Thvle Or Vertues Historie. To the Honorable and vertuous Mistris Amy Avdely. By F. R. [i.e. Francis Rous] |
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Cant. 2.
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Cant. 2.
Themistos with Encrata takes his way,
Astonisht with a hideous yelling cry:
And Erophel is flying fast away
From her sweete loue that for her wrong will dye;
Who now affrighted with a rarest chance,
Against his life his owne hand doth aduaunce.
Astonisht with a hideous yelling cry:
And Erophel is flying fast away
From her sweete loue that for her wrong will dye;
Who now affrighted with a rarest chance,
Against his life his owne hand doth aduaunce.
The comet fumes which from the earth ascend,
Vnto great Cinthias concaue circulation,
May long defer their doome-denouncing end,
Before they be compact in conglobation,
But at the last their fury they protend,
Kindled with some celestiall inflamation,
No cloude their eating flames with moysture stops,
But downe they poure their ruddy-burning drops.
Vnto great Cinthias concaue circulation,
May long defer their doome-denouncing end,
Before they be compact in conglobation,
But at the last their fury they protend,
Kindled with some celestiall inflamation,
No cloude their eating flames with moysture stops,
But downe they poure their ruddy-burning drops.
So may the smoaky sighs of innocents,
VVhich by great Ioue still make their sad complaint,
Long volley forth, before reuenge assents,
The guiltie damned soules for to attaint,
But when deepe vengeance once her clawes indents,
The comet of their plague shall neuer faint,
But with new brimstone freshly still relieu'd,
Shall keepe them in still-during torments grieu'd.
VVhich by great Ioue still make their sad complaint,
Long volley forth, before reuenge assents,
The guiltie damned soules for to attaint,
But when deepe vengeance once her clawes indents,
The comet of their plague shall neuer faint,
But with new brimstone freshly still relieu'd,
Shall keepe them in still-during torments grieu'd.
VVhich Bdellaes towers, wel-worthy towres haue seene,
And felt the stroake which long hath been deferd,
Iustice long houerd heauen and them betweene,
And with repining eares their follies heard,
At last inflamde with wrath and ragefull teene,
Maskt in a bloody fire she streight appeerd,
VVhose flakie flame pitching on Bdella walls,
VVith them in euerlasting ruin falls.
And felt the stroake which long hath been deferd,
Iustice long houerd heauen and them betweene,
And with repining eares their follies heard,
At last inflamde with wrath and ragefull teene,
Maskt in a bloody fire she streight appeerd,
VVhose flakie flame pitching on Bdella walls,
VVith them in euerlasting ruin falls.
So is it left all desolate forgone,
No call of Musick nor of man doth sound,
The shady Owle in deadly notes doth groane,
And luckles VVezells nestle in the ground,
VVhile goary blood besprinkled all vpon,
Reflecteth in the ayre a circle round,
VVhose gloomie sight vntill these latest day,
Driues fearefull passengers another way.
No call of Musick nor of man doth sound,
The shady Owle in deadly notes doth groane,
And luckles VVezells nestle in the ground,
VVhile goary blood besprinkled all vpon,
Reflecteth in the ayre a circle round,
VVhose gloomie sight vntill these latest day,
Driues fearefull passengers another way.
Sometimes the ghosts walke in those paths of wo,
And with their skreeching fright the neighbour land,
Sometime a fier doth seeme alone to go,
A thousand torches as in battell band,
And brandish in the darknes to and fro,
At which the inhabitants appalled stand,
It seemes blacke hell hath ript her prison wombe,
And meanes in maske vnto the earth to come.
And with their skreeching fright the neighbour land,
Sometime a fier doth seeme alone to go,
A thousand torches as in battell band,
And brandish in the darknes to and fro,
At which the inhabitants appalled stand,
It seemes blacke hell hath ript her prison wombe,
And meanes in maske vnto the earth to come.
