57. NICK, a farmer's son, sendeth to JOAN HOBSON a yard of blue Ribbon with these lines.

58.

59.

I send you here of ribbon a whole yard:
And money goeth with me very hard;
For else this yard, two yards should be,
Since I do hold nothing too dear for thee.
And part therefore my love, if that thou wilt,
In this same ribbon; which is made of silk.

A Posy wrought on a Handkercher in silk Letters.
Do not too lightly of me think,

Who write in Letters 'stead of ink.
To send this token I made shift;
Esteem the giver, and not the gift!

A Posy on a Thimble.

He that sent me, loveth thee.

60. A Cabinet being sent to a Gentlewoman, these verses were put in one of the drawers.

61.

This little Cabinet will conceal

All things which you would not reveal;
Your letters and your other things,
As your jewels and your rings.
Let me know then in what part,
Or box, you will lay up my heart!
Which with it I do send; and pray
That in your heart you would it lay.
Let me such favour from you get:
Make your heart, my heart's Cabinet.

To a Maid, a young Man sendeth a silk Girdle.

This girdle haply shall be placed

To compass round your neat small waist.
I were happy if, in this place,

I might thy slender waist embrace.

62.

63.

64

65.

A Posy of four lines, written in red letters, the
four sides of a Handkercher.
Things of most constancy still are
Resembled to solid Square;
So my triangular heart shall be
A four square figure of constancy.

Posies for Rings.

Be thou mine, as I am thine.

In weal and woe, my love I'll show.

I will be true always to you.

There is no joy

Like love without annoy.

Love crossed is best,

And prospers best.

Joy doth abound, where love is found.

My vow that's past, till death shall last.

I love none but you alone.

To thee my heart I give, whilst I here do live.

Love joineth hands in wedlock's bands.

A Posy engraven about a Jewel, sent to a
Gentlewoman.

There is no jewel I can see

Like love that's set in constancy.

A Posy to an unkind disdainful Maid.
Each frown of yours is like a dart
That woundeth me unto the heart.

66.

67.

68.

69.

70.

What conquest were it, if that I
By your cruel frown should die;
Since love my only trespass is?
And shall I die, alas, for this ?

Her Reply.

If alas, for love you chance to die;

'Tis your own folly kills your heart; not I.

A Posy engraven on a gold Ring.

By this ring of gold,

Take me to have and hold!

Another.

What joy in life to a good Wife?

A Posy embroidered on a Scarf.

Fairest, wear this scarf that I do send,

That may your beauty from the wind defend:
For I do know the winds, if like to me,

To kiss your lips and cheeks desirous be.

On the choice of a Wife.

If thou intend'st to choose a Wife,
With whom to lead a happy life;
Look not for Beauty, since there are
Few that can be chaste and fair.
But if thou do her Virtues find,
Which are the beauty of the mind,
Woo her then to gain consent !
For virtuous love can ne'er repent.

CUPID'S Conclusion.

UPID'S Posies now at last are done.

For if you read them all, you will like some.
For these new Posies are both sweet and

brief,

And will disclose the sighing Lover's grief.
For CUPID, having too much idle leisure,
Composed these Posies for his pleasure.

Fair Maids, my Posies now are done;
Which for your sakes I first begun.
And young Men here may always choose
Such Posies as they mean to use.

I CUPID writ them on a day,

When VENUS gave me leave to play;
And if you like them, for my pain:
Then CUPID means to write again.

Posies for Rings, or Mottoes

fit for Presents,

Collected by

W. P.