[A sweet nosgay, or pleasant posye] [contayning a hundred and ten phylosophicall flowers &c.]

¶In answer by C. B. to IS. VV.

YOur lamentable letterred, and finding by the same: That you my skillesse counsel craue, to bring you to some frame: Suche as it is, I redy preste, Both am, and wyll, to doo my best.

¶And where as thou in sorow soust doest pyne thy selfe away: I wyth thée for to conquer care, least the bring thy decay: Those fretting fyts, that thou art in, Offends the Lord, augmenteth sin.

¶The heauy hart: and mind opprest, be neuer both reiea: And at what hower we lament, be doth be styll respect.

Yet that for sin thou shuldst thée kyll, Wold hath thy soule and body spyll.

*But tis not altogether sinne, that makes you sorow this: It is because that Fortune she, doth frowne on you iwis: Wherfor if you my counsell lyke, Turne of your teares, and cease to lyke.

¶Impart thy woes, and geue to niée, the greatest of the same: Pluck strength thée to: and cherish thée, to modest mirth now frame: Then friends and you may worke so well, That Fortune shal your foes expell.

¶Yf euell words and other wants, haue brought thée to this woe: Remember how that Christ him selfe, on earth was euen so: Thy Friends y^e haue thée knowne of long, Wil not regard thy enemies tong.

¶The vertue that hath euer béene, within thy tender brest: Which I from yeare to yeare, haue séene, in all thy deedes exprest: Doth me perswade thy enemies lye, And in that quarell would I dye.

¶That wisedome which y^u doest posses, is rare for to be founde: Thy courtesse to euery one, so greatly doth abound. That those which throwly thée do know, Wil thée defend from any foe.

*Wherfore as earth I write to thée, pluck vp that hart of thine: And make accompt for friendship, or for seruice: els of mine. I wyl not fayle for friend or foe, Thy vertues they doo bind me so.

*Thus wishing God to be your guide, and graunt you Nestors lyfe: With health and haps, so good as earst, had any maybe or wyfe. I end and rest in what he may, Your friend vnto my dyeing day.

By mée

C. B.