The complete works of John Lyly :: :: University of Virginia Library

The complete works of John Lyly

now for the first time collected and edited from the earliest quartos with life, bibliography, essays, notes and index by R. Warwick Bond

Lyly, John (1554?-1606)

VOL. I

SPEECHES AND VERSES AT THE TILT-YARD

ON THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO THEOBALDS, May, 1591.

The Speeches and HONORABLE Entertainment giuen to the Queenes MAIESTIE in Progresse, at Cowdrey in Sussex, by the right Honorable the Lord Montacute. 1591.

THE HONORABLE Entertainement gieuen to the Queenes Maiestie in Progresse, at Eluetham in Hampshire, by the right Honorable the Earle of Hertford. 1591

Speeches TO Queen Elizabeth AT Quarrendon:

SPEECHES DELIVERED TO HER MAIESTIE THIS LAST PROGRESSE, AT THE Right Honorable the Lady Rvssels, at Bissam, the Right Honorable the Lorde Chandos, at Sudley, at the Right Honorable the Lord Norris, at Ricorte.

ENTERTAINMENT AT HAREFIELD.

THE KING OF DENMARK'S WELCOME.

The Song at Theobalds.

[Sweet Ioe vouchsafe once to impart]

Epicedium. A FVNERAL Oration, vpon the death of the late deceased Princesse of famous memorye, Elizabeth by the grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland.

III.

VOL. III

CERTAINE ENGLISHE Verses, presented vnto the Queenes most excellent Maiestie, by a Courtier: In ioy of the most happie disclosing, of the most dangerous conspiracies pretended by the late executed Traitours, against her royall person, and the whole Estate.

POEMS

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505

THE KING OF DENMARK'S WELCOME.

July, 1606.

The Song at Theobalds.

If euerie Ioy now had a tongue,
And all the seuerall thoughts were sung,
Vnder this happie roofe,
They could make proofe,

506

How much they doe reioyce,
In one, the Maisters voice:
and that is welcome still.

Hayle double flame of Maiesties,
Whose luster quicken's: blindes not eyes,
Who euer saw such light
would wish for night?
Stay, stay, we may reioyce,
And keepe our constant voice,
which is your welcome still.

When two Sunnes shine, the ample day
Should not so haste it selfe away:
A feare to loose destroyes
almost our Ioyes,
But we must so reioyce,
As we make good our voice,
of welcome, welcome still.

Chorus.

And would you euer stay,
And make it lasting day,
Tis welcome, welcome still.

507

[Sweet Ioe vouchsafe once to impart]

Shepheard:
Sweet Ioe vouchsafe once to impart,
did euer liue so coy a lasse,
that vnto loue was neuer moued?

Shephardesse:
Yes Shephard She that has the hart,
and is resolud her life to passe:
neither to loue or be beloued.

He:
She sencelesse liues, without affection.

She:
Yet happie liues, without subiection.

He:
To be pluckt are Roses blowne,
To be mowed are meddowes growne:
Iemmes are made but to be showne,
And woman's best—

She:
To holde her owne.