University of Virginia Library

When as the Kalends of this bridall feast
Were entred in, and euery longing brest
Waxt great with expectation, and all eyes
(Prepar'd for entertaining nouelties)
Were growne impatient now, to be suffis'd
With that, which Art and Honour had deuis'd
T'adorne the times withall, and to display
Their bounty, and the glory of that day,
The rare Parthenia taking sweet occasion
To blesse her busie thoughts, with contemplation
Of absent Argalus, whose too long stay
Made minutes seemes as dayes; and euery day
A measur'd age; into her secret bower
Betooke her weary steps, where euery houre
Her greedy eares expect to heare the summe
Of all her hopes, that Argalus is come.
She hopes, she feares at once; and still she muses
What makes him stay so long; she chides; excuses;
She questions; answers; and she makes reply,
And talkes, as if her Argalus were by;
Why com'st thou not? Can Argalus forget
His languishing Parthenia? what, not yet?
But as she spake that word, she heard a noise,
Which seem'd as if it were the whispering voice
Of close conspiracy: she began to feare
She knew not what, till her deceiued eare,
Instructed by her hopes, had singled out
The voice of Argalus from all the rout,
Whose steps (as she supposed) did prepare
By stealth to sieze vpon her vnaware:
She gaue aduantage to the thriuing plot,
Hearing the noyse, as if she heard it not.
Like as young Doues, which ne're had yet forsaken
The warme protection of their nests, or taken
Vpon themselues a selfe-prouiding care,
To shift for food, but with paternall fare
Grow fat and plump; think euery noise they heare,
Their full cropt parents are at hand, to cheare
Their crauing stomacks, whilst th'impartiall fist
Of the false Cater, rifling where it list
In euery hole, surprises them, and sheds
Their guiltlesse blood, and parts their gasping heads
From their vaine struggling bodies; so; euen so
Our poore deceiu'd Parthenia, (that did owe
Too much to her owne hopes) the whilst her eyes
Were set, to welcome the vnualued prize
Of all her ioyes, her dearest Argalus,
Steps in Demagoras, and salutes her thus: