The arbor of amorous deuises VVherin, young gentlemen may reade many plesant fancies, and fine deuises: and thereon, meditate diuers sweete conceites, to court the loue of faire ladies and gentlewomen by N.B. Gent.

THE ARBOR OF amorous Deuises .

Wherin , young Gentlemen may reade many plesant fancies , and fine deuises : And thereon , meditate diuers sweete Conceites , to court the loue of faire Ladies and Gentlewomen By N. B. Gent.

Imprinted at London by Richard Iohnes , dwelling at the signe of the Rose and Crowne , neere Saint Andrewes Church in Holborne . 1597.

To the Gentlemen Readers : he●lth , wealth ▪ and welfa●e .

R●ght curteous Gentlemen , your absence , this long time of vacation hindered my poore Presse from publish●●g any pleasing Pamphlet , to recreate your minds , as it was wont : ●et now , to giue you notice that your old Printer forgetteh not his best friendes , he hath thought i● meet to remember his duetifull good wil he beareth to you all , publishing this pleasant Arbor ●or Gentlemen , beeing many mens workes excellent Poets , and most , not the meanest in estate and degree : and had not the Phenix preuented me of some the best stuffe she furnisht h●r nest with of late : this Arbor had hi● somewhat t●e mote handsomer trimmed vp , beside a larger scope for gentlemen to recreate them selues . Please it you ( sweete Gentlemen ) to take it in worth as it is , though nothing comparable with your pleasant Arbors of the countrie : view it ouer I pray you , and praise it as you find it : in the meane time ( I beseech you ) pardon me ▪ and p●otect me against cau●lling Finde faults that neuer like of any thing , but what they doe themse●ues , and that , ●or the most part , is nothi●g at all : so shall I acknowledge my selfe most bounden vn●o your flourishing d●gr●● , and pray vnto God to keepe you al● in health : and such 〈◊〉 are in the countrey , God send them a happy and speedy re●●rn● to Lond●● , to the pleasure of God , their h●rts content , ●nd to the reioycing of all Citti●ins , and specially to the comfort of all poore men of Trades .

Yours , most bounden , R. I. Printer .

A LOVERS FARWEL To his Loue and ioy . AD●e mine onely ioy whose absence breedes my smart , whose parting did a●aze my minde & damped m●ch my hart ▪ Adue mine onely loue , whose loue is li●e to m● ▪ whose loue once lost ▪ no life can tast within my corps to be . Adue mine onely friend whose friendship cannot fade , whose faith is firme vpon the which my health and hope is stayed , Adue the vitall spirits o● these my ●ences all , for dead each parte will still remaine vntill I heare thee call . Farewell my selfe and all , farewell more deare then li●e : Farewel the constant da●e on earth : farewel Vlisses wise . Sith spite ha●h playde his parte , to parte vs now in twaine , my helpe ●h●l rest in h●ppy hope , till we two meet ag●ine : W●ich hope doth he●●e my heart aboue the hauty heauen ▪ and carrieth m● with good s●ccesse aboue the Plannets ●eo●en . Si●h that the Sunne m●st lodge within the Ocean seas . As of time as the houres be with in foure co●●leat daye : So must Danaes face be rownd and horned thrise and for h●r light a debter be vnto Sir P●ebus wise : Before I shal enioy the presence of my choyce , till which time comes , I le cloy the skies with plaint● & bitter voyce ▪ That Fortune now which frownes with all her fatal dames , shal h●ue for prayse most piteo●s plaint● , and infamie for names : Vntil the rime that she doth turne her face againe . and giue me her that m●y redresse my greeuous pinching paine : God graunt that none beholde thy face a●d beautie braue , thy comely co●ps and featured forme and countenance so graue , Thy haires in tresses tyed , thy vaines so Azure blew , thy Lilly with the rose in che●kes doth shew a gallant hew : Thy eyes wi●h smiling babes , thy lips vermillion like . thy dimple in thy chin so braue , thy teeth as Christal white , Thyneck so white and fairt , thy breast so ●ound and so●t , thy fingers fine and body small which I embraste so oft . No pen can wel describe ▪ no● wit can wel declare , thy feature , forme and comelynes , thy beauty passing rare . ●pelles cease to paint , Pigmalion leaue to graue , Da●e Nature hath despisd your workes , and hath made one more braue . The graces all attend the Muses make request , still for to waite vpon my deare , and be at her behest : Blush now you bashles dames that vaunt of beau●ie rare , for let me see who dares come in , and with my deare compare ▪ No , no , you are all fled , you walke like owles by nigh● , my deare so fayre , that of the world she is the onely ●ight : Then farewell heart and ioy till time hath run her race ▪ farewell delight , welcome annoy , till that I see thy face . Which will delig●t my heart , which wil reuiue my minde which will delight my senceles corps , which ioy none else can finde , Take heere my speech last spent ▪ vntill thy home returne . take here my heart , but leaue the corps which shal in torments burne ▪ My scalding sighes I le send throughout the skies to thee , my teares shall water still my couch , vn●ill thou beest with mee . Finis .

A Louers complaint . THe restles race that I haue run , the peril and the paine That I from time to time haue past , and dayly doe sustaine , Doth make me deeme that when I first this light began to see , The ●tarrie skie no planet had , that happy was for me . The fatall Sisters three , alas , my file doe twist awry , And Fortune , she in frowning sorte from me doth swiftly fli● : Which makes my carking cares abound , thus am I wrapt in woe , But how to finde reliefe , alas , poore man I doe not knowe . When that Sir Phebus decks the skie with his faire fulgent light , I wish alas to gaine with teares the dim and darkesome night ▪ And when that V●sp●r with hir vaile exiles the glittering Sun , I will again● the dawning day the night might ouer-run ▪ Thus neither day nor night can serue to mitigate my griefe , But still I pine and liue in woe , and cannot finde reliefe . Such torments tosse my sences sure and ransack euery vaine , That I doe wish to end my care , the graue I might obtaine . The cause that coucheth care , alas , with in my secret brest . Is fell Cupid●es dreadfull wound . chiefe cause of mine vnrest : My suits , my plaints and friendline● . is guarded with d sdaine : And wofully whith Iphis I must passe my dayes in paine . I liue and loue , I serue in hope , yet day by day I die , Yet doth my loue disdainefully her friendship sure denie : The want wherof in forrowing sort , to mourne doth me constraine , Ye Gods aboue graunt grace to me . abate my carking paine . And suffer Cupid God of loue , to d●aw his regent da●●e , And piercing ioyes to wound my deare that she may rue my smarte : And salue my wound that now am prest to die in seas of woe ▪ You heauens , your helping aides I craue , to me your fauours shew . Finis .

A poeme of a Mayde forsaken . AS late I lay within an Arbor sweete , ●he ay●e to take amongst the flowers faire : I heard a Mayd to mourne and sorely weepe , That thithe● vsd to make her oft repayre . Alas , poore wench , quoth she , drownd in despaire ▪ What folly ●ond doth breed me my vnrest ? Will spitfull loue increase continuall care , To worke her wrath on me aboue the rest . And will she still increase my sorrowing sighes , With pinching paine of heart , with torments torne ▪ Are these rewards , or are they Cupids slights , To kill the heart which is with sorrowes worne ? Then witnes beare , you woods and wasts about ▪ You craggie rockes , with hilles and valleyes low , Recording birds , you beasts both strong and stout , You fishes deafe , you waues that ebbe and flow . Heere haue in minde that loue hath slaine a hart As true as trueth vnto her froward friend , Whose dying death shal shew her faithfull parte , What so my deare hath alwayes of me deemd . The red brest then did seeme to be the Clarke . And shrowded her vnder the mosse so greene , He calles the birds each one to sing a parte : A ●ight full st●ange and wo●thy to be seene , The Larke ▪ the Thrush and Nightingale , The Linnets sweete , and eke the Turtles true , The chattering Pie , the lay , and eke the Quaile , The Thrustle-Cock that was so blacke of hewe . All these did sing the prayse of her true heart , And mournd her death with dolefull musick sound : Each one digged earth , and plyed so their part , Till that she was close closed vnder ground . Finis .

