The Poetical Works of William Basse :: :: University of Virginia Library

This Muses story, that a Princes eares
Did once vouchsafe to grace, and such a one
As in his tyme, and at his youthfull yeares,
In greatnes match'd with goodnes was alone,

268

You may coniecture, then in so much grace
Had little thought to seeke a second place.

Nor comes (Renowned Lady) to you now,
Though out of service has so long remain'd,
As one discarded: but to shew you how
And by whom then she first was entertain'd.
And loth vn-own'd now to and fro to waue,
That lost a master, would a Mistres haue.

For not to flatter (which no Muses can
Or if mine could, she durst not him, nor you)
In that he was a Prince, he was a Man
And therein his inferiour like vnto,
And so [a] lesse then he, in noble heart
May be like him: for that's a Princely part.

269

But (Noble Lady) though Vrania soung
This story then to him, that could infuse
No pride in Prince so vertuous (though so young),
Nor could his grace, such vice jn such a Muse:
And in your selfe of pride no danger seeing,
I am the likelyest to be proud in being

Madam Your Ladyships very humble Servant William Basse.

270

To the High and Mighty Prince, Henry, Prince of Wales, &c.

When Cynthia sitting on her siluer throne
First told my Muse the story you shall heare,
She strictly charg'd her not to make it knowne,
For any cause, to any mortall eare
Till 'twas related (as it once should be)
To some rare Prince of royall progenie.

The reason was (it seemes) That since herein
Some actions are of gods and passions shewne,
She thought it fit that to some nearest kin
To them (great Prince) it should at first be knowne:
Tender alliance, and a Princely brest
To heare and judge of such occurrents best.

This Muse (therfore) as Cynthia did her binde
Hath safely kept this secret undisclos'd
Till now, that, in your gracious forme, a minde
She findes (Sir) so celestially dispos'd
That she is full resolued it is you
The Delian Queene directed her vnto.

May't please you (then) to lend the Moone your light
Thus shadow'd vnder these ecliptique lines,
Your Sun-like gloryes shall not shine lesse bright,
But more, that Cynthia by your lustre shines,
And to your greatnesse purchase more divinesse
By more devoteing her vnto your highnesse.

271

VRANIA THE WOMAN IN THE MOONE

IN FOURE CANTOES OR QUARTERS

THE FIRST CANTO OR NEW MOONE.

Argument.

Two Gods (as Spies) descended.

1

How apt the slanderous and unciuill tongues
Of wicked men (vpon presumption small)
To rayse foule scandalls are, and jmpious wrongs
On Ladyes honours, neuer stayn'd at all,
Is manifested in bright Cynthia's case
To her extreame (but vndeseru'd) disgrace.

2

For when Endymion once in Latmos slept
The Moone (some say) came downe and kis'd him there,
Erronious Fame reports that she hath kept
Him euer since within her spotlesse Sphere.
And of this falshood, so profusely blowne,
The generall tale of Man i' th' Moone is growne.

272

3

But findeing no memoriall that jntends
A mans preferment to that pitch of grace,
My winged Muse vnsatisfyed ascends
Her glistring Orbe, In which Celestiall place
She findes no Man (as these old sots vs tell)
But that a Woman in the Moone doth dwell.

4

And how that Woman there became confin'd
Vrania knowes: who now descended thence
Shall (as she hath thereof enform'd my minde)
Impart you her divine jntelligence
By patience of the Gods that authors were,
And her fayre sex, whereto I honour beare.

5

Some ages since Deucalions deluge past
In peopling of the empty world agen,
When as the seede of Sin began as fast
To propagate anew, as seede of men,
And wretched worldlings almost in profund
Obliuion had the generall drowning drownd.

273

6

Jove waxing old resolued was to set
His sacred foote in sinfull mold no more,
Or at the least although the cause were great
He in his prudence thought it fit, before
He went himselfe in person, first to try
What good there might be done by Ambassie.

7

And for this action, he selects among
Th' Olimpique Race (if I may terme them so)
Two handsome youthfull Gods, and light, & Strong,
This paynfull pilgrimage to vndergoe;
But I conceale their names. Great minds defam'd
In their attempts, desire to passe vnnam'd.

8

And what the tenour of their charge should be
Though my playne pen, unexercis'd in state,
Can hardly reach a stile of such degree,
Neare as I can, I shall it yet relate,
As great Saturnides himselfe it spake
Whose thundring voyce makes all ye Center shake.

9

My Sonnes (sayth he) you shall from hence repaire
Downe to yon lowe and wretched vale of Man,
The care wherof hath turn'd mine aubron haire
Thus gray, and made my nectar'd cheeke thus wan,

274

And yet with litle jncense gratifyes
Mine open hands, and rest refuseing eyes.

10

Wherefore descend, and first take view of those
To whom Bootes curled face is shewne,
Then with those fixed lights that him oppose
Survay the more remote and hardlyer knowne:
From Nabathæan bounds to Phœbus fall,
From the hot Zone to the Septentrionall.

