Thvle Or Vertues Historie. To the Honorable and vertuous Mistris Amy Avdely. By F. R. [i.e. Francis Rous] |
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Cant. 3.
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Cant. 3.
Erona and her new found loue,
Come to the bower of fond delight:
But thence by warning they remoue,
And in a Castle spent the night:
Jn morne she faines dissembled paine,
He leaues her and goes back againe.
Come to the bower of fond delight:
But thence by warning they remoue,
And in a Castle spent the night:
Jn morne she faines dissembled paine,
He leaues her and goes back againe.
What ere thou be that to a womans care,
Commitst affayres or matters of import,
Too rashly to aduenture doe not dare,
Vnles vpon some certaine truths report:
For constancie in most is found but rare,
And they will change their thoughts for wanton sport:
But some there be (blest he that some can finde)
To whom fayre graces vertue hath assignde.
Commitst affayres or matters of import,
Too rashly to aduenture doe not dare,
Vnles vpon some certaine truths report:
For constancie in most is found but rare,
And they will change their thoughts for wanton sport:
But some there be (blest he that some can finde)
To whom fayre graces vertue hath assignde.
Amongst which thou rare virgin of these dayes,
(Whom only this my wandring muse hath found)
Meritst eternall volumes of thy prayse,
For louing Muses and their sweetest sound,
Accepting kindly rude mis-tuned layes,
Which els had laine long buried vnder ground:
Be not (kind) angrie at this mayds disgrace,
That Muse thy gifts shal praise, that doth her faults deface.
(Whom only this my wandring muse hath found)
Meritst eternall volumes of thy prayse,
For louing Muses and their sweetest sound,
Accepting kindly rude mis-tuned layes,
Which els had laine long buried vnder ground:
Be not (kind) angrie at this mayds disgrace,
That Muse thy gifts shal praise, that doth her faults deface.
For she is worthie of perpetuall blame,
For condiscending to this theeues request:
For now she curseth still her masters name,
Swearing she neuer could obtaine her rest,
Vntill this happie newes vnto her came:
And now she sayes she'le follow his behest,
Goe where he will, and stay where he commands,
And lay her opend soule before his hands.
For condiscending to this theeues request:
For now she curseth still her masters name,
Swearing she neuer could obtaine her rest,
Vntill this happie newes vnto her came:
And now she sayes she'le follow his behest,
Goe where he will, and stay where he commands,
And lay her opend soule before his hands.
And he seduced by her flatterie,
And blinded quite with lust and lewd desire,
His loue is bounded by no meane degree,
He sweares through freezing cold and burning fire,
To be her champion for her beauties see,
She sayes she readie is when he wil try her:
Thus in fond pleasure they consume their dayes,
And after sport still walke their wonted wayes.
And blinded quite with lust and lewd desire,
His loue is bounded by no meane degree,
He sweares through freezing cold and burning fire,
To be her champion for her beauties see,
She sayes she readie is when he wil try her:
Thus in fond pleasure they consume their dayes,
And after sport still walke their wonted wayes.
But as they climbd the hils ascending side,
The scortching Sunne sent downe fire-darting rayes,
That they vnneath this feruence could abide,
Therefore they seeke some cooler shadowed wayes:
At last downe in the vale a lake they spide,
By which there was a bower of thorne and bayes,
A bower whose ground was set with Cammomill,
Whose bankes the sweetest rose and flowers did fill.
The scortching Sunne sent downe fire-darting rayes,
That they vnneath this feruence could abide,
Therefore they seeke some cooler shadowed wayes:
At last downe in the vale a lake they spide,
By which there was a bower of thorne and bayes,
A bower whose ground was set with Cammomill,
Whose bankes the sweetest rose and flowers did fill.
Where entred there they see a grauen stone,
In which a historie was fairely writ:
The picture of a Lady was vpon,
And verses which were written vnder it.
Here lyes the fairest Lady of the Ile,”
Whom from sweet rest fond pleasure did exile,”
To warne the rest, who yet are kept vnstaind,”
To flie that plague, which keepes the soule enchaind.”
In which a historie was fairely writ:
The picture of a Lady was vpon,
And verses which were written vnder it.
Here lyes the fairest Lady of the Ile,”
Whom from sweet rest fond pleasure did exile,”
To warne the rest, who yet are kept vnstaind,”
To flie that plague, which keepes the soule enchaind.”
The theefe enamor'd on that louely hew,
Which niggard arts weake force had much defac'd,
Would needs the substance of that shadow view,
And would the curious tombstone haue displac'd:
But from this deed a noyse his fancie drew,
And rushing of the lake as with a blast:
Where looking there they saw the fayrest face,
Whose louely feature did the Swannes disgrace.
