A Strappado for the Diuell Epigrams and Satyres alluding to the time, with diuers measures of no lesse Delight. By MISOSUKOS[Greek], to his friend PHILOKRATES[Greek] [by Richard Brathwait] |
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 | A Strappado for the Diuell |  |
89
The answere of Hipolitus vnto Phædra.
The Epistle of Hyppolitus vnto Phædra.
The Argument.
Hyppolitus son to Theseus, by the Amazō Hippolite, solicited by his step mother Phedra to sensuality, seekes by all meanes to represse her inordinate lust by exemplifying the worth, resolution, and magnanimity of his father & her husband Theseus: as also aggrauating the foulenes of the fact she intended producing reasons to disswade her from prosecuting her purpose any further: as more particularly the scandall of the world, which of necessity would ensue upon committing of a fact to detestable to the supreame deitie so exorbitant to the law of nature. Next he propoūdeth the ineuitable reuenge of the Gods aboue, who could not suffer such impieties to passe with impunity: but would chastise incestuous actions with the exquisitest punishments they reserue for any delinquent: concluding his Epistle more emphatically; assuring her if she would not desist from her lasciuious intendments, Theseus should be acquainted with her entirest thoughts, who in no wise could brooke her insatiable desires, but ere long would expiate the guilt of her sin with the sacrifice of her blood.
90
If modest lines send out a modest smile,
and those immodest vows you dedicate
Vnto my youth; youths frailty to beguile,
my vertuous blossoms to extenuate,
What should I write? or in what tempred stile
should I describe the ruine of my state?
Since vertue is my centre, truth the scope,
At which I aime the leuell of my hope?
and those immodest vows you dedicate
Vnto my youth; youths frailty to beguile,
my vertuous blossoms to extenuate,
What should I write? or in what tempred stile
should I describe the ruine of my state?
Since vertue is my centre, truth the scope,
At which I aime the leuell of my hope?
I will not call you wanton, but you seeme
too too respectles of your glorious fame.
That once in Creet for bewty deem'd a Queene,
should now grow carelesse to eclipse the same.
O better fruits should in that groue be seene,
then to neglect the glory of your name.
Minos esteemed was more pure, more iust,
then to expose his house to shamefull lust.
too too respectles of your glorious fame.
That once in Creet for bewty deem'd a Queene,
should now grow carelesse to eclipse the same.
O better fruits should in that groue be seene,
then to neglect the glory of your name.
Minos esteemed was more pure, more iust,
then to expose his house to shamefull lust.
Turne to your spouse my father, and obserue
his worth, his merits, and disclaime your vow,
See what respect your Theseus doth deserue,
who consecrates his loue & life to you:
Then I am sure you will be loth to swerue
from your allegeance, which is Theseus dew.
He thinkes him blest in you, O doe not then
impaire the blessing of such blessed men.
his worth, his merits, and disclaime your vow,
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who consecrates his loue & life to you:
Then I am sure you will be loth to swerue
from your allegeance, which is Theseus dew.
He thinkes him blest in you, O doe not then
impaire the blessing of such blessed men.
But if you will distaine my fathers bed,
make it a brothel prostitute to sinne,
Rest well assur'd Ile neuer heare it said.
that I his sonne that leudnesse did begin,
To poyne the prime rose, or to see it fade
within his bed where I haue nourish'd been,
For ill it would beseeme both him and me,
that his gray head should weare my liuerie.
make it a brothel prostitute to sinne,
Rest well assur'd Ile neuer heare it said.
that I his sonne that leudnesse did begin,
To poyne the prime rose, or to see it fade
within his bed where I haue nourish'd been,
For ill it would beseeme both him and me,
that his gray head should weare my liuerie.
Let not the glory of your ancient house
attainted be, or dazed by your staine:
For after ages would speake worse of vs,
and this our shame would euermore remaine:
Which could not chuse but grow pernicious
to the renowme your Theseus did attaine.
That he who many monsters vanquished,
should let a monster liue within his bed.
attainted be, or dazed by your staine:
For after ages would speake worse of vs,
and this our shame would euermore remaine:
Which could not chuse but grow pernicious
to the renowme your Theseus did attaine.
That he who many monsters vanquished,
should let a monster liue within his bed.
