 | The Complete Works of George Gascoigne |  |
182
The fable of Philomela.
In
Athens reignde somtimes,
A king of worthy fame,
Who kept in courte a stately traine,
Pandyon was his name.
A king of worthy fame,
Who kept in courte a stately traine,
Pandyon was his name.
And had the Gods him given,
No holly breade of happe,
(I meane such fruts as make mē thinke
They lye in fortunes lappe)
No holly breade of happe,
(I meane such fruts as make mē thinke
They lye in fortunes lappe)
Then had his golden giftes,
Lyen dead with him in toombe,
Ne but himselfe had none endurde,
The daunger of his doome.
Lyen dead with him in toombe,
Ne but himselfe had none endurde,
The daunger of his doome.
But smyling lucke, bewitcht,
This peerelesse Prince to thinke,
That poyson cannot be conveyde
In draughts of pleasant drinke.
This peerelesse Prince to thinke,
That poyson cannot be conveyde
In draughts of pleasant drinke.
And kinde became so kind,
That he two daughters had,
Of bewtie such & so well given,
As made their father gladde.
That he two daughters had,
Of bewtie such & so well given,
As made their father gladde.
See: see: how highest harmes,
Do lurke in ripest Joyes,
How covertly doth sorow shrowde,
In trymmest worldely toyes.
Do lurke in ripest Joyes,
How covertly doth sorow shrowde,
In trymmest worldely toyes.
These jewels of his joy,
Became his cause of care,
And bewtie was the guileful bayte,
Which caught their lives in Snare.
Became his cause of care,
And bewtie was the guileful bayte,
Which caught their lives in Snare.
For Tereus Lord of Thrace,
Bycause he came of kings,
(So weddings made for worldly welth
Do seme triumphant things)
Bycause he came of kings,
(So weddings made for worldly welth
Do seme triumphant things)
183
Was thought a worthy matche,
Pandyons heire to wedde:
Whose eldest daughter chosen was,
To serve this king in bedde.
Pandyons heire to wedde:
Whose eldest daughter chosen was,
To serve this king in bedde.
That virgine Progne hight,
And she by whom I meane,
To tell this woful Tragedie,
Was called Phylomene.
And she by whom I meane,
To tell this woful Tragedie,
Was called Phylomene.
The wedding rytes performde,
The feasting done and past,
To Thrace with his new wedded spouse
He turneth at the last.
The feasting done and past,
To Thrace with his new wedded spouse
He turneth at the last.
Where many dayes in mirth,
And jolytie they spent,
Both satisfied with deepe delight,
And cloyde with al content.
And jolytie they spent,
Both satisfied with deepe delight,
And cloyde with al content.
At last the dame desirde
Hir sister for to see,
Such coles of kindely love did seme
Within hir brest to be.
Hir sister for to see,
Such coles of kindely love did seme
Within hir brest to be.
She praies hir Lorde, of grace,
He graunts to hir request,
And hoist up saile, to seke the coaste,
Where Phylomene doth rest.
He graunts to hir request,
And hoist up saile, to seke the coaste,
Where Phylomene doth rest.
He past the foming seas,
And findes the pleasant porte,
Of Athens towne, which guided him
To King Pandyons court.
And findes the pleasant porte,
Of Athens towne, which guided him
To King Pandyons court.
There: (lovingly receivde,
And) welcomde by the king,
He shewde the cause, which thither then
Did his ambassade bring.
And) welcomde by the king,
He shewde the cause, which thither then
Did his ambassade bring.
His father him embrast,
His sister kist his cheeke,
In al the court his comming was
Rejoyst of everie Greeke.
His sister kist his cheeke,
In al the court his comming was
Rejoyst of everie Greeke.
184
Oh see the sweete deceit,
Which blindeth worldly wits.
How common peoples love by lumpes,
And fancie comes by fits.
Which blindeth worldly wits.
How common peoples love by lumpes,
And fancie comes by fits.
The foe in friendly wise,
Is many times embraste,
And he which meanes most faith & troth
By grudging is disgrast.
Is many times embraste,
And he which meanes most faith & troth
By grudging is disgrast.
Faire Phylomene came forth
In comely garments cladde,
As one whom newes of sisters helth
Had moved to be gladde,
In comely garments cladde,
As one whom newes of sisters helth
Had moved to be gladde,
Or womans wil (perhappes)
Enflamde hir haughtie harte,
To get more grace by crūmes of cost,
And princke it out hir parte.
Enflamde hir haughtie harte,
To get more grace by crūmes of cost,
And princke it out hir parte.
Whom he no sooner sawe
(I meane this Thracian prince)
But streight therwith his fancies fume
All reason did convince.
(I meane this Thracian prince)
But streight therwith his fancies fume
All reason did convince.
And as the blazing bronde,
Might kindle rotten reeds:
Even so hir looke a secret flame,
Within his bosome breedes.
Might kindle rotten reeds:
Even so hir looke a secret flame,
Within his bosome breedes.
He thinkes al leysure long
Til he (with hir) were gone,
And hir he makes to move the mirth,
Which after made hir mone.
Til he (with hir) were gone,
And hir he makes to move the mirth,
Which after made hir mone.
Love made him eloquent
And if he cravde too much,
He then excusde him selfe, and saide
That Prognes words were such.
And if he cravde too much,
He then excusde him selfe, and saide
That Prognes words were such.
His teares confirmed all
Teares: like to sisters teares,
As who shuld say by these fewe drops
Thy sisters griefe appeares.
Teares: like to sisters teares,
As who shuld say by these fewe drops
Thy sisters griefe appeares.
185
So finely could he faine,
That wickednesse seemde wit,
And by the lawde of his pretence,
His lewdnesse was acquit.
That wickednesse seemde wit,
And by the lawde of his pretence,
His lewdnesse was acquit.
Yea Phylomene set forth
The force of his request,
And cravde (with sighes) hir fathers leave
To be hir sisters guest.
The force of his request,
And cravde (with sighes) hir fathers leave
To be hir sisters guest.
And hoong about his necke
And collingly him kist,
And for hir welth did seke the woe
Wherof she little wist.
And collingly him kist,
And for hir welth did seke the woe
Wherof she little wist.
Meane while stoode Tereus,
Beholding their affectes,
And made those pricks (for his desire)
A spurre in al respects.
Beholding their affectes,
And made those pricks (for his desire)
A spurre in al respects.
And wisht himselfe hir sire,
When she hir sire embrast,
For neither kith nor kin could then
Have made his meaning chast.
When she hir sire embrast,
For neither kith nor kin could then
Have made his meaning chast.
The Grecian king had not
The powre for to denay,
His own deare child, & sonne in lawe
The thing that both did pray.
The powre for to denay,
His own deare child, & sonne in lawe
The thing that both did pray.
And downe his daughter falles,
To thanke him on hir knee,
Supposing that for good successe,
Which hardest happe must be.
To thanke him on hir knee,
Supposing that for good successe,
Which hardest happe must be.
But (least my tale seeme long,)
Their shipping is preparde:
And to the shore this aged Greeke,
Ful princely did them guard.
Their shipping is preparde:
And to the shore this aged Greeke,
Ful princely did them guard.
There (melting into mone)
He usde this parting speech:
Daughter (quoth he) you have desire
Your sisters court to seech.
He usde this parting speech:
Daughter (quoth he) you have desire
Your sisters court to seech.
186
Your sister seemes likewise,
Your companie to crave,
That crave you both, & Tereus here
The selfe same thing would have.
Your companie to crave,
That crave you both, & Tereus here
The selfe same thing would have.
Ne coulde I more withstande
So many deepe desires,
But this (quoth he) remember al
Your father you requires,
So many deepe desires,
But this (quoth he) remember al
Your father you requires,
And thee (my sonne of Thrace,)
I constantly conjure,
By faith, by kin, by men, by gods,
And al that seemeth sure,
I constantly conjure,
By faith, by kin, by men, by gods,
And al that seemeth sure,
That father like, thou fende
My daughter deare from scathe,
And (since I counte al leasure long)
Returne hir to me rathe.
My daughter deare from scathe,
And (since I counte al leasure long)
Returne hir to me rathe.
And thou my Phylomene,
(Quoth he) come soone againe,
Thy sisters absence puts thy syre,
To too much privie paine.
(Quoth he) come soone againe,
Thy sisters absence puts thy syre,
To too much privie paine.
Herewith he kist hir cheeke,
And sent a second kisse
For Prognes part, and (bathde with teares)
His daughter doth he blisse.
And sent a second kisse
For Prognes part, and (bathde with teares)
His daughter doth he blisse.
And tooke the Thracyans hand
For token of his truth,
Who rather laught his teares to scorn,
Than wept with him for ruth.
For token of his truth,
Who rather laught his teares to scorn,
Than wept with him for ruth.
The sayles are fully spredde,
And winds did serve at will,
And forth this traitour king conveies
His praie in prison still.
And winds did serve at will,
And forth this traitour king conveies
His praie in prison still.
Ne could the Barbrous bloud,
Conceale his filthy fyre,
Hey: Victorie (quoth he) my shippe
Is fraught with my desire.
Conceale his filthy fyre,
Hey: Victorie (quoth he) my shippe
Is fraught with my desire.
187
Wherewith he fixt his eyes,
Uppon hir fearefull face.
And stil behelde hir gestures all,
And all hir gleames of grace.
Uppon hir fearefull face.
And stil behelde hir gestures all,
And all hir gleames of grace.
Ne could he loke a side,
But like the cruel catte
Which gloating casteth many a glāce
Upon the selly ratte.
But like the cruel catte
Which gloating casteth many a glāce
Upon the selly ratte.
Why hold I long discourse?
They now are come on lande,
And forth of ship the feareful wenche
He leadeth by the hande
They now are come on lande,
And forth of ship the feareful wenche
He leadeth by the hande
Unto a selly shrowde,
A sheepecote closely builte
Amid the woodds, where many a lāb
Their guiltlesse bloud had spilte,
A sheepecote closely builte
Amid the woodds, where many a lāb
Their guiltlesse bloud had spilte,
There (like a lambe,) she stoode,
And askte with trimbling voice,
Where Progne was, whose only sight
Might make hir to rejoyce.
And askte with trimbling voice,
Where Progne was, whose only sight
Might make hir to rejoyce.
Wherewith this caytife king
His lust in lewdnesse lapt,
And with his filthy fraude ful fast
This simple mayde entrapt.
His lust in lewdnesse lapt,
And with his filthy fraude ful fast
This simple mayde entrapt.
And forth he floong the raines,
Unbridling blinde desire,
And ment of hir chast minde to make
A fewel for his fire.
Unbridling blinde desire,
And ment of hir chast minde to make
A fewel for his fire.
And al alone (alone)
With force he hir supprest,
And made hir yelde the wicked weede
Whose flowre he liked best.
With force he hir supprest,
And made hir yelde the wicked weede
Whose flowre he liked best.
What could the virgine doe?
She could not runne away,
Whose forward feete, his harmfull hands
With furious force did stay.
She could not runne away,
Whose forward feete, his harmfull hands
With furious force did stay.
188
Ahlas what should she fight?
Fewe women win by fight:
Hir weapōs were but weake (god knows)
And he was much of might.
Fewe women win by fight:
Hir weapōs were but weake (god knows)
And he was much of might.
It booted not to crie,
Since helpe was not at hande,
And stil before hir feareful face,
Hir cruel foe did stande.
Since helpe was not at hande,
And stil before hir feareful face,
Hir cruel foe did stande.
And yet she (weeping cride)
Uppon hir sisters name,
Hir fathers, and hir brothers (oh)
Whose facte did foyle hir fame.
