The most famous and Tragicall Historie of Pelops and Hippodamia Whereunto are adioyned sundrie pleasant deuises, Epigrams, Songes and Sonnettes. Written by Mathewe Groue |
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The most famous and tragicall history of Pelops and Hippodamia.
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 | The most famous and Tragicall Historie of Pelops and Hippodamia |  |
The most famous and tragicall history of Pelops and Hippodamia.
The argument of the Historie following.
Onomaus was king of Archadia, vnto whom it was told by the Southsayers, that whomsoeuer his onely daughter Hipodamia did marie, he should dye, she comming to her ripened yeeres, he proclaymed a prize of running with Chariots, that whosoeuer did vanquish him therin, should marry Hippodamia, and haue the Realme with her, but the vanquished should dye. Many of the Woers were slayne: at last Pelops promised priuily to Myrtilus that if hee shoulde winne the prize, Myrtilus should lye with Hipodamia the first night: Whereupon he made the Axiltree of wax, by reason wherof in the course the Charet fell downe, which Onomaus thē perceyuing, slew hymselfe, and Pelops enioyed the Lady, and Myrtilus requyring that which was promised, Pelops threwe hym into the Sea, which euer after was called mare Myrtonum.
There
stretcheth long a Realme in Greece,
of antique bruice and fame,
Whose memory remayneth yet,
Archadia it we name.
Which title Archas sonne of Ioue,
bestowed on that land:
Who ruled there with Regall crowne,
and golden mace in hande.
There is the fenne of Lernea,
where Hidra a monster great
With hundred hissing Serpents heads,
retayned there her seate.
Til Hercules inforced was
with strength the fiend to gripe,
And Erymanthus riuer there,
his surging course doth keepe.
Where once the scepter help in throne
Omaus with his might,
One of the sonnes of dreadfull Mars,
the furyous God of fight:
Which wight of Parge sisters three,
such grace he gan obtayne,
That they did all forbeare to cut
or shred his thread in twaine.
Wherby he drewe his vitall web,
vntil the siluer heares
Gan grow vpon hys aged skull,
for cause of many yeares.
He only Hippodame had,
hys daughter damsel fayre.
Which by descent and due desert,
should stay his lawfull heire.
Who guyded was in seemely life,
by learned Sages store.
And as she doeth encrease her dayes,
so vertues hath she more.
She was her fathers only ioy,
the fortresse of his life
She left was only of his stock
then sole without a wife.
In somuch that the greatest care
and studie of the king,
Was aye in vertues lore to trayne
and this hys daughter bring,
Which vertues she conceiued so,
and printed in her hart,
As fast as learned Patrons could
instruct her them by arte.
Which caused her in flaming yeres,
to beare the worthy fame:
And ne to haue among the rest,
her mate, a courtly dame.
But that she dyd excell and shade
the shape of euery wight
As much as Luna with her hornes
surpast a starre by light.
These vertues and the like so rare
enforst the father olde
With zealous care his daghter and
her state for to behold,
And to prouide that damage small
hereafter should annoy
The tender corps by any meanes
of thys his only ioy.
For which intent he did retayne
with him in Court alwayes
A number seene in Magike arte
and prone for such assayes:
Which by their learned skil forshew
vnto the king and his
Those things that long shal after fal
of euil hap or blisse.
Which men Omaus king gan will
in presence for to come,
Which do approch, their dutie eke
with bended knee soone downe,
Do listen then to heare their charge:
to whom the king gan say.
My tryed friends, ye learded peeres,
in whom my trust doth stay,
As heretofore ye faithfull haue
been vnto me and mine,
In all aspects and great affayres,
so now your eares encline:
You all do know our daughter dear,
our Hippodame milde,
Who seemeth now in youthly yeeres,
a most vertuous childe,
And shunneth yet each sinfull lore,
as farre as I can know,
Whereby to me no little ioy,
through her I say doth grow:
Yet doubting now dame Fortunes wheele,
which whirle th very strange,
I aske your ayde, for to preuent
and stop a sodeyne change.
For Fortune frayle not surely stayes
her steppes still in one place,
But turneth as the winde, whereby
I stay in doubtfull case.
What if that she should be infect
with Venus wanton sport,
Or other like: or if that shee
should any ill report,
That may vnwished come to passe?
I silie wight in woe,
Might wail the case of this my child,
her selfe which noyeth so:
For youth is fraile, and tendeth not
sometimes to sage aduise,
And shunneth that which they perceiue
Those men which do seem wise,
For to embrace: for they whom that
olde Senex staffe hath smite,
In sadnes, not in youthly pranks
doe studie and delite.
But youth doth tread the path to find
and earst t'obtaine that still,
Which they perceiue doth please the flesh,
hap either good or ill.
And you doe know, there nothing is
that fraile flesh pleaseth more,
Than that which doth depend on vice,
wereof there raigneth store.
And I remember Venus sonne
who with his shaft and bowe
Doth often peerce the harts of those
who like pangues did ne know
Alas if that should light on her,
as likely sure it is,
Unwares to me then might I say
adue my ioy and blisse.
For that blind boy doth cast his dart,
not on the meanest sort,
As soone as on those stately Peeres,
that places haue in Court.
For why they driue their time in ease
and idly spend the day
They feede on dayntie dishes rare
and rest on downe for aye,
There is no pleasure but they taste
as may content the hart
Which are the causes that he doeth
so soone throwe them his dart.
For if thou banish idlenes,
thou breakest then the bands
Which Cupid doth with flight deuise
to tangle both thy hands
If she should chaunce to fix hir mind
in loue with one that is
Inferior in degree to her
which match were farre amisse,
I should be loath, therfore, my frends
of this her destinie,
I wil that ye ensearch foorthwith,
and it reueale to me,
To this intent I may prouide,
for to preuent the same,
If it should happen for to be
impayring to her fame.
Yet willingly I would that she
should ioyne with one in loue
As meete is in degree, which doeth
from him all vice remoue,
For this I know the time will be
if that her yeres endure,
Needs she must knit her selfe to one
in wedlock ioy most pure.
Wherfore repaire to th' used place
and with our Gods assent
As touching Hippodamia,
to know their high intent.
And take the fairest goate that may
within this towne be found
Him offer vp in sacrifice,
to them, whose laude doeth sound
Aboue the starres, who rule the globe
who sitte aboue the starry skye,
And know such things as earst were past,
and those to come perdy.
Then they all on their bowed knees,
vnto the earth doe fall
And one of them doth answere then
and thus in name of all,
O king, if that we would not graunt
now to thy best and thee,
Unworthy we were of our liues,
true subiects ne were we.
If that by Magike art we may
satisfie thee in this,
We are right glad that by the same
we thee auferre such blisse.
And now there doth remain no more
but th' while to loue I pray,
To further that our enterprize,
which fortune doth assay.
This Onomaus king was of
and held the Paynim law,
He knew not then the liuing God
ne kept himselfe in awe:
Wherefore he gan erect a place
as best he had in thought,
Where hee and earst his subiects moe,
to fayned Gods they sought.
Herein were aulters many store,
where when in smart they fall,
They offer vp their Sacrifice,
and to their Gods they call.
The cause is say they (for why)
they offer vp such gift
And offerings brent for Sacrifice
is for a proper shift,
For this they thought, sith that so farre
of distance were the skies,
Their voice might scarce be heard, or els
so high as skies arise,
Yet often they doe prayers houle
vnto their gods aboue:
To this intent when loud they crie,
they might by chaunce haue loue:
And eke on aulters them to moue
with burned flesh intend,
The smoke whereof in litle while
might vnto them ascend.
And thus although no voice might be
so high as skies inclinde.
Yet by the incense thereof, they
might vnderstand their minde:
For smoake (they say) goes vpward still,
and riseth with the winde.
These wisemen to the temple goe,
with hast for to fulfill
The hest of Onomaus king,
and search for good and ill.
They bring with them the kyd his death
which resieth to receiue,
And one of them with peerecing knife
doeth force him life to leaue.
And wringing out the blood also,
depriuing him his skyn,
They prayers say, which they suppose
doeth cause the Gods to blinne.
Then kindle they the fire, and throw
the Goate into the same.
For to consume to ashes aye
by violence of flame.
They mark the diuers colours that
in waste doe flee therehence,
The raynbow hue, to deeme thereby
of Gods the high pretence.
Some on Saturnus call, and some
on Iupiter doe crye,
Some on Mars, and some on Sol,
yea some on Mercurie,
Some on Venus, some to Luna
make their vocation.
No god there was but him they had,
in appellation.
As diuersly their mindes were sette,
so diuersly they cal
Eche one vnto his god to proue
which happyest would befall
So they consume the tyme vntyll
the fleshe is almoste spente,
Then deeme they what shall happen, as
they thinke is Ioues entent,
And other gods: then pray they one
whiche oldest was of all,
To shew them first what he did thinke
shoulde afterwarde befall.
But he with pause doth stay, as though
some doubt he did perceyue,
His rolling eyes caste vp,
and musing he doth leaue
And said: my freendes and fellowes deare
shall I nowe tell in deede,
This case, or as I thinke thereof?
the more haste the worste speede.
I well perceyue by th' azure hue,
that paynted aye the flambe,
And by the string that helde the heart
of this our killed lambe,
With other signes but euill newes,
for vs aye to declare,
It certayne is when Hippodame
in mariage linke doth fare,
Our king must lose his life perforce
whether he will or no,
Such froward destinie for him
the Gods haue graunt to shoe.
And was not aye the verie like
reueled to you all,
Alas, this cruell sodaine chaunce
my minde doth much appall.
How say my friends? but now such feare
hath strike them to the heart,
That they haue now scarsce power to speake
or him thereof impart.
At length they causde him vnderstand
that they did know full well
The same, but that they gaue to him
the preheminence to tell
And first declare the same, for hee,
was oldest them among,
For reuerence ouht be giuen
to th' old men, of the young:
They all deuise the meane whereby
they may this expresse
Unto Omaus, which doth expect
an answere more or lesse:
And then that aged father doth
his tale againe renew,
Full bent to waile their owne state,
as after doth ensue.
Alas what hap had we (quoth he)
this arte for to assay,
Why did not we bestowe our minds
or wits another way?
I muse wherfore each wight with tongue
doth this our darke estate
Most happy call, when vs they minde
and when of vs they prate,
And blabbe that we each thing doe knowe
and ken each destiny,
And eke the knots of fortunes laund
can vndoe by and by.
Alas if that we tel a man
his present froward fate,
Then are we sure of hym to haue
and purchase peeuish hate.
And although hys desire be
to know the very same,
Yet naythelesse if it be sharpe
he giueth vs the blame,
Againe, or els if we conceale,
and doe not tell the trueth
Then are we sure and certayn that
the wrath of God ensueth.
Thus on ech side the doubt is playne
the perill is more great,
We are in worse case then they whom
the destinies doe threat.
As now when that we doe foretel
this hap vnto the king,
Who knowes what he in raging fits
wil doe, or els what thing
With mischiefe shal be done by him,
perhaps in that his ire,
He wil pretend to slay vs than
to quench his burning fire.
As thogh that we were cause thereof
our selues this doe we know
Nor cannot aye vnlesse we should
more sacrifices showe
To deeme therby our frowarde fate
but now the time doth haste
That we must wend vnto our king,
and spend no winde in wast.
I would to Ioue that we might stay,
vntil to morow day,
And then to yeelde our answere vp
the while we would assay
By incence sweete the destinie
that happen should to vs.
Then each doubt and each fearful poynt
we would our selues discusse,
But now there is no remedie,
Omaus king doeth stay
Ere this time long in closet tilte
to heare what we can say.
He thinkes it long til that we come
to tel to him this spight,
Come let vs goe, the gods vs shield,
and succour with their might.
Thus passe they on their way vntill
vnto the hall they come,
From thence they passe the chambers large,
and goe through many a roome,
Vntil the priuie chamber they,
approach, wherein the king
Remayned then, whom they salute
as best with their liking.
Then bowe they down their knees to th' earth,
then one of them gan say
O soueraine king our liege and Lord
thus much we doe thee pray,
Sith thou doest wil that we reueale
such things we know to thee,
To pardon vs, what euer that
of vs shall spoken be.
That being graunt, we boldly then
our mindes may whole expresse
And open thee each darkened poynt,
as thou erst wouldst no lesse,
Which he gan graunt thus much, and sayes
some peruerse newes I feele,
Because ye doubt mine ire, alas
I dread dame Fortunes wheele.
Perdy I thinke if that my chaunce
were happy me to saue
There were no neede that pardon thus,
of me you yow should craue.
Oh tell the same, then they agayne
the Gods that rule the skye,
And turne the rounded globe, whose power
and whose authoritie
Thou mayst ne gaynsay once,
to vs thus they declare,
That whē thy daughter Hipodame
in wedlock bands doth fare
(Which now in ripened yeres doeth waxe)
that thou shalt lose thy life,
The very day most sure in which
she giuen staies a wife.
Thus much we learned haue, thus much
the peruerse destiny
Of thee for her by offrings brent,
we know assuredly
Prouide therfore it happen that,
as sure as Ioue doth raigne
As true as sonne of Mars thou art
in skies which did remayne
Then he as foming bore that whets
his tuskes against the fight,
Doth rage with puffed face, and erst
with swelling eyes for spight.
His ire permits his tongue to tel
the greefe he bides with payne.
So vanquisht he with fury was,
in dumpe doth so remaine,
At length when memory he found
his sparkling eyes at last.
Upthrowen, this tale with warbling tongue
among them be outcast,
Oh Ioue what cruel hap is this,
what deuilish desteny,
What horror doeth inuade my brest?
because that I must dye.
And must I die in deede for that
as yet I neuer knew
I neuer knew my fate before
what after should ensue
Oh fortune, fortune, which ne treades
her steps still in one place,
But wauering here and there most fraile,
as doutfully doeth trace
Why deales not she as equally
the golden gifts she hath,
But setteth some to top on high
and some treades vnderneath.
Oh Hippodame is this the gift
and recompence I haue
Because that I thee trayned thus
in Courtly place so braue?
Is this the fruite I reape of thee,
who in thy childish yeres
Didst shew to me thy sire such hope,
and sprang me siluer heares:
Alas, alas, that thou shouldst be
the causer of my greefe,
Which wast the only ioy to me
and fortresse of my life.
The staffe wherby I leaned, when
I fel in any smart,
As often as I thought on thee,
ful light was then my hart
Oh Aesculap reuiue my corps
that passeth now to woe,
Come Clio help my parched paines
and haples hap to showe.
Ther was not since the world began
a wight that felt such greefe
As how I feele, or had such cause
to wayle his noyed life.
Can there be any greater payne
or torment can you tell,
Be thought by furious fiery fiendes,
that lurke below in hell,
I reade that Ixion is tur-
ned there, and tost on hie,
For promise broke, or whirling wheele.
so for desert perdy,
Sisiphus doeth on shoulders beare
the stone to top of hyl,
Which rolling downe again, he doth
renue his paynfull ill.
Amyd the lake with thirsty iawes
olde Tantalus therein
Pursues the waues the water stream
doth wet and wash his chinne.
And when to him now oft deceaued
it doeth yet promise make
Then flits the flood the fruite at mouth,
his famine doth forsake.
I reade also how Titius heart,
to flying foule is praye,
And Danaus daughters fill in vaine
their watry vessels aye.
And all these feele such pangues and paynes
for some their iust desert
But I as giltles now abide,
it for to peerce my heart.
If for desert I felt the same
lesse greefe it were to me
But once being come t'expulse the same,
I finde no remedy.
Thus finisht be hys wayling stile
commaunded earst with speede
The Southsayers for to auoyde,
which willingly for dreade.
Consent, misdoubting much that he
in fury fond some fact
To them would doe, whereby their greefe,
they should for nought exact.
Omaus then be takes himselfe,
and goes in couert wise,
To garden plot, where by himselfe,
he wayles with watry eyes,
There doubts he what were best to doe,
what remedy to finde
What wile for to coyne out that might
deceiue fortune vnkind.
At last he thinks to slea and ryd
his daughter of her life,
For so much as she was the spring
wherehence doeth flowe this greefe
And better it to be that she
in Charons boat should wean
Then he, who being dead, t'ensue
his destinie to end.
For sith that Ioue appoynted hath,
this destinie to take,
Effect wheneuer that she did
her sole estate forsake.
If she were slaine before that time
by no meanes he can see,
Through her desert this hap to pas
then no such hap to be.
And so himselfe quyt for to leaue
then stayeth he a while,
At last he doeth reuoke those words
and them from mynd exile.
And poureth out this playnt agayne,
ah myser, did I say
That I with boysterous hand should pierce
and Hippodame slay,
I doe recant those words againe,
in no wise it may be,
She is mine only child, which by
my wife was left to me.
Shal I embrue my hands with blood
or that doe in my rage,
Which I did neuer yet commit
shall I thus stayne mine age?
No, no, and more then that,
she is my only childe,
Then she once dead, Archadia
hath fewe the crowne to wielde,
If I were dead also, therefore
Ile search some witty wile.
Wherby I may the churlish snares
of dame fortune beguile.
And from these parched pinching paynes
my selfe for to beguile,
And therby for to saue her life
for if that she should dye,
I glad woulde be my selfe to wende
with hir, then by and by:
And what that I did speake before
I vtterly denye.
