 | A pleasant and delightfull History, of Galesus Cymon and Iphigenia, describing the ficklenesse of Fortune in loue |  |
Di rozzo inerto, evil, fa spesso amore.
Generoso, et cortese, vn nobil core.
Generoso, et cortese, vn nobil core.
The Argument.
Loe heere, the fierie force of loue,redeemes the worthy wit,
From seruile yoake: beinge drownde in sincke
and stinkyng muddie pytte.
Beholde how Reason yeldes to loue,
and Uertue geueth place:
The Ruler, blinded by desire,
his noble fame deface.
And see how wauering Fortune turnes,
with euery blast of winde:
First, gentle face, then frowning frets,
she casts on longyng minde.
From lowryng lookes, to smilyng cheers
she eftsoones flittes againe:
The lingring louer thus shee feedes,
with hope his loue to gaine.
And then from top of whirlyng wheele,
she throwes him in the suddes:
The captiue thence to raunsome then,
with aide in haste she scuddes.
And graunts at length his wisshed pray
and onely hartes delight:
Which he enioyed against the force,
of forreine foes despight.
A pleasant and most delightful Historie, of GALESVS, CYMON, and IPHIGENIA.
An Ilande standes in TRITONS reigne,that CYPRVS hath to name:
A Seate somtime, of Kingdomes nyne
renowmde with lastyng fame.
And for the great Amenitie,
and fertilnes of soyle:
Not subiect, or of value lesse,
then any Occean Ile.
Wherin, recorded lieth in time,
of aged Fathers dayes:
Amonst the Auncient Chronicles,
and Monumentes of praise.
This Historie, so rare to heare,
as pleasant to be read:
Of such as can with skyll peruse
the same, with iudgyng head.
There whilom was a noble man,
that ARISTIPPVS hight:
Whom Fortune deckt wt worldly giftes
aboue eche other wight.
So that, both tearmed well, he might
and iustly happie bee:
If his good hap not clouded were
with Fortunes Tirrannie.
in beauty bare the Bell:
In seemlynes of stature, eke
dyd others farre excell.
For all these giftes of nature, yet
a meycocke wretch, was he:
Whose name, his Parents first assignde,
GALESVS for to bee.
But sithe, he neither could conceiue,
by Tutours learned mouthe:
The documentes of PALLAS Arte,
nor Muses skyll in youthe.
Ne yet his fathers, graue Aduise,
nor industrie of guide:
Could make him leade a Courtiers lyfe
or from his folie slide.
And (for his speache was grosse, & thicke
and he enclined more
To beastly, rude behauiour, then
to ciuyll Courtly lore.)
He was of all men (SIMON) callde,
in iest, in sporte and game:
Which word inferth, in Cyprian tongue
a vyle, reprochefull name.
And when his idle sluggish life,
was griefe, to fathers harte,
And of redresse, he saw all hope:
was plainly laide aparte.
And fearyng, least he should be vexte
with dayly present woe:
farre from his sight to goe.
And Husbandrie to practise there.
amongste the Clownish sorte:
Of suche as delue, wt Spade & Sholue,
not lyke to Cytie sporte:
Whiche thing, delighted Cymons heart
(for one so rude, as he,
Do ioye in Swinish maners more
then in Cyuilitie.)
Whylste
he therfore, in Countrey toile
and trauayle spendes the day:
In tearyng vp with tusked Ploughe,
the Lande, (that doth repay
Twice toulde, and yearely, treble gain)
his minde he doth conuerte:
In lieu of liberall Sciences,
of Tilthe to learne the Arte.
It chaunc'de therfore vpon a daye,
at after noone, as hee
Was walkynge, through his Fathers fielde
his Meades, & Groues to see.
Alone with walkynge staffe in hande
he entred in a wood:
But small: yet passyng sweete of all,
that in the Countrey stoode.
And (for it was the Month of May)
and temperate pleasant Ayre:
Beyng clothd wt greene delightful boughes
it seemde to CYMON faire.
Where vainly stalkyng vp and downe,
with gazing heere and there:
To view the pleasure, of the place,
(Fortune his guide) came neere:
And foote by foote, he passed through,
a litle Meadow Plotte:
Which hugie Trees, with loftie toppes,
had compast, as a Moate.
And through the place, a Riuer ranne,
whose springyng Siluer Streames
Did flow with coole, & glisteryng ebbes,
against sir PHEBVS Beames.
Not farre from which, vpon the grasse
he viewd, with fixed eye:
A Uirgyn there, surprisde with sleepe,
of Beautie great, to lie.
The Garment, wherwith she was clad,
was thinne, and shonne so bright,
That almost no parte, of her Corps,
was hid from CYMONS sight.
And she was girtte, below the waste,
with Lynnen, white as Skies:
Nigh her two handmaides, tooke their rest
an Eunuche, slept likewise.
When Cymon first, this Uirgyn viewd
amazde, he stoode in minde:
Lyke as if he, in all his dayes,
had not seene Womankinde,
And leanyng on his knaggy Staffe,
beholdes her Courtly grace:
And speachlesse restes, and marketh wel
the Beautie of her face.
With diligence he prieth aboute,
with neuer winkyng eye:
Tyll all proporcions of her face,
he dyd directly spie.
Then foorthwith, in his sencelesse head,
and grosse polluted minde:
(Which no step of Urbanitie,
by vertisment of frinde,
And thousand gentle documentes,
could pearce, before this tyme.)
This new deuise, is risen now,
this thought, his fancie clime:
Which musing, he in blockish braine,
to reason thus began:
And beyng brutish as he was,
in troubled head, dyd scan
The fulgent brightnesse of her face,
and (oh what thing,) said hee,
Is equipollent, in this worlde
to her formositie?
Then pondred be with iudgyng eye,
her amiable looke:
And view'd the Uirgyns seemelinesse,
in lieu of Psalter Booke.
And noated all her lineamentes,
of perfecte forme and shape:
And praised greatly in his heart,
in Natures Arte, hir happe
And first her Heade, like goulden wyre,
he painted foorth with praise,
And fully was resolued in minde,
they shonne as PHEBVS rayes.
And then her forehead, nose, & mouthe,
her necke, her Armes and breast:
To laude in heart, and muse theron
in mynde, he neuer ceaste.
Thus he, a rude, vplandish man,
in twincklyng of an eye:
Is now become of Beautie Iudge,
to scan of Phisnomie.
His greatest care, was now to see,
her splendent glisteryng eye:
Whiche drownde with sleepe & drowsie dreames
fast closde wt lids, did lie.
Whiche, (CYMON) that he might beholde
was minded to awake:
From sleepe, this Damsell bright yt hee
the view therof might take.
But sithe she fairest seemde of all
that earst he sawe with eye:
He gan to feare, leaste that she were
a Goddesse in the Skie.
And (for he was so blunt of witte,
that well he did not know:
If heauenly things, more worthy were
then thinges an earth that grow.
Therfore somwhat, he brideled lust,
and staide a time to see,
If that her eyes, of owne free wyll
would wake, or opened bee.
And though this pawsinge seemed long,
and griefe it was, to staye
Unwonted pleasure, heald his hearte
from partyng yet awaye:
Thus CYMON gazyng styll, and yet
enioyng lybertie
In gaze: out of her sleepe, behould
she waketh by and by.
Her name hight IPHIGENIA,
(so Parentes did deuise:)
Whiche, when she lifted vp her head,
and opened wide her eyes:
And CYMON leanyng on his staffe,
before her stande, she see:
Amazde in minde, these wordes, or lyke
to hym then vttered shee.
(For Cyprians, knew their CYMON well,
for his simplicitie:
And partly for his Fathers wealthe,
and great Nobylytie.)
What seekste thou CYMON in this wood,
at this tyme of the daye?
Why wandrest thou so farre from home
what causeth thee to staye?
But Answere CYMON rendred none
to IHPHIGENIA:
But fixt his staryng eyes, on hers,
not lookyng once away.
