The Poems of James VI. of Scotland :: :: University of Virginia Library

If euer I ô mightie Gods haue done yow seruice true
In setting furth by painefull pen your glorious praises due
If one the forked hill I tredd, if euer I did preasse
To drinke of the Pegasian spring, that flowes without releasse
If euer I on Pindus dwell'd, and from that sacred hill
The eares of euerie liuing thing did with your fame fullfill
Which by the trumpett of my verse I made for to resounde
From pole to pole through euerie where of this immoble rounde
Then graunte to me who patrone am of Hymens triumphe here
That all your graces may vpon this Hymens band appeare.
O sonne of Cytherea faire, and thou Thalasse withall
Graunte that this band may happelie to these coupled folkes befall
And ô Volumna prent a will into there coupled harts
Which may retaine that vnion aye, on ather of there parts
O Venus make them brooddie als for to produce with speede
Wherin they may reuiue againe a blest and happie seede
Vitunnus and Sentinus als in happie tyme indue
The childe when as it is conceau'd, with life and senses true

136

O Prosa with Egeria ioyn'd, and thou Lucina bright
Her dolours make into her birth, by your assisting, light:
O thou Leuana doe with loue and cairefulnes embrace
The babe when it is borne which shoulde extend there happie race
O Vagitanus playe thy part and safelie doe it keepe
From all misfortunes and mischance when as it first does weepe
O thou Cunina cairefullie doe watche the cradle aye
Preseruing it from sicknes or from harme in anie waye
Rumina, with Edusa, and Potina ioyn'd, doe see
That when it sucking is or wained, the foode may wholesome be
And also for there wpbringing ô Statilinus caire
That to there perfect age it may a happie waye prepare
And thou ô Fortune to conclude, make these and all there race
To be beloued of Gods and men, and thriue in euerie cace.
If for my saike ye Gods aboue these graces will bestowe
Before these nuptiall dayes sume signe to me for promise showe.

Mercurius
I messager of Gods aboue am here vnto yow sent
To showe by proofe your tyme into there seruice well is spent
For they haue graunted your requeste and for a signe and seale
Since they them selfs amongs yow men doe no wayes haunte nor deale
They therfor haue directed here to honour all this feast
Faunes, Satyrs, Siluans, that approache there natures neare at least
And as for there conductour haue they sent the whisler Pan
Who thogh a God yett drawes he neare the nature of a man

138

With Naiades, Hamadryades, Nymphes of waters, woods, and wells
To iudge on euerie sporte wherat there brethren with yow mells
And as for me for my adieu, I drinke vnto yow here
The horne of Amalthæe, with lucke, with wealth and mirrie cheere.

Nymphes
We are sent by Gods aboue with these our brethren deare
Who are prepared for gloue, or ring, or anie sporte with speare
And we haue broght for victours pryse this yellow garland rounde
Wouen of our haire, with pearls therat, which we in fishes founde.
Then knights goe to, and make yow for it, we can no further saye
Essaye yow brethren, thogh I graunte, vnused at such a playe.

Agrestis
Good Sirs the maruelous cumming here of these goode neighbours mine
Hath moued me for to come and see, this iollie feast and fine
Such allridge people in such a sort to cumme to plenished grounde
But anie fraye and guided by a man was neuer founde
Good faith before was neuer harde the like of my conuoye
No since Deucaleons floode, I trowe ye call it the floode of Noë
Me thinke Sainct Marie gentles here makes for sume game and glee
Wa sume good Sir lenn me a speare, what racks essaye and see

140

The valliant actes, the workes of worthie fame
That bruite hath blowen abroade through euerie whair
Of King and Court of Scotlands noble name
There Martiall games, and pastymes braue and faire
Sume does your Court, to Arthures court compaire
Sume sayes to Charles the magnes it may be peere
This bruit at last made wandring knights repaire
From forrane vncouthe lands and trauell here
Fra they arriued they sent me soone to speare
If anie in your Court woulde them essaye
To runne at ring or proue sume games at warre
They three shall be defendours at the playe.
Sirs thogh this language seeme both hard and haske
Appardone new come strangers in a maske.

[Scholar.]
O Gods aboue how am I rauish'd now
A heauenlie Goddesse is come doune I trowe
Our senses to delude: what euer she be
She peerles is as all men will agree
And therfor Sirs here am I sent before
As he who might by language best decore,
As schollers can, this doubt whome to the faire
Should appartaine, whome of ye harde declaire
And whome into at equall strife doe fall
Wealth, beautie, noble race, and vertues all
Eache one of these makes her a suitour here
And she is cume vnto your Grace to speare
Whome to she should encline of all this rout
Among the rest Madame leaue me not out

Woman.1.
What meanes these kappit men? what can this be,
Is all this bussines that they make for me?

142

The verteous man.4.
The sacred state of marriage it was made
That two conioyn'd a holie life might leade

Zanie.5.
Good euen Sirs all, good faith I thinke it best
Yow quitte me this and take yow all the rest

L.G.1.
If that ye please Madame to make me yours
My rent and friends shall serue yow at all houres
God if my father.

(Sould.2)
What a kalland is this
Place sillie man Madame I will not misse
To ware for yow this hand and sworde of mine
A man of spirit his honour will not tine.

Scholler.3.
I can with pen your prayses due proclame
If that ye please accept of me Madame.

Vert.4.
Your vertues rare Madame I doe respect
I promise trueth if that may take effect.

Sould.1.
If anie here hath skill of fense come proue
Three markett strockes before my onlie loue.

144

L.G.2.
If that the morrowe Madame chance to be faire
Please see two speedie grayhounds rinn a haire.

Schol.3.
If that ye please Madame a song to heare
I'll sett the toone, and make the clareshoh cleare

Sould.2.
I whome no bloodie battells coulde effraye
Am now become a simple womans praye,
Bot what? no woman bot a Goddesse bright
No shame to blinded be with suche a light

L.G.3.
If friends or rent may serue my turne in this
I houpe to gett this Ladie full of blisse.