QVATORZAIN. 19. Feronia.
Feronia the Goddesse of woods or groues whose
temple (as Strabo writeth) was famous in the Citie
Soractes, and she with great deuotion was there worshipped,
of whome there is no mention made touching
her birth or education, notwithstanding she is reckoned
soueraigne of the woods as Virgil writeth.
Et viridi gaudens Feronia luco.
Even in this sad and melancholy moode,
With Siluan Nimphes which on me daily tende
Mated with sorrowe come I from the woode,
And to faire Cynthias kingdome now I wende,
Where the immortall Goddesses arriu'd,
At Troynouant, by which Thames waues do glide,
Where late a Ladie of great honour liu'd,
But greater vertue, that vntimely dyde:
Thither goe I among the rest to mourne,
And offer vp my teares vpon her shrine,
My loftie trees I will cut downe and burne,
In witnesse of her death for which I pyne:
And as my trees consume away with flame
So doth my heart with griefe, and ioy with shame.