In arbour he consumes the tyme,
at length he doth arise,
As Musa puts into his minde,
a shyfte he can deuise,
Which he thinkes best, this is the same:
he myndeth to ordeyne
A prize to runne with chariots swifte
in fielde vppon the playne,
And who so findes the chaunce
the swyftest pace to trace,
(And vanquished the king) thereby
for to departe the place
Shall wedde this dame, and when the lyfe
of this king is in hande,
T'inioy Arcadie realme, and earst
the king therof to stand:
But on the other side, if that
Omaus geues the foyle,
The vanquished to lose their lyues
for ventring in the broyle.
Thus he decreed in minde, thereby
if happie that hee be,
To winne the prize, if contrarie,
his owne death for to see.
And now when that he doth perceiue
he found no better way,
He hyes him into Pallace straight,
to publish this for aye.
And then in deede he calleth in
one which most meete he found,
For such assayes, whom he can will
with trumpe in hand to sound
In euery place within the Realme,
the Cities of the land,
Proclayming to each wight these words
or lyke, which next doe stande.
of antique bruice and fame,
Whose memory remayneth yet,
Archadia it we name.
Which title Archas sonne of Ioue,
bestowed on that land:
Who ruled there with Regall crowne,
and golden mace in hande.
There is the fenne of Lernea,
where Hidra a monster great
With hundred hissing Serpents heads,
retayned there her seate.
Til Hercules inforced was
with strength the fiend to gripe,
And Erymanthus riuer there,
his surging course doth keepe.
Where once the scepter help in throne
Omaus with his might,
One of the sonnes of dreadfull Mars,
the furyous God of fight:
such grace he gan obtayne,
That they did all forbeare to cut
or shred his thread in twaine.
Wherby he drewe his vitall web,
vntil the siluer heares
Gan grow vpon hys aged skull,
for cause of many yeares.
He only Hippodame had,
hys daughter damsel fayre.
Which by descent and due desert,
should stay his lawfull heire.
Who guyded was in seemely life,
by learned Sages store.
And as she doeth encrease her dayes,
so vertues hath she more.
She was her fathers only ioy,
the fortresse of his life
She left was only of his stock
then sole without a wife.
In somuch that the greatest care
and studie of the king,
Was aye in vertues lore to trayne
and this hys daughter bring,
Which vertues she conceiued so,
and printed in her hart,
instruct her them by arte.
Which caused her in flaming yeres,
to beare the worthy fame:
And ne to haue among the rest,
her mate, a courtly dame.
But that she dyd excell and shade
the shape of euery wight
As much as Luna with her hornes
surpast a starre by light.
These vertues and the like so rare
enforst the father olde
With zealous care his daghter and
her state for to behold,
And to prouide that damage small
hereafter should annoy
The tender corps by any meanes
of thys his only ioy.
For which intent he did retayne
with him in Court alwayes
A number seene in Magike arte
and prone for such assayes:
Which by their learned skil forshew
vnto the king and his
Those things that long shal after fal
of euil hap or blisse.
in presence for to come,
Which do approch, their dutie eke
with bended knee soone downe,
Do listen then to heare their charge:
to whom the king gan say.
My tryed friends, ye learded peeres,
in whom my trust doth stay,
As heretofore ye faithfull haue
been vnto me and mine,
In all aspects and great affayres,
so now your eares encline:
You all do know our daughter dear,
our Hippodame milde,
Who seemeth now in youthly yeeres,
a most vertuous childe,
And shunneth yet each sinfull lore,
as farre as I can know,
Whereby to me no little ioy,
through her I say doth grow:
Yet doubting now dame Fortunes wheele,
which whirle th very strange,
I aske your ayde, for to preuent
and stop a sodeyne change.
For Fortune frayle not surely stayes
her steppes still in one place,
I stay in doubtfull case.
What if that she should be infect
with Venus wanton sport,
Or other like: or if that shee
should any ill report,
That may vnwished come to passe?
I silie wight in woe,
Might wail the case of this my child,
her selfe which noyeth so:
For youth is fraile, and tendeth not
sometimes to sage aduise,
And shunneth that which they perceiue
Those men which do seem wise,
For to embrace: for they whom that
olde Senex staffe hath smite,
In sadnes, not in youthly pranks
doe studie and delite.
But youth doth tread the path to find
and earst t'obtaine that still,
Which they perceiue doth please the flesh,
hap either good or ill.
And you doe know, there nothing is
that fraile flesh pleaseth more,
Than that which doth depend on vice,
wereof there raigneth store.
who with his shaft and bowe
Doth often peerce the harts of those
who like pangues did ne know
Alas if that should light on her,
as likely sure it is,
Unwares to me then might I say
adue my ioy and blisse.
For that blind boy doth cast his dart,
not on the meanest sort,
As soone as on those stately Peeres,
that places haue in Court.
For why they driue their time in ease
and idly spend the day
They feede on dayntie dishes rare
and rest on downe for aye,
There is no pleasure but they taste
as may content the hart
Which are the causes that he doeth
so soone throwe them his dart.
For if thou banish idlenes,
thou breakest then the bands
Which Cupid doth with flight deuise
to tangle both thy hands
If she should chaunce to fix hir mind
in loue with one that is
which match were farre amisse,
I should be loath, therfore, my frends
of this her destinie,
I wil that ye ensearch foorthwith,
and it reueale to me,
To this intent I may prouide,
for to preuent the same,
If it should happen for to be
impayring to her fame.
Yet willingly I would that she
should ioyne with one in loue
As meete is in degree, which doeth
from him all vice remoue,
For this I know the time will be
if that her yeres endure,
Needs she must knit her selfe to one
in wedlock ioy most pure.
Wherfore repaire to th' used place
and with our Gods assent
As touching Hippodamia,
to know their high intent.
And take the fairest goate that may
within this towne be found
Him offer vp in sacrifice,
to them, whose laude doeth sound
who sitte aboue the starry skye,
And know such things as earst were past,
and those to come perdy.
Then they all on their bowed knees,
vnto the earth doe fall
And one of them doth answere then
and thus in name of all,
O king, if that we would not graunt
now to thy best and thee,
Unworthy we were of our liues,
true subiects ne were we.
If that by Magike art we may
satisfie thee in this,
We are right glad that by the same
we thee auferre such blisse.
And now there doth remain no more
but th' while to loue I pray,
To further that our enterprize,
which fortune doth assay.
This Onomaus king was of
and held the Paynim law,
He knew not then the liuing God
ne kept himselfe in awe:
Wherefore he gan erect a place
as best he had in thought,
to fayned Gods they sought.
Herein were aulters many store,
where when in smart they fall,
They offer vp their Sacrifice,
and to their Gods they call.
The cause is say they (for why)
they offer vp such gift
And offerings brent for Sacrifice
is for a proper shift,
For this they thought, sith that so farre
of distance were the skies,
Their voice might scarce be heard, or els
so high as skies arise,
Yet often they doe prayers houle
vnto their gods aboue:
To this intent when loud they crie,
they might by chaunce haue loue:
And eke on aulters them to moue
with burned flesh intend,
The smoke whereof in litle while
might vnto them ascend.
And thus although no voice might be
so high as skies inclinde.
Yet by the incense thereof, they
might vnderstand their minde:
For smoake (they say) goes vpward still,
and riseth with the winde.
with hast for to fulfill
The hest of Onomaus king,
and search for good and ill.
They bring with them the kyd his death
which resieth to receiue,
And one of them with peerecing knife
doeth force him life to leaue.
And wringing out the blood also,
depriuing him his skyn,
They prayers say, which they suppose
doeth cause the Gods to blinne.
Then kindle they the fire, and throw
the Goate into the same.
For to consume to ashes aye
by violence of flame.
They mark the diuers colours that
in waste doe flee therehence,
The raynbow hue, to deeme thereby
of Gods the high pretence.
Some on Saturnus call, and some
on Iupiter doe crye,
Some on Mars, and some on Sol,
yea some on Mercurie,
Some on Venus, some to Luna
make their vocation.
No god there was but him they had,
in appellation.
so diuersly they cal
Eche one vnto his god to proue
which happyest would befall
So they consume the tyme vntyll
the fleshe is almoste spente,
Then deeme they what shall happen, as
they thinke is Ioues entent,
And other gods: then pray they one
whiche oldest was of all,
To shew them first what he did thinke
shoulde afterwarde befall.
But he with pause doth stay, as though
some doubt he did perceyue,
His rolling eyes caste vp,
and musing he doth leaue
And said: my freendes and fellowes deare
shall I nowe tell in deede,
This case, or as I thinke thereof?
the more haste the worste speede.