Uppon hir sisters name,
Hir fathers, and hir brothers (oh)
Whose facte did foyle hir fame.
And on the Gods she calde,
For helpe in hir distresse,
But al in vaine he wrought his wil
Whose lust was not the lesse.
For helpe in hir distresse,
But al in vaine he wrought his wil
Whose lust was not the lesse.
The filthie fact once done,
He gave hir leave to greete,
And there she sat much like a birde
New scapte from falcons feete.
He gave hir leave to greete,
And there she sat much like a birde
New scapte from falcons feete.
Whose blood embrues hir selfe,
And sitts in sorie plight,
Ne dare she proine hir plumes again,
But feares a second flight.
And sitts in sorie plight,
Ne dare she proine hir plumes again,
But feares a second flight.
At last when hart came home,
Discheveld as she sate,
With hands uphelde, she tried hir tongue,
To wreake hir woful state.
Discheveld as she sate,
With hands uphelde, she tried hir tongue,
To wreake hir woful state.
O Barbrous blood (quoth she)
By Barbarous deeds disgrast,
Coulde no kinde coale, nor pitties sparke,
Within thy brest be plaste?
By Barbarous deeds disgrast,
Coulde no kinde coale, nor pitties sparke,
Within thy brest be plaste?
Could not my fathers hests
Nor my most ruthful teares,
My maydenhoode, nor thine owne yoke,
Affright thy minde with feares?
Nor my most ruthful teares,
My maydenhoode, nor thine owne yoke,
Affright thy minde with feares?
189
Could not my sisters love
Once quench thy filthy lust?
Thou foilst us al, and eke thy selfe,
We griev'd, and thou unjust.
Once quench thy filthy lust?
Thou foilst us al, and eke thy selfe,
We griev'd, and thou unjust.
By thee I have defilde
My dearest sisters bedde
By thee I compt the life but lost,
Which too too long I ledde.
My dearest sisters bedde
By thee I compt the life but lost,
Which too too long I ledde.
By thee (thou Bigamus)
Our fathers griefe must growe,
Who daughters twain, (& two too much)
Uppon thee did bestowe.
Our fathers griefe must growe,
Who daughters twain, (& two too much)
Uppon thee did bestowe.
But since my faulte, thy facte,
My fathers just offence,
My sisters wrong, with my reproche,
I cannot so dispence.
My fathers just offence,
My sisters wrong, with my reproche,
I cannot so dispence.
If any Gods be good
If right in heaven do raigne,
If right or wrong may make revenge,
Thou shalt be paide againe.
If right in heaven do raigne,
If right or wrong may make revenge,
Thou shalt be paide againe.
And (wicked) doe thy wurst,
Thou canst no more but kil:
And oh that death (before this gilte)
Had overcome my will.
Thou canst no more but kil:
And oh that death (before this gilte)
Had overcome my will.
Then might my soule beneath,
Have triumpht yet and saide,
That though I died discontent,
I livde and dide a mayde.
Have triumpht yet and saide,
That though I died discontent,
I livde and dide a mayde.
Herewith hir swelling sobbes,
Did tie hir tong from talke,
Whiles yet the Thraciā tyrant (there)
To heare these words did walke.
Did tie hir tong from talke,
Whiles yet the Thraciā tyrant (there)
To heare these words did walke.
And skornefully he cast
At hir a frowning glaunce,
Which made the mayde to strive for spech,
And stertling from hir traunce,
At hir a frowning glaunce,
Which made the mayde to strive for spech,
And stertling from hir traunce,
190
I wil revenge (quoth she)
For here I shake off shame,
And wil (my selfe) bewray this facte
Therby to foile thy fame.
For here I shake off shame,
And wil (my selfe) bewray this facte
Therby to foile thy fame.
Amidde the thickest throngs
(If I have leave to go)
I will pronounce this bloudie deede,
And blotte thine honor so.
(If I have leave to go)
I will pronounce this bloudie deede,
And blotte thine honor so.
If I in deserts dwel,
The woods, my words shal heare,
The holts, the hilles, the craggie rocks,
Shall witnesse with me beare.
The woods, my words shal heare,
The holts, the hilles, the craggie rocks,
Shall witnesse with me beare.
I wil so fil the ayre
With noyse of this thine acte,
That gods and men in heaven and earth
Shal note the naughtie facte.
With noyse of this thine acte,
That gods and men in heaven and earth
Shal note the naughtie facte.
These words amazde the king,
Conscience with choller strave,
But rage so rackte his restles thought,
That now he gan to rave.
Conscience with choller strave,
But rage so rackte his restles thought,
That now he gan to rave.
And from his sheath a knife
Ful despratly he drawes,
Wherwith he cut the guiltlesse tong
Out of hir tender jawes.
Ful despratly he drawes,
Wherwith he cut the guiltlesse tong
Out of hir tender jawes.
The tong that rubde his gall,
The tong that tolde but truthe,
The tong that movde him to be mad,
And should have moved ruth.
The tong that tolde but truthe,
The tong that movde him to be mad,
And should have moved ruth.
And from his hand with spight
This trustie tongue he cast,
Whose roote, and it (to wreake this wrōg)
Did wagge yet wondrous fast.
This trustie tongue he cast,
Whose roote, and it (to wreake this wrōg)
Did wagge yet wondrous fast.
So stirres the serpents taile
When it is cut in twaine,
And so it seemes that weakest willes,
(By words) would ease their paine.
When it is cut in twaine,
And so it seemes that weakest willes,
(By words) would ease their paine.
191
I blush to tell this tale,
But sure best books say this:
That yet the butcher did not blush
Hir bloudy mouth to kisse.
But sure best books say this:
That yet the butcher did not blush
Hir bloudy mouth to kisse.
And ofte hir bulke embrast,
And ofter quencht the fire,
Which kindled had the furnace first,
Within his foule desire.
And ofter quencht the fire,
Which kindled had the furnace first,
Within his foule desire.
