University of Virginia Library



[Methinks I heare some foule-mouth'd Memus say]

Methinks I heare some foule-mouth'd Memus say,
What haue we here? a shepheards roundelay?
More loue-tricks yet? will this geare neuer end,
But slight lasciuious toyes must still bee pend?
Content thee Memus, thou hast lost thy sight,
For this is neither vaine, obsceane, nor slight.
If for to write of Loue, and Loues delights,
Be not fit obiects for the grauer sights,
Then stil admired Chaucer, thou maist rue
And write thy auncient stories all anew:
And that same Fayry Muse may rise againe,
To blot those works that with vs do remaine.
Then feare not Weeuer, let thy Muse go on,
Thy maiden Muse, thy chaste Endimeon:
To blazon forth the loue of shepheard swaines,
As well in Cottage as in Court Loue raines.
And whosoeuer shall chance thy booke to see,
In it shall reade ripe wit, sweet Poetrie.
I. F.