Employ those thoughts so wantonly inclin'd
to th' comfort of your spouse, let him receaue
Th' elixir of your loue anew resin'd
your loues the haruest which your Lord doth craue:
Then keepe not from him that which is assigned,
by powers supernall for his worth to haue:
Adore no shrine but his, let mine alone,
I am his image, he and I are one.
to th' comfort of your spouse, let him receaue
Th' elixir of your loue anew resin'd
your loues the haruest which your Lord doth craue:
Then keepe not from him that which is assigned,
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Adore no shrine but his, let mine alone,
I am his image, he and I are one.
How ill would it beseeme distastfull youth,
to wrong the winter of his reuerend age:
Whom (if not gracelesse) would it not moue to'ruth?
to soile his bed, Whose nie-spent Pilgrimage
Craues pitty by prescription, grac'd bs truth,
and vertues colours, making fame his page,
To follow euery action with her breath,
to giue him life when seaz'd vppon by death.
to wrong the winter of his reuerend age:
Whom (if not gracelesse) would it not moue to'ruth?
to soile his bed, Whose nie-spent Pilgrimage
Craues pitty by prescription, grac'd bs truth,
and vertues colours, making fame his page,
To follow euery action with her breath,
to giue him life when seaz'd vppon by death.
Looke at the trophies Cressa doth possesse,
times monumentall characters of worth,
And you shall see his spoiles deserue no lesse,
then adoration deifi'd on earth.
Since euery act proclaimes his mightinesse,
as if descended from Ioues diuine breath.
His wars, his conquest, each expresse his merit,
indude with more then Adamantine spirit.
times monumentall characters of worth,
And you shall see his spoiles deserue no lesse,
then adoration deifi'd on earth.
Since euery act proclaimes his mightinesse,
as if descended from Ioues diuine breath.
His wars, his conquest, each expresse his merit,
indude with more then Adamantine spirit.
Leaue of inuiting your Hyppolitus
to festiue banquets, of incestuous meeting,
Well loues he Phædra, better Theseus,
then to wrong age with such licentious greeting,
To make his owne to be most trecherous.
the sowrest tast from him that seemd his sweeting,
In working shame 'gainst him who first sustained
far more for me then in me is contained.
to festiue banquets, of incestuous meeting,
Well loues he Phædra, better Theseus,
then to wrong age with such licentious greeting,
To make his owne to be most trecherous.
the sowrest tast from him that seemd his sweeting,
In working shame 'gainst him who first sustained
far more for me then in me is contained.
93
Much do I wonder how you should conceiue,
such a suspicious thought of my neglect,
Vnto my fathers age? or how you haue,
grounded the reasons of your fowle suspect?
That I his childe, my childehood should depraue,
affecting that which loue cannot effect,
Which loathed pleasures, loath'd they are (God wot,
to vse those sports which Nature fancieth not.
such a suspicious thought of my neglect,
Vnto my fathers age? or how you haue,
grounded the reasons of your fowle suspect?
That I his childe, my childehood should depraue,
affecting that which loue cannot effect,
Which loathed pleasures, loath'd they are (God wot,
to vse those sports which Nature fancieth not.
These pastimes which I follow yeelde content
without repentance: heere's no Parents shame,
No worlds Rumor: dangers imminent,
haue no repose mongst those: admired fame
Followes the Court, and places eminent,
each seeking how they might dilate their name.
But I respectlesse of Fames admiration,
reape the content of harmelesse recreation.
without repentance: heere's no Parents shame,
No worlds Rumor: dangers imminent,
haue no repose mongst those: admired fame
Followes the Court, and places eminent,
each seeking how they might dilate their name.
But I respectlesse of Fames admiration,
reape the content of harmelesse recreation.
Heere steepy clifts, and heauen-aspiring Hilles,
Yeeld a sweet aier to relish my delight,
There pleasant springs, from whence sweet streames destills
to quench my thirst: and when the glomie night.
Shuts vp the raies of Phœbus, rest we still
till rosie cheek'd Aurora shew her light.
Then we addresse vs to our sports againe,
For where we take delight there is no paint,
Yeeld a sweet aier to relish my delight,
There pleasant springs, from whence sweet streames destills
to quench my thirst: and when the glomie night.
Shuts vp the raies of Phœbus, rest we still
till rosie cheek'd Aurora shew her light.
