The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton For the First Time Collected and Edited: With Memorial-Introduction, Notes and Illustrations, Glossarial Index, Facsimilies, &c. By the Rev. Alexander B. Grosart. In Two Volumes |
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 | The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton |  |
[This little Toye to thee]
Not many dayes after, seeing his Mistresse' discourteous dealing, began to put her away, and chuse himself an other Mistresse: and, beeing then in the Christmas time, presented his new Mistresse with a new yeares Gifte, in this sorte.
This little Toye to thee,for wante of better shifte,
I heere presume for to present,
as a small Newyeares gifte.
The value small whereof,
weigh not, I humbly craue:
But take, in worth, his great good will
whose friendly heart you haue.
To vse braue vaunting words,
will winne naught but disdaine:
But valiant deeds, with words but few,
be they that credit gaine.
Therefore, for to be breefe,
thus much I do protest:
That if to worke your harts content,
within my power it rest,
Commaund what so thou wilt:
if I denye the same,
God let me never haue good looke,
of any noble Dame.
But you, perhaps, will thinke,
these wordes are all but winde:
But doo not so: first trie, then trust,
and fancie, as you finde.
And let not false suspect,
once cause you for to deeme,
That there is any one aliue,
whom I doo more esteeme.
But, as I doo protest,
so count me your deare friend,
Who likes, who loues, who honours you:
and so I make an end.
| The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton | |