The .xiii. Bookes of Aeneidos The first twelue beeinge the woorke of the diuine Poet Virgil Maro, and the thirtenth the supplement of Maphaeus Vegius. Translated into English verse to the fyrst third part of the tenth Booke, by Thomas Phaher ... and the residue finished, and now the second time newly setforth for the delite of such as are studious in Poetrie: By Thomas Twyne [i.e. Thomas Phaer] |
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THE FOVRTH BOOKE of the Æneidos of Uirgill.
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 | The .xiii. Bookes of Aeneidos |  |
THE FOVRTH BOOKE of the Æneidos of Uirgill.
The Argument.
DIDO enraged with the loue of Aeneas discloseth the grief of her minde to her sister ANNE, & following her aduise: she bent her hart fully vnto meriage. Iuno also, to thintent yt she might the more easely kepe Aeneas from Italy: cōmuneth with Venus, that she would graunt her assent, that Aeneas might take Dido to wife, & the better to bring the matter to passe, she promiseth to giue great opportunitie therto. The next day following, Aeneas and Dido ride forth on huntinge, wheras, when all the company were busie about their game: Iuno sodenly sendeth a tempest. The many run, some one way, some an other, but Aeneas and Dido meete togither in one Den, and there with yll lucke, they ioyne amarously togither. In ye meane while, Iupiter wearied with the continuall praters of Iarbas kinge of Getulia, who tooke it greeuously yt a straunger should be preferred in loue before him: sendeth Mercury down to Aeneas, to commaund him to forsake Affrica, and to go seeke Italy. Who then obeyinge the commaundement of Iupiter: willeth his mates priuely to prepare all things yt were necessary for sayling. But whan Dido vnderstoode yt his nauy was in repayring & rigging, suspecting the matter to be as it was in deede: greeuously expostulateth the case with him, and through entreatie, & teares, both by her selfe & her sister: endeuoreth to detaine him from his purposed iorney. But Aeneas, admonished agayne by Mercury: late in the night wayeth anker, and departeth away. Then she, through extreame sorow impatient counterfeyting to do sacrifice: caused a great fier to be made in the hiest place of her Pallace, and sendinge away Barce, Sichæus nurse, that she should not hinder her in her apointed death: there slew her selfe most piteously.
By
this time pereld sat the Queen so sore with loues desier,
Her wound in euery vaine she feedes, she fries in secret fier.
The manhood of the man ful oft, full oft his famous lyne
She doth reuolue, & frō her thought his face cānot vntwine,
His countnaunce deepe she drawes, and fixed fast she beares in brest
His wordes also, nor to her carefull hart can come no rest.
The morning sonne with shining beames al londs had ouerspred,
And from the skies the drowping shade of night away was fled:
Whan thus onto her sister deare she spake with vexid head.
Deare sister Anne, what dreames be these yt thus my sleepes affrights?
What wondrous gest is this that thus among vs newly lightes?
How like a lord? how valiaunt strong of hart and armes he seemes?
I see right well no fables ben that men of Gods esteemes.
Of kinde of gods he is doubtles, by drede are dastards knowen.
Alas what wars hath he gon through, what destnyes him hath throwen?
If fixid in my minde I were not fast, and shall not flyt,
That to no wight in wedlocke band I would vouchsaue to knit,
Synce first in vaine my loue I lost, and death did me deceiue,
That comfort none in chamber deedes nor ioyes I can conceiue:
Perhaps to this offence alone I might be made to slyde.
For Anne, to thee confesse I shall (nor trueth I will not hide)
Since of my husband first the death and fatall end I knew,
And that my brother with his blood his altars did embrew:
This only man hath bent my hart, and sore my minde doth moue,
I know the steps of old, I feele the flames of former loue.
But rather would I wish the ground to gape for me bylowe,
Or god him selfe with thonder dynt to hell my soule to throwe,
To hell beneth in darknes deepe, with ghosts and furies blake,
O vertue, ere I thee refuse, or shamefastnes forsake.
He that him first to me did knit, he toke from me my loue,
He keepes it, in his graue it lieth, from thence it shall not moue.
Thus speaking in her bosom full the teares of water ronne.
Than answerd Anne, O sister mine more deare to me than sonne,
O sister whom I more regard than life or light of day,
Will you alone for euermore your youth thus mourne away?
Will you not seeke for children sweete? nor Venus comfort craue?
Do dead men care (trow ye) for this? or soules that sleepe in graue?
What though sometime (whan sicknes sores and greeues opprest your mind)
Of worthy princes none to wed your hart was than enclinde?
Nor husband none of Lyby land, or lords you would elect,
Nor king Hiarbas eke before whom Tyrus did reiect,
Nor capteyns proud of Affrike land of wide renowne and fame:
Whan loue that likes you shewes himselfe, will you resist the same?
Nor way you not what case ye stand, whose contrey here you hold?
Getula townes a people wyld in warres, and vncontrold,
And sturdy Moores on euery quarter closes, and beside,
The sandes of Sirtes coast, and wildernesse both long and wide,
And desertes drie, where saluage men of Barcey broad do stray.
Than of the wars of Tyrus now that rise, what should I say?
And of your brothers threatnings?
I hope the gods of purpose good, and mighty Iunos grace,
Hath made the windes to bring the Troian ships into this place.
What citie sister shall you see of this? what empier grow?
Whan Troian armes to vs are knit, and men this wedlocke know?
With what renown and glory great shall Affrike, thinke you, rise?
Do you your gods of pardon first beseeke (I thus aduise)
And after seruice don, do him in gestwise entertaine,
And causes finde from day to day to make him here remaine,
While winter winde endures, and while the skies haue laid their rage,
And while the ships reparing ben, and force of seas aswage.
With this her burning mind incensyd more began to flame,
And hope in doutfull hart she caught, and of she kest her shame.
Her wound in euery vaine she feedes, she fries in secret fier.
The manhood of the man ful oft, full oft his famous lyne
She doth reuolue, & frō her thought his face cānot vntwine,
His countnaunce deepe she drawes, and fixed fast she beares in brest
His wordes also, nor to her carefull hart can come no rest.
And from the skies the drowping shade of night away was fled:
Whan thus onto her sister deare she spake with vexid head.
Deare sister Anne, what dreames be these yt thus my sleepes affrights?
What wondrous gest is this that thus among vs newly lightes?
How like a lord? how valiaunt strong of hart and armes he seemes?
I see right well no fables ben that men of Gods esteemes.
Of kinde of gods he is doubtles, by drede are dastards knowen.
Alas what wars hath he gon through, what destnyes him hath throwen?
If fixid in my minde I were not fast, and shall not flyt,
That to no wight in wedlocke band I would vouchsaue to knit,
Synce first in vaine my loue I lost, and death did me deceiue,
That comfort none in chamber deedes nor ioyes I can conceiue:
Perhaps to this offence alone I might be made to slyde.
For Anne, to thee confesse I shall (nor trueth I will not hide)
Since of my husband first the death and fatall end I knew,
And that my brother with his blood his altars did embrew:
This only man hath bent my hart, and sore my minde doth moue,
I know the steps of old, I feele the flames of former loue.
But rather would I wish the ground to gape for me bylowe,
Or god him selfe with thonder dynt to hell my soule to throwe,
To hell beneth in darknes deepe, with ghosts and furies blake,
O vertue, ere I thee refuse, or shamefastnes forsake.
He that him first to me did knit, he toke from me my loue,
He keepes it, in his graue it lieth, from thence it shall not moue.
Thus speaking in her bosom full the teares of water ronne.
Than answerd Anne, O sister mine more deare to me than sonne,
O sister whom I more regard than life or light of day,
Will you alone for euermore your youth thus mourne away?
Will you not seeke for children sweete? nor Venus comfort craue?
Do dead men care (trow ye) for this? or soules that sleepe in graue?
What though sometime (whan sicknes sores and greeues opprest your mind)
Of worthy princes none to wed your hart was than enclinde?
Nor husband none of Lyby land, or lords you would elect,
Nor king Hiarbas eke before whom Tyrus did reiect,
Nor capteyns proud of Affrike land of wide renowne and fame:
Whan loue that likes you shewes himselfe, will you resist the same?
Nor way you not what case ye stand, whose contrey here you hold?
And sturdy Moores on euery quarter closes, and beside,
The sandes of Sirtes coast, and wildernesse both long and wide,
And desertes drie, where saluage men of Barcey broad do stray.
Than of the wars of Tyrus now that rise, what should I say?
And of your brothers threatnings?
I hope the gods of purpose good, and mighty Iunos grace,
Hath made the windes to bring the Troian ships into this place.
What citie sister shall you see of this? what empier grow?
Whan Troian armes to vs are knit, and men this wedlocke know?
With what renown and glory great shall Affrike, thinke you, rise?
Do you your gods of pardon first beseeke (I thus aduise)
And after seruice don, do him in gestwise entertaine,
And causes finde from day to day to make him here remaine,
While winter winde endures, and while the skies haue laid their rage,
And while the ships reparing ben, and force of seas aswage.
With this her burning mind incensyd more began to flame,
And hope in doutfull hart she caught, and of she kest her shame.
First vnto temples all they gon, and peace on altars all
They pray their gods to giue, and slaughters down they make to fall,
To Ceres first that lawes did giue, to father Bacchus pure,
To Phœbus, and to Iuno chiefe that hath of wedlocks cure.
Her selfe with boll in hand, Queene Dido Queene most fresh of hew
The wine betweene the hefers hornes (so white as snow) she threw,
Or at the stagys great of gods with gifts and vowes she walkes
With musing minde, & fortunes new by wondrous meanes she calkes:
On beastes entrayles she pries, and liuers hote, and from their throtes
The breathing lungs she seekes, and euery signe therin she notes.
O calcars dreaming heads: what helps her vows, her pilgrim deedes,
What helps her temples sought? whan soking flame her mary feedes
This while, and festring deepe in brest her wound the faster breedes.
So sely Dido burnes, and through the towne with raging cheere
Astray she wanders wide, as doth sometime the striken deere,
Whom ranging through the chase, some hunter shooting far by chaunce
All onaware hath smit, and in her side hath left his launce.
She fast to wildernesse and woods doth draw, and there complaines
Alone, but vnderneth her ribs the deadly dart remaines.
Sometime about the walles she walkes (Aeneas by her side)
And towne already made she shewes, and pompe of Tyrus pride.
Begins to speake, and in the mids therof her tale she staies.
Sometimes againe, and towards night to bankets him she praies,
And Troian toyles againe to tell she him beseekes, and harkes
With burning minde, and euery word and countnance al she markes.
Than whan they parted were, and light of Moone was downe by west,
And on the skies the falling stars do men prouoke to rest:
She than alone (as one forsaken) mournes, and in his place
She laieth her downe, and thinkes she heares and seeth him face to face.
Or on her lap Ascanius for his fathers likenesse sake
She holdes, if happely so she might this yrksome loue aslake.
The workes of towres are left, no feats of armes the youth applies,
Nor hauons are wrought, nor for the wars the mighty bulwarkes rise.
All things vnperfit stand, the buildings great, and thretnings hie
Of hugy walles, and enginnes for their height that match the skie.
Whom whan dame Iuno saw with plage so wood to be dismaide,
(The mighty spouse of Ioue) nor for no speeche it could be staide:
To Venus first she came, and thus to her began to breake.
A goodly praise (in deede) and worthy conquest great to speake
Thy boy and thou do get: a gaye renowne you do obtaine,
If one poore woman trainid be by heauenly persons twaine.
Nor thinke not but I know that thou my walles of Carthage hie
Hast in suspect, and dreding still the worst, all things doost trie.
But shall we neuer ende? or why do we so fearcely striue?
And do not euerlasting peace and freendship fast contriue?
Why wedlockes ioyne we not? thou hast thy selfe thine owne desier,
Now loue in Didos bones is bred, she fries in raging fier.
Two people now therfore in one let vs conioyne, and guide
With equall loue: to Troian husband (lo) she shall be tyde,
And Carthage all I giue to thee for ioynter fast to binde.
To her againe (for well she knew she spake with fained minde
That Rome she might reiect, and Carthage kingdome empier make)
Than Venus answerd thus. Who is so mad that will forsake
This thing? or gladly would in war with thee so long contend?
If what thou speakest now will fortune bring to parfit end.
But distnies makes mee doubt, and whether hee that raignes aboue
One towne of Troy and Tyrus made can be content to loue:
Or will alow the peoples twaine to mixe and league to binde.
Thou art his wife, thou maist he bold to frame and feele his minde,
Begin, I will proceede. Than saide dame Iuno Queene so stout,
Let mee alone for that: now how this thing shal come about
Giue eare to mee, for now my minde thou shalt perceiue outright.
A hunting forth Aeneas goth with Dido wofull wight
In woods and forest wide, whan morning next begins to spring,
And sonne with glistring beames againe to sight the world doth bring.
I from aloft a stormy cloude, and mixt with fleet and hayle
A tempest darke as night on them to powre I will not faile.
While in the woods they walke, and while the youth enclose the toyle:
The raine shall rise, and heauens with thonders all I will turmoyle.
Their company from them shall flee, eche one his head shall hide,
A caue the Queene shal take, the Troian duke with her shal bide.
I will be there, and if thy will accord vnto my minde:
For euer I shall make them fast and wedlock stedfast binde.
There shall begin the day, that sorowes all shall quite exile.
Dame Venus graunted that, and to her selfe she gan to smile,
She gaue a nod, and glad she was she could perceiue the gile.
They pray their gods to giue, and slaughters down they make to fall,
To Ceres first that lawes did giue, to father Bacchus pure,
To Phœbus, and to Iuno chiefe that hath of wedlocks cure.
Her selfe with boll in hand, Queene Dido Queene most fresh of hew
The wine betweene the hefers hornes (so white as snow) she threw,
Or at the stagys great of gods with gifts and vowes she walkes
With musing minde, & fortunes new by wondrous meanes she calkes:
On beastes entrayles she pries, and liuers hote, and from their throtes
The breathing lungs she seekes, and euery signe therin she notes.
O calcars dreaming heads: what helps her vows, her pilgrim deedes,
What helps her temples sought? whan soking flame her mary feedes
This while, and festring deepe in brest her wound the faster breedes.
So sely Dido burnes, and through the towne with raging cheere
Astray she wanders wide, as doth sometime the striken deere,
Whom ranging through the chase, some hunter shooting far by chaunce
All onaware hath smit, and in her side hath left his launce.
She fast to wildernesse and woods doth draw, and there complaines
Alone, but vnderneth her ribs the deadly dart remaines.
Sometime about the walles she walkes (Aeneas by her side)
Begins to speake, and in the mids therof her tale she staies.
Sometimes againe, and towards night to bankets him she praies,
And Troian toyles againe to tell she him beseekes, and harkes
With burning minde, and euery word and countnance al she markes.
Than whan they parted were, and light of Moone was downe by west,
And on the skies the falling stars do men prouoke to rest:
She than alone (as one forsaken) mournes, and in his place
She laieth her downe, and thinkes she heares and seeth him face to face.
Or on her lap Ascanius for his fathers likenesse sake
She holdes, if happely so she might this yrksome loue aslake.
The workes of towres are left, no feats of armes the youth applies,
Nor hauons are wrought, nor for the wars the mighty bulwarkes rise.
All things vnperfit stand, the buildings great, and thretnings hie
Of hugy walles, and enginnes for their height that match the skie.
Whom whan dame Iuno saw with plage so wood to be dismaide,
(The mighty spouse of Ioue) nor for no speeche it could be staide:
To Venus first she came, and thus to her began to breake.
A goodly praise (in deede) and worthy conquest great to speake
Thy boy and thou do get: a gaye renowne you do obtaine,
If one poore woman trainid be by heauenly persons twaine.
Nor thinke not but I know that thou my walles of Carthage hie
Hast in suspect, and dreding still the worst, all things doost trie.
But shall we neuer ende? or why do we so fearcely striue?
And do not euerlasting peace and freendship fast contriue?
Why wedlockes ioyne we not? thou hast thy selfe thine owne desier,
Now loue in Didos bones is bred, she fries in raging fier.
Two people now therfore in one let vs conioyne, and guide
With equall loue: to Troian husband (lo) she shall be tyde,
And Carthage all I giue to thee for ioynter fast to binde.
To her againe (for well she knew she spake with fained minde
That Rome she might reiect, and Carthage kingdome empier make)
Than Venus answerd thus. Who is so mad that will forsake
This thing? or gladly would in war with thee so long contend?
If what thou speakest now will fortune bring to parfit end.
But distnies makes mee doubt, and whether hee that raignes aboue
One towne of Troy and Tyrus made can be content to loue:
Or will alow the peoples twaine to mixe and league to binde.
Begin, I will proceede. Than saide dame Iuno Queene so stout,
Let mee alone for that: now how this thing shal come about
Giue eare to mee, for now my minde thou shalt perceiue outright.
A hunting forth Aeneas goth with Dido wofull wight
In woods and forest wide, whan morning next begins to spring,
And sonne with glistring beames againe to sight the world doth bring.
I from aloft a stormy cloude, and mixt with fleet and hayle
A tempest darke as night on them to powre I will not faile.
While in the woods they walke, and while the youth enclose the toyle:
The raine shall rise, and heauens with thonders all I will turmoyle.
Their company from them shall flee, eche one his head shall hide,
A caue the Queene shal take, the Troian duke with her shal bide.
I will be there, and if thy will accord vnto my minde:
For euer I shall make them fast and wedlock stedfast binde.
There shall begin the day, that sorowes all shall quite exile.
Dame Venus graunted that, and to her selfe she gan to smile,
She gaue a nod, and glad she was she could perceiue the gile.
The morning rose, and from the sea the sonne was comen about,
Whan to the gates assemblith fast of noble youth a rout
With nets and engins great, and hunter speares full large of length.
The horsmen rush with noise, and dogs are brought a mighty strength.
The great estates of Moores before the doores await the Queene.
In chamber long she staies, and redy brydlyd best be seene
The plafrey standes in gold, attirid riche, and feerce he stampes
For pride, and on the fomy bit of golde with teeth he champes.
At last she comes, and forth with mighty traine she doth proceede,
All braue with mantell bright, encompast fresh in glistring weede,
Her quiuer on her shoulder hanges, her heares with knots of gold
Are trust: and gold about her brest her purple garments holde.
The Troian peeres also went on, Ascanius glad of cheere,
Aeneas eke before them all that fairest did apeere
Aduauncith foorth him selfe, and with the Queene hee ioyneth hand.
Most like vnto Apollo cleere, whan to his contrey land
To Delos downe he comes, and winter cold he doth forsake,
And feastes among his contrey lords and bankets great doth make,
The daunsers do disguise them selues, and altars round about,
The husbandmen do hop and cry, with noyse and ioyfull shout.
Him selfe aloft on hilles doth walke, his wauering lockes behinde
He wags, and they with garlonds gay and twists of gold are twinde,
His arrowes on his shoulders clattring hanges: in maner like
Aeneas went, so great a myrth to men his face doth strike.
Whan to the mountaines out they came and hauntes of beasts on hie:
Behold, adown the rockes the deare with bounsing leapes do flie.
And ouer laundes they course, and many an heard of hart and hynd,
With feet through dust vpthrown they skud, & hilles they leaue behind.
But in the vale his prauncing steede Ascanius swift bestrides,
And sometime these, and sometime those, with swift course ouerrides.
With dastard beastes his minde is not content, but maketh vows
Some fomy Bore to finde, or Lion ramping read would rowse.
Whan to the gates assemblith fast of noble youth a rout
With nets and engins great, and hunter speares full large of length.
The horsmen rush with noise, and dogs are brought a mighty strength.
The great estates of Moores before the doores await the Queene.
In chamber long she staies, and redy brydlyd best be seene
The plafrey standes in gold, attirid riche, and feerce he stampes
For pride, and on the fomy bit of golde with teeth he champes.
At last she comes, and forth with mighty traine she doth proceede,
All braue with mantell bright, encompast fresh in glistring weede,
Her quiuer on her shoulder hanges, her heares with knots of gold
Are trust: and gold about her brest her purple garments holde.
The Troian peeres also went on, Ascanius glad of cheere,
Aeneas eke before them all that fairest did apeere
Aduauncith foorth him selfe, and with the Queene hee ioyneth hand.
Most like vnto Apollo cleere, whan to his contrey land
To Delos downe he comes, and winter cold he doth forsake,
And feastes among his contrey lords and bankets great doth make,
The daunsers do disguise them selues, and altars round about,
The husbandmen do hop and cry, with noyse and ioyfull shout.
He wags, and they with garlonds gay and twists of gold are twinde,
His arrowes on his shoulders clattring hanges: in maner like
Aeneas went, so great a myrth to men his face doth strike.
Whan to the mountaines out they came and hauntes of beasts on hie:
Behold, adown the rockes the deare with bounsing leapes do flie.
And ouer laundes they course, and many an heard of hart and hynd,
With feet through dust vpthrown they skud, & hilles they leaue behind.
But in the vale his prauncing steede Ascanius swift bestrides,
And sometime these, and sometime those, with swift course ouerrides.
With dastard beastes his minde is not content, but maketh vows
Some fomy Bore to finde, or Lion ramping read would rowse.
By this time heauen with rombling noise and cloudes is ouercast,
And thonders breake the skies, and raine outragious poureth fast,
And shoures of haile and sleet so sharpe, that fast on euery side
The Carthage lordes and Troian youth eche one them selfs doth hide
In woods and houses, here and there they seeke, both man and childe
For feare, and down from hilles the floods do fall with waters wilde.
A caue the Queene did take, the Troian duke with her did bide.
The ground proclamyd myrth, and Iuno selfe did giue the bride.
The fier and ayre agreed, and to this cowpling gaue their light
In signe of ioye, and ouer head the mountaine fairies shright.
There first began the griefe, that day was cause of sorowes all,
For nothing after that by fame she sets nor what may fall,
Nor longer now for loue in stelth Queene Dido her prouides,
But wedlocke this she calles, with wedlocks name her faut she hides.
And thonders breake the skies, and raine outragious poureth fast,
And shoures of haile and sleet so sharpe, that fast on euery side
The Carthage lordes and Troian youth eche one them selfs doth hide
In woods and houses, here and there they seeke, both man and childe
For feare, and down from hilles the floods do fall with waters wilde.
A caue the Queene did take, the Troian duke with her did bide.
The ground proclamyd myrth, and Iuno selfe did giue the bride.
The fier and ayre agreed, and to this cowpling gaue their light
In signe of ioye, and ouer head the mountaine fairies shright.
There first began the griefe, that day was cause of sorowes all,
For nothing after that by fame she sets nor what may fall,
Nor longer now for loue in stelth Queene Dido her prouides,
But wedlocke this she calles, with wedlocks name her faut she hides.
Anon through all the cities great of Affrike, Fame is gone,
The blasing fame, a mischief such, as swifter is there none.
By mouing more she breedes, and as she ronnes her might doth rise.
By lowe for feare she lurketh first, than straight aloft in skies,
With pride on ground she goth, and percith cloudes with head on hight.
Dame Earth her mother brooded foorth (men say) that childe in spite
Against the Gods, whan Giantes first of serpent feeted line
Enceladus and Ceus wrought hie heauen to vndermine.
Than for disdaine (for on them selues their owne worke Ioue did fling)
Their sister crawlyd foorth, both swift of feete and wight of wing.
A monster gastly great, for euery plume her carcas beares,
Like number leering eyes she hath, like number harckning eares,
Like number toonges & mouthes she wags, a wondrous thing to speake,
At midnight foorth she flies, and vnder shade her sound doth squeake,
All night she wakes, nor slomber sweet doth take, nor neuer sleepes.
By dais, on houses tops she sits, or gates, or townes she keepes,
On watching toures she climes, and cities great she makes agast,
Both trueth and falshed foorth she tels and lies abroade doth cast.
She than the peoples mouthes about with babling broade did fill,
And things onwrought and wrought she tolde, & blew both good and yll.
How one Aeneas of the blood of Troy was come to land,
Whom Dido fresh for wanton loue full soone had caught in hand.
And now this winter season long in pleasure passe they must
Regarding none estate, but giue them selues to filthy lust.
These things in mouths of mē this goddesse vile ful thick did thrust.
The blasing fame, a mischief such, as swifter is there none.
By mouing more she breedes, and as she ronnes her might doth rise.
By lowe for feare she lurketh first, than straight aloft in skies,
With pride on ground she goth, and percith cloudes with head on hight.
Dame Earth her mother brooded foorth (men say) that childe in spite
Against the Gods, whan Giantes first of serpent feeted line
Enceladus and Ceus wrought hie heauen to vndermine.
Than for disdaine (for on them selues their owne worke Ioue did fling)
Their sister crawlyd foorth, both swift of feete and wight of wing.
A monster gastly great, for euery plume her carcas beares,
Like number leering eyes she hath, like number harckning eares,
At midnight foorth she flies, and vnder shade her sound doth squeake,
All night she wakes, nor slomber sweet doth take, nor neuer sleepes.
By dais, on houses tops she sits, or gates, or townes she keepes,
On watching toures she climes, and cities great she makes agast,
Both trueth and falshed foorth she tels and lies abroade doth cast.
She than the peoples mouthes about with babling broade did fill,
And things onwrought and wrought she tolde, & blew both good and yll.
How one Aeneas of the blood of Troy was come to land,
Whom Dido fresh for wanton loue full soone had caught in hand.
And now this winter season long in pleasure passe they must
Regarding none estate, but giue them selues to filthy lust.
These things in mouths of mē this goddesse vile ful thick did thrust.
Than turning, straight her way she tooke vnto Hiarbas king,
Whose minde with tales on fier she set, and sore his wrath did sting.
This king was Ammons sonne of Garamanth the Nimphe his dame,
A hundred temples huge about his kingdoms wide of fame,
A hundred altars hie to Ioue hee kept, with waking fiers
Both night and day to God, and holy priestes had their desiers
Of beastes and slaughters fat: the soiles with blood were all embrued,
And sweete with floures and garlondes fresh, the floores alway renewd.
Hee mad in minde, and through these bitter newes incensid wood,
Men say, as hee before his altars prayed and humbly stoode:
His handes to heauen vp threw, and thus hee cryed with vexid mood.
Almighty Ioue, whom duely Moores esteeme for God and king,
And feastes of broidred beds to thee, and wines of ioy do bring,
Beholdst thou this? and mighty father thee with thunder dintes
Despise wee thus? and yet from vs thy strokes of lightninges stintes?
Nor quake we not, whā through ye cloudes thy sounding breakes aboue?
In vaine thy voyces run? will nothing vs to vertue moue?
A woman, lately come to land, that bought of vs the ground,
To whom the soyle we gaue to tille, and citie new to found,
And lawes also we lent, my wedlocke (lo) she hath forsake,
And now Aeneas lorde of her and all her lond doth make.
And now this pranking Paris fine with mates of beardles kinde:
To dropping heare and sauours nice, and vices all enclinde,
With Greekish wimple pinkid, womanlike: yet must the same
Enioy the spoiles of this, and wee thy seruauntes take the shame,
For all our offring giftes to thee wee finde no fruite but fame.
Thus praying in his feruent moode, and altars holding fast,
Almighty Ioue him heard, and to the court his eyes did cast,
Where now these louers dwell forgettyng life of better fame,
Then Mercury to him he calles, who straight obeyed the same.
Whose minde with tales on fier she set, and sore his wrath did sting.
This king was Ammons sonne of Garamanth the Nimphe his dame,
A hundred temples huge about his kingdoms wide of fame,
A hundred altars hie to Ioue hee kept, with waking fiers
Both night and day to God, and holy priestes had their desiers
Of beastes and slaughters fat: the soiles with blood were all embrued,
And sweete with floures and garlondes fresh, the floores alway renewd.
Hee mad in minde, and through these bitter newes incensid wood,
Men say, as hee before his altars prayed and humbly stoode:
His handes to heauen vp threw, and thus hee cryed with vexid mood.
Almighty Ioue, whom duely Moores esteeme for God and king,
And feastes of broidred beds to thee, and wines of ioy do bring,
Beholdst thou this? and mighty father thee with thunder dintes
Despise wee thus? and yet from vs thy strokes of lightninges stintes?
Nor quake we not, whā through ye cloudes thy sounding breakes aboue?
In vaine thy voyces run? will nothing vs to vertue moue?
A woman, lately come to land, that bought of vs the ground,
To whom the soyle we gaue to tille, and citie new to found,
And lawes also we lent, my wedlocke (lo) she hath forsake,
And now Aeneas lorde of her and all her lond doth make.
And now this pranking Paris fine with mates of beardles kinde:
To dropping heare and sauours nice, and vices all enclinde,
With Greekish wimple pinkid, womanlike: yet must the same
Enioy the spoiles of this, and wee thy seruauntes take the shame,
Thus praying in his feruent moode, and altars holding fast,
Almighty Ioue him heard, and to the court his eyes did cast,
Where now these louers dwell forgettyng life of better fame,
Then Mercury to him he calles, who straight obeyed the same.
Go son, come of, and call the windes, and wynged slip thee downe
Unto the Troian duke, that now aloofe in Carthage towne
Doth linger time, and of his fatall cities hath no minde.
Go speake to him, and thus conuey my words as swift as winde.
Not such a man his mother deere did promise hee should proue,
Nor him from daungers twise of Greekes for this did she remoue:
But one that should Italia lond where dreedfull wars do swel
By conquest vndertread, and them to right and peace compel,
And Troian blood hee should aduaunce to due renowne and fame,
And all the world should vnder lawes subdue and rule the same.
If glory none of things so great nor corage him doth moue,
Nor for his praise him selfe to take the paines he doth not loue,
Yet from Ascanius why doth hee the towres of Rome remoue?
What meanes hee? why remaines he thus within his enmies warde?
And had not vnto Lauin lond and ofspring there regarde?
Bid him to sea, this is the somme, (quoth hee) go tell him this.
This spoken, hee his fathers minde obeyed as duety is.
And first his slender feete with shoes and winges of gold he ties,
That him both vp and downe doth beare, where euer coast he flies,
Both ouer seas and ouer londes, in post in ayer aboue.
He tooke his rod also, wherwith from hell he doth remoue
The louring soules, and soules also to dongeons deepe he sendes,
And sleepes therwith he giues and takes, and men from death defendes.
The windes by force therof he cuts, and through the clouds he swims,
And now, approching neere, the top he seeth and mighty lims
Of Atlas mountaine tough, that heauen on boistous shoulders beares,
Of Atlas olde, whom beating shoures and stormes & tempestes weares:
Whose head encompast all with trees of Pine in garlond wise,
With louring cloudes is euer clad, that more and more do rise,
His shoulders hid with snow, and from his hoary beard adowne,
The streames of waters fall, with yse and frost his face doth frowne.
There first on ground with wings of might doth Mercury ariue,
Than downe from thence right ouer seas himselfe doth hedlong driue,
Most like a byrd that nere the bankes of seas his haunting keepes,
Among the fishfull rockes, and low byneth on water sweepes.
None otherwise Mercurius between the skies and lands
Did sheare the windes, and ouerflew the shores of Lyby sands.
Whan first the dowres of Affrike land with wingid feete he twight:
Aeneas he might see to stand among them broad in sight
Aduauncing vp the towres, and houses hie was altring new,
Begyrt with hanger bright, beset with stones as stars to vew,
And shining read in roabe of Moorishe purple, mantle wise,
Hee stood, and from his shoulders downe it hing Morisco gise.
Queene Didos worke it was, her precious gift of loue to hold,
Her selfe the web had wrought, and warpyd fine with wreath of gold.
Straight vnto him hee steps and sayd. Thou now of Carthage hie
Foundations new doost lay, and doting doost thy minde applye
To please thy lusty spouse, and citie fayer thou doost prepare,
Alas, and of thine owne affaires or kingdoms hast no care.
Him selfe the mighty god doth me to thee on message send,
The king of heauen and earth, that al this world with becke doth bend.
Himselfe hath bid me through the windes so swift these thinges to tell.
What gost about? why spendest time in Lyby land to dwell?
If glory none of things so great thy corage do not moue,
Nor thou for praise to take the paine wilt for thine owne behoue:
Yet by Ascanius rising now haue some regard to stand,
And hope of heyres of him, to whom by right Italia land
And empier great of Rome is dew. So said this heauenly wight,
And in the middes his tale he brake, and fled from mortall sight,
And out of reatche of eyes as thin as aier he vanisht quight.
Unto the Troian duke, that now aloofe in Carthage towne
Doth linger time, and of his fatall cities hath no minde.
Go speake to him, and thus conuey my words as swift as winde.
Not such a man his mother deere did promise hee should proue,
Nor him from daungers twise of Greekes for this did she remoue:
But one that should Italia lond where dreedfull wars do swel
By conquest vndertread, and them to right and peace compel,
And Troian blood hee should aduaunce to due renowne and fame,
And all the world should vnder lawes subdue and rule the same.
If glory none of things so great nor corage him doth moue,
Nor for his praise him selfe to take the paines he doth not loue,
Yet from Ascanius why doth hee the towres of Rome remoue?
What meanes hee? why remaines he thus within his enmies warde?
And had not vnto Lauin lond and ofspring there regarde?
Bid him to sea, this is the somme, (quoth hee) go tell him this.
This spoken, hee his fathers minde obeyed as duety is.
And first his slender feete with shoes and winges of gold he ties,
That him both vp and downe doth beare, where euer coast he flies,
Both ouer seas and ouer londes, in post in ayer aboue.
He tooke his rod also, wherwith from hell he doth remoue
The louring soules, and soules also to dongeons deepe he sendes,
And sleepes therwith he giues and takes, and men from death defendes.
The windes by force therof he cuts, and through the clouds he swims,
And now, approching neere, the top he seeth and mighty lims
Of Atlas mountaine tough, that heauen on boistous shoulders beares,
Of Atlas olde, whom beating shoures and stormes & tempestes weares:
Whose head encompast all with trees of Pine in garlond wise,
With louring cloudes is euer clad, that more and more do rise,
His shoulders hid with snow, and from his hoary beard adowne,
The streames of waters fall, with yse and frost his face doth frowne.
There first on ground with wings of might doth Mercury ariue,
Than downe from thence right ouer seas himselfe doth hedlong driue,
Among the fishfull rockes, and low byneth on water sweepes.
None otherwise Mercurius between the skies and lands
Did sheare the windes, and ouerflew the shores of Lyby sands.
Whan first the dowres of Affrike land with wingid feete he twight:
Aeneas he might see to stand among them broad in sight
Aduauncing vp the towres, and houses hie was altring new,
Begyrt with hanger bright, beset with stones as stars to vew,
And shining read in roabe of Moorishe purple, mantle wise,
Hee stood, and from his shoulders downe it hing Morisco gise.
Queene Didos worke it was, her precious gift of loue to hold,
Her selfe the web had wrought, and warpyd fine with wreath of gold.
Straight vnto him hee steps and sayd. Thou now of Carthage hie
Foundations new doost lay, and doting doost thy minde applye
To please thy lusty spouse, and citie fayer thou doost prepare,
Alas, and of thine owne affaires or kingdoms hast no care.
Him selfe the mighty god doth me to thee on message send,
The king of heauen and earth, that al this world with becke doth bend.
Himselfe hath bid me through the windes so swift these thinges to tell.
What gost about? why spendest time in Lyby land to dwell?
If glory none of things so great thy corage do not moue,
Nor thou for praise to take the paine wilt for thine owne behoue:
Yet by Ascanius rising now haue some regard to stand,
And hope of heyres of him, to whom by right Italia land
And empier great of Rome is dew. So said this heauenly wight,
And in the middes his tale he brake, and fled from mortall sight,
And out of reatche of eyes as thin as aier he vanisht quight.
Aeneas than affrighted stood in silence domme dismaid,
His heare vprose for feare, his voyce betweene his iawes it stayd.
Faine would he flee, and of that contrey sweete his licence take,
Astoinid with so great commaundment giuen, and god that spake.
Alas what shall he doo? how dare he now attempt to breake
Unto the Queene of this? or where his tale begin to speake?
His doubtfull minde about him swift he kest both here and there,
And sondry waies he wayed, and searcheth dangers euery where.
Thus striuing long, this last deuise him liked best of all.
Cloanthus and Serestus strong, and Mnesteus he doth call,
And bids them rig their fleete, and close their people draw to shore,
And armors all prepare, and left therof might rise vprore:
Some causes els they should pretend, him selfe whan time shal serue,
Whan Dido least doth know, and lest suspectes his loue to swarue,
He will assay to seeke most pleasaunt time with her to treat,
And meetest meane to make (for craft is all, who can the feat.)
They glad without delay their lords commaundment did fulfill,
All things in order set, and close they kept their princes will.
His heare vprose for feare, his voyce betweene his iawes it stayd.
Faine would he flee, and of that contrey sweete his licence take,
Astoinid with so great commaundment giuen, and god that spake.
Alas what shall he doo? how dare he now attempt to breake
Unto the Queene of this? or where his tale begin to speake?
His doubtfull minde about him swift he kest both here and there,
And sondry waies he wayed, and searcheth dangers euery where.
Thus striuing long, this last deuise him liked best of all.
Cloanthus and Serestus strong, and Mnesteus he doth call,
And bids them rig their fleete, and close their people draw to shore,
Some causes els they should pretend, him selfe whan time shal serue,
Whan Dido least doth know, and lest suspectes his loue to swarue,
He will assay to seeke most pleasaunt time with her to treat,
And meetest meane to make (for craft is all, who can the feat.)
They glad without delay their lords commaundment did fulfill,
All things in order set, and close they kept their princes will.
Anon the Queene had found the gile. What craft can compas loue?
She did forcast no lesse, and first she felt their practise moue,
All thinges mistrusting straight, and fame also that monster wood
Her fumes encreased more, with newes, the ships in armor stood,
And Troians for their flight (she said) all things prepared had.
Her hart therwith did faint, and frantike (like a creature mad)
She railes with ramping rage, & through the streates & townes about
With noise she wanders wide, most like a gide of Bacchus rout,
Whan shouting through ye fields wt trompet sound they run by night,
In freke of Bacchus feast, and mountaines hie they fill with shright.
At last vnto Aeneas thus in talke her wordes she dight.
To hide also from mee this mischiefe great, hast thou the hart?
Thou traitor false? and from my lond by stelth wouldst thou depart?
Nor my vnfained loue, nor thy remorse of promise plight,
Nor Dido, like to die with cruell death, can stay thy flight?
But in the mids of winter storme away thou wilt in hast?
In these outragious seas, and through the force of northen blast?
O caytife most vnkinde: what if it were a contrey knowne
The lond thou gost to seeke, no straungy realme, but all thine owne?
What if that Troy, sometime thy natiue towne, did yet endure?
Should Troy through all these boystous seas this time thy ships allure?
And fleest thou mee? Now by these weeping teares, and thy right hand
(For nothing els I left me miser now wherby to stand)
By our espousayll first, and for the loue of wedlocke sought:
If euer well deseruid I of thee, if euer ought
Of ioy thou hadst of mee, haue mercy now, I am ontwind.
Destroy not all my house, O be not so extreme onkind,
If prayers may preuaile, let prayers yet relent thy mind.
She did forcast no lesse, and first she felt their practise moue,
All thinges mistrusting straight, and fame also that monster wood
Her fumes encreased more, with newes, the ships in armor stood,
And Troians for their flight (she said) all things prepared had.
Her hart therwith did faint, and frantike (like a creature mad)
She railes with ramping rage, & through the streates & townes about
With noise she wanders wide, most like a gide of Bacchus rout,
Whan shouting through ye fields wt trompet sound they run by night,
In freke of Bacchus feast, and mountaines hie they fill with shright.
At last vnto Aeneas thus in talke her wordes she dight.
To hide also from mee this mischiefe great, hast thou the hart?
Thou traitor false? and from my lond by stelth wouldst thou depart?
Nor my vnfained loue, nor thy remorse of promise plight,
Nor Dido, like to die with cruell death, can stay thy flight?
But in the mids of winter storme away thou wilt in hast?
In these outragious seas, and through the force of northen blast?
O caytife most vnkinde: what if it were a contrey knowne
The lond thou gost to seeke, no straungy realme, but all thine owne?
What if that Troy, sometime thy natiue towne, did yet endure?
Should Troy through all these boystous seas this time thy ships allure?
And fleest thou mee? Now by these weeping teares, and thy right hand
(For nothing els I left me miser now wherby to stand)
By our espousayll first, and for the loue of wedlocke sought:
If euer well deseruid I of thee, if euer ought
Of ioy thou hadst of mee, haue mercy now, I am ontwind.
Destroy not all my house, O be not so extreme onkind,
If prayers may preuaile, let prayers yet relent thy mind.
For thee alone the tirantes all and kings of Lyby land
Do hate me now, for thee alone my people mee withstand,
For thee also my shamefast life I brake, and euermore
My fame I lost, that to the stars exalted me before.
To whom alas shall I be left (O gest) since die I shall?
That surname must remaine (for husband thee I dare not call)
Why should I longer liue? should I abide the day to see
Mine enmies ouerthrow this towne for hate and spite of thee?
Or tyll that king Hiarbas come and mee his captiue make?
Yet if I chaunced had some frute of thee before to take,
If yet before thy flight there were some yong Aeneas small
Resembling mee thy face, to play with mee within this hall:
Than slaue I should not count my selfe, nor yet forsaken all.
These things she spake, but he remembring Ioues commaundment stil,
Did stand with fixid eyes, and couchyd care his hart did fill.
Few wordes at last he spake. All that (quoth he) and nothing lesse
But rather more, what euer toong may tell I will confesse,
Nor neuer (noble Queene) shall I denay thy goodnes kinde,
Nor Didos loue on mee bestowd shall neuer out of minde,
While on my selfe I thinke, while life and breath these lims do gide.
To purpose this I speake, I neuer thought nor hoapte to hide
(Do you not faine) this flight, nor did prepare from hence to steale,
Nor I for wedlocke euer came, nor thus did minde to deale.
For as for mee my life to leade if destnies did not let,
As I could best deuise, and all my charge in order set,
Mine auncient towne of Troy for me and mine I would againe
Restore with labour sweete, and Priams towres should yet remaine,
For though they conquerd be, their walles againe I would aduaunce.
But now Italia lond to seeke, and there to take our chaunce,
To Italy Apollo great, and mighty gods vs calles,
There lieth our contrey loue. If you delite in Carthage walles,
And you a Moore among the Moores reioyce this towne to see:
Why should the Troians from their contrey land restrained bee?
What reason is but wee likewise may straungy countreys take?
My father Anchises soule to mee (as oft as shadowes blake
By night doth hide the ground, as oft as light of stars do rise)
He warns me through my dreames, & mee with fearful gost doth grise.
My child Ascanius eke, to mee most deare, I put to wrong,
Whom from Italia realme, and fatall feeldes I keepe so long.
And now the message great of God from hie Ioue downe is sent,
I call to witnes doth as swift as winde his warning went.
I saw the god my selfe as cleare as day, when on the ground
He lighted first, and from the walles these eares did heare the sound.
Cease for my loue, with wailing thus to fret both mee and thee,
Italia against my will I seeke.
These things while he did speake, she him beheld with looking glum,
With rolling here and there her eies, and still in silence dum
His gesture all she vewd, and musing long against him stoode.
At last thus out she brake, and thus she spake with burning moode.
No goddesse neuer was thy dame, nor thou of Dardans kinde
Thou traitor wretche, but vnder rocks and mountaines rough vnkinde
Thou were begot, some brood thou art of beast or monster wilde,
Some Tigres thee did nurse, and gaue to thee their milke vnmilde.
For what should I regard? or wherto more should I mee keepe?
Did hee lament my teares? did ones his eyes on water weepe?
Did hee not comfort shew? or turne his face to me for loue?
What should I first complaine? now now dame Iuno great aboue,
Nor god him selfe on my mischaunce with equall eyes doth looke,
No stedfast truth there is: this nakyd miser vp I tooke
Whom seas had cast on shore, and of my realme a part I gaue,
His fleete I did relieue, and from their death his people saue.
Alas, what furies driue me thus to rage? Lo now anon,
Apollo laith his lottes, to Phœbus now he must be gon.
Now Ioue him selfe hath sent his fearefull mandat through the skies,
The post of gods is come: here is a fetche of fine deuise,
What els? be not the careles gods with these things coombryd sore?
These labours vexe them much: who euer heard this like before?
They carke for this? I neither that defend, nor hold thee more.
Go, seeke Italia through the windes, hunt kingdoms out at seas.
In mids therof I hope thou shalt (if good gods may displeas)
Upon the rocks be thrown, that vengeaunce due thy carcas teare.
On Dido shalt thou crie, with brondes of fier I will be there.
And whan the cold of death is come, and body voyde remaines:
Ech where my haunting sprite shall thee pursue to giue thee paines.
Yea thiefe it shalbe thus: and as I sit in Lymbo low,
These tydings when I heare, I shall reioyce thy wo to know.
And in the mids of this her tale she brake, and from the light
She fleed with heuy hart, and drew her selfe a way from sight,
Him leauing there perplexed sore in minde, and sore in feare.
Hee would haue spoke, her ladies lift her vp, and vp did beare,
To chamber her they brought, in precious bed they laid her there.
Do hate me now, for thee alone my people mee withstand,
For thee also my shamefast life I brake, and euermore
To whom alas shall I be left (O gest) since die I shall?
That surname must remaine (for husband thee I dare not call)
Why should I longer liue? should I abide the day to see
Mine enmies ouerthrow this towne for hate and spite of thee?
Or tyll that king Hiarbas come and mee his captiue make?
Yet if I chaunced had some frute of thee before to take,
If yet before thy flight there were some yong Aeneas small
Resembling mee thy face, to play with mee within this hall:
Than slaue I should not count my selfe, nor yet forsaken all.
These things she spake, but he remembring Ioues commaundment stil,
Did stand with fixid eyes, and couchyd care his hart did fill.
Few wordes at last he spake. All that (quoth he) and nothing lesse
But rather more, what euer toong may tell I will confesse,
Nor neuer (noble Queene) shall I denay thy goodnes kinde,
Nor Didos loue on mee bestowd shall neuer out of minde,
While on my selfe I thinke, while life and breath these lims do gide.
To purpose this I speake, I neuer thought nor hoapte to hide
(Do you not faine) this flight, nor did prepare from hence to steale,
Nor I for wedlocke euer came, nor thus did minde to deale.
For as for mee my life to leade if destnies did not let,
As I could best deuise, and all my charge in order set,
Mine auncient towne of Troy for me and mine I would againe
Restore with labour sweete, and Priams towres should yet remaine,
For though they conquerd be, their walles againe I would aduaunce.
But now Italia lond to seeke, and there to take our chaunce,
To Italy Apollo great, and mighty gods vs calles,
There lieth our contrey loue. If you delite in Carthage walles,
And you a Moore among the Moores reioyce this towne to see:
Why should the Troians from their contrey land restrained bee?
What reason is but wee likewise may straungy countreys take?
My father Anchises soule to mee (as oft as shadowes blake
By night doth hide the ground, as oft as light of stars do rise)
He warns me through my dreames, & mee with fearful gost doth grise.
My child Ascanius eke, to mee most deare, I put to wrong,
Whom from Italia realme, and fatall feeldes I keepe so long.
And now the message great of God from hie Ioue downe is sent,
I call to witnes doth as swift as winde his warning went.
He lighted first, and from the walles these eares did heare the sound.
Cease for my loue, with wailing thus to fret both mee and thee,
Italia against my will I seeke.
These things while he did speake, she him beheld with looking glum,
With rolling here and there her eies, and still in silence dum
His gesture all she vewd, and musing long against him stoode.
At last thus out she brake, and thus she spake with burning moode.
No goddesse neuer was thy dame, nor thou of Dardans kinde
Thou traitor wretche, but vnder rocks and mountaines rough vnkinde
Thou were begot, some brood thou art of beast or monster wilde,
Some Tigres thee did nurse, and gaue to thee their milke vnmilde.
For what should I regard? or wherto more should I mee keepe?
Did hee lament my teares? did ones his eyes on water weepe?
Did hee not comfort shew? or turne his face to me for loue?
What should I first complaine? now now dame Iuno great aboue,
Nor god him selfe on my mischaunce with equall eyes doth looke,
No stedfast truth there is: this nakyd miser vp I tooke
Whom seas had cast on shore, and of my realme a part I gaue,
His fleete I did relieue, and from their death his people saue.
Alas, what furies driue me thus to rage? Lo now anon,
Apollo laith his lottes, to Phœbus now he must be gon.
Now Ioue him selfe hath sent his fearefull mandat through the skies,
The post of gods is come: here is a fetche of fine deuise,
What els? be not the careles gods with these things coombryd sore?
These labours vexe them much: who euer heard this like before?
They carke for this? I neither that defend, nor hold thee more.
Go, seeke Italia through the windes, hunt kingdoms out at seas.
In mids therof I hope thou shalt (if good gods may displeas)
Upon the rocks be thrown, that vengeaunce due thy carcas teare.
On Dido shalt thou crie, with brondes of fier I will be there.
And whan the cold of death is come, and body voyde remaines:
Ech where my haunting sprite shall thee pursue to giue thee paines.
Yea thiefe it shalbe thus: and as I sit in Lymbo low,
These tydings when I heare, I shall reioyce thy wo to know.
And in the mids of this her tale she brake, and from the light
She fleed with heuy hart, and drew her selfe a way from sight,
Him leauing there perplexed sore in minde, and sore in feare.
To chamber her they brought, in precious bed they laid her there.
But good Aeneas though full faine he would her griefe aswage,
And wordes of comfort speke to turne from her that heuy rage,
In hart he mourned much, and shaken sore with feruent loue,
Yet to his ships he went to do the charge of gods aboue.
Than all the Troians them bestird, in hast on euery side,
Their ships they launched out, the anointed plankes on water glide.
And Ores they made of bows, the woods with them to seas they beare
Unshapen yet for hast.
From all the towne they ran, you might them swarming thicke behold.
And like as Antes apply their worke, that thinke on winter cold,
Whan heapes of corne they spoyl, and to their house conuey their store:
Their army blacke goeth out, and from the feeldes with labour sore
Their booties home they bring, and some the kernels great of graine
With might of shoulders shoue, and some behind suruey the train,
Correcting some for slewth, with cheering forth the worke it heates,
The waies are worne with weight, and euery path of labour sweates.
And wordes of comfort speke to turne from her that heuy rage,
In hart he mourned much, and shaken sore with feruent loue,
Yet to his ships he went to do the charge of gods aboue.
Than all the Troians them bestird, in hast on euery side,
Their ships they launched out, the anointed plankes on water glide.
And Ores they made of bows, the woods with them to seas they beare
Unshapen yet for hast.
From all the towne they ran, you might them swarming thicke behold.
And like as Antes apply their worke, that thinke on winter cold,
Whan heapes of corne they spoyl, and to their house conuey their store:
Their army blacke goeth out, and from the feeldes with labour sore
Their booties home they bring, and some the kernels great of graine
With might of shoulders shoue, and some behind suruey the train,
Correcting some for slewth, with cheering forth the worke it heates,
The waies are worne with weight, and euery path of labour sweates.
What minde alas O Dido now? what griefe was this to thee?
What wailing vp thou setst? whan so on shore thou didst them see?
And whan thou mightst be hold before thy face from toures on hie
The seas on euery side resound with such vprore and crie?
O Loue vnmilde, what doost thou not man mortall driue to seeke?
Againe to teares she goeth, againe she falles to praiers meeke,
She yeeldes to him for loue, nor nothing will she leaue vntried,
But practise all to proue, if ought will helpe before she died.
Lo sister Anne, thou seest how swift to shore this people hies,
From euery coast they come, their sailes are set for winde to rise,
With crownes for ioy their seamen deck their pups in garlandguise.
If euer, sister, such a griefe had come within my thought,
I would haue borne the same, or els some other shift haue wrought.
Yet one thing sister, in this wofull plight do thou for mee,
For this periured wretche regarded none so much as thee.
To thee alone he would commit both secret thought and deede,
Thou knowest ye mans good houres, & pleasant time with him to speed.
Go sister, and go tell my wordes to my disdainfull foe:
I was not she that did conspier with Greekes to Troy to goe,
Nor did subuert his townes, nor ships nor armour euer sent
To stroy the Troian blood, nor to his foes assistens lent.
I neuer brake his fathers tombe, nor bones in peaces chopt.
Why hath he thus to my request his eares so stifly stopt?
Where now away to ronne, will he remoue in all this hast?
O let him yet haue one respect to me for token last,
This one reward I craue, for duties all most miser wight,
O let him bide a while, till winde and seas may serue his flight.
I seeke no more the wedlocke olde, which he hath now betrayed,
Nor from Italia goodly land hee lenger should be staied.
I seeke no longer him to keepe his kingdome to forbeare.
A vacant time I aske, and respit small my wo to weare,
While fortune learne me to lament, and brooke my fatal fall,
For pity (sister) sue for me this pardon last of all,
Which whan thou doost obteyne: requite it with my death I shall.
Thus talked she with teares, and weeping thus both to and fro
Her sister went and came, and bare and brought encrease of wo.
But weeping nought preuails, nor wailing ought his mind doth moue
His brest so stifly bent, entreatinges all from him doth shoue,
God worketh so, his gentle eares are stopt from heauens aboue.
And as an auncient Oke of timber stout is tost and torne
With northen boystous blastes, now here, now there wt bending borne,
Whan struggling windes do striue, the craking noise aloft doth sounde,
The braunches breake aboue, and bows abrode are spread on ground.
Yet still on rockes it standes, and as the top doth climbe to grow
To heauens in height: so reacheth downe the roote to Limbo low
Non otherwise afflicted is this prince with message brought,
Incessauntly with teares, and greeuous cares opprest his thought,
Yet standes he fixed still, and teares of eyes do trill for nought.
What wailing vp thou setst? whan so on shore thou didst them see?
And whan thou mightst be hold before thy face from toures on hie
The seas on euery side resound with such vprore and crie?
O Loue vnmilde, what doost thou not man mortall driue to seeke?
Againe to teares she goeth, againe she falles to praiers meeke,
She yeeldes to him for loue, nor nothing will she leaue vntried,
But practise all to proue, if ought will helpe before she died.
Lo sister Anne, thou seest how swift to shore this people hies,
From euery coast they come, their sailes are set for winde to rise,
With crownes for ioy their seamen deck their pups in garlandguise.
If euer, sister, such a griefe had come within my thought,
I would haue borne the same, or els some other shift haue wrought.
Yet one thing sister, in this wofull plight do thou for mee,
For this periured wretche regarded none so much as thee.
To thee alone he would commit both secret thought and deede,
Thou knowest ye mans good houres, & pleasant time with him to speed.
Go sister, and go tell my wordes to my disdainfull foe:
I was not she that did conspier with Greekes to Troy to goe,
Nor did subuert his townes, nor ships nor armour euer sent
I neuer brake his fathers tombe, nor bones in peaces chopt.
Why hath he thus to my request his eares so stifly stopt?
Where now away to ronne, will he remoue in all this hast?
O let him yet haue one respect to me for token last,
This one reward I craue, for duties all most miser wight,
O let him bide a while, till winde and seas may serue his flight.
I seeke no more the wedlocke olde, which he hath now betrayed,
Nor from Italia goodly land hee lenger should be staied.
I seeke no longer him to keepe his kingdome to forbeare.