11

Be as your fathers All-beholding eyes:
See where my name is honour'd, where despis'd,
Where peace, where war, where want, where plenty lyes,
Where Vertue rules, where vice is exercis'd:
Where Right prevayles, where wretched wrong takes place,
And let me know the whole worlds generall case.

12

That I as well may furnish good mens needs
With blessings, as detrench th'abused store
Of thankles caytiffes; crowne true vertues deeds
With honour, and on vice my vengeance poure.

275

This sayd, his brow against his breast he strooke:
The brazen bases of Olympus shooke.

13

And thus instructed, at the azure knee
Of armed Iove these Legates tooke their leaue,
And of the whole Celestiall familie
Congeys at heauens christall ports receiue:
And so descend the Axletree, betwixt
The radiant Poles on either side vs fixt.

14

And when their ayrie feete felt earthly clay,
They jnstantly in Man-like habits drest
Their beautyous Godheads; and so tooke the way
That to their owne best wisdomes seemed best:
Resoluing not to leaue a Land vnspied,
Empire vnseene, or Island vndescried.

15

What euer people, civill or prophane,
Or continent, vnknowne or knowne, may lye,
Succinct or spacious, Mountagnous or playne,
In all the Orbes foure fold Cosmographye,

276

They visit would, and this our British land
That by it selfe from all the World doth stand.

16

Sometimes they walke, and sometimes they assume,
To ease their weary nerues, their nimble wings,
And sometimes, to refresh both foote and plume,
They voyage vnder pitchey tackleings
Of swelling Sayle, fullfilling th'awfull word
Of Iupiter, on foote, on wing, on board.

17

Obseruing seriously in every place
The manners, customes, and estates of men,
The Gods, Lawes, Liues, Religions, they embrace,
And Sacrifices, that they used then:
Ioyes, woes, wants, wealthes, sinnes, service; and of all
Kept just record, and sure memoriall.

18

But in these travells, such mischance befell
These heau'enly youths, as not alone for theirs
But for fayre Womens sakes, I greiue to tell:
But since th'vnhappy Causer of such teares
They in our world of Brittaine did not finde,
Ladyes vntouch'd neede not to be vnkinde.

19

For in the heate of middle-aged yeare
They chanc'd in Ethiopia to arriue
Where double flames, of time & Clymat, there

277

Perswaded rest, jn bathes of ease reviue
Their toyled limmes: where they an obiect found
That their delay in double fetters bound.

20

The tale wherof, Since now it seemes to aske
The spirit-full flight of an vntoyled Muse,
End here (Vrania) thy precedent taske:
And to beget new breath for what ensues,
(As those of thy Celestiall kindred doe)
Favour, a while, thy tender sarcells too.

278

THE SECOND CANTO OR FIRST QUARTER.

Argument.

Themselues to over-reach.

1

Men of the world how simply wonder wee
At th'alterations our small age hath seene,
When as the selfe-same jnstabilitie
Of state and chance, that is, hath ever beene;
Or thinke our times most singuler for change,
When elder worlds saw prodigies more strange.

279

2

For ere Apollo's sonne his fathers chayre,
To leade the Light, on day did vndertake,
The Æthiopians then were white & fayre,
Though by the worlds combustion since made black
When wanton Phaeton overthrew the Sun,
Which dreadfull mischeife had not yet been done.

3

When Fortune, who (jt seemes) in the designes
Of highest states & hartes will haue a hand,
Vnto a house conducts these fayre divines,
Where dwelt a woman, fayr'st of all the land;
And all the world (by good report of men)
None fayrer had then Ethiopia then.

4

Where they within no sooner set their feete,
But she as soone to entertaine them came,
For she an hostesse seem'd for guests so sweete,
And they seem'd strangers for so sweete a dame.
Only her humane forme was jnly frayle,
Their humane habits heauenly hearts did vayle.

280

5

But to what rare and matchles jmage wrought
Ioue's children were, jt bootes not me t'ensist;
But leauing that to all or more then thought,
Since Gods may be how beautyfull they list,
Her only, at all rights of life, to paint
More art then great Apelles had I want.

6

But I haue heard how Nature did prepare
Three Essences to make three women of,
An amorous, a subtill, and a fayre;
Which Fortune seeing came & mix'd her stuffe
All into one, that should haue seru'd for three;
And of that composition fram'd was shee.

7

For she had beauty to engrosse the eyes
Of all admirers in her sole possession,
And all the arts of loue Loue can devise
In womans heart or head to take jmpression,
But skill to teach her beauty to win many
And learne her Loue not to be won by any.

8

A table now she neatly furnish'd had,
Like a delicious vintage of varietyes
Of wine & fruits; wherto her welcomes adde
A sweetnes dareing appetite: But Dietyes,
Being mindes more apt to contemplate then eate,
Fed more vpon her lookes then on her meate.

281

9

Yet while they drinke a litle too and fro,
False Loue, that in some other jmage lurkes,
Nere this new Venus bends his jvory bowe,
And through his fruitfull freinds his purpose workes
So cun̄ingly, that he conveys his darts
From both her eyes in both her strangers hearts.