Now hath Themistos left this fearefull place,
And he alone is gone to seeke his chaunce,
Minded not euer back to turne his face,
But armed with that sword of piercing Lance,
VVhich slew great Aimaran, he forth doth passe,
And gainst each foe his weapon doth aduaunce:
Now hath he crost full many a wood and hill,
To vertue no way euer happens ill.
And he alone is gone to seeke his chaunce,
Minded not euer back to turne his face,
But armed with that sword of piercing Lance,
VVhich slew great Aimaran, he forth doth passe,
And gainst each foe his weapon doth aduaunce:
Now hath he crost full many a wood and hill,
To vertue no way euer happens ill.
This time it chaunst that Ereb had debate,
VVroth with his wife, rapt forth a fire brand,
VVho lothing light, and kindled straight with hate,
Lifts vp from sable hell her pitchy band,
And with her gloomy troupe at Phœbus gate,
To keepe the light from earth entagde did stand:
So was Themistos ere he was aware,
Left in black shadow and to nightly care.
VVroth with his wife, rapt forth a fire brand,
VVho lothing light, and kindled straight with hate,
Lifts vp from sable hell her pitchy band,
And with her gloomy troupe at Phœbus gate,
To keepe the light from earth entagde did stand:
So was Themistos ere he was aware,
Left in black shadow and to nightly care.
But on the plaine he spies a mightie tree,
Whose greene attire did shield the falling raine,
And oft in vnder Floraes Nimphs with glee,
Would dauncing leade their fayre Napean traine,
That with soft downe his rootes inuested bee,
Where Faunus with this Nimph hath often laine:
Here doth he meane to passe the silent night,
Till with his eyes he shall salute the light.
Whose greene attire did shield the falling raine,
And oft in vnder Floraes Nimphs with glee,
Would dauncing leade their fayre Napean traine,
That with soft downe his rootes inuested bee,
Where Faunus with this Nimph hath often laine:
Here doth he meane to passe the silent night,
Till with his eyes he shall salute the light.
The Starres all ready at their watch doe lye,
And silent murmur whistles through the greene,
Which rockes his senses with a Lullaby,
That in deepe slumber now they buried beene,
Delighted with this dumpish harmony:
But now fayre Phœbe halfe her way hath seene,
And his deepe dreaming is so violent,
It cannot longer time be permanent.
And silent murmur whistles through the greene,
Which rockes his senses with a Lullaby,
That in deepe slumber now they buried beene,
Delighted with this dumpish harmony:
But now fayre Phœbe halfe her way hath seene,
And his deepe dreaming is so violent,
It cannot longer time be permanent.
Morpheus hath left his blacke pauillion,
And hath vnlockt the portals of his eyes,
When streight he lookes the continent vpon,
Whither the Mornings chariot yet did rise,
But she with Tithon kept her mansion,
And in his colde embraces chayned lies:
This while the Knight doth smile vpon the aire,
To see it shining such a duskie faire.
And hath vnlockt the portals of his eyes,
When streight he lookes the continent vpon,
Whither the Mornings chariot yet did rise,
But she with Tithon kept her mansion,
And in his colde embraces chayned lies:
This while the Knight doth smile vpon the aire,
To see it shining such a duskie faire.
But as he viewes, the most celestiall face,
That euer nature made to shew her power,
Sends to his eyes the beames of such a grace,
As beauties fairest rayes they forth did powre,
Naked she was, and spotles from deface,
Beautie she seemde it selfe, or beauties bower:
That if fayre heauen on earth did euer dwell,
Then this was heauen, on whom all graces fell.
That euer nature made to shew her power,
Sends to his eyes the beames of such a grace,
As beauties fairest rayes they forth did powre,
Naked she was, and spotles from deface,
Beautie she seemde it selfe, or beauties bower:
That if fayre heauen on earth did euer dwell,
Then this was heauen, on whom all graces fell.
