difference of our degrees Her great wealth and my want Her plentie and my pouertie In these words which were mingled with an infinit number of passions he could finde no reason at all for him to recouer any rest The poore Lady on the other side that fryed in the same fire withdrew her selfe into her chamber and framing her countenance as she could very well by fayning her selfe sicke she found the meanes to â—e alone to the ende she might the better bewaile her case without being perceiued of any wherefore prouoked by the heate of her new loue which tooke from her all Maydenly modestie she sayd to her selfe Alas is it meete this cruell tirant should so hardly intreate me to make me wil that I may not when I may not as I would Ah ah Barisor well may I count my selfe vnhappy that euer I saw thee seeing that sight hath ingendred this loue which at the beginning seemeth so harde and grieuous vnto me and will I feare me in the end be a cause of greater euill and peraduenture the vtter ruine of vs both My only desire is to enioy thee that art my only comfort But alas I see no way how to bring it to passe without greatly offending my parents and mine owne honor and therfore should death be more delightfull vnto me then stil to indure this extreame torment that my miserable life maketh me so long to endure These poore passionate louers so long maintained their inward affection by outward lookes and secrete fauoures that the poore Gentleman vnhable to indure his consuming griefes presuming vpon the courtesie of his mistres whom by al euident tokeÌ„s he perceiued to burne in the same fire that he did séeing her one day all alone at a window very sad and pensiue pricked forward by an amorous desire he found the meanes to enter into her chaÌ„ber vnseene of any saue only of a trustie maide that attended vpon her and fayning to bring her newes from some frend of hers as one that was coÌ„uersant among the best he did most humbly and gratiously salute her and then began with a trembling voice to vtter these wordes Madame though I know the greatnes of your beautie and the place ye holde to be such as should moue any man of my degrée to be wel aduised what he wil say before he presume to speake vnto you least by his vnaduised proceeding he doe abridge some part of that honour which is rightly due vnto you wherof I alwayes had and euer wil haue as great care and regard as any the most affectionate seruant that may possibly present himselfe before the eyes of so worthy a Lady Notwithstanding confessing the cruel torment that grieuouslie afflicteth euery parte of me for feare least I should obtaine no place in her honorable seruice whom I desire to obay and please in all thinges which would not haue suffered my life to continue till this time had it not been conserued by the hope I had to be so imployed to the death dispayring of al succour I haue now taken this presumption vpon me humbly beseeching your accustomed bountie to accept this excuse of your pore slaue that desireth no longer to liue then his life shal be acceptable vnto you and bearing with my indiscretion to impute the fault to your excellent beautie that hath entangled me and so restrayned my libertie that finding my self so wonderfully surprised I am said he the teares standing in his eyes wholy tyed to your answere whereby I attend the last and finall sentence of my life or death The young Lady litle acquainted with such amorous discourses as it is the nature of such tender youth to be somewhat shamefast at first cast down her eyes to the grouÌ„d but anone after ouercome with these sweet words and vnable to resist the feruency of this strange passion at this first incounter putting all shame vnder foote she loked vp againe beholding him with a sweete and louely countenance for whom she dyed a thousand times a day and then casting forth a deep sigh aunswered him with a trembling voice after this maner Senior Barisor I must needes confesse that at the first encounter my forces fayled me the honor I ought to my reputation being greatly attainted by the like mishap wherof vnawares I my selfe am the cause at euery word I would speake my hart panted and was gréeuously perplexed my mind likewise and al the other parts of my body were so weakened that I had in a maner no vse of them at al which now enforceth me hauing hetherto forgotten my selfe to let thée vnderstand that the very first time I was surprysed with thy honest behauiour I felt in my selfe such extreame anguish that me thought it pulled my hart out of the accustomed place to ioyne and vnite it with thine and since that time thy vertues and the knowledge I had of thy feruent affection the force and assurance whereof is now discouered hath been so liuely imprinted in my mind that through dispaire and extreme passion I thought a thousand times that my soule would haue departed from my bodie supposing all my life long to keepe secrete this amorous flame which whilest I had sought too much to suppresse increasing more and more would in the end haue quite consumed me But since vpon so iust occasion I see my good present without dissimulation vnable to denie that which ye know as well as my selfe I humbly beséech you seeing I haue so much forgotten my selfe as to put my honoure into your handes to be circumspecte in your dealing and forecast the daungerous mishaps and inconueniences that may ensue if our loue come to light considering the greatnes of my house and how many noble personages there are that wil séeke to hinder the fauour that I desire to beare vnto you which I shal not be able so wel to dissemble but that at one time or other it will be perceiued Loue now that had déepely wounded these two Louers at the heart desirous to make them know his full power and puisance when he had quite berefte their libertie so planted his ensigne in their entrailes that from the poore Lady Flora he tooke all habilitie to resist and gaue to Senior Barisor a rash desire to enterprice that which after coste him his life for geuinge bridle to his vnruly affections with a long and gracious kis confirmed his vnfayned amitie and rauished with exceeding ioy through the continuall pleasure he conceiued in her many courtesies finding him selfe alone at libertie he made request of that which most contented his libidinous desire so long contynued his haunt that at last the bruit of suspicion did not only offend the eares of all the gentlemen of the court but also of her Parents who determined to vse some rigorous correction to remoue her far from him by whose meanes she had gotten this il report and lost her good name which when she perceyued she determined rather to make
〈◊〉 farewell vnto you both twixt hope and feare farewell all foolish strife Follie farewell which I haue fancyed so and farewell fancie that first wroughtst my woe Adue desire for death is harde at hande and yet againe I say adue to death Though loathed life doe in deathes daunger stande yet faith assures when bodie loseth breath The soule in heauen shall liue and fare right wel which makes me crie come death and life farewel Both frendes and foes vnto you all farewell farewell my frendes for frendshippe I haue found Farewell my foes that truth in time may tell when that â—y bones be buryed in the ground That with the worlde I die in charitie and so adue the bell hath done I die And yet once more to death agayne adue for dying thus me thinkes I liue againe My certayne hope showes ioyes that do ensue and hart findes ease of former pinching payne Which makes me thus by certayne prouse to tell faithe feares no death I dying liue farewell Counsaile geuen to a frend WHen gallant youthe hath gone a while at will and folowed that which fancie doth affecte And sées in tyme by proufe of sacred skill What wisdome would that reason should respect He then returnes from former vanytie and treades the pathe to true felicitie When witte doth waye the wanton toyes of will and will doth yéelde to folow wittes aduice And willing witte doth learne by wisdomes skil of perfecte good to knowe the passing price Then worldly toyes are all had in despight and Heauenly ioyes are all the hartes delight When fancie leaues to follow fonde desire and wisdome doth dame fortunes force defie And nature doth but reasones will require and conscience will conceale no trecherie Then if my mynde do not mistake his markes the skye will fall and we shall want no larkes The secrete sute of a louer NOt what I woulde yet would I what I wright not what I meane yet meane I what I saye Not what I mought yet would I what I might not what I can yet will I what I may My spéeche is darke but you perceyue much light then marke my wordes and gesse my meaning right For this you know my tonge so fast is tyde as for my lyfe I cannot yet speake playne Yet do I seeke to haue my mynde descride therby to speake some libertie to gayne For if my tonge might tell my tale in kynde my harte would hope to haue some ease of mynde But oh harde happe my hope his helpe denyes and hope halfe past dispaire doth drowne my mynde Yet reason showes that thou in deede art wise and ruth reportes that I shall fauour find Which makes me thus in midst of my distresse in secrete sorte to sue for some redresse Of sweet contentes WHat aâ—le I wretch or whereto was I borne what meanes my mynd my fancie so to set The greatest iemmes I seme to haue in scorne and daylie séeke the thinge I cannot get The reason is I seeke a thinge to craue which will would wishe but hope can neuer haue What is it welth no many rich I see as many seeke but few or none can haue Bewtie oh no faire ladies many be and t is I saye no common thinge I craue What is it loue tushe loue is but a toye yet faithfull loue is sure a heauenly ioy And therefore Loue I cannot choose but léeke but lyking lookes and lacke breedes discontent And they shal finde that doe such sorrowe seeke that lothed lacke doth luckles loue lamente What is it then whereof I am so faine oh t is contente I seeke but cannot gaine Oh sweete contente what one doth thée enioy who liues contente alas I least of all Content doth breede delight without annoy contente mislykes no fortune that can fall Contente is that which few or none can finde yet must I seeke to set at rest my minde One that had made his full choise MY foolish dayes and wanton lustes be past in vayne you seeke 〈◊〉 me againe Let be your toyes my thoughts are fixed fast Citheria should her selfe but lose her paine Remember not to me wonted delight each sweete so past is now but bitter gall Darcknes I 〈◊〉 that earst I counted light my reason is redéemde from fancies thrall Applie your selues to set some other snare perhaps ye may speede better if ye doe Such woodcockes many in the worlde there are that will be caught I am no pray for you One hath me fast already hers am I Ne will I be anothers till I die A Countrey Carrolle translated out of Belaye A Crowne for Ceres wil I make of euerie kinde of corne With garlandes made of faiâ—e 〈◊〉 boughes I Bacchus will adorne Two pottes of milke to Pales laste I purpose to present That they may heare my humble suite and to my will aâ—ente That Ceres may enforce the ground a plenteous croppe to yeald That Bacchus may the clustred grapes well prosper in the field That Pales so her mantle spread vpon the pleasaunt soyle That grasse and holesome hâ—rbes may grow to quite my painfull toyle The same in another sorte WIth fragrante flowers with eares of corne with leaues that largely grow On euery vine lets garlands make our thankefull mindes to show To Pales Ceres sacred dames and Bacchus last of all Who all our meddowes fields and grounds when we for grace did call With grasse with graine and grapes so filde as they did déeme it best We fearde no heate no hayle no colde for they our labour blest From all that might the grasse the eare or tender braunche offende The cattle birdes or greedie goate that from the hilles descend In summer season in the springe or Authume did not spoile The grasse the eare the sprouting budde but fedde on others soile Let mowiers then make merry now let Reapers all reioyce Let vintners vaunte of their good happe and all exalte their voice To praise the meddowes fieldes and ground that gaue so greate increase And laude their name that wrought this worke els will their goodnes cease Barnes garners sellers so are heapte with hay with corne and wine That neuer earst the like was seeâ—e with any mortall eyine An Epigram out of the same Author THough false Aeneas now be dead Dido laid in graue yet others lefte they in their stead that like coÌ„ditioÌ„s haue Who with the show of marriage rites which is a holy thing do hide their fleshly fonde delights that follie forth doth bring Verses translated out of the foresaide Poet. WIth loue with grace and perfect worthines the powers diuine were compassed rounde about The skie was clad and cloathd in comely sorte with burning rayes of happye heauenly hew All thinges were full of beutie and of blisse the sea was calme the winde was meeke and milde VVhen here below the Paragon was borne whose faire white skinne exceedes the Lillie farre Whose haire like golde doth glister in the sunne whose lippes doe staine the perfecte crimson die
séemed so straunge and so greatly amazed him that he stoode in doubt a great while whether he saw her in deede or else dreamed that he saw her but when he came to himselfe againe and knew for certaine that it was she he said vnto her Alas my deare art thou yet aliue it is long since that I hard report that thou was lost neither could it be knowen whether thou weÌ„test or what was become of thée This said weping bitterly he imbraced and kissed her a thousand times together Then did Constance tell him of all her aduentures and how courteously the good Lady had delt with her from time to time after which and diuers other talke that they had together he departed from thence and going to the King his Maister aduertised him of all that had happened to him and his frend Constance crauing leaue of him to marry her according to his countrie maner The King greatly marueling at the matter sent for Constance who confirming all that Martuccio had reported he said vnto her Now truly faire vigin thou art worthy to haue him to thy husbande for whom thou hast taken such paines and passed so many perils wherefore bestowing many large gifts vpon them he gaue them leaue to do whatsoeuer they thought good Then Martuccio very liberally rewarding the Lady for the great beneuolence that she had vsed towardes Constance in her aduersity with the Kings licence tooke leaue of all his frends in that country with Constance and Chereprise tooke shippe and returned very rich to Lippare where they were so chearefully receaued of all their frendes who neuer thought to haue seene them againe that it is not possible to declare the excéeding ioy that this seconde méeting did bring to euery one of them To conclude Martuccio and Constance to their great comfort and contentment beinge solemnelye married euer after duringe the tearme of their life enioyed their loue together as they ought without any impediment or let to their deserued pleasure The complaint of one in misery THe day séemes long to them that dwel in dole and short the time to such as liue in ioy The sickmans griefe ful litle knowes the hole so much delight doth differ from annoy That th one doth cause in man desire to die thother stil to liue continually What man would wish to liue that liues in woe and in delight who would desire to die Since that by death an end of grief doth grow and death of ioyes depriues vs vtterly Of worldly ioyes for only so I meane of which