A vacant time I aske, and respit small my wo to weare,
While fortune learne me to lament, and brooke my fatal fall,
For pity (sister) sue for me this pardon last of all,
Which whan thou doost obteyne: requite it with my death I shall.
Thus talked she with teares, and weeping thus both to and fro
Her sister went and came, and bare and brought encrease of wo.
But weeping nought preuails, nor wailing ought his mind doth moue
His brest so stifly bent, entreatinges all from him doth shoue,
God worketh so, his gentle eares are stopt from heauens aboue.
And as an auncient Oke of timber stout is tost and torne
With northen boystous blastes, now here, now there wt bending borne,
Whan struggling windes do striue, the craking noise aloft doth sounde,
The braunches breake aboue, and bows abrode are spread on ground.
Yet still on rockes it standes, and as the top doth climbe to grow
To heauens in height: so reacheth downe the roote to Limbo low
Non otherwise afflicted is this prince with message brought,
Incessauntly with teares, and greeuous cares opprest his thought,
Yet standes he fixed still, and teares of eyes do trill for nought.
Than Dido (wofull soule) with plagues of destnies soule affright
Desires to die, she lothith now of heauen to see the light.
Her purpose also further foorth to set, and life to leaue,
As she on burning altars did encense and offerings heaue,
(A lothsome thinge to speake) the sacred liquors blacke they stood,
And wines in powring foorth she saw them turne to filthy blood.
This vision to no wight, no, not her sister deere she tolde.
There was also within her court, to serue her husband olde
A marble temple pure of wondrous worke, that day by day
Deuoutly she did dresse with fleeses white, and garlandes gay.
From thence were voices heard, and speeches plaine did seeme to sound
Her husband her to call, whan darcke of night did hide the ground.
And oftentimes on houses tops the shriking Oule alone
Her deadly song did draw, with wailing voyce and weeping mone.
Much things also that prophets old of long time spake before
Amazed made her minde with grisly threatnings more and more.
And visions in her sleepe she seeth. Him selfe Aeneas there
Pursues her fierce in chase, and she away doth fle for feare.
And euer left alone she seemes to bee, and long alone,
She walkes in desert waies, and people seekes and findeth none.
Her Moores also she thinkes hath her forsaken fled and gon.
As Pentheus whom fables faine with feends enchanted was,
Two sonnes at ones, and townes of Thebas twaine did seeme to pas:
Or as Orestes bayted was with bugs and ghosts vnkinde,
Whan hee his mother fled, and she pursued him fast behinde
All girt with serpents grim, and shaking brondes of vengeance fell
With fier, and euery doore beset with wrekefull hagges of hell.
Desires to die, she lothith now of heauen to see the light.
Her purpose also further foorth to set, and life to leaue,
As she on burning altars did encense and offerings heaue,
(A lothsome thinge to speake) the sacred liquors blacke they stood,
And wines in powring foorth she saw them turne to filthy blood.
This vision to no wight, no, not her sister deere she tolde.
There was also within her court, to serue her husband olde
A marble temple pure of wondrous worke, that day by day
Deuoutly she did dresse with fleeses white, and garlandes gay.
Her husband her to call, whan darcke of night did hide the ground.
And oftentimes on houses tops the shriking Oule alone
Her deadly song did draw, with wailing voyce and weeping mone.
Much things also that prophets old of long time spake before
Amazed made her minde with grisly threatnings more and more.
And visions in her sleepe she seeth. Him selfe Aeneas there
Pursues her fierce in chase, and she away doth fle for feare.
And euer left alone she seemes to bee, and long alone,
She walkes in desert waies, and people seekes and findeth none.
Her Moores also she thinkes hath her forsaken fled and gon.
As Pentheus whom fables faine with feends enchanted was,
Two sonnes at ones, and townes of Thebas twaine did seeme to pas:
Or as Orestes bayted was with bugs and ghosts vnkinde,
Whan hee his mother fled, and she pursued him fast behinde
All girt with serpents grim, and shaking brondes of vengeance fell
With fier, and euery doore beset with wrekefull hagges of hell.
Whan she therfore conceyued had these monsters wood, for wo
She gaue her selfe to death, and from this world decreed to go.
A time therto she seekes, and what deuise is best to take
She studies fast, and to her heauy sister thus she spake.
Lo sister, now reioyce with mee, for I haue found a way,
That either I shal hold him still, or els my loue shall stay.
There is a lond in Ocean sea, that furthest lieth of all,
Where Æthiops do dwell, and where the sonne from vs doth fall,
Where Atlas mighty mount on shoulders strong the Heauē doth turne,
And vnderprops the pole that stars doth beare that euer burne.
From thence a virgin priest is come, from out Massila land,
Sometime the temple there she kept, and from her heauenly hand
The dragon meate did take. She kept also the fruite deuine,
With herbes and liquors sweete, that still to sleepe did men enclyne
The mindes of men (she sayth) from loue with charmes she can vnbind,
In whom she list, but others can she cast to cares vnkinde.
The running streames to stand, & from their course the stars to wreath,
And soules she coniure can, thou shalt see sister vnderneath
The ground with roaring gape, and trees, & mountayns turne vpright.
I call to witnesse God, and vnto thee my trouth I plight
O sister sweete, and by thy head whom I so deare do loue,
Compeld against my will I must these artes of Magike proue.
Go thou therfore, and in mine inner court (in secret wise)
Prepare the pile of wood, and frame it large aloft in skies.
Than take his harneis all, and euery thing that thou canst finde,
Which in my chamber yet this wicked theefe hath left behinde.
Than all his wearing weedes, and than my bed of wedlocke wo
Where I was cast away (alas) lay that with them also.
All monumentes and tokens where that sinfull wretche hath past
I will consume with fier, so doth my priest commaund in hast.
This speaking sodenly she stopt, and stood with loking pale.
Yet could not Anne suspect by that, nor by her sisters tale,
That vnder such pretence of seruice new, her death she ment,
Nor of so fierce outrage she thought, or minde on madnes bent.
No greater thing she feared now, than whan Sichæus died.
Therfore as she was bid, she did.
The Queene, when she prepared had the pile in skies on hie,
With logs in peeces cut, and pitche and gummes and timber drie,
With garlonds them she decks, & bowes & herbes doth on them strowe,
In mourning guise, than all the robes theron she doth bestowe,
His sword also she layed, and faier on bed his picture new,
She couched all her selfe, and well she wist what should ensue.
Her altars stands about, the priest her selfe with heare vnfold,
Three hundred gods with thondring mouth she calls, and Chaos old,
And gods of vnder ground, and on the threfoldshapen dame,
And on Diana virgins faces three she doth exclame.
Than waters sprinckling (black as Lymbo pit) on them she throws.
And forth by night they gon, where weedes & herbes of mischief grows,
With hookes ful hard of bras, by light of moone they seeke and crop
Their heary buds, and milke of poison blacke that from them drop
They seeke also, and from a tender colt they take the knap
That from the front at foaling first the dam for loue doth snap,
Whom now they do preuent.
Her selfe at offring alters pure deuout with giftes in hand,
With one foote naked bare, in garment lose vngirt did stand,
Protesting loude before her death her gods, and stars aboue,
That know her destnies all. Than if there be for them that loue
Remembrance ought in heauen, or god that iustice keepes in skies,
Regarding breach of faith: to that she prayes and humbly cries.
She gaue her selfe to death, and from this world decreed to go.
A time therto she seekes, and what deuise is best to take
She studies fast, and to her heauy sister thus she spake.
Lo sister, now reioyce with mee, for I haue found a way,
That either I shal hold him still, or els my loue shall stay.
There is a lond in Ocean sea, that furthest lieth of all,
Where Æthiops do dwell, and where the sonne from vs doth fall,
Where Atlas mighty mount on shoulders strong the Heauē doth turne,
And vnderprops the pole that stars doth beare that euer burne.
From thence a virgin priest is come, from out Massila land,
Sometime the temple there she kept, and from her heauenly hand
The dragon meate did take. She kept also the fruite deuine,
With herbes and liquors sweete, that still to sleepe did men enclyne
The mindes of men (she sayth) from loue with charmes she can vnbind,
In whom she list, but others can she cast to cares vnkinde.
The running streames to stand, & from their course the stars to wreath,
And soules she coniure can, thou shalt see sister vnderneath
The ground with roaring gape, and trees, & mountayns turne vpright.
I call to witnesse God, and vnto thee my trouth I plight
O sister sweete, and by thy head whom I so deare do loue,
Go thou therfore, and in mine inner court (in secret wise)
Prepare the pile of wood, and frame it large aloft in skies.
Than take his harneis all, and euery thing that thou canst finde,
Which in my chamber yet this wicked theefe hath left behinde.
Than all his wearing weedes, and than my bed of wedlocke wo
Where I was cast away (alas) lay that with them also.
All monumentes and tokens where that sinfull wretche hath past
I will consume with fier, so doth my priest commaund in hast.
This speaking sodenly she stopt, and stood with loking pale.
Yet could not Anne suspect by that, nor by her sisters tale,
That vnder such pretence of seruice new, her death she ment,
Nor of so fierce outrage she thought, or minde on madnes bent.
No greater thing she feared now, than whan Sichæus died.
Therfore as she was bid, she did.
The Queene, when she prepared had the pile in skies on hie,
With logs in peeces cut, and pitche and gummes and timber drie,
With garlonds them she decks, & bowes & herbes doth on them strowe,
In mourning guise, than all the robes theron she doth bestowe,
His sword also she layed, and faier on bed his picture new,
She couched all her selfe, and well she wist what should ensue.
Her altars stands about, the priest her selfe with heare vnfold,
Three hundred gods with thondring mouth she calls, and Chaos old,
And gods of vnder ground, and on the threfoldshapen dame,
And on Diana virgins faces three she doth exclame.
Than waters sprinckling (black as Lymbo pit) on them she throws.
And forth by night they gon, where weedes & herbes of mischief grows,
With hookes ful hard of bras, by light of moone they seeke and crop
Their heary buds, and milke of poison blacke that from them drop
They seeke also, and from a tender colt they take the knap
That from the front at foaling first the dam for loue doth snap,
Whom now they do preuent.
Her selfe at offring alters pure deuout with giftes in hand,
With one foote naked bare, in garment lose vngirt did stand,
Protesting loude before her death her gods, and stars aboue,
That know her destnies all. Than if there be for them that loue
Remembrance ought in heauen, or god that iustice keepes in skies,
Regarding breach of faith: to that she prayes and humbly cries.
Than was it night, and creatures all that weery were on ground,
Did take their slomber sweete, both woods and seas had left their sound,
And waues of waters wylde, whan stars at midnight soft do slyde,
Whan whust is euery field, and beastes and birdes of painted pride
In bushes broade that breede, and countrey foules of land and lake,
By night in silence still are set on sleepe, their ease to take,
Forgetting labours long, and care away from hart they shake.
But not so Dido could, nor neuer rest relieues her minde,
On sleepe she neuer fals, her eyes or hart no night can finde.
Her cares encreasing rise, with raging loue in brest she boyles
A fresh, an surges wylde of wrath within her selfe she toyles.
Betweene them thus she striues, & thus her heauy hart turmoyles.
Lo, what shall I now doo? shall I againe go seeke with shame,
My former suters loue? shall I go sue to wed the same?
Whom I so oftentimes to take to mee disdayned haue?
