Dinafeller’s Blog

22 May 2009 Leave a Comment

by dinafeller in fashion, Israeli, jewelry, jewish, joyeria, judaica, love rings, poesy rings, posy rings, promise rings, silver and gold Tags: hebrew rings, israeli jewelry, personalized jewelry, poesy rings

Posie rings (sometimes spelled “posy “, “posey” or “poesy rings”) are finger rings with short inscriptions on their outer surfaces. More rarely the inscription is on the inner surface.

A posey ring or love ring, is a simple gold band engraved with a brief sentiment or poem on the outside. They were used as a lover’s token, a wedding ring, or simply as a means of showing regard or giving a gift.

This type of ring dates as early as classical times, when they were considered magical, having the power when worn to enforce the poesy engraved on them. (Tradition has it that there is a vein running directly from the fourth finger to the heart and words touching this vein have a special power.)

In the 16th and 17th century England and France, a wedding ring would be inscribed with a sentiment of love, faith and hope. A silver betrothal ring would often be replaced with the same poesy ring in gold on marriage.

These rings reached their greatest popularity during the Renaissance when they were not only given as wedding rings, but used as a lover’s token or simply as a means of showing fond regard or giving a gift. Many of Shakespeare’s plays mention them such as Hamlet Act III, scene 2, “Is this a prologue or the poesy of a ring.”

They repesent deep intimate feelings of people. Such rings were given on various occasions, but as one can clearly see, mostly as tokens of engagement or as wedding rings. Not many of them can be considered true gems of literature, but the power of these short love poems is in their romantic sincerity and old time charm. Their brevity is naturally dictated by the limitations of space – only one or two phrases used to fit on a ring. Modern day Valentines are influenced by this genre, but some of these rhymed lines have apparently gone unnoticed for centuries.

Popular during the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries in England and France as lovers gifts, the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England has an outstanding collection. Recently jewellery designers have led a resurgence of interest in the tradition. The Victoria and Albert museum in London also has a good collection.that compiled a list of more than 3000 posies for the book ‘English Posies and Posy Rings’ (oxford Press 1931, out of print).

The language used in many early posy rings was Norman French, with French, Latin and English used in later times. The posies were originally written on the outside, moving to the hidden inside of the ring in later (mid 16th Century onwards) times.

Here is a list of poesy phrases used in past centuries and the museums where the original rings can be found. These are accurate to the original spellings.

“never to change” British Museum 16th or 17th century

“love is enough” Victoria & Albert Museum 19th century

“hope is the life of love” British Museum 16th or 17th century

“yours onli” British Museum 16th or 17th century

“all I refuse and thee I chuse” Fitzwilliam Museum -University of Cambridge 16th Century

“faithles to none yet faithful to one” British Museum 16th to 17th century

“forget me not” National Museum of Ireland

“in thy brest my heart doth rest” British Museum 16th or 17th century

“no joy compared to hart’s content” British Museum 17th century

“many are the starrs I see but in my eye no starr like thee” British Museum 16th century

“dear love of mine my heart is thine”

“You and I will Lovers Dye” Wartski, London, 17th Century

More verses that we found:

A FRIEND INDEED IN TYME OF NEED

A FRIEND TO THEE I’LL EVER BE

A HAPPY BREST WHERE LOVE DOTH REST

A KIS FOR THIS

A LOVEING WIFE A HAPPY LIFE

A LOVING WIFE PROLONGETH LIFE

A TOKEN SENT WITH TRUE INTENT

A VIRTUOUS WIFE A HAPPY LIFE

A WOMAN KIND ALL JOY OF MIND

ACCEPT OF THIS MY HEART WITHALL
MY LOVE IS GREAT THOUGH THIS BE SMALL

ALL I REFUSE BUT THEE I CHUSE

ALL PERFECT LOVE
IS FROM ABOVE
THE SIGHT OF THIS
DESERVES A KISSE

AS GOD HATH KNIT OUR
HEARTS IN ONE
LET NOTHING PART BUT DEATH
ALONE

AS GOD HATH MADE MY
CHOYCE IN THEE
SO MOVE THY HEART TO
COMFORT ME

AS GOLD IS PURE LET LOVE INDURE

AS GOLD IS PURE SO LOVE IS SHURE

AS HEAVEN OUR LOVE DECREED
IN HEAVENLY LOVE LET US PROCEED

AS I EXPECT SO LET ME FIND
A FAITHFULL HEART A CONSTANT MIND

AS LONG AS LIFE Yr LOVING WIFE

AS LOVE HATH JOYNED OUR
HARTS TOGETHER
SO NONE BUT DEATH OUR
HARTS SHALL SEVER

AS TRUE TO LOVE AS TURTLE DOVE

AS TRUE TO THEE AS THOU TO ME

AS TRUST BEE JUST

AS YOU FINDE ME MINDE ME

AS YOU NOW FIND SO JUDGE ME KIND

BE CONSTANT YOU FOR I AM TREW

BE CONSTANT U AS I AM TRUE

BE KIND TO ME I WILL TO THE

BE THOU MINE
AS I AM THINE

BE TRUE AS FAIR THEN PAST COMPARE

BE TRUE TO ME AS I TO THEE

BE TRUE TO ME Yt GIVES IT THEE

BEYOND THIS LIFE LOVE ME DEARE WIFE

BODY AND MINDE IN THEE I FINDE

BOTH MUST BE ONE OR ONE BE NONE

BOTH OR NEITHER CHUSE YOU WHETHER

BRACELETS I’LE GIVE
EMBRACE LETS EVER
LET PARTLETS GO
FOR PART LETS NEVER

BREAKE NOT THY VOW TO PLEASE THE EYE
BUT KEEPE THY LOVE SO LIVE AND DYE

BY GOD’S DIRECTION WE JOYN AFFECTION

BY THIS I PROVE HOW MUCH I LOVE

BY THIS RING OF GOLD
TAKE ME TO HAVE AND HOLD

CAREFUL I’LE BE TO COMFORT THEE

CONSTANT AND TRUE I’LL BE TO YOU

CONSTANT TRUE LOVE COMES FROM ABOVE

CONSTANT YOU FOR I AM TRUE

CONTENT INDEED DOTH GOLD EXCEED

CONTENTED WITH MY CHOICE

DEAR LOVE OF MINE MY HEART IS THINE

DEAREST IF I HAVE OFFENDED
ENJOYN ME THEN SOME PENNANCE HARD
THAT MY FAULT MAY BE AMENDED
ERE YOUR FAVOUR BE DEBARD
FOR IF I MUST PENNANCE DO
I’LE GO UNTO NO SAINT BUT YOU

DEATH NEVER PARTS SUCH LOVING HEARTS

DEATH ONLY PARTES TWO LOVING HEARTES

DESIRE AND DESERVE

DESIRE HATH NO REST

DESIRE HATH SET MY HEART ON FIRE

DESIRE. LIKE FIRE DOTH STILL ASPIRE

DESIRE NOT MEE Yt JOYES IN THEE

DIVINELY KNIT BY GOD ARE WE
LATE ONE NOW TWO THE PLEDGE YOU SEE

ENDLESS AS THIS SHALL BE OUR BLISS

ENDLESS BEE MY LOVE TO THEE

ETERNALLY MY LOVE SHAL BE

EVER TRUE MY DEAR TO YOU

EVERY LETTER HERE DOTH SHEW
THAT MY HEART IS LINK’T TO YOU
AND BY THIS TOKEN IS EXPREST
THAT YOU ARE SHE WHOM I LOVE BEST

