The Complete Poems of Sir John Davies. Volume 2 of 2.Davies, John, Sir
General
The Complete Poems of Sir John Davies. Volume 2 of 2.
Davies, John, Sir
Davies, John, Sir, 1569-1626; English poetry -- Early modern, 1500-1700
Fortune doth giue this paire of Kniues to you,
To cut the thred of loue, if 't be not true.
12. _A Girdle._
By Fortunes Girdle you may happy be,[166]
But they that are lesse happy are more free.
[Footnote 166: Manningham reads, "With Fortune's ... happy may you be."
G.]
13. _A Payre of Writing-Tables._
These Tables may containe your thoughts[167] in part,
But write not all, that's written in your heart.
[Footnote 167: _Ibid_, 'thought.' G.]
14. _A Payre of Garters._
Though you haue Fortunes Garters, you must be
More staid and constant in your steps then she.
15. _A Coife and Crosse-Cloth._
Frowne in good earnest, or be sick in iest,
This Coife and Cross-Cloth will become you best.
16. _A Scarfe._
Take you this Scarfe, bind _Cupid_ hand and foote,
So loue must aske you leaue before hee shoote.
17. _A Falling Band._
Fortune would have you rise, yet guides your hand,
From other Lots to take the falling band.
18. _A Stomacher._
This Stomacher is full of windowes[168] wrought,
Yet none through them can see into your thought.
[Footnote 168: = worked openings in the dress. G.]
19. _A Pair of Sizzers._[169]
These sizzers do your huswifery bewray,
You loue to work though you are borne to play.
[Footnote 169: Manningham has 'scisser case,' which shows the scissors
were in a case. He also reads 'you be borne.' G.]
20. _A Chaine._
Because you scorne loue's Captiue to remaine,
Fortune hath sworne to leade you in a Chaine.
21. _A Prayer-Booke._
Your Fortune may prooue[170] good another day,
Till Fortune come, take you a booke to pray.
[Footnote 170: _Ibid_, 'may be.' Then l. 2 was first as in text, but
over 'Till that day' is inserted above 'Till Fortune come,' though the
latter is not erased. G.]
22. _A Snuftkin._[171]
'Tis Summer yet, a Snuftkin is your Lot,
But 'twill be winter one day, doubt you not.
[Footnote 171: A small muff for Winter-wear. _Ibid_ in heading and l.
1, 'Mufkin': in l. 2 'It will be.' G.]
23. _A Fanne._
You loue to see, and yet to be vnseen,
Take you this Fanne to be your beauties skreene.
24. _A Pair of Bracelets._
Lady, your hands are fallen into a snare,
For _Cupids_ manicles these Bracelets are.
25. _A Bodkin._
Euen with this Bodkin you may lie unharmed,
Your beauty is with vertue so well armed.
26. _A Necklace._
Fortune giues your faire neck this lace to weare,
God grant a heauier yoke it neuer beare.
27. _A Cushinet._
To her that little cares what Lot she wins,
Chance gives a little Cushinet to stick pinnes.
28. _A Dyall._
The Dyal's your's, watch time least it be lost,
Yet they most lose it that do watch it most.[172]
[Footnote 172: _Ibid_, this variant:--
"And yet they spend it worst that watch it most." G.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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