A Posie of Gilloflowers :: :: University of Virginia Library

VVhat lucklesse lot had I alas,
To plant my loue in such a soyle,
As yeelds no corne nor fruitfull grasse,
But crops of care, and brakes of toyle.
VVhen first I chose the plot of ground,
In which mine Anchor foorth was cast,
I thought it stable, firme, and sound,
But found it sande and slime at last.
Like as the Fouler with his ginnes,
Beguiles the birdes that thinke no yll,
By fyled speech, so diuers winnes
The simple sort to worke theyr will.
But I, whom good advice hath taught,
To shun their snares and suttle charmes,
Am not into such daunger brought,
But that I can eschew the harmes.
The skilfull Faulconer will both proue,
And prayse that hawke which makes best whing,
So I by some that seemd to loue,
Have had the proofe of such a thing.
From aft they did pursue their game,
VVith swiftest wyng and egar minde,

But when in midst of flight they came,
They turnde their traynes against the winde.
Yee haggards straunge therefore adiew,
Goe seeke some other for your mate,
Yee false your faith and proue vntrue,
I like and loue the sole estate.
Like as Vlisses wandring men,
In red seas as they past along,
Did stoppe their eares with waxe as then,
Against the suttle Mermayds songue.
So shall their crafty filed talke,
Here after finde no listning eare,
I will byd them goe packe and walke,
And spend their wordes some otherwhere.
By proofe experience tels me now,
What fickle trust in them remaynes,
And tract of time hath learnd me how,
I should eschew their wylie traines.
Such as are bound to Louers toyes,
Make shipwracke of theyr freedome still,
They neuer tast but brittle ioyes:
For one good chance a thousand yll.
Cease now your sutes and gloze no more,
I meane to leade a Uirgins life:
In this of pleasure find I store,
In doubtfull sutes but care and strife.