EYE DOTH FIND HEART DOTH CHOOSE
FAITH DOTH BIND DEATH DOTH LOSE

FAIR AS VENUS AS DIANA
CHAST AND PURE IS MY SUSANA

FEARE GOD AND LYE ABED TILL NOONE

FEAR GOD HONOUR THE PRINCE
LYE STILL JOAN AND DON’T WINCE

FLESH OF MY FLESH BONE OF MY BONE
FROM ONE MADE TWO IS TWO MADE ONE

FOR A KISS TAKE THIS

FOR ONE AND LOVE SOME SAY ARE BLIND
I SAY THEY SEE IF THOU PROVE KIND
G – L
GOD HATH ME SENT MY
HART’S CONTENT

GOD OUR LOVE CONTINUE EVER
THAT WE IN HEAVEN MAY LIVE TOGETHER

GOD SAW THEE MOST FIT FOR ME

GOD SEND HER ME MY WIFE TO BE

GOD Yt HATH KEPT THY
HEART FOR MEE
GRANT THAT OUR LOVE MAY
FAITHFULL BEE

GOD’S DIRECTIONS JOYNED OUR AFFECTIONS

GOD’S GIFT THOU ART MY
DEAREST HEART

GOD’S INTENT NONE CAN PREVENT

GOD’S WILL IS DONE AND I HAVE MINE
MY HEART’S AT REST IN HAVING THINE

GREAT DUNDEE FOR GOD AND ME

GRIEVE NOT HIS HEART WHOSE JOY THOU ART

HAD I NOT SPOKE MY HEART HAD BROKE
THE UTMOST SCOPE OF LOVE IS HOPE

HAND HEART AND ALL IHAVE IS THINE

HAND HEART AND ALL THOU HAST BE MINE

HAPPY IN THEE HAS GOD MADE ME

HEARTS CONTENT CAN NERE REPENT

HEARTS TRULY TIED NONE CAN DIVIDE

I AM A PORE MAIDEN
AND FAINE WOULD MARRY
AND THE LACKE OF GOODS IS
THE CAUSE THAT I TARRY

I AM YOUR FRIEND UNTO THE END

I AM YOUR LOTT REFUSE ME NOT

I AM YURES WHIL LYFE ENDURES

I BID ADIEU TO ALL BUT YOU

I CANNOT SHOW THE LOVE OWE

I DID COMMIT NO ACT OF FOLLY
WHEN I MARRIED MY SWEET MOLLY

I DO OWE BOTH LOVE AND DUTY
TO YOUR VERTUE AND YOUR BEAUTY

I DO NOT REPENT THAT I
GAVE MY CONSENT

I DO REJOYCE IN THEE MY CHOYCE

I FANCY NONE BUT THEE ALONE

I GIVE IT THEE MY LOVE TO BE

I GIVE IT THEE TO THINK ON ME

I HAVE OBTAINED WHOME GOD ORDAINED

I JOY IN THEE JOY THOU IN ME

I JOY TO FIND A CONSTANT MIND

I LIKE I LOVE AS TURTLE DOVE

I LIKE I LOVE I LIVE CONTENT

I MADE MY CHOICE NOT TO REPENT

I LIKE MY CHOICE AND DO REJOYCE

I LIVE AND DY IN LOYALTYE

I LIVE IF AYE IF NO I DIE

I SEEK TO BE NOT THINE BUT THEE

I SHALL IN THEE MOST HAPPY BE

I THAT CUPID CALLED AM
AND SHALL NEVER BE A MAN
BUT AM STILL THE BLINDED BOY
THAT BREEDS LOVERS MUCH ANOY

I WILL BE TRUE ALWAYS TO YOU

