The Poetical Works of William Basse (1602-1653): Now for the first time collected and edited with introduction and notes by R. Warwick Bond |
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PASTORALS
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OTHER WORKES
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WILLIAM BASSE |
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 | The Poetical Works of William Basse |  |
165
THE PASTORALS AND OTHER WORKES OF WILLIAM BASSE
Dat frondem fronti
singula Musa meæ
167
TO MR. WILLIAM BASSE upon the now publishing of his Poems.
Basse, whose rich mine of wit wee here behold,As Porseland earth, more precious cause more old,
Who like an aged oake so long hast stood
And art Religion now as well as food,
Though thy gray Muse grew up with elder times
And our deceased Grandsires lisp'd thy Rhymes,
Yet we can sing thee too, and make that Bayes
Which deckes thy brow looke fresher wth thy praise.
Some Poets, like some fashions, onely fit
One age or place; you to mankind haue writ:
Whose well-weigh'd fancy flyes an even pitch,
And neither creepes, nor soares beyond our reach.
Like some cleare streame, whose everlasting store
Still filles it's bankes, and yet not drownes the shore,
168
Feares no Cookes palat, yet contents the guest:
Where wealth like Guajan's gold i'th surface dwelles,
As the best Kernelles haue the thinnest shelles;
Not lesse in worth, cause more attain'd with ease:
You can even Criticks without Criticks please:
Seene by your owne light still your vaine so flowes
It yeildes good verse without the helpe of prose:
Where a soft strength, and generous handsomnesse,
Shewes like Achilles in a female dresse:
Like polish'd steele where force and smoothnes meet,
Or like the riddle of the strong and sweet.
Goe then secure into the armes of Fame;
Applause, which others beg, is your iust claime.
Goe censure-proofe, (as when Apelles lay
Behinde his worke, list'ning what all would say,
The worke stood yet unalter'd; and now more
We praise his modesty then skill before.)
That when some greater names admired lye,
But let alone, men may reade yours and buy.
Though these your happy births haue silent past
More yeares then some abortiue wits shall last,
He still writes new, who once so well hath sung;
That Muse can ne're be old which ne're was young.
R. B.
169
CLIO
or The first Muse in 9 Eglogues in honor OF 9 VERTUES
To the right honorable Sr Richard Wenman, Knt, Baron of Kilmainham, Lord Wis-Count Wenman of Tuham, my much honoured Lord & Master.
Since, (Noble Lord), your groues haue been the bowers
Where Shepheards songs not onely sung haue been,
But Shepheards selues been sheltred from the powers
Of Summers heate and blastes of Winters keene,
The gentle fruites of all these freindly howers
To climbe your hand are thus ambitious seene.
For Swaine is none so simple on the greene
But knowes these honors all so much your due,
That other claime there can be none between
Your title unto them and theirs to you.
For this, that of all Ilandes is the Queene,
Neuer Mæcenas bred more nobly true:
And O what vertue more, then life to giue
To verse, whereby all other vertues liue?
Where Shepheards songs not onely sung haue been,
170
Of Summers heate and blastes of Winters keene,
The gentle fruites of all these freindly howers
To climbe your hand are thus ambitious seene.
For Swaine is none so simple on the greene
But knowes these honors all so much your due,
That other claime there can be none between
Your title unto them and theirs to you.
For this, that of all Ilandes is the Queene,
Neuer Mæcenas bred more nobly true:
And O what vertue more, then life to giue
To verse, whereby all other vertues liue?
The famous Shepheard Collin, whom we looke
Never to match, (though follow him we may
That follow sheep, and carry scrip and hooke)
By iust aduantage of his time and way
Has plac'd the moneths in his eternall booke,
All in their owne due order and aray;
(A Kalendar to last, we cannot say
For one yeare, but as long as yeares shal bee);
Yet of the weeke has left me euery day
Vertues to sing, though in more low degree.
And could they reach, my Lord, a higher key,
Yours as the Shepheard is the songes should be.
Great merit may claime grace in Noble breast;
Favour is greatest where desart is least.
Never to match, (though follow him we may
171
By iust aduantage of his time and way
Has plac'd the moneths in his eternall booke,
All in their owne due order and aray;
(A Kalendar to last, we cannot say
For one yeare, but as long as yeares shal bee);
Yet of the weeke has left me euery day
Vertues to sing, though in more low degree.
And could they reach, my Lord, a higher key,
Yours as the Shepheard is the songes should be.
Great merit may claime grace in Noble breast;
Favour is greatest where desart is least.
And were I not an English workeman right,
That neuer thought his worke enough well done,
These sooner had unto your noble sight
Been off'red by the all beholding Sun.
Pardon the bashfull Shepheard: Tis no slight
Aduenture through a world of eyes to run.
As in some Clymate half a yeare is spun
Away by Night before the Day appeare,
And when Aurora there hath rayes begun
There is againe no Night for halfe a yeare;
Like that is this my Muse, who, hauing won
From halfe an ages sleep a Morning cleare
Of your aspect and favour, hopes she may
For so long Night purchase perpetuall Day.
That neuer thought his worke enough well done,
These sooner had unto your noble sight
Been off'red by the all beholding Sun.
Pardon the bashfull Shepheard: Tis no slight
Aduenture through a world of eyes to run.
As in some Clymate half a yeare is spun
Away by Night before the Day appeare,
And when Aurora there hath rayes begun
There is againe no Night for halfe a yeare;
Like that is this my Muse, who, hauing won
From halfe an ages sleep a Morning cleare
Of your aspect and favour, hopes she may
For so long Night purchase perpetuall Day.
Your Lordships uery humble servant, Will: Basse.
172
AN APOLOGIE TO CLIO & HER SISTERS.
1
Renowne of Nymphes, that sits on verdant throne,Where Lawrell chast doeth thy chast temples crowne,
On stately hill to neighbour starres well knowne,
And deck'd by Phœbus in a flowery gowne,
Yet has't in all this glory looked downe
On me so worthles Swayne in simple guise;
Blest favours that descend from vertuous eyes!
173
2
Lo, here the fruits of thine owne bounty wroughtIn measures such as granted was thy Swaine,
Whenas admiring thee (O Muse) I sought
Renowne (whereof thou Mistresse art) to gaine,
Though full of earthly imperfections' staine.
New wine shall spirit loose in vessell olde,
And so shall heau'nly guift in earthly molde.
3
Let not offended be thy noble state(What can, though meane, if honest, Muse offend?)
That I my songes so simply literate
Entitle to thy hand; from whence descend
The stately Storyes that haue oft been pen'd,
And workes of wonder, that in antique age
Were done by Writers graue and Singers sage.
4
But thou art first of all the sisters nine(Nine Ladyes great, and yet none wrong'd thereby)
For place is set to all estates that shine
And starres their limits know. The hand on hye
That framed all things fram'd this heraldry,
Which harmony preserues, and order frees
From blinde confusion that knowes no degrees.
174
5
And these poore numbers clad in Swainish maskeAre eldest issues of my slender quill.
Much worthier tribute might thy favours aske,
But that the strength of thy infused skill
Is lessen'd by my frailty imbecill.
Great minde that more receiues may render more;
Small can no more then it receiues restore.
6
But some (perchance) in my too hasty primeMay haue escap'd my young and looser hand,
And fare as fruits fallen before their time.
Pardon what pass'd ere I did understand
The sober method of thy graue command;
And let it be to youth not too much blame
Lightly to erre in coueting of Fame.
7
Much workes on our fond youth our elders praise:(And when we well doe, praises doe as well.)
Strongest is selfe-conceit in weakest dayes:
Wee vainly deeme our selues our times t'excell
When time and selues we want; whereby hath fell
Full often from green reed of youthfull Swaine
Much musique wilde, that age would call againe.
8
Of these light layes some heretofore were made,When as alone (my but too much delight)
Vnder the diff'ring bowers of Sun and Shade
I sat, and thought no ill to liuing wight,
But good to all, (to some but too much right);
175
Long since, that long has mus'd where they haue beene.
9
For many elder shepheards, and more suchAs deeper diu'd haue in your happy springes,
This sloath of mine haue oft condemned much,
And forward workes blam'd for so backward winges;
And would with pitty say so harmeles thinges,
That merit may the grace of pleasant light,
Should not obscured rest in endles night.
10
And certainly, as Painter doeth not limA liuely peice in closet darke to hide,
Nor Nature doeth the earth with flowers trim
In her black womb to drowne againe their pride,
Nor harmles verse is made to lay aside.
Iewell as good ne're had, as neuer worne:
Neglected fame may iustly turne to scorne.
11
Yet (Noble Muses) doe I not repentThat I this sloth (if sloth it be) did use
Ere I these songes into the world haue sent;
Since Time the while hath taught me how to chuse
What hopefull are, and others to refuse,
At whose undeck'd and childish rudenes you
Would then haue blush'd, and now your Shepheard too.
176
12
As worthles drosse with precious metall growes,As sweetest nut doth bitter worme conceiue,
As painted fly doth blast the gallant rose,
To our best actions imperfections cleaue.
Our vanities our serious thoughts deceiue,
And Vice is subtill, and with cunning snares
Oft steales on human weakenes unawares.
13
But like as carefull Shepheard sheds the soundFrom sheep diseas'd, that might infection breed;
And heedfull husband, that manures the ground,
Culles harmfull cockle from his hopefull seed;
Seeke I my verse of vicious staines to weed,
That none may blush a worke to looke upon
Of vertues some, of wilfull vices none.
your servant Colliden
177
TO THE READER
This Shepheards plaine apologie (deare Freind)To me addres'd, to you I recommend:
Since I conceiue, and (sure) I not mistake,
Tis done for yours, as well as for my sake.
Let this therefore, at my request, suffize
Into the rest to leade your gentle eyes;
(Though little to expect from promise lesse;
They onely much doe owe that much professe).
But you shall finde, as tis true Shepheards part
In simple weeds to masque an honest heart,
So in his songes, of slender composition,
Some vertue is his innocent ambition.
If brightest Iewell, and of richest worth,
Is by the darkest foyle the more set forth,
Without all question we the more should prize
Any true vertue found in swaynish guize.
Hee (if he gaine your loue) has his designe;
And, if his workes deserue it, I haue mine:
your servant Clio and the Shepheard Colliden.
179
MUNDAY
Laurinella (Eglogue I) of true and chast Loue
Colliden. Wilkin.
The Shepheard Colliden, who ere him know,
(Who know him not that Shepheards liues do fare?)
He that was wont with siluer sheep-hooke goe,
And by his belt the silken scrip to weare,
A iolly Shep-heard to the outward showe,
Till sadly crazed with loues youthfull care,
Low kept his flock in humble vale where hye
Upon a hill kept Laurinella by.
(Who know him not that Shepheards liues do fare?)
He that was wont with siluer sheep-hooke goe,
And by his belt the silken scrip to weare,
180
Till sadly crazed with loues youthfull care,
Low kept his flock in humble vale where hye
Upon a hill kept Laurinella by.
Scarce cou'd he looke so hye, so weake was he,
Yet, when he could, hee weakely looked hye:
Though she but seldome would looke downe to see
The wofull plight of him now waxen, by
His loue to her, almost as faire as shee;
This onely diff'rence seene to euery eye,
Her natiue white with rosey ioy was spread,
His louesick pale had little hopefull red.
Yet, when he could, hee weakely looked hye:
Though she but seldome would looke downe to see
The wofull plight of him now waxen, by
His loue to her, almost as faire as shee;
This onely diff'rence seene to euery eye,
Her natiue white with rosey ioy was spread,
His louesick pale had little hopefull red.
His sheepe, that bore the brand of his neglect
On their bare ribbes, resembled his desire;
As if perceiuing where he did affect,
From their owne vale attempt to clamber higher;
But, like their gentle keepers loue, soon check't,
To his and their owne miseries retire;
While her proud lambs mark'd with her like disdaine
Shew careles lookes to the despised playne.
On their bare ribbes, resembled his desire;
As if perceiuing where he did affect,
From their owne vale attempt to clamber higher;
But, like their gentle keepers loue, soon check't,
To his and their owne miseries retire;
While her proud lambs mark'd with her like disdaine
Shew careles lookes to the despised playne.
Looke home, (quoth he) you my ungraced heard
And on your owne soile chew your harmeles cuds:
Tis for your Shepheards sake you thus haue er'd,
For no such heate boyles in your chiller bloods;
Or if it could, although a sweeter sweard
Growes on the hill, the vale has cooler floods:
Water your thirst may quench; but my desire,
Drinking loue dry, yet drinkes it self the dryer.
