A Strappado for the Diuell Epigrams and Satyres alluding to the time, with diuers measures of no lesse Delight. By MISOSUKOS[Greek], to his friend PHILOKRATES[Greek] [by Richard Brathwait] |
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How Fancie is a Phrensie.
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 | A Strappado for the Diuell |  |
99
How Fancie is a Phrensie.
An Epigram.
And thou
Euenus whose renowm's disperst,
About those fertile coasts which border thee,
Whose well-tun'd Current runs so pretily,
That Fame her selfe, nor shall it be reuerst,
Ha's thus enacted: that thy liquid brest
Should make my consort vp, for there appeares
Euen in thine eyes, continuing streames of teares.
About those fertile coasts which border thee,
Whose well-tun'd Current runs so pretily,
That Fame her selfe, nor shall it be reuerst,
Ha's thus enacted: that thy liquid brest
Should make my consort vp, for there appeares
Euen in thine eyes, continuing streames of teares.
Still may thy Sliding-foord, and spacious course,
Wash those adioyning vales encircle thee,
Which by thy meanes yeeld crops so fruitfully,
That thy pure sand may be of Ganges force,
Golds pure Elixir: for thou hast remorse,
And pitties my hard hap to loue a swaine,
That hates my loue, and makes my sute in vaine,
Wash those adioyning vales encircle thee,
Which by thy meanes yeeld crops so fruitfully,
That thy pure sand may be of Ganges force,
Golds pure Elixir: for thou hast remorse,
And pitties my hard hap to loue a swaine,
That hates my loue, and makes my sute in vaine,
Oft by thy Sliding Channell haue I stood,
Bathing my selfe in teares, teares were the drinke,
That quench't my thirst, & whē thou seem'd to sink,
Into some hollow cauerne, streight my blood,
“(That little bloud I had) made thy course good.
And sinke into the Cesternes of mine eyes,
Filling thy streams with teares, thy banks with cries,
Bathing my selfe in teares, teares were the drinke,
That quench't my thirst, & whē thou seem'd to sink,
Into some hollow cauerne, streight my blood,
“(That little bloud I had) made thy course good.
100
Filling thy streams with teares, thy banks with cries,
Streight fell I downe vpon thy floury shore,
As if the shore had beene my mistris brest,
Where I a while conceau'd that sweetned rest,
As it expell'd the care I felt before,
Seeming to make my comforts so much more,
Because so long delay'd; but lasse the while,
My thoughts chekt me, I chekt my thoghts of guile.
As if the shore had beene my mistris brest,
Where I a while conceau'd that sweetned rest,
As it expell'd the care I felt before,
Seeming to make my comforts so much more,
Because so long delay'd; but lasse the while,
My thoughts chekt me, I chekt my thoghts of guile.
For well I found, this was a goulden dreame,
Yet but a Dreame, that seem'd to represent,
Vnto mine eyes, that sacred Continent,
Which shadowes my content: but this has beene,
Euer most true, Dreames are not as they seeme.
And if they were, I'me sure they mist in this,
Taking thy Banke for where my mistres is.
Yet but a Dreame, that seem'd to represent,
Vnto mine eyes, that sacred Continent,
Which shadowes my content: but this has beene,
Euer most true, Dreames are not as they seeme.
And if they were, I'me sure they mist in this,
Taking thy Banke for where my mistres is.
Oft did I cull, and clip, and kisse, and doe,
God wot, full madly, for reposing there,
I call'd the grasse, the tresses of her haire:
And bound it vp, yet well I knew not how,
Making a bracelet on't, which I would show
To euery Sheepheard, so distract'd was I,
And euery rurall Syluane that past by.
God wot, full madly, for reposing there,
I call'd the grasse, the tresses of her haire:
And bound it vp, yet well I knew not how,
Making a bracelet on't, which I would show
To euery Sheepheard, so distract'd was I,
And euery rurall Syluane that past by.
All this thou saw, and thou did pitty me,
“For thy distreaming teares explan'd no lesse,
Surcharged brests must needs their greefes expresse,
Which once exprest; suppressed seeme to be:
“Teares unto griefe, yeeld soueraignst remedy.
For Teares doe silence greefe, but where appeares
Extent of griefe, there griefs doe silence teares.
“For thy distreaming teares explan'd no lesse,
Surcharged brests must needs their greefes expresse,
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“Teares unto griefe, yeeld soueraignst remedy.
For Teares doe silence greefe, but where appeares
Extent of griefe, there griefs doe silence teares.
And such were mine: sometimes I could not weep,
But like one sence-lesse, laughed at my distresse,
Mixing a straine of Mirth with heauinesse,
Or as one casten in a deadly sleepe,
That neither sence nor faculty can keepe,
Euen such was I: but streight I chang'd my song,
Making my ioyes short, but my sorrowes long.
But like one sence-lesse, laughed at my distresse,
Mixing a straine of Mirth with heauinesse,
Or as one casten in a deadly sleepe,
That neither sence nor faculty can keepe,
Euen such was I: but streight I chang'd my song,
Making my ioyes short, but my sorrowes long.
Her fancie was the phrensie that surprisd
My idle brain with these distracted passions,
Ten thousand shapes I had, ten thousand fashions,
Despising, louing, loue where I despisd'e,
Prising her most, where I was lowest pris'de.
Thus my affections to distractions turn'd,
Made me mourne more then louer euer morn'd,
My idle brain with these distracted passions,
Ten thousand shapes I had, ten thousand fashions,
Despising, louing, loue where I despisd'e,
Prising her most, where I was lowest pris'de.
Thus my affections to distractions turn'd,
Made me mourne more then louer euer morn'd,
And Reason too: for some I had, my Friends,
(At least they seem'd so) which contemnd my griefe
Nor sought to yeeld my silly heart releefe,
With one poore comfort, but as diuers ends,
Occasion strange effects; so Loue depends
(If I may call inconstant Friendship Loue,)
On Fortune heere below, not truth aboue.
(At least they seem'd so) which contemnd my griefe
Nor sought to yeeld my silly heart releefe,
With one poore comfort, but as diuers ends,
Occasion strange effects; so Loue depends
(If I may call inconstant Friendship Loue,)
On Fortune heere below, not truth aboue.
Let mee vnrippe my sorrowes, that my brest
May void such Scarabees, that vse to sit
Vpon each vlcer: whose contagious witte,
Is worse then Hellebore, for they infest
The purest Mansion, louing euer lest
Where they show most Affection, for their straine,
Is not for loue but profit, and their gaine.
102
Vpon each vlcer: whose contagious witte,
Is worse then Hellebore, for they infest
The purest Mansion, louing euer lest
Where they show most Affection, for their straine,
Is not for loue but profit, and their gaine.
Record them (sweet Euenus) for they hate,
Thy sacred streams: wash not their soyled sin
With thy pure liquor: for the Æthiops skin,
Will be blacke still: the doome of enuious fate,
(Like Mammons heires) sits skouling ore their state:
Their Summer-Swallows flourish, they make one,
But if thy state he blasted, they are gone.
Thy sacred streams: wash not their soyled sin
With thy pure liquor: for the Æthiops skin,
Will be blacke still: the doome of enuious fate,
(Like Mammons heires) sits skouling ore their state:
Their Summer-Swallows flourish, they make one,
But if thy state he blasted, they are gone.
And thou (Blest Hymen) that confirmes the loue,
Of Mortall soules, with thy diuinest rites,
Knows whom I mean by, for they quench thy lights
By their abuse: but there's a power aboue,
Will dash their gainefull tradings, and remoue,
Their Bartring from the earth, to th' depth of hell,
That teach in Marriage how to buy and sell.
Of Mortall soules, with thy diuinest rites,
Knows whom I mean by, for they quench thy lights
By their abuse: but there's a power aboue,
Will dash their gainefull tradings, and remoue,
Their Bartring from the earth, to th' depth of hell,
That teach in Marriage how to buy and sell.
Yet deere Euenus, I haue more to speake,
For I would haue thee carry me commends,
To such as be my true approoued friends,
(For some I haue will neither bow nor breake)
Mid'st my afflictions: but by all meanes seeke
To re-infuse life in mee pray the tell
When by their house thou goest, that I am well.
For I would haue thee carry me commends,
To such as be my true approoued friends,
(For some I haue will neither bow nor breake)
Mid'st my afflictions: but by all meanes seeke
To re-infuse life in mee pray the tell
When by their house thou goest, that I am well.
103
And if they aske thee how I brook this place
Where I'me retired to: say, as louers vse,
Pent from their loues, they cannot will, nor chuse,
But liue an Hermits life, and in disgrace
Of beauty and her name, hath made his face
Like times annatomie (poore Sceleton)
An obiect fit for Ruth to looke vpon.
Where I'me retired to: say, as louers vse,
Pent from their loues, they cannot will, nor chuse,
But liue an Hermits life, and in disgrace
Of beauty and her name, hath made his face
Like times annatomie (poore Sceleton)
An obiect fit for Ruth to looke vpon.
Tell them the bookes I reade, be such as treate,
Of Amadis de Gaul, and Pelmerin,
Furious Orlando, and Gerilion,
Where I obserue each fashion and each feate,
Of amorous humors, which in my conceipt,
Seeme to to rare, That they that were so strong,
Should be so mad, and I be tame so long,
Of Amadis de Gaul, and Pelmerin,
Furious Orlando, and Gerilion,
Where I obserue each fashion and each feate,
Of amorous humors, which in my conceipt,
Seeme to to rare, That they that were so strong,
Should be so mad, and I be tame so long,
But presently I recollect my sense,
And findes a reason: questionles I'me mad
But who cares for't, or markes it? if I had
Land (like an elder brother) Eminence
Of some Court-Comet, would haue presidence,
Ouer my braine-pan: and would beg my wit,
Though neither he nor I could mannage it.