I WILL REMAIN ALWAYS THE SAME

WILL YOU TREWELIE SERVE

I WISH THAT WE TWO WERE A PAIR
AS THESE HAPPY GLOVES HERE ARE

I WISH TO THEE ALL JOIE MAY BEE

IF ALL MANKIND
WOULD LIVE IN LOVE
THIS WORLD WOULD MUCH
RESEMBLE THAT ABOVE

IF I SURVIVE I WILL HAVE FIVE

IF I THINK MY WIFE IS FAIR
WHAT NEED OTHER PEOPLE CARE

IF IN THY LOVE THOU CONSTANT BEE
MY HEART SHALL NEVER PART FROM THEE

IF YOU DENY I WISH TO DIE

IF YOU DENY THEN SURE I DYE

IF YOU LOVE ME AS I LOVE YOU
NOTHING CAN CUT OUR LOVE IN TWO

IN CONSTANCIE I LIVE AND DYE

IN GOD AND THEE ALL COMFORT BE

IN LOVE AT NIGHT IS MY DELIGHT

IN LOVE’S DELIGHT SPEND DAY AND NIGHT

IN THEE A FLAME IN ME THE SAME

IN THEE MY CHOYCE I DOE REJOYCE

IN THY BREAST MY HEART DOTH REST

IN THY SIGHT IS MY DELIGHT

IN TRUST BE JUSTE

IN UNITIE LET’S LIVE AND DY

IN WEAL AND WOE MY LOVE I’LE SHOW

INNUMERABLE ARE THE STARS I SEE
BUT IN MY HEART NO STAR LIKE THEE

IT IS A PITTY YOU SHOULD WEAR A MASK
THIS IS THE REASON IF YOU DO ASK
BECAUSE IT HIDES YOUR FACE SO FAIR
WHERE ROSES MIXT WITH LILLIES ARE
IT CLOUTS YOUR BEAUTY SO THAT WE
YOUR CHERRY LIPS CAN SELDOM SEE
AND FROM YOUR FACE KEEPS OFF OUR EYES
WHICH IS INDEED LOVES PARADICE

JOY AND CARE LET US TAKE SHARE

JOY DOTH ABOUND WHERE LOVE IS FOUND

JOY IN NONE BUT YOU ALONE

JOYE DAY AND NIGHT BEE OUR DELIGHT

KEEPE FAYTH TILL DETH

KINDLY TAKE THIS GIFT OF MINE
FOR GIFT AND GIVER BOTH ARE THINE

KNOTTS OF LOVE ARE KNITT ABOVE

LET FRIEND NOR FOE THIS SECRET KNOW

LET LYKINGE LASTE

LET LOVE ABIDE TILL DEATH DIVIDE

LET LOVE DIVINE OUR HEARTS ENTWINE

LET MEE IN THEE MOST HAPPY BEE

LET ME SERVE TILL I DESERVE

LET ME WITH THEE FUL HAPPY BE

LET OUR CONTEST BEE WHO LOVES BEST

LET US CONTEST WHICH SHALL LOVE BEST

LET US LOVE LIKE TURTLE DOVE

LET US SHARE IN JOY AND CARE

LIKE PHILIS THERE IS NONE
SHE TRUELY LOVES HER CHORIDON

LIVE AS I OR ELSE I DYE

LOVE AND JOYE CAN NEVER CLOYE

LOVE AND PRAY NIGHT AND DAYE

LOVE AND RESPECT I DOE EXPECT

LOVE AND WINE IN THIS DEGREE
THE ELDER BETTER STILL THEY BE
SO OUR LONG SUIT THEN SHALL BE TRUE
CHANG NOT THY OLD LOVE FOR A NEW

