Classic Poem

Change not thy choyce (my deere,)
stand stable in good will,
Let ancient faithful loue appeere
betwixt vs louers still.
A wisdom friends to win,
as great a wit againe:
A gotten friend, that faithfull is,
in friendship to retaine
Thou seest how hatred hewes
the chips of our mischance:
And iealousie doth what it may,
the Viper to aduance
Whose prying eyes are prest
to hinder our intent,
But malice oft doth misse his marke,
where two good wils be bent
So carefull Argus kept
the faire well featured cowe:
Whose watchful eies ful seldome slept,
according to his vowe.
And yet at length he lost
his head, and eke his hire:
For Mercury his cunning crost,
to further loues desire
So curst Acrisius closde
the mayden in the mewe,
Where he assuredly supposed
to keepe the virgin true.
Yet Danae did conceaue
within the secret towre:
And did in lap receiue the god,
that fel in golden showre.
Way what good wil he beares,
that liues in such distrust:
He fares as doth the wretch that feares
his golde, and lets it rust:
Whose hungry heaping minde
for all his looking on,
Is oft abusde and made as blinde
as any marble stone.
I craue but your consent,
when time and place agree,
And that you wil be wel content
to yelde your selfe to me
Who euer wil regard
the honor of your name,
And looke what pleasure may be sparde,
wil only craue the same.
No checke shall taint your cheeke,
by proofe of open acte:
I neuer wil vnwisely seeke
to haue your credit crackte
My loue excels his lust,
my fancy his good wil:
My trueth doth farre surmount his trust,
my good deserts his il.
Wherfore (my deere) consent
vnto my iust request:
For I long sith haue loued you wel,
and euer meant you best
So shall you haue my heart,
stil redy at your call:
You cannot play a wiser part
then cherish such a thrall.