The Silkewormes and their Flies: Liuely described in verse, by T. M. [i.e. Thomas Moffet] a Countrie Farmar, and an apprentice in Physicke. For the great benefit and enriching of England |
 |
|
| I. | Of the Silke wormes and their Flies. |
| II. |
 | The Silkewormes |  |
Of the Silke wormes and their Flies.
Sydneian
Muse: if so thou yet remaine,
In brothers bowels, or in daughters breast,
Or art bequeath'd the Lady of the plaine,
Because for her thou art the fittest guest:
Whose worth to shew, no mortall can attaine,
Which with like worth is not himselfe possest:
Come help me sing these flocks as white as milke,
That make, and spinne, and die, and windle silke.
In brothers bowels, or in daughters breast,
Or art bequeath'd the Lady of the plaine,
Because for her thou art the fittest guest:
Whose worth to shew, no mortall can attaine,
Which with like worth is not himselfe possest:
Come help me sing these flocks as white as milke,
That make, and spinne, and die, and windle silke.
For sure I know thy knowledge doth perceiue,
What breth embreath'd these almost thingles things:
VVhat Artist taught their feete to spinne and weaue:
What workman made their slime a robe for kings,
How flies breed wormes, how wormes do flies conceiue:
Frō natures womb, how such a nature springs,
Whereof none can directly tell or reede,
Whether were first, the flie, the worme, or seede.
What breth embreath'd these almost thingles things:
VVhat Artist taught their feete to spinne and weaue:
What workman made their slime a robe for kings,
How flies breed wormes, how wormes do flies conceiue:
Frō natures womb, how such a nature springs,
Whereof none can directly tell or reede,
Whether were first, the flie, the worme, or seede.
A time there was (sweete heau'ns restore that time,)
When bodyes pure to spotlesse soules first knit,
Deuoyd of guilt, and ignorant of crime,
Vpright in conscience, and of harmelesse wit,
Disdain'd to weare a garment nere so fine,
As deeming coates and couers most vnfit,
Where nothing eie could see, or finger touch,
Which God himselfe did not for good auouch.
When bodyes pure to spotlesse soules first knit,
Deuoyd of guilt, and ignorant of crime,
Vpright in conscience, and of harmelesse wit,
Disdain'd to weare a garment nere so fine,
As deeming coates and couers most vnfit,
Where nothing eie could see, or finger touch,
Which God himselfe did not for good auouch.
2
Yea, when all other creatures looked base,
As mindful onely of their earthly foode:
Or else as trembling to behold the place,
Where iudge eternall sate, and Angels stood:
Then humane eyes beheld him face to face,
And cheekes vnstain'd with fumes of guiltie bloud,
Desir'd no maske to hide their blushing balles,
But boldly gaz'd and pried on heau'nly walles.
As mindful onely of their earthly foode:
Or else as trembling to behold the place,
Where iudge eternall sate, and Angels stood:
Then humane eyes beheld him face to face,
And cheekes vnstain'd with fumes of guiltie bloud,
Desir'd no maske to hide their blushing balles,
But boldly gaz'd and pried on heau'nly walles.
The breast which yet had hatcht no badde conceat,
Nor harbor'd ought in heart that God displeaz'd,
Did it for silken wastcotes then intreate?
Sought it with Tyrian silks to be appeaz'd?
No, no, there was no neede of such a feate,
Where all was sound, and members none diseaz'd:
Nay more, The basest parts and seates of shame,
Were seemely then, and had a comely name.
Nor harbor'd ought in heart that God displeaz'd,
Did it for silken wastcotes then intreate?
Sought it with Tyrian silks to be appeaz'd?
No, no, there was no neede of such a feate,
Where all was sound, and members none diseaz'd:
Nay more, The basest parts and seates of shame,
Were seemely then, and had a comely name.
But when selfe-will and subtile creepers guile,
Made man to lust, and taste what God forbad,
Then seem'd we to our selues so foule and vile,
That straight we wisht our bodies to be clad,
Seeing without, and in such great defile,
As rest our wittes, and made vs al so mad:
That we resembled melancholique hares,
Or startling stagges, whom euerie shadow scares.
Made man to lust, and taste what God forbad,
Then seem'd we to our selues so foule and vile,
That straight we wisht our bodies to be clad,
Seeing without, and in such great defile,
As rest our wittes, and made vs al so mad:
That we resembled melancholique hares,
Or startling stagges, whom euerie shadow scares.
3
Then Bedlam-like to woods wee ranne apace,
Praying each tree to lend vs shade or leaues,
Wherewith to hide (if ought might hide) our face
From his al-seeing eyes, who al perceaues,
And with ful-brandisht sword pursues the chace,
Traitors of rest, of shade, and al bereaues:
Permitting men with nothing to be clad,
But shame, dispaire, guilt, feare, and horror sad.
Praying each tree to lend vs shade or leaues,
Wherewith to hide (if ought might hide) our face
From his al-seeing eyes, who al perceaues,
And with ful-brandisht sword pursues the chace,
Traitors of rest, of shade, and al bereaues:
Permitting men with nothing to be clad,
But shame, dispaire, guilt, feare, and horror sad.
These robes our parents first were deckt withal,
Then fig tree fannes vppon their shame they wore:
Next, skinnes of beasts, (to shew their beastly fall)
Then, hairy cloathes, and wooll from Baa-lambs tore,
Last, Easterne wittes, from mane of Camels tall,
Made water-waued stuffe vnseene before,
But til the floud had sinners swept away,
Nor Flaxe, nor Silke, did sinful man array.
Then fig tree fannes vppon their shame they wore:
Next, skinnes of beasts, (to shew their beastly fall)
Then, hairy cloathes, and wooll from Baa-lambs tore,
Last, Easterne wittes, from mane of Camels tall,
Made water-waued stuffe vnseene before,
But til the floud had sinners swept away,
Nor Flaxe, nor Silke, did sinful man array.
For so it seemed iust to Iustice eyen,
Defiled men to weare polluted things:
And Rebels not to clothe in Flaxe or line,
Which from the sacred loines of Vesta spring,
Cleane, knotlesse, straight, spotlesse, vpright, and fine,
VVhose floure is like fiue heau'nly-azurd wings,
Whose slime is salue, whose seed is holsom food,
Whose rinde is cloth, whose stuble seru's for wood
Defiled men to weare polluted things:
And Rebels not to clothe in Flaxe or line,
Which from the sacred loines of Vesta spring,
Cleane, knotlesse, straight, spotlesse, vpright, and fine,
VVhose floure is like fiue heau'nly-azurd wings,
Whose slime is salue, whose seed is holsom food,
Whose rinde is cloth, whose stuble seru's for wood
4
Or if
Arachne erst made sisters threed,
Was it thinke you, for euery man to weare?
Or onely for the sacrificers weede,
VVho of th'immortall priest a type did beare?
Wearing not aught that sprang from brutish seed,
But what from out it selfe the earth did reare:
So that till holy priesthood first began,
VVe neuer reade that linnen clothed man.
Was it thinke you, for euery man to weare?
Or onely for the sacrificers weede,
VVho of th'immortall priest a type did beare?
Wearing not aught that sprang from brutish seed,
But what from out it selfe the earth did reare:
So that till holy priesthood first began,
VVe neuer reade that linnen clothed man.
Yet some conceiue when
Theban singer wanne,
VVood-wandring wights to good and ciuill life,
(Which erst with beares and wolues in desarts ran,
Knowing no name of God, law, house, or wife)
That then his brother Linus first began
The Flaxmans craft (a secret then vnrife)
Deuising beetles, hackels, wheeles, and frame,
Wherwith to bruse, touse, spin & weaue the same.
VVood-wandring wights to good and ciuill life,
(Which erst with beares and wolues in desarts ran,
Knowing no name of God, law, house, or wife)
That then his brother Linus first began
The Flaxmans craft (a secret then vnrife)
Deuising beetles, hackels, wheeles, and frame,
Wherwith to bruse, touse, spin & weaue the same.
But Silke (whereon my louing Muze now stands)
Was it the ofspring of our shallow braine?
Spunne with these fingers foule? these filthy hands,
Tainted with bloud, reuenge, and wrongful gaine?
Ah no, who made and numbreth all the sands,
Wil teach vs soone that fancie to be vaine:
Farre be it from our thoughts, that sinfull sence,
Should make a thing of so great excellence.
Was it the ofspring of our shallow braine?
Spunne with these fingers foule? these filthy hands,
Tainted with bloud, reuenge, and wrongful gaine?
Ah no, who made and numbreth all the sands,
Wil teach vs soone that fancie to be vaine:
Farre be it from our thoughts, that sinfull sence,
Should make a thing of so great excellence.
5
Ne neede wee yet with
Tuscane Prelate flie,
To fictions strange, or wanton Venus eyen:
Who seeing Pallas taught from Saturne hie,
To clothe her selfe and hers with weaued line,
Yea all the Nimphs and Goddesses in skie,
To weare long stoles of Lawne and Cambrick fine:
Fretted to see her selfe and boy new borne,
Left both to heau'n and earth an open scorne.
To fictions strange, or wanton Venus eyen:
Who seeing Pallas taught from Saturne hie,
To clothe her selfe and hers with weaued line,
Yea all the Nimphs and Goddesses in skie,
To weare long stoles of Lawne and Cambrick fine:
Fretted to see her selfe and boy new borne,
Left both to heau'n and earth an open scorne.
Reuenge she cri'de vnto the sire of Ioue,
As she lay hidde vnder th'Idalian tree:
Affoord some rayment from thy house aboue,
If but to hide the shame of mine and mee.
So may thou learne from vs The art of Loue,
Whereby to winne each Ladies heart to thee.
But grumbling Chuff reiected still her prayre,
Whereat lamented heau'ns and weeping aire.
As she lay hidde vnder th'Idalian tree:
Affoord some rayment from thy house aboue,
If but to hide the shame of mine and mee.
So may thou learne from vs The art of Loue,
Whereby to winne each Ladies heart to thee.
