Thvle Or Vertues Historie. To the Honorable and vertuous Mistris Amy Avdely. By F. R. [i.e. Francis Rous] |
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[The First Booke]
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[The First Booke]
The Prologue vnto the first Booke.
These
haue I carelesse writ with running hand,
VVhom art not shadoweth, but as clearest light,
VVanting none Oedipus all open stand,
Fit for the dimmer eyes and weaker sight.
VVhom art not shadoweth, but as clearest light,
VVanting none Oedipus all open stand,
Fit for the dimmer eyes and weaker sight.
But they whose Eagle-eyes can dare the Sunne,
And loue high soaring from the lowly ground,
Let them not blame what I haue wilfull done,
Some better like the Oaten rurall sound.
And loue high soaring from the lowly ground,
Let them not blame what I haue wilfull done,
Some better like the Oaten rurall sound.
And let those curious eyes a while await,
Vntill the second seruice shall begin,
VVhere we will seeke for some more dainty meate,
And stranger fruites then on this table been:
VVhere if they list they may their thirst appease,
VVhich songs my Muse to higher tunes shall raise.
Vntill the second seruice shall begin,
VVhere we will seeke for some more dainty meate,
And stranger fruites then on this table been:
VVhere if they list they may their thirst appease,
VVhich songs my Muse to higher tunes shall raise.
The Argument.
Of
that same Ile which darknes long hath chaind
In gloomy prison of obscurity;
Islandia I meane, so long retaind
From humane view by times impiety;
Olde stories newly shall be intertaind.
Freed from the silent graues impurity,
To tell the vertuous though their dayes doe end,
Yet on their fall their glory doth ascend.
In gloomy prison of obscurity;
Islandia I meane, so long retaind
From humane view by times impiety;
Olde stories newly shall be intertaind.
Freed from the silent graues impurity,
To tell the vertuous though their dayes doe end,
Yet on their fall their glory doth ascend.
Islandia that Artick-seated Ile,
Of which th' Italian swan sung long agoe,
Whose Queene the lothed wcoers did beguile,
And causde them for a shield to Paris goe,
And for her sake to suffer Loues exile,
Exagitate by dangers to and fro:
From thence my pen must fetch her forraine taske,
And thence transport my hidden stories maske.
Of which th' Italian swan sung long agoe,
Whose Queene the lothed wcoers did beguile,
And causde them for a shield to Paris goe,
And for her sake to suffer Loues exile,
Exagitate by dangers to and fro:
From thence my pen must fetch her forraine taske,
And thence transport my hidden stories maske.
Onely (sweete you) to whom this shew shall come,
Harken attentiue to the strangers tale
Summond thus lately from Obliuions tombe,
Expecting for your fauours gentle gale:
Else shall he wish that he had still beene dombe,
Nor raysde his pitch from out that lowly vale:
Where loue enioynd him for a while to dwell,
To paint the torments of that burning hell.
Harken attentiue to the strangers tale
Summond thus lately from Obliuions tombe,
Expecting for your fauours gentle gale:
Else shall he wish that he had still beene dombe,
Nor raysde his pitch from out that lowly vale:
Where loue enioynd him for a while to dwell,
To paint the torments of that burning hell.
Cant. 1.
Aged Sobrinus and his wife
Are tane a sleepe, their daughter flyes:
The Captaine riddes his mates of life,
Because they quarrels doe deuise.
At last the stately fort they burnd;
And with Erona thence he turnd.
Are tane a sleepe, their daughter flyes:
The Captaine riddes his mates of life,
Because they quarrels doe deuise.
At last the stately fort they burnd;
And with Erona thence he turnd.
Downe in a valley lies a bushy woode,
Of mighty trees in order faire composde,
Within whose center stately buildings stoode,
In this aire-climing Siluan wall enclosde,
And seemde their equall tops each other woo'd,
That Arte to Nature all her strength opposde:
And Nature scorning at her seruants pride,
With a dimme shadow did her beautie hide.
Of mighty trees in order faire composde,
Within whose center stately buildings stoode,
In this aire-climing Siluan wall enclosde,
And seemde their equall tops each other woo'd,
That Arte to Nature all her strength opposde:
And Nature scorning at her seruants pride,
With a dimme shadow did her beautie hide.
Within this Castle dwelt an aged Sire,
Who with his yeares had learnd experience,
And though he wanted youths now-quenched fire,
Yet had a holy flame, sweet residence,
And kindled in his heart a pure desire,
To doe good workes and farre from all offence:
Sobrinus was his name, his nature such,
He thought his almes too few, his wealth too much.
Who with his yeares had learnd experience,
And though he wanted youths now-quenched fire,
Yet had a holy flame, sweet residence,
And kindled in his heart a pure desire,
To doe good workes and farre from all offence:
Sobrinus was his name, his nature such,
He thought his almes too few, his wealth too much.
And yet he gaue to poore continuall plenty,
Filling the bellies which were long vnfed;
And quickly made his treasure coffers empty,
Sparing himselfe to giue the needy bread;
Such was his goodnes, such his liberall bounty,
As still he payd though still he borrowed;
Their port was small he and his wife alone,
A daughter and a maide but seruants none.
Filling the bellies which were long vnfed;
And quickly made his treasure coffers empty,
Sparing himselfe to giue the needy bread;
Such was his goodnes, such his liberall bounty,
As still he payd though still he borrowed;
Their port was small he and his wife alone,
A daughter and a maide but seruants none.
Thus had they spent the tenor of their dayes
In mirth, with reason, and in ioy with meane;
He neuer felt sad sicknes sharpe disease,
And she from any griefe was euer cleane,
Both post the troubles of lifes wearie wayes,
And scap't those dangers which doe others paine,
Sleeping securely each in others brest,
No feare their careles mindes had ere opprest.
In mirth, with reason, and in ioy with meane;
He neuer felt sad sicknes sharpe disease,
And she from any griefe was euer cleane,
Both post the troubles of lifes wearie wayes,
And scap't those dangers which doe others paine,
Sleeping securely each in others brest,
No feare their careles mindes had ere opprest.
Vntill when Night the counseller of ill,
Had lift her clowdy head from pitchy deepes,
And did with darkness all th' Horizon fill,
Mischiefe the hellish witch that neuer sleepes,
VVhen euery thing besides is calme and still,
From out her snaky cabin vgly creepes;
And tooke with her a box of diuelish drugs,
VVhich issue from her venome-nourisht dugs.
Had lift her clowdy head from pitchy deepes,
And did with darkness all th' Horizon fill,
Mischiefe the hellish witch that neuer sleepes,
VVhen euery thing besides is calme and still,
From out her snaky cabin vgly creepes;
And tooke with her a box of diuelish drugs,
VVhich issue from her venome-nourisht dugs.
Sister she is of hell begotten Night,
Her eyes by day are dimme, and still she lyes
VVithin her cell, remoued from the light:
But when the tyred Sunne to bedward hyes,
Then doth she bristle vp her wings for flight,
As soone as she her sister once espyes:
And going thence she flyes with double haste,
And comes back mourning that her ioy doth waste.
Her eyes by day are dimme, and still she lyes
VVithin her cell, remoued from the light:
But when the tyred Sunne to bedward hyes,
Then doth she bristle vp her wings for flight,
As soone as she her sister once espyes:
And going thence she flyes with double haste,
And comes back mourning that her ioy doth waste.
And now this hag of Hell, soule loathsome spright,
Crawling from out her gore-bedewed nest;
And hauing set her skalie pineons right,
Trauailes when other things from labour ceast,
And to a groue adioyning takes her flight,
VVhere after boles of wine and riotous feast,
Buried in sleepe the theeues and robbers lay,
Forgetting that the night had brought their day.
Crawling from out her gore-bedewed nest;
And hauing set her skalie pineons right,
Trauailes when other things from labour ceast,
And to a groue adioyning takes her flight,
VVhere after boles of wine and riotous feast,
Buried in sleepe the theeues and robbers lay,
Forgetting that the night had brought their day.
She hauing entred to this cell of sinne,
Her self more sinfull then sins loathsome cell,
To sprinkle all their bodies doth beginne,
And charme them with this soule-peruerting spell:
Which done she lifts her on her double sinne,
And slowly flyes vnto her vices Hell:
Which done she weepes vpon her pitchie dore,
That she should in ere she had mischief'd more.
Her self more sinfull then sins loathsome cell,
To sprinkle all their bodies doth beginne,
And charme them with this soule-peruerting spell:
Which done she lifts her on her double sinne,
And slowly flyes vnto her vices Hell:
Which done she weepes vpon her pitchie dore,
That she should in ere she had mischief'd more.
The while that rout of mischief-tainted theeues,
Rouzing each other from their cabinets,
One puls the other by their venom'd sleeues,
And with more poyson all his hand be wets,
Which with more stings his egged conscience greeues,
That this their stay should interpose more lets:
At last all wak't, all into counsell fall,
And which hurteth most, that pleaseth all.
Rouzing each other from their cabinets,
One puls the other by their venom'd sleeues,
And with more poyson all his hand be wets,
Which with more stings his egged conscience greeues,
That this their stay should interpose more lets:
At last all wak't, all into counsell fall,
And which hurteth most, that pleaseth all.
At length their Captaine Bonauallant hight,
Riseth from out their hellish counsell-house,
And takes a golden cup with pearles bedight,
And drinking to his mates a full carrouse,
Tels them, let neuer danger you affright,
Nor let your harts great hils bring foorth a mouse;
But follow me that still haue happie beene,
(The worser hap for some such hap was seene.)
Riseth from out their hellish counsell-house,
And takes a golden cup with pearles bedight,
And drinking to his mates a full carrouse,
Tels them, let neuer danger you affright,
Nor let your harts great hils bring foorth a mouse;
But follow me that still haue happie beene,
(The worser hap for some such hap was seene.)
Then all arising like the studious Bees,
That for the golden hony follow fast:
Each hopes to gaine his serious labours fees,
And euery one doth scorne to follow last,
Least he his hoped fruits perhaps might leese,
Therefore each striues to make more speedie hast:
At length they come vnto this stately fort,
And each to mischief doth his friend exhort.
That for the golden hony follow fast:
Each hopes to gaine his serious labours fees,
And euery one doth scorne to follow last,
Least he his hoped fruits perhaps might leese,
Therefore each striues to make more speedie hast:
At length they come vnto this stately fort,
And each to mischief doth his friend exhort.
Eu'n as when good Æneas crost the seas,
And Æolus sent his whirling seruants out;
Neptune awaked from his nightly ease,
Calde all his Tritons and his guard about,
And counseld all the tumults to appease,
And be reueng'd on that vnruly rout:
So doe these rau'n-tongd birds of Plutoes quier,
Complot to spoyle that holy sleeping sier.
And Æolus sent his whirling seruants out;
Neptune awaked from his nightly ease,
Calde all his Tritons and his guard about,
And counseld all the tumults to appease,
And be reueng'd on that vnruly rout:
So doe these rau'n-tongd birds of Plutoes quier,
Complot to spoyle that holy sleeping sier.
At last with violence and open force,
They brake the posternes of the Castle gate,
And entred spoyling all without remorce,
Nor could old Sobrin now resist his fate,
But stiffe with feare eu'n like a senceles corse,
Whom grisly terror doth so much amate,
He lyes supine vpon his fatall bed,
Expecting eu'ry minute to be dead.
They brake the posternes of the Castle gate,
And entred spoyling all without remorce,
Nor could old Sobrin now resist his fate,
But stiffe with feare eu'n like a senceles corse,
Whom grisly terror doth so much amate,
He lyes supine vpon his fatall bed,
Expecting eu'ry minute to be dead.
While as Deuota his religious wife,
Sent prayers the sweet ambassadors to God,
The heralds to prepare a better life:
For now approacheth deaths deuasting rod,
Sharper then sharpest edge of keenest knife,
That with his stroke denyes lifes long aboad:
Which now is setled in these butchers hands,
That bound in chaines of sinne passe conscience bands.
Sent prayers the sweet ambassadors to God,
The heralds to prepare a better life:
For now approacheth deaths deuasting rod,
Sharper then sharpest edge of keenest knife,
That with his stroke denyes lifes long aboad:
Which now is setled in these butchers hands,
That bound in chaines of sinne passe conscience bands.
Vp rushing now vnto the lodge they runne,
Striuing who first should worke this cruell deed:
Nor could their prayers stay what was begunne,
But still they prosecute with greater speed,
And long it seem'd before their fact was done,
So much did blood their hellish hunger feed,
That to inuent some kind of cruell death,
They added loathed respite to their breath.
Striuing who first should worke this cruell deed:
Nor could their prayers stay what was begunne,
But still they prosecute with greater speed,
And long it seem'd before their fact was done,
So much did blood their hellish hunger feed,
That to inuent some kind of cruell death,
They added loathed respite to their breath.
At last one bellowed from his woluish throat,
This bloody doome the brat of sauage minde,
Quoth he, Then let this old gray-haired goat
Be set in graue aliue, and there be pinde,
And to this varlet, which for age doth dote,
To be beheaded only is assignde:
So is he buried ere his corps be dead,
And she with cruell blow parts from her head.
This bloody doome the brat of sauage minde,
Quoth he, Then let this old gray-haired goat
Be set in graue aliue, and there be pinde,
And to this varlet, which for age doth dote,
To be beheaded only is assignde:
So is he buried ere his corps be dead,
And she with cruell blow parts from her head.
So haue I seene the chaste and purest doue,
Striken by cruell fowlers shiuering shot,
Disseuerd from her nere-forsaken loue,
Fall on the ground ere she her selfe had wot,
And with one spraule for sweetest liuing stroue,
But all her piteous strugling helpt her not:
So haue I seene that purest bird to dye,
As here doth this sweet carkasse mangled lye.
Striken by cruell fowlers shiuering shot,
Disseuerd from her nere-forsaken loue,
Fall on the ground ere she her selfe had wot,
And with one spraule for sweetest liuing stroue,
But all her piteous strugling helpt her not:
So haue I seene that purest bird to dye,
As here doth this sweet carkasse mangled lye.
Now whiles this wicked pageant thus is playd,
Viceina daughter to this reuerend man,
Viewing these facts and of the like afrayd,
As fast as tender thighes transport her can,
Flyes comfortles, and poore forsaken mayd,
Her looke with former terror pale and wan:
But her mis-haps when these black deeds are told,
In sequent lines more fit I will vnfold.
Viceina daughter to this reuerend man,
Viewing these facts and of the like afrayd,
As fast as tender thighes transport her can,
Flyes comfortles, and poore forsaken mayd,
Her looke with former terror pale and wan:
But her mis-haps when these black deeds are told,
In sequent lines more fit I will vnfold.
The house all ransackt, and the coffers torne,
They found Sobrinus mayd Erona calde,
Whom Bonauallant thence would streight haue borne,
For she was fayre and then with feare appalde,
She added doule grace to that beforne,
Which with sharpe stings his burning stomack galde,
That with this ouerscorching passion fir'd,
To carry her closely thence he streight conspir'd.
They found Sobrinus mayd Erona calde,
Whom Bonauallant thence would streight haue borne,
For she was fayre and then with feare appalde,
She added doule grace to that beforne,
Which with sharpe stings his burning stomack galde,
That with this ouerscorching passion fir'd,
To carry her closely thence he streight conspir'd.
But they whose eyes foule lawles lust had taught,
Moued with enuie at so faire a pray,
Told him that he false treacherie had wrought,
In seeking thus to steale the prize away,
Since it was common, and in common caught,
He should vnto the common lawes obay,
Which is, that what so ere by force was gaind,
Should to their common vse still be retaind.
Moued with enuie at so faire a pray,
Told him that he false treacherie had wrought,
In seeking thus to steale the prize away,
Since it was common, and in common caught,
He should vnto the common lawes obay,
Which is, that what so ere by force was gaind,
Should to their common vse still be retaind.
But he whom beautie, and these words commou'd,
Drew out his often-blood-embrewed sword,
And cryes; here take the sport so much ye lou'd;
This lasse shall kisses to your lips afford,
And with that speech his mightie valour prou'd;
And cloue ones skull like to a riuen bord:
The second laying downe the ware he found,
Left ware, and crased head vpon the-ground.
Drew out his often-blood-embrewed sword,
And cryes; here take the sport so much ye lou'd;
This lasse shall kisses to your lips afford,
And with that speech his mightie valour prou'd;
And cloue ones skull like to a riuen bord:
The second laying downe the ware he found,
Left ware, and crased head vpon the-ground.
Their fellowes seeing this their mates mis-hap,
Left all their treasure, and their gaines behinde,
And fearing some ensuing thunderclap,
In coward swiftnes do their safetie finde,
While he triumphing in this lucky hap,
Taught by the maid two coursers doth vnbind,
Which in a roome with mightie cords were tied,
And long had there laine still vnoccupied.
Left all their treasure, and their gaines behinde,
And fearing some ensuing thunderclap,
In coward swiftnes do their safetie finde,
While he triumphing in this lucky hap,
Taught by the maid two coursers doth vnbind,
Which in a roome with mightie cords were tied,
And long had there laine still vnoccupied.
Then doth he set much fewell all about,
Encompassing the walls of all the towers:
And that no flame might quench the fier out,
He lightens all the wood-ingraued bowers,
Which ioyned to the wall full faire and stout,
And perisht quickly built in many howers;
While he and she in dawning of the day,
Mounted aloft and parted thence away.
Encompassing the walls of all the towers:
And that no flame might quench the fier out,
He lightens all the wood-ingraued bowers,
Which ioyned to the wall full faire and stout,
And perisht quickly built in many howers;
While he and she in dawning of the day,
Mounted aloft and parted thence away.
The fuming vapors mount vnto the skie,
Where turned into teare-distilling raine,
They mourne their masters helples miserie,
Returning to the former seat againe:
But viewing there the spoyles of iniurie,
In trickling streames they mourne his torturing paine,
While raging Phœbus wrapt in duskie clowdes,
Angrie with fates his mantled visage shrowdes.
Where turned into teare-distilling raine,
They mourne their masters helples miserie,
Returning to the former seat againe:
But viewing there the spoyles of iniurie,
In trickling streames they mourne his torturing paine,
While raging Phœbus wrapt in duskie clowdes,
Angrie with fates his mantled visage shrowdes.
Cant. 2.
Viceina wanders all forlorne,
In middest darknes of the night:
But at the rising of the morne,
She meetes the wicked lustfull knight;
Whom once well knowen she defies,
Hating those sensuall vanities.
