To add unto the first man's happiness, His maker did for him a garden make; And placd him there, that hee the same might dresse, And pleasure great with little labour take. And this with nature stands, and reason right, That man who first was formèd of the earth In trimminge of the earth should take delight, And her adorne from whom hee tooke his birth. Nor her for this doth hee ungratefull finde; For shee in gardens her best fruites doth yealde. The Earth in gardens is a mother kinde, When shee is but a steepdame in the feild. Sir, in your service God hath mee soe blest As I haue beene enabled to acquire A garden, ready planted, trimd and drest, Whereto in vacant times I doe retire. This garden, and the fruite thereof, indeede Are fruites of your great favour unto mee; And therefore all the fruites which thence proceed A proper offeringe to your Highnes bee: But if this verse or boldness, meritt blame, Those figge leaues, S^{r}. I hope shall hide the same.[273] [Footnote 273: The six preceding pieces and the 'Elegiecall Epistle' are in the same handwriting with the 'Maid's hymne in praise of Virginity.' G.] [LOVE-LINES.] Stay lovely boy! why flyest thou mee that languish in theis flames for thee? I'me black 'tis true--why so is night, yet louers in darke shades delight: the whole World, doe but close thyne eye will appeare as black as I; or open'd, view but what a shade is by thyne owne fayre body made, that follows thee where ere thou goe: Ah, who allow'd would not doe so? lett mee for euer dwell so nigh, and thou shalt need no shade but I. [LOVE-FLIGHT.] Black Mayel, complayne not y^{t} I flye, since fate commaunds antipathy: prodigious must y^{t} vnion proue, where day and night togeather moue: and the commotion of our lipps not kisses make but an eclipps; where the commixèd blacke and white portend more terrour then delight: yet if thou wilt my shaddow bee, enioy thy deerest wish, but see that like my shaddow's property thou hast away as I come nye: els[e] stay till death hath blinded mee then I'le bequeath my selfe to thee.[274] [Footnote 274: These two are in a new and apparently less-trained handwriting. G.] AN ELEGIECALL EPISTLE ON SIR JOHN DAVIS DEATH.