I well perceyue by th' azure hue,
that paynted aye the flambe,
And by the string that helde the heart
of this our killed lambe,
With other signes but euill newes,
for vs aye to declare,
It certayne is when Hippodame
in mariage linke doth fare,
whether he will or no,
Such froward destinie for him
the Gods haue graunt to shoe.
And was not aye the verie like
reueled to you all,
Alas, this cruell sodaine chaunce
my minde doth much appall.
How say my friends? but now such feare
hath strike them to the heart,
That they haue now scarsce power to speake
or him thereof impart.
At length they causde him vnderstand
that they did know full well
The same, but that they gaue to him
the preheminence to tell
And first declare the same, for hee,
was oldest them among,
For reuerence ouht be giuen
to th' old men, of the young:
They all deuise the meane whereby
they may this expresse
Unto Omaus, which doth expect
an answere more or lesse:
And then that aged father doth
his tale againe renew,
Full bent to waile their owne state,
as after doth ensue.
this arte for to assay,
Why did not we bestowe our minds
or wits another way?
I muse wherfore each wight with tongue
doth this our darke estate
Most happy call, when vs they minde
and when of vs they prate,
And blabbe that we each thing doe knowe
and ken each destiny,
And eke the knots of fortunes laund
can vndoe by and by.
Alas if that we tel a man
his present froward fate,
Then are we sure of hym to haue
and purchase peeuish hate.
And although hys desire be
to know the very same,
Yet naythelesse if it be sharpe
he giueth vs the blame,
Againe, or els if we conceale,
and doe not tell the trueth
Then are we sure and certayn that
the wrath of God ensueth.
Thus on ech side the doubt is playne
the perill is more great,
We are in worse case then they whom
the destinies doe threat.
this hap vnto the king,
Who knowes what he in raging fits
wil doe, or els what thing
With mischiefe shal be done by him,
perhaps in that his ire,
He wil pretend to slay vs than
to quench his burning fire.
As thogh that we were cause thereof
our selues this doe we know
Nor cannot aye vnlesse we should
more sacrifices showe
To deeme therby our frowarde fate
but now the time doth haste
That we must wend vnto our king,
and spend no winde in wast.
I would to Ioue that we might stay,
vntil to morow day,
And then to yeelde our answere vp
the while we would assay
By incence sweete the destinie
that happen should to vs.
Then each doubt and each fearful poynt
we would our selues discusse,
But now there is no remedie,
Omaus king doeth stay
Ere this time long in closet tilte
to heare what we can say.
to tel to him this spight,
Come let vs goe, the gods vs shield,
and succour with their might.
Thus passe they on their way vntill
vnto the hall they come,
From thence they passe the chambers large,
and goe through many a roome,
Vntil the priuie chamber they,
approach, wherein the king
Remayned then, whom they salute
as best with their liking.
Then bowe they down their knees to th' earth,
then one of them gan say
O soueraine king our liege and Lord
thus much we doe thee pray,
Sith thou doest wil that we reueale
such things we know to thee,
To pardon vs, what euer that
of vs shall spoken be.
That being graunt, we boldly then
our mindes may whole expresse
And open thee each darkened poynt,
as thou erst wouldst no lesse,
Which he gan graunt thus much, and sayes
some peruerse newes I feele,
Because ye doubt mine ire, alas
I dread dame Fortunes wheele.
were happy me to saue
There were no neede that pardon thus,
of me you yow should craue.
Oh tell the same, then they agayne
the Gods that rule the skye,
And turne the rounded globe, whose power
and whose authoritie
Thou mayst ne gaynsay once,
to vs thus they declare,
That whē thy daughter Hipodame
in wedlock bands doth fare
(Which now in ripened yeres doeth waxe)
that thou shalt lose thy life,
The very day most sure in which
she giuen staies a wife.
Thus much we learned haue, thus much
the peruerse destiny
Of thee for her by offrings brent,
we know assuredly
Prouide therfore it happen that,
as sure as Ioue doth raigne
As true as sonne of Mars thou art
in skies which did remayne
Then he as foming bore that whets
his tuskes against the fight,
Doth rage with puffed face, and erst
with swelling eyes for spight.
the greefe he bides with payne.
So vanquisht he with fury was,
in dumpe doth so remaine,
At length when memory he found
his sparkling eyes at last.
Upthrowen, this tale with warbling tongue
among them be outcast,
Oh Ioue what cruel hap is this,
what deuilish desteny,
What horror doeth inuade my brest?
because that I must dye.
And must I die in deede for that
as yet I neuer knew
I neuer knew my fate before
what after should ensue
Oh fortune, fortune, which ne treades
her steps still in one place,
But wauering here and there most fraile,
as doutfully doeth trace
Why deales not she as equally
the golden gifts she hath,
But setteth some to top on high
and some treades vnderneath.
Oh Hippodame is this the gift
and recompence I haue
Because that I thee trayned thus
in Courtly place so braue?
who in thy childish yeres
Didst shew to me thy sire such hope,
and sprang me siluer heares:
Alas, alas, that thou shouldst be
the causer of my greefe,
Which wast the only ioy to me
and fortresse of my life.
The staffe wherby I leaned, when
I fel in any smart,
As often as I thought on thee,
ful light was then my hart
Oh Aesculap reuiue my corps
that passeth now to woe,
Come Clio help my parched paines
and haples hap to showe.
Ther was not since the world began
a wight that felt such greefe
As how I feele, or had such cause
to wayle his noyed life.
Can there be any greater payne
or torment can you tell,
Be thought by furious fiery fiendes,
that lurke below in hell,
I reade that Ixion is tur-
ned there, and tost on hie,
For promise broke, or whirling wheele.
so for desert perdy,
the stone to top of hyl,
Which rolling downe again, he doth
renue his paynfull ill.
Amyd the lake with thirsty iawes
olde Tantalus therein
Pursues the waues the water stream
doth wet and wash his chinne.
And when to him now oft deceaued
it doeth yet promise make
Then flits the flood the fruite at mouth,
his famine doth forsake.
I reade also how Titius heart,
to flying foule is praye,
And Danaus daughters fill in vaine
their watry vessels aye.
And all these feele such pangues and paynes
for some their iust desert
But I as giltles now abide,
it for to peerce my heart.
If for desert I felt the same
lesse greefe it were to me
But once being come t'expulse the same,
I finde no remedy.
Thus finisht be hys wayling stile
commaunded earst with speede
The Southsayers for to auoyde,
which willingly for dreade.
in fury fond some fact
To them would doe, whereby their greefe,
they should for nought exact.
Omaus then be takes himselfe,
and goes in couert wise,
To garden plot, where by himselfe,
he wayles with watry eyes,
There doubts he what were best to doe,
what remedy to finde
What wile for to coyne out that might
deceiue fortune vnkind.
At last he thinks to slea and ryd
his daughter of her life,
For so much as she was the spring
wherehence doeth flowe this greefe
And better it to be that she
in Charons boat should wean
Then he, who being dead, t'ensue
his destinie to end.
For sith that Ioue appoynted hath,
this destinie to take,
Effect wheneuer that she did
her sole estate forsake.
If she were slaine before that time
by no meanes he can see,
Through her desert this hap to pas
then no such hap to be.
then stayeth he a while,
At last he doeth reuoke those words
and them from mynd exile.
And poureth out this playnt agayne,
ah myser, did I say
That I with boysterous hand should pierce
and Hippodame slay,
I doe recant those words againe,
in no wise it may be,
She is mine only child, which by
my wife was left to me.
Shal I embrue my hands with blood
or that doe in my rage,
Which I did neuer yet commit
shall I thus stayne mine age?
No, no, and more then that,
she is my only childe,
Then she once dead, Archadia
hath fewe the crowne to wielde,
If I were dead also, therefore
Ile search some witty wile.
Wherby I may the churlish snares
of dame fortune beguile.
And from these parched pinching paynes
my selfe for to beguile,
And therby for to saue her life
for if that she should dye,
with hir, then by and by:
And what that I did speake before
I vtterly denye.
In arbour he consumes the tyme,
at length he doth arise,
As Musa puts into his minde,
a shyfte he can deuise,
Which he thinkes best, this is the same:
he myndeth to ordeyne
A prize to runne with chariots swifte
in fielde vppon the playne,
And who so findes the chaunce
the swyftest pace to trace,
(And vanquished the king) thereby
for to departe the place
Shall wedde this dame, and when the lyfe
of this king is in hande,
T'inioy Arcadie realme, and earst
the king therof to stand:
But on the other side, if that
Omaus geues the foyle,
The vanquished to lose their lyues
for ventring in the broyle.
Thus he decreed in minde, thereby
if happie that hee be,
To winne the prize, if contrarie,
his owne death for to see.
he found no better way,
He hyes him into Pallace straight,
to publish this for aye.
