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!