The bloomes of the Almond tree grow in a night, and vanish in a morne; the flies hæmere,[1476] (faire Peggie), take life with the Sun, and die with the dew; fancie that slippeth in with a gase, goeth out with a winke; and too timely loves have ever the shortest length. I write this as thy grefe, and my folly, who at Frisingfield lovd that which time hath taught me to be but meane dainties: eyes are dissemblers, and fancie is but queasie; therefore know, Margret, I have chosen a Spanish Ladie to be my wife, chiefe waighting woman to the Princesse Ellinour; a Lady faire, and no lesse faire than thy selfe, honorable and wealthy. In that I forsake thee, I leave thee to thine own liking; and for thy dowrie I have sent thee an hundred pounds; and ever assure thee of my favour, which shall availe thee and thine much. Farewell.
Not thine, nor his owne,
Edward Lacie.
Fond Atæ, doomer of bad boading fates, 137
That wrappes[1477] proud Fortune in thy snaky locks,
Didst thou inchaunt my byrth-day with such stars
As lightned mischeefe from their infancie? 140
If heavens had vowd, if stars had made decree,
To shew on me their froward influence,
If Lacie had but lovd, heavens, hell, and all,
Could not have wrongd the patience of my minde.
Post. It grieves me, damsell; but the earle is forst 145