And then in deede he calleth in
one which most meete he found,
For such assayes, whom he can will
with trumpe in hand to sound
In euery place within the Realme,
the Cities of the land,
Proclayming to each wight these words
or lyke, which next doe stande.
Here foloweth the Proclamation.
If there be any wyght that myndes to tryeBy course of charets on the field sh playue,
And eke before the route of chyualry
UUorthy seeme to haue reward for payne,
It stayes the wyll of Onomaus grace,
That they approch within these thyrty dayes
Unto the Court, where they shall finde in place
Hymselfe sole prest to try in these assayes,
Gaynst commers all, and who so vanquisht is
On fyeld by hym, shall soone then lose hys lyfe:
But who so ouerrunnes the king with blisse
Shall espouse Hippodamia to hys wyfe:
And furthermore the Realme for to enioy,
After the death of Onomaus king.
To hym without disturbance or anoy
Of any man, and to hys chyldren after hym.
Tubicen goes and passeth fro,
he sounds in euery place
The newes, and at the last returnes
and is one in ioyous case,
Because that this his toyle,
and iournes is so past,
The commons muse full fast on this,
and are with feare agast,
Not knowing what the cause shoulde bee
of this so sudden change,
But for the most part they impute
this hap to fortune strange.
And as the vulgar people muse,
the nobles ioy againe,
For ech of them doth thinke by fight
this Lady to obtaine.
Then might you see the knight concurre
on heapes, to haue a sight
Of Hippodam vnto the court
t'encourage them to fight
And they who that vile dastard hearts
before time did possesse,
In hope to winne this Ladie bright,
them now to runne doe presse.
So much the forme of women doth
enforce men for to doe,
Like as they neuer did before,
ne like againe would so,
Unlesse it were their enterprise
as authors olde dyd shewe
And they that learned are indeede,
the very same doe know.
The lusty gallants of the Court,
that proper are and tall
Do mynd to venter now themselues
and hazard life and all.
The choosing is of coursers braue,
that trymly treads the way
And wel is he that hath the best
the cheefe to prooue that day.
There trim they vp the charets light
which put in redynesse
Ech thing that they shal need in field
themselues they see to dresse.
The king also himselfe, his horse
prouided he doth see,
His charets al which lightest and
most meete were thought to be.
In these affayres they doe consume
and spend the thirty dayes
Ordeyning, and ech one hymselfe,
to trye in these assayes,
Thus all things set in order due
as best were to deuise:
Among the troupe of chyuallers,
one Pelops doth arise.
And vewing aye the seemly port
of Hippodame bright
He mynds to try himselfe to wynne
her if he may in fight.
There was that time one Myrtilus
of fayned faith a wight,
Who ruled the charet of the king
and draue the horses right.
To hym doth Pelops think to wend
there some meane to deuise
Wherby he may preuent the king,
and bleare the lookers eyes.
And thinks with gelt to ouercome
this mysers feeble minde
Or by some other way, he cares
not what, so he may finde
The meane to be Archadian king
wherby he should enioy.
This dame, and evry thing he would
without let or anoy.
And searching aye the Pallace large
to finde this Myrtilus
He commeth to his chamber, where
at length sayes to him thus.
My frend, thou knowest that in field
the combat we shall see,
And ventrous wights to bear the fame,
amongst the chyualry,
And as I one doe minde with force,
to shew my selfe in fight
To prooue if lucke will happen me
to winne that Lady bright.
Yet naychelesse by thy deuice
if I might winne the same
I should reward thy beneuolence
aduauncing of thy fame.
But Myrtilus with fayned shew
of frendship to his Lord.
Doth answere thus, in no wise I
may vnto thee accord.
Think not that I for this thy glose
of promise fine, will shewe
Me disobedient to my liege
to whom I seruice owe.
Aduancement ne I craue of thee
my paynfull seruice may
Preferment get me of our king
wherfore thus much I say
Forsake this place, and now desist
with talke to trouble me.
Then he which to obtaine his will
no meane or way did see,
Being almost in despaire of hope
doeth hope yet once againe.
To trye the wight which sayd hym nay,
although it were his payne:
Oh Myrtilus if that I may
by any meanes aspire,
To win the prize, and specially,
if thou helpst my desire,
Thou shalt be sure to match in bed
with Hippodamie deare,
If thou canst finde the wile to bring,
to lucky end this geare.
We are as frends, what neede these words
and circumstance of stile?
Eche thing shall common be with vs
what euer hap the while.
What though that thou doest play this pranke
art thou the first that hath
Been earst vnfaithfull to his Lord,
for scant or els for scathe.
Let musing go, though this seeme strange
yet thinke if king I be
I will reward this thy desert,
as thou in time shalt see.
Would it not moue a frozen heart
yea flinted for to bowe,
To haue in armes such damsels as,
are rare I make a vowe?
Thinke therfore on the night that thou
in bed with her shalt haue,
Who staynes each courtly dame that shines,
for beuties gift so braue.
Now Myrtilus euen as thou wilt
to me thine answere show,
If thou wilt not, I must goe seeke
some other wight to know
That may me ayd, and think not but
if able that I be:
This thy vnkindnes Ile requite
what euer hap to me.
Then he that stood so stiffe gan turne
and vnto Pelops say
More for the brunt of Cupid blinde,
then any thing for aye,
If that thou list thy hest to keepe,
performde as thou doest vowe
Ile stand content to pleasure thee,
as much as I may showe.
If thou canst be content, that I
as thou hast sayd before,
Shall lye with her, I will prouide
that thou needest doubt no more
For I wil make the Axeltree
the charet which doeth beare
Of waxe, which by force of a cracke
most suddenly shall teare
Wherby vnto the ground yu knowest
the charet needes must fall:
In so much as the Axiltree,
doth beare the charge of all.
Which beeing done, the course is lost
then all the prize is thyne,
And therefore in the wedding night,
lette pleasure fyrst be mine.
Thou knowst the king at eche course doth
with changed charet runne,
And then renewe his course agayne,
as first it was begunne:
Beware that thou doe not presume
to run, till thou doest see
The first course and the second too
expired for to bee:
Then valeantly foorth preace thy selfe
for I wil ready stand,
To offer him his wexed roome,
which next shall come to hand.
Then Pelops proud of this good hap
gramercy sayes my frend
As now I haue no more to say,
for this thy councel kind,
But farewel once, for Phaeton
descendes Olimpus downe,
And Phebus shunnes Proserpina,
his foe, that hellish hound.
And I will earst depart from thee
those things for to prouide
To morow which within the listes,
in fight I shall haue neede
Adue agayne then trudgeth he
as fast as he can fly,
Unto his chamber, where that he
doth call to gods on hye
For help, but chiefe to Venus mylde
to whom young Paris gaue
Before the rest for loue of Nimph
the golden apple braue.
And sith that Luna with her black
and darkned horned hue,
Doth cause the sparkling starres in skyes
their places to renue.
He thinks it best to clyme hys bed
in sleepe to spend the night,
That in the day betimes he might
be ready for to fight
The time thus doth consume & wear
the night doth vade away
And Phebus getting th' upper hand,
Proserpina doeth fray
He shewes himselfe as cheeftain now
with chariot in the skye,
With twice two prauncing horses yt
shewes hys authoritie.
The smal birds by their chirping lay
doe shew the time to wake,
And sluggish bed the drowsie place,
a tyme for to forsake
For as the day appoynted is
to haue with him for sight,
Of things that appertayne to day
so likewise is the night
Appoynted hym things to be done
which appertayne to light.
Therfore each wight doth styrre
hymselfe for so prepare,
Into the field, and valiantly
hys armes for to declare
Among the rest Omaus doeth
make ope hys drowsie eyes,
Unwilling he to keepe hys bed
doth suddenly arise.
In mind to make thaduenture short
to lose or els to wynne.
Wherfore he hasteth first hymselfe
the array for to begyn.
Those youthful seemly knights
who by their great desire
Were pricked forth to try thēselues
no lesse haste dyd require.
They thinking long the time to bee
themselues to field do hast
And spend not iangling here & there
the day which is farre past
When it was knowne by sounde of trumpe,
the king at poynt to bee,
A number prest in order braue
a man might then espie
For to attend vpon the king,
yea rather on the wight
For whose sake now eche one doth knowe
to be this broyle and sight
The king as cheefe and chalenger
first marcheth on the waye,
With all the crue of noble men
him after in araye,
Some wyth theire helmes besette
with plumed fethers hye,
Some on theire horsses heades for shewe
doe put the like perdie,
Which waueth with the winde:
the thirde but in degree
Doth Pelops ryde in perfect hope,
but none so braue as he
The charrets make acheere full shewe,
the trumpets sounde woulde moue
The heart of anie wight, yea sure
the verie goddes aboue
So shrill a note with puffed cheekes,
those men with breth doe sounde,
That from the earth it flyes to skies,
from skyes agayne to grounde.
