The Copy of a letter, lately written in meeter, by a yonge Gentilwoman to her unconstant Louer. With an Admonitio[n] to al yong Gentilwomen, and to all other Mayds in general to beware of mennes flattery. By Is. VV. [i.e. Isabella Whitney] Newely ioyned to a Loueletter sent by a Bacheler, (a most faithfull Louer) to an unconstant and faithless Mayden |
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The Copy of a letter,
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 | The Copy of a letter, lately written in meeter, by a yonge Gentilwoman |  |
The Copy of a letter,
lately written in meeter, by a yonge gentilwoman To her vnconstant Louer.
As close as you your wedig kept
yet now the trueth I here:
Which you (yer now) might me haue told
what nede you nay to swere?
yet now the trueth I here:
Which you (yer now) might me haue told
what nede you nay to swere?
You know I alwayes wisht you wel
so wyll I during lyfe:
But ifth you shal a Husband be
God send you a good wyfe.
so wyll I during lyfe:
But ifth you shal a Husband be
God send you a good wyfe.
And this (where so you shal become)
full boldly may you boast:
That once you had as true a Loue,
as dwelt in any Coast.
full boldly may you boast:
That once you had as true a Loue,
as dwelt in any Coast.
Whose constātnesse had neuer quaild
if you had not begonne:
And yet it is not so far past,
but might agayne be wonne.
if you had not begonne:
And yet it is not so far past,
but might agayne be wonne.
If you so would: yea and not change
so long as lyfe would last:
But yf that needes you marry must?
then farewell hope is past,
so long as lyfe would last:
But yf that needes you marry must?
then farewell hope is past,
And if you cannot be content
to lead a single lyfe?
(Although the same right quiet be)
then take me to your wife.
to lead a single lyfe?
(Although the same right quiet be)
then take me to your wife.
So shall the promises be kept,
that you so firmly made:
Now chuse whether ye wyll be true,
or be of SINONS trade.
that you so firmly made:
Now chuse whether ye wyll be true,
or be of SINONS trade.
Whose trade if that you long shal vse,
it shal your kindred stayne:
Example take by many a one
whose falshood now is playne.
it shal your kindred stayne:
Example take by many a one
whose falshood now is playne.
As by ENEAS first of all,
who dyd poore DIDO leaue,
Causing the Quene by his vntrueth
with Sword her hart to cleaue,
who dyd poore DIDO leaue,
Causing the Quene by his vntrueth
with Sword her hart to cleaue,
Also I finde that THESEVS did,
his faithfull loue forsake:
Stealyng away within the night,
before she dyd awake.
his faithfull loue forsake:
Stealyng away within the night,
before she dyd awake.
IASON that came of noble race,
two Ladies did begile:
I muse how he durst shew his face,
to them that knew his wile.
two Ladies did begile:
I muse how he durst shew his face,
to them that knew his wile.
For when he by MEDEAS arte,
had got the Fleece of Gold
And also had of her that time,
al kynd of things he wolde.
had got the Fleece of Gold
And also had of her that time,
al kynd of things he wolde.
He toke his Ship and fled away
regarding not the vowes:
That he dyd make so faithfully,
vnto his louing Spowes,
regarding not the vowes:
That he dyd make so faithfully,
vnto his louing Spowes,
How durst he trust the surging Seas
knowing himselfe forsworne?
Why dyd he scape safe to the land,
before the ship was torne?
knowing himselfe forsworne?
Why dyd he scape safe to the land,
before the ship was torne?
I think king Aeolus stayd the winds
and Neptune rulde the Sea:
Then might he boldly passe ye waues
no perils could him flea.
and Neptune rulde the Sea:
Then might he boldly passe ye waues
no perils could him flea.
But if his falsehed had to them,
bin manifest befor:
They wold haue rent ye ship as soone
as he had gon from shore.
bin manifest befor:
They wold haue rent ye ship as soone
as he had gon from shore.
Now may you heare how falsenes is
made manyfest in time:
Although they that cōmit the same,
think it a veniall crime.
made manyfest in time:
Although they that cōmit the same,
think it a veniall crime.
For they, for their vnfaithfulnes,
did get perpetuall fame:
Fame? wherfore dyd I terme it so?
I should haue cald it shame.
did get perpetuall fame:
Fame? wherfore dyd I terme it so?
I should haue cald it shame.
Let Theseus be, let Iason passe,
let Paris also scape:
That brought destruction vnto Troy
all through the Grecian Rape,
let Paris also scape:
That brought destruction vnto Troy
all through the Grecian Rape,
And vnto me a Troylus be,
if not you may compare:
With any of these parsons that
aboue expressed are.
if not you may compare:
With any of these parsons that
aboue expressed are.
But if I can not please your minde,
for wants that rest in me:
Wed whom you list, I am content,
your refuse for to be.
for wants that rest in me:
Wed whom you list, I am content,
your refuse for to be.
It shall suffice me simple soule,
of thee to be forsaken:
And it may chance although not yet
you wish you had me taken.
of thee to be forsaken:
And it may chance although not yet
you wish you had me taken.
But rather thē you shold haue cause
to wish this through your wyfe:
I wysh to her, ere you her haue,
no more but loue of lyfe.
to wish this through your wyfe:
I wysh to her, ere you her haue,
no more but loue of lyfe.
For she that shal so happy be,
of thee to be elect:
I wish her vertues to be such,
she nede not be suspect.
of thee to be elect:
I wish her vertues to be such,
she nede not be suspect.
I rather wish her HELENS face,
then one of HELENS trade:
With chastnes of PENELOPE
the which did neuer fade.
then one of HELENS trade:
With chastnes of PENELOPE
the which did neuer fade.
A LVCRES for her constancy,
and Thisbie for her trueth:
If such thou haue, then PETO be
not PARIS, that were rueth.
and Thisbie for her trueth:
If such thou haue, then PETO be
not PARIS, that were rueth.
Perchance, ye will think this thing, rare
in on woman to fynd:
Saue Helens beauty, al the rest
the Gods haue me assignd.
in on woman to fynd:
Saue Helens beauty, al the rest
the Gods haue me assignd.
These words I do not spek thinking
from thy new Loue to turne thee:
Thou knowst by prof what I deserue
I nede not to informe thee.
from thy new Loue to turne thee:
Thou knowst by prof what I deserue
I nede not to informe thee.
But let that passe: would God I had
Cassandraes gift me lent:
Then either thy yll chaunce or mine
my foresight might preuent.
Cassandraes gift me lent:
Then either thy yll chaunce or mine
my foresight might preuent.
But all in vayne for this I seeke,
wishes may not attaine it
Therfore may hap to me what shall,
and I cannot refraine it.
wishes may not attaine it
Therfore may hap to me what shall,
and I cannot refraine it.
Wherfore I pray God be my guide
and also thee defend:
No worser then I wish my selfe,
vntill thy lyfe shal end.
and also thee defend:
No worser then I wish my selfe,
vntill thy lyfe shal end.
Which life I pray God, may agayne,
King Nestors lyfe renew:
And after that your soule may rest
amongst the heauenly crew.
King Nestors lyfe renew:
And after that your soule may rest
amongst the heauenly crew.
Therto I wish King Xerxis wealth,
or els King Cressus Gould:
With as much rest and quietnesse
as man may haue on Mould.
or els King Cressus Gould:
With as much rest and quietnesse
as man may haue on Mould.
And when you shall this letter haue
let it be kept in store?
For she that sent ye same, hath sworn
as yet to send no more.
let it be kept in store?
For she that sent ye same, hath sworn
as yet to send no more.
And now farewel, for why at large
my mind is here exprest?
The which you may perceiue, if that
you do peruse the rest?
my mind is here exprest?
The which you may perceiue, if that
you do peruse the rest?
FINIS.
| The Copy of a letter, lately written in meeter, by a yonge Gentilwoman | |