Or shall I in the Troian fleete go serue, and lyue a slaue?
What els? for where they had before this time reliefe of mee,
They wil remember that, and well they quite me now you see.
Admit I would so doo, what is he there will me receiue
To their disdaynefull ships? O foole, thou doost thy selfe deceiue.
O creature lost, doost thou not yet the falshed vnderstande
Of that periured nation false of Laomedons bande?
What than? shall I alone pursue these boatmen braue in flight?
Or shall I rayse my people all in armes with mee to fight?
And them that out of Sydon land I skarsely brought with paine,
Shall I go bid them sayle, and send them out to seas againe?
Nay rather dye thy selfe, as worthy well thou doost deserue,
And with this weapon quenche away thine owne distresse and sterue.
Thou sister ouercome with teares, on mee this mischiefe furst
Didst put, and to my mortal foe didst throw mee most accurst.
Could I not yet my life haue led without reproche or misse,
As doth some saluage beast? and not haue felt the cares of this?
My promise broken is, that I my husband dead did make.
These waylings she within her brest with hart full heauy brake.
Did take their slomber sweete, both woods and seas had left their sound,
And waues of waters wylde, whan stars at midnight soft do slyde,
Whan whust is euery field, and beastes and birdes of painted pride
In bushes broade that breede, and countrey foules of land and lake,
By night in silence still are set on sleepe, their ease to take,
Forgetting labours long, and care away from hart they shake.
But not so Dido could, nor neuer rest relieues her minde,
On sleepe she neuer fals, her eyes or hart no night can finde.
Her cares encreasing rise, with raging loue in brest she boyles
A fresh, an surges wylde of wrath within her selfe she toyles.
Betweene them thus she striues, & thus her heauy hart turmoyles.
Lo, what shall I now doo? shall I againe go seeke with shame,
My former suters loue? shall I go sue to wed the same?
Whom I so oftentimes to take to mee disdayned haue?
Or shall I in the Troian fleete go serue, and lyue a slaue?
What els? for where they had before this time reliefe of mee,
They wil remember that, and well they quite me now you see.
Admit I would so doo, what is he there will me receiue
To their disdaynefull ships? O foole, thou doost thy selfe deceiue.
O creature lost, doost thou not yet the falshed vnderstande
Of that periured nation false of Laomedons bande?
What than? shall I alone pursue these boatmen braue in flight?
Or shall I rayse my people all in armes with mee to fight?
And them that out of Sydon land I skarsely brought with paine,
Shall I go bid them sayle, and send them out to seas againe?
Nay rather dye thy selfe, as worthy well thou doost deserue,
And with this weapon quenche away thine owne distresse and sterue.
Thou sister ouercome with teares, on mee this mischiefe furst
Didst put, and to my mortal foe didst throw mee most accurst.
Could I not yet my life haue led without reproche or misse,
As doth some saluage beast? and not haue felt the cares of this?
My promise broken is, that I my husband dead did make.
These waylings she within her brest with hart full heauy brake.
Aeneas than abourd in ship assured foorth to passe
Was taking rest, and for the flight all thing prepared was.
To him the god agayne in habit lyke, and former face
Appearing shewed him selfe, and thus in dreame bespake his grace.
All things like Mercury he bare, both forme and voyce and hew,
And glosse of shining heare, and comely youth of beauty new.
Thou goddesse sonne, in all this parlous season canst thou sleepe?
Nor how thou art beset with dangers great hast thou no keepe?
Thou foolish man? these goodly westerne windes doost thou not here?
She now on mischiefe thinkes, and wicked craft her minde doth stere
Assured bent to death, and waues of wrath her hart doth cast.
Wilt thou not hedlong flee betime, while power to flee thou hast?
Anone the seas enclosed vnder ships, and blasing brondes
On euery side shall shine, thou shalt see burning all the strondes,
If thee this morning sonne about this countrey finde to raunge.
Breake of dispatche: a diuers minded thing, and full of chaunge
Is woman kinde alway, dispatche. So spake this heauenly wight,
And through the darke of night himselfe withdrew from mortall sight.
Was taking rest, and for the flight all thing prepared was.
To him the god agayne in habit lyke, and former face
Appearing shewed him selfe, and thus in dreame bespake his grace.
And glosse of shining heare, and comely youth of beauty new.
Thou goddesse sonne, in all this parlous season canst thou sleepe?
Nor how thou art beset with dangers great hast thou no keepe?
Thou foolish man? these goodly westerne windes doost thou not here?
She now on mischiefe thinkes, and wicked craft her minde doth stere
Assured bent to death, and waues of wrath her hart doth cast.
Wilt thou not hedlong flee betime, while power to flee thou hast?
Anone the seas enclosed vnder ships, and blasing brondes
On euery side shall shine, thou shalt see burning all the strondes,
If thee this morning sonne about this countrey finde to raunge.
Breake of dispatche: a diuers minded thing, and full of chaunge
Is woman kinde alway, dispatche. So spake this heauenly wight,
And through the darke of night himselfe withdrew from mortall sight.
Aeneas with that sodaine voice in minde right sore appalde:
Him selfe from sleepe he shooke, and on his mates he freshly calde.
Now euery man awake, bestow your selues on hatches hye,
In hast hoyst vp your sailes, againe the god is come from skye,
In hast foorthwith to shift, and cables cut from hence to flee,
Lo ones againe he calles. O blessed god we waite on thee
What euer thou art: thy will againe with glad cheere we obey.
Be with vs now for speede, and send vs stars to guide our way,
And weather good (he sayd.) With that, he drew his fauchon out,
That bright as lightning shone, and cables strake with courage stout.
Than euery man bestirs: they seeke, they snatche, they take, they teare,
The shores aloofe they leaue, the seas for ships appeeres no where.
And now the morning read had left syr Tythons paynted bed,
And broade on earth her glistring beames and light had newly spred.
Him selfe from sleepe he shooke, and on his mates he freshly calde.
Now euery man awake, bestow your selues on hatches hye,
In hast hoyst vp your sailes, againe the god is come from skye,
In hast foorthwith to shift, and cables cut from hence to flee,
Lo ones againe he calles. O blessed god we waite on thee
What euer thou art: thy will againe with glad cheere we obey.
Be with vs now for speede, and send vs stars to guide our way,
And weather good (he sayd.) With that, he drew his fauchon out,
That bright as lightning shone, and cables strake with courage stout.
Than euery man bestirs: they seeke, they snatche, they take, they teare,
The shores aloofe they leaue, the seas for ships appeeres no where.
And now the morning read had left syr Tythons paynted bed,
And broade on earth her glistring beames and light had newly spred.
The Queene as dawning waxed white from tooting towres on hie,
When she the fleete thus vnder sayle in order did espie,
And winde at will to driue, and nothing left behinde at shore,
And saw the hauous all emptie stond withouten boate or Ore:
Three times her hands she beate, & foure times strake her comly brest,
Her golden heare she tare, and frantikelike with moode opprest:
She cryed, O Iupiter, O god (quoth she) and shalla go
In deede? and shalla flowte me thus within my kingdomes, so?
Shall not mine armies out? and all my peoples them pursue?
Shal they not spoile their ships, or burne them al with vengeance due?
Out people, out vpon them, folow fast with fiers and flames,
Set sailes aloft, make out with ores, in ships, in boates, in frames.
What speake I? or where am I? what furies me do thus enchaunt?
O Dido wofull wretch, now destnies fell thy head doth haunt.
This first thou shouldst haue don, whan thou thy kingdom putst frō thee.
Lo this it is to trust. This goodly faith and trouth hath hee
That so deuout, his countrey gods men say doth seeke to reare,
And he that on his shoulders did his aged father beare.
Could I not him by force haue caught, and peece from peece haue torne?
Or spred his limmes in seas, and all his people slaine beforne?
Could I not of Ascanius chopping made? and dresse for meate
His flesh? and than his father done therof his fill to eate?
Than grown a doubt there had perhaps in fight, what if it had?
Whom dred I bent to death? than would I straight with furies mad
Haue brent his campe with bronds, & fild his ships with fier & flame.
Both sier and son destroyd, and of their nation quench the name,
That done, I would haue thrown my selfe full glad vpon the same.
O Sunne with blasing beames, that euery deede on earth doost vewe,
And Iuno goddesse great, that knowest what thing to this is dewe:
Diana deepe, whose name by night all townes in crospathes crie,
And fends of vengeans fell, and gods that Dido make to die,
Receiue my words, and turne from me the wreke of sinners paine.
Heare now my voyce: yf destnies do that wicked head constraine
To enter hauen, and needes hee must with mischiefe swim to land,
If god will needes dispose it so to bee, there let it stand.
Yet let him vexed bee, with armes and wars of peoples wilde,
And hunted out from place to place, an outlaw still exylde,
Let him go beg for helpe, and from his childe disseuered bee,
And death and slaughters vile of all his kinred let him see.
And whan to lawes of wicked peace he doth him selfe behight,
Yet let him neuer raigne, nor in this life to haue delight:
But die before his day, and rot on ground withouten graue.
This is my prayer last, this with my blood of you I craue.
Than to their linage all, O you my people shew despite,
O Moores applie them still with strife, let hatred hate acquite,
This charge to you I leaue, these offring presents send you mee
Whan dead I am, let neuer loue nor league betweene you bee.
Than of my bones arise there may some impe reuenger fell,
That shall the Troian clownes with force of fier and sword expell,
Now, than, and euermore, as time shall serue to geue them might
Let shore to shore, and streame to streame, be still repugnant right.
This I desier, let them in armes and all their ofspringe fight.
Thus sayd she, and her minde about in compas wyde she kest,
Desiring soone this hatefull world to leaue and be at rest.
Than thus to Barcey straight, Sichæus nurse she shortly said,
(For at her contrey old, her own, in dust before was laid:)
Deare nurse (quoth she) go bid my sister hast that she were here,
Attyre her selfe she must, and washe with streames of water clere,
And offryngs bid her bring, and beastes appointed here to leade.
And thou thy head (O nurse deuout) with vesture see thou spreade,
Than let her come. To Pluto deepe such vowes as I haue take
My minde is to performe, and of my cares an end to make.
The tokens all of Troy to burning fier I will commit.
She hearing stepped furth, and hasted on with aged wit.
When she the fleete thus vnder sayle in order did espie,
And winde at will to driue, and nothing left behinde at shore,
And saw the hauous all emptie stond withouten boate or Ore:
Three times her hands she beate, & foure times strake her comly brest,
Her golden heare she tare, and frantikelike with moode opprest:
She cryed, O Iupiter, O god (quoth she) and shalla go
In deede? and shalla flowte me thus within my kingdomes, so?
Shall not mine armies out? and all my peoples them pursue?
Shal they not spoile their ships, or burne them al with vengeance due?
Set sailes aloft, make out with ores, in ships, in boates, in frames.
What speake I? or where am I? what furies me do thus enchaunt?
O Dido wofull wretch, now destnies fell thy head doth haunt.
This first thou shouldst haue don, whan thou thy kingdom putst frō thee.
Lo this it is to trust. This goodly faith and trouth hath hee
That so deuout, his countrey gods men say doth seeke to reare,
And he that on his shoulders did his aged father beare.
Could I not him by force haue caught, and peece from peece haue torne?