The counsell of a friend to one in loue . CLime not too high , for feare thou catch a fall , Seeke not to build thy nest within the Sunne , Refrraine the thing which bringeth thee to thrall , Least when too late thou findste thy sel●e vndone : Cause thy desires to rest and sleepe a space , And let thy fancie take her resti●g place . The Tiger f●erce cannot by ●orce be tamed , The Eagle wilde wil not be brought to fist , Nor womens mindes at any time be framed , To doe ought more then what their fancies li●t : Then cease thy pride ▪ and let thy plumes downe fall , Least soaring still thou purchasts endles thrall . Finis .

A Ladies complaint for the losse of her Loue . COme follow me you Nymphes , Whose eyes are neuer drie , Augment your wayling number nowe With me poore Em●lie . Giue place ye to my plaintes , Whose ioyes a●● pincht with paine ▪ M● loue , alas through foule mish●p , Most cruell death ha●h slaine , What wight can wel , alas , my sorrowes no● indite ? I waile & want my new desire I lack my new delite , Gush out my trickling teares , Like mighty floods of raine , My Knight ●las , through foule mishap Most cruell death hath ●laine ▪ Oh hap alas most hard , Oh death why didst thou so ? W●y could not I embrace my ioy , for me that bid ●uch woe ? False Fortunu out , alas , Woe worth thy subtill tr●ine , W●ereby my loue through foule mishap , Most cruell death hath slaine . Rock me a sleepe in woe , You wofull Sisters three , Oh cut you off my fatall threed , Dispatch poore Emelie . Why should I liue , alas , And linger thus in paine ? Farewell my life , sith that my loue Most cruell death hath slaine . Finis .

The lamentable complaint of a Louer . ACcord your notes vnto my wofull songs , You chirping birds which hant the cloudy skie , Cease off your flight ▪ and come to heare my wrongs Compeld by loue ▪ mixed with crue●●●● ▪ Leaue off I say , and help me to lament My wofull dayes , vntill my time be spent . With sorrow great I passe a way the time ▪ The which too long I feele vnto my paine , Too childish is this fond conceit of mine ▪ That voyde of hope doth helpelesse still remaine ▪ Yet wil I rest til time doth fu●ther serue , That A●ropos doth me of life bereaue . But fie fond foole , I complaine of disease , And faultlesse Fortune I begin to blame , Venus her selfe doth seeke me ●or to please , In causing me to loue so rare a dame : But if ( ●aire Nimph ) I might enioy thy sight , Thy fauour fa●re would force in me delight . But I am bannisht from thy comely hew , Oh thy sweet loue , but yet I wil remaine For euer thine as perfect louer true , Without all guile , although thou me disdaine : And th●s I end , although not rest content , Vntil such time wy wretched dayes are spent ▪ Finis .

A Poeme bo●h pithie and pleasant . IF right were rackt and ouer-runne , And power take parte wi●h open wrong ▪ If force by feare doe yeeld too soone , The lack is like to last too long : If God ●ot goods shal be vnplac●d ▪ If right for riches leaues his shape , If world for wisdome be imbrac'd , The guesse is great much hur● may hap Among good thinges I prooue and find ▪ The quiet life doth most abound , And sure to the contented mi●d , There is no tiches may be found ▪ Riches doth hate to be content , Rule is enmie to quiet ease , Power for the most part is vnpacient And seldome likes to llue in peace , I heard a Shepheard once compare , T●at q●iet nig●●s he had m●re sleepe , And ha● more m●rrie dayes to spare , Then he which ought his Flock of sheepe . I would not haue it thought heereby , The Dolphin swim I meane to teach , N● yet to learne the Faulcon flie , I roue not ●o farre past my reach ▪ But as my part aboue the rest , Is wel to wish and good to will : So till the breath doth fayle my bsest , I shal not stay to wish you still .

A Poeme . THe time was once that I haue li●ed free , And wandred heere ▪ and where me liketh best , But in my wandring I did chance to see A Damsel faire which causd in me small rest : For at her sight mine he●rt was wounded sore , That liued free and voyd of loue before Which when I felt , I got me to my bed , Thinking to rest my heauie heart : but then There came strange thoughts in●o my troubled hed , Which made me thinke vpon my thoughts a gen : And thus in thinking on my thoughts did sleep ▪ And dreamed that another di● her keepe . With this same dreame I sudainly awoke , A●d orderly did marke it euery poynt : And with the same so great a griefe I tooke , That as one scard , I quaked euery ioynt : Yet at the last supposd it but a dreame , My troubled spirits did reuiue againe . Finis .

Fantasma . IN fortune as I lay , my fortune was to finde Such fancies as my carefull thought , had brought into my minde , And when each one was gone to rest , full soft in bed to lie , I would haue slept , but then the watch did follow still mine eye : And sodainly I saw a sea of sorrowes prest , Whose wicked waues of sharpe repulse brought me vnquie● rest . I saw this world , and how it went , each state in his degree , And that from wealth graunted is both life and liber●ie : I saw how Enuie it did raigne , and bare the greatest price , Yet greater poyson is not found within the Cockatrice : I also saw how that disdaine , of● times to forge my woe , Gaue me the cup of bit●er sweete , to pledge my mortall foe ▪ I also saw ho● that deceit , to rest no place could finde , But sti●l constraind an endles paine , to follow natures kinde . I also saw most strange , how Nature did forsake the blood that in her womb was wrought , as doth the loathed snake ▪ I s●w how fancie would remaine , no longer then ●er lust , And as the winde how she doth ch●nge , and is not for to trust : I saw how stedfastnes did flie , with winges of often change , A bird , b●t truely seldome seene , her nature is so strange : I saw how pleasant Time did passe , as Flowers in the Mead , To day that riseth r●d as Rose , to morrow lyeth dead . I saw my time how it did run , as sand out of the Glasse , Euen as each hower appoynted is , from tide ●o tide to passe : I saw the yeares that I had spent , and losse of all my gaine , And how the sport of youthfull playe● , my folly did retaine ▪ I saw how that the little Ant in Summer still doth runne , To se●ke her foode , whereby to liue in winter for to come : I saw eke vertue , how she sate the threed of life to spinne , Which sheweth the end of euery thing before it doeth begin ▪ And when al these I saw , with many moe perdie , In me my thoughts each one had wrought a perfect propertie ▪ And then I sayd vnto my selfe , a Lesson this shal be , For other that shal after come , for to beware by me ▪ Thus al the night I did deuise which way I might constraine . To forme a plot that wit might worke the branches in my braine . Finis .

The complaint af one being in loue . LEaue me O life , the prison of my minde , Since nought but death can take away my lo●e ▪ For she which likes me wel is most vnkinde , And that which I loue best my death d●th prooue . Loue in her eyes my hopes againe reuiue , Hopes in my thoughts doe kindle my desires , Desire enflam'd through loue and b●auty striue , Ti● she ( displeasd with lou● ) my death conspires : That loue for me , and I ●or Loue doe cal , Yet she denies because she graunts not al. Finis .

A Louers resolution . TRue , though vntried , de●irous in despaire , Patient with paine , faithful though yet not sound , In car●s vnknowne my youthful daies I weare , More s●re t●en safe my youth and beauty bound . What shal I say ? the time serues not to waile ▪ Let it suffice , my faith shal neuer faile . Finis ▪

A Louers complain● . TH● fir● to see my wrongs for anger bur●eth ▪ 〈◊〉 aire in ●aine for mine ●ffec●ion weepeth , The sea to ebbe for griefe his f●●wi●g turneth , The earth with pittie dul the centre keepeth , Fame is with wonder blazed , 〈…〉 a way for so●●ow , Place stan●eth still amazed , To see my n●ght● of euill which haue no morrow . Alas , onely she no pitty taketh To see my mis●rie● , but chast and cruel , My fall her glorie mak●●h , Ye●●●ll her eyes giues to my flames their fuel . Fire burne me quick , till sence of burning leaue , Ay●e let me drawe my breath no more in anguish , Sea drowne me in thee , of teadious life bereaue me , Earth take this earth , wherin these spirits languish : Fam● sa● I was not borne , Time d●aw my dismall hower , Place see my graue vp-torne , Fire , Aire , sea ▪ earth , Fame , time , place , shew your power : Alas , from all their helps I am exiled ▪ For hers am I , and death feares her displeasure : Oh death thou art beguiled , Though I be hers , she makes of me no treasure . Finis .

A sweet lullabie . COme little babe , come silly soule , Thy fathers shame , thy mothers griefe , Borne as I dou●t to all our dole , And to thy selfe vnhappie chiefe : Sing Lullabie and lap it warme , Poore sou●e that thinkes no cr●ature harme . Thou little thinkst and lesse doost knowe , The cause of this thy mothers moane , Thou wantst the wit to waile her wo● , And I my selfe am all alone : Why doost thou weepe ? why doost thou waile ? And knowest not yet what thou doost ayle ▪ Com● little wretch , ah silly hear● , Mine onely ioy what can I more ? If there be any wrong thy smart , That may the destinies implor● ▪ T was I , I say , against my will , I wayle the time , but be thou still . And doest thou smile , oh thy sweete face , Would God himsel●e he might thee see , No do●bt thou wouldst ●oone purchace 〈◊〉 I know right well for thee and mee : But come to mother babe and play , For fath●r false is fled away . Sweet boy if it by fortune chance , Thy father home againe to send , If death do strike me with his launce , Yet mayst thou me to him commend : If any aske thy mothers name , Tell how by loue she purchast blame ▪ Then will his gentle heart soone yeeld , I know him of a noble minde . Although a Lyon in the field , A Lamb in towne thou shalt him finde : Aske blessing babe , be not afrayde , His sugred words hath me betrayde ▪ ●hen mayst thou ioy and be right glad , Although in wo● I seeme to moane . Thy father is no Rascall lad , A noble youth of blood and boane : His glancing lookes if he once smile , Right honest women may begui●e . Come little boy and rocke a sleepe ▪ Sing lullabie and be thou still , I that can doe nought else but weepe , Wil sit by thee and waile my fill : God blesse my babe and lullabie , From this thy fathers qualitie . Fi●●● .

A Poem● . T THe work of worth that Nature finely fram'd , H Hope of the heart , that highest harts aspire : R Reason set downe that secret wisdome nam'd , O Onely the sweete that honour can desire , G Grace of ●he earth , and natures onelie glorie , M More then most faire was spoke of long agoe : O Oh heauenlie starre that is the shepheards stay : R Read who it is , but one there is no moe , T This is the Saint that Wit and Reason se●ue , O Of such account as vertue doth regard , N Note who it is that doth this fame deserue , E Excellencie giues each honour his reward . Finis .

A Poeme . M MVses attending all on P●llas traine , A A mongst the rest was one , though not the least , C Carrying the minde that most might honour gaine , K Kinde yet wi●h care that might become her best : W Wise as a woman , men can be no more , I Iudge who it is , I may not tell her name , L Loue of the life that vertue doth adore : L Life of the loue that gaines the highest fame . I Ioyne but the thought of loue and life together , A And one may finde ano●hers excell●nce , M Meere loue , deare life can sorrow neuer withe● , S Such is the power of heauenly prouidence , Fi●●● .

Another . S SIlly poore swaine pul down thy simple pride , A Angelles are not for beggars to behold , R Reach not too high for feare thy foote doth slide , A And haples hope doo prooue a slender hold . H Hold downe thy head , thy hand is not thine owne ▪ A A sunne , a sunne hath put out hoth thine eyes . S See in thy selfe how thou art ouerthrowne : T There is no comfort in extremities , I In high good-wil let honour be thy guide , N No cruell thought can rest in kinde aspect , G Good-nature sees that reason cannot hide , S Sweet be the ends that follow such effect . Finis .

Another . K KNowledge doth much in ●●re of most content , A And reason sees ▪ when loue hath lost his eyes , T Time hath his course , and vertue her intent , H Honor her selfe when other fancies dies , A A wonder lasts but onely for a day . , R Reason regards but honors worthines , I In vertues loue can honor not decay : N Nothing but heauen is perfect happines . R Rare is the eye that neuer lookes awry . A And sweet the thought that neuer ●ounds amis , T True is the heart that guideth such an ●ye , C Careful the minde where such discretion is , L Long is the life where loue doth draw the line , I Ioyfull the hope that such a heart vpholdeth , T Time is the threed no fancie can vntwine . F Faire is the hap ▪ that such a face beholdeth . Finis .

Another . C CVrtesie carries all the world to loue , A Affection serues , where vertue fauour giues , N Neere to the heauens of highest hearts behoue , D Deer is the thought whereby discretion liues , I Ioy of the eye , and Iewel of the heart , S Saint of the shape that seruice doth adore , H High of the honor of Mineruaes art : E Except ▪ exrepted but one there is no more . Finis .

Another . S SWeet is the flower that neuer fadeth hue , V Vnmatcht the mind that neuer means amis , T Tresure the heart tha● cannot prooue vntrue H High such a saint in whom such honor is , W Where such a flower , as faire as sweet doth spring E Except but one , behold the onely ground , L Loue such a ground , a Garden for a King : L Looke in the world , the like is hardly found . Finis .

A pretie Poe●e . A Trembling hand , but not a traitors hear● , Writing for feare and fearing for to write , Loath to reueale , yet willing to impart , Such secret thoughts as ●it not euery sigh● . Must leaue to you in sweet conceit to know ●he● , For I haue sworne that I will neuer shew them . I know not what , but sure the griefe is greene , I know not when , but once it was not euer , I know not how , but secretly vnseene , And make no care if it be ended neuer , And yet a wound that wastes me all with woe , And yet I would not that it were not so ▪ But oh sweete God , what doe the●e humo●s moue ? Alas , I feare , God shield it be not loue . Finis .

A Louer in despaire . BVrne burne desi , e , while thy poore fuel lasteth , Young wood enflam'd doth yeeld the brauest fire , Though long before in smothering heat it wasteth With froward will to conquer his desire : But fire supprest once breaking into flame , Doth rage till all be wasted in the same . Most tyrannous and cruel element , So to Enuie the Substance of thy life , As to consume thy vital nourishment , Till death it selfe doe end this mortal strife : Yet worke thy wil on me O raging fire , And lea●e no coales to kindle new desire . Ne let the glowing heat of ashe● left , Yeeld to my fainting sences fresh reliefe , But as my soule from comfort thou hast re●t , So end my life in this consuming griefet For wel I see , nor wit nor wil now serueth , To recompence desire as he deserueth . Finis .

A Dreame of the arra●gnement o● Desir● . A Court was lately kept in secret of conceit . To cal desire vnto his death , or cleare ●im of deceit , fayre Beautie was the Queene , and loue was all her Lawes , Who had appoynted per●em sence to sit vpon the cause . The wretches that accus'd desire of ill desart , Where Enuie , packt with Iniurie , to kil a careful heart ▪ The whole Inditemen read against desire , was this , That where he most auowed best he ment not least amis ▪ The Lawyers that did plead against this poore desire , Where wicked wit with eloquence , whom hate and wrong did hire . But to defend desire was plaine simplicitie , Who knew the bounds and kept the bonds of perfect amitie : A grand Inquest in haste was panneld by the Court. Of whom Tom-troth was foreman made ▪ and so begun the sport . Suspect did halfe affirme , that witnes should not neede , And yet selfe-will would faine haue sworne that al was true indeed . But reason wild regard , the treason should be tryed , And deepe conceit should be the man that should the trueth decide . Suspect in Natures sence layd shrewdly to his charge , But care had brideled Natures course , loue neuer liu'd at large , And conscience plaine replyed in reasons secrete thought , That good wines need no Iuie-bush , and eloquence is naught . ●o sound the depth of all did sences all assemble , And poore goodwill came swearing in , that loue could not dissemble ▪ When patience fully heard the pleading of the case , She call'd to reason to reueale who had deserud di●grace , Good-wil was earnest still ▪ and ●ware that liue or die , Suspect did sore abuse desire , for louers could no● lie . With that the people laught , and reason chargd Tom-troth To giue vp vnto perfect ●ence the verdict of his oath . The Iurors were the thoughts that did posse the minde , Where flatterie was but fancies foole while faith did fauour finde ▪ Who when they had at ful considered of the cause , Gaue Enui● vp for enimie to loue and al his lawes . And wit was but a foole to follow false suspect , And eloquence was little worth to carrie such effect . And hate and Enuie both were had in great disgrace , And eloquence for taking parte , was hissed out of place . And sweet desire was cleare , in Reasons secret sence , And perfect sence gaue iudgement so , and quit him of offence . And beautie that before was thought did quite disdaine him , Did graunt him fauour by desert , and loue did entertaine him . Suspect to silence put , good Nature g●n to smile , To heare them iudge to loues disdaine that would desire beguile . And sweet desire the force of enuies ouerthrow , And therewithal the Court brake vp , & I awaked so . Finis .

Brittons Diuinitie . FRom worldly cares and wanton loues conceit , Begun in griefe and ended in deceit : I am coniur'd by hope of happie blis , Where heauenly faith and highest fauour is , To call my wits and all my thoughts together , To write of heauen , and of the high-way thither . The holy spirit of eternall power , Vouchsafe his grace to guide my soule aright , That patient heart may finde the happie hower ▪ When I may see the glorie of that sight , That in conceit so fully may content me , As nought on earth be able to torment me . I aske no ayde of any earthly muse , Far be my fancie from such fonde affect : But in the heauen where highest Angels vse , To sing the sweet of faithful loues effect , Among those spirits of especiall grace , I wish my soule might haue a ●itting place . Where first the teares of true repentant hart , With faithful hope may happy fauour moue , And sighing sobs of sorrowe● bitter smart , May see the life of vndeserued loue : Thence would I craue some excellence deuine ▪ To set my foote in this discourse of mine . To iudge of heauen it is a place of ioy , Where happy soules haue their eternall rest , Where sweet delights doe suffer no annoy , But all things good and onely on the best . Where comfotts moer then ●an can comprehend , And such contents as neuer can haue ●nd ▪ It is the Throne ofhigh 〈◊〉 sweete , The God of power , of glorie and of grace , Where vertue dwe●s , and her adherents meete , In ioyful feare to see his heauenly face ▪ Where holy saints and highe●● Angels sing ▪ An Alleluia to their heauenly King . There is the day , and there is neue● night , There euer ioy , and there is neuer sorrow , There neuer wrong , bu● there is euer right , There eue● haue , and neuer need to borrow . There euer ▪ loue , and there is neuer hate , Neuer but there was euer such a state . There all the graces doe agree in one , There liueth brethren in one ●inke of loue , There all the saints doe ferue one King alone , Who giues the blis of highest hearts behoue . There is the place of perfect paradice , Where conscience liues and comfort neuer die● ▪ There is the Sun , the beautie of the skie , The Moone and Starres , the candles of the night , Th●re is the essence of that hea●enly eye , That blinds the proud and giues the humble light , There is the rain●bow bended by his hand , Who doth both heauen , earth , se● , & hel command There sitteth God in glorie of hi● throne , With Virgins , saints and Angels all attended , Who in his ●re hath Kingdomes ouerthrowen , And in his loue hath little things defended , Whose glorie more then may by man be knowen , And glorie most is in his mercy showen . There doth he sit in highest of his power , Calling the poore vnto his ●ich reliefe , Sowing the sweete that killeth euerie sower , Giuing the salue that healeth euery griefe : Makieg them liue that lo●g were dead before ▪ And liuing ●o , that they can die no more . By him alone the dumbe doe speake ag●ine , O● him alone the blinde receiue their seeing , With him alone is pleasure without pain , In him alone haue blessed hearts their beeing : To him alone , and onely but vnto him , All glorie due that al the world may doe hi● ▪ Now haue I writ , though far beneath the worth , Of highest H●auen , what happie hart conceiuet● Now wil I trie in order to set forth , Direction such ●s neuer hope deceiueth , How care may climbe the hill of happines Where is the heauen of highest blessednesse . Grace is the gro●●d of euery good that is , The ground once good , how can the work be ill ▪ Then that the minde may not be lead amisse , Beseech the helpe of his most blessed will : Whose onely word ●●ts downe the pa●●age be●● Of humble soules ●o their de●i●ed ●est ▪ Begin to leaue , and make an end to loue , Such wanton thoughts as wofull sorrow giue , Be once resolu'd and neuer doe remoue , To liue to die , as thou mayst die to li●● : Which hell to hate , and seeke for heauenly bli● Read of the world , and tell me what it is . The world ( in ●rueth ) is b●●● wof●ll vale , Where griefe for grasse , and sinnes doe grow for feed , Where substance , sence and s●ules are set to sale , While hoorders heape that naked people need : And for the gaine but of a simple groat , One man wil seeke to cut anothers throate ▪ What is the●e here that can con●ent the hart ? That knowes content or what it doth containe : What thought so swee● but brings as sower a smart ? What pleasure such but breeds a greater paine ? What thing so good but prooues in fine so euill ? As ( but for God ) would bea●e men to the deuill ▪ What is the earth ? the labour of the life . What is the sea ? a gulfe of grislie lakes . Wh●t is the ayre ? a stuffe of filthie strife . What is the fire ? the spoyle of that it takes . Since these are al whence euerie thing doth spring What is the world , bu● euen a woful thing ? What thing is man ? a clod of mirie clay , Slime of the earth , a slaue to filthie sinne , Springs like a weed , and so doth weare away , Goes to the earth where first he did begin : Thinke with thy selfe , when thou thy selfe art suc● What is in man that man should be so much ? What hath the world to leade thy minde to loue ? In true effect , a fardle full of toyes , For wey the pith what euerie man doth prooue , The perfect Gems are most vnperfect ioyes : Consider all what fancie bringeth forth , The best conceit will fall out nothing worth . What worldlie thinges doe follow fancie most ? Weal●h beautie loue , fine diet , honour , fame What finds aff●ct ? both loue and labour lost , D●sdai●e ▪ disease ▪ dishonour , death and shame . Where care and sorrow , death and dead●ie strife ▪ Doo rule the roste in this accursed life ▪ What thing is beautie ? a colour pu●cklie gone . And what is wealth when riches fall to rust ? What thing is loue ? a toy to thinke vpon ▪ Fine diet , drosse to feede a filthie lust : What worldlie honor oft vnworthie praise ? What ease , the cause whereby the life decayes ? What is disdaine ? the scorne of proud conceit , And what disease , the death of discontent ? Dishonor next the fruit of fond deceit . And what is death ? the end of ill intent . Now what is shame ? a shamefull thing to tel ▪ What is the world but wickeds way to hel ? For beasts , for birds , for fishes , flowers and trees , And all such thinges created for our vse , What thing is man to take such things as these , By want of grace to turne vnto abuse ? Oh wretched world , when man that shuld be best In beastly thing● proou●s worse then all the rest . Thus haue I shew'd the world and wh●t is , A wicked place and ful of wretched woes , A sincke of sinne shut out from heauenly blis , Where lacke of grace doth wit and r●ason loose : So vile a thing as who in kinde doth prooue it . Will soone confesse he hath no cause to loue it . Now how to leaue this loath some life of outs , The h●tefull hel the ground of euerie griefe , Implore the helpe of those assured powers , Who neuer faile the faithfull soule reliefe : Lay by these thoughts that are to be abhord , And set thy heart vpon the heauenlie Lord . First know thy God , and what a God he is ▪ Without beginning and can haue no end , Who in his loue created onely his , And by his hand doth eue● his defend ▪ Whose glorious essence of his excellence , Makes highest powers to tremble at his presence ▪ He made the world and what it doth containe , Onely but man he made vnto his loue , And mans good will was his desired gaine , Till proud attempt did high displeasure mooue ▪ He plagu'd his pride , yet when he saw his paine . He gaue the salue that heald the wound againe . He gaue the rules to guide the soule aright , What it should doe , and what it should not doe , He shew'd the su●me of his desires delight , And what the heart should set it selfe vntoo : And in t●e good of his most gracious will ▪ He shew'd the good that healed euerie ill . He gaue the sunne , the moone and starres a course , That they obserue according to his will : He makes the tides to take their due recourse , And sets the earth where it doth settle stil● ▪ He made the substance of each element , And sets his foote vpon the firmament . He giues vs knowledge , and we will not know him He bids vs aske , and we wil neuer mooue him : He bids vs come ▪ and we are running from him : He giues vs life , and yet we neuer loue him : He is our King , and we doe not respect him : He is our God , and yet we doe neglect him . And nought but man that can o● dare deuise , How to offend that holy wil of his , In onely man that cursed humor lyes , That makes no care ●o run his course amis , But day by day doth more and more offend him . Whose onely hand doth from all hurt defend him ▪ Vngrateful man whom God did onely make , In loue to loue , and with his loue preserueth , And for his loue endured for his sake Such death of life as dearest loue deserueth : What cursed hart would in displeasure mooue him That giuing all , askes nothing but to loue him . Oh loue , sweet loue , oh high and heauenly loue , The onely loue that leads to happie life , Oh loue that liues for liui●g hearts behoue ▪ And makes an end of euery hateful strife : How happie he that kindly can attaine it , And how accurst that dare for to disdaine it . Loue was the cause that first we were created , Loue is the life that we haue giuen to lead , Loue is the cause we neuer can be hated , Loue is our life when other life is dead , Loue is ●he grace that highest good doth giue , Learne but to loue , and t' is enough to liue . First loue thy God that taught ●hee how to loue , Then loue the loue that he in loue hath taught thee . That loue so fixed as nothing can remoue . The hope of life that highest loue hath wroght thee Thus if thou loue , thy loue will be a friend , To gaine the life where loue wil neuer end . Finis .

A Louers complaint . TO loue , alas , what may I call thy loue , Thy vncouth loue , thy passions wondrous strange A mischiefe deadly such as for to prooue , My heart would shun if power I had to change . To change said I ? recant againe that sound , Recant I must , recant it shall indeede . Sith in my heart ●o many things abound , As yeelds desart how ere my fancies speed . Sweet is the lewre that feeds my gazing eyes ▪ Sweeter the lookes that whet me hote desire ▪ Sweet is the harbor where my quiet lies , ▪ But too vnsweet the meanes for to aspire . Yet must I loue I loue , and so I doe , Suppose it hard the thing wherat I retcht , Who doubts but pearles are for the best to woe , And greatest minds to highest actions stretch . Be witnes yet my friendes of all my paine , And powers diuine that know my iust complaint , Let all my loue within my barke remaine , Whom harmefull force hath neuer power to taint . Finis .

A dialogue betweene Caron and Ama●o● . A. COme Caron come with speede : C. What haste ? who calleth me ? A. A woful wight drownd in despaire , which now hath neede of thee . C. Who craues my helpe wants hap : But what afflicts the so ? A. My hope is turned to despaire , My friend become my foe . Who vow'd her selfe to me , But periur'd of her faith , Performeth not she promised , As carelesse what she saith , C. Ah tyrant that she is : But what doost thou intend● ▪ A. That with one death ten thousand deaths might haue their final end . C. Oh man for ferrie boat , Goe doe what is assignd , Despairing soules of Louers faind May here no passage find . A. Oh Caron cruell wretch , That thus hast mocked me : These hands of mine shall make a boate To passe in spight of thee . These eyes that stand with ●●ares Shal make a flood to flow ▪ This heart shal stuffe my sayles with sighes , And force my boate to goe . Finis .

A Sonnet . Giue me leaue to loue thee lasse , giue me leaue to loue thee : Thou seest that I can doe no lesse , then giue me leaue to loue thee . THy golden hayre , thy forehead faire , Thy daintie browes , thy eyes so cleare , Those pretie dimplets to them neere , Doe cause me thus to loue thee . Giue me leaue , &c. Thy comely cheekes like damask rose , Y●mixt with Lillies I suppose , Euen parted by thy comely nose , Would cause a man to loue thee . Giue me leaue , &c. Thy mouth from thence deuided is , By such proportion ofblis , What treasure can be like to this , that makes me thus to loue thee ? Giue me leaue , &c. Thine Amber breath , thy pretie chin , Indimpled where it doth begin , Doth make me thinke it were a sin , If that I should not loue thee . Giue me leaue , &c. Thy Lilly neck , that piller deere , Like Alablaster white and cleere , Twixt vpright shoulders doth appeare , To make a man to loue thee . Giue me leaue , &c. Thy long smooth arme , thy silke softe hand , I wish were to my neck a band - So might I let thee vnderstand , how well that I doe loue thee . Giue me leaue ▪ &c. Vpon thy breasts more white then snow , Two pretie pamplets euenly grow , O● venus guifts the richest show , to make a man to loue thee . Giue me leaue , &c. Thy middle sm●ll , that curdie rock , That there lyeth hid vnder thy smock , Doe mooue my spirits , I doe not mocke , Exceedingly to loue thee . Giue me leaue , &c. Thy hidden parts I recommend , To his conceit who is thy friend , Whose labour sure doth onely tend , in part and whole to loue thee . Giue me leaue ▪ &c. Thy brawned thigh , thy whirled knee , Thy legge , thine anckle pretilie , Doe giue such comfort vnto mee that I of force must loue thee . Giue me leaue ▪ &c. Thy heele , thy foot , thy toes so straight , That trip and tread with such a sleight , Doe with my sences all so fraight that needs I must thus loue thee . Giue me leaue , &c. Each comelie parte from top to toe , Will breed my sillie heart much woe , Vnles it please thee for to show that thou againe wilt loue me . Giue me leaue , &c. Then sayd my loue , sith that you say , And doe protest to loue me aye . My loue to you I le not denay , in sorte as you doe loue me . Giue me leaue , &c. So had I leaue to loue my Lasse , So had I leaue to loue her , Now should I be too much an Asse . If I would not then prooue her , Giue me leaue &c. Finis .

A Poeme . MY Mistresse all alone my seruice I did vowe , She sware , as she a woman was , no loue she did allow . Alas , then grew my paine , it greu d me to the heart , My sences then so sencelesse were , as that I felt no smart . And standing in a maz , as Aspis on the charme , She said and swore ( to saue my life ) she wisht no good nor harme , Alas , what bitter sweet , alas what pleasant paine . What shiuering heat , what chilling cold , did passe through euery vain● And when I would haue sworne her heart would neuer mooue , By Iesus Christ she tooke that oath , that she did neuer loue . Alas what was I then ? alas what am I now ? Too weake to loue , too strong to die ▪ quick , dead , I know not how . Finis .

A Poeme . WEare happie I as others are , Then might I liue as others doe : But fortune giues a sundrie share , And more to one then others too , The mind doth yet content it selfe ▪ What euer fortune doe befall , And makes no count of cankred pelfe , Nor cares for any care at all . For health it is the gift of God , And giue him thankts , and so haue done , And want of wealth a heauenly rod , To punish natures eldest sonne . Is freinds doe frowne , then farewel they , This worldlie loue wil neuer last , And if it be a rainie day , The sunne wil shine when storme is past , If troubles come a thwart thy minde , Why t is a rule , there is no rest , And he that seekes and cannot finde , Must take a little for a feast ▪ If Ladies loue , then laugh for ioy , And if they doe not , farewell loue : If thou be lost , t is but a toy , And if it hold , it will not mooue . Faire b●a●tie soone will fade a way . And riches q●icklie fall to rust , Thy youthfull yeares will soone decay ▪ And age will soone giue ouer lust . The greatest horse is but a beast , The highest H●wk is but a bird , The sweetest b●nquet but a feast , The brauest man is but his word . To promise much doth please th● eare , B●t to performe contents the heart . And where performance commeth , there A vowed loue can neuer parte . But they that haue the world at will , And shrinketh at a shower of raine , May h●p to wish and want there will . Vnles their hands haue greater gaine , But hap what will my heart is sette ▪ I am resolu'd of this conceit , If by desert I cannot get , I loath to liue vpon deceit . For stayed minde is of that state , As euerie fortune cannot finde , For hope nor feare , nor loue , nor hate , Can euer change an honest minde . ●ut either die in secrete griefe , Whe●e care shall euer be conceald ▪ Then send abroad to seeke reliefe , And haue a hurt vnkindely heald . And onely trust in God on high , For in the world there is no friend , And loath to liue and long to die , And know the world sh●ll haue an end . But if I die , and you doe mis , The sweet con●ention might command , Then thinke but what a death it is ▪ To want d●sert without demand . And thinke vpon t●● nights and dayes . When beat●n braines and broken heart . Did r●adie serue at al assayes , For to discharge an honest part . And if that you doe hap to neede , As other men doe now and than . Thinke w●en that vertue stood in steede , I. R. was a right honest man . The time draweth on ▪ I heare the bell , That calleth for death my dearest friend , But liue or die I wish you well , Though your vnkindnes were my end . Finis .

A Poeme vpon this word trueth ▪ IN trueth is trust , distrust not then my trueth , Let vertue liue , I aske no greater loue , Of such regard repentance not ensueth , And hope of heauen doth highest power prooue . In trueth somtime it was a sweete conceit , To see how loue and life did dwell together ▪ But now in trueth there is so much deceit , That trueth in deede is gone I know not whither . Yer liueth trueth , and hath her secret loue , And loue in trueth deserues to be regarded , And loues regard in reason doth appeare , Approued trueth can neuet be discharged : Then try me first ▪ and if that true you proue me , In trueth you wrong me if you doe not loue me . Finis ,

A Poeme vpon the word sweet . SWeet is the life ▪ that is the sweet of loue , ●weet is the loue , that is the sweet of life , Sower the conceit that doth vnkindenes mooue , But kinde the sweete that endeth such a strife ▪ Then for the sweet of sweetest louers vaine , Sweet if thou louest me , sweetlie come againe . Oh sweet and sweet , where nothing is but sweet , Sweet be thy motions , and sweeter be thy minde , Which shew●● 〈◊〉 sweet where sweet affections meet In sweet content that cannot prooue vnkinde : Then sweetest hart that to this humor moouest me , Sweete come againe , that I may see thou louest me . Sweet I began , and so with sweet I end , There is no sweet vnto the sweet of loue , Nor loue so sweet as in so sweet a friend , Which shewes the sweet no sowernesse can remooue , Let tha● sweet thought vnto this sweetnesse mooue thee , Sweet come againe , for by my sweet I loue thee . Finis .

A Louer finding ●is loue vnconstant , maketh his last farewell . NO faith on earth , sweet fancie then adu● , No fancie firme , why then there is no friend , No friend but fained , what vice will then ensue , Since trust doth prooue b●t treason in the end , Farewell false loue , thy tryall is not iust , No faith on earth , there is no friend to trust . Fancie farewell , which I haue loued so , And farewell loue that makes me loath my life ▪ And life adue which bred me all my woe , And farewel woe , the forger of all strife , And spite adue , which breedeth all contempt , Contempt adue , whose mischiefe I repent . And thus I end , repenting still my life , Crauing for death to make a speedie end , To rid me soone from all this cursed strife And ease my heart which sorrow still doth rend : With some contempt to shoulder off my paine , Whose faith still stands in spite of all disdaine . Finis .

A Poeme . LOue makes me loath my life , Yet doe I liue by loue . This life brings death , and death brings life . Both these and that I prooue : I sigh and sing for ioy , I laugh in paine to lie , Thus moane workes mirth , and mirth weaues woe ▪ Twixt both I liue and die . My colour shewes my care , My care doth worke my paine . My paine my griefe , my griefe my death , My death mine endles gaine , In vaine is beauties blaze . If beautie want her meede . The blossome fruit , the fruit his flower ▪ The flower wil haue his seed . My youth doth shew my yeares , My yeares should shew my ioy ▪ I haste to wed , I haue no will , I stoope , yet am I coy , Though outward face doth shew Mine inward heart not payn'd , Yet doth mine inward hart well know , Mine outward face is fayn'd . I fast , I pray , I play , What diet can I prooue ? But ah I see the ripest wittes ▪ Are soonest thrall to loue . Sith so it is , I sigh , And to my selfe I sing , Heygho , my hart ▪ heigho ▪ alas ▪ Loue is a cruell thing . Finis .

The moane of a Louer in despaire . GOe paper all be blurd ▪ be blurd , with bootles teares in vaine ▪ Goe tell , goe tell the heauie newes . Of my consuming paine : Goe tell goe tell vnto my friends , But if they a●ke thee why , Let this suffice , it is enough , I am re●ol●●d to die . My head can take ●o q●iet rest , Mine eyes recei●e no sig●ht ▪ My mouth no taste , my nose no s●ell , Mine eares heare no delight , My silly panting heart doth faynt : but if they aske thee why Let t●is suffice , it is enough , I am resolu'd to die ▪ My feeble han●s with-hold their helpe , m● feete doe let me fall , My t●●gue ca● harbor no delight ▪ to comfort me at all , My wit and sences all do faile , but if they aske thee why ▪ Let this suffice it is enough , I am resolu'd to die . I haue bespoke the Clarck in haste , to toll my passing knill , I haue in order as I ought , my selfe set downe my will : I cannot long time heere remaine : but if they aske thee why , Let this suffice it is enough , I am re●olu'd to die , I haue prepar'd my shrowding sheet , my graue I haue begun , I haue almost perform'd the race my wearie corps must runne ▪ I tarrie but a little while , but if they aske thee why , Let this suffice it is enough , I am resolu'd to die . Finis .

A Poeme . A Liuelie face and piercing beaut●y bright ▪ Aath linckt in loue my s●●e sences all , A comely port , a goodlie sh●ped wight , Hath made me slide that neuer thought to fal● ▪ Her eyes , her grace , her deedes and manners mild So straines my heart that loue hath me beguil'd . But not one dart of Cupid did me wound , A hundred shafts light all on me at once , As though dame kinde a new deuise had sound To teare my flesh and crash a two my bones , And yet I feele such ioyes in these my woes , That as I die my spirite to pleasure goes . These my fond fits such change in me doth breede . I ha●e the day , and driue to darknes , loe , Yet by the lampe of beautie I doe feede , In dimmest dayes , and darkest nights also : Thus altring state and changing diet still , I feele and know the force of Venus will . The best I finde is that I doe tonfesse , I loue a dame whose beautie doth excell , But yet a toy doth breede me my distresse , For that I dread she will not loue me well : Thus all my sweet still turne to bitter bale ▪ Ready to kill me ere I end my tale . Oh Goddesse mine ▪ yet heare the voyce of ruth , And pittie him that heart presents to thee . And if thou wilt but witnes for my trueth , Let sighs and grones my iudge and record bee , Vnto ●he end a day may come in haste , To make me thinke I spend no time in waste ▪ For naught preuailes in loue to serue and ●ue , If full effect ioyne not with words at neede What is desire or any fancies now , More then that which is spread abroad indeed : My words and deedes 〈…〉 in one agree , To pleasure her whose sir●●a●e would I bee ▪ Finis .

Of his Mistresse loue . TTo trie whose art and sttength did most excell My Mistresse , L●ue and faire Diana met , The Ladier three foorthwith to shooting fell , And for the prize the richest Iewel set . Sweet Loue did both her bowe and arrowes gage , Diana did her beautie rare lay downe , My Mistresse pawnde her crueltie and rage , And she that wanne had all for her renowne : It fell out thus when as the match was done . My Mistresse gat the beautie and the bowe , And streight to trie the weapons she had wonne ▪ Vpon me heart she did a shaft bestow . By beautie bound , by Loue and Vigor slaine , The losse is mine where hers was all the gaine .

Of a discontented minde . POets come all , and teach one take a penne , Let all the heads that euer did indite , Let Sorrow rise out of her darkest denne , And helpe an heart an heauie tale to write . And if all these or any one can touch , The smallest part of my tormenting paine : Then will I thinke my griefe is not so much , But that in time it may be healde againe . But if no one come neere the thought , Of that I ●eele ▪ and no man els can finde , Then let him say that deare his cunning bought , There is no death to discontented minde .

Of his Mistresse Beautie . WHat ailes mine eies , or are my wits distaught , Doe I not see , or know not what I see , No marueil though to see that wonder wrought , Tha● on the earth another cannot bee . What ment the Gods when first they did creat you , To make a face to mocke all other features , Angels in heauen will surelie deadlie hate you , To leaue the world so full of foolish creatures . Che●kes that enchaine the highest hearts in thrall , Is it set downe such faire shall neuer fade you . Hands , that the hearts of highest thoughts appall , Was not Minerua made when she had made you , Faire : looke on you , and farewell beauties grace , Wise : why your wits the wisest doth abash . Sweet : where is sweet but in your sweetest face , Rich: to your will all treasure is but trash . Oh how these hands , are catching at those eyes , To feed this heart that onely liues vpon them , Ah , of these hands what humors doe arise , To blind these eyes that liue by looking on them . But heart must faint th●t must be going from you , And eyes must weepe that in you loose their seeing , Heauens be your place , where Angels better know you ▪ And earth is too base for such a Goddesse beeing . Yet where you come a●ong those highest powers , Craue pardon then for all these great offences , That when you dwelt among these hearts of ours , Your onelie eyes did blind our wits and sences . Now if you s●e my will abo●e my wit , Thinke of the good that all your graces yeeld you : A mazed Muse must haue a madding fi● , Who is but mad that euer hath beheld you .

A Sonnet . THose eyes that hold the hand of euerie heart , That hand that ho●ds the heart of euerie eye , That wit that goes beyond all Natures art ▪ The sence too deepe for wisdome to discrie . That eye , that hand , that wit , that heauenlie sence , Doth shew my onely Mistresse excellence . Oh eyes that pearce into the purest heart , Oh hands that hold the highest thoughts in thrall , Oh wit that weyes the depth of all desar● , Oh sence that shewe the secret sweet of all . The heauen of heauens with heauenlie power preserue thee . Loue but thy selfe , and giue me leaue to serue thee . To serue , to liue , to looke vpon those eyes , To looke , to liue , to kisse that heauenly hand ▪ To sound that wit that doth amaze the minde , To know that sence , no sence can vnderstand . To vnderstand that all the world may know , Such wit , such sence , eyes , hands , there are no moe .

A Pastorell of Phillis and Coridon . ON a hill there growes a flower , Faire befall the daintie ●weet : By that flower there is a bower , Where the heauenly Muses meete . In that bower there is a Chaire , Fringed all about with golde : Where doth sit the fairest faire , That did euer eye beholde . It is Phillis faire and bright , She that is the shepheatds ioy : She that venus did dispight , And did blind her little boy . This is she the wise , the rich , And the world desires to see , This is Ipsa quae the which , There is none but onely shee . Who would not this face admire , Who would not this Saint adore , Who would not this sight desire , Though he thought to see no more : Oh faire eyes yet let me see , One good looke , and I am gone , Looke on me for I am hee , Thy poore sillie Corridon . Thou that art the shepheards Queene , Looke vpon thy silly swaine : By thy comfort haue beene seene , Dead men brought to life againe .

The complaint of a ●orsaken Louer . Let me goe seeke some solitarie place , In craggie rocks where comfort is vnknowne : Where I may sit and waile my heauie case , And make the heauens acquainted with my mone , Where onelie Eccho with her hallow voyce , May ●ound the sorrow of my hidden sence : And cruel chance the crosse of sweetest choyse , Doth breed the paine of this experience . In mourning thoughts let me my minde attire , And clad my care in weedes ofdeadlie woe : And make disgrace the graue of my desire , Which tooke his death wh ereby his life did growe , And ere I die engraue vpon my tombe , Take heede of Loue , for this is Lo●ers doome .

A pretie fancie . WHo takes a friend and trusts him not , Who hopes of good and hath it not , Who hath a Item and keepes it not , Who keepes a Ioy and loues it not . The first wants wit the second will , Carelesse the third , the fourth doth ill .

An Epitaph on the death of a noble Gentleman . SOrrow come si● thee downe , and sigh and sob thy fill , And let these bleeding bitter teare● , be witnesse of thine ill . See , see , how Vertue si●s , what passions she doth prooue . To thinke vpon the losse o● him , that was her dearest loue . Come Pall●● carefull Q●eene , let all thy Muses waite , About the graue , where buried is , the grace of your conceit ▪ Poets lay downe your pennes , or if you needs will write , Confesse the onely day of loue hath lost her dawning light ▪ And you that know the Court , ank what beseemes the place , With griefe engraue vpon his tombe , he gaue al Courts a grace ▪ And you that keepe the fields , and know what valure is , Say all too soone was seene in this vntimelie death of his . Oh that he liu'd in earth , that could but halfe conceiue , The honour that his rarest heart was worthie ●o receiue , Whose wisdome farre aboue the rule of Natures teach , Whose workes are extant to the world , that al the world may teach Whose wit the wonder-stone , that did true wisdome tuch , And such a sounder of conceipt , as few or neuer such . Whose vertue did exceed in Natures highest vaine . Whose life a ●anthorne of the loue that surelie liues againe . Whose friendship faith so fast , as nothing could remooue him , Whose honourable curtesie made all the world to loue him What Language but he spake ▪ what rule but he had read ? What thought so high ? what sence so deep but he had in his head . A Phoenix of the world , whom fame doth thus commend , Vertue is life , Val●r his loue , and Honour was his end . Vpon whose to●be be writ ▪ that may with teares be red : Heere lies the flower of chiualrie that euer England bred . Oh heauens , vpon the earth was neuer such a day , That all concei●s of all contents should al consume away . Me thinkes I see a Queene come couered with a vaile . The Court al stricken in a dumpe , the Ladies weepe & waile . The Knights in careful sighes bewaile their secret losse , And he that best conceales his griefe , bewraies he hath a crosse Come Scholers bring your bookes , let reason haue his right , Doe reuerence vnto the c●rse , in h●nour of the Knight . Come souldi●rs see the Knight , that le●t his life so n●ere ye Giue him a volley o● your harts , that al the 〈◊〉 m●y ●●are ye , And ye that liue at ●ome , and passe your time in p●●c● , To helpe ye sing his ●ole●ull dirge , let sorrow neuer c●ase . Oh could I mourne enough , that a●l the world may see , The griefe of loue for such a l●sse , as greater c●nnot bee . Our Court hath lost a f●●end , ou● Countrie such a Knight , As with the to●m●●t o● the thought , hath turned day to night , A man , so rare a man , did neuer England breed , ●o excellent in euerie thing , that all men did exceed . So full of all effects , that wit and sence may s●an As in his heart did want no part to make a perfect man . Perfection farre aboue the rule of hum●ine sence ▪ Whose heart was onely set on heauen , and had his honor thence Whose ma●ke of hiest aime , was honor of the minde , Who both ●t once did worldlie ●ame , and heauenlie fauour find Whom vertue so did loue , and learning so adore , As commendations of a man , was neuer man had more , Whom wise men did admire , whom good men did affect . Whom honest men did loue and serue , and all men did re●pect . Whose care his Countri●s loue , whose loue his Countries care , Whose careful loue considered wel , his Countrie could not spare Oh Christ what ruth●ull cries about the world doe ring , And to behold the hea●ie sighs it is a hellish thing . The campe , the dolefull campe ▪ comes home with all a Mort , To see the Captaine of th●ir ●are , come home in such a sort ▪ The Court , the solemn● C●u●t , is in a sudden trance , And what is ●e but is amazde to heare of this mischance , T●e Cittie shak●s 〈◊〉 head , as it had lost a piller , And kind affect is in such care , a little more would kill her , 〈◊〉 Oxford sits and we●pes , and Cambridge cries outright . To loose the honour o● their loue , and loue of their delight . The Cleargie singing Psalmes , with teares beblot ●heir booke , And all the schollers follow on , with sad and heauie lookes . The Muses and the Nimphes attired all in blacke , With tea●ing ●eares & wringing hands , as if their hearts would cracke . The father , wife and friends , and seruants in degrees , 〈◊〉 blubbred eyes bewaile the life that faithfull loue did leese . My selfe that lou'd him more , then he that knew him much , Wil leaue the honour ofhis worth , for better wits to tutch : And said but what I thi●ke , and that a number know , He was a Phoenix of a man ▪ I feare there are no moe . To set him downe in praise with men of passed fame , Let this suffice who more deseru'd : I neuer read his name . For this he was in right , in briefe to shew his praise , For Vertue , Learning , Valor , Wit , the honour of our dayes ▪ And so with honor ende , let all the world goe seeke , So young a man so rare a man , the world hath not the like . Whose onelie corps consumes , whose Vertue neuer dies , Whose sweetest soule enioyes the sweet ofhighest Paradice .

The sum of the former in foure lines . GRace , Vertue , Valor , Wit , Experience , Learning , Loue , Art , Reason , Time , Conceite , Deuise , Discretion , Trueth ▪ All these in one , and but one onely prooue , Sorrow in age , to see the end of youth ,

In the praise of his Mistresse . POets lay downe your pennes , let fancie leaue to faine , Bid al the Muses goe to bed , or get a better vaine . There musicks are to base , to sound that sweet consaite , That on the wonder of the world , with wonder may awaite . But if as yet v●knowne , there be some daintie Muse , That can doe more then al the rest , and will her cunning vse ▪ Let her come whet her wits , to see what she can doe , To that the best that euer wrote , came neuer neere vntoo , For Venus was a toy ▪ and onely feigned fable , And Cresed but a Chawcers ●east ▪ and Helen but a bable . My tale shal be of trueth , that neuer treason taught , My Mistresse is the onelie sweet , that euer Nature wrought . Whose eyes are like those starres that keepe the highest skies , Whose beautie like the burning Sunne ▪ that blinds the clearest eies , Whose haires are like those beames , that hang about the Sunne , When in the morning forth he steps , before his course be runne And let me touch those lips , by loue , by leaue , or lucke , When sweet affect , by sweet aspect may yet some fauour sucke ▪ They are those little foldes , of Natures finest wit , That she sat smoothing while she wrought ▪ & wil be smacking yet . And for that purest red , with that most perfect white , That makes those cheeks the sweetest chains , of louers high delite . What may be sayd but this , Behold the onely feature , That al the world that sees the face , may wonder at the creature I wil not stand to muse as many writers doe . ●o seeke our Natures finest stuffe to like her lims vntoo . Foe if thou wert on earth that could in part compare : With euerie part of euerie part , wherin her praises are : Either for Natures gifts or Vertues sweetest grace : I would confesse a blinded heart , were in vnhappie case . But what doth Nature ▪ Sence , and Reason doth approue , She is the onely saint on earth , whom God and man doth lou● ▪ Let this in summe suffice for my poore Muse and mee , She is the Goddesse of the earth , and there is none but shee . FINIS .