Not herewithal content,
To Progne home he came,
Who askt him streight of Philomene:
He (fayning griefe for game,)
To Progne home he came,
Who askt him streight of Philomene:
He (fayning griefe for game,)
Brust out in bitter teares,
And sayde the dame was dead,
And falsly tolde, what wery life
Hir father (for hir) ledde.
And sayde the dame was dead,
And falsly tolde, what wery life
Hir father (for hir) ledde.
The Thracian Queene cast off
Hir gold, and gorgeous weede,
And drest in dole, bewailde hir death
Whom she thought dead in deede.
Hir gold, and gorgeous weede,
And drest in dole, bewailde hir death
Whom she thought dead in deede.
A sepulchre she builds
(But for a living corse,)
And praide the gods on sisters soule
To take a just remorse:
(But for a living corse,)
And praide the gods on sisters soule
To take a just remorse:
And offred sacrifice,
To all the powers above.
Ah traiterous Thracian Tereus,
This was true force of love.
To all the powers above.
Ah traiterous Thracian Tereus,
This was true force of love.
The heavens had whirld aboute
Twelve yeeres in order due
And twelve times every flowre and plant,
Their liveries did renew,
Twelve yeeres in order due
And twelve times every flowre and plant,
Their liveries did renew,
Whiles Philomene full close
In shepcote stil was clapt,
Enforst to bide by stonie walles
Which fast (in hold) hir hapt.
In shepcote stil was clapt,
Enforst to bide by stonie walles
Which fast (in hold) hir hapt.
192
And as those walles forbadde
Hir feete by flight to scape,
So was hir tong (by knife) restrainde,
For to reveale this rape
Hir feete by flight to scape,
So was hir tong (by knife) restrainde,
For to reveale this rape
No remedie remaynde,
But onely womans witte,
Which sodainly in queintest chance,
Can best it selfe acquit.
But onely womans witte,
Which sodainly in queintest chance,
Can best it selfe acquit.
And Miserie (amongst)
Tenne thousand mischieves moe,
Learnes pollicie in practises,
As proofe makes men to knowe.
Tenne thousand mischieves moe,
Learnes pollicie in practises,
As proofe makes men to knowe.
With curious needle worke,
A garment gan she make,
Wherin she wrote what bale she bode,
And al for bewties sake.
A garment gan she make,
Wherin she wrote what bale she bode,
And al for bewties sake.
This garment gan she give
To trustie Servants hande,
Who streight cōveid it to the queen
Of Thracian Tirants lande.
To trustie Servants hande,
Who streight cōveid it to the queen
Of Thracian Tirants lande.
When Progne red the writ,
(A wondrous tale to tell)
She kept it close: though malice made
Hir venging hart to swell.
(A wondrous tale to tell)
She kept it close: though malice made
Hir venging hart to swell.
And did deferre the deede,
Til time and place might serve,
But in hir minde a sharpe revenge,
She fully did reserve.
Til time and place might serve,
But in hir minde a sharpe revenge,
She fully did reserve.
O silence seldome seene,
That women counsell keepe,
The cause was this, she wakt hir wits
And lullde hir tong on sleepe.
That women counsell keepe,
The cause was this, she wakt hir wits
And lullde hir tong on sleepe.
I speake against my sex,
So have I done before,
But truth is truth, and muste be tolde
Though daunger keepe the dore.
So have I done before,
But truth is truth, and muste be tolde
Though daunger keepe the dore.
193
The thirde yeres rytes renewed,
Which Bacchus to belong,
And in that night the queene prepares
Revenge for al hir wrong.
Which Bacchus to belong,
And in that night the queene prepares
Revenge for al hir wrong.
She (girt in Bacchus gite)
With sworde hir selfe doth arme,
With wreathes of vines about hir browes
And many a needles charme.
With sworde hir selfe doth arme,
With wreathes of vines about hir browes
And many a needles charme.
And forth in furie flings,
Hir handmaides following fast,
Until with hastie steppes she founde
The shepecote at the last.
Hir handmaides following fast,
Until with hastie steppes she founde
The shepecote at the last.
There howling out aloude,
As Bacchus priests do crie,
She brake the dores, and found the place
Where Philomene did lye.
As Bacchus priests do crie,
She brake the dores, and found the place
Where Philomene did lye.
And toke hir out by force,
And drest hir Bacchus like,
And hid hir face with boughes and leaves
(For being knowen by like.)
And drest hir Bacchus like,
And hid hir face with boughes and leaves
(For being knowen by like.)
And brought hir to hir house,
But when the wretch it knewe,
That now againe she was so neere
To Tereus untrue.
But when the wretch it knewe,
That now againe she was so neere
To Tereus untrue.
She trembled eft for dreade,
And lookt like ashes pale.
But Progne (now in privie place)
Set silence al to sale,
And lookt like ashes pale.
But Progne (now in privie place)
Set silence al to sale,
And tooke the garments off,
Discovering first hir face,
And sister like did lovingly
Faire Phylomene embrace.
Discovering first hir face,
And sister like did lovingly
Faire Phylomene embrace.
There she (by shame abasht)
Held downe hir weeping eyes,
As who should say: Thy right (by me)
Is reste in wrongful wise.
Held downe hir weeping eyes,
As who should say: Thy right (by me)
Is reste in wrongful wise.
194
And down on ground she falles,
Which ground she kist hir fill,
As witnesse that the filthie facte
Was done against hir wil.
Which ground she kist hir fill,
As witnesse that the filthie facte
Was done against hir wil.
And cast hir hands to heaven,
In steede of tong to tell,
What violence the lecher usde,
And howe hee did hir quell.
In steede of tong to tell,
What violence the lecher usde,
And howe hee did hir quell.
Wherewith the Queene brake off
Hir piteous pearcing plainte,
And sware with sworde (no teares) to venge
The crafte of this constrainte.
Hir piteous pearcing plainte,
And sware with sworde (no teares) to venge
The crafte of this constrainte.