10

Which suddaine fire when in their breasts they felt,
They then to coole themselues with kisses sought,
For she had lips that pres'd would seeme to melt
Some precious balme to cure the wounds of thought,
Which they (by turnes) had free & vndenyed,
But a wrong Medicine vaynly is applyed.

11

Perceiuing lips more apt t'encrease the flame
By how much they doe more resemble fire,
They thence to Cheekes, to breasts & bosome came,
That whiter seem'd, more like to quench desire.
But, after thirsty wounds of Loue, to kis,
Like drinking after poyson, mortall is.

12

When eyes, th'Astronomers of Loue, were set,
And Lips, his Coniurers, were charm'd; Embraces,
As Loues Geographers, began to mete
Her Wastes fayre architect, and other places.

282

But (O) embraces are but double walls
To keepe the loue-sick hearts in closer thralls.

13

And in these dalliances and sweete delights
They not alone the life of this day spend,
But many dayes succeeding, many nights.
The buis'nes of great Ioue was at an end.
And now they tremble to forethinke that fate
Shall venge this fault, & now they thus debate.

14

Tush! we haue visited white Europe, queene
Of all the world, and Brittayne, lou'd of Seas.
Wee haue the Asiatique quarter seene,
Alle Affrica, and somwhat more then these
And of our time and obseruation there
Exact accompt and testimony beare.

15

Wee only want some base Americans
That know not Ioue, and Ioue cares not to know,
Some barb'rous Gotes or salvage Indians,
No matter whether euer seene or no.
(And so rests vndiscover'd to this day
The greater part of wilde America).

283

16

And while their owne affections thus they soothe
With jdle fancyes of their loues suggesting,
She (for her part) as craftily doth smoothe
Them vp with powerfull arguments of resting:
For as her lookes made them their charge forget,
Their loues made her her charge at nothing set.

17

The youths were both so briske & louely fayre
I dare well say that which she fancyed most
She did not know: she euer tooke such care
That not a sparke of eithers loue she lost.
As their affections equally agree
Vpon her loue, she loues them equallie.

18

But to herselfe she kept that only knowne,
And held them still vncertaine which might be
Dear'st in her favour. When one came alone
'Twas he she lik'd, when th'other came 'twas he.
If this her right hand, that her left hand tooke,
She bore a stedfast and jndifferent looke.

19

When she one's eyes had hidden in her lap,
She ore his shoulder lent the other smiles,
And so the one she catches in a trap,
And with a bayte the other she beguiles,
Ensnareing him that comes within her hands,
And angleing him that furthest off her stands.

20

To such advantage all her guifts she dealt,
And on both sides herselfe so well applyes,

284

If this the softnesse of her hands had felt,
The other had the glances of her eyes;
If th'one had in her tender bosome slept,
His fellow in his armes her wakeing kept.

21

Her suff'rance was but as a pleasing way
To fruitles ends, resistance more enflameing:
Her promises were like a slight aray
Worne by a Masquer for an houres gameing:
Her word a ballance was that weigh'd denyalls
That bred no greifes wth grants that dur'd no tryalls.

22

And thus she (to delight vaine-glory) stirres
Most innocent spleenes to mutuall emulations,
But makeing her divine Competitours
Frustrate each others hopes and expectations:
Enough to set fraternall bloud at ods,
And into partyes moue the factious Gods.

23

But (like wise men, that rather chuse to shew
Their evidence then try their rights at lawe)
They in free freindship let each other know
Their titles to her loue, wherby they saw
Her double dealing, and agreed to court
Her both together, joyntly, for their sport.

24

But by this meanes they doe but help to catch
Themselues anew, in a new kinde of snare;

285

One's motion do's but mar anothers match,
Diversitie of buyers rayse the fayre.
Loues priuie Counsell are (in all) but two;
A third, or more, his false designes vndoe.

25

Findeing all humane pollicies to fayle,
Hot Loue now loathes the garments of disguise;
And since, as Men, they can no more prevayle,
Resolueing to jngage their dietyes,
They now to her vnworthy eares declare
(For their loues latest refuge) what they are,

26

Imagining that Maiesty would ad
More penetrating flames vnto perswasion,
Or hope of golden showers to be had,
Or feare (at least) would check dissimulation,
As well they might, if they with one had dealt
That hopes had lik'd, Gods fear'd, or feare had felt.

27

But she, that had occasion in a string
Of vses bridl'd, strait proiects what boone,
What divine guift, or admirable thing,
She should demand: haueing conceited soone

286

Beauty's petition's a com̄and to Louers
That begs in shew, but in effect recouers.

28

Which when she was resolu'd on, (though 'twas long
Before she could resolue on one request),
Her longing heart fitting it to her tongue,
She to the next encounter it addrest
In Rhetorique that of Beauty is a most
Invisible and sence seduceing ghost.

29

“My Lords (she sayth) you haue a suite in hand
“To me, vnworthy to be sue'd by you,
“And I (for my part) haue a small demand
“To you, too worthy Gods for me to sue,
“Yet, jf for mine you please t'exchange yor grant,
“Aske & be ask'd, giue mine, and take your want.