For sure (he thought) a passyng smell,
and great suavitie
Proceeded from the fulgent light,
of pleasant pearcyng eye.
Which warmd his heart wt present sight
and sodeine, wontlesse ioy:
(A soueraigne salue to Maladies,
to Cares, the chiefe annoye.)
But when the Uirgyn well had markd
his neuer winkyng looke:
A chillyng horrour shakd her limmes
and feare her Sences tooke.
For doughte, least his vnciuill lyfe,
with Clounish maners fraught:
Might cause suspect, of Uirgyns vaunte
that he, the pray had caught.
(Whiche seyng, might without desert,
redownde to her reproche:
And knowyng well, how sclaunderous tongs
on Uirgyns fame encroche:)
In haste her handmaides she awakte,
in purpose to departe:
And farewell (CYMON) then she said,
Adieu with all my harte.
Thē answered CYMON in this sorte,
my heart shall wayte on thee:
(My Ioye) my selfe where ere thou go,
shall beare thee companie.
And though she flatly dyd refuse,
his offred curtesie:
Yet could she not reiect her Mate,
vntyll with open eye
He viewd, the stately dwellyng place,
of her that made him thrall:
Whose Aunsweres were to him more sharpe
then taste of bytter gall.
For when that swellyng heate of loue
did boyle within his breast:
And flamyng fire, did burne his lymmes
and rage his hart opprest.
And that he crau'de of her, (to quench
his drowgh,) one droppe of grace:
She spewd foorth spiteful taūting glikes
at him, with frownyng face.
And yet that moste procur'd his griefe,
was partyng from her sight:
That had attachd his Sences all
with view, of liuely light.
For (when she past, with stealyng steps,
her Fathers hugie Gate:)
She bard the same wt might & mayne,
against her friendly Mate.
Then booted not, he knew right well,
with showtyng cryes to call:
And then perceiued, she scornd his loue,
yet he remainde her thrall.
A thousād thoughts then hemd his wits
in Caue and stricke of woe.
And sundrie fancies framde, in hym,
the roote of griefe to grow:
His Brayne was eke, besiegde wt care,
what wayes he might deuise:
To conquere hate: and gaine the loue,
of hir, that bleard his eyes.
Thus musing now in minde, he standes
in studie colde as Ice:
And styll deuising how he may
atchiue his enterprise.
At length determinde, to reuerte,
vnto his mansion place:
And styll he hoopde, in tracte of time,
to looke for better grace.
And tumbled now, on carefull couche,
in Countrey Cabyn lay:
Inuentyng seuerall wayes, now this,
now that, he did assay.
But (sundrie consultacions passde,)
in ende, he dyd conclude:
To liue exilde from Countrey soyle,
(for Countrey Clownes are rude.)
Therfore, to Courte in haste, he hyes
hym, to his Fathers howse:
And stoutely to his Parentes sweares
that he wyll hould the Plowes
No longer now, or digge, and delue,
and be a Countrey Slaue:
But loathyng Countrey life, begyns,
a ciuill lyfe to craue.
Then newly gan his Fathers cares,
and treble, wonted woe:
His Friends, and Kinsmens griefe likewise
began agayne to grow.
Yet purposde they, a while to stay,
the perfecte cause, to know:
Of sodeyne chang, that forc'de this man
his former guise forgoe.
Therfore: whē Cupids shaft, had perc'de
this CYMONS restles hart:
Through which could neuer penetrate,
one iote of learned Arte.
When CYMONS, sence was rauished
with IPHIGENIAES face.
Whose pulchritude of liuely looke,
his glimpse of eye, did daze.)
He, was not he, but chang'd his coate,
his maners he began
To change likewise, and was be come
from thence, an altred man.
This chang, to Courtiers seemed strang
a wonder, to his feeres:
An admiration, to his kinne,
a ioy to fathers yeares.
Then of his Father, first he crau'd,
to be apparaild braue:
As others of his Breethren were,
and lyke Attire to haue.
His Father graunted his request,
and streight began he then
To matche himselfe, in felowshyp,
of Courtly Gentlemen:
With diligence, he searchde, what things
were, to a Louer fitte:
And now in studiyng Tha'rte of Loue,
did exercise his witte.
And (whiche is merueilous to tell,)
in momentarie space:
To studie, geuyng hole delight,
he learnynge did embrace.
Amongste the wise Philosophers,
he gayned likewise, fame
With musing mou'd, to all mennes minds
that knew of CYMONS name.
The cause, of all this sodeyne change,
was IHPHIGENIAS loue:
Whiche made him banish lobbish lyfe,
and rudenes to remoue.
For (loue his guide) he did refourme,
the stuttyng of his tongue:
And of a dusked lisping voyce,
his speache moste sweetely ronge
In vttryng pleasant wordes, and hee
of Musicke learnde the Arte:
Of skyll in strydyng tramplyng Steedes,
he had likewise, his parte.
And skylfull was in feates of Armes,
and Actes of Chiualrie:
In warfare, well experienc'd too,
by lande, and eke by Sea.
And briefly, leaste his qualyties,
and vertuous deedes, I shew:
First this, then that, particularly,
as in his hert they grew.
In fine, I say: in foure yeares space:
he warde a wiser man:
And of more tried towardnesse,
then any Cyprian.
So that, more eloquent in wordes,
and graue in countinaunce:
He was esteemde, then Courtiers all,
whom Fame, with prayse did haunce.
What shall I therfore, speake of loue?
my Pen how shall I frame?
To yelde to him, deserued prayse?
or blase his worthy fame?
For when the fatal Starres, had dewde
this CYMONS gentle heart:
With Gentleman lyke qualyties,
and skyll in Muses Arte.
Disdainfull nature, causde the same
within his hearte, to lie.
Fast bownde & chainde wt fettered linkes
in LETHE waues, to die:
And drowne for aye, in whirlepools huge
yet Loue vntwounde the knotee:
And vanquisht nature with his force,
as foe, to luckie lotte.
For Loue, oftimes is wonte to raise
from duskish drowsie dreames:
The drowned wittes, in sincke of slouth,
and Graue of LETHE streames.
And wrapt in clowdie darkenesse thick,
CVPIDO bringes to light,
The Sences: renting seruile yoacke,
(suche is his vayle, and might
And causeth them wt glimeryng beames,
eftsoones, for to appeare:
And shew so bright, to all mens sight,
as PHEBVS gleming Spheare.
And raunsōmes ofte, the noble heartes,
from beepe, and darksome denne:
And brings thē, with his glittering rayes
vnto ELISIOS fenne.
and trauayle spendes the day:
In tearyng vp with tusked Ploughe,
the Lande, (that doth repay
Twice toulde, and yearely, treble gain)
his minde he doth conuerte:
In lieu of liberall Sciences,
of Tilthe to learne the Arte.
It chaunc'de therfore vpon a daye,
at after noone, as hee
Was walkynge, through his Fathers fielde
his Meades, & Groues to see.
Alone with walkynge staffe in hande
he entred in a wood:
But small: yet passyng sweete of all,
that in the Countrey stoode.
And (for it was the Month of May)
and temperate pleasant Ayre:
it seemde to CYMON faire.
Where vainly stalkyng vp and downe,
with gazing heere and there:
To view the pleasure, of the place,
(Fortune his guide) came neere:
And foote by foote, he passed through,
a litle Meadow Plotte:
Which hugie Trees, with loftie toppes,
had compast, as a Moate.
And through the place, a Riuer ranne,
whose springyng Siluer Streames
Did flow with coole, & glisteryng ebbes,
against sir PHEBVS Beames.
Not farre from which, vpon the grasse
he viewd, with fixed eye:
A Uirgyn there, surprisde with sleepe,
of Beautie great, to lie.
The Garment, wherwith she was clad,
was thinne, and shonne so bright,
That almost no parte, of her Corps,
was hid from CYMONS sight.
