TO THE RIGHT worthy and noble Knight Sir VValter Raleigh, Captaine of her Maiefties SIR, that you may fee that I am not alwaies ydle as yee thinke, though not greatly well occupied, nor altogither vndutifull, though not precifely officious, I make 10 you prefent of this fimple paftorall, vnworthie of your higher conceit for the meaneffe of the file, but agreeing with the truth in circumftance and matter. The which I humbly befeech you to accept in part of paiment of the infinite debt in which I acknowledge my felfe bounden vnto you, for your fingular fauours and fundrie good turnes fhewed to me at my late being in England, and with your good countenance protect against the malice of euill mouthes, which are alwaies wide open to carpe at and mifconftrue my fimple meaning. I pray continually for your happinese. From my house. of Kilcolman, the 27. of December. 1591. Yours euer humbly. Ed. Sp. 20 COLIN CLOVTS come home againe. He fhepheards boy (best knowen by That after Tityrus firft fung his lay, or blame, Sate (as his cuftome was) vpon a day, Charming his oaten pipe vnto his peres, The fhepheard fwaines, that did about him play: Like hartleffe deare, difmayed with thunders found. At laft when as he piped had his fill, He refted him: and fitting then around, One of those groomes (a iolly groome was he, As euer piped on an oaten reed, And lou'd this fhepheard dearest in degree, Colin my liefe, my life, how great a loffe ΙΟ 20 Was heard to found as fhe was wont on hye, 30 But now both woods and fields, and floods reuiue, But were it not too painfull to repeat To whom the shepheard gently answered thus, For of good passed newly to discus, By dubble vfurie doth twife renew it. Doth feed on sweet contentment of that fight: 40 50 |