LAURA.The Toys of a Traveller:orThe Feast of Fancy.Divided into Three Parts.BYR[obert] T[ofte],Gentleman.Poca favilla gran fiamma seconda.LONDON,Printed byValentine Simmes.1597.To the no less virtuous than fair, theHonourable LadyLucy, sister tothe thrice renowned and nobleLord,Henry [Percy]EarlofNorthumberland.GOodMadam, I make bold to present unto you afew Toys of mine own travail: [the] most part conceived in Italy, and some of them brought forth in England. By which my imperfections, you may see, as in a lively mirror, your own perfections; and by the follies of my rechlesse [heedless] youth, behold plainly the virtues of your flowering age: hoping your Ladyship will keep them as privately, as I send them unto you most willingly.Neither doubt I at all but that your excellent spirit will judge graciously of this my bare, yet bounden, conceit; and to accept the same, as a mean[s], at idle times, to drive away that self-pleasing, yet ill-easing, humour of never-glad melancholy, which spiteful Fortune, seeking (though in vain) most injuriously to insult over you, laboureth by all means possible to inflict upon you: the virtuous behaviour of yourself being such as, even in the midst of all your crosses, you cross her designs with an invincible heart, and with your honourable carriage carry her, with all her devices, as a slave to follow you, in all your generous and thrice-noble actions; maugre the intricate labyrinth of so many and infinite troubles allotted, most unworthily, unto you, by the irrevocable doom of your too partial and flinty Destiny. Allwhich notwithstanding, you bear and over-bear, with a most resolute staiedness; and a resolved courage of a right PERCY, and of a mindA per se.But additions breed suspicions; and fair words, for the most part are counted the blazons of flattery: therefore I will leave to the temperate judgment of the wise, and to the uncorrupt censure of the worthier sort, your heroical and undaunted mind; and the integrity and never-stained proceedings of your spotless self.Only this, with submission, will I say, that if the richness of the ground is known by the corn; the daintiness of the water, by the sweetness of the fish; and the goodness of the tree, by the rareness of the fruit: then may every man give a guess of the internal habit and excellent qualities of your inward mind, by the outward behaviour and apparent semblance of your exceeding chaste, and more than admirable, demeanour in every respect.And thus, hoping your Honour will as debonairly accept of these Trifles, as I dutifully bequeath them unto you; and with the sun-shining favour of your gracious aspect deign to read these few lines: craving both privilege, and pardon, for all such faults and defects as shall happen to be discovered in the same,I humbly devote myself untoYour Ladyship's thrice-virtuous and immaculatedisposition and command whatsoever,Who am bound, as a vassal,To do homage unto the same for ever,R. T.To the Gentle, and Gentlemen, Readerswhatsoever.GEntlemen. As the Fencer first maketh aflourish with his weapon before he cometh to strokes, in playing [for] his prize: so I thought good,pro formâonly, to use these few lines unto you, before you come to the pith of the matter.What the Gentleman was, that wrote these verses, I know not; and what She is, for whom they are devised, I cannot guess: but thus much I can say, That as they came into the hands of a friend of mine [?theR. B.of page340] by mere fortune; so happened I upon them by as great a chance.Only in this I must confess we are both to blame, that whereas he having promised to keep private the original; and I, the copy, secret: we have both consented to send it abroad, as common; presuming chiefly upon your accustomed courtesies. Assuring ourselves, if we may have your protections, we shall think ourselves as safe asUlyssesdid, when he was shadowed under the shield ofPallasagainst furiousAjax; so we, by your countenances, shall be sufficiently furnished to encounter against any foul-mouthedJackswhatsoever.To censure of this Work is for better wits thanmine own: and it is for Poets, not Printers [This therefore was written byValentine Simmes, the Printer of this Book. See also page340] to give judgement of this matter. Yet, if I may be bold to report what I have heard other Gentlemen affirm, Many have written worse; Some, better; Few, so well. The Work, being so full of Choice and Change as, it is thought, it will rather delight every way than dislike any way.Thus, courteous Gentlemen, building upon my wonted foundation of your friendly acceptance, I rest your debtors; and will study, in what I can, daily to make you amends.Yours always[Valentine Simmes.]Alla bellissima sua Signora.E. C.