Tragicall Tales translated by Tvrbervile In time of his troubles out of sundrie Italians, with the Argument and Lenuoye to eche Tale |
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 | Tragicall Tales translated by Tvrbervile |  |
12
[Tragicall Tales.]
[Through wilful loue, and liking ouermuch]
The argument to the first Historie.
1
Through wilful loue, and liking ouermuch,Nastagios state did melt, and without returne
Of like good will: Euphymius minde was such
She felt no flame, when he, good man, did burne
But made his griefe her glee, his bitter smarte
Might nothing rize or pierce her marble harte.
2
By friendes aduise at last he parted thence,Though greatly greeued, remouing racke him sore,
To quit the cause of al his fond expence,
And purchase ease which he had lost before:
A death (no doubt) it was to put away,
And yet no life with her in place to stay.
3
Beholde the happ, as he ful pensiue stoodeAmyd a groue adioyning to his tent,
Recounting former toyes: athwart the wood
With cruell curres an armed knight there went,
That had in chace a frotion fresh of hewe,
Whom he by force of sword and mastiues slewe.
4
And after death this lady liude againeVp start away she ran before the Knight,
For thus the Goddes alotted had her paine,
Bycause she slewe by scorne that louing wight:
In death he was her plague whome she in life
Enforst to slay himselfe with murthering knife.
5
Nastagio pondering in his restlesse thoughtAs wel the sequele, as the cause of all.
Seing that skorne the ladies penance wrought.
[12]
Bethought him howe to make a myrrour right
Both of the mayde, and eke the cursed knight.
6
His plat was thus: he byd in friendly sortVnto his tente, to feast and banket there
His auncient loue, that made his payne hir sporte,
Whose mother came and diuers friendes I feare,
Amyds the feast the knight pursude the mayde,
And slewe hir there, as I before haue sayde.
7
Which sight amazde the route, but most of allThat virgin coye, so carelesse of the man
Begonne to quake it toucht her to the gall,
And therevpon hir liking first began.
For after that she woxe his wife at last,
Dreading the gods reuenge for rigour past.
13
In
Italie there is a Citie, hight
Rauenna, by report as braue a place
As may be found, both fresh & fair to sight
Wherein of yore there was a noble race
Of gallant wights, great choise of men of fame,
But one in chief, Nastagio by name.
Rauenna, by report as braue a place
As may be found, both fresh & fair to sight
Wherein of yore there was a noble race
Of gallant wights, great choise of men of fame,
But one in chief, Nastagio by name.
The father of this forward ympe did dye,
Forespent with yeeres, and load with siluer locks,
Whose land and fee descended orderly
Unto the Sonne, with store of other stocks:
Few fathers of this aged mans degree,
In so good case did leaue their sonnes as hee.
Forespent with yeeres, and load with siluer locks,
Whose land and fee descended orderly
Unto the Sonne, with store of other stocks:
Few fathers of this aged mans degree,
In so good case did leaue their sonnes as hee.
This might suffice to make Nastagio rich,
But, where wealth is, there lightlie followes more,
For hee an vncle had, who gaue as mych
At time of death, as father left before:
The wealth of these two rych renowmed wights,
In little space vpon Nastagio lights.
But, where wealth is, there lightlie followes more,
For hee an vncle had, who gaue as mych
At time of death, as father left before:
The wealth of these two rych renowmed wights,
In little space vpon Nastagio lights.
Not one in all Rauenna might compare
With him for wealth, or matcht him for his muck:
He liude at full, not tasting any care,
But tooke his time, and vsde his golden luck:
Not wanting ought that fitted for his state,
By meane of flowing wealth full warme he sate.
With him for wealth, or matcht him for his muck:
He liude at full, not tasting any care,
But tooke his time, and vsde his golden luck:
Not wanting ought that fitted for his state,
By meane of flowing wealth full warme he sate.
This youth his wanton prime without a wife,
Retchlesse consumde, and liude in single sort,
Esteeming that to be the blessed life,
Because he found it stuft with glee and sporte:
As yonkers that at randon vse to range,
Refuse to wed, because they loue to change.
Retchlesse consumde, and liude in single sort,
Esteeming that to be the blessed life,
Because he found it stuft with glee and sporte:
[13]
Refuse to wed, because they loue to change.
Untill at length his roauing eies hee kest
Upon a wench, and tooke so perfect view
Of Graces that did harbour in her brest,
As streight to liking of this maid he grewe
His fansie fed vpon hir featurde lookes,
In sort as none saue her this gallant brookes.
Upon a wench, and tooke so perfect view
Of Graces that did harbour in her brest,
As streight to liking of this maid he grewe
His fansie fed vpon hir featurde lookes,
In sort as none saue her this gallant brookes.
Who doublesse was a neate and noble Dame,
Trauersar cleaped was her worthie Sire,
And she herselfe Euphymia cald by name,
As fresh of hewe as men might well desire:
With her I say, Nastagio fell in loue,
Whose setled choyse no reason might remoue.
Trauersar cleaped was her worthie Sire,
And she herselfe Euphymia cald by name,
As fresh of hewe as men might well desire:
With her I say, Nastagio fell in loue,
Whose setled choyse no reason might remoue.
Her christall eyes had lurcht his yeelding heart,
And razde his bending breast by often glaunce,
Her glittering locks so queyntly coucht by art,
Had brought this youth to such a louing traunce,
As all his care was how to compasse grace,
From her whom he so derely did imbrace.
And razde his bending breast by often glaunce,
Her glittering locks so queyntly coucht by art,
Had brought this youth to such a louing traunce,
As all his care was how to compasse grace,
From her whom he so derely did imbrace.
(Then as it is the trade of Cupids knights)
He fell to feast, where lackt no daintie fare,
To come be forraine cates that breede delights,
For no expence this courtly wight would spare.
Hee vsde the tilt on Ienate trapt with gold,
To please his Dannas eyes with courage bold.
He fell to feast, where lackt no daintie fare,
To come be forraine cates that breede delights,
For no expence this courtly wight would spare.
Hee vsde the tilt on Ienate trapt with gold,
To please his Dannas eyes with courage bold.
For is she be a noble Dame in deede,
Shee pleasure takes to view a manlie knight
In armour clad, be striding of his steed:
And doth detest the base and coward wight,
For that the valiant will defend her fame,
When carpet squires will hide their heads with shame.
Shee pleasure takes to view a manlie knight
14
And doth detest the base and coward wight,
For that the valiant will defend her fame,
When carpet squires will hide their heads with shame.
Thus wasted he the day in Loue deuice,
And spent the nights with costly musikes sound,
In hope at length this virgin to entice
To salue his sore, and cure his couert wounde:
Nothing was left in any point vndone,
Whereby the loue of Ladies might be wonne:
And spent the nights with costly musikes sound,
In hope at length this virgin to entice
To salue his sore, and cure his couert wounde:
Nothing was left in any point vndone,
Whereby the loue of Ladies might be wonne:
By letters he vnfolded all his fittes,
By message eke imparted all his paine,
His mournfull lines bewraid his mazed wits,
His songs at loue declarde his passions plaine:
The rockiest heart aliue it would haue movde,
To see how well this noble man had loude,
By message eke imparted all his paine,
His mournfull lines bewraid his mazed wits,
His songs at loue declarde his passions plaine:
The rockiest heart aliue it would haue movde,
To see how well this noble man had loude,
Yet cruell shee, when he had done and saide
The most he might to moue her stonie heart,
To like of him might not at all be waide,
For shee was struck with Cupids Leaden dart,
Whose chilling cold had bound her bowels so,
As in no wise she could abridge his wo.
The most he might to moue her stonie heart,
To like of him might not at all be waide,
For shee was struck with Cupids Leaden dart,
Whose chilling cold had bound her bowels so,
As in no wise she could abridge his wo.
But how much more the louer made his mone,
Suing for ruth and well deserued grace,
The more shee sate vnmoued, like the stone,
Whom waues do beat, but wag not from his place:
Either beauties pride or stately flocke did force
This haughtie dame from pitie and remorce.
Suing for ruth and well deserued grace,
The more shee sate vnmoued, like the stone,
Whom waues do beat, but wag not from his place:
Either beauties pride or stately flocke did force
This haughtie dame from pitie and remorce.
[14]
Shee rigorouslie refusde, and tooke disdaine,
So much as once to yeeld him friendlie cheare,
Who for her sake had bid such bitter paine,
As any tender heart would bleed to heare:
And in reward of all his friendship past,
Shee gaue him leaue to spoile himselfe at last.
So much as once to yeeld him friendlie cheare,
Who for her sake had bid such bitter paine,
As any tender heart would bleed to heare:
And in reward of all his friendship past,
Shee gaue him leaue to spoile himselfe at last.
Wherto through deep dispaire his mind was bēt
In hope thereby to end his wretched woe,
Because he saw her malice not relent,
Who for good will became his deadlie foe:
For in such cuse aye death is counted light,
Where men may not enioy their sweete delight.
In hope thereby to end his wretched woe,
Because he saw her malice not relent,
Who for good will became his deadlie foe:
For in such cuse aye death is counted light,
Where men may not enioy their sweete delight.
His wilfull hand was armde with naked knife,
And euen at point to giue the fatall stroke,
By short dispatch of loathed lingring life,
To ridde his wearie neck of heauie yoke:
But life was sweete, and he to liue, would leaue
The Dame, from whom he might no ruth receiue.
And euen at point to giue the fatall stroke,
By short dispatch of loathed lingring life,
To ridde his wearie neck of heauie yoke:
But life was sweete, and he to liue, would leaue
The Dame, from whom he might no ruth receiue.
When Fansie saw his raging humour cease,
And Reason challenge rule, and charge againe,
Whereby his fond affection woulde decease,
And hee be quit of all his former paine:
To keepe him in, and hold his louer fast,
She gaue him Hope, to come by loue at last.
And Reason challenge rule, and charge againe,
Whereby his fond affection woulde decease,
And hee be quit of all his former paine:
To keepe him in, and hold his louer fast,
She gaue him Hope, to come by loue at last.
Thus diuers thoughts did soiourne in his brest,
Sometimes he meant himselfe with sword to slay,
Another time to leaue to loue was best:
Some other while affection bare the sway:
Was neuer man belowe the starrie skie,
So loth to liue, and yet so woe to die.
Sometimes he meant himselfe with sword to slay,
Another time to leaue to loue was best:
Some other while affection bare the sway:
15
So loth to liue, and yet so woe to die.
For why? in life he found himself a thrall,
Unable aye to compasse his delight:
And yet by death there was no hope at all,
For then he was assurde to loose her quight:
So neither life nor death might ease his minde,
That by the Gods was thus to loue assignde.
Unable aye to compasse his delight:
And yet by death there was no hope at all,
For then he was assurde to loose her quight:
So neither life nor death might ease his minde,
That by the Gods was thus to loue assignde.
Whilst thus Nastagio sought his owne decay,
By liquorous lust, his friendes and nearest kinne
Perceiuing how his wealth did wast away,
And that his bodie pinde and waxed thinne:
Did diuers times their friendly counsell giue,
That from Rauenna he abroade should liue.
By liquorous lust, his friendes and nearest kinne
Perceiuing how his wealth did wast away,
And that his bodie pinde and waxed thinne:
Did diuers times their friendly counsell giue,
That from Rauenna he abroade should liue.
For change of place perhaps wold purchase helth
And absence cause his foolish fancies weare:
They did not leaue to tell him how his wealth
And all things els consumde, and melted there:
But scornefull he did scoffe their good aduise,
And had their grauest wordes in slender price.
And absence cause his foolish fancies weare:
They did not leaue to tell him how his wealth
And all things els consumde, and melted there:
But scornefull he did scoffe their good aduise,
And had their grauest wordes in slender price.
As louers wont, who fancie nothing lesse
Than speeches tending all to their auaile:
Not much vnlike the lame, for whose redresse.
When counsell commes, they lightlie turne their taile,
Loathing to lend an eare to holsome lore,
Of such as seeke to salue their lingring sore.
Than speeches tending all to their auaile:
Not much vnlike the lame, for whose redresse.
When counsell commes, they lightlie turne their taile,
Loathing to lend an eare to holsome lore,
Of such as seeke to salue their lingring sore.
Yet they like friends would neuer blin or stint,
To shew him meanes to better his estate:
Whereby, As often drops do pearce the flint,
So they at length by many speeches, gare
His free consent to trauell for a space,
To trie what chaunce would hap by change of place.
To shew him meanes to better his estate:
[15]
So they at length by many speeches, gare
His free consent to trauell for a space,
To trie what chaunce would hap by change of place.
Iudge you that loue, and can discerne aright,
How great annoy departure bredde in minde
To him that loude a passing proper wight:
(Though not belovde) & now must leaue behinde
The idoll that was shrinde within his brest.
Whose rife remembrance lowde him little rest?
How great annoy departure bredde in minde
To him that loude a passing proper wight:
(Though not belovde) & now must leaue behinde
The idoll that was shrinde within his brest.
Whose rife remembrance lowde him little rest?
But yet away for promise sake he would,
All needfull things were ready for the same,
Both cates and coyne, with plate of beaten gold:
And for his better comfort, kinsmen came,
Who ioyed to see him part away from thence,
Where she abode that causd his lewde expence.
All needfull things were ready for the same,
Both cates and coyne, with plate of beaten gold:
And for his better comfort, kinsmen came,
Who ioyed to see him part away from thence,
Where she abode that causd his lewde expence.
To forraine coast Nastagio now was bent,
But not resolude what speciall place to see,
Eyther Flaunders, France or Spaine, I think he ment.
For that those seates of ciuile nature be:
To make it short, hee tooke his horse in poast,
And so departs the soyle he fansied most.
But not resolude what speciall place to see,
Eyther Flaunders, France or Spaine, I think he ment.
For that those seates of ciuile nature be:
To make it short, hee tooke his horse in poast,
And so departs the soyle he fansied most.
They had not trauailde farre, before they came
Unto a place, that from Rauenna stood
Three miles or thereabout, the village name
Was Classye, there Nastagio thought it good
To make aboude, for ease and solace sake,
Wherefore he pight his tent, and thus bespoke.
Unto a place, that from Rauenna stood
Three miles or thereabout, the village name
Was Classye, there Nastagio thought it good
To make aboude, for ease and solace sake,
Wherefore he pight his tent, and thus bespoke.
16
In thank you (friends quoth hee) with all my hart,
I hold my selfe indebted for your paine,
Now here you may (if so you list) depart,
And to Rauenna shape returne againe:
For I and mine will respite here a space,
I like the seate, and fancie well the place.
I hold my selfe indebted for your paine,
Now here you may (if so you list) depart,
And to Rauenna shape returne againe:
For I and mine will respite here a space,
I like the seate, and fancie well the place.
Here doe I meane to make assured stay,
Untill the rufull Gods doe ease my woe,
And Cupide chase my sorowes cleane away,
I purpose not a foote from hence to goe:
Lo here I pledge my faith to come no more
Unto the soyle where I receiude my sore.
Untill the rufull Gods doe ease my woe,
And Cupide chase my sorowes cleane away,
I purpose not a foote from hence to goe:
Lo here I pledge my faith to come no more
Unto the soyle where I receiude my sore.
Which promise if I hold, you haue your willes,
Who gaue aduise and counsell to the same:
There restes no more your pensiue friend fulfils
A heauie charge, to flee so faire a Dame,
As to my doome, there are not many moe,
To match with her, whose beautie breedes my woe.
Who gaue aduise and counsell to the same:
There restes no more your pensiue friend fulfils
A heauie charge, to flee so faire a Dame,
As to my doome, there are not many moe,
To match with her, whose beautie breedes my woe.
But well, content I am, at your request
To liue exilde, in manner as you see,
I will no more produce mine owne vnrest,
By louing her that loathes to pitte me:
And hauing thus at full declarde his minde,
They tooke their leaues, he pausde and staid binde.
To liue exilde, in manner as you see,
I will no more produce mine owne vnrest,
By louing her that loathes to pitte me:
And hauing thus at full declarde his minde,
They tooke their leaues, he pausde and staid binde.
Thus he at plasure lodgde, did banket more,
And led his life at greater libertie,
Than in Rauenna he had done of yore:
Hee did exceede for courtly iolitie,
There wanted no delight that youth doth craue,
Which he for coyne or any cost might haue.
And led his life at greater libertie,
Than in Rauenna he had done of yore:
Hee did exceede for courtly iolitie,
[16]
Which he for coyne or any cost might haue.
And whylom, as his auncient custome was,
For diuers of his friendes he vsde to send,
In gladsome ioyes the wearie day to passe:
Whereby no loue care might his ease offend:
Was neuer wight that liude in greater glee,
Nor spent his time in brauer sort than hee.
For diuers of his friendes he vsde to send,
In gladsome ioyes the wearie day to passe:
Whereby no loue care might his ease offend:
Was neuer wight that liude in greater glee,
Nor spent his time in brauer sort than hee.
When May, with motly robes began his raigne,
(A lustie time for euery louing lad)
Nastagio pondering in his busie braine,
The slender hyre that he receiued had,
And foule repulse for all his good desart,
Gan walke abrode, and wild his groomes to part.
(A lustie time for euery louing lad)
Nastagio pondering in his busie braine,
The slender hyre that he receiued had,
And foule repulse for all his good desart,
Gan walke abrode, and wild his groomes to part.
Whereby he might the better call to thought,
The causelesse rigour of the cruell Dame:
Whose smal regard his former spoil had wrought
And turnde his torments into pleasaunt game:
Along he paced into a gladsome groue,
Whilst in his head ten thousand fancies stroue.
The causelesse rigour of the cruell Dame:
Whose smal regard his former spoil had wrought
And turnde his torments into pleasaunt game:
Along he paced into a gladsome groue,
Whilst in his head ten thousand fancies stroue.
There stalkte he on, as soft as foote could tread,
In deepe discourse of beautie and disdaine,
Untill himselfe a mile or more he lead
Into the Coppyse, not hauing any traine:
So long he staide, as dinner time drew neare,
Which he forgot, not minding bellye cheare.
In deepe discourse of beautie and disdaine,
Untill himselfe a mile or more he lead
Into the Coppyse, not hauing any traine:
So long he staide, as dinner time drew neare,
Which he forgot, not minding bellye cheare.
Loe see the hap, that him did there betide,
Within a while he heard a dolefull noyse,
Of one that in the groue full shrilly cryde,
Who seemde to be a virgin by her voyce:
The sodayne feare so much amazde the man,
As streight to leaue his pleasant thoughtes he gan,
Within a while he heard a dolefull noyse,
17
Who seemde to be a virgin by her voyce:
The sodayne feare so much amazde the man,
As streight to leaue his pleasant thoughtes he gan,
Uplifted he his head, and glewde aboute
To see what woofull wight it was and why
She so exclamde, and made such sodaine shoute:
And as alongst the lawnde he kest his eye,
A naked Nymphe well shapte in euery lym,
With speedie pace, he sawe come towards him,
To see what woofull wight it was and why
She so exclamde, and made such sodaine shoute:
And as alongst the lawnde he kest his eye,
A naked Nymphe well shapte in euery lym,
With speedie pace, he sawe come towards him,
Retchelesse she ran through thick & thin amayn,
Bebrusht with bryers her broosed body bled.
The brambles skirmishte had with euery vayne,
Untrust her haire hoong rounde about her head:
And euer as she ranne athwarte the wood,
Mercy she cryde with open mouth a good.
Bebrusht with bryers her broosed body bled.
The brambles skirmishte had with euery vayne,
Untrust her haire hoong rounde about her head:
And euer as she ranne athwarte the wood,
Mercy she cryde with open mouth a good.
Two monstrous mastyues eke he sawe that ran
Close by her side, two vgly curres they were,
Who euer as they ouertooke her, gan
Her haunches with their greedie teeth to teare:
To view (alas) it was a wofull sight,
Such hungrie boundes on naked flesh to light.
Close by her side, two vgly curres they were,
Who euer as they ouertooke her, gan
Her haunches with their greedie teeth to teare:
To view (alas) it was a wofull sight,
Such hungrie boundes on naked flesh to light.
He lookte a little more ascance, and vewde
One riding faste, as Ienats legges could goe,
A hydeous knight, to seeming swarthie hewde,
And (as appearde) he was the maydens foe:
For in his hande a naked sword he had,
Whose face was grimme, and he in blacke yclad.
One riding faste, as Ienats legges could goe,
A hydeous knight, to seeming swarthie hewde,
And (as appearde) he was the maydens foe:
For in his hande a naked sword he had,
Whose face was grimme, and he in blacke yclad.
[17]
Who gallopt on, and glewde with fell regarde,
Pronouncing threates and termes of hye disdaine,
Which cruell tooles for murther well preparde:
And cryde so loude Nastagio heard it plaine,
That he reuenge of her by death would take,
With other thundring words which thoe he spake.
Pronouncing threates and termes of hye disdaine,
Which cruell tooles for murther well preparde:
And cryde so loude Nastagio heard it plaine,
That he reuenge of her by death would take,
With other thundring words which thoe he spake.
Thus for an houre space, or thereaboute,
In one selfe brake Nastagio mazed stoode
Perplexed sore, and greatly in a doubte,
Beholding howe the dogges athwarte the wood,
Did chace the wench, and how the wrathful knight
With gastly looke pursewde this sillie wight.
In one selfe brake Nastagio mazed stoode
Perplexed sore, and greatly in a doubte,
Beholding howe the dogges athwarte the wood,
Did chace the wench, and how the wrathful knight
With gastly looke pursewde this sillie wight.
So long he gazde, that pitie grew in fine,
And swelling yre incenst his manly brest,
Pricking him on, and making him repine,
To see a sillie dame so sore distresse:
So as vnlesse he rescued her from foes,
She was assurde eftsoone her life to lose.
And swelling yre incenst his manly brest,
Pricking him on, and making him repine,
To see a sillie dame so sore distresse:
So as vnlesse he rescued her from foes,
She was assurde eftsoone her life to lose.
But bootlesse twas to meane to help the mayde,
Not hauing weapons fit, nor sworde, nor launce,
But yet, bicause the case required ayde,
He caught a truncheon from a Pyne by chaunce,
And therewithall against the armed knight
And both his curres he made with all his might.
Not hauing weapons fit, nor sworde, nor launce,
But yet, bicause the case required ayde,
He caught a truncheon from a Pyne by chaunce,
And therewithall against the armed knight
And both his curres he made with all his might.
The horseman when he sawe Nastagio bent
For her supplie, whom he would reaue of life:
Exclamde alowde, withstande not mine intent
Nastagio, stinte and breede no further stryfe,
Forgoe thy force, let mastiues haue their will,
Sith they and I this monster meane to kill.
For her supplie, whom he would reaue of life:
Exclamde alowde, withstande not mine intent
Nastagio, stinte and breede no further stryfe,
18
Sith they and I this monster meane to kill.
He scarsly spake the worde, but by and by
The egre curres vnto her flankes they flewe,
And with her bloud that ran abundantly,
Their monstrous mouths they hastned to imbrewe:
Withall the knight dismounted from his steede,
And in he ranne his hungrie dogges to feede.
The egre curres vnto her flankes they flewe,
And with her bloud that ran abundantly,
Their monstrous mouths they hastned to imbrewe:
Withall the knight dismounted from his steede,
And in he ranne his hungrie dogges to feede.
Nastagio seeing this approcht the knight,
I muse (quoth he) how thou shouldst know my name
Who neuer earst, eche ether sawe with sight,
But this assure thy selfe, it is a shame,
A man at armes his honour to distaine,
With conquest of a mayde so fowly slaine.
I muse (quoth he) how thou shouldst know my name
Who neuer earst, eche ether sawe with sight,
But this assure thy selfe, it is a shame,
A man at armes his honour to distaine,
With conquest of a mayde so fowly slaine.
A blouddie facte, a simple wenche to kill
With cruell sworde, whose force consistes in flight,
A beastly parte, such mastiues mawes to fill,
With giltlesse bloud, a villaines nature right.
Thou dealste with her, as though she were a beaste
In forest bredde, not tasting womens breast.
With cruell sworde, whose force consistes in flight,
A beastly parte, such mastiues mawes to fill,
With giltlesse bloud, a villaines nature right.
Thou dealste with her, as though she were a beaste
In forest bredde, not tasting womens breast.
Assure thy selfe as much as lyeth in me,
I meane to garde her, maugre all thy might,
I compte her cleare without offence to be,
She is vnlike to be a guiltie wight:
I may not brooke such wrong in any wise,
Against my kinde and honour sore it lies.
I meane to garde her, maugre all thy might,
I compte her cleare without offence to be,
She is vnlike to be a guiltie wight:
I may not brooke such wrong in any wise,
Against my kinde and honour sore it lies.
Wherto the knight to this effect replyde:
Nastagio would thou wist and knewst it well,
That I to thee am verie neere allyde,
Both borne and bred where thou & thyne do dwell:
My first descent I tooke of noble race,
Thou knowst my stocke. Now listen to my case.
Nastagio would thou wist and knewst it well,
[18]
Both borne and bred where thou & thyne do dwell:
My first descent I tooke of noble race,
Thou knowst my stocke. Now listen to my case.
I lyued, when thou wert but of tender age,
A mortall man, and hight sir Guye by name,
My lucke was such as fansie made me rage,
And fall in liking with this stately dame,
Whom here thou seest, my loue was nothing lesse
Than that which doth thy yeelding heart possesse.
A mortall man, and hight sir Guye by name,
My lucke was such as fansie made me rage,
And fall in liking with this stately dame,
Whom here thou seest, my loue was nothing lesse
Than that which doth thy yeelding heart possesse.
I likte her well, I helde her verie deare:
But cruell she, so tygrelyke requites
My great good will with such a skornfull cheare,
As lacke of tuche berefte me my delightes:
Despaire so grewe within my haplesse brest,
As on a time to compasse greater rest,
But cruell she, so tygrelyke requites
My great good will with such a skornfull cheare,
As lacke of tuche berefte me my delightes:
Despaire so grewe within my haplesse brest,
As on a time to compasse greater rest,
This fauchion fell, in deepe despite I drewe,
To stinte my woes which neuer would aslake,
And with the same my sefe I fowly flewe,
In hope thereby an ende of hale to make:
Which wicked deede the Gods detested so,
As I was iudgde to hollow hell to go.
To stinte my woes which neuer would aslake,
And with the same my sefe I fowly flewe,
In hope thereby an ende of hale to make:
Which wicked deede the Gods detested so,
As I was iudgde to hollow hell to go.
And there assignde by rightfull doome diuine,
For shortning of my life to liue in payne,
Where lingring griefes should make my ghost to pine,
For life mispent the fittest hire & gayne:
With Pluto thus it was my lot to stay,
Woe worth the time that I my selfe did staye.
For shortning of my life to liue in payne,
Where lingring griefes should make my ghost to pine,
For life mispent the fittest hire & gayne:
With Pluto thus it was my lot to stay,
Woe worth the time that I my selfe did staye.
19
But listen on within a little space,
This haughtie dame that hastned on my death,
For yeelding me such slender hire and grace,
Who thought it none offence to stoppe my breath,
Likewise did dye, whome mightie Ioue and iuste,
For her desarte, among the furies thrust.
This haughtie dame that hastned on my death,
For yeelding me such slender hire and grace,
Who thought it none offence to stoppe my breath,
Likewise did dye, whome mightie Ioue and iuste,
For her desarte, among the furies thrust.
To quit her shame, in hell she had a share,
With diuelish impes, that whilom wanted grace:
And after that she had remayned thare,
And plungde her limmes in frozen pittes a space,
She was aduaunste vp to the earth againe,
And I with her to breede eche others payne.
With diuelish impes, that whilom wanted grace:
And after that she had remayned thare,
And plungde her limmes in frozen pittes a space,
She was aduaunste vp to the earth againe,
And I with her to breede eche others payne.
Loe thus the Gods did will it for to bee,
Whose sentence may at no time be vndone.
That she in poaste (as thou thy selfe doest see)
All bare of roabes before these dogs should ronne,
And I on horsebacke after her should goe,
Not as a friende, but like a mortall foe.
Whose sentence may at no time be vndone.
That she in poaste (as thou thy selfe doest see)
All bare of roabes before these dogs should ronne,
And I on horsebacke after her should goe,
Not as a friende, but like a mortall foe.
And looke howe ofte I reachte her on the way,
So oft I should dismember all her corse,
With selfe same sworde that did his maister slay,
She giuing cause, though I did vse the force:
And butcherlike to rippe her downe the raynes,
Who for good will, allowde me bitter paines.
So oft I should dismember all her corse,
With selfe same sworde that did his maister slay,
She giuing cause, though I did vse the force:
And butcherlike to rippe her downe the raynes,
Who for good will, allowde me bitter paines.
And hauing cut her carkasse quite in twayne,
That I should crushe the heart as colde as stone,
Not sparing to dispoyle eche little vayne,
Eche tender corde and string that grewe theron:
And take those other inwarde partes, to feede
My hungrie dogs, to serue their present neede.
That I should crushe the heart as colde as stone,
Not sparing to dispoyle eche little vayne,
Eche tender corde and string that grewe theron:
[19]
My hungrie dogs, to serue their present neede.
This heauie doome was by the Gods assignde
The cruell dame, for wanting dewe regarde:
She is assurde no greater ease to finde,
This torment is for her outrage preparde:
These curres and I in order as you see,
Appoynted are her daily scourge to be.
The cruell dame, for wanting dewe regarde:
She is assurde no greater ease to finde,
This torment is for her outrage preparde:
These curres and I in order as you see,
Appoynted are her daily scourge to be.
And in this selfe same groue where now we goe,
Eache Friday neere about this tyme of day,
This wicked wenche bewayles her wretched woe,
And I with helpe of curres my part do play.
The mastiues they doe chace her thwarte the wood,
And I imbrewe my weapon with her blood.
Eache Friday neere about this tyme of day,
This wicked wenche bewayles her wretched woe,
And I with helpe of curres my part do play.
The mastiues they doe chace her thwarte the wood,
And I imbrewe my weapon with her blood.
Ech place where she hath wroth my wo ere this,
And yelded griefe in guerdon of good will,
Unto her plague that place appointed is,
There must I her with bloudie weapon kill:
And marke how many monthes I spent in loue,
So many yeeres must she this penance proue.
And yelded griefe in guerdon of good will,
Unto her plague that place appointed is,
There must I her with bloudie weapon kill:
And marke how many monthes I spent in loue,
So many yeeres must she this penance proue.
Wherefore doe let me put the same in vre,
Which she deserues, and Ioue did giue in charge,
Let her for former pride such paines endure,
As she may smarte, and I my selfe discharge:
In any wise take not her cause in hande.
In vaine it were for man with God to stande.
Which she deserues, and Ioue did giue in charge,
Let her for former pride such paines endure,
As she may smarte, and I my selfe discharge:
In any wise take not her cause in hande.
In vaine it were for man with God to stande.
Nastagio hauing heard the tale he tolde,
And waying well the earnest words he spake,
Although he were a ventrous wight and bolde,
Yet gan his trembling limmes with fear to quake:
He had not tho a haire but stoode vpright,
Wherwith he starte abacke, as one afright.
And waying well the earnest words he spake,
20
Yet gan his trembling limmes with fear to quake:
He had not tho a haire but stoode vpright,
Wherwith he starte abacke, as one afright.
And gazde vpon the girle in woful case,
Marking the rigour that the knight would vse
And practise thereupon the wench in place,
Who was to bide his force, and might not chuse:
His harte it bled within his breast, to vewe,
Howe tho the knight to diuelish choler grewe.
Marking the rigour that the knight would vse
And practise thereupon the wench in place,
Who was to bide his force, and might not chuse:
His harte it bled within his breast, to vewe,
Howe tho the knight to diuelish choler grewe.
For when he had his tedious processe donne,
Full like a bedlam beast in forrest bred,
He gan vpon the silly wretche to ronne,
Who to escape, before the mastiues fled:
With naked sworde he preast to do the deed,
And came behinde, full cowardlyke to speede.
Full like a bedlam beast in forrest bred,
He gan vpon the silly wretche to ronne,
Who to escape, before the mastiues fled:
With naked sworde he preast to do the deed,
And came behinde, full cowardlyke to speede.
Bootlesse it was for her away to flye:
The Ienate was too good for her of foote,
And more than that, the tyrant was so nye,
As to appeale for pitie was no boote:
Wherfore with faint, for feebled as she was,
With bowing knee she fell vpon the grasse.
The Ienate was too good for her of foote,
And more than that, the tyrant was so nye,
As to appeale for pitie was no boote:
Wherfore with faint, for feebled as she was,
With bowing knee she fell vpon the grasse.
The greedie houndes estsoone began to bite,
Seazing vpon her carkas with their iawes:
With that comes in the gastly sweating knight,
Who thrust her through, & made no longer pawse:
Streight down she went, wt bloudy brest to ground
Unable to sustayne so great a wounde.
Seazing vpon her carkas with their iawes:
With that comes in the gastly sweating knight,
Who thrust her through, & made no longer pawse:
Streight down she went, wt bloudy brest to ground
Unable to sustayne so great a wounde.
[20]
Then backe he put his hand behinde his hippes,
And drewe a shoulder knife of purpose made,
Wherwith the beast the brisket bone vnrippes,
As is the bluddie butchers common trade:
And out he hewde the liuely leaping hearte,
Whereof eche wayting mastiue had a parte.
And drewe a shoulder knife of purpose made,
Wherwith the beast the brisket bone vnrippes,
As is the bluddie butchers common trade:
And out he hewde the liuely leaping hearte,
Whereof eche wayting mastiue had a parte.
They quickly chopte it vp, and made dispatche,
As carrion curres and rauening whelpes do vse,
That euery filthy morsell lightly snatche,
And being nipt with famine, nought refuse:
As soone as this was doone, the virgin rose,
And was on foote, and to the seawarde goes.
As carrion curres and rauening whelpes do vse,
That euery filthy morsell lightly snatche,
And being nipt with famine, nought refuse:
As soone as this was doone, the virgin rose,
And was on foote, and to the seawarde goes.
As though there had bene no such matter past,
And by her side the mastiues raune a mayne,
The knight he mounted on his horse in haste,
Not sparing spurres, and out he drew agayne
The dreadfull sworde, as he had done of yore:
Within a while Nastagio sawe no more.
And by her side the mastiues raune a mayne,
The knight he mounted on his horse in haste,
Not sparing spurres, and out he drew agayne
The dreadfull sworde, as he had done of yore:
Within a while Nastagio sawe no more.
They vanisht soone as those that went apace,
On neither side was slacknesse to be founde,
The mayde she mounted, being had in chace,
Life made her leape, euen as the Hare doth bound:
The hungry dogs, that hunger starued weare,
Layde on as fast her fleshye flankes to teare.
On neither side was slacknesse to be founde,
The mayde she mounted, being had in chace,
Life made her leape, euen as the Hare doth bound:
The hungry dogs, that hunger starued weare,
Layde on as fast her fleshye flankes to teare.
The rustie knight he gaue his horse the rayne,
And followde harde, as men for wager ronne,
Upon desire to plague the wenche againe,
Who earst to him so great a wrong had donne:
Thus famine, feare, and fell reuenging minde,
Made mastiues, maid, & knight their legs to finde.
And followde harde, as men for wager ronne,
Upon desire to plague the wenche againe,
Who earst to him so great a wrong had donne:
21
Made mastiues, maid, & knight their legs to finde.
Nastagio hauing seene this pageant plaide,
Stoode still in part to pittie movd withall,
In part with strangenesse of the sight dismaide,
Began to ponder with himselfe, and call
To minde afresh, how that the knight had told,
Ech fryday that he might the like behold.
Stoode still in part to pittie movd withall,
In part with strangenesse of the sight dismaide,
Began to ponder with himselfe, and call
To minde afresh, how that the knight had told,
Ech fryday that he might the like behold.
Which fitted well he thought for his intent.
It might perhaps turne him in time to good:
Wherefore he markt the place, and home he went,
Leauing a signe vndoubted where he stood,
Till time he were dispozde to put in vre,
That newe deuise, his quiet to procure.
It might perhaps turne him in time to good:
Wherefore he markt the place, and home he went,
Leauing a signe vndoubted where he stood,
Till time he were dispozde to put in vre,
That newe deuise, his quiet to procure.
Retirde vnto his tent, his man he sends
Unto Rauenna, out of hand to will
His nearest kin, and best beloued friends
To visite him in proofe of their good will:
Who being bid, came posting streight away,
To whom Nastagio thus began to say:
Mine auncient friends, you counseld me of yore
To shun the shamefull loue, that whylom I
Bestowde on her, that me tormented sore,
And plagude me so as I was like to die:
You warned mee to flie my pleasant foe,
Within whose brest no tender ruth might grow.
Unto Rauenna, out of hand to will
His nearest kin, and best beloued friends
To visite him in proofe of their good will:
Who being bid, came posting streight away,
To whom Nastagio thus began to say:
Mine auncient friends, you counseld me of yore
To shun the shamefull loue, that whylom I
Bestowde on her, that me tormented sore,
And plagude me so as I was like to die:
You warned mee to flie my pleasant foe,
Within whose brest no tender ruth might grow.
And more than that, you friendly did aduise
That I should part my countrey, to auoide
My monstrous charge, that dailie did arise
And mount so hie as I was much anoyde,
Now friendes, the wished time is come, for I
Am readie here vnto your best to plie.
That I should part my countrey, to auoide
[21]
And mount so hie as I was much anoyde,
Now friendes, the wished time is come, for I
Am readie here vnto your best to plie.
I yeeld you heartie thanks in humble sort,
In great good part your holsome reade I take:
I craue no more, but that you will resort
Unto my lodge on Friday next, to make
Good cheere, bring Paule Trauersar then along,
And eke his wife, or els you do me wrong,
In great good part your holsome reade I take:
I craue no more, but that you will resort
Unto my lodge on Friday next, to make
Good cheere, bring Paule Trauersar then along,
And eke his wife, or els you do me wrong,
In any wise let not the Matron leaue
That daintie peace her daughter deare behind,
I meane in friendly manner to receiue
My friendes as then: such fare as you shall ffind,
Accept in gree, faile not to come, I pray,
And bring with you these parties at the day.
That daintie peace her daughter deare behind,
I meane in friendly manner to receiue
My friendes as then: such fare as you shall ffind,
Accept in gree, faile not to come, I pray,
And bring with you these parties at the day.
So many as were present there in view,
Both gaue him thankes, and promist not to faile,
Themselues to come, and bid the residue,
Which they performde, the sute did soone preuaile
With all the guestes, saue with that rockie maide,
Who scornd his feast, and gladly would haue staid.
Both gaue him thankes, and promist not to faile,
Themselues to come, and bid the residue,
Which they performde, the sute did soone preuaile
With all the guestes, saue with that rockie maide,
Who scornd his feast, and gladly would haue staid.
But yet at length with much ado she went,
The presence of her parents led her on,
Who being come vnto Nastagios tent,
With courtly grace he greeted euerie one,
Reioycing there to see so braue a traine,
But her chiefe, that bred him all his paine.
The presence of her parents led her on,
Who being come vnto Nastagios tent,
With courtly grace he greeted euerie one,
Reioycing there to see so braue a traine,
But her chiefe, that bred him all his paine.
22
Iust vnderneath a very statelie Pine,
That shadowed all the troupe in compasse round,
The table stood, where all these states should dine:
To tell you truth, it was the selfe same grounde,
Where earst the knight had had the maid in chace:
The feaster prayde eche one to take his place.
That shadowed all the troupe in compasse round,
The table stood, where all these states should dine:
To tell you truth, it was the selfe same grounde,
Where earst the knight had had the maid in chace:
The feaster prayde eche one to take his place.
And so they did, regarding their estate
That worthie were the highest reeme to holde:
The fourme was fraught, vpon the bench there sat
Euphymia, so as shee must needes behold
From first to last all thinges that fortunde tho,
There was no shift, Nastagio meant it so.
That worthie were the highest reeme to holde:
The fourme was fraught, vpon the bench there sat
Euphymia, so as shee must needes behold
From first to last all thinges that fortunde tho,
There was no shift, Nastagio meant it so.
I leaue to descant of their daintie fare,
(Set bankets made by Courtiers lacke no cates.)
We may presume the seruice there was rare.
Because the board was virond round with states:
So much the more because his mistresse came,
Whom hee had found so coy and queint a dame.
(Set bankets made by Courtiers lacke no cates.)
We may presume the seruice there was rare.
Because the board was virond round with states:
So much the more because his mistresse came,
Whom hee had found so coy and queint a dame.
When second course was servde in order rowne,
Euen then the blooddie Tragedie began:
The Sewer set the meate no sooner downe,
But by and by was heard of euery man,
A yelling noise that Echode in the skies,
The wofulst sound that man might well deuise.
Euen then the blooddie Tragedie began:
The Sewer set the meate no sooner downe,
But by and by was heard of euery man,
A yelling noise that Echode in the skies,
The wofulst sound that man might well deuise.
Whereat ech one that sate at meate did muze,
Demaunding who that wretched wight should bee,
And asaing what should meane that sodain newes,
They heard a voyce, but coulde no creature see:
They vaunst themselues; & stood mee bolt vpright,
Because they would the sooner haue the sight.
Demaunding who that wretched wight should bee,
And asaing what should meane that sodain newes,
They heard a voyce, but coulde no creature see:
[22]
Because they would the sooner haue the sight.
Within a while, ech one might plainly viewe
A naked Nymph with mastiues by her side,
And eke an vgly knight that did pursue,
And posting on a Croyden Ienate ride:
It was not long before they proched neere
The place, where as was held this royall cheere.
A naked Nymph with mastiues by her side,
And eke an vgly knight that did pursue,
And posting on a Croyden Ienate ride:
It was not long before they proched neere
The place, where as was held this royall cheere.
Wherein among the gazing guests she flewe,
Exclaiming therefor each with open armes:
with that regrete and tender pitie grew
within their breastes, to rescue her from harmes:
To whom the knight cryde, let alone the maid,
Reciting that which he before had said.
Exclaiming therefor each with open armes:
with that regrete and tender pitie grew
within their breastes, to rescue her from harmes:
To whom the knight cryde, let alone the maid,
Reciting that which he before had said.
He shewde at large, both who the partie was,
And did vnfold the cause of all her woe,
And why the sentence of the Gods did passe
In cruell sort vpon the mayden so:
which pocesse made them muze and marueile much,
So as none durst the knight or curres to touch.
And did vnfold the cause of all her woe,
And why the sentence of the Gods did passe
In cruell sort vpon the mayden so:
which pocesse made them muze and marueile much,
So as none durst the knight or curres to touch.
Then he behavde him as he did of yore,
Slashing the Lady with his fauchion fell.
The dogs receivde their pittance as before:
who fed vpon the heart, and likte it well:
As many men and women as did view
This wofull sight, and both the parties knew.
Slashing the Lady with his fauchion fell.
The dogs receivde their pittance as before:
who fed vpon the heart, and likte it well:
As many men and women as did view
This wofull sight, and both the parties knew.
And eke the houses whence they did descende,
And wist the cause of all this cursed case,
But now sir Guye for faithfull loue was shend,
And how the cruell maiden wanted grace:
with one consenting minde lamented so,
As out brast teares in witnesse of their woe.
And wist the cause of all this cursed case,
23
And how the cruell maiden wanted grace:
with one consenting minde lamented so,
As out brast teares in witnesse of their woe.
When that the knight had vsde the matter thus
In blooddie sort, as you haue heard it told:
Amongst themselues the feasters gan discusse,
And diuersly debate from young to old,
From first to last, what lately hapned there,
Toucht all with dread, but most that dame did fear
In blooddie sort, as you haue heard it told:
Amongst themselues the feasters gan discusse,
And diuersly debate from young to old,
From first to last, what lately hapned there,
Toucht all with dread, but most that dame did fear
Whom good Nastagio loude, and tendred much
Because she thought within her guiltie minde,
That her in chiefe this tragedie did touch,
For foule disdaine and being so vnkinde
To him who for good will deserued ruth,
And could atchieue but scorne for all his truth.
Because she thought within her guiltie minde,
That her in chiefe this tragedie did touch,
For foule disdaine and being so vnkinde
To him who for good will deserued ruth,
And could atchieue but scorne for all his truth.
Then first of all resorted to her thought,
what rockie heart and brasen breast she bare
The courteous Knight, her loue that dearly bought,
And who for her had langsluisht long in care:
And hereupon as there shee sate in place,
Shee thought herself the wench that was in chase.
what rockie heart and brasen breast she bare
The courteous Knight, her loue that dearly bought,
And who for her had langsluisht long in care:
And hereupon as there shee sate in place,
Shee thought herself the wench that was in chase.
Full sore she feard her flanks, & thought shee sawe
Her friende pursue her on his fretting steed,
And how he did his wrathful weapon draw
To take reuenge of that her cursed deed:
And meant besides his hungrie hounds to fill
with flesh of her, for want of due good will,
Her friende pursue her on his fretting steed,
And how he did his wrathful weapon draw
To take reuenge of that her cursed deed:
And meant besides his hungrie hounds to fill
with flesh of her, for want of due good will,
[23]
So passing was her dread, as then there grewe
A deepe desire within her mellow breast,
Her louing friend in gentle wise to rewe:
Whereby her selfe might purchace quiet rest,
And scape the scourge and penance for her pride
Bestowde on him, who deepe in fansie fride.
A deepe desire within her mellow breast,
Her louing friend in gentle wise to rewe:
Whereby her selfe might purchace quiet rest,
And scape the scourge and penance for her pride
Bestowde on him, who deepe in fansie fride.
When finisht was this feast and royall cheare,
And euery guest returned backe again
Unto her home, Euphymia did appeare
Tormented sore, and vext with monstrous paine,
The sodaine feare of what shee saw of late,
Had planted in Loue, in place of former hate.
And euery guest returned backe again
Unto her home, Euphymia did appeare
Tormented sore, and vext with monstrous paine,
The sodaine feare of what shee saw of late,
Had planted in Loue, in place of former hate.
The silent time that others doe bestowe
From heauie cares and troubles of the day
To quiet sleepe did breed this Ladies woe,
Who might not chase those deepe conceites away:
No wished winke could enter in her eye,
Unto her pillow fansie sate so nie.
From heauie cares and troubles of the day
To quiet sleepe did breed this Ladies woe,
Who might not chase those deepe conceites away:
No wished winke could enter in her eye,
Unto her pillow fansie sate so nie.
When day drew on, and Phœbus with his waine
Had cleard the pole, and darknesse put to flight,
She felt a fresh supply of pleasant paine,
And wept the dayes as shee had watcht the night:
Nastagio stacke so firmely in her breast,
As for her life shee could not compasse rest.
Had cleard the pole, and darknesse put to flight,
She felt a fresh supply of pleasant paine,
And wept the dayes as shee had watcht the night:
Nastagio stacke so firmely in her breast,
As for her life shee could not compasse rest.
Wherefore shee calles a chamber maid of trust,
(A wittie wench, and one that knew her good)
And told her that in all the hast she must
Unto Nastagios tent in Classy wood:
To let him wit, that if he would vouchsaue
Her honest loue, he might his purpose haue,
(A wittie wench, and one that knew her good)
And told her that in all the hast she must
Unto Nastagios tent in Classy wood:
24
Her honest loue, he might his purpose haue,
For shee was fully bent without delay
To stoupe vnto his will, if so it were
His pleasure, then with speed to come away.
The maid departs, and being entred where
Nastagio was, shee told her mistresse minde
From point to point, as dutie did her binde.
To stoupe vnto his will, if so it were
His pleasure, then with speed to come away.
The maid departs, and being entred where
Nastagio was, shee told her mistresse minde
From point to point, as dutie did her binde.
All haile (good sir) quoth shee, in luckie houre
And blessed time I viewe thy louely face:
Mine vnexpected comming to thy boure,
And preassing here thus ouerbold in place,
Is by my ioyfull newes to wright thy case,
Whose noble minde in loue hath melted long,
As to thy pains, so to thy open wrong.
And blessed time I viewe thy louely face:
Mine vnexpected comming to thy boure,
And preassing here thus ouerbold in place,
Is by my ioyfull newes to wright thy case,
Whose noble minde in loue hath melted long,
As to thy pains, so to thy open wrong.
Sufficeth now thy sad and solemne cheare,
Discharge those cankred cares that fret thy mynde,
Lay sorrow quite aside, which thou too deare
Hast bought, by means my Mistresse was vnkinde
Plucke vp thy spirites, hencefoorth be sure to finde,
As great good liking at my Ladies hand,
As thou wouldst wish, she means thy frend to stand.
And for a proofe of what I vtter now,
Loe the lines that flatly do vnfolde
Her yelding necke, that to thy yoke doth bowe,
With such good will as may not well be tolde,
So faire a frend is worth her weight in gold.
Thus much by mouth my mistresse wild me say,
The rest (I iudge) this paper will bewray.
Discharge those cankred cares that fret thy mynde,
Lay sorrow quite aside, which thou too deare
Hast bought, by means my Mistresse was vnkinde
Plucke vp thy spirites, hencefoorth be sure to finde,
As great good liking at my Ladies hand,
As thou wouldst wish, she means thy frend to stand.
And for a proofe of what I vtter now,
Loe the lines that flatly do vnfolde
Her yelding necke, that to thy yoke doth bowe,
With such good will as may not well be tolde,
So faire a frend is worth her weight in gold.
Thus much by mouth my mistresse wild me say,
The rest (I iudge) this paper will bewray.
[24]
The Ladies Letter of pittie to her afflictd friend, to whom she had been cruell
As thou wilt muze to reade,so I might blush to write
These lines of loue, who for goodwill
haue fed thee with despite
And from the day when thou
becamst a thrall in loue,
Could neuer spare one sparke of grace
that was for thy behoue:
Till now, both cleane against
mine honour and mine vse,
A Ladie, and a mayden both,
I sende thee termes of truce.
But listen well vnto
the tale that I shall tell.
Ere rashly thou my kindnesse deeme,
and thinke I vse thee well.
For Lions seldome sewe
vnto the sillie sheepe,
No porter to their captiues crouch,
whom they in chaines doe keepe
Few Ladies of estate,
few Dames of hie degree,
Doe bow vnto their vassals willes,
as I doe now to thee.
25
the wordes of great good will:
Yet I regarde mine honour aye,
and keepe my countnance still.
No lust procurde my lynes,
my credite to impaire:
No fleshie fitte my fancie forst
to speake Nastagio faire.
But seeing how in seas
of sorow and distresse,
Thy body bathde for loue of me:
I could not doe no lesse,
But seeke to salue thy harmes
by pitying thine anoy,
Who, to possesse my liked limmes,
bereft thy selfe of ioy.
I saw howe for my sake
thou wasted hadst thy welth,
And planting battrie to my fort,
wert retchlesse of thy health:
Deuising how to raze
the bulwarke of my brest,
And scale the walles of my good will,
whom thou didst fancie best,
I plainly did perceiue
(as Louers soone will see,)
Howe thou forsookest thy natiue soyle,
and all for loue of me:
[25]
thy friendes and yeerely rents,
Not forcing stately builded bowres,
nor gallant garish tentes:
Which when I flatly found,
from fansie to proceede,
(Although thou thoughtst me ouerproud)
I pitied thee in deede.
Yea Ioue shall be my iudge,
when thou beganste to sewe,
And in Rauenna wert inragde,
and first to liking grewe:
Thy courtly grace was such,
so comly was thy corse,
And all thy partes so pleasde mine eyes,
as I had had remorse,
And bended to thy bowe,
saue that I dreaded guiles:
My fearefull youth bid me beware,
of mens mistrustfull wiles.
Who faine to frie in loue,
and melt with fansies flames:
When their deuise is only how
by craft to compasse dames.
I reade in auncient bookes,
how Iason playde the Iew,
And to the Queene that savde his life,
in fine was found vntrue:
26
who for his sake forwent
Both aged syre, and tender babes,
and crowne by due descent.
Againe I calde to minde
how false Æneas fled,
And left the curteous Carthage dame
fast sleepiug in her bed:
Whose bountie earst had bounde
by det and due desart,
When weatherbeaten he arrvide,
this trayterous Troyans hart.
Theu Theseus came to thought,
and pranking Paris eake:
Who like vnfaithfull fickle men,
their sworne vowes did breake.
Fayre Oenons wofull writ
can witnesse of the tone:
Thother from Ariadna fled
and left her post alone.
With sundrie suters mo,
who being bound to loue,
Saunce quarell good, or matter why,
their likings did remoue:
Renouncing to their shames,
those Ladies, who did rewe
Their base estates, and did relieue
the men they neuer knewe
[26]
And wilde me to beware,
Least I by giuing rash consent
to loue, were trapt in snare.
My loue was like to thine,
I fryde with egall fire:
But nature helpes vs to conceale
the sparkes of our desire.
Kinde aydes vs to conuey
our fittes in finer wise:
For honours sake, than men, who shew
their fancies by their eyes,
Which if we Ladies did,
Defame would ring her bell,
And blaze out armes in colours base
although we meant but well.
You men like Marchants are
that set their wares to showe,
Whereby to lure the lookers eyes
that by your wyndowes goe,
And sundrie times in steade
of right and costly clothes,
You vtter trash, and trifling stuffe,
which euery chapman lothes.
But we like Goldsmithes deale,
that forge their plate within:
Whose hammers plie the Anuil aye,
and yet no working seen.
27
for any to beholde,
Untill the rude vnperfite masse
be brouhht to burnisht golde.
We worke, but all within,
our hammers are not heard:
We hotly loue, but keepe it close,
for feare our match be marde,
For who esteemes the mayde,
or holdes the virgin pure:
That standes a stale for euerie guest,
and stoupes to euerie lure?
Yea, be she maide or wife,
if once her lookes be light,
And that in sundrie suters tales
she place her deepe delight:
Downe is her credite cut
with hatchet of mishap,
Her honour hewde in peeces straight,
by meane of open lap.
O Goddes, what griefe were this
vnto a noble minde?
How would it vexe an honest Nymph,
whose credite clearely shynde?
For offer of goood will,
with meaning not amisse:
To beate the badge of Helen, or
of Creside, for a kisse?
[27]
that noble maydens are,
So guide our tender steppes of state,
as vertue may prefarre,
And place vs in the ranke,
that is for Ladies dewe?
Should we lende light beliefe to loue:
or euery suter rewe?
So might we reape the crop
of care, and foule defame:
Where earst we neuer meant to sowe
the sinfull seedes of shame.
I write not this of all
that louing suters bee,
Or in such sort, as though I thought
the like deceit in thee,
As earst in Iason was,
or in the wandring Prince,
And sundrie other Lordings mo,
that haue bene louers since.
One Swallow is no signe
that Sommer time is come,
No more must all Cupidos knightes
be cast because of some,
Birdes are not plumde alike,
yet all birdes in kinde:
So men are men: but yet in some
more fickle partes we finde.
28
as lightly will remoue:
Thy lingring sute, my long delayes
confirme thy faith in loue.
Whom sith I finde so firme
and stedfast in desire,
As neither lowring lookes, nor lacke
can make thee once retyre,
Or folter in thy fayth,
which thou hast vowde to me:
Proceede in loue, but hast thee home,
that I thy face may see.
Plucke vp thy manly minde,
and sprites forspent with woe:
Drie vp the deaw that from thine eyes
and drearie cheekes do flow:
Doe barbe that boysterous beard:
that ouergrowes thy face:
Either cut, or kembe thy feltred lockes
to mende thy manly grace.
Put on thy golden gyte,
and former fresh aray:
Bestride thine auncient stately steede
and quickly come away.
Backe to Rauenna ride,
euen there to purchase ioy,
Where thou ere this (the more my blame)
hast liude in great anoy.
[28]
bandon Classie wood:
Leaue off to leade thy life in lawndes,
imbrace thy townish good.
Thou art no vowed Monke
in Cloyster close to dwell:
No Ancker thou enioynde with Beads,
to hyde in simple Cell.
But thou a comelie knight,
in field a Martial man:
And eke in time of peace, a wight
that rule Rauenna can.
Whefore as I enforst
thy bale and causelesse care:
And was the onely she that made
thee mourne, and languish thare:
So (good Nastagio) nowe
let me reuoke thee thence:
That hande that did the harme ere this
nowe vse in thy defence.
I shot, I must confesse,
the dart that gaue the dynt,
For which, lo here the blesseful balme,
thy deadly griefes to stint.
Surceasse thy wofull plaintes,
discharge thy darke dispaire:
The golden beames of my remorse,
shall cleare thy cloudy ayre.
29
encounter in the fildes,
With murdering mindes, the stronger slaies.
when once the weaker yeeldes.
Up goes the wrathfull sworde
into his sheath againe:
The yeelding of the tone, doth cause
that neuer a man is slaine.
If weakest thus may winne
by stouping to the strong,
In combate fell for life and death:
thou doest mee double wrong,
That hold in virgins hand,
thy bale and eke thy blisse,
And am thy Queene, and only ioy,
and frankly offer this:
If thou my kindnesse scorne,
and rather makste the choyce
To spill thy gallaunt prime in plants,
than with thy friendes reioyce.
Thou seest how I do sue,
to whom thou for suedst grace.
Sith I doe pitie thy distresse,
to hight thy dolefull case:
Dispatch without delay,
treade torments vnder foote,
That mirth within thy mourning minde
may take the deeper root.
[29]
where I beheld my cheere,
And marckte thy moode from point to point,
in whome did plaine appeare
A kinde and constant heart,
not bolstred vp with gyle:
Enflamde my liuer so with loue,
as I was forst to smyle.
And had by outward shewes,
bewraied thee my good will,
Saue that my mother present was
who markt my countenance still.
I sawe, when we approcht,
the tent amid the wood:
How all thy guests reioyst thee, but
twas I that did thee good,
My presence bred delight,
with thy blooming brest:
And to dissemble liking thou,
didst welcome all the rest.
I markt at table how.
thou slilie cast thine eie,
On me askance, and caruedst too
my mother by and by:
As who would say, behold
the meate I meant to thee,
I am enforst to giue it here
least they my fansie see.
30
and dranke my thyrst to quell,
In self same peece how thou would pledge
I yet remember well.
I saw, when after meat
wee parted home againe,
How all thy former frolicke fit,
was quickly changde to paine,
My comming brought thee blisse,
my parture made thee pine.
My beatie for the time enflamde
and heat that heart of thine.
I saw (what wilt thou more)
my presence was thy life,
And how mine absence set thy wits
at cruell warre and strife,
Then sith thine eyes are bent
to feed vppon my face,
And that the want of my good wiil
hath made thee runne this race:
I rew thee now at last,
I pitie thy distresse,
I yeeld that thou the castle of
thy comfort now possesse.
I am no Lions whelpe,
I suckt no Tigers teat,
In spoyle of such as sewde for loue,
delight I neuer set.
[30]
in forcing foe to death.
Much lesse my tender heart wil brooke
to stoppe Nastagios breath.
Time giues assurance good
of thine vnfained trust:
Thou bearst no treason in thy brest,
thou hast no lechers lust.
Whom sithence I haue tride
in loue so perfect true:
To quit thy faith, I am thy friend,
reseruing honour due.
If marriage loue thou meane,
then franke consent I giue,
To yeeld thee vp Dianas bowe.
and loue thee whilst I liue.
In Iunos ioyfull yoke,
to ioyne and draw with thee:
It likes me well, there rests no more
but that my frends agree.
Small sute shal serue the turne,
for if they doe not yeeld:
Then I my selfe enright thee with
the conquest of the fielde,
My selfe do keepe the key,
where lies the iewell, which
Is thy delight, and onely ioy
whom thou desirst so much.
31
thy motions are so good:
Thy flocke, and state, so noble, as
thou shalt not be withstood.
Wherefore (O makelesse man)
set all delayes aside,
Thy Ladie loues, and is content
to be thy bounden bride,
Retire, thou retthlesse wight,
whose lingring woundeth twaine:
Two noble hearts shall thinke them blest,
when thou returne againe,
These wordes I wrote in bed,
where oft I wisht for thee:
Mine honour bids me pawse at that,
as yet it must not be.
Farewell, with Nestors yeeres,
God sende thee happie daies:
Remember, thou that louing mindes
can broke no long delaies.
Alas, for thee I die
ten thousand times a day:
My fits be fierce, my griefe is great,
wherefore dispatch away.
I wish thee Dadals wings,
or Perseus praunsing steed,
Or els the Cart that Phæton rulde,
but better farre to speed.
[31]
if that content thy will,
Once more adeu, thy lingring long,
thy faithfull friend will spill,
Thy long beloued in RAVENNA. EVPHYMIA.
Guerra ei mio stato, dira, e di duol piena.
Vegghio, penso, ardo, piango.
Vegghio, penso, ardo, piango.
Eftsoone
replyde the knight, with friendly face,
With gladsome heart, & trembling tong for ioy:
Faire Nymph (quoth he) thy comming to this place
Delights me much, and quits my great annoy.
The thing, whereto thou saist I shall aspire,
Is that which long Nastagio did desire,
With gladsome heart, & trembling tong for ioy:
Faire Nymph (quoth he) thy comming to this place
Delights me much, and quits my great annoy.
The thing, whereto thou saist I shall aspire,
Is that which long Nastagio did desire,
Thy message likes my minde exceeding well,
And sith thy Ladie deales so friendly now
With me her thrall, forget not thou to tell,
That by the Gods I make a solemne vow,
Not to abuse her honour or defile
Her noble name by any wanton wile.
And sith thy Ladie deales so friendly now
With me her thrall, forget not thou to tell,
That by the Gods I make a solemne vow,
Not to abuse her honour or defile
Her noble name by any wanton wile.
My purpose is, in good and godly sort,
To take her to my lawfull wedded wife,
And so vnto the Lady make report,
I sweare my selfe her husband during life:
Doe giue my Loue this Amathiste from mee,
As pledge that I ere long with her will bee:
To take her to my lawfull wedded wife,
And so vnto the Lady make report,
I sweare my selfe her husband during life:
32
As pledge that I ere long with her will bee:
And for thy paines, loe here a slender summe,
But better this, than no reward at all:
I meane to friende thee more in time to come,
Farewell (faire sweete) accept my guerdon small:
The maid had money, thanks, and leaue to part,
Whose answere made her Ladie light of heart.
But better this, than no reward at all:
I meane to friende thee more in time to come,
Farewell (faire sweete) accept my guerdon small:
The maid had money, thanks, and leaue to part,
Whose answere made her Ladie light of heart.
And thereupon withouten longer stay,
Unto her friendes shee brake her whole intent,
As touching marriage, and with all did pray
With willing mindes that they would giue consent,
Unfolding her effection to the man,
And how in heart that onely course she ran.
Unto her friendes shee brake her whole intent,
As touching marriage, and with all did pray
With willing mindes that they would giue consent,
Unfolding her effection to the man,
And how in heart that onely course she ran.
The aged parents of this willing wight,
Perceiuing how their daughters minde was set,
And knowing eke the fansie of the knight,
Triumpht for ioy, and thought it sinne to let
Such honest loue, or hinder marriage bande,
The short is this, they wedded out of hand,
Perceiuing how their daughters minde was set,
And knowing eke the fansie of the knight,
Triumpht for ioy, and thought it sinne to let
Such honest loue, or hinder marriage bande,
The short is this, they wedded out of hand,
A marriage day no sooner gone and paste,
There were not in Rauenna man wife,
If you had fitted all from first to last,
In greater glee that wasted all their life:
She shewde herselfe not halfe so hard before,
But being matcht, she loude him ten times more.
There were not in Rauenna man wife,
If you had fitted all from first to last,
In greater glee that wasted all their life:
She shewde herselfe not halfe so hard before,
But being matcht, she loude him ten times more.
And not alone this one good turne befell
Nastagio, through this sodaine forced feare,
But diuers moe, that there about did dwell,
Bepitied those that louing hearts did beare:
And such as for good will had rigour showen,
No more for foes, but louers would be knowen.
Nastagio, through this sodaine forced feare,
[32]
Bepitied those that louing hearts did beare:
And such as for good will had rigour showen,
No more for foes, but louers would be knowen.
The Lenuoy.
Thrice
happie those I deeme aboue the rest,
That ground good will, and fixe affection so,
As in the end it fall out for the best,
Not broken off by fortune, nor by foe:
Seedes wisely sowen will prosper well and growe.
But where aduise and wholsome counsel wants,
Trees may not proue, they perish in the plants
That ground good will, and fixe affection so,
As in the end it fall out for the best,
Not broken off by fortune, nor by foe:
Seedes wisely sowen will prosper well and growe.
But where aduise and wholsome counsel wants,
Trees may not proue, they perish in the plants
Who makes his choice to loue in tender age.
And scornes the skill of such as time hath taught,
And headlong runnes at riot in his rage,
Is like the birde in net by fowler caught,
Bringing himselfe and all his wealth to naught:
It cannot be but such as counsel scorne,
Must needes at length be vtterly forlorne.
And scornes the skill of such as time hath taught,
And headlong runnes at riot in his rage,
Is like the birde in net by fowler caught,
Bringing himselfe and all his wealth to naught:
It cannot be but such as counsel scorne,
Must needes at length be vtterly forlorne.
The sicke that loathes to listen to his cure,
And seekes no meane his maladie to cease,
To die the death, for lacke of helpe is sure.
The carelesse man is full of wretchednesse:
So raging loue brings balefull end, vnlesse
The patient plie, and lend a bending eare,
Vnto his friend, that willes to forbeare.
And seekes no meane his maladie to cease,
To die the death, for lacke of helpe is sure.
The carelesse man is full of wretchednesse:
So raging loue brings balefull end, vnlesse
The patient plie, and lend a bending eare,
Vnto his friend, that willes to forbeare.
VVhich seldome when in frantike youth is found,
In case of loue where pleasure strikes the stroke,
They hate the plaister that should heale the wound,
And like the beast runne willing to the yoke,
That with his straightnesse sundrie times doth choke.
The least anoy that fraile desires bestow,
Is wracke of wealth, if quite the carcasse goe:
In case of loue where pleasure strikes the stroke,
They hate the plaister that should heale the wound,
And like the beast runne willing to the yoke,
That with his straightnesse sundrie times doth choke.
33
Is wracke of wealth, if quite the carcasse goe:
Yea diuers times goodes, life, and al decayes,
Through foolish luste, and wanton witlesse wil:
So many be the driftes and double waies:
That craftie dames doe put in practise still,
As some they sotte, and other some thay kill.
They little force, how raging louers rewe,
So they themselues in peace the pageant vewe:
Through foolish luste, and wanton witlesse wil:
So many be the driftes and double waies:
That craftie dames doe put in practise still,
As some they sotte, and other some thay kill.
They little force, how raging louers rewe,
So they themselues in peace the pageant vewe:
Not much vnlike the wilie witted boy
That tiles his trappe to take the subtile foxe,
Who clappes his handes, and makes the greatest ioy,
When he pecceiues fale Raynard in the stockes,
And for his labour giues ten thousand mockes:
So craftie Dames contented are to lute
Men on to loue, but scorne them being sure.
That tiles his trappe to take the subtile foxe,
Who clappes his handes, and makes the greatest ioy,
When he pecceiues fale Raynard in the stockes,
And for his labour giues ten thousand mockes:
So craftie Dames contented are to lute
Men on to loue, but scorne them being sure.
Their pranking beauties pricke them on to pride,
Their feitured limmes bedeckt with natures die:
Makes them followe rigour for their guide,
And ouerlookes their friendes with haughtie eye,
Who for their loues are euen at point to die:
Without regarde of spoyle, or of expence,
Deeming them selues quite cleare of all offence.
Their feitured limmes bedeckt with natures die:
Makes them followe rigour for their guide,
And ouerlookes their friendes with haughtie eye,
Who for their loues are euen at point to die:
Without regarde of spoyle, or of expence,
Deeming them selues quite cleare of all offence.
As in this processe plaine is set to viewe,
Wherein a heauie mistresse playde her parte,
Right well content to let Nastagio rewe,
And for good will to reape disdaine and smarte,
That loude her from the bottome of his hearte:
Who though were ritche, and noble by descent,
Yet might not make her marble minde relent,
Wherein a heauie mistresse playde her parte,
Right well content to let Nastagio rewe,
And for good will to reape disdaine and smarte,
That loude her from the bottome of his hearte:
Who though were ritche, and noble by descent,
Yet might not make her marble minde relent,
By lingring loue she made his monie mealte,
As waxe doth weare against the flaming fire:
Through her disdaiue outragiously he dealt,
Wasting his wealth to compasse fond desire,
A great deale more than reason did require:
She was the cause, for had not fancie bene:
He would more neere vnto his profite seene.
As waxe doth weare against the flaming fire:
Through her disdaiue outragiously he dealt,
[33]
A great deale more than reason did require:
She was the cause, for had not fancie bene:
He would more neere vnto his profite seene.
But womens beauties bleare the clearest eyes,
Their feeble force makes weake the wisest wittes,
Their limber chaines the sturdie Champion ties,
The grauest sage is thrall to louing fitts,
The rockiest brest with bolt Cupido hittes:
And who so thinkes to scape most cleare away,
Is soonest caught, and makes the longest stay.
Their feeble force makes weake the wisest wittes,
Their limber chaines the sturdie Champion ties,
The grauest sage is thrall to louing fitts,
The rockiest brest with bolt Cupido hittes:
And who so thinkes to scape most cleare away,
Is soonest caught, and makes the longest stay.
I coulde accompte Cupido for a God,
When I respect his puissance and his might,
If in his shaftes he were not found so odde,
But would in case of liking deale aright,
And force faire dames their louers to requite.
But commonly when men in fansie burne.
Then womens hartes are most vnapt to turne.
When I respect his puissance and his might,
If in his shaftes he were not found so odde,
But would in case of liking deale aright,
And force faire dames their louers to requite.
But commonly when men in fansie burne.
Then womens hartes are most vnapt to turne.
When man both rage, his Ladie lies at rest,
When he laments, she liues at quiet ease,
She coldely loues, when he doth fancie best,
And when she powtes, yet he must seeke to please,
And make faire wether in tho roughest seas:
Yea, and perhaps, at last when all is done,
As farre to seeke as when he first begonne,
When he laments, she liues at quiet ease,
She coldely loues, when he doth fancie best,
And when she powtes, yet he must seeke to please,
And make faire wether in tho roughest seas:
Yea, and perhaps, at last when all is done,
As farre to seeke as when he first begonne,
As proues this noble man who hauing spente
No slender summes in seruice of his loue,
And barde himselfe, by racking of his rent:
Yet could by no desert good lyking moue,
In ruthlesse brest no pitties plantes might proue,
Till feare of harmes her late repentance wrought,
She could to clothe by no deuise be brought:
No slender summes in seruice of his loue,
And barde himselfe, by racking of his rent:
Yet could by no desert good lyking moue,
In ruthlesse brest no pitties plantes might proue,
Till feare of harmes her late repentance wrought,
She could to clothe by no deuise be brought:
But when in fine this bloody broile she sawe,
And plainely vewde, amid the open groue
The Ladies plagues: then was she pincht with awe
Of like successe then little Cupide stroue
Within her bulke, because that she had moue
The web that wrought Nastagio all his woe:
And thereupon she lette to be his foe.
34
The Ladies plagues: then was she pincht with awe
Of like successe then little Cupide stroue
Within her bulke, because that she had moue
The web that wrought Nastagio all his woe:
And thereupon she lette to be his foe.
Then fell she flatte to fansie out of hande,
Than sent she messege to bewray her mynde,
Then did she let Nastagio vnderstande,
How that she meant no more to be vnkinde,
But willing was her selfe in matche to binde:
Whereby we see that sundry things are done,
By force of feare, which wit had neuer wonne.
Than sent she messege to bewray her mynde,
Then did she let Nastagio vnderstande,
How that she meant no more to be vnkinde,
But willing was her selfe in matche to binde:
Whereby we see that sundry things are done,
By force of feare, which wit had neuer wonne.
But sure good will of feare that takes his grounde,
But badly proues, a fansie forst in harte
Full lightly fades, and seldome when is sounde,
With euery heate tis ready to departe,
It doth resemble colours made by arte.
The franke consent in loue tis euer best,
Whom meere affection breedes in yeelding brest.
But badly proues, a fansie forst in harte
Full lightly fades, and seldome when is sounde,
With euery heate tis ready to departe,
It doth resemble colours made by arte.
The franke consent in loue tis euer best,
Whom meere affection breedes in yeelding brest.
Faire Ladies, beare with what I vtter here,
Concerning women, and their deepe disgrace,
I gyrde the coye, I leaue the curteous cleare.
And this I say: who fawnes vpon the face
Of any dame, and reape, a scornefull grace:
Were she as braue as Paris Ladie was,
For louing so he proues himselfe an Asse.
Concerning women, and their deepe disgrace,
I gyrde the coye, I leaue the curteous cleare.
And this I say: who fawnes vpon the face
Of any dame, and reape, a scornefull grace:
Were she as braue as Paris Ladie was,
For louing so he proues himselfe an Asse.
Who serues sot, and bowes at euery becke,
Without the guerdon that to loue is dewe,
And playes his game at chesse to gayne a checke,
Deserues the mate that doth the checke ensewe,
Because he scornes his mischiefe to eschewe:
And she that hath a perfite friend to trust,
Deserues a plague, if she be found vniust.
Without the guerdon that to loue is dewe,
And playes his game at chesse to gayne a checke,
Deserues the mate that doth the checke ensewe,
Because he scornes his mischiefe to eschewe:
And she that hath a perfite friend to trust,
Deserues a plague, if she be found vniust.
[34]
You stately Dames, that peacocklyke do pace,
Through pride abusing such as are your thralls,
Enforcing them for lacke of better grace,
Unto their bane, which sundrie times befalles,
Not finding salue to cure their griefull galles:
Euphymias plagues imprinte in heedefull mynde,
And looke for like, if you be found vnkynde.
Through pride abusing such as are your thralls,
Enforcing them for lacke of better grace,
Unto their bane, which sundrie times befalles,
Not finding salue to cure their griefull galles:
Euphymias plagues imprinte in heedefull mynde,
And looke for like, if you be found vnkynde.
Amachitama.
Minor pana Tantall ne linferno
Pate, che chi di donna sta al gouerno.
Pate, che chi di donna sta al gouerno.
35
[Nicocrates a cruell tyrant, slewe]
The Argument to the second Hystorie.
Nicocrates
a cruell tyrant, slewe
Sir Fadimus, who had vnto his wife
One Aretafila, of gallant hewe,
And after, (hauing reft the husbāds life)
Did wedde this dame who though were made a queene
Might not forget the murther she had seene.
Sir Fadimus, who had vnto his wife
One Aretafila, of gallant hewe,
And after, (hauing reft the husbāds life)
Did wedde this dame who though were made a queene
Might not forget the murther she had seene.
No loue deuise, no iewels fet from farre,
Could so reclaime this noble Ladies minde,
But that she would aduenture him to marre,
Who slevv her knight, whereat she so repinde:
By poisoned drinke she meant to do the deede,
But that was found; it might not vvel succeede.
Could so reclaime this noble Ladies minde,
But that she would aduenture him to marre,
Who slevv her knight, whereat she so repinde:
By poisoned drinke she meant to do the deede,
But that was found; it might not vvel succeede.
The tyrants mother Caluia, tygreleeke,
Procurde her plagues, and torments diuersly,
For that the Queene to slay her sonne did seeke,
But vvisely she did slacke this crueltie:
And made him thinke her sirupe vvas to proue,
Where she might force in him a greater loue.
Procurde her plagues, and torments diuersly,
For that the Queene to slay her sonne did seeke,
But vvisely she did slacke this crueltie:
And made him thinke her sirupe vvas to proue,
Where she might force in him a greater loue.
Which shift allovved, she more in credit grevv,
The king forgaue, but she could not forget,
But once againe deuisde a drifte anovve.
VVhich as she thought, might lightly haue no let
The king a brother had, a vvilfull vvight,
Bente all to loue, and he Leander hight.
The king forgaue, but she could not forget,
But once againe deuisde a drifte anovve.
VVhich as she thought, might lightly haue no let
The king a brother had, a vvilfull vvight,
Bente all to loue, and he Leander hight.
This Ladie bare by Fedimus of yore,
A daughter faire, vvhom she by practise sought,
To couple with Leander euermore,
Which macht at lēgth with much ado was wroght
Then all the mothers skil, and daughters drifte,
Was by this youth, the king frō crown to lifte.
A daughter faire, vvhom she by practise sought,
[35]
Which macht at lēgth with much ado was wroght
Then all the mothers skil, and daughters drifte,
Was by this youth, the king frō crown to lifte.
By day the Queen the daughter did perswade,
The wife by night did play her part so well,
As in a while these two Leander made
To vndertake to rid this tyrant fell:
No dew regard of bloud, no care of kinde,
Could stay the fact, this Princoxe was so blinde.
The wife by night did play her part so well,
As in a while these two Leander made
To vndertake to rid this tyrant fell:
No dew regard of bloud, no care of kinde,
Could stay the fact, this Princoxe was so blinde.
The king was slaine by cruell brothers hande.
The realme releast of such bloudie foe,
Leander then did gouerne all the lande,
The hope was great that matters wel should goe:
But whē this youth had once atchiude the state,
He scornde the Queene, & al her friends forgate.
The realme releast of such bloudie foe,
Leander then did gouerne all the lande,
The hope was great that matters wel should goe:
But whē this youth had once atchiude the state,
He scornde the Queene, & al her friends forgate.
Puft vp with princely pride, he wore the crown,
And lawlesse liude, so neare his brothers trade,
As needefull was to seeke to put him downe:
And thereupon the Queene this practise made,
She hirde for coyne, a noble man at armes,
To slay her sonne, to salue her countries harmes.
And lawlesse liude, so neare his brothers trade,
As needefull was to seeke to put him downe:
And thereupon the Queene this practise made,
She hirde for coyne, a noble man at armes,
To slay her sonne, to salue her countries harmes.
This warlike Captaine came from Libie lande,
Who tooke by force this tyrant coward king.
And gaue him vp into his mothers hande:
A Noble dame that compast twice to bring
Her realme to reste, and rigour to subdewe.
Lo here the summe, the processe doth ensewe.
Who tooke by force this tyrant coward king.
And gaue him vp into his mothers hande:
A Noble dame that compast twice to bring
Her realme to reste, and rigour to subdewe.
Lo here the summe, the processe doth ensewe.
36
there dwelling was a Dame
Namde Aretafila, of birthe
and noble bloud she came,
Elator was her Syre,
a man of great renowne:
Sir Fædimus her husband hight,
the chiefe in all the towne
For noble minde and wealth:
this Ladie was so well
With bewtie dighte, as she the reste
not onely did excell
For feature of her face,
that was full fayre to looke,
But eke for graue Mineruas giftes,
and cunning in her booke:
Her sacred giftes were great,
her wisdome was as rare,
As was her face, for fewe with her
in learning might compare.
What time this Ladie liude,
a tyrant fierce and fell,
Nicocrates, possest the lande
where did this matron dwell.
Who many of the men
that in the Citie were,
Did do to fowle and shamefull death,
he kept them all in feare.
[36]
Apollos priest he slewe,
His handes he nothing stucke with bloud
of prophets to imbrue,
Whom shame, and sinne it was
with rigour to entreate,
Respecting what their office was,
and why they kept the seate.
At length this cruell king
thus hauing sundrie slaine.
To trap Sir Fædimus in snare
did beate his wilie brayne,
And neuer gaue it off,
till he had wrought his will:
He thirsted for his bloud, whom he
without offence did kill.
And after husbands death,
this noble dame did wedde:
Who had as leuer lost her life,
as layne in tyrants bedde.
But force did take effect,
to striue it booted nought,
(For tyrant lust doth stande for lawe)
to yeelde it best she thought.
So monstrously his minde
too bloudie deedes was bent,
As sauing death without deserte
might nothing him content.
37
he forced so to die,
Hee caused to be carried out,
without the walles to lie,
Amid the open fieldes,
that they might neuer haue,
The reuerence to corses due,
nor honour of the graue.
His Subiects when they sawe
him bath him so in blood,
And that to slay the giltlesse wight
it did this monster good,
Some, to auoide his handes,
did make in wise they were
Quite voide of life, to the ende they might
be borne on the beare,
And carried to the fielde,
where dead did vse to lie,
They thought them blest that by this wile
could bleare the Princes eie.
At length this subtile shift,
the cruell king perceiude,
And saw how to escape his scourge,
they had him long deceyude:
To worke a surer way,
at euery gate there was
Appointed one, with charge to looke
that no man there might passe,
[37]
who cause he did not trust
The bearers with his naked sworde
the bodies vsde to thrust
Through coffin where they lay,
to make the matter sure:
This great outrage of his, the Queene
no longer coulde endure.
But verie much mislikte
these Tyrants trickes, and had
Compassion of her natiue soyle,
and woulde been very glad
With hazard of her life
to rid this monster quight,
For hatred which shee bare to him
that murthred so the knight
Whom shee full dearely loude:
and albeit the king
Made very great account of her,
yet did shee minde the thing
Which shee conceiude before
and purposde in her breast,
And till shee had atchieude the same,
could neuer liue at rest.
And though the Prince his power
this dayly greater grewe,
Had bred the Subiects to dispayre
their freedome to renewe,
38
within their natiue land,
Where such a cruell king did holde
the scepter in his hand:
Yet did this noble dame
conceiue a greater trust,
To finde a time to worke her feate,
which eyther doe shee must
And so at freedome set
her countrie men againe,
And venge her louing husbands death,
or let them all be slaine,
As hee, good knight, had beene.
To pricke her on the more,
Shee cald to minde the practise of
a Theban dame before,
That wise Faræa hight:
for doing of the which,
The valiant women wan renowme,
and was commended much.
Whom shee had great desire
to follow in this deede;
But when shee saw for lack of aide
and helping hands at need,
(Which tho the Theban had,)
shee could not doe the leeke:
Shee meant to doe it with a thing
that was not farre to seeke.
[38]
to rid the Tyrants life,
Who slue her husband by deceite
and forst her to his wife.
A poyson she preparde,
whereby as I shall tell,
In present perill of her life
this ventrous Ladie fell.
For still her purpose failde,
and being in the end
Discouered, and the matter found,
which shee did then pretende,
Dissembling could not serue
to salue the sore againe.
For what good heart she bare the king
did then appeare too plaine.
The Tyrants mother eke,
that Madame Caluia hight,
Not louing Aretafila,
(a dame of great despight)
Full fit to breede a babe
of such a blooddie minde,
(For children commonly are like
vnto the mothers kinde)
Perswaded, that to death
this Ladie should be done,
As one that did pretend the spoyle,
and slaughter of her sonne.
39
to her the Prince did beare,
And answere bold that shee had made
with vsage voyde of feare,
Before the mother Queene,
who there in open place,
Accusde her of her murther ment,
there standing face to face,
Did quit her from the death.
But when the proofe was such,
And euidence so plaine appearde,
so that shee mought not much
Excuse her of the fact,
but that the poysoned cup,
Was made by her, and meant vnto
the king to drinke it vp:
There Aretafila,
before the Iudges face,
In presence of the Prince her spouse,
did thus declare the case.
My Soueraigne Lord and Loue,
I cannot doe no lesse,
But, that this cup I did procure,
before thee now confesse.
My selfe the syrrope made,
and meant to giue it thee:
But this I will protest againe,
not knowing it to be,
[39]
but verily did thinke
By cunning to deuise this cup,
and make a craftie drinke
To cause a man to loue:
for knowe you this, that I
Am spited at, of sundrie that
my marriage doe enuie.
It greeues a number, that
you beare me such good will,
It is a gall to some to see
that I shoulde haue my fill
Of treasure and attyre
and be a Prince his wife,
And they themselues to liue vnknowne,
and lead a priuate life.
I knowe they cannot well
my haphy state endure,
But that they will at length deuise
your friendship to allure,
And cause you cast me off:
which was the cause that I
Did brewe this drinke to keepe good wil.
I thought it good to trye
By art to stay a friend,
whom I by fortune wonne;
And if so be I did offend,
you cannot deeme it donne
40
for hatred, but for zeale:
Why should I then condemned be
that neuer meant to deale
But as a louing wife?
And if your pleasure be
I shall bee punisht for my fault,
yet doe account of me
Not as a witch, that woulde
bereaue you of your life,
But one that by enchauntment thought
to make your Loue your wife,
And match her in good will
that doth extreemely loue:
And who, to be belovde alike,
dyd meane this sleight to proue.
When thus the Matron had,
with manly mouth and grace
Ypleaded for her selfe, the Prince
to whom pertaind the case,
Well liking this excuse,
woulde not in any wise
That shee, who was his wife, shoulde die:
but this he did deuise,
That there shee should be rackt
till time shee would confesse
The truth, and what shee meant thereby
in open place expresse.
[40]
and rack there set in place,
Then cankred Caluia, plaide her part,
and laid her on a pace,
Untill shee wearie woxe:
shee longed for her blood,
Which made her earnest in the case,
and plague the Queene a good.
But Aretafila,
as one that forced nought
Of all the paines shee had indurde,
discouered not her thought:
She nothing would confesse,
but kept it in her minde,
And hereupon deliuerde was.
Nicocrates could finde,
No due desart of death.
Then grew within his breast
A great remorse for rigour showne
to her he loued best,
Whom he without offence
had put to cruell paine.
Wherefore within a space the king
began to loue againe:
And fansie her as fast,
deuising sundry shiftes,
To winne her olde good will, he gaue
her many goodly gifts.
41
the tyrant had in store,
Who then but Aretafila,
whom he had rackt before?
And she that was full wise,
by countnance and by cheare,
Did make as though she did embrace
and helde the tyrant deare:
But still in store she kept
within her wrathfull minde,
Remembrance of reuenge, till she
fit time and place might finde.
And in her head she cut
the patterne of his paine,
How, if occasion servde she mought
auenge her husbande slaine.
By Fedimus she bare
whilste he yet liuing was,
A daughter that for honest life
and beautie braue did passe.
And so befell it, that
the king a brother had,
Leander namde, a wilfull youth,
and eke a wanton lad,
Much giuen to the loue
of light alluring dames,
To whom, as to a byting fish,
a bayte this mayden frames,
[41]
by sorcerie she wrought,
And cuppes that cause a man to loue:
whereby this youth she brought
Into her subtil net:
thus was Leander caught
By loue deuises, that the Queene
vnto her daughter taught.
This damsel hauing woonne
Leander to her lure,
So traynde him on, as she at last
the Princesse did procure
The tyrant to request,
to yeelde him his desire,
As touching mariage of the Mayde,
that set his minde on fire:
Who when Leanders loue
and purpose vnderstoode,
To Aretafila to breake
the same he thought it good.
She willing was thereto,
as one that wrought the wile:
Nicocrates perceiuing that,
denying it a while,
Yet graunted at the length:
not willing to be seene
An enemie vnto the mayde,
the daughter of the Queene,
42
the mariage day drew neare,
Untill Leander wedded was,
he thought it twentie yeere.
To make the matter short,
I leaue for you to scan,
Both of the maydens rich attyre,
and iewels of the man.
I leaue the musike out,
I let the banket go:
I speake not of the noble men
that were at wedding tho.
I write not of the wine,
nor of the daintie cates,
Assure your selues there wāted naught
that fitted royal states.
When wedding day was done,
the wife to chamber went,
And after her Leander came:
where they in pleasure spent
The night, as custome is,
and maried folkes do vse:
And selfe same pleasure night by night
from that day forth ensues.
The lately wedded wife
behaude her selfe so well,
That still Leander ten times more
to doting fansie fell.
[42]
a wench of wily witte,
To set her purpose then abroch,
she thought it passing fit.
A fyled tale she framde,
and thus begun to speake:
Mine own (quoth she) the great good wil
I beare you, makes me breake
My minde and meaning nowe:
The carke and care I haue,
Is causer that I will you from
your brothers sword to saue
Your life, whilste yet you may:
you see his monstrous minde,
And how his hatefull tyrants heart
is all to blood inclinde.
You know his cruell deedes,
I shall not neede recite
The sundry men that he hath slaine
vpon a meere despight:
You viewe the gorie ground,
where yet the bodies lie,
You see how tyrant like he deales,
you see with daily eye,
Such vndeserued deathes
as wo it is to tell:
In my conceite, if you should seeke,
his spoyle, you did but well.
43
and well deseruing prayse,
To murther him, and reaue his realme,
that so his subiects slayes.
To rid your natiue soyle
of such a monster, may
Not onely gaine immortall fame
that neuer shall decay:
But winne you such good will,
in countrie and in towne,
As by the meanes thereof, you may
attaine the royall crowne,
Which now your brother weares
against the peoples will,
Who would (no doubt) elect you prince,
if you the tyrant kill.
To quit so good a turne,
and noble deede withall.
But if you let him raigne a while,
I feare, at last you shall
Repent your long delay:
your state is neuer sure,
As long as he, the monster liues,
he will your bane procure.
What thraldome like to yours?
howe wretched is your life?
Haue you forgotten how you sude
to him, to take a wife?
[43]
I greatly disalow,
That you who are his brother, should
vnto your brother bow.
Put case he owe the crowne,
is that a cause that you
May not go marry where you list,
but must be forst to sue
So like a boy, for leaue
to choose your selfe a make?
Oh that I were a man, I would
enforce the beast to quake.
Leander, if you loue
or make account of me,
Bereaue the monster of his life:
my mother longs to see
The slaughter of her so,
that slue my father earst.
With these her wordes Leander felt
his heart so throughly pearst,
As vp from bed he flew,
with minde to murther bent.
To sucke his brothers bloud, ere long
this wilfull marchant ment.
Leander had a friend
whom he did loue as life,
Callde Danicles, to whom he rode
and tolde him what his wife
44
wherein his ayde he must
In whom especially he did
repose assured trust.
Leander with his friend,
when time and place did serue,
Nicocrates the tyrant slue,
as he did well deserue.
And hauing done the deed,
achieude the kingly Crowne,
He strake the stroke, and ruler was,
and gouernde all the towne.
Thus he in office plaste,
puft vp with princely might,
Not forcing Aretafila,
his mother law awhit,
Nor any of hir blood,
once hauing got the raigne,
Did all the worlde to vnderstande
by that his high disdaine,
That he his brother slue
for rancour and despight:
Not for desire his Countrey soyle
from tyrants handes to quight.
So loathsome all his lawes,
so straunge his statutes were,
Such folly in his roysting rule,
as made the people feare,
[44]
bene raysde to life againe,
Who was not many dayes before
by this Leander slaine.
When Aretafila
sawe howe the game did go,
And that Leander in his sway
did vse the matter so,
And proudly rulde the realme,
esteeming her so light,
Who hoped by his brothers death
the countrie had bene quight
Releast of tyrants rage:
when she perceiude (I say)
Howe haughtily his heart was bent,
she meant her part to play:
In ridding of the realme
of such a cruel king,
That kept his subiects so in awe,
and vnder yoke did wring:
A fresh report was blowne
of one Anabus, bred
In Libie lande, a Martial man
that all his life had led
In face of foraine foes:
with him this wily dame
Did practise, and such order tooke,
as he with army came
45
who being nigh at hand,
With mightie troupe of warlike wights,
to ouercom the land:
The Queene, his mother lawe,
as one that were dismaide,
To worke her wile, Leander cald,
and thus to him shee said:
Loe here (good sonne) you see
how nie your mightie foe,
Is come to bid you battaile, and
your Captaines are (you know)
Not to be matcht with his:
behold what men they are:
Well skild in feats that touch the fielde,
and traind in trade of warre.
