This poem appears in The Posies, published in 1575, as part
of a larger forty-two line poem in seven stanzas. The preceding piece of
the poem is written at "One end of a close walk which he hath in his
garden," while this latter piece was apparently composed "In that other
end of his said close walk." The first section compares flowers and
herbs to young men at court--flowers are attractive, but soon wither
and lose their beauty while the less pleasing, more practical
herbs have sunk deep roots, and will return to bloom again. This
composition, written at the opposite end of his garden, deals playfully
with courtly hospitality.
If any flower that here is grown,
Or any herb may ease your pain,
Take and account it as your own,
But recompense the like again.
For some and some is honest play, 5
And so my wife taught me to say.
If here to walk you take delight,
Why come and welcome when you will.
If I bid you sup here this night,
Bid me another time and still 10
Think some and some is honest play,
For so my wife taught me to say.
Thus if you sup or dine with me,
If you walk here or sit at ease,
If you desire the thing you see, 15
And have the same your mind to please,
Think some and some is honest play,
And so my wife taught me to say.
Haud ictus sapio
3. account] consider.
4. recompense the like] compensate with something of equal value.
5. some and some] something in return for something.
honest] respectable, befitting.
8. welcome] to be freely permitted or allowed. will] an
inclination to do something.
9. bid] offer, invite. sup] eat, dine.
19. Haud ictus sapio] Latin, literally: "I taste blows not at
all,",probably reflecting the idea that one in a properly philosophical
mindset, like stoicism, does not feel the blows that Fortune strikes on him or her.
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