we see death doth depriue vs cleane Wherby not all olde prouerbes true I finde for old said sawes do say that life is swéete But death is more desierd of noble minde then life to leade for liuing farre vnmeete Which loathed life doth make me thus to crie I liue too long come death and let me die A Louer fancied but not fauoured of Fortune MY mourning minde doth craue some sweet delite and fancie fame would lend me some I see But fortune frownes and sendes me foule despite and care doth kepe all comfort quite from me Such passions strange doe stil perplex my mind as I despaire of any ease to find But let me sée I must not yet despaire Dame fortunes wheele may happen â—ourne againe When stormes are past the weather may be faire and pleasure comes vnlookt for after paine Things at the worst the prouerbe saith will mend why should not then my sorrowes haue an end But old said Sawes are not yet scripture all for thinges at worst are past all mendinge quite To pininge hartes all pleasure semeth small what mirthe can doo the pyâ—ing harte delight When fates do frowne and fortune is our foe â—ought can be thought to rid the mynd of woe The nature of the Larke described THe little Larke that in the ground is hatcht and there bredde vp till fethers make her flye No sooner she a flight or two hath catcht but vp she mountes vnto the lofty skye Where if she sée Sonne shine and weather fayre how then for ioy she twittles in the ayre But if she sée the winde beginne to blow it poure downe raine and tempestes do arise Within a bush she kéepes her selfe full lowe where prety wretch close to the ground she lyes Vntill such time as all the stormes be past and then againe she geuâ—th her vp in hast Which plainely shewes the nature in the Larke is still to séeke to mount to loftie skie And though perhaps you now and then may marke a kistrell kite to make a flight so hye Yet all things waide if eache thinge haue his right a larke will far be likde aboue a kite The hawty mynde how it disposeth it selfe WHat hill so hye but litle emmets clyme what pretious perle but pore by trauel gaine What thinge so hard but is atchiud in tyme what pleasure such but may be got with payne What doubte so great but hope may men assure see more what heauen but prayer may procure The heauie Asse both kepe the valley still the clownishe coultes do loue the Country best When hawtie hartes do clime the highest hill and gallant mindes do séeke in courte to rest The cowarde dreades and in dispairs doth dye when boldest bloodes by hope do clime full hye Then let my harte goe clime the hyest hill and leaue the valley for the countrie Asse My mynd in courte shall séeke by trauell still to finde a pearle which farre all pearles doth passe My hope shall rest vpon a princely minde by helpe of God some heauenly grace to finde Loathing his life he wisheth for death WHat greater gréefe then tormentes of the hart which dayly grow by troubles of the minde And what such ioy as sodaine ease of smart which long time sought full hard hath bene to finde What heauen on earth with lucky loue to dwell then luckâ—les loue againe what greater hell But how fares he that féeleth no delight what world is that where nothing is but woe What woe to that which worketh such despight as makes a man no kinde of comfort knowe What life leades he that dayly cries to die far worse then death loe such a life lead I Then let me thus conclude my tale in briefe I am the man that only may lament A lothsome life that finde no ease of griefe nor hopes for help vntil my dayes be spent And sadly so I end my solemne song Come come good death I dying liue too long Hanging betweene hope and despaire he calleth for helpe TWixt chearefull hope and comfortles despaire straungely perplext ful sore amasde I stand Hope seemes to shew the weather wil be faire and darke despaire sayes tempestes are at hand Venture says hope despaire doth bid me slack hope prickes me on despaire doth pull me back Haue wel says hope despaire doth bid me doubt trust me says hope despaire says hope is vaine Shrinke not says hope despaire cries not to stout labour says hope
despaire doth shew no gaine Good hap says hope despaire cries contrarie hope bids me liue despaire would haue me die Thus twixt those two at point of death I liue in hope of good yet fearing froward chaunce In you it lyes a happy hap to geue to bring me out of this despairing traunce Oh help me then that thus on knees doe crie Assure my hope or in despaire I die The Louer craueth rewarde for his long and faythfull seruice OH Loue to whome I long haue bene a slaue consider wel how truely I haue serud And blame not him who is compeld to craue the due reward that he hath wel deserud Let trustie troth be euer yet regarded that faithful seruants may be wel rewarded Thou knowest how long that I haue liued a thrall thou knowest againe my true and faithful minde And thou canst tel how landes limme life and all by faith full fast I once did firmely finde To serue a Saint all this thou loue doest know and how my faith I neuer did forgoe And since thou knowest I neuer reapt reward nor euer sought til now reward to craue Sweete loue let now my humble suite be heard and pittie take vpon thy silly slaue And cause the Saint whom I so long haue serud to lend me liking as I haue deserud Oh amour WHat thing is loue a God as Poets wright why Poets faine then how can that be true What is it then some worldly sweete delight oh then their loue why should so many rue It is a griefe then why are men so vaine to ioy in that which doth procure their paine But such a pain as pleasure bringes withal and such a griefe as yealds a heauenly ioy Doth make the heart to think the hurt but smal when fancie rids the minde of selfe annoy And such is sure the panges that louers proue that wretched wights can ioy so much in loue But peace I sée loue is a God in deede who diuers wayes doth worke in minde of man Whose mighty power mans reason doth exceede by working woe or comfort now and than But is it so is loue a power diuine then God of Gods spéede well this loue of mine Nought dare I do therfore oh God of loue I thée beséeche to worke for thy behooue Of a hauty minde THe conquest rare doth greatest glory gaine the strongest fortes by stoutest wightes are won The hardest thinges atchiude with greatest payne do bréede most ease when so the worke is done Well labors he how so his time be spent that for his paines doth reape his hartes content God knowes my hart and what I do desire but what I seeke doth few or no man know The nobler harte the higher doth aspier and for my selfe I cannot stoupe to lowe But if I séeke to clyme a steppe to hye God saue the childe for if I fall I dye In high attemptes the boldest bloudes of all do best preuaile when perill once is past Then lyue or dye or stand or slyde or fall clyme sure I will God set my footing fast And helpe me so to height of my desire that I may wishe saue heauen to clyme no hyer After many misfortunes he craueth death as the ender of all calamities I Longe in iest haue wishd and calde for death when foolishe toyes haue gone agaynst my mynde But dying now at latest gaspe of breath I call to God that I may fauoure find That sinne bréede not my soules eternall paine that dyinge here I may not dye agayne For now I sée the woes of wretched will and now I finde the filthie shame of sinne And now by grace I knowe the good from ill I lothe the state that I haue liued in I see the lyfe of man is but a floure which springes growes fades and dyeth in an houre What are we all but euen a clod of claye first made of earth whence back agayne we must A life vnsure which lasteth not a daye A death most sure to which each one may trust And yet that death yeldes lyfe by heauenly grace which grace God graunt ech one in wretched case And for my