To the Countesse of Bedford

madame,

• Editor’s Note1Reason is our Soules left hand, Faith her right,
• 2     By these wee reach divinity, that's you;
• Editor’s NoteCritical Apparatus3Their loves, who have the blessing of your sight,
• Editor’s NoteCritical Apparatus4  Grew from their reason, mine from far faith grew.

• Editor’s Note5But as, although a squint lefthandednesse
• 6  Be'ungracious, yet we cannot want that hand,
• Critical Apparatus7So would I, not to'encrease, but to expresse
• 8  My faith, as I beleeve, so understand.

• 9Therefore I study you first in your Saints,
• Editor’s Note10  Those friends, whom your election glorifies,
• Editor’s Note11Then in your deeds, accesses, and restraints,
• Editor’s Note12  And what you reade, and what your selfe devize.

• Critical Apparatus13But soone, the reasons why you'are lov'd by all,
• 14  Grow infinite, and so passe reasons reach,
• Editor’s Note15Then backe againe to'implicite faith I fall,
• Editor’s NoteCritical Apparatus16  And rest on what the Catholique voice doth teach; pg IN3 pg IN4
  

  LUCY, COUNTESS OF BEDFORD

  From the portrait at Woburn Abbey. Reproduced by kind permission of His Grace the Duke of Bedford and the Trustees of the Bedford Estates.

• pg 9117That you are good: and not one Heretique
• Critical Apparatus18  Denies it: if he did, yet you are so;
• 19For, rockes, which high top'd and deep rooted sticke,
• Editor’s Note20  Waves wash, not undermine, nor overthrow.

• 21In every thing there naturally growes
• Editor’s Note22  A Balsamum to keepe it fresh, and new,
• 23If'twere not injur'd by extrinsique blowes;
• 24  Your birth and beauty are this Balme in you.

• Critical Apparatus25But you of learning and religion,
• 26  And vertue,'and such ingredients, have made
• Editor’s Note27A methridate, whose operation
• Editor’s Note28  Keepes off, or cures what can be done or said.

• Editor’s Note29Yet, this is not your physicke, but your food,
• 30  A dyet fit for you; for you are here
• Editor’s Note31The first good Angell, since the worlds frame stood,
• 32  That ever did in womans shape appeare.

• 33Since you are then Gods masterpeece, and so
• Editor’s Note34  His Factor for our loves; do as you doe,
• Editor’s Note35Make your returne home gracious; and bestow
• Editor’s Note36  This life on that; so make one life of two.
• 37   For so God helpe mee,'I would not misse you there
• Editor’s Note38   For all the good which you can do me here.