[Ariostos seven planets governing Italie or his satyrs] [by Robert Tofte] |
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Elegie. III. The complaint of the third Gentleman Disauenturato,
who ouercome with an extreme passion of rage, burnt out his owne eyes with the
scorching heate of the Sunnes beames.
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 | [Ariostos seven planets governing Italie or his satyrs] |  |
Elegie. III. The complaint of the third Gentleman Disauenturato, who ouercome with an extreme passion of rage, burnt out his owne eyes with the scorching heate of the Sunnes beames.
Behold a Martyr for pure loue,
Who more then common plagues do proue:
All my desires are blasted dead,
My hopes quite dash't and buried.
Yet if my soule haue any sence,
And that all is not banisht thence:
Once more ile tell my grieues againe,
T'augment, and not to mend my paine.
'Twas not my lauish tongue o're bold,
Nor iealousie now hot, now cold.
That this my blindnesse to me brought,
But proud eyes onely this hath wrought.
VVhilst on a time I needs would trie,
To gaze vpon a maiestie.
More bright then are the radiant beames,
VVhich from the orient Sunne forth streames.
And when presumption needs would venter,
Into her sacred brest to enter,
VVhose heart like Adamant was strong
Yet was my fault lesse then the wrong.
I did sustaine, since to my cost,
My heart (being there betraid) was lost.
Who more then common plagues do proue:
All my desires are blasted dead,
My hopes quite dash't and buried.
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And that all is not banisht thence:
Once more ile tell my grieues againe,
T'augment, and not to mend my paine.
'Twas not my lauish tongue o're bold,
Nor iealousie now hot, now cold.
That this my blindnesse to me brought,
But proud eyes onely this hath wrought.
VVhilst on a time I needs would trie,
To gaze vpon a maiestie.
More bright then are the radiant beames,
VVhich from the orient Sunne forth streames.
And when presumption needs would venter,
Into her sacred brest to enter,
VVhose heart like Adamant was strong
Yet was my fault lesse then the wrong.
I did sustaine, since to my cost,
My heart (being there betraid) was lost.
But see the penance I did find,
Mine eyes for pride were striken blind:
And hauing seru'd a tedious space,
Yet more vnlike to purchase grace,
Despairing of all happy fortune,
As one whom madnesse did importune,
I turnd mine eyes against the Sunne,
And praid by him to be vndone:
So long I gazed on his light,
Till quite was burnt out all my sight,
Thinking it better farre for mee,
To loose the light, then liue and see:
And neuer hope I shall obtaine,
That sacred she I sought in vaine.
Hence come the cause, my heart ere since,
Mine eyes of pride doth still conuince,
And most because their follies daine,
To wish and want hope to obtaine.
Mine eyes for pride were striken blind:
And hauing seru'd a tedious space,
Yet more vnlike to purchase grace,
Despairing of all happy fortune,
As one whom madnesse did importune,
I turnd mine eyes against the Sunne,
And praid by him to be vndone:
So long I gazed on his light,
Till quite was burnt out all my sight,
Thinking it better farre for mee,
To loose the light, then liue and see:
And neuer hope I shall obtaine,
That sacred she I sought in vaine.
Hence come the cause, my heart ere since,
Mine eyes of pride doth still conuince,
And most because their follies daine,
To wish and want hope to obtaine.
How oft haue I beheld the Sunne,
And cride out, poore lampe th'art vndone,
Thy vertue neuer had the power,
To doe what this light at this hower
Hath done to me? then if thou dare,
Thy darksome beames with hers compare,
Beleeue it thou wilt blinder bee,
Then thy sharpe beames haue now made mee.
Yet I no reason had to grieue,
Or to the Sunne such taunts to giue,
But that I found my selfe ore'throwne,
By that selfe weapon was mine owne.
I had no sence to entertaine
Those foes by whom I still am slaine:
And which my hearts fort hath betraid,
And my losse most eternall made.