But grumbling Chuff reiected still her prayre,
Whereat lamented heau'ns and weeping aire.
Then Cyprian Queene perceiuing that no cries
Could pierce the leaden eares of sullen Sire,
Straight lodg'd her sonne in faire Phillyraes eies,
And caus'd him thence to darte vppe such a fire,
As had consum'd the very starres and skies,
Yea melted Saturnes wheeles with hot desire:
Vnlesse that very houre he had come downe,
And beg'd her aide, on whom he late did frowne.
Could pierce the leaden eares of sullen Sire,
Straight lodg'd her sonne in faire Phillyraes eies,
And caus'd him thence to darte vppe such a fire,
As had consum'd the very starres and skies,
Yea melted Saturnes wheeles with hot desire:
Vnlesse that very houre he had come downe,
And beg'd her aide, on whom he late did frowne.
6
How often, as his loue on Pelion hill
Stoopt downe to gather herbs for wounds and sores,
Strew'd he before her Tutsan, Balme, and Dill,
Long Plantaine, Hysope, Sage, and Comfrey moares?
Offring besides, the art and perfect skill,
Of healing bloudy wounds and festred coares:
How oft (I say) did he each day descend,
And bootelesse al his vowes and wooings spend?
Stoopt downe to gather herbs for wounds and sores,
Strew'd he before her Tutsan, Balme, and Dill,
Long Plantaine, Hysope, Sage, and Comfrey moares?
Offring besides, the art and perfect skill,
Of healing bloudy wounds and festred coares:
How oft (I say) did he each day descend,
And bootelesse al his vowes and wooings spend?
He lou'd, she loath'd, he liked, she disdain'd:
He came, she turn'd, he prest, she ranne away,
Neither by words, nor gifts shee could be gain'd,
(For onely in her eies the Archer lay)
Regarding nought but (wherein she was train'd)
VVounds how to cure, and smartings to allay:
As for the wound of Loue, she felt it none,
And therefore litle heeded Saturns mone.
He came, she turn'd, he prest, she ranne away,
Neither by words, nor gifts shee could be gain'd,
(For onely in her eies the Archer lay)
Regarding nought but (wherein she was train'd)
VVounds how to cure, and smartings to allay:
As for the wound of Loue, she felt it none,
And therefore litle heeded Saturns mone.
Thus thus perplext the chiefe and grauest God,
(Or rather God supposd of highest place)
Toucht now, nay throughly scourg'd with Cupids rodde,
Sent from the eyes but of a mortal face,
Flewe downe forthwith where Venus made abode,
And prostrate lying at her feete for grace:
Promis'd the richest clothing for her Art,
That now she did, or could desire in hart.
(Or rather God supposd of highest place)
Toucht now, nay throughly scourg'd with Cupids rodde,
Sent from the eyes but of a mortal face,
Flewe downe forthwith where Venus made abode,
And prostrate lying at her feete for grace:
Promis'd the richest clothing for her Art,
That now she did, or could desire in hart.
7
VVho earelesse of reuenge, and innely grieu'd,
(True beauty aye is ful of rueful mone)
VVas neuer wel til Saturne was releeu'd,
His inward griefes asswag'd, & sorrowes gone.
And finding him, of hope, and helpe, bereeu'd,
(For still Phillira was more hard then stone)
Sith that, quoth she, the virgin scorns thy loue,
Try whether craft and force wil make her moue.
(True beauty aye is ful of rueful mone)
VVas neuer wel til Saturne was releeu'd,
His inward griefes asswag'd, & sorrowes gone.
And finding him, of hope, and helpe, bereeu'd,
(For still Phillira was more hard then stone)
Sith that, quoth she, the virgin scorns thy loue,
Try whether craft and force wil make her moue.
Transforme thy selfe into a Courser braue,
(VVhat cannot loue transforme it selfe into?)
Feede in her walkes: and in a moment haue
VVhat thou hast woo'd to haue with much adooe:
VVhereto, consent the auncient Suter gaue,
In Coursers clothes, learning a maide to wooe,
Filling ech wood with neighs and wihyes shrill,
VVhilst he possest his loue against her will.
(VVhat cannot loue transforme it selfe into?)
Feede in her walkes: and in a moment haue
VVhat thou hast woo'd to haue with much adooe:
VVhereto, consent the auncient Suter gaue,
In Coursers clothes, learning a maide to wooe,
Filling ech wood with neighs and wihyes shrill,
VVhilst he possest his loue against her will.
For lesson which, his Mistris to requite,
Not with vaine hopes in lieu of friendly deeds,
By Maiae's sonne (before it grew to night)
He sent a Napkin ful of little seeds,
Tane from the tree where Thisbes soule did light,
To make her selfe and boy farre brauer weeds,
Than Pallas had, or any of the seu'n,
Yea, then proud Iuno ware the Queene of heau'n.
Not with vaine hopes in lieu of friendly deeds,
By Maiae's sonne (before it grew to night)
He sent a Napkin ful of little seeds,
Tane from the tree where Thisbes soule did light,
To make her selfe and boy farre brauer weeds,
Than Pallas had, or any of the seu'n,
Yea, then proud Iuno ware the Queene of heau'n.
8
Withall, by him he sent the mysterie
Of weauing silke, which he himselfe had found,
When chac'd from heau'n by sonnes owne trechery,
Hee was compel'd to wander here on ground,
Where, in the depth of griefe and pouertie,
The height and depth of Arts he first did sound:
Yet would he this to none but her reueale,
By whose deuise hee did Phillyra steale.
Of weauing silke, which he himselfe had found,
When chac'd from heau'n by sonnes owne trechery,
Hee was compel'd to wander here on ground,
Where, in the depth of griefe and pouertie,
The height and depth of Arts he first did sound:
Yet would he this to none but her reueale,
By whose deuise hee did Phillyra steale.
What? shall we thinke, that silke was a reward.
Bestow'd on craftie dame for aide vniust?
Would men, nay, ought they haue such hie regard,
Of that which was the lone and hire of lust?
Not so, what ere th'Italian Bishop dar'd
To faine for true, and giue it out with trust:
Yet sith silke robes the blessed High-priest wore,
They were not sure the first fruits of a whore.
Bestow'd on craftie dame for aide vniust?
Would men, nay, ought they haue such hie regard,
Of that which was the lone and hire of lust?
Not so, what ere th'Italian Bishop dar'd
To faine for true, and giue it out with trust:
Yet sith silke robes the blessed High-priest wore,
They were not sure the first fruits of a whore.
Vespasians
Scribe affirmes in Cean Ile,
Latous daughter, quicke of eye and wit,
Hunting abroad, times trauaile to beguile,
Chaunc'd at the length vnder a tree to sitte,
Where many silken bottoms hangd in piles,
One by another plac't in order fit.
Shee tooke one downe, and with her faulcon eye,
Found out the end that did the rest vntie.
Latous daughter, quicke of eye and wit,
Hunting abroad, times trauaile to beguile,
Chaunc'd at the length vnder a tree to sitte,
Where many silken bottoms hangd in piles,
One by another plac't in order fit.
Shee tooke one downe, and with her faulcon eye,
Found out the end that did the rest vntie.
9
Looke how the hungry Lambe doth friske and play,
With restlesse taile, and head, and euery limbe,
When it hath met his mother gone astray,
Who absent blear'd and tear'd as much for him:
Or as Aurora leapes at breake of day,
Seeing her louely brother rise so trim,
No lesse that Princesse triumph't (if not more)
Finding out that which was not found before.
With restlesse taile, and head, and euery limbe,
When it hath met his mother gone astray,
Who absent blear'd and tear'd as much for him:
Or as Aurora leapes at breake of day,
Seeing her louely brother rise so trim,
No lesse that Princesse triumph't (if not more)
Finding out that which was not found before.
Loues Schoolemaster
records a tale most sweete,
Of louers two that dwelt at Babilon,
Equall of age, in worth and beautie meete,
Each of their sex the floure and paragon,
Next neighbours borne on side of selfesame streete,
For twixt their parents houses dwelled none,
Him Pyramus, her Thisbe men did call,
Coupled in heart, though seuered by a wall.
Of louers two that dwelt at Babilon,
Equall of age, in worth and beautie meete,
Each of their sex the floure and paragon,
Next neighbours borne on side of selfesame streete,
For twixt their parents houses dwelled none,
Him Pyramus, her Thisbe men did call,
Coupled in heart, though seuered by a wall.
As neighbours children, oft they talke and view,
That neighbourship was formost steppe to loue,
Loue, which (like Priuie plants) in short time grew,
Pales, wals, and eues, yea houses and all aboue,
Nay Hymeneus feasts were like t'ensue,
And sacred hands giue ring and wedding gloue,
Had not vnhappie parents that forbad,
Which to forbid, no cause but wil, they had.
That neighbourship was formost steppe to loue,
Loue, which (like Priuie plants) in short time grew,
Pales, wals, and eues, yea houses and all aboue,
Nay Hymeneus feasts were like t'ensue,
And sacred hands giue ring and wedding gloue,
Had not vnhappie parents that forbad,
Which to forbid, no cause but wil, they had.
10
If louers spake, it was now all by lookes,
None deign'd or durst be trouchman to their mind,
Paper was barr'd, and penne, and inke, and bookes,
Not any helpe these parted prisoners find,
But of a rift along the wal that crookes,
(A wall of flint, yet more then parents, kind)
Which, were it old or new, none it espies,
But louers quicke, al-corner-searching eyes,
None deign'd or durst be trouchman to their mind,
Paper was barr'd, and penne, and inke, and bookes,
Not any helpe these parted prisoners find,
But of a rift along the wal that crookes,
(A wall of flint, yet more then parents, kind)
Which, were it old or new, none it espies,
But louers quicke, al-corner-searching eyes,
This rift they vsde, not onely as a glasse,
Wherein to see daily each others face,
But eke through it their voyces hourely passe,
In whispring murmurs with a stealing pace:
Sometimes when they no longer durst (alas)
Send whisprings through, when keepers were in place,
Yet would they shift to blow through it a breath,
Which fed & kept their hoping harts from death.
Wherein to see daily each others face,
But eke through it their voyces hourely passe,
In whispring murmurs with a stealing pace:
Sometimes when they no longer durst (alas)
Send whisprings through, when keepers were in place,
Yet would they shift to blow through it a breath,
Which fed & kept their hoping harts from death.
Enuious wal (sayd they) what wrong is this?
Why doth not loue or pittie make thee fal?
Or (if that be for vs too great a blisse)
Why is thy rift so narrow and so small,
As to deny kind loue a kindly kisse?
For which we neuer proue vnthankful shal,
Although in truth we owe inough to thee,
Giuing our eyes and voyce a way so free.
Why doth not loue or pittie make thee fal?
Or (if that be for vs too great a blisse)
Why is thy rift so narrow and so small,
As to deny kind loue a kindly kisse?
For which we neuer proue vnthankful shal,
Although in truth we owe inough to thee,
Giuing our eyes and voyce a way so free.
11
In vaine thus hauing plaind in place distinct,
When night approacht, they ech bad ech adew,
Kissing their wal apart where it was chinckt,
Whence louely blasts and breathings mainely flew:
But kisses staide on eithers side fast linckt,
Seal'd to the wal with lips and Louers glue:
For though they were both thick and many eake,
Yet thicker was the wal that did them breake.
When night approacht, they ech bad ech adew,
Kissing their wal apart where it was chinckt,
Whence louely blasts and breathings mainely flew:
But kisses staide on eithers side fast linckt,
Seal'd to the wal with lips and Louers glue:
For though they were both thick and many eake,
Yet thicker was the wal that did them breake.
Rose-fingred
Dame no sooner had put out
Nights twinckling fires and candles of the skie,
Nor Phœbus brought his trampling steeds about,
Whose breath dries vp the teares of Vestaes eie,
But swift and soft, without all noyse or showt,
To wonted place they hasten secretly,
Where midst a many words muttred that day,
Next midnights watch, each vowes to steale away.
Nights twinckling fires and candles of the skie,
Nor Phœbus brought his trampling steeds about,
Whose breath dries vp the teares of Vestaes eie,
But swift and soft, without all noyse or showt,
To wonted place they hasten secretly,
Where midst a many words muttred that day,
Next midnights watch, each vowes to steale away.
And lest when hauing house and cittie past,
They yet might erre in fields, and neuer meete,
At Ninus tombe their Rendes-vous is plac't,
Vnder the Mulb'ry white, and hony-sweete:
Growing hard by a spring that ranne at waste,
With streames more swift then speedy Isters feete.
There they agreed in spite of spite to stand,
Whē Monarchs teame had past Bootes hand.
They yet might erre in fields, and neuer meete,
At Ninus tombe their Rendes-vous is plac't,
Vnder the Mulb'ry white, and hony-sweete:
Growing hard by a spring that ranne at waste,
With streames more swift then speedy Isters feete.
There they agreed in spite of spite to stand,
Whē Monarchs teame had past Bootes hand.
12
Consent they did, and day consented too,
Whose Coach ranne downe the seas in greater hast,
Then euer it was wont before to doo,
Loue-louing night approched eke so fast,
That darknesse leapt, ere twilight seem'd to go,
Wherat though some gods frown'd, some were agast,
Yet Lethes brother did the louers keepe,
Chaining their guard with long and heauy sleep.
Whose Coach ranne downe the seas in greater hast,
Then euer it was wont before to doo,
Loue-louing night approched eke so fast,
That darknesse leapt, ere twilight seem'd to go,
Wherat though some gods frown'd, some were agast,
Yet Lethes brother did the louers keepe,
Chaining their guard with long and heauy sleep.
How feately then vnsparred she the doore?
How silent turn'd it on the charmed cheekes?
And being scap't, how glad was she therefore?
How soone arriu'd where she her fellow seekes?
Loue made her bold, loue gaue her swiftnesse more
Then vsually is found in weaker sexe,
But all in vaine: nay rather to her ill,
For haste made waste, and speede did speeding kil.
How silent turn'd it on the charmed cheekes?
And being scap't, how glad was she therefore?
How soone arriu'd where she her fellow seekes?
Loue made her bold, loue gaue her swiftnesse more
Then vsually is found in weaker sexe,
But all in vaine: nay rather to her ill,
For haste made waste, and speede did speeding kil.
The grisly wife of brutish monarch strong,
With new slaine prey, full panched to the chinne,
Foming out bloud, came ramping there along,
To siluer spring, her thirst to drowne therein,
Whereat the fearefull maide in posting flung,
(For Lucines eye bewrayde the Empresse grimme)
Into a secret caue: and flying, lost
A scarfe (for Pyrams sake) beloued most.
With new slaine prey, full panched to the chinne,
Foming out bloud, came ramping there along,
To siluer spring, her thirst to drowne therein,
Whereat the fearefull maide in posting flung,
(For Lucines eye bewrayde the Empresse grimme)
Into a secret caue: and flying, lost
A scarfe (for Pyrams sake) beloued most.
13
When sauage Queene had wel her thirst delayde,
In cooling streames, and quenched natures fire,
Returning to the place where late she prayde,
To eate the rest when hunger should require,
In peeces tore the scarfe of haplesse maide,
With bloudy teeth, and firie flaming ire,
Whilst she (poore soule) in caue plaid least in sight,
Fearing what should her loue befall that night.
In cooling streames, and quenched natures fire,
Returning to the place where late she prayde,
To eate the rest when hunger should require,
In peeces tore the scarfe of haplesse maide,
With bloudy teeth, and firie flaming ire,
Whilst she (poore soule) in caue plaid least in sight,
Fearing what should her loue befall that night.
Who comming later then by vow he should,
Perceiu'd a Lions footsteps in the sand,
Whereat with face most pale, and heart as cold,
With trembling feare tormented he doth stand.
But when he sawe her scarfe (wel knowne of old)
Embru'd with bloud, and cast on either hand?
O what a sigh he fetcht? how deepe he gron'd?
And thus, if thus: yea, thus he inly mon'd.
Perceiu'd a Lions footsteps in the sand,
Whereat with face most pale, and heart as cold,
With trembling feare tormented he doth stand.
But when he sawe her scarfe (wel knowne of old)
Embru'd with bloud, and cast on either hand?
O what a sigh he fetcht? how deepe he gron'd?
And thus, if thus: yea, thus he inly mon'd.
Shalt thou alone die matelesse, Thisbe mine?
Shall not one beast be butcher to vs both?
What? is my Thisbe rest of life and shine?
And shal not Pyram life and shining loath?
Mine is the cursed soule, the blest is thine,
Thou kep'st thy vow, I falsified mine oath,
I came too late, thou cam'st (alas) too soone,
Too dangerous standing, by a doubtfull moone.
Shall not one beast be butcher to vs both?
What? is my Thisbe rest of life and shine?
And shal not Pyram life and shining loath?
Mine is the cursed soule, the blest is thine,
Thou kep'st thy vow, I falsified mine oath,
I came too late, thou cam'st (alas) too soone,
Too dangerous standing, by a doubtfull moone.
14
O Lions fierce (or if ought fiercer be,
Amongst the heards of woody outlawes fell)
Rent, rent in twaine this thrise-accursed me:
From out your paunch conuey my soule to hell:
Whose murdring slouth, and not the sisters three,
Did Thisbe sweete, sweete Thisbe fowly quell:
But cowards onely call & wish for death,
Whilst valiant hearts in silence banish breath.
Amongst the heards of woody outlawes fell)
Rent, rent in twaine this thrise-accursed me:
From out your paunch conuey my soule to hell:
Whose murdring slouth, and not the sisters three,
Did Thisbe sweete, sweete Thisbe fowly quell:
But cowards onely call & wish for death,
Whilst valiant hearts in silence banish breath.
Then stooping, straight he took hir scarfe frō ground,
And bare it with him to th'appoynted place,
Kissing it oft, watring each rent and wound,
With thousand teares, that trailing ranne apace.
Salt teares they were, sent from his eyes vnsound,
Yea salter then the sweate of Oceans face:
At last (hauing vnsheath'd his fatall blade)
Thus gan he cry, as life beganne to fade.
And bare it with him to th'appoynted place,
Kissing it oft, watring each rent and wound,
With thousand teares, that trailing ranne apace.
Salt teares they were, sent from his eyes vnsound,
Yea salter then the sweate of Oceans face:
At last (hauing vnsheath'd his fatall blade)
Thus gan he cry, as life beganne to fade.
Hold earth, receiue a draught eke of my bloud,
(And therewith lean'd vppon his sword amaine)
Then falling backward from the crimsin floud,
Which spowted forth with such a noyse and straine,
As water doth, when pipes of lead or wood,
Are goog'd with punch, or cheesill slit in twaine,
Whistling in th'ayre; & breaking it with blowes,
Whilst heauie moysture vpward forced flowes.
(And therewith lean'd vppon his sword amaine)
Then falling backward from the crimsin floud,
Which spowted forth with such a noyse and straine,
As water doth, when pipes of lead or wood,
Are goog'd with punch, or cheesill slit in twaine,
Whistling in th'ayre; & breaking it with blowes,
Whilst heauie moysture vpward forced flowes.
15
The Mulb'ry strait (whose fruit was erst as white
As whitest Lilly in the fruitfull field)
Was then and euer since in purple dight,
Yea euen the roote no other staine doth yeeld,
With blackish gore being watred all that night,
In morneful sort, which round about it wheel'd,
Onely her leaues retaind their former hue,
As nothing toucht with death of louer true.
As whitest Lilly in the fruitfull field)
Was then and euer since in purple dight,
Yea euen the roote no other staine doth yeeld,
With blackish gore being watred all that night,
In morneful sort, which round about it wheel'd,
Onely her leaues retaind their former hue,
As nothing toucht with death of louer true.
