Of all soft _Sweets_, I like my Mistress best:
Of all chaste Thoughts my Mistress Thoughts are rarest.
Of all proud Birds, the _Eagle_ pleaseth _Jove_,
Of pretty Fowls, kind _Venus_ likes the _Dove_:
Of Trees, _Minerva_ doth the _Olive_ love,
Of all sweet Nymphs, I honour _Rosalinde_,
Of all her Gifts, her _Wisdom_ pleaseth most:
Of all her Graces, _Virtue_ she doth boast;
For all the Gifts, my Life and Joy is lost,
If _Rosalinde_ prove cruel and unkind.

* * * * *




_ROBERT GREENE_.


_Robert Greene_ (that great Friend to the _Printers_ by his many
Impressions of numerous Books) was by Birth a Gentleman, and sent to
study in the University of _Cambridge_; where he proceeded Master of
Art therein. He had in his time sipped of the Fountain of _Hellicon_,
but drank deeper Draughts of Sack, that _Helliconian_ Liquor, whereby
he beggar'd his Purse to enrich his Fancy; writing much against
Viciousness, but too vicious in his Life. He had to his Wife a
Virtuous Gentlewoman, whom yet he forsook, and betook himself to a high
course of Living; to maintain which, he made his Pen mercenary, making
his Name very famous for several Books which he wrote, very much taking
in his time, and in indifferent repute amongst the vulgar at this