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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[When first I saw thee clad] |
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 | The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton |  |
[When first I saw thee clad]
A Gentleman talking on a time with a yong Gentlewoman, being apparreled very plainly, shee tolde him she was too plaine for him, he must go seeke some gallanter Geste, more meete for his tooth: to which, answering his minde afterwarde, wrote vpon the same as followeth: and gaue them vnto her to reade.
When first I saw thee cladin coloures blacke and white,
To gaze vpon thy seemely selfe
I tooke no small delight.
Thy blacke betokens modestie,
thy white, a Virgins minde:
And happy he may thinke himselfe,
that such a one can fynde.
That which is painted out
with colours fresh and gay,
Is of it selfe but little worth,
the colours set away:
But that deserueth praise,
which of it selfe alone
Can shew it selfe in playnest sorte,
and craueth helpe of none.
What should I further say?
let ech man choose his choice:
Though some in painted toyes delight,
in plainnesse I reioyce.
And why? because my selfe
am plaine, as you doo see,
And therefore, to be plaine with you,
your plainnesse liketh me:
The playnnesse of your minde,
and eke your plaine attyre:
For gaye and gallant Cotes is not,
the thing that I desyre.
But noble gallaunt minde,
and yet too therewith plaine:
For now and then, in gallant minds,
dooth deepe deceite remaine.
But for in you, fayre Dame,
bothe noble gallant minde,
And therewith meaning plaine in deede,
I now doo plainly finde.
Chuse others what they list,
this plainely I protest:
Your gallant minde in plaine attire,
it is, that likes me best.
| The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton | |