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The Complete Works of George Gascoigne

In Two Volumes
Gascoigne, George (1542?-1577)

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VOLUME I
  
[dedication]
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COMMENDATORY VERSES
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FLOWERS.
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HEARBES.
  
The Frute of reconciliation,
  
[This vaine availe which thou by Mars hast woonne]
  
[The feeble thred which Lachesis hath spoone]
  
He wrote to the same friend from Excester, this Sonet following.
  
He wrote to the same friend from Founteine belle eaü in Fraunce, this Sonnet in commendation of the said house of Fountaine bel'eaü.
  
He wrote unto a Skotish Dame whom he chose for his Mistresse in the French Court, as followeth.
  
A Sonet written in prayse of the browne beautie, compiled for the love of Mistresse E. P. as foloweth.
  
Now to begin with another man, take these verses written to be sent with a ryng, wherein were engraved a Partrich in a Merlines foote.
  
A loving Lady being wounded in the spring time, and now galded eftsones with the remembrance of the spring, doth therfore thus bewayle.
  
An absent Dame thus complayneth.
  
In prayse of a Countesse.
  
The Lover declareth his affection, togither with the cause thereof.
  
A Lady being both wronged by false suspect, and also wounded by the durance of hir husband, doth thus bewray hir grief.
  
A Riddle.
  
The shield of Love. &c.
  
Councell to Duglasse Dive written upon this occasion. She had a booke wherein she had collected sundry good ditties of divers mens doings, in whiche booke she would needes entreate the aucthor to write some verses. And thereupon he wrote as followeth.
  
Councell given to master Bartholmew Withipoll a little before his latter journey to Geane. 1572.
  
Gascoignes woodmanship written to the L. Grey of Wilton upon this occasion
  
Gascoignes gardnings, whereof were written in one end of a close walke whiche he hath in his Garden, this discourse following.
  
In that other ende of his sayde close walke, were written these toyes in ryme.
  
In a chayre in the same Garden was written this followyng.
  
Upon a stone in the wall of his Garden he had written the yeare wherein he did the coste of these devises, and therewithall this posie in Latine.
  
Gascoignes voyage into Hollande. An. 1572. written to the right honourable the Lorde Grey of Wilton.
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WEEDES.
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[VOLUME II]

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340

A Riddle.

A lady once did aske of me,
This preatie thing in privitie:
Good sir (quod she) faine would I crave,
One thing which you your selfe not have:
Nor never had yet in times past,
Nor never shall while life doth last.
And if you seeke to find it out,
You loose your labour out of doubt:
Yet if you love me as you say,
Then give it me, for sure you may.
Meritum petere, grave.
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