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The plays & poems of Robert Greene

Edited with introductions and notes by J. Churton Collins

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XLIX HEXAMETRA ALEXIS IN LAVDEM ROSAMVNDAE.
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XLIX
HEXAMETRA ALEXIS IN LAVDEM ROSAMVNDAE.

Oft haue I heard my liefe Coridon report on a loue-day,
When bonny maides doe meete with the Swaines in the vally by Tempe,
How bright eyd his Phillis was, how louely they glanced,
When fro th' Aarches Eben black, flew lookes as a lightning,
That set a fire with piercing flames euen hearts adamantine,
Face Rose hued, Cherry red, with a siluer taint like a Lilly.
Venus pride might abate, might abash with a blush to behold her.
Phoebus wyers compar'd to her haires vnworthy the praysing.
Iunoes state, and Pallas wit disgrac'd with the Graces,
That grac'd her, whom poore Coridon did choose for a louemate:

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Ah, but had Coridon now seene the starre that Alexis
Likes and loues so deare, that he melts to sighs when he sees her.
Did Coridon but see those eyes, those amorous eye-lids,
From whence fly holy flames of death or life in a moment,
Ah, did he see that face, those haires that Venus, Apollo
Basht to behold, and both disgrac'd, did grieue, that a creature
Should exceed in hue, compare both a god and a goddesse:
Ah, had he seene my sweet Paramour the Saint of Alexis,
Then had he sayd, Phillis, sit downe surpassed in all points,
For there is one more faire then thou, beloued of Alexis.