Classic Poem

A Mariner with a box under his arm, containing all the several things following, supposed to come from the Carrick, came into the presence, singing this Song:

Cynthia, Queen of seas and lands,
That Fortune everywhere commands,
Sent forth Fortune to the sea,
To try her Fortune every way.
There did I Fortune meet, which makes me now to sing,
There is no fishing to the sea, nor service to the King.

All the Nymphs of Thetis' train
Did Cynthia's Fortune entertain;
Many a jewel, many a gem,
Was to her Fortune brought by them.
Her Fortune sped so well, as makes me now to sing,
There is no fishing to the sea, nor service to the King.

Fortune, that it might be seen
That she did serve a royal Queen,
A frank and royal hand did bear,
And cast her favours everywhere.
Some toys fell to my share, which makes me now to sing,
There is no fishing to the sea, nor service to the King.

AND THE SONG ENDED, HE UTTERED THIS SHORT SPEECH :

God save you, fair Ladies all; and for my part, if ever I be brought to answer for my sins, God forgive me my sharking, and lay usury to my charge. I am a Mariner, and am now come from the sea, where I had the fortune to light upon these few trifles. I must confess, I came but lightly by them; but I no sooner had them, but I made a vow that as they came to my hands by Fortune, so I would not part with them but by Fortune. To that end I have ever since carried these lots about me, that, if I met with fit company, I might divide my booty among them. And now, I thank my good fortune! I am lighted into the best company of the world, a company of the fairest Ladies that ever I saw. Come Ladies, try your fortunes; and if any light upon an unfortunate blank, let her think that fortune doth but mock her in these trifles, and means to pleasure her in greater matters.

THE LOTS .

I. FORTUNE'S WHEELS .

Fortune must now no more on triumph ride;
The Wheels are yours that did her chariot guide.

II. A PURSE .

You thrive, or would, or may; your lot's a Purse,
Fill it with gold, and you are ne'er the worse.

III. A MASK .

Want you a Mask? here Fortune gives you one,
Yet Nature gives the rose and lily none.

IV. A LOOKING GLASS .

Blind Fortune doth not see how fair you be,
But gives a Glass, that you yourself may see.

V. A HANDKERCHIEF .

Whether you seem to weep, or weep indeed
This Handkerchief will stand you well in steed.

VI. A PLAIN RING .

Fortune doth send you, hap it well or ill,
This plain gold Ring, to wed you to your will.

VII. A RING, WITH THIS POESY .

" As faithful as I find."

Your hand by Fortune on this Ring doth light,
And yet the words do hit your humour right.

VIII. A PAIR OF GLOVES .

Fortune these Gloves to you in challenge sends,
For that you love not fools, that are her friends.

IX. A DOZEN OF POINTS .

You are in ev'ry point a lover true,
And therefore Fortune gives the Points to you.

X. A LACE .

Give her the Lace, that loves to be straight laced,
So Fortune's little gift is aptly placed.

XI. A PAIR OF KNIVES .

Fortune doth give this pair of Knives to you,
To cut the thread of love, if't be not true.

XII. A GIRDLE .

By Fortune's Girdle you may happy be,
But they that are less happy, are more free.

XIII. A PAIR OF WRITING TABLES .

These Tables may contain your thoughts in part,
But write not all that's written in your heart.

XIV. A PAIR OF GARTERS .

Though you have Fortune's Garters, you must be
More staid and constant in your steps than she.

XV. A COIF AND CROSS-CLOTH .

Frown in good earnest, or be sick in jest,
This Coif and Cross-cloth will become you best.

XVI. A SCARF .

Take you this Scarf, bind Cupid hand and foot;
So Love must ask you leave, before he shoot.

XVII. A FALLING BAND .

Fortune would have you rise, yet guides your hand
From other lots to take the Falling Band.

XVIII. A STOMACHER .

This Stomacher is full of windows wrought,
Yet none through them can see into your thought.

XIX. A PAIR OF SCISSARS .

These Scissars do your housewifery bewray,
You love to work, though you were born to play.

XX. A CHAIN .

Because you scorn Love's captive to remain,
Fortune hath sworn to lead you in a Chain.

XXI. A PRAYER-BOOK .

Your fortune may prove good another day;
Till Fortune come, take you a Book to pray.

XXII. A SNUFTKIN .

'Tis summer, yet a Snuftkin is your lot!
But 'twill be winter one day, doubt you not.

XXIII. A FAN .

You love to see, and yet to be unseen;
Take you this Fan to be your beauty's screen.

XXIV. A PAIR OF BRACELETS .

Lady! your hands are fallen into a snare,
For Cupid's manacles these Bracelets are.

XXV. A BODKIN .

Even with this Bodkin you may live unharmed,
Your beauty is with Virtue so well armed.

XXVI. A NECKLACE .

Fortune gives your fair neck this Lace to wear;
God grant a heavier yoke it never bear!

XXVII. A CUSHINET .

To her that little cares what lot she wins,
Chance gives a little Cushinet to stick pins.

XXVIII. A DIAL .

The Dial's yours; watch time, lest it be lost;
Yet they most lose it, that do watch it most.

XXIX. A NUTMEG, WITH A BLANK PARCHMENT IN IT .

This Nutmeg holds a blank, but chance doth hide it;
Write your own wish, and Fortune will provide it.

XXX. A BLANK .

Wot you not why Fortune gives you no prize?
Good faith! she saw you not, she wants her eyes.

XXXI. A BLANK .

You are so dainty to be pleased, God wot,
Chance knows not what to give you for a lot.

XXXII. A BLANK .

'Tis pity such a hand should draw in vain;
Though it gain nought, yet shall it pity gain.

XXXIII. A BLANK .

Nothing's your lot, that's more than can be told,
For nothing is more precious than gold.

XXXIV. A BLANK .

You fain would have, but what, you cannot tell.
In giving nothing, Fortune serves you well.