And on your owne soile chew your harmeles cuds:
Tis for your Shepheards sake you thus haue er'd,
For no such heate boyles in your chiller bloods;
Or if it could, although a sweeter sweard
Growes on the hill, the vale has cooler floods:
Water your thirst may quench; but my desire,
Drinking loue dry, yet drinkes it self the dryer.
181
O Laurinella! Little dost thou wot
How fraile a flower thou dost so highly prize.
Beauty's the flower, but Loue the flower-pot
That must preserue it, els it quickly dyes.
As care and sorrow (thou see'st) mine can blot,
Lonesse and time 'ore thine will tyrannize.
Joyes wast asunder that would thriue togither,
As double daisyes last when single wither.
How fraile a flower thou dost so highly prize.
Beauty's the flower, but Loue the flower-pot
That must preserue it, els it quickly dyes.
As care and sorrow (thou see'st) mine can blot,
Lonesse and time 'ore thine will tyrannize.
Joyes wast asunder that would thriue togither,
As double daisyes last when single wither.
View all my stock of pineing sheep, and see
In their gaunt wombs the fulness of my woe.
My carelesnes of them's my care for thee;
Thy neglect mine, and mine their ouerthrow.
Loyall desire is true-loues husbandrie,
Which till it gaines, it lets all other goe.
Admiring thee, what wealth can I affect?
Had I thy Loue, what els could I neglect?
In their gaunt wombs the fulness of my woe.
My carelesnes of them's my care for thee;
Thy neglect mine, and mine their ouerthrow.
Loyall desire is true-loues husbandrie,
Which till it gaines, it lets all other goe.
Admiring thee, what wealth can I affect?
Had I thy Loue, what els could I neglect?
The Shepheard that hath once well understood
What 'tis to keepe so neare the groues, (he may
Winter his cattell under sheltring wood)
No more will much for naked pasture pray:
So yeild to loue would beauty, if she cou'd
Foresee her louers care, or her decay:
For what, (when ages winter shall take place)
But Love can shelter Beauty from disgrace?
What 'tis to keepe so neare the groues, (he may
Winter his cattell under sheltring wood)
No more will much for naked pasture pray:
So yeild to loue would beauty, if she cou'd
Foresee her louers care, or her decay:
For what, (when ages winter shall take place)
But Love can shelter Beauty from disgrace?
I am not faire. If euer so I were,
I lost my beauty after thine to seeke:
Which ere I sought (unlesse our riuers here
Dissemble much) I had a liuely cheeke.
But now my suit, that might make thee more cleare
(If thou didst want it), makes me wan and meeke:
Such force hath loue, beauty to make or marre,
That they are onely faire that loued are.
I lost my beauty after thine to seeke:
Which ere I sought (unlesse our riuers here
Dissemble much) I had a liuely cheeke.
But now my suit, that might make thee more cleare
(If thou didst want it), makes me wan and meeke:
Such force hath loue, beauty to make or marre,
That they are onely faire that loued are.
182
O that thou would'st come downe to me, that I
With Pœmenarcha might bring thee acquainted,
To waite on her and learne to beare an eye
Of humblenes, that thou so long has't wanted.
As in more danger is the Cedar high
Then Jilly-flower that under wall is planted,
High mindes to fate are subiect most of all;
They surest stand that can no lower fall.
With Pœmenarcha might bring thee acquainted,
183
Of humblenes, that thou so long has't wanted.
As in more danger is the Cedar high
Then Jilly-flower that under wall is planted,
High mindes to fate are subiect most of all;
They surest stand that can no lower fall.
Or, (if thou would'st) I could thee recommend
To the great Lady of the house of Thame:
And, by those holy 'stories she hath pen'd,
Shew how she hath immortaliz'd her name.
On her I for her vertues doe attend.
More free are such as wait on worthy fame,
Then such as their owne humors vaine obey,
Although they haue no Mistresses but they.
To the great Lady of the house of Thame:
And, by those holy 'stories she hath pen'd,
Shew how she hath immortaliz'd her name.
On her I for her vertues doe attend.
More free are such as wait on worthy fame,
Then such as their owne humors vaine obey,
Although they haue no Mistresses but they.
184
Or I could bring thee (beauteous Laurinell)
Hard by to old Antaprium, where is found
Another such Penelope to dwell
As was in Ithaca so much renown'd;
One that in bounty doth (like her) excell,
In workes alike, and chastity, as sound.
If thou wert louingly, or humble hearted,
Then wert thou both, for they cannot be parted.
Hard by to old Antaprium, where is found
Another such Penelope to dwell
As was in Ithaca so much renown'd;
One that in bounty doth (like her) excell,
In workes alike, and chastity, as sound.
If thou wert louingly, or humble hearted,
Then wert thou both, for they cannot be parted.
Come, Laurinell, come downe the haughty hill
Into this vale, where thou on beds shalt sit
Of yellow hyacynth and Daffadill
And lillies chast, that therein best befit
My loyall thoughts and thy long-wooed will,
And neuer blemish beauty, birth, nor wit;
For wisedome, birth, and beauty their owne graces
Euer encrease by graceing humble places.
Into this vale, where thou on beds shalt sit
Of yellow hyacynth and Daffadill
And lillies chast, that therein best befit
My loyall thoughts and thy long-wooed will,
And neuer blemish beauty, birth, nor wit;
For wisedome, birth, and beauty their owne graces
Euer encrease by graceing humble places.
While to the stately hill thou doest repaire
With thy faire flock and fairer guifts thou hast,
Be thou as Cytherea spruce and faire,
As Pallas wise, and as Diana chaste,
Yet should'st thou here a wonder be more rare:
The highest starres the lesser light doe cast;
But, as a chrystall in a marble mine,
Rare graces doe in lowly places shine.
With thy faire flock and fairer guifts thou hast,
Be thou as Cytherea spruce and faire,
As Pallas wise, and as Diana chaste,
Yet should'st thou here a wonder be more rare:
The highest starres the lesser light doe cast;
But, as a chrystall in a marble mine,
Rare graces doe in lowly places shine.
Come downe and weare my scrip of azure hue
(Too fine for mee but onely for thy sake)
For no requitall but affection true;
And such exchange us both shall richer make:
For all that Lovers haue to both is due,
And tis no losse to giue, nor gaine to take;
When in thy Swayne thou shalt thy selfe possesse,
And I mine owne in mine owne Shepheardesse.
(Too fine for mee but onely for thy sake)
185
And such exchange us both shall richer make:
For all that Lovers haue to both is due,
And tis no losse to giue, nor gaine to take;
When in thy Swayne thou shalt thy selfe possesse,
And I mine owne in mine owne Shepheardesse.
Now, Colliden, good day. I stood behinde
Yon little haw thorne bush and heard thee say
Such plaint to Laurinella, that I finde
Thou art in loue (I thinke in honest way).
If it be so, though yet she seeme unkinde,
Shepheard, let that not thee too much dismay:
Young maidens that mens suits too eas'ly grant,
Wit, modesty, or both, may seeme to want.
Yon little haw thorne bush and heard thee say
Such plaint to Laurinella, that I finde
Thou art in loue (I thinke in honest way).
If it be so, though yet she seeme unkinde,
Shepheard, let that not thee too much dismay:
Young maidens that mens suits too eas'ly grant,
Wit, modesty, or both, may seeme to want.
As thy affection, the more thou doest sue,
The more doth shew it self both true and strong;
So her delays do promise her more true
When she shall yeild, (though she to yeild be long).
We feare we doe for wares bid more then due,
When Merchant takes first offer of our tongue:
Holds easily won haue little prize within,
The truest heart may hardest be to win.
The more doth shew it self both true and strong;
So her delays do promise her more true
When she shall yeild, (though she to yeild be long).
We feare we doe for wares bid more then due,
When Merchant takes first offer of our tongue:
Holds easily won haue little prize within,
The truest heart may hardest be to win.
But gentle Swayne if thou wilt counsell take,
(None counsell need so much as Louers doe,
Though none lesse apt thereof true use to make)
Doe as Amyntas did when he did wooe:
Frame to thy pipe a Ditty for her sake,
And sing it in her eares, and praises too.
His song (if thou canst second) I'le begin;
Where speeches faile sometimes examples win.
(None counsell need so much as Louers doe,
Though none lesse apt thereof true use to make)
Doe as Amyntas did when he did wooe:
Frame to thy pipe a Ditty for her sake,
And sing it in her eares, and praises too.
His song (if thou canst second) I'le begin;
Where speeches faile sometimes examples win.
186
[_]
In the following section the speakers' names are abbreviated as follows:
- For Will. read Wilkin
- For Coll. read Colliden
As Amyntas young did ad
His lip unto his liuely reed,
When as in her bower he had
Of louely Phyllis taken heed,
Mee thought I thus ore-heard the Lad:
Come let our flockes together feed.
Coll:
Little seeme thy lambes alone,
And mine (like mee) of mates haue need:
Let thy sheep amend the mone
Of mine, and mine amend their breed.
So both our flocks shalbe thine owne,
And wee will them together feed.
Will:
What although so black I shew
With flames that from Sun-shine proceed;
When as yonder milke-white ewe
My best and blackest lamb did breed,
What couler'd locks (I faine would know)
Had he that then did with her feed?
Coll:
Match thou canst none like thee faire;
Or, if thou could'st, it would but breed
Jealous thoughtes: let Nymph be rare
In face, and swayne in faith exceed.
So full of loue and free'd of care,
Both shall their flocks together feed.
Will:
Looke upon this garland gay,
Which here I giue thee for thy meed;
187
Pinkes and Panseys are agreed:
Why should not wee as well as they
Agree, and flockes together feed?
Coll:
In mine armes a fairer light
Will from thine eyes then now proceed:
Starres at Noone-tide shew not bright;
Tis blacknes doth their brightnes breed.
Come be my starre, I'le be thy night,
While both our flocks together feed.
Will:
Whether Phyllis had no power
To deny so kinde a deed,
Or Amyntas chose an hower
When fortune would that loue should speed,
Amyntas liues in Phyllis bower,
And both their flockes together feed.
Colliden
How euer in my suite I shall succeed,
I ioy Amyntas loue succeeded so.
Wilkin
And so doe I: he merits not to speed
In his owne wish, that wishes others woe.
Colliden
Neuer to enuy others shall hee need,
That could in Laurinella's favour grow;
Who now (I see) retir'd is to her bower.
188
To Loue (in Beauties absence) seemes to lower.
Wilkins Embleme
Vulnus non herbis esset medicabile verbis.
Collidens Emblem
Falsa libido procul: noster honestus amor.
189
Pœmenarcha (Eglogue 2) of Gratitude
Cuddy. Jesper
Jesper, How comes to pas you now alate
With hook so trim and scrip so laced shine?
Beware (young lad) thou 'pouerish not the state
Of thy fine flock, to make thy selfe so fine.
Shepheards, that long haue liu'd at thrifty rate,
And wealthy Neat-heards, that of pasture-kine
Good store of golden creame before hand haue,
Are seldom seene to deck themselues so braue.
Jesper
With hook so trim and scrip so laced shine?
Beware (young lad) thou 'pouerish not the state
Of thy fine flock, to make thy selfe so fine.
Shepheards, that long haue liu'd at thrifty rate,
And wealthy Neat-heards, that of pasture-kine
Good store of golden creame before hand haue,
Are seldom seene to deck themselues so braue.
Cuddy, The more may thou and I condemne
Such as possesse and yet not use their wealth.
As he that thirstes in midst of pleasant streame,
And will not drinke, robs his owne self of health;
Vnused gaine is but a golden dreame,
And niggardnes unto it self a stealth.
Vse is the life of riches: take away
Both, life and use, both man and wealth are clay.
Such as possesse and yet not use their wealth.
As he that thirstes in midst of pleasant streame,
And will not drinke, robs his owne self of health;
190
And niggardnes unto it self a stealth.
Vse is the life of riches: take away
Both, life and use, both man and wealth are clay.
The man is truely rich on whom we see
The seemely arguments thereof appeare:
His wealth hath him, his riches hath not hee,
Who on himselfe doeth not the 'samples weare.
But know my little flock, and like degree,
Doe not this dressing ably yeild or beare;
For this fine hook, and scrip so gayly lac'd,
(No cost to me) rare bounty on me plac'd.
The seemely arguments thereof appeare:
His wealth hath him, his riches hath not hee,
Who on himselfe doeth not the 'samples weare.
But know my little flock, and like degree,
Doe not this dressing ably yeild or beare;
For this fine hook, and scrip so gayly lac'd,
(No cost to me) rare bounty on me plac'd.
For which my fold, upon a solemne day,
To the faire hands of the bestower shall
A tender lambe full gratefully repay,
All stuck with flow'res as thick and sweet as fall
Of Sommers honey-dewes: whereto a lay
I will inuent to render it withall,
Set to as many notes as shall fulfill
All the divisions of mine oaten quill.
