To Fidessa

Bartholomew Griffin (d. 1602)

From Fidessa

TONGUE! never cease to sing Fidessa’s praise;

Heart! howe’er she deserve, conceive the best;

Eyes! stand amazed to see her beauty’s rays;

Lips! steal one kiss and be for ever blessed;

Hands! touch that hand wherein your life is closed;

Breast! lock up fast in thee thy life’s sole treasure;

Arms! still embrace, and never be disclosed;

Feet! run to her without or pace or measure,

Tongue! heart! eyes! lips! hands! breast! arms! feet!

Consent to do true homage to your Queen:

Lovely, fair, gent, wise, virtuous, sober, sweet,

Whose like shall never be, hath never been!

O that I were all tongue her praise to show!

Then surely my poor heart were freed from woe.