na thing in audience,

Bot I haif schawin quhair it stādis thaptourli•• Aganis the quhilk ʒe haif na resistence.

Ʒe knaw we reid in the diuine Scriptour Of Iudicum in the tuentie Cheptour: Of ane woman for haistie stupratioun: Four scoir thousandis of men that buir armour, Threttene thousand ane hundreth in a stour, And als thre scoir, war slane but saluatioun. And all this fell be foull fornicatioun Of ʒour fals luif ʒe hald of sic valour: And is nocht bot anguische and dampnatioun.

We reid siclike of Dauidis Sone Ammon: Was slane be his brother Absalon: For the Incest committit with Thamar. Howbeit scho was ane Aperse allone, And deir sister vnto thame baith as one. That greit vengeance scho culd not quenche no•• pair, Bot schamit hir self for than & euer mair. Tettio Regum this storie dois propone, In the threttene Cheptour it standis thair.

Of genesis in the four and threttie Cheptour we reid greit furiositie Of slauchter maid be Leui and Simeon, Becaus Sichem the prince of that countre, Had reft Dina thair sister fair and fre: And hir stuprat, arrow_back quhairfoir arrow_forward the greit vltioun First come on him and his pepill Ilkone, His kin and freindis, and Father but mercie was put at schort till exterminioun.

Als it is red in storyis ancient, Thocht it be not in ald nor new Testament. How that Vergill that worthie wise doctour, In latin toung was ane most faculent, Nane mair pregnant, facund, nor eminent, To writ, or dyit, he was of Clerkis flour: Throw ʒour desait, and Inflammit ardour, He was deiect be daft delyrament: Become ʒour slaif to his greit dishonour.

Quhair ʒe him hang ouir ʒour wallis in a crei•••• Howbeit efter he was reuengit weill. (As the storie at mair lenth dois beir). Ouid siclike on kneis ʒe gart him kneill, Gang on his handis, with ane bridill of steill In till his teith, with vther riding geir, In lichtlines as ʒe thocht best effeir. And ʒe abone to ryid begouth to reill, With bute, and spur, sword, buklar, as bachleir.

Of ʒour fals luif this is ay the commend: Reid Gower ouir, and Bocchas to the end. All Chronikles that ony man of reidis, Ʒe sall not find a taill ane vther mend. Bot to the werst it will ay condiscend: With euill entent ʒour luif burgeonis & breidi••: And euer mair sa furth it ay proceidis. Quhat sayis Chawceral Christin men ma•• kēs Ʒour euil mind thair, and eik ʒour cruell dridis.

In generall and schortlie to conclude▪ In all ʒour luif ʒit hard I neuer gude▪

In all Scriptour that euer man of wrait: The poysonit vice thairof and turpitude was the maist caus in cumming of Noes flude: Quhen all the warld was neir depopulate. How mony men hes it effeminate. Of all honour it kes diuers denude: And als mony of life exterminate.

Quhat▪ Kingis, Quenis, Dukis, & Empriours Lordis, Ladeis, Barronis of greit honouris, Hes bene deiect throw luifis gouernance? Of all the writ reid the Interpretouris And of the warld reid the Cosmographouris: Ʒour last reward is vennemous vengeance, Poysonit with prude, Heresie, and mischance. We haif reall exemplis of Nichtbouris, That throw luifis lust deweyis in variance.

Of sic storyis I can ʒow schaw anew, Quhilk ʒe not hard, nor neuer ʒit ʒe knew. Quhair all ʒour luif is bot mixt with mischance, In the Testamentis baith the ald and the new Aganis quhome ʒe can haif na reskew, In ʒour debait, bot wilfull arrogance, Fragill and fals full of vltrequedance. arrow_back Quhairfoir arrow_forward I wald that ʒe na mair persew This gentill man, to Name hecht Desperance.

Than Venus said Madame Vesta sen ʒe Hes said at lenth, I pray ʒow now lat me: Quhair that ʒe say, seir storyis ʒe haif sene, In the Testamentis baith ald and new surelie:

I gif credence, I traist it may weill be Ʒit sum thair is that ʒe haif forʒet clene, Or ellis I traist ʒe neuer thame saw with ene, The quhilk to ʒow I sall part specifie: Than lat Iugis gif sentence vs betwene.

Quhair ʒe Infer all Inconuenientis, Malice, desait, with diuers detrimentis, Cūmis of luif (as ʒe haif said befoir) Allegeand baith the ald and new Testamentis Historyis, Scriptouris, & vtheris lang legentis, At ʒour plesour traistand to get the gloir. I reid of ane did vs far mair decoir. Our life wplift throw feruour and luifrentis, Our ransoun pay, and vs to grace restoir.

Of genesis in the aucht and threttie Chaptour is red, that Iudas quhilk surelie Was Iacobis sone, and of the Trybis twell, With Thamar lay in his Iocunditie: Howbeit scho was to him in affinitie, In doubill sort, as the Chaptour dois tell: Into thair play hir wombe begouth to swell And buir twa sonnis, Zaram and Phares fre, As Mathow sayis in his first Euangell.

Phares Esrom, and Esrom Aram bure. And sine Aram Aminadab for sure: Aminadab siclike he gat Naasson: Naasson Salmon ane Nobill Prince and pure▪ Ʒit he Maryit Raab the commoun hure: (As Iherome dois in the Bybill propone)

Howbeit diuers agane him dois argone. Salmon and Raab into thair liues cuir, Thay gat Boos na ma bot him allone.

Than said Vesta, Madame thair I persaif, Into ane part as my minde dois consaif: Salmon come of the Tribe of Israell: Ane Nobill Prince, ane sage man, and ane graif Ane commoun huir that he to wife suld haif, It is not lik to be trew as ʒe tell, That ane prince wald with sic ane Intermell. I traist Madame, ʒe reid wrang, or ʒe raif. Than said Venus, reid Mathowis first Euāgell.

Howbeit scho was sumtime richt Inconstant, Beeft scho was in vertewis aboundant, Remeidit all throw guid prayer and deid. Quhen Iosue was in Throne Triumphant, He send his spyis elect and elegant, To Ierico, to spy the land of breid: Quhen thair was nane durst thame resaif for feid Scho herbryit thame and was participant With Israell into thair wrgent neid.

This and siclike causit this Nobill Prince Haif hir to wife, and do hir reuerence. This ʒe sall find Secundo Iosue, As I haif said scho buir of excellence Boos the first, a man of greit prudence: Quhilk gat the nixt Boos of veritie: This gat the thrid, sa thair was Boos thre: This Boos gat on Ruth Obed with mence,

Quhilk gat Isai that cleipit is Iesse.

This Iesse begat Dauid that was King, Chosin be GOD aboue Israell to ring. Ane greit Propheit sine Salomon gat he, On ane Ladie richt bewteous, and bening. Gentill, courtes, curious, and conding, Mansweit, suaue, to Name hecht Bersabe: Quhilk was ye spous of vmquhile Knicht Vrie As ʒe proponit befoir in ʒour saying, All this luif come of sensualitie.

It is weill knawin that Bersabea lay With King Dauid, as the Scriptour dois say, Langtime befoir or hir husband was slane, Throw dern fauour, and luif betuix thame twa Now I begin agane quhair I best may, That ʒe consaif the storeis in certane. First I rehersit Thamar and Raab plane, And Bersabe the quhilk ʒe can not nay, War all of sport Ladeis venereane.

And swa thairfor to count ʒow line be line, was IESVS borne Goddis verray sone deuine: Quhilk ransonit vs with his precious hart blude. And sa to bring my argument to fine, I can not find in luif na time to tine, Boc mixt with mirth, mercie, and manswetude, Plenist with sport, and sueit suauitude, Repleit with playis but pouertie or pine, Vell of worschip, the port of pulchritude.

••se of all storeis that ʒe haif tald,

And allegeance with argumentis sa bald, Aganis luif in malice and hatrent, Come not sic euill ʒit be ane thousand fald: Nor neuer will, nor in na times wald, As I haif schawin the gude come of Lufrent, Thairfoir as now I end my argument, Sa that ʒe will the victorie wpʒeild, And cry mercie sa far as is miswent.