30

If you from Clouds are come to earth belowe
For sweete fruition of mine honour here,
Teach me that pray'r wherby you thither goe,
And not alone possesse me here, but there:
What I grant you, is yours; what you grant me,
You grant your selues; both boones your vantage be.

287

31

Thus winged was her speech, as was her heart,
That in a hell of tedious longing burnes
To see fayre heau'n: and such is woman's art,
And thrift in the disposeing of good turnes,
She seldom sells a momentary pleasure
But for a bargaine of some speciall treasure.

32

This impudent request with many feares
The trembling hearts of the young Gods did seize:
T'vnrip heau'ns misteryes to mortall eares
Would Ioue and all th'Olimpique state displease,
And shew themselues vnworthy heau'n to be
That could not keepe jmmortall secresie.

33

But first, they wond'red much how she could tell
That they in vse had any such divine
And secret Charme; but they remembred well
That when Apollo kept Admetus kine
Light Mercury came by while Phœbus slept
And stole a Cow out of the heard he kept.

34

The Sun, (to be reveng'd), when Hermes lay
Asleepe in Herse's lap another while,
Came downe & stole his hat & spurres away,
Who (when he rose, and vnderstood the guile)
Was forc'd to mount Olympus by a Spell,
Wherof this quick-ear'd creature had heard tell.

288

35

Much modest passion, yet retayn'd, to calme
The billowes of vntame affection striues;
And gentle care applyes discretion's balme
To stanch the heate of Cupid's corrosiues;
But remedyes too milde too late devis'd
Where lust Love's fester'd wounds had cauteriz'd.

36

Looke how a Cittie, that beseig'd about
With hostile powers, and hath jntestine foes
Within her walles (to boote), long stands not out
Before she some conditions doth propose,
So in this like beleaguer'd state of theirs
With these loue-thirsty Dietyes it fares.

37

To Beautye's seige, and flatt'ryes vndermineing
(That quite subvert the strength of every Louer)
Their owne jntestine Love his treason ioyning,
They to her greedy eare at last discouer
This sacred Theame: O hot & dangerous Lust
To traffique heau'n for earth, & heart for thirst!

38

O simple Gods! (if gods may so be sayd
By men that woman scarse would so haue trusted):
But when you act like men, Men will vpbraid
Your actions: And now see on what you lusted,
Now see the fruits of all your fayre perswasions,
Your times, your labours, loues, & revelations.

289

39

When she her lecture cordially had gayn'd
And had as perfect meanes, as will, t'aspire,
She place and oppertunitye retayn'd,
Agents of loue and handmaydes of desire,
Wherto she quickly joynes her discipline,
And doth to that as soone her practice joine.

40

And jnstantly, a payre of ayre-like wings
Poyzeing her downey sides, her feete forget
Their earthly office: here & there she flings
To win the winde, as one jmperfect yet;
But quickly skill'd, The ayrie stades of skyes,
Like Loues postillion Mercury, she flyes.

41

Her sprawling heeles, in stead of wonted molde
Kick Cedars tops, her armes blue Clouds embrace:
While royall Eagles tremble to beholde
A greater then themselues vsurpe their place,
And welkin towering Larkes (with no lesse feare)
Wonder to see a Woman soreing there.

290

42

Which when the doubtful youthes look'd vp & saw,
They stood at first as in a maze, till shee
(Like some old beaten hare) had gotten law
Enough for once her jealous life to free:
And ere they could their tender wings put on,
This haggard her self-less'ning pitch was gon.

43

They haueing better skill on wing & winde
Thought certainly to overtake her soone,
But tir'd in their pursuite, they fell behinde,
Like trotting starres after the whirling Moone.
For in this Charme did such a vertue lye,
Those that could fastest speake, could fastest flye.

44

Wherein when they had call'd into conceit
The matchles vertue of a womans tongue,
Like men that in a chace had borne dead weight,
Their heads & hopeles hearts so heavy houng
Betwixt their wings, their wings began to flag;
The more they spur the ayre, the more they lag.

45

But she with plumes of ouer-ioy'd desires
Her outward Sayles of pow'r so well assists,
That with redoubled swiftnesse she aspires
The stately pitch of the Cœlestiall lists:

291

For light and hopefull mindes make bodyes light,
But pondérous thoughts hang plummets upon flight.

46

That (I suppose) they turn'd their course for shame
To Paphos, Latmos, or some vnknowne way.
But we will still pursue the nimble dame,
And let the sad deceiued Louers stray.
But (Muse) thou first shalt rest thee while she flies:
When her quills settle, thine againe shall rise.

292

THE THIRD CANTO OR FULL MOONE.

Argument.

The Gods pronounce her doome.

1

How great and comprehendles is the Minde!
How far, how high (for knowledge) she presumes,
When she herselfe with vertue arm'd doth finde,
And lightly borne vp with desirefull plumes!
One world containes her not: nor yet would she
Be held in more, if more there were then be.

2

Water her hopefull pinions not benums:
The curiasse of her boldnes is to thick

293

For aire to peirce: and when to fire she comes,
Her more light flames & feathers are too quick.
And thus this Dame (that represents this minde)
Leaues all the well-rank'd Elements behinde.

3

Till by the power of her celestiall charme,
With no lesse fortune, hauing pas'd the seauen
Next circuits of the Gods, she caus'd alarme
In th'inner guards of the supremer heauen
Where Mars, great Captaine both of watch & war,
Had plac'd a Centinell in every star.

4

Who through their loup-holes when they chanc'd to view
This fugitiue with such a fervour mount
To this sublimitie, jn all hast drew
Themselues into a head; and made account
Strait to discharge against this earthly wonder
Their harquebushes charg'd with dreadfull thunder.

294

5

But some (whose better wisdomes sway'd the rest)
Perswaded them their vollyes to with-hold,
Vntill amongst themselues they first had gues'd
What creature it might be that was so bold:
For throughout all the guard there was not one
That euer had a woman seene or knowne.

6

They saw that she was none of Titan's race
Who by pretence of eldership layd clayme
And title to expulsed Saturne's place;
For they long since by Ioue were overcame:
Nor of those Earth-borne gyants that rebell'd
Against the Gods: the Gods had them repell'd.

7

She was no Meteor'd shape, nor airy sp'rite
Begot by th'agitation of the Spheres,
Nor Comet (though both caudate and crinite);
For all those things fled from her in such feares
As did the monsters from Silenus Asse
That stellified for that good service was.

8

No Semi-Diety, nor seed of Pan,
Nayad nor Nymph, (for loue had them confin'd
Vnto terrestriall mansion), No Man
They by her face her flight and fashion finde,

295

No ghost, nor fiend: no goblin good or evill,
Nor bird, nor beast, nor goddesse, god, nor devill.

9

And as they descant thus, all while she striues
Their warlike walls and bullworkes to ascend,
They are no wiser when she there arriues,
But still her essence, state, and cause suspend;
And though their martiall lawes were so severe
No vnknowne seede of earth might enter there,

10

Yet since they found her arme-les armes pretending
No outward treason to the state at all,
(Her strangenes much but beauty more befreinding)
They brought her safe into th'Olympian hall;
For she such count'nance had, as might procure
Favour at hell's, much more at heavens dore.

11

This Noveltie to all th'assembly seene,
They from their severall Thrones in murmur rise;
Some stand amaz'd: some that on earth had been
A Woman! cryed: a Woman skal'd the skies!
Sterne Iupiter most highly was displeas'd,
Although her lookes some others much appeas'd.

12

Some of the Court are angry, some are glad,
The elder frowne, the younger flock about her,
But (of all other) Iuno was horne-mad,
She of great Ioue did so extreamly doubt her:
And Venus waxed leane, with strong suspect
That Mars would favour this, & her neglect.

296

13

Cupid, as busye as his nature was,
That Young-Deceipt, Old-youth! who (if he listed)
Could all haue told: but not a word doth pas
His lips, wherin his preiudice consisted.
For well he hop'd to finde in her fayre lookes
Sweete baytes enough to furnish all his hookes.

14

What with the loue of some, the feare of some,
Others partialitie, others jealousie,
A great confusion was in heau'n become,
And like to be a greater mutinie,
If out of hand was not determin'd on
What with this new-come stranger should be done.

15

For scarse the Sunne had number'd vp the day
Of her ascention, to the waxing yeare,
But she her wanton parts began to play
In such perfection of allurement there,
As if the world had plotted some device,
The flower of all the Gods from heau'n t'entice.

16

But the graue Rectour of Olympus hath
Summon'd therfore a present Parliament;
And all the Gods along the Lactean-path
Vnto the Pallace of the Thunderer went,

297

From forth their fayre & jvory cloysters built
On that fayre street were Iuno's milke was spilt.

17

The Court all plac'd vppon their marble seats
Below the awfull Sires supremest Throne,
His jvory Scepter twice or thrice he beats
About those curled tresses of his owne,
Whose fearfull motions doe displace & stir
Heau'ns hinges, and Earths firme diameter.

18

And thus he speakes; “This wretched woman here,
“I know by what vnhappy accident
“Wherof (by all jnfernall gulphes I sweare)
“I would be veng'd with dreadfull discontent,
“But that I see the natiue jnnocence
“Of heau'n it selfe euen stayn'd wth this offence.

19

“For I presage that those vngracious boyes
“I sent abroade, too humanly affected
“In female formes, haue spent the tyme in toyes,
“And my com̄ands so cursedly neglected

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“That she this vantage wins of their vniust
“Carriage and carelesse weakenes of their lust.

20

“And I confesse that this audacious Dame
“This Iapet's daughter (as I well may call her)
“That comes like him that came to steale our flame,
“Deserues no meaner vengeance to befall her
“Then hundred-handed Giges, whom I slew,
“Or he that out of heau'n by th' heeles I threw.

