University of Virginia Library

The Dance ended, Lucenda she retires
So nigh the Queene (crossing my desires)
That 'twas impossible to conferre,
But one or other would us over-heare:
Wherefore I did resolve for to indite
A Letter to her, and in blacke and white
To give her knowledge of those things, which I
At that same present could not verbally:
Then to a Ward-robe I my selfe with-drew,
And there afresh my passions 'gan renew:
For pen and paper I'de no sooner tane,
But straight I felt my former burning flame;
Through heate of which I suffering cruell smart,
With paine I wrot the torments of my heart.
Ending my Letter, which in pleats most small
I foulded up, returning therewithall
Towards Lucenda, slily dropping downe
Into the traine of her embroyder'd Gowne:
Yet this I could not act so cunningly,
But she perceiv'd it with her rowling eye:
Yet in respect and honour of the Queene
She was constrain'd to pas't, as if unscene:
Th'affects of my sad missive Ile repeat,
And how my Lines in my behalfe did treat.