Loves martyr or, Rosalins complaint. Allegorically shadowing the truth of Loue, in the constant Fate of the Phoenix and Turtle. A Poeme enterlaced with much varietie and raritie; now first translated out of the uenerable Italian Torquato Caeliano, by Robert Chester. With the true legend of famous King Arthur, the last of the nine Worthies, being the first Essay of a new British Poet: collected out of diuerse Authenticall Records. To these are added some new compositions, of seuerall moderne Writers whose names are subscribed to their seuerall workes, upon the first Subiect: viz. the Phoenix and Turtle |
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ROSALINS COMPLAINT, METAPHORICALLY
applied to Dame Nature at a Parliament
held (in the high Star-chamber) by the
Gods, for the preseruation and increase of
Earths beauteous Phœnix. |
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 | Loves martyr |  |
1
ROSALINS COMPLAINT, METAPHORICALLY applied to Dame Nature at a Parliament held (in the high Star-chamber) by the Gods, for the preseruation and increase of Earths beauteous Phœnix.
A solemne day of meeting mongst the Gods,
And royall parliament there was ordained:
The heauenly Synod was at open ods,
And many harts with earthly wrongs were pained;
Some came to craue excuse, some to complaine
Of heauie burdend griefes they did sustaine.
And royall parliament there was ordained:
The heauenly Synod was at open ods,
And many harts with earthly wrongs were pained;
Some came to craue excuse, some to complaine
Of heauie burdend griefes they did sustaine.
Vesta she told, her Temple was defiled:
Iuno how that her nuptiall knot was broken;
Venus from her sonne Cupid was exiled:
And Pallas tree with ignorance was shoken:
Bellona rau'd at Lordlike cowardice,
And Cupid that fond Ladies were so nice.
Iuno how that her nuptiall knot was broken;
Venus from her sonne Cupid was exiled:
And Pallas tree with ignorance was shoken:
Bellona rau'd at Lordlike cowardice,
And Cupid that fond Ladies were so nice.
To this Assembly came Dame Nature weeping,
And with her handkercher through wet with teares,
She dried her rosie cheekes, made pale with sighing,
Hanging her wofull head, head full of feares:
And to Ioues selfe plac'd in a golden seate,
She kneeld her downe, and thus gan to intreate:
And with her handkercher through wet with teares,
She dried her rosie cheekes, made pale with sighing,
Hanging her wofull head, head full of feares:
And to Ioues selfe plac'd in a golden seate,
She kneeld her downe, and thus gan to intreate:
Thou mightie Imperator of the earth,
Thou euer-liuing Regent of the aire,
That to all creatures giu'st a liuely breath,
And thundrest wrath downe from thy firie chaire,
Behold thy handmaid, king of earthly kings,
That to thy gracious sight sad tidings brings.
Thou euer-liuing Regent of the aire,
That to all creatures giu'st a liuely breath,
2
Behold thy handmaid, king of earthly kings,
That to thy gracious sight sad tidings brings.
One rare rich Phœnix of exceeding beautie,
One none-like Lillie in the earth I placed;
One faire Helena, to whom men owe dutie:
One countrey with a milke-white Doue I graced:
One and none such, since the wide world was found,
Hath euer Nature placed on the ground.
One none-like Lillie in the earth I placed;
One faire Helena, to whom men owe dutie:
One countrey with a milke-white Doue I graced:
One and none such, since the wide world was found,
Hath euer Nature placed on the ground.
Her head I framed of a heauenly map,
Wherein the seuenfold vertues were enclosed,
When great Apollo slept within my lap,
And in my bosome had his rest reposed,
I cut away his locks of purest gold,
And plac'd them on her head of earthly mould.
Wherein the seuenfold vertues were enclosed,
When great Apollo slept within my lap,
And in my bosome had his rest reposed,
I cut away his locks of purest gold,
And plac'd them on her head of earthly mould.
When the least whistling wind begins to sing,
And gently blowes her haire about her necke,
Like to a chime of bels it soft doth ring,
And with the pretie noise the wind doth checke,
Able to lull asleepe a pensiue hart,
That of the round worlds sorrowes beares a part.
And gently blowes her haire about her necke,
Like to a chime of bels it soft doth ring,
And with the pretie noise the wind doth checke,
Able to lull asleepe a pensiue hart,
That of the round worlds sorrowes beares a part.
Her forehead is a place for princely Ioue
To sit, and censure matters of import:
Wherein men reade the sweete conceipts of Loue,
To which hart-pained Louers do resort,
And in this Tablet find to cure the wound,
For which no salue or herbe was euer found.
To sit, and censure matters of import:
Wherein men reade the sweete conceipts of Loue,
To which hart-pained Louers do resort,
And in this Tablet find to cure the wound,
For which no salue or herbe was euer found.
3
Vnder this mirrour, are her princely eyes:
Two Carbuncles, two rich imperiall lights;
That ore the day and night do soueraignize,
And their dimme tapers to their rest she frights:
Her eyes excell the Moone and glorious Sonne,
And when she riseth al their force is donne.
Two Carbuncles, two rich imperiall lights;
That ore the day and night do soueraignize,
And their dimme tapers to their rest she frights:
Her eyes excell the Moone and glorious Sonne,
And when she riseth al their force is donne.
Her morning-coloured cheekes, in which is plac'd,
A Lillie lying in a bed of Roses;
This part aboue all other I haue grac'd,
For in the blew veines you may reade sweet posies:
When she doth blush, the Heauens do wax red,
When she lookes pale, that heauenly Front is dead.
A Lillie lying in a bed of Roses;
This part aboue all other I haue grac'd,
For in the blew veines you may reade sweet posies:
When she doth blush, the Heauens do wax red,
When she lookes pale, that heauenly Front is dead.
Her chinne a litle litle pretie thing,
In which the sweet carnatian Gelli-flower,
Is round encompast in a christall ring,
And of that pretie Orbe doth beare a power:
No storme of Enuie can this glorie touch,
Though many should assay it ouermuch.
In which the sweet carnatian Gelli-flower,
Is round encompast in a christall ring,
And of that pretie Orbe doth beare a power:
No storme of Enuie can this glorie touch,
Though many should assay it ouermuch.
Her lippes two rubie Gates from whence doth spring,
Sweet honied deaw by an intangled kisse,
From forth these glories doth the Night-bird sing,
A Nightingale that no right notes will misse:
True learned Eloquence and Poetrie,
Do come betwene these dores of excellencie.
Sweet honied deaw by an intangled kisse,
From forth these glories doth the Night-bird sing,
A Nightingale that no right notes will misse:
True learned Eloquence and Poetrie,
Do come betwene these dores of excellencie.
Her teeth are hewed from rich crystal Rockes,
Or from the Indian pearle of much esteem,
These in a closet her deep counsell lockes,
And are as porters to so faire a Queene,
They taste the diet of the heau'nly traine,
Other base grossenesse they do still disdaine.
Or from the Indian pearle of much esteem,
These in a closet her deep counsell lockes,
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They taste the diet of the heau'nly traine,
Other base grossenesse they do still disdaine.
Her tongue the vtterer of all glorious things,
The siluer clapper of that golden bell,
That neuer soundeth but to mightie Kings,
And when she speakes, her speeches do excell:
He in a happie chaire himselfe doth place,
Whose name with her sweet tongue she means to grace.
The siluer clapper of that golden bell,
That neuer soundeth but to mightie Kings,
And when she speakes, her speeches do excell:
He in a happie chaire himselfe doth place,
Whose name with her sweet tongue she means to grace.
Her necke is Vestas siluer conduict pipe,
In which she powers perfect chastitie,
And of the muskie grapes in sommer ripe,
She makes a liquor of ratietie,
That dies this swanne-like piller to a white,
More glorious then the day with all his light.
In which she powers perfect chastitie,
And of the muskie grapes in sommer ripe,
She makes a liquor of ratietie,
That dies this swanne-like piller to a white,
More glorious then the day with all his light.
Her breasts two crystall orbes of whitest white,
Two little mounts from whence lifes comfort springs,
Betweene those hillockes Cupid doth delight
To sit and play, and in that valley sings:
Looking loue-babies in her wanton eyes,
That all grosse vapours thence doth chastesize.
Two little mounts from whence lifes comfort springs,
Betweene those hillockes Cupid doth delight
To sit and play, and in that valley sings:
Looking loue-babies in her wanton eyes,
That all grosse vapours thence doth chastesize.
