To one that hearing I had some faculty in Poesie, simply requested me to write somewhat on his dear wife lately dead

Had I so wel but known thy Ligbie, as
Sire Adam once his Eve did know
Then I might say thy wife a good one was:
But I ne'r saw, nor knew her so.
Wu'dst ha' me then extol her beauties fire?
Most say she lookt, and painted wel!
Should I her unknown secret parts admire,
Or hidden qualities sorthtel?
Troth I ne'r heard one good she had, for what,
Thou falsely thoughest one, loving thee;
Now's out of fashion, and esteem'd a fault.
Then in her praise, silent be;
Since Silence best suits me as each of them:
For Womens pride aftecteth such
Grosse flatt'ry, that who undertakes the theam;
Speaks both too little, and too much.