Quodlibets, lately come over from New Britaniola, Old Newfoundland. Epigrams and other small parcels both Morall and Divine The first foure Bookes being the Authors owne: the rest translated out of that Excellent Epigrammist, Mr Iohn Owen, and other rare Authors: With two Epistles of that excellently wittie Doctor, Francis Rablais: Translated out his French at large. All of them Composed and done at Harbor-Grace in Britaniola, anciently called Newfound-Land. By R. H. [by Robert Hayman] |
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120 Another Epistle of the same witty Author,
Francis Rabelais, in praise of a graue
Matrone; translated as the former. |
 | Quodlibets, lately come over from New Britaniola, Old Newfoundland. Epigrams and other small parcels both Morall and Divine |  |
120 Another Epistle of the same witty Author, Francis Rabelais, in praise of a graue Matrone; translated as the former.
Thou reuerend Matrone, whose sweet grace & forme,Would a young, faire, sweet, hansome face adorne;
Thy modest carrying, and thy reuerend wit,
Shewes that Gods grace within thy heart doth sit:
Thou in whose hands are alway found good books;
But on loue-toyes thy chaste eyes neuer looks:
Thou that hast in thy braines imprinted deepe
Christ Iesus, who from thence ill thoughts doth keepe:
In thy milde soule rich vertue hath her store;
As God giues wealth to thee, thou giu'st the poore.
Thy heart is alway open to relieue,
And comfort those whom miseries doe grieue:
And with thine owne white hands dost not disdaine
To plaister those poore folkes, whom sores doe paine.
The hungry thou do'st feed with thine owne meate;
The naked, cold, with thine owne cloathes do'st heate;
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Thou giu'st them counsell, mak'st them kitchin physick:
Thou free'st poore pris'ners with thine owne estate:
The fatherlesse thou do'st compassionate,
And do'st so many godly deeds withall,
That Iesus Christ may thee his Sister call.
From foolish vanities thou turn'st thine eyes,
And shutt'st thy eares against malicious lyes.
Although foule sluttish smells thou do'st abhorre;
Perfumers get nothing by thee therefore.
Thy table 's furnish'd with cleane, wholsome fare;
But for luxurious cates thou do'st not care:
And when thou drink'st, it is pure vnmixt wine;
Not those hot drinks that vnto lust incline.
Thy heart did neuer feele th'vnlawfull flame,
Which hath drawne looser wiues to publique shame:
Thou neuer lay'st on any am'rous bed;
But where thy husband had thy mayden-head;
And onely there for procreation,
And for thy Husbands recreation:
Thou art so zealous, godly, mercifull,
And with such heauenly, goodly graces full;
That we may stile thee, The rich Christian Palace,
Wherein the Holy Ghost doth take his solace.
Thy outward graces haue such Excellence,
That all salute thee with graue reuerence:
Thy head is fraught with holy meditations;
Thy heart is fill'd with heau'nly consolations;
Thy eares are open to the poores sad cryes,
And from them thou dost neuer turne thine eyes:
Thy hands are open to each godly deed,
And feet are swift, when of thy helpe there's need.
Thou art so faire, so vertuous, and so good;
Thou seem'st an Angell clad in flesh, and blood.
Thou art so hansome, proper, neat, and faire,
As if but yet thou a young maiden were:
(Sweet-heart beleeue) all honest men with me,
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Thou often hast the Bible in thy hand,
And humbly pray'st, thou mayst it vnderstand;
And what with sober knowledge thou do'st reade,
Thou putt'st in practice, or into thy Creede.
Thou peerelesse Paragon! thou past compare!
Such as thou art, I wish all women were.
Thou Extract of good women now adayes;
Thy worthines so farre exceeds my praise;
To write it, I doe want an Angels quill;
And I as much doe need an Angels skill.
If thou beest liuing, mayst thou neuer dye,
I humbly pray the blessed Trinity:
And that thou mayst in honour, health, and rest,
Liue in this World, and in the next be blest.
| Quodlibets, lately come over from New Britaniola, Old Newfoundland. Epigrams and other small parcels both Morall and Divine | |