Willobie His Avisa :: :: University of Virginia Library

Willobie His Avisa

Or The true Picture of a modest Maid, and of a chast and constant wife. In Hexamiter verse. The like argument wherof, was neuer heretofore published [by Henry Willoby]

Willoughby, Henry (1574?-1596?)

[epigraph]

The first triall of Avisa, before she was married, by a Noble man: vnder which is represented a warning to all young maids of euery degree, that they beware of the alluring intisements of great men.

THE SECOND TEMPTATION of Avisa, after her marriage by Ruffians, Roysters, young Gentlemen, and lustie Captaines, which all shee quickly cuts off.

The third trial; wherin are expressed the long passionate, and constant affections of the close and wary sutor, which by signes, by sighes, by letters, by priuie messengers, by Iewels, Rings, Golde, diuers gifts, and by a long continued course of courtesie, at length preuaileth with many both maides and wiues, if they be not garded wounderfully with a better spirite then their owne, which all are here finely daunted, and mildly ouer throwne, by the constant aunsweres, and chast replies of Auisa.

T. B. Being somewhat grieued with this aunswere, after long absence and silence, at length writeth, as followeth.

DYDIMVS HARCO. ANGLO-GERMANVS.

XXXIIII.

XXXV.

XXXVI.

XXXVII.

XXXVIII.

XXXIX.

After long absence, D H. happening to come in on a tyme sodenly to her house, and finding her all alone amongst her maides that were spinning, sayd nothing, but going home wrate these verses following, which he called his Dum habui, and sent them vnto her.

The Authors conclusion.

The resolution of a chast and a constant wife, that minds to continue faithfull vnto her husband.

The praise of a contented mind.

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CANT. XXIX.

D. B. A French man.

Mistake indeed, if this be true,
If youth can yeeld to fauours foe;
If wisdome spring, where fancie grew;
But sure I thinke it is not so:
Let faithfull meaning purchase trust,
That likes for loue, and not for lust.

Although you sweare, you will not yeeld,
Although my death you should intend,
Yet will I not forsake the field,
But still remaine your constant frend,
Say what you list, flie where you will,
I am your thrall, to saue or spill.

You may command me out of sight,
As one that shall no fauour find,
But though my body take his flight,
Yet shall my hart remaine behind,
That shall your guilty conscience tell,
You haue not vs'd his master well.

His masters loue he shall repeate,
And watch his turne to purchase grace,
His secret eye shall lie in waite;
Where any other gaine the place:
When we ech others can not see,
My hart shall make you thinke of mee.

To force a fancie, where is none,
T'is but in vaine, it will not hold,
But where it growes it selfe alone,
A little fauour makes it bold,
Till fancie frame your free consent,
I must perforce, be needs content.

Though I depart with heauie cheare,
As hauing lost, or left my hart,
With one whose loue, I held too deare,
That now can smile, when others smart,
Yet let your prisoner mercy see,
Least you in time a prisoner bee.