University of Virginia Library

To my lillie white Leda in Commendation of a pale face.

When red enchased in the skies wee finde.
VVee strait conclude tis either raine, or winde.
VVhen I a Rubrick on thy face espie,
Faith I expect to see thee storme, or cry.
Let them that dare condemne thy Ivery brow
Tell mee how they could fancy bloud & snow.
That monstrous, yea that menstruous product, who
Could looke vpon't and not his teares ovr flow?
Pray tell mee where the white, & damask rose,
From the sam stalk both white, & red disclose?
Spaniells and Calves ate red and white tis true
If you be red and white, pray what are you?
VVould you commend her for her comly snout
Thats particolourd like a radish root?
You'd think I mock you should I say you are
Pure red & white as babies in the faire.

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31

If red be such a grace; If red so please
Haue mee commended to red latices.
Yet the red rose is Cordiall. But the white
Is ever most commended for the sight.
From costard-mongers I haue understood
Thus much? The red cheecht apple's seldom good.
Red waxe is very common, But the white
Is virgins wax, And a good price must buy't,
Pray tell mee now, would you be woo'd & prayd;
To limb your self out on a milke white maid?
Marry com up; so when you are to write,
You may condemne your paper cause tis white:
Here, heres an Elizabeth, will you say what aile
The shillings cause you see the face is pale?
That were a prety jeast, Alas, alas,
If it were cherry checht it would not passe.
Even Vitriall admitts a various hue
Some is pure white, some greene, some perfect blew,
And some is red too, But tis then confest
The drosse & Caput mortuum of the rest
In Mercurie as Chymick tearmes will ha't,
The white's sublime, The red precipitate.
Some Tulips I remember I have seene,
Halfe red half white, but thy have common been.
Or were they rate should they come near my nose
The posie were lesse wellcome, then the pose.
White Robes at Nuptialls, shew a virgine state,
And why not white cheeks beautyes candidate.
What wouldst thou think if thou shoulds red espie
Exchequor'd with the white thats in thine eye?
Thoudst say 'tis bloud-shot, How then ist a grace
That blemishes the best part of thy face?

But why doe I thus eagerly allude
To that which all but blind men will conclude?

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32

The silver Moon, the glittering train of night,
The Lilly, Swan, and Venus Doves are white,
But you say Reds a modest tincture, tush,
Her conscience can not bid her count'nance blush
VVhen shee hath done the thing shee ought not doe:
Come to hir then sheel blush as red as you.