“Small is the gift, but great is my good-will; the which, by how much the lesse I am able to expresse it, by so much the more it is infinite.”

Expressing sincere affection and humility in offering imperfect verse · Dedication to the Earl of Derby, Cynthia (1595)

• Affection
• Gift
• Humility

“This protestation (I hope) will satisfie th' indifferent: and as for them that are maliciously enuious, as I cannot, so I care not to please.”

Dismissing envious critics while defending the integrity of his pastoral work · To the curteous Gentlemen Readers, Cynthia (1595)

• Authorship
• Criticism
• Integrity