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Chrestoleros

Seuen bookes of Epigrames written by T. B. [i.e. Thomas Bastard]

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Epigr. 22. Ad Robertum Wiliams.

Who is my friend Williams dost thou enquire?
He that will loue my want and pouertye.
He that will loue through water & through fire,
Through shame, through euery kinde of misery.
Which will not scorse me for a better friend,
Nor for sweet goold the father of all strife.
Which will not hate me though I doe offende,
Nor sell mee for a tale, nor for his wife.
He whom I smooth, and round, & perfect proue,
Tyring out all the euils which molest me,
Making me happy with his constant loue,
Which is the earthly heauen where I rest me:
He which doth loue, nor more nor lesse then this.
He is my friend VVilliams and I am his.