Which niggard arts weake force had much defac'd,
Would needs the substance of that shadow view,
And would the curious tombstone haue displac'd:
But from this deed a noyse his fancie drew,
And rushing of the lake as with a blast:
Where looking there they saw the fayrest face,
Whose louely feature did the Swannes disgrace.
But by the pictures likenes streight they knew,
This was the Ghost of that entombed mayd,
When she: O cause not wretch more griefe to rew,
And trouble not the bones for rest vp layd,
But fly this place least it procure to you,
For which my soule deere punishment hath payd.
When seem'd her head to droupe as in a sowne,
And with new racking griefe to sinke a downe.
This was the Ghost of that entombed mayd,
When she: O cause not wretch more griefe to rew,
And trouble not the bones for rest vp layd,
But fly this place least it procure to you,
For which my soule deere punishment hath payd.
When seem'd her head to droupe as in a sowne,
And with new racking griefe to sinke a downe.
But streight he cried: O tell (sweete Lady) tell,
What danger doth attend this fearefull place,
And how to thee this wicked hap befell,
And how thou cam'st into this wofull case?
Then she: as long as messengers of hell,
Which still attending stand before my face,
Shall suffer me to stay with you aboue,
Ile shew you what with griefe my selfe did proue.
What danger doth attend this fearefull place,
And how to thee this wicked hap befell,
And how thou cam'st into this wofull case?
Then she: as long as messengers of hell,
Which still attending stand before my face,
Shall suffer me to stay with you aboue,
Ile shew you what with griefe my selfe did proue.
Heere by this riuer is a gaping pit,
Which leades vnto the floods of Acheron:
And on the mouth thereof a witch doth sit,
That dwelleth in a roome there built vpon;
Getica she is calde, who by her wit,
Hath damn'd to restles dolours many one:
And she (before Persephone was Queene)
Had Plutoes Concubine long season beene.
Which leades vnto the floods of Acheron:
And on the mouth thereof a witch doth sit,
That dwelleth in a roome there built vpon;
Getica she is calde, who by her wit,
Hath damn'd to restles dolours many one:
And she (before Persephone was Queene)
Had Plutoes Concubine long season beene.
But now to her this dwelling is assignde,
Where she hath leaue to charme each truest hart,
And in eternall torturing to binde,
The soules she hath entrapped by her art;
And she enrag'd, that men sweet ioy should finde,
Not bearing any of her torments part,
Assayes by all the meanes she can inuent,
To make them fellowes in her punishment.
Where she hath leaue to charme each truest hart,
And in eternall torturing to binde,
The soules she hath entrapped by her art;
And she enrag'd, that men sweet ioy should finde,
Not bearing any of her torments part,
Assayes by all the meanes she can inuent,
To make them fellowes in her punishment.
And euery yeare once she a feast doth make,
Within that bower, where you now doe lye:
Whither full many a knight his way doth take,
And many a Lady thitherward doth hye:
When she her loathed house doth soone forsake,
Attir'd in robes and portly maiestye,
And to the banquet house doth solemne come,
Welcomming all with voyce, and kissing some.
Within that bower, where you now doe lye:
Whither full many a knight his way doth take,
And many a Lady thitherward doth hye:
When she her loathed house doth soone forsake,
Attir'd in robes and portly maiestye,
And to the banquet house doth solemne come,
Welcomming all with voyce, and kissing some.
And after meat a seruice all of wine,
Is brought before the guests, when thus she sayes;
My wish (sweete friends) is you should better dine,
And haue some cheere that were more worthie prayse:
But this I hope shall rest as loues sure signe,
The rest shall be supplyed in other waies:
Onely the while take this in gentle part,
From one desiring to get more desart.
Is brought before the guests, when thus she sayes;
My wish (sweete friends) is you should better dine,
And haue some cheere that were more worthie prayse:
But this I hope shall rest as loues sure signe,
The rest shall be supplyed in other waies:
Onely the while take this in gentle part,
From one desiring to get more desart.
Heere are as many cups as you are heere,
Fild with some liquor of so forciue might,
That what-soere you loue or holde most deere,
As beauty, magick, riches, pleasing sight,
Or lengthned youth, vntill full forty yeare,
Whither it good shall be, or things vnright,
It shall be giuen you without delay,
Ere second night driue hence the darkned day.
Fild with some liquor of so forciue might,
That what-soere you loue or holde most deere,
As beauty, magick, riches, pleasing sight,
Or lengthned youth, vntill full forty yeare,
Whither it good shall be, or things vnright,
It shall be giuen you without delay,
Ere second night driue hence the darkned day.
On this condition that when all the date,
(Which is the space of forty yeares orepast)
Shall be expirde, then shall you pay the rate
Of all th' accounts, which I this while shall cast;
Nor may ye then resist the common fate,
For ioy long may endure, not euer last:
This sayd, all those that wish for any good,
Drinke vp that Philter poysoning all their blood.
(Which is the space of forty yeares orepast)
Shall be expirde, then shall you pay the rate
Of all th' accounts, which I this while shall cast;
Nor may ye then resist the common fate,
For ioy long may endure, not euer last:
This sayd, all those that wish for any good,
Drinke vp that Philter poysoning all their blood.
Amongst those birds was I caught in the net,
Layd to entrap the frayiltie of youth,
And at a little price my soule did set,
Now all bedewd into late comming ruth,
And I admonish you vnchaind as yet,
To credit what my soule doth finde for truth:
Make speedie haste to get your selues away,
To morrow comes that hellish banquet day.
Layd to entrap the frayiltie of youth,
And at a little price my soule did set,
Now all bedewd into late comming ruth,
And I admonish you vnchaind as yet,
To credit what my soule doth finde for truth:
Make speedie haste to get your selues away,
To morrow comes that hellish banquet day.
This sayd, she sunke into the drowning waues,
Drowned almost with flowing teares before,
Like Phaetusa, while she madly raues,
Playning that she could see the boy no more:
And while his sweetest companie she craues,
A spreading roote her feeble feete vpbore,
A furrow'd rinde encompast all her skin,
A tree she was without, a mayd within.
Drowned almost with flowing teares before,
Like Phaetusa, while she madly raues,
Playning that she could see the boy no more:
And while his sweetest companie she craues,
A spreading roote her feeble feete vpbore,
A furrow'd rinde encompast all her skin,
A tree she was without, a mayd within.
So doth she seeme to melt in liquid teares,
For where before that fayrest substance stood,
Nothing but bubling water now appeares:
And while they looke vpon the billowing flood,
Wonder their eyes possess'th, their hearts deepe feares,
That in their face appeares no liuelihood:
At last each plucking by the others arme,
Giue warning both of that ensuing harme.
For where before that fayrest substance stood,
Nothing but bubling water now appeares:
And while they looke vpon the billowing flood,
Wonder their eyes possess'th, their hearts deepe feares,
That in their face appeares no liuelihood:
At last each plucking by the others arme,
Giue warning both of that ensuing harme.
And mounted thence, they assay to climb the hill,
Whose bended steepnes causde them take much paine,
And though they mainly striue with labour still,
Yet in much striuing they doe little gaine;
The nature of the place resists their will:
For so it is where pleasure doth remaine,
That with a current in his armes we fall,
But back full few can creepe, or none at all.
Whose bended steepnes causde them take much paine,
And though they mainly striue with labour still,
Yet in much striuing they doe little gaine;
The nature of the place resists their will:
For so it is where pleasure doth remaine,
That with a current in his armes we fall,
But back full few can creepe, or none at all.
Nor can these now attaine their mindes desier,
But forc'd they turne their Palfreyes heads aside,
And sory they can climbe the hill no higher,
Vpon the conuex, all along they ride,
At last by smokie sparkles of a fire,
A chimney top far off they haue espyde:
And now the Sunne was driuing to the west,
And they were glad they found some hope of rest.
But forc'd they turne their Palfreyes heads aside,
And sory they can climbe the hill no higher,
Vpon the conuex, all along they ride,
At last by smokie sparkles of a fire,
A chimney top far off they haue espyde:
And now the Sunne was driuing to the west,
And they were glad they found some hope of rest.
Forward they prickt, and shortly there they came,
For all the way was playne as eye might see,
And lighting downe he and his wanton dame,
Goe in to know if they might lodged be,
And he no sooner had discried his name,
But all the knights salute him by degree:
For all the house with knights and dames was fraught,
Which ment to trauell for their mornings draught.
For all the way was playne as eye might see,
And lighting downe he and his wanton dame,
Goe in to know if they might lodged be,
And he no sooner had discried his name,
But all the knights salute him by degree:
For all the house with knights and dames was fraught,
Which ment to trauell for their mornings draught.
Reioycing thus that they so fit were met,
And striuing who should shew most curtesy,
They spend the time till on the bord was set,
The daintyest feast that euer curious eye
Could view, or wealth, or all the Ile could get,
Such was this feast of filthie luxury,
And they as prompt to take as that to bring,
Sit downe: some eate, some drinke, some play, some sing.
And striuing who should shew most curtesy,
They spend the time till on the bord was set,
The daintyest feast that euer curious eye
Could view, or wealth, or all the Ile could get,
Such was this feast of filthie luxury,
And they as prompt to take as that to bring,
Sit downe: some eate, some drinke, some play, some sing.
Their heads perswaded by the fuming wine,
After the empty dishes all were sackt,
Doe condiscend their places to resigne,
And yeeld to sleepe, which as it seem'd they lackt;
For so the fume their ey-lids doth combine,
That they vnneath can keepe themselues awakt,
And still the ground as profring them a bed,
With a kinde knocking kisse salutes their head.
