A posie of gilloflowers eche differing from other in colour and odour, yet all sweete. By Humfrey Gifford gent.

To his friende.

MUse not too much (o wight of worthy fame) At view of this my rude & ragged rime, I am almost enforst to write the same: Wherefore forgeue, if I commit a crime. The cause hereof, and how it came to passe, I shall declare, euen briefly as it was.

Reuoluing in my mind your friendly face, Your bountie great, your loue to euery man, I heard my wit, and will to scan this case, If I should write or no, thus wil began. Take pen in hand thou fearefull wight she said, To write thy mind what should make thée afraid?

Not so (quoth wit) acquaintance hath he small, With him to whō thou bidst him write his mind, What tho (quoth will) that skils nothing at all, He writes to one that is to all a friend.

Him so to be (quoth wit) none can denie. Thou art a foole (quoth will) then to reply.

Great cause (quoth wit) shoulde make him to re∣fraine. He would (quoth wil) declare his friendly heart. What if (quoth wit) he chance to reape disdayne? Of such foul fruits (quoth wil) friēds haue no part. Perchance (quoth wit) it wilbe taken yll. Wel meaned things, who wil take yl (quoth wil?)

He hath no skil (quoth wit,) how should he write? Al want of skil (quoth will) good will supplies. I sée (quoth wit) thou wilt worke him despite. For counsell good thou, geuest him rash aduice. Wit said no more: But will that stately Dame, Still bad me write, not forcing any blame.

Since will, not wit, makes me commit offence, Of pardon yours the better hope I haue. To shew my loue was all the whole pretence, That made me write. This onely doe I craue: In any thing if pleasure you I can, Command me so, as if I were your man.