University of Virginia Library


170

OF THE SIGNIFICATION OF COLORS.

SONNET.

The color reed of hardiment is sing:
And quhyt ane lyf vnspottit dois declair:
Greine schaws that confort in the hart dois spring:
The purpur luif: Blak stedfastnes and cair:
Broune bourdsum is: And brycht Incarnat fair
In honest deling takith ay delyt:
And glansing cleir columbie maist preclair
Presents ane Royall courtassie perfyt:
The blew is trew, And sanguine hew dispyt:
Orange content: And gray dois hoip to speid:
The tannie lykith craft and to Bakbyt:
And blaiknit ȝallow is forsaikin veid.
Quhan I this sonnet of thir hews did mak,
for my estate, thocht I, aggreis the blak.