O you mine eyes what haue you done,
You such a fatall threed haue spunne,
As still I must on you vnkind,
Complaine, though neuer comfort find.
And cride out, poore lampe th'art vndone,
Thy vertue neuer had the power,
To doe what this light at this hower
Hath done to me? then if thou dare,
Thy darksome beames with hers compare,
Beleeue it thou wilt blinder bee,
Then thy sharpe beames haue now made mee.
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Or to the Sunne such taunts to giue,
But that I found my selfe ore'throwne,
By that selfe weapon was mine owne.
I had no sence to entertaine
Those foes by whom I still am slaine:
And which my hearts fort hath betraid,
And my losse most eternall made.
O you mine eyes what haue you done,
You such a fatall threed haue spunne,
As still I must on you vnkind,
Complaine, though neuer comfort find.
Alas I pitty others so,
That I am loath the world should know,
That such a beauty, fayre, yet cruell,
Of all my torment is the fuell.
Least seeking on the same to prye,
They chance to proue as blind as I.
Yet will I tell to mine owne shame,
How I was plagu'd, and whence it came.
That I am loath the world should know,
That such a beauty, fayre, yet cruell,
Of all my torment is the fuell.
Least seeking on the same to prye,
They chance to proue as blind as I.
Yet will I tell to mine owne shame,
How I was plagu'd, and whence it came.
VVithin a Temple more then faire,
A type of her best beauty rare,
(VVhilst Gods and men I witnesse take,
T'is dutie to die for her sake)
A Temple that all all others farre
Exceeded, being past compare:
(And ouer all the world so fam'd,
Being of holy matter fram'd.)
Was her rare bodie, and so fine,
Compact by Architect diuine,
That he which seeth her will sweare,
In Paradise she formed were.
A type of her best beauty rare,
(VVhilst Gods and men I witnesse take,
T'is dutie to die for her sake)
A Temple that all all others farre
Exceeded, being past compare:
(And ouer all the world so fam'd,
Being of holy matter fram'd.)
Was her rare bodie, and so fine,
Compact by Architect diuine,
That he which seeth her will sweare,
In Paradise she formed were.
Vpon th'one faire and th'other soote,
Stands of this building the firme roote,
Making large Basses in the same,
After a daintie nouell frame.
And on the Iuory gate most bright,
Was carued faire in letters white,
In Pities lap, Hope lieth dead:
No man whose entrance here is led
Better must thinke, louers be wise,
And looke you gouerne well your eyes,
Hence bridle your desires o're proud,
And by Loues hand write seald aloud:
O you that enter in hereat,
Despaire, no hope comes from this gate.
Stands of this building the firme roote,
Making large Basses in the same,
After a daintie nouell frame.
And on the Iuory gate most bright,
Was carued faire in letters white,
In Pities lap, Hope lieth dead:
No man whose entrance here is led
Better must thinke, louers be wise,
And looke you gouerne well your eyes,
Hence bridle your desires o're proud,
And by Loues hand write seald aloud:
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Despaire, no hope comes from this gate.
The precious workmanship which did,
Adorne this Fane, and ne're was hid,
Bright glistering abroad each where,
Were her rich looks, her curled haire,
Lac't vp with pearle, yet they like gold,
Then Sunne more glorious to behold.
Adorne this Fane, and ne're was hid,
Bright glistering abroad each where,
Were her rich looks, her curled haire,
Lac't vp with pearle, yet they like gold,
Then Sunne more glorious to behold.
The holy Churches sacred quire,
The sight of which (all) did aspire,
Was her rare brest of Adamant,
Where Angels musicke was not scant,
Breathing from thence an holy sound,
Of words, most wise speech, most profound,
The chiefe seates of this quire aboue,
Were her round dugs: in th'one was loue,
In th'other was his mother plac'st,
And both in both these seats were grac'st,
Glory attending on them there,
And make them know no other sphere.
