XIII. Painter, in lively colours draw Disdain!

Robert Tofte (1561–1620)

PAINTER, in lively colours draw Disdain!

Dost ask, How that may rightly shadowed be?

I’ll tell thee. If thou, fine, wilt do the same;

My Lady paint! and thou Disdain shalt see.

Fond man! dost not believe? or think’st I jest?

If doubtful thou remain, then hear the rest!

Mark her but well; and thou shalt, in her face,

See right Disdain: which, coming from her eyes,

Makes her to look with most disdainful grace;

Then if thou seest it, in so plain a guise,

Straight shadow [paint] her! For this one counterfeit [picture]

Of her, and of Disdain, shall show the shape.