[A sweet Nosgay, Or pleasant Posye contayning a hundred and ten Phylosophicall Flowers] [by Isabella Whitney] |
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Certain familier Epistles and friendly Letters by the Auctor: with Replies.
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 | [A sweet Nosgay, Or pleasant Posye |  |
Certain familier Epistles and friendly Letters by the Auctor: with Replies.
To her Brother. G. VV.
Good Brother whē a vacāt timedoth cause you hence to ryde:
And that the fertyl feelds do make,
you from the Cittie byde.
Then cānot I once from you heare
nor know I how to send:
Or where to harken of your health
and al this would be kend.
And most of me, for why I least.
of Fortunes fauour fynd:
No yeldyng yeare she me allowes,
nor goodes hath me assind.
(and next our Parentes deare,)
You are, and must be chiefest staffe
that I shal stay on heare.
Wherfore mine owne good brother graunt
me when yt you ar here:
To se you oft and also hence,
I may haue knowledge wheare
A messenger to harke vnto,
that I to you may wryte:
And eke of him your answers haue
which would my hart delight.
Receaue of me, and eke accept,
a simple token heare:
A smell of such a Nosegay as
I do for present beare.
Unto a vertuous Ladye, which
tyll death I honour wyll:
The losse I had of seruice hers,
I languish for it styll.
Your louyng (though lucklesse) Sister, IS. VV.
To her Brother. B. VV.
Good Brother Brooke, I often looke,to heare of your returne:
But none can tell, if you be well,
nor where you doo soiurne:
Which makes me feare, that I shall heare
your health appaired is:
And oft I dread, that you are dead,
or somthyng goeth amys.
Yet when I thinke, you can not shrinke,
but must with Maister bee:
I haue good hope, when you haue scope,
you wyll repaire to mee.
And so the feare, and deepe dispaire,
that I of you then had
I dryue away: and wysh that day
wherin we may be glad.
Glad for to see, but els for mee:
wyll be no ioy at all:
For on my side, no lucke wyll byde,
nor happye chaunce befall.
As you shall know, for I wyll show,
you more when we doo speake,
Then wyll I wryt, or yet resyte,
within this Paper weake.
And so I end, and you commend,
to him that guides the skyes:
Who graunt you health, & send you welth,
no lesse then shall suffice.
Your louing Sister, Is. VV.
An order prescribed, by IS. VV. to two of her yonger Sisters seruinge in London.
Good
Sisters mine, when I
shal further from you dwell:
Peruse these lines, obserue the rules
which in the same I tell.
So shal you wealth posses,
and quietnesse of mynde:
And al your friends to se the same,
a treble ioy shall fynde.
shal further from you dwell:
Peruse these lines, obserue the rules
which in the same I tell.
So shal you wealth posses,
and quietnesse of mynde:
And al your friends to se the same,
a treble ioy shall fynde.
1.
In mornings when you ryse,forget not to commende:
Your selues to God, beseching him
from dangers to defende.
Your soules and boddies both,
your Parents and your friends:
Your teachers and your gouerners
so pray you that your ends,
May be in such a sort,
as God may pleased bee:
To liue to dye, to dye to liue,
with him eternally.
2.
Then iustly do such deedes,as are to you assynde:
All wanton toyes, good sisters now
exile out of your minde,
I hope you geue no cause,
wherby I should suspect:
But this I know too many liue,
that would you soone infect.
Yf God do not preuent,
or with his grace expell:
I cannot speake, or wryte to much,
because I loue you well.
3.
Your busines soone dispatch,and listen to no lyes:
Nor credit euery fayned tale,
that many wyll deuise.
For words they are but winde.
yet words may hurt you so:
As you shall neuer brook the same,
yf that you haue a foe.
God shyld you from all such,
as would by word or Byll.
Procure your shame, or neuer cease
tyll they haue wrought you yll.
4.
See that you secrets seale,tread trifles vnder ground:
Yf to rehersall oft you come,
it wyl your quiet wound.
Of laughter be not much,
nor ouer solemne seeme:
For then be sure th' eyle coumpt you light
or proud wil you exteeme.
Be modest in a meane,
be gentyll vnto all:
Though cause thei geue of contrari
yet be to wrath no thrall.
Refer you all to hym,
that sits aboue the skyes:
Uengeance is his, he wil reveng,
you need it not deuise.
5.
And sith that vertue guides,where both of you do dwell:
Geue thanks to God, & painful bee
to please your rulers well.
For fleetyng is a foe,
experience hath me taught:
The rolling stone doth get no mosse
your selues haue hard full oft.
and this my scroule pervsd,
The day wyll end, and that ye night
by you be not abusde.
I some thing nedes must write,
take paynes to read the same:
Hencefoorth my lyfe as wel as Pen
shall your examples frame.
6.
Your Masters gon to Bed,your Mistresses at rest.
Their Daughters all wt hast about
to get themselues vndrest.
See that their Plate be safe,
and that no Spoone do lacke,
See Dores & Windowes bolted fast
for feare of any wrack.
Then help yf neede ther bee,
to doo some housholde thing:
Yf not to bed, referring you,
vnto the heauenly King.
Forgettyng not to pray
as I before you taught,
And geueing thanks for al that he,
hath euer for you wrought.
let me remembred be:
So wyll I you, and thus I cease,
tyll I your selues do see.
(quoth) IS. VV.
To her Sister Misteris A. B.
Because
I to my Brethern wrote,
and to my Sisters two:
Good Sister Anne, you this might wote,
yf so I should not doo
To you, or ere I parted hence,
You vainely had bestowed expence.
and to my Sisters two:
Good Sister Anne, you this might wote,
yf so I should not doo
To you, or ere I parted hence,
You vainely had bestowed expence.
Yet is it not for that I write,
for nature dyd you bynde:
To doo mee good: and to requight,
hath nature mee inclynde:
Wherfore good Sister take in gree,
These simple lynes that come from mee.
for nature dyd you bynde:
To doo mee good: and to requight,
hath nature mee inclynde:
Wherfore good Sister take in gree,
These simple lynes that come from mee.
