A floorish vpon fancie As gallant a glose vpon so triflinge a text, as euer was written. Compiled by N.B. Gent. To which are annexed, manie pretie pamphlets, for pleasant heads to passe away idle time withal. By the same authour.

¶A Gentleman talking on a time with a yong Gentlewoman, being apparreled very plainly, she tolde him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was too playne for him, he must go seeke some gallanter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more meete for his tooth: to which, aunswering his mynde afterwarde, wrote vpon the same as followeth: and gaue them vnto her to reade.

WHen first I saw thée clad, in couloures blacke and whyte, To gaze vpon thy séemely selfe, I tooke no small delight. Thy blacke betokens modesty, thy whyte a Uirgins mynde, And happy he may thinke himselfe, that such a one can fynde. That which is paynted out, with colours fresh and gay, Is of it selfe but little worth, the colours set away. But that deserueth prayse, which of it selfe alone, Can shew it selfe in playnest sorte, and craueth helpe of none. What should I further say? let ech man choose his choyce, Though some in paynted toyes delight, in playnnesse I reioyce. And why? because my selfe am playne, as you doe sée, And therefore to be playne with you, your plainnesse liketh me. The playnnesse of your mynde, and eke your playne attyre, For gaye and gallaunt Cotes is not, the thing that I desyre. But noble gallaunt minde, and yet too there with plaine, For now and thē in gallant 〈◊〉〈◊〉, doth déepe deceite remaine. But for in you fayre Dame, both noble gallant minde, And therwith meaning playne in déede, I now do plainly finde. Chuse others what they list, this playnly I protest, Your gallant minde in playne attyre, it is that likes me best.