And she was girtte, below the waste,
with Lynnen, white as Skies:
Nigh her two handmaides, tooke their rest
an Eunuche, slept likewise.
When Cymon first, this Uirgyn viewd
amazde, he stoode in minde:
Lyke as if he, in all his dayes,
had not seene Womankinde,
beholdes her Courtly grace:
And speachlesse restes, and marketh wel
the Beautie of her face.
With diligence he prieth aboute,
with neuer winkyng eye:
Tyll all proporcions of her face,
he dyd directly spie.
Then foorthwith, in his sencelesse head,
and grosse polluted minde:
(Which no step of Urbanitie,
by vertisment of frinde,
And thousand gentle documentes,
could pearce, before this tyme.)
This new deuise, is risen now,
this thought, his fancie clime:
Which musing, he in blockish braine,
to reason thus began:
And beyng brutish as he was,
in troubled head, dyd scan
The fulgent brightnesse of her face,
and (oh what thing,) said hee,
Is equipollent, in this worlde
to her formositie?
Then pondred be with iudgyng eye,
her amiable looke:
And view'd the Uirgyns seemelinesse,
in lieu of Psalter Booke.
And noated all her lineamentes,
of perfecte forme and shape:
in Natures Arte, hir happe
And first her Heade, like goulden wyre,
he painted foorth with praise,
And fully was resolued in minde,
they shonne as PHEBVS rayes.
And then her forehead, nose, & mouthe,
her necke, her Armes and breast:
To laude in heart, and muse theron
in mynde, he neuer ceaste.
Thus he, a rude, vplandish man,
in twincklyng of an eye:
Is now become of Beautie Iudge,
to scan of Phisnomie.
His greatest care, was now to see,
her splendent glisteryng eye:
Whiche drownde with sleepe & drowsie dreames
fast closde wt lids, did lie.
Whiche, (CYMON) that he might beholde
was minded to awake:
From sleepe, this Damsell bright yt hee
the view therof might take.
But sithe she fairest seemde of all
that earst he sawe with eye:
He gan to feare, leaste that she were
a Goddesse in the Skie.
And (for he was so blunt of witte,
that well he did not know:
If heauenly things, more worthy were
then thinges an earth that grow.
and staide a time to see,
If that her eyes, of owne free wyll
would wake, or opened bee.
And though this pawsinge seemed long,
and griefe it was, to staye
Unwonted pleasure, heald his hearte
from partyng yet awaye:
Thus CYMON gazyng styll, and yet
enioyng lybertie
In gaze: out of her sleepe, behould
she waketh by and by.
Her name hight IPHIGENIA,
(so Parentes did deuise:)
Whiche, when she lifted vp her head,
and opened wide her eyes:
And CYMON leanyng on his staffe,
before her stande, she see:
Amazde in minde, these wordes, or lyke
to hym then vttered shee.
(For Cyprians, knew their CYMON well,
for his simplicitie:
And partly for his Fathers wealthe,
and great Nobylytie.)
What seekste thou CYMON in this wood,
at this tyme of the daye?
Why wandrest thou so farre from home
what causeth thee to staye?
But Answere CYMON rendred none
to IHPHIGENIA:
not lookyng once away.
For sure (he thought) a passyng smell,
and great suavitie
Proceeded from the fulgent light,
of pleasant pearcyng eye.
Which warmd his heart wt present sight
and sodeine, wontlesse ioy:
(A soueraigne salue to Maladies,
to Cares, the chiefe annoye.)
But when the Uirgyn well had markd
his neuer winkyng looke:
A chillyng horrour shakd her limmes
and feare her Sences tooke.
For doughte, least his vnciuill lyfe,
with Clounish maners fraught:
Might cause suspect, of Uirgyns vaunte
that he, the pray had caught.
(Whiche seyng, might without desert,
redownde to her reproche:
And knowyng well, how sclaunderous tongs
on Uirgyns fame encroche:)
In haste her handmaides she awakte,
in purpose to departe:
And farewell (CYMON) then she said,
Adieu with all my harte.
Thē answered CYMON in this sorte,
my heart shall wayte on thee:
(My Ioye) my selfe where ere thou go,
shall beare thee companie.
his offred curtesie:
Yet could she not reiect her Mate,
vntyll with open eye
He viewd, the stately dwellyng place,
of her that made him thrall:
Whose Aunsweres were to him more sharpe
then taste of bytter gall.
For when that swellyng heate of loue
did boyle within his breast:
And flamyng fire, did burne his lymmes
and rage his hart opprest.
And that he crau'de of her, (to quench
his drowgh,) one droppe of grace:
She spewd foorth spiteful taūting glikes
at him, with frownyng face.
And yet that moste procur'd his griefe,
was partyng from her sight:
That had attachd his Sences all
with view, of liuely light.
For (when she past, with stealyng steps,
her Fathers hugie Gate:)
She bard the same wt might & mayne,
against her friendly Mate.
Then booted not, he knew right well,
with showtyng cryes to call:
And then perceiued, she scornd his loue,
yet he remainde her thrall.
A thousād thoughts then hemd his wits
in Caue and stricke of woe.
the roote of griefe to grow:
His Brayne was eke, besiegde wt care,
what wayes he might deuise:
To conquere hate: and gaine the loue,
of hir, that bleard his eyes.
Thus musing now in minde, he standes
in studie colde as Ice:
And styll deuising how he may
atchiue his enterprise.
At length determinde, to reuerte,
vnto his mansion place:
And styll he hoopde, in tracte of time,
to looke for better grace.
And tumbled now, on carefull couche,
in Countrey Cabyn lay:
Inuentyng seuerall wayes, now this,
now that, he did assay.
But (sundrie consultacions passde,)
in ende, he dyd conclude:
To liue exilde from Countrey soyle,
(for Countrey Clownes are rude.)
Therfore, to Courte in haste, he hyes
hym, to his Fathers howse:
And stoutely to his Parentes sweares
that he wyll hould the Plowes
No longer now, or digge, and delue,
and be a Countrey Slaue:
But loathyng Countrey life, begyns,
a ciuill lyfe to craue.
and treble, wonted woe:
His Friends, and Kinsmens griefe likewise
began agayne to grow.
Yet purposde they, a while to stay,
the perfecte cause, to know:
Of sodeyne chang, that forc'de this man
his former guise forgoe.
Therfore: whē Cupids shaft, had perc'de
this CYMONS restles hart:
Through which could neuer penetrate,
one iote of learned Arte.
When CYMONS, sence was rauished
with IPHIGENIAES face.
Whose pulchritude of liuely looke,
his glimpse of eye, did daze.)
He, was not he, but chang'd his coate,
his maners he began
To change likewise, and was be come
from thence, an altred man.
This chang, to Courtiers seemed strang
a wonder, to his feeres:
An admiration, to his kinne,
a ioy to fathers yeares.
Then of his Father, first he crau'd,
to be apparaild braue:
As others of his Breethren were,
and lyke Attire to haue.
His Father graunted his request,
and streight began he then
of Courtly Gentlemen:
With diligence, he searchde, what things
were, to a Louer fitte:
And now in studiyng Tha'rte of Loue,
did exercise his witte.
And (whiche is merueilous to tell,)
in momentarie space:
To studie, geuyng hole delight,
he learnynge did embrace.
Amongste the wise Philosophers,
he gayned likewise, fame
With musing mou'd, to all mennes minds
that knew of CYMONS name.
The cause, of all this sodeyne change,
was IHPHIGENIAS loue:
Whiche made him banish lobbish lyfe,
and rudenes to remoue.
For (loue his guide) he did refourme,
the stuttyng of his tongue:
And of a dusked lisping voyce,
his speache moste sweetely ronge
In vttryng pleasant wordes, and hee
of Musicke learnde the Arte:
Of skyll in strydyng tramplyng Steedes,
he had likewise, his parte.
And skylfull was in feates of Armes,
and Actes of Chiualrie:
In warfare, well experienc'd too,
by lande, and eke by Sea.
and vertuous deedes, I shew:
First this, then that, particularly,
as in his hert they grew.
In fine, I say: in foure yeares space:
he warde a wiser man:
And of more tried towardnesse,
then any Cyprian.
So that, more eloquent in wordes,
and graue in countinaunce:
He was esteemde, then Courtiers all,
whom Fame, with prayse did haunce.
What shall I therfore, speake of loue?
my Pen how shall I frame?
To yelde to him, deserued prayse?
or blase his worthy fame?
For when the fatal Starres, had dewde
this CYMONS gentle heart:
With Gentleman lyke qualyties,
and skyll in Muses Arte.
Disdainfull nature, causde the same
within his hearte, to lie.
Fast bownde & chainde wt fettered linkes
in LETHE waues, to die:
And drowne for aye, in whirlepools huge
yet Loue vntwounde the knotee:
And vanquisht nature with his force,
as foe, to luckie lotte.
For Loue, oftimes is wonte to raise
from duskish drowsie dreames:
and Graue of LETHE streames.
And wrapt in clowdie darkenesse thick,
CVPIDO bringes to light,
The Sences: renting seruile yoacke,
(suche is his vayle, and might
And causeth them wt glimeryng beames,
eftsoones, for to appeare:
And shew so bright, to all mens sight,
as PHEBVS gleming Spheare.
And raunsōmes ofte, the noble heartes,
from beepe, and darksome denne:
And brings thē, with his glittering rayes
vnto ELISIOS fenne.
Therfore
, while sweltīg heat, of loue
did thril through CYMONS hert
And he did (as the amorous sorte,)
from right and reason starte:
Yet ARISTIPPVS was content,
what euer CYMON dyd:
And toyed to see his sonne, so chaungde,
which from his brest hath tyd
All noysome cares: for that by loue
his CYMON now became:
From first, a sheepe, and clownish lowte
a cyuill Gentylman.
The Father, dayly addeth Spurres,
vnto his Sonnes desire:
And willes him neuer stay, tyll he
vnto his lustes aspyre.
When CYMONS minde conceu'd the truth
his name GALESVS hight:
Remembring IPHIGENIA, callde
hym, CYMON, in despight.
It greeu'd his hearte, and then his care
was, to excirpe that fame:
And out of memrie, roote and weede,
that lewde despightfull name.
And studiyng diuerse times, to quenche,
his parchyng Brondes, of loue:
(Whose fierie flakes, his heart assaylde,
and mirth to mew had droue.)
Of IPHIGENIAS father, he
(who CYPSEVS hight) did craue.
In gaynyng or his doughters loue,
his friendly wyll to haue.
But he affirmthe, a former graunte,
is now alredy paste:
And his consent, to PASYMONDE,
before was fully plac'de.
And said, he would not falsifie
to him, his plyghted trouthe:
(This PASMONDE was a Gentlemā
of RHODES and flower of youthe.
And now the time, to celebrate
Thespousels, draweth neere:
The Bridegrome sent, to fetch the Bride
with gladsome merie cheere:
All this, when CYMON had reuolu'd
and pondred in his brest:
The time approcheth now, thought hee,
to purchase quiet rest.
Yf euer, now: he mindes to shewe
to IPHIGENIA:
The scorching heate, of broylynge loue,
that in his brest did staye.
And now with diligence, to prooue
his vowed Loyaltie:
With mightie hande, for to withstande,
her partynge from his eye.
For thee, (he said) I frie and swelt,
in Fornace, of desire:
For of a Beaste, to manly shape
thou madste mee to aspire.
Yf that the Gods wyll graunte, that I
to wyfe, may thee enioye:
And thy Societie, to embrace,
that shall my cares destroye.
And doubtlesse, would I thinke in ioye;
to passe my goulden yeares:
And for to leade an Angelles lyfe,
amongst the Princelie Peeres,
And certes, Death shall ende my dayes,
with dint of bloudie knife:
But I, in spite of hatefull foes,
wyll winne thee to my wyfe.
He (reasonyng thus, in troubled brayne,)
his friendes by stealth dyd call:
(Suche as were borne, of noble bloud,
to know what should befal.)
To priuate counsell, whiche he helde,
and opened there his minde:
To them, & what he woulde haue done,
he leaueth not behinde.
A Ship, then closely, he prepares,
and deckes with furniture:
Meete for the warre by Sea: and longe
against his foes, to dure.
Whiche vittailde well, and armed then
he enters in the Ship.
And cuttes the Seas, and sayle, & sterne,
to EOLVS doth commyt.
The restless Tide, that beares his Barke
with waltryng waues on Sea:
Rowes wambling foorth: wt hope & mirth
were fedde his Mates and he,
Away, the meerie Mariner hales,
deuyding fomyng streames:
The braggyng Boy, hies vp to toppe
of Mastes loftie Beames.
The waueryng Flag for Ioy is vaunst,
the Seas begyn to swell:
And he in hope amidst the stormes,
of surgyng Seas, do dwell.
And there, for IPHIGENIAES Sayle,
he purposde then to staye:
In whiche the Rhodians, to her Lorde
to Rhoodes, shoulde her conuaye.
And now the Father of the Bryde,
receyu'd with courtesie:
And honor greate: the men of Rhoodes
whiche from her Husbande bee:
To Cyprus sent, to that intent,
to fetche her home in peace:
Whiche shortly leaue, the fertyll lande,
and lanche vnto the Seas.
And towards Rhoodes, their Sayles they bende
and Mastes they do directe:
But CYMON lo, whiche to that ende,
(therof not once suspecte.)
Had warely watchde, with wakyng eye,
the morowe vexte appeere:
When PHEBVS banished, mistie clowdes
and shonne in Skies full cleere.
And with his garnisht Barcke for warre
adournde with Armour bright:
Encountred IPHIGENIAS Hulke,
not distant farre from sight.
And standynge formost in the front
of swiftie Nauies Snoute:
To IPHIGENIAS companie,
he cryeth with clamour stoute,
And saith: abide ye men of Rhoodes,
and quickly strike ye Sayle:
Els none shall scape the Gulphe of Seas
(excepte my heart mee fayle.
Then drew his foes, their shinīg Blades
and armde themselues for fight:
With courage stoute, and force, for to
withstande sir CYMONS might.
Wherto, when CYMON had respecte,
he threw with manly might,
A Grapple in the Rhodians Shippe,
to let the same from flight.
Wherwith, he staide their Barke: & then
most firmely fastned it
Unto his Ship, with stemmes of Brasse,
armde for the purpose fitte.
And lyke the maned Lyon then,
not crauynge aide of Mates:
Alone he leapes into their Ship,
and troubleth all estates.
For (loue, augmentyng then his force,)
he runnes with valiant hearte:
Upon his foes, with bytyng Glayue,
and playeth the Tigers parte.
And lyke the Calydonian Boare,
or LERNAS Lyons fierce:
Whom ere he ratcht, wt Transfer bryght
their faintyng lyms, did pearce.
From some, he caru'd the shoulder boane,
from others, made to slyde
The legges: from others, he lykewyse
dyd heade from Corps deuide.
And when of them were diuers slayne,
and many wounded sore:
And heere did one, another there,
lye sprawlyng in the floore.
The Rhodians, then perceyuyng well,
their force, was farre vnlyke:
And halfe despeyryng, in their strength,
thought bootelesse was to stryke,
Or make resistance: and they sawe
by flight they could not scape.
To him did yelde their captiue corse,
to whome, thus CYMON spake.
Ye
men of Rhodes, not want of wealth
did thril through CYMONS hert
And he did (as the amorous sorte,)
from right and reason starte:
Yet ARISTIPPVS was content,
what euer CYMON dyd:
And toyed to see his sonne, so chaungde,
which from his brest hath tyd
All noysome cares: for that by loue
his CYMON now became:
From first, a sheepe, and clownish lowte
a cyuill Gentylman.
The Father, dayly addeth Spurres,
vnto his Sonnes desire:
And willes him neuer stay, tyll he
vnto his lustes aspyre.
his name GALESVS hight:
Remembring IPHIGENIA, callde
hym, CYMON, in despight.
It greeu'd his hearte, and then his care
was, to excirpe that fame:
And out of memrie, roote and weede,
that lewde despightfull name.
And studiyng diuerse times, to quenche,
his parchyng Brondes, of loue:
(Whose fierie flakes, his heart assaylde,
and mirth to mew had droue.)
Of IPHIGENIAS father, he
(who CYPSEVS hight) did craue.
In gaynyng or his doughters loue,
his friendly wyll to haue.
But he affirmthe, a former graunte,
is now alredy paste:
And his consent, to PASYMONDE,
before was fully plac'de.
And said, he would not falsifie
to him, his plyghted trouthe:
(This PASMONDE was a Gentlemā
of RHODES and flower of youthe.
And now the time, to celebrate
Thespousels, draweth neere:
The Bridegrome sent, to fetch the Bride
with gladsome merie cheere:
All this, when CYMON had reuolu'd
and pondred in his brest:
to purchase quiet rest.
Yf euer, now: he mindes to shewe
to IPHIGENIA:
The scorching heate, of broylynge loue,
that in his brest did staye.
And now with diligence, to prooue
his vowed Loyaltie:
With mightie hande, for to withstande,
her partynge from his eye.
For thee, (he said) I frie and swelt,
in Fornace, of desire:
For of a Beaste, to manly shape
thou madste mee to aspire.
Yf that the Gods wyll graunte, that I
to wyfe, may thee enioye:
And thy Societie, to embrace,
that shall my cares destroye.
And doubtlesse, would I thinke in ioye;
to passe my goulden yeares:
And for to leade an Angelles lyfe,
amongst the Princelie Peeres,
And certes, Death shall ende my dayes,
with dint of bloudie knife:
But I, in spite of hatefull foes,
wyll winne thee to my wyfe.
He (reasonyng thus, in troubled brayne,)
his friendes by stealth dyd call:
(Suche as were borne, of noble bloud,
to know what should befal.)
and opened there his minde:
To them, & what he woulde haue done,
he leaueth not behinde.
A Ship, then closely, he prepares,
and deckes with furniture:
Meete for the warre by Sea: and longe
against his foes, to dure.
Whiche vittailde well, and armed then
he enters in the Ship.
And cuttes the Seas, and sayle, & sterne,
to EOLVS doth commyt.
The restless Tide, that beares his Barke
with waltryng waues on Sea:
Rowes wambling foorth: wt hope & mirth
were fedde his Mates and he,
Away, the meerie Mariner hales,
deuyding fomyng streames:
The braggyng Boy, hies vp to toppe
of Mastes loftie Beames.
The waueryng Flag for Ioy is vaunst,
the Seas begyn to swell:
And he in hope amidst the stormes,
of surgyng Seas, do dwell.
And there, for IPHIGENIAES Sayle,
he purposde then to staye:
In whiche the Rhodians, to her Lorde
to Rhoodes, shoulde her conuaye.
And now the Father of the Bryde,
receyu'd with courtesie:
whiche from her Husbande bee:
To Cyprus sent, to that intent,
to fetche her home in peace:
Whiche shortly leaue, the fertyll lande,
and lanche vnto the Seas.
And towards Rhoodes, their Sayles they bende
and Mastes they do directe:
But CYMON lo, whiche to that ende,
(therof not once suspecte.)
Had warely watchde, with wakyng eye,
the morowe vexte appeere:
When PHEBVS banished, mistie clowdes
and shonne in Skies full cleere.
And with his garnisht Barcke for warre
adournde with Armour bright:
Encountred IPHIGENIAS Hulke,
not distant farre from sight.
And standynge formost in the front
of swiftie Nauies Snoute:
To IPHIGENIAS companie,
he cryeth with clamour stoute,
And saith: abide ye men of Rhoodes,
and quickly strike ye Sayle:
Els none shall scape the Gulphe of Seas
(excepte my heart mee fayle.
Then drew his foes, their shinīg Blades
and armde themselues for fight:
With courage stoute, and force, for to
withstande sir CYMONS might.
he threw with manly might,
A Grapple in the Rhodians Shippe,
to let the same from flight.
Wherwith, he staide their Barke: & then
most firmely fastned it
Unto his Ship, with stemmes of Brasse,
armde for the purpose fitte.
And lyke the maned Lyon then,
not crauynge aide of Mates:
Alone he leapes into their Ship,
and troubleth all estates.
For (loue, augmentyng then his force,)
he runnes with valiant hearte:
Upon his foes, with bytyng Glayue,
and playeth the Tigers parte.
And lyke the Calydonian Boare,
or LERNAS Lyons fierce:
Whom ere he ratcht, wt Transfer bryght
their faintyng lyms, did pearce.
From some, he caru'd the shoulder boane,
from others, made to slyde
The legges: from others, he lykewyse
dyd heade from Corps deuide.
And when of them were diuers slayne,
and many wounded sore:
And heere did one, another there,
lye sprawlyng in the floore.
The Rhodians, then perceyuyng well,
their force, was farre vnlyke:
thought bootelesse was to stryke,
Or make resistance: and they sawe
by flight they could not scape.
To him did yelde their captiue corse,
to whome, thus CYMON spake.
nor greedinesse of praye:
Nor cancred hate, restes in my hearte,
or towardes you do staye:
That mou'd mee come, from Cyprus soyle:
and you vnarmde, inuade,
In midste of Seas: beyng armde my selfe,
with keene and caruyng Blade.
But this is cause, that force mee thus,
and seemeth great, to mee:
Whiche to atchieue, I make accompte,
a recompence to bee.
In guerdon of my former toyle,
and hyre of trauayle paste,
Whiche easely, and with quyet, you
may graunt: (and purchase rest.
Myne IPHIGENIA, she it is,
who dearer is to mee:
And gratefull more, then hande or lyfe,
is her socyetie.
Whome, when by gentle meanes I could
not of her Father gayne:
and Swoorde, her loue obteine.
And armde with glitteryng Helme, & creste
by violence her to take
From you: For so my mynde is bent,
my Spouse and feere to make
Her. And in lieu of PASYMONDE
his function execute:
Wherfore, deliuer her to mee,
in haste, withoute pursuite.
And NEPTVNE guidyng well your sayles
to passe the swellyng Seas:
Reuerte into your natiue lande,
and hence departe with peace.
The Rhodians then, whom force cōstraind
not franke, and free good wyll:
With weepyng eyes, the Uirgyn yeldes
Sir CYMON now vntyll.
Which, when she saw her Corse was pledg
and ransome for the rest:
The trickling teares, like flowing stremes
distylled downe her brest.
Then (gentle Uirgyn) CYMON said,
blurre not thy face with teares:
But drie thine eyes, and cease thy griefe,
there is no cause of feares.
I am thy CYMON, that long time,
haue lou'd thee in my hearte:
And more deserue'd thee, to my wife,
then PASMONDE, for his parte.
haue pearc'd for thee, my brest:
And PASMONDE onely claymeth thee
by reason of beehest
And couenaunt, which thy father made,
(this said) he doth returne,
Unto his Mates; whiche in the Shippe,
did all that time, soiourne.
And brought his IPHIGENIA
to Ship with him by hande:
Unspoylde of stuffe, the Rhodian Ship
he sent to Rhodian lande.
Then CYMON, which on lyue, did think
himselfe the happiest wight:
Enrichde with suche a Royall pray,
and precious to his sight.
Deuised with his felowes nowe,
their voyage to directe:
On Seas, not to the Cyprian Soyle:
but backewarde to reflecte.
By commen counsel holden, they
agreed, to Creete to sayle:
Where all, & chiefly CYMON thought,
their foes coulde not preuayle.
Against them there, for that they had
both friendes and kinsmen too:
So now, by all mens full consent,
to Thyle of Creete, they go.
