To the Courteous Construers of Indifferent Judgment,James Yates

edited by Pat Morris

James Yates' only collection of poems was published in 1582 and titled The Castle of Courtesy, Whereunto is Adjoined The Hold of Humility, With the Chariot of Chastity Thereunto Annexed; Also a Dialogue Between Age and Youth and Other Matters Herein Contained.. Information on Yates's life is seemingly nonexistent apart from the name attached to the poems and the information imbedded in his works. In one poem he refers to himself as a servingman, and this is congruent with the ideas of humility and concern for objectivity he expresses. Other religious poems of his can be interpreted to associate Yates with Roman Catholicism.
"To the Courteous Construers of Indifferent Judgment" is found in The Castle of Courtesy following the lengthy title poem and serves as introduction to "The Hold of Humility", another of his works which follows. "To the Courteous Construers..." is arranged in three stanzas with a loose attempt to keep an iambic pentameter rhythm. It seems to be a non-specific plea, maybe in response to critics of his own work, for people to pass objective ("imdifferent") judgment and not believe false rumors.

   I see a sect which leans to false report,
   And find some cause to cavil in disdain;
   I wish they would leave off that friendless sort,
   And not triumph in vaunts which are but vain.
   Their doubtful dooms, delighting in disdain,    		5
   Might frustrate be from folly, trust me true,
   And not with contempt the simpler sort to view.


   To the courteous construers I do this commend,
   Which with good will do weigh the willing mind,
   Indifferently their judgment to extend,                	10
   And yield report according as they find;
   And so shall I at no time be behind 
   To use my pen, and practice with my pate,
   In willing sort my fancies to relate.


   A homely Hold for present I prefer;             	15 
   Requesting those which do the same expect,
   With courtesy their judgment to infer.
   For I presume all will not it reject
   But favor find, my endeavor to protect
   From truthless tongues, which tattle tales but fained       20
   And glory great when others are disdained.


			No dolor to disdain,
    				James Yates.

1.report] rumor or common talk.
2.cavil] to raise frivolous objections.
3.friendless sort] unfriendly character or quality.
4.vaunts] boastings, braggings.
5.dooms] judgments or opinions.
6.frustrate] hindered, blocked.
11.Yield report . . . as they find] form opinions on their objective findings, without bias.
13.pate] the head as the seat of the intellect.
14.fancies] poetic imaginings.
15.homely] familiar,intimate. Hold] place of refuge. Yates is referring to "The Hold of Humility," which follows.
17.infer] to bring on, to bring about.
18-19. The wording of these last lines is confusing. He could mean it is his objective to protect favor from finding those who are untruthful.
20.fained] delighted.
22.No dolor to disdain] that is, there is no pain like that of being disdained.

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