nature Carneades a solitary kingdome but Pomitius sayde that there was nothing more acceptable in an honest woman Aristotle affirmed that beautie is more worth than all the letters of commendation Homer commended it for a glorious gifte of nature and Quid called it a grace of god You seemed me thought sayed A. O to define this vpon the beautie of an honest woman but what thinke you of a Curtisan who answered their beautie sayeth Socrates is a tyrannie of shorte tyme Theophrastuâ— a secret deceyte and Theocritus a delectable damage This prety definition and clawyng by course of tongue lyked A. O. very well but especially to heare hyr selfe commended of hyr bestbeloued before Atlanta who sometyme bore the bell of beauties price in that hyr natiue soyle Wherfore his talke beyng ended she sayde his tongue was made of massiue golde inferryng moreouer that Apelles pensell nor yet Sulpicia the Romayne dame were able so to paynte or carue in tables of brasse the stately corps of Venus rufflyng Nimphes as was his tong their features to discrie Not so deare dame I would quoth he my tongue such vigor had as to expresse thy vertues all which harte could neuer thinke ne penne much lesse as I suppose with ease might well subscribe whome Marcia she that all surpassed hath in perfect worke in imagerie could not hyr pensell frame in hande thy outwarde shape to graue although in deede as stories doe vnfolde she nought did vse in those hyr liuing dayes but caruing worke to paynte or else to drawe the shapes of those whose beautie was a patterne to beholde for rufflyng dames yet woulde she neuer carue nor drawe the shape of any man least that the sight of carnall things might rayse such carnall lustes as might abridge hyr virgins lawes Suche was hyr chosen pathe This praysing of N.O. his rolling tongue did encourage him not a little by polished phrase of filed style to feede his Ladies appetites or humors with some one thing or other whereby he might fancie what fancie most requyred And therefore fillyng his ladyes eares with wordes occasion seruing him so he fell from this treatise into the discourse of chaste Matrones as in declaryng how that when Atropos Lachesis and Clothâ—e beyng the Ladies of the destenie had graunted to Admetus kyng of Thessalia at the request of Apollo being throwne into exile or rather banished from the stately throne of the potentiall Goddes by force of Iupiters fearefull mace that what tyme soeuer the turnyng spindle had thorowly twyned his fatall threede if any one would take vpon him death to awarde King Admetus his life his proffer shoulde be accepted to â—â—iourne his former wishe This day beyng common none would yeelde his lyfe for Admetus his sake then Alceste she his true and faythfull wyfe did yeelde to death for to awarde hys life Marke how N.O. seeketh to frame his tongue altogither in the commendation and setting foorth of women on whome shee incroched in this order No doubte N.O. but the like constancie is to be founde in men Alas Madame quoth he I can not for thy sake but say and thinke well of all womenkinde Yet coulde I say as much as this of men alluding the one with the other if so occasioÌ„ serued And this perswade thy selfe whylest life dothe laste my care shall greater be of thee than of my selfe yea Artemisia hyr selfe was neuer founde more constant to hyr make than I wil be to thee although in deede the brute of blasing trumpe hath informed the very skies of hyr chastitie and fethered hyr fame for that hyr pure loue who when Mâ—usolus King of Caria had yeelded his lyfe to the fearefull mace of lothsome death did call for death tenne thousande tymes to change hyr state with his who seeyng hir suite coulde not preuayle in regall sorte with princely poÌ„pe inclosed his corps in tome yet did she keepe his harte aboue the ground to keepe hyr company vntill continuance of tyme had turned the same by course to moultryng duste Then putting the same in a cup of wine she dranke it vp saying whyle lyfe did last his harte from hyrs asunder should not parte But softe holde you here content quoth A.O. and yeelde to silence for a season for my vewyng eyes haue seene your paynting penne and my listnyng eares haue hearde your rollyng tongue But who dothe knowe your priuy thoughtes not I. Why Lady quoth he is the winde at that dore now then I playnly see the more I seeke the lesse I finde Sometime your wisedome sayde the Diamond cuttes the glasse but as yet me thinketh it hath not rased the skinne Which dayly coÌ„sumes my languished lymmes with lothsome lyfe and inforceth my monyng mynde to crie vpon my harmes so huge Yet wisedome warneth me to rue and not to rage still lokyng for that lingryng houre whiche shoulde forbid my carping cares For though thy harte were made of harde flinte and sturdie steele yet as Terence sayth Nâ—l tam difficale est quod non solercia vincat And eke in tyme the brasen walles will starte whiche putteth me in hope faire Ladie that doing as the Poete Anacrion did by Bathillus Horace by Ligurius and the Poetes by Numa and Seruius who alwayes had them eyther in their songs or else at the ende of their pennes thou canst not but in time yeelde vp the title of thy harte I trust Lady I haue not deserued that thy loue shoulde waxe colder and colder towardes mee neyther that thy charitie shoulde decrease if so I haue then vse the Adamant stone whiche as Dioscorides sayeth will inforce thee to drawe it downe agayne But what neede I thus to mistruste thy discourtesie who already haue founde thy tongue to be made of pure Alabaster whiche perforce will keepe thee in amitie and charitie with all men thy lippes of Achates of Crete whiche maketh thee gracious and thy face of Gerâ—tites not for his colour but for his singuler vertue whiche maketh thee so amiable that no man can that seeth thee but he enamoured with thee Likewyse the force of it Ladie is suche that who carieth it close in his mouthe knoweth what euery one thinketh of hym Wherefore Lady I I neede not longer to blaze vnto thee for thou knowest full well my harte beyng once sette on fire with the pure lâ—ue which I beare vnto thee moste lyke to the stone Albeston can not be quenched agayne neyther my mynde beyng once frosen with feare can by any meanes but thorowe thy gracious goodnesse be thawed againe lyke to the operation of Gelacia a very white gem whose coldnesse in suche that no â—â—re can heate the same I well perceyue your glosing talke quoth A.O. but tell me sir quoth she if your harte continually burne why vadeth it not who answeared as well Ladie you mighte haue asked mee why the hyll Aetna whiche burneth day and nighte is not mouldered to ashes or why Enidâ—â—â— beyng but a little stone alwayes sweatyng and
