THE SECOND BOOKE
of  S o n g s  or  A y r e s

J O H N   D OVV L A N D

1600

XX. Tosse not my soule.

       Tosse not my soule, O loue twixt hope and feare,
       Shew mee some ground where I may firmely stand,
       Or surely fall, I care not which appeare,
       So one will close mee in a certaine band.
            When once of ill the vttermost is knowen,
            The strength of sorrow quite is ouerthrowne.

       Take mee Assurance to thy blisfull holde,
       Or thou Despaire vnto thy darkest Cell,
       Each hath full rest, the one in ioyes enrolde,
       Th' other, in that hee feares no more, is well :
            When once the vttermost of ill is knowne,
            The strength of sorrow quite is ouerthrowne.