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The plays & poems of Robert Greene

Edited with introductions and notes by J. Churton Collins

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 I. 
I VERSES AGAINST THE GENTLEWOMEN OF SICILLIA.
 II. 
 III. 
 IV. 
 V. 
 VI. 
 VII. 
 VIII. 
 IX. 
 X. 
 XI. 
 XII. 
 XIII. 
 XIV. 
 XV. 
 XVI. 
 XVII. 
 XVIII. 
 XIX. 
 XX. 
 XXI. 
 XXII. 
 XXIII. 
 XXIV. 
 XXV. 
 XXVI. 
 XXVII. 
 XXVIII. 
 XXIX. 
 XXX. 
 XXXI. 
 XXXII. 
 XXXIII. 
 XXXIV. 
 XXXV. 
 XXXVI. 
 XXXVII. 
 XXXVIII. 
 XL. 
 XLI. 
 XLII. 
 XLIII. 
 XLIV. 
 XLV. 
 XLVI. 
 XLVII. 
 XLVIII. 
 XLIX. 
 L. 
 LI. 
 LII. 
 LIII. 
 LIV. 
 LV. 
 LVI. 
 LVII. 
 LVIII. 
 LIX. 
 LX. 
 LXI. 
 LXII. 
 LXIII. 
 LXIV. 
 LXV. 
 LXVI. 
 LXVII. 
 LXVIII. 
 LXIX. 
 LXX. 
 LXXII. 
 LXXIII. 
 LXXIV. 
 LXXV. 
 LXXVI. 
 LXXVII. 
 LXXVIII. 
 LXXIX. 
 LXXX. 
 LXXXI. 
 LXXXII. 
 LXXXIII. 
 LXXXIV. 
 LXXXV. 
 LXXXVI. 
 LXXXVII. 
 LXXXVIII. 

I
VERSES AGAINST THE GENTLEWOMEN OF SICILLIA.

Since Ladie milde (too base in aray) hath liude as an exile,
None of account but stout: if plaine? state slut not a courtresse
Dames nowadayes? fie none: if not new guised in all points
Fancies fine, sawst with conceits, quick wits verie wilie.
Words of a Saint, but deedes gesse how, fainde faith to deceiue men.
Courtsies coy, no vale but a vaunt trickt vp like a Tuscan.
Paced in print, braue loftie lookes, not vsde with the vestals.
In hearts too glorious, not a glaunce but fit for an Empresse.
As mindes most valorous, so strange in aray: mary stately.
Vp fro the wast like a man, new guise to be casde in a dublet.

236

Downe to the foote (perhaps like a maid) but hosde to the kneestead.
Some close breetcht to the crotch for cold, tush; peace, tis a shame Syr,
Haires by birth as blacke as Iet, what? art can amend them.
A perywig frounst fast to the frunt, or curld with a bodkin.
Hats from Fraunce thicke pearld for pride, and plumde like a peacocke.
Ruffes of a syse, stiffe starcht to the necke, of Lawne; mary lawlesse.
Gownes of silke, why those be too bad side, wide with a witnesse.
Small and gent I' the wast, but backs as broade as a Burgesse.
Needelesse noughts, as crisps, and scarphes worne à la Morisco.
Fumde with sweetes, as sweete as chast, no want but abundance.