Then lanche they foorth, & hoiste vp Sayle
(O TRITON be their guide:
their face from foes to hide.)
But see how waywarde Fortune now,
begyns to turne her wheele:
And grutchyng at his good successe,
her crooked Spyndelles reele.
For she that CYMON gratified,
with IPHIGENIA:
As noble, famous Goddesse? now
hath tornde her face away.
And changde his Ioyes, & goulden happe,
in moment of an howre:
To soakyng sighes, to waplynge grones,
of frownyng Fortunes lowre.
Be packynge Muses, to your Mownte,
your helpe is bootelesse, heere:
I must amongst the Hellish shades,
go seeke, to finde MEGERE.
ALECTO, flie from LIMBO lake,
and scudde from PLVTOS denne:
And with your aide, assiste my Uerse,
directe my rugged Penne.
Twice , ij. houres, scarcely ended were
sithe Rhodians home returne:
But night with dimming darkenesse came,
and mistie cloudes by turne
Appearde in Skies: to CYMONS hearte,
a ioyfull wisshed night.
to him: then euer chanc'de to wight.
But loe, a stormie tempest rise,
the Skies with cloudes are blacke:
And wauie Seas, with whirlyng winds,
do tosse the Shippes to wracke.
This hurly burly, blindes their eyes,
and dulles their Sences so:
That of them all, not one man knew,
what thynge was best to doo.
For all men, then began to feare,
forgettyng Shipmens skyll:
But who can paint with proper tearmes
or plainly Pen, with quyll.
What griefe ye tyme, gripte CYMONS hart
for Goddes would not regarde:
He thought, the force of flamyng loue,
and sithe before he sparde
Not: lyfe to lose, his loue to winne,
in thought, then sure, said he:)
With sharper stinge of death, the Gods,
wyll take reuenge on mee.
Now Cymons Mates, do weepe & wayle
But IPHIGENIA
Aboue the rest shed bitter teares,
and ofte cried wellawaye.
And gulffde wt gripyng fittes, did quaile
at euery blaste of winde:
And euery storme of wallowing waues,
opprest with wo; her minde,
she vtterlye deteste:
Sir CYMONS loue, and bouldnesse, that
had purchaste her vnreste.
As though, that stormie whirlwindes, not
of other cause dyd swell:
But by the wrathfull ire of Goddes,
to wreacke with furie fell
His boulde attempte: And wyllyng not
that CYMON shoulde enioy
The rauishte Uirgyn, quietlye,
or free, without annoye.
But sure she thought, by sentence iuste,
of Gods, they both shoulde die:
And ende their wretched direfull dayes,
in wofull myserie.
Amongst these Girlysh waylynges, then,
and anguish of the minde:
The watermen, and Maryners,
were wauerynge as the winde,
And doubtfull muche, whiche way to turne
their Shyp, and them to saue:
And (styll the windes begynnyng more,
with boysteous blastes, to raue.
Their bark, was driuē to the Ile of Rhodes
whiche for the tempest, they
Could not discerne, and know to bee,
vpon the Rhodian Sea.
And studiyng now, for onely healthe,
they put their helpyng hande:
and bringe their Ship to lande.
Where (as the Constellacions wrought)
they landed at that place
To whicke the Rhodians came before,
whiche CYMON let to passe.
And yet they knew not that they were
arru'd at Rhodes, before
That SOL displaide his splendent beames
next morow on the shore.
For then they sawe, the Ship at Hauen,
whiche they did let departe:
The day before: not distant more,
from them, then throw of Darte.
Wherfore, Sir Cymon pensiue now,
leaste that shoulde chaunce did feare
To him, whiche happed presently,
as you shall after heare
Then he commaundes with diligeuce
the Ship from thence remoue,
In haste: not caryng to what Porte,
their Tacklynges els they shooue:
For well he knewe, all other Portes,
from daungers more were free:
And SCYLLAS wombe, lesse wrackfull, then
where now they landed bee.
The Shipmens painfull trauayle, and
his Mates endeuour now
Were bootelesse: For the thrillie windes,
styll backewardes dyd them blow.
are driuen vpon the shore:
Against their wyll, for wrastlyng styll,
to turne from thence their Ore.
The windes did land them, at the Hauen
of Rhoodes: where by and by:
The Rhodian Shipmen, knew right wel
and did them streight descrie.
Then of them one, did hastely ronne,
to Towne, not distant farre:
Where al the route, of Gallantes stoute,
that tyme assembled ware.
And orderly, reuealth to them,
that IPHIGENIA:
And CYMON, blowen wt stormie blasts
tost on the roaryng Sea.
Are now arriu'd at Rhodian lande,
and all the circumstaunce,
He shewes to them: And all thinges els,
that hapte to them, by chaunce.
(Which heard) the lustie youth of Rhodes
did leape for present ioye:
Euen lyke, as dyd the valient Grekes,
at ouerthrow of Troy.
And rushyng forth, lyke ragyng route,
they mustred many men:
And then with speede, vnto the Seas,
they flockmeale, all dyd renne.
Wher CYMON, hasting now his flight
with IPHIGENIA:
preuente, and make to staye:
Yet fayled not his noble hearte,
to stande in his defence:
Against the Rhodian warlyke Troupe,
for first, he did dispence
With lyfe: And wyllyng was to spende,
his bloud vpon his foe:
And many, by his Knightly force,
their Sences dyd forgoe.
And through his prowesse, some did yelde
to ATROPOS their breathe:
And some were maymde, and other slayne
with direfull darte of Death.
Yet vayled not, his valiant Actes:
and chiualrous Renowne:
For taken, hym, they Prysoner ledde,
to next adioynyng Towne.
Then thither came LISYMACHVS,
whiche in that yeare by chaunce:
Was Maiestrate: And in that Ile
had chiefest gouernaunce.
Beyng garded with a warlyke route,
cōmaundes, that CYMON, then
And all his Aidantes, shoulde be throwen
to deepe, and darksome denne.
For PASMONDE, and the Senate eke
of Rhoodes appointed so.
When they, how all the matter stoode,
effectuallie did know.
his IPHIGENIA.
Whome he had gainde not muche before,
by fight vpon the Sea.
Of whome he neuer tasted sweete,
besides a litle hope:
For hire of paynes allredy paste,
to reape the goulden croppe.
Saue that, he collde her lillie necke,
and kist her rosie lippes:
And claspte her ofte in foulded Armes,
agayne: her Corps he clyppes.
But all this sodayne ioye, is turnde
agyne to wonted woe:
His IPHIGENIA, now he must
against his wyll forgoe.
Thus wandrynge wide, to seeke for rest,
in stormie tydes is trapte:
And labouryng long, through Gulphes of waues,
in care vnwares, is wrapte.
Then fawnyng Fortune framde (he said)
with painted face for shee:
O brittle cursed Fate, that forc'de
my state to alter so.
The chiefe, and auncient Matrones, then
receiu'de her courteously:
And cherisde her with nourishmentes:
And of captyuitie:
Beyng partly sadde, her gulpyng griefe
with solace, they appease:
and trauayle on the Seas.
And there abode she styll with them,
vntyll th'appointed day.
To celebrate Thespousell rites,
had chasde the night awaye.
To leade a captiue Prisoners lyfe,
the Senate graunted now
To CYMON and his Mates, for that
some fauour they did show
Unto the Rhodians: (for they gaue
them, licence to departe:
With bagge, and baggage, free frō death)
But PASMONDE, for his parte,
With instant suite, did vrge that they,
in pryson might be slayne:
To whiche, they were condemnde for aye
to leade their lyues in payne.
Where they should ende their wretched dayes
(as Reason did require:)
Whyle breath doth last, depryu'de of hope
to pleasures to aspyre.
The meane whyle now, when PASYMOND
for Nuptialles doth prepare:
And all prouision needefull, he
prouides with carkyng care.
