A SWEET NOSEGAY: TO TWO OF HER SISTER MISTERIS A.B. by ISABELLA WHITNEY

Because I to my Brethern wrote, and to my Sisters two:
Good Sister Anne, you this might wote, yf so I should not doo
To you or ere I parted hence,
You vainely had bestowed expence.

Yet is it not for that I write, for nature dyd you bynde:
To doo mee good: and to requight, hath nature mee inclynde:
Wherfore good Sister take in gree,
These simple lynes that come from mee.

Wherin I wish you Nestors dayes, in happye health to rest:
With such successe in all assayes, as those which God hath blest:
Your Husband with your prety Boyes,
God keepe them free from all annoyes.

And graunt if that my luck it bee, to linger heere so long:
Til they be men: that I may see, for learning them so strong:
That they may march amongst the best,
Of them which learning have possest.

By that tyme wyl my aged yeares perhaps a staffe require:
And quakyngly as styll in feares, my lims draw to the fire:
Yet joy I shall them so to see,
Yf any joy in age there bee.

Good Sister so I you commend, to him that made us all:
I know you huswifery intend, though I to writing fall:
Wherfore no lenger shal you stay,
From businesse, that profit may.

Had I a Husband, or a house, and all that longes therto
My selfe could frame about to rouse, as other women doo:
But til some houshold cares mee tye,
My bookes and Pen I wyll apply.

@3Your loving Sister. IS. W.@1

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