XXVI. “Say, gentle friend, tell me in courtesy

Robert Tofte (1561–1620)

“SAY, gentle friend, tell me in courtesy,

Before what was I? and what am I now?

A senseless Shadow, or a Body, I?”

“Neither of both. Mark, and I’ll tell thee how.

No Body now: for that, by proud disdain

Of scornful She, dislived was. Shadow none;

For that did underground go with the same,

Unwilling it should wander all alone.”

“What am I then?” “Even one that doth not know

What now he is: or what he was, can show.”