V. OF A CONTENTED MIND.1 (By Thomas Lord Vaux.) ZHEN all is done and said, In the end thus shall you find, He most of all doth bathe in bliss That hath a quiet mind, And, clear from worldly cares, To deem can be content The sweetest time in all his life In thinking to be spent. The body subject is To fickle Fortune's power, And to a million of mishaps Is casual every hour; And death in time doth change Runs never to decay. Companion none is like Unto the mind alone; For many have been harmed by speech; "Paradise of Dainty Devices," 1576, &c. Fear oftentimes restraineth words, Our wealth leaves us at death; The heavens with us we have. Wherefore, for virtue's sake, The sweetest time of all my life To deem in thinking spent. L. VAUX. VI. OF THE INSTABILITY OF YOUTH.1 (By Thomas Lord Vaux or J. Haryngton.) ZHEN I look back, and in myself behold The wandering ways that youth could not descry, W And mark the fearful course that youth did hold, And meet in mind each step youth strayed awry; My knees I bow, and from my heart I call,— O Lord, forget these faults and follies all! "Paradise of Dainty Devices," signed L. Vaux. Four stanzas, much varied, claimed for J. Haryngton in "Nugæ Antiquæ," vol. ii. p. 333, edit. Park. For now I see how void youth is of skill; I see also his prime time and his end; I do confess my faults and all my ill, And sorrow sore for that I did offend; The humble heart hath daunted the proud mind; Thou that didst grant the wise king his request; Thou that by power to life didst raise the dead; Thou that of favour madest the lame go right; Thou that canst heal and help in all assays, Forgive the guilt that grew in youth's vain ways! And now since I, with faith and doubtless mind, Do fly to Thee by prayer to appease Thy ire, And since that Thee I only seek to find, And hope by faith to attain my just desire; Lord, mind no more youth's error and unskill, And able age to do Thy Holy Will! VII. ON ISABELLA MARKHAM.1 (By J. Haryngton. Before 1564?) ZHENCE comes my love? O heart, disclose! "Twas from cheeks that shame the W rose; From lips that spoil the ruby's praise; From eyes that mock the diamond's blaze. Whence comes my woe? As freely own: Ah me! 'twas from a heart of stone. The blushing cheek speaks modest mind; Yet all so fair but speak my moan, Sith nought doth say the heart of stone. Why thus, my love, so kind bespeak "Nuge Antiquæ," vol. ii. p. 324, edit. Park. VIII. VERSES MADE BY QUEEN ELIZABETH.1 康 (Circ. 1569.) HE doubt of future foes Exiles my present joy, And wit me warns to shun such snares For falsehood now doth flow, But clouds of toys untried The top of hope supposed The root of ruth will be, Then dazzled eyes with pride, Whose foresight falsehood finds. Printed by Puttenham, "Art of Poesy," 1589, p. 208, as a "ditty of her Majesty's own making, passing sweet and harmonical." In MS. Rawl. Poet. 108, fol. 44, verso, it is entitled "Verses made by the Queen's Majesty." Another text was printed by Brydges from a Harl. MS.; "Topographer," vol. ii. p. 176. |