3 devorst from deeper care, diuert from deepest care.  Nash was notoriously impecunious all through his life, and probably reference is here made to some bounty received at the hands of Lord Southampton (see Introduction).  What patronage meant at times is gleaned from Florio’s dedication of The Worlde of Wordes in 1598 to the same nobleman.  He says:—­“In truth I acknowledge an entire debt, not only of my best knowledge, but of all; yea, of more than I know, or care, to your bounteous lordship, in whose pay and patronage I have lived some years....  But, as to me, and many more, the glorious and gracious sunshine of your honour hath infused light and life.”  Rowe also tells a story of Lord Southampton’s munificence to Shakspeare.  It is said that he gave the poet L1,000 (equal to L12,000 now-a-days) to complete a special purchase.  Whether this story be true or not, it is certain that Lord Southampton was a most liberal patron of letters.

4 Presents thee with, Presentes you with.

5 “Ne” = Nor, A.S.; unchastitie, inchastitye.

6 painting, paynting; things, thinges; hidden are, hidden be.

7 & 8 In Rawl.  MS. these lines are transposed. Since all men act, sith most men marke; speache declare, speech descrie; Onlie, only; varietie, varyetye.

9 Complants and praises euery one, Complayntes & prayses every man.

10 passion out, passion forth; their pangu’s, there loue; statlie rimes, statly rime.

11 pleasures none, pleasure non; euer write, e’re indite.

12 theis latter times, this latter time.

13 Deare Lord, deare loue.  A significant reading in view of the absence of the dedication in the Rawl.  MS. “Accept ... in gentle gree,” to take kindly.

14 And better lynes ere long, And better farr, ere long (see Introduction).

[Illustration]

  THE CHOOSING
  OF VALENTINES.

  It was the merie moneth of Februarie,
    When yong men, in their iollie roguerie,
  Rose earelie in the morne fore breake of daie,
    To seeke them valentines soe trimme and gaie; 4

  With whom they maie consorte in summer sheene,
    And dance the haidegaies on our toune-greene,
  As alas at Easter, or at Pentecost,
    Perambulate the fields that flourish most; 8

  And goe to som village abbordring neere,
    To taste the creame and cakes and such good cheere;
  Or see a playe of strange moralitie,
    Shewen by Bachelrie of Maningtree. 12

  Where to, the contrie franklins flock-meale swarme,
    And Jhon and Jone com marching arme in arme. 
  Euen on the hallowes of that blessed Saint
    That doeth true louers with those ioyes acquaint, 16