Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A SWEET NOSEGAY: TO MY FRIEND T.L. WHOSE GOOD NATURE I SEE ABUSDE, by ISABELLA WHITNEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A SWEET NOSEGAY: TO MY FRIEND T.L. WHOSE GOOD NATURE I SEE ABUSDE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Dyd not dame seres tell to you
Last Line: And so I say adewe.
Subject(s): Friendship; Relationships


Dyd not Dame Seres tell to you?
nor fame unto you shew?
What sturdi storms have bin abrod
and who hath playd the shrew.
I thought the Goddesse in your feelds
had helped with your crop:
Or els that fame til you had knowne,
her trump would never stop.
But sith I se their silentnesse,
I cease the same to write:
Least I therfore might be condemd
to do it for a spite.
But this I wish that you my frind
go chuse some vertues wife:
With whom in feare of God do spend,
the residue of your lyfe
For whylst you are in single state
none hath that right regard:
They think all wel that they can win,
and compt it their reward.
With sorow I to oft have seene,
when some wold fleece you much
And oft in writting wolde I say
good friend beware of such.
But all my wordes they weare as wind
my labouryll was spent:
And in the end for my good wil,
most cruelly was shent.
Yf I were boxt and buffeted,
good wyll shall never cease:
Nor hand, nor tong, shal so be charmd
to make me holde my peace.
Wherfore I warne you once againe
be warie of your selfe:
For some have sworne to lyke you well
so long as you have pelfe,
Yf warnings styll you do reject,
to late your selfe shal rew:
Do as you lyst, I wish you well,
and so I say adewe.





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