That I deny Madame, than said Vesta. As to the first, quhair that ʒe planelie say: First that Thamar, Raab, and Barsabe, War licht Ladeis all geuin to sport and play, As ʒe alledge, I say ʒow schortlie nay. Thay war richt wise, and full of grauitie, And ar Namit in the genologie Of Christ for gude vnto this present day, For thair vertew and greit humilitie.

Than Venus said, of Christ is genologie, Was thair na ma gude wemen bot thay thre▪ Or schaw the caus, quhy thay ar in Scriptour Mair thau••he laif, it is not lik to be, Sa mony Kingis of Eminent degre, Sa gay Captanis of welth and of valour. Quhair was Mary of all wemen the flour? I think scho sould be put in memorie, Gif thir thre gat for gude life sic honour.

As I haif said befoir, ʒit I say plane, Thay thre was of the Court venereane. ••e me caus sic wordis to disclois

The fourt I can find ʒit withoutin lane: The Ladie Ruth wald haif bene yair richt fane, Quhen that scho ʒeid into bed with Boos, As Noemi bad for to cum to purpois, Was all thir gude, na na ʒe speik in vane, Ʒe brek the text, and as ʒe pleis dois glois.

Thus I conclude, thairfoir ʒe Auditouris Heir circumstant attend, and assessouris, Quhidder that I or Vesta Ladie fre Hes schawin storyis autentik be Scriptouris, Mair for to prais, or reput of valouris. Perfitlie pance with all maturitie, Sa that ʒour voce concord in vnitie, That pane may be in put to Forfaltouris: The Partie spthit, as Law will lat it be.

Thā spak an Nimphe, to name hecht Chaistitie Ane of the sex in Vestais companie. Madame Venus, now I wald (with licence Of my Maistres) to speik twa wordis or thre. Quhair that ʒe say Thamar, and Barsabe, Raab, and Ruth, war geuin to Insolence. I say thay war wemen of greit prudence, Geuin to vertew, and profound grauitie. Groundit in grace with all Magnificence.

For quhy we reid efter Lira, and Iohne mair, And in the glois als Interlinear. In the first heid, quhair thay wrait in Mathe, The Euangelist, settis him not to declair Of the thre Kingis quhilkis richt vicious war,

Of quhome Christ come be Iust genelogie. And for thair vice euill life and crueltie, Amang gude folk he wald thame not compair, Bot ar seclude, abiect as vnworthie.

And gif euill men for vices ar seclude Out of this band, sa gracious and gude: I think rather euill wemen to depriue, Bot I suppone thir wemen ar Include. For thair gude life, vertew and sanctitude, For to fulfill the number suspensiue, And for to be the rute restoratiue. For the thre Kingis quhilk war befoir denude Out of this clan and linage successiue.

Heirfoir I say, Thamar and Bersabe, Raab, and Ruth in the genelogie Of Christ ar put for prayer and gude deidis. Na said Venus agane to Chaistitie, I sall ʒow schaw alhaill the veritie Of that mater quhat Sanct Hierome reidis: Becaus mercie of Christ euer proceidis, Christ wald suffer of sinner is borne to be, For to augment thair meritis and thair meidis

Howbeit I knaw of all sin Christ was quit And Mary als I knaw that richt perfit. Bot ʒit thay come of folkis friuolous, That we micht knaw his cheritie Ignite, Ardent, and hait, our sin to abolite: Did nocht disdane to tak than kinde of vs. An as the Rois dois spring of thornie bus.

Sa did Mary hir virginitie, Sprang of the spray, and sum of thame vicious.

¶Sicut lilium inter spinas, sic amica mea inter filias. CANTI. I.

In the vyle schell is found the Perle of price. Of the rude rute springis the flour delice: In the gray clay is found the gold sa cleir: Richt swa did Christ our flour and Fortalice, Sprang of the rute quhilk part was geuin to vice. Sa to purpois quhair of I spak lang eir: Raab, and Ruth, Bersabe, and Thamar, War licht Ladeis, thocht ʒe it mak sa nice, And of my Court, and hes bene mony ʒeir.

