And proved plain, there was no beast, nor creature bearing

life,

Could well be known to live in love, without discord and

strife:

Then kissed she her little babe, and sware by God above, The falling out of faithful friends, renewing is of love.

She said that neither king nor prince, nor lord could live

aright,

Until their puissance they did prove their manhood and their might.

When manhood shall be matched so, that fear can take no

place,

Then weary works make warriors each other to embrace, And left their force that failed them, which did consume

the rout,

That might before have lived their time, and nature out: Then did she sing as one that thought no man could her

reprove,

The falling out of faithful friends, renewing is of love.

She said she saw no fish nor fowl, nor beast within her

haunt,

That met a stranger in their kind, but could give it a taunt : Since flesh might not endure, but rest must wrath succeed, And force the fight to fall to play, in pasture where they

feed,

So noble nature can well end the work she hath begun, And bridle well that will not cease, her tragedy in some: Thus in song she oft rehearsed, as did her well behove, The falling out of faithful friends, renewing is of love.

I marvel much pardy quoth she, for to behold the rout, To see man, woman, boy, beast, to toss the world about: Some kneel, some crouch, some beck, some cheek, and some can smoothly smile,

And some embrace others in arm, and there think many

awile.

Some stand aloof at cap and knee, some humble and some

stout,

Yet are they never friends in deed, until they once fall out: Thus ended she her song, and said before she did remove, The falling out of faithful friends, renewing is of love.

V.

WILLIAM HUNNIS died 1568.

THE LOVER CURSETH THE TIME WHEN FIRST HE FELL IN LOVE.

WH

HEN first mine eyes did view and mark
Thy beauty fair for to behold,

And when mine ears 'gan first to hark

The pleasant words that thou me told :

I would as then I had been free
From ears to hear and eyes to see.

And when my hands did handle oft,
That might thee keep in memory,
And when my feet had gone so soft
To find and have thy company,
I would each hand a foot had been,
And eke each foot a hand so seen.

And when in mind I did consent
To follow thus my fancy's will,
And when my heart did first relent
To taste such bait myself to spill,
I would my heart had been as thine,
Or else thy heart as soft as mine.

Then should not I such cause have found To wish this monstrous sight to see, Nor thou, alas! that madest the wound, Should not deny me remedy:

Then should one will in both remain,

To ground one heart which now is twain.

VI.

GEORGE GASCOIGNE, 1535?-1577.

THE LULLABY OF A LOVER.

ING lullaby, as women do,

Wherewith they bring their babes to rest;

And lullaby can I sing too,

As womanly as can the best. With lullaby they still the child; And, if I be not much beguiled, Full many a wanton babe have I, Which must be stilled with lullaby.

First lullaby my youthful years,
It is now time to go to bed:

For crooked age and hoary hairs

Have won the haven within my head.

With lullaby then youth be still;

With lullaby content thy will;

Since courage quails and comes behind,
Go sleep and so beguile thy mind!