No sooner was hee falne, and falling, freed
Of perfit sence: but she scarce rid of feare,
Returnes againe to standing fore agreed,
Not dreaming that her loue in kenning were,
Her feete, her eyes, her heart and tongue made speed,
To vtter all things lately hapned there,
And how she scap't the Lionesses clawes,
By letting fall a scarfe to make her pawse.
Of perfit sence: but she scarce rid of feare,
Returnes againe to standing fore agreed,
Not dreaming that her loue in kenning were,
Her feete, her eyes, her heart and tongue made speed,
To vtter all things lately hapned there,
And how she scap't the Lionesses clawes,
By letting fall a scarfe to make her pawse.
But when she vewd the newly-purpled face
Of Berries white: that changing chang'd her mind,
New signes perswade her, that is not the place,
By either part to meete in fore assign'd.
Thus doubting whilst she stood a little space,
She heard a flittering carried with the winde,
And viewed somewhat shake in quiu'ring wise,
Which straite reuok't hir feete, but more her eies.
Of Berries white: that changing chang'd her mind,
New signes perswade her, that is not the place,
By either part to meete in fore assign'd.
Thus doubting whilst she stood a little space,
She heard a flittering carried with the winde,
And viewed somewhat shake in quiu'ring wise,
Which straite reuok't hir feete, but more her eies.
16
Her lippes grew then more pale then palest Boxe,
Her cheekes resembled Ashwood newly feld,
Graynesse surpriz'd her yellow amber locks,
Not any part their liuely lustre held:
Yea euen her vent'rous heart but faintly knocks,
Now vp, now downe, now falne, now vainly sweld,
Tost like a shippe when Corus rageth most,
That ankers hath, and masts and master lost.
Her cheekes resembled Ashwood newly feld,
Graynesse surpriz'd her yellow amber locks,
Not any part their liuely lustre held:
Yea euen her vent'rous heart but faintly knocks,
Now vp, now downe, now falne, now vainly sweld,
Tost like a shippe when Corus rageth most,
That ankers hath, and masts and master lost.
But when she knew her faithfull fellow slaine,
O how she shrikt and bruz'd her guiltlesse arme,
Tearing her haire, renting her cheekes in vaine,
On outward parts, reuenging inward harmes,
Making of teares and bloud a mingled raine,
Wherwith she Pyram drencht, & then thus charmes:
Speake loue, O speake, how hapned this to thee?
Part, halfe, yea all of this my soule and mee.
O how she shrikt and bruz'd her guiltlesse arme,
Tearing her haire, renting her cheekes in vaine,
On outward parts, reuenging inward harmes,
Making of teares and bloud a mingled raine,
Wherwith she Pyram drencht, & then thus charmes:
Speake loue, O speake, how hapned this to thee?
Part, halfe, yea all of this my soule and mee.
Sweete loue, reply, it is thy Thisbe deare,
She cries, O heare, she speakes, O answere make:
Rowse vp thy sprights: those heauie lookers cheere,
At which sweete name hee seemed halfe awake,
And eyes with death opprest, againe to cleere.
He eyes her once, and eying leaue doth take,
Euen as faire Bellis winkes but once for all,
When winters vsher hastneth summers fall.
She cries, O heare, she speakes, O answere make:
Rowse vp thy sprights: those heauie lookers cheere,
At which sweete name hee seemed halfe awake,
And eyes with death opprest, againe to cleere.
He eyes her once, and eying leaue doth take,
Euen as faire Bellis winkes but once for all,
When winters vsher hastneth summers fall.
17
When afterwards she found her scarfe al rent,
His iu'ory sheath voide eke of rapier gilt:
And hath this hand (quoth she) thy soule hence sent?
And was this bloud by this thy rapier spilt?
Vnhappy I: but I no more lament,
But follow thee euen to the vtmost hilt.
I was the cause of al thy hurt and crosse,
Hold, take me eke a partner of thy losse.
His iu'ory sheath voide eke of rapier gilt:
And hath this hand (quoth she) thy soule hence sent?
And was this bloud by this thy rapier spilt?
Vnhappy I: but I no more lament,
But follow thee euen to the vtmost hilt.
I was the cause of al thy hurt and crosse,
Hold, take me eke a partner of thy losse.
Whom onely death could from me take away,
Shal death him take from me against my will?
Not so, his power cannot Thisbe staye:
Who euen in death wil follow Pyram still,
His blade (yet warme) then to her brest she laye,
And falne thereon thus cri'de with crying shrill:
Parents vniust which vs deny'd one bed,
Enuy vs not one toomb when we be dead.
Shal death him take from me against my will?
Not so, his power cannot Thisbe staye:
Who euen in death wil follow Pyram still,
His blade (yet warme) then to her brest she laye,
And falne thereon thus cri'de with crying shrill:
Parents vniust which vs deny'd one bed,
Enuy vs not one toomb when we be dead.
And al you heau'nly hostes allot the same:
And thou O tree, which couerest now but one
(One too too hot, for so imports his name)
But couer shalt two carcasses anone:
Weare signes of bloud from both our harts that came
In mourning weed our mischiefes euer mone.
She dead: Tree, Sires, & Gods gaue what she praide,
Black growes the fruit, and they together laide.
And thou O tree, which couerest now but one
(One too too hot, for so imports his name)
But couer shalt two carcasses anone:
Weare signes of bloud from both our harts that came
In mourning weed our mischiefes euer mone.
She dead: Tree, Sires, & Gods gaue what she praide,
Black growes the fruit, and they together laide.
18
Since which time eke some other
Authors faine,
Their humming soules about these haplesse trees,
To be transported from th'Elysian plaine,
Into the snowy milke-white Butterflyes:
Whose seedes when life and moouing they obtain,
How e're they spare the fruit of Mulberies,
Leaue yet no leaues vntorne that may be seene,
Because they onely still continude greene.
Their humming soules about these haplesse trees,
To be transported from th'Elysian plaine,
Into the snowy milke-white Butterflyes:
Whose seedes when life and moouing they obtain,
How e're they spare the fruit of Mulberies,
Leaue yet no leaues vntorne that may be seene,
Because they onely still continude greene.
Yet that there might remaine some Pyramis,
And euerlasting shrine of Pyrams loue,
When leaues are gone, and summer waining is,
The little creepers neuer cease to moue,
But day and night (placing in toyle their blisse)
Spinne silke this tree beneath and eke aboue:
Leauing their ouall bottoms there behind,
To shewe the state of eu'ry Louers mind.
And euerlasting shrine of Pyrams loue,
When leaues are gone, and summer waining is,
The little creepers neuer cease to moue,
But day and night (placing in toyle their blisse)
Spinne silke this tree beneath and eke aboue:
Leauing their ouall bottoms there behind,
To shewe the state of eu'ry Louers mind.
For as in forme they are not wholly round,
As is the perfit figure of the skie,
So perfit loue in mortals is not found,
Some little warts or wants in all we spie,
Nay eu'n as fine and course silke there abound,
The best beneath, the worst rold vp more hie,
So sometimes lust o're-lieth honest loue,
Happy the hand that keepes it from aboue.
As is the perfit figure of the skie,
So perfit loue in mortals is not found,
Some little warts or wants in all we spie,
Nay eu'n as fine and course silke there abound,
The best beneath, the worst rold vp more hie,
So sometimes lust o're-lieth honest loue,
Happy the hand that keepes it from aboue.
19
Againe, as these fine troupes themselues deuoure,
Spinning but silken herses for their death:
VVhich done, they dye therein, (by Natures power
Transform'd to flies that scarce draw one months breath)
So louers sweet is mingled stil with sower,
Such happe aboue proceeds or vnderneath,
That still we make our loue our winding sheete,
VVhilst more we loue, or hotter then is meete.
Spinning but silken herses for their death:
VVhich done, they dye therein, (by Natures power
Transform'd to flies that scarce draw one months breath)
So louers sweet is mingled stil with sower,
Such happe aboue proceeds or vnderneath,
That still we make our loue our winding sheete,
VVhilst more we loue, or hotter then is meete.
Others
report, there was and doth remaine
A neighbour people to the Scythian tall,
Twixt Taurus mount and Tabis fruitful plaine,
Most iust of life, of fare and diet, smal,
Louers of peace, haters of strife and gaine,
Graye ey'd, redde cheek't, and amber-headed all,
Resembling rather Gods then humane race,
Such grace appeard in words, in deeds, and face.
A neighbour people to the Scythian tall,
Twixt Taurus mount and Tabis fruitful plaine,
Most iust of life, of fare and diet, smal,
Louers of peace, haters of strife and gaine,
Graye ey'd, redde cheek't, and amber-headed all,
Resembling rather Gods then humane race,
Such grace appeard in words, in deeds, and face.
VVhose righteous life and iustice to requite,
(Whether with wind or raine, no man doth know)
God sent vnto them silke-wormes infinite,
In Aprils wane when buds the mulb'ry slow,
Which here and there in euery corner light,
With sixe white feete and body like to snow:
Eating each leafe of that renowned tree,
The matter of these silken webbes we see.
(Whether with wind or raine, no man doth know)
God sent vnto them silke-wormes infinite,
In Aprils wane when buds the mulb'ry slow,
Which here and there in euery corner light,
With sixe white feete and body like to snow:
Eating each leafe of that renowned tree,
The matter of these silken webbes we see.
20
These webbs for wares they on their coast exchange:
For alien none must come into the Land,
T'infect their people with religions strange,
And file their temples with polluted hand:
Neither do they to other nations range,
New fashions, rites or manners t'understand:
Better they haue at home, where euery slaue
Weares silks as rich as here our Princes braue.
For alien none must come into the Land,
T'infect their people with religions strange,
And file their temples with polluted hand:
Neither do they to other nations range,
New fashions, rites or manners t'understand:
Better they haue at home, where euery slaue
Weares silks as rich as here our Princes braue.
These be the tales that Poetizers sing,
Of Silken-worme, and of their seed and meate:
Sweete, I confesse, and drawn from Helique spring,
Full of delighting change, and learning greate,
Yet, yet, my Muse dreames of another thing,
And listeth not of fictions to entreate.
Saye then (my Ioye) say then, and shortly reede,
whē silk was made, & how these silkworms breed.
