So noble nature can well end the work she hath begun, And bridle well that will not cease, her tragedy in some: Thus in song she oft rehearsed, as did her well behove, The falling out of faithful friends, renewing is of love.

I marvel much pardy quoth she, for to behold the rout, To see man, woman, boy, beast, to toss the world about: Some kneel, some crouch, some beck, some cheek, and

some can smoothly smile, And some embrace others in arm, and there think many

awile. Some stand aloof at cap and knee, some humble and some

stout, Yet are they never friends in deed, until they once fall out: Thus ended she her song, and said before she did remove, The falling out of faithful friends, renewing is of love.

WILLIAM HUNNIS

died 1568.

V.

THE LOVER CURSETH THE TIME WHEN

FIRST HE FELL IN LOVE.

WHE

THEN first mine eyes did view and mark

Thy beauty fair for to behold,
And when mine ears 'gan first to hark

The pleasant words that thou me told :
I would as then I had been free
From ears to hear and eyes to see.

And when my hands did handle oft,

That might thee keep in memory,
And when my feet had gone so soft

To find and have thy company,
I would each hand a foot had been,
And eke each foot a hand so seen.

And when in mind I did consent

To follow thus my fancy's will,
And when my heart did first relent

To taste such bait myself to spill,
I would my heart had been as thine,
Or else thy heart as soft as mine.

Then should not I such cause have found

To wish this monstrous sight to see, Nor thou, alas ! that madest the wound,

Should not deny me remedy: Then should one will in both remain, To ground one heart which now is twain.

GEORGE GASCOIGNE,

1535?-1577.

VI.

THE LULLABY OF A LOVER.

SINO

ING lullaby, as women do,

Wherewith they bring their babes to rest ; And lullaby can I sing too,

As womanly as can the best. With lullaby they still the child ; And, if I be not much beguiled, Full many a wanton babe have I, Which must be stilled with lullaby.

First lullaby my youthful years,

It is now time to go to bed :
For crooked age and hoary hairs

Have won the haven within my head.
With lullaby then youth be still ;
With lullaby content thy will ;
Since courage quails and comes behind,
Go sleep and so beguile thy mind!

Next, lullaby my gazing eyes,

Which wonted were to glance apace ; For every glass may now suffice To show the furrows in my

face. With lullaby then wink awhile ; With lullaby your looks beguile ; Let no fair face, nor beauty bright, Entice you eft with vain delight.

And lullaby my wanton will ;

Let reason's rule now rein thy thought ; Since all too late I find by skill

How dear I have thy fancies bought; With lullaby now take thine ease, With lullaby thy doubts appease ; For trust to this, if thou be still, My body shall obey thy will.

Eke lullaby my loving boy,

My little robin take thy rest; Since age is cold and nothing coy,

Keep close thy coin, for so is best. With lullaby be thou content ; With lullaby thy lusts relent. Let others pay which have more pence; Thou art too poor for such expense.