To the faire hands of the bestower shall
A tender lambe full gratefully repay,
All stuck with flow'res as thick and sweet as fall
Of Sommers honey-dewes: whereto a lay
I will inuent to render it withall,
Set to as many notes as shall fulfill
All the divisions of mine oaten quill.
Cuddy
Borne wert thou (shepheard) on a lucky day,
Fauour to win, or fortunes to obtaine,
Such as, without destruction or decay
Vnto the sheep, so well becomes the swaine.
Alas! for us poore heards, whom euery way
Our niggard fortune hath in such disdaine,
That neither heard nor heardsman well can thriue,
Although for thrift we late and early striue.
Fauour to win, or fortunes to obtaine,
Such as, without destruction or decay
Vnto the sheep, so well becomes the swaine.
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Our niggard fortune hath in such disdaine,
That neither heard nor heardsman well can thriue,
Although for thrift we late and early striue.
I wot not what disaster hath fore-shew'd
My cattells ruth, what fate my thrift forbids,
What rauens death presaging song, or lewd
Witch-craft fore-speakes my miserable kids.
Some are with soares, with sicknesse some beshrew'd;
Some ore their eyes let fall their meagre lids:
Both old and young together often grone.
Direfull misfortune seldome comes alone.
My cattells ruth, what fate my thrift forbids,
What rauens death presaging song, or lewd
Witch-craft fore-speakes my miserable kids.
Some are with soares, with sicknesse some beshrew'd;
Some ore their eyes let fall their meagre lids:
Both old and young together often grone.
Direfull misfortune seldome comes alone.
Jesper
Yee wretched goat-heards thus cry out of fate,
Fortune, and starres, and witches wicked skill,
When 'tis more like your peruerse and ingrate
Behauiour is the cause of all your ill.
Who euer hopes for 'mendment of his state,
Must his ill manners mend and froward will.
This lesson learne of Pœmenarcha's Swayne:
There's none but ciuill shepheards in her traine.
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Where haue I liu'd, that I till now that name
Did neuer heare reported on this greene?
Thou dost some idoll, Swaine, or fiction frame.
Jesper
O silly heardsman, that hast neuer seene
Thespe nor Tempe's shades; nor learn'd of Fame
That Pœmenarcha is the shepheards Queene;
The story of whose praise to sing or say
My wits too weake, and thine to bear away.
Thespe nor Tempe's shades; nor learn'd of Fame
That Pœmenarcha is the shepheards Queene;
The story of whose praise to sing or say
My wits too weake, and thine to bear away.
But thou this night beside my gentler sheep
May'st pen thy goats, and rest thy selfe with me.
Wee cider haue that will enchaunt thy lip,
And flawnes as yellow as the cow-slips bee.
Where something to her praise, that's in my scrip,
Thou by her sister Cynthia's light shall see;
For as she borrowes, and yet lends us light,
What Muse to me ha's lent, I'le lend thy sight.
May'st pen thy goats, and rest thy selfe with me.
Wee cider haue that will enchaunt thy lip,
And flawnes as yellow as the cow-slips bee.
Where something to her praise, that's in my scrip,
Thou by her sister Cynthia's light shall see;
For as she borrowes, and yet lends us light,
What Muse to me ha's lent, I'le lend thy sight.
Cuddy
Well hast thou done to minde me (gentle swaine)
That now the moone doth in her fulnes shine.
I may walke home with thee, and thou againe
With me retire from thine owne home to mine.
Though like to yours be not our entertaine,
Thy counsell sweet ha's made my heart like thine:
And thou shalt haue a quarter of the best
And fattest kid I haue, for supper drest.
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No keepe such feast of ven'son for some guest
Of better worth; thy offer is so kinde
It is to me more welcom then a feast,
To heare thy heart so thankefully inclin'd.
For Gratitude's a vertue of the breast,
That worke enough for both our breasts may finde,
From time the Queene of night begins to rise,
Vntill her brother gildes againe the skyes.
Iesper's Emblem
Vertue to know, and not to use, is vice.
Cuddye's Emblem
Vertue to know, and use, is vertue twice.
194
TUESDAY
Euthymia (Eglogue 3) of Contentment
Meliden. Chantlet.Meliden
Chauntlet, I muse what solitary vaine
So bindes thee prentice to the lowly plaine,
That we thy pleasant pipe can neuer heare
In Chilterne now a dayes, nor see thee there.
Would not the hilles yeild lambes a sweeter feed
And woods a lowder Eccho to thy reed?
195
O Meliden, Thou well perceius't these plaines
To hold my humble heart in easy chaines:
But in my heart, the while, thou doest not see
That freedom from all vaine ambition free,
Content, that truely makes a lowly state,
And shuns aspiring as a dangerous mate;
Content that bounds each minde within her owne,
Makes want to weale, and woe to want unknowne,
That by perswading men to feare to rise
Aduances them, and teaching to despise
Riches, enriches men. Happy Content,
The bodies safeguard, and soules ornament,
Gentle (detaines me) Shepheard, in this playne,
As I with me my gentle sheepe detaine.
Here, where their feedes and floods as equall bee
As my affections are with my degree;
Here where their daily walke and nightly lare
Is always one, as night and day my care
Of them is alwayes one, keepe I my sheepe;
As them and me these humble valleys keepe.
196
To crop the blooming gosse that is not thine,
And on the tender tops and veluet buds
Of the young spring to whet their hungry cuds,
I see, and am agas't to see them, creep
Ready to tumble downe the des'prate steep,
To writhe their doubling chines against their sides,
And with their sharp hornes gore their lenow hides.
Beleeue me, such bold climbeing often throwes
The heardlem low, and in the heardsman showes
Or too much couetize, or little care.
Such perillous wayes my flock shall neuer fare.
Meliden
But since a blessing such befalles thy minde
Vnsought, that all our labours cannot finde,
Say (gentle Shepheard) what is true content?
Where do's it grow? or whence hath it descent?
And how (sith to this vale confin'd thou art)
Dwelles free content in so confin'd a heart?
Chantlet
That haue I told thee (Neatheard) once in short;
And more, if thou wilt be the better for't.
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Of inward grace, and not of outward worth:
That, that of Fortunes baser seed doth grow,
After her baser kinde, doth ebbe and flow
As Fortune ebs and flowes: it is not found
On Cedars tops, nor dig'd from under ground.
It is a Iewell, lost by being sought
With too much trauell, found by seeking naught
But what it truely ownes: it is the grace
Of greatnes, Greatnes of inferiour place.
Tis double freedom to condition free;
Tis sorrows ease, and thraldom's libertie.
Delighting not extreames but middle part,
It dwelles in neither head, nor heeles, but heart.
And thus thou hearest what, and wheres, Content
But since thou askest whence it hath descent,
Tis (doubtles) from some place descended hither
As farre beyond the starres as it is thither.
For who can thinke but such a heau'nly grace
Must needs descend from such celestiall place?
And this is that that ha's my lowly minde,
And little flock, so in this vale confin'd;
Joyn'd with his favour, who doth my content
(Mecænas like) both cherish and augment.
Meliden
Well fare thy heart, wherein content doth dwell,
And tongue for representing it, as well
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Who's that whom thou dost thy Mecænas call?
Chauntlet
I cannot tell whether he would be knowne,
Who noble deeds more loues to doe, then owne:
But I can tell the lesse that such men would
Their names to be declar'd, the more they should.
Who nobly doe, and seeke no praise therefore,
The more's our shame if they not prais'd the more.
But Shepheard's slender Muse in great descents,
In Chronicles, or ancient monuments,
Is little learn'd (such storyes doe belong
Not to the Heard's but to the Herald's song).
Yet in my younger and delightfull dayes,
Through him, and my content, his name and praise
I once compos'd, in such Acrostick verse
As then I could, and thus to thee reherse.
Who noble deeds more loues to doe, then owne:
But I can tell the lesse that such men would
Their names to be declar'd, the more they should.
Who nobly doe, and seeke no praise therefore,
The more's our shame if they not prais'd the more.
But Shepheard's slender Muse in great descents,
In Chronicles, or ancient monuments,
Is little learn'd (such storyes doe belong
Not to the Heard's but to the Herald's song).
Yet in my younger and delightfull dayes,
Through him, and my content, his name and praise
I once compos'd, in such Acrostick verse
As then I could, and thus to thee reherse.
Sole Lord is he of these now teeming feilds;
In time this herbage him her barbage yeilds:
Rays'd were these bankes at his cost and command.
In time this herbage him her barbage yeilds:
Rays'd were these bankes at his cost and command.
Releiuing arbours, under which we stand
In heate and cold, are his: yon pale so neare
Containes his speckled heard of nimble deere,
He for his freinds more then himselfe doth keep
(As doe their flesh, and fleeces beare our sheep).
Right as it should, there stands his house, to sight
Delightfull, and within of more delight.
In heate and cold, are his: yon pale so neare
Containes his speckled heard of nimble deere,
He for his freinds more then himselfe doth keep
(As doe their flesh, and fleeces beare our sheep).
Right as it should, there stands his house, to sight
Delightfull, and within of more delight.
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Where my Mecænas, in all rightes and merits,
Expired Lords of his great line inherits.
Nature with almost all her beauties grac'd it;
Mans art in midst of Natures pleasures plac'd it;
And Isis ancient freind, the river Thame,
Nam'd it (for neighbourhood) by his owne name.
Expired Lords of his great line inherits.
Nature with almost all her beauties grac'd it;
Mans art in midst of Natures pleasures plac'd it;
And Isis ancient freind, the river Thame,
Nam'd it (for neighbourhood) by his owne name.
Knowne far and neare, and as well lou'd as knowne;
Neighbour to all good men, and strange to none:
Ingenuous, temperate, of generous molde;
Good Souldier young, and as good Statesman olde.
Honours for youth and age deseruing well,
True honours in both ages on him fell.
Neighbour to all good men, and strange to none:
Ingenuous, temperate, of generous molde;
Good Souldier young, and as good Statesman olde.
Honours for youth and age deseruing well,
True honours in both ages on him fell.
Looke o're yon Parke of his and thou shalt finde
Of beastes and birdes of sundry sortes and kinde
Rest there for mutuall loue and place so faire,
Deere jealous of the bow, and timerous hare.
Of beastes and birdes of sundry sortes and kinde
Rest there for mutuall loue and place so faire,
Deere jealous of the bow, and timerous hare.
Vnto the sluces there the Hearne resortes;
In the thick groue airyes the hawke for sportes:
Sage Rauens build, amidst the oaken stelmes,
Castles; and Rookes encampe in groue of elmes.
Owzles (more old then oakes) their golden billes
Vse in wilde musick, there to shew their skilles.
Nuts, plummes, and berryes, there doe cherish well
The Robin sweet, and sweeter Philomel.
In the thick groue airyes the hawke for sportes:
Sage Rauens build, amidst the oaken stelmes,
Castles; and Rookes encampe in groue of elmes.
Owzles (more old then oakes) their golden billes
Vse in wilde musick, there to shew their skilles.
Nuts, plummes, and berryes, there doe cherish well
The Robin sweet, and sweeter Philomel.
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When winter comes the poore finde warming there,
Excepted not against for his most deare
Name that accompts them his: and worke there made
Maintaines the handler of the axe and spade.
And (which is most to be admir'd of all)
No losse but more encrease doth still befall.
Excepted not against for his most deare
Name that accompts them his: and worke there made
Maintaines the handler of the axe and spade.
And (which is most to be admir'd of all)
No losse but more encrease doth still befall.
Rare things, but see what blessings heauens hye
Will render those whose mindes are heauenly.
Will render those whose mindes are heauenly.
Meliden
I now perceiue his noble name by thee,
And doe by him perceiue Nobilitie
In thy Content, so foster'd by his grace
And favour who descends of noble race.
How might I now requite thy honest Muse?
Chantlet
For me thy best requitall is to scuse
My simple verse, that being ty'd to letters
Thus puts the Muse (that should be free) in fetters.
But since I able am to doe no more
In my Mecænas right then this so poore,
While here my flock by help of Summer showers
The healing spoyles of the sharpe sythe devoures,
Or winters enuy makes the swayne anew
To spred the fodder where before it grew,
This pipe of mine shall fill succeeding dayes
201
And while with streames of wealth and pure good will
Our amourous neighbour Thame doth hourely fill
The lap of his belou'd, and doth no lesse
Therewith this house and lands his minions blesse,
As long as I upon his feilds shall feed
My slender flock, of such as there I breed
He shall haue fruits, with honours of the Muse
Whose simple state he doth so nobly use.