Of Silken-worme, and of their seed and meate:
Sweete, I confesse, and drawn from Helique spring,
Full of delighting change, and learning greate,
Yet, yet, my Muse dreames of another thing,
And listeth not of fictions to entreate.
Saye then (my Ioye) say then, and shortly reede,
whē silk was made, & how these silkworms breed.
Was it think'st thou found out by industry?
Inspir'd by vision or some Angells word,
When first the name of sacred Maiesty,
Was giuen from heau'n to Salems priest and Lord?
Did not before tenne thousand Silk-worms lye,
And hang on euery tree their little cord?
Yes, but (like Hebrues harps on Babels plaine)
Vntoucht and vse-lesse there it hang'd in vaine.
Inspir'd by vision or some Angells word,
When first the name of sacred Maiesty,
Was giuen from heau'n to Salems priest and Lord?
Did not before tenne thousand Silk-worms lye,
And hang on euery tree their little cord?
Yes, but (like Hebrues harps on Babels plaine)
Vntoucht and vse-lesse there it hang'd in vaine.
21
Before, most men liu'd, either naked quite,
Or coursly clad in some beasts skinne or bide:
The best were but in linnen garments dight,
Wherein themselues the greatest men did pride:
Yea afterward in time of greatest light,
When chiefe Baptizer preach't in desart wide,
Where said he, silken robes were to be sought,
But in kings courts? for whome they first were wrought.
Or coursly clad in some beasts skinne or bide:
The best were but in linnen garments dight,
Wherein themselues the greatest men did pride:
Yea afterward in time of greatest light,
When chiefe Baptizer preach't in desart wide,
Where said he, silken robes were to be sought,
But in kings courts? for whome they first were wrought.
Though whether worme or flye were formed first,
No man so right can tel as wrong presume:
Yet this I hold. Till all things were accurst,
Nothing was borne it selfe for to consume.
No Caterpillers then which venture durst,
To rauish leaues, or tender buddes to plume:
For onely life and beauty liu'd in trees,
Til falling man caus'd them their leaues to leese.
No man so right can tel as wrong presume:
Yet this I hold. Till all things were accurst,
Nothing was borne it selfe for to consume.
No Caterpillers then which venture durst,
To rauish leaues, or tender buddes to plume:
For onely life and beauty liu'd in trees,
Til falling man caus'd them their leaues to leese.
The earthly heards and winged posts of skye,
And eu'ry thing that mou'd on Eden ground,
Fed first on hearbs (as Duke of Horeb hie,
Author of Natures story most profound,
Sets downe to vs for perfit verity,
(Gaines aide of none but fooles and wittes vnsound)
When for mans foode trees eke allotted were,
Which from themselues, did fruit or berries beare.
And eu'ry thing that mou'd on Eden ground,
Fed first on hearbs (as Duke of Horeb hie,
Author of Natures story most profound,
Sets downe to vs for perfit verity,
(Gaines aide of none but fooles and wittes vnsound)
When for mans foode trees eke allotted were,
Which from themselues, did fruit or berries beare.
22
Durst then the finest worme but touch the meate,
Or dish which for his soueraigne was ordain'd?
Durst they figges, nuts, peares, plummes or mulb'ries eate
Before their lord with treasō foule was stain'd?
No certs no, but when ambitious heate,
Reuok't the blisse which sinnelesse Sire had gain'd:
Then wormes in common fed with vs, and tore
Our trees, our fruits, yea eu'n our selues therefore.
Or dish which for his soueraigne was ordain'd?
Durst they figges, nuts, peares, plummes or mulb'ries eate
Before their lord with treasō foule was stain'd?
No certs no, but when ambitious heate,
Reuok't the blisse which sinnelesse Sire had gain'd:
Then wormes in common fed with vs, and tore
Our trees, our fruits, yea eu'n our selues therefore.
Say Romanes heau'nly-humane
Orator,
Whose words dropt sweeter then Hymettus dewe:
Say Salems scourge and Iudaes tormentor,
Whose very name doth pomp and glory shewe:
Say thou whose writtes men as diuine adore,
Inspir'd from heau'n with knowledge giuen to few:
What are you now? what liuing were you then
But worms repast, though wise and mighty men?
Whose words dropt sweeter then Hymettus dewe:
Say Salems scourge and Iudaes tormentor,
Whose very name doth pomp and glory shewe:
Say thou whose writtes men as diuine adore,
Inspir'd from heau'n with knowledge giuen to few:
What are you now? what liuing were you then
But worms repast, though wise and mighty men?
Foule-footed bird, that neuer sleepest well
Nor fully, but on highest pearch do'st breathe:
Whose outward shreeks bewray an inward hell,
Whose glistring plumes are but a painted sheathe:
Whose taile, though it with pride so lofty swel,
Yet hides it not thy blacknesse vnderneath.
Tell me: what hast thou got by climing thus,
But to thy selfe a shame, and losse to vs?
Nor fully, but on highest pearch do'st breathe:
Whose outward shreeks bewray an inward hell,
Whose glistring plumes are but a painted sheathe:
Whose taile, though it with pride so lofty swel,
Yet hides it not thy blacknesse vnderneath.
Tell me: what hast thou got by climing thus,
But to thy selfe a shame, and losse to vs?
23
To vs alone? nay stowtest Okes likewise,
Hard-harted willowes by the water side,
Sweete Cedar wood which some thinke neuer dies,
And Daphnes tree though greene in winters tide,
Yea stone, and steele, and things of highest prize,
From natures womb that flow in greatest pride:
What are they al but meate for wormes and rust?
Two due reuengers of ambitious lust.
Hard-harted willowes by the water side,
Sweete Cedar wood which some thinke neuer dies,
And Daphnes tree though greene in winters tide,
Yea stone, and steele, and things of highest prize,
From natures womb that flow in greatest pride:
What are they al but meate for wormes and rust?
Two due reuengers of ambitious lust.
Before thou wast, were Timber-worms in price,
And sold for equal weight of purest gold?
Fed creeping birds one barke-deuouring lice?
Were silk-worms from Sorinda brought and sold?
Deuoured they the leaues of tree most wise,
With fury such as now we do behold?
Rather beleeue as yet they were not borne,
Or onely fed on grasse, on hearbs, or corne.
And sold for equal weight of purest gold?
Fed creeping birds one barke-deuouring lice?
Were silk-worms from Sorinda brought and sold?
Deuoured they the leaues of tree most wise,
With fury such as now we do behold?
Rather beleeue as yet they were not borne,
Or onely fed on grasse, on hearbs, or corne.
For sith their chiefest vse is to arraye
This little breathing dust when time requires,
VVith gallant guards and broydred garments gaye,
VVith scarfs, vales, hoodes, and other soft attires:
VVhose sense from sense is fled so farre away?
Whose mind to beare so wrong a thought conspires,
As once to deeme these Silken-mercers sent,
VVhen nakednesse was mans chiefe ornament?
This little breathing dust when time requires,
VVith gallant guards and broydred garments gaye,
VVith scarfs, vales, hoodes, and other soft attires:
VVhose sense from sense is fled so farre away?
Whose mind to beare so wrong a thought conspires,
As once to deeme these Silken-mercers sent,
VVhen nakednesse was mans chiefe ornament?
24
But sith they are, and therefore framed were,
Which first was fram'd? the egge? the worme? or flie?
No doubt the flie, as plainely shall appeare,
To all that haue but an indiff'rent eye,
Though twoo great Clarks contrary thoughts did beare,
And sentence gaue, without iust reason why,
That egges were made before the hardie Cocke
Beganne to tread, or brooding henne to clocke.
Which first was fram'd? the egge? the worme? or flie?
No doubt the flie, as plainely shall appeare,
To all that haue but an indiff'rent eye,
Though twoo great Clarks contrary thoughts did beare,
And sentence gaue, without iust reason why,
That egges were made before the hardie Cocke
Beganne to tread, or brooding henne to clocke.
Pretend they did, that least and simplest things,
(Which none train'd vp in reasons schoole gainsay)
Of things compounded are the formost springs,
Eu'n as a lumpe of rude and shapelesse clay,
Into the mould a Moulder cunning brings,
And by degrees compels it to obey:
Forming by art what he in mind fore-thought,
Out of a masse that iust resembled nought.
(Which none train'd vp in reasons schoole gainsay)
Of things compounded are the formost springs,
Eu'n as a lumpe of rude and shapelesse clay,
Into the mould a Moulder cunning brings,
And by degrees compels it to obey:
Forming by art what he in mind fore-thought,
Out of a masse that iust resembled nought.
So eke though egges seeme things confused quite,
And farre vnlike what afterwards they prooue:
Yet formost place they challenge by their right,
For who e're saw a cock or henne to mooue,
Till first they came from out the yolke and white,
And time, and heate, and place, and sitters loue,
Had formed out a nature from the same,
Deseruing wel anothers natures name?
And farre vnlike what afterwards they prooue:
Yet formost place they challenge by their right,
For who e're saw a cock or henne to mooue,
Till first they came from out the yolke and white,
And time, and heate, and place, and sitters loue,
Had formed out a nature from the same,
Deseruing wel anothers natures name?
25
Springs not from egges that huge
Leuiathan,
The Tortesse eke, and bloudy Crocodile?
Fish, Lyzards, Snakes, and Skippers African,
VVhose hurtful armies waste the coasts of Nile?
Nay if with one fitte word the world we scanne,
May it obtaine a fitter name of stile,
Then that we should a common egge it call,
VVhich giueth life and forme and stuffe to all?
The Tortesse eke, and bloudy Crocodile?
Fish, Lyzards, Snakes, and Skippers African,
VVhose hurtful armies waste the coasts of Nile?
Nay if with one fitte word the world we scanne,
May it obtaine a fitter name of stile,
Then that we should a common egge it call,
VVhich giueth life and forme and stuffe to all?
Nay, did not once that cheerefull brooding sp'rite,
Before the earth receiued forme or place,
Sitte closely like a henne both warme and light,
Vpon the wauing nest of mingled masse,
VVhilst yet nights torches had obtain'd no light
Nor Sunne as yet in circled rounds did passe?