Then we addresse vs to our sports againe,
For where we take delight there is no paint,
Then pardon me, (if pardon I may aske)
that knowes no other pleasure then is heere,
That neuer tooke vpon me any taske,
but the pursuing of the harmelesse Deere.
I need not shame, my blush requires no maske,
I haue no obiects of affection neere,
But the true splendor of a Natiue face,
not mix'd with colours to augment her grace.
that knowes no other pleasure then is heere,
That neuer tooke vpon me any taske,
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I need not shame, my blush requires no maske,
I haue no obiects of affection neere,
But the true splendor of a Natiue face,
not mix'd with colours to augment her grace.
If Ariadne desolate, forlorne,
should heare of your intendments: what would she
Reply, but ieast, that he who had forsworne
those solemne vowes which should obserued be,
Hath well deseru'd to weare his wantons horne,
that dedicates her selfe to luxurie.
O fie for shame, let shame represse that sinne,
which not repress'd will shame both you and him.
should heare of your intendments: what would she
Reply, but ieast, that he who had forsworne
those solemne vowes which should obserued be,
Hath well deseru'd to weare his wantons horne,
that dedicates her selfe to luxurie.
O fie for shame, let shame represse that sinne,
which not repress'd will shame both you and him.
How glad would Ariadne heare of this,
who rests deiected, rob'd of that same Gem,
Which you respect not: she conceiu'd a blisse
in his sweet smile, whose sweetnesse did regaine
Her much prisd loue, her spels explan'd no lesse;
In the subduing him, who more had slaine,
Then any monster, that in Crote was bred;
yet by her Art was soone discomfited.
who rests deiected, rob'd of that same Gem,
Which you respect not: she conceiu'd a blisse
in his sweet smile, whose sweetnesse did regaine
Her much prisd loue, her spels explan'd no lesse;
In the subduing him, who more had slaine,
Then any monster, that in Crote was bred;
yet by her Art was soone discomfited.
But she! vnhappy she, as Bacchus would,
depriu'd of him, for whom such panels she tooke,
In Chios left, neere after to behold
her darling Theseus, who (you know) forsooke
Her much distress'd distresses did enfold
the very mansion pitch'd on high to looke,
At that vnhappy place where Theseus left her,
whose absent steps all comfort had bereft her.
depriu'd of him, for whom such panels she tooke,
In Chios left, neere after to behold
her darling Theseus, who (you know) forsooke
Her much distress'd distresses did enfold
the very mansion pitch'd on high to looke,
95
whose absent steps all comfort had bereft her.
Then you that are preferr'd before her loue,
set not at sale the treasure you possesse,
Let Ariadnes exile something moue
that fickle minde of yours, whose wantonnesse,
Seemes more transparant in that you approue
more of my loue, then of his excellence.
Whose beautious outside's faire, but you may finde,
a farre more beauteous inside of his minde.
set not at sale the treasure you possesse,
Let Ariadnes exile something moue
that fickle minde of yours, whose wantonnesse,
Seemes more transparant in that you approue
more of my loue, then of his excellence.
Whose beautious outside's faire, but you may finde,
a farre more beauteous inside of his minde.
Constant he is, witnesse Peritheus,
whose two combined hearts so well vnited,
Haue eterniz'd the loue of Theseus:
Mirrour of men, that men should be exiled,
To passe such shelfes of perrils dangerous,
With sight of poore Proserpina delighted:
Whom to exempt with Pluto, they remaine,
the one imprison'd close, the other slaine.
whose two combined hearts so well vnited,
Haue eterniz'd the loue of Theseus:
Mirrour of men, that men should be exiled,
To passe such shelfes of perrils dangerous,
With sight of poore Proserpina delighted:
Whom to exempt with Pluto, they remaine,
the one imprison'd close, the other slaine.
Yet could not Pluto barr his eies from teares,
which he pourd out each morne vpon the hearse,
Of his deare friend, loue after death appeares,
which like an Ecco earths abysse did pierce,
Oppress'd with woe, surmises of vaine feares.
Maugre the furie, of those Furies fierce,
And Fiends below, which could not him surprise
with dastard feare: Braue Spirits feare despise.
which he pourd out each morne vpon the hearse,
Of his deare friend, loue after death appeares,
which like an Ecco earths abysse did pierce,
Oppress'd with woe, surmises of vaine feares.