Wherin I wish you Nestors dayes,
in happye health to rest:
With such successe in all assayes,
as those which God hath blest:
Your Husband with your prety Boyes,
God keepe them free from all annoyes.
in happye health to rest:
With such successe in all assayes,
as those which God hath blest:
God keepe them free from all annoyes.
And graunt if that my luck it bee,
to linger heere so long:
Til they be men: that I may see,
for learning them so strong:
That they may march amongst the best,
Of them which learning haue possest.
to linger heere so long:
Til they be men: that I may see,
for learning them so strong:
That they may march amongst the best,
Of them which learning haue possest.
By that tyme wyl my aged yeares
perhaps a staffe require:
And quakyngly as styll in feares,
my lims draw to the fire:
Yetioy I shall them so to see,
Yf any ioy in age there bee.
perhaps a staffe require:
And quakyngly as styll in feares,
my lims draw to the fire:
Yetioy I shall them so to see,
Yf any ioy in age there bee.
Good Sister so I you commend,
to him that made vs all:
I know you huswyfery intend,
though I to writing fall:
Wherfore no lenger shal you stay,
From businesse, that profit may.
to him that made vs all:
I know you huswyfery intend,
though I to writing fall:
Wherfore no lenger shal you stay,
From businesse, that profit may.
Had I a Husband, or a house,
and all that longes therto
My selfe could frame about to rouse,
as other women doo:
But til some houshold cares mee tye,
My bookes and Pen I wyll apply.
and all that longes therto
My selfe could frame about to rouse,
as other women doo:
But til some houshold cares mee tye,
My bookes and Pen I wyll apply.
Your louing Sister. IS. VV.
To her Cosen. F. VV.
Good Cosin myne, I hope in helthand safety you abyde.
And sore I long, to here if yet
you are to wedlock tyde.
Yf so you be, God graunt that well
both you and she it spend:
If not when s'ere it haps, I wish
that God much ioy you send.
And when you to the Cuntry come
or thither chaunce to send:
Let me you see, or haue some scroll,
that shall of you be pend.
And this accompt as nature binds
and meryts yours deserue:
I Cosin am, and faithfull Friend,
not minding once to swerue.
So wishing you as happy health,
as euer man possest:
I end, and you commyt to him
that euermore is blest.
Your poore Kinsewoman, IS. VV.
A carefull complaynt by the vnfortunate Auctor.
Good DIDO stint thy teares,and sorrowes all resigne
To mee: that borne was to augment,
misfortunes lucklesse line.
Or vsing styll the same,
good DIDO doo thy best:
In helpyng to bewayle the hap,
that furthereth mine vnrest.
For though thy Troyan mate,
that Lorde ÆNEAS hight:
Requityng yll thy stedfast loue,
from Carthage tooke his slight.
And fowly brake his oth,
and promise made before:
Whose falshode finisht thy delight,
before thy haires were hore.
Yet greater cause of griefe
compells mee to complayne:
For Fortune fell conuerted hath,
My health to heapes of payne.
And that she sweares my death,
to playne it is (alas)
Whose end let malyce styll attempt,
to bring the same to passe.
O DIDO thou hadst liu'de,
a happye Woman styll,
If fickle fancie had not thrald
thy wits: to retchlesse wyll.
thy deadly dolors bred:
Without regard of plighted troth,
from CARTHAGE Citie fled.
So might thy cares in tyme,
be banisht out of thought:
His absence might well salue the sore,
that earst his presence wrought.
For fyre no lenger burnes,
then Faggots feede the flame:
The want of things that breede annoy,
may soone redresse the same.
But I vnhappy moste,
and gript with endles griefes:
Dispayre (alas) amid my hope,
and hope without reliefe.
And as the sweltyng heate,
consumes the Wax away:
So doo the heapes of deadly harmes,
styll threaten my decay.
O Death delay not long,
thy dewtye to declare:
Ye Sisters three dispatch my dayes
and finysh all my care.
(quoth) IS. VV.
An answer to comfort her, by shewyng his haps to be harder.
Friend IS. be now content, & let my sorowes quel:the extreame rage, & care thou restest in:
For wayling sprights, ne furies fearce in hell:
nor grisley soules, that styll in woe haue bin:
Haue euer felt lyke stormes that I sustayne,
fro wust so I am, and duld in deepe dispaire,
That sure (mee thinks), my extreme raging payne:
might gaine thee helth: & set thee free from fere.
For DIDO, thou, and many thousands more,
which liuing feele the panges of extreme care,
Though tottered much; and torne in peeces smal:
whom euer griping death doth neuer spare.
Nor he, that falsey, Carthage Citie fled,
so fraught with wiles, nor ye such sorowes tast:
By thousand partes, as I who rightly sed:
do pine as VVAX, before the fire wastes.
I freece to YCE, I heate with perching SON,
and torne with teene, thus languishing in paine,
Doo feele my sorowes euer fresher run:
to flowing cares, that endles sorowes gaine.
For what, for whom, and why this euyll woorks
frind IS. VV, time, nor silence, may it show
But once ere many dayes, my care that lurks,
shall blowne be, and thou the same shalt know.
and rip no more, thy wronges in such excesse:
Thy FORTVNE rather, wills thee to lament,
with speedy wit, til hope may haue redressè.
FINIS.
T. B.
I Replye to the same.
The
bitter force of Fortunes frowardnesse,
is painted out by B. his changed hew:
Report bewrayes, that tirants doublenesse.
which I by triall, proue (alas) so true.
constraynde I am, on thy mishaps to rue:
As oft as I consider thine estate,
Which differs far, from that yu wast of late.
is painted out by B. his changed hew:
Report bewrayes, that tirants doublenesse.
which I by triall, proue (alas) so true.
constraynde I am, on thy mishaps to rue:
As oft as I consider thine estate,
Which differs far, from that yu wast of late.
Where be thy wonted liuely lookes becom?
or what mischāce, hath dimd thy beauty so
There is no God ye deales such doutful dom
No Iubiter hath brought thee down so low:
thy haples fate, hath wroght thy ouerthro
For as Saturnus reaues the Berryes ioy,
So Fortune striues, to further thine annoy.
or what mischāce, hath dimd thy beauty so
There is no God ye deales such doutful dom
No Iubiter hath brought thee down so low:
thy haples fate, hath wroght thy ouerthro
For as Saturnus reaues the Berryes ioy,
So Fortune striues, to further thine annoy.
