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 FIFTH BOOKE of the Æneidos of Uirgill.
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 | The .xiii. Bookes of Aeneidos |  |
THE FIFTH BOOKE of the Æneidos of Uirgill.
The Argument.
Aeneas leauing Carthage, and sayling towards Italy, by force of a tempest is driuen into Sicil, where, being freendly receaued by Acestes: he celebrateth his father Anchises tweluemonethes minde, whō he had buried at Drepanus ye day tweluemoneth before. And maketh playes, and games at his graue, and distributeth rewards to such as win them. Cloanthus getteth the price in fight on sea. Eurialus, through the sleight of Nisus: winneth the best in running, & so doth Eurytion in showting. Entellus the auncient, ouercometh Dares at the game called Cæstus (which is fightinge with bags or flaps of leather hanginge by strings, wherin is either lead, or sande) who youthfully boasted of himselfe. Howbeit the cheif rewards, & honour, in respect of age, and dignitie: were adiudged vnto Acestes, whose arrow when it flewe into the ayer: sodenly waxed a fier. Ascanius in the honour of Anchises his grandfather with the other youth of nobilitie practizeth fight, & feates on horsebacke, resembling warlike prowesse. In the meane time the Troiane wiues, at the instigation of the Raynbow and for wearysomnesse of their long trauaile: cast fier among the fleet, & quite destroyed foure tall ships. The rest by a soden showre of rayne sent by Iupiter: were preserued from burning. The night following, Anchises appeareth to his sonne Aeneas in a dreame, & warneth him frō Iupiter, that following the counsell of Nautes, he leaue behind him the women, and the impotent old men, in Sicil, and himselfe with the force of his army, and the lustiest youthes of all the company: sayle into Italy. Where he should first go seeke Sybillas den, by whose direction hee should be brought vnto him into the fieldes called Elysij, or fieldes of pleasure, where he should bee enfourmed of all the race of his posteritie, & learne the euentes of all wars that should shortly befal him. Wherfore Aeneas then obeying his fathers commaundement: buildeth a citie in Sicill named Acestes, & there maketh a Colonye of women, & old men that were vnfit for war, and him selfe with the strength of his army taketh his viage towards Italy. Therwhiles, Neptunus at the entreaty of Venus maketh the sea calme, whilst Aeneas sayleth. In this goodly calmnesse Palinurus the stearesman fallinge a sleape: is cast helme and all into the sea, whose turne Aeneas supplyeth.
Aeneas on his way this while with ships the seas did sheare,
Amids the working waues of Northen winde full rough that were,
Assured now to passe, and backe full oft he kest his eien
To Didos wofull wals, on euery side that now did shine
With flames of burning bright, what kindled hath so great a fier,
The cause vnknowen it is, but wondrous feates in feruent yre,
Is wrought by woman kinde, whan breach of loue hath made thē mad:
Thus pensiue passe the Troians from that sight and token sad.
Amids the working waues of Northen winde full rough that were,
Assured now to passe, and backe full oft he kest his eien
With flames of burning bright, what kindled hath so great a fier,
The cause vnknowen it is, but wondrous feates in feruent yre,
Is wrought by woman kinde, whan breach of loue hath made thē mad:
Thus pensiue passe the Troians from that sight and token sad.
Whan to the deepe their ships were come, and now on neither side
Appeares no land, but seas and skies about them broad are spide:
A showre aboue his head there stoode, all dusky blacke with blew,
Both night & storme it brought, & straight the waters darke their hew.
Him selfe the Lodesman Palynure from pup at sterne on hie
Alack, why hath these clouds so thicke encompast thus the skie?
What workst thou father Neptune now? he sayd, and therwithall
He bids them trusse their tackels, and with ores to labour fall,
And sailes to leeward set, than thwart the winde he kest about,
And thus he spake Aeneas prince of might and corage stout.
If god him selfe, as now this wether stands, would say to mee,
To fetch Italia land, yet would I thinke it could not bee.
So worke these wayward windes, and from by west the tempest grim
Doth rise with boistous noise, and aier with cloudes encloseth dim.
Nor striue no more we may, nor if we list we can come there,
Since fortune therfore doth preuaile, let vs with fortune beare,
And turne where fortune calls, not far it is (as I suppose)
Unto thy brother Erix coast and hauons of Sicil woose,
(If I in minde my wonted course of stars do well retaine.)
Aeneas gentill said, in deede I see thee striue in vaine
With labour all this while, and so me thinke these windes require.
Turne thou therto thy sailes, is any lond to me more deere?
Or where should I my wery ships more wish to set at rest,
Than where Acestes Troian dwells my freend beloued best?
And where my father Anchises bones entombed lyen in chest?
He said, and towards hauons anon they make, and windes at west
Doth blow them through the deepes, ye chanell swift their nauy driues,
And glad at last on their acquainted shore their ships ariues.
And from the mountain top, with meruell great to see them fleete,
Acestes hasting ran, his contrey ships at those to meete.
All hunterlike, in hide of boystous beare, with dart in hand,
His father (flood Crinisus) him begat in Troian land.
Dame Troy his mother was, his worthy stocke ful stout he bare.
He bad them welcome backe, and ioyfully with mountayne fare
He did them entertaine, and freendly comfort after care.
Appeares no land, but seas and skies about them broad are spide:
A showre aboue his head there stoode, all dusky blacke with blew,
Both night & storme it brought, & straight the waters darke their hew.
Him selfe the Lodesman Palynure from pup at sterne on hie
Alack, why hath these clouds so thicke encompast thus the skie?
What workst thou father Neptune now? he sayd, and therwithall
He bids them trusse their tackels, and with ores to labour fall,
And sailes to leeward set, than thwart the winde he kest about,
And thus he spake Aeneas prince of might and corage stout.
If god him selfe, as now this wether stands, would say to mee,
To fetch Italia land, yet would I thinke it could not bee.
So worke these wayward windes, and from by west the tempest grim
Doth rise with boistous noise, and aier with cloudes encloseth dim.
Nor striue no more we may, nor if we list we can come there,
Since fortune therfore doth preuaile, let vs with fortune beare,
And turne where fortune calls, not far it is (as I suppose)
Unto thy brother Erix coast and hauons of Sicil woose,
(If I in minde my wonted course of stars do well retaine.)
Aeneas gentill said, in deede I see thee striue in vaine
With labour all this while, and so me thinke these windes require.
Turne thou therto thy sailes, is any lond to me more deere?
Or where should I my wery ships more wish to set at rest,
Than where Acestes Troian dwells my freend beloued best?
And where my father Anchises bones entombed lyen in chest?
He said, and towards hauons anon they make, and windes at west
Doth blow them through the deepes, ye chanell swift their nauy driues,
And glad at last on their acquainted shore their ships ariues.
And from the mountain top, with meruell great to see them fleete,
Acestes hasting ran, his contrey ships at those to meete.
All hunterlike, in hide of boystous beare, with dart in hand,
His father (flood Crinisus) him begat in Troian land.
Dame Troy his mother was, his worthy stocke ful stout he bare.
He did them entertaine, and freendly comfort after care.
The morning next, whan first the dawning stars expulsed were,
And cleare the day began, Aeneas out from euery where
Assembled all his mates, and into counsell did them call.
Than from a banke on hie, he thus pronounced to them all.
And cleare the day began, Aeneas out from euery where
Assembled all his mates, and into counsell did them call.
Than from a banke on hie, he thus pronounced to them all.
You mighty Troians, from the blood of great gods that descend,
This time is comen about, a perfit yere is now at end,
Since whan my father Anchises blessed bones were put in ground,
And mourning altars for his holy relikes we did found.
And now the day (if I do not mistake) approcheth neere,
That vnto mee shall euer dolefull bee, and euer deere,
Since gods hath pleased so: if I this day were cast a land,
Among the saluage Moores, or on the shores of Sirtes sand,
Or caught on Greekish seas, or in Micena towne a slaue:
Yet pay my yerely vowes I would with pompe of dueties braue,
And gifts in feastfull gyse on altars large I would aduaunce.
Now here in hauen we bee, among our freends, not by no chaunce,
But by the gods (I trust) of purpose wrought, and for the nones,
To worship here my fathers blessed dust, and precious bones.
Come on therfore, let euery man set foorth these honors pure
With mirth on euery side, that of good windes we may be sure.
And as I yerely now these offring daies to him do make,
So whan my citie builded is, in temples he shall take.
For euery ship Acestes giues to you of oxen twaine,
With charge your selues to chere, set out your contrey gods againe,
And with our host Acestes gods to feasting see you fall:
In worship of this day, let vs reioyce with corage all.
Moreover, whan the morning ninth to mortall men doth spring,
And sunne with glistring beames the world againe to sight doth bring,
For prises proud to striue, I will prouoke the Troian fleete.
And who so wrastleth best, or best can ronne with force of feete,
Or surer driues a Dart, or archer best his bowe can drawe,
Or fighting dares combat, with boystous bags of lether raw:
Rewards I shall set foorth, and prises meete for euery matche.
Be present all, and he that best deserues, the best shall catche.
Say all Amen, and crowne your heads with bowes of Laurell greene.
So speaking on his head he set his garlond fresh beseene,
So Helimus, so kinge Acestes doth, (full graue of age)
So child Ascanius doth, and after him both man and page.
This time is comen about, a perfit yere is now at end,
Since whan my father Anchises blessed bones were put in ground,
And mourning altars for his holy relikes we did found.
And now the day (if I do not mistake) approcheth neere,
That vnto mee shall euer dolefull bee, and euer deere,
Since gods hath pleased so: if I this day were cast a land,
Among the saluage Moores, or on the shores of Sirtes sand,
Or caught on Greekish seas, or in Micena towne a slaue:
Yet pay my yerely vowes I would with pompe of dueties braue,
And gifts in feastfull gyse on altars large I would aduaunce.
Now here in hauen we bee, among our freends, not by no chaunce,
But by the gods (I trust) of purpose wrought, and for the nones,
To worship here my fathers blessed dust, and precious bones.
Come on therfore, let euery man set foorth these honors pure
With mirth on euery side, that of good windes we may be sure.
And as I yerely now these offring daies to him do make,
So whan my citie builded is, in temples he shall take.
For euery ship Acestes giues to you of oxen twaine,
With charge your selues to chere, set out your contrey gods againe,
And with our host Acestes gods to feasting see you fall:
In worship of this day, let vs reioyce with corage all.
Moreover, whan the morning ninth to mortall men doth spring,
And sunne with glistring beames the world againe to sight doth bring,
For prises proud to striue, I will prouoke the Troian fleete.
And who so wrastleth best, or best can ronne with force of feete,
Or surer driues a Dart, or archer best his bowe can drawe,
Or fighting dares combat, with boystous bags of lether raw:
Rewards I shall set foorth, and prises meete for euery matche.
Be present all, and he that best deserues, the best shall catche.
Say all Amen, and crowne your heads with bowes of Laurell greene.
So speaking on his head he set his garlond fresh beseene,
So child Ascanius doth, and after him both man and page.
He from the counsell came with thousands thicke in mighty throng,
Unto his fathers tombe, in mids of all his princes strong.
Two bolles of blessed wine in solempne guise he kest on ground,
And milke in basons twaine about the tombe he powred round,
And twaine of sacred blood: than al the graue he spred and layd
With flowres of purple hewes, and thus at last full loud he prayd.
All haile O blessed father mine, yet ones againe all hayle:
From death preserued twise, but nought to me can that preuayle,
Thy bones I worship here, vnto thy soule mote glory bee.
My lucke was not Italia fatall feeldes to finde with thee,
Nor Tyber flood (where euer it is) could we togethers know.
Thus talked he, whan from the tombe at secret caue by lowe,
A serpent great did slyde, with circles seuen of mighty sise,
Along the graue he drew with foldings seuen in compaswise,
Embrasing soft the tombe, and tombling soft on the altars rolde,
His backe as azure blew, bespotted gay with specks of golde,
And glosse of burning skales, as in the clouds with diuers hewes
Against the sunne, the rainbow red in thousand sortes renewes.
Aeneas with that sight astoynid was, but he along,
Came lagging forth in linkes, and all the deynty meates among
He tasted euery dishe, and home againe in hermeles wise,
Returning tooke his tombe, and was not seene againe to rise.
So much the more his fathers tombe he plied with offrings than.
For what it was, or how therof to thinke he could not skan.
If priuat ghost it were, or sprite that in that mountaine dwelles,
Or seruant from his father sent, but slaughters downe he felles
Of sheepe number fiue, and fiue of swyne full large of syse,
And mighty hefers blacke in number fiue, as is the gyse.
And wines in bolles he shed, and on the mighty soule he cried,
Of great Anchises ghost, and sprite that ouer ground was spied.
His mates also full glad, as euery man was sped of store,
Their offring presents brought, and laded altars more and more,
And hefers downe they slew, and som by rowes their pans of brasse
Did set to seeth in sight, and downe they spred them selues on grasse,
On vmbles fat they feede, and broche, and broyle, and time they passe.
Unto his fathers tombe, in mids of all his princes strong.
Two bolles of blessed wine in solempne guise he kest on ground,
And milke in basons twaine about the tombe he powred round,
And twaine of sacred blood: than al the graue he spred and layd
With flowres of purple hewes, and thus at last full loud he prayd.
All haile O blessed father mine, yet ones againe all hayle:
From death preserued twise, but nought to me can that preuayle,
Thy bones I worship here, vnto thy soule mote glory bee.
