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Yet did Diuine Vlysses keepe his Roofe;
And with Minerua plotted still the proofe
Of al the wooers deaths. VVhen thus, his Son
He taught with these fore, counsailes: we must ron
A close course with these Armes, & lay them by.
And to the wooers make so faire a sky.
As it would neuer thunder. Let me then
(That you may wel retaine) repeate agen

Vlysses former counsaile to his Son, for disposing the Armes-repeated.

VVhat in Eumæus Cottage, I aduis'd.
If when they see your leysure exercis'd
In fetching downe your Armes: & aske what vse
Your minde will giue them: Say, 'tis their abuse
VVith smoke & rust, that makes you take them down;
This not being like the Armory well knowne
To be the leauings of Laertes Son,
Consorting the designe for Ilion.
Your eyes may see how much they are infected,
As all fires vapors, euersince, reflected
On those sole Armes. Besides, a grauer thought,
Ioue graues within you, lest (their spirits wrought
Aboue their pitch with wine) they might contend
At some high banquet, & to wounds transcend;

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Their Feast inuerting; which, perhaps may be
Their Nuptiall feast, with wise Penelope.
The ready weapon when the bloud is vp,
Doubles the vprore, heightned by the Cup.
Wrath's meanes for Act; curbe all the wayes ye can;
As Loadstones draw the steele, so steele draw's Man.

Retaine these words; nor what is good, think thus
Receiu'd at second hand, superfluous.
The Sonne obeying; did Euryclea call,
And bad her shut (in the vtter Porches) all
The other women; till himselfe brought downe
His Fathers Armes, which all were ouer-growne
By his neglect, with rust: his Father gone,
And he too childish, to spend thoughts vpon
Those manly Implements; but he would now
Reforme those yong neglects; and th' armes bestow
Past reach of smoke. The louing Nurse replide;

I wish (O Son) your powers would once prouide
For wisedomes habit; See your houshold were
In thrifty mannage, and tend all things there.
But if these armes must downe; and euery Maide
Be shut in vtter roomes; who else should aide
Your worke with light? He answer'd; This my guest:
There shal not one in my house, tast my Feast,
(Or ioyne in my

χοινικος απτηται, They will needs turne this; Quadram (for Modium) gustet. Though the words beare no such signification: But giue a Prouerb than to vse, Repetition: which was, Hee shall not ioyn or make a spoke in the Nave of my chariot, or Chariot wheele, χοινικον, or, χοινικις signifying Modiolus Rotæ, and απτω Necto.

Naue) that shall ydlely liue,
How euer farre hence, he his home deriue.

He said, and his words stood; The doores she shut
Of that so wel-fill'd house; and th' other put
Their thoghts in act; Best Shields, Helmes, sharpned Lances
Brought downe; and Pallas before both, aduances
A golden Cresset, that did cast a Light,
As if the Day sate, in the Throne of Night.

VVhen (halfe amaz'd) the Prince said, O my Father,
Mine eyes, my soules pow'rs all in wonder gather:
For though the wals, and goodly wind-beames here,
All all these Pillars, that their heads, so rere,
And all of Firre; they seeme yet, all of fire.
Some God is surely with vs. His wise Sire,
Bad peace, and keepe the counsailes of the Gods;
Nor aske a word: These Pow'rs that vse abods
Aboue the starres, haue power from thence to shine
Through night, and all shades, to earths inmost Mine.
Go thou for sleepe; and leaue me here to wake
The women and the Queene; whose heart doth ake
To make enquiry for my selfe, of me.

He went to sleepe, where lights did endlesly
Burne in his Night-roomes: where he feasted Rest,
Til dayes faire weed, did all the world inuest.

291

Thus was diuine Vlysses left alone
VVith Pallas, plotting foule confusion
To all the wooers. Forth then came the Queene;
Phæbe, with golden Cytherea seene,
Her Port presented. Whom they set a Chaire
Aside the fire: The fashion circulate;
The substance Siluer, and rich Elephant;
VVhose Fabricke, did the cunning finger vant
Of great Icmalius: who besides, had done
A footstoole for her, that did sute her Throne:
On which, they cast an ample skin, to be
The Cushion, for her other Royalty.
And there she sate; about whom, came her Maids,
VVho brought vpon a Table store of Breads,
And Bolles, that with the wooers wine were cround.
The Embers then they cast vpon the ground
From out the Lampes, and other Fuell added;
That still, with cheereful flame, the sad house gladded.

Melantho, seeing still Vlysses there;
Thus she held out her spleene: Still stranger, here?
Thus late in night? To see what Ladies do?
Auant you wretch: hence; Go, without doores, go:
And quickly too, lest ye be sindg'd away
VVith burning fire-brands. He (thus seeing their fray
Continu'd by her with such spleene) replide;

Minion! What makes your angry blood thus chide
My presence still? Is it, because you see
I shine not in your wanton brauery?
But weare these rags? It fits the needy Fate
That makes me beg thus, of the commune state.
Such poore soules, and such beggers, yet are men;
And euen my meane meanes, means had to maintain
A wealthy house; and kept a manly prease;
VVas counted blessed; and the poore accesse
Of any Begger, did not scorne, but feede
VVith often hand: and any man of neede
Releeu'd as fitted: kept my seruants to,
Not few; but did with those additions go,
That call choise men, The Honest; who are stild
The rich, the great. But what such great ones build
Ioue oft puls downe, as thus he ruin'd me;
His will was such, which is his equity.
And therefore (woman) beare you fitting hand
On your behauiour, lest your spirit thus mann'd,
And cherisht with your beauties (when they wane)
Comes down: Your pride now, being then your bane.
And in the meane space, shun the present danger;
Lest your bold fashion, breed your Soueraigns anger.

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Or lest Vlysses come: of whom, euen yet
Hope finds some life in fate. Or, be his seat
Amongst the meerly ruin'd; yet his Sonne
(Whose lifes heate, Phœbus saues) is such a one,
As can discouer, who doth well deserue
Of any woman heere; His yeares, now serue.

The Queen gaue eare, & thus supprest the flame:
Thou quite without a brow; past female shame;
I heare thy monstrous boldnesse, which thy head
Shall pay me paines for. Thou hast heard it said,
And from my selfe too; and at euery part
Thy knowledge serues thee; that (to ease my hart
So punisht in thy witnesse) my desire
Dwelt on this Stranger; that I might enquire
My lost friends Beeing. But 'tis euer tride,
Both Man and God, are still forgot with Pride.
Eurynome! Bring heere this Guest a seat,
And Cushion on it; that we two, may treat
Of the affaire in question. Set it neare,
That I may softly speake, yet he well heare.

She did this little freely; and he sat
Close by the Queen; who askt him, Whence, & what
He was himselfe? And what th' inhabited place?
VVhere liu'd his parents? whence he fetcht his race?

Vlysses to his Queene.

O woman (he replyed) with whom, no man
That moues in earths vnbounded circle, can
Maintaine contention, for true honor geuen;
Whose fame, hath reacht the

ουρανον ευρην.

fairely flowing heauen.
VVho, like a neuer-ill-deseruing King,
That is well spoke of; First, for worshipping,
And striuing to resemble God, in Empire;
VVhose equall hand, impartially doth temper,
Greatnesse, and Goodnesse: To whom therefore, beares
The blacke earth, store of all graine; Trees conferres,
Cracking with burthen, Long-liu'd Herds creates;
All which, the Sea, with her sorts, emulates;
And all this feeds, beneath his powrefull hand,
Men, valiant, many, making strong his Land
With happy liues led; Nothing else, the cause
Of all these blessings, but well order'd Lawes;
Like such a King, are you; in Loue, in Fame,
And all the blisse that deifies a Dame.
And therefore, do not mixe this with a mone
So wretched, as is now in question.
Aske not my Race, nor Countrey; lest you fill
My heart yet fuller, with repeated ill:
For I must follow it, with many teares;
Though 'tis not seemly, to sit wounding eares

293

In publique Roofes, with our particular life;
Times worst expence, is still-repeated Griefe.
I should be irkesome to your Ladies here:
And you your selfe would say, you vrg'd your eare
To what offends it: My still-broken eine,
Supposing wounded with your too much wine.

Stranger (said she) you feare your owne excesse,
With giuing me too great a noblenesse.
The Gods, my person, Beauty, Vertue to,
Long since subuerted; when the Ilion wo
The Greeke designe attempted. In which, went
My praise, and honor. In his gouernment
Had I deseru'd your vtmost grace; But now
Sinister Deity, makes dishonor woo
(In shew of grace) my ruine. All the Peres,
Syluane Zacynthus, and Dulychius Spheres,
Samos and Ithaca, strange strifes haue showne,
To win me; spending on me, all mine owne.
Will wed me, in my spite: And these are those;
That take from me, all vertue to dispose
Or Guest, or Suppliant: or take any course
Amongst my Heralds (that should all disburse)
To order any thing: Though I neede none
To giue me greefe at home; Abroad erres one
That my veins shrink for; whō, these (holding gone)
Their Nuptials hasten, and find me as slow.
Good spirits prompted me, to make a show
Of vndertaking a most curious taske,
That an vnmeasur'd space of time would aske;
VVhich, they enduring long, would often say,
VVhen ends thy worke? I soone had my delay;
And prai'd their stay: For though my Lord wer dead,
His Fathers life yet, matter ministred
That must imploy me: which, (to tell them true)
Was that great worke I nam'd. For now, nere drew
Laertes death; and on my hand did lye
His funerall Robe: whose end (being now so nye)
I must not leaue, and lose so much begun:
The rather, lest the Greeke Dames might be wun
To taxe mine honor; if a man so great
Should greet his graue, without his winding sheet.
Pride made them credulous; and I went on:
VVhen, whatsoeuer all the day had done,
I made the night helpe, to vndo againe;
Though oyle, and watch it cost, and equall paine.
Three yeares my wit secur'd me vndiscern'd:
Yet, when the fourth came, by my Maids discern'd
(False carelesse wenches) how they were deluded:

294

When (by my light descern'd) they all intruded;
Vs'd threatning words, and made me giue it end.
And then could I, to no more length extend
My linger'd Nuptials: Not a counsaile more
VVas to be stood vpon; my Parents bore
Continuall hand on me, to make me wed:
My Sonne grew angry, that so ruined
His goods were by them. He is now a man;
VVise in a great degree; and one that can
Himselfe, giue order to his houshold fare:
And Ioue, giue equal glory, to his care.
But thus you must not passe me: I must know,
(It may be, for more end) from whence doth grow
Your race, and you; For I suppose you, none
Sprung of old Oake, or iustl'd out of stone.

He answer'd; O Vlysses reuerend wife!
Yet hold you purpose to enquire my life?
Ile tell you, though it much afflict me more
Then all the sorrowes I haue felt before.
As worthily it may: since so long time,
As I haue wandred from my Natiue Clime,
Through humane Cities: and in sufferance stil:
To rip all wounds vp. (though, of all their ill
I touch but part) must actuate all their paine.
But, aske you still; Ile tell, though stil sustaine.

Vlyss fain'd relation of himself to his wife.

In middle of the sable Sea, there lies
An Isle, cal'd Crete; a rauisher of eyes:
Fruitfull, and mann'd with many an infinite store:
Where ninety Cities crowne the famous shore;
Mixt with all Languag'd men: There Greekes suruiue;
There the great-minded Eteocretans liue:
There the Dorensians, neuer out of war:
The Cydons there; and there the singular
Pelasgian people: There doth Gnossus stand,
That mighty City; where had most command
Great Ioues Disciple (Minos) who nine yeares
Conferr'd with Ioue: Both great familiares
In mutual counsailes. And this Minos Son,
(The mighty-minded King Deucalion):
VVas Sire to me, & royall Idomen,
VVho with Atrides, went to Ilion then,
My elder Brother, and the better man;
My name Aethon. At that time began
My knowledge of Vlysses; whom my home
Receiu'd with guest-rites. He was thither come
By force of weather, from the Malean coast
But new got off; where he the Nauy lost,
Then vnder saile for Troy; and wind-bound lay

295

Long in Amnisus; hardly got away
From horrid stormes, that made him anchor there,
In Hauens that sacred to Lucina were;
Dreadfull and dangerous. In whose bosome crept
Lucina's Cauerne. But in my roofe slept
Vlysses, shor'd in Crete: who first enquir'd
For royall Idomen; and much desir'd
To taste his guest-rites; since to him had bene
A welcome Guest my Brother Idomene.
The tenth, or, leuenth light, on Vlysses shin'de
In stay at Crete; attending then the winde
For threatn'd Ilion. All which time, my house
VVith loue and entertainments curious
Embrac't his person: though a number more
My hospitable roofes receiu'd before.
His men I likewise call'd; and from the store
Allow'd them meale, and heat-exciting wine;
And Oxen for their slaughter; to confine
In my free hand the vtmost of their need.
Twelue daies the Greeks staid, ere they got them freed;
A gale so bitter blew out of the North,
That none could stand on earth, being tumbled forth
By some sterne God. But on the thirteenth day
The tempest ceast, & then went Greekes their way.

Thus, many tales Vlysses told his wife,
At most, but painting; yet most like the life:
Of which, her heart, such sense took through hir eares,
It made her weepe, as she would turne to teares.
And as from off the Mountaines melts the snow,
Which Zephyres breath conceald; but was made flow
By hollow Eurus, which so fast poures downe,
That with their Torrent, flouds haue ouer-flowne:
So downe her faire cheekes, her kinde tears did glide;
Her mist Lord mourning, set so neere her side.

Vlysses much was mou'd to see her mourne,
VVhose eies yet stood as dry, as Iron, or Horne,
In his vntroubl'd lids; which, in his craft
Of bridling passion, he from issue saf't.

