Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Edward Farr, ed. Select Poetry of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1845.

Lines from “The Curtain-drawer of the World”

XXXVII. W. Parkes

WOULD I disclose the secrets I have seene

In closets, chambers, bosomes, I haue bene,

And here set downe what erst I haue neglected,

How minds of men and women are affected;

Then should I write of some so strangely base,

Beares diuil’s breast, that weares an angel’s face;

The subtill hammer of whose forge within,

That workes black mischief, shewes not out sinne.

Here’s Vulcan vowing in his grymy breast

His wines and honour shall inrich his chest.

Of some whose meditation is their care,

To father on long daies deceittful ware.

Heere dwels a merchant that hath store of wealth,

A faire young wife, that wants as he wants health:

Within whose breast I see contriu’d and plotted

That which for fatall husband is alotted:

Which though enacted twenty times a day,

The tongue conceales, the face doth not betray.

Within some breasts and bosomes I haue gone

Conscience I find more harder than a stone;

In other some, whose number is not small,

A little remnant: in some none at all.

Heere’s one whose conscience beareth Iudas’ curse,

That vowes damnation, but hee’ll fill the purse.

A wayting mistresse that is poore and proud

Will do what virtue neuer yet alow’d;

For silken trappings and for golden pay

Turnes whoore to-morrow, is resolu’d to-day.

An antient thefe of twenty yeares and more,

Hath vow’d from day to day to steale no more:

Yet now to make his broken summe vp iust

Will uenture once more, and be hang’d, I trust.

Should I go forward through a world of mind,

Kiss euery breast and bosome ill inclin’d,

And shew the purpose therein was intended,

My booke would still draw leaues, not heere be ended.