The horses eares are filde with that
they snort, and staring stand,
They prauncing iette, to shew themselues
which best might tread the land.
But Hippodame whose face hath set
each heart on flamed fire,
Doth follow now with troupes of dames
in sad and black attire.
Not as she went the prize to see,
with ioy or to behold
But as though that she went to mourn,
Oh wight of perfect mould.
Those Ladyes that attend her trayne,
in lyke suite goe they all,
As though they wayled some their frend,
which lately tooke a fall.
Thus passe they foorth with measurde steps
til they come to the place
Where they appoynted are to stand
as Iudges of the case.
Within the lystes might no man come
vnlesse they minde to trye
Themselues, or footemen which attend
the king and Princesse nie,
Each one in order takes his roome
where he himselfe would stand,
To run his course, and take his lot
which comes next to his hand.
What should I say, the trumpets blowe
the blast of battle braue,
Each one doth hope by fortune good,
himselfe to quite and saue.
And now the time is come at poynte
when first the king doth say
He that doth mynd his charet first
with mine for to assay,
I wil that he come shew himselfe,
then foorth one yodeth fast
And sayes I am the wight, sir king,
to whom first lot is cast.
Then there remains no more, but both
let run their charets light
As swift almost as Iphicus
were there beseene in sight.
But loe the king hath woon the prize,
as all men thought before
The trumpets sound their warbling notes
for ioy of that therfore,
Then needes the lawe must rigor take
which sight did much appall
And dread the lookers on, so that
thers none amongst them all
That venter durst scarce for to runne
but musing there they stand
At length the second takes like charge,
and enterprise in hand.
Alas, he followes the other cleane,
and taketh selfesame end.
For lozing aye the prize, he doeth
giue life it to amende.
Now Myrtilus oh caytiffe vile,
is ready for to bring
With trayterous face the charet waxt
with speed vnto the king.
Which taken gratefully,
the course doth then renewe,
By Pelops Prince of Phrygia,
in order to ensue.
But loe, ere that demi the way
the course had ouerpast
That brittle axeltree of waxe
euen with a thought was brast.
And fell vnto the ground, wherfore
Omaus seeing this:
Drawes out his goring knife or sword
with force he ne doth misse
To stabbe hymselfe nye to the hart,
such frenzie tooke him then,
As scarce oppressed Hercules,
when Iunos wrath began.
The only prize is giuen to
young Pelops, and the name
Of Uictor doth remayne to hym
and Fama shewes the same.
The persed corps is taken vh,
and as the guyse is there,
Unto the temple of their Gods
to burning him they beare.
But Pelops takes the readie waye
to Hippodamia sheene:
Where as she stood on plated stage,
to see and to be seene,
His bonet vailed, humblie he
gan say hir on this wise,
Due reuerence once being done
hys face toward the skyes,
Oh rare seene sparke of beuties flame,
oh Matron of the crue,
Panthora thou, whose face doth stayne
bright Phebus golden hue.
Sith that the Gods aboue haue shewed
to me such dignity,
To beare the prize of winning thee,
by true authority.
To whom I render thanks for this
I come now for to clayme
And aske my right, for sith by Lawe,
I woon thee in thys playne,
I iudge thee mine, your Fathers hest
doeth testifie the lyke.
Then she whose roseall hue was staynde
and hyd on euery cheeke,
By spring of christall teares, at last
this wise to him gan say,
Sir Pelops thou of Phrygia Prince
in whom vertue doeth stay,
Sith that by armes I am your own,
I thereto doe agree,
As lawe requires: yet as thou art
a knight, this graunt to me
I may a while deplore the death
of my vnhappy sire
Who causer is of his owne fall
by this his fond desire.
For nature bynds the child to wayle
this day let me haue sway
To morow I for to commaund,
am thine, and then alway
And that I may those obsequies
and rytes which appertayne
To funerals fulfil, and then
thine owne I doe remaine,
Til Atropos my vitall twine
entends to cut in twayne,
If thou in heart agree also,
and therefore I require
Thee for to rest thy weary corps
and me haue my desire.
Then he replete with ioy, doth wend
vnto the Pallace cleere,
And Hippodame tendes the corps
which layd is on the beere,
With woful hart and dreary playnt,
the Ladyes rest doe wayle,
The king, but more bicause this wight
so much her mone doeth vayle.
The triumph thus mixt is with
huge sadnes and some ioy,
As some lament, so some reioyce,
and thus they spend the day
Til Omaus dead inioys the flame
as worthy as may be,
After the vse of Arabia
as authors testifie.
But oh, prince Phaeton forsakes
with weary horse the hil,
Descending down Olympus tops
below to stay, vntyll
By holes distinct, the time is set
t'aduance hymselfe againe.
Then evry wight betakes him selfe,
to bed of releast payne,
And though that Pelops throwes himselfe,
on bed for shewe of rest
Yet sleepes he not, so much with ioy,
his heart is ouerprest.
He hates this night, and hopes for day
he thinks it long to see,
Til that dame Hippodame she might
his spoused mate once be.
Who now her tender corps in bed
hath hid in couert wise,
Of whom likewise Somnies with sleight
ganne approach their eyes.
Whom dolor rules, and woe restraynes
she wayles the haplesse hap
Of her vnlucky Father, which
Fortuna dyd entrap.
Yet thinketh she her sorrowes large,
now for to be the lesse
Sith that for losse of father, she
an husband shal possesse.
These thoughts consume and driue the night
tyl Sol doeth shewe hys hue
And Terra glad thereof, doth now
forsake her watrye dewe.
Then might you see dame floras arte
depaynted aye on greene
How herbs start vp their heds aboue
the ground for to be seene.
Ech feathered fowle disdayns ye bush
the tree is pearch for night,
And resting boghs do seek their prais
in fields where they are pight.
And likewise as in siege each wight,
is stirring here and there,
Some doing this, some doing that,
all busie euery where,
For this day comes in which they minde
with mirth and ioy to keepe.
The mariage of two princes yong,
which now forsake the sleepe.
The nobles of the Realm make hast
and say, its time that they
Ordeine themselues the temple to
therefore to come away.
Oh if that Clio would accept,
to shewe her worthy art
In bookes to wryte the order that
that day was kept with hart.
Then might you see a triumph, as
if Alexandrus were
With all his iolilyke royaltie,
in place among them there.
But to proceed, they sease the church
when trumpets sound the blast
Where both they ioyn in one ere that
the day was demi past.
Euen as it did behoue such Peeres
where both they crowned be
The king and Queene of Archadie
great ioy it was to see.
Mens minds wer not so fangled thē
as now they doe appeare
Therefore eche solemne thing was done,
more rudely as I heare
But leaue we them to celebrate
those things we haue in hand
And reuert to the Pallace, where
no wight doeth idle stand.
But there prepare of costly cates
a banket rare to see,
As thogh the muses nine themselues
inuyted guests should be.
What shuld I say by al thing which
present dyd there abound,
It suffized then the very ground
and floore for to surround?
No heart could wish but there it was
as dyd thereto pertayne
No tonge can shew els what did lack
but there it was full playne
The diuyne rites performed then
they both retyre at last,
For Sol now in hys woonted roome,
Meridyan is plast.
Where they consume the time at meate,
two houres large or more,
The noble men attending aye
and waytyng them before.
Both Dukes and Earles with such lyke,
and Barons of hye prise,
Eche one in office dyuersly
as best was to deuise.
This dinner done, the armory
beginneth for to sound,
Which to the land of Pelops, and
Hippodame doth redound
There Orpheus scholers shewe,
their masters skyll and arte
Then youthly knights betake themselues
all things els set apart
To daunce and rayse the dames
or Nimphes almost in sight.
And so in pleasure they consume
the tyme vntyll the night,
The king departs the hall hymselfe,
as fast as he can hye,
Which Myrtilus as prone therfore,
doeth suddenly espye.
And thus he sayes, sir Pelops now,
sith that you doe obtayne
This dame and eke the Realme, by my
industry and my payne,
I reade you for to keepe your hest,
the time is present now
The night drawes on, therfore I pray
remember wel your vowe
But he these words doeth thunder out,
oh caytyffe borne to ill,
Oh myser most, dishonour such
wouldst thou me bring until?
Oh traytor vile, dissembler thou
thou shalt haue thy reward.
Because mine honor, and thy faith
thou diddest not regard
For thy desart and vsage aye,
example thou shalt be,
To other that commit such crime,
what euer hap to me.
Now Pelops calles to other, which
he findeth best to trust,
And painteth out this hap to them
of Myrtilus vniust.