Yes, yes the words are so apparant plaine,
That to deny them, were but labour vaine.
Before the earth receiued forme or place,
Sitte closely like a henne both warme and light,
Vpon the wauing nest of mingled masse,
VVhilst yet nights torches had obtain'd no light
Nor Sunne as yet in circled rounds did passe?
Yes, yes the words are so apparant plaine,
That to deny them, were but labour vaine.
These some do vse with other arguments,
To proue that seede and egges were first in time.
VVrested from quires of sacred Testaments,
And those of heathen wittes the chiefe and prime:
VVhich for authentique held by long descents,
If I gainesay, perhaps may seeme a crime:
Yet rather would I carry crime and scorne,
Then falsely thinke, imperfect things first borne.
To proue that seede and egges were first in time.
VVrested from quires of sacred Testaments,
And those of heathen wittes the chiefe and prime:
VVhich for authentique held by long descents,
If I gainesay, perhaps may seeme a crime:
Yet rather would I carry crime and scorne,
Then falsely thinke, imperfect things first borne.
26
For reason saith, and sense doth almost sweare,
Natures entire to be created furst:
Bodies t'haue beene before the members were,
The sound before the sicke, the whole, the burst,
That confidence had time when lacked feare,
That blessed state fore-went the state accurst:
Briefely, al bodyes that begotten beene,
Were not before created bodies seene.
Natures entire to be created furst:
Bodies t'haue beene before the members were,
The sound before the sicke, the whole, the burst,
That confidence had time when lacked feare,
That blessed state fore-went the state accurst:
Briefely, al bodyes that begotten beene,
Were not before created bodies seene.
Now what are seedes and egges of wormes or foule,
But recrements of preexisting things,
The bodies burden voyd of life and soule?
Yea, from themselues corruption onely springs,
Vnlesse by brooders heate (as from the whole)
They changed be to belly, feete, or wings:
Resembling them now metamorphosed,
In, by, and from whose essence they were bred.
But recrements of preexisting things,
The bodies burden voyd of life and soule?
Yea, from themselues corruption onely springs,
Vnlesse by brooders heate (as from the whole)
They changed be to belly, feete, or wings:
Resembling them now metamorphosed,
In, by, and from whose essence they were bred.
Yea, vsual phrase such dreames confuteth quite,
For neuer man, this is an egges henne sayd,
But this a hennes egge is, shewing aright,
That egges are things by former natures layde,
Begotte of mingled seede by day or night,
Neither with skinne, nor shell, nor forme arrayd,
Till long they haue abode in natures nest,
And wearied womb be with their weight opprest
For neuer man, this is an egges henne sayd,
But this a hennes egge is, shewing aright,
That egges are things by former natures layde,
Begotte of mingled seede by day or night,
Neither with skinne, nor shell, nor forme arrayd,
Till long they haue abode in natures nest,
And wearied womb be with their weight opprest
27
Againe, to thinke that seede was made before,
The substance whence it is ingendered,
(Namely from out much nutrimental store,
Thorough excesse of humours perfited)
Or else to ghesse it formed was of yore,
Ere pipes were laid through which it should be shed,
What is it but to dreame of day or night,
E're darknesse were, or any shew of light?
The substance whence it is ingendered,
(Namely from out much nutrimental store,
Thorough excesse of humours perfited)
Or else to ghesse it formed was of yore,
Ere pipes were laid through which it should be shed,
What is it but to dreame of day or night,
E're darknesse were, or any shew of light?
Sith eke all winged creatures by one day,
Are elder then the heards that crawle and creepe,
Conclude with truth and confidence wee may,
All flies were made ere wormes beganne to peepe,
Both they which all day long at base do play,
And night once come, do nothing else but sleepe,
And these which onely liue to leaue a seede,
From whence the neuer-idle spinsters breede.
Are elder then the heards that crawle and creepe,
Conclude with truth and confidence wee may,
All flies were made ere wormes beganne to peepe,
Both they which all day long at base do play,
And night once come, do nothing else but sleepe,
And these which onely liue to leaue a seede,
From whence the neuer-idle spinsters breede.
Silke-flies I meane, which not one breast alone,
But all throughout, on head, wings, sides, and feete,
Besides pure white, else colour carry none,
For creatures pure, a colour thought most meete,
Martial'd the first of all in glorious throne,
Whereon shall sit the Lord and Sauiour sweete,
Who with tenne thousand Angels all in white,
Shal one day iudge the world with doom vpright
But all throughout, on head, wings, sides, and feete,
Besides pure white, else colour carry none,
For creatures pure, a colour thought most meete,
Martial'd the first of all in glorious throne,
Whereon shall sit the Lord and Sauiour sweete,
Who with tenne thousand Angels all in white,
Shal one day iudge the world with doom vpright
28
No spotte on them, as els on eu'ry flye,
Bycause in them no follies euer grew,
No crimson redde doth for reuengement crye,
No wauering watchet, where al harts be true:
No yellow, where there is no Iealousie:
No labour lost, and therefore voide of blue:
No peachy marke to signifie disdaine,
No greene to shew a wanton mind and vaine.
Bycause in them no follies euer grew,
No crimson redde doth for reuengement crye,
No wauering watchet, where al harts be true:
No yellow, where there is no Iealousie:
No labour lost, and therefore voide of blue:
No peachy marke to signifie disdaine,
No greene to shew a wanton mind and vaine.
No orenge colour, where there wants despight,
No tawny sadde, where none forsaken be:
No murry, where they couet nought but light,
No mourning black, where al reioyce with glee:
In briefe, within, without, they are al white,
Wearing alone the badge of chastity:
Bycause they onely keepe themselues to one,
Who being dead, another chuse they none.
No tawny sadde, where none forsaken be:
No murry, where they couet nought but light,
No mourning black, where al reioyce with glee:
In briefe, within, without, they are al white,
Wearing alone the badge of chastity:
Bycause they onely keepe themselues to one,
Who being dead, another chuse they none.
True Turtles mine, begotten with the breath,
Not of a lewd lasciuious mortal Ioue:
Whose lawe was lust, whose life was worse then death,
VVhose incests did defile both wood and groue,
But with the breath of him who vnderneath
Rules Stigian king, and heau'nly hosts aboue,
Assist me if I erre in setting forth
Your birth dayes story; and surpassing worth.
Not of a lewd lasciuious mortal Ioue:
Whose lawe was lust, whose life was worse then death,
VVhose incests did defile both wood and groue,
But with the breath of him who vnderneath
Rules Stigian king, and heau'nly hosts aboue,
Assist me if I erre in setting forth
Your birth dayes story; and surpassing worth.
29
Assoone as light obtain'd a fixed seate,
(which equally was first spread ouer all,
Giuing alike, both glistring, shine, and heate,
To euery place of this inferiour ball)
Two master-lamps appear'd in welkin great,
Th'one king of day, whom Poets Phœbus call,
And th'other Phœbe, soueraigne of the night,
Twinnes at one instant bred and borne of light.
(which equally was first spread ouer all,
Giuing alike, both glistring, shine, and heate,
To euery place of this inferiour ball)
Two master-lamps appear'd in welkin great,
Th'one king of day, whom Poets Phœbus call,
And th'other Phœbe, soueraigne of the night,
Twinnes at one instant bred and borne of light.
Him heau'nly Martiall high, in Pallace plac't,
Built all of cleere and thorough-shining gold,
With columnes chrysolite most brauely grac't,
And flaming rubies, glorious to behold,
Wearing about his yellow-amber wast,
A sloping belt, with studs twise six times told,
Wherein were grau'n most artificially,
Twelue stately Peeres of curious imagery.
Built all of cleere and thorough-shining gold,
With columnes chrysolite most brauely grac't,
And flaming rubies, glorious to behold,
Wearing about his yellow-amber wast,
A sloping belt, with studs twise six times told,
Wherein were grau'n most artificially,
Twelue stately Peeres of curious imagery.
About him, as in royall Coach hee sate,
Attended Houre, Day, Minute, Month, and yeare,
Spring, Summer, Haruest, Winter, Morning, Fate,
With Instancie, who then was driuer there,
Whipping his fiery steedes from Libraes gate,
Not suffring them to stand still any where,
Saue once in Gibeon when fiue kings were slaine,
By first-made Champiō with their faithles train.
Attended Houre, Day, Minute, Month, and yeare,
Spring, Summer, Haruest, Winter, Morning, Fate,
With Instancie, who then was driuer there,
Whipping his fiery steedes from Libraes gate,
Not suffring them to stand still any where,
Saue once in Gibeon when fiue kings were slaine,
By first-made Champiō with their faithles train.
30
His sisters court built al of siluer tri'de,
And Iu'ory charret set with Diamons,
Embost with Orient pearles on either side,
Wheeld al with Saphires, shod with Onyx stones,
Declar'd in what great pompe she first did ride
Amongst the other twinckling Paragons,
Before her honour suffred an eclipse,
Through serpents guile, and womans greedy lips.
And Iu'ory charret set with Diamons,
Embost with Orient pearles on either side,
Wheeld al with Saphires, shod with Onyx stones,
Declar'd in what great pompe she first did ride
Amongst the other twinckling Paragons,
Before her honour suffred an eclipse,
Through serpents guile, and womans greedy lips.
Her handmaids then were perpetuity,
Constant proceeding, and continuance:
No shew of change or mutability
Could iustly then themselues in her aduance:
Her face was ful and faire continually
Not altering once her shape or countenance,
Till those lights chang'd for whom al lights were made,
And with whose fall the heau'ns began to fade.
Constant proceeding, and continuance:
No shew of change or mutability
Could iustly then themselues in her aduance:
Her face was ful and faire continually
Not altering once her shape or countenance,
Till those lights chang'd for whom al lights were made,
And with whose fall the heau'ns began to fade.