VVhen she had giuen her moane so many teares,
That now 'twas satiate: her yet louing feares
Askt thus much further: You haue thus farre tried
My loues credulity: But if gratified
VVith so long stay he was with you, you can
Describe what weede he wore; what kinde of man
Both he himselfe was, and what Followers
Obseru'd him there. Alas (sayd he) the yeares
Haue growne so many since (this making now
Their twentith reuolution) that my show

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Of these slight notes, will set my memory sore;
But (to my now remembrance) this he wore:

Vlysses discription of his apparell going for Troy.

A double purple Robe, drawne close before
With golden Buttons; pleated thicke, and bore
A facing, where a hundred colours shinde:
About the skirts, a Hound; A freckl'd Hinde
In full course hunted. On the fore-skirts yet,
He pincht, and pull'd her downe: when with hir feet,
And all her force, she struggl'd hard for flight.
VVhich had such life in Gold, that to the sight
It seem'd the Hinde it selfe for euery hiew;
The Hound and al, so answering the view,
That all admir'd all. I obseru'd beside
His inner weed, so rarely beautifide,
That dumbe amaze it bred; and was as thin,
As any dry and tender Onion skin:
As soft 'twas too, and glister'd like the Sun.
The women were to louing wonder wun
By him and by his weeds. But (by the way)
You must excuse me, that I cannot say
He brought this suite from home; or had it there
Sent for some Present; or perhaps elsewhere
Receiu'd it for his guest-gift: For your Lord
Had Friends not few: The Fleete did not afford
Many, that had not fewer. I bestow'd
A well-edg'd sword on him; a Robe that flow'd
In foulds, and fulnesse, and did reach his feete,
Of richest purple: Brought him to his Fleete,
VVith all my honor: And besides (to add
To all this sifted circumstance) he had
A Herald there; in height, a little more
Put from the earth: that thicker shoulders wore;
A swarth complexion, and a curled head;
His name Eurybates; and much in stead,
He stood your King, imploy'd in most command,
Since most of all, his minde could vnderstand.

VVhen all these signes she knew, for chiefly trew;
Desire of moane vpon her beauties grew:
And yet (euen that desire suffic'd) she said.

Till this (my Guest) a wretched state arraid
Your ill-vsd person: but from this houre forth,
You shalbe honor'd, and finde all the worth
That fits a friend. Those weeds these hands bestow'd
From out my wardrobe: those gold buttons sow'd
Before for closure, and for Ornament.
But neuer more, must his returne present
The person that gaue those adornments State.
And therefore, vnder an abhorred Fate

297

VVas he induc't to feed the commune fame,
To visit vile Troy; I, too vile to name.

No more yet mourne (said he) nor thus see pinde
Your louely person: Weeping, wast's the Minde.
And yet I blame you not; for any Dame
That weds one yong, and brings to him, his name;
(VVhat euer man he is) will mourne his losse:
Much more respectfull then, must shew your woes,
That weepe thus for Vlysses; who (Fame saies)
Was equal with the Gods, in all his waies.
But where no cause is, there must be no mone:
And therefore heare me; my Relation
Shal lay the cleere truth naked to your view;
I heard amongst the Thesprots, for most trew,
That Lord Vlysses liu'd, and stood iust now
On his returne for home: That wealth did flow
In his possession; which, he made not knowne,
But begg'd amongst the people; since alone
He quite was left: for all his men were lost
In getting off, from the Trinacrian Coast;
Ioue and the Sun, was wroth with them, for rape
Made of his Oxen; and no man let scape
The rugged deepes of Neptune: Onely he
The Ships Keele onely keeping, was by Sea
Cast on the faire Phæacian Continent;
VVhere men suruiue, that are the Gods descent;
And like a God receiu'd him; gaue him heapes
Of wealthy gifts, and would conduct his steps
Themselues safe home: which, he might long ago
His pleasure make: but profit would not so.
He gather'd going, and had mighty store
Of Gold in safegard: so beyond the Shore
That commune sailes kept, his high flood of wit
Bore glorious top; and all the world, for it
Hath farre exceeded. All this Phadon told,
That doth the Scepter of Thesprotia hold:
VVho swore to me, in houshold sacrifice,
The Ship was lancht, and men to man the prise;
That soone should set him on his countrey earth:
Shew'd me the goods, enow to serue the birth,
That in the tenth age of his seed, shold spring;
Yet in his Court contain'd. But then the King
(Your husband) for Dodona was in way;
That from th' oraculous Oake, he might display
Ioues will; what course for home would best preuaile:
To come in pompe; or beare a secret saile.
But me, the King dispatcht in course before;
A Ship then bound for the Dulychian shore.

298

So thus you see his safety, whom you mourne,
VVho now is passing neere; and his returne
No more will punish with delayes, but see
His friends, and country: All which truth to thee
Ile seale with sacred Oath. Be witnesse Ioue,
Thou first, and best, of all the Thron'd aboue;
And thou house of the great Laertes heire,
To whose high roofes, I tender my repaire;
That what I tell the Queene, euent shall crowne:
This yeare, Vlysses shall possesse his owne:
Nay, ere the next month ends, shall heere arriue;
Nay ere it enters, heere abide aliue.

O may this proue (saide she;) gifts, friendship, then
Should make your name the most renown'd of men.
But 'tis of me receiu'd; and must so sort,
That nor my Lord shall euer see his Court,
Nor you gaine your deduction thence; for now
The alter'd house doth no such man allow
As was Vlysses (if he euer were)
To entertaine a reuerend Passenger,
And giue him faire dismission. But (Maids) see
Ye bathe his feete; and then with Tapistry,
Best sheets, and blanquets, make his bed, and lay
Soft wascotes by him; that (lodg'd warme) he may
Euen till the golden-seated mornings ray,
Enioy good est; and then, with her first light,
Bathe, and giue almes; that cherisht appetite
He may apply within our Hall, and sit
Safe by Telemachus. Or if th' vnfit
And harmfull minde of any be so base
To greeue his age againe; let none giue grace
Of doing any deed, he shall command
(How wroth so euer) to his barbarous hand.
For how shall you (guest) know me for a Dame
That passe so far, nay, turne and winde the Fame
Of other Dames for wisedome, and the frame
Of houshold vsage; if your poore thin weeds
I let draw on you, want, and worser deeds;
That may, perhaps, cause heere your latest day?
The life of Man is short, and flyes away.
And if the Rulers selfe of housholds, be
Vngentle, studying inhumanity,
The rest proue worse. But he beares all the blame:
All men will, liuing, vow against his name,
Mischiefes, and miseries; And (dead) supply
VVith bitter Epitaphes, his memory.
But if himselfe be noble, (noble things
Doing, and knowing) all his Vnderlings

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VVill imitate his Noblesse; and all guests
Giue it, in many; many interests.
But (worthiest Queen, said he) where you command
Baths and rich beds for me, I scorne to stand
On such state now; nor euer thought it yet,
Since first I left the snowy hils of Crete.
VVhen once I fell a ship-boord, those thoughts fled;
I loue to take now (as long since) my bed:
Though I began the vse, with sleeplesse nights;
I, many a darknesse, with right homely rites
Haue spent ere this houre; & desir'd the Morne
Would come; and make sleepe to the world a scorne.
Nor run these dainty Bathes in my rude head;
Nor any handmaid (to your seruice bred)
Shal touch my ill-kept feete, vnlesse there liue
Some poore old drudge here, that hath learnd to giue
Old men good vsage; & no worke wil fly:
As hauing suffer'd ill, as much as I.
But if there liue, one such, in your command;
I wil not shame to giue my foot, her hand.

She gaue this answere: O my loued Guest,
There neuer enter'd these kinde Roofes, for rest,
Stranger or Friend, that so much wisedome laide
In gage for Guest-rites, as your lippes haue paide.
There liues an old maide in my charge, that knowes
The good you speake of, by her many woes;
That nourisht and brought vp, with curious care,
Th' vnhappy man, your old familiar:
Euen since his Mother let him view the light,
And oft hath felt in her weake armes, his weight.
And she (though now much weaker) shal apply
Her Maiden seruice, to your modesty.
Euryclea, rise; and wash the feete of one,
That is of one age with your Soueraigne gone.
Such hands, such feet hath, though of alter'd grace:
Much griefe in men, wil bring on change apace.

She (from her aged slumber wak't) did cleare
Her heauy eyes; and instantly (to heare
Her Soueraignes name) had worke enough to dry
Her cheekes from teares: and to his memory
These Mones did offer: O my Son (saide she)
I neuer can take greefe enough for thee;
VVhom Goodnes hurts; & whō, euen Ioues high spleen.
(Since thou art Ioue-like) hates the most of men.
For none hath offer'd him so many Thyes;
Nor such whole Hecatombes of sacrifice,
Fat, and selected, as thy zeale hath done;
For all, but praying that thy noble Sonne,

300

Thy happy age, might see at state of man.
And yet hath Ioue with Mists Cimmerean
Put out the light of his returning day.
And as your selfe (O Father) in your way
Tooke these faire roofes for hospitable rights,
Yet finde (for them) our dogged womens spights:
So he (in like course) being driuen to proofe
(Long time ere this) what such a royall Roofe
Would yeeld his miseries; found such vsage there.
And you (now flying the foule Language here,
And many a filthy fact of our faire Dames)
Fly me, like them; and put on causlesse shames
To let me clense your feet. For not the cause
The Queenes command yeelds, is the pow'r yt drawes
My will to wash your feete. But what I do,
Proceeds from her charge, and your reuerence to.
Since I, in soule, am stricken with a ruth
Of your distresses, and past

Intending with Trueth it selfe: not his shew onely.

show of truth.
Your strangenesse claiming little interest
In my affections: and yet many a Guest
Of poore condition, hath bene harbour'd here:
But neuer any, did so right appeare
Like King Vlysses, as your selfe; For state,
Both of your stature, voice, and very gate.