selfe God me my sinnes forgiue and God forgeue each one that is amisse Oure sinnes forgeue God graunt oure soules may lyue From wretched worlde with him in heauenly blisse And thus I end my solemne dyinge songe Lord saue my soule I dyinge lyue too longe He proueth vertue to be better then worldly riches THe golde that first within the ground doth growe doth come to stand on top of pillers hye The pretious Pearle that likewise lyes full low the Prince accountes a iewell for his eye What iemme so rare that euer yet was founde but that at first did growe out of the grounde Then when you see your pallace trimly deckt straight cal to minde from whence that decking came And to the ground haue presently respect who by Gods help did first bring forth the same And thinke the iemme that makes the brauest show ful rough at first within the ground did grow The man whose minde is ful and wholy bent to vertues throne to treade the redy way And meetes mishap ere halfe his iorney spent to lothsome vice to leade him out astray Where is the fault but in a froward wil who goes without the guide of wisdomes skill But what if wit be rulde by sage aduise and then doe chaunce to meete with naked neede It bootes alas but litle to be wise if wealth do want to help to doe the déede Yet wealthy wise who walkes to vertues schoole when he comes there shal see himselfe a foole How should the minde then séeke out vertues throne or els what minde is best to seeke the same The seate is straunge and standeth all alone and vertue she is thought a heauenly dame Which makes me thinke it is some heauenly place which heauenly minde must game by heauenly grace Which heauenly guide God graunt my willing minde with wisdomes skil to seeke out vertues schoole That though wealth want yet wit may wisely finde how long too long that I haue liued a foole And I may see from vertues heauenly way what wanton toyes haue led my minde astray The louer being ouercome is compelled of necessitie â—o sing of sorrow FAine would I write some pretie pleasaunt toy to put away fond fancies out of mind But secret spite so chokes me with annoy as wearied wits can litle pleasure find So that I sée if ought at all I write my song must be of sorrow and despite And sorrowes song who would desire to sing that dolefull dumpe doth lend but small delite And yet the mind which wretched woes do wring can sing no song but smackes of some despite For if of myrth it doth the more disease and solemne songs do litle paine appease Then sadde and swéete since that no song I see which may delite of cheare the heauy hart I can but â—igh let others sing for me no musicke mirth can ease my secret smart
few that heare and my poore hart God knowes as litle cheare Then since you sée my hart so ill at ease leaue of to craue a Christmas song of me My dolefull dumpe were liker to displease each one I feare then please but one of ye But if some one would sit him downe and crie with sorrowes sobs so but for shame would I. The louer wearied craueth ease THough wearyed long yet home I come at last and down I sit in sorrowes sory seat Darke dole drawes on delightful day is past and fancy faire must be my chiefest meate I broake my faste with dishes of despight and now must suppe with sorrowes soppes at night In coldest frostes my fire is furies flame in whoatest heate my cooling carde is care My pleasure paine which fates and fortune frame my musicke moane to thinke how hard I fare My compame a trayne of treacherie my loathed lodge a den of miserie In such a house what wretch would lay his head from faithles friendes who would not seeke to flie Who pines in paine were tenne times better dead such life leade I which makes me thus to crie Ah woful wretch whose hart so sore accurst with swelling sobbes is hourely like to burst The arraignement of a Louer THe wretched wight that weares away in woe who drawes his dayes in dumps of dire despight Whom care consumes but doth no comfort know who dying liues deuoyde of all delight Let him with me come sing this sorrowes song the loathed life alas doth last too long In prime of yeares first grew my deadly greefe and as my yeares my corzies doe increase Rigor retaines the meanes of my releefe and spight stil sweares my sorrowes shal not cease Enuie so workes with sleights of false suspect that witles rage doth reason quite reiect Pride lookes alofte and pittie shrinkes aside and dare not speake hate is so hard at hand Disdaine desart hath due reward denide and will wil let no case be rightly scand Loe thus I liue in daunger of distresse and right it selfe can get me no redresse The cause at first of al this care was loue who clapt me close in fancies fetters fast And so inforcd a captiues life to proue in prison pent my prime of yeares are past And yet can make no meanes to set me frée till death him selfe doe make an end of me At beauties barre I twise haue beene arrained and crafte hath there beene my accursed still Foule hate was harde and reason was restraind and wicked wrong had leaue to say his will A forged tale of false suspect was troth and troth it selfe was thought a trifling othe In iudgement seate by beautie sate disdaine before her lappe sate Cupid God of loue Selfe will sate next and treason with his traine was witnes cald my foule offence to proue My cause the Quest was panneld there to trie who me coÌ„demnd God knowes without cause why But beautie yet her iudgement would not geue for why quoth she the man may yet amend His yeares are young and he in time may liue to doe them good that him doe fauour lend Yea quoth disdaine dame beautie wil ye so tush let him trudge quoth Courtesie not so Quoth Pride alas it is a â—illy slaue what should he doe t were good for him to die Quoth Pittie then let poore soules fauour haue at least extremitie prooues open iniurie Quoth Crueltie t were ill that he should liue quoth Reason then I wil the man repriue Being ouerwearyed with misfortunes he craueth death MY wearie wit quite ouerworâ—e with woe my dulled braine bewitcht with wretched wil By certaine signes doe dayly seeme to show that care in fine my sillie corps wil kill Though hope a while my loathed life prolong sorrow at last will singe the Signets song For though sometime I doe dissemble dole and Swanlike singe a song of swéete delight Yet God he knowes my heart is farre from hole which pining pants with pangs of bitter spight The cause I singe is hope that death is me the song I sing is death come let me die This deadly songe in dole is my delight and mournful mirth to cheare a carefull minde Yet such sad sporte sometimes in déepest spight is all the ioy that fortune lets me finde Yet thus content with patience perforce I singe I die come beare away my corse The Louers tongue tyed for being ouer 〈◊〉 I May not speake yet speake I must perforce what booâ—es to speake you wil not vnderstand I must confesse in deede my voice is hoarce yet if my wordes were wel and wisely skand Then would you say the man whose tongue is tied must haue his minde by misteries discried So for my selfe since I haue silence sworne til I haue leaue at large to say my minde Plaine speach alas must be of force forborne vntil to speake I doe 〈◊〉 â—auour finde But had I leaue to speake without offence then would I say she lyes not long way hence This is one meane wherby to know my minde the second is I rue her carefull case The third swéete soule she is of nature kinde the fourth she is of fauoure like your face The fifte she is a faire and courteous dame the sixte and last she beares our Ladies name She is besides the onely Saint I serue she is the sweete whome I doe most esteeme She is the dame whom I doe most deserue yea it is she whome I most deare doe deeme And thus I end I say no more but this I cannot speake iudge what my meaning is Another I May not speake yet silence workes my woe my speach I haue and yet I cannot speake My tyed tongue doth tumble too and fro my wil would faine but wits are all too weake My hart doth heaue my tongue to tell my minde yet to my speache a sodaine stop I finde Yet had I leaue to say but what I would then would I 〈…〉 wits vnto my will My tyed tongue should tel you as it could the thing that yet I must keepe silent still My hart would breake but it by signes should show that which by speach I may not let you know Then speake 〈◊〉 first and so my speach release craue what I may my words shal graunt your will Speake you heare me but if you holde your peace my tyed tongue must needes be silent still And thus I ende my harte is like to breake with griefe remitte your will to let me speake Say you but this my wordes shal like your will and you shal heare the 〈◊〉 of my hart And if my wittes doe wante such cunning skill as wel may painte my panges in euery parte Yet by my wordes gesse thou my inwarde grieâ—e and by thy will graunt me some sweete relieâ—e He craueth by vertue and not by subtiltie to come to good fortune WHat meanes this world is nothing left but woe are wordes but winde is faith the courtâ—â—y fled Can flatterie séeke to créepe in credite so is
And you by hap haue surely hit the marke that how to finde may maze a cunning Clarke But who could keepe the key of such a chest or had a head might ioyne with such a witte Or could discerne where his desire doth rest as harte doth wish with happy hande to hit His happe were such as I can neuer craue but wish of God my haples harte might haue So pretty soule a solemne vowe I sweare I would not seeke for iemmes of greater ioy Nor should mine eye be trouling here and there to make a marke of any tysing toy But where I once my leauel lay of loue my hande shal holde and harte shal neuer moue The Louer forsaken and almost dismaide yet through hope taketh comforte FLy fancie flie and let me loue no more what meanes my wil or are my wits bestraught Die swéete desire molest me not so sore but seeke to saue that thou in vayne hast sought For sorrowe shewes the woe of wretched will and force affirmes but frowarde fortune still Where least I like my loue hath lent me losse where most I loue my liking findeth lack What bootes my barke in waues of woe to tosse when sorrowes sandes doe threaten sore shipwrack Such stormes of strife so rife in euery coast as but great happe shew life and laboure lost Yet cowarde wretch wilt thou goe back agayne and keepe thy couch and leaue to seeke delight Make sure accounte no pleasure without payne the sweetest ioyes are gainde through sore despight Then get thee forth in hope goe hoyse vp sayle the winde may tourne and worke for thine auayle Let hardie hope daunte feareful fonde despaire prepare thy selfe to leade a souldiars life Through thicke and thinne by weather foule or faire passe through the pikes and dread no deadly strife And though long first yet when the worst is past the best wil yealde some wished ioyes at last Another I Shrinke to speake since yet I haue no leaue and yet my harte so heaues my tongue to speake As that in deede I plainly doe perceaue with force of fame my very hart stringes breake Which force must be with fauoure ouerprest or els my hart wil neuer sitte at rest Forgeue me wretch if that my wordes offende fancie hath forcde my sillie minde to sue Some lyking let good nature to me sende my minde hath sworne our Ladie seruice due Then if thou lou'st our Ladie or her name regarde my suite graunt fauoure to the same Which fauoure loe I onely craue is this to graunt me leaue to say but what I could Say but my wordes thou wilt not like amisse and thou shalt heare my meaning what I would But til that time as I haue sayd before I must be dumbe and die in dole therefore The louer in sorrow craueth death HOw might I doe to weepe and wayle my fil that dolefull dumpes might soone dispatch my dayes Since sorrowe seekes my carkas so to kill oh doleful doome that so my death delayes I see selfewil hath wrought me such distresse as reason shewes no hope to finde redresse Yet die I must I feele deathes deadly stroake my carkase eke is nie consumde with care Why liue I then since that my hart is broke but liuing thus like one halfe dead I fare Which makes me thus at pointe of death to crie strike home thy darte good death and let me die Patience prolonges the patient in paine comforte relieues but rids not sorrow quight Hope lingers forth a loathed life in vaine fortune is false and frendes no wretched wight The fates doe groane dole is my destinie why liue I then good death come let me die Harde to finde a faithful frende HE seekes vnsure that seekes to finde a friend for faith is fled and frendes are secrete foes A shew of trothe tryes treason in the ende and many pluck a canker for a rose This wretched world is ful of wicked wiles when simple geese the subtile foxe beguiles For stinging snakes lie hid in smoothest grasse and softest streame doth shew the deepest floud No closer craft then in the glosing glasse which flatters much and shewes no perfect good I finde in deede no greater subtiltie then couered is with smoothe simplicitie Then deeme I best eche where to doubt the worst to make account of eche thing by desarte Or ere I choose to make true tryall first by tryall then for to esteeme in harte Thus thinke I best such trusty frends to finde as may content ech faithful meaning minde He craueth content being ouerworne with Loue. OH Loue leaue of to vexe thy silly slaue to bide the broyle some fresher souldyer seeke Thus worne with woes some comforte let me ahue that so thou mayst my seruice better leeke For if that care doe quite my carkasse kill how should I liue to doe thee seruice still Beholde my face my flesh is falne away see how mine eyes sinke hollow in my head My dumpes declares how my delights decay deeme if I seeme more like aliue or dead Let lyking loue some comforte me procure least loathed life no longer doe endure Oh heare me Loue and lende me helpe in hast the time is come that I must liue or die Stay not too long least all too late at last in vayne alas thou lende me remedie I humblie craue my humble suite regarde graunt my desire may haue his due rewarde De contemptu mundi IN depe despite of this vile world I write what is it but a vale of miserie A caue of care a dongeon of despite a place of payne a penne of penurie A sea of sorrowes and a goulph of griefe where wretched hartes doe die without reliefe The wise man wrytes it is a poysoned baight which doth with toyes the godly minde infecte A wanton theese which cloasly lyes in waight to robbe the minde of euery good effecte It is a grounde where onely griefes doe groe and to conclude a wildernes of woe Now why my selfe so ill thereof should deeme some men may muse that see my youthfull yeares Oh softe a while though young of yeares I séeme my youth hath past through many aged bryers But now that I am yet beyonde the bushes I doe not care for all the worlde two rushes Saue that my Prince I honour I protest my Parentes eke and so I loue my friend Set these aside and as for all the rest of loue and liking I must make an ende I hate the worlde and all the toyes therein and longe to sée my ioyes in heauen beginne Maledisant Beuchampe THe tender budde that brauely ginnes to blow while summer showers yeeldes comforte to the roote If that vnwares there fall a sodaine snow no sunné can shine that wel may doe it boote Except it holde but for a day and so It may haue leaue to make a liuely show My selfe the slower that flourisht all too fast while fauour flonge faire weather in my face But now must die my pleasures ouerpast to see disdaine so
driue me in disgrace By due desarte whereon ay me to thinke From swéete delight my head begins to shrinke And coolde of care so nips my hart at roote as that except you fauoure seeme to shew No sunne can shine that wel may doe it boote with frost of feare it wil be withered so Wherfore deare dame let fauour saue the flower Whose life or death lyes only in your power Oh che dolore IF in the world there be but onely one gainst whose good hap both heauen earth are bent Whom lot hath lefte in sorrowes seate alone her thriftles time with fruitles trauell spent To waile in vaine and mourning so to dye by heauens I thinke that onely wenche am I. For natures griefes are cur'd by Phisickes arte and counsaile much doth comforte careful minde But such a pange doth pinche me at the harte as Phisick frende and all I frustrate finde So that I see the heauens for me prepare to liue in thought and pine away in care Then sith such life to some one is assignde and I that one on whome that lotte doth fall With crooked care I wil content my minde til death desirde doe make an end of all Whose long delayes I doe too long endure and know not how his comforte to procure Oh straunge disease that nature neuer knew then not to blame in leauing no redresse Oh cause accurst wherof such sorrow grew as soakes the harte that dyeth in distresse Oh harte what helpe but stil in woes to waste til death oft wishd doe end my dole at last The Louer casteth all mourning away LAment that liste I can no longer mourne the heauie thoughts that lay vpon my hart To happy ioyes the heauenly fates doe tourne and swéete conceites haue cut of sorrowes smart The feare is fled of heauenly fauour lost and hope attainde of that I wished most My most desire was seruice due rewarde my greatest feare was force of fortunes spight My prayer yet the heauenly powers haue harde that due desarte might once enioy delight Which I protest since that I now possesse my griefe no more nor ioy was euer lesse Your fauour was the thing my seruice sought and your dislike did make me doubt despight But yet my harte had stil this happy thought when rage was past remorse would lende delight Which true I finde and sing in hart therefore lamente that list for I wil mourne no more The Louer compareth his ill lucke to Philomelas ill fortune NOthing on earth remaines to shew aright the patterne true of my increasing care But Philomela with her song by night whose rueful state to mine I may compare With careful watch she preacheth in the tree when creatures all into their nestes doe creepe So from mine eyes all sweete repos doth flee when men are wonte of course to take their sleepe She with a thorne against her tender brest I with the darte of cruel loues vnrest This gentle birde her yealding voyce doth straine to wayle the wronges that Progne did endure I haples man vpon the wight complaine that causeles doth to me these woes procure And when she doth a tune so dolefull frame as wel might moue the heauens to moane her plight Oh griefe of griefes yet such as heare the same rue not her songe but therein take delight Likewise my plaints which bring from me salte teares seeme pleasaunte suites vnto my mistres eares An other THe tender budde that brauely ginnes to blow while sunnie showers yealdes comfort to the roote If that vnwares there fall a sodaine snow no sunne can serue that wel may doe it boote Except it holde but for a day and so it may haue leaue to make a liuely show My selfe the flower that flourish all too fast while fauoure flonge fayre weather in my face But now must die my pleasures ouerpast to see disdaine so driue me in disgrace By due desarte whereon ay me to thinke From swéete delight my head begins to shrinke And coolde of care so nips my hart at roote as that except you fauoure seeme to show No sunne can shine that wel may doe it boote with frost of feare it wil be withered so Wherfore deare dame let fauour saue the flower Whose life or death lyes only in your power Another THe day of my delight is ouercast And cloudes of care beginne apace to rise The sunne doth goe his course midday is past Night will insue my mistres shuttes her eyes The glistering beames whereof gaue me that light Which others haue whil'st I bewayle the night But should the sunne stande alwayes in one place Sure that contrary were vnto her kinde The warme desires that grow by her good grace Woulde burne and so conâ—ume both harte and minde The course we keepe in middle spheare is best Where rowling stil she seekes a place to rest Disdaine doth driue these clowdes of my despaire And shades the sunne from shining in the aire Another THe shafte that Cupids bowe hath shotte hath Vulcane forged in my brest The fire which made the iron whotte desire did blow and neuer rest The cooles of care which burnte was loue the steele was trust whereon he strikes The hammers hope which alwayes proue to frame the shape which best he likes Teares serue the tourne to quench the fire and fancie files the arrow head Payne payes the workemen for their hire the wounde is deepe which neuer bled Lenuoy To heale this hurte is readyest meane To shoote his arrow back againe A Gentleman dallyeth with his Lute THou knowest my Lute if thou knowest ought that Musicke stil doth couet chaunge Stale beaten stuffe is counted nought new from the stampe is counted straunge And straunge deuises stil delight such daintie wittes as diuers be Deere bought is good in euery plight farre fette for Ladyes and for me If Tigell bring vs nothing els but stil doe pleade vpon a song And play vs nought but Osnay bels then Tigell doth the Cuckow wrong Lie downe therefore my little Lute and geue me leaue a litte while From case to plucke my little Flute the time a little to beguile Thou knewst when I was wel content til midnight thee for to embrace Another now wil thée preuent and séeke to keepe thy wonted place And I who thought it did suffise with thée an houre or two to play Must now assay in other wise some sporte to finde till it be day Contente thée then and holde thee stil my Lute I pray thée doe not fume Although I séeke against thy wil another instrumente to tune And when I haue assaide my wits that I can play both true and playne Then will I visite thee by fittes and wil retourne to thee againe The Louer shewing his loyaltie and findinge no fauoure is contented to geue ouer I Maruaile why you be so straunge when once you did professe such loue Or why seeke you so sodayne chaunge sith faulte in me you cannot proue My seruice hath béene readie preast at euery becke to
deere quoth he the price amasde the elfe For two pence halfepeny he agreede at last and hangs him selfe Le home THis geare beares pricke and price my girle of all that ere I sée La feme The pricke for me sir I crie first the price I leaue for thée Corpus opes animam formam vim lumina scortum Debilitat perdit necat aufert eripit orbat The bodie wealth the minde fourme face and sight a whore Doth weaken leese kill race and steale and eke depriueth sore A Gentlewomans poesie YOung lust of loue in hoarie lockes on Ladyes loynes lay lasye knockes Olde beldames then doe you receaue the cripple knights young Ladyes leaue Aungels MIne aungels stil they be so fledge they flie or els in shippe they floate with puffed sayles Or with their legges they leape and runne awrie or driuen away by Dragons with long tayles Legges winges and shippes the deuill in dragons shins To beare away mine aungels neuer linnes A Riddle SCâ—lere vehor materna carne vescor quaero patrem meumâ— Matris meae virum vxoris meae filium Foule is my faulte that feede my fill and gorge on mothers bowels still With busie care I seeke my Sire my mothers husbande I require And such a one that man must be as is the sonne of wife to me Money still restlesse GOod money be demourant with me stil and then thou shalt be pendaunte in my purse But if thou wilt be volant at thy will or coorraunte els thy harbore will be worse Voussera still incloased in my chest whereas thou runst abroad sance any rest A fantasticall passion MY vayne is done to write in prose or verse For why I see my wittes beginne to faile Full faine I would a woefull tale reherse but sorrow so my sences doth assaile That I am forcde to say and ende in briefe I cannot wright I am so full of griefe A birde to a birder A Fowler snarlde a little birde with lymed bushe of late To whome for life libertie the prettie fowle doth prate She begges her raunsome at a price and promiseth for pay Three iewels riche The birder then so biddes her flie away Escaped thus now list quoth she Hereafter holde thine owne Trust not to much nor take no care for that which heÌ„ce is floeâ— Henceforth if thou applie thy selfe to rule thee by these three No little fowle as I shal make so greate a foole of thee The abuse of the worlde THe mournefull minde the ouerwhelmed brayne the wittes bewitchd that wearyed are with woes The pensiue harte that pines away in payne the troubled thoughts whome thousande cares enclose Doth stil I see consume my carkase so as nought but death can ridde me of this woe Long haue I hoapde too longe I finde in vaine and all in vaine it is I finde too late That pittie woulde procure some ease of payne but pride is full pufte vp with deadly hate Disdaine is growne so great with beauties grace as humble suites are all thrust out of place Humilitie is thought a sillie slaue deserte is deemde a peeuishe painfull drudge Truth thought deceate and flatterie no knaue crafte credite gaines good dealing may goe trudge This all too late to my despight I finde which makes me thus to waile and mourne in minde The Author troubled with hope and despaire TWo thinges there are that trouble much my minde the one is hope the other is despaire In hope my harte doth heauenly comforte finde and peeuish dread my pleasures doth impaire Hope to good happe doth geue me vp amayne Despaire as fast doth flinge me downe againe I hope the best and yet doe dread the worst which wretched dread sayes hope is all in vaine And hope biddes me account that dread accurst that lets my helpe my heauenly wish to game And hope assures that reason doth require although despaire deny me my desire Therefore I hope although withall I feare because I hope my hope wil banish dread Which makes despaire both day and night to beare my tossed braines within my troubled head This passion straunge twixt hope and feare I finde is that which longe hath much perplext my minde The Author troubled with loue and hate TWo things there are that much torment my mind the one is loue the other deadly hate The force of loue doth make affection blind and blinde desire doth set my wittes at bate They beate my braynes to make what meanes they may I finde in fine to worke mine owne decay I like not loue againe I loue not hate yet loue or hate I needes must take the one The choice is harde which were the better state and happy he could let them both alone For he that knew them both as well as I woulde lothe his life and gladly wish to die Loue ofte breedes hate whome luckles lots ensue and foule despight doth sore consume the harte Which seekes reuenge that honest mindes doe rue when conscience pricks doth cause repentant smarte This for my selfe as once before I sayde hath made my minde and senses so dismayde And yet alas I cannot choose but loue yet hate my selfe to see my fonde desire But cannot get my fancy once remoue that in my harte hath kindled hatefull fire But must of force my wretched minde content to liue in griefe vntill my dayes be spent Another THe longer life the more offence the more offence the greater payne The greater payne the lesse defence the lesse defence the losse of gayne The losse of gayne long life doth trie wherefore come death and let me die The shorter lyfe lesse count I finde the lesse accounte the sooner made The counte soone made the merryer minde the merrier minde doth thought euade Shorte life wel spent the same doth trie wherefore come death and let me die Come gentle death the ebbe of care the ebbe of care the floud of life The floud of life the ioyfull fare the ioyfull fare the ende of strife The ende of strife for that wish I wherefore come death and let me die Another MIstrust misdeemes amisse whereby displeasure growes And time delayde findes friends afrayde their faith for to disclose Suspecte that breedeth thought and thoughts to sighes conuarte And sighes haue sought a flood of teares where sobbes doe soake the harte This harte that meanes no harme must féede on sorrowes all Vntil such time in please the iudge the truth in question call Though cause of great mistrust before the iudge appeare My truth and mercy of the iudge I trust shal set me cleare Reporte thus runnes at large my truth for to detecte Yet truth in time shal trie it selfe and driue away suspecte Beleue not euery speech nor speake not all you heare For truth and mercy of the iudge I trust shal set me cleare Another WHat watch what woe what want what wrack is due to those that toile the seas Life led with losse of paynes no lacke in stormes to winne much restles ease A bedlesse boarde at
sore yet heales againe That is the cause of great despight And yet doth purchase sweete delight That healeth some of deadly smarte And strikes some other dead at harte It should be straunge what so it is But sure if I iudge not amisse T is all one with the same that I Propounded you T is loue perdie Mors mihi vita COnsumde with cares and ouerwhelmde with woes I bidde adue to such as liue in ioy Contented well my loathed life to lose as fortune stil did follow with annoy For as I féele my death drawe neareâ— on I see the smarte of all my sorrowes gone Whereby I see sweete death the ende of dole while life prolonges the wretched soule in payne The salue of death makes sickest hartes soone hole when care is found a comforte all in vaine Yet dying thus ere I be throughly dead accepte this counsaile of a carefull head Loue not to liue nor yet desire to die but liue to die so dying looke to liue Such dying life such liuing death haue I which makes me thus the world this comfort giue To dread no death but count him for our frend who bringes vs ioyes and makes our sorrowes ende The Nightingales note THe Nightingale that singes the sweetest note of any birde that flyeth in the ayre Whose choise of sounde with warblings in the throate reuiues the harte that dyeth in despayre In Aprill first recordes then sings in Maye and that mâ—onth past she singing goes awaye Which heauenly note might hold but halfe the yeare the ioy thereof woulde cloy our eares with sweete Nothing so good so rare nor yet so deare but chaunge for worse the foolish man thinkes meete So sweete and shorte is Philomelas songe and nought esteemed that lasteth once too longe But yet this songe that Philomela singes of sorrow groanes although the sounde delight Or harde mishappe wherof such mischiefe springes she but recordes the sounde of her despight So with that birde may I singe fie fie fie while others ioy in song to heare me crie Nil nisi probatum AMonge mishappes which kill a careful hart to finde a foe of an assured frend Is such a griefe as breedes that deadly smart which vntill death can neuer take his ende Oh wretched world where faith is so vniust that surest frendes are sometime harde to trust But all too late I finde the prouerbe true that frends are founde as fortune skoules or smiles But twise accurst that hollow harted crue whose flattering face the simple minde begiles And for my selfe since frendshippe such I finde I will accounte of each one in his kinde Faire wordes shal stande for open flatterie till faithfull deedes may merite no mistrust And secreat traynes shal stande for treacherie till tryall finde her dealinges not vniust But where I finde the trothe at neede I crie with such a friend I vow to liue and die The clogge of care THe clogge of care that hangs on heauie harte pulles downe the head from loftie mindes delight The sighes that grow of sorrowes secreat smarte in time consumes the wretched carcase quight But comforte yet may cut that clogge away the cause of dole whereby delights decay And then the harte will holde vp head on hie and ioy as much as it did mourne before Oh comforte come and cut of by and by that cruell clogge that cuttes my harte so sore I haue too long to carefull thoughtes bene tide my minde cannot the burthen long abide But all in vaine for comforte stil I crie my clogge of care is such I cannot goe I sée too plaine my dolefull destenie to waste my dayes in worlds of carefull woe Which makes me thus to ende my solemne songe the carefull harte can neuer holde out longe Another THe Plowman sure are ye and I the sandie field Your haruest then must needes be grosse that such a earth doth shielde The golde I meane my selfe the hutch my husbandes harte The Marte is done put vp your pipes goe whistle for your parte And let me liue at rest deuoyde of slaunders blotte Contented with my faithfull feere whome fortune did alofte For sure the Letchers loue comes euer out of time I meane not to deface my fame with such a couerte crime I am no Younckers pray I skilles am in scapes I doe detest the doting loue of Roysters and their rapes I meane to runne the race of these my poasting dayes In such a sorte that none shall check my youthfull wanton wayes Leaue then to ransacke her that careth for no chaunge Ne seeke to false her faulcones faith with haggarde hauke to raunge Vpon two Gentlewomens names MY fancie led me sodainlie as I did sitte and sow Amongst some other secrete thinges a secrete cause to know Remembring how the Poets vse Good Gentlewomen to abuse All in their ditties when they chuse Resounding fame to blow Extolling in their Sonets then The onely prayse of faithfull men They list not see how we women Passe them as I will show Harke not what Poets prattle then from reason they declinde In Platoes Schoole thou mayst it learne how frendship is definde Loue lyketh where is loyaltie Lyke loyaltie in lyke degree In wemen this is chiefe to see Peruse and you shal finde So saith he that this frendlines Only doth springe from humblenes None barreth women gentlenes Except they barre their kinde Perhappes I coulde adioyne to this where most affection dwels How there the flower of frendlines most pleasantly it smels Enritching womens goodly grace But here I neede not in this place Experience proueth well this case Aske her I say naught els Then sith it comes to vs by kinde Keepe not the secret cause to finde In Poetrie that is so blinde No true tale once it tels Sith loyaltie affection and likenes of degree On perfecte proofe from cradle vp hath linked thee to me No treasure riche nor golden mine Exchaunge shall make at any time For as I was so am I thine Reposing trust in thee Enduring so I doe pretende No chaunge to make till life doe ende Damon was neuer dearer frende So thou my Pithias be A merry conceate OVr Wilkin now will wedde the goodlyest girle I gesse That ere this countrey bredde it is that bounsinge Besse That euery iacke for ale and cakes At euery game his Lady makes He thinkes his Ladie beares the bel Pore horechit Hob And she belowtes the mome as well And there a bobbe How ere the worlde it wagges his Besse must needes be braue Gogs vish these rotten ragges are vitter vor a zlaue Then vor my Ladie zweares our Wil And therewithall he smackes his Gil. And she requites his busse againe He likes wel that He payes his Ladie for her paine That hittes her patte To beare his flaunting porte our Wilkin wanteth welth He shames to yeald the sporte and therefore seekes by stelth To maintaine this his iollie ruffe He stryketh handes with Saunder Snuffe So forth together they two trigge To make a
Lo. Sweete beautie only she To whom both youth and vanitie obedient seruants be Louer What is the chiefest foode thou feedest thy selfe withall Loue. A faire cleare light which ledes me forth seldome lets me fal Louer Fearest thou the length of time that alters all thinges quite Or doest thou doute the dinte of death that daūts the worthiest wight Loue. No no I Way thē not for though they change my state I take my rest and turne againe to that I was of late The humble petition of a passionate Louer MAke me to liue swéet mistres make me liue exchaunge my chance make mirth of mourning cheare Exchange my death a lasting life to giue so worke my harte so weake whilest thou art here That when my soule shall from my bodie flie it may els where a better place supplie Make me to liue that at the instant hower when thy swete eyes I shall assaye to touche Both sence and sight may want there wonted power that in thy armes whome I estéeme so much My pyning corse may mildely passe away and of my life make this the latest day Ioyne both our soules ioyne both our soules in one linke both our hartes in bandes of like good will Make both our mindes to match in mirth or moane let our selfe lawe leade our affections still So let our thoughtes our wordes and workes agrée as if I liude in thee and thou in me Forbid me not thy lippes that like me well denie me not thy bosome for my due Those louely beames where loue him selfe doth dwell those blazing beames that scarce mine eyes can view Vouchsafe swéete harte that sweetely I may kisse and by such sweetenes turne my bale to blisse Nought that I haue can I accounte mine owne nought that thou hast in right thou recknest thine Mine eyes are thine as all my déedes haue showen euen so thine eyes they are or should be mine My harte is thine thy harte is due to me so loue allowes if so our lyking be Thou arte my fire and I thy kindled flame I am thy soule be thou my soule againe Imbrace thine owne and so auoyde the blame thou mayst incurre by shewing proude disdaine Linke fast our lippes that so with like delight we may exchaunge our soules our sense and sight So let vs change as by our chaunge we may be more assured of that we most misdoubt And not by chaunging change that chaunce away that might perchaunce be better brought about My séeking is that such exchange shoulde make our doubtful loue a déeper roote to take So is my wishe and so I hope it will so may I liue a most contented life So shall I finde to please my fancie still so may my state be euer frée from strife So shall I thinke my selfe the happyest man that euer liude since first my life began The changeable state of Louers WHome loue hath made obedyent to his law doth euerie hower exchaunge his shape anew I proued it well that longe haue liude in awe and often chaungde the more my chaunce I rue First to a hart a woefull wounded harte I was transformde then to a sillie swanne That singing shewde his death without desarte nexte to a flower whose colour soone waxt wan At laste alas a Fountaine was I made as soone dryed vp for from my blubbered eyes The water flowed till all began to fade and now the beast I am in flame that fries But yet ere longe I hope a voice to be to vaunte of her that makes no counte of me The vanitie of Louers SInce griefes increase since this my quenchles fire Consumes me still alas what bootes it me To say and sweare I will with speede retire And neuer loues her louely face to see Since when I wante poore wretch her wished sight Her wished sight the cause of all my care New cares beginnes to cutte of all delight And breake my vowes so snarlde in Cupids snare Who Tyrant-like alas the more my paine Within her eyes hath pleasaunte poysone plaste The sight whereof doth search through euerie vaine And helpeles quite my fainting harte doth waste Thus am I forste though sore against my wil To séeke and léeke the cause of all my ill FINIS