University of Virginia Library

The Barginet of Antimachus.

In pride of youth, in midst of May,
When birds with many a merry Lay,
salute the Sunnes vp-rising:
I sate me downe fast by a Spring,
And while these merry Chaunters sing,
I fell vpon surmizing.
Amidst my doubt and minds debate,
Of change of time, of vvorlds estate,
I spyed a boy attired
In siluer plumes, yet naked quite,
Saue pretty feathers fit for flight,
wherewith he still aspired.
A bowe he bare to worke mens wrack,
A little Quiuer at his back,
with many arrowes filled:
And in his soft and pretty hand,
He held a liuely burning brand,
where-with he Louers killed.
Fast by his side, in rich aray,
There sate a louely Lady gay,
his mother as I guessed:
That set the Lad vpon her knee,
And trimd his bowe, and taught him flee,
and mickle Loue professed.
Oft from her lap at sundry stoures,
He leapt, and gathered Sommer flowres,
both Violets and Roses:
But see the chaunce that followed fast,
As he the pompe of prime dooth wast,
before that he supposes:
A Bee that harbour'd hard thereby,
Did sting his hand, and made him crye
Oh Mother, I am wounded:
Faire Uenus that beheld her Sonne,
Cryed out alas, I am vndone,
and there-vpon she swounded.
My little Lad the Goddesse sayd,
Who hath my Cupid so dismayd?
he aunswered: Gentle Mother
The hony-worker in the Hiue,
My greefe and mischiefe dooth contriue,
alas it is none other.
Shee kist the Lad: Now marke the chaunce,
And straite she fell into a traunce,
and crying, thus concluded:
Ah wanton boy, like to the Bee,
Thou with a kisse hast wounded me,
and haplesse Loue included.
A little Bee dooth thee affright,
But ah, my wounds are full of spright,
and cannot be recured:
The boy that kist his Mothers paine,
Gan smile, and kist her whole againe,
and made her hope assured.
She suckt the wound, and swag'd the sting,
And little Loue ycurde did sing,
then let no Louer sorrow:
To day though greefe attaint his hart,
Let him with courage bide the smart,
amends will come to morrow.