giftes intendyng thorowe dispayre to bee the more couragious Whereof Virgill thus wryteth Optima spes victis nullam sperare salutem Yet shee nought regardyng his vayne offers and lesse his profered seruice with professed good will answered It seemeth you are well acquaynted with this phrase of Iuuenall Rara in tenui facundia panno est and that maketh you to offer such large summes of money in this case but yet in vayne you spende your wynde for I knowe too well by proofe that Fistula dâ—lce caniâ— volueres dum decipit auceps Stay therefore herein thy clattering bell for Nulla fides fronti as Iuuenall doth report In deede Lady quoth he not affâ—ction alone but this verse of Ouid moued me toward this liberalitie seing Munera crede mihi placant hominesque deosâ— I thought asmuch quoth she Ex abuÌ„dantia cordis os loquâ—tur And thinkest thou therfore I am so foolish so light of belief so light of behauâ—our or so couetous as to accept thy fayned friendship no no I defie thy crew thy progenie and eke thy race I set not so much by the mucke of the worlde as to yeelde vnto thy filthy greedy lust neither to make a God thereof For whyle I liue as I doe so will I alwayes become as subiect vnto this verse of Horace Et mihi res non me rebus submittere conâ—r And I tell thee playne for my laste adewe that if thou were able to mayntayne me as I reade of a Cardinals harlot although this comparison is odious who set so light of pearle and precious stone that she set the vpper parte of hir shoes cleane ouer with the same Or if thou were able to giue mee as precious a pearle as Iulius Caesar bestowed vpon his lemman Seruilia the pryce whereof was Sexagies whiche is in our coyne sixe and fortie thousande eight hundred threescore and seuentene poundes and ten shillings yet neyther couldest nor shouldest thou nor any other whatsoeuer inioye the same at my handes Why arte thou armed with Diamondes as the Poetes fayne by Mars quoth he that thou seemest so obstinately to withstande yea in this respect quoth she and suche like eche one shall finde me Then for my laste farewell sayde he to thee and thine adewe Who answered adew likewise by lande thy lucke in boates is barking Thus by hir outwarde appearaunce she seemed glad thereof It resteth now by lyneal course to inferre vpon the peregrination of hir peerlesse paragon marching pedetentâ—m vnto the barke of loue whome finding bedecked with a greene robe after the paynting of Zenius caused him the more to liue in hope But yet this Epigram written in his forehead by Apelles Spring time and sommer caused him to iudge thereby that it fostered bothe prosperitie and aduersitie with one pappe and â—ulled both life death togither in one lappe Wherefore he indeuored by all inuented meanes to please hyr as well after as before hyr graunt of loue not onely by loyaltie of seruice but also by gorgious attyre whiche pleaseth women not a litle delicate fare costly byre and sumptuous giftes with the whole discourse of his businesse no counsell kepte vnknowne whiche pleased hyr most of al. But the new yeare stealing vpon them whose presence he thought his duetie prouoked him to adore with some rare gifte to imparte or represent vnto his Lady in token of his great good wil towards hyr Or for a pledge of his eminent loyalty with an vnfayned fidelity Eche countrey far and neare by a vision he soughte and in his rolling mind he vewed eche thing therin Yet nothing he found therein worthy as he thought to bestow vpon hyr yet did his stedfast loue persuade him no trauell spent â—â—â—aine who turning himselfe aboute and vewing eche thing at will misliked the vnworthinesse thereof Wherfore he hied hastily vnto the Muses of Boetia the daughters of Iupiter whome the Poetes fayne continually to dwell at the bathe of Helicon But yet by dayly industry he founde them at the length by his owne reporte in a pleasaunt greene arbor sitting all togither moste huswifely occupied eche one in their proper vocation singing most melodiously to passe the time away This greene Arbor sayde he was planted in a dale not farre from this former well wherein they bathe themselues most curiously bedecked with fragrant flowers that keepeth their pleasant hewe all times of the yeare alike at the hedde hereof eche one had hir seuerall bedde of long greene grasse intermingled with all kinde of sweete and fragrant floures the growth whereof shorte vp in heigth aboue the lower grasse by his report two foote curiously carued and cut of eche side adorned with pinnacles and pillers in maÌ„ner of a fayre large bedsteede besette with goodly greene Iuie twined about with some shoring preuy Thus was their beddes most formally framed and eke as softe as is the pillow downe Then had they maniles to couer them with intermingled yuie the ouercasting of the Arbor serued for a Cannape and the caruing of eche side stoode for indented vallaÌ„ce At the feete of their beddes was erected a goodâ—â— greene Mounte with round cirkled steppes vp to the toppe But there was to be founde a stately chayre all made of Iuory whyte wherein Melpomene the chiefest Muse Phaebus displaying dothe place hyr selfe the other eyght Muses sittyng in order beneath hyr vpon the former rounde steppes Thus squatted vpon this pleasaunt mount from mornyng to euenyng they spende their tyme moste earnestly in their vocation if no one interrupt them with callyng them vpon to ayde them in their enterpryse as the Poetes were accustomed to doe eche one singyng by course in the commendation of hir owne Arte Melpomene alwayes beginnyng bycause of hir worthinesse among them and while the one singeth the other eyght helpeth hir recorded song with the varietie of notes it was commonly called the Arbor of amitie N.O. seyng them in this order thought verily he had â—â—nded to heaueÌ„ it self Wherfore his wits abashed at the firste to vtter his mynde vnto them but Melpomene seyng him to stande in suche amaze coniectured thereby hee had some matter to breake vnto them whiche not the imbecilitie of witte but the bashefulnesse of hys tongue forbidde hym there to vtter Wherefore moste courteously shee cheared him on saying what is thy will feare not but shewe it foorth at large whereat N. O. takyng a better courage tolde foorth his will and chiefe desire in this order O Muses worthie of musing by earnest suyte I craue of your wonted accustomed courtesie to vnlace your liberalitie extendyng your beneuolence in fillyng this Goblet of mine with the heauenly and vnspeakeable dewe of your gratious Fountayne Whereat Melpomene answered for them all as you shall heare This sacred well quoth shee is of suche force that who tasteth thereof partaketh of our vertues and by this meanes if it shoulde be made common wee shoulde in tyme bee had in the lesse reputation and honor
let your loue to light Least want of â—endring like doth put your ioyes to flight Know first his nature well and then repose your trust Let nothing be to deare if so yee finde him iust Spende not your loue on those that will it not requite For why that wante of loue it can no one delight Thus ponder well my wordes let Pallas be your guyde Least that in wâ—â—ton lust your feete beginne to slyde Adewe my pleasures all adewe my chiefe delight Loue hath me wounded now and put you all to flight Wherefore Yee Tigrâ—s whelpes vnkinde and eke yee rauening Wolues The Stigian poole and eke the Acherontes golues Yea yea the Manâ—icors the Lyons in their rage Cerborus Alecto with the Leopardes sauage And to be shorte drawe neare yeâ— furiâ—s all of Hell Yee Fayries with the reste elsewhere where so you dwell And Clothâ— now leaue off thy disloffe aye to hed Lachesis sitte still and spinne no longer thred But Atropos make haste and with thy shredding knyfe Asunder cut the threede which doth prolong my lyfe For why Milecian maydes your â—â—ippes I meane to trâ—â—â— And as Lucrecia did my lyfe for to vnlace Wherefore ye dolefull dumpes and eke ye Ladies all Come rue the wretched chaunce whiche did to me befall Come Heraclitus nowe to weepe and eke to wayle And Ladies now to rue hoyste vp your mourning sayle Melpomene likewise now take thy penne in hande In mourning