To her Sister Mistress A. B.

Because I to my brethern wrote

        and to my sisters two:

Good sister Anne, you this might wote,

        if so I should not do

To you, or ere I parted hence,

You vainly had bestowed expence.

Yet is it not for that I write,

        for nature did you bind

To do me good, and to requite

        hath nature me inclined:

Wherefore good sister take in gree

These simple lines that come from me.

Wherein I wish you Nestor's days,

        in happy health to rest:

With such success in all assays

        as those which God hath blest:

Your husband with your pretty boys,

God keep them free from all annoys.

And grant if that my luck it be

        to linger here so long

Till they be men, that I may see

        for learning them so strong

That they may march amongst the best

Of them which learning have possest.

By that time will my aged years

        perhaps a staff require:

And quakingly as still in fears

        my limbs draw to the fire:

Yet joy I shall them so to see,

If any joy in age there be.

Good sister so I you commend

        to him that made us all:

I know you huswifery intend,

        though I to writing fall:

Wherefore no lenger shall you stay

From business that profit may.

Had I a husband, or a house,

        and all that longs thereto,

My self could frame about to rouse,

        as other women do:

But till some household cares me tie,

My books and pen I will apply.