Meliden
I neuer will thee (Chantlet) more perswade
From the Sun-shine into our woodland shade.
Contented Shep-heard, here repose thee still,
In low and louely vale: and while our hill
Eccho's applauding answere to thy notes,
Leade thy well-likeing lambes unto their cotes.
Chantlet
And, restles Neat-heard, thinke not wealth to gaine
By lewd encroachings, or aspirings vaine,
But learne to be contented with thine owne,
(There's neither thrift nor ioy in what is stolne):
And homeward turne thy heard of harmefull cowes,
That now upon thy neighbours beeches browze.
Chantlets Emblem
Seque, suus animus placitus, res possidet omnes.
Melidens Emblem
Nec sua, nec se, mens insatiata tenet.
202
WEDNESDAY
Epitaphium (Eglogue 4) worthy Memory
Watty. Willy
Vnder the sorry shelter of a bryer
Two mournfull shepheards sate in sad attire;
Watty, full woe for his freind dead and gone,
And Willy, that for his no lesse did moane.
Watty
Two mournfull shepheards sate in sad attire;
Watty, full woe for his freind dead and gone,
And Willy, that for his no lesse did moane.
O Willy! If thou canst to me declare
This ayre of life (or if it be not ayre
That life we call) then what should called be
So fickle thing, that hath no certaintie?
Or what offended hath the Destinies,
That they so most unsparingly surprize
Our freinds that we most sorrow to forgoe.
How great a strength has gastly death, that no
Humane authoritie can check his force,
203
No age can dotage plead to his inquest,
Nor youth by nonage hinder his arrest;
No sex excuse, nor no excuse perswade;
No wisedome charme his sythe, nor teares his spade.
But that I see how quickly fades and dyes
All earthly pride, as flowers doe, mine eyes
Would on these flowers a drowning shower shed,
For Meredic, for Meredic, is dead.
Willy
O Wat! and so is rare Brianoled.
But know—There is no wit, no worth, nor skill,
That can withstand pale death's deserued ill.
Could mortall dayes prolonged be by Arts,
Or greedy Time sufficed with desarts;
Could mans acquain[tan]ce with the starres produce
The limits of his life, or treate a truce
With spinn[in]g Fates; could sage Philosophy
Prevaile with Death, or pleasant Poesy
Enchant his eare: I should almost with ruth
To image of old age transforme my youth
For my Brianoled that young did dye
Watty.
And so for my young Meredic should I.
For in yon Towne, that doeth with Cities sort,
204
On England's centre stand, and once the knowne
Metropolis vnto the Mercian throne,
Though now (alas!) disfigur'd with the scarres
Of Saxon tumultes, and of bloody warre[s]
With yellow Danes (that there were ouerthrowne)
Whose metamorphos'd blood to weeds is growne:
But whether that but fable be, or true,
The branch of both our garlands now is rue
For gentle Meredic, who there was sprung.
Willy
And sweet Brianoled, there nursed young
Watty
And that faire city, that as farre exceeds
Our towne as Cedars doe excell the reeds,
That famous Academ and happy Place
Belou'd of Phœbus and of Memories race,
That, fil'd with springes of more renown'd account
Then Aganippe or Libethris fount,
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Then others doe in mercenary showes,
Fill'd studious Meredic with store of arts.
Willy
And ripe Brianoled with wondrous parts.
Watty
Young Meredic, as he was freind to me,
So freinded by my greatest freind was he:
And there on Baliols and their bounty fed.
Willy
Great Maudlins streames refresh'd Brianoled.
Watty
Rare Meredic rankes early with Divines.
206
Rare wisdome in Brianoled so shines,
That he in Philosophique chaire doeth sit.
Watty
Sage Meredic expoundeth holy writ,
And like a Shep-heard true, the ioyfull fame
Of our redemption and Redeemers name
That there he learn'd in euery place he spred.
Willy
Brianoled fed flockes where he was fed,
And where the wondrous knowledge he did reach
Of Pipe, and starres, he did as freely teach.
Watty
But as the lambe that most maturely growes,
Vnhappy slaughter sooner undergoes:
Willy
As store of fruit makes the abounding tree
To stoop, and burthens bow the bearing knee:
Watty
As ripest eares of wheate doe soonest shed,
Is Meredic in early ripenes dead.
Willy
As fairest flower's soone blasted in his prime,
Brianoled fell in his flow'ring time.
Watty
What then avayles us more to waste our eyes
(Poore Swaynes) for them that wee, 'till all men rise,
No more shall see? Teares doe but wrong such men,
Who for no wages would liue here agen.
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And Death to all that vertuous are is gaine.
Willy
I neither sing nor weepe to win from clay
Fraile bodies iustly doomed to decay:
I onely striue to memorize the best
Examples, of those mindes whose bodies rest.
And though the frame of mortall flesh doe dye,
Let's giue th' immortall minde her memory
Wee cannot keepe aliue what perish will:
What Death cannot, let not our silence kill.
Watty
If guiftes, entreates, or teares of freinds might saue,
I guesse so few had euer gone to graue
That, by this time, the whole Earths ample plaine
Had wanted roome the liuing to containe.
But if we should like savadges, or worse,
Interre each dead mans vertues with his corse,
I'me sure we should impouerish then too much
The world, that cannot be too rich in such.
But since true vertue never fades away,
Willy
Nor Fame, with forme, doth euer turne to clay,
Watty
So long as Piety is reverenc'd here,
Willy
Or Poesy is pleasing to the eare;
Watty
My gentle Meredic shall liue, though dead;
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Though dead, shall liue my sweet Brianoled.
Watty
As glorious rose the Sun to day, and so
Continues still, and so is like to goe,
They two, by his example, both their dayes
Begun, and led, and ended, in their praise.
Willy
Then like th' example rare of two such freinds
Let be our liues, that like may be our ends:
So both our flocks let both our dayly cares
In proofe and safety keepe, as they did theirs:
And when we rest our selues, learne Death to keepe
In memory by her elder brother, Sleepe.
Wattyes Emblem
Longa dies struxit, destruit arcta dies.
Willies Emblem
Nulla quies primâ, vita secunda quies.
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(Eglogue 5) of Temperance
Orpin. ClorusOrpin
How sad and lonely (Clorus) doest thou stand!
Beware such vaine not melancholly bring.
Come, either take thy charmefull reed in hand,
Some wakefull note in Eccho's eares to ring;
210
If thou thy breast canst more then fingers use;
Or, be thy Muse not bent to pipe nor sing,
(Pitie so bent should euer be thy Muse)
Say (gentle Swayne) how thou the time hast spent,
The tedious time, since Pœmenarcha went.
Clorus
Yon Bush our nymphes with Summers wreaths adornes,
As thick as he in natiue bloomes is blowne,
How fares he that sad time, wherein forlorne
He standes of their fine dressings and his owne?
This streame that hath by our greene meaddows flowne
Before our ancestour of us did dreame,
Suppose his chrystall head some course unknowne
Should chance to take, how then would fare this streame?
How fare the sheepe by shepheard left alone?
So Shep-heard fares since Pœminarcha's gone.
As thick as he in natiue bloomes is blowne,
How fares he that sad time, wherein forlorne
He standes of their fine dressings and his owne?
This streame that hath by our greene meaddows flowne
Before our ancestour of us did dreame,
Suppose his chrystall head some course unknowne
Should chance to take, how then would fare this streame?
How fare the sheepe by shepheard left alone?
So Shep-heard fares since Pœminarcha's gone.
Since Pœminarcha's paces plaines forsooke,
And playnes forsooke their pleasance with her paces,
And under Decks (not for their owne faire looke
So call'd, but for so deckt within with graces)
Caus'd emulation in the proud embraces
Of amorous Pine and odoriferous Firre:
While they with fame of farre discouer'd places
And perfumes, like Sea-courtiers, honour her;
And our owne winde the swelling canvas stores,
Longing to shew such prize to forrayne shores.
And playnes forsooke their pleasance with her paces,
And under Decks (not for their owne faire looke
So call'd, but for so deckt within with graces)
Caus'd emulation in the proud embraces
Of amorous Pine and odoriferous Firre:
While they with fame of farre discouer'd places
211
And our owne winde the swelling canvas stores,
Longing to shew such prize to forrayne shores.
When this fayre Iland, fond of her, was seene
Cast chalky cheekes from her relinquis'd shore
And wish'd her selfe in gray or (since in greene)
Wish'd all th' apparrell willow that she wore;
And Ocean proud, imagining he bore
His Gouernesse upon his curled crest,
(And blame not much his over-ioy therefore
For in this fare was all that Ladyes best)
With Dolphins yoak'd, and songes of Syrens sweet,
From followeing eyes steales on the less'ning Fleet.
Cast chalky cheekes from her relinquis'd shore
And wish'd her selfe in gray or (since in greene)
Wish'd all th' apparrell willow that she wore;
And Ocean proud, imagining he bore
His Gouernesse upon his curled crest,
(And blame not much his over-ioy therefore
For in this fare was all that Ladyes best)
With Dolphins yoak'd, and songes of Syrens sweet,
From followeing eyes steales on the less'ning Fleet.
Rough Saylers now leade Shep-heards liues at Sea,
Shep-heards at land now Saylours fortune beare;
We plung'd in greifes, in calme delightes are they;
Ships there as sheepe, and sheepe as ships are here.
Wee now keepe flocks with more then wonted feare,
Since from our sight our Shep-heards star doth slip:
And they without their Card or needle steare,
All while they haue their Load-starre in their Ship.
So cross'd are wee: They bless'd. Thou think'st me long:
But what means't thou, to thrall me in this song?
Shep-heards at land now Saylours fortune beare;
We plung'd in greifes, in calme delightes are they;
Ships there as sheepe, and sheepe as ships are here.
Wee now keepe flocks with more then wonted feare,
Since from our sight our Shep-heards star doth slip:
And they without their Card or needle steare,
All while they haue their Load-starre in their Ship.
So cross'd are wee: They bless'd. Thou think'st me long:
212
Orpin
That thou mayst tell thy greife: it is the way
The danger of it from thy heart to draw.
Clorus
The Belgique boates enamour'd, as they say,
Then ventur'd drowning when her sayle they saw.
Slow-paced Seyne besought her for a law,
That he might eb and flow like Thames, and shine
Bright as his brothers brow: and famous Spaw,
That lineally from stock of precious mines
Deriues him-selfe, yet more advanc'd his streames,
To flow from earthly into heauenly gemmes.
Then ventur'd drowning when her sayle they saw.
Slow-paced Seyne besought her for a law,
That he might eb and flow like Thames, and shine
Bright as his brothers brow: and famous Spaw,
That lineally from stock of precious mines
Deriues him-selfe, yet more advanc'd his streames,
To flow from earthly into heauenly gemmes.
When in our treasure strangers rich became,
When forraine Shepheards thriue and wee decay,
Hast thou forgotten (Orpin) what I am,
That thou demand'st how I passe time away?
Why what is Time? the eldest and most gray
Of all the starres, and therefore drawne by howers
In forme of fleetest stags; and what are they
That draw his coach, if Sun with-drew his powers?
Hide he his face, will Diall shaddow show?
Or Cynthia hers, how shall we Midnight know?
When forraine Shepheards thriue and wee decay,
Hast thou forgotten (Orpin) what I am,
That thou demand'st how I passe time away?
Why what is Time? the eldest and most gray
Of all the starres, and therefore drawne by howers
In forme of fleetest stags; and what are they
That draw his coach, if Sun with-drew his powers?
Hide he his face, will Diall shaddow show?
Or Cynthia hers, how shall we Midnight know?
213
Well, Clorus, well: I finde thou doat'st on much,
Though dost but little good: and I confesse
Such passions may attend on causes such.
Some great felicities make mindes the lesse.
But what! doth vow thy solemne thoughts possesse?
Clorus
He parts the wed that vowes and thoughts doth seuer.
Orpin
Plac'd in one place, is thy hearts happiness?
Clorus
Hearts 'till so plac'd, (thou know'st), are happy never.
Orpin
Containes thy minde but one delight in all?
Then great is that delight or minde is small.
But that some one mans great delight I note
Is in his eye, some others in his breast;
And some doe ioy to thinke on joyes remote,
More then to bee of present joyes posses'd.
Art so vnbles't, or should I say so bles't,
Thou canst not loue? so dull thou canst not dance?
Nymphes neuer were more worthy thy request;
Nor did in any age more Bridalls chance.
Who sorrow can so out of sweetnes borrow,
Me thinks might steale some sweetnes out of sorrow.
When civill streame, diseas'd with storme, denyes
The patient hooke his siluer hopes by day;
Perhaps with plumed pris'ners smiling skyes
By night the Sprindge or lime-twig prosper may.
