Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Richard Edwardes. 15236646. Amantium Irae
IN going to my naked bed as one that would have slept, | |
I heard a wife sing to her child, that long before had wept; | |
She sighèd sore and sang full sweet, to bring the babe to rest, | |
That would not cease but crièd still, in sucking at her breast. | |
She was full weary of her watch, and grievèd with her child, | 5 |
She rockèd it and rated it, till that on her it smiled. | |
Then did she say, Now have I found this proverb true to prove, | |
The falling out of faithful friends renewing is of love. | |
Then took I paper, pen, and ink, this proverb for to write, | |
In register for to remain of such a worthy wight: | 10 |
As she proceeded thus in song unto her little brat, | |
Much matter utter’d she of weight, in place whereas she sat: | |
And provèd plain there was no beast, nor creature bearing life, | |
Could well be known to live in love without discord and strife: | |
Then kissèd she her little babe, and sware by God above, | 15 |
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, | 20 |
And left their force that failèd them, which did consume the rout, | |
That might before have lived their time, their strength 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, | 25 |
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: | 30 |
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 and beast, to toss the world about: | |
Some kneel, some crouch, some beck, some check, and some can smoothly smile, | 35 |
And some embrace others in arm, and there think many a wile, | |
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. | 40 |