IDENTILIN$$  F134H05|BedfReas|ms. 966.4 (Dobell)|f. 167r-v|pp. 335-36\KJH\mf\7-19-94\P:DF\o\1-20-01\C:JMK\2-6-01;JSC\3-6-01
134.H05.HE1  %XTo the Countesse of Bedford. 
134.H05.001  Maddam, /Reason is our soules left hand, Fayth, her right.
134.H05.002  by these we reach Divinity, thats you:
134.H05.003  their loues, who haue the blessinge of your sight
134.H05.004  grewe from that Reason; mine, fro%M faire Faith grewe.
134.H05.005  But as although a squint lefthandednes
134.H05.006  be vngracious, yet we cannot want that hand;
134.H05.007  So would I not t' encrease, but to expresse
134.H05.008  my Fayth, as I beleiue, soe vnderstand.
134.H05.009  Therefore I study you; first in your saintes,
134.H05.010  those frendes, whome your election glorifyes;
134.H05.011  then in your deeds, accesses, and restraints,
134.H05.012  and what you reade, and what your selfe deuise.
134.H05.013  But soone, the reasons why y' are lou'd of all
134.H05.014  growe Infinite, and soe passe reasons reach:
134.H05.015  then backe againe t' implicit fayth I fall,
134.H05.016  and rest on what the Catholicke %Y*%Z voice doth teach:
134.H05.017  That you are good, and not one Heretique
134.H05.018  denyes it; yf he did, yet you are soe:
134.H05.019  for rockes w%5ch%6 high to seeme, deepe rooted sticke,
134.H05.020  waues wash, not vndermine nor ouerthrowe.
134.H05.021  In euery thing there naturally growes
134.H05.022  Balsamu%M, to keepe it fresh and newe,
134.H05.023  yf twere not iniur'd by extrinsique blowes:
134.H05.024  your byrth and beauty are this Balme in you.
134.H05.025  But you of learninge and Relligion [p.356/f.167v]
134.H05.026  and vertue, and such Ingredients, haue made
134.H05.027  a Mithridate, whose operation
134.H05.028  keeps of or cures what can be don or sayd.
134.H05.029  yet this is not your physicke, but your food;
134.H05.030  a dyett fitt for you, for you are heere
134.H05.031  the first good Angell, since the worlds frame stoode,
134.H05.032  that euer did in womans shape appeare.
134.H05.033  Since you are then Gods Master-piece, and soe
134.H05.034  his Factour for our loues, doe as you doe;
134.H05.035  make your returne home gratious, and bestowe
134.H05.036  this life on that, soe make one life of two.
134.H05.037  ffor, soe God helpe me, I would not misse you there,
134.H05.038  for all y%5e%6 good w%5ch%6 you can doe me heere.|
134.H05.0SS  [scribal grape design]
134.H05.0$$  %1Divided into 4-l. sts by space; 2d & 4th l. of each st ind, & the final 
couplet ind; "160" at RM of HE line matches the p.no. in B & C where this poem starts --JSC%2