Arisbas, Euphues amidst his slumbers Or Cupid's Iourney to Hell. Decyphering a myrror of Constancie, a Touch-stone of tried affection, begun in chaste desires, ended in choise delights: And emblasoning Beauties glorie, adorned by Natures bountie. VVith the Trivmph of Trve Loue, in the Soyle of false Fortune. By I. D. i.e. John Dickenson] |
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The strife of Loue and Beautie. |
 | Arisbas, Euphues amidst his slumbers |  |
The strife of Loue and Beautie.
Loue was arm'd with fatall bowe,Shafts which mother did bestowe,
Mother gaue, but Father framde,
Father, Mother, both were blamde.
Wanton Goddesse did beguile
Husband with a feigned smile:
For a kisse she did obtaine
(Labor neuer spent in vaine,)
That her Sonne by Vulcanes trade
Might the chiefest God be made.
Thus she wonne him to her will,
(Wily worke of womans skill)
But the boy more proude then wise,
Waues his wings and foorth he flyes.
Soone as he on earth had lighted,
Thus the fondling was despighted.
As he vaunted vncontrolde
Thinking all that glisterd golde,
Terming in a foolish thought
Which his selfe-conceipt had wrought,
Heau'n his foote-stoole, Gods his marke,
Men his obiects, earth his parke,
Gods and men his hunting game,
Beauty natures deareling came:
Beautie clad in natiue hue,
Whome the Graces did endue
With rich plentie of their gifts,
Beautie cause of witty shifts:
Beautie with whose worth delighted,
Poets haue sweet hymns endited:
Faire as is the ruddy morne,
Leauing restfull bowre forlorne.
Rising from old Tithones bed,
Thus this fairest of all faire,
Deind to grace the liquide aire:
Passing by where loue did stand,
Holding powre-full bowe in hand
Not saluting as she went,
Him that rag'd in discontent.
Boyling wrath must issue finde,
Wrath that boilde in troubled minde
For the ease of whose vnrest,
Thus his furie was exprest.
Loue said he was Beauties better:
She said Loue was Natures debter.
Loue exclaimde on Beauties pride,
Which all duties force denide.
She said Loue receiude no wrong,
Where no dutie did belong.
None might craue peculiar right,
Sith they were of equall might.
He said beautie nere preuailed,
But where Loue the heart assailed.
Beautie for it selfe admired,
His shafts causde to be desired.
For where Loue bred no remorse,
There had beautie litle force.
Psyche was more faire then any:
Loude of few, though likde of many.
Yet so likde that not affected:
Sisters sped, but she reiected.
Yet, quoth Beautie Psyche gainde
Cupids heart to her enchainde.
Where was then his wonted might?
Vanquishde by a womans sight?
Thus fell Loue into a trip:
Thus she galde him with a quip.
She said it was her allurement.
Loue said beautie pleasde the eie,
But he wrought hearts sympathie.
She said heart when eye had viewde,
Was by beauties force subdude.
He said beautie soone decaide:
She said loue no longer staide,
Then while beautie was in prime:
Thus did both giue place to time.
Cupid grieude with these replies,
Framde by her in taunting wise:
Sware by dreadfull Stygian lake,
(Greatest vow that gods can make)
That he would no more descend,
Till he did this quarrell end:
Vowing by his godheads might,
Beauties darlings to despight.
Thus he saies, and vp he flies
Swiftly through the Empyre skies.
If men might this strife decide,
As by men it should be tride,
Then would all agree in one,
Beautie can preuaile alone:
Beautie able to enthrall,
Eyes and heart, and thoughts and all:
Yet three powers in one assenting
Stroke mine heart, heart soone relenting.
Eyes saw beautie and admirde it,
Loue saw heart, through eyes he firde it,
But faire lookes did first constraine
Cupids shafts to shape my paine.
Fairer Vertue beauties iewel,
Bad mee not pronounce Loue cruel.
Loue that forc'd me to affect,
Beauties worth by Vertue deckt:
Ease at last my loathed griefe.
| Arisbas, Euphues amidst his slumbers | |