In middest darknes of the night:
But at the rising of the morne,
She meetes the wicked lustfull knight;
Whom once well knowen she defies,
Hating those sensuall vanities.
Thus raignes deepe sacriledge and wicked armes,
Yspent in persecuting vertuous soules:
The fire is quencht, which with his vigour warmes
Distressed hearts, now truth doth hide in hoales,
Afraid of falshoods terrifying alarmes,
Whose enuious force her sweetest rest controules:
Iustice from out the goared earth is flowne,
And left her vertues ofspring all alone.
Yspent in persecuting vertuous soules:
The fire is quencht, which with his vigour warmes
Distressed hearts, now truth doth hide in hoales,
Afraid of falshoods terrifying alarmes,
Whose enuious force her sweetest rest controules:
Iustice from out the goared earth is flowne,
And left her vertues ofspring all alone.
From which poore stock this sweet Viceina bred,
Wanders vnhappie virgin all forlorne,
Foule cares doe deadly wrack that blessed head,
Whose braine in streaming teares is much forworne,
For pitie that her steps are so mis-led
In blackest night, and cannot see the morne:
Yet still she hopes on that sweet Sunne of light,
Which leades her soule in all this earthly night.
Wanders vnhappie virgin all forlorne,
Foule cares doe deadly wrack that blessed head,
Whose braine in streaming teares is much forworne,
For pitie that her steps are so mis-led
In blackest night, and cannot see the morne:
Yet still she hopes on that sweet Sunne of light,
Which leades her soule in all this earthly night.
At length the Mornings chariot climbd alost,
Bringing sweet comfort to this pilgrim mayd,
The gratefull light which she so long had sought,
To guide her errant footsteps farre astrayd,
When viewing whither now her feete were brought,
Her sighing heart was drerily dismayd,
And sorrow furrow'd her sweet countenance,
With black remembrance of her sad mischance.
Bringing sweet comfort to this pilgrim mayd,
The gratefull light which she so long had sought,
To guide her errant footsteps farre astrayd,
When viewing whither now her feete were brought,
Her sighing heart was drerily dismayd,
And sorrow furrow'd her sweet countenance,
With black remembrance of her sad mischance.
Yet still she moues in vnaccustom'd pace,
And meanes to try fatall misfortunes worst,
Plunged in various thoughts distorting case,
And tortur'd thus by enuy most accurst,
At last she spide a Deere that fled apace,
Whose bleeding side a piercing dart had burst,
And fled and ranne, and as he ranne and fled,
Moued with griefe downe trickling teares he shed.
And meanes to try fatall misfortunes worst,
Plunged in various thoughts distorting case,
And tortur'd thus by enuy most accurst,
At last she spide a Deere that fled apace,
Whose bleeding side a piercing dart had burst,
And fled and ranne, and as he ranne and fled,
Moued with griefe downe trickling teares he shed.
When followes on a lusty courser set,
A goodly knight (as seem'd) and faire of looke,
That striues in swiftest course his game to get:
But quickly all his game and course forsooke,
When once he saw, then deare a dearer let,
And to this Pilgrim back his iourney tooke,
And from his horse dismounted to the ground,
Comforts her with his words alluring sound.
A goodly knight (as seem'd) and faire of looke,
That striues in swiftest course his game to get:
But quickly all his game and course forsooke,
When once he saw, then deare a dearer let,
And to this Pilgrim back his iourney tooke,
And from his horse dismounted to the ground,
Comforts her with his words alluring sound.
And then her state he curious doth enquire,
Asking the cause of her distressed plight,
When she Sir knight replide, let me desire,
Not to torment an ouer-tired wight,
With new memoriall of her fates so dire,
Rubbing my soule with a fresh tragick sight,
Only (faire sir) helpe this my poore estate,
And I your seruice euer will awaite.
Asking the cause of her distressed plight,
When she Sir knight replide, let me desire,
Not to torment an ouer-tired wight,
With new memoriall of her fates so dire,
Rubbing my soule with a fresh tragick sight,
Only (faire sir) helpe this my poore estate,
And I your seruice euer will awaite.
Moued with pitie much, but more with lust,
He dar'd not countermand her sad demaunds,
But from his heart with pleasures flames combust,
Vollied these words scarse shut in vertues bands:
Come (fayre) and to my gentle mercie trust,
And yeeld thy bodie to my embracing hands,
Ile leade thee where in pleasure thou shalt dwell,
Remoued from black melancholies hell.
He dar'd not countermand her sad demaunds,
But from his heart with pleasures flames combust,
Vollied these words scarse shut in vertues bands:
Come (fayre) and to my gentle mercie trust,
And yeeld thy bodie to my embracing hands,
Ile leade thee where in pleasure thou shalt dwell,
Remoued from black melancholies hell.
Uiceina whose most pure milk-washed hart
Neuer supposde what fraud before did plot,
Told him to ease her soules tormenting smart,
And that she thought such looke maintained not
Foule knighthoods shame, to work her sorrowes part,
Agreed to take her offerd fortunes lot:
Then hand in hand conioynd they forward went,
And in sweet talke their tedious wayes they spent.
Neuer supposde what fraud before did plot,
Told him to ease her soules tormenting smart,
And that she thought such looke maintained not
Foule knighthoods shame, to work her sorrowes part,
Agreed to take her offerd fortunes lot:
Then hand in hand conioynd they forward went,
And in sweet talke their tedious wayes they spent.
Foule euill on his cursed heart alight,
For thus seducing thence the virgins feete,
For this same knight Philedonus is hight,
And he to pleasure giu'n for men vnmeete:
Yet faire he seemeth at the sudden sight,
Yet foule he is at last when men him weete;
Vnder a pleasing hew and ciuill hood,
He carries poyson'd baytes and venom'd food.
For thus seducing thence the virgins feete,
For this same knight Philedonus is hight,
And he to pleasure giu'n for men vnmeete:
Yet faire he seemeth at the sudden sight,
Yet foule he is at last when men him weete;
Vnder a pleasing hew and ciuill hood,
He carries poyson'd baytes and venom'd food.
With which slie crafts and flatteries deceiu'd,
Vnto his castel she agrees to goe;
Where comming they full fairely were receiu'd
Of one Makerus, who downe binding low,
Told her that happily she was arriu'd,
And many gratefull speeches did bestow:
At last vnto a stately hall he brought her,
Glad that within his limits he had caught her.
Vnto his castel she agrees to goe;
Where comming they full fairely were receiu'd
Of one Makerus, who downe binding low,
Told her that happily she was arriu'd,
And many gratefull speeches did bestow:
At last vnto a stately hall he brought her,
Glad that within his limits he had caught her.
Foule wight he was that at his masters gate,
Which open stood vpon a beaten way,
All commers passage carefull did awaite,
And when he spide them like a cock at day,
He lifting vp his vgly carrion pate,
To trap them with sweet musick doth assay:
For he an Eunuch is, and sweetly sings,
And to their eares deepe rauishment he brings.
Which open stood vpon a beaten way,
All commers passage carefull did awaite,
And when he spide them like a cock at day,
He lifting vp his vgly carrion pate,
To trap them with sweet musick doth assay:
For he an Eunuch is, and sweetly sings,
And to their eares deepe rauishment he brings.
But hoping now that this new guest is sure,
Prepares no prologue for his Comedie,
And as alreadie taught to know the lure,
He leades her to a lodging by and by:
But as they past, sights did her eyes allure,
Her eyes, but not her heart to vanitie:
For she full warie was what ere she did,
Resisting still to what delight did bid.
Prepares no prologue for his Comedie,
And as alreadie taught to know the lure,
He leades her to a lodging by and by:
But as they past, sights did her eyes allure,
Her eyes, but not her heart to vanitie:
For she full warie was what ere she did,
Resisting still to what delight did bid.
But this that now her careles eyes did view,
Was how within the spacious builded hall,
She saw faire youths and maydens in a rew,
Treading sweet measures at the musicks call,
And then anon as fetching forces new,
Into each others armes they kissing fall:
Where quenching pleasures thirst with beauties dew,
Their wonted dancing they againe renew.
Was how within the spacious builded hall,
She saw faire youths and maydens in a rew,
Treading sweet measures at the musicks call,
And then anon as fetching forces new,
Into each others armes they kissing fall:
Where quenching pleasures thirst with beauties dew,
Their wonted dancing they againe renew.
But turning quickly thence her lothing eyes,
She followes where her wicked captaine guides,
Who nimbly mou'd with hellish pleasure flyes,
And at the last into a lodging slides,
Whose fairer richest art cannot deuise,
Nor euer can be found in earth besides:
Where placed for a while Makerus left her,
While ioyfull thoughts by sorrow are bereft her.
She followes where her wicked captaine guides,
Who nimbly mou'd with hellish pleasure flyes,
And at the last into a lodging slides,
Whose fairer richest art cannot deuise,
Nor euer can be found in earth besides:
Where placed for a while Makerus left her,
While ioyfull thoughts by sorrow are bereft her.
And she detesting this vnseemly place,
Wisheth that rather she had dyed abroad,
Then euer seene this knights deceiuing face,
And thinks how she might shorten her aboad:
But here of force she must abide a space,
So quickly she can neuer rid her load;
Which keeps her blessed heart in languor pinde,
Because no way to scape her soule can finde.
Wisheth that rather she had dyed abroad,
Then euer seene this knights deceiuing face,
And thinks how she might shorten her aboad:
But here of force she must abide a space,
So quickly she can neuer rid her load;
Which keeps her blessed heart in languor pinde,
Because no way to scape her soule can finde.
And in that fit the night approaching nye,
Vnto her bed which there was faire prepar'd,
As wanting rest she presently doth hye,
But following cares her sweetest rest debar'd,
That she in these great woes was neere to dye:
And certes like it was she ill had far'd,
Had not the heaun's foreseene and sent their ayd,
To comfort weakned heart well-nigh dismayd.
Vnto her bed which there was faire prepar'd,
As wanting rest she presently doth hye,
But following cares her sweetest rest debar'd,
That she in these great woes was neere to dye:
And certes like it was she ill had far'd,
Had not the heaun's foreseene and sent their ayd,
To comfort weakned heart well-nigh dismayd.
For when her fathers house in pleasure stood,
And in the pleasant fields adioynd she went,
There came a holy Hermite from the wood,
That all his time in godly precepts spent,
Who as he told of words and doings good,
His chaine of beades about his arme vnbent,
And sayd; this stone doth cares and griefe expell,
And gaue it to her and then bad fare-well.
And in the pleasant fields adioynd she went,
There came a holy Hermite from the wood,
That all his time in godly precepts spent,
Who as he told of words and doings good,
His chaine of beades about his arme vnbent,
And sayd; this stone doth cares and griefe expell,
And gaue it to her and then bad fare-well.
This stone is Elpine calde, whose vertue is,
To driue away great grieuings and dispayre:
Or what-soere doth leade the heart amisse,
With sweetest influence it doth repayre,
Which now appli'd reduc'th her former blisse,
And much diminisheth her cruell care:
Blest be the heauens which did thus prouide,
To ease those tortures which she did abide.
To driue away great grieuings and dispayre:
Or what-soere doth leade the heart amisse,
With sweetest influence it doth repayre,
Which now appli'd reduc'th her former blisse,
And much diminisheth her cruell care:
Blest be the heauens which did thus prouide,
To ease those tortures which she did abide.
Thus somewhat freede from these tormenting woes,
To sleepe her sences all she doth addresse,
But ere her wearied members tooke repose,
She was disturbed from her quietnesse:
For to her chamber vp a consort goes
That thought to comfort her all comfortlesse,
And rather to enchant then to delight,
They thought, but now they want their wonted might.
To sleepe her sences all she doth addresse,
But ere her wearied members tooke repose,
She was disturbed from her quietnesse:
For to her chamber vp a consort goes
That thought to comfort her all comfortlesse,
And rather to enchant then to delight,
They thought, but now they want their wonted might.
And yet well neere these fiends had luld asleepe,
With charming Musick that diuinest wight,
But that strong vertue still sure watch did keepe,
And put fond pleasures yeelding thoughts to flight:
For she still marking how delight did creepe,
And by allurements, not by force did fight,
Stopt with her fingers her imprisond eares,
And with stout courage all temptations beares.
With charming Musick that diuinest wight,
But that strong vertue still sure watch did keepe,
And put fond pleasures yeelding thoughts to flight:
For she still marking how delight did creepe,
And by allurements, not by force did fight,
Stopt with her fingers her imprisond eares,
And with stout courage all temptations beares.
At length these Crocodiles their harping ended,
And she is left to prosecute her griefe:
For rest is banisht thence by thoughts offended,
Which doe accuse her for this nights reliefe,
And cruciate themselues that condiscended,
To fained words without some further priefe;
That twixt her thoughts and guilts fierce perturbation,
Her soule is cast into a restles passion.
And she is left to prosecute her griefe:
For rest is banisht thence by thoughts offended,
Which doe accuse her for this nights reliefe,
And cruciate themselues that condiscended,
To fained words without some further priefe;
That twixt her thoughts and guilts fierce perturbation,
Her soule is cast into a restles passion.
That little sleepe she tooke, but when she slept,
Dreames of her fault and fained phantasies,
Into the closet of her sweet soule crept:
And thus the night deludes her watching eyes,
Care all the gates of troubled sences kept,
Which made her thinke it long ere day did rise:
So vice and vertue striue together met,
They cannot rest within one cabinet.
Dreames of her fault and fained phantasies,
Into the closet of her sweet soule crept:
And thus the night deludes her watching eyes,
Care all the gates of troubled sences kept,
Which made her thinke it long ere day did rise:
So vice and vertue striue together met,
They cannot rest within one cabinet.
At length though long this length the morning starre,
Told that the night was fled from out the ayre,
When she more glad then trauailers that farre,
Spying some tower their fainting course repayre,
Thinking that there their longed dwellings are:
But when they neerer come againe dispayre,
And seeing they mis-tooke that happy place,
Stumble againe in their fore-wonted pace.
Told that the night was fled from out the ayre,
When she more glad then trauailers that farre,
Spying some tower their fainting course repayre,
Thinking that there their longed dwellings are:
But when they neerer come againe dispayre,
And seeing they mis-tooke that happy place,
Stumble againe in their fore-wonted pace.
So was she caught with hopes disguisde attire,
When black despayre went masking all within:
For now she saw no hope of her desire,
Nor could she free her selfe once closed in:
So many eyes hath lust, so hot the fire,
Which kindles burning flames in scorched skin:
Though Argus hundred eyes in watch doth keepe,
Yet lust at length will lull them all asleepe.
When black despayre went masking all within:
For now she saw no hope of her desire,
Nor could she free her selfe once closed in:
So many eyes hath lust, so hot the fire,
Which kindles burning flames in scorched skin:
Though Argus hundred eyes in watch doth keepe,
Yet lust at length will lull them all asleepe.
So is she watcht with neuer resting eyes;
The former hope of libertie is gone,
And now Philedonus doth all deuise,
For to entangle her thus left alone;
Foule lust within his breast gins to arise,
And from his heart faire blushing shame is flowne:
And he begins with words sole-tempting sound,
To cast her chastitie vnto the ground.
The former hope of libertie is gone,
And now Philedonus doth all deuise,
For to entangle her thus left alone;
Foule lust within his breast gins to arise,
And from his heart faire blushing shame is flowne:
And he begins with words sole-tempting sound,
To cast her chastitie vnto the ground.
But by the happie fortune which befell,
At last her soule was set at libertie:
But how it chanced yet I may not tell,
Though I am loth so long to let thee lie,
(Sweet mayd) within the torments of this hell:
But that same theefe so fast away doth flie,
That I shall neuer see Erona more,
Vnles I goe and fetch her back before.
At last her soule was set at libertie:
But how it chanced yet I may not tell,
Though I am loth so long to let thee lie,
(Sweet mayd) within the torments of this hell:
But that same theefe so fast away doth flie,
That I shall neuer see Erona more,
Vnles I goe and fetch her back before.
Cant. 3.
Erona and her new found loue,
Come to the bower of fond delight:
But thence by warning they remoue,
And in a Castle spent the night:
Jn morne she faines dissembled paine,
He leaues her and goes back againe.
Come to the bower of fond delight:
But thence by warning they remoue,
And in a Castle spent the night:
Jn morne she faines dissembled paine,
He leaues her and goes back againe.
What ere thou be that to a womans care,
Commitst affayres or matters of import,
Too rashly to aduenture doe not dare,
Vnles vpon some certaine truths report:
For constancie in most is found but rare,
And they will change their thoughts for wanton sport:
But some there be (blest he that some can finde)
To whom fayre graces vertue hath assignde.
Commitst affayres or matters of import,
Too rashly to aduenture doe not dare,
Vnles vpon some certaine truths report:
For constancie in most is found but rare,
And they will change their thoughts for wanton sport:
But some there be (blest he that some can finde)
To whom fayre graces vertue hath assignde.
Amongst which thou rare virgin of these dayes,
(Whom only this my wandring muse hath found)
Meritst eternall volumes of thy prayse,
For louing Muses and their sweetest sound,
Accepting kindly rude mis-tuned layes,
Which els had laine long buried vnder ground:
Be not (kind) angrie at this mayds disgrace,
That Muse thy gifts shal praise, that doth her faults deface.
(Whom only this my wandring muse hath found)
Meritst eternall volumes of thy prayse,
For louing Muses and their sweetest sound,
Accepting kindly rude mis-tuned layes,
Which els had laine long buried vnder ground:
Be not (kind) angrie at this mayds disgrace,
That Muse thy gifts shal praise, that doth her faults deface.
For she is worthie of perpetuall blame,
For condiscending to this theeues request:
For now she curseth still her masters name,
Swearing she neuer could obtaine her rest,
Vntill this happie newes vnto her came:
And now she sayes she'le follow his behest,
Goe where he will, and stay where he commands,
And lay her opend soule before his hands.
For condiscending to this theeues request:
For now she curseth still her masters name,
Swearing she neuer could obtaine her rest,
Vntill this happie newes vnto her came:
And now she sayes she'le follow his behest,
Goe where he will, and stay where he commands,
And lay her opend soule before his hands.
And he seduced by her flatterie,
And blinded quite with lust and lewd desire,
His loue is bounded by no meane degree,
He sweares through freezing cold and burning fire,
To be her champion for her beauties see,
She sayes she readie is when he wil try her:
Thus in fond pleasure they consume their dayes,
And after sport still walke their wonted wayes.
And blinded quite with lust and lewd desire,
His loue is bounded by no meane degree,
He sweares through freezing cold and burning fire,
To be her champion for her beauties see,
She sayes she readie is when he wil try her:
Thus in fond pleasure they consume their dayes,
And after sport still walke their wonted wayes.
But as they climbd the hils ascending side,
The scortching Sunne sent downe fire-darting rayes,
That they vnneath this feruence could abide,
Therefore they seeke some cooler shadowed wayes:
At last downe in the vale a lake they spide,
By which there was a bower of thorne and bayes,
A bower whose ground was set with Cammomill,
Whose bankes the sweetest rose and flowers did fill.
The scortching Sunne sent downe fire-darting rayes,
That they vnneath this feruence could abide,
Therefore they seeke some cooler shadowed wayes:
At last downe in the vale a lake they spide,
By which there was a bower of thorne and bayes,
A bower whose ground was set with Cammomill,
Whose bankes the sweetest rose and flowers did fill.
Where entred there they see a grauen stone,
In which a historie was fairely writ:
The picture of a Lady was vpon,
And verses which were written vnder it.
Here lyes the fairest Lady of the Ile,”
Whom from sweet rest fond pleasure did exile,”
To warne the rest, who yet are kept vnstaind,”
To flie that plague, which keepes the soule enchaind.”
In which a historie was fairely writ:
The picture of a Lady was vpon,
And verses which were written vnder it.
Here lyes the fairest Lady of the Ile,”
Whom from sweet rest fond pleasure did exile,”
To warne the rest, who yet are kept vnstaind,”
To flie that plague, which keepes the soule enchaind.”
The theefe enamor'd on that louely hew,
Which niggard arts weake force had much defac'd,
Would needs the substance of that shadow view,
And would the curious tombstone haue displac'd:
But from this deed a noyse his fancie drew,
And rushing of the lake as with a blast:
Where looking there they saw the fayrest face,
Whose louely feature did the Swannes disgrace.
Which niggard arts weake force had much defac'd,
Would needs the substance of that shadow view,
And would the curious tombstone haue displac'd:
But from this deed a noyse his fancie drew,
And rushing of the lake as with a blast:
Where looking there they saw the fayrest face,
Whose louely feature did the Swannes disgrace.
But by the pictures likenes streight they knew,
This was the Ghost of that entombed mayd,
When she: O cause not wretch more griefe to rew,
And trouble not the bones for rest vp layd,
But fly this place least it procure to you,
For which my soule deere punishment hath payd.
When seem'd her head to droupe as in a sowne,
And with new racking griefe to sinke a downe.
This was the Ghost of that entombed mayd,
When she: O cause not wretch more griefe to rew,
And trouble not the bones for rest vp layd,
But fly this place least it procure to you,
For which my soule deere punishment hath payd.
When seem'd her head to droupe as in a sowne,
And with new racking griefe to sinke a downe.
But streight he cried: O tell (sweete Lady) tell,
What danger doth attend this fearefull place,
And how to thee this wicked hap befell,
And how thou cam'st into this wofull case?
Then she: as long as messengers of hell,
Which still attending stand before my face,
Shall suffer me to stay with you aboue,
Ile shew you what with griefe my selfe did proue.
What danger doth attend this fearefull place,
And how to thee this wicked hap befell,
And how thou cam'st into this wofull case?
Then she: as long as messengers of hell,
Which still attending stand before my face,
Shall suffer me to stay with you aboue,
Ile shew you what with griefe my selfe did proue.
Heere by this riuer is a gaping pit,
Which leades vnto the floods of Acheron:
And on the mouth thereof a witch doth sit,
That dwelleth in a roome there built vpon;
Getica she is calde, who by her wit,
Hath damn'd to restles dolours many one:
And she (before Persephone was Queene)
Had Plutoes Concubine long season beene.
Which leades vnto the floods of Acheron:
And on the mouth thereof a witch doth sit,
That dwelleth in a roome there built vpon;
Getica she is calde, who by her wit,
Hath damn'd to restles dolours many one:
And she (before Persephone was Queene)
Had Plutoes Concubine long season beene.
But now to her this dwelling is assignde,
Where she hath leaue to charme each truest hart,
And in eternall torturing to binde,
The soules she hath entrapped by her art;
And she enrag'd, that men sweet ioy should finde,
Not bearing any of her torments part,
Assayes by all the meanes she can inuent,
To make them fellowes in her punishment.
Where she hath leaue to charme each truest hart,
And in eternall torturing to binde,
The soules she hath entrapped by her art;
And she enrag'd, that men sweet ioy should finde,
Not bearing any of her torments part,
Assayes by all the meanes she can inuent,
To make them fellowes in her punishment.
And euery yeare once she a feast doth make,
Within that bower, where you now doe lye:
Whither full many a knight his way doth take,
And many a Lady thitherward doth hye:
When she her loathed house doth soone forsake,
Attir'd in robes and portly maiestye,
And to the banquet house doth solemne come,
Welcomming all with voyce, and kissing some.
Within that bower, where you now doe lye:
Whither full many a knight his way doth take,
And many a Lady thitherward doth hye:
When she her loathed house doth soone forsake,
Attir'd in robes and portly maiestye,
And to the banquet house doth solemne come,
Welcomming all with voyce, and kissing some.
And after meat a seruice all of wine,
Is brought before the guests, when thus she sayes;
My wish (sweete friends) is you should better dine,
And haue some cheere that were more worthie prayse:
But this I hope shall rest as loues sure signe,
The rest shall be supplyed in other waies:
Onely the while take this in gentle part,
From one desiring to get more desart.
Is brought before the guests, when thus she sayes;
My wish (sweete friends) is you should better dine,
And haue some cheere that were more worthie prayse:
But this I hope shall rest as loues sure signe,
The rest shall be supplyed in other waies:
Onely the while take this in gentle part,
From one desiring to get more desart.
Heere are as many cups as you are heere,
Fild with some liquor of so forciue might,
That what-soere you loue or holde most deere,
As beauty, magick, riches, pleasing sight,
Or lengthned youth, vntill full forty yeare,
Whither it good shall be, or things vnright,
It shall be giuen you without delay,
Ere second night driue hence the darkned day.
Fild with some liquor of so forciue might,
That what-soere you loue or holde most deere,
As beauty, magick, riches, pleasing sight,
Or lengthned youth, vntill full forty yeare,
Whither it good shall be, or things vnright,
It shall be giuen you without delay,
Ere second night driue hence the darkned day.
On this condition that when all the date,
(Which is the space of forty yeares orepast)
Shall be expirde, then shall you pay the rate
Of all th' accounts, which I this while shall cast;
Nor may ye then resist the common fate,
For ioy long may endure, not euer last:
This sayd, all those that wish for any good,
Drinke vp that Philter poysoning all their blood.
(Which is the space of forty yeares orepast)
Shall be expirde, then shall you pay the rate
Of all th' accounts, which I this while shall cast;
Nor may ye then resist the common fate,
For ioy long may endure, not euer last:
This sayd, all those that wish for any good,
Drinke vp that Philter poysoning all their blood.
Amongst those birds was I caught in the net,
Layd to entrap the frayiltie of youth,
And at a little price my soule did set,
Now all bedewd into late comming ruth,
And I admonish you vnchaind as yet,
To credit what my soule doth finde for truth:
Make speedie haste to get your selues away,
To morrow comes that hellish banquet day.
Layd to entrap the frayiltie of youth,
And at a little price my soule did set,
Now all bedewd into late comming ruth,
And I admonish you vnchaind as yet,
To credit what my soule doth finde for truth:
Make speedie haste to get your selues away,
To morrow comes that hellish banquet day.
This sayd, she sunke into the drowning waues,
Drowned almost with flowing teares before,
Like Phaetusa, while she madly raues,
Playning that she could see the boy no more:
And while his sweetest companie she craues,
A spreading roote her feeble feete vpbore,
A furrow'd rinde encompast all her skin,
A tree she was without, a mayd within.
Drowned almost with flowing teares before,
Like Phaetusa, while she madly raues,
Playning that she could see the boy no more:
And while his sweetest companie she craues,
A spreading roote her feeble feete vpbore,
A furrow'd rinde encompast all her skin,
A tree she was without, a mayd within.
So doth she seeme to melt in liquid teares,
For where before that fayrest substance stood,
Nothing but bubling water now appeares:
And while they looke vpon the billowing flood,
Wonder their eyes possess'th, their hearts deepe feares,
That in their face appeares no liuelihood:
At last each plucking by the others arme,
Giue warning both of that ensuing harme.
For where before that fayrest substance stood,
Nothing but bubling water now appeares:
And while they looke vpon the billowing flood,
Wonder their eyes possess'th, their hearts deepe feares,
That in their face appeares no liuelihood:
At last each plucking by the others arme,
Giue warning both of that ensuing harme.
And mounted thence, they assay to climb the hill,
Whose bended steepnes causde them take much paine,
And though they mainly striue with labour still,
Yet in much striuing they doe little gaine;
The nature of the place resists their will:
For so it is where pleasure doth remaine,
That with a current in his armes we fall,
But back full few can creepe, or none at all.
Whose bended steepnes causde them take much paine,
And though they mainly striue with labour still,
Yet in much striuing they doe little gaine;
The nature of the place resists their will:
For so it is where pleasure doth remaine,
That with a current in his armes we fall,
But back full few can creepe, or none at all.
Nor can these now attaine their mindes desier,
But forc'd they turne their Palfreyes heads aside,
And sory they can climbe the hill no higher,
Vpon the conuex, all along they ride,
At last by smokie sparkles of a fire,
A chimney top far off they haue espyde:
And now the Sunne was driuing to the west,
And they were glad they found some hope of rest.
But forc'd they turne their Palfreyes heads aside,
And sory they can climbe the hill no higher,
Vpon the conuex, all along they ride,
At last by smokie sparkles of a fire,
A chimney top far off they haue espyde:
And now the Sunne was driuing to the west,
And they were glad they found some hope of rest.
Forward they prickt, and shortly there they came,
For all the way was playne as eye might see,
And lighting downe he and his wanton dame,
Goe in to know if they might lodged be,
And he no sooner had discried his name,
But all the knights salute him by degree:
For all the house with knights and dames was fraught,
Which ment to trauell for their mornings draught.
For all the way was playne as eye might see,
And lighting downe he and his wanton dame,
Goe in to know if they might lodged be,
And he no sooner had discried his name,
But all the knights salute him by degree:
For all the house with knights and dames was fraught,
Which ment to trauell for their mornings draught.
Reioycing thus that they so fit were met,
And striuing who should shew most curtesy,
They spend the time till on the bord was set,
The daintyest feast that euer curious eye
Could view, or wealth, or all the Ile could get,
Such was this feast of filthie luxury,
And they as prompt to take as that to bring,
Sit downe: some eate, some drinke, some play, some sing.
And striuing who should shew most curtesy,
They spend the time till on the bord was set,
The daintyest feast that euer curious eye
Could view, or wealth, or all the Ile could get,
Such was this feast of filthie luxury,
And they as prompt to take as that to bring,
Sit downe: some eate, some drinke, some play, some sing.
Their heads perswaded by the fuming wine,
After the empty dishes all were sackt,
Doe condiscend their places to resigne,
And yeeld to sleepe, which as it seem'd they lackt;
For so the fume their ey-lids doth combine,
That they vnneath can keepe themselues awakt,
And still the ground as profring them a bed,
With a kinde knocking kisse salutes their head.
After the empty dishes all were sackt,
Doe condiscend their places to resigne,
And yeeld to sleepe, which as it seem'd they lackt;
For so the fume their ey-lids doth combine,
That they vnneath can keepe themselues awakt,
And still the ground as profring them a bed,
With a kinde knocking kisse salutes their head.
At last some by the little remnant of their sight,
And some by others helpe to bed are got,
Where drownd in sleepe they spend the sliding night,
And had almost in morne their care forgot:
But wickednes that euer-haunting spright,
Rung in their eares and warn'd them of their lot:
And they afrayd their happy chance to lose,
Shooke sluggard sleepe away and straight arose.
And some by others helpe to bed are got,
Where drownd in sleepe they spend the sliding night,
And had almost in morne their care forgot:
But wickednes that euer-haunting spright,
Rung in their eares and warn'd them of their lot:
And they afrayd their happy chance to lose,
Shooke sluggard sleepe away and straight arose.
But false Erona fearing of her mate,
That if he should vnto the banquet goe,
He would forsake his choyse, and change his fate,
And leaue her quite, and so procure her woe,
Faines that a sudden griefe doth her amate,
Wounded with piercing sicknes Ebon bow,
And sayes she cannot moue from out her bed,
And prayes him not to leaue her almost dead.
That if he should vnto the banquet goe,
He would forsake his choyse, and change his fate,
And leaue her quite, and so procure her woe,
Faines that a sudden griefe doth her amate,
Wounded with piercing sicknes Ebon bow,
And sayes she cannot moue from out her bed,
And prayes him not to leaue her almost dead.
Sweet loue (quoth she) whom in my tender armes,
So oft I haue embrac'd and euer lou'd,
O leaue me not alone to following harmes,
But if that ere thy minde fayre Meny mou'd,
Or yeelded to delights, or fancies charmes,
Or if my soule doth loue thee euer prou'd,
Then doe: and with that word so deeply sigh't,
As though death on her broken heart did light.
So oft I haue embrac'd and euer lou'd,
O leaue me not alone to following harmes,
But if that ere thy minde fayre Meny mou'd,
Or yeelded to delights, or fancies charmes,
Or if my soule doth loue thee euer prou'd,
Then doe: and with that word so deeply sigh't,
As though death on her broken heart did light.
He thinking that her griefes extremitie
Did interrupt the office of her tung,
And moued with her words did seeme to pitie,
When falling downe vpon her neck he hung,
And sayes, if my delaying could acquite ye
From this sharpe grieuance, that your heart hath stung,
I would not leaue you for the worlds wealth,
Nor worke disparagement vnto your health.
Did interrupt the office of her tung,
And moued with her words did seeme to pitie,
When falling downe vpon her neck he hung,
And sayes, if my delaying could acquite ye
From this sharpe grieuance, that your heart hath stung,
I would not leaue you for the worlds wealth,
Nor worke disparagement vnto your health.
But this delay can worke you no redresse,
But hurt me with the sight of this your payne,
And all the other knights themselues addresse,
To goe vnto the feast where I would fayne
Accompany them, as my oth expresse
Doth binde me, but I will returne againe,
Before the sunne remoue his fierie wheeles,
Turning vnto our view his panting Palfreyes heeles.
But hurt me with the sight of this your payne,
And all the other knights themselues addresse,
To goe vnto the feast where I would fayne
Accompany them, as my oth expresse
Doth binde me, but I will returne againe,
Before the sunne remoue his fierie wheeles,
Turning vnto our view his panting Palfreyes heeles.
This sayd, he went from out her burning sight,
Stopping his eares vnto her playning cryes,
And she still prayes to pitie wofull wight,
But like the faithles Troian Knight he flyes,
Leauing sweete Dido swelling in despight,
Who powring raging playnts self-wounded dyes.
So is this Knight from out her hearing gone,
And she can onely hope he comes anone.
Stopping his eares vnto her playning cryes,
And she still prayes to pitie wofull wight,
But like the faithles Troian Knight he flyes,
Leauing sweete Dido swelling in despight,
Who powring raging playnts self-wounded dyes.
So is this Knight from out her hearing gone,
And she can onely hope he comes anone.
But how he sped, and she was left alone,
The sequence of the story shall declare,
But sweet Uiceina doth so deepely grone,
Burdened with ouerpressing load of care,
That sure my heart relents to heare her mone,
And Ile assay to cause her better fare,
For what hard heart would not all seruice doe,
To helpe a fayre, a chast, a woman too?
The sequence of the story shall declare,
But sweet Uiceina doth so deepely grone,
Burdened with ouerpressing load of care,
That sure my heart relents to heare her mone,
And Ile assay to cause her better fare,
For what hard heart would not all seruice doe,
To helpe a fayre, a chast, a woman too?
Cant. 4.
A stranger knight the mayde doth free,
Which long had layne in pleasures bands:
While she her foemans death doth see,
Loosde by good fate from cursed hands,
And with that knight her way doth take,
Glad that foule prison to forsake.
Which long had layne in pleasures bands:
While she her foemans death doth see,
Loosde by good fate from cursed hands,
And with that knight her way doth take,
Glad that foule prison to forsake.
Though deepe distresse still threaten heauy fall,
And stormy cloudes thy fortunes wrack presage,
Let not white-liuer'd feare thy thoughts appall,
A power there is that can all stormes asswage,
That makes the thunder bellow at his call,
And parbreake sulphur vapours in his rage:
This power is present still to ayde the iust,
Though hembde in hostes they be of hellish lust.
And stormy cloudes thy fortunes wrack presage,
Let not white-liuer'd feare thy thoughts appall,
A power there is that can all stormes asswage,
That makes the thunder bellow at his call,
And parbreake sulphur vapours in his rage:
This power is present still to ayde the iust,
Though hembde in hostes they be of hellish lust.
So is the virgin heere preseru'd from shame,
Which like a blood-hound haunts her hallowed feete,
For since vnto this shameles knight she came;
She cannot turne but still he doth her meete,
Tempting her soule to yeeld to foulest shame,
With fayrest words that Pandors art did weete;
But still she keepes her bulwark of defence,
Hoping some happy day will rid her hence.
Which like a blood-hound haunts her hallowed feete,
For since vnto this shameles knight she came;
She cannot turne but still he doth her meete,
Tempting her soule to yeeld to foulest shame,
With fayrest words that Pandors art did weete;
But still she keepes her bulwark of defence,
Hoping some happy day will rid her hence.
But long she watch't to see that happy day,
Before misfortune left her tyranny,
The sliding glasse of time doth spend away,
And therewithall her wasting hope doth fly,
But he that in iust weights doth all things way;
Viewing the poore opprest with cruelty,
Sent meanes whose thought dispayring thoughts did pas,
To helpe that dying Saint: And thus it was.
Before misfortune left her tyranny,
The sliding glasse of time doth spend away,
And therewithall her wasting hope doth fly,
But he that in iust weights doth all things way;
Viewing the poore opprest with cruelty,
Sent meanes whose thought dispayring thoughts did pas,
To helpe that dying Saint: And thus it was.
Sobrinus fame through all the Ile was blowne,
(For he was borne of royall pedegree)
And his fayre daughters name to all was knowne,
That holy were and hated vanitie,
Amongst the rest her vertuous praise was flowne,
Vnto a Lady of no meane degree,
Whose spotles heart was purenes purest pure,
Whose soule no sensuall thoughts could ere allure.