Your souldiers are but sheepe,
for battaile farre vnfit:
Besides their pollicies are great,
your Captaines haue no wit
To deale in such a case
that toucheth Princes state:
Againe, there commes no honour by
such brawles, and broyling hate:
Consider with your selfe,
you scarsly haue as yet
Good footing gotten in your raigne,
vnstable (sonne) you sit.
[45]
whereof if womans braine
May giue good counsaile to the wise,
I would (I tell you plaine,)
Your foe and you were friendes:
I would allow it well,
If you with Captaine Anabus
to truce and concord fell.
I doe presume on this,
and dare to vndertake,
That you shall safely come to talke,
by meanes that I will make
With him that is your foe:
the wordes his mother spake,
Leander liked verie well
and in good part did take.
Desirous of a parle.
but ere the pointed day
Of talke betwixt the Captaines came,
she sent a Poast away,
A messenger of trust,
Anabus to entreate,
That when Leander issude out,
then he should worke his feate,
And either slay him there,
by force in open fielde,
Or vnto her, the cruell king
in chaines a captiue yeeld:
49
She made a large behest,
Of gold that she would franklike giue:
whereto this greedie gest,
The Lybian man of warre,
full gladly lent his care.
Leander (as the nature is
of Tyrants) stood in feare,
Deferring day of parle,
vnwilling foorth to goe,
But Ladie Aretafila
still lay vpon him so,
As very shame at last
did further this intent:
And shee, to egge him on the more,
made promise if he went.
To set her foote by his,
and looke the foe in face:
Which moude Leander very much,
and mended well the case.
So out at length they passe,
disarmd he and his,
As one that meant to treate of truce,
for so the custome is.
Anabus seeing this,
to counter him began,
And with his power approched neare:
Leander fearfull man
[49]
and gazde about the place:
To viewe his gard that should assist
and helpe in needfull case.
But how much more he seemde
to linger on the way:
So much the more his mother lawe,
by words, that shee did say
As touching his reproch,
of fearefull cowards heart,
Did pricke Leander, onward still,
not letting him to part.
At Length the Lady, when
of force he would haue staid,
Upon the wretched dastard wight
his feeble fingers laid:
And by the ayde of men
whom there shee had in place,
She brought him bound both hand & foot,
before Anabus face.
And captiue gaue him vp,
to liue in lothsome holde,
Untill the Queene, as promise was,
hee payd him all his golde.
Then he eftsoone retyres
vnto the towne againe,
Declaring what successe she had
and what a spitefull paine
47
that blooddie beastlie king
Depose and rid him from the realme,
and so to bondage bring.
The people passing glad
that he was so displaste,
Did make a common purse, to pay
the Lybian Duke in haste:
Who hauing told the crownes,
did send Leander backe,
Unto the Queene: and shee enclosde
the monster in a sacke,
And causd him to be cast,
from off a mountaine hie,
Into the Sea, to drowne the beast
that wel deserude to die.
Then Calnya, shee was caught,
and to a piller tied,
And there the cruell croked queane,
with flaming fagots fried,
Till all her aged bones,
to ashes were consumde,
That oft in youth with Ciuet sweete
and Amber were perfumde.
When all this broile was done,
the townesmen in a ranke,
Kneeld downe to Aretafila,
and highly did her thanke,
[47]
with perill of her life.
I neede not here expresse the ioyes
of maiden, man, and wife.
For all reioyst alike,
mot one in all the towne,
Nor countrie, but was glad at heart
that they had wonne the crowne
Into their hands againe,
and shapte the Tyrants scourge,
Then gan they all with one consent
the aged dame to vrge,
With helpe of chosen men,
to gouerne all the land:
For vantage of the publike weale,
she tooke the charge in hand.
Because we lightly see
when Peeres and Princes faile,
Then runnes the common welth to wreck,
as shippe without a saile.
But when she saw the realme
at good and quiet stay:
And vnderstood that commons did
with willing minds obay
Unto their lawfull heads,
the Senate she bethought,
To take the gouernment a fresh:
her selfe vnfit she thought
48
then tooke they all the charge,
And did the Ladie from the crowne,
and troubles quite discharge.
Thus hauing rid the realme
of two such blooddie foes,
Into a Nunnrie, there to ende
her life this Ladie goes.
Where she deuoutly dwelt,
and to her praiers fell:
And as shee liude in vertue earst,
so dide shee very well.
The Lenuoy.
VVho
sits aloft in sacred Princes seate,
And wieldes his realme by loue and not by dread
Whose puisant hand by auldnesse doth intreate
The silly rowte that vnder him is led:
Shall safely raigne, and hold his scepter sure,
A courteous king doth lightly long endure.
And wieldes his realme by loue and not by dread
Whose puisant hand by auldnesse doth intreate
The silly rowte that vnder him is led:
Shall safely raigne, and hold his scepter sure,
A courteous king doth lightly long endure.
But who so raignes in threatning tyrants throne,
Bathing in blood his haughtie hungrie chaps,
And rules by force, is surely ouerthrowne.
The Goddes assigne such Soueraines sory haps,
It may not lost, that so exceedeth reason,
The truest hearts, by force are brought to treason.
Bathing in blood his haughtie hungrie chaps,
And rules by force, is surely ouerthrowne.
The Goddes assigne such Soueraines sory haps,
It may not lost, that so exceedeth reason,
The truest hearts, by force are brought to treason.
A pleasant porte doth rule a raging horse,
When harder brakes doe breake the mouth too much,
And makes the colt to steare with all his force:
Rough handed Surgeons make the patient grutch.
The Pilote that by skyll the shyp doth guide,
And not by myght, makes vessels brocke the tyde.
When harder brakes doe breake the mouth too much,
And makes the colt to steare with all his force:
Rough handed Surgeons make the patient grutch.
[48]
And not by myght, makes vessels brocke the tyde.
A lawlesse peere by law deserues to die,
True iustice payes the blooddie home their hyre,
And blood mispilt for vengeance aye doth crie,
Lex talionis doth the lyke requyre:
As in this tale that heere my Muse hath told,
Of brothers two each man may well behold.
True iustice payes the blooddie home their hyre,
And blood mispilt for vengeance aye doth crie,
Lex talionis doth the lyke requyre:
As in this tale that heere my Muse hath told,
Of brothers two each man may well behold.
Could Dyonisius deale with greater force?
Or fearefull Phalaus with more despite?
Than did Nycocrates without remorse
That slew hys [illeg.] subiects lawlesse quight?
Did not Leander deale in monstrous wise,
Whom brothers blood might not alone suffyce?
Or fearefull Phalaus with more despite?
Than did Nycocrates without remorse
That slew hys [illeg.] subiects lawlesse quight?
Did not Leander deale in monstrous wise,
Whom brothers blood might not alone suffyce?
Prease hither Peeres, whose heads with crownes are clad
Who hold the kingly scepters in your hands:
Behold the end that blooddie tyrants had,
A mirrour make of these to rule your landes:
With all, see heere a Ladies manly minde,
Whom God to wreake this bloodshed had assignde.
Who hold the kingly scepters in your hands:
Behold the end that blooddie tyrants had,
A mirrour make of these to rule your landes:
With all, see heere a Ladies manly minde,
Whom God to wreake this bloodshed had assignde.
Marke how the fyrst was blinded all with blood,
The husband slayne, and sundrie moe beside,
To wed the wife this monster thought it good,
Note how the Gods herein theyr scourge dyd hide,
For who but he woulde trust a wronged wyght,
Or place her in his naked bed at night?
The husband slayne, and sundrie moe beside,
To wed the wife this monster thought it good,
Note how the Gods herein theyr scourge dyd hide,
For who but he woulde trust a wronged wyght,
Or place her in his naked bed at night?
Looke how Leander lewde by wyle was wonne,
And led by lust to worke his brothers woe:
And more than that see how this beast did runne
A wicked race and woxe his mothers foe.
Note how the heauens made leuell yet at last,
And plagude by death his blooddy dealings past.
And led by lust to worke his brothers woe:
And more than that see how this beast did runne
A wicked race and woxe his mothers foe.
Note how the heauens made leuell yet at last,
And plagude by death his blooddy dealings past.
Aut sero, Aut citius.
49
[Gentile loude one Nicoluccios wife]
The argument to the third Historie.
Gentile
loude one Nicoluccios wife,
Faire Catiline, a matrone graue and wise:
Whom to corrupte sith he might not deuise,
He parted thence to leade a grauer life.
For she was bent to scorne such masking mates,
As houerd still about her husbands gates.
Faire Catiline, a matrone graue and wise:
Whom to corrupte sith he might not deuise,
He parted thence to leade a grauer life.
For she was bent to scorne such masking mates,
As houerd still about her husbands gates.
Within a while this Nicoluccio,
(His Ladie great with childe) was forst to ride
In haste from home, and leaue her there as guide:
Whome sodayne griefe assaylde by fortune so,
As Phisicke, friends, and all that sawe the chance,
Did yelde her dead, she lay in such a traunce.
(His Ladie great with childe) was forst to ride
In haste from home, and leaue her there as guide:
Whome sodayne griefe assaylde by fortune so,
As Phisicke, friends, and all that sawe the chance,
Did yelde her dead, she lay in such a traunce.
The senslesse corse was to the Church cōueide,
And buried there with many a weeping eye:
The brute was blowne abrode both faire & nye.
Reporte once spread, is hardly to be stayde.
Gentile hearing how the matter went,
His Ladies losse did bitterly lament.
And buried there with many a weeping eye:
The brute was blowne abrode both faire & nye.
Reporte once spread, is hardly to be stayde.
Gentile hearing how the matter went,
His Ladies losse did bitterly lament.
At length when teares had well dischargde his woe,
And sorrowe slakte, a friend of his and hee,
Tooke horse, & rode by night, that none might see
Whether they ment, or wherabout to goe.
To Church he came, dismounted from his horse,
He entred in, and vp he tooke the corse,
And sorrowe slakte, a friend of his and hee,
Tooke horse, & rode by night, that none might see
Whether they ment, or wherabout to goe.
To Church he came, dismounted from his horse,
He entred in, and vp he tooke the corse,
With full intent to dallie with the dead,
Which he in life by suite could neuer winne:
He colde, he kist, he handled cheeke and chinne.
He left no limme vnfelte from heele to head:
So long he staide, at last the infant steerd
Within her wombe, whereby some life appeerde.
[49]
He colde, he kist, he handled cheeke and chinne.
He left no limme vnfelte from heele to head:
So long he staide, at last the infant steerd
Within her wombe, whereby some life appeerde.
By fellowes helpe he bore the body thence,
Home to his aged mother where she dwelt:
Who moude to ruthe, with her so frendly delt,
As to reuiue her, sparde for expence,
She could not vse her owne with greater care,
So choyse her cheere, so daintie was hir fare.
VVhen time was come for nature to vnfolde
Her coferd ware: this dame was brought a bed,
And by Gentiles meanes had happily sped:
And he forthwith a solemne feast did holde,
VVhere, to the husband, both the wife and boy
Surrendred were, to his exceeding ioye.
Home to his aged mother where she dwelt:
Who moude to ruthe, with her so frendly delt,
As to reuiue her, sparde for expence,
She could not vse her owne with greater care,
So choyse her cheere, so daintie was hir fare.
VVhen time was come for nature to vnfolde
Her coferd ware: this dame was brought a bed,
And by Gentiles meanes had happily sped:
And he forthwith a solemne feast did holde,
VVhere, to the husband, both the wife and boy
Surrendred were, to his exceeding ioye.
50
of Lumbardie you know,
A citie very brauely builte,
and much set out to shewe:
Where as in auncient dayes
a famous knight there dwelde,
Who for good giftes and linage both
all others farre excelde:
A man commended much,
Gentile was his name.
This worthy gallant fell in loue
by fortune, with a dame
That Catilina hight,
one Nicoluccios wyfe,
A passing faire, and featurde wenche,
and ledde an honest life,
And loude her husband so,
as she did little waye
The frendship of enamored youthes,
nor ought that they could say.
This Gentleman that sawe
the Ladies faithfull breast,
And how he might by no deuice
to him her fansie wrest,
Nor enter in her grace,
whom he did loue so well,
Nor by good seruice gaine good will,
to deepe despaire he fell.
[50]
Modena he retyrde,
And bore an office in the towne,
as one there to desyrde.
It fortunde on a time
when Nicoluccio rode
From home, as touching his affaires,
and that his wife abode
A three myles off the towne,
where he had buylte a graunge,
To make her mery with her friendes,
and eke the ayre to chaunge:
Then being great with childe,
not many weekes to goe:
This Lady had a great mishap,
as here my pen shall showe.
A griefe, I wote not what,
with such a sodayne force
And monstrous might, befell the dame,
and conquerde sore her corse
As in the Ladies limmes
no sparke of life appeerde,
And more than that, another thing
there was, that most discheerde
Her kinsfolkes then in place:
for such as had good sight
And skill in Physike, deemde her dead,
and gaue her ouer quight.
51
that wiste howe matters went
By her report in time of life,
and howe that she had spent
Not full so many monthes
as giue a babee breath,
And make it vp a perfect childe:
when once they sawe her death.
Not making farther searche,
in case as there she laye,
Unto a Church, not farre from thence,
the carkasse did conuay,
And gaue it there a graue,
as Ladies vse to lye.
The bodie being buried thus,
a friende of his did hye
Him to Gentile straight,
to tell him of the newes,
Who though was fardest frō her grace,
yet could none other chuse
But sorrowe at her death.
When greatest greefe was past,
And that he had be thought awhile,
thus out he brake at last.
Loe (Lady) lo, (quoth he)
nowe art thou dead in graue,
Nowe (Madame Catilina) I,
who during life could haue
[51]
nor sweete regarding eye,
Will be so bolde to steale a kisse
as you in coffin lie.
Nowe booteth do defence,
you cannot now resist:
Wherefore (assure thee) Lady nowe,
thou shalt be sweetely kist.
Howe dead soeuer thou arte,
nowe will I take delight.
And hauing tolde his tale, the day
withdrewe, and made it night:
Then taking order howe
he mought, that none might see,
Dispatche and goe vnto the place,
his trustie frend and hee,
Upon their geldings mounte,
and neuer made a staye
Untill they came vnto the Church,
where dead the Ladie laye:
Where being lighted off
their horses, in they goe,
And vp they brake the coffyn straight,
and he that loude her so,
Laye by the Ladies side,
and clapte his face to hers,
And lent her many a louing kisse,
and bathde her breast with teares,
52
But as we daily see,
The lust of man not long content,
doth euer long to bee,
Proceeding farther on:
but moste of all the rest,
The fonde desire of such as are
with raging loue possest.
So he that had resolude
no longer there to staye,
But doe his feate, and home agayne,
thus to himselfe gan saye:
Oh, sith I nowe am here
why should I idle stande?
Why doe not I this breast of thine
imbrace, and feele with hande?
I neuer after this,
shall touch it so againe,
Nor neuer mynde, Gentile thus
proceeding in his vaine,
Into her bosome thrust
his hande beneath her pappe,
And staying there a little space,
did feele a thing by happe
Within her wombe to wagge,
and beat against her brest:
Whereof at first he woxe amazde,
but after repossest
[52]
a further triall hee
Did make, and then he found the corse,
not thorough dead to bee,
Though little were the life,
yet some he knew for trouth,
To rest within the Ladies limmes:
wherefore the gallants both,
From out the coffyn tooke
this lately buried corse,
And vp they leapte in all the poast.
and layde her on the horse
Before the saddle bowe,
and home in haste they ride,
Both to recouer life againe,
and fearing to be spyde.
Thus closely was she brought
within Bologna walles,
Unto Gentiles house, where he
vpon his mother calles,
Requesting her to helpe,
the case required haste.
His mother being graue and wyfe,
receiude the corse as fast
As she good matron mought:
which deede of pitie done,
Both who she was, and what had hapt,
demaunded of her sonne:
53
and how the fortune fell,
Which when the matron vnderstood,
and wist the matter well:
To ruth and mercy moude,
(as is a womans guise)
Shee makes her fire, she heats her bathes
and so the carkas plyes,
With chafing vp and downe,
and rubbing euerie vaine:
As shee at last had made the life
and senses come againe:
Her wandring wits retyrde,
that earst had been astray,
And being thus reuiude, at length
thus sighing gan shee say:
Alas, where am I nowe?
what place is this (quoth shee?)
Gentiles chearfull mother saide,
a place full fit for thee,
With that shee somewhat woxe
aduisde, but wist not where
Shee was bestead, when that at last
she sawe Gentile there:
Amazed in her minde,
requested of the dame
To tell her of the case, and how
vnto her house she came.
[53]
the whole discourse begonne,
And did vnfold from point to point
how euerie thing was done.
Whereof she wofull woxe
and pensiue for a space.
But yet at length shee gaue him thankes
for all his former grace
And curtesies imployde:
and as he euer bore
A true and faithfull heart to her
in all her life before,
And as he was a man
in whom good nature were:
So did shee craue him that shee might
not be abused there:
But safely be conuaide
vnto her graunge againe,
And to her husbandes house vntouchte
without dishonours staine.
To whom Gentile thus
replide: Well dame (quoth hee)
How great soeuer the loue hath been
which I haue borne to thee,
Before this present day,
I doe not purpose now,
Nor after this at any time,
(since God would this allowe
54
and raise thee from the pit:
And loue which I haue alwayes meant
to thee hath caused it:)
I purpose not, I say,
to deale in other wise,
Than if thou were my sister deare,
this promise shall suffice.
But this good turne that I
haue done to you this night,
Doth well deserue, that you the same
in some respect requight.
Wherefore I shall desire
that you with willing brest,
Wyll friendly graunt me my demaunde,
and yeeld me one request.
Whereto the humble dame
agreed, and was content,
If so shee coulde, and honest were
the sute Gentile ment.
Then spake the courteous knight,
Well (Madame) this is true,
That both your parents and your friends
of Boline, thinke that you
Are buried low enough
in coffin closlie layde,
None tarries you at home as now,
they all doe deeme you dead,
[54]
and simple sute shalbe,
That with my mother here to stay
yee will vouchsafe, and me,
In secrete and vnseene,
vntill such time as I
May to Modena goe and come
againe, I meane to hie.
The cause that makes me craue
and aske this lingring stay,
Is, that in presence of the best,
and chiefe that beare the sway
Within the towne, I minde
to giue you as a gift,
And to present you to your spouse,
this is my only drift.
The Ladie knowing that
Gentile was her friend,
And saw that honest was his sute,
did quickly condescend:
Though greatly shee desirde,
new brought to life againe,
To see and comfort those her friends
that mournde for her amaine:
Shee promist on her faith,
with her to tarrie there.
And yer her tale was throughly told,
her time was come to beare
55
shee must to trauaile straight
The Matron euer at an inch
did on this Ladie waite:
And vsde the matter so,
as in a day or twaine,
She was deliuerde of a boy,
and ouercame her paine.
Whereat Gentile ioyde,
and eke the dame that had
Such great good hap and passing lucke,
did waxe exceeding glad.
The knight disposde his things,
and vsde the matter so,
As shee had been his wedded wife:
and thereupō did goe
Unto Modena, where
an office he had borne,
And there he staied vntill such time
as all his yere was worne.
And selfe same day that he
accompted on, to make
Returne vnto his mothers house
at Boline, he bespake.
That diuers of the states,
and chiefest men that were
Within the towne, should be his guestes.
there was of purpose there,
[55]
did owe this gentle dame.
As soone as to his mothers house
this lustie gallant came,
The master of the feast
dismounted, in hee hyes:
Where, when among his other guestes,
the Ladie he espies,
And eke her sucking sonne,
that hung vpon her breast,
Hee was the meeriest man aliue:
Then plaste he euery guest
In order as their state
and calling did require,
There wanted not a deintie dish
that Courtiers could desire:
When washing time drewe nye,
and euery man at boorde
Had vittled well, and all was whiste,
and no man spake a worde:
The Ladie being taught
her lesson long ere that,
And well instructed in the case,
and knowyng what was what,
Gentile thus begunne
his solemne tale to tell:
My Lords and guestes (quoth hee) I like
the order passing well
56
for when they make a feast,
In honour of their friends, whom they
doe loue and fansie best,
They bid them to their house,
and set before their eyes
The chiefest iewell which they haue,
and good, of greatest price,
What thing soeuer it be:
his wife, with whom he sleepes,
His daintie daughter, or his wench,
whome hee for pleasure keepes.
He nothing hides as then,
or locks from open sight:
Affirming by this deede of his,
that likewise (if he might)
He woulde vnfold the heart
that lyes within his breast,
Which custome I in Bologne minde
to practise to my guest.
You honour this my feast
with noble presence here,
And I will play the Persians part:
looke what I hold most deare,
And chiefly doe esteeme,
or fauour in my heart,
Or euer shall regard or weigh,
will show you or you part.
[56]
or ere I bring it out,
That you will heere decide a case,
and rid me out of doubt
Which I myselfe will moue.
There is a noble man,
Who hath a seruant in his house
that doth the best he can
To please his masters minde,
hee doth at nothing stick:
This trustie painfull seruant falles
at length exceeding sicke,
The retchlesse master, not
regarding him at all,
Nor forcing what by such disease
his seruant may befall,
Conuayes him out of doore,
in open streat to lie,
To sinke or swimme, to mende or paire
to liue or els to die.
A Straunger commes by happe,
and hee to mercy moude,
To see the poore diseasde soule
so slenderly beloude,
In danger of his death,
to lie amids the streat:
A place for such as are in paine.
too cold and farre vnmeete:
57
and takes such tender care
Of him, and plies him so with fire
and comfortable fare,
As both recouers limmes
and gettes his former strength,
And settes this feeble seruant vp
vpon his legges at length:
Now gladly would I learne
which of these both doth best
Deserue to haue this seruaunt, who
was lately so distrest?
Where he that ought him first
and gaue him off in grief,
Or he that pitied him in paine
and holpe him to relief?
And if the maister, who
so cruelly did deale
In time of sicknesse, will the man
that did his seruant heale,
To yeelde him vp againe,
where he by lawe and right
May well with-hold the seruant, whom
he holpe in wretched plight?
The gentlemen among
themselues debated harde,
But drewe in one selfe string at length
the matter was refarde
[57]
(because he could full well
Discerne of matters, and his tale
in skilfull order tell)
Should giue the verdit vp.
He highly did commend
The vse of Persia, with the rest
concluding in the end,
Which was, that he whom first
this silly soule did serue,
Of right could lay no lawfull clayme:
full ill he did deserue
A maisters name, that when
his seruant was at worst,
Would turne him off, and let him lie:
but he, that when the furst
Had played this cruell parte,
did curteously entreate
The sicke and outcast, ayding him
with Phisicke and with meate,
He mought by law and righte,
no preiudice at all
Done to the first, enioy the man,
and him his seruant call.
Then all the other guestes
that at the banquet were,
Affirmde the same that Nicoluccio
had pronounced there.
58
as one that was content
With such an answere, and the more,
for that with him it went,
Concluded, that he thought
as all the other saide:
And now (quoth he) I thinke that I
sufficiently haue stayde.
Now time it is that I
performe my promise made,
In that I meant to honour you,
as is the Persians trade.
With that he calls to him
a couple of his friendes,
Familiar, and of greatest trust,
whom he in message sendes
Unto the Ladie, that
was clad in braue araye,
Within a chamber, willing hir
that she would come her way,
To cheere his Royall guestes,
with presence of her selfe.
The Ladie taking in her armes
that litle puling elfe,
That was so lately borne,
came in, and thother too
Attending on her, and as earst
Gentile willde her doe,
[58]
a guest, a Noble man,
And then the Knight that made the feast
his processe thus began.
Loe, Lordings, here beholde
the thing whereof I spake,
This is the iewell, whereof I
such great accompt doe make,
And euer doe entend,
of nothing else so much
I force, as this: now iudge your selfes,
where it be worthy such
Regard as I bestowe:
marke euery member well:
With that the states, to honor of
this featurd Ladie sell,
And praisde her very much,
affirming to the Knight,
That sinne it were not to esteeme
so fayre and braue a wight.
The guestes begonne to gaze,
and some there were in place,
That would haue sworne, that she had ben
the very same she was,
Saue that they knew that she
was buried long agoe.
But most of all the other guestes,
that Nicoluccio,
59
this louely Lady eyde:
And when Gentile did by chaunce
and fortune steppe aside,
As one that had desire
to question with the Dame,
No longer able to withhold:
demaunded whence she came,
Where she a stranger were,
or els in Bologne borne:
The Lady knowing who it was,
should she not bene forsworne,
Would to her husband tolde
and opened all the case:
But to discharge her promise made,
she helde her peace, with face
As modest as she mighte.
Some other asked, where
That little pretie boy was hers
which she at breast did beare?
And other did demaund,
where she were ought allyde,
Or were Gentiles daughter deare?
she not a word replide.
With that the feaster came,
your iewell sir (quoth some
That sate at borde) is passing faire.
but is too seeming dombe.
[59]
whereto Gentile said:
It yeeldes no slender token of
her vertue that she staid
And helde her tong as now.
Declare (quoth they) to vs
What Dame she is, to which request
Gentile answearde thus.
I will with all my heart
declare the truth (quoth he)
If you, vntill the whole discourse
be told, will promise me,
Not once to moue a foote,
but euery one to keepe
His place: whereto they all agreed,
and gan to sweare by deepe
And very solemne othes
to complishe his request.
The table being taken vp,
the keeper of the feast
Sate by the Ladies side,
and thus began to tell:
This woman, is the seruant true,
that serude her master well,
Of whom I spake right now,
when I your iudgements craude
This is the seruaunt ilbeloude,
that when she had behaude
60
as fitted such a one,
Was shaken off, and turnd to grasse,
in streetes to make her moane:
Whom I, to pitie moude,
did succour as I might,
And by my care and handie helpe,
from present death did quight:
And mightie God, that sawe
the great good heart I bare,
Restord her from that loathsome corse
vnto this bewtie rare.
But to the ende you may
more plainely vnderstand
How these aduentures me befell:
I purpose out of hand
In short discourse to shewe
and open all the case.
Then gan he to vnfold his loue,
and how he sude for grace
Unto this worthy dame,
whose bewtie pearst his brest:
And passed so, from point to point,
vnripping all the rest,
Distinctly from the first:
which made the hearers muse,
To listen to this long discourse
of strange and wondrous newes.
[60]
as I before haue pende,
Both how he loude, and how she died,
thus closde he vp the ende.
Wherefore (my Lordes) quoth he,
vnlesse you haue of late
Ychangd your thoughts & minds anew
since you at table sate:
And chiefly you, (and points
to Nicoluccio) she
Whom here you view, of right is mine,
and only due too me.
No lawfull tittle may,
or rightfull clayme be layde
To chalenge her from me againe,
was no man there that sayde
A woorde, but all were still
to heare those matters paste,
And for desire to learne the rest,
and what he meant at laste.
Good Nicaluccio,
and all the rest beside
That present were, and eake the dame
no longer could abide,
But out they burst in teares,
and wept for pities sake.
With that Gentile standing vp,
the little babe did take,
61
and led the Ladie eke
By one hand to her husband warde,
and thus began to speake.
Stand by (good Gossup mine)
I doe not heere restore
To you your wife, whom both her Friends
and yours refusd before,
And as an outcast scornd:
but frankly giue this dame
My Gossup, and her little childe
that of her bodie came,
To thee, for this of troth
I know, the babe is thine,
Begot by thee, I christened it,
it beares this name of mine,
And is Gentile calde:
and my request shall bee,
That through three months, this Ladie hath
been soiornesse with me,
Thou wilt no lesse esteeme
of her, or worse good will
Bestow on her, than though shee had
with thee continued still.
And by that selfe same God
which forced me to beare
Such loue, as by that loue to saue
her life, to thee I sweare,
[61]
nor with thy parents, shee,
No, not with thee her spouse, she coulde
in greater suretie be
As touching honest life,
than with my mother deare:
Assure thy selfe, shee neuer was
abusde, nor tempted heere.
This processe being tolde,
Gentile turnde him rounde
Unto the Ladie (dame quoth he)
you know, I had you bounde
By faith and lawfull oath:
I quit you heere of all,
And set you free aboorde againe,
and goe againe you shall
To Nicoluccio, and
with that both wife and brat
To Nicoluccios handes he gaue,
and downe Gentile sate.
The husbande did receiue
his wife with willing hande,
And eke the babe: and how much more
he in dispayre did stande
Of hauing her againe,
whom hee accounted dead:
The greater was his ioy and mirth
when he so happily sped.
62
he yeelded to the Knight
Gentile, for his great good turne,
the greatest thankes he might.
And all the rest beside,
that were to pitie moude,
Gentiles nature did commend:
hee dearely was beloude
Of all that heard the case,
and feasted there that day.
Thus will I leaue the matron, and
her sonne at home to stay.
These matters ended thus,
ech guest his horse did take,
And parted from Gentiles house,
that did the banket make.
Home rode the man and wife
vnto their grange with speede,
The cheare which was at her returne,
and welcome, did exceede.
The people maruailde much,
that shee who buried was,
Could liue againe, and euer as
shee through the streetes should passe,
In Bolyne men did gaze,
and greatly view the dame.
And from that day Gentile still
a faithfull friend became
[62]
the parents of his wife,
Whom hee by vertue of his loue
had raisde from death to life.
Lenuoy.
Vnbrideled
youth is prickt to pleasure aye,
And led by lust to follow fansies fyts:
Unskilfull heads runne retchlesse on their way,
Like wylfull coltes that broken haue their bits:
Not lookyng backe, till foultring foote doe faile,
And all consumde that was for their auaile.
And led by lust to follow fansies fyts:
Unskilfull heads runne retchlesse on their way,
Like wylfull coltes that broken haue their bits:
Not lookyng backe, till foultring foote doe faile,
And all consumde that was for their auaile.
Unhappy they, by scathe that purchase skyll,
And learne too late how youth dyd lead awrie:
Unluckie men for wit that follow wyll,
And foule delights in golden prime apply:
More wisedome were ech one to wed a wife,
Than marryed dames to lure to lewder life.
And learne too late how youth dyd lead awrie:
Unluckie men for wit that follow wyll,
And foule delights in golden prime apply:
More wisedome were ech one to wed a wife,
Than marryed dames to lure to lewder life.
For though that nature let vs runne at large,
And all things made by kynde to common vse:
Yet man must lende an eare to ciuill charge,
That points a baine for euery foule abuse:
And bids (beware pollute no marriage bed)
Without offence let single life be leed.
And all things made by kynde to common vse:
Yet man must lende an eare to ciuill charge,
That points a baine for euery foule abuse:
And bids (beware pollute no marriage bed)
Without offence let single life be leed.
As honest loue by custome is allowde,
(Both law and reason yeelding to the same
In single wyghts) so parties being vowde
To marryage yoke assaulted are with shame:
Both God and man such sluttysh sutes detest,
The lawfull loue is euen counted best.
(Both law and reason yeelding to the same
In single wyghts) so parties being vowde
To marryage yoke assaulted are with shame:
Both God and man such sluttysh sutes detest,
The lawfull loue is euen counted best.
63
Which makes me blame Gentiles rash assault,
On Catilina fayre, from former vowe
Whom he pursude to charge with heauie fault,
And sought to sinne to make this matron bowe:
Yet grace at last preuailde in both so well,
As shee stayd chaste, and he to vertue fell.
On Catilina fayre, from former vowe
Whom he pursude to charge with heauie fault,
And sought to sinne to make this matron bowe:
Yet grace at last preuailde in both so well,
As shee stayd chaste, and he to vertue fell.
His foule desire his lewde and lustfull mynde,
Was cause of lyfe, and wrought a double pleasure:
This beried dame in pit to death had pynde,
Had he not laude, and likt her out of measure,
Thus ill sometime is cause of good successe,
And wicked meanings turne to happines.
Was cause of lyfe, and wrought a double pleasure:
This beried dame in pit to death had pynde,
Had he not laude, and likt her out of measure,
Thus ill sometime is cause of good successe,
And wicked meanings turne to happines.
Had some rash ympe beene in Gentiles case,
So farre inflamde wyth Beautie of a dame,
And after that had had so fyt a place
To worke his will, and done a deed of shame,
I doubt mee much, hee would haue reapt the frute,
By leaue of force of all hys paynefull sute.
So farre inflamde wyth Beautie of a dame,
And after that had had so fyt a place
To worke his will, and done a deed of shame,
I doubt mee much, hee would haue reapt the frute,
By leaue of force of all hys paynefull sute.
Here all were blest; the mother well reuiude,
The infant borne, the matron full of ruth:
Thrice happy he for being so truly wiude,
Gentile worthie praise for loyall truth.
All louers may hereby example take,
And learne of him blind fansies to forsake.
The infant borne, the matron full of ruth:
Thrice happy he for being so truly wiude,
Gentile worthie praise for loyall truth.
All louers may hereby example take,
And learne of him blind fansies to forsake.
[63]
[Two Knightes did linke in League of great goodwill]
The argument to the fourth Historie.
Two Knightes did linke in League of great goodwill,
At length the one corrupts the others wife,
And traitourlike procurde her vnto ill,
Which vile abuse bred deadlie hate and strife,
And was the cause this leacher lost his life.
For why, the Knight to whome this wrong was wrought
This tratour slue, when he full little thought.
At length the one corrupts the others wife,
And traitourlike procurde her vnto ill,
Which vile abuse bred deadlie hate and strife,
And was the cause this leacher lost his life.
For why, the Knight to whome this wrong was wrought
This tratour slue, when he full little thought.
The murther done, he gaue his Cooke the hearte
Of him that had conspirde this filthie feate,
And made him dresse it curiouslie by arte,
And gaue his wife the same at night to eate,
VVho fed thereof, and thought it passing meate:
But when she knew, the heart, the hap, and all,
She loathde to liue, and slue her selfe by fall
Of him that had conspirde this filthie feate,
And made him dresse it curiouslie by arte,
And gaue his wife the same at night to eate,
VVho fed thereof, and thought it passing meate:
But when she knew, the heart, the hap, and all,
She loathde to liue, and slue her selfe by fall
Quid non cogit amor?
64
VVhilome
in Prouance were,
as they that knew the same
Doe make report, two Courtly knightes,
both men of worthie fame:
Ech knight his Castle had,
well furnisht euery way,
With store of seruants at a becke
their pleasures to obey.
The tone Rossilion calde,
a bold vndaunted knight,
The second, egall to the first,
sir Guardastano hight:
Who being men at armes,
and passing well approude
For valiant courage in the fielde,
like faithfull brothers loude,
They dayly vsde to ride
to Turneies both yfeare,
To tilt, to iust, and other feates
perfourmde with sworde and speare.
Their garments eke agree,
and were of egall sise:
To shew the concorde of their mindes
vnto the lookers eys.
And thus though either knight
his seuerall maner held,
And either ten myles at the least
from others Castle dwelde:
Yet hapneth it at last
that Guardastano fell
In liking wyth Rossylions wife,
and loude her verie well.
A dame of beautie braue,
renowmed very much,
Whose featurde face and goodly grace
the knight so neere did touch:
As hee reiected quight
the faith he should haue borne
Her husband, and his trustie friend
that was his brother sworne.
Hee vsde his gestures so
vnto this gallant dame
At sundrie times, that she as length
his friend in loue, became,
And liked well the knight
and so began to place
Her fansie, as shee nought so much
did tender or imbrace
As Guardastanos loue:
Shee euer lookt when he
Would frame his humble sute, and craue
her secrete friende to be.
Which fortunde in a while:
for he bewraide his case,
And she lesse wise than wanton, streight
did yeeld the Louer grace.
There neaded slender force,
so weake a fort to winne,
For she as willing was to yeelde,
as he to enter in,
And thus for twice or thrice,
the lustie louers delte
In Venus sport, whose frying hartes
with Cupids coles did melte.
But in this loue of theirs,
they did not vse so well.
The matter, but the husband did
the smoke by fortune smell.
Of that their filthy flame:
who highly did disdaine
That such outrage and soule abuse
his honour should distaine,
Whereby his former loue
to mortall hate did growe,
And then he purposde with himselfe
to slay his deadly foe
That fowlie so abusde
a Knight that gaue him trust.
Meane while came tidings that in France
the Lystes were made
The Trump proclaymde the tilte
Rossilion out of hande.
To Guardastano Castle sent
to let him vnderstand
The newes: and eake withall
did will his man to say,
That if he would the morrow next
vouchsafe to come away
Unto his house, they would
conclude vpon the case
Full friendly Guardastano did
the messenger imbrace
And told him that he would
(if God did lende him life)
The morrow night come ouer, to
Rossilyon and his wife,
Which auswere when the knight
receiued had he thought
The tune approcht, wherein to slay
the traytor knight, that wrought
Such falsehoode to his friend
I leaue you for to scanne
The thousand thoughts, the broken sleeps
and fancies of the man,
That such a murther meant,
and ekes the knightes desire
Who thought it long before he came
in place to quench his fire
When morning came the knight
well armed from foote to crest
Tooke horse, and had a friend or two
whom he did fancie best,
Well mounted on their steades:
they had not ryd a myle,
Before they came vnto a wood,
a place to worke their wile.
There lay he close in wayte
within the cops, whereas
Full well he wist that Guardastan
of very force must passe.
There hauing staide awhile,
a farre he might discry
The Knight unarmde, with others two
that rode unarmed by,
As one that feard no fraude,
nor any force at all,
When that Rossilyon did perceiue
him iust against the stall
Where he on horsebacke sate
full ready for the chase,
A vallie fit to worke his feate:
with grimme and gastly face
He sets his spurres to horse
and put his launce in rest,
And gallopt after, crying loude,
thou knight and trayterous gest,
Now be thou sure to die,
in penance of thy fast:
And with the word, bestrake him through
the shieuered launce it crackt
Against the broken bones,
and thorough pearst his corse.
Unable Guardastano then
for to resist the force,
Or once to speake a word,
fell downe vpon the blowe,
And presently gaue vp the ghost,
the speare had spoyld him so.
With that his friends amazed,
and very much in doubt
What this should mean, stood still a space,
at last they turnd about
Their nagges, and sparde no spurres,
vnto the Castle ward
Of Guardastano, whence they came,
feare made them gallop hard.
When thus Rossilion sawe
his foe bereft of life,
He left the saddle, and withall
drewe out a shoulder knife,
And ript me vp the brest
of him that murdred lay:
Which done, with egre hands he pluckt
the trembling heart away,
Wherein the treason lodgde:
and hauing there by chance
Or els of purpose, (skilles not which)
the pendant of his launce,
He wrapt it vp therein,
and willd his man to looke
Unto the carriage of the same:
the heart his seruant tooke.
Then hauing straightly chargd,
that none should dare to say
A word of that which they had seene
and he had done that day:
He mounted on his horse,
and in the euening rode
Unto his Castle backe againe,
and there the knight abode.
His wife that hard him say,
that Guardastano came
That night to suppe with him at home,
and looked for the same,
Did wonder at his stay:
and being one dismayde,
How hapt that Guardistano commes
not now (good syr) she saide.
To whom the knight replyde,
he sent me word right now
He could not come to day, good fayth
his let I doe allows.
The Lady wofull woxe,
and lowring gan to looke,
Rossilyon lighted from his horse
sent one to call the Cooke:
Who being come in place,
take here (quoth he) this heart.
I slue a Bore of late by hap,
herein bestow your arte.
Do make some daintie dishe,
according to your skill,
And serue it vp in siluer plate:
dispatch you know my will.
The cooke receiude the heart.
and made a cunning messe
Of meate thereof, as men are wont
that curious cates can dresse.
He minst it very small,
not sparing any cost,
For why, the knight his maister, did
alow him with the most.
When time of eating came,
Rossilyon sate him downe,
And eake the Lady, who for lacke
of Guardastan did frowne.
The meate was brought to borde,
than he that ganne to thinke
Upon his murther lately done,
could neither eate nor drinke.
At length the cooke sent vp
that other messe of meate,
But he, as one that had no liste,
did will his wife to eate,
And set the dayntie dishe
for her to feede vpon.
The Lady, somewhat hungrie, fell
vnto the cates anon.
And felt it very sweete,
which made her feede the more,
She rid the dishe, and thought it had
bene of a sauage Bore.
Rossilyon, when he sawe
her stomacke was so good,
And that the meate was all consumde,
the dishes emptie stoode:
How thinke you wife (quoth he)
how like you of your meate?
Good sir (quoth she) I like it well,
I had good liste to eate.
No wonder (quoth the knight)
by God, although this cheare
Do wel content thee being dead,
in life thou thoughtst it deare.
The Lady hearing this,
stoode still, as one dismayde.
Upon the wordes, when pause was past,
vnto the knight the sayde,
Why? what is that (good sir)
which you haue giuen me
To sup withall? who answerde thus:
I doe protest to thee,
The foode whereof thou fedst,
was Guardastanos heart,
Whome thou didst so entierly loue,
and playdst the harlots part.
Be bold it is the same,
this knife his belly ripe,
And from the rootes with these my hands,
the traytors heart I stript,
And crackt the strings in twayne
to ease my heart of woe
That could not rest contented, but
by murthring such a foe.
The Lady, when she heard
that Guardastan was slayne
Whom she had loude, to aske where she
lamented, were in vayne,
Coniecture of her cares,
imagine her distresse.
At last (quoth she) thou cruell knight,
(I can not tearme thee lesse)
Hast playd a wicked part,
and done a cursed acte,
In slaying of a guiltesse man,
(O bloudy beastly fact)
A wight that woed not me,
twas I that earned death,
If any did deserue at all
the losse of vitall breath
Twas I that did the deed,
I loude, I doe protest,
And did of worldlie men, account
that worthie knight the best.
How might he death deserue
who loyall was to thee?
But (mightie Gods) it is your will,
and pleasure now I see,
That these so noble cates,
the heart of such a wight.
In chiualrie that did excell,
a passing courteous Knight
As Guardastano was,
shoulde be my latter meale,
And that I should with baser meates
no more hereafter deale.
Wherefore (good faith) quoth she,
I doe not loath my foode,
And therewithall vppon her legges
the louing Lady stoode
Before a windowe, that
was full behinde her feete,
And sodainly from thence she fell
into the open streete.
Which deede no sooner done,
the window was so hie,
But out of hand, her breath was stopt,
and so the dame did die
With carkasse all to crusht,
by reason of the fall.
The knight her husband seeyng this,
(who was the cause of all)
Stoode like a man amazde.
and then misliked sore
Both of the Ladies losse, and eke
the murthred knight before.
And being then adrad,
and standing in a doubt
Of Counte Prouince, and the rest
that bordred thereabout:
He sadled vp his horse,
and roade in post away:
The night did fauour his intent.
As soone as it was day.
Twas all the countrey through
that such a dame was dead,
And presently vpon the fact
the knight him selfe was fled.
Then they that seruants were
of eyther castle, came
With bitter teares, and tooke the dead,
the knight, and eake the dame,
And in the castle Church,
in marble hewde for twaine,
They buried both the murthered knight,
and eke the Ladie slaine.
With verses on the graue,
to shew both who they were,
And what was cause that Guardastan
and she were buried there.
as they that knew the same
Doe make report, two Courtly knightes,
both men of worthie fame:
Ech knight his Castle had,
well furnisht euery way,
With store of seruants at a becke
their pleasures to obey.
The tone Rossilion calde,
a bold vndaunted knight,
The second, egall to the first,
sir Guardastano hight:
Who being men at armes,
and passing well approude
For valiant courage in the fielde,
like faithfull brothers loude,
They dayly vsde to ride
to Turneies both yfeare,
To tilt, to iust, and other feates
perfourmde with sworde and speare.
Their garments eke agree,
and were of egall sise:
To shew the concorde of their mindes
vnto the lookers eys.
And thus though either knight
his seuerall maner held,
And either ten myles at the least
from others Castle dwelde:
[64]
that Guardastano fell
In liking wyth Rossylions wife,
and loude her verie well.
A dame of beautie braue,
renowmed very much,
Whose featurde face and goodly grace
the knight so neere did touch:
As hee reiected quight
the faith he should haue borne
Her husband, and his trustie friend
that was his brother sworne.
Hee vsde his gestures so
vnto this gallant dame
At sundrie times, that she as length
his friend in loue, became,
And liked well the knight
and so began to place
Her fansie, as shee nought so much
did tender or imbrace
As Guardastanos loue:
Shee euer lookt when he
Would frame his humble sute, and craue
her secrete friende to be.
Which fortunde in a while:
for he bewraide his case,
And she lesse wise than wanton, streight
did yeeld the Louer grace.
65
so weake a fort to winne,
For she as willing was to yeelde,
as he to enter in,
And thus for twice or thrice,
the lustie louers delte
In Venus sport, whose frying hartes
with Cupids coles did melte.
But in this loue of theirs,
they did not vse so well.
The matter, but the husband did
the smoke by fortune smell.
Of that their filthy flame:
who highly did disdaine
That such outrage and soule abuse
his honour should distaine,
Whereby his former loue
to mortall hate did growe,
And then he purposde with himselfe
to slay his deadly foe
That fowlie so abusde
a Knight that gaue him trust.
Meane while came tidings that in France
the Lystes were made
The Trump proclaymde the tilte
Rossilion out of hande.
To Guardastano Castle sent
to let him vnderstand
[65]
did will his man to say,
That if he would the morrow next
vouchsafe to come away
Unto his house, they would
conclude vpon the case
Full friendly Guardastano did
the messenger imbrace
And told him that he would
(if God did lende him life)
The morrow night come ouer, to
Rossilyon and his wife,
Which auswere when the knight
receiued had he thought
The tune approcht, wherein to slay
the traytor knight, that wrought
Such falsehoode to his friend
I leaue you for to scanne
The thousand thoughts, the broken sleeps
and fancies of the man,
That such a murther meant,
and ekes the knightes desire
Who thought it long before he came
in place to quench his fire
When morning came the knight
well armed from foote to crest
Tooke horse, and had a friend or two
whom he did fancie best,
66
they had not ryd a myle,
Before they came vnto a wood,
a place to worke their wile.
There lay he close in wayte
within the cops, whereas
Full well he wist that Guardastan
of very force must passe.
There hauing staide awhile,
a farre he might discry
The Knight unarmde, with others two
that rode unarmed by,
As one that feard no fraude,
nor any force at all,
When that Rossilyon did perceiue
him iust against the stall
Where he on horsebacke sate
full ready for the chase,
A vallie fit to worke his feate:
with grimme and gastly face
He sets his spurres to horse
and put his launce in rest,
And gallopt after, crying loude,
thou knight and trayterous gest,
Now be thou sure to die,
in penance of thy fast:
And with the word, bestrake him through
the shieuered launce it crackt
[66]
and thorough pearst his corse.
Unable Guardastano then
for to resist the force,
Or once to speake a word,
fell downe vpon the blowe,
And presently gaue vp the ghost,
the speare had spoyld him so.
With that his friends amazed,
and very much in doubt
What this should mean, stood still a space,
at last they turnd about
Their nagges, and sparde no spurres,
vnto the Castle ward
Of Guardastano, whence they came,
feare made them gallop hard.
When thus Rossilion sawe
his foe bereft of life,
He left the saddle, and withall
drewe out a shoulder knife,
And ript me vp the brest
of him that murdred lay:
Which done, with egre hands he pluckt
the trembling heart away,
Wherein the treason lodgde:
and hauing there by chance
Or els of purpose, (skilles not which)
the pendant of his launce,
67
and willd his man to looke
Unto the carriage of the same:
the heart his seruant tooke.
Then hauing straightly chargd,
that none should dare to say
A word of that which they had seene
and he had done that day:
He mounted on his horse,
and in the euening rode
Unto his Castle backe againe,
and there the knight abode.
His wife that hard him say,
that Guardastano came
That night to suppe with him at home,
and looked for the same,
Did wonder at his stay:
and being one dismayde,
How hapt that Guardistano commes
not now (good syr) she saide.
To whom the knight replyde,
he sent me word right now
He could not come to day, good fayth
his let I doe allows.
The Lady wofull woxe,
and lowring gan to looke,
Rossilyon lighted from his horse
sent one to call the Cooke:
[67]
take here (quoth he) this heart.
I slue a Bore of late by hap,
herein bestow your arte.
Do make some daintie dishe,
according to your skill,
And serue it vp in siluer plate:
dispatch you know my will.
The cooke receiude the heart.
and made a cunning messe
Of meate thereof, as men are wont
that curious cates can dresse.
He minst it very small,
not sparing any cost,
For why, the knight his maister, did
alow him with the most.
When time of eating came,
Rossilyon sate him downe,
And eake the Lady, who for lacke
of Guardastan did frowne.
The meate was brought to borde,
than he that ganne to thinke
Upon his murther lately done,
could neither eate nor drinke.
At length the cooke sent vp
that other messe of meate,
But he, as one that had no liste,
did will his wife to eate,
68
for her to feede vpon.
The Lady, somewhat hungrie, fell
vnto the cates anon.
And felt it very sweete,
which made her feede the more,
She rid the dishe, and thought it had
bene of a sauage Bore.
Rossilyon, when he sawe
her stomacke was so good,
And that the meate was all consumde,
the dishes emptie stoode:
How thinke you wife (quoth he)
how like you of your meate?
Good sir (quoth she) I like it well,
I had good liste to eate.
No wonder (quoth the knight)
by God, although this cheare
Do wel content thee being dead,
in life thou thoughtst it deare.
The Lady hearing this,
stoode still, as one dismayde.
Upon the wordes, when pause was past,
vnto the knight the sayde,
Why? what is that (good sir)
which you haue giuen me
To sup withall? who answerde thus:
I doe protest to thee,
[68]
was Guardastanos heart,
Whome thou didst so entierly loue,
and playdst the harlots part.
Be bold it is the same,
this knife his belly ripe,
And from the rootes with these my hands,
the traytors heart I stript,
And crackt the strings in twayne
to ease my heart of woe
That could not rest contented, but
by murthring such a foe.
The Lady, when she heard
that Guardastan was slayne
Whom she had loude, to aske where she
lamented, were in vayne,
Coniecture of her cares,
imagine her distresse.
At last (quoth she) thou cruell knight,
(I can not tearme thee lesse)
Hast playd a wicked part,
and done a cursed acte,
In slaying of a guiltesse man,
(O bloudy beastly fact)
A wight that woed not me,
twas I that earned death,
If any did deserue at all
the losse of vitall breath
69
I loude, I doe protest,
And did of worldlie men, account
that worthie knight the best.
How might he death deserue
who loyall was to thee?
But (mightie Gods) it is your will,
and pleasure now I see,
That these so noble cates,
the heart of such a wight.
In chiualrie that did excell,
a passing courteous Knight
As Guardastano was,
shoulde be my latter meale,
And that I should with baser meates
no more hereafter deale.
Wherefore (good faith) quoth she,
I doe not loath my foode,
And therewithall vppon her legges
the louing Lady stoode
Before a windowe, that
was full behinde her feete,
And sodainly from thence she fell
into the open streete.
Which deede no sooner done,
the window was so hie,
But out of hand, her breath was stopt,
and so the dame did die
[69]
by reason of the fall.
The knight her husband seeyng this,
(who was the cause of all)
Stoode like a man amazde.
and then misliked sore
Both of the Ladies losse, and eke
the murthred knight before.
And being then adrad,
and standing in a doubt
Of Counte Prouince, and the rest
that bordred thereabout:
He sadled vp his horse,
and roade in post away:
The night did fauour his intent.
As soone as it was day.
Twas all the countrey through
that such a dame was dead,
And presently vpon the fact
the knight him selfe was fled.
Then they that seruants were
of eyther castle, came
With bitter teares, and tooke the dead,
the knight, and eake the dame,
And in the castle Church,
in marble hewde for twaine,
They buried both the murthered knight,
and eke the Ladie slaine.
70
to shew both who they were,
And what was cause that Guardastan
and she were buried there.
The Lenuoy.
The
Poet that to Loue did pen the path,
And taught the trade Cupidos ympes to traine,
Within his second booke aduised hath,
That who so lookes, and would be willing same,
To keepe his loue vnto himselfe, he must
Neither brother, friend, nor yet companion trust.
And taught the trade Cupidos ympes to traine,
Within his second booke aduised hath,
That who so lookes, and would be willing same,
To keepe his loue vnto himselfe, he must
Neither brother, friend, nor yet companion trust.
And hereupon his grounded reason growes,
That ech man seekes to serue himselfe in chiefe:
And he to sight that friendliest countenance showes.
Yet for his flesh will soonest play the theefe.
As stolne Deare in taste exceedes the gift,
So gallantst gaine is that which commes by shyft.
That ech man seekes to serue himselfe in chiefe:
And he to sight that friendliest countenance showes.
Yet for his flesh will soonest play the theefe.
As stolne Deare in taste exceedes the gift,
So gallantst gaine is that which commes by shyft.
In greatest trust, the greatest treason lyes,
Where least we feare, there harme we soonest finde,
An open foe each man full quickly flyes,
Hee woundeth most that strikes his blowe behinde:
But little hurt the open Adder workes,
The Snake stings sore, that in the couert lurkes.
Where least we feare, there harme we soonest finde,
An open foe each man full quickly flyes,
Hee woundeth most that strikes his blowe behinde:
But little hurt the open Adder workes,
The Snake stings sore, that in the couert lurkes.
The barking Hound hath seldome hap to bite,
His mouth bewrayes his meaning by his crie:
No berde vpon the open twigs doth light,
The naked Net ech foolish foule doth flye:
The hidden hooke is hee that doth the feate,
Of sugred bane the wiliest mouse will eate.
His mouth bewrayes his meaning by his crie:
No berde vpon the open twigs doth light,
The naked Net ech foolish foule doth flye:
The hidden hooke is hee that doth the feate,
Of sugred bane the wiliest mouse will eate.
[70]
Who feares no fraude, wyth ease you may beguyle,
The simple minde will soone be ouergone:
He takes least harme that doubtes deceyt and wile,
And dreading thornes, doth let the Rose alone:
The Trumpets sound bewrayes the Foe at hand,
And warning giues his furie to withstand.
The simple minde will soone be ouergone:
He takes least harme that doubtes deceyt and wile,
And dreading thornes, doth let the Rose alone:
The Trumpets sound bewrayes the Foe at hand,
And warning giues his furie to withstand.
The glewing grome that fyghts before he commes,
Is eyther voyded, or by sleight subdued;
The way to wynne, is not to beate the drummes,
For threatning throates are easily eschued:
The surest meane to worke anothers woe,
Is fayre to speake and be a fryend in showe.
Is eyther voyded, or by sleight subdued;
The way to wynne, is not to beate the drummes,
For threatning throates are easily eschued:
The surest meane to worke anothers woe,
Is fayre to speake and be a fryend in showe.
Had not this knight reposde assured trust,
Upon his fryend, that loude him as his life,
Could he so well haue serude his fylthie lust?
Or leysure had so to abusde his wife?
No, had he thought such treason hyd in breast,
He would haue lookte more nearely to hys guest.
Upon his fryend, that loude him as his life,
Could he so well haue serude his fylthie lust?
Or leysure had so to abusde his wife?
No, had he thought such treason hyd in breast,
He would haue lookte more nearely to hys guest.
But louing well, and meaning not amisse,
He lowde him scope, without suspect of ill
To come and goe, to vse the house as hys,
A perfect shewe of very great good wyll:
Both purse and plate, both lands, and lyfe, and all,
(Saue wife alone) lay pledge at euery call.
He lowde him scope, without suspect of ill
To come and goe, to vse the house as hys,
A perfect shewe of very great good wyll:
Both purse and plate, both lands, and lyfe, and all,
(Saue wife alone) lay pledge at euery call.
Which makes his fault, and foule offence the more,
That dyd this deede and wrought this trechery,
Against his friend that loude him euermore,
And thought him void of vice of lechery:
Good nature deemd that Guardastan could not,
For fleshly lust so deare a friend forgot.
That dyd this deede and wrought this trechery,
Against his friend that loude him euermore,
And thought him void of vice of lechery:
Good nature deemd that Guardastan could not,
For fleshly lust so deare a friend forgot.
But see, how synne once feasting on the minde
Doth muffle man and leades him quight away:
It makes him passe beyond the boundes of kynde,
And swerue the trade where truth and vertues lay,
Refusing friendes, reiecting lawes, and right,
For greedy care to compasse foule delyght.
Doth muffle man and leades him quight away:
It makes him passe beyond the boundes of kynde,
71
Refusing friendes, reiecting lawes, and right,
For greedy care to compasse foule delyght.
And as the man herein deserueth shame,
For stoupyng so to base and beastly vice,
So are those dames exceedingly too blame.
Whose glaueryng glee to lewdnesse doth entice:
Who frame their lookes, their gesture tongs and tale,
To serue their turne in steede of pleasant stale,
For stoupyng so to base and beastly vice,
So are those dames exceedingly too blame.
Whose glaueryng glee to lewdnesse doth entice:
Who frame their lookes, their gesture tongs and tale,
To serue their turne in steede of pleasant stale,
Two sorts I fynde deseruing trust aleeke,
The mounting minds that sue for hygh estate,
And such againe as sensuall pleasures seeke,
And hunt the haunt of euery louyng mate:
Both which to come by what they like and loue,
Renounce theyr friends, and scorne the Gods aboue.
The mounting minds that sue for hygh estate,
And such againe as sensuall pleasures seeke,
And hunt the haunt of euery louyng mate:
Both which to come by what they like and loue,
Renounce theyr friends, and scorne the Gods aboue.
But marke yet well the sause that doth ensue,
Such stolne flesh, is bytter as the gall,
Great are the plagues to such disorders due,
From skyes reuenge and fearefull scourge doth fall:
The dome diuine although it suffer long.
Yet strikes at last, and surely wreakes the wrong.
Such stolne flesh, is bytter as the gall,
Great are the plagues to such disorders due,
From skyes reuenge and fearefull scourge doth fall:
The dome diuine although it suffer long.
Yet strikes at last, and surely wreakes the wrong.
For Helens rage king Menelaus wife,
The Stories tell how Priam and his towne
Confounded were, and how for broyle and strife
In wrongfull cause, the walles were battered downe:
Full many a knyght in battayle spent his blood,
And all because the quarrell was not good.
The Stories tell how Priam and his towne
Confounded were, and how for broyle and strife
In wrongfull cause, the walles were battered downe:
Full many a knyght in battayle spent his blood,
And all because the quarrell was not good.
So when this Traitor knight had fed his fyll,
Upon Rossilions wyfe, and wrongde his friende,
By foule abuse: in guerdon of his ill,
The wrathfull Gods brought him to wretched end
To quit hys glee, and all his former sport,
He dyed the death in most vnhappie sort.
Upon Rossilions wyfe, and wrongde his friende,
By foule abuse: in guerdon of his ill,
The wrathfull Gods brought him to wretched end
To quit hys glee, and all his former sport,
He dyed the death in most vnhappie sort.
[71]
And shee, who falst her faith and marriage heste,
And double penance for her pleasure past,
For fyrst she eate his heart she fansied best,
And desperately did kill her selfe at last.
Note here the fruites of treason and of lust:
Forbeare the like, for God is euer iust:
And double penance for her pleasure past,
For fyrst she eate his heart she fansied best,
And desperately did kill her selfe at last.
Note here the fruites of treason and of lust:
Forbeare the like, for God is euer iust:
Nihil proditore tutum.
Amore, Puo piu che ogni amicitia, et che ogni honore.
[The Lumbard Albyon conquered Cunimund]
The Argument to the fift Historie.
The Lumbard Albyon conquered Cunimund,
And after death of him inioyd the state,
And married with the Ladie Rosamund,
The Princes daughter whom he slue so late:
Whose skull he did conuert into a pot,
Because his conquest should not be forgot.
And after death of him inioyd the state,
And married with the Ladie Rosamund,
The Princes daughter whom he slue so late:
Whose skull he did conuert into a pot,
Because his conquest should not be forgot.
His custome was at euerie feast hee made,
To drinke therein for pompe and foolish pride,
And on a time his Queene he gan perswade
To doe the like: whereto she nought replide
But so much scornd his offer of disdaine,
As straight she drew a plot to haue him slaine.
A noble man that Don Ermigio hight,
With on Parradio by the Queenes deceate,
Were wrought to kill this monster if they might,
And by the sworde they meant to doe the feate:
And so they did within little while,
VVhen least the king mistrusted anie guile,
To drinke therein for pompe and foolish pride,
And on a time his Queene he gan perswade
To doe the like: whereto she nought replide
But so much scornd his offer of disdaine,
As straight she drew a plot to haue him slaine.
72
With on Parradio by the Queenes deceate,
Were wrought to kill this monster if they might,
And by the sworde they meant to doe the feate:
And so they did within little while,
VVhen least the king mistrusted anie guile,
Vpon his death, Ermigio out of hand,
Espousde the ladie Rosamand to his wife,
Which when longums chaunst to vnderstand
He practisde with the Queene to reaue his life,
To thend that he might marrie with his dame,
Who gaue consent to do this deade of shame.
Espousde the ladie Rosamand to his wife,
Which when longums chaunst to vnderstand
He practisde with the Queene to reaue his life,
To thend that he might marrie with his dame,
Who gaue consent to do this deade of shame.
With venim vile to worke she thought it best
Which when Ermigio dranke, and found the drift,
By force he draue the Queene to drinke the rest
Who seeing that there was none other shift
The payson supt, and took it patientlie.
As iust rewarde for both their villanie.
Which when Ermigio dranke, and found the drift,
By force he draue the Queene to drinke the rest
Who seeing that there was none other shift
The payson supt, and took it patientlie.
As iust rewarde for both their villanie.
Parradio eke whose helping hand did further
The Lumbards haue, and brought him to his death
For guerdon due to him, to quit the murther,
First lost his eies, and after that his breath
That men might see, how trulie God doth
And plague offences, lightlie with the like.
The Lumbards haue, and brought him to his death
For guerdon due to him, to quit the murther,
First lost his eies, and after that his breath
That men might see, how trulie God doth
And plague offences, lightlie with the like.
[72]
Among
those warlike wights
That earst from Almaine came,
And other northly parts besides
Those men that beare the
Of Lombards chunst to light
In Italy and there
Two hundred yeeres and somewhat more.
The only rule did beare
That earst from Almaine came,
And other northly parts besides
Those men that beare the
Of Lombards chunst to light
In Italy and there
Two hundred yeeres and somewhat more.
The only rule did beare
Throughout that realme which we
Now Lombardie do call:
Untill such time as Charles the Great
Had dispossest them all,
Now Lombardie do call:
Untill such time as Charles the Great
Had dispossest them all,
And draue them theuce by force.
And meane of knightly might?
What time (I say) it was their lot
In Italy to light.
And meane of knightly might?
What time (I say) it was their lot
In Italy to light.
One Alboine was their chiefe,
A man of monstrous wit,
And valiant in the feate of armes
For martiall practise sit.
A man of monstrous wit,
And valiant in the feate of armes
For martiall practise sit.
This Alboin ere his came
To Italy, had slain
King Cunimundus and bereft
Hina of his princely raigne.
To Italy, had slain
King Cunimundus and bereft
Hina of his princely raigne.
And not content with death
Nor hauing belly full
Of noble blood, cut off his head
And of the clouen skull
Nor hauing belly full
Of noble blood, cut off his head
And of the clouen skull
73
Did make a quaffing cup
Wherein he tooke delight
To bouse at boorde, in token of
His pompe, and former fight.
Wherein he tooke delight
To bouse at boorde, in token of
His pompe, and former fight.
This Cunimundus had
A daughter passing faire,
Rosmunda hight, that was his ioy,
And should haue bene his heire,
A daughter passing faire,
Rosmunda hight, that was his ioy,
And should haue bene his heire,
If he had kept his crowne,
And not bene conquered so:
But being slayne, his daughter was
A captiue to his foe,
And not bene conquered so:
But being slayne, his daughter was
A captiue to his foe,
This Captaine kept her thrall,
And ment it all her life:
Till loue at last this Lumbard forst
To take her to his wife.
And ment it all her life:
Till loue at last this Lumbard forst
To take her to his wife.
When marriage day was past,
And he to battell fell,
And conquering of Italie
He loude his wife so well,
And he to battell fell,
And conquering of Italie
He loude his wife so well,
As she might neuer parte:
But like a warlike dame,
She euer logde in open campe,
Where so her husband came:
But like a warlike dame,
She euer logde in open campe,
Where so her husband came:
Who sundrie cities tooke,
And conquerde many a towne,
By force of sworde, and Lyonlike
Went ramping vp and downe.
And conquerde many a towne,
By force of sworde, and Lyonlike
Went ramping vp and downe.
[73]
Untill at length he came
To Pauoy, where of olde,
(As in the chiefest place of all)
The kings their courte did holde.
To Pauoy, where of olde,
(As in the chiefest place of all)
The kings their courte did holde.
When full three yeeres and more,
This Lumbarde there had layne:
Unto Verona he remoude,
With all his princely trayne.
This Lumbarde there had layne:
Unto Verona he remoude,
With all his princely trayne.
And presently preparde
A solemne banket there,
To feast his frendes, and others that
Of his retinue were.
A solemne banket there,
To feast his frendes, and others that
Of his retinue were.
Amids which princely cheere
And royall feast, the king,
Did will the wayter on his cup,
That he to boorde should bring
And royall feast, the king,
Did will the wayter on his cup,
That he to boorde should bring
The mazare that was made
Of Cunimundus head:
And hauing it in presence there,
(Where he with wyne were sped,
Of Cunimundus head:
And hauing it in presence there,
(Where he with wyne were sped,
Or else by malice moude,
I wote neare what to thinke)
But hauing it in place, he gaue
His Queene the cuppe to drinke.
I wote neare what to thinke)
But hauing it in place, he gaue
His Queene the cuppe to drinke.
The cuppe her fathers skull,
O wilfull witlesse acte,
Which no man well aduisde would do,
But one that were distracte.
O wilfull witlesse acte,
Which no man well aduisde would do,
But one that were distracte.
74
The Queene perceiuing this
In mockage to be ment
Of Alboyne, as it was in deede,
And sawe his lewde entent,
In mockage to be ment
Of Alboyne, as it was in deede,
And sawe his lewde entent,
And how he skofte the king
Her father in the same,
Was stuft with raging rancour streight,
And blusht for verie shame.
Her father in the same,
Was stuft with raging rancour streight,
And blusht for verie shame.
In sorte that all hir loue
Which she had borne before
Unto her husbande, grewe to hate,
She loathde him tenne times more
Which she had borne before
Unto her husbande, grewe to hate,
She loathde him tenne times more
Than euer she had loude
Or fansied any wight:
And thereupon resolude to doe
A mischiefe, if she might,
Or fansied any wight:
And thereupon resolude to doe
A mischiefe, if she might,
And to reuenge by death
Of Alboyne, monstrous man,
Her father Cunimundus bloud,
Loe here the broyle began.
Of Alboyne, monstrous man,
Her father Cunimundus bloud,
Loe here the broyle began.
For Rosmonde all in rage,
Consulted with a peere,
Ermigio calde, a courtly wighte,
This noble man to steere
Consulted with a peere,
Ermigio calde, a courtly wighte,
This noble man to steere
To murther of the Prince,
I leaue her wordes vnpende,
This noble hearing whereunto
Her long discourse did tende,
I leaue her wordes vnpende,
This noble hearing whereunto
Her long discourse did tende,
[74]
Declarde the Queene his mynde,
And vttred his conceite,
And said Parradio was the man
That must dispatche the feate:
And vttred his conceite,
And said Parradio was the man
That must dispatche the feate:
Without whose helpe (quoth he)
I wote neare what to say:
I thinke him such a one as dares
Such ventrous parts to play.
I wote neare what to say:
I thinke him such a one as dares
Such ventrous parts to play.
Your grace were best to proue,
If he consent, you shall
Not fayle of me, but stande assurde
To haue me at a call.
If he consent, you shall
Not fayle of me, but stande assurde
To haue me at a call.
Forthwith the Queene did cause
Parradio to appeare:
Who after sundrie offers made,
And wordes of courtly cheare,
Parradio to appeare:
Who after sundrie offers made,
And wordes of courtly cheare,
To moue him to the spoyle
Of Alboyn, thus replyde:
In vayne your grace doth goe aboute
To haue the king destroyde
Of Alboyn, thus replyde:
In vayne your grace doth goe aboute
To haue the king destroyde
By these my giltlesse handes,
That day shall neuer be,
I truste, the world shall neuer proue
So foule a fact by me,
That day shall neuer be,
I truste, the world shall neuer proue
So foule a fact by me,
As to procure the death
And murther of the king:
Of treason vile, to haue a thought
To practise such a thing.
And murther of the king:
Of treason vile, to haue a thought
To practise such a thing.
75
Leaue off your lewde entente,
Or seeke some other wight
To worke your feate, I neuer yet
In slaughter tooke delight.
Or seeke some other wight
To worke your feate, I neuer yet
In slaughter tooke delight.
The Ladie hearing this,
Hnd hauing earnest zeale
To worke her will, reiecting shame,
Bethought her howe to deale.
Hnd hauing earnest zeale
To worke her will, reiecting shame,
Bethought her howe to deale.
There did at selfe same time,
Upon the Queene awayte,
A proper wenche, of comely grace,
Full fitte to make a bayte
Upon the Queene awayte,
A proper wenche, of comely grace,
Full fitte to make a bayte
To take such louing woormes
And hang them on the hooke,
Whose greatest pleasure is vpon,
A courtly dame to looke,
And hang them on the hooke,
Whose greatest pleasure is vpon,
A courtly dame to looke,
This gallant likte her glee.
Her gesture, and her face,
And by deuice did hape at last
To purchace priuie grace.
Her gesture, and her face,
And by deuice did hape at last
To purchace priuie grace.
Meane whyle the subtile Queene
That found this louers haunt,
And knew he daily plyde her mayde,
Thereby to make her graunte
That found this louers haunt,
And knew he daily plyde her mayde,
Thereby to make her graunte
And yelde him his desire,
Thus thought it best to worke,
In selfe same place where they did meete,
In secrete sorte to lurke,
Thus thought it best to worke,
In selfe same place where they did meete,
In secrete sorte to lurke,
[75]
As though it were the wenche
With whome he would debate,
And so perhaps she might both checke
And giue the foole a mate.
With whome he would debate,
And so perhaps she might both checke
And giue the foole a mate.
Which hapned so in deede:
For on a certaine day,
The Queene to compasse this her crafte,
Put on her maydes aray,
For on a certaine day,
The Queene to compasse this her crafte,
Put on her maydes aray,
And in the wonted place,
Where they did vse to talke,
Bestowde her self. When night was come
Forth gan this gallant walke,
Where they did vse to talke,
Bestowde her self. When night was come
Forth gan this gallant walke,
And to the standing came
Where lay this lodged doe,
Whome he had thought to be the mayde,
But it was nothing so.
Where lay this lodged doe,
Whome he had thought to be the mayde,
But it was nothing so.
Streight he in wonted wyse,
As custome was of yore,
Pronounste his painted termes of loue,
And flattred more and more,
As custome was of yore,
Pronounste his painted termes of loue,
And flattred more and more,
Bewraying all his thoughtes,
And ripping vp his harte
Unto the wenche (for so he deemde)
And playde the Louers parte.
And ripping vp his harte
Unto the wenche (for so he deemde)
And playde the Louers parte.
Ten thousande wordes he spake,
And tending all to loue:
Whome after all his long discourse,
The Queene did thus reproue.
And tending all to loue:
Whome after all his long discourse,
The Queene did thus reproue.
76
Parradio doest thou knowe
With whome thou standest here?
Who thus replyde in louing wyse:
Yea that I doe (my deare)
With whome thou standest here?
Who thus replyde in louing wyse:
Yea that I doe (my deare)
And namde the selfe same mayde,
Who was his friende in deede,
With whom he had conferrde of loue,
In great good hope to speede.
Who was his friende in deede,
With whom he had conferrde of loue,
In great good hope to speede.
What sir? you are beguilde,
I am not she you weene:
No seruing mayde assure thy selfe,
I am (quoth she) a Queene.
I am not she you weene:
No seruing mayde assure thy selfe,
I am (quoth she) a Queene.
And Rosmond is my name,
Nowe doe I knowe thy minde,
And priuie am to all thy guyle,
Thou shalt be sure to fynde
Nowe doe I knowe thy minde,
And priuie am to all thy guyle,
Thou shalt be sure to fynde
Of me a mortall foe:
Nowe make thy choyce of twayne,
Where thou wilt spoyle ye king my spouse
Or thou thy selfe be slayne,
Nowe make thy choyce of twayne,
Where thou wilt spoyle ye king my spouse
Or thou thy selfe be slayne,
For this outrage of thine,
Which thou hast done to me:
Leaue off delayes, dispatche with speede,
It may none other be.
Which thou hast done to me:
Leaue off delayes, dispatche with speede,
It may none other be.
Parradio hearing this,
And pondring in his thought
To howe extreme a poynt by wyle
Of Rosmond he was brought:
And pondring in his thought
To howe extreme a poynt by wyle
Of Rosmond he was brought:
[76]
Resolude to slay the Prince,
And ridde him of his lyfe:
And for the better working of
His feate, did vse the wyfe
And ridde him of his lyfe:
And for the better working of
His feate, did vse the wyfe
The diuelish Queenes deuise,
And Don Armigios ayde.
And in this sorte these wicked folkes
The cruel pageant playde:
And Don Armigios ayde.
And in this sorte these wicked folkes
The cruel pageant playde:
The king, as custome was,
Because the day was hotte,
To take a nappe at after noone,
Into his chamber gotte.
Because the day was hotte,
To take a nappe at after noone,
Into his chamber gotte.
Where being softely layde,
The place was voyded strayte,
And eurie groome had leaue to parte
That vsually did wayte.
The place was voyded strayte,
And eurie groome had leaue to parte
That vsually did wayte.
To yelde the king his ease,
Thus dealte the suttle dame.
And to be sure to haue her will,
She shifted thence with shame
Thus dealte the suttle dame.
And to be sure to haue her will,
She shifted thence with shame
Her sleepie husbandes sworde,
Who then in slumber lay,
For that he should by no deuise
Haue powre to scape away,
Who then in slumber lay,
For that he should by no deuise
Haue powre to scape away,
This done, the cruel wightes
(Of whome I spake before)
With bloudie mindes, and armed hands
Approched to the doore:
(Of whome I spake before)
With bloudie mindes, and armed hands
Approched to the doore:
77
And vp they thrust the same,
And softly entred in:
And stole vpon the heauie prince,
That slumbring long had byn.
And softly entred in:
And stole vpon the heauie prince,
That slumbring long had byn.
Yet wrought it not so well,
For all their theeuish pace,
But that king perceiude them when
They came vnto the place:
For all their theeuish pace,
But that king perceiude them when
They came vnto the place:
Who mazed in his midde,
And chargde with sodaine feare,
To see these two suspected wights
To prease in presence there:
And chargde with sodaine feare,
To see these two suspected wights
To prease in presence there:
Gate him vp with Lions rage,
From Cabbin where he slept,
And to his sworde, for safegarde of
His life and honour, leapt.
From Cabbin where he slept,
And to his sworde, for safegarde of
His life and honour, leapt.
But out, alas, the Queene
Had reft the weapon thence,
Which earst the Prince was wont to vse.
And weare for his defence.
Had reft the weapon thence,
Which earst the Prince was wont to vse.
And weare for his defence.
The Ruffians that in rage
For blood and mischiefe sought.
Bestowde their blowes vpon the kyng.
That no such practise thought:
For blood and mischiefe sought.
Bestowde their blowes vpon the kyng.
That no such practise thought:
And so bestirde themselues
His weapons being bad,
As in a while they slue him there,
And so their purpose had,
His weapons being bad,
As in a while they slue him there,
And so their purpose had,
[77]
Unwist of any wight,
The murther was vnseene,
And knowne of none, but of the two,
And of the cursed Queene,
The murther was vnseene,
And knowne of none, but of the two,
And of the cursed Queene,
When this deuise was wrought,
Ermigio out of hande
Did seyze vpon the Pallace, with
Intent to rule the land.
Ermigio out of hande
Did seyze vpon the Pallace, with
Intent to rule the land.
And thought to wed the Queene,
And so he did indeede:
Whereto the Queene and all the rest,
That fauourde her, agreede.
And so he did indeede:
Whereto the Queene and all the rest,
That fauourde her, agreede.
Imagine of their ioyes,
Whom filthie sinne did linke,
What pleasure they in kingdome tooke,
I leaue for you to thinke.
Whom filthie sinne did linke,
What pleasure they in kingdome tooke,
I leaue for you to thinke.
But sure in my conceite,
Where murther brings the wife,
There wealth is woe, lust turnes to loath,
And liking growes to strife,
Where murther brings the wife,
There wealth is woe, lust turnes to loath,
And liking growes to strife,
But turne I to my tale,
That plainly may appeare,
What hap befell, and whether they
Did buie their marriage deare:
That plainly may appeare,
What hap befell, and whether they
Did buie their marriage deare:
The Lumbards priuie that
Their king was fouly slaine,
And that by meane thereof they might
Their purpose not attaine:
Their king was fouly slaine,
And that by meane thereof they might
Their purpose not attaine:
78
But should bee forst to flee,
Or worser hap to haue
By longer stay, their chiefest goods
And iewels for to saue,
Or worser hap to haue
By longer stay, their chiefest goods
And iewels for to saue,
Trusst vp in fardell wise,
And so conueide by stealth
The Ladie Aluisenda thence,
(And eke good store of wealth.)
And so conueide by stealth
The Ladie Aluisenda thence,
(And eke good store of wealth.)
Who daughter to the king,
But lately murthred was,
Not by this wife, but by the first:
Away the Lumbards passe,
But lately murthred was,
Not by this wife, but by the first:
Away the Lumbards passe,
Unto Rauenna, where
As God and fortune woulde,
Longinus tho Lieuetenant to
Tyberius, courte did holde:
As God and fortune woulde,
Longinus tho Lieuetenant to
Tyberius, courte did holde:
Great Constantine his sonne,
Whose Empire stretched wide,
And vnder whom Longinus had
In trust those Realmes to guide.
This Captaine entertainde
Them in good louing wise
And did the greatest friendship vse,
That he mought well deuise.
Whose Empire stretched wide,
And vnder whom Longinus had
In trust those Realmes to guide.
This Captaine entertainde
Them in good louing wise
And did the greatest friendship vse,
That he mought well deuise.
It fortunde so at last,
(The cause I vote not well)
Longinus to good liking of
The Ladie Rosmonde fell,
(The cause I vote not well)
Longinus to good liking of
The Ladie Rosmonde fell,
[78]
Whose fansie grew so great
Unto the featurde wight,
As marrie out of hand he would
To further his delight.
Unto the featurde wight,
As marrie out of hand he would
To further his delight.
To bring this match about,
He practisde with the dame,
And gaue aduise that she shoulde take
In hand a deede of shame.
He practisde with the dame,
And gaue aduise that she shoulde take
In hand a deede of shame.
The murther of the man
That vsde her as his wife:
There was no choyce, but shee must reaue
Ermigio of his life.
That vsde her as his wife:
There was no choyce, but shee must reaue
Ermigio of his life.
The Queene that cleane had cast
The feare of God away,
And awe of men, not weying what
The world of her might say:
The feare of God away,
And awe of men, not weying what
The world of her might say:
And thirsting for estate,
Whereto she hoapte to clime:
Preparde a poysoned drinke for him
Against his bathing time,
Whereto she hoapte to clime:
Preparde a poysoned drinke for him
Against his bathing time,
And made in wise, she gaue
A holesome Gossups cup.
Which he should finde exceeding good,
If he would drinke it vp.
A holesome Gossups cup.
Which he should finde exceeding good,
If he would drinke it vp.
Who hauing no distrust
Of wife, or diuelish drift,
With willing hands vnto his mouth
The poysoned pot did lift:
Of wife, or diuelish drift,
With willing hands vnto his mouth
The poysoned pot did lift:
79
And drank a greedie draught
His former heat to quell:
It was not long before the drinke
Unto his working fell:
His former heat to quell:
It was not long before the drinke
Unto his working fell:
Which when he felt to rage
And boyle within his breast,
And knew himselfe vnto the death
With venim vile possest.
And boyle within his breast,
And knew himselfe vnto the death
With venim vile possest.
He drew his desperate sworde,
In choler and despite,
And draue the Queene to quaffe the rest,
And empt the vessell quite.
In choler and despite,
And draue the Queene to quaffe the rest,
And empt the vessell quite.
Which done, at one selfe time,
Both he and eke his Queene,
Did end their liues, that hastners of
King Albyons bane had beene
Both he and eke his Queene,
Did end their liues, that hastners of
King Albyons bane had beene
One poysoned syrrupe slue,
This cursed couple tho,
Whose beastly liues deserude so vile
A death for lyuing so.
This cursed couple tho,
Whose beastly liues deserude so vile
A death for lyuing so.
Which when Longinus heard,
And how that matters went:
The Ladie Aluisinda streight
Unto Tyberius sent,
And how that matters went:
The Ladie Aluisinda streight
Unto Tyberius sent,
And all her treasure eke
That earst her fathers was.
Withall, Parradio who did ayde
To bring these feates to passe.
That earst her fathers was.
Withall, Parradio who did ayde
To bring these feates to passe.
[79]
Who being there in place,
In cruell sort was slaine,
And ere he dyde, was reft his eyes,
To put him more to paine.
In cruell sort was slaine,
And ere he dyde, was reft his eyes,
To put him more to paine.
Nullum peccatum impunitum.
Ogni peccato a morte a'l fin lhuom mena.
The Lenuoy.
Lo
heere the fatall end of murther done,
Such blooddie factes deserue no better hyre:
Behold the threede that of such wooll is spon,
Marke well their lot that mischiefe doe conspire,
It lightlie doth vpon their heads retire:
And those that are the workers of the deed,
Though long forborne, at last no better speed.
Such blooddie factes deserue no better hyre:
Behold the threede that of such wooll is spon,
Marke well their lot that mischiefe doe conspire,
It lightlie doth vpon their heads retire:
And those that are the workers of the deed,
Though long forborne, at last no better speed.
See, to reuenge when Rosmond once began,
Incenst there to by wrath and deepe disdaine,
She could not stint by murther of a man,
Nor leaue, although she saw her husbande slaine,
But thought she woulde attempt the like againe:
Her vile conceite was blinded all with blood,
She could not turne about to see the good.
Incenst there to by wrath and deepe disdaine,
She could not stint by murther of a man,
Nor leaue, although she saw her husbande slaine,
But thought she woulde attempt the like againe:
Her vile conceite was blinded all with blood,
She could not turne about to see the good.
Sowst once in sinne, and washt in waues of ill
She vanisht ruth, and pitie flong aside,
Yelding hey selie to spoyle the slaughter still,
Whom she misukte, should streight haue surelie dide.
Such flames of wreake withyn her bowels fride:
And being cald to hie and princelie state,
In foule attempts, she could not want a mate.
She vanisht ruth, and pitie flong aside,
Yelding hey selie to spoyle the slaughter still,
Whom she misukte, should streight haue surelie dide.
Such flames of wreake withyn her bowels fride:
And being cald to hie and princelie state,
In foule attempts, she could not want a mate.
80
Worth whyle to note how such as beare the sway,
And sit in seat of royall dignitie,
The righteous Gods without respect, doe pay,
And plague them for their hellish crueltie,
With losse of honour liues and iolitie:
And such as are their ministers in ill.
Either gallowes eates, or fatall sworde doth kill.
And sit in seat of royall dignitie,
The righteous Gods without respect, doe pay,
And plague them for their hellish crueltie,
With losse of honour liues and iolitie:
And such as are their ministers in ill.
Either gallowes eates, or fatall sworde doth kill.
Crude'lta sta spesso in donna bella.
[The king of Thunise had a daughter faire]
The Argument to the sixt Historie.
The king of Thunise had a daughter faire,
Whose beauties brute through many countries ran.
This Lady was her fathers only heire,
Which made her loude and likt of eury man,
But most of all the king of Granate than,
Began to loue, who for he was a king,
By little sute, this match to cloth did bring.
Whose beauties brute through many countries ran.
This Lady was her fathers only heire,
Which made her loude and likt of eury man,
But most of all the king of Granate than,
Began to loue, who for he was a king,
By little sute, this match to cloth did bring.
The promise past betweene these noble states
The rested nought, but onlie her conuey
In safetie home, for feare of rouing mates,
Who would perhaps assault them by the way:
Wherefore the king Cicils pledge they pray,
Who gaue his word and Gantlet from his hand,
Not to be vext by any of his land.
The rested nought, but onlie her conuey
In safetie home, for feare of rouing mates,
Who would perhaps assault them by the way:
Wherefore the king Cicils pledge they pray,
Who gaue his word and Gantlet from his hand,
Not to be vext by any of his land.
Away they went, the ships forsooke the shore,
And helde their couse to Granate warde amain,
When sodeinly Gerbino (who before
Had lovde the Queen, & did his match disdain)
VVith Galies came this royall prize to gaine:
The fight was fierce, a cruell battaile grewe,
But he at length most likelie to subdue.
And helde their couse to Granate warde amain,
When sodeinly Gerbino (who before
Had lovde the Queen, & did his match disdain)
[80]
The fight was fierce, a cruell battaile grewe,
But he at length most likelie to subdue.
VVhen Sarizens saw the force of blooddie foe,
And that they must surrender vp the dame,
Maugre their might, & needs their charge forgo:
VVhat for despite, and vvhat for verie shame,
And partly to discharge themselues of blame,
They kild the Queene, Gerbino looking on,
And threvve her out, for fish to feed vpon.
And that they must surrender vp the dame,
Maugre their might, & needs their charge forgo:
VVhat for despite, and vvhat for verie shame,
And partly to discharge themselues of blame,
They kild the Queene, Gerbino looking on,
And threvve her out, for fish to feed vpon.
To venge vvhich deede, and cursed cruell acte,
He slue them all, not leauing one aliue,
VVith fire and svvord the Sarizens he sackt,
For that they durst so stoutlie vvith him striue
And did his loue of life and light depriue.
Yet backe againe to Cicill Ile retyrde,
Missing the marke vvhich he had long desyrde.
He slue them all, not leauing one aliue,
VVith fire and svvord the Sarizens he sackt,
For that they durst so stoutlie vvith him striue
And did his loue of life and light depriue.
Yet backe againe to Cicill Ile retyrde,
Missing the marke vvhich he had long desyrde.
VVhē nevves vvas brought vnto the aged king
The Grandsire, hovv his nephevv vvilfullie
Had broke the league, and done a heinous thing,
Committing spoile, and shamefull Piracie:
Although he loude Gerbino tenderlie,
Yet did adiudge him to the death, because
He did prefer his lust before the lavves.
The Grandsire, hovv his nephevv vvilfullie
Had broke the league, and done a heinous thing,
Committing spoile, and shamefull Piracie:
Although he loude Gerbino tenderlie,
Yet did adiudge him to the death, because
He did prefer his lust before the lavves.
81
King William, by report of such
As dwelt within his lande,
Who second Prince of Cecil, held
The Scepter in his hand
As dwelt within his lande,
Who second Prince of Cecil, held
The Scepter in his hand
Two babes begot vpon his Queene,
A male, that Ruggier hight:
And eke a daughter, Custance cald,
A Dame of beautie bright.
A male, that Ruggier hight:
And eke a daughter, Custance cald,
A Dame of beautie bright.
This Ruggier, whilst his father liude,
By fortune had a Sonne,
Gerbino namde, of whom this tale
Especially doth runne.
By fortune had a Sonne,
Gerbino namde, of whom this tale
Especially doth runne.
Who by his Grandsyre nourisht vp
And nurtred from a boye,
At length became a proper man,
And was the Princes ioye.
And nurtred from a boye,
At length became a proper man,
And was the Princes ioye.
His courteous nature wonne renowne,
His valiant courage knowne
Not only in Cicilia was:
But brute abroad had blowne
His valiant courage knowne
Not only in Cicilia was:
But brute abroad had blowne
The fame thereof to foraine realmes.
His praise doth passe the boundes
Of all the Ile, where he was bred,
And in Barbaria soundes:
His praise doth passe the boundes
Of all the Ile, where he was bred,
And in Barbaria soundes:
Who to the King of Cycill payde
Their tribute money then:
Which great renowne of Gerbins name
Unto the eares of men
Their tribute money then:
Which great renowne of Gerbins name
Unto the eares of men
[81]
Was brought that euery one extolde
His vertues to the skye:
Who but Gerbino all abrode,
Whose fame like his did flie?
His vertues to the skye:
Who but Gerbino all abrode,
Whose fame like his did flie?
Among the rest that heard reporte
Of Gerbin, was a dame,
The daughter of the king of Tunise
(I wotte not well her name)
Of Gerbin, was a dame,
The daughter of the king of Tunise
(I wotte not well her name)
But as (the men that sawe her vaunte)
Shee was the fairest hewde,
And trimmest shapte, that euer kinde
Had cast or creature vewde
Shee was the fairest hewde,
And trimmest shapte, that euer kinde
Had cast or creature vewde
Whose body was no brauer deckte
With louely limmes without
Thā was her mynd with maners fraught
And vertues round about.
With louely limmes without
Thā was her mynd with maners fraught
And vertues round about.
This Lady hearing noble men
Oft reasoning of renowne
That Gerbin wanne, by worthy deedes,
And how his fame did drowne
Oft reasoning of renowne
That Gerbin wanne, by worthy deedes,
And how his fame did drowne
That chiualry of all the rest:
And that his courage was
So great as he in manly feates
All other knightes did passe,
And that his courage was
So great as he in manly feates
All other knightes did passe,
Delighted very much therein,
Shee likte the talke so well,
And stood so long deuising of
His prowesse, that shee fell
Shee likte the talke so well,
And stood so long deuising of
His prowesse, that shee fell
82
To like Gerbino, though vnseene:
She felt her brest to frie
With fancies flame, and was of him
Enamord by and by.
She felt her brest to frie
With fancies flame, and was of him
Enamord by and by.
So that it did her good at harte
To heare of Gerbines fame,
And eke her selfe among the rest
To publish out the same.
To heare of Gerbines fame,
And eke her selfe among the rest
To publish out the same.
As willing as shee was before
To heare of others talke,
So glad this Lady woxe at last.
To haue her toung to walke.
To heare of others talke,
So glad this Lady woxe at last.
To haue her toung to walke.
The playnest proofe of great good will
That lurking lyes in brest:
For when the minde doth like, the mouth
Can neuer be at rest.
That lurking lyes in brest:
For when the minde doth like, the mouth
Can neuer be at rest.
And on the other side, as fast
This peerlesse Princesse fame
Was noysde abroad, and so in fine
To Cicill Ile it came:
This peerlesse Princesse fame
Was noysde abroad, and so in fine
To Cicill Ile it came:
There was hir beautie bruted much,
As other where beside:
So long till Gerbin through reporte
Of his fayre Lady fride.
As other where beside:
So long till Gerbin through reporte
Of his fayre Lady fride.
And felt himselfe enlaste in loue,
And tangled in the net:
That willie Cupid earst to take
His louing Lady set.
And tangled in the net:
That willie Cupid earst to take
His louing Lady set.
[82]
This heate did daily grow to more
Within the gallantes brest,
And did torment him so within,
That he to purchase rest,
Within the gallantes brest,
And did torment him so within,
That he to purchase rest,
Deuisde an honest lawfull skuse
To parte from Cicill Ile,
And gat him leaue to trauaile vnto
Tunise for a while,
To parte from Cicill Ile,
And gat him leaue to trauaile vnto
Tunise for a while,
Upon desire to see the dame,
Whose fansie bound him thrall:
And gaue in charge vnto his frende,
And folkes he went withall,
Whose fansie bound him thrall:
And gaue in charge vnto his frende,
And folkes he went withall,
As much as euer lay in them
To further his intent,
As euery one should thinke it best:
And tell her what was ment
To further his intent,
As euery one should thinke it best:
And tell her what was ment
Of Gerbines parte, and how he loude,
Enduring bitter payne
For her, and from the noble Queene
To bring him newes againe.
Enduring bitter payne
For her, and from the noble Queene
To bring him newes againe.
Of whom, these men that had the wit
To handle matters well,
Went Merchant like vnto the court,
Fine iewels there to sell:
To handle matters well,
Went Merchant like vnto the court,
Fine iewels there to sell:
Which they of purpose brought from home
And Ladies vse to bye,
As rings, and stones, and carkenettes,
To make them please the eye.
And Ladies vse to bye,
As rings, and stones, and carkenettes,
To make them please the eye.
83
And by this practise in they gotte
Within the Pallace gate,
And made their shew, and marchātlike
In euery pointe they sate,
Within the Pallace gate,
And made their shew, and marchātlike
In euery pointe they sate,
To spye a time to moue their sute
Unto the noble Dame:
Who, in a whyle that they had bene
In place, by fortune came,
Unto the noble Dame:
Who, in a whyle that they had bene
In place, by fortune came,
And twharted where Cicylians sate,
Upon desire to see
Such iewels as might like her best,
Now here began the glee:
Upon desire to see
Such iewels as might like her best,
Now here began the glee:
For one that had a fyled tong,
And durst his tale to tell
And looke a Ladie in the face,
Unto his purpose fell.
And durst his tale to tell
And looke a Ladie in the face,
Unto his purpose fell.
And after reuerence done, began
To say in sobre sorte,
That Gerbin willd him to repaire
Unto her fathers courte,
To say in sobre sorte,
That Gerbin willd him to repaire
Unto her fathers courte,
To see, and to salute her grace,
Whom he did tender more
Than all the Ladies on the earth,
That he had seene before.
Whom he did tender more
Than all the Ladies on the earth,
That he had seene before.
Her loue had pierst his noble brest,
And cleft his manly harte:
And he was well contented with
The stroke of Cupides darte.
And cleft his manly harte:
And he was well contented with
The stroke of Cupides darte.
[83]
Both he, and all the wealth he had
Was hers to vse at will,
Requesting her to take in worth
Gerbinos great good will:
Was hers to vse at will,
Requesting her to take in worth
Gerbinos great good will:
I can not pen the tale he tolde,
So well in euery place,
As he, perhaps, pronounst it then:
The gesture giues the grace.
So well in euery place,
As he, perhaps, pronounst it then:
The gesture giues the grace.
But this you may assure your selfe,
He dealte so orderly,
As needed: for the Princesse did
Receiue him thankfully:
He dealte so orderly,
As needed: for the Princesse did
Receiue him thankfully:
And did accept his message well,
With answere to the same,
That as Gerbino burnt in loue,
So shee did frie in flame,
With answere to the same,
That as Gerbino burnt in loue,
So shee did frie in flame,
And felte as hot a coale as hee
Within her tender brest:
If inward loue, by secret ache,
And griping might be gest.
Within her tender brest:
If inward loue, by secret ache,
And griping might be gest.
And to thend her former talke
Unfayned might appeare,
Shee sent Gerbino such a ring,
As shee did holde most deare.
Unfayned might appeare,
Shee sent Gerbino such a ring,
As shee did holde most deare.
A iewell of no slender price,
The value did excell:
This message being borne him backe
Did like the Louer well,
The value did excell:
This message being borne him backe
Did like the Louer well,
84
The token highly was esteemd,
No richesse mought haue pleasde
His fansie halfe so well, as that,
For why? his smarte was easde.
No richesse mought haue pleasde
His fansie halfe so well, as that,
For why? his smarte was easde.
And after that, he sundrie tymes
Sent freindly lynes of loue,
And tokens to the Princesse, by
The man that first did moue
Sent freindly lynes of loue,
And tokens to the Princesse, by
The man that first did moue
The sute, and brake the matter vp:
Deuising how he might,
And ment him selfe to talke with her,
If fortune fell aright.
Deuising how he might,
And ment him selfe to talke with her,
If fortune fell aright.
But matters being at this hande,
And luckely begonne:
Deferring off from day to daye
The thing that should bene done:
And luckely begonne:
Deferring off from day to daye
The thing that should bene done:
Whilst Gerbin melted with desire
His Lady to imbrace:
And she againe did long asmuch
To see her louers face.
His Lady to imbrace:
And she againe did long asmuch
To see her louers face.
It so befell, the king of Tunise
His daughter spowsed had
Unto the Prince of Granate, which
Did make the Lady sad.
His daughter spowsed had
Unto the Prince of Granate, which
Did make the Lady sad.
She woxe the wofulst dame aliue,
For being matched so:
It did not only grieue her, that
Shee was compeld to go
For being matched so:
It did not only grieue her, that
Shee was compeld to go
[82]
So farre away from Gerbin: but
The thing that nipte her nere,
Was, that she feard she neuer should
Haue seene her louer deare,
The thing that nipte her nere,
Was, that she feard she neuer should
Haue seene her louer deare,
Once being parted from the place
In all her life againe:
And hereupon she willing was,
And would bene very fayne
In all her life againe:
And hereupon she willing was,
And would bene very fayne
To scape the Ring her fathers handes,
And liude with Gerbin aye:
She beate her braynes, deuising meanes
By stealth to runne away
And liude with Gerbin aye:
She beate her braynes, deuising meanes
By stealth to runne away
Likewise ye knight was cloyd with care,
And liude a wofull man.
Her mariage knowen, his valiant brest
To throbbe and ake began:
And liude a wofull man.
Her mariage knowen, his valiant brest
To throbbe and ake began:
Was neuer wight in greater woe,
Nor angry moode than he:
At length when care was somewhat past,
He thought his helpe to be,
Nor angry moode than he:
At length when care was somewhat past,
He thought his helpe to be,
And only ayde to rest in force,
Wherefore he did entend
By strength of hand to win his loue,
When so the king should send
Wherefore he did entend
By strength of hand to win his loue,
When so the king should send
Her home vnto her husbandes realme:
Loue had possest him so.
As, he the Princesse to enioye.
Through fire and floudes would goe.
Loue had possest him so.
As, he the Princesse to enioye.
Through fire and floudes would goe.
83
The king of Tunise hauing heard
Some inckling of good will,
That was betwixt the knight and her,
And doubting of some ill
Some inckling of good will,
That was betwixt the knight and her,
And doubting of some ill
That Gerbin would pretend: besides,
Well knowing that he was
A valiant wight and one that did
Full manly prowesse passe:
Well knowing that he was
A valiant wight and one that did
Full manly prowesse passe:
When time was come to send the queene
Unto her husbands land,
By letters which he sent, hee let
King William vnderstand
Unto her husbands land,
By letters which he sent, hee let
King William vnderstand
His meaning and his full inteent,
And did request beside,
To haue assurance at his hands,
That he would so prouide,
And did request beside,
To haue assurance at his hands,
That he would so prouide,
That not a man within his Realme
Should hinder his pretence,
Nor Gerbin make resistance, when
He sent his Ladie thence.
Should hinder his pretence,
Nor Gerbin make resistance, when
He sent his Ladie thence.
The hoarie graue Cicilian king,
That loden was with age,
And wist not of his daughters loue,
Nor yet Gerbinos rage,
That loden was with age,
And wist not of his daughters loue,
Nor yet Gerbinos rage,
Nor deeming that the kings demaunde
Did tend to such effect,
Did frankly yeld his sute, as one
That did no ill suspect.
Did tend to such effect,
Did frankly yeld his sute, as one
That did no ill suspect.
[83]
And for assurance of the same,
To rid the prince of feare,
He sent his Gantlet, for a pledge
That things confirmed were.
To rid the prince of feare,
He sent his Gantlet, for a pledge
That things confirmed were.
Who hauing such asssurance made,
Let builde a mightie barke
In Carthage Hauen and did rig
The same with earnst carke.
Let builde a mightie barke
In Carthage Hauen and did rig
The same with earnst carke.
And finely finisht vp the ship.
In minde, without delay.
Unto Granata, by the Seas,
To send the Queene away.
In minde, without delay.
Unto Granata, by the Seas,
To send the Queene away.
He wanted nothing saue the time
To complish his intent:
Meane while the wanton Princes, that
Knew her father ment,
To complish his intent:
Meane while the wanton Princes, that
Knew her father ment,
And smelling out his purpose, causde
Her man in poast to goe,
Unto Palermo couertly,
To let Gerbino knowe,
Her man in poast to goe,
Unto Palermo couertly,
To let Gerbino knowe,
Both of the Ladies late contract.
And that by ship shee must
Within a while to Granat goe,
To serue her husbands lust.
And that by ship shee must
Within a while to Granat goe,
To serue her husbands lust.
Wherefore tell Gerbine if he bee
The man in deed (quoth shee)
And such a valiant Knight at armes
As he hath bragd to mee,
The man in deed (quoth shee)
And such a valiant Knight at armes
As he hath bragd to mee,
86
And often boastes of himselfe
Or beare me halfe the loue,
He made in wise: he knowes my minde,
I shall his courage proue.
Or beare me halfe the loue,
He made in wise: he knowes my minde,
I shall his courage proue.
The messenger that had the charge
Did as the Queene had wild:
And made returne to Tunise, when
He had her hest fulfild.
Did as the Queene had wild:
And made returne to Tunise, when
He had her hest fulfild.
When Gerbin had receiude the newes,
Both of her going thence,
And also that his Gransire gaue
His gloue for their defence
Both of her going thence,
And also that his Gransire gaue
His gloue for their defence
That should conuey the Princesse home
Unto her husbands land:
He doubtfull woxe, and wist not what
Was best to take in hand.
Unto her husbands land:
He doubtfull woxe, and wist not what
Was best to take in hand.
But waying well the Ladies wordes
Whom he did most imbrace:
To make a proofe of faithfull loue
In such a doubtfull case,
Whom he did most imbrace:
To make a proofe of faithfull loue
In such a doubtfull case,
Unto Messina streight he went,
And there two Gallies made:
And armde them well with valiant men,
And skilde in Rouers trade.
And there two Gallies made:
And armde them well with valiant men,
And skilde in Rouers trade.
And to Sardinia did conuey
Him selfe, and all his route:
Entending there to make his stay,
And linger thereabout,
Him selfe, and all his route:
Entending there to make his stay,
And linger thereabout,
[86]
Till time the Queen by shipping came
Which was within a space:
For why Gerbino had not long
Continude in the place.
Which was within a space:
For why Gerbino had not long
Continude in the place.
But that he might perceiue aloofe
One vnder saile that came,
And had but slender gale: he knew
It streight to be the same
One vnder saile that came,
And had but slender gale: he knew
It streight to be the same
Wherin the Queene his mistresse went:
The Gods would haue it so,
For at that instant slender was
The winde that there did blow.
The Gods would haue it so,
For at that instant slender was
The winde that there did blow.
Then (quoth Gerbino to his mates)
If you be valiant men,
(As I haue thought you all to bee,
And doe account you:) then
If you be valiant men,
(As I haue thought you all to bee,
And doe account you:) then
There is not one among you all
I dare auowe, but earst
Hath been in loue, or presently
With Cupids shaft is pierst:
I dare auowe, but earst
Hath been in loue, or presently
With Cupids shaft is pierst:
And certainely withouten loue
Within the breast of man,
No goodnesse growes, as I doe deeme
Nor any vertue can.
Within the breast of man,
No goodnesse growes, as I doe deeme
Nor any vertue can.
And if you loue, or euer did,
Then lightly may you gesse
The great desire, and burning loue
That doth my heart oppresse.
Then lightly may you gesse
The great desire, and burning loue
That doth my heart oppresse.
87
I doe confesse I am in loue,
And Cupid causer was
That I procurde you hither now,
To bring my will to passe,
And Cupid causer was
That I procurde you hither now,
To bring my will to passe,
And vndertake this present toyle.
The yonder ship you see,
And in the ship doth rest a dame,
The only ioy of mee.
The yonder ship you see,
And in the ship doth rest a dame,
The only ioy of mee.
And eke besides my Ladie deare
Whom I would haue so faine,
Great wealth there is, to quit your toiles,
An easie thing to gaine.
Whom I would haue so faine,
Great wealth there is, to quit your toiles,
An easie thing to gaine.
Small fight (no doubt) will serue the turne,
If you will play the men:
Which bootie, if wee may atchieue,
(My mates) assure you then
If you will play the men:
Which bootie, if wee may atchieue,
(My mates) assure you then
I only will the Ladie gaine,
That is my only care:
As for the goods, I am content
Among your selues to share.
Wherefore (my friends) attempt the fight,
Let courage neuer faile:
That is my only care:
As for the goods, I am content
Among your selues to share.
Wherefore (my friends) attempt the fight,
Let courage neuer faile:
The Gods you see are willing, that
We should the ship assaile.
You see she hath no gale to goe,
She can not passe away?
We should the ship assaile.
You see she hath no gale to goe,
She can not passe away?
Fight freely, all the spoyle is yours,
You shall be made to day,
You shall be made to day,
[87]
There needed not so many wordes
Their willing hearts to win:
For why encountring rather than
Their liues they would haue bin
Their willing hearts to win:
For why encountring rather than
Their liues they would haue bin
The bootie bred the great desire,
They thought his tale too long:
The greedie lust of pray did pricke
Those lustie Lads along.
They thought his tale too long:
The greedie lust of pray did pricke
Those lustie Lads along.
Wherefore as soone as he had told
His tale, the trumpets blewe:
And euery man his weapon caught,
And to the oares they flewe,
His tale, the trumpets blewe:
And euery man his weapon caught,
And to the oares they flewe,
And to the shipwarde on they went,
With all the speede they might:
The men aboord that see them come
Preparde them selues to fight.
With all the speede they might:
The men aboord that see them come
Preparde them selues to fight.
For why they could not scape away,
The Gallies were so neare,
And eke the winde so slender was
To cause the ship to steare.
The Gallies were so neare,
And eke the winde so slender was
To cause the ship to steare.
When Gerbin did approch the barke,
He wild the chiefest men,
That were the guides, and rulde the ship,
To come aboord him then,
He wild the chiefest men,
That were the guides, and rulde the ship,
To come aboord him then,
Unlesse they ment to fight it out,
The Sarizens that saw
Both who they were, & what they would,
Said that they brake the law
The Sarizens that saw
Both who they were, & what they would,
Said that they brake the law
88
Which earst the Prince of Cicill made
Unto their Soueraigne, and
To make the matter plaine, they shewde
The Gantlet of his hand:
Unto their Soueraigne, and
To make the matter plaine, they shewde
The Gantlet of his hand:
Loe here King Williams Gloue (quoth they)
Behold it here in sight:
This is your Pasport, nought yee get,
Unlesse it be by fight.
Behold it here in sight:
This is your Pasport, nought yee get,
Unlesse it be by fight.
Gerbino halting earst descride
The beautie of the dame
Aloft the Poope, began to frie
And melt with greater flame
The beautie of the dame
Aloft the Poope, began to frie
And melt with greater flame
Than euer he had done before:
For then her feature seemde,
Farre fresher than in all his life
The lustie louer deemde.
For then her feature seemde,
Farre fresher than in all his life
The lustie louer deemde.
And thereupon inraged thus
By beautie of the Queene:
He gaue his scoffing answere, when
He had the Gantlet seene:
By beautie of the Queene:
He gaue his scoffing answere, when
He had the Gantlet seene:
Good faith (quoth hee) I neede no gloue,
My Faulcon is away:
I haue no vse to put it to:
But if without delay
My Faulcon is away:
I haue no vse to put it to:
But if without delay
You doe not yeeld the Ladie vp,
Prepare your selues to sword:
For sure, vnlesse I haue my will,
You shall bee layde aboord.
Prepare your selues to sword:
For sure, vnlesse I haue my will,
You shall bee layde aboord.
[88]
And presentle vpon the same
Without a farther talke,
The arrowes flewe, from side to side,
The bullot stones did walke:
Without a farther talke,
The arrowes flewe, from side to side,
The bullot stones did walke:
A cruell fight began to grow
On eyther part a space:
But when Gerbino saw at length
His force could take no place,
On eyther part a space:
But when Gerbino saw at length
His force could take no place,
He lades a Lyter all with fire,
And with his gallies went
Full closely to the mightie ship.
They seeyng his intent,
And with his gallies went
Full closely to the mightie ship.
They seeyng his intent,
And knowing this, of verie force
That they must yeeld, or die:
Did make no more adoe, but causde
The Princes by and by,
That they must yeeld, or die:
Did make no more adoe, but causde
The Princes by and by,
(That vnder hatches sobbing sate
Gerbinos only loue)
To leaue her teares, and shew her selfe
Upon the decke aboue.
Gerbinos only loue)
To leaue her teares, and shew her selfe
Upon the decke aboue.
Who, as vpon the foreship stoode
In presence of them all,
The hellish houndes, the Sarizens,
Unto the Knight did call,
In presence of them all,
The hellish houndes, the Sarizens,
Unto the Knight did call,
And ful before his face, they fliee,
With many a blooddie blow
The Ladie, crying out for grace:
And hauing done, did throw
With many a blooddie blow
The Ladie, crying out for grace:
And hauing done, did throw
89
Her carued carkasse from the ship
Into the brackishe flood:
And to Gerbino therewithall
Exclaymde, and cryed a good:
Into the brackishe flood:
And to Gerbino therewithall
Exclaymde, and cryed a good:
Loe, take sir Knight, we yeeld her vp
Unto thy crauing and handes,
In sort as lyes in vs to doe,
And as the broken bandes
Unto thy crauing and handes,
In sort as lyes in vs to doe,
And as the broken bandes
Which thou hast (wretchlesse man) despisde,
Deserue: now doe thy best.
Gerbino, hauing viewde the deed,
And wayed within his breast
Deserue: now doe thy best.
Gerbino, hauing viewde the deed,
And wayed within his breast
The tygres harts, and bloudy mindes
Of those that slue the dame,
Did make no more adoe, but close
With dreadlesse courage came
Of those that slue the dame,
Did make no more adoe, but close
With dreadlesse courage came
A boord the ship, and there begon
Without respect of grace,
Full Lion like, that lackes his pray,
When bullockes are in place:
Without respect of grace,
Full Lion like, that lackes his pray,
When bullockes are in place:
To doe those wicked slaues to death,
He did not fauour one.
Some rent he with his eger teeth,
He set his nayles vpon
He did not fauour one.
Some rent he with his eger teeth,
He set his nayles vpon
Some other, breaking all their bones,
To glut his hungry hart,
That longd for vengeance of the fact.
Then gan he play his part,
To glut his hungry hart,
That longd for vengeance of the fact.
Then gan he play his part,
[81]
With sharpe and cruell sword in hand,
As one without remorse:
He seard me one, and scotcht an other,
And mangled euery corse.
As one without remorse:
He seard me one, and scotcht an other,
And mangled euery corse.
Meanwhile the flame began to grow,
And kindle all about
The bloudy barke, and bodies slayne,
The sparkes began to spout.
And kindle all about
The bloudy barke, and bodies slayne,
The sparkes began to spout.
The knight to saue the taken spoyle,
Did cause his water men,
To beare away such bootie as
Serue their purpose then.
Did cause his water men,
To beare away such bootie as
Serue their purpose then.
Which done, he left the burning ship,
And to his gallies goes,
With wofull conquest of the Mores
That were his mortall foes.
And to his gallies goes,
With wofull conquest of the Mores
That were his mortall foes.
Then willd he all the Ladies limmes
That in the water were,
To be vptaken, peece by peece,
Not one to tarry there.
That in the water were,
To be vptaken, peece by peece,
Not one to tarry there.
Which bones he long bewept with teares,
That in abundant wise,
For very griefe distilled were
By lymbeckes of his eyes.
That in abundant wise,
For very griefe distilled were
By lymbeckes of his eyes.
And after many dolefull plaintes,
And profes of louers paine,
Returning home vnto the Isle
Of Cicille againe,
And profes of louers paine,
Returning home vnto the Isle
Of Cicille againe,
82
He causde her body to be tumbd
In Ustica, an yle
Full sore against Traponus soyle.
And then within a whyle,
In Ustica, an yle
Full sore against Traponus soyle.
And then within a whyle,
He hyed him to his natiue home,
A man of heauie hart,
Meanewhile the king of Tunise, that
Had tiding of the part
A man of heauie hart,
Meanewhile the king of Tunise, that
Had tiding of the part
That late was playde, attyred all
In blacke, his legates sent
To Cicill, to the king to shew
His grace, how matters went,
In blacke, his legates sent
To Cicill, to the king to shew
His grace, how matters went,
And all the order of the fact,
And let him vnderstand
How that his nephew broken had
By rash attempt, the band.
And let him vnderstand
How that his nephew broken had
By rash attempt, the band.
Whereof king William wrothfull wox,
And seeing that he must
Of force, or shew himselfe a Prince,
Or not be counted iust:
And seeing that he must
Of force, or shew himselfe a Prince,
Or not be counted iust:
He made Gerbino to be tant,
And kept in yron gyues.
His nobles could not change his minde,
And purpose, for their liues.
And kept in yron gyues.
His nobles could not change his minde,
And purpose, for their liues.
He iudged his nephew to the death,
And loosing of his lyfe:
There past not many dayes, but that
Gerbino felt the knife,
And loosing of his lyfe:
There past not many dayes, but that
Gerbino felt the knife,
[90]
And did eudure his grandsires wrath,
Who rather wisht to see,
His nephew murthred, than him selfe
A faithlesse King to be.
Who rather wisht to see,
His nephew murthred, than him selfe
A faithlesse King to be.
And thus these two vnhappy wights
Without the fruites of loue
Had shamefull deathes, as you haue heard
By this discourse aboue.
Without the fruites of loue
Had shamefull deathes, as you haue heard
By this discourse aboue.
Lenuoy.
VVho
works against his soueraigne Princes word,
And standes not of the penaltie in awe,
Well worthy is to feele the wrathfull sword,
And dye the death appointed by the law:
No fauour is to such offendours due,
That, eare they did amisse, the mischiefe knew.
And standes not of the penaltie in awe,
Well worthy is to feele the wrathfull sword,
And dye the death appointed by the law:
No fauour is to such offendours due,
That, eare they did amisse, the mischiefe knew.
For Princes willes are euer to be wayde,
The statutes are the strength and stay of all,
When lawes are made, they ought to be obayde,
What royall Peeres, by pledge, or promise shall
At any time confirme to friend or foe,
Must stable stand, the law of armes is so.
The statutes are the strength and stay of all,
When lawes are made, they ought to be obayde,
What royall Peeres, by pledge, or promise shall
At any time confirme to friend or foe,
Must stable stand, the law of armes is so.
For they are second Gods in earth belowe,
Assignde to rule and strike the onely stroke,
Their crownes and scepters, be of perfect shew,
That all estates are vnderneath the yoke:
What they shall say, or doe in any case,
By dutie ought to take effect and place,
Assignde to rule and strike the onely stroke,
Their crownes and scepters, be of perfect shew,
That all estates are vnderneath the yoke:
What they shall say, or doe in any case,
By dutie ought to take effect and place,
91
Wherefore who dares aduenture vp so hie
And proudly presse to alter kings decres,
Not fearing what may light on them thereby,
Nor forcing what they shall by folly leese:
Of law deserue the hardest point to byde,
For scorning those whom God appoyntes to gyde.
And proudly presse to alter kings decres,
Not fearing what may light on them thereby,
Nor forcing what they shall by folly leese:
Of law deserue the hardest point to byde,
For scorning those whom God appoyntes to gyde.
When royal Rome dyd flourish in estate,
In auncient age, the Senate bearing sway,
The lawes were so seuere, as who forgate
To liue vpright, and doe as they did say:
Was presently committed to the blocke.
Without respect to blood, or noble stocke,
In auncient age, the Senate bearing sway,
The lawes were so seuere, as who forgate
To liue vpright, and doe as they did say:
Was presently committed to the blocke.
Without respect to blood, or noble stocke,
Some in exile were sent to foreine landes,
Leauing their wyues, and little babes behinde,
Some sonnes were slayne euen by the fathers handes,
Who fauouring right, forgot the lawe of kinde:
Iustice in Rome bore then so great a sway,
As no man durst good orders disobay.
Leauing their wyues, and little babes behinde,
Some sonnes were slayne euen by the fathers handes,
Who fauouring right, forgot the lawe of kinde:
Iustice in Rome bore then so great a sway,
As no man durst good orders disobay.
We reade of one, a ruler graue and wyse,
Who made a law, and that to this effect,
That he should be bereft of both his eyes,
Whom any of adultery might detect:
And bring good profe that it was so in deede,
Upon which acte, the sages all agreed,
Who made a law, and that to this effect,
That he should be bereft of both his eyes,
Whom any of adultery might detect:
And bring good profe that it was so in deede,
Upon which acte, the sages all agreed,
It so befell, his sonne against the law
Did first offend, that first deuisde the same,
Which fortune when the wofull father sawe,
And that his sonne could not auoyde the blame:
For iustice sake did thus deuise to deale,
To giue example in the common weale.
Did first offend, that first deuisde the same,
Which fortune when the wofull father sawe,
And that his sonne could not auoyde the blame:
For iustice sake did thus deuise to deale,
To giue example in the common weale.
Where as the law expressely willde, that he
Who did offend, should be bereft his sight,
The father with his sonne did so agree
As each did loose an eye the faulte to quite.
Wherein the father shewde himselfe seuere.
And yet as ruthfull as the law could beare.
Who did offend, should be bereft his sight,
The father with his sonne did so agree
[91]
Wherein the father shewde himselfe seuere.
And yet as ruthfull as the law could beare.
O worthy wight, O ruler fit to raigne,
That rather chose his childe to punish so,
And eake himselfe to byde some part of payne.
Than parcially to let offences goe:
A double tumbe was due vnto his bones,
For being iust and ruthfull both at once.
That rather chose his childe to punish so,
And eake himselfe to byde some part of payne.
Than parcially to let offences goe:
A double tumbe was due vnto his bones,
For being iust and ruthfull both at once.
King Romulus who let the citie builde,
And founder was of all that royall race,
That none should ouerleape his rampire wild,
Which Remus did the fortresse to disgrace:
Which when his brother saw in mockage ment,
With wrathfull sworde he flue him ere he went.
And founder was of all that royall race,
That none should ouerleape his rampire wild,
Which Remus did the fortresse to disgrace:
Which when his brother saw in mockage ment,
With wrathfull sworde he flue him ere he went.
So here this aged Prince of Cicilie,
When he had plegd and pawnd his honor downe,
Though lesse offence to slay by crueltie,
His nephew, than to stane his kingly crowne:
For iustice is the chiefe and only thing
That is requirde and lookte for in a king.
When he had plegd and pawnd his honor downe,
Though lesse offence to slay by crueltie,
His nephew, than to stane his kingly crowne:
For iustice is the chiefe and only thing
That is requirde and lookte for in a king.
Wherefore what Peeres and Princes and once haue wild,
No subiect should endeuour to vndoe:
For kings will looke to haue their hestes fulfild,
And reason good that it should aye be so.
As beastes obey the loftie Lyons looke,
So meane estates must puysant Princes brooke.
No subiect should endeuour to vndoe:
For kings will looke to haue their hestes fulfild,
And reason good that it should aye be so.
As beastes obey the loftie Lyons looke,
So meane estates must puysant Princes brooke.
Ill fares the barke amid the broyling seas,
Where euery swayne controlles the maisters skill,
And each one stires at helme him selfe to please,
And folowes not the cunning Pylots will:
So realmes are rulde but badly, where the base
Will checke the chiefe, that sit in highest place.
Where euery swayne controlles the maisters skill,
And each one stires at helme him selfe to please,
And folowes not the cunning Pylots will:
So realmes are rulde but badly, where the base
Will checke the chiefe, that sit in highest place.
92
[A merchāts daughter loude her brothers boy]
The Argument to the seuenth Hystorie.
A merchāts daughter loude her brothers boy
That kept the shop, of linage basely borne,
Which grome became the damsels only ioy,
Whereat the brothers tooke no little scorne:
That he who was a youth of no account,
Presumde vnto their sisters bed to mount.
That kept the shop, of linage basely borne,
Which grome became the damsels only ioy,
Whereat the brothers tooke no little scorne:
That he who was a youth of no account,
Presumde vnto their sisters bed to mount.
So deepely sanke disdaine within their brest,
As nought saue death their malice might assuage
Those stately merchants mought not be at rest,
Till time they had dispatcht the sillie page:
Wherefore they all, with one consent agreed,
To murther him, & so they did in deede.
As nought saue death their malice might assuage
Those stately merchants mought not be at rest,
Till time they had dispatcht the sillie page:
Wherefore they all, with one consent agreed,
To murther him, & so they did in deede.
Whose absence long did grieue the tēder maide
That wept the dayes, & spent the night in teares,
Not knowing where he was, nor why he stayde:
It so fell out in fine, the ghost appeares
Amyd her dreame, of him that so was slaine,
And bid her stint her teares, that were in vaine.
That wept the dayes, & spent the night in teares,
Not knowing where he was, nor why he stayde:
It so fell out in fine, the ghost appeares
Amyd her dreame, of him that so was slaine,
And bid her stint her teares, that were in vaine.
He wried his wounds, he shewde the shameful blows
He told the traytors treason, & the traine
That wroght his bane, & whēce their malice rose
And where his mangled carkasse they had laines
Which proces tolde, he vanisht out of sight,
The wench awoke, a heauie wofull wight.
He told the traytors treason, & the traine
That wroght his bane, & whēce their malice rose
And where his mangled carkasse they had laines
Which proces tolde, he vanisht out of sight,
The wench awoke, a heauie wofull wight.
To trie the truth of what her vision spake,
She got a mate of trust, and on she hide
Vnto the place, a perfect view to take:
VVhere after search, the body she espide,
The body of her friend so lately dead,
VVhose limmes she buried, bearing thence the head.
She got a mate of trust, and on she hide
[92]
VVhere after search, the body she espide,
The body of her friend so lately dead,
VVhose limmes she buried, bearing thence the head.
VVhich head she plasht within a Basell pot,
VVell couered all with harden soyle aloft,
Her daily vse was to lament his lot,
That so was slayne: she wept and sorrowed oft:
So long, vntill her brothers stole away
The Basell pot, wherein her louer lay.
VVell couered all with harden soyle aloft,
Her daily vse was to lament his lot,
That so was slayne: she wept and sorrowed oft:
So long, vntill her brothers stole away
The Basell pot, wherein her louer lay.
This second griefe compared to the furst,
That she (poore wench) had suffred for hir friend,
Increast her cares, and made her hart to burst,
VVhose life did whole vpon the pot depend:
The merchants, when they sawe their sister ded.
For feare of lawe, in poste their countrey fled.
That she (poore wench) had suffred for hir friend,
Increast her cares, and made her hart to burst,
VVhose life did whole vpon the pot depend:
The merchants, when they sawe their sister ded.
For feare of lawe, in poste their countrey fled.
93
Of
yore within Messyna dwelt
Three brothers, marchant men,
Left wealthie by their fathers death,
Who died by fortune then.
Three brothers, marchant men,
Left wealthie by their fathers death,
Who died by fortune then.
This marchant had beside his sonnes,
A daughter, very young,
Elizabeth by name, in whom
With beautie, nurture sprong.
A daughter, very young,
Elizabeth by name, in whom
With beautie, nurture sprong.
Which nymph, as nature furnisht had
With seemely shape to view:
So in her tender breast, a troupe
Of honest maners grew.
With seemely shape to view:
So in her tender breast, a troupe
Of honest maners grew.
Which gifts of course are wont to cause
Good liking, and good will
But yet for all these vertues rare,
This virgins lucke was ill,
Good liking, and good will
But yet for all these vertues rare,
This virgins lucke was ill,
Or els her brothers cruell were:
For she was ripe to wed.
And yet without a married mate,
Her lustie prime shee led,
For she was ripe to wed.
And yet without a married mate,
Her lustie prime shee led,
It fortunde so, at selfe same time
This damsels brother had
A yonker, that did keepe the shop,
A very handsome lad.
This damsels brother had
A yonker, that did keepe the shop,
A very handsome lad.
Lorenzo was the prentise name,
To whom they gaue the charge
Of shop and warehouse, all was his,
To buie and sell at large.
To whom they gaue the charge
Of shop and warehouse, all was his,
To buie and sell at large.
[93]
This ympe being verie neate and trim
Of person, and of wit,
And passing pleasure in deuise,
A man for follie fit:
Of person, and of wit,
And passing pleasure in deuise,
A man for follie fit:
By gesture and demeanure, set
This damsels heart on fire,
Who but Lorenzo with the wench?
He was her chiefe desire.
This damsels heart on fire,
Who but Lorenzo with the wench?
He was her chiefe desire.
When thus the virgin livde in loue,
This prentise did perceiue,
By noting her from day to day,
He then began to leaue
This prentise did perceiue,
By noting her from day to day,
He then began to leaue
His forraine haunt at game abroade,
And only bent his breast
To loue of her, of whom he saw
Himselfe so sure possest.
And only bent his breast
To loue of her, of whom he saw
Himselfe so sure possest.
Thus lyking grew from lesse to more,
The faggot equall was
That burnt within these louers breasts,
And brought the match to passe.
The faggot equall was
That burnt within these louers breasts,
And brought the match to passe.
For why there were not many dayes,
Before the wench and he
Gaue full assurance of good will,
It might none other be.
Before the wench and he
Gaue full assurance of good will,
It might none other be.
Ech felt the fruite of former gripes,
Ech louer found such sweete
In Venus ioyes, as sundrie times
At pointed place they meete,
Ech louer found such sweete
In Venus ioyes, as sundrie times
At pointed place they meete,
94
And sport as the maner is
Of wanton Cupids crue,
That more respect the present toyes,
Than troubles that ensue.
Of wanton Cupids crue,
That more respect the present toyes,
Than troubles that ensue.
And thus in play they spent the time,
But loue giues such a flame,
As few, or none, haue reason howe
To quench, or hide the same.
But loue giues such a flame,
As few, or none, haue reason howe
To quench, or hide the same.
For why the light bewraies it selfe
Unto the lookers flight.
So farde it by these louers two,
For on a certaine night
Unto the lookers flight.
So farde it by these louers two,
For on a certaine night
As shee (good wench) was hasting to
Lorenzo, where he lay:
Her eldest brother chaunst to see
And tract her on the way,
Lorenzo, where he lay:
Her eldest brother chaunst to see
And tract her on the way,
And knew for certaine that she wene
Unto the prentise bed:
But like a wittie man be held
His peace, and nothing sed.
Unto the prentise bed:
But like a wittie man be held
His peace, and nothing sed.
Although it was a death to him
So foule a fact to knowe,
Yet reason, and good nature do
Perswade this marchant so.
So foule a fact to knowe,
Yet reason, and good nature do
Perswade this marchant so.
As after sundrie doubtfull thoughts
That wandred in his hed,
He was content to hold his tong,
And so he went to bed.
That wandred in his hed,
He was content to hold his tong,
And so he went to bed.
[94]
I leaue to descant of his dreames:
But sure I scarce beleeue
He slept at ease, who sawe a sight
That so his heart did greeue.
But sure I scarce beleeue
He slept at ease, who sawe a sight
That so his heart did greeue.
When morning came, & stars did start,
The man that saw the deed
The night before, rose vp, and gate
Him to the rest with speede
The man that saw the deed
The night before, rose vp, and gate
Him to the rest with speede
And tolde his brothers what had hapt:
And after long deuise,
And counsell had vpon the case:
Because their sisters vice
And after long deuise,
And counsell had vpon the case:
Because their sisters vice
Should purchase them no open shame,
Nor yet their linage blot:
They purposde so to deale in things
As though they wist it not:
Nor yet their linage blot:
They purposde so to deale in things
As though they wist it not:
Untill such time as fortune serude,
Without mistrust or blame,
To rid away the partie that
Had doone them all the shame:
Without mistrust or blame,
To rid away the partie that
Had doone them all the shame:
Meane while they bore a merie face,
And shew of friendly heart,
To outward sight, vnto the man
That plaide so vile a part.
And shew of friendly heart,
To outward sight, vnto the man
That plaide so vile a part.
The better to reuenge the wrong.
For that an open foe
Is easie to be voyded, when
His lookes his rancour shew.
For that an open foe
Is easie to be voyded, when
His lookes his rancour shew.
95
Which made them laugh in wonted wrie,
With him that had defilde
Their sister, till such time as they
The leacher had begilde:
With him that had defilde
Their sister, till such time as they
The leacher had begilde:
Which hapned in a little space.
For being in this glee,
The brothers did deuise to take
Their horse, and ride to see
For being in this glee,
The brothers did deuise to take
Their horse, and ride to see
The countrie for a day or twaine:
And as the Prouerbe goes,
The moe the merrier is the feast.
And thereupon it rose,
And as the Prouerbe goes,
The moe the merrier is the feast.
And thereupon it rose,
They prayed Lorenzos companie
For sport, and solace sake.
Who though would gladlie stay at home,
His wonted myrth to make
For sport, and solace sake.
Who though would gladlie stay at home,
His wonted myrth to make
With her that was his only ioy:
Yet graunted his consent
To goe abroade, suspecting no
Such mischiefe as they meant:
Yet graunted his consent
To goe abroade, suspecting no
Such mischiefe as they meant:
These merchants, and the prentise thus
Their prauncing Ienates tooke,
And brauely out of towne they rode
In all the hast to looke
Their prauncing Ienates tooke,
And brauely out of towne they rode
In all the hast to looke
A place wherein to doe the deede,
I meane Lorenzos death.
They had not iourneied farre, before
They came vnto a Heath
I meane Lorenzos death.
They had not iourneied farre, before
They came vnto a Heath
[95]
Besides the way a desert where
No trauell was in vre.
And being brothers there alone,
They thought themselues as sure
No trauell was in vre.
And being brothers there alone,
They thought themselues as sure
As needed, to dispatch a man,
That no such force did feare.
The short is thus, they made no wordes,
But slue Lorenzo there.
That no such force did feare.
The short is thus, they made no wordes,
But slue Lorenzo there.
Mine author writes not of his wounds,
But reason giues it so,
That in reuenge of his abuse
Ech brother had a blow:
But reason giues it so,
That in reuenge of his abuse
Ech brother had a blow:
Whose body thus bereft of life,
They buried in such sort,
As no man saw the fact, nor none
Could euer make report.
They buried in such sort,
As no man saw the fact, nor none
Could euer make report.
The Prentise slaine, the carkasse laide
In graue, the marchant men
Unto Messyna whence they came,
Returned backe agen.
In graue, the marchant men
Unto Messyna whence they came,
Returned backe agen.
And to dissemble this their deede,
They bruted all abrode,
That lately in affayres of theirs
The youth Lorenzo rode,
They bruted all abrode,
That lately in affayres of theirs
The youth Lorenzo rode,
And trauaild touching marchants gain:
Which made the tale the more
Of credite, for because he vsde
To doe the like before.
Which made the tale the more
Of credite, for because he vsde
To doe the like before.
96
Elizabeth, at last, that saw
The lingring of the man,
And that he staid beyond his time,
To languish sore began.
The lingring of the man,
And that he staid beyond his time,
To languish sore began.
And as the custome is of loue,
To deeme ech houre a day,
Ech day a yeere, ech yeere an age,
When louers are away:
To deeme ech houre a day,
Ech day a yeere, ech yeere an age,
When louers are away:
So shee that thought his absence long,
And livde in bitter paine,
Did question with her brothers, of
His comming home againe.
And livde in bitter paine,
Did question with her brothers, of
His comming home againe.
Demaunding when the time was set,
And when the day would be,
That shee Lorenzo safe returnd,
From forreine coast should see.
And when the day would be,
That shee Lorenzo safe returnd,
From forreine coast should see.
To whom her brother thus replide,
With countenance curst and grim,
What doest thou meane to question thus?
Hast thou to doe with him
With countenance curst and grim,
What doest thou meane to question thus?
Hast thou to doe with him
For whom thou doest demaund so oft?
Good faith, vnlesse thou leaue
These termes in time, thou shalt from vs
An answere fit receaue
Good faith, vnlesse thou leaue
These termes in time, thou shalt from vs
An answere fit receaue
And well agreeing to thy deedes.
Which bitter gyrde did nip
This silie maide, as she eftsoone
Began to byte her lip.
Which bitter gyrde did nip
This silie maide, as she eftsoone
Began to byte her lip.
[96]
And woxe the wofulst wench aliue,
Nor after durst to make
The like demaund againe, for him
That suffered for her sake:
Nor after durst to make
The like demaund againe, for him
That suffered for her sake:
But spent the day in dolefull plaints,
And sobde in secrete wise,
The bitter torment of her breast
Brast out and bathde her eyes,
With sundrie showres of trickling teares
Distilling by her face,
She often cald him by his name,
And wild him home a pace.
And sobde in secrete wise,
The bitter torment of her breast
Brast out and bathde her eyes,
With sundrie showres of trickling teares
Distilling by her face,
She often cald him by his name,
And wild him home a pace.
Lamenting much his long delay,
Whom shee did loue so well.
Whilst thus the maiden stoode on termes,
Upon a night it fell,
Whom shee did loue so well.
Whilst thus the maiden stoode on termes,
Upon a night it fell,
That after manie hartie sighes,
And sundrie cryes,
For lacke of Lorenzo, slumber came
And shut her aking eyes.
And sundrie cryes,
For lacke of Lorenzo, slumber came
And shut her aking eyes.
Who was no sooner falne a sleepe,
But dreames began to grow
Within her raging retchlesse braine:
Then seemd to open shew,
But dreames began to grow
Within her raging retchlesse braine:
Then seemd to open shew,
Her murthred friend to stand in place,
With vsage pale and wan,
And cheekes with buffets blown out.
The garments of the man
With vsage pale and wan,
And cheekes with buffets blown out.
The garments of the man
97
Were all to rent, his robes were ragd:
And, as the wench did gesse,
Lorenzo in her dreame bespake
Her thus. Thy deepe distresse
And, as the wench did gesse,
Lorenzo in her dreame bespake
Her thus. Thy deepe distresse
(O faithfull friend) I well perceiue,
I see my long delay
Doth cause thy cryes: for my returne
In grief thou pynste away:
I see my long delay
Doth cause thy cryes: for my returne
In grief thou pynste away:
My absence is the cause of care,
Thou doest accuse thy friend
Of longring, and thy heauy playnts
I see, can haue no end.
Thou doest accuse thy friend
Of longring, and thy heauy playnts
I see, can haue no end.
Wherefore (I say,) dry vp thy teares,
That flowe like floudes of rayne:
Lament no more, I cannot come,
Though I would nere so fayne.
That flowe like floudes of rayne:
Lament no more, I cannot come,
Though I would nere so fayne.
For why, the day thou sawste me last,
Was ender of my life:
Thy brothers, whilst I rode with them,
Slewe me with sodaine knife.
Was ender of my life:
Thy brothers, whilst I rode with them,
Slewe me with sodaine knife.
And therewithall he shewde the place
Where dead his body lay:
And willd her weepe for him no more,
And vanisht so away.
Where dead his body lay:
And willd her weepe for him no more,
And vanisht so away.
The wench awooke, and credite gaue
Unto this dreame of hers,
Which made her to bemoyst her face
And bosome all with teares:
Unto this dreame of hers,
Which made her to bemoyst her face
And bosome all with teares:
[97]
Full bitterly shee did bewayle
The murther of her loue.
When morning came, & Phebus beames
The darknesse did remoue,
The murther of her loue.
When morning came, & Phebus beames
The darknesse did remoue,
Not daring to disclose the thing
Unto her brothers, shee
Did mynde to goe vnto the place,
Of purpose there to see
Unto her brothers, shee
Did mynde to goe vnto the place,
Of purpose there to see
Where that her dreame wer true, or no,
Which troubled her the night.
And being that this Damsell was
At libertie, and might
Which troubled her the night.
And being that this Damsell was
At libertie, and might
For pleasure wander out, and home,
In company of one
A woman frend, that wonted was
To walke with her alone,
In company of one
A woman frend, that wonted was
To walke with her alone,
And priuy was of all her deedes:
As rathe as she might rise,
With mother nurse she gate her out,
And to the heath shee hyes:
As rathe as she might rise,
With mother nurse she gate her out,
And to the heath shee hyes:
Where by coniecture lay the coarse
Of him that murthred was.
As sone as they ariued there,
She scrapt away the grasse,
Of him that murthred was.
As sone as they ariued there,
She scrapt away the grasse,
And sweepte the parched leaue aside:
And where at first she founde
The hardest soyle, and stoniest bancke,
Began to delue the grounde:
And where at first she founde
The hardest soyle, and stoniest bancke,
Began to delue the grounde:
98
Shee had not digged any depthe,
But lighted by and by,
Upon her louers wofull corse,
Unwasted that did lye
But lighted by and by,
Upon her louers wofull corse,
Unwasted that did lye
And vncorrupted in the graue:
Whereby the mayden knew
That all the vision which she sawe
The night before was true.
Whereby the mayden knew
That all the vision which she sawe
The night before was true.
Whereat shee waylde and wept a good,
But knowing that the place
Was farre vnfit for sighes and teares,
Which could not right the case:
But knowing that the place
Was farre vnfit for sighes and teares,
Which could not right the case:
Shee would haue gladly borne away
The carkasse, to haue layde
It in a decent tombe at home,
Saue that shee wanted ayde.
The carkasse, to haue layde
It in a decent tombe at home,
Saue that shee wanted ayde.
Wherefore she drew me out a knife,
Wherewith away she swapte
Her louers head, and vp the same
In linnencloth shee lapte:
Wherewith away she swapte
Her louers head, and vp the same
In linnencloth shee lapte:
And couered vp the corse agayne,
And gaue the head to beare,
Unto the nurse, her trustie frend,
That was of purpose theare:
Shee tuckt it in her apron close,
(As women vse to doe)
And so vnseene, from thence vnto
Messina home they goe.
And gaue the head to beare,
Unto the nurse, her trustie frend,
That was of purpose theare:
Shee tuckt it in her apron close,
(As women vse to doe)
And so vnseene, from thence vnto
Messina home they goe.
[98]
Where being come, and entred to
Her chamber with the head:
Shee shut the doore, and on the same
So long her teares did shed:
Her chamber with the head:
Shee shut the doore, and on the same
So long her teares did shed:
Untill with bryne shee all besprent
It, as it lay in place:
And now and then among her cryes,
Shee all bekist the face.
It, as it lay in place:
And now and then among her cryes,
Shee all bekist the face.
Which done, shee tooke an earthen pot,
Wherein she vsde to sette
Her Basill, or her Parsely seede,
The best that shee mought gette.
Wherein she vsde to sette
Her Basill, or her Parsely seede,
The best that shee mought gette.
Whereto in foldes of silken lawne
She put Lorenzos skull,
And after that, with garden soyle,
She pourde the pitcher full:
She put Lorenzos skull,
And after that, with garden soyle,
She pourde the pitcher full:
And strewde her finest Basill seede
About alofte the same,
From whence like Orenge water, smell,
Or Damaske roses came.
About alofte the same,
From whence like Orenge water, smell,
Or Damaske roses came.
And daily after that, she sate
Imbrasing of the Canne,
And culling of it in her armes,
As though it were the man,
Imbrasing of the Canne,
And culling of it in her armes,
As though it were the man,
Whom she entirely loude before:
And after kissing, then
She would to teares, and sighing sobbes,
From sighes, to teares agen.
And after kissing, then
She would to teares, and sighing sobbes,
From sighes, to teares agen.
99
Continuing so, vntill such time
As shee had watred all
The Basill, with the dreary droppes,
That from her face did fall:
As shee had watred all
The Basill, with the dreary droppes,
That from her face did fall:
So that at length by tract of time,
Or grossenesse of the ground,
By reason of the rotting head,
The Basill did abound,
Or grossenesse of the ground,
By reason of the rotting head,
The Basill did abound,
And gaue a passing pleasant smell.
The wench did neuer leaue
This folly, till the neighbours chanste
Her practise to perceiue.
The wench did neuer leaue
This folly, till the neighbours chanste
Her practise to perceiue.
Who, (when her brothers muzed that
Her bewtie did decay,
And that into her hollow browes
The eyes were suncke away.)
Her bewtie did decay,
And that into her hollow browes
The eyes were suncke away.)
He spake then thus, we stand assurde,
It is her daily gise,
To goe into the garden, where
The Basil pot it lyes:
It is her daily gise,
To goe into the garden, where
The Basil pot it lyes:
And there to weepe in wofull wise,
A wretched wench to see:
The brothers when they heard the tale,
And hauing willd that shee
Should leaue that fonde and foolish trade,
But saw it booted not,
Did make no more adoe, but hid
Away the Basill potte
A wretched wench to see:
The brothers when they heard the tale,
And hauing willd that shee
Should leaue that fonde and foolish trade,
But saw it booted not,
Did make no more adoe, but hid
Away the Basill potte
[99]
Which, when she hapt to come againe,
And not to finde it there,
Full earnestly began to craue
The same with many a teare:
And not to finde it there,
Full earnestly began to craue
The same with many a teare:
And being harde thereof, begon
To wexe diseasde, and all
Her sicknesse time, for nothing but
The Basill potte did call,
To wexe diseasde, and all
Her sicknesse time, for nothing but
The Basill potte did call,
Her brothers not a little muzde
To heare her strange request,
In crauing of the potte, and ther-
Upon did thinke it best
To heare her strange request,
In crauing of the potte, and ther-
Upon did thinke it best
To see the same, and make a search:
Who hauing powred out
The earth that was within the potte,
Eftsoone espyde a cloute,
Who hauing powred out
The earth that was within the potte,
Eftsoone espyde a cloute,
And in the cloth, the head inwrapte,
So freshe and fayre to vewe,
As it to be Lorenzos head,
By curled heare they knewe:
So freshe and fayre to vewe,
As it to be Lorenzos head,
By curled heare they knewe:
Which set them in a sodaine dumpe,
And made them greatly dread,
The murther would be brought to light
By reason of the head:
And made them greatly dread,
The murther would be brought to light
By reason of the head:
And hereupon they hid the skull,
And layde it in a graue,
And from Messina went by stealth
Them selues from death to saue:
And layde it in a graue,
And from Messina went by stealth
Them selues from death to saue:
100
Entending, being fled the towne
If they might passe vnspide,
From thence, in poste, vpon the spurre,
To Naples straight to ride.
If they might passe vnspide,
From thence, in poste, vpon the spurre,
To Naples straight to ride.
And thus I leaue the merchant men
Their iourney forth to take,
Who after sped, I wote nere howe:
But thus an ende I make:
Their iourney forth to take,
Who after sped, I wote nere howe:
But thus an ende I make:
The silly wench, amid her griefe
Did neuer leaue to crye,
To haue the Basill pot againe.
But when shee did espie,
Did neuer leaue to crye,
To haue the Basill pot againe.
But when shee did espie,
That all her calling was in vayne,
Her teares did neuer blin
To issue from her cristall eyes,
Till timy the harte within
Her teares did neuer blin
To issue from her cristall eyes,
Till timy the harte within
For very anguish, brast in twaine.
Then Clotho came to rid
The mourning Damsell of distresse,
And brake her vitall thrid.
Then Clotho came to rid
The mourning Damsell of distresse,
And brake her vitall thrid.
Loe here the lotte of wicked loue,
Behold the wretched end
Of wilfull wightes, that wholy doe
On Cupides lawes depend.
Behold the wretched end
Of wilfull wightes, that wholy doe
On Cupides lawes depend.
Vn puoco dolce multo amaro appaga.
[100]
Lenuoy.
If
all the earth were paper made to write.
And all the Sea conuerted into incke,
It would not serue to shew Cupidos might:
No head can halfe his bloudy Conquests thinke:
Unto his yoke he forceth euery wight,
No one away dares for his lift to shrinke.
Who most contends, the widest wound receaues,
For Cupid then by force his freedome reaues.
And all the Sea conuerted into incke,
It would not serue to shew Cupidos might:
No head can halfe his bloudy Conquests thinke:
Unto his yoke he forceth euery wight,
No one away dares for his lift to shrinke.
Who most contends, the widest wound receaues,
For Cupid then by force his freedome reaues.
The sage who sayde, that (loue exceeded all)
Pronounst the troth, and spake as we do fynde:
He wist full well, that euery wight was thrall
Unto the God that feadreth is and blinde:
No Poet him, but Prophet may we call,
For that of loue so derely he definde:
For Cupid with a looke doth wound moe hearts,
Then thousand speares, or thousand deadly dartes.
Pronounst the troth, and spake as we do fynde:
He wist full well, that euery wight was thrall
Unto the God that feadreth is and blinde:
No Poet him, but Prophet may we call,
For that of loue so derely he definde:
For Cupid with a looke doth wound moe hearts,
Then thousand speares, or thousand deadly dartes.
Which Cæsar sawe, who sundrye Realmes subdude.
Whereby his fame did reach the stately startes,
For when that he fayre Cleopatra vewde,
He fell to loue, for all his ciuill warres:
In aged brest his youthfyll wounds renewde,
Where Cupids scourge had left him sundry scarres.
That learned Marcus, so renownde for wit,
For Faustine fayre was rid with louing bit.
Whereby his fame did reach the stately startes,
For when that he fayre Cleopatra vewde,
He fell to loue, for all his ciuill warres:
In aged brest his youthfyll wounds renewde,
Where Cupids scourge had left him sundry scarres.
That learned Marcus, so renownde for wit,
For Faustine fayre was rid with louing bit.
Eake Annybal of Carthage manly wight,
That past the Alpes to come to Italy,
Whose puissance put the Romane hoast to flight:
For all his force and prudent pollicy,
Did stoupe to loue, surprisde with deape delight,
Of one, a wench bred vp vnciuilly:
And many moe, as fierce as he in feilde,
Cupido forst with tender bowe to yeelde.
That past the Alpes to come to Italy,
Whose puissance put the Romane hoast to flight:
For all his force and prudent pollicy,
Did stoupe to loue, surprisde with deape delight,
Of one, a wench bred vp vnciuilly:
And many moe, as fierce as he in feilde,
Cupido forst with tender bowe to yeelde.
101
And not alone this Archer masters man,
But by this power, doth pierce the golden skies,
And there subdues the greatest now and than:
Such subtill driftes the Godhead doth deuise.
As when that Ioue lovde Leda like a Swan,
And prickt his plumes to please his Ladies eyes:
Another time became a milke white Bull,
And all to steale away a countrie Trull.
But by this power, doth pierce the golden skies,
And there subdues the greatest now and than:
Such subtill driftes the Godhead doth deuise.
As when that Ioue lovde Leda like a Swan,
And prickt his plumes to please his Ladies eyes:
Another time became a milke white Bull,
And all to steale away a countrie Trull.
Who hath not hearde how Phebus Daphne lovde?
How mightie Mars was bound in Vulcans chaine?
And eke how Ioue his greatest cunning provde,
When he became a golden showre of rayne.
Endymion he was passingly belovde
Of Phebe, who with him had often laine:
On Latinus hyll, the gastly God of hell,
Pluto him selfe, did like Proserpine well.
How mightie Mars was bound in Vulcans chaine?
And eke how Ioue his greatest cunning provde,
When he became a golden showre of rayne.
Endymion he was passingly belovde
Of Phebe, who with him had often laine:
On Latinus hyll, the gastly God of hell,
Pluto him selfe, did like Proserpine well.
May Neptune boast or vaunt aboue the rest?
Dyd he not loue as other Gods haue done?
Hath Cupid neuer rasde his rockie breast?
Could he for all his waues dame Venus shunne?
No, he hath been, by pangs of loue opprest,
The water nymphs his godhead oft haue wonne,
No storme could stint, nor frosen flood remoue,
Nor water wast his flames of burning loue.
Dyd he not loue as other Gods haue done?
Hath Cupid neuer rasde his rockie breast?
Could he for all his waues dame Venus shunne?
No, he hath been, by pangs of loue opprest,
The water nymphs his godhead oft haue wonne,
No storme could stint, nor frosen flood remoue,
Nor water wast his flames of burning loue.
To banish him no wile, or wit auailes,
No heart so hard, but melts as doth the waxe,
To cure his wound all learned Phisicke failes,
It burnes the breast, as fire consumes the flaxe:
The fort of force must yeeld when loue assailes:
Ech rebels mind with lingring siege he sacks.
No towre so high no castle halfe so strong,
But loue at last will lay it quite along.
No heart so hard, but melts as doth the waxe,
To cure his wound all learned Phisicke failes,
It burnes the breast, as fire consumes the flaxe:
The fort of force must yeeld when loue assailes:
Ech rebels mind with lingring siege he sacks.
No towre so high no castle halfe so strong,
But loue at last will lay it quite along.
[101]
And looke who once is tangled in his net,
And beares his badge fast fixed in his brest,
By no deuise or gile away may get,
But foorth he must, and march among the rest.
By nature so the law of loue is set,
As none hath will or power from him to wrest,
No griefe so great, no toyle or trouble such,
That faithfull louers thinke to be too much.
And beares his badge fast fixed in his brest,
By no deuise or gile away may get,
But foorth he must, and march among the rest.
By nature so the law of loue is set,
As none hath will or power from him to wrest,
No griefe so great, no toyle or trouble such,
That faithfull louers thinke to be too much.
No counsell giuen by friend, no feare of foe,
No rulers rod, no dread of threatning law,
No wracke of wealth, nor mischief that may grow,
Can cause the wight that loues, to stand in awe:
As flattly doth this former story show:
Where you a wench so deepe in fansie saw
As naught saue death might bring her woes to end,
When she had lost her faitfull louing friend.
No rulers rod, no dread of threatning law,
No wracke of wealth, nor mischief that may grow,
Can cause the wight that loues, to stand in awe:
As flattly doth this former story show:
Where you a wench so deepe in fansie saw
As naught saue death might bring her woes to end,
When she had lost her faitfull louing friend.
Wherefore this wrong was great they did this maide:
The brothers were a litle not too blame,
That would the weneh from fixed fansie staid:
And thought by force to quench her kindled flame.
Loues heate is such, it skornes to be delaide.
With greater ease you may a Tiger tame,
Than win a wight whose liking once is set,
Either to forgoe a friend, or to forget.
The brothers were a litle not too blame,
That would the weneh from fixed fansie staid:
And thought by force to quench her kindled flame.
Loues heate is such, it skornes to be delaide.
With greater ease you may a Tiger tame,
Than win a wight whose liking once is set,
Either to forgoe a friend, or to forget.
Amor vince ogni cosa.
102
[VVhen Aristotimus did strike the stroke]
The Argument to the eight Historie.
VVhen
Aristotimus did strike the stroke,
In Elyesus, and did weld the Mace
As King alone, so heauie was his yoke,
That subiects thought themselues in wofull cace:
For greedie gulles that gapt for giltles blood,
Were best esteemde, and most in fauour stood.
In Elyesus, and did weld the Mace
As King alone, so heauie was his yoke,
That subiects thought themselues in wofull cace:
For greedie gulles that gapt for giltles blood,
Were best esteemde, and most in fauour stood.
Ech villaine vile that vaunted of his vice,
Ech loathsome leacher longing for his lust,
Was mounted vp, and held in hiest price,
Sinne sate at bench, extortion counted iust,
The best might bear no palme whilst he did rain,
He banisht some, & some with sword were slain.
Ech loathsome leacher longing for his lust,
Was mounted vp, and held in hiest price,
Sinne sate at bench, extortion counted iust,
The best might bear no palme whilst he did rain,
He banisht some, & some with sword were slain.
Till Gods at last detesting murthers done
Incenst the hearts of sundrie noble wights,
For due reuēge, vnto his realm to ron,
where matchte with suclie, as were his housholde knights
VVith one consent this blooddy beast they slew,
Amid the Church for Gods themselues to view.
Incenst the hearts of sundrie noble wights,
For due reuēge, vnto his realm to ron,
where matchte with suclie, as were his housholde knights
VVith one consent this blooddy beast they slew,
Amid the Church for Gods themselues to view.
The woful Queen, the murthring mōster wife,
By fame assurde of dolefull husbands death,
To flee the force, bereft her selfe of life,
Enuying that her foes should stop her breath:
Two Ladies eke, the daughters of the king
Had leaue to die, who hung themselues in string.
By fame assurde of dolefull husbands death,
To flee the force, bereft her selfe of life,
Enuying that her foes should stop her breath:
Two Ladies eke, the daughters of the king
Had leaue to die, who hung themselues in string.
[102]
VVhat
time the proude and puisant Prince
Antigonus, in hande
The Macedonian Scepter held
And gouernd all the land:
Antigonus, in hande
The Macedonian Scepter held
And gouernd all the land:
There livde one Aristotimus,
A beast of blooddie kinde,
That all to monstrous murther did
Imploy his Tigres minde.
A beast of blooddie kinde,
That all to monstrous murther did
Imploy his Tigres minde.
Who, when by fauour and by force
Of Antigon the King,
The state of Elyesus to
His yoke and becke did bring:
Of Antigon the King,
The state of Elyesus to
His yoke and becke did bring:
Full tyrantlike he strake the stroke
And hauing got the crowne,
Gaue vp himselfe to loathsome lust,
And brought the subiects downe,
And hauing got the crowne,
Gaue vp himselfe to loathsome lust,
And brought the subiects downe,
That earst in freedome long had livde.
So mightie was his raigne,
As to resist his cruell parts
Men thought it all in vaine:
So mightie was his raigne,
As to resist his cruell parts
Men thought it all in vaine:
What foul abuse was then vnwrought?
What rigor left vntride?
What wicked prancks & pageants plaide
Whilst he the realme did gide?
What rigor left vntride?
What wicked prancks & pageants plaide
Whilst he the realme did gide?
His cankred nature all inclinde
To slaughter and to blood,
To kill the poore, and giltlesse soules,
It did this monster good:
To slaughter and to blood,
To kill the poore, and giltlesse soules,
It did this monster good:
103
And to this murthring minde of his,
He ioynde the vile aduise,
Of barbarous people, that to blood
This tyrant did entise:
He ioynde the vile aduise,
Of barbarous people, that to blood
This tyrant did entise:
The beastliest men that liuing were
Alone he did not place
In office, to controle the rest,
(Which was a cursed case:
Alone he did not place
In office, to controle the rest,
(Which was a cursed case:
That such vnciuill brutish beasts
Should rule a Princes land)
But choze them for his persons garde,
To haue them neare at hand.
Should rule a Princes land)
But choze them for his persons garde,
To haue them neare at hand.
Of all the vile vnkindlie partes
That he aliue did play,
I note but one aboue the rest,
Wherein I minde to stay,
That he aliue did play,
I note but one aboue the rest,
Wherein I minde to stay,
To set this viper out to view:
That all the world may see
What plagues in store for cruell Kings
By Gods reserued be:
That all the world may see
What plagues in store for cruell Kings
By Gods reserued be:
Who though to drinke in golden cup,
And feast with daintie fare,
And for a time abound in blisse,
Yet end their liues in care.
And feast with daintie fare,
And for a time abound in blisse,
Yet end their liues in care.
And steed of former sugred sops,
They swallow bitter gall,
And from the top of kingly throne
Abide the shamefull fall.
They swallow bitter gall,
And from the top of kingly throne
Abide the shamefull fall.
[103]
There dwelt within this tyrants realm
A Citizen of fame,
A man of wealth and great estate,
Phylodimus by name:
A Citizen of fame,
A man of wealth and great estate,
Phylodimus by name:
Who father was vnto a wench
For feature that did passe,
An A perse, among the rest,
And nurtred well she was.
For feature that did passe,
An A perse, among the rest,
And nurtred well she was.
Faire Micca was this maidens name,
Whose beautie did excell.
This Tyrant had a Souldier, who
Did like the virgin well,
Whose beautie did excell.
This Tyrant had a Souldier, who
Did like the virgin well,
One Luzio, a roysting Roague
In fauour with the king,
That to the end he might the maid
Unto his bias bring,
In fauour with the king,
That to the end he might the maid
Unto his bias bring,
A messenger dispatcht vnto
The father, straight to will
Him yeeld his daughter to his hands,
His pleasure to fulfill.
The father, straight to will
Him yeeld his daughter to his hands,
His pleasure to fulfill.
He let him vnderstand his lust,
The father seeing such
A foule demaund, and shamefull sute,
Was vexed very much,
The father seeing such
A foule demaund, and shamefull sute,
Was vexed very much,
And gripte with anguish of the minde:
But hauing wayde the case,
And knowing that this ruffian stoode
So in the princes grace:
But hauing wayde the case,
And knowing that this ruffian stoode
So in the princes grace:
104
And highly was esteemde of him:
Begonne to be afraide,
And thereupon his wife and he
Thought good to send the maide:
Begonne to be afraide,
And thereupon his wife and he
Thought good to send the maide:
Whom they perswaded as they might,
For safetie of her life.
To yeelde the Souldier vp the fort,
Withouten farther strife.
For safetie of her life.
To yeelde the Souldier vp the fort,
Withouten farther strife.
But shee (good heart) that lesse esteemde
Her life, than spotlesse name,
Well nurtred vp from tender youth,
And aye, in feare of shame,
Her life, than spotlesse name,
Well nurtred vp from tender youth,
And aye, in feare of shame,
Fell prostrate at her fathers foote,
Upon her fainting knees,
Imbracing him with bitter teares,
The sutes she made were these:
Upon her fainting knees,
Imbracing him with bitter teares,
The sutes she made were these:
That he would neuer see her spoilde
Of such a varlet vile,
Nor let a cutthrote souldier so
His daughter to defile:
Of such a varlet vile,
Nor let a cutthrote souldier so
His daughter to defile:
But rather let her die the death
With fathers willing knife:
Than yeeld her vp to Luzios lust,
To leade a strumpets life.
With fathers willing knife:
Than yeeld her vp to Luzios lust,
To leade a strumpets life.
She was content with any lot,
So she might scape his hands.
Whilst hearing thus his daughters plaints
The wofull father standes:
So she might scape his hands.
Whilst hearing thus his daughters plaints
The wofull father standes:
[104]
And with the mother wayles the hap,
And pities of the maide,
Not knowing what to doe therein:
The Leacher that had staide
And pities of the maide,
Not knowing what to doe therein:
The Leacher that had staide
And lookt for Miccas comming long,
Impacient of his flame
And beastly heat, to fet the wench
Himselfe in person came:
Impacient of his flame
And beastly heat, to fet the wench
Himselfe in person came:
Puft vp with deepe distaine and wrath,
And fiild with enuious yre,
That she did linger there so long,
Whom he did so desire.
And fiild with enuious yre,
That she did linger there so long,
Whom he did so desire.
Who beeing come vnto the house
Where did this damsell dwell,
And seeing her at fathers foote:
For rage began to swell,
Where did this damsell dwell,
And seeing her at fathers foote:
For rage began to swell,
And much misliking her delay,
With fierce and frowning face,
Controlde the wench, and bid her rise
And follow him a pace:
With fierce and frowning face,
Controlde the wench, and bid her rise
And follow him a pace:
And must I Damsel come (quoth hee)
Mought message not suffice?
Doe way delayes, leaue of those teares,
And wype your wantons eyes:
Mought message not suffice?
Doe way delayes, leaue of those teares,
And wype your wantons eyes:
Dipatch and come along with me,
Doe linger on no more.
Whereat the wench renude her plaints,
As she had done before:
Doe linger on no more.
Whereat the wench renude her plaints,
As she had done before:
105
And made no hast at all to ryse,
But sate vpon her knees:
Which Luzio seeing, all in rage
Unto the mayden flees,
But sate vpon her knees:
Which Luzio seeing, all in rage
Unto the mayden flees,
And strips her naked as his nayle,
And beate her round about,
A thousand stripes he gaue the girle,
That had not on a cloute
And beate her round about,
A thousand stripes he gaue the girle,
That had not on a cloute
To saue the burthen of a blowe
From off her tender corse.
But shee continde on her minde
For all the villaynes force,
From off her tender corse.
But shee continde on her minde
For all the villaynes force,
Not weying all his blowes a beane,
A mayde of manly harte:
For though the beast had beate her sore
Shee made no shewe of smarte:
A mayde of manly harte:
For though the beast had beate her sore
Shee made no shewe of smarte:
Nor yelded any sighing sobbes,
In proofe of inward payne,
But valiantly abid the scurge,
And ready was againe
In proofe of inward payne,
But valiantly abid the scurge,
And ready was againe
To doe the like, more rather than
To yelde to such a slaue,
Or make him owner of the holde
Which he did long to haue:
To yelde to such a slaue,
Or make him owner of the holde
Which he did long to haue:
The wofull parentes viewing this
With griefe, and dewed eyes,
Were greatly tho to pitie moude,
And out they made their cryes:
With griefe, and dewed eyes,
Were greatly tho to pitie moude,
And out they made their cryes:
[105]
With sute of Luzio, there to leaue,
And beate the mayde no more.
But when they sawe they nought preuaild,
Their aged lockes they tore,
And beate the mayde no more.
But when they sawe they nought preuaild,
Their aged lockes they tore,
And out on God and man they call,
Their daughter voyde of blame
To succour, being sore distrest,
Euen then at point of shame.
Their daughter voyde of blame
To succour, being sore distrest,
Euen then at point of shame.
Which sute, and yelling crye of theirs
Did make the monster mad:
And set him farther in a rage,
That earts so plagued had
Did make the monster mad:
And set him farther in a rage,
That earts so plagued had
The mayden Micca voyd of gilt.
With that he drawes his knife.
And in the aged fathers sight
Bereaues the wench of life.
With that he drawes his knife.
And in the aged fathers sight
Bereaues the wench of life.
Out gusht apace the purple blood
From Miccas tender limmes,
In such abundance, as about
The place the mayden swimmes:
From Miccas tender limmes,
In such abundance, as about
The place the mayden swimmes:
A perfit proofe that all the zeale
Which Luzio bore the wench,
Did only growe of Leachers lust,
Whom wrath so soone could quench.
Which Luzio bore the wench,
Did only growe of Leachers lust,
Whom wrath so soone could quench.
For had he grounded lust on loue,
Or fanside Micca well,
He would not so haue slaine a mayd,
Whose bewtie did excell.
Or fanside Micca well,
He would not so haue slaine a mayd,
Whose bewtie did excell.
106
Farewell to thee Dianas Nimphe,
Thy vertue was so great,
As well thou didst among the gods
Deserue to haue a seate.
Thy vertue was so great,
As well thou didst among the gods
Deserue to haue a seate.
For Lucrece could haue done no more,
Than yeld her selfe to dye,
And in defence of spotlesse fame
A tyrants hand to trye.
Than yeld her selfe to dye,
And in defence of spotlesse fame
A tyrants hand to trye.
What kingly hart, what princely brest?
Nay more, what manly mynde
Could see, or suffer such a facte,
Against the lawes of kynde?
Nay more, what manly mynde
Could see, or suffer such a facte,
Against the lawes of kynde?
Would any man of womans milke,
Endure so foule a deede,
Not yelding him that playd the parte,
A gibbot for his meed?
Endure so foule a deede,
Not yelding him that playd the parte,
A gibbot for his meed?
And yet this butchers bloody rage,
This tyrant could not moue
To hate him ought the more, but eke
The good that did reproue
This tyrant could not moue
To hate him ought the more, but eke
The good that did reproue
The filthy villayne for his vice,
The Prince did make away.
For some of them with cruell sworde
He out of hand did slaye,
The Prince did make away.
For some of them with cruell sworde
He out of hand did slaye,
And other some he forste abrode
As banisht men to rome
Eight hundreth at the least, into
Aeolia fled from home,
As banisht men to rome
Eight hundreth at the least, into
Aeolia fled from home,
[106]
For succours sake, to saue their liues,
And scape his hatefull hande,
Who only sought the spoyle of such
As dwelt within his lande:
And scape his hatefull hande,
Who only sought the spoyle of such
As dwelt within his lande:
Where hauing certain months remaind
These exile wightes did wryte
In humble wise, by lowly sute
That they such fauour might
These exile wightes did wryte
In humble wise, by lowly sute
That they such fauour might
Obtaine from Aristotimus,
As to enioy their wiues
And silly babes, the only staffe
And stay of all their lyues.
As to enioy their wiues
And silly babes, the only staffe
And stay of all their lyues.
But nought their letters moght auaile,
He would not condiscend
In any case, the Matrones to
The banisht men to send:
He would not condiscend
In any case, the Matrones to
The banisht men to send:
In hope by that to force them home
And so to wreake his spite
Upon those wise forecasting wightes
That saude themselues by flight.
And so to wreake his spite
Upon those wise forecasting wightes
That saude themselues by flight.
But yet he causde a trumpe in fine
To sound in market place,
To shew that he was well content,
And that it pleasde his grace,
To sound in market place,
To shew that he was well content,
And that it pleasde his grace,
That wiues should seeke their husbands out:
And gaue them leaue beside,
With bagge, and baggage, babes and all,
Without restrainte to ride.
And gaue them leaue beside,
With bagge, and baggage, babes and all,
Without restrainte to ride.
107
Hee licenst them, to iourney thence,
And parte the citie quight,
Which tidings made the Matrons glad,
The newes did breed delight:
And parte the citie quight,
Which tidings made the Matrons glad,
The newes did breed delight:
The packts & fardles then were made,
The wagons were puruayde,
Both carte and horses readie were,
And women well apayde,
The wagons were puruayde,
Both carte and horses readie were,
And women well apayde,
That to their husbāds they should passe
When poynted day drewe on,
The streets were stuft with cariage, wiues
Were readie to be gone:
When poynted day drewe on,
The streets were stuft with cariage, wiues
Were readie to be gone:
Their little babes and all were there
The porter only was
The cause of stay, without whose leaue
There might no carriage passe.
The porter only was
The cause of stay, without whose leaue
There might no carriage passe.
Whilst they at gate thus wayting were
A farre they might espye
A trowpe of sweating Souldiers runne,
That made a cruell crye:
A farre they might espye
A trowpe of sweating Souldiers runne,
That made a cruell crye:
And willd the women there to stoppe,
And thence agayne to goe
Into the citie whence they came,
The Princes will was so:
And thence agayne to goe
Into the citie whence they came,
The Princes will was so:
Those hewsters draue the horses back,
The streetes were somewhat straight,
Which made the prease exceeding great,
The iades were fully fraight
The streetes were somewhat straight,
Which made the prease exceeding great,
The iades were fully fraight
[107]
With heauie burdens on their backes,
Which so anoyde the way,
As women might not well retyre,
Nor there in safetie staye.
Which so anoyde the way,
As women might not well retyre,
Nor there in safetie staye.
But, by the meane of horse and men
Such hurlie burlie grewe,
That there the iades from off their backs
The little infants threwe.
Such hurlie burlie grewe,
That there the iades from off their backs
The little infants threwe.
The wofull sight that euer man
Of honest harte might see,
Such silly soules in such a throng
Of cartes and coltes to bee:
Of honest harte might see,
Such silly soules in such a throng
Of cartes and coltes to bee:
Who could not helpe them selues awhit
Nor haue the mothers ayde,
For they (good matrons) by this chaunce
Were verie much dismayd.
Nor haue the mothers ayde,
For they (good matrons) by this chaunce
Were verie much dismayd.
For as their glee was great before,
And ioyfull eke the newes,
To parte the towne: so this arest
Did make them greatly muse.
And ioyfull eke the newes,
To parte the towne: so this arest
Did make them greatly muse.
Ther might you see some babes braines
About the chanell lie,
Some broken legs, some broosed armes,
And some with feare did crie.
About the chanell lie,
Some broken legs, some broosed armes,
And some with feare did crie.
Were few but felt some part of paines,
In such a retchles throng:
And shee, that scaped best away,
Was crusht, and curstlie wrong.
In such a retchles throng:
And shee, that scaped best away,
Was crusht, and curstlie wrong.
108
When the Souldiers reckned had
And taken full accompte
Of wyues, and babes, & knew the summe
Whereto the whole did mounte:
And taken full accompte
Of wyues, and babes, & knew the summe
Whereto the whole did mounte:
Unto the Pallace ward they draue
Then like a flocke of sheepe,
Which hired shepherdes on the hills
For meate and wagies keepe.
Then like a flocke of sheepe,
Which hired shepherdes on the hills
For meate and wagies keepe.
And beate the sillie soules a good,
That seemd to slacke the way,
Who, what for feare and faintnesse would
Bene very glad to stay.
That seemd to slacke the way,
Who, what for feare and faintnesse would
Bene very glad to stay.
When to the tyrants court they came,
The monster by and by
Bereft the matrons all their robes,
Both wyues and babes to lye
The monster by and by
Bereft the matrons all their robes,
Both wyues and babes to lye
In pryson eke he gaue the charge:
Thus were they foule beguild,
Who thought (good dames) to seeke their men,
From Countrie bounds exilde.
Thus were they foule beguild,
Who thought (good dames) to seeke their men,
From Countrie bounds exilde.
Here will I leaue with heauy hartes,
The wyues their woes to waile,
Who hoping to depart the towne
Were closely kept in gayle,
The wyues their woes to waile,
Who hoping to depart the towne
Were closely kept in gayle,
And to the townes men will returne.
Who, when they sawe the rage
Their Prince was in, and wist not how
His rancour to asswage,
Who, when they sawe the rage
Their Prince was in, and wist not how
His rancour to asswage,
[108]
Amongst themselues deuisde at last
One practise to approue,
Whereby perhas they might haue hap
The tyrants hart to moue.
One practise to approue,
Whereby perhas they might haue hap
The tyrants hart to moue.
They had within the citie walles
A sorte of sacred dames
Whom sinne they thought it to abuse,
I wote not well their names:
A sorte of sacred dames
Whom sinne they thought it to abuse,
I wote not well their names:
Of Denys order all they were,
Sixtene, or there aboute.
The Citizens did deeme it good
The Nunnes to furnish out
Sixtene, or there aboute.
The Citizens did deeme it good
The Nunnes to furnish out
With robes and reliques of the church:
And in their hands to beare
Their painted Gods, procession wise,
As was the custome there:
And in their hands to beare
Their painted Gods, procession wise,
As was the custome there:
Well hoping by this subtill slight
To moue the Prince his harte,
Who though did murther men, they hope
Yet had not layde aparte
To moue the Prince his harte,
Who though did murther men, they hope
Yet had not layde aparte
All feare and dread of sacred saintes,
(As it fell out in deed)
For when that euery virgin had
Put on her holy weed,
(As it fell out in deed)
For when that euery virgin had
Put on her holy weed,
Alongst the towne they gan to goe,
In very graue aray,
With humble sute to stirre the Prince
To pitie those that lay
In very graue aray,
With humble sute to stirre the Prince
To pitie those that lay
109
In prison, mothers with their bakes,
Which was a wofull case.
As then, by chaunce the Tyrant was
Amid the market place.
Which was a wofull case.
As then, by chaunce the Tyrant was
Amid the market place.
The Souldiers seeing dames deuoute
So deckt with temple stuffe,
For reuerence of their order, did
Begin to stand aloofe,
So deckt with temple stuffe,
For reuerence of their order, did
Begin to stand aloofe,
And gaue them leaue to prease vnto
The Tyrant, where he was:
Who hauing licence, through the midst
Of all the gard did passe:
The Tyrant, where he was:
Who hauing licence, through the midst
Of all the gard did passe:
And being somewhat neere the prince,
The king began to stay,
To know, both whē the women came,
And what they had to say.
The king began to stay,
To know, both whē the women came,
And what they had to say.
They told their tale, & movde the sute,
And opened their intent:
Which when the Tyrant vnderstood,
Perceiuing what they ment:
And opened their intent:
Which when the Tyrant vnderstood,
Perceiuing what they ment:
Unto his traine he made a turne,
With grim and gastly cheere,
Controuling them, that did permit
The Nunnes to come so neere.
With grim and gastly cheere,
Controuling them, that did permit
The Nunnes to come so neere.
I lay the Tyrants taunts aside,
I purpose not to put
His kingly chafe within my verse:
But Souldiers combes were cut.
I purpose not to put
His kingly chafe within my verse:
But Souldiers combes were cut.
[109]
With that the gard began to grudge,
And for the checke they had,
With Holbards, which they held in hand,
They laid about like mad,
And for the checke they had,
With Holbards, which they held in hand,
They laid about like mad,
And bitterly did beate the dames,
With many a clubbish blowe,
Respect of reliques laid aside,
The Souldiers raged so.
With many a clubbish blowe,
Respect of reliques laid aside,
The Souldiers raged so.
Thus did they vse the sacred Nymphes
That were to Denyse vowde:
And to encrease their griefes the more,
Ech virgin eke allowde
That were to Denyse vowde:
And to encrease their griefes the more,
Ech virgin eke allowde
Two talents for a recompence,
Besides their hurts receivde:
Thus of their purpose, both the dames,
And Citie was deceyvde.
Besides their hurts receivde:
Thus of their purpose, both the dames,
And Citie was deceyvde.
At selfe same time, there liuing was
A man of great renowme,
When this outrage was put in vre.
And dwelt within the towne:
A man of great renowme,
When this outrage was put in vre.
And dwelt within the towne:
Ellanycus this noble hight,
Then stricken well in age,
Whose sonnes though Aristotimus
Had murthred in his rage:
Then stricken well in age,
Whose sonnes though Aristotimus
Had murthred in his rage:
Yet did mistrust him nought at all
Because he was so olde,
Was thought vnable ought to doe.
Which made the tyrant bolde.
Because he was so olde,
Was thought vnable ought to doe.
Which made the tyrant bolde.
110
This aged father waying well
His sonnes and countries spoile,
Determinde with himselfe to put
The tyrant to the foyle,
His sonnes and countries spoile,
Determinde with himselfe to put
The tyrant to the foyle,
And take reuenge of blood, by blood,
Of death, by murther done.
Loe here I leaue the Prince a while
His headlong race to runne.
Of death, by murther done.
Loe here I leaue the Prince a while
His headlong race to runne.
I must againe conuert my tale
Unto those banisht wights,
Whom sore it yrkt so long to lack
Their wiues and sweet delights.
Unto those banisht wights,
Whom sore it yrkt so long to lack
Their wiues and sweet delights.
For countrie loue by kinde doth worke
In euery honest brest,
And till we make returne againe
We neuer liue at rest
In euery honest brest,
And till we make returne againe
We neuer liue at rest
It was not long (I say) ere they,
That to Aolia were
By Aristotimus exilde,
And forst to tary there,
That to Aolia were
By Aristotimus exilde,
And forst to tary there,
With ioynt consent of many moe,
Tooke armes against the king:
To bid him battaile out of hand
Their Souldiers they did bring
Tooke armes against the king:
To bid him battaile out of hand
Their Souldiers they did bring
Within the tyrants countrie boundes,
And did possesse the land
That bordred on the citie which
This monster held in hand.
And did possesse the land
That bordred on the citie which
This monster held in hand.
[110]
There making stout and strong defence
Against the Princes powre,
From whence they might with ease assail,
And eke the foe deuoure.
Against the Princes powre,
From whence they might with ease assail,
And eke the foe deuoure.
And to increase their might the more,
All such as fled for feare
From Elyesus, ioynde their bandes,
And were vnited there:
All such as fled for feare
From Elyesus, ioynde their bandes,
And were vnited there:
So that the whole assembled rout,
Unto an armie grew:
So many were those banisht men
That from their countrie flew.
Unto an armie grew:
So many were those banisht men
That from their countrie flew.
Wherwith the Tyrant gan to quake,
And tremble verie much,
For why? this battaile that did grow,
His state did greatly touch.
And tremble verie much,
For why? this battaile that did grow,
His state did greatly touch.
The hammers beate within his brains,
As on a smithes forge,
He wist not how to void the foe,
Or troubles to disgorge,
As on a smithes forge,
He wist not how to void the foe,
Or troubles to disgorge,
That on his backe were like to light:
At length he thus bethought,
That hauing all their wiues and babes
Who all the mischiefe wrought,
At length he thus bethought,
That hauing all their wiues and babes
Who all the mischiefe wrought,
In prison closely vnder key,
He hopte he mought with ease,
Deuise a meane the malice of
His enemies to appease,
He hopte he mought with ease,
Deuise a meane the malice of
His enemies to appease,
111
Not by entreatie, but by force:
For so his cankred minde
Was bent to rigour: as of course
It is the Tyrants kinde.
For so his cankred minde
Was bent to rigour: as of course
It is the Tyrants kinde.
Wherefore vpon a day he went
Unto the prison, where
The sillie captiue Ladies lay,
With countnancefull of feare,
Unto the prison, where
The sillie captiue Ladies lay,
With countnancefull of feare,
With glowing eies, with bended browes
And angrie Lions looke,
Commanding those whose husbands earst
Their natiue soyle forsooke,
And angrie Lions looke,
Commanding those whose husbands earst
Their natiue soyle forsooke,
To write their letters out of hand,
And speede a poast away
With earnest sute vnto the men
From farther force to stay,
And speede a poast away
With earnest sute vnto the men
From farther force to stay,
And do their wrathful weapons down:
Thus wild he them to write.
This was the summe that he would haue
Those women to endite.
Thus wild he them to write.
This was the summe that he would haue
Those women to endite.
Which of you do refuse (quoth he)
To complish by and by,
Be sure those eluish brattes of yours
And puling babes shall die:
To complish by and by,
Be sure those eluish brattes of yours
And puling babes shall die:
And more than that, you (mothers) you
Shall not be clere exempt
Of torment, but the duly scurgde
For penance of contempt.
Shall not be clere exempt
Of torment, but the duly scurgde
For penance of contempt.
[111]
The women aunswerd not a word,
Which chaft the tyrant sore:
Who being thus to choller movde,
Bid them delay no more,
Which chaft the tyrant sore:
Who being thus to choller movde,
Bid them delay no more,
Nor trifle, but resolue vpon
The matter out of hand,
If not, they shoulde his princely power
And pleasure vnderstand.
The matter out of hand,
If not, they shoulde his princely power
And pleasure vnderstand.
The Ladies doubtfull what to say,
Upon ech other gazde,
As who would say, they feared not,
But somewhat were amazde.
Upon ech other gazde,
As who would say, they feared not,
But somewhat were amazde.
There was by chance amongst the rest,
One wife, a worthie dame
Temoliont her husband hight,
Megesten was her name,
One wife, a worthie dame
Temoliont her husband hight,
Megesten was her name,
Who for the honour of her spouse,
A man of good discent,
And her good vertues, farre before
Those other matrons went:
A man of good discent,
And her good vertues, farre before
Those other matrons went:
One whom the rest did reuerence much
And honor for her wit:
This Ladie whilst the tyrant talkt,
With sober grace did sit,
And honor for her wit:
This Ladie whilst the tyrant talkt,
With sober grace did sit,
And neuer movde her selfe a whit,
But causde the others eke
To doe the like: who when the Prince
Had done his tale, gan speake,
But causde the others eke
To doe the like: who when the Prince
Had done his tale, gan speake,
112
Not honoring the king at all,
And thus the Ladie sed.
O Aristotimus, hadst thou
Had iudgement in thy hed,
And thus the Ladie sed.
O Aristotimus, hadst thou
Had iudgement in thy hed,
Or any wisedome in thy brest,
Thou wouldst not thus entice
Or goe about to make vs write
Our letters of aduice
Thou wouldst not thus entice
Or goe about to make vs write
Our letters of aduice
Unto our husbands, teaching them
How they should doe and deale,
In case concerning good estate
Of this our common weale.
How they should doe and deale,
In case concerning good estate
Of this our common weale.
Farre fitter had it been for thee
Us matrons to haue sent
In message, vsing better termes
To further thine intent,
Us matrons to haue sent
In message, vsing better termes
To further thine intent,
And better order in thy deedes
Than thou hast done of late:
I meane the time, when we were staide
Euen at the castle gate
Than thou hast done of late:
I meane the time, when we were staide
Euen at the castle gate
At point to issue out of towne,
Thou mockdst vs there in deede,
Full greatly to thy taynte and shame.
But now that things proceede
Thou mockdst vs there in deede,
Full greatly to thy taynte and shame.
But now that things proceede
Against thee as thou knowste no meane
To scape the present doubt:
If now (I say) by meane of vs
In speech thou goe about
To scape the present doubt:
If now (I say) by meane of vs
In speech thou goe about
[112]
Our husbands to begile, as vs
In deedes thou hast before:
I tell thee plaine, thou art deceivde,
Thou scanste without thy score.
In deedes thou hast before:
I tell thee plaine, thou art deceivde,
Thou scanste without thy score.
That they be not entrapt againe,
Wee women will beware:
I would not wish thou shouldst surmise
That we such Asses are
Wee women will beware:
I would not wish thou shouldst surmise
That we such Asses are
Or sotted so, as seeking wayes
To ayde and saue our selues
From paine of prison, and to ease
Our little apish elues,
To ayde and saue our selues
From paine of prison, and to ease
Our little apish elues,
We would aduise our husbands to
Despise their countrie wealth,
Whose freedome dearer ought to be
Than any womās health.
Despise their countrie wealth,
Whose freedome dearer ought to be
Than any womās health.
The losse were light, though we decay,
That babes and women be:
And better were, our husbands should
Us all in cofyn see
That babes and women be:
And better were, our husbands should
Us all in cofyn see
Than they should vnreuenged goe,
Or die, without the foyle
Of him, that seekes to murther men,
And worke his countrie spoyle.
Or die, without the foyle
Of him, that seekes to murther men,
And worke his countrie spoyle.
This Ladie would haue further gon
And tolde the processe out,
Saue that the Tyrant grew in rage,
And gastly lookt about,
And tolde the processe out,
Saue that the Tyrant grew in rage,
And gastly lookt about,
113
Unable longer to endure
The force of furious rage:
Go firra, goe in poste and fetche
(Quoth he vnto his page)
The force of furious rage:
Go firra, goe in poste and fetche
(Quoth he vnto his page)
This desperate dames vnhappie babe:
And ere I parte this place,
I will destroy and slay the sonne
Before the mothers face.
And ere I parte this place,
I will destroy and slay the sonne
Before the mothers face.
Whilste thus the Page in message sent
Went seeking here and there
Among the other boyes: this dame
(A Ladie voyde of feare)
Went seeking here and there
Among the other boyes: this dame
(A Ladie voyde of feare)
Had spide anon her little impe:
Come hither come (quoth she
My prettie elfe, yet rather I
My selfe will murther thee
Come hither come (quoth she
My prettie elfe, yet rather I
My selfe will murther thee
With friendly mothers forced hande,
And reaue thy limmes of life,
Than euer with thy bloud thou shalte
Imbrewe a butchers knife.
And reaue thy limmes of life,
Than euer with thy bloud thou shalte
Imbrewe a butchers knife.
Which speach of hers so spitefull was,
And nipt the King so nye,
As he in furie farther sette,
Did sweare the dame should die.
And nipt the King so nye,
As he in furie farther sette,
Did sweare the dame should die.
And therewithall set hand to sworde
To let the Ladie blood,
That readie there to brooke his force
Before his presence stood.
To let the Ladie blood,
That readie there to brooke his force
Before his presence stood.