My lucke was not Italia fatall feeldes to finde with thee,
Nor Tyber flood (where euer it is) could we togethers know.
Thus talked he, whan from the tombe at secret caue by lowe,
A serpent great did slyde, with circles seuen of mighty sise,
Along the graue he drew with foldings seuen in compaswise,
Embrasing soft the tombe, and tombling soft on the altars rolde,
His backe as azure blew, bespotted gay with specks of golde,
And glosse of burning skales, as in the clouds with diuers hewes
Against the sunne, the rainbow red in thousand sortes renewes.
Aeneas with that sight astoynid was, but he along,
Came lagging forth in linkes, and all the deynty meates among
He tasted euery dishe, and home againe in hermeles wise,
Returning tooke his tombe, and was not seene againe to rise.
So much the more his fathers tombe he plied with offrings than.
For what it was, or how therof to thinke he could not skan.
If priuat ghost it were, or sprite that in that mountaine dwelles,
Or seruant from his father sent, but slaughters downe he felles
Of sheepe number fiue, and fiue of swyne full large of syse,
And mighty hefers blacke in number fiue, as is the gyse.
And wines in bolles he shed, and on the mighty soule he cried,
Of great Anchises ghost, and sprite that ouer ground was spied.
His mates also full glad, as euery man was sped of store,
Their offring presents brought, and laded altars more and more,
And hefers downe they slew, and som by rowes their pans of brasse
Did set to seeth in sight, and downe they spred them selues on grasse,
On vmbles fat they feede, and broche, and broyle, and time they passe.
And now the ninth desired day was come with morning bright,
And Phœthons horses faier had mounted vp the sonne to sight,
And by the fame, and for Acestes worship round about
The contreys all were come, and shores they ful with ioyfull rout
To see the Troian lords, and some in minde themselfes to trie.
First prises great in sight, aloft a bancke, aduaunced hie,
Were set amids them all, three footed bolles of precious mold,
And crownes and garlonds gay, for them that win the wager shold.
And poudryd purple robes, and armor gorgeous glistring bright,
And talents great of gold, and plenty plate of siluer pight.
With glee the game begins, the trompet blows with noise on hight.
First vessels foure, that cheife elected were from all the fleete,
Come forth to coape with Ores of hugy weight as matches meete.
Syr Mnesteus his galeon swift whose name was Pistrin, driues,
Syr Mnesteus Italian prince, whence Memmus lyne deriues.
Syr Gias than with hugy monster ship Chimera calde,
A cities worke she was, with ranckes of rowers treble walde,
And Troian youth with triple tyre of Ores did shoue the same.
Sergestus than, from whom the house of Sergis drawes the name,
Centaurus him did beare (that galee great.) But Scylla blew
Cloantus brought, from whence thy race (O Romain Cluent) grew.
Far out in seas there stands a rocke against the fomy shore,
That sometime vnder water lyeth with surges beaten sore,
Whan stormes of winter winde encloseth stars in cloudy skies,
But smooth in calme it lieth, and in the mids therof doth rise
A pleasant plaine of feeld, where often Mewes, and birds of seas
Do keepe their haunting walke, and sun their fethers whan they pleas.
Aeneas there aduauncing set a signe of braunches greene,
A marke of oken bows, that of the boatmen might be seene,
To know their turning place, and courses long from whence to folde.
Eche man by lot their standing tooke, and glistring bright in golde,
The gorgeous capteins stood, on hatches hie in garmentes gay.
The rest of youth with crownes of garlonds greene in due aray,
Their neckes and shoulders shine with oyles annointed naked bare,
On fettels downe they sit, their Ores in hands prepared are,
Their armes ententiue bent, whan at the signe they shall begin.
Their harts for ioy doth hop, and fear doth flap their brests within,
And greedy pride of praise, and feruent loue renown to win.
And by the fame, and for Acestes worship round about
The contreys all were come, and shores they ful with ioyfull rout
To see the Troian lords, and some in minde themselfes to trie.
First prises great in sight, aloft a bancke, aduaunced hie,
Were set amids them all, three footed bolles of precious mold,
And crownes and garlonds gay, for them that win the wager shold.
And poudryd purple robes, and armor gorgeous glistring bright,
And talents great of gold, and plenty plate of siluer pight.
With glee the game begins, the trompet blows with noise on hight.
First vessels foure, that cheife elected were from all the fleete,
Come forth to coape with Ores of hugy weight as matches meete.
Syr Mnesteus his galeon swift whose name was Pistrin, driues,
Syr Mnesteus Italian prince, whence Memmus lyne deriues.
Syr Gias than with hugy monster ship Chimera calde,
A cities worke she was, with ranckes of rowers treble walde,
And Troian youth with triple tyre of Ores did shoue the same.
Sergestus than, from whom the house of Sergis drawes the name,
Centaurus him did beare (that galee great.) But Scylla blew
Cloantus brought, from whence thy race (O Romain Cluent) grew.
Far out in seas there stands a rocke against the fomy shore,
That sometime vnder water lyeth with surges beaten sore,
Whan stormes of winter winde encloseth stars in cloudy skies,
But smooth in calme it lieth, and in the mids therof doth rise
A pleasant plaine of feeld, where often Mewes, and birds of seas
Do keepe their haunting walke, and sun their fethers whan they pleas.
Aeneas there aduauncing set a signe of braunches greene,
A marke of oken bows, that of the boatmen might be seene,
To know their turning place, and courses long from whence to folde.
Eche man by lot their standing tooke, and glistring bright in golde,
The gorgeous capteins stood, on hatches hie in garmentes gay.
The rest of youth with crownes of garlonds greene in due aray,
Their neckes and shoulders shine with oyles annointed naked bare,
On fettels downe they sit, their Ores in hands prepared are,
Their armes ententiue bent, whan at the signe they shall begin.
Their harts for ioy doth hop, and fear doth flap their brests within,
And greedy pride of praise, and feruent loue renown to win.
Than whan the blast of trompet first doth sound, they all arise
Atones, and from their bounds they breake, their clamors perce ye skies,
Their stroks at ones they strike, the fomy waters through they cliue,
The stremes resisting breake, and with their stems the seas they sliue,
Their ores wt labor creaks, by strength of armes themselfs they driue.
Not headlong halfe so swift, doth coursing steedes bestir their heeles,
Whan for their wager fast with all their force they flie with wheeles.
Nor charet gyder non more free on feeld doth let them slip,
Or slacker shakes his raines, or louder them doth lash with whip:
Than with the shoutes of men that clap their hands, and parties takes,
The cries encreasing rise, that euery wood with sounding shakes.
The noyse repulsed ronnes from banck to banck, and through the shores
The voices broken ben, and hill to hill rebounding rores.
Before them all sir Gias first escapes through all the throng,
And first to seas he flies with noise, and him Cloanthus strong
Pursues at hand, and better was with ores, but sluggish keele
And mast vnweldy lets. Than after him euen hard at heele,
Centaurus preasing glides, and Pistris her doth equall matche,
They striue with sturdy strokes, and formost place they seeke to catche.
And now Centaurus gets the vauntage, now doth Pistris win:
Now ioyntly both, with side to side, and equall speede they spin.
And now approching neere the rocke they were, and marke they held,
Whan Gias victor prince, (of conquest proud) the land beheld.
And as from chanell deepe his barge to land he would haue hied:
Unto Menetes lodesman than therof full loud he cried.
Why roust away so wide? take here I say, loue nie the shore,
Fetch mee this left hand land, and on these rocks let beat thine Ore.
Let others keepe the deepe, he said, but fearing rocks, and sholdes,
Menetes still at sterne his hand on helme to seaward holdes.
Where yet astray so wide? yet (whan I bid thee) fetche the stones,
Sir Gias on Menetes cried and cald, and (lo at ones)
Hee seeth Cloanthus come, euen hard at backe, and formost glide,
He through the roaring rockes, and vnderneth sir Gias [illeg.]ide
Did sheare his lefthand way, betweene them twaine, and swift anon
Escapes them both, and suer in seas beyond the marke is gon.
Than verily for feruent wo, the yong mans bones did glowe,
Nor teares his eyes could hold, but by and by Menetes slowe
(Forgetting worship all, and that he was his helpe at helme,)
Yet hedlong down he threw, and him in seas did ouer whelme,
Him selfe to sterne he stept, him selfe his maisters roume supplies,
Exhorting men with noyse, and fast to shoreward helme he wries.
But whan (good aged man) Menetes vp was cast on brim,
From botom deepe of seas, and in his garmentes wet did swim,
He caught the rocke on hie, and on the drie land there he sat.
The Troians had good game, and sporting all they laught therat,
Whan first in seas he fell, and whan he rose and flat did fleete,
And whan to pourge his gorge he kest vp floods of salt on sweete.
Their stroks at ones they strike, the fomy waters through they cliue,
The stremes resisting breake, and with their stems the seas they sliue,
Their ores wt labor creaks, by strength of armes themselfs they driue.
Not headlong halfe so swift, doth coursing steedes bestir their heeles,
Whan for their wager fast with all their force they flie with wheeles.
Nor charet gyder non more free on feeld doth let them slip,
Or slacker shakes his raines, or louder them doth lash with whip:
Than with the shoutes of men that clap their hands, and parties takes,
The cries encreasing rise, that euery wood with sounding shakes.
The noyse repulsed ronnes from banck to banck, and through the shores
The voices broken ben, and hill to hill rebounding rores.
Before them all sir Gias first escapes through all the throng,
And first to seas he flies with noise, and him Cloanthus strong
Pursues at hand, and better was with ores, but sluggish keele
And mast vnweldy lets. Than after him euen hard at heele,
Centaurus preasing glides, and Pistris her doth equall matche,
They striue with sturdy strokes, and formost place they seeke to catche.
And now Centaurus gets the vauntage, now doth Pistris win:
Now ioyntly both, with side to side, and equall speede they spin.
And now approching neere the rocke they were, and marke they held,
Whan Gias victor prince, (of conquest proud) the land beheld.
And as from chanell deepe his barge to land he would haue hied:
Unto Menetes lodesman than therof full loud he cried.
Why roust away so wide? take here I say, loue nie the shore,
Fetch mee this left hand land, and on these rocks let beat thine Ore.
Let others keepe the deepe, he said, but fearing rocks, and sholdes,
Menetes still at sterne his hand on helme to seaward holdes.
Where yet astray so wide? yet (whan I bid thee) fetche the stones,
Sir Gias on Menetes cried and cald, and (lo at ones)
Hee seeth Cloanthus come, euen hard at backe, and formost glide,
He through the roaring rockes, and vnderneth sir Gias [illeg.]ide
Did sheare his lefthand way, betweene them twaine, and swift anon
Escapes them both, and suer in seas beyond the marke is gon.
Than verily for feruent wo, the yong mans bones did glowe,
Nor teares his eyes could hold, but by and by Menetes slowe
(Forgetting worship all, and that he was his helpe at helme,)
Yet hedlong down he threw, and him in seas did ouer whelme,
Exhorting men with noyse, and fast to shoreward helme he wries.
But whan (good aged man) Menetes vp was cast on brim,
From botom deepe of seas, and in his garmentes wet did swim,
He caught the rocke on hie, and on the drie land there he sat.
The Troians had good game, and sporting all they laught therat,
Whan first in seas he fell, and whan he rose and flat did fleete,
And whan to pourge his gorge he kest vp floods of salt on sweete.
Than hope and comfort kindled is vnto the twaine behinde.
Sir Mnesteus and Sergestus strong, they both with burning minde
Would passe sir Gias by, (that hindred is) and passe they do,
Sergestus first the place doth take, and rocke approcheth to,
And yet not formost all, nor all her keele hath forhand won,
But part before, for halfe with her doth Pistris striuing ron.
But kindling fast his mates on euery side sir Mnesteus steeres.
From man to man he steps, and chafing vp their corage cheeres,
With loude exhorting noise. Now now (quoth he) with might & maine,
Now cheerely stur your Ores, now all your force do you constraine.
O Hectors worthy peeres, whom I at Troys extreme decay,
Did matche to be my mates, and chose with me to take our way,
Expresse me now ye might yt somtime brought vs through the streames,
And sturdy waues of seas, and sondry gulfes of Greekish realmes.
I seeke not now the chiefe, nor of this game renown to bost,
(Albeit O,) but let it go where Neptune fauours most.
Yet last let vs not bee. O liuely laddes of noble kinde,
Let neuer man for shame behold vs last to lag behinde.
Now for our contreys loue, (if any thing your hartes reuiues)
Now pull or neuer pull. They than at ones all for their liues,
Laid on with lusty strokes, the brasen pup with plucking quakes,
With strength of arms they striue, yt skudding furth ye stem it strakes.
The land aloose withdraws, than pantinge breath doth beat their lims,
Their mouths of moisture dry, on streming swet their bodies swims.
Fortune also to them desired lucke and honour sent,
For as Sergestus (mad in minde for hast) in turning bent
Too neere the shore, and straighter would haue cut the shorter space:
Among the stones he stack (vnlucky man) in parlous place.
The rockes therwith they shoke, and on the craggy pointed pikes
Their Ores with crashing breke, & keele on grosid with danger strikes.
The boatmen rise with noise, & loude with cries them selues they let
And proppes, and pyked poales, with hurlyburly great they get.
And some their broken Ores, in peeces fleeting vp they fet.
But Mnesteus reioysing than, and proud for this mischaunce,
With cluster swift of Ores, and windes at will that did aduaunce,
All groweling through ye seas he skouring ronnes, & through the deepes
The waues hee smothly cuts, and swift his way on water sweepes:
Most like a Doue, whom chaunce distourbyd hath from pleasant rest,
That in some corner close within some house, doth keepe her nest,
Affraid she sterteth first, and flushing loud she flaps her winges,
That all the house resoundes, than vp to skies aloft she springes,
And fast to field she flies, where gliding soft in aier aboue,
She sheares her tender way, and wing for hast doth neuer moue.
So Mnesteus, so Pistris makes her way with might extreeme,
So slides she through the seas, and so with force to flye they seeme.
And first Sergestus strong, that on the rocke did yet remaine,
He leaues him struggling there, and calling helpe full oft in vaine,
Among the sholdes, and glad with broken Ores to learne to creepe.
Than Gias, than Chimera ship her selfe that monster steepe,
He ouertakes, (for of her maister late she spoyled was)
And now remaynes there none but sir Cloanthus last to passe,
Whom fast he doth pursue, and hard at hand he hath in chase,
With power and pith he pulles, and towardes him he drawes a pace.
Than noyses dubbled been, and shoutes of friendes exalting cries,
Prouoking foorth with prayse, that vp to heauen the clamours flies.
They proude of former prayse, their honour won they will not lose.
And if they should, no longer than to liue they do dispose.
Those other fortune feedes, they thinke to win for win they may.
And with the prise (perhaps) or halfe therof had gon their way:
Had not Cloanthus to the seas his handes abroad displayed,
And cald his gods for helpe, and thus to them full loud he prayed.
O Gods that empier keepes on seas, whose kingdomes here I strake,
Upon this water shore to you mine altars will I make.
A white elected Bull I vowe to giue with seruice braue,
And cast his flesh in floods, if I mine honour now may saue.
And plenty pure of wines, I will to you in waters throw.
He spake that word, and him beneth in botoms deepe by low,
The god Portunus heard, and virgin rout of Mermaydes all,
And ladies bright that daunsing liues in seas with bodies tall,
Him selfe his mighty hand to send her foorth did set behinde.
So did the noble water Nimphes, she swifter than, than winde:
And swifter glaunsing smooth than arow gliding goeth from bow,
To land she leapt, and safe in hauen her selfe she did bestow.
Sir Mnesteus and Sergestus strong, they both with burning minde
Would passe sir Gias by, (that hindred is) and passe they do,
Sergestus first the place doth take, and rocke approcheth to,
And yet not formost all, nor all her keele hath forhand won,
But part before, for halfe with her doth Pistris striuing ron.
But kindling fast his mates on euery side sir Mnesteus steeres.
From man to man he steps, and chafing vp their corage cheeres,
With loude exhorting noise. Now now (quoth he) with might & maine,
Now cheerely stur your Ores, now all your force do you constraine.
O Hectors worthy peeres, whom I at Troys extreme decay,
Did matche to be my mates, and chose with me to take our way,
Expresse me now ye might yt somtime brought vs through the streames,
And sturdy waues of seas, and sondry gulfes of Greekish realmes.
I seeke not now the chiefe, nor of this game renown to bost,
(Albeit O,) but let it go where Neptune fauours most.
Yet last let vs not bee. O liuely laddes of noble kinde,
Let neuer man for shame behold vs last to lag behinde.
Now for our contreys loue, (if any thing your hartes reuiues)
Now pull or neuer pull. They than at ones all for their liues,
Laid on with lusty strokes, the brasen pup with plucking quakes,
With strength of arms they striue, yt skudding furth ye stem it strakes.
The land aloose withdraws, than pantinge breath doth beat their lims,
Their mouths of moisture dry, on streming swet their bodies swims.
Fortune also to them desired lucke and honour sent,
For as Sergestus (mad in minde for hast) in turning bent
Too neere the shore, and straighter would haue cut the shorter space:
Among the stones he stack (vnlucky man) in parlous place.
The rockes therwith they shoke, and on the craggy pointed pikes
Their Ores with crashing breke, & keele on grosid with danger strikes.
And proppes, and pyked poales, with hurlyburly great they get.
And some their broken Ores, in peeces fleeting vp they fet.
But Mnesteus reioysing than, and proud for this mischaunce,
With cluster swift of Ores, and windes at will that did aduaunce,
All groweling through ye seas he skouring ronnes, & through the deepes
The waues hee smothly cuts, and swift his way on water sweepes:
Most like a Doue, whom chaunce distourbyd hath from pleasant rest,
That in some corner close within some house, doth keepe her nest,
Affraid she sterteth first, and flushing loud she flaps her winges,
That all the house resoundes, than vp to skies aloft she springes,
And fast to field she flies, where gliding soft in aier aboue,
She sheares her tender way, and wing for hast doth neuer moue.
So Mnesteus, so Pistris makes her way with might extreeme,
So slides she through the seas, and so with force to flye they seeme.
And first Sergestus strong, that on the rocke did yet remaine,
He leaues him struggling there, and calling helpe full oft in vaine,
Among the sholdes, and glad with broken Ores to learne to creepe.
Than Gias, than Chimera ship her selfe that monster steepe,
He ouertakes, (for of her maister late she spoyled was)
And now remaynes there none but sir Cloanthus last to passe,
Whom fast he doth pursue, and hard at hand he hath in chase,
With power and pith he pulles, and towardes him he drawes a pace.
Than noyses dubbled been, and shoutes of friendes exalting cries,
Prouoking foorth with prayse, that vp to heauen the clamours flies.
They proude of former prayse, their honour won they will not lose.
And if they should, no longer than to liue they do dispose.
Those other fortune feedes, they thinke to win for win they may.
And with the prise (perhaps) or halfe therof had gon their way:
Had not Cloanthus to the seas his handes abroad displayed,
And cald his gods for helpe, and thus to them full loud he prayed.
O Gods that empier keepes on seas, whose kingdomes here I strake,
Upon this water shore to you mine altars will I make.
A white elected Bull I vowe to giue with seruice braue,
And cast his flesh in floods, if I mine honour now may saue.
And plenty pure of wines, I will to you in waters throw.
He spake that word, and him beneth in botoms deepe by low,
The god Portunus heard, and virgin rout of Mermaydes all,
Him selfe his mighty hand to send her foorth did set behinde.
So did the noble water Nimphes, she swifter than, than winde:
And swifter glaunsing smooth than arow gliding goeth from bow,
To land she leapt, and safe in hauen her selfe she did bestow.
Aeneas than eche man in order due let call by name,
And sir Cloanthus victor chiefe by Heraldes did proclame.
And crowne of Laurell greene about his browes himselfe he set.
Than giftes for euery ship, three hefers large he bids to fet,
And plenty great of wines, and talents faire of siluer bright.
But specially the capteins all with due rewards he dight.
A mantell riche to him that wan the chiefe was giuen of gold,
Whom purple borders broade enuironned with diuers fold,
And wrought therin there standes a princely child of precious face,
That in the woods with Dart in hand both Hart & Hinde doth chace,
All liuely, breathing like, whom, falling downe from Ioue on hie:
An Egle feerce vptooke, and in his pawes conueied to skie.
His keepers wailing stand, and handes abroad to heauen they hold
In vaine, and barking noyse of dogs against the cloudes do skold.
But he that second place by doughty deedes deserued had:
A harneys coat to him with heauy hookes of gold bestad,
A harneys coat he gaue, whom he him selfe in battell broyle
Did vnder Troian walles from Demoleus brest dispoyle.
That worthy gift he had, and strong defence in armes to weare.
Skant yemen twain with shoulders ioyntly set the same could beare,
So sondry folde it was, but Demolee him selfe alone,
Was wont therin to hunt the stragling Troians one by one.
Than for the third renowne, two caudrons great he gaue of brasse,
And siluer cups, with signes of stories old engrauen that was.
And now rewarded all, eche man full proude in best aray,
They went with garnisht heads, and bare their giftes galanta gaye.
Whan from the parlous rocke, with much a doo to skape the same,
(Besides his losse of Ores, and of a rancke of rowers lame)
With laughter great of men, his praiselesse ship Sergestus brought,
In maner like, as whan some serpent (by some bancke vnsought)
Is brused by some wheele, that ouerthwart his backe hath past:
Or pilgrim passing by, with stroke of stone welnere hath brast,
In vaine he seekes to flee, and wrigling wreathes his limmes about,
His angrie halfe onbroke, and hissing necke he launcheth out
All bright with burning eies, and though his limping halfe him holdes:
He knits him great in knobbes, and in him selfe him selfe he foldes.
None otherwise, and like, with feeble Ores his ship did steere,
Yet saile he makes with winde, and into hauen approcheth cleere.
Aeneas to Sergestus gaue reward of duety there,
Reioysing for the ship, and for the men that saued were.
A woman him was geuen, a seruant good to weaue and spinne,
And sucking boyes a payer, of Giaunts kinde, her paps betwinne.
And sir Cloanthus victor chiefe by Heraldes did proclame.
And crowne of Laurell greene about his browes himselfe he set.
Than giftes for euery ship, three hefers large he bids to fet,
And plenty great of wines, and talents faire of siluer bright.
But specially the capteins all with due rewards he dight.
A mantell riche to him that wan the chiefe was giuen of gold,
Whom purple borders broade enuironned with diuers fold,
And wrought therin there standes a princely child of precious face,
That in the woods with Dart in hand both Hart & Hinde doth chace,
All liuely, breathing like, whom, falling downe from Ioue on hie:
An Egle feerce vptooke, and in his pawes conueied to skie.
His keepers wailing stand, and handes abroad to heauen they hold
In vaine, and barking noyse of dogs against the cloudes do skold.
But he that second place by doughty deedes deserued had:
A harneys coat to him with heauy hookes of gold bestad,
A harneys coat he gaue, whom he him selfe in battell broyle
Did vnder Troian walles from Demoleus brest dispoyle.
That worthy gift he had, and strong defence in armes to weare.
Skant yemen twain with shoulders ioyntly set the same could beare,
So sondry folde it was, but Demolee him selfe alone,
Was wont therin to hunt the stragling Troians one by one.
Than for the third renowne, two caudrons great he gaue of brasse,
And siluer cups, with signes of stories old engrauen that was.
And now rewarded all, eche man full proude in best aray,
They went with garnisht heads, and bare their giftes galanta gaye.
Whan from the parlous rocke, with much a doo to skape the same,
(Besides his losse of Ores, and of a rancke of rowers lame)
With laughter great of men, his praiselesse ship Sergestus brought,
In maner like, as whan some serpent (by some bancke vnsought)
Is brused by some wheele, that ouerthwart his backe hath past:
Or pilgrim passing by, with stroke of stone welnere hath brast,
In vaine he seekes to flee, and wrigling wreathes his limmes about,
All bright with burning eies, and though his limping halfe him holdes:
He knits him great in knobbes, and in him selfe him selfe he foldes.
None otherwise, and like, with feeble Ores his ship did steere,
Yet saile he makes with winde, and into hauen approcheth cleere.
Aeneas to Sergestus gaue reward of duety there,
Reioysing for the ship, and for the men that saued were.
A woman him was geuen, a seruant good to weaue and spinne,
And sucking boyes a payer, of Giaunts kinde, her paps betwinne.
Than good Aeneas went (whan all this matche discharged was:)
Into a goodly field, that ouerspred was all with grasse,
Whom woods and crooked hilles on euery side did compas round,
And in the mids a vale there lay, and pleasant plaine of ground,
Where he with thousands thicke did make for playes a seemely plat,
And in the mids of all, in stately seat, as prince hee sat.
Here they that list to ron, and trie themselues with force of feete,
With gifts he them prouokes, and sets before them prises meete.
On euery side they came, both men of Troy and Sicill land,
Eurialus and Nisus first.
Eurialus a springold fresh of youth, and beauty cleere,
And Nisus that of all mankind had him in loue most deere,
And yong Diores, of king Priams blood a princely childe.
Than Salius and Patron auncient stocks and vndefilde.
Panopes than, and Helimus, of Sicill, striplings twaine,
That hunters were in woods, and men of old Acestes traine.
An many more also there came, whom fame in darkenes hides.
To whom in middes of all, Aeneas thus his tale deuides.
Take this for certaine trueth, and in your mindes conceiue it so,
Not one of all this number here shall vnrewarded go.
For dartes I will them giue, with pointed steele full bright a paier,
And wrought with siluer fine to beare in hand a Pollax faier.
All men alike shal here rewarded bee, saue onely three,
With bowes of Oliues greene, as victors chiefe shal crowned bee.
The first a palfray bright, with harneys gorgeous glistring braue
Shall get, the second for his paines a quiuer gay shal haue.
A quiuer gay, with girdle broad of gold and arrowes fret,
Embroydred fine that is, and precious stones theron are set.
The third shall with this Greekish helme depart and be content.
Whan this was sayd, their place they teke, and right incontinent,
At signe of trompet heard, their bounds they breake, & out they powre,
As light as whirling windes, and to the marke in sight they skowre.
Into a goodly field, that ouerspred was all with grasse,
Whom woods and crooked hilles on euery side did compas round,
And in the mids a vale there lay, and pleasant plaine of ground,
Where he with thousands thicke did make for playes a seemely plat,
And in the mids of all, in stately seat, as prince hee sat.
Here they that list to ron, and trie themselues with force of feete,
With gifts he them prouokes, and sets before them prises meete.
On euery side they came, both men of Troy and Sicill land,
Eurialus and Nisus first.
Eurialus a springold fresh of youth, and beauty cleere,
And Nisus that of all mankind had him in loue most deere,
And yong Diores, of king Priams blood a princely childe.
Than Salius and Patron auncient stocks and vndefilde.
Panopes than, and Helimus, of Sicill, striplings twaine,
That hunters were in woods, and men of old Acestes traine.
An many more also there came, whom fame in darkenes hides.
To whom in middes of all, Aeneas thus his tale deuides.
Take this for certaine trueth, and in your mindes conceiue it so,
Not one of all this number here shall vnrewarded go.
For dartes I will them giue, with pointed steele full bright a paier,
And wrought with siluer fine to beare in hand a Pollax faier.
All men alike shal here rewarded bee, saue onely three,
With bowes of Oliues greene, as victors chiefe shal crowned bee.
The first a palfray bright, with harneys gorgeous glistring braue
Shall get, the second for his paines a quiuer gay shal haue.
A quiuer gay, with girdle broad of gold and arrowes fret,
Embroydred fine that is, and precious stones theron are set.
The third shall with this Greekish helme depart and be content.
At signe of trompet heard, their bounds they breake, & out they powre,
As light as whirling windes, and to the marke in sight they skowre.
First and before all other bodies, nimble Nisus springs,
More swifter yet than winde, and than the dint of lightnings wings.
Next vnto him, but long aloofe, in distance next of place,
Doth Salius pursue, and after him a certaine space,
Eurialus the thirde.
And next Eurialus sir Helimus ensues, and ioyntly than
Behold he flies, and heele to heele with him Diores ran,
With elbow next and next, and if the race do long remaine,
Is like to scape them all, or one to leaue in doubtfull gaine.
And towards now the latter end they drew, and wery all,
They ran with panting breathes, whan sodenly did Nisus fall.
(Unhappy man) where hefers had ben slaine by chaunce on grasse,
And ground was slipper made by certaine blood that shed there was.
There now the gentle lad, (whan conquest proud he had in hand)
His legges he could not hold, nor stombling so, could longer stand,
But groueling flat he fell and in the slime embrewd him vile.
Yet not Eurialus his freend, did he forget that while:
For quickly sterting hee, sir Salius way with foote did stop,
That headlong downe in dust he ouerturnid taile and top.
Eurialus than springing skudded forth, and through his frend,
With ioyfull shoutes of men, he gets the chiefe at races end.
Than Helimus and now Diores third in place succeedes.
There, whan the lords were set, & ech came forth to claim their meedes:
Sir Salius before them all, with noise exclaming cried,
And praied his honours dew, that by deceit was him denied.
The peoples fauour helpes Eurialus, and comely teares,
And vertue found in body fayer the greater grace it beares.
Diores eke, that third in wager was, doth him complaine
What wrong sustaine he must, and all his course hath ron in vaine,
If Salius without desert, the first reward shall haue.
Than lord Aeneas said, you shall not neede to striue nor craue,
Your prises certaine ben, shall no man them from order steere.
Yet let me rue the plight of mine vngilty frend so deere.
He sayd, and than a Lyons heauy hyde of combrous folde,
To Salius he giues, full rough of hear and pawes of golde.
Quoth Nisus than, if such rewards haue folkes that conquerd bee,
And pity shew thou doost to falling men, what giftes to mee
Shall worthy yelded bee? that chiefest prise did first deserue,
Had not enuious fortune mee (as Salius made to swarue.
And as hee talked thus, his face he shewd with dirt defilde,
And body moist of mud. The noble prince on him than smilde,
And bad bring out a shied, a target great full costly wrought,
That by the Greekes somtime was for a gift to Neptune brought.
That seemely gift he gaue vnto that gentill lad to beare.
Whan courses all was past, and all the gifts dispatched were,
Now he that manhood hath, or corage bolde doth beare in brest,
Shew forth himselfe, and with his armes in thonges let him be drest.
He sayd, and therwithall he sets rewardes of honours twaine.
A crowned Bull, all clad with gold, shall be the victors gaine.
A sword and sheeld to him that beaten is, shall comfort bee.
Nor linger long they doo, but straight with force full huge to see,
Aduaunceth Dares forth, with murmour great of men extolde,
Alone somtime that durst with Paris fight in armour bolde.
He, in the place where Hector most of might entombed lies,
Did ouerthrow sir Buten, giaunt big of monstrous sise,
That wrastlinges all did win, and Bebrix linage boasted strong,
Yet Dares him to death did ouerturne, and laide along.
Such one this Dares was, and hie on feeld his head he lifts,
And shewes his shoulders broad, and to and fro his armes he shifts,
And brags with boistous brawnes, and with his fists he beats ye winde.
A matche for him they seeke, but through them all is none to finde,
That durst with Dares coape, nor ones his slings with fingers touche.
He proud therof, and thinking all mens might to him did couche,
Before Aeneas feete he stood, and longer nothing staied,
But by the horne in left hand toke the Bull, and thus he sayd.
Thou goddesse son, if no man dare come forth to trie with hand,
What end of wayting is? How long am I thus bound to stand?
Let me rewarded bee, the Troians all did crie the same:
And, yeeld vnto the man his promise due they do proclame.
Acestes there, as on a bancke by chaunce he next did sit,
With these rebukes of speech Entellus old at hart he smit.
Entellus, thou sometime of doughty knightes the captaine chiefe,
(In vaine) so goodly giftes to lose is it to thee no griefe?
How canst thou suffer this? shall from thy side with triall none
These worthy prises passe? O where is now our maister gon?
Erix our maister good? where is become that glorious fame
That Sicill land did fill? and spoyles with thee recordes the same,
Within thy halls yt hang, is it for nought thou knewst that game?
He theronto, it is not sure for feare (you may well thinke)
Nor loue of praise I lacke, nor for no doubt therof I shrinke.
But age mee feeble makes, and slouthfull blood congealyd cold,
Hath spent my former force, and dull doth make my carcas old.
If I had now the strength sometime that was, and yet therwith
This yongling proudly brags, if of those yeres I had the pith:
Not for the prise, nor for the bull, but gladly, and (onpraid)
I would haue come, for gifts I care not for. Whan hee thus said.
He brought before them all, of bags onweldy, matches twaine,
And threw them downe in sight, wherwith somtime in battail plaine
Syr Erix wonted was to giue combat, and hand to hand
Against all men to striue, and sturdy strokes he did withstand.
Mens hartes astoinid were. Of backs of bulles seuen boistous hides
All vnderlaid with lead, and stif of steele they stoode besides.
Aboue all other wondreth Dares most, and doth refuse
Such great vnlawfull tooles, or in conflict the same to vse.
Aeneas eke their massy wondrous weight, and endles fold,
He vewd with maruell much, and vp and downe full oft he rold.
Than onto him with brest onfayned, spake Entellus old.
What if a man had seene the dredfull bags, and wepons sore
Of Hercules him selfe? in dolefull fight here on this shore?
These tooles thy brother Erix than did beare, with these he stood
Against syr Hercules most strong, here yet thou seest the blood,
And braines that broken were, thou seest how yet they ben enbrewd.
These wepons I somtime (whan better blood my strength endewd)
Was wont in vre to put, whan not as yet enuious age,
Nor head with hoary heares my lusty corage did aswage.
But if this Troian Dares here, these tooles will needes refuse,
If so Aeneas please, and mee Acestes will excuse:
Let vs matched meete. These Erix bags I pardon thee,
Cast of thy feare, and thou of Troian bags onburdend bee.
Thus speaking, from his shoulders twaine he kest his garments all,
And bare with mighty bones, and mighty ioyntes of membres tall,
And sinows great in sight, among them all he stood full stout.
Than bags of meaner matche Aeneas prince him selfe brought out,
And eche with equall weight and hands of both, he bound and drest.
Upright forthwith they stand, and face to face, aduauncing prest,
Their arms to heauē they heaue, & void of fear they throw their slings,
Eche one from others dints their heads ful boistous backward wrings.
And strokes in strokes they mixe, & hands in hands, and fiers they fight,
That one with lusty legs, and fresh of youth in shifting light,
The other huge in height, and large of lims, but mouing slowe,
His trembling knees him lets, & troubled breath doth panting blowe.
Full many a wound is geuen between them twain with leaden lomps,
And many a stroke in vaine, and on their ribs full thicke it thomps.
Their sides within thē sounds, & loud their brests wt bobbings rings,
And stil their armes they stur, about their browes the buffets flings,
About their eares, & craking both their iawes their weapons swings.
More swifter yet than winde, and than the dint of lightnings wings.
Next vnto him, but long aloofe, in distance next of place,
Doth Salius pursue, and after him a certaine space,
Eurialus the thirde.
And next Eurialus sir Helimus ensues, and ioyntly than
Behold he flies, and heele to heele with him Diores ran,
With elbow next and next, and if the race do long remaine,
Is like to scape them all, or one to leaue in doubtfull gaine.
And towards now the latter end they drew, and wery all,
They ran with panting breathes, whan sodenly did Nisus fall.
(Unhappy man) where hefers had ben slaine by chaunce on grasse,
And ground was slipper made by certaine blood that shed there was.
There now the gentle lad, (whan conquest proud he had in hand)
His legges he could not hold, nor stombling so, could longer stand,
But groueling flat he fell and in the slime embrewd him vile.
Yet not Eurialus his freend, did he forget that while:
For quickly sterting hee, sir Salius way with foote did stop,
That headlong downe in dust he ouerturnid taile and top.
Eurialus than springing skudded forth, and through his frend,
With ioyfull shoutes of men, he gets the chiefe at races end.
Than Helimus and now Diores third in place succeedes.
There, whan the lords were set, & ech came forth to claim their meedes:
Sir Salius before them all, with noise exclaming cried,
And praied his honours dew, that by deceit was him denied.
The peoples fauour helpes Eurialus, and comely teares,
And vertue found in body fayer the greater grace it beares.
Diores eke, that third in wager was, doth him complaine
What wrong sustaine he must, and all his course hath ron in vaine,
If Salius without desert, the first reward shall haue.
Than lord Aeneas said, you shall not neede to striue nor craue,
Your prises certaine ben, shall no man them from order steere.
Yet let me rue the plight of mine vngilty frend so deere.
He sayd, and than a Lyons heauy hyde of combrous folde,
To Salius he giues, full rough of hear and pawes of golde.
And pity shew thou doost to falling men, what giftes to mee
Shall worthy yelded bee? that chiefest prise did first deserue,
Had not enuious fortune mee (as Salius made to swarue.
And as hee talked thus, his face he shewd with dirt defilde,
And body moist of mud. The noble prince on him than smilde,
And bad bring out a shied, a target great full costly wrought,
That by the Greekes somtime was for a gift to Neptune brought.
That seemely gift he gaue vnto that gentill lad to beare.
Whan courses all was past, and all the gifts dispatched were,
Now he that manhood hath, or corage bolde doth beare in brest,
Shew forth himselfe, and with his armes in thonges let him be drest.
He sayd, and therwithall he sets rewardes of honours twaine.
A crowned Bull, all clad with gold, shall be the victors gaine.
A sword and sheeld to him that beaten is, shall comfort bee.
Nor linger long they doo, but straight with force full huge to see,
Aduaunceth Dares forth, with murmour great of men extolde,
Alone somtime that durst with Paris fight in armour bolde.
He, in the place where Hector most of might entombed lies,
Did ouerthrow sir Buten, giaunt big of monstrous sise,
That wrastlinges all did win, and Bebrix linage boasted strong,
Yet Dares him to death did ouerturne, and laide along.
Such one this Dares was, and hie on feeld his head he lifts,
And shewes his shoulders broad, and to and fro his armes he shifts,
And brags with boistous brawnes, and with his fists he beats ye winde.
A matche for him they seeke, but through them all is none to finde,
That durst with Dares coape, nor ones his slings with fingers touche.
He proud therof, and thinking all mens might to him did couche,
Before Aeneas feete he stood, and longer nothing staied,
But by the horne in left hand toke the Bull, and thus he sayd.
Thou goddesse son, if no man dare come forth to trie with hand,
What end of wayting is? How long am I thus bound to stand?
Let me rewarded bee, the Troians all did crie the same:
And, yeeld vnto the man his promise due they do proclame.
Acestes there, as on a bancke by chaunce he next did sit,
With these rebukes of speech Entellus old at hart he smit.
Entellus, thou sometime of doughty knightes the captaine chiefe,
(In vaine) so goodly giftes to lose is it to thee no griefe?
These worthy prises passe? O where is now our maister gon?
Erix our maister good? where is become that glorious fame
That Sicill land did fill? and spoyles with thee recordes the same,
Within thy halls yt hang, is it for nought thou knewst that game?
He theronto, it is not sure for feare (you may well thinke)
Nor loue of praise I lacke, nor for no doubt therof I shrinke.
But age mee feeble makes, and slouthfull blood congealyd cold,
Hath spent my former force, and dull doth make my carcas old.
If I had now the strength sometime that was, and yet therwith
This yongling proudly brags, if of those yeres I had the pith:
Not for the prise, nor for the bull, but gladly, and (onpraid)
I would haue come, for gifts I care not for. Whan hee thus said.
He brought before them all, of bags onweldy, matches twaine,
And threw them downe in sight, wherwith somtime in battail plaine
Syr Erix wonted was to giue combat, and hand to hand
Against all men to striue, and sturdy strokes he did withstand.
Mens hartes astoinid were. Of backs of bulles seuen boistous hides
All vnderlaid with lead, and stif of steele they stoode besides.
Aboue all other wondreth Dares most, and doth refuse
Such great vnlawfull tooles, or in conflict the same to vse.
Aeneas eke their massy wondrous weight, and endles fold,
He vewd with maruell much, and vp and downe full oft he rold.
Than onto him with brest onfayned, spake Entellus old.
What if a man had seene the dredfull bags, and wepons sore
Of Hercules him selfe? in dolefull fight here on this shore?
These tooles thy brother Erix than did beare, with these he stood
Against syr Hercules most strong, here yet thou seest the blood,
And braines that broken were, thou seest how yet they ben enbrewd.
These wepons I somtime (whan better blood my strength endewd)
Was wont in vre to put, whan not as yet enuious age,
Nor head with hoary heares my lusty corage did aswage.
But if this Troian Dares here, these tooles will needes refuse,
If so Aeneas please, and mee Acestes will excuse:
Let vs matched meete. These Erix bags I pardon thee,
Cast of thy feare, and thou of Troian bags onburdend bee.
Thus speaking, from his shoulders twaine he kest his garments all,
And bare with mighty bones, and mighty ioyntes of membres tall,
Than bags of meaner matche Aeneas prince him selfe brought out,
And eche with equall weight and hands of both, he bound and drest.
Upright forthwith they stand, and face to face, aduauncing prest,
Their arms to heauē they heaue, & void of fear they throw their slings,
Eche one from others dints their heads ful boistous backward wrings.
And strokes in strokes they mixe, & hands in hands, and fiers they fight,
That one with lusty legs, and fresh of youth in shifting light,
The other huge in height, and large of lims, but mouing slowe,
His trembling knees him lets, & troubled breath doth panting blowe.
Full many a wound is geuen between them twain with leaden lomps,
And many a stroke in vaine, and on their ribs full thicke it thomps.
Their sides within thē sounds, & loud their brests wt bobbings rings,
And stil their armes they stur, about their browes the buffets flings,
About their eares, & craking both their iawes their weapons swings.
Entellus heauy stands, and in his place onmoued bydes,
With armes & watching eyes, and for the strokes defence prouides,
But hee, as one, that with some engin worke doth siege a towne,
Or towre or castle strong, and long therat is beating downe,
And this way now, and that way now he seekes, and entries all
Assautes with sondry sleyghts, and fayleth yet to breake the wall.
Entellus rowsing than, his righthand bent on hie did lift:
He from the stroke that came, with good forefight, and body swift
Aduoiding shrancke for feare, and from the dint therof declinde.
Entellus mist his marke, and all his force he lost in winde,
And ouer that, himselfe, with heauy peyse and heauy sound,
All groueling flat he fell, and with his lims he spred the ground.
None otherwise, than whan some auncient oke and ouergrown,
From mountaine top on hie, by vnderminyng down is thrown.
The Troians rise for ayde, so doth the youth of Sicill land,
To heauen the cries ascend, and first to him with helping hand
Acestes swiftly runnes, and from the ground his freend he takes,
Of equall age, and in his hart for him great mone he makes.
But nothing slacke for this, nor with his fall one whit affright,
This valiant knight vpstood, and fiercer yet renewes his fight:
And forceing preaseth foorth, & wood for wrath his strength vpsteres,
Than shame prouokes his might, and manhood felt of former yeres,
And headlong Dares downe, through all the field, he dashing dynges,
And now the righthand strokes, & now the lefthand sends the slinges.
Nor time, nor rest there is, but as a stormy shoure of hayle,
On houses ratling falles: so doth this knight with force assayle,
With thondrings thomping thicke, and wery Dares wretch on soyle
With both his armes he bumpes, and vpside down doth tosse and toyle.
Than lord Aeneas would no longer wrath should in them fret,
Nor more Entellus bitter moode on rage he would haue set.
But end of fighting made, and tyeryd Dares vp did take,
And soft with gentill speech in comfort thus to him he spake.
Unhappy man, what fond outrage hath thus possest thy minde?
A stronger force than thine, and Gods against thee doost not finde?
Giue place to god, he said, and with his word the battell brake.
Him dragging weake his legs, and to and fro his head did shake,
And casting much at mouth, and cloddrid blood with teeth among,
His trusty mates vptooke, and bare to ships away from throng.
And than commaunded came, and sword and helmet did receaue,
And to Entellus did the Bull and fame of combat leaue.
Than bragging proud in minde, and of his Bull conceiuing ioy:
O goddesse son behold, and you (quoth he) ye men of Troy,
What strength in lusty yeres somtime I had now iudge in mee,
And from what death your Dares taken is, now shall you see.
He spake that word, and right afront before the Bull he stood,
That there for gift was set, and vp the slinges with corage good
In righthand marking held, and iust betweene the hornes at ones
He strake, and brake the braines, and all in peeces droue the bones.
The beast is ouerthrown, and groueling dead on ground it quakes.
He stamping therupon, with feruent minde his praier makes.
This better soule to thee for Dares death I victor send,
(O Erix) here of bags, and all mine art I make an end.
Anon Aeneas them that list contend with arowes wight,
For wagers he prouokes, and sets before them giftes in sight.
And from Sergestus ship aduauncing huge in height a mast,
He hanges a pigeon there, and by a cord he made her fast,
A marke for men to shoote, and where their darts they should direct.
Assembly great there came, and by their lots they were elect,
In brasen helmet cast, and first of all with ioyfull cryes,
Unto Hippocon worthy lad by draught the lot doth rise.
Next whom sir Mnesteus, that late at seas was victor seene,
Syr Mnesteus with crowne and garlond gay of Olyue greene.
Eurition was third: (thy brother deere thou noble knight
O Pandarus, that didst somtime the league asonder smight,
And first commaunded didst, among the Greekes thy wepon throw)
Acestes last of all, and last in helmet lay by lowe.
Him selfe also with hand, the yong mens game did not disdaine.
Than bending all their bows, with corage great they do constraine,
And eche to serue him selfe from quiuer draweth his tooles amaine.
And first from sounding string along by heauen his arow driues
Hippocon lusty lad, and swift therwith the skies he cliues.
It lightes apace, and in the mids the mast it stacke and staied.
The tree with trembling shooke, and of the stroke the bird afraied,
Did flickring flush her wings, and noyse there riseth round about.
Than Mnesteus his bowe to drawe, forthwith with strength stoode out,
And stretching hand aloft, his dart and eye did leuel right,
Yet could not he (good man) for all his art the culuer smight.
But hyt the hemping corde, and of the knot the bandes he brast,
Wherby the byrd was bound, and by her foote did hang at mast.
She toke the winde forthwith, and to the cloudes full fast he flew,
And euen that time (as he his bowe and dart directing drew)
Eurition, and for his brothers helpe in heauen, he cried:
The byrd he saw was lose, and sporting her in skies he spied.
Yet marking well with eies, and stedfast hand, in cloudes aboue,
He quickly brake her play with sodeyn stroke, and slew the Doue,
That tumbling downe she fell, and in the stars her life she last,
And dead she came to ground, and in her body brought the shaft.
Acestes than alone, with no desert did yet remaine,
Who nerethelesse his dart to hurle in ayer did him distraine,
And shewd his former might, and of his bowe to proue the sound.
There sodenly his eyes a wondrous monster did confound,
And token sore of things, as afterward the end did teache,
And all to late for nought their fearfull songs did prophets preache.
For as in tender cloudes his arow swift from him did flie,
In sight it caught a fier, and flaming forth it went in skie.
And wasted thin in winde, as oftentimes we thinke do slyde,
The fixed stars of heauen, with drowping tayles along that glyde.
Astoinid all they stood, and on their Gods aboue they prayed,
Sicilians and Troians both, nor he him selfe denayed
Aeneas peerelesse prince, to take that same in signe of grace.
But glad with great rewards, he did Acestes thus embrace.
Most noble father deere, (for by these tokens well I see,
The mighty kinge of heauen for thy good will doth honour thee,)
Thou shalt haue here a gift of olde Anchises freend of thine,
A drinking bolle of gold, that portraied is with figures fine.
Which vnto him somtime, Cisseus, great of Thrase the kinge,
In token gaue of loue, for euermore with him to bringe.
So spake he, and with Laurell greene his temples twaine he tied,
And loude before them all Acestes victor chiefe he cried.
Nor good Eurition did his preferment ought enuie,
Though he alone it were, that brought againe the byrde from skie.
Aduaunced next with giftes was he that cord a sonder brast,
And last of all was he that with his arow strake the mast.
Than lorde Aeneas, ere these matches all dissolued were,
Epitides to him, Ascanius mate and keeper there,
He calde, and rounding thus to him he spake in secret eare.
Go bid Ascanius (if by this time he the childerns crue
Assembled hath with him, and horses put in order due)
Before his graunsire here let him bring out his bands in rowe,
For worship of this feast, and let him selfe in armour showe.
Dispatch (quoth hee) with speede, the people than he bids deuide,
And broader spread them selues, & made a lane both long and wide.
Than come the childern foorth, and proud before their parents sight
In order seemely shine, on barbed coursers brideled bright,
Whom for their fresh aray, and comly marching through the felde,
The youth of Sicill land, and Troians all with ioy behelde.
Eche one as was their gyse, with rounded hear, and garlond bands,
And horny dartes a paier, with poynted steele they bare in hands,
With quiuers light at backes, and downe their breasts in diuers folde,
About their gorgets runnes, the rolling cheines of wreathed golde.
Three bandes of horsmen were, & captaynes three their bands did gide,
And rankes of riders three, and childern twelue on euery side
In glistring armour went, with maisters like and equall peeres.
One ward of stronger youth, whom trim triumphant fearce of yeeres,
Did Priam yong conduct (thy noble childe Polites fall,
That of his gransirs name encrease Italians shortly shall.)
A valiant steede him bare, bespotted white, of kinde of Thrace,
And white his foote before, and lifting white his lofty face.
Another trowpe there was, that litle Atis giding lad,
The litle Atis, whom Ascanius small for darling had,
From whence the line at Rome of Atis name doth now proceede.
Than last of all, and most of beauty bright, and precious weede,
Ascanius himselfe on palfray gorgeous borne aboue,
Whom vnto him somtime Queene Dido gaue for pledge of loue.
The rest of youth, and such as were of olde Acestes trayne:
On horses fayer they rode.
The Troians them did chere, and did receiue with wondrous ioy,
And in their mindes conceiue resemblaunce old of former Troy.
Whan mustred all they had, and all the feeld had compast round,
And vewd Anchises tombe, they ioyned all on equall ground,
Epitides to them with noyse and whipping gaue a sound.
They coursing brake their bands, and three from three disseuered all,
By matches halfe from halfe, and fast againe they turne at call,
With wepons brest, to breast and compas round returninge met,
By coursings bickring braue, and race with race entangling let,
Inuading skyrmish wise, and like the face of battall fight.
And now retire they done, now shew their backes in signe of flight.
Now turning throw their darts, now truce they make wt hand in hand,
Like Labirinthus maze, that men report in Candy land,
Is compast deepe in ground with sondry walls, and crokings blinde,
And thousand wandring waies, and entries false for men to finde,
Where tokens none there bee, nor skape can none that steps astray,
Such turnings them begiles, and so deceytfull is their way.
None otherwise, the Troian youth by coursings round about,
Disporting chace them selues, and windinges weaue both in and out.
Like Dolphin fishes light, that for their pastime daunsinge swim,
In mids of deepest seas, and play them selues on water brim.
This kinde of pastime first, and custome boyes to learne at Baase,
Ascanius whan Alba walles he made did bring in place,
And taught the Latines old, in solempne sort to vse the same,
As he sometime a child, with Troian youth had made that game.
The Albans than from thence with practise like their children taught,
And thence hath perelesse Rome and most of might, ye custome caught.
And for their contreys loue, with honor due this day it standes,
And yet the name remaynes of Troyan boyes, and Troian bandes.
With armes & watching eyes, and for the strokes defence prouides,
But hee, as one, that with some engin worke doth siege a towne,
Or towre or castle strong, and long therat is beating downe,
And this way now, and that way now he seekes, and entries all
Assautes with sondry sleyghts, and fayleth yet to breake the wall.
Entellus rowsing than, his righthand bent on hie did lift:
He from the stroke that came, with good forefight, and body swift
Aduoiding shrancke for feare, and from the dint therof declinde.
Entellus mist his marke, and all his force he lost in winde,
And ouer that, himselfe, with heauy peyse and heauy sound,
All groueling flat he fell, and with his lims he spred the ground.
None otherwise, than whan some auncient oke and ouergrown,
From mountaine top on hie, by vnderminyng down is thrown.
The Troians rise for ayde, so doth the youth of Sicill land,
To heauen the cries ascend, and first to him with helping hand
Acestes swiftly runnes, and from the ground his freend he takes,
Of equall age, and in his hart for him great mone he makes.
But nothing slacke for this, nor with his fall one whit affright,
This valiant knight vpstood, and fiercer yet renewes his fight:
And forceing preaseth foorth, & wood for wrath his strength vpsteres,
Than shame prouokes his might, and manhood felt of former yeres,
And headlong Dares downe, through all the field, he dashing dynges,
Nor time, nor rest there is, but as a stormy shoure of hayle,
On houses ratling falles: so doth this knight with force assayle,
With thondrings thomping thicke, and wery Dares wretch on soyle
With both his armes he bumpes, and vpside down doth tosse and toyle.
Than lord Aeneas would no longer wrath should in them fret,
Nor more Entellus bitter moode on rage he would haue set.
But end of fighting made, and tyeryd Dares vp did take,
And soft with gentill speech in comfort thus to him he spake.
Unhappy man, what fond outrage hath thus possest thy minde?
A stronger force than thine, and Gods against thee doost not finde?
Giue place to god, he said, and with his word the battell brake.
Him dragging weake his legs, and to and fro his head did shake,
And casting much at mouth, and cloddrid blood with teeth among,
His trusty mates vptooke, and bare to ships away from throng.
And than commaunded came, and sword and helmet did receaue,
And to Entellus did the Bull and fame of combat leaue.
Than bragging proud in minde, and of his Bull conceiuing ioy:
O goddesse son behold, and you (quoth he) ye men of Troy,
What strength in lusty yeres somtime I had now iudge in mee,
And from what death your Dares taken is, now shall you see.
He spake that word, and right afront before the Bull he stood,
That there for gift was set, and vp the slinges with corage good
In righthand marking held, and iust betweene the hornes at ones
He strake, and brake the braines, and all in peeces droue the bones.
The beast is ouerthrown, and groueling dead on ground it quakes.
He stamping therupon, with feruent minde his praier makes.
This better soule to thee for Dares death I victor send,
(O Erix) here of bags, and all mine art I make an end.
Anon Aeneas them that list contend with arowes wight,
For wagers he prouokes, and sets before them giftes in sight.
And from Sergestus ship aduauncing huge in height a mast,
He hanges a pigeon there, and by a cord he made her fast,
A marke for men to shoote, and where their darts they should direct.
Assembly great there came, and by their lots they were elect,
In brasen helmet cast, and first of all with ioyfull cryes,
Unto Hippocon worthy lad by draught the lot doth rise.
Next whom sir Mnesteus, that late at seas was victor seene,
Eurition was third: (thy brother deere thou noble knight
O Pandarus, that didst somtime the league asonder smight,
And first commaunded didst, among the Greekes thy wepon throw)
Acestes last of all, and last in helmet lay by lowe.
Him selfe also with hand, the yong mens game did not disdaine.
Than bending all their bows, with corage great they do constraine,
And eche to serue him selfe from quiuer draweth his tooles amaine.
And first from sounding string along by heauen his arow driues
Hippocon lusty lad, and swift therwith the skies he cliues.
It lightes apace, and in the mids the mast it stacke and staied.
The tree with trembling shooke, and of the stroke the bird afraied,
Did flickring flush her wings, and noyse there riseth round about.
Than Mnesteus his bowe to drawe, forthwith with strength stoode out,
And stretching hand aloft, his dart and eye did leuel right,
Yet could not he (good man) for all his art the culuer smight.
But hyt the hemping corde, and of the knot the bandes he brast,
Wherby the byrd was bound, and by her foote did hang at mast.
She toke the winde forthwith, and to the cloudes full fast he flew,
And euen that time (as he his bowe and dart directing drew)
Eurition, and for his brothers helpe in heauen, he cried:
The byrd he saw was lose, and sporting her in skies he spied.
Yet marking well with eies, and stedfast hand, in cloudes aboue,
He quickly brake her play with sodeyn stroke, and slew the Doue,
That tumbling downe she fell, and in the stars her life she last,
And dead she came to ground, and in her body brought the shaft.
Acestes than alone, with no desert did yet remaine,
Who nerethelesse his dart to hurle in ayer did him distraine,
And shewd his former might, and of his bowe to proue the sound.
There sodenly his eyes a wondrous monster did confound,
And token sore of things, as afterward the end did teache,
And all to late for nought their fearfull songs did prophets preache.
For as in tender cloudes his arow swift from him did flie,
In sight it caught a fier, and flaming forth it went in skie.
And wasted thin in winde, as oftentimes we thinke do slyde,
The fixed stars of heauen, with drowping tayles along that glyde.
Astoinid all they stood, and on their Gods aboue they prayed,
Sicilians and Troians both, nor he him selfe denayed
But glad with great rewards, he did Acestes thus embrace.
Most noble father deere, (for by these tokens well I see,
The mighty kinge of heauen for thy good will doth honour thee,)
Thou shalt haue here a gift of olde Anchises freend of thine,
A drinking bolle of gold, that portraied is with figures fine.
Which vnto him somtime, Cisseus, great of Thrase the kinge,
In token gaue of loue, for euermore with him to bringe.
So spake he, and with Laurell greene his temples twaine he tied,
And loude before them all Acestes victor chiefe he cried.
Nor good Eurition did his preferment ought enuie,
Though he alone it were, that brought againe the byrde from skie.
Aduaunced next with giftes was he that cord a sonder brast,
And last of all was he that with his arow strake the mast.
Than lorde Aeneas, ere these matches all dissolued were,
Epitides to him, Ascanius mate and keeper there,
He calde, and rounding thus to him he spake in secret eare.
Go bid Ascanius (if by this time he the childerns crue
Assembled hath with him, and horses put in order due)
Before his graunsire here let him bring out his bands in rowe,
For worship of this feast, and let him selfe in armour showe.
Dispatch (quoth hee) with speede, the people than he bids deuide,
And broader spread them selues, & made a lane both long and wide.
Than come the childern foorth, and proud before their parents sight
In order seemely shine, on barbed coursers brideled bright,
Whom for their fresh aray, and comly marching through the felde,
The youth of Sicill land, and Troians all with ioy behelde.
Eche one as was their gyse, with rounded hear, and garlond bands,
And horny dartes a paier, with poynted steele they bare in hands,
With quiuers light at backes, and downe their breasts in diuers folde,
About their gorgets runnes, the rolling cheines of wreathed golde.
Three bandes of horsmen were, & captaynes three their bands did gide,
And rankes of riders three, and childern twelue on euery side
In glistring armour went, with maisters like and equall peeres.
One ward of stronger youth, whom trim triumphant fearce of yeeres,
Did Priam yong conduct (thy noble childe Polites fall,
That of his gransirs name encrease Italians shortly shall.)
A valiant steede him bare, bespotted white, of kinde of Thrace,
Another trowpe there was, that litle Atis giding lad,
The litle Atis, whom Ascanius small for darling had,
From whence the line at Rome of Atis name doth now proceede.
Than last of all, and most of beauty bright, and precious weede,
Ascanius himselfe on palfray gorgeous borne aboue,
Whom vnto him somtime Queene Dido gaue for pledge of loue.
The rest of youth, and such as were of olde Acestes trayne:
On horses fayer they rode.
The Troians them did chere, and did receiue with wondrous ioy,
And in their mindes conceiue resemblaunce old of former Troy.
Whan mustred all they had, and all the feeld had compast round,
And vewd Anchises tombe, they ioyned all on equall ground,
Epitides to them with noyse and whipping gaue a sound.
They coursing brake their bands, and three from three disseuered all,
By matches halfe from halfe, and fast againe they turne at call,
With wepons brest, to breast and compas round returninge met,
By coursings bickring braue, and race with race entangling let,
Inuading skyrmish wise, and like the face of battall fight.
And now retire they done, now shew their backes in signe of flight.
Now turning throw their darts, now truce they make wt hand in hand,
Like Labirinthus maze, that men report in Candy land,
Is compast deepe in ground with sondry walls, and crokings blinde,
And thousand wandring waies, and entries false for men to finde,
Where tokens none there bee, nor skape can none that steps astray,
Such turnings them begiles, and so deceytfull is their way.
None otherwise, the Troian youth by coursings round about,
Disporting chace them selues, and windinges weaue both in and out.
Like Dolphin fishes light, that for their pastime daunsinge swim,
In mids of deepest seas, and play them selues on water brim.
This kinde of pastime first, and custome boyes to learne at Baase,
Ascanius whan Alba walles he made did bring in place,
And taught the Latines old, in solempne sort to vse the same,
As he sometime a child, with Troian youth had made that game.
The Albans than from thence with practise like their children taught,
And thence hath perelesse Rome and most of might, ye custome caught.
And for their contreys loue, with honor due this day it standes,
And yet the name remaynes of Troyan boyes, and Troian bandes.
Thus farforth worshipt was, his father deere with seruice due.
There fortune false to trust, did turne their case with chaunges newe.
For, as about Anchises tombe with playes the time they spent:
Dame Iuno downe from heauen the Rainbowe read her seruant sent,
Reuoluing former griefe, and rancours old not yet from minde,
Against the Troian fleete, and as she went she gaue her winde.
She swiftly bent her bowe, & through the clouds with thousand hewes,
Full virginlike she falles, her new deuise onknown, to vse.
A huge concourse she seeth, and compas wide she vews the strandes,
How bare the hauons are left, and nauy dry defenceles stands.
But secret by them selues, the Troyan wiues assembly kept,
And for Anchises losse lamenting sore they stood and wept
Beholding broad the seas: alas, alas, O wretches wee,
So much of boistous waues remaines vs yet that wery bee?
A towne to dwell they craue, and of the seas abhor the payne,
Eche one to other wayles, and all with one voice do complayne.
Dame Rainbowe subtile there, amids them all her selfe did place,
Her garmentes gay she left, and laid a side her goddesse face,
And of Doriclus wife the likenes toke, a sober dame,
That sometime great renown, and children bare of noble fame,
And Beroe was cald, and thus to them she did proclame.
There fortune false to trust, did turne their case with chaunges newe.
For, as about Anchises tombe with playes the time they spent:
Dame Iuno downe from heauen the Rainbowe read her seruant sent,
Reuoluing former griefe, and rancours old not yet from minde,
Against the Troian fleete, and as she went she gaue her winde.
She swiftly bent her bowe, & through the clouds with thousand hewes,
Full virginlike she falles, her new deuise onknown, to vse.
A huge concourse she seeth, and compas wide she vews the strandes,
How bare the hauons are left, and nauy dry defenceles stands.
But secret by them selues, the Troyan wiues assembly kept,
And for Anchises losse lamenting sore they stood and wept
Beholding broad the seas: alas, alas, O wretches wee,
So much of boistous waues remaines vs yet that wery bee?
A towne to dwell they craue, and of the seas abhor the payne,
Eche one to other wayles, and all with one voice do complayne.
Dame Rainbowe subtile there, amids them all her selfe did place,
Her garmentes gay she left, and laid a side her goddesse face,
And of Doriclus wife the likenes toke, a sober dame,
That sometime great renown, and children bare of noble fame,
And Beroe was cald, and thus to them she did proclame.
O women misers most, whom hands of Greekes would neuer kyll,
O cursed nation, whan of thee shall fortune haue her fill?
What death, or mischiefe more are we thus kept to bide at last?
Since Troy vproted was, now sommers seuen are comen and past,
That we through seas and lands, and contreys all (the world beside)
To straungy stars of heauen, and endles streames we wander wide,
In seekinge land that fleeth, and wee alway with surges tost.
Here is our contrey ground, here dwels Acestes deere our host.
Why should we hence remoue? who lets vs here our walles to bilde?
O former natiue soyle, O contrey gods (in vaine exilde)
Shall neuer Troy vpryse? shall citie Troian neuer bee?
Those Hectors holsome streames shal I from henceforth neuer see?
Come on good wiues, come burne with mee these ships of luck vnkinde,
For so Cassandra through my dreame apeering did mee binde.
And gaue me burning bronds, seeke here (quoth she) your Troian walls,
Here lieth your contrey rest, this is the time that fortune calls,
What neede we longer looke? lo Neptunes altars foure on fier,
Lo god himselfe (you see) with mindes and might doth vs enspier.
Thus talked shee, and with a brond in hand full fierce she sprang,
With (whirling loofe aloft) against the fleete the same she flang.
The rest amazed were, their hartes astoinid stood with rage.
Than one among them all, dame Prigo matrone most of age,
King Priams nurse that was, and princely children vp did reare.
Not Beroe (quoth she) this woman is, you wiues I sweare,
Nor neighbor none of ours, behold what beauty bright deuine,
What liuely sprite she beares, and marke me well her glistring eyen,
Her loke, her sounding voice, and of her pace the great estate.
I left dame Beroe my selfe at home full sicke but late,
Full sicke lamenting sore that she her selfe from vs alone,
This day must absent be, and yeld Anchises worship none.
This spoken:
Therwith the matrons first, with wauering mindes began to dout,
And with peruersid eyes beheld the nauy round about.
And what betweene the loue of present land, and present rest,
And fame of fatall realmes: they wot not which of them is best.
Whan lifting vp her selfe to clouds aboue with equal wings,
In flight before them all, with bowe full broad the goddesse springs.
O cursed nation, whan of thee shall fortune haue her fill?
What death, or mischiefe more are we thus kept to bide at last?
Since Troy vproted was, now sommers seuen are comen and past,
That we through seas and lands, and contreys all (the world beside)
To straungy stars of heauen, and endles streames we wander wide,
In seekinge land that fleeth, and wee alway with surges tost.
Here is our contrey ground, here dwels Acestes deere our host.
Why should we hence remoue? who lets vs here our walles to bilde?
O former natiue soyle, O contrey gods (in vaine exilde)
Shall neuer Troy vpryse? shall citie Troian neuer bee?
Those Hectors holsome streames shal I from henceforth neuer see?
Come on good wiues, come burne with mee these ships of luck vnkinde,
For so Cassandra through my dreame apeering did mee binde.
And gaue me burning bronds, seeke here (quoth she) your Troian walls,
Here lieth your contrey rest, this is the time that fortune calls,
What neede we longer looke? lo Neptunes altars foure on fier,
Thus talked shee, and with a brond in hand full fierce she sprang,
With (whirling loofe aloft) against the fleete the same she flang.
The rest amazed were, their hartes astoinid stood with rage.
Than one among them all, dame Prigo matrone most of age,
King Priams nurse that was, and princely children vp did reare.
Not Beroe (quoth she) this woman is, you wiues I sweare,
Nor neighbor none of ours, behold what beauty bright deuine,
What liuely sprite she beares, and marke me well her glistring eyen,
Her loke, her sounding voice, and of her pace the great estate.
I left dame Beroe my selfe at home full sicke but late,
Full sicke lamenting sore that she her selfe from vs alone,
This day must absent be, and yeld Anchises worship none.
This spoken:
Therwith the matrons first, with wauering mindes began to dout,
And with peruersid eyes beheld the nauy round about.
And what betweene the loue of present land, and present rest,
And fame of fatall realmes: they wot not which of them is best.
Whan lifting vp her selfe to clouds aboue with equal wings,
In flight before them all, with bowe full broad the goddesse springs.
Than verily with monsters wilde affright, and mad for yre,
They cry to burne their ships, & from their tentes they reaue the fire.
Some spoile their altar piles, & burning bows, & stickes and brandes,
Abourd the ships they spreede, vpleapith flame with loosid bandes,
On hatches, decks, and Ores, and plancks anointed thicke on sides.
Unto Anchises tombe, Eumelus post with panting rides,
And shews the ships are brent, and they them selues beholding spie,
The sparcklings rising broad, and blustring smoke to spred in skie.
And first Ascanius as coursings still he kept and plaied,
He toke the campe in hast, and with vprore was all dismayed,
Nor for their liues his maisters him could hold, or backeward send.
What sodeyn rage is this? where now (quoth hee?) what do ye entend?
O neighbors, wretched wiues, your enmies host you haue not heere,
This is no Greekish campe, you burne your owne reliefe most deere.
Lo I Ascanius your owne, and downe his helmet kest,
Wherwith in bataill playes, he for disport that time was drest.
Aeneas eke with hast, and Troians, all therto them sped,
But stragling diuers wayes, through all the shores the women fled,
To woods, and mountaine caues, and holes of rockes they miching ron,
And creeping hide them selues, repenting foule their worke begon,
Abhorring sight of heauen, and on their freends they thinke and quake,
With better chaunge of minde, and from their brest dame Iuno shake.
But not therfore the flames, nor burning rage the lesser spreedes,
But catching still encrease, it more and more preuailing breedes.
And spitting spewes a smoke, whom vapor wild of pitche and towe,
And dropping timber feedes, and mischiefe close in keele doth growe,
Nor might of men can helpe, nor water floods that on they throwe.
Aeneas from his shoulders than his garments tearing brast,
And calde his gods for helpe, and broad to heauen his handes did cast.
Almighty Ioue, if not as yet all Troians from thy minde
Reiected ben to death, if seruice old of poore mankinde
Not vtterly be lost: now saue these ships from burning fier.
Good father now, preserue these Troyan goods, and small desier,
Or thou thy selfe (which one thing yet remaines) with lightning fell
Here whelme me down to death, if I deserue, and driue to hell.
Skant spoken were these words, whan ratling storme not seene before,
And raine downraging falles, and thonders thicke doth romblinge rore,
That tremblith hils & fieldes, down rolle the skies in gushing shoures,
And troublous water streames from all ye heauen the tempest powres:
That ships therwith are filde, & burning bourds are quenched quite,
And still descending driues, and on the fleete with force doth smite,
Till smoke was ceassyd all, and all the ships from plage was kept.
So saued all they were (by gift of god) but foure except.
They cry to burne their ships, & from their tentes they reaue the fire.
Some spoile their altar piles, & burning bows, & stickes and brandes,
Abourd the ships they spreede, vpleapith flame with loosid bandes,
On hatches, decks, and Ores, and plancks anointed thicke on sides.
Unto Anchises tombe, Eumelus post with panting rides,
And shews the ships are brent, and they them selues beholding spie,
The sparcklings rising broad, and blustring smoke to spred in skie.
And first Ascanius as coursings still he kept and plaied,
He toke the campe in hast, and with vprore was all dismayed,
Nor for their liues his maisters him could hold, or backeward send.
What sodeyn rage is this? where now (quoth hee?) what do ye entend?
O neighbors, wretched wiues, your enmies host you haue not heere,
This is no Greekish campe, you burne your owne reliefe most deere.
Lo I Ascanius your owne, and downe his helmet kest,
Wherwith in bataill playes, he for disport that time was drest.
Aeneas eke with hast, and Troians, all therto them sped,
But stragling diuers wayes, through all the shores the women fled,
And creeping hide them selues, repenting foule their worke begon,
Abhorring sight of heauen, and on their freends they thinke and quake,
With better chaunge of minde, and from their brest dame Iuno shake.
But not therfore the flames, nor burning rage the lesser spreedes,
But catching still encrease, it more and more preuailing breedes.
And spitting spewes a smoke, whom vapor wild of pitche and towe,
And dropping timber feedes, and mischiefe close in keele doth growe,
Nor might of men can helpe, nor water floods that on they throwe.
Aeneas from his shoulders than his garments tearing brast,
And calde his gods for helpe, and broad to heauen his handes did cast.
Almighty Ioue, if not as yet all Troians from thy minde
Reiected ben to death, if seruice old of poore mankinde
Not vtterly be lost: now saue these ships from burning fier.
Good father now, preserue these Troyan goods, and small desier,
Or thou thy selfe (which one thing yet remaines) with lightning fell
Here whelme me down to death, if I deserue, and driue to hell.
Skant spoken were these words, whan ratling storme not seene before,
And raine downraging falles, and thonders thicke doth romblinge rore,
That tremblith hils & fieldes, down rolle the skies in gushing shoures,
And troublous water streames from all ye heauen the tempest powres:
That ships therwith are filde, & burning bourds are quenched quite,
And still descending driues, and on the fleete with force doth smite,
Till smoke was ceassyd all, and all the ships from plage was kept.
So saued all they were (by gift of god) but foure except.
But lord Aeneas whom this great mischaunce did pinche at brest,
With heaps, of hugy cares, now this, now that, was sore opprest,
Reuoluing much in minde: should he remaine in Sicill lond
Forgetting destnies all, or still go seeke Italia strond.
Than father Nautes old, whom goddesse Pallas learned had,
With artes of worship great, and famous name of wisdome sad:
These answers him did tell, which either gods eternall yre,
Or fatell destnies wrought, or fortunes course did so requyre,
And thus with freendly speeche Aeneas minde he set on fire.
O goddesse son, where destnies drawes and driues let vs go there,
What euer it is, who conquer fortune will, must fortune beare.
Thou hast Acestes here, of Troyan blood and stocke deuine,
His counsell take to thee, and ioyne with him aduise of thine.
And leaue with him those people which thy ships can not receyue,
And such as of thy great affaires no corage doth conceiue,
Both aged feeble folkes, and wiues of seas that wery bee,
And all that fearfull is, or weake of strength should comber thee,
Let them be chosen foorth, and here on gods name citie frame,
And of Acestes name, Acesta they shal call the same.
Incensid so by this (for from his freend this councell past)
Than verily from care to care his minde discoursed fast.
And night with darknes dim, the poles of heauen had vndercast.
With heaps, of hugy cares, now this, now that, was sore opprest,
Reuoluing much in minde: should he remaine in Sicill lond
Forgetting destnies all, or still go seeke Italia strond.
Than father Nautes old, whom goddesse Pallas learned had,
With artes of worship great, and famous name of wisdome sad:
These answers him did tell, which either gods eternall yre,
Or fatell destnies wrought, or fortunes course did so requyre,
And thus with freendly speeche Aeneas minde he set on fire.
O goddesse son, where destnies drawes and driues let vs go there,
What euer it is, who conquer fortune will, must fortune beare.
Thou hast Acestes here, of Troyan blood and stocke deuine,
His counsell take to thee, and ioyne with him aduise of thine.
And such as of thy great affaires no corage doth conceiue,
Both aged feeble folkes, and wiues of seas that wery bee,
And all that fearfull is, or weake of strength should comber thee,
Let them be chosen foorth, and here on gods name citie frame,
And of Acestes name, Acesta they shal call the same.
Incensid so by this (for from his freend this councell past)
Than verily from care to care his minde discoursed fast.
And night with darknes dim, the poles of heauen had vndercast.
That time his fathers face descending downe, in vision cleere,
From heauen appering came, and sodenly thus did him cheere.
My son, more deere to mee than life sometime, whan life I had,
My son, whose vertues Troy doth trie, by destnies good and bad,
Commaunded here I come, from mighty Ioue in skies aboue,
That comfort sent at last, and from the fleete did fire remoue.
Obey the counsels good, which faithfull Nautes thee hath told,
And for Italia land, pike out of a youth of corage bold,
To take with thee to seas: an eger nation feers and tough
Thou hast to vainquish there, and must subdue in batailes rough.
Yet first Auerna caue, and vnder ground the dwellings grim,
Of Lymbo must thou see, and dangers passe of darknes dim.
And thence ascend to mee, for I (my son) am not in hell,
Nor with no wicked kinde of woful ghostes haue I to dwell.
But fieldes of pleasure pure, and Paradise doth me retaine,
With ioyfull sort of foules, in blisfull state that do remaine.
There Sibly pure, by offrings blacke of beastes shall thee conduct,
And there thine ofspring all, and fortunes all I shall thee instruct.
And now farewel, for midnight moist her half course hence doth wrethe,
And dawning day with blast of horses, hote on mee doth breathe.
He spake, and thin from sight as smoke, in skies disperst he styed.
What now? where gost away? why doost thou shrinke? Aeneas cried.
Whom fleest thou thus? or who from sweet embracings vs withstāds?
Thus talked hee, and from the dust he steres the sleeping brandes,
And Troian sacred fier of Gods that euermore doth dure,
And offred simple floure, and frankinsens, in plenty pure.
Strayt for his mates he cald, and first onto Acestes old
Commaundments great of Ioue, and what his father deere had told,
He shewes before them all, and wherunto his minde enclines.
Nor counsell long they make, nor good Acestes ought repines.
A towne they measure foorth, and wiues and people there they plant
Of baser hartes, deseruing worship small, for corage skant.
Themselues their ships repare, and burned bourdes anew restores,
And cables meete they make, & shrowdes and sailes, & strength of Ores.
A youth of number few, but liuely bluddes in batayll tough.
Therwhiles, Aeneas did the cities plat describe with plough,
And houses laid by lot, here Ilian toures, here gates of Troy
He sets, and of his kingdome new Acestes maketh ioy.
And market place he made, and lawes he taught and iudges gaue.
Than large and broad in sight right nere the stars, a temple graue
To Venus founded is, in hiest place, and priest deuine
To serue Anchises tombe, and sacred groue theron to shine.
From heauen appering came, and sodenly thus did him cheere.
My son, more deere to mee than life sometime, whan life I had,
My son, whose vertues Troy doth trie, by destnies good and bad,
Commaunded here I come, from mighty Ioue in skies aboue,
That comfort sent at last, and from the fleete did fire remoue.
Obey the counsels good, which faithfull Nautes thee hath told,
And for Italia land, pike out of a youth of corage bold,
To take with thee to seas: an eger nation feers and tough
Thou hast to vainquish there, and must subdue in batailes rough.
Yet first Auerna caue, and vnder ground the dwellings grim,
Of Lymbo must thou see, and dangers passe of darknes dim.
And thence ascend to mee, for I (my son) am not in hell,
Nor with no wicked kinde of woful ghostes haue I to dwell.
But fieldes of pleasure pure, and Paradise doth me retaine,
With ioyfull sort of foules, in blisfull state that do remaine.
There Sibly pure, by offrings blacke of beastes shall thee conduct,
And there thine ofspring all, and fortunes all I shall thee instruct.
And now farewel, for midnight moist her half course hence doth wrethe,
And dawning day with blast of horses, hote on mee doth breathe.
He spake, and thin from sight as smoke, in skies disperst he styed.
What now? where gost away? why doost thou shrinke? Aeneas cried.
Whom fleest thou thus? or who from sweet embracings vs withstāds?
Thus talked hee, and from the dust he steres the sleeping brandes,
And Troian sacred fier of Gods that euermore doth dure,
And offred simple floure, and frankinsens, in plenty pure.
Strayt for his mates he cald, and first onto Acestes old
Commaundments great of Ioue, and what his father deere had told,
He shewes before them all, and wherunto his minde enclines.
A towne they measure foorth, and wiues and people there they plant
Of baser hartes, deseruing worship small, for corage skant.
Themselues their ships repare, and burned bourdes anew restores,
And cables meete they make, & shrowdes and sailes, & strength of Ores.
A youth of number few, but liuely bluddes in batayll tough.
Therwhiles, Aeneas did the cities plat describe with plough,
And houses laid by lot, here Ilian toures, here gates of Troy
He sets, and of his kingdome new Acestes maketh ioy.
And market place he made, and lawes he taught and iudges gaue.