O Fortune falce, O thrice vnstedy ioyes
why doth not man mistrust thy sutle shoes
Whose profers proue in time to be but toies
is this the fruit ye from your blossom groes
then may you rightly be cōpard with those
whose painted spech, professeth frindship stil
but time bewrayes the meaning to be yll.
why doth not man mistrust thy sutle shoes
Whose profers proue in time to be but toies
is this the fruit ye from your blossom groes
then may you rightly be cōpard with those
but time bewrayes the meaning to be yll.
For time ye shewes, what erst I could not see
Hath brought aboat, that I suspected least:
Complayning still on our simplicitye
Who hedlong runs, as doth ye carles beast
til hūters snares, haue laid his lims to rest
For whē we lest mistrust & drede deceit
Then ar we snard, with vnsuspected bait.
Hath brought aboat, that I suspected least:
Complayning still on our simplicitye
Who hedlong runs, as doth ye carles beast
til hūters snares, haue laid his lims to rest
For whē we lest mistrust & drede deceit
Then ar we snard, with vnsuspected bait.
As lately vnto thee it did be fall,
whose hap enforceth me to rue thy chance
For thou that florisht earst at beautyes stal:
Hath felt ye force of froward Fortunes lance
Compeld to furnish out misfortunes dance
See heere the suertie that belongeth aye,
To mortal ioys wheron the world doth stay
whose hap enforceth me to rue thy chance
For thou that florisht earst at beautyes stal:
Hath felt ye force of froward Fortunes lance
Compeld to furnish out misfortunes dance
See heere the suertie that belongeth aye,
To mortal ioys wheron the world doth stay
But liue in hope that better hap may light,
For after stormes Sir Phebus force is seene
So when Saturnus hath declarde his might:
And VVinter stints to turne ye world to teene
then plesāt Ver shal cloth ye groud in greene
And lusty MAY shall labour to restore.
the things ye VVinters spit had spoyld before
For after stormes Sir Phebus force is seene
So when Saturnus hath declarde his might:
And VVinter stints to turne ye world to teene
then plesāt Ver shal cloth ye groud in greene
And lusty MAY shall labour to restore.
the things ye VVinters spit had spoyld before
Thē shal the Berrey cleaue her wonted hew,
And eke my B. that long hath rasted payne
When Fortun doth her former grace renew
shal hoysed be to happye state agayne
Delightyng oft among his friends & Kin,
To tell what danger earst his lyfe was in.
And eke my B. that long hath rasted payne
When Fortun doth her former grace renew
shal hoysed be to happye state agayne
To tell what danger earst his lyfe was in.
Which happye sight of mortal creturs, who
shal more reioyce, then & thy friend to see
And while dame fortune, yeelded not therto
but doth proseed: to proue her spite on thee
yet shalt thou not so yll beloued bee,
But that thy Fame, for euer florish shall,
If IS. her Pen, may promise ought at all.
shal more reioyce, then & thy friend to see
And while dame fortune, yeelded not therto
but doth proseed: to proue her spite on thee
yet shalt thou not so yll beloued bee,
But that thy Fame, for euer florish shall,
If IS. her Pen, may promise ought at all.
Farewell.
IS. VV. to C. B. in bewaylynge her mishappes.
Yf
heauie hartes might serue to be
a sacrifice for sinne:
Orels, if sorowes might suffice,
for what so ere hath byn:
Then mine Oblacion, it weare made,
Whiche longe haue liued in Mourners trade.
a sacrifice for sinne:
Orels, if sorowes might suffice,
for what so ere hath byn:
Then mine Oblacion, it weare made,
Whiche longe haue liued in Mourners trade.
The dryrie daye in dole (alas)
continuallye I spende:
The noysome nightes, in restlesse Bedde,
I bring vnto his ende:
And when the daye appeares agayne,
Then freth beg yn my plaints amayne.
continuallye I spende:
The noysome nightes, in restlesse Bedde,
I bring vnto his ende:
And when the daye appeares agayne,
Then freth beg yn my plaints amayne.
But this I feare, wyll sooner cease:
the nomber of my sinne:
Then make amendes, for former misse,
that I haue liued in:
Because I take not pacientlye
Correction in aduersytie.
the nomber of my sinne:
Then make amendes, for former misse,
that I haue liued in:
Because I take not pacientlye
Correction in aduersytie.
VVherfore (my God) geue me that gyfte,
As be dyd I O B vntyll:
That I may take with quietnesse,
what soeuer is his wyll:
Then shall my lucklesse lyfe soone ende,
Or frowarde Fortune shall amende.
As be dyd I O B vntyll:
That I may take with quietnesse,
what soeuer is his wyll:
Then shall my lucklesse lyfe soone ende,
Or frowarde Fortune shall amende.
And for because your sound aduice,
may ease me in distresse:
For that two wittes may compasse more
then one, you must confesse:
And that, that burthen dothe not deare,
Whiche frende wyll somtyme helpe to beare.
may ease me in distresse:
For that two wittes may compasse more
then one, you must confesse:
And that, that burthen dothe not deare,
Whiche frende wyll somtyme helpe to beare.
Therfore, in this perplexitie,
To you deare frende I write:
You know mine endlesse miserie,
you know, how some me spite:
With counsell cure, for feare of wracke,
And helpe to beare, that breakes my backe.
To you deare frende I write:
You know mine endlesse miserie,
you know, how some me spite:
With counsell cure, for feare of wracke,
And helpe to beare, that breakes my backe.
So wishing you in health to bide,
and troubles not to taste
And geuing tendance for your ayde,
which I requier in haste
I cease: and humbly me commend,
To the conducting of my Friende,
and troubles not to taste
And geuing tendance for your ayde,
which I requier in haste
I cease: and humbly me commend,
To the conducting of my Friende,
Your vnfortunate Friend. IS. VV.
In answer by C. B. to IS. VV.