[The Lady's name was E.Caril: see Book II., Poem XXXIII.,at page 313.]THroughthee, not of thee, Lady fair I write;Through power of Beauty, not of Virtues, thine:With zealous will, though slender be my might,I, weakling, seek an eagle's nest to climb.Then guide my feet! and if to slip I chance,Uphold me by the favour of thy glance!Accept in gree these verses rudely penned;A sign of duty which to thee I owe:And deign with sweet regard them to defend;Which as condemnèd else are like to go.In thee, it rests the stamp on them to set:If current, Pass! Suppressed! if counterfeit.[R and T stand here, and elsewhere, for the initials of the Author. E.A.]And though the note, thy praises only fit,Of sweetest bird, the dulcet nightingale:Disdain not little Robin RedbreasT yet![A line wanting.]What he doth want in learning or in skill;He doth supply with zeal of his good willFor only Thee, they were devised alone:And unto Thee, they dedicated are.Who knows? Perhaps this kindness, by thee shown,Shall make this glimpse shine like a glittering star.Such is thy virtue in the World his sight;Thy crow though black, may go for swan most white.Then doubt me not, though parted we remain:In England thou; and I in Italy.As I did part, I will return again,Loyal to thee; or else with shame I'll die!True Lovers, when they travel countries strange,The air, and not their constant minds, do change.Coelum, non animum, mutant, qui trans mare currunt.Affettionatissimo servid, delladivina Bellezza sua.R.T.LAURA.
LAURA.The Toys of a Traveller:orThe Feast of Fancy.Divided into Three Parts.BYR[obert] T[ofte],Gentleman.Poca favilla gran fiamma seconda.LONDON,Printed byValentine Simmes.1597.To the no less virtuous than fair, theHonourable LadyLucy, sister tothe thrice renowned and nobleLord,Henry [Percy]EarlofNorthumberland.GOodMadam, I make bold to present unto you afew Toys of mine own travail: [the] most part conceived in Italy, and some of them brought forth in England. By which my imperfections, you may see, as in a lively mirror, your own perfections; and by the follies of my rechlesse [heedless] youth, behold plainly the virtues of your flowering age: hoping your Ladyship will keep them as privately, as I send them unto you most willingly.Neither doubt I at all but that your excellent spirit will judge graciously of this my bare, yet bounden, conceit; and to accept the same, as a mean[s], at idle times, to drive away that self-pleasing, yet ill-easing, humour of never-glad melancholy, which spiteful Fortune, seeking (though in vain) most injuriously to insult over you, laboureth by all means possible to inflict upon you: the virtuous behaviour of yourself being such as, even in the midst of all your crosses, you cross her designs with an invincible heart, and with your honourable carriage carry her, with all her devices, as a slave to follow you, in all your generous and thrice-noble actions; maugre the intricate labyrinth of so many and infinite troubles allotted, most unworthily, unto you, by the irrevocable doom of your too partial and flinty Destiny. Allwhich notwithstanding, you bear and over-bear, with a most resolute staiedness; and a resolved courage of a right PERCY, and of a mindA per se.But additions breed suspicions; and fair words, for the most part are counted the blazons of flattery: therefore I will leave to the temperate judgment of the wise, and to the uncorrupt censure of the worthier sort, your heroical and undaunted mind; and the integrity and never-stained proceedings of your spotless self.Only this, with submission, will I say, that if the richness of the ground is known by the corn; the daintiness of the water, by the sweetness of the fish; and the goodness of the tree, by the rareness of the fruit: then may every man give a guess of the internal habit and excellent qualities of your inward mind, by the outward behaviour and apparent semblance of your exceeding chaste, and more than admirable, demeanour in every respect.And thus, hoping your Honour will as debonairly accept of these Trifles, as I dutifully bequeath them unto you; and with the sun-shining favour of your gracious aspect deign to read these few lines: craving both privilege, and pardon, for all such faults and defects as shall happen to be discovered in the same,I humbly devote myself untoYour Ladyship's thrice-virtuous and immaculatedisposition and command whatsoever,Who am bound, as a vassal,To do homage unto the same for ever,R. T.To the Gentle, and Gentlemen, Readerswhatsoever.GEntlemen. As the Fencer first maketh aflourish with his weapon before he cometh to strokes, in playing [for] his prize: so I thought good,pro formâonly, to use these few lines unto you, before you come to the pith of the matter.What the Gentleman was, that wrote these verses, I know not; and what She is, for whom they are devised, I cannot