A smale handfull of fragrant Flowers selected and gathered out of the lovely garden of sacred scriptures, fit for any honorable and vertuous Lady, the Lady Sheffeeld. By N. B |
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The booke to the Reader.
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 | A smale handfull of fragrant Flowers |  |
The booke to the Reader.
Since
I poore booke am put into thy hand,
although the tome or volume litle bee,
Yet Reader deare that I be throughly scand
with zelous minde I begge and craue of thee
Ne seeme to iudge or sentence thyne to frame,
Before throughout thou do peruse the same.
although the tome or volume litle bee,
Yet Reader deare that I be throughly scand
with zelous minde I begge and craue of thee
Ne seeme to iudge or sentence thyne to frame,
Before throughout thou do peruse the same.
Reade not as though thou wouldst forget agayne,
such fruitles fayth bringes profite none at all:
But if thou wylt reape merite for thy payne,
let not regarde from wonted custome fall,
Which as I reade by wise men is defind,
While time doth serue, to beare the fruits in mind.
such fruitles fayth bringes profite none at all:
But if thou wylt reape merite for thy payne,
let not regarde from wonted custome fall,
Which as I reade by wise men is defind,
While time doth serue, to beare the fruits in mind.
If then I cast a iewell vnto thee,
play not the Cocke that Esope speaketh on,
Who rather craued a barlye corne to see:
then for to finde the costly precious stone,
But if I might giue counsel with the rest,
First reade, thē chuse such fruits as lyke thee best.
play not the Cocke that Esope speaketh on,
Who rather craued a barlye corne to see:
then for to finde the costly precious stone,
But if I might giue counsel with the rest,
First reade, thē chuse such fruits as lyke thee best.
Holde me excused, and take my maisters Muse,
in as good part as payne he doth bestowe,
Let his good wyll his simple worke excuse,
for were it much more better: to bestowe
For thy delyght he woulde vouchsafe his toyle,
And yeelde to thee the croppe of suche a foyle.
in as good part as payne he doth bestowe,
Let his good wyll his simple worke excuse,
for were it much more better: to bestowe
For thy delyght he woulde vouchsafe his toyle,
And yeelde to thee the croppe of suche a foyle.
FINIS.
| A smale handfull of fragrant Flowers | |