[113]
And died doubtles there shee had
And caught a sodaine clappe
To set her packing, saue there was
A friend of his by happe,
And caught a sodaine clappe
To set her packing, saue there was
A friend of his by happe,
One Cylo, whom he deerly loude,
That held the Princes arme,
And was the cause, by stay thereof,
The Lady had no harme.
That held the Princes arme,
And was the cause, by stay thereof,
The Lady had no harme.
This Cylo he was one of them
Who ment to slay the king
With helpe of good Ellanycus:
They had deuisde the thing
Who ment to slay the king
With helpe of good Ellanycus:
They had deuisde the thing
Long earst betwixt themselues: for why?
They could no longer byde
This cruell monsters bluddie hande,
And stomacke stuft with pride.
They could no longer byde
This cruell monsters bluddie hande,
And stomacke stuft with pride.
This sage appeasde the Princes wrath
Who hauing throughly made
A truce betwixt his rage and him,
And causde him sheathe his blade:
Who hauing throughly made
A truce betwixt his rage and him,
And causde him sheathe his blade:
Perswaded that it yll became,
And was a brutish thing,
For him that was a noble peere,
Yea such a puisant King,
And was a brutish thing,
For him that was a noble peere,
Yea such a puisant King,
To bathe his blade in womans bloud:
The conquest was vnfitte
For such as in the like estate.
And royall roome did sitte,
The conquest was vnfitte
For such as in the like estate.
And royall roome did sitte,
114
Within a while that this was done,
A marueilous happe befell
To Aristotimus, that did
This tyrants death foretell.
A marueilous happe befell
To Aristotimus, that did
This tyrants death foretell.
For being with his Queene in bed
In daliauce and delight,
His seruants, going to their meate,
An Egle sawe in sight,
In daliauce and delight,
His seruants, going to their meate,
An Egle sawe in sight,
That made vnto the Pallacewarde,
As fast as shee mought flie:
This vggly Egle came amayne,
And soaring in the skie
As fast as shee mought flie:
This vggly Egle came amayne,
And soaring in the skie
Iust ouer gainst the very place,
Somewhat beside the hall
Where lay the Prince, from out her foote
The foule a stone let fall,
Somewhat beside the hall
Where lay the Prince, from out her foote
The foule a stone let fall,
And presently vpon the deed
Away apace did flie
Quite out of sight, and as she went
Shee gaue a cruell crye.
Away apace did flie
Quite out of sight, and as she went
Shee gaue a cruell crye.
Whereat the seruants meruelld much
And made so great a dyn,
As therewithall the king awoke
That had in slumber byn.
And made so great a dyn,
As therewithall the king awoke
That had in slumber byn.
His seruants tolde him what they saw,
And how the case did stande,
He all in poast, vpon reporte
Sent horsemen out of hand,
And how the case did stande,
He all in poast, vpon reporte
Sent horsemen out of hand,
[114]
For one that was a deepe deuine,
In whom he did affye
To shewe the case, to heare his minde,
And what was ment thereby.
In whom he did affye
To shewe the case, to heare his minde,
And what was ment thereby.
The Prophet made him answere thus:
O puisant Prince, (quoth he)
Disgorge thy care, abandon feare,
Let nothing trouble thee.
O puisant Prince, (quoth he)
Disgorge thy care, abandon feare,
Let nothing trouble thee.
Pluck vp thy manly harte: for Ioue
Doth tender thine estate,
And makes a speciall care of thee,
The Egle that of late
Doth tender thine estate,
And makes a speciall care of thee,
The Egle that of late
Thy seruants sawe, his herald is
Whom he in message sent,
To shew thee, that the mightie God
Is very greatly bent
Whom he in message sent,
To shew thee, that the mightie God
Is very greatly bent
To ayde thy force against thy foes,
Who long with murthring knife,
To spoyle theyr countrie of their king
And reaue the Princes life.
Who long with murthring knife,
To spoyle theyr countrie of their king
And reaue the Princes life.
But boldly this presume, that God
Himselfe will stand with thee,
Gainst such as seeke thy death, and who
Thy mortall enemies bee.
Himselfe will stand with thee,
Gainst such as seeke thy death, and who
Thy mortall enemies bee.
The tale this cunning Calcar tolde,
Did ease the tyrants brest
Of diuers doubtes, wherewith he was
By Egles meane opprest.
Did ease the tyrants brest
Of diuers doubtes, wherewith he was
By Egles meane opprest.
115
Hee soundly slepte, no doubting death,
Nor fearing ciuill sworde:
But marke the end, and what it was
To trust a Prophets worde.
Nor fearing ciuill sworde:
But marke the end, and what it was
To trust a Prophets worde.
For hereupon the men that ment
The murther of the king,
(Ellanicus, and all his mates)
Thought good to doe the thing
The murther of the king,
(Ellanicus, and all his mates)
Thought good to doe the thing
Which they pretended out of hande,
Not making longer stay.
And so among themselues eft soone
Concluded, on the day
Not making longer stay.
And so among themselues eft soone
Concluded, on the day
That followed next to worke the feate
And bring their drifte to passe,
And that selfe night, Ellanicus,
As he in slumber was,
And bring their drifte to passe,
And that selfe night, Ellanicus,
As he in slumber was,
Dreamte, that the elder of his sonnes
Whom earst the tyrant slewe,
Presented him before his face,
With wordes that here ensue:
Whom earst the tyrant slewe,
Presented him before his face,
With wordes that here ensue:
Why sleepe, & slugge you (father deare)
Why doe you linger so?
That you to morowe shall subdue
Doe you as yet not know?
Why doe you linger so?
That you to morowe shall subdue
Doe you as yet not know?
And reaue this citie from the king
Who now enioyes the same?
Departe your pillow (father mine)
And balke your bed for shame.
Who now enioyes the same?
Departe your pillow (father mine)
And balke your bed for shame.
[115]
Wherewith Ellanycus reliude,
And hoping then in deede
Of happie lucke, in breake of day
Sought out his crewe with speede.
And hoping then in deede
Of happie lucke, in breake of day
Sought out his crewe with speede.
That were confedered in the facte:
Perswading them to caste
All dread aparte, and flat to fall
Unto their feate at laste.
Perswading them to caste
All dread aparte, and flat to fall
Unto their feate at laste.
And at the selfe same time the king,
(As hapte) a vision had,
That fed him with assured hope,
And made him passing glad.
(As hapte) a vision had,
That fed him with assured hope,
And made him passing glad.
This dreame presented to his thought,
That with a mightie trayne
Craterus came, to take his parte,
Resistance was in vayne.
That with a mightie trayne
Craterus came, to take his parte,
Resistance was in vayne.
There was no cause why he should care
But be of courage stoute,
For that Craterus had beset
Olympia rounde about.
But be of courage stoute,
For that Craterus had beset
Olympia rounde about.
This vision vayne, of good successe
Did so assure the king,
As in the dawning timely hee
Not dreading any thing
Did so assure the king,
As in the dawning timely hee
Not dreading any thing
Departes the Pallace, voyde of awe,
With whom there only went
That Cylo, which was one of those
That all this mischief ment.
With whom there only went
That Cylo, which was one of those
That all this mischief ment.
116
By one and one his other men,
Did followe somewhat slacke:
Which when Ellanycus perceiude,
How hee his trayne did lacke:
Did followe somewhat slacke:
Which when Ellanycus perceiude,
How hee his trayne did lacke:
The time it fitted finely then,
The season seemed good,
Unto this auncient foe of his,
To let this tyrant blood,
The season seemed good,
Unto this auncient foe of his,
To let this tyrant blood,
Without the giuing any signe,
For so deuisde he had
With such as were his fellow friendes:
But being very glad,
For so deuisde he had
With such as were his fellow friendes:
But being very glad,
Up lifteth he his aged armes
Unto the azurde skies,
And with the lowdest voyce he could,
Unto his mates he cryes:
Unto the azurde skies,
And with the lowdest voyce he could,
Unto his mates he cryes:
Why doe you loyter, (valiant laddes)
And men of great renowne,
To doe so worthy deede as this,
Amid your noble towne?
And men of great renowne,
To doe so worthy deede as this,
Amid your noble towne?
Which worde no soner spoken was,
But Cylo first of all
Set hand to sword, and drewe it out,
And slewe me therewithall,
But Cylo first of all
Set hand to sword, and drewe it out,
And slewe me therewithall,
First one of those that issued with
The tyrant him to garde.
Who so should take a tyrants parte,
Deserues the like rewarde.
The tyrant him to garde.
Who so should take a tyrants parte,
Deserues the like rewarde.
[116]
Then after that, when Cylo thus
The matter had begunne,
Lampydio, and Trasybule
With all their force did runne
The matter had begunne,
Lampydio, and Trasybule
With all their force did runne
Upon the monster, fully bent
Him out of hand to slay,
Who then began to trust his legges:
For why? he ran his way,
Him out of hand to slay,
Who then began to trust his legges:
For why? he ran his way,
To scape the danger of his death,
And to the temple fled
Of Iupiter the mightie God,
In hope to saue his hed.
And to the temple fled
Of Iupiter the mightie God,
In hope to saue his hed.
But heathen gods mought nothing help
His enemies were so hote,
As him amid the sacred Church
With shining swordes they smote,
His enemies were so hote,
As him amid the sacred Church
With shining swordes they smote,
And there bereft him of his life,
That well deserude to dye:
And after dragde him blooddy thence
In open streete to lye.
That well deserude to dye:
And after dragde him blooddy thence
In open streete to lye.
There lay his loathsome carkasse slaine
For euery man to vewe,
The people did reioyce at harte
For freedome gotte anewe.
For euery man to vewe,
The people did reioyce at harte
For freedome gotte anewe.
So glad were neuer hungrie houndes
Pursuing of the hare,
To fasten on the fearefull beast
Each dogge to haue his share,
Pursuing of the hare,
To fasten on the fearefull beast
Each dogge to haue his share,
117
As were the subiects eger then
The tyrant to pursue,
With hatefull blood of such a beast
Their wepons to imbrew.
The tyrant to pursue,
With hatefull blood of such a beast
Their wepons to imbrew.
Whilst thus the folkes debating stood
Of matter hapt so late,
Ech wife began to gaze about,
And prie to finde her mate.
Of matter hapt so late,
Ech wife began to gaze about,
And prie to finde her mate.
For now the banisht men were come
Unto the towne againe.
To tell the mirth at meeting tho
I thinke it were in vaine.
Unto the towne againe.
To tell the mirth at meeting tho
I thinke it were in vaine.
For as their care was common earst,
Whilst he the realme did gide,
So semblant was their ioy no doubt,
When such a monster dyde.
Whilst he the realme did gide,
So semblant was their ioy no doubt,
When such a monster dyde.
This done, the people gan to preace
Unto their Pallaceward,
But ere they came, how matters went,
The quaking Queene had hard,
Unto their Pallaceward,
But ere they came, how matters went,
The quaking Queene had hard,
And of the slaughter of her King,
Full heauie newes, God wot:
Wherefore mistrusting what would hap,
Eftsoone her selfe she got
Full heauie newes, God wot:
Wherefore mistrusting what would hap,
Eftsoone her selfe she got
Into a priuie counting house,
Where to escape their force,
About a beame shee hung a sheete,
And strangled so her corse.
Where to escape their force,
About a beame shee hung a sheete,
And strangled so her corse.
[117]
A dolefull case that any dame
That was a Princes wife,
Should for her husbands sake, be forst
To rid herselfe of life.
That was a Princes wife,
Should for her husbands sake, be forst
To rid herselfe of life.
But yet of both, more happy she,
Than was her husband slaine:
For ventrously shee put her selfe
To death, not dreading paine,
Than was her husband slaine:
For ventrously shee put her selfe
To death, not dreading paine,
But he the captiue, cowardlike
To Ioue for succour ran,
And tooke the temple, like a wretch,
And dide not like a man.
To Ioue for succour ran,
And tooke the temple, like a wretch,
And dide not like a man.
But turne we to our tale againe:
The tyrant by this Queene
Two daughters had, the fairest wights
That lightly mought be seene,
The tyrant by this Queene
Two daughters had, the fairest wights
That lightly mought be seene,
And ripe in yeeres to match with men:
Who hauing heard report
How that their father murthred was
In such a cruell sort:
Who hauing heard report
How that their father murthred was
In such a cruell sort:
In minde to void the furious foes
(As virgins full of feare)
Conuaide themselues into a vawte
To stay in safetie there.
(As virgins full of feare)
Conuaide themselues into a vawte
To stay in safetie there.
But they that sought, so many were,
And pryed so well about,
As in the seller where they lay,
They found the maidens out.
And pryed so well about,
As in the seller where they lay,
They found the maidens out.
118
Whom thence, without delay, they drew,
And whet their eger knyues,
As fully bent as men mought be,
To reaue the Ladies liues.
And whet their eger knyues,
As fully bent as men mought be,
To reaue the Ladies liues.
But there by hap Megesten was,
Of whom we spake before,
At whose entreatie, and the sute
Of other matrones more,
Of whom we spake before,
At whose entreatie, and the sute
Of other matrones more,
Those noble Nymphs wer tho forborn,
For thus Megesten said
To such as sought to doe the deede:
In slaying of a maid
For thus Megesten said
To such as sought to doe the deede:
In slaying of a maid
You do the thing that Butchers hearts
Would neuer vndertake,
Good faith it were a shamefull fact
So vile a spoile to make,
Would neuer vndertake,
Good faith it were a shamefull fact
So vile a spoile to make,
As file your sisters with virgins blood,
Against your manly kinde:
Let greedie lust to be auengde
Not make your eyes so blinde.
Against your manly kinde:
Let greedie lust to be auengde
Not make your eyes so blinde.
But rather, if so be, there is
No nay, but they must die,
Giue leaue, at my request, that they
Their proper strength may trie.
No nay, but they must die,
Giue leaue, at my request, that they
Their proper strength may trie.
Let them make choice vpon their death
And scape your handie force.
Whereto they all agreed in one,
But no man tooke remoise.
And scape your handie force.
Whereto they all agreed in one,
But no man tooke remoise.
[118]
It irckt them that the tyrants blood
Shouldst rest so long vnshed:
There were appointed for the nones
That both the Ladies led
Shouldst rest so long vnshed:
There were appointed for the nones
That both the Ladies led
Into an inner lodging, where
When they arriued were,
The eldest sister like a Dame
Undaunted, voyde of feare,
When they arriued were,
The eldest sister like a Dame
Undaunted, voyde of feare,
From off her waste did loose the scarse
That girt her loynes about,
And bid her yonger sister doe
The like with courage stout.
That girt her loynes about,
And bid her yonger sister doe
The like with courage stout.
Then to a refter of the house,
Their girdles both were tide,
The knots and all were fitly made
To cause the silke to slide.
Their girdles both were tide,
The knots and all were fitly made
To cause the silke to slide.
Who so had viewde those virgins then
He would haue thought, that they
had not intended by and by
Such break neck game to play.
He would haue thought, that they
had not intended by and by
Such break neck game to play.
Their faces were so fresh to fight,
Their eyes did neuer stare,
Their tungs pronounst their tales as though
Their hartes had felt no care,
Their eyes did neuer stare,
Their tungs pronounst their tales as though
Their hartes had felt no care,
Their outward gesture shewde a ioy,
More rather than distresse:
When thus (I say) the knots were knit,
To do the feate, the lesse
More rather than distresse:
When thus (I say) the knots were knit,
To do the feate, the lesse
119
Of both the Ladies tooke the elder
Sister by the hand,
Requesting her, that shee as then
So much her friend would stand,
Sister by the hand,
Requesting her, that shee as then
So much her friend would stand,
As first to let her die the death,
And play her part before:
To whom the elder answered thus.
As neuer heretofore
And play her part before:
To whom the elder answered thus.
As neuer heretofore
I haue denyde thee (Sister) aughte
In all my life: So now
Euen at my death I am content
Unto thy will to bow.
In all my life: So now
Euen at my death I am content
Unto thy will to bow.
Thou shalt haue leaue to let me liue
Till thou be dead and gone:
But that which greeues me most of all,
And giues me cause of mone,
Till thou be dead and gone:
But that which greeues me most of all,
And giues me cause of mone,
Is, that I liue to see thy death
before my losse of life:
The yonger Ladie thereupon
Without a farther strife
before my losse of life:
The yonger Ladie thereupon
Without a farther strife
Conuaid her head into the scarfe:
The other standing there,
Gaue counsell so to place the knot
Iust vnderneath the eare,
The other standing there,
Gaue counsell so to place the knot
Iust vnderneath the eare,
As lightly she might loose her breath,
And rid her selfe of paine:
The yonger followed her aduise,
An easie death to gaine.
And rid her selfe of paine:
The yonger followed her aduise,
An easie death to gaine.
[119]
A wofull thing for me to write,
And loathsome eke to you
(Deare Ladies) who to passe their time
Shall hap my book to view:
And loathsome eke to you
(Deare Ladies) who to passe their time
Shall hap my book to view:
To thinke that two such virgins, borne
And bred in Princely blisse,
Should be inforst in fine, to make
So hard a choyce as this.
And bred in Princely blisse,
Should be inforst in fine, to make
So hard a choyce as this.
But (as the auncient Prouerbe goes)
Perforce obaies no law:
The crabbed carters whip will cause
A stately steed to drawe.
Perforce obaies no law:
The crabbed carters whip will cause
A stately steed to drawe.
The yonger sister thus bereft
Of life, the elder came
And cut the girdle of the beame
To hide her sisters shame,
Of life, the elder came
And cut the girdle of the beame
To hide her sisters shame,
As well as shee (good Ladie) might.
Then was her part to play:
Who putting on that other scarfe
About her necke, gan say
Then was her part to play:
Who putting on that other scarfe
About her necke, gan say
Unto Megesten: noble Dame,
When thou shalt see me ded:
For honours sake vnto thy kinde
See thou my carkasse led
When thou shalt see me ded:
For honours sake vnto thy kinde
See thou my carkasse led
In place that is for maidens meete,
Let not my body lie
Despoyld of robes, to naked shew
And view of euerie eye.
Let not my body lie
Despoyld of robes, to naked shew
And view of euerie eye.
120
And with her saying, downe shee slipte,
And by her bodies pease,
(Though light it were) did stop her pipes,
And so shee dyde with ease.
And by her bodies pease,
(Though light it were) did stop her pipes,
And so shee dyde with ease.
The Lenuoy.
Those
realmes right happy are, where princes rainge,
That measure out by vertue all their deedes,
Abhorring with their vassals blood to staine
Their sacred hands, and gore their kingly weedes:
The subiects there with willing harts obay,
And Peeres be safe from fall and foule decay.
That measure out by vertue all their deedes,
Abhorring with their vassals blood to staine
Their sacred hands, and gore their kingly weedes:
The subiects there with willing harts obay,
And Peeres be safe from fall and foule decay.
But (out alas) where awfull Tyrants hold
In haughtie cruell hands the royall powre,
And mischiefe runnes by office vncontrolde,
There aye the great the lesser sort deuoure:
By daylie proofe ech one may daily see,
That such as rulers are, such subiects be,
In haughtie cruell hands the royall powre,
And mischiefe runnes by office vncontrolde,
There aye the great the lesser sort deuoure:
By daylie proofe ech one may daily see,
That such as rulers are, such subiects be,
Unlesse the law forbid the lewde to sinne,
Unlesse the Prince by rigor vices quell,
Disorders will by sufferance soone rush in:
Who striues not then in mischiefe to excell?
By nature man vnto the worst is bent
If holesome statutes stay not his entent.
Unlesse the Prince by rigor vices quell,
Disorders will by sufferance soone rush in:
Who striues not then in mischiefe to excell?
By nature man vnto the worst is bent
If holesome statutes stay not his entent.
A hungrie wight is hardly barde from food,
The kindled straw is seldome when put out,
A Tyrant that hath tasted once of blood,
With much adoe forbeares the sillie rout:
So sweete is sinne, as once from vertue fall,
And thou art lightly lost for good and all,
The kindled straw is seldome when put out,
A Tyrant that hath tasted once of blood,
With much adoe forbeares the sillie rout:
So sweete is sinne, as once from vertue fall,
And thou art lightly lost for good and all,
[120]
No looking backe, no bending foote about,
No feare of fall for many a mischiefes past,
No ill reuockt, no dread of any doubt,
Till God by heapes powre downe his plagues at last:
As by this verse, is plainly set to view,
No matter fainde, but auncient storie true.
No feare of fall for many a mischiefes past,
No ill reuockt, no dread of any doubt,
Till God by heapes powre downe his plagues at last:
As by this verse, is plainly set to view,
No matter fainde, but auncient storie true.
Who would by might haue maintained Luzios lust,
That slewe the childe before the fathers face?
What King would wincke at matter so vniust?
Or fauour Ruffian in so foule a case?
The fact was vile, and dreadfull vengeance dewe
Unto a Prince, that such disorder knewe.
That slewe the childe before the fathers face?
What King would wincke at matter so vniust?
Or fauour Ruffian in so foule a case?
The fact was vile, and dreadfull vengeance dewe
Unto a Prince, that such disorder knewe.
To bolster vice, in others is a blame,
For such as may by power suppresse the deed:
But crowned kings incurre the greatest shame
When they themselues on Subiects flesh do feede:
For Lions take no pleasure in the blood
Of any beast vnlesse they bee withstood.
For such as may by power suppresse the deed:
But crowned kings incurre the greatest shame
When they themselues on Subiects flesh do feede:
For Lions take no pleasure in the blood
Of any beast vnlesse they bee withstood.
And when such states so fouly doe offend,
Not they alone doe bide the bitter scurge,
But subiects are for rulers vices shend:
As when the Sea doth yeeld to great a surge,
The lesser brookes doe swell aboue their boundes,
And ouerflow like floods, the lower grounds.
Not they alone doe bide the bitter scurge,
But subiects are for rulers vices shend:
As when the Sea doth yeeld to great a surge,
The lesser brookes doe swell aboue their boundes,
And ouerflow like floods, the lower grounds.
Lyacon lewde, that fed on strangers blood,
Although himselfe were he that God forgate,
Yet caused was that loue with sodaine blood
Drownde all the world, saue Pyrrha and her mate:
Thus one ill yeere may worke ten thousands woe,
God hates yll kings, and doth detest them so.
Although himselfe were he that God forgate,
Yet caused was that loue with sodaine blood
Drownde all the world, saue Pyrrha and her mate:
Thus one ill yeere may worke ten thousands woe,
God hates yll kings, and doth detest them so.
As heere we see this vgly Tyrants wife,
And giltlesse broode that neuer did offend,
Raunsomde the fathers faultes by losse of life,
And he him selfe was brought to wretched end:
Wherefore let Peeres and states vprightly stand,
Least they and theirs be toucht by Gods owne hande.
121
Raunsomde the fathers faultes by losse of life,
And he him selfe was brought to wretched end:
Wherefore let Peeres and states vprightly stand,
Least they and theirs be toucht by Gods owne hande.
For he that guydes the golden globe aloft,
Bekoldes from hie, and markes the deedes of man,
And hath reuenge for euery wicked thought,
Though he forbeare through mercy now and than:
He suffereth long, but sharpely payes at last,
If we correct not our misdoings past.
Bekoldes from hie, and markes the deedes of man,
And hath reuenge for euery wicked thought,
Though he forbeare through mercy now and than:
He suffereth long, but sharpely payes at last,
If we correct not our misdoings past.
He spares no more the Monarke, than the Page,
No more the Keysars than the countrie Clownes,
He fauours not the auncient for their age,
He cuts off Kings, for all their costly Crownes,
No royall roabes, no scepter, no deuice,
Can raunsome those that fauour fylthy vice.
No more the Keysars than the countrie Clownes,
He fauours not the auncient for their age,
He cuts off Kings, for all their costly Crownes,
No royall roabes, no scepter, no deuice,
Can raunsome those that fauour fylthy vice.
[121]
[Symona likt of Pasquine passing well]
The Argument to the ninth Hystorie.
Symona
likt of Pasquine passing well,
And he did frie as fast with egal flame,
In sorte, as on a time these louers fell
To make a match, of purpose for the same:
With one consent where time and place was set,
This louing couple in a garden met.
And he did frie as fast with egal flame,
In sorte, as on a time these louers fell
To make a match, of purpose for the same:
With one consent where time and place was set,
This louing couple in a garden met.
There ech to other vttered their deuise,
To salue the sores that fancy fixt in brest,
They kist, they colld, thus neither part was nice,
To take the time of both vvas compted best:
Amid their glee, tvvas Pasquines hap to spie
A bed of sage, that there vvas grovving by.
To salue the sores that fancy fixt in brest,
They kist, they colld, thus neither part was nice,
To take the time of both vvas compted best:
Amid their glee, tvvas Pasquines hap to spie
A bed of sage, that there vvas grovving by.
Whereof he pluckt a leafe to rubbe his iawes,
And presently fell dead vpon the deede:
The vvēch exclamde, whose soden crie did cause
The neighbours by to come avvay vvith speede:
The man vvas founde there senselesse as he lay,
And she (poore vvench) as captiue borne avvay.
And presently fell dead vpon the deede:
The vvēch exclamde, whose soden crie did cause
The neighbours by to come avvay vvith speede:
The man vvas founde there senselesse as he lay,
And she (poore vvench) as captiue borne avvay.
The Crovvner sate, the iurie vvas in place,
The vvitesse came for triall of the truth,
The Iudge vvas there: vvho hearing all the case,
And hauing of the silly mayden ruth,
For pitie pausde, and to the garden vvent,
To learne the troth, and scan of her intent.
The vvitesse came for triall of the truth,
The Iudge vvas there: vvho hearing all the case,
And hauing of the silly mayden ruth,
For pitie pausde, and to the garden vvent,
To learne the troth, and scan of her intent.
122
Symona straight vnto the border ranne,
Where grew the Sage, & pluckt a leafe or twaine,
And therewithall to frote her gummes began,
As one that would bene quit of murther faine:
Lo thus (quoth she) my Lord, did he before,
And thus was all, I sawe him doe no more.
Where grew the Sage, & pluckt a leafe or twaine,
And therewithall to frote her gummes began,
As one that would bene quit of murther faine:
Lo thus (quoth she) my Lord, did he before,
And thus was all, I sawe him doe no more.
And with the word before the Iudge his face,
The giltlesse maide fell groueling on the ground
And there she died before them all in place,
And then the cause of both their banes was found
The tale ensues, which more at large doth tell,
Both of their loues, and how their deathes befell.
The giltlesse maide fell groueling on the ground
And there she died before them all in place,
And then the cause of both their banes was found
The tale ensues, which more at large doth tell,
Both of their loues, and how their deathes befell.
[122]
The
fame of Florence is so great,
That simple men do knowe
The brute thereof by true report:
Where dwelt not long agoe,
That simple men do knowe
The brute thereof by true report:
Where dwelt not long agoe,
A virgin fresh and fayre to viewe,
A iolly lusty dame,
As any was in all the towne,
Symona was her name.
A iolly lusty dame,
As any was in all the towne,
Symona was her name.
Whose beautie though were very braue
And kende had done as much
For her, as she mought well request,
Yet fortune seemde to grutche
And kende had done as much
For her, as she mought well request,
Yet fortune seemde to grutche
And malice at her featurd shape:
For as the same did passe,
Euen so her father of the meane,
And basest order was.
For as the same did passe,
Euen so her father of the meane,
And basest order was.
A man not hauing welth at will,
The stately mistresse chaunce,
Would not voutchsafe from lowe estate
This miser to aduaunce.
The stately mistresse chaunce,
Would not voutchsafe from lowe estate
This miser to aduaunce.
And hereupon the fathers want,
With whom it went so harde,
Of force constrainde the mayde to get
Her liuing by the carde
With whom it went so harde,
Of force constrainde the mayde to get
Her liuing by the carde
And wheele, and other like deuice,
As selly maydens vse,
With handy worke shee wonne her bread,
She could none other chuse,
As selly maydens vse,
With handy worke shee wonne her bread,
She could none other chuse,
123
Who though to earne her meat & drink
In spinning spent the day:
Yet in this beggers brest of hers,
A Lordlike hart there lay,
In spinning spent the day:
Yet in this beggers brest of hers,
A Lordlike hart there lay,
That burst adventure to assay
The force of Cupides flame:
For by the iestures and the talke
Of one that daily came
The force of Cupides flame:
For by the iestures and the talke
Of one that daily came
Unto the house where she abode,
A passing pleasant lad,
One of her owne estate, for wealth,
That of his mistresse had
A passing pleasant lad,
One of her owne estate, for wealth,
That of his mistresse had
Both wool and yarne to spin and twist:
The wench Symona fell
In fancy with this merry Greeke,
And lykt the weauer well.
The wench Symona fell
In fancy with this merry Greeke,
And lykt the weauer well.
The virgin by his sweete regardes
Was entred very farre,
And masht within the net of loue:
But yet she did not dare
Was entred very farre,
And masht within the net of loue:
But yet she did not dare
To further on that first attempt,
She fryde with secret fyre,
Of Pasquine (thus the youth was tearmd)
Whom she did so desire.
She fryde with secret fyre,
Of Pasquine (thus the youth was tearmd)
Whom she did so desire.
But euer as she twisted had
A threed vpon the wheele,
A thousand scalding sighes she fette:
The silly wench did feele
A threed vpon the wheele,
A thousand scalding sighes she fette:
The silly wench did feele
[123]
Them whotter farre than any flame
Thus issuing from her brest:
And euer as she went about,
She thought vpon the guest
Thus issuing from her brest:
And euer as she went about,
She thought vpon the guest
That brought the wool, to haue it wrought,
The spinning bredde the spight,
The threedes did make her minde the man,
When he was out of sight.
The spinning bredde the spight,
The threedes did make her minde the man,
When he was out of sight.
And shall we deeme the weauer, whom
The mayden loude so well,
Quite voyde of wanton humors — no:
For he to liking fell,
The mayden loude so well,
Quite voyde of wanton humors — no:
For he to liking fell,
And likewise eake as carefull woxe
As was the louing trull,
To see that thee did well dispatch
And spinne his mistresse wooll.
As was the louing trull,
To see that thee did well dispatch
And spinne his mistresse wooll.
(As though the making of the cloth
All wholly did depend
And only of Symonas threed)
Which made him not to sende,
All wholly did depend
And only of Symonas threed)
Which made him not to sende,
But often come him selfe, to see
How she her wheele applyde:
He neuer vsde to goe so ofte
To any place beside.
How she her wheele applyde:
He neuer vsde to goe so ofte
To any place beside.
And thus the one, by making meanes,
The other by desire
She had to be thus sude vntoo,
It hapt, he felt a fyre
The other by desire
She had to be thus sude vntoo,
It hapt, he felt a fyre
124
Unwonted, flaming in his brest:
And she had shifted feare
And shame aside, which still before
Her chiefest iewels were.
And she had shifted feare
And shame aside, which still before
Her chiefest iewels were.
And hereupon they ioyntly fell
Each other well to leeke,
Both parties did so well agree,
Small neede it was to seeke
Each other well to leeke,
Both parties did so well agree,
Small neede it was to seeke
Which of them both should first assayle,
Each fancyde other so,
As by each others face, each friend,
Each others heart did know.
Each fancyde other so,
As by each others face, each friend,
Each others heart did know.
And thus from day to day it grewe,
And still enkindled more,
The flaming loue which she to him,
And he Symona bore.
And still enkindled more,
The flaming loue which she to him,
And he Symona bore.
Untill at length this Pasquine prayde
The mayden earnestly,
To worke such way and meanes to come
Unto a garden by,
The mayden earnestly,
To worke such way and meanes to come
Unto a garden by,
Where he would tarrie her in place
Untill such time she came,
For that the garden was a plotte
Conuenient for the same,
Untill such time she came,
For that the garden was a plotte
Conuenient for the same,
And meerely voyde of all suspect:
There might they talke their fill.
Symona, like a gentle wench,
Did graunt him her good will.
There might they talke their fill.
Symona, like a gentle wench,
Did graunt him her good will.
[124]
One holyday at after noone,
Her father to deceiue,
Symona came with solemne sute,
Requesting him of leaue
Her father to deceiue,
Symona came with solemne sute,
Requesting him of leaue
To goe vnto saint Gallus Church,
To fetch a pardon there.
The selly aged syre agreed,
Whose eye the mayd did bleare:
To fetch a pardon there.
The selly aged syre agreed,
Whose eye the mayd did bleare:
For hereupon, another wench
Lagina cald, and she
Unto the garden went, where they
Had poynted him to bee.
Lagina cald, and she
Unto the garden went, where they
Had poynted him to bee.
But Pasquiue ere they came, was there,
And brought with him a mate,
Cald Stramba (Puccio was his name:)
This Stramba he should prate
And brought with him a mate,
Cald Stramba (Puccio was his name:)
This Stramba he should prate
And with Lagina chatte of loue,
The matche was pointed thus:
And whilst these two grosse louers did
Their matters so diseisse,
The matche was pointed thus:
And whilst these two grosse louers did
Their matters so diseisse,
Unto the farther end of all
The garden, Pasquine went,
And with Symona there conferde
As touching his entent.
The garden, Pasquine went,
And with Symona there conferde
As touching his entent.
Heare leaue I (Ladies) both the talke
Which Stramba did deuise
Unto his late acquainted lasse,
Presume his tale was wise,
Which Stramba did deuise
Unto his late acquainted lasse,
Presume his tale was wise,
125
For as Cupido whets the tongue
So doth he sharp the braine
Of those that loue, and earnest are
Their Ladies to attaine.
So doth he sharp the braine
Of those that loue, and earnest are
Their Ladies to attaine.
And though perhaps this fellow wer
Not come of gentle kinde,
Yet being matcht with on he likt,
Perhaps coulde tell his minde.
Not come of gentle kinde,
Yet being matcht with on he likt,
Perhaps coulde tell his minde.
For fansie makes the foolish wise,
And compasse in his hed,
By what deuice he may atchieue
His liked Ladies bed.
And compasse in his hed,
By what deuice he may atchieue
His liked Ladies bed.
To Pasquine turne we now againe,
Who (as I said) of late
Was stept aside, of purpose with
His minion to debate.
Who (as I said) of late
Was stept aside, of purpose with
His minion to debate.
There was, where he did sit, by chance
Conferring of the case,
A goodly bordered bed of sage,
Euen full beside the place,
Conferring of the case,
A goodly bordered bed of sage,
Euen full beside the place,
Where as this louing couple coapt
In secret sport and play:
Who hauing long with merrie talke
Consumde the time away,
In secret sport and play:
Who hauing long with merrie talke
Consumde the time away,
And made appointment eke to meete
Another day againe,
To banquet with Symona there
To feele a farther vaine.
Another day againe,
To banquet with Symona there
To feele a farther vaine.
[125]
This Pasquine to the sage resorts,
Whereof a leafe he strips
To rub his teeth and gummes withall,
Hee put it twixt his lips,
Whereof a leafe he strips
To rub his teeth and gummes withall,
Hee put it twixt his lips,
And so began to touch his teeth,
And therewithall did say
That Sage was very good to freat
The filthie flesh away
And therewithall did say
That Sage was very good to freat
The filthie flesh away
That stucke betwixt his hollow teeth.
Within a while that he
Had practisde thus vpon his gummes,
His countnance gan to be
Within a while that he
Had practisde thus vpon his gummes,
His countnance gan to be
Quite altred from the former forme,
And after that a space
That thus his visage swolne was
Unto an vglie face,
And after that a space
That thus his visage swolne was
Unto an vglie face,
He lost the vse of both his eyes,
And of his speech beside:
And so at length in sodaine sort
This louing weauer dide.
And of his speech beside:
And so at length in sodaine sort
This louing weauer dide.
Which when Symona had beheld,
She watred straight her eyes,
And (out alasse) to Stramba, and
Lagina lowde she cries.
She watred straight her eyes,
And (out alasse) to Stramba, and
Lagina lowde she cries.
The louers left the deep discourse,
And to the place they runne,
Where as so late this chaunce befell,
And deadly deed was done.
And to the place they runne,
Where as so late this chaunce befell,
And deadly deed was done.
126
Ariuing there, and finding dead
The weauer in the grasse,
And more than this, perceiuing how
His body swollen was:
The weauer in the grasse,
And more than this, perceiuing how
His body swollen was:
And seeing all his face bespangde
With spots as black as cole,
And that in all the body was
Not any member whole:
With spots as black as cole,
And that in all the body was
Not any member whole:
Then Stramba cried out aloude,
Oh vile vnthriftie wench,
what hast thou done? why hast thou giuen
Thy friend a poysoned drench?
Oh vile vnthriftie wench,
what hast thou done? why hast thou giuen
Thy friend a poysoned drench?
What meanst thou by this deed of thine?
Which words were spoke so hie,
That all the neighbours heard the same
That were the dwellers by.
Which words were spoke so hie,
That all the neighbours heard the same
That were the dwellers by.
And in they pressed all in hast,
Into the garden, where
The showte was made, and being come
They found the body there
Into the garden, where
The showte was made, and being come
They found the body there
Both void of life, and fouly swolne,
An vgly sight to see.
And finding Stramba shedding teares,
And blaming her to be
An vgly sight to see.
And finding Stramba shedding teares,
And blaming her to be
The only cause of Pasquines death:
The wench vnable eke
For verie griefs of heart, a worde
In her defence to speake:
The wench vnable eke
For verie griefs of heart, a worde
In her defence to speake:
[126]
Though shee in deed were not the cause
Yet they that came to view
Did apprehend the girle, and thought
That Strambas wordes were true.
Yet they that came to view
Did apprehend the girle, and thought
That Strambas wordes were true.
When thus the wench arested was,
Shee wrong, and wept a pace:
And so from thence, was brought before
The common Iudge his face,
Shee wrong, and wept a pace:
And so from thence, was brought before
The common Iudge his face,
Unto the pallace where hee dwelt.
The maidens accusers were
Exceeding earnest in the case,
Both Stramba that was there
The maidens accusers were
Exceeding earnest in the case,
Both Stramba that was there
With Pasquine as his faithfull friend,
And other moe beside,
That came into the garden, when
The faithfull virgin cride.
And other moe beside,
That came into the garden, when
The faithfull virgin cride.
And hereupon the Iustice fell
To question of the fact,
Debating with the witnesses,
Who hauing throughlie rackt
To question of the fact,
Debating with the witnesses,
Who hauing throughlie rackt
The matter, and not finding her
As giltie of the deede,
Nor any proofe of malice that
Might from the maide proceede,
As giltie of the deede,
Nor any proofe of malice that
Might from the maide proceede,
As touching murther of the man:
Hee thought it good to stay
His iudgement, and himselfe to goe
Where dead the carkasse lay,
Hee thought it good to stay
His iudgement, and himselfe to goe
Where dead the carkasse lay,
127
To view the partie, and the place,
To beate the matter out:
For all the other euidence
Might not remoue the doubt
To beate the matter out:
For all the other euidence
Might not remoue the doubt
Within his head the Iudge conceivde
In this so strange a case.
The men that knew the garden, brought
The Iustice to the place
In this so strange a case.
The men that knew the garden, brought
The Iustice to the place
Where Pasquines carkasse puffed lay,
And strouting in such wise,
As made the Iudge himselfe amazde,
Hee could not well deuise
And strouting in such wise,
As made the Iudge himselfe amazde,
Hee could not well deuise
How such a mischiefe might bee done.
Which made him aske the maide
Symona, how the murther hapt.
To whom the virgin said,
Which made him aske the maide
Symona, how the murther hapt.
To whom the virgin said,
Renowmed Iustice, after talke
Betwixt this man and me,
Hee stept aside vnto the bed
Of Sage that here you see:
Betwixt this man and me,
Hee stept aside vnto the bed
Of Sage that here you see:
And with a leafe thereof he rubd
His gummes: as I do nowe,
(And therewithall shee tooke a leafe
To shew the Iustice how
His gummes: as I do nowe,
(And therewithall shee tooke a leafe
To shew the Iustice how
Her friend had done and this (quoth she)
He did, and died than.
Whereat this Stramba, and the rest
That records were, began
He did, and died than.
Whereat this Stramba, and the rest
That records were, began
[127]
To scorne and laugh in presence of
The Iudge, and earnestly
Made sute that fire might bee fet,
Wherein the wench to trie,
The Iudge, and earnestly
Made sute that fire might bee fet,
Wherein the wench to trie,
To feele the penance of her fact,
Which like a wicked wretch
She had deuisde: shee earned death
That would her friend dispatch.
Which like a wicked wretch
She had deuisde: shee earned death
That would her friend dispatch.
The virgin wofull for the death
Of him that latelie died,
And fearefull at the earnest sute
Which Stramba made beside:
Of him that latelie died,
And fearefull at the earnest sute
Which Stramba made beside:
Thus hauing rubd her tender iawes
With Sage before them all,
Without suspect of such mishap,
Bereft of life, dis fall
With Sage before them all,
Without suspect of such mishap,
Bereft of life, dis fall
Unto the ground, where Pasquine lay,
And in like sort did swell,
From louely lookes, to loathsome limmes
A monstrous chaunce to tell.
And in like sort did swell,
From louely lookes, to loathsome limmes
A monstrous chaunce to tell.
And thus to shew the meane, how earst
Her louer lost his breath,
This sillie giltlesse wench her selfe
Euen there did die the death.
Her louer lost his breath,
This sillie giltlesse wench her selfe
Euen there did die the death.
O happy soules, whose hap it was
In one selfe day to laue
So faithfully, and in selfe day
The pangs of death to proue.
In one selfe day to laue
So faithfully, and in selfe day
The pangs of death to proue.
128
And happier had you both ybin
If you had had the grace,
Some other where to spent the time,
And not within that place.
If you had had the grace,
Some other where to spent the time,
And not within that place.
But farre more blessed are yee nowe,
If in this death of yours,
You loue ech other as in life
Your likings did endure.
If in this death of yours,
You loue ech other as in life
Your likings did endure.
But (thou Symona) happiest art,
For ending so thy dayes:
If we that liue may iudge aright,
And yeeld the dead their praise.
For ending so thy dayes:
If we that liue may iudge aright,
And yeeld the dead their praise.
Whose innocent and giltlesse ghost
Dame Fortune did denie
By Strambas false surmised proofs
Without iust cause to die.
Dame Fortune did denie
By Strambas false surmised proofs
Without iust cause to die.
I count thee treble blest of God,
For Fortune found (I say)
A meane for thee by selfe same death,
That rid thy friende away.
For Fortune found (I say)
A meane for thee by selfe same death,
That rid thy friende away.
To set thee free from misreports,
And slaunder that did growe,
And gaue thee leaue by losse of life,
Unto thy loue to goe.
And slaunder that did growe,
And gaue thee leaue by losse of life,
Unto thy loue to goe.
The Iudge that saw this sodain chance
And all others eke
That present were, amazed stood,
And wist not what to speake
And all others eke
That present were, amazed stood,
And wist not what to speake
[128]
Or to coniecture in the cace,
The wisest tongues were domme.
At last, the Iudge as soone as hee
Was to his senses comme,
The wisest tongues were domme.
At last, the Iudge as soone as hee
Was to his senses comme,
Thus said: by this it doth appeare
The Sage that here you see,
Infected is, and venim strong:
Though Sage by nature be
The Sage that here you see,
Infected is, and venim strong:
Though Sage by nature be
A very soueraigne holesome hearbe,
The proofe hath made it plaine.
But for because we will be sure
It shall not hurt againe,
The proofe hath made it plaine.
But for because we will be sure
It shall not hurt againe,
Do delue it vp, and burne it here,
It may offend no more.
The Gardner therewithall was come,
Who digd it vp before
It may offend no more.
The Gardner therewithall was come,
Who digd it vp before
The Iudge, and all the standers by:
He had not parde the ground
Farre in, but that the cause of both
Those louers banes he founde.
He had not parde the ground
Farre in, but that the cause of both
Those louers banes he founde.
For vnderneath this bed of Sage,
The fellow that did dig,
Turnd vp a toade, a loathsome sight,
A worme exceeding big.
The fellow that did dig,
Turnd vp a toade, a loathsome sight,
A worme exceeding big.
The toade was of a monstrous growth:
Then euery man could tell
And iudge the cause of that mishap
Which both those friends befell.
Then euery man could tell
And iudge the cause of that mishap
Which both those friends befell.
129
Then could they say, the venomd worme
Had bealchd his poyson out,
And so infected both the roote,
And all the bed about
Had bealchd his poyson out,
And so infected both the roote,
And all the bed about
Where grewe the Sage, that bred their deaths:
Then sawe they playne the cause
And reason why the weauer dyde,
By rubbing of his iawes.
Then sawe they playne the cause
And reason why the weauer dyde,
By rubbing of his iawes.
They made no more adoe, but forst
The gardner by and by
To make a fyre to burne the Sage,
And eke the Toade to frie
The gardner by and by
To make a fyre to burne the Sage,
And eke the Toade to frie
That was the cause of double spoyle.
The Iudge had nought to say
When this was done, but parted home,
The people went their way.
The Iudge had nought to say
When this was done, but parted home,
The people went their way.
Straight Stramba, and his other mates
That gaue in euidence
Against Symona, brought a Beare,
And bare the bodies thence
That gaue in euidence
Against Symona, brought a Beare,
And bare the bodies thence
So vgly swollen as they lay,
Unto Saint Paules, and there
Within one Tombe did burie both,
For of that Church they were.
Unto Saint Paules, and there
Within one Tombe did burie both,
For of that Church they were.
[129]
Lenuoy.
As
noble mindes to loue are kindly bent,
And haughty harts to fancie homage yeelde,
As Cupid makes the stoutest states relent,
And martiall men that daunt the foe in fielde:
So meanest mates are masht within the net,
That wily loue, to trappe his trayne hath set.