Beholde, how Fortune mou'd with ruthe
of former acte repente:
And now for CYMON, healthfull ayde
the frendly doth inuent.
in Hell mouthe, helpe is founde:
And LACHESIS, the knot half losde,
hath fast, and firmely twounde.
For entryng in, at PLVTOS doore,
and yeldyng vp the Ghoste:
With gaspyng oft for breath, see how
his vertue, Death hath loste.
And lyfe begynnes in him againe,
to runne his wonted race:
So, Death is banishd, and lyfe restorde
by Fortunes gentle grace.
This PASMONDE, had a Brother, namde
HORMIDAS, yonge of yeares:
But yet not lesse, in valiantnesse
then PASMONDE, or his peeres.
Which (long deliberation had)
decreed to take to wife:
A Uirgyn callde CASANDRA: and
with her to leade his lyfe.
And for she was, of seemely shape,
adournde with Courtly grace:
LISYMACHVS the Senatour
did coueit to embrace.
With stretched Armes, her comly Corps,
whom with affection: hee
Lykde in suche sorte, that he desirde
her Louer for to bee.
tormented sore his hearte:
Being clapt vnwares in VENVS clawes
and stong with CVPIDS darte.
Now PASIMONDE, solempnizyng,
the Nuptiall iolytie:
With sumptuous preparations, as
was meete for his degree.
Thought good, his Brother HORMIDAS,
for to perswade, that they
Might (entryng both in IVNOES Rites,)
be Bryde groomes on a daye.
So shoulde they saue, the double charge,
and coastes, of Mariage feaste:
Yet meante he, that of both their charge,
his Brothers should be leaste.
He therfore, wt CASSANDRAES frends
the matter doth debate:
And of her father crau'd, to graunte
her, to be feere, and mate
Unto his Brother HORMIDAS:
and geuen to him, to wyfe:
They shoulde be ioynde in sacred bondes,
of wedlocke, all their lyfe.
And that same daye, as he do wedde
his IPHIGENIA:
His Brother should be maryed too
his Ladie CASSANDRA.
These consultacions, corsyes were,
vnto LISYMACHVS hearte:
from ioyes, he dyd departe:
Yet with perswasions, fancie feedes
hym, that CASSANDRA wyll,
Be linckd with hym, in IVNOES lawes,
and his desire fulfill.
If that HORMIDAS wedde her not,
and take her to his wyfe:
These, and suche lyke occursions, then
in mazed minde were ryfe.
But as a prudent man should doo,
(that claymes of wisdome parte:)
He closely keepes, his dolour deepe:
encheinde, within his hearte.
And compassyng in swarming brayne,
what wayes he might with speede
Disturbe this Mariage, could not finde
a lawfull meanes, in deede.
Therfore, agrees he with him selfe,
and fully doth conclude:
To winne by force, the Uirgyns grace,
and cares so to exclude.
Which, wel (he thought,) he might atchiue
and playnly bryng to passe:
For that he bare the chiefest sway,
and honor in that place.
On thother parte, his dignytie
and tipe of highe renowne
Reuockte him, from that enterprise,
whiche to his shame, should sowne.
dishonor to the facte:
The more, yf one of his estate,
committe so lewde an acte.
But after muche aduisement had,
Sir Loue, did gayne the place,
Of honestie: and Reason too,
to luste, did yelde his trace.
And now LISYMACHVS, dothe haste
with danger of his health:
Yea: and with losse of lyfe: to take
his praye awaye by stealthe.
And roulyng oft in searchyng head,
what order he might take:
Or what assistentes he might vse,
an ende therof to make.
And bryng the matter to good passe,
bethought himselfe anone:
(As hap would haue, and Fortune gaue)
of CYMON that dyd mone
His thraldome, beyng closely clapte,
in Gayle, and Dungeon deepe:
Where straitly, hym, and all his mates,
the Wardeyne styll did keepe.
He, therfore pondryng well, the cause
with, hearte, and hande agree:
Unto this sentence: which, he mindes
should ratyfied bee.
That no man could be founde more true,
or of fidelytie:
then CYMON was, whome he
The nexte night after, brought by stelthe,
from deepe, and Hellike lake:
Unto his Chamber, bossde with Goulde,
and thus to him he spake.
ORATIO LISYMACHI AD CYMONEM.
Euen
as (sir CYMON) Gods are bēt
and alwayes redy bee.
To geue their gracious gifts to men
with store abundantly.
So doo they too require of them,
both paynfull industrie:
And valiantness with diligence.
and whom againe they see
Strong harted, in calamity,
to suffer crabbed chaunce:
Those they, as worthy, manlyke men
to honors great aduance.
The Gods wolde, of thy courage stoute,
a greater triall take:
And more experience, of thy might.
(more gloryous it to make.
Then thou thy selfe, in Fathers house,
of riches heapde with store:)
Couldst make to shine, & shew it selfe
lyke bright, & glistring ore,
the Goddes, haue framed thee:
Of dull, and sencelesse blocke: a wyse,
and wittie man to bee
Besides: withe Fortune wrastlyng now,
and thrall to filthy gayle.
The Gods wyl trie thee, if thy strength,
within thy hearte do quayle.
Or if thou be that man, as earste,
when thou with manlyke mighte:
Obteinde the happie conquest: and
didste wynne thy pray by fight:
For if thou shew thy selfe the same,
(as late thou were,) to bee:
The Goddes, dyd neuer geue to man,
more mirthfull iolytie.
Or wisshed pleasure, and more Ioye
then now they do entende:
To graunt and yelde vnto thy hearte,
thy heaped cares to ende.
And what that is, I wyll in briefe,
and fewe wordes, tell to thee,
That thou maiste gather wonted hearte,
and animositie.
The glad and ioyfull PASYMONDE
at thine vnhappie chaunce:
And chiefe procurour of thy death,
makes haste himselfe t'aduaunce.
thyne IPHIGENIA:
Thespouselles eke to celebrate,
appoinctes a solempne day.
That therby, he might taste the sweete,
of that thy conquerde praye:
Whiche smylynge fortune, gaue to thee,
and frownynge tooke awaye.
And well I know, what corsie this
should bee vnto thy hearte:
If in thy brest, of scaldyng heate
of loue, thou feale the smarte.
HORMIDAS loe: that selfe same daye,
intendes lyke iniurie:
And wronge to mee, and lyke despyte,
with hatefull Tirranie.
For he wyll wed CASSANDRA, whom
I minde to take to wyfe:
Whose sight, so deare is to my hearte,
as is to mee my lyfe.
To take reuenge, of this reproche,
and contumelious wronge:
Fortune, hathe onely manhoode lefte
to vs: as Fortresse stronge.
Go too therfore, and (she our guide)
let vs with naked Blade:
Make violent way, and valiantly
resistynge Foes inuade.
To seconde rauisshement, for thee
plucke vp thy noble hearte.
To play his wonted parte.
Yf thou wylt stoutly folow me,
the Captayne, of this Acte:
And guide of famous enterprise,
and glorious shyning facte.
Beholde, I yelde into thy handes,
both auncient lybertie:
And IPHIGENIA, I wyll giue,
thy lawfull wyfe to bee.
The which two thinges, thou oughtest to craue
none earthly Treasure more:
(For heartes delight, all men prefere.
and healthe, their wealthe before.)
These saynges of LISYMACHVS,
did CYMONS hearte reuiue:
And trylled, through his crased Corse,
where Death, with lyfe did striue:
And hope, hath vanquished now despeyre,
and wilshed quiet rest.
Enioyes within his hearte, the place,
that dolors once possest.
Then presently without delaye,
vnto LISYMACHVS:
Sir CYMON, framde his filed tale,
and then, he answered thus.
(LISYMACHVS) thou shalt not finde
a hardier man then mee:
Or of more tried faithfulnesse,
or greater Constancie.
yf so (as thou doest saye:
That Fortune shall puriue the facte,
in yeldyng graunted praye.
