The Blazon of Iealovsie :: :: University of Virginia Library

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)

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[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.

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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[What is not Love? tis All, Vertue and Vice]

[_]

Taken from Tofte's commentary.

What is not Love? tis All, Vertue and Vice,
Humble, proud, witty, foolish, kinde and nice;
A golden bubble, blowne big with idle Dreames,
That waking breakes, and fils vs with Extreames.

Love backeward speld (put I for O) is Evil
Adde D before the same, and tis the Devil.
A Devil 'tis, and mischiefe such doth worke,
As neuer yet did Pagan, Iew, nor Turke.