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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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41

[If Virgil, or learn'd Homer seene had my Sun bright]

If Virgil, or learn'd Homer seene had my Sun bright,
Which I so oft behold with these my happy eyes,
42

They would haue mixt (to blaze her Fame) their vtmost might,
In both their tongues they would haue rais'd her to the Skies:
They would haue made Æneas discontent and sad,
Achillis, graue Vlissis, many Heroies then,
Augustus, and Orestes, (who Ægistus had
Did kill) should still haue laine in darke Obliuions don:
Old Ennius sang in harsh and ragged formed Verse,
Don Scipios praise (the matchlesse wonder of his age.)
I striue a peerelesse Virgins fame for to rehearse,
Who wins the Garland for her vertuous carriage sage.
Heauens grant, though (for this subiect) meane's my wit,
That shee'l not skorne me, but accept of it.
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