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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A SWEET NOSEGAY: IS. W. TO C.B. IN BEWAYLYNGE HER MISHAPPES by ISABELLA WHITNEY

First Line: IF HEAVIE HARTES MIGHT SERVE TO BE A SACRIFICE FOR SINNE
Last Line: TO THE CONDUCTING OF MY FRIENDE,
Subject(s): GRIEF; SORROW; SADNESS;
If heavie hartes might serve to be a sacrifice for sinne:
Or els, if sorowes might suffice, for what so ere hath byn:
Then mine Oblacion, it weare made,
Whiche longe have lived in Mourners trade.

The dryrie daye in dole (alas) continuallye I spende:
The noysome nightes, in restlesse Bedde, I bring unto his ende:
And when the daye appeares agayne,
Then fresh begyn my plaints amayne.

But this I feare wyll sooner cease: the nomber of my sinne:
Then make amendes, for former misse, that I have lived in:
Because I take not pacientlye
Correction in adversytie.

Wherfore (my God) geve me that gyfte, As he dyd JOB untyll:
That I may take with quietnesse, what soever is his wyll:
Then shall my lucklesse lyfe soone ende,
Or frowarde Fortune shall amende.

And for because your sound advice, may ease me in distresse:
For that two wittes may compasse more then one, you must confesse:
And that, that burthen dothe not deare,
Whiche frende wyll somtyme helpe to beare.

Therfore, in this perplexitie, to you deare frende I write:
You know mine endlesse miserie, you know, how some me spite:
with counsell cure, for feare of wracke,
And helpe to beare, that breakes my backe.

So wishing you in health to bide, and troubles not to taste
And geving tendance for your ayde, which I requier in haste
I cease: and humbly me commend,
To the conducting of my Friende,



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