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.

XV.

XVI.

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.

CANT. XXIII.

XXIIII.

CANT. 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. XXIIII.

AVISA.

Your fierie flame, your secret smart,
That inward frets with pining griefe,
Your hollow sighes, your heuie hart,
Me thinks might quickly find reliefe,
If once the certaine cause were knowne,
From whence these hard effects haue growne.

It little boots to shew your sore,
To her that wants all Phisicke skill,
But tell it them, that haue in store,
Such oyles as creeping cankers kill,
I would be glad, to doe my best,
If I had skill, to giue you rest.

Take heede, let not your griefe remaine,
Till helpes doe faile, and hope be past,
For such as first refus'd some paine,
A double paine haue felt at last,
A little sparke, not quencht be time,
To hideous flames will quickly clime.

If godly sorrow for your sin,
Be chiefest cause, why you lament,
If giltie conscience doe begin,
To draw you truely to repent,
A ioyfull end must needs redound,
To happie griefe so seldome found.

To striue all wicked lusts to quell,
Which often sort to dolefull end,
I ioye to heare you meane so well,
And what you want, the Lord will send:
But if you yeeld to wanton will,
God will depart, and leaue you still.

Your pleasant aide with sweete supply,
My present state, that might amend,
If honest loue be ment thereby,
I shall be glad of such a frend,
But if you loue, as I suspect,
Your loue and you, I both reiect.