Page:National Ballad and Song (1897), vol. 1.djvu/35

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NASH HIS DILDO
13

THE MERIE BALLAD OF NASH HIS DILDO

[b. 1601]

[By Thomas Nash; Rawlinson MS. Poet. 216, leaves 96–106; also Petyt MS. (Inner Temple), 538, Vol. 43, f. viii. 295b)—hitherto unpublished: dedicated in Petyt MS. “To the right Honorable the Lord S(outhampton)”].

Pardon, sweete flower of Machles poesye, and fairest bud that euer red rose bare, although my muse, diuert from deepest care, presentes you with a wanton elegie.Ne blame my verse of loose inchastitye, for paynting forth the thinges that hidden be, only induced with varyetye, sith most men marke what I in speech descrie.
Complayntes and prayses every man can write, and passion foorth there loue in statly rime; but of loues pleasure none did e’re indite, that have succeeded in this latter time.
Accept of it, deare loue, in gentle parte, and better farr, ere large, shall honor thee.[? ere long]
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