21

“But, brothers, that in Counsell sit with me,
“Wee but vniust in our owne justice were,
“If we should plague the poore mortalitie,
“For that wherof ourselues are not all cleere,
“Before our subiects we with rigour vrge,
“It bootes vs we our owne example purge.

22

“Therfore whersoe're we venture to bestow
“This dangerous companion, Now shee's here
“She must in no wise be sent back below,
“Lest her loose tongue (that nothing holds) blab there
“Amongst vnworthy mortalls, mysteries
“Peculier to jmmortall eares and eyes.”

23

This speech the speech of all the rest depriues,
Vntill the crooked Fates, who in a hole
Sate windeing vp the bottoms of frayle liues
And only durst the words of Ioue controule,
This contradiction from their anxious Cell
With open mouth and earnest fury yell.

299

24

“Downe with the woman, downe with her againe
“To sinfull earth as lowe as she was borne,
“Vnles thou art dispos'd (great Soveraigne)
“To make thy glorious Realme to men a scorne
“By everlasting jarres and breach of lawes,
“Which her proud spirit eternally will cause.

25

“If thou wilt needs doe her base world that grace
“As to detayne her here, then send vs thither,
“For thou shalt finde that state in cursed case
“Where Fates and Women domineer together.
“Where we are (Ioue) there needs no such as she:
“Where she is, needs no other destinie.”

26

This opposition 'twixt th'incensed Fates
And Ægis-arm'd Saturnides divides
The sage opinions of the Starry-states
Into so potent faction on both sides,
They neither judge her to exile nor death,
Nor fit for heau'n nor (from heau'n) fit for earth.

27

Till the Cyllenian wing'd and witty God
Betwixt those two extreames, bethinking soone
Some middle place; propounded her abode
Within th'enclosure of the glorious Moone.
And all applauding what he did propose
The Session broke and the whole Senat' rose.

300

THE FOURTH CANTO OR LAST QUARTER.

Argument.

To her doth servile make.

1

The Moone's bright Throne by Mulciber was built
Of shineing Siluer out of Lemnos brought;
Wheron Apollo's glorious face was guilt,
And Neptune's Realme jn his owne colours wrought,
Within set round with seats & lights engrau'd
In Christall, and with Sky-like Marble pau'd.

301

2

On ax'e-trees rays'd resembling that of heauen
Vpon foure wheeles, whose Spokes of argent hue
Betwixt round Naves of Mother-pearle were driuen,
And Ivory circles shod with Saphirs blew;
Drawne by two nimble steeds, the one Milke white,
The other black, in starry harneis dight.

3

The Minion Day was newly stole to bed
In Cimeris with Somnus god of Sleepe,
Whose Mother Night the sable curtains spread
And set officious Starres the watch to keepe,
When all the Gods went forth but he alone
That vnto Thetis lap was newly gone.

4

Till in the Zodiaque they the watchfull Moone
Gearing hir two fleet horses over-caught.
When the bright Queene of Night, perceiuing soone
By their discourse the In-mate they had brought,
Changeing her lookes, and casting downe the yoke,
Stood still: vntill the mighty Sire thus spoke.

302

5

“Lucina, pale not on thy greatest freinds,
“That dearely tender thee; Thou liu'st alone,
“And round about the Worlds far distant ends
“Dost helplesse manage this thy whirling Throne;
“Which seemes to me (how ere it thee doth please)
“Life without comfort, labour without ease.

6

“Therfore (my girle) Thou now shalt haue a Mate,
“And one that best may fit thy chastitie.
“Since thou the company of man dost hate
“This Woman here shall beare thee companye.
“To finde thee talke, to help those raignes to carry,
“And solace thee, that art too solitary.”

7

“King of the Gods (answers the Delian Queene)
“I liue, I ride, I rule these raynes alone,
“Which not my greife, but happynes hath beene,
“As my content-full silence well hath shewne:
“Let this Assembly speake, when ere did I
“Assistance craue, or wish for companie?

8

“But I perceiue that, vnder this pretence
“Of fatherly and freindly councell giuing,
“You please t'obtrude an jnconvenience
“Vppon me, worse then solitary liuing.
“You can (alas) not punish private woman
“So harshly, as to yoke her with a common.

9

“And though by you it cannot be denyed
“But that I am of Chastitie the Queene,

303

“Yet some lewd tongues mine honor haue belyed
“As if a Man had once been with me seene;
“That a false slaunder, this vexation true,
“(Me thinks) th'vnhappyer fortune of the two.

10

“Which had I fear'd, I peradventure might
“Like other Ladyes lou'd and been a wife,
“And by preventing this, preseru'd my right
“Of freedome, though with losse of mayden life.
“Sore is the wrong that makes an honest heart
“Almost repent the goodnesse of desert.

11

“And, as for thee (good woman) Thou mayst guesse
“It glorious fortune here to liue with me:
“But thou wilt finde no lesse vnhappynesse
“In mine, then I in thy societie.
“Woman to woman yeilds contentment small:
“And paynted prisons doe not lessen thrall.

