From my lodging in Holborne: this of June. 1593. Your most affectionate,
Barnabé Barnes.
Hauing perused my former Sonet, if it may please you, Sir, to do asmuch for your deare frends Parthenophill, and Parthenophe, they shall haue the desired fruite of their short exercise, and will rest beholding to your curteous acceptance: which they would be glad to reacquite in the loouingest manner they may. And so most affectionatly recommend themselues vnto your good self: whose vnblemished fame they will euermore maintaine with the best bloud of their hartes, tongues, and Pennes. We will not say, how much we long to see the whole Prayses of your two notorious enemyes, the Asse and the Foxe.
Sonet.
Nash, or the confuting Gentleman.
The Muses scorne; the Courtiers laughing-stock;
The Countreys Coxecombe; Printers proper new;
The Citties Leprosie; the Pandars stew;
Vertues disdayne; honesties aduerse rock;
Enuies vile champion; slaunders stumblingblock.
Graund / Oratour of Cunny-catchers crew;
Base broaching tapster of reports vntrue;
Our moderne Viper, and our Countryes mock;
True Valors Cancer-worme, sweet Learnings rust.
Where shall I finde meete colours, and fit wordes,
For such a counterfaict, and worthlesse matter?
Him, whom thou raylest on at thine owne lust,
Sith Bodine and sweet Sidney did not flatter,
His Inuectiue thee too much grace affordes.
Parthenophil.
Sonet.
Haruey, or the sweet Doctour.