AFFECTIONATE SHEPHEARD.
Reading edition
CONTAINING THE COMPLAINT OF DAPHNIS FOR THE LOUE OF GANYMEDE.
Amor plus mellis, quam fellis, est.
London:
Printed by John Danter, for T. G. and E. N., and are to bee sold in Saint Dunstones Church-yeard in Fleetstreet.
1594.
TO THE RIGHT EXCELLENT AND MOST BEAUTIFULL LADY, THE LADIE PENELOPE RITCH.
Fayre lovely ladie, whose angelique eyes Are vestall candles of sweet beauties treasure, Whose speech is able to inchaunt the wise, Converting joy to paine, and paine to pleasure; Accept this simple toy of my soules dutie, Which I present unto thy matchles beautie. And albeit the gift be all too meane, Too meane an offring for thine ivorie shrine; Yet must thy beautie my just blame susteane, Since it is mortall, but thyselfe divine. Then, noble ladie, take in gentle worth This new-borne babe, which here my muse brings forth. Your Honours most affectionate and perpetually devoted Shepheard: Daphnis.