The Complete Poems of Richard Barnfield/The Isham MS./Incerti Authoris

by Richard Barnfield

INCERTI AUTHORIS.

Wife.

The double V, is dowble woe
The I, is nought but ielosie
The F, is fawninge flatterie
The E is nought but enmitie.
Thus V w^th I, w^th f, w^th E:
Brings nothinge els but miserie.

Answere.

Is double V such double woe
Speake of no more then that you knowe.
Tis weale, tis wealth, and nothing soe
I, Joye is, not iealosie.
F fauor is, not flattery.
E is true loues eternytie.
Thus, V, w^th I, w^th F, w^th E
well consterd is felicitie.

FINIS.