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.

CANT. 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. XXV.

D. B. A French man.

VVhat you suspect, I can not tell,
What I doe meane, you may perceiue,
My workes shall shew, I wish you well,
If well ment loue you list receiue,
I haue beene long in secret mind,
And would be still your secret frind.

My loue should breed you no disgrace,
None should perceiue our secret plaie,
We would obserue both time and place,
That none our dealings should bewraie,
Be it my fortune, or my fault,
Loue makes me venter this assault.

You mistresse of my doubtfull chance,
You Prince of this my soules desire,
That lulls my fancie in a trance,
The marke whereto my hopes aspire,
You see the sore, whence springs my griefe
You weld the sterne of my reliefe.

The grauest men of former time,
That liu'd with fame, and happie life,
Haue thought it none, or pettie crime,
To loue a friend besides their wife,
Then sith my wife you can not be,
As dearest friend accompt of me.

You talke of sinne, and who doth liue,
Whose dayly steps slide not awrie?
But too precise, doth deadly grieue,
The hart that yeelds not yet to die,
When age drawes on, and youth is past,
Then let vs thinke of this at last.

The Lord did loue King Dauid well,
Although he had more wiues then one:
King Solomon that did excell,
For wealth and wit, yet he alone;
A thousand wiues and friends possest,
Yet did he thriue, yet was he blest.