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.

XIIII.

XV.

XVI.

XVII.

XVIII.

XIX.

XX.

XXI.

XXII.

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.

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. L.

AVISA.

What song is this that you do sing,
What tale is this that you do tell,
What newes is this that you do bring,
Or what you meane I know not well?
If you will speake, pray speake it playne,
Lest els perhaps you lose your payne.

My mynd surpris'd with houshold cares,
Tendes not darke riddles to vntwyne.
My state surcharg'd with great affares,
To Idle talke can lend no tyme;
For if your speeches tend to loue,
Your tonge in vaine such sutes will moue.

In greenest grasse the winding snake,
With poysoned sting is soonest found,
A cowardes tongue makes greatest cracke,

Idlenesse the mother of all foolish wannesse.. Dauid being idle fell to strange lust.

The emptiest caske yeeldes greatest sound,
To hidden hurt, the bird to bring,
The fouler doth most sweetly sing.

If wandering rages haue possest
Your rouing mynd at randame bent;
If idle qualmes from too much rest,
Fond fancyes to your lust haue sent:
Cut off the cause that breedes your smart,
Then will your sicknesse soone depart.

The restles mynd that reason wantes,
Is like the ship that lackes a sterne,
The hart beset with follyes plantes,
At wisdomes lore repynes to learne:

Noblemen gentlemen. and Captaynes by idlenesse fall to all kynd of vices.

Some seeke and fynd what fancy list,
But after wish that they had mist.

Who loues to tread vnknowen pathes,
Doth often wander from his way,
Who longes to laue in brauest bathes,
Doth wash by night, and wast by day:
Take heed betyme, beware the pryse
Of wicked lust, if you be wyse.