LOVE AS I OR ELCE I DIE

LOVE EVER OR LOVE NEVER

LOVE HIM IN HEART WHOSE JOY THOU ART

LOVE I HAVE YET LOVE I CRAVE

LOVE I LIKE THEE SWEET REQUITE ME

LOVE INTIRE IS MY DESIRE

LOVE IS A CHAIN
WHOSE LINKES OF GOLD
TWO HEARTS WITHIN
ONE BOSOM HOLD

LOVE IS SURE WHERE FAITH IS PURE

LOVE ME TRUE AS I DO YOU

LVEE NEVER DYES WHERE VERTUE LYES

LOVES DELIGHT IS TO UNITE
I NOW DO SUE FOR LOVE TO YOU

LUST LOVES TO RANGE LOVE KNOWS NO CHANGE

M – S
MANY ARE THE STARRS I SEE
YET IN MY EYE NO STARR LIKE THEE

MEND YOUR WAYS LOVE ALL YOUR DAYES

MEMENTO MEI
WHEN THIS YOU SEE
REMEMBER ME

MINE EYE DID SEE
MY HEART DID CHOOSE
TRUE LOVE DOTH BIND
TILL DEATH DOTH LOOSE

MOST IN MYND AND YU MYN HEART
LOTHEST FROM YOU FOR TO DEPARTT

MY DEAREST BETTY IS GOOD AND PRETTY

MY FAITH I BIND WHERE LOVE I FIND

MY FAITH IS GIVEN
THIS PLEDGE DOTH SHOW
A WORK FROM HEAVEN
PERFORMED BELOW

MY FOND DELIGHT BY DAY AND NIGHT

MY GIVING THIS
BEGINS MY BLISS

MY HAPPY CHOYCE MAKES MEE REJOYCE

MY HARTAND I UNTILL I DY

MY HEART I BIND WHERE FAITH I FIND

MY HEART LIVES WHERE IT LOVES

MY HEART MY DEAR
TO THEE I GIVE
FOR THEE TO KEEP
WHILST BOTH WE LIVE

MY HEART YOU HAVE AND YOURS I CRAVE

MY LOVE FOR THEE SHALL ENDLESS BE

MY LUVE IS FIXT
I CANNOT RANGE
I LIKE MY CHOICE
TO WELL TO CHANGE

MY LOVE IS TRUE MY DEAR TO YOU

MY LOVE IS TRUE TO NONE BUT YOU

MY LOVE NO LESS THEN I PROFESS

MY LOVE THESE BRACELETS TAKE
AND THINK OF THEM NO HARM
BUT SINCE THEY BRACELETS BE
LET THEM IMBRACE THY ARM.

MY LOVE TO THEE LIKE THIS SHALL BE

MY LOUE TO THEE SHALL ENDLESS BE

MY LOVE TO THEE SHALL EVER BE

MY PROMISE PAST SHALL ALWAYS LAST

NERE JOY THE HEART THAT SEEKS TO PART

NO BITTER SMART CAN CHANGE MY HEART

NO CROSSE SO STRANGE MY LOVE TO CHANGE

NO GIFT CAN SHOW THE LOVE I OW

NO HAP SO HARD AS LOVE DEBARD

NOE HEART MORE TRUE THAN MINE TO YOU

NO LOVE MORE TRUE THAN MINE TO YOU

NOE STAR TO ME SOE BRIGHT AS THEE

NO TURTLE DOVE HATH PURER LOVE

NOT LUST BUT LOVE AS TIME SHALL PROVE

NOT THINE NOR MINE BUT OURS

NOT TWO BUT ONE TILL LIFE BE DONE

OF ALL BAD THINGS
A HEART WITH WINGS
IS STILL THE WORST
AND HE THAT MEETS
WITH ONE SO FLEET
OF ALL’S ACCURST

OF ALL THE REST I LOVE THEE BEST

OF RAPTUROUS JOYE I AM THE TOYE

OF SUCH A TREASURE THEN ART THOU POSSEST
FOR THOU HAST SUCH A HEART IN SUCH A BREST

ON THY RETURN FROM SEE
UNITED WEE WILL BEE

ONE LOVE ONE TROTH
BETWEEN US BOTH

ONE WAS THE BOW ONE WAS THE DART
THAT WOUNDED US BOTH TO THE HEART
THEN SINCE WE BOTH DO FEEL ONE PAIN
LET ONE LOVE CURE US BOTH AGAIN

ONE WORD FOR ALL I LOVE AND SHALL

PARTING IS PAYNE WHEN
LOVE DOTH REMAYNE

PRAY TAKE ME KINDLY MISTRESS KISSE ME TOO
MY MASTER SWEARES HELE DO AS MUCH FOR YOU

PREPARED BE TO FOLLOW ME

RATHER DYE THAN FAITH DENY

RECEIVE THIS SACRIFICE IN PART
FROM THE ALTAR – OF MY HEART

REMEMBER HIM WHO DIED FOR THEE
AND AFTER THAT REMEMBER ME

REMEMBER MEE WHEN THIS YOU SEE

REMEMBER THIS AND GIVE A KISSE

RINGS AND TRUE FRIENDS
ARE WITHOUT ENDS

ROSEMARY ROSE I SEND TO THEE
IN HOPE THAT THOU WILT MARRY ME
NOTHING CAN BE SWEET ROSE
MORE SWEETER UNTO HARRY
THEN MARRY ROSE
SWEETER THAN THIS ROSEMARY

