Willobie His Avisa :: :: University of Virginia Library

Willobie His Avisa

Or The true Picture of a modest Maid, and of a chast and constant wife. In Hexamiter verse. The like argument wherof, was neuer heretofore published [by Henry Willoby]

Willoughby, Henry (1574?-1596?)

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Abell Emet in commendation of Willobies Auisa.

In praise of Willobie his Auisa, Hexameton to the Author.

WILLOBIE HIS AVISA,

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The first triall of Avisa, before she was married, by a Noble man: vnder which is represented a warning to all young maids of euery degree, that they beware of the alluring intisements of great men.

II.

III.

IV.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

XI.

XII.

XIII.

THE SECOND TEMPTATION of Avisa, after her marriage by Ruffians, Roysters, young Gentlemen, and lustie Captaines, which all shee quickly cuts off.

XIIII.

CANT. XIIII.

XV.

CANT. XV

XVI.

CANT. XVI

XVII.

CANT. XVII.

XVIII.

XIX.

XX.

XXI.

XXII.

The third trial; wherin are expressed the long passionate, and constant affections of the close and wary sutor, which by signes, by sighes, by letters, by priuie messengers, by Iewels, Rings, Golde, diuers gifts, and by a long continued course of courtesie, at length preuaileth with many both maides and wiues, if they be not garded wounderfully with a better spirite then their owne, which all are here finely daunted, and mildly ouer throwne, by the constant aunsweres, and chast replies of Auisa.

XXIII.

XXIIII.

XXV.

XXVI.

XXVII.

XXVIII.

XXIX.

XXX.

T. B. Being somewhat grieued with this aunswere, after long absence and silence, at length writeth, as followeth.

XXXI.

CANT. XXXI,

XXXII.

CANT. XXXII.

XXXIII.

CANT XXXIII.

DYDIMVS HARCO. ANGLO-GERMANVS.

XXXIIII.

XXXV.

XXXVI.

XXXVII.

XXXVIII.

XXXIX.

After long absence, D H. happening to come in on a tyme sodenly to her house, and finding her all alone amongst her maides that were spinning, sayd nothing, but going home wrate these verses following, which he called his Dum habui, and sent them vnto her.

XL.

XLI.

XLII.

XLIII.

XLIIII.

XLV.

XLVI.

XLVII.

XLVIII.

XLIX.

LI.

LII.

LIII.

LIIII.

LV.

LVI.

LVII.

LVIII.

LXI.

LXII.

LXIII.

LXIIII.

LXV.

LXVI.

LXVII.

LXVIII.

LXIX.

LXX.

LXXI.

LXXII.

LXXIII.

LXXIIII.

The Authors conclusion.

The resolution of a chast and a constant wife, that minds to continue faithfull vnto her husband.

The praise of a contented mind.

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CANT. XVII.

CAVELEIRO.

Gods wo: I thinke you doe but iest,
You can not thus delude my hope:

A right Caueleiro.

But yet perhaps you thinke it best,
At first to giue but little scope:
At first assault you must retire,
And then be fors't to yeeld desire.

You thinke, that I would iudge you bad,
If you should yeeld at first assaie,
And you may thinke me worse then mad,
If on repulse send me awaie,
You thinke you doe your credit wrong,
Except you keepe your sutors long.

But I that know the wonted guise,
Of such as liue in such a place,
Old dame experience makes me wise,
To know your meaning by your face,
For most of them, that seeme so chast,
Denie at first, and take at last.

This painted sheth, may please some foole,
That can not see the rustie knife:
But I haue bin too long at schooles,
To thinke you of so pure a life,
The time and place will not permit,
That you can long, here spot-lesse sit.

And therefore wench, be not so strange,
To grant me that, which others haue,
I know that women loue to change,
T'is but deceite, to seeme so graue,
I neuer haue that woman tri'd,
Of whome as yet I was deni'd.

Your godly zeale doth breed my trust,
Your anger makes me hope the more;
For they are often found the worst,
That of their conscience make such store,
In vaine to blush, or looke aside,
A flat repulse, I can not bide.