I love her above my life, and vallew her infinitly; yet you conceale her from my thoughts, and tell me in your letter that I must understand she is but an imaginarie one, pigmalion like carved to your fancy. Oh pardon me if I complayne this is not kindly dun of you to make me such a stranger to your hart.
"For God sake lett me know when you thinke you shall come. Send me some verses, for I want some good ones to put in my booke."
In addition to these proofs of Herbert Aston's poetical efforts, I have found the following note, on a half sheet of letter-paper, in his hand-writing.
"My Mrs[1] havinge nothinge els to doe this winter, hath made a slight collection of all my workes. Wherfore you must make an inquiry into all your papers, and if you find any of mine that beginn not as this note, you must send them her by the first opertunity, that is, by Cannal[2] to us.
Oh the constant state of lovers.
Clorinda shall for ever rest.
Say would you know.
Receave this watch.
Hothams have lost ther heads.
Fairfax that erst.
Wher love commands.
A brimmer to you poets.
Your skillfull woodman.
No ill aspect of planitts.
Ime not ashamed.
Lett him that wants a cordiall.
Had I not once felt love.
Rise, glorious sunne.
Experience a great mistriss.
How strangely hards my fortune.
My great hart has undone mee.
The lover and the poett's store.
- ↑ "My Mrs" was, I imagine, a familiar appellation for his wife.
- ↑ "Cannal" is Canwell, near Lichfield, then the seat of Sir William Persall, brother-in-law to Herbert Aston. This "Note" was probably addressed to one of the Thimelbyes, at Irnham; between which place, and Herbert Aston's residence, Canwell was situated.
