Explore "The Affectionate Shepherd" by Richard Barnfield on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
You modest dames, inricht with chastitie, / Maske your bright eyes with Vestaes sable vaile, / Since few are left so faire or chast as shee, / Matter for me to weepe, you to bewaile! / For manie seeming so, of Vertue faile, / Whose lovely cheeks, with rare vermilion tainted, / Can never blush, because their faire is painted.
O faire-foule tincture, staine of woman kinde, / Mother of Mischiefe, daughter of Deceate, / False traitor to the soule, blot to the minde, / Usurping tyrant of true beauties seate! / Right cousner of the eye, lewd follies baite, / The flag of filthines, the sinke of shame, / The divells dye, dishonour of thy name!