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401

APPENDIX

I O my thoughtes, sweete foode my onely owner

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(From Clifford MS, fo 217 r. and v.)

O my thoughtes, sweete foode my onely owner,
O my heavens for taste by the heavenly pleasure,
O the fayre Nymphe borne to doo woemen honor,
Lady, my Treasure,
Where bee now those Joyes, that I lately tasted?
Where bee nowe those eyes ever inly persers?
Where bee now those wordes never idelly wasted?
Woundes to Rehersers,
Where ys ay that face, that a Sunne defaceth?
Where bee those wellcomes by no worthe deserved?
Where bee those mooving the Delightes, the graces?
Howe bee wee swerved?
O hideous absence, by thee I am thralled?
O my vayne worde gon̄, Ruyn of my glory?
O dere allegiance, by thee am I called
Still to bee sory.
But no more wordes, thoughe a worde bee spoken,
Nor no more wording with a worde to spill mee?
Peace due alledgeance, Duty must bee broken,
Yf Duety kill mee.
Then come, O come, then I do come, receyve,
Slay mee not, for stay, doo not hyde thy blisses;
But betweene those armes, never else do leave mee
Give mee my kisses.
O my thoughtes, sweete foode, my onely owner?
O my heavens for Taste, by the heavenly pleasure?
O the fayre Nymphe borne to doo woemen honor?
Lady, my Treasure.
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