214
With Lady-gloues can deck their hoods againe;
And simple Shep-heardesse, that walkes in gray,
More then one suiter hath, if not then twaine.
If what I say thou thinks't is true to finde,
But will to joy, what ioy then wantes thy minde?
Clorus
Say (simple Swaine) The sayling Pilots eye
Should loose the sight of the Arcadian Beare,
Could he as well by fickle Mercury,
As by his fixed starre, his vessell steere?
Should wee forget in thriueing Moone to sheare
Will fleeces thriue as well in her decay?
So may we fowle with danger, fish with feare,
In languour loue, and dance in dumpes we may;
But when nor mindes nor meanes are present to
Our deeds, wee doe but undoe what we doe.
Should loose the sight of the Arcadian Beare,
Could he as well by fickle Mercury,
As by his fixed starre, his vessell steere?
Should wee forget in thriueing Moone to sheare
Will fleeces thriue as well in her decay?
So may we fowle with danger, fish with feare,
In languour loue, and dance in dumpes we may;
But when nor mindes nor meanes are present to
Our deeds, wee doe but undoe what we doe.
As mans owne garment euer suites him best,
So suites him best that humour is his owne,
Be'it white or black or myrth or mone: The rest
Are borrow'd vizars, and behauiours stol'ne.
Like as yon lambe, that (motherles and lone)
In a false skin now suckes a lambeles mother,
Is not to us, (though to his nurse), unknowne
By his loose robe from his dead foster-brother;
Delightes disguize so loose on sorrow showes
Fain'd joyes are much lesse gracious then true woes.
So suites him best that humour is his owne,
Be'it white or black or myrth or mone: The rest
Are borrow'd vizars, and behauiours stol'ne.
215
In a false skin now suckes a lambeles mother,
Is not to us, (though to his nurse), unknowne
By his loose robe from his dead foster-brother;
Delightes disguize so loose on sorrow showes
Fain'd joyes are much lesse gracious then true woes.
And though my pipe I had no minde to use
Since shee went hence, yet, to giue these content,
Shalt heare a little of my slender Muse
In song that I deuised since shee went;
Though some-thing sad, (for sadly was I bent,
When first I fram'd it, I must needs confesse).
Since shee went hence, yet, to giue these content,
Shalt heare a little of my slender Muse
In song that I deuised since shee went;
Though some-thing sad, (for sadly was I bent,
When first I fram'd it, I must needs confesse).
Orpin
O sing it (though): 'Twill help the woe to vent
That doeth thy gentle heart too much possesse.
Clorus
1
Silly Swaine, sit downe and weepeWeepe that she from hence is gone;
She, of all that follow'd sheepe
By her matchles beauty knowne.
2
All the playne by her bright eyesShin'd, while she did here remaine:
Now her eye her light denyes,
Darkenes seemes to hide the playne.
216
3
Phœbus now seemes lesser lightTo th' unhappy vale to send,
Hauing lost more by her flight
Then he doth his sister lend.
4
Cynthia yeilds Night fewer rayes,Since the Sun her fewer yeildes;
He has wanted for the Dayes,
Since her wanted haue the feildes.
5
Mountaines neuer knowne to rue,Rockes that strangers were to woes,
Since her absence cleaue in two,
And their ruin'd hearts disclose.
6
Feildes are left to winters wrack;Sheepe that share the Shep-heard's woe
Change their hue to mourning black,
Once as white as mornings snow.
7
Earth in withring weeds doth mourne,Flowers droop their heads dismay'd,
Trees let fall their leaues, that borne
Were, her beautious browes to shade.
217
8
All the yeare, while she was here,Spring and Summer seem'd to last:
Since shee left us, all the yeare
Autumne seemes and Winters blast.
9
While she grac'd us and these plaines,Forraine Swaynes of her did heare;
Now she graces forraine Swaines
Wee envy their Fortunes there;
Fame where-euer she remaines
Soundes her wonder euery-where.
It should be more but that my voyce is faint:
The rest by thus much may bee understood.
The rest by thus much may bee understood.
Orpin
It is enough; Exceed not in complaint
To hurt thy selfe and doe thy freind no good.
Make vse of vertuous Temperance, that shou'd
The Mistresse bee of all our wordes and deeds.
And now the Sun in Tritons fomeing flood
Cooles the hot fet-locks of his yellow steeds,
Leade home thy Lambes with so much more good speed,
And sleepe, which thou a little seemes to need.
218
Well fare thy heart, that mindes me Temperance,
Whose onely name mine eare doth so enchant
I wish that it may never be thy chance
The freindly counsell thou dost giue to want;
For thou (I know) canst not be ignorant
It is two vertues well to doe and teach.
But now, before the black Inhabitant
Of Cimeris shall this Horizon reach,
With thy faire Heardlem hye thee home apace.
Embrace my Counsell, I will thine embrace.
Orpins Emblem
Temperance tout asseure,
Violence nulle dure:
Clorus his Emblem
Amour loyal et ferme
N'a jamais fin, ne terme.
219
THURSDAY
Clemma (Eglogue 6) of Patience
Benedic. Nicco.Benedic
How now (old Nick) what! ripe in age and teares?
What drawes such youthfull humour from such yeares?
I would thou didst but looke in yonder brooke,
How well this whimpring mood becomes thy looke.
Giue ore (for shame) thy childeish pueling notes,
And say what harmes befalne thee or thy goates.
What euer woes thee, let thy freind it know;
This th'onely way to ease thy heart in woe.
220
O let my cause soften thy careles eares
Freind Benedic, before thou blame my teares.
As true it is, thou sayest, To ease the heart
Is to our freind our sorrow to impart;
So he anothers sorrow must beleeue,
That would be pitied when himselfe doth greiue.
That gallant goat, that I haue shew'd thee oft
In head of all my heard, lifting aloft
His gray and curled browes whereon he bore,
In his two horny Registers, the score
Of his owne yeares and of my yearely care,
Since of a kid I bred him up so faire,
That to his brisket from his streaked back
Shed parting lockes of blended white and black,
The yearne whereof almost with supple sleaue
Of Tyrian wormes I durst for wager weaue:
His oyly gilles let fall a checquerd beard
Downe to his knees, that awed all the heard;
Yet under awfull brow and visage bent
Harbring a Nature so beneuolent,
That he (ah he!) as willingly would stand
And leane his itching forehead to my hand
And in mine armes fodder, or play, or sleepe
As louingly as any kid I keepe.
Benedic
And what disease of him diseases thee?
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Sawest thou not him my best, and dost not see
That he of all my heard is now unseene?
Benedic
What is the cause that he forsakes the greene?
Nicco
Whilome by night (o night for rest ordain'd!
But with unrest and all abuses stayn'd)
A woolfe, or fox, our ill-defended cotes
Vseing to haunt, assaults my housed goates,
Till with his sharpe and cruell fangs he had
For his blood-thirsty throat an entry made:
Whereat a suddain fright and fearefull note
Of trembling kids waken'd my slumbring goate,
Who rowsing up and quickly casting eye
Of th' ugly snout of deadly enemye
To heard and heards-man, back he fetch'd his fees,
And with his fore-heads curl'd and crooked trees
He met the Vermine, with a brush so strong
As made his teeth meete through his burning tongue:
And while unsatisfy'd againe he flew
Vpon his foe, the savadge Dog withdrew;
And my heards champion through the breach so wrought
Ran head so feirce, His crooked antlers caught
A rafter on the out-side of my stack,
That hamper'd him, he could not forth nor back:
222
Of rage, while in his bandes himselfe he beate,
The carion coward sometimes seis'd the throate,
Sometimes the eye-lids, of my luckles goate,
Who (though thus bound) maintain'd the desp'rat fight,
Till honest day reveal'd the wrongs of night,
And I with speare came in, to earth to ioyne
The salvage theifes already bleeding groyne.
But all too late: for what with grief, and what
With bruises sore and venime wounds thus got,
Ne're thriued more my goat, but pin'd away.
No clouer-grasse, corne-blade, nor odorous hay,
Garlique, nor Beet, nor Betony, nor Sage,
Mallow, nor Rue, nor Plantain would asswage
His inward sicknes or his outward smart:
No holy-thistle water chear'd his heart:
Stone-pitch did not his bruised fillets good,
Nor wholsome treacle cleanse his poison'd blood.
No faire wordes tic'd him to his woonted cribs,
Nor stroaking made him licke his stareing ribs.
Low lean't his head; his gray beard swept the dust:
Downe fell his crest, and with his crest his lust.
His ragged chines seem'd dayly more and more
Higher to grow, his starving belly lower:
223
Shrowding in their owne pale and deadly whites,
Yeilding to death long-dying life, my goat
Left his unhappy heard and curled Coat.
Benedic
Now what a tedious tale (but that to doate
Thine age has leaue) hast thou told of a goat!
But thy condition's to be borne withall:
Small losses to the great are great to small,
And that may something iustify thy mone.
But as losse is not unto thee alone,
Be not alone to greife. It chanced me
In my young dayes in shade of poplar tree
To hide mine ore-watch'd eyes from illes—whereon
I seldome dreame, that wakeing thinke on none—
And while I stole (stole o why doe I say?
T'was but my right) one sleepe at high noone-day,
A spitefull theife that did (it seemes) not feare,
Nor shame, the Muses bowers to pilleare,
Of my best scrip and then my dearest mate
Left me to rise depriu'd and desolate.
Thou mayest (old Nic), as cause thou hast, inveigh
'Gainst Woolfe or Fox: but there's no beast of prey
So bad as Man, mischeiuously inclin'd.
What knows not truth nor reason's false by kinde:
But impious man, that reason hath and truth
Doeth know, against both truth and reason doth.
224
Furnis'd by mine (as his was with his) pens
With Eglogues, Sonnets, Elegies, and Layes,
In Vertues honour and her owners prayse.
But there (my comfort is) no scurrile song,
Nor hatefull Libell, freind or foe to wrong.
I neuer such invented, young nor old:
My harmelesse Muse me better lesson told.
Thus strip'd by false and cruell-hearted theft
Of all my little wealth, with nothing left
But woe and want, I, trotting worlds of ground
After my losse, more losse of labour found.
I could haue wept like thee, but 'tis in vaine
To thinke with teares our losses to regaine;
Or with consuming sorrow to betray
More to hard Fortune than shee takes away.
And since more learned Shep-heards haue us taught
(Lesson I feare of you Goat-heards unthought)
That heauens such chances suffer doe sometimes
Befall us, to chastise us for our crimes;
We must not quite heau'ns gentle punishments
With much more punishable discontents.
Like to a yeareling Lambe shorne of his best,
His first and dearest fleice, I meekly rest.
And that [had] been my onely losse, 'twere well:
But many greater haue me since befell;
225
So much as thou for one poore goat of thine.
Nicco
Sure (Benedic) then, thou art fram'd of steele,
Or rocky substance, that no passion feele.
Had I endur'd so many ruthfull things
I thinke I should by this time into springs
Haue melted been, or been with sorrow pin'd.
O what is then that vertue of the minde,
That makes us men in suffrings differ so,
Whose bodies haue an equall sence of woe?
What man am I, that woman should haue been,
Whom small distresse hath so great power in?
Or of what more then common mold art thou,
Whose breast doeth under no distresses bow?
Benedic
Of neither stone nor steele. Continuall wet
Will weare the one, and fire the other fret.
But as foundations, layd on wooll, are sayd
To over-last those that on rocks are layd,
So gentle mindes their burthens long endure
When rocky hearts will cleaue and proue unsure.
As after heauy wheeles, whose routs remaine
In sinking earth, soft flowers rise againe;
226
Vnder the Barke, that gapeing sandes will sinke;
Great stomacks crack at sorrowes weighty summes,
But Patience yeilds and, yeilding, overcomes.
While yet a flock I haue, I ioy as much
In those that last as I should joy in such—
For those that stealth or sicknesses consume
I place content before me in their roome.
I doe not honour fickle fortunes name
For what I haue, nor on the Starres exclame
For what I part withall; I know that they
Are instruments of his immortall sway
Whence I receiue, with ioy and Patience, all
The good and ill me or my state befall.
I murmur not at crosse or casualties
Whereto all mortall Nature subiect lyes;
I onely striue with workes of honesty
To readvance the wracks of iniury:
So by repaire to make my losse my fame,
And by my Patience my theifes gaine his shame:
Who after losse yet liue on what is left,
Discourage Envy and discount'nance theft.
And while a heard of goats thou hast to keepe
Scorne not to follow him that followes sheepe
In this one lesson, that to all belongs,
Patience recovers losse and conquers wrongs.