Therfore, what charge vnto my lot,
thou wilte assigne, forsee:
And looke what office thou appoincte,
shall gratefull bee to mee.
And I wyll treade what pathe thou wilte
and venture lyfe, to treade
Amidste the steppes, of enemies Tentes,
or yeldyng Serpentes heade.
Say on therfore, not heartlesse, I
or dreadyng fumyng foes:
Wyll folowe thee my Captayne, thoughe
my lyfe therby I lose:
To this LISYMACVS replyed,
within two dayes, saide he:
Our foes concluded to proceede,
vnto Solemnytie.
In mariage of thy wife and mine,
and then they shall be broughte:
Unto their Bridegroomes mansion place,
loe: thus I haue bethought.
We armde, with other trustie Mates,
at firste watche of the night:
Shall rushynge in the house, conuey
them from the feaste, by might.
And rauishde: brynge them to a Ship,
whiche for that purpose, I
not distant farre, to lye
And no man wyll wee spare, of those,
that wyll our purpose staye:
Or our intent, with violence let,
forestallynge vs, the waye.
The order, to accomplysh thus
the matter, pleasde him well:
Whiche in the Pryson, tyll that daye,
dissemblynge wise dyd dwell.
And now hath PYROEIS, EOVS eke,
with AETHON, and PHLEGON,
Drawen foorth in Skies, the golden waine
of bright, and glisteryng Sonne.
And loe: AVRORE, her purple doores,
hath opened in the easte:
And LVCIFER, hath chasde the starres,
and LVNA takes her rest.
The day assignde, for mariage rytes,
of louers wishde, is come:
Which gorgeouslie, solemnizde were,
with pompe: of all, and some
While all the house, of brothers bothe,
with regall ryot, shyne:
And they in midste of costly cates,
and quaffyng BACCHVS wine:
The mene whyle, now LISYMACHVS
not sleapyng his entente:
Appointed well, with nedefull thinges,
to due accomplishment.
his carued Blade doth hide:
Within his Garment: so the rest,
for feare, leaste they be spyde.
Sir CYMON then, & CYMONS men,
and his men, he deuide:
To three wynges: lottyng to eche ranke,
a Captayne, and a guide.
For some by stealthe, vnto the Hauen,
LISYMACHVS hath sent:
Least Rhodians, state their purpose, and
of shyppyng them preuente.
Some in ye Porch of PASMONDS house
he closely causde to staye:
For feare ther foes, their passage stoppe,
or enterclude their waye.
He, with the rest, and CYMON too,
aboute prefired tyme:
And as agreement was before,
the Brydale house do clyme.
They scale the walles, and win the Forte
then enter they with force:
The suppyng Chāber, where the Brides,
refreshd with foode their Corse.
Amongste them, other Ladyes sate,
by order, in degree:
At royall Table, richely dight,
and garnishde sumptuouslie.
With massie Bowles, of golden Cuppes,
bedecte with Pearle, and Stone:
not muche vnlike that shonne.
And furnishde well with speciall cates,
and daintie Princelike fare:
Yet CYMON and LISYMACHVS,
for nought their purpose spare.
But Tables headlong downe they hurle,
and rush with reuell coyle:
And take their Ladies, eche his owne,
deuidyng so the spoyle.
And to their Pages them commyt,
which to that ende dyd staye:
To brynge with speede vnto their shippes
their longe desired praye.
The Brides, and other Matrones then
complete with howlynge cryes,
With waylings huge, & clamours great,
do fyll the hautie Skies.
Now CYMON and LISYMACHVS,
with bloudie Blades in hande:
Do make them waye, for no man dare,
with force against them stande.
Descendyng swiftly downe, they passe
the Stayers with hastie foote:
For (gainde their bootie) there to staye,
they thought it was no boote.
Where PASMOND mette wt them, and mazde
with all this rustlyng broyle:
And troublous rufflyng: purposde then,
to rescue conquerde spoyle.
and rashly wantynge might:
To CYMON ranne with headlong pace,
to vanquish hym by fight:
But all in vaine, with peised stroke,
well aymed at his head:
He feld hym, where he staggeryng laye.
before his feete for deade.
HORMIDAS too, endeuouryng now,
to quitte his Brothers death:
Through CYMONS woūd, lieth on the ground
and gaspeth for his breathe.
And diuers other reelde to th'earth,
that by his might were slayne
Which hand to hand, durst ieobard lyfe,
the Combatte to darrayne.
Thus haue these Louers, won wt Sword,
and ventred lyfe to gayne
Their Ladies. And withstanders all
before their feete are slayne.
And then, they leauynge PASMONDES house
reflowynge all with bloud:
(Whereof the great effusion staynde
the grounde, where as they stoode.
And bellowyng oft, with weepyng grones
and boysterous stearyng prease)
Without disturbers, all arryue,
in safetie, at the Seas.
And setlynge in the Brigantine,
the Uirgyns wonne by force:
they take the Sea, perforce.
Committyng to the winde, their Sayles,
and vsing Shipmens Arte:
And actiue diligence: with speede,
from shoare, they all departe.
Which presently was stoorde with suche,
as satsome aide dyd brynge,
Unto the captiue Damselles: that
for woe, their Ioinctes did wringe.
But they cam safe to Th'ile of CREETE,
where, of their friendes, they were
And kinsmen: Gestwise entertainde,
with gentle, curteise cheere.
Where at their entre in the Towne,
the Belles for ioye were ronge.
And thousandes came by heapes to meete,
Sir CYMON, and his thronge.
And after duetie done, they cryed
all, with consentyng voyce:
And sayde: The Goddes (Sir CYMON) graunt
thee euer to reioyce.
And spende the rest of vitall dayes,
in heaped store of myrth:
Tyll ATROPOS shal cause thy Corse
entumbde to lye in earth.
For thou haste tasted soppe of gall,
before thou dyd obteyne:
In hyre of restlesse, tossyng toyle,
the longe desired gayne.
and showiyng pleasant playes:
And solempne feastes, to mighty MARS
for yeldynge happy prayes.
They celebrate the Nuptiall ioyes,
and wed their wisshed wyues:
Enioyng of that rauine myrthe,
contynuynge both their lyues.
Amongste the RHODIANS, CYPRIANS eke,
great discorde did aryse:
And troublesome incumbrance spronge
twixte them in hatefull wyse.
But finally, on eyther parte,
entreatie of their feendes:
And kynsmens medyacion, tournde
their foes obdured mindes.
And stablishde then: that (for a tyme,
susteyned briefe exyle:
And banishment from natyue lande,
to last a lytle whyle.)
With IPHIGENIA, CYMON should,
at CYPRVS Soyle soiourne:
And with CASSANDRA home to Rhodes
LISYMACHE might returne.
Eche to his Countrey backe agayne,
in shorte tyme to reuerte:
Where, wt their wiues, they lyu'd in ioye
with glad and merie hearte:
For when the stormes of cancred hate,
were ouerblowen and past:
on Seas by whyrlynge blaste.
And Enuies belching Iawes were stopde
by VENVS louynge Boye:
And tracte of time, ware out of mynde,
all gnawyng cares anoye.
And LETHE gulffde in drenchyng brink
the death of PASIMONDE:
And IPHIGENIA, now dischargde
of former vowed bonde.
Did yelde at length with willyng mynd,
to CYMONS gentel hearte:
And by the graunte of wisshed grace,
deuorc'de his former smarte.
And thus they passde their happy dayes,
in neuer diynge blysse:
Of whiche, I craue of God, for aye
good Ladies neuer misse.
FINIS.
Amore manco la libertá
Benfu saggio colui, chi primo
amòre garzon dipinse.
Chiusa fiamma é piu ardente.
Jl funco ristretto, molto piu
fieramente cuoce.
Che quello, il quale per ampio luogo,
manda le fiamme sue.
| A pleasant and delightfull History, of Galesus Cymon and Iphigenia, describing the ficklenesse of Fortune in loue | |