Her skinne the linnen where with cunning start,
Beauty had wrought the summe of all her skill,
While with her needle heere and there apart,
With azure worke her sampler she doth fill,
And turning to the brestplate of her heart,
She worketh fairely there a double hill,
Where on her double ruddy stewards doe stand,
Which keepe the haruest of fayre beauties land.
Beauty had wrought the summe of all her skill,
While with her needle heere and there apart,
With azure worke her sampler she doth fill,
And turning to the brestplate of her heart,
She worketh fairely there a double hill,
Where on her double ruddy stewards doe stand,
Which keepe the haruest of fayre beauties land.
These lightning darts his heart had almost brent,
Though not in lust but in diuinest loue,
Therefore his eyes as messengers he sent,
Vnto that mayde her curtesie to proue,
Who with these words her treasure doores vnbent,
Let not the thought of me your passions moue,
For from the heauens I come to guide your feete,
In purest paths from deedes and waies vnmeete.
Though not in lust but in diuinest loue,
Therefore his eyes as messengers he sent,
Vnto that mayde her curtesie to proue,
Who with these words her treasure doores vnbent,
Let not the thought of me your passions moue,
For from the heauens I come to guide your feete,
In purest paths from deedes and waies vnmeete.
He gently proferd her a Nectar-kisse,
She met him yet did blush as halfe with shame:
He now is hers, and she is wholy his,
But not as looser wantons them doe name,
This thoughts diuine harmoniall consort is,
Farre from the deedes of night those worthy blame,
Whose noysome poyson cankering within,
Consumes the flesh with paine, the soule with sin.
She met him yet did blush as halfe with shame:
He now is hers, and she is wholy his,
But not as looser wantons them doe name,
This thoughts diuine harmoniall consort is,
Farre from the deedes of night those worthy blame,
Whose noysome poyson cankering within,
Consumes the flesh with paine, the soule with sin.
But while within their soules this melody
Sounds pleasing tunes all rauishing the heart,
They are affrayghted with a hideous cry,
Like to an host conioynd in bloody Mart:
And bellow forth a note when downe they dye,
Which doth perswade these louers to depart:
Where let them take the chance to them assignd,
Ere long time passe, I shall their iourney finde.
Sounds pleasing tunes all rauishing the heart,
They are affrayghted with a hideous cry,
Like to an host conioynd in bloody Mart:
And bellow forth a note when downe they dye,
Which doth perswade these louers to depart:
Where let them take the chance to them assignd,
Ere long time passe, I shall their iourney finde.
This noyse which tumbled in such fearefull wise,
Came from two brethren twixt whom deadly hate,
Still causes of new discord doth deuise,
For when the watrie Queene faire Thetis late,
In Lemnos walke, Uulcan did her surprise;
And on that Lady these two sonnes begate;
VVho of two disagreeing Natures brought,
In passions disagreeing euersought.
Came from two brethren twixt whom deadly hate,
Still causes of new discord doth deuise,
For when the watrie Queene faire Thetis late,
In Lemnos walke, Uulcan did her surprise;
And on that Lady these two sonnes begate;
VVho of two disagreeing Natures brought,
In passions disagreeing euersought.
But Uulcan wrought them armour with a charme,
And mighty swords which incantation bound,
That neuer could they worke each others harem,
But in their foes would dint a griesly wound,
After he did his Sonnes thus strongly arme,
He set them in a ship, when first this ground
Receaude these warriors, that each little houre,
Their blades into each others brests they poure.
And mighty swords which incantation bound,
That neuer could they worke each others harem,
But in their foes would dint a griesly wound,
After he did his Sonnes thus strongly arme,
He set them in a ship, when first this ground
Receaude these warriors, that each little houre,
Their blades into each others brests they poure.
This Diaphon that Pyrhydor is hight,
VVho since they came into this litle Ile,
Haue ouercome in doughty strokes of fight,
All Knights within the space of forty mile;
But she on which these brethren now alight,
A Lady is that did her selfe exile:
From those which loue her as their deare delight,
And doth bewayle this her vngentle flight.
