Volume 7 — CUPID's Posies, For Bracelets, Handkerchers, and Rings; With Scarfs, Gloves, and other things.
Reading edition
Written by Cupid on a day, When Venus gave him leave to play.
Verbum sat amanti.
The Lover sheweth his intent By gifts, that are with Posies sent.
LONDON.
Printed by E. C. for J. Wright, next to the Globe in Little Britain. 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 then 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 I do only waste in pleasure; These Posies I have writ of late: Which to you I dedicate, That so the love may be exprest, Of your Son that loves you best.
Cupid's Posies.
I that Cupid callèd am, And shall never be a Man; But am still the blindèd Boy That breeds Lovers much annoy: Having gotten, on a day, From my Mother leave to play; And obtainèd use of sight, I in wantonness 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 fine Handkerchers, 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.
CUPID's Posies.
1. A Posy written on a pair of Bracelets, and sent by a young Man to his Love.
My Love, these Bracelets 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. Ut Stella in tenebris, Sic Amor in adversis.
Englished. As the Stars in darkest night, so Love despised shining.
9. The Posy of a Handkercher sent from a young Man to his Love, being wrought in blue silk.
This Handkercher 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 I. O. U.: As true to me, then C. U. B.
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 circle 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 on 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 Sweetheart shewing 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 depart; So when you went away, 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 shew her cheerful eyes to me. Yet why do I accuse thee here? 'Tis not thy fault! for thou art clear!
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 love's own sake! And when we meet, With kisses sweet We will Indentures make! And I will bind myself to be In love a Prentice unto thee!
26. 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!
27. A Posy sent by a young Man to a pretty young Maid in the same town, with a very fair Point of coronation [rose pink] coloured 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!
28. The Posy of a Ring.
Thou art my heart.
29. More dearer to me than life can be.
30. Another.
Love is joy, without annoy.
31. Another.
'Tis in your will, to save or kill.
32. 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 exprest That you are She whom I love best.
33. The Posy of a Handkercher very fairly laced about, with a flaming Heart wrought in the middle.
Great is the grief that I sustain, Which is here figured by a flame That doth torment me in each part, But chiefly seizeth on my heart: Yet rather than my heart shall turn From my faith, in love I'll burn.
34. From a young Man, 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!
35. A Posy sent to a Maid, being cunningly interwoven in a silk Bracelet.
Kindly take this gift of mine, For Gift and Giver both are thine!
36. Posies for Rings.
Faithful love can ne'er remove.
37. Another.
If you consent, I am content.
38. 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!
39. 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!
40. The Posy of a Ring.
True love well placed is ne'er disgraced.
41. I am your friend unto the end.
42. Yours I am; be mine again!
43. Love itself discloses by Gifts with Posies.
44. 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!
45. 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.
46. A young Man's Posy wrought in a Handkercher.
A maiden virtuous chaste and fair Is a jewel past compare: And such are you, in whom I find Virtue is with Beauty joined.
47. A Maiden's Posy sent with a willow coloured 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 renounce your love!
48. Posies for Rings.
Be true to me, as I to thee. I love none but thee alone. 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.
49. To his Sweetheart, to whom he sent a Purse with these verses in it.
Sweetheart, 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.
50. 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 have none else to taste, Lest your stock of kisses waste.
51. On a Knife.
If you love me as I love you. Nothing can cut our love in two.
52. 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 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 keeps off our eyes; Which is indeed Love's Paradise.
53. Verses sent with a pair of Bracelets.
These bracelets like a circle shall Environ round your arm. Happy are they, whate'er 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!
54. Posies for Rings.
I will remain always the same. You and I will Lovers die. My vow is past, while life doth last. Lovers' knot once tied, who can divide? Verbum sat amanti. Amo te, si amas me. I love thee, if thou love me.
55. 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.
56. 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.
57. Nick, a farmer's son, sendeth to Joan Hobson a yard of blue Ribbon with these lines.
I send you here of ribbon 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.
58. A Posy wrought on a Handkercher in silk Letters.
Do not too lightly of me think, Who write in Letters 'stead of ink. To send this token I made shift; Esteem the giver, and not the gift!
59. A Posy on a Thimble.
He that sent me, loveth thee.
60. 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.
61. To a Maid, a young Man sendeth a silk Girdle.
This girdle haply shall be placed To compass round your neat small waist. I were happy if, in this place, I might thy slender waist embrace.
62. A Posy of four lines, written in red letters, the four sides of a Handkercher.
Things of most constancy still are Resembled to solid Square; So my triangular heart shall be A four square figure of constancy.
63. 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 prospers best. Joy doth abound, where love is found. My vow that's past, till death shall last. I love none but you alone. To thee my heart I give, whilst I here do live. Love joineth hands in wedlock's bands.
64. A Posy engraven about a Jewel, sent to a Gentlewoman.
There is no jewel I can see Like love that's set in constancy.
65. 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?
66. Her Reply.
If alas, for love you chance to die; 'Tis your own folly kills your heart; not I.
67. A Posy engraven on a gold Ring.
By this ring of gold, Take me to have and hold!
68. Another.
What joy in life to a good Wife?
69. A Posy embroidered on a Scarf.
Fairest, wear this scarf that I do send, That may your beauty from the wind defend; For I do know the winds, if like to me, To kiss your lips and cheeks desirous be.
70. 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 are the beauty of the mind, Woo her then to gain consent! For virtuous love can ne'er repent.
Cupid's 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 and brief, And will disclose the sighing Lover's grief. For Cupid, having too much idle leisure, Composed these Posies for his pleasure. Fair Maids, my Posies now are done; Which for your 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.