Or spred his limmes in seas, and all his people slaine beforne?
Could I not of Ascanius chopping made? and dresse for meate
His flesh? and than his father done therof his fill to eate?
Than grown a doubt there had perhaps in fight, what if it had?
Whom dred I bent to death? than would I straight with furies mad
Haue brent his campe with bronds, & fild his ships with fier & flame.
Both sier and son destroyd, and of their nation quench the name,
That done, I would haue thrown my selfe full glad vpon the same.
O Sunne with blasing beames, that euery deede on earth doost vewe,
And Iuno goddesse great, that knowest what thing to this is dewe:
Diana deepe, whose name by night all townes in crospathes crie,
And fends of vengeans fell, and gods that Dido make to die,
Receiue my words, and turne from me the wreke of sinners paine.
Heare now my voyce: yf destnies do that wicked head constraine
To enter hauen, and needes hee must with mischiefe swim to land,
If god will needes dispose it so to bee, there let it stand.
Yet let him vexed bee, with armes and wars of peoples wilde,
And hunted out from place to place, an outlaw still exylde,
Let him go beg for helpe, and from his childe disseuered bee,
And death and slaughters vile of all his kinred let him see.
And whan to lawes of wicked peace he doth him selfe behight,
Yet let him neuer raigne, nor in this life to haue delight:
But die before his day, and rot on ground withouten graue.
This is my prayer last, this with my blood of you I craue.
Than to their linage all, O you my people shew despite,
O Moores applie them still with strife, let hatred hate acquite,
This charge to you I leaue, these offring presents send you mee
Whan dead I am, let neuer loue nor league betweene you bee.
Than of my bones arise there may some impe reuenger fell,
Now, than, and euermore, as time shall serue to geue them might
Let shore to shore, and streame to streame, be still repugnant right.
This I desier, let them in armes and all their ofspringe fight.
Thus sayd she, and her minde about in compas wyde she kest,
Desiring soone this hatefull world to leaue and be at rest.
Than thus to Barcey straight, Sichæus nurse she shortly said,
(For at her contrey old, her own, in dust before was laid:)
Deare nurse (quoth she) go bid my sister hast that she were here,
Attyre her selfe she must, and washe with streames of water clere,
And offryngs bid her bring, and beastes appointed here to leade.
And thou thy head (O nurse deuout) with vesture see thou spreade,
Than let her come. To Pluto deepe such vowes as I haue take
My minde is to performe, and of my cares an end to make.
The tokens all of Troy to burning fier I will commit.
She hearing stepped furth, and hasted on with aged wit.
But Dido quaking fearce with frantike moode and grisly hewe,
With trimbling spotted cheekes, her huge attemptings to pursue,
Besides her selfe for rage, and towards death with visage wan,
Her eyes about she rold, as red as blood they looked than.
Anon to the inner court in hast she ronnes, and vp the pyle
She mountyng climes aloft, and on the top therof awhyle
She stoode, and naked from the sheath she drawes the fatall blade
A gift of Troy, that vnto these effectes was neuer made.
There, whan she saw the Troian weeds and couch acquainted layd
With triclyng teares awhile, and mourning hart her self she stayed.
Than flat on bed she fell, and these her last wordes than she sayd.
O sweet remain of clothing left, and thou O dulcet bedde,
(While god and fortune would, and while my life with you I ledde)
Receyue from me this soule, and from these cares my hart vntwyne.
A time of life I had, of fortunes race I ran the lyne:
And now from me my figure great goth vnder ground to dwell.
My walls I reysed haue, and citie riche that doth excell.
My husbands death, and on my brother false I wroke my teene.
O happie (welaway) and ouer happy had I beene,
If neuer Troian ship (alas) my contrey shore had seene.
This sayd, she wried her head, and vnreuenged must wee die?
But let vs boldly die (quoth she) thus, thus to death I plie.
Thus vnder ground I glady go, lo thus I do expier,
Let yonder Troian tyrant now with eyes deuor this fier,
As on the seas he sittes, and with my death fulfill his yre.
Thus speaking, in the mids therof she left, and therwithall
With brest on persing sword, her ladies saw where she did fall.
The blade in fomy blood, and hands abrode with sprauling throwne.
To heauen the shoutes arise, and through the towne the fame is blown.
Lamenting loude begins, and wailings wide, and roarings hie,
In euery house they houle, and women cast a rufull crie.
The citie shakes, the noyse rebounding breakes the mighty skie.
Non otherwise, than if some rage of enemies all their towne
At ones had ouerrone, and houses hie were tearing downe,
As all at ones should fall, Carthago proude, or auncient Tyre,
And buildings both of gods and men should burne with blasing fier.
Her sister heard the sound, as dead for dreede she stood vndrest,
With nailes her face she tare, and with her fistes she beat her brest,
And ramping through the mids of men she ronnes, and by her name
She calles her, now in death. O sister mine, and lady dame,
Is this the cause that I from thee so far beguiled was?
Did I this pyle of fier and altars builde for this? alas,
What should I now forsaken first complaine? O sister sweete,
Hast thou despised, me to take with thee, a mate so meete?
Why didst thou me thy sister to this death disdaine to call?
One wepon should vs both dispatch at ones from sorows all.
And with my handes haue I so wrought? haue I my gods so cried?
That from this cruel plight of thine my presens was denied?
O sister, now thou hast vndon this day both thee and mee,
Thy towne, thy peoples all, thy worthy lords confounded bee.
Carthago quenched is: O let mee wash these wounds in hast,
And if there be remaining yet some life or breathing last,
My mouth shall fetche the same forthwith. So said she, and now aloft
The pyle she clymed had, and in her bosom clasping soft
Her sister heauy helde (in pang that was) and with her weede
She wailing wiped of the deadly blood that blacke did bleede.
She towardes her, her heauie fainting eies would faine haue cast,
But fixed vnderneth her brest her wound reboyleth fast.
Three times her selfe she lift, and on her elbow sought to stay,
And thrise she sounding fell, and there vpon she gaue a bray.
Than thrise on bed she tost, and with her eyes vprolling round,
Of heauen she sought the light, and groned sore whan it she found.
Almighty Iuno than, these labours hard, and passage long
Lamented sore to see, and downe she sent in message strong
Dame Iris hie, that on the Rainbow read in heauen doth sit,
This struggling soule to take, and from these paines her lims vnknit.
For wheras no deserued death, nor destnies her did kill,
But sely soule before her day, by rage of frantike will,
Her golden heare as yet from her not taken was, nor yet
Diana dampned had her head to lake of Lymbo pit:
Dame Rainbow down therfore with safron wings of dropping shoures,
Whose face a thousand sundry hewes against the sunne deuoures,
From heauen descending came, and (on her head.) Here I doo thee
Lo Pluto now bequeath, and from this corps I make thee free,
She sayd, and with her hand she clipt her heare so cleare that shynde,
And therwithall her limmes at ones their heate from them resynde.
And thin as ayer her life went out, disperst abrode in wynde.
With trimbling spotted cheekes, her huge attemptings to pursue,
Besides her selfe for rage, and towards death with visage wan,
Her eyes about she rold, as red as blood they looked than.
Anon to the inner court in hast she ronnes, and vp the pyle
She mountyng climes aloft, and on the top therof awhyle
She stoode, and naked from the sheath she drawes the fatall blade
A gift of Troy, that vnto these effectes was neuer made.
There, whan she saw the Troian weeds and couch acquainted layd
With triclyng teares awhile, and mourning hart her self she stayed.
Than flat on bed she fell, and these her last wordes than she sayd.
O sweet remain of clothing left, and thou O dulcet bedde,
(While god and fortune would, and while my life with you I ledde)
Receyue from me this soule, and from these cares my hart vntwyne.
A time of life I had, of fortunes race I ran the lyne:
And now from me my figure great goth vnder ground to dwell.
My walls I reysed haue, and citie riche that doth excell.
My husbands death, and on my brother false I wroke my teene.
O happie (welaway) and ouer happy had I beene,
If neuer Troian ship (alas) my contrey shore had seene.
This sayd, she wried her head, and vnreuenged must wee die?
But let vs boldly die (quoth she) thus, thus to death I plie.
Let yonder Troian tyrant now with eyes deuor this fier,
As on the seas he sittes, and with my death fulfill his yre.
Thus speaking, in the mids therof she left, and therwithall
With brest on persing sword, her ladies saw where she did fall.
The blade in fomy blood, and hands abrode with sprauling throwne.
To heauen the shoutes arise, and through the towne the fame is blown.
Lamenting loude begins, and wailings wide, and roarings hie,
In euery house they houle, and women cast a rufull crie.
The citie shakes, the noyse rebounding breakes the mighty skie.
Non otherwise, than if some rage of enemies all their towne
At ones had ouerrone, and houses hie were tearing downe,
As all at ones should fall, Carthago proude, or auncient Tyre,
And buildings both of gods and men should burne with blasing fier.
Her sister heard the sound, as dead for dreede she stood vndrest,
With nailes her face she tare, and with her fistes she beat her brest,
And ramping through the mids of men she ronnes, and by her name
She calles her, now in death. O sister mine, and lady dame,
Is this the cause that I from thee so far beguiled was?
Did I this pyle of fier and altars builde for this? alas,
What should I now forsaken first complaine? O sister sweete,
Hast thou despised, me to take with thee, a mate so meete?
Why didst thou me thy sister to this death disdaine to call?
One wepon should vs both dispatch at ones from sorows all.
And with my handes haue I so wrought? haue I my gods so cried?
That from this cruel plight of thine my presens was denied?
O sister, now thou hast vndon this day both thee and mee,
Thy towne, thy peoples all, thy worthy lords confounded bee.
Carthago quenched is: O let mee wash these wounds in hast,
And if there be remaining yet some life or breathing last,
My mouth shall fetche the same forthwith. So said she, and now aloft
The pyle she clymed had, and in her bosom clasping soft
Her sister heauy helde (in pang that was) and with her weede
She wailing wiped of the deadly blood that blacke did bleede.
She towardes her, her heauie fainting eies would faine haue cast,
But fixed vnderneth her brest her wound reboyleth fast.
Three times her selfe she lift, and on her elbow sought to stay,
And thrise she sounding fell, and there vpon she gaue a bray.
Of heauen she sought the light, and groned sore whan it she found.
Almighty Iuno than, these labours hard, and passage long
Lamented sore to see, and downe she sent in message strong
Dame Iris hie, that on the Rainbow read in heauen doth sit,
This struggling soule to take, and from these paines her lims vnknit.
For wheras no deserued death, nor destnies her did kill,
But sely soule before her day, by rage of frantike will,
Her golden heare as yet from her not taken was, nor yet
Diana dampned had her head to lake of Lymbo pit:
Dame Rainbow down therfore with safron wings of dropping shoures,
Whose face a thousand sundry hewes against the sunne deuoures,
From heauen descending came, and (on her head.) Here I doo thee
Lo Pluto now bequeath, and from this corps I make thee free,
She sayd, and with her hand she clipt her heare so cleare that shynde,
And therwithall her limmes at ones their heate from them resynde.
And thin as ayer her life went out, disperst abrode in wynde.
DEO GRATIAS.
Per Thomam Phaer, in foresta Kilgerran
ix. Aprilis, Anno. 1556. Opus Quindecim dierum.
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