VVho since they came into this litle Ile,
Haue ouercome in doughty strokes of fight,
All Knights within the space of forty mile;
But she on which these brethren now alight,
A Lady is that did her selfe exile:
From those which loue her as their deare delight,
And doth bewayle this her vngentle flight.
VVhom seeing straight they ran to captiuate,
First Diaphon, then Pyrhydor doth flie,
But cruell Pyrhydor inflamde with hate,
That he before him to the game should hie,
VVith a huge blow downe cloue his riuen pate,
The other fairely quites his surquedry,
The Lady flying, piteously doth crye,
On ground they wounded, bellowing doe lye.
First Diaphon, then Pyrhydor doth flie,
But cruell Pyrhydor inflamde with hate,
That he before him to the game should hie,
VVith a huge blow downe cloue his riuen pate,
The other fairely quites his surquedry,
The Lady flying, piteously doth crye,
On ground they wounded, bellowing doe lye.
VVhere lye they may this dame I'le follow fast,
And by enquest search out her cause of flight,
She was a vertuous (but that time is past)
A vertuous Lady lou'd of each mans sight,
But now her faithles deedes haue quite defast,
And darkned all her glories shining light:
Blacke cloudes of sinne, and neuer blushing shame,
Doe wrap those siluer wings of former fame.
And by enquest search out her cause of flight,
She was a vertuous (but that time is past)
A vertuous Lady lou'd of each mans sight,
But now her faithles deedes haue quite defast,
And darkned all her glories shining light:
Blacke cloudes of sinne, and neuer blushing shame,
Doe wrap those siluer wings of former fame.
As when the blossomes of a springing tree,
Promise the owner haruests chiefest pride,
And Uer yclad in gorgeous iollity,
Though Floraes kingdome in her pompe doth ride,
Great hope there is that there great store will be:
But when the lightning from the heauen doth slide,
Then are they choaked in the sweetest prime,
And all forget it was so good a time.
Promise the owner haruests chiefest pride,
And Uer yclad in gorgeous iollity,
Though Floraes kingdome in her pompe doth ride,
Great hope there is that there great store will be:
But when the lightning from the heauen doth slide,
Then are they choaked in the sweetest prime,
And all forget it was so good a time.
So did the bloome of her fayre springing youth,
Clad in the robes of snow-white chastity,
Perswade the world a fruitfull time ensueth,
And largest riuers of fertility,
But all this hope is turned into ruth,
VVhen filthy flame of infidelity,
Scorcheth the wings on which pure faith doth flye,
And makes her in her verdant blooming dye.
Clad in the robes of snow-white chastity,
Perswade the world a fruitfull time ensueth,
And largest riuers of fertility,
But all this hope is turned into ruth,
VVhen filthy flame of infidelity,
Scorcheth the wings on which pure faith doth flye,
And makes her in her verdant blooming dye.
She Erofel is calde, whom long there lou'd,
Good Erophil well tride at sword and speare,
And to her match, her still her parents mou'd,
VVhile she great kindnes in her front did weare,
And seemde to loue him as it her behou'd,
But in went masking heart of cruell beare;
VVhich Loue doth hate, and takes his deepest ioy,
VVith treacherous words to worke her loues annoy.
Good Erophil well tride at sword and speare,
And to her match, her still her parents mou'd,
VVhile she great kindnes in her front did weare,
And seemde to loue him as it her behou'd,
But in went masking heart of cruell beare;
VVhich Loue doth hate, and takes his deepest ioy,
VVith treacherous words to worke her loues annoy.
Mischiefes foule venome bloweth vp her wombe,
VVorse then Calipsoes toxicating draught:
Her wicked heart is his funereall tombe,
From whence the source of his sad death he raught,
Hence doe his soules corrosiue drenches come,
VVhich in deepe sorrow his deare soule indraught;
VVhile she like Iuno at her husbands thunder,
Laugheth to see fayre Semele torne asunder.
