CUPIDS POSIES,  

For Bracelets, Handkercers, and Rings,  
With Scarves, Gloves, and other things.  
Written by Cupid on a day,  
When Venus gave me leave to play,  
Verbum sat amanti.  
The Lover showeth his intent,  
By Gifts that are with posies sent.    Cupid draws his bow 
London, Printed by E. C. for J. Wright, next to the Globe in Little-Brittain, 1674.   

To his Mother VENUS. Cupid Dedicateth his Posies.  
MOther your Love to me was shown  
Before that I could go alone,  
For with Nectar than you fed me,  
And in tender manner bred me:  
Till perceiving once that I  
Was able on my wings to fly;  
I did descend unto the Earth,  
With my Bow to make some mirth:  
For all the World is my park,  
Where when I shoot I hit the Mark;  
Young Men and Maidens are my Game,  
While I the little Bowman am;  
Yet lest you may think my leisure  
〈◊〉 do only waste in pleasure:  
These Posies I have writ of late,  
Which to you I dedicate:  
That so the love may be expressed,  
Of your son that loves you best.   

 a lady holding a vase of flowers and foliage   

CUPIDS Posies  

I That Cupid called am,  
And shall never be a Man;  
But am still the blinded Boy,  
That breeds Lovers much annoy:  
Having gotten on a day,  
From my Mother, leave to play,  
And obtained use of sight,  
I in wantonnese did write,  
These same Posies which I send,  
And to Lovers do commend;  
Which if they be writ, within  
The little circle of a Ring,  
Or be sent unto your Loves  
With five Handkerchiefs Gloves:  
I do know that like my Dart,  
They have power to wound the heart:  
For instead of Flowers and Roses,  
Here are words bound up in Posies.   

1. A posy written on a pair Bracelets and sent by a young Man to his Love  
My Love, these Braclets take,  
and think of them no harm:  
But since they Bracelets be,  
let them embrace thy arm.   

2. Another.  
Receive this Sacrifice in part,  
From the Altar of my heart.   

3.  
I do owe both love and duty,  
To your virtue and your beauty.   

4. A posy sent with a pair of Gloves.  
You are that one  
For whom alone,  
my heart doth only care:  
Then do but join  
Your heart with mine,  
and we will make a pair.   

5. Another.  
I send to you a pair of Gloves,  
If you love me  
Leave out the G.  
And make a pair of Loves.   

6. Another.  
Though these Gloves be white and fair,  
Yet thy hands more whiter are.   

7. Another.  
These Gloves are happy  
That kiss your hands,  
Which long have held my heart  
in Cupid's bands.   

8. The posy of a Lover to his disdaining Mistress.  
 Stella in tenebris,  
Sic Amor in adversis.   

Englished.  
As the Stars in darkest night  
So love despised shining.   

9 The posy of a handkerchief sent from a young man to his Love being wrought in blue silk.  
This handkerchief to you assures,  
That this and what I have is yours.   

10. Another.  
Love is like a hidden flame,  
Which will at last  
blaze forth again.   

11. Another in Letters.  
My love is true which JOV,  
Is true to me then CUB.   

12. The posy of a Ring sent to a Maid from her Lover.  
My constant Love, shall ne'er remove.   

13. Another.  
This and I, until I die.   

14.  
Memento mei.  
When this you see,  
Remember me.   

15.  
Like to a cirrle round, no end in love is found  
Take me with it, for both are fit,   

16. A young man's conceit to his dear Love, being wrought upon a scarf.  
This Scarf is but  
an emblem of my love  
Which I have sent with full intent,  
my service to approve.   

17, Another wherein the Lover seeketh her Love.  
One was the Bow one was the Dart,  
That wounded us both to the heart:  
Then since we both do feel one pain,  
Let one love cure us both again.   

18. A young man's posy to his Sweet heart showing that Love is most violent in absence.  
Love is a flame that with  
a violent desire,  
Doth burn us most when, we  
are farthest from the fire.   

19  
As those that die  
are said for to departed:  
So when you went a way,  
all life forsook my heart:  
For though with inward pain  
I draw my very breath,  
Yet this I will maintain  
departure is a Death.   

20. A Lover coming into a Maiden's chamber in her absence did write this posy on her looking-glass.  
In this same Looking-glass,  
my watery eyes I see:  
But I do wish that thou couldst show  
her cheerful eyes to me:  
Yet why do I accuse thee here.  
'tis not thy fault for thou art cléer.   

21. posies of Rings for young Lovers which have newly discovered their affection.  
Let me serve till I desire.   

22. Another.  
Had I not spoke, my heart had broke:  
The utmost scope of love is hope:   

23.  
Love's delight, is to unite,  
I now do sue, for love to you.   

24.  
Love I have, yet Love I crave.   

25. A posy of a young Prentice sent to his Love with a pair of Amber Bracelets.  
Let these same bind  
You to be kind  
unto me for Loves own sake,  
And when we meet  
With kisses swoot,  
we will Indentures make:  
And I will bind myself to be,  
In love a Apprentice unto thee.   

26. A Lovers short posy in the praise of his Mistress.  
You have Venus' lip and eye,  
With Diana's Chastity,  
In those parts which are revealed  
Venus' beauty is expressed;  
Yet there is some parts concealed,  
which my fancy judgeth best.   

27. A young man to his Sweetheart, setting forth the better effects of a disdained Love.  
Love is like a golden tree,  
Whose fruit most pleasant seems to be.  
Whiles disdain doth never sleep,  
But this tree of Love doth keep:  
Yet I hope you will at last  
Think upon my service past.   

28. A posy sent by a young man to a pretty young maid in the same Town, with a very fair point of Coronation colour Ribbon.  
My dearest Love, I send  
this Ribbon point to thee,  
In hope the young men of the Town  
shall not still point at me:  
Because I am thy Lover true,  
Then grant me thy Love sweet Sue.   

29. Another.  
There is no joy can be  
to Lovers half so sweet  
As when that Lovers do agree.  
and in one point do meet.   

93. the posy of a Ring.  
Thou art, my heart.   

1.  
More dearer to me, than life can be,   

32. Another.  
Love is joy, without annoy,   

33. Another.  
'tis in your will, to save or kill.   

34. A Posy wrought in Red Silk Letters upon an Ash coloured Scarf.  
Every Letter here doth show,  
That my heart is linked to you;  
And by this Token is expressed  
That you are she whom I love best.   

35. A Bachelor's Posy sent with a fair pair of Gloves to a young Maid, with whom he was to be married on the next Holiday following. Dulce bellum in expertis.  
Thou art a Maid my dearest Nan,  
And I a Bachelor too am;  
Then needs must Venus wars be sweet  
When two maiden-Lovers meet   

36. The Posy of a Handkerchief very fairly, laced about, with a flaiming heart wrought in the middle.  
Great is the grief that I sustain:  
Which here is figured, by a phlegm:  
That doth torment me in each part,  
But chief seizeth on my heart;  
Yet rather than my heart shall turn,  
From my Faith, in love I'll burn.   

From a Youngman, to his offended Mistress.  
Dearest, if I have offended,  
enjoin me then some penance hard,  
That my fault may be amended,  
ere your favour be debarred;  
For if I must penance do,  
I'll go unto no Saint but you.   

37. A posy sent to a Maid, being cunningly enterwoven in a Silk Bracelet.  
Kindly take this Gift of mine,  
For Gift and Giver both are thine.   

38. A posy written in a piece of guilt paper, folded up very neatly like a Letter, and bound about with green Silk, and so sent to a Maid that had the Green-Sickness.  
Like to this Silk that is so Green,  
So doth the fading colour seem:  
A Letter changed in thy Name,  
Will bring your colour back again.  
Change N. for M. my green chéeckt Nan,  
For I do see you lack a Man.   

40. Posies for Rings.  
Faithful Love, can ne'er remove.   

41. Another.  
If you consent I am content.   

42. To a maid, Engraven on each side of a Silver Bodkin.  
Like unto a Bodkin so is love,  
Sharp, until the sweet we prove.   

43. To his Sweetheart that had objected against him for want of means.  
Come my Love if Love you grant,  
What is it that Love can want;  
In thee I have sufficient store,  
Grant me thy Love, I wish no more.   

A posy sent from a maid to a young man with a very fair wrought purse.  
My Heart's Purse  
you are my wealth;  
And I will keep  
you to myself.   

44. The posy of a Ring.  
True Love well placed, is ne'er disgraced.   

45.  
I am your friend, unto the end.   

46.  
Yours I am, be mine again.   

47.  
Love itself discloses, by gifts with Posies   

48. A Posy sent with a pair of Gloves.  
What should I write? some words do move  
Suspicion unto those that Love;  
Then without any further art,  
In one word you have my heart.   

49. Her Reply.  
Lest for a heart you should complain,  
With mine I send yours back again:  
For Love to me this power doth give,  
That my heart in your heart doth live.   

50. A young Man's posy wrought in a Handkerchief.  
A Maiden virtuous chaste and fair,  
Is a jewel past compare,  
And such are you in whom I find,  
Virtue is with beauty Joined.   