Her armes are branches of that siluer tree,
That men surname the rich Hesperides,
A precious circling shew of modestie,
When she doth spread these glories happines:
Ten times ten thousand blessings he doth taste,
Whose circled armes shall cling about her waste.
That men surname the rich Hesperides,
A precious circling shew of modestie,
When she doth spread these glories happines:
Ten times ten thousand blessings he doth taste,
Whose circled armes shall cling about her waste.
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Her hands are fortunes palmes, where men may reade
His first houres destiny, or weale or woe,
When she this sky-like map abroad doth spreade,
Like pilgrimes many to this Saint do go,
And in her hand, white hand, they there do see
Loue lying in a bed of yuorie.
His first houres destiny, or weale or woe,
When she this sky-like map abroad doth spreade,
Like pilgrimes many to this Saint do go,
And in her hand, white hand, they there do see
Loue lying in a bed of yuorie.
Her fingers long and small do grace her hand;
For when she toucheth the sweete sounding Lute,
The wild vntamed beasts amaz'd do stand,
And carroll-chanting birds are sudden mute:
O fingers how you grace the siluer wires,
And in humanitie burne Venus fires!
For when she toucheth the sweete sounding Lute,
The wild vntamed beasts amaz'd do stand,
And carroll-chanting birds are sudden mute:
O fingers how you grace the siluer wires,
And in humanitie burne Venus fires!
Her bellie (ô grace incomprehensible)
Far whiter then the milke-white lillie flower,
O might Arabian Phœnix come inuisible,
And on this mountaine build a glorious bower,
Then Sunne and Moone as tapers to her bed,
Would light loues Lord to take her maidenhead.
Far whiter then the milke-white lillie flower,
O might Arabian Phœnix come inuisible,
And on this mountaine build a glorious bower,
Then Sunne and Moone as tapers to her bed,
Would light loues Lord to take her maidenhead.
Be still my thoughts, be silent all yea Muses,
Wit-flowing eloquence now grace my tongue:
Arise old Homer and make no excuses,
Of a rare peece of art must be my song,
Of more then most, and most of all beloued,
About the which Venus sweete doues haue houered.
Wit-flowing eloquence now grace my tongue:
Arise old Homer and make no excuses,
Of a rare peece of art must be my song,
Of more then most, and most of all beloued,
About the which Venus sweete doues haue houered.
There is a place in louely paradize,
From whence the golden Gehon ouerflowes,
A fountaine of such honorable prize,
That none the sacred, sacred vertues knowes,
Walled about, betok'ning sure defence,
With trees of life, to keepe bad errors thence.
From whence the golden Gehon ouerflowes,
A fountaine of such honorable prize,
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Walled about, betok'ning sure defence,
With trees of life, to keepe bad errors thence.
Her Thighs two pillers fairer far then faire,
Two vnderprops of that celestiall house,
That Mansion that is Iunos siluer chaire,
In which Ambrosia VENVS doth carouse,
And in her thighs the prety veines are running
Like Christall riuers from the maine streames flowing.
Two vnderprops of that celestiall house,
That Mansion that is Iunos siluer chaire,
In which Ambrosia VENVS doth carouse,
And in her thighs the prety veines are running
Like Christall riuers from the maine streames flowing.
Her Legges are made as graces to the rest,
So pretie, white, and so proportionate,
That leades her to loues royall sportiue nest,
Like to a light bright Angel in her gate:
For why no creature in the earth but she,
Is like an Angell, Angell let her be.
So pretie, white, and so proportionate,
That leades her to loues royall sportiue nest,
Like to a light bright Angel in her gate:
For why no creature in the earth but she,
Is like an Angell, Angell let her be.
Her Feete (now draw I to conclusion)
Are neat and litle to delight the eye,
No tearme in all humane inuention,
Or in the veine of sweet writ Poetrie
Can ere be found, to giue her feet that grace,
That beares her corporate Soule from place to place.
Are neat and litle to delight the eye,
No tearme in all humane inuention,
Or in the veine of sweet writ Poetrie
Can ere be found, to giue her feet that grace,
That beares her corporate Soule from place to place.
And if by night she walke, the Marigold,
That doth inclose the glorie of her eye,
At her approch her beauty doth vnfold,
And spreads her selfe in all her royaltie,
Such vertue hath this Phœnix glassy shield,
That Floures and Herbs at her faire sight do yeeld.
That doth inclose the glorie of her eye,
At her approch her beauty doth vnfold,
And spreads her selfe in all her royaltie,
Such vertue hath this Phœnix glassy shield,
That Floures and Herbs at her faire sight do yeeld.
7
And if she grace the Walkes within the day,
Flora doth spreade an Arras cloth of flowers,
Before her do the prety Satires play,
And make her banquets in their leauie Bowers:
Head, Haire, Brow, Eyes, Cheeks, Chin and all,
Lippes, Teeth, Tong, Neck, Brests, Belly are maiesticall.
Flora doth spreade an Arras cloth of flowers,
Before her do the prety Satires play,
And make her banquets in their leauie Bowers:
Head, Haire, Brow, Eyes, Cheeks, Chin and all,
Lippes, Teeth, Tong, Neck, Brests, Belly are maiesticall.
This Phœnix I do feare me will decay,
And from her ashes neuer will arise
An other Bird her wings for to display,
And her rich beauty for to equalize:
The Arabian fiers are too dull and base,
To make another spring within her place.
And from her ashes neuer will arise
An other Bird her wings for to display,
And her rich beauty for to equalize:
The Arabian fiers are too dull and base,
To make another spring within her place.
Therefore dread Regent of these Elements,
Pitie poore Nature in her Art excelling,
Giue thou an humble eare to my laments,
That to thee haue a long true tale beene telling,
Of her, who when it please thee to behold,
Her outward sight shall bewties pride vnfold.
Pitie poore Nature in her Art excelling,
Giue thou an humble eare to my laments,
That to thee haue a long true tale beene telling,
Of her, who when it please thee to behold,
Her outward sight shall bewties pride vnfold.
At these words Ioue stood as a man amazed,
And Iunos loue-bred bewtie turnd to wight,
Venus she blusht, and on dame Nature gazed,
And Vesta she began to weepe outright:
And litle Cupid poore boy strucke in loue,
With repetition of this earthly Doue.
And Iunos loue-bred bewtie turnd to wight,
Venus she blusht, and on dame Nature gazed,
And Vesta she began to weepe outright:
And litle Cupid poore boy strucke in loue,
With repetition of this earthly Doue.
But at the last Ioue gan to rouse his spirit,
And told dame Nature in her sweet discourse;
Her womans Toung did run before her Wit,
Such a faire soule her selfe could neuer nurse,
Nor in the vastie earth was euer liuing,
Such beauty that all beauty was excelling.
And told dame Nature in her sweet discourse;
Her womans Toung did run before her Wit,
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Nor in the vastie earth was euer liuing,
Such beauty that all beauty was excelling.
Nature was strucke with pale temeritie,
To see the God of thunders lightning eyes;
He shooke his knotty haire so wrathfully,
As if he did the heauenly rout despise:
Then downe vpon her knee dame Nature fals,
And on the great gods name aloud she cals.
To see the God of thunders lightning eyes;
He shooke his knotty haire so wrathfully,
As if he did the heauenly rout despise:
Then downe vpon her knee dame Nature fals,
And on the great gods name aloud she cals.
Ioue thou shalt see my commendations,
To be vnworthie and impartiall,
To make of her an extallation,
Whose beauty is deuine maiesticall;
Looke on that painted picture there, behold
The rich wrought Phœnix of Arabian gold.
To be vnworthie and impartiall,
To make of her an extallation,
Whose beauty is deuine maiesticall;
Looke on that painted picture there, behold
The rich wrought Phœnix of Arabian gold.
Ioues eyes were setled on her painted eyes,
Ioue blushing smil'd, the picture smil'd againe:
Ioue spoke to her, and in his heart did rise
Loues amours, but the picture did disdaine
To loue the god, Ioue would haue stole a kisse,
But Iuno being by, denyed him this.
Ioue blushing smil'd, the picture smil'd againe:
Ioue spoke to her, and in his heart did rise
Loues amours, but the picture did disdaine
To loue the god, Ioue would haue stole a kisse,
But Iuno being by, denyed him this.
When all the rest beheld this counterfeit,
They knew the substance was of rarer price:
Some gaz'd vpon her face, on which did waite
As messengers, her two celestiall eyes;
Eyes wanting fire, did giue a lightning flame,
How much more would her eyes mans sences tame?
They knew the substance was of rarer price:
Some gaz'd vpon her face, on which did waite
As messengers, her two celestiall eyes;
Eyes wanting fire, did giue a lightning flame,
How much more would her eyes mans sences tame?
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Then all the Gods and Goddesses did decree,
In humble maner to intreat of Ioue,
And euery power vpon his bended knee,
Shewd faithfull seruice in dame Natures loue,
Intreating him to pacifie his Ire,
And raise another Phœnix of new fire.
In humble maner to intreat of Ioue,
And euery power vpon his bended knee,
Shewd faithfull seruice in dame Natures loue,
Intreating him to pacifie his Ire,
And raise another Phœnix of new fire.
Her picture from Ioues eyes hath banisht Hate,
And Mildnesse plaind the furrowes of his brow,
Her painted shape hath chastised debate,
And now to pleasure them he makes a vow:
Then thus Ioue spake, tis pittie she should die,
And leaue no ofspring of her Progenie.
And Mildnesse plaind the furrowes of his brow,
Her painted shape hath chastised debate,
And now to pleasure them he makes a vow:
Then thus Ioue spake, tis pittie she should die,
And leaue no ofspring of her Progenie.
Nature go hie thee, get thee Phœbus chaire,
Cut through the skie, and leaue Arabia,
Leaue that il working peece of fruitlesse ayre,
Leaue me the plaines of white Brytania,
These countries haue no fire to raise that flame,
That to this Phœnix bird can yeeld a name.
Cut through the skie, and leaue Arabia,
Leaue that il working peece of fruitlesse ayre,
Leaue me the plaines of white Brytania,
These countries haue no fire to raise that flame,
That to this Phœnix bird can yeeld a name.
There is a country Clymat fam'd of old,
That hath to name delightsome Paphos Ile,
Ouer the mountaine tops to trudge be bold,
There let thy winged Horses rest awhile:
Where in a vale like Ciparissus groue,
Thou shalt behold a second Phœnix loue.
That hath to name delightsome Paphos Ile,
Ouer the mountaine tops to trudge be bold,
There let thy winged Horses rest awhile:
Where in a vale like Ciparissus groue,
Thou shalt behold a second Phœnix loue.
A champion country full of fertill Plaines,
Greene grassie Medowes, little prettie Hils,
Aboundant pleasure in this place remaines,
And plenteous sweetes this heauenly clymat filles:
Faire flowing bathes that issue from the rockes,
Aboundant heards of beasts that come by flockes.
Greene grassie Medowes, little prettie Hils,
Aboundant pleasure in this place remaines,
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Faire flowing bathes that issue from the rockes,
Aboundant heards of beasts that come by flockes.
High stately Cædars, sturdie bigge arm'd Okes,
Great Poplers, and long trees of Libanon,
Sweete smelling Firre that frankensence prouokes,
And Pine apples from whence sweet iuyce doth come:
The sommer-blooming Hauthorne; vnder this
Faire Venus from Adonis stole a kisse.
Great Poplers, and long trees of Libanon,
Sweete smelling Firre that frankensence prouokes,
And Pine apples from whence sweet iuyce doth come:
The sommer-blooming Hauthorne; vnder this
Faire Venus from Adonis stole a kisse.
Fine Thickets and rough Brakes for sport and pleasure,
Places to hunt the light-foote nimble Roe:
These groues Diana did account her treasure,
And in the cold shades, oftentimes did goe
To lie her downe, faint, weary on the ground,
Whilest that her Nimphs about her daunst a round.
Places to hunt the light-foote nimble Roe:
These groues Diana did account her treasure,
And in the cold shades, oftentimes did goe
To lie her downe, faint, weary on the ground,
Whilest that her Nimphs about her daunst a round.
A quire of heauenly Angels tune their voyces,
And counterfeit the Nightingale in singing,
At which delight some pleasure she reioyces,
And Plenty from her cell her gifts is bringing:
Peares, Apples, Plums, and the red ripe Cherries,
Sweet Strawberries with other daintie berries.