VVorse then Calipsoes toxicating draught:
Her wicked heart is his funereall tombe,
From whence the source of his sad death he raught,
Hence doe his soules corrosiue drenches come,
VVhich in deepe sorrow his deare soule indraught;
VVhile she like Iuno at her husbands thunder,
Laugheth to see fayre Semele torne asunder.
For when in gentle sorte she seemde to quite
Faire glaunces to his euer darting eyes,
He would in mariage bands confirme delight,
VVhat ere he askes, she seeming not denyes;
And doth auow to doe her Virgin-right,
The day is come whereon his hope relyes:
They are conioyned in a holy band,
He with his heart, she only with her hand.
Faire glaunces to his euer darting eyes,
He would in mariage bands confirme delight,
VVhat ere he askes, she seeming not denyes;
And doth auow to doe her Virgin-right,
The day is come whereon his hope relyes:
They are conioyned in a holy band,
He with his heart, she only with her hand.
Now doth he pray the Sunne to flie apace,
And lash great Pirois on his lightning side,
Then Cynthia he desires to shew her face,
And bids her nightly chariot vpward slide,
Then doth he pray the cloudes for to disgrace
The darkned night, and with their vailes to hide
The loathed beames of Phœbus lingring light,
And make the Sunne arise of his delight.
And lash great Pirois on his lightning side,
Then Cynthia he desires to shew her face,
And bids her nightly chariot vpward slide,
Then doth he pray the cloudes for to disgrace
The darkned night, and with their vailes to hide
The loathed beames of Phœbus lingring light,
And make the Sunne arise of his delight.
O foolish man how are thy wits yblent,
VVhy dost thou runne into thy latest path,
Stay yet sweete Knight before thou doe repent,
To late then will it be to heale thy skath,
And quench the fire when as thy bones are brent,
But so dire fate our deedes directed hath,
That like blinde Moles into our bane we goe,
But then she giues vs eyes to see our woe.
VVhy dost thou runne into thy latest path,
Stay yet sweete Knight before thou doe repent,
To late then will it be to heale thy skath,
And quench the fire when as thy bones are brent,
But so dire fate our deedes directed hath,
That like blinde Moles into our bane we goe,
But then she giues vs eyes to see our woe.
Night vp doth rise the marke of all his thought,
But sure his dart will misse the prick anon:
For Erofel hath an Æthiop hath sought,
Whom with rewards and mony she hath won,
That to the genial bed this hagge is brought:
For Erofel to bed would goe alone,
Refusing offred helpe, but she hath set
Another Pigeon in her cabinet.
But sure his dart will misse the prick anon:
For Erofel hath an Æthiop hath sought,
Whom with rewards and mony she hath won,
That to the genial bed this hagge is brought:
For Erofel to bed would goe alone,
Refusing offred helpe, but she hath set
Another Pigeon in her cabinet.
And as the custome was she set a vaile,
Which hid the worser face, and shewd the fayre:
Thus doth she set her rotten ship to saile,
And to a priuate chamber doth repayre:
But Erophil his hower doth not faile,
At her due time he meanes all debts to pay her:
He off doth cast the clowdes, whose euious darke
Hinders his sayling to the goodly barke.
Which hid the worser face, and shewd the fayre:
Thus doth she set her rotten ship to saile,
And to a priuate chamber doth repayre:
But Erophil his hower doth not faile,
At her due time he meanes all debts to pay her:
He off doth cast the clowdes, whose euious darke
Hinders his sayling to the goodly barke.
The torches quenched he is left to rest,
And sets on foote vpon his fatall bed:
O foote step back before thou be vnblest,
And be not guided with so rash a head:
O head seduced with so foule a guest,
With such alluring bayt O be not fed:
And O sweet Knight before thou griefe do reape,
Fall not so soone, but looke before thou leape.
And sets on foote vpon his fatall bed:
O foote step back before thou be vnblest,
And be not guided with so rash a head:
O head seduced with so foule a guest,
With such alluring bayt O be not fed:
And O sweet Knight before thou griefe do reape,
Fall not so soone, but looke before thou leape.
