The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton For the First Time Collected and Edited: With Memorial-Introduction, Notes and Illustrations, Glossarial Index, Facsimilies, &c. By the Rev. Alexander B. Grosart. In Two Volumes |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
A Testament vpon the Passion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1. |
|
|
 | The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton |  |
A Testament vpon the Passion.
To Care, that crucifies my heart,
My sighes and sobbes I doe bequeath;
And to my Sorrowes deepest smart,
The latest gaspe that I doe breath.
My sighes and sobbes I doe bequeath;
And to my Sorrowes deepest smart,
The latest gaspe that I doe breath.
To Fortune, I bequeath my folly,
To giue to such as seeke her grace:
To faithlesse friends, that fortune wholly,
That brought mee in this heavie case.
To giue to such as seeke her grace:
To faithlesse friends, that fortune wholly,
That brought mee in this heavie case.
To Beauty, I bequeath mine age;
To Love, the hate of wit and sense;
To Patience, but the cure of rage;
To Honour, Virtues patience.
To Love, the hate of wit and sense;
To Patience, but the cure of rage;
To Honour, Virtues patience.
Mine enemies I do forgiue;
And to my friends I giue my loue;
And wish vngrateful hearts may liue
But like ingratitude to proue.
And to my friends I giue my loue;
And wish vngrateful hearts may liue
But like ingratitude to proue.
To Pitty, I bequeath my teares,
To fill her eyes when they be dry;
To Faith, the fearelesse thoughts of feares,
To giue to life, to let me die.
To fill her eyes when they be dry;
To Faith, the fearelesse thoughts of feares,
To giue to life, to let me die.
My care I doe bequeath to Death,
To cut the threades that thoughts do spinne;
And at my latest gasp of breath,
To Heauen my soule, to Hell my sinne.
To cut the threades that thoughts do spinne;
And at my latest gasp of breath,
To Heauen my soule, to Hell my sinne.
| The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton | |