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.

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. XXXII.

AVISA. To D. B. more wisdome and feare of God.

The Indian men haue found a plant,
Whose vertue, mad conceits doth quell,
This roote (me thinks) you greatly want,

The roote Baaras is good to deliuer them that are possessed with euill sprites. Iosephus.

This raging madnes to repell,
If rebell fancie worke this spite,
Request of God a better sprite.

If you by folly did offend,
By giuing raines vnto your lust,
Let wisdome now these fancies end,
Sith thus vntwin'd is all your trust,
If wit to will, will needs resigne,
Why should your fault be counted mine?

Your Ring and letter that you sent,
I both returne from whence they came,
As one that knowes not what is ment,
To send or write to me the same,
You had your aunswere long before,
So that you need to send no more.

Your chosen posie seemes to show,
That all my deeds but dallings bee,
I neuer dallyed that I know,
And that I thinke, you partly see,
I shewde you first my meaning plaine,
The same is yet, and shall remaine.

Some say that Tyme doth purge the blood,
And franticke humors brings to frame,

Time purgeth cholericke humors, and the bloud

I maruaile time hath done no good,
Your long hid griefes and qualmes to tame?
What secret hope doth yet remaine,
That makes these sutes reuiue againe?

But did you will, and that in hast,
Except you find some quicke reliefe,
I'le warrant you, your life at last,
While foolish loue is all your griefe,
As first I said, so say I still,
I can not yeeld, nor euer will.

Alwaies the same, Auisa.