Your
lamentable letter red,
and finding by the same:
That you my skillesse counsel craue,
to bring you to some frame:
Suche as it is, I redy preste,
Both am, and wyll, to doo my best.
and finding by the same:
That you my skillesse counsel craue,
to bring you to some frame:
Suche as it is, I redy preste,
Both am, and wyll, to doo my best.
And where as thou in sorow soust
doest pyne thy selfe away:
I wysh thee for to conquer care,
least she bring thy decay:
Those fretting fyts, that thou art in,
Offends the Lord, augmenteth sin.
doest pyne thy selfe away:
I wysh thee for to conquer care,
least she bring thy decay:
Those fretting fyts, that thou art in,
Offends the Lord, augmenteth sin.
The heauy hart: and mind opprest,
he neuer doth reiect:
And at what hower we lament,
he doth vs styll respect.
Yet that for sin thou shuldst thee kyll,
Wold both thy soule and body spyll.
he neuer doth reiect:
And at what hower we lament,
he doth vs styll respect.
Wold both thy soule and body spyll.
But tis not altogether sinne,
that makes you sorow this:
It is because that Fortune she,
doth frowne on you iwis:
Wherfor if you my counsell lyke,
Turne of your teares, and cease to syke.
that makes you sorow this:
It is because that Fortune she,
doth frowne on you iwis:
Wherfor if you my counsell lyke,
Turne of your teares, and cease to syke.
Impart thy woes, and geue to mee,
the greatest of the same:
Pluck strength thee to: and cherish thee,
to modest mirth now frame:
Then friends and you may worke so well,
That Fortune shal your foes expell.
the greatest of the same:
Pluck strength thee to: and cherish thee,
to modest mirth now frame:
Then friends and you may worke so well,
That Fortune shal your foes expell.
Yf euell words and other wants,
haue brought thee to this woe:
Remember how that Christ him selfe,
on earth was euen so:
Thy Friends ye haue thee knowne of long,
Wil not regard thy enemies tong.
haue brought thee to this woe:
Remember how that Christ him selfe,
on earth was euen so:
Thy Friends ye haue thee knowne of long,
Wil not regard thy enemies tong.
The vertue that hath euer beene,
within thy tender brest:
Which I from yeare to yeare, haue seene,
in all thy deedes exprest:
Doth me perswade thy enemies lye,
And in that quarell would I dye.
within thy tender brest:
Which I from yeare to yeare, haue seene,
in all thy deedes exprest:
Doth me perswade thy enemies lye,
And in that quarell would I dye.
That wisedome which yu doest posses,
is rare for to be founde:
Thy courtesse to euery one,
so greatly doth abound.
That those which throwly thee do know,
Wil thee defend from any foe.
is rare for to be founde:
Thy courtesse to euery one,
so greatly doth abound.
That those which throwly thee do know,
Wil thee defend from any foe.
Wherfore as earst I write to thee,
pluck vp that hart of thine:
And make accompt for friendship, or
for seruice: els of mine.
I wyl nat fayle for friend or foe,
Thy vertues they doo bind me so.
pluck vp that hart of thine:
And make accompt for friendship, or
for seruice: els of mine.
I wyl nat fayle for friend or foe,
Thy vertues they doo bind me so.
Thus wishing God to be your guide,
and graunt you Nestors lyfe:
With health and haps, so good as earst,
had any mayde or wyfe.
I end and rest in what he may,
Your friend vnto my dyeing day.
and graunt you Nestors lyfe:
With health and haps, so good as earst,
had any mayde or wyfe.
I end and rest in what he may,
Your friend vnto my dyeing day.
By mee C. B.
To my Friend Master T. L. whose good nature: I see abusde.
Dyd not Dame Seres tell to you?nor fame vnto you shew?
What sturdi {st}orms haue bin abrod
and who hath playd the shrew.
had helped with your crop:
Or els ye fame iil you had knowne,
her trump would neuer stop.
But sith I se their silentnesse,
I cease the same to write:
Least I therfore might be condemd
to do it for a spite.
But this I wish that you my frind
go chuse some vertues wife:
With whō in feare of God do spend,
the residue of your lyfe?
For whylst you are in single state
none hath that right regard:
They think all wel ye they can win,
and compt it their reward.
With sorow I to oft haue seene.
when some wold fleece you much
And oft in writting wolde I say
good friend beware of such.
But all my wordes they weare as wind
my labour yll was spent:
And in the end for my good wil,
most cruelly was shent.
good wyll shall neuer cease:
Nor hād, nor tōg, shal so be charmd
to make me holde my peace.
Wherfore I warne you once againe
be warie of your selfe:
For some haue sworne to lyke you well
so long as you haue pelfe,
Yf warnings styll you do reiect,
to late your selfe shal rew:
Do as you lyst, I wish you well,
and so I say ade we.
Your welwiller. Is. VV.
An other Letter sent to IS. VV by one: to whom shee had written her infortunate state.
Your Letters (Cosin) scarsley seene, I catcht into my hand:In hope therby some happy newes, from you to vnderstand,
But whē I had suruaid the same, & waid the tenor well
A heuy beap of sorowes did, mi former ioyes expel.
with buryall songe salutes, her hard and dolefull desteny.
In deed, I se & kno to wel, how fortune spites your welth:
And as a tirant Goddesse, doth disdain your happie health.
Whose poyson serpentine I trust, in tyme shal wasted bee,
For tinie amends the greatest misse, & sets the captiue free.
Wherfore (good Cosyn) as before, so now my barren quill
Disdayneth not in simple sorte, to vtter his good wyll.
And to discharge the dutie that, belōgeth to a frend,
whose welth, I wold to God wer such, as might your case domēd
But luck preuēting euery meane, that might your harms redresse
Denieth power to me that do, a frēdly mind possesse
Yet Cosyn, rest in perfect hope, to see the happy day,
That shal vnlade your heped-grief, & driue your cares awai
And sith the con̄sel of the Gods surpasse the humayne wit.
Remēber what the prouerb saith: hereafter coms not yet.
And pōder wel ye Shipmās case, whose deth, ye tossing tyde
Doth threaten oft: assaulting sore his shakē Ship with pride
Yet whē NEPTVNVS staieth, & calmes the Seas again,
His ioyes more ample are by farre, then theirs ye did cōplain
He tels at home with iocund mind amōg his friends & kyn
The danger great, & deep dispair, that erst his life was in:
Triūphyng ouer Neptunes spite, whose force he felt before:
And ioyes to vew the Seas, when he obtained hath ye shore
So whē the floods, of Fortunes spite yt swel we foming rage
Shal stīt their struglīg strif, & whē their malice shal aswage
Then may you gain, & long enioy the Hauen of good hap:
For Nurses chide ful oft, before they lull their child in lap.
Whose bare rehersal might enforce, a stonie hart to rew.
Why shuld we thē, we such disdain: endure the chastismēt
Wherbi, perhaps, the Gods in vs, som further harms p̄uent
And sith no creature may deserue, Dame Iunos graces well,
Whi shuld we grudg, & blame the gods, whose goodnes doth excel
Wheras our dutie bindeth vs, their doyngs to allow:
Whose actions all, are for the best, whē we perceiue not how
We rather should with quiet minde, abide the dated time,
Wherin the Goddes shal vs accompt, as worthy for to clime.
Whiche after trial shal betide, to those that suffre smarte:
For: he doth yll deserue ye sweet, yt tasteth not ye tarte
Which argueth those ye for a while, doth bide ye brūt of pain
To be the owners of good hap, when Fortune turnes again
Whose nūber, I beseech the Gods your self may furnish out,
And that his eies may see you plaste, amid that happirowt
Whose great goodwil shal neuer dy: althogh the wāt of time
Hath don me wrong, & euer doth: in shortning of my rime.
Your most louyng Cosyn. G. VV.
IS. VV. beyng wery of writyng, sendeth this for Answere.
No
lesse then thankes, I render vnto you,
What? though it be a Beggers bare rewarde
Accept the same: (for Cosyn this is true,
Tis all I haue: my haps they are so hard:
None beareth lyfe, is so from Fortune bard,
But this I know, and hope it once to finde
God can, and wyl, exalt the humble minde.
What? though it be a Beggers bare rewarde
Accept the same: (for Cosyn this is true,
Tis all I haue: my haps they are so hard:
None beareth lyfe, is so from Fortune bard,
God can, and wyl, exalt the humble minde.
This simple verce: content you for to take
for answer of your louing letter lardge,
For now I wyll my writting cleane forsake
till of my griefes, my stomack I discharge
and tyll I row, in Ladie Fortunes barge.
Good Cosin write not nor any more replye,
But geue mee leaue, mo to quietnes to trye.
for answer of your louing letter lardge,
For now I wyll my writting cleane forsake
till of my griefes, my stomack I discharge
and tyll I row, in Ladie Fortunes barge.
Good Cosin write not nor any more replye,
But geue mee leaue, mo to quietnes to trye.
Your Cosin IS. VV.
The Aucthour (though loth to leaue the Citie) vpon her Friendes procurement, is constrained to departe: wherfore (she fayneth as she would die) and maketh her VVYLL and Testæment, as foloweth: VVith large Legacies of such Goods and riches which she moste aboundantly hath left behind her: and therof maketh LONDON sole executor to se her Legacies performed.
A comunication which the Auctor had to London, before she made her VVyll.
The time is come I must departe,from thee ah famous Citie:
did finde that thou hadst pitie,
Wherefore small cause ther is, yt I
should greeue from thee go:
But many Women foolyshly,
lyke me, and other moe.
Doe such a fyxed fancy set,
on those which least desarue,
That long it is ere wit we get,
away from them to swarue,
But tyme with pittie oft wyl tel
to those that wil her try:
Whether it best be more to mell,
or vtterly defye.
And now hath time me put ī mind,
of thy great cruelnes:
That neuer once a help wold finde,
to ease me in distres.
Thou neuer yet, woldst credit geue
to boord me for a yeare:
Nor with Apparell me releue
except thou payed weare.
No, no, thou neuer didst me good,
nor euer wilt I know:
but wyll, or ere I goe
In perfect loue and charytie.
my Testament here write:
And leaue to thee such Treasurye,
as I in it recyte.
Now stand a side and geue me leaue
to write my latest Wyll:
And see that none you do deceaue,
of that I leaue them tyl.
The maner of her Wyll, & what she left to London: and to all those in it: at her departing.
I whole
in body, and in minde,
but very weake in Purse:
Doo make, and write my Testament
for feare it wyll be wurse.
And fyrst I wholy doo commend,
my Soule and Body eke:
To God the Father and the Son,
so long as I can speake.
And after speach: my Soule to hym,
and Body to the Graue:
Tyll time that all shall rise agayne,
their Judgement for to haue.
And then I hope they both shal meete.
to dwell for aye in ioye:
Whereas I trust to see my Friends
releast, from all annoy.
Thus haue you heard touching my soule,
and body what I meane:
I trust you all wyll witnes beare,
I haue a stedfast brayne.
but very weake in Purse:
Doo make, and write my Testament
for feare it wyll be wurse.
And fyrst I wholy doo commend,
my Soule and Body eke:
To God the Father and the Son,
so long as I can speake.
And after speach: my Soule to hym,
and Body to the Graue:
Tyll time that all shall rise agayne,
their Judgement for to haue.
to dwell for aye in ioye:
Whereas I trust to see my Friends
releast, from all annoy.
Thus haue you heard touching my soule,
and body what I meane:
I trust you all wyll witnes beare,
I haue a stedfast brayne.
And now let mee dispose such things,
as I shal leaue behinde:
That those which shall receaue the same,
may know my wylling minde.
I firste of all to London leaue
because I there was bred:
Braue buildyngs rare, of Churches store,
and Pauls to the head.
Betweene the same: fayre streats there bee,
and people goodly store:
Because their keeping craueth cost,
I yet wil leaue him more.
First for their foode, I Butchers leaue,
that euery day shall kyll:
By Thames you shal haue Brewers store,
and Bakers at your wyll.