Or if (quoth she) there bee
Some other meane more sure,
More stearne, more stoute, than naked sword
Some mischiefe to procure,
Some other meane more sure,
More stearne, more stoute, than naked sword
Some mischiefe to procure,
I sweare by al the Gods,
I shall the same embrace,
To wreake this wrong with bloudie hande
Uppon the king of Thrace.
I shall the same embrace,
To wreake this wrong with bloudie hande
Uppon the king of Thrace.
Ne will I spare to spende
My life in sisters cause,
In sisters? ah what saide I wretch?
My wrong shall lende me lawes.
My life in sisters cause,
In sisters? ah what saide I wretch?
My wrong shall lende me lawes.
I wil the pallace burne,
With al the princes pelfe,
And in the midst of flaming fire,
Wil caste the king him selfe.
With al the princes pelfe,
And in the midst of flaming fire,
Wil caste the king him selfe.
I wil scrat out those eyes,
That taught him first to lust,
Or teare his tong from traitors throte,
Oh that revenge were just.
That taught him first to lust,
Or teare his tong from traitors throte,
Oh that revenge were just.
Or let me carve with knife,
The wicked Instrument,
Wherewith he, thee, and me abusde
(I am to mischiefe bent.)
The wicked Instrument,
Wherewith he, thee, and me abusde
(I am to mischiefe bent.)
195
Or sleeping let me seeke
To sende the soule to hel,
Whose barbarous bones for filthy force,
Did seeme to beare the bel.
To sende the soule to hel,
Whose barbarous bones for filthy force,
Did seeme to beare the bel.
These words and more in rage
Pronounced by this dame,
Hir little sonne came leaping in
Which Itis had to name.
Pronounced by this dame,
Hir little sonne came leaping in
Which Itis had to name.
Whose presence, could not please
For (vewing well his face,)
Ah wretch (quoth she) how like he groweth
Unto his fathers grace.
For (vewing well his face,)
Ah wretch (quoth she) how like he groweth
Unto his fathers grace.
And therwithal resolvde
A rare revenge in deede
Wheron to thinke (withoutē words)
My woful hart doth bleede.
A rare revenge in deede
Wheron to thinke (withoutē words)
My woful hart doth bleede.
But when the lad lokt up,
And cheerefully did smile,
And hung about his mothers necke
With easie weight therewhile,
And cheerefully did smile,
And hung about his mothers necke
With easie weight therewhile,
And kist (as children use)
His angrie mothers cheeke,
Hir minde was movde to much remorce
And mad became ful meeke.
His angrie mothers cheeke,
Hir minde was movde to much remorce
And mad became ful meeke.
Ne could she teares refrayne,
But wept against hir will,
Such tender rewth of innocence,
Hir cruell moode did kill.
But wept against hir will,
Such tender rewth of innocence,
Hir cruell moode did kill.
At last (so furie wrought)
Within hir brest she felt,
That too much pitie made hir minde
Too womanlike to melt,
Within hir brest she felt,
That too much pitie made hir minde
Too womanlike to melt,
And saw hir sister sit,
With heavy harte and cheere,
And now on hir, and then on him,
Full lowringly did leare,
With heavy harte and cheere,
And now on hir, and then on him,
Full lowringly did leare,
196
Into these words she brust
(Quoth she) why flatters he?
And why againe (with tong cut out)
So sadly sitteth shee?
(Quoth she) why flatters he?
And why againe (with tong cut out)
So sadly sitteth shee?
He, mother, mother calles,
She sister cannot say,
That one in earnest doth lament,
That other whines in plaie.
She sister cannot say,
That one in earnest doth lament,
That other whines in plaie.
Pandions line (quoth she)
Remember stil your race,
And never marke the subtil shewes
Of any Soule in Thrace.
Remember stil your race,
And never marke the subtil shewes
Of any Soule in Thrace.
You should degenerate,
If right revenge you slake,
More right revenge can never bee,
Than this revenge to make.
If right revenge you slake,
More right revenge can never bee,
Than this revenge to make.
Al ill that may be thought,
Al mischiefe under skies,
Were piëtie compard to that
Which Tereus did devise.
Al mischiefe under skies,
Were piëtie compard to that
Which Tereus did devise.
She holds no longer hande,
But (Tygrelike) she toke
The little boy ful boistrously
Who now for terror quooke
But (Tygrelike) she toke
The little boy ful boistrously
Who now for terror quooke
A[n]d (craving mothers helpe,)
She (mother) toke a blade,
And in hir sonnes smal tender hart
An open wound she made.
She (mother) toke a blade,
And in hir sonnes smal tender hart
An open wound she made.
The cruel dede dispatcht,
Betwene the sisters twaine
They tore in peces quarterly
The corps which they had slaine.
Betwene the sisters twaine
They tore in peces quarterly
The corps which they had slaine.
Some part, they hoong on hooks,
The rest they laide to fire,
And on the table caused it,
Be set before the sire.
The rest they laide to fire,
And on the table caused it,
Be set before the sire.
197
And counterfaite a cause
(As Grecians order then)
That at such feasts (but onely one)
They might abide no men.
(As Grecians order then)
That at such feasts (but onely one)
They might abide no men.
He knowing not their crafte,
Sat downe alone to eate,
And hungerly his owne warme bloud
Devoured there for meate.
Sat downe alone to eate,
And hungerly his owne warme bloud
Devoured there for meate.
His oversight was such,
That he for Itis sent,
Whose murdered members in his mawe,
He privily had pent.
That he for Itis sent,
Whose murdered members in his mawe,
He privily had pent.
No longer Progne then,
Hir joy of griefe could hide,
The thing thou seekst (ô wretch quoth she)
Within thee doth abide.
Hir joy of griefe could hide,
The thing thou seekst (ô wretch quoth she)
Within thee doth abide.
