Tragicall Tales translated by Tvrbervile In time of his troubles out of sundrie Italians, with the Argument and Lenuoye to eche Tale |
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That though he may not possible come
or send, yet he liues mindfull of his mistresse in Moscouia.
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 | Tragicall Tales translated by Tvrbervile |  |
That though he may not possible come or send, yet he liues mindfull of his mistresse in Moscouia.
Who so hath read Leanders loue,which he to Ladie Hero bore,
And how he swamme through Aelles flood,
twixt Abydon and Sestus shore.
To gaine his game, to liue at lust,
to lay him in the Ladies lap,
Will rue his paines, and scarce exchange
his case to haue Leanders hap,
But happy I account his case,
for hauing past those narrow Seas,
[151]
with Hero in the towre of ease.
He neuer went but did enioy,
his mistres whom he did desire.
He seldome swamme the foming floud,
but was assured to quench his fire.
The torch it hung vpon the towre,
the lampe gaue light to shew the way:
He could not misse the darkesome night
it shone as cleere as sunny day,
Thus happy was Leanders lot,
but most vnhappy mine estate:
For swimming wil not serue my turne
to bring me to my louing mate.
The flouds are frozen round about,
the snow is thick on euery side:
The raging Ocean runnes betwixt
my frend and me with cruel tide.
The hilles be ouerwhelmde with hoare
the countrey clad with mantels white
Each tree attirde with flakes of yce,
is nothing els saue snow in sight.
The mighty Volgas stately streame
in winter slipper as the glasse:
Abides no boate, how should I then
deuise a meane a way to passe?
And Suchan that in summer time,
was easie to be ouergone:
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as any flint or marble stone,
Free passage Dwina doth deny,
whose streame is stopt and choakt with snow.
There is no way for any barge,
much lesse for any man to goe:
I cannot for my life repaire,
to thee to ease my present paine:
There is no passage to be had,
til summer slake the snow againe.
Meane while yet maist thou make accōpt,
that I doe stil remember thee.
In Russia where I leade my life,
and long againe at home to be.
No force shall cause me to forget
or lay the care of loue aside:
Time is the touchstone of good will,
wherby my meaning shalbe tride.
If I might haue conueid my lines,
vnto thy hands, it would haue easde,
My heauy heart of diuers doubts,
my message might my minde appeasde
But (friend) indure this long delay
my selfe wil come when time shal serue
To tell thee newes and how I fare:
meane while stand fast & do not swerue
Presume that as I was thine owne,
euen so I doe continue still.
[152]
or change my first good will.
Thy face hath pierst my brest so farre,
thy graces este so many bee,
As if I would, I cannot choose
but loue, and make account of thee.
| Tragicall Tales translated by Tvrbervile | |