227
Shepheard, Thou know'st my substance is not great:
A tender kid from his dam's tender teat
I tender thy aduice, and take my leaue.
Our heards begin to mingle (I perceiue).
I will no more trust Night, who is to such
As robbe both thee and me a freind too much.
Benedic
Keepe still thy kid or take a lambe from mee
As good as him: I counsell not for fee.
(Yet blame not all that doe; for good advice,
That freindly is, may merit freindly price.)
Nor blame thou Night, that ill must not be thought
For wicked deeds, the wicked doers fault:
But sell thy Goats fine skin, and therewithall
Buy worser stuffe to build a better wall.
And so lets shed our cattell while tis light,
For sheepe and goats together mixe not right.
Benedics Emblem
Gloria prudentis patientia.
Nicco's Emblem
Who suffer will and doe none ill,
In the way to heaven are they.
230
FRIDAY
(Eglogue 7) of Hospitalitie
Nando. Ieffrey. Perigot.Nando
Good day to Jeffrey, (if I not mistake).
Ieffrey
Like (if mistake not I) for Nando's sake.
Nando
How leades thou life and lambes, and whereaway?
229
That thy Mæcenas, that renowned Lord,
The Lady wed who by the chrystall fourd
Was Mistresse of that Castle, white and strong
Neare Chilterne hilles, where we led flocks along.
T'was at this Ilands most renowned Towne,
(Place fittest for a match of such renowne),
Where, at that wedding, thou a speech didst make
Whereof I once from thee did coppy take,
Since beg'd or stolne from me, (the common lot
Of novelties): if thou hast not forgot,
Pitie thou should'st! vouch-safe it to rehearse:
It was a plaine, but honest, peice of verse.
Ieffrey
How think'st thou (Nando) things so long fore-past,
In that so plaine and simple age, may last
To these more dainty dayes? or who but thou
Fancyes so olde esteeme or relish now?
Perigot
Yes: That doe I: and that's one more then he:
And so doe all that truely honest bee,
If truely honest be the verse, though plaine;
And I haue heard thou hast no greater straine.
230
No vertuous verse is subiect unto tyme.
All things, though old, to those that neuer knew
Nor neuer heard of them before, are new.
Age does not worth diminish but prolong:
True Muse is (like Apollo) alwayes young.
What's vile is old or dead as soone as borne;
What euers good more dayes doe more adorne.
Ieffrey
As I haue seene a Shepheardesse contriue
A way to keepe a gather'd rose aliue,
So this my withering fancy, by the merit
Of your desires, doth thus it selfe inherit.
A way to keepe a gather'd rose aliue,
So this my withering fancy, by the merit
Of your desires, doth thus it selfe inherit.
I that n'ere gaz'd on Cheap-sides glistring rowe,
Nor went to bed by the deep sound of Bowe,
But lent my dayes to siluer-couler'd sheepe,
And from strawne cotes borrow'd my golden sleep,
(On deare occasion you may thinke to draw
To Citie him that neuer Citie saw)
Arriu'd these walles and towers of sumptuous pride
To seeke my deare Lord, whose faire flock I guide,
And for whose absent worth my tender feares
Haue far'd a little Tems of mine owne teares.
And as (which I, poore Swaine, with blushes say:
Though wherefore should I so?) I lost my way
Some hundred times in these amazefull streets,
The wing'd and quiuer'd Loue at last me meets;
Him had I known so well in our green Downe,
That he forgot not mee in this gay Towne;
And leades me to this place, which he though blinde
Better then I with my best eyes could finde:
And, while conducted betwixt him and care,
I did, as captiue led by keeper, fare.
But at this hallow'd threshold now receiu'd
By him that weares the robe of saffron weau'd,
The smileing Hymen, I such sweetnes found
As hearts redeem'd may feele that haue been bound;
And by his sacred counsell wish'd to frame
These rites to you (Fayre and illustrious Dame),
To whose rare graces here I can make no
Compare, since I no gemmes nor iewells know,
But in your modest smiles (me thinks) I view
Our Starre by day, and Summers rose anew.
More then I mourn'd his absence, I reioyce
Now in my rare Commanders rarer choice.
And as his sweet and richly founded Place
Your stately and well-shaded Towers embrace,
My Muse shall sing of your united name
In shades of Sherborne and by streames of Thame,
Songes that beyond these suddain straynes aspire
Shall in their iust desart and true desire,
That longs till all my Mates in joviall sort
Dance to my pipe and this more sweet report.
Such was the speech that Hymens high occasion
Gaue first life to; this second, your perswasion.
Nor went to bed by the deep sound of Bowe,
But lent my dayes to siluer-couler'd sheepe,
And from strawne cotes borrow'd my golden sleep,
231
To Citie him that neuer Citie saw)
Arriu'd these walles and towers of sumptuous pride
To seeke my deare Lord, whose faire flock I guide,
And for whose absent worth my tender feares
Haue far'd a little Tems of mine owne teares.
And as (which I, poore Swaine, with blushes say:
Though wherefore should I so?) I lost my way
Some hundred times in these amazefull streets,
The wing'd and quiuer'd Loue at last me meets;
Him had I known so well in our green Downe,
That he forgot not mee in this gay Towne;
And leades me to this place, which he though blinde
Better then I with my best eyes could finde:
And, while conducted betwixt him and care,
232
But at this hallow'd threshold now receiu'd
By him that weares the robe of saffron weau'd,
The smileing Hymen, I such sweetnes found
As hearts redeem'd may feele that haue been bound;
And by his sacred counsell wish'd to frame
These rites to you (Fayre and illustrious Dame),
To whose rare graces here I can make no
Compare, since I no gemmes nor iewells know,
But in your modest smiles (me thinks) I view
Our Starre by day, and Summers rose anew.
More then I mourn'd his absence, I reioyce
Now in my rare Commanders rarer choice.
And as his sweet and richly founded Place
Your stately and well-shaded Towers embrace,
My Muse shall sing of your united name
In shades of Sherborne and by streames of Thame,
Songes that beyond these suddain straynes aspire
Shall in their iust desart and true desire,
That longs till all my Mates in joviall sort
Dance to my pipe and this more sweet report.
233
Gaue first life to; this second, your perswasion.
Perigot
No sure: If of it selfe thy Muse could dye,
It might haue endles life from cause so hye.
Nando
But what occurrents there befell thee more?
So noble eares could not so giue thee ore.
Jeffrey
Tis true, but I my part haue much forgot
But theirs (which was their Noblenes) cannot.
Amongst the rest a Lady faire, (to try
My wits, it seem'd; or else I know not why),
Was pleas'd to me a question to propose
Which either shee, or I, did out of prose
Transforme into a slender dresse of ryme,
Wherein it liues, though poorely, to this time.
But theirs (which was their Noblenes) cannot.
Amongst the rest a Lady faire, (to try
My wits, it seem'd; or else I know not why),
Was pleas'd to me a question to propose
Which either shee, or I, did out of prose
Transforme into a slender dresse of ryme,
Wherein it liues, though poorely, to this time.
Betwixt two Suiters sat a Lady fayre:
Vpon her head a garland did she weare;
And of th'enamour'd two the first alone
A garland wore (like her), the other none.
From her owne head she tooke the wreath she wore
And on his plac'd it who had none before:
And then (marke this) their browes were both about
Beset with garlands, and she sat without.
Beholding these Cor-rivals on each side
Of her, thus plac'd and deck'd in equall pride,
She from the first mans head the wreath he had
Tooke off, and therewith her owne browes she clad:
And then (marke this) she and the second were
In garlands deck'd, and the first man sate bare.
Now which did she loue best, of him to whom
She gaue the wreath, or him she tooke it from?
Vpon her head a garland did she weare;
And of th'enamour'd two the first alone
A garland wore (like her), the other none.
From her owne head she tooke the wreath she wore
And on his plac'd it who had none before:
And then (marke this) their browes were both about
Beset with garlands, and she sat without.
Beholding these Cor-rivals on each side
Of her, thus plac'd and deck'd in equall pride,
She from the first mans head the wreath he had
Tooke off, and therewith her owne browes she clad:
And then (marke this) she and the second were
In garlands deck'd, and the first man sate bare.
234
She gaue the wreath, or him she tooke it from?
Nando
In my conceit she him would rather haue
From whom she tooke, then him to whom she gaue.
For, to bestow, many respectes may moue:
But, to receiue, none can perswade but Loue.
She grac'd him much on whom her wreath she placed,
But him whose wreath she wore she much more graced:
For where she giues she there a Seruant makes,
But makes her selfe a servant where shee takes.
Then where she takes she honors most, and where
She doth most honor she most loue doth beare.
Perigot
In my conceit she lou'd the man the more
To whom she gaue the garland that she wore.
An action such (me thinkes) seemes to expresse
That he, who that posses'd, should her possesse.
Where she the garland took and left him bare,
Might be his brows for Willow to prepare.
Receiuing does not always service proue,
But giuing is alwayes true signe of Loue.
On him whose wreath she weares she much confers;
But bindes him to more honor that weares hers:
And then if she, is fayre, be truely kinde,
Most loue she beares where she most lookes to finde.
235
Now (Ieff) what was the answer that you gaue?
Jeffrey
That I (with little greife) forgotten haue;
Though likely tis I sayd like one of you.
All is but guesse where none can tell what's true.
The depth of Ladyes minde no other knowes
(She knowes) and tis no answer to suppose.
He may him-selfe thinke in her greatest grace,
Vpon whose head she did her garland place,
And he whose wreath she wore may thinke the same,
(Loue all things doth to his owne vantage frame):
But he, in one or both, must needs be blinde;
And what himselfe sees not he hopes to finde.
Two Lovers may be equall in desart;
The diffr'ence is in the Beloueds heart.
Wise Ladyes thoughts are to them selues alone;
And better pleas'd to be admir'd then knowne.
Tis like she lou'd one best: but is more blest
If him she haue she loues, and loues her best.
Nando
How may we now requite thy loue and paine?
Ieffrey
My paines with pitie, loue with loue againe.
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Nay (gentle Jefferey) from thy repast
We haue (I feare) caus'd thee too long to fast.
Walke with my freind and me unto my Bower,
And helpe to entertaine one pleasant hower,
That in th' enjoyance of so kinde a freind
Will but too swiftly hasten to his end.
My Dame to night a cheese-cake me allowes,
Whose borders are as browne as are her browes;
But curds within as candid as her favour,
Sprinkled with cynamonds delightfull savour.
We haue Queene-apples, some within to see
As beauteous as without: (as nymphes should bee):
And Russettings that, like true Shepheards, hide
Wilde disposition in a rough out-side:
Poore fare; yet so much richer for thy sake
As hearty wish and welcome may it make.
Jeffrey
Thy lookes and tongue both so performe their part
As shewes they haue Commission from thy heart.
These dayes of ours (Nando) no kinder qualitie
Produce, in great or small, then Hospitalitie.
It seemes thou canst remember I haue been
In noble houses, and I there haue seene
And tasted too their bountious entertaine
(Which may it euerlastingly remaine).
Continuance is the life of all well doeing,
237
And I haue far'd with Shepheards such as you;
And loueing euer to my power to doe
The good that I in others see and praise,
Haue had my fellow Shep-heards in my dayes;
Not to requite, for so I was not able,
But t'imitate heart free and hospitable.
As the rich farmers favour do's refine
His plenteous fare, and turnes his ale to wine;
The Shepheards loue so makes his poore repast
A banquet, and his whey like ale to tast:
And, at the greatest table and the least,
Loue and free welcome makes them both a feast.
Perigot
I that am idle and haue least to doe
All our three flocks the while may looke unto.
Nando
No Perigot; wee cannot spare such freind,
Whose worth is not invited to attend.
As wee, so let our flocks, together feed:
Sheep will agree where shep-heards are agreed:
238
Inward agreement feares no outward foes.
Sheep learne the voyce of Shep-heards that them keep;
And mutuall loue shepheards may learne of sheep.
Nando's Emblem
Grex humilis vocem discit Pastoris amantis
Perigot's Emblem
Pastor ad exemplum discat amare gregis
Jeffrey's Emblem
Fœlix is Pastor qui ovis est Pastoris Olympi,
Cujus sunt gregibus cognita vox et amor.
239
SATTURDAY
(Eglogue 8) of Constancy
Perkin. Tomkin.Perkin
Tomkin, what pipe hath lull'd thy Muse asleep,
Or sleepy dulnes lull'd thy pipe a late?
Do's some disease infect thy gentle sheep,
Or too much care of them infect thy state?
240
Or is the Fate in thine owne faulty will,
Thou do'st thyselfe so seldom recreate
On the sweet stops of thy once pleasant quill?