Wherwith (he waxing wroth
And searching for his sonne)
Came forth at length, fair Philomene
By whom the griefe begonne,
And searching for his sonne)
Came forth at length, fair Philomene
By whom the griefe begonne,
And (clokt in Bacchus copes,
Wherwith she then was cladde,)
In fathers bosom cast the head
Of Itis selly ladde:
Wherwith she then was cladde,)
In fathers bosom cast the head
Of Itis selly ladde:
Nor ever in hir life
Had more desire to speake,
Thā now: wherby hir madding mood
Might al hir malice wreake.
Had more desire to speake,
Thā now: wherby hir madding mood
Might al hir malice wreake.
The Thracian prince stert up,
Whose hart did boyle in brest,
To feele the foode, and see the sawce,
Which he could not disgest.
Whose hart did boyle in brest,
To feele the foode, and see the sawce,
Which he could not disgest.
And armed (as he was)
He followed both the Greekes,
On whom (by smarte of sword, and flame)
A sharpe revenge he sekes.
He followed both the Greekes,
On whom (by smarte of sword, and flame)
A sharpe revenge he sekes.
198
But when the heavenly benche,
These bloudie deedes did see,
And found that bloud still covits bloud
And so none ende could be.
These bloudie deedes did see,
And found that bloud still covits bloud
And so none ende could be.
They then by their forsight
Thought meete to stinte the strife,
And so restraind the murdring king,
From sister and from wife.
Thought meete to stinte the strife,
And so restraind the murdring king,
From sister and from wife.
So that by their decree,
The yongest daughter fledde
Into the thicks, where covertly,
A cloister life she ledde.
The yongest daughter fledde
Into the thicks, where covertly,
A cloister life she ledde.
And yet to ease hir woe,
She worthily can sing,
And as thou hearst, cā please the eares
Of many men in spring.
She worthily can sing,
And as thou hearst, cā please the eares
Of many men in spring.
The eldest dame and wife
A Swallowe was assignde,
And builds in smoky chimney toppes
And flies against the winde.
A Swallowe was assignde,
And builds in smoky chimney toppes
And flies against the winde.
The king him selfe condemnde,
A Lapwing for to be,
Who for his yong ones cries alwais,
Yet never can them see.
A Lapwing for to be,
Who for his yong ones cries alwais,
Yet never can them see.
The lad a Pheasaunt cocke
For his degree hath gaind,
Whose blouddie plumes declare the bloud
Wherwith his face was staind.
For his degree hath gaind,
Whose blouddie plumes declare the bloud
Wherwith his face was staind.
But there to turne my tale,
The which I came to tell,
The yongest dame to forrests fled,
And there is dampnde to dwell.
The which I came to tell,
The yongest dame to forrests fled,
And there is dampnde to dwell.
And Nightingale now namde
Which (Philomela hight)
Delights for (feare of force againe)
To sing alwayes by night.
Which (Philomela hight)
Delights for (feare of force againe)
To sing alwayes by night.
199
But when the sunne to west,
Doth bende his weerie course,
Then Phylomene records the rewth,
Which craveth just remorse.
Doth bende his weerie course,
Then Phylomene records the rewth,
Which craveth just remorse.
1
And for hir foremost note,
Tereu Tereu, doth sing,
Complaining stil uppon the name
Of that false Thracian king.
Tereu Tereu, doth sing,
Complaining stil uppon the name
Of that false Thracian king.
Much like the childe at schole
With byrchen rodds sore beaten,
If when he go to bed at night
His maister chaunce to threaten,
With byrchen rodds sore beaten,
If when he go to bed at night
His maister chaunce to threaten,
In every dreame he starts,
And (ô good maister) cries,
Even so this byrde uppon that name,
Hir foremost note replies.
And (ô good maister) cries,
Even so this byrde uppon that name,
Hir foremost note replies.
Or as the red breast byrds,
Whome prettie Merlynes hold
Ful fast in foote, by winters night
To fende themselves from colde:
Whome prettie Merlynes hold
Ful fast in foote, by winters night
To fende themselves from colde:
Though afterwards the hauke,
For pitie let them scape,
Yet al that day, they fede in feare,
And doubte a second rape.
For pitie let them scape,
Yet al that day, they fede in feare,
And doubte a second rape.
And in the nexter night,
Ful many times do crie,
Remembring yet the ruthful plight
Wherein they late did lye.
Ful many times do crie,
Remembring yet the ruthful plight
Wherein they late did lye.
Even so this selly byrde,
Though now transformde in kinde,
Yet evermore hir pangs forepast,
She beareth stil in minde.
Though now transformde in kinde,
Yet evermore hir pangs forepast,
She beareth stil in minde.
And in hir foremost note,
She notes that cruel name,
By whom she lost hir pleasant speech
And foiled was in fame.
She notes that cruel name,
By whom she lost hir pleasant speech
And foiled was in fame.
200
2
Hir second note is fye,
In Greeke and latine phy,
In english fy, and every tong
That ever yet read I.
In Greeke and latine phy,
In english fy, and every tong
That ever yet read I.
Which word declares disdaine,
Or lothsome leying by
Of any thing we tast, heare, touche,
Smel, or beholde with eye.
Or lothsome leying by
Of any thing we tast, heare, touche,
Smel, or beholde with eye.
In tast, phy sheweth some sowre,
In hearing, some discorde,
In touch, some foule or filthy toye,
In smel, some sent abhorde.
In hearing, some discorde,
In touch, some foule or filthy toye,
In smel, some sent abhorde.
In sight, some lothsome loke,
And every kind of waie,
This byword phy betokneth bad,
And things to cast away.
And every kind of waie,
This byword phy betokneth bad,
And things to cast away.
So that it semes hir well,
Phy, phy, phy, phy, to sing,
Since phy befytteth him so well
In every kind of thing.
Phy, phy, phy, phy, to sing,
Since phy befytteth him so well
In every kind of thing.
Phy filthy lecher lewde,
Phy false unto thy wife,
Phy coward phy, (on womankinde)
To use thy cruel knife.
Phy false unto thy wife,
Phy coward phy, (on womankinde)
To use thy cruel knife.
Phy for thou wert unkinde,
Fye fierce and foule forsworne,
Phy mōster made of murdring mould
Whose like was never borne.
Fye fierce and foule forsworne,
Phy mōster made of murdring mould
Whose like was never borne.
Phy agony of age,
Phy overthrowe of youth,
Phy mirrour of mischevousnesse,
Phy, tipe of al untruth.
Phy overthrowe of youth,
Phy mirrour of mischevousnesse,
Phy, tipe of al untruth.
Phy fayning forced teares,
Phy forging fyne excuse,
Phy perjury, fy blasphemy,
Phy bed of al abuse.
Phy forging fyne excuse,
Phy perjury, fy blasphemy,
Phy bed of al abuse.
201
These phyes, and many moe,
Pore Philomene may meane,
And in hir selfe she findes percase,
Some phy that was uncleane.
Pore Philomene may meane,
And in hir selfe she findes percase,
Some phy that was uncleane.
For though his fowle offence,
May not defended bee,
Hir sister yet, and she transgrest,
Though not so deepe as he.
May not defended bee,
Hir sister yet, and she transgrest,
Though not so deepe as he.
His doome came by deserte,
Their dedes grewe by disdaine,
But men must leave revenge to Gods,
What wrong soever raigne.
Their dedes grewe by disdaine,
But men must leave revenge to Gods,
What wrong soever raigne.
Then Progne phy for thee,
Which kildst thine only child,
Phy on the cruel crabbed hart
Which was not movde with milde.
Which kildst thine only child,
Phy on the cruel crabbed hart
Which was not movde with milde.
Phy phy, thou close conveydst
A secret il unsene,
Where (good to kepe in councel close)
Had putrifide thy splene.
A secret il unsene,
Where (good to kepe in councel close)
Had putrifide thy splene.
Phy on thy sisters facte,
And phy hir selfe doth sing,
Whose lack of tong nere toucht hir so
As when it could not sting.
And phy hir selfe doth sing,
Whose lack of tong nere toucht hir so
As when it could not sting.
Phy on us both saith she,
The father onely faulted,
And we (the father free therewhile)
The selly sonne assalted.
The father onely faulted,
And we (the father free therewhile)
The selly sonne assalted.
3
The next note to hir phy
Is Jug, Jug, Jug, I gesse,
That might I leave to latynists
By learning to expresse.
Is Jug, Jug, Jug, I gesse,
That might I leave to latynists
By learning to expresse.
Some commentaries make
About it much adoe:
If it should onely Jugum meane
Or Jugulatór too.
About it much adoe:
If it should onely Jugum meane
Or Jugulatór too.
202
Some thinke that Jugum is
The Jug, she jugleth so,
But Jugulator is the word
That doubleth al hir woe.
The Jug, she jugleth so,
But Jugulator is the word
That doubleth al hir woe.
For when she thinkes thereon,
She beares them both in minde,
Him, breaker of his bonde in bed,
Hir, killer of hir kinde.
She beares them both in minde,
Him, breaker of his bonde in bed,
Hir, killer of hir kinde.
As fast as furies force
Hir thoughts on him to thinke,
So fast hir conscience choks hir up,
And wo to wrong doth linke.
Hir thoughts on him to thinke,
So fast hir conscience choks hir up,
And wo to wrong doth linke.
At last (by griefe constrainde)
It boldely breaketh out,
And makes the hollow woods to ring
With Eccho round about.
It boldely breaketh out,
And makes the hollow woods to ring
With Eccho round about.
4
Hir next most note (to note)
I neede no helpe at al,
For I my selfe the partie am
On whom she then doth call.
I neede no helpe at al,
For I my selfe the partie am
On whom she then doth call.
She calles on Némesis
And Némesis am I,
The Goddesse of al just revenge,
Who let no blame go by.
And Némesis am I,
The Goddesse of al just revenge,
Who let no blame go by.
This bridle bost with gold,
I beare in my left hande,
To holde men backe in rashest rage,
Until the cause be scand.
I beare in my left hande,
To holde men backe in rashest rage,
Until the cause be scand.
And such as like that bitte
And beare it willingly,
May scape this scourge in my right hand
Although they trode awry.
And beare it willingly,
May scape this scourge in my right hand
Although they trode awry.
But if they hold on head,
And scorne to beare my yoke,
Oft times they buy the rost ful deare,
It smelleth of the smoke.
And scorne to beare my yoke,
Oft times they buy the rost ful deare,
It smelleth of the smoke.
203
This is the cause (sir Squire
Quoth she) that Phylomene
Doth cal so much upon my name,
She to my lawes doth leane:
Quoth she) that Phylomene
Doth cal so much upon my name,
She to my lawes doth leane:
She feeles a just revenge
Of that which she hath done,
Constrainde to use the day for night
And makes the moone hir sunne.
Of that which she hath done,
Constrainde to use the day for night
And makes the moone hir sunne.
Ne can she now complaine,
(Although she lost hir tong)
For since that time, ne yet before,
No byrde so swetely soong.
(Although she lost hir tong)
For since that time, ne yet before,
No byrde so swetely soong.
That gift we Gods hir gave,
To countervaile hir woe,
I sat on bench in heaven my selfe
When it was graunted so.
To countervaile hir woe,
I sat on bench in heaven my selfe
When it was graunted so.
And though hir foe be fledde,
But whither knowes not she,
And like hir selfe transformed eke
A selly byrde to bee:
But whither knowes not she,
And like hir selfe transformed eke
A selly byrde to bee:
On him this sharpe revenge
The Gods and I did take,
He neither can beholde his brats,
Nor is belovde of make.
The Gods and I did take,
He neither can beholde his brats,
Nor is belovde of make.
