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,

[section]

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.

CANT. XXXIIII.

XXXV.

CANT XXXV.

XXXVI.

CANT. XXXVI.

XXXVII.

CANT. XXXVII.

XXXVIII.

CANT. XXXVIII.

XXXIX.

CANT 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. XXXVI.

D. H.

The lymed bird, by foulers traine,
Intrapt by view of pleasant baite,
Would faine vnwind himselfe againe;
But feeles too late the hid desaite:
So I haue found the clasping lyme,
That will sticke fast for longer tyme.

There is a floud, whose riuers runne,

In Italy is a certaine water that falleth into the Riuer Anion, of colour white, and at first seemes to bee wonderfull colde, but being a while in it, it heateth the body more extreàmely. Leonicus de væria Histor.

Like streames of Milke, and seemes at first,
Extreamely colde, all heate to shunne,
But stay a while, and quench your thirst,
Such vehement heate there will arise,
As greater heate none may deuise.

These strange effects I find inrold,
Within this place, since my returne,
My first affections were but cold,
But now I feele them fiercely burne,
The more you make such strange retire,
The more you draw my new desire.

You thinke perchance I doe but iest,
Or I your secrets will bewray,
Or hauing got that I request,
With false Aeneas steale away,
If you suspect that I will range,
Let God forsake me, when I change.

I will not bost me of my wealth,
You shall no Gold nor Iewels want,
You see I am in perfect health,
And if you list to giue your grant,
A hundreth pounds shall be your hire,
But onely doe that I require.

And here's a Bracelet to begin,
Worth twentie Angels to be sold,
Besides the rest, this shall you win,
And other things not to be told,
And I will come but now and then,
To void suspect, none shall know when.