Poem by Nicholas Breton

An Assurance

SAY that I should say I love ye,
    Would you say 'tis but a saying? 
But if love in prayers move ye,
    Will ye not be moved with praying?

Think I think that love should know ye,
    Will you think 'tis but a thinking? 
But if love the thought do show ye,
    Will ye lose your eyes with winking?

Write that I do write you blessed,
    Will you write 'tis but a writing? 
But if truth and love confess it,
    Will ye doubt the true inditing?

No, I say, and think, and write it,
    Write, and think, and say your pleasure; 
Love, and truth, and I indite it,
    You are blessed out of measure. 

1. A Pastoral of Phyllis and Corydon
2. A Sweet Pastoral
3. A Quarrel with Love
4. A Sweet Contention between Love, his Mistress, and Beauty
5. Aglaia

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