Stephen Hawes

Stephen Hawes (c. 1474 – 1523) was an English poet active during the Tudor period.

Quotes

• In a slombrynge slepe with slouth opprest
  As I in my naked bedde was leyd
  Thynkynge all nyght to take my rest
  Morpleus to me than made abreyd
  And in my dreme me thought he sayd
  Come walke with me in a medowe amerous
  Depeynted with floures that be delycyous.
  • From The Example of Vertu (c. 1504), I, st. 3

• For knighthode is not in the feates of warre,
  As for to fight in quarell right or wronge,
  But in a cause which trouth can not defarre;
  He ought him selfe for to make sure and stronge
  Justice to kepe mixt with mercy amonge;
  And no quarell a knight ought to take,
  But for a trouth or for the comins sake.
  • From The Pastime of Pleasure (ed. 1555)
  • Variant: for the comins (i.e. "common's") sake — some editors give for a woman's sake

• O mortall folke, you may beholde and see
  Howe I lye here, sometime a mighty knight;
  The ende of joye, and all prosperitie
  Is death at last, th[o]rough his course and myght:
  After the day there cometh the darke nyght,
  For thoughe the day be never so long,
  At last the belles ringeth to evensong
  • From The History of Graunde Amour and la Bel Pucel (ed. 1554)