University of Virginia Library


230

vi. Sonnet before a poëme of Irene.

Mourne not (faire Grece) the ruine of thy kings,
Thy temples raz'd, thy forts with flames deuour'd,
Thy championes slaine, thy virgines pure deflowred,
Nor all those greifes which sterne Bellona brings:
But murne (faire Grece) mourne that that sacred band
Which made thee once so famous by their songs,
Forct by outrageous fate, haue left thy land,
And left thee scarce a voice to plaine thy wrongs;
Murne that those climates which to thee appeare
Beyond both Pho̧bus and his sisteres wayes,
To saue thy deedes from death must lend thee layes,
And such as from Museus thou didst heare;
For now Irene hath attaind such fame,
That Heros Ghost doth weep to heare her name.