Yet still on her wait
Ocean and his wife,
Nais the faire, and al the watry crue,
Nights, Riuers, Flouds, Springs, hauing else no strife,
Then who may formost proffer seruice due:
Bloud, choller, phlegme, (the rootes and sappe of life)
Are at her beck, waining or springing new,
According as from throne celestiall,
She deignes to shine in measure great or small.
Nais the faire, and al the watry crue,
Nights, Riuers, Flouds, Springs, hauing else no strife,
Then who may formost proffer seruice due:
Bloud, choller, phlegme, (the rootes and sappe of life)
Are at her beck, waining or springing new,
According as from throne celestiall,
She deignes to shine in measure great or small.
31
When they were crowned now in royall thrones,
And entred in their first and happiest race,
Amongst those glistring pointed Diamons,
Which cut out times proportion, lotte, and space:
Behold the earth with heauy burden grones,
And praies them both to eie and rue her case:
And with their friendly hands and meeding art,
To hasten that which ready was to part.
And entred in their first and happiest race,
Amongst those glistring pointed Diamons,
Which cut out times proportion, lotte, and space:
Behold the earth with heauy burden grones,
And praies them both to eie and rue her case:
And with their friendly hands and meeding art,
To hasten that which ready was to part.
For eu'n next morne the All-creating Sire
Had sent abroad, I know not I, what word:
Much like to this, Let Sea and earth conspire
All winged troupes the world for to afford:
Wherewith the aire: euen to the desart fire,
Was so with great and little flyers stor'd,
That none but winged people sawe the eies,
Of any star or planet in the skies.
Had sent abroad, I know not I, what word:
Much like to this, Let Sea and earth conspire
All winged troupes the world for to afford:
Wherewith the aire: euen to the desart fire,
Was so with great and little flyers stor'd,
That none but winged people sawe the eies,
Of any star or planet in the skies.
O how it ioyes my hart and soule to thinke
Vpon the blessed state of that same daye?
When at a word, a nodde, yea at a winke,
At once flew out these winged gallants gay,
Tide each to each in such a friendly linke,
That eu'n the least did with the greatest playe:
The doue with hawks, the chickens with the kite.
Fearelesse of wrong, rage, cruelty, or spite.
Vpon the blessed state of that same daye?
When at a word, a nodde, yea at a winke,
At once flew out these winged gallants gay,
Tide each to each in such a friendly linke,
That eu'n the least did with the greatest playe:
The doue with hawks, the chickens with the kite.
Fearelesse of wrong, rage, cruelty, or spite.
32
Pert marlins then no grudge to larkes did beare,
Fierce goshawkes with the Phesants had no warre,
Rau'ns did not then the Eagles talens feare,
Twixt Cuckoes and the Titlings was no iarre,
But coasted one another eu'ry where
In friendly sort, as louers woonted were:
For loue alone rul'd all in eu'ry kind,
As though all were of one and selfe same mind.
Fierce goshawkes with the Phesants had no warre,
Rau'ns did not then the Eagles talens feare,
Twixt Cuckoes and the Titlings was no iarre,
But coasted one another eu'ry where
In friendly sort, as louers woonted were:
For loue alone rul'd all in eu'ry kind,
As though all were of one and selfe same mind.
How safely then did these my Turtle-soules
Disport themselues in Phœbus cheerefull shine?
How boldly flew they by the iayes and owles,
Dreadlesse of crooked beakes or fiery eyen?
Nay, who in all the flocks of winged foules
Said once in heart, This pris'oner shal be mine?
When none as yet made other warre or strife,
Then such as Hymen makes twixt man & wife.
Disport themselues in Phœbus cheerefull shine?
How boldly flew they by the iayes and owles,
Dreadlesse of crooked beakes or fiery eyen?
Nay, who in all the flocks of winged foules
Said once in heart, This pris'oner shal be mine?
When none as yet made other warre or strife,
Then such as Hymen makes twixt man & wife.
But since the fall of parents pufft with pride,
Not onely men were stainde in viciousnesse,
But birdes, and beasts, and wormes, and flies beside,
Declining from their former perfitnesse,
Did by degrees to imperfections slide,
Tainted with pride, wrath, enuie, and excesse:
Yea, then the husband of one onely henne,
Was afterwards contented scarse with tenne.
Not onely men were stainde in viciousnesse,
But birdes, and beasts, and wormes, and flies beside,
Declining from their former perfitnesse,
Did by degrees to imperfections slide,
Tainted with pride, wrath, enuie, and excesse:
Yea, then the husband of one onely henne,
Was afterwards contented scarse with tenne.
33
Hence, gowts in cocks, and swelling paines appeare,
Hence, Partridge loynes so feeble we do view,
Hence, sparrow treaders liue out scarce a yeare,
Hence, leprosie the Cuckoes ouergrew:
Breefely, none did in true loue perseuere:
But these white Butterflies and Turtles true,
Who both in life and death do ne're forsake
Her, whom they once espoused for their make.
Hence, Partridge loynes so feeble we do view,
Hence, sparrow treaders liue out scarce a yeare,
Hence, leprosie the Cuckoes ouergrew:
Breefely, none did in true loue perseuere:
But these white Butterflies and Turtles true,
Who both in life and death do ne're forsake
Her, whom they once espoused for their make.
They choose not (like to other birds and beasts)
This yeare one wife, another wife the next,
Their choyse is certaine, and still certaine rests,
With former loues their mindes are not perplext,
Hee yeeldes to her, she yeelds to his requests,
Neither with feare nor ielosie is vext:
She clippeth him, hee clippeth her againe,
Equall their ioy, and equall is their paine.
This yeare one wife, another wife the next,
Their choyse is certaine, and still certaine rests,
With former loues their mindes are not perplext,
Hee yeeldes to her, she yeelds to his requests,
Neither with feare nor ielosie is vext:
She clippeth him, hee clippeth her againe,
Equall their ioy, and equall is their paine.
Remember this you fickle hearted Sires,
Whom lust transporteth from your peereles Dames,
To scorch your selues at foule and forraine fires,
Wasting your health and wealth in filthie games,
Learne hence (I say) to bridle badde desires,
Quenching in time your hot and furious flames,
Let little flies teach great men to be iust,
And not to yeeld braue mindes a prey to lust.
Whom lust transporteth from your peereles Dames,
To scorch your selues at foule and forraine fires,
Wasting your health and wealth in filthie games,
Learne hence (I say) to bridle badde desires,
Quenching in time your hot and furious flames,
Let little flies teach great men to be iust,
And not to yeeld braue mindes a prey to lust.
34
When thus they were created the first day,
Alike in bignesse, feature, forme and age,
Cladde both alike in soft and white array,
And set vppon this vniuersall stage,
Their seuerall parts and feates thereon to play,
Amidst the rest of natures equipage:
Who then suppos'd (as since some fooles haue thought)
That little things were made & seru'd for nought.
Alike in bignesse, feature, forme and age,
Cladde both alike in soft and white array,
And set vppon this vniuersall stage,
Their seuerall parts and feates thereon to play,
Amidst the rest of natures equipage:
Who then suppos'd (as since some fooles haue thought)
That little things were made & seru'd for nought.
Diswitted dolts that huge things wonder at,
And to your cost coast daily ile from ile,
To see a Norway whale, or Libian cat,
A Carry-castle or a Crocodile,
If leane Ephesian or th'Abderian fat
Liu'd now, and saw your madnesse but a while,
What streaming flouds would gush out of theyr eies,
To see great wittols little things despise?
And to your cost coast daily ile from ile,
To see a Norway whale, or Libian cat,
A Carry-castle or a Crocodile,
If leane Ephesian or th'Abderian fat
Liu'd now, and saw your madnesse but a while,
What streaming flouds would gush out of theyr eies,
To see great wittols little things despise?
When looke, as costliest spice is in small bagges,
And little springs do send foorth cleerest flouds,
And sweetest Iris beareth shortest flagges,
And weakest Osiers bind vp mighty woods,
And greatest hearts make euer smallest bragges,
And little caskets hold our richest goods:
So both in Art and Nature tis most cleere,
That greatest worths in smallest things appeare.
And little springs do send foorth cleerest flouds,
And sweetest Iris beareth shortest flagges,
And weakest Osiers bind vp mighty woods,
And greatest hearts make euer smallest bragges,
And little caskets hold our richest goods:
So both in Art and Nature tis most cleere,
That greatest worths in smallest things appeare.
35
What wise man euer did so much admire
Neroes Colossus fiue score cubits hie,
As Theodorus Image cast with fire,
Holding his file in right hand hansomly,
In left his paire of compasses and squire,
With horses, Coach, and footmen running by
So liuely made, that one might see them all?
Yet was the whole worke than a flie more small.
Neroes Colossus fiue score cubits hie,
As Theodorus Image cast with fire,
Holding his file in right hand hansomly,
In left his paire of compasses and squire,
With horses, Coach, and footmen running by
So liuely made, that one might see them all?
Yet was the whole worke than a flie more small.
Nay, for to speake of things more late and rife,
Who will not more admire those famous Fleas,
Made so by art, that art imparted life,
Making them skippe, and on mens hands to seaze,
And let out bloud with taper-poynted knife,
Which from a secret sheathe ranne out with ease:
Thē those great coches which thēselues did driue,
With bended serues, like things that were aliue?
Who will not more admire those famous Fleas,
Made so by art, that art imparted life,
Making them skippe, and on mens hands to seaze,
And let out bloud with taper-poynted knife,
Which from a secret sheathe ranne out with ease:
Thē those great coches which thēselues did driue,
With bended serues, like things that were aliue?
Ingenious
Germane, how didst thou conuey
Thy Springs, thy Scrues, thy rowells, and thy flie?
Thy cogs, thy wardes, thy laths, how didst thou lay?
How did thy hand each peece to other tie?
O that this age enioy'd thee but one day,
To shew thy Fleas to faithlesse gazers eye!
That great admirers might both say and see,
In smallest things that greatest wonders bee.
Thy Springs, thy Scrues, thy rowells, and thy flie?
Thy cogs, thy wardes, thy laths, how didst thou lay?
How did thy hand each peece to other tie?
