Death and the Maiden

To

WINIFRED BLAZEY

‘But howsoever it be (gentle reader), I pray thee take it in good part, considering that for thee I have taken this pain, to the intent that thou mayst read the same with pleasure’ William Adlington—To the Reader of the Golden Ass of Lucius Apuleius

*

and to the

RIVER ITCHEN

‘From all diseases that arise,

From all disposed crudities;

From too much study, too much pain,

From laziness and from a strain;

From any humour doing harm,

Be it dry, or moist, or cold, or warm.

Then come to me, whate’er you feel,

Within, without, from head to heel.’

Anonymous (Early 17th century)—from the later editions of SIR THOMAS OVERBURY’S MISCELLANY