Poesy Jewelry History
Poesy Jewelry
THE HISTORY OF POESY RINGS
St. Eligius (c. 588 ~ 660) is the patron saint of goldsmiths.
Painted by Niclaus Manuel in 1515.
Also spelled posie or posey, these rings derived their name from the French word “poésie,” or poem, because of the short sayings with which they were engraved that were religious, friendly or amorous in nature.
Choose for your beloved Bluenoemi poesie rings, the Engagement Ring ...or your Love ring!
Poesy rings - Engagement rings - Love ring
Poesy rings are used to day by those from us who love vintage engagement rings and unique engagement rings.
About Poesy rings from Wikipedia:
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. Today they are beautiful designer engagement rings.
Poesy rings are rings with brief poems that express love sentiments inscribed either around the outside or on the inside of the band. 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.)
Look at Bluenoemi Poesie rings, love rings or spinning rings
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."Antique rings - poesy rings
They represent deep intimate feelings of people. Such rings were given on various occasions, but as one can clearly see, mostly as tokens of 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.
Collection of Love rings at Museums
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 such as Victoria Buckley Jewellery have led a resurgence of interest in the tradition. The Victoria and Albert museum in London also has a good collection bequeathed by Joan Evans, daughter of a famous 19th century collector. She compiled a list of more than 3000 posies for her 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.
Poesy rings phrases
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
See our Poesy rings
This posy ring dates from the 17th century and was created in either Great Britain or France by an unknown maker. Animals and plants are engraved on the outside, and there are traces of white enamel on the hare suggesting it once was brightly colored. The inscription inside reads “LOYALTE NE PEUR,” which translates to “loyalty not fear.”
Posy rings were popular from the latter half of the Middle Ages, which extended from the 15th to 17th century. In medieval times, when religion was very much a part of everyday life, it was common for saints’ figures or religious text to appear on the rings alongside romantic expressions or even expressions of friendship. In this way, the rings functioned both as a religious talisman and a gift of love.
Posy rings from Medieval period mostly have the words engraved around the outside of the band, while in later examples the lettering is found inside. This example is very pictorial as well.
At left a 17th century poesy ring with pictogram inscription, ‘Two hands, one heart, Till death us part.’ Made in England in the 17th century.
Like much personalized jewelry today, the posy ring provided the wearer the chance to do something completely different than what their neighbor had. They could dictate a saying that was personal to them and the person with whom they were exchanging the ring. 
Renaissance Poesy Ring "Trew Love Is My Desyre", England, 17th century
The phrases were written in Latin, Old French or Old English. Until about 1350, the lettering was done in a script with rounded capital letters known as Lombardic, while later examples use Gothic script. Certain inscriptions appear on multiple rings, indicating the goldsmiths of the day had a book of stock phrases from which clients could choose. 
A high karat gold poesy ring engraved,
‘ALLE MY TRVST’
16th century Gothic script. 
“Not the value but my love”
England, late 17th - early 18th century
Gold, enamel
"You never knew a heart so true"
Early 18th century Gold, engraved
Prior to the "Poesy Rings" of the 15th century, the Egyptian language was a language of images that appeared on their jewelry. A wall painting of an Egyptian goldsmith working at a small furnace, possibly soldering- using a blow pipe to make the fire hotter, and using tongs, probably of copper or bronze.
These are some examples of the inscriptions found on actual poesy rings that have survived from the 15th to the 17th century. Note that many have 'period' spelling, not necessarily the same as spelling used today:
‘A Frindes gift’
‘A loving wife during life’
‘A true friends Gift’
‘A vertuous wife preseurueth life’
‘After consent ever content’
‘x AMICVS x TVVS’
‘I love you.”
‘As God decreed soe wee agreed’
‘ As gold is pure, so love is sure’
‘AS I DESERVE SO I DESIER’
‘As I prove I wish your love’
AXCEPT * THIS * GIFT
‘Be true in Harte’
‘Bee firme in faith’
‘ CERT A MON GRE ‘
(certainly my choice)
‘Content is a treasure’
‘Continew Faythfull’
‘Denial is Death’
‘EN BON’
‘EN BON DESIR’
‘EN MI MARIE’
(to my husband)
‘Far of yet not forgot’
‘Feare god love thy choyse’
‘Feare not mee, i’le faithful bee’
‘God above increase our love’
‘God made us two one’
‘God send me always of his grace’
‘Harbor the harmless hart’
‘Harts United Live Contented’
‘Humility is the true Nobility’
‘I am free for God & Thee’
‘I cannot show the love I O’
‘I give it the to think on mee’
‘ I have obtained whome god ordained ‘
“I joy in one yet enjoy none”
‘I x LIKE x MI x CHOYSE’
‘I LIKE MY CHOIES ONLY’
‘I live in Hope’
‘I love and like my choice’
‘I rejoyce in the my choice’
‘I with your pretty sight, will breed you much delight’
‘In Christ and thee my comfort be’
‘In love abide till death devide’
‘In loyalty Ile live and dye’
‘In thy breast my heart doth rest’
‘In thee I find content of mind’
‘In thee my choyce I doe reioyce’
‘In thy sight is my delight’
‘Knit in one by Christ alone ‘
‘Let the Lord above send peace & love’
‘Let this present my good intent’
‘Let love continue’
‘Let us share in joy and care’
‘Let vertue rule affection’
‘Let vertue still direct thy will’
‘Let virtue be a guid to thee * ‘
‘Live & Love’
‘Live and Love Happy’
‘ Love I Like Thee + Sweete Requite Thee’
‘Love is my joy’
‘Love is the bond of peace’
‘love never dies where vertu lies’
‘Loue to be louved’
‘Love till you dye and soe will I’
‘Love vertu’
‘Moe love to Myne’ More love to Mine’
‘My gift is myselfe’
‘my hart is thine’
‘My Heart I Bind Where Love I Find’
‘My love by this presented is‘
My love to thee shall endless be
‘NE MEUR BON’ followed by a heart rebus
(A good heart never dies)
‘No gift like good will’
‘No riches like content’
‘Noe Heart More true than mine to you.’
‘Noe recompence but love’
‘None Can Preuent the Lord’s Intent’
‘Not loft but gon before.’
‘Not so able as willing’
‘Not the value but my love’
‘Of earthli joyse thou art my choys’
‘Oh hurt noty [heart pictogram] whose only joy thou art’
‘One chosen both happy’
‘Rather dye then faith denye’
‘Remember the giver’
‘Sith hands and hart with one Consent
let nought but death the Knot preuent’
‘Some love in earnest, some in jest,
I love her that I like best’
‘Success to our fleet.’
‘The god of peace our love increase’
‘* THE HART SAW * THE LOVE CHOSEN *
* NEVER BROKEN * JOYND ETERNAL *’
‘The Lord us Bless with Good Success’
‘The loue is trew that I O U’
‘The Love of thee is life to me’
‘The ring is round & hath no end so is my love for thy’
“Thinke it not strange though wee exchaing”
‘True love is endless’
‘True love will not remove’
‘TRYFULL+NOT+WYTH+THE+TRUSTY++’
‘UBI AMOR IBI FIDES’
Where There is Love There is Faith’
‘United hearts death only parts’
‘Vertue paseth ryches’
‘Wee joine our harts in God’
‘Wee joyne our love in God above’
‘When this you se remember me’
‘Yield and Conquer’
‘You and I will Lovers dye’
‘You have my hart’
‘You never knew a heart more true ‘