RYCHES BE UNSTABLE
BEUTY WYLL DEKAY
BUT FAITHFULL LOVE
WYLL EVER LASTE
TYL DETH DRIVE ITT AWAY

SHE THAT OF ALL DOTH
LOVE THE DEAREST
DOTH SEND THEE THIS
WHICH AS THOU WEAREST
AND OFT DO’S LOOK
ON THINK ON ME
AS I BY THINE
DO THINK ON THEE

SINCE GOD HATH WROUGHT
THIS CHOICE IN THEE
SO FRAME THYSELF
TO COMFORT ME

SINCE THY HOT LOVE
SO QUICKLY’S DONE
DO THOU BUT GOE
FLE STRIVE TO RUN

SUCH LIKING IN MY CHOICE I HAVE
NOTHING SHALL PART US BUT THE GRAVE

SUE IS BONNY BLYTHE AND BROWN
THIS RING HATH MADE HER NOW MY OWN

SWEETHEART I PRAY DOE NOT SAY NAY
T – Y
TELL MY MISTRESSE
THAT A LOVER
TRUE AS LOVE ITSELFE
DOTH LOVE HER

THAT FRIEND IS TRUE WHO TREASURES YOU

THE EYE DID FIND YE
HEART DID CHUSE
THE HAND DOTH BIND
TILL DEATH DOTH LOOSE

THE EYE FINDETH
THE HEART CHOOSETH
THE HAND BINDETH
AND DEATH LOOSETH

THE GIFT IS SMALL BUT LOVE IS ALL

THE RING SHALL TELL I LOVE THEE WELL

THE SIGHT OF THEE IS IOY TO ME

THERE IS NO JEWEL I CAN SEE
LIKE LOVE THAT’S SENT IN CONSTANCY

THERE IS NO OTHER
AND I AM HE
THAT LOVES NO OTHER
AND THOU ART SHE

THIS AND I UNTILL I DIE

THIS FOR A CERTAIN TRUTH
TRUE LOVE APPROVES
THE HEART’S NOT WHERE IT
LIVES BUT WHERE IT LOVES

THIS GIRDLE HAPLY
SHALL BE PLAC’D
TO COMPASS ROUND
YOUR NEAT SMALL WAIST
I WERE HAPPY IF IN THIS PLACE
I MIGHT THY SLENDER WAIST IMBRACE