wise to paint how fortune doth withstande Likewise I thee beseeche Sulpicia of Rome Some posâ—e to indite to set vpon my tome That all whiche heares or sees may rue my wretched cace And know the cause wherefore my life I did vnlace This sayde with bloudy hande she tooke hir dyrchill knife And to hir harte it thrust to ende hir lothsome life Whiche blowne vnto his eares he rued in raging wise But nought he could withstande hir fonde and foolish guyse Why liue I on the earth that thus am lefte alone Why seeke I not to die and first to make my mone Alas my gem of ioy and eke my Dymande deere Ah fountayne of delight as dead why liest thou heere What shall of me become my ioyes exiled are My harte with griefe will â—urst hope lodged is so farre Hath Paris Leander Pyrame or Troylus Aye truer bene than I to thee my prety mus Pesistratus in fayth or Romeus in truth What cause then hast thou had to fall in such a ruth These wordes are but in vayne I do but seeke to drowne Thy crased corps in teares of certaine this is knowne It shall not aye be sayde that thou for me shalt die For I the like to doe thy former deede will trie Bloud shall be shedde for bloud and life shall pay for lyfe I haue like force I know like hande and the like knyfe With lyke adewe my ghost adewe my latter breath Adewe each pleasure that is founde vpon the earth Yet Ladies thus much graunt our corpse one tome to haue One Epitaphe thereon this onely thing I craue This sayde he kisâ—e hir corpse ten thousand times and more With teares be fillde those woundes that greeued him full sore He callde vpon hir name ten thousand times and more But life it yeelded had to cruel death his lore Hir eyes they were clong fast prest downe with heauie death Adewe my deare he sayde and thus he stopte his breath A Song whiche the Gentlewoman made before she slevve hir selfe O Cupide why arte thou to me vnkynde Unequall arte thou in thy raging moode Why didst thou seeke with loue to make me blynde By loue to die it will doe thee no good Unlesse perchaunce you ioy to see my woe I gaue no cause to finde you such a foe Did 〈◊〉 offend thy mother any time Whereby she sought on me to wrecke hir spight Did I commit at any time a crime Whiche moued you to put my ioyes to flight If so I haue then didst thou serue me well If not me thinkes thy nature is to fell Ioue knoweth all but I doe feele the smarte I haue the wounde whiche breedes my endlesse woe Alas alas what meanes that dyrefull darte It makes me loue whome neither may forgoe Alas to late I may repent the time Of my delight when Ver was in hir pryme For my delight hath giuen this deadly wounde Whiche by no meanes agayne may cured be Alas alas loue doth me nowe confounde By parant proofe each man the same may see And none aliue dothe rest to cure the same Thee Cupid now full iustly may I blame And Lady Ver thou arte my mortall foe For thy delights did force my feete to range Thou arte the cause of all this endlesse woe Though Fortune coy she seemed somewhat strange Thus all alike did gyue this mortall wounde And all alike hath sought me to confounde If Lethe lake shoulde yeelde vnto my lore Yet would it want in me his former force It could not be a salue for suche a sore For Cresses iuyce it would his wonte deuorce Wherefore in vayne I crie and looke for ayde For hope it selfe at neede hath me denayde Come Ladies now put on your mourning weedes Mourne and lament the cause of my distresse Through want of will my harte it dayly bleedes For hope denies to yeelde me ought redresse Mourne and lament each day with dolefull tunes For I am she whome lingring loue consumes What woman will in man repose hir trust And findeth them so oft to be vniust Worse than a beast is he that plights his troth And then for to performe the same is loth But worse is he that giues his faith to one When long before to others it was gone Falser art thou to me than Demophon Theseus Phaon Aeneas Iason Falser to me than euer any wight Who waste my ioy and eke my whole delight And of my death thy falshoode is in blame Whose bloud shall pay the ransome of the same Come rue therefore with me ye wretched wightes With dolefull tunes approche yee neare at hande Weepe now and wayle forbidding all delightes And pleasures eke at elbow yours to stande For loue it seekes to make me now a tome And loue it will me bryng vnto my dome FINIS An answere to a letter written vnto him by a Curtyzan A Bottome for your silke it seemes my letters are become Whiche with oft winding off and on are wasted whole and some Who nilling other for to finde but through my paintyng penne Thereto to giue occasion to wryte you will not lenne And sith you take such great delight my bottomes for to spende Beholde now grauntyng to your will an other here I sende Ne sutor vltra crepidam I giue this phrase to vewe Forbidding Sowters to exceede the clowting of a shooe T is seldome seene a Swan to diue of Morehennes had bene best For you to talke although you seeme that name for to detest Dianas troupe it best may blase the Swan of Menander It best becomes your penne
rudenesse yet beare with my blynking folly for it is great good will that grauelleth me and the feare of repulse maketh my heart to freese Wherfore I beseech thee grauÌ„t fire in time to thaw Good sir quoth she to find fire in frost I count it â—etter lost I graunt said N O. who findeth fire in frost he finds but yet he liues by losse â–ª but who findeth frost in fire hee gapeth for good lucke And yet although for feare my hart doth freese and craueth your liuely countenance to thawe the same yet hath the trump of thy beautie kindled suche sparkes of hote burning coales as not all the water in the sea is able yet one drop of the deaw of thy liuely countenance may quâ—nch the same Wherefore as after a maner I craued fire to thawe my fearful freesing so now as inforced to the same I craue the liuely draw of thy â—ountenance to quench or lay the heat of these my kindling coales Wherat with simpering lyps she smyled â–ª thinking he coulde not perceyue hir but therof she was deceyued Which cheared him on further to haue sayd but that the boord being discouered the sweete musicke and melodious harmonie called vppon them to daunce His Ladie lykewise maruelling at his Ephonicall toung tooke him by the hand crauing him to lead hir a gallyarde wherof I dare sweare not misâ—yking he granting hir request fulfilled hir demaunde they traced as neare as I can remember Apâ—llo his wordes the gracious galliardes dedicated to the Goddes and afterwards those measures whose footing and gestures serued best his turne and some of their harts likewise daunced priuily loth to departe But their legges fainting he gaue his ladie the zucado dâ—zâ—labroâ— and led hir again to the place from wheÌ„ce she yelded hir selfe Soone after the companie leauing their past once the Chamberlayn willing to shew him his chamber he curteously bid his Ladie good night saying what she had graunted he meant to put in vre Wherby as I suppose he meant the graunt of declaring his mynd by writing Who graciously wishing him good rest sayde What my lippes haue spoken myne honour can not denye Thus takyng his leaue he marched towarde his chamber whiche he lâ—unde all hanged with whyte and blacke Who knowing well the vertue of eche coloure and the myrting of the same thought veryly hee swymmed agaynst the streame For as I haue heard some say these colours pretended virginitie vnto death