So all haue said (said he) that euer yet
Had the proportions of our figures met,
In their obseruances; so right, your eye,
Proues in your soule, your iudging faculty.

Thus tooke she vp a Caldron, brightly scour'd,
To clense his feete in: and into it, pour'd
Store of cold waue, which on the fire she set;
And therein bath'd (being temperatly heat)
Her Soueraigns feet. Who turnd him from the light;
Since sodainly, he doubted her conceit
(So rightly touching at his state before)
A scar now seeing on his foot, that bore
An old note to discerne him; might descry
The absolute truth; which (witnest by her eye)
VVas straite approu'd. He first receiu'd this sore,
As in Parnassus tops, a white tooth'd Bore
He stood in chace withall; who strooke him there,
At such time, as he liu'd a soiourner
VVith his grand Sire, Antolycus: who, th' Art
Of Theft and swearing (not out of the hart,
But by equiuocation) first adorn'd
Your witty man withall; and was suborn'd
By Ioues descent (ingenious Mereurie)
VVho did bestow it; since so many a Thie

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Of Lambes, and Kids, he had on him bestow'd
In sacred flames; who therefore, when he vow'd
VVas euer with him. And this man impos'd
Vlysses name; the light being first disclos'd
To his first sight then; when his grand Sire came
To see the then preferrer of his fame,
His loued daughter. The first supper done,
Euryclea, put in his lap, her Sonne,
And pray'd him to bethinke, and giue his name;

Autolycus giues his Grand child Vlysses his name: from whence the Odysses is deriud Οδυσσευς, deriu'd of Οδυζομαι, ex Οδυνη factum: (signifying dolorem proprie corporis) nam ira ex dolore oritur.

Since that desire, did all desires inflame.

Daughter, and Son-in-Law (sayd he) let then
The name that I shall giue him, stand with men;
Since I arriu'd here, at the houre of paine,
In which, mine owne kinde entrailes did sustaine
Moane for my daughters, yet vnended throes:
And when so many mens and womens woes,
In ioynt compassion met, of humane birth,
Brought forth t'attend the many feeding earth;
Let Odysseus be his name, as one
Exposd to iust constraint of all mens mone.
VVhen heere at home, he is arriu'd at state
Of mans first youth; he shall initiate
His practisd feete, in trauaile made abrode;
And to Pernassus, where mine owne abode
And chiefe meanes lye; addresse his way, where I
VVill giue him from my opened treasury,
VVhat shall returne him well; and fit the Fame
Of one that had the honor of his name.

For these faire gifts he went, and found all grace
Of hands, and words, in him and all his race.
Amphithea (his Mothers mother) to
Applied her to his loue; withall, to do
In Grandames welcomes: both his faire eyes kist,
And browes; and then, commanded to assist
VVere all her sonnes, by their respected Sire,
In furnishing a Feast; whose eares did fire
Their minds with his command: who home straite led
A fiue-yeares-old-male Oxe; feld, slew, and flead:
Gather'd about him; cut him vp with Art;
Spitted, and roasted; and his euery part
Diuided orderly. So all the day
They spent in feast: No one man went his way
VVithout his fit fill. VVhen the Sun was set,
And darknesse rose, they slept; till dayes fire het
Th' enlightned earth: and then, on hunting went
Both Hounds, and all Autolycus descent.
In whose guide, did diuine Vlysses go;
Climb'd steepe Parnassus, on whose forehead grow

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All syluan off springs round. And soone they rech't
The Concaues, whence ayrs sounding vapors fetcht
Their loud descent. As soone as any Sun
Had from the Ocean (where his waters run
In silent deepnesse) rais'd his golden head:
The early Huntsmen, all the hill had spread;
Their Hounds before them, on the searching Traile:
They neere, and euer eager to assaile.
Vlysses, brandishing a lengthfull Lance,
Of whose first flight, he long'd to proue the chance.

