The golden Aphroditis a pleasant discourse, penned by Iohn Grange Gentleman, student in the common lavve of Englande. Wherevnto be annexed by the same authour asvvell certayne metres vpon sundry poyntes, as also diuers pamphlets in prose, which he entituleth his Garden: pleasant to the eare, and delightful to the reader, if he abuse not the scente of the floures.

A Gentleman being halfe forsaken by mistrust, appealeth to his Lady againe by humilitie.

LOyalty (Lady bindeth me, and lingring loue cōmaundeth me to salute thee my double deare. And sith (as the prouerbe goeth) Inke and paper blusheth not. I thinke it beste rather to vnfolde my meaning vnto thee by some teltale paper (hoping thereby to gayne at thy wonted curtesie, the yelding vp of y^e Castle of Comforte, which of long time hath bene sacked & sieg••d with force) than by trēbling tongue to appeale to Humilitie, whose bashfulnesse in pleading my cause at your barre, neglecteth to coūteruayle good will. Thus ••••o∣row defaulte being made by my foltring tongue in this case, wise∣dome would inioyne me for a season to silence, but that loue ma∣keth me bolde in this raignement of Affection without mistrust of thy wonted curtesie to ••olde vp my hande, s••anding and appealing no lesse to the same for indifferency in ••earyng my cause, t••an e∣quitie in iudging of the same. Hope dothe incourage me to stande without feare, not lookyng for a rashe but a well deuised iudge∣ment. Lette mee not (Lady) be frustrate of hope. With equity iudge my cause, and accordyng to thy discretion define thereof, though dotage (Lady) in some, yet in me tis no good plea: where∣fore lette not my writte abayte, my feete with long standing fayn∣teth, my hande with long holdyng werieth, and mine eye with long lookyng daseth, wherefore take pitty on my senses and leane to affection. Mistrust were no Mistresse for me, whome loyalty casteth in thraldome: and distresse were no Master, if liberty were free: discharge me therefore I beseeche thee of these mistrustfull handes of dissimulation, enioynyng me once agayne to thy Ar∣bor of amitie, and repose no lesse trust and confidence in me, than my loyalty and true meanyng in equall ballaunce were able to way downe. Trie therefore and tr•••••• me. for time trieth truth; truth causeth trust, trust, true loue and friendship, and true loue mans desire. Call therefore thy wittes and senses to a generall counsell,

therein to determine of my life or dome. Thus as your poore pri∣soner clogged with chaynes of deepe dispayre (but that hope recom∣forteth) I appeale to your curtesie, gaping no lesse for equitie than clemency in this case▪

Your poore prisoner, F. G.