The Choise of Valentines | Page 4

text: cf. variorum reading in line 13.
1 Matchles, machles.
2 the red rose euer bare, that euer red rose bare.
3 devorst from deeper care, diuert from deepest care. Nash was notoriously impecunious all through his life, and probably reference is here made to some bounty received at the hands of Lord Southampton (see Introduction). What patronage meant at times is gleaned from Florio's dedication of The Worlde of Wordes in 1598 to the same nobleman. He says:--"In truth I acknowledge an entire debt, not only of my best knowledge, but of all; yea, of more than I know, or care, to your bounteous lordship, in whose pay and patronage I have lived some years.... But, as to me, and many more, the glorious and gracious sunshine of your honour hath infused light and life." Rowe also tells a story of Lord Southampton's munificence to Shakspeare. It is said that he gave the poet ��1,000 (equal to ��12,000 now-a-days) to complete a special purchase. Whether this story be true or not, it is certain that Lord Southampton was a most liberal patron of letters.
4 Presents thee with, Presentes you with.
5 "Ne" = Nor, A.S.; unchastitie, inchastitye.
6 painting_, paynting; _things_, thinges; _hidden are, hidden be.
7 & 8 In Rawl. MS. these lines are transposed. Since all men act, sith most men marke; speache declare_, speech descrie; _Onlie, only; varietie, varyetye.
9 Complants and praises euery one, Complayntes & prayses every man.
10 passion out_, passion forth; _their pangu's_, there loue; statlie rimes_, statly rime.
11 pleasures none_, pleasure non; _euer write, e're indite.
12 theis latter times, this latter time.
13 Deare Lord, deare loue. A significant reading in view of the absence of the dedication in the Rawl. MS. "_Accept ... in gentle gree_," to take kindly.
14 And better lynes ere long, And better farr, ere long (see Introduction).
[Illustration]
THE CHOOSING?OF VALENTINES.
It was the merie moneth of Februarie,?When yong men, in their iollie roguerie,?Rose earelie in the morne fore breake of daie,?To seeke them valentines soe trimme and gaie; 4
With whom they maie consorte in summer sheene,?And dance the haidegaies on our toune-greene,?As alas at Easter, or at Pentecost,?Perambulate the fields that flourish most; 8
And goe to som village abbordring neere,?To taste the creame and cakes and such good cheere;?Or see a playe of strange moralitie,?Shewen by Bachelrie of Maningtree. 12
Where to, the contrie franklins flock-meale swarme,?And Jhon and Jone com marching arme in arme.?Euen on the hallowes of that blessed Saint?That doeth true louers with those ioyes acquaint, 16
I went, poore pilgrime, to my ladies shrine,?To see if she would be my valentine;?But woe, alass, she was not to be found,?For she was shifted to an upper ground: 20
Good Justice Dudgeon-haft, and crab-tree face,?With bills and staues had scar'd hir from the place;?And now she was compel'd, for Sanctuarie,?To flye unto a house of venerie. 24
Thither went I, and bouldlie made enquire?If they had hackneis to lett-out to hire,?And what they crau'd, by order of their trade,?To lett one ride a iournie on a iade. 28
Therwith out stept a foggy three-chinnd dame,?That us'd to take yong wenches for to tame,?And ask't me if I ment as I profest,?Or onelie ask't a question but in iest. 32
"In iest?" quoth I; "that terme it as you will;?I com for game, therefore give me my Jill."?"Why Sir," quoth shee, "if that be your demande,?Com, laye me a Gods-pennie in my hand; 36
For, in our oratorie siccarlie,?None enters heere, to doe his nicarie,?But he must paye his offertorie first,?And then, perhaps, wee'le ease him of his thirst." 40
I, hearing hir so ernest for the box,?Gave hir hir due, and she the dore unlocks.?In am I entered: "venus be my speede!?But where's this female that must do this deed"? 44
By blinde meanders, and by crankled wayes,?Shee leades me onward, (as my Aucthor saies),?Vntill we came within a shadie loft?Where venus bounsing vestalls skirmish oft; 48
And there shee sett me in a leather chaire,?And brought me forth, of prettie Trulls, a paire,?To chuse of them which might content myne eye;?But hir I sought, I could nowhere espie. 52
I spake them faire, and wisht them well to fare--?"Yet soe yt is, I must haue fresher ware;?Wherefore, dame Bawde, as daintie as you bee,?Fetch gentle mistris Francis forth to me." 56
"By Halliedame," quoth she, "and Gods oune mother,?I well perceaue you are a wylie brother;?For if there be a morsell of more price,?You'll smell it out, though I be nare so nice. 60
As you desire, so shall you swiue with hir,?But think, your purse-strings shall abye-it deare;?For, he that will eate quailes must lauish crounes,?And Mistris Francis, in her veluett gounes, 64
And ruffs and perwigs as fresh as Maye,?Can not be kept with half a croune a daye."?"Of price, good hostess, we will not debate,?Though you assize me at the highest rate; 68
Onelie conduct me