But yet N. O. knowyng that out of one mouthe commeth bothe hoâ—te and colde and knowyng his hearte wyth feare to sâ—cese more and more thought long vntyll suche time as some tâ—â—tale paper had blazed his priuie scalding sighes and salte teares to whome her loued best Wherfore soone after his entring into the chamber he discharged the Chamberlayn of his duetie and made this letter folowing in a redinesse to giue to hir Ladie at hir firste flight N. O. to his best beloued A.O. WIth the morning salutation or rather with an humble kinde of gratulation which Venus vouchsafed to call the gentle coâ—ge and Mars hir darling the Bezolas manes as â—ingring loue commaundeth me I salute theâ— my second selfe and greete thee here in blabbing paper poetically not liceÌ„tiously as testifieth the same For why if springs and seas were turned to ynke â–ª if lands were turned to paper â–ª if shrubs trees wee turned to pennes if al the saÌ„ds in seas were meÌ„ if euery man toke pen in hand if Apollo Pallas shuld giue them wisdom if Mercurâ— ambages and Aâ—ethusa influeÌ„ce yet wold their inke be dried vp their paper spent 〈◊〉 pennes stubbed to be short their wittes grauelled yet would thy features be vntouched the which in number passe the sands in seas and eke the glittering starres in skies Thy faint doth perce the cloudy roupes which 〈◊〉 wyndes suborne it pierced vashe the duskye skyes thus arte thou borne from Mount to mounte whose same shall neuer die and if I might be bolde to speake without the wrath of fayned Goddes then would I say that Iuno Pallas and Venus adorned themselues with thy beautie and Egeria supported hyr selfe by thy shape No maruel then deare Dame if I through the sound of thy Ueneriall trumpe haue not onely bene trapped but also rauished of my fatall senses for none otherwise doth thy reluceÌ„t beauty and surpassing qualities dayly display before mine eies than doth the goldeÌ„ glistring beames or bright arayes of Phoebus display vpon the earth when through his force the dimme and darkesome skyes with clowdie roupes are put to flight the whiche O well of life hath not onely with firie flakes and flasshing flames of ardent loue set my harte on fire but also as annexed vnto it hath raysed suche surging seas of carpyng carâ— as not Iupiter his head I thinke was euer so pestered what tyme he borrowed Vulcanus axe to hewe Pallas out of his brayne as at this time am I through the feruent desire whiche I beare vnto thee Thus hath the trumpe of thy beautie conueyed me to the narrow of Cilla and Charybdu Either if I seeke to shunne my rusticall deedes will shewe me to be Pan and my folly in seekyng to kicke against the gode will say playnly in foolishnesse I passe Morychus Wherefore I see either I muste sinke in Syrtes sandes t is drowne in Lethe lake Thus is thy loue a Labyrinth to me for my likyng I a toyling Theseus and all for speeding yet suffer me not to be tossed in thy Labyrinth whome great good will hath grauelled My hart is in thy thrall my corpse requires no lesse by suite I craue graunt saue my life by â—hinne to holde me vp least that thy beautie bidde me say I tasted Circes cuppe For though I haue tasted a sharpe stormy winter yet standing to thy curtesie I gape for a newe Prymetide florishyng with his causine sweete Westerne winde Let me not therfore be fed with a vayne hope if yea raignes â—ay yea if nâ— nav yet such a weake nay as thereon I may buylde such a stedfast fundation of perfite requitaunce as not Eolus with al his windes may shake the toppe much lesse moue the fundation thereof whiche graunted perswade thy selfe to finde me as tried in truth as Romeus and â—uliet and as stedfast in faith as Pâ—sistratus to Catanea who doest in my sight Homeâ— hir golden Aphroditis passe Wherefore blame me not if I wishe the sharpnesse of Lynceus his sight that euery creuice I might find out yea that thorow the harde flinte and stony walles my glauncing eyes might be fixed vpon the liuely shape of the corporall hewe whereby I might inioye thy coÌ„pany or at the least haue the fruition of those sweete Westerne windes whiche I hope will breath out of those thy sugered lippes For if as one constrayned therevnto I went aboute of Lethe lake to taste yet should I but doe as the Giants did who as the Portes fayned with their engins of ScieÌ„ces moued warre
likewise say I may with Tantalus complaine Then may I say as Sisiphus I toyle to none effect As Theseus and Ticius with other of my secte Then is thy loue a Labyrinth vnto me for my liking Whome great good will hath grauelled since Cupid fell a striking But yet in time I hope to finde such mercie at thy hande That where thy wrath sometime bore sway thy friendship once shall stand If not Then What Clothâ— doth on distaste place for Lachesis to twyne Come Atropos with speedy pace to bryng the same to fyne N.O. Which red be dewyng hyr pen with priuie teares she answered thus A.O. to recomfort hir louer agayne THy sudden departure N.O. seemed somewhat strange vnto me and stranger would haue seemed if not thy penne deedes bewrayed had the cause thereof As touching the whiche thou knowest right well N.O. the Hauke whiche seemes to checke at fiste deserueth well the losse of siluer belles but yet as thou seekest so shalte thou finde I thyrste for no mans bloud Your wounde as yet is greene and I no Surgeon am but yet if so you graunt your selfe my pacient for to be if that to heale your griefe my arte may stande in steede behold good will is preste this cure to take in hand I haue not much to say but where your wounde dothe finde his cure in them repose your truste And looke who gaue the sore lette them prouide the salue Thus fare you well from my lodge where I marche in dumpes of musing minde As cause doth serue your lâ—yall shee A. O. What better coulde haue pleased N.O. than this or who could gyue a better salue who could haue giuen a better drinke or Phisicke to the sicke whose languisht lymmes forthwith recouered strength whose woundes and sores forthwith shoke off their paine For findyng a present remedie after the readyng hereof his poore palfreys tooke small reste vntill suche time as he had washed his hands in the liuely drawe of his Ladies countenaunce who gretted hyr in this sorte Al hayle fayre Ladie whom proofe declares most full of grace I see in tyme the brasen walles will starte and waâ—rishe droppes doe pearce the craggie flynte By this you seeme sayde A.O. to condemne my body for brazen walles and my hart insclosed for stony flinte Not so Lady sayde N. O for if it were I would not doubte but that in tyme my sorrowfull sighes and skâ—ldyng tearâ—s would pearce the same Who answered your salte and brynish teares they neede not in this cace for if I haue anoyntâ—d your pâ—laâ—â— wiâ—h hope spitte on your handes and take good holde my braynes ar washed with Crâ—sses iuyce and mine honour forbiddeth my wordes to â—â—ue I thanke thee Lady quoth he for this thy vndeserued curtesie the which my deedes can not repayre much lâ—sse my thankes may wâ—ll requyre Whose constancie and sâ—â—â—â—litie forbiddeth Penelope to be thy mate and warneth me as perâ—orce constrayned therevnto by the wonderful iuyce of the hearbe Nimphes to giue my dayly attendance vpon thee not beyng able to starte from the place where this thy constant body râ—steth I craue no more at thy handes Lady but the fulfilling of thy letter thou gauest me the sort wherefore prouide the salue Who