But all in vaine, downe he his bones doth lay;
O haples bones that neuer thence shall rise,
He hopes to driue the chariot of the day,
Whose beames did daze a while his staring eyes:
But Erofel doth giue his wishes nay;
Straight to her breast embraces he applies,
Then sugred-bitter kisses, and anon:
But shame and griefe now bid me to be gon.
O haples bones that neuer thence shall rise,
He hopes to driue the chariot of the day,
Whose beames did daze a while his staring eyes:
But Erofel doth giue his wishes nay;
Straight to her breast embraces he applies,
Then sugred-bitter kisses, and anon:
But shame and griefe now bid me to be gon.
The Moone downe wept a dewy dropping raine,
Wayling the fate of sweetest Erophill,
And seemed to fayre Tellus to complaine,
That twas great griefe that loue such soule should kill,
Her darksome steedes she would haue setled faine,
And made black night aboue remaining still,
That day might neuer bring that sunny ray,
Whose sight might bring this wofull Knights decay.
Wayling the fate of sweetest Erophill,
And seemed to fayre Tellus to complaine,
That twas great griefe that loue such soule should kill,
Her darksome steedes she would haue setled faine,
And made black night aboue remaining still,
That day might neuer bring that sunny ray,
Whose sight might bring this wofull Knights decay.
But Phœbus rose, forbidding longer night,
And faine the Æthiop would betime depart:
O no (quoth he) my chiefest loued light,
Then shalt thou take away my dearest hart,
And with eclipsing this thy cleerest bright,
Thou shalt eclipse my soules essentiall part:
And then with an embrace he caught her head,
Therewith her beautie was vncouered.
And faine the Æthiop would betime depart:
O no (quoth he) my chiefest loued light,
Then shalt thou take away my dearest hart,
And with eclipsing this thy cleerest bright,
Thou shalt eclipse my soules essentiall part:
And then with an embrace he caught her head,
Therewith her beautie was vncouered.
Out leapes a face like to the Lician men,
That suddenly were turned into frogs:
Or when that Cerberus raised from his den,
Gastly presents three vgly barking dogs:
Or to the pitchy Queene of darknes then,
When she goes masking all in dampish fogs,
Fearing to put her beauties vaile away,
Least to the wind she should her forme display.
That suddenly were turned into frogs:
Or when that Cerberus raised from his den,
Gastly presents three vgly barking dogs:
Or to the pitchy Queene of darknes then,
When she goes masking all in dampish fogs,
Fearing to put her beauties vaile away,
Least to the wind she should her forme display.
The Knight astounded, rapt his mighty sword,
And present die thou Jncubus (quoth he)
Which with a fiend hast wrought these deedes abhord:
Farewell thou falsed loue where ere thou bee,
This edge shall end to griefe and life afford:
With that his troubled ghost he soone doth free,
Who to those mirtle groues doth pearcing flie,
Where he with Dido mournes his miserie.
And present die thou Jncubus (quoth he)
Which with a fiend hast wrought these deedes abhord:
Farewell thou falsed loue where ere thou bee,
This edge shall end to griefe and life afford:
With that his troubled ghost he soone doth free,
Who to those mirtle groues doth pearcing flie,
Where he with Dido mournes his miserie.
Now Erofell is gone in triumph fled,
And laugheth at her Tragick-plotting wit;
Where still with feare be thou disquieted,
Let gastly thoughts thy gnawed conscience bite;
And let those wormes within thy soule be bred,
That neuer may surcease tormenting it:
While with all plots of mischiefe that I may,
Ile compasse thee, not resting night or day.
And laugheth at her Tragick-plotting wit;
Where still with feare be thou disquieted,
Let gastly thoughts thy gnawed conscience bite;
And let those wormes within thy soule be bred,
That neuer may surcease tormenting it:
While with all plots of mischiefe that I may,
Ile compasse thee, not resting night or day.
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