12

“But since it is your will (Sir) which my breast
“Has neither will nor power to disobey,
“Advance your woman where (I hope) her rest
“Will make her (shortly) wish her selfe away.”
This sayd, her eyes her pale cheekes drown'd, & sent
Downe to the earth a shower of discontent.

13

But with such maiestie she tow'rds her turn'd
Her stately bodyes whole Celestiall frame,

304

In all the choycest wealth of heau'n adorn'd
As, to the heart of the most ventrous dame
Strooke feare: and forc'd her in a masqueing guise
Of tiffanie to sheild her dazled eyes.

14

And takeing this advantage of her eyes
Blur'd in her teares & frownes (that to approach
Her most maiestick presence otherwise
Neuer had had the hope) her bright Caroach
This proud audacious soiourner ascends,
And heaue'n in tryumph her fayre riddance ends.

15

But poore pale Cynthia so enraged grew,
She whip's her steeds, and takes up a Cariere
That in some eight & twenty dayes she flew
A compasse, that in almost thirtye yeare
Old Tyme-like Saturne, that doth seeme to mowe
All hindrance downe before him, could not goe.

305

16

Eleauen yeares circuit, & eleauen moneths more
She beate great Ioue in his owne twelue yeares race;
And lusty Mars could hardly gallop ore
Her three tymes ten dayes course in two yeares space:
Wing'd Mercury, light Venus, and the Sun
In twelue moneths chace she full eleuen out-run.

17

Her Chariot thus outstripping all theyr thrones,
Some more, some lesse, (as speede they differ in)
Rattles her tedious guest, to make her bones
And well knit joynts to totter in her skin,
To turne her maw or shake th'ambitious dame
Downe from her seate to earth from whence she came.

18

But she no whit dismayd, nor mov'd at all,
Sits in the christall windowes of the Moone,
Now in this wire, that tire, this Quoife, that Call,
Dressing her dainty browes from Morne to Noone;
From noone to night deviseing for next morning
New shapes, and, next day, that dayes habit scorning.

306

19

Though she the jemms & bracelets of the Queene
On and off puts, as her affections varye,
As if the Moone's fayre house a shop had been
Of Goldsmiths workes, or jewells mercenarye;
To Natures better grace Arts ayde jnventing,
And to her selfe vayne joyes & sportes presenting.

20

Whereat the horne-mad Moone wth rage sometimes
Doth swell her selfe as big as halfe the earth,
And by & by with extreame sorrow pines
Her selfe more leane, and smaller then her birth;
And in this strange distraction now & then
Her happy face hides from vnhappy men.

21

That blinde Thessalians often thought she was
By some enchantment stollen from her Sphere,
And frighted Romans ring shrill pans of brasse
And trumpets sound to her absented eare,
And ceremonious Greekes with tapers light
Succour her beames, almost extinguish'd quite.

307

22

And then looke how the vile vnworthy foes
Of good desert (jn th'absence of her face)
Their base jnsinuations jnterpose,
So grosse & paysant Earth steps in her place
And intercepts the favours of her freind,
Her brothers beames, that should her glory lend.

23

Then (dragon-like) all smier'd in bloud she fights
Fierce Combats for ecclipsed Maiestie,
And from her bowe disperses vengefull flights
Of warres, of dearthes, and deathes presagacie;
And therwith not content her wrath to swage
She (in her ayd) moues curled Triton's rage.

24

That he sometymes in his vnanchour'd jawes
Earthes ample borders jnundates, and drownes
Her sollid ramparts: and sometimes withdrawes
His neighbouring releiffes from her famish'd bounds:
And often o're his full-rig'd vessells casts
Cloud-threat'ning, and flowes aboue the masts.

25

Sometymes with other jnstruments of fate
She joynes her sharpe and discontent aspects,

308

In Natures cradle to jnfatuate
Mens manners, sences, powers, and jntellects.
She practises her force on streames, on springs,
Beasts, trees, plants, fruits, & all terrestriall things.

26

But aboue all her great and strange effects,
She hath this Woman still in such offence,
That (for her sake) she generally subiects
All women to her powerfull jnfluence;
And with what humours she doth her perplex,
She still the same jnflicts vppon her sex.

27

With fancyes, frenzies, lunacyes, with strange
Feares, fashions, factions, furyes, & affections,
With fondnes, fayntnes, fugacy, and change
Of mindes, moodes, habits, houses, freinds, complections:
In breife she raignes o're Women as a Queene.
In her their state, In them her power, is seene.

28

But yet she many gracious vertues hath,
Which (whether she therwith be pleas'd or no)
Amongst those jmperfections of her wrath
On Woman kind from her sweet nature flowe:
As patience, silence, modestie, sobrietie,
Chastitie, beauty, bounty, pittie, pietie.

29

Which graces, since they most resplendent be
In those fayre dames these amorous Seas contayne,

309

Let those whose blameles hearts the Moone doth free
Of her distast, free me of their disdayne,
And favour this my Song, that honours them,
And none condemnes but those that it condemn.

30

And not, like planets of the worst dispose,
Cause Cynthia's browes vnwillingly reflect
Their frownes vppon themselues: but shine like those
That by their happyer & more kinde aspect
Purchase all honour from her eyes, who still
With good good cout'nance holds, & jll with jll.

