40 LEONARD WHEATCROFT, OF ASHOVER. 



" The first time I did behold her, 

 Yea, that smirking smiling face, 

 Never eagle's eyes more bolder 

 Stood in any Christian's face. 



" Oh, she shined when she pined, 

 Like to pearls in every part, 

 That those glances of fair Frances 

 Stole away my loving heart. 



" Her hair more fine than spider's spinning: 

 Her cheeks like blooming roses gay : 

 Methinks in her my joys beginning: 

 Her arms like pillars doth me stay. 



" She doth know how to drive the plough, 

 Though shee in rich array be bound : 

 Oh ! she's a neat one, and compleat one. 

 As ever trod on England's ground," etc. 



The door does not seem to have been re-opened to the dis- 

 appointed Leonard ; for in the year 1652 he had formed another 

 attachment, as appears from a treble acrostic styled, " The first 

 Love Letter sent to my deare, well respected & well known 

 & renowned mistris with her name as you may find." The 

 letters at the beginning, middle, and end of each line are the 

 same, forming in three columns of capitals the name anne 

 NEWTON. The two last lines exhibit his own initials : — 



"Long though I bee ere I declare my wilL ; you know my 

 mind, doe not your servant kilL ; 

 ^^'(nlld I might spend my days where I might vieW your 

 comely features and your heart most treW." 



The lady, however, who finally secured his affection was Eliza- 

 beth Hawley, of Winster. Many of his compositions are loud in 

 her commendation, and a treble acrostic arranged like the 

 former embodies her name, the last line ending — 



" Your amorous Beauty makes me sometimes crY, For thy sake 

 Hetty, I will live and deY. (die) 



Finis L. W. 1655." 



