KATHERINE

Good Master Fitsgraue? Through sorrow or the knight my father's death, (Whose being was the perfections of myioye: And crown of my desires,) I cannot yet, But forcedly, on marriage fi e my heart, Yet heaven forbid I should deject your Hope's Conceive not ofn eso uncharitably, I should belie my soul if I should say, You are the man I never should affect: I understand you thus far, you're a Gentleman Whom your estate and virtues may command To a far worthier breast, then this of mine, See, the gentlemen, at my request do all present themselves? I take your wishes thankfully? —kind gentlemen! all here assembled, over whose long suits, I near insulted, Not Like that common sickness of our sex, Grew proud in the abundance of my suitors, Or number of the days they sued unto me. Dutiful sorrow for my father's death, Not wilful coyness hath my hours detained So long in silence: Im'e left to mine own ehoyce, so much the more My care calls on me If I err through love, 'Tis I must chide my self, I cannot shift The fault unto my parents, they're at rest, And I shall sooner err through love, then wealth. And my affections do pronounce you all Worthy their pure and most entire deserts, Yet they can choose but one, Nor do I dissuade any of his Hope's, (Because my heart is not yet thoroughly fixed, On marriage, or the man,) But crave the quiet respite of one month, The month unto this night, against which time , I do invite you all to that election, Which on my unstained faith, and Virgin promise, Shall light amongst no strangers, but your selves: May this content you? Alienis ecce crumenis. Fratremque, Patremque. Consumptio victus. A Cuckoo: en anis ex a ibus. Are you all as the speech and shields display you? The very chain of Pearl was filched from me. Will none lay hands on him. How easily may our suspectless sex, With fair appearing shadows be deluded: Dear sir, you have the work so well begun, That took from you small glory would be won. To them I give my thanks: my self to thee, Thrice worthy Fitsgraue. And I presume ther's none but those can frown, Whose nu S Like the rushes we tread down. Mine cannot equal yours, yet in exchange, accept and wear it for my sake. It's a good time to leave, Till then, commend us to your gentlest thoughts. Occultos vendit honores. Grave gentlemen, in whose approved bosoms, My deceased father did repose much faith Your dearly welcome: pray fit, command music, See nothing want to beautify this night, That holds my election in her peaceful arms, Feasts, Music, Hymns, those sweet celestial swarms.