The Golden Aphroditis :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Golden Aphroditis

A pleasant discourse, penned by John Grange ... Whereunto be annexed by the same Authour asvvell certayne Metres upon sundry poyntes, as also divers Pamphlets in prose, which he entituleth His Garden: pleasant to the eare, and delightful to the Reader, if he abuse not the scente of the floures

Grange, John

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To the Courtelike Dames and Ladie-like Gentlevvomen, the Authour sendeth greeting.

Cuiquam.

C. G. Maister of Arte, in the prayse of the Authour.

W. S. in commendation of the Aucthor.

[Verse extracted from Golden Aphroditis]

I. I. his deuice to. A. O.

N. O. his visitation of A. O. by writing.

A. O. to hir louer, charging him with an vntruth.

N. O In his owne defence.

[Ye Muses nine]

[Whiche flower faire and freshe in Adones garden sawe I groe]

[The fountayne Granus giueth strēgth vnto the weakened bone]

N. O. beginning, A. O. followeth, crauing ayde of the Muses and chiefe Musitions.

[Lie fatall fooles fat fedde with foode]

[Congealed ayre doth make the starres to shote.]

[Sith Crasus wealth, with Crassus pompe, & Midas golde is skant]

[Who will the curnell of the nutte]

[Unfolde your courtesie oh amorous dame]

Thus beginneth their song.

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GRANGES GARDEN:

A valiant yong Gentleman beyng trayned vp in Martiall provves, and allured by euill counsell to womens follies, bewayleth his life in this order.

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His Poesie.

The force of Beauties pryce.

A Gentleman reuealeth his former life.

His Poesie.

The paynting of a Curtizan.

The Authours Poesie.

A Gentleman seing his brother desirous to goe to the seas, vvrote these verses following, vnwitting to any, and layed them in his brothers vvay.

The description of the loue of a Gentleman and a Gentlevvoman.

A Song whiche the Gentlewoman made, before she slevve hir selfe.

An answere to a letter written vnto him by a Curtyzan.

A song of a Louer, wherein he shewes his loue tovvarde his Lady.

A newe Married man being stung vvith vvedlocke, declareth his minde Cantico more, vpon this texte: Content your selfe as well as I, let reason rule your minde, As Cuckoldes come by destinie, so Cuckowes sing by kinde.

The Louer forsaken, bewayleth his chaunce.

I. G. biddeth his friende A. T. good morrovve.

His good night to the same A. T.

His Farewell to the same.

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Cuiquam.

Marke well my frende this ragged ryme,
thrust forth the Elderne pith:
Spare not to cut a hasell wande
to make a winding with.
Seeke forth the grounde of evry thing,
esteeme not filed phrase,
The pythe, but not the paynting penne
doth yeelde the Aucthours prayse.
VVhat though I seeke by wantons witte
each man for to delight?
Shall sense therefore inforced be
by myrth to see no lighte?
Then is the Readers care but small,
what fruyte he reape thereby:
And eke the Aucthours prayse, by this,
shall seeme in duste to lie.
Then who that knovves, so foolish is
his penne to take in hande?
Sith that the vewers care is more,
to reade, than vnderstande.

Legere & non intelligere negligere est.