guess: but thus much I can say, That as they came into the hands of a friend of mine [?theR. B.of page340] by mere fortune; so happened I upon them by as great a chance.Only in this I must confess we are both to blame, that whereas he having promised to keep private the original; and I, the copy, secret: we have both consented to send it abroad, as common; presuming chiefly upon your accustomed courtesies. Assuring ourselves, if we may have your protections, we shall think ourselves as safe asUlyssesdid, when he was shadowed under the shield ofPallasagainst furiousAjax; so we, by your countenances, shall be sufficiently furnished to encounter against any foul-mouthedJackswhatsoever.To censure of this Work is for better wits thanmine own: and it is for Poets, not Printers [This therefore was written byValentine Simmes, the Printer of this Book. See also page340] to give judgement of this matter. Yet, if I may be bold to report what I have heard other Gentlemen affirm, Many have written worse; Some, better; Few, so well. The Work, being so full of Choice and Change as, it is thought, it will rather delight every way than dislike any way.Thus, courteous Gentlemen, building upon my wonted foundation of your friendly acceptance, I rest your debtors; and will study, in what I can, daily to make you amends.Yours always[Valentine Simmes.]Alla bellissima sua Signora.E. C.[The Lady's name was E.Caril: see Book II., Poem XXXIII.,at page 313.]THroughthee, not of thee, Lady fair I write;Through power of Beauty, not of Virtues, thine:With zealous will, though slender be my might,I, weakling, seek an eagle's nest to climb.Then guide my feet! and if to slip I chance,Uphold me by the favour of thy glance!Accept in gree these verses rudely penned;A sign of duty which to thee I owe:And deign with sweet regard them to defend;Which as condemnèd else are like to go.In thee, it rests the stamp on them to set:If current, Pass! Suppressed! if counterfeit.[R and T stand here, and elsewhere, for the initials of the Author. E.A.]And though the note, thy praises only fit,Of sweetest bird, the dulcet nightingale:Disdain not little Robin RedbreasT yet![A line wanting.]What he doth want in learning or in skill;He doth supply with zeal of his good willFor only Thee, they were devised alone:And unto Thee, they dedicated are.Who knows? Perhaps this kindness, by thee shown,Shall make this glimpse shine like a glittering star.Such is thy virtue in the World his sight;Thy crow though black, may go for swan most white.Then doubt me not, though parted we remain:In England thou; and I in Italy.As I did part, I will return again,Loyal to thee; or else with shame I'll die!True Lovers, when they travel countries strange,The air, and not their constant minds, do change.Coelum, non animum, mutant, qui trans mare currunt.Affettionatissimo servid, delladivina Bellezza sua.R.T.LAURA.
The Toys of a Traveller:
or
The Feast of Fancy.
Divided into Three Parts.
BY
R[obert] T[ofte],
Gentleman.
Poca favilla gran fiamma seconda.
LONDON,Printed byValentine Simmes.1597.
GOodMadam, I make bold to present unto you afew Toys of mine own travail: [the] most part conceived in Italy, and some of them brought forth in England. By which my imperfections, you may see, as in a lively mirror, your own perfections; and by the follies of my rechlesse [heedless] youth, behold plainly the virtues of your flowering age: hoping your Ladyship will keep them as privately, as I send them unto you most willingly.
Neither doubt I at all but that your excellent spirit will judge graciously of this my bare, yet bounden, conceit; and to accept the same, as a mean[s], at idle times, to drive away that self-pleasing, yet ill-easing, humour of never-glad melancholy, which spiteful Fortune, seeking (though in vain) most injuriously to insult over you, laboureth by all means possible to inflict upon you: the virtuous behaviour of yourself being such as, even in the midst of all your crosses, you cross her designs with an invincible heart, and with your honourable carriage carry her, with all her devices, as a slave to follow you, in all your generous and thrice-noble actions; maugre the intricate labyrinth of so many and infinite troubles allotted, most unworthily, unto you, by the irrevocable doom of your too partial and flinty Destiny. Allwhich notwithstanding, you bear and over-bear, with a most resolute staiedness; and a resolved courage of a right PERCY, and of a mindA per se.
But additions breed suspicions; and fair words, for the most part are counted the blazons of flattery: therefore I will leave to the temperate judgment of the wise, and to the uncorrupt censure of the worthier sort, your heroical and undaunted mind; and the integrity and never-stained proceedings of your spotless self.
