Lavra. The Toyes of a Traueller Or The Feast of Fancie. Diuided into three Parts. By R. T. [i.e. Robert Tofte] |
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Alla bellissima sua Signora
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 | Lavra. The Toyes of a Traueller |  |
Alla bellissima sua Signora
E. C.
Through thee (not of thee) Ladie faire I writeThrough power of Beautie, not of Vertues thine:
With zealous will, though slender be my might,
I weakling seeke, an Eagles nest to clime.
Then guide my feete, and if to slip I chaunce,
Vphold mee by the favour of thy glaunce.
Accept in gree these Verses rudely pend,
(A signe of dutie, which to thee I owe)
And deigne with sweet regard them to defend,
Which as condemned els are like to goe.
In thee it rests the stampe on them to set,
If currant, Passe: supprest, if Counterfet.
And though the note (thy praises onely fit)
Of sweetest bird, the dulcet Nightingale:
Disdaine not little Roben Red bresT yet,
VVhat he doth want in learning or in skill
He doth supply with zeale of his goodwill.
For onely thee they were deuised alone,
And vnto thee they dedicated are.
Who knowes? Perhaps this kindnes by thee showne,
Shall make this glimpse shine like a glittering starre:
Such is thy vertue in the VVorld his sight,
Thy Crow though blacke, may goe for Swan most white.
Then doubt mee not, though parted wee remaine,
In England thou, and I in Italy:
As I did part I will returne againe,
Loyall to thee or els with shame Ile dye.
True Louers when they trauaile Countreyes strange,
The aire, and not their constant mindes doo change.
Cœlum, non animum mutant, qui trans mare currunt
Affettionatissimo seruid. della diuina Bellezza sua. R. T.
| Lavra. The Toyes of a Traueller | |