31

If melancholy Saturne on her face
Cast scowleing lookes, she scowles on him againe;
Or cholerick Mars with vizage of disgrace
Affronts her, she returnes him like disdaine;
When Mercury a good indifferent eye
Vouchsafes her, she vouchsafes it Mercury.

32

If puissant Phœbus danger her in fight
She hazards him: jf he looke freindly on her
Her anger's past: When Ioue his plesant light
Tenders her beames, she renders his like honour:
When fayre Cyprina smiles on bright Lucina
Well-pleasd Lucina striues t'outsmile Cyprina.

33

For as it dos not stand with her nobilitie
Basely to flatter those that doe despise her,

310

So is she apt in her heroick civilitie
To honour those who freindly favourize her;
Wherein Vrania (of all the Muses
Her best belou'd) her best example uses.

34

Let not your brightnes, & more bright renownes,
Be then (fayre Dames) with Moone or Muse offended;
Nor looke with martiall or Saturnian frownes
Where no dishonor is to you intended:
For such aspects would yor owne beautyes wrong;
And bode jll fortune to this harmeles song.

35

But joyne your smiles with Ioue or Mercurie,
Or shine as Sol, or Cytherea shines:
You then fortuniate this Muse and me,
Presageing endles honour to these lines:
And with your best aspects the Moone to view
Declare her best effects to be in you.

FINIS.

311

THIS STORY MORALLIZED.

A freind that heard and not beleeu'd this story
(As he might chuse) demands some Allegory.
Fictions that yeild no morall are (sayd he)
Meere fables, those that doe are Poesie.
I sayd I could not tell. I had it told
As from Vrania I it heard of old;
Who is most like therof account to make.
And being thereto jntreated: Thus she spake.

Vice, masqu'd in vertuous shew, yeilds morall none;
But vertue, masqu'd in vanytie, yeilds one.
You may perceiue, This woman's way t'entice
Though wanton seem'd, was without actuall vice:
Which shews, She did all her allurements vse
Her minde to please, not body to abuse.
And there she rightly representeth Minde,
In a terrestriall frame so vnconfin'd

312

That no adventure dreads herselfe to rayse
Vnto celestiall knowledge: And that's prayse.
But when (by freinds) she compas'd hath her ends,
As she outstrips, so she neglects, her freinds;
And that's jngratitude: which was her stayne.
What action's without blemish that's humane?
A light behaviour may (sometimes) be sound,
As in darke frownes lightnes is sometimes found.
The youthfull dietyes shew how farre aboue
All other passions & respects is Loue:
And in their negligence of heau'enly dutye,
The strong enchantments of an earthly beautye,
That such seducements hath as into folly
Has power (almost) t'infatuate the holy:
And he that shun so strong enchantments can
Seemes to haue something in him more then man.

The Senate of the Gods declares how hard
It is for age to mend what Youth hath mar'd:
Yet when of no help humane fancye dreames,
How heauenly wisdome moderates extreames.

To be vnknowne in heauen only teaches
The rareness of the minde that thither reaches.
And murmuring Fates are those jgnoble spirits
That envye those who rise by vent'rous merits.
The glistring Chariot of the Moone to climbe
Was more her doome then her ambitious crime:

313

Yet with her Mistres there may share some woe
In seeking more to know then she would shew.

Her too much boldnes there To satisfie
(If that could be) her curiositie.
Belowe the Moone, All bodyes fullnes finde:
All jn, and vnder, her fill not one minde;
Although she were (as some great wits suppose)
Another world, but I am none of those.
Cynthia sets forth a Lady of such strayne
As is more vertuous then the other vayne;
Not only chast, but of a disposition
So noble as exempt from all suspition:
Some talke of her Endimion: more deny
That lewd report; and one of those am I.

Her changes, her eclipses, her aspects
In frowning manner, represent th'effects
Of her owne troubled patience: wherein she
The only sufferer is, the warned wee.
Where from her jnfluence succeeds some ill
To any, 'tis their faults and not her will.
And where 'tis sayd she favours doth bestow,
Tis their good natures help to make it so.
For as the Bee and Spider from one flower
Honey and poyson sayd are to devoure,

314

Her guifts all prove according to the frame
Of those capacities receiue the same.
She being jll with jll, and good with good,
No harm can doe: and would not if she cou'd.

Herewith my freind was pleas'd; & did excuse
As you (I hope) doe my well meaning Muse,
Who doth (though she of amorous dietyes sings
And fayned Gods) acknowledge no such things;
But only vse their names to shew the mayne
Distance betweene the vertuous and the vayne.
Weake eyes that cannot (like the Eagle) brooke
The brightnes of the Sun, through lawne must looke,
As Indian gold in Christian vse we spend,
So we vayne fictions vse to vertuous end;
And being not able heauenly workes t'expresse
In their owne greatnes, striue in what is lesse.
Through shadowes dim most shines a reall worth,
As a darke foyle best sets a diamond forth.

THE END OF THE MORALL.