answered shewe me thy wounde and I will shewe my salue But he not able this to doe sayde my wounde is inwardly therfore thy outward eyes can not perceyue it Describe it then quoth she who willing therevnto sayde Dan Cupids dyrefull darte deuided hath my harte in twayne the one halfe consisteth in thee the other doth remayne Why then be holde thy salue quoth she Manus manum fricat cal backe thine owne agayne else take thou half of mine to recompence the same But N. O not so content sayde Isidore affirmeth the liquor or iuyce of malowes beyng tempered with claÌ„my oyle annoynted vpon mans body forbiddeth the sâ—ing of Bees and Dioscâ—â—ides lykewise testifieth that wilde Râ—e beyng applied to any parte of man no Scorpion can sting or wounde him or if it doâ— it can not preuayle whiche oyntment Lady or wilde Rue if it were auayleable or of the lyke force agaynst the sting of Loue yet shoulde not my body once taste thereof By this you seeme sayde shee to agree with Plato who in wryting set downe that the sudden passions and extreeme rage of feruent louers was not only to be imbraced but also to be desired and wished for as the happiest and most blisfull life of al. Who answered I graunt herevnto and sithence Lady Dan Cupid hath inforced me to bestowe halfe my harte vpon thee whereof I do not repenâ—e mee I willing am to bestowe the other halfe vpon thee as a thing moste necessarily dependyng on the former to retayne lyfe within my crased corps Wherfore as you sayde before One good turne requireth an other so say I nowe Render like for like Who not willing to make him suche an absolute answere forsakyng hir texte sayde If thy harte remayne in me howe can thy lyfe retayned â—ee N.O. not beyng to seeke of his answere sayde I die in my selfe and liue in thee for where the harte is entred there the life remayneth but my harte is in thy corps Ergo my life consisteth in thee Who denying his Minor hee answered I meane not really but effectually A O. mistrustyng more than shee needed woulde not seeme to graunt ouer hastily but seekyng the pithe and grounde of euery thyng asked him what if thy friende bestowe an acre of grounde vpon thee not hauing proofe thereof you plowe it deepe you harrow it well and bestowe good sethe thereon and yet not fallyng out accordyng to your expectation it yeeldeth no fruyte to requite your labour much lesse the seede bestowed thereon N.O. perceyuing hir misticall proposition answered thus Lady as Tullâ—â— sayeth Non nobâ—â— solum nati sumus portem potria partem liberi partem amici vendicant wherefore supposing my selfe to be borne rather for the pleasure of thee than to mine owne vse I am content to yeelde my selfe thy man and not mine owne And as touchyng the acre of bareyn grounde whereon thy proposition dependeth be it neuer so meane so simple or of so small a value the good will of the giuer and not the gifte is to be accepted Yet Lady I woulde be lothe if otherwise I mighte choose To spende my seede in vayne as â—xion lunos Secretarie whilom did But not withstandyng Sâ—rs sua â—uique est wherefore my destinie appoynted I am content therewith Me thinketh you bende to muche quoth shee for to intende to good Who answered the sweter the Violet the more he bendes to the grounde But N.O. not so content deâ—â—rous to knitâ—e suche a sure knotte of amitie before they departed as shoulde not be broken without the losse of lyfe preaced on further saying I know deare Dame if it were thy pleasure to shake me of thy comely personage thy courteous harte thy lowly mind thy friendly cheere thy
the verse there F and G imbracing all the Muses sing togither and where a lyne deuideth there the staffe doth ende Thus beginneth their song F Unfolde your courtesie oh amorous dame Ioyne leagues of amity my deare by name G Unlace your loyalty breake vp your loue For so fidelity it doth behoue F I can though I vaunt not G So I though I graunt not May yeelde thy request F Dan Cupid constrayneth G So Venus refrayneth No tyme for to lesâ—e F I ieste not G I weste not F Then it for to trie I vowe this my harte within that doth lie Thine owne vndefiled and euer to be G Soone hoate soone colde I see Soone withered what redresse F This counsell giue I thee Suth like for like professe G My fancie layes liking oh let thy suyte fall Withstand Cupides striking oh giue him a fall F I can not nor will not it pricketh myne harte I dare not I may not withstand that his darte G My fancie denayes thee F But yet sithe I like thee Oh say me not nay G Affection scholeth F No reason it ruleth To say me denay G And what then F Be flatte then G No likyng I haue To wedde gaynst liking your pardon I craue For good will deserueth good will for to haue F Then render loue for loue Els shall I die for woe G We see how pynes the doue But yet he dyes not tho F May nothing purchase grace my ioyes to renewe Shall pitty take no place then pleasure adewe G T is folly I tell thee you lull in your lappe It grieues me beleeue me that such was your happe F My bale then delightes me G Curse Cupid that strucke thee To like for no gayne F That will not suffice me G That loue should so tyce thee The greater thy payne F I finde it G Untwyne it F â— lasse I can not So Vulcanes nettes twyne me that not a denay Can force me to leaue thee though t were my decay G My fancie biddes auaunte You spende your winde in vayne F Though thus you seeme to taunt I hope your harte to gayne G Ouer loued soone lost betroth not your hâ—nde Least you gayne to your cost a willow garland F Alas fancy moues me to change for no newe But still for to loue thee my payne to renewe G And what though you change not F The harder were my lotte Thus farre for to range G Your folly it harmeth F Is wisedome you warneth Yet be not to strange G I graunt it F I vaunt it G Then if you fayne not I vowe vndefiled thine owne for to bee Thy faith it shall bynde me agayne to loue thee F My ioyes are vnfayned And bannish my gryping G My harte thou hast gayned In lieu of thy liking F Then coll me and kisse whiche arte my delight Let flaunta galanta put sorrowes to flight G In hope that Dame pleasure vs neuer will fayle Let flanta galanta stiffe holde vp our sayle F Then hoyste it and vaunt it G Yea vaunt it and graunt it With huff and with hiâ—â— F To spaâ—e I beshrowe thee G To flaunt it beleeue me I sit in my ruff F Then vaunt it G I graunt it F all So this 〈◊〉 well Our 〈◊〉 are squenched with pleasaunt delight Huff huff let vs huff it by day and by night G Let pleasure â—e hoysted New fangles deuised F Yea lette it be ioysted And newe pastyme trysed All With all a flantare then let vs beginne Our goodes haue no ending sing let vs not linne 〈◊〉 FINIS THis pleasaunt and newe deuised song liked them very well for suche was their warbling notes and varietie of tunes that than the hearing of them there could be no greater ioy But Venus aboue all other liked it most of all in so much that she caused Hypparchus whome the Poets fayne to be secretary to the Goddes to wryte it for hir But least I should seeme somewhat tedious vnto you who will not sticke to say behinde my backe that this litle volume of mine smelleth of the oyle and candle as Pythias the Oratour sometime reported of the workes of Demosthenes I will the slightlier passe ouer the commendation of this song to speake of their other pastaâ—nce At the ende of this pleasaunt and delectable harmony the borde was discouered the Goddes began ech one to play