Who being bound they throw on horse,
vnto the sea they ride:
There plunge they in this Venus child
with this reproch that tide.
Lye there thou Lecher, thou wouldst fayne
asswage thy foule desire,
On her who is thy Leege, on whom
thou oughtst no shame require.
And yet because that by this help,
young Pelops gate the game,
In memorie of him he would
that sea to beare his name.
This done, they all returne againe,
vnto the woonted place
But in the Citie they disguise
themselues with hidden face,
And maske vnto the Court, where that
they spend much time in play,
Not knowen who that they were, vntill
they threwe their maske away,
Which done the Queene departs the hall,
each wight departs to rest,
King Pelops wishing nothing lesse,
is thereto likewyse prest.
Where they content, both take their ease,
as both they dyd require,
And Pelops hath the onely wight,
whom most he did desire.
he sounds in euery place
The newes, and at the last returnes
and is one in ioyous case,
Because that this his toyle,
and iournes is so past,
The commons muse full fast on this,
and are with feare agast,
Not knowing what the cause shoulde bee
of this so sudden change,
But for the most part they impute
this hap to fortune strange.
And as the vulgar people muse,
the nobles ioy againe,
For ech of them doth thinke by fight
this Lady to obtaine.
Then might you see the knight concurre
on heapes, to haue a sight
Of Hippodam vnto the court
t'encourage them to fight
And they who that vile dastard hearts
before time did possesse,
In hope to winne this Ladie bright,
them now to runne doe presse.
So much the forme of women doth
enforce men for to doe,
Like as they neuer did before,
ne like againe would so,
as authors olde dyd shewe
And they that learned are indeede,
the very same doe know.
The lusty gallants of the Court,
that proper are and tall
Do mynd to venter now themselues
and hazard life and all.
The choosing is of coursers braue,
that trymly treads the way
And wel is he that hath the best
the cheefe to prooue that day.
There trim they vp the charets light
which put in redynesse
Ech thing that they shal need in field
themselues they see to dresse.
The king also himselfe, his horse
prouided he doth see,
His charets al which lightest and
most meete were thought to be.
In these affayres they doe consume
and spend the thirty dayes
Ordeyning, and ech one hymselfe,
to trye in these assayes,
Thus all things set in order due
as best were to deuise:
Among the troupe of chyuallers,
one Pelops doth arise.
of Hippodame bright
He mynds to try himselfe to wynne
her if he may in fight.
There was that time one Myrtilus
of fayned faith a wight,
Who ruled the charet of the king
and draue the horses right.
To hym doth Pelops think to wend
there some meane to deuise
Wherby he may preuent the king,
and bleare the lookers eyes.
And thinks with gelt to ouercome
this mysers feeble minde
Or by some other way, he cares
not what, so he may finde
The meane to be Archadian king
wherby he should enioy.
This dame, and evry thing he would
without let or anoy.
And searching aye the Pallace large
to finde this Myrtilus
He commeth to his chamber, where
at length sayes to him thus.
My frend, thou knowest that in field
the combat we shall see,
And ventrous wights to bear the fame,
amongst the chyualry,
to shew my selfe in fight
To prooue if lucke will happen me
to winne that Lady bright.
Yet naychelesse by thy deuice
if I might winne the same
I should reward thy beneuolence
aduauncing of thy fame.
But Myrtilus with fayned shew
of frendship to his Lord.
Doth answere thus, in no wise I
may vnto thee accord.
Think not that I for this thy glose
of promise fine, will shewe
Me disobedient to my liege
to whom I seruice owe.
Aduancement ne I craue of thee
my paynfull seruice may
Preferment get me of our king
wherfore thus much I say
Forsake this place, and now desist
with talke to trouble me.
Then he which to obtaine his will
no meane or way did see,
Being almost in despaire of hope
doeth hope yet once againe.
To trye the wight which sayd hym nay,
although it were his payne:
by any meanes aspire,
To win the prize, and specially,
if thou helpst my desire,
Thou shalt be sure to match in bed
with Hippodamie deare,
If thou canst finde the wile to bring,
to lucky end this geare.
We are as frends, what neede these words
and circumstance of stile?
Eche thing shall common be with vs
what euer hap the while.
What though that thou doest play this pranke
art thou the first that hath
Been earst vnfaithfull to his Lord,
for scant or els for scathe.
Let musing go, though this seeme strange
yet thinke if king I be
I will reward this thy desert,
as thou in time shalt see.
Would it not moue a frozen heart
yea flinted for to bowe,
To haue in armes such damsels as,
are rare I make a vowe?
Thinke therfore on the night that thou
in bed with her shalt haue,
Who staynes each courtly dame that shines,
for beuties gift so braue.
to me thine answere show,
If thou wilt not, I must goe seeke
some other wight to know
That may me ayd, and think not but
if able that I be:
This thy vnkindnes Ile requite
what euer hap to me.
Then he that stood so stiffe gan turne
and vnto Pelops say
More for the brunt of Cupid blinde,
then any thing for aye,
If that thou list thy hest to keepe,
performde as thou doest vowe
Ile stand content to pleasure thee,
as much as I may showe.
If thou canst be content, that I
as thou hast sayd before,
Shall lye with her, I will prouide
that thou needest doubt no more
For I wil make the Axeltree
the charet which doeth beare
Of waxe, which by force of a cracke
most suddenly shall teare
Wherby vnto the ground yu knowest
the charet needes must fall:
In so much as the Axiltree,
doth beare the charge of all.
then all the prize is thyne,
And therefore in the wedding night,
lette pleasure fyrst be mine.
Thou knowst the king at eche course doth
with changed charet runne,
And then renewe his course agayne,
as first it was begunne:
Beware that thou doe not presume
to run, till thou doest see
The first course and the second too
expired for to bee:
Then valeantly foorth preace thy selfe
for I wil ready stand,
To offer him his wexed roome,
which next shall come to hand.
Then Pelops proud of this good hap
gramercy sayes my frend
As now I haue no more to say,
for this thy councel kind,
But farewel once, for Phaeton
descendes Olimpus downe,
And Phebus shunnes Proserpina,
his foe, that hellish hound.
And I will earst depart from thee
those things for to prouide
To morow which within the listes,
Adue agayne then trudgeth he
as fast as he can fly,
Unto his chamber, where that he
doth call to gods on hye
For help, but chiefe to Venus mylde
to whom young Paris gaue
Before the rest for loue of Nimph
the golden apple braue.
And sith that Luna with her black
and darkned horned hue,
Doth cause the sparkling starres in skyes
their places to renue.
He thinks it best to clyme hys bed
in sleepe to spend the night,
That in the day betimes he might
be ready for to fight
The time thus doth consume & wear
the night doth vade away
And Phebus getting th' upper hand,
Proserpina doeth fray
He shewes himselfe as cheeftain now
with chariot in the skye,
With twice two prauncing horses yt
shewes hys authoritie.
The smal birds by their chirping lay
doe shew the time to wake,
a tyme for to forsake
For as the day appoynted is
to haue with him for sight,
Of things that appertayne to day
so likewise is the night
Appoynted hym things to be done
which appertayne to light.
Therfore each wight doth styrre
hymselfe for so prepare,
Into the field, and valiantly
hys armes for to declare
Among the rest Omaus doeth
make ope hys drowsie eyes,
Unwilling he to keepe hys bed
doth suddenly arise.
In mind to make thaduenture short
to lose or els to wynne.
Wherfore he hasteth first hymselfe
the array for to begyn.
Those youthful seemly knights
who by their great desire
Were pricked forth to try thēselues
no lesse haste dyd require.
They thinking long the time to bee
themselues to field do hast
And spend not iangling here & there
the day which is farre past
the king at poynt to bee,
A number prest in order braue
a man might then espie
For to attend vpon the king,
yea rather on the wight
For whose sake now eche one doth knowe
to be this broyle and sight
The king as cheefe and chalenger
first marcheth on the waye,
With all the crue of noble men
him after in araye,
Some wyth theire helmes besette
with plumed fethers hye,
Some on theire horsses heades for shewe
doe put the like perdie,
Which waueth with the winde:
the thirde but in degree
Doth Pelops ryde in perfect hope,
but none so braue as he
The charrets make acheere full shewe,
the trumpets sounde woulde moue
The heart of anie wight, yea sure
the verie goddes aboue
So shrill a note with puffed cheekes,
those men with breth doe sounde,
That from the earth it flyes to skies,
from skyes agayne to grounde.
they snort, and staring stand,
They prauncing iette, to shew themselues
which best might tread the land.
But Hippodame whose face hath set
each heart on flamed fire,
Doth follow now with troupes of dames
in sad and black attire.
Not as she went the prize to see,
with ioy or to behold
But as though that she went to mourn,
Oh wight of perfect mould.