And counterfeit the Nightingale in singing,
At which delight some pleasure she reioyces,
And Plenty from her cell her gifts is bringing:
Peares, Apples, Plums, and the red ripe Cherries,
Sweet Strawberries with other daintie berries.
Here haunt the Satyres and the Driades,
The Hamadriades and pretie Elues,
That in the groues with skipping many please,
And runne along vpon the water shelues:
Heare Mermaides sing, but with Ulysses eares,
The country Gallants do disdaine their teares.
The Hamadriades and pretie Elues,
That in the groues with skipping many please,
And runne along vpon the water shelues:
Heare Mermaides sing, but with Ulysses eares,
The country Gallants do disdaine their teares.
5
The Crocadile and hissing Adders sting,
May not come neere this holy plot of ground,
No Nightworme in this continent may sing,
Nor poison-spitting Serpent may be found:
Here Milke and Hony like two riuers ran,
As fruitefull as the land of Canaan.
May not come neere this holy plot of ground,
No Nightworme in this continent may sing,
Nor poison-spitting Serpent may be found:
Here Milke and Hony like two riuers ran,
As fruitefull as the land of Canaan.
What shal I say? their Orchards spring with plentie,
The Gardens smell like Floras paradice,
Bringing increase from one to number twentie,
As Lycorice and sweet Arabian spice:
No place is found vnder bright heauens faire blisse,
To beare the name of Paradise but this.
The Gardens smell like Floras paradice,
Bringing increase from one to number twentie,
As Lycorice and sweet Arabian spice:
No place is found vnder bright heauens faire blisse,
To beare the name of Paradise but this.
Hard by a running streame or crystall fountaine,
Wherein rich Orient pearle is often found,
Enuiron'd with a high and steepie mountaine,
A fertill soile and fruitful plot of ground,
There shalt thou find true Honors louely Squire,
That for this Phœnix keepes Prometheus fire.
Wherein rich Orient pearle is often found,
Enuiron'd with a high and steepie mountaine,
A fertill soile and fruitful plot of ground,
There shalt thou find true Honors louely Squire,
That for this Phœnix keepes Prometheus fire.
His bower wherein he lodgeth all the night,
Is fram'd of Cædars and high loftie Pine,
I made his house to chastice thence despight,
And fram'd it like this heauenly roofe of mine:
His name is Liberall honor, and his hart,
Aymes at true faithfull seruice and desart.
Is fram'd of Cædars and high loftie Pine,
I made his house to chastice thence despight,
And fram'd it like this heauenly roofe of mine:
His name is Liberall honor, and his hart,
Aymes at true faithfull seruice and desart.
Looke on his face, and in his browes doth sit,
Bloud and sweete Mercie hand in hand vnited,
Bloud to his foes, a president most fit
For such as haue his gentle humour spited:
His Haire is curl'd by nature mild and meeke,
Hangs carelesse downe to shrowd a blushing cheeke.
Bloud and sweete Mercie hand in hand vnited,
Bloud to his foes, a president most fit
12
His Haire is curl'd by nature mild and meeke,
Hangs carelesse downe to shrowd a blushing cheeke.
Giue him this Ointment to annoint his Head,
This precious Balme to lay vnto his feet,
These shall direct him to this Phœnix bed,
Where on a high hill he this Bird shall meet:
And of their Ashes by my doome shal rise,
Another Phœnix her to equalize.
This precious Balme to lay vnto his feet,
These shall direct him to this Phœnix bed,
Where on a high hill he this Bird shall meet:
And of their Ashes by my doome shal rise,
Another Phœnix her to equalize.
This said the Gods and Goddesses did applaud,
The Censure of this thundring Magistrate,
And Nature gaue him euerlasting laud,
And quickly in the dayes bright Coach she gate
Downe to the earth, she's whirled through the ayre;
Ioue ioyne these fires, thus Venus made her prayer.
The Censure of this thundring Magistrate,
And Nature gaue him euerlasting laud,
And quickly in the dayes bright Coach she gate
Downe to the earth, she's whirled through the ayre;
Ioue ioyne these fires, thus Venus made her prayer.
| Loves martyr | |