[sig. Lir]
The way he seeth, by touch of merites grace, Wherein to runne, alas he gladly would: But filthie flesh, his wretched dwelling place, (10) Doeth so rebell, at that which doe he should. That silly soule, who feeles his heauie neede, Can onely will, but naught performe in deede.
Thy will through grace, doeth oft desire the good, But all in vaine, for that the fleshly foe: +(15) Yeeldes forth such fruites, as sinnes hath bred in bud, And blindly suckes, the sap of deadly woe. Esteeming shewes of fickle fancies knowne, +And scorning fruit by grace, eternall sowen.
Though eye doth see, that death doth swallow all, (20) Both life and lust, and euery sound delight: Yet wretched flesh, through sinne is made so thrall, That nought it markes, apparant thinges in sight. That might him traine, to care of better grace, Bothe doeth his bale, with greedy lust imbrace.
(25) Then since desert, and al thinges weare away, That nought remaine, but fruite of grace or sinne: God build in vs, such conscience, as can say, This fruit not mine, but sinne that dwelt in me, For why to sinne, I dayly doe in sight, (30) that vnto Christ, I may reuiue my spright.
FINIS. {quod} Candishe.
That Loue is required by disdayne. +
I N search of thinges that secret are, my mated muse began, What it might be, molested most the head and minde of man: The bending brow of Princes face, to wrathe that doth attende, +Or want of Parentes, wife or childe, or losse of faithfull friend. (5) the roaring of the Canon shot, that makes the peece to shake, Or terrour such as mightie Ioue, from heauen aboue can make: