The Blazon of Iealovsie :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Blazon of Iealovsie

A Subiect not written of by any heretofore. First written in Italian, by that learned Gentleman Benedetto Varchi ... And Translated into English, with speciall Notes vpon the same; by R. T. [i.e. Robert Tofte]

Tofte, Robert (1561-1620)

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[dedication]

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[That we no Gold nor Siluer doe thee send]

TO THE IVDICIOVS VNDERSTANDER:

To the Jealous Husband, vpon this Translation by his kinde Friend Mr. R. T.

The Censure of a Friend, vpon this Translation, done by R. T. Gentleman.

To his Friend Mr. R. T. vpon the Translation of this Worke.

THE BLAZON of Jealousie.

[Looke, but aright, and long but for your owne.]

SONETTO.

[Fayre Ladies, yee, who talking vp and downe this way]

[My mortall Foe, in whom you wonted were to see]

[If th' amorous Thought of mine that vexeth mee.]

[You neede not thus to stand in so great feare]

[Art thou a faithfull Friend and seek'st]

[To toule me in, and draw me on]

[The better for to bring me to thy Lure]

[My Wench is gone and stollen away]

[Stab me with Sword, or Poyson strong]

[What's lawfull, base, what's hard to get]

[Too much of easie yeelding Loue]

[So many Sutors to endure]

[CARE, who as vigilant, dost alwayes watch]

[Anon through all the Cities great]

[As t'is a blessed thing God to behold in skie]

[Once was I wont to comfort me in sleepe]

[A Womans Tongue that is as swift as Thought]

[Loue, which enflam'st the troubled Heart]

[A modest and maiestike Lady did I see]

[My question's why Ægistus lewd]

[High Colour (in a Woman) Choler showes]

[A slow soft Tongue betokens Modestie]

[But neyther rauening Tyger mad]

[My loueliest Flame, more beauteous then the best]

[Hope is the sad Hearts helpe]

[If Virgil, or learn'd Homer seene had my Sun bright]

[No doubt, some Fiend, this Looking-glasse did make]

[That which breakes Louers chaste designes in twaine]

[Each thing affrights me, I doe feare]

[As if a woman in her Gowne]

[I mine owne shadowes dread, alone]

[But thou (kinde Witall) Husband thou]

[I dread (Aurora) least]

[There's no vnkindnesse like Loue wrong'd]

[When Heauen would striue to doe the best shee can]

[Who is resolu'd to lead his life vnsure]

[Well maist thou (Po) my body carry fast]

[What is not Love? tis All, Vertue and Vice]

[Ladies, it tedious were to set downe here]

[Grecinus, well I wot thou told'st me once]

[What is the reason (tell me) cruell Loue]

[Fayre Ladies, he that shall loue more]

[The trewest Loue (sometim's) suspicious]

[T'is fast good-will, and gentle curtesies]

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[CARE, who as vigilant, dost alwayes watch]

[_]

Taken from Tofte's commentary.

CARE, who as vigilant, dost alwayes watch,
Perswading mee to what is worse than ill,
And seek'st my pensiue Heart still for to catch,
To force him yeeld to thy accursed will,
Making me leade a heauy wofull life,
Whereas (before) Pleasures with me were rife.

Bane to my sweetest Thoughts, thou gloomy storme,
That all my Hopes and best Times ouerthrowes:
Why with Suspicions new mak'st me forlorne?
Why dost thou vexe my minde with wicked woes?
Why dost thou gall me more and more each houre,
To wreake thy vengeance on me through thy power?

O Monster fierce, more Fierce then monsterous!
O Pestilent plague of loyall Louers true!
What hellish Fiend, what Hagge most furious
From that deepe horrid Caue, thee (hither) drew?
Why in so hydeous shape dost thou appeare?
To torture mee, and spoyle my pleasures here?

Packe hence, away, thy power th' hast too much showne,
And therefore mest full Iucke, with trembling Feare
Shall write the Sorrowes which through thee are growne,
And wofull plaints which in my Breast I beare.
(Damn'd Iealovsie) Ile blaze thee, Herauld-like,
That all the world may loath thee with despight.