English

I thinke it good to leave P. Plasmos in this good moode, untill time fitteth (he thus forewarned) for the report of his better fortunes: naythelesse, for others heede I will make discourse of the souden fal of foure of his enimies, whom Gods justice worthily cut off in the prime (or before the accomplishment) of their lewde desires.

To make this recantation or repentance more perfect, in shewe and in deede, he wrote this following admonition unto him selfe, which he termed his farewel to follie.

After P. Plasmos had bid adieu to these counterfet delightes, he made this ensuing recantation; and sith it behoveth every man that recanteth, to shew with what errours he was led, as well to discharge his owne conscience as to forewarne others of the like, P. Plasmos, in the the saide recantation, maketh discourse of love betwixt faire Laymos and him self. Wherein is discovered the subtile fleights of a cunning courtisane.

After that P. Plasmos had throughly passed the pikes of his troubles, he foorthwith professed a newe course of life; to witnesse which reformation (making povertie his excuse) he sent this following farewell unto fayre Laymos, and other fine dames of his olde acquaintance: which invention he termed his farewel to wanton pleasures.

Plasmos in time wringing him selfe out of all the troubles and mischiefes that his enimies had wrapt him in, and seing his estate for his troubles so sufficient as, with good government, he might live in indifferent good credite: on the contrarie part, seing some of his enimies through their lewdnesse starke beggers, and other some of them to dye soudenly and miserably, as well to give God thankes for his deliverie, as for the overthrowe of his enimies, made this sonet following.
To thee (O Lord!) with hart and voice I sing,
Whose mercy great, from dole to sweete delight,

I may now, without offence, enter into the plaine discourse of Plasmos following fortunes and inventions; for I have hetherto layde the cause of his miseries unto his youthful unthriftinesse, the which I confesse was an instrument: but there were unthriftie executioners of his harde fortunes, whose names and doings, for that it was supposed some of them were alive, according to my commission, I have lefte unreported, wishing them well to fare upon their recompence and repentance.

It is more then straunge to see the filthie confederacie of couseners, how the wealthy churle, to save him selfe from shame when his deceites are discovered, useth the names of such lewd and carelesse persons, as to compasse gaine have a regard neither to open shame, nor to their secret consciences: and to tire the compleynant with delayes, such as with bold countenaunce (bolstred with the credite of the wealthy cousiner and his friendes) will abide the tryall of the matter: betide the worst that may, he can be but punished, for once the benefite of the deceite is in Holdfastes handling, so th

Plasmos digression from one action of miserie unto another, yea unto all the actions of his mishap (although it be some what tedious), duely considered, is tollerable; for the nature of the distressed man is to call to remembraunce every speciall matter of his misfortune, to the intent (although too late) he may knowe the commodities of their contraries.

This complaint folowing sufficiently sheweth that Plasmos, being somwhat behind hand by reason of his former unthristines, having notwithstanding very proper living, unhappilie hit in acquaintaunce with certaine couseners, who seing his sufficiente abilitie, supplied his want from time to time with monie, till they had wrapt him in very daungerous and cumbersome bonds; so that hee had no way to winde himselse out of their daunger, but either by long leasure, or sellinge some parcell of his land; but by reason that it was intayled, none would deale with him, until a recoverie were had thereof.

It is hie time to digresse from the report of Plasmos wanton devises unto other his inventions, touching his miseries and repentance, which immediatly followed his wanton expences; and, for that want is the contrarie unto wealth, I thought good to place, after the praise of his purse, his complainte of wante: the commodities of the one and the discommodities of the other, dulie considered, are meanes to persuade the wise in prosperitie to have an eye unto adversitie; and, once in favour, to make provision for fortunes chaunge.