Only this, with submission, will I say, that if the richness of the ground is known by the corn; the daintiness of the water, by the sweetness of the fish; and the goodness of the tree, by the rareness of the fruit: then may every man give a guess of the internal habit and excellent qualities of your inward mind, by the outward behaviour and apparent semblance of your exceeding chaste, and more than admirable, demeanour in every respect.
And thus, hoping your Honour will as debonairly accept of these Trifles, as I dutifully bequeath them unto you; and with the sun-shining favour of your gracious aspect deign to read these few lines: craving both privilege, and pardon, for all such faults and defects as shall happen to be discovered in the same,
I humbly devote myself untoYour Ladyship's thrice-virtuous and immaculatedisposition and command whatsoever,Who am bound, as a vassal,To do homage unto the same for ever,R. T.
GEntlemen. As the Fencer first maketh aflourish with his weapon before he cometh to strokes, in playing [for] his prize: so I thought good,pro formâonly, to use these few lines unto you, before you come to the pith of the matter.
What the Gentleman was, that wrote these verses, I know not; and what She is, for whom they are devised, I cannot guess: but thus much I can say, That as they came into the hands of a friend of mine [?theR. B.of page340] by mere fortune; so happened I upon them by as great a chance.
Only in this I must confess we are both to blame, that whereas he having promised to keep private the original; and I, the copy, secret: we have both consented to send it abroad, as common; presuming chiefly upon your accustomed courtesies. Assuring ourselves, if we may have your protections, we shall think ourselves as safe asUlyssesdid, when he was shadowed under the shield ofPallasagainst furiousAjax; so we, by your countenances, shall be sufficiently furnished to encounter against any foul-mouthedJackswhatsoever.
To censure of this Work is for better wits thanmine own: and it is for Poets, not Printers [This therefore was written byValentine Simmes, the Printer of this Book. See also page340] to give judgement of this matter. Yet, if I may be bold to report what I have heard other Gentlemen affirm, Many have written worse; Some, better; Few, so well. The Work, being so full of Choice and Change as, it is thought, it will rather delight every way than dislike any way.
Thus, courteous Gentlemen, building upon my wonted foundation of your friendly acceptance, I rest your debtors; and will study, in what I can, daily to make you amends.
Yours always
[Valentine Simmes.]
[The Lady's name was E.Caril: see Book II., Poem XXXIII.,at page 313.]
THroughthee, not of thee, Lady fair I write;Through power of Beauty, not of Virtues, thine:With zealous will, though slender be my might,I, weakling, seek an eagle's nest to climb.Then guide my feet! and if to slip I chance,Uphold me by the favour of thy glance!Accept in gree these verses rudely penned;A sign of duty which to thee I owe:And deign with sweet regard them to defend;Which as condemnèd else are like to go.In thee, it rests the stamp on them to set:If current, Pass! Suppressed! if counterfeit.[R and T stand here, and elsewhere, for the initials of the Author. E.A.]And though the note, thy praises only fit,Of sweetest bird, the dulcet nightingale:Disdain not little Robin RedbreasT yet![A line wanting.]What he doth want in learning or in skill;He doth supply with zeal of his good willFor only Thee, they were devised alone:And unto Thee, they dedicated are.Who knows? Perhaps this kindness, by thee shown,Shall make this glimpse shine like a glittering star.Such is thy virtue in the World his sight;Thy crow though black, may go for swan most white.Then doubt me not, though parted we remain:In England thou; and I in Italy.As I did part, I will return again,Loyal to thee; or else with shame I'll die!True Lovers, when they travel countries strange,The air, and not their constant minds, do change.
THroughthee, not of thee, Lady fair I write;Through power of Beauty, not of Virtues, thine:With zealous will, though slender be my might,I, weakling, seek an eagle's nest to climb.Then guide my feet! and if to slip I chance,Uphold me by the favour of thy glance!Accept in gree these verses rudely penned;A sign of duty which to thee I owe:And deign with sweet regard them to defend;Which as condemnèd else are like to go.In thee, it rests the stamp on them to set:If current, Pass! Suppressed! if counterfeit.[R and T stand here, and elsewhere, for the initials of the Author. E.A.]And though the note, thy praises only fit,Of sweetest bird, the dulcet nightingale:Disdain not little Robin RedbreasT yet![A line wanting.]What he doth want in learning or in skill;He doth supply with zeal of his good willFor only Thee, they were devised alone:And unto Thee, they dedicated are.Who knows? Perhaps this kindness, by thee shown,Shall make this glimpse shine like a glittering star.Such is thy virtue in the World his sight;Thy crow though black, may go for swan most white.Then doubt me not, though parted we remain:In England thou; and I in Italy.As I did part, I will return again,Loyal to thee; or else with shame I'll die!True Lovers, when they travel countries strange,The air, and not their constant minds, do change.
THroughthee, not of thee, Lady fair I write;Through power of Beauty, not of Virtues, thine:With zealous will, though slender be my might,I, weakling, seek an eagle's nest to climb.Then guide my feet! and if to slip I chance,Uphold me by the favour of thy glance!Accept in gree these verses rudely penned;A sign of duty which to thee I owe:And deign with sweet regard them to defend;Which as condemnèd else are like to go.In thee, it rests the stamp on them to set:If current, Pass! Suppressed! if counterfeit.[R and T stand here, and elsewhere, for the initials of the Author. E.A.]And though the note, thy praises only fit,Of sweetest bird, the dulcet nightingale:Disdain not little Robin RedbreasT yet![A line wanting.]What he doth want in learning or in skill;He doth supply with zeal of his good willFor only Thee, they were devised alone:And unto Thee, they dedicated are.Who knows? Perhaps this kindness, by thee shown,Shall make this glimpse shine like a glittering star.Such is thy virtue in the World his sight;Thy crow though black, may go for swan most white.Then doubt me not, though parted we remain:In England thou; and I in Italy.As I did part, I will return again,Loyal to thee; or else with shame I'll die!True Lovers, when they travel countries strange,The air, and not their constant minds, do change.
THroughthee, not of thee, Lady fair I write;Through power of Beauty, not of Virtues, thine:With zealous will, though slender be my might,I, weakling, seek an eagle's nest to climb.Then guide my feet! and if to slip I chance,Uphold me by the favour of thy glance!Accept in gree these verses rudely penned;A sign of duty which to thee I owe:And deign with sweet regard them to defend;Which as condemnèd else are like to go.In thee, it rests the stamp on them to set:If current, Pass! Suppressed! if counterfeit.[R and T stand here, and elsewhere, for the initials of the Author. E.A.]And though the note, thy praises only fit,Of sweetest bird, the dulcet nightingale:Disdain not little Robin RedbreasT yet![A line wanting.]What he doth want in learning or in skill;He doth supply with zeal of his good willFor only Thee, they were devised alone:And unto Thee, they dedicated are.Who knows? Perhaps this kindness, by thee shown,Shall make this glimpse shine like a glittering star.Such is thy virtue in the World his sight;Thy crow though black, may go for swan most white.Then doubt me not, though parted we remain:In England thou; and I in Italy.As I did part, I will return again,Loyal to thee; or else with shame I'll die!True Lovers, when they travel countries strange,The air, and not their constant minds, do change.
THroughthee, not of thee, Lady fair I write;Through power of Beauty, not of Virtues, thine:With zealous will, though slender be my might,I, weakling, seek an eagle's nest to climb.Then guide my feet! and if to slip I chance,Uphold me by the favour of thy glance!Accept in gree these verses rudely penned;A sign of duty which to thee I owe:And deign with sweet regard them to defend;Which as condemnèd else are like to go.In thee, it rests the stamp on them to set:If current, Pass! Suppressed! if counterfeit.[R and T stand here, and elsewhere, for the initials of the Author. E.A.]And though the note, thy praises only fit,Of sweetest bird, the dulcet nightingale:Disdain not little Robin RedbreasT yet![A line wanting.]What he doth want in learning or in skill;He doth supply with zeal of his good willFor only Thee, they were devised alone:And unto Thee, they dedicated are.Who knows? Perhaps this kindness, by thee shown,Shall make this glimpse shine like a glittering star.Such is thy virtue in the World his sight;Thy crow though black, may go for swan most white.Then doubt me not, though parted we remain:In England thou; and I in Italy.As I did part, I will return again,Loyal to thee; or else with shame I'll die!True Lovers, when they travel countries strange,The air, and not their constant minds, do change.
Coelum, non animum, mutant, qui trans mare currunt.Affettionatissimo servid, delladivina Bellezza sua.
R.T.