In th'other roomes which are below,
Sit lonely Amours all arow.
Sporting and dallying bout her still,
Yet euer pliant to her will.
The sight of which (all) did aspire,
Was her rare brest of Adamant,
Where Angels musicke was not scant,
Breathing from thence an holy sound,
Of words, most wise speech, most profound,
The chiefe seates of this quire aboue,
Were her round dugs: in th'one was loue,
In th'other was his mother plac'st,
And both in both these seats were grac'st,
Glory attending on them there,
And make them know no other sphere.
In th'other roomes which are below,
Sit lonely Amours all arow.
Sporting and dallying bout her still,
Yet euer pliant to her will.
The path to that rare Vesterie,
Vnworthy to be seene with eye,
And which no guide hath power to show.
Any how they may thither goe,
Was that sweete honie dulcet way,
Whereas a pleasing death doth stay.
(As watchfull gardian) still thereat,
Not onely not to ope the gate.
To such as doe the same require,
But also euery vaine desire.
And proud thought hindreth there to enter,
Chasing away all haught aduenture.
And if that any spite of Fate,
Perforce will enter in hereat,
Behold then chastitie and feare,
Arm'd at all peeces standeth there,
And eyther doth command retreate,
Or sheweth instant deaths defaite.
Vnworthy to be seene with eye,
And which no guide hath power to show.
Any how they may thither goe,
Was that sweete honie dulcet way,
Whereas a pleasing death doth stay.
(As watchfull gardian) still thereat,
Not onely not to ope the gate.
To such as doe the same require,
But also euery vaine desire.
And proud thought hindreth there to enter,
Chasing away all haught aduenture.
And if that any spite of Fate,
Perforce will enter in hereat,
Behold then chastitie and feare,
Arm'd at all peeces standeth there,
And eyther doth command retreate,
Or sheweth instant deaths defaite.
The stately pillar which sustaines,
The holy Altars sacred beames,
Was that faire Cristaline white throate,
From whence the fire of loue doth smoake.
The holy Altars sacred beames,
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From whence the fire of loue doth smoake.
The goddesse which is worshipt there,
Her beauty is, which hath no peare.
On whom attends with dutiousnesse,
Pleasing delight, sweete louelinesse,
Respectiue Hauiour, Modestie,
Courtlike aspect, high Maiesty.
Her beauty is, which hath no peare.
On whom attends with dutiousnesse,
Pleasing delight, sweete louelinesse,
Respectiue Hauiour, Modestie,
Courtlike aspect, high Maiesty.
The sacrifice that offred was,
(By holy Flamins in their Masse)
Before that Image, was mine heart,
Which felt the fires continuall smart,
Onely to please her sacred eyes,
Whose light did dimme the bright daies skies.
And as he consecrates the same,
This humble speech he doth declaime:
Lo here this is his heart whom death,
Canonizeth the best of faith.
Who cannot giue thee more then this,
His true loues spoyles, and liuing blisse,
Whilest he his heart for incense lendeth,
And his best bloud in deare drops spendeth.
(By holy Flamins in their Masse)
Before that Image, was mine heart,
Which felt the fires continuall smart,
Onely to please her sacred eyes,
Whose light did dimme the bright daies skies.
And as he consecrates the same,
This humble speech he doth declaime:
Lo here this is his heart whom death,
Canonizeth the best of faith.
Who cannot giue thee more then this,
His true loues spoyles, and liuing blisse,
Whilest he his heart for incense lendeth,
And his best bloud in deare drops spendeth.
The toarches which gaue th'Altar light,
Blazing with beames most cleare and bright,
And that faire lampe which Cupid takes,
VVhen he his fire for louers makes,
VVere her two cheekes, which plainly show
How roses did in Lyllies grow.
Blazing with beames most cleare and bright,
And that faire lampe which Cupid takes,
VVhen he his fire for louers makes,
VVere her two cheekes, which plainly show
How roses did in Lyllies grow.