Tomkin
Wonder not (Perkin) that the Muse is still,
That wants some sweet occasions to awake.
Pipes must be dumb, fingers forget their skill,
When fauours and encouragements forsake.
It is not I, but Eccho, that's asleep,
Or in some desart farre remote remaines:
And wee our flocks in Desarts seeme to keep,
And sadly touch our unresounded canes.
Fayeries, sometime familiar freinds to plaines,
In their forsaken circles cease t'appeare;
And Nymphes and Naiades, once kinde to swaynes,
Now neither walke nor gather garlands here:
And this has brought my heart so out of cheare,
And, as thou find'st, so dull'd my pipe and pen.
241
Sad story (Swaine) but what's your meaning, when
You doe those freinds to plaines, the Fayeries, name;
And Nym[p]hes and Naiades, that now and then
Vnto your Greenes to gather garlands came?
Tomkin
To tell thee plaine, I meane Philisiden,
And his deare sister, that renowned Dame
We Pœmenarcha call'd: he that of men
The wonder was; She of her Sex the same:
And that good Lord of th'ancient house of Thame;
His learned Lady; both of noble race:
And more like them, in honour, love, and fame,
That us'd us Sheap-heards and our songs to grace,
But now are gone to farre more happy place.
And therefore wee, not for their sakes, doe moane,
But since so few now shew so kinde a face.
As is our losse, our sorrow is our owne.
Perkin
Tomkin, Tis true; but yet not ours alone
Is losse or greife, but theirs that still surviue.
Tis good to praise their fauours that are gone,
Without despaire of those that are aliue.
But though wee Shep-heards not in favours thriue,
242
Yet must wee still our honest verse contriue
Vnto the slender timber of the reed.
As flowers pay their owne ungather'd seed
Vnto the earth, neglected trees their fruit,
Wee owe our dayes what they in us did breed,
Since onely ours we nothing can repute.
As crushed violets more sweetnes shute,
Obscured worth doth more it selfe adorne:
Eternall Lawrell stands on her owne roote,
Weake Ivy is on th'others shoulders borne;
And perseuering Constancyes pursuite
Of Vertue, honor wins and conquers scorne.
Tomkin
There hast thou nam'd a vertue that agrees
So with my heart, That I will hold me fast
To Vertues praise and honour. Though my trees
Yeild smaller fruit in this then Summer past,
And though I gaine by my Hyblæan Bees
A lighter stock of honey then the last,
243
Ill seasons doth for our ill manners send)
Will cast of frownes when faults away we cast,
And mend our meanes when wee our selues amend.
Perkin
There art thou right; and as thou dost intend,
So to thy resolution hold thee true:
For as true Vertues neuer shall haue end,
No more shall their renowne that them pursue.
Hope neuer failes that doeth on Heau'n depend,
And they win Heaue'n that with repentance wooe.
Tomkin
Well hast thou sayd: And as I yeild thereto,
So hold thy selfe to thine owne discipline;
Which to requite is more then I can doe;
But, as thou seest, thy flock now feeds with mine:
Walke with me to my Bower, where let us two
On such poore fare I haue together dine,
While Phœbus, in his best and highest place,
Doth this halfe-holyday so kindely grace.
Perkins Emblem
Constancy is vertues crowne.
Tomkins Emblem
Vertue's Constancyes renowne.
244
(Eglogue 9) of Humility
Hobbinoll, Colliden.Hobbinoll
If thou be not that gentle Shep-heard Swaine
That in the Muses wells, as good as wine,
(Freind Colliden) hast so refresh'd a braine,
That, for the Sonnet sweet, or lyrique line,
Few Shepheards be that may surpasse thy straine,
245
I haue forgot that honest looke of thine.
Colliden
Who would haue look'd for entertaine so fine
From Hobbinoll, if I mistake not you,
To Colliden, the same poore freind of thine,
To whom no such great complement is due.
Hobbinoll
Yet to reviue our spirits, that both decline,
Let's heare some pleasant Sonnet old or new.
Colliden
O Hobbinoll, Wee may not still pursue
The path of youth; nor walke beside the line
That from false ioyes should leade us to the true.
I now those wanton virelayes doe rue,
The fancyes of my like phantastique dayes,
246
The more I sung, I lessen'd mine owne praise.
With Oliue twine now twisted is my Bayes,
From whence my heart more hallow'd thoughts doth take.
Now let my songs be in my Makers praise,
Who to that purpose onely did me make,
(If so unworthy Shep-heard in his layes,
O blessed Lord, thy praise may undertake).
For Shepheard, sheepe, and all that for their sake
Thou sees't this goodly universe doth yield,
His mighty hand did forme, and voyce awake.
When out of nothing he did all things build,
The glorious Sun that doth the welkin guild,
And Welkin gilt, he plac'd in such estate,
And with such bounty made and deck'd the feild,
As well for heardsmans ioy as cattells gate,
As we them see: and (sikerly) he will'd,
When we them see, we him should meditate
Who hath these favours done for us ingrate
And worthles of the least of all his store,
Nay wretches much more meriting his hate
For our desarts, if ought we claime therefore.
Hobbinoll
Shep-heard I am full glad it was my fate
247
For I had thought, as I was taught to fore,
That Pan was God of Shep-heards and of sheep,
That Phœbus of the Sun the bridle bore,
And Cynthia sway'd the season when we sleep;
And that another Deity, old and hoare,
Thëy Neptune call'd, govern'd the Ocean deep;
That of the feilds Dame Flora had the keep,
And them in all their painted 'parrell clad;
And that the valley flat, the mountains steep,
And all things else, their severall Deity had.
Colliden
Who taught thee so, were Shep-heards not so wise
Or honest as they should; unlesse they meant
By these and all imagin'd Deities
One onely God, true and Omnipotent.
For like a reall truth in shady guise
Such fictions his true honours represent.
Hobbinoll
Sure (Colliden) such was their good intent,
Though I, then young, did scarcely understand.
But since of thee it is my blest event
More now to learne of his most high command,
Who made and gouerns all, be thou content
To follow on the song thou hast in hand.
248
When I survey my heap of youthfull song
And Ditties quaint, to volumes neare arose,
I whilome did, to please the amorous throng
Of Nymphs and Swayns, to my green reed compose,
And finde so small a number them among
Of pious straine or vertues pure dispose,
Then muse not (Hobbinoll) that my Muse growes
Melancholly, but thinke her iustly sorry
For seeking earthly more then heau'nly glory.
And Ditties quaint, to volumes neare arose,
I whilome did, to please the amorous throng
Of Nymphs and Swayns, to my green reed compose,
And finde so small a number them among
Of pious straine or vertues pure dispose,
Then muse not (Hobbinoll) that my Muse growes
Melancholly, but thinke her iustly sorry
For seeking earthly more then heau'nly glory.
The Man is happy (sure) to whom the Muse
So gracious is as with him deigne to dwell;
(For she in him more joyance may infuse
Then hath to some of greater place befell):
But much more happy hee that how to use
And entertaine so sweet a guest can tell.
She comes not hither from her sacred well
For thee or mee with her too bold to make:
Of daintiest things we soonest surfet take.
So gracious is as with him deigne to dwell;
(For she in him more joyance may infuse
Then hath to some of greater place befell):
But much more happy hee that how to use
And entertaine so sweet a guest can tell.
She comes not hither from her sacred well
For thee or mee with her too bold to make:
Of daintiest things we soonest surfet take.
Doubtles The head of that so famous fount
By pranceing hoofe of flying horse was found,
That mens conceits, by taste thereof, should mount
Till they at Heauens azure gates rebound;
And not descend to theames of base account
To be in nine days vulgar wonder drown'd,
Or idle Minstrells mercinary sound,
And of eternity themselues depriue,
That noble mindes all labour to arriue.
By pranceing hoofe of flying horse was found,
That mens conceits, by taste thereof, should mount
Till they at Heauens azure gates rebound;
And not descend to theames of base account
To be in nine days vulgar wonder drown'd,
Or idle Minstrells mercinary sound,
249
That noble mindes all labour to arriue.
Delightfull songs if fram'd on subiect vaine,
Though for a season vaunt and flourish may,
Yet sagest hand of Fame will them disdaine
In her immortall Treasury to lay;
But as yon wanton Sicamore to raine
Must yeild her pompe, so theirs to time must they,
Though yet as fresh as death-unknowing Bay,
Whose leafe who claimes to weare ought well fore-cast
His actions, life with life of Laurell last.
Though for a season vaunt and flourish may,
Yet sagest hand of Fame will them disdaine
In her immortall Treasury to lay;
But as yon wanton Sicamore to raine
Must yeild her pompe, so theirs to time must they,
Though yet as fresh as death-unknowing Bay,
Whose leafe who claimes to weare ought well fore-cast
His actions, life with life of Laurell last.
Wherefore thou seest not on my simple head
Such Coronet to sager Shep-heards due,
Whose Verses liue though they them-selues be dead
(If dye they could whose deeds their liues renew),
While most of mine unworthy to be read
Dye (while I liue), or should, if how I knew
To win successe my wishes to ensue:
Since tis the way to make one sin two-fold
To cout'nance youths vaine acts with forhead old.
Such Coronet to sager Shep-heards due,
Whose Verses liue though they them-selues be dead
(If dye they could whose deeds their liues renew),
While most of mine unworthy to be read
Dye (while I liue), or should, if how I knew
To win successe my wishes to ensue:
Since tis the way to make one sin two-fold
To cout'nance youths vaine acts with forhead old.
250
But now I am in better vaine to sing
In his due honour, that on high doth sit:
(Which he, that is of all the Soveraigne King,
Grant I so may as may his servant fit).
If ought thou hear'st, wherefore in verdant ring
Of laurell branch Thou mayst my temples knit,
I shall at once embrace thy loue and it;
For whether meed assum'd hath right or none,
Just is the garland others hands put on.
In his due honour, that on high doth sit:
(Which he, that is of all the Soveraigne King,
Grant I so may as may his servant fit).
If ought thou hear'st, wherefore in verdant ring
Of laurell branch Thou mayst my temples knit,
I shall at once embrace thy loue and it;
For whether meed assum'd hath right or none,
Just is the garland others hands put on.
Hobbinoll
Ah! woe is me! that pent in cottage poore,
And cottage poore as pent in valley low,
And sorry soyle that at my luckles doore
Such tree of triumph listeth not to grow.
But neighbour mine there is, that hath afore
His happy hatch some that he will bestow
More soone on me cause I to thee it owe:
My sweeting tree may one day him remeed;
The poore sometime hath what the rich may need.
Colliden
Awake, o virgin of celestiall race!
That thy first milke didst draw from sacred breast
Of Memory, and then receiu'ds thy place
By Thespian streames amongst thy sisters blest;
So highly sprung, yet scornest not to grace
Mee, lowly Swaine, of all thy seruants least:
No more let lump of liuing clay infest
Thy heauenly pinions, nor yet prevent
With plummets of dull sloth thy faire ascent.
That thy first milke didst draw from sacred breast
Of Memory, and then receiu'ds thy place
251
So highly sprung, yet scornest not to grace
Mee, lowly Swaine, of all thy seruants least:
No more let lump of liuing clay infest
Thy heauenly pinions, nor yet prevent
With plummets of dull sloth thy faire ascent.
But aboue all, o blessed Majesty,
Who by thy power and wisdome all hast wrought,
And all dost rule, aboue and under skye,
From greatest substance unto smallest thought,
That we thy name aright may magnify,
And sing thy works and wonders as we ought,—
Grant with such streames our feeble hearts be fraught
As thou doest giue, from forth thine euer-liuing
Fountaine of grace, that more abounds by giuing.
Who by thy power and wisdome all hast wrought,
And all dost rule, aboue and under skye,
From greatest substance unto smallest thought,
That we thy name aright may magnify,
And sing thy works and wonders as we ought,—
Grant with such streames our feeble hearts be fraught
As thou doest giue, from forth thine euer-liuing
Fountaine of grace, that more abounds by giuing.
O sottish men! that dayes in silence spend,
Or in lewd tales that worse then silence bee;
While Creatures dumb by Nature doe commend
Their makers loue with greater praise then wee.
Who taught this Beech her branches to extend,
From storme to shelter us and flockes, but hee?
Who not alone into this freindly tree,
But into euery lesse-esteemed plant
And herbe and shrub, hath put life vegetant.
Or in lewd tales that worse then silence bee;
While Creatures dumb by Nature doe commend
Their makers loue with greater praise then wee.
Who taught this Beech her branches to extend,
From storme to shelter us and flockes, but hee?
Who not alone into this freindly tree,
But into euery lesse-esteemed plant
And herbe and shrub, hath put life vegetant.
