The Times' Whistle Or A Newe Daunce of Seuen Satires, and other Poems: Compiled by R. C., Gent. [i.e. Richard Corbett]. Now First Edited from Ms. Y. 8. 3. in the Library of Canterbury Cathedral: With introduction, notes, and glossary, By J. M. Cowper |
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Somnium. |
 | The Times' Whistle |  |
Somnium.
About the dead time of the silent night,
Disquiet thought debarring sounder sleepe,
A dreame I had that did me much delight,
Wherof my minde doth yet impression keepe,
Because it chiefly touchèd single life,
In good or bad election of a wife.
Disquiet thought debarring sounder sleepe,
A dreame I had that did me much delight,
Wherof my minde doth yet impression keepe,
Because it chiefly touchèd single life,
In good or bad election of a wife.
Methought 3 virgins did appear vnto me,
In their attyer all full seemly clad,
Which saide they came on purpose for to wooe me,
To know to which I most affection had:
“But first (said they) before this thing thou shew
Thou each of vs shalt severally knowe.”
In their attyer all full seemly clad,
Which saide they came on purpose for to wooe me,
To know to which I most affection had:
“But first (said they) before this thing thou shew
Thou each of vs shalt severally knowe.”
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Then first gan say the fairest of the three,
“I Beawty am; if me thou list to take,
Thy fancy shall receiue content in me,
And I will never thy true love forsake:
But I am poore, & have no meanes at all
Reliefe to give, if want should thee befall.”
“I Beawty am; if me thou list to take,
Thy fancy shall receiue content in me,
And I will never thy true love forsake:
But I am poore, & have no meanes at all
Reliefe to give, if want should thee befall.”
The second then begann, “I Wealth am hight;
If me thou chuse thou never shalt have lacke;
Aboundance thee to give is in my might,
To fill thy belly, or to clothe thy backe:
Only I am (as thou maist well beholde)
Deformde, hard-favourd, crabbed, wringkled, olde.”
If me thou chuse thou never shalt have lacke;
Aboundance thee to give is in my might,
To fill thy belly, or to clothe thy backe:
Only I am (as thou maist well beholde)
Deformde, hard-favourd, crabbed, wringkled, olde.”
Then quoth the third & last, “My name is Witt;
If me thou chuse to give thy minde content,
I can discourse, with wordes moste apt & fitt,
Of nature, heaven, & every element:
But this be sure, a wanton I will prove,
And not be tyed vnto on[e] only love.”
If me thou chuse to give thy minde content,
I can discourse, with wordes moste apt & fitt,
Of nature, heaven, & every element:
But this be sure, a wanton I will prove,
And not be tyed vnto on[e] only love.”
“And now,” quoth they, “thine answeare we request,
For we of purpose come the same to knowe;
Tell whether of vs thou canst fancy best.”—
And heer me thought they left to speake; when loe!
I framèd me an answear them to make,
But forc'd my selfe, & thus I did awake.
For we of purpose come the same to knowe;
Tell whether of vs thou canst fancy best.”—
And heer me thought they left to speake; when loe!
I framèd me an answear them to make,
But forc'd my selfe, & thus I did awake.
| The Times' Whistle | |