Than large and broad in sight right nere the stars, a temple graue
To Venus founded is, in hiest place, and priest deuine
To serue Anchises tombe, and sacred groue theron to shine.
And now nine dayes this people feasted had, and altars all
Applied with offringes due, and sunne had made the sea to fall,
And sound of pipling winde, eftsones to deepe their ships doth call:
A wondrous weeping noise through all the shores is reised wide,
And all that night and day they tween themselues embracing byde.
The matrones now themselues that of the seas were earst affraied,
And dowted labours long, and of their strength dispairing staied,
Now gladly go they will, and trauailes all sustaine at seas.
Whom good Aeneas did his best with frendly speeche to apeas,
And weeping did commend vnto Acest his kinsman deere.
Three Calues to Erix than, and to the stormes a lambe full cleere,
He bids for offring kill: and cables loose through all the strandes.
Him selfe with garland fresh, and crownet greene of Oliue handes,
Aduancing stood in ship, and bolle in hand he held on hie,
And flesh in floods he threw, and wines in plentie kest in skie.
Behinde them blowes a coole, and winde at will them forth doth driue,
His mates they skom the fome, and saltsea brine to turne they striue.
Applied with offringes due, and sunne had made the sea to fall,
And sound of pipling winde, eftsones to deepe their ships doth call:
A wondrous weeping noise through all the shores is reised wide,
And all that night and day they tween themselues embracing byde.
The matrones now themselues that of the seas were earst affraied,
And dowted labours long, and of their strength dispairing staied,
Now gladly go they will, and trauailes all sustaine at seas.
Whom good Aeneas did his best with frendly speeche to apeas,
And weeping did commend vnto Acest his kinsman deere.
Three Calues to Erix than, and to the stormes a lambe full cleere,
He bids for offring kill: and cables loose through all the strandes.
Him selfe with garland fresh, and crownet greene of Oliue handes,
Aduancing stood in ship, and bolle in hand he held on hie,
And flesh in floods he threw, and wines in plentie kest in skie.
Behinde them blowes a coole, and winde at will them forth doth driue,
His mates they skom the fome, and saltsea brine to turne they striue.
But Venus in this while, whom care for Troians fore did straine,
To Neptune straight she came, and thus to him began to plaine.
The greeuous wrath of Iunos brest, whom no reuenge can slake,
Compels mee (Neptune) now to the, all humble sute to make.
Whom neither length of time, nor pitie none, from rancor staies,
Nor destnies order none, nor Ioue him selfe one whit she waies.
She thinkes it not ynough the Troians towne to haue downe torne,
And all their last remaine with turmentes long almost forlorne,
The bones and pouder poore she persecutes, and all their broode
She would destroy, let her declare one cause of such a moode.
Thy selfe can record beare, how in the waues of Lyby coast,
What wild vprore she made, and seas and skies turmoyling tost.
With stormes of Aeolus her freend, and all with labour vaine,
So bold within thy kingdomes thus to do.
O vile despite, lo yet of late how Troyan wiues in fume
She made their ships to burne, and foule their nauy to consume,
And leaue their kinred there, in contrey straunge vnknowne to bide.
There is no more, but let vs now (I pray thee) saufly ride
In sayling through thy seas, let vs arriue where Tyber flowes,
If graunted things I axe, if destnies vs those kingdomes showes.
Than spake Neptune, that hie seas doth control with lordly browes.
To Neptune straight she came, and thus to him began to plaine.
The greeuous wrath of Iunos brest, whom no reuenge can slake,
Compels mee (Neptune) now to the, all humble sute to make.
Whom neither length of time, nor pitie none, from rancor staies,
Nor destnies order none, nor Ioue him selfe one whit she waies.
She thinkes it not ynough the Troians towne to haue downe torne,
And all their last remaine with turmentes long almost forlorne,
She would destroy, let her declare one cause of such a moode.
Thy selfe can record beare, how in the waues of Lyby coast,
What wild vprore she made, and seas and skies turmoyling tost.
With stormes of Aeolus her freend, and all with labour vaine,
So bold within thy kingdomes thus to do.
O vile despite, lo yet of late how Troyan wiues in fume
She made their ships to burne, and foule their nauy to consume,
And leaue their kinred there, in contrey straunge vnknowne to bide.
There is no more, but let vs now (I pray thee) saufly ride
In sayling through thy seas, let vs arriue where Tyber flowes,
If graunted things I axe, if destnies vs those kingdomes showes.
Than spake Neptune, that hie seas doth control with lordly browes.
Good reason Venus is, that in my kingdomes thou be bolde,
From whence thy linage leades, I haue deserued eke of olde.
Full oftentimes ere this, both seas and skies vnkindly rage
I bridling couched haue, and madnes wood did oft aswage.
Nor lesse my care on land, as all the streames of Troy can tell,
Was for Aeneas thine, whan fierce Achilles did compell
His throngs in field to fall, whan thousands thick down tombling dead
He vnder Troyan walls with slaughter wood did trampling tread.
That brokes and riuers cried, whan peoples heaps their chanels filde,
Nor fall to seas they could, nor finde their waies for bodies kilde.
I from Achilles than, Aeneas thine, full sore bestad
In fight, (that neither force with him nor gods indiffrent had)
Conueyd away by cloud, whan peece from peece I would haue torne,
(Mine owne handworke yt was) the walls of Troy so false forsworne.
And now also that minde with me remaines, cast of thy dreede,
In hauons where thou doost wish he shal ariue right sause with speede.
One only man shall bee, whom lost in deepe seas he shall seeke,
One poll shall walke for all.
Whan he the goddesse brest with speaking thus had put from care,
As prince his horses proud hee cupling set and bound in chare,
With fomy bridlyng bittes, and lowsing gaue them all the raines,
Full smooth his charet slide, and blew sea brim it skantly straines.
Down sinke the surginge waues, & great sea swolne in thondry skies,
Doth couche their waters close, from all the heauen the catches flies.
Than sondry fourmes and faces shew them selues, on weldy whales,
And mossy Glaucus grey, and mankinde monsters voyd of skales,
And Pollantines, and armies broade of Seales, and Dolphins blew,
And Tritons blowe their Trumpes ye sounds in seas wt dropping flew.
Dame Thetis lefthand keepes, and daunce doth lead of Mermaydes all,
And Ladyes bright, that leaping liues in seas with bodies tall.
There Lord Aeneas secret minde a sodaine ioy did fetche,
He bids them reyse their Mastes, and all their sayles abroad to stretch.
Together to their tacles all they step, and slacking lines,
To Larbourd now they set, and now to Starbourd sayles enclines,
And haling hoyse their wings, ye shrowds & hookes & bowlines bendes,
And swift in seas they swim, the windes them selues their nauy sends.
But prince and pilot chiefe, sir Palinure his course doth beare,
Before them all, and eche to marke at him commaunded were.
From whence thy linage leades, I haue deserued eke of olde.
Full oftentimes ere this, both seas and skies vnkindly rage
I bridling couched haue, and madnes wood did oft aswage.
Nor lesse my care on land, as all the streames of Troy can tell,
Was for Aeneas thine, whan fierce Achilles did compell
His throngs in field to fall, whan thousands thick down tombling dead
He vnder Troyan walls with slaughter wood did trampling tread.
That brokes and riuers cried, whan peoples heaps their chanels filde,
Nor fall to seas they could, nor finde their waies for bodies kilde.
I from Achilles than, Aeneas thine, full sore bestad
In fight, (that neither force with him nor gods indiffrent had)
Conueyd away by cloud, whan peece from peece I would haue torne,
(Mine owne handworke yt was) the walls of Troy so false forsworne.
And now also that minde with me remaines, cast of thy dreede,
In hauons where thou doost wish he shal ariue right sause with speede.
One only man shall bee, whom lost in deepe seas he shall seeke,
One poll shall walke for all.
Whan he the goddesse brest with speaking thus had put from care,
As prince his horses proud hee cupling set and bound in chare,
With fomy bridlyng bittes, and lowsing gaue them all the raines,
Full smooth his charet slide, and blew sea brim it skantly straines.
Down sinke the surginge waues, & great sea swolne in thondry skies,
Doth couche their waters close, from all the heauen the catches flies.
Than sondry fourmes and faces shew them selues, on weldy whales,
And Pollantines, and armies broade of Seales, and Dolphins blew,
And Tritons blowe their Trumpes ye sounds in seas wt dropping flew.
Dame Thetis lefthand keepes, and daunce doth lead of Mermaydes all,
And Ladyes bright, that leaping liues in seas with bodies tall.
There Lord Aeneas secret minde a sodaine ioy did fetche,
He bids them reyse their Mastes, and all their sayles abroad to stretch.
Together to their tacles all they step, and slacking lines,
To Larbourd now they set, and now to Starbourd sayles enclines,
And haling hoyse their wings, ye shrowds & hookes & bowlines bendes,
And swift in seas they swim, the windes them selues their nauy sends.
But prince and pilot chiefe, sir Palinure his course doth beare,
Before them all, and eche to marke at him commaunded were.
And now frō heauen ye drowping night her mid course nere had past,
And folkes in slumber sweete, their wery limmes on rest had cast,
And Mariners had layd them selues on hatches hard of bars:
Whan lightinge swift, from skies the God of sleape did fall from stars,
And brake the darke of night, with glimsing shade of fayned beames.
To thee (O Palinure) and brought to thee right heauy dreames,
Without desert, and on the pup full hie his seate did take,
Resembling Phorbas face, and vnto him these wordes he spake.
Freend Palinure, lo how the tydes them selues conueys the fleete,
This gale by measure blowes: an houre of rest to take is meete.
Lay downe thy head, and steale thy painfull eyes one nap of sleepe,
I will for thee my selfe supply thy rowme thy helme to keepe.
Whom aunswerd Palinure, skant lifting eyes for slumber deepe.
Know I not yet my seas? what? thinkst thou mee so small of wit,
To trust this fawning face? shall I my lorde and prince commit,
To this inconstant beast? should I beleeue that monster wilde?
So oft as I with flattring seas, and skies haue ben begilde?
Such things he spake, and holding hard at helme he cleauid fast,
And still did serue the streames, and still on stars his eyes did cast.
Behold, the God on him a dropping braunch of Lymbo pyt
With deadly sleeping dewe, on both his temples dashing smyt.
And struggling to resist, his swimming eyes with sleepe opprest.
Skant first resolued were his weery limmes with sodeyn rest,
And leaning noddid lowe: whan halfe the pup with him he drew,
And rother helme, and all, in myds of seas he falling threw
Quite hedlong ouer bourd, and calling oft his mates in vaine.
The God than toke his winges, and thin in winde he went againe.
Yet nerethelesse therfore, with safe conduct their fleete did pas,
And careles ronnes their course, as god Neptunes promise was.
And now they entring were the straytes, Sirenes rockes that hight,
A parlous place sometime, and yet with bones of people whight.
Than breaking broad the floods, the saltsea stones full hoarce did sound,
Whan lord Aeneas felt his ship to stray and maister dround.
And toke himselfe the giding than therof in seas by night,
Lamenting much in minde his freends mischaunce and heauy plight.
O Palinure, that flattring seas and skies to much didst trust,
All naked on some straungy sand onburied lye thou must.
And folkes in slumber sweete, their wery limmes on rest had cast,
And Mariners had layd them selues on hatches hard of bars:
Whan lightinge swift, from skies the God of sleape did fall from stars,
And brake the darke of night, with glimsing shade of fayned beames.
To thee (O Palinure) and brought to thee right heauy dreames,
Without desert, and on the pup full hie his seate did take,
Resembling Phorbas face, and vnto him these wordes he spake.
Freend Palinure, lo how the tydes them selues conueys the fleete,
This gale by measure blowes: an houre of rest to take is meete.
Lay downe thy head, and steale thy painfull eyes one nap of sleepe,
I will for thee my selfe supply thy rowme thy helme to keepe.
Whom aunswerd Palinure, skant lifting eyes for slumber deepe.
Know I not yet my seas? what? thinkst thou mee so small of wit,
To trust this fawning face? shall I my lorde and prince commit,
To this inconstant beast? should I beleeue that monster wilde?
So oft as I with flattring seas, and skies haue ben begilde?
Such things he spake, and holding hard at helme he cleauid fast,
And still did serue the streames, and still on stars his eyes did cast.
Behold, the God on him a dropping braunch of Lymbo pyt
With deadly sleeping dewe, on both his temples dashing smyt.
And struggling to resist, his swimming eyes with sleepe opprest.
Skant first resolued were his weery limmes with sodeyn rest,
And leaning noddid lowe: whan halfe the pup with him he drew,
And rother helme, and all, in myds of seas he falling threw
The God than toke his winges, and thin in winde he went againe.
Yet nerethelesse therfore, with safe conduct their fleete did pas,
And careles ronnes their course, as god Neptunes promise was.
And now they entring were the straytes, Sirenes rockes that hight,
A parlous place sometime, and yet with bones of people whight.
Than breaking broad the floods, the saltsea stones full hoarce did sound,
Whan lord Aeneas felt his ship to stray and maister dround.
And toke himselfe the giding than therof in seas by night,
Lamenting much in minde his freends mischaunce and heauy plight.
O Palinure, that flattring seas and skies to much didst trust,
All naked on some straungy sand onburied lye thou must.
DEO GRATIAS.
Per Thomam Phaer, in foresta Kilgerran
finitum .iiij. Maij. Anno, 1557. post periculum eius karmerdini. Opus xxiiij. dierum.
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