The Castell of Courtesie Whereunto is adioyned The Holde of Humilitie: With the Chariot of Chastitie thereunto annexed. Also a Dialogue betweene Age and Youth, and other matters herein conteined. By Iames Yates |
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Verses written vnto his friend W. C. of not, and nor.
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 | The Castell of Courtesie |  |
Verses written vnto his friend W. C. of not, and nor.
Not
boysterouse winds of Æolus force cā stir the hardy rockes
Nor wooden wedges can preuaile to cleane the knotty blocks.
Not absence (he) to frendly heartes can any breach procure,
Nor spiteful spite can do much hurte where friēdship doth assure.
Not frowning lookes of frowarde Mars that can my pen restraine,
Nor doubtfull speach can me reuoke, in verse to shew my vaine.
Not want of good will ready prest shall be one let or cause,
Nor yet the feare of any man shall make me for to pause.
Not Time to tarry to deuise some pleasant thing to write,
Nor yet to proue for to be fine, my verse for to indite,
Not that I thinke my friend be will for rashnesse laugh at me.
Nor that I stand in doubt of that this thing he take in gree.
Not that I am a Poet braue for to declare my minde,
Nor that I haue a curiouse head some pleasant thing to finde,
Not that my friend is scrupulousse, but friendly be will take,
Nor that he is of Momus sect to mocke that I do make.
Not that I know my friend will now accept my ragged verse,
Nor I thinke he will reiect that which I do rehearse.
Not that the Time doth let me now some farder wordes to vse,
Nor that I meane in any thing my friend for to abuse.
Nor wooden wedges can preuaile to cleane the knotty blocks.
Not absence (he) to frendly heartes can any breach procure,
Nor spiteful spite can do much hurte where friēdship doth assure.
Not frowning lookes of frowarde Mars that can my pen restraine,
Nor doubtfull speach can me reuoke, in verse to shew my vaine.
Not want of good will ready prest shall be one let or cause,
Nor yet the feare of any man shall make me for to pause.
Not Time to tarry to deuise some pleasant thing to write,
Nor yet to proue for to be fine, my verse for to indite,
Not that I thinke my friend be will for rashnesse laugh at me.
Nor that I stand in doubt of that this thing he take in gree.
Not that I am a Poet braue for to declare my minde,
Nor that I haue a curiouse head some pleasant thing to finde,
Not that my friend is scrupulousse, but friendly be will take,
Nor that he is of Momus sect to mocke that I do make.
Not that I know my friend will now accept my ragged verse,
Nor I thinke he will reiect that which I do rehearse.
Not that the Time doth let me now some farder wordes to vse,
Nor that I meane in any thing my friend for to abuse.
In steade of giftes to thanke thee for,
Take Yates his gifte of not and nor.
Take Yates his gifte of not and nor.
| The Castell of Courtesie | |