And haughty harts to fancie homage yeelde,
As Cupid makes the stoutest states relent,
And martiall men that daunt the foe in fielde:
So meanest mates are masht within the net,
That wily loue, to trappe his trayne hath set.
What Prince so prowde, what King for al his crown:
What sage so sadde, or solemne in his sawes,
What wight so wise, but Cupid brings him downe,
And makes him stoupe to nature and her lawes?
Both poore and rich doe loue by course of kinde,
The proofe whereof in all degrees we finde.
What sage so sadde, or solemne in his sawes,
What wight so wise, but Cupid brings him downe,
And makes him stoupe to nature and her lawes?
Both poore and rich doe loue by course of kinde,
The proofe whereof in all degrees we finde.
That Hector sterne that stroue to mayntayne Troy,
And slewe with sword full many a Greekish knight,
For al the warres, yet loude Andromache,
With her he slept, in her he tooke delight:
His manly brest that force of foe withstoode,
Was razde by loue, his Curage did no good.
And slewe with sword full many a Greekish knight,
For al the warres, yet loude Andromache,
With her he slept, in her he tooke delight:
His manly brest that force of foe withstoode,
Was razde by loue, his Curage did no good.
Vlisses flie, for all his wilie wit,
Was lodgde in loue, by Cyrces sugred cuppe,
Plato deuine, whose stile the Starres dyd hit,
With learned lips of Venus sauce did suppe:
His graue precepts stoode him in slender sted,
Whome lawe of kinde, in lincke of fancie led.
Was lodgde in loue, by Cyrces sugred cuppe,
Plato deuine, whose stile the Starres dyd hit,
With learned lips of Venus sauce did suppe:
His graue precepts stoode him in slender sted,
Whome lawe of kinde, in lincke of fancie led.
Fell Dionyse with Alexander great,
Duke Iason, Paris, Pirrhus, Pompey take,
And he whome Dydo did so well entreate,
That to the curteous Queene his vowe did breake:
Yea Ioue him selfe, Apollo, Mars and all,
To Venus bowde, each one was Cupids thrall.
Duke Iason, Paris, Pirrhus, Pompey take,
And he whome Dydo did so well entreate,
That to the curteous Queene his vowe did breake:
Yea Ioue him selfe, Apollo, Mars and all,
To Venus bowde, each one was Cupids thrall.
The noblest Nimphes that euer were aliue,
The queyntest queenes the force of fancie felt,
The dayntiest dames durst not with loue to striue,
The haughtiest harts, had Cupid made to mete:
Medea, Phillis, Helen, Phedra fierce,
Creula, Oenon, Lucrece loue did pierce.
The queyntest queenes the force of fancie felt,
130
The haughtiest harts, had Cupid made to mete:
Medea, Phillis, Helen, Phedra fierce,
Creula, Oenon, Lucrece loue did pierce.
Laodamie, Hermyon Hypsiphill,
Curst Clitemnestra, Brisies, Deyanire,
Semyrami, and Progne prone to kill,
With Mirrha Biblis lust to loue did stirre:
And thousands moe, of whome the Poetes tell,
Prouokt by loue, to flaming fancy fell.
Curst Clitemnestra, Brisies, Deyanire,
Semyrami, and Progne prone to kill,
With Mirrha Biblis lust to loue did stirre:
And thousands moe, of whome the Poetes tell,
Prouokt by loue, to flaming fancy fell.
Which sith is so, I may with better face
A pardon craue of you that Ladies be,
For bringing here a homely wench in place,
And ranking her with dames of gallant glee:
Who sith did rage in fancie as the rest,
Why should she not be plast among the best?
A pardon craue of you that Ladies be,
For bringing here a homely wench in place,
And ranking her with dames of gallant glee:
Who sith did rage in fancie as the rest,
Why should she not be plast among the best?
Put case her byrth was base, her linage lowe,
Her parynts poore, her liuelod bare and thin,
Sith Cupid did his golden shaft bestowe
Upon her brest, when liking entred in,
Let her receiue the guerdon that is dewe
To faithfull loue, and march with Cupids crewe.
Her parynts poore, her liuelod bare and thin,
Sith Cupid did his golden shaft bestowe
Upon her brest, when liking entred in,
Let her receiue the guerdon that is dewe
To faithfull loue, and march with Cupids crewe.
Where leaue is lowed for each one to contend,
Where markes are made the cunningst hand to trie,
Without reproofe each one his bowe doth bend
And arrowes there without controlement flie:
Likewise sith loue at rendon roues his dartes,
We ought not scorne the meanest louing hartes,
Where markes are made the cunningst hand to trie,
Without reproofe each one his bowe doth bend
And arrowes there without controlement flie:
Likewise sith loue at rendon roues his dartes,
We ought not scorne the meanest louing hartes,
When Cresus brings his gorgeous giftes in hand,
And slay an oxe to offer to the goddes,
A groome with gote by him may boldly stand,
In holy Church they little count of oddes:
The minde is all that makes or marres the thing,
A Carter loues as whotly as a King.
And slay an oxe to offer to the goddes,
A groome with gote by him may boldly stand,
In holy Church they little count of oddes:
The minde is all that makes or marres the thing,
A Carter loues as whotly as a King.
[130]
[A merchants sonne that Girolanus hight]
The Argument to the tenth Historie.
A merchants sonne that Girolanus hight,
Of tender age, in great good liking fell
VVith one Saluestra, a damsell faire and bright,
A taylers daughter, who there by did dwell:
The aged father did, and left the boy
Abounding welth, his heyre and only ioy.
Of tender age, in great good liking fell
VVith one Saluestra, a damsell faire and bright,
A taylers daughter, who there by did dwell:
The aged father did, and left the boy
Abounding welth, his heyre and only ioy.
The carefull mother doubting least her sonne
VVold make his choice, & marie with this maide
Dispatcht him thence to Paris, there to wonne,
Vntill his heate and humor were delaide.
To please his friends away this yonker rode,
And there a space (vnwilling) made abode.
VVold make his choice, & marie with this maide
Dispatcht him thence to Paris, there to wonne,
Vntill his heate and humor were delaide.
To please his friends away this yonker rode,
And there a space (vnwilling) made abode.
Retires in fine to Florence backe againe,
VVhen mothers feare & doubts were layde aside,
His auncient loue aye sticking in his brayne:
But ere he came, the wench was woxe a bryde,
VVhich greude him sore, he wist not how to deale
At last deuisde into her house to steale.
VVhen mothers feare & doubts were layde aside,
His auncient loue aye sticking in his brayne:
But ere he came, the wench was woxe a bryde,
VVhich greude him sore, he wist not how to deale
At last deuisde into her house to steale.
VVhere being plast, vnwist of any wight,
He stayde his time, till husband fel on sleepe,
Then out he gate, defenst with darke of night,
And softly to Saluestras bed did creepe:
He sighde, he sued, he pleaded there for life,
In hope to had his pleasure of the wife.
He stayde his time, till husband fel on sleepe,
Then out he gate, defenst with darke of night,
And softly to Saluestras bed did creepe:
He sighde, he sued, he pleaded there for life,
In hope to had his pleasure of the wife.
131
But al for nought, his winde did shake no corne
The womans will was bent another way:
VVhich when he found, as one that was forlorne
He wist not how to do, nor what to say:
His griefe was such, as by Saluestras side
He laide him downe, and there for sorow dyde.
The womans will was bent another way:
VVhich when he found, as one that was forlorne
He wist not how to do, nor what to say:
His griefe was such, as by Saluestras side
He laide him downe, and there for sorow dyde.
The husbād wakes, the wife bewrayes the case,
The corse was streight conueyde away by night,
When morow came, the beare was brought in place,
The graue was cast, the body lay in sight,
The mother mournd, and many matrons moe,
Bewayl the chaunce of him that died so.
The corse was streight conueyde away by night,
When morow came, the beare was brought in place,
The graue was cast, the body lay in sight,
The mother mournd, and many matrons moe,
Bewayl the chaunce of him that died so.
Among the rest that present were to viewe
This heauie hap, Saluestra stoode as than,
She sawe her friend, whom she vnkindly slewe,
And therewithall to rewe his death began:
So deepely sanke remorse into this dame,
As downe she fell, and dyde vpon the same.
This heauie hap, Saluestra stoode as than,
She sawe her friend, whom she vnkindly slewe,
And therewithall to rewe his death began:
So deepely sanke remorse into this dame,
As downe she fell, and dyde vpon the same.
[131]
As
auncient men report, there dwelt
A Merchant man of yore
In Florence, who by traficke had
Increast his stocke to more
A Merchant man of yore
In Florence, who by traficke had
Increast his stocke to more
Than any of his race had done,
A very wealthy wight:
Who on his wife begate a sonne
That (Girolamus) hight.
A very wealthy wight:
Who on his wife begate a sonne
That (Girolamus) hight.
And after time the babe was borne,
The father chaunst to die,
But (as it hape) he made his will
Before, and orderly
The father chaunst to die,
But (as it hape) he made his will
Before, and orderly
Disposde his goods, as men are wont:
The carefull mother then,
A widow left, with good aduise
And ayde of learned men.
The carefull mother then,
A widow left, with good aduise
And ayde of learned men.
The tutors of this merchants sonne,
Both vsde the infant well,
And gaue such eye vnto his stocke
As nought to damage fell.
Both vsde the infant well,
And gaue such eye vnto his stocke
As nought to damage fell.
This childe (as common order is)
Did vse to sport and play
Among the other neighbors babes,
To driue the time away.
Did vse to sport and play
Among the other neighbors babes,
To driue the time away.
And (as the childrens custome is,
Some one among the rest
To fancy most,) euen so this boy
Did like a mayden best
Some one among the rest
To fancy most,) euen so this boy
Did like a mayden best
132
A Taylers daughter dwelling by:
They daily vsde to meete
With sundrie other babees moe
Amid the open shreete.
They daily vsde to meete
With sundrie other babees moe
Amid the open shreete.
This liking in their tender yeeres
Shot vp, and grew to more,
Euen as their limms encreast by age,
The sparke which loue before
Shot vp, and grew to more,
Euen as their limms encreast by age,
The sparke which loue before
Had kindled in his wanton brest,
Did growe to greater fire,
And Girolamus in his heart
The mayden did desire.
Did growe to greater fire,
And Girolamus in his heart
The mayden did desire.
Their daily custome came to kinde,
And looke what day that he
Had past without the sight of her,
He thought it lost to be.
And looke what day that he
Had past without the sight of her,
He thought it lost to be.
And that which set the flaxe on fire,
And bred the hoter flame,
Was, that the boy did well perceiue
The mayden ment the same,
And bred the hoter flame,
Was, that the boy did well perceiue
The mayden ment the same,
And likte aswell of him againe,
The mother when she sawe
This matter worke, began to checke.
And keepe the wagge in awe,
The mother when she sawe
This matter worke, began to checke.
And keepe the wagge in awe,
And whipt him now and then among:
But when she did perceiue
The stubborne stripling set her light,
And that he would not leaue
But when she did perceiue
The stubborne stripling set her light,
And that he would not leaue
[132]
Those wanton trickes, vnfit for youth,
She woxe a wofull dame:
And to the tutors of her sonne
This pensiue widowe came,
She woxe a wofull dame:
And to the tutors of her sonne
This pensiue widowe came,
(As one that of that crabtree thorne
An Orenge tree would fayne
Haue made, because his stocke was great,
But all her toyle was vaine.)
An Orenge tree would fayne
Haue made, because his stocke was great,
But all her toyle was vaine.)
And to the sages thus she said,
Ungracious graffe my sonne,
Scarce fourteene yeeres of age as yet,
Already hath begonne,
Ungracious graffe my sonne,
Scarce fourteene yeeres of age as yet,
Already hath begonne,
And entred in the snare of loue:
The wagge begins to frie
With one Saluestras liking lust,
A taylours daughter by.
The wagge begins to frie
With one Saluestras liking lust,
A taylours daughter by.
So that vnlesse me wise by deale,
And warely seeme to watch,
At length (perhaps) this foolish elfe
Will with the mayden match,
And warely seeme to watch,
At length (perhaps) this foolish elfe
Will with the mayden match,
And make a rash contract with her:
Which if should happen so,
From that time foorth, I should not liue
A merrie day I knowe.
Which if should happen so,
From that time foorth, I should not liue
A merrie day I knowe.
Or if he should consume and wast
With thought, or pine away,
To see her matcht some other where,
Then woe were me I say.
With thought, or pine away,
To see her matcht some other where,
Then woe were me I say.
118
Wherefore to voyde this present ill,
I thinke it best (quoth shee)
That you conuey him hence in hast,
If you be ruld by me.
I thinke it best (quoth shee)
That you conuey him hence in hast,
If you be ruld by me.
Cause him to trauaile in affayres
Concerning Merchants trade:
For that perhaps by absence from
The maide, he may be made
Concerning Merchants trade:
For that perhaps by absence from
The maide, he may be made
To quite forget his wanton loue,
And put her out of minde,
And make some other better choyce.
Abroade the boy shall finde,
And put her out of minde,
And make some other better choyce.
Abroade the boy shall finde,
A wench that is descended well,
To linke himselfe withall:
No doubt, I see him fullie bent
By loue to hazard all
To linke himselfe withall:
No doubt, I see him fullie bent
By loue to hazard all
The tutors liked well the tale
The mother widow told,
And made her promise presently
To doe the best they could,
The mother widow told,
And made her promise presently
To doe the best they could,
By counsell and by good aduise.
And thereupon they sent
A messenger vnto the ympe,
That to the warehouse went,
And thereupon they sent
A messenger vnto the ympe,
That to the warehouse went,
And wild the boy so come away:
Who, being come in place,
The one began to speake him thus
With milde and friendlie face.
Who, being come in place,
The one began to speake him thus
With milde and friendlie face.
[118]
My sonne, sith you are past a childe,
I would your wit allow,
If you would somewhat looke about
Unto your profite now,
I would your wit allow,
If you would somewhat looke about
Unto your profite now,
And see your selfe where all goe right
That doth concerne your gaine:
We, that your tutors are, agree,
(If you will take that paine)
That doth concerne your gaine:
We, that your tutors are, agree,
(If you will take that paine)
That you to Paris trauaile, ther
To stay a certaine space:
For, there, your father, whilst he liude,
In banke your wealth did place,
To stay a certaine space:
For, there, your father, whilst he liude,
In banke your wealth did place,
Euen there your chiefest traficke lyes:
And eke besides the same,
You shall your selfe to manners good
And better fashion frame,
And eke besides the same,
You shall your selfe to manners good
And better fashion frame,
By lodging in so trim a towne
Where lustie gallants be,
There shall you store of Gentlemen,
And brauest Barons see.
Where lustie gallants be,
There shall you store of Gentlemen,
And brauest Barons see.
And hauing learned their good grace,
And markt their vsage well,
You may returne you home againe,
Among your friends to dwell.
And markt their vsage well,
You may returne you home againe,
Among your friends to dwell.
The boy did note his tutors tale,
That did perswade him so,
And brieflie made answere, that
He did not minde to goe
That did perswade him so,
And brieflie made answere, that
He did not minde to goe
134
To Paris, for he thought he mought
Aswell in Florence stay
As any one, what neede he then
To trauaile thence away.
Aswell in Florence stay
As any one, what neede he then
To trauaile thence away.
The sages being answerde thus,
Unto the widdow went,
And tolde the mother how her sonne,
The wilfull wag, was bent.
Unto the widdow went,
And tolde the mother how her sonne,
The wilfull wag, was bent.
The matrone, mad to heare the newes,
Spake not a word at all
Of Paris matters, but foorthwith
Unto his loue did fall:
Spake not a word at all
Of Paris matters, but foorthwith
Unto his loue did fall:
Controuling him for roysting rule,
And for his baudie life:
And did not let to tell him, how
He meant to take a wife.
And for his baudie life:
And did not let to tell him, how
He meant to take a wife.
But, as the mothers manner is,
For euery bitter checke,
Shee gaue her sonne a honie sop,
And hung about his necke:
For euery bitter checke,
Shee gaue her sonne a honie sop,
And hung about his necke:
And flattred him againe as fast,
And did the boy entice
By all the friendly meanes she might
To follow their aduise:
And did the boy entice
By all the friendly meanes she might
To follow their aduise:
The mother widow preached had
Unto her sonne so long,
Of this and that, and in his eare
Had sung so sweete a song:
Unto her sonne so long,
Of this and that, and in his eare
Had sung so sweete a song:
[134]
As for a yeere to trauell well,
The boy perswaded was,
To stay in Fraunce, and so his time
In forraine Realme to passe.
The boy perswaded was,
To stay in Fraunce, and so his time
In forraine Realme to passe.
I leaue the taking of his horse,
I write not of his woe:
I passe of purpose all his plaints
His countrie to forgoe.
I write not of his woe:
I passe of purpose all his plaints
His countrie to forgoe.
I doe omit his bitter teares
At time of his remoue,
For those to deeme, that haue assaide
The pangs of pensiue loue.
At time of his remoue,
For those to deeme, that haue assaide
The pangs of pensiue loue.
I write not of the mothers griefe,
To bid her sonne farewell,
For that herselfe was pleasde withall
And likt his voyage well.
To bid her sonne farewell,
For that herselfe was pleasde withall
And likt his voyage well.
To Paris when this gallant came,
Loue gaue the charge anew
Upon his heart, the fight was fierce,
A greater fancie grew
Loue gaue the charge anew
Upon his heart, the fight was fierce,
A greater fancie grew
Within his bosome, than before:
The absence from her face,
Might not delay the hote desire
That had this youth in chace.
The absence from her face,
Might not delay the hote desire
That had this youth in chace.
And thus, the boy, that meant at first
But for a yeere to stay,
Full two yeeres out, in burning loue
In Fraunce at Paris lay.
But for a yeere to stay,
Full two yeeres out, in burning loue
In Fraunce at Paris lay.
135
Which time expyrde, inwrapped more
In flakes of fancies flame,
Than when he went from Italy,
He backe to Florence came,
In flakes of fancies flame,
Than when he went from Italy,
He backe to Florence came,
And being there arrivde, he heard
His auncient friend was sped:
A certaine Curten maker hapt
This wench meane while to wed.
His auncient friend was sped:
A certaine Curten maker hapt
This wench meane while to wed.
Whereat he greatly greeued was,
And vexed out of crie:
But seeing that there was no choice,
Nor other meanes to trie.
And vexed out of crie:
But seeing that there was no choice,
Nor other meanes to trie.
He purposde with himselfe a truce
His sorowes to expell.
But at the length he had espide
Where did this damsell dwell,
His sorowes to expell.
But at the length he had espide
Where did this damsell dwell,
And found her standing at her dore:
Then grew this youth in heate,
And as enamored wights are wont,
He gan the streetes to beate,
Then grew this youth in heate,
And as enamored wights are wont,
He gan the streetes to beate,
Both vp, and downe, both to and fro,
He vsed oft to stalke
Before the Curten makers house,
In hope by often walke
He vsed oft to stalke
Before the Curten makers house,
In hope by often walke
That she would pitie of his paines,
And eke his torment rue,
He verliy presumde that shee
Her Girolanus knewe.
And eke his torment rue,
He verliy presumde that shee
Her Girolanus knewe.
[135]
But fortune fell not out aright,
Shee knew the man no more,
Than one whom earst shee neuer same
In all her life before.
Shee knew the man no more,
Than one whom earst shee neuer same
In all her life before.
Or if shee did remember him,
At least shee made in wise
She wist not who the Marchant was,
So coy shee kest her eyes
At least shee made in wise
She wist not who the Marchant was,
So coy shee kest her eyes
On Girolamus passing by.
Yet he would neuer leaue
His wonted walke, in hope at last
Same fauour to receaue:
Yet he would neuer leaue
His wonted walke, in hope at last
Same fauour to receaue:
Deuising all the meanes he might
To bring the wife againe
In minde of him, who was her loue,
Her strangenesse bred his paine.
To bring the wife againe
In minde of him, who was her loue,
Her strangenesse bred his paine.
It greende the Marchant to the guts
That he was so forgote:
In fine he purposde with himself
(His feuer was so hote)
That he was so forgote:
In fine he purposde with himself
(His feuer was so hote)
To speake with her, although it cost
The loosing of his life:
And heere vpon, instructed by
The neighbours, where the wife
The loosing of his life:
And heere vpon, instructed by
The neighbours, where the wife
Whom he entirely loude did dwell,
Hee watcht his season so,
That, when the husband and his spouse,
With other neighbours mo,
Hee watcht his season so,
That, when the husband and his spouse,
With other neighbours mo,
136
Were walkt abroade to keep the watch,
He slilie did conuey
Himselfe into Saluestras house:
And being there, he lay
He slilie did conuey
Himselfe into Saluestras house:
And being there, he lay
Behinde the Curtaines, nie the bed,
Unspide of any man.
The Curtain maker and his wife
Returned home, began
Unspide of any man.
The Curtain maker and his wife
Returned home, began
To take their rest in wonted wife.
The man was sound asleepe
As soone as he was laid in couche:
Then gan this youth to creepe,
The man was sound asleepe
As soone as he was laid in couche:
Then gan this youth to creepe,
Upon his knees, vnto the side
Whereas Saluestra lay,
And hauing softly plast his handes
Upon her pappes, gan say:
Whereas Saluestra lay,
And hauing softly plast his handes
Upon her pappes, gan say:
What are you (sweeting) yet a sleepe?
With that the wife dismaide,
Would haue exclaimde, (as women wont
In such like sort afraide)
With that the wife dismaide,
Would haue exclaimde, (as women wont
In such like sort afraide)
Saue that the Marchant presently
Her friendly thus bespake.
Alas, my Deere, exclaime not now,
You need no thought to take,
Her friendly thus bespake.
Alas, my Deere, exclaime not now,
You need no thought to take,
For I am Girolamus, he
That tender your estate.
She hearing that, said, all afraid,
What make you here so late?
That tender your estate.
She hearing that, said, all afraid,
What make you here so late?
[136]
Good Girolanus get you hence,
Those youthfull yeeres are spent
Wherein it was our hap to loue,
That time good faith I ment:
Those youthfull yeeres are spent
Wherein it was our hap to loue,
That time good faith I ment:
Then lawfull was the thing we did.
But now you see that I
Am otherwise bestowde and matcht,
I must not now apply
But now you see that I
Am otherwise bestowde and matcht,
I must not now apply
My liking, but to him alone.
Wherefore, I pray, quoth shee,
For loue of God depart this place
Your purpose may not bee.
Wherefore, I pray, quoth shee,
For loue of God depart this place
Your purpose may not bee.
For if my husband wist yon heere,
(Put case none other ill
Ensude thereof) yet this be sure,
I should haue chiding still:
(Put case none other ill
Ensude thereof) yet this be sure,
I should haue chiding still:
Your being here would breede debate,
And purchase deadly strife,
Whereas with him, as now I leade
A iollie quiet life,
And purchase deadly strife,
Whereas with him, as now I leade
A iollie quiet life,
I am his darling well belovde.
When Girolanus had
Both heard, and noted all her talke,
Hee were exceeding sad.
When Girolanus had
Both heard, and noted all her talke,
Hee were exceeding sad.
His heart was pierst with pensiue woe
To heare the tale shee tolde,
Then gan hee wrie his former loue,
And all his flame vnfolde.
To heare the tale shee tolde,
Then gan hee wrie his former loue,
And all his flame vnfolde.
137
Declaring her, that distance had
Not flakte his burning fire:
And made request withall, that she
Should graunt him his desire.
Not flakte his burning fire:
And made request withall, that she
Should graunt him his desire.
He promisde golden mountaynes then,
But all his sute was vayne:
No iote of friendship for his life,
The merchant mought attaine.
But all his sute was vayne:
No iote of friendship for his life,
The merchant mought attaine.
Wherefore desirous then to die,
Saluestra he besought,
That in rewarde of all his loue,
And all his former thought
Saluestra he besought,
That in rewarde of all his loue,
And all his former thought
Which he had suffered for her sake,
She would but yelde him grace
To warme himselfe within her bed,
Fast by her side a space:
She would but yelde him grace
To warme himselfe within her bed,
Fast by her side a space:
Whose flesh so maner frozen was,
With staying there so long,
He made her promise on his faith
He mould not offer wrong
With staying there so long,
He made her promise on his faith
He mould not offer wrong
Unto Saluastra, no not once
Let fall a worde so mutch,
Nor yet her naked carkasse with
His manly members tutche:
Let fall a worde so mutch,
Nor yet her naked carkasse with
His manly members tutche:
But hauing taken there a heate,
And warmde himselfe in bed,
He would depart, and deeme that he
Sufficiently had sped.
And warmde himselfe in bed,
He would depart, and deeme that he
Sufficiently had sped.
[136]
Saluestra taking pitie then
Of Gyrolamus case,
Upon the promise made before
Did yelde him so much grace,
Of Gyrolamus case,
Upon the promise made before
Did yelde him so much grace,
As on her bed to stretch him selfe
The youth thus being laid
Besides his mistres, toucht her not
But with him selfe he waid
The youth thus being laid
Besides his mistres, toucht her not
But with him selfe he waid
The great good wil that he so long
Within his brest had borne:
Upon her present rigor eke
He thought, and shamefull scorne.
Within his brest had borne:
Upon her present rigor eke
He thought, and shamefull scorne.
And being brought to deepe dispaire,
He purposde not to liue,
But die the death without delay,
And vp the ghost to geue.
He purposde not to liue,
But die the death without delay,
And vp the ghost to geue.
And hereupon his sprites withdrew
Themselues from outward parts,
His senses fled, he stretcht him selfe,
And so the youth departs
Themselues from outward parts,
His senses fled, he stretcht him selfe,
And so the youth departs
Fast by Saluestras sauage side
To whom he sude for grace:
When Girolam thus dead had line
Upon her bed a space
To whom he sude for grace:
When Girolam thus dead had line
Upon her bed a space
The wench did wonder very much
That he was woxe so chaste.
Whose flame of late so burning was
And fancie fride so fast.
That he was woxe so chaste.
Whose flame of late so burning was
And fancie fride so fast.
137
At length in feare her husband would
Awake, she gan to say
Oh Gyrolamus how be this?
When wil you packe away?
Awake, she gan to say
Oh Gyrolamus how be this?
When wil you packe away?
But hearing him no answere make
She thought him sound asleepe
Which made her reach her hand to wake,
The man that slept so deepe.
She thought him sound asleepe
Which made her reach her hand to wake,
The man that slept so deepe.
She felt and found him colde as yce
Whereof she marueld much:
And therupon with greater force
She gan his limmes to touch.
Whereof she marueld much:
And therupon with greater force
She gan his limmes to touch.
And thrust him, but he stirred not,
With that within her head
The wife conceaued and wist ful wel
That Girolam was dead.
With that within her head
The wife conceaued and wist ful wel
That Girolam was dead.
Where of she was the soriest wench,
That euer liued by breath:
She knew not what to doe to see
So strange and sodaine death.
That euer liued by breath:
She knew not what to doe to see
So strange and sodaine death.
But yet at last she did deuise
To feele her husbands thought
In person of another, not
As though her selfe had wrought
To feele her husbands thought
In person of another, not
As though her selfe had wrought
Or been a party in the fact.
Put case, good sir (quoth she,)
A yonker loued a maried wife
As I my selfe mought be:
Put case, good sir (quoth she,)
A yonker loued a maried wife
As I my selfe mought be:
[138]
And comming to her chamber late,
In hope to winne the wife,
Were both begilde of all his hope,
And eke berefte of life,
In hope to winne the wife,
Were both begilde of all his hope,
And eke berefte of life,
By only force of franticke loue
And lacke of his desire,
And want of pities water, to
Delay his scalding fire.
And lacke of his desire,
And want of pities water, to
Delay his scalding fire.
What would you doe in such a pinche?
How would you deale as than?
Whereto the husband answered, that
He would conuay the man
How would you deale as than?
Whereto the husband answered, that
He would conuay the man
Unto his home, without mistrust
Or malice to the dame
His wife, that had resisted so
The force of Cupides flame.
Or malice to the dame
His wife, that had resisted so
The force of Cupides flame.
Which whē she herd, she answered thus
Then (husband) doth it lye
Upon vs nowe to practise that,
And eake that tricke to trye.
Then (husband) doth it lye
Upon vs nowe to practise that,
And eake that tricke to trye.
And taking of his hand, she put
It on the coarse that laye
Upon the other side of her,
As colde as any kaye.
It on the coarse that laye
Upon the other side of her,
As colde as any kaye.
Wherat the wilfull wight dismayde,
And ierst with sodaine feare,
Lepte of the bed full sore amazde,
To feele a body there.
And ierst with sodaine feare,
Lepte of the bed full sore amazde,
To feele a body there.
139
And out he ran to lighten linke,
Without debating more
Of further matter with his wife,
Of what they spake before.
Without debating more
Of further matter with his wife,
Of what they spake before.
The candle light bewrayed the corse,
He sawe the partie playne,
He made no more a doe, but put
Him in his robes agayne,
He sawe the partie playne,
He made no more a doe, but put
Him in his robes agayne,
And bore him on his shoulders thence:
And knowing verie well
His lodging, set him at the doore,
Where did his mother dwell:
And knowing verie well
His lodging, set him at the doore,
Where did his mother dwell:
When day was come, and people sawe
The carkasse of the dead
Before the gate, the fame thereof
Throughout the citie spread.
The carkasse of the dead
Before the gate, the fame thereof
Throughout the citie spread.
Each one did wonder at the chaunce,
That passed by the way,
They knewe the partie passing well,
But wist not what to say.
That passed by the way,
They knewe the partie passing well,
But wist not what to say.
Yet most of all, the mother musde,
And vexed was in minde,
That hauing searchte the body, coulde
No wounded member finde.
And vexed was in minde,
That hauing searchte the body, coulde
No wounded member finde.
Which made Phisitions flatly say,
That sorowe stopte his breath:
With one assent they all agreede,
That griefe did cause his death.
That sorowe stopte his breath:
With one assent they all agreede,
That griefe did cause his death.
[139]
As custome is, the corse was borne
Into a temple by
Where merchant men of his estate
And welthie wights did lie.
Into a temple by
Where merchant men of his estate
And welthie wights did lie.
The mourning mother thether came
To waile her sonnes decease
And with the matrone thousands moe
Of neighbors more and lesse.
To waile her sonnes decease
And with the matrone thousands moe
Of neighbors more and lesse.
Were come to church to shed their teares
Saluestras husband then.
Perceiuing that the preace was great,
Of women and of men,
Saluestras husband then.
Perceiuing that the preace was great,
Of women and of men,
Ran home & wilde his wife do on
A kerchiefe on her head:
And throng amid the wiues to beare
What newes went of the dead.
A kerchiefe on her head:
And throng amid the wiues to beare
What newes went of the dead.
And he him selfe thrust in among
The men, to learne what they
Imaginde of the marchants death,
Where any one did say
The men, to learne what they
Imaginde of the marchants death,
Where any one did say
Or had him in suspect thereof
Saluestra hereupon
Made hast to church, and felt remorse
Within her brest anone.
Saluestra hereupon
Made hast to church, and felt remorse
Within her brest anone.
But all to late her pitie came,
For she desired to vew
Him being dead, whom earst aliue
She tooke disdaine to rewe.
For she desired to vew
Him being dead, whom earst aliue
She tooke disdaine to rewe.
140
Or recompence so much as with
A kisse. O wenche vnkind,
A maruels thing, to thinke how hard
It is for man to finde
A kisse. O wenche vnkind,
A maruels thing, to thinke how hard
It is for man to finde
Or sounde the depth of louers thoughts,
Or knowe the force of loue:
For loe hir brest, whom Gyrolams
Good fortune might not moue,
Or knowe the force of loue:
For loe hir brest, whom Gyrolams
Good fortune might not moue,
Nor during life procure to ruth,
His death did raze hir harte.
His misaduentures did renewe
The stroke of Cupides darte.
His death did raze hir harte.
His misaduentures did renewe
The stroke of Cupides darte.
Hir auncient flame rekindled was,
And to such pitie grewe,
When as she did the carcasse dead
Of Gyrolamus vewe,
And to such pitie grewe,
When as she did the carcasse dead
Of Gyrolamus vewe,
That being but in simple weede,
As meanest women were,
By one and one she gate before
The richest matrons there,
As meanest women were,
By one and one she gate before
The richest matrons there,
Not stintyng till she came vnto
The body where it lay,
And being there she gaue a shoute,
And yelded forth a bray.
The body where it lay,
And being there she gaue a shoute,
And yelded forth a bray.
So loude as for hir life she could,
And groueling with hir face,
On Gyrolamus carcasse fell,
His bodie to imbrace.
And groueling with hir face,
On Gyrolamus carcasse fell,
His bodie to imbrace.
[140]
And bathde his limmes with brackish teares,
That issued from her eyes
As long as life would giue her leaue:
Which done, Saluestra dyes.
That issued from her eyes
As long as life would giue her leaue:
Which done, Saluestra dyes.
And looke how griefe & hidden thought,
Had slayne her desperate friend,
Euen so remorse of couerte cares,
Her loathed life did ende.
Had slayne her desperate friend,
Euen so remorse of couerte cares,
Her loathed life did ende.
Which when ye mourning matrons saw
Eache one in friendliest wise,
To comfort her in words began,
And willd her thence to rise,
Eache one in friendliest wise,
To comfort her in words began,
And willd her thence to rise,
As then not witting who she was:
But at the last, when that
She would not mount, but lay me still
Upon the body flat,
But at the last, when that
She would not mount, but lay me still
Upon the body flat,
They came to lift her on her legges,
And rayse her from the grounde,
And then, both that the wife was dead,
And who she was, they founde.
And rayse her from the grounde,
And then, both that the wife was dead,
And who she was, they founde.
Saluestra then she did appeare,
Then dubble woxe the woe
Of all the wiues that mourners were,
When they the dame did knowe.
Then dubble woxe the woe
Of all the wiues that mourners were,
When they the dame did knowe.
Then gan they mourne as fast againe
As ere they did before,
For euery sighe, a hundred sobbes,
For euery teare a score.
As ere they did before,
For euery sighe, a hundred sobbes,
For euery teare a score.
141
This brute no sooner out of Church,
Among the people came:
But out of hand her husband hearde
The tidings of the same.
Among the people came:
But out of hand her husband hearde
The tidings of the same.
Who (as I said) was gone among
The men, to lend an eare,
And hearken what report there went
Of them that died there.
The men, to lend an eare,
And hearken what report there went
Of them that died there.
Then like a louing husband, that
Imbrast Saluestra well,
From sobbing sighes, to trickling teares,
For her misfortune fell.
Imbrast Saluestra well,
From sobbing sighes, to trickling teares,
For her misfortune fell.
And waild her death no little time,
And after that, to some
That were in place, declard, by night
How Gyrolam did come
And after that, to some
That were in place, declard, by night
How Gyrolam did come
Unto his house, through burning loue
Which he Saluestra bore,
And tolde the tale from point to point,
As I haue pend before.
Which he Saluestra bore,
And tolde the tale from point to point,
As I haue pend before.
Whereat the audience wofull woxe,
That vnderstood the case,
Then taking vp the carkasse of
The wife that lay in place,
That vnderstood the case,
Then taking vp the carkasse of
The wife that lay in place,
And hauing knit the shrowding sheete,
As common custome is,
They layd her body on the beare,
And set her side to his.
As common custome is,
They layd her body on the beare,
And set her side to his.
[141]
Thus hauing wept vpon the dead
In proofe of inward paine:
And buried both together, home
The people went againe,
In proofe of inward paine:
And buried both together, home
The people went againe,
See lucke, whom loue was not of force,
Aliue to linke in one:
Death found the meanes to couple close,
Within a marble stone.
Aliue to linke in one:
Death found the meanes to couple close,
Within a marble stone.
141
Lenuoy.
VVhether
stars doe stir good lykyng from aboue,
By hidden force and couert power deuyne
Or chaunce breede choyce & leades vs on to loue
And fancy falles as fortune list assigne,
I cannot iudge nor perfectly defyne
But this I know once let it gather roote
And to remoue it then is slender boote.
By hidden force and couert power deuyne
Or chaunce breede choyce & leades vs on to loue
And fancy falles as fortune list assigne,
I cannot iudge nor perfectly defyne
But this I know once let it gather roote
And to remoue it then is slender boote.
Let sicknes grow, let cankers worke theyr wyl
Seeke not at first their malyce to suppresse
Scorne wholsome helpe doe floute at physikes skil
In hope thy greefe wyl swage and vvaxen lesse
And thou at last shalt neuer haue redresse
Diseases more admitte no cunning cure
The cause by tyme is fastned on so sure.
Seeke not at first their malyce to suppresse
Scorne wholsome helpe doe floute at physikes skil
In hope thy greefe wyl swage and vvaxen lesse
And thou at last shalt neuer haue redresse
Diseases more admitte no cunning cure
The cause by tyme is fastned on so sure.
When fire is once crept yn among the straw
And flame hath raught the rotten roofe on hye
Tis hardly quencht hys fury hath no law
It seldome sinkes tyl all on ground do ly
The way to help is busily to ply
The matter fyrst before it grow too far
When steedes are stolne tys bootles doores to barre.
And flame hath raught the rotten roofe on hye
Tis hardly quencht hys fury hath no law
It seldome sinkes tyl all on ground do ly
The way to help is busily to ply
The matter fyrst before it grow too far
When steedes are stolne tys bootles doores to barre.
Euen so it fares when fancy blowes the cole
Of frendship first and sets abroach good will
A man may ympes with ease from loue controle
Whilst feare doth force them stoupe to parents wyl
But let them run their race at ryot styl
And not rebukte by reason at the fyrst
Along they go let parents doe their worst.
Of frendship first and sets abroach good will
A man may ympes with ease from loue controle
Whilst feare doth force them stoupe to parents wyl
But let them run their race at ryot styl
And not rebukte by reason at the fyrst
Along they go let parents doe their worst.
Too late comes salues to cure confyrmed sores
When loue is linkt and choyce is chayned fast
You may as soone plucke trees vp by the rootes
As breake the knot or sunder promise past
The tackle hangs so sure vnto the Mast
When shype from shore haue hoyste vp all their sailes,
To bend about againe it little vailes.
When loue is linkt and choyce is chayned fast
You may as soone plucke trees vp by the rootes
As breake the knot or sunder promise past
[141]
When shype from shore haue hoyste vp all their sailes,
To bend about againe it little vailes.
So statelie is the stroke of Cupids bow,
So fell his force, so huge his heauie hand,
No striuyng serues, no shift to shun the blow.
No might nor meane his Godhead to withstand,
Who fastest runnes sinks deapest in the sands:
Wherefore I wish that parents giue consent,
And not repine when mindes to match are bent.
So fell his force, so huge his heauie hand,
No striuyng serues, no shift to shun the blow.
No might nor meane his Godhead to withstand,
Who fastest runnes sinks deapest in the sands:
Wherefore I wish that parents giue consent,
And not repine when mindes to match are bent.
For barre the sick whom Feuer doth molest,
To drinke his fill, his thirst will be the more,
Restraine thy Ienates course, thy bridle wrest,
The beast becommes farre fiercer than before,
Where streames be stopt, there riuers most doe rore,
Downe goe the banks, and ouer flowes the flood,
Where swellyng waters feele themselues withstood.
To drinke his fill, his thirst will be the more,
Restraine thy Ienates course, thy bridle wrest,
The beast becommes farre fiercer than before,
Where streames be stopt, there riuers most doe rore,
Downe goe the banks, and ouer flowes the flood,
Where swellyng waters feele themselues withstood.
No trauayle serues to sunder louing heartes,
No absence breedes in friendes forgetfull mindes,
The farther of that ech from other parts,
The hotter ech his flaming fancie findes.
Who striues to stop, doth most enrage the wynds:
No louer true, but beares within hys brest,
The shape of her whom he doth fancie best.
No absence breedes in friendes forgetfull mindes,
The farther of that ech from other parts,
The hotter ech his flaming fancie findes.
Who striues to stop, doth most enrage the wynds:
No louer true, but beares within hys brest,
The shape of her whom he doth fancie best.
As thunder showres, whom weather calmes againe,
Gyue greater drought and helpes along the string,
By meanes of heate mixt with the blowting raine:
So safe returne of absent friends, doth bring
Increase of loue and faster streames the spryng:
Respect of birth, of state, or ought beside,
Stops not the boat, that driues with such a tide.
Gyue greater drought and helpes along the string,
By meanes of heate mixt with the blowting raine:
So safe returne of absent friends, doth bring
Increase of loue and faster streames the spryng:
Respect of birth, of state, or ought beside,
Stops not the boat, that driues with such a tide.
A folly then for parents to restraine,
For lucres sake their children, sith we see
That both theyr care and labour is in vaine,
And sundrie times a thousand ples there bee
That doe ensue, when they will not agree:
Is in this tale the Florentine doth showe
The great mishaps by such restraint that grow.
For lucres sake their children, sith we see
143
And sundrie times a thousand ples there bee
That doe ensue, when they will not agree:
Is in this tale the Florentine doth showe
The great mishaps by such restraint that grow.
Could mothers threates, or tutors taunts reuoke
This Marchants minde, or make him alter loue,
Could Parris pleasure once this youth prouoke,
His auncient friend from fancie to remoue?
Yea, though it were a thing for his behoue,
No, backe he came the selfe same man he went,
He chaungde the ayre, but not his first entent.
This Marchants minde, or make him alter loue,
Could Parris pleasure once this youth prouoke,
His auncient friend from fancie to remoue?
Yea, though it were a thing for his behoue,
No, backe he came the selfe same man he went,
He chaungde the ayre, but not his first entent.
And loue, to helpe him onward on his race,
Assisted with deuise and subtile sleight,
Eke Uenus taught him how to come in place,
And shrowded him in cloudie cloke of night,
Whereby he might approch to his delight,
But all for nought. The game that he pursude,
Was caught before, and thence his bane ensude.
Assisted with deuise and subtile sleight,
Eke Uenus taught him how to come in place,
And shrowded him in cloudie cloke of night,
Whereby he might approch to his delight,
But all for nought. The game that he pursude,
Was caught before, and thence his bane ensude.
So Pyramus in Babylon of yore,
Faire Thisbe loued, but parents disagreed,
They might not match, but prisoned were therefore:
Yet loue at length this faithfull couple freed,
The time was set, the place and all decreed,
When foule mishap bereft them both of life,
Who slue themselues with one vnluckie knife.
Faire Thisbe loued, but parents disagreed,
They might not match, but prisoned were therefore:
Yet loue at length this faithfull couple freed,
The time was set, the place and all decreed,
When foule mishap bereft them both of life,
Who slue themselues with one vnluckie knife.
Had pitie lodge within Saluestras brest,
Would she haue forst so true a man to die,
Who chargde with loue and thousand woes distrest,
Did hazard life to presse in place so nie,
Unto a dame that with her spouse dyd lie?
O blooddie Beare, nay rather Tygers whelp
That would refuse her auncient friend to helpe.
Would she haue forst so true a man to die,
Who chargde with loue and thousand woes distrest,
Did hazard life to presse in place so nie,
Unto a dame that with her spouse dyd lie?
O blooddie Beare, nay rather Tygers whelp
That would refuse her auncient friend to helpe.
[143]
O marble mynde O stayne of womans stocke
Not fed with milke of kindly nurses pappe
But hewed with toole out of some ruthles rocke
And layd withyn some Lionesses lap
Couldst thou alow thy frend so hard a hap
As by thy syde amid his sute to see
Him dee the death and all for loue of thee?
Not fed with milke of kindly nurses pappe
But hewed with toole out of some ruthles rocke
And layd withyn some Lionesses lap
Couldst thou alow thy frend so hard a hap
As by thy syde amid his sute to see
Him dee the death and all for loue of thee?
Draw hether dames and read this bloody fact
Note wel the fruite of frovvardnes in loue
Peruse the plague of her that pyty lackt
See how in that she pleasd the gods aboue
Example take your rygor to remoue
And you that are Cupydos knyghts take heede
Bestovv no more good wil then shalbe need.
Note wel the fruite of frovvardnes in loue
Peruse the plague of her that pyty lackt
See how in that she pleasd the gods aboue
Example take your rygor to remoue
And you that are Cupydos knyghts take heede
Bestovv no more good wil then shalbe need.
Renounce the loue of such as are forsped
Forgoe those, frends vvhom law forbids to lyke
Courte no mans wyfe embrace no maryage bed
Leaue of your luste by others harmes to seeke
No such good vvyl can last aboue a vveeke
Looke vvhen you thynke your selues in cheefest pryce
They set you by vvhylst others throvv the dyce.
Forgoe those, frends vvhom law forbids to lyke
Courte no mans wyfe embrace no maryage bed
Leaue of your luste by others harmes to seeke
No such good vvyl can last aboue a vveeke
Looke vvhen you thynke your selues in cheefest pryce
They set you by vvhylst others throvv the dyce.
When once regard of honor lyes asyde
When credyt is respected nought at all
Then shame ensues and follovves after pride
From vertue then to fylthy vice they fall
And to allure they vse a pleasant call
And beyng once entangled in the tvvyg
To make you fat they feede you vvith a fyg.
When credyt is respected nought at all
Then shame ensues and follovves after pride
From vertue then to fylthy vice they fall
And to allure they vse a pleasant call
And beyng once entangled in the tvvyg
To make you fat they feede you vvith a fyg.
For one delyght ten thousand yls ensues
For little glee much bytter gall you gayne
You may not hope to fynde those vvomen true
Theyr husbands beds that doe not stick to stayne
And make them serue for clokes agaynst the rayne
Wherfore I say force not of any dame
That for a frend forgoes an honest name.
For little glee much bytter gall you gayne
You may not hope to fynde those vvomen true
Theyr husbands beds that doe not stick to stayne
And make them serue for clokes agaynst the rayne
Wherfore I say force not of any dame
That for a frend forgoes an honest name.
| Tragicall Tales translated by Tvrbervile | |