51. A Maiden's posy sent with a willow colour point to a young man that had forsaken her.  
Your love was like a spark,  
which in the Ashes lies;  
That shineth for a time,  
but afterwards it dies:  
Since therefore you did faithless prove,  
I do here denounce your love.   

52. posies for Rings.  
Be true to me,  
As I to thee.  
I love none,  
But thee alone.   

To his Sweetheart, to whom he sent a purse with these Verses in it.  
Swéet-heart my love to you I commend,  
And therewithal this Purse to you I send,  
Which is not filled with silver or with gold,  
Only my heart it doth contain and hold.  
I do rejoice,  
In thee my choice.  
One love, one troth,  
Between us both.  
Constant true Love,  
Comes from above.  
You are my friend,  
Unto the end.   

To a Maid, these Lines were sent, with a Scarf.  
This Scarf will keep off the rude wind,  
Which to your Lips the way would find,  
I would have none know the bliss,  
(But myself) at your sweet kiss,  
Which I would hav● none else to taste,  
Lest your stock of kisses waste,   

Verses written on a Gentlewoman's Lute; and left in her Chamber.  
Lute I entreat thee to complain,  
To her that doth my love disdain:  
And when thy Mistress cometh home,  
Tell her here hath been one,  
Would (if she had not thought it much)  
Have given her a gentle touch.   

On a Knife.  
If you love me, as I love you,  
Nothing can cut our love in two.   

To a Gentlewoman, who appointed one to buy her a Mask, which he bought, and sent it with this Posy.  
It is a pity you should wear a Mask,  
This is the reason if you do ask,  
Because it hides your face so fair,  
Where Roses mixed with Lilies are;  
It clouds your beauty; so that we  
Your Cherry Lips can seldom see,  
And from your face, kéeps off our eyes;  
Which is indeed loves Paradise.   

Verses sent with a pair of Bracelets.  
These Bracelets like a circle shall  
environ round your Arm,  
Happy are they what ere befall,  
that shall be kept warm:  
And may they like two circles prove  
to charm your heart for to love me,  
Let Cupid the Magician be,  
to charm your heart for to love me.   

Posies for Rings.  
I will remain,  
Always the same.  
You and I,  
Will Lovers die  
My vow is past,  
While life doth last,  
Lover's knot once tide,  
Who can divide?  
Verbum sat amanti.  
Amo te,  
Si amas me.  
I love thee,  
If thou love me.  
To a fair Maid, sent with a posy of Flowers.  
Beauty is like a flower, sweet Maid,  
Which quickly doth decay and fade;  
Then wisely now make use of time,  
Since you are now even in your prime.   

Two lines embroidered on the top of a pair of Gloves.  
I wish that we two were a pair,  
As these happy Gloves here are.   

Nick a Farmer's son sendeth to Joan Hobson a yard of blue Ribbond with these Lines.  
I send you here of Ribbond 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 upon a Handkerchief in silk Letters.  
Do not too lightly of me think,  
Who writ in Letters stead of Ink,  
To send this token I made shift,  
Estéem the giver, and not the gift.   

A posy on a Thimble.  
He that sent me,  
Loveth thee.   

A Cabinet being sent to a Gentlewoman, these Verses were put in one of the Drawers.  
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 waste,  
I were happy if in this place,  
I might thy slender waste embrace.   

A posy of four lines written in red Letters, on the four sides of an Handkerchief.  
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 prosper best.  
joy doth abound,  
Where love is found.  
My Vow that's past,  
Till death shall last.  
I load none,  
But you alone.  
To thee my heart I give,  
Whilst I here do live.  
Love joineth hands,  
In wedlock bands.   

A Posy Engraven about a Jewel, sent to a Gentlewoman.  
There is no jewel I can see,  
Like love that's sent in constancy.   

The Conclusion.  
Cupid's Posies now at last are done,  
For if you read them all, you will like some  
For these new Posies are both sweet & brief  
And will disclose the sighing Lovers grief;  
For Cupid having too much idle leisure,  
Composed these Posies for his pleasure.   

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

53. To a young Maid about fifteen years of Age.  
Fifteen Years you now have stayed,  
Fie, 'tis too long to be a Maid.   

54. A posy engraven on a Gold Ring.  
By this Ring of Gold,  
Take me to have and hold.   

55. 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 our 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 is the beauty of the mind:  
Woe her then to gain consent,  
For virtuous Love can ne'er repent.   

Cupid's Conclusion.  
Fair Maids my posies now are done,  
Which for yours 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.   
FINIS.   

 Cupid prepares to fire an arrow in a field of ladies and gentlemen with a city in the background