MARINER

I am a Mariner by Science and Art, And have used the seas a long space: Whereas I have had troubles enough for my partly, Yet have I escaped all dangers, I thank God of his grace. Few men alive I suppose at this day, That have traveled further then I have done, Therefore somewhat of my mind anon I will say, As shall be declared more plainly soon. Of two things in the mean season I will complain, First is of the scarcity of good mariners, And that those few, to learn do disdain, Of such as are both cunning and good Artificers, Whereupon some takes upon them to be masters, Whereas yet they were never learners diligent, Such of many men, are the way casters, For will is their wisdom, and their knowledge is ire impatient If that in any science it is needful to be expert, In this requires great intelligence: For some may on both lives and goods subvert, Which guideth without wit and experience, Too much proof of this we have had of late, Therefore with whom men does venture, let them take heed For though the Swallow be able much to prate, Yet her notes are most unpleasant indeed. I am glad to see you also master Traveller, Tell me how do you now a days, I pray you what cheer. Masters we know what belongeth unto merchandise But it behooveth us your counsels to keep, You are wise enough to practice your enterprise, You must wake, when other men does sleep. Is not twenty shillings well given to save twenty pound, And if it be ten pound, I trow you will not greatly stick, To save and get means, a new way may be found, Before you be rubbed, see you do not kick. Before the harm of the wound, see you do not come plain, For merchants were never so rich as now they be, Whole substance of the Realm do conteme, How they flow in possessions every man see. In times passed men were content with mediocrity, They would no more borrow, then they thought to pay, For they that will presume above their ability, Must by diverse means fallen into decay: But it is a common practice used now in this land, Many one does themselves bankrupts make: When they have got other men's goods into their hand, Then their houses they keep, or else Ludgate they take. I am no Pedlar, but a poor Mariner I am, Neither one nor other was here since I came, Therefore of any Pedlar I can nothing say. Why Pedlars were wont to have beads to fell, I marvel that they will rebuke superstition. You are welcome hither friend, I dare undertake, You spoke of a pack of scarlets even now, I tell you here are they that are able money to make, Are you able to perform them, how say you? This fellow does appear to be out of his wit, A runagate in whom is little virtue. By my troth, if I should speak indifferently, His talk is according to most men's report. Much wind thou dost waste I tell thee in vain, But if things be amiss as thou dost express: As they are not, as to all men does appear plain, Yet are not we able any thing to redress. Jupiter over a far country, Creta was a King, Juno the daughter of Saturnus was his wife: Unchaste was he, and wrought many and evil thing, Therefore between them two, there was and evil life. Such fellows going abroad the country, Make many simple folks them to believe: If such hard chances happen unto Travellers To loose their lives and goods as thou dost prophecy What shall happen to us that be Mariners? We are Like to be consumed, and all our ships utterly. This man with the holy Ghost is inspired, But the devil within him is no doubt: I trust to see such cold prophets fired, Before your false and prattling prophecies, be brought about. Hang him knave, hang him, Who made him privy of Gods counsel? Why you whoreson villain, What have we brought into the land? Then where was such a Prophet as our Pedlar was To know of things never to be done: I warrant you this gear will come to pass, When our Lady hath a new son. They that will talk at their pleasure what they will, Shall hear again, that shall them displease, But what frantic fools say, it does not greatly skill, For your talk does neither profit nor disprofit a peace: But whereas thou laiest to the charge of Mariners, That we have filled the land full of Alians, Thou beliest us, we bring in none but Gospelers, And such as we know to be very good Christians. Fable quoth he, by S. Marry sir, his fables touch the quick, He mingleth his fable with unhappy sentences: By the faith of my body, he does not my conscience a little pick: He shall answer them, that hath more astriences. This wildbraine does but only mock and scoff, You shall be tied a little shorter one day. Then we sour will make and honest quere, I will follow, if the Pedlar will begin. All thy words here are enigmata, that are speeches dark, Which I would have thee declare what they do mean: For I had as leave hear a band-dog bark, As to hear thee talk, and all is not worth a bean. Then no more ado, but I pray thee go with me aboard, Thou shalt be sure to have poor Mariners cheer: Harm shalt thou have none, I promise thee at a word, Thou shalt be sure to have bred, beef, and bear.