Maugre the furie, of those Furies fierce,
And Fiends below, which could not him surprise
with dastard feare: Braue Spirits feare despise.
96
O doe not then expose his vertuous age,
to such dishonour, adde no discontent
Vnto his outworne strength, lest you enrage
his patient spirit aboue his element.
Doe not corrupt your honour nor engage,
the glory of your birth so eminent.
Scandalls are soone engendred sooner bred,
then after-times can make extinguished.
to such dishonour, adde no discontent
Vnto his outworne strength, lest you enrage
his patient spirit aboue his element.
Doe not corrupt your honour nor engage,
the glory of your birth so eminent.
Scandalls are soone engendred sooner bred,
then after-times can make extinguished.
Doe not degrade your Theseus from his throne,
Which he enioies, conceiuing more delight,
In that he hath this little of his owne,
reaping contented harbour on the night,
Then th' husband man to reape what he hath sowne,
or the poore Turtle, in her Turtles sight.
Beleeue me Queene, more doth your presence please
Your Theseus heart, then any one of these.
Which he enioies, conceiuing more delight,
In that he hath this little of his owne,
reaping contented harbour on the night,
Then th' husband man to reape what he hath sowne,
or the poore Turtle, in her Turtles sight.
Beleeue me Queene, more doth your presence please
Your Theseus heart, then any one of these.
If you would haue Hippolitus to loue,
Loue aged Theseus for Hippolitus sake;
For by those heauenly powers that raigne aboue,
more comfort shall Hyppolitus partake
By that affection, then Idalias groue,
ere reap'd in Venns when he did awake,
And rous'd from silent flumber to returne,
vnto her Birds which for their Queen did mourn.
Loue aged Theseus for Hippolitus sake;
For by those heauenly powers that raigne aboue,
more comfort shall Hyppolitus partake
By that affection, then Idalias groue,
ere reap'd in Venns when he did awake,
And rous'd from silent flumber to returne,
vnto her Birds which for their Queen did mourn.
Alas, faire queene, why should you thus assault,
the vnprouided fortresse of mine hart;
Or why should you your colours thus exalt,
displaying ruine to my chiefest part,
And vnder ground as in some secret vault
laying your shot, intending to subuert,
The Bulwarke which supports my slender being,
to raze my Fort and put my friends to fleeing.
the vnprouided fortresse of mine hart;
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displaying ruine to my chiefest part,
And vnder ground as in some secret vault
laying your shot, intending to subuert,
The Bulwarke which supports my slender being,
to raze my Fort and put my friends to fleeing.
The fort which I possesse is my pure heart,
my friends the vertues which do keepe my fort,
The first in all my dolours beares a part,
the second in distresse do make resort,
To arme my soule against inuasions dart
vpon their foe, their furie to retort.
Were 't not a pittie then to see that fall,
which doth sustaine my selfe my meanes and all?
my friends the vertues which do keepe my fort,
The first in all my dolours beares a part,
the second in distresse do make resort,
To arme my soule against inuasions dart
vpon their foe, their furie to retort.
Were 't not a pittie then to see that fall,
which doth sustaine my selfe my meanes and all?
But sure you see in me some shew of pleasure,
and gladly would haue me expresse my thought,
Obiecting to my senses time and leasure,
seldome are such delights so lightly bought,
High is the price of such a precious treasure,
and well deserues it to be throughly sought:
But I reply that pleasure lasts not long
that tis vsurp't by force, and tane by wrong:
and gladly would haue me expresse my thought,
Obiecting to my senses time and leasure,
seldome are such delights so lightly bought,
High is the price of such a precious treasure,
and well deserues it to be throughly sought:
But I reply that pleasure lasts not long
that tis vsurp't by force, and tane by wrong:
I loue no bitter sweets immixd with gall,
whose sharp repentance drowns the pleasure past,
A pure vnspotted soule, whose Brasenwall
can hold out battrie and wil euer last
That feare no ruine, no declining fall,
soilde with no blemish of her mindes distaste,
But fraught with wealth, thrice happy in her wealth
feeding on free delights, not got by stelth.
whose sharp repentance drowns the pleasure past,
A pure vnspotted soule, whose Brasenwall
can hold out battrie and wil euer last
That feare no ruine, no declining fall,
98
But fraught with wealth, thrice happy in her wealth
feeding on free delights, not got by stelth.
What is that pleasure, where attendeth feare,
As faith-infringers doe: who violate
The faith they owe: whereby it doth appeare,
they rest respectlesse of their future state,
Preferring lust before their Spousals deare,
their shame with shamelesse Acts to aggrauate:
O none God wot: no pleasure can be there,
where there is nought but actions of despaire.
As faith-infringers doe: who violate
The faith they owe: whereby it doth appeare,
they rest respectlesse of their future state,
Preferring lust before their Spousals deare,
their shame with shamelesse Acts to aggrauate:
O none God wot: no pleasure can be there,
where there is nought but actions of despaire.
O let those hests inuiolable stand,
which heauens aboue confirme, and let them be
As Charactres, writ by dame Natures hand
to eleuate our senses purity:
Proceeding from the immortall powers command,
to consummate our liues integrity.
That loue's well squared by an equall line.
whose ground-worke is grounded on the lawes diuine
which heauens aboue confirme, and let them be
As Charactres, writ by dame Natures hand
to eleuate our senses purity:
Proceeding from the immortall powers command,
to consummate our liues integrity.
That loue's well squared by an equall line.
whose ground-worke is grounded on the lawes diuine
But if these motiues cannot caution you,
not to adulterise your Nuptiall bed,
Be you assur'd to Theseus I will shew
those indigested humors which are bred,
By your vnsetled thoughts which doe renew
an heape of passions in your troubled head.
All which concording make that discord true.
No faith more faithlesse then the Faith of you.
not to adulterise your Nuptiall bed,
Be you assur'd to Theseus I will shew
those indigested humors which are bred,
By your vnsetled thoughts which doe renew
an heape of passions in your troubled head.
All which concording make that discord true.
No faith more faithlesse then the Faith of you.
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Your brittle sexe, so brittle is your mould,
you cannot long be free from alteration:
Grounds her foundation on no certaine hold,
but tost with sundrie gusts of times mutation,
Expos'd to shame and to confusion sold,
infringing loue to purchase recreation,
Which we by nature do accompt a shame,
to set them light that haue esteemed them.
you cannot long be free from alteration:
Grounds her foundation on no certaine hold,
but tost with sundrie gusts of times mutation,
Expos'd to shame and to confusion sold,
infringing loue to purchase recreation,
Which we by nature do accompt a shame,
to set them light that haue esteemed them.
Vertues surpriser, chastities depriuer,
sower of discord, refuge to the worst,
Forge of ambition enmities contriuer:
an hatefull monster, vipers birth accurst,
Friendships dissoluer, simple soules deceiuer,
which from perdition had her birth-right first.
The soile and sale of honour soonest showen,
where men affect all pleasure saue their owne.
sower of discord, refuge to the worst,
Forge of ambition enmities contriuer:
an hatefull monster, vipers birth accurst,
Friendships dissoluer, simple soules deceiuer,
which from perdition had her birth-right first.
The soile and sale of honour soonest showen,
where men affect all pleasure saue their owne.
And what be those but vaine, vnsauourie ioyes,
whose fruits vnseas'ned yeeld but small delight,
When comforts are conuerted to annoies,
the beauty of our day obscur'd by night,
And that we iudg'd for serious seeme as toies,
which haue eclips'd the glory of their light:
And then reuoluing what we did admire
let fall our hopes, to greater things aspire.
whose fruits vnseas'ned yeeld but small delight,
When comforts are conuerted to annoies,
the beauty of our day obscur'd by night,
And that we iudg'd for serious seeme as toies,
which haue eclips'd the glory of their light:
And then reuoluing what we did admire
let fall our hopes, to greater things aspire.
O be asham'd to blemish that faire Roote,
which had deriuall from the powers aboue,
Staine not your bed with your polluted foot,
loue him alone whom you are bound to loue,
Giue no occasion to your Spouse to doubt
of your licentious passion, but remoue,
Both guilt and guilts, suspicion, whose bright eyes,
Iealouse of nought your secret'st councels spies.
which had deriuall from the powers aboue,
100
loue him alone whom you are bound to loue,
Giue no occasion to your Spouse to doubt
of your licentious passion, but remoue,
Both guilt and guilts, suspicion, whose bright eyes,
Iealouse of nought your secret'st councels spies.
Will you for any pleasure lose respect,
of all your kindred that attend your fame,
Which once surpriz'd by infamies suspect,
will call your acts augmenters of their shame?
O doe not so: let not your lust effect,
the ruine of that house from whence you came:
But as your glorie doth surpasse the rest,
so in your heart let vertue build her nest.
of all your kindred that attend your fame,
Which once surpriz'd by infamies suspect,
will call your acts augmenters of their shame?
O doe not so: let not your lust effect,
the ruine of that house from whence you came:
But as your glorie doth surpasse the rest,
so in your heart let vertue build her nest.
Vaine is the flower, soone fading, soone forgot,
which you do pamper to your ouerthrow,
Time will be, when those beautious corps shall rot,
their poore remainder to the earth bestowe;
Then you shall be as if you flourish'd not
plac'd in earths centre, Stigian lake belowe,
Where Minos iudgement giues of euery sin,
that those are guiltie may remaine with him.
which you do pamper to your ouerthrow,
Time will be, when those beautious corps shall rot,
their poore remainder to the earth bestowe;
Then you shall be as if you flourish'd not
plac'd in earths centre, Stigian lake belowe,
Where Minos iudgement giues of euery sin,
that those are guiltie may remaine with him.
He was your father, yet his equitie,
will not permit his Phædra to transgresse:
His lawes haue no exception, puritie
onely exempted is, whose eminence
Was first ordain'd to raigne eternally,
in the Elisian fields Ioues residence;
Then chuse which two you please, whether you'le dwel,
in heauen with Ioue, or with your Sire in hell.
will not permit his Phædra to transgresse:
His lawes haue no exception, puritie
onely exempted is, whose eminence
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in the Elisian fields Ioues residence;
Then chuse which two you please, whether you'le dwel,
in heauen with Ioue, or with your Sire in hell.
Erect your thoughts depressed downe belowe,
and let them soare vnto an higher pitch
Then terrene pleasures, let that beauteous show
of outward colours your affection teach
To taste the Spring of sweetes, from whence doth flowe
such mines of treasure, as will more enrich
The Ars'nall of your minde then vaine delight,
which lopped is before it come to height.
and let them soare vnto an higher pitch
Then terrene pleasures, let that beauteous show
of outward colours your affection teach
To taste the Spring of sweetes, from whence doth flowe
such mines of treasure, as will more enrich
The Ars'nall of your minde then vaine delight,
which lopped is before it come to height.
Recall to minde Ixions punishment,
see in a mirror what his folly got,
Who whil'st he soar'd aboue his element,
kindly receiv'd of Ioue, himselfe forgot:
And as a streame which runs too violent,
passing his bounds and limits, knoweth not
How sooue that flowe shall haue a sudden fall,
whose boundlesse current kept no mene at all.
see in a mirror what his folly got,
Who whil'st he soar'd aboue his element,
kindly receiv'd of Ioue, himselfe forgot:
And as a streame which runs too violent,
passing his bounds and limits, knoweth not
How sooue that flowe shall haue a sudden fall,
whose boundlesse current kept no mene at all.
So did Ixion who in selfe-conceit
of his proportion did aspire too high,
Affecting Iuno which did ruinate,
the mansion of his Pristine dignitie,
Dasling that sun which shone so bright of late,
for with a clowde deceiv'd engendred he
The Centaurs varied formes, which being bred,
to Pelion came, where they inhabited.
of his proportion did aspire too high,
Affecting Iuno which did ruinate,
the mansion of his Pristine dignitie,
Dasling that sun which shone so bright of late,
for with a clowde deceiv'd engendred he
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to Pelion came, where they inhabited.
O then confine affection with the bound,
of vertues honour, giuing her the place
In euery action, making reasons ground
the strong foundation, Time cannot deface,
With beautious faire contexture closed round,
a correspondence twixt rhe minde and face:
The one renown'd by th' others puritie,
as if both made to make one vnity.
of vertues honour, giuing her the place
In euery action, making reasons ground
the strong foundation, Time cannot deface,
With beautious faire contexture closed round,
a correspondence twixt rhe minde and face:
The one renown'd by th' others puritie,
as if both made to make one vnity.