And such as orders doo obserue,
and eat fish thrice a weeke:
I leaue two Streets, full fraught therwith,
they neede not farre to seeke.
Watlyng Streete, and Canwyck streete,
I full of Wollen leaue:
And Linnen store in Friday streete,
if they mee not deceaue.
And those which are of callyng such,
that costlier they require:
I Mercers leaue, with silke so rich,
as any would desyre.
In Cheape of them, they store shal finde
and likewise in that streete:
I Goldsmithes leaue, with Iuels such,
as are for Ladies meete.
And Plate to furnysh Cubbards with,
full braue there shall you finde:
With Purle of Siluer and of Golde,
to satisfye your minde.
With Hoods, Bungraces, Hats or Caps,
such store are in that streete:
As if on ton side you should misse
the tother serues you feete.
For Nets of euery kynd of sort,
I leaue within the pawne:
French Ruffes, high Purles, Gorgets and Sleeues
of any kind of Lawne.
For Purse or Kniues, for Combe or Glasse,
or any needeful knacke
I by the Stoks haue left a Boy,
wil aske you what you lack.
I Hose doo leaue in Birchin Lane,
of any kynd of syse:
For Women stitchte, for men both Trunks
and those of Gascoyne gise.
Bootes, Shoes or Pantables good store,
Saint Martins hath for you:
In Cornwall, there I leaue you Beds,
and all that longs thereto.
For Women shall you Taylors haue,
by Bow, the chiefest dwel:
In euery Lane you some shall finde,
can doo indifferent well.
And for the men, few Streetes or Lanes,
but Bodymakers bee:
And such as make the sweeping Cloakes,
with Gardes beneth the Knee.
Artyllery at Temple Bar,
and Dagges at Tower hyll:
Swords and Bucklers of the best,
are nye the Fleete vntyll.
Now when thy Folke are fed and clad
with such as I haue namde:
For daynty mouthes, and stomacks weake
some Iunckets must be framde.
Wherfore I Poticaries leaue,
with Banquets in their Shop:
Phisicians also for the sicke,
Diseases for to stop.
Some Roysters styll, must bide in thee,
and such as cut it out:
That with the guiltlesse quarel wyl,
to let their blood about.
For them I cunning Surgions leaue,
some Playsters to apply.
That Ruffians may not styll be hangde,
nor quiet persons dye.
For Salt, Otemeale, Candles, Sope,
or what you els doo want:
In many places, Shops are full,
I left you nothing scant.
Yf they that keepe what I you leaue,
aske Mony: when they sell it:
At Mint, there is such store, it is
vnpossible to tell it.
At Stiliarde store of Wines there bee,
your dulled mindes to glad:
And handsome men, that must not wed
except they leaue their trade.
They oft shal seeke for proper Gyrles,
and some perhaps shall fynde:
(That neede compels, or lucre lurss
to satisfye their mind.
And neare the same, I houses leaue,
for people to repayre:
To bathe themselues, so to preuent
infection of the ayre.
On Saturdayes I wish that those,
which all the weeke doo drug:
Shall thyther trudge, to trim them vp
on Sondayes to looke smug.
Yf any other thing be lackt
in thee, I wysh them looke:
For there it is: I little brought
but no thyng from thee tooke.
Now for the people in thee left,
I haue done as I may:
And that the poore, when I am gone,
haue cause for me to pray.
I wyll to prisons portions leaue,
what though but very small:
Yet that they may remember me,
occasion be it shall:
And fyrst the Counter they shal haue,
least they should go to wrack:
Some Coggers, and some honest men,
that Sergantes draw a back.
And such as Friends wyl not them bayle,
whose coyne is very thin:
For them I leaue a certayne hole,
and little ease within.
The Newgate once a Monthe shal haue
a sessions for his share:
Least being heapt, Infection might
procure a further care.
And at those sessions some shal skape,
with burning nere the Thumb:
And afterward to beg their fees,
tyll they haue got the some.
And such whose deedes deserueth death,
and twelue haue found the same:
They shall be drawne vp Hothorne hill,
to come to further shame:
Well, yet to such I leaue a Nag
shal soone their sorowes cease:
For he shal either breake their necks
or gallop from the preace.
The Fleete, not in their circuit is,
yet if I geue him nought:
It might procure his curse, ere I
vnto the ground be brought.
Wherfore I leaue some Papist olde
to vnder prop his roofe:
And to the poore within the same,
a Boxe for their behoofe.
What makes you standers by to smile.
and laugh so in your sleeue:
I thinke it is, because that I
to Ludgate nothing geue.
I am not now in case to lye,
here is no place of iest:
I dyd reserue, that for my selfe,
yf I my health possest.
And euer came in credit so
a debtor for to bee.
When dayes of paiment did approch,
I thither ment to flee.
To shroude my selfe amongst the rest,
that chuse to dye in debt:
Rather then any Creditor,
should money from them get.
Yet cause I feele my selfe so weake
that none mee credit dare:
I heere reuoke: and doo it leaue,
some Banckrupts to his share.
To all the Bookebinders by Paulles
because I lyke their Arte:
They ery weeke shal mony haue,
when they from Bookes departe.
Amongst them all, my Printer must,
haue somwhat to his share:
I wyll my Friends these Bookes to bye
of him, with other ware.
For Maydens poore, I Widdoers ritch,
do leaue, that oft shall dote:
And by that meanes shal mary them,
to set the Girles aflote.
And wealthy Widdowes wil I leaue,
to help yong Gentylmen:
Which when you haue, in any case
be courteous to them then:
And see their Plate and Iewells eake
may not be mard with rust.
Nor let their Bags too long be full,
for feare that they doo burst.
To ery Gate vnder the walles,
that compas thee about:
I Fruit wines leaue to entertayne
such as come in and out.
To Smithfeelde I must something leaue
my Parents there did dwell:
So carelesse for to be of it,
none wolde accompt it well.
Wherfore it thrice a weeke shall haue,
of Horse and neat good store,
And in his Spitle, blynd and lame,
to dwell for euermore.
And Bedlem must not be forgot,
for that was oft my walke:
I people there too manyleaue,
that out of tune doo talke.