Those Ladyes that attend her trayne,
in lyke suite goe they all,
As though they wayled some their frend,
which lately tooke a fall.
Thus passe they foorth with measurde steps
til they come to the place
Where they appoynted are to stand
as Iudges of the case.
Within the lystes might no man come
vnlesse they minde to trye
Themselues, or footemen which attend
the king and Princesse nie,
Each one in order takes his roome
where he himselfe would stand,
To run his course, and take his lot
which comes next to his hand.
the blast of battle braue,
Each one doth hope by fortune good,
himselfe to quite and saue.
And now the time is come at poynte
when first the king doth say
He that doth mynd his charet first
with mine for to assay,
I wil that he come shew himselfe,
then foorth one yodeth fast
And sayes I am the wight, sir king,
to whom first lot is cast.
Then there remains no more, but both
let run their charets light
As swift almost as Iphicus
were there beseene in sight.
But loe the king hath woon the prize,
as all men thought before
The trumpets sound their warbling notes
for ioy of that therfore,
Then needes the lawe must rigor take
which sight did much appall
And dread the lookers on, so that
thers none amongst them all
That venter durst scarce for to runne
but musing there they stand
At length the second takes like charge,
and enterprise in hand.
and taketh selfesame end.
For lozing aye the prize, he doeth
giue life it to amende.
Now Myrtilus oh caytiffe vile,
is ready for to bring
With trayterous face the charet waxt
with speed vnto the king.
Which taken gratefully,
the course doth then renewe,
By Pelops Prince of Phrygia,
in order to ensue.
But loe, ere that demi the way
the course had ouerpast
That brittle axeltree of waxe
euen with a thought was brast.
And fell vnto the ground, wherfore
Omaus seeing this:
Drawes out his goring knife or sword
with force he ne doth misse
To stabbe hymselfe nye to the hart,
such frenzie tooke him then,
As scarce oppressed Hercules,
when Iunos wrath began.
The only prize is giuen to
young Pelops, and the name
Of Uictor doth remayne to hym
and Fama shewes the same.
and as the guyse is there,
Unto the temple of their Gods
to burning him they beare.
But Pelops takes the readie waye
to Hippodamia sheene:
Where as she stood on plated stage,
to see and to be seene,
His bonet vailed, humblie he
gan say hir on this wise,
Due reuerence once being done
hys face toward the skyes,
Oh rare seene sparke of beuties flame,
oh Matron of the crue,
Panthora thou, whose face doth stayne
bright Phebus golden hue.
Sith that the Gods aboue haue shewed
to me such dignity,
To beare the prize of winning thee,
by true authority.
To whom I render thanks for this
I come now for to clayme
And aske my right, for sith by Lawe,
I woon thee in thys playne,
I iudge thee mine, your Fathers hest
doeth testifie the lyke.
Then she whose roseall hue was staynde
and hyd on euery cheeke,
this wise to him gan say,
Sir Pelops thou of Phrygia Prince
in whom vertue doeth stay,
Sith that by armes I am your own,
I thereto doe agree,
As lawe requires: yet as thou art
a knight, this graunt to me
I may a while deplore the death
of my vnhappy sire
Who causer is of his owne fall
by this his fond desire.
For nature bynds the child to wayle
this day let me haue sway
To morow I for to commaund,
am thine, and then alway
And that I may those obsequies
and rytes which appertayne
To funerals fulfil, and then
thine owne I doe remaine,
Til Atropos my vitall twine
entends to cut in twayne,
If thou in heart agree also,
and therefore I require
Thee for to rest thy weary corps
and me haue my desire.
Then he replete with ioy, doth wend
vnto the Pallace cleere,
which layd is on the beere,
With woful hart and dreary playnt,
the Ladyes rest doe wayle,
The king, but more bicause this wight
so much her mone doeth vayle.
The triumph thus mixt is with
huge sadnes and some ioy,
As some lament, so some reioyce,
and thus they spend the day
Til Omaus dead inioys the flame
as worthy as may be,
After the vse of Arabia
as authors testifie.
But oh, prince Phaeton forsakes
with weary horse the hil,
Descending down Olympus tops
below to stay, vntyll
By holes distinct, the time is set
t'aduance hymselfe againe.
Then evry wight betakes him selfe,
to bed of releast payne,
And though that Pelops throwes himselfe,
on bed for shewe of rest
Yet sleepes he not, so much with ioy,
his heart is ouerprest.
He hates this night, and hopes for day
he thinks it long to see,
his spoused mate once be.
Who now her tender corps in bed
hath hid in couert wise,
Of whom likewise Somnies with sleight
ganne approach their eyes.
Whom dolor rules, and woe restraynes
she wayles the haplesse hap
Of her vnlucky Father, which
Fortuna dyd entrap.
Yet thinketh she her sorrowes large,
now for to be the lesse
Sith that for losse of father, she
an husband shal possesse.
These thoughts consume and driue the night
tyl Sol doeth shewe hys hue
And Terra glad thereof, doth now
forsake her watrye dewe.
Then might you see dame floras arte
depaynted aye on greene
How herbs start vp their heds aboue
the ground for to be seene.
Ech feathered fowle disdayns ye bush
the tree is pearch for night,
And resting boghs do seek their prais
in fields where they are pight.
And likewise as in siege each wight,
is stirring here and there,
all busie euery where,
For this day comes in which they minde
with mirth and ioy to keepe.
The mariage of two princes yong,
which now forsake the sleepe.
The nobles of the Realm make hast
and say, its time that they
Ordeine themselues the temple to
therefore to come away.
Oh if that Clio would accept,
to shewe her worthy art
In bookes to wryte the order that
that day was kept with hart.
Then might you see a triumph, as
if Alexandrus were
With all his iolilyke royaltie,
in place among them there.
But to proceed, they sease the church
when trumpets sound the blast
Where both they ioyn in one ere that
the day was demi past.
Euen as it did behoue such Peeres
where both they crowned be
The king and Queene of Archadie
great ioy it was to see.
Mens minds wer not so fangled thē
as now they doe appeare
more rudely as I heare
But leaue we them to celebrate
those things we haue in hand
And reuert to the Pallace, where
no wight doeth idle stand.
But there prepare of costly cates
a banket rare to see,
As thogh the muses nine themselues
inuyted guests should be.
What shuld I say by al thing which
present dyd there abound,
It suffized then the very ground
and floore for to surround?
No heart could wish but there it was
as dyd thereto pertayne
No tonge can shew els what did lack
but there it was full playne
The diuyne rites performed then
they both retyre at last,
For Sol now in hys woonted roome,
Meridyan is plast.
Where they consume the time at meate,
two houres large or more,
The noble men attending aye
and waytyng them before.
Both Dukes and Earles with such lyke,
and Barons of hye prise,
as best was to deuise.
This dinner done, the armory
beginneth for to sound,
Which to the land of Pelops, and
Hippodame doth redound
There Orpheus scholers shewe,
their masters skyll and arte
Then youthly knights betake themselues
all things els set apart
To daunce and rayse the dames
or Nimphes almost in sight.
And so in pleasure they consume
the tyme vntyll the night,
The king departs the hall hymselfe,
as fast as he can hye,
Which Myrtilus as prone therfore,
doeth suddenly espye.
And thus he sayes, sir Pelops now,
sith that you doe obtayne
This dame and eke the Realme, by my
industry and my payne,
I reade you for to keepe your hest,
the time is present now
The night drawes on, therfore I pray
remember wel your vowe
But he these words doeth thunder out,
oh caytyffe borne to ill,
wouldst thou me bring until?
Oh traytor vile, dissembler thou
thou shalt haue thy reward.
Because mine honor, and thy faith
thou diddest not regard
For thy desart and vsage aye,
example thou shalt be,
To other that commit such crime,
what euer hap to me.
Now Pelops calles to other, which
he findeth best to trust,
And painteth out this hap to them
of Myrtilus vniust.
Who being bound they throw on horse,
vnto the sea they ride:
There plunge they in this Venus child
with this reproch that tide.
Lye there thou Lecher, thou wouldst fayne
asswage thy foule desire,
On her who is thy Leege, on whom
thou oughtst no shame require.
And yet because that by this help,
young Pelops gate the game,
In memorie of him he would
that sea to beare his name.
This done, they all returne againe,
vnto the woonted place
themselues with hidden face,
And maske vnto the Court, where that
they spend much time in play,
Not knowen who that they were, vntill
they threwe their maske away,
Which done the Queene departs the hall,
each wight departs to rest,
King Pelops wishing nothing lesse,
is thereto likewyse prest.
Where they content, both take their ease,
as both they dyd require,
And Pelops hath the onely wight,
whom most he did desire.
FINIS.
| The most famous and Tragicall Historie of Pelops and Hippodamia | |