The Copy of a letter, lately written in meeter, by a young gentlewoman: to her unconstant Lover.  
With an Admonition to all young gentlewomen, and to all other Maids in general to beware of men's flattery.  
By If. W.  
Newly joined to a Loveletter sent by a Bachelor, (a most faithful Lover) to an unconstant and faithless Maiden.  
Imprinted at London, by Richard Ihones dwelling in the upper end of Fleetlane: at the Sign of the spread Egle.   

¶ THE PRINTER TO the Reader.  

What lack you Master mine?  
some trifle that is true?  
Why? then this same will serve your turn  
the which is also new.   

¶ Or if you mind to read,  
some Fables that be feigned:  
Buy this same Book, and ye shall find,  
such in the same contained.   

¶ Perchance my words be thought,  
uncredible to you:  
Because I say this Treatise is,  
both false and also true.   

¶ The matter of itself,  
is true as many know:  
And in the same, some feigned tales,  
the Auctor doth bestow.   

¶ Therefore, buy this same Book,  
of him that here doth dwell:  
And you (I know) will say you have  
bestowed your money well.   
¶ Farewell   

To her unconstant Lover.  

As close as you your wedig kept  
yet know the truth I here:  
Which you (yer now) might me have told  
what need you nay to swear?   

You know I always wished you well  
so will I during life:  
But sith you shall a Husband be  
God send you a good wife.   

And this (where so you shall become)  
full boldly may you boast:  
That once you had as true a Love,  
as dwelled in any Coast.   

Whose constantness had never quailed  
if you had not begun:  
And yet it is not so far passed,  
but might again bewonne.   

If you to would: yea and not change  
so long as life should last:  
But if that needs you marry must?  
then farewell hope is past.   

And if you cannot be content  
to lead a single life?  
(Although the same right quiet be)  
then take me to your wife.   

So shall the promises he kept,  
that you so firmly made:  
Now choose whether ye will be true,  
or be of SINON'S trade.   

Whose trade if that you long shall use,  
it shall your kindred stain:  
Example take by many a one  
whose falsehood now is plain,   

As by AENEAS first of all,  
who did poor DIDO leave,  
Causing the Queen by his untruth  
with Sword her heart to cleave,   

Also I find that THESEUS did,  
his faithful love forsake:  
Stealing away without the night,  
before she did awake.   

JASON that came of noble race,  
two Ladies did beguile:  
I muse how he durst show his face,  
to them that knew his wile.   

For when he by MEDEA'S art,  
had got the Fleece of Gold  
And also had of her that time,  
all kind of things he would.   

He took his Ship and did away  
regarding not the vows:  
That he did make so faithfully,  
unto his loving Spowes,   

How dared he trust the surging Seas  
knowing himself forsworn?  
Why did he scape safe to the land,  
before the ship was torn?   

I think king Aeolus stayd the winds  
and Neptune ruled the Sea:  
Then might he boldly pass the waves  
no perils could him stea.   

But if his false head had to them,  
been manifest before:  
They would have rend the ship as soon  
as he had gone from shore.   

Now may you heave how falseys is  
made manifest in time:  
Although they that commit the same,  
think it a venial crime.   

For they, for their unfaithfulness,  
did get perpetual Fame:  
Fame? wherefore did I term it so?  
I should have called it shame.   

Let Theseus be, let jason pass,  
let Paris also scape:  
That brought destruction unto Troy  
all through the Grecian Rape,   

And unto me a Troilus be,  
if not you may compare:  
With any of these parsons that  
above expressed are.   

But if I can not please your mind.  
for wants that rest in me:  
Wed whom you list, I am content,  
your refuse for to be.   

It shall suffice me simple soul,  
of thee to be forsaken:  
And it may chance although not yet  
you wish you had me taken.   

But rather than you should have caush  
to wish this through your wife:  
I wish to her, ere your her have,  
no more but lost of life.   

For she that shall so happy be,  
of thee to be elect:  
I wish her virtues to be such,  
she need not be suspect.   

I rather wish her HELEN'S face,  
than one of HELEN'S trade:  
With chasteness of PENELOPE  
the which did never fade.   

A LUCRES for her constancy,  
and Thisbie for her truth:  
If such thou have, then PETO be  
not PARIS, that were ruth.   

Perchance, ye will think this thing, rare  
in on woman to find:  
Save Helen's beauty, all the rest rare  
the Gods have me assigned.   