Then found they lodg'd a Bore, of bulke extreame,
In such a Queach, as neuer any beame
The Sun shot, pierc'st: Nor any passe, let finde
The moist impressions of the fiercest winde:
Nor any storme the sternest winter driues;
Such proofe it was: yet all within, lay leaues
In mighty thicknesse; and through all this, flew
The hounds loud mouthes. The sounds, the tumult threw;
And all together rouz'd the Bore, that rusht
Amongst their thickest: All his brissels, pusht
From forth his rough necke; and with flaming eyes
Stood close, and dar'd all. On which horrid prise
Vlysses first charg'd; whom, aboue the knee
The sauage strooke, and rac't it crookedly
Along the skin, yet neuer reacht the bone.
Vlysses Lance yet, through him, quite was throwne;
At his right shoulder entring: at his left,
The bright head passage to his keennesse cleft,
And shew'd his point gilt, with the gushing gore.
Downe in the dust fell the extended Bore,
And forth his life flew. To Vlysses, round
His Vnckle drew; who (wofull for his wound)
With all Art bound it vp; and with a charme
Staid straight the blood: went home, & when the harm
Receiu'd full cure; with gifts, and all euent
Of ioy, and loue; to his lou'd home, they sent
Their honor'd Nephew: whose returne, his Sire,
And reuerend Mother, tooke with ioyes entire:
Enquir'd all passages; all which, he gaue
In good relation: Nor of all, would saue
His wound from vtterance: By whose scar he came
To be discouered by this aged Dame.

VVhich, when she clensing felt, and noted well:
Downe from her Lap, into the Caldron, fell
His weighty foot, that made the Brasse resound:
Turn'd all aside, and on th' embrewed ground
Spilt all the water. Ioy and griefe together
Her brest inuaded: and of weeping weather

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Her eyes stood full: Her small voice, stucke within
Her part expressiue; till at length, his chin
She tooke, and spake to him: O Sonne (saide she)
Thou art Vlysses; nor canst other be:
Nor could I know thee yet, till all my King
I had gone ouer, with the warmed Spring.

Then look't she for the Queene, to tell her all;
And yet, knew nothing sure: thogh nought could fall
In compasse of all thoughts, to make her doubt.
Minerua, that distraction strooke throughout
Her minds rapt forces; that she might not tell.
Vlysses, noting yet her aptnesse well;
With one hand tooke her chin; and made all shew
Of fauour to her: with the other, drew
Her offer'd parting closer: Askt her why,
She, whose kinde breast had nurst so tenderly
His infant life; would now, his age destroy?
Though twenty yeares had held him from the ioy
Of his lou'd country. But, since onely she,
(God putting her in minde) now knew, 'twas he,
He charg'd her silence; and to let no eare
In all the Court more, know his being there:
Lest, if God gaue into his wreakfull hand
Th' insulting wooers liues: he did not stand
On any partiall respect with her,
Because his Nurse; and to the rest prefer
Her safety therefore; But when they should feele
His punishing finger, giue her equall steele.

What words (said she) flye your retentiue pow'rs?
You know, you locke your counsailes in your Tow'rs
In my firme bosome: and, that I am farre
From those loose frailties. Like an Iron barre
Or bolt of solidst stone, I will containe:
And tell you this besides; That if you gaine
By Gods good aide, the wooers liues in yours;
VVhat Dames are heere their shamelesse Paramours,
And haue done most dishonor to your worth,
My information, well shall paint you forth.

It shal not neede (saide he) my selfe will soone
(VVhile thus I maske heere) set on euery one
My sure obseruance of the worst, and best:
Be thou then silent, and leaue God the rest.

This said, the old Dame, for more water went;
The rest was all vpon the Pauement spent,
By knowne Vlysses foot. More brought (and he
Supplied besides with sweetest Oyntments) she
His seate drew neere the fire, to keepe him warme:
And, with his peec't rags, hiding close his harme:

