University of Virginia Library

previous section The Life and Poems of Richard Edwards
next section

He requesteth some frendly comfort affirmyng his constancie.

The mountaines hie whose loftie toppes, doeth mete the hautie sky,
The craggie rocke that to the sea, free passage doth deny,
The aged Oke that doeth resist, the force of blustryng blast,
The pleasaunt herbe that euery where, a fragrant smell doeth cast.
The Lyons forse whose courage stout, declares a princlike might,
The Eagle that for worthinesse, is borne of kyngs in fight:
The Serpent eke whose poisoned iawes, doeth belche out venim vile,
The lothsome Tode that shunneth light, and liueth in exile.
These these I saie and thousands more, by trackt of tyme decaie,
And like to tyme doe quite consume, and vade from forme to claie:
128

But my true harte and seruice vowed, shall laste tyme out of minde,
And still remaine as thine by dome, as Cupid hath assignde.
My faithe loe here I vowe to thee, my trothe thou knowest right well,
My goods my frends, my life is thine, what nede I more to tell?
I am not myne but thine I vowe, thy hests I will obeye,
And serue thee as a servant ought, in pleasyng, if I maie:
And sith I haue no fliyng wings, to see thee as I wishe,
Ne finnes to cut the siluer streames, as doeth the glidyng fishe,
Wherefore leaue now forgetfulnesse, and sende againe to me,
And straine thy azured vaines to write, that I maie greetyng see:
And thus farewell more deare to me, then chifest frende I haue,
Whose loue in harte I minde to shrine, till death his fee doe craue.
M. Edwards
previous section The Life and Poems of Richard Edwards
next section