Shall Hymens temple be defac'd by you,
Her sacred hests by your inconstancy;
O be assur'd the gods will punish you,
imbranding shame in your posteritie,
To breake your faith and wrong a friend so true,
vnder pretence of mere simplicitie:
Leue vertus shadowe, and your selfe betake,
to loue the shadow for the substance sake.
Her sacred hests by your inconstancy;
O be assur'd the gods will punish you,
imbranding shame in your posteritie,
To breake your faith and wrong a friend so true,
vnder pretence of mere simplicitie:
Leue vertus shadowe, and your selfe betake,
to loue the shadow for the substance sake.
VVhat vertues did your maiden yeeres attend?
white was your roabe but whiter was your mind,
VVhen all your actions did to vertue tend;
Each sence her proper function had assign'd,
Vertues foundation had perfections end,
youth mix'd with grace: rare was 't your like to finde,
But now your lustre soil'd by shamelesse sinning,
argues your end farre worse then your begining.
white was your roabe but whiter was your mind,
VVhen all your actions did to vertue tend;
Each sence her proper function had assign'd,
Vertues foundation had perfections end,
youth mix'd with grace: rare was 't your like to finde,
But now your lustre soil'd by shamelesse sinning,
argues your end farre worse then your begining.
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Crete made renown'd by fathers memory,
shal't be extinguish'd by the daughters shame?
Times auntient browe records his equitie.
for time-impartialisters merit fame,
Proude was the earth to haue such men as he:
earth seem'd by him to change her earthly name.
For nere did fame with truth so neerely meete,
as when your aged father gouern'd Crete.
shal't be extinguish'd by the daughters shame?
Times auntient browe records his equitie.
for time-impartialisters merit fame,
Proude was the earth to haue such men as he:
earth seem'd by him to change her earthly name.
For nere did fame with truth so neerely meete,
as when your aged father gouern'd Crete.
O then be daughter to so good a father,
be his lifes pattern, shew from whence you sprang,
Seeke to reuiue his glorie tropheis rather,
then by your shame to see them ouerthrowne,
Some fruitfull blossomes from his vertues gather:
so may you make your fathers fame your owne:
Crete was sustained oft by others fall.
but she's sustain'd by Phædra most of all.
be his lifes pattern, shew from whence you sprang,
Seeke to reuiue his glorie tropheis rather,
then by your shame to see them ouerthrowne,
Some fruitfull blossomes from his vertues gather:
so may you make your fathers fame your owne:
Crete was sustained oft by others fall.
but she's sustain'd by Phædra most of all.
How will this trumpe of glorie make your mind
too low deiected, seeke an other port
Then that you aime at now: where you shall finde,
more perfect solace when you make resort
Vnto the shrine of Vertue, that's refined
with purest colours, where the strongest fort
That could be built by Nature or by Art,
conserues the sacred treasure of the heart.
too low deiected, seeke an other port
Then that you aime at now: where you shall finde,
more perfect solace when you make resort
Vnto the shrine of Vertue, that's refined
with purest colours, where the strongest fort
That could be built by Nature or by Art,
conserues the sacred treasure of the heart.
O time deceing youth abusing time,
making her stale to obiects of delight,
Seeing the best will to the worst decline:
Night-owle, whose works dare not approach the light,
Prophaning that which was before diuine,
Truth's great'st opponent, vertues second sight,
Whose minde bewitching vanities ensnare,
our captiv'd reason with a seeming faire.
making her stale to obiects of delight,
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Night-owle, whose works dare not approach the light,
Prophaning that which was before diuine,
Truth's great'st opponent, vertues second sight,
Whose minde bewitching vanities ensnare,
our captiv'd reason with a seeming faire.
More should I write, but that I loath to write
of such a subiect whose lasciuious soyle,
Makes my poore lines asham'd of such delights,
That Parents birth, should Parents bed defile,
Or to play false when he is out of sight:
distrusting nought should I his trust beguile?
O cease to loue liue to aduance your fame,
freeing your Bed and me from Parents shame.
of such a subiect whose lasciuious soyle,
Makes my poore lines asham'd of such delights,
That Parents birth, should Parents bed defile,
Or to play false when he is out of sight:
distrusting nought should I his trust beguile?
O cease to loue liue to aduance your fame,
freeing your Bed and me from Parents shame.
Yours if your owne: But being not your owne,
I will not reope what other men haue sowne.
I will not reope what other men haue sowne.
| A Strappado for the Diuell | |