P. Sidney

Oct.

with the exercise: and so shall you profit more in a month, than others in a year. And mark the bitting, saddling, and cur[ry]ing of horses.

I would, by the way, your Worship would learn a better hand. You write worse than I: and I write evil enough. Once again, have a care of your diet; and consequently of your complexion. Remember gratior est veniens in pulchro

corpore virtus.

Now, Sir, for news; I refer myself to this bearer. He can tell you how idly we look on our neighbour's fires: and nothing is happened notable at home; save only DRAKE'S return. Of which yet, I know not the secret points: but about the world he hath been, and rich he is returned. Portugal, we say, is lost. And to conclude, my eyes are almost closed up, overwatched with tedious business.

God bless you, sweet Boy! and accomplish the joyful hope I conceive of you. Once again commend me to Master NEVELL, Master SAVELL, and honest HARRY WHITE, and bid him be merry.

When you play at weapons; I would have you get thick caps and bracers [gloves], and play out your play lustily; for indeed, ticks and dalliances are nothing in earnest: for the time of the one and the other greatly differs. And use as well the blow as the thrust. It is good in itself; and besides increaseth your breath and strength, and will make you a strong man at the tourney and barriers. First, in any case, practise the single sword; and then, with the dagger. Let no day pass without an hour or two of such exercise. The rest, study; or confer diligently: and so shall you come home to my comfort and credit.

Lord! how I have babbled! Once again, farewell, dearest Brother!

Your most loving and careful brother

PHILIP SIDney.

At Leicester House

this 18th of October 1580.

Fair maid! be not so coy.
Do not disdain me!

I am my mother's joy.
Sweet! entertain me.
She'll give me, when she dies,
All that is fitting:

Her poultry and her bees,
And her geese sitting;
A pair of mattress beds,
And a bag full of shreds.
And yet for all these goods;
PHILLADA flouts me.

She hath a clout of mine,
Wrought with good Coventry;
Which she keeps for a sign
Of my fidelity.

But i' faith, if she flinch,

She shall not wear it :

To TIBB my t'other wench,
I mean to bear it.

And yet it grieves my heart,

So soon from her to part; Death strikes me with his dart.

PHILLADA flouts me.

Thou shalt eat curds and cream

All the year lasting;

And drink the crystal stream

Pleasant in tasting.

Wig and whey whilst thou burst,

And ramble berry;

Pie-lid and pasty crust,

Pears, plums and cherry.

Thy raiment shall be thin,
Made of a weaver's skin!
Yet all's not worth a pin.
PHILLADA flouts me.

Fair maiden! have a care
And in time take me.

I can have those as fair;
If you forsake me.

For DOLL the dairymaid.
Laught on me lately:
And wanton WINIFRID
Favours me greatly.

One throws milk on my clothes;
T'other plays with my nose.
What wanton signs are those!
PHILLADA flouts me.

I cannot work and sleep

All at a season;

Love wounds my heart so deep,
Without all reason.

I 'gin to pine away
With grief and sorrow;
Like to a fatted beast
Penned in a meadow.

I shall be dead, I fear,
Within this thousand year;
And all for very fear

PHILLADA flouts me.

NARRATIVE

OF ALL THE

Proceedings in the Draining of the
GREAT LEVEL of the

FENS,

Extending into the Counties of
Northampton, Lincoln, Norfolk, Suffolk,
Cambridge, and Huntingdon; and the
ISLE of ELY:

From the time of Queen ELIZABETH, until this present MAY, 1661.

For the Information of all concerned. BY N. N.

LONDON,

Printed by A. W. for the use of the Author, 1661.