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.

CANT. 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. XXVI.

AVISA.

O mightie Lord, that guides the Spheare;
Defend me by thy mightie will,
From iust reproch, from shame and feare,
Of such as seeke my soule to spill,
Let not their counsell (Lord) preuaile,
To force my hart to yeeld or quaile.

How frames it with your sober lookes,
To shroud such bent of lewd conceites?
What hope hath pla'st me in your bookes,
That files me fit, for such deceites?
I hope that time hath made you see,
No cause that breeds these thoughts in mee.

Your feruent loue is filthy lust,
And therefore leaue to talke of loue,
Your truth is treason vnder trust,
A Kite in shape of hurtlesse Doue,
You offer more then friendship wold,
To giue vs brasse in steed of gold.

Such secret friends to open foes,
Do often change with euery wind,
Such wandring fits, where follie groes,
Are certaine signes of wauering mind,
A fawning face, and faithlesse hart,
In secret loue, breeds open smart.

No sinne to breake the wedlocke faith?
No sinne to swim in Sodomes sinke?
O sinne the seed and sting of death!
O sinnefull wretch that so doth thinke!
Your grauest men with all their schooles,
That taught you thus, were heathē fooles.

Your lewd examples will not serue,
To frame a vertue from a vice,
When Dauid and his Sonne did swerue,
From lawfull rule, though both were wise,
Yet both were plagu'd, as you may see,
With mightie plagues of each degree.