University of Virginia Library

Posie. 13. Fides ad fortunam.

The goulden Phebus (longing oft) is seene,
To pricke his furious steedes to run in haste,
To clip and coll faire Thetis louely Queene,
In pensiue thoughts lest he the time should waste,
So I make speede thy selfe for to embrace,
Beinge almost tyr'd in pursuite of the chase.
For houndes vncoupled, range the forrest wide,
The stance being prun'd, I watch the rowsed game,

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And to the marke my shaftes full well I guide:
The craftie Doo takes on then to be lame:
But hauing past the daunger of my bowe,
She, limping leaues, and hastes away to goe.
Thus I being surest of my hoped sport,
Still misse the fairest marke that eu'r was kend,
Words doe abound of comfort to exhorte,
But deedes are slowe sure promises to end:
The hope then left is game to rowse anewe,
(Till deedes supplie) and feede my selfe with view.
Fortune hath sayde, and I beleeued that,
Renewed hope might ease my heart neere spent:
Despaire in sequel oft my hope doth squat;
That doubtfull I remaine still discontent,
Wherefore to faith if faith remaine in thee,
With faithfull wordes let deedes in one agree.