(For he was borne of royall pedegree)
And his fayre daughters name to all was knowne,
That holy were and hated vanitie,
Amongst the rest her vertuous praise was flowne,
Vnto a Lady of no meane degree,
Whose spotles heart was purenes purest pure,
Whose soule no sensuall thoughts could ere allure.
Aguria was this holy widowes name,
For she had layd her husband in the graue,
And since like Ancres, or a Vestal dame,
To heauenly thoughts her minde she wholy gaue:
But her sweet sonne a iolly knight became,
Great thoughts to try his valiance him draue,
And he was meeke to those that hated ill,
But to the wicked he was fearefull still.
For she had layd her husband in the graue,
And since like Ancres, or a Vestal dame,
To heauenly thoughts her minde she wholy gaue:
But her sweet sonne a iolly knight became,
Great thoughts to try his valiance him draue,
And he was meeke to those that hated ill,
But to the wicked he was fearefull still.
This knight was moued by this damsels fame,
And with his mothers leaue departed thence,
Vowing by heauens-makers fearfull name,
As long as life should stay, or liuely sence,
Not euer to returne from whence he came,
Before (as signe of his beneuolence)
He shall salute this Lady face to face,
And with his armes that Saint-like Nymph embrace.
And with his mothers leaue departed thence,
Vowing by heauens-makers fearfull name,
As long as life should stay, or liuely sence,
Not euer to returne from whence he came,
Before (as signe of his beneuolence)
He shall salute this Lady face to face,
And with his armes that Saint-like Nymph embrace.
Thus purposde foorth he goes, as errant knight,
In glistring armes yclad and mightie lance,
While vnder him in trappings gorgeous dight,
A sturdie courser all the way doth dance,
And as compacted of a liuely spright,
His trampling hoofes aloft he doth aduance,
And for aduentures armd in warlike wise,
He pricks his palfreys sides and forward tries.
In glistring armes yclad and mightie lance,
While vnder him in trappings gorgeous dight,
A sturdie courser all the way doth dance,
And as compacted of a liuely spright,
His trampling hoofes aloft he doth aduance,
And for aduentures armd in warlike wise,
He pricks his palfreys sides and forward tries.
But what great dangers in his weary way,
Or what he saw or did, my Muse must passe,
For they would much my stories course delay:
Besides they are ingrau'd in during brasse,
By one who doth antiquitie bewray,
Writing what euer in that Iland was:
Let this suffice that he now iourneyes nye,
Vnto that place whereas this Dame doth lye.
Or what he saw or did, my Muse must passe,
For they would much my stories course delay:
Besides they are ingrau'd in during brasse,
By one who doth antiquitie bewray,
Writing what euer in that Iland was:
Let this suffice that he now iourneyes nye,
Vnto that place whereas this Dame doth lye.
But Night had spread her gloomy wings abroad,
Which forced thoughts of ease into his breast:
Therefore with swifter pace he faster road,
Hoping to get some place of gentle rest:
But while an easie gale vnto him blowd,
The sweetest sound that euer eare possest,
Which made him turne his horse toward the noyse,
At last he came where he had heard the voyce.
Which forced thoughts of ease into his breast:
Therefore with swifter pace he faster road,
Hoping to get some place of gentle rest:
But while an easie gale vnto him blowd,
The sweetest sound that euer eare possest,
Which made him turne his horse toward the noyse,
At last he came where he had heard the voyce.
And askt if lodging for a Knight there were,
Quoth he that sung, straight leaping from his seate,
None can approach (fayre Sir) more welcome here,
Then those that errant are, whom knightly heate
Enforc'th to seeke aduentures farre and neere:
And with this filed speech did worke deceit,
The Knight full glad he had a harbour found,
Dismounted straight and lighted to the ground.
Quoth he that sung, straight leaping from his seate,
None can approach (fayre Sir) more welcome here,
Then those that errant are, whom knightly heate
Enforc'th to seeke aduentures farre and neere:
And with this filed speech did worke deceit,
The Knight full glad he had a harbour found,
Dismounted straight and lighted to the ground.
But little did he thinke that fayrest mayd,
Was prisoner in this cell of riotise:
For this same castle where he now is stayd,
Is that where poore Viceina captiue lyes,
And sure they thought to haue this Knight betrayd,
But his sweet thought did frustrate their surmise:
Yet in this foolish hope vp was he led,
Into a chamber fairely Arrased.
Was prisoner in this cell of riotise:
For this same castle where he now is stayd,
Is that where poore Viceina captiue lyes,
And sure they thought to haue this Knight betrayd,
But his sweet thought did frustrate their surmise:
Yet in this foolish hope vp was he led,
Into a chamber fairely Arrased.
Where after delicates and curious feast,
Full weary of his way and toylsome watch,
To pleasing sleepe his body he addrest,
Least during labour should him ouer match:
When he no sooner setled him to rest,
But slumber in his sences seate did hatch,
Partly by toyle wherewith he now was sore,
Partly by Musick sounding at his dore.
Full weary of his way and toylsome watch,
To pleasing sleepe his body he addrest,
Least during labour should him ouer match:
When he no sooner setled him to rest,
But slumber in his sences seate did hatch,
Partly by toyle wherewith he now was sore,
Partly by Musick sounding at his dore.
Thus halfe her light fayre Cynthia had spent,
And he in sleepe had spent halfe Cynthias light,
Vntill a cry vnto his eare was sent,
Which did his tumbling sences all affright,
It seem'd to come from heart in peeces rent,
The wofull ofspring of a wretched wight:
But thus the plaint was form'd in dolefull sort,
Carrying vnto his eares a sad report.
And he in sleepe had spent halfe Cynthias light,
Vntill a cry vnto his eare was sent,
Which did his tumbling sences all affright,
It seem'd to come from heart in peeces rent,
The wofull ofspring of a wretched wight:
But thus the plaint was form'd in dolefull sort,
Carrying vnto his eares a sad report.
Haples Viceina, whom thy father lost,
Ynough tormented not, though dearly lou'd,
Nor sad remembrance of thy mothers ghost,
Though she to teares mine eyes hath often mou'd,
Nor thine owne harme which grieueth others most,
Ynough thy hearts great patience hath prou'd:
But here dispoyld of sweet virginitie,
Thy spotted soule in vgly sinne shall dye.
Ynough tormented not, though dearly lou'd,
Nor sad remembrance of thy mothers ghost,
Though she to teares mine eyes hath often mou'd,
Nor thine owne harme which grieueth others most,
Ynough thy hearts great patience hath prou'd:
But here dispoyld of sweet virginitie,
Thy spotted soule in vgly sinne shall dye.
But rather let the consort of dread Night,
(Which sing sad notes before her chariot,
When she in progresse rides to chase the light)
Feare me before I take Sinnes filthy blot,
The scriching Owle race out my loathed sight,
Before it see that sight of wretched lot,
The rauens of darknes take my corse for pray,
That they may hide it from the blushing day.
(Which sing sad notes before her chariot,
When she in progresse rides to chase the light)
Feare me before I take Sinnes filthy blot,
The scriching Owle race out my loathed sight,
Before it see that sight of wretched lot,
The rauens of darknes take my corse for pray,
That they may hide it from the blushing day.
And to those ghastly shades which haunt my soule,
And to the Night consenting to this ill,
My latest testament I will vnroule,
The dreery summe of my death-grauen will,
They shall my seruants be my bell to toule,
To ring the dolefull accents of my knill,
Death be the head, and Shame shall be the next,
Then Night, and Guilt which holds my heart perplext.
And to the Night consenting to this ill,
My latest testament I will vnroule,
The dreery summe of my death-grauen will,
They shall my seruants be my bell to toule,
To ring the dolefull accents of my knill,
Death be the head, and Shame shall be the next,
Then Night, and Guilt which holds my heart perplext.
These on their damned backs shal beare my corse,
Vnto the funerall which is prepar'd,
My soule prouide thy selfe against remorse,
From hope of better death thou art debar'd;
For Sinne still threatens his vngentle force,
To wound thee deeply which had els been spar'd:
But till death come take solace in the Night,
For darkned soule there fits no better light.
Vnto the funerall which is prepar'd,
My soule prouide thy selfe against remorse,
From hope of better death thou art debar'd;
For Sinne still threatens his vngentle force,
To wound thee deeply which had els been spar'd:
But till death come take solace in the Night,
For darkned soule there fits no better light.
This sayd, a bitter sigh euapour'd out
The sad conclusion of a sadder tale,
When gan the Knight his thoughts to stir about,
Pondring what wight thus lay in sorry bale:
But while he wauered in vncertaine doubt,
He soone vnto his troubled minde did call,
How that mayd had her selfe Viceina hight,
Where with he gan to burst with raging spight.
The sad conclusion of a sadder tale,
When gan the Knight his thoughts to stir about,
Pondring what wight thus lay in sorry bale:
But while he wauered in vncertaine doubt,
He soone vnto his troubled minde did call,
How that mayd had her selfe Viceina hight,
Where with he gan to burst with raging spight.
As Tereus in the banquet of his sonne,
When he a while his hungrie wombe had fed,
Knowing the bloodie mischiefe that was done,
And that he ate him whom before he bred,
Into a headlong rage along did runne,
And curs'th the liuing execrates the dead,
In such a furie was this knight distraught,
With thoughts of blood and vengeance fully fraught.
When he a while his hungrie wombe had fed,
Knowing the bloodie mischiefe that was done,
And that he ate him whom before he bred,
Into a headlong rage along did runne,
And curs'th the liuing execrates the dead,
In such a furie was this knight distraught,
With thoughts of blood and vengeance fully fraught.
But well he could his raging sences turne,
And thought this time was not so fit to get
The freedome of this soule-diseased dame;
The night and sudden noyse his deede would let,
Therefore he rested till the morning came,
When to this act himselfe he ready set,
And watcht to see the Lady of his loue,
That from this feare he might her soule remoue.
And thought this time was not so fit to get
The freedome of this soule-diseased dame;
The night and sudden noyse his deede would let,
Therefore he rested till the morning came,
When to this act himselfe he ready set,
And watcht to see the Lady of his loue,
That from this feare he might her soule remoue.
But he not long had sought the Lady fayre,
Ere he had spide where as that lozell mate
Walkt with her in the garden for the ayre;
And he of lust and filthie sinne did prate,
The Knight went straight vnto that louing payre,
Not able longer to refraine his hate,
When she straight blusht to see her selfe alone,
Except this villaine compani'd of none.
Ere he had spide where as that lozell mate
Walkt with her in the garden for the ayre;
And he of lust and filthie sinne did prate,
The Knight went straight vnto that louing payre,
Not able longer to refraine his hate,
When she straight blusht to see her selfe alone,
Except this villaine compani'd of none.
Then lightned with reuenge thus gan the Knight;
Thou foulest shame of all that breath this ayre,
How dar'st thou to abuse this sacred wight,
Inclosing her in den of black dispayre?
Either defend thy deede in martiall fight,
Or els here dye, my minde can like no prayer:
Her champion I, and Aidon is my name,
Thou or thy kind that dare defend the same.
Thou foulest shame of all that breath this ayre,
How dar'st thou to abuse this sacred wight,
Inclosing her in den of black dispayre?
Either defend thy deede in martiall fight,
Or els here dye, my minde can like no prayer:
Her champion I, and Aidon is my name,
Thou or thy kind that dare defend the same.
But streight he quailing sunke vnto the ground,
For he of warre before had neuer heard,
The name of death straight cast him in a swound,
His heart did pant, he was so much afeard,
The while Sir Aidon gaue a deadly wound
Vnto his heart, that all the ground besmeard
With filthie blood, his foulest pleasures price,
The nourishment of his vngodly vice.
For he of warre before had neuer heard,
The name of death straight cast him in a swound,
His heart did pant, he was so much afeard,
The while Sir Aidon gaue a deadly wound
Vnto his heart, that all the ground besmeard
With filthie blood, his foulest pleasures price,
The nourishment of his vngodly vice.
His soule sunke downe gnashing for furious mad,
That she should lose the pleasures of her bower,
Repining at the cursed fate she had,
Thus to be banisht in vnlookt for hower:
This while the Knight vnto that Lady sad,
Told why and whence he came, who thankt that power,
Whose prouidence preuented her mis-hap,
Sheelding her soule from deaths fierce thunderclap.
That she should lose the pleasures of her bower,
Repining at the cursed fate she had,
Thus to be banisht in vnlookt for hower:
This while the Knight vnto that Lady sad,
Told why and whence he came, who thankt that power,
Whose prouidence preuented her mis-hap,
Sheelding her soule from deaths fierce thunderclap.
But thence departing to the hall they went,
Where mingled wanton troopes of either kinde,
Dallied together in their merriment,
He that most filthie is, he seemes most kinde:
The Knight could not refraine his discontent,
But drawing foorth his sword, doth bid them finde
Some fitter kinde of mirth, or fitter place:
When all affrighted foorth they fled apace.
Where mingled wanton troopes of either kinde,
Dallied together in their merriment,
He that most filthie is, he seemes most kinde:
The Knight could not refraine his discontent,
But drawing foorth his sword, doth bid them finde
Some fitter kinde of mirth, or fitter place:
When all affrighted foorth they fled apace.
All fled, he sets on fire those walls oft lust,
Whose ayre infected was with filthie sent,
Downe fall the walls consum'd to fruitles dust,
With eating flames of firy force yspent,
While Venus wept to see her fort combust,
And those foundations from the bottome rent:
But that fayre virgin with the errant Knight,
Left those foule dwellings, glad they met so right.
Whose ayre infected was with filthie sent,
Downe fall the walls consum'd to fruitles dust,
With eating flames of firy force yspent,
While Venus wept to see her fort combust,
And those foundations from the bottome rent:
But that fayre virgin with the errant Knight,
Left those foule dwellings, glad they met so right.
But looke the Captaine now had chang'd his face,
And out of knowledge he will shortly grow,
If that I doe not follow him apace,
A gowne he now hath got full hanging low:
But wonder not at this his changed case,
The hap which did befall, you straight shall know:
But let me breath a while, it needs no haste,
For yet I pant with chasing him so fast.
And out of knowledge he will shortly grow,
If that I doe not follow him apace,
A gowne he now hath got full hanging low:
But wonder not at this his changed case,
The hap which did befall, you straight shall know:
But let me breath a while, it needs no haste,
For yet I pant with chasing him so fast.
Cant. 5.
Th' inchanter on a plaine dothly,
And while he looketh all abrode,
He sees a Lady passing by,
To whom enforst with lust he rode,
Fidamours loue and Philarets charge,
Phucerus crueltie is told at large.
And while he looketh all abrode,
He sees a Lady passing by,
To whom enforst with lust he rode,
Fidamours loue and Philarets charge,
Phucerus crueltie is told at large.
Deare soule, what euer wandrest here below,
Chaind in the sinfull bodies sensuall bands,
Yeeld not thy selfe to what doth fayrest show,
Nor walking in these worldly Nilus sands,
Giue listning to the tunes that sweet doe blow:
Tis easie falling into pleasures hands,
But at deare rate he selleth all his ware,
The entrance pleaseth, but the end is care.
Chaind in the sinfull bodies sensuall bands,
Yeeld not thy selfe to what doth fayrest show,
Nor walking in these worldly Nilus sands,
Giue listning to the tunes that sweet doe blow:
Tis easie falling into pleasures hands,
But at deare rate he selleth all his ware,
The entrance pleaseth, but the end is care.
This hast thou found thou euer-damned ghost,
And payest dearly for thy marchandise,
Gnashing thy teeth in that infernall coast,
Rowling to banisht heauen thy glowing eyes:
Now doth he curse what once did please him most,
Seeing his accounts to such a fumme to rise,
And in deepe horror from his bowels cryes,
To learne iustice, nor the Gods despise.
And payest dearly for thy marchandise,
Gnashing thy teeth in that infernall coast,
Rowling to banisht heauen thy glowing eyes:
Now doth he curse what once did please him most,
Seeing his accounts to such a fumme to rise,
And in deepe horror from his bowels cryes,
To learne iustice, nor the Gods despise.
But all too late he moanes his wicked deede,
Now was it time all euill to preuent,
Before foule sinne had hatcht his cursed seede,
Better he had his guts in famine spent,
Then with this feast his poysoned flesh to feede,
But what to doe himselfe did not repent,
Shall not much grieue my warned minde to tell,
Better to heare then doe what is not well.
Now was it time all euill to preuent,
Before foule sinne had hatcht his cursed seede,
Better he had his guts in famine spent,
Then with this feast his poysoned flesh to feede,
But what to doe himselfe did not repent,
Shall not much grieue my warned minde to tell,
Better to heare then doe what is not well.
After his faithles heart had her forsooke,
That still ingeminates his hated name,
With th' other knights he foorth his iourney tooke,
And to Geticas bower at length they came,
Where they inscrib'd their names in cursed booke,
Incorporated in the citie of defame,
The citie which foule shame on earth hath built,
To trap mens soules in sinnes accusing guilt.
That still ingeminates his hated name,
With th' other knights he foorth his iourney tooke,
And to Geticas bower at length they came,
Where they inscrib'd their names in cursed booke,
Incorporated in the citie of defame,
The citie which foule shame on earth hath built,
To trap mens soules in sinnes accusing guilt.
And euery one his sundrie choise had gaind,
As each mans liking doth him most direct,
But wicked Bonauallant hath obtaind,
To be of Hecates accursed sect,
Taught now to bold grim Dis and Spirits chaind,
And plague the furies for his words neglect,
And foule Megera at his kindled brest,
Will rack mens tortur'd soules in sad vnrest.
As each mans liking doth him most direct,
But wicked Bonauallant hath obtaind,
To be of Hecates accursed sect,
Taught now to bold grim Dis and Spirits chaind,
And plague the furies for his words neglect,
And foule Megera at his kindled brest,
Will rack mens tortur'd soules in sad vnrest.
No sooner doth he moue his charmed wan,
But hell eructs foule Spirits which attend,
To worke the will of this accursed man,
He can with deadly charmes earths belly rend,
And with swift wings the sliding eyes fan,
Making sterne Pluto at his words to bend,
One houre this Pole shall see his charmed wings,
And in the same he to th' Antartique flings.
But hell eructs foule Spirits which attend,
To worke the will of this accursed man,
He can with deadly charmes earths belly rend,
And with swift wings the sliding eyes fan,
Making sterne Pluto at his words to bend,
One houre this Pole shall see his charmed wings,
And in the same he to th' Antartique flings.