After the empty dishes all were sackt,
Doe condiscend their places to resigne,
And yeeld to sleepe, which as it seem'd they lackt;
For so the fume their ey-lids doth combine,
That they vnneath can keepe themselues awakt,
And still the ground as profring them a bed,
With a kinde knocking kisse salutes their head.
At last some by the little remnant of their sight,
And some by others helpe to bed are got,
Where drownd in sleepe they spend the sliding night,
And had almost in morne their care forgot:
But wickednes that euer-haunting spright,
Rung in their eares and warn'd them of their lot:
And they afrayd their happy chance to lose,
Shooke sluggard sleepe away and straight arose.
And some by others helpe to bed are got,
Where drownd in sleepe they spend the sliding night,
And had almost in morne their care forgot:
But wickednes that euer-haunting spright,
Rung in their eares and warn'd them of their lot:
And they afrayd their happy chance to lose,
Shooke sluggard sleepe away and straight arose.
But false Erona fearing of her mate,
That if he should vnto the banquet goe,
He would forsake his choyse, and change his fate,
And leaue her quite, and so procure her woe,
Faines that a sudden griefe doth her amate,
Wounded with piercing sicknes Ebon bow,
And sayes she cannot moue from out her bed,
And prayes him not to leaue her almost dead.
That if he should vnto the banquet goe,
He would forsake his choyse, and change his fate,
And leaue her quite, and so procure her woe,
Faines that a sudden griefe doth her amate,
Wounded with piercing sicknes Ebon bow,
And sayes she cannot moue from out her bed,
And prayes him not to leaue her almost dead.
Sweet loue (quoth she) whom in my tender armes,
So oft I haue embrac'd and euer lou'd,
O leaue me not alone to following harmes,
But if that ere thy minde fayre Meny mou'd,
Or yeelded to delights, or fancies charmes,
Or if my soule doth loue thee euer prou'd,
Then doe: and with that word so deeply sigh't,
As though death on her broken heart did light.
So oft I haue embrac'd and euer lou'd,
O leaue me not alone to following harmes,
But if that ere thy minde fayre Meny mou'd,
Or yeelded to delights, or fancies charmes,
Or if my soule doth loue thee euer prou'd,
Then doe: and with that word so deeply sigh't,
As though death on her broken heart did light.
He thinking that her griefes extremitie
Did interrupt the office of her tung,
And moued with her words did seeme to pitie,
When falling downe vpon her neck he hung,
And sayes, if my delaying could acquite ye
From this sharpe grieuance, that your heart hath stung,
I would not leaue you for the worlds wealth,
Nor worke disparagement vnto your health.
Did interrupt the office of her tung,
And moued with her words did seeme to pitie,
When falling downe vpon her neck he hung,
And sayes, if my delaying could acquite ye
From this sharpe grieuance, that your heart hath stung,
I would not leaue you for the worlds wealth,
Nor worke disparagement vnto your health.
But this delay can worke you no redresse,
But hurt me with the sight of this your payne,
And all the other knights themselues addresse,
To goe vnto the feast where I would fayne
Accompany them, as my oth expresse
Doth binde me, but I will returne againe,
Before the sunne remoue his fierie wheeles,
Turning vnto our view his panting Palfreyes heeles.
But hurt me with the sight of this your payne,
And all the other knights themselues addresse,
To goe vnto the feast where I would fayne
Accompany them, as my oth expresse
Doth binde me, but I will returne againe,
Before the sunne remoue his fierie wheeles,
Turning vnto our view his panting Palfreyes heeles.
This sayd, he went from out her burning sight,
Stopping his eares vnto her playning cryes,
And she still prayes to pitie wofull wight,
But like the faithles Troian Knight he flyes,
Leauing sweete Dido swelling in despight,
Who powring raging playnts self-wounded dyes.
So is this Knight from out her hearing gone,
And she can onely hope he comes anone.
Stopping his eares vnto her playning cryes,
And she still prayes to pitie wofull wight,
But like the faithles Troian Knight he flyes,
Leauing sweete Dido swelling in despight,
Who powring raging playnts self-wounded dyes.
So is this Knight from out her hearing gone,
And she can onely hope he comes anone.
But how he sped, and she was left alone,
The sequence of the story shall declare,
But sweet Uiceina doth so deepely grone,
Burdened with ouerpressing load of care,
That sure my heart relents to heare her mone,
And Ile assay to cause her better fare,
For what hard heart would not all seruice doe,
To helpe a fayre, a chast, a woman too?
The sequence of the story shall declare,
But sweet Uiceina doth so deepely grone,
Burdened with ouerpressing load of care,
That sure my heart relents to heare her mone,
And Ile assay to cause her better fare,
For what hard heart would not all seruice doe,
To helpe a fayre, a chast, a woman too?
| Thvle | |