Before this sacred Deity,
Arabian incense plenteously,
A rare and precious vessell throwes,
Which was her straight and well form'd nose.
Arabian incense plenteously,
A rare and precious vessell throwes,
Which was her straight and well form'd nose.
The holy relicke that was plac'st
On the hie Altar richly inchast,
Was th'hidden tongue of her mouth sweete,
Her mouth for Gods then men more meete.
And which if any durst to kisse,
Death was the doome for his amisse.
On the hie Altar richly inchast,
Was th'hidden tongue of her mouth sweete,
Her mouth for Gods then men more meete.
And which if any durst to kisse,
Death was the doome for his amisse.
Of Pearle and Rubie double rowes,
Did stand like guards of armed foes,
Before the Chauncell, to forbid
That none should touch such treasure hid.
Did stand like guards of armed foes,
Before the Chauncell, to forbid
That none should touch such treasure hid.
A lampe before the Alar was,
Whose flame each glorious shine did passe:
Which was the brightnesse of her eyes,
Sparkling so faire in Cupids skies,
As not alone it men did moue,
But heauenly Angels vnto loue.
Now he whose pride dares be so bold,
As this Sunnes beauty to behold,
Be sure his best reward is blindnesse,
His worst is death with much vnkindnesse.
Now he whose Atheisme doth denay,
Her power in this, let him suruey
My martyrdome, and he shall see,
Mine owne woes proues her deity,
Whose flame each glorious shine did passe:
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Sparkling so faire in Cupids skies,
As not alone it men did moue,
But heauenly Angels vnto loue.
Now he whose pride dares be so bold,
As this Sunnes beauty to behold,
Be sure his best reward is blindnesse,
His worst is death with much vnkindnesse.
Now he whose Atheisme doth denay,
Her power in this, let him suruey
My martyrdome, and he shall see,
Mine owne woes proues her deity,
The sentences writ in this Fane,
Showing the greatnesse of the goddesse name,
Which as as title was set downe,
To shew her vertues and renowne,
Was her cleare forehead, where did sit
Venus recording holy writ,
Whilst she with her tooke counsell graue,
How loue might make the world her slaue.
Showing the greatnesse of the goddesse name,
Which as as title was set downe,
To shew her vertues and renowne,
Was her cleare forehead, where did sit
Venus recording holy writ,
Whilst she with her tooke counsell graue,
How loue might make the world her slaue.
The arch and vault of this faire worke,
(Wherein so many graces lurke)
Were her blacke eye-browes, louely, faire,
Form'd like a cressent or a Semiphere,
O're which imagination might
Reade these faire words by darke or light:
O you that see this heauenly story,
With care and reuerence marke her glory,
(Wherein so many graces lurke)
Were her blacke eye-browes, louely, faire,
Form'd like a cressent or a Semiphere,
O're which imagination might
Reade these faire words by darke or light:
O you that see this heauenly story,
With care and reuerence marke her glory,
The wings of th'one and th'other side,
Which equall measure did deuide,
Were her fine armes whose chaine-like frame
Intangled me when first I came
Within this labyrinth of delight,
Whose purchase is my losse of sight.
Which equall measure did deuide,
Were her fine armes whose chaine-like frame
Intangled me when first I came
Within this labyrinth of delight,
Whose purchase is my losse of sight.
The walles which this did compasse round,
Were made of mixed stuffe profound,
Halfe Alablaster passing white,
The rest Azure and Cristall bright.
So that without the splendor gaue,
To euery side such lustre braue,
Euen as we see a twinckling starre,
Shine bright thoug ne're in heauen so farre.
Were made of mixed stuffe profound,
Halfe Alablaster passing white,
The rest Azure and Cristall bright.
So that without the splendor gaue,
To euery side such lustre braue,
Euen as we see a twinckling starre,
Shine bright thoug ne're in heauen so farre.