These words I do not speak, thinking  
from thy new Love to turn thee:  
Thou know'st by prof what I deserve  
I need not to inform thee.   

But let that pass: would God I had  
Cassandra's gift me ient:  
Then either thy ill chance or mine  
my foresight might prevent.   

But all in deign for this I seek,  
wishes may not attain it  
Therefore may hay to me what shall,  
and I cannot refrain it.   

Wherefore I pray God be may guide  
and also thee defend:  
NO worse than I wish myself,  
until thy life shall end.   

Which life I pray God, may again,  
king Nestor's life renew:  
And after that your soul may rest  
amongst the heavenly crew.   

Thereto I wish king Xerris wealth,  
or else king Croesus Gould:  
With as much rest and quietness  
as man may have on Mould.   

And when you shall this letter have  
let it be kept in store?  
For she that sent the same, hath sworn  
as yet to send no more.   

And now farewell, for why at large  
my mind is here expressed?  
The which you may perceive, if that  
you do peruse the rest?   
¶ FINIS.  
Is. W.   

The admonition by the Auctor, to all young gentlewomen: And to all other Maids being in love.  

YE Virgins that from Cupid's tents  
do bear away the so●yle  
Whose hearts as yet which raginge-love  
most painfully do boil.   

To you I speak: for you be they,  
that good advice do lack:  
Oh if I could good counsel give  
my tongue should not be slack?   

But such as I can give, I will,  
here in few words express:  
Which if you do observe, it will  
some of your care redress.   

Beware of fair and painted talk,  
beware of flattering tongues:  
The Mermaids do pretend no good  
for all their pleasant Songs.   

Some use the tears of Crocodiles,  
contrary to their heart:  
And if they cannot always weep,  
they wet their Cheeks by Art.   

Ovid, within his Art of love,  
doth teach them this same knack  
To wet their hand, & touch their eyes:  
so oft as tears they lack.   

Why have ye such deceit in store?  
have you such crafty wile?  
Less craft them this god knows would soon  
us simple souls beguile.   

And will ye not leave of? but still  
delude us in this wise?  
Sith it is so, we trust we shall,  
take heed to feigned lies.   

Trust not a man at the first sight,  
but try him well before:  
I wish all Maids within their breasts  
to keep this thing in store.   

For trial shall declare his truth,  
and show what he doth think:  
Whether he be a Lover true,  
or do intend to shrink.   

If SCYLLA had not trust to much  
before that she did try:  
She could not have been clent forsake  
when she for help did cry.   

Or if she had had good advice  
Nisus had lived long:  
How dared she trust a stranger, and  
do her dear father wrong.   

King Nisus had a Hair by fate  
which Hair while he did keep:  
He never should be overcome,  
neither on Land nor deep.   

The stranger that the Daughter loved  
did war against the King  
And always sought how that he might  
them in subjection bring.   

This Scylla stole away the Hair,  
for to obtain her will:  
And gave it to the Stranger that,  
did strait her father kill.   

Then she, who thought herself most sure  
to have her whole desire:  
Was clean reject, and left behind  
when he did whom retire.   

Or if such falsehood had been once,  
unto Oenone known:  
About the fields of Ida wood,  
Paris had walked alone.   

Or if Demophoons deceit,  
to Phillis had been told:  
She had not been transformed so,  
as Poets tell of old.   

Hero did try Leander's truth,  
before that she did trust:  
Therefore she found him unto her  
both constant, true, and lust.   

For he always did swim the Sea,  
when stars in Sky did glide:  
Till he was drowned by the way  
near hand unto the side.   

She scrat her Face, she tore her Heir  
(it grieveth me to tell)  
When she did know the end of him,  
that she did love so well.   

But like Leander there be few,  
therefore in time take heed:  
And always try before ye trust,  
so shall you better speed.   

The little Fish that careless is,  
within the water-cleare:  
Now glad is he, when he doth see,  
a Bait for to appear.   

He thinks his hap right good to be,  
that he the same could spy:  
And so the simple fool doth trust  
to much before he try.   

O little Fish what hap hadst thou?  
to have such spiteful Fate:  
To come into ones cruel hands,  
out of so happy state?   

Thou didst suspect no harm, when thou  
upon the bait didst look:  
O that thou hadst had Lynceus eyes  
for to have seen the hook.   

Then hadst thou with thy pretty mates  
been playing in the streams  
Whereas sir Phoebus daily doth,  
show forth his golden beams.   

But sith thy Fortune is so ill  
to end thy life on shore:  
Of this thy most unhappy end,  
I mind to speak no more.   

But of thy Fellows chance that late  
such pretty shift did make:  
That he from Fisher's hook did spirit  
before he could him take.   

And now he pries on every bait,  
suspecting still that prick:  
(For to lie hid in every thing)  
where with the Fishers strick.   

And since the Fish that reason lacks  
once warned doth beware:  
Why should not we take heed to that  
that turneth us to care.   

And I who was deceived late,  
by one's unfaithful tears:  
Trust now for to beware, if that  
I live this hundredth years,   
¶ FINIS.  
Is. W.   

A Loveletter, or an earnest persuasion of a Lover: sent of late to a young Maiden, to whom he was betrothed.  
Who afterward being overcome with flattery, she seemed utterly to swerver from her former promise without occasion, and so to forsake him.  
By W. G.   

A Loveletter, sent from a faithful Lover: to an unconstant Maiden.  

AS duty wills, so nature moves,  
thy friend these lines to wright:  
Wherein thy fraud, (O faithless thou)  
I mind to bring to light.   

Can plighted faith, so firmly plight,  
without desert be moved?  
Or should the man that faithful is,  
so slenderly be loved?   

¶ Should hate his guerdon 〈◊〉, remain  
in place of thy good will?  
Should rigour reign within thy breast  
to vanquish reasons skill?   

Should faith to falsehood so be changed  
(alas) the greater ruthed  
When double dealing is preferred,  
before a perfect trueth●●   

Of case such hap, as recompense,  
unto your friend you yield?  
What Bulwark canst thou claim,  
'gainst Gods thyself to shield?   

Can they that sit in haughty Heavens  
such covert gilt abide?  
Or are they partial now deemst thou?  
is justice thrown a side?   

May just are they, and justice still,  
as just, they justly use:  
And unto them, as guiltless then,  
canst thou thyself excuse?   

No, no, not so, for they be hold,  
thy double deeds, be sure:  
Do forged style, nor flattering phrase  
their favour may allure.   

No gifts, no gold, can them corrupt  
such justice there doth reign:  
And they that disobey their hests,  
are subject unto pain.   

These are no novel news I tell,  
the proof is plainly known:  
To such as do offend their wills,  
their power forth are shown:   

To see thy conscience, guilty is,  
thy faithless fraud they see:  
And thinkst thou then, this gilt of thine,  
can unrewarded be?   

O Faith, think not so far to wish,  
from reasons limits pure:  
But judge thyself, what justice they  
to sinful ones enure.   

And thyself such dumb, shalt give,  
as guilty shalt thou find:  
Therefore relent, and once again,  
thy grudging conscience mind.   

Which unto Gods that sacred are,  
as guilty thee he wray:  
In place of fraud, let faith & truth  
with thee now hear the sway,   

Revoke and call to memory,  
the fruits of friendship shown:  
Perpend in mind, my torments strong  
my plaints and pensive moan.   

Which six years long, as pacionate  
to carrying yoke of care:  
I bod for thee, as thou they self,  
I know canst well declare.   

Remember thou the plaints & tears,  
which I powered forth for thee:  
And ponder well the sacred vow,  
that thou hast made to me.   

Which vow gave comfort to thy friend  
that subject served to grief:  
Thou gavest thyself a pledge to me,  
thy faith was my releffe.   

But now what helyth hag? (alas)  
hath turned thy love to hate:  
Or else what whelp of HYDRA'S kind  
in thee hath wrought debate.   

Alas, wilt thou despoil me quite,  
of my possessed joy?  
Or wilt thou plunge me headlong thus,  
to gulfs of great annoy?   

Who would a thought (alas)  
such fraud to rest in thee?  
Who would have deemed without desert  
thy heart should change from me?   

Whose heart hath couched his tent,  
within my covert breast:  
And thine I hoped, of me thy friend,  
likewise had been possessed.   

But wavering minds I plainly set,  
so compassed with guile:  
Pretend by slights, the perfect joys,  
of friends for to exile.   

O, should a prattling Parasite, so egg  
thee with disdain?  
That thou the presence of thy friend  
through flattery should refrain?   

Not vouching once to speak with him  
whose heart thou hast in hold:  
Sith liking same hath granted grace  
should love so soon be cold.   

Consider these my letters well,  
and answer them again:  
For I thy friend in covert zeal,  
this time hath closed my pen.   

Farewell, a dieu tenthousand times,  
to God I thee commend:  
Be seching him his heavenly grace,  
unto thee still to send.   

¶ Thy friend in wealth, thy friend in woe,  
Thy friend while life, shall flytt mesroe:  
And whilst that you, enjoy your breath,  
Leave not your friend, unto the death:  
For greater praise cannot be won,  
Then to observe true-love begun.  
¶ FINIS.  
W. G.    

¶ Imprinted at London, by Richard Ihones.   

R W Against the wilful Inconstancy of his dear Foe E. T. Which Example may justly be a sufficient warning for all Youngmen to beware the feigned fidelity of unconstant Maidens.  

All youthful Might's at liberty  
whom LOVE did never thrall,  
I wish that my deray may be,  
a warning to you all:   

That have a soar bred in my Breast  
although it be not strange:  
Yet will it bring me to the Grave  
without some sudden change.   

For I by Suit have served one  
two years and somewhat more,  
And now I can no longer serve  
my heart it is so sore.   

Which heart I let to Userie  
through greedy fond desire:  
Not doubting to receive home twain  
when I would them require.   

But if that every Usurer  
had such good hap as I,  
There would not be so many men  
would use this Userie.   

My Debtor hath deceived me  
for she is from me fled:  
And I am left among the briars  
to bring a Fool to Bed.   

So that I seely man remain  
each day in doubtful case:  
For DEATH doth daily lie in wait  
to rest me with his Mace.   

And cast me into Prison strong  
the Door is made of Grass:  
And I might bless my hour of birth  
if it were come to pass.   

For lo my careful choice doth choose  
to keep me still in thrall,  
And doth regard my love no more  
than Stone that lies in wall:   

Whereby I see that women's hearts  
are made of Marble Stone  
I see how careless they can be  
when pensive men do moan.   

I sowed both pure and perfect seed  
on fair and pleasant ground  
In hope though harnessed brought some pain  
some profit might be found.   

But now the Harvest ended is  
and for my faithful Seeds  
And all my pain and labour past:  
I have nought else but Weeds.   

I thrust my hand among that thorns  
in hope the Rose to find.  
I pricked my hand and eke my heart  
yet left the Rose behind.   

Not I, but many more I know  
in Love do lack relief,  
But I as cause doth me compel,  
do wail my pain and grief,   

I doubtless can not be the first  
That Love hath put to pain,  
Nor yet I shall not be the last  
that Women will disdain.   

If I poor wretch should think upon  
the pains that I have passed:  
Or if I should recount the cares,  
that she hath made me taste   

Into Despair it would me drive,  
and cleave my heart in twain:  
Or else bereave me of my Wits  
to think upon the pain.   

I never spent one day in joy  
my careful heart doth know,  
Since first I lent my Love to her  
by whom my grief doth grow.   

There are no greater pains assigned  
for dampened Ghosts in hell:  
Then I do suffer for her sake,  
that I do love so well.   

The Price that I have paid for love  
not many men do give.  
But I my Bargain shall repent  
as long as I do live.   

I paid for love and that full deats  
yet I receive right nought,  
I never was so much deceived  
in any thing I bought.   

If every woman on her friend  
such pity use to take,  
Then shortly men will run to love,  
as Bears unto a stake.   

But now let VENUS fire her forge  
let CUPIDS' Shaft be sent:  
They can no more increase my woe  
for all my Love is spent.   

But here good Reader thou mayst see  
how Love hath paid my hire,  
To leave me burning in the frame,  
compelled to blow the fire.   

But if that thou good friend desire  
to live in happy state?  
Then seek in 〈◊〉 if thou mis 〈…〉 ap,  
Repentance comes too late.   

Frequent not women's company  
but see thou it from them serve  
For thy Reward shall be but small,  
whatever thou deserve.   

Take heed for thou mayst come in the all  
Before that thou beware:  
And when thou art entangled once  
thou canst not flyeth snare.   

Take thou not this to be a jest,  
but think it to be true,  
Before thou prove as I have done,  
lest proof do make thee rue.   

Yet if thou chance to place thy love  
take heed what then dost sat:  
And see thou place thy talk in Print  
or else beware a fray.   

And thus I end: not doubting but  
these words may well suffice,  
To warn thy greedy bart of harm  
and ease thy roving eyes.    

¶ Ease by Disease,  
hath made me to halt,  
Time hath so turned  
my Sugar to Salt.  
FINIS.  
R. WITC.   

¶ Imprinted at LONDON, by RICHARD JOHNES.