their parte For Iupiter touching the heauens with his wande caused them to thunder vainbrishe lightnings Vulcane beyng 〈◊〉 smothered and swarted with the embers and smoke of his forge with a knacke of his office shewyng in liuely forme and manner as with his gestures and motions of his body the continuall tosting toyle of his arte and the order and course they keepe sometimes in pitpatting with their hammers as a shifte of deskant 〈◊〉 mitigate the fame Cupid that fayre and waÌ„ton boy he sittes playing and iestyng shewing many a fonde toye and yet prety deuices in the Goddesses lappes Minerua shee fell harde to hir musicke singing moste sweetely whome Pan with his sudden frayments and tumultes disquieted muche Apollo he shewed there his cunnyng at the Harpe Bacchus he beyng as dronke as an Ape discouered many a vanitie And Mercurie to be briefe what with his thefte and iuggling iuggled so long that some of them dropped vnder the borde with laughing or else to smoother a skape as Pryapâ—oâ— did for feare when he chauÌ„ced to see by night season the sorceries of the two witches Canidia and Sagana but mumme lacke no more of these bâ—gges wordes for forty pound â—â—e will you be a tel-tale and carry tales out of the schoole you shal be no more a Ladies chambermayde Thus I haue briefly shewed vnto you the merry conceytes vsed at that borde Let vs therefore beholde as it were in a glasse the strange and wonderfull sightes which were to be seene in Neptunes roume for I know ech one delighteth in new fangles and toyes First at this borde satte Neptune in his chayre of maiesty accompanied with Eâ—lus the king of windes and Boreas his liefâ— tenaunt the sea Nimphes and all suche as he thought good to be placed at his borde His wayters were Tryton and such like but the sightes were these first the Syrenes appeared in number three Paâ—thenâ—â—e Lygea and Lucasia the daughter of Achelous and Callioâ—e singing as sweetely and making as heauenly a noyse as doth an arbor of Nightingales in a calme winded night Who had hearde them would haue thought a Nightingale had breathed vpon their mouthes being suckyng babes as they did by Stefichoâ—uâ— lying in his cradle They shewed there at the requâ—st of Neptune before the common assemble their habitation to be in a litle Isle beset aboute with Willowes Sallowes in suche order as none might easily see them as they pâ—ssed by it was betwixt â—alâ—e and Cicile where thorow their sweete musicke they allured and perforce constrayned with their sugred bayte all suche as sayled by to come vnto them whome
repent And curse the time that ere you knewe thereby what folly mente Beleeue my wordes are true by proofe thou shalt them finde Adewe at laste I wishe thee well take heede of womenkinde The Authours Poesie Ne femina ne tela non piglia alla candela A Gentleman seing his brother desirous to goe to the seas vvrote these verses following vnwitting to any and layed them in his brothers vvay TRue to see the raging of the seas When nothing may king Eolus wrath appease Boreas blasteâ— asunder rendes our sayles Our tacklings breake our ankers likewise fayles The surging seas they battred haue my shippe And eke mine oares auayle me not a chippe The ropes are slackte the maste standes nothing strong Thus am I toste the surging seas along The waues beate in my barke to ouerflowe The rugged seas my ship will ouerthrowe Yea driuen I am sometimes against a Rocke Sometimes againe a Whale his backe I locke When Neptune thus and Eol falles to stryfe Then stand I most in daunger of my lyfe And when the winde beginneth moste to rage Then out I caste my barke for to asswage Each thing of waight and then if sea at will I chaunce to haue I lesse regard mine ill It shipwrack once I suffer in my life Farewell my goodes farewell my gentle wife Adewe my friendes adewe my children all For nought preuayles though on your helpe I call First goe I to the bottome of the seas And thrice I rise but nothing for mine ease For why at length when last of all I fall My winde doth fayle wherewith I burst my gall My body then so full as it may be With water store then may each man me see All borne alofte amid the fomyng froth And dryuen to lande if Neptune waxeth wrothe But yet if so I cunnyng haue to swimme When first I fall into the water brimme With streakyng armes and eke with playing feete My parte I play the water flouddes to grete And then perchaunce some shippe comes sayling â—ye Whiche saues my life â–ª if me they doe espie Perchaunce likewise I drowne before they come Perchaunce the crampe my feete it maketh numme If so it dothe then sure I am to die In this distresse the sea will ayde denie Wherefore I wishe who well may liue by lande And him forbid the sea to take in hande A Gentleman halfe in dispayre seeketh release MAkyng repayre deare dame to the comely Courte of curiositie where choyse with change of curtesie dothe abounde hoping to finde it a Castle of Comforte dame Beautie beyng Queene contrary to all exspectation beyng frustrate of hope amazed I stoode like a carped knight whose eyes had bene dazed with hir to much contemplation as not of force to gaze vpoÌ„ the Sunne In this traunce of troubles my trembling tongue was partly enioyned to silence but yet extremity forced me to appeale to hir curtesie for grace notwithstanding bootâ—lâ—sse it was to striue against the streame for suspection had accused me vnto this prince and she hir selfe with rash iudgement had halfe condemned me for that Affection had sworne to the same no Lawyerly plea quoth she holdes at the barre vnlesse Affection quitte thee cleare which â—ring with pityfull cheare I got me on my knees holding vp my handes and saying in this sorte I see Mistrust is no mistresse for me in this case wherefore moste gratious prince it extendeth not to equitie that in so wayghtie a matter a periured witnesse should iudge vpon my dome To his peril be it quoth she if he iudge thee not aright Alas quoth I Sâ—minum iuâ— summa iniuria est and if be find me guiltie t is but of loyalty wherfore take pitty and quitte me before of curtesie no faulte is there in me most renowmed for if my hart hath offended and Affection as foreman of the Iurie so finde it yet no death it deserueth but acquitaunce wherefore challenging Affection as by due order of law licenced let curtsie I beseeche thee for indifferency iudge betweene vs both Who climeth so hie quoth she must needs get a fal might not berry browne haue contented dame Pleasure considering the great store of Menowes that flowe in euery lake how say you to this Menowes Lady I answered serue but as baytes for greater fishe the brightnesse of the Sunne daseth the light of the Moone Thus my Dyamon hoping vpon an hauen in doubte I stande of shipwracke lende me therefore thy helping hande for in doubtfull daunger of destiny the redie facultie of a womans witte auayleth moste of all Thus forced to frie in my fustian fumes extremity calleth vpon your present helpe Yours allowed F. G. The description of the loue of a Gentleman and a Gentlevvoman IN the tyme of Lady Ver the sweete and fragrant smell Of each delight it doth a rangyng foote compell For when the Aprill showers descende with westerne windes Each hearbe ech floure and plante doe florish in their kindes Each leafe vpon the tree the grasse vpon the grounde The Hatherne buddes new sprung on earth what may be founde Doth yeelde as pleasant scentes as nature can deuise All things in lusty greene appeares displaying wise And eurye birde that liues then strayneth forth his voyce So that of each delight each man may take his choyce Thus in this merry moneth he tooke delight to vewe Ought that of nature was most pleasaunt in his hewe Yea many a tyme and oft in springs and groues alone Himselfe he would apply as yet where none had gone There in distilling wise she tooke delight to see The chirpyng birdes full ofte from bushe to bushe to flee Whose warbling notes him thought inforced to beleue That nothing vnder Sunne such merry liues did liue In euery bushe againe the Primerose did appeere The Uiolet at hande was prest to be his feere Which cast such fragrant smelles amid this pleasant spring That eury bushe it did a newe delight forth bring But walking all alone in this his whole delight The Primerose as him thought and Uiolet did fight Wherewith as one amazde at large he them behelde Hoping at length to see the one or other yelde But lighting in a vayne which fortune had not tryed Beholde euen neare at hande a damsell he espied Whose beauty was so braue and eke so Christall cleere That nature could not frame the like to be hyr peere Hir peere I neuer sawe for beautie in the face The like was neuer seene such was hir comely grace And where he tooke delight before in fragrant scente Now hir to gaze vpon his minde was wholy bente And as good fortune would he stoode behinde a bushe Where well he might beholde and neede not starte the thrushe For while she tooke delight to vewe this pleasant fielde He did obtayne his will at large he hir behelde And nought she did suspect for here he lay vnknowne Untill such time as loue his kindling coles had blowne Hir rounde and cherry lippes and eke hir skarlet hewe
to paynte the Gose and the gander Whose tongue dothe runne before your witte and shewes fooles boltes sone shotte You would a good Virgillian be if Vir in place were not Sometime if Ouid tooke delight to prayse the hasell Nutte If Virgill vaunting of his Gnat why doe not I forth put My selfe to paynt thy iuggling trickes secluding dalliaunce Who knowes so well thy legerdemaynes with false conueyance You are Meduse that feendlike mare no more a Curtizan You are no more a soaryng Hauke what then a chaste Diane Not so what then the rampyng flie who vauntes on euery dishe Whereon he lightes and sowes his seedes a bayte for those that fishe For with your preuy winkes and noddes yea with your smyling lookes With wanton toyes and sugred wordes whiche are your chiefest hookes With Demi grauntes and weake denayes to those that craue good will. Thou doest prouoke the bashfull youthes a Uirgins rule to spill For sure such is thy change with choyce and eke thy choyce to change That it inforceth many an one his wanton wittes to range Thy beautie as a trumpet is this Larum forth to sounde Tantara tara Tantara whiche when it dothe rebounde Intentine eares of force it is each man for to delight And biddes them sâ—oupe vnto thy lure to put their cares to flight Then Alleluya they crie with downe downe downe downe Terlyterlowe terlyterlowe pype downe downâ— down downe If so the hunte be vp then sounde tathane tathane inough I see it is the houndes doe yelpe bowgh bowgh baugh baugh baugh baugh The game is dead beate off the houndes rate rate hawe hawe dead dead They spoyle the hare t is nothing worthe they mangle all his head You know my minde how beauties pryce contendeth still with lust Affection yet once lette aside layes pleasure in the dust Farewell and thus adewe Sound trumpe Aleluya It th' ende of Taratantara To ioy my pleasant Dallyda So clothed with the Lillie A song of a Louer wherein he shewes his loue tovvarde his Lady THe feathered foule that flies so hye And floting fishe whiche swimmes so lowe When as their tyme they doe espye They take refuge for euery woe Yet I forlorne a dolefull wight Who liues in vayne vpon the earth Doe wishe me set farre from the light And ridde of this my spyring breath For that no refuge can I finde Whiche will abate my raging woe Whiche forceth me to erre from kynde And eke from nature quite to goe It Hobbyes houer in the winde When as they seeke to get a praye Then am I sure of suche lyke kinde Theyr trade in me doth beare suche swaye My Lady fayre whose shape doth shine And glyster in my vading sighte Doth force my harte with woe to pine And biddes my ioyes at noone good nighte Yet houer I full oft in thayre My Ladies but whiche hedgeth in Hoping at length of hir so fayre The longed loue with ease to win I stryde the streetes both long and wyde I stealed sight of hir to haue Escaping neyther tyme nor tyde But still I seeke for that I craue What though hir loue she sayde me nay When as I cravde it at hyr hande Of trothfull troth hope biddes me say That loue hath hedgde me in hir hande I Prouerbe olde I beare in mynde The whiche I hope will be full true The fallyng out of louers kynde Is fayned wrath loue to renewe If so it be I lesse regarde Hir frownyng lookes which fayned are If not what then my lucke is harde And harte from hope is lodged farre FINIS A Gentleman being halfe forsaken by mistrust appealeth to his Lady againe by humilitie LOyalty Lady bindeth me and lingring loue coÌ„maundeth me to salute thee my double deare And sith as the prouerbe goeth Inke and paper blusheth not I thinke it beste rather to vnfolde my meaning vnto thee by some teltale paper hoping thereby to gayne at thy wonted curtesie the yelding vp of the Castle of Comforte which of long time hath bene sacked siegâ—d with force than by treÌ„bling tongue to appeale to Humilitie whose bashfulnesse in pleading my cause at your barre neglecteth to couÌ„teruayle good will. Thus â—â—orow defaulte being made by my foltring tongue in this case wisedome would inioyne me for a season to silence but that loue maketh me bolde in this raignement of Affection without mistrust of thy wonted curtesie to â—olde vp my hande sâ—anding and appealing no lesse to the same for indifferency in â—earyng my cause tâ—an equitie in iudging of the same Hope dothe incourage me to stande without feare not lookyng for a rashe but a well deuised iudgement Lette mee not Lady be frustrate of hope With equity iudge my cause and accordyng to thy discretion define thereof though dotage Lady in some yet in me t is no good plea wherefore lette not my writte abayte my feete with long standing faynteth my hande with long holdyng werieth and mine eye with long lookyng daseth wherefore take pitty on my senses and leane to affection Mistrust were no Mistresse for me whome loyalty casteth in thraldome and distresse were no Master if liberty were free discharge me therefore I beseeche thee of these mistrustfull handes of dissimulation enioynyng me once agayne to thy Arbor of amitie and repose no lesse trust and confidence in me than my loyalty and true meanyng in equall ballaunce were able to way downe Trie therefore and trâ—â—â— me for time trieth truth truth causeth trust trust true loue and friendship and true loue mans desire Call therefore thy wittes and senses to a generall counsell therein to determine of my life or dome Thus as your poore prisoner clogged with chaynes of deepe dispayre but that hope recomforteth I appeale to your curtesie gaping no lesse for equitie than clemency in this case â–ª Your poore prisoner F. G. A newe Married man being stung vvith vvedlocke declareth his minde Cantico more vpon this texte Content your selfe as well as I let reason rule your minde As Cuckâ—ldes come by destinie so Cuckoâ—â—s sing by kinde WHen as Aurora in the morne did buskle vp to ryse And Lucifer that brode day Star did vaunce himself in skies I gan Morpheus to resist and eke his mace to skorne Murcea likewise stept aside and I as one new borne In stretchyng forth my slouthfull limmes amid my naked bedde Began to thinke opprest with care whiche way my life to leade For thryce seuen times the Lady Ver had florisht in hir pryme And thryce seuen times Dan Eâ—tas he appeared in my time No lesse likewise had Autumne he by course me shewed his face With hoary Hyems at his trayne according to his grace Which when I saw how Time did passe and balde he was behind I thought it best my selfe tapply his former bushe to finde And founde thereon to lay fast holde bicause he flittes away For time and tide it tarieth none nor keepeth at a stay Thus musing much with masing mind which way for me wer best At length
harte Why doe yee runne in ragyng wise haue I deserude a parte No no I see t is bootelesse now for me to call or crye For none I see doth rest aliue whose ayde I meane to trye Hir breath alone it doth suffise to ende my lothsome lyfe For why the Coccatryce t is lyke and I deserue no wyfe Sith Fortune quaynte hath graunted so needes must I be content No way there is for to withstande the chaunce she hath me sent Sithe t is my hap my ioyes to cease dame Pleasure now adewe And dolefull dumpes approch at hande my wretched case to rewe FINIS The Louer hearing his Lady to be caste in dumpes vvriteth vnto hir in this order LAdy I heare of thy sadde perplexitie but what shoulde be the cause thereof I know not yet if Hartes ease may heale thee the Dasle delectable delight thee or the pleasant Pinke may please thee beholde here I graunt thee the keye of my garden gather them vse them and weare them at will for euen the chiefest flower therin I afforde it thee willingly to furnishe forth thy garland Leaue off therefore thy mournyng weedes lette me be thy comforte who am thine owne for aye Trie and trust me vse and weare me I am thine owne and wil be while life dothe laste I wante the Rhetoricall termes of Polymneia to polishe forth my writing my harte is true my loue vnfained wherfore beare with my rudenesse for great good will dothe grauell me Inke and paper blusheth not wherefore if my penne were able well might I here vnlace my loyaltie but neyther tongue can tell harte thinke nor penne subscrybe the vnfayned loue whiche I beare vnto thee who onely arte the Castle of my Comforte wherefore I will omitte the shewyng thereof my selfe committiing each surmise vnto thy after witte For bashfulnesse in wryting incountreth with my Muse and facilitie neglecteth to counteruayle good will. In secrete thought therefore thinke of my loyalty perpende well my meaning for constancie it buffeteth a wauering minde more yours thaÌ„ mine owne my tried troth shall binde me Open therefore thy brest and let it shroude twoo faithfull hartes in one Cupid hath coÌ„maunded me to be no changelyng for as I am so will I be O woulde thou couldest perceyue mine inwarde harte or else conceyue my secrete thought But time â—â—eth troth and bringeth all to light the smothering heate at leÌ„gth breakes foorth in flame Oh open thy brest and let me enter for the Sunne shall shine at midnight the Moone and Starres at noone day the Sea shall become the Lande and the lande the Sea yea the Heauen shall become the Earth and the Earth Heauen before suche tyme as I forsake thee Thus printing my woordes in thine harte and rolling ful oft the sense thereof in thy minde I leaue thee to iudge thereof according vnto thy discretion Your vowed friende F. G. I. G. biddeth his friende A. T. good morrovve AVe madama good morrow if it please Bone iour ma mestresse did you lie at ease Dieu vou done bone iour will nothing make you speake What rest haue you taken your minde to me breake What nothing but mum an Almon for parrot Speake Parrot I pray thee may nothing be got Your pillow misliketh else care hath forbid Your eyes to be sleepyng while pleasure is hid Else saith Mâ—rcea the sleepe is in thine eyes Disdayne else forbiddeth through vanities cryes To bid me good morrowe if harte will not breake Then say but Aueto I like when you speake Comporte vou maddam in French you doe excell Bien sire gramercy this likes me very well Ie suu bien aâ—se pâ—ur vou voye in bone sante I am glad to see that your breath is not fainte And sith that you speake now for my god morrowe Ie vou prie de bon ceur take this that I owe A verse tis or twayne wherewith I meane to greete Your mornings firste flight as loue hath thought it meete Perliez bien ou perliez rien you know my minde Nothing will I speake whiche shall not seeme full kinde As hoarie Hyems froste keepes backe with pining payne Eache braue delight till Ver doth shewe hir face agayne Thy goyng so to bedde doth put my ioyes to flight Till mornyng doth appeare wherefore I hate goodnight For as the fallyng sap whiche creepes into the earth Disgrace the trees vntill returne of Ver hir bearth As naked seemes the trees whiche gallant were of hew So naked seemes the house when layde thou arte in mew Thy bedde is lyke thy graue the earth presents the sheetes The fricking fleas are like the wormes dead corpse which greetes But when the liuely sap creepes vp in blowing thorne And each delight doth seeme to laugh the frost to scorne As Ver most freshe of hue sendes forth hir newe delightes With iust returne and greetes vs all with pleasant sightes So doth Aurora seeme his giftes for to besâ—owe Although to Lady Ver he be a gâ—â—e belowe For as the spring delights each thing vpon the earth Whiche moueth them to wishe and call vpon hir bearth So doth the morne me thinkes vnclose and eke vnbinde Each thing whiche in the night are closed in their kynde And nothing greeues me more than when the night drawes on For then I know full well we sunder most anone And then in vayne I wishe the morne for aye remayne That then my pleasure loste I might enioy agayne For in the morne me thinkes I see the sap creepes vp Whiche to my will dothe seeke with ioyes to fill my cup. As great is my delight to vewe thy comely face As is the birdes to see the Lady Ver in place And eury morne by course doth shewe me thee agayne Whereas the night before vs parted hath in twayne The brydegrome in his course doth take no more delight Than I doe dayly take of thee to haue a sight Aue I say therefore I ioy to see thy face Aueto to reply this poynt I aske of grace For whyle my life doth last with thee my darte shall rest And for thy sake I will all other choyce detest For sure it is in time the brasen walles will starte And eke the water flouddes the craggy rockes will parte In time the watrishe droppes we see doth perce the stone Wherefore I hope to finde as yet where loue is none This salutation print it within thy brest And as deserte deserues therein so let it rest As tyme it trieth troth so then repose thy trust I craue good will for aye and not to serue my lust His good night to the same A. T. I Brone in griefe my towre of truste to set Morpheus mace For needes it will deuide vs bothe though for a litle space Yet can it not so litle be though for an howre or twayne But sure me thinkes it is a yeare asunder to remayne For goyng to thy naked bedde thou goest to thy graue And euery thing resembleth right the course