The sacrificers which did stand,
In readinesse and at commaund,
Religious rites to put in vre,
Were chastest wishes, thoughts most pure,
Murtherers of such as were too bold,
Lasciuious, wanton, vncontrold.
In readinesse and at commaund,
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Were chastest wishes, thoughts most pure,
Murtherers of such as were too bold,
Lasciuious, wanton, vncontrold.
The ornaments and hangings rich,
Of this braue Temple cald None such,
Were chearefull Smiles and Courtesie,
Grace, Honour, Fauour from the eye.
Of this braue Temple cald None such,
Were chearefull Smiles and Courtesie,
Grace, Honour, Fauour from the eye.
The keeper that this place kept charm'd,
Was her stout heart in diamond arm'd,
Whom loue could neuer gentle make,
Nor euer force it pittie take.
Was her stout heart in diamond arm'd,
Whom loue could neuer gentle make,
Nor euer force it pittie take.
Without the walles, the dore hard by,
You might see stand obsequiously,
A wofull heirse, whose dismall frame
VVas made of sorrow, griefe, and shame.
By which my loyall faith stood mourning,
In sable blacke all comfort scorning,
Performing all the funerall fires,
Belonging to my dead desires.
VVithout all pompe it was perform'd:
VVith no one show of state adorn'd:
Onely made blacke, with the blacke smoake,
VVhich mine oft sighing did prouoke.
This was reseru'd till time should call,
My dead selfe to its funerall,
VVhich day I feele drawes nie and nie,
Through anguish of my misery.
You might see stand obsequiously,
A wofull heirse, whose dismall frame
VVas made of sorrow, griefe, and shame.
By which my loyall faith stood mourning,
In sable blacke all comfort scorning,
Performing all the funerall fires,
Belonging to my dead desires.
VVithout all pompe it was perform'd:
VVith no one show of state adorn'd:
Onely made blacke, with the blacke smoake,
VVhich mine oft sighing did prouoke.
This was reseru'd till time should call,
My dead selfe to its funerall,
VVhich day I feele drawes nie and nie,
Through anguish of my misery.
No maruaile though this Temple then,
(VVhich brings all blisse to mortall men)
Haue at the foote a maze or way,
In which continually I stray,
Nor wonder that I am a foole,
Since all I learne is from loues schoole,
His schoole which in this lab'rinth is,
VVhere I am prisoned for my misse.
This and my pride is all the cause,
I am condemned by loues stearne lawes
To liue a president to all mankind,
Because that mine audacious mind
Counsail'd min eyes to view that Sunne,
By whose faire beames I am vndone:
I am vndone, since all my sight,
Is lost by hauing too much light.
Which light I saw could conquer loue,
Much more compell me more to loue,
My comfort's this, my Lady's such,
As I cannot endure too much.
For as my punishments are rare,
So she that plagues me is most faire.
And yet no plague, t'is but a toy,
Eternally to beare annoy
For her whose beauty and rare grace,
Filles with true prayses euery place.
(VVhich brings all blisse to mortall men)
Haue at the foote a maze or way,
In which continually I stray,
Nor wonder that I am a foole,
Since all I learne is from loues schoole,
His schoole which in this lab'rinth is,
VVhere I am prisoned for my misse.
This and my pride is all the cause,
I am condemned by loues stearne lawes
To liue a president to all mankind,
Because that mine audacious mind
Counsail'd min eyes to view that Sunne,
By whose faire beames I am vndone:
I am vndone, since all my sight,
Is lost by hauing too much light.
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Much more compell me more to loue,
My comfort's this, my Lady's such,
As I cannot endure too much.
For as my punishments are rare,
So she that plagues me is most faire.
And yet no plague, t'is but a toy,
Eternally to beare annoy
For her whose beauty and rare grace,
Filles with true prayses euery place.
| [Ariostos seven planets governing Italie or his satyrs] | |