University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
Loves martyr

or, Rosalins complaint. Allegorically shadowing the truth of Loue, in the constant Fate of the Phoenix and Turtle. A Poeme enterlaced with much varietie and raritie; now first translated out of the uenerable Italian Torquato Caeliano, by Robert Chester. With the true legend of famous King Arthur, the last of the nine Worthies, being the first Essay of a new British Poet: collected out of diuerse Authenticall Records. To these are added some new compositions, of seuerall moderne Writers whose names are subscribed to their seuerall workes, upon the first Subiect: viz. the Phoenix and Turtle
Chester, Robert (1566-1640)

collapse section 
[section]
  
[dedication]
  
The Authors request to the Phœnix.
  
To the kind Reader.
  
ROSALINS COMPLAINT, METAPHORICALLY applied to Dame Nature at a Parliament held (in the high Star-chamber) by the Gods, for the preseruation and increase of Earths beauteous Phœnix.
  
A Prayer made for the prosperitie of a siluer coloured Doue, applyed to the beauteous Phœnix.
  
To those of light beleefe.
  
A meeting Dialogue-wise betweene Nature, the Phœnix, and the Turtle Doue.
collapse section 
Here followeth the Birth, Life and Death of honourable Arthur King of Brittaine.
  
The strange Birth, honorable Coronation, and most vnhappie Death of famous Arthur King of Brytaine.
  
The Coronation of King Arthur, and the Solemnitie thereof: the proud message of the Romanes, and the whole resolution of King Arthur and his Nobles.
  
The Epistle of Lucius Tiberius the Romane Lieutenant, to Arthur King of Britanie.
  
Cador the Duke of Cornewaile his Oration to the King.
  
The Oration of King Arthur to his Lordes and Followers.
  
The Answer of Howell King of litle Brytaine.
  
Angusel King of Albania his Answere to the King.
  
[section]
  
The true Pedigree of that famous VVorthie King Arthur, collected out of many learned Authors.
collapse section 
[A DIALOGUE]
  
Here Nature singeth to this dittie following.
  
The Phœnix her Song to the Dittie before.
  
Pellican.
  
Conclusion.
  
Cantoes Alphabet-wise to faire Phœnix made by the Paphian Doue.
collapse section 
Cantoes Uerbally written.
 1. 
1. Pittie me that dies for thee.
 2. 
2. My life you saue, if you I haue.
 3. 
3. Do thou by me, as I by thee.
 4. 
4. Voutsafe to thinke how I do pine, In louing thee that art not mine.
 5. 
5. My destinie to thee is knowne, Cure thou my smart, I am thine owne.
 6. 
6. Ore my heart your eyes do idolatrize.
 7. 
7. I had rather loue though in vaine that face, Then haue of any other grace.
 8. 
8. What euer fall, I am at call.
 9. 
9. I had rather loue, though in vaine that face, Then haue of any other grace
 10. 
10. Disgrace not me, in louing thee.
 11. 
11. I had rather loue though in vaine that face, Then haue of any other grace.
 12. 
12. My selfe and mine, are alwayes thine.
 13. 
13. The darting of your eies, may heale or wound, Let not empiring lookes my heart confound.
 14. 
14. You are my ioy, be not so coy.
 15. 
15. For you I die, being absent from mine eye.
 16. 
16. Send me your heart, to ease my smart.
 17. 
17. Seeing you haue mine, let me haue thine.
 18. 
18. Within thy brest, my hart doth rest.
 19. 
19. O let me heare, from thee my deare.
 20. 
20. My Phœnix rare, is all my care.
 21. 
21. I would I might, be thy delight.
 22. 
22. If I you haue, none else I craue.
 23. 
23. Be you to me, as I to thee.
 24. 
24. You are the first, in whom I trust.
 25. 
25. You are the last my loue shall taste.
 26. 
26. If you I had, I should be glad.
 27. 
27. Though place be far, my heart is nar.
 28. 
28. My thoughts are dead, cause thou art sped.
 29. 
29. I send my heart to thee, where gladly I would be.
 30. 
30. If you me iust haue knowne, Then take me for your owne.
 31. 
31. My heart I send, to be your friend.
 32. 
32. I haue no loue, but you my Doue.
 34. 
34. I will not change, though some be strange.
  
Thoughts keepe me waking.
  
Seeing that my hart made choise of thee, Then frame thy selfe to comfort me.
  
My heart is bound to fauour thee, Then yeeld in time to pittie me.
  
I ioy to find a constant mind.
  
My heart by hope doth liue, Desire no ioy doth giue.
  
Death shall take my life away, Before my friendship shall decay.
  
Let truth report what hart I beare, To her that is my dearest deare.
  
Seene hath the eye, chosen hath the hart: Firme is the faith, and loth to depart.
  
No woe so great in loue, not being heard, No plague in loue, being long deferd.
  
And if my loue shall be releeu'd by thee, My heart is thine, and so account of me.
  
My passions are a hell and death to me, Vnlesse you feele remorce and pitie me.
  
My purest loue doth none but thee adore, My heartie thoughts are thine, I loue no more.
  
I do resolue to loue no loue but thee, Therefore be kind, and fauour none but me.
  
[Ah quoth she, but where is true Loue?]
  
Though death from life my bodie part, Yet neare the lesse keepe thou my hart.
  
Where hearts agree, no strife can be.
  
Thy vowes my loue and heart hath wonne, Till thy vntruth hath it vndonne.
  
Time shall tell thee, how well I loue thee
  
Most deuine and sacred, Haue I found your loue vnspotted.
  
The want of thee is death to me.
  
I loue to be beloued.
  
I scorne if I be scorned.
  
The heart's in paine, that loues in vaine.
  
What greater ioy can be then this, Where loue enioyes each louers wish?

collapse section Collapse All | Expand All expand section
previous section Loves martyr
next section

11. I had rather loue though in vaine that face,
Then haue of any other grace.

I liue enricht with gifts of great content,
Had my desires the guerdon of good will,
Rather then taste of Fortunes fickle bent,
Loue bids me die, and scorne her witlesse skill,
Though Loue command, Despaire doth stil attend,
In hazard proues oft times but doubtfull end.
Vaine is the loue encountred with denayes,
That yeelds but griefe, where grace should rather grow,
Face full of furie, voide of curteous praise:
Then since all loue consists of weale and woe,
Haue still in mind, that loue deserues the best,
Of hearts the touchstone, inward motions louing,
Any that yeelds the fruite of true-loues rest,
Other I loue vnworthie of commending,
Grac'd with bare beautie, beautie most offending.
previous section Loves martyr
next section