As soone as coles of kinde
Have warmed him to do
The selly shift of dewties dole
Which him belongeth to:
Have warmed him to do
The selly shift of dewties dole
Which him belongeth to:
His hen straight way him hates,
And flieth farre him fro,
And close conveis hir eggs from him,
As from hir mortal foe.
And flieth farre him fro,
And close conveis hir eggs from him,
As from hir mortal foe.
As sone as she hath hatcht,
Hir little yong ones runne,
For feare their dame should serve thē efte,
As Progne had begonne.
Hir little yong ones runne,
For feare their dame should serve thē efte,
As Progne had begonne.
204
And rounde about the fields
The furious father flies,
To seke his sonne, and filles the ayre
With loude lamenting cries.
The furious father flies,
To seke his sonne, and filles the ayre
With loude lamenting cries.
This lothsome life he leads,
By our almightie dome,
And thus sings she, where company
But very seldome come.
By our almightie dome,
And thus sings she, where company
But very seldome come.
Now lest my faithful tale
For fable should be taken,
And thereupon my curtesie,
By thee might be forsaken:
For fable should be taken,
And thereupon my curtesie,
By thee might be forsaken:
Remember al my words,
And beare them wel in minde,
And make thereof a metaphore,
So shalt thou quickly finde,
And beare them wel in minde,
And make thereof a metaphore,
So shalt thou quickly finde,
Both profite and pastime,
In al that I thee tel:
I knowe thy skill wil serve therto,
And so (quoth she) farewell.
In al that I thee tel:
I knowe thy skill wil serve therto,
And so (quoth she) farewell.
That scarce I could, hir seemely shaddow see.
At last: my staffe (which was mine onely stay)
Did slippe, and I, must needes awaked be,
Against my wil did I (God knowes) awake,
For willingly I could my selfe content,
Seven dayes to sleepe for Philomelâs sake,
So that my sleepe in such swete thoughts were spent.
But you my Lord which reade this ragged verse,
Forgive the faults of my so sleepy muse,
Let me the heast of Némesis rehearse,
For sure I see, much sense therof ensues.
I seeme to see (my Lord) that lechers lust,
Procures the plague, and vengaunce of the highest,
I may not say, but God is good and just,
Although he scourge the furdest for the nighest:
205
Yea foure discents it beares the burden stil,
Whereby it falles (when vaine delight is done)
That dole steppes in and wields the world at wil.
O whoredom, whoredome, hope for no good happe,
The best is bad that lights on lechery
And (al wel weyed) he sits in Fortune's lappe,
Which feeles no sharper scourge than beggery.
You princes peeres, you comely courting knights,
Which use al arte to marre the maidens mindes,
Which win al dames with baite of fonde delights,
Which bewtie force, to loose what bountie bindes:
Thinke on the scourge that Némesis doth beare,
Remember this, that God (although he winke)
Doth see al sinnes that ever secret were.
(Væ vobis) then which still in sinne do sinke.
Gods mercy lends you brydles for desire,
Hold backe betime, for feare you catch a foyle,
The flesh may spurre to everlasting fire,
But sure, that horse which tyreth like a roile,
And lothes the griefe of his forgalded sides,
Is better, much than is the harbrainde colte
Which headlong runnes and for no bridle bydes,
But huntes for sinne in every hil and holte.
He which is single, let him spare to spil
The flowre of force, which makes a famous man:
Lest when he comes to matrimonies will,
His fynest graine be burnt, and ful of branne.
He that is yokte and hath a wedded wife,
Be wel content with that which may suffyse,
And (were no God) yet feare of worldly strife
Might make him lothe the bed where Lays lies:
For though Pandyons daughter Progne shee,
Were so transformde into a fethered foule,
Yet seemes she not withouten heires to be,
Who (wrongde like hir) ful angrely can scoule,
And beare in brest a right revenging mode,
Til time and place, may serve to worke their will.
Yea surely some, the best of al the broode
(If they had might) with furious force would kil.
206
And way their words as blasts of blustring winde,
Which comes ful calme, when stormes are past by course:
Yet God above that cā both lose & bynde,
Wil not so soone appeased be therefore,
He makes the male, of female to be hated,
He makes the sire go sighing wondrous sore,
Because the sonne of such is seldome rated.
I meane the sonnes of such rash sinning sires,
Are seldome sene to runne a ruly race.
But plagude (be like) by fathers foule desires
Do gadde a broade, and lacke the guide of grace.
Then (Lapwinglike) the father flies about,
And howles and cries to see his children stray,
Where he him selfe (and no man better) mought
Have taught his bratts to take a better way.
Thus men (my Lord) be Metamorphosed,
From seemely shape, to byrds, and ougly beastes:
Yea bravest dames, (if they amisse once tredde)
Finde bitter sauce, for al their pleasant feasts.
They must at last condemned be to dwell
In thickes unseene, in mewes for minyons made,
Until at last, (if they can bryde it wel)
They may chop chalke, and take some better trade.
Beare with me (Lord) my lusting dayes are done,
Fayre Phylomene forbad me fayre and flat
To like such love, as is with lust begonne,
The lawful love is best, and I like that.
Then if you see, that (Lapwinglike) I chaunce,
To leape againe, beyond my lawful reache,
(I take hard taske) or but to give a glaunce,
At bewties blase, for such a wilful breache,
Of promise made, my Lord shal do no wrong,
To say (George) thinke on Phylomelâes song.
FINIS.
Tam Marti, quàm Mercurio.
207
And thus my very good L. may se how coblerlike I have clouted a new patch to an olde sole, beginning this cōplainte of Philomene, in Aprill, 1562. continuing it a little furder in Aprill. 1575 and now thus finished this thirde day of Aprill. 1576.
Al which mine April showers are humbly sent unto your good Lordship, for that I hope very shortly to see the May flowers of your favour, which I desire, more than I can deserve. And yet rest
Your Lordships bownden and assured.
| The Complete Works of George Gascoigne | |