The Blazon of Iealovsie :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Blazon of Iealovsie

A Subiect not written of by any heretofore. First written in Italian, by that learned Gentleman Benedetto Varchi ... And Translated into English, with speciall Notes vpon the same; by R. T. [i.e. Robert Tofte]

Tofte, Robert (1561-1620)

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[That we no Gold nor Siluer doe thee send]

TO THE IVDICIOVS VNDERSTANDER:

To the Jealous Husband, vpon this Translation by his kinde Friend Mr. R. T.

The Censure of a Friend, vpon this Translation, done by R. T. Gentleman.

To his Friend Mr. R. T. vpon the Translation of this Worke.

THE BLAZON of Jealousie.

[Looke, but aright, and long but for your owne.]

SONETTO.

[Fayre Ladies, yee, who talking vp and downe this way]

[My mortall Foe, in whom you wonted were to see]

[If th' amorous Thought of mine that vexeth mee.]

[You neede not thus to stand in so great feare]

[Art thou a faithfull Friend and seek'st]

[To toule me in, and draw me on]

[The better for to bring me to thy Lure]

[My Wench is gone and stollen away]

[Stab me with Sword, or Poyson strong]

[What's lawfull, base, what's hard to get]

[Too much of easie yeelding Loue]

[So many Sutors to endure]

[CARE, who as vigilant, dost alwayes watch]

[Anon through all the Cities great]

[As t'is a blessed thing God to behold in skie]

[Once was I wont to comfort me in sleepe]

[A Womans Tongue that is as swift as Thought]

[Loue, which enflam'st the troubled Heart]

[A modest and maiestike Lady did I see]

[My question's why Ægistus lewd]

[High Colour (in a Woman) Choler showes]

[A slow soft Tongue betokens Modestie]

[But neyther rauening Tyger mad]

[My loueliest Flame, more beauteous then the best]

[Hope is the sad Hearts helpe]

[If Virgil, or learn'd Homer seene had my Sun bright]

[No doubt, some Fiend, this Looking-glasse did make]

[That which breakes Louers chaste designes in twaine]

[Each thing affrights me, I doe feare]

[As if a woman in her Gowne]

[I mine owne shadowes dread, alone]

[But thou (kinde Witall) Husband thou]

[I dread (Aurora) least]

[There's no vnkindnesse like Loue wrong'd]

[When Heauen would striue to doe the best shee can]

[Who is resolu'd to lead his life vnsure]

[Well maist thou (Po) my body carry fast]

[What is not Love? tis All, Vertue and Vice]

[Ladies, it tedious were to set downe here]

[Grecinus, well I wot thou told'st me once]

[What is the reason (tell me) cruell Loue]

[Fayre Ladies, he that shall loue more]

[The trewest Loue (sometim's) suspicious]

[T'is fast good-will, and gentle curtesies]

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[The better for to bring me to thy Lure]

The better for to bring me to thy Lure,
And as thy prise and pray to get me sure,
(Love) thou, at first, dost lay thy tising bait
Most cunningly, to catch me with deceit:
Sweetly and mildely, thou dost set thy ginne,
By sugred smiles and lookes to draw me in:
But (woe is me) no sooner am I caught,
But that I finde to danger I am brought.
Thine Entertainment day and night is such,
As makes me grieue and sorrow ouer-much:
Why art so spightfull, and incenst gainst mee,
When better guerdon'd I deserue to be?
No doubt great glory shall to thee redound,
When it abroad shall euerywhere be found,
A mighty God, a silly man did ketch
Within his Nets, by force and subtill fetch.