But now vpon a fayre plaine he doth lye,
Harbourd within his charme-enchaunted wall,
Where on a tower he sees who passeth by,
Hoping at length some purchase will befall,
On whom to worke his cursed witchery,
To which a sudden sight his sence doth call,
For a farre off he sees a Lady bright,
That armed was and all arayd for fight.
Harbourd within his charme-enchaunted wall,
Where on a tower he sees who passeth by,
Hoping at length some purchase will befall,
On whom to worke his cursed witchery,
To which a sudden sight his sence doth call,
For a farre off he sees a Lady bright,
That armed was and all arayd for fight.
Her face like Phœbus at the sudden rise,
Gaue such a glister in her beauties morne,
As made him hope some vnaccustom'd price,
And richer treasure then he saw beforne,
Therefore his cursed art he now applies,
Hoping he should this game away haue borne;
And armed with infernall spirits might,
Thus he assayd to close this blessed wight.
Gaue such a glister in her beauties morne,
As made him hope some vnaccustom'd price,
And richer treasure then he saw beforne,
Therefore his cursed art he now applies,
Hoping he should this game away haue borne;
And armed with infernall spirits might,
Thus he assayd to close this blessed wight.
Out from his cell he flyes with greatest haste,
Like stormie Notus on his dewy plumes,
And from his castles sight he quite is past,
Where hid in charmed fogges and chaunted fumes,
Like to a Snake his skin he off doth cast,
And fained shape and forme he now assumes,
Vpon a hackney he is fairely set,
Whose sides his feete not stirropt staggring beat.
Like stormie Notus on his dewy plumes,
And from his castles sight he quite is past,
Where hid in charmed fogges and chaunted fumes,
Like to a Snake his skin he off doth cast,
And fained shape and forme he now assumes,
Vpon a hackney he is fairely set,
Whose sides his feete not stirropt staggring beat.
His hoary beard downe snowing on his breast,
And swanny locks the chronicles of age,
Witnesse that elder yeares haue him opprest,
But that his sword doth tell that youthfull rage,
Within his haughty heart is not deceast:
Thus doth he goe as in a pilgrimage,
Euen like Silenus now he doth appeare,
But he a tankard, this a sword doth beare.
And swanny locks the chronicles of age,
Witnesse that elder yeares haue him opprest,
But that his sword doth tell that youthfull rage,
Within his haughty heart is not deceast:
Thus doth he goe as in a pilgrimage,
Euen like Silenus now he doth appeare,
But he a tankard, this a sword doth beare.
Thus doth he march toward that fayrest dame,
His horse scarse mouing his vntoward feete,
When as the Sunne vnto his lodging came,
And did no soones his faire Thetis greete,
But this Tithonus setled for his gaine,
Did fayrer farre then fayre Aurora meete,
And careles seemed he to passe aside,
But though his horse goth forth, his hart doth back abide.
His horse scarse mouing his vntoward feete,
When as the Sunne vnto his lodging came,
And did no soones his faire Thetis greete,
But this Tithonus setled for his gaine,
Did fayrer farre then fayre Aurora meete,
And careles seemed he to passe aside,
But though his horse goth forth, his hart doth back abide.
When she back turning her celestiall spheares,
(In one of which sweet Venus darts her rayes,
In th' other Mars and warlike loue appeares)
Father (quoth she) know you how farre awayes
Is fayre 'Doledra, where Phucerus beares
The Diadem in these vnhappy dayes?
Well doe I know (quoth he) but tis so farre,
You cannot there come by the light of starre.
(In one of which sweet Venus darts her rayes,
In th' other Mars and warlike loue appeares)
Father (quoth she) know you how farre awayes
Is fayre 'Doledra, where Phucerus beares
The Diadem in these vnhappy dayes?
Well doe I know (quoth he) but tis so farre,
You cannot there come by the light of starre.
Then poynting to this witches charmed place,
(Quoth she) what Knight dwels in those goodly walls,
Or will he offer Lady this one grace,
(Because the night me so vntimely calls)
To entertaine me for this little space?
And if at any time the like befalls,
Which may require his gentle curtesie,
Ile try to quite his great humanitie.
(Quoth she) what Knight dwels in those goodly walls,
Or will he offer Lady this one grace,
(Because the night me so vntimely calls)
To entertaine me for this little space?
And if at any time the like befalls,
Which may require his gentle curtesie,
Ile try to quite his great humanitie.
Euen like to Jupiter when once he brought,
That fayre Europa on his back did sit,
Daunc'd through the flowry fields, glad he had caught
His game, applauding his successiue wit:
So doth this carle at this good newes, he sought,
And to the Lady thus his speech doth fit:
Well may you goe, none are more welcome there,
Then those that for true cause doe armour beare.
That fayre Europa on his back did sit,
Daunc'd through the flowry fields, glad he had caught
His game, applauding his successiue wit:
So doth this carle at this good newes, he sought,
And to the Lady thus his speech doth fit:
Well may you goe, none are more welcome there,
Then those that for true cause doe armour beare.
And to assure you here my selfe will lead,
Vnworthie load starre of so fayre a Sunne,
Vnto that castle where I sure aread,
Not common kindnes to you will be done:
She harkning to his speech the path doth tread,
Which to this labyrinth of shame doth runne,
Where pleasing doubt doth leade her to the center,
But here soule Minotaurs will her incounter.
Vnworthie load starre of so fayre a Sunne,
Vnto that castle where I sure aread,
Not common kindnes to you will be done:
She harkning to his speech the path doth tread,
Which to this labyrinth of shame doth runne,
Where pleasing doubt doth leade her to the center,
But here soule Minotaurs will her incounter.
But least long wonder might your thoughts possesse,
Who was this Lady, and from whence she came,
And why here she her iourney did addresse,
I will vnfold the storie of this Dame;
Strong loue her bounden heart doth much oppresse,
Which any thought of danger ouercame:
Not many fights and perils doe her moue,
She counts them all but pleasures for her loue.
Who was this Lady, and from whence she came,
And why here she her iourney did addresse,
I will vnfold the storie of this Dame;
Strong loue her bounden heart doth much oppresse,
Which any thought of danger ouercame:
Not many fights and perils doe her moue,
She counts them all but pleasures for her loue.
Vpon Eumorphos plaines a castle stands,
VVhere dwelt an ancient and a comely Knight,
VVhich all the country bordering commaunds:
But that which greatest raisde his glories hight,
VVas not his treasure, not farre stretched lands:
But three fayre daughters, lights most brightest light,
VVhose wondrous beautie lookers did amaze,
That in one heauen so many Sunnes did blaze.
VVhere dwelt an ancient and a comely Knight,
VVhich all the country bordering commaunds:
But that which greatest raisde his glories hight,
VVas not his treasure, not farre stretched lands:
But three fayre daughters, lights most brightest light,
VVhose wondrous beautie lookers did amaze,
That in one heauen so many Sunnes did blaze.
Amongst these lookers, one there did surprize
An vncouth heate of vndermining loue,
VVho knowing that stopt fire more hotly fryes,
And with his owne light doth his cloake remoue,
Made knowne the Comet which withdrew his eyes,
And to his Lady did his passions proue:
She Philaret was calde, the eldest mayd,
The Knight Sir Fidamour thus ill apayd.
An vncouth heate of vndermining loue,
VVho knowing that stopt fire more hotly fryes,
And with his owne light doth his cloake remoue,
Made knowne the Comet which withdrew his eyes,
And to his Lady did his passions proue:
She Philaret was calde, the eldest mayd,
The Knight Sir Fidamour thus ill apayd.
VVith earnest sute an answere he hath gaind,
The golden shalt shot foorth from Cupids bow,
That if the victorie he haue obtaind,
In that aduenture which this mayd shall show,
His gentle proffers shall be entertaind,
And happy match betweene these loues shall grow:
But if he doe not, then all former band
Came back as free into the makers band.
The golden shalt shot foorth from Cupids bow,
That if the victorie he haue obtaind,
In that aduenture which this mayd shall show,
His gentle proffers shall be entertaind,
And happy match betweene these loues shall grow:
But if he doe not, then all former band
Came back as free into the makers band.
Downe in the westerne coast there dwelt a king,
Phucerus he is hight, his goodly seate,
Is calde Doledra, whose high towers doe sing
Soft murmuring tunes, when windes then gently beat,
And loftio turrets mighty tops doe bring,
Vnto the skye which neuer saw so great,
That dar'd to looke vpon the starry skye,
And lift their masses in the ayre so hye.
Phucerus he is hight, his goodly seate,
Is calde Doledra, whose high towers doe sing
Soft murmuring tunes, when windes then gently beat,
And loftio turrets mighty tops doe bring,
Vnto the skye which neuer saw so great,
That dar'd to looke vpon the starry skye,
And lift their masses in the ayre so hye.
Within this towne a prophesie did passe,
That from Eumorphos should a mayden come,
Whose hand should change the kingdome whence it was,
Which made the king in priuate charge to some,
That whosoere could bring that countries lasse,
Vnto th' appoynted Eumorphean tombe,
He should be recompenc'd with liberall fee,
Beside the grace in which he still should bee.
That from Eumorphos should a mayden come,
Whose hand should change the kingdome whence it was,
Which made the king in priuate charge to some,
That whosoere could bring that countries lasse,
Vnto th' appoynted Eumorphean tombe,
He should be recompenc'd with liberall fee,
Beside the grace in which he still should bee.
Thus had he slaine and tombde in bloody pit,
Many that guiltles came with no pretence,
And Philaret glad to be reuengde of it,
Enioynd the knight these deedes to recompence,
And to prouoke them more he should him fit,
Womans apparell which breedes more offence.
And thus with speare and targe he forth should goe,
To be reuenged on his wicked foe.
Many that guiltles came with no pretence,
And Philaret glad to be reuengde of it,
Enioynd the knight these deedes to recompence,
And to prouoke them more he should him fit,
Womans apparell which breedes more offence.
And thus with speare and targe he forth should goe,
To be reuenged on his wicked foe.
Forth is he gone (the gods him prosper fayre)
And to this castle is this iourney spent,
Where I must leaue him to his fortunes fate,
But still imagine that he forward went,
For strongest loue imprints a deepest care,
That nothing can withdraw his hearts intent;
But let him goe as fast as loue him driues,
Ile ouertake him ere he home ariues.
And to this castle is this iourney spent,
Where I must leaue him to his fortunes fate,
But still imagine that he forward went,
For strongest loue imprints a deepest care,
That nothing can withdraw his hearts intent;
But let him goe as fast as loue him driues,
Ile ouertake him ere he home ariues.
Cant. 6.
Eronaes craft and filed tung,
And pleasing looke and flattring face,
Deogines his heart hath stung;
Aidon doth finde in wofull case,
His mother kept in bondage chaine,
In whose defence himselfe is slaine.
And pleasing looke and flattring face,
Deogines his heart hath stung;
Aidon doth finde in wofull case,
His mother kept in bondage chaine,
In whose defence himselfe is slaine.
Thou sacred Muse which with thy siluer spring,
A little sprinklest my scarse-moystned brow,
Helpe me in ampler field my verse to bring,
These deedes doe grow to larger number now,
Nor can this little pipe them fully sing,
Therefore my limits with my song must grow:
The diuers webs are now so diuers spunne,
They cannot end so neere as they begunne.
A little sprinklest my scarse-moystned brow,
Helpe me in ampler field my verse to bring,
These deedes doe grow to larger number now,
Nor can this little pipe them fully sing,
Therefore my limits with my song must grow:
The diuers webs are now so diuers spunne,
They cannot end so neere as they begunne.
Whither defiled soules thus runne ye mad?
Wallowing in filthy shames sinck most obscene:
What? see you not how Adrastéa sad,
With iron whips inflicting hellish peine,
Still houereth ouer, marking what is bad,
And like Celæno clasps her wings vncleane,
For ioy that she a subiect fit hath found,
On whom reuengement deeply may rebound.
Wallowing in filthy shames sinck most obscene:
What? see you not how Adrastéa sad,
With iron whips inflicting hellish peine,
Still houereth ouer, marking what is bad,
And like Celæno clasps her wings vncleane,
For ioy that she a subiect fit hath found,
On whom reuengement deeply may rebound.
This is Erona had considered than,
When she first yeelded her to sinnes delight,
And drawne her feete againe when she began,
This sorrow had not vext her troubled spright,
Now desolate left off that cursed man:
But since none other way is found in sight,
Vnto her wonted arte she runnes againe,
And modestie in poysoned heart doth faine.
When she first yeelded her to sinnes delight,
And drawne her feete againe when she began,
This sorrow had not vext her troubled spright,
Now desolate left off that cursed man:
But since none other way is found in sight,
Vnto her wonted arte she runnes againe,
And modestie in poysoned heart doth faine.
After the castle was left desolate,
And all betooke them to that wicked way,
Faine would she after goe but tis too late,
So shall her sleights appeare as bright as day,
Therefore she doth inuent all desperate,
This path or none for helping to assay,
All clad in black like mourning for the dead,
Or Pilgrim that is all disquieted.
And all betooke them to that wicked way,
Faine would she after goe but tis too late,
So shall her sleights appeare as bright as day,
Therefore she doth inuent all desperate,
This path or none for helping to assay,
All clad in black like mourning for the dead,
Or Pilgrim that is all disquieted.
A hood of black vpon her head she wore,
Which fought against the Sunne her forme to shield,
And on her backe a mourning gowne she bore,
Which loosely flagging swept the verdant field,
And at her brest a booke there hung before,
Whose backe nor painting clad nor golde did guild;
But black it was without and so within,
Onely the letters white in all were seen.
Which fought against the Sunne her forme to shield,
And on her backe a mourning gowne she bore,
Which loosely flagging swept the verdant field,
And at her brest a booke there hung before,
Whose backe nor painting clad nor golde did guild;
But black it was without and so within,
Onely the letters white in all were seen.
Thus is the Ancres gone to seeke her fate,
Clad in the cloudes of sorrow and despayre,
Which to eclipse these rayes which shinde of late;
Yet in this battell of her bewties fayre,
Opposde to blacke this white supports more state,
Which litle teary dimples doe repayre;
So that or now, or neuer so diuine,
Doth this fayre Cynthia at her fullest shine.
Clad in the cloudes of sorrow and despayre,
Which to eclipse these rayes which shinde of late;
Yet in this battell of her bewties fayre,
Opposde to blacke this white supports more state,
Which litle teary dimples doe repayre;
So that or now, or neuer so diuine,
Doth this fayre Cynthia at her fullest shine.
So long she had the playnes and valleys tras't,
That Phœbus gallopt downe the westerne hill,
Seeing his fierie torches so to wast,
And she then hoping for no lesser ill,
Then in some outcast harbour farre displas't,
To lye, while night keepes all in silent still;
Goes forward seeking for some shady place,
To hide her from the view of mens disgrace.
That Phœbus gallopt downe the westerne hill,
Seeing his fierie torches so to wast,
And she then hoping for no lesser ill,
Then in some outcast harbour farre displas't,
To lye, while night keepes all in silent still;
Goes forward seeking for some shady place,
To hide her from the view of mens disgrace.
But see an aged man this way doth ride,
Vpon a lusty Palfrey fayrely set,
Who though his hayres in ages graine are dyde,
Proues that his heart the mastery doth get,
And that some heate within his breast doth bide,
Not full remou'd from out his wonted seat,
Euen to this damsell is he come at last
Whence fiery dartes into his eyes are cast.
Vpon a lusty Palfrey fayrely set,
Who though his hayres in ages graine are dyde,
Proues that his heart the mastery doth get,
And that some heate within his breast doth bide,
Not full remou'd from out his wonted seat,
Euen to this damsell is he come at last
Whence fiery dartes into his eyes are cast.
Sometimes he lookes, yet straight lookes back againe,
Sorry his heart should be captiu'd with loue,
Sometimes he viewes yet not to view doth fayne,
He fix'th his eyes, yet streight he doth remoue,
His thoughts be gone, yet thoughts he would restraine,
Which battle in his flaming brest doth proue:
That though he fight and striue with his desire,
Dry sticks must needes consume once put to fire.
Sorry his heart should be captiu'd with loue,
Sometimes he viewes yet not to view doth fayne,
He fix'th his eyes, yet streight he doth remoue,
His thoughts be gone, yet thoughts he would restraine,
Which battle in his flaming brest doth proue:
That though he fight and striue with his desire,
Dry sticks must needes consume once put to fire.
Faine would he passe, but burning loue denyes,
And makes him see he striues against his heart,
Therefore this medicine he now applyes,
And hopes to win his loue by loues desart,
He doth enquire which way her iourney lyes,
And if her busines binds not to depart:
Euen neere (quoth he) my castle fayre doth stand,
Which shall be ready at thy sweet command.
And makes him see he striues against his heart,
Therefore this medicine he now applyes,
And hopes to win his loue by loues desart,
He doth enquire which way her iourney lyes,
And if her busines binds not to depart:
Euen neere (quoth he) my castle fayre doth stand,
Which shall be ready at thy sweet command.
She then replyes a pilgrim mayde I am,
And finnes deepe spot farre buried in my brest,
Tells me I neuer can cleane purge the same,
Except I banish quite the bodies rest,
Which still prouokes the soule to endlesse shame,
But for this profer and your kinde request,
One night with you fayre friend I may remaine,
So in the morne I shall returne againe.
And finnes deepe spot farre buried in my brest,
Tells me I neuer can cleane purge the same,
Except I banish quite the bodies rest,
Which still prouokes the soule to endlesse shame,
But for this profer and your kinde request,
One night with you fayre friend I may remaine,
So in the morne I shall returne againe.
Euen as the baited hooke in Thamis waues,
Floteth along and swimmeth fast away,
As if no gainfull hinderance he craues,
And when the fish his guilefull course doth stay,
Playing a while his tangled life he saues,
But at the last he takes him for a pray:
So doth this mayd seeme careles for her gaine,
But he shall feele her craft to greater paine.
Floteth along and swimmeth fast away,
As if no gainfull hinderance he craues,
And when the fish his guilefull course doth stay,
Playing a while his tangled life he saues,
But at the last he takes him for a pray:
So doth this mayd seeme careles for her gaine,
But he shall feele her craft to greater paine.
This Knight now widow'd had a comely wife,
Whose fayrenes with his fiercenes badly met,
The chastest Vestall liu'd no chaster life
Then did this Lady, yet he still did fret,
A strangers looke would set them both at strife,
He thinks she doth her vowed loue forget,
Which made her weary of her prison'd breath,
And with a sword her soule vnburdeneth.
Whose fayrenes with his fiercenes badly met,
The chastest Vestall liu'd no chaster life
Then did this Lady, yet he still did fret,
A strangers looke would set them both at strife,
He thinks she doth her vowed loue forget,
Which made her weary of her prison'd breath,
And with a sword her soule vnburdeneth.
Her ghost embrued in that crimson gore,
Still plaines to Rhadamant with ceaseles cry,
For fierce reuenge to make him once deplore,
That wrought her that accursed misery,
Who deeply moued, wild her weepe no more,
And bad reuenge vnto the earth to fly:
Where he should get him still desired food,
Of cruell torments and new issuing blood.
Still plaines to Rhadamant with ceaseles cry,
For fierce reuenge to make him once deplore,
That wrought her that accursed misery,
Who deeply moued, wild her weepe no more,
And bad reuenge vnto the earth to fly:
Where he should get him still desired food,
Of cruell torments and new issuing blood.
Now hath he got this fained penitent,
To play the pageant of his plotted ill,
Who though she seemeth inly to repent,
Yet sinnes abyssus there remaineth still,
The filthy dregges of shame whose noysome sent,
VVith poysened humors shall her louer fill:
But since his heart a woing needes must goe,
Ile leaue him to his woing and his woe.
To play the pageant of his plotted ill,
Who though she seemeth inly to repent,
Yet sinnes abyssus there remaineth still,
The filthy dregges of shame whose noysome sent,
VVith poysened humors shall her louer fill:
But since his heart a woing needes must goe,
Ile leaue him to his woing and his woe.
Now change thy Myrtle for a Cypresse bow,
Put on thy mourning weedes, come mourne my Muse,
VVith Ebon dye vailing thy smiling brow,
Loth would I tell it, yet I cannot chuse,
And tis too late to helpe thy losses now,
Floods of my teares cannot thy ioy reduce:
Ah good Sir Aidon whose vntimely fate,
Makes me to mourne euen fast by pleasures gate.
Put on thy mourning weedes, come mourne my Muse,
VVith Ebon dye vailing thy smiling brow,
Loth would I tell it, yet I cannot chuse,
And tis too late to helpe thy losses now,
Floods of my teares cannot thy ioy reduce:
Ah good Sir Aidon whose vntimely fate,
Makes me to mourne euen fast by pleasures gate.
After this Knight returnde with victorie,
Into the country where he first was borne,
It chanced as he did arriue full nie
His castle, day was fled, and double horne
Of Cynthia gan aduance their tops full hie,
VVhen wearines their limmes had much forworne,
And the Sunnes scorching (now ore-passed heate)
VVith labour made their panting hearts to beate.
Into the country where he first was borne,
It chanced as he did arriue full nie
His castle, day was fled, and double horne
Of Cynthia gan aduance their tops full hie,
VVhen wearines their limmes had much forworne,
And the Sunnes scorching (now ore-passed heate)
VVith labour made their panting hearts to beate.
But now a Christal well they haue espide,
In whose cleere streames beauties fayre looking glasse,
Phœbe, when in her circuit she did ride,
VVoud ioy to see the glorie of her face,
VVhere they alight, and by the fountaine side
Doe lay them downe vpon the pleasant grasse:
And while they harke how Zephire soft doth sing,
A murmur to their eares these words doth bring.
In whose cleere streames beauties fayre looking glasse,
Phœbe, when in her circuit she did ride,
VVoud ioy to see the glorie of her face,
VVhere they alight, and by the fountaine side
Doe lay them downe vpon the pleasant grasse:
And while they harke how Zephire soft doth sing,
A murmur to their eares these words doth bring.
You goodly boughs of youth which proudly beare
Your climing tops vnto the smiling ayre,
Thinke how fierce winter shall your garments teare,
And with his stormes ore-shadow all your fayre,
The goodliest vesture which you ere shall weare,
Times aged feathers basely shall impayre,
Your ioy the mornings smile, but sable night
Shall drowne in sorrowes floods your most delight.
Your climing tops vnto the smiling ayre,
Thinke how fierce winter shall your garments teare,
And with his stormes ore-shadow all your fayre,
The goodliest vesture which you ere shall weare,
Times aged feathers basely shall impayre,
Your ioy the mornings smile, but sable night
Shall drowne in sorrowes floods your most delight.
The worlds great pride shall haue a greater fall,
Vncertaine men haue no possession sure,
He that is neerest death is best of all,
The lesser troubles hath he to endure,
He that doth sit attirde in princely pall,
Cannot the purchase of one day procure;
When our ioyes Sunne from Tethis waues doth wade,
Tis signe there was, and shall againe be shade.
Vncertaine men haue no possession sure,
He that is neerest death is best of all,
The lesser troubles hath he to endure,
He that doth sit attirde in princely pall,
Cannot the purchase of one day procure;
When our ioyes Sunne from Tethis waues doth wade,
Tis signe there was, and shall againe be shade.
Therefore thou body which dost pine away,
VVhich age hath furrow'd with his iron plow,
Reioyce that thou shalt see that glorious day,
VVhose bright Sunnes Chariot shall not downward bow,
But lighten beames which black night doth obay,
So chainde she neuer can from darkenes glow;
And while thou drawest this thy fainting breath,
VVeepe for to wash thy sinnes, not for thy death.
VVhich age hath furrow'd with his iron plow,
Reioyce that thou shalt see that glorious day,
VVhose bright Sunnes Chariot shall not downward bow,
But lighten beames which black night doth obay,
So chainde she neuer can from darkenes glow;
And while thou drawest this thy fainting breath,
VVeepe for to wash thy sinnes, not for thy death.
This mournfull voyce with hoarce and hollow sound,
Sayled full gently to their listning eares,
VVhose noyse that did from out the caue rebound,
Brought to their stonied hearts affrighting feares,
At last by earnest thought the Knight hath found,
VVhat wracked wight this dolefull musick beares;
And knew that this his mother deare had beene,
Grieuing her woe, and not her selfe is seene.
Sayled full gently to their listning eares,
VVhose noyse that did from out the caue rebound,
Brought to their stonied hearts affrighting feares,
At last by earnest thought the Knight hath found,
VVhat wracked wight this dolefull musick beares;
And knew that this his mother deare had beene,
Grieuing her woe, and not her selfe is seene.
Distracted quight about the place he goes,
Like Bacchus priests whom holy Thyrse had raught,
But now the sound with crying he doth lose,
And with the sound the place so much he saught,
But then he thinks some wicked forraine foes,
His castle haue and her both captiue caught:
Therefore vnto the Castle he doth flie,
As one intranced in an extasie.
Like Bacchus priests whom holy Thyrse had raught,
But now the sound with crying he doth lose,
And with the sound the place so much he saught,
But then he thinks some wicked forraine foes,
His castle haue and her both captiue caught:
Therefore vnto the Castle he doth flie,
As one intranced in an extasie.
He fiercely knocks against the castle gate,
He knocks againe as fury doth him driue,
At last one comes, and cryes who dares thus late
VVith troubling noyse hither to ariue:
No sooner saw he him, but vrgde with hate,
(VVith which his passions doe all vainely striue)
He with a mighty blow stroke at his head,
Thinking euen then t'haue sent his soule to bed.
He knocks againe as fury doth him driue,
At last one comes, and cryes who dares thus late
VVith troubling noyse hither to ariue:
No sooner saw he him, but vrgde with hate,
(VVith which his passions doe all vainely striue)
He with a mighty blow stroke at his head,
Thinking euen then t'haue sent his soule to bed.
The other voyding drew his fiery blade,
And here (quoth he) goe to thy mothers ghost,
His mothers loued name such entry made,
As he for thought thereof gan faint almost,
In which deepe traunce he doth the Knight inuade,
And stroke him deepely to the vtmost cost:
Downe falls the Knight as if he dead had bin,
The other left him so and entred in.
And here (quoth he) goe to thy mothers ghost,
His mothers loued name such entry made,
As he for thought thereof gan faint almost,
In which deepe traunce he doth the Knight inuade,
And stroke him deepely to the vtmost cost:
Downe falls the Knight as if he dead had bin,
The other left him so and entred in.
After Uiceina softly followeth,
At last she comes, where she doth weeping view
The mournfull picture of vngentle death:
Nor doth she looke vpon his plight to rue,
But with a linnen closely couereth
The wound, and doth a litle life renew;
VVhere helped by the stopping of his blood,
He went with her vnto a ioyning wood.
At last she comes, where she doth weeping view
The mournfull picture of vngentle death:
Nor doth she looke vpon his plight to rue,
But with a linnen closely couereth
The wound, and doth a litle life renew;
VVhere helped by the stopping of his blood,
He went with her vnto a ioyning wood.
Yet knowes he not how this vngentle deede
VVas wrought, nor who abusde his mothers right;
It was a bloody man that did exceede
In furious wrath, each word would make him fight:
Yet mighty was he, and his happy speede
Causde him of any foes to make but light:
And still his iawes like smoaky Orcus caue,
VVould reeke forth othes when he did curse and raue.
VVas wrought, nor who abusde his mothers right;
It was a bloody man that did exceede
In furious wrath, each word would make him fight:
Yet mighty was he, and his happy speede
Causde him of any foes to make but light:
And still his iawes like smoaky Orcus caue,
VVould reeke forth othes when he did curse and raue.
This furious Aiax when the drowsie night
Had couerd all things with her pitchy vaile,
Comes to this castle where he doth alight,
And cries for entry, but his cry doth faile:
Then swelling deepe with rage and great despight,
The gates with violence he doth assaile:
VVhich broken downe, he takes the sleeping Nun,
And shuts her in a caue, and roules a stone vpon.
Had couerd all things with her pitchy vaile,
Comes to this castle where he doth alight,
And cries for entry, but his cry doth faile:
Then swelling deepe with rage and great despight,
The gates with violence he doth assaile:
VVhich broken downe, he takes the sleeping Nun,
And shuts her in a caue, and roules a stone vpon.
But now good Aidon like the dying swan,
Knew that the time of death approached neere:
Therefore to sing sweet tunes he now began,
The tunes which please the great Creators eare,
The cruell fates haue burnt the liuely bran,
VVith whose consuming breath and life doth weare
Cruell Althea, death rest of vnrest,
Leauing the earth-wormes carrying hence the best.
Knew that the time of death approached neere:
Therefore to sing sweet tunes he now began,
The tunes which please the great Creators eare,
The cruell fates haue burnt the liuely bran,
VVith whose consuming breath and life doth weare
Cruell Althea, death rest of vnrest,
Leauing the earth-wormes carrying hence the best.
But as his eyes had almost rolde the last,
To him his mothers shadow doth appeare,
Quoth she; reioyce thou soule worlds woe is past,
This burden now no longer shalt thou beare,
Our liues account in heauens booke is cast,
Throw hence earths cloake, and follow me my deare:
This heard, he fix'th his standing eyes on hye,
His winged ghost to heauens bower doth flye.
To him his mothers shadow doth appeare,
Quoth she; reioyce thou soule worlds woe is past,
This burden now no longer shalt thou beare,
Our liues account in heauens booke is cast,
Throw hence earths cloake, and follow me my deare:
This heard, he fix'th his standing eyes on hye,
His winged ghost to heauens bower doth flye.
As fayre Creusa in consumed Troy,
Fled from Æneas lifted in the ayre,
Rauisht with heauens ouer-pleasing ioy,
And left him crying in his loues despayre,
Freed from these troubles and the worlds annoy,
So hath this ghost now set in starry chayre,
Left her that with the shrilnes of her cry,
Pierced resisting ayre and stroake the sky.
Fled from Æneas lifted in the ayre,
Rauisht with heauens ouer-pleasing ioy,
And left him crying in his loues despayre,
Freed from these troubles and the worlds annoy,
So hath this ghost now set in starry chayre,
Left her that with the shrilnes of her cry,
Pierced resisting ayre and stroake the sky.
The greatest woe that heart did euer beare,
With grisly tallants gripeth on her soule,
Sorrow her inward parts doth fiercely teare,
And in griefes couer doth her heart enroule,
And when the least relenting doth appeare,
Then doth deaths visnomie her peace controule:
The Sunne of loue hath set her heart on fire,
The smoake is sighs, the flame is her desire.
With grisly tallants gripeth on her soule,
Sorrow her inward parts doth fiercely teare,
And in griefes couer doth her heart enroule,
And when the least relenting doth appeare,
Then doth deaths visnomie her peace controule:
The Sunne of loue hath set her heart on fire,
The smoake is sighs, the flame is her desire.
As when in open field a mounting flame,
Halfe-quenched with the clowdes distilling raine,
Doubles anon his height, and with the same
Yeelds foorth fresh vapours to the clowdes againe,
Till they ore-burdned send them whence they came,
Rebating so th' aspiring fire amaine:
So sighs and teares runne still this weeping sourse,
And end themselues, but neuer end their course.
Halfe-quenched with the clowdes distilling raine,
Doubles anon his height, and with the same
Yeelds foorth fresh vapours to the clowdes againe,
Till they ore-burdned send them whence they came,
Rebating so th' aspiring fire amaine:
So sighs and teares runne still this weeping sourse,
And end themselues, but neuer end their course.
Strike rocky soule (quoth she) a teary showre,
From out the hollow of my stony breast,
And all thy moysture into riuers powre,
For him that did procure thy sweetest rest,
And melt in teares vntill thy latest howre,
Because thy dearest Deare is now deceast:
Then to a Cypresse tree thy shadow turne,
And on his tombe shew that thou still doest mourne.
From out the hollow of my stony breast,
And all thy moysture into riuers powre,
For him that did procure thy sweetest rest,
And melt in teares vntill thy latest howre,
Because thy dearest Deare is now deceast:
Then to a Cypresse tree thy shadow turne,
And on his tombe shew that thou still doest mourne.
While thou thrice-blessed soule in happy peace,
Shalt sing sweet accents rauishing concent,
In tunes whose harmony shall neuer cease,
But still endure with thy still-during seate,
While nothing shall my heart from griefe release,
Till with my woe my life shall be expleate:
Fayre dayes shall tell me of thy fayrest hue,
And clowdy gloome shall bid me euer rue.
Shalt sing sweet accents rauishing concent,
In tunes whose harmony shall neuer cease,
But still endure with thy still-during seate,
While nothing shall my heart from griefe release,
Till with my woe my life shall be expleate:
Fayre dayes shall tell me of thy fayrest hue,
And clowdy gloome shall bid me euer rue.
This sayd, a shade encompast all the wood,
Her darkned sight abroad can nothing see:
So by Lyrcæan groue fayre Jo stood,
Enuellop'd with a shadie Canopee,
While she thus masked in this pitchie hood,
Was forst the great gods concubine to bee:
But at the last at once this clowdy night
Is chased by the Sunnes new rising light.
Her darkned sight abroad can nothing see:
So by Lyrcæan groue fayre Jo stood,
Enuellop'd with a shadie Canopee,
While she thus masked in this pitchie hood,
Was forst the great gods concubine to bee:
But at the last at once this clowdy night
Is chased by the Sunnes new rising light.
But where before that Sainted Temple lay,
Nothing appeares, and where the blood did staine,
The dyed grasse, there now fayre Roses stay,
The damaske colourd in a ruddie graine,
That blusheth at the rising of the day,
To see her beautie naked all remaine:
And purple violets ne'er growing right,
But seeke to hide their forme from common sight,
Nothing appeares, and where the blood did staine,
The dyed grasse, there now fayre Roses stay,
The damaske colourd in a ruddie graine,
That blusheth at the rising of the day,
To see her beautie naked all remaine:
And purple violets ne'er growing right,
But seeke to hide their forme from common sight,
Thus is the Mother and her holy Sonne,
The truest types of chastitie and shame,
Dead ere new ofspring from their loynes begunne,
To propagate fayre vertues sacred name:
Which is the reason that th' all-seeing Sunne,
Seldome hath seene a chast and spotles Dame:
Except Eliza that celestiall wight,
And you whose tapers burne pure virgin-light.
The truest types of chastitie and shame,
Dead ere new ofspring from their loynes begunne,
To propagate fayre vertues sacred name:
Which is the reason that th' all-seeing Sunne,
Seldome hath seene a chast and spotles Dame:
Except Eliza that celestiall wight,
And you whose tapers burne pure virgin-light.
But fayre Viceina now doth walke alone,
Faine would I bring thee to some lodging place,
For curtesie denies to heare thee moane,
And thus to leaue thee in this wofull case,
Forsaken and accompanide of none:
But take it not I pray thee for disgrace,
I see some riding here with might and maine,
Ile but examine them and come againe.
Faine would I bring thee to some lodging place,
For curtesie denies to heare thee moane,
And thus to leaue thee in this wofull case,
Forsaken and accompanide of none:
But take it not I pray thee for disgrace,
I see some riding here with might and maine,
Ile but examine them and come againe.
Cant. 7.
Adonia goes t'auenge her Knight,
After her charming nought preuailes:
Deogin seeing Erona light,
Amidst the waues his chance bewailes:
Erona on the sea doth float,
Chang'd by a charme into a boat.
After her charming nought preuailes:
Deogin seeing Erona light,
Amidst the waues his chance bewailes:
Erona on the sea doth float,
Chang'd by a charme into a boat.
When in th' Ægæum of thy wandring dayes,
Fortune full softly fils thy swelling saile,
Let no Circæas hinder quite thy wayes,
Nor let her cups against thy heart preuaile,
Then vertue of thy spotted soule decayes,
Blinded in worldly pleasures clowdy vaile:
This pleasing draught shall so bewitch thy will,
Well mayst thou see the good, but doe the ill.
Fortune full softly fils thy swelling saile,
Let no Circæas hinder quite thy wayes,
Nor let her cups against thy heart preuaile,
Then vertue of thy spotted soule decayes,
Blinded in worldly pleasures clowdy vaile:
This pleasing draught shall so bewitch thy will,
Well mayst thou see the good, but doe the ill.
Which doth appeare in this most wretched wight,
Who after Aidon had their Captaine slaine,
Returneth to the dregges of fond delight,
Hoping t'haue found their carpet knight againe,
And bring her ancient customes new to light:
But as she sought him with incessant paine,
At last a mangled carcasse she had spide,
With skarlet blood and filthie gore bedide.
Who after Aidon had their Captaine slaine,
Returneth to the dregges of fond delight,
Hoping t'haue found their carpet knight againe,
And bring her ancient customes new to light:
But as she sought him with incessant paine,
At last a mangled carcasse she had spide,
With skarlet blood and filthie gore bedide.
As Peleus daughters, when they saw their sire
Vanisht from earth into a gastly shade,
Their raging thoughts rapt vp in furies gire,
Curst heauen and earth, and that life-loosing blade,
Damning that vgly witch to Orcus fire,
And then themselues which first the motion made:
So doth this furnace burning hellish flame,
Breath curses gainst great heau'ns fate-ruling name.
Vanisht from earth into a gastly shade,
Their raging thoughts rapt vp in furies gire,
Curst heauen and earth, and that life-loosing blade,
Damning that vgly witch to Orcus fire,
And then themselues which first the motion made:
So doth this furnace burning hellish flame,
Breath curses gainst great heau'ns fate-ruling name.
Foule fiends (quoth she) which goash your fretting iawes,
Enuying at mens dying felicitie,
Goe, heeres a subiect for your rending clawes,
Ascend to heauen and raze his hatefull eye,
That bloody Sunne which with his influence drawes
The tossed ship of life to miserie:
With sulphure smoake darken each quenched starre,
Which could behold this bloody act so farre.
Enuying at mens dying felicitie,
Goe, heeres a subiect for your rending clawes,
Ascend to heauen and raze his hatefull eye,
That bloody Sunne which with his influence drawes
The tossed ship of life to miserie:
With sulphure smoake darken each quenched starre,
Which could behold this bloody act so farre.
And on your Dragon backs lift Neptune hye,
Into the heauens with his watrie traine,
That downe perpetuall showers still may flye,
The fates vngentle power to complaine:
Let earth decay, let all things earthly dye,
Till with their moanes my loue returne againe:
Inuest thee here ayr-ouerspreading Night,
Now he is dead, all is none other light.
Into the heauens with his watrie traine,
That downe perpetuall showers still may flye,
The fates vngentle power to complaine:
Let earth decay, let all things earthly dye,
Till with their moanes my loue returne againe:
Inuest thee here ayr-ouerspreading Night,
Now he is dead, all is none other light.
And take you vestures which black Stixes waue,
Seuen times hath dyed in his sable flood,
And let each starre a pitchy garment haue,
And let these suits attire all heauens brood,
Where in a progresse they shall mourning craue,
The deare renewing of this blessed blood,
And breake the distaffe of death-guiding fate,
Loosing the soules from out hell prison gate.
Seuen times hath dyed in his sable flood,
And let each starre a pitchy garment haue,
And let these suits attire all heauens brood,
Where in a progresse they shall mourning craue,
The deare renewing of this blessed blood,
And breake the distaffe of death-guiding fate,
Loosing the soules from out hell prison gate.
But looke, the Sunne sends downe his smiling rayes,
Laughing to scorne the sorrow of my heart,
Words cannot bring him to his sweetest dayes,
No power pities my tormenting smart:
Therefore Ile try some soule-inchanting wayes,
Whose might shall make the fates their doome reuart:
And since they moue not with my mourning teares,
With deadly charmes Ile pearce their glowing eares.
Laughing to scorne the sorrow of my heart,
Words cannot bring him to his sweetest dayes,
No power pities my tormenting smart:
Therefore Ile try some soule-inchanting wayes,
Whose might shall make the fates their doome reuart:
And since they moue not with my mourning teares,
With deadly charmes Ile pearce their glowing eares.
Seuen dayes she mournd about her dearest loue,
The seuenth night she wandred farre away,
And all the sorts of liuely herbes did proue,
Gathering the dew from leaues of springing bay,
And all the spices which might calour moue,
And Serpents skin which summer last did lay:
Only she could not get a Deeres warme hart,
Whose want confounded all her charming art.
The seuenth night she wandred farre away,
And all the sorts of liuely herbes did proue,
Gathering the dew from leaues of springing bay,
And all the spices which might calour moue,
And Serpents skin which summer last did lay:
Only she could not get a Deeres warme hart,
Whose want confounded all her charming art.
Now back she goes, when as the wakened Sunne
Gathred his horses from the Westerne plaine,
And softly vp the Easterne mount did runne,
When she vnto her Knight returnde againe,
Where, when in order all her charme was done,
She loos'th about her head her tressie traine:
And laying in his mouth, and in his wound,
Her charme she runneth seuen times around.
Gathred his horses from the Westerne plaine,
And softly vp the Easterne mount did runne,
When she vnto her Knight returnde againe,
Where, when in order all her charme was done,
She loos'th about her head her tressie traine:
And laying in his mouth, and in his wound,
Her charme she runneth seuen times around.
Then seuen times these words she doth repeate,
By the great secrets which in Memphis lie,
And by the bloody waues which Pharus beate,
By three-formd Hecates great Deitie,
By pitchy Stixes heauen-feared seate,
And by the labours of thy Lunacie:
Phœbe recur'd by Temesaan brasse,
I charge this soule to come where first it was.
By the great secrets which in Memphis lie,
And by the bloody waues which Pharus beate,
By three-formd Hecates great Deitie,
By pitchy Stixes heauen-feared seate,
And by the labours of thy Lunacie:
Phœbe recur'd by Temesaan brasse,
I charge this soule to come where first it was.
This sayd, a Christall glasse she foorth doth take,
Holding it right against the shining Sunne,
That beames contracted might a fire make,
Whose smoake into a liuely soule might runne:
The charme is kindled and he seemes to wake,
But wanting force the charme is straight vndone:
She did but trouble his affrighted ghost,
Lacking the thing which helpe Medea most.
Holding it right against the shining Sunne,
That beames contracted might a fire make,
Whose smoake into a liuely soule might runne:
The charme is kindled and he seemes to wake,
But wanting force the charme is straight vndone:
She did but trouble his affrighted ghost,
Lacking the thing which helpe Medea most.
Now sits she downe, all helpe and hope is gone,
Reuenge can only now his soule acquite:
Therefore on vengeance she doth thinke alone,
To be reuenged on that holy Knight:
And as she plots she spies an armed one,
Ready prepar'd as seem'd for bloody fight;
His loftie speare he doth aduance on hie,
As though he menac'd warre vnto the skie.
Reuenge can only now his soule acquite:
Therefore on vengeance she doth thinke alone,
To be reuenged on that holy Knight:
And as she plots she spies an armed one,
Ready prepar'd as seem'd for bloody fight;
His loftie speare he doth aduance on hie,
As though he menac'd warre vnto the skie.
This pecocke irond thus of euery side,
A coward is vnfit of manly speare,
Neuer in ought he hath his valour tride,
But is so faint and humble slaue to feare,
That when the shadow of his lance he spide,
His fainting carcasse downward gan to beare:
And if deaths thought had not him rousde away,
No doubt for famine he should there decay.
A coward is vnfit of manly speare,
Neuer in ought he hath his valour tride,
But is so faint and humble slaue to feare,
That when the shadow of his lance he spide,
His fainting carcasse downward gan to beare:
And if deaths thought had not him rousde away,
No doubt for famine he should there decay.
And now he went into this filthie land,
Where Knights but seldome vsde their prowesse trie,
And now the mayd of him doth this demaund,
That sharpe reuenge might quite this iniurie:
Then lifting out his vow confirming hand,
Lady (if this same caitife hidden lie
Vnder the compasse of this emptie ayre)
This hand thy losses fully shall repayre.
Where Knights but seldome vsde their prowesse trie,
And now the mayd of him doth this demaund,
That sharpe reuenge might quite this iniurie:
Then lifting out his vow confirming hand,
Lady (if this same caitife hidden lie
Vnder the compasse of this emptie ayre)
This hand thy losses fully shall repayre.
Out in Tartaria when a mightie hoast
Encompast me: but then bespoke the mayd,
No further of thy deedes I pray thee boast,
Well doe I trust thee for thy gentle ayd,
Though he had neuer been in any coast,
Which in a new Meridian is layd:
But trauersing the Iland vp and downe,
Neuer did worthie deed in field nor towne.
Encompast me: but then bespoke the mayd,
No further of thy deedes I pray thee boast,
Well doe I trust thee for thy gentle ayd,
Though he had neuer been in any coast,
Which in a new Meridian is layd:
But trauersing the Iland vp and downe,
Neuer did worthie deed in field nor towne.
The mayd vp mounted led him in the way,
Which to Sir Aidons fort directly brought:
Where come by breaking of the blushing day,
He bid the mayd stay back till he had fought,
The battell which her foes in dust should lay:
Which done, he very studious bethought,
How he the battell any way might flie,
Or if he fought, some place of flight espie.
Which to Sir Aidons fort directly brought:
Where come by breaking of the blushing day,
He bid the mayd stay back till he had fought,
The battell which her foes in dust should lay:
Which done, he very studious bethought,
How he the battell any way might flie,
Or if he fought, some place of flight espie.
Thus musing straight he sees the portall shut,
And hoping none were remanent within,
With speare he gaue the gates a mightie butt,
And cryes, what are you fled for feare your sinne,
Reueng'd with death my hungry speare should glut?
Or of my comming haue forewarned bin?
Then foorth Tigranes comes that furious Knight,
And cryes, what peasant troubles my delight.
And hoping none were remanent within,
With speare he gaue the gates a mightie butt,
And cryes, what are you fled for feare your sinne,
Reueng'd with death my hungry speare should glut?
Or of my comming haue forewarned bin?
Then foorth Tigranes comes that furious Knight,
And cryes, what peasant troubles my delight.
No harme (quoth he) forsooth an humble friend,
Come to congratulate your victorie,
And here this captiue mayd a pledge doe send,
Yeelding her to you with humilitie:
Let not I pray my boldnes you offend,
But take this mayd a pledge of fealtie.
The Knight appeasde, them gently entertaind,
And they a place of rest haue now obtaind.
Come to congratulate your victorie,
And here this captiue mayd a pledge doe send,
Yeelding her to you with humilitie:
Let not I pray my boldnes you offend,
But take this mayd a pledge of fealtie.
The Knight appeasde, them gently entertaind,
And they a place of rest haue now obtaind.
Now had Viceina past this bloody seat,
And wandred thorow way-lesse woods and dales,
VVhen in a vale a cottage she hath met,
VVherein a Hermite still in prayer calles,
To clense his soule and wickednesse forget,
VVhose thought the thoughts of his sweet conscience galls:
Thus did he spend the day and watch the night,
Still listing vp for grace his troubled spright.
And wandred thorow way-lesse woods and dales,
VVhen in a vale a cottage she hath met,
VVherein a Hermite still in prayer calles,
To clense his soule and wickednesse forget,
VVhose thought the thoughts of his sweet conscience galls:
Thus did he spend the day and watch the night,
Still listing vp for grace his troubled spright.
Who seeing such a modest Lady by,
Told her if cottage might not be disdaind,
Nor herball fare which in his house doth ly,
Of him she gladly should be entertaind:
Who finding comfort of extremity,
Told him she gladly hath his lodging gaind:
VVhere we will leaue them to their hearty prayer,
And old mindes griefes with ioy new to repayre.
Told her if cottage might not be disdaind,
Nor herball fare which in his house doth ly,
Of him she gladly should be entertaind:
Who finding comfort of extremity,
Told him she gladly hath his lodging gaind:
VVhere we will leaue them to their hearty prayer,
And old mindes griefes with ioy new to repayre.
But see how fayre Erona chang'th her coat,
And taught the seigniour with a cleerer breast,
To sing his tunes vnto a higher note:
She that but one night in his house would rest,
Least wicked sinne her holy soule should blot,
She thinks to tarie here is farre the best:
And Deogin enamourd on her face,
VVith many sports hath made her like the place.
And taught the seigniour with a cleerer breast,
To sing his tunes vnto a higher note:
She that but one night in his house would rest,
Least wicked sinne her holy soule should blot,
She thinks to tarie here is farre the best:
And Deogin enamourd on her face,
VVith many sports hath made her like the place.
But he is come vnto his wonted rate,
His eyes are euer glistering with fire,
He euer thinks she hath another mate,
And other loues doe kindle her desire,
VVhich often causeth strife and great debate,
But she will gently quite her ielous sire:
And since he stumbles thus without a stone,
She meanes to giue him rocks to fall one.
His eyes are euer glistering with fire,
He euer thinks she hath another mate,
And other loues doe kindle her desire,
VVhich often causeth strife and great debate,
But she will gently quite her ielous sire:
And since he stumbles thus without a stone,
She meanes to giue him rocks to fall one.
Euen by this Castle Neptune once in loue
Of a wood Nymph, did follow fast his game:
But she to fly his kisses mainly stroue,
And to her woods of harbour flying came:
Neptune enrag'd, his trident mace vphoue,
And mainly stroake the harbour of the Dame:
The earth gan melt, and trees consum'd away,
Neptune rusht in and caught the swimming lay.
Of a wood Nymph, did follow fast his game:
But she to fly his kisses mainly stroue,
And to her woods of harbour flying came:
Neptune enrag'd, his trident mace vphoue,
And mainly stroake the harbour of the Dame:
The earth gan melt, and trees consum'd away,
Neptune rusht in and caught the swimming lay.
So now a lake it is, once firmest land,
And Knights much vsde to crosse this watry way:
But once arriu'd a Knight vnto the strand,
About the darkning of the conquerd day,
And at this castle lodging did demand:
The carle was loth, but threatnings did affray,
That in he goes into that burning gate,
The tragick actor of the churles fate.
And Knights much vsde to crosse this watry way:
But once arriu'd a Knight vnto the strand,
About the darkning of the conquerd day,
And at this castle lodging did demand:
The carle was loth, but threatnings did affray,
That in he goes into that burning gate,
The tragick actor of the churles fate.
When supper comes all doe themselues addresse,
To saciate with foode their natures neede:
But this grim sir doth sit all supperlesse,
And on his gnawed guts apace doth feede,
And when he eates, he mindeth nothing lesse:
For on the Knight his eyes kept carefull heede,
That sometimes when his meate he should deuide,
The knife awry into his flesh doth slide.
To saciate with foode their natures neede:
But this grim sir doth sit all supperlesse,
And on his gnawed guts apace doth feede,
And when he eates, he mindeth nothing lesse:
For on the Knight his eyes kept carefull heede,
That sometimes when his meate he should deuide,
The knife awry into his flesh doth slide.
Thus passeth foorth the prologue of his woe,
But the next morne brings foorth his tragedie:
For that same Knight his wife had handled so,
That in a chamber now they both doe lie:
But still Deogines goes to and fro,
To see if he his louing mates can spie:
At last he sees the flame whose firy dart
Kindles the sulphure of his fueld hart.
But the next morne brings foorth his tragedie:
For that same Knight his wife had handled so,
That in a chamber now they both doe lie:
But still Deogines goes to and fro,
To see if he his louing mates can spie:
At last he sees the flame whose firy dart
Kindles the sulphure of his fueld hart.
About he runnes and cryes I burne I burne,
And in black famine all his bones doth spend:
At last vnto the riuer he doth turne,
Thinking to giue this flame a watry end:
But he so light is growne, each waue doth spurne,
And any way his sliding course doth bend:
At last fayre sayling with a Northerne blast,
This barebond feend on Britains sands was cast.
And in black famine all his bones doth spend:
At last vnto the riuer he doth turne,
Thinking to giue this flame a watry end:
But he so light is growne, each waue doth spurne,
And any way his sliding course doth bend:
At last fayre sayling with a Northerne blast,
This barebond feend on Britains sands was cast.
But now Erona will her course betake,
As she was wont to lust and filthie shame;
A whirry on that riuer she doth make,
And she her selfe the passenger became,
Ferrying each knight vpon that gulfie lake,
That condiscends vnto her damned game:
The rest by cunning of her ioynted boat,
She layes in waues and makes ore bord to float.
As she was wont to lust and filthie shame;
A whirry on that riuer she doth make,
And she her selfe the passenger became,
Ferrying each knight vpon that gulfie lake,
That condiscends vnto her damned game:
The rest by cunning of her ioynted boat,
She layes in waues and makes ore bord to float.
For in two parts her boat she doth deuide,
She in the first doth row, and that behinde
VVith a sleight vise vnto the first is tide,
VVhich with a pin she can both loose and binde:
Now while vpon the waues they rowing slide,
If any Knight resist her filthie minde,
Then doth she loose her pin, he falleth downe,
And drenching waues his haples carkasse drowne.
She in the first doth row, and that behinde
VVith a sleight vise vnto the first is tide,
VVhich with a pin she can both loose and binde:
Now while vpon the waues they rowing slide,
If any Knight resist her filthie minde,
Then doth she loose her pin, he falleth downe,
And drenching waues his haples carkasse drowne.
If he vnto her dalliance doe yeeld,
Then doth she passe him safely to the land,
And gently sets him on the other field:
And thus her dayes consum'd like dustie sand,
VVhich Boreas to and fro with blasts doth wield,
And is not seene where it before did stand:
So doth her body so her soule consume,
Dide vgly black in sinnes still-reaking fume.
Then doth she passe him safely to the land,
And gently sets him on the other field:
And thus her dayes consum'd like dustie sand,
VVhich Boreas to and fro with blasts doth wield,
And is not seene where it before did stand:
So doth her body so her soule consume,
Dide vgly black in sinnes still-reaking fume.
Nor doth her guilt escape vnpunisht quite;
For as it fell this way her Captaine came,
Old Bonauallant, once her deare delight,
But now new-changed in another frame:
VVho when she ferried, and with pleasing sight
Woo'd to agree to deeds of black defame:
He harkned not to her vntam'd desire,
VVhich kindled in her breast reuenges fire.
For as it fell this way her Captaine came,
Old Bonauallant, once her deare delight,
But now new-changed in another frame:
VVho when she ferried, and with pleasing sight
Woo'd to agree to deeds of black defame:
He harkned not to her vntam'd desire,
VVhich kindled in her breast reuenges fire.
But he had spide how she with turning vice
VVas loosing downe the dead-fall of her hate,
And with a charme did crosse her first deuice,
Giuing her punisht soule a new-found fate;
Into a boat her breast, her legs, her thighs
Are chang'd, and bound by charme for endles date:
That since she had delighted still to carrie,
Here in eternall carriage she should tarrie.
VVas loosing downe the dead-fall of her hate,
And with a charme did crosse her first deuice,
Giuing her punisht soule a new-found fate;
Into a boat her breast, her legs, her thighs
Are chang'd, and bound by charme for endles date:
That since she had delighted still to carrie,
Here in eternall carriage she should tarrie.
Her armes the oares do cut the fleeting sea,
And passe each traueller to the furtherd side:
Her face in which sweet beautie once did play,
The plowed waues in furrowes doth deuide:
So the Propætides that common lay,
And passers violence did still abide,
Because their face no ruddie shame could print,
VVere turned to a neuer blushing flint.
And passe each traueller to the furtherd side:
Her face in which sweet beautie once did play,
The plowed waues in furrowes doth deuide:
So the Propætides that common lay,
And passers violence did still abide,
Because their face no ruddie shame could print,
VVere turned to a neuer blushing flint.
But let me quickly to Doledra flie,
Vnles I thither make the greater hast,
Fidamour homeward doth so hasty hie,
That all the mariage will be ouer-past,
The feast and triumphs of his victorie,
And tilts vnto their latest day will wast:
But I will after on my thoughts swift wing,
And in triumphing tunes his trophees sing.
Vnles I thither make the greater hast,
Fidamour homeward doth so hasty hie,
That all the mariage will be ouer-past,
The feast and triumphs of his victorie,
And tilts vnto their latest day will wast:
But I will after on my thoughts swift wing,
And in triumphing tunes his trophees sing.
Cant. 8.
Fidamour from th' Inchanter fled,
With fayre Doledraes King doth fight:
She victor doth her foe behead,
And to Eumorphos takes her flight,
Where at the mariage suddenly,
Th' Inchanter downe to hell doth fly.
With fayre Doledraes King doth fight:
She victor doth her foe behead,
And to Eumorphos takes her flight,
Where at the mariage suddenly,
Th' Inchanter downe to hell doth fly.
As when Ioues lightning on a towre doth fall,
No humour can allay his firy might,
But with his hungrie iawes consumeth all,
On which his rending tallands can alight:
So doth this filthie flame vnnaturall,
Burne in this witches heart in hearts despight:
His thoughts like water in Pyracmons forge,
Make his fire-breathing throte more flames disgorge.
No humour can allay his firy might,
But with his hungrie iawes consumeth all,
On which his rending tallands can alight:
So doth this filthie flame vnnaturall,
Burne in this witches heart in hearts despight:
His thoughts like water in Pyracmons forge,
Make his fire-breathing throte more flames disgorge.
When in the castle all the night was spent,
In morne they hasted to depart away,
Which deeply wrought th' inchanters discontent,
And by these meanes doth seeke their course delay:
He takes a potion from Cocitus sent,
Whose force in weakned heart deepe loue will lay:
This had he mingled in some fatall wine,
Hoping to make her heart in furie pine.
In morne they hasted to depart away,
Which deeply wrought th' inchanters discontent,
And by these meanes doth seeke their course delay:
He takes a potion from Cocitus sent,
Whose force in weakned heart deepe loue will lay:
This had he mingled in some fatall wine,
Hoping to make her heart in furie pine.
But Epimel her carefull watching page,
(Which still about his mistris did attend)
Had spide the witches faithles cariage,
And quickly bad her on her steed ascend:
She kindled with disdaine and mightie rage,
Vnto Doledra now her course doth bend:
Where come, without in suburbs she doth stay,
And to Phucerus thence sends mortall fray.
(Which still about his mistris did attend)
Had spide the witches faithles cariage,
And quickly bad her on her steed ascend:
She kindled with disdaine and mightie rage,
Vnto Doledra now her course doth bend:
Where come, without in suburbs she doth stay,
And to Phucerus thence sends mortall fray.
The king that neuer thought in open fight,
He and his kingdome should be ouerthrowne:
But that some mayd would by her subtile slight,
Or other policie vndermine his throne,
Went foorth full fraught with rage and high despight:
And though his loues about him still did mone,
And curtizans about him euer cry,
The sad euent of wofull flight to fly.
He and his kingdome should be ouerthrowne:
But that some mayd would by her subtile slight,
Or other policie vndermine his throne,
Went foorth full fraught with rage and high despight:
And though his loues about him still did mone,
And curtizans about him euer cry,
The sad euent of wofull flight to fly.
Yet he respected not their vaine request,
But marched foorth to meete this warlike Dame:
And at his sight she kindling in her breast,
The Pyramis of an ascending flame,
Straight open enmitie to him profest,
And with well couched lance toward her came:
Their flashing speares that from their breasts rebound,
Made eccho tell the horror of the sound.
But marched foorth to meete this warlike Dame:
And at his sight she kindling in her breast,
The Pyramis of an ascending flame,
Straight open enmitie to him profest,
And with well couched lance toward her came:
Their flashing speares that from their breasts rebound,
Made eccho tell the horror of the sound.
The flintie flakes drop from the riuen plate,
And make the hollow earth from deepe to grone,
Whose noyse the trembling spirits did amate,
Fearing their couering would haue falne vpon:
So angry Ioue inflam'd with ruthles hate,
Darts from the heau'ns a mightie thunderstone,
And in his rage from out a clowd doth rore,
That Atlas limmes doe quake which heau'n vpbore.
And make the hollow earth from deepe to grone,
Whose noyse the trembling spirits did amate,
Fearing their couering would haue falne vpon:
So angry Ioue inflam'd with ruthles hate,
Darts from the heau'ns a mightie thunderstone,
And in his rage from out a clowd doth rore,
That Atlas limmes doe quake which heau'n vpbore.
But at the first encounter deeply fell
On Fidamours left side a heauy blow,
Which wofull newes vnto her heart did tell:
But at the next she him requited so,
His soule was wafted halfe the way to hell,
And made his conquerd corps her valour know:
Whom from his palfrey fayrely she vpheau'd,
And of the greeting earth a kisse receiu'd.
On Fidamours left side a heauy blow,
Which wofull newes vnto her heart did tell:
But at the next she him requited so,
His soule was wafted halfe the way to hell,
And made his conquerd corps her valour know:
Whom from his palfrey fayrely she vpheau'd,
And of the greeting earth a kisse receiu'd.
The feeble soule from out his breast was fled,
Wandring through gloomy wayes of hellish shade,
While with her sword she martyreth his head:
The ensigne which her victorie displaide,
And with her louing page she homewards sped.
But what great ioy this ouerthrow hath made,
Let them declare who doe their loue obtaine,
This pleasure in my heart did neare remaine.
Wandring through gloomy wayes of hellish shade,
While with her sword she martyreth his head:
The ensigne which her victorie displaide,
And with her louing page she homewards sped.
But what great ioy this ouerthrow hath made,
Let them declare who doe their loue obtaine,
This pleasure in my heart did neare remaine.
Goe whistling winds with easie murmuring bring
This happy Lady to her hearts desire,
And all the way let sweetest musick sing,
Melodious concent in loue-carols by her,
And goe my thoughts thorow sliding ayre fling,
And view the heat of her deepe printed fire:
Burne not your selues, nor come the flame too nie,
Icarus once drown'd can teach you how to flie.
This happy Lady to her hearts desire,
And all the way let sweetest musick sing,
Melodious concent in loue-carols by her,
And goe my thoughts thorow sliding ayre fling,
And view the heat of her deepe printed fire:
Burne not your selues, nor come the flame too nie,
Icarus once drown'd can teach you how to flie.
Thus in triumphing to Eumorphos brought,
All doe applaud the fortune of his fight:
The ransome which they still before had sought,
To free them from Phucerus foule despight:
But sudden ioy so much his Lady raught,
Her heart drew exhalations of delight,
Which kindled by her loue enkindled flame
Vnto her Knight, as darted Sunbeames came.
All doe applaud the fortune of his fight:
The ransome which they still before had sought,
To free them from Phucerus foule despight:
But sudden ioy so much his Lady raught,
Her heart drew exhalations of delight,
Which kindled by her loue enkindled flame
Vnto her Knight, as darted Sunbeames came.
She giues him kisses, pledges of her heart,
Sweeter then Ioue receiues of Ganymed,
While them betweene sweet Nectar downe doth moue,
The hony dew with which fayre loue is fed:
Such is the billing of the Cyprian doue,
Their mouths in others mouth emprisoned:
But she with talke loosing that rosiall binde,
Drew back her lips, but left her heart behinde.
Sweeter then Ioue receiues of Ganymed,
While them betweene sweet Nectar downe doth moue,
The hony dew with which fayre loue is fed:
Such is the billing of the Cyprian doue,
Their mouths in others mouth emprisoned:
But she with talke loosing that rosiall binde,
Drew back her lips, but left her heart behinde.
Now all things for the Mariage are prepar'd,
As when great Perseus maried Andromede,
No cost nor any ornament is spar'd,
With which the mariage may be beautifide:
No Knight nor commer is from hence debard,
To see the band which shall these louers wed:
Shine bright sweet Sunne, now comes that happy day,
That in the port these gladfull loues shall lay.
As when great Perseus maried Andromede,
No cost nor any ornament is spar'd,
With which the mariage may be beautifide:
No Knight nor commer is from hence debard,
To see the band which shall these louers wed:
Shine bright sweet Sunne, now comes that happy day,
That in the port these gladfull loues shall lay.
Now for that holy Hermite haue they sent,
With whom Viceina all this while hath stayd,
Who both inuited to Eumorphos went,
Where stands the Knight and that diuinest mayd,
Ready to be conioynd with one consent:
The Hermite many holy prayers sayd,
While fayre Uiceina by the payre doth stand,
And holds a torch in her ambrosiall hand.
With whom Viceina all this while hath stayd,
Who both inuited to Eumorphos went,
Where stands the Knight and that diuinest mayd,
Ready to be conioynd with one consent:
The Hermite many holy prayers sayd,
While fayre Uiceina by the payre doth stand,
And holds a torch in her ambrosiall hand.
But Bonauallant, whom ny fortie yeares
With foule Geticas date had neere opprest,
Thought ere he went to hurt these faithfull pheares,
And with his charmes to trouble holy rest:
But when this Hermites godly speech he heares,
His charmes are frustrate and enchaunting ceast,
Thus in despight of enuies stormy wrath,
These loues are setled in their quiets path.
With foule Geticas date had neere opprest,
Thought ere he went to hurt these faithfull pheares,
And with his charmes to trouble holy rest:
But when this Hermites godly speech he heares,
His charmes are frustrate and enchaunting ceast,
Thus in despight of enuies stormy wrath,
These loues are setled in their quiets path.
Now all things for the tilting ready are,
And many Knights are gatherd from about,
And fierce Tigranes hitherward doth fare:
But poore Anander wraps a filthie clout
About his hand, and sayes this cloth he ware,
Because a wound hath pearc'd his hand throughout:
But he receiu'd no wound in field nor fight,
This is his cowardise accustom'd slight.
And many Knights are gatherd from about,
And fierce Tigranes hitherward doth fare:
But poore Anander wraps a filthie clout
About his hand, and sayes this cloth he ware,
Because a wound hath pearc'd his hand throughout:
But he receiu'd no wound in field nor fight,
This is his cowardise accustom'd slight.
He with Tigranes comes vnto the feast,
But saies he cannot runne for grieuous paine:
Tigranes doth beleeue the cowards iest,
And with him comes vnto the tilting plaine,
Where stood two Knights with ready speares in rest
To try who could most valours glorie gaine:
They runne and fairely breake each others speare,
And throughly passe as if no let there were.
But saies he cannot runne for grieuous paine:
Tigranes doth beleeue the cowards iest,
And with him comes vnto the tilting plaine,
Where stood two Knights with ready speares in rest
To try who could most valours glorie gaine:
They runne and fairely breake each others speare,
And throughly passe as if no let there were.
After runne many whose part youthfull heat,
Drew to expresse the fire of their heart:
Others whom loue taught in this warlike feat,
To proue before their Ladies loues desart:
As if in telling how their loue was great,
They begd some easing of impatient smart,
Which with emprezaes they doe fairely shew,
Fitting their outward to their inward hew.
Drew to expresse the fire of their heart:
Others whom loue taught in this warlike feat,
To proue before their Ladies loues desart:
As if in telling how their loue was great,
They begd some easing of impatient smart,
Which with emprezaes they doe fairely shew,
Fitting their outward to their inward hew.
One hath a Salamander in the fire,
The word vpon fayre beautie is the flame:
The next a Linnet in a cage of wire,
The mot my prisond thoughts still sing the same,
To shew the firmnes of his chast desire:
The third, small birds that to the fire came,
The saying there conioynd: my light my night,
To shew he pines consum'd with beauties light.
The word vpon fayre beautie is the flame:
The next a Linnet in a cage of wire,
The mot my prisond thoughts still sing the same,
To shew the firmnes of his chast desire:
The third, small birds that to the fire came,
The saying there conioynd: my light my night,
To shew he pines consum'd with beauties light.
Thus most had tride their valour and their might,
And to Anander all are come anon,
Desiring him to doe the Mariage right,
And that his fame and credit stood thereon,
To proue himselfe a stout and valiant knight,
And not in looking let the time be gone:
For they perceiu'd not yet his cowardise,
Thoughts are not knowen certaine by the eyes.
And to Anander all are come anon,
Desiring him to doe the Mariage right,
And that his fame and credit stood thereon,
To proue himselfe a stout and valiant knight,
And not in looking let the time be gone:
For they perceiu'd not yet his cowardise,
Thoughts are not knowen certaine by the eyes.
Anander thus beset as bird of night,
Compast with smaller soule in time of day,
Began to rub his pulse and pluck his spright,
And closely puls his winding cloth away,
(Quoth he) I stay not for I feare their fight,
For thousands by this right hand conquered lay.
But with my valiance to conclude the iust,
A thing not ending well, is laide in dust.
Compast with smaller soule in time of day,
Began to rub his pulse and pluck his spright,
And closely puls his winding cloth away,
(Quoth he) I stay not for I feare their fight,
For thousands by this right hand conquered lay.
But with my valiance to conclude the iust,
A thing not ending well, is laide in dust.
Now is he on a gallant Palfrey plaste,
And ready to encounter with his foe:
The other Knight (good Knight too much debast
With coward braggart to encounter so)
Spurring with speare in rest toward him past,
But forth he empty to the ende doth go,
For good Anander meaneth harme to none,
But forth another way in haste is gone.
And ready to encounter with his foe:
The other Knight (good Knight too much debast
With coward braggart to encounter so)
Spurring with speare in rest toward him past,
But forth he empty to the ende doth go,
For good Anander meaneth harme to none,
But forth another way in haste is gone.
When first the Courser gan to lift his feete,
He shuts his locked eyes with all his might;
And with his spurres amaine the horse doth greete:
The Palfray blindly driuen and vnright,
Makes him vnwares, with speare a wall to meete,
With whose rebut stands vp the horse on hight,
Downe on the earth his carcasse doth rebound,
And layde his crauen combe along the ground.
He shuts his locked eyes with all his might;
And with his spurres amaine the horse doth greete:
The Palfray blindly driuen and vnright,
Makes him vnwares, with speare a wall to meete,
With whose rebut stands vp the horse on hight,
Downe on the earth his carcasse doth rebound,
And layde his crauen combe along the ground.
The Knight enraged with his soule disgrace,
Tolde to Tigranes t'was no knightly part,
To bring such cowards and the iusts deface;
Who rending open earths disseuerd hart,
Catching pale Stix by her infected face,
(Quoth he) by Erebs wife no Knight thou art,
That doest impute his cowardise to mee,
Which ne're before few dayes his face did see.
Tolde to Tigranes t'was no knightly part,
To bring such cowards and the iusts deface;
Who rending open earths disseuerd hart,
Catching pale Stix by her infected face,
(Quoth he) by Erebs wife no Knight thou art,
That doest impute his cowardise to mee,
Which ne're before few dayes his face did see.
Then drawing out his not returning blade,
He thought at first his heart to deerely pay:
But well defended it no entry made;
The other with like load on him doth lay,
That each began to reele as ill apayde,
And each againe doth streight renew the fray:
Their swordes true schollers in this martiall fight,
Answer each others arguments aright.
He thought at first his heart to deerely pay:
But well defended it no entry made;
The other with like load on him doth lay,
That each began to reele as ill apayde,
And each againe doth streight renew the fray:
Their swordes true schollers in this martiall fight,
Answer each others arguments aright.
As Vulcanes seruants in the Lemnian caue,
VVith restles blowes doe frame a thunderbolt,
Or hammering for Ioue an iron claue,
VVith mightie terror shake their groaning holt,
So these fierce Knights, one at another draue,
Nor from their kindled sury will reuolt:
But thundring each vpon the others crests,
VVrite with their swords the raging of their brests.
VVith restles blowes doe frame a thunderbolt,
Or hammering for Ioue an iron claue,
VVith mightie terror shake their groaning holt,
So these fierce Knights, one at another draue,
Nor from their kindled sury will reuolt:
But thundring each vpon the others crests,
VVrite with their swords the raging of their brests.
But loe a trumpet roares with hollow sound,
And deadly skreeches breath from out below:
VVhich doe their cooled soules with feare astownd
To heare such dumpish notes so gastly blow:
But now the cause thereof they trembling sound,
Twere winged spirits which from Orcus flow,
Sent by the king of hell to apprehend
That charming thiefe, and cite him to his end.
And deadly skreeches breath from out below:
VVhich doe their cooled soules with feare astownd
To heare such dumpish notes so gastly blow:
But now the cause thereof they trembling sound,
Twere winged spirits which from Orcus flow,
Sent by the king of hell to apprehend
That charming thiefe, and cite him to his end.
Full fortie yeares are past, while here he lookes,
And careles viewes these warriors martiall deedes,
But Pluto sees his name within his bookes,
And to the fiends his doome and iudgement reedes,
VVho breaking from the cloudy smoaking nookes,
VVhose breath the soule with during torment feedes,
Ceaze on his backe, and gripe him with their clawes,
And teares him with their iron-rancked iawes.
And careles viewes these warriors martiall deedes,
But Pluto sees his name within his bookes,
And to the fiends his doome and iudgement reedes,
VVho breaking from the cloudy smoaking nookes,
VVhose breath the soule with during torment feedes,
Ceaze on his backe, and gripe him with their clawes,
And teares him with their iron-rancked iawes.
Out breathes he curses gainst the starry sky,
Tearing high Ioue with his still-gnashing teeth,
And execrates all mens felicity:
Hating the light, and cursing all he seeth:
Thus banning in this furious extasy,
Vnto the seate of damned soules he fleeth:
The wounded earth hells entralls doth vnshroude,
Downe sinkes his soule, maskt in a smoaky cloude.
Tearing high Ioue with his still-gnashing teeth,
And execrates all mens felicity:
Hating the light, and cursing all he seeth:
Thus banning in this furious extasy,
Vnto the seate of damned soules he fleeth:
The wounded earth hells entralls doth vnshroude,
Downe sinkes his soule, maskt in a smoaky cloude.
The ende of the first Booke.
| Thvle | |