Thus (quod Venus) I end my conclusioun, The remanent I put to discretioun Of Theologis, or ellis profound Doctouris: And quhair I faill into the writ Cannoun, Be wrang reheirs, transgres, or collusioun. Or by the boundis of the deuine Scriptouris, Antlk storyis, or honest Oratouris: Heir I promit to stand at correctioun, Quhen the Assyse will make Interpretouris.

And I siclike (quod Vesta am content That my mater pas to the Iugement Of the Assyse: with this ane libertie, Richt perfitlie that thay wald pance and prent, Considder weill, and in thair heid take tent, Remord thair mindis quhidder gif Chestitie Be not mair clene, mair glorious, and hie Triumphant stait, mair digne and eminent▪

Than Venus warkis with all hir dignitie?

And this the caus diuers virginis and clene Fra Venus warkis becaus thay did abstene, Outhair bodyis thay sufferit mekill wa: As in Scriptouris perfitlie may be sene. Sum Heritonris, sum Countes and sum Quene: As is Katherin, Margaret, and Barbara, Dorothe, Lucie, and mony diuers ma, For Chaistitie greit sorrow did sustene, Throw quhais vertew to heuin thay did all ga.

Thay chois on thame crar the dreidfull deid, Than for to tine thair precious madinheid, Knaw and thairfoir ane reward speciall. Siclike agane the rute of our remeid, Our Saluatour to fell the feyndis feid. Was he not borne of the bour virginall. Chosin be consent of GOD celestiall. Quhair throw we all was quite of Plutois pleid, Be sweit Incence of virginitie royall.

And had not bene that sweit virginite Was mair condigne in the thousand degre, Thā Venus warks with corrupt minde & thocht No way Christ had dedenʒeit borne to be In the Chalmer of chosin Chaistitie, And Venus warks had bene with vertew wrocht Caus thay war not condigne & nathing docht, In sicht of GOD, he tuik Humanitie Of virgine wombe, and of Venus tuik nocht. Thir beand weill considderit, and forsene,

I traist my caus but pley I sall obtene. For weill I wait, thir pointis ar releuant. arrow_back Quhairfoir Ladeis amiabill and amene On the Assise, haif this befoir ʒour ene, Perfitlie pance thir pointis last pregnant. That ʒe not be now callit Ignorant, Or ony sall ʒour science circumuene, Sayand ʒe ar to muche participant.

And samy caus I put to ʒour conscience, As weill auisit Assise with sapience: Traistand ʒow all repleit with equitie, Fulfillit with faith, and eik profound prudence: Groundit in gude, rutit in reuerence, Lawreat Ladeis, flour of feminitie: Protestand heir for ʒour greit clemencie Deill with the richt, and do me no offence, Be corrupt minde, nor partialitie.

I wait ʒe all in science sa dois schine, In profound wit, and eminent Ingine, That all obscure probleme or questioun Ʒe can discus, declair, and determine, Enucleat, as Regentis most deuine: Sa prudentlie ʒe can gif solutioun. For quhy I knaw ʒe all tuik potatioun Of licour sweit at the font Caballine, Quhair all vertew dois flurische with fusioun.

Heirfoir Ladeis humblie I Imploir, Haif weill in minde I haif rehersit befoir, Mixt with prudence, and ʒour perfite prowes,

Ʒe not deiect the dignitie, nor gloir, Spulʒe, nor reif▪ diminute, nor defloir, Into na sort this deifeit Goddes, Virginitie, for ʒour awin gentilnes. Lustie Ladeis, I neid now speik no moir, Do as ʒe think speidfull in this proces.

And so Venus to the same did consent. Anone but baid the Assyse furth is went, Richt stupefact, caus the mater was hie, On vther syid be storyis ancient. And speciallie of the last small legent Vesta did schaw be gude Authoritie, And done in deid be verray veritie. Sa but tary thay all with ane consent Chancellar on syse thay chose the May Tis••e.

For thocht hir minde was to Venus alhaill Ʒit vncompleit in deidis actuall It was but dowt (as hir storie dois schaw). That was the caus thay cheisit hir but faill. Chancellar on syse, that scho suld stand equaill On baith ye sydis, caus sum part scho did knaw) Sa the Assise beliue was set on raw, And socht all Actis in caisis criminall, Kest buikis like beis in all proces of Law.