At Bridewel there shal Bedelles be,
and Matrones that shal styll
See Chalke wel chopt, and spinning plyde,
and turning of the Mill.
For such as cannot quiet bee,
but striue for House or Land:
At Th' innes of Court, I Lawyers leaue
to take their cause in hand.
And also leaue I at ech Inne
of Court, or Chauncerye:
Of Gentylmen, a youthfull roote,
full of Actiuytie:
For whom I store of Bookes haue left,
at each Bookebinders stall:
And parte of all that London hath
to furnish them withall.
And when they are with study cloyd:
to recreate theyr minde:
Of Tennis Courts, of dauncing Scooles,
and fence they fiore shal finde.
And euery Sonday at the least,
I leaue to make them sport.
In diuers places Players, that
of wonders shall reporte.
Now London haue I (for thy sake)
within thee, and without:
As coms into my memory,
dispearsed round about
Such needfull thinges, as they should haue
heere left now vnto thee:
When I am gon, with consience,
let them dispearced bee.
And though I nothing named haue,
to bury mee withall:
Consider that aboue the ground,
annoyance bee I shall.
And let me haue a shrowding Sheete
to couer mee from shame:
And in obliuyon bury mee
and neuer more mee name.
Ringings nor other Ceremonies,
vse you not for cost:
Nor at my buriall, make no feast,
your mony were but lost.
Reioyce in God that I am gon,
out of this vale so vile.
And that of ech thing, left such store,
as may your wants exile.
I make thee sole executor, because
I lou'de thee best.
And thee I put in trust, to geue
the goodes vnto the rest.
Because thou shalt a helper neede,
In this so great a chardge,
I wysh good Fortune, be thy guide, least
thou shouldst run at lardge.
The happy dayes and quiet times,
they both her Seruants bee.
Which well wyll serue to fetch and bring,
such things as neede to thee.
as I shal leaue behinde:
That those which shall receaue the same,
may know my wylling minde.
I firste of all to London leaue
because I there was bred:
Braue buildyngs rare, of Churches store,
and Pauls to the head.
Betweene the same: fayre streats there bee,
and people goodly store:
Because their keeping craueth cost,
I yet wil leaue him more.
First for their foode, I Butchers leaue,
that euery day shall kyll:
By Thames you shal haue Brewers store,
and Bakers at your wyll.
And such as orders doo obserue,
and eat fish thrice a weeke:
I leaue two Streets, full fraught therwith,
they neede not farre to seeke.
Watlyng Streete, and Canwyck streete,
I full of Wollen leaue:
if they mee not deceaue.
And those which are of callyng such,
that costlier they require:
I Mercers leaue, with silke so rich,
as any would desyre.
In Cheape of them, they store shal finde
and likewise in that streete:
I Goldsmithes leaue, with Iuels such,
as are for Ladies meete.
And Plate to furnysh Cubbards with,
full braue there shall you finde:
With Purle of Siluer and of Golde,
to satisfye your minde.
With Hoods, Bungraces, Hats or Caps,
such store are in that streete:
As if on ton side you should misse
the tother serues you feete.
For Nets of euery kynd of sort,
I leaue within the pawne:
French Ruffes, high Purles, Gorgets and Sleeues
of any kind of Lawne.
For Purse or Kniues, for Combe or Glasse,
or any needeful knacke
I by the Stoks haue left a Boy,
wil aske you what you lack.
I Hose doo leaue in Birchin Lane,
of any kynd of syse:
For Women stitchte, for men both Trunks
and those of Gascoyne gise.
Saint Martins hath for you:
In Cornwall, there I leaue you Beds,
and all that longs thereto.
For Women shall you Taylors haue,
by Bow, the chiefest dwel:
In euery Lane you some shall finde,
can doo indifferent well.
And for the men, few Streetes or Lanes,
but Bodymakers bee:
And such as make the sweeping Cloakes,
with Gardes beneth the Knee.
Artyllery at Temple Bar,
and Dagges at Tower hyll:
Swords and Bucklers of the best,
are nye the Fleete vntyll.
Now when thy Folke are fed and clad
with such as I haue namde:
For daynty mouthes, and stomacks weake
some Iunckets must be framde.
Wherfore I Poticaries leaue,
with Banquets in their Shop:
Phisicians also for the sicke,
Diseases for to stop.
Some Roysters styll, must bide in thee,
and such as cut it out:
That with the guiltlesse quarel wyl,
to let their blood about.
For them I cunning Surgions leaue,
some Playsters to apply.
nor quiet persons dye.
For Salt, Otemeale, Candles, Sope,
or what you els doo want:
In many places, Shops are full,
I left you nothing scant.
Yf they that keepe what I you leaue,
aske Mony: when they sell it:
At Mint, there is such store, it is
vnpossible to tell it.
At Stiliarde store of Wines there bee,
your dulled mindes to glad:
And handsome men, that must not wed
except they leaue their trade.
They oft shal seeke for proper Gyrles,
and some perhaps shall fynde:
(That neede compels, or lucre lurss
to satisfye their mind.
And neare the same, I houses leaue,
for people to repayre:
To bathe themselues, so to preuent
infection of the ayre.
On Saturdayes I wish that those,
which all the weeke doo drug:
Shall thyther trudge, to trim them vp
on Sondayes to looke smug.
Yf any other thing be lackt
in thee, I wysh them looke:
For there it is: I little brought
but no thyng from thee tooke.
I haue done as I may:
And that the poore, when I am gone,
haue cause for me to pray.
I wyll to prisons portions leaue,
what though but very small:
Yet that they may remember me,
occasion be it shall:
And fyrst the Counter they shal haue,
least they should go to wrack:
Some Coggers, and some honest men,
that Sergantes draw a back.
And such as Friends wyl not them bayle,
whose coyne is very thin:
For them I leaue a certayne hole,
and little ease within.
The Newgate once a Monthe shal haue
a sessions for his share:
Least being heapt, Infection might
procure a further care.
And at those sessions some shal skape,
with burning nere the Thumb:
And afterward to beg their fees,
tyll they haue got the some.