Nor hath he set the high aboue to grow,
As shrouds to be or shaddows to our need,
But hath commanded they their blossoms blow,
And usefull fruits their blossoms to succeed:
Nor doth the Earth with flowers and herbage sow
Onely for pleasant walke, or cattells feed,
Or sence of sight or smell; but us to steed
For wholsom cure, and often to supply
Our dying life, to render theirs to dy.
As shrouds to be or shaddows to our need,
But hath commanded they their blossoms blow,
And usefull fruits their blossoms to succeed:
252
Onely for pleasant walke, or cattells feed,
Or sence of sight or smell; but us to steed
For wholsom cure, and often to supply
Our dying life, to render theirs to dy.
Goat-heard beware, or man, (who ere thou art),
That thou alone do not like cypher stand,
Conferring all thy fortunes, wit, and art
Vpon thy selfe, with too reseru'd a hand;
But learne for common good to act some part
Of vertuous office in thy natiue land,
Least thou be worse then weed in sorry sand,
Whereof the vilest that thou tread'st upon
For others use more vertues hath then one.
That thou alone do not like cypher stand,
Conferring all thy fortunes, wit, and art
Vpon thy selfe, with too reseru'd a hand;
But learne for common good to act some part
Of vertuous office in thy natiue land,
Least thou be worse then weed in sorry sand,
Whereof the vilest that thou tread'st upon
For others use more vertues hath then one.
The Cowslip do's not onely deck the feilds,
But lends her yellow fingers to the cure
Of shaking sinnews: and the violet yeilds
Her azure blood fowle surfets to repure.
Contemned wormwood from infection sheilds;
And Rue makes wasting liuer longer dure.
Elacampane faint loungs doth reassure;
Plantain of bleeding wounds allayes the smart;
Mynt helps the head, and Rose mary the heart.
But lends her yellow fingers to the cure
Of shaking sinnews: and the violet yeilds
Her azure blood fowle surfets to repure.
Contemned wormwood from infection sheilds;
And Rue makes wasting liuer longer dure.
Elacampane faint loungs doth reassure;
Plantain of bleeding wounds allayes the smart;
Mynt helps the head, and Rose mary the heart.
253
The Indian julep, mix'd for pallats paines,
Craues Woodbines help such dolour to asswage;
And quintessences diving to the reines
Disdaine not there the aid of Saxifrage.
Who Tansey tastes, or Clarey entertaines,
Need eate no snake with youth to couer age.
The holy-thistle quenches feuers rage.
Where costly Antidots shun poore estate
There sage is treacle, saffron Mythridate.
Craues Woodbines help such dolour to asswage;
And quintessences diving to the reines
Disdaine not there the aid of Saxifrage.
Who Tansey tastes, or Clarey entertaines,
Need eate no snake with youth to couer age.
The holy-thistle quenches feuers rage.
Where costly Antidots shun poore estate
There sage is treacle, saffron Mythridate.
Nor stand tall woods alone for goodly port,
But each his proper businesse hath and state.
The Oake a builder is of lasting sort,
And him the Elme and Beech doe imitate.
The Ash a souldier, Ewe is his consort:
The Pine a Sayler, and the Fyrrhe his mate;
The Cypresse mourner at the funerall gate;
And Lawrell, that wee talked of but now,
A crowne of Victors and of Muses brow.
But each his proper businesse hath and state.
The Oake a builder is of lasting sort,
And him the Elme and Beech doe imitate.
The Ash a souldier, Ewe is his consort:
254
The Cypresse mourner at the funerall gate;
And Lawrell, that wee talked of but now,
A crowne of Victors and of Muses brow.
The Poplar can the climbeing workeman's wish
As well advance as fan the sunny glade;
The melancholly willow learne to fish
Rather then bee for fooles the garland made;
The Maple turne himselfe to Shep-heards dish,
And Holly prentice be to Vintners trade,
The hoary Palme the poore mans cottage shade:
And all this crue to solace, Walnut-tree,
And Box, and Plane, a set of Musique bee.
As well advance as fan the sunny glade;
The melancholly willow learne to fish
Rather then bee for fooles the garland made;
The Maple turne himselfe to Shep-heards dish,
And Holly prentice be to Vintners trade,
The hoary Palme the poore mans cottage shade:
And all this crue to solace, Walnut-tree,
And Box, and Plane, a set of Musique bee.
Where-to to dance becomes not us to call
Fayre fruitfull Ladies not to Shep-heards knowne,
Such as the great Pom-granate, Oliue small,
And lushious Figge, that loues to be alone,
The Abricot upheld with Southern wall,
And Orenge gilt that thrice a yeare doth grone,
The downy Quince, and golden Mell-cotone,
The sanguine Peach in silken robe install'd,
The Almond twice, and Nut-meg treble-wall'd.
Fayre fruitfull Ladies not to Shep-heards knowne,
Such as the great Pom-granate, Oliue small,
And lushious Figge, that loues to be alone,
The Abricot upheld with Southern wall,
255
The downy Quince, and golden Mell-cotone,
The sanguine Peach in silken robe install'd,
The Almond twice, and Nut-meg treble-wall'd.
But with our rurall nymphes we may be bold
(As to our rurall callings most be meet),
The ruddy Peare-main, and the Costard cold,
The spungy Russetting, and Violet sweet,
The Warden, and the Deus-ans two year'd old,
The Pippen when she leaues the stately street,
The Cherry when she scornes not us to greet,
The Hasell-nut familiar euery-where,
The harmeles Damson, and the Katterne Peare.
(As to our rurall callings most be meet),
The ruddy Peare-main, and the Costard cold,
The spungy Russetting, and Violet sweet,
The Warden, and the Deus-ans two year'd old,
The Pippen when she leaues the stately street,
The Cherry when she scornes not us to greet,
The Hasell-nut familiar euery-where,
The harmeles Damson, and the Katterne Peare.
Thus like my selfe, although I simply sing
Song simple as my selfe, forbeare to blame,
For all my serious thoughts are on the King
Of trees and fruits, that yet I did not name,
The peereles Vine with clusters flourishing
Of mighty grapes, not onely for their fame,
But that the Lord of life, who man became,
Him-selfe is pleased the true Vine to call,
And all his members true his branches all.
Song simple as my selfe, forbeare to blame,
For all my serious thoughts are on the King
256
The peereles Vine with clusters flourishing
Of mighty grapes, not onely for their fame,
But that the Lord of life, who man became,
Him-selfe is pleased the true Vine to call,
And all his members true his branches all.
And as we see that fixed to the stake,
So nayled to tree was this celestiall Vine,
Whose pierced side for our redemptions sake
Gush'd precious blood, as precious grapes doe wine.
O blessed Husband! that in hand dost take
To purge all liuing branch thereof, refine
With powerfull grace this feeble soule of mine,
And graffe it in this stock so sure, that fruite
Of praise to thee it euer forth may shute.
So nayled to tree was this celestiall Vine,
Whose pierced side for our redemptions sake
Gush'd precious blood, as precious grapes doe wine.
O blessed Husband! that in hand dost take
To purge all liuing branch thereof, refine
With powerfull grace this feeble soule of mine,
And graffe it in this stock so sure, that fruite
Of praise to thee it euer forth may shute.
That turning ore new leafe of Natures booke
Thy hand or worke I further may behold
In creatures such whose knowledge thou dost brooke
To simple Man, clad in so wretched mold:
For (Nations all to hold in heau'nly hooke
Of mutuall loue) his wisedome doeth unfold,
To some, what he from others doth withold;
That men for wonders that they not possesse
Ought him admire, for those they haue him blesse.
Thy hand or worke I further may behold
In creatures such whose knowledge thou dost brooke
To simple Man, clad in so wretched mold:
For (Nations all to hold in heau'nly hooke
Of mutuall loue) his wisedome doeth unfold,
To some, what he from others doth withold;
That men for wonders that they not possesse
Ought him admire, for those they haue him blesse.
His wonders then let us (with reuerence) note.
What learnedst tongues could never full expresse,
Thou mayest well thinke, in sound of slender Oate
The little learned Shep-heard can much lesse.
The Marriner that toyles in Sea's remote,
And Pilgrim, that doth halfe his life professe
To spend in farre-sought lands and wildernesse,
From freezing Laps to scorched Negro's walke,
His other halfe may thereof spend in talke.
What learnedst tongues could never full expresse,
Thou mayest well thinke, in sound of slender Oate
257
The Marriner that toyles in Sea's remote,
And Pilgrim, that doth halfe his life professe
To spend in farre-sought lands and wildernesse,
From freezing Laps to scorched Negro's walke,
His other halfe may thereof spend in talke.
Although the Sun him company had borne,
Companion such would tempt one venter farre
From the Vermillion palace of the morne
To Westerne waues oft gilded by his carre,
And shewen him euery land his rayes adorne
With yearely progresse, and his courts that are
All flourish'd 'ore with many a twinkling starre,
Some ouer head to us, some ouer-head
To those whose feet against our feet doe tread.
Companion such would tempt one venter farre
From the Vermillion palace of the morne
To Westerne waues oft gilded by his carre,
And shewen him euery land his rayes adorne
With yearely progresse, and his courts that are
All flourish'd 'ore with many a twinkling starre,
Some ouer head to us, some ouer-head
To those whose feet against our feet doe tread.
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And all his sisters shining seates, betwixt
The golden Ram and siluer horned Kid;
The axle set, with Lords and Ladies mix't,
Now stellified for famous deeds they did;
The Cynosure with cout'nance grauely fix't,
Teaching the wonder in the Load-stone hid;
Th' Arcadian Lady, and her sonne, forbid
To wash in Ocean waues; and daughter seuen
Of him whose shoulders underset the heauen.
The golden Ram and siluer horned Kid;
The axle set, with Lords and Ladies mix't,
Now stellified for famous deeds they did;
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Teaching the wonder in the Load-stone hid;
Th' Arcadian Lady, and her sonne, forbid
To wash in Ocean waues; and daughter seuen
Of him whose shoulders underset the heauen.
But how beseemes it me in russet robe
To sing of shineing wonders of the skye?
More fitting those that skill the astralobe
And haue high reach in sage astrologie.
But he that fram'd this uniuersall globe
Aboue all Creatures here would Man his eye
Should upward lift, and contemplate on hye
Those glympses of the glorious life of blisse,
The more to striue for that life after this.
To sing of shineing wonders of the skye?
More fitting those that skill the astralobe
And haue high reach in sage astrologie.
But he that fram'd this uniuersall globe
Aboue all Creatures here would Man his eye
Should upward lift, and contemplate on hye
Those glympses of the glorious life of blisse,
The more to striue for that life after this.
And though poore Shep-heard be the least of men,
And I (poore I!) of Shep-heards be the least,
My Muse his honours must returne agen
In such degree as he my Muse hath bles't.
Though in the sound of highest pipe or pen
His praise can neuer fully be expres't,
None may his talent let in dust to rest;
And, shareing of his graces, I not dare
To silence in his praise my humble share.
And I (poore I!) of Shep-heards be the least,
My Muse his honours must returne agen
In such degree as he my Muse hath bles't.
Though in the sound of highest pipe or pen
His praise can neuer fully be expres't,
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And, shareing of his graces, I not dare
To silence in his praise my humble share.
Hobbinoll
Little wot I who is the skillfulst Swaine:
Of skill to iudge (certes) doth skill require:
Yet bene thy layes and loue not all in vaine;
For though I cannot iudge, I can admire;
But nothing haue, to quit thy gentle paine,
Till I some happier Fortune may aspire:
Vnlesse thou wilt (for want of better tire)
Accept a warme kids-skin, to keepe from cold
Thy neck that doth thy honest brain uphold.
Colliden
If Kid be lost, thou more his skin dost need:
I, waxen weake, yet no such gift may take.
Reward should not be taken for good deed,
That should be done for onely goodnes sake.
Now Pyro-ë-is, the Suns formost steed,
With flameing fet-lock gildes the brackish lake:
Let us with day to our reposure make;
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Soake through the fleeces of the tender ewes.
Hobbinoll
Beshrew the Night, whose so unwelcome hast
Begins here to forbid our longer stay.
Colliden
O no. The sooner come, the sooner past
Is night, that brings on the more welcome day.
Hobbinoll
And for that welcome day I shall fore-cast,
Wherein with thee discourse againe I may.
Colliden
Come any day thou wilt, when he giues way
Who gaue us six for one, that we should borrow
For our vaine use, no part of his, to morrow.
Collidens Emblem
Visa Creatoris manus est miranda creatis.
Hobbinoll's Emblem
In his works, his power, his loue,
Seen, known, admir'd, is God aboue.
FINIS.
| The Poetical Works of William Basse | |