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The Queene came neere, and said: Yet (guest) afford
Your further patience; till, but in a word
Ile tell my woes to you: For well I know,
That Rests sweet Houre, her soft foote orders now:
When all poore men, how much soeuer grieu'd,
VVould gladly get their wo-watcht pow'rs relieu'd.
But God hath giuen my griefe a heart so great,
It will not downe with rest. And so I set
My iudgement vp, to make it my delight.
All day I mourne; yet nothing let the right
I owe my charge, both in my worke and Maids;
And when the night brings rest to others aides,
I tosse my bed; Distresse with twenty points,
Slaught'ring the pow'rs that to my turning ioynts
Conuey the vitall heate. And as all night,
Pandareus daughter (poore Edone) sings,
Clad in the verdure of the yearly Springs;
VVhen she for Itylus, her loued Sonne
(By Zetus issue; in his madnesse, done
To cruell death) poures out her hourely mone,
And drawes the eares to her of euery one;
So flowes my mone, that cuts in two my minde,
And here and there, giues my discourse the winde;
Vncertain whether I shal with my Son,
Abide still heere, the safe possession
And guard of all goods: Reuerence to the bed
Of my lou'd Lord; and to my far-off spred
Fame with the people; putting still in vse;
Or follow any best Greeke I can chuse
To his fit house, with treasure infinite
VVon to his Nuptials. VVhile the infant plight
And want of iudgement kept my Son in guide;
He was not willing with my being a Bride,
Nor with my parting from his Court: But now
(Arriu'd at mans state) he would haue me vow
My loue to some one of my wooers heere,
And leaue his Court; offended that their cheere
Should so consume his free possessions.
To settle then a choice in these my mones,
Heare and expound a dreame, that did engraue
My sleeping fancy. Twenty Geese, I haue;
All which, me thought, mine eye saw tasting wheate
In water steep't, and ioy'd to see them eate.
VVhen straight, a crooke-beak't Eagle, from a hill,
Stoop't, and trust all their neckes, and all did kill;
VVhen (all left scatter'd on the Pauement there)
She tooke her wing vp, to the Gods faire sphere:
I, euen amid my Dreame, did weepe and mourne,

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To see the Eagle, with so shrew'd a turne,
Stoope my sad turrets; when, me thought there came
About my mournings, many a Grecian Dame
To cheere my sorrowes; in whose most extreame
The Hawke came back, and on the prominent beame
That crost my Chamber, fell; and vs'd to me
A humane voice, that sounded horribly;
And saide; Be confident, Icarius seed;
This is no dreame, but what shall chance indeed.
The Geese, the wooers are: the Eagle, I,
VVas heeretofore a Fowle: but now imply
Thy husbands Beeing; and am come to giue
The wooers death, that on my Treasure, liue.
With this, Sleepe left me; and my waking way
I tooke to try, if any violent prey
Were made of those my Fowles; which, well enough
I (as before) found feeding at their Trough,
Their yoted wheate. O woman (he replide)
Thy dreame can no interpretation bide,
But what the Eagle made, who was your Lord;
And saide, himselfe would sure effect afford
To what he told you; that confusion
To all the wooers should appeare; and none
Escape the Fate, and death, he had decreed.

She answer'd him: O Guest, these dreames exceede

The two parts of Dreames.

The Art of man t'interpret; and appere
Without all choise, or forme; nor euer were
Perform'd to all at all parts. But there are
To these light Dreames, that like thin vapors fare,
Two two-leau'd gates; the one of Iuory;
The other, Horne. Those dreames that Fantasie
Takes from the polisht Iuory Port, delude
The Dreamer euer, and no truth include:
Those that the glittering Horn-gate, lets abrode,
Do euermore, some certaine truth abode.
But this my dreame, I hold of no such sort
To flye from thence; yet, which soeuer Port
It had accesse from, it did highly please
My Son, and me. And this, my thoughts professe;
That Day that lights me from Vlysses Court,
Shall both my infamy, and curse consort.
I therefore purpose to propose them now
In strong Contention, Vlysses Bow;
Which he that easly drawes; and from his draft,
Shoots through twelue Axes (as he did his shaft,

The proposition of Vlysses Bow to the Wooers, determined by Penelope.

All set vp in a rowe; And from them all,
His stand-farre-off kept firme) my fortunes shall
Dispose; and take me to his house from hence,

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VVhere I was wed, a Maide; in confluence
Of feast and riches: such a Court heere then,
As I shall euer in my dreames reteine.

Do not (said he) deferre the gamefull prise,
But set to taske their importunities
With something else, then Nuptials: For your Lord
VVill to his Court and Kingdome be restor'd,
Before they thred those steeles, or draw his Bow.

O Guest (repli'de Penelope) would you
Thus sit, and please me with your speech; mine eares
VVould neuer let mine eye-lids close their Spheares;
But none can liue without the death of sleepe;
Th' Immortals, in our mortall memories keepe
Our ends, and deaths by sleepe; diuiding so,
(As by the Fate and portion of our wo)
Our times spent heere; to let vs nightly try,
That while we liue; as much as liue, we dye.
In which vse, I will to my bed ascend,
VVhich I bedeaw with teares, and sigh past end,
Through all my houres spent; since I lost my ioy,
For vile, lew'd, neuer-to-be-named Troy.
Yet there, Ile proue for sleepe, which take you here;
Or on the earth, if that your custome were;
Or haue a bed, dispos'd for warmer rest.
Thus left she with her Ladies, her old Guest:
Ascended her faire chamber, and her bed:
VVhose sight did euer duly make her shed
Teares for her Lord; which still her eyes did sleepe,
Till Pallas shut them with delightsome sleepe.