And such whose deedes deserueth death,
and twelue haue found the same:
They shall be drawne vp Hothorne hill,
to come to further shame:
Well, yet to such I leaue a Nag
shal soone their sorowes cease:
or gallop from the preace.
The Fleete, not in their circuit is,
yet if I geue him nought:
It might procure his curse, ere I
vnto the ground be brought.
Wherfore I leaue some Papist olde
to vnder prop his roofe:
And to the poore within the same,
a Boxe for their behoofe.
What makes you standers by to smile.
and laugh so in your sleeue:
I thinke it is, because that I
to Ludgate nothing geue.
I am not now in case to lye,
here is no place of iest:
I dyd reserue, that for my selfe,
yf I my health possest.
And euer came in credit so
a debtor for to bee.
When dayes of paiment did approch,
I thither ment to flee.
To shroude my selfe amongst the rest,
that chuse to dye in debt:
Rather then any Creditor,
should money from them get.
Yet cause I feele my selfe so weake
that none mee credit dare:
I heere reuoke: and doo it leaue,
some Banckrupts to his share.
because I lyke their Arte:
They ery weeke shal mony haue,
when they from Bookes departe.
Amongst them all, my Printer must,
haue somwhat to his share:
I wyll my Friends these Bookes to bye
of him, with other ware.
For Maydens poore, I Widdoers ritch,
do leaue, that oft shall dote:
And by that meanes shal mary them,
to set the Girles aflote.
And wealthy Widdowes wil I leaue,
to help yong Gentylmen:
Which when you haue, in any case
be courteous to them then:
And see their Plate and Iewells eake
may not be mard with rust.
Nor let their Bags too long be full,
for feare that they doo burst.
To ery Gate vnder the walles,
that compas thee about:
I Fruit wines leaue to entertayne
such as come in and out.
To Smithfeelde I must something leaue
my Parents there did dwell:
So carelesse for to be of it,
none wolde accompt it well.
Wherfore it thrice a weeke shall haue,
of Horse and neat good store,
to dwell for euermore.
And Bedlem must not be forgot,
for that was oft my walke:
I people there too manyleaue,
that out of tune doo talke.
At Bridewel there shal Bedelles be,
and Matrones that shal styll
See Chalke wel chopt, and spinning plyde,
and turning of the Mill.
For such as cannot quiet bee,
but striue for House or Land:
At Th' innes of Court, I Lawyers leaue
to take their cause in hand.
And also leaue I at ech Inne
of Court, or Chauncerye:
Of Gentylmen, a youthfull roote,
full of Actiuytie:
For whom I store of Bookes haue left,
at each Bookebinders stall:
And parte of all that London hath
to furnish them withall.
And when they are with study cloyd:
to recreate theyr minde:
Of Tennis Courts, of dauncing Scooles,
and fence they fiore shal finde.
And euery Sonday at the least,
I leaue to make them sport.
of wonders shall reporte.
Now London haue I (for thy sake)
within thee, and without:
As coms into my memory,
dispearsed round about
Such needfull thinges, as they should haue
heere left now vnto thee:
When I am gon, with consience,
let them dispearced bee.
And though I nothing named haue,
to bury mee withall:
Consider that aboue the ground,
annoyance bee I shall.
And let me haue a shrowding Sheete
to couer mee from shame:
And in obliuyon bury mee
and neuer more mee name.
Ringings nor other Ceremonies,
vse you not for cost:
Nor at my buriall, make no feast,
your mony were but lost.
Reioyce in God that I am gon,
out of this vale so vile.
And that of ech thing, left such store,
as may your wants exile.
I make thee sole executor, because
I lou'de thee best.
And thee I put in trust, to geue
the goodes vnto the rest.
In this so great a chardge,
I wysh good Fortune, be thy guide, least
thou shouldst run at lardge.
The happy dayes and quiet times,
they both her Seruants bee.
Which well wyll serue to fetch and bring,
such things as neede to thee.
Wherfore (good London) not refuse,
for helper her to take:
Thus being weake and wery both
an end heere wyll I make.
To all that aske what end I made,
and how I went away:
Thou answer maist like those which heere,
no longer tary may.
And vnto all that wysh mee well,
or rue that I am gon:
Doo me comend, and bid them cease
my absence for to mone.
And tell them further, if they wolde,
my presence styll haue had:
They should haue sought to mend my luck;
which euer was too bad.
So fare thou well a thousand times,
God sheelde thee from thy foe:
And styll make thee victorious,
of those that seeke thy woe.
And (though I am perswade) that I
shall neuer more thee see:
Yet to the last, I shal not cease
to wish much good to thee.
This, xx. of October I,
in ANNO DOMINI:
A Thousand: v. hundred seuenty three
as Alminacks descry.
Did write this Wyll with mine owne hand
and it to London gaue:
In witnes of the standers by,
whose names yf you wyll haue.
Paper, Pen and Standish were:
at that same present by:
With Time, who promised to reueale,
so fast as she could hye
The same: least of my nearer kyn,
fōr any thing should vary:
So finally I make an end
no longer can I tary.
for helper her to take:
Thus being weake and wery both
an end heere wyll I make.
To all that aske what end I made,
and how I went away:
Thou answer maist like those which heere,
no longer tary may.
And vnto all that wysh mee well,
or rue that I am gon:
Doo me comend, and bid them cease
my absence for to mone.
And tell them further, if they wolde,
my presence styll haue had:
They should haue sought to mend my luck;
which euer was too bad.
So fare thou well a thousand times,
God sheelde thee from thy foe:
And styll make thee victorious,
of those that seeke thy woe.
And (though I am perswade) that I
shall neuer more thee see:
to wish much good to thee.
This, xx. of October I,
in ANNO DOMINI:
A Thousand: v. hundred seuenty three
as Alminacks descry.
Did write this Wyll with mine owne hand
and it to London gaue:
In witnes of the standers by,
whose names yf you wyll haue.
Paper, Pen and Standish were:
at that same present by:
With Time, who promised to reueale,
so fast as she could hye
The same: least of my nearer kyn,
fōr any thing should vary:
So finally I make an end
no longer can I tary.
FINIS.
by IS. VV.
| [A sweet Nosgay, Or pleasant Posye | |