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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)
 
[epigraph]
 
[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.
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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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26

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

As t'is a blessed thing God to behold in skie,
So blessed, as wee can, nor ought, to couet more:
So happy am I when I view thy face with eye,
Since nothing in this world I doe so much adore,
Nor haue I seene thee fayrer then I view thee now,
Unlesse mine Eyes (as partiall) iuggle with Conceit;
Hope of my Life, the Mindes chiefe Beauty true,
On whom (as dutie bindes) my Heart doth wait:
But th' art no sooner seene, but art straight out of sight,
Else would I not thy Company so much desire;
Then if some liue by Sent, (as wee beleeue) they write
By Water some, and some by Taste, by Touch, and Fire,
Why by your sweet sight then, should I not liue,
Feeding on nothing else, since life you giue?
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