To his Wife

BEcause I once in verse did hap to call
Thee by this louing name, my dearest Mall,
Thou think'st thy selfe assured by the same,
In future ages, I haue giu'n thee fame.
But if thou merit not such name in veritie.
I meane not so to mis-informe posteritie.
For I can thus interpret if I will,
My dearest Mall, that is, my costliest ill.