LXXIX.
[VVhere heate of loue doth once possesse the heart, ”]
The Auhour in this Passion seemeth vppon mislike of his wearisome
estate in loue to enter into a deepe discourse with
him selfe touching the particular miseries which befall him
that loueth. And for his sense in this place, hee is very like
vnto him selfe, where in a Theame diducted out of the bowelles
of Antigone in Sophocles (which he lately translated into
Latine, and published in print) he writeth in very like manner
as followeth.
Mali quando Cupidinis
Venas æstus edax occupat intimas,
Artes ingenium labitur in malas;
Iactatur variè, nec Cereris subit
Nec Bacchi studium; peruigiles trahit
Noctes; cura animum sollicita atterit, &c
And it may appeare by the tenour of this Passion that the Authour
prepareth him selfe to fall from Loue and all his lawes
as will well appeare by the sequell of his other Passions that
followe, which are all made vpon this Posie, My Loue is past.
VVhere
heate of loue doth once possesse the heart, ”
There cares or presse the minde with wondrous ill, ”
Wit runns awrye not fearing future smarte, ”
And fond desire doth ouermaster will: ”
The belly neither cares for meate nor drinke, ”
Nor ouerwatched eyes desire to winke: ”
Footesteps are false, and waur'ing too and froe; ”
The brightsome flow'r of beauty fades away: ”
Reason retyres, and pleasure brings in woe: ”
And wisedome yeldeth place to black decay: ”
Counsell, and fame, and friendship are contem'nd: ”
And bashfull shame, and Gods them selues condem'nd. ”
Watchfull suspect is linked with despaire: ”
Inconstant hope is often drown'd in feares: ”
What folly hurtes not fortune can repayre; ”
And misery doth swimme in Seas of teares: ”
Long vse of life is but a lingring foe, ”
And gentle death is only end of woe. ”