THIS HATH NO END MY SWEETEST FRIEND

THIS HATH NO END
MY SWEETEST FRIEND
OUR LOVES BE SO
NO ENDING KNOW

THIS RING DOTH BINDE BODY AND MINDE

THIS TAKE FOR MY SAKE

THE WORLD HATH
STRIVED TO PART
YET GOD HATH JOYNED US
HAND AND HEART

THOE MANY THOUGHT
US TWO TO SEVER
YET GOD HATH JOYNED
US TWO TOGETHER

THOU WERT NOT HANDSOM WISE BUT RICH
TWAS THAT WHICH DID MY EYES BEWITCH

THOUGH THESE GLOVES
BE WHITE AND FAIR
YET THY HANDS
MORE WHITER ARE

THY CONSENT IS MY CONTENT

THY FRIEND AM I AND SO WILL DYE

THY HAPPY CHOYCE MAKES ME REJOYCE

TILL DEATH DEPART YOU HAVE MY HEART

TILL DEATH DEVIDE WHAT ERE BETIDE

TILL THAT FROM THEE
I HOPE TO GAIN
ALL SWEET IS SOWRE
ALL PLEASURE PAIN

TIS IN YOUR WILL TO SAVE OR KILL

TIS THY DESERT HATH WOONE MY HEART

TIS TRUE AS OLD HOT LOVE SOON COLD

TIS VAIN FOR TO RESIST
WOMEN DO WHAT THEY LIST

TO BODYES AND ONE HARTE

To GOD’S DECREE WEE BOTH AGREE

TO LIVE IN LOVE I LOVE TO LIVE

TO LOVE AND PEACE GOD GIVES INCREASE

To LOVE AS I DO THEE
IS TO LOVE NONE BUT ME

TO ME BY FAR MORE FAIR
IS MY FAIR ANNE
THEN SWEET CHEEKT LEDA
WITH HER SILVER SWAN

THAT I NERE SAW
BUT HAVE THE PICTURE SEEN
AND WISHT MY SELF BETWEEN
THINE ARMS SWEET NAN

TO ME TILL DEATH AS DEAR AS BREATH

TO THEE I WISH ETERNALL BLISS

TO THEE MY HEART I GIVE
WHILEST I HERE DO LIVE

TO THEE MY LOVE I’LL CONSTANT PROVE

TRUE LOVERS HARTES DEATH ONLY PARTES

TWAS GOD TO THEE DIRECTED ME

TWEEN HOPE AND SAD
DESPAIR I SAIL
THY HELP I CRAVE
MY GRIEF THE SEA
THY BREATH THE SAIL
MAY SINK- OR SAVE

TWO HEARTS ARE KNYTTE AS
HEAVEN THOUGHT FYTTE

UNITED HARTES DEATH ONLY PARTES

VENUS NAKED IN HER CHAMBER
WOUNDS MORE DEEP THAN MARS IN ARMOUR

VERTUE AND LOVE ARE FROM ABOVE

WEE JOYNE OUR LOV IN GOD ABOVE

WE STRANGELY MET AND SO DO MANY
BUT NOW AS TRUE AS EVER ANY

WHAT POSIES FOR OUR WEDDING RINGS
WHAT GLOVES WE’LL GIVE AND RIBAININGS

WHEN LOVE IS DEAD MY JOYS ARE FLED
WHEN MONEY’S LOW THIS RING MUST GO

WHEN ROCKS REMOVE I’LL CEASE TO LOVE

WHEN THIS ABOUT THINE ARM DOTH REST
REMEMBER HER THAT LOVES THEE BEST

WHEN THIS YOU SEE REMEMBER ME

WHEN YOU SEE THIS GIVE IT A KISS

WHEARE HEARTES AGREE NO STRIP CAN BE

WHERE HEARTS ARE TRUE FEW WORDS WILL DO

WHERE ONCE I CHOOSE I NE’ER REFUSE

WILST LIFE IS MYN MY HEART IS THYN

WIT WEALTH AND BEAUTY ALL DO WELL
BUT CONSTANT LOVE DOTH FAR EXCELL

WITH HEART AND HAND AT YOUR COMMAND
WITHIN THY BREAST MY HARTE DOTH REST

YOU AND I WILL LOVE AND DIE

YOU AND I WILL LOVERES DYE

YOU ARE MY FRIEND UNTO THE END

YOU ARE THAT ONE
FOR WHOM ALONE
MY HEART DOTH ONLY CARE
THEN DO BUT JOYN
YOUR HEART WITH MINE
AND WE WILL MAKE A PAIR

YOU NEVER KNEU
A HEART MORE TRUE

YOUR FRIEND AM I ASHUREDLY

YOUR SIGHT IS MY DELIGHT

YOURS LOVING FRIEND TILL DETH US END

‘Be true in Harte’
‘Bee firme in faith’
‘Better Neuer than not euer’
‘Continew Faythfull’
‘Feare not mee, i’le faithful bee’
‘God made us two one’
‘Hearts United Lives Contented’
‘I am free for God & Thee’
‘I cannot show the love I O’
‘I like my choyse’
‘I LIKE MY CHOIES ONLY’
‘I live in Hope’
‘I rejoyce in the my choice’
‘In Christ and thee my comfort be’
‘In loyalty Ile live and dye’
‘ In thee my choyce I do rejoyce’
‘Let the Lord above send peace & love’
‘Let this present my good intent’
‘Live in Love & feare the lord’
‘Let love continue’
‘Live & Love’
‘Moe love to Myne’ More love to Mine
‘Noe recompence but love’
‘No riches like content’
‘None Can Preuent the Lord’s Intent’
‘PIU*FA*TEMPO*CHE*FORZA’
‘Remember the giver’
‘The ring is round & hath no end so is my love for thy’
‘True love is endless’
‘True love will not remove’
‘UBI AMOR IBI FIDES’ Where There is Love There is Faith’
‘United hearts death only parts’
‘Wee joine our harts in God’
‘Wee joyne our love in God above’
‘Yield and Conquer’
‘You and I will Lovers dye’
‘You have my hart’
‘You never knew a heart more true ‘
‘+YOURES+TO+DEFE+’

A few Latin proverbs that go back to the Middle Ages.