And findes a reason: questionles I'me mad
But who cares for't, or markes it? if I had
Land (like an elder brother) Eminence
Of some Court-Comet, would haue presidence,
Ouer my braine-pan: and would beg my wit,
Though neither he nor I could mannage it.
So though I loose my wits I cannot loose
My lands, they rest secure; where? can you tell?
VVhere? yes, where not? wil't please thee buy, I'le sel:
VVhat? wit? I haue none; counsell? neither: house?
The arch of Heauen's my couer; pray excuse
My Error, I am pore: I'haue naught to sell
But teares and those I cannot part with well.
My lands, they rest secure; where? can you tell?
VVhere? yes, where not? wil't please thee buy, I'le sel:
VVhat? wit? I haue none; counsell? neither: house?
The arch of Heauen's my couer; pray excuse
My Error, I am pore: I'haue naught to sell
104
But (pray thee) spare thy speech to such as be,
And euer were professed foes to loue,
And Bayne to marriage, for by them I proue
The depth of discontent: they loue not me,
Nor doe I care for't: once I hope to see,
Enuie without a sting, which still extends
Her hatefull power vnto depraued ends.
And euer were professed foes to loue,
And Bayne to marriage, for by them I proue
The depth of discontent: they loue not me,
Nor doe I care for't: once I hope to see,
Enuie without a sting, which still extends
Her hatefull power vnto depraued ends.
Yet if thou chance to slide by Enuies place,
(Which by this true discription thou shalt know)
Her structures ruin'd are, and there doth grow,
A groue of fatall Elmes, wherein amaze,
Or labyrinth is fram'd: heere Enuies race,
Had their beginning, For there's yet to see,
The very throne where Enuy vs'd to bee.
(Which by this true discription thou shalt know)
Her structures ruin'd are, and there doth grow,
A groue of fatall Elmes, wherein amaze,
Or labyrinth is fram'd: heere Enuies race,
Had their beginning, For there's yet to see,
The very throne where Enuy vs'd to bee.
Tell that (proud minion) that ambitious dame,
Whose meagre look and broad dishe aueld lock,
Whose dangling nose, shap't like an apricock,
Makes her desert-lesse proud, that I doe blame
Her vniust dealing, though I scorne to name,
Th' uniustnesse of it: yet this vowe i'le make,
I'le nere trust long-nos'd Female for her sake.
Whose meagre look and broad dishe aueld lock,
Whose dangling nose, shap't like an apricock,
Makes her desert-lesse proud, that I doe blame
Her vniust dealing, though I scorne to name,
Th' uniustnesse of it: yet this vowe i'le make,
I'le nere trust long-nos'd Female for her sake.
105
Could she (hard hearted she) for priuate gaine,
(Such lucring Mammonists the heauens displease,)
Sell both the loue and liking of her Niece,
And where loue shewd her most, there to restraine,
Affection within bounds? sweet streames complaine,
To Iuno on't, I know shee'l pitty me
And grant my suite—That she may barrain be.
(Such lucring Mammonists the heauens displease,)
Sell both the loue and liking of her Niece,
And where loue shewd her most, there to restraine,
Affection within bounds? sweet streames complaine,
To Iuno on't, I know shee'l pitty me
And grant my suite—That she may barrain be.
VVe haue too manie of that odious brood,
VVe neede no more: it is a fruitlesse fruit,
That shames the Parents:—Iuno heare my suit,
For it will doe both heauen and earth much good,
And be a caueat vnto woman-hood;
“Rather in Marriage not to deale at all,
Then to set Marriage sacred rites at sale.
VVe neede no more: it is a fruitlesse fruit,
That shames the Parents:—Iuno heare my suit,
For it will doe both heauen and earth much good,
And be a caueat vnto woman-hood;
“Rather in Marriage not to deale at all,
Then to set Marriage sacred rites at sale.
Farewell (Euenus) I haue writ my minde,
VVhich I would haue thy streamelings to conuey
To Enuies house, by that frequented way,
Which as a Port or Hauen is assign'd
To euery passenger: Sweet breathing winde
Breath on thy sailes, that when thou doest complain,
Remembring me, thy teare-swolne eies may raine,
And fructefie the earth: That time may showe,
This did Euenus for her Poet doe.
VVhich I would haue thy streamelings to conuey
To Enuies house, by that frequented way,
Which as a Port or Hauen is assign'd
To euery passenger: Sweet breathing winde
Breath on thy sailes, that when thou doest complain,
Remembring me, thy teare-swolne eies may raine,
And fructefie the earth: That time may showe,
This did Euenus for her Poet doe.
| A Strappado for the Diuell | |