O that this age enioy'd thee but one day,
To shew thy Fleas to faithlesse gazers eye!
That great admirers might both say and see,
In smallest things that greatest wonders bee.
36
Great was that proud and feared Philistine,
Whose launces shaft was like a weauers beame,
VVhose helmet, target, bootes, and brigandine,
VVeare weight sufficient for a sturdy teame,
VVhose frowning lookes and hart-dismaying eyne,
Daunted the tallest king of Israels realme:
Yet little shepheard with a pibble stone,
Confounded soone that huge and mighty one.
Whose launces shaft was like a weauers beame,
VVhose helmet, target, bootes, and brigandine,
VVeare weight sufficient for a sturdy teame,
VVhose frowning lookes and hart-dismaying eyne,
Daunted the tallest king of Israels realme:
Yet little shepheard with a pibble stone,
Confounded soone that huge and mighty one.
Huge fiery Dragons, Lions fierce and strong
Did they such feare on cruel Tyrant bring,
VVith bloudy teeth or tailes and talens long,
VVith gaping Iawes or double forked sting,
As when the smallest creepers ganne to throng,
And seize on euery quicke and liuing thing?
No, no. The Egyptians neuer feared mice,
As then they feared little crawling lice.
Did they such feare on cruel Tyrant bring,
VVith bloudy teeth or tailes and talens long,
VVith gaping Iawes or double forked sting,
As when the smallest creepers ganne to throng,
And seize on euery quicke and liuing thing?
No, no. The Egyptians neuer feared mice,
As then they feared little crawling lice.
Did euer
Piseus sound his trumpet shrill
So long and cleere, as doth the summer Gnat,
Her little cornet which our cares doth fill,
Awaking eu'n the drowziest drone thereat?
Did euer thing do Cupid so much ill,
As once a Bee which on his hand did squat?
Confesse we then in small things vertue most,
Gayning in worth what they in greatnesse lost.
So long and cleere, as doth the summer Gnat,
Her little cornet which our cares doth fill,
Awaking eu'n the drowziest drone thereat?
Did euer thing do Cupid so much ill,
As once a Bee which on his hand did squat?
Confesse we then in small things vertue most,
Gayning in worth what they in greatnesse lost.
37
But holla, Muse, extol not so the vale,
That it contemne great hilles, and greater skie,
Thinke that in goodnesse nothing can be small,
For smalnesse is but an infirmitie,
Natures defect, and ofspring of some fall,
The scorne of men, and badge of infamy?
For still had men continued tall and great,
If they in goodnesse still had kept their seate.
That it contemne great hilles, and greater skie,
Thinke that in goodnesse nothing can be small,
For smalnesse is but an infirmitie,
Natures defect, and ofspring of some fall,
The scorne of men, and badge of infamy?
For still had men continued tall and great,
If they in goodnesse still had kept their seate.
A little dismall fire whole townes hath burnd,
A little winde doth spread that dismall fire,
A little stone a carte hath ouerturnde,
A little weede hath learned to aspire,
The little Ants (in scorne so often spurnd)
Haue galles: and flies haue seates of fixed ire.
Small Indian gnattes haue sharpe and cruel stings,
Which good to none, but hurt to many brings.
A little winde doth spread that dismall fire,
A little stone a carte hath ouerturnde,
A little weede hath learned to aspire,
The little Ants (in scorne so often spurnd)
Haue galles: and flies haue seates of fixed ire.
Small Indian gnattes haue sharpe and cruel stings,
Which good to none, but hurt to many brings.
And truely for my part I list not prayse
These silke-worme-parents for their little sise,
But for those louely great resplendant rayes,
Which from their woorks and worthie actions rise,
Each deede deseruing well a Crowne of bayes,
Yea, to be grauen in wood that neuer dies:
For let vs now recount their actions all,
And truth will proue their vertues are not small.
These silke-worme-parents for their little sise,
But for those louely great resplendant rayes,
Which from their woorks and worthie actions rise,
Each deede deseruing well a Crowne of bayes,
Yea, to be grauen in wood that neuer dies:
For let vs now recount their actions all,
And truth will proue their vertues are not small.
38
First, though fiue Males be brought to Females ten,
Yet of them al they neuer chuse but fiue,
Each takes and treads his first embraced henne,
With her he keepes, and neuer parts aliue:
And when he is enclos'd in Stygian penne,
Desireth she one moment to suruiue?
No, no, but strait (like a most louing bride)
Flies, lies, and dies, hard by her husbands side.
Yet of them al they neuer chuse but fiue,
Each takes and treads his first embraced henne,
With her he keepes, and neuer parts aliue:
And when he is enclos'd in Stygian penne,
Desireth she one moment to suruiue?
No, no, but strait (like a most louing bride)
Flies, lies, and dies, hard by her husbands side.
In Tuscane towres what armies did I view
One haruest, of these faithful husbands dead?
Bleede, O my heart, whilst I record anew,
How wiues lay by them, beating, now their head,
Sometimes their feet, and wings, & breast most true,
Striuing no lesse to be deliuered,
Then Thisbe did from vndesired life,
When she beheld her Pyram slaine with knife.
One haruest, of these faithful husbands dead?
Bleede, O my heart, whilst I record anew,
How wiues lay by them, beating, now their head,
Sometimes their feet, and wings, & breast most true,
Striuing no lesse to be deliuered,
Then Thisbe did from vndesired life,
When she beheld her Pyram slaine with knife.
But whilst they liue, what is their chiefest worke?
To spinne as spiders do a fruitlesse threed?
Or Adder-like in hollow caues to lurke,
Till they haue got a curst and cankred seed?
(Whose yong ones therfore, with dame Natures fork,
Iustly gnaw out the wombs that did them breed:)
Or striue they Lion-like to seize and pray,
On neighbours herds or herds-men by the way?
To spinne as spiders do a fruitlesse threed?
Or Adder-like in hollow caues to lurke,
Till they haue got a curst and cankred seed?
(Whose yong ones therfore, with dame Natures fork,
Iustly gnaw out the wombs that did them breed:)
Or striue they Lion-like to seize and pray,
On neighbours herds or herds-men by the way?
39
Delight they with strange
Ants & Griphins strong,
To hoord vp gold and eu'ry gaineful thing?
Liue they not beasts, and birds, and men among,
Committing nought that may them damage bring?
O had I that fiue-thousand-versed song,
Which Poet prowd did once with glory sing,
That whilst I write of these same creatures blest,
In proper words their worth might be exprest.
To hoord vp gold and eu'ry gaineful thing?
Liue they not beasts, and birds, and men among,
Committing nought that may them damage bring?
O had I that fiue-thousand-versed song,
Which Poet prowd did once with glory sing,
That whilst I write of these same creatures blest,
In proper words their worth might be exprest.
What wil you more? they feede on nought but aire,
As doth that famous bird of Paradice,
They liue not long, lest goodnesse should empaire,
Or rather through that Hagges enuious eyes,
That sits, and sitting, cuts in fatall chaire
That threed first off, which fairest doth arise:
Affording crowes and kites a longer line,
Then fliers ful of gifts and grace diuine.
As doth that famous bird of Paradice,
They liue not long, lest goodnesse should empaire,
Or rather through that Hagges enuious eyes,
That sits, and sitting, cuts in fatall chaire
That threed first off, which fairest doth arise:
Affording crowes and kites a longer line,
Then fliers ful of gifts and grace diuine.
When maker said to eu'ry bodied soule,
Encrease, encrease, and multiply your kinde:
What he or she of al the winged foule
So much fulfill'd their soueraigne-Makers minde,
As these two flies? who coupled three dayes whole,
Left on the fourth more seeds or egges behind
Then any bird: yea then the fruiteful wrenne,
Numbred by tale a hundred more then tenne.
Encrease, encrease, and multiply your kinde:
What he or she of al the winged foule
So much fulfill'd their soueraigne-Makers minde,
As these two flies? who coupled three dayes whole,
Left on the fourth more seeds or egges behind
Then any bird: yea then the fruiteful wrenne,
Numbred by tale a hundred more then tenne.
40
Which donne, both die, and die with cheerefull hart
Bycause they had done al they bidden were,
Might we from hence with conscience like depart,
How deare were death? how sweet & voyd of feare?
How little should we at his arrowes start?
If we in hands a quittance such could beare
Before that iudge, who looks for better deedes,
From men then flies, that spring of baser seeds.
Bycause they had done al they bidden were,
Might we from hence with conscience like depart,
How deare were death? how sweet & voyd of feare?
How little should we at his arrowes start?
If we in hands a quittance such could beare
Before that iudge, who looks for better deedes,
From men then flies, that spring of baser seeds.
Go worthy soules (so
witty Greeks you name)
Possesse for aye the faire Elisian greene:
Sport there your selues ech Lording with his Dame,
Enioy the blisse by sinners neuer seene:
You liu'd in honour, and stil liue in fame,
More happy there, then here is many a Queene:
As for your seeds committed to my charge,
Take you no care: I'le sing their worth at large.
Possesse for aye the faire Elisian greene:
Sport there your selues ech Lording with his Dame,
Enioy the blisse by sinners neuer seene:
You liu'd in honour, and stil liue in fame,
More happy there, then here is many a Queene:
As for your seeds committed to my charge,
Take you no care: I'le sing their worth at large.
Weepe not faire
Mira for this funeral.
Weepe not Panclea, Miraes chiefe delight,
Weepe not Phileta, nor Erato tall:
Weepe not Euphemia, nor Felicia white:
Weepe not sweete Fausta. I assure you all,
Your cattels parents are not dead outright:
Keepe warme their egges, and you shall see anone,
From eithers loynes a hundred rise for one,
Weepe not Panclea, Miraes chiefe delight,
Weepe not Phileta, nor Erato tall:
Weepe not Euphemia, nor Felicia white:
Weepe not sweete Fausta. I assure you all,
Your cattels parents are not dead outright:
Keepe warme their egges, and you shall see anone,
From eithers loynes a hundred rise for one,
FINIS.
| The Silkewormes | |