That’s because for the most part they rhyme, which usually automatically gives away Medieval Latin. They sort of roll off your tongue, and represent common wisdom of the bygone days.

Aedibus in propriis canis est mordacior omnis. – Every dog is more prone to bite when in its own house.

Amphora sub veste raro portatur honeste. – A jar is rarely hidden under the cloak with good intentions.

Ante Dei vultum nihil unquam restat inultum. – In God’s sight nothing ever remains unavenged.

Arbor naturam dat fructibus atque figuram. – The kind of fruit and its form depend on the tree.

Artem natura superat sine vi, sine cura. – Nature surpasses art without effort or anxiety.

Audi doctrinam si vis vitare ruinam. – Be attentive to teaching if you wish to avoid disaster.

Capta avis est pluris quam mille in gramine ruris. – A captured bird is worth a thousand on the green.

Carius est carum, si praegustatur amarum. – The dear is all the dearer for tasting bitter at first.

Catus amat pisces, sed non vult tingere plan tarn. – The cat loves fish, but doesn’t like to wet her feet.

Conjugium sine prole, dies veluti sine sole. – Marriage without children is like a day without sunshine.

Contra vim mortis non herbula crescit in hortis. – There is no herb in the gardens against the power of death.

Cui sunt multa bona, huic dantur plurima dona. – He who has much gets many a gift.

Dat bene, dat multum, qui dat cum munere vultum. – He is a good and bountiful giver who gives a smile with his gift.
Deficit ambobus qui vult servire duobus. – He who tries to serve two masters serves neither.

Dormit secure, cui non est functio curae. – Far from court, far from care.

Dum sis vir fortis, ne des tua robora scortis. – While you remain a strong man, do not give your strength away to harlots.

Ebibe vas totum, si vis cognoscere potum. – Drink up the whole draught if you want to know what it is.

Est facies testis, quales intrinsecus estis. – The face shows what you are inwardly.

Esto laborator, et erit Deus auxiliator. – Be a laborer and God will be your helper

Ex lingua stulta veniunt incommoda multa. – Many troubles have sprung from a foolish tongue.

Fac bene dum vivis, post mortem vivere si vis. – Act wisely as long as you live, if you want to live after death.

Illa mihi patria est, ubi pascor, non ubi nascor. – My home country is where I graze, not where I was born.

In vili veste nemo tractatur honeste. – No one in poor clothing is honourably entreated.

Mus salit in stratum, cum scit non adfore catum. – The mouse springs on the couch when it knows the cat’s not there.

Nobilitas morum magis ornat quam genitorum. – Nobility of manners adorns better than that of birth.

Nomina si nescis, perit et cognitio rerum. – Knowledge of things is gone if you know not their names.

Non tenet anguillam, per caudam qui tenet illam. – He who holds a snake by the tail does not have it under control.

Occurrit cuicunque Deus, paucique salutant. – God meets every man, but few recognise Him.

Prodigus est natus de parco patre creatus. – From a thrifty father is born a spendthrift son.

Qui pingit florem non pingit floris odorem. – You may paint the flower, but you can’t paint its scent.

Quisquis amat ranam, ranam putat esse Dianam. – If one is in love with a frog he thinks it a goddess.

Stare diu nescit, quod non aliquando quiescit. – That can’t stand long which never takes rest.

Subtrahe ligna focis, flammam restinguere si vis. – If you would quench the fire take off the fuel.

Sus magis in coeno gaudet quam fonte sereno. – The sow delights more in mire than clear water.

Verba satis celant mores, eademque revelant. – Words serve to hide one’s character as well as show it.

Vulpes vult fraudem, lupus agnum, foemina laudem. – The fox likes tricks, the wolf lamb, a woman praise.

Read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posie_ring and links

Poesie rings in Hebrew: