Volume Ii Part 59 (1/2)

His mother taught him first to love, while he was young: Which love with age increaseth sore, and waxeth wondrous strong; For very fame displays your bounty more and more, And at this pinch he burneth so as never heretofore.

Not fantasies forsooth,[391] not vain and idle toys of love; Not hope of that which commonly doth other suitors move; But fixed fast good-will that never shall relent, And virtue's force, that s.h.i.+nes in you, bad him give this attempt.

He hath no need of wealth, he wooes not for your good; His kindred is such he need not to seek to match with n.o.ble blood, Such store of friends that, where he list, he may command, And none so hardy to presume his pleasure to withstand.

Yourself it is, [madam,] your virtue and your grace, Your n.o.ble gifts, your endless praise in every place: You alone, I say, the mark that he would hit, The hoped joy, the dearest prey, that can befal to Wit.

EXPERIENCE.

I have not heard a message more trimly done.

SCIENCE.

Nor I; what age art thou of, my good son?

WILL.

Between eleven and twelve, madam, more or less.

REASON.

He hath been instructed this errand, as I guess.

SCIENCE.

How old is the gentleman thy master, canst thou tell?

WILL.

Seventeen or thereabout, I wot not very well.

SCIENCE.

What stature, of what making, what kind of port bears he?

WILL.

Such as your ladys.h.i.+p cannot mislike, trust me.

Well-grown, well-made, a stripling clean and tall: Well-favoured, somewhat black, and manly therewithal; And that you may conceive his personage the better, Lo, here of him the very shape and lively picture!

This hath he sent to you to view and to behold: I dare advouch no joint therein, no jot, to be controll'd.

SCIENCE.

In good faith, I thank thy master with my heart; I perceive that nature in him hath done her part.

WILL.

Farther, if it please your honour to know: My master would be glad to run, ride, or go, At your commandment to any place far or near, To have but a sight of your ladys.h.i.+p there.

I beseech you appoint him the place and the hour, You shall see, how readily to you he will scour.

REASON.

Do so.

EXPERIENCE.

Yea, in any wise, daughter; for, hear you me, He seemeth a right worthy and trim young man to be.

SCIENCE.